drawbacks and risks to a broad generic business strategy

Rothearmal exercise 2

6.1.What are some drawbacks and risks to a broad generic business strategy? To a focused strategy?

6.2. in Chapter 4, we discussed the internal value chain activities a firm can perform in its business model (see Exhibit 4.8). The value chain priorities can be quite different for firms taking different business strategies. Create examples of value chains for three firms: one using cost leadership, another using differentiation, and a third using value innovation business-level strategy.

7.1.

Select an industry and consider how the industry life cycle has affected business strategy for the firms in that industry over time. Detail your answer based on each stage: introduction, growth, shakeout, maturity, and decline.

7.2.

Describe a firm you think has been highly innovative. Which of the four types of innovation—radical, incremental, disruptive, or architectural—did it use? Did the firm use different types over time?

7.4. Much has been said about competitive advantage gained from innovations such as the Internet, high-technology gadgets, and apps. The chapter points out, however, that low-technology innovations such as the razor—razorblade business model can also create value with incremental innovation. The chapter also noted that Dollar Shave Club (Strategy Highlight 7.1) is merely using a different business model to try to disrupt Gillette. Think of other low-technology innovations that are/were novel, useful, and successfully implemented so that the innovating firm gained a competitive advantage. Find information about the entrepreneurial story behind the innovation.

8.1.

When Walmart decided to incorporate grocery stores into some locations and created “supercenters,” was this a business-level strategy of differentiation or a corporate strategy of diversification? Why? Explain your answer.

9.1.

The chapter identifies three governing mechanisms for strategic alliances: non-equity, equity, and joint venture. List the benefits and downsides for each of these mechanisms.

10.3.

The chapter notes that global strategy can change over time for a firm. MTV is highlighted as one example in Exhibit 10.7. Conduct a web search of a firm you know to be operating internationally and determine its current global strategy position. How long has the firm stayed with this approach? Can you find evidence it had a different global strategy earlier?

Grading rubric

Criteria

Levels of Achievement

Points

Earned

 

Proficient

Competent

Novice

 

Discussion Question 6.1

4 to 5 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question’s main topics. It includes analysis.

2 to 3 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question. No details and/or examples are given.

0 to 1 points

Analysis has little or no relation to the Discussion Question.

 

Discussion Question 6.3

4 to 5 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question’s main topics. It includes analysis.

2 to 3 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question. No details and/or examples are given.

0 to 1 points

Analysis has little or no relation to the Discussion Question.

 

Discussion Question 7.1

4 to 5 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question’s main topics. It includes analysis.

2 to 3 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question. No details and/or examples are given.

0 to 1 points

Analysis has little or no relation to the Discussion Question.

 

Discussion Question 7.2

4 to 5 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question’s main topics. It includes analysis and examples.

2 to 3 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question. No details and/or examples are given.

0 to 1 points

Analysis has little or no relation to the Discussion Question.

 

Discussion Question 7.4

5 to 7 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question’s main topics. It includes analysis.

3 to 4 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question. No details and/or examples are given.

0 to 2 points

Analysis has little or no relation to the Discussion Question.

 

Discussion Question 8.1

5 to 7 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question’s main topics. It includes analysis and explication.

3 to 4 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question. No details and/or examples are given.

0 to 2 points

Analysis has little or no relation to the Discussion Question.

 

Discussion Question 9.1

7 to 8 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question’s main topics. It includes analysis.

4 to 6 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question. No details and/or examples are given.

0 to 3 points

Analysis has little or no relation to the Discussion Question.

 

Criteria

Levels of Achievement

Points

Earned

 

Proficient

Competent

Novice

 

Discussion Question 10.3

7 to 8 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question’s main topics. It includes analysis and discussion of Globalization 2.0 and 3.0.

4 to 6 points

Analysis clearly relates to the Discussion Question. No details and/or examples are given.

0 to 3 points

Analysis has little or no relation to the Discussion Question.

 

Criteria

Levels of Achievement

Points

Earned

 

Proficient

Competent

Novice

 

Mechanics

8 to 10 points

Minimal or no grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.

3 to 7 points

A few grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.

0 to 2 points

Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.