Homework answers / question archive / Summative Assessment Task One: Case Study Analysis Planters Nuts (Dolan and Ngwe, 2016) 2500 word written piece (problem and solution format) Weight = 25% To be completed in a group of two to three members Due date and time: Monday 12 September (beginning of week nine) by 11

Summative Assessment Task One: Case Study Analysis Planters Nuts (Dolan and Ngwe, 2016) 2500 word written piece (problem and solution format) Weight = 25% To be completed in a group of two to three members Due date and time: Monday 12 September (beginning of week nine) by 11

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Summative Assessment Task One: Case Study Analysis Planters Nuts (Dolan and Ngwe, 2016) 2500 word written piece (problem and solution format) Weight = 25% To be completed in a group of two to three members Due date and time: Monday 12 September (beginning of week nine) by 11.59pm EST

 

Your brief

 

A case study typically is an accurate, historical record of a business situation that actually has been faced by business executives. The main aim of using the case study method is to allow you the opportunity to translate theory into practice in a business situation that is as close to real world experience as possible. The marketing situation(s) depicted in the case reflects the uncertainty of the real-world marketing environment, and the reality of any practical situation. You will have to master the art of sifting through all types of information, which is often incomplete, not presented in the correct order, and may even be irrelevant or misleading, to solve the problems posed.

 

You may find, and be frustrated by the fact, that in some situations there appears to be no single “right” solution to the problem. There are likely to be multiple approaches, each one with a different implication for the organisation, and each involving different trade-offs.

 

Since the case study problems may be approached at times from different perspectives, your main task will be to argue correctly the logic of, and evidence for, your solutions to the problems at hand. The importance of the case study exercise is to emphasise how you arrived at your solution, rather than just emphasise the solution itself.

 

Learning outcomes

 

The case study exercise is used in MPK732 to assess the following unit learning outcomes (ULOs):

 

ULO1, Evaluate the key concepts, models and theories upon which the practice of marketing is based: The case study analysis enables you to reflect on and critique the “key concepts, models and theories” addressed in MPK732.

 

ULO2, Apply the fundamental principles involved in managing marketing: The case study analysis requires you to apply the fundamental principles of marketing management to a real world marketing situation.

 

 

ULO3, Analyse marketing problems and be capable of applying relevant concepts, models and theories to generate appropriate solutions: The case study analysis enables you to solve problems using previously acquired knowledge. It also engages you in research and reflective discourse for the purpose of problem solving.

 

ULO4: Communicate an in-depth understanding of a range of issues, practices, models and phenomena in marketing: The case study analysis completed in groups exposes you to different viewpoints and commentaries on marketing. Students need to communicate with one another to successfully complete the analysis, and as a group they need to effectively communicate with the reader of their case study analysis.

 

Case study analysis is used in MPK732 to assess the following higher-order Deakin graduate learning outcomes (DGLOs):

 

DGLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities: The case study analysis enables you to reflect on and demonstrate your marketing management knowledge and capabilities.

 

DGLO2: Communication: The case study analysis assists in developing your communication skills. It allows students to learn from one another via effective communication. Students also need to communicate well with the reader of their case study analysis.

 

DGLO4: Critical thinking: Case studies require you to critique the theory addressed in the unit and to assess its usefulness as it applies in the real world. This makes your learning clearly relevant to “real” situations.

 

DGLO5: Problem solving: Case studies are a commonly used method of problem-based learning. Typically, using a case study aims to develop your reasoning, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

 

Getting started

 

Read the case study as soon as possible, which will be made available on Cloud by Friday 15 July via a link to the Harvard Business School case study, Planters Nuts! A prompt start will give you time to “tune” into the case study. In particular, there is an amazing amount of relevant background information publicly available that will have some bearing on the marketing situation described in your case. Keep a look out for it! Academic journals and books, newspapers, magazines and television are an especially good place to start your information search. Collect anything that you think may help to enrich your analysis. You can always discard any irrelevant material later.

 

Now focus on the specific case problems posed (see page three). These problems have been designed so that you can apply the theory from the unit to the practical case study to arrive at solutions. Critically evaluate and add to the existing information provided in your case study by:

 

• Continuing to read journal, newspaper and magazine articles on your topic.
• Looking for current event type television programs and published brochures, etc. that may be relevant to your topic.
• Observing the industry that the case is based on.

