https://research-methodology.net Necessary knowledge to conduct a business research Sat, 17 Feb 2024 00:36:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://rm-15da4.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cropped-logoBRM-32x32.jpg https://research-methodology.net 32 32 https://research-methodology.net/byd-company-limited-report/ Sat, 17 Feb 2024 00:36:07 +0000 https://research-methodology.net/?p=77495 Founded in 1995, BYD Company Limited is a leading technology company that has established itself as an industry leader in electronics, automotives, renewable energy, and rail transit. As a global leader with more than 30 industrial parks across 6 continents, BYD’s zero-emission solutions, focused on energy generation and storage, are expansive and widely applicable. The electric automaker sold 26,864 million units of cars in 2022 , generating operating revenue of RMB 424,061 million, an increase of 96.20% compared to the previous year. The company delivered a record high of 1,788,000 new energy vehicles in 2022, representing a year-on-year growth over 217.6% . The electric vehicle (EV) giant pursues a business strategy of cost leadership fuelled with extensive vertical integration and an accelerated pace of new model development. BYD organizational structure integrates the elements of matrix structure, independent brands, emphasis on R&D and regional variations. Organizational culture of the EV behemoth, on the other hand, is associated with meritocracy, focus on cost-cutting and prioritizing company values. As one of the leading rechargeable battery manufacturers in the global arena BYD possesses certain strengths such as vertical integration and cost advantage, leadership in technological capabilities and economies of scale advantage from massive manufacturing. At the same time, the company has certain weaknesses. These include overdependence on domestic market, too broad range of businesses and dependence on subsidies by Chinese government to sustain cost advantage. BYD Company Limited Report contains the application of the major analytical strategic frameworks in business studies such as SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, Value Chain analysis, Ansoff Matrix and McKinsey 7S Model on BYD. Moreover, the report contains analyses of BYD’s business strategy, leadership and organizational structure and ecosystem. The report also analysis marketing strategy, ecosystem and discusses the issues of corporate social responsibility. 1. Executive Summary 2. Business…]]> https://research-methodology.net/marriott-international-inc-report/ Sun, 22 Oct 2023 01:28:51 +0000 https://research-methodology.net/?p=75897 Marriott International is a worldwide operator, franchisor, and licensor of hotel, residential, timeshare, and other lodging properties in 138 countries and territories under 30 brand names. Started as a root beer stand in 1927 in Washington D.C., USA, Marriott has grown into the largest hotel chain in the world. For the full year 2022, gross fee revenues totalled USD 4.1 billion, a significant increase of more than 50 percent compared to 2021. Adjusted EBITDA reached nearly USD 3.9 billion in 2022, up almost 70 percent year over year. Full year adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) more than doubled from 2021, totalling USD 6.69. In 2022, Marriott International grew from 7,989 properties (1,479,179 rooms) at year-end 2021 to 8,288 properties (1,525,407 rooms) at year-end 2022, reflecting gross additions of 394 properties (65,376 rooms) and deletions of 94 properties (19,079 rooms), including the impact of the Company’s decision to suspend its operations in Russia. Marriott business strategy integrates pursuing asset-light business model and growing through acquisitions. Moreover, the largest hotel chain in the world focuses on increasing customer segment known as “bleisure travellers”. CEO Anthony Capuano and senior management pursue servant leadership style and the hotel chain has a hybrid organizational structure that combining elements of matrix and functional structures. Marriott International Inc. Report contains the application of the major analytical strategic frameworks in business studies such as SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, Value Chain analysis, Ansoff Matrix and McKinsey 7S Model on Marriott. Moreover, the report contains analyses of Marriott’s business strategy, leadership and organizational structure and ecosystem. The report also analysis marketing strategy, ecosystem and discusses the issues of corporate social responsibility. 1. Executive Summary 2. Business Strategy 3. Marriott Stock Performance Analysis 4. Leadership 5. Organisational Structure 6. Organizational Culture 7. Marriott and Ansoff Matrix 8. SWOT Analysis…]]> https://research-methodology.net/netflix-inc-report-2023/ Sun, 17 Sep 2023 03:11:29 +0000 https://research-methodology.net/?p=75391 Netflix Inc., the largest streaming service in the world, was incorporated on August 29, 1997 and began operations on April 14, 1998. The entertainment services provider has 231 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. The company employs about 12,800 people in more than 25 countries. Consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased 6% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, due to the 6% growth in average paying memberships and a 1% increase in average monthly revenue per paying