Organisational Structure of Applebee's : Applebee’s International, Inc. is a United States company which develops, franchises, and operates the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurant chain. As of November 2010, there were 2,000 restaurants operating system-wide in the United States, one U.S. territory and 16 other countries.[2] The company's headquarters are in Lenexa, KS.

The Applebee's concept focuses on casual dining with mainstream American dishes such as salads, shrimp, chicken, pasta, and "riblets" (which is considered Applebee's signature item). All Applebee's restaurants feature a bar area and serve alcoholic beverages (except where prohibited by law).

In November 2007, IHOP announced that it had completed a $1.9 billion purchase of the Applebee's chain.


President
Julia Stewart
4
Director
Frederick Christie
Director
Patrick Rose
3
Director
Richard Dahl
4
Director
Gilbert Ray
5
Director
Michael Gordon
Director
Caroline Nahas
Director
Daniel Brestle
3
Director
Frank Edelstein
Director
Howard Berk
Lead Director
Larry Kay
CFO
John Tierney
Restaurant Support
RC
Applebee’s International, ...
MA
IHOP Restaurants
JB
Human Resource
JJ
Legal & Secretary
BA
Marketing
CO
Control
GK

The most dominant strategic management paradigm in recent years is known as competitive strategies model. Exemplified by Porter’s (1980, 1985) work, this approach addresses the issue of how firms compete within their product markets. Porter identified two competitive advantages that provide a firm with a defensible position: cost leadership (lower cost) and differentiation. Looking on Porter’s idea of competitive strategies, PCCW uses product differentiation. They rely on the development of new, unique and innovative products and services while extending it to other global market networks. Over time, PCCW considers customers’ belief on unique products. Customers valuing a product’s uniqueness tend to become loyal to both the product and the company producing it (Hitt et al. 2003). This is exactly what PCCW is doing. Through this strategy, new entrants needed a significant amount of resources over time to outdo existing customer loyalty. While new entrants compete through low prices, PCCW is able to manage the balance between product differentiation and pricing strategy.

To keep ahead of its competitors, PCCW is adding new services as quickly as possible on all fronts. Differentiation according to Oden (1997) is a strategy with which the organization seeks to distinguish its products or services from those of competitors. The firm may use advertising, distinctive product features, exceptional service, or new technology to achieve a product perceived as unique. In order to fulfill its differentiation strategy, PCCW Directories offer innovative services and technologies to its consumers. For example PCCW Directories has formed partnerships with online giants such as Google, eBay Hong Kong, SINA Hong Kong and Yahoo! Hong Kong. Users are also able to perform keyword searches via Mobile Yellow Pages to find retailers and suppliers, as well as enjoy discounts and privileges from more than 10,000 participating outlets. These are some of the strategies that PCCW Directories is employing to achieve differentiation (Quin and Cameron 1983). The company is able to achieve its mission of providing quality service to its customers. The organizational structure supports the company’s strategy.
 
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What do you understand by Organisational Structure and why it is important.

An organizational structure defines how activities such as task allocation, coordination and supervision are directed towards the achievement of organizational aims. It can also be considered as the viewing glass or perspective through which individuals see their organization and its environment.
 
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