Coca-Cola Company Analysis
Executive Summary
This Report is prepared by taking Coca-Cola, a US-based multinational Beverage Company. The report focuses on the economic implications and its importance in the strategic decision making of management. It briefly provides a history of the company, and then elaborate the multiple factors that play a pivotal role in the decision-making process to sustain and grow in the market. It defines the ethical standard followed along with the opportunities and benefits of free trade agreements with different countries. The organizational structure of the Coca-Cola is explained to understand the flow of information in business. It also covers different economic policies and approaches to understand the business operations and impact of external stimuli on the business. In the end, the report contains the concluding remarks about the business model and approaches of Coca-Cola in the global market.
Introduction to the Company
The Coca-Cola Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1892 and is Headquartered in Atlanta Georgia. It is a multinational beverage corporation that deals in manufacturing, retailing, marketing and nonalcoholic beverages and Syrups. It is listed on New York Stock market (NYSE), S&P 500 index and Russel 1000 Growth stock Market.
Historical background of The Coca-Cola Company
History of Coca-Cola dates back to 19th century. Since then, the company has shown tremendous economic outcome and has shown a continuous growth rate over the years. Asa Griggs Candler acquired the Formula for the Brand in 1889 and registered the brand. Coca-Cola followed the franchised distribution approach since its inception. This approach allowed the business to blend in the new market and benefit from international market and sustaining the brand image and attract new consumers. Currently, it offers more than 160 products to its consumers in more than 200 countries around the globe. The financial performance of company reveals Coke and Coca-Cola beverage add 78% to the total sales of the company around the globe.
Background information on Coca-Cola
The mission of Coca-Cola is to connect with its consumer’s Mind, body, and soul and inspire happiness and satisfaction in their lives to add Value to their lives and makes a sizeable difference. Coca-Cola has successfully managed to sustain and grow in the market and attract new consumers to their loyal consumers net. Management of Business is dynamic and adaptive and focus on the development of a defined and scrutinized approach to entering new markets. Coca-Cola is one of the oldest multinational beverage company that has designed a set of values and guidelines that has successfully allowed to make the difference. The management is focused on collaboration amount the effective teams to encourage leadership qualities and sustain the integrity. Management has made itself accountable to the all the stakeholders with a passionate approach to welcome diversity in their Brand and sustain the Quality of their business products (CocaCola, 2018).
Organizational Structure of Coca-Cola
Efficient organizational design and structure are inevitable to run a multinational corporation profitably. Organizational structure is the delegation, controlling and coordination of business operations within a business organization. It defines the roles and job description of each working in an organization. Coca-Cola operations in more than 200 countries, this makes it a very complex business organization to coordinate effectively with the headquarters. The Organizational structure of Coca-Cola is decentralized since the nineties. The organizational structure is divided into functions and Regions. By Functions, Coca-Cola has operated in two managing groups namely, Bottling Investments and Corporate whereas, by regions, Coca-Cola is divided by Geographic locations such as Africa, North America, European Union, Asia. These are further divided into the bases of Sub-regions and Countries.
There is an innovative model followed at Coca-Cola with centralized functions such as finance, Human resource, research and development, marketing and planning, etc. The same approach is followed at each regional headquarters. Major decisions take place at the headquarter and input from the regional headquarter are given importance in strategic decisions about the business portfolios and consumers behaviors in the local market. The size of Coca-Cola makes it hard to follow a defined organizational structure. Currently, it has more than 98,000 employees under its umbrella. The organizational chart of Coca-Cola shows five hierarchical levels at the strategic decision-making level in the corporate environment. For example, Managing director of Coca-Cola in Canada reports to the president of Coca-Cola in North America. The president reports to the CFO whose reporting authority is the general counsel of Coca-Cola. General Counsel summarizes the input of CFO and presents the report to the CEO of Coca-Cola.
