Wal-Mart's European Business Strategy

Wal-Mart's European Business Strategy

Author: Tomislaw Dalic

Publisher: GRIN Verlag

Published: 2004-01-15

Total Pages: 23

ISBN-13: 3638245365

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Seminar paper from the year 2001 in the subject Business economics - General, grade: very good, Maastricht University (Business Administration), course: European Business Startegy, language: English, abstract: How many retailers would one expect to be in the top ten of the global fortune 500? There is one, and it has a firm second position, leaving behind mammoth companies such as Ford and General Motors (www.fortune500.com). Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retailer with 195 billion dollars in revenue in the year 2000, with operations mainly concentrated in the United States. Renowned in the United States for their discount centres, they have diversified into wholesaling to sustain the explosive growth of the seventies and eighties. Making use of acquired knowledge in distribution and inventory management technology, these new formulas proved to be profitable as well. However, the United States of America were not big enough to satisfy the needs of such a giant company, and international expansion was inevitable. After entry in South-America and Asia, Europe is the next market to be penetrated by Wal-Mart. The time seems right, as extensive liberalization has opened up the European Union and far-reaching economic integration between member states have created a huge common market, offering scale economies in purchasing and distribution similar to U.S. operations. Wal-Mart can use experience from previous foreign expansions to implement the correct strategy for Europe. This paper analyses Wal-Mart’s European strategy, the rational behind its move to Europe and implications for its European competitors. It explains the following problem statement: Wal-Mart’s entry into the European market was a strategic move rather than the pursuit of a growth opportunity. A brief review of Wal-Mart’s history will be followed by the factors explaining their success in the United States, coming together in a concept called “strategic fit”. After a short summary of their foreign expansion into South-America to stress the importance of the transferability of the concept of strategic fit, a description of the European retail industry will be given. Then the European retail industry is analysed with the help of the generic five forces model from Porter. The paper ends with a conclusion hinting at the future of the European retail market.


Book Synopsis Wal-Mart's European Business Strategy by : Tomislaw Dalic

Download or read book Wal-Mart's European Business Strategy written by Tomislaw Dalic and published by GRIN Verlag. This book was released on 2004-01-15 with total page 23 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Seminar paper from the year 2001 in the subject Business economics - General, grade: very good, Maastricht University (Business Administration), course: European Business Startegy, language: English, abstract: How many retailers would one expect to be in the top ten of the global fortune 500? There is one, and it has a firm second position, leaving behind mammoth companies such as Ford and General Motors (www.fortune500.com). Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retailer with 195 billion dollars in revenue in the year 2000, with operations mainly concentrated in the United States. Renowned in the United States for their discount centres, they have diversified into wholesaling to sustain the explosive growth of the seventies and eighties. Making use of acquired knowledge in distribution and inventory management technology, these new formulas proved to be profitable as well. However, the United States of America were not big enough to satisfy the needs of such a giant company, and international expansion was inevitable. After entry in South-America and Asia, Europe is the next market to be penetrated by Wal-Mart. The time seems right, as extensive liberalization has opened up the European Union and far-reaching economic integration between member states have created a huge common market, offering scale economies in purchasing and distribution similar to U.S. operations. Wal-Mart can use experience from previous foreign expansions to implement the correct strategy for Europe. This paper analyses Wal-Mart’s European strategy, the rational behind its move to Europe and implications for its European competitors. It explains the following problem statement: Wal-Mart’s entry into the European market was a strategic move rather than the pursuit of a growth opportunity. A brief review of Wal-Mart’s history will be followed by the factors explaining their success in the United States, coming together in a concept called “strategic fit”. After a short summary of their foreign expansion into South-America to stress the importance of the transferability of the concept of strategic fit, a description of the European retail industry will be given. Then the European retail industry is analysed with the help of the generic five forces model from Porter. The paper ends with a conclusion hinting at the future of the European retail market.

The Regional Multinationals

The Regional Multinationals

Author: Alan M. Rugman

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2005-01-06

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 9781139442862

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Although many firms label themselves 'global', very few can back this up with truly global sales and operations. In The Regional Multinationals Alan Rugman examines first-hand data from multinationals and finds that most multinationals are strongly regional, with international operations in their home regions of North America, the US or Asia. Only a tiny proportion of the world's top 500 companies actually sell the same product and deliver the same services around the world. Rugman exposes the facts behind the popular myths of doing business globally, explores a variety of regional models and offers an authoritative agenda for future business strategy. The Regional Multinationals is the essential resource for all academics and students in International Business, Organization and Strategic Management, as well as those with an interest in finding out how multinationals really work in practice and how future strategy must respond.


