London School of Science and

Technology
Level 4 Foundation in Business (FdA)

Units: EC4F05 Introduction to the Business Environment

Assessment 1

Individual Report: Case Study Analysis

Assignment Title:

Module Leader: Jacob Ajiere

Issued on: 02 October 2017

04 December 2017 23:59
Deadline:

Student Name:

Student ID:

Campus: Alperton

London Met Registration Number:

Submitted on: (Student to Insert Date)

Instructions & Learner Declaration

An electronic copy of your assessment must be fully uploaded by the deadline date and time.
You must submit one single PDF or MS Office Word document. Any relevant images or screenshots must
be included within the same MS Office Word or PDF document.
The last version you upload will be the one that is marked. Your paper will be marked if you have indicated
this as your final submission.
Review the mitigating circumstances policy for information relating to extensions.
The file size must not exceed 20MB.
Answer the questions in order and clearly
Ensure that all work has been proof-read and checked prior to submission.
Ensure that the layout of your documents are in a professional format with font style Arial, font size 12 for
the text, font 14 for sub heading and font 16 for main heading, line spacing 1.5 and justified.
Use the Harvard referencing system; otherwise it will be considered as plagiarised work.
Ensure that you back-up your work regularly and apply version control to your documents.
Ensure that any file you upload is virus-free, not corrupted and not protected by a password otherwise it will
be treated as a non-submission.
You must NOT submit a paper copy or email of this assessment to any member of staff at LSST.
Your work must be original with the appropriate Harvard referencing. You will be penalised for none or
wrong referencing.
I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully acknowledged.

Signature & Date:
Signature: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Date: _ _ _ / _ _ _ / _ _ _ _
 Introduction and guidance

This assessment enables you to meet the requirements of one unit of the level 4
Foundation in Business

Module Title: Introduction to the Business Environment

The assessment requires you to develop and demonstrate your skills and knowledge in
Business Environment based on a case study organisation.
To complete the given tasks, you will need to draw upon your experience during the
course, workplace as well as any relevant work experience.

Please ensure that the work you produce address the relevant assessment criteria listed
under each part. All parts must be completed and submitted.
 Assessment 1: Individual Report: Case Study Analysis

CASE STUDY ANALYSIS OF BRITISH TELECOM

This case study identifies the various challenges faced by BRITISH Telecom a key player in the UK
telecommunications industry. The challenges faced by British Telecom fall within their immediate micro
environment (the competitive telecommunications industry) and the larger macro environment (wider
trends beyond the telecommunications industry impacting on the performance of British Telecom).

The purpose of this assessment will be to conduct an analysis of British Telecom operating in the UK
telecommunications industry, to help inform decision-making regarding its current strategic position.
You will have to structure your analysis and commentary to include the following:
1. An analysis and commentary of the wider macro UK environment within which British
Telecom operates that impact on its performance. [30Marks].
You are required to structure your analysis and commentary by making use of the PESTLE
framework.
You will need to identify the main factors impacting on the company (i.e., key drivers of change). You
may find that some macro factors exert a stronger influence over the company than other factors. You
will need to make an evaluation of this through your assessment.

2. An analysis and commentary of the micro environment (Industry environment) within which
British Telecom operates. [30 Marks]

You are required to apply the Porters Five Forces framework for your analysis and assess the
attractiveness of the industry.

You will need to identify the key stakeholders within the UK Telecom industry. The key will be to
identify where power lies in terms of the various stakeholders operating in the industry.

3. Conduct an analysis of the internal environment of British Telecom. [20 Marks]

You are required to structure your analysis by looking at the following: Resources, Capabilities, skills
and Core competencies

4. From your analysis and commentary of the macro, micro and internal environment, identify
the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; stating how these factors can be used to
inform decision making. [20 Marks]

You are required to make use of the SWOT framework for your analysis and commentary.

Suggested Assignment Structure

Executive summary: summarising the key issues facing British Telecom and briefly identify the
findings and recommendations of your analysis.
Main body: which includes a combination of description and analysis. The former should briefly
outline details relating to British Telecom and identify the key issues/challenges faced by the
company; while analysis and recommendations should follow from your personal evaluation of
the issues presented in the case-study.

Section 1: PESTEL Analysis (Macro environmental analysis)

Section 2: Five Forces Framework (Micro environmental analysis)

Section 3: Resources, skills, Capabilities and Core competencies (Internal Analysis)

Section 4: Application of SWOT Analysis and decision making.

