Business at work — страница 9

and development is taken to refer to scientific research undertaken by firms producing manufactured goods, high technology products or pharmaceuticals. However, R&D is equally important to firms providing services. By investigating in research and development a business seeks to maintain competitiveness against its rivals. Competitiveness measures a business’s performance in comparison with rival firms in the same market. A highly competitive firm has some advantage over other businesses. This competitive edge can take a number of forms: lower prices more advanced and sophisticated products a better image with consumers a good reputation for advise and after-sales service reliability in terms of operation and delivery dates Types of research: basic research applied research

development The prime function of R&D is to develop new products that can give the firm a competitive edge in the market. This necessary involves the R&D department in close liaison with staff in market research, design and production. Function 1.6: The nature of business activity BUSINESS ACTIVITY Marketing Finance Administration Human resources Research & Development Production LAND Labour Capital Enterp-rise GOODS OR SERVICES WASTE Functional areas of Tesco plc. Chairman (non executive) Chief Executive Deputy Chairman Company Secretary Marketing Department Finance Department Retail Department Distribution Department Commercial Department Operations: Ireland The diagram above shows the key functional areas or departments of Tesco, as one of the leading retailers in

the U.K. It is currently the leading supermarket chain in Britain, with a higher market share than its leading rivals, Asda-Wallmart, Sainsbury’s and Safeway. I have explained earlier the key functional areas of a typical business and Tesco, as the diagram shows, displays this type of structure. For example, the Company Secretary, Rowley Ager is responsible for Pensions, the Company Secretariat (the administrative staff), the Treasury, Taxation, Site Facilities, Transport and all aspects of Consumer Law. The Finance Department, directed by Andrew Higginson, is responsible for all aspects of finance and audit, and also for European affairs. These functions are shown in Figure 1.3 in my introductory section. I have no detailed information on Finance within Tesco other than

financial data available from the Company Accounts and from the Tesco and Bized websites……… and these are more relevant to a detailed finance study of Tesco as a company, a topic to be studied in a later Unit. The Marketing Department, directed by Tim Mason, is responsible for all aspects of marketing , Customer Service, Advertising, Market Research, Clubcard, Estates and Metros. Since the early 1990s Tesco marketing strategy has been to become the best in terms of price, quality and service. Objectives are set, and ways found of meeting them, in all aspects of company’s operation. The Retail Department, directed by Michael Wemms, is responsible for all retail operations and express stores. Tesco first ventured into foreign markets when it acquired stores in Irish

Republic in 1978, but these were sold in 1986. The 1990s produced a much better climate for European expansion. Now Tesco operates 80 stores in Central Europe, and 16 stores in two Far East countries trading both under the Tesco and subsidiary fascias. The 13 Tesco stores in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, 29 stores including 5 supermarkets in Hungary, 31 stores in Poland. Also Tesco plan to open 12 hypermarkets in Thailand and in South Korea over the next three years. The Human Resources Department within Tesco is responsible for many thousands of employees across the whole spectrum of the organisation. Tesco employs 154,000 people in the UK and 27,000 in Ireland and Europe. It does not appear on the organisation chart, which I obtained from Tesco, because this function is

somewhat complex and shared between the main headquarters at Cheshunt. Hertfordshire, and the many stores operated by Tesco around the country. For example, there are two Tesco superstores in Leicester, at Hamilton and Beaumont Leys, both of which have a Human Resources officer in charge of personnel administration. The Commercial Department, directed by John Gildersleeve, responsible for all commercial operations and technical services. The Distribution Department, directed by Philip Clarke, responsible for Supply Chain and all distribution operations. Distribution Director responsible for products delivery, logistics and transport. Its purpose is to ensure that Tesco stores have the right products delivered against agreed delivery schedules and in good condition, enabling the