Business and Business Environment: A Comprehensive Analysis of M&S

This report delves into the intricacies of the business environment, exploring different types of organizations, their size and scope, and the impact of macro-environmental factors. It utilizes PESTLE analysis and Porter's Five Forces to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats faced by Marks & Spencer (M&S), a prominent UK retailer. The report further examines M&S's internal and external environments, highlighting how its strengths and weaknesses interact with external macro factors. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into the complexities of the business world and the challenges and opportunities faced by organizations operating within it.

BUSINESS AND BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
P1.....................................................................................................................................................4
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ORGANISATIONS.......................................................................................4
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION.......4
P2.....................................................................................................................................................6
SIZE AND SCOPE OF ORGANISATIONS.........................................................................................6
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE ENTERPRISES......................................6
ANALYSE THE ORGANISATIONS LINK TO BUSINESS OBJECTIVES AND PRODUCT AND SERVICES
OFFERED BY THE ORGANISATION................................................................................................8
P3.....................................................................................................................................................9
ORGANISATION STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS.........................................................................9
COMPLEXITIES OF TRANSNATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL AND GLOBAL ORGANISATION
STRUCTURES..........................................................................................................................12
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRANCHISING, JOINT VENTURE, AND LICENSING............................12
FUNCTIONS OF THE ORGANISATION RELATED TO OVERALL MISSION AND OBJECTIVES.........13
P4...................................................................................................................................................15
THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS THE MACRO ENVIRONMENT UPON THE UK RETAIL
SECTOR (M&S)...........................................................................................................................15
ANALYZING THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESS OF THE COMPANY WITH RESPECT TO THE
IMPACTS OF MACRO ENVIRONMENT........................................................................................17
P5...................................................................................................................................................18
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ANALYSIS OF M&S TO IDENTIFY ITS STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
...................................................................................................................................................18
1

P6...................................................................................................................................................21
HOW STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES INTERRELATE WITH EXTERNAL MACRO FACTORS........21
CONCLUSION.................................................................................................................................22
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................23
2

INTRODUCTION
Business is the organized effort which an individual/ enterprise use to produce or sell their
goods and services to satisfy societal needs. It may be measured on the basis of the number of
employees or sales volume through which the purpose of the business achieved. It goes beyond
earning a profit. Eventually, it offers a better quality of life and contributing to the economic
growth of the country. Understanding of the environment within the business has to operate is
very important for articulating the structure of the business at any place (Carroll and Buchholtz,
2014). Henceforth, the importance of the various components of the business through political,
socio-cultural and economic aspects of the business is portrayed in the study. The Study
acquaints on the concept of the business and their ethics.
Success in the business involves the basic internal and external forces that help in associating
the change in the working practices of the organization. There are certain organizations that are
differentiated on the basis of profitable, Non-profitable and non-governmental organization.
The study introduces to the case of the organization preferably are Marks and Spencer. There
are the numbers of UK supermarket present which circulate the supermarket chains on an
international level (Hair, 2015). The Morrison supermarket is the public listed supermarket. On
the other hand, Waitrose is the biggest chain of British supermarkets in terms of providing
services to the people.
3

P1
INTRODUCTION
The study involves different types of the business and their size and scope based on the range
of the organizations. With an increase in the demand for the product and services, the supplies
exchanged can help in generating profit for the business. The organizations that can be
discussed on the basis of the size and type are Marks and Spencer, a public limited (non-
profitable organization), Morrison's, public supermarket (Profitable organization) and Waitrose
supermarket (Subsidiary/ non-governmental organization).
BODY
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ORGANISATIONS
According to the distribution and analytical choice of roles and responsibilities followed by the
organization can be classified into different types. The business refers to articulate on goods
and services that are based on exchanging profit (Bah and Fang, 2015). They are distinguishable
on the basis of the sector are:
 Public Organisations (Profitable)
 Private Organisation (Non- Profitable)
 Non-governmental Organisation (NGOs)
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANISATION
The differences in those organizations are determined on the basis of the functions and supply
of goods and services.
PUBLIC ORGANISATION
4

