Embry MGMT436 Module 1.4 Discussion latest 2016 may
After reading about the Strategic Decision-Making Process in the chapter discuss which of the eight steps you feel is the most important of the process to achieve competitive success for a firm. Please provide at least 200 words in your written discussion work. You should also review the comments of other students on this topic and generate at least two quality replies.
Embry MGMT436 Module 2.4 Discussion latest 2016 may
Discuss an ethical situation in the past year involving a company. Describe the ethical issue. Do you agree with how the firm handled the ethical issue, and why?
Please provide at least 200 words in your written discussion work. You should also review the comments of other students on this topic and generate at least two quality replies.
Embry MGMT436 Module 3.4 Discussion latest 2016 may
Identify and discuss what you believe to be the most strategic external environment scanning factor that could have the biggest impact on your Strategic Audit firm in the next five years. Explain what you think your Strategic Audit firm can do to work with this external factor to stay competitive.
Please provide at least 200 words in your written discussion work. You should also review the comments of other students on this topic and generate at least two quality replies.
Embry MGMT436 Module 4.4 Discussion latest 2016 may
Discuss what you believe is the most strategic competency, resource or capability exhibited by your Strategic Audit firm. Explain why you think it gives your firm a competitive advantage over its competitors.
Please provide at least 200 words in your written discussion work. You should also review the comments of other students on this topic and generate at least two quality replies.
Embry MGMT436 Module 5.4 Discussion latest 2016 may
Identify a Propitious Niche that a specific firm has in business today. Name the firm and its product or service that is the Propitious Niche. Explain why that Propitious Niche exists. Discuss if this Propitious Niche is being challenged by other competitors.
Please provide at least 200 words in your written discussion work. You should also review the comments of other students on this topic and generate at least two quality replies.
Embry MGMT436 Module 6.4 Discussion latest 2016 may
Describe which of the international horizontal growth entry strategies works best for your Strategic Audit firm and explain why.
Please provide at least 200 words in your written discussion work. You should also review the comments of other students on this topic and generate at least two quality replies.
Embry MGMT436 Module 7.4 Discussion latest 2016 may
Some authors feel that globalization has reached a deadlock, that due to uncertain economic conditions, worldwide, it has stalled in terms of growth. Describe where you see globalization over the next five years, expanding, contracting, or staying the same.
Please provide at least 200 words in your written discussion work. You should also review the comments of other students on this topic and generate at least two quality replies.
Embry MGMT436 Module 8.4 Discussion latest 2016 may
8.4 – Discussion: Importance of Structure in Relationship to Strategy
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Discuss the importance of structure in relationship to strategy. Explain which of these factors should come first, and why.
Please provide at least 200 words in your written discussion work. You should also review the comments of other students on this topic and generate at least two quality replies.
Embry MGMT436 Module 9.4 Discussion latest 2016 may
Discuss how you would handle a retrenchment strategy for a firm.
Please provide at least 200 words in your written discussion work. You should also review the comments of other students on this topic and generate at least two quality replies.
Embry MGMT436 Module 1.3 Module Review Questions latest 2016 may
Respond to the following:
Describe in detail what a learning organization is and why it is critical to the competitive success of most firms today.
Give an analysis of Mintzberg’s Modes of Strategic Decision Making. Which mode do you consider the most strategic and why?
What strategic value do external and internal environmental scanning activities provide to businesses?
What role does strategy formulation play in a firm’s strategic management process? What pitfalls may a firm face when working on strategy formulation?
Embry MGMT436 Module 2.3 Module Review Questions latest 2016 may
Discuss the differences between the “agency theory” and the “stewardship theory”. Explain which of these theories applies to your strategic audit firm and why?
Explain the strategic roles Board of Directors have in conjunction with senior management and the running of an organization. Which Degree of Involvement in Strategic Management describes the Board of Directors for your strategic audit firm, and why?
Discuss in detail the ramifications the Sarbanes-Oxley Act has had on business in the United States.
Define the three basic approaches to ethical behavior. Discuss your views on each of these ethical behaviors.
Describe Friedman’s view on the responsibilities of business. Do you agree or disagree with Friedman’s views and why?
Explain Carroll’s two responsibilities that pertain to social responsibilities. Do you believe these responsibilities are growing in support from corporations, or not, and why?
Embry MGMT436 Module 3.3 Module Review Questions latest 2016 may
Complete a Porter’s Analysis to Industry Analysis on the Airline Industry using the six five forces. Indicate each force’s competitiveness intensity by signifying Low-Medium-High, or combination of two grades. Support your evaluation on each force’s competitiveness position in the industry.
Discuss five trends in the external environment scanning process that will affect most businesses.
