All Related Questions of Strategic Management

Q: Distinguish between the “self-concept” and the “philosophy

Distinguish between the “self-concept” and the “philosophy” components in a mission statement. Give an example of each for your university.

Q: List seven characteristics of a mission statement.

List seven characteristics of a mission statement.

Q: List eight benefits of having a clear mission statement.

List eight benefits of having a clear mission statement.

Q: How often do you feel a firm’s vision and mission statement should

How often do you feel a firm’s vision and mission statement should be changed?

Q: Distinguish between the “self-concept” and the “philosophy

Distinguish between the “self-concept” and the “philosophy” components in a mission statement. Give an example of each for your university.

Q: Compare business strategy with military strategy.

Compare business strategy with military strategy.

Q: Gather strategy information for PepsiCo.

Gather strategy information for PepsiCo.

Q: Update the PepsiCo cohesion case.

Update the PepsiCo cohesion case.

Q: Strategic planning for your university.

Strategic planning for your university.

Q: Develop an improved J. Crew mission statement

Develop an improved J. Crew mission statement

Q: Write a Vision And Mission Statement For Pepsico

Write a Vision And Mission Statement For Pepsico

Q: Describe the three activities that comprise strategy evaluation.

Describe the three activities that comprise strategy evaluation.

Q: Compare your college/university’s vision and mission statements to a leading

Compare your college/university’s vision and mission statements to a leading rival institution

Q: List four components and four guidelines that the J. Crew mission

List four components and four guidelines that the J. Crew mission statement fails to exhibit. Write a new and improved mission for J. Crew.

Q: Strengths and weaknesses should be determined relative to competitors, or by

Strengths and weaknesses should be determined relative to competitors, or by elements of being, or relative to a firm’s own objectives. Explain.

Q: Explain why internal strengths and weaknesses should be stated in divisional terms

Explain why internal strengths and weaknesses should be stated in divisional terms to the extent possible.

Q: Compare the opossum and turtle to the woolly mammoth and saber tooth

Compare the opossum and turtle to the woolly mammoth and saber tooth tiger in terms of being adept at adapting.

Q: Explain how a firm such as J. Crew can be doing

Explain how a firm such as J. Crew can be doing well, but does not have an effective vision or mission statement.

Q: Explain why both internal and external factors should be stated in specific

Explain why both internal and external factors should be stated in specific terms, i.e., using #’s, %’s, $’s, ratios, and comparisons over time, to the extent possible.

Q: Some excellent nine-component mission statements consist of just two sentences

Some excellent nine-component mission statements consist of just two sentences. Write a two-sentence mission statement for a company of your choice.

Q: Compare and contrast the near-end-of-chapter quotes

Compare and contrast the near-end-of-chapter quotes by Alexander the Great and Bear Bryant regarding the importance of strategic planning in military or athletic settings. How applicable are those quo...

Q: How do you think an organization can best align company mission with

How do you think an organization can best align company mission with employee mission?

Q: Compare and contrast vision statements with mission statements in terms of composition

Compare and contrast vision statements with mission statements in terms of composition and importance.

Q: Are “strategic management” and “strategic planning” synonymous terms

Are “strategic management” and “strategic planning” synonymous terms? Explain.

Q: What are some different names for “mission statement,” and where

What are some different names for “mission statement,” and where will you likely find a firm’s mission statement?

Q: What are the three stages in strategic management? Which stage is

What are the three stages in strategic management? Which stage is more analytical? Which relies most on empowerment to be successful? Which relies most on statistics? Justify your answers.

Q: If your company does not have a vision or mission statement,

If your company does not have a vision or mission statement, describe a good process for developing these documents.

Q: Why do many firms move too hastily from vision/mission development

Why do many firms move too hastily from vision/mission development to devising alternative strategies?

Q: Compare and contrast vision statements with mission statements in terms of composition

Compare and contrast vision statements with mission statements in terms of composition and importance.

Q: Explain how developing a mission statement can help resolve divergent views among

Explain how developing a mission statement can help resolve divergent views among managers in a firm.

Q: Why are strategic planning retreats often conducted away from the work site

Why are strategic planning retreats often conducted away from the work site? How often should firms have a retreat, and who should participate in them?

Q: As cited in the chapter, Edward Deming, a famous businessman

As cited in the chapter, Edward Deming, a famous businessman, once said, “In God we trust. All others bring data.” What did Deming mean in terms of developing a strategic plan?

Q: Drucker says that the most important time to seriously reexamine the firm’s

Drucker says that the most important time to seriously reexamine the firm’s vision/mission is when the firm is very successful. What is this?

Q: Do local service stations need to have written vision and mission statements

Do local service stations need to have written vision and mission statements? Why or why not?

Q: Do local service stations need to have written vision and mission statements

Do local service stations need to have written vision and mission statements? Why or why not?

Q: What strategies do you believe can save newspaper companies from extinction?

What strategies do you believe can save newspaper companies from extinction?

Q: Why do you think organizations that have a comprehensive mission statement tend

Why do you think organizations that have a comprehensive mission statement tend to be high performers? Does having a comprehensive mission cause high performance?

Q: Explain why a mission statement should not include strategies and objectives.

Explain why a mission statement should not include strategies and objectives.

Q: Your university has fierce competitors. List three external opportunities and three

Your university has fierce competitors. List three external opportunities and three external threats that face your university.

Q: List three internal strengths and three internal weaknesses that characterize your university

List three internal strengths and three internal weaknesses that characterize your university.

Q: Explain the principal value of a vision and mission statement.

Explain the principal value of a vision and mission statement.

Q: In your opinion, what are the three most important components that

In your opinion, what are the three most important components that should be included when writing a mission statement? Why?

Q: Discuss the notion of strategic planning being more formal versus informal in

Discuss the notion of strategic planning being more formal versus informal in an organization. On a 1 to 10 scale from formal to informal, what number best represents your view of the most effective a...

Q: Who are the major stakeholders of the bank that you do business

Who are the major stakeholders of the bank that you do business with locally? What are the major claims of those stakeholders?

Q: Why do you think organizations that have a comprehensive mission statement tend

Why do you think organizations that have a comprehensive mission statement tend to be high performers? Does having a comprehensive mission cause high performance?

Q: Explain why a mission statement should not include monetary amounts, numbers

Explain why a mission statement should not include monetary amounts, numbers, percentages, ratios, goals, or objectives.

Q: List ten guidelines for making the strategic-planning process effective.

List ten guidelines for making the strategic-planning process effective. Arrange your guidelines in prioritized order of importance in your opinion.

Q: List seven characteristics of a mission statement.

List seven characteristics of a mission statement.

Q: List what you feel are the five most important lessons for business

List what you feel are the five most important lessons for business that can be garnered from THE ART OF WAR book.

Q: List eight benefits of having a clear mission statement.

List eight benefits of having a clear mission statement.

Q: How often do you feel a firm’s vision and mission statement should

How often do you feel a firm’s vision and mission statement should be changed?

Q: What aspect of strategy formulation do you think requires the most time

What aspect of strategy formulation do you think requires the most time? Why?

Q: Why is it so important to integrate intuition and analysis in strategic

Why is it so important to integrate intuition and analysis in strategic management?

Q: Why do you think some chief executive officers fail to use a

Why do you think some chief executive officers fail to use a strategic-management approach to decision making?

Q: Discuss the importance of feedback in the strategic-management model.

Discuss the importance of feedback in the strategic-management model.

Q: Explain why a mission statement should not include strategies and objectives.

Explain why a mission statement should not include strategies and objectives.

Q: How can strategist’s best ensure that strategies will be effectively implemented?

How can strategist’s best ensure that strategies will be effectively implemented?

Q: Compare a company’s strategic plan with a football team’s game plan.

Compare a company’s strategic plan with a football team’s game plan.

Q: Give an example of a recent political development that changed the overall

Give an example of a recent political development that changed the overall strategy of an organization.

Q: Who are the major competitors of your college or university? What

Who are the major competitors of your college or university? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What are their strategies? How successful are these institutions compared to your college?

Q: Would strategic-management concepts and techniques benefit foreign businesses as much

Would strategic-management concepts and techniques benefit foreign businesses as much as domestic firms? Justify your answer.

Q: What do you believe are some potential pitfalls or risks in using

What do you believe are some potential pitfalls or risks in using a strategic-management approach to decision making?

Q: In your opinion, what is the single major benefit of using

In your opinion, what is the single major benefit of using a strategic-management approach to decision making? Justify your answer.

Q: Compare business strategy and military strategy.

Compare business strategy and military strategy.

Q: Why is it important for all business majors to study strategic management

Why is it important for all business majors to study strategic management since most students will never become a chief executive officer or even a top manager in a large company?

Q: List four financial and four nonfinancial benefits of a firm engaging in

List four financial and four nonfinancial benefits of a firm engaging in strategic planning.

Q: Explain the principal value of a vision and mission statement.

Explain the principal value of a vision and mission statement.

Q: Why is it not adequate to simply obtain competitive advantage?

Why is it not adequate to simply obtain competitive advantage?

Q: List four components and four guidelines that the J. Crew mission

List four components and four guidelines that the J. Crew mission statement fails to exhibit. Write a new and improved mission for J. Crew.

Q: Discuss the meaning of the following statement: “Good mission statements

Discuss the meaning of the following statement: “Good mission statements identify the utility of a firm’s products to its customers.”

Q: Explain how a firm such as J. Crew can be doing

Explain how a firm such as J. Crew can be doing well, but does not have an effective vision or mission statement.

Q: Some excellent nine-component mission statements consist of just two sentences

Some excellent nine-component mission statements consist of just two sentences. Write a two-sentence mission statement for a company of your choice.

Q: How do you think an organization can best align company mission with

How do you think an organization can best align company mission with employee mission?

Q: What are some different names for “mission statement,” and where

What are some different names for “mission statement,” and where will you likely find a firm’s mission statement?

Q: If your company does not have a vision or mission statement,

If your company does not have a vision or mission statement, describe a good process for developing these documents.

Q: Explain how developing a mission statement can help resolve divergent views among

Explain how developing a mission statement can help resolve divergent views among managers in a firm.

Q: Drucker says that the most important time to seriously reexamine the firm’s

Drucker says that the most important time to seriously reexamine the firm’s vision/mission is when the firm is very successful. What is this?

Q: In your opinion, what are the three most important components that

In your opinion, what are the three most important components that should be included when writing a mission statement? Why?

Q: Explain why a mission statement should not include monetary amounts, numbers

Explain why a mission statement should not include monetary amounts, numbers, percentages, ratios, goals, or objectives.

Q: Discuss the meaning of the following statement: “Good mission statements

Discuss the meaning of the following statement: “Good mission statements identify the utility of a firm’s products to its customers.”

Q: Who are the major stakeholders of the bank that you do business

Who are the major stakeholders of the bank that you do business with locally? What are the major claims of those stakeholders?

Q: Draw a breakeven chart to illustrate a drop in labor costs.

Draw a breakeven chart to illustrate a drop in labor costs.

Q: What is your forecast for interest rates and the stock market in

What is your forecast for interest rates and the stock market in the next several months? As the stock market moves up, do interest rates always move down? Why? What are the strategic implications of...

Q: Illustrate how value chain activities can become core competencies and eventually distinctive

Illustrate how value chain activities can become core competencies and eventually distinctive competencies. Give an example for an organization you are familiar with.

Q: Do you think aggregate R&D expenditures for American firms will

Do you think aggregate R&D expenditures for American firms will increase or decrease next year? Why?

Q: Let’s say your boss develops an EFE Matrix that includes 62 factors

Let’s say your boss develops an EFE Matrix that includes 62 factors. How would you suggest reducing the number of factors to 20?

Q: Explain how you would motivate managers and employees to implement a major

Explain how you would motivate managers and employees to implement a major new strategy.

Q: Discuss the ethics of gathering competitive intelligence.

Discuss the ethics of gathering competitive intelligence.

Q: Why do you think production/operations managers are often not directly

Why do you think production/operations managers are often not directly involved in strategy-formulation activities? Why can this be a major organizational weakness?

Q: Discuss the ethics of cooperating with rival firms.

Discuss the ethics of cooperating with rival firms.

Q: Do you agree with I/O theorists that external factors are

Do you agree with I/O theorists that external factors are more important than internal factors in a firm achieving competitive advantage? Explain both your and their position.

Q: Would you ever pay out dividends when your firm’s annual net profit

Would you ever pay out dividends when your firm’s annual net profit is negative? Why? What effect could this have on a firm’s strategies?

Q: Draw a breakeven chart to illustrate an increase in advertising expenses.

Draw a breakeven chart to illustrate an increase in advertising expenses.

Q: Define, compare, and contrast the weights versus ratings in an

Define, compare, and contrast the weights versus ratings in an EFE Matrix.

Q: If a firm has zero debt in its capital structure, is

If a firm has zero debt in its capital structure, is that always an organizational strength? Why or why not?

Q: Why is inclusion of about 20 factors recommended in the EFE Matrix

Why is inclusion of about 20 factors recommended in the EFE Matrix, rather than about 10 factors or about 40 factors?

Q: Develop a Competitive Profile Matrix for your university. Include six factors

Develop a Competitive Profile Matrix for your university. Include six factors.

Q: Describe the production/operations system in a police department.

Describe the production/operations system in a police department.

Q: After conducting an internal audit, a firm discovers a total of

After conducting an internal audit, a firm discovers a total of 100 strengths and 100 weaknesses. What procedures could be then used to determine the most important of these? Why is it important to re...

Q: Do you agree or disagree with RBV theorists that internal resources are

Do you agree or disagree with RBV theorists that internal resources are more important than external factors for a firm in achieving and sustaining competitive advantage? Explain your and their positi...

Q: Define and discuss “empirical indicators.”

Define and discuss “empirical indicators.”

Q: Define and explain value chain analysis (VCA).

Define and explain value chain analysis (VCA).

Q: Should firms take stances on contentious social issues? Discuss.

Should firms take stances on contentious social issues? Discuss.

Q: Draw a breakeven chart to illustrate closing stores.

Draw a breakeven chart to illustrate closing stores.

Q: S&P companies are on average today paying out 31 percent

S&P companies are on average today paying out 31 percent of their earnings in the form of dividends, but that is down from 52 percent of earnings in some years. What are the pro’s and con’s of reinves...

Q: Should firms take stances on political issues?

Should firms take stances on political issues?

Q: Describe union membership trends in the USA. What are implications for

Describe union membership trends in the USA. What are implications for strategic planning in firms such as Boeing or Heinz or Caterpillar?

Q: In an IFEM, a critic may say there is no significant

In an IFEM, a critic may say there is no significant difference between a “weight” of 0.08 and 0.06. How would you respond?

Q: If Priceline.com increases its advertising expenses by 30 percent while

If Priceline.com increases its advertising expenses by 30 percent while keeping its price and variable costs the same, does that mean the company’s breakeven point will increase 30 percent? Show this...

Q: List some legal/ethical ways to gather competitive intelligence. List

List some legal/ethical ways to gather competitive intelligence. List some illegal/unethical ways.

Q: What are the limitations of breakeven analysis?

What are the limitations of breakeven analysis?

Q: As value of the dollar rises, USA firms doing business abroad

As value of the dollar rises, USA firms doing business abroad see their profits fall, so some firms raise prices of their products to offset the decrease in profits. What are some risks of raising pri...

Q: In the Joy’s Daycare BE example in the chapter, how would

In the Joy’s Daycare BE example in the chapter, how would a $1,000 annual advertising expenditure impact the business break-even point?

Q: In your opinion, what are the four major external threats facing

In your opinion, what are the four major external threats facing PetSmart, and the four major opportunities? Realizing the importance of quantification in stating key factors, how could your factors b...

Q: Use Porter’s Five-Forces Model to evaluate competitiveness within the U

Use Porter’s Five-Forces Model to evaluate competitiveness within the U.S. banking industry.

Q: Explain Cost/Benefit analysis.

Explain Cost/Benefit analysis.

Q: Explain how Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace can represent a major

Explain how Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace can represent a major threat or opportunity for a company.

Q: Explain why “communication” may be the most important word in

Explain why “communication” may be the most important word in Management. What do you think is the most important word in Marketing? In Finance? In Accounting?

Q: Discuss how the nature of advertisements have changed in the last few

Discuss how the nature of advertisements have changed in the last few years.

Q: In developing an EFE Matrix, would it be best to have

In developing an EFE Matrix, would it be best to have 10 opportunities and 10 threats, or would 17 opportunities (or threats) be fine with 3 of the other to achieve a total of 20 factors as desired?

Q: If your Competitive Profile Matrix has three firms and they all end

If your Competitive Profile Matrix has three firms and they all end up with the same Total Weighted Score, would the analysis still be useful? Why.

Q: Describe the “process of performing an external audit” in an

Describe the “process of performing an external audit” in an organization doing strategic planning for the first time.

Q: Explain why it is best not to have more than 30 percent

Explain why it is best not to have more than 30 percent of the factors in an IFE Matrix be financial ratios.

Q: The global recession forced thousands of firms into bankruptcy. Does this

The global recession forced thousands of firms into bankruptcy. Does this fact alone confirm that “external factors are more important than internal factors” in strategic planning? Discuss.

Q: Do the advantages of a low value of the dollar offset the

Do the advantages of a low value of the dollar offset the disadvantages for (1) a firm that derives 60 percent of its revenues from foreign countries and (2) a firm that derives 10 percent of its re...

Q: Draw a breakeven chart to illustrate lowering price.

Draw a breakeven chart to illustrate lowering price.

Q: Give some key reasons why prioritizing strengths and weaknesses is essential.

Give some key reasons why prioritizing strengths and weaknesses is essential.

Q: The migration of people has slowed from (1) region

The migration of people has slowed from (1) region to region across the United States, from (2) city to suburb worldwide, and from (3) country to country across the globe. What are the strategic i...

Q: Why may it be easier in performing an internal assessment to develop

Why may it be easier in performing an internal assessment to develop a list of 80 strengths/weaknesses than to decide on the top 20 to use in formulating strategies.

Q: Governments worldwide are turning to “nationalization of companies” to cope

Governments worldwide are turning to “nationalization of companies” to cope with economic recession. What are the strategic implications of this trend for firms that compete with these nationalized fi...

Q: Think of an organization you are very familiar with. List three

Think of an organization you are very familiar with. List three resources of that entity that are empirical indicators.

Q: List six desirable characteristics of advertisements in recessionary times.

List six desirable characteristics of advertisements in recessionary times.

Q: Governments worldwide are turning to “protectionism” to cope with economic

Governments worldwide are turning to “protectionism” to cope with economic problems, imposing tariffs and subsidies on foreign goods and restrictions/incentives on their own firms to keep jobs at home...

Q: Think of an organization you are very familiar with. Rate that

Think of an organization you are very familiar with. Rate that entity’s organizational culture on the 15 example dimensions listed in Table 4-2.

Q: Compare and contrast the duties and responsibilities of a CIO with a

Compare and contrast the duties and responsibilities of a CIO with a CTO in a large firm.

Q: If you and a partner were going to visit a foreign country

If you and a partner were going to visit a foreign country where you have never been before, how much planning would you do ahead of time? What benefit would you expect that planning to provide?

Q: Explain why prioritizing the relative importance of strengths and weaknesses to include

Explain why prioritizing the relative importance of strengths and weaknesses to include in an IFE Matrix is an important strategic-management activity.

Q: What are the three basic objectives of a competitive intelligence program?

