Strategic Management Report: Analysis of SweDigi Case Study

This report analyzes the SweDigi case study, focusing on the challenges faced by Jan, the new CEO of a struggling manufacturing company. The report addresses people management issues, recommends short- and medium-term steps to get the new product launch back on track, and suggests appropriate leadership styles. It also considers the decisions and support needed from the board to improve the situation. The case study involves a company experiencing declining sales, employee redundancies, and resistance to change, with Jan tasked with turning the company around by introducing a new product. The report will draw on theories of leadership and change management to provide actionable recommendations for Jan to successfully navigate the challenges and achieve his objectives.

Assessment Brief Form
Module Title: Strategic International Business Management (RKC)
CRN: March 2018
Level: 7
Module Leader/
Assessment set
by:
Dr Kathy Hartley
Assessment
title:
Final Assignment
Assessed
intended
learning
outcomes:
On successful completion of this assessment, you will be
able to:
Knowledge and Understanding.
1. To comprehensively evaluate theories of leadership /
motivation / change management and their effective
implementation in an international context.
2. To critically appreciate the management of diversity in a
cross-cultural context.
Transferable/Key Skills and other Attributes.
1. Critically analyse and apply key ideas and concepts via
comprehensive research relevant both to the subject area
and to professional practice in the field.
2. Use terminology associated with the subject area
accurately and in a way, which demonstrates
sophisticated knowledge and understanding.
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3. Develop and enhance individually and/or collaboratively
effective written and/or oral communication skills for both
specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Weighting
within module:
This assessment is worth 50% of the overall module mark.
Task details and
instructions:
Read the case study at the end of this assignment
brief and then complete the following tasks:
Write a report explaining why Jan may be encountering the
difficulties he is facing and to make recommendations as
to how he should proceed, in order to implement this
change successfully.
Your report should address the following:
1. The people management issues that potentially
underpin the difficulties Jan is facing (30 marks) – 900
words.
2. The steps that Jan should take in the short and medium
term, to get the launch of the new product back on track
(40 marks) – 1200 words.
3. The leadership style(s) that Jan should adopt in this
process, including the reasons why (20 marks) – 600
words.
4. Any decisions or support that might be needed at board
level to help improve this situation (10 marks) - 300 words.
Your answer should be written as a report, with headings
and sub-headings.
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You should draw on and reference theories of leadership
and change management*
Useful Resources
Via the University of Salford Library:
Books:
 Bridges, W. (2009). Managing Transitions: Making
the Most of Change. 3rd edn. London: Nicholas
Brealey.
 Carnall, C.A (2007). Managing Change in
Organisations. 5th edn. Harlow: Prentice Hall.
 Hayes, J. (2014). The Theory and Practice of
Change Management. 4th edn. Basingstoke:
Palgrave Macmillan.
Journal Articles:
 Brisson-Banks, C.V. (2009). Managing Change and
Transitions: A Comparison of Different Models and
Their Commonalities. Library Management, 31
(4/5), 241-252.
 Kotter, J.P. (1995). Leading Change: Why
Transformation Efforts Fail. Harvard Business
Review, (73) 2, 59-67.
 Schein, E. (2002). The Anxiety of Learning. Harvard
Business Review, 80 (3), 100-106.
On the Internet:
 Prosci’s ADKAR model (a goal-oriented change
management model to guide individual and
organizational change) – free guides are available
to download from:
https://www.prosci.com/adkar/adkar-model
 ‘Managing Transitions’ by William Bridges: Brief
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Summary of Key points;
 Online interview with Ed Schein’s learning and
survival anxieties:
https://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/edgar-schein-the-
anxiety-of-learning-the-darker-side-of-
organizational-learning
 TED Talk by Jenni Cross on 3 myths of behaviour
change, which highlights ways in which behaviour
may be altered:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5d8GW6GdR0
* There are multiple models of change management to be
found within the academic and practitioner literature.
Lewin’s field-force analysis and 3-step model of change
led the way.
Word count Your assessment should be 3000 words in total (+ / -
10%).
The word count excludes the following:
- cover page
- contents page
- references
- tables
- diagrams
- appendices
Marking
criteria/scheme:
Marks for your assessment will be awarded with reference
to the Level 7 grade descriptors.
Penalties for
exceeding word
count/ duration:
We expect all students to comply with the indicative word
count outlined in the Task Details above.
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Feedback
arrangements:
“The purpose of feedback is not to provide students with a
benchmark between passing and failing but to identify
strengths and where there is room for improvement and
development” (Assessment and Feedback for Taught
Awards Policy).
Feedback will be made available within 3 weeks of
submission date.
All marks will be ratified at the appropriate Board of
Examiners following internal and external moderation.
Please note that being dissatisfied with your results does
not constitute grounds for an academic appeal.
Support
arrangements:
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The University takes all forms of academic misconduct
seriously. This includes plagiarism, asking someone else
to write your assessment for you or taking notes into an
exam. You can find out how to avoid academic misconduct
here.
Assessment Information
If you have any questions about assessment rules, you
can find out more here.
Personal Mitigating Circumstances
If personal mitigating circumstances may have affected
your ability to complete this assessment, you can find
more information about personal mitigating circumstances
procedure here.
Reassessment: If you fail your assessment and are required to be
reassessed, you will be notified by RKC following the
appropriate Board of Examiners. RKC will provide you with
the reassessment brief and submission details.
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