External Analysis of the Motorcycle Industry

Like other companies, Harley Davidson (HD) operates in a complex global industry. In order to develop and execute a successful strategy, the HD Motorcycle Corporation must take into account the global automotive environment. In this case assignment you are going to be asked to discuss HD from a strategic perspective.

Please read the information in the background material, look for more information, and then write a 4 to 5 pages report for your professor and the executives of Toyota corporation by answering the following questions:

i) What are HD’s Opportunities for moving forward in the competitive motorcycle manufacturing and sales environment?

ii) What threats does the company face?

iii) Consider the Lehman Trikes case study below. To what extend do you think the alliance between HD and Lehman Trikes presented an opportunity for HD? To what exent do you think this was an opportunity for Lehman? Make sure you support your arguments.

Here is the Lehman Trikes article:

Looney, D. C., & Ryerson, A. (2011). Lehman Trikes: A story within a story. Journal Of The International Academy For Case Studies, 17(7), 45-58. (Available via the Library by way of the EBSCO database).

NOTE: Please note that your report/assignment will not be accepted without proper citations and references. You must use the sources from the background material together with the sources you find your own.

Case expectations:

This paper should include:

An introduction stating the thesis, position, or central theme you plan to take in your paper, a main body focusing on the key assignment specifications, and a conclusion concisely stating the main points of your analysis and the conclusions you reached.

Be sure to document your sources and provide in-text citations whenever you use information you obtained from a background reading or other outside source, as well as a separate reference list at the end of the paper. You may use footnotes instead, if you prefer, but you MUST document where you got the information you are using in your papers!

The following criteria will also be used to assess your paper:
1.Precision: Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?
2.Breadth: Is the full breadth of the subject, i.e., all the keys to the assignment, addressed?
3.Depth: Does the paper/report address all elements of the topic in sufficient depth? Does it include and apply the background readings and other background resources? Are they included as references?
4.Critical thinking: Are the concepts of this module applied accurately, logically, and relevantly?
5.Organization: Is the paper organized in a coherent and systematic manner? Are headings included in all papers greater than 2 pages?
6.Clarity: Is the writing clear and the concepts articulated properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of response to the questions, or are thoughts conveyed through excessive use of quotations?