Internal Analysis Flashcards

1
Q

What is strategic capability?

A

Strategic capability reflects the ability of an entity to use and exploit the resources available to it through competences developed in its activities and processes. It involves linking activities internally and externally and balancing core competences. The capability of the entity depends on its ability to exploit and sustain its sources of competitive advantage over time.

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2
Q

How does strategic capability contribute to competitive advantage?

A

Strategic capability contributes to competitive advantage by enabling an entity to exploit opportunities and address threats. It involves not just monitoring the environment but also effectively utilizing resources, developing competences, and maintaining a balance of core competences.

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3
Q

What is the resource-based view of the firm?

A

The resource-based view (RBV) of the firm suggests that strategic capability and competitive advantage are derived from the firm’s resources and how these resources are utilized through competences and capabilities.

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4
Q

What is the hierarchy of requirements for strategic capability?

A

The hierarchy of requirements for strategic capability involves: 1. Resources: The assets and inputs available to the firm. 2. Competences: The skills and abilities to use resources effectively. 3. Capabilities: The firm’s ability to coordinate and leverage competences. 4. Competitive Advantage: The unique position achieved by effectively utilizing resources and capabilities.

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5
Q

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A

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6
Q

What is the marketing approach?

A

The marketing approach defines markets by their customers and potential customers. Companies compete to sell goods and services to customers, with the most successful entities being those that meet customer needs effectively. Business success is achieved by providing goods or services in a way that meets customer needs better than competitors.

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7
Q

What is the marketing concept?

A

The marketing concept is that a business entity aims to deliver products or services to customers in a way that meets their needs better than competitors. Achieving and maintaining competitive advantage is central to this approach.

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8
Q

What are customer needs?

A

Customer needs refer to the reasons why customers choose certain products or services over others. Factors influencing these decisions include price, quality, design features, availability, convenience, and the influence of advertising or sales promotions.

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9
Q

What are the broad types of customers?

A

Customers can be broadly categorized into three types: 1. Consumers – individuals buying for personal use. 2. Industrial and commercial customers – other business entities. 3. Government organizations and agencies.

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10
Q

How do the needs of different types of customers vary?

A

Industrial and commercial customers are often more price-sensitive, while consumers may pay more for branded products or convenience due to advertising influence.

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11
Q

What are the 4 Ps of the marketing mix?

A

The 4 Ps of the marketing mix are: 1. Product – design features, quality, and additional services. 2. Price – the selling price and potential discounts. 3. Place – the channel of distribution, such as shops, supermarkets, direct delivery, or the internet. 4. Promotion – advertising, sales promotions, and direct selling methods.

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12
Q

What does ‘Product’ refer to in the 4 Ps?

A

‘Product’ refers to the design features, quality, and additional aspects such as delivery time, reliability, after-sales service, and warranties. For services, it includes technical and interpersonal skills of the service provider.

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13
Q

What does ‘Price’ refer to in the 4 Ps?

A

‘Price’ refers to the selling price of the product, including potential discounts or promotional pricing strategies.

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14
Q

What does ‘Place’ refer to in the 4 Ps?

A

‘Place’ refers to how the customer obtains the product or service, including distribution channels like shops, supermarkets, direct delivery, or online platforms.

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15
Q

What does ‘Promotion’ refer to in the 4 Ps?

A

‘Promotion’ includes the methods used to advertise and promote the product, such as advertising campaigns, direct selling, and sales promotions.

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16
Q

4.1 Definition of value

A

Customers are willing to pay money for goods or services due to the benefits they receive. The value created is the difference between the cost of production and the selling price. For example, buying leather for Rs. 1,000 and selling jackets for Rs. 10,000 creates value of Rs. 9,000.

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17
Q

4.1 Cost Leadership vs. Differentiation Strategy

A

A cost leadership strategy aims to create the same value as competitors but at a lower cost. A differentiation strategy aims to create more value than competitors by offering unique features or benefits.

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18
Q

4.2 Concept of the Value Chain

A

Porter’s value chain framework groups business activities into a series of value-adding steps. The total value added is the sum of value created at each stage along the chain.

