Different Perspectives Studies in Harvard University - Assignment Example

Heading: Harvard University Analysis Your name: Course name: Professors’ name: Date Introduction For an organization to successful realize its set goals and objectives, it is imperative to develop an organizational strategy. Some of the components of organizational strategy include customer relations, competitiveness, design and management structure, and marketing (Fairholm 2009). To analyze an organizational strategy effective, various perspectives should be applied including critical, institutional, behavioral, and economic. The employment of these viewpoints is to make the analysis effective by attaining an inclusive view of the organization instead of a biased one. Therefore, the paper attempts to conduct an organizational strategic analysis of Yale University in the United States with respect to behavioral, economic, institutional, and critical angles. Background of Yale University Yale University entails a private learning institution that was established in 1701. The institution has a total enrolment of undergraduate at 5,310, and the gender distribution entails 49.6% male and 50.4% female students. 88.0% of the students reside in college-owned, affiliated, and operated residential houses and12.0percentage of them live outside campus. The university is also participates in the NCAA I athletic forum (Yale University 2012). Regarding campus services and information, the university provides various students services, such as, women’s center, nonremedial tutoring, health service, placement service, and health insurance. It also offers security and safety services including the 24-hour vehicle and foot patrols, 24-hour emergency telephones, late night escort and transport service, restricted dormitory access in from of security card and key, as well as well-lit sidewalks and pathways. In fact, 5% of the Yale University students own cars, and the institution permits alcohol for the legal age students. Apart from having an urban setting, the size of the university stands at 315 acres, and it uses an academic calendar based on semesters. Additionally, according to the 2012 university rankings (Best Colleges is National Universities), Yale University was ranked as the third best university in the country. Besides, the tuition fees of set by the university are $40,500 in the 2011-2012 academic years. With respect to the university’s mission statement, its basic mission regards attracting, educating, and motivating a varied group of the extremely gifted women and men to develop and spread knowledge, as well as promoting the scholarship, values, high character, and leadership, which may be directed towards improving and sustaining the society. Besides, each school in the university has its own vision and mission statement, which guide their operations and performance (Yale University 2012). Yale University is situated is in New Haven, Conn., and is renowned for its outstanding music and drama plans, which are extracurricular with various student organizations like the Yale Dramatic Association, Yale Whiffenpoofs, and a celebrated a capella group. The university also has a Yale Bulldogs that competes in the Ivy League, and are famous for their competition with Harvard. The university also assigns its students houses in within one of its 12 residential colleges while they are at Yale (Christoffersen 2008). Each of the residential colleges consists of a dean and master who resides within the college and take meals with the students at the dining halls. To enhance a sense of cultural identity and diversity in school, the university has established a number of cultural houses that offer a space for the students to build their cultural identities (Yale University 2012). In terms of the academic life, the university has a ratio of 5:1, while the school entails of 75.8% of the classes has less than 20 students. The university is popular majors include Biology and Biological Sciences, General; Psychology, General; History, General; Political Science and Government, General; and Economics, General. Its average retention rate of freshman, which indicates student satisfaction include 99.0% (Yale University 2012). Description of Yale University In relation to the design of the Yale University, there is a centralized structure, with the highest governing body being the president, followed by College Deans, Graduate College Masters, Professional School Deans, and Residential College Masters. There are vice presidents for various departments and programs in the universality, as well as other junior members of staff. All the decisions in the university are made and approved by the senior officials, and the presidents and executive officers ensure that the colleges and schools in the university operate as per their vision and mission statements. Moreover, the vice presidents and provost are charged with the responsibility of overseeing the enforcement of the institutional goals in its running. In collaboration with the executive offices, other committees help in the implementation of university’s mission statement. Regarding its mission and statement, Yale University conducts a review of its mission statement every year, and communicates any modifications to all the stakeholders through its website, newsletters, students’ manual, and other publications. To enhance its commitment to physical expansion, human resource development, and financial capacities, the university has a well-developed vision and mission statement (Yale University 2012). Every successful organization is known by various elements including vehicles, arenas, economic logic, staging, and differentiators. Firstly, vehicles concerns the approaches employed by the firm in penetrating new arenas (Abou-Zeid 2008). Regarding Yale University, it has created partnerships with various organizations including Banco Santander, King Saud University, and New Haven city. In fact, its School of Medicine and School of Nursing collaborate with Hill Regional Career High School. It has other programs including the School Development Program, Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy, as well as Program in International Resources. There is also a partnership between the Yale School of Music, and Coop Arts and Humanities High School (Yale University 2007). The differentiators’ aspect of the organization entails the nature of firm’s products and services, public image, cost, and quality. Yale University has a high reputation in the world, and attracts as many students as possible because of its performance. It also ensures that the members of staff are highly qualified to satisfy the students’ needs, and adequate to handle all the students. To enhance diversity the university employs various, competent employees from distinct backgrounds. The human resource department of the university takes the responsibility of ensuring that highly qualified members of staff are recruited (Yale University 2012). With respect to the quality of learning, the university has high quality content, as per the mission statement. It has also embraced modern technology in giving instruction, assignments, and registration. It has also incorporated both research and teaching in order to build all-rounded persons in the society. Freeman (2010) says that arenas involve the identification of firm’s services and products, its markets locations, as well as the channels of accessing the markets. Yale University provides various degree and post graduate degrees in history, Biological Sciences, Psychology, History, Political Science and Government, law, medicine, engineering, Art, and Economics among others, with each course taking a specific time. In addition, the institution has online programs for students intending to study away from campus (Yale NEASC Self-Study 2005). The organization’s staging element relates to the way the firm efficiently plans and attains expansion, and the way it creates priorities of its initiatives (Moon 2009). In the case of Yale University, there are plans for physical and academic expansion and introduction of other courses. It has a Facilities Planning & Construction, which is in charge of Capital Planning and Construction that ranges from main facilities and buildings to installing modern equipments and slight refurbishments (Yale University 2012). The body entails two units including construction charged with implementation of entire construction plans from design to construction and occupancy, as well as planning unit meant for provision of strategic campus programming and planning for future and present facilities (Yale University 2012). Some of Yale University’s recent developments include residential colleges. The renovations and expansions in the university are also made possible by its alumni. Additionally, Yale University 2012) demonstrates that the economic aspect addresses the way in which a firm improves its profitability through the implementation of various strategies. Regarding Yale University, this is achieved by increased enrollment rates through the acquisition of new students, and reduced tuition charges. To complement its revenue strategy, the university works towards the achievement o accountability and transparency in material and financial resources. It has been accredited by various institutions in the region to extend its courses and curricular; hence, meeting the needs of its high student population. Moreover, within New Haven, the campus aims at enhancing economic development, increasing homeownership, revitalization of downtown, and supporting public education. The university is proud to be associated with the New Haven’s increasing a strength and growth. In addition, the university consists of the College, 13 professional institutions, and Graduate School of Sciences and Arts. Some of the professional schools include the high-ranking School of Management, Law School, School of Nursing, and School of Art. Among the graduate programs in the university are School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, School of Drama, and Divinity School. It also has first humor magazine in the country, known as Yale Record. Moreover, the university has a self-governing umbrella group called Dwight Hall, which promotes student activism and service within the local New Haven society (Yale NEASC Self-Study 2005). Yale University (2012) maintains that the university is also famous for its private societies, with the Skull and Bone Society being the most renowned society whose members are John Kerry and George W. Bush. Another famous society is the Scroll and Key Society. What is more, the university has eminent alumni including actor Edward Norton, actress Meryl Streep, and the Bob Woodward (Reporter for Washington Post). Behavioral perspective on Yale University Organizational Strategy According to the Yale University (2012), Yale University consists of a powerful strategy in terms of the management of its human resources. It has a human resource department concerned with the recruitment, development, training, payment, and appraisal. To enhance cultural diversity, the institution ensures that all the employees are from various backgrounds. To facilitate success in its performance, the university advocates for the employment of highly qualified personnel that will propel the organization towards the realization of the set goals and objectives. It also promotes employment, selection, and promotion based on merit in conjunction to professional and academic experience to ensure hiring of the best candidates of a particular job opening. It is committed to meeting the international standards of learning and teaching to ensure success. Additionally, the university is an active work environment that provides inspiring professional experiences for the persons concerned in the development of their career. It also acknowledges that exploring different or future career directions usually comes from the members of staff emerging or modern work interests and values. Career growth and development is a distinct process of every person. Yale University personnel can evaluate their personal capabilities and interests by use of diverse opportunities and resources offered by the institution. To promote job skills, the personnel take formal courses, and can enroll in special professional development programs in order to evaluate their personal strengths, understand their professional drivers, and recognize development areas (Yale University 2012). In addition, the university has a yearly performance process of reviewing its staff, known as, FOCUS (Feedback and Ongoing Coaching for University Success). This process benefits the departments, university, and students in various ways including improvement of communication between employees and supervisors; facilitating development of explicit performance standards and expectations; provision of feedback to personnel regarding their performance; and focusing workers on their development attempts. As a result, the benefits cause a strong dedication of members of staff to the organizational objectives, and are a proper way of making employees to feel good about their careers and jobs (Yale University Performance Management Guide 2010). Regarding the compensation strategy, the university has a number of objectives including attracting and retaining productive and competent staff from suitable regional, national, and domestic labor market. It also aims at identifying various degrees of accountability and responsibility and establishing salaries appropriately. It also intends to base its salary changes on personal performance and contribution. Lastly, the university attempts to give competitive salaries, on general basis, with pay in pertinent labor markets, which comply with its university budgetary instructions and in assigned financial resources (Yale University 2012). Institutional perspective on Yale University Organizational Strategy One of the strengths of Yale University is that it has a well-defined mission and vision statement that guides its effective operation and performance. This indicates that the institution has a future focus and a clear direction towards the achievement of its set goals and objectives. The institution aims at attracting, educating, and motivating a varied group of greatly gifted women and men in order to boost and spread knowledge and to enhance scholarship, values, leadership, and high character, which leads to sustained and improved society. Although there are various challenges, there is an equal share of opportunities for the institution. The university also has a string philosophy, facilitated by a well-defined structure of leadership. It also strives to create and maintain a constructive relationship among students, and members of staff for a collective success. The existing organizational structure is beneficial in ensuring that the institution runs in order, enhance harmony, and minimize any chances of confusion. In terms of the university’s information and technology abilities, Yale University readily embraces high technology to achieve accuracy, efficiency, convenience, status, and quality in its operations. In fact, it has a well-established Information Technology, which oversees all the information systems of the institution. Some of the duties conducted by the department include registration, communication, and marketing among others. It is also in charge with the students and personnel’s needs of surfing. Moreover, it enables students to access a variety of information regarding the institution, and their academic affairs. It also facilitates efficient communication among departments, schools, colleges, and students. The IT department also facilitates the students’ information in terms of research resources, timetables, and examination details. The engagement in development and research activities enables the university to realize the objective of boosting the community’s economic development. Economic perspective on Yale University organizational strategy In terms of economic perspective, Yale strives to boost its profitability by attracting as many students as possible, with affordable fees; hence, outdoing its business rivals. Its degree and postgraduate courses are cost effective, as the tuition fees are lower as compared to the competitors. It also has a string marketing strategy that oversees the acquisition and retention of many clients. It also conducts extensive marketing research to identify opportunities and create awareness of its profile. It also has a kitty for the low economic background students to assist them complete their programs appropriately. It is also expanding its colleges and residential areas to meet the needs of the existing and potential customers. One of the objectives of Yale University is to ensure a progressive economic development of its surrounding community, which is the New Haven City. New Haven is a big city that facilitates living, working, and studying. It consists of several strengths and important ability that majority of other cities in the region find desirable. Besides, the city has powerful neighborhoods that have excellent housing stock, parks, and open space, which include historical and beautiful green. The university has developed a number of partnerships with the city aimed at