Business Administration Capstone

BUS 499 – Business Administration Capstone

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BUS 499 Student Version 1134 (1042 3-04-2013) Final Page 1 of 25

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(Prerequisite: To be taken as last or next to last course)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is the capstone course for the Bachelor of Business Administration program. It examines the processes by which organizations formulate strategy, implement policy, and evaluate outcomes in the highly competitive and dynamic global environment. The ethical implications of strategic choices are a central concern of this course. Analytic, integrative, and decision-making skills will be exercised through the use of case analysis and decision making.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Required Resources

Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Hoskisson, R. E. (2013). Strategic management: Concepts and cases: Competiveness and globalization (10th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.

Peregrine Academics access code: Students should follow the instructions in at the end of the course

guide in order to take the assessment between weeks 9 through 11..

Supplemental Resources

Ali Abdolvand, M., & Asadollahi, A. (2012). The study of strategic industrial planning for using model SWOT. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences, 2(1) 136-143.

Alkhafaji, A., & Nelson, R. A. (2003). Strategic management: formulation, implementation and control in a

dynamic environment. Binghampton, N.Y.: Haworth Press. Amason, A. C. (2011). Strategic management: from theory to practice. New York, N.Y.: Routledge. Morag, O., & Barakonyi, K. V. (2010). Business at the speed of light – the role of time and speed on

business strategy. Budapest Management Review, 41(6) 36-39. Parke, C. (2012). Preparation meets strategic planning. Industrial Engineer: IE, 44(1) 44-48. Rainy, D. L. (2010). Enterprise-wide strategic management: achieving sustainable success through

leadership, strategies and value creation. New York: Cambridge. Rezvani, M., Gilaninia, S., & Mousavian, S. J. (2011). Strategic planning: a tool for managing

organizations in competitive environments. Australian Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences, 5(9) 1537-1546.

Yusoff, W. F. W., & Omar, S. A. (2011). Knowledge management strategy and design: the role of corporate culture. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 6(2) 145-153. Zhouying, J., & Ying, B. (2011). Sustainable development and long-term strategic management. World

Future Review, 3(2) 49-69.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Determine ways in which the vision, mission, and stakeholders of a firm impact that firm’s overall success.

2. Identify how the six segments of the general environment affect an industry and its firms.

3. Identify the five forces of competition.

4. Analyze the external environment for opportunities and threats that impact the firm.

BUS 499 – Business Administration Capstone

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5. Analyze the internal environment of a company for strengths and weaknesses that impact the firm’s competitiveness.

6. Identify various levels and types of strategy in a firm.

7. Assess the ethical implications related to strategic decisions.

8. Predict ways in which corporate governance will affect strategic decisions.

9. Assess the relationship between strategy and organizational structure.

10. Analyze strategic leadership, strategic entrepreneurship, and corporate entrepreneurship.

11. Use technology and information resources to research issues in business administration.

12. Write clearly and concisely about business administration using proper writing mechanics.

WEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULE

The standard requirement for a 4.5 credit hour course is for students to spend 13.5 hours in weekly work. This includes preparation, activities, and evaluation regardless of delivery mode.

Week Preparation, Activities, and Evaluation Points

1 Preparation

 Reading(s)

o Chapter 1: Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness

 e-Activities

o Use the Internet or the Strayer Library to research an industry with a significant impact on your local economy (e.g., autos in Michigan or oil in Louisiana). Be prepared to discuss.

o Use the Internet or the Strayer Library to research a business failure. Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

 Discussions

Evaluation

 None

2 Preparation

 Reading(s)

o Chapter 2: The External Environment: Opportunities, Threats, Industry Competition, and Competitor Analysis

o Case 27: Union Pacific Corporation

 e-Activity

o Use the Internet or the Strayer Library to research the industry of your choice in light of the Five Forces of Competition Model. Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

 Discussions

Evaluation

 Assignment 1: Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness

300

3 Preparation

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 Reading(s)

o Chapter 3: The Internal Organization: Resources, Capabilities, Core Competencies, and Competitive Advantages

 e-Activity

o Use the Internet or the Strayer Library to research a company of your choice with a focus on the company’s internal environment. Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

 Discussions

Evaluation

 None

4 Preparation

 Reading(s)

o Chapter 4: Business-Level Strategy

o Chapter 5: Competitive Rivalry and Competitive Dynamics

o Case 2: Apple, Inc: Keeping the “I” in Innovation”

 e-Activities

o Use the Internet or the Strayer Library to research a company with which you regularly do business or are a regular customer. Focus on how that company relates to their customers. Be prepared to discuss.

o Use the Internet or the Strayer Library to research Apple’s strategy for competing against other technology companies. Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

 Discussions

Evaluation

 Assignment 2: External and Internal Environments

350

5 Preparation

 Reading(s)

o Chapter 6: Corporate-Level Strategy

o Case 29: Victory: The New American Motorcycle celebrates Its First Decade on the Road

 e-Activities

o Use the Internet or the Strayer Library to research a large corporation headquartered in your home state, with a focus on its current level of diversification. Be prepared to discuss.

o Use the Internet or the Strayer Library to research the corporate-level strategies of Victory Motorcycles. Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

 Discussions

Evaluation

 None

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6 Preparation

 Reading(s)

o Chapter 7: Merger and Acquisition Strategies

o Case Study 8: Dr Pepper Snapple Group 2011: Fighting to Prosper in a Highly Competitive Market

