Business Commons^™

Deloitte U.S. Strategic Analysis, Lucy Bazis

Honors Theses

Deloitte is a well-known public accounting firm that provides various services, such as audit, tax, and consulting. This analysis assesses the external forces affecting Deloitte utilizing a PESTEL analysis, the industry forces utilizing a Porter’s Five Forces analysis, the current strategy, competitive advantages, and the resources of capabilities of the firm. Based on the assessment, this paper gives strategic recommendations to remain the top of the accounting industry.

Workiva Strategic Audit, Rose Pilakowski

Honors Theses

Workiva is a software development company that simplifies complex reports for companies in over 180 countries around the world. Within a controlled, secure, audit-ready platform, Workiva customers connect critical business data directly with their source systems. This paper will analyze Workiva to help understand how it utilizes its platform to gain and sustain competitive advantages in the software and accounting environments. After completing an analysis of Workiva and its industry, I found that Workiva currently sits at an advantageous position in relation to its competitors, but still has room to grow in holding the lead above them.

Fedex Ground Strategic Audit, Samantha Gates

Honors Theses

FedEx Ground is an operating segment of the parcel carrier giant FedEx Inc. The company, known for shipping products via delivery truck, has remained one of the largest parcel carriers in the country, despite drastic changes in its environment. This report seeks to understand the changing operating environment of FedEx Ground, its competitive advantages, and the future challenges it may face. The analysis uses PESTEL and Porter's Five Forces analyses to evaluate the changing external environment and industry FedEx Ground operates in. Additionally, challenges and recommendations are offered to navigate the future of this company.

Collective Mindfulness And Strategy, Aniruddha Chatterjee

Management Collection

Contemporary organizations are continually exposed to profound uncertainty and novelty. The collective mindfulness of organizational members facilitates sensing and interpretation of such environmental changes to effectively respond, adapt, and evolve. Collective mindfulness is a capability that enables organizational members to be alert to their context while continuously learning and ‘thinking on their feet’.

Despite the growing popularity of the concept since its inception around three decades ago, research on collective mindfulness nevertheless remains nascent. Several research opportunities and gaps have been identified, but inadequately addressed. For instance, much extant research on collective mindfulness has focused on High-Reliability Organizations (HROs) such …

Pulte Homes – Reimagining The Homebuilding Industry, Daniel Chaffin, Susan Jensen

Mountain Plains Journal of Business and Technology

In 2016, William J. (Bill) Pulte, founder, and Pulte Homes’ largest shareholder called for the resignation of CEO Richard Dugas. In his letter to the board of directors, Bill stated the value creation strategy first proposed by Dugas in 2005 had been a major failure. Dugas had a bold vision and intriguing rationale for radically reshaping what he termed the “sleepy” homebuilding industry. Drawing from Toyota and Walmart’s strategies, Dugas argued that Pulte Homes could create greater value by scaling purchasing, improving construction processes, and collaborating with suppliers to lower overall costs while simultaneously refashioning and updating Pulte Home’s product …

Serving Behind The Screen: Practical Recommendations For Best Practices On Social Media For Government Practitioners, Livianette Cabrera

Student Theses and Dissertations

The usage and importance of social media continues to grow in our everyday life, however, governments lag on using the platforms to the fullest extent. This study aimed at learning what best practices should government practitioners exercise to meet constituents needs and provide services and information online. Through oral histories conducted with a small pool of participants, four themes emerged which helped to answer the research question. Findings illustrated four main traits/themes were essential if social media managers wanted to excel at their job: Competent Strategic Senior Management, Effective Community Management, Mission and Value Alignment, and Customized Curation. Through an …

Advancing Philanthropic Strategy Through Evaluative Thinking: One Foundation’S Approach, Christine Baker, Margaret Eigsti, Kathryn Racine, Laurence O’Connell

The Foundation Review

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland supports Catholic sisters and their ministries in northeast Ohio through the grantmaking, partnership, capacitybuilding, and evaluation efforts of its Catholic Sisters Program Area. The decline of sisters actively engaged in ministry, due both to their rising median age and a decades-long decline in their overall numbers, called for a reconsideration and likely revision of the CSPA existing theory of change.

