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  • October 1992 (Revised September 1996)
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McDonald's Corporation

By: David M. Upton and Joshua D. Margolis
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:22
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Abstract

McDonald's has over many years built an operating strategy based on consistency and quality through a limited product range. Competitive forces have drawn the company into a much wider variety of foods and services in order to maintain growth. Now, new competitors threaten to beat McDonald's at its own, original game. In addition, McDonald's faces unprecedented challenges in its environmental policy. The case teaches approaches and dangers arising from flexibility, and the identification of capabilities that support different types of flexibility. The integration of environmental concerns with operations strategy is also addressed.

Keywords

Corporate Strategy; Diversification; Problems and Challenges; Environmental Sustainability; Quality; Competitive Strategy; Growth and Development Strategy; Operations; Integration; Food and Beverage Industry; United States

Citation

Upton, David M., and Joshua D. Margolis. "McDonald's Corporation." Harvard Business School Case 693-028, October 1992. (Revised September 1996.)
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About The Author

Joshua D. Margolis

Organizational Behavior
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Related Work

    • October 2002 (Revised June 2005)
    • Faculty Research

    McDonald's Corporation (Abridged)

Related Work
  • McDonald's Corporation (Abridged) 
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