...Explain what is meant by sustainable competitive advantage..(SCA or just CA) A CA can be described as ‘an advantage a firm has over a competitor or over a group of competitors within the same market or industry’ (Kay 1993). It must be however, a relative advantage, which is to say that it should be compared to the competition. For example, Apple’s brand image is an advantage, because the logo is instantly recognisable, and could call itself more recognisable than competitors such as Blackberry or Nokia. Jack Welch (formerly of GE) said that ‘if you don’t have a CA, then don’t compete.’ This quote highlights the importance of a CA in business terms, and shows how it can be the difference between surviving in a market, or dominating in a market. The development of the CA is interesting; and it can be split into three main stages. Initially, the development of a CA was thought to be down to leadership; if a firm had a successful leader, then they would make successful decisions that would benefit the firm. However, in 1980, Michael Porter developed a theory which toppled this. Using his ‘5 Forces Model’, Porter believed that a firm could create a CA through differentiation (thus nullifying the threat of substitutes and the bargaining power of consumers) and/or through low costs (nullifying the threat of new entrants and suppliers.) Porter believed that by analysing the external environment, a firm could pick a good industry to enter and succeed in. This strategy in...
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...slide: What is their? Competetive advantage for AirAsia What is their competetive advantage? Load factor, cost per available seat mile, aircraft utilization, et cetera. 2-3 slides Sources of competetive advantage First mover advantage Being the first low cost carrier allows AA to capture a larger market share in South-East Asia which has 500 million people -> huge market. Fresh start, no “legacy” problems of older airlines, this allows them to build an optimal LCC-system from the ground up, they do not inherit old booking systems, unionized employees, old and fuel-consuming aircraft, high customer expectations, et cetera. This is a potential advantage, and it depended on the company leadership exploiting it -> which they did! The point is, they would not have gotten the same market share so quickly if they had established themselves in a saturated market such as north america or europe. Economies of scale through standardization and rationalization – “LCC advantages vs. Traditional airlines” Standardized aircraft fleet simplifies pilot training, maintenance, and facilitates quicker turnaround times and thus greater aircraft utilization. Also, no frills flights, direct sales, and the use of IT to maximize revenue (typical for LCCs) add to the bottom line. This is an advantage vis-a-vis traditional airlines more than an advantage vis-a-vis other LCCs. enthusiastic employees through incluse and open corporate culture. “LCC advantage vs. Other LCCs” LCCs can have...
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...Competitive Advantages MGT/498 - Strategic Management February 9, 2014 Competitive Advantages Paper Economy today is highly competitive; increasingly competitive as more companies acknowledge that domestic landscape is shrinking. As the opportunities decrease in the domestic market, organizations are making the changes to gain a competitive advantage in the global market. In this paper, team B will discuss the advantages of Riordan Manufacturing and how there related to other organizations in the market, such as Starbucks, and Apple Inc. In addition to determining the competitive strategies of Riordan, they must improve innovation and sustainability in their business operations of both the United States and global market. Furthermore, Riordan has to establish particular strategies and determine the numerous ways in which they will accomplish sustainability of long-term organizational performance. Competitive Advantages The company Riordan has the competitive advantage of product differentiation because their producing computer fans, heart valve stems, and injected molded products, such as water bottles, etc. Their competitive advantage caters to any retail household store, office buildings, and even medical centers. Furthermore, Riordan has several locations, which can be used to implement production efficiencies, which lower costs. To identify opportunities, the organization holds a comprehension market study to gain knowledge and establish directional tactics...
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...Darlene Ulmer Greta Miquelena 05 March 2014 Competitive advantage is a very important concept that seems very simple but it can bring lots of profitable benefits to a company. Competitive advantage means to have some sort of advantage over the industry competitors; in other words, when a company is able to create an innovative product that the competitors cannot imitate. For example, iPad tables are a hot item in the market and everyone from any age wants this item; therefore, it has been proven to have competitive advantage over any other table in the market. Now days all the companies are very competitive and only a few are able to succeed. Therefore, companies must use all the sources available to maintain the customers within the company. Brand names and costs switching are sources of competitive advantage; nonetheless, a brand name is not just created overnight. It takes dedication, consistency and interpersonal skills to create customer inertia. At the end of the day, if I get personalized treatment and every time I go to that store I get the same service, my expectations start to increase. Therefore, I would start spreading the world about my fascinating experience with families and friends. It is important to have more than one source of competitive advantage because this provides the company market share stability and profitability. The pharmaceutical industry has three major sources of competitive advantage, customer satisfaction, complaint resolution and...
