Reference no: EM132640110
Learning Objectives
The central role of competitive advantage in the study of strategic management and the three generic strategies: overall cost leadership, differentiation, and focus.
How the successful attainment of generic strategies can improve the firm's relative power vis-à-vis the five forces that determine an industry's average profitability.
The pitfalls managers must avoid in striving to attain generic strategies.
How firms can effectively combine the generic strategies of overall cost leadership and differentiation.
What factors determine the sustainability of a firm's competitive advantage?
The importance of considering the industry life cycle to determine a firm's business-level strategy and its relative emphasis on functional area strategies and value-creating activities.
The need for turnaround strategies that enable a firm to reposition its competitive position in an industry.
Document 1 - 450 words
Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 5
Reflect on the assigned readings for the week. Identify what you thought was the most important concept(s), method(s), term(s), and/or any other thing that you felt was worthy of your understanding.
Also, provide a graduate-level response to each of the following questions:
Research Amazon. How has this firm been able to combine overall cost leadership and differentiation strategies?
[Your initial post should be based upon the assigned reading for the week, so the textbook should be a source listed in your reference section and cited within the body of the text. Other two sources are also required ].
[Your initial post should be at least 450+ words and in APA format (including Times New Roman with font size 12 and double spaced). Post the actual body of your paper in the discussion thread then attach a Word version of the paper for APA review]
Document 2 - 350 words
Activity 5
Choose a firm with which you are familiar in your local business community ( must be from USA - preferably an engineering company ) . Is the firm successful in following one (or more) generic strategies? Why or why not? What do you think are some of the challenges it faces in implementing these strategies in an effective manner?
The assignment is to answer the question provided above in essay form. This is to be in narrative form and should be as thorough as possible. Bullet points should not to be used. The paper should be at least 350 words in length, Times New Roman 12-pt font, double-spaced, 1 inch margins and utilizing at least one outside scholarly or professional source related to competitive strategy. The textbook should also be utilized. Do not insert excess line spacing. APA formatting and citation should be used.