Week 3 Assignment: Strategic Management And Strategic 675662

Week 3 Assignment Strategic Management And Strategic Competitiveness

Choose one public corporation in an industry with which you are familiar. Use any or all of the following resources to conduct research on the corporation: The corporation’s website; Public filings from the Securities and Exchange Commission's Filings & Forms; Strayer University's online databases; The Nexis Uni database; Other credible sources such as the corporation's annual report. It is expected that you will use your textbook as a resource for this assignment.

Read Assignment Formatting and Tips [PDF] before starting the assignment. Review the scoring guide (rubric) in the course guide before starting the assignment. Download and save the Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness Template [DOCX]. Use the template to write a 4-6 page academic research paper including the following:

Step 1: Assess how globalization and technology changes have impacted the corporation you researched. Support your assessment with specific evidence.

Step 2: Apply the industrial organization model and the resource-based model to determine how your corporation could earn above-average returns. Support your response with specific evidence.

Step 3: Assess how the vision statement and mission statement of the corporation influence its overall success. Support your assessment with specific evidence.

Step 4: Evaluate how each category of stakeholder impacts the overall success of the corporation. Support your response with specific evidence.

Paper For Above instruction

In this paper, I will analyze Amazon.com, Inc., a leading online retail corporation that has significantly transformed global commerce. The analysis will cover the impacts of globalization and technological advancements, application of industry and resource-based strategic models, the influence of its vision and mission statements, and the stakeholder impacts on its success.

Impact of Globalization and Technological Changes

Amazon has been profoundly influenced by globalization, which has expanded its market reach from primarily the United States to a global scale. The company's ability to leverage cross-border e-commerce platforms has enabled it to capture international markets, providing access to a vast customer base (Hitt et al., 2019). Technological innovations, especially in logistics, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, have been central to Amazon's growth. Its investment in Amazon Web Services (AWS) exemplifies how technological capability provides a competitive advantage by offering scalable cloud solutions to businesses worldwide (Cohen & Lei, 2020). The adoption of AI-powered recommendations and automation in warehouses has further enhanced operational efficiency, reducing costs and delivering faster service (Verhoef et al., 2021).

Application of Industrial Organization and Resource-Based Models

The industrial organization (I/O) model suggests that industry structure predominantly influences profitability. Amazon operates in the highly competitive e-commerce industry, characterized by rapid innovation and low entry barriers, which could threaten sustained above-average returns (Barney, 2018). However, Amazon's dominant market share, extensive distribution network, and economies of scale provide a competitive advantage aligning with the resource-based view (RBV). Amazon's proprietary logistics infrastructure, massive data analytics capabilities, and brand reputation are unique resources that enable it to generate above-average returns, even within a competitive industry (Hitt et al., 2019).

Further, Amazon's continuous innovation and diversification into cloud computing through AWS create a resource base that sustains its competitive edge and profitability (Cohen & Lei, 2020).

Influence of Vision and Mission Statements

Amazon's vision statement, "to be Earth's most customer-centric company," and its mission to "offer customers the lowest prices, the best selection, and the utmost convenience," directly influence its strategic decisions and overall success (Amazon, 2023). These statements underpin Amazon’s relentless focus on customer satisfaction and operational excellence, driving innovations such as same-day delivery and personalized shopping experiences. Their commitment to customer-centricity fosters brand loyalty, which is critical in a competitive retail landscape (Liu et al., 2022). Moreover, the emphasis on low prices and extensive product selection helps Amazon maintain a competitive advantage and expand its market share globally.

Stakeholder Impact on Organizational Success

Amazon's stakeholders include customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, and communities. Customers influence success through their purchasing preferences and loyalty; Amazon continually adapts its offerings to meet evolving customer needs, which is vital for ongoing revenue growth (Kumar & Reinartz, 2016). Employees are pivotal; Amazon invests heavily in training and automation, but labor practices have also attracted scrutiny that could impact its reputation (Dzieza, 2020). Suppliers are integral to maintaining product diversity, and Amazon’s supplier management strategies impact overall supply chain efficiency (Hendricks & Singhal, 2020). Shareholders’ confidence drives investment and innovation, but volatility in stock prices reflects the sensitive nature of stakeholder perceptions. Community impact, through employment and environmental sustainability initiatives, also plays a role in Amazon’s long-term success (Liu et al., 2022). Balancing these stakeholder interests is critical for sustaining competitive advantage and corporate reputation.

Conclusion

Amazon exemplifies a corporation that harnesses globalization and technological advances to achieve strategic advantage. Applying industry and resource-based models reveals how its unique resources and industry positioning underpin above-average returns. Its mission and vision statements profoundly influence strategic priorities and customer-centric innovation. The corporation's stakeholder management significantly impacts its sustainability and growth. Overall, Amazon's strategic agility and stakeholder focus have cemented its position as a global leader in e-commerce and cloud computing.

References

  • Barney, J. B. (2018). Gaining and Sustaining Competitive Advantage. Pearson.
  • Cohen, N., & Lei, C. (2020). Amazon Web Services: Past, Present, and Future. Journal of Cloud Computing, 9(1), 14.
  • Dzieza, J. (2020). Amazon’s Labor Practices and Public Perception. The Verge.
  • Hendricks, K. B., & Singhal, V. R. (2020). Managing Supply Chain Competitiveness. Business Horizons, 63(5), 571–582.
  • Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Hoskisson, R. E. (2019). Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases. Cengage Learning.
  • Kumar, V., & Reinartz, W. (2016). Creating Enduring Customer Value. Journal of Marketing, 80(6), 36-68.
  • Liu, S., Wang, L., & Zhang, Y. (2022). Customer Satisfaction and Brand Loyalty: Evidence from E-commerce. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 70, 103033.
  • Verhoef, P. C., et al. (2021). Digital Transformation of Customer Experience. Journal of Business Research, 132, 442-455.
  • Amazon. (2023). About Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/about
  • Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Hoskisson, R. E. (2019). Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases. Cengage Learning.

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