Trimester T1 2020 Unit Code Hi5004 Unit Title Marketing Mana

Trimester T1 2020 Unit Code Hi5004 Unit Title Marketing Management As

Answer all five (5) of the following questions. The questions come from the recorded tutorial questions from week 3 to week 6. This individual assignment is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of marketing management. All work must be original; plagiarism will be penalized. Use correct in-text citation conventions, and reference sources properly in Harvard style. The assignment is worth 50 marks, with specific word limits per question, and is due in Week 8 by 22/5/2020 at 11:59 PM. Format submissions in MS Word, 1.5 spacing, 12-pt Arial font, 2 cm margins, with appropriate section headings and page numbers.

Paper For Above instruction

The success of a firm greatly depends on the efficiency of its core business processes, which coordinate departmental activities to achieve strategic goals. According to Porter (1985), there are four primary core business processes: operations, marketing and sales, service, and support activities. Each of these plays a crucial role in delivering value to customers and maintaining competitive advantage.

Operations

Operations involve the core activities necessary to produce a firm’s products or services. For instance, in a manufacturing company like Toyota, operations encompass the assembly lines, quality control, and inventory management that transform raw materials into finished vehicles. Efficient operations ensure cost containment and product quality, directly impacting customer satisfaction and profitability.

Marketing and Sales

This process focuses on market research, advertising, sales strategies, and customer relationship management. For example, Apple’s marketing team designs innovative advertising campaigns to promote its products worldwide. Effective marketing and sales processes help in attracting and retaining customers, boosting revenue, and positioning the brand in the marketplace.

Service

Post-sale service, including customer support and maintenance, enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty. An illustration is Amazon’s customer service operations, which provide quick resolution of issues and facilitate repeat purchases. Superior service processes can differentiate a company in a competitive environment and foster brand loyalty.

Support Activities

Supporting activities include infrastructure, human resources, technology development, and procurement. For instance, Google invests heavily in research and development (R&D) and IT infrastructure to support its core functions. Support activities underpin primary processes, enabling innovation and efficiency.

Conclusion

These core business processes are interdependent, and their effective coordination can significantly influence an organization’s success. Companies that streamline these processes can better respond to market changes, enhance customer satisfaction, and sustain competitive advantage.

References

  • Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive advantage: Creating and sustaining superior performance. Free Press.
  • Hayes, R. H., & Wheelwright, S. C. (1984). Restoring our competitive edge: Competing through manufacturing. Wiley.
  • Slack, N., Chambers, S., & Johnston, R. (2010). Operations management. Pearson Education.
  • Johnson, M. W. (2010). Seizing the white space: Business model innovation for growth and renewal. Harvard Business Review Press.
  • Christopher, M. (2016). Logistics & supply chain management. Pearson UK.
  • Barney, J. B. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120.
  • Grant, R. M. (2013). Contemporary strategy analysis: Text and cases. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Chase, R. B., Jacobs, F. R., & Aquilano, N. J. (2006). Operations management for competitive advantage. McGraw-Hill.
  • Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (1992). The balanced scorecard: Measures that drive performance. Harvard Business Review.
  • Larson, P. D., & Chang, A. (2016). The strategic importance of supply chain management. Journal of Business Strategy, 37(1), 12-19.