6 TOPICS APA ESSAYS FORMATTING

TOPIC 1

Discussion Topic: Porter’s Five Force Analysis

Choose an industry in which you would like to compete globally. Use the Five-Force method of analysis to explain why you find that industry attractive for business.

Please remember to use APA citation (text and list references) to further validate your initial responses. Take time to review the responses of your classmates and provide your feedback.

TOPIC 2

Discussion Topic: Business Level Strategy

Visit the websites of two luxury car makers:

• Lincoln at http://lincoln.com
• BMW at http://www.bmwusa.com

These two automotive giants compete in the same strategic group. Browse each website and search for each company's business-level strategy.

How are the luxury car competitors’ strategies similar? In what manner are they different? Which company has the competitive advantage and why?

TOPIC 3

Discussion Topic: Corporate Social Responsibility and the Future

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an “idea that business has [as] a duty to serve in general as well as the financial interest of stockholders” (Pearce & Robinson, 2013, p. 57). Do you believe society’s expectations for CSR will change in the next decade (p. 85)? Please explain.

TOPIC 4

Discussion Topic: The Importance of Strategic Controls

Retail companies like Walmart are heavy users of strategic control systems. Think about how it utilizes RFID technology to track products from inventory to the market shelves. Discuss how Walmart relies upon strategic surveillance, special alert control, and implementation control. What improvements might you suggest to the company’s COO relative to strategic control and why?