Develop a strategic framework to increase the competitive advantage of a business.

MT460-4: Develop a strategic framework to increase the competitive advantage of a business.

PC-2.2: Formulate innovative solutions for identified initiatives.

In this Assessment, you will culminate two course outcomes related to strategic planning to enter international markets:

Your professor will provide a list of industries, parent companies and international markets for you to choose from complete this Assessment. You will choose one parent company from the list and you will assume the role of General Manager for a subsidiary (business unit) of this company. Assume you are in charge of developing the strategy for your business unit selling products in various countries around the world. One of the issues you face is whether to employ a multidomestic strategy, a global strategy, or a transnational strategy. Making such a complex business decision can be challenging, but as a management strategist, your leadership and business acumen will help direct the company down the right path. In a five-page business strategy report, use persuasive writing techniques to convince corporate leadership to fund an expansion initiative into a new international market that you have identified. Complete this Assessment by meeting the following criteria:

• Your chosen company is comprised of various business units. Choose one popular business unit (subsidiary) and make it your focus for this Assessment. Identify the product and provide a thorough synopsis on the current state of the business unit in the international marketplace by conducting extensive research.
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  • Identify the markets in which the business unit currently operates.
  • Report on the financial health of the business unit by reviewing annual reports and quarterly financial statements.   
  • Analyze the vision, mission, and value statements of the company. Explain and critique each statement. Explain the pros and cons of each statement, and note any recommended improvements based on research.
• Within your chosen business unit, identify a product line and conduct extensive research on the product line to become familiar with it.
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  • Provide a brief synopsis of your chosen product line.
  • Provide details, noting important factors like the brand, product features and benefits, and other important marketing factors. Be thorough.
• Conduct research on your chosen international market.
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  • Explain why you chose this market, and explain the strategic options the company has for entering this market.
  • Explain why there is a need for your chosen product in your chosen international market.  
  • Use a minimum of two analysis tools to understand your chosen market and the opportunities that exist for your business unit and parent company.
  • Explain the pros and cons of entering your chosen international market.
• Based on an analysis of your chosen business unit, would a multidomestic strategy, a global strategy, or a transnational strategy be most appropriate if your company plans on expanding into this new market? Explain.
• Generally forecast the necessary resources your business unit will need to enter your chosen market (finances, capital assets, labor, logistics, etc.).
• Develop SMART goals that will drive your business unit to successfully enter your chosen international market.
• Determine if there are strategic advantages to global sourcing, production, and logistics of the products in your chosen business unit in relation to your chosen strategy?
• Is an alliance, joint venture, acquisition, or merger with foreign companies necessary from your chosen business unit to enter a foreign market? Explain.
• Identify and explain the value chain relationships between your chosen business unit with other business units within your chosen company.
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  • Explain how diversification strategies can produce cross-business strategic fit capable of delivering competitive advantage for your business unit.
  • Evaluate your company’s diversification strategy.
• Use creative desktop publishing skills to create the title page and layout of your business report.
• Use a minimum of three peer-reviewed academic research resources (library resources, textbooks, books) to help substantiate your strategic framework.
• Apply proper APA style referencing format.
• Be sure to use headings and subheadings to create a flow of ideas and topics within your writing.
• Write in third person to develop your business report.  

Use the many theories and concepts learned from Chapters 1 and 8 of your textbook to complete this Assignment. Use strategic management and leadership knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors you have acquired to help develop the framework for your strategic plan, and to deliver an informative and persuasive report to the corporate leadership of your chosen company.

Be sure to review the Competency Assessment Checklist Rubric in order to understand the criteria on which you will be evaluated.

Minimum Submission Requirements

• This Assessment should be a Microsoft Word document.
• Respond to the questions in a thorough manner, providing specific examples of concepts, topics, definitions, and other elements asked for in the questions. Your paper should be highly organized, logical, and focused.
• Your paper must be written in Standard English and demonstrate exceptional content, organization, style, and grammar and mechanics.
• Your paper should provide a clearly established and sustained viewpoint and purpose.
• Your writing should be well ordered, logical and unified, as well as original and insightful.
• A separate page at the end of your research paper should contain a list of references, in APA format. Use your textbook, the Library, and the internet for research.
• Be sure to cite both in-text and reference list citations were appropriate and reference all sources.  Your sources and content should follow proper APA citation style. Review the APA formatting and citation style resources found in the Writing Center. The Writing Center can be found in the Academic Success Center in the Academic Tools area of your course. (It should include a cover sheet, paper is double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12-point font, correct citations, Standard English with no spelling or punctuation errors, and correct references at the bottom of the last page.)