Prepare a paper using Option A (generic strategies) or Option B (corporate strategies). Be sure to identify which option you chose at the top of your paper. Do not use a company that is a case in the text or used elsewhere in the course. The purpose of this paper is to explore why a company has chosen a particular strategy. You are not analyzing how the company employs the strategy, you are focusing on the drivers behind its choice. You will need to consult at least six sources to understand the companys reason for choosing this strategy.

Option A: From business press, find a company example of one of the generic strategies. You will need to identify the specific generic strategy. A combination of strategies is not acceptable; decide which strategy most closely matches this companys approach.

Your paper should contain the following (use headings for each section, single space between paragraphs):

Part I: Company Background: In no more than one paragraph introduce the company by providing a brief background. Outline its main products and markets.

Part II: The Use of (insert name of strategy) at (insert company name): Your first sentence should identify which of the four generic strategies is being employed by the company. Do not choose a combination of strategies. Justify your choice by connecting the characteristics of the strategy to specific company actions or situations..

Part III: The Drivers Behind This Company's Choice: Explain why this company chooses to employ this particular strategy. To do so, you will need to describe at least two factors that influence the companys choice. Factors may come from internal capabilities but also examine industry competitive and macro environmental conditions. Use your general business knowledge to explain factors that influenced the decision to use this strategy. Use a separate paragraph to discuss each reason. The first sentence of each paragraph should clearly identify the reason.

Cite your sources in the required format outlined in General Guidelines for Written Work.

Option B: From business press, find an example of a company that has decided to employ a corporate-level diversification strategy within the last year.

Your paper should contain the following (use headings for each section, single space between paragraphs):

Part I: Introduction: In no more than one paragraph introduce the company by providing a brief background. Outline its main products and markets. Conclude by identifying the specific type of corporate-level strategy being employed.

Part II: The Drivers Behind This Company's Choice: Explain why the company made the move at this time. To do so, you will need to describe at least two factors (drivers) that led to the use of this strategy. What prompted the company to use this strategy at this time? Focus on the factors that led to the decision, not the outcome of the decision. Examine industry and macro environmental conditions, and use your general business knowledge to explain factors that influenced the decision. Use a separate paragraph to discuss each factor. The first sentence of each paragraph should clearly identify the reason.