IT strategy and competitive advantage in China's vitamin industry

¶ … IT Strategies to Maximize the Competitive Advantage of Organizations

This paper will examine how IT strategies, also referred to e-business or e-commerce strategies, are utilized by an organization to maximize the competitive advantage of the organization within the market place. This will include analyzing IT strategy in terms of global strategy and this will touch upon how an organization handles marketing. Basically strategy requires leadership and it is interesting how it interacts with all aspects of the organization in order to succeed. Specifically this paper will use four models: SWOT, Porters Five Forces, 7s model and Value Chain to analyze IT strategy within the Chinese nutrition market. This includes health food and vitamins. Specifically these four models will analyze the IT Strategy (or lack there of) being used at a Chinese vitamin company called Waseta International Trading Company. As a result of the findings, this paper will also explore implications of IT strategy and provide recommendations for implementation of one.

Abstract i

Acknowledgements ii

Declaration iii

Table of Contents iv

List of Figures vi

List of Tables vii

Chapter 1

Introduction

1.1 Background

1.2.Statement of the Problem

1.2.1.Purpose of the Study

Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature

2.1 Introduction

2.1.1. Definition of Strategy

2.2. China and IT Strategy

2.2.1. China's Health Food Industry 10

2.3. Executive Summary: Waseta 11

2.4. Four Models 12

2.4.1. SWOT Analysis

2.4.2. Porter's Five Forces 13

2.4.3. 7s Model 14