25BSC565 Strategic Analysis Report
Coursework Weight: 100%
Coursework Deadline(s): Wednesday 7th January 2026
at 11:00 am UK time
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25BSC565 Coursework Task
The aim of this assignment is to create a 2500-word business report to critically analyse the strategy of one of the following organisations (or an organisation of your choosing) and provide recommendations to gain/maintain competitive advantage:
- Rolls Royce
- Sainsbury’s
- Tata
- Addidas
- Unilever
- Or an organisation of your choosing
Your analysis must use theory/frameworks to support a critical analysis of the strategic position, strategic choice, and strategic action of your organization and develop recommendations for that organisation based on the analysis conducted. You must follow the guidance and structure outlined below.
Guidance Notes
- This is a business/consulting style report that is underpinned by strategic management concepts (theory) to help guide your organisation toward competitive advantage.
- Your writing style should be 3rd or 1st person business report, and you should include a contents page, subsections etc (general structure requirements).
- Your analysis should be presented in the main body of your text. Simply leaving the analysis ‘hanging’ in the appendix will not be considered as presenting an analysis.
- The report should draw on a range of information sources (e.g., articles, reports in magazines/press, the internet etc) and you should seek to employ appropriate conceptual frameworks to support your analysis and evaluation. However, it is not necessary to explain various conceptual perspectives in any detail; rather you should concentrate on using appropriate conceptual frameworks to provide insight into the practical dimensions and problems discussed.
- Theory must be used to inform the critical analysis, provide support for using specific frameworks and concepts, draw implications, introduce theoretical perspectives, and relate your analysis to your chosen Theory is therefore an essential ingredient to produce a high-quality analysis of the organisation and topic in question.
- Theory, frameworks, concepts, examples, need to be integrated within the critical analysis. These should form the basis of your analysis and the recommendations to the organisation.
- You should synthesise links between topics before you make recommendations to the organisation.
- We will be discussing the coursework in more detail within the lecture in week 6 and 9.
Word Count and Format
The wordcount guide is 2,500 words +/-10%. Anything you write above 2,750 words will be disregard. Please state the word count on the first page of your assignment.
The word count excludes any title page, the reference list at the end of the report, or any appendices. However, resist the temptation to put material that really should be in the main text into appendices. All material (academic and other) that you cite should be properly referenced in the text and in the reference list (in Harvard style) at the end of your report.
You must use Arial 11-point font, 1.5 line-spacing, and a 2.5 cm margin all around.
Referencing Style:
- A reference list contains all the citations from your work, it DOES NOT include all the items you have read irrespective of whether they have been cited.
- If you are referencing several reports from the same author in the same year then use a,b,c to distinguish between references e.g. Lee (2010a), Lee (2010b), etc.
- Please refer to ‘Cite Them Right,’ which is accessible via the University’s subscription.
The coursework must include the following components.
The word counts listed for each section are intended as guidelines. While these suggestions provide a recommended distribution to help maintain focus and depth, you may adjust them slightly between sections. It’s essential, however, that you provide adequate detail for each component and maintain a clear, organised structure throughout the assignment.
|
Component |
Content |
Word Count |
| Introduction | Introduce your organisation, its industry, sector, scale. Indicate whether it is succeeding or failing | 250 |
| Strategic Position | Analyse the external and internal environments of the organisation using the theory/frameworks discussed in the module | 850 |
| Strategic Choice | Analyse the business level or corporate level strategy of the organization using the theory/frameworks discussed in the module | 450 |
| Strategic Action | Analyse the strategy of the organisation in terms of its business ethics and CSR strategy using the concepts discussed in the module or employ SAF criteria (Suitability, Acceptability, and Feasibility) to identify optimal strategic options | 650 |
| Recommendations | Based on your analysis and evaluation, summarise your recommendations of what the organisation should do next | 300 |
| References |
Coursework Marking Rubric
The table below shows the criteria used to evaluate your work and the relative weighting applied to each criterion:
| Criteria | Weighting |
| Application of Theory | 25 |
| Evidence Base | 20 |
| Critical Analysis and Interpretation | 30 |
| Overall Presentation and Structure | 10 |
| Recommendations | 15 |
Please see the rubric at the end of this coursework brief for further details of the criteria against which you will be assessed, and descriptors of performance on the coursework for each assessment criterion.
The rubric is in fact a very useful table outlining the criteria for awarding marks at specific levels for different aspects of your work. You should definitely read it. It provides guidance to you in terms of the expected qualities of your work and it is the basis on which I evaluate your coursework. It also forms the basis of feedback on how I scored your coursework against each criterion which will be provided via Turnitin.
