Research And Analyze The Mission Statements Of Two Organizat

Research and analyze the mission statements of two organizations you admire

Research and analyze the mission statements of two organizations you admire. These organizations do not have to be for-profit, but at least one should be a commercial business. Consider whether their mission statements include diversity considerations and how they support modern, diverse, and changing business environments. Investigate the organizations' publicly posted mission statements, assess their effectiveness in today's society, and evaluate their adaptability to societal and industry changes. As a manager, reflect on whether the mission statement would guide decision-making and suggest potential improvements. Conclude with insights from your analysis, supporting your discussion with scholarly resources.

Paper For Above instruction

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the mission statements of two organizations—one of which I aspire to work for or admire—focusing on how these statements support diversity and adaptability in modern business environments. The analysis will examine whether their mission statements effectively communicate their goals amidst societal and industry changes and how they guide organizational behavior. This reflection aims to assess the strategic importance of mission statements in fostering a diverse and agile workforce and to suggest enhancements that would improve their relevance.

To begin, understanding the concept of a mission statement is essential. According to Kurdelbusch (2017), a mission statement defines an organization’s core purpose, outlining why it exists and what it seeks to accomplish. It serves as a foundation for strategic planning, guiding internal decision-making and shaping organizational culture. The mission statement should be clear, concise, and aligned with the organization’s values, including diversity and inclusion, which have become critical in today’s globalized and multicultural business environment (Hitt et al., 2018).

The first organization selected for this analysis is Lexmark International, a well-known global printer company. Although the company’s mission statement varies in sources, its publicly available mission emphasizes providing innovative printing solutions that enhance productivity and engagement, with a focus on customer needs and technological advancement. For example, Lexmark's mission states: "To provide innovative imaging solutions that help our customers achieve their goals." This statement reflects a customer-centered approach, but it does not explicitly mention diversity or inclusion.

However, Lexmark’s corporate values and corporate social responsibility initiatives suggest an acknowledgment of diversity and sustainability. The company has committed to environmentally responsible practices and inclusive work environments, which are indirectly supported by their mission of innovation and customer service. As societal and technological changes accelerate, Lexmark’s focus on innovation and customer satisfaction could allow it to adapt effectively, but the explicit integration of diversity into its mission could strengthen its responsiveness to an increasingly diverse workforce and clientele.

The second organization I chose is HP Inc. (Hewlett-Packard), renowned for its leadership in technology and printing solutions. HP’s mission statement reads: "To create technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere." This statement emphasizes inclusivity, accessibility, and impact, aligning with contemporary values of diversity. HP explicitly highlights its commitment to sustainability, diversity, and inclusion in its corporate social responsibility reports and company culture disclosures, suggesting that these elements are integral to its strategic identity (HP, 2022).

HP’s mission demonstrates a clear intent to adapt to a diverse global society, promoting equal opportunity and leveraging the power of diverse perspectives to innovate. This inclusive focus positions HP to thrive amid societal shifts such as globalization, technological innovation, and economic inequality. As a manager within HP, I believe the mission statement would serve as a guiding principle in decision-making, encouraging practices that foster diversity and inclusion proactively, thereby enhancing employee morale, creativity, and market relevance.

Assessing these mission statements reveals that HP’s is more explicitly aligned with diversity and societal adaptation compared to Lexmark. HP’s focus on technology for "everyone, everywhere" directly suggests a commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, which can support a diverse workforce and customer base. In contrast, Lexmark’s mission, while strong in technological innovation and customer focus, could benefit from a more explicit emphasis on diversity and inclusion to future-proof its strategic direction.

Both organizations’ missions are adaptable to societal changes in different ways. HP’s mission inherently promotes inclusivity, which aligns well with the evolving societal expectations for corporate responsibility and diversity. Lexmark’s more traditional, product-focused mission could hinder its ability to fully leverage diversity unless it explicitly incorporates it into its core purpose.

As a leader in either organization, I would advocate for clearer integration of diversity and inclusion into the mission statement. For Lexmark, I would recommend revising their mission to explicitly acknowledge the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, such as "To provide innovative imaging solutions while fostering a diverse, inclusive environment that empowers our employees and serves our diverse customer base." Such a revision would reinforce their commitment and make their strategic objectives more aligned with societal expectations and industry best practices.

In conclusion, mission statements are vital strategic tools that reflect an organization’s core purpose and values. HP’s mission is more explicitly aligned with contemporary demands for diversity and social responsibility, facilitating better adaptation to societal shifts. Lexmark’s mission, though focused on innovation, could benefit from clearer emphasis on diversity and inclusion to enhance its strategic resilience. Both organizations would gain from revising their missions to explicitly incorporate diversity values, thereby fostering a more inclusive culture that attracts talent, satisfies customers, and sustains competitive advantage in a dynamic global environment.

References

  • Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Hoskisson, R. E. (2018). Strategic Management: Competitiveness and Globalization. Cengage Learning.
  • HP. (2022). About HP — Our mission and purpose. https://www.hp.com/us-en/hp-information/about-hp.html
  • Kurdelbusch, J. (2017). Mission statements in strategic management. Journal of Business Strategy, 38(2), 45-50.
  • Schmidt, M., & Madsen, H. (2019). The Role of Mission Statements in Modern Business. Journal of Business Ethics, 154(2), 319-330.
  • Smith, K. G., & Li, D. (2020). Diversity and inclusion in organizational mission statements. Journal of Organizational Culture, Communications, and Conflict, 24(3), 45-59.
  • Northcentral University. (n.d.). About Northcentral University. https://www.ncu.edu/about-us
  • Johnson, G., Scholes, K., & Whittington, R. (2017). Exploring Corporate Strategy. Pearson.
  • Sandberg, L., & Tsui, A. (2018). Diversity and Leadership: Developing Inclusive Organizations. Leadership Quarterly, 29(4), 558-573.
  • Yukl, G. (2020). Leadership in Organizations. Pearson Education.
  • Williams, M. (2017). The Impact of Mission Statements on Organizational Performance. Strategic Management Journal, 38(4), 801-818.

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