membership. Netflix business strategy involves prioritizing revenues maximization over membership growth and increasing investments on original content. Moreover, the streaming service has decided to stay focused on movies, series and documentaries not entering news and live sports segments. The on-demand media provider had change of leadership in 2023 with co-founder Reed Hastings stepping down from the role of co-CEO and Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters becoming new co-CEOs. The largest streaming service in the world has flat organizational culture and its organizational culture has been a subject of case studies in business schools for its unconventionality and effectiveness. Specifically, Netflix organizational culture effectively encourages decision making by employees at all levels and the company has taken information sharing to a whole new level. The popular streaming platform despises rules and communication practices there are candid and direct. Along with its obvious strengths such as first mover advantage, quality original content and global presence, the entertainment services provider has certain weaknesses as well. Namely, Netflix has high level of indebtedness and its business model depends on other companies. Furthermore, the company is over-dependent on North American home market and there is a room for improvement on its customer services. Netflix Inc. Report contains the application of the major analytical strategic frameworks in business studies such as…]]> https://research-methodology.net/nvidia-corporation-report/ Sat, 17 Jun 2023 04:59:53 +0000 https://research-methodology.net/?p=74350 Founded in 1993 by Jensen Huang, Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem, Nvidia Corporation is the multinational technology company that aims to solve the world’s visual computing challenges. The GPU maker is the 7th largest company in the world with a market cap of around USD 1 trillion. For fiscal year 2022 the revenue was a record USD 26.91 billion, up 61 percent from USD 16.68 billion a year ago. Gross margins expanded to 64.9 percent, and earnings per share were USD 3.85, up 123 percent from a year ago (Annual Review, 2022) Nvidia business strategy involves benefiting from the first mover advantage, prioritizing performance of products over their costs and pursuing vertical integration. The company’s co-founder and CEO of 30 years Jensen Huang is famous for his charismatic leadership style and his ability to inspire and motivate his team. The multinational technology company has functional and hybrid organizational structure and divides its business practices into various functions such as engineering and product development, supply chain and operations, human resources, finance and accounting and legal and compliance. Nvidia organizational culture integrates the elements of innovation, intellectual honesty, high performance and inclusion and diversity. Within the framework of Ansoff Grow Matrix the company uses all four growth strategies – market penetration, product development, market development and diversification in an integrated manner. The world’s most valuable semiconductor company possesses certain strengths such as global leadership in GPU market, unique position to benefit from the increasing popularity of artificial intelligence (AI) and more than 370 partnerships revolving around self-driving cars. Furthermore, Nvidia possesses advanced R&D capabilities and these allowed the company to reach its current state. At the same time, the software and fables company has serious weaknesses that need to be addressed. At the moment Nvidia depends on a single type of product…]]> https://research-methodology.net/wework-inc-report/ Sat, 18 Feb 2023 05:42:35 +0000 https://research-methodology.net/?p=72556 Founded in 2010 in Manhattan USA by Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey, WeWork Inc. is a global flexible workspace provider that comprises a network of 756 locations in 38 countries. The co-working giant has approximately 590 thousand physical memberships as of December 2021 (Annual Report, 2021). In the US in 2021 WeWork represented approximately 0.5% of all commercial office space and 63% of Fortune 100 companies are WeWork members WeWork’s mission is to empower tomorrow’s world at work. The workspace provider has a business strategy of digitalizing the real estate business and offering space as a service. The company had severe leadership and ethical challenges under controversial co-founder and the first CEO Adam Neumann, but the current CEO Sandeep Mathrani is bringing discipline and maturity to the leadership. The hierarchical organizational structure of the company has allowed Mathrani to turn around the business to a certain extend via reducing operational costs and focusing on the core business. The co-working and office space operator has considerable strengths such as solid international presence, brand recognition and experience in its niche. At the same time, WeWork has certain serious weaknesses that include the absence of profitability and high level of indebtedness. Moreover, WeWork brand image has been severely damaged due to management and ethical issues under the leadership of Adam Neumann as discussed throughout this report. WeWork Inc. Report contains the application of the major analytical strategic frameworks in business studies such as SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, Value Chain analysis, Ansoff Matrix and McKinsey 7S Model on WeWork. Moreover, the report contains analyses of WeWork’s business strategy, leadership and organizational structure and ecosystem. The report also analysis marketing strategy, ecosystem and discusses the issues of corporate social responsibility. 