Globalization, technology innovation, diversity, and ethics in Microsoft's management functions

¶ … Microsoft's organization. Write explain internal external factors affect functions management. In paper, explain internal external factors affect functions management. Include specific examples: Globalization Technology Innovation Diversity Ethics Reference 1-2 peer reviewed sources support ideas.

Microsoft essay

Microsoft is an indisputable leader of the IT community, with its innovations and commitments driving change, innovation and overall evolution across the entire globe. But aside from the technological dimension of Microsoft, the firm is also notable from a business standpoint, being the epitome of corporate success and an American triumph icon.

Similar to any economic agent however, the company is influenced by a wide array of internal and external forces. Four notable forces which generate impacts upon Microsoft are represented by globalization, technology innovation, diversity and ethics. The best means of assessing the impact of these forces is revealed by their applicability at the level of the four functions of management, namely planning, organizing, leading and controlling.

The impacts of globalization

Globalization impacts the managerial function at Microsoft at several levels, as follows:

The planning function has to be expanded to also consider the international operations, such as international sales of the opening of new research and development laboratories outside the United States (Blau, 1997)

Organizing the corporate resources in order to be able to respond to the needs of the international operations (such as staff requirements, budget and so on)

Leading the people and the culture towards embracing globalization

Controlling the operations linked to globalization and the internationalization of the Microsoft products and services.

The impacts of technology innovation

Technology is essential at Microsoft and the company is sensitive to any new innovations, whether it has been developed by them or by other parties. The company must as such plan its totality of operations in the sense of innovation to achieve competitiveness within the market. Technologic innovation also represents the core of the objectives which drive organizational functions. In other words, Microsoft organizes its operations, activities, decisions, resources and so on in an integrated effort of attaining its objectives of market leadership through technologic innovation.

Then, in terms of the leading function of management, Microsoft feels the most impacts in the sense that it has to create a culture and leadership style focused on continuous development and innovation. At this level, the challenge is represented by engaging people. Last, the controlling functions is impacted by technologic innovation in the sense of the need to ensure ongoing controls of the processes completed and the results obtained in an effort to further support innovation.

The impacts of ethics

From the ethical standpoint, these forces mostly impact the management functions of leading in the sense that they impact the culture of the organization. At this phase, emphasis is placed on the creation of a culture of integrity, honesty, respect, engagement, self-improvement, accountability and commitment to quality and the satisfaction of the customers, the shareholders, the business partners and the employees (Website of Microsoft, 2010).

References:

Blau, J. (1997). Microsoft takes first step toward globalizing R&D. Research-Technology Management. Vol. 40, No. 5

(2010). Microsoft standards of business conduct. Website of Microsoft. http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/en/us/compliance/buscond/default.aspx accessed on October 22, 2012