BM628 Report: Analyzing Corporate Strategy and Governance at Tesco Plc

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of corporate strategy and governance, focusing on Tesco Plc. It begins with an introduction to the background of corporate strategy and governance and their impact on business operations. The report then delves into a literature review exploring the concepts of corporate strategy and governance, including the accounting scandal faced by Tesco due to aggressive accounting practices. The research methodology is outlined, followed by data analysis and discussion of the impact of corporate strategy and governance on Tesco's operations. The report also identifies the issues related to the accounting scandal and the ways Tesco can attain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. The report concludes with recommendations and an action plan for Tesco to address the issues. References are provided to support the research findings.

Corporate Strategy and
Governance

Table of Contents
Title .................................................................................................................................................1
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Literature Review ............................................................................................................................3
Research Methodology ...................................................................................................................8
Data Analysis and Discussion ......................................................................................................10
Recommendation and Action Plan ................................................................................................21
References .....................................................................................................................................24

Title
To access the influence of corporate strategy and governance on the operations of an
organisation.
Introduction
Background of the Research
Corporate strategy executes an effective participation in the suitable functioning of a
business as it gives the outline specification, that assist the corporate direction of a business
while governance structure that represents a business with the blueprint for categorisation of
responsibilities and resources to attain effective business position. Corporate governance is
defines as the procedure through that organisations are orientated and disciplined (Aguilera and
et. al., 2015). Thus, The constitution of embodied administration signifies the corporation
between the committee, director, shareholders and other stakeholders. In this present exploration
work, Tesco Plc is being taken into consideration, because execution over a British international
business is effective thus it is a general merchandising and grocery retailer business. The
headquarter of the business is in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom.
The company was founded in the year of 1919 by the potential efforts of Jack Cohen. This
project contains the study about the corporate issue faced by Tesco, thus Tesco Plc is facing the
accounting issues that is integrated through non authentic utilisation of corporate governance.
The company is facing the issue of accounting scandal due to using aggressive accounting which
overstated the profit of the firm through £250M. The revelation pass over in around £2 billion off
the grocery store share cost in a single day, thus, the exaggeration was later altered up to £326
million. Instantly Tesco Plc has sequential an contiguous reappraisal into the fault which are
interpreted by the Deloitte and law firm Fresh fields, but the harm had already been done.
Therefore, Tesco Plc has paid around £235m to settle the scandal. Thus, this is a major issue
which occurs due to lack of attention paid by the higher authority of the firm.
Rationale of the Research
The inquiry within actual thinking is relay upon analysing the impact of corporate
strategy and governance over the financial operations of an organisation, thus the scope of study
is so wide (lshareef and Sandhu, 2015). The major reason for selecting the issue or corporate
governance is that it is a most common cognitive content that is significantly faces through the
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enterprises in today's enterprise situation. Therefore, the existing evaluation is efficacious in
exploring the thought and cognition base of individual researcher and assimilator in relation to
the selected subject area, thus this examination provides brief information in regards to the issues
that are faces by the businesses due to lack of implementing corporate strategy and governance.
This study has professional and well as personal benefits as it assist the individual to gain proper
personal and professional skills that would be effective in endeavour upcoming undertaking in
more efficacious way.
Research Aim
To investigate the impact of corporate strategy and governance over the accounting
operations of an organisation. A Case study on Tesco Plc.
Research Objectives
 To understand the concept of corporate strategy and governance in the context of an
organisation.
 To conduct appropriate discussion over the issue related with corporate strategy and
governance especially the accounting scandal in Tesco Plc.
 To determine the impact of corporate strategy and governance on the operations of Tesco
Plc. To identify the ways that can be implemented by Tesco Plc for attaining competitive
advantage within market place.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of corporate strategy and governance in the context of an
organisation?
 What is the issue related with corporate strategy and governance especially the
accounting scandal in Tesco Plc?
 What is the impact of corporate strategy and governance on the operations of Tesco Plc?
 What are the ways that can be implemented by Tesco Plc for attaining competitive
advantage within market place?
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Literature Review
It explain as published data which is affiliated to a particular area and a specific subject.
It can be a simple summarisation about particular topic but is simply has an organisational
pattern and consists both summery and synthesis (Amore and Bennedsen, 2016).
