Module

Strategic Management
BBAB301B
(NQF LEVEL 7)

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT ASSIGNMENT

BBAB301B/S1 05/17

Due Date 22 March 2017

Exam Date 18 May 2017

Marks 100

Milpark Education Strategic Management BBAB301B Assignment March 2017 Page 1 of 7

 Assignment (BBAB301B/S1 05/2017)

Assignment code: Assignment 1 (BBAB301B/S1 05/17)

Assignment due date: 22 March 2017
Exam date: 18 May 2017

Please note that this assignment (22 March 2017) is directly linked to the exam
being written on 18 May 2017 and should only be completed and submitted if
you are writing your exam on this date.

Total: 100 marks

Note to student: You will be penalised for the copying of theory without
explanation/application to the scenario provided. You should use the theory in
support of your own answer. Non-application will result in a zero mark being
awarded.

SECTION A (100 MARKS) AN INVESTIGATION OF THE DIVERGENT

FIELD OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

Note to student: In preparing for your assignment, it is imperative that you

peruse the marking sheet shown on the last pages of this document, as this gives
you a good idea of the important aspects to consider.

Also make sure to study the assignment instructions, for download from the
BBAB301B myCourses page.

The assignment must be typed in Arial 12 with 1.5 line spacing and justified text.

This assignment must not be longer than 10 pages (including the title page, table
of contents and reference list).

It is not easy to define strategy and strategic management concisely. Watkins

(2007) suggests that many managers appreciate the importance of having
strategies and they know the theory, but struggle with the specifics of the actual
strategising process.

Milpark Education Strategic Management BBAB301B Assignment March 2017 Page 2 of 7

Ronda-Pupo and Guerras-Martin (2012:163) agree. They state that though
strategy is one of the most taught and studied concepts, it is paradoxically also
one of the least understood. Mintzbergs article, The Fall and Rise of Strategic
Planning, (1994:107), signified an era of reflexivity in strategic thought. Today,
various authors that question dominant logic, offer diverse ideas and theories.

For this assignment, you will explore different approaches to strategic

management. In order to do this, you are required to provide:

1. An overview of the history of strategic management

2. A comparison (in terms of each approachs main assumptions) between

the following major approaches to strategic management:

2.1 Structure follows strategy (Chandler)

2.2 Strategy as a rational planning process (Ansoff)
2.3 The theory of the firm (Penrose)
2.4 The resource-based view of strategy (Wernerfeldt)
2.5 Industry analysis/industrial organisation (Porter)
2.6 Contingency theory (Woodward)

3. A comparison between the traditional and emergent view of strategic

management (see Ehlers and Lazenby, 2010)

References:

For this assignment, you have to consult at least five academic sources. Failure
to reference sources correctly (in-text referencing, as well as a reference list) will
lead to a significant loss of marks. Download the Milpark Reference Guide (on
your myMilpark page) to assist you with referencing.

The following sources serve as examples of where you may find information for
this assignment. These sources are just examples; you are not forced to use
them.

Barney, J. 2001. Resource-based theories of competitive advantage: a ten-year

retrospective on the resource-based view. Journal of Management, 27:643-650.

Candy, V. and Gordon, J. 2011. The historical development of strategic

management theories. International Journal of Management and Information
Systems, 15(4): 71-90.

Milpark Education Strategic Management BBAB301B Assignment March 2017 Page 3 of 7

Clegg, S., Carter, C., Kornberger, M. and Schweitzer, J. 2011. Strategy: theory
and practice. London: SAGE.

Cummings, S. 2008. Strategy: past, present, future. In: Barry, D. and Hansen,
H. (eds). The SAGE handbook of new approaches in management and
organisation. London: SAGE.

Parnell, J. 2014. Strategic management: theory and practice. 4th ed. London:
SAGE.

Porter, M. 1985. Competitive advantage: creating and sustaining superior

performance. New York: Free Press.

Porter, M. 1996. What is strategy? Harvard Business Review, 74(6): 61-78.

Wernerfelt, B. 1984. A resource-based view of the firm. Strategic Management

Journal, 5(2):171-180.

