LD9634 Designing and Implementing SME Business Strategy Assessment Brief 2024-25 | NUN

LD9634 Introduction

The business environment for business organisations is increasingly  becoming more competitive due to the evolving  VUCA  (Volatile,  Uncertain,  Complex and  Ambiguous) conditions. This is particularly applicable for start-up entrepreneurs, who, as SME owners or managers, often feel the impacts of this competition more fiercely,  as they often cannot effectively compete with their larger business counterparts, who are likely to have larger resource allocation and hence capabilities at their disposal.  Hence, to survive in a keenly competitive market,  SMEs are faced with the choice(s)  of strategically leveraging their unique and sometimes rare competencies to gain a considerable competitive advantage over other businesses (both SMEs and large).  

You will be assessed by a Two-part component of a 3000-word individual report (excluding appendices) that will consist of the following pieces of work:   

PART One - 1000 words (30%) 

Using a range of relevant academic literature, you are required to identify and critically evaluate contemporary issues and challenges that small and medium-sized enterprises/ organisations (in the  UK  or your chosen country)  are facing concerning  SME’s strategy. (ML01) (30%).

Your critical literature review report explores your understanding of the strategic challenges during the development and implementation of managing a goods or services business from an SME entrepreneurial perspective based on a range of relevant academic literature.  

[You must present your work to the academic standard commensurate with the BA final year and apply/use APA referencing throughout].    

PART Two – 2000 words (60%)  

a.  Using a range of relevant and appropriate strategy frameworks (such as PESTEL, Porter’s Five  Forces,  SWOT, etc.),  critically evaluate the internal and external environment of an SME organisation you are familiar with in the wider UK economy. (ML03) (1000 words).  

Students are required to explore the application of the above frameworks in the main body, and frameworks can be added in the appendix. Students are advised to use the relevant websites  to  gather  company  information  for  internal  environment  analysis  , such  as Companies House - GOV.UK  

b. Assume your SME organisation from (a) above is considering expanding its operations to the  Netherlands in the next  12  months. Your task is to identify,  analyse and justify the following: (ML02) (1000 words). 

1) Their mode of entry into the new market. 

2) The influence of CSR practices and some areas in the strategy for the future development of the new market. 

LD9634 Assessment Guidance

Your answers should consider appropriate and relevant subject contents, theories, models and frameworks which demonstrate wider reading and which are appropriately cited and referenced using the required APA referencing system.  You should support your work with academic theory and relevant academic literature.  All assignments are submitted electronically on Blackboard.   

Layout Instructions 

Make sure your report now has the following:  

• Front Cover – ID number, Subject and Topic. 
• Table of Contents - (Not included in the total word count)  Part 1 (1000 words) and Appendix I - 30% marks 
• Part 2a - 1000 words and 30% marks 
• Part 2b - 1000words and 30% marks 
• Reference List - (Not included in the total word count)
• 10  marks awarded for excellent  work presentation,  structure and referencing in and end-text.

LD9634 Submission of Assessment

• You should submit your assessments electronically to the Turnitin Submission Tool within the module E-Learning Site.  This can be found in the Assessment and Submission section  
• . Your assignment will be marked and feedback offered 4 weeks from the hand-in date.
• You must also keep a copy of your assignment for your own records in case a second copy is required. The assignment submitted will not be returned to you, so again, keep a copy for your own use.
• It is your responsibility as the student to ensure that you are submitting your final and complete assignment to be marked.  Only send your assignment to the above email address to avoid confusion.

LD9634 Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs) 

• MLO1 Your appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge related to business strategy in an SME context.
• MLO2: Your critical understanding of the dynamic  nature of the business environment and how  SMEs can position themselves within their global markets and competition. AOL 2 Data Collection point
• MLO3: Your ability to apply strategic management tools and frameworks to a given SME context. 

Mapping to Programme Goals and Objectives  

This assessment will contribute directly to the following Level  6 Programme  Goals  and Objectives:

Programme (Level) Learning Outcomes that this module contributes to:  

Knowledge & Understanding:  

6.1.1 Appraise knowledge of contemporary professional practice in the SME Business context to be informed by theory and research.   

6.1.2 Appraise and apply knowledge of business,  management,  and entrepreneurship to complex problems in or related to professional practice to identify justifiable, sustainable and responsible solutions.  

Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:  

6.2.1  Evaluate effective interpersonal communication  skills and the ability to work in multi-cultural teams.  

6.3.1 Critically self-reflect as a means of informing personal development planning

LD9634 Marking Rubrics  

Assignment: Designing and Implementing SME Business Strategy (100%, 3000 words)