Faculty of Business Studies

Tutor Marked Assignment

B301 A: Making Sense of Strategy I
Second Semester 2013 2014

The assignment requires you to select a private bank in your home country and then
to provide the following:

1) A critical analysis of the business environment (Macro environment) of the
bank you have selected. (20 marks; 900 words)

2) A critical analysis of the Industry structure and attractiveness. (20 marks;
300 words)

3) A considered application of Porters Five Forces of Competition framework
to this industry. (30 marks; 800 words)

4) A considered application of game theory on your case, including an
explanation of why this approach may be beneficial. (15 marks; 500 words)

5) Outline, explain and justify (at least) three VALUABLE recommendations
for the bank that you have selected that would enable it to improve its
competitiveness in the future. (15 marks; 500 words)
=================================



General instructions for students:
TMA Submission Date: 8/May/2014
TMA weight: 20% of total course grade.
Course material: Block 1-2, Reading 4, and 5, and Unit 2 (2.3: Economics and causality) are
relevant course material to this TMA.
Relevant readings: Readings for Block 1&2; Reading 7; Block 3, Unit 1
Plagiarism: Its imperative that you write your answers using your own words. Plagiarism will
be penalized depending on its severity and according to AOU plagiarism policy.
Format: you are expected to write your answers in an essay format: introduction, body
paragraph(s) and a conclusion. Failing to do so could result in the deduction of up to 5 marks
from your total TMA mark.
Word count: your answers are expected to be within the specified word count. A 10% deviation
from word count limit is acceptable. Not adhering to specified word count could result in the
deduction of up to 5 marks of your total TMA mark.
Referencing: You are expected to use the Harvard referencing style for in-text referencing and
list of reference at the end. Failing to do so could result in the deduction of up to 5 marks of
your total TMA mark.
E-library: You are expected to use E-library sources to support your answers. A minimum of 3
sources is required. Failing to do so could result in the deduction of up to 5 marks of your total
TMA mark.