...Chapter 1- Introduction to Strategic Management Overview Strategy: set of related actions that managers take to increase their company’s performance -for most, if not all companies, achieving superior performance relative to rivals is the ultimate challenge -if a company’s strategies result in superior performance, it is said to have a competitive advantage -Ex: Dell’s strategies produced superior performance from mid-1990s until mid-2000s, as a result, Dell enjoyed competitive advantage over its rivals -How did they achieve competitive advantage? -due to successful pursuit of varying strategies: Direct selling, customization and efficient supply chain mgmt. -enabled company to lower cost structure, charge low prices, gain market share, and become more profitable than its rivals -Dell lost competitive advantage in later half of 2000s HP offered bundled products, needed to find ways to sell to intermediaries & Apple differentiation -first step toward achieving objective is to describe in more detail what superior performance/competitive adv mean and to explain pivotal role that managers play in leading strategy-making process Strategic Leadership: creating competitive adv through effective mgmt. of the strategy-making process -strat-making process is the process by which managers select/implement a set of strategies that ain to achieve a competitive adv Strategy Formulation: selecting strategies based on analysis of an org’s external/internal environment...
Words: 4937 - Pages: 20
...Case analysis: Apple Inc. 2014 Christina Carusone October 27, 2014 MGMT 439 Case analysis: Apple Inc. 2014 Christina Carusone October 27, 2014 MGMT 439 What are the chief elements of Apple’s overall competitive strategy? How well does it fit together? Is the strategy evolving with competitive conditions in the market place? The chief elements of Apple’s Strategy in computers, personal media players, tablet computers and smartphones are differentiation and premium pricing. The attempt to increase market demands of products through differentiation by introducing unique and attractive products to consumers. Product differentiation, innovative advertising and brand loyalty enables Apple to succeed with power over prices. Apple’s vision was always to create premier products and charge premium prices ad their cheapest prices products are usually priced in the mid range. Although their prices are far more expensive that potential competition, Apple ensures high quality user experiences with their innovative features. In addition, Apple also uses the minimum advertised price strategy on all of their products to prohibit resellers and dealers from advertising their products below a certain price point. Apple’s product differentiation strategy has yielded success throughout the years as they first started off by offering a small amount of products. With their premium quality, product innovations and distinctive uniqueness, they have been able to safeguard a reputation...
Words: 1211 - Pages: 5
...e. MNC’s is closely related to its strategies, as argued by (Qiu and Donaldson 2010,P 82). Their hypothesis suggests that small changes in the way an organization is structured may play a big role in how successful it is in reaching its goals. They effectively sort out different structural models that the organizations can base their structure on depending on a number of determinants. The key determinants being how responsive the organizations want to be in regards to the local market changes, how diversified they want their products to be between different countries and the degree to which they want a similar global rule, i.e. global integration. (Qiu and Donaldson 2010,P-98 ) An MNC with a more standardized product line globally such as Dell, Asus etc., which will have a more rigid approach with high centralization of authority cannot have the same strategy as another MNC which might be more accepting to selling diversified products and thus may be more willing to allow greater autonomy amongst their subsidiaries in other countries. Similarly, the role of the subsidiaries of an MNC will also affect how it is structured.(Leiponen and Helfat 2011,P-655) argue that the goals of innovation or research and development (R&D) department of a MNC will shape how the organization may want to locate and effectively structure these departments. When an organization’s R&D team is inclined to producing...
Words: 1286 - Pages: 6
...MBA Essentials Information Technology for Strategic, Competitive Advantage Virginia Franke Kleist, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Division of MIS/Management Welcome to the Technology Part of the Program • How are you using information technology (IT) today in your firms and businesses? • How successful has this been for your firm? • Do you have problems that are still unresolved with Information Technology? • Can IT give competitive advantage, anyway? • How can one identify which technologies will best give strategic advantage? MBA Essentials Session X Information Resources Management 2 Contact Information • • • • • • Virginia Franke Kleist, Ph.D. Virginia.kleist@mail.wvu.edu www.be.wvu.edu/divmim/mgmt/kleist 304-293-7939 I welcome your comments and contacts! Several drawings are adapted from Laudon and Laudon, (2005), Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm, New Jersey: Prentice Hall (8th ed.). • Some material adapted from Burgelman, Christensen and Wheelwright, (2004), Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation, Boston: McGraw-Hill Irwin (4th ed.). MBA Essentials Session X Information Resources Management 3 MBA Essentials Session X Information Resources Management 4 MBA Essentials Session X Information Resources Management 5 What will we learn? • Strategic advantage from information technology • Latest information technologies • How do you successfully select, implement...
