Social and Political Propaganda Essay - 1821 Words

There are two types of propaganda: sociological propaganda; the spreading of an ideology through the mass media, and political propaganda; efforts that are sponsored by governments and political groups that alter a persons’ interests. All propaganda has a direction, and the overall quality determines whether it will have a positive or negative effect over the masses. Our entire nation is a vast propaganda operational system that is greatly linked to education, consumerism and politics. A great deal of what makes up propaganda and how it is placed among the masses lies in understanding the overall emotional and physical states of these groups of people and in finding a way to draw a persons’ attention to capture their hearts, breaking down†¦show more content†¦An example of this would be during times of war, more specifically World War II. The idea of pinpointing was presented during this time, as it gave the people of the U.S. reason to put a great deal of blam e on another group or person, and it presented the public to the concept of what was defined as wrong and what was essentially â€Å"right† at that time. As Alia Hoyt had stated in an article for HowStuffWorks.com, she believed that, â€Å"Many other propaganda methods exist, but they subsist on the same basic principles as the ones listed above: Manipulate the message to portray an issue or person in the most favorable light possible, and when necessary, make the opposing side look shabby in comparison† (Hoyt 1). Propaganda, in any case, can drastically change how a person thinks about a certain thing whether politically, as seen by Nazi Germany in World War II, or commercially, such as different forms of advertisements seen in the mainstream media throughout the United States and all over the world. The use of propaganda is a main factor in today’s society, yet unfortunately, it is seen in a more fraudulent manner than reliable. This shift of propaganda can le ad to many misconceptions in life as it may have faulty descriptions about things in society, yet more people are allowing to consume their lives rather than fight against it and demand it to be shut out from our everyday lives, if all itShow MoreRelatedPropagand Propaganda And Propaganda1544 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"The essence of propaganda consists in winning people over to an idea so sincerely, so vitally, that in the end they succumb to it utterly and can never escape site from it† wrote Joseph Goebbel; a statement that Hitler strongly agreed with (Trueman). When Nazi Germany came to power in 1933, Goebbel was a master propagandist of the â€Å"Nazi regime and dictator of its cultural life for 12 years†. With Goebbles as a propaganda leader, Germany was able to develop an organized propaganda designed to toRead MoreUsage of Propaganda in Totalitarian Governments versus Democratic Governments1069 Words   |  5 PagesPropaganda is everywhere any human looks. I t is the base of almost every government. But, seeing as how other governments are worse than the American government, it’s worse in other areas of the world. The role of propaganda in a totalitarian government is very important, especially when compared to a democratic type of government, mostly because democracies don’t usually want to control every aspect of life. Information or ideas that are spread by an organized group or government to influence peoplesRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book By Nikolaus Pevsner Essay1250 Words   |  5 Pagesoverview about the influences of propaganda in artwork given by his editor, Nikolaus Pevsner, in the foreword of the book. He states that Works of art, especially sculpture, were part of everyday life in ancient cities. Sculptures and painting gave form to the gods, commemorated the great men of the State, celebrated the events of history, depicted the dead on their tombs. In Rome they took on an even greater significance. They became an essential part of political propaganda, of public display, indeedRead MoreThe Works Of Anonymous Street Artist1557 Words   |  7 PagesThis paper will explore a form of modern day propaganda which is quite controversial, that of the works of anonymous street artist by the name of Banksy. Banksy uses the sides of buildings, streets and bridges as a blank canvas as a social commentary against political issues. Chapter 1 will argue how Banksy’s street art is a form of visual culture and propaganda by defining propaganda and comparing his works to previous examples of visual manipulation in history, such as pro war posters during WorldRead MoreEssay On Propaganda In China818 Words   |  4 Pagesregimes where ineffective propaganda is especially prevalent, such as in Syria and Korea. By examining the relationship between individual perceptions of regime strength and exposure to propaganda in the form of ideological and political curricula, Huang makes a compelling argument meant to supplement rather than supplant indoctrination theory. Regardless, there are several problems with Huang’s experimental design which make it difficult to draw broad conclusions about propaganda signaling even withinRead MoreMaking Meanings Essay1692 Words   |  7 Pagesunderstandings of everyday life or naturalises particular ideas of social existence. Propaganda presents facts selectively to encourage a particular response that can revolve around economical, political or cultural issues. The Aim of propaganda is to influence people’s opinions or behaviours actively, rather than merely communicate facts. This deliberately evokes an emotional response to a wide spread audience. The Nazis believed in propaganda as a vital tool to achieve their goals. Adolf Hitler, Germany’sRead MorePropaganda During The Middle Ages1396 Words   |  6 PagesPropaganda is a powerful tool that groups, or individuals use to gain or maintain power. Throughout the Middle Ages, the Catholic church used propaganda to gain power through Europe and maintain order even in the most turbulent times. In current times, powerful companies and government leaders use propaganda to increase profits and gain power. Even in our current information age, it is important to look at what is being shown and how much of something is being shown. In both times, p ropaganda isRead MoreThe And Criticisms Of Laswell s Work Essay1158 Words   |  5 PagesTable of contents -Introduction -Theories of his works - Case Study -Praises and Criticisms of Laswell’s Work - Other areas where Harold Laswell was also known -Reference HAROLD DWIGHT LASWELL He ls an American political scientist and a Communications Theorist who was popular for his extensive research in the areas of Politics. He was also a leader in the applications of Psychology principles to Politics and also in designing a structure of Politics which is based on theoriesRead MoreThe War Of The Cold War1644 Words   |  7 PagesThe Cold War was a state of political and military tension stemming from World War II fought primarily between the United States and the Soviet Union. Although the start and end dates of the Cold War are frequently disputed over, it is generally accepted that the conflict started at the conclusion of the Second World War and stemmed from the social climate and lingering tensions in Europe and the increasing power struggles between the Soviet Union and the United States. Along with economic separationRead More1967 Cultural Revolution of China1617 Words   |  7 PagesCultural Revolution was the most massive political campaign launched after the establishment of People’s Republic of China. It was a torture to many people who experienced Cultural Revolution (CR). This revolution which has brought tremendous influence was very a remarkable event in China. This essay will be focused more on cause of CR, public response and its remaining effect. 2. The background of Cultural Revolution Cultural Revolution was a social transformation campaign initiated by Mai Zedong

