A.
It is when the executives feel the need for change for the actual strategies
and operations to change. In this case with Perry's, there will be an impact
on the company's strategies and changes in their operation based on what
Jeff feels about the current situation. The social responsibility that Jeff feels
may seem like it is coming from the possibility of losing a competitive
advantage, but it can still be a great deal on meeting the actual social
responsibility to go green.
Per (UMGC, n.d., Chapter 10: Leading an Ethical Organization: Corporate
Governance, Corporate Ethics, and Social Responsibility, p.322)., there are
three stages of moral development - pre-conventional, conventional, and
post-conventional. The stage that Jeff is in is a pre-conventional stage
where he feels the need of fulfilling his social responsibility to the threat of
other competitors because the conventional stage itself is more involved
with personal concerns (UMGC, n.d., Chapter 10: Leading an Ethical
Organization: Corporate Governance, Corporate Ethics, and Social
Responsibility, p.322). From here, if Jeff learns about the environmental
issues and develops a genuine interest in protecting the environment by
going green, that will be a conventional stage, particularly stage 3, where
people are driven to fulfill their social roles (UMGC, n.d., Chapter 10:
Leading an Ethical Organization: Corporate Governance, Corporate Ethics,
and Social Responsibility, p.322).
B.
I believe Perry’s Printing should not respond to the new strategic plan of
Donovan’s printing. What this means is Jeff should not solely focus on how
to react to Donovan’s strategies. Instead, it will be important to review and
adjust Perry’s own business strategies.
For example, there are various ways to appeal to sustainability to
consumers. According to Czinkota (2013), such ways include using
renewable resources, sharing resources, encouraging virtual products and
delivery methods, and using locally produces goods. Donovan does have
great strategies although it does not mean Perry's cannot come up with
their own strategies reflecting sustainability.
Therefore, it would be wise for Perry to develop its own strategies instead
of responding to another company's strategies.
C.
I believe sustainability can still be a strategy as it reflects the beliefs of the
company. This should not be the top strategy that is appealed the most to
the consumers, yet having it included in the strategy should be sufficient.
There are other ways to differentiate the company other than just one
specific factor. For example, Porter also explained five competitive
strategies that include overall differentiation, overall low cost, focused
differentiation, focused low cost, and integrated (Lumen Learning, n.d.). This
means other various factors can be used in order to build a competitive
advantage outside of sustainability as the core factor.
Understanding available types of competitive strategies and mixing them
well with sustainability should still be effective if not just focusing on
sustainability only if other competitors are doing the same.
References
Czinkota, M. (January 13, 2013). GLOBAL CONSUMERISM AND
SUSTAINABILITY. http://michaelczinkota.com/2013/01/global-
consumerism-and-sustainability/
Lumen. (n.d.). Principles of Management.
Stages and Types of Strategy.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen-
principlesofmanagement/chapter/stages-and-types-of-strategy/