1. Executive Summary 2. Business Strategy 3. Leadership 4. Organisational Structure 5. Organizational Culture…]]> https://research-methodology.net/starbucks-corporation-report-4/ Sun, 02 Oct 2022 00:29:58 +0000 http://research-methodology.net/?p=7068 Founded in 1985 by Howard Schultz, Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) currently operates in more than 34,000 stores in 84 markets according to its mission statement “to inspire and nurture human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time”. Starbucks Corporation brand portfolio consists of Teavana, Tazo, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Evolution Fresh, La Boulange and Ethos and it sells coffee, tea, other beverages, and a variety of food products. There are two formats of Starbucks stores: company-operated and licensed stores. By the end of fiscal year of 2021, Starbucks had 17,133 (51%) company-operated stores and 16,700 (49%) licensed stores. As of October 2021, Starbucks had approximately 383,000 employees worldwide, including 245,000 employees in the US. The world’s largest coffeehouse chain refers to its employees as partners. Starbucks results for fiscal 2021 demonstrate the overall strength and resilience of the brand. Consolidated revenues increased 24% to USD29.1 billion in fiscal 2021 compared to USD23.5 billion in fiscal 2020, primarily due to business recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also contributing to the increase was USD576 million of incremental revenue attributable to the extra week in fiscal 2021. Starbucks business strategy is associated with providing customers a Starbucks Experience, i.e. a ‘third place’ experience away from work and home, where people can have quality time with friends or alone enjoying quality coffee, beverages and fresh food. Currently, the company is following international business expansion strategy with a particular focus on China and Asia Pacific market segment. Starbucks is an acknowledged leader in the industry in terms of exploiting information technology and technological developments. The company has adapted mobile apps for the promotion of its brand and sales of products earlier than the competition. Starbucks app offers multiple features such as store locator, nutrition-based information and rewards program. Moreover, ‘MyStarbucks Signature’ initiative…]]> https://research-methodology.net/ikea-group-report-4/ Mon, 01 Aug 2022 13:43:07 +0000 http://research-methodology.net/?p=7043 IKEA Group owned by Stichting INGKA Foundation is the largest furniture and home appliances manufacturer and retailer in the world. Founded almost eight decades ago in Småland, southern Sweden by Ingvar Kamprad, today IKEA Group has 11 franchisees operating in more than 500 locations in 63 countries (Annual Report, FY21). By the end of FY21 IKEA employed 225000 people worldwide, an increase of 8000 people compared to the previous year. The world’s largest furniture retailer offers nearly 12000 products and develops approximately 2000 new products each year. In FY21 the company generated total operated income of EUR 25.6 billion, an increase of 8.5% compared to the previous year. Net profit for the year amounted to EUR 1.4 billion (Annual Report, FY21). IKEA’s vision is “to create a better everyday life for the many people” and the company follows an extreme cost leadership business strategy along with new product development strategy to realize this vision. International market expansion strategy also represents an important element of IKEA business strategy. Leadership style exercised to manage the home improvement and furnishing chain can be branded as leading by example, as set by the late founder of the business Ingvar Kamprad. Furthermore, the company has integrated the principles of frugality and intangible employee motivation into its leadership practices. The Swedish furniture chain has devised a unique and complicated organizational structure designed to pay minimum taxes. IKEA possesses a number of noteworthy strengths such as market leadership, ownership and efficient application of democratic design concept and solid financial position of the business. At the same time, the global furniture retailer has serious weaknesses as well. These include weak presence in Asia, difficulty to sustain the competitive advantage and the lack of flexibility of the business due to its large size. IKEA Group Report contains the application…]]> https://research-methodology.net/mcdonalds-corporation-report-4/ Sun, 19 Jun 2022 14:44:34 +0000 http://research-methodology.net/?p=7352 McDonald’s Corporation is a global fast food chain that serves more than 70 million customers in 119 countries employing about 200,000 people. McDonald’s operates two types of restaurants – company-owned and franchised restaurants with about 93% of restaurants belonging to the latter category (Annual Report, 2021) McDonald’s had disappointing financial results in 2014 with a sales growth of only 1% and a decline of operating income of 8%. Steve Easterbrook, McDonald’s Chief Brand Officer was promoted as the new CEO and President effective