Now days many organizations unified business and information technology together to benefit from all the capabilities that it can bring. One great example is the largest on-line market –eBay.

This new IT system allowed eBay to increase its customer and partners, as well as its activities. People can communicate through IT system in different locations which builds up a large community that enables all members to do trades with each other. Neither of sellers nor buyers have to know each other or meet up to do trade since eBay also partnered up with Delivery Company that can deliver the item to the desired place.

By adopting this system, eBay can increase its profit and revenue through new channels with a continuous increase in its database.  eBay is benefiting through increased productivity in both the organization and users, while it saves time and decreases costs.

Reference

eBay: “The world’s largest online marketplace”- A Case Study by J.Gopalkrishnan*  < http://dspace.iimk.ac.in/bitstream/2259/510/1/>

After the lecture class on CSR and sustainability, I found myself attracted to the relationship between Lululemon’s success and its CRS and sustainability vision.

Lululemon is a value-driven company which focuses on quality of product and customer satisfaction. As this brand was designed for fitness lovers, it embraces our environment and made good and efficient use of energy and recyclable waste.

Based on several articles I’ve referenced to, it’s proven that targeting on CSR and sustainability through a creative and innovative way does bring Lululemon a bright future in selling their products.  Lululemon aims to design long lifecycle products to reduce additional cost for consumers to buy new product. Yet, in order for it to achieve such high quality, Lululemon had to invent new materials, features and technology to create the best apparel that stands out and shine. This intention has not only grasps consumer behavior and preference, but also reduces the environmental impact to increase sustainability.

“The better the product, the longer it lasts.”[1] — Lululemon

                The case Banana Wars was introduced in my high school geography class based on a concept of reducing disparities.  As I recalled this case, I decided to analyze this from a business perspective by applying and referencing Porter’s Five Forces Diagram.

Bananas are a popular fruits and are generally grown in tropical areas such as the Caribbean. Since 1975 EU[1] provided Caribbean countries the privilege to import bananas without tariffs, it caused a significant collapse in Latin America’s banana industry as it was very hard to compete with those who were favored by EU.

Reasons that caused the downfall of Latin America banana industry are: high threats of being substituted by the Caribbean industries due to buyers inclination changed towards bananas at low price; weak buyer power as most buyers are civilians; and strong supplier power as the Carribean countries imports tariffs free bananas with support from EU.

Although Latin America’s banana industry made several adjustments in order to compete, it were unsuccessful as they debilitated themselves by lowering banana price temporarily and eventually claimed bankruptcy as they kept on focusing on one distribution channel without opportunity to differentiate.

In September 2013, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada officially launched the Informed Dining program across    its restaurants in Manitoba.  The Informed Dining program focuses on comprehensive nutrition consumption  level and highlights on calorie and sodium information for standard menu items.

As McDonald adopted this program, they quickly build up a strategic alliance partnership with Manitoba Ministry  of Health.  This partnership has not only helped McDonald to introduce this program to the foodservice industry,  but also marks the evolution of McDonald’s commitment of providing their customers with comprehensive    nutrition information.

McDonald was very successful in delivering their value proposition through diverse channels.  Now by adopting this new program has helped McDonald to distribute their items through a different channel.  The partnership with Manitoba Ministry of Health helped McDonald to focus customers with needs in building a comprehensive nutrition that meet their own dietary requirement.

“We’ve been actively working within the industry and with stakeholders to generate support for implementing the program nationally and we are delighted to see it expand to a second province.” Said by MacLauchlan[1]. The adaptation of this program is successful in both keeping and growing customers; therefore, can be seen as a wise management idea in expanding the market.

References:

An article titled “How U.S. Lost Out On iPhone Work” published by The New York Times in January 2012 has raised my interest in searching the reasons that why Apple outsourced their manufacture to Asian countries.  This research has later offered me some interesting insights into Apple’s supply chain as well as its cost structure.

I used to think, cheap labor in Asian countries is the only reason that why this decision was made in consideration to save money on wages. Yet, it seems that population density, employment rate, and literacy rate also play a role.

In Asian countries, it is not hard to hire over a thousand people within a short period of time. Thus, provides Asian countries the opportunity to be the most productive in manufacture products. On the contrary, it is difficult to find large work force with high literacy rate to be willing to assemble products with a low wage.

Therefore makes Asian manufacturers and suppliers to provide better qualities and services as they are very productive and efficient. As Apple extensively outsourced their manufacture in Asia, it suggested that Apple might be using a cost-driven business model as it focus on minimizes cost whenever possible.

References:

DUHIGG, CHARLES, and KEITH BRADSHER. “How the U.S. Lost Out on IPhone Work.” The New York Times Business Day. N.p., n.d. Web.<http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/business/apple-america-and-a-squeezed-middle-class.html>

Photo from:  “Why Does Apple Manufacture IPhone in Asia?” IPhone Hacks IPad IPod Touch and IPhone Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2013.  <http://www.iphonehacks.com/2012/01/apple-manufacture-iphone-asia.html>