Evaluating a Megatrend which Supports and Harms Unilever

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Networks and
Partnerships

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Executive Summary
The aim of this report is to evaluate a megatrend which supports and hinders the operations
of Unilever. Automation is selected as the megatrend which has affected the operations and
processes of Unilever. Unilever operates in the consumer goods industry, and it offers its
services across the globe. Automation technology uses computers and robotics to automate
the processes of corporations in order to avoid the requirement of human assistance to
perform repetitive tasks. The company has reduced its operating costs and improved the
efficiency of its operations by using automation technology to change its processes. The
company uses this technology to manufacture and package its products with precisions.
Various limitations of this technology have identified in this report as well which limits its
application on the processes and operations of Unilever. The technology cannot be used in
those processes where human assistance in require because the machine cannot make
decisions on its own. Unilever cannot use this technology to design and manufacture new
products which limit its application. Various recommendations are included in this report
which can assist Unilever in improving the application of this technology in its operations.
The company should evaluate its current processes to evaluate how this technology change
can be used to change them. The company should consider about its employees to avoiding
firing them. Lastly, the company should mix automation with human assistance to perform
complicated tasks as well.

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Table of Contents
Introduction...............................................................................................................................3
Megatrend (Digitalisation).........................................................................................................4
Operations and process concepts..............................................................................................5
Performance of the organisation...............................................................................................5
Limitations of operations concepts............................................................................................7
Conclusion and Recommendations............................................................................................9
References................................................................................................................................11

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Introduction
Due to rapid changes in technologies, it has become difficult for companies to keep up their
operations and processes with them. However, the companies which can implement these
technologies into their procedures are able to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
their operations. It enables them to generate a competitive advantage in their respective
industry by ensuring that their operations are not affected by future trends. The
corporations which are not able to adapt as per these changes are likely to face challenges
in the future. Digitalisation is a major megatrend which is affected companies in almost all
industries by disrupting the way they carry out their operations (Leviakangas, 2016). This
megatrend has a significant impact on the operations and processes of companies which
have resulted in opening new business opportunities for corporations by allowing them to
reduce their operations costs and reach a wider audience.
However, corporations which did not adapt their operations and processes as per this
megatrend were destroyed by the rapid changes in the industry (Konttinen and Moilanen,
2015). In this report, the example of Unilever will be evaluated to understand how this
megatrend has affected the operations and processes of the company. Firstly, this report
will analyse the megatrend of digitalisation and understand the impact of automation on
operations and processes of company. Secondly, this report will evaluate the performance
of Unilever based on this megatrend to understand how it helped or created challenges for
the organisation along with limitations of operations concept used. Lastly, a conclusion will
be drawn, and recommendations will be given for Unilever which can assist the corporation
in sustaining its growth while facing challenges relating to automation.