Case Analysis
Week 6
Outline and Grading Guide (150 points)

Choose a case from the textbook for this assignment from the following list.
Case 03 – AIG
Case 10 – Ann Taylor
Case 20 – eBay
Case 22 – World Wrestling Entertainment
Case 26 – Procter & Gamble
Case 29 – Heineken
Case 30 – Fresh Direct
Case 31 – Johnson & Johnson
Case 36 – Pixar

COMPANY NAME, WEBSITE, and INDUSTRY
State the company name, website address, and industry.

BACKGROUND and HISTORY
Briefly describe the company in the case analysis. What is their primary business, who were
the officers or key players described in the case study? If the case study company is
currently in business, list the company’s current CEO, total sales, and profit or loss for the
last year where data is available. Identify key events or phases in the company’s history.
Describe the performance of this company in the industry. Visit the company’s website and
use
http://finance.yahoo.com and/or some other financial search engine to find this data.
(15 points)

NOTE
: Make sure to use APA citations throughout the paper. The textbook should be
cited if it is the source of information. If you are not familiar with APA citation, check
out the tutorial
APA Guidelines for Citing Sources
at the end of the course
Syllabus. There are videos to help you with the APA format and business research in
the Week 1 Lecture. 

ANALYSIS VIA PORTER’S FIVE FORCES MODEL
Analyze the competitive environment by listing the threat of new entrants, the bargaining
power of buyers, the bargaining power of suppliers, the threat of substitute products and
services, and the intensity of rivalry among competitors in the industry (Chapter 2).
Summarize your key points in a figure. (25 points)

STRATEGY USED
How does this company create and sustain a competitive advantage? What strategy from
the readings was undertaken by this company? Were they successful? Can all companies
use this strategy? How is the strategy affected by the life cycle in the industry? Remember
to reference Porter’s generic strategies identified in the textbook (Chapter 5 page 148),
THIS IS CRITICAL. (40 points)

2
Specific STRATEGY(S)
Choose two specific strategies from this list.
Related Diversification
Achieving Competitive Advantage
Entry Mode
Entrepreneurial Strategy
Creating Ambidextrous Organization Designs
Leadership 

Apply them in detail to the organization. Be sure to think strategically and show the results
clearly. Use the strategy as a sub-header for each section so it is clear what is being
applied. (40 points)

COURSE OF ACTION RECOMMENDED
If you were in a position to advise this company, what strategy would you recommend to
sustain competitive advantage and achieve future growth? Be specific and list the steps the
company should take for successful implementation of your course of action. (15 points)

OPINION
What do you think of this case study? Describe what you believe are the lessons learned
from this case. (10 points)
REFERENCES
When you have completed the paper using the above sections, insert a page break and
have a separate reference page. The references should be listed in accordance with the APA
guidelines as shown in the tutorial. (5 points)
FORMAT

   Use a title page.

   Font: Use Times New Roman, 12 point.

   Place your name in the upper left hand corner of the page.

   Each section of your paper should be headed by the bolded, capitalized item
described above.

   Indent paragraphs.

   Insert page numbers bottom right.

3

   Paper length should be four to six double-spaced pages not including title
page, references, or illustrations and tables.

   Use APA citations throughout the paper. If you are not familiar with APA
citation, refer to tutorial, which is contained in the last section of our course
Syllabus.

   Include a separate Reference page at the end of the paper.

   Please prepare reference page as follows.
References
Dess, G., Lumpkin, G., & Eisner, A. (2016).
Strategic Management
(8e). Boston: McGraw-
Hill Irwin.
Side Notes

   Save your paper in the following format: Your last name, initials of your first
and middle name, and the company discussed in the case study.

