Strategic Planning
2011 WINTER EXAMINATION
Module Code: SP Programme(s): MBA/MSc Marketing
Student ID:
Module Title: Strategic Planning
Seat Number:
Exam Date: Exam Duration:
05 January 2011 3 hours
No. of Pages (including cover sheet): 3
ALLOWABLE MATERIALS
Open Book Examination Non-programmable calculator permitted
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
1. Answer 3 questions out of 9 2. All questions carry equal marks. 3. This exam is worth 50% of the final marks for this module. You are required to achieve a minimum of 40% in this examination to pass. 4. All answers must be written in the answer booklet provided.
This paper MUST NOT BE REMOVED from the examination venue
Answer any THREE questions out of NINE
Question 1 a) Explore and discuss the different types and methods of diversification and the advantages and disadvantages of each using examples of companies with which you are familiar from course texts, seminar material or the business press. b) In which corporate circumstances is diversification most likely to be beneficial and in which circumstance most likely to be detrimental to improvement of long term corporate performance? Question 2 In your own words explain what you understand by the term “Strategic Capability”. Explain how an organisation‟s Strategic Capability can be used as the basis for developing its future strategy contrasting this with the external positioning approach. Illustrate your answer with one or more examples of companies from an industry of your choice. Question 3 a) Explore and discuss the underlying theoretical principles and justification for Porter‟s generic strategies. Evaluate the Porter generic strategies in comparison with Bowman‟s Strategic clock. b) Porter‟s contends that if a company tries to pursue more than one generic strategy simultaneously it is likely to succeed in neither becoming “stuck in the middle”. Critically evaluate this statement using example of companies with which you are familiar Question 4 The
Module Code: SP Programme(s): MBA/MSc Marketing
Student ID:
Module Title: Strategic Planning
Seat Number:
Exam Date: Exam Duration:
05 January 2011 3 hours
No. of Pages (including cover sheet): 3
ALLOWABLE MATERIALS
Open Book Examination Non-programmable calculator permitted
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
1. Answer 3 questions out of 9 2. All questions carry equal marks. 3. This exam is worth 50% of the final marks for this module. You are required to achieve a minimum of 40% in this examination to pass. 4. All answers must be written in the answer booklet provided.
This paper MUST NOT BE REMOVED from the examination venue
Answer any THREE questions out of NINE
Question 1 a) Explore and discuss the different types and methods of diversification and the advantages and disadvantages of each using examples of companies with which you are familiar from course texts, seminar material or the business press. b) In which corporate circumstances is diversification most likely to be beneficial and in which circumstance most likely to be detrimental to improvement of long term corporate performance? Question 2 In your own words explain what you understand by the term “Strategic Capability”. Explain how an organisation‟s Strategic Capability can be used as the basis for developing its future strategy contrasting this with the external positioning approach. Illustrate your answer with one or more examples of companies from an industry of your choice. Question 3 a) Explore and discuss the underlying theoretical principles and justification for Porter‟s generic strategies. Evaluate the Porter generic strategies in comparison with Bowman‟s Strategic clock. b) Porter‟s contends that if a company tries to pursue more than one generic strategy simultaneously it is likely to succeed in neither becoming “stuck in the middle”. Critically evaluate this statement using example of companies with which you are familiar Question 4 The