STRATEGIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYSIS - Essay Example

The company was started in 1902 as a joint venture between Imperial Tobacco Company of United Kingdom and the American Tobacco Company of the USA. The parent companies agreed to carry out export businesses and form overseas subsidiaries to the joint venture. The company began operations in diversified counties outside UK and USA such as Canada, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia (Our history). In 1911, one of the parent companies, the American Tobacco Company, sold its shares of the company.

Imperial Tobacco too slowly reduced its shareholding by 1980. In 1976, the companies held by the group were consolidated under a new holding company, called B.A.T Industries. In 1994, BAT took over its former parent, American Tobacco Company. However, in 1999 British American Tobacco formed a merger with Rothmans International, which made it the target of criticism from human rights groups. Similarly, in 2003, British American Tobacco bought Ente Tabacchi Italiani (ETI), Italys state tobacco company.

British American Tobacco holds one of the most famous brands across the world. The international brands include Dunhill, Pall Mall, Benson & Hedges etc. The company has a gross turnover of over £26 million and revenue of over £10 million. The company employs over 53000 people (Our Brands). British American Tobacco strongly believes in conducting business with honesty, integrity and transparency. Not only it the right thing to do, but is also essential to the continuous development of a business.

A business that is responsible, successful and sustainable in the long term. The company is committed to good corporate governance and believes in achieving business objectives in a responsible and consistent manner, at the same time following honesty, transparency and accountability. Corporate governance is not simply an exercise in compliance, but as a vital element defining the sustainable, long-term growth of business. According to the Sustainability Report