Current organisational structure
Discuss about the Strategic Information Systemn of Austrade.
Every organisation need to ensure that an effective organisational structure is formed that can help in maintaining the stability of the business. According to Glavas and Mathews (2014), the organisational tasks of the organisations are based on the structure and following a proper hierarchical structure can help organisations to avoid any type of conflicting issues. The assignment focuses on Austrade and the manner in which the structure of the company affects its decision-making activity. Austrade follows a hierarchical structure that helps the company maintain a continuous two-way communication flow between employees and employers (Austrade.gov.au 2017).
Based on the structure, the operational activities of the organisation can be easily supervised and the organisational goals are attained. The head of the company is the Minister of Trade and Investment, Honourable Steven Clobo. This provides the company with an opportunity to promote various trade activities with international companies and invest in projects that are challenging. The chief assistance provided by the company is mainly in the countries of Asia and America. Austrade controls the promotion, attraction as well as the products invested in the foreign lands (Austrade.gov.au 2017). The main aim of the company is to attract foreign investors so that the economic condition of Australia improves. Austrade also acts as a good medium for providing information to people and organisations regarding investments in foreign countries.
One of the important problems that Austrade face is the existence of the hierarchical structure. The operation of the company is based on the hierarchical framework that provides consists of a descending structure. Therefore, the employees do not get opportunities to participate in decision-making activities and at the same time fail to maintain effective communication. As stated by Drew, McCallum and Roggenhofer (2016) Austrade maintains the sanctions of the United Nations Security Council and accordingly maintain trade restrictions, assistance and travelling sanctions of every country. The managers of Austrade take up a dominating position in the organisation and because of this, employees remain dissatisfied and stressed within the organisation. The stressful treatment of the workers put extra burden that hampers the quality of work that is usually expected from the employees. This hampers the productivity of Austrade.
Due to the existence of the hierarchical structure and the nature of the managers, the communication process of Austrade suffers considerably. This is because transferring a message from one department to another can require time due to the existence of different managers. The operational factors of Austrade may be affected due to lack of communication. This is because important messages related to the transportation of goods, import and export of materials or the investment factors cannot be provided in quick time. Therefore, as stated by Hill, Jones and Schilling (2014) proper strategies cannot be formed due to the lack of communication and trust between the superiors and subordinates. This even hampers the promotional activity of the company, as the products may not be received in a positive manner due to the lack of proper planning.
Operational problems of Austrade
Austrade ensures that a proper relation is maintained between the buyers and sellers for the promotion of the products and the investments of the company. In the modern world, the application of technological assistance in the form of advanced software can help the organisation to maintain its position in the market. Schaltegger, Etxeberria and Ortas (2017) are of the opinion that Austrade can use certain software that can help the company to maintain its stability in the business market. For example, Austrade can apply the commercial software that can be effective for the promotion of the company.
According to Lu et al. (2013), the application of the commercial software can help a company like Austrade to identify its capabilities and help in the trading of the products and services. This particular software is effective in providing companies with an opportunity to indulge in technical prowess and ensure that the facilities as well as the productivity increases. Given the current state of problems faced by Austrade, the application of this software can help in meeting the business requirements. Dealing with the multiplication of the products, Austrade can identify the factors that contribute to attracting foreign investors in the market. At the same time, the commercial software is also time efficient and helps in performing all type of activities by maintaining the regulatory compliance of the state as well as the organisation.
According to Mas et al. (2014), maintaining a proper sales process can help an organisation to attract customers as well as increase the efficiencies in the organisations. In the case of Austrade, the company ensures that the buyers get the investment schemes that the company is looking for and at the same time maintain a proper relationship with the company. The relationship between the importing and exporting countries are also improved with the application of software, such as the commercial software. Therefore, the sales process of the company consists of ensuring that satisfaction between every sales party is secured. It has been seen that the sales parties of Austrade deal with focusing on the marketing of the company and the promotion of any new investment schemes.
Austrade also focuses on attracting investors so that the sales of the product can be maintained in a proper manner. The marketing of the products provides Austrade with an opportunity to meet the business objectives and make an agreement with investors so that the satisfaction of the customers can be attained. As observed by Yen et al. (2015) this is one way in which Austrade manages to gain the trust of the investors and recruit agents that can help in promoting the services of the company. With the help of the agents, Austrade can attract customers from all over the world.
Preferred system acquisition method
In order to solve the problems, a company need to ensure that it develops its technologies and resources to gain a competitive edge. The problems faced by Austrade are in the form of both internal as well as external. Some of the issues faced by Austrade include:
- Competition rules
- Registration of the company
- Liability of its products and services
- Ineffective workers
- Territorial activities
- Limitations in contract
- Resolution disputes
According to Van Wart (2017), the advanced methods that a company need to adapt can vary depending on the type of problems faced and the advancement that has been made in the society. Hence, it can be said that the Austrade can control its internal problems of communication and mismanagement by ensuring that technologies are developed, teamwork is maintained and efficient employees are recruited to promote the sales. Ruokolainen and Aarikka-Stenroos (2016) stated that every company consist of an IP address that can be used to track activities related to sales, transactions or delivery of information.