Book Synopsis The Regional Multinationals by : Alan M. Rugman

Download or read book The Regional Multinationals written by Alan M. Rugman and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2005-01-06 with total page 292 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although many firms label themselves 'global', very few can back this up with truly global sales and operations. In The Regional Multinationals Alan Rugman examines first-hand data from multinationals and finds that most multinationals are strongly regional, with international operations in their home regions of North America, the US or Asia. Only a tiny proportion of the world's top 500 companies actually sell the same product and deliver the same services around the world. Rugman exposes the facts behind the popular myths of doing business globally, explores a variety of regional models and offers an authoritative agenda for future business strategy. The Regional Multinationals is the essential resource for all academics and students in International Business, Organization and Strategic Management, as well as those with an interest in finding out how multinationals really work in practice and how future strategy must respond.

International Business Strategy

International Business Strategy

Author: Alain Verbeke

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2013-03-07

Total Pages: 615

ISBN-13: 1107355273

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Verbeke provides a new perspective on international business strategy by combining analytical rigour and true managerial insight on the functioning of large multinational enterprises (MNEs). With unique commentary on 48 seminal articles published in the Harvard Business Review, the Sloan Management Review and the California Management Review over the past three decades, Verbeke shows how these can be applied to real businesses engaged in international expansion programmes, especially as they venture into high-distance markets. The second edition has been thoroughly updated and features greater coverage of emerging markets with a new chapter and seven new cases. Suited for advanced undergraduates and graduate courses, students will benefit from updated case studies and improved learning features, including 'management takeaways', key lessons that can be applied to MNEs and a wide range of online resources.


Book Synopsis International Business Strategy by : Alain Verbeke

Download or read book International Business Strategy written by Alain Verbeke and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2013-03-07 with total page 615 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Verbeke provides a new perspective on international business strategy by combining analytical rigour and true managerial insight on the functioning of large multinational enterprises (MNEs). With unique commentary on 48 seminal articles published in the Harvard Business Review, the Sloan Management Review and the California Management Review over the past three decades, Verbeke shows how these can be applied to real businesses engaged in international expansion programmes, especially as they venture into high-distance markets. The second edition has been thoroughly updated and features greater coverage of emerging markets with a new chapter and seven new cases. Suited for advanced undergraduates and graduate courses, students will benefit from updated case studies and improved learning features, including 'management takeaways', key lessons that can be applied to MNEs and a wide range of online resources.

Wal Mart Business Case Study

Wal Mart Business Case Study

Author: Nihat Canak

Publisher: GRIN Verlag

Published: 2006-11-28

Total Pages: 21

ISBN-13: 3638575047

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Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2006 in the subject Business economics - Offline Marketing and Online Marketing, grade: 1.0, Western Carolina University, course: Marketing Management & Mature Consumers, language: English, abstract: Wal-Mart, the largest retail company in the world, specializes in the operation of mass merchandising and supermarket stores. The company operates through three segments, namely the Wal-Mart stores, Sam’s Club, and the International segments in Asia, Europe, and South America. Wal-Mart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. Wal-Mart recorded total revenues of $287.9 billion during the fiscal year ended January 2005, an increase of 11.3% over fiscal 2004. The company recorded a net income of $10.2 billion in fiscal 2005, an increase of 13.4% over 2004. There are several issues that impresses me about this company and of course some that I find unimpressive. First of all, a question that I asked myself for so many times was: How could it be that it is so easy to get in but so hard to get out? I can imagine that ever since they built a “super” WALMART here in Cullowhee, the place has really livened up (I can not tell how it was before. I just spent a year in Cullowhee as an international student). I mean where else can a guy go at 2 o’clock in the afternoon and find more people than there are open registers. It is literally amazing to me for the simple fact that every experience is a new one. You walk in and there is just as much hustle and bustle as Santa’s workshop, or Hugh’s Mansion. So you grab a cart and immediately jump in the fast lane. Not a good move in my opinion, once I had a fender bender with an elderly woman. She rammed into the back of my leg in a motorized cart and before I could say excuse me she said, “That’s how people get run over.” But as usual I kept on truckin’ and the first place I go is to the toiletries section. I always go there first because no matter what you always need something. From that point on, you are infected with the Wal-Mart virus. This infection deteriorates the bankbook and can result in permanent financial trauma. My advice is to practice safe Wal-Mart spending and bring somebody who has no money. The worst part of the whole experience comes upon exiting the building when you have to pass the security checkpoint at the door wearing a rubber glove. I really hate this part because it makes you feel like you did steal something. The person politely asks for your receipt and looks at it to make sure you got everything. What are they going to do, look at it and say “excuse me sir are you aware that you stole this?”


