Convenience

Strategic Partners
Another dimension of the task environment is
strategic partners
(also called
strategic allies
)—two or more companies that work together in joint ventures
or other partnerships.
5
As shown in Figure 2.1, McDonald’s has several strategic
partners. For example, it has one arrangement with Walmart whereby small McDonald’s
restaurants are built in many Walmart stores. The firm also has a long-term deal with
Disney: McDonald’s promotes Disney movies in its stores, and Disney has allowed
McDonald’s to open restaurants near its resorts. And many of the firm’s foreign stores
are built in collaboration with local investors. Strategic partnerships help companies get
the expertise they lack from other companies. The partnerships also help spread risk and
open new market opportunities. Indeed, most strategic partnerships are among interna-
tional firms. For example, Ford has strategic partnerships with Volkswagen (sharing a
distribution and service center in South America) and Nissan (building minivans in the
United States). Even bitter rivals Ford and General Motors are working together as
strategic partners designing a new 10-speed transmission.
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regulator
A body that has the
potential to control,
legislate, or
otherwise influence
the organization’s
policies and
practices
regulatory agency
An agency created
by the government to
regulate business
activities
strategic partners
(also called
strategic ally)
An organization
working together
with one or more
other organizations
in a joint venture or
similar arrangement
interest group
A group organized
by its members to
attempt to influence
organizations
40
Part 1:
An Introduction to Management
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