Strategic Management and StratSynth - Case Study Example

Strategic Management: StratSynth Name Institution Name Date 1) Introduction Humans experience different challenges, and people/organisations come together to provide appropriate service and assistances. StratSynth is such an organization that aims to provide assistance and support to people facing numerous challenges including drought, war, and flooding challenges. The aim of the report is to discuss the role and activities that StratSynth can employ in sustaining the social objectives of humanity. 2) Background to the Situation Melinda Dates and Priscilla Chan have continuously engaged in social corporate and non-profit based activities of supporting communities and societies with different challenges. Gates and Chain aim to distribute knowledge and improving the conditions of developing countries through the introduction of different initiatives. During one of the forums, Gates and Chan were interested in technologies such as Pouncer Drone, the Spider Light Strike Vehicle and the Rokontwo wheel drive motorcycle for rapid aid delivery. To address this objective of rapid aid delivery, StratSynth organization was created. StratSynth is a non-profit organization tasked with enabling the acquisition, delivery, and operation of essential life support items. Giving Pledge would fund StratSynth in acquiring and managing different technologies in accomplishing in rapid aid delivery. StratSynth should meet the current East African Drought Crisis and be able in future to meet disease stricken and flood requirements in addition to areas disadvantaged by decades of economic denial or warfare. It means that StratSynth has to bring together different technologies and frameworks in improving socioeconomic requirements of disadvantaged and distressed regions. 3) A PESTEL analysis of StratSynth Operation Areas The following table summarizes the business environment in which StratSynth will operate; a general approach is taken because different countries are considered with different levels of developments whether in the legal or environment framework: Component Description Political Transitional political environment whereby governments continue to appreciate democracy resulting in political uncertainties (Brown and Osborne, 2012) Elections creates major challenges because defeated leaders do not want to step down while impending elections creates more conflicts Effective implementation of constitution is a challenge (Bryson and Alston 2011) Each individual especially leaders from major tribal cocoons jostle for political space Persistency impunity (Bryson, 2011) Fights for access to country’s resources such as oil and other natural resources contributing to increased community conflicts Economic Demands are increasing while the resources are scare Huge financial resources are required to develop infrastructure while the resources are scare The region continues to discover natural resources such as oil, which s a positive component (Bryson and Alston 2011) Developments is seen in infrastructural development The war in Somalia and Islamic extremists/extremism affects the business environment and destabilizes the region Social Ethnicity and cultural diversity contributes to increased polarization of the country Existence of conflict between conventional and traditional conflict resolution methods (Allison and Kaye, 2011) Gaps in training and development of human resource Terrorism and piracy cause fear to the people Some countries have higher expectancy rates; illiteracy levels are increasing while others such as South Sudan and Somalia are opposite The population is increasing (Bryson and Alston 2011) Cultural ties continues to influences any type of happenings Technology The region continues to embrace information communication technologies The region is not well developed in terms of different infrastructural requirements such as roads, communication, and service delivery Emergence of cyber crime affects the integrity of the operations (Nah and Saxton, 2013) Lack of resources to advance the social and economic requirements such as lack of forensic laboratories to address the evidence requirements Continuous agitation to formulate and implement infrastructural requirements (Allison and Kaye, 2011) Frequents wars, droughts and unreliable technological resources create more challenges Environment Rough terrain In some areas, the climatic conditions are not favourable Continuous awareness of the importance of environment to the development of society and economy (Bryson and Alston 2011) Lack of aligning country specific legislations with international framework Legal Some legislations are outdated Lack of capacity to implement the formulated legislations Conflicts between traditional approaches to conflict resolution to modern approaches (Allison and Kaye, 2011) 4) A Five Forces analysis of the likely competitors to StratSynth StratSynth would operate in a unique and demanding environment, and the following table presents a Five Forces analysis of the likely competitors to StratSynth: Force Analysis/Description The power of customers The customers are people requiring the assistance and are numerous Determining the people to be assisted is a challenge meaning the company ma support people that other organisations are not supporting The power of suppliers The partners or