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 – Aug 2022 – L3 – Q4 – Competitive Advantage

Explains the five primary activities of Porter's value chain and their relevance to Bazar's business processes.

Within an entity, there is a primary value chain and there are support activities (also called secondary value chain). Porter identified five primary value chain activities which can be applied to a retailing company such as Bazar.

Required:
Using the concept of the value chain, explain using a diagram the FIVE (5) primary value chain as explained by Porter to the management of Bazar highlighting their relevance. (10 marks)

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SCS – Aug 2022 – L3 – Q3 – Conflicts of interest and ethical conflict resolution

Explains whistleblowing and what an employee should consider before whistleblowing in Bazar.

“Whistleblowing” means reporting suspicions of illegal or improper behaviour to a person in authority.

Required:
In relation to the comments above, explain to the Director of Human Resources and Organisational Culture, Mrs. Raju Asha, the consequences of comments recorded by an employee. Additionally, advise the employee on what he/she should consider before deciding on “blowing the whistle” and the potential difficulties that the staff might encounter.

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SCS – Aug 2022 – L3 – Q2 – Strategy Implementation

A report detailing the advantages of acquisition and mergers as a growth strategy versus internal development for Bazar.

In discussing the report presented by AB Consult & Associate, the Director of Finance and Operations made a strong point for acquisition and mergers as a growth strategy instead of internal development. She gave her full support to the decision to acquire the 20 stores.

Required:
Write a report detailing the advantages of an acquisition and mergers method of growth instead of an internal development. Conclude your report by explaining why the financial position and financial performance of Bazar will support or not support the decision to acquire the 20 stores.

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SCS – Aug 2022 – L3 – Q1b – Strategy implementation

Explanation of four organizational configurations identified by Mintzberg and their relevance in supporting change management at Bazar.

The organisational structure of Bazar is ‘family centric management’ while not interested
in changing the structure any time soon. It is important to recognise that the most suitable
organisation structure depends partly on circumstances and partly on management
preference. An organisation structure can therefore be changed.
Required: 

Mintzberg identified six different organizational configurations. Explain to Bazar management FOUR (4) of these organizational configurations suitable to support the change management process highlighting the differences.

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SCS – Aug 2022 – L3 – Q1a – Strategy, stakeholders, and mission

Explanation and illustration of Mintzberg’s five organizational building blocks and their relevance to Bazar's organizational structure.

The organisational structure of Bazar is ‘family centric management’ while not interested
in changing the structure any time soon. It is important to recognise that the most suitable
organisation structure depends partly on circumstances and partly on management
preference. An organisation structure can therefore be changed.
Required:
Using the Mintzberg’s five building blocks for organizational configurations, explain and illustrate with a diagram to the management of Bazar, why management needs to review its current organization structure in order to coordinate its business activities and work processes effectively.

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SCS – May 2021 – L3 – Q8 – Capital structure

Explain the objectives of transfer pricing in SBL and the potential conflict between entity goal congruence and divisional autonomy.

Divisional managers are concerned about SBL’s objective of transfer pricing. As a Business Advisor, explain to the divisional managers the transfer pricing objective of SBL, as it is often in conflict with “entity goal congruence” and “division autonomy.” (10 marks)

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SCS – May 2021 – L3 – Q7 – Controlling risk

Explain the process of risk management that should be adopted by SBL's board in line with ISO 31000.

Debora Dede Boateng is having sleepless nights due to the level of SBL’s risk in relation to ongoing investment. She had a discussion with Bismark, which centered on the “International Organization for Standardisation’s ISO 31000.”

Required:
Explain the process of risk management that you will recommend that should be adopted by SBL’s board in line with ISO 31000. (10 marks)

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SCS – May 2021 – L3 – Q6 – Professional practice and codes of ethics

Explain the key concepts of good governance that SBL should adhere to in order to improve corporate governance practices.

James Mensah and Edwin Mensah are concerned that SBL is not strictly adhering to concepts of good governance. They want to see SBL as a well-governed company.

Required:
As a Business Development Advisor, explain to the board what “concepts of good governance” is. (10 marks)

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SCS – May 2021 – L3 – Q5 – Strategy Implementation

Summarize Bismark’s consultancy work in the specified format to present to SBL’s board.

Bismark’s four months consultancy service contract was running out of time with so much yet to be done. He then contracted you as a Consultancy Business Support Advisor to summarize his work to enable him to meet with the Directors of SBL. He provided you with the following format to use to ensure that all issues reviewed are covered:
i. Title page
ii. Table of contents
iii. Introduction
iv. Executive Summary
v. Body of the report
• Business environment analysis
• Industry background
• Competitor analysis
• Market analysis
• Operations analysis
• Management summary
• Financial performance
vi. Conclusions and recommendations
(20 marks)

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SCS – May 2020 – L3 – Q8 – Identifying and assessing risk

Provide a recommendation on whether Customer Focused Ltd should accept Look and Like Ltd’s proposal, with supporting reasons.

Customer Focused Ltd has received a proposal from a potential supplier, Look and Like
Ltd, to provide fresh produce (Exhibit 2a) and is considering whether to accept. Kpakpo
Armah has written a note (Exhibit 2b) about Look and Like Ltd.
Required:
Using the information available, including information you feel relevant from your answer
to Section A:

Provide a recommendation, with reasons, as to whether the proposed contract should be accepted.

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