Strategic management is one of the crucial processes whereby organizations and business undertake in analyzing information and implementing decisions. It is worth noting that the analysis in the organization determines the implementation of decisions. The main focus of the decisions made by the organization is to ensure that operations in the organization are effective despite the limitations (Daft, 2006). In my previous organization, there were horizontal and vertical linkages. Vertical linkages in the organization focused on the flow of information and communication. In fact, the organization was designed in a way that facilitates communication among departments and employees. The vertical linkages focused on ensuring that coordination between top and bottom activities in the organization are streamlined towards levels.
The lower-level employees carry out event and activities that align with top level objectives. The organization used various strategies to achieve the vertical linkage, which includes schedules and plans, and information systems. Horizontal linkages refer to the integration of assets, infrastructure, and companies of the same level of production. Horizontal linkages occurred in the company when the organization acquired assets from other companies as a form of expansion (Sadler & Craig, 2003). Advantages of vertical linkages include high operating efficiency and reduction of costs. The cons of vertical linkages are that the employees at the bottom may feel that they are not valued in the organization. Also, weak leadership at the top affects the entire organization. The advantages of horizontal integration include greater satisfaction and freedom. Also, reporting and communication process streamlined to meet organization goals. The disadvantage of horizontal integration leads to finger-pointing in a problem.
Informal linkages refer to cooperation and accommodation among various agencies. The linkages are characterized by the development of knowledge and exchange of ideas through informal interaction among various actors. Informal linkages are based on personal contact among various organization actors (Hill & Jones, 2012). For example, the organizations focus on interaction with the governmental organization in handling cooperate social responsibility activities.
Organization control is an essential process in an organization that entails regulating, assigning and evaluating resources to accomplish that goal of the organization. Of the various organizational control matter, behavioral was the best in my previous organization. This is because there were various internal and external factors that influence the relationship between organization performance and the decisions of managers (Sadler & Craig, 2003). The managers coordinated the various capabilities and resources across the business. Matters that was emphasized in the organization include ethics and accountability.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is one of the legislation that was passed to protect the general public and shareholders from fraudulent practices and accounting errors. The U. S SEC administer the act and ensure that compliance is achieved. One of the financial scandals that led to the rise of the Act is the Lehman Brothers Collapse. The Lehman Brothers was one of the major buyers of Subprime loans during the housing boom. Using accounting trick, they focused on making their balance sheet strong. Lehman was an economic powerhouse, which affected the economy when it collapsed. The strategic business process affected the organization financial performance. Other organizations include Albanian Pyramid, Enron, ad Tyco.
Social concern entails organizational concern on society matters. The organization that I choose champions for social concern. This is because it focuses on environmental conservation and sustainability. The organization deals with products that improve the standard of living in society. The objective and goals of the organization are streamlined towards achieving the best for the organization and the society.
References
Daft, R. L. (2006). Organization theory and design. Mason, OH: Thompson-South Western.
Hill, C. W. L., & Jones, G. R. (2012). Essentials of strategic management. Australia: South- Western/Cengage Learning.Sadler, P., & Craig, J. C. (2003). Strategic management. London: Kogan Page.
