MNG4801 Assignment 2 Semester 1 2026 - Due 21 July

MNG4801 Assignment 2 Semester 1 2026 - Due 21 July 5 Question 2 – Corporate level strategies This question required you to identify and discuss the corporate level strategies evident in the case study. Specifically, you were required to identify 3 growth strategies and 2 types of defensive strategies and offer practical examples – in no more than 1½ pages. The case study offers several examples that you could have included in your answer. You should always offer some theoretical grounding before you move on to offering examples. The relevant sections in the prescribed book are on pages 313 to 330 (Louw & Venter, 2024). Corporate level strategies are also known as grand strategies and are aimed at either growing the business or defending the business (Louw & Venter 2024:313). They entail strategies that extend beyond single-industry businesses. The case study described the history of T and its existing business units. It offered information on the competitors as well as the leadership of T. Overall, the case study confirms that T is focused on growing its business and market share. The case study includes several growth strategies – and you were required to identify any three. T has extended its product line to draw in new segments – an example of market and/or product development (Louw & Venter, 2024: 316). For example, since its inception, T has extended their line to cover more than 21 departments ranging from electronics, lifestyle, media, gaming and fashion (Takealot, 2025). Another growth strategy is evidenced in its efforts to penetrate the market by concentrating on their existing customer loyalties (Louw & Venter, 314) – such as the TakealotMore strategy. The strategic partnership/strategic alliances with the local government serves as another example (Takealot, 2025). There is also evidence of forward vertical integration where a supplier or distributor is acquired (Louw & Venter, 2024: 319) such as the acquisition of Mr Delivery, Superbalist or the initial K merger. The acquisition of Mr Delivery provided T with its own logistics network through the Takealot Delivery Team Division (formerly Mr D Courier) and an app-based food delivery service through Mr D Food. Finally, T has been growing its business through acquisition when it purchased S to introduce the fashion and clothing ranges (and merging of Spree). 6 Question 3 – Organisational architecture Question 3 dealt with the components of T’s organisational architecture and you had to discuss three key components of their organisational architecture and how they enabled Takealot to deliver on its differentiation strategy. You were also required to locate, incorporate and reference an academic article in your response. The page limit for this question was 1½ pages. Again, it is necessary to start your response with some theoretical grounding. We awarded marks for discussing any three components of organisational architecture and evidence of understanding through citing examples from T.