You are to write a project (around 2500 words +/-10%) on a small local Coffee producer versus a globalised producer of coffee like a large-scale producer. You can choose either roasters/brander or the coffee stores themselves. You should propose a strategic recommendation to the small producer to enable them to compete more effectively.
Questions: For Management Students:
• Analyse The coffee companies’ supply chain relationships including the use of JVs, wholly
owned subsidiaries and franchises in their global networks. Critically evaluate this as a planned versus emergent approach and how supply chain relationships may be different.
– If a coffee business has a strong Mission, from the perspective of an employee of the firm,evidence if this will lead to a greater use of logic or creativity in their job? Which of the
coffee companies has the strongest vision?
• Do the coffee companies have very strong supplier-retailer relationships, choosing quality and sustainability over cost? Critically evaluate this approach from the perspective of the market versus resource based.
(All questions carry equal marks).
You will find the subjects discussed in lessons 1 to 4 and in the following chapters:
• Logic versus Creativity. Chapter 1
• Deliberateness versus Emergence. Chapter 2
• Markets versus Resources. Chapter 4
• International Orientation Chapter 10
These dilemmas relate directly to your course content and supported by the course readings (De Wit, Bob and Meyer, Ron (2010). Strategy: Process, Content, Context, Thompson International).
You will need to justify your analysis with at least seven contextual references. (Contextual references refer to the business itself and its actions and may be taken from Company Reports, Newspaper articles and other published media).
You will also offer at least ten academic references to underpin your work. You should also reference at least three up-to-date academic journals on the subject. A primary data collection is envisaged by visiting your local store (if possible), if not then a review of the local website (including online product range in your region) will be required.
STRUCTURE AND FORMAT OF THE PROJECT:
Make sure your writing is precise and to the point. Your project should not exceed 2500 +/-10% words per student, excluding appendices and references.
Format of the Project:
1. The project should display a coherent structure: title page should include student name, module name, lecturer name, date and school name followed by contents page, introduction, executive summary, methodology, findings, analysis, recommendations, referencing and appendices.
2. The project should be prepared as a neatly typed Word document (Times New Roman 12 points), with double spacing and page numbering.
3. All projects will be presented in class in a power point presentation of no more than 8 minutes. The presentation should be a summary of your work. The presentation should concentrate on your proposed strategy improvement.
4. Tables or work/data taken from other sources may be included in an appendix.
5. All sources must be referenced in the text and a full bibliography must be provided
(including visited websites) in the Harvard style referencing system. Paraphrasing or direct quotes taken from other sources must be clearly indicated with citations. No footnoting!
6. Students are reminded that depth, relevance and variety are the crucial elements of quality research. (Wikipedia is not considered to be a relevant source of information; any students referencing Wikipedia will be deducted marks! Alternatively, if you find information on Wikipedia use the original sources listed at the bottom of the article)
7. Students are reminded to use valid and peer-reviewed references to support their work. Websites should only be used if they represent an established source and only for facts and figures. Students should make the most of academic and practitioner books and articles.
8. Submission should be by the deadline below on Turnitin.com.
9. All work must conform to University regulations on Cheating, Collusion and Plagiarism’ as
described in your program handbook. You are advised to use the Harvard referencing style and avoid plagiarism.
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