Amazon SWOT analysis
Course Description
Strategic Management and Business Policy presents an integrative analysis and case studies on the process of developing and managing business strategies. Topics include development of corporate goals and objectives, competitive analysis, business model examination, and organizational systems design for plan implementation.
Course Material(s)
No physical textbook is required; resources are integrated within the course.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Compare and contrast different strategic models. 2. Compare and contrast the integral functions of corporate governance. 3. Explain how the evolvement of the Internet affects corporations based on current worldwide trends. 4. Analyze the processes for formulating corporate strategy. 5. Evaluate methods that impact strategy implementation, such as staffing, directing, and organizing.
Credits
Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit.
Course Structure
1. Study Guide: Each unit contains a Study Guide that provides students with the learning outcomes, unit lesson, required reading assignments, and supplemental resources. 2. Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit. 3. Unit Lesson: Each unit contains a Unit Lesson, which discusses lesson material. 4. Reading Assignments: Each unit contains a video and Reading Assignments from outside resources. 5. Suggested Reading: Suggested Readings are listed in Units I, III, VI, and VIII. Students are encouraged to read the resources listed if the opportunity arises, but they will not be tested on their knowledge of the Suggested Readings. 6. Learning Activity (Non-Graded): This non-graded Learning Activity is provided to aid students in their course of study. 7. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments in Units I-VIII. Specific information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are included with each assignment. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below. 8. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content related questions. 9. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates.
MBA 5101, Strategic Management and Business Policy Course Syllabus
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CSU Online Library
The CSU Online Library is available to support your courses and programs. The online library includes databases, journals, e-books, and research guides. These resources are always accessible and can be reached through the library webpage. To access the library, log into the myCSU Student Portal, and click on “CSU Online Library.” You can also access the CSU Online Library from the “My Library” button on the course menu for each course in Blackboard.
The CSU Online Library offers several reference services. E-mail (library@columbiasouthern.edu) and telephone (1.877.268.8046) assistance is available Monday – Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. The library’s chat reference service, Ask a Librarian, is available 24/7; look for the chat box on the online library page.
Librarians can help you develop your research plan or assist you in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information. Reference requests can include customized keyword search strategies, links to articles, database help, and other services.
LibGuides
Click here for the LibGuide for this course.
Think of a LibGuide (a Library Guide) as a mini-website to help you with your assignments. It has relevant information such as databases, ebooks, and websites specific to your courses. If you have any questions, please reach out to your friendly library staff.
Unit Assignments
Unit I Essay
Each company has a different culture that dictates how it is governed or operated by its leaders. Given the differences in cultures, even companies with similar models of governance can operate in very distinct and different ways. Exploring the theory on governance can give insight into your company.
For this essay, you will conduct research in order to contrast agency theory and stewardship theory in corporate governance. In your essay, be sure to address the following comments:
What are the responsibilities of top management and leaders in relation to corporate governance and strategic planning? What are the benefits of strategic management? What are the roles and responsibilities of the board of directors? Please provide an example of a board of directors that did, or did not meet its responsibilities to the company. Explain the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and its impact on corporate governance. How has it changed the way leaders do business in the United States? Conclude with a discussion of the ways the strategic audit helps corporate governance.
Your essay should be at least two pages in length, double-spaced, and in 12 pt. Times New Roman font. The title and reference pages do not count towards the minimum page length. To complete this assignment, a minimum of three reputable sources must be used, cited, and referenced. At least one reference must come from the CSU Online Library. Other good sources are public libraries, Google Scholar, and academic websites. The CSU Online Library offers several research resources and tutorials on subject research guides and accessing the library. You can also reach out to the librarians at library@columbiasouthern.edu .
Use APA style guidelines.
Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.
Unit II Mini Project
SWOT Analysis
Based on your research, and after reading the unit lesson, create a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis for the company you chose to research for this assignment. Please note the importance of picking a
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company with enough information and sources to support your analysis. Your chosen company can be used throughout the assignments in this course, with the exception of the case study in Unit VII, or you may choose different companies. These assignments allow for a truly comprehensive business analysis, similar to what you would conduct when working for a major company.
Your analysis must identify the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Use Microsoft Word and create four sections for your paper using the SWOT categories as your headings. Additional headers, such as an introduction, company background, and conclusion, are acceptable. Add a title page and references page.
Each SWOT category should have approximately 200-300 words describing the issues and the company’s strategic philosophy that fall within that area. The total length should be at least three pages. The opportunities and threats should each have at least ten items identified.
Click here for a template for this assignment.
Format your SWOT Analysis using APA Style. Use your own words, and include citations and references as needed to avoid plagiarism. The title and reference page do not count towards the minimum page requirements.
Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.
Unit II Essay
This essay is a short introduction to the importance of the triple bottom line.
Based on your research, and after creating the SWOT analysis for the company of your choice, respond to the questions below.
What are the three frameworks of the triple bottom line? What does the triple bottom line mean for a company? How does your company specifically address the triple bottom line?
Your essay should be at least two pages in length, double-spaced, and in 12 pt. Times New Roman font. The title and reference pages do not count towards the minimum page length. To complete this assignment, a minimum of two reputable sources must be used, cited, and referenced. Use APA style guidelines.
Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.
