Assignment Brief

BNS0072 Strategic Management 2024.

The focus of this assignment is on business models and business model innovation. Business models are a contemporary challenge to foundational notions of strategic management, but the business model idea is not without its detractors. I have personally found it very useful in opening-up a consultancy project and drawing a picture of business which includes most of the elements traditionally found in the strategic planning process. A very popular tool is the business model canvas by Alex Osterwalder (example below) which has 9 sub-units but broadly contains two main propositions, value capture and value creation. We will go through the elements of this model in class. To make the model work strategically, it is possible to then consider it at two moment in time. Here we enter the realm of business model innovation and where the business model canvas becomes strategic. Business model innovation and renewal can be built around service, process, product, technological innovation but can also be based on value innovation.

Your task in the assignment is to first take a fixed point at the end of the Facebook case study provided in 2020, at a point when their business model came under significant strain and triggered business model innovation to address the challenges faced. The second part of the assignment requires you to search for and use subsequent articles and discussions in the media to show how the Facebook business model stands at the present date as we stand in 2024. Your core task is to present an analysis of the business model at two points in time 2020 and 2024.

The Brief

Spatial definition of boundaries of your analysis: Global

Operational boundaries: The operations of Facebook meta should be interpreted as you see fit

Materials

You have been provided with a high-quality case-study which is available electronically, and which provides a solid foundation to complete the assignment. However, you may supplement this with any other quality sources of information on the Facebook case.

The assignment has two parts with different weights as indicated.

Part 1 50% weighting

Using the business model canvas, present an analysis of the Facebook’s business model at the beginning of 2020 (at the end of the case). You can use the model graphically (multiple templates are provided) as a summary but then provide a written analysis of each of the elements of the model and where you perceive the challenges at this time are evident. In your answer, comment on whether these challenges can be characterised using the VUCA framework.

An example template of a business model canvas (Osterwalder)

Part 2: 50% weighting

Your task is to bring the case up to date by using journals, media stories and company information to understand how facebook/meta have changed their business model in the face of the challenges you have outlined in Part 1. You should again consider each element of the business model canvas and demonstrate where you perceive innovation/renewal has occurred. You may need to consider this question from the perspective of multiple overlapping business models/a business model portfolio.

In your answer, take a position on whether these changes amount to business model innovation, are disruptive innovations, or are merely incremental changes to environmental challenges. Also comment on whether you feel that the new business model/s configuration is fit for VUCA challenges in the future.

Word count 2500 words: Based on the stated indicative weightings you should use your own judgement as to how much of the word count should be allocated to each section.

Use of AI not allowed.

Hand in date Feb 9^th by 3PM

Generic guidance

· You do not need to present your analysis within a single diagram but should decide on the sections of your written analysis relative to the compartments in the BMC. Put another way, write your answer in sections, do not only try to present a single diagram with everything in, it will be too big. An overview in graphic form in advisable.

· You may use any other models or theory in these sections to supplement and enhance your analysis. Indeed, this would be good practice and define better answers.

· You may identify and present an analysis of multiple overlapping business models you identify within Facebook as consistent with the idea of a portfolio of business models.

· A link to Osterwalder’s book on the business model canvas in available on Brightspace and further key articles on business models are linked from Brightspace. Effective use of this model alone should be sufficient for a passing grade in this section.

· Evidence of broader reading of the BM literature will define better answers.

· Essay style with correct use of sentence structure, prose and paragraphing

· Put as much information into tables, charts and diagrams as possible. You could reduce word count by putting analysis into diagrams. Better answers do this very effectively.  You can modify and create your own diagrams. Significant credit will be given for this.

· Leave diagrams and tables in the body of the report, don’t hide them in an appendix. We give great credit for being able to present strategic analysis using charts, tables and diagrams.  Businesspeople want to see the best analysis as quickly as possible, it’s annoying to flick between main body and appendix all the time.

· Cite all information used in your work which is clearly from an external source. Try to ensure that all sources in your reference list are seen as citations in your work, and all names cited in the work appear in your reference list. Reference and cite your work in accordance with the APA 7th system – the University’s chosen referencing style.  For specific advice, you can talk to your Business librarians or go to the library help desk, or you can access library guidance via the following link: There is no need to cite from lecture slides. Also see video presentation in brightspace.

· APA 7th referencing: https://library.hud.ac.uk/pages/apareferencing/

· The University has regulations relating to academic misconduct, including plagiarism. The Learning Innovation and Development Centre can advise and help you with how to avoid ‘poor scholarship’ and potential academic misconduct. You can contact them at [email protected].

· Academic skills, you are welcome to consult the Learning Innovation Development Centre team [email protected]. It is possible to arrange 1:1 consultation with a LIDC tutor once you have planned or written a section of your work, so that they can advise you on areas to develop.