Unit One – Strategy and Strategy Formulation • Discussion Question 1 (10 points) o Prompt: Answer question 1 provided in the Assurance of Learning Exercises in Chapter 1 of the text. o Requiremen

Unit One – Strategy and Strategy Formulation • Discussion Question 1 (10 points) o Prompt: Answer question 1 provided in the Assurance of Learning Exercises in Chapter 1 of the text. o Requiremen
Unit One Chapter 1-1 Based on your experiences as a computer, tablet, or smartphone user, does Apple, Inc.’ s strategy as described in Concepts & Connections 1.2 seem to set it apart from rivals? Does the strategy seem to be keyed to a cost-based advantage, differentiating features, serving the unique needs of a niche, or some combination of these? What is there about Apple Inc.’ s strategy that can lead to sustainable competitive advantage?” Chapter 2-3 Boeing has been recognized by Forbes and other business publications as one of the world’s best managed companies. The company discusses how its people and organizational units bring to bear the “best of Boeing” to its customers in 150 countries at www.boeing.com/ company. Prepare a one-to two-page report that suggests how design or software problems with the 737 MAX may have occurred despite Boeing’s commitment to excellence at various organizational levels and functional areas.” Unit Two Chapter 3-1 Prepare a brief analysis of the organic food industry using the information provided by the Organic Trade Association (www.ota.com). Based upon information provided in Organic Report magazine (theorganicreport.com), draw a five-forces diagram for the organic food industry and briefly discuss the nature and strength of each of the five competitive forces. Chapter 3-3 The National Restaurant Association publishes an annual industry fact book that can be found at www.restaurant.org. Based on information in the latest report, does it appear that macro-environmental factors and the economic characteristics of the industry will present industry participants with attractive opportunities for growth and profitability? Explain.” Unit Three Chapter 5-1 Best Buy is the largest consumer electronics retailer in the United States with fiscal 2019 sales of nearly $ 43 billion. The company competes aggressively on price with rivals such as Costco Wholesale, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Target but is also known by consumers for its first-rate customer service. Best Buy customers have commented that the retailer’s page 109sales staff is exceptionally knowledgeable about products and can direct them to the exact location of difficult-to-find items. Best Buy customers also appreciate that demonstration models of PC monitors, digital media players, and other electronics are fully powered and ready for in-store use. Best Buy’s Geek Squad tech support and installation services are additional customer service features valued by many customers. How would you characterize Best Buy’s competitive strategy? Should it be classified as a low-cost provider strategy? A differentiation strategy? A best-cost strategy? Explain your answer. Chapter 5-2 Concepts & Connections 5.1 discusses Vanguard’s low-cost position in the investment management industry. Based on information provided in the capsule, explain how Vanguard has built its low-cost advantage in the industry and why a low-cost provider strategy is well suited to the industry.” Unit Four Chapter 7-2 Alliances, joint ventures, and mergers with foreign companies are widely used as a means of entering foreign markets. Such arrangements have many purposes, including learning about unfamiliar environments, and the opportunity to access the complementary resources and capabilities of a foreign partner. Concepts & Connections 7.1 provides an example of how Walgreens used a strategy of entering foreign markets via alliance, followed by a merger with the same entity. What was this entry strategy designed to achieve, and why would this make sense for a company like Walgreens?” Unit Five Chapter 8-1 See if you can identify the value chain relationships that make the businesses of the following companies related in competitively relevant ways. In particular, you should consider whether there are cross-business opportunities for (a) transferring competitively valuable resources, expertise, technological know-how, and other capabilities, (b) cost sharing where value chain activities can be combined, and/ or (c) leveraging use of a well-respected brand name. Bloomin’ Brands Outback Steakhouse Carrabba’s Italian Grill Bonefish Grill (market-fresh fine seafood) Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar page L’Oréal Maybelline, Lancôme, Helena Rubinstein, Kiehl’s, Garner, and Shu Uemura cosmetics L’Oréal and Soft Sheen/ Carson hair care products Redken, Matrix, L’Oréal Professional, and Kerastase Paris professional hair care and skin care products Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani fragrances Biotherm skin care products La Roche–Posay and Vichy Laboratories dermo-cosmetics Johnson & Johnson Baby products (powder, shampoo, oil, lotion) Band-Aids and other first-aid products Women’s health and personal care products (Stayfree, Carefree, Sure & Natural) Neutrogena and Aveeno skin care products Nonprescription drugs (Tylenol, Motrin, Pepcid AC, Mylanta, Monistat) Prescription drugs Prosthetic and other medical devices Surgical and hospital products Acuvue contact lenses Chapter 8-2 Peruse the business group listings for 3M Company shown as follows and listed at its website (company.ingersollrand.com). How would you characterize the company’s corporate strategy? Related diversification, unrelated diversification, or a combination related-unrelated diversification strategy? Explain your answer. Consumer Products—for the home and office including Post-it (R) and Scotch (R) Electronics and Energy—technology solutions for customers in electronics and energy markets Health Care—products for health care professionals Industrial—abrasives, adhesives, specialty materials, and filtration systems Safety and Graphics—safety and security products; graphic solutions” Unit Six Chapter 9-1 Dell is widely known as an ethical company and has recently committed itself to becoming a more environmentally sustainable business. After reviewing the Corporate Social Responsibility section of Dell’s website (www.dell.com/ learn/ us/ en/ uscorp1/ cr? ~ ck = mn), prepare a list of 8 specific policies and programs that help the company bring about social and environmental change while still remaining innovative and profitable Chapter 9-2 Prepare a one-to two-page analysis of a recent ethics scandal using your university library’s resources. Your report should (a) discuss the conditions that gave rise to unethical business strategies and behavior and (b) provide an overview of the costs resulting from the company’s business ethics failure.” Unit Seven Chapter 10-1 The heart of Zara’s strategy in the apparel industry is to outcompete rivals by putting fashionable clothes in stores quickly and maximizing the frequency of customer visits. Concepts & Connections 10.2 discusses the capabilities that the company has developed in the execution of its strategy. How do its capabilities lead to a quick production process and new apparel introductions? How do these capabilities encourage customers to visit its stores every few weeks? Does the execution of the company’s site selection capability also contribute to its competitive advantage? Explain. Chapter 10-2 Implementing and executing a new or different strategy call for new resource allocations. Using your university’s library resources, search for recent articles that discuss how a company has revised its pattern of resource allocation and divisional budgets to support new strategic initiatives.”