6WBS009 Business Strategy Assignment 1 Individual Report 2025/26

Assignment Brief

6WBS009 Assessment Criteria

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding assessed in this assignment:

Learning Outcomes: Skills and Attributes assessed in this assignment:

1. Demonstrate a critical awareness of current strategic issues facing managers in a chosen field
2. Understand how to apply a range of strategic tools, theoretical frames and perspectives to enhance decision making in a complex environment
3. Demonstrate understanding of strategic options and develop an ability to critically evaluate these in relation to the internal and external analyses of an organisation.

Transformational Opportunities:

E.g. Use LinkedIn Learning to improve skills

1. Research and analyse a complex range of strategic problems.
2. Critically evaluate strategic concepts and theory to a range of scenarios.

Feedback /Marking criteria for this Assignment

• Performance will be assessed using HBS Grading Criteria (Rubric)
• Feedback for improvement will be given in writing via your Canvas module site within 4 weeks of submission
• Lateness Penalty: For each day or part day up to five days after the published deadline, coursework relating to modules submitted late will have the numeric grade reduced by 10 grade points until or unless the numeric grade reaches the minimum pass mark (UG 40/PG 50).  Where the numeric grade awarded for the assessment is less than the minimum pass mark no lateness penalty will be applied.  If the coursework is submitted more than 5 days after the published deadline, it will not be marked and a grade of zero will be awarded. Please note: Referred coursework submitted after the published deadline will be awarded a grade of zero (0).
• Extensions: Students do not have an automatic right to an extension.  If you require an extension, this must be requested in advance of the submission deadline.  Please give your reason(s) for needing an extension. Not all Assessments are eligible for an extension. Please check above.
• Retrievable Assessment: Students who fail a retrievable assignment have the opportunity to act on the feedback in a timely manner and to resubmit the same assignment within a specified deadline set by the Module Leader. Marks for resubmitted work will be capped at 40% for UG and 50% for PG. Students who resubmit work and go on to Fail the module will still be able to do the referred coursework (capped at 40% UG or 50% PG).

6WBS009 Detailed Brief For Individual / Team Assignment

Assignment Title:

Situational Analysis of (enter your company name here) in the Automotive Industry

Description of the assignment, task, content and structure:

Overview of the automotive industry

Four Task submission.

According to many industry sources, the European automotive sector has currently fallen on ‘hard times’ with production numbers far exceeding sales. The European electric vehicle (EV) models are particularly struggling to sell at the forecasted rates. This is impacting all European manufacturers such as VW, Renault, Stellanis group, BMW, Mercedes etc. Some of these manufacturers are planning to halt production and others are even considering closures, or down-sizing, and make some of the workforce redundant.

The pressure on European manufacturers is particularly strong from China with companies, such as BYD, Geely and Chery particularly keen to establish a foothold in the European market with plans to produce electric cars in their own factories in Europe.

The European automotive sector is very large and a massive contributor to the regions’ economy. Whatever decision the European manufacturers make will have a big impact on the region and its economic situation (Euronews, 2024).

According to many industry sources, the European automotive sector has currently fallen on ‘hard times’ with production numbers far exceeding sales. The European electric vehicle (EV) models are particularly struggling to sell at the forecasted rates. This is impacting all European manufacturers such as VW, Renault, Stellanis group, BMW, Mercedes etc. Some of these manufacturers are planning to halt production and others are even considering closures, or down-sizing, and make some of the workforce redundant.

The pressure on European manufacturers is particularly strong from China with companies, such as BYD, Geely and Chery particularly keen to establish a foothold in the European market with plans to produce electric cars in their own factories in Europe.

The European automotive sector is very large and a massive contributor to the regions’ economy. Whatever decision the European manufacturers make will have a big impact on the region and its economic situation (Euronews, 2024).

Your Assignment Task

Select any one of the European automotive manufacturers (e.g. BMW, Mercedes, VW, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Renault, Vauxhall etc.) and conduct a detailed situational analysis.

Make sure there is plenty of data available in the public domain for the company you select otherwise you may struggle to provide adequate factual data and supporting evidence in your report.

Situation analysis requires a methodical examination of the internal and external factors influencing a business at any given moment. These factors might include customers, competitors, the market environment, and internal capabilities of the business.

Your task is to conduct detailed situational analysis on the business you have selected. You will need to use all of the relevant tools, framework and theoretical models discussed with the module content. You will need to decide which of these frameworks are suitable for your analysis and at which stage they will be instrumental in informing your discussion.

