1. Session 3 Part 1 The Strategic Position
Business Strategy

2. Organisational purposes
Corporate governance
Whom should the organisation serve?
How should purposes be determined?
Business ethics
Which purposes should be prioritised?
Why?
Organisational purposes
Mission
Objectives
Cultural context
Which purposes are prioritised?
Why?
Stakeholders
Whom does the organisation serve?

3. Common conflicts of expectations
Growth versus profitability
Short term versus investment
Control versus professional managers
Ownership versus funding
Ownership versus accountability
Efficiency versus jobs
Mass appeal versus quality

4. Positioning related to specific strategies
Stakeholders
Positioning related to specific strategies
Stakeholders may need to be sub-divided
Distinguish the role for the individual
Identify “political” priorities by:
plot how stakeholders would line up
plot how stakeholders would need to line up
identify mismatches
include key maintenance activities

5. For external stakeholders Control of strategic resources
Within organisations
Hierarchy (formal power),
e.g. autocratic decision making
Influence (informal power),
e.g. charismatic leadership
Control of strategic resources,
e.g. strategic products
Possession of knowledge and skills,
e.g. computer specialists
Control of the environment,
e.g. negotiating skills
Involvement in strategy implementation,
e.g. by exercising discretion
For external stakeholders
Control of strategic resources
e.g. materials, labour, money
Involvement in strategy
implementation,
e.g. distribution outlets, agents
Possession of knowledge (skills),
e.g. subcontractors
Through internal links,
e.g. informal influence

6. Should organisations be responsible for ...
INTERNAL ASPECTS
Employee welfare
... providing medical care, assistance with mortgages, extended sickness leave, assistance for dependants, etc.?
Working conditions
... enhancing working surroundings, social and sporting clubs, above minimum safety standards, etc.?
Job design
... designing jobs to the increased satisfaction of workers rather than for economic efficiency?

7. Should organisations be responsible for ...
EXTERNAL ASPECTS
Green issues
Products
Markets and marketing
Suppliers
Employment
Community activity