This 10 page paper looks at a company where there has been a problem and proposes a research project to assess the current situation if the problems are being over come. Using Marks and Spencer, the paper starts with some background information that is used to identify the problem. In this case it was a failure to adapt and change when the market changed. The paper outlines the way research may be undertaken, the methodology and tools required. The bibliography cites 13 sources.
Name of Research Paper File: TS14_TEmrksprop.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
problem for many companies face, not only in recognising the change, but also adapting to the change when it occur. A case where this was and still remains a problem
is that of Marks and Spencer. Looking at this we can make use of secondary data to assess the situation using this to identify the problem or issue and then
design the methodology to suit the needs of the research to be undertaken. In this paper we will look at Marks and Spencer. The issue will be to look at
Marks and Spencers rand determine if the current strategy is sufficient to rectify the problems already identified and to return the company to the profit levels seen in the past.
Secondary Research Marks and Spencer, along with the St Michael brand name is one that was synonymous with quality in the clothing industry. The brand was, and we
may argue, still is a successful brand. However, if we look at the last few years, starting in the mid 1990s there was a large change n the companies fortunes,
the turnover and the profits took a nose dive. If we look at the company today, it still remains profitable, but in comparison to the former glory years the downward
trend may have been reversed, but the levels of profit are still a long way from being restored. Marks and Spencer use a specific model for business. One of the
main strategic polices that the company are known for, the purchase of goods directly form manufactures came about in the 1920s (Marks and Spencer, 2004). In effect they were modifying
the traditional value chain so that they could have more control over the goods they sold. This meant that they did not sell brand names, they sold only their own