MGMT1101: Part I
External Analysis
Assignment Weight: 15%
Assignment Overview
The ability to construct a PESTEL Analysis is essential to making informed decisions that impact strategic
planning. A key theme of Introduction to Management focuses on the relationship between the external
environment and organizational performance. An important function of any manager is the ability to
analyze external environmental conditions within a particular geographic region in an effort to make
informed decisions and think strategically. This assignment provides students with an opportunity to
examine a variety of external environmental factors, and the role they play in decision-making.
MGMT1101 - Introduction to Management - Jeff Kawalilak
Classification: General
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Assignment length: 3 - 4 pages double-spaced (2.0-line spacing) NOT including the
title page and reference page.
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Assignment structure must follow APA 7th guidelines.
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Students are required to use 10 – 12 different credible sources for research
(NO MORE, NO LESS). NO Wikipedia as this is NOT a credible source.
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For large statistical databases (e.g., Statistics Canada, IBISWorld, Statista), each distinct
data point/report/or table must be listed separately in the reference section.
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Refer to Chapter 2 in our course textbook AND learning module 2 in D2L. WATCH THE
RECORDED PESTEL TUTORIAL.
SCENARIO: Address the following scenario for your assignment
At Paris Baguette Calgary, we are a team of bakers, café staff, and customers working
together to create a welcoming place where people can enjoy fresh baked goods,
coffee, and a positive café experience. Our purpose is to provide high-quality bakery
products and friendly service in a space where people can connect, relax, and feel part
of a community. We see our cafés as everyday gathering places that bring people
together and help nurture relationships within Calgary’s diverse population.
We focus on delivering fresh, high-quality baked goods and maintaining consistent
product standards through well-trained employees and efficient service. We aim to
build a reliable café experience that supports both customer satisfaction and a positive
workplace for employees, while meeting the needs of Calgary’s growing and diverse
community.
(OpenAI, 2026)
YOUR TASK: You are a management consultant who has been hired by the owners
of Paris Baguette to assess the Canadian external environment in Halifax, Nova
Scotia, specifically as it relates to the baking industry and provide important
information to help them decide whether they should expand into Halifax, Nova
Scotia. Your job is to construct a PESTEL Analysis to help the owners make an
informed decision.
MGMT1101 - Introduction to Management - Jeff Kawalilak
Classification: General
Research
Research is required throughout (APA guidelines must be followed – proper in-text citations and
reference slide are required). Students are required to use 10 – 12 different credible sources for their
research.
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This is a research assignment and therefore you are required to conduct research, which
involves the use of existing data to form your responses (e.g., electronic articles, websites,
other market research available, etc.). Through your research you will develop a thorough
understanding of the external environment as it relates to the specific scenario you have been
provided. DO NOT use Wikipedia as this is NOT a credible source.
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Although research is required, you are also expected to include your own original insights
within your analysis where appropriate to support your research. Your insights will add
relevance to the research you provide and will help create a meaningful examination of the
external environment and the degree of competition within it.
RESEARCH CRITERIA
ALL research used must be RELEVANT to the assignment topic and scenario. For example, do NOT
include a resource on the education system or employment rates in Bangladesh, or Polar Bears in
Alaska. Any non-relevant research sources that are used will be considered a breach of the college
academic honesty and integrity policy and the assignment will receive a ZERO grade.
Any resource used must be ACCESSIBLE for instructor review. This means the full document must be
available to the instructor when reviewing the sources provided on your reference page. A working
hyperlink for each source must be provided on the reference slide
Students must illustrate that they have extracted meaningful information from their sources. DO
NOT simply draw from an article introduction or abstract. Use of sources that are not relevant or
where the full document cannot be accessed and reviewed (e.g., journals, paid subscriptions,
restricted access to abstract, etc.) will result in an automatic ZERO grade on the assignment and will
be subject to the college’s formal academic dishonesty process.
MGMT1101 - Introduction to Management - Jeff Kawalilak
Classification: General
Research Sources
(*Refer to Chapter 2 in the course textbook. Refer to module 2 in D2L and watch the PESTEL VIDEO
TUTORIAL).
The PESTEL Analysis falls into the general environment, which represents the “macro” level and includes
the broad political, economic, sociocultural, technological, environmental, and legal conditions that may
affect the organization. Managers must consider these conditions as they plan, organize, lead, and control.
Use the following sources to help you get started with your research. *Note: You are NOT limited to
these sources. Expand your research to ensure you provide a well-rounded exploration of the external
environment:
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Google (simply begin typing key words into the search engine to begin your research process)
Google News (make sure your research is specific to the region [province and city] and industry
provided in the assignment)
Bow Valley College library commons database (this was addressed in the course research tutorial
you completed)
Statistics Canada: Home - Baking Association of Canada
IBS World: Nova Scotia Economic Trends, Stats & Rankings | IBISWorld (this less relevant as it is quite
braid, however, it may lead to other research)
Statista: https://www.statista.com (open the link, then enter “bakeries or baking”)
Nova Scotia Government: Government of Nova Scotia
Global News: Halifax experiencing record growth, population getting younger: data - Halifax |
Globalnews.ca
Halifax Living: Halifax Partnership | Living in Halifax | Halifax Lifestyle
*Note: I suggest you begin your process using regular Google search. Ensure that any resource you select
for research is considered "academically credible". Academically credible research is a credible source that
is unbiased, is backed up with evidence, and has been published within the last seven years. For further
details regarding what makes a research source credible, refer to the research tutorial you completed
earlier in the course.
