This Post has TWO Assignments:
1. How coherent and useful is the concept of ‘economic security’?
Paper instructions:
Provided in additional material. Use as many of the recommended sources as possible.
2. Walmart in China
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as Carrefour’s expansion plans.
The management then focused their attention on the wider
issues that would be important in China. These included
political and legal differences with the USA, economic
factors such as the yuan exchange rate, social and cultural
factors that could determine demand for certain goods and
the impact of technological change on retailing practices
and consumer buying habits.
Despite all of this strategic analysis, according to Strategic
Resource Group, ‘Walmart is being outmanoeuvred by
Carrefour because its executives have taken too long to
understand the Chinese market and add stores.’ Perhaps one
of the problems for retailers, even giant ones such as
Walmart, is the possible lack of a core competence, other
than substantial economies of scale that could allow them
to differentiate what they offer to retail consumers.
Questions:
Q]. Why do you think it is important to analyse the existing
strengths and weaknesses ofa business before taking
strategic decisions?
Q2 Explain, from Walmart’s point of view, the strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the case of its
expansion in China.
Q3 Explain why it would be important to consider the
major differences between China and the USA before going
ahead with this expansion.