Activities

 Discussions

Evaluation

 Assignment 3: Business-Level and Corporate-Level Strategies

300

7 Preparation

 Reading(s)

o Chapter 8: International Strategy

o Chapter 9: Cooperative Strategy

 e-Activity

o Use the Internet or the Strayer Library to research two U.S.- based companies you believe would mutually benefit from working together in some way. Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

 Discussions

Evaluation

 None

8 Preparation

 Reading(s)

o Chapter 10: Corporate Governance

o Case Study 4: Finding the Best Buy

 e-Activity

o Use the Internet or the Strayer Library to research basic approaches to corporate governance outside of the U.S. (excluding Germany, Japan, and China). Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

 Discussions

Evaluation

 Assignment 4: Merger, Acquisition, and International Strategies

300

9 Preparation

 Reading(s)

o Chapter 11: Organizational Structure and Controls

o Chapter 12: Strategic Leadership

o Case Study 7: Domino’s Pizza: A Case Study in Organizational Evolution

Activities

 Discussions

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Evaluation

 Peregrine Assessment (the first week the Peregrine Assessment can be taken)

10 Preparation

 Reading(s)

o Chapter 13: Strategic Entrepreneurship

 e-Activity

o Use the Internet or the Strayer Library to research one company that you believe is not exceptionally innovative. Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

 Discussions

Evaluation

 Assignment 5: Capstone

 Peregrine Assessment (the second week the Peregrine Assessment can be taken)

400

11 Preparation

 Reading(s): None

Activities

 Discussions

Evaluation

 Peregrine Assessment (the last week the Peregrine Assessment can be taken)

100

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GRADING SCALE – UNDERGRADUATE

Assignment Total Points % of

Grade

Assignment 1: Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness 300 15%

Assignment 2: External and Internal Environments 350 18%

Assignment 3: Business-Level and Corporate-Level Strategies 300 15%

Assignment 4: Merger, Acquisition, and International Strategies 300 15%

Assignment 5: Capstone 400 21%

Participation (22 discussions worth 10 points apiece) 220 11%

Peregrine Assessment: Taken between weeks 9 through 11 100 5%

Total 1,970 100%

Points Percentage Grade

1,773 – 1,970 90% – 100% A

1,576 – 1,772 80% – 89% B

1,379 – 1,575 70% – 79% C

1,182 – 1,378 60% – 69% D

Below 1,182 Below 60% F

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

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Assignment 1: Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness

Due Week 2 and worth 300 points

Choose one (1) public corporation in an industry with which you are familiar. Research the company on its own Website, the public filings on the Securities and Exchange Commission EDGAR database (http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml), in the University’s online databases, and any other sources you can find. The annual report will often provide insights that can help address some of these questions.

Write a four to six (4-6) page paper in which you:

1. Assess how globalization and technology changes have impacted the corporation you researched.

2. Apply the industrial organization model and the resource-based model to determine how your corporation could earn above-average returns.

3. Assess how the vision statement and mission statement of the corporation influence its overall success.

4. Evaluate how each category of stakeholder impacts the overall success of this corporation.

5. Use at least two (2) quality references. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not quality as academic resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

 Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

 Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

 Determine ways in which the vision, mission, and stakeholders of a firm impact that firm’s overall success.

 Use technology and information resources to research issues in business administration.

 Write clearly and concisely about business administration using proper writing mechanics.

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric.

Points: 300 Assignment 1: Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness

Criteria Unacceptable

Below 60% F

Meets Minimum

Expectations

60-69% D

Fair

70-79% C

Proficient

80-89% B

Exemplary

90-100% A

1. Assess how globalization and technology changes have impacted the corporation you researched.

Weight: 20%

Did not submit or incompletely assessed how globalization and technology changes have impacted the

Insufficiently assessed how globalization and technology changes have impacted the corporation you

Partially assessed how globalization and technology changes have impacted the corporation you

Satisfactorily assessed how globalization and technology changes have impacted the

Thoroughly assessed how globalization and technology changes have impacted the corporation

http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

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corporation you researched.

researched. researched. corporation you researched.

you researched.

2. Apply the industrial organization model and the resource-based model to determine how your corporation could earn above- average returns.

Weight: 25%

Did not submit or incompletely applied the industrial organization model and the resource-based model to determine how your corporation could earn above-average returns.

Insufficiently applied the industrial organization model and the resource- based model to determine how your corporation could earn above-average returns.

Partially applied the industrial organization model and the resource-based model to determine how your corporation could earn above-average returns.

Satisfactorily applied the industrial organization model and the resource- based model to determine how your corporation could earn above-average returns.

Thoroughly applied the industrial organization model and the resource- based model to determine how your corporation could earn above-average returns.

3. Assess how the vision statement and mission statement of the corporation influence its overall success.

Weight: 20%

Did not submit or incompletely assessed how the vision statement and mission statement of the corporation influence its overall success.

Insufficiently assessed how the vision statement and mission statement of the corporation influence its overall success.

Partially assessed how the vision statement and mission statement of the corporation influence its overall success.

Satisfactorily assessed how the vision statement and mission statement of the corporation influence its overall success.

Thoroughly assessed how the vision statement and mission statement of the corporation influence its overall success.

4. Evaluate how each category of stakeholder impacts the overall success of this corporation.

Weight: 20%

Did not submit or incompletely evaluated how each category of stakeholder impacts the overall success of this corporation.

Insufficiently evaluated how each category of stakeholder impacts the overall success of this corporation.

Partially evaluated how each category of stakeholder impacts the overall success of this corporation.

Satisfactorily evaluated how each category of stakeholder impacts the overall success of this corporation.

Thoroughly evaluated how each category of stakeholder impacts the overall success of this corporation.

