WGU COURSE D081 VERSION 5 (QBM3)
"INNOVATIVE AND STRATEGIC THINKING"
TASK 1
WGU D081 – VERSION 5 / QBM3 – TASK 1
Innovative and Strategic Thinking (Completed Submission)
A1. Factors Influencing the Company’s Decision-Making Process
, 1. Company Culture
The fishing boat manufacturer’s company culture is defined by innovation, continuous
learning, customer focus, and sustainability. These values originate from the founders and are
embedded in the mission and everyday operations. This culture influences decision-making
by encouraging the organization to prioritize customer needs and sustainable solutions.
For example, when considering entry into the emerging Indian market, the company
demonstrated its cultural commitment by hiring experienced fishers from India to test
foldable boat prototypes and provide culturally relevant feedback. This reflects a customer-
centered and innovation-driven approach to strategic decisions.
2. Organizational Structure
The organization uses a decentralized structure, which allows employees at all levels to
participate in discussions and decision-making. Employees have direct access to the
founders, and decisions with company-wide implications are collectively deliberated.
This structure enhances collaboration and employee engagement but also slows decision-
making, because issues must be presented, discussed, clarified, and voted on by the entire
workforce. As a result, the company may respond more slowly to market shifts or emerging
opportunities.
3. Mission and Vision Statements
The company’s mission and vision statements emphasize innovation, customer-driven
design, sustainability, and organizational growth. These statements provide direction for
strategic decisions by clarifying what the company prioritizes and what it aims to achieve.
Their alignment—without conflicting objectives—supports consistent decision-making. They
push the company to explore new markets, such as India, and encourage development of
environmentally sustainable technologies, such as eco-friendly waterproof coatings.
A2. Competing Values Framework (CVF)
The Competing Values Framework categorizes organizational cultures into four quadrants:
collaborate, create, control, and compete.
The fishing boat manufacturer fits most closely within the Create Culture, which values
innovation, creativity, flexibility, and experimentation.
Evidence includes:
A decentralized structure that encourages employee involvement.
An innovative culture that rewards creative ideas.
Testing laboratories where customers and employees collaborate.
"INNOVATIVE AND STRATEGIC THINKING"
TASK 1
WGU D081 – VERSION 5 / QBM3 – TASK 1
Innovative and Strategic Thinking (Completed Submission)
A1. Factors Influencing the Company’s Decision-Making Process
, 1. Company Culture
The fishing boat manufacturer’s company culture is defined by innovation, continuous
learning, customer focus, and sustainability. These values originate from the founders and are
embedded in the mission and everyday operations. This culture influences decision-making
by encouraging the organization to prioritize customer needs and sustainable solutions.
For example, when considering entry into the emerging Indian market, the company
demonstrated its cultural commitment by hiring experienced fishers from India to test
foldable boat prototypes and provide culturally relevant feedback. This reflects a customer-
centered and innovation-driven approach to strategic decisions.
2. Organizational Structure
The organization uses a decentralized structure, which allows employees at all levels to
participate in discussions and decision-making. Employees have direct access to the
founders, and decisions with company-wide implications are collectively deliberated.
This structure enhances collaboration and employee engagement but also slows decision-
making, because issues must be presented, discussed, clarified, and voted on by the entire
workforce. As a result, the company may respond more slowly to market shifts or emerging
opportunities.
3. Mission and Vision Statements
The company’s mission and vision statements emphasize innovation, customer-driven
design, sustainability, and organizational growth. These statements provide direction for
strategic decisions by clarifying what the company prioritizes and what it aims to achieve.
Their alignment—without conflicting objectives—supports consistent decision-making. They
push the company to explore new markets, such as India, and encourage development of
environmentally sustainable technologies, such as eco-friendly waterproof coatings.
A2. Competing Values Framework (CVF)
The Competing Values Framework categorizes organizational cultures into four quadrants:
collaborate, create, control, and compete.
The fishing boat manufacturer fits most closely within the Create Culture, which values
innovation, creativity, flexibility, and experimentation.
Evidence includes:
A decentralized structure that encourages employee involvement.
An innovative culture that rewards creative ideas.
Testing laboratories where customers and employees collaborate.
