Assessment Title: LD7197: Strategic Innovation and Change (3,000 words)

Assessment Guideline

Each student will submit an individual report (word limit 3,000 words). This report
will consist of the following sections laid out EXACTLY as follows:

• Front page, with your name, ID, Seminar Group number, Team number
and word count.

• Table of Contents (with page numbers) –

1. Introduction-150 words: A brief introduction to the assessment with brief

introduction of the selected company and key outline of the key expectations
on the four tasks (5%)

2. Analysis of Business environment of the selected corporation- 700 words:

Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the external and internal factors affecting
your selected Technology Corporation’s business environment, using
frameworks such as PESTLE, SWOT etc. Identify, critically evaluate, and
discuss key trends, challenges, and opportunities that impact the company's
competitive position. Justify your analysis by referencing relevant concepts
from academic and credible sources. (20%)

3. Digital Innovation Strategy of your selected organization – 700 words:

Develop a digital innovation strategy for your selected organization that aligns
with the company's strengths and the identified environmental factors. Identify
and critically evaluate specific innovation initiatives or projects that can
enhance the company's products, services, or processes. Critically evaluate
how these initiatives contribute to competitive advantage and long-term
sustainability [20%]

4. Change Management Plan of your selected organization – 700 words:

Propose a change management plan for implementing the innovation strategy
you developed. Identify potential resistance points and describe strategies to
address resistance and ensure successful adoption of the innovation
initiatives. Highlight the role of leadership and communication in managing
change effectively (20%)
 5. Reflection and Lessons Learned – 600 words: Reflect on the key learning
areas of the module of Strategy, Innovation and Change management in a
dynamic business environment. Identify key lessons you have learned from
this module and how they could be applied to other real-world scenarios. You
may use relevant reflective cycle models to present your work. (20%)

6. Conclusion- (150 words): Present a brief conclusion summarising your final

closing remark on your consultation to the selected organisation (5%)

7. Academic writing -Excellent structure and good academic writing (10%)

8. References: References should be APA format and all sources cited in the
assignment should appear in the reference list.

9. You are advised to desist from using any AI tool as the University has a
system to detect any text from AI tools (even Grammarly). Any detection
of such will result in academic misconduct and the assessment will not
be graded.

Instructions: For this assessment, you are required to analyse a real-world

international corporation in the technology sector and provide critical evaluation of
their strategy, innovation, and change management scenarios.

Your responses should demonstrate your understanding of the concepts of strategy,

innovation, and change management as covered in the course using multiple
academic sources to support your submission.

Assessment Tasks:

Scenario: Congratulations! You have just been hired as the consultant of a

reputable company that operates in the technology sector. Assume this organization
has been facing increased competition, rapidly changing customer preferences, and
disruptive technological advancements. As a result, the company's leadership is
seeking your expertise to develop a strategic plan that incorporates digital innovation
and effective change management to maintain and enhance its competitive
advantage.
7197 Assessment Guidance
1. A brief introduction to the assessment
• Select a real organization in the technology sector and start with brief
introduction of the selected company. Present key outlines of the key
expectations on the four tasks assuming you are the newly appointed
consultant to the company.

2. Task 1: Environmental Analysis

Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the external and internal factors affecting your
selected Corporation’s business environment, using frameworks such as PESTLE,
SWOT etc. Identify, critically evaluate, and discuss key trends, challenges, and
opportunities that impact the company's competitive position. Justify your analysis by
referencing relevant concepts from academic and credible sources.

Guidance/ Suggested Structure

Task 1: Internal & Environmental Analysis of XYZ Inc

• Importance of Environmental Analysis in Strategic Planning

• Frameworks for Analysis:

• PESTLE Analysis

• Explanation of Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and

Environmental factors (Generic)

Specific External Factors (PESTLE)

• Political Factors (that may affect the selected company)

• Analysis of political stability, government policies, etc.

Economic Factors (that may affect the selected company)

• Analysis of economic indicators, market trends, etc.

Social Factors (that may affect the selected company)

• Analysis of demographic trends, cultural factors, etc.

 Technological Factors

• Analysis of technological advancements, innovation trends, etc.

Legal Factors

• Analysis of industry regulations, legal constraints, etc.

Environmental Factors

• Analysis of sustainability, environmental policies, etc.