Book Synopsis Wal Mart Business Case Study by : Nihat Canak

Download or read book Wal Mart Business Case Study written by Nihat Canak and published by GRIN Verlag. This book was released on 2006-11-28 with total page 21 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2006 in the subject Business economics - Offline Marketing and Online Marketing, grade: 1.0, Western Carolina University, course: Marketing Management & Mature Consumers, language: English, abstract: Wal-Mart, the largest retail company in the world, specializes in the operation of mass merchandising and supermarket stores. The company operates through three segments, namely the Wal-Mart stores, Sam’s Club, and the International segments in Asia, Europe, and South America. Wal-Mart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. Wal-Mart recorded total revenues of $287.9 billion during the fiscal year ended January 2005, an increase of 11.3% over fiscal 2004. The company recorded a net income of $10.2 billion in fiscal 2005, an increase of 13.4% over 2004. There are several issues that impresses me about this company and of course some that I find unimpressive. First of all, a question that I asked myself for so many times was: How could it be that it is so easy to get in but so hard to get out? I can imagine that ever since they built a “super” WALMART here in Cullowhee, the place has really livened up (I can not tell how it was before. I just spent a year in Cullowhee as an international student). I mean where else can a guy go at 2 o’clock in the afternoon and find more people than there are open registers. It is literally amazing to me for the simple fact that every experience is a new one. You walk in and there is just as much hustle and bustle as Santa’s workshop, or Hugh’s Mansion. So you grab a cart and immediately jump in the fast lane. Not a good move in my opinion, once I had a fender bender with an elderly woman. She rammed into the back of my leg in a motorized cart and before I could say excuse me she said, “That’s how people get run over.” But as usual I kept on truckin’ and the first place I go is to the toiletries section. I always go there first because no matter what you always need something. From that point on, you are infected with the Wal-Mart virus. This infection deteriorates the bankbook and can result in permanent financial trauma. My advice is to practice safe Wal-Mart spending and bring somebody who has no money. The worst part of the whole experience comes upon exiting the building when you have to pass the security checkpoint at the door wearing a rubber glove. I really hate this part because it makes you feel like you did steal something. The person politely asks for your receipt and looks at it to make sure you got everything. What are they going to do, look at it and say “excuse me sir are you aware that you stole this?”

European Business Strategy

European Business Strategy

Author: Terry Garrison

Publisher:

Published: 2000-10-01

Total Pages: 620

ISBN-13: 9781854502513

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Book Synopsis European Business Strategy by : Terry Garrison

Download or read book European Business Strategy written by Terry Garrison and published by . This book was released on 2000-10-01 with total page 620 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Commoditization and the Strategic Response

Commoditization and the Strategic Response

Author: Andrew Holmes

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2016-05-23

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 1317163753

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Organizations and those who work within them are under attack from the increasingly pervasive impacts of commoditization. With little to distinguish one company's products and services from another or one person's skills and capabilities from the next, organizations and workers alike are finding themselves trapped in the me-too hell of commoditization. For many this means the survival of the cheapest, as price becomes the principal basis for decision making. For others it requires them to think creatively to avoid the trap of commoditization, even though this may only provide a temporary respite. In this groundbreaking book, Andrew Holmes sets out why commoditization represents such a clear and present danger to every corporation and all white-collar workers. Starting with the nature of the commodities we are familiar with such as coal and cotton, Holmes moves on to describe how commoditization is affecting entire industries and is increasingly touching the work of the professional classes. The evidence is both fascinating and compelling and it is clear that the impacts of commoditization are far reaching. The author also outlines the impact of commoditization on an organization's strategy towards brand, supply chain, value chain, innovation, pricing and competition. He explores the implications for skills, attitudes and behaviours in the workplace before describing a series of strategies for avoiding the risk and exploiting the opportunities offered by a new commoditized world, such as outsourcing, innovation, offshoring, mergers and acquisitions, divestments and first mover advantage. Holmes offers organizations and white-collar workers a range of strategic responses which can be used to combat its worst impacts. And as commoditization continues to make inroads into the corporate and working worlds, this book will be an invaluable companion to addressing the challenges which it presents.


