UK21O - Competitive Strategy and Innovation Assignment Sample

• Type Assignment
• Downloads582
• Pages12
• Words3012

E2- Portfolio Element Two: Group Report

This Group Report provides an in-depth analysis of Vodafone’s strategic management, focusing on innovative strategies such as 5G network expansion, CSR and sustainability initiatives, and the creation of scaled IoT platforms. It evaluates their potential benefits, associated risks, and implementation challenges while offering practical recommendations for sustainable growth. Expertly crafted with academic precision, this report reflects the quality and insight offered by professional Assignment Help services

Overview of Strategic Management of Vodafone

It was analysed that Vodafone is currently based on the business model of providing cost-free basic telecommunication services such as broadband connectivity and incoming calls (Vodafone, 2024). In addition, this business model of Vodafone further emphasized on offering value-added services likes cloud data storage services, caller tunes and communication tools with an aim to enhance its overall revenue turnover. For the effective achievement of identified business model’s objectives, innovative strategies such as expansion of 5G network, CSR and sustainability initiatives and creation of scaled IoT platforms were identified.

Recommended Innovative Strategies and Their Evaluation

Innovative strategies related to CSR and sustainability initiatives, creation of scaled IoT platforms and expansion of 5G networks were recommended to Vodafone (Pai, 2021). These innovative strategies aimed to exploit opportunities within the context of technological disruption and innovation within telecommunication industry. Along with that, these innovative strategies focus to nurture consistent innovation to create a sustainable competitive advantage for Vodafone to promote revenue turnover by leverage ESG to sustain long term growth and innovation. The detailed evaluation of these recommended strategic options with associated risks are as follows:

Expansion of 5G network

Over the next upcoming years, 5G will be positioned to become standard for the communication technology for Vodafone with the creation of new era of speed, possibility and connectivity. This strategic option will enable Vodafone to create a sustainable competitive advantage with efficient management of network (Chow, 2024). The 5G standard for the cellular network focuses to minimize latency, saves energy and offers better network coverage to its customers. In addition to that, it enable Vodafone to revolutionize the overall functionalities of advanced emerging technologies such as edge computing, Ai, VR/ AR and the internet of things.

UK21O - Competitive Strategy and Innovation Assignment Sample

Liked This Sample? Hire Me Now

David Clark 7 Years | MBA

This will provide an opportunity to Vodafone to access strategic partnerships and alliance to create innovative solution related to innovation and new business models. Along with that, expansion of 5G technology has a high potential to bridge gap by offering internet access at high speed. This can facilitate economic opportunities related to employment, healthcare and eduction, contributes towards global development (Rockson, 2021). This will lead to create sustainable competitive advantage for Vodafone that will result in promotion of brand loyalty, customer base and innovation opportunities within telecommunication market.

Associated risks: However, in the chosen context of technical factor, there are multiple associated risks that are presented with the integration of 5G expansion. The rollout of advanced 5G requires high infrastructure investment. For instance: Vodafone needs to invest in installation of smart cells and cell towards to facilitate support to high frequency bends for 5G operation (Trivedi, 2024). This emerges as time consuming and costly for Vodafone, emerges as challenge. Besides that, enhanced numbers of connected devices leads to expand potential surface attack for cybercriminals. This arises risk for Vodafone in context of maintaining trust and loyalties of customers, results in adversely impact on long-term sustainable growth and innovation of organization.

CSR and sustainability initiatives

Strategic options related to implementation of CSR will enable Vodafone to positively influence society with application of multiple sustainable initiatives to improve environmental, social and economic development (Amokwandoh, 2022). The telecommunication industry positioned at crossroads of sustainability and innovation, tasked with the challenges of minimizing environmental footprints along with innovation and expansion. Vodafone can shift towards sources of renewable energy as a form of its sustainability efforts. With the incorporation of ESG considerations, Vodafone focuses on the adoption of green energy resources as it is economically prudent and environmental friendly. Along with that, the ESG governance further encourages Vodafone to establish ambitious target of net zero carbon emission achievement (Antwii, 2023). For the achievement of environmental sustainability, Vodafone can strategically invest in green technologies and advanced measures of energy efficiency that enable to minimize cost of operations and promote competitive advantage and brand image.

Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are identified as examples of green technology to transform its network efficiency and reduced consumption of energy (Skosana et al, 2024). With the analysing of vast data to optimize network operations and to predict needs of maintenance, ML and AI can enable Vodafone towards achievement of energy savings and aids in development of new and eco-friendly solutions and services. This will help ESG towards technical innovation and sustain long term growth of Vodafone (Forge and Vu, 2020).

