Issues and Case Analysis Essay

Submitted By ronkrogers
Words: 2319
Pages: 10
Open Document
Unit 4 IP Issues and Case Analysis
Ronald Rogers
MGT680-1303A-01: Strategic Management
American Intercontinental University
Professor Jacob Ashkenazi

Synopsis
Accomplishing a SWOT analysis has several purposes and the function of the analysis is completely dependent on the entity doing the study. A competitor may do a SWOT to find the exploitable weakness in competitor or to determine what they are doing right. When a company performs one on itself it is posturing itself for improvement for the long term. Strategic planning cannot be accomplished unless the company understands the strength and weaknesses in itself, its market and its environment. This paper analyzes two competitors in the auto manufacturing industry that have entirely different approaches to production and management.

Ford Motor Company SWOT analysis
Ford Motor Company is a manufacturer of automobile, trucks and several other motorized devices. They are a global corporation that is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. The current CEO is Alan Mulally. They generated $134.3 Billion in revenue in 2012 with a profit of $5.67 Billion in net income. They have 164,000 employees, worldwide. Their main competitors are BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, GM, Honda, Nissan, Tata, Toyota, and Volkswagen (Jurevicius, 2013).

Strengths * Strong position in the U.S. market
It ranked 7th in the world and 2nd in the US. It also holds the distinction of being 9th on the Fortune 500 list (Fortune Magazine, 2013). They sold 2.2 million units in the US in 2012 ( the first to break 2 million since 2007 and the first to do so 2 years in a row) and have 3 vehicles in the global top 10 – Focus at number 1, F-Series pickups at number 4 and the Fiesta at number 5 (Ross, 2012).

* Econetic initiative
Technology that is customer driven that brings together vehicle features targeting increased fuel economy, lowered emissions and lower ownership costs without compromising attractive designs and driving characteristics.

* Sound financial performance
Ford is the only company that did not require a government bailout and the first to return to an investment status. They have the highest Profit Margin with the highest Liquidity Ratio, making Ford able to easily address its short term debt.

* Single model “One Ford” approach
They have reduced costs by not customizing models for different regions of the world. They have done this by engineering into each model features that fit different tastes and regulations.

* Large operation
Ford operates nearly 70 production plants, more than 40 distribution centers and warehouses, nearly 60 ERD centers, and nearly 12,000 dealerships, including those in China, South America, Europe, and SE Asia. In 2012, Ford grew its sales in China by 46%.

Weaknesses

* Poor environmental track record
In the past Ford has been negligent in the disposal of tons of toxic materials. The EPA has identified a large number of Superfund toxic waste dump sites that Ford is being forced to clean up at their own expense (EPA, n.d.). Although they have improved and make great strides toward sound environmental practices, they are still paying for the sins of the past. There are also OSHA issues related to asbestos exposure experienced by workers (OSHA, 2013). Finally, the EPA has cited Ford for falsifying the fuel economy of the C-Max Hybrid Crossover, forcing them to refund 17.6 million dollars to purchasers and leasers (DiLallo, 2013).

* Unprofitable European Operations
While growing substantially in the global market, Ford is losing money in the European market. In 2012 they lost $1.75 Billion and sees loses continuing through 2015. Europe’s financial problems are impacting the sales of new autos, but the losses are offset by sales in Asia (Wall Street Journal, 2013).

* Product recalls
Ford is dealing with recalls of the Focus Electric, Focus ST for lighting defects (Kane, 2013). They are also recalling 465 thousand
Show More

Related Documents: Issues and Case Analysis Essay

Ethical Issues In Criminal Justice Case Analysis

them informed of case statuses, paroles, or bring charges against the defendant. Justice can be sought for victims by Assistant District Attorney’s by speedy case resolutions so there are no delays. Victims can be protected against harassment, threats, injuries etc. Victims can be helped to recover property theft and gather evidence to assist in their loss. Some of the unethical concerns discussed are victims that want to be witness in a case but the prosecutor wants to drop the case so services are…