Create a Strategic Group map of industry (but not the airline industry) using two broad characteristics- price and product-line. Use at least eight firms in this analysis.
Create an Industry Matrix featuring your Strategic Audit firm and two competitors. Use five Key Success Factors, one of which should be low cost. Use the table found in Chapter Four for this assignment.
Embry MGMT436 Module 4.3 Module Review Questions latest 2016 may
Discuss the positives and negatives of corporate culture in the competitiveness of a firm. Relate how firms should deal with different corporate cultures in mergers and acquisitions.
Explain how value chain analysis can be used to make a firm more competitive.
Identify core competencies, resources, and capabilities found in your Strategic Audit firm. Explain how they make your Strategic Audit firm more competitive.
Discuss in detail how the VRIO Framework can be used to evaluate a business’ competencies. Explain which of the VRIO factors would allow a firm to achieve a sustainable advantage over its competitors, and why?
Embry MGMT436 Module 5.3 Module Review Questions latest 2016 may
Discuss how collusion can have a negative affect as a business strategy. Give an actual example of a collusion strategy used by a company.
Describe how a firm develops a business strategy when in a hypercompetitive industry.
Explain how a company can have a successful business strategy based on both the cost leadership and differentiation strategies.
Evaluate the differences between cooperative and competitive strategies. Given specific examples of each type in your analysis.
Embry MGMT436 Module 6.3 Module Review Questions latest 2016 may
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of Portfolio Analysis, as it pertains to the BCG Growth-Share Matrix.
Explain how Corporate Parenting can contribute to an effective corporate strategy. Discuss how it can relate to a SWOT analysis.
Describe the two types of diversification strategies. Evaluate which of these two strategies you would recommend for your Strategic Audit firm to use moving forward and why.
Discuss the roles each of the four vertical growth integration strategies play in corporate strategy.
Embry MGMT436 Module 7.3 Module Review Questions latest 2016 may
Describe what you believe to be the strategic differences between globalization, regionalization and localization.
Discuss two reactive responses and two proactive reasons why firms wish to become involved with globalization.
Describe an entry strategy used by your Strategic Audit firm to enter global markets.
Describe the benefits and pitfalls of making a strategic alliance with another global firm.
Identify and analyze an actual global joint venture that has occurred over the past few years.
Discuss the difference between equity and non-equity strategic alliances.
Embry MGMT436 Module 8.3 Module Review Questions latest 2016 may
Explain Corporate Scenarios and then describe how they can have an effect on the formulation and implementation of a firm’s strategy.
Describe the expanding roles outsourcing plays on creating an effective strategy. Discuss any outsourcing performed by your Strategic Audit firm.
Select a functional strategy and then discuss how this functional strategy can enhance a firm’s bottom line.
Discuss how Programs, Budgets, and Procedures can be used to create a successful strategy.
Analyze the various Stages of Corporate Development. Describe which Organizational Life Cycle Stage your Strategic Audit firm is currently in.
Describe the importance of synergy to an effective strategy.
Embry MGMT436 Module 9.3 Module Review Questions latest 2016 may
Discuss what leadership or staffing skills a Board of Directors should be looking for when hiring a senior management person to implement a major strategic plan.
Describe the benefits MBO and TQM can bring to a new strategic plan.
Evaluate the part corporate culture can play when contemplating implementing a new strategy in a firm. Describe briefly the corporate culture in your Strategic Audit firm.
Discuss the three types of controls that firms can use to evaluate a strategy. Explain examples of each of these controls.
Describe various measurements of corporate performance.
Describe a specific strategic incentive management method you would use for your Strategic Audit firm.
Embry MGMT436 Module 1.5 Homework Assignment latest 2016 may Three assignments during the course will draw on different parts of the strategic audit. This should make the entire process much easier. The final strategic audit is due in Module 8 . You will have the ability to create your own assignments for the other modules for this activity.
For this activity, analyze both the Mission and Vision Statements of the approved firm you will use in your Strategic Audit Report. This analysis could consist of the following steps for both your Mission and Vision Statements:
Identify your firm’s Mission and Vision Statements.
Describe if the current Mission and Vision Statements are effective and why.
Recommend new Mission and Vision Statements, if need be, and support your work.
Develop a Mission Statement and or a Vision Statement, if your firm does not have one. Support the new statement.
Embry MGMT436 Module 2.5 Homework Assignment latest 2016 may Identify the Board of Directors serving your Strategic Audit firm. Tell if the Board members are internal or external directors. If external directors, mention what organizations they represent, and which country they are from. Indicate when the directors were elected to the Board. Relate what Board Committees they serve on
Embry MGMT436 Module 3.5 Homework Assignment latest 2016 may External Factor Analysis Summary Guidelines
Here are some guidelines for completing an EFAS (and IFAS):
External Factors (Column 1):
Select five strategic opportunities and five strategic threats that are facing your company of choice.