Unit III PowerPoint Presentation
In 1970, Milton Friedman wrote an article titled “The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits” that sparked a debate about corporate responsibility that remains heated to this day. Read the Schwartz and Saiia article, “Should Firms Go ‘Beyond Profits’? Milton Friedman versus broad CSR1,” pages 1-10, in order to gain a perspective on Mr. Friedman’s views on corporate responsibility.
In addition to the Schwartz and Saiia article, read Archie Carroll’s “The Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility: Toward the Moral Management of Organizational Stakeholders.”
Both articles are available in the Business Source Complete database in the CSU Online Library.
These articles will help you develop an understanding of their business and ethical principles. You are encouraged to conduct additional research about Friedman and Carroll using outside sources.
Compare the theories of Freidman and Carroll, and create a PowerPoint presentation on your comparative study. Your PowerPoint presentation should include the following elements:
Slide 1: Title page Slide 2: Table of content or objective slide Slide 3: A summary of Milton Friedman’s main points Slide 4: A summary of Archie Carroll’s main points Slide 5: The principles you would like implemented at your current place of work (or where you wish to work in the future), and why you would include them
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Slides 6-7: Two detailed examples of organizations where Friedman’s theories are applied Slides 8-9: Two detailed examples of organizations where Carroll’s theories are applied Slide 10: Conclusion Slide 11: References in proper APA format
Please ensure that every slide has a title at the top explaining what the slide covers. Add citations in proper APA format, use applicable pictures or graphics (with citations), use a slide template, and avoid wordy slides by focusing on bullet points. Remember, this is an academic presentation.
These CSU Success Center videos are available if you need additional assistance in the development of your PowerPoint presentation:
Basic: PowerPoint: From Zero to Hero This webinar will demonstrate how to make a basic PowerPoint presentation, as well as how to incorporate backgrounds, text, pictures, screen shots, and other elements that will be useful for making a basic presentation.
Advanced: PowerPoint Presentations This webinar will cover guidelines and tips for making a PowerPoint presentation for the academic setting. While there will be some information about how to use PowerPoint, this webinar will mostly focus on the accepted norms for creating a professional presentation. This webinar will also go over how to make a PowerPoint presentation APA compatible.
Unit IV Mini Project
EFAS Table
Using the information gathered from your SWOT analysis conducted in Unit II, create an external factor analysis (EFAS) table for the company you researched. Use Microsoft Word, or a similar program, to create your table. It should have five columns. The first column heading should be titled External Factors, the second column should be titled Weight, the third column should be titled Rating, the fourth column should be titled Weighted Score, and the fifth column should be titled Comments.
Click here to see an example EFAS table.
1. In the External Factors column, list at least six opportunities you saw in the company you researched. Underneath the opportunities, list at least six threats you saw in the company you researched. 2. In the Weight column, assign an importance factor to each of these issues from 0.0-1.0 (1.0 is most important; 0.0 is least important). These ratings are based on the probable impact on a particular company’s current strategic position. The higher the weight, the more important the factor to the current and future success of the company. You may not be privy to the exact information for this company, so in some cases you will need to use your best judgment. (You will justify your weighting in column five.) 3. In the Rating column, assign a rating factor from 5.0-1.0 (5.0 is Outstanding; 1.0 is poor). These ratings are based on the company’s response to that particular factor. It is your judgment call on how the company is currently dealing with each specific factor. Once again, you may need to make an estimate in this area if you are not privy to all of the information. (You will justify your weighting in column five.) 4. In the Weighted Score column, multiply the weight from column 2 by the rating in column 3 to get the factor’s weighted score. 5. In the Comments column, explain why a particular factor was selected and how its weight and rating were estimated. 6. At the bottom of column 4, add the weighted scores for the external factors. Is the company doing better or worse than others in the same industry? Complete this answer underneath your table.
Format your assignment using APA Style. Use your own words, and include citations and references as needed to avoid plagiarism. Remember to use proper APA formatting and include a reference page.
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STRENGTHS
A world renowned brand
Earns immense profit
Great customer relationships
Low advertisement resulting in cheaper market cost
Many products to offer
Custom Products
WEAKNESSES
Increasing product market could hurt the brand
L osing money for shipping cost
Lack of popularity/defined personality
Sales come in profit comes out
Some new items did not sale well
OPPORTUNITIES
Room to build and collaborate
Expanding the categories to build more revenue
Opening possible in-person stores to allow customers to have an on-sight experience
Sales expected to increase more than half of its grossing margin
Online retail pioneer
Expand its market to different parts of the globe through opening its in emerging markets
Rolling out online payment system to address security concerns
Increase the number of products under its own brand
Acquisitions
More release of its brand products and services
THREATS
A lot of sales are made seasonally
International Competition
Threats with Online Security
Don’t believe in the company
Difficulty in differentiating the brand to that of the competitors
Lawsuits
Strategic alliances
Legislation against tax avoidance
Regional low cost as it is an online retailer
Government regulations
Is the modern day couch potato becoming more than just exaggerated hyperbole? What if a person could picture their selves getting almost everything they ever needed at his/her fingertips in the comfort of their homes? In today’s market, that is becoming a feasible option. Online retail has become a very popular way of shopping. It has been a major…………….
APA
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