improving the latter’s economic development. With the leadership of President Levin, the university has extended its attempts to boost economic development, aid public education, enhance homeownerships, and renew downtown. The university is also proud to indulge itself in the effective growth and enhanced strength of the community (Yale University 2007). Moreover, the university has developed a powerful economic foundation base to offer job opportunities, and tax income, which is necessary in the building a powerful community. The institution aids the community in the achievement of the goal in a variety of way. In fact, Yale is among the leading nation and global centers for life sciences study. Its annual amount drawn from National Institutes of Health and others is over $400million. It has enhanced its efforts to advance the great economic development ability of the field and this attempt has been harmonized by strong private sector, which includes main classes of Bristol-Myers Squibb, Bayer, Pfizer, as well as Boehringer Ingleheim. The pace at which new companies are formed has heightened, with numerous business plans in advancement. Within the past three years, the university’s biotech spin-offs have increased over $3 billion in the private and public capital markets. The last decade has realized 40 ventures, with most of them in New Haven and Connecticut. Some of the present businesses of the university are CPP, Inc., IPTEX.com, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Apfel Enterprises, Analytica of Brandford, Roots Inc., Omega-P, MGS Inc., and Curagen Inc. More so, the university also enhances homeownerships, which is crucial in the stabilization of neighborhoods, as well as helping families generate wealth. The affordable homeownerships are beneficial in helping the community retain successful families, sustain present residents, and draw new residents. To enhance homeownerships, the university created a Yale Homebuyer Program during 1994. It provides any regular worker $25,000 for purchasing a home in many neighborhoods. Critical perspective on Yale University Organizational Strategy Critical perspective explores the power relations between existing groups in a firm, which contributes to the supremacy of some individuals over others (Sadler 2003). Yale University adopts symmetrical power relations because responsibilities and power is shared among various management levels, and that stakeholders are involved in decision-making processes. The university works towards the elimination of inequalities in leadership and power relations, and enhanced its stakeholders’ value. The constituents of its community, which include stakeholders, executive management, students, faculty members, parents, non-teaching staff, teaching staff, suppliers, state government, media, as well as general community evidence this. The university’s senior management consists of stakeholders who are involved in the design and decision making process of the institution’s master strategy. This is crucial in the satisfaction of faculty members and students’ needs in terms of curricula design. All the officials and stakeholders are actively involved in the decision-making processes of the university (Academic Ranking of World Universities 2003). In addition, the university as established a culture in which information and knowledge is shared, and that it has developed freedom of expression for all stakeholders. Besides, it maintains open channels of communication to be used by the stakeholders for enhanced harmony and successful operations. One of the challenges the university faces in terms of power relations regards the promotion and appointment of senior officials, which at times, are politically influenced. Conclusion Yale University has been analyzed based on various perspectives including institutional, behavioral, critical, and economic. The university is one of the highly ranked universities in United States, and offers many degree and postgraduate courses including History, Law, Economics, Biology, Engineering, and Medicine. It has a well-defined organizational and leadership structure headed by the president. The behavioral perspective demonstrates the university’s attempt to maintain employee satisfaction, development, and compensation. Institutional perspective shows its focus through mission and vision statement, while the economic perspective stresses the institution’s attempt to enhance its profitability through various internal and external initiatives. Lastly, in terms of critical perspective, the university adopts symmetrical power relations involving power, responsibilities, knowledge, and information sharing. References Abou-Zeid, E 2008, Knowledge management and business strategies: theoretical frameworks and empirical research, Information Science Reference, Hershey. Pp. 195-200. Academic Ranking of World Universities, ARWU 2003, Yale University. Retrieved on September 4, 2012 from http://www.shanghairanking.com/Institution.jsp?param=Yale%20University Christoffersen, J 2008, Yale University Will Add Two Residential Colleges, Higher Education News from the Collegiate Way. Retrieved on September 4, 2012 from http://collegiateway.org/news/2008-yale-expansion Fairholm, MR 2009, ‘Leadership, and Organizational Strategy’, The Innovation Journal: thePublic Sector Innovation Journal, Vol.14, no.1, pp. 1-16. http://www.innovation.cc/scholarly-style/fairholm3.pdf Freeman, R 2010, Strategic management: a stakeholder approach, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Pp. 1-20. Moon, H 2009, Global Business Strategy: Asian Perspective, World Scientific, Hackensack, NJ. Pp. 43-50. Yale University 2007, President’s Public Service Fellowship. Yale University. 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