Support activities are such types of activities, which can make the delivery of any other primary activity possible. Usually, support activities are all about different kinds of competitions within one concrete sphere.
There are four major categories of support activities, which, in their turn, are divided into several more specific activities: general administration, technology development, human resource management, and procurement.
In order to take leading positions in the desirable spheres, it is necessary to take some of these support activities properly and be aware about the consequences of such use.
The Boeing Company is one of the most widely known aerospace companies and, at the same time, the largest manufacturer of numerous military aircrafts. At the beginning of the 1900s, Boeing appeared on the world scene and amazed consumers with its novelty and practicality.
To achieve the desirable success, the company never stops to demonstrate its capabilities and provide its consumers with advanced technologies, e-enabling airplanes, military platforms, and other captivating financial solutions for each of its customers. (Boeing)
Support activities for the Boeing Company should be analyzed in order to comprehend how this company is able to take the leading position for such a long period of time, and then identify and analyze its strengths and weaknesses.
As it was mentioned above, four categories of support activities consist of some sub-activities, which are necessary for the company. Identification of some of them should help us clear up its strengths. One of the support activities that relates to general administration is “excellent relationships with diverse stakeholder groups.” (Dess et al., 81)
Boeing offers two ways to own stock at this company: be a registered shareholder or be a beneficial shareholder. It is one of the strengths of the company, because it provides its customers with more opportunities to participate in the life of the company and promote its development.
Another activity in the sphere of human resource management is invigorative programs in order to motivate all employees of the company. It is underlined that any employee is an important key of the Boeing’s success and growth.
The benefits package is another strength of the company, that helps to meet the needs of workforce, provide financial protection of employees’ families, and promise proper retirement benefits.
Technological development is something that supports the whole value chain. However, Boeing is not always able to meet all critical deadlines. This is why such support activity demonstrates one of the slight weaknesses of the company. Sometimes, not all the deadlines can be met because of weather conditions or terroristic attacks.
Of course, they are not huge in numbers, but still, such possibility exists and has to be considered. “Procurement refers to the function of purchasing inputs used in the firm’s values chain, not to inputs themselves.” (Dess et al., 82) One of such activities is purchasing different advertising and media services.
Boeing is one of the companies, which pay much attention to new advertising technologies in order to satisfy the vast majority of consumers’ needs. This is why their careful attitude and attention to novelties make this organization more powerful in comparison to other aerospace companies.
These and many other support activities prove that the Boeing Company chooses the best ways to achieve the desirable success and be the leader in this sphere. Sophisticated workers and perfectly arranged management help to grow and develop day by day and be ready to win all the competitors.
Works Cited
Boeing., Copyright 1995 – 2009. Web.
Dess, Gregory, G., Lumpik, G. T., and Taylor, Marilyn, L. Strategic Management: Creating Competitive Advantages. McGraw Hill Professional, 2004.