Words: 1553 - Pages: 7
...Dell evolution Dell strategy past to present Daniel Spanier, Alexandra Bielková About the Presenters Daniel Spanier Alexandra Bielková Education: Education: Bachelors of Economics and International Management 6 Sigma Green Belt Certified Masters in Maths & Mgmt, Comenius University, 2002 PhD in Mathematics, Comenius University Work experience Dell: Work experience Dell: Finance Director – Commercial ESG Finance Director – EMEA FP&A Controller– EMEA Services Call Centers Services Globalization and Liberty Lead Americas Support Services Team Lead Worldwide Operations - Manufacturing North America PA FP&A Services FP&A manager Western EMEA FP&A EMEA RUM Forecast Coordinator OPEX controlling & consolidation EMEA Fin Systems Training 2 Agenda Dell strategy past to present Dell History Strategy Dell direct model Dell.com Dell embracing the channel Strategy shift 1) Going private – change in strategy? 2) 3 1) http://techaisle.com/blog/2012/04/dell-confirms-its-position-as-an-end-to-end-solutions-company/ 2) http://www.forbes.com/sites/connieguglielmo/2013/10/30/you-wont-have-michael-dell-to-kick-around-anymore/ Dell History 4 Dell Timeline 1986 1989 1988 1984 Industry's fastest performing PC (12MHz, 286based system) M. Dell founded company 5 1st Dell™ laptop computer, the 316LT Dell completes its initial public offering http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/uscorp1/about-dell-company-timeline ...
Words: 1540 - Pages: 7
...Management 3131-Fall 2009 Management Control Systems Instructor: E-Mail: Office: Phone: Class Time: Office Hours: Jim Hayes, CMA, MBA, BComm jhayes@nait.ca T-400 NAIT Campus(Business Center) 471-7419 6:00-8:50 PM Thursday 4:00-6:00 Thursday-UOL Edmonton Campus By Appointment Course Texts Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis, Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Sirkant M. Datar & Howard D. Teall, Fourth Canadian Edition, Prentice Hall. OR Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis, Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Sirkant M. Datar & Howard D. Teall, Fifth Canadian Edition, Prentice Hall. AND Management Control Systems, Robert N. Anthony & Vijay Govindarajan, Twelfth Edition, McGraw-Hill Irwin. Course Description Management 3131 is the second half of a two-semester course in intermediate management accounting. Management accounting is generally divided into two major components-cost accounting and management accounting and control. Management 3130 deals with cost accounting and this course, Management 3131 deals with management accounting and control. Management control is the process by which managers influence other members of the organization to implement the organization’s strategies. As such, it deals with people and behaviour and is often referred to as behavioural accounting. The course shall consist of two types of learning situations. We will use cases from the Anthony and Govindarajan text to develop critical thinking skills, analytical skills, as well as oral and written...
Words: 2799 - Pages: 12
...Integrative Project Luisa McCarthy The Reflective Manager 699 Dr. Leroy T. Brady July 27, 2014 Abstract The several management knowledge courses I have completed in the Masters of Arts program, perform a strategic audit and analysis of my target organization. My primary target organization which is my current employer La Vista Memorial Park (LVMP). La Vista is a family-owned and operated cemetery in National City, a city where two in three residents is of Hispanicc background. These courses have prompted a real learning of Self both as to social and analytic competencies. This paper will integrate what I have learned from my assignments into a closing reflection on my target organization, its challenges, their symptoms and root causes. As required, I will use background from four different courses to diagnose the situations I have focused on in my target organizations and make recommendations for improvement. I will be using the frame -work from: MGMT 604 Managerial Assessment and Development MGMT 686 Organization Theory MGMT 689 Managing Change and Organizational Learning ; and MGMT 622 Leadership and Motivation. All established the awareness of very basic skills we often forget to correctly ans systematically. I will assume I am the top manager of my target organization making use of materials I developed in those courses as consultant’s reports in the areas of ethics, design team structures, human resource management,...