Associated risks: Adoption of sustainable CSR initiatives by Vodafone may associate with challenges related to regulatory complexity, resource constraints and stakeholder resistance. Sustainable initiatives can demand for substantial investment of resources, time and money. Vodafone can struggle with the issue of initial cost and allocation of technical resources that emerges as challenge (Rockson, 2021). Moreover, ESG governance during adoption of CSR initiatives may struggle with the issue of stakeholder’s resistance as they prioritize short-term benefits over environmental and social benefits. This may arise challenge related to strategic application and management of CSR initiatives for Vodafone.

Creation of scaled IoT platforms

Another strategic option that is recommended to Vodafone is related to establishment of IoT platforms with an aim to grab opportunity of creation of long term sustainable advantage and growth (Chen and Xu, 2022). Currently, Vodafone plans to launch the Technology’s Tech 2025 strategy that will be committed towards building of scaled new house IoT platforms. This innovation strategy will aim to facilitate support to handle approximate 1.7 billion sessions and API calls per month. Along with that, the scaled IoT platforms will provide support to one billion devices within 180 markets to enhance its sustainable competitive advantage within telecommunication industry (Vodafone, 2024). This innovative strategy will assist Vodafone in the development of new adjacent platforms beyond core mobile connectivity. This enables the brand to introduce advanced digital software, results in improvement in competitive advantage and promotes long term sustainable growth.

Furthermore, Vodafone can rapidly shifts up its gears to facilitate support towards digital transformation that aims to promote inclusive and diverse culture. With the establishment of global software IoT platforms, Vodafone can offer powerful digital products and superfast connectivity to enhance extension of digital innovative transformation (Hannah et al, 2023).

Associated Challenges

Vodafone can face multiple challenges during creation of platform related to IoT software. Security is identified as one of the most crucial issue that has an adverse impact on sustainable growth and long term objectives of business (Kulkarni, 2022). Cyber hackers may have an unauthorised access to customers and organization’s data and vulnerabilities. This results in privacy concerns, leads to minimized revenue and customer base and negatively affects sustainable growth of Vodafone. Besides that, Vodafone can suffer with authentication issues due to lack of encryption, may incur ethical risk of stealing personal or sensitive information. In addition, without encryption, the authentication protocols are termed as less secures that arises high risk of cyber attacks (Wu and Amoasi, 2024).

Execution of Innovative Strategy and Associated Challenges

As per the above evaluation, Vodafone can implement proposed strategic action related to CSR and sustainability initiatives, establishment of scaled IoT platforms and 5G expansions. Strategic execution of these proposed strategies will enable brand to leverage benefit of increased competitive advantage, promotes brand image and offers long term sustainable growth (Pai, 2021). The proposed strategies could be executed by Vodafone with the application of following steps:

Step 1: Defining of innovative growth strategy

The first step is related to the investigation of services, market and products of telecommunication industry within external market. Along with that, Vodafone can further investigate about strategic deals, partnerships and alliances for the execution of proposed innovative strategy (Chow, 2024). This will enable brand to uncover effective profitable combinations of pricing, channels and customers of valve added and 5G services.

Step 2: Implementation of innovative and flexible business models

Vodafone can explore innovative and flexible business model to shift towards innovation and sustainable growth. Outcome based model such as cost effective model or subscription model of business aims to promote sustainable advantage of Vodafone (Rockson, 2021). For instance: innovative business model based on subscription tailored to offer standard services and arrangements of revenue sharing with an aim to unlock new streams of revenue collection. These innovative and flexible models can be implemented at Vodafone during the execution of innovative strategy as it facilitates support and assistance, results in improved business growth and sustainable advantage (Trivedi, 2024).

Step 3: optimization of operational control

The third step is related to optimization of infrastructure and operating business model. This will enable Vodafone to switch towards execution of proposed innovative strategy to gain sustainable benefit of cost optimization. Furthermore, optimum utilization of resources and infrastructure leads to enhance chances of success of execution of innovative strategy (Amokwandoh, 2022). For example: Vodafone can collaborate with industry players, system integrators and technology providers to leverage benefit of effective deployment of resources and technical expertise.

Step 4: Navigation of risks

After effective optimization of technical resources, Vodafone can evaluate risks and plan actions to provide positive respond to the risk during execution of strategy. Action plan related to trade barriers, spectrum feasibility and privacy concerns and data security can enable Vodafone to navigate complex risk management to ensure high chances of success of innovative strategy (Antwii, 2023).

