BUSS4 in 6 Concepts/Theories: Analysing your Research Organisations

A good visual way of analysing your BUSS4 researchorganisations for both Section A and B is to relate them to different conceptsor models. (apologies for the drawings in the picture above) To go even further could beto link elements of some of these models and concepts together which can give amore in-depth, holistic view of the organisations in relation to some key BUSS4topics. I have started to get mystudents to relate them to the following 6:

1. The Golden Circle

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss4-in-3-words-what-do-they-say-about-leadership-values-and-culture

This could help them identify how the leader inspires their employees and customers through the purpose and values of the organisation and how they are communicated.

This could link with them identifying who their primary stakeholder is and could also suggest what kind of culture they have. E.g. – if they don't have a higher purpose or think from the outside in, their primary stakeholder may be the shareholders, which may create a culture of risk at all costs (possibly Barclays?)

2. Porters Generic Strategies

This will give you an idea of the organisations position in market and what strategy it is implementing, or whether they are stuck in the middle

This may link with the leader and a possible change of strategy – E.g. JJB changing strategy to compete but ending up stuck in the middle

3. Leadership/Leader

What is the style of the leader? What is the influence of the leader in relation to values and the way they are communicated (the Golden Circle) and who are their primary stakeholders? This sets the tone for the culture of the organisation. Leaders are a huge influence on all aspects of BUSS4 and arguably could/should be included in all essays!

Another link could be to a change in strategy they are trying to implement and where that puts them in relation to Porters Generic Strategies.

4. Porters 5 Forces

This will give you an idea of the competitive environment that the business is operating in again may link to strategies and give you some indication of the reasons for some of the decisions that have been made by the leader. E.g. Tesco's decision to pull out of the US market or Whitbread's decision a few years ago to sell a number of their brands such as Marriot Hotels, David Lloyd Leisure, Pizza Hut etc. to focus on Costa, Premier Inn and their restaurants

5. Ansoff's Matrix

Can you apply this to the strategy of the organisation? What is their approach to risk and could this inform you of the culture of the organisation?

6. Stakeholders

Who are the primary stakeholders? Do they influence strategy? Does who the primary stakeholder is, influence the culture of the organisation?

There are many other things that you could relate the organisations to, such as the external environment or PESTLE factors but I have found by looking at the 6 above, more things start to emerge from your analysis.

If you are using the excellent 4 W's approach to research (I hope you all are), this will help with the “Why?" and the Which show's?"