Words: 2193 - Pages: 9
...Business Analysis of Apple Inc. Kellye Wright MGMT 521 August 8, 2011 Robert Price Apple was created in 1977 in California. They design, manufacture, and market personal computers, mobile communication and media devices, and portable digital music players, and sell a range of related software, services, peripherals, networking applications, and third-party digital content and applications. Beginning with apple computers it was predominantly a manufacturer of personal computers, including the Apple II, Macintosh and Power Mac lines. The amount of technology that this company has produced over the years allows them to maintain an up to date status. (Apollolibrary.com) Apple In addition sells a range of third-party Macintosh, iPhone, iPad and iPod compatible products including application software, printers, storage devices, speakers, headphones, and other accessories and supplies through its online and retail stores. Today, Apple is the largest technology firm in the world, with annual revenues of more than $60 billion. SWOT When deciding whether or not to invest into mutual funds of Apple Inc. You have to figure out the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities this company has to offer and the threats you could face if you decide to invest. Strengths This company has been extremely successful over the years. Shortening the name of the Macintosh computers to Mac’s and the IPod music player has increased its quarter profits; this Business...
Words: 5628 - Pages: 23
...Kettering University Department of Business MGMT 659 - Strategy Summer 2013 Prof. Irish BUS Project – Microsoft Rakan Mogaddam Contents 1 Current Situation Analysis 3 1.1 Past Performance Indexes 3 1.1.1 Ratios 3 1.1.2 Industry Competitor Comparison 4 1.2 Strategic Posture 4 1.2.1 Mission Statement 5 1.2.2 Vision Statement 5 1.2.3 Strategies and Policies 5 2 Corporate Governance 6 2.1 Board of Directors 6 2.2 Top Management 7 2.3 Stakeholders 8 3 External Environment 9 4 Internal Environment 10 5 Analysis of Strategic Factors 14 6 Alternatives & Recommendations 15 7 Implementation and Control 17 8 Evaluation Scorecard (Kaplan) 18 References: 20 Current Situation Analysis 1 Past Performance Indexes 1 Ratios The ratios of Microsoft can be used to analyze how well the company is performing according to its investments and recent profits. The following are a few ratios for the year ended June 30, 2013: 1 Credit Ratios 1. Current Ratio: 271% This ratio tells us the relation between the current assets and liabilities of the company. 2. Quick Ratio 266% This ratio tells us how liquid our assets are. This means how quickly we can change our assets into cash. 2 Profitability Ratios 1. Return on Assets 12.69% It tells about...
Words: 2833 - Pages: 12
...Assignment # 2 – Chapter 14 Case – “Hewitt-Packard Company” 1. Discuss the three most serious problems you have identified in the case. Defend why you think they are the most serious. When Mark Hurd, the new CEO, took over, he found matrix structures ambiguous, confusing and inefficient. The main reason is that there is no clarity on the roles that each unit in the matrix is intended to play. Unit roles suppose, responsibilities and relationships in a way that is clear, but not excessively detailed and hierarchical. Although the matrix seems to be a logical organizational solution, Fiorina, has not found it an easy structure. She has struggled with ambiguous responsibilities and reporting relationships, been slowed down by the search for consensus decisions, and found it hard to get all the different units to work constructively together. In fact, CEO Carly Fiorina was so preoccupied with immediate issues that she lost sight of her ultimate objectives. Fiorina and her staff consider that the HP Way is an anachronism of a different, slower time, and that for the company to survive and succeed in the future it must be driven purely by a rational business strategy. After all of the layoffs, organizational changes, assertion of executive hierarchies and the destruction of traditional company rules of behavior, the HP Way that the old-timers are fighting to save is probably already dead. Fiorina and her team appear not to believe in the Way, they are now reduced to appealing...
Words: 3419 - Pages: 14
...Kodak’s Challenge | MGMT 520.002 | | Class Period 1:30 | | | Kodak’s Challenge Introduction The Kodak Company was started by George Eastman, an American who found himself very fascinated with still photography and cameras. During the late 1870’s, most of the cameras were bulky, heavy, and weren’t meant for the use of the average person. That’s when Eastman decided to leave the U.S. and head to London to start his company which he hoped would solve this problem and change the photography industry forever. By 1888, Eastman created the first Kodak camera and with that laid the foundation for making photography available to everyone. Industry Analysis The inkjet printer industry shares $45 billion a year of the total overall market. The industry is shared by many different competitors such as: Canon Inc., Fujifilm Holdings Corp., Sony Corp., Konica Minolta Holdings Inc., and Lexmark International Inc. This industry is directly linked to the Computer segment of this industry because the computer hardware is the products that use this ink. The top hardware competitors Kodak will be competing with are: Hewlett-Packard, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, Dell, Brother, and Samsung. Kodak plans to enter this competitive market in these 2 different sectors with their own printers and ink that will cost half the price of the inks in the stores now. Kodak may run into some issues in the future and will cause problems for inkjet-printer makers. With the low price in ink, the other...
