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AI IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN! IT WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY FAIL. An Essay of 3000 words is required for your ONE summative assessment in
this Module.
The essay has 2 elements which you are to view as two parts of the same
essay:
1 – In the first part you will discuss the challenges/complexities which come
with being a middle manager in an organization. You are asked to
consider the organizational behaviour aspects of the job
(all the topics covered each week) which cause the complexity of the middle
manager role.
2 – Give a summary of which skills/personal traits/ abilities, discussed during
module, you understand to
be key for the successful management of:
a) a middle manager’s team (ie. their subordinates) AND
b) their relationship with other stakeholders both internal and external to
their firm.
To support your writing in a way which is both academically sound and which
shows your engagement
with the module (hence its application to your real life), You MUST make
reference to
a) the weekly required reading material ON MOODLE, as well as your
own additional research
(ie. You MUST be able to effectively reference Daft & Benson, Capon,
Hyzinski & Buchanon etc.)
b) YOUR OWN experience of management – this can be direct or
observed (succinctly share any
experiences which relate to topics like Communication, Conflict, Decision
making and such and
which support the academic argument you are trying to make)
c) 2 pieces of tutorial content eg. case studies / role play / self-analysis
exercise
These will support your explanations of why ‘management can be messy’ as
well as the skills /abilities you believe create successful management.
In order to create a successful essay please ensure you:
1) consider all the topics covered this term and choose which ones you
can relate to best
2) have been through the full range of teaching/ reading materials plus
the case studies covered
3) have caught up on ANY missed tutorial sessions
The essay should have roughly 2 equal elements as regards the word counts
ie. 1500 for part 1 and part 2. A maximum of 200 words up or down for each
section is acceptable but no more than that.

ASSIGNMENT QUESTION
Based on the outcome of the Group Strategy Simulation, write a 3000-word individual strategic report. Using key strategic concepts, models, and literature, as well as data and evidence from the strategy simulation where appropriate, the report must include the following themes and sections:
1. Evaluation of the strategic management, business model, and performance
Explain your strategy and evaluate the strategic management of your company, reflecting on the lessons learnt.
Explain the company’s business model and evaluate your company’s performance.
2. Analysis of the business environments
Evaluate the main trends and factors as well as principal risks and uncertainties in the external, competitive, and internal environments likely to affect the future position of your company.
Analyse your company’s internal resources and capabilities and the extent to which they provide sustained competitive advantage.
3. Evaluation of strategic priorities
Critically evaluate the impact of innovation on the future of your business.
Outline two areas of focus to drive growth through your commitment to
innovation.
READING REQUIREMENT
Barney, J. (1991) Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17, 1, 99–120.
Chesbrough, H.W. (2003) The era of open innovation. MIT Sloan management review, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 35.
Harvard Business Review, Porter, M.E., Kim, W.C. and Mauborgne, R.A. (2011) HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Strategy (including featured article “What Is Strategy?” by Michael E. Porter). Boston: Harvard Business Review Press.
Kaplan, R.S. and Norton, D.P. (2007) ‘Using the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system’, Harvard Business Review, 85(7-8), pp. 150.
McKinsey & Co (2022) Choosing to grow: The leader’s blueprint. Available at:
https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our- insights/choosing-to-grow-the-leaders-blueprint (Accessed 21 June 2023)
Tidd, J. and Bessant, J.R. (2021) Managing innovation: integrating technological, market and organizational change, Wiley, Chichester.
Thompson, A.A., Peteraf, M.A., Gamble, J. E., and Strickland, A.J. (2021) Crafting and executing strategy: the quest for competitive advantage: concepts and cases. 23rd edn., New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Whittington, R., Regner, P., Angwin, D., Johnson, G., Scholes, K. (2021)., Fundamentals of Strategy 5th edn., Pearson: Harlow.
Whittington, R, Regner, P, Angwin, D, Johnson, G, and Scholes, K. (2023). Exploring Strategy – Text and Cases 13th edn., Pearson; Harlow.