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Trident MGT499 full course (Module 1-5 case and SLP)

Module1
Harley-Davidson: A Unique, Loyal Stakeholder Base
In this course we are going to
be looking at Harley-Davidson Motor Company from a strategic management
perspective. This organization is quite unique in that it has worked very hard
through the years to build its brand and has acquired a loyal following. This
loyal customer following has actually been quite a phenomonen and many have
even identified it as “cultlike.” That is to say, H-D is unique,
particularly from a stakeholder perspective.
The corporation is now reaching
to other countries in an attempt to expand its niche across borders and
oversees. There is a lot of competition in the motorcycle market. Some
competitors include Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Indian, Victory, BMW and Triumph
motorcycles.
And although H-D dominated the
heavy-weight motorcycle market in America for many years, in recent decades
many of the above mentioned competitors have developed cruisers and touring
bikes of their own, emulating H-D’s bikes to include a V-twin engine design.
Case Assignment
For this assignment, you are to
read the information in the background material, spend some time getting a feel
for H-Ds history, strategy and key stakeholders, and then write a 3- to 4-page
report for your professor and the executives of Harley-Davidson by addressing
the following assignment requirements:

i.
Discuss to what degree you believe Harley-Davidson is currently
proceeding towards its mission, vision, and values.

ii.
Identify two or three of H-D’s most important stakeholders and
discuss whether Harley-Davidson’s current strategic direction is aligned with
the needs of the corporation’s stakeholders? Please explain your reasoning.

iii.
Based on your analysis and findings, what would you recommend to
the executives of Harley-Davidson? Why? Please explain your reasoning.
Notes:

i.
Please note that this is an advanced level course so you must
show and demonstrate your ability to provide a well reasoned response.

ii.
Also please note that your report/assignment will not be
accepted without proper citations and references. You must use the sources from
the background material together with the sources you find your own.
Assignment Expectations
This paper should include:
An introduction stating the
thesis, position, or central theme you plan to take in your paper.
A main body discussing:
1.
Your interpretation of H-D’s mission and vision.
2.
Your assessment of the stakeholders and their needs/goals.
3.
Your critical assessment as to whether H-D’s mission and vision
takes their stakeholders into account.
4.
Your recommendations to H-D executives.
A conclusion concisely stating
the main points of your analysis and the conclusions you reached.
Be sure to document your
sources and provide in-text citations whenever you use information you obtained
from a background reading or other outside source, as well as a separate
reference list at the end of the paper. You may use footnotes instead, if you
prefer, but youmustdocument where you got the information
you are using in your papers!
The following criteria will
also be used to assess your paper:
1.
Precision: Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?
2.
Breadth: Is the full breadth of the subject (i.e., all the keys
to the assignment) addressed?
3.
Depth: Does the paper/report address all elements of the topic
in sufficient depth? Does it include and apply the background readings and
other background resources? Are they included as references?
4.
Critical thinking: Are the concepts of this module applied
accurately, logically, and relevantly?
5.
Organization: Is the paper organized in a coherent and
systematic manner? Are headings included in all papers longer than 2 pages
6.
Clarity: Is the writing clear and are the concepts articulated
properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of
response to the questions, or are thoughts conveyed through excessive use of
quotations?

Module
1 – SLP
Company Mission, Vision, and Stakeholders
Strategic management starts with vision and mission. It consists
of the analysis, decisions, and actions an organization undertakes in order to
create and sustain competitive advantages.
For the SLP project, please pick a company (other than
Harley-Davidson), preferably your own, and over the course of the next five
modules, work to understand the strategy behind it.
If you are in the military it is perfectly acceptable to adapt
the questions to the strategies, vision, and missions of your unit. However,
you may need to be a little creative in how you apply various theories and
concepts as much of the strategic management literature is based on competition
between corporations.
OR
You can pick a company that interests you, one that has a lot of
information on the web about their practices, and stick with that (You can pick
another motorcycle company if you’d like, but again, make sure it’s a company
other than H-D). Either way, the point of the SLP is for you to take the topic
of the module and apply it to your life, be it to your company or a company
that particularly interests you.
Please write a 1- to 2-page report for your professor. In Module
1 SLP, you do not need to write a detailed research report (save that for the
Case).
Begin by identifying the organization which you will be
studying. Explain how you will get the information you will use and why you
picked this company.
Then identify the major mission and vision of the company, the goals
and objectives and tell me if it is in line with the needs of the major
stakeholders involved, e.g., the customers, the employees, and such.
Note:Please note that your report/assignment
will not be accepted without proper citations and references. You must use the
sources from the background material together with the sources you find your
own.