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...Cost advantage/ Competing in distinctive way “If a company cannot be more operationally effective than its rivals, the only way to generate higher level of economic value is to gain a cost advantage or price premium by competing in a distinctive way”. Does this apply to the digital economy? Assess critically. It has been claimed that “value can be created with Internet communication either through finding ways of reducing costs or, on the demand side, by improving the match between buyer preferences and the goods they purchase”. Do you agree? “Internet technologies tend to reduce variable costs and tilt cost structure towards fixed cost, creating significant greater pressure for companies to engage in destructive price competition.” Do you agree? INTRODUCTION o It is argued that “If a company cannot be more operationally effective than its rivals, the only way to generate higher level of economic value is to gain a cost advantage or price premium by competing in a distinctive way”. o I will first give a definition of the digital economy and what is economic value. o This is followed by a briefly discussion on operational effectiveness. o I will then talk about the importance as well as limitation about cost advantage and price premium strategies. o The last part of the essay will look at other strategies and other elements besides cost advantage and price premium a firm can consider gaining competitive advantage. MAIN BODY Definition: ...
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...Competitive Advantages Riordan Manufacturing, Inc. is a corporation that focuses on the manufacturing of fans, plastic bottles, and plastic injection molding. Over the years Riordan Manufacturing Inc. has managed to expand its business into several cities and also around the world. A company who has a similar background is IKEA. IKEA has expanded its business to around the world branding itself as a household name. One way IKEA has a better competitive advantage over Riordan Manufacturing Inc. is the cost leadership strategy. IKEA has managed to sustain its operation by creating a product that is unique and which appeals to the masses but yet it is very cost effective to the consumers. Riordan Manufacturing has been able to stay in business due to the differentiation strategy but it could continue to grow globally and ensure its long term success by focuses on how it can reduce costs and pass that savings to the end users. IKEA has also used the cost focus strategy which has propelled its popularity and success globally. Using this method, IKEA has been able to identify a certain need in specific areas of the world and designed its furniture according to the style preference of that area while still keeping costs low and providing the savings to the end user. Riordan Manufacturing, Inc. could use this strategy to expand its products or manufacturing capabilities to specific groups of clientele around the world and beat out the competition cost wise. References ...
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...prized for its use of the Sigma Six Process, which is a reengineering process designed to eliminate the number of variables involved with making successful business decision. If the process is used correctly, it leaves management with fewer options to decide from, as well as fewer paths to failure. The process uses a method known as DMAIC, which stand for define, measure, analyze, improve, and control. This means that the process is a way to repair potential problems, rather than be used as a strategy. The process is performed in a circular fashion in the order given starting with define and ending at control. If the problem continues the cycle will continue until the issue has been solved with the desired results. Comparing the competitive advantages of Riordan Manufacturing to those of FedEx Corporation, both organization have created and implemented a diversity of services and products for the customers to choose from and use. Their development of innovated technology to provide the best resources for their consumers is the key to the success of both organizations. The main strength of both organizations is the brand name because their represented with the service and product both organizations provide. These factors produced because of the understanding both organization have for the technological environments of their surroundings. Riordan Manufacturing has its technology to produce plastic into many products available to its customers ranging from car parts to bottling for...