The Artistic Ambition Of Henry James - 7075 Words

In the 2013 documentary, The United States of Amnesia, Gore Vidal said, â€Å"Art is not a democracy,† he explains further, â€Å"in fact, art is the enemy of democracy.† According to this viewpoint, the gifted artist is one to whom the ancient Greeks said were favoured by the muses of creativity: accordingly, such divine help is undemocratically dished out. It is because of the writer’s imagination and astuteness in carefully selecting and arranging words on a page, to convey the complex emotions of their characters, is testimony to their artistic ambition of invoking in the reader sublime awe. Furthermore, the creating of art (whether it is literary or any other) is one of the driving factors that fuel the artist’s ambition. Great art transcends†¦show more content†¦Such artistic drive is heightened by sexual desires: resulting in either the creation of artworks, or the diminishment in its quality and number. In addition, James investigates the mother’s ambition to exercise control and profit from their children. These conflicting and competing desires increase the narrative tension of James’s novel: the only choice is the self-destruction of the artist through death — and the surrendering of one’s morals in favour of wealth — leading to an apathetic existence. Overall, the consequences of ambition are viewed by the writer in a negative light whereby the only redeeming quality is the possibility of reciprocated love — this, nonetheless, may take a lifetime to achieve. At the start of Roderick Hudson, James focuses his authorial attentions on Rowland Mallet, where we are shown the character’s viewpoints, his history and most importantly how he interacts with the other characters in the novel. What the reader discovers about Rowland Mallet is that he is a wealthy man who does not advocate nor does he live a luxurious, ostentatious lifestyle. Instead, he is frugal and such parsimony, we are told, results from a stern puritan father. Moreover, it seems James knows all too well the angst Rowland, in the years to come, would face. Essentially, Rowland, â€Å"cared nothing for†¦money† (James, Roderick, 58), but what he cherishedShow MoreRelatedThe Art Museum When I Was At The Asian Museum883 Words   |  4 Pagescollection for the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Mary Stevenson Cassatt (1844  ­ 1926) was an American impressionist painter who, similarly to the most privileged artists of her generation (Henry James condescendingly called them the â€Å"White Marmorean Flock†), traveled to Europe in the late 1860s to pursue artistic training. She eventually moved permanently with her sister, Lydia and her parents to Paris where there were less institutional modes of oppression and more access to the contemporary worldRead MoreThe Shakespearean Canon1325 Words   |  6 Pagesexamine the symbolism in their deaths and how it reflects the historic trend of the maligned lower class, post overthrow. Historically, the transition from the Elizabethan reign to James’ was a time of subtle social-realignment. The idea of the monarchy was beginning to show signs of weakness following the James’ ascension and the intellectual, producing artists like Shakespeare, were among the first to placate and simultaneously subvert it. Those of Shakespeares own socio-economic class wereRead MoreMacbeth, By William Shakespeare1409 Words   |  6 Pagesthe play was the murkiness of character. Throughout the play, the many characters go through fierce temptation and strife, and none truly rise above moral contention. Also known to many as The Scottish Play, the classic tragedy is a playground of ambition and contradiction. Driven to become the new King after a prophecy by the mysterious Three Witches, Macbeth realizes that he must kill all and any that get in his way. His clever wife, Lady Macbeth, is instrumental in his ascension to the throne,Read MoreThe Author known as, Scott Fitzgerald is considered a notable writer in the Jazz Age time period1100 Words   |  5 Pagesrespected Catholic prep school in Hackensack, New Jersey. There he met Father Sigourney Fay, who observed his developing gift with the written word and encouraged him to chase his literary ambitions. After graduating from the Newman School in 1913, Fitzgerald decided to stay in New Jersey to continue his artistic progress at Princeton University. At the university he strongly dedicated himself to enhancing his skill as a writer. There he became friends with future critics and writers Edmund WilsonRead MoreApush Chapter 7 Outline Essay4627 Words   |  19 Pagesaround the knowledge of medicine and science. C. Cultural Aspirations in the New Nation 1. Having won political independence from Europe, Americans aspired now to a form of cultural independence in which they dreamed of an American literary and artistic life that would rival that of Europe’s. 2. Americans believed that their â€Å"happy land† was destined to become the â€Å"seat of empire† and â€Å"final stage† of civilization. 3. Jedidiah Morse, author of Geography Made Easy (1784), said the country mustRead MoreThe Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeares Play Essay2231 Words   |  9 PagesThe Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeares Play Macbeth Macbeth was most likely written in 1606, early in the reign of James I, who had been James VI of Scotland before he succeeded to the English throne in 1603. James was a patron of Shakespeare’s acting company, and of all the plays Shakespeare wrote under James’s reign, Macbeth most clearly reflects the playwright’s close relationship with the sovereign. In focusing on Macbeth, a figure from Scottish historyRead MoreThe Role Of The British Actress And Playwright3159 Words   |  13 Pageswitness to a dramatic cultural revolution. After the death of Elizabeth I and the accession of James I of Scotland, the era of†¯Ã¢â‚¬Ëœreason’ gave way to an era of†¯Ã¢â‚¬Ëœfaith’. The competing ecclesiastical†¯ideologies of the†¯catholic church and the monarchy’s new religious testament, ‘Protestantism’, climaxed in the infamous†¯Ã¢â‚¬Å"Gunpowder Plot†¯Conspiracy† involving catholic revolutionaries looking to overthrow James’†¯maintenance†¯of the divine right of the monarch. †¯Simultaneously, †¯colonization of the†¯Ã¢â‚¬ËœAmericas’Read MoreElizabethan Era11072 Words   |  45 Pagesterritorial expansion would be limited until the signing of the Treaty of London the year following Elizabeths death. England during this period had a centralised, well-organised, and effective government, largely a result of the reforms of Henry VII and Henry VIII. Economically, the country began to benefit greatly from the new era of trans-Atlantic trade. The Elizabethan Period was the age of the Renaissance, of new ideas and new thinking.   The introduction of the printing press during the RenaissanceRead MoreAp Literature Open Response Questions3435 Words   |  14 Pageswhose mind is pulled in conflicting directions by two compelling desires, ambitions, obligations, or influences. Then, in a well-organized essay, identify each of the two conflicting forces and explain how this conflict within one character illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole. You may use one of the novels or plays listed below or another novel or play of similar literary quality. 1998: In his essay â€Å"Walking,† Henry David Thoreau offers the following assessment of literature: â€Å"In literatureRead More Biography of Edgar Allan Poe Essay11890 Words   |  48 PagesGeneral. His wife Elizabeth took an active part in making clothes for the Continental Army. David and Elizabeth Poe (Sr.) had seven children David, the eldest son, becoming the father of the poet. 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Features Of International Business In Developing Countries Commerce Essay Example For Students

