SECTION A (100 MARKS) – PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS

Answer the following questions: Question 1 (15 marks)
Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows.

Analysing the Mintzberg framework, describe how managers can apply the five characteristics to align and strengthen the strategic purpose of enhancing organisational learning. (15)

Question 2 (12 marks)

Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows.

A business model explains an organisation’s “recipe for success”, and it contains those factors that essentially define the business. Thompson et al. (2023:61) highlight the value proposition as a key element of successful business models.

Applying the value proposition lens, critically analyse the “Kiko Cosmetic” case study in the prescribed literature (Thompson et al., 2023:62) and briefly discuss how the Italian fashion business Percassi successfully aligned its business model.
(12)

Question 3 (6 marks)

Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows.

Thompson et al. (2023:144) argue that the Ansoff model provides a practical strategic solution to counter environmental changeability and turbulence: “To survive and succeed in an industry, the firm must match the aggressiveness of its operating and strategic behaviours to the changeability of demands and opportunities in the marketplace.”

Select any three of the six Ansoff factors you can apply to enhance sustainability and counter turbulence in your organisation. (6)

Question 4 (8 marks)

Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows.

Apart from dynamic new evolving developments and technological advancement, “people as strategic resources” remain a critical success factor in organisations, especially in terms of Thompson et al.’s (2023:191–192) notion of “The people contribution”.

Placing yourself in the position of a strategic manager, evaluate the “people contribution” notion and submit a brief argument for a board meeting opposing or supporting the core elements of the notion. (8)

Question 5 (25 marks)

Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows

Based on increasing business failures in South Africa, the current STRM01-8 module focused extensively on differentiation and cost management approaches to maintain competitive advantage. The significance thereof is motivated by the words of Sir Hornby (Thompson et al., 2023:244) as “many companies spend a lot of time and money researching customers’ views, but most spend nothing like enough on observing the competitors’”.

The main reason for change is to keep ahead of competitors or to catch up on the complacent market leaders. Companies must invest in development – it’s a case of “duck or no dinner”.

Conduct a comparative analysis of McDonald’s and Checkers’ differentiation and cost management approaches in South Africa to identify the best strategies employed to maintain competitive advantage.

Apart from the McDonald’s case study (Thompson et al., 2023:244–245), notes taken during the STRM01-8 Live Sessions and the following link, “The Strategy Story, Checkers’ SWOT Analysis”

Question 6 (12 marks)

Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows.

Thompson et al. (2023:288) introduce seven strategic power levers as important elements aligned to organisational structure, culture and individual managers’ personalities to influence and persuade people to behave in a particular way.

As a company CEO, design a 5-point Power Lever plan you would implement to enhance employee well-being. (12)

Question 7 (10 marks)

Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows.

Strategic visionary leadership is a vital attribute based on the argument of Thompson et al. (2023:727) that “strategy cannot be successful until it has been implemented and has brought the desired results and rewards. Such outcomes require the support and commitment of other managers and, consequently, effective visionaries are often articulate, communicative and persuasive leaders”.

Based on the argument above, motivate the three core stages of strategic visionary leadership with an example of each in your organisation. (10)
Question 8 (12 marks)

Evaluating the “Twelve steps in transformation change” approach by Thompson et al. (2023:630), argue the relevance thereof with accompanying practical examples in an organisation of your choice. (12)

References

The Strategy Story. 2024. Checkers’ Swot Analysis

Thompson, J, Scott, JM & Martin, F. 2023. Strategic Management, Awareness and Change (10th edition). United Kingdom: Cengage Learning.

Answers to Above Questions on Strategic Management

Answer 1: Mintzberg Framework can be of great help in understanding the ways in which managers can apply the five characteristics to align and strengthen the strategic purpose of enhancing organisational learning. These characteristics are interpersonal roles, informational roles, decisional roles, coordination of work and balancing order and flexibility. The ways in which these characteristics as described in Mintzberg framework can be useful to managers in creating a robust strategy in enhancing organisational learning are discussed as follows: