A Brief Description of the Current Operation of the Company
Vodafone is a British multinational telecommunication company based in London and operates in close to 25 nations around the world. The company can be traced back to the early 1950s from the parent Racal British radar and Electronics Company. However, Vodafone as an independent conglomerate started its operations in 1983 and had since grownboth in size and scope (Saplitsa, 2008). Currently, the company is ranked 4th based on the number of mobile subscribers among other unique service delivery prowess. Vodafone is also listed on the London Stock Exchange with an exceptional market capitalization projected at 52 billion pounds (Klauer, 2015). Undoubtedly, Vodafone is presently one of the world’s biggest telecommunication companythat is offering a diverse range of products and services that include voice, messaging and mobile data services across the world.
The company aims at differentiating its products and services from its primary competitors by providing a wide range of unique services.The company has achieved this through the introduction of complex telecommunication networks among other services specifically designed to put Vodafone at the forefront of global growth in mobile data. Vodafone’s successful market performances have also facilitated and sustained the increased generation of revenue making it one of the most profitable companies in the world (Klauer, 2015). Indeed, with the progressively changing demand for mobile data services, the telecommunication market environment will continue to favor the growth of Vodafone. The company is committed to maximizing its social and economic benefits accrued through its successful market operations by ensuring a strong commitment towards corporate transparency (Saplitsa, 2008). In general, Vodafone is committed to attaining and maintaining higher standards of corporate governance with the primary objective of increasing business strategy and shareholders’ trust and loyalty.
Analysis of Peer-Reviewed Articles
Saplitsa, I., 2008. Business Analysis and Valuation of Vodafone Group (Master’s thesis).
Saplitsa examines various telecommunication strategies based on relevant cases, theories and application with a specific focus on the performances of the Vodafone group. The article confirms that indeed Vodafone remains to be the world’s most viable mobile telecommunication company with widespread presence in both developed and developing markets. Thus, the article conducts a detailed evaluation of Vodafone to assess diverse risks and opportunities that influence the company’s value and market position, especially in a competitive industry.
Therefore, the article has provided a unique analysis of Vodafone’s macro-environment with the specific exploration of varied political, economic, social, and technological factors. Furthermore, the analyses of internal factors such as competitive rivalry, market entry,and power of the consumers have been explored. The valuation also includes a SWOT analysis of Vodafone Group to ascertain the company’s market valuation and expected performances. The article has also given clear recommendations and strategies that Vodafone can implement to remain competitive in the telecommunication industry. In general, the article will be instrumental in conducting future related studies on the current, present, and future performances of Vodafone and other companies operating in the telecommunication industry.
Mariana, D., 2003. Industry dynamics and strategic positioning in the wireless telecommunications industry: the case of Vodafone Group Plc. Management Decision, 41(9), pp.859-870.
This article gives a detailed examination of Vodafone’s strategic market positioning and industry dynamics, especially in the competitive wireless telecommunications environment. The article has a captivating introduction to various market dynamics common in the telecommunication industry. The author has deliberated various viewpoints and insights into the operations of related companies such as Vodafone. Specifically, the information derived from the study will facilitate the effective tracking of Vodafone’s resource utilization and capabilities in a market that is increasingly becoming competitive.
The data and information on Vodafone’s market performances over the last three years that are provided in the journal will further facilitate the analysis of the current operation of the company. For instance, the article examines Vodafone’s strategic responses to various market dynamics among other key motives that had driven the company’s market success. Moreover, the study has provided clear data and information on how Vodafone is repositioning itself given the changing demands from the telecommunication market. Therefore, the article will be instrumental in the strategic analysis of Vodafone and the effect of future development of the wireless telecommunication market onits overall performances.
Joo, H. and Honkanen, P.D., 2003. A study of two wireless telecommunications companies’ globalization strategies: an analysis of Vodafone’s and NTT DoCoMo’s foreign investments (Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
Jooand Honkanenexplain various globalization strategies used by Vodafone and NTT to access and operate in foreign markets successfully.A brief history of the past, current and projected market performances of the companies are detailed in the article. In particular, the article explains how successful investments in foreign markets have positively contributed to Vodafone’s current market performances. The article attributes the stipulated global market performances to Vodafone’s unique corporate strengths among other important factors. To clearly understand Vodafone’s globalization and foreign investment strategies, the article has provided a detailed focus on the company’s important corporate strategies. Moreover, a comprehensive scan of the corporate environment coupled with the explicit explanation of the strategic posture of the firm further explains why this article will be important in the subsequent study.
Schmulian, S., 2009.Multinational subsidiary evolution: Vodafone and its South African subsidiary, Vodacom (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pretoria).
