Subject: STRATEGIC CASE STUDY

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SCS – Mar2025 – L3 – Q4 – Financial Management

AML evaluates money market and forward contract hedges to mitigate USD/GHS exchange rate risk on USD 10M gold export revenue, with calculations and internal hedging strategies.

Akosa Minerals Limited (AML) exports a significant portion of its gold production, making its revenue highly sensitive to global gold prices and exchange rate fluctuations. Recently, gold prices have surged to a six-month high of USD 2,904.4 per troy ounce, creating an opportunity for AML to maximize export earnings. However, the company also faces foreign exchange risk, as the Ghanaian cedi (GHS) may depreciate before AML receives its USD payments.
To mitigate this risk, AML’s finance team is considering two hedging strategies: money market hedge and forward contracts. The company must determine which approach provides the best protection against exchange rate fluctuations while optimising its financial position.
AML expects to receive USD 10 million from gold exports in three months. The company is concerned that the USD/GHS exchange rate may depreciate and is evaluating both a money market hedge and a forward contract. The following information is available:

  • Current spot exchange rate: 1 USD = 12.50 GHS
  • Three-month forward rate: 1 USD = 12.20 GHS
    Three-month interest rates:
  • USD borrowing rate: 4% per annum
  • USD deposit rate: 3% per annum
  • GHS borrowing rate: 23% per annum
  • GHS deposit rate: 18% per annum

Required:
a) Explain the concept of both the money market hedge and forward contract hedge, and how AML can use each to mitigate its exchange rate risk.
(6 marks)
b) Calculate the amount AML needs to borrow or invest today in both USD and GHS under the money market hedge to fully hedge the future receipt of USD 10 million.
(4 marks)
c) Calculate the GHS amount AML would receive if it chooses the forward contract hedge instead.
(2 marks)
d) Compare the GHS amounts received under the money market hedge and forward contract hedge. Recommend the better option for AML based on the calculations.
(2 marks)
e) Discuss THREE internal hedging techniques AML can employ to mitigate the depreciation of the Ghana Cedi against the US Dollar.
(6 marks)

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SCS – Mar 2025 – L3 – Q3 – Competitive advantage, International financial

Analyze AML's employee management using IR Framework and evaluate the appropriateness of its diversification strategy into lithium mining.

a) Akosa Minerals Limited (AML) operates in both local and international mining markets, with operations spread across different regions, including Ghana, Mali and Burkina Faso. AML faces pressures for local adaptiveness, such as meeting the specific needs of employees in diverse communities, and global integration, which requires maintaining consistent HR policies and performance standards across all operations. The IntegrationResponsiveness (IR) Framework helps organisations determine how to balance these competing pressures to achieve strategic objectives.

Required:

i) Explain the Integration-Responsiveness (IR) Framework, and show how AML can manage its employees across various locations by balancing the pressures for local adaptiveness and global integration. (6 marks)

ii) Suggest TWO situations where AML should emphasise local adaptiveness and TWO where it should prioritise global integration. Provide examples to support your response. (4 marks)

b) AML diversified its operations by integrating lithium extraction into its core business. Diversification is appropriate in some situations but not in others.

Required: Explain FIVE reasons why the diversification strategy of AML is appropriate and THREE factors that could make the diversification strategy inappropriate. (10 marks)

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SCS – Mar 2025 – L3 – Q2 – Change Management

Explain leadership's role in change management and three of Kanter's skills for AML's diversification strategy.

a) Akosa Minerals Limited (AML) has undergone significant transformations in its operations, particularly with the integration of lithium extraction into its core business. This shift has presented both opportunities and challenges, including regulatory compliance, technological advancements and stakeholder management. Successfully navigating these changes requires effective leadership and change management.

Rosabeth Moss Kanter suggests that managers in change-adept organisations must possess key skills to drive transformation effectively. As AML continues its diversification efforts, the company’s leadership must demonstrate these skills to sustain growth and maintain a competitive edge.

Required:

Identify and explain the critical role of leadership in managing change and THREE out of five key change management skills suggested by Kanter that AML’s leadership should exhibit to effectively manage its diversification and growth strategies.

b) Akosa Minerals Limited (AML) recently engaged a risk consultant from Isodek Consultants to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment and provide recommendations on managing the transformational changes the company is undergoing. The consultant’s report highlights key risks and challenges related to AML’s diversification strategy, operational restructuring, stakeholder engagement and compliance with global sustainability standards.

To navigate these challenges effectively, AML’s leadership needs to apply the Gemini Consultants’ 4Rs model which provides a structured framework for managing large-scale organisational change.

Required:

Using the Gemini Consultants’ 4Rs model, discuss how each component can be applied to address the operational and environmental risks identified in the consultant’s report.

