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SIEN5001
Foundations in Strategy, Innovation
and Management
CASE STUDY REPORT GUIDE
THE TASK:
Imagine you are working as a strategy consultant and have been asked by one of
the partners to put together a report on Aspen Medical.
Your report should evaluate its:
• External environment: general and industry environment.
• Internal environment: the most significant resources and capabilities.
• Capacity to succeed in the longer term.
The report is an opportunity to analyse a case and to hone your skills in report
writing. You must use the following strategic management tools to analyse the
case:
• PESTE
• Porter’s Five Forces
• Value Chain
• VIRO framework
The report should be written in discrete sections and a brief conclusion reached at
the end of each section as to its meaning for the firm. These sections should be
linked together so the report is an integrated and compelling analytical argument
that leads to your conclusions and findings.
Case study guide Page 2
IMPORTANT INFO:
Length: 2,000 words
All assessments are compulsory. Late assessments attract penalties – 5% for
everyday or part thereof up to and including ten days after the due date. For work
submitted more than 10 days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded.
Tips writing your report:
Resources:
• Visiting the company website and gathering company’s history, key resources
and policies.
• Checking out the firm’s press releases for useful information and data.
• Searching the business and general press for articles on Aspen Medical and
their competitors.
Style Guide:
Provide an executive summary of 100-150 words that outlines the key issues of
your analysis and summarises your evaluation of Aspen Medical. This should be
self-contained, and the reader should be able to understand the essence of
analysis and your recommendations without reading the body of the report. This
will be included in your word count.
Avoid explicitly outlining models. Rather, demonstrate your understanding by
applying the models to the case.
You should still provide a brief introduction outlining the report structure and your
findings.
You must provide appropriate referencing of any data sources or quotes, using a
consistent referencing style throughout the report.
While charts and graphs are important, highly detailed information, multiple
charts, graphs and other supporting data of less importance are best place in the
Appendices. This material should only be included if it is referred to in the detailed
report (i.e., because it is relevant). The Appendices do not count as part of the
word limit.
Write in full sentences. Dot points are only for listing issues. You must still explain
the issues. Do not exceed the word limit. The top end of the word limit is the
UPPER BOUND. Anything beyond that will not be read. Present your ideas
convincingly, creatively and concisely.
In accordance with the Academic policy updates 2023, you are permitted to use
artificial intelligence (AI) and writing assistance tools in SIEN5001 to re-write
sentences or brainstorm topics. If you do use these tools, you must include a short
footnote explaining what you used the tool for, and the prompts that you used.
The footnotes will not be counted toward the word count.
Case study guide Page 3
If you opt to use these tools, please consider them as a learning tool. Acknowledging and
recording them in the footnote with the prompt you used (e.g., original sentence you wrote)
will help you with that. Also, you must be aware of their limitations, biases, and propensity
for fabrication, and that you are 100% responsible for utilising their outcome.
Academic Integrity: Academic integrity breach cases will automatically be reported
to the Business School Academic Integrity Team. Please note that reported cases
take a long time, often more than a year to be resolved. Until then, your grade for
this unit will be “RI”.
Example outline: Aspen Medical Case Study
1. Executive Summary (100-150 words)
– What are the key issues you highlight in your analysis?
– What is your overall evaluation of Aspen Medical and recommendations for future
strategy?
2. Introduction
– Very brief outline of Aspen Medical (few sentences) and the report
– Be selective with the background information you use here
3. External Analysis
– General environment: PESTE analysis
– Industry environment: Five Forces
4. Internal Analysis
– Value Chain Analysis of Aspen Medical: not all primary and secondary activities need to
be covered here. Only the most significant ones, applied to Aspen Medical (see note
below)
– Use the Value Chain to identify main resources and capabilities
– Apply the VRIO framework to these resources and capabilities to determine distinctive
resources and capabilities (their core competencies)
5. Strategic evaluation and recommendations
– What is Aspen Medical’s current overall strategy?
– How is Aspen Medical succeeding in achieving this strategy, or not succeeding in
achieving this strategy, based on your overall analysis?
– What are your recommendations for Aspen Medical, based on your overall analysis and
outline of the current strategic evaluation?
Case study guide Page 5
Marking:
Your report will be marked using the rubric below. Before submitting your assessment, it is useful to
self-assess against the rubric to ensure you are meeting all the assessment criteria.
Assessment criteria rubric:
Criteria (30pts) HD D C P F
Executive Summary and Introduction (4.5pts) 4.5-3.8 3.7-3.4 3.3-2.9 2.8-2.3 2.2-0
• Succinctly and clearly condenses arguments and findings
in the Executive Summary
• Introduces report clearly
External Analysis (8pts) 8-6.8 6.7-6 5.9-5.2 5.1-4 3.9-0
• Demonstrates an exemplary understanding of the
concepts that underpin the tools through consistent and
insightful application to the case.
• Demonstrates appropriate level of independent
research and supports arguments with relevant
evidence. Expresses ideas clearly, concisely and
insightfully.
Internal Analysis (8pts) 8-6.8 6.7-6 5.9-5.2 5.1-4 3.9-0
• Demonstrates an exemplary understanding of the
concepts that underpin the tools through consistent and
insightful application to the case.
• Demonstrates appropriate level of independent
research and supports arguments with relevant
evidence. Expresses ideas clearly, concisely, and
insightfully.
Evaluation and Recommendations (5pts) 5-4.3 4.2-3.8 3.7-3.3 3.2-2.5 2.4-0
• Provides a clear evaluation of the organisation’s current
strategy and appropriate future recomme4.5ndations
based on the analyses.
Form and Structure (4.5pt) 4.5-3.8 3.7-3.4 3.3-2.9 2.8-2.3 2.2-0
• Structures the report in a logical and seamless fashion
and presents the material clearly and concisely with
judicious use of sub-headings.
• Demonstrates suitable grasp of grammar, spelling and
punctuation.
• Report is within the word count and sources identified
accurately.
• Appropriate referencing following the 7th APA style.