This sector-based organization is owned and run by the state government. The purpose of the
organization is providing the essential public services and resources to the benefit the
community (Bah and Fang, 2015).
Morrison Supermarkets Plc. is the largest public-oriented organization. This organization has
placed their importance by purchasing the Safeway shareholders to have a 40% stake in the
enlarged group and reducing the Morrison family’s shares to 18%. Later on, the company has
been listed in the Public limited organization due to their support of services which they offer.
PRIVATE ORGANISATION
This type of the business owners runs their organization as private individuals. The main
purpose of the organization is to maximize their sale of providing goods and services, growth
rate and profit along with increased market share. Marks and Spencer is private and public
organization which provides preference to the customers’ needs and articulate in supplying the
goods and services (Brandsen and Honingh, 2016).
There are different types of the private business sectors. They are:
 Sole Traders: They are the responsible for controlling the business with a single
individual. It is inherently risky but simplest way to set up and run a business under own
ownership. The business claims to set assets of the business through disposing them to
employ the staff and trade under a business name. Sole traders earn highest profits as
least involvement of the other individuals. It aims to provide the help to the business
which requires initial support (Hair, 2015). They prefer government grants, trade credit,
and bank loans or from partners/family. For example- ALDI is the largest supermarket
which categorizes in this.
 Partnership: A relative way of running a business under the legal supervision in contract
with two or more than two business together to gain profit. A partnership can arise
without a formal business that is carried out to usually draw up a legally binding
partnership agreement. John Lewis has developed a partnership with one of their brand
5

store of the supermarket in the UK (O'Connor, et al. 2016). Waitrose supermarket has
developed partnership working for their brand merchandise with the Ocado.
 Limited Partnership: This partnership do not resemble with Limited Liability
partnership. It is registered at companies house and does not come into existence until
they are registered. It changes which are made in the business prospect are also
recorded to register.
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION
Trusts are unincorporated and have no legal identity of their own. A trust holds assets on behalf
of an individual or another organization and governs. It is run by a group of people who are
legally responsible for the administration and trust with personally liable for debts and claims.
The non-governmental organization like Waitrose provide the best price to the market situation
through delivering goods which are ordered through internet and stores (Harangozó and Zilahy,
2015). The current share has 5.1 % of the total food market as the share of the organic food
and fish market.
P2
SIZE AND SCOPE OF ORGANISATIONS
The scope and size of the organization can be described on the basis of the sectors to which
they belong. The representation of the type of the business that shares the organizational
growth measures can be elucidated on the basis of small, medium and large business measures.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE ENTERPRISES
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE COMPANIES
Small Businesses Medium Businesses Large Businesses
Type of Business Equity held by founder
family as of Waitrose-
10% of the equity is
held (Brandsen and
Mostly privately held
and few with the public
such as Marks and
Spencer which is the
They are most public
investment
organization.
Morrison's
6

Honingh, 2016). public limited company Supermarket plc. is
categorized under this
on the basis of type
(Carroll and Buchholtz,
2014).
Responsible
person
The owner is
responsible for
decision-making
Decision making is the
responsibility of the
owner of the
organization
Distributed decision-
making presents an
organizational
hierarchy
Process Involvement of
informal processes
(Hillary, 2017)
Formal process and
limited external input
has been recorded
(Hillary, 2017)
Structure and
processes are mostly
handled by
independent people
Profit Share Most of the capital
needs are met by
leveraging the
personal net worth
Limited sources of
capital and hard
accessibility are
recorded
A wide range of
funding sources
Market Share The market share of
the Waitrose is based
on the goods and
profit sell-out. The
revenue £ 5400.4
million (Hillary, 2017).
Currently, it shares
5.1% of the food
market. Further, 18%
for organic food and
fish markets.
By the year M& S
Clothing division shares
the market in the UK to
11%. It has also lead to
selling of made goods
(Hair, 2015).
Morrison’s is still in the
top four supermarkets.
It covers the market
share of 11% with the
down 0.3% to
reciprocating their
image in the market
(Brandsen and
Honingh, 2016).
Growth and Providing funds for M&S has colloquially The stocks of the
7

