The selected organization for this analysis is the Coca-Cola Company and the identified competitor is Pepsi. From the completed analysis, it is evident that the two companies have several departments working synergistically to ensure that the intended carbonated drinks are delivered to more customers in a timely manner. The departments collaborate, share information, and engage in constant communication to monitor operations (“Departments” 2020). The main difference is that Coca-Cola’s key departments, including human resources, research and development (R&D), and marketing, appear to be more involved in the business model in comparison with the ones established at Pepsi. This positive performance explains why Coca-Cola remains one of the most successful corporations in the global carbonated drinks industry.
At Coca-Cola, the purchasing department focuses on the acquisition of the relevant raw materials to produce concentrate, bottles, and cans. The commercial department is tasked with monitoring the coordination of various activities, the nature of the supply chain, and how the activities support the intended goals. The human resources (HR) department hires the right people who possess the required skills and, rewards hardworking employees (“Departments” 2020). While each department focuses on its unique roles, positive interrelationships exist whereby the HR manager collaborates with the commercial department leader to understand the competencies required to improve performance (Team 2019). The purchasing department will coordinate with those involved in logistical operations, ask for additional support from the commercial department, and collaborate to make the best decisions. The company’s chief executive officer (CEO) requires that departmental heads report to him or her to be involved in the coordination process.
From this analysis, it is evident that the overall organizational performance depends on the achievements and challenges recorded in every department. The HR department identifies skilled individuals who have the potential to improve profitability and manage the logistical procedures successfully (Team 2019). Similarly, the purchasing department ensures that the right supplies are acquired and shared with the other divisions.
The relationships recorded among departments will affect the performance of each department. For instance, a strained relationship between the purchasing and the commercial segments means that the company will not complete the required bottling and distribution procedures successfully (“Departments” 2020). Additionally, the leaders at the commercial department liaise with decision-makers in other divisions to streamline various organizational operations.
These relationships have the potential to affect the company’s financial and operational performance. For instance, the existence of a positive association among departments means that supplies are delivered within the stipulated time. The operations division provides the relevant information to the marketing department, thereby supporting the level of preparedness (Team 2019). The company’s CEO will monitor the established relationships and identify areas that could cause wastes or underperformance and manage them accordingly. Consequently, the company has succeeded in recording increased profits while meeting the demands of more business partners.
At Coca-Cola, there are areas where the established departmental relationships could be improved. For instance, the company can consider the need to hire an operations manager whose role is to ensure that all departments focus on the wider business model, support shared decision-making processes, and introduce decision support systems (DSS) that can support all departments to improve the existing relationships (Team 2019). A new culture that attracts employees from all departments and encourages them to focus on the established business model will strengthen such relationships.
References
“Departments.” (2020). Coca-Cola Company. Web.
Team, Trefis. 2019. “Understanding Coca-Cola’s Business Model and Performance across Key Operating Markets.” Forbes, Web.