The concept of corporate strategy and governance in the context of an organisation
Corporate governance indicates to that ways and plans by which a company is governed
by the management. It can be a tool and technique which is used by the administration of firms
to operate them in effective and efficient manner with in a specific industry. It states carrying a
business enterprise according to the shareholders and investors requirements. According to
Bradely J. (2020), Corporate governance is the abstraction among various associators, like
shareholders, board of directors and administration of the firm etc., in processing the execution
of an organisation and the manner it is proceedings towards. Corporate governance consists
methods and processes designed to structure authority, balance accountability and offer
responsibility to stakeholders at all extents. It is all about to balance profitableness and
sustainability. According to Price J. N. (2020), Corporate governance is crucial for organisations
because effective governance assures corporate success and economic development and offers
appropriate inducement to the owner of the firm and administrators to accomplish goals and aims
that are in interests of the shareholders. It permits firms to place their favourable traits and
qualities on display. It trade with the way the suppliers of monetary value assurance themselves
of acquiring a fair return on their investment funds.
According to Benge V. A. (2017), corporate strategy is an organisational activity that
may be analytically segregated and formulation and implementation. Simply, it indicates to an
organisation's vision and plan of actions to outperform its rivalry. It is an organisation-wide plan
to select and improve specific marketplace in which contend while developing the several
functions and units of the business concern. There are to main factors of corporal plan of action
such as variegation and straight segregation. Variegation refers to expand market area or move to
operate business in to new sector where as vertical integration indicates to when an organisation
make expansion into spheres that antecedently covered by providers (ArAs, 2016). Corporate
plan of action is an ongoing activity that needs a invariant attempt to engage capitalist in
believing the firm with their monetary value, thereby maximising the organisation's equity.
According to Porter M. E. (2019), Corporate strategy also concern that how to generate
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competitive benefits in each of the business in which a firm competes. Effective strategy of a
corporation help in gaining competitive benefits from the market. There are various things that
can be consider by the management of the company in their strategies like flexible business
process, effective market information, higher manufacturing quality and better assess to finance
etc. These all help in gaining competitive advantages to a firm and maximising profitability and
productiveness of organisation.
The issue related with corporate strategy and governance especially the accounting scandal in
Tesco Plc
As per the view of Nickolas S. (2018), accounting scandal refer to business scandals
which generate due to international influence of fiscal statements with the revelation of fiscal
misdeeds by believable administrators of firms or governments. These kind of threat, problems
and financial issues are arise in the company when the finance function of the company do not
make focus on the financial activities of the company and represent financial statements in
unfavourable manner. It is a huge problem which affect the all kind of organisations small,
medium as well as large companies (Arunruangsirilert and Chonglerttham, 2017). Tesco is a
British largest retail organisation which is also facing financial scandal cause of lack of attention
paid by board of directors and other regulatory bodies on its shareholders, stakeholders and
investors etc. Basically the reason of this problem is non authentic utilisation of corporate
governance. As per financial fraud at Tesco concentrates on the case that led to the deception of
fiscal statements like marketplace position, procedure of monitoring the income streams,
relations with providers and connected threats. To overcome this situation, the management and
regulatory bodies of the company should play effective role in term of effectively follow rules
and designing new plans which can be crucial.
According to Frost K. (2012), there are several reason and causes to occur these kind of
financial issue within an organisation like deficiency of transparency, poor administration info,
lack of clear motivation guidance, poor control on accounting and complex organisational
structure. Financial scandal is an internal threat of a company which affect and organisation
intrinsic and extrinsic in term of brand image, market position, profitability and others (Bhatt and
Bhatt, 2017). For example, these kind of issues and problems are arisen due to irresponsibility
and lack transparency of the firm and its regulatory authorities which are internal factor of a
firm. When this accounting scandal occur in Tesco, £2 billion amount wiped off the respective
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firm's share price in a day and the over statement was later amended up £326 million. For this
fraud, the respective firm is pay out £235 million to place inquiry by Senior Fraud Office and
Financial conduct Authority. This fraud negatively affect the economic condition of the company
in from of loss of £6.4 billion which is one of the largest in corporate history. This issue of
accounting scandal is related with the corporal plan of action and administration of the company
because regulatory authorities of respective firm did not make focus on the financial activities of
the firm and due to which representation of fiscal statements was affected (Cuomo, Mallin and
Zattoni, 2016). To overcome these kind of problems, the firm can provide trainings to its
financial executives and conduct external audits etc. So that it can minimise these kind of issues
which affect organisation as well as its images in specific market or industry.