Words 164 - Pages 1

MGT4394 1 22 Essay

Business Policy & Strategy Introduction to Case Analysis Introduction to Case Analysis: Overview An Active Learning Overview with Today’s Mini-Case The Movie Exhibition Industry in 2011 Session Objectives • Understand the approaches, benefits & pitfalls for case discussion • Understand the basic framework for strategy analysis, including the overall process and tools for assessing external forces and competitive advantage. • Able to define what a strategic issue is. • Able to distinguish between symptoms…

Words 1381 - Pages 6

Executive Summary Case Method Spring 2015 GSBA 511 Essay

THE CASE METHOD The major benefit of the case approach as an educational method is that it actively involves course participants in the analysis of real-world problems and in the development of realistic solutions. It does not call for the “single, true answer” but rather provides an opportunity for the exploration of all the uncertainties, contradictions, and conflicts that surround real-world events. As such it provides a basis for group discussion, i.e., the exchange of differing points of view…

Words 1690 - Pages 7

Case 1Guidelines 2015 1 Essay

Case Analysis #1 MGMT 2130 081 Guidelines WINTER 2015 Students will work in groups to complete and present a case analysis as assigned by the Instructor which is related to course material. The cases which you analyze in class describe actual managerial situations and are used as practice for your hand-in case. Your task is to identify the underlying issue (problem), analyze the factors which are contributing to the issue, and make appropriate recommendations. This process should develop your…

Words 1133 - Pages 5

Questions On Business

Case Template Critical Issues In order to succeed (definition) Company X must address the following: How to (Solve problem/take advantage of opportunity) so that (consequence) How to (Solve problem/take advantage of opportunity) so that (consequence) How to (Solve problem/take advantage of opportunity) so that (consequence) Notes: No need to provide background of the case 3-5 critical issues that must be resolved within the next two years to survive/thrive Issues are solution-neutral Issues…

Words 551 - Pages 3

Chapter 10 Essay

sent and/or received Case Problem Write-up and Analysis Questions are at the end of the chapter under the “Business Scenarios and Case Problems” heading Case Problem number/page: 10-1 page 279 Case Name—List the names of the plaintiff and defendant. Ball vs Sullivan Facts—Describe the relevant facts of the case in order of their importance. Sullivan demanded $60,000 for the land Ball accepted and agreed to pay $60,000 Issue—What is the legal issue or problem presented that needs…

Words 948 - Pages 4

Doc Sharing Case Study Guidelines Essay

Case Study Guidelines Case studies are interdisciplinary in scope; they cross many disciplines within organizations and expose the "manager" to many varied situations of day-to-day activities. Cases studies are a picture-in-time, much like an accounting profit and loss report for a past business quarter. They are, after all, real life situations. Cases develop a manager’s analytical skills, because the results are quantitative and qualitative in nature and support their recommendations and decisions…

Words 728 - Pages 3

Managing Strategy And Change

organizational contexts, profit and not-for-profit organizations, small businesses and multinational corporations. As befits an integrative strategy unit; its learning, teaching and assessment strategy is organized around the use of management dilemmas and case studies. 3. Aims of the Module The broad aim of the module is to provide an MBA level integrative course in managing strategy and change which develops the students’ understanding and skills, as present and prospective future managers, for formulating…

Words 3063 - Pages 13

Assignment 2 Essay example

freedoms are; Freedom of religion Freedom of assembly Freedom of the press 5. 14th amendment Case Problem Write-up and Analysis Questions are at the end of the chapter under the “Business Scenarios and Case Problems” heading Case Problem number/page: 2-1 58 Case Name—List the names of the plaintiff and defendant. Estrella v. Bay City Facts—Describe the relevant facts of the case in order of their importance. Supporters of mayoral candidate Donita Estrella want to post campaign signs…

Words 1085 - Pages 5

Essay on Case Guideline

I Formatting rules The case write-ups should be typed and double spaced, 12 point font (Times New Roman), normal margins with a maximum length of 5 pages, plus one page of tabulations or appendices as you see fit. You can attach a cover page and the table of contents. Please attach a statement signed by all the members of the group regarding the participation in the project. The structure of your report should follow the following template: 1. Brief statement of current outlook/position of Bonny…

Words 311 - Pages 2