Business Commons^™

Vanmoof Strategic Audit, Chi-Chun Chang

Honors Theses

VanMoof is an e-bike brand originated in Amsterdam that has expanded to Western Europe, Eastern Asia, and North America. This paper will analyze the e-bike industry using PESTEL analysis. It will also analyze the industry’s competitive environment using the framework of Porter’s Five Forces, followed by an analysis of the strategy VanMoof’s currently employing. Based on the results, the paper will end with a recommendation for future strategies.

Nvidia Corporation: Pc Gaming Industry Strategic Audit, Charlie Peng

Honors Theses

Nvidia is a semiconductor company focusing on high-performance computer graphics technology. The company designs graphics processing units (GPUs), which are used in a variety of fields such as data centers, artificial intelligence (AI), and gaming. This paper seeks to examine Nvidia’s position within the PC gaming industry. First, PESTEL and Porter’s Five Forces analyses are used to detail the overall PC gaming industry. The next section examines how Nvidia competes through its strategy, resources, and competitive advantages. Finally, future challenges and recommendations to position the company are explored.

Bnsf Strategic Analysis, Bella Tran

Honors Theses

Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC. (BNSF), is an American railroad that is concentrated in the western two-thirds of the U.S. This railroad has a history stretching back over a century that has led the company to now function as one of the leading Class I Railroad with over 30,000 employees and over 30,000 miles of laid track. Two methods of analysis were used to examine the competitive environment in which BNSF operates. The first is the PESTEL analysis which examines the macro-environment. The second is Porter’s Five Forces which analyzes the competitive environment of an industry. The analyses concluded that …

A Strategic Audit Of Seaworld, Jaden Capaldi, Rachel Jendro, Jacob Mir, Sophie Newman, Tommy Wolfe

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Allianz Life Strategic Audit, Evan Powell

Honors Theses

Allianz Life is a company that specializes in creating life insurance and annuity products to wholesale to financial professionals. The company is based out of Minneapolis, MN, and is a subsidiary of the parent company Allianz SE. Allianz SE is the 46th largest company in the world and ranks number one for assets managed by an insurance company. Allianz SE is based out of Munich, Germany. This report aims to learn more about Allianz Life through internal and external analysis. The following analytical tools will be included: PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, and SWOT analysis. These tools help to explain the …

Pacific Life Strategic Analysis, Jake Litel-Smith

Honors Theses

Pacific Life is one of the most recognizable names in life insurance. The company is known for its brand and consistent delivery on its promises for over 150 years. This study shows a comprehensive analysis of Pacific Life, including external and internal considerations. Porter’s Five Forces and PESTEL will provide a guide to understanding the environment outside of the company. A SWOT analysis will provide a better grasp on the company’s current market position. The analysis will conclude with an understanding of Pacific Life’s current strategy and recommendations for its future success.

A Strategic Audit Of Runza Restaurants, Chase Caverzagie

Honors Theses

Runza is a well-known, Nebraskan restaurant. As Runza begins to expand, and a new generation of buyers approaches, it is important for Runza to examine the horizon and think critically about their future strategy. Runza will need to decide what their next steps will be to maintain a competitive advantage, and be successful for many more years to come. This strategic audit will look at the company’s background, business model, the internal and external environment, and company strengths and weaknesses. Then, several strategy alternatives are proposed, with the selection and implementation plan of the best strategic alternative.

Strategic Audit Of Adidas, Mason Wright

Honors Theses

Adidas is a well-established brand in the world of sportswear and lifestyle clothing. In recent years, the company has been regaining success after a period of stagnation. Spurring this success is the renewed popularity of old classic shoe models and a surge in the lifestyle clothing trend. While adidas is doing well, it is not the top sportswear company in the world and is far behind in North America. In an attempt to boost the recent success even further, this thesis analyzes the current situation that adidas faces including its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. With this information as a …

Strategic Audit Of The National Football League, Jordan T. Hansen

Honors Theses

The National Football League (NFL) is the most popular American Football league in the world. The league was formed in 1920, and has managed to survive new entrants to the marketplace, and unstable political situations, to maintain its status as the most watched, and most popular professional sports league in the United States. With revenues each year in excess of $13 billion, and projected stimates of $25 billion in yearly revenue by 2027, the NFL is thriving financially. However, one could argue that the NFL is presented with issues today that it has never faced before, and may be forced …

Strategic Audit: Target Corporation, Andee Capell

Honors Theses

Target Corporation is a notable publicly traded discount retailer in the United States. In recent years they have gone through significant changes including a new CEO Brian Cornell and the closing of their Canadian stores. With change comes a new strategy, which includes growing stores in the United States. In order to be able to continue to grow Target should consider multiple strategic options. Using internal and external analysis, while examining Target’s profitability ratios recommendations were made to proceed with their growth both in profit and capacity. After recommendations are made implementation and contingency plans can be made.

Microsoft: A Strategic Audit, Jacob Paul Warner

Honors Theses

This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the University Honors Program Requirements. It discusses Microsoft Corporation and its placement within the tech industry using different analyses such as PEST, Porter’s, and SWOT. In addition to its placement, the thesis explores what strategies Microsoft could pursue next. The industry is highly competitive, so Microsoft needs to stay on its toes and continue to build upon its strengths to remain at its current competitive level. The cloud industry is rapidly growing, so it would be best if Microsoft used its global presence and existing infrastructure to build upon its existing cloud …

Intuit, Inc. Strategic Audit, Bethany Wiles

Honors Theses

Intuit has experienced steady, continual growth for an extended time, an unusual feat in software. While it undergoes its leadership transition and the threat of tax simplification, it must consider how it will maintain its legacy of success. Intuit's history and current situation are examined and various strategic alternatives are identified.

