Strategic Choices at Toyota Corporation (Research Paper Sample)

Strategic Choices at Toyota Corporation


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Introduction
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is a Japan based automaker founded by Sakichi Toyoda in 1933. For a long time, TMC has been one of the most admired and fast growing automaker worldwide. The company produces and distributes a wide range of products such as minivans, SUVs, passenger cars, trucks, and automotive parts, accessories and components. The report provides an overview of TMC’s success strategies and recommendation for improvement.
Strategy Overview
The success of TMC is attributed to the application of a wide range of strategies, including Porter’s four generic strategies; cost leadership, differentiation, low-cost focus, and differentiation focus (Demand Media, Inc., 2012). The four strategies have been adjusted, over the years, in response to both internal (resources and competences) and external business environment.
Here, are examples some of TMC’ success strategies. As part of its differentiation focus strategy, in 1958, TMC modified (customized) a car to fit a specific market niche, which was the American Market (Toyoland.com, 2011). In response to the problem of scarce resources, TMC (through R&D, creativity and innovation) has invented efficient fuel consumption engines and vehicles, which are sold as competitive prices to its customers. Also, TMC has avoided head-on-competition with market leaders by engaging in the manufacture of small cars (Success Principles Online, 2010). Moreover, TMC has created a strong relationship with its suppliers and labor (Toyoland.com, 2011). The strategy ensures that the company’s operation systems are uninterrupted. In addition, TMC has engaged in a number of actions such as voluntary actions, working in collaboration with the society, and pursuing environmental technologies. The above strategies have helped it gain worldwide competitive edge, and fit in the automobile industry.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The strategic management concepts learned in this course are highly applicable in Toyota’s case. The above strategies are a section of many strategies that TMC has employed to achieve success in the automobile industry. However, using the knowledge learnt in this course, the case analysis, and SWOT analysis, the following recommendations are viable. First, the company needs improve on its e-marketing business. Second, the company should invest extra resources in technology to boost is production capacity, minimize costs and improve on the quality. It is, also, central for TMC to motivate its staff to work towards achieving organizational goal. Finally, it will be advisable for TMC to form collusions and partnerships with its rivals, in order to avoid unhealthy competition.
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