5. 2 references

Weight: 5%

No references provided

Does not meet the required number of references; all references poor quality choices.

Does not meet the required number of references; some references poor quality choices.

Meets number of required references; all references high quality choices.

Exceeds number of required references; all references high quality choices.

6. Clarity, writing mechanics, and formatting requirements

Weight: 10%

More than 8 errors present

7-8 errors present

5-6 errors present

3-4 errors present

0-2 errors present

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

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Assignment 2: External and Internal Environments

Due Week 4 and worth 350 points

Choose an industry you have not yet written about in this course, and one publicly traded corporation within that industry. Research the company on its own Website, the public filings on the Securities and Exchange Commission EDGAR database (http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml), in the University’s online databases, and any other sources you can find. The annual report will often provide insights that can help address some of these questions.

Write an eight to ten (8-10) page paper in which you:

1. Choose the two (2) segments of the general environment that would rank highest in their influence on the corporation you chose. Assess how these segments affect the corporation you chose and the industry in which it operates.

2. Considering the five (5) forces of competition, choose the two (2) that you estimate are the most significant for the corporation you chose. Evaluate how well the company has addressed these two (2) forces in the recent past.

3. With the same two (2) forces in mind, predict what the company might do to improve its ability to address these forces in the near future.

4. Assess the external threats affecting this corporation and the opportunities available to the corporation. Give your opinions on how the corporation should deal with the most serious threat and the greatest opportunity. Justify your answer.

5. Give your opinion on the corporation’s greatest strengths and most significant weaknesses. Choose the strategy or tactic the corporation should select to take maximum advantage of its strengths, and the strategy or tactic the corporation should select to fix its most significant weakness. Justify your choices.

6. Determine the company’s resources, capabilities, and core competencies.

7. Analyze the company’s value chain to determine where they can create using the resources, capabilities, and core competencies discussed above.

8. Use at least three (3) quality references. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not quality as academic resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

 Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

 Identify how the six segments of the general environment affect an industry and its firms.

 Identify the five forces of competition.

 Analyze the external environment for opportunities and threats that impact the firm.

 Analyze the internal environment of a company for strengths and weaknesses that impact the firm’s competitiveness.

 Use technology and information resources to research issues in business administration.

 Write clearly and concisely about business administration using proper writing mechanics.

http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

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Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric.

Points: 350 Assignment 2: External and Internal Environments

Criteria Unacceptable

Below 60% F

Meets Minimum

Expectations

60-69% D

Fair

70-79% C

Proficient

80-89% B

Exemplary

90-100% A

Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely chose the two (2) segments of the general environment that would rank highest in their influence on the corporation you chose. Did not submit or incompletely assessed how these segments affect the corporation you chose and the industry in which it operates.

Insufficiently chose the two (2) segments of the general environment that would rank highest in their influence on the corporation you chose. Insufficiently assessed how these segments affect the corporation you chose and the industry in which it operates.

Partially chose the two (2) segments of the general environment that would rank highest in their influence on the corporation you chose. Partially assessed how these segments affect the corporation you chose and the industry in which it operates.

Satisfactorily chose the two (2) segments of the general environment that would rank highest in their influence on the corporation you chose. Satisfactorily assessed how these segments affect the corporation you chose and the industry in which it operates.

Thoroughly chose the two (2) segments of the general environment that would rank highest in their influence on the corporation you chose. Thoroughly assessed how these segments affect the corporation you chose and the industry in which it operates.

Weight: 15%

Did not submit or incompletely chose the two (2) that you estimate are the most significant for the corporation you chose. Did not submit or incompletely evaluated how well the company has addressed these two (2) forces in the recent past.

Insufficiently chose the two (2) that you estimate are the most significant for the corporation you chose. Insufficiently evaluated how well the company has addressed these two (2) forces in the recent past.

Partially chose the two (2) that you estimate are the most significant for the corporation you chose. Partially evaluated how well the company has addressed these two (2) forces in the recent past.

Satisfactorily chose the two (2) that you estimate are the most significant for the corporation you chose. Satisfactorily evaluated how well the company has addressed these two (2) forces in the recent past.

Thoroughly chose the two (2) that you estimate are the most significant for the corporation you chose. Thoroughly evaluated how well the company has addressed these two (2) forces in the recent past.

3. With the same two forces in mind, predict what the company might do to improve its ability to address these forces in the near future

Weight: 15%

Did not submit or incompletely predicted what the company might do to improve its ability to address these forces in the near future.

Insufficiently predicted what the company might do to improve its ability to address these forces in the near future.

Partially predicted what the company might do to improve its ability to address these forces in the near future.

Satisfactorily predicted what the company might do to improve its ability to address these forces in the near future.

Thoroughly predicted what the company might do to improve its ability to address these forces in the near future.

4. Assess the external threats affecting this

Did not submit or incompletely

Insufficiently assessed the

Partially assessed the

Satisfactorily assessed the

Thoroughly assessed the

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

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corporation and the opportunities available to the corporation. Give your opinions on how the corporation should deal with the most serious threat and the greatest opportunity. Justify your answer.

Weight: 10%

assessed the external threats affecting this corporation and the opportunities available to the corporation. Did not submit or incompletely gave your opinions on how the corporation should deal with the most serious threat and the greatest opportunity. Did not justify your answer.

external threats affecting this corporation and the opportunities available to the corporation. Insufficiently gave your opinions on how the corporation should deal with the most serious threat and the greatest opportunity. Insufficiently justified your answer.

external threats affecting this corporation and the opportunities available to the corporation. Partially gave your opinions on how the corporation should deal with the most serious threat and the greatest opportunity. Partially justified your answer.

external threats affecting this corporation and the opportunities available to the corporation. Satisfactorily gave your opinions on how the corporation should deal with the most serious threat and the greatest opportunity. Satisfactorily justified your answer.

external threats affecting this corporation and the opportunities available to the corporation. Thoroughly gave your opinions on how the corporation should deal with the most serious threat and the greatest opportunity. Thoroughly justified your answer.