from March 1, 2015 to turn around the business. The list of major changes introduced by Steve Easterbrook includes reducing the use of antibiotics in chicken and massively restructuring the corporation, along with introducing changes in the menu. The turnaround efforts of the new CEO Steve Easterbrook proved to be effective with the company shares hitting record by the third quarter of 2015. However, Mr. Easterbrook was fired in 2019 due to breaching McDonald’s employee code of conduct through engaging in consent sexual relationship with female employees. New President and CEO Mr. Chris Kempczinski has proved to be effective so far, with McDonald’s emerging from COVID-19 pandemic stronger than before. In 2021, global comparable sales increased 17.0%, primarily due to strong sales performance across all segments from continued execution of the Accelerating the Arches strategy, as well as recovery from the impact of COVID-19 in the prior year. In 2021 consolidated revenues increased 21% (18% in constant currencies) to USD23.2 billion. At the same time, the fast food giant has certain weaknesses as well. These include the menu still consisting of primarily unhealthy food and the declining brand image of McDonald’s. Furthermore, the fast food chain has very high employee turnover and the company has attracted increasing negative publicity in the past few years. McDonald’s Corporation Report…]]> https://research-methodology.net/square-inc-report/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 22:42:26 +0000 https://research-methodology.net/?p=57834 Square Inc. is a global financial services and digital payments company based in San Francisco, USA. Founded by co-founder of Twitter, Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey in 2009, the company started with selling card readers that enabled small businesses to accept credit cards. Since that time Square has evolved into an international financial services and mobile payments platform providing an ecosystem of integrated products and services. In 2019 Square processed USD106.2 billion of Gross Payment Volume (GPV), which was generated by nearly 2.3 billion card payments from 407 million payment cards. At the end of 2019, Square point of sale ecosystem had over 180 million buyer profiles and approximately 230 million items were listed on Square by sellers. The financial unicorn generated net income of USD375.4 million in 2019, employing 3,875 people full-time. Square business strategy is based on simplification of financial transactions and the company has developed an expanding ecosystem of products and services. The finance sector disruptor has certain business advantages such as the first mover advantage and strong leadership by CEO Jack Dorsey. At the same time, there are certain weaknesses associated with Square. These include lack of global presence, high employee turnover and dependence on payment cards networks. The payments company faces a set of potential threats as well such as increasing complexity of the business, cyberattacks and emergence of new competitors. Leadership style at Square can be classified as purpose-driven leadership and the payments company has a purpose to make it easier for everyone to participate in the economy. Furthermore, Square leadership appreciates teamwork and focuses on benefiting from team effort to a great extent. Square Inc. Report contains the application of the major analytical strategic frameworks in business studies such as SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, Value Chain analysis, Ansoff Matrix and McKinsey 7S…]]> https://research-methodology.net/w-w-grainger-inc-report-2020/ Sat, 08 Aug 2020 00:36:42 +0000 https://research-methodology.net/?p=43842 Founded in Illinois, US in 1928, W.W. Grainger Inc. is a B2B distributor of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products and services. The global industrial supply company has more than 3,5 million customers and about 25000 employees worldwide. (Fact Book, 2020). The global MRO products distributor works with approximately 5000 suppliers internationally. In 2019 Grainger generated revenues of USD 11,2 billion, 3% increase compared to the previous year (Annual Report, 2019). Grainger pursues differentiation business strategy. Specifically, the B2B distributor differentiates on the basis of products, offering the widest range of MRO product categories. Grainger’s use of differentiation business strategy also extends to differentiated sales and services. The company delivers its products with high level of speed and convenience and employs highly qualified sales representatives with deep technical knowledge. Grainger has hierarchical organizational structure and its organizational culture is based on diversity and inclusiveness and value for technology and innovation. Moreover, focus on teamwork can be highlighted as one of integral components of Grainger organizational culture. Business development strategy for the B2B distributor integrates market penetration, product development and market development strategies. The industrial products distributor immensely benefits from the economies of scale and the company has an extensive experience and knowledge in selling MRO products. At the same time, Grainger has certain weaknesses that can have negative implications on long-term growth prospects of the business. High level of indebtness is a major issue for the company and as of December 