*Remember: everything you find is NOT automatically relevant for your PESTEL Analysis. When conducting
your research and choosing which research to include, always ask yourself, “WILL THIS PIECE OF
INFORMATION BE USEFUL AND HELP MY CLIENT MAKE THEIR DECISION?”
MGMT1101 - Introduction to Management - Jeff Kawalilak
Classification: General
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
PESTEL Analysis (15 marks)
(*Reminder: A PESTEL Analysis is used to gather data on a specific GEOGRAPHIC REGION [province and city],
NOT a specific company)
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Construct a PESTEL Analysis focusing on the province and city identified in the assignment scenario as
this is where your client is looking to expand. Research the external environment (province and city.
Mostly focus on city) the company is looking to expand into.
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Your PESTEL should be written concise statements using BULLET-POINT FORMAT. NOT paragraphs.
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THREE BULLET POINTS of meaningful research for each section of your PESTEL are required. Each point
should be concise and written in full sentence format as THIS IS NOT AN ESSAY.
o Each bullet-point should contain ONE research point from a single source, should be
paraphrased, and should be supported with a proper in-text citation.
*Remember: everything you find is NOT automatically relevant for your PESTEL Analysis. When conducting
your research and choosing which research to include, always ask yourself, “WILL THIS PIECE OF
INFORMATION BE USEFUL AND HELP MY CLIENT MAKE THEIR DECISION?”
PESTEL Synopsis (7 marks)
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A synopsis is NOT a summary. It is your interpretation of your research. Your synopsis should
address key facts you have uncovered and WHY these are more relevant than others as it relates to
the specific company you are researching within this assignment. In addition, discuss which
information is less relevant and WHY it might be considered less important. *Note: This section
should be 2 paragraphs.
MGMT1101 - Introduction to Management - Jeff Kawalilak
Classification: General
Additional Marks:
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APA: Structure and Formatting (3 marks)
o Assignment formatting is consistent throughout and follows APA guidelines (e.g., font
size/style, headings, 2.0 line-spacing, etc.), looks professional, is easy to follow, and
illustrates evidence of pride taken.
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APA: Use of Research (7 marks)
o Proper use of research must be evident throughout. Content must be properly referenced as
per APA guidelines (e.g. in-text citations, references provided at the end).
o Paraphrasing, NOT direct quotes should be the primary expression of your research.
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Spelling, Grammar, and Sentence Structure (3 marks)
o Spelling is correct. Responses illustrate proper use of English grammar and sentence
structure. Thoughts and ideas are well organized and make sense. Strong writing
throughout.
Grade Penalties - AI
The following criteria are essential and must be met. Failure to meet these will result in a grade
deduction or a possible zero on the project.
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Undisclosed or excessive use of AI may result in a zero grade. Students must always remain the
primary "shaper" and "creator" of the work provided. Any and all uses of AI must be fully
disclosed (cited/referenced) and the process of its use explained. This includes tools used for
idea generation, such as ChatGPT, and writing assistance tools, such as Quillbot and other
paraphrasing tools. Use of AI tools should be MINIMAL. Use of Grammarly or MS Editor do
not require referencing.
Use of AI writing or rewriting tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Quillbot, Perplexity) is permitted only for
minor support such as grammar and clarity, NOT to compose, rewrite, or substantially
enhance your work. Although this is not plagiarism, it does compromise authorship, especially in
a critical thinking course such as ours where a student's ability to effectively express their own
understanding of key concepts and insights is required. In addition, DO NOT COPY/PASTE your
original content into AI for edits (e.g., Copilot, ChatGPT) as this reduces your critical thinking
process. Only Grammarly or MS Editor are permitted do not require referencing.
MGMT1101 - Introduction to Management - Jeff Kawalilak
Classification: General
Important Guidelines
1. Refer to Chapter 2 in your Fundamentals of Management textbook AND learning module 2. WATCH
THE RECORDED PESTEL TUTORIAL.
2. Students are required to use 10 – 12 different sources for research.
3. Assignment should be 4 pages, 2.0 line spacing, NOT including the title page and reference page.
4. Follow the structure template provided in the dropbox.
5. APA formatting: assignment must follow APA guidelines regarding formatting and use of research
(e.g., Times Roman or Calibri font style, 12 font size, 2.0 line spacing, proper use of headings, title
page, reference page, use of research – must be supported with in-text citations, etc.)
https://apastyle.apa.org/.
6. A zero grade will be given for work that is copied, plagiarized, or illustrates academic dishonesty
of any kind, and further disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with the academic policy.
7. Proofread your assignment for correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure
(English language usage).
Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism
Ensure you are aware of the College policies on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism. Academic dishonesty
and plagiarism are taken very seriously at the College even if the dishonesty or plagiarism is unintentional.
Please also know that taking credit for work you did not contribute to is also considered Academic
Dishonesty and will be reported. For general guidelines of APA formatting (e.g., spacing, font size, title
page, etc.) please use https://apastyle.apa.org and follow the Style and Grammar guidelines top on the top
menu.
MGMT1101 - Introduction to Management - Jeff Kawalilak
Classification: General
Turnitin
When you submit your assignment, it will go through our Turnitin program. Turnitin is a web-based
academic honesty software that compares your assignment against its database of materials. This includes
everything on the internet, other students’ work both in our college and in other institutions, other
academic material, AND the use of AI content. Use of AI is NOT permitted. ALL content taken from ANY
source must be supported with proper in-text citations and must be referenced on your reference page as
per APA guidelines.
MGMT1101 - Introduction to Management - Jeff Kawalilak
Classification: General