Critical Analysis Exercises

(

the first

2 @ 7.5

% each

; the third one is 15%

)

:

You are

responsible for submitting

three

individual

critical analyses of a problem or opportunity

described in an artic

le or case listed in the syllabus

(also on CANVAS)

.

Critical analyses must be a

maximum

of three pages long

; only the first three pages will be

read

and evaluated. Y

ou must first identify a

problem or opportunity and discuss a viable

,

themed

integrated

o

perations

(how do you

DO

this?)

solution ba

sed on your analysis of the firm’s

circumstances

.

The general structure of papers involves

a well

–

reasoned emphasis

involving the

following

elements

. Depending on

your

theme, your emphasis may shift among them.

1.

C

oncisely

describe the

case

–

specific

business situation, including the

relevant

macro

–

environmental, landscape and micro

–

environmental conditions facing the organization.

2.

Develop

your

problem

/

theme statement

:

State

the opportunity or

threat facing the

orga

nization. T

his

theme statement

goes in paragraph #1 or #2 as

a clear, concise phrase

.

3.

If, and only if,

realisti

c alternative approaches

exist

, present each alternative in sufficient

detail to give the reader an idea of why it may be beneficial as opposed

to another course.

Do not discuss meaningless or unrealistic alternatives

:

doing that

hurt

s

your grade a lot.

4.

Explain

your specific, well

–

integrated reasons for any recomme

n

de

d

a

c

tions

. This should

include

relevant

value enhancing information (financials;

profit

–

loss; brand value, etc.).

Useful data, methods and

/or

expert opin

ion, well assessed, are expected

.

5.

Since this is an

integrative applications

course,

your paper’s

focus is

always

on:

1)

specifically how will you

do

this and

2) how does your recomme

nded action

aff

ect

various important operational

areas of the business’ performance

(in other words,

integra

te the implications

of your actions

across various

business

operations areas

like

finance, marketing, risk, etc.).

You are strongly encouraged

to

do external research

on the industry and

compan

y

for your paper.

Don’t expect above a “C

” for papers that use only the case itself without external, professional

quality research

to add

further

value

.

In

–

text source citations

that include author, year

and page

(if possible)

and a comprehensive bibliography

are

required

. Example:

(Smith 2019, 27).