...Environmental Scanning By James L. Morrison [Note: This text was originally printed as a chapter in A Primer for new Institutional Researchers and is reprinted here with permission from the Association for Institutional Research. The bibliographical citation is: Morrison, J. L. (1992). Environmental scanning. In M. A. Whitely, J. D. Porter, and R. H. Fenske (Eds.), A primer for new institutional researchers(pp. 86-99). Tallahassee, Florida: The Association for Institutional Research. Issues Successful management of colleges and universities depends upon the ability of the senior leaders to adapt to rapidly changing external environment. Unfortunately, the lead time once enjoyed by decisionmakers to analyze and respond to these and other changes is decreasing. Traditional long-range planning models, with their inward focus and reliance on historical data, do not encourage decisionmakers to anticipate environmental changes and assess their impact on the organization (Cope, 1981). The underlying assumption of such models is that any future change is a continuation of the direction and rate of present trends among a limited number of social, technological, economic, and political variables. Thus, the future for the institution is assumed to reflect the past and present or, in essence, to be "surprise-free." However, we know that this is not true, and the further we plan into the future, the less it will be true. What is needed is a method that enables decisionmakers both to...
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...Environmental scanning. In M. A. Whitely, J. D. Porter, and R. H. Fenske (Eds.), A primer for new institutional researchers (pp. 86-99). Tallahassee, Florida: The Association for Institutional Research.] Editor's Note: The Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature, published by the H.W.Wilson Company, is an index to English language periodicals of general interest available in most libraries. We consider a periodical to be readily accessible if it is indexed in the Readers' Guide. For those periodicals not included in the Readers' Guide, we provide the address and, in most cases, the phone number to guide you in your scanning. The Encyclopedia of Associations, published by Gale Research, Inc., is a guide to over 22,000 national and international organizations. Information about how to contact the organizations mentioned in this chapter is from the 1992 edition of The Encyclopedia of Associations and is available in most libraries. Publications of U.S. government agencies are indexed in the Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications. Most publications included in the Monthly Catalog are available from The Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, DC 20401. Information: 202/275-3648, orders and inquiries: 202/783-3238. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For overviews of environmental scanning, see: Aguilar, F. (1967). Scanning the business environment. New...
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...Environmental Scanning and Higher Education By Pat Artz Prepared for Professor Sue Sampson CIS 620 Management Information Systems Fall Term 2002 October 10, 2002 Table of Contents Introduction 3 Definitions 4 Strategic Planning 4 Environmental Scanning 4 Environmental Scanning in the Business World 5 Four Scanning Strategies 5 Perceived Uncertainty 5 Competitive Intelligence 6 Environmental Scanning in the Academic World 7 Why Scan? 7 Learning Organizations 7 Scanning as a Four-Step Process 8 Trends to Scan 9 Environmental Scanning at the University of Missouri System 9 Environmental Scanning at Ole Miss 10 Environmental Scanning at the Center for Information Technology, Bellevue University 11 General Attitudes Toward Scanning 11 Sources Being Scanned 11 Interview with Director Creagan 12 Conclusions and Recommendations 14 Conclusions 14 Recommendations 15 Bibliography 16 Introduction Environmental scanning is a tool used by strategic planners in the business and academic worlds. However, these terms often meet with a blank stare when presented to people outside of senior management. What is strategic planning? What is environmental scanning? How do businesses and universities use these tools? Is environmental scanning a tool that can be used more effectively at universities? These questions will be investigated, with specific attention on the role of environmental scanning at the Center...
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...Environmental Scan Paper The business environment of an organization reveals much about its competitiveness and the possible influences on the success of its strategies. The focus of this paper will be an environmental scan of the internal and external environments of two real-world firms, their competitive advantages and company strategies for creating value and sustaining competitiveness, measurement guidelines for verifying strategic effectiveness and their evaluation. Internal and External Environments Environmental scanning of the internal organizational environment focuses on company culture, employee-employee, manager-employee, and manager-manager, manager-shareholder interactions, in addition to organizational structure, natural resources’ access and brand awareness, among others (Schneider, 1995, p.70). Environmental scanning of the external organizational environment focuses on the analysis of the industry/immediate environment, national, and macro-environments. Analysis of the industry environment appraises the competitive Environmental Scan Paper The business environment of an organization reveals much about its competitiveness and the possible influences on the success of its strategies. The focus of this paper will be an environmental scan of the internal and external environments of two real-world firms, their competitive advantages and company strategies for creating value and sustaining competitiveness, measurement guidelines for verifying strategic...