What are the three basic objectives of a competitive intelligence program?

Q: Even though planning is considered the foundation of management, why do

Even though planning is considered the foundation of management, why do you think it is commonly the task that managers neglect most?

Q: Distinguish between market commonality and resource similarity. Apply these concepts to

Distinguish between market commonality and resource similarity. Apply these concepts to two rival firms that you are familiar with.

Q: Are you more organized than the person sitting beside you in class

Are you more organized than the person sitting beside you in class? If not, what problems could that present in terms of your performance and rank in the class? How analogous is this situation to riva...

Q: Let’s say you work for McDonald’s and you applied Porter’s Five-

Let’s say you work for McDonald’s and you applied Porter’s Five-Forces Model to study the fast-food industry. Would information in your analysis provide factors more readily to an EFE Matrix, a CPM, o...

Q: List the three ways that financial ratios should be compared/utilized

List the three ways that financial ratios should be compared/utilized. Which of the three comparisons do you feel is most important? Why?

Q: Could/should critical success factors in a CPM include external factors

Could/should critical success factors in a CPM include external factors? Explain.

Q: Explain how to conduct an external strategic-management audit.

Explain how to conduct an external strategic-management audit.

Q: When someone says dividends paid are double taxed, what are they

When someone says dividends paid are double taxed, what are they referring to?

Q: As the owner of a small business, explain how you would

As the owner of a small business, explain how you would organize a strategic-information scanning system. How would you organize such a system in a large organization?

Q: Construct an EFE Matrix for an organization of your choice.

Construct an EFE Matrix for an organization of your choice.

Q: Which of the three basic functions of finance/accounting do you

Which of the three basic functions of finance/accounting do you feel is most important in a small electronics manufacturing concern? Justify your position.

Q: Define and give an example of reshoring. What are three reasons

Define and give an example of reshoring. What are three reasons why reshoring is becoming more popular? What are three reasons many companies expect “never” to reshore (as Steve Jobs once told Preside...

Q: If a company has $1 million to spend on a new

If a company has $1 million to spend on a new strategy and is considering market development versus product development, what determining factors would be most important to consider?

Q: Give recent examples of related and unrelated diversification.

Give recent examples of related and unrelated diversification.

Q: Define and give an example of a secondary buyout. Why did

Define and give an example of a secondary buyout. Why did secondary buyouts triple in total dollar value in 2012 versus 2011?

Q: Give recent examples of joint venture, retrenchment, divestiture, and

Give recent examples of joint venture, retrenchment, divestiture, and liquidation.

Q: Do you think hostile takeovers are unethical? Why or why not

Do you think hostile takeovers are unethical? Why or why not?

Q: What are the major advantages and disadvantages of diversification?

What are the major advantages and disadvantages of diversification?

Q: What are the major advantages and disadvantages of an integrative strategy?

What are the major advantages and disadvantages of an integrative strategy?

Q: How does strategic management differ in profit and nonprofit organizations?

How does strategic management differ in profit and nonprofit organizations?

Q: Why is it not advisable to pursue too many strategies at once

Why is it not advisable to pursue too many strategies at once?

Q: Define and give an example of a dividend recapitalization. List some

Define and give an example of a dividend recapitalization. List some pros and cons of doing this in a business.

Q: How are for-profit firms different from nonprofit firms in terms

How are for-profit firms different from nonprofit firms in terms of business? What are the implications for strategic planning?

Q: In order of importance, list six “benefits of objectives.”

In order of importance, list six “benefits of objectives.”

Q: Called de-integration, there appears to be a growing trend

Called de-integration, there appears to be a growing trend for firms to become less backward integrated. Discuss why.

Q: Could a firm simultaneously pursue focus, differentiation, and cost leadership

Could a firm simultaneously pursue focus, differentiation, and cost leadership? Should firms do that? Discuss.

Q: List four major benefits of forming a joint venture to achieve desired

List four major benefits of forming a joint venture to achieve desired objectives.

Q: List six major benefits of acquiring another firm to achieve desired objectives

List six major benefits of acquiring another firm to achieve desired objectives.

Q: List five reasons why many merger/acquisitions historically have failed.

List five reasons why many merger/acquisitions historically have failed.

Q: Discuss how important it is for a college football or basketball team

Discuss how important it is for a college football or basketball team to have a good game plan for the big rival game this coming weekend. How much time and effort do you feel the coaching staff puts...

Q: Give recent examples of market penetration, market development, and product

Give recent examples of market penetration, market development, and product development.

Q: Consumers can purchase tennis shoes, food, cars, boats,

Consumers can purchase tennis shoes, food, cars, boats, and insurance on the Internet. Are there any products today that cannot be purchased online? What is the implication for traditional retailers?...

Q: Give recent examples of forward integration, backward integration, and horizontal

Give recent examples of forward integration, backward integration, and horizontal integration.

Q: What are the pros and cons of a firm merging with a

What are the pros and cons of a firm merging with a rival firm?

Q: What conditions, externally and internally, would be desired/necessary

What conditions, externally and internally, would be desired/necessary for a firm to diversify?

Q: Compare and contrast financial objectives with strategic objectives. Which type is

Compare and contrast financial objectives with strategic objectives. Which type is more important in your opinion? Why?

Q: How do the levels of strategy differ in a large firm versus

How do the levels of strategy differ in a large firm versus a small firm?

Q: The number and dollar value of hostile takeovers are on the rise

The number and dollar value of hostile takeovers are on the rise. Give two reasons for this trend.

Q: Kroger is adding clothing to its line of products. Give two

Kroger is adding clothing to its line of products. Give two reasons why this may be a good strategy and two reasons why it may be a bad strategy.

Q: What do you believe are the five most important benefits of outsourcing

What do you believe are the five most important benefits of outsourcing?

Q: List 11 types of strategies. Give a hypothetical example of each

List 11 types of strategies. Give a hypothetical example of each strategy listed.

Q: Give some advantages and disadvantages of cooperative versus competitive strategies.

Give some advantages and disadvantages of cooperative versus competitive strategies.

Q: Discuss the nature as well as the pros and cons of a

Discuss the nature as well as the pros and cons of a “friendly merger” versus “hostile takeover” in acquiring another firm. Give an example of each.

Q: What strategies are best for turbulent, high-velocity markets?

What strategies are best for turbulent, high-velocity markets?

Q: Why should one avoid putting double 4’s in a row in preparing

Why should one avoid putting double 4’s in a row in preparing a QSPM?

Q: On the competitive position (CP) axis of a SPACE Matrix

On the competitive position (CP) axis of a SPACE Matrix, what level of capacity utilization would be necessary for you to give the firm a negative 1? Negative 7? Why?

Q: Describe a situation where the SPACE analysis would have no vector.

Describe a situation where the SPACE analysis would have no vector. In other words, describe a situation where the SPACE analysis coordinate would be (0,0). What should an analyst do in this situation...

Q: Develop a BCG Matrix for your university. Because your college does

Develop a BCG Matrix for your university. Because your college does not generate profits, what would be a good surrogate for the pie slice values? How many circles do you have and how large are they?...

Q: In a BCG Matrix, would the Question Mark quadrant or the

In a BCG Matrix, would the Question Mark quadrant or the Cash Cow quadrant be more desirable? Explain.

Q: Would a BCG Matrix and analysis be worth performing if you do

Would a BCG Matrix and analysis be worth performing if you do not know the profits of each segment? Why?

Q: In an IE Matrix, do you believe it is more advantageous

In an IE Matrix, do you believe it is more advantageous for a division to be located in quadrant II or IV? Why?

Q: Develop a 2x2x2x2x2 QSPM for an organization of your choice (i

Develop a 2x2x2x2x2 QSPM for an organization of your choice (i.e., two strengths, two weaknesses, two opportunities, two threats, and two strategies). Follow all the QSPM guidelines presented in the c...

Q: Given the following information, develop a SPACE Matrix for the XYZ

Given the following information, develop a SPACE Matrix for the XYZ Corporation: FP = +2; SP = -6; CP = -2; IP = +4.

Q: Given the information in the table below, develop a BCG Matrix

Given the information in the table below, develop a BCG Matrix and an IE Matrix.

Q: Explain the steps involved in developing a QSPM.

Explain the steps involved in developing a QSPM.

Q: In developing a SPACE Matrix, what would you expect the SP

In developing a SPACE Matrix, what would you expect the SP average to be for 1) Apple, 2) Heinz, 3) Verizon, 4) Amazon, and 5) Kroger.

Q: How would you develop a set of objectives for your school of

How would you develop a set of objectives for your school of business?

Q: What do you think is the appropriate role of a board of

What do you think is the appropriate role of a board of directors in strategic management? Why?

Q: Discuss the limitations of various strategy-formulation analytical techniques.

Discuss the limitations of various strategy-formulation analytical techniques.

Q: Explain why cultural factors should be an important consideration in analyzing and

Explain why cultural factors should be an important consideration in analyzing and choosing among alternative strategies.

Q: How are the SWOT Matrix, SPACE Matrix, BCG Matrix,

How are the SWOT Matrix, SPACE Matrix, BCG Matrix, IE Matrix, and Grand Strategy Matrix similar? How are they different?

Q: List 4 limitations of a BCG Matrix.

List 4 limitations of a BCG Matrix.

Q: Make up an example to show clearly and completely that you can

Make up an example to show clearly and completely that you can develop an IE Matrix for a 3-division company, where each division has $10, $20, and $40 in revenues, and $2, $4, and $1 in profits. Stat...

Q: How does the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 impact boards of

How does the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 impact boards of directors?

Q: Rank Business Week’s “principles of good governance” from 1 to

Rank Business Week’s “principles of good governance” from 1 to 14 (1 being most important and 14 least important) to reveal your assessment of these new rules.

Q: Why is it important to work row by row instead of column

Why is it important to work row by row instead of column by column in preparing a QSPM?

Q: Overlay a BCG Matrix with a Grand Strategy Matrix and discuss similarities

Overlay a BCG Matrix with a Grand Strategy Matrix and discuss similarities in terms of format and implications.

Q: Walt Disney’s Board of Directors consists of eight men and five women

Walt Disney’s Board of Directors consists of eight men and five women. Why should a Board not consist of all men, or all women, or all whites, or all minorities?

Q: Many multidivisional firms do not report revenues or profits by division or

Many multidivisional firms do not report revenues or profits by division or segment in their Form 10K or Annual Report. What are the pros and cons of this management practice? Discuss.

Q: List six drawbacks of using only subjective information in formulating strategies.

List six drawbacks of using only subjective information in formulating strategies.

Q: List three limitations of the SWOT Matrix and analysis.

List three limitations of the SWOT Matrix and analysis.

Q: For the following three firms using the given factors, calculate a

For the following three firms using the given factors, calculate a reasonable Stability Position (SP) coordinate to go on the SPACE Matrix axis, given what you know about the nature of those industrie...

Q: Would the angle or degrees of the vector in a SPACE Matrix

Would the angle or degrees of the vector in a SPACE Matrix be important in generating alternative strategies? Explain.

Q: Discuss the glass ceiling in the United States, giving your ideas

Discuss the glass ceiling in the United States, giving your ideas and suggestions.

Q: What do you especially like and dislike about Halliburton’s organizational chart shown

What do you especially like and dislike about Halliburton’s organizational chart shown in the chapter? What would you change if anything? Why?

Q: Think of a company that would operate best in your opinion in

Think of a company that would operate best in your opinion in a division-by-services organizational structure. Explain your reasoning.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of decentralizing the wage and salary

What are the advantages and disadvantages of decentralizing the wage and salary function of an organization? How could this be accomplished?

Q: Advertising agencies are an example industry transitioning from specialist Hispanic, African

Advertising agencies are an example industry transitioning from specialist Hispanic, African American, and Asian firms to multicultural, generalist agencies. Why is this occurring? What other industri...

Q: List the different types of organizational structure. Diagram what you feel

List the different types of organizational structure. Diagram what you feel is the most complex of these types of structure and label your chart clearly.

Q: List the advantages and disadvantages of a functional versus a divisional organizational

List the advantages and disadvantages of a functional versus a divisional organizational structure.

Q: Discuss recent trends among women and minorities becoming top executives in the

Discuss recent trends among women and minorities becoming top executives in the USA.

Q: Discuss recent trends of firms downsizing family-friendly programs.

Discuss recent trends of firms downsizing family-friendly programs.

Q: List seven guidelines to follow in developing an organizational chart.

List seven guidelines to follow in developing an organizational chart.

Q: Women comprise only 6 percent of corporate board seats in Asia,

Women comprise only 6 percent of corporate board seats in Asia, compared to 17 percent in Europe and 15 percent in the USA. Why is this a problem globally for 1) companies with a low percent and 2) co...

Q: College football coaches get paid millions, presumably because there is so

College football coaches get paid millions, presumably because there is so much money involved in college football the need to win is paramount. However, head coaches are often fired when a season goe...

Q: Describe a conflict situation in which to resolve the problem you would

Describe a conflict situation in which to resolve the problem you would use 1) Avoidance, 2) Defusion, and 3) Confrontation.

Q: Discuss three ways for linking performance and pay to strategies.

Discuss three ways for linking performance and pay to strategies.

Q: List the five labor cost-saving activities that you believe would

List the five labor cost-saving activities that you believe would be most effective for Best Buy. Give a rationale for each activity.

Q: The chapter says strategy formulation focuses on effectiveness, whereas strategy implementation

The chapter says strategy formulation focuses on effectiveness, whereas strategy implementation focuses on efficiency. Which is more important, effectiveness, or efficiency? Give an example of each co...

Q: In stating objectives, why should terms such as increase, minimize

In stating objectives, why should terms such as increase, minimize, maximize, as soon as possible, adequate, and decrease be avoided?

Q: Considering avoidance, defusion, confrontation, which method of conflict resolution

Considering avoidance, defusion, confrontation, which method of conflict resolution do you prefer most? Why? Which do you prefer least? Why?

Q: Explain why Chandler’s strategy-structure relationship commonly exists among firms.

Explain why Chandler’s strategy-structure relationship commonly exists among firms.

Q: Explain how to choose between a divisional-by-product and

Explain how to choose between a divisional-by-product and a divisional-by-region organizational structure.

Q: What are the two major disadvantages of an SBU-type organizational

What are the two major disadvantages of an SBU-type organizational structure? What are the two major advantages? At what point in a firm’s growth do you feel the advantages offset the disadvantages? E...

Q: In order of importance in your opinion, list six advantages of

In order of importance in your opinion, list six advantages of a matrix organizational structure.

Q: Compare and contrast profit sharing with gain sharing as employee performance incentives

Compare and contrast profit sharing with gain sharing as employee performance incentives.

Q: List three resistance to change strategies. Give an example when you

List three resistance to change strategies. Give an example when you would use each method or approach.

Q: List reasons why it is important for an organization not to have

List reasons why it is important for an organization not to have a “glass ceiling”.

Q: Compare strategy formulation with strategy implementation in terms of each being an

Compare strategy formulation with strategy implementation in terms of each being an art or a science.

Q: Explain why organizational structure is so important in strategy implementation.

Explain why organizational structure is so important in strategy implementation.

Q: Explain and discuss the Balanced Scorecard.

Explain and discuss the Balanced Scorecard.

Q: Explain how marketing, finance/accounting, R&D,

Explain how marketing, finance/accounting, R&D, and computer information systems managers’ involvement in strategy formulation can enhance strategy implementation.

Q: Under what conditions would Retained Earnings on the Balance Sheet decrease from

Under what conditions would Retained Earnings on the Balance Sheet decrease from one year the next?

Q: In your own words, list all the steps in developing projected

In your own words, list all the steps in developing projected financial statements.

Q: Based on the financial statements provided in this chapter for the Litten

Based on the financial statements provided in this chapter for the Litten Company, calculate the value of this company, if you know that their stock price is $20 and they have 1 million shares outstan...

Q: Why should you be careful not to use historical percentages blindly in

Why should you be careful not to use historical percentages blindly in developing projected financial statements?

Q: In developing projected financial statements, what should you do if the

In developing projected financial statements, what should you do if the $ amount you must put in the cash account (to make the statement balance) is far more (or less) than desired?

Q: Why is the Balanced Scorecard an important topic both in devising objectives

Why is the Balanced Scorecard an important topic both in devising objectives and in evaluating strategies?

Q: Why is it both important and necessary to segment markets and target

Why is it both important and necessary to segment markets and target groups of customers, rather than marketing to all possible consumers?

Q: If a firm has two regions and two products, develop a

If a firm has two regions and two products, develop a sample framework for measuring organizational performance.

Q: Discuss the ethics of workplace romance.

Discuss the ethics of workplace romance.

Q: Why are some American companies, such as Eaton, reincorporating in

Why are some American companies, such as Eaton, reincorporating in foreign countries, such as to Dublin, Ireland, as did Eaton? What are the pros and cons of that strategy?

Q: In China, feng shui is important in business, whereas in

In China, feng shui is important in business, whereas in Japan, nemaswashio is important. What are analogous American terms and practices?

Q: Do you agree with privacy advocates who contend that Facebook should provide

Do you agree with privacy advocates who contend that Facebook should provide ways for users to opt out of the mobile ad targeting? Why or why not?

Q: Explain why concern for wildlife is a strategic issue for firms.

Explain why concern for wildlife is a strategic issue for firms.

Q: Give specifics regarding the nature and role of “Union Membership across

Give specifics regarding the nature and role of “Union Membership across Europe.” What are the strategic implications of these facts and figures?

Q: Develop a perceptual map for the six colleges and universities closest to

Develop a perceptual map for the six colleges and universities closest to your institution. Illustrate a market segment and a demand void in your map. What are the strategic implications of your map?...

Q: Explain why whistle-blower payouts by the federal government to informants

Explain why whistle-blower payouts by the federal government to informants are becoming more and more common.

Q: Give specifics regarding income tax rates and practices across countries, and

Give specifics regarding income tax rates and practices across countries, and associated strategic implications.

Q: Why is globalization of industries a common factor today?

Why is globalization of industries a common factor today?

Q: Bristol-Myers Squibb, a company with single-A investment

Bristol-Myers Squibb, a company with single-A investment credit ratings, recently sold $2 billion of bonds that paid 3.35 percent interest. What are the pro’s and con’s of this activity, compared to i...

Q: How does an organization know if it is pursuing “optimal”

How does an organization know if it is pursuing “optimal” strategies?

Q: Compare and contrast the British Bribery Law with the American Bribery Law

Compare and contrast the British Bribery Law with the American Bribery Law.

Q: Compare tax rates in the USA versus other countries. What impact

Compare tax rates in the USA versus other countries. What impact could these differences have on “keeping jobs at home?”

Q: Exports from the USA comprise about 11 percent of GDP, compared

Exports from the USA comprise about 11 percent of GDP, compared to about 35 percent of Germany’s GDP. What are implications of this for American firms doing business globally?

Q: Lowe’s Companies is aggressively buying its own stock. What are situations

Lowe’s Companies is aggressively buying its own stock. What are situations when this practice is recommended or especially beneficial?

Q: Discuss the nature and implications of the upcoming accounting switch from GAAP

Discuss the nature and implications of the upcoming accounting switch from GAAP to IFRS in the United States.

Q: Compare procedures in the corporate world versus a university setting in terms

Compare procedures in the corporate world versus a university setting in terms of how sexual harassment complaints are investigated outside the organization.

Q: Make a good argument for keeping the statutory corporate tax rate in

Make a good argument for keeping the statutory corporate tax rate in the USA the highest in the world. Make the counter argument.

