Environmental Scan Paper
Environmental Scan Paper
The purpose of this paper is to research a company and perform an environmental scan, determine its competitive advantages, and determine the strategies it is using. A common tool used to perform an environmental scan is called a SWOT analysis. This analysis lays out the strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; “it is the foundation for evaluating the internal potential and limitations and the probable/likely opportunities and threats from the external environment.” (SWOT ANALYSIS, 2013). First, this paper will describe a bit about what an environmental scan involves before analyzing Walmart.
Organizations use environmental scans so that they are aware of their surroundings, internally and externally, before getting into strategic planning. What environmental scanning is is the “monitoring, evaluation, and dissemination of information” (Wheelen & Hunger, 2010) gathered from the environment inside, as well as outside of the organization. This information is passed to key people within the organization to use strategically and to avoid unwanted surprises; it provides factors that have an influence on the direction and goals of an organization.
An analysis of the internal environment of an organization is done to help identify its strengths and weaknesses. It looks at the organizational culture and structure, the interactions between all levels of employees, the operations, resources, and many other factors (Environmental Scanning, 2013). This information can be gathered by observations, discussions, interviews, and surveys; this will provide a variety of sources for determining the present capabilities of the organization. An analysis of the external environment of an organization is done to help identify its opportunities and threats. It looks at natural, societal, and task environments in order to determine changing trends and patterns in order to forecast the future directions and impacts of these changes on the
The purpose of this paper is to research a company and perform an environmental scan, determine its competitive advantages, and determine the strategies it is using. A common tool used to perform an environmental scan is called a SWOT analysis. This analysis lays out the strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; “it is the foundation for evaluating the internal potential and limitations and the probable/likely opportunities and threats from the external environment.” (SWOT ANALYSIS, 2013). First, this paper will describe a bit about what an environmental scan involves before analyzing Walmart.
Organizations use environmental scans so that they are aware of their surroundings, internally and externally, before getting into strategic planning. What environmental scanning is is the “monitoring, evaluation, and dissemination of information” (Wheelen & Hunger, 2010) gathered from the environment inside, as well as outside of the organization. This information is passed to key people within the organization to use strategically and to avoid unwanted surprises; it provides factors that have an influence on the direction and goals of an organization.
An analysis of the internal environment of an organization is done to help identify its strengths and weaknesses. It looks at the organizational culture and structure, the interactions between all levels of employees, the operations, resources, and many other factors (Environmental Scanning, 2013). This information can be gathered by observations, discussions, interviews, and surveys; this will provide a variety of sources for determining the present capabilities of the organization. An analysis of the external environment of an organization is done to help identify its opportunities and threats. It looks at natural, societal, and task environments in order to determine changing trends and patterns in order to forecast the future directions and impacts of these changes on the
References: SWOT Analysis - Definition, Advantages and Limitations. (n.d.). Management Study Guide - Free Training Guide for Students and Entrepreneurs.. Retrieved January 9, 2013, from http://www.managementstudyguide.com/swot-analysis.htm Environmental Scanning - Internal & External Analysis of Environment. (n.d.).Management Study Guide - Free Training Guide for Students and Entrepreneurs.. Retrieved January 11, 2013, from http://www.managementstudyguide.com/environmental-scanning.htm Walmart Canada – Corporate Information. (n.d.). Walmart Canada – Corporate Information. Retrieved January 11, 2013, from http://walmartcanada.ca/Pages/Our%20Cu Wheelen, T. L., & Hunger, J. D. (2010). Concepts in strategic management and business policy (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.