The impact of corporate strategy and governance on the operations of Tesco Plc
Corporate strategy basically refer to those plans and plan of action which are developed
by the organisation for the effective management and running of the business operations and
activities of a particular firm in legal and ethical manner. According to Nordmeyer B. (2017),
corporate strategy is a tool which is used by the firm to operate the business in adequate manner
without facing issues. It positively affect the business operations of the company, when a firm
has different effective plan of action like good marketing strategy, sales, pricing and
management strategies. If the company has the ability of good decision making then it also
influence the business activities and operations in favourable manner. For example, effective
corporate strategy help in growth of the firm such as if the company have effective management
strategies and provide provide training and learning sessions to its employees before implement
change and using new technology (Dai, 2018). Then, it help in improving and increasing skills
and knowledge of employees. When employees are skilled and have information about them then
will assist in running the business concern activities of the organisation. It create positive impact
upon the business operation in term of accomplishing aims and objectives in improved manner.
In context of Tesco, as per analysing the present research that corporate strategy affect the
company in negative manner because they were not implemented and followed by the senior of
finance function. So it create unfavourable impact upon the company in term of paying for settle
investigation, decline in sales, impacting brand image and others. If organisation appropriately
follow tactics and plan of actions which are incorporated by the regulatory body of it, then they
can execute their operation in adequate manner without facing any kind of issues and scandals.
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Corporate governance indicates to effective management and administration of business
functions, activities and operations so that the firm can run its business operation in an improved
way. Simply, it can be a process of making control on business activities and direct them in right
way. According to Cole-Ingait P. (2020), corporal governance is a framework of conditions that
define the limits within which each segment of stakeholders must direct to safeguard the interest
of the company. It become effective due to financial improprieties and frauds in various main
firm. Corporate governance create favourable impact upon the business operations of an
organisation (Daniels and Morck, 2019). For instant, if the management formulate effective
rules, regulation and legislation to the company and they are necessary to follow then it
positively affect the company. Because in this case there will not chance to generate any kind of
scandal due to business operations also run in crucial manner. For example, as per the current
research, Tesco is facing accounting scandal because the regulatory authorities and management
did not precede the regulation and policies of the company in appropriate manner. This had been
created negative impact upon business operation of respective firm in term of declining in sales
and affecting economy of organisation unfavourable manner. As per the view of Lister J. (2017),
if the administration implement and the workforce follow them in adequate way then it create
favourable impact upon operations of the company in term of positively affecting shareholder
confidence. Because confident shareholders are ready to invest large amounts of finance in an
efficiently governed firm because they have a hope of positive return on the investment. It can
direct to maximised market confidence in the firm which can serve to maximise its all over stock
value. If the business of organisation govern by effective policies and regulations then growth
and & development operations also influenced in positive way.
The ways that can be implemented by Tesco Plc for attaining competitive advantage within
market place
To gain competitive edge and rival's benefits, the management of a company formulate
plans and policies, adopt new strategies and improve existing plan of actions. According to
O'Bannon I.M. (2018), to run and operate the business of a company in a competitive market, it
is crucial for administration of the firm to develop effective plan of actions (Desender and et. al.,
2016). There are several ways and manners like training, live the corporate culture, implement
internal control etc. which can be adopt by organisations to gain competitive advantages from
marketplace. Tesco was facing issue of accounting scandal so after overcoming these kind of
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problems, the firm can earn rivals benefits by implementing diverse ways. In this contest, the
administration can provide training which will be crucial for the workforce because they will
aware with new ways of working and techniques which will be used by the firm. If the workers
perform their roles as per new techniques about them, they trained. Then, they can execute their
duties and responsibilities in more accurate manner and it will help in gaining competitive
advantages because employees are effectively aware the way of working (Du Plessis, Hargovan
and Harris, 2018). Another way is that they can hire experts who are responsible to analyse all
the business activities and mostly financial operations. They will audit the internal as well as
external activities of the company and can inform the firm about the issues so that the firm can
make correct about them before presenting them its shareholders, stakeholders and investors.
When the reports and financial statements will have transparency then people are interested to
invest in the firm and it will help in gaining competitive benefits from the market.
The management of organisation can also use technology and software which help the
company in checking the entire information and data. If there is any work which is performed in
unethical manner then they can point out it which will help in making correction in specific task
and data. Another way is examine the books and accounts on a regular basis and scrutinize areas
that trade in cash, refunds, product returns, inventory administration and account utilities etc. If
the company do this activity regular basis then it have proper information about its fiscal
activities (Elamer and et. al., 2018). If will help in fraud prevention and check up the hazard of
fraud and create make control to preclude losses. By following this way, the firm can make its
business operations and activities free from fraud and unethical actions or gaining rival' benefits
from marketplace.
