...STRATEGIC ISSUE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AT THE KENYA POWER & LIGHTING COMPANY LTD BY BETTY MWENDE KAUMBUTHU A RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTERS OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI NOVEMBER 2013 DECLARATION This research project is my own original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other University or Institution of higher learning. SIGNED ………………………………………… DATE ………………….. BETTY MWENDE KAUMBUTHU D61/71576/2008 This research project has been submitted for Examination with my approval as University Supervisor. SIGNED: ………………………………………… DATE: ……………………. MR. JEREMIAH KAGWE Lecturer School of Business University of Nairobi ii DEDICATION This study is dedicated to my parents and friends who bring me immense source of joy and fulfilment. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am deeply indebted to Mr. Jeremiah Kagwe for his guidance, patience and insightful input from the commencement of this project to its completion. I wish also to express my appreciation to the School of Business, MBA lecturers without whose enormous contribution in class sessions, this work would have not been possible. I am also grateful to my entire family members. Their encouragement, patience and understanding were attributes without which I would not have successfully completed the project. I have also received support and motivation from several fellow MBA students during class sessions, group discussions...
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...about deliberately choosing to be different. Michael Porter, view on 8th April 2014, (www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/michaelpor381643.html) In the long term, the major objective for operations and processes is to provide the business with some form of strategic advantage. This is why the management of business’s processes and operations and its intended overall strategy must be logically connected. Operations strategy can be defined as a pattern of decisions and actions that shapes the long- term vision, objectives and capabilities of the operation and its contribution to overall strategy. But strategies are not always easy to identify. This is because of their intangible nature and the length of time taken for them to be realized. Nevertheless operations strategies can be identified by what they should do. First it should provide a vision for the operation’s resources to contribute to the business as a whole. Secondly it should define the exact means of the operation’s performance objectives. Third it should identify the broad decisions that will help the operations achieve its objectives. The operations strategy must connect from top (Corporate level) and the bottom (experience learnt) of the business. Strategic operations must align market requirements with operations resources. Dell is a good example of market-resource alignment. Operations strategy must set a path for improvement which clearly indicating how the improvement is to take place. This is best addressed...
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...Strategic Issues: The Pivotal Process for Strategic Success Thomas E. Ambler Senior Consultant, CSSP, Inc. Tom Ambler REALIZE YOUR POTENTIAL! Is that what you want for yourself and your company? What is your company’s potential? Do you have a vision of it? Yes? That’s why you use Simplified Strategic Planning, isn’t it? In the Simplified Strategic Planning process you build toward your strategy - your vision for the longer term, the course and direction you need to take to maximize your potential. Then, for the short term you make sure that your resources line up and are focused on achieving your vision. Good strategy takes more than just strong desire. Good strategy requires good input and analysis. It also requires good decision-making. That’s what the exercise known as “STRATEGIC ISSUES” is all about. It is a pivotal step in the strategic planning process that deals with answering the “Big Strategic Questions.” Successful identification and resolution of Strategic Issues results from combining both content and process elements, big and small, effectively and smoothly. What is a Strategic Issue? A Strategic Issue is, first of all, an issue - an unresolved question needing a decision or waiting for some clarifying future event. Secondly, it is strategic and has major impact on the course and direction of the business. It probably relates directly to one or more of the fundamental “Three Strategic Questions”: •What are we going to sell? •To whom are we going to sell it...
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...Contemporary Issues in Strategic Management Group 2. Business Level Strategy: How Firms choose to Achieve Competitive Advantage Purpose Your presentation is based on Lecture 4 and the aim of your presentation is to explain: * Porter’s generic strategy framework in terms of: * How the alternative strategies are achieved * How they position the firm favourably against the five forces in the competitive environment * What are the risks associated with each strategy * Why Porter thought doing both strategies (stuck-in-the-middle) would result in mediocre performance * How firms can achieve both strategies and succeed – a hybrid or integrated strategy. Structure & Content Your presentation should take about 30 minutes but no longer than 45 minutes. The questions which you need to answer in order to structure your presentation are taken from the Review Questions (page 114) at the end of Chapter 4 in your textbook (Ireland et al.). Answer Review Questions: 3, 4 & 5 in your textbook, Ireland et al chapter 4, pg. 114. To start the Tutorial discussion you must close your presentation by answering the question: Argue why Ireland et al (pg.109) think IKEA is pursuing a focused cost leadership strategy. Do you agree with their conclusion? Assessment Criteria See the assessment criteria for the group presentation on Moodle. Note, you will gain additional marks for demonstrating the depth of your understanding of...