A current economic environment of the Company and Industry
The international market for a nonalcoholic beverage is continuously growing and becoming competitive for business organizations in the industry. The Scope of operations of Coca-Cola is on a global scale that directly challenges the market share availability of Coca-Cola. PepsiCo, Inc. is the major competitor of Coca-Cola in each region where Coca-Cola operates. The Economic Environment of Business affects the industry on a large scale. It may affect the business industry on several scales such as Availability of Raw material, Labor workforce, Operational Facilities, Quality of Final products, marketing strategies and Qualification of management to respond to the changes in the local market. This is the input stage of the manufacturing process which is followed by sales restrictions. Political affiliations, the domestic economic environment of the host country and sales margins with suppliers, etc. Thus economic environment affects the business operations either the business operates locally or in the international arena. The Risk factors in the economic environment for Coca-Cola raised from the drastic changes in the consumer behavior, challenges from competitors and changes in the market. The Global financial market affects the business by challenging the availability of liquidity and affect the financial performance. The reports on the financial performance of Coca-Cola suggest that the management finds it hard to access the credit markets and design favorable opportunities in the credit market. Coca-Cola has international brand recognition, thus favored by banks and other financial institutions however this does not resolve the challenges of the credit markets in the long run and affect the performance of the business (Pendergrast, 2013).
To understand the Economic environment of Coca-Cola, the 4Vs model is applied, and the changes in the global market are evaluated about the performance of the brand over the years.
Volume: In economics, Volume is a term of great importance for a business. Coca-Cola operates in more than 200 countries and has more than 500 brands worldwide. Reports indicate that due to abundant manufacturing volume of Coca-Cola, it is sometimes hard to attain an official figure for the total production volume. The reason is the high number of production units and suppliers around the globe. Per unit cost of Coca-Cola is low because it supplies syrup to the registered Bottlers and suppliers who are responsible for packing the syrup in the approved packing of Coca-Cola brand.
Variety: Another V in the 4Vs model stands for variety. Coca-Cola has a diverse variety of products approximately more than 500 brands in its product portfolio. The well-known brands of Coca-Cola are Coke, Coca-Cola, and Fanta Fruit, etc. Coca-Cola has lower per unit cost and has standardized the production to produce same quality products in bulks so that lower cost and high quality is maintained. This restricts the Variety of Coca-Cola in the international market. On the other hand, a major competitor such as PepsiCo to has a low variety of products portfolio. This lessens the variety-competition burden in the international market.
Variation in Demand: The secret formula is the defining factor in keeping the Variation in demand at lower in the market. The uniqueness gained by Coca-Cola in international beverage market is the outcome of this secret formula that is well marketed and appreciated by the final consumers around the globe. Though consumers have made reservations on the taste due to the changes in the social trends, this does not have affected the demand for the product. Coca-Cola responded to the consumer reservations by introducing healthy products such as Diet coke etc. which was warmly welcomed by the consumers.
Visibility: Visibility is another major factor in the economic environment for a business organization. The understanding of manufacturing process of the products concerns issue for the final consumer. Recently an NGO claimed that the Coca-Cola product contains a pesticide that pushed the management to reveal and elaborate the production process of its products to re-affirm the trust of consumers in the international market. This is information era where consumers are skeptical in making decisions about purchasing a product that has substitute which is easily available. Coca-Cola has a relationship of trust with its consumers that it offers hygienic products to its consumers.
Impact of Tax Rates on Economic Decisions
The Business economic environment is affected by several external variables in a corporate environment. Tax rates and taxation structure varies from country to country. Their multinational business organizations are highly dependent on the taxation policies of the target countries. Coca-Cola operates in more than 200 countries which means that its management has to deal with 200 types of taxation approaches and rules. Though the taxation base might be same in several countries the business has to adapt to the provisions of law that relates to the consumer’s health and hygiene standards. Governments intervene in the market through its monetary and fiscal policies tools to safeguard and health of the consumers. The Tax Consequences of target countries does affect the economic decisions of the target consumers and affecting the business in the long-run.
Taxes affect the incentives which have an impact on the reduction in marginal tax rates on payments to employees. This reduces the cost of labor thus increasing the production and reducing the burden on the economy. The low tax on return on investments, i.e., interest rates, Dividends and other capital assets seduce the consumer to save more thus affecting the liquidity of cash flows in the market and affects the prospects for the business to grow in the market. Taxation approach also has an impact on the deployment of capital investment. The volatility of taxation structure of a target country allows the management at Coca-Cola to enter the market with scrutiny and understanding of the taxation behavior to secure the capital investment in the country (Beasley, 2011).
