BUS499 Assignment Formatting and Expectations
This is a capstone course and your deliverables should reflect an expert level of knowledge and
skills. Each paragraph of your paper should represent a thoughtful and well-researched response.
Format:
To receive full credit for formatting your paper should include:
• A title page formatted according to Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). Note: the title page
and source list are NOT counted in the page length requirement for the paper. A 4-6 page
paper would contain 4-6 pages of writing + the title and source pages.
• An introduction paragraph with no more than six sentences and no direct quotes.
• Strayer Writing Standards (SWS) requirements are as follows:
o The body of the paper (margins, font, spacing, etc.) follows SWS. Review sample
paper and template for details at https://library.strayer.edu/sws/paper
o Headings for each written section, based on the assignment instructions in SWS
format. (Note: sometimes there are two headings in a single instruction.) See
Week 3 assignment template for an example.
o Source page formatted in SWS format.

Tips:
• Review the assignment instructions, rubric and the faculty video(s). The faculty videos
provide hints on where to locate information and how to address each topic in depth and
includes do’s and don’ts.
• The textbook and external research will be cited on all assignments.
• Remember to define explain, evaluate, and/or analyze terminology. The rubric will
provide the criteria for what expected.
• Demonstrate an ability to apply the concepts in a real-world assessment of a corporation.
Cite specific research to support the evidence presented within each assignment
submission.
• Strayer University uses SafeAssign, an automated plagiarism checker. Complete and
submit original work. Avoid copying content from any previous assignments.
o If needed, review the Strayer Library Resource: Use Your Own Words:
Preventing Plagiarism
• Submit assignments by the assigned due date or the submission will be subject to a late
deduction

Week 8 Assignment – Business-Level and Corporate-Level Strategies

Overview

In this assignment, you are to use the same corporation you selected for the assignments in Weeks 3 and 6. You will examine business and corporate-level strategies and their impact on corporate success comparable to the competitive environment.

This assignment requires the use of three or more quality resources, including your textbook. Use any or all of the following resources to conduct research on the chosen corporation:

• The corporation’s website.
• Public filings from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Filings & Forms page.
• Strayer University’s online databases.
• The Nexis Uni database.
• Other credible sources, such as the corporation’s annual report, will often provide insights that other resources may not include.
• It is expected that you will use your textbook as a resource for this assignment.

Instructions:

• Read the Assignment Formatting and Tips [PDF] before starting the assignment. Refer back to this document as needed.

• Review the scoring guide (rubric) in the course guide before starting the assignment.
• Download and save the Business-Level and Corporate-Level Strategies Template [DOCX].
• Use the template to write a 4-6 page academic research paper in which you include the following:

Step 1: Assess one business-level strategy you believe to be most appropriate for the corporation’s long-term success. Support your position with specific evidence.

Step 2: Assess one corporate-level strategy you believe to be most appropriate for the corporation’s long-term success. Support your position with specific evidence.

Step 3: Analyze the competitive environment to determine the corporation’s most significant competitor. Include a comparison of the business and corporate-level strategies for both corporations (your selected corporation and the competitor.)

• • Based on your analysis, conclude which corporation (your selected corporation or its competitor) is most likely to be successful in the long term. Support your determination with at least three pieces of evidence.

Step 4: Determine whether your corporation or its most significant competitor would differ in slow-cycle and fast-cycle markets. Support your position with specific evidence.

• Use three or more quality sources, including your textbook, to support your writing. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your assignment. (Note: Wikipedia and similar websites do not qualify as academic resources)

• • For help with research, writing, and citation, access the library.
• Produce writing that is clear and well organized and applies appropriate Strayer Writing Standards (SWS) style. Writing contains accurate grammar, mechanics, and spelling.

This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The library is your home for SWS assistance, including citations and formatting. Please refer to the Library site for all support. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is as follows:

• Determine business-level and corporate-level strategies for a corporation’s long-term success comparable to the competitive environme