Q: The chapter says HP has more $goodwill than the $book

The chapter says HP has more $goodwill than the $book value of the firm. Explain what this means, how it could occur, and what can be done about this situation?

Q: Ask an accounting professor at your college or university the following question

Ask an accounting professor at your college or university the following question and report back to class: “To what extent would my learning the IFRS standards on my own give me competitive advantage...

Q: Show algebraically that the price earnings ratio formula is identical to the

Show algebraically that the price earnings ratio formula is identical to the number of shares outstanding times stock price formula. Why are the values obtained from these two methods sometimes differ...

Q: Compare the EEOC with the OCR in terms of mission and scope

Compare the EEOC with the OCR in terms of mission and scope of operations.

Q: Evaluating strategies on a continuous rather than a periodic basis is desired

Evaluating strategies on a continuous rather than a periodic basis is desired. Discuss the pros and cons of this statement.

Q: Explain how awareness of business culture across countries can enhance strategy implementation

Explain how awareness of business culture across countries can enhance strategy implementation.

Q: How often should an organization’s vision/mission be changed in light

How often should an organization’s vision/mission be changed in light of strategy evaluation activities?

Q: For companies in general, identify and discuss three opportunities and three

For companies in general, identify and discuss three opportunities and three threats associated with social networking activities on the Internet.

Q: What types of quantitative and qualitative criteria do you think Ellen Kullman

What types of quantitative and qualitative criteria do you think Ellen Kullman, CEO of DuPont, uses to evaluate the company’s strategy?

Q: What are the major differences between U.S. and multinational

What are the major differences between U.S. and multinational operations that affect strategic management?

Q: Discuss bribery. Would actions such as politicians adding earmarks in legislation

Discuss bribery. Would actions such as politicians adding earmarks in legislation or pharmaceutical salespersons giving away drugs to physicians constitute bribery? Identify three business activities...

Q: Describe the business culture in Japan.

Describe the business culture in Japan.

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “Television

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “Television viewers are passive viewers of ads, whereas Internet users take an active role in choosing what to look at – so customers on the Inte...

Q: As owner of a local, independent supermarket, explain how you

As owner of a local, independent supermarket, explain how you would evaluate the firm’s strategy.

Q: How could a strategist’s attitude toward social responsibility affect a firm’s strategy

How could a strategist’s attitude toward social responsibility affect a firm’s strategy? On a 1 to 10 scale ranging from Nader’s view to Friedman’s view, what is your attitude toward social responsibi...

Q: List in prioritized order the top four countries in Africa that are

List in prioritized order the top four countries in Africa that are safe, worthwhile, and potentially lucrative for opening new business operations. Give a rationale for each.

Q: Why has strategy evaluation become so important in business today?

Why has strategy evaluation become so important in business today?

Q: Describe some marketing, finance/accounting, R&D,

Describe some marketing, finance/accounting, R&D, and management information systems activities that a small restaurant chain might undertake to expand into a neighboring state.

Q: Compare and contrast U.S. versus foreign cultures in terms

Compare and contrast U.S. versus foreign cultures in terms of doing business.

Q: Do you believe strategic management should be more a top-down

Do you believe strategic management should be more a top-down or bottom-up process in a firm? Explain.

Q: How important or relevant do you believe “purpose-based marketing

How important or relevant do you believe “purpose-based marketing” is for organizations today?”

Q: How do social policies on retirement differ in various countries around the

How do social policies on retirement differ in various countries around the world?

Q: Define and give an example of business analytics. Why is this

Define and give an example of business analytics. Why is this technique becoming so widely used in organizations today?

Q: What are several especially attractive aspects of the Philippines for beginning business

What are several especially attractive aspects of the Philippines for beginning business operations in that country? What are some drawbacks?

Q: Why is it essential for organizations to segment markets and target particular

Why is it essential for organizations to segment markets and target particular groups of consumers?

Q: Firms should formulate and implement strategies from an environmental perspective. List

Firms should formulate and implement strategies from an environmental perspective. List eight ways firms can do this.

Q: Explain how and why the Internet makes market segmentation easier.

Explain how and why the Internet makes market segmentation easier.

Q: Why is it important not to view the concept of “whistle

Why is it important not to view the concept of “whistle-blowing” as “tattle-telling” or “ratting” on another employee?

Q: As executive director of the state forestry commission, in what way

As executive director of the state forestry commission, in what way and how frequently would you evaluate the organization’s strategies?

Q: Discus the major requirements of an EMS under ISO 14001.

Discus the major requirements of an EMS under ISO 14001.

Q: Describe the business culture in Egypt.

Describe the business culture in Egypt.

Q: To what extent do you feel political unrest in the Middle East

To what extent do you feel political unrest in the Middle East will spread outside the region? Would that be a good or bad thing for global business? What countries do you feel may experience politica...

Q: What effect is e-commerce having on firms’ efforts to segment

What effect is e-commerce having on firms’ efforts to segment markets?

Q: A product-positioning rule given in the chapter is that “

A product-positioning rule given in the chapter is that “when there are only two competitors, the middle becomes the preferred strategic position.” Illustrate this for the cruise ship industry, where...

Q: List six reasons that strategic management is more complex in a multinational

List six reasons that strategic management is more complex in a multinational firm.

Q: Give an example of “consonance” other than the one provided

Give an example of “consonance” other than the one provided by Rumelt in the chapter.

Q: Identify some key financial ratios that would be important in evaluating a

Identify some key financial ratios that would be important in evaluating a bank’s strategy.

Q: How could/would dividends affect an EPS/EBIT analysis?

How could/would dividends affect an EPS/EBIT analysis? Would it be correct to refer to “earnings after taxes, interest, and dividends” as retained earnings for a given year?

Q: Describe the business culture in India.

Describe the business culture in India.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of beginning export operations in a

What are the advantages and disadvantages of beginning export operations in a foreign country?

Q: Explain how you would estimate the total worth of a business.

Explain how you would estimate the total worth of a business.

Q: Do you believe strategic management is more an art or science?

Do you believe strategic management is more an art or science? Explain.

Q: Explain why projected financial statement analysis is considered both a strategy-

Explain why projected financial statement analysis is considered both a strategy-formulation and a strategy-implementation tool.

Q: Do you feel that protectionism is good or bad for the world

Do you feel that protectionism is good or bad for the world economy? Why?

Q: Diagram and label clearly a product-positioning map that includes six

Diagram and label clearly a product-positioning map that includes six fast-food restaurant chains.

Q: Why are some industries more “global” than others? Discuss

Why are some industries more “global” than others? Discuss.

Q: Complete the following EPS/EBIT analysis for a company whose stock

Complete the following EPS/EBIT analysis for a company whose stock price is $20, interest rate on funds is 5%, tax rate is 20%, # of shares outstanding is 500 million, and EBIT range is $100 to $300 m...

Q: Wa, quanxi, and inhwa are important management terms in Japan

Wa, quanxi, and inhwa are important management terms in Japan, China, and South Korea, respectively. What would be analogous terms to describe American management practices?

Q: Describe the business culture in Brazil.

Describe the business culture in Brazil.

Q: Discuss the new principles of marketing according to Parise, Guinan,

Discuss the new principles of marketing according to Parise, Guinan, and Weinberg.

Q: Discuss the limitations of EPS/EBIT analysis.

Discuss the limitations of EPS/EBIT analysis.

Q: Give a hypothetical example where Company A buys Company B for a

Give a hypothetical example where Company A buys Company B for a 15.0% premium.

Q: If you owned a small business, would you develop a code

If you owned a small business, would you develop a code of business conduct? If yes, what variables would you include? If no, how would you ensure that your employees were following ethical business s...

Q: Describe the business culture in Germany.

Describe the business culture in Germany.

Q: What is Treasury Stock? When should a company purchase Treasury Stock

What is Treasury Stock? When should a company purchase Treasury Stock?

Q: Compare Mintzberg’s notion of “crafting” strategies with this textbook’s notion

Compare Mintzberg’s notion of “crafting” strategies with this textbook’s notion of “gathering and assimilating information” to formulate strategies.

Q: How can firm’s best ensure that their code of business ethics is

How can firm’s best ensure that their code of business ethics is read, understood, believed, remembered, and acted on rather than ignored?

Q: Describe the business culture in China.

Describe the business culture in China.

Q: What is an initial public offering (IPO)? When is an

What is an initial public offering (IPO)? When is an IPO good for a company? Why did Facebook recently utilize an IPO? Was that a wise strategic move? Why?

Q: Do you believe strategic management should be more visible or hidden as

Do you believe strategic management should be more visible or hidden as a process in a firm? Explain.

Q: Discuss requirements of doing business in India.

Discuss requirements of doing business in India.

Q: List six desired results of “ethics training programs” in terms

List six desired results of “ethics training programs” in terms of recommended business ethics policies/procedures in the firm.

Q: Describe the business culture in Mexico.

Describe the business culture in Mexico.

Q: Why is maximizing ROIC consistent with maximizing returns to stockholders?

Why is maximizing ROIC consistent with maximizing returns to stockholders?

Q: What prompts a company to change from a global standardization to a

What prompts a company to change from a global standardization to a transnational strategy, and what new implementation problems arise as it does so?

Q: How does the business model for cloud computing differ from the traditional

How does the business model for cloud computing differ from the traditional business model used by companies such as Microsoft? What are the implications of this new business model for Microsoft’s fut...

Q: Why did he make these changes? Did they improve its performance

Why did he make these changes? Did they improve its performance? Search the Internet to find out what has happened to Liz Claiborne since these changes were made.

Q: Do you think there are any strategic groups in the U.

Do you think there are any strategic groups in the U.S. Steel industry? What might they be? How might the nature of competition vary from group to group?

Q: Using the information contained in the case, conduct a five-

Using the information contained in the case, conduct a five-forces analysis of the U.S. Steel industry. What conclusion can you draw from this?

Q: Identify a growth industry, a mature industry, and a declining

Identify a growth industry, a mature industry, and a declining industry. For each industry, identify the following: (1) The number and size distribution of companies, (2) The nature of barriers to e...

Q: Assess the impact of macro environmental factors on the likely level of

Assess the impact of macro environmental factors on the likely level of enrollment at your university over the next decade. What are the implications of these factors for the job security and salary l...

Q: Under what environmental conditions are price wars most likely to occur in

Under what environmental conditions are price wars most likely to occur in an industry? What are the implications of price wars for a company? How should a company try to deal with the threat of a pri...

Q: Discuss the Competitive Forces model with reference to what you know about

Discuss the Competitive Forces model with reference to what you know about the U.S. beer industry (see the Opening case). What does the model tell you about the level of competition in this industry?...

Q: Does McDonald’s have any distinctive competencies? If so, how do

Does McDonald’s have any distinctive competencies? If so, how do they impact the business?

Q: Is McDonald’s pursuing a low cost strategy, or a differentiation strategy

Is McDonald’s pursuing a low cost strategy, or a differentiation strategy?

Q: How would you design a structure and control system to encourage entrepreneurship

How would you design a structure and control system to encourage entrepreneurship in a large, established corporation?

Q: Why did McDonald’s start to lose its competitive advantage in the 2000s

Why did McDonald’s start to lose its competitive advantage in the 2000s? What did it do to halt the erosion in its competitive position? What does this teach you about the sustainability of competitiv...

Q: How important are efficiency, quality, customer responsiveness, and innovation

How important are efficiency, quality, customer responsiveness, and innovation to McDonald’s competitive position?

Q: When would a company choose a matrix structure? What are the

When would a company choose a matrix structure? What are the problems associated with managing this structure, and why might a product- team structure be preferable?

Q: When is a company’s competitive advantage most likely to endure over time

When is a company’s competitive advantage most likely to endure over time?

Q: It is possible for a company to be the lowest-cost

It is possible for a company to be the lowest-cost producer in its industry and simultaneously have an output that is the most valued by customers. Discuss this statement.

Q: Why is it important to understand the drivers of profitability, as

Why is it important to understand the drivers of profitability, as measured by the return on invested capital?

Q: Which is more important in explaining the success and failure of companies

Which is more important in explaining the success and failure of companies: strategizing or luck?

Q: What are the primary implications of the material discussed in this chapter

What are the primary implications of the material discussed in this chapter for strategy formulation?

Q: What role can top management play in helping a company achieve superior

What role can top management play in helping a company achieve superior efficiency, quality, innovation, and responsiveness to customers?

Q: Over time, will the adoption of Six Sigma quality improvement processes

Over time, will the adoption of Six Sigma quality improvement processes give a company a competitive advantage, or will it be required only to achieve parity with competitors?

Q: What are the problems associated with implementing a strategy of related diversification

What are the problems associated with implementing a strategy of related diversification through acquisitions?

Q: From what perspective might innovation be called “the single most important

From what perspective might innovation be called “the single most important building block” of competitive advantage?

Q: How are the four generic building blocks of competitive advantage related to

How are the four generic building blocks of competitive advantage related to each other?

Q: In what ways is Southwest trying to improve its competitive advantage in

In what ways is Southwest trying to improve its competitive advantage in 2011?

Q: For each of the structures discussed in the chapter, outline the

For each of the structures discussed in the chapter, outline the most suitable control systems.

Q: How can companies pursuing cost leadership and differentiation lose their place on

How can companies pursuing cost leadership and differentiation lose their place on the value frontier? In what ways can companies regain their competitive advantage?

Q: What strategies does a company need to develop to become a broad

What strategies does a company need to develop to become a broad differentiator? In what ways does this provide the company with a competitive advantage over cost leaders? Over differentiators?

Q: Why is strategic-group analysis important for superior competitive positioning?

Why is strategic-group analysis important for superior competitive positioning?

Q: What are some of the reasons companies lose control over their business

What are some of the reasons companies lose control over their business models, and thus their competitive advantage, over time?

Q: Why does each generic business model require a different set of business

Why does each generic business model require a different set of business-level strategies? Give examples of pairs of companies in: (a) The computer industry; (b) The electronics industry; and (c) T...

Q: What is the value creation frontier? How does each of the

What is the value creation frontier? How does each of the four generic business models allow a company to reach this frontier?

Q: When would a company decide to change from a functional to a

When would a company decide to change from a functional to a multidivisional structure?

Q: Why did Holiday Inn’s business model and strategies change over time?

Why did Holiday Inn’s business model and strategies change over time?

Q: How has competition changed the strategies behind the InterContinental Hotels Group’s business

How has competition changed the strategies behind the InterContinental Hotels Group’s business model over time?

Q: What investment strategies should be made by: (a)

What investment strategies should be made by: (a) Differentiators in a strong competitive position, and (b) Differentiators in a weak competitive position, while managing a company’s growth through...

Q: Discuss how companies can use: (a) Product differentiation

Discuss how companies can use: (a) Product differentiation, and (b) Capacity control to manage rivalry and increase an industry’s profitability.

Q: What kind of structure, controls, and culture would you be

What kind of structure, controls, and culture would you be likely to find in (a) A small manufacturing company, (b) A chain store, (c) A high-tech company, and (d) A Big Four accounting firm?

Q: What kinds of strategies might: (a) A small

What kinds of strategies might: (a) A small pizza place operating in a crowded college market, and (b) A detergent manufacturer seeking to unveil new products in an established market use to strengt...

Q: Why are industries fragmented? What are the primary ways in which

Why are industries fragmented? What are the primary ways in which companies can turn a fragmented industry into a consolidated industry?

Q: What are the key problems in maintaining a competitive advantage in embryonic

What are the key problems in maintaining a competitive advantage in embryonic and growth industry environments? What are the dangers associated with being the leader in an industry?

Q: Why did Apple place such emphasis on the applications that run on

Why did Apple place such emphasis on the applications that run on the iPhone? What is it trying to achieve by heavily promoting applications? Why did other companies rush to copy Apple’s strategies?

Q: Apple and Google are pursuing different strategies— Apple sells the device

Apple and Google are pursuing different strategies— Apple sells the device and the OS as a bundle (the iPhone), whereas Google does not make devices and licenses its Android OS phones to other device...

Q: What do we mean by strategy? How is a business model

What do we mean by strategy? How is a business model different from a strategy?

Q: Google licenses its Android OS to phone manufacturers for free. Why

Google licenses its Android OS to phone manufacturers for free. Why would it do this?

Q: Why are standards so important in high-tech industries? What

Why are standards so important in high-tech industries? What are the competitive implications of this?

Q: You work for a small company that has the leading position in

You work for a small company that has the leading position in an embryonic market. Your boss believes that the company’s future is ensured because it has a 60% share of the market, the lowest cost str...

Q: You are working for a small company that has developed an operating

You are working for a small company that has developed an operating system for PCs that is faster and more stable than Microsoft’s Windows operating system. What strategies might the company pursue to...

Q: You are a manager for a major music record label. Last

You are a manager for a major music record label. Last year, music sales declined by 10%, primarily because of very high piracy rates for CDs. Your boss has asked you to develop a strategy for reducin...

Q: What is the relationship among organizational structure, control, and culture

What is the relationship among organizational structure, control, and culture? Give some examples of when and under what conditions a mismatch among these components might arise.

Q: Reread the opening case on the emerging format war for high definition

Reread the opening case on the emerging format war for high definition DVD players. On the basis of the information contained in this case, which company do you think will most likely win this format...

Q: What is different about high-tech industries? Were all industries

What is different about high-tech industries? Were all industries once high tech?

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages associated with these strategies?

What are the advantages and disadvantages associated with these strategies?

Q: How has Cisco changed its structure and control systems?

How has Cisco changed its structure and control systems?

Q: What is the difference between a company’s internal value chain and the

What is the difference between a company’s internal value chain and the industry value chain? What is the relationship between vertical integration and the industry value chain?

Q: Why was it profitable for GM and Ford to integrate backward into

Why was it profitable for GM and Ford to integrate backward into component-parts manufacturing in the past, and why are both companies now buying more of their parts from outside suppliers?

Q: What value-creation activities should a company outsource to independent suppliers

What value-creation activities should a company outsource to independent suppliers? What are the risks involved in outsourcing these activities?

Q: What are the strengths of formal strategic planning? What are its

What are the strengths of formal strategic planning? What are its weaknesses?

Q: What steps would you recommend that a company take to build mutually

What steps would you recommend that a company take to build mutually beneficial long-term cooperative relationships with its suppliers?

Q: Under what conditions might horizontal integration be inconsistent with the goal of

Under what conditions might horizontal integration be inconsistent with the goal of maximizing profitability?

Q: In what ways has Samsung’s multi business model changed over time?

In what ways has Samsung’s multi business model changed over time? Why did its top managers make these changes?

Q: What factors make it most likely that (a) Acquisitions

What factors make it most likely that (a) Acquisitions or (b) Internal new venturing will be the preferred method to enter a new industry?

Q: According to the strategic choice framework introduced in this chapter, what

According to the strategic choice framework introduced in this chapter, what strategy do you think IBM is pursuing today?

Q: Imagine that IBM has decided to diversify into the telecommunications business to

Imagine that IBM has decided to diversify into the telecommunications business to provide online “cloud computing” data services and broadband access for businesses and individuals. What method would...

Q: Under which conditions are joint ventures a useful way to enter new

Under which conditions are joint ventures a useful way to enter new industries?

Q: Identify Honeywell’s (www.honeywell.com) portfolio of businesses

Identify Honeywell’s (www.honeywell.com) portfolio of businesses that can be found by exploring its Website. In how many different industries is Honeywell involved? Would you describe Honeywell as a r...