Sustainability education and
expanded in other
regions like Kenya and
Ghana.
managed and must rise
by selling British made
goods. The growth has
reached to 30% from
the original selling
price. Launched more
stores in the UK
Morrison's include the
economy brand which
sells items ranging
from food and drinks.
It is one the growing
grocery brands.
Increased the health
services.
ANALYSE THE ORGANISATIONS LINK TO BUSINESS OBJECTIVES AND PRODUCT
AND SERVICES OFFERED BY THE ORGANISATION
The role of the business objectives is essential as to align the responsibilities regarding each
member through the overall predetermined task. The function of the organizations like
Morrison, M&S, and Waitrose rely on providing goods and services to their customers. The
major products ranges are household essentials, clothing and other business like hospital
services (Carroll and Buchholtz, 2014). The advantages and disadvantages of the services
offered by the organization can be depicted in order to analyze the current practices of the
organizations.
The structures that are articulated by different organizations offer the scope of the business
and initiate the factional managers to assure for better control and superior way of working.
The efficiency of the workers that are involved in the activities of the organization can
prudently structure with specific responsibilities for every member (Cowling, et al. 2015).
The utilization of resources leads to manage and maintain the cost of production and upgrading
services in a better way. For instance, it structures and operates through specializing in the
functional field.
Other than this, the operational function process could develop certain confusion in case it
follows two different structure as with Waitrose. The chances of conflict among the workers
8

can take place with multiple authorities and managerial staff ratio through a perspective
change in the business (Harmon, 2015). Poor coordination among the people can result in
difficulty in coordinating the representatives.
9

P3
ORGANISATION STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS
On relating to the size and scope of the operational organization functions are articulated by
the organization. It is necessary to understand the kinds of the structures that can relate to the
mission and objectives.
The departmentalization of the organization involves personnel requirements and physical
resources which are to be accomplished through the objectives determined. The size of the
organization is based on the communication structure of the organization (O'Connor, et al.
2016). They are:
FLAT STRUCTURES
Marks and Spencer follows a flat organizational structure which is articulated on the different
level of management. Right from administrative level to front-line employees the structure of
the organization decrease to bureaucracy structure. This defines the individual responsibility
and quick actions to justify decisions that increase the organization expenditure. It nearly
involves small investors in hundreds and thousands (Kono, 2016). Thus, business structure of
Marks and Spencer generally follows flat structures.
Figure 1: Flat Structure
10

Source: Kono, 2016
HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURES
Under this category, Morrison's supermarkets rely on as the organizational structure of the
company is formal and hierarchical. The main priorities for the business are to rebuild and
strengthen the brand with more competitive and time-based quality to provide a best possible
price (Scott and Davis, 2015). The simplify structure provides speed up deliverables and
encounters with clear and consistent with working.
Figure 2: Hierarchical Structure
Source: Scott and Davis, 2015
DEPARTMENTALISATION/ FUNCTIONAL STRUCTURE ALONG WITH CENTRALISATION AND
DECENTRALISATION STRUCTURE
Waitrose follows the departmentalization structure as for providing the interface with the
products and functions which are based on the commercial activities (Harangozó and Zilahy,
2015). The chain of command and control on the staffs or employees are functionally based.
11

Figure 3: Functional Departmentalization structure
Source: Harangozó and Zilahy, 2015
Other than this, they have a decentralization structure in order to make the employees closer
to the organization and do not have a risk of alienation. Further, the hospital has a centralized
structure for the decision-making process in a single point of the whole operation.
Figure 4: Centralised Structure
Source: Harangozó and Zilahy, 2015
12