Module
2 – Case
Assignment
Overview
External Analysis of the Motorcycle
Industry
You are going to cover quite a bit of ground in this Case
Assignment because you are tasked with considering what might be included in a
PEST and Porter’s 5 forces analysis of Harley-Davidson’s external environment.
Before you start to write (though you might want to take some
notes), spend some time considering what might go into such a PEST analysis and
also consider what a strategic manager at H-D might include in a Porters 5
forces analysis in considering this organization’s external environment.
Some of the more interesting things happening in H-D’s world
right now from a competition perspective includes the
introduction/re-introduction of two competing motorcycle companies in past
years that can also make the claim of being “American Made”. These include
“Victory” and “Indian” motorcycles. In addition, most of the foreign
competition has entered into the heavy-weight motorcycle market. There are also
some concerns nowadays regarding the world economy, and the heafty price-tag
that typically accompanies an H-D motorcycle. Though H-D tends to rely heavily
on a socially based mystique regarding their product line. They have also
invested significantly from a technological perspective in relation to
logistics and production management efforts. There are also a lot of potential
‘substitute’ products that one might consider as an alternative to riding a
motorcycle (depending on the reason for purchasing the motorcycle be it gas
economy, or something exhilarating to do on a warm, sunny weekend).
Based on this information and your background readings, discuss
whether you think PEST analysis and Porter’s 5 Forces analysis would be useful
tools for H-D executives to help them make wise strategic choices. Give
examples to support your arguments and above all, demonstrate that you have a
strong grasp of how these analytical tools are used and applied in the
strategic management process. Your paper should be 4–5 pages in length.
Pay special attention to the following case study related to
H-D’s efforts to expand their operations and sales overseas. This effort
obviously ties into the discussion on the external environment:
McBee, R. D. (2011). Harley-Davidson’s Future (Abroad).
International Journal Of Motorcycle Studies, 7(2), 1-8 (access via Trident’s
library through EBSCO database)
Assignment Expectations
Your paper should include an introduction stating the thesis,
position, or central theme you plan to take in your paper, a main body focusing
on the key assignment specifications, and a conclusion concisely stating the
main points of your analysis and the conclusions you reached.
Be sure to document your sources and provide in-text citations
whenever you use information you obtained from a background reading or other
outside source, as well as a separate reference list at the end of the paper.
You may use footnotes instead, if you prefer, but youmustdocument where you got the information
you are using in your papers!

Module
2 – SLP
External Analysis of your Chosen Organization’s Environment
In 2–3 pages, perform either a
PEST analysis or a Porter’s 5 Forces analysis of your organization (Which ever
you think to be most relevant. You may do both if you’d prefer). If you chose a
public organization such as a military unit, keep in mind that competition
between military units for funding can be a very real aspect of strategic
planning. Resources are not always abundant. Budgets and allocations are not
always plentiful.
SLP Assignment Expectations
Follow the instructions above
and then upload your paper at the end of this module.
Your paper should include an
introduction stating the thesis, position, or central theme you plan to take in
your paper, a main body focusing on the key assignment specifications, and a
conclusion concisely stating the main points of your analysis and the conclusions
you reached.
Be sure to document your
sources and provide in-text citations whenever you use information you obtained
from a background reading or other outside source, as well as a separate
reference list at the end of the paper. You may use footnotes instead, if you
prefer, but youmustdocument where you got the information
you are using in your papers!