Book Synopsis Commoditization and the Strategic Response by : Andrew Holmes

Download or read book Commoditization and the Strategic Response written by Andrew Holmes and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2016-05-23 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Organizations and those who work within them are under attack from the increasingly pervasive impacts of commoditization. With little to distinguish one company's products and services from another or one person's skills and capabilities from the next, organizations and workers alike are finding themselves trapped in the me-too hell of commoditization. For many this means the survival of the cheapest, as price becomes the principal basis for decision making. For others it requires them to think creatively to avoid the trap of commoditization, even though this may only provide a temporary respite. In this groundbreaking book, Andrew Holmes sets out why commoditization represents such a clear and present danger to every corporation and all white-collar workers. Starting with the nature of the commodities we are familiar with such as coal and cotton, Holmes moves on to describe how commoditization is affecting entire industries and is increasingly touching the work of the professional classes. The evidence is both fascinating and compelling and it is clear that the impacts of commoditization are far reaching. The author also outlines the impact of commoditization on an organization's strategy towards brand, supply chain, value chain, innovation, pricing and competition. He explores the implications for skills, attitudes and behaviours in the workplace before describing a series of strategies for avoiding the risk and exploiting the opportunities offered by a new commoditized world, such as outsourcing, innovation, offshoring, mergers and acquisitions, divestments and first mover advantage. Holmes offers organizations and white-collar workers a range of strategic responses which can be used to combat its worst impacts. And as commoditization continues to make inroads into the corporate and working worlds, this book will be an invaluable companion to addressing the challenges which it presents.

Europe, Policies and People

Europe, Policies and People

Author: S. Hatt

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2015-12-17

Total Pages: 228

ISBN-13: 1403907374

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People in Europe have seen their lives profoundly affected by the policies of the European Union. The contributors to this book provide an overview of the EU within global capitalism, a survey of policies within key issue areas and a treatment of the economics of family care, migrant workers and pensioners. It concludes with an analysis of the insider-outsider dilemmas of the imperfectly united Europe. The book takes a social perspective on economic issues and is accessible even to the non-specialist.


Book Synopsis Europe, Policies and People by : S. Hatt

Download or read book Europe, Policies and People written by S. Hatt and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-12-17 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: People in Europe have seen their lives profoundly affected by the policies of the European Union. The contributors to this book provide an overview of the EU within global capitalism, a survey of policies within key issue areas and a treatment of the economics of family care, migrant workers and pensioners. It concludes with an analysis of the insider-outsider dilemmas of the imperfectly united Europe. The book takes a social perspective on economic issues and is accessible even to the non-specialist.

Global Strategic Management

Global Strategic Management

Author: Jedrzej George Frynas

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 445

ISBN-13: 0198706596

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Emphasising the essential techniques of business best practices, this title offers thorough analysis and discussions on concepts such as environmental analysis, strategy development and strategy implementation.


Book Synopsis Global Strategic Management by : Jedrzej George Frynas

Download or read book Global Strategic Management written by Jedrzej George Frynas and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2015 with total page 445 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Emphasising the essential techniques of business best practices, this title offers thorough analysis and discussions on concepts such as environmental analysis, strategy development and strategy implementation.

European Business

European Business

Author: Neil Harris

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 1999-11-11

Total Pages: 365

ISBN-13: 134915007X

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European Business 2nd edition explores the interaction between European business and their environment using up-to-date case studies. Drawing upon a range of disciplines including economics, organizational behaviour, finance and business strategy, it explores how and why modern businesses behave as they do, and how and why the business environment is changing. A central themem of this substantially updated second edition is the position of Europe within the global economy. Also comprehensively examined is the developing nature of the European Union and the movement towards market economies in Central and Eastern Europe.


Book Synopsis European Business by : Neil Harris

Download or read book European Business written by Neil Harris and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 1999-11-11 with total page 365 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: European Business 2nd edition explores the interaction between European business and their environment using up-to-date case studies. Drawing upon a range of disciplines including economics, organizational behaviour, finance and business strategy, it explores how and why modern businesses behave as they do, and how and why the business environment is changing. A central themem of this substantially updated second edition is the position of Europe within the global economy. Also comprehensively examined is the developing nature of the European Union and the movement towards market economies in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Wal-Mart Success Story

The Wal-Mart Success Story

Author: Christian Kneer

Publisher: GRIN Verlag

Published: 2009-09

Total Pages: 29

ISBN-13: 3640420047

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Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject Business economics - Trade and Distribution, grade: 1,3, University of Hull, language: English, abstract: This report should call attention to the success story of Wal-Mart and reveal by using appropriate strategic framework why they are one of the most controversial companies. Subsequently, the goal of this strategic analysis is to examine Wal-Mart's quest to dominate international markets. In addition Wal-Mart's corporate identity will be discussed and several solutions to the challenges will be proposed.


Book Synopsis The Wal-Mart Success Story by : Christian Kneer

Download or read book The Wal-Mart Success Story written by Christian Kneer and published by GRIN Verlag. This book was released on 2009-09 with total page 29 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject Business economics - Trade and Distribution, grade: 1,3, University of Hull, language: English, abstract: This report should call attention to the success story of Wal-Mart and reveal by using appropriate strategic framework why they are one of the most controversial companies. Subsequently, the goal of this strategic analysis is to examine Wal-Mart's quest to dominate international markets. In addition Wal-Mart's corporate identity will be discussed and several solutions to the challenges will be proposed.