Strategic Audit: Starbucks, Madison Clements

Honors Theses

Starbucks Corporation is an international coffee brand that is expanding operations. There are many obstacles to this level of growth, and the company needs to take great care in the differentiating the way stores are built in the United States and internationally. In order to establish brand longevity, the company should examine several strategic options. A final strategy can be chosen based on the results of a situational analysis, financial analysis, and company goals. After a final strategic recommendation has been made, a contingency plan will be created to ensure long-term success.

Strategic Audit Of Allianz Life Insurance Of North America, Jacob Rosebaugh

Honors Theses

This report investigates the history and current situation of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, an annuity provider located in Minneapolis, MN. The company faces several challenges going forward, including determining how to best compete with large companies in the same market such as Amazon. This report looks at Allianz Life’s current standing using tools such as SWOT and PEST analyses and examines the company’s competitive analysis. Allianz Life is recommended to continue with their current strategy because while it doesn’t make them the best in the industry, Allianz Life adherence to its vision statement makes up for the …

A Strategic Audit Of Corecivic, Reid Gahan

Honors Theses

CoreCivic is a private prison company headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1983, CoreCivic exists to “better the public good.” The company believes it can do this through its three branches: CoreCivic Security, CoreCivic Community, and CoreCivic Properties.

CoreCivic Security is the main business segment. It is responsible for directly managing 77 correctional and detention facilities. CoreCivic Community is a small branch that attempts to ease the reentry process for inmates that are released. CoreCivic Properties is a vital part of CoreCivic, as this branch allows the company to operate as an REIT. Properties is responsible for providing real estate …

Strategic Audit Of Kohl's Corporation, Abigail Jarratt

Honors Theses

Since its founding in Brookfield, Wisconsin Kohl’s Corporation has managed to adapt and consistently satisfy customer needs. By focusing on customer experience Kohl’s has become a le leader within the department store industry capturing $19.1 billion in total sales. However, with recent shifts in the retail and department store industry, it is time to take a step back and analyze its strategy given the current state of the economy.

As such, this report will investigate the current state of Kohl’s Corporation and provide future recommendations. Companies within the department store industry must continue grow and adapt to customer needs and …

Cboe Global Markets: Strategic Audit, Lambros Karkazis

Honors Theses

This thesis fulfills the requirement for the strategic audit in MNGT 475H/RAIK 476. It provides in depth analysis of Cboe and its competitors, with particular attention given to comparing net income, market cap, and share price. Informed by this analysis, there is discussion of Cboe’s acquisition of BATS, which appears to have had the best impact on share price of any decision made by an exchange operator in the last 5 years. Finally, this thesis provides a strategy recommendation for Cboe moving forward.

Strategic Business Audit Of Nelnet, Matthew Kachek

Honors Theses

This thesis serves as a strategic audit for the company Nelnet. This covers Nelnet’s background, structure, and financial situation. Changes in Nelnet’s core student loan business has created uncertainty in their future. Multiple analyses, both internal and external, are performed and examined to determine Nelnet’s position as a company and within the marketplace. A strategic recommendation to continue growth in new technologies is presented in response to these analyses along with implementation details and alternatives.

Strategic Audit Of Spreetail, Aryn Huck

Honors Theses

This report investigates the history and current situation of Spreetail, a local ecommerce company in Lincoln, Nebraska. The company faces several challenges going forward, including determining how to best compete with large companies in the same market such as Amazon. This report looks at Spreetail’s current standing using tools such as SWOT and PEST analyses and examines the company’s competitive analysis. Spreetail is recommended to speed up its rebranding process to maintain the benefits of the more fitting name and rebranding efforts already underway.

What Makes Strategy Making Across The Sales-Marketing Interface More Successful?, Avinash Malshe, Ravipreet S. Sohi

Department of Marketing: Faculty Publications

Extant research on marketing strategy making (MSM) lacks process-based theoretical frameworks that elucidate how marketing strategies are made when sales and marketing functions are involved in the process. Using a grounded theory approach and data collected from (a) 58 depth interviews with sales and marketing professionals and (b) a focus group with 11 marketing professionals, we propose that MSM within the sales-marketing interface is a three-stage, multifaceted process that consists of Groundwork, Transfer and Follow-up stages. Our process-based model explicates the specific activities at each stage that are needed to develop and execute marketing strategies successfully, the sequence in which …

It Competency And Firm Performance: Is Organizational Learning A Missing Link?, Michael J. Tippins, Ravipreet S. Sohi

Department of Marketing: Faculty Publications

Many companies have developed strategies that include investing heavily in information technology (IT) in order to enhance their performance. Yet, this investment pays off for some companies but not others. This study proposes that organization teaming plays a significant role in determining the outcomes of IT. Drawing from resource theory and IT literature, the authors develop the concept of IT competency. Using structural equations modeling with data collected from managers in 271 manufacturing firms, they show that organizational learning plays a significant role in mediating the effects of IT competency on firm performance.