STRM043: What are the Resources and Capabilities of Harley-Davidson: Competitive Strategy and Innovation Assignment, UoN, Singapore

The Assessment Task

You have a choice of two cases from Grant’s ‘Contemporary Strategy Analysis’ 9th Edition textbook and must choose ONE:

Either

• Harley-Davidson, Inc 2015

or

• Wal-Mart Stores Inc 2015

You are required to read the chosen case in-depth and in teams of four prepare a 10-12 minute board-level Powerpoint presentation, followed by Q& A, that addresses the following questions:

Harley-Davidson Inc. 2015

1. What are the resources and capabilities of Harley-Davidson? How do they grant the firm a competitive advantage to compete in the motorcycle industry?
2. How effective has Harley Davidson’s strategy been in the past and how has the firm exploited its key strengths while protecting itself from its key weaknesses?
3. What threats to its continuing success does Harley Davidson face, and how should it respond to future challenges?

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. 2015

1. In which of Wal-Mart’s principal functions and activities do its main competitive advantages lie?
2. To what extent is Wal-Mart’s competitive advantage sustainable? What challenges does Wal-Mart face now and in the future?
3. What measures should it take in order to sustain its recent performance?

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes that are being assessed in this assessment are shown in BOLD below:

Subject-Specific Knowledge, Understanding & Application

a) Identify, critically appraise and select approaches and techniques which are appropriate for the analysis of the organization’s internal and external environments, successfully applying a variety of academic frameworks, concepts and theories to select strategies for new and differing contexts.

b) Demonstrate understanding of the dynamic nature of the inter-relationship between the module topics, and make informed judgments about strategic choices when faced with uncertain, incomplete or ambiguous information.

c) Demonstrate comprehension of innovation, disruptive technologies and strategic leadership in the creation of environment and cultures conducive to innovation, recognizing and addressing any ethical and corporate social responsibility issues and wider stakeholder interests.

Employability & Changemaker Skills

d) Produce appropriately informed decisions in the context of real-world settings and issues, justifying the chosen conclusions and recommendations

e) Communicate core ideas and concepts effectively with an ability to devise, sustain and convey an argument, orally and in writing, selecting the appropriate academic tools to convey meaning and purpose, supported by valid evidence and use of relevant sources.

f) Perform and function effectively within a group or team situation, and communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.