2019, Grainger’s consolidated debts amounted to USD 2,4 billion. Moreover, with total 72% of revenues generated in the US in 2019 (Fact Book 2020), the B2B distributor is over-dependent on the home market in the US. W.W. Grainger Inc. Report contains the application of the major analytical strategic frameworks in business studies such as SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces,…]]> https://research-methodology.net/amazon-report-2/ Sun, 01 Mar 2020 00:44:12 +0000 https://research-methodology.net/?p=7211 Amazon.com Inc. was founded in 1994 in Washington and Amazon.com as a website became first active in July 1995 to become the largest online retailer in the world to offer Earth’s Biggest Selection in less than two decades. The e-commerce and cloud computing company generated revenues of USD 386 billion and earned a net income of USD 21.3 billion in 2020 alone (Annual Report, 2020) The e-commerce giant employs approximately 1,3 million full-time and part-time employees referred to as Amazonians (Annual Report, 2020). Amazon has declared its adherence to four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence and long-term thinking. These principles represent sources of Amazon’s competitive advantage. Amazon business strategy is a hybrid of cost leadership and business diversification. The online retailer also benefits from encouraging communication between various elements within its ecosystem and promotion of its leadership principles consisting of 16 points discussed in this report. The founder and former CEO Jeff Bezos prefers to base business strategy on things that do not change. Specifically, consumers will always want low prices, variety and speedy delivery of their orders. Amazon focuses on these facts via effective integration of information technology into various business processes. Combination of pragmatist, visionary and autocratic leadership styles are exercised at various levels at Amazon. The company has a hierarchical organizational structure. Nevertheless, it remains highly flexible to adapt to frequent changes in the external marketplace. Amazon organizational culture, on the other hand, is based on the principles of high level of cost-consciousness, constant reinvention and improvement of organizational culture and customer obsession. Major weaknesses associated with Amazon include seasonality of the business, low profit margins and lack of focus on specific product or service categories. Moreover, a weak competitive position of Amazon’s Fire Phone and damage to…]]> https://research-methodology.net/airbnb-inc-report-2019/ Sun, 01 Sep 2019 01:53:43 +0000 https://research-methodology.net/?p=39222 Airbnb Inc. is a global hospitality service brokerage company. It is an online marketplace for peer-to-peer lodging, as well as, tourism and experiences services. Founded in 2008 in San Francisco, USA, Airbnb has become a lodging colossus and travel industry disruptor with more than 6 million listings in more than 191 countries and regions worldwide. There are about 100000 cities with Airbnb listings and 500 million Airbnb guest arrivals all-time. Moreover, more than 2 million people on average stay on Airbnb each night and there are more than 30000 Airbnb experiences worldwide. The company employs about 5000 employees worldwide. Airbnb’s business has doubled almost every year of its existence. It became profitable in 2017, with a profit of USD93 million on revenue of USD2.6 billion. This is a stark contrast from heavily loss-making sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. It is estimated that in 2018 Airbnb surpassed the performance of the previous year and by 2020, its revenue is projected to be as much as USD8.5 billion. The peer-to-peer lodging company is valued at about USD 31 billion. The company’s mission is to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere, providing healthy travel that is local, authentic, diverse, inclusive and sustainable. Airbnb business strategy effectively contributes to this mission. Airbnb business strategy is associated with platform business model and accordingly, instead of owning the services it offers, the company engages as a broker between suppliers and consumers, receiving a commission of 9% to 15%. Moreover, increasing level of technological integration into various aspects of the business can be specified as one of the critical features of Airbnb business strategy. The global hospitality service brokerage company also places its community and trust among organizational stakeholders at the forefront of its business strategy. The travel industry disruptor has certain weaknesses…]]> https://research-methodology.net/apple-inc-report-2-2/ Mon, 01 Apr 2019 00:42:45 +0000 http://research-methodology.net/?p=7389 Established in 1977 in California, Apple Inc. is a global designer, manufacturer and marketer of mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, and portable digital music players. Apple is the largest IT company in the world by revenue and total assets and the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer. The company also sells a variety of related software, services, accessories, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications. Apple’s ability to design and develop its own operating systems, hardware, application software and services to provide its customers products and solutions with innovative design is placed at the core of its business