Step 5: Development of digital workforce

The fifth step of execution plan is based on the development of digital workforce with the bridging skills gap of human resource. For the strategic implementation of innovative strategy of 5G expansion, CSR and sustainable initiative and establishment of IoT platforms, skills related to technical expertise, data analytics and software programming are required in personnel (Skosana, et al, 2024). Vodafone can organize technical development and training session for its employees for the improvement of their knowledge to bridge the skills gap. These will promote effective execution of proposed innovative strategy with increased effectiveness and efficiency, results in improvement of success chances.

Step 6: Execution and monitoring of proposed innovative strategy

The last step is based on the execution of technical innovative strategy to facilitate sustainable competitive advantage to Vodafone. These innovative strategy aims to shape organizational vision towards innovation and creativity with the implementation of proposed strategies (Forge and Vu, 2020). After successful execution, these innovative strategies will be monitored to analyse and evaluate chances of success.

Challenges during implementation of strategy

Lack of Innovation culture: A deficient organizational culture towards innovation due to absence of collaborative environment, diversity and inclusion can hinder capability of Vodafone for successful implementation of strategy (Djock, 2024). Along with that, lack of adaptability of employees and organization further arise challenge for successful strategy execution.

Resource constraints: Execution of innovative strategic action needs time, efforts and money. This may emerge as a challenge for Vodafone as it can struggle with high initial cost of investment of advanced technology. This leads to resource constraints issue, reduces chances of sustainable growth and competitive advantage within external business environment (Pai, 2021).

Misalignment with sustainable innovation: Vodafone can face trouble related to misalignment of internal stakeholders with sustainable innovation efforts, emerges as challenge during execution of strategy (Chow, 2024). This issue can be arise due to lack of innovative culture, employee resistance or limited collaboration.

Practical Recommendations

To mitigate challenges related to execution of innovative strategy, here are few practical recommendations proposed to Vodafone to enhance sustainable advantage.

• It is recommended to Vodafone that it can leverage ESG to mitigate issue of misalignment with sustainable innovation and to sustain innovation and long term growth. ESG enables Vodafone to adopt responsible and sustainable business practices that will focus to improve contribution of Vodafone towards sustainable environment (Rockson, 2021). In addition, Vodafone’s ESG governance can encourage brand to minimize its carbon emission and footprints by reuse, recycle and resell its network waste to resolve challenge of resource constraint.
• In addition to that, it is suggested to Vodafone that it can establish a centralized system for sustainable operations for the execution of innovation strategy. Centralized operating system can enhance transparency and collaboration within brand that will encourage teams to seamlessly embedded innovation practices in core culture and practices (Trivedi, 2024).

E3 - Portfolio Element Three: Individual Reflection

In reference to Gibbs model of reflection, fundamental concept of strategic decision making is described as the identification of best method for the achievement of objectives and goals of organization (Adeani, Febriani and Syafryadin, 2020). I learnt about business model of Vodafone that was primarily based on offering cost-free basic telecommunication services such as broadband connectivity and incoming calls. In addition, brand’s model further emphasized on making high revenue by providing value-added services likes cloud data storage services, caller tunes and communication tools. I was excited and happy during the assessment as it helped me to enhance my knowledge and skills that are required while working in team. I analyzed that leadership and collaboration are key critical skills that are needed to work with team. An effective leadership skill helps to promote collaboration and communication among team members (Aggarwal et al, 2022).

I evaluated that I have strong leadership skills that helped me to provide vision and direction to my team members for the effective completion of assignment. As an effective leader, I am self motivated and take initiative to enhance my contribution towards creation of inclusive and diverse work culture by encouraging team members to communicate. Along with that, I realized that I had a strong collaboration skill that emerges as my strength while working in team environment. An effective collaboration skill encourages problem solving and critical thinking skills that are required to accomplish goal in effective manner (Rajeswaran, Mordatch and Kumar, 2020). I collaborated with my team members by sharing goals and with adequate distribution of team roles. This helped to foster collaboration and sense of loyalty among team members. Along with that, I had strong decision making skills that helped me to take informed intelligent decisions to accomplish assignment in effective manner.

Game theory further assist me to take optimal decision of competing and independent actors with strategic setting of team. With the application of game theory, reliable and accurate outcomes are predicted through analysing scenarios of real world­­­­ (Caller, 2022). On the other hand, I believe that conflict management skills is one of the significant skills that helps in identification of problem and development of mutual beneficial solution. However, Gibbs model of reflection further helped me to realize that I had weak conflict management skills while working in a team. As a result, issues related to lack of harmony, misalignment with objectives and negative work culture was raised (Adeani, Febriani and Syafryadin, 2020). In addition, I had weak time management skills that results in missed deadlines of tasks and opportunities.