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...Identifying Strategic Issues Cherra T. Hampton-Mitchell Benedictine University Abstract Phase four of the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) process provides guidance for identifying strategic issues in the target community (National Association of County & City Health Officials, n.d.). According to the National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO), identifying strategic issues reveals what is important within the community (NACCHO, n.d.). By identifying these issues, strategies can be developed to improve community health (NACCHO, n.d.). The purpose of this research is to identify strategic issues in Petersburg, Virginia. Synthesis and Analysis Four MAPP Assessments were conducted during phase three of the MAPP process. The four assessments include the Community Themes and Strengths Assessment, the Local Public Health System Assessment, the Community Health Status Assessment, and the Forces of Change Assessment (NACCHO, n.d.). Each Assessment revealed important information about community health in Petersburg, Virginia and must be analyzed to give a complete picture (NACCHO, n.d.). The Community Themes and Strengths Assessment (CTSA) revealed several important thing about Petersburg. Petersburg, despite being a small city, has a wealth of healthcare resources within city limits and in the surrounding area. There are two organizations that provide primary...
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...Strategic Operation Issues Executive Summary This paper reviews a core process of the Light and Power organisation with a view to seeking opportunity for change in the performance of process against the organisation’s strategic objectives. The organisation is currently not performing to target and improvement is required. By examining the design of a core process of the business and mapping process flow the impact of current design and capacity on outputs is able to be quantified and possible gains that can be made by changing the process design discussed. Investigation supports the premise that changing process design can increase the organisations performance against strategic objectives and set targets. The recommendation is made to pursue process change based on the theories discussed and the benefits the change can bring which will increase the organisations productivity and asset readiness whilst working to reduce costs. This result would increase the organisations performance to target. 1 Strategic Operation Issues Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 1 The Organisation ........................................................................................................................ 3 Operation Issue .......................................................................................................................... 4 Examining the Process Issues...
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...b) New Strategic Issues and circumstances – events taking place in February and March 2013 1. Press Release on Greenlight’s Opposition to Apple’s Proxy – February 7, 2013 Greenlight Capital, Inc., an investment management firm and shareholder since 2010, on February 7 announced that it is urging fellow shareholders of Apple to oppose the company’s attempt to amend its corporate charter and vote against Proposal 2 in Apple’s proxy, which eliminate preferred stock from Apple’s charter at the upcoming Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 27, 2013. (New York – February 7, 2013) (https://www.greenlightcapital.com/904950.pdf) The February 8, 2013 Los Angeles Times announced that Apple Inc is considering boosting dividends or buying back more stock to appease investors who experienced a sharp drop in the stock price. The company also said that it would consider Greenlight’s proposal to issue some form of preferred stocks. (Apple weighs boost in dividend; The company also is considering a stock buyback to appease shareholders.Los Angeles Times, February 8, 2013 Friday, BUSINESS; Business Desk; Part B; Pg. 1, 617 words, Chris O'Brien (http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/?) The news that such plan were under consideration boosted Apples’ stock, which closed on February 11 at $479.93, up $26.31 compared to $453.62 on February 1, 2013. Greenlight’s latest proposal on February 21 was for Apple to issue a new kind of preferred stock called “iPrefs”, and on February...