strategy. As of September 2022, Apple had approximately 164,000 full-time equivalent employees . The net sales of the world’s largest IT company by revenue increased 8% or USD 28,5 billion during 2022 compared to 2021. Higher net sales in Services and Wearables, Home and Accessories categories played an instrumental role in achieving such a growth. Apple business strategy comprises focusing on design and capabilities of products and ever-strengthening the company’s ecosystem. The first company ever to be valued at USD1 trillion purposefully cultivates a reputation for not paying dividends to investors. In short-to-medium term perspective, Apple is working towards decreasing dependence of the business on the sales of iPhones. Leadership style at Apple is known to be democratic. CEO Tim Cook practices ‘quiet leadership’ and he is widely recognized as an effective leader. At the same time, a number of industry watchers and analysts criticize Tim Cook for the lack of innovative genius his predecessor legendary Steve Jobs used to possess. Apple has hierarchical organizational structure. Moreover, the company’s organizational structure also integrates product-based grouping with a focus on collaboration between different groups and divisions. Organizational culture of the multinational technology company, on the other hand, fosters creativity and innovativeness coupled…]]> https://research-methodology.net/microsoft-corporation-report/ Mon, 07 Jan 2019 00:45:51 +0000 http://research-methodology.net/?p=6559 Microsoft Corporation is a US-based global technology company with headquarters in Richmond, Washington. Founded in 1975, Microsoft’s mission is ‘to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more’. Microsoft employs more than 130 000 people internationally. During the fiscal year 2018 the tech giant generated USD 110.4 billion in revenue and USD 35.1 billion in operating income. Microsoft produces a wide range of products and services related to productivity and business processes and to support digital work and life of customers. Some of its products and services have become highly popular in the global scale. For example, more than 135 million people use Office 365 commercial every month and Outlook Mobile is installed into more than 100 million iOS and Android devices worldwide. Similarly, Microsoft Teams is used by more than 300 organizations worldwide, including 87 of the Fortune 100 and nowadays there are nearly 700 million devices around the world with active Windows 10. In 2014, Satya Nadella replaced Steve Ballmer as CEO of Microsoft. Since taking over the top job, Nadella has focused on ‘humanising’ the company by improving its organizational culture and he also enhanced the coordination of efforts across the departments and groups of the company. Microsoft business strategy can be classified as product differentiation. The company develops advanced technological products and services and sells them for premium costs. Moreover, Microsoft business strategy is currently focused on “cloud-first, mobile-first”, growth through mergers and acquisitions and exploring business opportunities related to augmented and virtual reality. Recently, the multinational technology company has also included ‘tech intensity’ as one of the important pillars of its business strategy Microsoft Corporation Report contains the application of the major analytical strategic frameworks in business studies such as SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, Value Chain analysis, Ansoff Matrix and…]]> https://research-methodology.net/tesla-inc-report-2018-3/ Sun, 23 Sep 2018 09:57:23 +0000 https://research-methodology.net/?p=25356 Tesla Inc. (formerly Tesla Motors Inc.) is an alternative fuel vehicles manufacturer founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning in Palo Alto, California, USA. The company produces fully electric vehicles, energy generation and storage systems and also installs and maintains such systems and sells solar electricity. Tesla’s mission statement is ‘to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy’. The electric automaker operates stores and galleries in the US and 35 other countries worldwide and employs more than 70,500 people globally. In 2020, Tesla achieved operating margin of 6,3% which is the highest in the industry. The electric automaker had an operating cash flow less capex (free cash flow) of USD 2.8 billion during the same period. In the last quarter of 2020 alone, Tesla had USD 4.9 billion increase in cash and cash equivalents. Free cash flow during the same period reached USD 1.9 billion. Tesla business strategy integrates focus on electric cars and ownership of distribution of products. Moreover, the company stresses the low cost of ownership of Tesla electric vehicles as one of the solid bases of its competitive advantage. The alternative fuel vehicles manufacturer has a divisional organizational structure and its divisions include energy, engineering and production, HR and communications, legal and finance, sales and software. Tesla organizational culture, on the other hand, is associated with ambitious innovation, adherence of First Principles method of decision making and lack of bureaucracy throughout the company. Tesla possesses a set of competitive strengths. These include the first mover advantage, increasing numbers of vehicles sales, expertise in innovation and a high level of brand recognition