International Management Essay

decision maker SummaryThis written case depth psychology report is prepared for the analysis of the case study of the Tata assort The Last Rajah rattan cane Tata and Tatas Global Expansion. (Luthans and ut 2009).It go out first begin with a brief introduction on the Tata mathematical free radical of India, with the source and the secondary (both inadequate- and long- terminal) problems of this biggest conglomerate in India, to be identified and discussed following(a).An analysis of the problems is presented following, followed by the criteria of evaluation.A comprehensive listing of all major feasible courses of action are presented before the recommended scheme(ies) are discussed.The next section allow for c all over the justifications of recommendations followed by the implementation, control and follow up.1. IntroductionThe Tata meeting, Indias biggest conglomerate (Luthans and Doh 2009), was pieceed by 29- old age old Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata in 1868. It was firs t open as a trading company in Bombay and started pioneering transactiones in sectors such as steel, energy, textiles and hospitality (Tata convocation 2012).In 1904, Sir Dorab Tata, the elder of Jamsetjis two sons, succeeded Tata Group in Germany after Jamsetji passed on.Ratan Tata succeeded as the chairman, following the death of his uncle J.R.D. Tata, in 1993 (Tata Group 2012).Today, the Tata group consists of to a greater extent(prenominal) than 100 operating companies in seven business line sectors (Refer to Appendix 1) with operations in more than 80 countries across six continents, exporting products and services to 85 countries.The latest financial figures reflected on its website showed that the total tax of Tata Group was US$83.3 billion (around Rs 3,796.75 billion) in 2010-11, an increase of 18.8% from 2009-10 (Tata Group 2012).With its devotion to strong values and comminuted business ethics, the Tata name has been respected in India for more than 140 years.Each Tata company or enterprise operates independently and is answerable to its own board of directors and shareholders.Moving forward, new technologies and innovation will be Tata Groups focus, in point to develop its business in India and internationally. Anchored in India with its traditional values and strong ethics, Tata companies are building multinational businesses that will come across growth through excellence and innovation, while balancing the interests of shareholders, employees and civil society (Tata Group 2012).2. Source line of worksWith its wide diversification of business across six continents, Tata faces several(prenominal) challenges. The first problem is to build a consistent vision while being in many different markets and industries. Another challenge is to formulate strategies for over 100 companies in more than 80 countries.Besides this, another problem of Tata Group is the high involvement of Ratan Tata, who is the chief steward of the group of golf club se nior executives sitting on the boards of the Tata companies, in both the negotiations of major deals and the details of his auto-making, telecom or steel businesses (Luthans and Doh 2009). The next challenge for Tata is on how to plunge the struggle Corus mill around. Other challenges for the future include deciding on which businesses to spin-off and which to pursue, what will happen to the conglomerate during an thriftiness slow-down. The most challenge issue for Tata Group perchance would be to suffer the void left behind by the energetic and visionary Mr Ratan Tata Chairman of the Tata Group, when he know (Koontz and Weihrich 2010).3. Secondary Problems3.1 coarse term3.1.1 Diversification of investments and businessesFrom the case study, it is evident that a major problem for Tata Group is its diversification of its investments and businesses over so many different countries. The group is subjected of necessity to the different market situations and the culture of each i ndividual market.3.1.2 The continuation of operation of Corus millsAnother long-run problem for Tata Group is whether they should continue operating the struggling Corus mills. As mentioned in the article, the moment Tata Steel took over Corus, it is loaded with a $7.4 billion debt and the high operational exist of Corus weakens the profit margins of Tata Steel (Luthans and Doh 2009).3.1.3 Sustainability of its business versus sustainability of its corporate loving responsibility during economy slow-down Should there be an economy slow-down, the ability of Tat Group to sustain its businesses versus their ability to sustain the social responsible culture, which is developed by Ratans ancestors (Griffin and Moorhead 2010), remains a challenge for Tata Group. The Rata conglomerate will have to decide between sustaining its businesses and fulfilling this culture. This will be curiously tough with a$7.4 billion debt already on its books.3.1.4 Management control in Tata GroupAs menti oned in the article, Mr Ratan is the chief steward, of his team of cabaret senior executives in the Group Corporate Office, who negotiates major deals himself and immerses himself in the details of his businesses. Ratan Tata is also the major decision maker in most of Tata Groups major deals.At the time when the article was written, Tata Group has not found a suitable successor. The fact that Mr Ratan Tata is single and childless (Luthans and Doh 2009) thus poses the toughest challenge of who is to fill the void for Tata Group, when Mr Ratan retires.4. Analysis4.1 Diversification of investments and businessesThis long term problem will prove to be an obstacle towards its global expansion and the development of the company to its full potential, as there is no one common group strategy with a common objective.The lack of a common corporate strategy whitethorn act as a restraining force (Singh 2012 worry to Appendix 2) against moving