Assessment 1: Individual GRADED Q&A DISCUSSION (35%)
Welcome to the first graded assessment for MGMT3031 Business Strategy & Policy. This graded discussion forum provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of strategic management concepts, apply theory to a practical case scenario, and earn up to 35% of your final course grade.
Task 1: Your Discussion Questions
CASE STUDY: Strategic Stability in a Niche-Dominated Market
In St. Lucia, Heritage Logistics Services (HLS) is a medium-sized firm that has operated successfully for over fifteen years in a specialised logistics and transportation niche. The company focuses exclusively on secure transport and equipment handling for government agencies and regulated organisations.
Unlike many competitors, HLS has deliberately chosen not to expand its service offerings, instead refining internal processes, strengthening operational controls, and maintaining close relationships with a small number of high-value clients. This focused strategy has resulted in stable revenues, low staff turnover, and strong operational efficiency.
However, recent changes in the external business environment have raised concerns among senior management, including:
Increased regulatory requirements affecting transportation and security services
Technological changes influencing logistics tracking and reporting
Heightened expectations from government clients for transparency and accountability
Internally, HLS operates using a highly centralised functional structure, with most strategic decisions made by senior management. While this structure has ensured control and consistency, some managers believe it may limit organisational flexibility as environmental uncertainty increases.
You have been appointed as a Strategic Management Advisor and are required to assess the firms strategic position using ONLY concepts covered in Units 13 of the course.
Discussion Questions
1.Identify and discuss the MOST appropriate type of strategy currently being followed by Heritage Logistics Services. In your response:
-Clearly identify and define the strategy type
-Explain how this strategy is reflected in the firms long-term behaviour
-Use specific examples from the case study to support your discussion
2.a. Identify the MOST appropriate organizational structure for Heritage Logistics Services given its current operating environment.
b. Identify ONE (1) limitation of this structure and propose ONE (1) strategy to mitigate this limitation
3.Using ONE (1) external environmental assessment tool, analyze the key opportunities and threats facing Heritage Logistics Services in the St. Lucian context.
Your response should clearly explain how the selected tool helps managers understand and respond to external environmental forces.
Instructions for Your Submission
Your total response to all three questions must NOT exceed 800 words (references excluded).
Your response must be posted directly in the provided discussion forum.
Attachments are NOT permitted.
You must reply to the initial discussion topic posted by your Course Instructor, Mrs. Sheralin Monrose-Gustave, to submit your work.
APA 7 citations and references are mandatory.
Use Standard English, with correct grammar and spelling throughout your response.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Guidelines
This assessment follows AI Usage Level 2 Planning
Students MAY use AI tools to:
Brainstorm ideas and clarify concepts from Units 13
Improve grammar, sentence structure, and clarity of expression
Students MUST NOT use AI tools to:
Generate full answers or analytical paragraphs
Produce case analysis or application of theory on their behalf
All submissions will be reviewed for AI usage. Excessive AI-generated content may result in academic penalties.
Instructions for Turnitin Submission Graded Discussion
Before posting your final initial response to the graded discussion forum, you are required to submit it to Turnitin for plagiarism and AI detection review.
Submit only your final initial response to Turnitin (do not include peer replies).
You are allowed a maximum of three (3) submissions to Turnitin.
Submit early to allow time for revisions if required.
Only post to the discussion forum after completing the Turnitin review process.
Aim for a Similarity Index of 25% or less.
SI scores above 25% will be flagged and may attract penalties.
Failure to submit your initial response to Turnitin will result in an automatic penalty.
Task 2: Engage with Your Peers
Respond meaningfully (200300 words each) to two (2) peers.
Use the Reply link under each peers post.
Peer responses should extend discussion, provide insight, or respectfully challenge ideas.
Please note
This is a Q&A discussion forum. You must submit your response before viewing others posts.
Peer responses may take up to 30 minutes to become visible.
Avoid last-minute submissions.
Be analytical, creative, and professional.
Assessment 1: Individual Graded Q&A Discussion Student Rubric (35%)
|
Dimension |
Criteria for Full Marks |
Max Marks |
|
1. Strategy Type Identification & Application |
– Clearly identifies and correctly defines the MOST appropriate strategy type currently being followed by Heritage Logistics Services (HLS), using concepts – Clearly explains how this strategy is reflected in the firms long-term behaviour, decision-making, and market positioning. – Uses specific and accurate examples from the case study to justify the strategy choice. – Demonstrates a clear understanding of strategic stability and niche-focused strategies in the context of HLS. |
10 marks |
|
2. Organizational Structure Analysis |
– Correctly identifies the MOST appropriate organizational structure for HLS given its size, operating environment, and strategic orientation. – Clearly explains why this structure is suitable using relevant organizational theory. – Identifies one (1) clear limitation of the chosen structure. – Proposes one (1) realistic and well-reasoned strategy to mitigate the identified limitation, aligned with the firms context. |
6 marks |
|
3. External Environmental Assessment Tool Application |
– Selects one (1) appropriate external environmental analysis tool). – Correctly explains how the tool works. – Clearly identifies and explains key opportunities and threats facing HLS using the selected tool. – Demonstrates clear application of the tool to the St. Lucian business and regulatory context, rather than generic analysis. |
10 marks |
|
4. Peer Engagement and Contribution |
– Provides meaningful, analytical responses to at least two (2) peers (200300 words each). – Responses extend the discussion by adding insight, examples, or constructive critique. – Demonstrates engagement with peers ideas rather than repeating content. – Maintains a professional and respectful academic tone throughout. |
10 marks |
|
5. Spelling, Grammar, and Clarity |
– Writing is clear, coherent, and professional. – No significant errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, or sentence structure. – Ideas are logically organised and easy to follow within the 800-word limit. |
4 marks |
|
6. Citation and Referencing (APA 7) |
– Uses reputable academic sources to support analysis. – All in-text citations are correctly formatted in APA 7 style. – All references are listed correctly at the end of the post. – Ideas from sources are paraphrased in the students own words, with no evidence of plagiarism or over-reliance on AI-generated text. |
10 marks |
Requirements: detailed
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