Integrative Learning Project – Organizational Setting
Charles A.W. Treadwell
Liberty University
28 January 2024
BUSI 650 2
Integrative Learning Project – Organizational Setting
Organizational Mission
Known as the 9th most valuable brand in the world and a notable Fortune 50 company,
Tesla, the electric vehicle tycoon, is on a mission to “accelerate the world’s transition to
sustainable energy. In pursuit of this goal, [they] build products that are designed to replace
some of the planet’s biggest polluters – while trying to do the right thing along the way.” (Tesla,
2024a). Tesla primary products are its electric vehicles. Tesla sells its Model 3, Model Y, Model X,
Model S, and new to the market Cybertruck. In addition to its electric vehicles Tesla has become
a dominant force in the solar panel industry offer solar panels, solar roofs for homes and
businesses, and Powerwalls, an integrated battery system that stores solar energy to protect
against power outages (Tesla, 2024b). The primary markets that Tesla sells its products in are
the obvious automotive industry and the sustainable energy markets. What makes Tesla
distinguished amongst its competitors is its inherent uniqueness. Tesla is not just an automaker
but tech company as well. They are offering the latest advancements in electric vehicles and
truly set the standard. But its not just their technological advancements that set them apart.
Tesla is also redefining the automotive industry business model for the way they sell and deliver
their vehicles. Tesla is certainly a force to be reckoned with in multiple industries and its evident
in their technology, business operations, marketing, and mission.
Customers
Because of the products and mission of Tesla, their target market is somewhat specific.
Tesla is in the automotive industry, so their customers are those who are after an automobile,
but not just any automobile. Tesla’s vehicles are not exactly cheap nor are they like a traditional
gas vehicle. These high-end vehicles initially targeted the higher income class due to their
affordability and their goal of positioning themselves as a luxury vehicle. However, Tesla has
expressed its interest in being able to target the general middle class by offering a more
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affordable electric vehicle. Tesla also offers a unique set of facets in its vehicles. Primarily that
they are fully electric which means their vehicle emissions are slim to none. This is an important
factor for customers who are eco-friendly. Other external customers include the United States
government who has eco-friendly concerns and offers tax credits toward these vehicles as well
as the investors who are determined to see the fruits of Tesla’s labor. Many of the internal
customers of Tesla are its employees, who are working to accomplish its mission, business
leaders and owners such as Elon Musk, and even some suppliers whose products contribute
toward the greater mission.
Process Improvement Value Added
Despite new electric vehicle market share and recording setting sales in the electric
vehicle market, electric vehicle growth is starting to slow and lose its appeal to consumers (St.
John, 2023). The introduction of the electric vehicle into the market was at first met with a great
deal of speculation and criticism, but after the early adopters came a great deal of hype and
excitement surrounding the industry. But as of recent, the electric vehicle industry and Tesla in
particular has lost some of its momentum. In order to regain that momentum and maintain its
dominance to reach its mission, Tesla must make some improvements to its processes so that it
can cut costs, increase efficiency and ensure that its products are meeting the needs of its
customers and addressing the concerns that are holding the company back from overtaking its
gas-powered competitors. Reevaluating quality, strategy, global trends, and innovativeness will
propel Tesla into modifying its project plans, sustainability, and development models to meet
the evolving needs of it customers.
Biblical Values and the Organization
Tesla is not a Christian company and holds a very secular stance, however most of its
core values can be traced directly to biblical principles. Tesla’s core values are “doing the best,
taking risks, respect, constant learning, and environmental consciousness” (Pereira, 2023).
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Tesla’s first core value is do your best, Colossian 3:23 instructs us in “Whatever you do, do your
work heartily, as for the Lord and nor for people,” (New American Standard Bible, 2020). God
instructs us to do our work heartily and to offer our best in all that we do. Tesla’s second core
value is to take risks. Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us to “Be strong and of good courage, do not
fear nor be afraid…” (New American Standard Bible, 2020). The Bible does not directly
encourage us to take risks but to be of good courage and to not fear with resembles the
characteristics of calculated risk takers. Tesla’s third core value is respect. Matthew 7:12 tells us
of the golden rule “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat
you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (New American Standard Bible, 2020). We as
believers are instructed to respect and love others the way we desire to be respected and loved.
Tesla’s fourth core value is constant learning. In Psalm 119:66, the psalmist asks the Lord to
“Teach [him] knowledge and good judgment, for [he trusts the Lords] commands” (New
American Standard Bible, 2020). We are encouraged to be constantly seeking after knowledge
and wisdom to grow in our maturity in the Lord. And lastly, Tesla desire to be environmentally
conscientious. Genesis 2:15 says “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden
of Eden to cultivate it and tend it.” (New American Standard Bible, 2020). One of God’s very first
commandments to man was to care for the Earth that He gave to man to rule over. While we
are not directly told to be hyper environmentalists we are told to care for and tend to
environment that God gave us to rule over.
References
St. John, A. (2023). The electric vehicle math isn’t adding up, with average transaction price
around $50,000 and gas price nationwide falling to $3 a gallon. Fortune.
https://fortune.com/2023/12/07/electric-vehicle-sales-growth-slows-rapidly-2023-
fordgm-white-house-goals/
New American Standard Bible. (2020). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
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https://www.bible.com/bible/2692/ (Original work published 1971)
Meredith, J. R. & Shafer, S. M. (2023). Operations and Supply Chain Management for MBAs
(8th ed.). Wiley Global Education US.
Pereira, D. (2023). Tesla Mission and Vision Statement. The Business Model Analyst.
https://businessmodelanalyst.com/tesla-mission-and-vision-statement/#Core_Values
Tesla. (2024a). Impact Report 2022. Tesla.
https://www.tesla.com/impact#:~:text=Our%20mission%20is%20to%20accelerate,right
%20thing%20along%20the%20way.
Tesla. (2024b). Tesla - Homepage. Tesla. https://www.tesla.com
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