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Business Environment

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The two organizations chosen by me for the discussion are " Marks and Spencer ( M&S)" , a public limited company whose purpose is to deliver sustainable value to its stakeholders and "Oxfam" an international charity organisation with non profit motive.

Part 1

Task 1.1
Business, Purpose and Ownership of two contrasting businesses.

M&S is one of the leading retailers of UK, with over 1330 stores worldwide. Founded in 1883, it has grown from a single market stall to an international, multi channel retailer. They have a broad customer base of 33 million customers through 852 UK stores and the e commerce platform. Their business is built upon the strong values of Innovation, Inspiration and Integrity. Being a private organization they are committed to delivering sustainable value to their shareholders. The purpose of business is to enhance the lives of their customers through the products they offer through the stores. M&S has 480 wholly-owned, jointly-owned or franchised stores in 59 territories across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Marks & Spencer is listed on the London Stock Exchange and their principal trade associations are Eurocommerce, Confederation of British Industry and the British Retail Consortium. (Marks & Spencer, 2015). The mission statement of the company is ‘to make aspirational quality available to all’. This means that it wants to be seen as offering really high quality goods at a very affordable price which in turn leads to the consumer receiving good value for money.
Oxfam GB in contrast to M& S is an independent development, relief and campaigning organization. Its functions include working with different other organizations and governments to overcome poverty. Oxfam GB is an independent organization whose shop network stretches in various nooks and corners of the world. Oxfam GB is a part of Oxfam international and is committed towards working for change and development across the globe. Their global program works through eight regions worldwide. They offer strategic funding to support long term development programs, crisis relief management and avidly campaign to demand for a fairer world. (Paul Baines). The objective of Oxfam by 2015 is to increase their presence, to be heard and get more response from government and private sectors to fulfill pro poor promises.They aim to create an environment for higher respect for human rights and rule of law. (Oxfam, 2013).
Task1.2 The different stakeholders who influence the purpose of two contrasting businesses
Stakeholders are groups of people with an interest/concern about the progress of an organization. Some examples of key stakeholders are creditors, directors, employees, government (and its agencies), owners (shareholders), suppliers, unions, and the community from which the business draws its resources. (Freeman, 1983). Hence the key stakeholders of a public limited organization like Marks And Spencer are its investors, employees and customers.They believe that engaging with stakeholders and employees is very important , specially in times of such change.In 2015 they launched a new loyalty programme for their private investors, allowing over 19000 of their UK registered private investors to use money from their dividend payment to buy an M& S shareholder card at a discount. For the employees “fit for the future” one of their biggest ever employee engagement programme was launched. This programme gave the employees a platform to discuss the shape of the new values. This program inspired and motivated these managers who are considered the beating heart of M&S (Spencer, 2015).

The main stakeholders on the other hand at, Oxform are : Financial and campaign supporters, volunteers and staff. The organization strives to strengthen its accountability towards the communities who are living below poverty, its supporters and donors by taking various measures like – creating INGO charter of accountability of 2006. The purpose of the charter was to demonstrate how they meet the expectations and trust placed in them by their stakeholders. To increase stakeholder engagement Oxfom intends to create a digital platform so that donors, activists, and other stakeholders can engage directly with them. (Marks & Spencer, 2015).

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