Features Of International Business In Developing Countries Commerce Essay The economic cooperation amongst states and persons by agencies of which or that which facilitates the exchange of trade goods and services between the several states or persons is called International Business. International concern is defined as any concern that may traverse one or more than one national boundary lines at any point during the dealing. International concern relates to a concern which can non be local by any agencies and has to be capable of managing the cross cultural differences that boundary lines resemble. It s all about larning to accommodate concern procedures, techniques and moralss in different civilizations. There are a few parametric quantities to estimate whether the concern in inquiry is truly an international concern: How existent and functional are the client relationships in the varied markets? The point of contention is whether the organisation is able to strike a resonance with its international clients. The term International concern should non be limited to the concern entirely. The company should besides be concerned about its international clients and the corresponding biotechnologies. The steps the organisation undertakes to do certain that the concern runs good in international markets, the success in accommodating to their ordinances and success techniques is really of import for a concern looking to do it international. Three accomplishments are of extreme importance and relevancy when an organisation thinks of come ining a new market via their concern: the ability to pull off hazard in unknown environments, the ability to be originative and flexible harmonizing to the new demands of the environment and the needed sense of adaptability to supply the new demands. In add-on to all the aforesaid qualities, an organisation has to hold people that are good with people, and can link with the local people without the cross cultural differences crawling up in interactions, and the selling acumen to be able to vie and last in a new market. ( king, 2010 ) Outline1 Problem of research:2 Objective and Importance:3 The cardinal motives for houses to prosecute in international concern4 Literature reappraisal5 Types of hazard in International Business6 Difference between International Business and Domestic concern:7 Major Differences:8 The 5 drivers of globalisation:9 Role of the WTO10 On-line mediators:11 Factor proportions theory:12 Specific beginnings of national competitory advantage:13 Comparative advantage:14 Competitive advantage:15 Practical Case Study:16 Analysis and consequence:17 Developing States: A dining market18 Cross Cultural Matters in International Business19 Decision and Recommendation: Problem of research: The present twenty-four hours scenario requires a holistic attack towards concern in native every bit good as foreign states. Thus the job of our research is the factors act uponing the flourishing of international concern, the hazards faced by the phenomena Objective and Importance: The cardinal motives for houses to prosecute in international concern The first and one of the most outstanding is the privation to hold chances to turn into a bigger international house through variegation and every company hopes to be among the top shootings of the universe one twenty-four hours and seeing itself as a Fortune 500 company. Money is ever one of the most important factors.There is motive for gaining greater and greater net incomes as there are newer markets to be explored which have been earlier untapped. Curiosity is one of the factors impeling human growing.There is and ever has been a desire to larn new thoughts and methods about the different sorts of concern methods and patterns being followed in different geographicss of the universe. Another factor actuating factor for companies is to serve the clients that have relocated to foreign shores. When local companies want to spread out and travel out to foreign states they take along assorted other companies like the banking and the services sectors along with them which helps in distributing concern as a whole. One ground obliging companies to travel for IB is to be nearer to the arising supply beginnings and benefit from the integrated planetary supply concatenation and addition advantage from the sourcing and besides additions an upper manus by holding lenience in merchandise sourcing. It helps the companies involved in the universe trade to hold a better entree to the of all time improving and low-cost factors of production. No uncertainty that the developed states are the The major R A ; D hubs of the universe with the productions installations spread throughout the low cost states but the development companies are the 1s who are taking in low cost advanced solutions as the resources are limited but the demand is reasonably much the same. The advanced techniques found out in the underdeveloped states can reasonably much cater to the developed markets are good which otherwise would hold had to follow with the more expensive options. It brings the companies to a province where they can be mammoths in the R A ; D, selling and production related activities. It enables the companies to restrict the sweep of foreign companies in their place market every bit good travel caput to caput with international competition on a more effectual degree. By prosecuting in IB, companies have a potentially ageless n stable relation with their spouses which has a really good consequence for the hereafter of the endeavor. Literature reappraisal Types of hazard in International Business Commercial Hazard: The first sort of hazard involved is commercial hazard in which there is possibility of a company incurring immense losingss or neglecting to be because of assorted grounds that include severely executed schemes.These besides include timing of the company into a peculiar market, the competitory strength bing prevailing in the market, hapless scheme executing and the failing of the spouse and besides the assorted sorts of operational jobs. State hazard: State hazard is besides a really major hazard factor in international concern.It has the capacity to hold really negative effects on the operations of an organisation and besides the net income because of the assorted sorts of alterations in the economic, judicial and administrative scenario in a foreign state. You take a really large hazard in come ining in a foreign company because you are yet to understand the cardinal forces that run the state and it takes clip to set to the local patterns and there is large opportunity that by the times things fall right into topographic point it may be the clip for your issue from the state.So come ining a new state is a really hazardous proportion but nevertheless it has to be done to spread out and be in front in the race of globalisation. Currency hazard: Financial hazard is another name for currency hazard. It is related to the effects of indeterminable up downs in day-to-day exchange rates of different currencies pegged against each other.It includes the rating of the assets and the foreign revenue enhancement policies of different states.Currency hedge is one of the riskiest things to make after come ining a foreign markets as the currency markets are the most volatile in the universe and really unpredictable. Cross-cultural hazard: The last sort of hazard while making International Business is the transverse cultural hazard. It is sometimes besides referred to as cultural daze. It is a scenario where a little state of affairs related to miscommunication sing civilizations may set the human values at a important hazard. It is related to different determination related manners and ethical patterns. Even if the fiscal verticals are aligned within a company it is really hard in the start to aline the cultural mismatches and people take clip to set working with the new sort of people in the workplace and it is one of the biggest grounds of failure of the working of this theoretical account. Southwest Airlines An Economic Perspective