The case analysis process of strategic management (1)

The Case Analysis Process


Keys to Good Analysis

•
•
•

Time and preparation
Using theoretical frames
Critical thinking and judgement


The Assessment Task

•
•
•
•
•

Conduct an external and internal analysis for the case organisation.
Complete a SWOT analysis.
Identify future strategies for the case based on your analysis.

Key point – must JUSTIFY your decisions
Key point – must be CASE SPECIFIC


The Process

•
•
•

Step 1: What is the industry – need to be clear about the industry in which the
firm competes (and think about the boundaries of the industry).
Step 2: General Environment Analysis – looking for broad trends and trying to
identify their potential impact.
Step 3: The Industry Environment – completed using the Five-Forces Model.


The Process

•

Step 4: Competitor Analysis – who are our direct and indirect competitors?
Strategic groups?

•

Step 5: Statement of Opportunities and Threats – a summation of steps 1-4,
that identifies the main external issues for the firm.

•

Step 6: Identifying tangible and Intangible resources of the firm.


The Process

•
•

Step 7: Identify capabilities of the firm.
Step 8: Core competency analysis – looking for resources and capabilities that
are rare, valuable, costly to imitate and non-substitutable (source of advantage).

•

Step 9: Value chain analysis – may be combined with step 7.


The Process

•
•
•
•

Step 10: Identify weaknesses of the firm.
Step 11: SWOT Analysis – gives insights into strategic options.
Step 12: Identification of current strategies.
Step 13: Future strategies (B-L &/or C-L).