Final answer:
Mary should focus on building alliances, engaging in corporate lobbying, and community engagement as part of her political strategy to grow her influence in support of her manufacturing company's goals and competitive advantage.
Step-by-step explanation:
As a manager in a manufacturing company, Mary, responsible for activities directly connected to the organizational goals and sources of competitive advantage, should focus on a political strategy that not only adheres to her ethics but also effectively grows her influence within the company and the industry. Since the political strategy she chooses will impact her ability to achieve certain outcomes, Mary must be strategic, considering both the internal dynamics of her organization and the broader economic and political landscape.
One approach Mary could take is to build alliances with key stakeholders within and outside the organization to support her initiatives. Engaging in corporate lobbying could also be part of her strategy if her goal is to influence policy or regulatory changes that affect her industry. Additionally, she might consider community engagement initiatives to bolster the company's public image and gain support from local stakeholders and the wider public, which in turn can lead to influenced policymakers. This aspect can tie back to the concept of grassroots politics, mobilizing supporters from the ground up. Nevertheless, Mary's strategy must adapt to the imperfect information and multiple goals that often characterize real-world scenarios, requiring a careful balance between different strategic approaches.