Assignment Task
Making specific reference to relevant concepts covered on this module, critically assess the current crisis at Volkswagen/VW from a strategic point of view. Draw on material covered in Lectures 1-5 of this module.
Essential contents:
1. Your piece must include a brief overview of recent developments at VW. You can use the sources provided in this document, but you are also expected to update this unfolding case through your own desk research (e.g. ft.com, The Guardian, the BBC website, or other online sources). The University Library holds a wide range of relevant materials. Interlibrary loans should not be necessary for the completion of this assignment.
2. In your analysis and discussion of the case, you must make reference to specific topics studied in Lectures 1-5 of this module (e.g. to tools of communicating strategy, the macro/micro environment, resources, competences, corporate strategy).
3. Your answer must include some recommendations for VW’s strategy. If you were a Board member at VW, what would you see as important for VW’s strategy?
Additional guidelines:
• Remember that your work needs to be grounded in relevant academic literature. You can make reference to relevant journals and books available through the University Library.
• Your assignment should be clearly written in an academic style, following guidelines on essay writing available through MyEssex, the University’s Talent Development Centre, or the EBS Learning Support Co-ordinator.
• Remember that material from the WorldWideWeb must be referenced as any other source you use. You can list web sources separately in your reference list. Please remember to state when you last accessed these sites.
• Your assignment should contain a title page which should include the module name and code, your name, and your student registration number.
• Please include page numbers in your work, leave adequate margins, and use 1.5 line-spacing.
Useful links to get you started
VW emission test cheating rocks Europe’s carmakers (22-09-2015)
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/970e54f8-6048-11e5-9846-de406ccb37f2.html?ftcamp=crm/email/2015922/nbe/BusinessEducation/product#axzz3pIIVvNtD
Volkswagen shares tumble as inquiries are launched worldwide (23-09-2015)
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9bde89f0-6109-11e5-a28b-50226830d644.html?ftcamp=crm/email/2015923/nbe/BusinessEducation/product#axzz3pIIVvNtD
Volkswagen board gathers to appoint replacement for Winterkorn (25-09-2015)
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d4feb2e2-628e-11e5-9846-de406ccb37f2.html?ftcamp=crm/email/2015925/nbe/BusinessEducation/product#axzz3pIIVvNtD
EU warned on devices at centre of VW scandal two years ago (25-09-2015)
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d0d7ba40-6394-11e5-9846-de406ccb37f2.html?ftcamp=crm/email/2015926/nbe/BusinessEducation/product#axzz3pIIVvNtD
VW’s need for a crisis panel exposes the board’s failings (28-09-2015)
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2793718e-62bf-11e5-a28b-50226830d644.html#axzz3pIIVvNtD
Culture clash gives clue to Volkswagen scandal (06-10-2015)
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/24a9c128-6b5a-11e5-8608-a0853fb4e1fe.html#axzz3pIIVvNtD
Volkswagen’s home city enveloped in fear, anger and disbelief (11-10-2015)
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5ae421be-6dcd-11e5-8171-ba1968cf791a.html#axzz3pIIVvNtD
“Volkswagen Group – Moving Ahead”; speech by Frank Witter, Member of the Board of Management, 20-01-2016
http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/info_center/en/talks_and_presentations/talks_and_presentations.html
Your attention is also drawn to the organization’s corporate website:
http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/content/en/homepage.html
Marking Criteria:
The criteria used to assess this assignment will be as follows:
Quality of reflection, interpretation and evaluation
Quality and depth of appraisal and interpretation of data and academic materials, including the appropriate use of relevant course concepts
Breadth and depth of issues analyzed
Logical reasoning, analysis and debate
Originality and use of initiative
Use of academic concepts and theories
The extent to which the required academic materials (incl. relevant course concepts) have been incorporated
Depth of reading and application (esp. in terms of further reading)
Relevance of the content
Structure and clarity of presentation
The logic and rationale for the adopted structure
The clarity of the points made
Correct use of referencing style
Appropriate presentation of the work (e.g. the inclusion of page numbers, sub-headings etc.)
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