Implementing Strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Implementing Strategies - Essay Example Strategy is the direction and scope of an organisation over the long term, which helps it to achieve one or more objectives through interrelated activities which are undertaken over a specific period of time. These activities form part of the strategy cycle which provides the plan of action for the organisation. This strategy cycle is illustrated in Figure 1.0 below.The first of the stage involves the strategy identification, which plays an important role as the resulting activities of the organisation will be based on decision made at this stage. In order to identify the best strategy to follow, the organisation has to have an understanding of their stakeholders' expectations Stakeholders can include customers, as they are ultimately the service users or consumers. By understanding their expectation, the process of identifying options becomes simplified. For example, if stakeholders expect superior quality or service, then the resulting strategic options could include a focus on cre ating a unique specialisation, novel approaches or even the introduction of equipment and/or technology to enhance this aspect. The second stage of formulating the strategy involves determining the appropriate courses of action to take to enable the organisation to achieve its objectives (Alan 2001, Doyle et al 2002). This can include increasing recruitment, job redundancies, relocation, expansion and other visible aspects of the plan. This is then appraised in Stage 3, a process which includes critical and feasibility assessments. The strategy is then implemented in Stage 4, and this stage is the practical part of the strategy where management actively put a strategy into place (Alan 2001, Doyle et al 2002). However, the implementation of a strategy is likely to be influenced by the dynamics of the organisation in terms of its culture and identity, as strategy implementation can sometimes be part of a change management process. Corporate culture can be defined as the set of beliefs, experiences and attitudes within an organisation (Alan 2001, Doyle et al 2002), and this is often entwined with corporate identity which tends to reflect and represent the culture. Corporate culture and identity have a significant influence on employees, as they dictate simple aspects such as the number of hours worked a day or a week, commuting options, interaction, dress code, benefits, training, office space and professional development (Morris 2005). For example, IBM will have a different corporate culture and identity to say a medical organisation. One can already make out the differences in work hours, as medical organisations tend to have variable working patterns, which in turn influence the amount of office space allocated to an individual, which can also influence the level of communication and interaction with other colleagues. This means that the strategy formulation and implementation processes cannot exclude corporate culture and identity, as these will ultimately determine the parameters of success for the organisation. THE INFLUENCE OF CORPORATE CULTURE AND IDENTITY ON STRATEGY FORMULATION Strategy formulation includes undertaking feasibility, techno-economic, strategy decision/network, input, financial, cost-benefit and pre-investment analyses (Toyohiro 1998, Matson 2001). Feasibility analysis This is where a proposed strategy is examined for its influences and effects on its consumers and/or other competitors (Toyohiro 1998, Alan 2001, Matson 2001, Doyle et al 2002). For instance, if a strategy is formulated that has the effect of increasing the level of competition in the industry, then there has to be some thought how this strategy will affect working hours and motivation of employees. It could be that the proposed strategy will result in a commission based system of work, which will conflict with employees especially if other aspects such as office space are not configured.

Walmex Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Walmex - Research Paper Example A year later the company commemorated fifty years of service to Mexican citizens. 2009 ended with the acquiring of Wal-Mart de Centro America by the Wal-Mart de Mexico giant expanding its service to six countries (Kojadinovc 41). There are credible reports that Wal-Mart the largest retailer in the world was aware that one of its branches, wal -mart de Mexico used bribes coerce foreign officials to allow their operations. The bribes were paid to acquire permits for the Mexico stores establishments in desirable places such as the Teotihuacan. Alleged bribes are said to have been given to the Teotihuacan Municipal Council and the National institute of Anthropology and History’s director. Handsome Bribes were also orchestrated in relation to zoning laws and environmental permits that would have been hurdles in the company’s expansion. It is also under scrutiny for subverting democratic governance such as public votes, transparent procedures and open debates and the same bribes to offset competition. This is against compliance to the mandated foreign Corrupt Practices Act which prohibits an American company from offering bribes to foreign officials. In a response to the claims, Wal-Mart stated that it has been conducting extensive investigations in relation to the allegation cases and that they are non-tolerant to non-compliance to the law anywhere at any level of the company’s branches and is diligent to provide necessary contribution. In a separate statement the spokesman reiterated that the company has divulged substantial resources dedicated to this effort. Corruption and bribery are vastly permeated notions in Mexico. The justice system in the city is feeble and I can be manipulated with ease. Further, bribery is fuelled by the relatively low salaries paid to the local public workers. Hence it was not shocking for Wal-Mart to have its way through the law. Wal-Mart de Mexico was an insistent and crafty corruptor offering humungous bribes to get