...Unit 5: 28 Case Study Analyses Kaplan University School of Business and Management MT460 Management Policy and Strategy Author: Linda Alvarez Professor: Dr. Marian Leerburger Date: April, 2, 2012 Introduction Whole Foods was established in 1980 with one store in Austin, Texas. Today, Whole Foods is the world’s largest leader in natural and organic foods. There are over 310 stores in North America and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods is committed to the finest natural and organic foods available, sustainable agriculture and have one of the strictest of quality standards. Whole Foods offers customers a wide variety of products. “Natural” refers to food that is free of growth hormones or antibiotics, where “certificated organic” food conforms to the standards, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in October 2002. (Pearce, J. A., and Robinson, R. B., 2011). Whole Foods continues to grow steadily in employees and stores. Synopsis of the Situation Will there be enough organic supply of food to satisfy the growing demand to its customers? Whole Foods has realized that due to the large demand in organics and the steady growth of customers buying organic foods, they have encountered a problem. The competition has increased and many supermarkets and grocery stores now supply organic foods and have an organic section of the store. Key Issues The Whole Food stores are targeted around well educated customers who have high salaries...
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...1) It is relating to the international human resources management problems between Betty and Frankie. Although Betty and Frankie are grow up in Hong Kong but they are following a different culture at the same place. Betty was finished her study at Form Five and started her work after her succeeded in the secretarial qualification. She was worked at our company for the past ten years. On the other hand, Frankie was finished his high school at Hong Kong then got his first degree at London and a MBA from Harvard. He has great experiences in multinational company because he worked in London, New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai before joining us. It is helping him to build up a good thinking, open mind and the importance of the relationship with other colleagues. Frankie is willing to change in order to assist him achieving the goal but Betty is not willing to change therefore she won’t cooperate with Frankie when he need to change the old style. Sometimes, the communication is complicated. Especially it is related to two different cultures as it is easy to misunderstanding. Betty’s an India lady and got an education in Hong Kong then entered the workforce. Frankie’s a Chinese and got his education at an elite Hong Kong boy’s school then got his higher education in UK. This may made them have a big different in perception and behavior. At the same time, it’s because they are lack of communication, so they’re not knew each other well. It’s also is a problem between them. 2) We could found...
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...BUSINESS POLICY EVOLUTION OF BUSINESS POLICY Evolution of Business Policy Course by SREE RAMA RAO on NOVEMBER 2, 2010 Business policy as a distinct field of study was introduced at Harvard Business School way back in 1911. The course aimed at improving the general management capabilities of students. It was intended to tie together and give proper focus to the first year courses by showing how the functions of business both internally and as between businesses, were closely interrelated in practice and how a chief executive had to recognize and deal with those relationships. The course, however received widespread acceptance only after the publication of two reports in 1959. The Gordon and Howell report, sponsored by the Ford Foundation predicted that a course on business policy would give students an opportunity to put together what they have learned in the separate business fields and utilize this knowledge in the analysis of complex business problems! The Pierson report, sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation also recommended the introduction of the course strongly. Following these reports the business policy course was made mandatory in all business schools in the US for the purpose of recognition. In the course of time the course gained popularity in business schools in other parts of the world as well. It is being increasingly viewed as an integrative course offered to students after completing as set of functional area courses in Finance, Marketing, and Accounting...
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...Critically discuss how human resource policies are designed in order to assist organization achieve their strategy Introduction Human resource polices are used to identify outstanding employees for enterprises, not only to find good employees, more important is to train the employees. Until every employee can contribute to the corporate development and then they can further assist the company achieve the corporate strategies in the most suitable positions in the company. Meanwhile, the human resource polices are also should conducive to create positive, united and dedicated working environment and improve efficiency in all aspects. Nevertheless, the human resource policies also differ with different corporate cultures in different organizations. Such situation also poses competitive challenge to the human resource policies. There is no fixed pattern for the human resource policies in the organization. In different organizations, different social circumstances human resource policies also in different patterns. The role of human resource policies should be give full play in the corporate development process. Human resource managers need to bring the initiative into play in order to enable enterprises face a high growth stable development trend in the future. Therefore this essay argues that the human resource policies are designed to assist organization achieve corporate strategy. This essay aims to explore and discuss how the human resources policies are designed in order to assist...