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...Essay by Mashell Chapeyama University of the People Competitive advantages of Chipinge Banana Company A competitive advantage refers to any asset or capabilities that a company has that gives value to it or its products and services, which competitors do not have. Competitive advantage creates cost leadership to a firm or enables the firm to produce differentiated products. An example of a competitive advantage is being able to sell the products at low price but still be able to get some profits. This essay explores the competitive advantages which Chipinge Banana Company has. Chipinge Banana Company is a company that is found in Zimbabwe. The company produces bananas only. The bananas are sold to customers in the country and abroad. This company is located in the region where there is abundance of rainfall as well as good soils. One competitive advantage of Chipinge Banana Company is the natural resources it has. Firstly, the company is located in a region with a lot of rainfall. This enables the storage of water in some dams. Most parts of Zimbabwe have got very low rainfall. The land there is also very flat, unlike most parts of the country, where there is ample rainfall, which are mountainous. The flat terrain makes it possible for the use of modern technology in banana farming. At this company, there is usage of overhead cable tractors. This makes it easier and cheaper to harvest bananas. Therefore, the cost of production of bananas is very low, as compared to other...
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...or our abilities determine that we can’t get there, we must take the same spirited action to disengage ourselves from that which we can’t make better than the best (Jack Welch, CEO, General Electric). For great business firms, winning is not a one time or now and then thing. Winning is a habit. To be a winner, a firm has to create, exploit, and sustain its competitive advantages vis-à-vis rivals. And it has to do so consistently if it wants to be a perennial winner. Where do competitive advantages come from? What are their contents and effects? Where do they reside inside or outside the firm? In what form can we observe them? How sustainable are they? These are all important questions concerning the multiple facets of the anatomy of competitive advantage. Competitive advantage comes in various shapes and sizes. Understanding the anatomy of competitive advantage helps general managers improve their firms’ chance of gaining and sustaining of competitive advantage hence their chance of winning. This paper advances an integrative framework to help general managers systematically analyze six facets of competitive advantage: its substance, expression,...
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...Event “Competitive Advantage” 15 September 2013 The term competitive advantage is the ability gained through attributes and resources to perform at a higher level than others in the same industry or market (Chacarbaghi and Lynch 1999, p. 45). There has been quite a bit of study and research interest due to existing issues regarding superior performance levels of businesses in the present competitive market conditions. "A firm is said to have a competitive advantage when it is implementing a value creating strategy, not simultaneously being implemented by any current or potential player" (Barney 1991 cited by Clulow et al.2003, p. 221). Firms that have a competitive edge over their rivals thrive in the marketplace and can exist for a very long time. Public companies in this category can have substantial returns for investors because they are able to capitalize on their competitive advantage. If one or more competitors can copy their ideas or make better products, then the company that had the competitive edge loses that advantage quickly. A prime example is Apple iPhones, in the cell phone manufacturing industry, U.S.-based Apple Inc. was on top of the world last year due to the astounding popularity of its iPhones and other products. Investors couldn't get enough of Apple's stock, pushing it well over $700 per share late last year. Investors were absorbed by the media and Wall Street’s glamorization that they seemed to fail to realize that Apple’s competitive advantage would...
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...Case study Starbucks Starbucks was founded as a coffee house by Howard Shultz on 1985. Philosophy of Starbucks is corporate social Responsibility mean company has to build up ethical and environmental principle for the sourcing of the coffee bean. Not only Starbucks, all the organizations key factor are resources, capabilities and competencies Resources can divide in e to two categories tangible and intangible resources. Starbucks tangible are coffee beans, price, production equipment and more. First is the model of Starbucks, the company’s sell own premium roasted coffee along with freshly brewed espresso-style coffee beverage, variety of pastries, coffee accessories teas and other product in coffee house setting. Another reason is a design of the stores is create relaxed mood, informal and comfortable experience for customer. This approach said that Starbucks not only sell the coffee, in same time selling an experience to customer satisfaction. Although Starbuck charged a premium price for their coffee, it’s acceptable by the entire customer. A tangible resource are non physical entire create by employee and other staffs. Starbucks give important on customer high quality Starbucks developed employee by hiring and training programs that were best in restaurant service. Capabilities define as company’s skill at coordinating its resources and putting them in production use example in Starbucks all staff required to attend to teach them not only how to make coffee also service...