Unlike other strategic approaches at the foundation, such as ending homelessness or improving health equity, transitioning from sister-led to lay-led leadership of ministries remained largely unexplored: Basic research was lacking, and model practices …

Strategic Management Of A Finnish Bus Company: Challenges And Opportunities, Billy Mushi, Sajal Kabiraj, Juha Mustonen

Management Dynamics

Undoubtedly, strategic management's role has enabled businesses to attain growth, adapt to new trends, and face competition. While examining the bus transportation industry in Finland, which faces competition, we demand to know whether it will lead to a case company's success and competitive advantage by assessing its strategic management methods. Moreover, results show that the case company has gone through many challenging threats throughout its existence. However, by conducting a strategic assessment, strategic choice, and implementing other strategic management methods specified in this case study, the company can grow and compete against other bus transport services companies in Finland.

An Empirical Examination Of The Relationship Between Ceo Characteristics, Strategy, And Performance For Declining Organizations, Peter A. Stanwick

Southern Business Review

Peter A. Stanwick is an assistant professor of management at Auburn University.

Present At The Creation, A Redux: The Need For Strategic Minded Joint Force Officers In A Rapidly Changing And Dynamic International Security Environment, Thomas Joseph Snukis

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

The US Joint Force has an outstanding record over its history of superb performance at the tactical level of war. Inarguably, the United States is currently the best tactical Joint Force in the world a product of a world class tactical education, training, and development program generating and sustaining that tactical proficiency at the individual and organizational level. While tactical education and training programs have been extremely successful, the Professional Military Education (PME) responsible for developing strategic mastery has not been as highly rated. Over the past seventy-five years numerous indictments have been levied against the US PME enterprise, and …

Is The Process Of Strategy Formulation Different In Complex Organizations?, Donovan A. Mcfarlane, Albert D. Clark, Melissa S. Waters

Southern University College of Business E-Journal

This paper reviews Robert F. Grattan’s Strategic Review: The Process of Strategy Formulation in Complex Organisations (2011), by focusing on one major implied question emerging from the title of the book: “Is the Process of Strategy Formulation Different in Complex Organizations?” The author first examines the theoretical contents of Grattan’s book relative to existing and emerging literature on the strategic process by examining several theories discussed therein. The author examines the purpose and functions of strategy formulation in general and then discusses the contents of each of Grattan’s chapters as they relate this process applied to the Strategic Defence Review …

The Effect Of The Plan Strategy On The Achievement Of Fifth Grade Students In Islamic Education And The Development Of Their Tolerant Thinking, Jalal Mazhar Al-Sabah

Journal of STEPS for Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study aimed to know: The effect of the PLAN strategy on the achievement of fifth grade students in the subject of Islamic education and the development of their tolerant thinking. The experimental design (with partial control) was chosen for two equal groups (experimental and control), as the researcher chose (fraternity and Suhaib Al-Roumi) preparatory, which are from day schools, within the Tikrit district, intentionally as a field for the experiment, and the research sample consisted of (66) students. They were randomly distributed into two groups, an experimental group that was taught using the PLAN strategy, and a control …

The Effect Of Future Problem-Solving Strategy On Developing Enlightened Thinking Among Fifth-Grade Literary Students, Tariq Hashem Khamis, Mohamed Owaid Hussein

Journal of STEPS for Humanities and Social Sciences

The aim of the current research is to find out the impact of the problem-solving strategy on the development of informed thinking among fifth grade of literature. To achieve this aim, the researcher formulated a nill hypothesis There are no statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the experimental group who are studied according to the future problem solving strategy and the mean scores of the control group who are studied according to conventional method at the significance level of 0.05,In the subject of principles of philosophy and psychology, the researcher identified a sample of his research consisting of …

الاستراتيجيات المقترحة للحلقة المفقودة بين مخرجات التعليم العالي ومتطلبات سوق العمل, Rawan Damaira, Jehan Damaira

Palestine Technical University Research Journal

The study aimed to know the proposed strategies for the lost loop between higher education outputs and labor market requirements from the perspective of Palestinian university graduates. The study sample consisted of 200 respondents, a constructed questionnaire was distributed to four Palestinian university graduates' students in north West Bank namely: (Al-Quds Open University, Anajah University, -Al-Khudouri University, and The Arab American University). The descriptive analytical method was used in this study, as the study used several statistical tools, such as frequency distribution, percentage, mean and mean average, T-test, and the one-wayanalysis of variance, and the equation for calculating Cronbach's alpha …