 

 

Case study problems

 

1. Apply the 5Cs framework to diagnose the problem as to why Planters Nuts’ performance has been struggling.   

 

2. Provide an analysis of consumer behaviour in the snack nut category.

 

3. Evaluate the marketing research undertaken by the Kraft Foods Group in respect to Planters Nuts.

 

4. Evaluate Planters Nuts’ current segmentation, targeting and positioning. Justify the brand positioning that you would recommend for Planters Nuts going forward.

 

Presenting your case study analysis

 

The case analysis should be presented in “problem and solution” format. The following elements need to be included in the written analysis that you submit:

 

Cover page: Your final work should include a cover page with the work’s title, your names and student numbers, name of your unit chair, name and code of the unit, and the date of submission (not included in the word count).

 

Main body: The main body should provide analysis of the FOUR case study problems posed. Use headings and sub-headings, and figures and tables, etc. to help explain your points and to keep your arguments concise.

 

References: A complete citation of all work/research of others referenced should be included in a list of references (not included in the word count). Harvard system of referencing should be used throughout the main body.

 

 

 

 

Further instructions

 

Due date and submission

 

Monday 12 September (beginning of week nine) by 11.59pm EST. Please submit only ONE copy per group.

 

Extensions

 

Extensions to the date for submission of your case study analysis will be considered only if a written request is submitted and negotiated with the Unit Chair. Extensions are only granted for unexpected and extenuating circumstances.

 

Work commitments are not considered sufficient reason for late submission of work.

 

Assignments submitted late without an extension being granted will not be marked. These will be held until final grading and may be taken into consideration in a pass/fail situation. Please note that for an assignment to be considered in this manner it must be submitted no more than seven [7] days after the stated due date for submission. Further, if you find yourself in this situation the Faculty of Business and Law policy in these cases is that students need to achieve at least 45% overall for any concessions for your late assessment to be taken into consideration.

 

Group sign-up

 

Please sign-up to a group via CloudDeakin. Please click on the “More” tab and then select “Groups”. If you are an MBA student, please select “Cluster A, MBA only” to sign-up to a group. For Cluster A, MBA only, the following course codes are considered to be part of the MBA cohort, so if you are enrolled in one of these course codes, please sign-up to Cluster A: M701, M601, M501, D713, M708, M741, M701V, D701, D704, D720. The main ones in this unit are: M701, MBA; M501, Grad Cert Business Admin.

 

For students in ALL other courses, e.g., MBA(I), MCom, etc. please select “Cluster B, ALL OTHER COURSES” to sign-up to a group.

 

The rationale for the separate sign-up to groups for MBA students is that they have considerable managerial work experience and, therefore, their learning experience is different. Hence, the MBA course team has determined that the MBA student cohort should work together in student groups. Students in ALL OTHER COURSES can work in groups across courses."

 

All assignment feedback will be provided via the rubric for the case study exercise (see the assignment resources folder) and returned to you via CloudDeakin. Please see the relevant rubric in the assessment folder for assignment one.

 

Word limit

 

Please note that 2500 words is the maximum word limit for ALL assignments – quantity does not equal quality. The word limit includes all material that you wish the assessor to read. This includes tables and figures. The cover page and reference list are not counted in the word limit.

 

Notes on written submissions

 

1. All submissions should be 1.5 spaced. Allow a minimum of 25mm (1”) on left, right, top and bottom margins. All pages should be numbered.

 

2. Do not use first person, e.g., “I” and “we” and avoid colloquialisms and clichés.

 

3. All tables and figures need to be numbered and labelled and referred to as such in the text before they appear.

 

4. You should adopt the Harvard system of referencing, i.e., in text referencing (e.g., Bednall and Robertson, 2016). All quotations and references should be properly sourced. Inadequate details of publications and other sources will reduce the assessed grade.

 

5. The assignment will be assessed as a complete piece, i.e., all members of a group are responsible for its overall quality. Whether you work in a group of two or three members, ALL members are responsible for the quality of the entire document.

 

6. Rewrite until it is clear and interesting. The first draft never works. Proofread to eliminate obvious errors. Even better, ask someone else to proofread. Correctness and accuracy in spelling, syntax, grammar and punctuation are expected at post-graduate level. Readers will think that small errors are due to a lack of care and generalise about your analysis.

 

7. Treat your submission the same way you would treat a professional work submission. Get it in on time, at a level of quality that you would be happy to hand to your boss.