SMC7

Conduct online research on Google, including both company and non-company sources. 

1. From a strategic perspective, discuss recent environmental changes that have caused strategic issues with which the company is dealing in real time, today.  Information concerning recent changes in the firm is readily available online.

There are numerous environmental transformations contributing to strategic issues in Google. For instance, the scientific sector has experienced lots of advancement involving invention of new devices are produced in a greater rate. Based on the above information, Google is incompatible with some of the contemporary devices (Everett, 2011). On the same note, this company is not well-matched with present computing platforms such as tablet and mobile computers (Faulkner, 2018). Moreover, the business model for Google appears to depend heavily on marketing involving ads. Based on the above information, the revenues collected from advertising is declining at a higher rate since majority consumers have stopped to depend on ads, hence, preferring to use other means of marketing (Parnell, 2017). This case indicates that Google has failed to come up with a more robust business framework in order to be able to embrace mobile commerce and e-commerce along with its present model, which is based on ad profits only. 

Furthermore, the higher competition and changes concerning mobile computer have affected Google in a bigger way. In consideration of competition, the advent of social media is acting as a threat to Google’s authority in the internet sectors. To illustrate, this company is confirmed to have pulled an ace to tackle the available features on Twitter and Facebook (Tran, 2017). Still, mobile computing is also affecting the performance of Google since it is unable to contend with its rivals in an effective and efficient manner (Parnell, 2017). As a matter of fact, the above factors denotes that Google is supposed to invent new ways of handling and stabilizing its operations. 

2. Identify Google’s corporate structure. How does it differ from structures in most organizations? Is Google’s organizational structure effective? Explain.

Google has an effective organizational structure that has provided it with the capability of outweighing its competitors as well as enabling it to operate in a unique manner compared to other organizations. Unlike another firm, Google is utilizing the corporate structure where its resources and components are organized with regard to the overall organization design (Parnell, 2017). Moreover, the corporate structure of this firm has several sets of behavioral tendencies, values, and beliefs (Everett, 2011). Dissimilar to other organizations, Google’s corporate structure does not seem to be conventional since it lays more concern on flatness, a thing that involves transformation and direct social connections within the institution (Tran, 2017). Based on the above information, it occurs that Google has effectively aligned its corporate culture with a corporate structure, a thing that in turn contribute to great success.  

There are various factors showing that Google’s flat corporate structure is effective. For instance, this platform is essential in promoting creativity and innovation since it facilitates knowledge sharing across the entire firm. Besides, this structure is helpful in promoting product development, hence, managing to come up with innovative strategies that enable it to outweigh its competitors (Everett, 2011). In addition, Google’s corporate culture plays a role in boosting coherence in the entire company (Faulkner, 2018). On top of the above benefits, this company is still having a big room for development and improvement particularly on matters relating to flexibility (Tran, 2017). As a matter of fact, there is confidential information denoting that Google’s stability and competency emanate from the aspect of utilizing a flat corporate structure. 

3. What challenges does Google’s organizational structure create for the company? How should these challenges be addressed? Be specific. 

The flat structure is considered to bring about to various challenges to Google. For instance, this factor is restricting long-term organizational growth, hence, making it hard for the management to use the available opportunities while trying to sustain this structure (Everett, 2011). Still, this structure also hinders the workers from attaining certain reports from the boss, a thing that contributes to confusion as well as leading to the struggle for power among the management as it is highlighted below (Faulkner, 2018). First, the flat structure is accompanied by a lot of generalists rather than specialists, hence, impacting the description of the institutional jobs in a negative manner (Parnell, 2017). Second, this framework can also hinder long-term organizational growth and it subjects Google to lots of difficulties while attempting to adopt the flat structure, unlike on instances where the firm is portioned into smaller and manageable divisions. 

Conversely, there is a need for coming up with a resolution of the issues emanating from Google’s flat structure. To be specific, Google is required to advance its corporate structure in order to be able to tackle the flexibility issues. Irrespective of the current structure promoting and optimizing flexibility in this company, it is essential for this firm to use corporate standards that contribute to the flexibility of the overall organizational operations (Everett, 2011). At this point, Google’s management is required to come up with adjustments and policies for promoting effectual progress of business operations (Tran, 2017). Contrariwise, the above recommendations play a role in promoting the process of handling different challenges, hence, aiding Google to satisfy the consumer needs. 

Conduct online research on Southwest Airlines, including both company and non-company sources.

4. From a strategic perspective, discuss recent environmental changes that have caused strategic issues with which the company is dealing in real time, today.  Information concerning recent changes in the firm is readily available online.

Presently, there are numerous environmental changes that have brought about strategic issues on Southwest Airlines. First, the aspect of people venturing in the aviation sector has contributed to intense competition, a thing that affects Southwest Airlines in a greater manner.  To illustrate, the US Airline division is presently experiencing great rivalry characterized by pricing conflict. In this case, Southwest Airlines is contending against many companies such as JetBlue, Delta Airlines, SkyWest and American Airlines among others (Parnell, 2017). In relation to the above information, the increased rivalry makes Southwest Airlines launch new ways of adjusting its prices in order to be able to win lots of customers compared to its opponents (Ungerleider, 2018). Second, stringent government laws have also made Southwest Airlines to change its performance. In connection to the above information, this airline seems being accompanied with stringent legal compliances and regulations (Berrío Zapata, 2012). In the consideration of the above element, this firm is operating in an environment that makes it come with effectual methods that enable it to maintain its profitability. 