subcontractors may contribute to the success or failure of the business (Allison and Kaye, 2011) The suppliers have a powerful position since they are required to provide the technologies and also to maintain the technologies Effective partnership is important, and the partnership is dependent to the mission of an organization meaning some engagement are demanding compared to others Since StratSynth operates in different regions, it has to deal with different suppliers because of host country regulations and standards The level of rivalry Most of the non-profit organisations is to alleviate suffering Rivalry is minimal in provision of services and products Collaborative framework is important, and competitors can work together to alleviate the social problem (Bryson and Alston 2011) The potential of entry Large companies can enter the business but not small organisations Large volume of resources are required meaning it becomes a problem in sourcing for the resources Goodwill and support from governments and international bodies is integral and meeting country specific regulations and legislations may become a challenge The threat of substitute products Government and other governmental related institutions are required to addresses the problem Effectiveness of government means that the role of StratSynth is not required The potential of substitute product and services is minimal 5) Business Level Resources The common types of resources that StratSynth depends are human, intangible and tangible. The tangible resources include resources that can be identified and accounted for in financial statements and are physical in nature such equipment cash and plants (Allison and Kaye, 2011). For example, the foodstuff and drones including the funds that StratSynth requires are tangible in nature. The intangible assets include the nonfinancial and nonphysical assets such as knowledge, market research findings, and brands, which are difficult to account that, are integral to the successes of StratSynth (Guo et al. 2011). The human asset focuses on the knowledge and skills that employees have. The employees ensure an organization operates effectively. The presences of resources and human resources are not enough because capacities and competencies are required (Grigoroudis, Orfanoudaki and Zopounidis, 2012). The human resource should be able to use the physical resources appropriately. The individuals have to understand the different requirements and formulate implementable measures to address the shortcoming. For example, StratSynth should be able to turn the different resources to facilitate the needs and requirements of the people (desperate people). 6) Corporate Level Strategies The following are some of the companies that can partner and engage with Boston Dynamics: Boston Dynamics – the company can partner with US military in the development of a robot that is capable of carrying more than 20 kilograms of weight and can cover more than 30 kilometres (Martinez, 2012). The type of strategic alliance is a joint venture in that StratSynth proposes what it wants while Boston Dynamics creates the product. Zipline Technologies – the company, produces a drone that employs the sling technology in delivering essential products such as medical requirements (Nambiar, 2016). The technology is currently used in Rwanda, which is expected to reduce the time of delivery of medical supplies. A joint venture is proposed because of the customization requirements and wider scope of StratSynth mission. Prodrone has developed a drone with five axis arms that can carry around 10 kilograms of load and fly for 30 minutes at 60 km/p, and the drone is able to drop a lifesaving buoy and retrieve hazardous materials. The drone is appropriate because it can be used in flooded areas, and can move at a faster speed over long distance. The joint venture is also important because the capability of the drone can be improved. Griff Aviation is a Norwegian company that developed a drone that can lift more than 300 kilograms ad can fly for 45 minutes (Fox News, 2017). The payload is integral in that StratSynth can carry food while also provide appropriate assistance to the population. The strength of the technology is the carrying capacity and the time in the air. Since StratSynth lacks the techniques and capacities of creating and managing the drone, joint venture business approach is proposed and appropriate. Ehang Inc has developed a drone that can carry an individual for 23 minutes with a payload of 110 kilograms (Nakashima, 2016). A joint partnership is appropriate since the interior of the equipment can be redesigned to reflect the requirements of StratSynth. In analyzing the corporate level strategies, the most appropriate framework is joint venture since each organization will specialize on what it knows. For example, StratSynth would concentrate in sourcing the resources and funds while the producers of the technologies would concentrate on the improvement of the technology. 