RIVERWOOD LOGISTICS

d. The focus of this report hence will be Riverwood Logistic, a logistics company based in Singapore. This report will look into diagnosing an organizational challenge that affects the company’s service delivery. In this regard, a detailed internal and external analysis of the company will be carried out to identify whether the internal and external factors contribute to the challenge faced by the organization. Based on the findings, the prediction of the organization’s future will be determined after the solution to the challenge is provided. Ideally, the provision of logistics solutions for Riverwood Logistics involves more than just serving corporate clients but also giving due consideration to the local commoner. As a result, its international services continue to be valued among their clients both within and outside the corporate fields.

Riverwood Logistics has its services provided in six major categories. These categories provide services in different industries and cover a variety of sectors (Donald, David & Bixby 2012). These six categories represent the areas that the company offers its services. In this directive, the areas thus covered are inclusive of the warehouse management system so that the clients have the convenience of all matters handled on their behalf; the provision of the assembly, kitting and packaging services whereby the goods in the warehouses are assembled and packaged accordingly on behalf of the clients. The management of inventory services is further provided to ensure that he clients’ goods are well cared for and meet the quantity and quality and finally offer customized logistics solutions.

The fifth category involves the moving solutions. Essentially, the goods in the warehouses have to be moved to their respective destinations. Further, the movement does not always account for warehoused goods only but also those that are within other areas. Riverwood Logistics operates as an international logistics solutions provider. Therefore, the company’s management has to take into consideration the politics of Singapore and its trading partners to which they choose to have their services rendered. The political policies of the countries in which Riverwood Logistics offers its logistics services have to be given priority and therefore, aligned with the objectives of the company in serving the international market. b. Economic Environment Second is the economic standpoint of the industry. Riverwood Logistics has made proper use of the various social platforms that are used in the contemporary world.

The company has ensured that it is digitally visible by taking advantage of the convenience of the different social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to reach out to the various clients within the international scope. Practically, Riverwood Logistics has laid a solid foundation that supports its social interaction with the different societies in Singapore thus building a strong and positive rapport. d. Technological Environment The technological environment ensures that companies are up to date with the latest developments in the field of information technology. The Environment Finally with reference to the external environment is the environment itself. The environment has become a sacred commodity in the contemporary world. Companies are rated and vetted based on their interactions with the environment.

Following the rising effects of global warming, the activities of companies and how they affect the environment have become areas of concern. The reduction of companies’ carbon footprints in Singapore is among the main targets of most managers so as to build a positive rapport of the organizations. The influence of these clients can easily boost the image and brand of Riverwood Logistics and thus earn it the global recognition that is crucial in the international markets (Chermack 2007). Third, the company has invested heavily in information technology. Primarily, Riverwood has a systematic flow of operations that are operated digitally to ensure the smooth flow of information and service delivery (Armstrong 2006). Furthermore, aside from using information technology for purposes of records and providing the company with the necessary machinery to carry out its operations effectively, Riverwood Logistics also uses its high tech software for purposes of providing e-commerce services to the convenience of its customers.

Finally, Riverwood has ensured that its logistics services are not limited to the traditional services and areas of coverage (Lawrence & Alfred 2009). Industry Analysis: Porter’s Five Analysis i. Threat of new entrants The logistics industry is one that is faced with new innovations, and thus, new entrants in the market are a common factor. However, well-established logistics firms such as Riverwood have the advantage of the market share and thus can easily opt to acquire the new entrants thus widening their scope, capital, and clientele. ii. Threat of substitutes Substitution is high in the industry as the efficiency of the service is determined by the customer. Thus, the need for suppliers is minimal for Riverwood Logistics. v. Industry rivalry Industrial rivalry is high.

Riverwood Logistics faces stiff competition from other global logistics companies such as Fed Ex. Therefore, the preference of the customers determines how well the companies perform against each other. VUCA is an acronym for volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (Johansen 2007). With reference to Riverwood Logistics, the company’s volatility is low such that, changes in the logistics industry are rarely sudden and therefore, the company enjoys long periods of stability (Galen & Peery 2009). The uncertainty of situations is curbed by Riverwood’s capable team that is often up to date with any potential changes in the local and international market (Wolf 2007). The complexity and ambiguity of situations is further handled by the firm’s experts to ensure that the company has presentable solutions to different situations so that the profitability, functionality and service delivery of the company is not affected.

Management Theory: Contingency Theory The organizational challenge that has been diagnosed following the analysis of the above factors is associated with the managers and the workforce inability to fully exercise the company’s potential in the international market (Stoner, 1995). M. A handbook of Human Resource Management Practice (10th edition) Kogan Page,  Barney, J. B. “Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. ” Journal of Management, 19, pp.  The Practice of Generalist Social Work. New York, NY: Routledge Chermack, Thomas J. et al. "The Use of and Misuse of SWOT analysis and implications for HRD professionals".  Human Resource Development International. &Bixby Cooper, 2012. Supply Chain Logistics Management, McGraw-Hill Galen V. & Peery, Destiny 2009.  "Social Categorization and Stereotyping In vivo: The VUCA Challenge".  Social and Personality Psychology Compass.