Strategic Management Policy Commons^™

A Strategic Audit Of Nintendo Co., Ltd., Emily Wagner

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The astounding success of the Nintendo Switch since its launch in March 2017 has brought Nintendo back into the spotlight of the gaming industry. However, what strategies led to the Switch’s success, enabling Nintendo to come back from the complete and utter failure of the Wii U? Also, what does Nintendo need to do to maintain its success over the lifetime of the Switch and beyond? This paper offers a strategic analysis of Nintendo, examining the company’s history, recent products, competitive advantages, and reasons for the success of the Switch. It also provides an analysis of Nintendo’s internal and external …

Strategic Audit: Target Corporation, Andee Capell

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Target Corporation is a notable publicly traded discount retailer in the United States. In recent years they have gone through significant changes including a new CEO Brian Cornell and the closing of their Canadian stores. With change comes a new strategy, which includes growing stores in the United States. In order to be able to continue to grow Target should consider multiple strategic options. Using internal and external analysis, while examining Target’s profitability ratios recommendations were made to proceed with their growth both in profit and capacity. After recommendations are made implementation and contingency plans can be made.

Microsoft: A Strategic Audit, Jacob Paul Warner

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the University Honors Program Requirements. It discusses Microsoft Corporation and its placement within the tech industry using different analyses such as PEST, Porter’s, and SWOT. In addition to its placement, the thesis explores what strategies Microsoft could pursue next. The industry is highly competitive, so Microsoft needs to stay on its toes and continue to build upon its strengths to remain at its current competitive level. The cloud industry is rapidly growing, so it would be best if Microsoft used its global presence and existing infrastructure to build upon its existing cloud …

A Strategic Audit Of Tesla, John J. Stobbe Jr.

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This paper examines in depth one of the most innovative companies in recent years: Tesla. Redefining what it means to be an electric car, Tesla has produced impressive cars year after year. However, they’ve run into tremendous production issues and have still yet to make any significant profits. This strategic audit analyzes Tesla’s current place in the market and considers many perspectives to come to a proposed recommendation. This recommendation is to secure its market share and resolve production issues. This could be accomplished through sticking to only a few Tesla car models, then iterating year after year, and then …

Cboe Global Markets: Strategic Audit, Lambros Karkazis

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This thesis fulfills the requirement for the strategic audit in MNGT 475H/RAIK 476. It provides in depth analysis of Cboe and its competitors, with particular attention given to comparing net income, market cap, and share price. Informed by this analysis, there is discussion of Cboe’s acquisition of BATS, which appears to have had the best impact on share price of any decision made by an exchange operator in the last 5 years. Finally, this thesis provides a strategy recommendation for Cboe moving forward.

Strategic Audit Of Allianz Life Insurance Of North America, Jacob Rosebaugh

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This report investigates the history and current situation of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, an annuity provider located in Minneapolis, MN. The company faces several challenges going forward, including determining how to best compete with large companies in the same market such as Amazon. This report looks at Allianz Life’s current standing using tools such as SWOT and PEST analyses and examines the company’s competitive analysis. Allianz Life is recommended to continue with their current strategy because while it doesn’t make them the best in the industry, Allianz Life adherence to its vision statement makes up for the …

Strategic Audit: Starbucks, Madison Clements

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Starbucks Corporation is an international coffee brand that is expanding operations. There are many obstacles to this level of growth, and the company needs to take great care in the differentiating the way stores are built in the United States and internationally. In order to establish brand longevity, the company should examine several strategic options. A final strategy can be chosen based on the results of a situational analysis, financial analysis, and company goals. After a final strategic recommendation has been made, a contingency plan will be created to ensure long-term success.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Strategic Audit, Jessica Salzar

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Berkshire Hathaway is an extremely successful, well-known company. With Warren Buffett approaching retirement, it is important that the company prepares its stakeholders and is strategically prepared. What must be determined is whether or not Berkshire Hathaway needs to implement a new strategy or continue doing what it is already doing. This strategic audit analyzes Berkshire Hathaway's company history, internal and external environment, competitive advantages, and organizational structure. After the analysis of Berkshire Hathaway, several strategy alternatives are considered, ending with a strategic recommendation, implementation plan, and contingency plan.

Strategic Audit Of Mls, Jacob Reed Miller

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Major League Soccer (MLS) is the highest caliber soccer league in the United States. The league, formed in 1995, has grown from just ten teams to twenty-four, with more on the way. The league has rebounded from a period of losses in the early 2000s and has established new fan bases through the usage of the designated player rule. This paper analyzes the current situation of MLS, as of the spring of 2019, and proposes a strategic recommendation. The current situation of MLS is evaluated using SWOT and PEST tools, and the strategic recommendation is created based on MLS’s competitive …

A Strategic Audit Of Corecivic, Reid Gahan

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

CoreCivic is a private prison company headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1983, CoreCivic exists to “better the public good.” The company believes it can do this through its three branches: CoreCivic Security, CoreCivic Community, and CoreCivic Properties.

CoreCivic Security is the main business segment. It is responsible for directly managing 77 correctional and detention facilities. CoreCivic Community is a small branch that attempts to ease the reentry process for inmates that are released. CoreCivic Properties is a vital part of CoreCivic, as this branch allows the company to operate as an REIT. Properties is responsible for providing real estate …

Strategic Audit Of Kohl's Corporation, Abigail Jarratt

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Since its founding in Brookfield, Wisconsin Kohl’s Corporation has managed to adapt and consistently satisfy customer needs. By focusing on customer experience Kohl’s has become a le leader within the department store industry capturing $19.1 billion in total sales. However, with recent shifts in the retail and department store industry, it is time to take a step back and analyze its strategy given the current state of the economy.

