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MGT 300: Management Theory & Practice - Introduction
Company Analysis Report

This assignment guide was created to assist students in locating sources to complete their company analysis report.

The guide focuses on suggested strategies and best places to begin research efforts. For information & assistance in using any of the sources, please contact library staff:

• In person, at the MCOB Library Service Desk
• By phone @ 251-414-8067
• By email @ dlharrington@usouthal.edu

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Introduction/Current State of the Organization

Environmental Scanning

APA Citation

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Students are asked to research and analyze a company, determine the current state of the organization, and provide the results of their analysis in a written report.

You will use the model on page 50 (Exhibit 2.1) and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), included on page 175 (Exhibit 5.10), as the basis for your analysis.

After performing the SWOT analysis you should be able to identify the top three issues facing the company you have chosen (these may be problems and/or opportunities). For each issue, you will identify the related impact(s) and cause(s), and develop recommendation(s) to correct the cause(s), which will correct the issue. The results of your analysis should provide sufficient support for each issue and the related impact(s), cause(s), and recommendation(s).

Your completed assignment will consist of a cover page, an introduction, the report, a reference page, and an appendix section that includes your SWOT analysis.

-->Library Assignment Guide
-->Company List (Fall Semester 2009)

Use the sources listed below to determine the current state of the organization. They are reports that provide a 'snapshot in time' of the company's performance. The results of your SWOT analysis should include a minimum of 4-5 areas for each component (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) of the analysis. The SWOT analysis will need to be updated after scanning the environment for recent information.

Note: Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. and Steak n Shake Co. does not have a previous SWOT available in the Business Source Premier database. You will need to use the sources listed here to develop an original SWOT.

All the sources listed below may provide possible issues that you can investigate further to determine if they are still relevant or if they are a new issue that can be used to update the SWOT analysis.

I. Locate your organization's current SWOT Analysis from the Business Source Premier (EBSCO) database.

-->Guide to searching Business Source Premier

Business Source Premier: SWOT: Video Tutorial

• Review the company list to determine the legal name for your organization.
• Click on 'Company Profiles' at the top of the screen.
  
• Type in your company name or browse reports.
• Click on the name of your company on the results list.
• For a correct APA citation to the profile, click on the 'Cite' graphic.
• Cut and paste the APA citation into your Word document on your References page.
• Next, close out of the citation and click on the PDF link to access your company's profile.
• The report provides a number of content areas that may be printed separately such as 'SWOT Analysis' and 'Company View' (President's Letter excerpted from the company's annual report to stockholders).
• Review the company's SWOT Analysis as a starting point for your research. Since the report is out of date, each of the four areas (S,W,O,T) will need to be reviewed and updated. You are required to have 4-5 entries in each area so you will need to scan the environment (conduct article searches on your company and the specific issue) to determine if the issues listed are still relevant or are there new issues. You will then use critical analysis/thinking to determine the 3 issues with the most impact on the company.

II. Locate the organization's ticker symbol, primary industry code, and latest 10-K in the Mergent Online  database or from your organization's website under 'Investor Relations' or 'About This Company'.

The ticker symbol for your organization may be needed to search databases or websites that provide company/internal environment information.

The primary industry code for your organization may be needed to search databases or websites that provide industry/general & task environment information.

The 10-K report is filed annually with the SEC (Securities & Exchange Commission) and provides a comprehensive overview of the company's business. Section 1A. Risk Factors, within the report, is especially useful as it provides risks facing the company as provided to investors and the government.

The risks listed in the 10-K report may be issues that need to be researched and analyzed futher to see if they should be included as an update to your organization's SWOT Analysis.

Item 1: Business -- will provide information that may be used to update the S&W portions of your SWOT Analysis.

Item 1A. Risk Factors -- will provide information that may be used to update the O&T portions of your SWOT Analysis.

-->Guide to searching Mergent Online

Mergent Online

• Conduct a 'Basic Search' for the company name or ticker symbol.
  
• Select your company from the results list and click on the company name.
  
• The page defaults to company details. Scroll down the page and look to the left of the screen to locate the company's ticker symbol and primary NAICS code.
• Next, scroll back to the top of the page and locate/click on the 'Edgar' tab.
• SEC Document Types are listed as filed by the company in the last 90 days. Scan the list for a 10-K filing. If you don't find a listing, click on 'Click here for Edgar Search' at the top of the screen.
• Fill in the search form with your company's name; click on last 12 months; and select 10K as the filing type.
• View the Word version of the 10-K Document. Click once and wait on the grey dialog box so you can 'Open' the file.
• Once the file is open/displayed, use CTRL-F to find section 1A. Risk Factors.
• Do not print the whole document. Either save the document or print out just the pages needed. On the print screen, click pages and enter the page range of section 1A.

Note: Alternate sites to obtain a 10-K for your company include:

1. Edgar Search System from the Security and Exchange Commission



2. A company's web site under Investor Relations--look for a link to SEC Filings.

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Note: Industry Codes

Industry codes allow researchers & government agencies to classify businesses by the type of product or service they offer.   2 well-known codes are the Standard Industrial Classification Codes (SIC Codes) and the North American Industry Classification Codes (NAICS Code).  NAICS has replaced the SIC System and was implemented with the 2002 Economic Census.  Once you locate your company's SIC/NAICS codes, many article databases and industry reference sources can be searched by that code.

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III. The Opportunities & Threats section of your SWOT Analysis may be updated through environmental scanning of the industry/general & task environment. Try to locate an S&P Industry Survey for your organization which will provide the industry's current environment and industry trends.

-->Guide to searching S&P NetAdvantage

Issues identified in the S&P Industry Survey may be issues that need to be analyzed to see if they should be included as an update to your organization's SWOT Analysis (O,T).

Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys via S&P NetAdvantage

• At the top right of the screen, see the Publication Search box .
• Select 'Industry Survey' from the Select Publication drop-down menu.
• Select ticker or company name from the Search By drop-down menu.
• Enter your company's name or ticker symbol in the text box and click on the gold arrow.
• When the Industry Survey section appears on the screen, click on the topics 'Current Environment' and 'Industry Trends' to find information and facts regarding possible issues (O,T) that may be used to update your SWOT Analysis.
• Right click on the page and click 'Print'.      

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Last Updated: 9/7/09 DLH