Organizational Analysis

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KCC) is a multinational company dealing in a range of personal care products made from paper and is based in Texas, United States. The company has over the years innovated and developed various products that have undeniably helped the company acquire a large market share with various competitive advantages (Christensen et al, 2009). The organization is embedded in a culture that promotes entrepreneurial spirit and experimentation in product development. The constant innovation of new products by the company is premised on one of its core values which are creative innovation. The firm is cognizant of the role of innovation in maintaining globally acceptable standards. Additionally, the needs and preferences of consumers change quite often thus the urge to continually innovate products that meet the demands of the consumers.

The personal care industry is very competitive therefore companies use all avenues available to them to ensure that their products are widely accepted and appealing to consumers (Hausman, 2002). In this regard, Kimberly-Clark Corporation is not only innovative in product development but also in product packaging. The firm manages to remain innovative by developing and acquiring new technologies that provide the necessary input in the production of consumer goods. The most recent innovation by Kimberly-Clark Corporation is the new rolled hand towel that offers clean care solutions to the consumers. The towels are accompanied by an Aquarius dispenser which offers a seamless one sheet dispensing system and is deemed the most hygienic compared to those offered by the competition. Other innovations include the Kleenex Ultra and the Scott Control rolled hand towels.

 The company faces competition from Georgia-Pacific llc and the Procter &Gamble among others. Kimberly-Clark Corporation is ahead of the two mentioned competitors with regard to innovations in the paper industry. This may be influenced by the fact that the competitors have diversified and offered more wide range of products in construction and laundry respectively. Both Kimberly-Clark and Georgia-Pacific offer different types of paper products all of which are produced using up-to-date innovations and technological advancements.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation has a Digital Innovation Lab which is responsible for overseeing all details pertaining to innovations of products and their packaging solutions. The research and development department is among the key stakeholders who are responsible for innovation at Kimberly-Clark. The department is responsible for providing the input required in the development of new products ranging from design and the specific materials required and the quantities needed. The company through its innovation lab may on various occasions invite experts in various industries to help in the innovation of various consumer goods and their mode of packaging. Utilization of different talents from various sectors allows the company to choose from the best thus ensuring that its innovations are successful and in turn provide positive results for the company (Hausman, 2002).

Kimberly-Clark Corporation provides an environment that allows people to convey their ideas no matter how simple and suggestions for improvement. The digital lab is always ready to receive such ideas which most often than not result in commendable innovations. The existence of D’Lab is proof that the organization is easily adaptable to the implementation of innovation principles and practices. Due to the nature of the industry in which the corporation operates, it is important for the company to maintain regular innovations and improvements on the range of products offered to the consumers (Christensen et al, 2009). The dynamics in the personal care industry change very fast thus the need for day to day improvements.

References

Christensen, C. M., Grossman, J. H., & Hwang, J. (2009). The innovator’s prescription. Soundview Executive Book Summaries.

Hausman, J. A., & Leonard, G. K. (2002). The competitive effects of a new product introduction: A case study. The Journal of Industrial Economics, 50(3), 237-263.