Strategic Management and Competitive Advantage - Assignment Example

Strategic management is defined as the systematic analysis of various factors related to the external environment, such as competitors and customers, and the internal environment in order to identify a basis through which optimum management practices can be maintained (Barney & Hesterly, 2012: p32). This paper will seek to explore how Samsung and Apple seek to achieve better alignment between strategic priorities and corporate policies. In order to achieve this, the paper will use 3 main tools; Yip’s drivers of internationalization, Porter’s generic strategies, and the McKinsey 7- S framework. Yip’s drivers of internationalization will aid the paper by identifying underlying conditions in the smartphone industry that create the potential for both Apple and Samsung to use global strategy, including market drivers, cost drivers, competitive drivers, and government drivers (Goldman & Nieuwenhuizen, 2010: p48). Each of these drivers will affect how both companies use global strategy levers like global marketing, global services and products, and global market participation.

This tool will be especially useful in understanding Samsung’s and Apple’s organizational design through seven fundamental internal elements, including structure, strategy, shared values, systems, staff, style, and skills to identify whether these are aligned effectively to allow both companies to attain its aims and objectives (Lynch, 2012: p36).