Module
3 – Case
External
Analysis of the Motorcycle Industry
Like
other companies, H-D operates in a complex global industry. In order to develop
and execute a successful strategy, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company must take
into account the global automotive environment. In this Case Assignment you are
going to be asked to discuss H-D from a strategic perspective.
Please
read the information in the background material, look for more information, and
then write a 4- to 5-page report for your professor and the executives of
Toyota corporation by answering the following questions:

i.
What are H-D’s Opportunities for moving
forward in the competitive motorcycle manufacturing and sales environment?

ii.
What threats does the company face?

iii.
Consider the Lehman Trikes case study
below. To what extend do you think the alliance between H-D and Lehman Trikes
presented an opportunity for H-D? To what exent do you think this was an
opportunity for Lehman? Make sure you support your arguments.
Here is
the Lehman Trikes article:
Looney,
D. C., & Ryerson, A. (2011). Lehman Trikes: A story within a story. Journal
Of The International Academy For Case Studies, 17(7), 45-58.
(Available via the Library by way of the EBSCO database).
Note: Please
note that your report/assignment will not be accepted without proper citations
and references. You must use the sources from the background material together
with the sources you find your own.
Module
3 – SLP
An external analysis is very important for the success and
survivability of a company. For the second part of the SLP project, I want you
to look outside the company.

i.
What are the major threats to the
organization’s ability to compete and succeed?

ii.
What are the major opportunities available
to improve the organization’s ability to compete and succeed?
Write 2–3 pages on this issue
and try to think creatively. I am more interested in you really thinking this
through than I am with research and facts.
You do not need to disclose any
private information. But it should be fun to play the role of an organizational
strategist for the moment and analyze what the major external threats and
outside opportunities are at play.
Note:Please note that your report/assignment
will not be accepted without proper citations and references. You must use the
sources from the background material together with the sources you find your
own.
SLP Assignment Expectations
This paper should include:
An introduction stating the
thesis, position, or central theme you plan to take in your paper, a main body
focusing on the key assignment specifications, and a conclusion concisely
stating the main points of your analysis and the conclusions you reached.
Be sure to document your
sources and provide in-text citations whenever you use information you obtained
from a background reading or other outside source, as well as a separate
reference list at the end of the paper. You may use footnotes instead, if you prefer,
but youmustdocument where you got the information you
are using in your papers!
Module
4 – Case
In Module 4 Case Assignment, we will be looking inside of
Harley-Davidson in order to identify its strengths and weaknesses. It is
important to consider how these factors will either help the company overcome
the threats (or make it more vulnerable), or put it in a position where it can
take advantage of opportunities (or will have to let them pass by because they
do not have the internal resources to act).
To complete Module 3 Case
Assignment, please read the information in the background material, look for
more information (from previous modules and library resources), and then write
a 4- to 5-page report answering the following questions:

i.
What are H-D’s top two or three strengths
for moving forward in the competitive motorcycle manufacturing and sales
environment?

ii.
Write a page paper – Describe what you consider to be two or
three of the weaknesses that are likely to have the greatest impact, and what
H-D is doing (or should be doing) to overcome these weaknesses?

iii.
Wrap up by overviewing the more salient
points of your entire SWOT analysis (from your Mod 3 and 4 Case Assignment) and
give your impressions in relation to whether you think the corporation will
continue to be competitive and be able to continue to meet its mission.
Note:Please note that your report/assignment
will not be accepted without proper citations and references. You must use the
sources from the background material together with the sources you find your
own.
Assignment Expectations
This paper should include:
An introduction stating the
thesis, position, or central theme you plan to take in your paper, a main body
discussing focusing on the key assignment specifications, and a conclusion
concisely stating the main points of your analysis and the conclusions you
reached.
Be sure to document your
sources and provide in-text citations whenever you use information you obtained
from a background reading or other outside source, as well as a separate
reference list at the end of the paper. You may use footnotes instead, if you
prefer, but youmustdocument where you got the information you
are using in your papers!
Module
4 – SLP
Internal
Analysis of the Company
It is
important to conduct an internal analysis to find the strengths and weaknesses
of the company. Therefore, for part 3 of the SLP project, we will look inside
your chosen organization.
Please
read the information in the background material, look for more information, and
then write a 2- to 3-page report for your professor by answering the following
questions:

i.
What are the two or three biggest strengths
the organization has that allow it to make the company’s vision come to
fruition?

ii.
What are its main competitive advantages?
Keep in mind that if you are reporting on a military unit you may have to be a
bit creative here. But chances are your unit, or even branch of the military
does compete for funding and resources with other units. Every organization
wants to rank among the best of their peers.

iii.
What internal weaknesses can you find?

