2 Discussion questions Business

How do we perform societal environmental scanning?

In our textbook, Societal environment is defined as, “mankind’s social system that includes general forces that do not directly touch on the short-run activities of the organization, but that can influence its long-term decisions.”

Factors that affect multiple industries are Economic, Technological, Political-legal and Socioculturial forces.

Economic : regulate the exchange of materials, money, energy, and information.

Technological:  that generate problem-solving inventions.

Political–legal:  that allocate power and provide constraining and protecting laws and regulations.

Sociocultural:  that regulate the values, morals, and customs of society.

 

Based on your readings this week, specially Chapter 4 and table 4.1, what variables would you consider to make a societal environmental scanning (STEEP analysis) for the firm you work now?

 

Law Enforcement  (unspecified for security reasons)

Socio-Cultural: Lifestyle change for every officer, career and social expectation based on image and responsibility, health care, education and training.

Technological: up-to-date technology and resources, equipment, vehicles, communication (radio, cross agency), broad spectrum of investigations.

Economical: DOUBLE EDGED SWORD: 1. No jobs and less mpney can show an increase in crime 2. More money due to increase of work can make “recreational” use of drugs and alcohol which increases crime rates. Large taxation on officers for benefits (we pay in to our own salary). Gas, electricity and mechanical costs affect the flow of money.

Ecological: we try to manage the waste, graffiti etc. However, we (the city) can only clean up so much. The weather (heat waves or sever cold) can have different effects. What both generally due is bring people inside. The heat can make body temperatures and tensions run higher. Colder weather invites alcohol and being in close proximity of family and friends. Tension tends to rise.

Political-Legal: having to deal with changes in federal, state and municipal laws. All laws and legislation change at a rapid rate. One has to keep watchful for elections and what that could bring. For example, making majority of narcotics (which used to be felonies) a misdemeanor offence. Having the climate of the United States and (which used to be felonies) a misdemeanor offence. Having the climate of the United States and the community will govern how you police the community.

Resources:

Thomas L. Wheelen, J. David Hunger, Alan N. Hoffman and Charles E. Bamford (2018) Strategic Management and Business Policy: Globalization, Innovation and Sustainability 15th Edition. Pearson