Q: Relate Cisco’s changes to its control and evaluation systems to the stages

Relate Cisco’s changes to its control and evaluation systems to the stages of growth in Greiner’s model.

Q: When is a company likely to choose (a) Related

When is a company likely to choose (a) Related diversification and (b) Unrelated diversification?

Q: At the end of 2008, the financial markets were in the

At the end of 2008, the financial markets were in the middle of the deepest crisis since the great depression. Losses were increasing in financial institutions by the hour as the value of their holdin...

Q: Discuss the accuracy of the following statement: Formal strategic planning systems

Discuss the accuracy of the following statement: Formal strategic planning systems are irrelevant for firms competing in high-technology industries where the pace of change is so rapid that plans are...

Q: Where the actions that John Thain took on personal perks and bonuses

Where the actions that John Thain took on personal perks and bonuses legal? Were they ethical? What does this case teach you about the difference between staying within the bounds of the law and behav...

Q: How might a company configure its strategy making processes to reduce the

How might a company configure its strategy making processes to reduce the probability that managers will pursue their own self-interest at the expense of stockholders?

Q: In a public corporation, should the CEO of the company also

In a public corporation, should the CEO of the company also be allowed to be the chairman of the board (as allowed for by the current law)? What problems might this give rise to?

Q: In the 1970s and 1980s Palmisano states that IBM was organized as

In the 1970s and 1980s Palmisano states that IBM was organized as a classic multinational enterprise. What does this mean? Why do you think IBM was organized that way? What were the advantages of this...

Q: Under what conditions is it ethically defensible to outsource production to producers

Under what conditions is it ethically defensible to outsource production to producers in the developing world who have much lower labor costs when such actions involve laying off long-term employees i...

Q: Is it ethical for a firm faced with a shortage of labor

Is it ethical for a firm faced with a shortage of labor to employ illegal immigrants as labor?

Q: How prevalent has the agency problem been in corporate America during the

How prevalent has the agency problem been in corporate America during the last decade? During the late-1990s there was a boom in initial public offerings of Internet companies (dot. com companies). Th...

Q: If a related company begins to purchase unrelated businesses, in what

If a related company begins to purchase unrelated businesses, in what ways should it change its structure or control mechanisms to manage the acquisitions?

Q: Cloud computing is still in its infancy. If business history teaches

Cloud computing is still in its infancy. If business history teaches us anything, it is that events often do not turn out the way that planners thought they would. Given this, might it have been bette...

Q: What do you think are the sources of sustained superior profitability?

What do you think are the sources of sustained superior profitability?

Q: Are the following global standardization industries, or industries where localization is

Are the following global standardization industries, or industries where localization is more important: bulk chemicals, pharmaceuticals, branded food products, moviemaking, television manufacture, pe...

Q: Discuss how the need for control over foreign operations varies with the

Discuss how the need for control over foreign operations varies with the strategy and distinctive competencies of a company. What are the implications of this relationship for the choice of entry mode...

Q: Licensing proprietary technology to foreign competitors is the best way to give

Licensing proprietary technology to foreign competitors is the best way to give up a company’s competitive advantage. Discuss.

Q: What kind of companies stand to gain the most from entering into

What kind of companies stand to gain the most from entering into strategic alliances with potential competitors? Why?

Q: Plot the position of the following companies on Figure 8.3

Plot the position of the following companies on Figure 8.3: Microsoft, Google, Coca-Cola, Dow Chemicals, Pfizer, and McDonald’s. In each case, justify your answer.

Q: What kind of corporate-level strategies did News Corp pursue to

What kind of corporate-level strategies did News Corp pursue to build its multi business model?

Q: If you put the issues related to bonuses and personal perks to

If you put the issues related to bonuses and personal perks to one side, how would you judge the effectiveness of John Thain as the leader of an organization deep in crisis?

Q: What general principles about competitive advantage and strategy can be drawn from

What general principles about competitive advantage and strategy can be drawn from this case?

Q: Microsoft and RIM were selling smartphones several years before Apple and Google

Microsoft and RIM were selling smartphones several years before Apple and Google entered the market. Why then do you think Apple and Google’s Android phones are now starting to dominate the market?

Q: How do changes in the environment affect the success of a company’s

How do changes in the environment affect the success of a company’s business model?

Q: In what ways is it using non price strategies to improve its

In what ways is it using non price strategies to improve its competitive advantage?

Q: Microsoft and Nokia have both been losing share in the smartphone business

Microsoft and Nokia have both been losing share in the smartphone business. They have now decided to enter into an alliance. How are they hoping to reshape competition in the smartphone business? Do y...

Q: Why has Southwest’s business model and strategies changed over time?

Why has Southwest’s business model and strategies changed over time?

Q: Demand for steel is very cyclical. Why do you think this

Demand for steel is very cyclical. Why do you think this is the case? What might steel makers do to better cope with the cyclical nature of demand?

Q: To develop its cloud computing business, Microsoft implemented a self-

To develop its cloud computing business, Microsoft implemented a self-contained unit within its organization dedicated to that task. Why do you think that it did this?

Q: Given the nature of competition in the U.S. steel

Given the nature of competition in the U.S. steel industry, what must a steel maker focus on in order to be profitable?

Q: If Microsoft does not build a cloud computing business, what might

If Microsoft does not build a cloud computing business, what might happen to the company over the next decade? Why did the company decide that it had little choice but to invest in cloud computing?

Q: How is Samsung currently performing? What kinds of changes is it

How is Samsung currently performing? What kinds of changes is it making to its multi business model?

Q: The case talks about Microsoft’s strengths, which might help it to

The case talks about Microsoft’s strengths, which might help it to build a cloud computing business. It does not talk about weaknesses. Can you think of any weaknesses that the company might have?

Q: How did poor quality at United Technologies’ Otis unit damage the company’s

How did poor quality at United Technologies’ Otis unit damage the company’s financial performance and competitive position?

Q: Why do you think quality was so poor at Otis?

Why do you think quality was so poor at Otis?

Q: What did UTC learn by repairing the quality problems at Otis?

What did UTC learn by repairing the quality problems at Otis? How did it leverage this learning to improve the performance of the entire corporation?

Q: Why do you think John Thain pushed for such high bonuses in

Why do you think John Thain pushed for such high bonuses in 2008 given that Merrill was in a deep financial crisis? What might his motivations have been?

Q: What might John Thain have done differently? If he had pursued

What might John Thain have done differently? If he had pursued a different set of actions with regard to personal perks and bonuses, what might the outcome have been for him and for Merrill Lynch?

Q: In what ways did McComb change Liz Claiborne’s structure and control systems

In what ways did McComb change Liz Claiborne’s structure and control systems over time?

Q: Use the Internet to investigate how Cisco’s new approach has worked.

Use the Internet to investigate how Cisco’s new approach has worked. How is the company continuing to change its structure and control systems to solve its ongoing problems?

Q: What kind of corporate-level strategies did News Corp pursue to

What kind of corporate-level strategies did News Corp pursue to build its multi business model?

Q: By the 1990s, the classic multinational strategic orientation was no longer

By the 1990s, the classic multinational strategic orientation was no longer working well for IBM. Why not?

Q: What are the strategic advantages of IBM’s globally integrated enterprise strategy?

What are the strategic advantages of IBM’s globally integrated enterprise strategy? What kind of organizational changes do you think had to be made at IBM to make this strategy a reality?

Q: Minorities and women each hold less than 15 percent of board seats

Minorities and women each hold less than 15 percent of board seats of S&P 500 companies. Why is this not good?

Q: If the CEO of a beverage company such as Dr Pepper/

If the CEO of a beverage company such as Dr Pepper/Snapple asked you whether backward or forward integration would be better for the firm, how would you respond?

Q: What are the most important characteristics of an effective management information system

What are the most important characteristics of an effective management information system (MIS)?

Q: Do you believe expenditures for childcare or fitness facilities are warranted from

Do you believe expenditures for childcare or fitness facilities are warranted from a cost/benefit perspective? Why or why not?

Q: Why is it that a firm can sustain a competitive advantage normally

Why is it that a firm can sustain a competitive advantage normally for only a limited period of time?

Q: Explain why successful strategy implementation often hinges on whether the strategy-

Explain why successful strategy implementation often hinges on whether the strategy-formulation process empowers managers and employees.

Q: Envision a QSPM with no weight column. Would that still be

Envision a QSPM with no weight column. Would that still be a useful analysis? Why or why not? What do you lose by deleting the weight column?

Q: Prepare a BCG Matrix for a two-division firm with sales

Prepare a BCG Matrix for a two-division firm with sales of $5 and $8 versus profits of $3 and $1 respectively. State assumptions for the RMSP and IGR axes to enable you to construct the diagram.

Q: How can a firm best achieve sustained competitive advantage?

How can a firm best achieve sustained competitive advantage?

Q: Consider developing a before and after BCG or IE Matrix to reveal

Consider developing a before and after BCG or IE Matrix to reveal the expected results of your proposed strategies. What limitation of the analysis would this procedure somewhat overcome?

Q: Define and discuss the “spam” problem in the United States

Define and discuss the “spam” problem in the United States.

Q: If a firm has the leading market share in its industry,

If a firm has the leading market share in its industry, where on the BCG Matrix would the circle lie?

Q: Give a hypothetical example where Company A buys Company B for a

Give a hypothetical example where Company A buys Company B for a 15.0% discount.

Q: If a firm competes in a very unstable industry such as telecommunications

If a firm competes in a very unstable industry such as telecommunications, where on the SP axis of the SPACE Matrix would you plot the appropriate point?

Q: List five financial ratios that may be used by your university to

List five financial ratios that may be used by your university to monitor operations.

Q: Why do you think the SWOT Matrix is the most widely used

Why do you think the SWOT Matrix is the most widely used of all strategy matrices?

Q: Explain benchmarking.

Explain benchmarking.

Q: Rate the five websites provided under the “Sources of External Information

Rate the five websites provided under the “Sources of External Information” section of the chapter from best to worst for finding information about a company.

Q: In order of importance, list six “characteristics of objectives.”

In order of importance, list six “characteristics of objectives.”

Q: Define halo error. How can halo error inhibit selecting the best

Define halo error. How can halo error inhibit selecting the best strategies to pursue?

Q: College football coaches get paid millions, presumably because there is so

College football coaches get paid millions, presumably because there is so much money involved in college football the need to win is paramount. However, head coaches are often fired when a season goe...

Q: Distinguish between long-range planning and strategic planning.

Distinguish between long-range planning and strategic planning.

Q: BUSINESS WEEK magazine says firms should “base executive compensation on actual

BUSINESS WEEK magazine says firms should “base executive compensation on actual company performance, rather than on the company’s stock price.” For example, Target Corp. bases executive pay on same-st...

Q: For a firm that you know well, give an example SO

For a firm that you know well, give an example SO Strategy, showing how an internal strength can be matched with an external opportunity to formulate strategy.

Q: Called de-integration, there appears to be a growing trend

Called de-integration, there appears to be a growing trend for firms to become less forward integrated. Discuss why.

Q: Marketing is becoming much more technical as are the duties and responsibilities

Marketing is becoming much more technical as are the duties and responsibilities of chief marketing officers (CMO’s). Give four examples of increasing technical aspects of marketing.

Q: List three firms you are familiar with and give a distinctive competence

List three firms you are familiar with and give a distinctive competence for each firm.

Q: For a firm that you know well, give an example WT

For a firm that you know well, give an example WT Strategy, showing how an internal weakness can be matched with an external threat to formulate a strategy.

Q: List four corporate wellness practices that could be especially effective for a

List four corporate wellness practices that could be especially effective for a company.

Q: BellSouth Services is considering putting divisional EFE and IFE matrices online for

BellSouth Services is considering putting divisional EFE and IFE matrices online for continual updating. How would this affect strategy evaluation?

Q: How important do you think “being adept at adapting” is

How important do you think “being adept at adapting” is for business firms? Explain.

Q: Women now make up 53 percent of the work force in Latin

Women now make up 53 percent of the work force in Latin and South America. Do some research to determine how that percentage compares with other parts of the world. What are the implications for a bus...

Q: When someone or some company is “on a mission” to

When someone or some company is “on a mission” to achieve something, many times they cannot be stopped. List three things in prioritized order that you are “on a mission” to achieve in life.

Q: Under what conditions are corrective actions not required in the strategy-

Under what conditions are corrective actions not required in the strategy-evaluation process?

Q: Identify the types of organizations that may need to evaluate strategy more

Identify the types of organizations that may need to evaluate strategy more frequently than others. Justify your choices.

Q: Do some research on Singapore to determine whether you agree that the

Do some research on Singapore to determine whether you agree that the country merits its #1 ranking globally in attractiveness for doing business.

Q: In developing a QSPM, if 10 strategies are being compared simultaneously

In developing a QSPM, if 10 strategies are being compared simultaneously, what would be a good scale for the AS scores? Why?

Q: Distinguish between the concepts of mission and vision.

Distinguish between the concepts of mission and vision.

Q: If a firm has weak financial position and competes in an unstable

If a firm has weak financial position and competes in an unstable industry, in which quadrant will the SPACE vector lie?

Q: Even though planning is considered the foundation of management, why do

Even though planning is considered the foundation of management, why do you think it is commonly the task that managers neglect most?

Q: What is your college or university’s self-concept? How would

What is your college or university’s self-concept? How would you state that in a mission statement?

Q: Can you think of any reasons why not-for-profit

Can you think of any reasons why not-for-profit firms would benefit less from doing strategic planning than for-profit companies?

Q: What are four types of resources that all organizations have? List

What are four types of resources that all organizations have? List them in order of importance for your university or business school.

Q: In performing an EPS/EBIT analysis, where does the first

In performing an EPS/EBIT analysis, where does the first row of (EBIT) numbers come from?

Q: Strategy evaluation allows an organization to take a proactive stance toward shaping

Strategy evaluation allows an organization to take a proactive stance toward shaping its own future. Discuss the meaning of this statement.

Q: Explain why consumption patterns are becoming similar worldwide. What are the

Explain why consumption patterns are becoming similar worldwide. What are the strategic implications of this trend?

Q: List reasons why objectives are essential for organizational success.

List reasons why objectives are essential for organizational success.

Q: Do an Internet search using the keywords “Balanced Scorecard Images.”

Do an Internet search using the keywords “Balanced Scorecard Images.” Pick out two images among the hundred available. Compare and contrast the two images/processes as to effectiveness.

Q: Why is it important for a mission statement to be reconciliatory?

Why is it important for a mission statement to be reconciliatory?

Q: In performing an EPS/EBIT analysis, where does the tax

In performing an EPS/EBIT analysis, where does the tax rate percentage come from?

Q: List four strategies and a hypothetical example of each.

List four strategies and a hypothetical example of each.

Q: Define and give a hypothetical example of a “white knight”

Define and give a hypothetical example of a “white knight” in the fast-food industry.

Q: For the Litten Company in Table 8-7, what would

For the Litten Company in Table 8-7, what would the Retained Earnings value have to have been in 2013 on the balance sheet, given that the 2014 NI-DIV value was $4?

Q: List six characteristics of annual objectives.

List six characteristics of annual objectives.

Q: How would the mission statements of a for-profit and a

How would the mission statements of a for-profit and a nonprofit organization differ?

Q: In developing an EFE Matrix, would it be advantageous to arrange

In developing an EFE Matrix, would it be advantageous to arrange your opportunities according to the highest weight, and do likewise for your threats? Explain.

Q: In an IFEM, would it be advantageous to list your strengths

In an IFEM, would it be advantageous to list your strengths, and then your weaknesses, in order of increasing “weight”? Why?

Q: How does strategy formulation differ for a small versus large organization?

How does strategy formulation differ for a small versus large organization? How does it differ for a for-profit versus a nonprofit organization?

Q: Note at the www.jcrew.com website, a vision

Note at the www.jcrew.com website, a vision statement is not given. Write a recommended vision statement for J. Crew given their strategies.

Q: What major limitations of the BCG Matrix does the IE Matrix overcome

What major limitations of the BCG Matrix does the IE Matrix overcome?

Q: If you owned and opened three restaurants after you graduated, would

If you owned and opened three restaurants after you graduated, would you operate from a functional or divisional structure? Why?

Q: Why are policies especially important in strategy formulation?

Why are policies especially important in strategy formulation?

Q: In accounting terms, distinguish between intangibles and goodwill on a balance

In accounting terms, distinguish between intangibles and goodwill on a balance sheet. Why do these two items generally stay the same on projected financial statements?

Q: What is a “retreat” and why do firms take the

What is a “retreat” and why do firms take the time and spend the money to have these?

Q: Give an example of “equifinality” as defined in the chapter

Give an example of “equifinality” as defined in the chapter.

Q: Why are so many firms raising their dividend payout amounts?

Why are so many firms raising their dividend payout amounts?

Q: Do you believe the reasons to disclose by-segment financial information

Do you believe the reasons to disclose by-segment financial information offset the reasons not to disclose by-segment financial information? Explain why or why not.

Q: Explain why EPS/EBIT analysis is a central strategy-implementation

Explain why EPS/EBIT analysis is a central strategy-implementation technique.

Q: Identify a recent economic, social, political, or technological trend

Identify a recent economic, social, political, or technological trend that significantly affects the local Pizza Hut.

Q: In developing a BCG or IE Matrix, what would be a

In developing a BCG or IE Matrix, what would be a good surrogate for revenues for 1) Target Corp., 2) Burger King, 3) Bank of America, and 4) Spirit Airlines.

Q: Discuss the following statement: Major opportunities and threats usually result from

Discuss the following statement: Major opportunities and threats usually result from an interaction among key environmental trends rather than from a single external event or factor.

Q: How would application of the strategy-formulation analytical framework differ from

How would application of the strategy-formulation analytical framework differ from a small to a large organization?

Q: Why should division head persons have the title president rather than vice

Why should division head persons have the title president rather than vice president?

Q: What is the fundamental difference between business strategy and military strategy in

What is the fundamental difference between business strategy and military strategy in terms of basic assumptions?

Q: Identify two industries experiencing rapid technological changes and three industries that are

Identify two industries experiencing rapid technological changes and three industries that are experiencing little technological change. How does the need for technological forecasting differ in these...

Q: What types of strategies would you recommend for an organization that achieves

What types of strategies would you recommend for an organization that achieves total weighted scores of 3.6 on the IFE and 1.2 on the EFE Matrix?

Q: Why do many Europeans find the notion of “team spirit”

Why do many Europeans find the notion of “team spirit” in a work environment difficult to grasp?

Q: Explain why the strategic management class is often is called a “

Explain why the strategic management class is often is called a “capstone course.”

Q: Consider the following statement: “Retained earnings on the balance sheet

Consider the following statement: “Retained earnings on the balance sheet are not monies available to finance strategy implementation.” Is it true or false? Explain.

Q: How does the external audit affect other components of the strategic-

How does the external audit affect other components of the strategic-management process?

Q: Do an Internet search using the keywords “GAAP to IFRS”

Do an Internet search using the keywords “GAAP to IFRS” to update yourself on this important transition coming soon in the USA.

Q: In order of importance in your opinion, list six techniques or

In order of importance in your opinion, list six techniques or activities widely used to alter an organization’s culture.

Q: Why is strategy implementation often considered the most difficult stage in the

Why is strategy implementation often considered the most difficult stage in the strategic-management process?

Q: What are the benefits of establishing an ESOP in a company?