I realized that AI facilitates immense support towards my learning by providing me relevant key insights and learning materials. This helped me to explore about diverse topics and subject matter related to strategic decision making concepts and frameworks of Vodafone. Based on the above skills evaluation, I realized that there is a need of personal development of skills that will enhance my future working experience with team members. Skills of conflict management could be improved with the development of emotional intelligence and listening skills (Aggarwal et al, 2022).The estimated time period for the improvement of conflict management skills is 3 month with the organization of listening activity and attending seminars and workshops on conflict management. On the other hand, time management skill can be improved through effective planning and schedule management of tasks based on priorities (Rajeswaran, Mordatch and Kumar, 2020). Activities related to goal setting, delegation and scheduling of activities on task planner can be organized for the improvement of time management skills within 6 months.

References

Books and Journals

• Adeani, I.S., Febriani, R.B. and Syafryadin, S., 2020. Using GIBBS’reflective cycle in making reflections of literary analysis. Indonesian EFL Journal, 6(2), pp.139-148.
• Aggarwal, K., Mijwil, M.M., Al-Mistarehi, A.H., Alomari, S., Gök, M., Alaabdin, A.M.Z. and Abdulrhman, S.H., 2022. Has the future started? The current growth of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning. Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics, 3(1), pp.115-123.
• Amokwandoh, W., 2022. An assessment of the influence of training and development on employee performance in the telecommunication industry (case study Vodafone Ghana, Central Region) (Doctoral dissertation, University of Education Winneba).
• Antwii, A.E., 2023. Competitive strategies and firm performance: a comparative assessment of mtn ghana and vodafone ghana (Doctoral dissertation, KNUST).
• Chen, X. and Xu, L., 2022, June. A Corpus-based Study of Corporate Image Represented in Corporate Social Responsibility Report: A Case Study of China Mobile and Vodafone. In Proceedings of the First Computing Social Responsibility Workshop within the 13th Language Resources and Evaluation Conference (pp. 15-23).
• Forge, S. and Vu, K., 2020. Forming a 5G strategy for developing countries: A note for policy makers. Telecommunications Policy, 44(7), p.101975.
• Hannah, E., O’Hare, B., Lopez, M., Murray, S., Etter-Phoya, R., Hall, S. and Masiya, M., 2023. How can corporate taxes contribute to sub-Saharan Africa’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? A case study of Vodafone. Globalization and health, 19(1), p.17.
• Pai, V.S., 2021. Vodafone India Ltd: Managing in a Turbulent Emerging Market. Vision, 25(1), pp.103-117.
• Rajeswaran, A., Mordatch, I. and Kumar, V., 2020, November. A game theoretic framework for model based reinforcement learning. In International conference on machine learning (pp. 7953-7963). PMLR.
• Rockson, K., 2021. Corporate social responsibility practices in a telecommunications company-A case study of Vodafone Ghana.
• Skosana, S., Mlambo, S., Madiope, T. and Thango, B., 2024. Evaluating Wireless Network Technologies (3G, 4G, 5G) and Their Infrastructure: A Systematic Review.
• Wu, X. and Amoasi, R., 2024. The role of CSR in sustaining corporate brands in the global market: The perspective of telecommunication companies in Ghana. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 31(1), pp.433-447.

Online

• Caller, J., (2022). Conflict management: how to use it to improve teamwork. Online. Available through: <https://monday.com/blog/project-management/conflict-management/>. 
• Chow, W., (2024). Telecommunications innovation: Powered by 5G. Online. Available through: <https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/tmt/5g/telecommunications-at-5g.html#:~:text=5G%20is%20readying%20for%20takeoff,capacity%20than%20we%20experience%20today>.
• Djock, E., (2024). The 10 Biggest Challenges in Innovation Management in 2024. Available through: <https://www.itonics-innovation.com/blog/10-biggest-challenges-in-innovation-management>.
• Kulkarni, V., (2022). Top 8 Challenges in IoT Development in 2023. Available through: <https://bytebeam.io/blog/top-8-challenges-in-iot-development/>.
• Trivedi, K., (2024). How 5G Technology is shaping the Future of the Telecommunication Sector. Online. Available through: <https://timestech.in/how-5g-technology-is-shaping-the-future-of-the-telecommunication-sector/#:~:text=The%205G%20standard%20for%20cellular,and%20the%20internet%20of%20things>.
• Vodafone, (2024). Vodafone to accelerate build of digital platforms with 7,000 new software engineers. Available through: <https://www.vodafone.com/news/technology-news/7000-new-software-engineers>.