MNG3701 May/Jun 2023 exam paper — questions

Every question, by topic

1. Question 1.1 · Levels of strategy · 12 marks

   These questions relate to the McDonald's case study, which describes the company's value-driven strategy amid financial pressures in South Africa (rising petrol prices, higher taxes and unemployment), its emphasis on quality ingredients such as 100% pure beef and local sourcing (over 97% of food from South African suppliers), its diverse menu and Halaal certification by the Muslim Judicial Council, and its limited African footprint (present only in Morocco, Egypt, South Africa and Mauritius) despite a market of over 1.2 billion people, with supply chain limitations cited as the main obstacle to entering Nigeria. Using a table with the headings 'Level of strategy', 'Manager who makes the decision' and 'Example of a decision', distinguish between four levels of strategy found in business organisations, linking each level to the decision-making role of a specific type of manager. For each level and manager identified, give an example of a decision that manager might have to make, with all examples drawn from McDonalds.Show the full questionShow less

2. Question 1.2 · Levels of strategy · 3 marks

   These questions relate to the McDonald's case study, which describes the company's value-driven strategy amid financial pressures in South Africa (rising petrol prices, higher taxes and unemployment), its emphasis on quality ingredients such as 100% pure beef and local sourcing (over 97% of food from South African suppliers), its diverse menu and Halaal certification by the Muslim Judicial Council, and its limited African footprint (present only in Morocco, Egypt, South Africa and Mauritius) despite a market of over 1.2 billion people, with supply chain limitations cited as the main obstacle to entering Nigeria. Consider the statement 'McDonalds has a sustainable competitive advantage.' State whether you agree or disagree with this statement and justify your answer.Show the full questionShow less

3. Question 2.1 · Vision, mission and strategic goals · 8 marks

   These questions relate to McDonalds, drawing on the case study material provided earlier in the paper. Assess McDonalds' vision statement against the criteria that a good vision statement should meet, determining whether it satisfies each requirement. (Hint: structure the evaluation in a table with columns for the characteristic being assessed, a yes/no judgement, and the reason(s) for that judgement.)Show the full questionShow less

4. Question 2.2 · Vision, mission and strategic goals · 7 marks

   These questions relate to McDonalds, drawing on the case study material provided earlier in the paper. Identify the business-level strategy that McDonalds follows and discuss it, backing up the discussion with examples drawn from the case study.Show the full questionShow less

5. Question 2.3 · Vision, mission and strategic goals · 5 marks

   These questions relate to McDonalds, drawing on the case study material provided earlier in the paper. McDonalds has set itself the strategic goal 'to increase market share'. Apply the SMART principle to evaluate this strategic goal.Show the full questionShow less