Similarly, with the help of the IP address of Austrade, the Government can keep records about the foreign applications and investments of the company. Austrade can also use the foreign IP addresses to identify the companies with which it can conduct its business. This helps Austrade in maintaining the deals with the foreign countries. One of the positive points of Austrade is the fact that it does not get involved in any type of dispute between the local and the foreign companies. Friesen et al. (2014) stated that the company provides legal assistance to law firms so that it can resist from facing any type of frauds and other illegal activities such as distribution.
Selecting proper accounting software can be difficult as factors such as popularity, user ability and competence need to be taken into consideration. Organisations such as Austrade faces problems in the application of the accounting software packages as the company need to ensure that resources are available that is capable of implementing and using the packages in a provisional manner. Austrade can gain success as it can lead to its success in terms of productivity.
Göllmann and Maurer (2014) stated that the application MYOB software could help in the development of Austrade as it is one of the accounting software that is upgraded and feasible. MYOB can help in providing ideas regarding the investment of the company and the manner in which it can be used increase the safety and security of the company. However, Austrade needs to keep in mind that using this particular software requires the expertise of the employees. With the increased competition among companies, the application of this type of accounting software can help Austrade to continue with the new and adopted software (Leon 2014).
Describing a system flowchart of the sales procedures of Austrad
Reports have provided evidence that the current annual revenue of Austrade is about AUD$200 (Austrade.gov.au 2017). The chief executive officer of the company Stephanie Fahey has opened up the provisions related to the trading with foreign countries. This can help in increasing the level of employment in the company and ensure that the society in which it works receive education related to the corporate social responsibilities of the company. Therefore, the level of employability in the organisation can increase and it can help in making proper investments in the company.
Currently, the total strength of employability in the company is about 100,000 workers. This is mainly because of the international development it has in the market and the manner in which investment is made in the foreign countries. Austrade also helps in assisting other Australian companies so that they can connect with the buyers and sellers. The company also makes an investment as well as attract foreign markets for the greater good. It has been reported that between 2004 and 2006, the company managed to provide grants worth $394,009 (Austrade.gov.au 2017).
Despite being a private company, Austrade competes with both private as well as public companies within the country. The rivalry of the company is mainly with The Department of Human Services, a high ranked company in the region. The Department of Human Service employs about 34,575 employees and ensures that the company maintains its capabilities in the competitive market. The reason behind the success of the company is mainly attributed to a proper organisational structure and the fact that it helps in maintaining effective communication within the departments. The diversity of the market and the diversity of the customers make The Department of Human Service a strong competitive organisation for Austrade. As stated by Mayer, Melitz and Ottaviano (2014) the satisfaction of the customers is important to the success of a company. In the case of Austrade, the satisfaction of the investors is an important factor that needs to be considered so that the company can remain a driving force in the international market.
The analysis shows that communication forms the biggest gap in Austrade. According to Morse (2016), the application of certain software such as SHAREWARE or MYOB can help in the development of the company. The application of this software can help in gaining ideas about the manner in which investors can be attracted for the improvement of the company. At the same time, trading of the company has been identified as a problem factor as the lack of communication between employee and employer may hinder proper strategic development. Nica (2013) is of the view that in order to get a perfect solution for the company, it is necessary that software like SHAREWARE be applied. Austrade can use the assistance of other market leaders in the industry and ensure that the application of commercialised software can be effectively used. SHAREWARE can help in a smooth understanding of the business and ensure that proper trade relation is maintained with the trading countries.
Reference List
Austrade.gov.au. 2017. Austrade, Australian Government – Austrade. [online] Available at: https://www.austrade.gov.au/ [Accessed 16 May. 2018].
Drew, J., McCallum, B. and Roggenhofer, S., 2016. Journey to lean: making operational change stick. Springer.
Friesen, J. P., Kay, A. C., Eibach, R. P., and Galinsky, A. D. 2014. Seeking structure in social organization: Compensatory control and the psychological advantages of hierarchy. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 106(4), pp.590.
Glavas, C. and Mathews, S., 2014. How international entrepreneurship characteristics influence Internet capabilities for the international business processes of the firm. International Business Review, 23(1), pp.228-245.
Göllmann, L., and Maurer, H. 2014. Theory and applications of optimal control problems with multiple time-delays. Journal of Industrial and Management Optimization, 10(2), pp.413-441.
Hill, C. W., Jones, G. R., and Schilling, M. A. 2014. Strategic management: theory: an integrated approach. Boston: Cengage Learning.
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Morse, J. M. 2016. Mixed method design: Principles and procedures. London: Routledge.
Nica, E. 2013. Marketing implications of consumer behavior. Economics, Management and Financial Markets, 8(1), p.124.
Ruokolainen, J. and Aarikka-Stenroos, L., 2016. Rhetoric in customer referencing: Fortifying sales arguments in two start-up companies. Industrial Marketing Management, 54, pp.188-202.
Schaltegger, S., Etxeberria, I. Á., and Ortas, E. 2017. Innovating Corporate Accounting and Reporting for Sustainability–Attributes and Challenges. Sustainable Development, 25(2), pp.113-122.
Van Wart, M., 2017. Leadership in public organizations: An introduction. Taylor & Francis.
Yen, H. R., Hu, P. J. H., Hsu, S. H. Y., and Li, E. Y. 2015. A Multilevel Approach to Examine Employees’ Loyal Use of ERP Systems in Organizations. Journal of Management Information Systems, 32(4), pp.144-178.
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