Continuous Assessment 1
Weighting: 40%
Submission Deadline: Week 6
Learning Outcomes Assessed: LO1, LO4, LO5
Guidelines for Assessment 1
For this assessment, focus on analysing Electec’s internal and external environment, evaluating the effectiveness of its recent strategies, and providing recommendations specific to improving leadership and ESG integration. You will need to research outside of the companies details given, and look at the business environment, competitors, long and short term strategies and expected results. You may interpret the strategic decisions made by the board but give a justification for your analysis.
Word count: 2,500 words.
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Case Study: Strategic Challenges at Electec
Background
Electec is a mid-sized Irish technology company based in Galway, specialising in developing green energy solutions, including energy-efficient devices and energy management software. Founded in 2016, the company has grown steadily, becoming a leader in the domestic market and expanding into the UK and parts of Europe.The company vision is to lead the transition to a sustainable, energy-efficient world through innovative technology and provide cutting-edge solutions that empower businesses to reduce energy consumption and embrace renewable energy.
In recent years, Electec has faced significant challenges, both internally and externally that threaten its competitive position and long-term growth. These include:
External Challenges
Market Dynamics: Increased competition from global players such as Siemens and Schneider Electric, who have greater resources and brand recognition.
Regulatory Pressure: The EU’s stricter ESG regulations, while aligned with Electec’ mission, have led to higher compliance costs and operational complexities.
Technological Advancements: Rapid advancements in AI and IoT are reshaping the industry. While Electec has expertise in these areas, it struggles to keep pace with competitors’ innovation cycles.
Globalisation: Entering new international markets like North America has been slow due to limited market knowledge and inadequate distribution networks.
Internal Challenges
Leadership Tensions: The CEO, once regarded as a visionary, has faced criticism for centralised decision-making and a lack of delegation. This has led to friction among senior leaders.On top of this the company is losing top talent to larger tech firms offering more competitive packages and clearer career progression.There are also financial pressures limiting R&D investment and threatening innovation.
Recent Strategic Decisions
To address these issues, Electec’ board recently approved the following strategies:
Product Diversification: Introducing smart home solutions tailored to energy efficiency.
Digital Transformation: Implementing AI-driven platforms to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.
Partnerships: Collaborating with local universities, including TUS, to enhance R&D and leverage emerging talent.
You are hired as consultants to assist Electec in navigating these challenges and ensuring sustainable growth. Your analysis should address the following:
Q1 Strategic Analysis: (25% of the assessment mark)
Evaluate the external environment using frameworks like PESTLE and Porter’s Five Forces.
Assess the internal environment, focusing on the company’s resources, capabilities, and leadership, use a framework like SWOT .
Q2 Evaluation: (25% of the assessment mark)
Critically appraise Electec’ recent strategies. Are they sufficient to address the challenges? Why or why not? Identify gaps or risks in the company’s strategic approach in your opinion.
Q3 Strategic Recommendations: (25% of the mark)
Propose actionable strategies for Electec to strengthen its competitive position.
Consider the impact of ESG, globalisation, and technological advancements in your recommendations.
Q4 Leadership/ Management Recommendations (25% of the mark)
What can Electec do to improve decision making and delegation at management level? How can they turn around the trend of losing talent to competitors?
What strategy would you propose for strengthening growth in R&D and new product development?
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Marking Criteria
- The document should contain cover page, table of contents, and the identified headings. Illustrations may be used, as well as appendices where referenced accordingly which are not included in the word count.
- Word count Range 2000 -2500 words excluding bibliography
- Creative thinking and critical analyses
- Use of visual aids encouraged.
- Depth of research and analysis
- Justification of your ideas and choices under each section
- Bibliography
Documents
Cover page, Page number typed, Font sized 12, Bibliography
Word count also to be detailed on front cover
| Assignment Criteria | Excellent (70+) | Very Well Achieved (60-69) | Achieved (40-59) | Not achieved
(0-39) |
| Q1:
Strategic Analysis 25% |
Comprehensive and accurate application of PESTLE and Porter’s Five Forces. Clear evaluation of internal resources using SWOT. Content indicates in-depth analysis and evidence of original thought and support for the activity. Examples and application of theory evident |
Solid analysis using frameworks, though some areas lack depth or justification. Content indicates original thinking and develops or suggests future direction with sufficient and firm evidence to justify choice or suggestion.
|
Basic application of frameworks with limited critical insight. Content indicates thinking and reasoning applied with original thought on the aspect of strategy and the company
|
Superficial or incorrect analysis with minimal use of strategic frameworks. Answer is unstructured and unfocused and/or in a format not relevant to the company or linked in any way with justification
|
|
Q2: Evaluation of Strategies 25% |
Insightful appraisal of strategies with clear identification of gaps or risks. Content indicates in-depth evaluation and evidence of original thought and support for the activity
Recommendations are supported with evidence.
|
Adequate evaluation with reasonable discussion of gaps, though some areas are underexplored. Good evaluation using frameworks, though some areas lack depth or justification. Content indicates original thinking and develops or suggests future direction with sufficient and firm evidence to justify choice or suggestion |
.
General discussion of strategies without indepth critique or evidence. Content indicates some thinking and reasoning applied with original thought on the aspect of strategy and the company
|
Minimal or unfocused evaluation. Answer is unstructured and unfocused and/or in a format not relevant to the company or linked in any way
with justification
|
| Q3:
Strategic Recommen dations 25%
|
Practical, innovative, and justified strategies addressing ESG, globalisation, and technological trends. Content indicates evidence of original thought and support for the activity | Useful recommendations with moderate justification. Some areas lack depth or justification. Content indicates original thinking and develops or suggests future direction with sufficient and firm |
Basic recommendations with limited alignment to challenges. Content indicates some thinking and reasoning applied with minimal original thought on the aspect of strategic recommendations and the company |
Vague or impractical recommendations. Answer is unstructured and unfocused and/or in a format not relevant to the company or linked in any way with justification |
| Recommendations are supported with evidence. | evidence to justify the
recommendations
|
|
||
| Q4:
Leadership /Managem ent 25% |
Thoughtful and actionable leadership strategies addressing delegation, talent retention, and R&D growth Content indicates evidence of original thought on applying
recommendations to the area of Leadership and Management |
Reasonable leadership insights with partial focus on
issues. Content shows some evidence of original thought on applying recommendations to the area of Leadership and Management |
General leadership advice lacking detail or applicability. Content shows little evidence of original thought on applying recommendations to the
area of Leadership and Management |
Content shows no evidence of original thought on applying recommendations to
the area of Leadership and Management. Answer is unstructured and unfocused and/or in a format not relevant to the company or linked in any way with justification |