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19
Q

4.3 Primary Value Chain Activities

A

Porter identified the following primary value chain activities: Inbound Logistics (handling purchased materials), Operations (converting materials into products), Outbound Logistics (distributing finished goods), Marketing and Sales (promoting and selling products), and Service (post-sale support).

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20
Q

4.4 Secondary Value Chain Activities

A

Secondary activities, or support activities, include: Procurement (buying resources), Technology Development (product design and IT systems), Human Resources Management (recruiting and training), and Corporate Infrastructure (management systems and quality control).

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21
Q

4.5 Adding Value

A

Ways to add value include altering product design, improving customer purchase convenience, branding, delivering products/services quickly, and ensuring reliable service. Effective value addition often involves meeting or exceeding customer expectations and leveraging core competencies.

22
Q

4.6 Value Creation and Strategic Management

A

Adding value enhances profitability by reducing costs or improving sales. Value can be shared with customers (e.g., lower prices) or reinvested to build competitive advantage. Corporate, financial, and investment strategies should all aim to add value.

23
Q

4.7 Using Value Chain Analysis

A

Value chain analysis helps assess how value is created, where it can be improved, and how performance compares to competitors. It involves evaluating primary and secondary activities to determine success in adding value and identifying core competencies.

24
Q

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25
Q

What is a critical success factor (CSF)?

A

Critical success factors (CSFs) are essential elements necessary for the strategic success of a business. They are components of strategy where the organization must excel to outperform competition (Johnson and Scholes).

26
Q

Can you provide an example of a CSF?

A

Example: For an accounting firm expanding to a new city, CSFs might include: employing top-quality accountants, obtaining a minimum number of corporate and private clients, offering a full range of services, and locating the office in attractive premises.

27
Q

What are marketing and CSFs for products and services?

A

Marketing and CSFs for products and services involve identifying the features a product must have to be successful. For example, a sports car manufacturer must ensure their cars match competitors in performance and are priced competitively.

28
Q

How do CSFs relate to customer needs?

A

CSFs must be aligned with customer needs. They are features of a product or service that influence customer buying decisions. For example, a parcel delivery service’s CSFs might include quick collection and reliable delivery.

29
Q

What are Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in relation to CSFs?

A

KPIs are measured targets set for each CSF to assess performance. They are used to track whether critical success factors are being achieved and to gauge competitive advantage.

30
Q

What is Johnson and Scholes’ six-step approach to using CSFs?

A

Johnson and Scholes’ six-step approach includes: 1) Identify success factors critical for profitability. 2) Determine necessary critical competencies. 3) Develop the level of critical competence. 4) Identify appropriate KPIs. 5) Focus on developing competencies to surpass competitors. 6) Monitor achievement of KPIs and compare with competitors.

31
Q

What is benchmarking?

A

Benchmarking is the process of comparing one’s performance against others, ideally the best in the field, to identify performance gaps and improve. It involves comparing metrics to enhance performance and competitiveness.

32
Q

What are the methods of benchmarking?

A

Methods of benchmarking include: Internal benchmarking (comparing performance within an organization), Operational benchmarking (comparing with different industry practices), Competitive benchmarking (comparing with competitors), and Customer benchmarking (comparing against customer expectations).

33
Q

What is an example of competitive benchmarking?

A

Example: Xerox’s competitive benchmarking involved comparing its performance with Japanese competitors to identify and close gaps in order fulfillment, cost, customer satisfaction, and market share.

34
Q

What are methods of competitor benchmarking?

A

Methods include studying published financial statements, comparing financial ratios, analyzing products or services, gathering information from customers, and comparing sales prices. Segment analysis and key performance measures are also considered.

35
Q

5.1 Resources

A

Resources are assets, processes, skills, or knowledge controlled by an entity to provide products or services. They include: Human Resources (leaders, managers, employees and their skills), Physical Resources (tangible assets like property, plant, equipment, and raw material access), Financial Resources (financial assets and ability to acquire additional finance), and Intellectual Capital (patents, trademarks, brand names, copyrights, and acquired knowledge).