The decrease in air travel has also made this company to instigate strategies that make consumer consider traveling through the airplane. For instance, Southwest Airline has come up with effectual ways of controlling its flight prices, hence, enabling many clients to travel to various places without encountering higher transportation feeds (Ungerleider, 2018). Also, the management in this company has tried its level best to minimize the terrorist activities that threaten the overall performance of the aviation sector (Brown, 2009). Moreover, this airline is also focusing largely on workers’ experience, a that in turn help in promoting the quality of various products and services offered in this company. 

5. Describe the organizational culture at Southwest Airlines. What role did Southwest’s founder Herb Keller play in the development of the culture? How does the culture at Southwest distinguish the airline from its competitors? 

The Southwest Airlines’ organizational culture is based on the centralized relationship, hence, it acts as the fundamental force of culture, leadership, and harmonization in this company. In connection to the above information, Herb Kelleher together with his team of administration has laid more emphasis on corporate style that offers the workers with large operative liberty (Parnell, 2017). On the same note, the culture of Southwest Airlines also considers the employees as the leading organizational customers, whereas the passengers are taken as the second clients who are integral to the company’s victory. Conversely, Kelleher as the chairman and founder of this company appears to focus on serving the workers’ needs. On the other hand, he let the workers realize that they have a responsibility to care for clients in an appropriate manner (Berrío Zapata, 2012). Furthermore, the victory of Southwest Airline’s framework is based on the proposition of their high service value and low-cost. 

Does Southwest’s unique culture “fit” with Southwest’s competitive strategy? In other words, do certain aspects of the culture contribute to the company’s ability to execute it’s corporate-, business-, and functional-level strategies effectively? Explain.

The team’s viewpoint of Herb and his senior administration is confirmed to have permeated Southwest Airlines in various ways. For instance, this thinking has upheld the organizational culture known as ‘having fun’, hence, ensuring that workers are satisfied as well as promoting company’s solidarity, flexibility, and dedication (Berrío Zapata, 2012). Besides, Herb’s consistent efforts for boosting and sustaining its principles have provided this company with competitive advantage, which enables it to retain workers with the capability of bringing about positive change within the organization (Brown, 2009). Otherwise, the Southwest community also share this company’s cultural aspects including cost consciousness, dedication, family, fun and team spirit (Parnell, 2017). In addition, the hiring process of this company is very demanding as it is characterized by the notion of believing that people can be taught about implementing best skills. 

6. Assume that you were appointed CEO of Southwest Airlines at the time Kelleher stepped down. Would this be an easy assignment given the success of the firm at that point or a difficult one because you would have to follow such a popular, charismatic leader? Explain.

My personal view as the newly appointed Southwest Airlines’ CEO is that it would be easy to manage this company when the Kelleher steps down. Unlike many individuals who have misleading perception that leaders can be done based on principles about a single person, I will try to manage Southwest in a unique manner that will bring about positive changes (Brown, 2009). I will ensure that I work together with prodigious leaders since they have the power of bringing about greatness in this company. Despite the aspect of implementing new operational tactics in this company, I will also follow the positive Herb’s footsteps in order to ascertain that Southwest Airlines keep on developing and growing rather than depleting its performance. Indeed, Herb is the competitive leader I wanted to work with since he had helpful qualities such as realizing how,  whom, and when to follow and implement certain directives (Berrío Zapata, 2012). In relation to the above information, there is no doubt that Kelleher is a leader having qualities that impact the company is a positive manner. For instance, Kelleher is believed to have key personnel and advisors who provided advice as well as haring necessary opinions. However, while performing as the CEO in Southwest Airlines, I would first try all the possible not to be guided by ego and allow the other leaders to guide me while carrying out various organizational tasks (Parnell, 2017).  The reason behind taking the above action is that I have realized leaders in this company shares a collective vision, a thing that can be achieved through working together. 

References

Berrío Zapata, C. (2012). Engineering and strategy: Returning to the case of Southwest Airlines, an analysis in production and technology management. Revista EAN, (73), 209-217.

Brown, T. J. (2009). Corporate innovation at Southwest Airlines: An interview with Herb Kelleher, Founder & Former Chair & CEO. Business Horizons, 52(5), 409-412.

Everett, A. (2011). Benefits and challenges of fun in the workplace. Library Leadership & Management, 25(1), 1-10.

Faulkner, K. (2018). What the Google walkout could tell you about your company, Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristifaulkner/2018/11/02/what-the-google-walkout-could-tell-you-about-your-company/#3d945b7419b4

Parnell, J. A. (2017). Strategic management: Theory and practice. Academic Media Solutions, (3), 229-262. 

Tran, S. K. (2017). Google: a reflection of culture, leader, and management. International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, 2(1), 1-14. Ungerleider, N. (2018). Southwest Airlines’ digital transformation takes off. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/3065045/southwest-airlines-digital-transformation-takes-off.