What are the benefits of establishing an ESOP in a company?

Q: How can delegation of authority contribute to effective strategic management?

How can delegation of authority contribute to effective strategic management?

Q: Explain the importance of a vision and mission statement.

Explain the importance of a vision and mission statement.

Q: Allocating resources can be a political and an ad hoc activity in

Allocating resources can be a political and an ad hoc activity in firms that do not use strategic management. Why is this true? Does adopting strategic management ensure easy resource allocation? Why?...

Q: Complete the following EPS/EBIT analysis for a company whose stock

Complete the following EPS/EBIT analysis for a company whose stock price is $20, interest rate on funds is 5%, tax rate is 20%, # of shares outstanding is 500 million, and EBIT range is $100 to $300 m...

Q: Discuss relationships among objectives, strategies, and policies.

Discuss relationships among objectives, strategies, and policies.

Q: Describe the relationship between annual objectives and policies.

Describe the relationship between annual objectives and policies.

Q: Identify a long-term objective and two supporting annual objectives for

Identify a long-term objective and two supporting annual objectives for a familiar organization.

Q: Is a capacity utilization rate of 50 percent good? Why?

Is a capacity utilization rate of 50 percent good? Why?

Q: How would profit and nonprofit organizations differ in their applications of the

How would profit and nonprofit organizations differ in their applications of the strategy-formulation framework?

Q: Identify and discuss three policies that apply to your present strategic-

Identify and discuss three policies that apply to your present strategic-management class.

Q: Give two examples of staffing strengths and weaknesses of an organization with

Give two examples of staffing strengths and weaknesses of an organization with which you are familiar.

Q: Develop a SPACE Matrix for a company that is weak financially and

Develop a SPACE Matrix for a company that is weak financially and a weak competitor. The industry for this company is pretty stable but the industry’s projected growth in revenues and profits is not g...

Q: Explain the following statement: Horizontal consistency of goals is as important

Explain the following statement: Horizontal consistency of goals is as important as vertical consistency.

Q: Define and explain “first mover advantages.”

Define and explain “first mover advantages.”

Q: Describe several reasons why conflict may occur during objective-setting activities

Describe several reasons why conflict may occur during objective-setting activities.

Q: Define and explain “outsourcing.”

Define and explain “outsourcing.”

Q: In your opinion, what approaches to conflict resolution would be best

In your opinion, what approaches to conflict resolution would be best for resolving a disagreement between a personnel manager and a sales manager over the firing of a particular salesperson? Why?

Q: List 10 external areas that give rise to opportunities and threats.

List 10 external areas that give rise to opportunities and threats.

Q: Rather than developing a QSPM, what is an alternative procedure for

Rather than developing a QSPM, what is an alternative procedure for prioritizing the relative attractiveness of alternative strategies?

Q: Describe the organizational culture of your college or university.

Describe the organizational culture of your college or university.

Q: What procedures could be necessary if the SPACE vector falls right on

What procedures could be necessary if the SPACE vector falls right on the axis between the Competitive and Defensive quadrants?

Q: In a BCG Matrix or the Grand Strategy Matrix, what would

In a BCG Matrix or the Grand Strategy Matrix, what would you consider to be a rapid market (or industry) growth rate?

Q: Why do you believe cultural products affect all the functions of business

Why do you believe cultural products affect all the functions of business?

Q: In your opinion, how many separate divisions could an organization reasonably

In your opinion, how many separate divisions could an organization reasonably have without using an SBU-type organizational structure? Why?

Q: Do you think cultural products affect strategy formulation, implementation, or

Do you think cultural products affect strategy formulation, implementation, or evaluation the most? Why?

Q: Identify cultural products at your college or university. Do these products

Identify cultural products at your college or university. Do these products, viewed collectively or separately, represent a strength or weakness for the organization?

Q: Would you recommend a divisional structure by geographic area, product,

Would you recommend a divisional structure by geographic area, product, customer, or process for a medium-sized bank in your local area? Why?

Q: Describe the content available on the strategy club website at www.

Describe the content available on the strategy club website at www.strategyclub.com.

Q: Explain the difference between data and information in terms of each being

Explain the difference between data and information in terms of each being useful to strategists.

Q: This case is about how Amazon started to compete in the tablet

This case is about how Amazon started to compete in the tablet market from the perspective of its founder Jeff Bezos. It provides an overview of the strategic entrepreneurship process under his vision...

Q: Cisco has perfected the art of acquisition strategy. The technology firm

Cisco has perfected the art of acquisition strategy. The technology firm seeks to provide hardware for connectivity, from the internet to mobile networks to entertainment services. The next stage of C...

Q: Why are strategic controls and financial controls important aspects of the strategic

Why are strategic controls and financial controls important aspects of the strategic management process?

Q: What is strategic leadership? Why are top-level managers considered

What is strategic leadership? Why are top-level managers considered important resources for an organization?

Q: What is a top management team, and how does it affect

What is a top management team, and how does it affect a firm’s performance and its abilities to innovate and design and implement effective strategic changes?

Q: What is the managerial succession process? How important are the internal

What is the managerial succession process? How important are the internal and external managerial labor markets to this process.

Q: What is the effect of strategic leadership on determining the firm’s strategic

What is the effect of strategic leadership on determining the firm’s strategic direction?

Q: How do strategic leaders effectively manage their firm’s resource portfolio to exploit

How do strategic leaders effectively manage their firm’s resource portfolio to exploit its core competencies and leverage the human capital and social capital to achieve a competitive advantage?)

Q: What must strategic leaders do to develop and sustain an effective organizational

What must strategic leaders do to develop and sustain an effective organizational culture?

Q: As a strategic leader, what actions could you take to establish

As a strategic leader, what actions could you take to establish and emphasize ethical practices in your firm?

Q: What is strategic entrepreneurship? What is corporate entrepreneurship?

What is strategic entrepreneurship? What is corporate entrepreneurship?

Q: What is entrepreneurship, and what are entrepreneurial opportunities? Why are

What is entrepreneurship, and what are entrepreneurial opportunities? Why are they important for all aspects of the strategic management process?

Q: Jamie Dimon, CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase survived

Jamie Dimon, CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase survived the Great Recession quite well. However, in 2012, the company suffered losses of more than $6 billion due to excessive risk taking by traders in its Lon...

Q: What are invention, innovation, and imitation? How are these

What are invention, innovation, and imitation? How are these concepts interrelated?

Q: What is an entrepreneur, and what is an entrepreneurial mind-

What is an entrepreneur, and what is an entrepreneurial mind-set?

Q: What is international entrepreneurship? Why is it important?

What is international entrepreneurship? Why is it important?

Q: How do firms develop innovations internally?

How do firms develop innovations internally?

Q: How do firms use cooperative strategies to innovate and to have access

How do firms use cooperative strategies to innovate and to have access to innovative capabilities?

Q: How does a firm acquire other companies to increase the number of

How does a firm acquire other companies to increase the number of innovations it produces and improve its capability to produce innovations?

Q: How does strategic entrepreneurship help firms create value?

How does strategic entrepreneurship help firms create value?

Q: Unilever is a European-based global consumer products company with a

Unilever is a European-based global consumer products company with a strong sustainable environment strategy. To improve efficiencies, Unilever has adopted a worldwide product structure. The company...

Q: Sany Heavy Industry Company, Ltd. Is China’s largest producer of

Sany Heavy Industry Company, Ltd. Is China’s largest producer of heavy equipment (and 5th largest globally). Sany’s businesses consist of cranes, road construction machinery, port machinery, and pump...

Q: A common rationale for alliances is that firms seek out complementary resources

A common rationale for alliances is that firms seek out complementary resources from an alliance partner. The Mini-Case notes that a new rationale for alliances has emerged in the literature –...

Q: What are the short- and long-term outcomes associated with

What are the short- and long-term outcomes associated with the different restructuring strategies?

Q: Why are merger and acquisition strategies popular in many firms competing in

Why are merger and acquisition strategies popular in many firms competing in the global economy?

Q: What reasons account for firms’ decisions to use acquisition strategies as a

What reasons account for firms’ decisions to use acquisition strategies as a means to achieving strategic competitiveness?

Q: What are the seven primary problems that affect a firm’s efforts to

What are the seven primary problems that affect a firm’s efforts to successfully use an acquisition strategy?

Q: What are the attributes associated with a successful acquisition strategy?

What are the attributes associated with a successful acquisition strategy?

Q: What is the restructuring strategy, and what are its common forms

What is the restructuring strategy, and what are its common forms?

Q: This case describes a unique opportunity for one of the largest financial

This case describes a unique opportunity for one of the largest financial brand names in the world, American Express, whose leaders have demonstrated a knack for identifying obscure market niches. The...

Q: This case portrays the challenging events and circumstances confronting BP in Russia

This case portrays the challenging events and circumstances confronting BP in Russia during 2011. It illustrates the difficulties of managing issues associated with cooperative strategies, especially...

Q: How can the resource-based view of the firm (see

How can the resource-based view of the firm (see Chapters 1 and 3) help us understand why firms develop and use cooperative strategies such as strategic alliances and joint ventures?

Q: This case identifies a unique strategy for the 5th largest breweries in

This case identifies a unique strategy for the 5th largest breweries in the world, Carlsberg A/S, whose leaders have recognized that in order to survive in the business, it has to be either the first...

Q: This case illustrates the importance of environmental awareness, the long-

This case illustrates the importance of environmental awareness, the long-term prospect of product development, and the resourceful use of an acquisition strategy to achieve organizational objectives....

Q: The IKEA case provides an excellent opportunity to apply strategic management concepts

The IKEA case provides an excellent opportunity to apply strategic management concepts to a large privately-held company that is expanding into India. IKEA is a Netherlands-based Swedish company with...

Q: This case highlights Invitrogen, one of the largest catalog life science

This case highlights Invitrogen, one of the largest catalog life science companies in the industry. In a highly competitive industry, the company has taken some risky steps in order to continue its gr...

Q: This case describes a new product success story, set in a

This case describes a new product success story, set in a competitive business climate. Keurig was one of the companies to commercialize an innovative technology that allowed people to brew one cup of...

Q: The Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) Houston Public School case

The Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) Houston Public School case provides an exciting opportunity to apply strategic management principles to an innovative, non-profit educational organization. At the...

Q: This case is about a family-owned corporation from the

This case is about a family-owned corporation from the perspective of its latest CEO, Charles Luck, IV. It provides an overview of the strategic management processes instituted under his direction, e...

Q: This case focuses on the corporate governance aspect of Martha Stewart Living

This case focuses on the corporate governance aspect of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSO), a media empire founded by Martha Stewart. Stewart is a former model and devoted her career to domestic pe...

Q: This case is an in-depth study of the motion picture

This case is an in-depth study of the motion picture exhibition industry which exposes the tenuous and uncertain outlook for movie theater owners. Changing value chain dynamics and operating variables...

Q: To strengthen its diversified portfolio, Polaris Industries entered the motorcycle business

To strengthen its diversified portfolio, Polaris Industries entered the motorcycle business in the 1990s. This case encapsulates the history and development of the Polaris Victory Motorcycle Division...

Q: What is the relationship between the core competencies a firm possesses,

What is the relationship between the core competencies a firm possesses, the core competencies the firm feels it needs, and decisions to form cooperative strategies?

Q: The Safaricom case provides an excellent opportunity to apply strategic management concepts

The Safaricom case provides an excellent opportunity to apply strategic management concepts to a constantly growing and extremely competitive organization. Safaricom is the largest mobile service prov...

Q: Siemens is a leading global electrical engineering and electronics firm headquartered in

Siemens is a leading global electrical engineering and electronics firm headquartered in Munich, Germany. Profiling a highly diversified company, this case addresses the issue of optimizing the busine...

Q: This case highlights a pioneering airline company with humble roots, an

This case highlights a pioneering airline company with humble roots, an enduring culture shaped by a maverick leader, and a record of success in an industry where most companies have failed to prosper...

Q: Starbucks Corporation is a model of extraordinary business success. Known for

Starbucks Corporation is a model of extraordinary business success. Known for sourcing, roasting, and serving high quality coffee and for elevating and romanticizing the consumer’s experience, Starbuc...

Q: This case thoroughly examines how Super Selectos, a local food retail

This case thoroughly examines how Super Selectos, a local food retail chain from El Salvador, became successful in competing against Walmart, the largest food retailer in the world. After an overview...

Q: This case examines a Canadian fast food restaurant chain at a point

This case examines a Canadian fast food restaurant chain at a point when it is in the final stages of being acquired by a large investment firm. In the third quarter of 2014, Tim Hortons Inc. is poise...

Q: This case spotlights W. L. Gore & Associates, a

This case spotlights W. L. Gore & Associates, a company that is an outstanding example of corporate entrepreneurship in action. Founded in 1958, this firm was far ahead of its time in recognizing the...

Q: What are the characteristics of the current competitive landscape? What two

What are the characteristics of the current competitive landscape? What two factors are the primary drivers of this landscape?

Q: According to the I/O model, what should a firm

According to the I/O model, what should a firm do to earn above-average returns?

Q: What does it mean to say that the partners of an alliance

What does it mean to say that the partners of an alliance have “complementary assets”? What complementary assets do Renault and Nissan share?

Q: What does the resource-based model suggest a firm should do

What does the resource-based model suggest a firm should do to earn above-average returns?

Q: What are vision and mission? What is their value for the

What are vision and mission? What is their value for the strategic management process?

Q: What are stakeholders? How do the three primary stakeholder groups influence

What are stakeholders? How do the three primary stakeholder groups influence organizations?

Q: How would you describe the work of strategic leaders?

How would you describe the work of strategic leaders?

Q: What are the elements of the strategic management process? How are

What are the elements of the strategic management process? How are they interrelated?

Q: Why is it important for a firm to study and understand the

Why is it important for a firm to study and understand the external environment?

Q: What are the differences between the general environment and the industry environment

What are the differences between the general environment and the industry environment? Why are these differences important?

Q: What is the external environmental analysis process (four parts)? What

What is the external environmental analysis process (four parts)? What does the firm want to learn when using this process?

Q: What are the seven segments of the general environment? Explain the

What are the seven segments of the general environment? Explain the differences among them

Q: How do the five forces of competition in an industry affect its

How do the five forces of competition in an industry affect its profit potential? Explain.

Q: What are the risks associated with the corporate-level strategic alliance

What are the risks associated with the corporate-level strategic alliance between Renault and Nissan? What have these firms done to mitigate these risks?

Q: What is a strategic group? Of what value is knowledge of

What is a strategic group? Of what value is knowledge of the firm’s strategic group in formulating that firm’s strategy?

Q: What is the importance of collecting and interpreting data and information about

What is the importance of collecting and interpreting data and information about competitors? What practices should a firm use to gather competitor intelligence and why?

Q: Why is it important for a firm to study and understand its

Why is it important for a firm to study and understand its internal organization?

Q: What is value? Why is it critical for the firm to

What is value? Why is it critical for the firm to create value? How does it do so?

Q: What are the differences between tangible and intangible resources? Why is

What are the differences between tangible and intangible resources? Why is it important for decision makers to understand these differences? Are tangible resources more valuable for creating capabilit...

Q: What are capabilities? How do firms create capabilities?

What are capabilities? How do firms create capabilities?

Q: What four criteria must capabilities satisfy for them to become core competencies

What four criteria must capabilities satisfy for them to become core competencies? Why is it important for firms to use these criteria to evaluate their capabilities’ value-creating potential?

Q: What is value chain analysis? What does the firm gain by

What is value chain analysis? What does the firm gain by successfully using this tool?

Q: What is outsourcing? Why do firms outsource? Will outsourcing’s importance

What is outsourcing? Why do firms outsource? Will outsourcing’s importance grow in the future? If so, why?

Q: How do firms identify internal strengths and weaknesses? Why is it

How do firms identify internal strengths and weaknesses? Why is it vital that managers have a clear understanding of their firm’s strengths and weaknesses?

Q: Is it possible that some of the firms mentioned in this Mini

Is it possible that some of the firms mentioned in this Mini-Case (e.g., Renault, Nissan, Mazda, Peugot-Citroen, Opel-Vauxhall) might form a network cooperative strategy? If so, what conditions might...

Q: What are core rigidities? What does it mean to say that

What are core rigidities? What does it mean to say that each core competence could become a core rigidity?

Q: Why was this strategy a disaster for JC Penney?

Why was this strategy a disaster for JC Penney?

Q: What strategy was the new CEO at JC Penney seeking to implement

What strategy was the new CEO at JC Penney seeking to implement given the generic strategies found in Chapter 4?

Q: What was the result of change in strategy implemented?

What was the result of change in strategy implemented?

Q: What competitive dynamics can be expected among firms competing in slow-

What competitive dynamics can be expected among firms competing in slow-cycle markets? In fast-cycle markets? In standard-cycle markets?

Q: Who are competitors? How is competitive rivalry, competitive behavior,

Who are competitors? How is competitive rivalry, competitive behavior, and competitive dynamics defined in the chapter?

Q: What is market commonality? What is resource similarity? What does

What is market commonality? What is resource similarity? What does it mean to say that these concepts are the building blocks for a competitor analysis?

Q: How do awareness, motivation, and ability affect the firm’s competitive

How do awareness, motivation, and ability affect the firm’s competitive behavior?

Q: What factors affect the likelihood a firm will take a competitive action

What factors affect the likelihood a firm will take a competitive action?

Q: What factors affect the likelihood a firm will initiate a competitive response

What factors affect the likelihood a firm will initiate a competitive response to a competitor’s action(s)?

Q: What does it mean to be “stuck in the middle”

What does it mean to be “stuck in the middle” between two strategies (i.e., between low cost and differentiation strategies)?

Q: What are two important issues that can potentially affect a firm’s ability

What are two important issues that can potentially affect a firm’s ability to successfully use international strategies?

Q: What incentives influence firms to use international strategies?

What incentives influence firms to use international strategies?

Q: What are the three basic benefits firms can achieve by successfully using

What are the three basic benefits firms can achieve by successfully using an international strategy?

Q: What four factors are determinants of national advantage and serve as a

What four factors are determinants of national advantage and serve as a basis for international business-level strategies?

Q: What are the three international corporate-level strategies? What are

What are the three international corporate-level strategies? What are the advantages and disadvantages associated with these individual strategies?

Q: What are some global environmental trends affecting the choice of international strategies

What are some global environmental trends affecting the choice of international strategies, particularly international corporate-level strategies?

Q: What five entry modes do firms consider as paths to use to

What five entry modes do firms consider as paths to use to enter international markets? What is the typical sequence in which firms use these entry modes?

Q: What are political risks and what are economic risks? How should

What are political risks and what are economic risks? How should firms approach dealing with these risks?

Q: What are the strategic competitiveness outcomes firms can reach through international strategies

What are the strategic competitiveness outcomes firms can reach through international strategies, and particularly through an international diversification strategy?

Q: What are the differences between the cost-minimization approach and the

What are the differences between the cost-minimization approach and the opportunity-maximization approach to managing cooperative strategies?

Q: The mini-case describes how CEO succession at P&G

The mini-case describes how CEO succession at P&G has had a detrimental effect on firm performance. The successor, Bob McDonald, assumed the position in 2009 but lasted a little under four years. Du...

Q: What is the definition of cooperative strategy, and why is this

What is the definition of cooperative strategy, and why is this strategy important to firms competing in the twenty-first century competitive landscape?

