Strategy (N1021) Module 2024/2025

Individual Project Report - 30%

Word count: 1,500 words (+/- 10%, excluding tables, figures and bibliography)

Project task:

Do a strategic analysis of a local food service business (restaurants and takeaways) from your town or neighborhood (no chain please!). Please cover the following points in your analysis:

(1) Do an external analysis of the local industry segment your food service business is in. How profitable is it to run a food shop in the local industry segment it is in? Please explain.

(2) Do an internal analysis of the food service business’s resources and capabilities. How do they compare to key success factors in the local industry segment your food service   business is in?

(3) Do an analysis of the business model of the targeted business in terms of ethical conduct and environmental sustainability. How credible are their claims (if there are any)?

Please make use of analytical models we have discussed in class (but also others if applicable). You may use meaningful tables and figures in support of your analysis. They do not count against the  word  limit.  Please  structure  your  submission  to  ensure  the  three  questions  are  covered properly. Include a an introduction and conclusion. Be mindful of 1500 words limit.

To  answer  each  question,  please  use  observations,  e.g.  visits  of  the  outlets,  and  secondary sources, e.g. websites and industry reports, all of which you can find online. Please reference these sources throughout the text wherever you use them. A bibliography must be provided at the end of the report in Harvard Referencing System. There is no need for formal interviews. However, if you pickup useful information through informal chats (e.g. customers), feel free to use that in your report. You may also use informative pictures of the shop or their products to illustrate your argument. There is no need to add/reference academic papers or books in your report.

You are not allowed to use any AI-generated text for this assignment. Please review the latest academic misconduct rules of Sussex University to avoid any misconduct.

Good luck with your project!

Learning outcomes:

The assignment contributes to the following major learning objectives:

(1) You will be able to integrate and synthesize knowledge and learning from the module, especially from content provided prior to the submission deadline. However, students may also utilize frameworks they have learned outside the module.

(2) You will be able to apply conceptual knowledge and analytical skills holistically to a specific business case of your choosing.

(3) You will be able to collect and analyze primary and secondary data inline with appropriate concepts and frameworks to answer core strategy questions.

(4) You will be able to critically assess opportunities and challenges of making business models more environmentally sustainable and/or socially responsible.

(5) You will be able to learn how to structure and format a major piece of writing in a way that makes it accessible and appealing to informed readers.

Assessment guidelines:

The assessment will be carried out in line with the common assessment criteria for each grade as explained in the following file. Specifically, the following aspects will be important in assessing the work:

-     Ability to answer each question in appropriate and comprehensive ways

-     Ability to apply concepts and frameworks in meaningful and critical ways

-     Quality of the data (e.g. observations, secondary data), range of data sources

-     Critical thinking and originality ofthe analysis and conclusions

-     Readability, transparency, structure and overall appeal of the report