6CSP

Corporate Strategy and Planning

QCF
Monday 5 December 2016, Morning

1.

Time allowed: 3 hours.

2.

Read the instructions at the top of each section carefully.

3.

No books, dictionaries, notes or any other written materials are allowed in this examination.

4.

Calculators, including scientific calculators, are allowed provided they are not
programmable and cannot store or recall information. All other electronic devices, including
mobile phones, are not permitted.

5.

Candidates who break ABE Examination Regulations will be disqualified from the
examinations.

6.

Question papers must not be removed from the examination room.

Structure of paper: Answer both sections

Section A: Answer all four questions

Section B: Answer one question

Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4

20 marks
20 marks
20 marks
20 marks

Either Q5 or Q6

20 marks

Total marks available for the paper

6CSP1216

The Association of Business Executives 2016

100 marks

R/601/2747

This paper consists of two sections.

Follow the instructions at the top of each section.
Section A
You must answer all four questions in this section.

Q1

(a) Critically examine the patterns of strategic development that could be used by an organisation
and explain why they may vary between different organisations.
(14 marks)
(b) Recommend a strategic planning approach for the board of a college of education. (6 marks)
(Total 20 marks)

Q2

Critically evaluate the usefulness and limitations of SWOT analysis in corporate planning.
(20 marks)

Q3

Critically evaluate four methods that a large textile business could use to control its corporate
plans.
(20 marks)

Q4

A company in Asia, which produces and sells personal computers for its home market, has
decided to also sell its computers in China, Europe and the USA.
(a) Critically assess the likely reasons for this strategy.

(12 marks)

(b) Evaluate the impact of this decision on the companys corporate strategic planning. (8 marks)
(Total 20 marks)

End of Section A

Section B
You must answer one question in this section. Do not answer both Q5 and Q6.

EITHER:
Q5

A bus company is considering providing a new service to run between two cities.
Critically evaluate how you would assess the feasibility of this strategy and the methods you would
use.
(20 marks)

OR:
Q6

Discuss what is meant by Gap Analysis and assess its relative importance in evaluating strategic
plans.
(20 marks)

End of Section B
End of question paper
6CSP1216