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...Douglas Brownlie Department of Stirling, UK Organizing for Environmental Scanning: Reformations Enmrontnental scanning is one of the cornerstones of strategic marketing. A plethora of normative literature argues that it plays u key role in bringing information about the external environment to the attention of decision-makers in order that they can make better informed decisions. This literature also provides a rich source of ideas about how to go about environmental scanning, particularly dealing with the collection of data and the various techniques that can be used to analyse that data. Yet, empirical findings point strongly to the view that the low deeds of environmental scanning practice, diverge in some important respects from the high-minded prescriptions of the normative literature. Various explanations can be put forward for this. This paper considers those explanations. Specifically ii explores the assumptions and premises about the constructs of organization and environment which inform the strategic marketing literature. It argues the case for alternative images of organization and environment. And on the basis of this, proposes the concept of Marketing, University of O r t h o c l o x i e S a n d writerly environment scanning, embedding environmental scanning in broader political and cultural processes both within and Tvithaut the organization. Introduction Although environmental scanning has its origins as a methodology in thefieldof strategic management (AguUar...
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...ENVIRONMENT SCANNING LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY LOVELY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT (LIM) © ARUN GULERIA | arun_guleria@ymail.com INDEX S.N o. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Introduction. Acknowledgement Introduction Method of Environment Scanning Environmental Scanning Cycle Particular PAGE NO. 2 3 4 6 8 9 10 14 20 23 REMAR KS Structure of Environment Scanning Importance of environment Scanning How companies Handling Environment Scanning Literature Review Factor Affecting Environment Scanning © ARUN GULERIA | arun_guleria@ymail.com ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I take this opportunity to offer my deep gratitude to all those who have extended their valued support and advice to complete this term paper. I cannot in full measure, reciprocate the kindness showed and contribution made by various persons in this endeavor. I acknowledge my sincere thanks to Miss. NAVNEET KAUR (Faculty Member) who stood by me as a pillar of strength throughout the course of work and under whose mature guidance the term paper arrives out successfully. I am grateful to his valuable suggestions. © ARUN GULERIA | arun_guleria@ymail.com ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING Environmental scanning is a process of gathering, analyzing, and dispensing information for tactical or strategic purposes. The environmental scanning process entails obtaining both factual and subjective information on the business environments in which a company is operating or considering entering. Environmental scanning is the...
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...Economic Insights – Trends and Challenges Vol. LXIV No. 1/2012 24 - 34 Strategic Environmental Scanning and Organization Performance in a Competitive Business Environment Bayode O. Babatunde*, Adebola O. Adebisi** * Department of Business Administration, College of Management and Social Sciences, Osun State University, P.M.B 2008, Okuku Campus , Osun State, Nigeria e-mail: bayoogoga@yahoo.com ** Department of Business Administration, Federal Polytechnic Ado -Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria e-mail: adebisiadebola@yahoo.com Abstract This work justified “the impacts of Strategic Environmental Scanning on Organization performance in a competitive business environment” by studying Nestle Nigeria Plc and Cadbury Nigeria Plc. The opinions of the selected respondents were sought by the use of structured questionnaire; the collected data were analyzed and interpreted with regression and coefficient of correlation method of analysis. Hypothesis one revealed that there is significant relationship between strategic environmental scanning and organization performance, the coefficient of determination (R2) is 0.297. It shows that 30% of the variation or change in effective organization performance is caused by variation in strategic environmental scanning. Hypothesis two also shows that the coefficient of determination (R2) is 0.301. It means that 30% of the variation or change in organization productivity is caused by variation in external environmental factors, which connotes...
