Discuss the below in a 3 page:
"Union Pacific Corporation"
Perform an analysis of the social / demographic, technological, economic, environmental / geographic, and political/legal / governmental segments to understand the general environment facing Union Pacific.
Describe how Union Pacific will be affected by each of these external factors.
EXAMPLE:
Union Pacific Corporation was incorporated in 1969 and is the leading rail transportation in America. Their HQ is located in Omaha, Nebraska.
Social / demographic: Union Pacific 2016 report show that they hired 4 percent more women into their management program, increased the rail safety awareness by reaching 32 million of people, providing emission reductions and volume reductions, received an A rating on the Carbon Disclosure Project Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) represent minorities, veterans and women to create a diverse workforce (Union Pacific, 2017).
Union Pacific Railroad is one of the US recognized companies connecting 23 states, two- thirds of the country by rail; operates from major ports; West Coast and Golf cost and it connects with Canada's rail system, as well as, being the only railroad that provide services to all Mexico gateways . Union Pacific provides business that includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial products and Intermodal (PRNewswire, 2017).
Technological: UP uses DPU (distributed power units) to operate in the middle and in the end of the trains instead of having only in the front end. This technology reduces the physical force of the train and a fuel savings of 4 to 6 percent compared to standard power. They also created Genset technology that uses several smaller engines and generators instead of a large single one. This technology is now being used in America and around the world by railroads. There are several other technologies that are being used by UP as their main goal is to continuously research ways to develop technologies that will help reduction of emissions (Union Pacific, 2017).
Economic: As the economy continues to flow, Union Pacific is planning to execute their value strategy by using technology and innovation to improve customer experience and driving resource productivity. Top goal for Union Pacific is their margin targets and creating a long term enterprise value for all stakeholders groups (Union Pacific, 2017).
Environmental / geographic: Union Pacific transport one ton of freight 456 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel; they are four times more fuel efficient than any truck. Union Pacific reported that a single train can carry as much freight as 300 trucks. Part of UP vision and environmental policy is to protect the environment and be recognized as environmentally responsible transportation leader. They have received the Chairman's Environmental awards for 24 consecutive times since 1993 up to 2016 (Union Pacific, 2017).
Political/legal / governmental: Union Pacific is in compliance with all state, local, and federal applicable laws. They provide compliance reports to all levels of government like the Federal Election Commission, as well as, it is actively participating in policy making and political process (Union Pacific, 2017).
Describe how Union Pacific will be affected by each of these external factors.
Aging infrastructure, self-driving trucks, and future generation technology can result on threats to UP, as it is described in the SWOT analysis conducted by Market Mad House. Technology can not only create competitive environment by creating faster and efficient alternatives that UP will have to compete with (technology). Environmental legislation can require purchase and construction of costly infrastructure (environmental). Governmental changes in laws to use railroads to carry more passengers' trains could cause major delays to deliver products in a timely manner. Government can also use UP lines for high-speed corridors, which is already under construction in California. However, all these threats can be mitigated by great leadership which UP is well known for having (Market Mad House, 2018).
References:
PRNewswire. (2017). Union pacific reports third quarter 2017 Results.
Union Pacific. (2017).
Market Mad House. (2018). Is union pacific a bargain?
DISCUSSION
Five Forces of Competition Model" Please respond to the following:
From the e-Activity, analyze the industry you selected using the Five Forces of Competition Model to determine the impact of each of the five forces.
Based on your analysis, determine if the industry is attractive or unattractive. Explain your rationale.
ARE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A DISCUSSION!
The company I choose to highlight is Microsoft, particularly there gaming division Xbox.
Competitive rivalry
Xbox biggest rivalry in the market place is Sony PlayStation followed by Nintendo. PlayStation debuted a full six years prior to Xbox which contributed to its massive gaming library and its diehard fan base. Nintendo albeit older than both its rival's primary operates in a niche market catering habitually to younger children. Historically Xbox has benefitted from having the more powerful gaming consoles and superior online services.
Bargaining power of suppliers
Characteristically, in the world of gaming titles are released from either first party developers owned by the consoles parent company's or a 3rd party which is possessed and ran by an independent studio. These 3rd party developers can often create bidding wars for their studios exclusive content.
Bargaining power of customers
Due in part to the hypercompetitive rivalry between these 3 major gaming consoles pricing points for these 3 products are swayed heavily by consumer responsiveness in the market place. Xbox dropped its price by $200 since its latest console debut to better appease its consumer base and cut into its rival Sony profit margin.
Threat of new entrants
Considering that Xbox, Sony, and Nintendo are entrenched in their now decades long rivalry it seems highly improbable that a new threat can establish itself in an already crowded market place.
Threat of substitute products or services
Considering that many of Xbox's games today are now available on Sony and vice versa it becomes decidedly feasible that many consumers can opt to jump to the competition if they feel their expectations or standards haven't been met.
Over all the industry is very viable for the Xbox and the other incumbents the business model is sound and there is over 20 years of data to draw upon for support. For new entries in the console business it would be an up-hill battle against already established fan bases. The market place has already deemed that 3 options are all it will allow, so unless the new entry plans on supplanting one of the incumbents it wise to choose another industry.