Weight: 15%

Did not submit or incompletely gave your opinion on the corporation’s greatest strengths and most significant weaknesses. Did not submit or incompletely chose the strategy or tactic the corporation should select to take maximum advantage of its strengths, and the strategy or tactic the corporation should select to fix its most significant weakness. Did not submit or incompletely justified your choices.

Insufficiently gave your opinion on the corporation’s greatest strengths and most significant weaknesses. Insufficiently chose the strategy or tactic the corporation should select to take maximum advantage of its strengths, and the strategy or tactic the corporation should select to fix its most significant weakness. Insufficiently justified your choices.

Partially gave your opinion on the corporation’s greatest strengths and most significant weaknesses. Partially chose the strategy or tactic the corporation should select to take maximum advantage of its strengths, and the strategy or tactic the corporation should select to fix its most significant weakness. Partially justified your choices.

Satisfactorily gave your opinion on the corporation’s greatest strengths and most significant weaknesses. Satisfactorily chose the strategy or tactic the corporation should select to take maximum advantage of its strengths, and the strategy or tactic the corporation should select to fix its most significant weakness. Satisfactorily justified your choices.

Thoroughly gave your opinion on the corporation’s greatest strengths and most significant weaknesses. Thoroughly chose the strategy or tactic the corporation should select to take maximum advantage of its strengths, and the strategy or tactic the corporation should select to fix its most significant weakness. Thoroughly justified your choices.

6. Determine the company’s resources, capabilities, and core competencies.

Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely determined the company’s resources, capabilities, and core competencies.

Insufficiently determined the company’s resources, capabilities, and core competencies.

Partially determined the company’s resources, capabilities, and core competencies.

Satisfactorily determined the company’s resources, capabilities, and core competencies.

Thoroughly determined the company’s resources, capabilities, and core competencies.

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

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7. Analyze the company’s value chain to determine where they can create using the resources, capabilities, and core competencies discussed above.

Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely analyzed the company’s value chain to determine where they can create using the resources, capabilities, and core competencies discussed above.

Insufficiently analyzed the company’s value chain to determine where they can create using the resources, capabilities, and core competencies discussed above.

Partially analyzed the company’s value chain to determine where they can create using the resources, capabilities, and core competencies discussed above.

Satisfactorily analyzed the company’s value chain to determine where they can create using the resources, capabilities, and core competencies discussed above.

Thoroughly analyzed the company’s value chain to determine where they can create using the resources, capabilities, and core competencies discussed above.

8. 3 references

Weight: 5%

No references provided

Does not meet the required number of references; all references poor quality choices.

Does not meet the required number of references; some references poor quality choices.

Meets number of required references; all references high quality choices.

Exceeds number of required references; all references high quality choices.

9. Clarity, writing mechanics, and formatting requirements

Weight: 10%

More than 8 errors present

7-8 errors present

5-6 errors present

3-4 errors present

0-2 errors present

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

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Assignment 3: Business-Level and Corporate-Level Strategies

Due Week 6 and worth 300 points

Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you:

1. Analyze the business-level strategies for the corporation you chose to determine the business- level strategy you think is most important to the long-term success of the firm and whether or not you judge this to be a good choice. Justify your opinion.

2. Analyze the corporate-level strategies for the corporation you chose to determine the corporate- level strategy you think is most important to the long-term success of the firm and whether or not you judge this to be a good choice. Justify your opinion.

3. Analyze the competitive environment to determine the corporation’s most significant competitor. Compare their strategies at each level and evaluate which company you think is most likely to be successful in the long term. Justify your choice.

4. Determine whether your choice from Question 3 would differ in slow-cycle and fast-cycle markets.

5. Use at least three (3) quality references. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not quality as academic resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

 Identify various levels and types of strategy in a firm.

 Use technology and information resources to research issues in business administration.

 Write clearly and concisely about business administration using proper writing mechanics.

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric.

Points: 300 Assignment 3: Business-Level and Corporate-Level Strategies

Criteria Unacceptable

Below 60% F

Meets Minimum

Expectations

60-69% D

Fair

70-79% C

Proficient

80-89% B

Exemplary

90-100% A

1. Analyze the business-level strategies for the corporation you chose

Did not submit or incompletely analyzed the business-level

Insufficiently analyzed the business-level strategies for

Partially analyzed the business-level strategies for

Satisfactorily analyzed the business-level strategies for

Thoroughly analyzed the business-level strategies for

http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

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to determine the business-level strategy you think is most important to the long- term success of the firm and whether or not you judge this to be a good choice. Justify your opinion.

Weight: 20%

strategies for the corporation you chose to determine the business-level strategy you think is most important to the long-term success of the firm and whether or not you judge this to be a good choice. Did not submit or incompletely justified your opinion.

the corporation you chose to determine the business-level strategy you think is most important to the long-term success of the firm and whether or not you judge this to be a good choice. Insufficiently justified your opinion.

2. Analyze the corporate-level strategies for the corporation you chose to determine the corporate-level strategy you think is most important to the long-term success of the firm and whether or not you judge this to be a good choice. Justify your opinion.