Case Study Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.: Its Strategy During The Covid 19 Pandemic, James I. I. Schaap, Angel F. González

Southern University College of Business E-Journal

Purpose The current paper presents the case of Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. in the domain of gaming, entertainment, and lodging. Together with the top leadership and operators of Monarch, the authors investigated the timeline, business model, and strategic processes of the company, while exploring the markets that the company caters to. The research was focused on the following sub-domains: the company’s growth, business model, strategy, and operations. Design/methodology/approach The authors performed a review of the company’s literature and conducted interviews; for the part on company performance, the authors relied on in-house online data available of their financial statements, and …

The Impact Of Strategic Planning In Small Business: Empirical Evidence From East Tennessee, Sara Howe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative research study explored the impact of strategic planning in small businesses within the service industry, specifically in East Tennessee. The focus was to gauge the level of importance small businesses placed on strategic planning, if any. The general problem to be addressed was the level of importance small businesses place on strategic planning that could affect organizational problems such as high turnover, low job satisfaction, poor engagement and performance, financial uncertainty, customer dissatisfaction, tarnished company reputation, and company closure. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to enhance the body of knowledge through magnifying the explanations behind …

Bnsf Strategic Analysis, Bella Tran

Honors Theses

Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC. (BNSF), is an American railroad that is concentrated in the western two-thirds of the U.S. This railroad has a history stretching back over a century that has led the company to now function as one of the leading Class I Railroad with over 30,000 employees and over 30,000 miles of laid track. Two methods of analysis were used to examine the competitive environment in which BNSF operates. The first is the PESTEL analysis which examines the macro-environment. The second is Porter’s Five Forces which analyzes the competitive environment of an industry. The analyses concluded that …

A Strategic Audit Of Seaworld, Jaden Capaldi, Rachel Jendro, Jacob Mir, Sophie Newman, Tommy Wolfe

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Using Acquisitions As A Growth Strategy From Single Concept To Multiple Concepts: A Case Study, Francis A. Kwansa, Eliza Ching-Yick Tse

Journal of Hospitality Financial Management

From the day a business is conceived, it is constantly faced with numerous strategic challenges that have impact on its survival, success, and/or failure. Many independent businesses fail within the first three years. For the ones that survive and prosper, they may remain as independents, private and or family businesses, while some transform into corporations and even become publicly traded entities. We use FAT Brands as a case study to examine the evolution of a company from a single restaurant concept and expanding by diversifying into a multi-concept and publicly traded corporation. Internal and external factors such as the impact …

The Organizational Leadership Framework, John Robert Sparks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The field of leadership has evolved quite drastically over the years. Douglas McGregor showed us the evolution from a Theory X style belief that employees are unmotivated and dislike their work to his Theory Y style belief that employees are motivated and receive a sense of enjoyment from their work. Abraham Maslow expanded on this work with his Theory Z belief that optimal employee performance would prevail with the proper leadership approach. For years now, leadership has focused on various approaches or styles that produce the best performance resulting from the relationship between the leader and their follower. Organizations, research, …

Being Creative: Not An Act But A Habit, Matthew William Smith

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

This project explores what it means to be creative, how to practice creativity, and how a creative practice can be used to bring about the change one wants to see in the world. Many theories and ideas from historical and modern scholars influenced the work. The literature review findings were synthesized to produce a practical and tangible creative practice prototype and a strategic action plan.