Module
5 – Case
Case
Assignment
Strategic
Choices at Harley-Davidson Motor Company
To complete Module 5 Case
Assignment, please read the information in the background material, look for
more information and review some of your previous readings for this class, and
then write a 4- to 5-page report for your professor and the executives of HD
corporation by answering the following questions:

i.
What strategy (or combination of
strategies) did Harley-Davidson use to become such a successful organization?

ii.
To what extent has Harley-Davidson’s
strategy (or combination of strategies) changed over the years, or been
constant?

iii.
How does Harley-Davidson’s strategy (or
combination of strategies) “fit” with the environment of the
motorcycle industry?

iv.
How does Harley-Davidson’s strategy (or
combination of strategies) “fit” with the internal resources and competencies
of the firm?

v.
Based on your analysis and findings, what
would you recommend to the executives of Harley-Davidson Motorcycle
Corporation?
Module
5 – SLP
Business Applications, Analytical Decision Making and Problem
Solving
In this assignment we take a
little turn from what we’ve been working on so far this session in that it is
necessary to take a look back at MGT301—5 SLP as the present course is
conceptually linked to MGT301. You should recall attention given to building
business analytical decision making, critical thinking and problem solving
skills in MGT301.
Your capstone course BUS499,
which will be taken during your final session, will also be conceptually linked
to this course as well. In short, this strategic management course is a second
in a series specically developed to assess your analytical decision making,
critical thinking and problem solving skills. Your writing and essay delivery
skills will also be assessed.
Assignment:In this assignment you are asked to prepare
a final paper to prospective investors based on the work you have done to date
in this course. In this course you have identified the major mission, vision
and goals, you know the stakeholders, you looked at the organization from a
SWOT perspective, and you know what challenges the company faces. What do
investors need to know based on your analysis?
Also, please keep in mind that
this SLP submission is the second in a series of three SLP submissions (which
are administered in Module 5 of three core courses) and designed to assess your
analytical decision making, critical thinking and problem solving skills. In
order to assist you in understanding what is required in the present
assignment, the following rubric has been developed. This rubric was developed
to measure student success in meeting the BUS499 SLP 5 expectations related to
business analytical decision making, critical thinking and problem solving.
Note that your writing and delivery skills are also assessed. Rubrics for the
other two courses are included in their respective written assignments.

Assignment Expectation

Weak

Marginal

Adequate

Strong

Organization

Demonstrates the ability to organize content logically,
concisely, and in a manner appropriate to a paper given to investors.

There is no logical sequence of information. Paper is rambling
and unfocused

Paper does not follow a logical sequence (jumps around in the
paper).

Paper follows a logical sequence. There are some minor
problems with topic transitions. Introduction and/or conclusion are not
clear.

Paper follows a logical sequence with an effective
introduction and conclusion. Each segment relates to others in a carefully
planned framework.

Demonstrates the ability to support a central point or
viewpoint throughout the paper—persuading investors that recommendations you
present are vital to this organization’s future success.

Insufficient elaboration and/or support (e.g., summaries,
listings) in the paper.

Limited elaboration and/or support in the paper.

Support with some specific details and elaboration in the
paper.

Support through both specific details and elaboration apparent
in the paper.

Content

Demonstrate the ability to address an identifiable purpose in
the paper—the fact that these business recommendations are vital to this
organization’s future success.

The purpose is not identified, is unclear, or inappropriate in
the paper.

Purpose is occasionally unclear in the paper.