Q: What is a strategic alliance? What are the three major types

What is a strategic alliance? What are the three major types of strategic alliances firms form for the purpose of developing a competitive advantage?

Q: What are the four business-level cooperative strategies? What are

What are the four business-level cooperative strategies? What are the key differences among them?

Q: What are the three corporate-level cooperative strategies? How do

What are the three corporate-level cooperative strategies? How do firms use each of these strategies for the purpose of creating a competitive advantage?

Q: Why do firms use cross-border strategic alliances?

Why do firms use cross-border strategic alliances?

Q: What risks are firms likely to experience as they use cooperative strategies

What risks are firms likely to experience as they use cooperative strategies?

Q: How can corporate governance foster ethical decisions and behaviors on the part

How can corporate governance foster ethical decisions and behaviors on the part of managers as agents?

Q: What is corporate governance? What factors account for the considerable amount

What is corporate governance? What factors account for the considerable amount of attention corporate governance receives from several parties, including shareholder activists, business press writers,...

Q: What is meant by the statement that ownership is separated from managerial

What is meant by the statement that ownership is separated from managerial control in the corporation? Why does this separation exist?

Q: What is an agency relationship? What is managerial opportunism? What

What is an agency relationship? What is managerial opportunism? What assumptions do owners of corporations make about managers as agents?

Q: The mini-case makes it clear that FedEx and UPS have

The mini-case makes it clear that FedEx and UPS have a number of similarities – resources, markets, and the competitive dimensions they emphasize to implement their strategies. However, as resources a...

Q: How is each of the three internal governance mechanisms—ownership concentration

How is each of the three internal governance mechanisms—ownership concentration, boards of directors, and executive compensation—used to align the interests of managerial agents with those of the firm...

Q: What trends exist regarding executive compensation? What is the effect of

What trends exist regarding executive compensation? What is the effect of the increased use of long-term incentives on top-level managers’ strategic decisions?

Q: What is the market for corporate control? What conditions generally cause

What is the market for corporate control? What conditions generally cause this external governance mechanism to become active? How does this mechanism constrain top-level managers’ decisions and actio...

Q: What is the nature of corporate governance in Germany, Japan,

What is the nature of corporate governance in Germany, Japan, and China?

Q: What is a strategic network? What is a strategic center firm

What is a strategic network? What is a strategic center firm? How is a strategic center used in business-level, corporate-level, and international cooperative strategies?

Q: What is organizational structure and what are organizational controls? What are

What is organizational structure and what are organizational controls? What are the differences between strategic controls and financial controls? What is the importance of these differences?

Q: What does it mean to say that strategy and structure have a

What does it mean to say that strategy and structure have a reciprocal relationship?

Q: What are the characteristics of the different functional structures used to implement

What are the characteristics of the different functional structures used to implement the cost leadership, differentiation, integrated cost leadership/differentiation, and focused business-level strat...

Q: What are the differences among the three versions of the multidivisional (

What are the differences among the three versions of the multidivisional (M-form) organizational structures that are used to implement the related constrained, the related linked, and the unrelated co...

Q: What organizational structures are used to implement the multidomestic, global,

What organizational structures are used to implement the multidomestic, global, and transnational international strategies?

Q: The outsourcing of IT programming jobs to India is now commonly understood

The outsourcing of IT programming jobs to India is now commonly understood after years of this trend. However, more recently some accounting functions have also begun to flow into India’s large techni...

Q: While Uber is a highly valued “unicorn,” with a seemingly

While Uber is a highly valued “unicorn,” with a seemingly high disregard for regulations and other external factors that would slow its growth, other competing firms are taking a somewhat different ro...

Q: As discussed in the chapter, a balanced scorecard views the performance

As discussed in the chapter, a balanced scorecard views the performance of an organization through four lenses: customer, innovation and learning, internal business, and financial. According to survey...

Q: 1. The table that follows includes a list of prominent firms

1. The table that follows includes a list of prominent firms. Select one of the five categories of generic business-level strategies—broad cost leadership, focused cost leadership, b...

Q: It is not unusual for even large corporate boards to have no

It is not unusual for even large corporate boards to have no women or minorities on them. In the United States, women held 19 percent of board seats at Fortune 500 companies in 2012. In her book, Lean...

Q: One industry with an impact on both undergraduate and MBA students is

One industry with an impact on both undergraduate and MBA students is textbook publishing. On the one hand, traditional printed textbooks are being challenged by self-publishing firms offering very lo...

Q: What characteristics does an effective mission statement have?

What characteristics does an effective mission statement have?

Q: In what situations is top-down planning likely to be

In what situations is top-down planning likely to be superior to bottom-up emergent strategy development?

Q: Question: This chapter introduces three different levels appropriate for strategic considerations

This chapter introduces three different levels appropriate for strategic considerations (see Exhibit 2.5). Data from exhibit 2.5: In what situations would some of these levels be more important tha...

Q: Identify an industry that is undergoing intense competition or is being featured

Identify an industry that is undergoing intense competition or is being featured in the business press. Discuss how scenario planning might be used by companies to prepare for future events. Can some...

Q: Why is it important for any organization (firms, nonprofits,

Why is it important for any organization (firms, nonprofits, etc.) to study and understand its external environment?

Q: Generation Y (born between 1980 and 2001) is entering the

Generation Y (born between 1980 and 2001) is entering the work force and advancing their careers now, as the baby boomers begin to retire in large numbers. Given the smaller size of Gen Y compared to...

Q: The chapter identifies three governing mechanisms for strategic alliances: non-

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.

Q: An alliance’s purpose can affect which governance structure is optimal. Compare

An alliance’s purpose can affect which governance structure is optimal. Compare a pharmaceutical R&D alliance with a prescription-drug marketing agreement, and recommend a governing mechanism for each...

Q: Alliances are often used to pursue business-level goals, but

Alliances are often used to pursue business-level goals, but they may be managed at the corporate level. Explain why this portfolio approach to alliance management would make sense.

Q: An alliance’s purpose can affect which governance structure is optimal. Compare

An alliance’s purpose can affect which governance structure is optimal. Compare a pharmaceutical R&D alliance with a prescription-drug marketing agreement, and recommend a governing mechanism for each...

Q: Alliances are often used to pursue business-level goals, but

Alliances are often used to pursue business-level goals, but they may be managed at the corporate level. Explain why this portfolio approach to alliance management would make sense.

Q: When Walmart decided to incorporate grocery stores into some locations and created

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...

Q: How can related diversification create a competitive advantage for the firm?

How can related diversification create a competitive advantage for the firm? Keeping the advantages of related diversification in mind, think back to theexample of Delta’s vertical integration decisio...

Q: Franchising is widely used in the casual dining and fast food industry

Franchising is widely used in the casual dining and fast food industry, yet Starbucks is quite successful with a large number of company-owned stores. In 2014 Starbucks had over 7,000 company owned st...

Q: What are some drawbacks and risks to a broad generic business strategy

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

Q: How can a firm attempting to have a blue ocean business-

How can a firm attempting to have a blue ocean business-level strategy manage to avoid being “stuck in the middle”?

Q: As presented in the chapter, firm-level decisions have a

As presented in the chapter, firm-level decisions have a significant impact on the success or failure of organizations. Industry-level effects, however, can also play an important role (see Exhibit 1....

Q: In Chapter 4, we discussed the internal value chain activities

In Chapter 4, we discussed the internal value chain activities a firm can perform in its business model (see Exhibit 4.8). Data from Exhibit 4.8: The value chain priorities can be quite different f...

Q: The chapter notes there are key differences between economies of scale and

The chapter notes there are key differences between economies of scale and learning effects. Let us put that into practice with a brief example. A company such as Intel has a complex design and manufa...

Q: Multinational enterprises (MNEs) have an impact far beyond their firm

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) have an impact far beyond their firm boundaries. Assume you are working for a small firm that supplies a product or service to an MNE. How might your relationship chan...

Q: Professor Pankaj Ghemawat delivered a TED talk titled “Actually, the

Professor Pankaj Ghemawat delivered a TED talk titled “Actually, the World Isn’t Flat.” Do you agree with his assessment that the world is at most semi-globalized, and that we need to be careful not t...

Q: Why is it important to study the internal resources, capabilities,

Why is it important to study the internal resources, capabilities, and activities of firms? What insights can be gained?

Q: The resource-based view of the firm identifies four criteria that

The resource-based view of the firm identifies four criteria that managers can use to evaluate whether particular resources and capabilities are core competencies and can, therefore, provide a basis f...

Q: How can a top management team lower the chances that key managers

How can a top management team lower the chances that key managers will pursue their own self-interests at the expense of stockholders? At the expense of the employees? At the expense of other key stak...

Q: The Business Roundtable has recommended that the CEO should not also serve

The Business Roundtable has recommended that the CEO should not also serve as the chairman of the board. Discuss the disadvantages for building a sustainable competitive advantage if the two positions...

Q: BP’s experience in the Gulf of Mexico has made it the poster

BP’s experience in the Gulf of Mexico has made it the poster company for how not to manage stakeholder relationships effectively (see Strategy Highlight 1.2). What advice would you give to BP’s manage...

Q: As noted in the chapter, research found that firm effects are

As noted in the chapter, research found that firm effects are more important than industry effects. What does this mean? Can you think of situations where this might not be true? Explain.

Q: How do mobility barriers affect the structure of an industry? How

How do mobility barriers affect the structure of an industry? How do they help us explain firm differences in performance?

Q: Select an industry and consider how the industry life cycle has affected

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

Q: Describe a firm you think has been highly innovative. Which of

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?

Q: The chapter discussed the Internet as a disruptive innovation that has facilitated

The chapter discussed the Internet as a disruptive innovation that has facilitated online retailing. It also, however, has presented challenges to brick and- mortar retailers. How might retailers such...

Q: Much has been said about competitive advantage gained from innovations such as

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...

Q: Domino’s Pizza has been in business over 50 years and claimed to

Domino’s Pizza has been in business over 50 years and claimed to be “#1 Worldwide in Pizza Delivery” in 2013. Visit the company’s business-related website (www.dominosbiz.com) and read the company pro...

Q: For many people, the shareholder perspective is perhaps the most familiar

For many people, the shareholder perspective is perhaps the most familiar measure of competitive advantage for publicly traded firms. What are some of the disadvantages of using shareholder value as t...

Q: Interface, Inc., is discussed in Strategy Highlight 5.1

Interface, Inc., is discussed in Strategy Highlight 5.1. It may seem unusual for a business-to-business carpet company to be using a triple-bottom-line approach for its strategy. What other industri...

Q: The chapter highlights several firms that are developing business models around a

The chapter highlights several firms that are developing business models around a “sharing economy.” The idea being that assets not currently in use by their owners (cars, car seats, homes, rooms, etc...

Q: Corporate leaders are responsible for setting the firm’s strategies to gain and

Corporate leaders are responsible for setting the firm’s strategies to gain and sustain a competitive advantage. Should managers be concerned only about the company’s financial performance? What respo...

Q: The list below shows a sample of various vision/ mission statements

The list below shows a sample of various vision/ mission statements. Match the company with their statements. Also, identify whether the statements are principally customer-oriented or product-oriente...

Q: How do the five competitive forces in Porter’s model affect the average

How do the five competitive forces in Porter’s model affect the average profitability of the industry? For example, in what way might weak forces increase industry profits, and in what way do strong f...

Q: UBS, a venerable Swiss banking institution with global business activities,

UBS, a venerable Swiss banking institution with global business activities, experienced the significant implications that political factors can have on the bottom line. The U.S. government alleged tha...

Q: The chapter notes the U.S. federal government has provided

The chapter notes the U.S. federal government has provided incentives for consumers to purchase electric vehicles (EVs). Some state governments are also providing additional purchase incentives. Howev...

Q: The chapter mentions that one type of resource flow is the

The chapter mentions that one type of resource flow is the loss of key personnel who move to another firm. Assume that the human resources department of your firm has started running ads and billboard...

Q: You work as a supervisor in a manufacturing firm. The company

You work as a supervisor in a manufacturing firm. The company has implemented a balanced scorecard performance-appraisal system and a financial bonus for exceeding goals. A major customer order for 1,...

Q: The chapter mentions that accounting data do not consider off–balance

The chapter mentions that accounting data do not consider off–balance sheet items. A retailer that owns its stores will list the value of that property as an asset, for example, while a firm that leas...

Q: How do the perspectives on competitive advantage differ when comparing brick-

How do the perspectives on competitive advantage differ when comparing brick-and-mortar stores to online businesses (e.g., Best Buy vs. Amazon, Barnes & Noble vs. Amazon, The Gap vs. Thread less (note...

Q: Suppose Procter & Gamble (P&G) learns that a

Suppose Procter & Gamble (P&G) learns that a relatively new start-up company Method (www .methodhome.com) is gaining market share with a new laundry detergent in West Coast markets. In response, P&G l...

Q: In the chapter discussion on value innovation, IKEA is noted as

In the chapter discussion on value innovation, IKEA is noted as a firm that has successfully applied these techniques. What roles, if any, do sustainability and triple-bottom-line factors have in the...

Q: You are a co-founder of a start-up firm

You are a co-founder of a start-up firm making electronic sensors. After a year of sales, your business is not growing rapidly, but you have some steady customers keeping the business afloat. A major...

Q: GE’s development of the Vscan provides many benefits as a lower-

GE’s development of the Vscan provides many benefits as a lower-cost and portable ultrasound device (see Strategy Highlight 7.2). Cardiologists, obstetricians, and veterinarians will be able to use th...

Q: What is a strategic group? How can studying such groups be

What is a strategic group? How can studying such groups be useful in industry analysis?

Q: The chapter notes that some firms choose to outsource their human resource

The chapter notes that some firms choose to outsource their human resource management systems. If a firm has a core value of respecting its employees and rewarding top performance with training, raise...

Q: If mergers and acquisitions quite often end up providing a competitive disadvantage

If mergers and acquisitions quite often end up providing a competitive disadvantage, why do so many of them take place? Given the poor track record, is the continuing M&A activity a result of principa...

Q: Alliances and acquisitions can sometimes lead to less access or higher prices

Alliances and acquisitions can sometimes lead to less access or higher prices for consumers. Comcast bought NBC Universal (from GE). When one content provider and the Internet access provider are the...

Q: A “race-to-the-bottom” process may

A “race-to-the-bottom” process may set in as MNEs search for ever-lower-cost locations. Discuss the trade-offs between the positive effects of raising the standard of living in some of the world’s poo...

Q: Assume you work in the accounting department of a large software company

Assume you work in the accounting department of a large software company. Toward the end of December, your supervisor tells you to change the dates on several executive stock option grants from March...

Q: As noted in the chapter, the average compensation for a CEO

As noted in the chapter, the average compensation for a CEO of a Fortune 500 company was $14 million, and CEO pay was 300 times the average worker pay. This contrasts with historic values of between 2...

Q: The MBA oath (shown in Exhibit 12.4) says

The MBA oath (shown in Exhibit 12.4) says in part, “My decisions affect the well-being of individuals inside and outside my enterprise, today and tomorrow.” One example of a large firm reorienting tow...

Q: In the discussion about Merck (Strategy Highlight 2.1),

In the discussion about Merck (Strategy Highlight 2.1), it is clear the firm has followed a socially responsible path by donating more than 1 billion drug treatments to remedy river blindness in remot...

Q: Ryanair based in Dublin, Ireland, has been renowned in Europe

Ryanair based in Dublin, Ireland, has been renowned in Europe as a firm that can make a profit on a $20 ticket by imposing numerous fees and surcharges. The airline has sought to be the lowest of the...

Q: Your group works for Warner Music Group (www .wmg.

Your group works for Warner Music Group (www .wmg.com), a large music record label whose sales are declining largely due to digital piracy. Your supervisor assigns you the task of developing a strateg...

Q: Agriculture is one of the largest and oldest industries in the world

Agriculture is one of the largest and oldest industries in the world. In the United States and many other countries, farmers often struggle to turn a profit given the variances of weather and commodit...

Q: Can you identify one or more circumstances when a company might wish

Can you identify one or more circumstances when a company might wish to delay introducing its product?

Q: What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of a)

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of a) individuals as innovators, b) firms as innovators, c) universities as innovators, d) government institutions as innovators, e) nonprofit or...

Q: What traits appear to make individuals most creative? Are these the

What traits appear to make individuals most creative? Are these the same traits that lead to successful inventions?

Q: Several studies indicate that the use of collaborative research agreements is increasing

Several studies indicate that the use of collaborative research agreements is increasing around the world. What might be some of the reasons that collaborative research is becoming more prevalent?

Q: Could firms identify people with greater capacity for creativity or inventiveness in

Could firms identify people with greater capacity for creativity or inventiveness in their hiring procedures?

Q: What are some of the reasons that established firms might resist the

What are some of the reasons that established firms might resist the adoption of a new technology?

Q: Are well-established firms or new entrants more likely to a

Are well-established firms or new entrants more likely to a) develop and/or b) adopt new technologies? What are some reasons for your choice?

Q: What are some of the reasons that both technology improvement and technology

What are some of the reasons that both technology improvement and technology diffusion exhibit s-shaped curves?

Q: Why do technologies often improve faster than customer requirements? What are

Why do technologies often improve faster than customer requirements? What are the advantages and disadvantages to a firm of developing a technology beyond the current state of market needs?

Q: What are some of the sources of increasing returns to adoption?

What are some of the sources of increasing returns to adoption?

Q: What are some examples of industries not mentioned in the chapter that

What are some examples of industries not mentioned in the chapter that demonstrate increasing returns to adoption?

Q: What factors will (or should) influence a firm’s pricing strategy

What factors will (or should) influence a firm’s pricing strategy?

Q: What are some of the ways a firm can try to increase

What are some of the ways a firm can try to increase the overall value of its technology, and its likelihood of becoming the dominant design?

Q: What are some of the advantages of entering a market early?

What are some of the advantages of entering a market early? Are there any advantages to entering a market late?

Q: Can you think of an example of a successful a)

Can you think of an example of a successful a) first mover, b) early follower, and c) late entrant? Can you think of unsuccessful examples of each?

Q: What factors might make some industries harder to pioneer than others?

What factors might make some industries harder to pioneer than others? Are there industries in which there is no penalty for late entry?

Q: Are dominant designs good for consumers? Competitors? Complementors? Suppliers

Are dominant designs good for consumers? Competitors? Complementors? Suppliers?

Q: What is the difference between a strength, a competitive advantage,

What is the difference between a strength, a competitive advantage, and a sustainable competitive advantage?

Q: What makes an ability (or set of abilities) a core

What makes an ability (or set of abilities) a core competency?

Q: Why is it necessary to perform an external and internal analysis before

Why is it necessary to perform an external and internal analysis before the firm can identify its true core competencies?

Q: What determines whether an industry is likely to have one or a

What determines whether an industry is likely to have one or a few dominant designs?

Q: How is the idea of “strategic intent” different from models

How is the idea of “strategic intent” different from models of strategy that emphasize achieving a fit between the firm’s strategies and its current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (S...

Q: Pick a product you feel you know well. What intermediaries do

Pick a product you feel you know well. What intermediaries do you think are used in bringing this product to market? What valuable services do you think these intermediaries provide?

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of discounted cash flow methods such

What are the advantages and disadvantages of discounted cash flow methods such as NPV and IRR?

Q: For what kind of development projects might a real options approach be

For what kind of development projects might a real options approach be appropriate? For what kind of projects would it be inappropriate?

