Strategic management can be viewed as one of the management tools that have been widely applied in many organizations across the world. Strategic management is one of the most important business activities that have enabled many organizations to conduct its activities towards the realization of its goals (Cole 2003).
It is through the strategic management that an organization is enabled to direct the members such that they work towards the realization of organizational goals (Hill & Jones 2006). Strategic management therefore involves the efforts in which an organization is involved in and plays a significant role to determine what an organization is as well as what it does.
Demographics are very significant in strategic planning. In fact, demographics are all what matter in planning in the long term. OECD is one of the organizations that heavily rely on demographics in making critical long term decisions (OECD 2011). The main objective of OECD is to come up with the most effective policies that will promote both economic and social well being in the society (Kusek & Rist 2004).
This strategy is even more beneficial to the less developed countries where the majority of the people are living below the poverty line (Office of State Budget and Budget and Management 2011).
In order to be able to come up with most effective policies in various circumstances, OECD must be able to access the appropriate demographics. Through demographics, OECD will be in a position to know the characteristics of each population, an understanding which helps in coming up with the most feasible decisions.
OECD also looks at the issues that affect the ordinary people (Sadler & Craig 2003). In order to be able to achieve this, an organization must be able to access the necessary data about a specific segment of a population. For instance, it will be possible to identify a particular group of the people which is adversely affected by a certain problem (UNFPA 2010).
This can be easily understood by having a thorough analysis of the appropriate demographics about a place. For instance, the organization will be in a position to identify specific segments of a population which has been adversely affected by insecurity (Noel 2011).
This can easily be identified by analyzing the past trends of the data collected. Armed with such information, it will be easier for OECD to come up with the most effective long term policies addressing such issues in such a segment (OECD 2001: Public Sector Leadership for the 21st Century).
According to Jeffs (2008), demographics information in a specific country is very useful in making appropriate policy formulation. Such information includes information about structures, movements, living conditions, distribution and natural resources in a country.
The effectiveness of the course of action taking in particular cases will significantly be determined by the ability of a country to collect, analyze, and use the available information about various aspects in the community.
This information will also be useful in implementation of the policies. For instance, it will help in identifying specific population segments that are adversely affected by a certain problem.
Through such understanding, the policy makers will be in a position to identify the organizations which needs the first priority (Joyce & Wood 2001). One of the areas where this can effectively be applied is in poverty eradication policies. First priority can be given to those segments that are more affected. This promotes equality within the society.
This discussion has clearly revealed the importance of demographics in making the long term plans. In connection to this, it is important to collect and analyze the appropriate data on a certain population. It is also necessary to collect the appropriate data on the development issues that play a major role in policy making (Howes & Tah 2003).
There are several ways through which such information can be retrieved. Over the past years, most countries have been conducting census in order to collect information on various aspects among the population. Important demographics can also be retrieved from administrative registers (Haberberg & Rieple 2008).
For instance, information about deaths, births among others can easily be got from such registers. Thematic and demographic surveys can also be employed in retrieving useful information about a population (Berson 2011).
In order to have effective policies, it is always advisable to implement the policies based on truth. Therefore, the data collected plays a pivotal role in determining the effectiveness of the policies adopted. However, this requires the responsible parties to conduct, analyze, and use the collected data in the most effective way (OECD 2001: Government of the Future).
Conclusion
This discussion has clearly revealed that demographics play a major role in making long term plans in OECD. By collecting and analyzing available data or information about a population, it will be easy to come up with the most effective policies for a certain population segment. OECD is mainly concerned in promoting policies that contributes in improving the overall well being of every person in the society.
In other words, demographics provide direction while making policy recommendations depending on different aspects of a certain population segment. This helps in improving the overall well being of every person in the society as well as reducing disparities among the people.
Reference List
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Jeffs, C. 2008. Strategic Management. London, SAGE Publications Ltd.
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