In this Assignment, we will be looking inside the company in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses. It is important to consider how these factors will either help the company overcome the threats (or make them more vulnerable), or put them in a position where they can take advantage of opportunities (or will have to let them pass by because they do not have the internal resources to act).
To complete this Assignment, please read the information in the background material, look for more information, and then write a 4 pages report the executives of Toyota Corporation by answering the following questions:
i) What are Toyota’s strengths for moving forward in the competitive automotive manufacturing and sales environment?
ii) What are their weaknesses?
iii) What actions are they taking to capitalize on strengths and address weaknesses? Finish by discussing whether you believe they are proceeding in a fashion that is likely to be successful.
NOTE: Please note that your report/assignment will not be accepted without proper citations and references. You must use the sources from the background material together with the sources you find your own.
Case Instructions:
Step 1: Return to Toyota’s web page and annual report and do your best to identify organizational strengths and weaknesses. You may also review the following articles and do some research of your own.
Toyota. (2012) Annual Report 2011. Retrieved August, 2012 from http://www.toyota-global.com/investors/ir_library/annual/pdf/2011/
Toyota. (2012). Vision and Philosophy. Retrieved August, 2012, from http://www.toyota-global.com/company/vision_philosophy/
Anonymous (2010). TrueCar forecasts April auto sales and incentives spending; Industry sales up 23%; Toyota incentives reach record highs. PR Newswire. Retrieved August, 2011, from library portal via coursenet.
Investopedia.com (2011). The industry handbook: Automobiles. Investopedia. Retrieved August, 2011, from http://www.investopedia.com/features/industryhandbook/automobile.asp
Hitokoto, T. (2010, May 13). Big carmakers back on the road. Yomiuri Shimbun (Japan). Retrieved August, 2011, from library portal via coursenet.
Step 2: Drawing on the background and case materials, and any additional source if you choose, answer the questions specified above?
Assignment expectations:
• An introduction stating the thesis of your paper consolidating the topics presented in the questions you are to answer.
• A main section providing well reasoned arguments in support of your thesis statement with clear and focused responses that address the questions asked in this assignment.
• A conclusion reprising your main findings from the analysis.
Document all information taken from outside sources within-text citations and a reference list (or footnotes).
The following criteria will also be used to assess your paper:
Precision: Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?
Breadth: Is the full breadth of the subject, i.e., all the keys to the assignment, addressed?
Depth: Does the paper/report address all elements of the topic in sufficient depth? Does it include and apply the background readings and other background resources? Are they included as references?
Critical thinking: Are the concepts of this module applied accurately, logically, and relevantly?
Organization: Is the paper organized in a coherent and systematic manner?
Clarity: Is the writing clear and the concepts articulated properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of response to the questions, or are thoughts conveyed through excessive use of quotations?