EssayRelationship Manager: In this sort of attack the director demo a more humanist side. They associate with people in a friendly mode ; they try to construct dealingss while making concern.Relationships are valued much more than the trades. Trust is given the highest precedence that can given be given to any belongings. Examples of states where this attack is followed are the like of Asiatic states like India, China and the states of Latin America. Specific beginnings of national competitory advantage: The specific beginnings that offer a state competitory advantage are classified into 2 classs: Comparative advantage: Comparative advantage refers to a state s specific set of resources that include the superb characteristics that a state has to offer that provides it particular benefits in the planetary competitory environment which have either been obtained from specific and strong national constabularies or the national wealth. Egs include hegira of IT workers in India, the copiousness of the lowest cost labour force in developing states or the Uranium beginnings of Australia etc. Competitive advantage: Competitive advantage refers to the set of beginnings that include alone assets or the fight of a company that derives its value from the cost, and the inventions that a company has the capacity to do which are hard for others to follow. Examples include the proficient command and expertness of dingle in its planetary supply linkage, the selling mantras of P A ; G, Apple s lead in the country of personal and portable music participants and nomadic phones. One of the most successful merchandise and services in the UAE has been the art of its fiscal industry which was ab initio caused by oil dollars but has now taken its ain stance. Practical Case Study: A instance survey was done taking a group of developing states like India, China, the UAE as a centre of survey in which it was seen that after providing to the demand of the local markets there was a clip when they had to travel to neighbouring states in order to get the better of the local impregnation in the market and to research the enlargement and growing potencies available across boundary lines. This may be through joint ventures with assorted other companies already established in the several states and bagging of import undertakings and when he company had attained the cognition about the on the job environment and the concern patterns of the aforesaid neighbour county, it would finally take the solo way. A instance survey besides shows that the locals are frequently hostile to foreign companies puting up store and giving their ain subjects occupation in the new state. Recently there has been a major alteration in this tendency, with companies recognizing that the occupati ons should be handed to people with better local knows how and authorities dealingss which will pup them vastly in procuring contracts. Analysis and consequence: Developing States: A dining market In today s universe, developing states have become a large market for international houses as their markets are new, immature and undiscovered. There is a batch of opportunity of spread outing the companies there and garnering immense net incomes. Markets like Asia and Africa have opened a batch of concern chances for the international houses who are dead set upon using these resources to the fullest. The progresss in engineering has championed the cause of globalisation which has the brought the universe to our places. The modern engineering has flattened the universe. This has led to the exposure of international merchandises in the domestic market. Like a coin, it has two sides. On one manus, this has made a batch of new merchandises, some vital like medical specialties etc. available to the indigens. It has brought with it occupations and moneymaking chances. Above all it is tackling the concealed resources which were fresh and therefore traveling waste. On the other it has its i nauspicious effects besides. Domestic markets suffer. The exclusivity of the native bargainers is lost and folk patterns in trade start going rudimentary. The competition given by good established international houses is really hard for a start-up native concern to get by with. But in my sentiment, the pros of international trade are far for better and greater than its cons. If we allow the international trade to boom in a controlled mode without impacting the local concerns, it can turn out to a blessing for our developing economic system. Along with trade, it besides brings civilization and concern patterns which are really utile and ought to be learnt. Culture plays a really of import function in the planetary scenario of International Business and one of the most sensitive issues you have to manage while making International Business.Culture plays a really built-in function in the development of new merchandises.Understanding the civilization of each other during IB helps you to pass on and speak with your concern spouses in a much more effectual manner and gives you an border while negociating international pacts and puting land regulations for structuring the concern determinations. Besides it brings flexibleness in working with people from different civilizations which would assist us in our exports. Opening our economic system to international houses would non merely convey a batch of investing and development but besides would see a rise in exports of the state. This is good for a developing economic system like ours. Besides it would assist us trade name ourselves on the universe Earth. Besides it would assist us link with a broader audience and therefore will widen our position. ( Developing Nations in International Trade ) Cross Cultural Matters in International Business Culture plays a really of import function in the planetary scenario of International Business and one of the most sensitive issues you have to manage while making International Business.Culture plays a really built-in function in the development of new merchandises.Understanding the civilization of each other during IB helps you to pass on and speak with your concern spouses in a much more effectual manner and gives you an border while negociating international pacts and puting land regulations for structuring the concern determinations. It helps you to be a better interactor by assisting you to speak to your present and future clients efficaciously. It helps you to fix yourself to make a much better selling and promotional material for the trade name placement. Cross-cultural differences can do a batch of problems for directors because of the sort of bindings you have to cover with while managing cultural differences like they have to confront the job in instance when the locals and the aliens do nt gel good. Workers in some states are expected to stay loyal to the houses throughout their working lives, which becomes hard for houses to manage.The organisational construction in the new workplace besides creates a batch of challenges as there are legion considerations like information sharing is non allowed to travel freely because of the assorted restraints. Suiting into civilizations becomes really hard in instance when people are non comfy with following their ain idea procedure and instead take a follower s life. Decision and Recommendation: International concern is inevitable for growing and the huffy haste for globalisation. It is of extreme necessity to interrupt the skylines of geographics and enter foreign shores. Although there are hazard involved, regulative hurdlings, trouble in pricing mechanisms, force per unit areas from the local people and their authoritiess, transverse cultural adversities, currency fluctuations and trade market instabilities, international concern can still boom if carried out responsibly and with an oculus on the public assistance of the overall community which will include the employers, the clients, the local people and the organisation in a whole.

