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 organization. First, Walmart will be analyzed using a SWOT chart. The following is a look at some of its internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as its external opportunities and threats (Walmart Canada, 2013): Strengths •Powerful and well-known brand •Large expansion, including globally •Strong customer base •Convenience of broad product line in one location at low prices •Unique corporate culture
The Essay on Effects On The Environment Wto Trade Environmental
Trade and the Environment: The WTO's effect on the environment following the second World War, a document known as GATT, or General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, was established with hopes of increasing trade and helping ease tensions between nations. Through a system of rounds and meetings, tariffs between countries were lowered, increasing trade. The past half century since the creation of ...
Weaknesses •Many part-time employees •Market share lower in countries outside the US •Questionable quality of products due to low prices •Broader focus means a thinner focus Opportunities •Further expansion to more countries •Improve image in local communities •Recessions drive customers to buy lower cost products •Continue with green promotion •Continue with the super centers Threats •Negative image when it puts smaller business out of business in local communities •Large competition since Walmart is a leading competitor •Economical state of all countries it operates in Unions trying to break their way in Next is to look at the competitive advantages of Walmart. The first and most prominent due to its advertisement of it is the products low cost. Walmart has continuously promoted itself as a place where you will save money. Quite often, this is the factor that draws consumers in, as the prices are better than the competitors; it has a cost advantage. Another competitive advantage is its variety; Walmart provides wide ranges of products, and has been creating super centers so that consumers have one-stop-shops to go to at low prices.
