Report on Contemporary Management Issues in the Context of Unilever

This report provides an in-depth analysis of contemporary management issues, focusing on the Unilever company. It begins with an introduction that outlines the scope of the project, which examines key dynamic forces impacting businesses and society. The report then delves into a detailed discussion of these forces, including market needs, technological advancements, economic factors, media influence, moral and ethical considerations, environmental forces, political regulations, sociological trends, ideological principles, and regulatory bodies. It evaluates the relationships between these factors to inform effective decision-making processes within the company. Furthermore, the report explores the decision-making tools such as cost-benefit analysis, PEST analysis, SWOT analysis, and conjoint analysis that Unilever utilizes to address contemporary drivers of change such as social change, international dimensions and social and cultural diversity. The conclusion summarizes the key findings, emphasizing the importance of understanding and adapting to these dynamic forces to ensure business success. The report also includes relevant references to support the analysis.

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Contemporary Management
Issues

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK .............................................................................................................................................1
Dynamic forces which impacts on business and society .........................................................1
Evaluating relationship between factors to take effective decision..........................................4
Decision making tools to address contemporary drivers of change...........................................5
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Contemporary issues are problems,events,ideas and opinions which are important in
present era and needs to be solved. These matter needs to be solved through discussion or debate.
This is important so that firm can take relevant decisions.. Project discusses about the Unilever
company which is founded in U.K(Albrech, 2011). It is a household industry which provides
foods,beverages etc. It is founded in 1930. Report explains about key dynamic forces which
impact business,relationship between such forces so that effective decision making can be
done,evaluation of company's responses to key dynamic forces,selection and use of decision
making tools to address contemporary drivers such as social change,international dimensions and
social and cultural diversity.
TASK
Dynamic forces which impacts on business and society
There are various dynamic forces which can impact on the business and
society(10 FORCES THAT IMPACT BUSINESSES, 2018). Forces which influence
Unilever company are-
Market needs – These are the forces which can affect demand of goods and
impact on prices of goods. Consumers needs are changing continuously so firm
creates goods according to needs and demand of all consumers. There are various
changes in plans and policies of competitors so Unilever has to change in the
pricing, distribution and other policies according to competitors' strategy.
Organization can create changes in supply strategy according to changes in market
supply strategy. Thus company can create different and unique products and thus
can satisfy the customers.
Technological forces – There are various changes in technology in
environment. Advanced tools and methods are used by other rival firms in
transportation and other processes (Cherry and Jacob, 2016). So hence company needs
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to adopt the latest technologies so that it can create efficient transportation and
logistics system. Firm can also use unique tools in their production and
manufacturing processes so that it can satisfy customers (Emmer and Sabornie, 2013) .
Many consumers also give references to other friends or relatives so thus it creates
a network. There is positive image of brand in front of the customers This helps in
increasing of profits and market share.
Economic forces – The economic forces which can affect the business and
society. For example there is inflation in economy and people do not have money
to purchase goods so hence firm has to charge lower prices from customers so that
it can attract more consumers. Through thus many consumers can also save their
money as products is of cheaper rate. Therefore it increases the satisfaction level of
many users. Thus company can generate more profits and can increase the market
share. It can maintain unique position in minds of customers and on market.
Media forces – There are different news on media. For example there is
positive news that company is contributing money for social activities and earning
more profits. So through this news it increases the reputation of firm in front of all
the customers and in market. Thus it increases the sales of company and have
favourable image in front of all employees and public. It also increases the profits
and market share of company. This leads to success and growth of company.
Moral ethical forces – If company is following ethical practices in creation of product
and give correct information to consumers regarding their goods,satisfy the needs of all
stakeholders such as employees,managers,government etc. it directly increases the reputation of
company in front of all customers and in market. Thus it maintains good brand image in public
and in market. This helps the firm in increasing the profits and market share.
Weather and other environmental forces -
There are various environmental forces which can affect the society and business. It includes
such as hurricane,disaster,earthquake etc. which negatively affects the society(Gamble and
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Thompson, 2014) . Through this it increases raw materials for company and hampers the supply
and distribution strategy of firm. As people do not purchase the products as prices are high. Thus
it reduces the profits and market share of company (Herrick, 2011). Thus firm has to create
different plans and polices to deal with the climatic changes.