Impact of unemployment on Economic Decisions
Coca-Cola Operations are dispersed around the globe. It has successfully managed to create a market for its products in the remote areas around the globe in more than 200 countries. Coca-Cola considers the unemployment in the target country and sees it as opportunity embedded with risk in the long run. Unemployment can have both positive and negative perspectives for business in the target economy. If the unemployment rate is high than government interventions would be welcoming for multinationals such as Coca-Cola. As it brings capital investment in the country that provides employment opportunities to the locals and thus reducing the unemployment. Unemployment means the supply of labor is high that would reduce its cost and provide a platform for Coca-Cola to attain economies of scope and reduce the per unit cost of production in the target country.
On the other hand, unemployment may have negative consequences for Coca-Cola. un-employment reduce the purchasing power of the consumers in the target country that would create less demand for the products in the country thus making it hard for the business to penetrate in the market and create value and demand for its products. Business revolves around the final consumers, and if the final consumers cannot afford the product, it would fail then business no matter how hard the management work to make it successful and revenue center, therefore the strategic management of Coca-Cola takes un-employment trends in the target industry and adapt the strategies accordingly.
Impact of Government Fiscal Policies on Economic Decisions
Fiscal policy is an economic tool used by the government to influence the macro environment of an economy. This provides information about the taxation policies, governmental expenditures and covers the Aggregate demand and supply, inflation rates, interest rates and economic growth rate. The fiscal policy allows the government to stabilize the economic cycle and regulate the taxation policies in the country to run and safeguard the consumers effectively. Coca-Cola, while making strategic decisions about capital investment does consider the fiscal policies approach of the target country and devise its entry in the market accordingly. Government intervenes in the market by reducing the tax rates through the Federal Reserve Bank that ultimately increase the demand which triggers the economic growth of both the business and the target country. Such approach is called inflationary fiscal policies where demand is challenged by the reduction in taxation rates. On the other hand, whereas contractionary fiscal policy relates to the voluntary increase in the taxation to restore balance in the economy of the country. Such approach is often followed when the budget is in surplus. This approach is rarely used therefore Coca-Cola has to plan according to the inflationary fiscal policies of the target country.
Role of the Central Bank in the Economic environment
Central banks are the independent institutions which are responsible for conducting the monetary policies and regulation of banking industry in an economy. Its primary objective is to stabilize the worth of national currency and keep the inflation rates in a limit to safeguard the interests of final consumers.it also controls the employment rate through alteration in the interest rates and other affecting variables and tools such as monetary and fiscal policies. The Head of the central bank is appointed by the legislative body which is made responsible for keeping the monetary and fiscal policy aligned with the long-term objectives of the country.
Central banks have multiple tools its disposal to influence the economic conditions in an economy. The major tools are the monetary policy that covers the liquidity ratio in the market. Through Monetary policy tool, the government has three options at their disposal to safeguard the interests of the consumers. Firstly, the Reserve Requirement. It is the standard amount of liquid cash each bank must have at the end of their working day. This allows the central bank to control the lending power of the banks in an economy. Secondly, open market operations. It covers the securities and its transaction with banks in an economy. During the financial crises of 2008, Federal Reserve Bank utilized this tool to stabilize the mortgage-backed securities and stabilize the economy. Thirdly, Interest rates. Interest rates are the rates at which the central bank charges the member’s banks operating in an economy. It translates into guiding the bonds, securities, and mortgages in an economy and controlling inflation when the government wants to reduce the inflation rate; it increases the interest rates that reduce the growth rate and allows the consumer to save more. Monetary policy has a tricky effect on the economy and takes times to show its impact on the economy (Bordo, 2016).
Global Presence of Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is one of the largest and well-known brands around the globe with operations in more than 200 countries in five different regions with over 500 registered brands. A survey suggests that 94% of the global population recognize the Coca-Cola brand. The word Coca-Cola means “Delicious happiness” in Mandarin, and it has successfully managed to associate it with happiness. Coca-Cola is a diverse multinational corporation with the top of the list business executives who are responsible for securing their brand image around the globe through their creative and adaptable approach to the consumer demands. Coca-Cola has an unparalleled distribution system to reach out to its consumers. This allows its management to receive timely feedback from the local market and adapt accordingly. It management aims to grow exponentially and secure the consumer’s loyalty to the brand with quality products and consumer service availability.