Strategic Analysis

Executive Summary This paper provides a strategic analysis of Wal-Mart International. Wal-Mart international is one of the biggest retail chain stores in the world. The company has been growing from strength to strength and now boasts of global leadership among retail chains.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Strategic management implies long term planning and doing everything in an organization with a long-term picture or vision. As defined by Mitzberg et al (1998), strategic planning consists in making long or midterm decisions with the aim of delivering a competitive edge to an organization. Strategic planning is not possible without strategic analysis. Through application of strategic tools, one deploys mechanisms of understanding the organization and the environment within which it operates (Yergin Stanislaw, 2002). Analysis of the business environment is th e primordial function of strategic management (Sadler Craig, 2003). In this paper, Porters Five Forces and PESTEL model are employed towards understanding the market and the macro environment within which Wal-Mart Operates. From the market analysis anchored on the five forces model, it is clear that competition is the biggest headache for Wal-Mart International. The company operates in an environment characterized by high competition. Due to stiff competition, it has had to withdraw from some international markets like South Korea and Germany. The strategies employed by an organization can be based on models and plans or on internal capacity of the organization. Models notwithstanding, the resource based view of strategy holds that organizational resources are the most critical factor in determining a competitive edge (Wernerfelt, 1984). This implies that organizational competencies and capabilities matter a lot when it comes to defining a competitive edge. A SWOT analysis done on Wal-Mart reveals that it has many strengths and hence competencies. The company has an international presence, a strong work force and employs modern information technology platforms to remain ahead of competition. In terms of revenue, the organization is one of the highest revenue earners in the world. In the last year alone, the organization had a 15.4 billion (US dollars) as net revenue. The SWOT matrix on Wal-Mart reveals that it has enough strengths as well as opportunities that put it is a strong competitive position. The opportunities further offer a huge potential for growth. Based on identified characteristics of the organization and the business environment within which it operates, managers adopt given strategies. Tools like the BCG matrix, the GE matrix or the grand strategy matrix are helpful when identifying the kind of strategies to adopt for a company (Ulwick, 2000). The grand strategy matrix was used in identifying the kind of strategies Wal-Mart can employ going in to the future.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On the grand strategies matrix, the organization falls in the high market growth and strong competitive position quadrant. This implies that the organization can adopt both market consolidation strategies and market growth strategies. The market consolidation strategies will help it keep and retain its traditional market while the growth strategies will enable it to tap into promising markets; especially the international market. Choice of strategies is an important step; however, there should be policies and mechanism that support adopted strategies. Considering suggested strategies for Wal-Mart, this paper recommends that the management ensure internal consistency of strategies adopted. Internal consistency ensures that the strategies are not in conflict and can thus be harmoniously implemented (Ulwick, 2000). Furthermore, the re is need to ensure that the strategies are organizationally fit and an environmentally fit. Organizationally fit strategies are those that respond to organizational characteristics. Environmentally fit strategies are those that respond to business environment characteristics. Introduction This paper explores benefits and limitations to strategic management. To appraise the benefits of strategic management, this paper discusses in depth how the different aspects of strategic management are applied. To concretize the analysis of strategic management, the paper focuses on Wal-Mart International, which is one of the world’s most successful retail chains. Wal-Mart International has grown steadily to have its presence felt all over the world. Wal-Mart has experienced phenomenal growth since inception due to embracing strategic management practices. Most successful organizations make strategic planning central to their operations (Sanchez Heene, 2004, p. 23). The main aim of work ing on a strategic plan or business plan is to identify ways and means through which an organization can guarantee good results, a competitive edge or a competitive advantage in the long term (Ulwick, 2000, p. 11). A strategic process should be able to help a company or an organization to understand its current situation, identify a desirable future status and ways of ensuring it arrives at its desired status or end (Wernerfelt, 1984, p. 174). Wal-Mart already has a vision, mission and overriding objectives. This is critical because the strategic process begins by identifying or framing the desired future. The future of an organization is captured in its vision, mission and strategic objectives.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Analysis of Wal-Mart International’s Business Environment The process of analyzing a business environment requires looking at dif ferent facets. To do a proper business analysis, one would have to employ such tools as SWOT analysis, Five Forces model by Porter, Global model or PESTEL, the BCG matrices, competitive profile and Value chain analysis, among others (Joyce Woods, 2001, p.233). These tools help in analysis of both the internal and external environment to establish how factors in either environment are affecting or are likely to affect the organization. From the internal environment, the strengths and weakness of the organization are identified for the purposes of defining how best to restructure the organization. From factors in the external environment, the key success factors for the company are adequately mapped out. Porters’ Five Forces: Market Analysis Porter’s five forces are helpful in understanding the market within which Wal-Mart operates. According to Porter, an organization or products performance is dependent on five distinct forces. Threat of new entrants Wal-Mart does not deal in much differentiated products. Therefore, the threat of new entrants is very high. Moreover, given the entrance and exit barriers in the retail industry, the threat of new entrants is present. Threat of substitutes Given the stores provide an array of products, the threat of substitutes is not a big issue in the retail chain industry. However, in individual products, some stores tend towards selling exclusive brands. This creates a challenge in terms of customers going for substitute brands in exclusive stores. Supplier power Considering supplier power in the retail industry, there are many suppliers thus minimizing supplier power. However, the fact that there are many institutions also targeting the produces gives suppliers relative power. For instance, in the grocery business, there are so many competing grocery stores. Despite suppliers being numerous as well, the competition for supplies among supermarkets and retail chains gives suppliers some relative power. Buyer powe r Buyers, in the retail business, have enormous power due to many retailers and a variety of substitutes. Consequently, it is the stockers like Wal-Mart that have to work on value addition and proper market propositions to attract customers.