Merck Swot Analysis & Stakeholder Evaluation

Merck and Company, Inc.: SWOT Analysis and Stakeholder Evaluation Merck and Company, Inc., a.k.a. Merck, is a leading worldwide pharmaceutical company that engages in manufacturing and marketing medicines, animal products, vaccines, and consumer health products. As most companies, Merck desires to continue their success as one of the top health care innovators in the world. Conducting a SWOT analysis can give them insight into internal strengths and weaknesses as well as external opportunities and threats. By way of the analysis, the company can obtain a clearer understanding of where it needs to improve and grow, and anticipate future threats to react effectively. Further, this valuable information is used by managers within the organization to satisfy needs of stakeholders as well as provide investors with sound information to help make informed decisions regarding their willingness to invest in the company. Ranking as the second largest healthcare company in the world, after the merger with Schering-Plough, Merck has set the standard for what it means to be an industry leader. Deriving from their company website, their vision is to “make a difference in the lives of people globally through…innovative medicines, vaccines, and consumer health and animal products” (“The New Merck,” 2010). Merck’s mission is to create distinctive products and services that will save and improve lives and satisfy customer needs. They seek to gain recognition as possessing an exceptional working environment, and offer investors a superior rate of return (“The New Merck,” 2010). Finally, they stand for “excellence in science and healthcare innovation, with an emphasis on addressing unmet medical needs; focus[ing] on patients and anticipating customers’ needs; and commitment to expand access to...[their] medicines and vaccines, and to improve global health” (“The New Merck,” 2010).
A SWOT analysis is a useful tool to stay committed to the vision and mission prescribed above. This

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