Schmuliangives a comprehensive study of the globalization strategies of two wireless telecommunication companies. The company of focus in this article is Vodafone. The authors have examined the strategic position of the company coupled with a detailed analysis and explanation of the telecommunication industry dynamics. Some of the key points provided include a clear track of how each firm is adjusting its resources and capabilities to cope with the ever-changing and competitive industry. Moreover, the article has highlighted some of the factors that drive the operation of telecommunication companies across international borders.
For instance, an analysis of the collaborative relationships that Vodafone has established with other companies in the industry further illustrate the complex nature of the dynamic strategic issues common in the industry.
The article has further illustrated vital resources and key motives driving Vodafone’s objective to reposition itself in the ever-changing telecommunication industry. Additionally, the article identifies and explains Vodafone’s overall position and contributions towards strengthening an otherwise competitive industry. In general, the article clearly explains Vodafone’s current market position and performances. Therefore, the article will provide a clear direction of development and Vodafone’s contributions towards the strengthening of the wireless telecommunication industry in the world.
Klauer, T., 2015.Valuation of Vodafone Group.Copenhagen Business School
In this article, Klauer highlights some of the fundamental issues that affect the operations of Vodafone Company. Specifically, the article describes Vodafone’s brand image, sustainable competitive advantages, present, and past financial performances and the projected market dynamics. Such analyses have been achieved through an in-depth market sensitivity analysis that aims at critically assessing Vodafone’s market share and value. Moreover, the article has provided and explained various corporate strategies that define market performances and successes in the competitive telecommunication industry. The stipulated factors include an analysis of the company’s value and vital market share in the industry compared to other close competitors. The study gives an estimated value of Vodafone’s present market performances coupled with projected values of how such internal market dynamics will ultimately influence the performance of the company.
Conclusion and Recommendations
In conclusion, the primary objective of any company’s optimal strategy is to create sustainable value for consumers while remaining competitive and profitable. A company’s value is majorly aimed at increasing the cash flow and strengthening growth potentials and introducing new investment opportunities. In addition, the introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT) by Vodafone has completely transformed and revolutionized businesses around the world. The new technology platform has made it easy for business owners and individual consumers to access efficiently the various internet services (Gubbi et al., 2013). The incorporation of new internet technologies has enabled Vodafone to unlock new sources of revenue, improve service delivery, and enhance customer engagement. The results of such protracted business decisions are the creation of unique customer loyalty in the global telecommunication industry.
It is true that most businesses around the world are exploring new methods of automating their operations and increasing productivity (Ter Hofstede et al., 2009). Undeniably, Vodafone can fill this apparent gap in technology by fast introducing new internet technological applications. Also, Vodafone retail shop can become more effective through the increased use of internet technologies. According to different global business projections, every company can generate massive growth in both the short and long run through the effective and efficient management of present and new assets (Leu et al., 2004). For instance, the company should expand its M-Pesa services to other markets around the world to strengthen its grip in mobile internet technologies business. Without a doubt, the expansion of M-Pesa to other less explored markets is a critical investment decision that will positively contribute to the overall growth of the company.
The company is also exploring other powerful internet technologies to facilitate the delivery of instant benefits to its loyal customer bases. For example, the company should stimulate additional voice usage and eliminate the application of fixed line as one of its internet technologies. The company can also consider exploring artificial intelligence, 4D Printers and Quantum Communication in its list of internet technologies that it should consider adopting. Other viable emerging internet technologies that Vodafone can consider adopting also include different educational technologies that will instantly attract the attention of the global communities. The stipulated innovations will enable the company to tame intensified market competition, attract and retain various customer bases. Moreover, the postulated initiatives will increase the company’s revenue and enhance customer value derived from increased use of the different unique products. The successful introduction of new internet technologies will also help Vodafone to change the status quo and competitive environment in the telecommunication industry (Ter Hofstede et al., 2009).
References
Gubbi, J., Buyya, R., Marusic, S., & Palaniswami, M. (2013). Internet of Things (IoT): A vision, architectural elements, and future directions. Future generation computer systems, 29(7), 1645-1660.
Klauer, T., 2015.Valuation of Vodafone Group.Copenhagen Business School.
Leu, D.J., Kinzer, C.K., Coiro, J.L. and Cammack, D.W., 2004.Toward a theory of new literacies emerging from the Internet and other information and communication technologies.Theoretical models and processes of reading, 5(1), pp.1570-1613.
Saplitsa, I., 2008. Business analysis and valuation of Vodafone Group (Master’s thesis).
Ter Hofstede, A. H., van Der Aalst, W. M., Adams, M., & Russell, N. (Eds.). (2009). Modern Business Process Automation: YAWL and its support environment. Springer Science & Business Media.