COMPLEXITIES OF TRANSNATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL AND GLOBAL ORGANISATION
STRUCTURES
The complexities depend on the type of the organizational level that relates to vision and
objectives. The importers and exporters of the countries with global companies can relate to
different functions of the organization. International organizations do not invest in the
importing and exporting of the goods from outside to their countries. While multinational
companies facilitate with respect to location functions (Caruana and Montgomery, 2015). It is
essential for them to explore their own entity. While multinational companies can outset the
efficient and effective measures of the business.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRANCHISING, JOINT VENTURE, AND LICENSING
AGREEMENTS FRANCHISING JOINT VENTURE LICENSING
DEFINITION A franchise is the
business arrangement
which is based on the
contract with the firm
to sell products or
services through
managing firm’s name
and image (Harmon,
2015)
Joint Venture are
those agreements
that are signed
between two parties
to work together for
mutual services and
potential benefits and
setbacks (Carroll and
Buchholtz, 2014)
Licensing is a contract
based agreement
(Hair, 2015). It allows
only one party grants
and another
permission to use its
patents, copyrights,
and trademark
through flat fee
through royalties.
CLASSIFICATION OF
ORGANISATION AS
PER BRIEF
Many franchisees of
M&S have been
established in the UK
and around.
Waitrose also
established their
franchise of
superstores in other
Waitrose works in the
Joint venture with the
Partnership and co-
relates with other
organization.
Morrison’s have
licensed their
products and services
that they offer.
13

regions like Kenya
and Ghana after
exploration to South
Africa.
FUNCTIONS OF THE ORGANISATION RELATED TO OVERALL MISSION AND
OBJECTIVES
There are various functions which relate to the business practices in the organization. However,
they are interrelated to each other on the basis of their departmental activities. The role of the
marketing department plays a major role while relating to the mission and objectives of the
organization (O'Connor, et al. 2016). They can be classified and demonstrated as:
PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT
The production department of the all the retail organization endeavours on the activities to
provide finished goods and services to their customers (Cowling, et al. 2015). The production
department helps in carrying out certain activities that relate to satisfying the customer needs.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
The finance department articulates on the records of the expenses made to serve their
customers. Records of activities that are performed are maintained on the daily basis (Harmon,
2015). The proper analysis to control and make a proper investment is objective of this
department.
MARKETING DEPARTMENT
It is the most important department in the overall organization as it concerns with the actual
needs of the customer. It is necessary to operate strategically through different modes of sales
promotions, brochures, advertisement, and media promotion through carrying out measure
activities i.e. analyzing the market.
HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT
14

Human resources are also prudential part of the organization functioning. Beyond their help, no
preference to aims and objectives can be placed (Bah and Fang, 2015). The effective measures
to upgrade their skills can take place through electing right candidate which can help in
achieving the organizational targets.
15

P4
THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS THE MACRO ENVIRONMENT UPON
THE UK RETAIL SECTOR (M&S)
In every organization, there are several factors that from outside business environment of the
company. These factors are not linked directly to the business but pose major influence on
overall business activities and functions. Some of the factors in these are political, social,
technological, legal etc. The positive and negative factors from these factors can be easily
understood with the help of PESTLE analysis which is described below for the M&S:
Figure 1: PESTLE Analysis
Source: [https://blog.4pbusinessdevelopment.co.uk/how-to-apply-pestle-analysis-to-your-
strategic-planning]
16

