Business and Management Sample Ia
Business and management teacher support material SL written commentary—Sample 1
Business & Management (SL) IA: Sample 1
Commentary on:
“Can Ford’s ‘Way Forward’ strategy work to rescue the company?
Candidate Name: Candidate Number:
Word Count: 1,497
© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007
1
Business and management teacher support material SL written commentary—Sample 1
Contents Contents
Introduction Commentary 1 Commentary 2 Commentary 3 Conclusion Bibliography Appendix Article 1 Article 2 Article 3 Article 4 Survey
9-14 15-16 17 18-19 20-21
Page
3 4 5 6 7 8
2
2
© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007
Business and management teacher support material SL written commentary—Sample 1
Introduction
• Background information: I have decided to write my commentary on the problems facing Ford PLC. This is an area that interests me as I was surprised to see such an iconic company suffering such bad press lately. Ford has found itself in need of a rescue strategy. It is has seen profits tumble and losses mount, it has seen its market share in its home market the U.S. drop continuously from 1995 onwards. However over the past few years its core market of gas guzzling SUV’s have taken a huge hit from high oil prices as well as high steel prices. Consumers are becoming more environmentally aware and environmental effect has become a major factor for a consumer when purchasing a car, which has lead them to opt for the small and efficient as well as cheaper Japanese brands. In the past Ford have had little foresight and have dug themselves a grave which they are now trying to climb out of with their new proposed rescue strategy called “Way Forward”. This is the scheme that is supposed to save Ford and bring back profitability by 2009. It is a major cost cutting scheme, whereby they plan to save $5 billion a year from axing tens of thousands of jobs and closing several production plants, in order to scale down
Business & Management (SL) IA: Sample 1
Commentary on:
“Can Ford’s ‘Way Forward’ strategy work to rescue the company?
Candidate Name: Candidate Number:
Word Count: 1,497
© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007
1
Business and management teacher support material SL written commentary—Sample 1
Contents Contents
Introduction Commentary 1 Commentary 2 Commentary 3 Conclusion Bibliography Appendix Article 1 Article 2 Article 3 Article 4 Survey
9-14 15-16 17 18-19 20-21
Page
3 4 5 6 7 8
2
2
© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007
Business and management teacher support material SL written commentary—Sample 1
Introduction
• Background information: I have decided to write my commentary on the problems facing Ford PLC. This is an area that interests me as I was surprised to see such an iconic company suffering such bad press lately. Ford has found itself in need of a rescue strategy. It is has seen profits tumble and losses mount, it has seen its market share in its home market the U.S. drop continuously from 1995 onwards. However over the past few years its core market of gas guzzling SUV’s have taken a huge hit from high oil prices as well as high steel prices. Consumers are becoming more environmentally aware and environmental effect has become a major factor for a consumer when purchasing a car, which has lead them to opt for the small and efficient as well as cheaper Japanese brands. In the past Ford have had little foresight and have dug themselves a grave which they are now trying to climb out of with their new proposed rescue strategy called “Way Forward”. This is the scheme that is supposed to save Ford and bring back profitability by 2009. It is a major cost cutting scheme, whereby they plan to save $5 billion a year from axing tens of thousands of jobs and closing several production plants, in order to scale down
Bibliography: General Texts: 1. 2. Ian Chambers (Ed), Business Studies, (3nd edition), 1999, Causeway Press Ltd, ISBN: 1 902796 83 7 http://www.maaw.info/ManagerialGrid.htm Supporting Documents: 1