Political/Regulatory Environment
The Canadian government is committed at ensuring that the country attains a high rate of economic development. Consequently, it promotes the establishment of businesses in different economic sectors1. One of the ways through which the government attains this goal is by ensuring that entrepreneurs access permits and licenses easily to run businesses. Additionally, the government has instituted strong regulations aimed at fostering effective business operations by incorporating regulations aimed at protecting customers, for example by ensuring that customers are offered healthy food, safe equipment, and facilities. Ontario Camping Association is also committed at ensuring that competitors do not engage in unhealthy competitive practices, and this aspect has played an important role in ensuring that Camp Wahanowin operates in an effective business environment.
Demographic Environment
Businesses have to ensure that they are effective in targeting their customers2. One of the factors taken into consideration relates to the society’s demographic characteristics. In the course of its operation, the camp has mainly targeted children both in the domestic and international market.
Social-Cultural Environment
In their decision making process, consumers are influenced by friends and relatives to purchase a particular product or service3. In the course of its operation, Camp Wahanowin has managed to offer high quality camping services. The firm’s management has effectively developed a strong market reputation.
The management team is also cognizant of the prevailing cultural diversity4. Consequently, it has designed the camp in such a way that individuals of diverse cultural background can patronize the facility. The facility has also managed to nurture a positive perception amongst customers. By ensuring that customers attain a high level of satisfaction, the facility can enhance market awareness5. This assertion emanates from the fact that customers spread the information to their friends and relatives through the word of mouth.
A large proportion of domestic and international campers have developed a positive attitude towards the camp, which has resulted from the effectiveness with which the camp provides unique services to campers. For example, the camp provides campers with an opportunity to connect with their friends. By targeting children and ensuring that they derive a high level of satisfaction, the Camp Wahanowin has managed to influence parents to consider taking their children to the facility.
Economic Environment
The prevailing economic environment determines the profitability of a firm6. Intense competition in a particular industry shrinks the market profitability. In the course of its operation, Camp Wahanowin faces a major challenge emanating from the intense competition. The competitive pressure faced by the firm emanates from the high degree of market saturation. Some of the major industry players include day camps and residential summer camps. Additionally, the emergence of summer travel business and the high rate of market consolidation through the formation of partnerships have also contributed towards the increment in the intensity of competition. Assessing the economic environment is vital in an effort to incorporate effective competitive strategies7.
Natural Environment
Considering the high rate of climate change, it is paramount for businesses to operate in an environmentally sustainable manner8. One of the ways through which the firm can achieve this goal is by ensuring that the activities conducted within the campsite do not contribute to environmental pollution. By caring for the environment within which it operates, the firm will be successful in creating a positive perception of the society within which it operates, which will culminate in improved social responsibility.
Technological Environment
Technology is one of the elements that can enhance the competitiveness of a firm9. Firms can use technology to improve their competitive advantage. As a result, they will be in a position to survive in the future10. In the 21st century, the Internet has emerged as one of the most important technological assets that a firm can exploit in order to succeed in the international market11. For example, a firm can use the Internet to improve the market awareness of its products and services. Despite the opportunity presented, Camp Wahanowin has not utilized the Internet effectively. Its website has not been updated for a considerable duration. Additionally, the firm has not incorporated Internet marketing in the course of its operations.
Situational Analysis
Bibliography
Berger, Eliud. The talent management: creating organizational excellence by identifying, developing and promoting your best people. Oxford: McGraw-Hill, 2010.
Burgemeister, Simon. Market analysis. New York, GRIN Verlag, 2008.
Dowling, Peter, and Marion Festing. International human resource management: managing people in a multinational context. London, Thomson Learning, 2008.
Gitman, Lewin, and Charles McDaniel. The future of business: The essentials. Mason Cengage, 2009.
Kakabadse, Andrew. Leading smart transformation: A roadmap for world class government. Basingstoke: Palgrave McMillan, 2011.
Meiners, Roger, and Edwards Frances. The legal environment of business. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning, 2008.
Needle, David. Business in context: An introduction to business and its environment. London, 2004.
Paludi, Michelle. Managing diversity in today’s workplace; strategies for employees and employers. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2012.
Peter, Michelle. Technology in the 21st century. London: Sage, 2003.
Thompson, Russell, and Linda Russell. Strategic planning 101. ASTD Press, Alexandria, 2006.
Footnotes
- Roger Meiners and Edwards Frances, The legal environment of business (Mason: Cengage Learning, 2008), 54.
- David Needle, Business in context: An introduction to business and its environment (London: Thompson, 2004), 76.
- Eliud Berger, The talent management: creating organizational excellence by identifying, developing and promoting your best people (Oxford: McGraw-Hill, 2010), 34.
- Michelle Paludi, Managing diversity in today’s workplace; strategies for employees and employers (Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2012), 54.
- Russell Thompson and Linda Russell, Strategic planning 101 (ASTD Press, Alexandria, 2006) 111.
- Phillip Kotler, Marketing management, millennium edition (New Jersey: Pearson Education Publishers, 2000), 76.
- Simon Burgemeister, Market analysis (New York: GRIN Verlag, 2008), 42.
- Andrew Kakabadse, Leading smart transformation; a roadmap for world-class government (Basingstoke: Palgrave McMillan, 2011), 54.
- Michelle Peter, Technology in the 21st century (London: Sage, 2003) 85.
- Gitman Lewin and Charles McDaniel, The future of business: The essentials (Mason: Cengage, 2009), 34.
- Peter Dowling and Festing Marion, International human resource management: managing people in a multinational context (London, Thomson Learning, 2008), 234.