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...Environmental Scanning Desmond Meade University of Phoenix MGT/498 Crystal Tart August 1, 2011 This paper will provide information on The Coffee Bean and Starbucks environmental scanning. Starbucks and The Coffee Bean are two of the most successful companies in there industry. They both provide some best coffee and tea to coffee drinkers. Both companies provide a very relaxing and classy environment for their clients to enjoy the smooth taste of their product. The Starbucks rich bold flavor was establish in Seattle WA. In 1971, while The Coffee Bean was establish in California in 1963. Environmental scanning is the process of which an organization uses to analyze and evaluate external and internal factors that affects their organization. When conducted effectively environmental scanning can help an organization understand whether or not the company is on right path to long term success. Environmental scanning also helps organization indentify the right skills and resources for each department within their company. The environmental scanning process requires a strategic strategy by management that includes the implementation of the SWOT the analysis. A detailed environmental analysis includes several factors: an evaluation of external and internal activities, understanding the latest and future business trends and identifying employees’ skills and knowledge to help the company to achieve its goals. The external factors for Starbucks and The Coffee Bean are very...
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...Environmental scanning assists businesses in providing information from internal and external environments to the executives so measures can be taken to take advantage of the information and succeed. SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis is a key element of environmental scanning process which provides detailed information for the organization that can assist in growth and profits. Environmental scanning and SWOT analysis and how organizations use these tools to succeed and grow will be discussed in this paper. Environmental scanning is a process which monitors, evaluates, and disseminates information from internal and external environments to the people of the organization responsible of making decisions regarding growth and success of the company. Scanning the natural environment, societal environment (STEEP analysis), and task environment are the key elements of identifying the external environment. SWOT analysis should be performed to assess the internal environment of the organization. (Wheelen & Hunger, 2010) In scanning the natural environment, strategic managers must assess physical resources, wildlife, and climate. “The concept of sustainability argues that a firm’s ability to continuously renew itself for long-term success and survival is dependent not only upon the greater economic and social system of which it is a part, but also upon the natural ecosystem in which the firm is embedded” (Wheelen & Hunger, 2010). When scanning the natural environment...
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...Abstract Environmental scanning is an opportunity for a corporation to take a step back and evaluate the internal and external factors of the corporation. The evaluation process includes a SWOT analysis but at an environmental level. Target and EBay have taken environmental scanning to a different level which will be discussed and their stakeholders play a big role in it. Environmental Scan Environmental scanning is information compiled from internal and external environment to key people within the corporation (Wheelen & Hunger, 2010). It is in the best interest of any corporation to conduct an environmental scanning procedure to help them grow. Environmental scanning can help a corporation identify what possible threats can affect them and the entire process can actually pose a threat by affecting the long-range plans and strategic decisions managers must make to keep the corporation from equilibrium with its external environment (Wheelen & Hunger, 2010). Many corporations have gone out of business because they have failed to keep up with the environment. Attari is a corporation that refused to update their product and has filed for bankruptcy recently. Attari was a well known gaming system product and tried making a comeback but with the same system from 20 years ago and failed. That is a prime example of why a corporation will go out of business by not keeping up with the environment. Environmental scanning is not always a negative concept...
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...Question: How do you understand environmental scanning, why is it important and what are the potential problems of implementing it in a Sri Lankan Context? Successful Businesses depend upon the ability of the senior leaders to adapt to rapidly changing external environment. Unfortunately, the lead time once enjoyed by decision makers to analyze and respond to these and other changes is decreasing. Traditional long-range planning models, with their inward focus and reliance on historical data, do not encourage decision makers to anticipate environmental changes and assess their impact on the organization (Cope, 1981). The underlying assumption of such models is that any future change is a continuation of the direction and rate of present trends among a limited number of social, technological, economic, and political variables. Thus, the future for the institution is assumed to reflect the past and present or, in essence, to be "surprise-free." However, we know that this is not true, and the further we plan into the future, the less it will be true. What is needed is a method that enables decision makers both to understand the external environment and the interconnections of its various sectors and to translate this understanding into the institution's planning and decision-making processes. Environmental scanning is a method of accomplishing this. Brown and Weiner (1985) define environmental scanning as "a kind of radar to scan the world systematically and signal the new, the...
