Assignment Description

For my final assignment, I$\text{'}$d like you to conduct an in$-$depth strategic analysis of Airbnb $($being most interesting and exciting business with the highest growth potential$).$

I need to submit a paper that presents a succinct analysis of the causal reasons of success of Airbnb, as well as the resulting recommendations that I am making to the company.

The paper should clearly show my contribution as a manager$/$consultant to understand the key reasons of success and identify potential pathways of improvement.

Assignment Structure

The assignment will contain two main parts:

$$ Part $1-$ Analysis of the company $(50\%).$ Explain WHY this business is so fantastic $($needless to say, that you should phrase this in the language, concepts and logics of this class$*).$

$*$Note: The course is $$Foundations of Strategy$$ a part of IE university Business program $($Course Description: In this course, we will examine strategy not as a tool or model, but as a way of approaching and understanding complex business situations. We will cover$$the three foundational pillars of strategic thinking,$$analyze the logic of strategy and start to develop the basic methods of strategic analysis, examine the concepts of internal resources and capabilities and their role in the firm's competitive advantage, discuss the concepts network externalities and platform markets and, finally, understand$$the main frameworks that underlie corporate and international strategy.$)$

$$ Part $2-$ Recommendations for the company $(50\%).$ Explain WHAT this business could do even BETTER going forward.

Assignment Format

Your paper should be written in a concise style, limited to max. $6$ pages plus a reasonable appendix if needed $(12$ pt$.$ Times Roman font, $1\mathrm{.}5$ spaced, $2\mathrm{.}5$ cm margins all around; please do not use your formatting skills to squeeze more words on these pages $$ the point of the restriction is that you focus on what is essential, i$.$e$.$ analysis, interpretation and recommendation!$)$

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Important Note: please consider adhering to below rubric in answering :

Assignment A$3\mathrm{.}1$ Rubric

Assignment A$3\mathrm{.}1$ Rubric

Criteria Ratings Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome, Understanding and application of strategy logics of criterion

$18$ pts

Full Marks

The student demonstrates an excellent overall understanding of the logics of strategy as discussed in the course and goes beyond the scope of what has been discussed to apply strategic logics to the analysis.

$14$ pts

Good

The student provides a good overall understanding of the logics of strategy as discussed in the course and applies what has been learned to the analysis.

$10$ pts

Passing

The student provides an adequate understanding of the logics of strategy as discussed in the course.

$6$ pts

Poor

The student does not provide an adequate understanding of the logics of strategy as discussed in the course.

$18$ pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIndustry analysis

$18$ pts

Excellent

The student demonstrates an excellent industry analysis and an highly$-$accurate and well$-$defined identification of the selected company$$s competitive advantage in the arguments provided.

$14$ pts

Good

The student demonstrates a good industry analysis and an accurate and correct identification of the selected company$$s competitive advantage in the arguments provided.

$10$ pts

Passing

The student demonstrates an adequate industry analysis and a basic identification of the selected company$$s competitive advantage in the arguments provided.

$6$ pts

Poor

The student does not provide an adequate an adequate industry analysis or identification of the selected company$$s competitive advantage in the arguments provided.

$18$ pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeUnderstanding of network externalities

$18$ pts

Full Marks

The student demonstrates an excellent understanding of the concept of network externalities and applies this concept to create a highly$-$nuanced analysis of the company$$s strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities.

$14$ pts

Good

The student provides a good understanding of the concept of network externalities and applies this concept to create a strong analysis of the company$$s strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities.

$10$ pts

Passing

The student provides an adequate understanding of the concept of network externalities and applies this concept to create a basic analysis of the company$$s strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities.

$6$ pts

Poor

The student does not provide an adequate understanding of the concept of network externalities nor any application of this concept in the analysis provided.

$18$ pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIdentification of key capabilities and drivers of value

$18$ pts

Full Marks

The student demonstrates an excellent understanding of the drivers of value and key capabilities of the company.

$14$ pts

Good

The student demonstrates a good understanding of the drivers of value and key capabilities of the company.