Using the company you selected, carefully research the business and the key players within the sector to ensure you gain good understanding of the key trends that are shaping the sector. Then complete the following four tasks.

Task 1

Conduct detailed external analysis of the company you have selected.

Guidance – we expect a lot of theoretical content here so use all relevant tools, frameworks, and theory discussed in the module. Apply these frameworks to your company and then draw conclusions from your findings as to the key external elements affecting the company in its current situation.

Task 2

Conduct detailed internal analysis of the company you have selected

Guidance – again we expect a lot of theoretical content here so use all relevant tools, frameworks, and theory discussed in the module. Apply these frameworks to your company and then draw conclusions from your findings as to the key internal elements affecting the company in it’s current situation.

Task 3

Based on your findings above (in Tasks 1 and 2), propose and review (at least 3-5) strategic options available to your selected company in order to continue trading (or not as the case may be) and flourish in this competitive landscape?

Guidance – here you must provide at least 3-5 options. Explain each one in detail and justify why the company should consider this option.

Task 4

Choose one of your options (from Task 3) and use Adobe Express to construct an infographic or timeline.

Guidance – here you must select only one option from Task 3 and provide a) visual representation  from your 3 -5 strategies and b) your personal justification and recommendation for their choice. No reference needed as this task does not need to be theoretical, but you need to demonstrate your understanding of the subject discussed above.

To complete this task successfully you will need to undertake secondary research using relevant market data from appropriate sources such as Studynet research, sources provided within the module content, journal articles and news stories. You may also use company website to glean basic company information – remember this is not an academic source and may be heavily biased! You must use this data and market information to justify your points and apply appropriate strategic theories and models throughout.

Any Specific Instructions:

The HBS Grading Criteria (rubric) will evidence how marks are awarded for individual parts of

the assignment i.e. Presentation and Structure, Intellectual Curiosity and Referencing, Content, Analysis, Discussion

Format Of The Report

Ensure your report includes the following:

• A clear heading and front cover with student ID, title, module name/code and word count.
• Content page.
• Introduction to the report – to include purpose of the report, business background and review etc.
• Main body of the report as outlined above – the discussions should examine some of the content suggested above and include a range of strategic models, examples, data and illustrations where appropriate.
• A full list of references should accompany the report.

The report must be 1.5 spacing and a font size of 12 using Ariel or Calibri font style.

Word Count

• Word count is 1400 +/-10% – this means 1260 minimum and 1540 maximum word.
• Marking will stop at 1540 words and any content after this will be ignored.
• Word count will not include front sheet, content page, reference list and relevant figures such as images, diagrams and frameworks that are used to support your discussion.
• Figures may not be used as a means to gain additional word count. Any writing contained within should be concise (e.g. bullet points) and limited to essential information upon which the discussion should be expanded within the main body of the report text. Marks may be deducted for figures that are heavily loaded with written content.

Submission: you must upload Word document onto Canvas

Summary Of Assessment

Assessment Criteria

In order to pass this assignment, you must meet the following assessment criteria:

• You must address the topic points
• You must demonstrate a sound understanding of the relevant strategic theory
• You must use relevant data to illustrate and support your discussions
• You must include appropriate and relevant strategic models in each section
• You must fully reference your report using the Harvard reference system
• You must include a reference list at the end using Harvard reference system
• You must include a word count on the front cover sheet

Work will be marked according to the following criteria:

• Use of appropriate data
• Effective use of data, diagrams, images, tables
• Use of relevant theory
• Discussion – structure of argument, originality and critical analysis
• Presentation of report – writing style, length, referencing of data etc.

Higher marks can be achieved by:

• Addressing the question in focussed and greater depth
• Structuring your arguments in a logical manner
• Demonstrating some originality
• Writing concisely, in fluent English, with few grammar or spelling errors
• Using diagrams to support your arguments

Marking Criteria

1. Presentation and Structure – follow a report structure and adhere to the word count. (10% of marks)
2. Intellectual curiosity – overall referencing and using Harvard referencing style throughout. You must use a minimum of 8 – 10 quality academic sources plus other journals and quality sources. (10% of marks)
3. Task 1 – 25% of marks
4. Task 2 – 25% of marks
5. Task 3 – 20% of marks
6. Task 4 – 10% of marks