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...Table of Contents Introduction – Beacon Lighting Corporation Pty Ltd………………………………………..6 PROFITABILITY & RETURN Gross profit margin …………………………………………………………………………..7 Net profit margin ……………………………………………………………………………..8 EFFICIENCY Debtor days ratio ........................................................................................................................9 Creditor days ratio........................................................................................................................9 SHORT-TERM SOLVENCY & LIQUIDITY Current ratio ...................................................................................................................………..10 Quick or acid test ratio .........................................................................................................……11 LONG TERM SOLVENCY & STABILITY Debt to equity ratio ..........................................................................................................………12 Debt to assets ratio ......................................................................................................... ...…......13 MARKET BASED Price/ Earnings (P/E)................................................................................................................... 14 Earnings Yield............................................................................................................................. 14 Conclusion ..........................................................
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...of Business Research Papers Vol. 4 No.5 October-November 2008 Pp.20-33 The Strategic Issues, Business Plan and Implementation from Situational and Industry Analysis: A Discussion on a Specific Case Moha Asri Abdullah A business strategy is the focal point of the business practices and competitive strategies in the operational management. It is used to strike out a market position, conduct operations, attract customers, compete and achieve organizational objective. Thus, whether a company wins or loses in the marketplace, it is directly attributable to the calibers of a company’s strategy and the proficiency with which the strategy is implemented and executed. This paper attempts to analyse the overall situation of an accountant company in the wine industry known as Moss Adams whose company is facing the problems with strategy and execution in the specific market place of the northern California. To critically analyse this, a number of process involve; First, the use of the situational analysis and SWOT. Then, the Porter’s Five Forces model is also used to illustrate the nature of accounting industry of wineries businesses before strategic issues for Moss Adams’s company will be discussed in relation to the crafting alternative business solutions and predicting the outcomes of the plan. Filed of Research: Business strategy, situational analysis, Porter Five Forces 1. Introduction Strategic business plan and its implementation are the ‘heart and soul’ of any business...
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...Goals and Goals and Objectives Holly Regan HSM/240 February 9, 2014 Terra Harris Goals and Objectives There are six fundamental policy elements that are equally essential in the development and implementation of all social policies and two of them are goals and objectives. Although the two go hand in hand they often serve entirely different purposes within social programs and policies. Goals and objectives are not about delivering services, but about achieving a desirable outcome with the targeted social problem. The nature of goals is that they are quite general and abstract; therefore, they are not ordinarily intended to be directly measured. Objectives on the other hand, are intended to be measured and the implication is that, for goals, their clear definition is their most important attribute. The importance of objectives, on the other hand, is their concreteness, observability, (Chambers & Wedel, 2005). A goal is an abstract and general statement of desired outcomes. Goals are an answer to the questioning of program or policy purpose. An objective is a concrete, operational statement about a desired observable outcome. Goals and objectives which are manifest are evident, obvious, or apparent goals and objectives which are latent are present, but not visible, apparent or actualized, but still exists as potential. An agency’s or organizations statement of goals and objectives can be found through examination of statements in primary documents...
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...Johannesburg citizens, envisaging a future city with improved social and human development realities. Through these programmes they hope to one day achieve enhanced quality of life for all the citizens, the so-called “Growth & Development Strategy 2040”. The Mission statement of this organisation is “to advance human development in Johannesburg by addressing poverty, inequality and social exclusion”. In sustaining this mission statement some of their goals include addressing household poverty through supporting poor and vulnerable households, emphasis is placed on rights and opportunities to address inequalities and lastly the introducing of social inclusion prospects in Johannesburg communities to eradicate social exclusion. Their strategic interventions include the promoting of the development of women and youth and access to social support for all groups. With regards to the statement of “where are they going”, as stated before in the GDS 2040 their hopes are to enhance the quality of life of all citizens in the near future, with some of its objectives being increased activities that empower women and the youth, providing knowledge to citizens on the process to attain social grants as well as eliminating Xenophobic attacks on migrants. It is these types of organisations that one does not come by so easily, yet their work extends to far ends affecting millions. Their name may not be prominent but their work exceeds all expectations, some of which affect us on a daily basis...