POLITICAL – here in this factor for M&S, generally the environmental protection and legislation,
consumer protection, competition issues in markets, market standards are included
(Boddewyn, 2015). Particularly for the company, it is operating in the UK where there are major
concerns about from the government policies after the Brexit as various factors that relates to
it like labour laws, business policies, import and export duties etc. were changed which causes
some problems for M&S. in addition to this, the company is quite eponymous with its Plan A
strategy for focusing more on environmental protection.
ECONOMIC – after the financial crisis of 2008, company has faced major issues in its sales as its
competitors have adopted discounted strategy while M&S is still stuck on its quality of
products. this strategy has made loyal customers for the company while at the same time
company has lost its many customers due to high rates. In addition to this, the policies of
European Union regarding the taxation laws increases the costing of the company which
disbalances the financial management of the company.
SOCIAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC – the culture and people of the UK are always open to accept new
innovation and developments in their surroundings which creates opportunities for the new
companies. This creates major problems for the M&S, in addition to this company has a tag of
old-fashioned clothes which is reducing the sales of the company. At present, after seeing this
issue company has introduced many policies in favour of its customers and other people so that
it can attract more people (Kim and Ko, 2012). The social factors involved for M&S are income
distribution, the lifestyle of the people, education and fashion level, health and welfare policies
of the company etc.
TECHNOLOGICAL – In terms of a technological factor in the business, the M&S is inline in using
the technologies in their business and now, it has an online platform for sales, marketing,
internal software for more effective analysis etc. For every company, the technological factor
like their presence on the internet sites, use of energy and resources, innovation, expenditure
on the research are included which are very important for the M&S. A company is in a good
strategic position which helps it to enjoy the benefits of the competitive advantage it gained
after lots of experience, deep pockets and known brand name. The company has also launched
17

its cloud projects with the collaboration of IT firms to make its own database and systems. In
addition to this, the company also has online feedback facility which enables people to directly
give their opinions and suggestions regarding the goods and service of the company.
LEGAL – regarding the legal factors, there are some major issues with the laws and regulations
of the government to operate the business. In most of the cases, laws do not affect the regular
working of the company but sometimes with the changes, it creates minor issues in making the
tasks again to their normal level. Moreover, with the plan A strategy of the company it is quite
successful in creating a better presence in the markets which help it in removing the negative
effects from any of the macro factors of the business.
ENVIRONMENTAL – like other factors, this is also a weak factor that affects the business and at
present with the Plan A strategy of the company it is quite good in working which does not
affect the environment. in addition to this, if the environmental policies of European Union and
The UK after the Brexit, the waste management and the environment safety rules have been
changed which slightly increases the costs to the company (Carroll and Buchholtz, 2014).
ANALYZING THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESS OF THE COMPANY WITH
RESPECT TO THE IMPACTS OF MACRO ENVIRONMENT
After analyzing the pestle factors for M&S, it can be concluded that the company is still
operating very well as it has lots of experience to handle the business operation even after
many changes in the business environment. as some factors impose major effect to the regular
operations of the business and affect the overall functions while some help the M&S to make
better standards in the markets and finally achieve more success in the business. The political,
legal and economic factors affect the business in negative ways while others support the
business to enhance more in future (Fleisher and Bensoussan, 2015). At the same time, the
developments in the technology have helped the company for achieving more success in future
and create tough competition for the others in the markets.
18

P5
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ANALYSIS OF M&S TO IDENTIFY ITS STRENGTHS
AND WEAKNESSES
The internal business of M&S has been described with the help of SWOT analysis which helps in
understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the company with the threats and future
opportunities.
STRENGTHS – Mark and Spencer is a company with the high-class quality products which are
very difficult for others to provide as it needs a well-defined supply chain and business
operations from acquiring of raw material to the final goods. At the same time, another
strength of the company is that it provides low-cost products to the customers with the best
expertise quality check. Moreover, it serves people in a different location and on different
platforms and hence it has the ability to attract more people (Helms and Nixon, 2010).
WEAKNESSES – in this competitive business environments there are lots of strategies and
operations which may be out of order for the company and hence sometimes becomes a major
weakness in the overall business. For M&S, the tag of an old-fashioned or a tired brand is
reducing its popularity while the lack of research focus describes its inability to become a leader
in the markets. Especially for the M&S, the low futuristic vision is still one of the major
weakness of the company which should be overcome soon.
THREATS – generally for the business organisations major threats are from the changing laws
and policies of the government, defects in a supply chain, unavailability of raw materials etc. in
addition to this, the entry of the new businesses and the tough competition from the presently
established brands. Similarly, there are threats from the rivals like Tesco, H&M, Asda, Aldi etc.
OPPORTUNITIES – company has the ability to lead the retail world with its high-quality
products and best services but there is some shortcoming which is hindering the path of the
business. So, for this, after applying better strategies for the different functions of the business
M&S can create numerous opportunities in future.
19