7) Address Melinda Gates' interests and cooperative strategic relationships. The specifics of the environment determine and influence the right technology. The aim of the technology is to implement a system that can counter the rough terrain and is sustainable in nature. It is advice StratSynth can enter into cooperative strategic relationships depending on the environment of operations. The firms producing Pouncer Drone, the Spider Light Strike Vehicle and the Rokon two wheel drive motorcycle have an understanding of the terrain since most of these equipment targets the military. The military operates in a rough terrain meaning these technologies are applicable to the requirements of StratSynth, and modifications and customization to meet the mission objectives of StratSynth are recommended. 8) An Organisational Structure for StratSynth Headquarters Group The following section provides the organisational structure for StratSynth Headquarters group with a discussion of roles and responsibilities of each position.   The rationality of these positions and persons employed: Manager or CEO – the individual would be required to manage other employees and ensure the organisation has a clear guideline and approaches into achieving the requirements of the organisation. The position needs an individual who can liaise and seek support in prosecuting the objectives of StratSynth. Financial Manager – the individual will be tasked with allocating and managing the resources with other employees (Allison and Kaye, 2011). Operations manager –the individual will be responsible for ensuring the resources are delivered to the location and ensuring the problem is managed effectively and appropriately Relationship manager – the individual, is tasked with public relations and the main individual who can communicate for StratSynth (Denhardt, Denhardt and Aristigueta, 2012). Resource mobilization – will work with finance manager to source for the funds Budgeting and allocation of resources – the resources obtained are located, and proper documents kept to fulfill accounting and financial requirements 9) Vision and Mission Statement for the StratSynth Group The mission statement: The StratSynth Group alleviates and prevents human suffering through harnessing and mobilizing resources through the power of togetherness and collaboration in improving social development of humans The vision statement: StratSynth aims for a future where dreams, opportunities, and possibilities are same for all the people without considering geographic, cultural, and institutional systemic challenges 10) Conclusion The human faces different challenges and people and organisations come together to address the problem through numerous means. StratSynth brings together different parties in creating a collaborative and partnership framework to alleviate the sufferings of people facing numerous challenges including the current drought problems in East Africa. StratSynth would be able to address the problem through bring together partners, sourcing for resources, and ensuring human suffering is alleviated. In acquiring the right technologies and resources, the appropriate framework is joint venture since the partners would be tasked with the improvement of technologies while StratSynth would seek for the right resources and relevant support. References Allison, M. and Kaye, J., 2011. Strategic planning for nonprofit organizations: A practical guide and workbook. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Brown, K. and Osborne, S.P., 2012. Managing change and innovation in public service organizations. Routledge. Bryson, J.M. and Alston, F.K., 2011. Creating your strategic plan: A workbook for public and nonprofit organizations. California: John Wiley & Sons. Bryson, J.M., 2011. Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations: A guide to strengthening and sustaining organizational achievement. London: John Wiley & Sons. Denhardt, R.B., Denhardt, J.V. and Aristigueta, M.P., 2012. Managing human behavior in public and nonprofit organizations. Sage Publications. Fox News. (January 10, 2017). Huge drone can lift 500 pounds. Fox News. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/01/10/huge-drone-can-lift-500-pounds.html Grigoroudis, E., Orfanoudaki, E. and Zopounidis, C., 2012. Strategic performance measurement in a healthcare organisation: A multiple criteria approach based on balanced scorecard. Omega, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 104-119. Guo, C., Brown, W.A., Ashcraft, R.F., Yoshioka, C.F. and Dong, H.K.D., 2011. Strategic human resources management in nonprofit organizations. Review of Public Personnel Administration, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 248-269. MacDonald, C. (September 14, 2016). Firm unveils drone with terrifying CLAWS that can lift 44-pound cargo and make rescues at sea. Daily Mail. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3788216/Firm-unveils-drone-terrifying-CLAWS-lift-44-pounds-deliver-cargo-remote-areas-make-rescues-sea.html Martinez, L. (September 11, 2012). Four-Legged Robot Could Help Military Handle Rough Terrain. ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/09/four-legged-robot-could-help-military-handle-rough-terrain/ Nah, S. and Saxton, G.D., 2013. Modeling the adoption and use of social media by nonprofit organizations. New Media & Society, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 294-313. Nakashima, R. (January 6, 2016). Chinese drone maker unveils human-carrying drone. PhysOrg. Retrieved from https://phys.org/news/2016-01-chinese-drone-maker-unveils-human-carrying.html Nambiar, R. (May 27, 2016). How Rwanda is using drones to save millions of lives. CNBC. 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