Peer Review Global Financial 300 Or More Words Discussion Qu ✓ Solved

Post an executive summary of your Comprehensive Project in the body of a post in this discussion. An Executive Summary outlines the purpose, process, findings, and discussion of a report submitted to management. CEOs often read an Executive Summary before deciding to read the entire report, so this must be a high-quality narrative that demonstrates the significance of the work undertaken, the objectivity of research and analysis underpinning the report, and the credibility of the resulting conclusions.

Compare and contrast vertical and horizontal integration. What are some of the variables that make each of these integrations valuable? Provide an example of a vertical and a horizontal integration that has happened recently. In what circumstances should an organization consider diversification as a viable strategy? What benefit does a global strategy provide an organization? Describe a situation when a global strategy would not be a viable solution for an organization.

For this Individual Project, you will analyze publicly available information about a Fortune 500 Company and develop an assessment of the corporate strategy and its ability to increase competitive advantage. This assignment requires you to obtain and analyze information at the company, industry, and market levels using various databases and reports found in the AIU library, in addition to at least eight professional or academic peer-reviewed articles.

Your analysis should include an in-depth review of the Company's most recent SEC Form-10k Annual Report and Form DEF-14A Proxy Statement. Pay particular attention to the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) sections of the SEC Form 10-K and the DEF-14A Proxy statement. Direct competitors are identified in the "Comparator Group" section of the DEF-14A Proxy Statement. These SEC filings also contain information relative to external and industry analysis that will be helpful in assessing the Company's strategy and competitive position. A thorough analysis requires evaluation of various external stakeholders: Competitors, Industry, Vendors, Customers, Governmental entities, and Communities; as well as internal stakeholders including Shareholders, Board of Directors, Management, and Employees. A comprehensive SWOT analysis should be performed relative to the Company's ability to improve its competitive advantage.

The comprehensive analysis should include both qualitative and quantitative elements, leveraging information available in SEC filings, business databases, and peer-reviewed articles. Your work should demonstrate your ability to evaluate business situations using critical thinking skills, construct quantitative and qualitative research to analyze business cases, examine the opportunities provided by technology for businesses, propose effective communication techniques, and apply the standard of APA style to all research and writing tasks. You will prepare a report presenting the findings of your comprehensive analysis examining the Company's corporate strategy and its ability to increase competitive advantage.

The written report will have a body length of 10-12 pages excluding title, abstract, references, and appendices. Quotation limits should not exceed 10% of the body of the paper, all of which must be properly attributed in APA format.

Paper For Above Instructions

The integration strategies within a business context play a crucial role in shaping competitive advantage and overall corporate strategy. Vertical and horizontal integration are two primary types that firms utilize depending on their goals and market demands. Vertical integration refers to a strategy where a company expands its operations into different stages of production within the same industry, while horizontal integration involves merging with or acquiring competitors at the same level of the supply chain to strengthen market share and reduce competition.

One recent example of vertical integration is Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods Market in 2017. This acquisition allowed Amazon to enter the grocery market directly, enhancing its supply chain management and expanding its distribution capabilities. A horizontal integration example is Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019, which significantly expanded Disney's content library and bolstered its position in the entertainment industry.

The value of vertical integration lies in several key variables. First, it allows for greater control over the supply chain, reducing dependency on suppliers and subcontractors, which can lead to cost savings over time. Additionally, vertical integration can improve production efficiencies and enhance the ability to capture more value from production processes. However, the challenges include potential regulatory scrutiny and the risk of overextension in operations.

On the other hand, horizontal integration can aid in achieving economies of scale, increasing market share rapidly, and enhancing bargaining power with suppliers due to a larger market presence. This strategy, however, may face antitrust regulations and can lead to cultural clashes between merged organizations.

Organizations should consider diversification as a viable strategy when they seek to reduce risk by entering new markets or developing new product lines. Diversification can offset declines in one area with gains in another, making firms more resilient to market fluctuations. For instance, a technology company may diversify by venturing into healthcare technology to leverage its existing capabilities while tapping into a new revenue stream.

A global strategy benefits organizations by allowing them to leverage their offerings across multiple markets effectively. This can lead to increased revenues, greater brand recognition, and the ability to spread operational costs across a larger customer base. However, a global strategy may not be viable if a company lacks the necessary resources to adapt to diverse markets or if there are significant cultural or regulatory barriers in those areas.

In summary, both vertical and horizontal integrations present unique advantages and challenges that organizations must carefully consider based on their strategic goals. Diversification remains an essential strategy for firms facing uncertain market conditions, while a global strategy provides organizations with significant growth opportunities on an international scale. However, these strategies should be weighed against the potential drawbacks of implementation risks and market realities.

References

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  • Greiner, L. E. (1998). "Evolution and Revolution as Organizations Grow." Harvard Business Review.

  • Dyer, J. H., & Singh, H. (1998). "The Relational View: Cooperative Strategy and Sources of Interorganizational Competitive Advantage." Academy of Management Review.

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  • Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Hoskisson, R. E. (2007). "Managing Strategy: Competitiveness and Globalization." Cengage Learning.