Topic

Project Management paper (Google and Alphabet)

Instructions

Here are the questions that you will answer based on the Alphabet case:

Briefly describe the company’s corporate strategy (using concepts from Chapter 8) and explain the rationale underlying the decision to reorganize (and restructure) the company under a new corporate parent. In what ways has the reorganization helped implement the company’s corporate strategy? What may be some of the problems associated with Alphabet’s reorganization moving forward?
Based on your understanding of Alphabet’s corporate strategy and structure, explain a) whether you would consider divesting one or more of the company’s businesses; b) how you would enhance the value of the company’s existing businesses; c) whether (and how) you would pursue product diversification or geographic expansion strategies to sustain competitive advantage. Finally, comment on how the company’s investors may react to your proposed changes given the history of interactions with its investors.

Answer Preview

The Alphabet case has disclosed that Google has changed from a functional structure to what is considered to be a multidivisional structure. Currently, Alphabet is the new parent business organization, controlling seven strategic business units in which each of the business units has its own CEO as well as profit-and-loss obligation. Chapter 8 has identified four concepts of corporate strategy which have been used in the Alphabet case. These concepts include restructuring, portfolio management, sharing activities, and transferring of skills. Despite the fact that the four concepts are not constantly mutually exclusive, it is clear from chapter 8 that each of the concepts rests on a divergent mechanism by which the business organization develops shareholder value and each needs the diversified business organization to plan and organize itself in a diversified manner.

Word Count; 1200