Clear purpose, but not consistently sustained throughout the
paper.

Clear purpose sustained throughout the paper.

Demonstrates the ability to gather and sort information on a
particular subject matter or topic.

Author does not have a grasp of information. Topic is poorly
developed. Supporting materials are absent or vague. Trite ideas and/or
unclear wording reflect a lack of understanding of topic.

Author seems uncomfortable with information. Topic is evident
but with little or no elaboration.

Author seems comfortable with the information. Topic is
evident with some supporting details.

A demonstrates full knowledge of the topic with explanation
and elaboration. The topic is well developed, effectively supported, and
appropriate for the assignment. Critical thinking is clearly and creatively
expressed.

Adaption to Audience

Demonstrate the ability to present information to varying
audiences in such a way that the information is meaningful to that group.

Doesn’t respond to the needs of the audience.

Limited sense of the needs of the audience.

Addresses the needs of the audience.

Effectively addresses the needs of the audience.

Delivery

Demonstrate the Ability to use data and graphs effectively in
the paper.

Data and graphs are poorly prepared or used inappropriately.
Too much material is included or unimportant information is highlighted.

Data and graphs could be improved. There are no significant
errors, but adds little to the paper.

Data and graphs are articulated clearly, but not engaging.

Data and graphs are easy to read, attractive, informative and
error free. Communication aids greatly enhance the paper. Excellent
integration of communication aids.

Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate word choice and
grammar in paper.

There are many sentences with grammatical errors. Some
sentences are incomplete/halting, and/or vocabulary is somewhat limited or
inappropriate. Presenter mumbles and mispronounces several terms.

There are a few sentences that are complete and grammatical.
Word choice is not always appropriate for paper. Presenter mispronounces some
terms.

Sentences are generally complete and grammatical, and they
flow together easily. With a few exceptions, words are chosen for their
precise meaning. Presenter pronounces most terms correctly.

All sentences are complete and grammatical, and they flow
together easily. Words are chosen for their precise meaning. Word choice
illustrates grasp of content and enhances paper. All terms are pronounced
correctly and precisely.

Demonstrates the ability to make an effective paper that is
free from bias (e.g. sexism, racism, ageism, heterosexism, etc).

Written language is inappropriate and exhibits bias. Uses
clichés, slang, jargon, racist, or sexist language. Some listeners may be
offended.

Written language is free from bias with one or two minor
exceptions.

Written language has no apparent bias. There is some
inappropriate language.

Written language is completely free from bias.

For guidance on writing papers,
citing sources, proper referencing, and so forth, visit Trident’s.trident.edu/files/Well-Written-Paper.pdf”>Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality
Academic Paper.
SLP Assignment Expectations
In this paper, your ability to
think critically and provide insightful analysis is the key. You do not want to
just “rubber stamp” the organization and say they are doing great,
but you want to identify specific areas where they fall short as well as where
they do very well. Remember to organize your paper for clarity and document any
outside resources.
This paper should include:
An introduction stating the
thesis, position, or central theme you plan to take in your paper, a main body
discussing focusing on the key assignment specifications, and a conclusion
concisely stating the main points of your analysis and the conclusions you
reached.
Be sure to document your
sources and provide in-text citations whenever you use information you obtained
from a background reading or other outside source, as well as a separate
reference list at the end of the paper. You may use footnotes instead, if you
prefer, but youmustdocument where you got the information
you are using in your papers!
The following criteria will
also be used to assess your paper:
1.
Precision: Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?
2.
Breadth: Is the full breadth of the subject (i.e., all the keys
to the assignment) addressed?
3.
Depth: Does the paper/report address all elements of the topic
in sufficient depth? Does it include and apply the background readings and
other background resources? Are they included as references?
4.
Critical thinking: Are the concepts of this module applied
accurately, logically, and relevantly?
5.
Organization: Is the paper organized in a coherent and
systematic manner? Are headings included in all papers longer than 2 pages?
6.
Clarity: Is the writing clear and are the concepts articulated
properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of
response to the questions, or are thoughts conveyed through excessive use of
quotations?

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