Global, Cooperative, and E-Business IT Strategies Explained
This paper examines three key organizational strategies in the context of strategic information technology: the global strategy, the cooperative strategy, and the e-business strategy. Drawing on foundational scholarship by Porter (1986) and Mowery (1996), the paper defines each strategy, illustrates its characteristics with real-world corporate examples, and considers how organizations may combine or sequence these approaches. Examples discussed include multinational firms such as Coca-Cola, Ford, and Toyota; the Star Alliance partnership between Lufthansa and United Airlines; and e-commerce leaders such as Amazon and eBay. The paper concludes by noting that these strategies are not mutually exclusive and may be adapted over time to meet shifting organizational goals.
- Introduction to Organizational IT Strategies: Overview of three key organizational IT strategies
- Global Strategy: International expansion, outsourcing, and multinational examples
- Cooperative Strategy: Partnerships, alliances, and shared technology resources
- E-Business Strategy: Online-focused business models and hybrid approaches
- Combining Strategies: Strategies used together or sequentially over time
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What makes this paper effective
- Each strategy is clearly defined before being illustrated with concrete, recognizable corporate examples, making abstract concepts accessible to readers.
- The paper draws on credible academic sources (Porter, Mowery) to ground its definitions, lending scholarly authority to what could otherwise be a purely descriptive overview.
- The closing synthesis—noting that strategies can be combined or used sequentially—demonstrates analytical awareness beyond simple categorization.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper consistently pairs theoretical definition with real-world exemplification. For instance, after defining cooperative strategy using Mowery (1996), it immediately illustrates the concept with the Lufthansa–United Airlines Star Alliance. This definition-then-example pattern is a reliable and effective technique for undergraduate business and management writing.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a brief framing paragraph that previews all three strategies. It then devotes roughly two paragraphs to each strategy: one establishing its definition and academic basis, and one providing corporate examples. A short concluding section addresses the interoperability of the three strategies. The structure is parallel and easy to follow, making it well-suited as a comparative overview essay.
Introduction to Organizational IT Strategies
Three primary organizational strategies are relevant to strategic information technology: the global strategy, the cooperative strategy, and the e-business strategy. Each offers a distinct approach to how an organization positions itself in a competitive environment, and each carries implications for how technology is deployed and managed. These strategies are not mutually exclusive and may be combined or applied in sequence depending on organizational goals.
Global Strategy
Global strategy implies an international presence for an organization. This international presence may translate into production outlets in foreign countries, a presence on foreign markets, or a combination of the two. Porter (1986) was one of the first scholars to conduct systematic studies on global strategy. As more and more companies operated in similar economic systems and implemented technological change that made them more efficient and productive, the incentive grew to expand internationally — in order to benefit from emerging markets, new resources (often at lower costs), and the economies of scale that could thereby be generated.
Many large multinationals employ a global strategy. Some of the most prominent examples include Coca-Cola, Apple, and major automobile producers such as Ford and Toyota. Many of these companies share similar characteristics that make them instructive examples of global strategy in action: they have outsourced much of their production to developing countries to reduce costs, and they maintain a commercial presence across numerous foreign markets.
Cooperative Strategy
The current dynamic and competitive business environment sometimes creates the need for a cooperative strategy. In a cooperative strategy, an organization plans to partner with one or several other organizations, pooling resources in order to reach a mutually agreed set of objectives (Mowery, 1996). Increasingly, such cooperative arrangements involve technology transfer and access to knowledge, even as the participating entities remain legally independent.
One compelling example of a cooperative strategy is the alliance that Lufthansa and United Airlines formed in 1993. Known as the Star Alliance, its primary purpose was to combine the resources of the two organizations — particularly their information and technology resources. The ability to share operational resources at airports around the world was a central benefit. The Alliance proved successful, and additional airlines joined in subsequent years.
Bibliography
1. Porter, Michael (ed.). (1986). Competition in Global Industries. Harvard Business School Press.
2. Beynon-Davies, P. (2004). E-Business. Palgrave, Basingstoke.
3. Mowery, David C. (1996). "Strategic Alliances and Interfirm Knowledge Transfer." Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 17.
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