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...Competitive Advantages Trisha Sadler, Darryl Warren, Josephine Ives, Rebecca Smith, Beth Sexton MGT/498 May 19, 2014 Rolando Espiritu Competitive Advantages Competitive Advantages - Riordan Riordan is a plastic manufacturing company, which was started in 1991 (University of Phoenix [UOP], 2013). The company has locations in California, Michigan, Georgia, and China. The company’s business units are plastic parts manufacturing, plastic beverage containers, and the plastic fan facility. Riordan’s customers consist of beverage makers, medical supply firms, electronic supply firms, and pharmaceutical companies (UOP, 2013). A competitive advantage allows companies to increase sales, resources, and market share. Team B’s analysis will provide insight on Riordan’s competitive advantages by identifying competitive strategies, competitive sustainability, and the effect of the global market changes to the company’s business strategy. Riordan’s Competitive Advantages Every organization must establish some type of competitive advantage. The recent research of FedEx, Southwest, and McCain Foods’ competitive advantages assists in identifying Riordan’s competitive advantage. The first step in competitive advantage is creating a mission statement and developing a strategic plan. Firms that operate with a strategic plan develop focus and alignment. Introducing unique products or services leads to the establishment of a competitive advantage. In the case of FedEx, the core service...
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...Competitive Advantage Tajsha Cheeks BUS 201 Principles of Management Instructor Glenda Riley February 27, 2012 Competitive Advantage The world has been chaining more rapidly than ever before, managers and other employees throughout an organization must perform at higher and higher levels. One of the most important lessons for managers and organizations to learn if they were to reach and remain at the top of the competitive environment of business is to achieve and build a competitive advantage. Competitive advantage is the ability of one organization to outperform other organizations because it produces desired goods or services more efficiently and effectively than its competitors. If company’s follow the four building blocks of competitive advantage, there’s no doubt in my mind their company will be superior to others (Jones, 2011). The four building blocks of competitive advantage consist of efficiency, quality, innovation, and responsiveness to customers. In today’s competitive environment, organizations continually search for new ways to use their resources to improve efficiency. Organizations increase their efficiency when they reduce the quantity of resources they use to produce goods or services. For example, many organizations are training their workforces in the new skills and techniques needed to operate heavily computerized assembly plants. Also, cross-training employees gives them the range of skills they need to perform many different tasks, and organizing...
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...Competitive Advantage is a case about a local computer company known by the name APEX and its project Manager, Alex Franklin. APEX offers customers, mainly financial institutions with software solutions. The company’s software solutions help the organizations manage data and the daily transactions that take place. It is a highly productive business within the community hence the competition being very strong as well. Besides APEX, the other major competitor is Computer solutions; however APEX has managed to own thirty five percent of the market in the local region within the industry. Being the two major competitors in the region, both organizations are constantly nipping at each other’s heels. Alex Franklin has been with the company two years and has managed to move up within the company very quickly. His next goal is to be promoted to a senior management position especially since one of the senior managers recently left APEX. Franklin feels the company is waiting for his performance to excel before they promote him again. According to Franklin, he could do this by signing a contract with First Street Bank and therefore persuaded his supervisors to allow him to take over the First Street Bank project. First Street Bank is the largest potential new account for APEX and will help the company financially, prestige wise, and in securing its future. Getting a contract with First Street Bank is not only crucial for APEX but also very important for Franklin in order to finalize his...
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...Competitive Advantages Paper Christopher Crehan, Sarah Franzen, Nicole Hadad, Kimberly Scott, and Leeza Steindorf MGT/ 498 April 26, 2014 Cheryl Boehm Competitive Advantages Paper Among large corporations there are many similar competitive advantages and they often share the same thought process on which competitive strategies will best result in long-term organizational performance. With that being said, this paper will discuss Riordan’s competitive advantages in association to some other major corporations, the competitive strategies that may help to increase the innovation and sustainability of their operations, how these strategies will affect the long-term performance of the business, and what global consideration should be taken into account for their business strategy. Coca Cola, Starbucks and Riordian have a number of competitive advantages in common, with the most significant as market leaders, having a strong brand, having a focus on corporate climate, and focusing on a product or product group. Other areas of strengths are being leaders in their field: Coca Cola as a giant in the beverage industry, Starbucks masters the art of producing, brewing, and serving high quality coffee in an upscale environment, and Riordian dominates in the plastics industry by using plastic injection molding for their containers, producing medical equipment parts, and the various fans and parts they produce. Another competitive advantage that these companies possess is diversification...
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