Individual Written Assignment
As specified in the Course Syllabus, each student is to describe the core strategy (or business model) of a food or agribusiness firm of their choice. This is a written assignment that counts for 10 percent (100 points) of the semester grade.
This assignment is due:  APRIL 15th at 5:00pm.
Assignment Details:
Each student is to describe the core strategy (or business model) of a food or agribusiness firm of their choice.  You may not choose a firm that we have covered in class (i.e. Walmart, Starbucks, The Coca-Company, PepsiCo, ConAgra, Mutti Spa, etc.).  Your description of the firm’s core strategy should include the following elements:
(1)    Mission/Vision Statement and Strategic Objectives
(2)    Customer Value/Competitive Advantage
(3)    Strategic Initiative
(4)    Strategic Scope
a.    Product/Market Scope
b.    Geographic Scope
c.    Resource Development
(5)    Industry Role
(6)    Vertical Coordination
For each core strategy element (#2-6), identify that option chosen by the firm and provide detailed evidence that supports this option.  You MUST use multiple sources of information to complete this assignment.  In particular, students should consider company annual reports, websites, news articles, and other industry sources.  The business library (http://libguides.lib.msu.edu/busdatabases) also has access to a set of electronic databases that will be useful for this assignment.  These databases include: Hoover’s Company Records, NexisLexis Academic, Mergent Online, etc.  Your analysis should include a summary table of the elements of the firm’s core strategy (see sample template below).
Finally, your report must include an assessment of the firm’s strategy.  In particular, does the firm have a coherent strategy?  For this component of the report, it is highly recommended that you develop an activity map for the firm.  You might also consider the strategy’s ability to deliver on the strategic objectives of the firm.
Additional Instructions:
1.    The Grading Sheet for the Individual Project is attached below.  The Grading Sheet indicates specific tools and criteria that maybe useful for your analysis/plan.  You do not necessarily have to use all these tools or criteria; instead, use those that you feel are relevant to your paper.
2.    Your paper is limited to 5 pages plus exhibits (i.e. tables, graphs, appendices). You must also include a one-page executive summary (not included in the 5-page limit).

Element    Option Chosen    Evidence/Explanation
#1
#2
#3
a)
b)
c)
#4
#5
Summary Table of Core Strategy Elements

Grading Sheet on Individual Case Assignment
BUSINESS MODEL OF A FOOD OR AGRIBUSINESS FIRM.
I.    Executive Summary/Introduction        10%
Executive Summary        5%
Report Introduction (Brief Description of the Company)        5%
II.    Description of Core Strategy        50%
Strategic Intent (Vision/Mission, Goals/Objectives, etc.)        5%
Business Strategy – Customer Value/Competitive Advantage        10%
Corporate Strategy
Strategic Initiative        5%
Strategic Scope: product/industry, geographic, resource                                                                development        20%
Industry Role        5%
Vertical Coordination        5%
III.    Core Strategy Assessment        25%
Strategic Coherence (Activity Map)        15%
Overall Assessment of the Core Strategy        10%
IV.    Quality of Communication        25%
Professionalism (supported arguments, appropriate terminology, etc.)        5%
Grammar/Spelling/Sentence Structure        5%
Organization        5%
Completeness        5%
Visuals (Charts, Graphs, Pictures, etc.)        5%

Topic: Individual Written Assignment

Order Description
“Identify the four specific criteria managers can use to decide which of their firm’s capabilities have the potential to create a sustainable competitive advantage. In your answer you should define resources, capabilities, core competencies and the concept of sustainable competitive advantage. You should include references to at least five (5) current academic strategic management journals and two (2) examples of competing firms.”
Outline and discuss each of the four Criteria that qualify resources and capabilities as core competencies and ultimately establish competitive advantages for firms
For criteria of sustainable competitive advantage
Explain the concept of sustainable competitive advantage
Clarify the purpose and effect of the four factors of competitive advantage
Explain strategic management and the relevance of the four factors of competitive advantage to organisational performance and managerial decision making.
YOU SHOLD INCLUDE REFERNCES TO AT LEAST 15 ACADEMIC JOURNELS AND 2 EXAMPLES OF COMPETING FIRMS.

Assessments will be made against the following criteria:
1. The demonstration of an engagement with the body of knowledge and fundamental issues surrounding strategic management.
2. The development and application of frameworks of understanding specifically in the area of competitive advantage and corporate decision making.
The response explains the concept of sustainable competitive advantage, with reference to both the core text and the academic literature
The response details the purpose and effect of the four factors of competitive advantage with reference to both the core text and the academic literature. This section has a total potential value of 5 marks.
The response explains strategic management and the relevance of the four factors of competitive advantage to organisational performance. This section has a total potential value of 5 marks.
The response explains strategic management and the relevance of the four factors of competitive advantage to managerial decision making. This section has a total potential value of 5 marks.

MAKE SURE YOU DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF FUNDEMENTAL ISSUES, SURROUNDING STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND
YOU APPLY FRAMEWORK IN THE AREA OF OMPETITTIVE ADVANTAGE AND CORPORATE DECISION MAKING