Acceptable use of Generative AI (GenAI) tools
Please note the university’s guidance on the use of Generative AI tools in assessed work is available here: Use of Generative AI tools | Student Handbook | Loughborough University
If the module team are concerned that the use of GenAI goes beyond what has been defined as acceptable under the above guidance you may be required to attend a meeting to explain your use of GenAI.
Coursework Submission
The deadline date is provided above. One electronic copy must be uploaded to the submission point for the module on LEARN by the submission deadline.
You must use the following file naming convention for your work. You should not include your name anywhere on your assignment. You should also include the filename in the header of your assignment.
StudentNumber – Module code – Coursework component (e.g. F123456-25BSP123-CW1)
Your submission should be one document only (i.e. no loose appendices etc), preferably in Word or as a pdf (not scanned copy). If your assignment consists of different documents in varying formats you will need to embed them in a Word document or convert them to pdf and upload one document. The file size limit for your submission is 20MB.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You need to ensure you back up your coursework and any other important documents. Information on data storage can be found here
Losing your work through technical failure is not a valid reason for a Mitigating Circumstances claim or a coursework extension request.
Extensions and Mitigating Circumstances
If you have problems with meeting the deadline for this coursework, and you believe your circumstances may qualify you for an extension (please refer to: Coursework extensions | Student Handbook | Loughborough University) you may wish to request a 48-hour extension and/or submit a Mitigating Circumstances claim. This must be requested in advance via:
Coursework Extension Link: Coursework extensions | Student Handbook | Loughborough University
Mitigating Circumstances Link: Mitigating Circumstances | Student Handbook | Loughborough University
Consultation and Feedback
Extensive consultation and feedback are available on the coursework assignment. This is provided primarily through dedicated coursework lectures and the corresponding group sessions (see provisional module schedule). All coursework questions must initially be directed through the Learn forum – a dedicated forum is available for this purpose. Coursework clinics are available by appointment after the final coursework lecture. Feedback could be particularly useful for suggesting bits of reading that relate to a specific issue that you are working on or for clarifying the brief or marking criteria.
Please note, lecturers will not comment on a full draft version of reports but will comment on a summary/plan (of up to 400 words), if you want some reassurance that your approach is viable.
Feedback on the coursework is available in the form of the coursework rubric. This is specific to your assignment and provides you with an evaluation of your personal work against each criterion. If necessary, further feedback can be sought by appointment.
Provisional marks and feedback should be available by 28 January 2026. All marks are provisional until ratified by the formal examination boards.
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25BSC565 Assessment Rubric:
| < 30 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 60-69 | 70-79 | > 80 | |
| Application of Theory (25) |
No effort has been made to identify and use an appropriate theory to scrutinise the topic and organisation in the report. The work is entirely descriptive and does not employ theory to explain and develop the strategy topic. | Very limited effort has been made to identify and use an appropriate theory to scrutinise the topic and organisation in the report. The work is mainly descriptive. Theories are described but are not linked to the topic in order to explain and develop the strategy concepts further. | A limited effort has been made to identify and use an appropriate theory to scrutinise the topic and organisation in the report. The work is largely descriptive. Theories are not applied adequately and are not linked to the topic. Theories are not used in a way that explains the strategic analysis of the organisation. | Appropriate theories are identified and are applied, at least partially, to the strategic analysis of the organisation. There are some limitations or gaps in how theory is used/applied to the topic. | Appropriate theories are identified and are applied rigorously to the strategic analysis of the organisation. A good understanding of the theories used is apparent and they are applied to the organisation and topic in a thorough way. There may be small gaps in how theory is used/applied to the topic. | A range of appropriate theories are identified and are applied rigorously to the strategic analysis of the organisation. A very good understanding of how to apply the theories used is apparent. A high-level understanding of the theories used is apparent and they are applied to the organisation and topic in a thorough way. | A range of appropriate theories are identified and are applied rigorously to the strategic analysis of the organisation. The approach taken may suggest innovative or novel applications of theory. A sophisticated understanding of the theories used is apparent and they are applied to the organisation and topic in a thorough way. |