36
Q

5.1 Threshold vs. Unique Resources

A

Threshold Resources are essential for participating in the industry and competing in the market. Unique Resources are rare and difficult for competitors to acquire, offering a competitive advantage. Unique resources may include ownership of scarce materials, strategic locations, or exclusive rights like patents.

37
Q

5.1 Example of Unique Resources

A

Examples include: ownership of exploration rights or mines (scarce raw materials), a strategic location (e.g., a hydroelectric power plant near a waterfall), or exclusive patents or franchises. However, unique resources can lose their uniqueness over time due to changes in the competitive environment.

38
Q

5.2 Competencies

A

A competence is the ability to perform something well. Businesses need competencies in key areas to compete effectively.

39
Q

5.2 Threshold vs. Core Competencies

A

Threshold Competencies are essential abilities and processes needed to provide products or services that meet basic customer needs (sufficient to meet ‘threshold’ product features). Core Competencies are advanced abilities and processes that enable an entity to meet critical success factors and achieve a competitive advantage.

40
Q

6.1 Competitive Advantage

A

Competitive advantage is an edge that allows an entity to deliver more value to customers compared to competitors. It is essential for sustained strategic success and can result in creating added value that customers are willing to pay more for or providing the same value at a reduced cost.

41
Q

6.2 Capabilities

A

Capabilities are the ability to perform tasks effectively, arising from a combination of resources and core competences. They are unique to each entity and involve coordinating resources and competences to create competitive advantage. Capabilities should be hard for rivals to replicate.

42
Q

6.2 Dynamic Capabilities

A

Dynamic capabilities refer to an entity’s ability to adapt and innovate in response to a changing environment. They involve renewing the resource base, acquiring unique resources, and developing new and improved core competencies. This includes creating, extending, and modifying operational methods and adapting to change.

43
Q

6.3 Cost Efficiency and Strategic Capability

A

Cost efficiency involves minimizing costs through better resource use and control. Strategic capability requires not just reducing costs but doing so continually over time. It can be achieved through economies of scale (reducing costs by increasing production volume) and economies of scope (reducing costs by producing multiple products).

44
Q

6.3 Economies of Scale vs. Scope

A

Economies of scale reduce costs by producing at a higher volume, spreading fixed costs over more units. Economies of scope reduce costs by producing multiple products, leveraging shared resources to lower per-unit costs compared to single-product firms.

45
Q

6.4 Corporate Knowledge and Strategic Capability

A

Corporate knowledge includes the collective know-how, collaboration, and technology within an entity. It provides a competitive advantage as it is unique and difficult for competitors to replicate. Corporate knowledge is created through technology, experience, and effective management.

46
Q

7.1 Assessing Resources and Competences

A

Assessing internal resources involves evaluating what resources are available, their uniqueness, and their effectiveness. This includes understanding how resources are used and identifying core competences that contribute to competitive advantage.

47
Q

7.2 Techniques for Assessing Resources and Competences

A

Techniques include value chain analysis, capability profiling, and SWOT analysis. These help in understanding how value is created, identifying key strategic processes, and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of resources and competences.

48
Q

7.3 Resource Audit

A

A resource audit identifies significant resources used by an entity, including human resources, management, raw materials, non-current assets, intangible resources, and financial resources. It assesses their efficiency, effectiveness, and value.

49
Q

7.3 VIRO Framework

A

The VIRO framework evaluates resources based on: Value (does it provide a competitive advantage?), Imitability (is it costly to imitate?), Rarity (is it unique?), and Organization (is the entity organized to exploit it effectively?).

50
Q

7.4 SWOT Analysis

A

SWOT analysis identifies internal strengths and weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats. Strengths and weaknesses relate to internal capabilities and resources, while opportunities and threats are external factors affecting the entity.

51
Q

7.5 Preparing a SWOT Analysis

A

To prepare a SWOT analysis, analyze internal resources, competences, and capabilities for strengths and weaknesses. Also, assess the external environment for opportunities and threats. Use these insights to identify strategic implications.

52
Q

7.6 Interpretation of a SWOT Analysis

A

Interpreting a SWOT analysis involves prioritizing significant strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This helps in understanding which factors are most critical and how they impact strategic decisions, moving beyond mere listing to deeper strategic evaluation.