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...Why Is Environmental Scanning Important? All organizations need to monitor at some level what goes on in their environments and recognize their strengths and weaknesses in relation to it. The importance of environmental information depends on the degree to which the success of the organization itself depends on its environment. In the business literature, this dependency of the organization on its environment is referred to as perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU). Gordon and Narayanan (1984) identified factors that determine PEU. These factors include the nature of the society, economic stability, legal stability, political constraints, the nature of the industry, the customer base and the nature of the organization. While PEU varies from industry to industry, the level of recognition of the importance of the environment also varies from company to company, as does the reaction of companies to their environment. Khandwalla (1977) identifies three possible relationships between organizations and their environments: Dominant organization/dominated environment Dominant environment/dominated organization Symbiotic relationship – neither the environment nor the company dominates. The relationship between an organization and its environment depends upon the internal strengths and weaknesses of the company, which means that an opportunity for one company will be viewed as a threat to another company, depending on how well each is positioned to deal...
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...ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING Environmental Scanning MGT/498 May 1, 2012 University of Phoenix Environmental Scanning Pepsi and Coca-Cola serve as prime examples of major competitors in the beverage industry and strive to be different although each company produces a similar product. With the popularity of these corporations at the zenith of existence, each one needs to develop and maintain a competitive advantage that will yield results to their favor. For the purpose of gaining a competitive advantage measurement guidelines will need to be implemented to cultivate effective strategic planning and measure the effectiveness of each plan. The intention of this study will be to examine each cola giant in order to describe the internal and external environments of each one and develop an understanding of how each company uses environmental scanning. Furthermore, a discovery of competitive advantages will be uncovered by examining strategies, such as creation of value and sustain, measurement guidelines, and the effectiveness of the measurement guidelines used by each company. Environmental Scan The environmental scan of Pepsi and Coca-Cola will involve monitoring, evaluating, and disseminating of information from the external and internal environments to the key people within the corporations (Wheelen, 2010). An addition, each company will need to evaluate current performance results, review corporate governance, scan and assess the external and internal environment, analyze the...
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...In rapidly changing environments, one rule of thumb applies: If you don't adapt, you don't endure. That's the core idea behind environmental scanning. Definitions of the term abound, but in essence it refers to the means by which organizations gather information on changing conditions and incorporate those observations into a process where necessary changes are made. The right information, combined with the right adaptations, can determine an organization's future viability. A body of knowledge on environmental scanning is developing, but unfortunately much of it is oriented toward for-profit companies and doesn't fully recognize the unique conditions of membership organizations. (See sidebar below for more information on resources ASAE is developing on environmental scanning for nonprofits.) But environmental scanning needn't be complicated or intimidating for association executives. Here are five steps to help begin that effort. 1. Consider Your Scanning Type Your first order of business is to set some parameters on the type of scanning you will be doing. There are two fundamental scanning types: "social intuitive" and "formal analytical." If you run a scanning process in which people investigate a wide range of sources and then produce a report by a given date, you are in formal-analytical mode. "Social intuitive" is a less rigorous type of scanning: The term acknowledges the fact that everyone scans their environment for useful information about what's coming down the pike...
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...direction. Market opportunity is a factor in shaping a company’s strategic plan, which is why the advantage and disadvantage evaluation process is important. Team C discussions validate that the following week two course objectives are easily understood and are clear to the team: • Objective 2.1 - Measure an organization’s internal and external environments using environmental scanning. • Objective 2.2 - Determine relevant business competitive strategies. Objective 2.1 is easily understood as it relates to environmental scanning, which is the possession and utilization of information about trends within an organizations internal and external environment. Environmental scanning is similar to the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis, which is the first stage of planning, and helps marketers to focus on key issues (Wheelen & Hunger, 2010). Additionally, preparing for a potential threat is a competitive advantage over the competition. When organizations utilize the environmental scanning method to watch for trends this allows speedy adjustments, collaboration, and planning. The environmental scanning method can also help an...
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