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Research Methodology
Research Methodology refers as the systematic, theoretical analysis of the research tools
that are applied to a selected area of study (Filatotchev, and Stahl, 2015). It consist over the
abstractive evaluation of the natural object of the investigation tools or values which are
associated with a chosen area. In this present work suitable selection of methodologies are done
to assisting the investigation over the area of examine the impinging of corporate strategy and
governance over the accounting operations of a business.
Type of Investigation:
This section of research incorporates over two aspects, thus an inquiry can be quantitative
or qualitative. Therefore, Qualitative research is mainly analysed in words, therefore, it is
significantly applied to understand concepts, thoughts and experience. On the other side,
Quantitative investigation is stated in numbers and graphs, therefore, it is used to analyse or
confirm assumptions and theories. In this present inquiry work, quantitative research is mainly
being practically implemented through the investigator as it is hard-hitting in executing
elaborated evaluation with the support of original facts and figures.
Research Philosophy: It is the prime and outer most layer of research framework as it is based
on the beliefs and concerned about the investigation. It is quite differ by considering the goals
and objectives as it is the best method of philosophy. There are three main philosophies such as
ontology, epistemology and axiology. As by considering all of these, ontology describe the
nature and situation. Epistemology depicts the scientific research which helps the researcher in
order to find the facts. Axiology is useful for researcher to understand the values and opinions
which influences the analysis of data of research (Flammer and Luo, 2017). As per this
research,the investigator can easily collect all suitable data and information which enables in
providing the suitable results and attaining the objectives of research.
Research Approach:
It defines those approaches which is undertaken by the researcher in order to carry
forward their study. For this, deductive approach is used as the questionnaire in order to develop
understanding of the observation as it allows the researcher to make comparison regarding the
various data and information which is gathered in the form of empirical data. But in this,
research quantitative approach is considered which define the quantity which is considered as the
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deductive approach as here, onion framework is used which adopting this strategy and it is the
main point at which new theories are developed.
Data collection tools:
Data collection method focus on the different basic tools which include basic methods
such as primary and secondary and both of them put emphasis on quantitative and qualitative
data (Fratianni and Savona, 2016). As primary research include original findings which helps in
collecting the suitable number of tools like self-questionnaire, personal interview and many
more. In order to conduct research as it is analysed that social media affect Tesco Plc and its
structure which is useful in collecting the primary information. On the other side secondary data
is is collected by the investigator which helps in providing insight of research. The information
carry in the form of internal and external sources which are used like newspaper, magazines,
media, online etc. In this research, both methods are considerable in order to collect information
about the corporate strategy as it carry huge amount of information which is useful in research
and investigation.
Ethical Consideration:
Research ethics are considered as the principles which is used to analyse the proper
system among what is right and wrong about the practices of research. There are various ethical
components which are important in order to conduct research as it describe that information
should be kept in confidential manner as it is related with the research, respondents and other
concerned members. It is done as the data include personal details which might be misused by
others and it relies under illegal action or unethical activity (Hassan and Chindamo, 2017).
Additionally, the researcher need to keep updated regarding the rules and regulations while
collecting data and information and also consider that no one will hurt as it is helpful in avoiding
legal activities.
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Data Analysis and Discussion
This is the key part of an inquiry as it is based on identifying, analysing and interpretation
of the information in regard to drafting accurate results (Hussain, Rigoni and Orij, 2018). In the
present research, thematic analysis is implemented through the analyst as it is hard-hitting in
effectively analysing the information via the support of developing themes over the questions of
questionnaire.
Frequency Table
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you have an appropriate idea about corporate strategy and governance in
the context of business?
Frequency
Yes 28
No 2
Q2) Do you think that, corporate strategy and governance is effective in
systematic implementation of organisational operations?
Frequency
Agree 26
Disagree 4
Q3) According to you, suitable implementation of corporate strategy and
governance is important for the management of accounting operations of Tesco?
Frequency
Yes 27
No 3
Q4) According to you, what key issues are faced by Tesco Plc due to its
accounting scandal?
Frequency
Reduction in profitability 7
Incorrect financial reports 8
Improper asset valuation 8
Improper Revenue recognition 7
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