Organizational engineering for business strategic direction. A case study in a Colombian company

Abstract

The objective was proposed to use the principles of industrial engineering in order to propose the strategic direction of a Colombian company dedicated to the consulting business in the Cúcuta municipality, Norte de Santander Department, Colombia. It was a qualitative study, with field and documentary design, at a descriptive level, using interview, Delphi Method and documentary review as collection techniques, with the population being 4 management employees of the company and 13 clients (10 private entities and 3 public) high fidelity selected by management. The study variables were: the identification of external factors that impact the organization's purpose; the identification of relevant internal factors; and strategy formulation. As results, the business consulting industry in the Cúcuta municipality has a low level of attractiveness with a slight tendency to medium, the entry of new competitors has low entry barriers; the bargaining power of the professionals who provide the knowledge and the threat of substitute products is a threat due to the tendency of client companies to prefer multinationals for prestige or less comprehensive solutions. Internally, the company tends towards minor weakness, due to the failure to adequately manage the key aspects for success, including the capitalization of the consultants' know-how. The strategic position is conservative, it must assume a direction supported by cautious actions, because it is not adequately managing the key success factors and the consulting industry is generating more threats than opportunities