Module 4 – Case
STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION AND STRATEGIC
CONTROLS
Assignment Overview
This final case involves an analysis of strategy
implementation at the Coca-Cola Company. You will use
the resources you identified in the SLP to gather information
about the company and relate that information to your work
in the previous four cases.
Required Reading
Refer to the required and optional readings related to
strategic implementation and strategic controls, the themes
for this module.
Case Assignment
In Module 4, we will conclude the case study process by
researching the Coca-Cola Company’sstrategic controls
and their fit with the company’s chosen strategy.
Keys to the Assignment
Step One: Review your Case papers from Modules 1-3 so that you are
familiar with the mission, vision, SWOT, strategy, and strategic choices
you have identified over the course of the class.
Step Two: Research the structure, systems, people, and culture at
the Coca-Cola Company. You will not be able to get answers to every
single question, but you will need to answer at least one or two for each
component.
Step Three: Describe the Coca-Cola Company’s organizational design,
key strategic control systems (e.g., budgeting and variance analysis
systems), primary human resources concerns, and cultural factors, and
the effect that these have had on the implementation of the Coca-Cola
Company’s strategy.
Step Four: In a 6 to 8 page paper, critically evaluate the fit—or the lack of
fit—between the company’s mission, strategy, and organizational
components crucial to implementation. Do these components
complement the strategy? Why or why not?
Step Five: Choose three (3) of the thirteen ethical "prescriptions" included
in the following
article:http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/business/strategicplan.html. Next, discuss the extent which the company’s sense of
business ethics has been embedded within its strategic management
process, as evidenced by your chosen three indicators.
Step Six: What changes would you—as the CEO—make to better assure
the success of the company’s strategy? This is the most important section
of the Module 4 Case.
Step Seven: Consider the Case as a formal business report that you are
developing for the Board of Directors and CEO as the Coca-Cola
Company’s consultant. This is a professional document. Follow the
format below:
o Executive summary: This is a synopsis of the main
points, conclusions and recommendations made in the
longer report. If you would like a refresher on writing an
executive summary, check this
website:http://www.csun.edu/~vcecn006/summary.html
o Introduction: State the main purpose of the paper
(thesis statement), what you hope to accomplish, and
how you will go about doing it.
o Main Body: The "meat" of the paper.
Emphasize analysis, not just description. Delineate
separate topics or sections with headings.
o Conclusion: Summarize your paper in the light of your
thesis statement.
Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated using the grading rubric.
Tips and Suggestions
Note the following tips and suggestions:
Business school case-study assignments are meant to offer practice
opportunities for future businesspeople who are earning their MBA
degrees. Consider yourself a consultant hired by the company to make
these critical assessments. There are no right or wrong answers to the
Case question, as long as your position is well defended.
Study the theoretical concepts provided in the Background materials
section of the module, and identify main strategy concepts.
Include a cover page and reference page, in addition to the 6-8 pages of
analysis described above. You must meet minimum length requirements.
Include section headings as appropriate.
Cite and reference all sources, including those you paraphrase. This
means include citations and quotation marks for direct quotes of more
than five words, and citations for information you have "borrowed" or
paraphrased from other sources.
