THE SOCIO-POLITICAL COMPASS

There are many different tools that may be used to assist in the assessment of the remote and operating external environments. These include Porter’s Five Forces and PEST. In Module 4, we will give our attention to one such conceptual tool, SLEPT Analysis, which is a variation – and an extension – of PEST. Similar to PEST, the SLEPT Analysis is utilized by leadership to scan and monitor the remote environment. SLEPT is an acronym that stands for the:

· Social, Legal, Economic, Political, and Technological remote environmental forces that may affect the organization.

· Please review the theory of SLEPT analysis at the following page:

http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/business-theory/external-environment/slept-analysis.html#axzz2m8aLEn54

· Next, let’s review the following article related to analysis of the external environment:

· Makos, J. (2016). What is environmental analysis? PESTLE Analysis. Retrieved from http://pestleanalysis.com/what-is-environmental-analysis/

· The journal article written by Kukalis serves as a quite excellent discussion of the turbulence and change that are occurring in today’s remote environment:

· Kukalis, S. (2009). Survey of recent developments in strategic management: Implications for practitioners. International Journal of Management, 26(1), 99-106. Retrieved from ProQuest.

· A version of SLEPT analysis – known as “PESTLE” analysis – adds the environmental dimension to the process of analysis. The PESTLE Analysis website is an excellent overview of PESTLE (and, by reference, of SLEPT as well):

· What is PESTLE Analysis? (2014). PESTLE Analysis. Retrieved on April 29, 2014 from http://pestleanalysis.com/

Case Assignment::

Module 2 – Case Paper

THE SOCIO-POLITICAL COMPASS

Assignment Overview

In the Module 2 Case, we will examine the innumerable ways in which the external environment affects the choice of strategy (creation of threats and opportunities), and how the external environment affects an organization’s chosen strategic direction.

· Let’s begin here by reading the following case concerning McCain Foods (note that there are several pages of text):

· How McCain responds to changes in the external environment. (2014). The Times 100. Retrieved on April 29, 2014, from

· http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/mccain-foods/how-mccain-responds-to-changes-in-the-external-

environment/introduction.html#axzz2m8hClVBn

Case Assignment

Using the Times 100 article above, write a 6- to 7-page paper in which you address the following:

After performing some current research on McKain Foods, use SLEPT analysis to critically assess the external environment of McCain Foods, and determine the extent to which the company’s strategies should be adjusted pursuant to the opportunities and/or threats presenting themselves in the external environment.

Keys to the Assignment

In a 6- to 7-page paper, do the following:

-Describe the strategy (or strategies) followed by McCain Foods.

-Using the SLEPT analysis tool, assess the external environment of McCain Foods.

-What are the major opportunities and threats presented by the external environment? Be sure that you include the most current information about the company.

-Based on your research and informed analysis, should McCain Foods consider making any adjustments to the strategy or strategies you described above?

-Why or why not? Provide clear, rational support for your answer.

-How effectively do you believe McCain Foods has been in responding to changes in the external environment?

-Discuss.

-Be sure to use a minimum of three library sources in support of your answers!

Assignment Expectations

Your paper will be evaluated based on the Rubric.

*****Paper 2, SLP Assignment

Module 2 – SLP

THE SOCIO-POLITICAL COMPASS

Assignment Overview

In the Module 2 SLP, you will determine the most salient environmental threats and opportunities currently facing your target organization.

Assignment

Write a 3-page paper in which you address the following:

· Evaluate the external environment of your selected organization, determining the extent to which opportunities exceed threats, or threats exceed opportunities.

Keys to the Assignment

The key aspects of this assignment that should be covered in your 3-page paper include the following:

· Define and discuss the most significant environmental threat or threats that currently confront the organization you selected in the Module 1 SLP.

· Discuss the most important opportunities faced by your organization.

· Do environmental threats outweigh opportunities, or do opportunities outweigh the target organization’s threats? Explain.

· Based on your assessment, how do you believe your organization should respond to its active environmental threats?

· How should it take advantage of opportunities that might exist at present?

SLP Assignment Expectations

Your paper will be evaluated based on the Rubric.

Module 2 – Outcomes

THE SOCIO-POLITICAL COMPASS

Module

Evaluate the extent to which monitoring of the external environment assists the organization to best adapt to the threats and opportunities existing within the external environment.

Discuss the ways in which environmental opportunities and threats serve to limit strategic choice.

Case

Evaluate the extent to which an organization successfully monitors – and adapts to – the external environment.

SLP

Determine the extent to which opportunities and threats in the external environment limit an organization’s strategic choice(s).

Discussion

Describe how the socio-political forces of the external environment promote – or limit – the range of possible strategic choices that an organization can pursue.