Assignment Content

ReviewtheStrategic Management Project Backgrounddocument.

Reviewthe following terms and concepts discussed this week to prepare for this assignment:

• Vertical integration
• Taper integration
• Backward vertical integration
• Forward vertical integration
• Strategic alliances
• Global strategy
• International strategy
• Innovation

Createan APA formatted MicrosoftWord document andtitleit Strategic Management Research Journal Part 4."For information and directions on formatting your papers, refer to the pre-class formatting announcement and prior assignment feedback."

Writea 525- to 700-word response to the following prompts in your journal entry:

• Identify Caterpillar Inc.'s short-term and long-term goals identified by the company for operations, stewardship, sustainability, and profitability. (Annual reports provide a multitude of information. Goals are usually quantified and given timelines).
• Identify mergers and acquisitions of the last five years and their specific impact on performance and the achievement of goals. (performance is both quantitative and qualitative. Use the information available to you.)
• Determine which of the the 35+ mergers and acquisitions since the formation of the firm was most critical in terms of performance and achievement of goals. Defend your choice.
• What are the global strategies utilized and how effective is the operational plan (describe the implementation plan)? (Caterpillar is a multi-national company. Choose from international, multi-domestic, global standardization, and transnational strategies). Include supporting research or data.

reference