Ch6

Question 1

What are critical success factors

Answer 1

A small number of key goals vital to the success of the organization

Question 2

The 9M model:

a) Definition
b) 9Ms

Answer 2

a) The 9M model can be used to identify the resources which are available to the business

b)
1) Men - Human resources
2) Machines - premises, location, etc
3) Money
4) Materials
5) Markets
6) Management
7) Methods
8) Management information systems
9) Make-up - culture

Question 3

Kay’s core competencies

Answer 3

1) Reputation
2) Competitive architecture
- Internal architecture
- External architecture
- Network architecture
3) Innovative ability

Question 4

Porter’s Value Chain Analysis

a) Definition
b) What

Answer 4

a) Used to analyses the sequence of businesses activities which add value to the products/services produced by the company

b)
1) Support activities (Enable primary activities to operate with maximum efficiency)

• Firm infrastructure
• Human resources management
• Technology development
• Procurement - acquiring the various resource inputs to the primary activities (not the same as inbound logistics)

2) Primary Activities

• Inbound logistics
• Operations
• Outbound logistics
• Marketing and Sales
• Services

Question 5

Product life cycle stages

Answer 5

1) Development
2) Introduction
3) Growth
4) Maturity
5) Decline

Question 6

Boston Group Matrix

a) Definition
b) What?

Answer 6

a) BGM used to help companies decide how to allocate their resources
b)

1) Problem Child - Attractive market, but the firm does not have the market share to be competitive
2) Star - dominant position in an attractive growth market
3) Cash cow - dominant position in a low growth market
4) Dog - Low share of an unattractive market

Question 7

Porter’s generic strategies:

Answer 7

• Porter argues that there are three ways to gain a sustainable competitive advantage

1) Cost leadership
2) Differentiation
3) Focus / Niche