Introduction
This study
is to discuss the outcome that we received by Managing Strategy, Operations and
Partnerships modules and to reflect it on the process of completing assignment
one.
This
study will Summarize the academic knowledge receive from the module’s material starting
from the first week till the eleventh week and to discuss its reflection and
impact on personal and professional life. It also highlight the applications of
this academic knowledge outcome on the daily basis for each learning outcome. This
study critically analyses and review week six case study
(A highlight on Samsung competitive positioning strategy to overcome market
share loss to competitors).
This study claims that week six assignment was covering mainly one
aspects of the managing strategies that is competitive advantage
which is not enough as it should cover more strategy aspects that was
covered by this course like strategy diamond, Hierarchy of Strategies , Business and Strategy
Formulation.
This
study also highlight the methodology of influencing the strategic decision of
an organization by reflecting the importance of personal capabilities and
continues learning as the gaining of leaders trust required a lot of time and a
proven record of previously made successful decisions.
This
study also briefly discuss change processes impact on the companies and teams with
a highlight on the neutrality of resisting the change.
Judging
complexity, diversity, and a multiplicity of perspectives accommodated in
management decisions was also discussed.
Discussion (main Body)
This
study is divided into five main subtitles as below covering strategy module learning
outcome, expectations and impact on person’s life.
A- Critical
Review on strategy module Outcomes
In week
one of the strategy module we discussed the definition of strategy, and explored
factors that lead to effective strategies.
Week
one expectations was to understand the concept of strategy with its application
on real life scenarios. The learning outcome was higher than expectation and
help on daily business differently as now I have better understanding of my
company strategy and strength points.
Week one covered many concepts and models
like, Strategy Dimensions , Deliberate
and Emergent Strategies , Hierarchy of Strategies , Business and Strategy
Formulation .
In the Second
week of the module, we have explored many ‘schools of thoughts’ with critical analyses
of strategy context and its characteristics. It also discussed strategy tools
like SWOT analysis and PESTEL analysis.
The
expectation from this week was to understand the strategy tools. The learning
outcome meets expectation and influence making managerial decisions.
In week
three of the strategy module we discussed competitive advantage, we learned how
to use strategy tools in order to analyses competitive advantage (such as
Porter’s Value Chain model) and explored competitive positioning and business
level strategy.
This
week was the most important to me as its look deeply on companies’
competition. The learning outcome was higher
than expectation. It’s worth mentioning that week six assignment was focusing
on week two out come more than other concepts. However I should cover more aspects
of strategy learned in other weeks.
Week
four was about the concept of International Business strategy, with explanation
of ‘Strategy Diamond’ and the Five Elements of Strategy. Week four covered many
concepts and models like International Business Strategy, The Strategy Diamond
and the Five Elements of Strategy.
The
expectation from week one was high due to importance of the topic. The learning
outcome was lower than expectation. It’s worth mentioning that strategy diamond
can be applied on any future business one can acquire.
In the
fifth week of the module, we have defined the meaning and the role of
operations management, organizations’ resources, the organizations’
capabilities and their role in strategy formulation and explored ‘staging’. It included application of the strategy on
real life operation. The learned lessons
was meeting expectation and can be used to enhance project operation in daily
business.
At Week
six we had our first assignment which is critically reviewed in section B
below.
In the
seventh week of the module, supply chain management was the main topic. Globalization
management and its effects on supply chains, and analyses the factors that affect
supply chain management was also discussed.
Learning
outcome and understandings was may concepts and models like, Supply Chain , Key issues of Supply Chain , Globalization
and Supply Chains , Importance of Supply Chains , Supply Chain practices,, Just-In-Time and Lean Systems . These concepts
can be applied as actions on daily procurement procedures.
Week
eight was about of quality, capacity, planning and inventory, focusing on Total
Quality Management, and identified basic quality tools and approaches.
Week
nine critically discussed organic development, analyzed mergers and
acquisitions, and discussed the concepts of strategic alliances and
partnerships.
The
expectation from week eight and nine was to understand the concept supply chain
and quality management. The learning outcome was satisfying and help on
managing and maintaining companies’ quality.