Q: Identify a particular development project you are familiar with. What kinds

Identify a particular development project you are familiar with. What kinds of methods do you believe were used to assess the project? What kinds of methods do you believe should have been used to ass...

Q: What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of collaborating on a

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of collaborating on a development project?

Q: How does the mode of collaborating (e.g., strategic

How does the mode of collaborating (e.g., strategic alliance, joint venture, licensing, outsourcing, collective research organization) influence the success of a collaboration?

Q: What are some of the reasons that a firm might use both

What are some of the reasons that a firm might use both qualitative and quantitative assessments of a project?

Q: If a firm decides it is in its best interest to collaborate

If a firm decides it is in its best interest to collaborate on a development project, how would you recommend the firm go about choosing a partner, a collaboration mode, and governance structure for t...

Q: Will different methods of evaluating a project typically yield the same conclusions

Will different methods of evaluating a project typically yield the same conclusions about whether to fund its development? Why or why not?

Q: Are their some industries in which you would expect to see particularly

Are their some industries in which you would expect to see particularly short technology cycles? Are their some industries in which you would expect to see particularly long technology cycles? What mi...

Q: What are the differences between patents, copyrights, and trademarks?

What are the differences between patents, copyrights, and trademarks?

Q: What marketing strategies are used by the producers of the product you

What marketing strategies are used by the producers of the product you identified for question 3? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these marketing strategies?

Q: Consider a firm that is considering marketing its innovation in multiple countries

Consider a firm that is considering marketing its innovation in multiple countries. What factors should this firm consider in formulating its protection strategy?

Q: When will trade secrets be more useful than patents, copyrights or

When will trade secrets be more useful than patents, copyrights or trademarks?

Q: Can you identify a situation in which none of the legal protection

Can you identify a situation in which none of the legal protection mechanisms discussed (patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets) will prove useful?

Q: Describe a technological innovation not discussed in the chapter, and identify

Describe a technological innovation not discussed in the chapter, and identify where you think it lies on the control continuum between wholly proprietary and wholly open.

Q: Are there particular types of innovation activities for which large firms are

Are there particular types of innovation activities for which large firms are likely to outperform small firms? Are there types for which small firms are likely to outperform large firms?

Q: What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having formalized procedures

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having formalized procedures for improving the effectiveness or efficiency of innovation?

Q: What factors should a firm take into account when deciding how centralized

What factors should a firm take into account when deciding how centralized its R&D activities should be? Should firms employ both centralized and decentralized R&D activities?

Q: Why is the tension between centralization and decentralization of R&D

Why is the tension between centralization and decentralization of R&D activities likely to be even greater for multinational firms than firms that compete in one national market?

Q: What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the transnational approach

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the transnational approach advocated by Bartlett and Ghoshal?

Q: What factors do you believe influenced the choice of protection strategy used

What factors do you believe influenced the choice of protection strategy used for the innovation identified above? Do you think the strategy was a good choice?

Q: Is the Stage-Gate process consistent with suggestions that firms adopt

Is the Stage-Gate process consistent with suggestions that firms adopt parallel processes? What impact do you think using Stage-Gate processes would have on development cycle time and development cos...

Q: What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of a parallel development

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of a parallel development process? What obstacles might a firm face in attempting to adopt a parallel process?

Q: Consider a group project you have worked on at work or school

Consider a group project you have worked on at work or school. Did your group use mostly sequential or parallel processes?

Q: Are there some industries in which a parallel process would not be

Are there some industries in which a parallel process would not be possible or effective?

Q: What kinds of people make good project champions? How can a

What kinds of people make good project champions? How can a firm ensure that it gets the benefits of championing while minimizing the risks?

Q: Why are there tradeoffs in choosing a team's size and level of

Why are there tradeoffs in choosing a team's size and level of diversity?

Q: What are some of the ways that managers can ensure that a

What are some of the ways that managers can ensure that a team reaps the advantages of diversity while not being thwarted by some of the challenges team diversity raises?

Q: Can you identify an example of a development project and what type

Can you identify an example of a development project and what type of team you believed they used? Do you think this was the appropriate type of team given the nature of the project?

Q: What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of co-location

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of co-location? Are there some types of projects for which “virtual teams” are inappropriate?

Q: In the global video game industry, the introduction of each generation

In the global video game industry, the introduction of each generation of console has ushered in a new battle for market dominance. New entrants have made startling entrances and toppled seemingly inv...

Q: Gavriel Iddan was an electro-optical engineer at Israel’s Rafael Armament

Gavriel Iddan was an electro-optical engineer at Israel’s Rafael Armament Development Authority, the Israeli authority for development of weapons and military technology. One of Iddan’s projects was t...

Q: What are the benefits and costs of involving customers and suppliers in

What are the benefits and costs of involving customers and suppliers in the development process?

Q: Mahindra Tractors, the Farm Equipment Sector of the Mahindra & Mahindra

Mahindra Tractors, the Farm Equipment Sector of the Mahindra & Mahindra Group in India is one of the world’s largest producers of tractors.a In the late 1990’s, over 20 percent of Indian’s gross domes...

Q: In 1995, Edward Lanphier founded Sangamo Biosciences for the purpose of

In 1995, Edward Lanphier founded Sangamo Biosciences for the purpose of developing zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), a new technology that offered potential for “editingâ€...

Q: Google was founded in 1998 by two Stanford Ph.D.

Google was founded in 1998 by two Stanford Ph.D. students, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, who had developed a formula for rank ordering random search results by relevancy. Their formula gave rise to an i...

Q: Founded in 2003 by Rick Alden, Skullcandy grew from a simple

Founded in 2003 by Rick Alden, Skullcandy grew from a simple idea to a company with products distributed in approximately 80 countries and generating over $200 million in revenues annually. The compan...

Q: The Walt Disney Company is probably the best known entertainment company in

The Walt Disney Company is probably the best known entertainment company in the world. Founded in 1923 as a producer of animated films, it grew to become an entertainment conglomerate that includes th...

Q: Why do you think so many innovation projects fail to generate an

Why do you think so many innovation projects fail to generate an economic return?

Q: Why is innovation so important for firms to compete in many industries

Why is innovation so important for firms to compete in many industries?

Q: What are some of the advantages of technological innovation? Disadvantages?

What are some of the advantages of technological innovation? Disadvantages?

Q: How do the three elements of globalization, innovation, and sustainability

How do the three elements of globalization, innovation, and sustainability impact your understanding of strategy?

Q: Explain how using an IFAS Table impacts the understanding of a company’s

Explain how using an IFAS Table impacts the understanding of a company’s internal resources and capabilities.

Q: What concepts or assumptions underlie the BCG growth-share matrix?

What concepts or assumptions underlie the BCG growth-share matrix? Are these concepts valid? Why or why not?

Q: What are the pros and cons of technological leader versus technological follower

What are the pros and cons of technological leader versus technological follower as a functional strategy?

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of the devil’s advocate, dialectical

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the devil’s advocate, dialectical inquiry, and consensus approaches to making strategic choices?

Q: Should functional strategies be categorized under strategy formulation or under strategy implementation

Should functional strategies be categorized under strategy formulation or under strategy implementation?

Q: Japanese corporations typically involve many more organizational levels and people in the

Japanese corporations typically involve many more organizational levels and people in the development of implementation plans than do U.S. corporations. Is this appropriate? Why or why not?

Q: Does structure follow strategy or does strategy follow structure? Why?

Does structure follow strategy or does strategy follow structure? Why?

Q: How might manager–strategy fit be accomplished short of firing current

How might manager–strategy fit be accomplished short of firing current managers?

Q: Does culture follow strategy or does strategy follow culture? Why?

Does culture follow strategy or does strategy follow culture? Why?

Q: Compare and contrast action planning with management by objectives.

Compare and contrast action planning with management by objectives.

Q: What value does a total quality management program have in implementing strategy

What value does a total quality management program have in implementing strategy?

Q: How does a hypercompetitive environment change the strategic approach for a company

How does a hypercompetitive environment change the strategic approach for a company?

Q: How can MBO help improve the implementation of strategy?

How can MBO help improve the implementation of strategy?

Q: Why bother with shareholder value or a stakeholder scorecard? Isn’t it

Why bother with shareholder value or a stakeholder scorecard? Isn’t it simpler to evaluate a corporation and its SBUs just by using standard measures such as ROI or earnings per share?

Q: Is benchmarking just another fad or is it really useful for all

Is benchmarking just another fad or is it really useful for all firms? Why?

Q: What recommendations would you make to improve the effectiveness of today’s boards

What recommendations would you make to improve the effectiveness of today’s boards of directors?

Q: What kind of internal factors help managers determine whether a firm should

What kind of internal factors help managers determine whether a firm should emphasize the production and sales of a large number of low-priced products or a small number of high-priced products?

Q: Why should information systems be included in the analysis of a corporation’s

Why should information systems be included in the analysis of a corporation’s strengths and weaknesses?

Q: How can a company overcome the limitations of being in a fragmented

How can a company overcome the limitations of being in a fragmented industry?

Q: How does transaction cost economics apply to vertical growth? To concentric

How does transaction cost economics apply to vertical growth? To concentric versus conglomerate diversification?

Q: Must a corporation have a common thread running through its many activities

Must a corporation have a common thread running through its many activities in order to be successful? Why or why not?

Q: What is the value of portfolio analysis? Its dangers?

What is the value of portfolio analysis? Its dangers?

Q: List the means available to a company for horizontal growth and explain

List the means available to a company for horizontal growth and explain why a company might pursue one over another.

Q: Evaluate the types of retrenchment strategies that might be used by companies

Evaluate the types of retrenchment strategies that might be used by companies in stagnant industries.

Q: How can an operations strategy be used to understand and exploit a

How can an operations strategy be used to understand and exploit a particular product offering?

Q: How are corporate scenarios used in the development of an effective strategy

How are corporate scenarios used in the development of an effective strategy?

Q: What are the nine means by which a company can enter a

What are the nine means by which a company can enter a new international market?

Q: What are the advantages of using a strategic alliance when operating in

What are the advantages of using a strategic alliance when operating in a new country?

Q: How do timing tactics impact the strategy implementation efforts of a company

How do timing tactics impact the strategy implementation efforts of a company?

Q: Organizational strategy can be divided roughly into two categories: a

Organizational strategy can be divided roughly into two categories: a) formulation and b) implementation. Although there is legitimate crossover between the two, how would you characterize the issue...

Q: What issues would you consider to be the most important for a

What issues would you consider to be the most important for a company that is considering the use of a functional structure?

Q: Why are goal displacement and short-run orientation likely side effects

Why are goal displacement and short-run orientation likely side effects of the monitoring of performance? What can a corporation do to avoid them?

Q: What are the critical issues that a company must consider when trying

What are the critical issues that a company must consider when trying to match its staffing to its strategy?

Q: What are the unique impacts on a company that must staff in

What are the unique impacts on a company that must staff in international settings?

Q: Explain why ROI might not be the best measure of firm performance

Explain why ROI might not be the best measure of firm performance?

Q: What are the best methods for evaluating the top management team?

What are the best methods for evaluating the top management team?

Q: What ratios would you use to begin your analysis of a case

What ratios would you use to begin your analysis of a case?

Q: What are the five crucial steps to follow in basic financial analysis

What are the five crucial steps to follow in basic financial analysis?

Q: How might a firm’s management decide whether it should continue to invest

How might a firm’s management decide whether it should continue to invest in current known technology or in new, but untested, technology? What factors might encourage or discourage such a shift?

Q: What industry forces might cause a propitious niche to appear or disappear

What industry forces might cause a propitious niche to appear or disappear?

Q: What does a business have to consider when trying to follow a

What does a business have to consider when trying to follow a cost leadership strategy and a differentiation strategy simultaneously? Can you name a company doing this?

Q: What are the roles and responsibilities of an effective and active board

What are the roles and responsibilities of an effective and active board of directors?

Q: What are the pros and cons of using the strategic audit as

What are the pros and cons of using the strategic audit as a framework for case analysis?

Q: How can a company achieve a sustainable competitive advantage when its industry

How can a company achieve a sustainable competitive advantage when its industry becomes hypercompetitive?

Q: Why are many strategic alliances temporary?

Why are many strategic alliances temporary?

Q: How does horizontal growth differ from vertical growth as a corporate strategy

How does horizontal growth differ from vertical growth as a corporate strategy? From concentric diversification?

Q: What are the tradeoffs between an internal and an external growth strategy

What are the tradeoffs between an internal and an external growth strategy? Which approach is best as an international entry strategy?

Q: Is stability really a strategy or just a term for no strategy

Is stability really a strategy or just a term for no strategy?

Q: How is corporate parenting different from portfolio analysis? How is it

How is corporate parenting different from portfolio analysis? How is it alike? Is it a useful concept in a global industry?

Q: Are functional strategies interdependent, or can they be formulated independently of

Are functional strategies interdependent, or can they be formulated independently of other functions?

Q: Do you believe that penetration pricing or skim pricing will be better

Do you believe that penetration pricing or skim pricing will be better at raising a company’s or a business unit’s operating profit in the long run?

Q: How does mass customization support a business unit’s competitive strategy?

How does mass customization support a business unit’s competitive strategy?

Q: When should a corporation or business unit consider outsourcing a function or

When should a corporation or business unit consider outsourcing a function or an activity?

Q: Describe the triple bottom line.

Describe the triple bottom line.

Q: What are the issues that suggest the need for oversight of a

What are the issues that suggest the need for oversight of a particular company’s management team?

Q: What is the relationship of policies to strategies?

What is the relationship of policies to strategies?

Q: What are the stages of international development?

What are the stages of international development?

Q: How can an expat program be improved to the benefit of the

How can an expat program be improved to the benefit of the organization?

Q: How does the issue of transfer pricing impact the results of an

How does the issue of transfer pricing impact the results of an MNC?

Q: How should a corporation attempt to achieve synergy among functions and business

How should a corporation attempt to achieve synergy among functions and business units?

Q: How should an owner–manager prepare a company for its movement

How should an owner–manager prepare a company for its movement from Stage I to Stage II?

Q: How can a corporation keep from sliding into the decline stage of

How can a corporation keep from sliding into the decline stage of the organizational life cycle?

Q: Is reengineering just another management fad, or does it offer something

Is reengineering just another management fad, or does it offer something of lasting value?

Q: How is the cellular/modular structure different from the network structure

How is the cellular/modular structure different from the network structure?

Q: What is meant by a hierarchy of strategy?

What is meant by a hierarchy of strategy?

Q: What skills should a person have for managing a business unit following

What skills should a person have for managing a business unit following a differentiation strategy? Why? What should a company do if no one is available internally and the company has a policy of prom...

Q: How has moral relativism led to criminal activities by some employees in

How has moral relativism led to criminal activities by some employees in companies?

Q: When should someone from outside a company be hired to manage the

When should someone from outside a company be hired to manage the company or one of its business units?

Q: What are some ways to implement a retrenchment strategy without creating a

What are some ways to implement a retrenchment strategy without creating a lot of resentment and conflict with labor unions?

Q: How can corporate culture be changed?

How can corporate culture be changed?

Q: Why is an understanding of national cultures important in strategic management?

Why is an understanding of national cultures important in strategic management?

Q: Is Figure 12.1 a realistic model of the evaluation and

Is Figure 12.1 a realistic model of the evaluation and control process? Figure 12.1:

Q: What are some examples of behavior controls? Output controls? Input

What are some examples of behavior controls? Output controls? Input controls?

Q: How does EVA improve our knowledge of performance over ROI, ROE

How does EVA improve our knowledge of performance over ROI, ROE, or EPS?

Q: What issues affect your faith in a transfer price as a substitute

What issues affect your faith in a transfer price as a substitute for a market price in measuring a profit center’s performance?

Q: Does every business firm have business strategies?

Does every business firm have business strategies?

Q: Is the evaluation and control process appropriate for a corporation that emphasizes

Is the evaluation and control process appropriate for a corporation that emphasizes creativity? Are control and creativity compatible? Explain. (This is an open question.)

Q: Why should one begin a case analysis with a financial analysis?

Why should one begin a case analysis with a financial analysis? When are other approaches appropriate?

Q: How does a company ensure that its code of ethics is integrated

How does a company ensure that its code of ethics is integrated into the daily decision-making process of the company and is not just a symbolic trophy or plaque hanging on the wall?

Q: What are common-size financial statements? What is their value

What are common-size financial statements? What is their value to case analysis? How are they calculated?

Q: When should you gather information outside a case? What should you

When should you gather information outside a case? What should you look for?

Q: When is inflation an important issue in conducting case analysis? Why

When is inflation an important issue in conducting case analysis? Why bother?

Q: How can you learn what date a case took place?

How can you learn what date a case took place?

Q: When is the planning mode of strategic decision making superior to the

When is the planning mode of strategic decision making superior to the entrepreneurial and adaptive modes?

Q: When does a corporation need a board of directors?

When does a corporation need a board of directors?

Q: Who should and should not serve on a board of directors?

Who should and should not serve on a board of directors? What about environmentalists or union leaders?

Q: What information is needed for the proper formulation of strategy? Why

What information is needed for the proper formulation of strategy? Why?

Q: Should a CEO be allowed to serve on another company’s board of

Should a CEO be allowed to serve on another company’s board of directors? Why or why not?

Q: What would be the impact if the only insider on a corporation’s

What would be the impact if the only insider on a corporation’s board were the CEO?

Q: Should all CEOs be transformational leaders? Would you like to work

Should all CEOs be transformational leaders? Would you like to work for a transformational leader?

Q: How does STEEP analysis aid in the development of the strategy in

How does STEEP analysis aid in the development of the strategy in a company?

Q: What is the relationship between corporate governance and social responsibility?

What is the relationship between corporate governance and social responsibility?

Q: What is your opinion of Apple having a code of conduct for

What is your opinion of Apple having a code of conduct for its suppliers? What would Milton Friedman say? Contrast his view with that of Archie Carroll’s.

Q: Does a company have to act selflessly to be considered socially responsible

Does a company have to act selflessly to be considered socially responsible? For example, when building a new plant, a corporation voluntarily invested in additional equipment that enabled it to reduc...

Q: Are people living in a relationship-based governance system likely to

Are people living in a relationship-based governance system likely to be unethical in business dealings?

Q: Given that people rarely use a company’s code of ethics to guide

Given that people rarely use a company’s code of ethics to guide their decision making, what good are the codes?

Q: Discuss how a development in a corporation’s natural and societal environments can

Discuss how a development in a corporation’s natural and societal environments can affect the corporation through its task environment.

Q: Reconcile the strategic decision-making process depicted in Fig. 1

Reconcile the strategic decision-making process depicted in Fig. 1.5 with the strategic management model depicted in Fig. 1.2. Figure 1.5: Figure 1.2:

Q: How would you determine the level of competitive intensity in an industry

How would you determine the level of competitive intensity in an industry?

Q: Is Pepsi Cola a substitute for Coca Cola?

Is Pepsi Cola a substitute for Coca Cola?

Q: How can a decision maker identify strategic factors in a corporation’s external

How can a decision maker identify strategic factors in a corporation’s external international environment?

Q: Compare and contrast trend extrapolation with the writing of scenarios as forecasting

Compare and contrast trend extrapolation with the writing of scenarios as forecasting techniques.

Q: The effects of climate change on companies can be grouped into six

The effects of climate change on companies can be grouped into six categories of risk. Use any two of these to explain the impact upon the resort hotel industry.

Q: What is the relevance of the resource-based view of the

What is the relevance of the resource-based view of the firm to strategic management in a global environment?

