Write an essay in which you discuss the cultural differences of two respected companies that are successful in their industry. You have the option of choosing between:
Walgreens and CVS or
Zappos and Amazon
For Option 1, Walgreens vs. CVS, after you discuss the culture of both companies, your ultimate final question is whether CVS should buy Walgreens. You must support your response with at least one high-quality reference.
For Option 2) Zappos vs. Amazon, after you discuss the cultures of these two companies, your ultimate final question is whether the purchase of Zappos by Amazon in 2009 was the right strategy based on the findings of your own online library research and the articles provided. You must support your response to that question with at least one high-quality reference.
For either option, please prepare a 4- to 5-page (not including title page and references) critique per the following format:
Title Page. Be sure to include 5 components of relevant information (e.g., Name, Class, Professor, Assignment, Date) on the title page.
Introduction. Discuss the topic of the paper and how you will approach it. It is best to write this section after you have written the rest of the paper. The title of this first section is NOT the word Introduction; it is the company names for this assignment, that is, Walgreens vs. CVS Health or Zappos vs. Amazon. (The heading for each of the other sections of the paper are in bold in the following four subtopics.)
OPTION 1
The History and Culture of Walgreens. Describe the history and key elements of the culture of Walgreens and explain why these cultural elements are essential to Walgreens’ success. Be sure to apply the background material and support your writing with high-quality peer-reviewed journal articles found in the Trident Online Library.
The History and Culture of CVS Health. Describe the history and key elements of the culture of CVS Health and explain why these cultural elements are essential to CVS Health’s success. Be sure to apply the background material and support your writing with high-quality peer-reviewed journal articles found in the Trident Online Library.
CVS Health Should or Should Not Purchase Walgreens. Make an argument that CVS Health should or should not purchase Walgreens. Discuss the specific differences between the cultures of Walgreens and CVS Health in support of your position. Be sure to use the background material and support your writing with high-quality peer-reviewed journal articles found in the Trident Online Library.
Conclusion. Discuss the key points in your analysis that demonstrate the importance of understanding that organizational cultures are not easily changed and why culture should be a primary consideration when organizations contemplate an acquisition or merger.
Reference List. List all references that you cited in the paper using APA or other standard formatting. References include materials from the required background readings as well as any outside high-quality, peer-reviewed library sources you used in researching and writing your paper. Their purpose is to take the reader directly to the page on which you learned some information.
OPTION 2
The History and Culture of Zappos. Describe the history and key elements of the culture of Zappos and explain why these cultural elements are essential to its success. Be sure to apply the background material by supporting your writing with high-quality peer-reviewed journal articles found in the Trident Online Library.
The History and Culture of Amazon. Describe the history and key elements of the culture of Amazon and explain why these cultural elements are essential to its success. Be sure to apply the background material by supporting your writing with at least one high-quality peer-reviewed journal article found in the Trident Online Library.
It was or was not a good decision for Amazon to Purchase Zappos. Make an argument that Amazon made the right or wrong choice to purchase Zappos. Discuss the specific differences between the cultures of Amazon and Zappos in support of your position. Be sure to use the background material by supporting your writing with at least one high-quality peer-reviewed journal article found in the Trident Online Library.
Conclusion. Discuss the key points in your analysis that demonstrate the importance of understanding that organizational cultures are not easily changed and why culture should be a primary consideration when organizations contemplate an acquisition or merger.