assignment details
Prepare a case analysis on the following case study on global HRM strategic management and
why it is critical to the success of an organization in meeting its goals and mission. In your
analysis, respond to the following question: What is strategic management, and why is it
critical to the success of an organization in meeting its goals and mission globally?
Your analysis of this case and your written submission should reflect an understanding of the
critical issues of the case, integrating the material covered in the text, and present concise and
well-reasoned justifications for the stance that you take.
Tesco® — Entry Into and Exit From Japan
In September 2011, Tesco, the British supermarket group and the world’s third-biggest retailer,
announced its exit from Japan after 8 years in the country. In the event, Tesco became the
latest in a long list of foreign retailers to exit from Japan. This case study highlights why many
international supermarket chains like Tesco have been unsuccessful so far in a difficult
Japanese market.
“Let’s be honest, Japan was a short, expensive adventure for us.” — Jose Luis Duran, Chief
Executive of Carrefour in March 2005 on its exit from Japan.
“These retailers brought into Japan their business formats without adjusting for Japan. It’s not as
if a wholesale-club-type concept will not take off here, but there has to be some modification.” —
Masayoshi Saotome, research director at Mitsubishi® Research Institute Inc.
Japan, the world’s third-biggest grocery market, remains a difficult country to make money
from, as international retailers Walmart® and Carrefour have found out. Walmart has not done
very well in Japan with its presence since 2002 through Seiyu. When Carrefour entered Japan
in 2000, it made huge claims on revolutionizing retailing in the country. However, in 2005,
Carrefour swapped its Japanese assets for Tesco’s assets in Taiwan.
Seven & I Holdings® and Aeon® dominate Japan. Even British drugstore chain Boots pulled
out of Japan owing to increased competition and deflation. Additionally, Japan’s Byzantine
distribution system of closely knit web of suppliers and consumers’ fickle taste is the reason
behind many retailers struggling. Many analysts attribute the failure to misreading Japanese
consumers’ mindset. However, the competitive Japanese retail market is a tough arena, not
just for foreign retailers but also for local Japanese department stores. Local stores also have
been struggling with price deflation and ever-increasing specialty stores.
Case Study Questions:
1. Why are the Japanese retail markets so difficult to compete in?
2. Why are Japanese customers reluctant to shop at foreign retailers versus local retailers?
Case analysis criteria: Your case analysis should consist of:
A brief analysis of the situation and pending decision problem, as presented in the case,
and as relevant to your answer. This should be exceptionally brief, and you should
assume the person reading the assignment is familiar with the details of the case.
Identification of the major issues surrounding the organization or individuals involved
with the organization.
Identification of alternate courses of action to address the issues identified.
The decision or recommendation for action, with the appropriate supporting arguments.
The case question is designed to guide the direction of your analysis in the case. Your analysis
should address and ultimately answer the question.
You may discuss your case analysis assignment with the class, but you must submit your own
original work.
Case analysis tips: Avoid common errors in case analyses, such as:
Focusing too heavily on minor issues.
Lamenting because of insufficient data in the case and ignoring creative alternatives.
Rehashing of case data — you should assume the reader knows the case.
Not appropriately evaluating the quality of the case's data.
Obscuring the quantitative analysis or making it difficult to understand.
Typical “minus (–)” grades result from submissions that:
Are late.
Are not well integrated and lack clarity.
Do not address timing issues.
Do not recognize the cost implications or are not practical.
Get carried away with personal biases and are not pertinent to the key issues.
Are not thoroughly proofread and corrected.
Make sure your document includes:
Your name
Date
Course name and section number
Unit number
Case name
Page numbers
The case analysis should be a minimum of 2–3 pages long, double-spaced. Check for correct
spelling, grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and usage. Citations should be in APA style.
Assignment submission: Before you submit your assignment, you should save your work on
your computer in a location that you will remember. Save the document using the naming
convention Username_Unit5_Assignment.doc. Submit your file by selecting the Unit 5
Assignment Dropbox.
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