List each of these factors as either opportunities or threats.
Give a short description of each factor.
Weight (Column 2):
The total weight for all of the factors should be 1.00 .
Decide how strategic each of the ten factors is in comparison to each other. As an example, a factor that might have a high strategic significance to the firm may have a weight ranging from .15 to .20. On the other hand, a factor that may have little in the way of strategic significance, when compared to the other nine factors, might have a weight of .05.
Rating (Column 3):
In this column you are to rate how effective the firm has been in meeting the opportunities and threats, with 5.0 being the top score for any factor. As an example, if you feel a firm is doing a super job of moving into Asia then give a rating of 5.0.
Weighted Score (Column 4):
Now multiple the scores you have in Columns 2 and 3 for each factor.
This will produce a weighted score for each factor.
Comments (Column 5):
Give a short description that reflects why you gave the rating (Column 3) you did to each factor.
Total Scores:
At the bottom of the matrix you are to record the totals of each Column- Weight (Column 2), Rating (Column 3), and Weighted Score (Column 4).
The Total Weighted Score should indicate how effective your firm has been in handling its opportunities and threats.
EXTERNAL FACTOR ANALYSIS SUMMARY (EFAS) – Microsoft Corporation
FACTORS
WEIGHT
RATING
WGTD
SCORE
COMMENTS
OPPORTUNITIES
O1
Tablets and Smartphones
.15
3
.45
Tablets and Smartphones have provided a brand new market avenue for Microsoft. Microsoft is competing in this new sector via their Surface and Windows 8 phone, but they have not quite met market expectation with this.
O2
Gaming –Xbox and Kinect
.15
5
.75
Until 2010 Microsoft has been struggling in the gaming sector behind Sony (PlayStation) and Nintendo (Wii). But the launch of Kinect in late 2010 turned the corner in Microsoft’s favor and Microsoft has excelled in Gaming sector ever since launch of Kinect.
O3
Online Service offerings via cloud
.10
4
.40
The cloud computing has brought a new era of service offering across the software industry that enable small and medium companies to make use of advance software technologies without large investment. Microsoft has a dedicated online services division to compete in this sector and has been performing relatively well.
O4
Emerging Markets
.05
4
.20
The technology sector in north America and Europe has matured, but there is enormous business to be tapped in emerging economies such as India and China as well as South America. Microsoft has done relatively well in getting their foothold in those markets.
O5
Global Talent pool
.05
4
.20
Attracting and retaining a very advance technical workforce is the key for success for any technology company. Microsoft has done relatively well to attract technical workforce from across the globe and created an environment to nurture and foster that talent to new heights.
THREATS
T1
Competition
.15
3
.45
Competition is the biggest threat for a technology company. In 80s and 90s Microsoft had performed very well compared to its competitors, but in the new millennium Microsoft had to face fierce competition in every sector from companies such as Apple, Google and so on.
T2
Piracy
.05
3
.15
Piracy has been a threat to Microsoft and othersoftware companies ever since beginning of the software industry. Piracy does make significant dent in Microsoft revenue. Companies like Microsoft have to keep developing new safeguard to prevent piracy as best as they can.
T3
Legal challenges
.10
3
.30
Government regulation and legal challenges cause significant loss of revenue for Microsoft. Most recently Microsoft was fined €561 million ($732 million) buy European Union for failing to respect an antitrust settlement with regulators.
T4
Cyber security
.10
4
.40
Over last decade cyber security has become one of the key challenges for any large corporation and more so for technology companies like Microsoft. Microsoft has done relatively well not only to protect itself from cyber threats but has partnered with its customers including government organization to fight against cyber threats.
T5
Dynamic and volatilenature of the information and technology sector
.10
3
.30
The biggest challenge for a technology company is the ever changing nature of the business. Microsoft was originally focused on Windows operating system and Microsoft office softwarebut over last few years has to change its business model to compete in services (cloud computing) and devices (Tablets, Smartphones). Microsoft has done well to adapt to new business model but often seem to lag behind its competitors such as Apple.
TOTAL SCORES
1.00
3.60
EXTERNAL FACTOR ANALYSIS SUMMARY (EFAS)
FACTORS
WEIGHT
RATING
WGTD
SCORE
COMMENTS
OPPORTUNITIES
O1
O2
O3
O4
O5
THREATS
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
TOTAL SCORES
Embry MGMT436 Module 4.5 Homework Assignment latest 2016 may Internal Factor Analysis Summary Guidelines
Here are some guidelines for completing an IFAS:
Internal Factors (Column 1):
Select five strategic strengths and weaknesses that are facing your company of choice.