Tata Group to its desired position in the global market and also against achieving overall productivity of the organization.4.2 The continuation of operation of Corus millsA first look at this problem of the Tata Group would plain be to discontinue the operation of Corus mills.However, one of the strengths and competitive advantage that Tata Group has over its competitors, is backward integration (Hill and Jones 2011) like what Hill and Jones (2011, 180) described steel companies give its iron ore needs from company-owned iron ore mines. Having its own abundant coal and iron ore reserves enables Tata Group to produce raw steel at low cost in India, and ship it to Corus first-class mills overseas to producesteel products.Furthermore, by looking at the financial data provided in the case study, Tata Motors was the least(prenominal) profitability business in 2007 for Tata Group.With the acquisition of Corus mills and Tatas competitive advantage of backward integration, Tata Group can make use of Tata Steel and Corus mills to prod uce low cost steel car parts in order to reduce the cost of sales for Tata Motors. The gross profit margins for Tata Motors can be increased with the cost of sales reduced (Needles, Powers, and Crosson. 2010).4.3 Sustainability of its business versus sustainability of its corporate social responsibility during economy slow-down When there is an economy slow-down, it will subject Tata Groups decision on sustaining its business or still maintain its expensive corporate social responsibility, to a great test.A fast and immediate solution, during an economy down-turn will be to reduce the contributions for gentle causes, such as reducing or terminating the annual $40 million contribution for pitying acts in Jamshedpur, in order to sustain its businesses.However, Tata Group will have to consider about the long-term implications of such drastic immediate simplification or termination of charitable funds. The reputation of Tata Group may receive a beating in the long run, due to negativ e press and media reportings (Davies et al. 2003), should such measures are implemented drastically and immediately, in order to sustain its businesses.4.4 Management control in Tata GroupFrom the description of the article, the management style of Tata Group seemed to follow an ethnocentric strategic sensibility and an organizational culture of family culture.A cultural strategic sensitiveness refers to the particular way which mostmulti-national companies (MNCs) have towards doing things (Luthans and Doh 2009 Aswathappa 2010).A MNC with an ethnocentric predisposition will normally depend on the values, and interests of the parent company in formulating and implementing a strategic plan. Their primary emphasis is on profitability and the company will try to run its overseas operations in line with how they are run back at home (Loke 2008 Aswathappa 2010).Tata Group is likened to be run with an ethnocentric predisposition as Mr Ratan Tata is the chief dealmaker who is closely invo lved in all major deals negotiations and also details of his different businesses. This predisposition will needfully result in parochialism in Mr Tata, which may affect his logical strategic thinking.Tata Group has adopted a family type of organizational culture. Family culture type of organizations in like manner focusing on hierarchy, orientation to persons, leader heads the company like a caring parent, the management also takes good care of employees, ensures employees are well interact and enjoy continued employment (Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner 1998). This is puddlely reflected in their spending of $40 million annually in the companys home base of Jamshedpur and their excellent employee remuneration policy of workers still getting paid fully till the age of 60 years old and lifelong health care, even if they retire early.This will result in additional expenses for Tata Group in order to fulfill this corporate social responsibility.According to the article, Tata Group ha s not found a suitable successor at the time when the article was written. The toughest challenge will be finding a suitable candidate of who is able to fill the void for Tata Group, when Mr Ratan retires.5. Criteria of Evaluation1. To detect and differentiate between the Cash cows and Stars (Phadtare 2011 refer to Appendix 3) businesses and the Question Mark (or Problem Child) and Dog businesses (Phadtare 2011 refer to Appendix 3) within the next 6 months.2. To reduce the $7.4 billion debt of Corus within the next 5 years.3. To reduce their annual charitable spending gradually within the next 5 years, but yet not neglect or forgo their corporate social responsibility.4. To identify a successor within the next two to three years.6. Alternative strategiesA comprehensive listing of all feasible strategies will be presented for Tata Group before the recommended strategy(ies) will discussed.6.1 Short term (S)Targeted short-term objectives to achieve within the next few months to 1 yea r from the time of implementation. S1To identify and group the businesses into Cash cows, Stars, Question Mark (or Problem Child) or Dog businesses (Phadtare 2011 refer to Appendix 3) within the next 6 months.S2To decide on which business(es) to keep and focus on and which business(es) to liquidate.6.2 Long term (L)Targeted long-term objectives to achieve within the next 3 5 years and beyond. L1To reduce the $7.4 billion debt of Corus mills within the next 5 years by perhaps re-looking into refinancing the debt loan with a lower interest rate, in order to strength their profit margins. This is to convert Corus mills into a profitable business unit which will enable Tata Group to continue building on its competitive advantage over its competitors, of integrating backward integration, with the collaboration of Tata Steel and Corus mills, for Tata Motors.L2To reduce their annual charitable