Political rules – There are different political rules such as increasing of taxes of
household products. Through this firm has to pay more taxes of the household and beverage
products. This helps in decreasing the profits of firm. Thus they cannot expand and diversify the
business in proper and efficient manner. Thus it cannot attract more consumers. It maintains
good image in front of public as company is paying taxes in time.
Sociological forces – It means the demand and needs of all people. Now a days all
people are using online sources such as email and internet. They purchases the product through
internet sites and give suggestions on them. So hence company is promoting all their foods and
beverage provided various online sites . They create different and attractive sites which helps in
attracting more consumers. They give variety of foods through various online sites. It increases
the satisfaction level of all users. Thus they can capture many customers. Hence firm can earn
more profits and market share.
Ideological forces – There are different principles and beliefs which are followed in
different countries. For example in religion there is a belief that they do not eat onions and in
another religion they ate it. Thus it is difficult for company to follow the principles and beliefs of
which religion. If country follow beliefs of one religion then thee are clashes of company with
another religion. Thus beliefs and principles can affect company in negative manner. It increases
satisfaction in religion in which company is following the beliefs and principles and creates
dissatisfaction in another religion as firm is not applying rules of that religion. Hence it increases
the confusion in company to follow which rules of which religion.
Regulatory bodies – The local and state rules has impacted organization in various ways.
For example there are laws which helps in providing safety to employees. Thus company has to
take measures to provide safety to employees. It has out danger signs on places of danger so that
there are no accidents and they are safe. For women the company vans are there which helps
women in reaching their home at night. It is done so that there no misshapenness in the company.
It also givers positive impact on society. Thus it maintains distinct and prospective image of
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company in front of all customers (Imazio, 2012). These are done after there is creation of
certain laws and regulations in society.
Evaluating relationship between factors to take effective decision
There are different relationship between various factors. It is important so that effective
and efficient decisions can be taken for the firm. Relationship between various factors of
Unilever company are -
Market and technological forces – Market is continuously changing. There are different
needs and wants of all the customers. So hence company has to create new plans and policies of
adopting new technologies in processes and methods so that it can provide efficient and effective
products to all customers (Meredith Belbin, 2 011). Firm has adopted new and latest tools and
techniques so that it can create good quality of products which are according to requirements of
all customers. Hence it satisfies the needs and wants of all customers. It increases the satisfaction
level of all customers. Company can take decisions to increase the market share in coming
months as it satisfies more consumers. Hence it can increase market share by combination of
both the factors.
Moral ethics and media factors – There is impact of moral values on the media. If
Unilever follows all the legal and moral practices in creation and producing of product then it
can good quality of product. It offers products at lower rate and do not make false claims in the
advertisement. Company do not provide defective products to customers. Through this moral
ethics and belief in company it can maintain positive image in front of all the customers and in
media. Media give positive image of company as firm is fulfilling all moral ethics and beliefs.
Thus company can take decisions to increases the loyal customers. It helps in attracting more
consumers and increases the loyalty of customers. Loyal customers purchase the product from
Unilever and do not purchase the products of another firm. Company can only increase loyalty as
it fulfils the moral principles.
Weather and sociological forces – There are various changes in weather conditions
which can impact sociological forces. If there are any change in season then it has impact on
needs of customers. For example there is summer season so there is more demand of beverages
and ice cream sector thus people demands more of ice- creams,juice and other beverages. So to
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increase the promotion company can increase the sales through online sites(Schaltegger and
Burritt, 2017). Firm can increase sales by providing all beverages and other products through
different sites in internet. This helps in increasing the sales. Company can take decision to
increase the profits of firm. As it emphasis on social promotion it can capture many customers in
minimum time. Thus it can generate more revenues as compared to other firms.