at an international level. At the same time, there are certain issues that cast a doubt over long-term growth prospects of the electric automaker. These points of concern for Tesla include overly expensive price…]]> https://research-methodology.net/xiaomi-inc-report/ Sun, 20 May 2018 09:55:29 +0000 https://research-methodology.net/?p=22586 Xiaomi Inc. is a privately owned electronics and software company founded in 2010 by serial entrepreneur Lei Jun, along with seven other co-founders. The mobile internet company has established its presence in 70 countries and regions and it is among the top 5 in 16 markets. Xiaomi currently employs about 18,000 people. In 2017 Xiaomi generated more than RMB 100 billion revenues and expected to get listed in the Fortune Global 500 list in foreseeable future. Xiaomi business strategy is based on cost advantage. Moreover, the company gathers and utilizes its large fan base in an efficient manner with positive implications on customer loyalty and the bottom line for the business. An aggressive expansion of ecosystem of products and services is also placed at the core of Xiaomi business strategy. The mobile internet company has matrix and flat organizational structure. According to framework of Ansoff Growth Matrix, Xiaomi uses all for strategies – market penetration, product development, market development and diversification, in an integrated manner. Efficient leadership by founder and CEO Lei Jun, impressive rate of growth and cost advantages compared to competition are considered as major strengths associated with Xiaomi. At the same time, the company has noteworthy weaknesses such as low profit margin, lower smartphone capabilities and functionalities compared to major competitors and difficulties of sustaining competitive advantage. Xiaomi Inc. Report contains the application of the major analytical strategic frameworks in business studies such as SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, Value Chain analysis and McKinsey 7S Model on Xiaomi. Moreover, the report contains analyses of Xiaomi business strategy, leadership and organizational structure and its marketing strategy. The report also discusses the issues of corporate social responsibility. 1. Executive Summary 2. Business Strategy 3. Leadership 4. Organisational Structure 5. Organizational Culture 6. Xiaomi and Ansoff Matrix 7. SWOT Analysis…]]> https://research-methodology.net/uber-technologies-inc-report/ Mon, 05 Mar 2018 04:04:51 +0000 https://research-methodology.net/?p=13391 Uber Technologies Inc. is a global transportation technology company that operates in more than 10,000 cities in approximately 71 countries. The ride-hailing giant and its subsidiaries employ approximately 22,800 people globally (Annual Report, 2020). The global transportation technology company generated revenues of USD 11,1 billion in 2020, a decline of 14% compared to the previous year. Uber incurred operating losses of USD 3.0 billion, USD 8.6 billion and USD 4.9 billion in 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively. The largest taxi company in the world has no cars of its own. Drivers are independent contractors for the company and they use their own or rented cars to drive with Uber using Uber app. The company has effectively disrupted the taxi industry in the global scale. Uber business strategy involves increasing service range to cater for the needs of great amount of customers and focusing on high levels of user convenience. Moreover, cost-saving through technological innovation is placed at the core of Uber business strategy. The company follows growth path through acquisitions, purchasing start-ups that can contribute to its ecosystem. The ride-hailing giant had a leadership crisis in 2017. Lack of leadership skills of co-founder and the first CEO Travis Kalanick had caused the formation of a poor corporate culture. As a result the company suffered from a range of serious scandals involving discrimination, sexual harassment and even mobbing. Uber CEO was even caught on video rudely arguing with driver about declining fares (Wong, 2017). Mr. Kalanick had to step down from leadership role as demanded by investors and Expedia’ CEO Dara Khosrowshahi became a new CEO for Uber. Uber possesses considerable strengths such as the first mover advantage, global market leadership and the brand value and advanced level of user convenience. At the same time, the company has serious weaknesses such…]]> https://research-methodology.net/samsung-electronics-report-3/ Mon, 02 Oct 2017 23:21:25 +0000 http://research-methodology.net/?p=6897 Founded in 1969, Samsung Electronics is one of the leaders in consumer electronics industry in an international scale. The company employs 325,677 people in 80 countries and has more than 200 subsidiaries around the world (Sustainability Report, 2016). The business is divided into three large segments – consumer electronics, IT & mobile communications and device solutions. Samsung delivered the sales of KRW200.7 trillion and earned KRW26.4 trillion in operating profits on a consolidated basis in 2015. From the financial perspective, Samsung maintained a sound financial structure by recording a debt ratio of 35.3 percent, an equity ratio of 73.9 percent, and a return on equity ratio of 11.0 percent on a consolidated basis (Sustainability Report, 2016). Business strategy of Samsung Electronics is directed at strengthening the competitiveness