| Evidence Base (20) | The report draws on no data or research to explain and analyse the strategy topic. | The choice and use of evidence in support of the report is incomplete or unrelated and provides insufficient detail to conduct the critical analysis. The evidence base provides a limited foundation for exploration of the strategy topic. Evidence is unrelated to the theoretical frameworks used. No attempt has been made to critically evaluate the evidence used. | The choice and use of evidence in support of the report is vague or incomplete and provides only partial detail to conduct the critical analysis. The evidence base provides only limited foundation for exploration of the strategy topic. Evidence is tangentially related to the theoretical frameworks used. No attempt or a limited attempt has been made to critically evaluate the evidence used. | The choice and use of evidence in support of the report is mostly appropriate and provides a sound level detail to conduct the critical analysis. The evidence base provides some foundation for exploration of the strategy topic and at least partly relates to the theoretical frameworks used. A limited attempt has been made to critically evaluate the evidence used. | The choice and use of evidence in support of the report is appropriate and provides a good level detail to conduct the critical analysis. The evidence base provides a good foundation for deeper exploration of the strategy topic and mostly relates to the theoretical frameworks used. Some attempt has been made to critically evaluate the evidence used. | The choice and use of evidence in support of the report is appropriate and provides a good level detail to conduct the critical analysis. The evidence base provides a very good foundation for deeper exploration of the strategy topic and relates directly to the theoretical frameworks used. The evidence used has been critically evaluated. | The choice and use of evidence in support of the report is highly appropriate and extensive. The evidence base provides a strong foundation for deeper exploration of the strategy topic and relates directly to the theoretical frameworks used. The evidence used has been critically evaluated. |
| Critical Analysis and Interpretation (30) | No effort has been made to critically evaluate the strategy topic, its theory, or the evidence used in the report. | There is very little, if any, critical analysis and interpretation of evidence and theory. The report does not attempt a thorough and balanced approach. It draws upon a limited range of ideas/perspective and avoids contrast and debate within the topic. There is no substantial evidence of wider reading, and its application to the report is weak. | The critical analysis and interpretation of evidence and theory does not attempt to produce a thorough and balanced approach. It draws upon few ideas which avoid the use of contrasting perspectives and debates within the topic. There is very little evidence of wider reading, and its application to the report is limited. | The critical analysis and interpretation of evidence and theory attempts to produce a thorough and balanced approach which is, for the most part, successful. It draws upon multiple ideas and occasionally uses contrasting perspectives and debates within the topic. There is some evidence of wider reading, but its application to the report is limited. | The critical analysis and interpretation of evidence and theory shows a thorough and balanced approach. It draws upon multiple ideas and uses contrasting perspectives and debates within the topic. This draws upon wider reading to support the analysis. | The critical analysis and interpretation of evidence and theory shows a comprehensive and balanced approach. It is thorough and synthesises complex ideas and uses contrasting perspectives and debates within the topic. This draws upon wider reading to produce an insightful analysis. | The critical analysis and interpretation of evidence and theory shows an exhaustive and balanced approach. It is thorough and synthesises complex ideas and uses contrasting perspectives and debates within the topic. This draws upon extensive wider reading to produce an insightful analysis. |
| Overall Presentation and Structure (10) | The report is unstructured. No attempt has been made to develop a cogent argument. Ideas, analysis, or arguments are confused or absent from the report. | The report is largely unstructured. Little attempt has been made to develop a cogent argument. Ideas, analysis, or arguments are confused or absent from the report. | The report is poorly structured. A limited attempt has been made to develop a cogent argument. Ideas, analysis, or arguments are not built into the presentation and structure of the report. | The report is adequately structured. A reasonable attempt has been made to develop a cogent argument. Ideas, analysis, or arguments are at least partly built-into the presentation and structure of the report. | The report is well-structured. A good attempt has been made to develop a cogent argument. Ideas, analysis, or arguments are built-into the presentation and structure of the report. | The report is very well-structured. A very good attempt has been made to develop a cogent argument. Ideas, analysis, or arguments are augmented by the presentation and structure of the report. | The report is highly professional in presentation and structure. An excellent attempt has been made to develop a cogent argument. Ideas, analysis, or arguments are augmented by the presentation and integrated within the structure of the report. |
| Recommendations (15) | No recommendations have been made, or recommendations are disconnected from the evidence-base and theory in the report making recommendations tenuous or unfounded. | Recommendations are largely disconnected from the evidence-base and theory in the report rendering recommendations tenuous or unfounded. | Recommendations are only partly connected to the evidence-base and theory in the report. Recommendations are shallow or incomplete. | Some effort has been made to connect recommendations to the evidence-base and theory in the report. Recommendations could be developed in greater depth or with closer inspection of strategic analysis of the organisation. | A good effort has been made to connect recommendations to the evidence-base and theory in the report. Recommendations are well-developed showing some depth and consideration of strategic analysis of the organisation. | A very good effort has been made to connect recommendations to the evidence-base and theory in the report. Recommendations are well-developed, critically evaluated and showing an advanced consideration of strategic analysis of the organisation. | An excellent effort has been made to connect recommendations to the evidence-base and theory in the report at an advanced level. Recommendations are well-developed, critically evaluated and show a highly advanced consideration of strategic analysis of the organization. |
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