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Question

This is a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) assignment.

The purpose of this assignment is to assess the effectiveness of a company's operational and organizational strategies and processes.

Previously, your CLC group conducted an extensive assessment of your selected firm's external and internal environment and of the elements influencing both. Reflect on this research and analysis as you move forward assessing the next steps for the firm and how to increase value for the shareholders and stakeholders involved. This question of value is largely influenced by the firm's ability to be optimally organized and operated.

Compose a written assessment of your selected firm's organizational strategies and operational processes, evaluating what changes need to be made and what procedures need to be maintained in order to outfit the firm for increasing success.

Address each of the following issues in a 1,250-1,500-word paper:

How does the current organizational and operational structure, including the system of corporate governance, benefit the firm? How does the current organizational and operational system challenge the firm's success? What would have to change to reverse how structural issues are impeding the firm's success?
How might the firm benefit from a strategic alliance? What are the risks of a strategic alliance and how might those risks be managed?
How might the firm utilize a business-level cooperative strategy to create a competitive advantage? Of the four business-level cooperative strategies presented in section 9-2 of the textbook, which is most likely to be of significant value to your team's firm? Why? What are the risks associated with this strategy and how might they be managed?
What internal governance mechanisms would you propose to monitor managers' decision making?
Section 11-2 of the textbook states that strategy and structure have a reciprocal relationship. Explain how this is true within your selected firm. If it is not true, how might the situation be changed for the better?
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

Part 2

The purpose of this assignment is to evaluate the financial condition and performance of the firm you and your CLC group members have selected for analysis.

Refer to Tables A-1 through A-5 in Appendix II of the text for the operational definitions of and formulas for numerous common financial ratios, including profitability, liquidity, leverage, activity, and shareholders' return. Using these formulas, complete at least one ratio from each of the five categories, though you may apply as many of the ratios for which you can find the required information in the firm's financial reports. On your calculations page, specify for which formulas you are solving.

In an assessment of approximately 750 words, address the following:

Determine which of the ratios provide the most key insights into the firm's current level of performance. How can you assess whether the results of your calculations are positive or negative? Explain which of the ratios give you reason to be concerned with the organization's current strategy and why.
The Organizational and Operational Plans assignment references the possible benefits and risks of forming a strategic alliance. What would be the risks of forming a strategic alliance in terms of the firm's profitability ratios? Which of those five ratios is most likely to reveal immediate information for analysis of the alliance's effectiveness?
Considering today's financial climate, how likely is it that the organization could acquire the capital necessary to support an aggressive value-enhancement strategy? From where would that capital originate? Compared to current interest rates, what do you believe is a realistic interest rate the firm might incur? Which of the liquidity ratios will be impacted by the influx of capital, if borrowed?
Submit your calculations with your written response.

You will be required to incorporate instructor feedback from this paper into the Assessing and Managing Risk assignment in Topic 7.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

Benchmark Information

This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies:

BS Business Analytics; BS Business Management; BS Finance

2.2 Apply strategies for analyzing and synthesizing data and evaluating risk in making business decisions.

BS Business for Secondary Education

6.6 Demonstrate skills for the effective communication of business information and concepts.