chapter 2 Flashcards
In studying today’s organizations, it’s important to recognize _________
(1) the kinds of organizations that exist
(2) what strategy is
(3) how this strategy relates to the three levels of structure found in many large organizations
Organization
a legal entity that consists of people who share a common mission. This motivates them to develop offerings (goods, servs, or ideas) that create value for both the organization & its customers by satisfying their needs/wants
Three Types of Organizations
- for-profit
- nonprofit
- government agency
For-Profit Organization
(often called business firm)
a privately owned organization that serves its customers to earn a profit so that it can survive
Ex: Target, Nike, Keurig
Profit
the money left after a for-profit org subtracts its total expenses from its total revenues & is the reward for the risk it undertakes in marketing its offerings
Nonprofit Organization
a nongovernmental organization that serves its customers but does not have profit as an organizational goal
› Goals may be operational efficiency/client satisfaction
› Must receive sufficient funds above its expenses to
continue operations
Ex: Teach For America, solves practical needs of society
Government Agency
a federal, state, county, or city unit that provides a specific service to its constituents
Ex: Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce
Industry
organizations that develop similar offerings
Ex: Computer Industry,
Automobile industry
Strategy
an organization’s long-term course of action designed to deliver a unique customer experience while achieving its goals
Three Levels of Strategy
- Corporate Level
- Strategic Business-Unit Level
- Functional Level
Corporate Level
top management directs overall strategy for the entire organization
Strategic Business Unit (SBU)
a subsidiary, division, or unit of an organization that markets a set of related offerings to a clearly defined target market
Strategic Business-Unit Level
managers set a more specific strategic direction for their businesses to exploit value-creating opportunities
› Used for more complex firms
Functional Level
groups of specialists actually create value for the organization
› The org’s strategic direction becomes its most specific & focused
Department
specialized functions such as marketing & finance
Cross-Functional Teams
small number of people from different departments who are mutually accountable to accomplish a task or a common set of performance goals
A visionary organization ______
A visionary organization must specify its foundation (why does it exist?), set a direction (what will it do?), & formulate strategies (how will it do it?)
Organizational Foundation
philosophical reason for being- why it exists
Ex: Microsoft: “To empower every person & org on the planet to achieve more”
› At the most basic level orgs exist to create value for someone
Four Elements of the Organizational Foundation (WHY):
- Organizational Purpose
- Core Values
- Mission
- Organizational Culture
Organizational Purpose
describes why an organization exists, what problems it wishes to solve, and who it wants to be to every person it touches through its work
› Helps org’s create deeper connections w/consumers & suppliers, do more for the communities, attract/retain talent who ascribe to the purpose, & achieve greater social impact and profitability
Ex: Apple, we believe our technology should lift humanity & enrich people’s lives in all the ways people want to experience it
Core Values
the fundamental, passionate, and enduring principles of an organization that guide its conduct over time
› A firm’s founders/senior management develop & nurture these core values & serve to inspire and motivate its stakeholders
Ex: IKEA, (1) humbleness & willpower, (2) leadership, (3) daring to be different, (4) togetherness & enthusiasm, (5) cost-consciousness, (6) constant desire for renewal, (7) accept & delegate responsibility
Stakeholders
employees, shareholders, board of directors, suppliers, distributors, creditors, unions, government, local communities, & customers
Mission
(also called vision)
a statement of the organization’s function in society that often identifies its customers, markets, products, and technologies
› Mission statement should be clear, concise, meaningful, inspirational, and long term
› Many orgs have added a social element to their mission statement to reflect an ideal that’s morally right & worthwhile
Ex: Southwest Airlines: “Dedication to the highest quality of customer service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and company spirit”
Corporate Mission
a clear statement of the markets in which the firm competes and seeks to deliver customer value
-Things the comp really wants to accomplish
-What it’s aiming to do/big picture