Reference no: EM132877482

1. Given the importance of understanding the external environment, why do some firms fail to do so? Provide examples of firms that did not understand their external environment. What were the implications of the firm's failure to understand that environment

2. What conditions would cause a firm to retaliate aggressively against a new entrant to the industry?

3. What determines whether an intelligence-gathering practice is or is not ethical? Do you see this changing as the world's economies become more interdependent? If so, why? Do you see this changing because of the Internet? If so, how?

4. What is value? Why is it critical for the firm to create value? How does it do so?

5. Several companies use their brand as a competitive advantage. Given your knowledge about the global economy, which brands do you believe have the strongest likelihood of remaining a source of advantage in the twenty-first century? Why? What effects do you believe the Internet's capabilities will have on this brand, and what should the owner of the brand do in light of them?

6. What effects do you believe the Internet will have on the university or college within the next five years as it seeks to develop new competitive advantages. In yout view, do the strategic decision makers in your educational institution understand the Internet's capabilities? If not, why not?