Milpark Education Strategic Management BBAB301B Assignment March 2017 Page 4 of 7

 BBAB301B Assignment 1 Marking Sheet for (Student number): _____________________

Fail Pass Distinction

(049%) (5074%) (75100%)
Introduction The introduction is poorly structured. The structure of the introduction The structure of the
It does not introduce the main constructs is mostly acceptable. introduction is acceptable.
of the study. It introduces only some of the It introduces the main
It does not describe the contents to follow main constructs of the study. constructs of the study
in the assignment. It describes the contents to follow adequately.
in the assignment only partially. It provides a clear description
of the contents to follow in
the study.
Your mark: Comments:

/10
Fail Pass
(049%) (5074%)
Body The overall approach and design are not The overall approach and design
suited to the assignment questions. are mostly suited to the
The assignment is not structured well and assignment questions.
is not systematic with a logical flow. The assignment is mostly
The content is not relevant to the structured and systematic, with a
assignment question and does not make logical flow.
sense. The content is mostly relevant
The questions are not answered properly. and makes sense.
Many items are not addressed. The questions are partly
The answer does not sufficiently addressed. Some items are not
demonstrate analytical ability, advanced included in the answer.
understanding and clarity of thought. The answer does demonstrate
Content and ideas have not been some analytical ability,
integrated properly and there are understanding and clarity of
problems with the logic in the assignment. thought, but there is still room for
improvement in terms of
integration and logic of the
presentation.
Distinction
(75100%)
The overall approach and
design are completely suited
to the assignment questions.
The assignment is very well
structured and systematic,
with a logical flow.
The content is very relevant
and makes perfect sense.
The questions are accurately
interpreted (all aspects have
been addressed).
The answer demonstrates
analytical ability, advanced
understanding and clarity of
thought. There is proper
integration and logic in the
presentation.

Milpark Education Strategic Management BBAB301B Assignment March 2017 Page 5 of 7

 Your mark: Comments:

/40
Fail Pass
(049%) (5074%)
Literature No/too few relevant and credible sources Although some relevant and
review have been integrated and the argument credible sources have been
has not been supported with other expert integrated, the argument still
opinions from the literature. needs additional support from the
The student is unaware of the main literature.
theories and debates. The student is aware of some
The student has not referenced key aspects of the main theories and
authors in the field. debates.
There is no critical analysis of literature. The student has referenced some
The student is uncertain of the key authors in the field.
implications of literature for the project. Critical analysis is applied, but to
a lesser extent.
The implications of literature for
the project are indicated, but not
always clearly.
Your mark: Comments:
Distinction
(75100%)
Relevant and credible sources
have been integrated
(supporting the argument
with other expert opinions
from the literature).
The student is clearly aware
of the main theories and
debates.
The student has referenced
key authors in the field.
Critical analysis is applied to
the literature.
There is a strong conclusion
on the implications of
literature for the research
project.

/20
Fail Pass Distinction
(049%) (5074%) (75100%)
Conclusion No or unacceptable conclusion; does not Acceptable conclusion; mostly Very good conclusion;
adequately address the assignment addresses the assignment adequately addresses the
questions. questions. assignment questions.

Milpark Education Strategic Management BBAB301B Assignment March 2017 Page 6 of 7

 Your mark: Comments:

/10
Fail Pass Distinction
(049%) (5074%) (75100%)
Technical Did not follow instructions Generally followed instructions Followed instructions
requirements Poor grammar and spelling Acceptable grammar and spelling Good grammar and spelling
No or very poor referencing Referencing is included, but is not Consistent and complete
Poor structure always consistent and complete referencing
Editing is generally of a poor standard Acceptable structure Good structure
Many references in the text are not in the Editing is generally of an Editing is generally of a high
bibliography, and there are some errors acceptable standard standard
Referencing is of poor quality Most references in the text are in All references in the text are
A list of references is not included. the bibliography, but with some in the bibliography
errors Referencing is of exemplary
Referencing is of an acceptable quality.
quality.
Your mark: Comments:

/20
Total:

100

Milpark Education Strategic Management BBAB301B Assignment March 2017 Page 7 of 7