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SCS – Mar 2025 – L3 – Q1 – Employee Satisfaction

Identify two key concerns from AML's employee satisfaction survey and their impact on competitive advantage.

a) Akosa Minerals Limited (AML) recently conducted an employee satisfaction survey to address ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining skilled labour. The survey evaluated staff experiences across five critical areas: conditions of service, career development, performance support, work environment and work satisfaction. The survey revealed key issues related to job security, career progression and employee welfare. AML’s leadership is now focused on implementing strategic measures to enhance employee satisfaction and engagement to reduce turnover risks and improve productivity. Required: Identify and explain TWO key areas of concern from the employee satisfaction survey. How might these concerns impact AML’s ability to maintain a sustainable competitive advantage?

b) AML has expanded its operations beyond Ghana, securing mining concessions in Mali and Burkina Faso. The company’s international growth has been driven by rising global demand for gold and lithium, particularly for use in battery production and renewable energy technologies. However, AML must navigate various external factors such as economic fluctuations, trade policies, global commodity pricing, and regulatory frameworks in different countries. To maintain its competitive advantage, AML’s leadership must evaluate external business conditions using tools such as Porter’s Diamond Model, which assesses factors influencing national competitiveness, and broader international economic analysis to identify key opportunities and threats. Required: Using Porter’s Diamond Model, analyse THREE factors that contribute to Ghana’s competitiveness in the global mining industry. How can AML leverage these factors for long-term success?

c) AML has evolved through various strategic phases over the last decades, including modernization, diversification and international expansion. The company is evolving and strengthening its governance, financial structure and operational processes. As AML continues to grow in a competitive mining industry, selecting an appropriate strategic approach is crucial for sustaining long-term success. The board of AML must consider different organisational strategy approaches to align with its corporate objectives, resource capabilities and industry trends. These approaches include the systems-based approach, resource-based approach, core competencies approach, rational strategy and adaptive/emergent strategy. Required: Using AML’s strategic journey as a reference, explain each of the FIVE strategic approaches and how they are relevant to AML’s organisational strategy.

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SCS – Nov 2024 – L3 – Q1a – Charles Handy’s Cultural Types

Discuss the application of Charles Handy's cultural types to BOGML's growth phases and analyze their impact.

Charles Handy identified four distinct categories of corporate culture (cultural stereotypes) that can exist within an organization. Since its formation, BOGML has exhibited all four categories of corporate culture during different phases of its growth.

Required:
Identify and explain the specific and appropriate category of corporate culture applicable, and discuss its impact on the company for each of the following phases of growth when Dr. Ayimadu Baffour:

i) Created the functional departments.
ii) Stated that BOGML is built around him and without him the company will not exist.
iii) Insisted on retaining all authority for decision-making.
iv) Emphasized getting work done through teamwork.

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AAA – Nov 2011 – L3 – SB – Q1 – Application of Audit and Assurance Principles

Evaluate the steps for identifying and responding to fraud risk during audit planning.

Fela Idaewor is the auditor for Matty Co. Ltd, a rapidly expanding retail business based in Lekki. This is her first year as the audit manager. During her engagement planning, she observed multiple risk factors, such as the company’s strong interest in maintaining earnings and share prices, unrealistic financial forecasts, and high reliance on debt financing for expansion. Additionally, there were strong indications that fraud might have been committed by top management.

Required
(a) What should Idaewor do about the possibility of fraud at the planning stage? (7 Marks)
(b) What documentation is required for identifying risk factors? (5 Marks)
(c) If Idaewor has evidence suggesting fraud, what are her communication responsibilities to management? (3 Marks)

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SCS – Nov 2019 – L3 – Q2d – Ethics and social responsibility

Discuss the ethical operations of Ghanalux and recommend internal controls to enhance customer safety and service.

i) Discuss whether the company is operating in an ethical manner.
(5 marks)

ii) Recommend internal controls that might be implemented by the company to improve customer safety and security, and to deal with the problems of poor service to customers.
(7 marks)

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SCS – Nov 2019 – L3 – Q2c – Controlling risk

Recommend governance and organizational changes for Ghanalux to improve its performance.

i) In response to the views of the company directors, and giving your reasons, recommend any changes to the governance and organization of Ghanalux that would benefit the performance of the company.
(8 marks)

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SCS – Nov 2019 – L3 – Q2b – Capital structure

Discuss the potential benefits and problems of converting short-term borrowing into long-term loans.

i) Discuss the potential benefits and problems with proposals to convert the company’s short-term borrowings into a longer-term loan.

ii) Pay bigger cash salaries, or add a share option element to the remuneration packages.

iii) Maintain the dividend for 2019 at the 2018 level, or even reduce it further.

iv) Convert any surplus dollar cash into cedis.

(10 marks)

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SCS – Nov 2020 – L3 – Q4a – Strategy implementation

Explain how effective collaboration can help the shareholders achieve the goals and objectives of GGOH.

The shareholders of GGOH decided that they will at all times maintain four individuals as members of the Board, and the Chairmanship will alternate between the two shareholders every two years. This could be a potential for conflicts between the shareholders.

