You Need To Find Two Organizations Or Two Companies For Exam

You Need To Find Two Organizations Eg Two Companies For Example

You need to find two organizations, e.g., two companies, and then find out how they would make decisions in each of the following categories: operational planning and control, management control (tactical planning), strategic planning. Then, compare and contrast the characteristics of the six decisions made by these two organizations, with the appropriate criteria for the levels in which they are placed. Write a short report in APA style that provides detailed descriptions on what you have come up with.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Understanding the decision-making processes within organizations is crucial to comprehending how businesses operate, allocate resources, and plan for the future. This paper compares two distinct organizations—Apple Inc. and Walmart Inc.—focusing on how each makes decisions across three hierarchical levels: operational planning and control, management control (tactical planning), and strategic planning. By analyzing the characteristics of decisions at these levels, the report highlights the similarities and differences rooted in organizational size, industry type, and strategic objectives.

Operational Planning and Control

Operational planning involves short-term, day-to-day decisions aimed at ensuring the smooth functioning of organizational activities. In Apple's case, operational decisions include managing production schedules for iPhones or App Store content updates. Apple emphasizes precision in manufacturing and software deployment, with decisions driven by quality control standards and customer satisfaction metrics (Lashinsky, 2012). Walmart, on the other hand, makes operational decisions like inventory management, store stocking, and staff scheduling, centering around efficiency and cost reduction (Gielijn, 2016).

Both organizations utilize real-time data analytics for operational control. Apple leverages precision manufacturing systems to detect faults early, ensuring product quality (Isaacson, 2011). Walmart employs just-in-time inventory methods to minimize holding costs (Hussain et al., 2019). The decisions at this level are characterized by their tactical nature, focusing on short-term outcomes, resource utilization, and process efficiency.

Management Control (Tactical Planning)

Management control or tactical planning bridges day-to-day operations and long-term strategies. Apple's management decisions include regional marketing campaigns, product pricing adjustments, and supply chain negotiations. These decisions are informed by sales data, consumer trends, and competitive positioning, aiming to meet quarterly financial goals (Gillespie, 2017). Walmart's tactical decisions encompass regional store expansions, promotional discount strategies, and supplier negotiations to enhance market share (Mollenkopf et al., 2010).

The primary characteristic of management control decisions is their mid-term focus with a moderate time horizon, typically spanning months to a year. They involve resource allocations and coordination among different departments to achieve specified objectives. Both organizations rely on performance metrics and managerial judgment, but Apple's decisions tend to be innovation-driven, while Walmart emphasizes cost leadership.

Strategic Planning

Strategic decisions set the long-term direction of an organization. Apple’s strategic choices include investment in new product categories like electric vehicles and augmentation of services such as Apple TV+. These decisions are high-stakes, involve substantial resource commitments, and influence the company's competitive position over the next five to ten years (Isaacson, 2011). Walmart's strategic planning involves expanding global markets, adopting e-commerce channels, and sustainable sourcing initiatives to maintain competitiveness in retail (Maignan & Ferrell, 2004).

Characteristics of strategic decisions include their complexity, uncertainty, and long-term orientation. They require extensive analysis, stakeholder engagement, and a clear vision of future markets. Both companies’ strategic decisions are aimed at sustaining competitive advantage—Apple through innovation and brand loyalty, Walmart through scale economies and operational efficiencies.

Comparison and Contrast of Decision Characteristics

The decisions across the three levels exhibit key differences based on their scope, timeframe, and impact. Operational decisions are routine, short-term, and focused on efficiency and quality control, with Apple’s emphasis on product excellence contrasting Walmart’s focus on cost efficiency. Tactical decisions serve to implement strategic directives in the mid-term, with Apple's marketing and supply chain adjustments differing from Walmart’s regional expansion initiatives. Strategic decisions involve high uncertainty and significant resource commitment, with Apple focusing on innovation and diversification, and Walmart prioritizing global expansion and sustainability.

While all decision levels involve data analysis, the strategic level requires forecasting and scenario planning due to environmental uncertainty. Apple's innovation-driven culture promotes risk-taking at the strategic level, whereas Walmart’s risk appetite is more conservative, adhering to operational efficiency and cost leadership.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Apple Inc. and Walmart Inc. exemplify distinct decision-making approaches aligned with their strategic orientations and industry contexts. Operational decisions focus on efficiency and quality, tactical decisions bridge short-term goals with long-term objectives, and strategic decisions define the organizations’ future trajectories. Understanding these decision characteristics enhances comprehension of organizational management and strategic positioning in diverse industry environments.

References

  • Giesicken, P. (2017). Strategic marketing management. Journal of Business Research, 86, 213-222.
  • Gielijn, S. (2016). Retail operations management. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 44(4), 432-447.
  • Hussain, S., et al. (2019). Inventory management in large retail chains. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 24(2), 169-180.
  • Isaacson, W. (2011). Steve Jobs. Simon & Schuster.
  • Lashinsky, A. (2012). Inside Apple: How America's most admired--and secretive--company really works. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
  • Maignan, I., & Ferrell, O. C. (2004). Corporate Social Responsibility and Marketing: An Integrative Framework. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 32(1), 3-19.
  • Mollenkopf, D., et al. (2010). Managing international retailing. Journal of Retailing, 86(2), 221-231.
  • Gillespie, E. (2017). Managing marketing campaigns. Journal of Marketing Management, 33(11-12), 942-959.
  • Graham, J. (2020). Strategic management in tech companies. Strategic Management Journal, 41(5), 876-896.
  • Walmart Corporate Website. (2023). Walmart’s global strategy. https://corporate.walmart.com/

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