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...What is the relationship between business policy and business strategy? Organisations, institutions and government have to make decisions and actions (or inaction) which will result in a desired outcome. Before organisations, institutions and government can make those decisions they need to establish policies. Companies use policy to make sure that employees take actions that support the corporation’s goals, mission and strategy. The Encarta dictionary defines policy as a program of actions adopted by a person, group, or government, or the set of principles on which they are based. A policy is a broad guideline for decision-making that links the formulation of strategy with the implementation. Certain procedures are normally implemented to support each policy explaining how to apply the policy to the business’s customers, employees and products, and the instructions necessary to follow the policy. Business policies are broad guidelines for managers, supervisors, and other employees in their action (activities) for the achievement of objectives. Policies indicate how resources are to be allocated, and how task assigned to the organisation might be accomplished so that functional level managers execute the strategy properly. Business policy has general management orientation and tends primarily to look inward with its concern for properly integrating the corporation’s many functional activities. Business policy also deals with acquisition of resources with which organizational...
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...manajemen dan operasi perusahaan! Policy-based management is an administrative approach that is used to simplify the management by establishing policies to deal with situations that are likely to occur. Policies are operating rules that can be referred to as a way to maintain order, security, consistency, or otherwise furth a goal or mission. For example, a town council might have a policy against hiring the relatives of council members for civic positions. Each time that situation arises, council members can refer to the policy, rather than having to make decisions on a case-by-case basis. In the automotive industry, policy-based management is used as an administrative tool throughout an enterprise or network, or on automated-machines that have multiple users. Policy-based management includes policy-based network management, the use of delineated policies to control access to and priorities for the use of resources. Policy-based management is often used in systems management. Policy-based management of a multi-user workstation used in the computing section of the automotive industry, typically includes setting individual policies for such things as access to files or applications, various levels of access (such as "read-only" permission, or permission to update or delete files), the appearance and makeup of individual users' desktops and so on. There are a number of software packages available to automate some elements of policy-based management. In general, the way these work...
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...BS2232 Business Policy Session 1 – Introduction to Business Policy and Strategic Management Dr. Carola Wolf Term 1, 2012/2013 Business Policy and Strategic Management Business policy is the study of the roles and responsibilities of managers at all levels of the organization (top, middle, lower level management), the significant issues affecting organizational success and the decisions affecting organization in long-run. Business Policy demands a broadened understanding of how competition, world economies, politics, and social trends effect organizational effectiveness. Strategic Management includes a set of managerial decisions and actions that determines the long-run performance of a corporation. Including activities of internal and external environment scanning, strategy formulation, strategy implementation and evaluation and control The Relation Between Business Policy & Strategic Management Issues of Business Policy provide a frame for strategic decision making and strategy implementation, guiding managers and employees in their daily actions to act in the interest of the strategy defined by an organization and help organizing organizations in a way to support the strategy (e.g. choice of organizational structure, issues of corporate governance, organization of human resources, leadership etc.) In our course, we integrate both aspects – Business Policy and Strategic Management – to gain a better understanding of how both areas complement each...
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...Schuler and Walker define Human Resource Strategy (HRS) as “a set of processes and activities jointly shared by human resources and line managers to solve business-related problems”. I believe this definition assists on tackling the above question. However, Bamberger and Meshoulam “Conceptualise human resource strategy as an outcome: the pattern of decisions regarding the policies and practices associated with the HR system”. In my view, HRS is a set of ‘processes and activities’ that when implemented, result in an outcome. In aim to justify this statement by discussing the topic of human resource strategy in relation to the sub-headings listed above. By examining the reasons or ‘rationale’ for the emergence of human resource strategies in the modern business environment, the value, various strategy approaches, types and the concept of fit, I believe I can underline the importance of a well devised HRS to any overall business strategy or plan. Modern businesses and the economic environments in which they operate are very different from the organizations and economies examined by Chandler in his studies of ‘managerial capitalism’ (late 19th Century through to the 1970s). The development of technology, and the creation of global economies have resulted in a significant increase in efficient and effective competition within all industries operating in market economies. Firms con longer rely on competing aggressively simply on the reliable favorites of achieving economies of...
