Business strategy

Business strategy Assignment Task Making specific reference to relevant concepts covered on this module, critically assess the current crisis at Volkswagen/VW from a strategic point of view. Draw on material covered in Lectures 1-5 of this module. Please also see further specifications below. Specifications Submission Details This is an individual assignment, worth 30% of the overall course mark. Assignment Task Making specific reference to relevant concepts covered on this module, critically assess the current crisis at Volkswagen/VW from a strategic point of view. Draw on material covered in Lectures 1-5 of this module. Essential contents: 1. Your piece must include a brief overview of recent developments at VW. You can use the sources provided in this document, but you are also expected to update this unfolding case through your own desk research (e.g. ft.com, The Guardian, the BBC website, or other online sources). The University Library holds a wide range of relevant materials. Interlibrary loans should not be necessary for the completion of this assignment. 2. In your analysis and discussion of the case, you must make reference to specific topics studied in Lectures 1-5 of this module (e.g. to tools of communicating strategy, the macro/micro environment, resources, competences, corporate strategy). 3. Your answer must include some recommendations for VW’s strategy. If you were a Board member at VW, what would you see as important for VW’s strategy? Additional guidelines: • Remember that your work needs to be grounded in relevant academic literature. You can make reference to relevant journals and books available through the University Library. • Your assignment should be clearly written in an academic style, following guidelines on essay writing available through MyEssex, the University’s Talent Development Centre, or the EBS Learning Support Co-ordinator. • Remember that material from the WorldWideWeb must be referenced as any other source you use. You can list web sources separately in your reference list. Please remember to state when you last accessed these sites. • Your assignment should contain a title page which should include the module name and code, your name, and your student registration number. • Please include page numbers in your work, leave adequate margins, and use 1.5 line-spacing. Useful links to get you started VW emission test cheating rocks Europe’s carmakers (22-09-2015) http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/970e54f8-6048-11e5-9846-de406ccb37f2.html?ftcamp=crm/email/2015922/nbe/BusinessEducation/product#axzz3pIIVvNtD Volkswagen shares tumble as inquiries are launched worldwide (23-09-2015) http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9bde89f0-6109-11e5-a28b-50226830d644.html?ftcamp=crm/email/2015923/nbe/BusinessEducation/product#axzz3pIIVvNtD Volkswagen board gathers to appoint replacement for Winterkorn (25-09-2015) http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d4feb2e2-628e-11e5-9846-de406ccb37f2.html?ftcamp=crm/email/2015925/nbe/BusinessEducation/product#axzz3pIIVvNtD EU warned on devices at centre of VW scandal two years ago (25-09-2015) http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d0d7ba40-6394-11e5-9846-de406ccb37f2.html?ftcamp=crm/email/2015926/nbe/BusinessEducation/product#axzz3pIIVvNtD VW’s need for a crisis panel exposes the board’s failings (28-09-2015) http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2793718e-62bf-11e5-a28b-50226830d644.html#axzz3pIIVvNtD Culture clash gives clue to Volkswagen scandal (06-10-2015) http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/24a9c128-6b5a-11e5-8608-a0853fb4e1fe.html#axzz3pIIVvNtD Volkswagen’s home city enveloped in fear, anger and disbelief (11-10-2015) http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5ae421be-6dcd-11e5-8171-ba1968cf791a.html#axzz3pIIVvNtD “Volkswagen Group – Moving Ahead”; speech by Frank Witter, Member of the Board of Management, 20-01-2016 http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/info_center/en/talks_and_presentations/talks_and_presentations.html Your attention is also drawn to the organization’s corporate website: http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/content/en/homepage.html Marking Criteria: The criteria used to assess this assignment will be as follows: Quality of reflection, interpretation and evaluation Quality and depth of appraisal and interpretation of data and academic materials, including the appropriate use of relevant course concepts Breadth and depth of issues analysed Logical reasoning, analysis and debate Originality and use of initiative Use of academic concepts and theories The extent to which the required academic materials (incl. relevant course concepts) have been incorporated Depth of reading and application (esp. in terms of further reading) Relevance of the content Structure and clarity of presentation The logic and rationale for the adopted structure The clarity of the points made Correct use of referencing style Appropriate presentation of the work (e.g. the inclusion of page numbers, sub-headings etc.)