Academic Writing

Your manager has asked you to conduct a value chain analysis of your organization (or a division of your organization) and its industry in order to get a better assessment of the organization's key functions in terms of satisfying the needs of its customers or, for public organizations, the needs of the public. He requires you to prepare a report that will eventually be read by the executives as part of an internal strategic development project. You may choose an organization (or division) for which you have previously worked. Drawing on concepts covered in the assigned readings or external research, prepare a report that describes the industry value chain and the value chain activities within the organization, identifies the external opportunities and threats, the internal strengths and weaknesses, and the competitive advantage of the organization (or, for public organizations, the level of public trust), and suggests possible ways to better meet the needs of its customers/the public. An effective report would: 1. Identify the key activities or processes within your organization (or division) that form the value chain (from supplier to end customer/user). 2. Illustrate the links between those activities or processes. 3. Identify the users of the product or service offered by your organization. 4. Identify any value-added activities your organization does to help meet its customers' needs and differentiate it from the competition or, for public organizations, promotes public trust (i.e. identify strengths, competitive advantage, level of public trust). 5. Evaluate your organization's value chain to determine if there are any weaknesses that need to be addressed. 6. Analyze the industry's value chain to determine if there are opportunities that should be considered or threats that need to be avoided or mitigated. 7. Identify and explain possible ways to improve the organization's ability to meet its customers' needs. (A detailed analysis of the proposed alternatives listing Pros and Cons and a formal recommendation is NOT required for this assignment.) 8. Properly reference all sources used. The report should follow the characteristics of an effective short business report provided in the Business Report Guidelines found in the Reference Material section of the Professional Programs website. It should be in the form of a memorandum addressed to the appropriate level of management in the organization, and third person formal writing style should be used. On the cover page, include the position titles of the recipient and yourself, not the real names or your member number. The report does not require an executive summary or table of contents. The report must be no longer than 1,400 words and may contain no more than three (3) pages of appendices.* One of the appendices should briefly (2-3 paragraphs) describe your organization, its industry, and your role.