Hereafter analysing the internal factors of the business there is a need to analyse the external
environment of the business so that company's actual strengths can find out. Here, the external
business environment analysis is carried out through understanding the five forces of the
markets given by Porter which are shown below:
COMPETITIVE RIVALRY – In the retail market where the mark and Spencer operate, there are
lots of other brands present that pose major challenges to the company but with the help of
high-quality products and services company is able to create a significant base of loyal
customers. moreover, to reduce this force of the markets company has established many
platforms for the business like online, company’s website, retail stores, other online stores etc.
which help in creating a better brand popularity and brand name of the company all over the
globe (Dobbs, 2014). In addition to this M&S is entering the new markets especially in the
developing countries to expand its business to more higher levels.
SUPPLIERS POWER – since the company is operating in the retail business industry, there are
many business functions that are linked to the different suppliers of the markets and that
majorly affects the business of the companies. For M&S, this is one of the moderate force as
M&S produces its products completely without any supplier of the raw products while here the
supply chain is involved which is a small issue for the company. And after the declines in the
sales rate before 90's and closing of the stores in Canada, M&S always try to manage better
relations with its few suppliers.
BUYERS POWER – as the company is a customer centred company, and it has many
programmes that depict its high-class consumer facilities makes this force of market very low.
While with the changing demands of the people and new trends introduced by the latest
brands in the markets again makes this power of buyers a high force. Even at present, the
company tries to develop strategies so that it can satisfy its customers and make them loyal
ones of the company.
THREATS FROM SUBSTITUTES – this is one of the most powerful force of the market that has
affected the business of the company. This is not the case with M&S only as the world is
changing, people are changing, advancement in the technology in business, marketing
20

strategies, and much more which leads to new innovations by other companies. In the retail
industry, there are some big names like Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco etc, that pose
major threats the M&S (Pantano, 2014).
THREAT FROM NEW ENTRANTS – M&S is one of the biggest multination brands all around the
globe and there are very low concerns about the new entries as the company has deep pockets,
lots of experience which makes it potential to easily dominate any other new business of the
industry. But at present, the ease to open a new business and seeing the profit margin in the
retail industry people are entering the businesses with their innovative ideas to run their
business. These factors affect the company mostly.
21

P6
HOW STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES INTERRELATE WITH EXTERNAL MACRO
FACTORS
POLITICAL – the strengths and weaknesses of the company are very keen and impactful to the
political factors of the business. M&S has the capability to convert its weaknesses into its
opportunities and then to strengths and for which company has to implement better strategies
regarding finance and marketing.
SOCIAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC – socially company have gained a good brand image with the help
of its better services and loyalty with the ethical business operations. This factor directly relates
to the business with the better one which can be used in future.
TECHNOLOGICAL – M&S requires more acceptable online service with the low pricing strategies
which can attract more customers. Further, M&S can also have already made collaboration with
the Amazon IT services for creating its new database for future and new technology to serve
the people more better (Gates, 2010).
LEGAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL – M&S does not have a great impact from these factors while if
the changed policies are implemented in the company then there are some shortcomings which
have to be overcome with the better work culture an effective task force.
22

CONCLUSION
After completion of the report on the business environments and various themes related to the
businesses of the world, it can be concluded that the businesses have to create a work culture
which supports fast changes in the entire working of the business as they have to amend the
changes to make a better presence in the markets. Here, this particular assignment shows the
different types of organisations, their size and scopes, structural functioning in the first half and
it is found that for acquiring a better value in business more effective strategies are required
rather than differentiating one with other.
Similarly, in the second half of the assignment, the impact of the macro environment of the
business has been discussed with respect to the M&S and then internal analysis of the
company. Overall, the report depicts that the company is quite good in its operations,
strategies and business value in markets while in future it can create more opportunities if they
focus on major changes in the industry to apply them on their business and become a leader in
the globe.
23

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