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Environmental Scan Paper

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Environmental Scan Paper
Environmental Scan Paper

There are internal and external elements that help a corporation determine their future. Environmental scanning monitors, evaluates, and disseminates the information from both the internal and external environments within the corporation. The internal and external elements are strategic factors that determine the corporation’s future. Environmental scanning can be conducted through a simple SWOT analysis that describes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as strategic factors for an organization. The internal environment of the corporation is the strengths and weaknesses variables within the organization. The external environment of the corporation is the opportunities and threats variables that are outside the organization.

This paper will describe research of the internal and external environments of IKON Office Solutions Inc. and A.O. Smith Water Products Company through environmental scanning. Through a SWOT Analysis, determination of the competitive advantages will be made of both companies and the strategies that they are using. The environmental scan of these organizations will include information on how each one creates value and sustainability of competitive advantages through the use of business strategy. The paper will explain the measurement guidelines that the organizations use to verify their strategic effectiveness. The paper will also explain just how effective each company’s use of their measurement guidelines is.

IKON Office Solutions Inc.

IKON Office Solutions, Inc. is an industry leader in providing document management systems and services. The company offers copiers, laser facsimile systems, laser print devices, multi-functional products, digital imaging and printing systems, digital duplicators, workflow management products, and office supplies. IKON Office Solutions Inc. also provides management of document



References: FedEx. (2011). Office Services. Retrieved from http://www.fedex.com/us/office/services/index.html   Funding Universe. (2002). IKON Office Solutions Inc.. Retrieved from http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/IKON-Office-Solutions-Inc- company-History.html  PRN Newswire . (n.d.). A.O. Smith Water Products Company Implements the Latest Version of American Software 's iSeries Business Solutions. Retrieved from http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ao-smith-water-products-company- implements-the-latest-version-of-american-softwares-iseries-business-solutions- 76697462.html Wheelen, T. L., & Hunger, J. D. (2010). (20Concepts in Strategic Management and Business Policy (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

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