Weight: 20%

Did not submit or incompletely analyzed the corporate-level strategies for the corporation you chose to determine the corporate-level strategy you think is most important to the long-term success of the firm and whether or not you judge this to be a good choice. Did not submit or incompletely justified your opinion.

Insufficiently analyzed the corporate-level strategies for the corporation you chose to determine the corporate-level strategy you think is most important to the long-term success of the firm and whether or not you judge this to be a good choice. Insufficiently justified your opinion.

Partially analyzed the corporate-level strategies for the corporation you chose to determine the corporate-level strategy you think is most important to the long-term success of the firm and whether or not you judge this to be a good choice. Partially justified your opinion.

Satisfactorily analyzed the corporate-level strategies for the corporation you chose to determine the corporate-level strategy you think is most important to the long-term success of the firm and whether or not you judge this to be a good choice. Satisfactorily justified your opinion.

Thoroughly analyzed the corporate-level strategies for the corporation you chose to determine the corporate-level strategy you think is most important to the long-term success of the firm and whether or not you judge this to be a good choice. Thoroughly justified your opinion.

Weight: 25%

Did not submit or incompletely analyzed the competitive environment to determine the corporation’s most significant competitor. Compare their strategies at each level and evaluate which company you think is most likely to be successful in the long term. Did not submit or incompletely justified your

Insufficiently analyzed the competitive environment to determine the corporation’s most significant competitor. Compare their strategies at each level and evaluate which company you think is most likely to be successful in the long term. Insufficiently justified your choice.

Partially analyzed the competitive environment to determine the corporation’s most significant competitor. Compare their strategies at each level and evaluate which company you think is most likely to be successful in the long term. Partially justified your choice.

Satisfactorily analyzed the competitive environment to determine the corporation’s most significant competitor. Compare their strategies at each level and evaluate which company you think is most likely to be successful in the long term. Satisfactorily justified your choice.

Thoroughly analyzed the competitive environment to determine the corporation’s most significant competitor. Compare their strategies at each level and evaluate which company you think is most likely to be successful in the long term. Thoroughly justified your choice.

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

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choice.

4. Determine whether your choice from Question 3 would differ in slow-cycle and fast- cycle markets.

Weight: 20%

Did not submit or incompletely determined whether your choice from Question 3 would differ in slow- cycle and fast- cycle markets.

Insufficiently determined whether your choice from Question 3 would differ in slow-cycle and fast-cycle markets.

Partially determined whether your choice from Question 3 would differ in slow-cycle and fast-cycle markets.

Satisfactorily determined whether your choice from Question 3 would differ in slow-cycle and fast-cycle markets.

Thoroughly determined whether your choice from Question 3 would differ in slow-cycle and fast-cycle markets.

5. 3 references

Weight: 5%

No references provided

Does not meet the required number of references; all references poor quality choices.

Does not meet the required number of references; some references poor quality choices.

Meets number of required references; all references high quality choices.

Exceeds number of required references; all references high quality choices.

6. Clarity, writing mechanics, and formatting requirements

Weight: 10%

More than 8 errors present

7-8 errors present

5-6 errors present

3-4 errors present

0-2 errors present

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

BUS 499 Student Version 1134 (1042 3-04-2013) Final Page 16 of 25

Assignment 4: Merger, Acquisition, and International Strategies

Due Week 8 and worth 300 points

Choose two (2) public corporations in an industry with which you are familiar – one (1) that has acquired another company and operates internationally and one (1) that does not have a history of mergers and acquisitions and operates solely within the U.S. Research each company on its own Website, the public filings on the Securities and Exchange Commission EDGAR database (http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml), in the University’s online databases, and any other sources you can find. The annual report will often provide insights that can help address some of these questions.

Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you:

1. For the corporation that has acquired another company, merged with another company, or been acquired by another company, evaluate the strategy that led to the merger or acquisition to determine whether or not this merger or acquisition was a wise choice. Justify your opinion.

2. For the corporation that has not been involved in any mergers or acquisitions, identify one (1) company that would be a profitable candidate for the corporation to acquire or merge with and explain why this company would be a profitable target.

3. For the corporation that operates internationally, briefly evaluate its international business-level strategy and international corporate-level strategy and make recommendations for improvement.

4. For the corporation that does not operate internationally, propose one business-level strategy and one corporate-level strategy that you would suggest the corporation consider. Justify your proposals.

5. Use at least three (3) quality references. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not quality as academic resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

 Identify various levels and types of strategy in a firm.

 Use technology and information resources to research issues in business administration.

 Write clearly and concisely about business administration using proper writing mechanics.

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric.

Points: 300 Assignment 4: Merger, Acquisition, and International Strategies

Criteria Unacceptable

Below 60% F

Meets Minimum

Expectations

60-69% D

Fair

70-79% C

Proficient

80-89% B

Exemplary

90-100% A

1. For the corporation that

Did not submit or incompletely

Insufficiently evaluated the

Partially evaluated the

Satisfactorily evaluated the

Thoroughly evaluated the

http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

BUS 499 Student Version 1134 (1042 3-04-2013) Final Page 17 of 25

has acquired another company, merged with another company, or been acquired by another company, evaluate the strategy that led to the merger or acquisition to determine whether or not this merger or acquisition was a wise choice. Justify your opinion.

Weight: 20%

evaluated the strategy that led to the merger or acquisition to determine whether or not this merger or acquisition was a wise choice. Did not submit or incompletely justified your opinion.

strategy that led to the merger or acquisition to determine whether or not this merger or acquisition was a wise choice. Insufficiently justified your opinion.

strategy that led to the merger or acquisition to determine whether or not this merger or acquisition was a wise choice. Partially justified your opinion.

strategy that led to the merger or acquisition to determine whether or not this merger or acquisition was a wise choice. Satisfactorily justified your opinion.

strategy that led to the merger or acquisition to determine whether or not this merger or acquisition was a wise choice. Thoroughly justified your opinion.