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...HRM on organisational performance Anastasia A. Katou University of Macedonia (GREECE) akatou@uom.gr Received September 2008 Accepted December 2008 Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to measure the impact of HRM on organisational performance in the context of Greece. Data were collected from 178 organisations using a questionnaire survey in the Greek manufacturing sector, and analysed using the ‘structural equation modelling’ methodology. The results indicated that the relationship between HRM policies (resourcing and development, compensation and incentives, involvement and job design) and organisational performance is partially mediated through HRM outcomes (skills, attitudes, behaviour), and it is influenced by business strategies (cost, quality, innovation). Thus, the contribution of this study for academics and practitioners is that HRM policies associated with business strategies will affect organisational performance through HRM outcomes. Keywords: HRM policies, organisational performance, Greece 1 Introduction Over the last ten years significant steps forward have been made in identifying the HRM – performance relationship. However, serious gaps in our understanding still remain with respect to the causal ordering of the variables involved in the HRM – performance relationship (Purcell, Kinnie, Hutchinson, Rayton, & Swart, 2003; Wright, Gardner, Moyniham, & Allen, 2005). Specifically, in analysing the impact of HRM on organisational performance, each...
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...PolicyBusiness Policy defines the scope or spheres within which decisions can be taken by the subordinates in an organization. It permits the lower level management to deal with the problems and issues without consulting top level management every time for decisions. Business policies are the guidelines developed by an organization to govern its actions. They define the limits within which decisions must be made. Business policy also deals with acquisition of resources with which organizational goals can be achieved. Business policy is the study of the roles and responsibilities of top level management, the significant issues affecting organizational success and the decisions affecting organization in long-run.Features of Business PolicyAn effective business policy must have following features- | | 1. Specific- Policy should be specific/definite. If it is uncertain, then the implementation will become difficult. 2. Clear- Policy must be unambiguous. It should avoid use of jargons and connotations. There should be no misunderstandings in following the policy. 3. Reliable/Uniform- Policy must be uniform enough so that it can be efficiently followed by the subordinates. 4. Appropriate- Policy should be appropriate to the present organizational goal. 5. Simple- A policy should be simple and easily understood by all in the organization. 6. Inclusive/Comprehensive- In order to have a wide scope, a policy must be comprehensive. 7. Flexible- Policy should be...
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...different reward strategies are in connection with general Human Resource strategy and policies In way to have a more clear concept about the connection among the all elements, it is important starting the analysis giving a definition of strategy and of the other elements to have an idea about what human resource strategy, policies and reward strategies are. A strategy is the direction and scope of an organization over the long term, which ideally matches its resources to its changing environment. It is the direction in which the organization is going in relation to its environment and it must have a strategic objectives and a plan of action. HR strategies sets out what the organization intends to do about the different aspects of its human resource management policies and practices in integration with the business strategy. The purpose is to guide the HRM (human resource management) development, it provides vision for the future actions required and how the vision should be realized: especially what need to be done and what needs to be changed. Human Resource strategies are vertically integrated with the business strategy contributing to business process, and it should plan with people in mind, taking into account the needs and aspirations of all members of the organization; it involves the formulation and the implementation of specific strategies in each area of HRM. Generally there are two basic types of human resource strategies: the overarching strategies, so how ...