and profit structures and the focus is on the development of premium products. Moreover, the international electronics company is known to benefit from product innovation and expanding its product range in a regular manner. Thanks to efficient implementation of this strategy, Samsung currently maintains the global leadership in visual display market segment with the market share of 28.3% for all flat-panel TV product lines. In the first quarter of 2015 Samsung surpassed Apple to regain its position as the largest smartphone manufacturer in the world (Sustainability Report, 2016). Currently, the multinational electronics company has certain weaknesses such as the absence of own operating system (OS) and software, damaged brand image due to product safety issues and recent corruption scandal and low profit margin. Moreover, Samsung is finding increasingly difficult to sustain its competitive advantage. Samsung Group Report contains the application of the major analytical strategic frameworks in business studies such as SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, Value Chain analysis and McKinsey 7S Model on Samsung. Moreover, the report contains analyses of Samsung’s business…]]> https://research-methodology.net/google-report-9/ Thu, 01 Jun 2017 13:57:10 +0000 http://research-methodology.net/?p=6630 Founded by Stanford University students Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998, Google dominates almost all of its markets and the company is well-known for its culture of creativity and innovative approach to develop new products and services. Google offers a wide range of interrelated internet-based products and services that are aimed at satisfying personal and professional needs in terms of communication, recreation, organization and increasing the level of performance and effectiveness. Google Inc. was restructured in 2015 to become Alphabet Inc. “Google’s search product became a wholly owned subsidiary of a new parent company, Alphabet, with other Google projects and teams spun out into separate “Alphabet companies,” each with its own CEO.”(Price and Nudelman, 2016, online). Alphabet Inc. is a holding company with no business operations of its own. Google is the largest business within Alphabet Inc. product portfolio. The company’s product portfolio also comprises Access, Calico, CapitalG, GV, Nest, Verily, Waymo, and X. The company classifies it’s all non-Google businesses as Other Bets. In fiscal year 2016, Alphabet Inc. generated revenues of USD90.3 billion and revenue growth of 20% year over year, with constant currency revenue growth of 24% year over year. Google segment generated revenues of USD89.5 billion, with revenue growth of 20% year over year. Other Bets revenues of USD0.8 billion with revenue growth of 82% year over year. Revenues from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Rest of the world were USD42.8 billion, USD7.8 billion, and USD39.7 billion, respectively (Annual Report,2016). The company has more than 72,000 full-time employees worldwide. Google core business strategy is business diversification and introduction of new products and services in a regular manner. Google business strategy is also based on the development of a closed eco-system to motivate customers to use greater range of products and services. Customers usually…]]> https://research-methodology.net/facebook-inc-report-5/ Mon, 02 Jan 2017 23:16:12 +0000 http://research-methodology.net/?p=9218 Facebook Inc. is a social media giant that owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus and a range of other e-commerce businesses. Founded in 2004 in Harvard University dormitory by Mark Zuckerberg and several of his classmates, Facebook emerged to become the most popular social media site in the world attracting more than 1.13 billion daily active users and 1.03 billion mobile daily active users (Stats, 2016). Facebook’s mission statement is “to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected” (Annual Report, 2015) and the company generates revenues from selling advertising placements to marketers. Facebook business strategy is associated with an extensive and continuous focus on user experience, growth via acquisitions, new product development and continuously exploring the new ways of monetization. The social media company employs more than 12600 people globally and in 2015 the company generated revenues of USD17.93 billion, which is an increase of 44% year-over-year and ad revenue was of USD17.08 billion, which is an increase of 49% compared to the previous year (Annual Report, 2015). Facebook has been successful in efficient capitalization on mobile advertising and its evolving role as a news source for increasing numbers of its users has positive implications on the long-term growth prospects of the business. At the same time, the social media company is not free of weaknesses and its major weaknesses include the dependence of revenues only on advertising, challenges in sustaining the growth rate of revenues and the dependence of the business on a few key personnel such as Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg. Facebook Inc. Report contains the application of the major analytical strategic frameworks in business studies such as SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, Value Chain analysis and McKinsey 7S Model on Facebook. Moreover, the report contains analyses of Facebook’s business strategy,…]]>