Amazon SWOT Analysis - Project Topic In This Unit

Amazon Swot Analysis 2amazon Project Topicin This Unit You Co

Amazon Swot Analysis 2amazon Project Topicin This Unit You Will Co

AMAZON SWOT ANALYSIS 2 AMAZON Project Topic In this unit, you will complete a project topic in which you present your company and give a brief introduction to the company. Present some basic information about the size of the company, its history, and how it is organized. In addition, present some information about the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the company. Does the company follow Friedman’s or Carroll’s view of social responsibility? Your project topic should be at least one page in length, double-spaced, and in 12 pt.

Times New Roman font. To complete this assignment, a minimum of two reputable sources must be used, cited, and referenced. Use APA style guidelines. References Amazon.com, Inc. SWOT Analysis. (2018). Amazon.Com, Inc. SWOT Analysis , 1–8. Retrieved from

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction to Amazon

Amazon.com, Inc., founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994, has grown into one of the world's largest and most influential technology and retail companies. Initially starting as an online bookstore, Amazon expanded its offerings to encompass virtually every product category, including electronics, apparel, digital media, and cloud computing services. As of 2024, Amazon boasts a market capitalization exceeding $1.7 trillion, with operations in numerous countries and a workforce of over 1.5 million employees worldwide. The company's organizational structure is a complex hierarchy, with divisions dedicated to e-commerce, cloud services (Amazon Web Services), logistics, entertainment (Amazon Prime Video), and healthcare, among others. This structure enables Amazon to innovate rapidly and maintain its competitive edge across multiple sectors.

History and Growth

Amazon's journey began with a vision to leverage the internet to revolutionize retail. The company went public in 1997 and quickly established a reputation for customer-centricity, innovation, and operational efficiency. Key milestones include the launch of Amazon Web Services in 2006, which now accounts for a significant portion of the company's revenue and positions Amazon as a leader in cloud computing. Amazon's aggressive expansion into new markets, investment in logistics infrastructure, and adoption of technological advancements like artificial intelligence and automation have propelled its growth. Despite facing criticism for its labor practices, environmental impact, and market dominance, Amazon continues to dominate the e-commerce landscape and expand into emerging sectors like healthcare and autonomous delivery.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Social Responsibility Views

Amazon's approach to CSR focuses on sustainability initiatives, employee welfare, and community engagement. The company has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 through the Climate Pledge and has invested heavily in renewable energy projects. Amazon also emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion programs for its workforce. However, criticisms regarding working conditions, tax practices, and its market power have raised questions about the authenticity of its CSR claims.

In terms of social responsibility philosophy, Amazon appears to lean more towards Milton Friedman’s view, which emphasizes that corporate responsibility is primarily to maximize shareholder profit within the bounds of the law. Although Amazon promotes CSR activities publicly, its primary focus seems to be on economic performance and shareholder value. Conversely, some aspects of Carroll’s corporate social responsibility pyramid—encompassing economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic responsibilities—are also reflected in Amazon’s comprehensive CSR strategies, albeit with debates around the authenticity and impact of its initiatives.

Conclusion

Amazon's evolution from a small online bookstore to a global technology giant exemplifies strategic growth, innovation, and significant market influence. Its organizational structure supports diverse business operations, and its CSR efforts highlight a complex relationship between profit maximization and social responsibility. While Amazon has made notable strides in sustainability and community engagement, ongoing criticisms underscore the challenges of balancing economic ambitions with ethical considerations in a rapidly expanding enterprise.

References

  • Amazon.com, Inc. SWOT Analysis. (2018). Amazon.Com, Inc. SWOT Analysis, 1–8. Retrieved from [URL]
  • Chen, C., & Zhang, Q. (2010). The evolution of Amazon’s strategic position in e-commerce. Journal of Business Strategy, 31(6), 15-23.
  • Friedman, M. (1970). The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits. The New York Times Magazine.
  • Carroll, A. B. (1999). Corporate social responsibility: Evolution of a definitional construct. Business & Society, 38(3), 268-295.
  • Huang, M.-H., & Rust, R. T. (2021). Engaged to a Robot? The Role of AI in Service. Journal of Service Research, 24(1), 30–41.
  • Kim, E. (2022). Amazon’s logistics network revolutionizes retail. Logistics Management, 40(2), 45-49.
  • Schmitz, J. A. (2020). Sustainability and corporate responsibility in the digital age: Amazon’s initiatives. Journal of Corporate Strategies, 12(4), 74-85.
  • Smith, J., & Lee, A. (2019). Assessing Amazon’s CSR: Ethical implications of corporate strategies. Business Ethics Quarterly, 29(3), 331–356.
  • Williams, K., & Carter, S. (2017). The impact of Amazon’s market dominance on competition. Competition Policy International, 13(2), 92-105.
  • Yoshikawa, T. (2020). Technological innovation in Amazon Web Services. Technovation, 94, 102-112.

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