Decision making tools to address contemporary drivers of change
There are different decision making tools which can address many issues. It is important
for company to use different decision making tools to address social issues,international
dimensions and cultural and social diversity(Schermerhorn and et.al.,2014). Decision making
tools used by Unilever are-
Cost benefit analysis – It is an important tool in which cost can be reduced and more
benefit can be derived. This helps the company in providing products at lesser cost and gives
various benefits to many people. Firm can use technique of social promotion as more products
are promoted through lesser cost and it can attract many consumers. By promoting of products
through online source firm can capture many consumers and they get products at lesser cost with
various benefits. Thus it creates link among all people. Hence it creates awareness among all
people. Company can provide all products to all people without discriminating on basis of
race,religion,caste and other factors. Thus it creates social change and also maintains cultural and
social diversity in country.
PEST analysis – This factor helps the company in taking information about the
political,social,economic and technological factors of country. Thus company can provide
products according to needs and demands of people. They can adopt latest technologies so that
they can provide good quality products at lesser cost. Through this it helps in fulfilling demands
of all consumers. It provides products to all people by studying wants of all customers in
country. Thus it do make discrimination between people on basis of religion,caste,age and other
factors. Hence it creates drastic change in country. Thus it creates awareness and can among all
people in country.
SWOT analysis - Through this tool company can analysis strength,weakness,opportunity
and threat. It can analyse the strength that firm has incrsae4s market share through good quality
of products at cheaper rates and it has opportunity to adopt latest technologies through which it
can create innovative products. Firm can also do promotion of products through online sites.
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Thus company provide good quality products at lesser cost and uses online source for promotion
of products. Hence all people get quality of products at lesser cost(Weiss, 2014). Through this
company can provide goods to all customers and do not discriminates people on basis
religion,caste ,sex and other factors. Thus it increases awareness among all people. This helps in
bringing social change at global level.
Conjoint analysis – It is a statistical technique through which firm can evaluate needs
and wants of all the customers. Through this firm can determine choice of customers and
accordingly firm can change in their plans and policies related to quality or price. So firm
provide products according to needs and choice of all people(Wright and et. al., 2012) . It
provides products to all people through online source and hence do not make discrimination
among all people on religion,sex, and other factors. Thus it promotes cultural diversity in country
by providing products according to their requirements and by promoting them to all people.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from above report that contemporary management issues needs to be
solved by company so that it can take relevant decisions. There are many dynamic forces which
can affect company and society such as market forces,technological forces,weather etc. There is
relationship among various factors which helps company can take effective decisions and there
are many decision making tools such as SWOT analysis,cost-benefit analysis which helps in
addressing problems of social change,international dimension and social and cultural diversity.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Albrech, S. L., 2011. Handbook of employee engagement: Perspectives, issues, research and
practice. Human Resource Management International Digest. 19(7).
Cherry, B. and Jacob, S. R., 2016. Contemporary nursing: Issues, trends, & management.
Elsevier Health Sciences.
Emmer, E. and Sabornie, E., 2013. Handbook of classroom management: Research, practice,
and contemporary issues. Routledge.
Gamble, J. and Thompson, A. A., 2014. Essentials of strategic management. Irwin Mcgraw-Hill.
Herrick, A. L., 2011. Contemporary management of Raynaud's phenomenon and digital
ischaemic complications. Current opinion in rheumatology. 23(6). pp.555-561.
Imazio, M., 2012. Contemporary management of pericardial diseases. Current opinion in
cardiology. 27(3). pp.308-317.
Meredith Belbin, R., 2011. Management teams: Why they succeed or fail. Human Resource
Management International Digest. 19(3).
Schaltegger, S. and Burritt, R., 2017. Contemporary environmental accounting: issues, concepts
and practice. Routledge.
Schermerhorn, J. and et. al., 2014. Management: Foundations and Applications (2nd Asia-
Pacific Edition). John Wiley & Sons.
Weiss, J. W., 2014. Business ethics: A stakeholder and issues management approach. Berrett-
Koehler Publishers.
Wright, J. D. and et. al., 2012. Contemporary management of endometrial cancer. The
Lancet. 379(9823). pp.1352-1360.
Online
10 FORCES THAT IMPACT BUSINESSES. 2018. [Online]. Available.
<http://www.dummies.com/business/business-strategy/10-forces-that-impact-businesses/>
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