Harrison Keyes Situation Analysis and Problem Statement
Situation Analysis and Problem Statement
Harrison-Keyes, Inc. is a century-old company that specializing in publishing scientific, technical and business books and journals, professional and consumer books, textbooks, and other educational materials for all levels of study. During that century, Harrison-Keyes has shifted its focus from publishing the works well-established authors to publishing business, scientific, and technical materials. In the process, Harrison-Keyes has established itself as prominent company in the publishing industry; however, recently increased competition has caused profits to decrease, a new CEO to be hired, and the adoption of a new strategic approach. This new, wide-ranging strategy focused on e-publishing, promises to affect many groups associated with the organization differently, and the effects may not be all positive, but the ultimate goal of the strategy is to improve the organization. Senior leadership's new strategy also has its ethical implications as well. This paper describes Harrison-Keyes' current predicament.
Situation Background
Over the years, Harrison-Keyes claimed a substantial share of the publishing market by responding to customer demands as evidenced by its shift to publishing scholarly and business information in the mid-1950s. On the other hand, the entire industry has faced difficulties. Low-cost retail superstores are competing at higher levels than ever before, distribution channels are consolidating, and discounters are cutting into profits. In response to the problems, Harrison-Keyes' Board of Directors hired a new CEO, Meg P. McGill, who developed a new strategy for the company centered on e-book publishing. Her strategy entailed producing digital versions of printed books and other works of its authors (Wikipedia, 2006).
Despite the best efforts of the entire organization to implement McGill's e-publishing strategy, initial results have been less than stellar. Quite a few issues have arisen that
Harrison-Keyes, Inc. is a century-old company that specializing in publishing scientific, technical and business books and journals, professional and consumer books, textbooks, and other educational materials for all levels of study. During that century, Harrison-Keyes has shifted its focus from publishing the works well-established authors to publishing business, scientific, and technical materials. In the process, Harrison-Keyes has established itself as prominent company in the publishing industry; however, recently increased competition has caused profits to decrease, a new CEO to be hired, and the adoption of a new strategic approach. This new, wide-ranging strategy focused on e-publishing, promises to affect many groups associated with the organization differently, and the effects may not be all positive, but the ultimate goal of the strategy is to improve the organization. Senior leadership's new strategy also has its ethical implications as well. This paper describes Harrison-Keyes' current predicament.
Situation Background
Over the years, Harrison-Keyes claimed a substantial share of the publishing market by responding to customer demands as evidenced by its shift to publishing scholarly and business information in the mid-1950s. On the other hand, the entire industry has faced difficulties. Low-cost retail superstores are competing at higher levels than ever before, distribution channels are consolidating, and discounters are cutting into profits. In response to the problems, Harrison-Keyes' Board of Directors hired a new CEO, Meg P. McGill, who developed a new strategy for the company centered on e-book publishing. Her strategy entailed producing digital versions of printed books and other works of its authors (Wikipedia, 2006).
Despite the best efforts of the entire organization to implement McGill's e-publishing strategy, initial results have been less than stellar. Quite a few issues have arisen that
References: Gray, C., & Larson, E. (2006). Project Management: The managerial process, 3rd edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. Pearce, J., & Robinson, R. (2005). Strategic management: Formulation, implementation, and control. New York: McGraw-Hill. Wikipedia. (2006). Initial Public Offerings. Retrieved February 25, 2006, from http://www.wikipedia.org .