List each of these factors as either strengths or weaknesses.
Give a short description of each factor.
Weight (Column 2):
The total weight for all of the factors should be 1.00 .
Decide how strategic each of the ten factors is in comparison to each other. As an example, a factor that might have a high strategic significance to the firm may have a weight ranging from .15 to .20. On the other hand, a factor that may have little in the way of strategic significance, when compared to the other nine factors, might have a weight of .05.
Rating (Column 3):
In this column you are to rate how effective the firm has been in meeting the opportunities and threats, with 5.0 being the top score for any factor. As an example, if you feel a firm is doing a super job of moving into Asia then give a rating of 5.0.
Weighted Score (Column 4):
Now multiple the scores you have in Columns 2 and 3 for each factor.
This will produce a weighted score for each factor.
Comments (Column 5):
Give a short description that reflects why you gave the rating (Column 3) you did to each factor.
Total Scores:
At the bottom of the matrix you are to record the totals of each Column- Weight (Column 2), Rating (Column 3), and Weighted Score (Column 4).
The Total Weighted Score should indicate how effective your firm has been in handling its strengths and weaknesses.
INTERNAL FACTOR ANALYSIS SUMMARY (IFAS)
FACTORS
WEIGHT
RATING
WGTD
SCORE
COMMENTS
STRENGHTS
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
WEAKNESSES
W1
W2
W3
W4
W5
TOTAL SCORES
FACTORS
WEIGHT
RATING
WGTD
SCORE
COMMENTS
STRENGHTS
S1
Windows and Windows Live
.15
4.5
.675
Windows & Windows Live Division offerings consist of the Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating system, software and services through Windows Live, and PC hardware products. Windows operating system has been bedrock of Microsoft corporations, and has consistently fended off and serious competition from the industry and has been clear leader for personal computing sector.
S2
Enterprise Server and Tools
.15
5
.75
Enterprise Server and Tools product and service offerings include Windows Server, Windows Azure, Microsoft SQL Server, Windows Embedded device platforms, and Enterprise Services. Enterprise Services comprise Premier product support services and Microsoft Consulting Services. And like Windows operating system for personal computing, Microsoft has dominated enterprise computing via its Windows server and SQL server platforms.
S3
Gaming and Entertainment (Xbox and Xbox live)
.10
4.5
.45
Microsoft’s gaming and entertainment offerings include the Xbox 360 entertainment platform, including Kinect for Xbox 360. Microsoft also offersXbox LIVE service, which enables online gaming, social networking, and access to a wide range of video, gaming, and entertainment content. Kinect in particular has provided Microsoft much needed edge over its competitors in the gaming sector.
S4
Diverse and global talent
.05
4.5
.225
Success of any company is highly dependent on their ability to attract and retain qualified employees, Microsoft has done relatively well to attract technical workforce from across the globe and created an environment to nurture and foster that talent to new heights. The diversity of their workforce in terms of technical breadth as well as the geographical spread provides Microsoft completive edge with the research and development of wide range product and services.
S5
Brand Image
.05
3.5
.175
Over last 38 years since its inception in 1975, Microsoft had clearly developed a brand image and reputation for itself. Even though it has faced fierce challenge and attacks from its competitors, Microsoft still is popular global brand. Bill Gates’ vision for Microsoft “A personal computer in every home running Microsoft software” has become close to reality and, Microsoft has become a true household name across the world.
WEAKNESSES
W1
Innovation
.15
2.5
.375
Over last decade or so Microsoft seems to be losing the battle of innovation over it competitors. More often than not, Microsoft seems to be following its competitors’ innovation that leading the pack. For Microsoft to retain its global leadership, it really need to re-vigor the innovative powerhouse that Microsoft once was.
W2
Lack of clear direction
.10
2.5
.25
The recent change in Microsoft’s business model from being primarily a software company to that of software, services and devices company has created lack of direction for the ranks and files, particularly because every division is targeted to handle all three aspect of business. To be successful Microsoft really need to re-organize itself across the new business model, and in recent days they have started initiative in that direction.
W3
Windows Phone and Tablet
.10
2
.2
Microsoft launched itself in the smartphone sector in 2010 with its Widows 7 phone, and Surface was Microsoft’s attempt to get into the tablet business. They haven’t performed very well in either of these two; Window 8 phone has performed relatively better than its predecessor but overall has not come even close to the competition.
W4
Search Engine sector
.10
3
.3
Microsoft has been trying to compete in the search engine sector for long time. Microsoft’s original search engine MSN Search never really got any traction and they launched their current search engine BING in 2009. BING has done relatively better than MSN Search and has taken over the 2nd place from Yahoo, but still way behind than Google.
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