Inputs Diagnosis

CASE 3 ASSIGNMENT:

Using the Nadler-Tushman Congruence Model, conduct an analysis of Whole Foods Market’s inputs and how they align with the strategy.

For the analysis, I suggest that you start with strategy, since you have already done some work on this aspect in your first report. Review Whole Foods Market?s strategy and then determine which one of Porter?s competitive strategies fits with this strategy. Then review the company?s inputs and determine one or two specific critical inputs from each input category: environment, resources, and history.

determine how aligned the critical inputs are with the strategy. Is there high congruence (alignment), some congruence, or little to no congruence? I expect you to support your claim with a good, logical argument using the information you have collected.

In order to make this case, you first need to review the strategy and then classify it as one of Porter?s competitive strategies. Then identify the Key Input factors in the first three categories. Explain why these are the critical input factors. Then determine how congruent the three input factors are with the strategy.

First discuss the organization?s strategy and classify it according to Porter?s three generic competitive strategies.

Then identify the most critical inputs in each of the first three categories and justify WHY they are critical. Also explain what effect the inputs from one category have on inputs from the other categories. How well does the strategy fit with the environmental, resource and historical inputs you identified?

Make a Case for your proposition as to how the Key Inputs support (are congruent with) the Strategy. Specifically make a claim: ?The inputs at Whole Foods Market consisting of Organizational Environment factors. Internal Resource factors, and Historical Tradition factors are [highly, partially, or minimally] congruent with the company?s strategy.?

Support your analysis with objective evidence. Sources of information for the entire project may include interviews, organizational documents and reports, articles in newspapers and trade publications. Be sure to cite your sources and provide a list of references.