As such, this report will investigate the current state of Kohl’s Corporation and provide future recommendations. Companies within the department store industry must continue grow and adapt to customer needs and …

Understanding Well-Being At Work: Development And Validation Of The Eudaimonic Workplace Well-Being Scale, Amy L. Bartels, Suzanne J. Peterson, Christopher S. Reina

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

Given the amount of time and effort individuals pour into work, scholars and practitioners alike have spent considerable time and resources trying to understand well-being in the workplace. Unfortunately, much of the current research and measurement focuses on workplace well-being from only one perspective (i.e. hedonic well-being rather than eudaimonic well-being) or by generalizing between workplace well-being and general well-being. In this study, we sought to integrate the workplace context into the current eudaimonic perspective to develop an 8-item measure of eudaimonic workplace well-being. Using multi-wave data, we developed and validated a reliable, two-dimensional eudaimonic workplace well-being scale (EWWS). The …

A Strategic Audit Of Microsoft, Alexander Eitzman

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This paper provides an analysis of Microsoft’s current market placement and performance, based off external and internal factors, as well as tools such as SWOT analysis. The goal of this audit is to provide an understanding of Microsoft’s current positioning and strategy, as well as a look into possible paths going forward. Additionally, alternative strategies are discussed, and a recommendation is made to which Microsoft should pursue to continue its success. The recommendation reached is that Microsoft should focus on keeping numbers of active Windows users up, as well as pursue a subscription-based model for Windows updates and pricing. The …

Intuit, Inc. Strategic Audit, Bethany Wiles

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Intuit has experienced steady, continual growth for an extended time, an unusual feat in software. While it undergoes its leadership transition and the threat of tax simplification, it must consider how it will maintain its legacy of success. Intuit's history and current situation are examined and various strategic alternatives are identified.

Dare To Be Different? Conformity Versus Differentiation In Corporate Social Activities Of Chinese Firms And Market Responses, Yanlong Zhang, Heli Wang, Xiaoyu Zhou

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Building on the literature on optimal distinctiveness, this study explores the effects of conformity and differentiation in corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices on the evaluations by security analysts and the responses of the financial market in general. We develop the argument that while conformity in CSR scope enhances analyst coverage, differentiation in CSR emphasis leads to more-favorable analyst recommendations and higher market value. This suggests that firms may be able to simultaneously conform in CSR scope and differentiate in CSR emphasis to achieve optimal distinctiveness. To further enhance our understanding of the variation in the relationship between conformity/differentiation and the …

Many Hands: The Effect Of The Prior Inventor-Intermediaries Relationship On Academic Licensing, Young-Choon Kim, Mooweon Rhee, Reddi Kotha

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

We study the role of the relationship among inventors and intermediaries in the licensing of university inventions. We suggest that a prior inventor-intermediaries relationship positively influences licensing rates through selective retention of higher quality relationships and mutual learning in the relationship, enabling intermediaries to reduce both information asymmetry and search costs between inventors and potential licensees. We argue that the influence of a prior inventor-intermediaries relationship on licensing is especially important before intellectual property protection is attained and can be substituted by the buyer-side contacts of inventors and intermediaries. We test these predictions using 919 inventions from the technology transfer …

Explore Alternatives Now! - Performance Mgmt In The Multi-Dimensional Digital World, Richard Raymond Smith

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Earlier, business was not quite as dynamic, employment was intended for the long-term, and the idea of pay linked to performance was quite a dependable model. But as we examine the tradition of performance management in light of today's digital business models, there are a number of new questions that emerge.

Fight, Flight, And Freeze: Human Responses In A Business Strategy Environment, Michael Nixon

Student Works

Fight, flight, and freeze responses are a natural part of how we operate as humans. These responses permeate our lives and affect our decisions in major ways. This thesis first employs a case study to help the reader understand natural reaction processes, then analyzes case studies where businesses applied strategies that closely resembled these reaction processes. I then propose a framework to mimic physiological reaction processes to help companies arrive at the optimal solution.

Strategic Leadership Newsletter: Volume 5, Number 1, Larry Starr, Phd

Leadership Doctorates Newsletter (Formerly Strategic Leadership Newsletter)

In this Issue:

• Dean's Report
• Student Reflection 1
• Student Reflection 2
• Doctoral Student and Adjunct Faculty
• Complex Adaptive System Projects
• Upcoming Conferences and Events
• DSL Community Milestones and Professional Updates
• DSL Summer Classes
• Ackoff 100 Celebration
• Proposed PhD in Complex Systems Leadership UPDATE
• Thinking and Talking, but Not Yet Formulated
• Tell Your Colleagues About Our Information Sessions!
• DSL Commencement

The Double-Edged Sword Of High Expectations: Presumptive Trust, Reflective Trust, And Satisfaction In International Joint Ventures, Gokhan Ertug, Ilya Cuypers, Niels G. Noorderhaven, Ben Bensaou

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Joint ventures (JVs) are commonly used by firms to enter into foreign markets. Firms often have high expectations when forming international joint ventures (IJVs). However, IJVs pose serious challenges and many fail to deliver the expected benefits found that the executives he interviewed were not satisfied with more than half of their IJVs, which is consistent with a recent McKinsey report in which senior managers indicated that more than 40 percent of their JVs underperform compared to initial expectations. Similarly, Madhok and Tallman (1998: 326) observed that despite their popularity, collaborations between firms are “characterized by a high level of …