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Competitor Rivalry Therefore, the greatest limit to Wal-Mart’s growth is likely to result from competition activity and customer perception of the competition rivalry. Wal-mart has quite a wide range of competition. The biggest competitors of Wal-Mart are a wide range of departmental stores especially in the US, Canada and Mexico. Moreover, there is quite a number of supermarket chains especially in Eastern parts of the United States. Numerous smaller supermarkets in each locality provide substitute services as well. Examples of small stores that provide immense competition to Wal-Mart include Dollar stores and grocery stores especially in the US. In the foreign markets, Wal-Mart faces stiff competition from local firms. In Germany, the competition was so stiff that Wal-Mart had to withdraw from the German market in 2006. The same happened in South Korea, due to fierce competition, the company had to withdraw by selling its stores to a local firm. PESTEL Analysis: Other succe ss Factors in the Business Environment Further, A PESTEL analysis can help in outline other factors likely to affect the performance of Wal-Mart. Political Factors In the US, Wal-Mart has had no problems due to political interests. There is no opposition to Wal-Mart’s foray into intentional markets (Fishman, 2006). However, changing political interests in different countries have to inform the company’s operations. The company has to be alive to political issues in each particular company and align its operations to host country policies. Economic Factors Wal-Mart thrives on free market systems in the countries in which it operates. Additionally, the fact that it enjoys huge economies of scale due its huge operations places it in an economically advantaged position. Socio-Cultural Factors The company through using proper strategies especially in the international market has been able to align itself to the social-cultural realities in its area of operation. For example , the company has registered relative success in China because of aligning its operations with the preferences of the locals. This is very critical because social perceptions matter a lot in determining organizational success. Technological Factors Wal-Mart is better placed than all other retail stores in the new markets having adopted IT in its logistical processes (Bianco, 2007). Therefore, using its economic advantage and awesome business strategy, Wal-Mart enters other international markets as is able to outwit competition in those markets; consequently, it became a dominant global player. Environmental Factors Wal-Mart is a company that is a live to green strategies. To appeal to customers that are eco-conscious, Wal-Mart strives to store green goods. Moreover, through investing in efficient technology, Wal-Mart has been able to reduce all forms of bad environmental impacts it may have resulting from its operations. Legal Factors Through having clean and properly tailored opera tions, Wal-Mart has been able to steer away from any legal issues in the recent past. The organization has a professional legal department that analyses and responds to legal challenges. The aim of having such a department is to ensure the company complies to legal requirements in area of operation. An Analysis of the Company’s Resources, Capabilities and Distinctive Competencies Wal- Mart’s Capital and Revenue Base Wal-mart is one of the leading global retail chains. It has a formidable capital base and boasts of a well-established tradition that gives it an edge over competition. Given its wide capital base, Wal-Mart is also one of the biggest earners in the world. Forbes ranks it among the 20 biggest and most profitable organizations on planet earth. In the last financial year, Wal-Mart netted 15.4 billion US dollars as net revenues. Despite registered gains, Wal-Mart can only continue extraordinary growth when it identifies and manages strengths, opportunities, wea kness and threats creatively (Mintzberg et al, 1998, p. 100). To consolidate its market share while still growing, Wal-mart needs to capitalize on its strengths, tapping into opportunities in the market, addressing weaknesses and eliminating or minimizing threats. A SWOT analysis is an important tool towards understanding a business’ environment (Ireland et al, 2008, p. 45). To help bring out Wal-Marts strengths, competencies and challenges, a SWOT analysis is informative. Wal-Mart’s SWOT Matrix Strengths High sales (strong brand) Large market IT enabled logistical functions Diverse (international) work force Long tradition of operations (42 years) Good pricing strategy The biggest private employer Largest public company by revenue Weaknesses Store format not appealing in other settings Technology deployment issue Human capital issues Internationalization related challenges e.g. stiff competition from local firms Opportunities International markets E-commer ce Large super store opportunities Threats Vigorous, focused competition Price fluctuations SWOT analysis on Wal-Mart based Yoffie (2005) Extrapolation from SWOT Analysis As shown in the SWOT analysis, Wal-Mart has quite a number of competencies. It is one of the largest retail store chains in the world. It has largely diversified by going into areas like grocery stores. It has an international presence and boasts of a huge employee base. A company’s growth is limited both by internal and external factors (Peteraf, 1993, p. 178). Internal Factors/ Internal Environment Based on the SWOT analysis, considering internal factors, the only limitation to Wal-Mart’s growth is challenge in managing a global conglomerate of sorts. Externally, social and cultural perceptions are likely to shape and limit Wal-Marts expansion. Wal-Mart employs very many people. As it continues on the path of extraordinary growth, it means more people being employed to work in the branches a nd subsidiaries or joint ventures. Managing all the people and the multifaceted conglomerate will not be ease. In actual sense, unless the organization is fragmented such that given regions or lines become completely