Internal Factors

• SWOT Analysis

• Explanation of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats for

the selected company

• Strengths

• Analysis of company's internal advantages and capabilities

• Weaknesses

• Analysis of internal limitations and areas needing improvement

• Opportunities

• Analysis of external prospects for growth and development

• Threats

• Analysis of external challenges and risks

Key Trends, Challenges, Opportunities

• Identify and discuss significant trends affecting the company and may impact
their competitive position (competitors’ analysis)

• Evaluate key challenges and potential opportunities for the company, based
on their strength and weaknesses highlighted above.
 3. Task 2: Innovation Strategy

Develop a digital innovation strategy for your selected technology corporation that
aligns with the company's strengths and the identified environmental factors. Outline
specific innovation initiatives or projects that can enhance the company's products,
services, or processes. Critically evaluate how these initiatives contribute to
competitive advantage and long-term sustainability.

Guidance

Task 2: Developing Innovation Strategy

Subtitle: Developing Digital Innovation Strategy for XYZ Inc

Introduction to Task
• Brief overview of the task's objective
• Importance of Innovation Strategy in a Dynamic Business Environment
• Discuss Company's Strengths
• List and briefly explain the company's key strengths.
• e.g., Strong R&D capabilities established customer base, skilled
workforce.
• Recap key external factors identified in Task 1
• e.g., Technological advancements, market trends, regulatory
environment
Aligning Innovation with Strengths and Environment
• Discuss how the company's strengths can be leveraged to take advantage of
environmental opportunities.
• e.g., Utilizing R&D capabilities to develop cutting-edge products.
Specific Innovation Initiatives
• Provide examples of innovation initiatives/projects
• e.g., Developing a new AI-powered product line, Implementing IoT
solutions for process optimization, Use AI to optimize customer
service/care.
Contribution to Competitive Advantage
• Explain how these initiatives contribute to the company's competitive
advantage.
• e.g., Offering differentiated products, enhancing customer experience
Long-term Sustainability
• Discuss how the innovation strategy ensures long-term sustainability.
• e.g., Staying ahead of industry trends, adapting to evolving customer
needs etc

4. Task 3: Change Management Plan

Propose a change management plan for implementing the innovation strategy you
developed, making use of some change management models, such as McKinsey 7-
S Model, Nudge theory, Satir change model etc. Identify potential resistance points
and describe strategies to address resistance and ensure successful adoption of the
innovation initiatives. Highlight and critically evaluate the roles of leadership and
communication in managing change effectively.

Guidance

Sub-Title - Change Management Plan for XYZ Inc: Enabling Smooth

Transition to Innovation (Come up with your subtitle)
Introduction to Task
• Brief overview of the task's objective
• Significance of Change Management in Implementing Innovation
Change Management Models
• McKinsey 7-S Model
• Brief explanation of the model
• Nudge Theory
• Brief explanation of the theory
• Satir Change Model
• Brief explanation of the model
• Other Change Models

Application of the Models at XYZ Inc

Applying McKinsey 7-S Model

• Discuss how the McKinsey 7-S Model will be applied to the change process in
XYZ Inc
 • e.g., Aligning strategy, structure, systems, etc., with the innovation
goals
Applying Nudge Theory
• Explain how Nudge Theory will be used to influence behavior towards
innovation adoption.
• e.g., Using positive reinforcement and gentle persuasion techniques
Addressing Resistance Points
• Identify potential resistance points in the organization.
• e.g., Employee scepticism, fear of change, technical challenges
• Describe strategies to address resistance.
• e.g., Clear communication, training programs, involving employees in
the process.
Role of Leadership
• Highlight the critical role of leadership in managing change.
• e.g., Setting a clear vision, providing support and direction, leading by
example
Communication Strategies
• Emphasize the importance of effective communication in change
management.
• e.g., Regular updates, open forums for feedback, transparent channels

5. Task 4: Reflection and Lessons Learned

Reflect on the key learning areas of the module of Strategy, Innovation and Change
management in a dynamic business environment. Identify key lessons you have
learned from this module and how they could be applied to other real-world
scenarios.

Guidance
Subtitle: Reflection and Lessons Learned: Applying Knowledge in Real-world
Scenarios
(You should come up with yours)
Key Learning Areas
• Summarize key learning areas from the module of Strategy, Innovation, and
Change Management
• e.g., Environmental analysis, innovation strategies, change
management models, leadership roles, among others.
Applying Lessons in Real-world Scenarios
• Provide examples of how these lessons can be applied in other real-world
scenarios.
• e.g., Advising startups on innovation strategies, guiding organizations
through mergers and acquisitions, consulting for top organization
Personal Insights and Growth
• Share personal insights gained from the module and how they contribute to
your professional growth.
• e.g., Improved strategic thinking, enhanced problem-solving skills.

6. Conclusion
• Conclude the report with a summary of key points as your final closing remark
on your consultation to the selected organisation. Do not forget you are the
consultant to the company.

7. Academic writing and Justification.

• Excellent structure and good academic writing

• Justify analysis using concepts and frameworks from academic and credible
sources.

• Cite relevant academic references.

ALL THE BEST!