Assignment Overview

In the Module 2 Case, we will examine the
innumerable ways in which the external environment affects the choice
of strategy (creation of threats and opportunities), and how the
external environment affects an organization’s chosen strategic
direction.

Let’s begin here by reading the following case concerning McCain Foods (note that there are several pages of text):

Hrelements.com. (2015). How McCain responds to changes in the external environment. Retrieved from http://www.hrelements.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/168-MC-cain-foods-How-McCain-responds-to-changes-in-the-external-environment1.pdf

Case Assignment

Using the Times 100 article above, write a 6- to 7-page paper in which you address the following:

After performing some current research
on McKain Foods, use SLEPT analysis to critically assess the external
environment of McCain Foods, and determine the extent to which the
company’s strategies should be adjusted pursuant to the opportunities
and/or threats presenting themselves in the external environment.

Keys to the Assignment

In a 6- to 7-page paper, do the following:

• Describe the strategy (or strategies) followed by McCain Foods.
• Using
  the SLEPT analysis tool, assess the external environment of McCain
  Foods. What are the major opportunities and threats presented by the
  external environment? Be sure that you include the most current information about the company.
• Based
  on your research and informed analysis, should McCain Foods consider
  making any adjustments to the strategy or strategies you described
  above? Why or why not? Provide clear, rational support for your answer.
• How effectively do you believe McCain Foods has been in responding to changes in the external environment? Discuss.
• Be sure to use a minimum of three library sources in support of your answers!

Assignment Expectations

Your paper will be evaluated based on the Rubric.

Module 2

Required Resources

Hrelements.com. (2015). How McCain responds to changes in the external environment. Retrieved from http://www.hrelements.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/168-MC-cain-foods-How-McCain-responds-to-changes-in-the-external-environment1.pdf

Kukalis, S. (2009). Survey of recent developments in strategic management: Implications for practitioners. International Journal of Management, 26(1), 99–106. Retrieved from ProQuest.

Makos, J. (2016). What is environmental analysis? PESTLE Analysis. Retrieved from http://pestleanalysis.com/what-is-environmental-analysis/

Slept analysis. (2014). The Times 100. Retrieved on April 29, 2014, from
http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/business-theory/external-environment/slept-analysis.html#axzz2m8aLEn54

What is PESTLE Analysis? (2014). PESTLE Analysis. Retrieved on April 29, 2014, from http://pestleanalysis.com/

Module 2 – Background

THE SOCIO-POLITICAL COMPASS

There
are many different tools that may be used to assist in the assessment
of the remote and operating external environments. These include
Porter’s Five Forces and PEST. In Module 4, we will give our attention to one such conceptual tool, SLEPT Analysis, which is a variation – and an extension – of PEST. Similar to PEST, the SLEPT Analysis is utilized by leadership to scan and monitor the remote environment. SLEPT is an acronym that stands for the:

Social, Legal, Economic, Political, and Technological remote environmental forces that may affect the organization.

Please review the theory of SLEPT analysis at the following page:
http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/business-theory/external-environment/slept-analysis.html#axzz2m8aLEn54

Next, let’s review the following article related to analysis of the external environment:

Makos, J. (2016). What is environmental analysis? PESTLE Analysis. Retrieved from http://pestleanalysis.com/what-is-environmental-analysis/

The
journal article written by Kukalis serves as a quite excellent
discussion of the turbulence and change that are occurring in today’s
remote environment:

Kukalis, S. (2009). Survey of recent developments in strategic management: Implications for practitioners. International Journal of Management, 26(1), 99-106. Retrieved from ProQuest.

A
version of SLEPT analysis – known as “PESTLE” analysis – adds the
environmental dimension to the process of analysis. The PESTLE Analysis
website is an excellent overview of PESTLE (and, by reference, of SLEPT
as well):

What is PESTLE Analysis? (2014). PESTLE Analysis. Retrieved on April 29, 2014 from http://pestleanalysis.com/