Words: 1786 - Pages: 8
...Business Analysis: Apple Inc. Carla Boyland MGMT/521 May 3, 2012 Renee Columbus Abstract Throughout the research done about Apple Inc. and its financial stability, this paper has pointed out their strengths, opportunities, points they should improve on, and threats they may be facing. After a little investigation the conclusion has been that, Apple Inc. would be a good company to invest into. Other points in this analysis included Apple’s best practices, operational process and procedures, and their financial situation. For the last part, we will be discussing, amongst other things, how recent economic trends have influenced Apple, strategic initiatives taken by Apple Inc. to stay successful in an ever-changing economic environment, and the tactics Apple has implemented to achieve their strategic goals. Business Analysis: Apple Inc. Economic Trends It is no secret that economic trends affect small and home-based business, but what about an international company, such as Apple Inc. It is important for business managers to know which direction the economy is going in order for them to make the most effective plans for the company. Everyone wants the answer as to how Apple Inc. has been so successful in such a bad economy. In their last financial quarter Apple, once again, exceeded financial goals. Apple was able to do this by reaching new customers and selling outside of their market share; which resulted in them being able to sell tens of millions of devices and have...
Words: 2766 - Pages: 12
...Reorganization of Hewlett-Packard: Carly Fiorina’s Change Era Tuesday, February 17, 2015 MGMT 6320: Leading Organizational Change I. Background and History of Organization Nature of Products and Industry Hewlett Packard (HP) is a leader in the computer industry. HP started as a test and measurement company, however, the company began selling computers and printers in the 1970. The computer industry started to grow in the 1990s due to the growing popularity of personal computers and the introduction of the internet. While the test and measurement equipment remained one of HP’s business products, computers and printers became HP’s main source of revenue because of the rapid growth in the computer industry. HP’s products are all innovative and fairly new to the public market. This allows HP to have a large market share in its industry. However, HP is also vulnerable because competitors will start making competing products. HP could lose market share if it does not continue to be innovative with its current products and creating new products. This is shown throughout HP’s history. Age of Organization and History Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard created HP in 1939. Quickly, HP became known for its management procedures and innovative products. Mr. Hewlett and Mr. Packard created a cultural norm called the “HP Way” that focused on “profits more than revenue growth, teamwork, open-door management, full employment, egalitarian pay practices, and flexible work hours” (Beers...
Words: 6598 - Pages: 27
...Part One Introduction 1. The Operations Function 3. Product Design The introductory part of this book provides an overview of the operations management field and some of the prerequisites for decision making in operations: operations strategy and product design. After reading this part, the student should have an appreciation for the importance of operations to the firm, the major decisions made in operations, the linkages of operations decisions to other functions, and the need for strategy to guide all operations decision making. New-product design is treated as a cross-functional decision responsibility that precedes production of goods or services. 2. Operations and Supply Chain Strategy Chapter One The Operations Function Chapter outline 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Why study operations management? Definition of operations management Decisions at Pizza U.S.A. Operations decisions—a framework Cross-functional decision making Operations as a process Contemporary operations themes Key points Student Internet exercises Discussion questions Selected bibliography “What Is OM?” Vol. XI 2 Operations management, as a field, deals with the production of goods and services. Every day we come in contact with an abundant array of goods or services, all of which are produced under the supervision of operations managers. Without effective management of operations, a modern industrialized society cannot exist. Operations is the engine that creates profit for the enterprise...
Words: 8019 - Pages: 33
...Intel Final Paper MGMT 480- Frankforter Executive Summary As the world’s “foremost semiconductor maker,” Intel Corporation has a reputation to uphold and a future to build. Founded in 1968, Intel has grown to a company of over 90,000 employees who operate Intel’s facilities in nearly fifty countries. Intel produces processors, motherboards, chipsets, network adapters, flash memory, software, storage devices, and wireless products. Many of us are the end-users of a wide variety of Intel’s products, but the Intel’s numerous other customers are primarily OEM manufacturers who utilize Intel’s components, end-user consumers (which includes individuals, large and small businesses, and service providers), and “other manufacturers, including makers of a wide range of industrial and communications equipment.” Intel has capitalized on its ability to lead the semiconductor industry by continuous innovation. Gordon Moore, one of Intel’s founders, introduced a principle that continues to guide Intel which states that “the number of transistors on a chip roughly doubles every two years.” In keeping with Moore’s Law, Intel’s key to success in the semiconductor industry has been constant innovation. Such a strategy has allowed Intel to remain a leader among competitors such as Texas Instruments, Advanced Micro Devices, International Business Machines, and Freescale Semiconductor, among others. The semiconductor industry is extremely competitive, but...
Words: 11699 - Pages: 47