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...TOP MANAGEMENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPANY POLICY A. Introduction to Business Policy B. Responsibilities of Chief Executive C. Definition – major policy, objectives, strategy operating policies II. THE NATURE OF POLICY & STRATEGY D. Strategic Planning, Strategic Plans, Strategy and Policy E. Strategy and Policy F. Types of Strategy G. Strategy versus Tactics H. The Nature of Policies I. Procedures, Standard Operating Plans and Rules J. Types and Classification of Business Policies III. THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE FIRM A. Key Factors which can Affect the Management B. Environment Constraints IV. INDUSTRY ANALYSIS: POSITIONING THE FIRM WITHIN THE SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENT A. The Industry Structure B. The Components of the Industry C. Status of the Industry D. Intra-Industry Competition E. Industry Analysis and Strategic Decision of the Firm VI. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESPONSES A. Corporate Social Responsibilities of Business 1. Shifting Managerial Philosophies 2. Meaning of Social Responsibilities of Business 3. The Case Against Business Assumption of Social Responsibilities VII. THE STRATEGY OF USING FOREIGN INVESTORS AND LICENSES: A PHILIPPINE PERSPECTIVE A. Company Goals B. Potential Problems C. Point of View of Foreign Company D. Point of View of Government E. Use of Strategy ...
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...| | |BM 0210 | | | |Reward Management | |By Rebecca Ambler | BMO 0210 – CIPD Reward Management This assignment will critically evaluate reward philosophy, strategy and policy in Genix Healthcare Ltd. The Key economic, psychological and motivational theories that influence reward policies and practices will be identified as should the factors that influence employee satisfaction with our rewards and the reward system such as equity, fairness, consistency and transparency. Overview of Company Genix Healthcare is the UK’s fifth largest dental corporate company, founded in 2005 Genix was set up to address the shortage of NHS dentists in the UK by providing easy access to affordable dental care. In 2006, Genix Healthcare bought its first dental clinic in Garforth, Leeds. To support the local community Genix became the main sponsors of Garforth Town Football Club...
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...2 Strategic Management Strategic Management 2012 2012 1- Competitive Advantage When a firm sustains profits that exceed the average for its industry, the firm is said to possess a competitive advantage over its rivals. The goal of much of business strategy is to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. Michael Porter identified two basic types of competitive advantage: * cost advantage * differentiation advantage A competitive advantage exists when the firm is able to deliver the same benefits as competitors but at a lower cost (cost advantage), or deliver benefits that exceed those of competing products (differentiation advantage). Thus, a competitive advantage enables the firm to create superior value for its customers and superior profits for itself. Cost and differentiation advantages are known as positional advantages since they describe the firm's position in the industry as a leader in either cost or differentiation. A resource-based view emphasizes that a firm utilizes its resources and capabilities to create a competitive advantage that ultimately results in superior value creation. The following diagram combines the resource-based and positioning views to illustrate the concept of competitive advantage: A Model of Competitive Advantage Resources | | | | | | Distinctive Competencies | | | Cost Advantage or Differentiation Advantage | | | Value Creation | | Capabilities | | | | | | ...
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...Explain how the human resource (HR) policies at Lincoln Electric are linked to its overall corporate strategy. Jeffery Pfeffer, The Human Equation, (1998), explains the idea of alignment between employment practices and strategy. He states that an organisation should do specific things to manage the employment relationship and these practices need to be first internally consistent and aligned to each other, and secondly, externally consistent in the sense that the organisations procedures produce the behaviors and competencies required for it to compete successfully given its chosen market place and way of differentiating itself from the market place. Going by this definition we need to consider if there is evidence of internal consistency of the HR policies pursued by Lincoln Electric. In order to achieve this objective to first identify what the key human resource management policies were are Lincoln Electric and their alignment to each other. The incentive system and the climate and the culture of open transparent performance management and gain sharing that was fostered by management are a primary example of internal alignment. The incentive system carried out at Lincoln electric could only have been successfully implemented within this open culture. The methods of measuring performance, the method of setting performance benchmarks (through work studies) and the subsequent involvement of all process owners in determining an employee’s rating is another example of internal...
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