independent, managing the organization becomes a nightmare. Therefore, the extraordinary growth of Wal-Mart is likely to be checked by management complexities or challenges. External Factors/ External Environment On the external front, there is likely to grow a sort of disenchantment about Wal-Mart and its conglomerate size. For many individuals out there, although Wal-Mart is growing based on honest and best business practices, as it continues to whoop in billions in profits; inevitably, seeds of discontent will sprout among people of different nations. Wal-Marts growth will be interpreted as the reason why small businesses can no longer develop or grow. A percentage of the world population does not like identifying with Mega things (Dess et al, 2009, p. 227). Therefor e, they will continue to seek small specialty brands rather than a mega brand that promises everything. For some people, small specialized is identical to personalized, caring and detailed thus more quality conscious (Sadler Craig, 2003, p. 66). Such like sentiments are likely to make competition buoyant. Other people will just desert Wal-Mart in search of difference or something new. The products may not be new but given they buy from a new brand, the shopping experience is different. Wal-Mart’s Options and possible Strategic Choices There are a number of strategic tools that can be used in determining the strategic direction for a company. To discern the strategic direction for Wal-mart, the grand strategy matrix comes in handy. Grand Strategy Matrix Weak Competitive Position High Market Growth Strong Competitive Position 1 Product development Market development Market penetration Horizontal/vertical integration Liquidation/Divestiture 3 Product development Market de velopment Backward and forward integration Diversification 2 Diversification Integration Liquidation Retrenchment Divestiture 4 Diversification Integration Joint Ventures Divestiture Low Market Growth Grand Strategy Matrix adopted from Joyce Woods (2001). Quadrants in the Grand Strategy Matrix The grand strategy matrix above provides a number of possible strategic choices for an organization. The first quadrant applies to an organization that has a weak competitive position and a high market growth. Such a company has opportunities and thus efforts have to be geared towards penetrating the market. Market penetration can be achieved when products are developed, markets are activated and the organization diversifies its product portfolio. The second quadrant signifies an organization that is not competitive and has no growth prospects. Such an organization does not offer much hope and it is only prudent to either diversify, seek out strategic alliances to breathe life into the company or to liquidate the company. The third quadrant signifies an ideal company that is both strong competitively and in terms of market growth. Such a company utilizes the opportunities available for growth e.g. integration while at the same time trying to consolidate or lock in customers through concentric diversification. The final quadrant signifies an organization that has a strong competitive position but low market growth. Such an organization needs use either rejuvenation strategies or market consolidation strategies. Rejuvenation or consolidation is possible through diversification, integration or through strategic alliances. Wal-Mart’s Position in the Grand Strategy Matrix Wal-Mart’s characteristics make more befitting the quadrant three strategies. As an organization, it has a very strong competitive position. The organization has a high growth rate and there are enough opportunities for growth in the international market. This means that with proper str ategies, the organization can consolidate its market while increasing it at the same time. Strategic Options/ Strategic Direction Wal-mart already has a vision and mission that defines the organization’s aspirations and its purpose or key business functions. As an organization, it has a high market scope and a high low cost competence. The organization’s characteristics and the business environment should determine the kind of strategies that an organization adopts. In the case of Wal-Mart, by adopting multivariate strategy e.g. combining product differentiation, cost leadership and proper market segmentation, it can maintain its extraordinary growth. The two grand strategies should be translated into business objectives that are further translated into operational objectives and strategies. Building and sustaining a competitive advantage is largely dependent on product characteristics, value for customer’s money and proper positioning and targeting of products. In porter’s generic strategies, market segmentation looks at customer peculiarities and narrows concern to particular markets. Product differentiation and cost leadership as strategies are more diverse and broader in their scope. As Wal-mart’s characteristics show clearly, a good fusion of these generic strategies should enable it to continue growing in an extraordinary way (Bianco, 2007). Wal-Mart is a strong brand developed over many years and supported by over 42 years experience as a major market player (Yoffie, 2005, p. 1). It has a high market share and due to expanded operations benefits immensely from economies of scale. Management, by riding on its huge market share and well-built brand resonance, can create more revenue streams under the same brand. The company is already doing this through creation of superstores with a variety of products on offer (Yoffie, 2005, p. 1). There exists opportunities in the international market. However, in as much as the low p ricing strategy has driven its growth in America, the company has to devise market segmentation strategies to enjoy opportunities abroad. One weakness with Wal-Mart is its store formats (Yoffie, 2005, p. 2). It is getting stiff competition because while it is building super stores, competition is going for specialized store formats. Product differentiation comes in handy here so that as competition from specialized stores grows, Wal-Mart retains and grows its market share. Wal-Mart needs to appreciate the growth potential in small stores like the ones it initially had; the stores it is replacing with super stores. Although having superstores has its own advantages, a fusion of superstores and small-specialized stores should guarantee continued extraordinary growth (Fishman, 2006). Structures, Systems and Policies for Strategy Implementation Policy on Internal Consistency in Strategies In implementing strategies, their internal consistency thus plausibility and feasibility should gui de the implementation process (Joyce Woods, 2001, 113). Therefore, each strategy has to be adopted based on a clear strategic direction that the company wishes to adopt. If the strategic direction is not clear, there is danger of running conflicting strategies. For instance, market consolidation tends to be in conflict with market expansion