2. For the

corporation that has not been involved in any mergers or acquisitions, identify one (1) company that would be a profitable candidate for the corporation to acquire or merge with and explain why this company would be a profitable target.

Weight: 25%

Did not submit or incompletely identified one (1) company that would be a profitable candidate for the corporation to acquire or merge with. Did not submit or incompletely explained why this company would be a profitable target.

Insufficiently identified one (1) company that would be a profitable candidate for the corporation to acquire or merge with and insufficiently explained why this company would be a profitable target.

Partially identified one (1) company that would be a profitable candidate for the corporation to acquire or merge with and partially explained why this company would be a profitable target.

Satisfactorily identified one (1) company that would be a profitable candidate for the corporation to acquire or merge with and satisfactorily explained why this company would be a profitable target.

Thoroughly identified one (1) company that would be a profitable candidate for the corporation to acquire or merge with and thoroughly explained why this company would be a profitable target.

3. For the corporation that operates internationally, briefly evaluate its international business-level strategy and international corporate-level strategy and make recommendation s for improvement.

Weight: 20%

Did not submit or incompletely evaluated its international business-level strategy and international corporate-level strategy nor made recommendation s for improvement.

Insufficiently evaluated its international business-level strategy and international corporate-level strategy and Insufficiently made recommendation s for improvement.

Partially evaluated its international business-level strategy and international corporate-level strategy and partially made recommendation s for improvement.

Satisfactorily evaluated its international business-level strategy and international corporate-level strategy and satisfactorily made recommendation s for improvement.

Thoroughly evaluated its international business-level strategy and international corporate-level strategy and thoroughly made recommendation s for improvement.

4. For the corporation that

Did not submit or incompletely

Insufficiently proposed one

Partially proposed one

Satisfactorily proposed one

Thoroughly proposed one

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

BUS 499 Student Version 1134 (1042 3-04-2013) Final Page 18 of 25

does not operate internationally, propose one business-level strategy and one corporate-level strategy that you would suggest the corporation consider. Justify your proposals.

Weight: 20%

proposed one business-level strategy and one corporate-level strategy that you would suggest the corporation consider. Did not justify your proposals.

business-level strategy and one corporate-level strategy that you would suggest the corporation consider. Insufficiently justified your proposals.

business-level strategy and one corporate-level strategy that you would suggest the corporation consider. Partially justified your proposals.

business-level strategy and one corporate-level strategy that you would suggest the corporation consider. Satisfactorily justified your proposals.

business-level strategy and one corporate-level strategy that you would suggest the corporation consider. Thoroughly justified your proposals.

5. 3 references

Weight: 5%

No references provided

Does not meet the required number of references; all references poor quality choices.

Does not meet the required number of references; some references poor quality choices.

Meets number of required references; all references high quality choices.

Exceeds number of required references; all references high quality choices.

6. Clarity, writing mechanics, and formatting requirements

Weight: 10%

More than 8 errors present

7-8 errors present

5-6 errors present

3-4 errors present

0-2 errors present

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

BUS 499 Student Version 1134 (1042 3-04-2013) Final Page 19 of 25

Assignment 5: Capstone

Due Week 10 and worth 400 points

Select a publicly traded corporation for which you would like to work or are currently working.

Research the corporation on its own Website, the public filings on the Securities and Exchange Commission EDGAR database (http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml), in the University’s online databases, and any other sources you can find. The annual report will often provide insights that can help address some of these questions.

Write an eight to ten (8-10) page paper in which you:

1. Determine the impact of the company’s mission, vision, and primary stakeholders on its overall success.

2. Analyze the five (5) forces of competition to determine how they impact the company.

3. Create a SWOT analysis for the company to determine its major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

4. Based on the SWOT analysis, outline a strategy for the company to capitalize on its strengths and opportunities, and minimize its weaknesses and threats.

5. Discuss the various levels and types of strategies the firm may use to maximize its competitiveness and profitability.

6. Outline a communications plan the company could use to make the strategies you recommend above known to all stakeholders.

7. Select two (2) corporate governance mechanisms used by this corporation and evaluate how effective they are at controlling managerial actions.

8. Evaluate the effectiveness of leadership within this corporation and make at least one (1) recommendation for improvement.

9. Assess efforts by this corporation to be a responsible (ethical) corporate citizen and determine the impact these efforts (or lack thereof) have on the company’s bottom line. Provide specific examples to support your response.

10. Use at least five (5) quality references. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not quality as academic resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

 Determine ways in which the vision, mission, and stakeholders of a firm impact that firm’s overall success.

 Identify how the six segments of the general environment affect an industry and its firms.

 Identify the five forces of competition.

 Analyze the external environment for opportunities and threats that impact the firm.

http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

BUS 499 Student Version 1134 (1042 3-04-2013) Final Page 20 of 25

 Analyze the internal environment of a company for strengths and weaknesses that impact the firm’s competitiveness.

 Identify various levels and types of strategy in a firm.

 Assess the ethical implications related to strategic decisions.

 Predict ways in which corporate governance will affect strategic decisions.

 Assess the relationship between strategy and organizational structure.

 Use technology and information resources to research issues in business administration.

 Write clearly and concisely about business administration using proper writing mechanics.

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric.