Understanding The Role Of Chief Financial Officers In The Strategic Planning And Decision-Making Process Of Defense Contractors In The Washington, D.C. Region, Carolynn Eileen Stiffler

Theses and Dissertations

The strategic planning and decision-making process of a firm is what drives the future of a firm, but what are all the correct stakeholders involved in that process? Historically, the Chief Executive Officer of the firm has been in charge of the firm’s strategic plan, guiding the firm based on his/her past experiences, and the Chief Financial Officer of the firm has been in charge of the back-office financial records and reporting. This study utilized the case study approach to explore the level of involvement a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has in firms' strategic planning and decision-making processes that contract …

Daan Go: An Entrepreneurial Case Study, Clifford Chuck Long Lam

Major Papers

Daan Go is a brand of Euro-Asian food services, now consisting of only its specialty bakery Daan Go Cake Lab. Having various retail locations across the Greater Toronto Area with current distribution channels that serve both Ontario and Quebec, Daan Go is currently focusing on expanding its bakery operations across Canada. To fulfill its vision of becoming a world-wide desserts brand, Daan Go finds itself facing unique challenges. Based on a case analysis, this report examines how Daan Go can leverage its current key capabilities, while maintaining its competitive position within the niche market it serves.

This report provides an …

Starbucks Strategic Analysis, Jillian Jacoba

Honors Theses

Starbucks is a multinational chain of coffee shops and roasteries that was founded in 1971. Starbucks has continued to grow for the past 51 years and continues to dominate the coffee industry. This strategic analysis evaluates the general environment using a PESTEL analysis, the industry using Porter’s Five Forces, and the company’s overall strategy and competitive advantages. This paper will evaluate Starbucks’ position in the industry and the strategic choices that have led the company to its extraordinary success.

Redfin Strategic Analysis, Steffanie Hitz

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Xbox In Japan? Understanding The Distinctions Of The Japanese Video Game Market To Increase Microsoft's Competitive Advantage, Sekani Adebimpe

Senior Theses

Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony remain the biggest players in the video game console space. While all three companies have achieved worldwide success, Microsoft’s performance with the Xbox brand in Japan is an outlier for its historically poor sales numbers dating back to its 2001 debut. The purpose of this thesis is to unearth the various cultural distinctions inherent to the Japanese gaming industry that Microsoft must consider to gain a stronger foothold in the country, as well as diagnose the biggest issues facing Xbox with Japanese consumers. To accomplish this, several cultural frameworks were used to assess the differences between …

Strategic Consideration And Recommendation On Development Of Chemistry In China, Yanlin Cheng, Shuxian Wu, Qing Dai, Chunying Chen, Yuliang Zhao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Chemistry, as a central science linking all the other sciences, has played an influential role in promoting the development of the whole scientific and technological field and the prosperity of economy and society. Developed countries strongly support the development of chemistry and effectively promote the level of chemical research and chemical industry. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, chemical research has been supported among the field of natural sciences, and its current level is at the forefront of the world. However, there are still problems in the field of chemistry research in China, such as insufficient major …

A Strategic Audit Of A24, Jackson Bartak

Honors Theses

A24 is an independent film production and distribution company founded in 2012. The company performs both duties for independent films as well as television programs, and a small portion of company revenue comes from merchandise it sells in an online kiosk. As of 2021, A24 had around 300 employees while maintaining a large catalog of movies and shows. Using a focus strategy, the company targets a more cultured audience for its unique (and sometimes outright bizarre) subject matter. To achieve this, A24 attempts to cast top B-list personnel both in acting and technical roles in order to corner its market. …

Architectural Dimensions Of Socially Driven Venture Capital Firms: Social Innovation In The Capital Markets, Raymond Jones, Manjula S. Salimath

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Purpose – Private equity and venture capital (VC) firms in the capital markets sector invest capital with the primary goal of delivering economic value. However, some firms in the capital markets sector have started to shift this focus to create (i.e. invest in) social value. More specifically, traditional VC firms are starting socially oriented funds, while other firms have emerged to focus solely on investments in social enterprises. These VC firms are contributing to an interesting paradox – performance metrics are not measured by profit alone but also by social innovation. From an architectural perspective, the authors examine the implications …

Strategies To Generate Innovation For Profit Gains Of U.S.-Based Global Retailing, Kazue Goto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective innovation strategies can negatively affect profit gains of U.S.-based global retailing companies (USGRC). Leaders in the retailing industry who fail to use strategies to generate innovation for profit gains can experience decreased profitability. Grounded in the dynamic theory of strategy, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies that leaders of USGRC use to generate innovation for profit gains. Participants included six USGRC leaders in California, who used strategies to generate innovation for profit gains. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, company documents and analyzed using thematic data analysis. Three themes emerged: customer-centric opportunity identification …