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“Strategic Positioning Paper”
Raffie Avakian
Management of Information Technology / WMBA 509
3-11-2013
Dr. Garrett
Raffie Avakian
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Organization’s Mission, Niche, and Competitive Resources
MOC Products Company, Inc. (www.mocproducts.com) is a company that develops and
provides innovative solutions and products to the automotive industry. The company is a
manufacturer and distributor of car-care products (ex: shampoos, degreasers, waxes, polishes,
dressings, motor oil supplements, etc.). The company’s mission: “Driving Solutions” for the
automotive industry, by service and innovation, domestically and internationally, to exceed the
expectations of the customer and the employees.
How is your organization responding to IT’s strategic impact?
MOC provides “State-of-the-Art” information systems for all employees. The systems
include e-mail, voice mail, computers, computer components and software, files generated,
various computer systems, and other forms of electronics. MOC sets general rules and
guidelines on the philosophy and usage of the computer systems.
How effectively does your organization use operational IT?
All information systems are the company’s property and are used to facilitate the
management and/or transmittal business-related communications and information. The company
has the right to inspect, record, and even copy materials placed on the company’s property.
Unauthorized use of work for another employer or self-employment is strictly prohibited by the
company – only work performed that follows MOC guidelines and rules is allowed.
(“Information Systems”, MOC Products Employee Handbook, pp. 23-25).
MOC Products strictly forbids abusing the information systems to hurt other employees
physically and/or emotionally. This would involve: threatening or harassment; obscene or
abusive language; creating, downloading, or transmitting images or messages (or any form of
medium) that involves sex, race, religion, color, origin, age, or any attributes. These are
“forbidden” by MOC’s policy of “prohibiting employment discrimination and harassment”
(almost similar to a “Zero-Tolerance” Policy) (pp.23-25).
MOC has the right to access, intercept, read, or disclose any information and content at
any time without any notice given (almost like a “search warrant” issued by the police).
Employees have no expectation of privacy at all at the company. Any private information must
not be placed on MOC information systems or be brought on to the workplace (if the information
is on disk, compact disk, or USB port). MOC information systems may not be used to monitor
electronic files or networks through “hacking” or “breaching security measures”. This violation
could lead to disciplinary action and possible termination (pp.23-25).
How does your organization use IT to connect with potential, current, and past customers?
The company is a business that serves, and that the customer always comes first. If a
problem occurs with a buying or selling of a product, the supervisors take over the incident and
not the employees. Customers are treated with respect and proper attention at all times.
Customer inquiries have to be addressed professionally, whether in person, telephone, or e-mail.
(“Customer Relations”, MOC Products Employee Handbook, p. 25).
Raffie Avakian
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Organization’s Mission, Niche, and Competitive Resources
According to the M.B.A. School of Business website and Dr. Satinder Dhiman,
chairperson of the School of Business (www.woodbury.edu/school-of-business/programs/mba/),
the mission is “to prepare future leaders of organizations who communicate effectively, act
ethically, and think globally in a strategic manner”.
How is the M.B.A. program responding to IT’s strategic impact?
The M.B.A. program at Woodbury University (www.woodbury/school-ofbusiness/programs/mba/program) prepares graduates of business and other fields (ex: science,
technology, etc.) to “compete in a world where there is rapid technological and social change”.
The program itself is broken down into various subjects of the business environment, where IT
plays one of many big functioning areas today and in the advanced technology age. The overall
purpose of the program is mostly developing leadership and strategy skills in all forms of the
business environment, whether it be Accounting, Finance, IT, Marketing, and Finance
(www.woodbury/school-of-business/programs/mba/program). The program mentions IT as an
important concept, but does not stress any strategic impact of how IT is used or how it impacts
other forms of technology in the world today.
How effectively does the M.B.A. program use operational IT?
From looking at the Core Courses listed on the M.B.A. program
(www.woodbury.edu/school-of-business/programs/mba/curriculum), including electives, preMBA (PMBA) courses, and the “Essentials of Case Analysis” course, all of them include work
activities and assignments that will require the use of operational IT (Microsoft Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, including the Internet) and will require Business English (mostly developing writing
skills) and Business Math (quantitative strategies) to fully strengthen the student to be
competitive and aggressive in real-time business case scenarios.
Even from outside of the M.B.A. program and outside of Woodbury University, most of
the world today is nothing but companies and business organizations that deal with real-time
case scenarios, and operational IT is portraying as a “Central Processing Unit” of storing
historical and current data and information vital to bringing success to a business in this age.
The School of Business at Woodbury does not emphasize as much on IT, only stating one course
required for the M.B.A. degree, but maybe more IT classes should be stressed more in the
program.
How does the M.B.A. program use IT to connect with potential, current, and past students?
The M.B.A. program has faculty who are trained professionals and experts who compete
with the global market and act ethically, and help train students (in many branches of the
program – Accounting, Finance, Marketing, IT, and Economics) to be aware of changes that
could bring success or failure in a business, company, or organization. The IT is a “gateway” of
communication for students to gain knowledge, confidence, encouragement, and support from
their mentors (the faculty), who provide the “tools” essential for success in the world today.
Raffie Avakian