How often Levels of strategy is asked

Where it was asked

• May/Jun 202315 marks
• May/Jun 202015 marks
• May/Jun 201912 marks

The questions

1. May/Jun 2023, Q1.112 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.

2. May/Jun 2023, Q1.23 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.

3. May/Jun 2020, Q1.14 marks

   Management is carried out at different levels within an organisation, and at each level managers carry out different activities and are required to draw up specific kinds of plans. All sub-questions refer to Capitec and the accompanying case study. Giving examples drawn from Capitec, describe an activity that would be undertaken by middle management, who are responsible for formulating tactical plans, and an activity that would be undertaken by low-level or first-line management, who are responsible for formulating operational plans.

4. May/Jun 2020, Q1.26 marks

   Management is carried out at different levels within an organisation, and at each level managers carry out different activities and are required to draw up specific kinds of plans. All sub-questions refer to Capitec and the accompanying case study. Drawing on practical examples from the Capitec case study, explain the difference between a sustainable competitive advantage and a transient competitive advantage.

5. May/Jun 2020, Q1.35 marks

   Management is carried out at different levels within an organisation, and at each level managers carry out different activities and are required to draw up specific kinds of plans. All sub-questions refer to Capitec and the accompanying case study. Using examples related to Capitec, explain the activities that take place during the strategic planning phase.