Week ten
critically discussed Change management, explained the types and process of
change and analyses Lewin’s model, and examined causes of resistance to change
and relevant solutions. A highlight on impact of strategic change processes
will be discussed in details on section C.
Week eleven
was only a recap to Link Themes together.
B- Critical
Review on week six case Study
Week
six case study covered Samsung competitive advantage strategy concept, which
discussed in details along with SWOT analysis. However it worth Mentioning that
the study doesn’t cover other strategy concepts that was covered during this
course like PESTEL analysis, Strategy Diamond’ and the Five Elements of
Strategy, and defined staging.
Week
six assignment was mainly around competitive advantage (week 2), the study
missing information regarding other strategic concepts learn in this
module. Also Week six study used secondary
Data method to cover the topic of study however, there are many other methods
that can be used that wasn’t covered by week six study. Like Experiments,
Surveys, Questionnaires, Interviews, Case studies, Observational trials.
C- Change management
Impact
The
importance of change stems from the constant need to amend and change goals in
line with the requirements of renewal and change, which represent the essence
of the organizational stages, Economy and Technical Society (Al-Lawzi, 1997:
338).
However,
the introduction of any change in the organization is matched - often - by resistance
by some individuals, which results in a negative impact on the success and
effectiveness of the change process. Therefore, the increase in this resistance
and its strength and influence will lead to a decrease in the level of
influence and success of the change process, if not its failure. (Al-Harbi,
2001: 78).
Change
have many impacts, change might lead to shorter product life cycles. Change
need to increase company’s investment in research and development to keep its
balance.
D- Influencing
the strategic direction of an organization
In
order to influence company strategic decisions, one should be strong on his
input. This mean that companies top management will not listen -especially when
making strategic decision- to weak evidences and expertise. Change management
and its application and effects should be studied before participation on companies’
strategic decisions. To influence
company strategy, a strong evidences and examples shall be presented on the
table along with competitors experiences. By time the trust can be gained and
the influencing can be highly appreciated.
E- Judging
complexity, diversity, and a multiplicity of perspectives accommodated in
management decisions
Making
a decision is a process of choosing between alternatives based on given
information. The choice of alternatives varies according to the number of
alternatives presented. Leader input is
considered one of the most important factors affecting the effectiveness of the
management decision. The personality of the leader, attitudes, values, experience,
social position, and his psychological state when making the decision are
factors that affect the effectiveness of the decision made.
Decision-making
is affected by personal factors stemming from leader’s personalities specially
their attitudes, values, scientific level, experiences, pattern of behavior and
social background.
Conclusion
Managing
Strategy, Operations and Partnerships module was divided into 12 weeks, each
week from one to five have focused on specific strategy concept with its
application and models. At week six we have the first assessment point that we
are critically reviewing on this study.
Week
seven to ten covered supply chain management, quality, organic development, and
change management respectively. Each week will be discussed in more details in
this study covering the learning outcome against the expectation from the
strategy module and the Impact of this module in our future decisions including
actions and next steps
This
study critically review and self-reflect week Six assignment that discussed
Samsung competitive positioning techniques that been developed as a
differentiation strategy to secure companies
market share and overcome competitive challenges in many industries and
to continuous losses . This study also critically reviewed the only method used
for week six which was secondary Data Analysis / Archival Study and Observation.
This
study demonstrate the understanding of the theory and practice
of strategic development and operations along with the impact of strategic
change processes with examples of the effect of the change implementation. This
study also highlight the methodology of influencing the strategic direction of
an organization by reflecting the importance of personal capabilities and
continues learning. This study also
discussed judging complexity, diversity, and a multiplicity of perspectives
accommodated in management decisions and it could be
affected by the leader who is taking the decision.
List of References
-
Al-Harbi, J. N., and Durrant, S.
G., (2001). Use of Kolb learning cycle and the 4M AT system in engineering
education. Journal of Engineering Education, 82(2), 78-79.
-
Al-Lawzi, M., (1997) ’Exploring Change
management: A review of academic research from the last decade’ Dar Al Balagh, 3(3),
pp. 333-340.
-
Porter, M. (1979) How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy. Brighton:
Harvard Business Review
-
Kim, W. and Mauborgne, R.,( 2005). Blue Ocean Strategy. 1st ed.
Boston, Mass: Harvard Business Review Press.
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