MNG3701
Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025
DUE 14 April 2025
, ACTIVITIES
Questions Marks 1 Strategic leaders can analyse a particular competitor in the industry in detail by
applying the four-corner analysis to predict what a particular competitor will do in the future. Identify
one major competitor of Standard Bank of South Africa and apply the four-corner analysis to analyse
the competitor. a) Briefly explain the ‘four-corner analysis.’ (1 mark) b) Identify one major competitor
of Standard Bank South Africa. (1 mark) c) Apply the four-corner analysis to analyse the identified
competitor of Standard Bank South Africa. (8 marks) 10 2 The report states that South Africa’s credit
recovery remained strained with high inflation, tighter credit conditions, a weaker rand, interest rate
increases, and an increase in unemployment. As an expert in strategic planning, advise Standard Bank
of South Africa on the reasons why the cost leadership strategy would be an appropriate Business-
level strategy to follow. Hint: a) Discuss what cost leadership entails. (2 marks) b) Briefly discuss one
practical way in which Standard Bank of South Africa can apply the cost leadership strategy. (2 marks)
c) Use the three evaluation criteria to evaluate the appropriateness of the cost leadership strategy in
relation to Standard Bank of South Africa. (6 marks) 10 3 Standard Bank of South Africa report
mentions the following: “We compete head-on with the other South African players who have a
similarly broad offering as well as with new entrants with more niche offerings”. a) Identify two of
Porter’s Five Forces referred to in the above statement. Use the identified forces to analyse the
Banking industry in South Africa. (6 marks) b) Perform a SWOT analysis for Standard Bank of South
Africa. (4 marks) 10 MNG3701/101/3/2025 4 Use a suitable model to analyse the macro-environment
of the banking industry where Standard Bank of South Africa is operating. Hint: your analysis should
include five (5) factors. Explain each factor and discuss the impact of each on a company such as
Standard Bank of South Africa.
Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025
DUE 14 April 2025
, ACTIVITIES
Questions Marks 1 Strategic leaders can analyse a particular competitor in the industry in detail by
applying the four-corner analysis to predict what a particular competitor will do in the future. Identify
one major competitor of Standard Bank of South Africa and apply the four-corner analysis to analyse
the competitor. a) Briefly explain the ‘four-corner analysis.’ (1 mark) b) Identify one major competitor
of Standard Bank South Africa. (1 mark) c) Apply the four-corner analysis to analyse the identified
competitor of Standard Bank South Africa. (8 marks) 10 2 The report states that South Africa’s credit
recovery remained strained with high inflation, tighter credit conditions, a weaker rand, interest rate
increases, and an increase in unemployment. As an expert in strategic planning, advise Standard Bank
of South Africa on the reasons why the cost leadership strategy would be an appropriate Business-
level strategy to follow. Hint: a) Discuss what cost leadership entails. (2 marks) b) Briefly discuss one
practical way in which Standard Bank of South Africa can apply the cost leadership strategy. (2 marks)
c) Use the three evaluation criteria to evaluate the appropriateness of the cost leadership strategy in
relation to Standard Bank of South Africa. (6 marks) 10 3 Standard Bank of South Africa report
mentions the following: “We compete head-on with the other South African players who have a
similarly broad offering as well as with new entrants with more niche offerings”. a) Identify two of
Porter’s Five Forces referred to in the above statement. Use the identified forces to analyse the
Banking industry in South Africa. (6 marks) b) Perform a SWOT analysis for Standard Bank of South
Africa. (4 marks) 10 MNG3701/101/3/2025 4 Use a suitable model to analyse the macro-environment
of the banking industry where Standard Bank of South Africa is operating. Hint: your analysis should
include five (5) factors. Explain each factor and discuss the impact of each on a company such as
Standard Bank of South Africa.