strategies. Wal-mart as a company with a strong competitive base and growth prospects has to do market consolidation while penetrating other markets and growing its market internationally. To be able to do this, strategy implementation has to be monitored and evaluated for the purposes of ensuring internal consistency in the strategies. Strategies have to be broken into specific actions that deliver on strategic objectives. There has to be interrelation and consistence in the specific actions flowing from each adopted strategy. Each strategy should somehow have a bearing on other strategies i.e. they should mutually and intrinsically be compleme ntary towards the same goals. The intrinsic consistency of strategies translates into the internal consistency in the specific actions to be carried out during implementation. This inner consistency and plausibility gives a sequence or order in which the implementation is to be done. Monitoring and Evaluation Even as implementation is done, it is critical that monitoring and evaluation is instituted. The strategic process is not complete without strategic control (Dess et al, 2009, p. 234). Strategic control consists in putting in place long term measures that would ensure deviations are identified and corrected. There are always changes in the environment. Therefore, in as much as one may have a great plan and strategies in place, the environmental changes require close monitoring. Monitoring helps identify ways of improving on strategy or correcting deviations from strategy (Yergin Stanislaw, 2002). It is only through such a process that strategies are applied effectively. There are about five elements of control i.e. there is the activity or item to be controlled, the performance indicator, the standard against which performance is compared, the corrective action to be taken in case of deviations and the individual who is to take the corrective action (Morden, 2004, p. 165). All these elements have to be identified during strategic planning and proper directions given with respect to each of them (Morden, 2004, p. 165). Organizational Structure An organizational structure is a critical component that determines operations and power spread in an organization. For an organization to achieve its objectives, the organization structure has to be one that allows or facilitates the same. The organizational structure shows how power is shared and balanced in an organization. It forms the central channels of communication and gives the basic reporting structure or official communication channels followed in an organization. The way an organization is systematically designed, planned and arranged determines how effectively and efficiently operations are done in the organization. Strategic control in a conglomerate like Wal-Mart is not easy. However, through standardization of procedures and operations, this can be achieved. To ensure proper monitoring and evaluation, Wal-Mart managers would have to consider setting up a special restructuring team. The restructuring/ strategy team would have to receive daily, weekly and monthly reports on implementation activities. Such a feedback mechanism handled by a special M E team would ensure earlier identification of deviations and prompt corrections Usefulness of Strategic Management Models for Company Analysis This paper explored the benefits and limitations of strategic management. For better appraisal of the strategic process, Wal-Mart International was used. From the discussions based on Wal-Mart, it is clear that strategic management helps guarantee an organization long-term result. Clearly, prop er planning is critical and no organization succeeds without planning. However, environmental changes or not scanning the environment properly limits planning efforts. Due to poor environmental scanning, organizations come up with plans based on wrong data. Environmental Scanning To scan the environment is important however, the data generated is only useful if it is analyzed and properly employed in decision-making. Using models like the SWOT matrix, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are easily identified from data collected. Moreover, using models like PESTEL analysis, other factors that are important for the organizational success are identified. This helps towards crafting strategies that properly respond to the business environment and organizational characteristics. Using models like the Grand Strategy Matrix, the planners are able to easily identify the most viable kind of strategies to employ. Strategic Analysis and Adoption of Proper strategies As discuss ed, detailed planning cannot be accomplished unless one answers the question of â€Å"where to†. Therefore, in strategic management starts in deciding on the long term aspirations of an organization. The long-term aspirations are largely captured through an organization’s vision, mission and strategic objectives. Once the strategic objectives are clear, the organization then considers the necessary changes, steps, or plans that will enable the realization of the same (Kay, 2001, p. 113). Such tactics or plans are widely known as strategies. Strategy implementation is only successful if the strategies have been selected rationally. The strategies have to complement organizational resources, respond accurately to the organizational environment and have internal consistency. Finally, it is clear that strategic management is not complete without the element of control. Conclusion In conclusion, every organization that adopts proper strategic management reaps awesome result s in terms of market share growth and profitability. As the analysis on Wal-Mart has shown, strategic management makes all the difference. Through strategic management, an organization is able to curve out clear long term and midterm plans that deliver on set organizational objectives. To come up with desirable strategies or plans, the use of given strategic tools makes work easy and systematic. References Bianco, A., 2007. Wal-Mart: The Bully Of Bentonville: How The High Cost Of Everyday Low Prices Is Hurting America. Doubleday: New York Dess. G., G., Lumpkin, G., T., Eisner, A., 2009. Strategic Management: Creating Competitive Advantages. McGraw-Hill: London Fishman, C., 2006. 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Kogan Page Publishers: New York Sanchez, R., Heene, A., 2004. The New Strategic Management: Organizations, Competition and Competence. John Wiley Sons: New York Ulwick, A., W., 2000. Business Strategy Formulation: Theory, Process and the Intellectual Revolution. IAP Inc: Charlotte, NC Wernerf elt, B., 1984. â€Å"A Resource-Based View of the Firm†. Strategic Management Journal, 5(3), 171–180 Yergin, D., Stanislaw, J., 2002. The Commanding Heights, New York: Simon and Schuster Yoffie, D., B., 2005. â€Å"Wal-Mart†. Harvard Business School, 9, 705- 460 This essay on Strategic Analysis was written and submitted by user Jamari R. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.