Summary and conclusion: Reiterating your main findings and conclusions.

Assignment 1 needs to be submitted through Turn-it-in via the student portal, by:

Deadline Time: 23:59

Deadline Date: 04 December 2017

Weightings: 50%

ASSESSMENT 1 Task

You are required to incorporate the following facts in order to compile the report

PESTEL framework. (Macro- environmental Analysis)

Porters 5 forces analysis. (Micro- Industry Analysis)
Internal Environment (Resources, Skills, Capabilities and Core competencies)
Application of SWOT Analysis for decision making

Guideline (Maximum 5000 words including citations and bibliography).

 Type of Assessment

Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3

Module Learning Outcomes Individual report Group presentation + Individual reflective

5000 Word (50%) 3000 word speakers report (20%)
notes (30%)

Explain the differences between

various types of businesses and their
purposes.

Describe the extent to which an

organisation meets the objectives of
different stakeholders.

Apply methods to examine the impact

of the business environment on the
activities of an organisation.

Assess the impact of fiscal and

monetary policy on the activities of
business organisations.

Analyse how global and regional

factors shape business activities.
Appendix

Assessment Table from Module specs

Assessment Description of Item % Week If not pass on aggregate,

Method weighting Due explain what is required
to pass the module
Coursework Individual Report 50% 10
(5000 Words)

Practical Group Oral Presentation 30% 23-24

Exam ( 20 minutes with speaker
notes 3000 Words)

Coursework Individual Reflective 20% 28

log/Report
(2000 Words)
Assessment Criteria for All Assessments

% Grade Criteria
Excellent. Outstanding output with only minor errors. Required knowledge and understanding of
appropriate theoretical concepts and their associated analytical techniques are comprehensive in terms
of breadth and depth. Ability to employ, contextualise, and interrelate, appropriate theoretical concepts
is significant. Analysis, interpretation of research data and application are outstanding as is the ability
70-100
A to use research findings to develop objectives and strategies on the face of challenges and
% opportunities. Answers are characterised by independent thought, reflection and clarity. Overall output
is highly literate, focused, evaluative with sustained arguments, and fluent. Excellent set of references
to relevant bibliography.

Very Good. Above the average standard output but with some errors. Required knowledge and
understanding of appropriate theoretical concepts and their associated analytical techniques is
A evident and overall work is of a very good level. Ability to employ, contextualise and link relevant
theoretical concepts between them is very good but sometimes broad in nature. Analysis,
60-69 B interpretation of data and application abilities are effective and answers are clear indicating
independent thought and reflection. Overall output is literate, focused, evaluative and coherent,
% but arguments are not consistent at the same level all of the times. Good overall ability of using
research findings to develop future objectives and appropriate strategies on the face of identified
challenges and opportunities. Appropriate range of references to relevant bibliography.

Good. Generally sound work but with a number of notable errors. Required knowledge and
understanding of appropriate theoretical concepts and their associated analytical techniques are
C reasonable but research, analysis and application abilities are restricted as are linkages between
B
50-59 theory and practice. There is a tendency for assertion rather than valid arguments based on analysis
% but interpretative and evaluative abilities are indicated in a somewhat good context. Relatively good
references to relevant bibliography.

Satisfactory. Although fair, work has significant shortcomings. Required knowledge and
43-49 C understanding of appropriate theoretical concepts and their associated analytical techniques are
D limited. Some degree of accuracy and adequate research abilities are indicated. Analysis and
% application are superficial as is the ability to interpret data and contextualise. Adequate references to
relevant bibliography.

Sufficient. Overall output is weak and is characterised by lack of focus, poor grammar and spelling
mistakes. However, despite limitations work meets the minimum criteria for a basic pass since it
40-42 E indicates adequate research abilities, adequate understanding of appropriate theoretical concepts and
% their associated analytical techniques and has basic references to relevant bibliography.

E Referral. Some more work is required before the credit can be awarded. Little evidence of required
25-39 knowledge, understanding or appreciation of relevant theoretical concepts. Analysis is absent and
% FX/R application abilities are non-existent. Work has little accuracy in relation to the brief -if any, and
overall output is bellow requirements.

Fail. Considerable further work is required. Output is unacceptable. Overall work does not meet the
0-24% requirements of the brief and is insufficient to achieve a pass.
F