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ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
Week 6 Assignment – External and Internal Environments
Overview
In this assignment, you are to use the same corporation you selected for the Week 1 assignment and examine the industry in which the entity operates.
Use any or all of the following resources to conduct research on the corporation:
The corporation’s website.
Public filings from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Filings & Forms page.
Strayer University’s online databases.
The Nexis Uni database.
Other credible sources. (The corporation’s annual report will often provide insights that other resources may not include.)
(Note: It is expected that you will also use your course textbook to complete the assignment.)
Instructions:
Refer to the following documents for this assignment:
Assignment Formatting and Tips [PDF]
The attached template is REQUIRED for this assignment. (Refer back to it if needed as guidance for later assignments).
Please review the attached “How to Earn Full Credit on Assignment 2” video.
Refer back to the Week 1 assignment template as a sample if needed.
Write a 4-6 page academic research paper in which you include the following:
* Note: The title page and source list are in addition to the 4-6 page requirement
Choose the two segments of the general environment that would rank highest in their influence on the corporation you chose:
Assess how the two high-ranking segments in the general environment influence the corporation and the industry in which it operates.
Considering the Five Forces of Competition, choose the two you estimate to be the most significant for the corporation you chose:
Evaluate how well the corporation addressed two of the Five Forces of Competition in the last five years.
With the same two forces in mind, predict how the corporation could improve its ability to address these forces in the next 5-10 years. Support your response with relevant, specific evidence.
Consider the external threats affecting this corporation and the opportunities available to the corporation:
Assess how the corporation should deal with its most serious external threat and its greatest opportunity. Support your position with two pieces of specific evidence.
Consider the selected corporation’s greatest strengths and most significant weaknesses:
Determine the strategy or tactic, as explained in the textbook, the corporation should use to maximize its strengths and the strategy or tactic the corporation should use to minimize its greatest weakness. Support your choices with specific evidence.
Assess the corporation’s resources, capabilities, and core competencies.
Use three or more quality sources, including your textbook, to support your writing. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your assignment. (Note: Wikipedia and similar websites do not qualify as academic resources)
For help with research, writing, and citation, access the library or review library guides.
Produce writing that is clear and well organized and applies appropriate Strayer Writing Standards (SWS) style. Writing contains accurate grammar, mechanics, and spelling.
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is as follows:
Analyze the effects of the general environment, competition, threats, opportunities, strengths, and weaknesses relative to a corporation.
HOW TO WORK ON THIS ASSIGNMENT (EXAMPLE ESSAY / DRAFT)
Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the external and internal environments of XYZ Corporation, a company operating in the ABC industry. In order to understand the company’s current position and potential for growth, we will be examining the company’s position within the general environment, the Five Forces of Competition, the external threats and opportunities, and the company’s strengths and weaknesses.
Two High-Ranking Segments in the General Environment
The two high-ranking segments of the general environment that would have the most influence on XYZ Corporation are the economic and technological segments. The economic segment has a significant impact on the company due to the state of the economy affecting consumer spending and the demand for the company’s products and services. The technological segment affects the company because of the rapid pace of technological change and the importance of technology in the ABC industry.
Influence of the Two High-Ranking Segments on the Corporation and Industry
The state of the economy has a direct impact on consumer spending and the demand for XYZ Corporation’s products and services. If the economy is in a recession, consumers are less likely to spend money on non-essential items, which could negatively impact the company’s sales and revenue. On the other hand, if the economy is in a growth phase, consumers are more likely to spend money on luxury goods, which could result in increased sales and revenue for the company.
The rapid pace of technological change has a significant impact on the ABC industry and on XYZ Corporation. Technology is essential in this industry, as it allows for the creation of new and innovative products and services. Companies that are slow to adopt new technologies risk falling behind their competitors and losing market share. XYZ Corporation has invested heavily in technology in order to stay ahead of the competition and maintain its position as a market leader.
Two Most Significant Forces of Competition
Of the Five Forces of Competition, the two most significant forces for XYZ Corporation are the bargaining power of suppliers and the threat of new entrants. The bargaining power of suppliers is significant because the ABC industry is heavily reliant on a few key suppliers for raw materials. If these suppliers were to raise their prices, it could negatively impact XYZ Corporation’s bottom line. The threat of new entrants is significant because the ABC industry is relatively easy to enter, which could result in increased competition and decreased market share for XYZ Corporation.
Evaluation of the Corporation’s Response to the Two Most Significant Forces
In the last five years, XYZ Corporation has made efforts to mitigate the impact of the bargaining power of suppliers. The company has worked to establish long-term relationships with its suppliers and has implemented just-in-time inventory management systems to reduce its dependence on these suppliers. As a result, the company has been able to negotiate more favorable terms with its suppliers and has been able to reduce the impact of price increases.
In order to address the threat of new entrants, XYZ Corporation has focused on maintaining its position as a market leader through the development and introduction of new and innovative products and services. The company has invested heavily in research and development in order to stay ahead of the competition and to maintain its competitive advantage. These efforts have been successful in deterring new entrants and in maintaining the company’s market share.
Predicting How the Corporation Could Improve its Ability to Address the Two Most Significant Forces
In order to continue to address the bargaining power of suppliers, XYZ Corporation should consider diversifying its supplier base in order to reduce its dependence on a few key suppliers.
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