Chapter 1 Flashcards
A(n) ______ occurs when a firm performs below the industry average or is outperformed by its competitors.
competitive disadvantage
What is the overall purpose of a firm’s strategy?
Perform better than other companies in the same industry.
Michael’s Deli is able to perform at the same level as its primary competitor. Michael’s Deli has ______.
competitive parity
A good strategy consists of three elements. The first element is accomplished through analysis of the firm’s external and internal environments. We also call this ______.
a diagnosis of the competitive advantage
When a firm works to gain a competitive advantage by providing better goods and services than its rivals, it is employing a ______strategy.
differentiation
Based on its long dominance as a coffeehouse chain, Starbucks has ______.
a sustainable competitive advantage
Andrew’s Home Center has created a unique situation for itself in its industry that allows the company to not only provide excellent value to its customers but also control its costs. This is known as ______.
strategic positioning
Which of the following is the best indicator that Tesla’s startup master plan has worked as intended?
Tesla generated 500,000 preorders for an unseen model.
If a firm has a 10% return on invested capital while the industry average return on invested capital is 18%, the firm has a(n)______.
competitive disadvantage
Managers often have to make decisions between two conflicting strategic options, otherwise known as______.
trade-offs
When does a situation of competitive parity exist?
Two or more firms achieve the same performance results.
A well-devised strategy is about which two things?
What to do and what not to do
What is the best definition of a cost leadership strategy?
Offering similar goods and services at a lower price.
Strategic positioning allows managers to ______.
provide customers value while controlling costs
What is the best definition of the Red Queen effect?
Companies copy each other but do not change strategic positions.
Which of the following statements is true about Tesla, the manufacturer of all-electric cars?
It has a high market valuation.
True or false: A statement such as, “We will be the biggest company in the world,” is an example of strategy.
false
Walmart and Nordstrom maintain very different strategic profiles, one based on cost-leadership and the other based on differentiation through superior customer service. This is an example of ______.
the trade-offs required by strategic positioning
Firms should identify a ______ so that employees can determine if they are making progress in addressing it.
clear competitive challenge
Managers have ______ resources in their quest for competitive advantage.
limited
Which statement is true about pricing strategies, internet strategies, alliance strategies, and brand strategies?
They may be a necessary part of a firm’s initiatives to support its competitive strategies.
A successful business strategy creates ______ for both producers and consumers.
value
What are negative outcomes of the Red Queen effect?
-Companies have fewer resources to improve product lines.
-Companies expend energy to gain little advantage.
-Companies copy each other, which reduces customer choice.
The stakeholders of a firm are ______.
individuals or groups that can affect and are affected by the actions of the firm
Which statement about strategies is true?
A statement of desire on its own often leads to goal conflict.
Describe the type of contribution of each stakeholder to a firm: shareholders, creditors, employees, communities
-Shareholders – provide capital.
-Creditors – provide financing in the form of loans.
-Employees – provide time and talent.
-Communities – provide real estate and public safety.
Why should a firm define a clear competitive challenge?
so that employees can assess their progress toward addressing it
Customers, suppliers, creditors, unions, and governments are known as ______.
external stakeholders
A firm’s overall efforts to gain and sustain competitive advantage is referred to as which of the following?
a competitive strategy
True or false: A strategic leader’s job is to focus like a laser on shareholders.
false