Points: 400 Assignment 5: Capstone

Criteria Unacceptable

Below 60% F

Meets Minimum

Expectations

60-69% D

Fair

70-79% C

Proficient

80-89% B

Exemplary

90-100% A

1. Determine the impact of the company’s mission, vision, and primary stakeholders on its overall success.

Weight: 5%

Did not submit or incompletely determined the impact of the company’s mission, vision, and primary stakeholders on its overall success.

Insufficiently determined the impact of the company’s mission, vision, and primary stakeholders on its overall success.

Partially determined the impact of the company’s mission, vision, and primary stakeholders on its overall success.

Satisfactorily determined the impact of the company’s mission, vision, and primary stakeholders on its overall success.

Thoroughly determined the impact of the company’s mission, vision, and primary stakeholders on its overall success.

2. Analyze the five (5) forces of competition to determine how they impact the company.

Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely analyzed the five (5) forces of competition to determine how they impact the company.

Insufficiently analyzed the five (5) forces of competition to determine how they impact the company.

Partially analyzed the five (5) forces of competition to determine how they impact the company.

Satisfactorily analyzed the five (5) forces of competition to determine how they impact the company.

Thoroughly analyzed the five (5) forces of competition to determine how they impact the company.

3. Create a SWOT analysis for the company to determine its major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely created a SWOT analysis for the company to determine its major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Insufficiently created a SWOT analysis for the company to determine its major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Partially created a SWOT analysis for the company to determine its major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Satisfactorily created a SWOT analysis for the company to determine its major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Thoroughly created a SWOT analysis for the company to determine its major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

4. Based on the SWOT analysis, outline a strategy for the company to capitalize on its strengths and opportunities, and

Did not submit or incompletely outlined a strategy for the company to capitalize on its strengths and opportunities,

Insufficiently outlined a strategy for the company to capitalize on its strengths and opportunities, and minimize its

Partially outlined a strategy for the company to capitalize on its strengths and opportunities, and minimize its weaknesses and

Satisfactorily outlined a strategy for the company to capitalize on its strengths and opportunities, and minimize its

Thoroughly outlined a strategy for the company to capitalize on its strengths and opportunities, and minimize its

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

BUS 499 Student Version 1134 (1042 3-04-2013) Final Page 21 of 25

minimize its weaknesses and threats.

Weight: 10%

and minimize its weaknesses and threats.

weaknesses and threats.

threats. weaknesses and threats.

weaknesses and threats.

5. Discuss the various levels and types of strategies the firm may use to maximize its competitiveness and profitability.

Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely discussed the various levels and types of strategies the firm may use to maximize its competitiveness and profitability.

Insufficiently discussed the various levels and types of strategies the firm may use to maximize its competitiveness and profitability.

Partially discussed the various levels and types of strategies the firm may use to maximize its competitiveness and profitability.

Satisfactorily discussed the various levels and types of strategies the firm may use to maximize its competitiveness and profitability.

Thoroughly discussed the various levels and types of strategies the firm may use to maximize its competitiveness and profitability.

6. Outline a communications plan the company could use to make the strategies you recommend above known to all stakeholders.

Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely outlined a communications plan the company could use to make the strategies you recommend above known to all stakeholders.

Insufficiently outlined a communications plan the company could use to make the strategies you recommend above known to all stakeholders.

Partially outlined a communications plan the company could use to make the strategies you recommend above known to all stakeholders.

Satisfactorily outlined a communications plan the company could use to make the strategies you recommend above known to all stakeholders.

Thoroughly outlined a communications plan the company could use to make the strategies you recommend above known to all stakeholders.

7. Select two (2) corporate governance mechanisms used by this corporation and evaluate how effective they are at controlling managerial actions.

Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely selected two 2) corporate governance mechanisms used by this corporation and incompletely evaluated how effective they are at controlling managerial actions.

Insufficiently selected two (2) corporate governance mechanisms used by this corporation and insufficiently evaluated how effective they are at controlling managerial actions.

Partially selected two (2) corporate governance mechanisms used by this corporation and partially evaluated how effective they are at controlling managerial actions.

Satisfactorily selected two (2) corporate governance mechanisms used by this corporation and satisfactorily evaluated how effective they are at controlling managerial actions.

Thoroughly selected two (2) corporate governance mechanisms used by this corporation and thoroughly evaluated how effective they are at controlling managerial actions.

8. Evaluate the effectiveness of leadership within this corporation and make at least one (1) recommendation for improvement.

Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely evaluated the effectiveness of leadership within this corporation and make at least one (1) recommendation for improvement.

Insufficiently evaluated the effectiveness of leadership within this corporation and make at least one (1) recommendation for improvement.

Partially evaluated the effectiveness of leadership within this corporation and make at least one (1) recommendation for improvement.

Satisfactorily evaluated the effectiveness of leadership within this corporation and make at least one (1) recommendation for improvement.

Thoroughly evaluated the effectiveness of leadership within this corporation and make at least one (1) recommendation for improvement.

9. Assess efforts by this corporation to be a responsible (ethical) corporate citizen and determine the impact these efforts (or lack thereof) have on

Did not submit or incompletely assessed efforts by this corporation to be a responsible (ethical) corporate citizen and incompletely

Insufficiently assessed efforts by this corporation to be a responsible (ethical) corporate citizen and insufficiently determined the

Partially assessed efforts by this corporation to be a responsible (ethical) corporate citizen and partially determined the

Satisfactorily assessed efforts by this corporation to be a responsible (ethical) corporate citizen and satisfactorily determined the

Thoroughly assessed efforts by this corporation to be a responsible (ethical) corporate citizen and thoroughly determined the

BUS 499 – Assignments and Rubrics

BUS 499 Student Version 1134 (1042 3-04-2013) Final Page 22 of 25

the company’s bottom line. Provide specific examples to support your response.