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...Executive summary The objective of this report was to analyse the global topic of entrepreneurship, review entrepreneur traits and social entrepreneurship trends. Studies suggest entrepreneurs post success possess common traits, suggesting traits can be acquired. With these strong traits, entrepreneurs have the potential to produce substantial change on all levels of the triple bottom line. Profitability is equally as important to both commercial and social entrepreneurs. However, it is where they funnel their profits and their driving forces that differ. With so many social issues globally, there are a myriad of social entrepreneurship trends. However, this report focuses on community-supported agriculture, youth homelessness and support for refugee women, all of which are in need of extra support from social entrepreneurship. Contents 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Section 1: Overview of Entrepreneurship 2 2.1 Entrepreneurs 2 2.2 Social Entrepreneur 4 3.0 Section 2: Current Trends in Social Entrepreneurship 7 3.1 Community Supported Agriculture 7 3.2 Social Integration and Employment for Refugee Women 9 3.3 Youth Homelessness 10 4.0 Conclusion 11 5.0 References 12 1.0 Introduction The purpose of the report is to review entrepreneurship, identify the traits of an entrepreneur, and examine the factors that differentiate social and commercial...
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...In this essay, I [avoid personal pronouns in academic writing] would like to put on the Agenda the issue of ‘Hoarding and Squalor’ so as to bring awareness on the impact of this condition on the individual, families and the wider community. I analyse the issue of ‘Hoarding and Squalor’ by using existing evidence anecdotal evidence through studies on the impact and consequences this issue at micro and macro level. Further I will demonstrate the associated current social policies around this problem by incorporating a combination of techniques with the aim of advocating for better supports and systems. My overall aim is to bring about a change, in particular around three goals. These goals are inclusive of Social Policy review, multi-agency approach and trans-disciplinary delivery, funding request from the State Government in particular Families and Communities Services (FACs) and Mental Health in order to work with families in a person [spelling error] cent[e]red, strength based manner to ensure sustainable results. I incorporate Jansson’s steps of, diagnosing the context to identify contextual constraints and opportunities, softening the context to make it more amenable to a specific policy initiative and lastly activating change to get a decision maker or legislator to put an issue on the agenda of the other decision makers in the agency, community or legislative setting. (Jansson, 2003, pp. 148-165). Diagnosing Context What is Hoarding and Squalor In May 2013, for...
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...available at the Department Website) Social work practice is carried out through interactions between social workers and individuals, families, organizations and society. Social workers are inevitably shaped by their own experiences, beliefs, upbringing and culture, which might affect their interactions with these systems. This course encourages the students to start the reflective journey in visiting issues of self in relation to the perceived identity, intimacy, loss, family, and society. Through reflective exercises, discussions, and assigned readings, the students will develop a deeper understanding of their values, philosophy of life and behaviors, and how these in turn impact social work practice. The course adopts an active-learning and experiential approach. Assessment: 100% coursework. 5. Course Objectives: 1. To increase the reflexivity of the students 2. To enhance the development of self-understanding of the students in relation to their physical sensitivity, perspectives towards intimacy and loss, choices in life, and the value orientation towards broader social issues. 3. 4. To facilitate the students in examining the influences of their...
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...Executive summary This report presents a detailed financial performance analysis of Woolworths Limited for Financial Years (FY) 2013 and 2014. The report takes an approach that aims to highlight industry trends before commenting on the financial performance of the company. This critical analysis is carried out through the examination of important financial ratios to assess the short-term solvency (liquidity), long-term solvency, profitability, management’s efficiency, and market based ratios of Woolworths. Finally, the report ends with a concluding comment offering input on the managerial directions that are currently taken by Woolworths and how market value will continue to increase based on sound decisions and management. Table of contents 1. Introduction............................................................................................................... 7 2. Economic Outlooks…............................................................................................... 7 3. Industry Profile………………….............................................................................. 7 4. Ratio Analyses…………………………………………………….......................... 8 4.1 Liquidity Analysis................................................................................................... 8 4.2 Long-Term Solvency Analysis.................................................................................9 4.3 Profitability Analysis......................................
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