Long Case Analysis

Assignment Summary

Long Case Analysis. Sections IVI

Purpose

You will complete a full case analysis that builds directly on your Short Case submission. You will reuse and refine Sections I, II, and III, then extend the analysis by adding Sections IV, V, and VI. This assignment evaluates your ability to move from analysis to clear strategic direction and measurable execution.

What you will submit

One written long case analysis covering Sections I through VI of the Case Analysis Template. Sections IIII should be revised based on feedback from the short case before adding new material.

Section I. Introduction – Present a concise overview of the case situation.

Include:

Who is involved

What is happening

When and where events occur

Why the situation matters strategically

This section should remain brief and focused.

Section II. Analysis – Combine reporting with analysis.

• External Environment
• Begin with a short section introduction.
• Analyze the general environment using relevant legal, technological, economic, and other forces.
• Evaluate the competitive environment using Porters Five Forces.
• Explain how each force shapes risk, opportunity, and competitive position.
• Internal Environment
• Analyze the firms value chain, including primary and secondary activities.
• Identify internal strengths and weaknesses.
• Conduct a financial ratio trend analysis across multiple years.
• Explain trends and business implications rather than listing calculations.

Section III. SWOT Analysis – Construct a clear SWOT table summarizing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

• Follow with a written analysis that connects internal and external factors.
• Emphasize insights that logically lead to strategic choices.

Section IV. Objectives: Using the Balanced Scorecard – Define clear objectives using the four Balanced Scorecard perspectives:

Financial

Customer

Internal processes

Learning and innovation

Objectives should flow directly from your SWOT analysis.

Each objective should be specific and strategically relevant.

Section V. Strategy Recommendation – Recommend a primary strategy using Porters generic strategies:

Cost leadership

Differentiation

Focus

Clearly state your chosen strategy.

Justify the recommendation using evidence from Sections II and III.

Explain why alternative strategies are less appropriate for this case.

Section VI. Key Performance Indicators – Identify key performance indicators tied to your Balanced Scorecard objectives.

Each KPI should:

Directly measure progress toward an objective

Be clear and measurable

Support execution of the recommended strategy

Expectations

• Revise and strengthen Sections IIII based on prior feedback.
• Use course concepts accurately and consistently.
• Support claims with case data and analysis.
• Maintain clear organization and logical flow across all sections.
• Write with precision and focus on strategic decision-making.

RUBRIC

Long Case Analysis Rubric. Sections IVI. 100 Points Total

Student-facing rubric

Content Accuracy and Application. 40 points

You show a strong grasp of the case and course frameworks across analysis and strategy.

Introduction clearly frames the situation and strategic relevance. 5 points

External and internal analysis applies correct concepts from the course. 15 points

Balanced Scorecard objectives align with analysis and SWOT. 10 points

Strategy recommendation and KPIs align with Porters framework and stated objectives. 10 points

Excellent. 3640

Strong. 3235

Adequate. 2831

Limited. 027

Depth of Analysis and Strategic Reasoning. 30 points

You explain why insights matter and how they drive decisions.

External and internal analysis explains impact, not description. 10 points

SWOT analysis clearly links internal and external factors to strategic choices. 10 points

Strategy recommendation shows clear logic and tradeoff evaluation. 10 points

Excellent. 2730

Strong. 2426

Adequate. 2123

Limited. 020

Use of Evidence and Integration. 15 points

You support conclusions with case data and connect sections logically.

Analysis uses specific case facts and financial trends. 10 points

Objectives, strategy, and KPIs clearly build from earlier sections. 5 points

Excellent. 1415

Strong. 1213

Adequate. 1011

Limited. 09

Organization and Clarity. 15 points

You present a clear, logical, and professional paper.

Paper follows required structure for Sections IVI. 5 points

Writing is clear, concise, and focused on decision making. 5 points

Tables, objectives, and KPIs are clearly labeled and easy to interpret. 5 points

Excellent. 1415

Strong. 1213

Adequate. 1011

Limited. 09

Total. 100 Points