Weight: 10%

determined the impact these efforts (or lack thereof) have on the company’s bottom line. Did not provide specific examples to support your response.

impact these efforts (or lack thereof) have on the company’s bottom line. Insufficiently provided specific examples to support your response.

impact these efforts (or lack thereof) have on the company’s bottom line. Partially provided specific examples to support your response.

impact these efforts (or lack thereof) have on the company’s bottom line. Satisfactorily provided specific examples to support your response.

impact these efforts (or lack thereof) have on the company’s bottom line. Thoroughly provided specific examples to support your response.

10. 5 references

Weight: 5%

No references provided

Does not meet the required number of references; all references poor quality choices.

Does not meet the required number of references; some references poor quality choices.

Meets number of required references; all references high quality choices.

Exceeds number of required references; all references high quality choices.

11. Clarity, writing mechanics, and formatting requirements

Weight: 10%

More than 8 errors present

7-8 errors present

5-6 errors present

3-4 errors present

0-2 errors present

BUS 499 – Student Notes

BUS 499 Student Version 1134 (1042 3-04-2013) Final Page 23 of 25

Weekly Course Schedule

The purpose of the course schedule is to give you, at a glance, the required preparation, activities, and evaluation components of your course. For more information about your course, whether on-ground or online, access your online course shell.

The expectations for a 4.5 credit hour course are for students to spend 13.5 hours in weekly work. This time estimate includes preparation, activities, and evaluation regardless of the delivery mode.

Instructional Materials

In order to be fully prepared, obtain a copy of the required textbooks and other instructional materials prior to the first day of class. When available, Strayer University provides a link to the first three (3) chapters of your textbook(s) in eBook format. Check your online course shell for availability.

Review the online course shell or check with your professor to determine whether Internet-based assignments and activities are used in this course.

Strayer students are encouraged to purchase their course materials through our designated Strayer Bookstore. http://www.strayerbookstore.com If a lab is required for the course, the Strayer Bookstore is the only vendor that sells the correct registration code so that Strayer students may access labs successfully.

Discussions

To earn full credit in an online threaded discussion, students must have one original post and a minimum of one other post per discussion thread.

Please note: Material in the online class will be made available on the previous Thursday. As it is always possible that students could lose their work due to unforeseen circumstances, it is a best practice to routinely save a working draft in a separate file before posting in the course discussion area. Professors hold discussions during class time for on-ground students. Check with your professor if any additional discussion participation is required in the online course shell outside of class hours.

Tests

Tests (quizzes, midterm and final exams, essay exams, lab tests, etc.) are available for student access and completion through the online course shell. Check the online course shell to determine how you are expected to take the tests.

 Online students are to complete the test by Monday 9:00 a.m. Details regarding due dates are posted in the Blackboard Calendar tool.

 On-ground students are to complete the tests after the material is covered and before the next class session.

Assignments

A standardized performance grading rubric is a tool your professor will use to evaluate your written assignments. Review the rubric before submitting assignments that have grading rubrics associated with them to ensure you have met the performance criteria stated on the rubric.

Grades are based on individual effort. There is no group grading; however, working in groups in the online or on-ground classroom is acceptable.

http://www.strayerbookstore.com/

BUS 499 – Student Notes

BUS 499 Student Version 1134 (1042 3-04-2013) Final Page 24 of 25

Assignments for online students are always submitted through the online course shell. On-ground professors will inform students on how to submit assignments, whether in paper format or through the online course shell.

Resources

The Resource Center navigation button in the online course shell contains helpful links. Strayer University Library Resources are available here as well as other important information. You should review this area to find resources and answers to common questions.

Technical support is available for the following:

 For technical questions, please contact Strayer Online Technical Support by logging in to your

iCampus account at https://icampus.strayer.edu/login and submitting a case under “Student

Center,” then “Submit Help Ticket.” If you are unable to log in to your iCampus account, please

contact Technical Support via phone at (877) 642-2999.

 For concerns with your class, please access the Solution Center by logging in to your iCampus

account at https://icampus.strayer.edu/login and submitting a case under “Student Center,” then

“Submit Help Ticket.” If you are unable to log in to your iCampus account, please contact the IT

Help Desk at (866) 610-8123 or at mailto:IThelpdesk@Strayer.edu.

TurnItIn.com is an optional online tool to assess the originality of student written work. Check with your professor for access and use instructions.

The Strayer Policies link on the navigation bar in the online course shell contains academic policies. It is important that students be aware of these policies.

https://icampus.strayer.edu/login

mailto:IThelpdesk@Strayer.edu

BUS 499 – Student Notes

BUS 499 Student Version 1134 (1042 3-04-2013) Final Page 25 of 25

Bachelors Student Registration Instructions:

1. Select http://www.peregrineacademics.com/strayer.

2. Enter case-sensitive password STRAYERB-1001 (on right side of screen under Self-Registration for Access Key(s)).

3. Select View Registration.

4. Select the appropriate exam as directed by your school.

5. Select Review Your Selection(s) and Proceed with Registration.

6. Select Proceed with Self-Registration.

7. Enter First Name, Last Name, and your E-mail address.

8. Select Review Registration(s).

9. Select Complete Registration.

10. To take exam:

a. Select the hyperlink under Course/Exam heading.

b. When finished, save/print completion certificate and return to your instructor.

http://www.peregrineacademics.com/strayer

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