Required:
How can effective collaboration help them achieve the goals and objectives of GGOH? (10 marks)

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SCS – MAR 2024 – L3 – Q1b – Environment analysis

Identify key issues facing the Building and Construction industry in Ghana and West Africa using PESTLE.

Prestige Designers Ltd, like other house builders, is facing difficult times. There has been a sharp decline in the number of homes over the past 6-8 years, and independent reports suggest that the numbers will fall even further in 2023.

Required: Using the PESTLE analysis, identify the key issues facing the Building and Construction industry in Ghana as well as that of the West African country. (10 marks)

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SCS – MAR 2024 – L3 – Q1a – Strategy, stakeholders, and mission

Analyze the three levels of strategy being pursued by Prestige Designers Ltd.

Johnson, Scholes, and Whittington identified three levels of strategy, namely corporate strategy, business strategy, and functional strategy. These strategies should be consistent with each other.

Required: In the light of the statements above, analyze the three levels of strategy being pursued by Prestige Designers Ltd. (10 marks)

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SCS – Nov 2020 – L3 – Q3 – Competitive advantage

Apply Ansoff's Product/Market Growth Matrix to assess GGOH’s potential market development opportunities.

With the increasing competition in the hospitality industry, GGOH must adopt market development strategies to stay in or ahead of the competition. Apply Ansoff’s Product/Market Growth matrix to assess the extent of the potential market development opportunities available to GGOH. (10 marks)

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SCS – Nov 2020 – L3 – Q2 – Environment analysis

Discuss how GGOH might fail to honor its financial obligations using a PESTEL analysis.

The external environment within which GGOH operates has an influence on its financial position and financial performance both now and in the future. Using PESTEL analysis, discuss the view that GGOH might fail to honor its financial obligations. (10 marks)

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SCS – Nov 2020 – L3 – Q1 – Strategy, stakeholders and mission

Explain how the mission statement of GGOH can be made relevant to the future success of the organization.

A mission statement can have several different purposes. In reference to the mission statement of GGOH, explain how management can make it relevant to the future success of the organization. (10 marks)

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SCS – Aug 2022 – L3 – Q8 – Controlling Risk

Explain the ISO 31000 risk management framework and the OECD principles relevant to Bazar's governance concerns.

The Director of Finance and Operations, Mrs. Emma Owusu-Kwakye, is concerned about the lack of a “standardised risk management system” and “good corporate governance” at Bazar. Following Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training organised recently by the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), on this subject and attended by you as a member of the Finance Team, duly paid for from Bazar’s training budget:

Required:
You have been asked by management to brief your finance team members on the following:

i) The International Standardisation for Organisation (ISO 31000) framework for risk management using the three (3) main elements. (5 marks)
ii) TWO (2) out of the Six OECD principles of Corporate Governance. (5 marks)

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SCS – Aug 2022 – L3 – Q7 – Ethics and Social Responsibility

Explanation of remuneration policies in Ghana’s Code of Best Practices and their implications for corporate governance at Bazar.

Remuneration packages should attract individuals to a company and persuade them to work for the company. Ghana’s Code of Best Practices makes three statements about remuneration policy. The Code adds that the remuneration level for individual directors should reflect their experiences and the level of responsibilities they undertake.

Required:
i) Explain the three statements about remuneration as stated in the Ghana’s Code of Best Practices policy to support Bazar management engagement with the General Welfare Committee (GWC). (6 marks)

ii) Explain to the management of Bazar why executive remuneration is a governance issue. (4 marks)

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SCS – Aug 2022 – L3 – Q6 – Strategy Implementation

Application of Lewin's change model to propose a transformation plan for Bazar's management style from authoritarian to a more open style.

The management style of Bazar is in transition from a somehow authoritarian style described by some managers as almost autocratic and militaristic to a more ‘open’ style that encourages managers and supervisors to seek ideas from staff and to operate in an informal manner.

Required:
Using Lewin’s Model for Managing Change, (unfreeze, change, re-freeze) suggest an approach to introducing planned transformational change in the management style of Bazar.

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SCS – Aug 2022 – L3 – Q5 – Financial Management

Prepare Little Bee’s financial forecast and calculate its gearing ratios, explaining their significance to Bazar.

Using the additional information presented by AB Consult & Associate to the Director of Finance and Operations, Mrs. Emma Owusu-Kwakye, on 4 August, prepare the following:

i) Little Bee new forecasted Statement of financial performance after the changes that will be discussed at the board meeting on the 5 August 2022. (4 marks)
ii) Calculate the operating gearing, measured as the ratio of the percentage increase in profit before interest and tax divided by the percentage increase in sales. (2 marks)
iii) Calculate the financial gearing, measured as the ratio of the percentage change in total earnings (or EPS) to the percentage increase in profit before interest and tax. (2 marks)
iv) Calculate the Combined gearing, measured as the ratio of the percentage change in total earnings (or EPS) to the percentage increase in sales. (2 marks)
v) Explain the significance of operating gearing and financial gearing to the management of Bazar. (10 marks)

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