Our opinion on strategic decision making. This is from the pre-master / premaster of the EP Management studies (EPMS) program of the Business school of the University of Amsterdam (UVA).
Team Assignment 2 (due 29 November 2022 at 10:00)
You are expected to produce a short essay (min 800 and max 1100 words) where you are to discuss
the following question based on the readings of week 4 (strategic decision-making):
How are strategic decisions made, and what can organizations do to influence the process and
outcomes of strategic decision-making?
You have more elbow room in terms of structuring your answer, compared to Assignment 1.
However, you must make sure covering the requirements in the bullet points below. Please note
that you should submit a coherent text rather than a list where you treat the bullet points as
separate questions.
You should start out by introducing the debate and then move on to discuss the issue from
at least two opposing points of views. Rather than coming up with your own explanation,
you should refer to current explanations in relevant literature. Make sure to refer to the
authors in question. Also make sure to explain all relevant concepts and terms you use.
Your answer must go beyond reproducing the messages of each author – it should also
relate the views to each other and preferably identify differences in, or strengths and
weaknesses of, their arguments. Your answer must inform a manager about different ways
in which she/he can influence how managers and employees in an organization take
decisions and deal with uncertainty.
In one section of the essay, make use of one example from a famous firm or a firm that you
know or work for (with references when applicable) and describe which theories (from
literature discussed in week 4) applies to strategic decision making in the firm. Critically
assess how strategic decisions are made in this firm and make suggestions for improvement.
Making use of interviews/data/stories/example cases/ managers’ quotes from the context of
the firm to illustrate your arguments is important to support your arguments.
Please end the answer by offering a personal, but reasoned opinion that relates to the main
question of the assignment. You may back up this conclusive answer by referring to the texts
you already discussed, and preferably also by bringing in other relevant points of views
discussed in other sessions of the course. Remember to give your essay a title reflecting the
main argument(s).
Structure of the essay:
Paragraph 1 & 2: Introduce the debate AND discuss at least two opposing points of view (with
reference to current explanations from relevant literature AND explain all relevant concepts and
terms).
Paragraph 3: Relate the views to each other and preferably identify differences in, or strengths and
weaknesses of, their arguments.
Paragraph 4: Inform a manager about different ways in which she/he can influence how managers
and employees in an organization take decisions and deal with uncertainty.
Paragraph 5: Make use of one example from a famous firm or a firm that you know or work for (with
references when applicable) and describe which theories (from literature discussed in week 4)
applies to strategic decision making in the firm.
Paragraph 6: Critically assess how strategic decisions are made in this firm and make suggestions for
improvement. Making use of interviews/data/stories/example cases/ managers’ quotes from the
context of the firm to illustrate your arguments is important to support your arguments.
Paragraph 7: Please end the answer by offering a personal, but reasoned opinion that relates to the
main question of the assignment. You may back up this conclusive answer by referring to the texts
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller basschaap. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $5.93. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
