Assignment Task (word count: 2750)
Read the case study “Nike Considered: Getting Traction on Sustainability” (Henderson et al, 2009) on which the assignment will be based.
You may wish to look at the following article which gives a timeline for Nike’s activities in the area of CSR (the case refers to this as CR): http://www.businessinsider.com/how-nike-solved-its-sweatshop-problem-2013-5?IR=T
Answer the following questions based on the case and relevant strategic management theories by demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the theories used.
1. Compare and contrast the strategic planning (‘deliberate’) approach with
the emergent strategy approach to strategy (Johnson et al 2014 p403ff): has
Nike’s strategy been deliberate or emergent over the period 2004-
2008? (word count 750)
How have Nike’s mission, vision and values (Johnson et al 2014 p108) changed in relation to CR since the early 1990s? (word count 350)
2. The case (Henderson et al 2009) quotes Mark Parker (Nike CEO): “Corporate
responsibility is no longer a staff function at Nike. It’s a design function, a sourcing function, a consumer experience function, part of how we operate”. Use the value chain (Johnson et al 2014 p83) to identify areas of Nike’s business which should be impacted by the Considered strategy; discuss the challenges Nike faces in carrying out its CR policy through its network of alliances (Johnson et al 2014 p328); and explain how it is mitigating its risks. (word count 1050)
3.How do you expect the Considered strategy to affect Nike’s positioning on
the matrix of Porter’s generic strategies (low cost, differentiated and focus)
(Johnson et al 2014 p193). (word count 600).
References
Johnson G., Whittington R., Scholes K., Angwin, D. and Regnér, P., 2014 Exploring Strategy (10th ed). Harlow: Pearson Education.
Henderson R., Locke R.M., Lyddy C. and, Cate Reavis C., 2009 Nike Considered: Getting Traction on Sustainability,[online]. Cambridge, MA: MITSloan Management. Case Study 08-077
Guidelines to note
• underpin your analysis and evaluation of the key issues with appropriate and wide rang academic research and ensure this is referenced using the BU Harvard system.
• Use the BU Harvard Referencing method in this assignment
• Prepare a title page, executive summary, reference list and
appendices.
