Minnesota Copper Mining Case Study
Assignment Overview
The Midwest Copper Mining Case Study assignment is an exercise in critical thinking and problem solving.
With a focus on solving a strategic business problem by analyzing relevant external and internal issues, generating two alternative solutions to solve the problem, evaluate the two alternatives with pros and cons, and make a recommendation and state why this is the best course of action and how this should be implemented.
Additional notes from Instructor
• Write a clear and concise problem statement.
• Business level strategy is either:
• Blue Ocean because they sell high quality copper at a low cost
• Focused Cost Leadership because there is a limited customer base from a certain geographical area
• Core competencies come from the value chain. Examples could be recruitment process, patented resources.
• Resources examples are talented engineers, high quality copper
• PESTEL Analysis is always about external forces
o Political should be about global factors
o Economic is about cost availability
o Socio is about how the town of Kopperstead plays a big factor
• Town of Kopperstead plays a large role in the paper.
• Copper is commodity and should factor into the paper
• Possible ideas for two alternative solutions:
o Look for an acquisition or partnership
o Look for companies’ integration cost
• PESTEL and Five Force Analysis should be addendums to the paper. The body of the paper should include things of note from the PESTEL and Five Force Analysis