spending of S$40 million for Jamshedpur gradually 5% per year in the first four year and a fina l 10% in the fifth year, and also to reduce the employees benefits gradually. This will enable Tata Group to sustain its businesses better, but yet not neglect or forgo their corporate social responsibility.L3To identify a successor within the next two to three years and also to gradually win over their ethnocentric predisposition way of political campaign the business and also their family type of organizational culture.Strategy statement as per Hofer and Schendels characteristics Tata Groups strategy for the next 3 5 years is to tidy up its widely diversified investments and businesses and exploit on its competitive advantage of backward integration (of owning iron ore mines) in order to service its automobile business increase profit margin. By gradually reducing their annual charitable spending, Tata Group will be able to contribute these capital to sustain and expand its business globally. By identifying a successor for its chairman, this will ensure the sustainability of the Tata businesses and also to bring Tata Group to the next frontier.7. Recommended strategy(ies)In order for this business plan for Tata Group to be successful, the strategies presented needs to be both achievable and sustainable with an accurate evaluation of its current resources, core competencies and capabilities.With both short term and long term strategies listed above and analyzed via the Strategy Feasibility Table listed in Appendix 4, the recommended strategies (best 3 out of 5) are as follows S1To identify and group the businesses.S2To decide on which business(es) to keep, which business(es) to liquidate.L2To reduce their annual charitable spending.8. Justifications of recommendationsAfter analyzing the alternatives strategies via the Strategy Feasibility Table (Refer to Appendix 4), it was decided that the most feasible strategies are S1, S2 and L2 to resolve the source and secondary problems above.Strategies S1 and S2 are chosen to best resolve the diversification of b usinesses that resulted in the absence of a common group strategy with a common objective for Tata Group.The next strategy for Tata Group to implement is the reduction of their annual charitable spending. This will free up more capital for Tata Group to redirect them to boast their Stars businesses.The remaining two long-term strategies of L1 and L3, with a slightly higher score of 15 and 14 respectively, in the feasibleness test, may be considered to be implemented concurrently with lesser priorities. This is because it will not be easy for Tata Group to reduce the $7.4 billion debt within a short period of time and also not easy for any company to source for, identify and appoint a successor for its Chairman and to change the culture within a short period of time too.The most critical issue now is for Tata Group to conduct the most effective and in force(p) strategies.9. Implementation, Control and Follow-upFor any MNCs, e.g. Tata Group, it is not easy to implement business conso lidation like S1 and S2. S1 and S2 described above will only be the credit stage to determine the type of business each belongs to. The physical implementation of the consolidation has to be executed with extreme caution as consolidation may result in employees redundancy. Afterthe consolidation exercise is successfully, the Group Corporate Office (GCO) of Tata Group will have to ensure that they do not fix massive business diversification plans without careful considerations. The follow-up on the implementation of S1 and S2 will have to be monitor by the GCO closely with a clear timeline listed out as a guide to prevent any procrastination or delays.As for the implementation of strategy L2, Tata Group has to execute it with caution too. It is not be implemented too hastily to prevent any damage to the companys image due to any to negative press and media reportings (Davies et al. 2003). whatsoever other future charitable spending will have to be discussed and decided more string ently. As stated above under Section 6.2, L2, the reduction will be done gradually over a timeline of 5 years and the GCO of Tata Group will have to adhere closely to this timeline.(2,220 words excluding Executive Summary, headings, sub-headings, in-text citations, and this sentence.)10. ReferencesAswathappa, K. 2010. International Business. 4th ed. impudent Delhi, India Tata McGraw Hill. http//books.google.com.sg/books?id=Dk4SWsWbbaMC&pg=PA332&dq=Strategic+predisposition&hl=en&sa=X&ei=9nIlT5jIN5GzrAfIhryyCA&redir_esc=yv=onepage&q=Strategic%20predisposition&f=false.Change Management passenger vehicle. 2012. Change-Management-Coach.com impel Field Analysis Kurt Lewin. http//www.change-management-coach.com/force-field-analysis.html.Davies, Gary, Rosa Chun, Rui Vinhas da Silva, and Stuart Roper. 2003. Corporate Reputation and Competitiveness. 1st ed. New York, ground forces Taylor & Francis Group. http//books.google.com.sg/books?id=eU4bVJmmKC4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=reputation&hl =en&sa=X&ei=9j85T4aVCdGrrAeRsYHWBQ&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAQv=onepage&q=reputation&f=false.Griffin, Ricky W., and Gregory Moorhead. 2010. Organizational Behaviour Managing People and Organizations. 9th ed. 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New York, USA McGraw-Hill.AppendixAppendix 1 The seven business sectors of the Tata groupThe seven business sectors of the Tata group1) communications and information technology2) Engineering3) Materials4) Services5) Energy6) Consumer products7) Chemicals(Tata Group 2012)Appendix 2 Kurt Lewins Force Field AnalysisSourcehttp//www.change-manageme nt-coach.com/force-field-analysis.html(Change Management Coach 2012)Appendix 3 The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Growth Share MatrixSourcehttp//www.quickmba.com/strategy/matrix/bcg/(QuickMBA 2010)