Coca-Cola has an interesting history over the century. It is full of special moments with repetitions around the globe. These special moments has allowed the Coca-Cola to be among the respected brands around the globe. Its products are ubiquitous that strengthens its position in the global arena. The global presence is continuously expanding, and the management takes serious consideration in sustaining the quality of its products. The bottlers, distributions channels, and the suppliers follow sophisticated approach to meet the required demands of the market. The management has allowed decentralization on many functional levels. For example, marketing strategies are delegated to the regional headquarters so that the local market is focused and the consumer’s demands are met to increase the influx of new consumers.
Impact of Free Trade Agreements on the Economic Decisions
Government enter into free trade agreements with other countries to benefits from economies and create a win-win situation for both the economies. The United States has entered into free trade agreements with many countries to open new doors for its business to benefit from the foreign market and increase the foreign remittances. One of the major free trade agreement is NAFTA. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed in 1994 among the United States, Mexico, and Canada that elevated the business to 420 billion dollars by 2016. This benefited all the multinational organizations including Coca-Cola. It was aimed to reduce the trade barriers and increase the coordination to improve the market for business to invest. This Safeguard the businesses which increased capital investment. Coca-Cola benefited from the free trade agreement and emerged as one of the big beneficiary forms the agreement. Basel III and NAFTA affected the economic decisions of the management of Coca-Cola at the strategic level because it offered security to the investment and reduction in the cost of the per unit. Trade barriers have a negative impact on the decisions of the business as it increases the risk in the market and restricts the business organizations to benefits from the consumer market.
Economic implications of Diverse market Structure
Market structure plays a pivotal role in the financial performance of Coca-Cola in a target country. Market structure is a double-edged sword that may benefit and hurt the business depending on the strategies followed in the country. Coca-Cola focuses on the market accessibility and segmentation of the target country. It helps in acquiring cheap labor and reduce per unit cost to increase the profit margins in the products. Market Segmentation and consumers preferences are evaluated at a strategic level in each market. Coca-Cola has five Regional headquarters with a further delegation of authorities at the country level. Data and consumer feedback are collected at the regional level, and authority is delegated to respond to the requirements of the market. Another Factor that plays an important role is the size and preferences of the target market. Bigger the size of the market means high chances of success rate with effective strategic decisions. Two major functions of the market are the size and its complexity of its dynamics. Economic decisions are subjective that controls the strategic. The major stakeholders of Coca-Cola in each market include final consumers, suppliers, government policies, bottlers, and shareholders, etc. All these stakeholders have an impact on the economic decisions of Coca-Cola on a global scale.
Ethical and regulatory considerations in the Global market
Each country has its own defined set of Regulations and ethical standards that are required to be fulfilled while making a capital investment in the country. Coca-Cola has successfully managed to sustain its ethical standard around the globe in a diverse market. Regulatory and Ethical standards are set by the Government and consumers preferences respectively. Coca-Cola is US based company with different Regulatory and Ethical standard. When Coca-Cola enter another market, regulatory and ethical standards are followed to blend in the market without disrupting it. Ethical and regulatory frameworks play a pivotal role in the economic decision of the company. Business is required to provide quality products to the consumers and pay the minimum age limit of the target country to the workforce. Business is required to avoid any involvement in corruption and providing hygienic products to the consumers of the company.
Conclusion
In my remarks, Coca-Cola is a successful multinational beverage company that has successfully maintained its Culture of Quality, hygiene and consumer preferences. The adaptive nature of its management has made its creative and reach out to its consumers with an open heart. It takes the consumers preferences serious in making strategic decisions regarding a new market. It believes it gives and takes policy when it comes to dealing with new markets. The decentralization approach has tremendously benefitted the company as the response to the local market changes are addressed quickly. Monetary policy plays a pivotal role in macroeconomic stability in the economy and anchors the inflation rate. Fiscal policy controls the liquidity cash inflows in the market which is another considerable factor in the economic decision making of Coca-Cola. Ethical and regulatory frameworks are followed around the globe as per the requirements of the target country.
References
Beasley, D. (2011). Inside Coca-Cola: A CEO’s Life Story of Building the World’s Most Popular Brand. St. Martin’s Press.
Bordo, M. D. (2016). Central Banks at a Crossroads: What Can We Learn from History? Cambridge University Press.
CocaCola. (2018, February 25). CocaCola. Retrieved from CocaCola: http://www.coca-cola.com/global/
Pendergrast, M. (2013). For God, Country, and Coca-Cola. Basic Books.