Q: How can value-chain analysis help identify a company’s strengths and

How can value-chain analysis help identify a company’s strengths and weaknesses?

Q: In what ways can a corporation’s structure and culture be internal strengths

In what ways can a corporation’s structure and culture be internal strengths or weaknesses?

Q: What are the pros and cons of management’s using the experience curve

What are the pros and cons of management’s using the experience curve to determine strategy?

Q: Why has strategic management become so important in business?

Why has strategic management become so important in business?

Q: Explain how our understanding of the three generic strategic approaches available to

Explain how our understanding of the three generic strategic approaches available to companies can be used to direct the efforts of all employees at those companies.

Q: How does strategic management typically evolve in a company?

How does strategic management typically evolve in a company?

Q: What is a learning organization? Is this approach to strategic management

What is a learning organization? Is this approach to strategic management better than the more traditional top-down approach in which strategic planning is primarily done by top management?

Q: Why are strategic decisions different from other kinds of decisions?

Why are strategic decisions different from other kinds of decisions?

Q: Is there a conflict between agency theory and the concept of organizational

Is there a conflict between agency theory and the concept of organizational stakeholders?

Q: How appropriate is the theory of laissez-faire in today’s world

How appropriate is the theory of laissez-faire in today’s world?

Q: How does the resource-based view of the firm provide a

How does the resource-based view of the firm provide a superior means of evaluating a company’s competitive advantage?

Q: Using Carroll’s list of four responsibilities, should a company be concerned

Using Carroll’s list of four responsibilities, should a company be concerned about discretionary responsibilities? Why or why not?

Q: Why is environmental uncertainty an important concept in strategic management?

Why is environmental uncertainty an important concept in strategic management?

Q: What can a corporation do to ensure that information about strategic environmental

What can a corporation do to ensure that information about strategic environmental factors gets the attention of strategy makers?

Q: If most long-term forecasts are usually incorrect, why bother

If most long-term forecasts are usually incorrect, why bother doing them?

Q: What is a business-level strategy?

What is a business-level strategy?

Q: What are strategic competitiveness, strategy, competitive advantage, above-

What are strategic competitiveness, strategy, competitive advantage, above-average returns, and the strategic management process?

Q: What is the relationship between a firm’s customers and its business-

What is the relationship between a firm’s customers and its business-level strategy in terms of who, what, and how? Why is this relationship important?

Q: What is a business model and how do business models differ from

What is a business model and how do business models differ from business-level strategies?

Q: What are the differences among the cost leadership, differentiation, focused

What are the differences among the cost leadership, differentiation, focused cost leadership, focused differentiation, and integrated cost leadership/differentiation business-level strategies?

Q: How can firms use each of the business-level strategies to

How can firms use each of the business-level strategies to position themselves favorably relative to the five forces of competition?

Q: What are the specific risks associated with using each business-level

What are the specific risks associated with using each business-level strategy?

Q: What competitive advantage or competitive advantages do you believe Starbucks seeks to

What competitive advantage or competitive advantages do you believe Starbucks seeks to establish? What are the main challenges the firm faces as it tries to maintain the advantage or advantages you id...

Q: Identify three or four capabilities you believe Starbucks possesses. Of these

Identify three or four capabilities you believe Starbucks possesses. Of these, are any a core competence? If so, explain your reasoning.

Q: Starbucks’s mission is “To inspire and nurture the human spirit—

Starbucks’s mission is “To inspire and nurture the human spirit—one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.” What actions do you recommend the firm take to reach this mission?

Q: As Starbucks’s new chief executive officer and strategic leader, what key

As Starbucks’s new chief executive officer and strategic leader, what key challenges does Kevin Johnson and his firm face?

Q: What is corporate-level strategy and why is it important?

What is corporate-level strategy and why is it important?

Q: Can any firm beat Amazon in the marketplace? If not,

Can any firm beat Amazon in the marketplace? If not, why not? If so, how can they best do so?

Q: How formidable a competitor is Google for Amazon? Please explain.

How formidable a competitor is Google for Amazon? Please explain.

Q: What are Amazon’s major strengths? Does it have any weaknesses?

What are Amazon’s major strengths? Does it have any weaknesses? Please explain.

Q: Is Jet.com a potential concern for Amazon? Why or

Is Jet.com a potential concern for Amazon? Why or why not?

Q: What influences from the external environment over the next several years do

What influences from the external environment over the next several years do you think might affect super dry’s ability to compete?

Q: Does Super dry have one or more capabilities that are valuable,

Does Super dry have one or more capabilities that are valuable, rare, costly to imitate, and no substitutable? If so, what are they? If not, on which criteria do they fall short?

Q: Will the actions that super dry is taking solve its problems?

Will the actions that super dry is taking solve its problems? Why or why not?

Q: What value does super dry create for its customers?

What value does super dry create for its customers?

Q: What actions would you recommend the management of super dry take to

What actions would you recommend the management of super dry take to resolve its problems and turn around the performance of the firm?

Q: We note in the Mini-Case that Hein Celestial is implementing

We note in the Mini-Case that Hein Celestial is implementing the differentiation strategy. Provide some examples of the competitive dimensions on which this firm focuses while implementing its differe...

Q: What are the different levels of diversification firms can pursue by using

What are the different levels of diversification firms can pursue by using different corporate-level strategies?

Q: On what environmental trends did Hein Celestial base its business-level

On what environmental trends did Hein Celestial base its business-level strategy? What environmental trends could have a negative effect on this firm’s strategy in the future? Why?

Q: In years to come, should Hein try to grow primarily organically

In years to come, should Hein try to grow primarily organically, through collaborative strategies such as joint ventures and strategic alliances, or through mergers and acquisitions? Explain your answ...

Q: What are the most serious competitive challenges you anticipate Hein Celestial will

What are the most serious competitive challenges you anticipate Hein Celestial will face over the next ten years? How should the firm respond to these challenges?

Q: Using materials in the case and items to which you gain access

Using materials in the case and items to which you gain access through a search, describe how Aldi is creating competitive rivalry in the retail grocers’ industry.

Q: As explained in this chapter’s Opening Case, Amazon purchased Whole Foods

As explained in this chapter’s Opening Case, Amazon purchased Whole Foods. How will this transaction affect Aldi as it seeks to expand its presence in the United States? What competitive actions might...

Q: Using concepts and actions explained in this chapter, decide if Aldi

Using concepts and actions explained in this chapter, decide if Aldi is more likely to respond to any strategic actions Amazon might initiate through Whole Foods or if Amazon through Whole Foods is mo...

Q: In a competitive rivalry sense, explain the actions (strategic and

In a competitive rivalry sense, explain the actions (strategic and/or tactical) you believe Walmart and Costco will take to respond to Aldi’s intentions to have 2,500 U.S. stores by 2020.

Q: What corporate diversification strategy is being pursued by Disney? What evidence

What corporate diversification strategy is being pursued by Disney? What evidence do you have that supports your position?

Q: How does the corporate office create a parental advantage, which is

How does the corporate office create a parental advantage, which is difficult to duplicate by its more focused competitors?

Q: What are synergies and economies of scope and how do they work

What are synergies and economies of scope and how do they work at Disney to lower its overall costs?

Q: What are three reasons firms choose to diversify their operations?

What are three reasons firms choose to diversify their operations?

Q: Given the diversification approach that Disney uses, what are some things

Given the diversification approach that Disney uses, what are some things they can do to deal further with the trend toward cord-cutting and competition from large streaming and content producers such...

Q: Of the “Reasons for Acquisitions” discussed in the chapter,

Of the “Reasons for Acquisitions” discussed in the chapter, which reasons are the primary drivers of Lafarge-Holism’s merger strategy?

Q: Given that there have been performance difficulties of this “merger of

Given that there have been performance difficulties of this “merger of equals,” which of the “Problems in Achieving Acquisition Success” do you believe have most likely affected this deal?

Q: The new CEO, Jan Jewish, has undertaken a restructuring strategy

The new CEO, Jan Jewish, has undertaken a restructuring strategy. Why do you think the market reacted negatively to this plan?

Q: What would you suggest the firm do to improve its restructuring plan

What would you suggest the firm do to improve its restructuring plan and ultimately its poor performance?

Q: How does the FIFA scandal represent a form of political risk for

How does the FIFA scandal represent a form of political risk for companies operating in foreign countries?

Q: What are the benefits to companies such as Nike and Coca-

What are the benefits to companies such as Nike and Coca-Cola acting as sponsors of soccer organizations in foreign countries?

Q: What international strategy is being used by the major companies holding these

What international strategy is being used by the major companies holding these sponsorships? Please explain.

Q: Given the process described for gaining sponsorships (e.g.,

Given the process described for gaining sponsorships (e.g., through sports marketing agencies), should Nike and other major companies realize that bribes and other corrupt practices were taking place?...

Q: How can companies handle corrupt practices in foreign countries? Can they

How can companies handle corrupt practices in foreign countries? Can they find ways to compete there without engaging in these practices? Please explain.

Q: How do firms create value when using a related diversification strategy?

How do firms create value when using a related diversification strategy?

Q: What are some of the major complexities encountered in developing cooperative strategies

What are some of the major complexities encountered in developing cooperative strategies such as strategic alliances and joint ventures?

Q: What role does competition from rivals play in the eventual success of

What role does competition from rivals play in the eventual success of cooperative strategies? Please explain.

Q: What costs are incurred in developing strategic alliances? How can these

What costs are incurred in developing strategic alliances? How can these costs be managed?

Q: Should cost minimization or opportunity maximization be the primary goal of a

Should cost minimization or opportunity maximization be the primary goal of a cooperative strategy? Can both be achieved simultaneously? Why or why not?

Q: Why are many countries adopting “western” governance systems similar to

Why are many countries adopting “western” governance systems similar to those found in the United States and the United Kingdom that are more shareholder friendly?

Q: What particular governance devices are helping or hindering good governance in these

What particular governance devices are helping or hindering good governance in these countries that are changing their governance systems?

Q: How do sovereign wealth funds affect governance of firms in home and

How do sovereign wealth funds affect governance of firms in home and foreign countries?

Q: What would you recommend to improve the governance systems in Japan,

What would you recommend to improve the governance systems in Japan, Germany, and China, respectively, given the governance devices described in Chapter 10?

Q: To implement a corporate strategy, a firm needs to have a

To implement a corporate strategy, a firm needs to have a strong set of capabilities to “parent” the set of business units that the firm has established or acquired. Given Sony’s history and organizat...

Q: Do you think that Sony has the right organization structure to foster

Do you think that Sony has the right organization structure to foster the necessary integration among its electronic and entertainment content businesses that its revamped strategy seems to entail?

Q: What are the two ways to obtain financial economies when using an

What are the two ways to obtain financial economies when using an unrelated diversification strategy?

Q: What additional organizational structure and/or process adjustments will Sony need

What additional organizational structure and/or process adjustments will Sony need to make to realize its revised strategic objectives?

Q: What makes a CEO’s job so complex? Use the challenge Tim

What makes a CEO’s job so complex? Use the challenge Tim Cook faces as Steve Jobs’ successor to provide examples that support your answer.

Q: Tim Cook came from Apple’s internal managerial labor market to succeed Steve

Tim Cook came from Apple’s internal managerial labor market to succeed Steve Jobs. In your view, was using the internal managerial labor market the best approach to follow when replacing Jobs? Use mat...

Q: Given their different leadership styles, describe the differences you see in

Given their different leadership styles, describe the differences you see in Apple’s culture under Tim Cook’s leadership compared to the culture in Apple when Steve Jobs was CEO.

Q: Using information in this Mini-Case as well as additional materials

Using information in this Mini-Case as well as additional materials available to you via searches, how do you evaluate Tim Cook as a CEO? Is he an effective strategic leader or not? Use examples from...

Q: This Mini-Case suggests that a lack of continuous innovation contributed

This Mini-Case suggests that a lack of continuous innovation contributed to American Express’s (Am Ex) poor performance in 2014. Assuming this is true, what factors might prevent a firm the size and s...

Q: Use material from Chapter 4 to identify the business-level strategy

Use material from Chapter 4 to identify the business-level strategy Am Ex uses. What dimensions do you believe Am Ex should emphasize to use the strategy you identified successfully across time?

Q: What actions do you believe Amax should take to establish an entrepreneurial

What actions do you believe Amax should take to establish an entrepreneurial mind-set among employees throughout the company?

Q: This Mini-Case includes descriptions of recent Am Ex innovations.

This Mini-Case includes descriptions of recent Am Ex innovations. Do you anticipate that most of these innovations resulted from autonomous strategic behavior or from induced strategic behavior? Why?...

Q: What incentives and resources encourage diversification?

What incentives and resources encourage diversification?

Q: What motives might encourage managers to over diversify their firm?

What motives might encourage managers to over diversify their firm?

Q: What is international entrepreneurship? Why is it important?

What is international entrepreneurship? Why is it important?

Q: Do you agree with the assessment that Elon Musk and Tesla successfully

Do you agree with the assessment that Elon Musk and Tesla successfully fulfilled the first master plan published in 2006? Why or why not? To answer this question, apply the three-step process for craf...

Q: Citing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), Airbnb is challenging

Citing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), Airbnb is challenging the New York law and others in the United States, arguing that it merely operates a digital marketplace, and thus is not respo...

Q: Identify your personal values. How do you expect these values to

Identify your personal values. How do you expect these values to affect your work life or your career choice?

Q: How much less salary would (did) you accept to find

How much less salary would (did) you accept to find employment with a company that is aligned with your values?

Q: The external environment of the global automobile industry is quite complex.

The external environment of the global automobile industry is quite complex. Regulations vary from country to country and in the United States even from one state to another. Firms must be prepared to...

Q: It is legal to take apart publicly available products and services and

It is legal to take apart publicly available products and services and try to replicate them and even develop work-arounds for relevant patents. But is it ethical? If a key capability protected by pat...

Q: How do the perspectives on competitive advantage differ when comparing brick-

How do the perspectives on competitive advantage differ when comparing brick-and-mortar stores to online businesses (e.g., Best Buy versus Amazon, Barnes & Noble versus Amazon, Old Navy versus Threadl...

Q: As we look at Google, Facebook and Amazon, all three

As we look at Google, Facebook and Amazon, all three have potentials for a diversification into the realm of facial recognition. What are the potential benefits? Do the chances of consumer pushback/re...

Q: In this chapter, three main reasons are given for why one

In this chapter, three main reasons are given for why one firm would acquire another. In July 2016 Verizon announced it was going to acquire Yahoo for $4.8 billion in cash. The announcement discussed...

Q: In the fall of 2016 Yahoo disclosed several major security breaches involving

In the fall of 2016 Yahoo disclosed several major security breaches involving more than 1.5 billion user accounts. The results of these disclosures delayed the purchase by Verizon and reduced the Yaho...

Q: Discuss the factors that managers of Apple or GE may consider as

Discuss the factors that managers of Apple or GE may consider as they focus on continuous innovation rather than the cost of manufacturing. How might governments with an interest in generating employm...

Q: When a player hears the message as “any action will be

When a player hears the message as “any action will be tolerated as long as you are winning,” there can be serious consequences on and off the field. How could leaders of sports organizations communic...

Q: Are you concerned that the concept of the sharing economy could be

Are you concerned that the concept of the sharing economy could be abused by unscrupulous “entrepreneurs” and thus give the entire novel concept a bad reputation? Why or why not? Explain.

Q: As noted in Chapter 5, many public firms are under intense

As noted in Chapter 5, many public firms are under intense pressure for short-term (such as quarterly) financial improvements. How might such pressure, in combination with output controls, lead to une...

Q: The shared value creation framework provides help in making connections between economic

The shared value creation framework provides help in making connections between economic needs and social needs in a way that transforms into a business opportunity. Taking the role of consultant to N...

Q: As noted in the chapter, the average compensation for a CEO

As noted in the chapter, the average compensation for a CEO of an S&P 500 company was $12.4 million, and CEO pay was 300 times the average worker pay. This contrasts with historic values of between 25...

Q: This chapter discusses some key strategic leadership issues (such as privacy

This chapter discusses some key strategic leadership issues (such as privacy and fake news) facing Facebook leaders Sheryl Sandberg and Mark Zuckerberg. Consider other firms mentioned in the chapter s...

Q: In January 2017, a U.S. grand jury indicted

In January 2017, a U.S. grand jury indicted six current and former VW executives for their alleged role in the emissions scandal and its subsequent cover-up. The U.S. Justice Department decided to bri...

Q: What are the competitive implications of the actions of VW? Does

What are the competitive implications of the actions of VW? Does this situation impact the industry rivalry that is discussed in the five forces model, for instance?

Q: What is the appropriate role for governments to encourage or discourage certain

What is the appropriate role for governments to encourage or discourage certain purchasing behaviors? You may note many national governments have for decades collected additional taxes on tobacco and...

Q: As a strategist in a major firm, how would you seek

As a strategist in a major firm, how would you seek to position your company in light of such current and potential future governmental policies?

Q: Will the shifts in technology and business models be likely to raise

Will the shifts in technology and business models be likely to raise or lower the textbook industry profits? Explain.

Q: Visit www.lunchables.com and review the Lunchables products,

Visit www.lunchables.com and review the Lunchables products, as well as other packaged food products that Kraft offers. Discuss among your group members the extent to which the product options are hea...

Q: Why is Five Guys so successful? Describe Five Guys’ core competency

Why is Five Guys so successful? Describe Five Guys’ core competency, explain how the company built it, and why it is essential to its success.

Q: Identify other actions that Kraft might take to demonstrate that it is

Identify other actions that Kraft might take to demonstrate that it is a food company that genuinely cares about children’s health and a company that would like to help reverse the trend of increasing...

Q: If your group believes that the company is not responsible for personal

If your group believes that the company is not responsible for personal choices that consumers make to eat unhealthy food, then describe how the company should respond to activist groups and public he...

Q: How should managers of a textbook publishing company respond to such changes

How should managers of a textbook publishing company respond to such changes?

Q: Brand valuations were mentioned in the chapter as a potential key intangible

Brand valuations were mentioned in the chapter as a potential key intangible resource for firms. Some product brands are so well established that the entire category of products (including those made...

Q: Strategy Highlight 4.2 explains the rise and fall of Groupon

Strategy Highlight 4.2 explains the rise and fall of Groupon. The company’s strategic vision was to be a global leader in local commerce, based on a core competency that could be described as “local m...

Q: At the next big family gathering, you want to impress your

At the next big family gathering, you want to impress your grandparents with the innovative ideas you have learned in business school. They have decades of experience in investing in the stock market...

Q: If you were a competitor in the European market, such as

If you were a competitor in the European market, such as British Airways or Lufthansa, how would you compete against Ryanair, knowing your cost structure would not allow price parity? If you were a lo...

Q: What similarities and differences do you find about Ryanair compared to JetBlue

What similarities and differences do you find about Ryanair compared to JetBlue from the ChapterCase?

Q: Your team has been asked to consult for Simon Property Group (

Your team has been asked to consult for Simon Property Group (SPG on NYSE), one of the largest U.S. operators of shopping malls. The company wants to know how its mall space could be repurposed. What...

Q: The text discusses the pros and cons of pipeline businesses and platform

The text discusses the pros and cons of pipeline businesses and platform businesses. Several examples of new platform businesses are mentioned (Uber, Airbnb, Facebook, and Alibaba, for example). Yet i...

Q: Five Guys’ success led to imitation attempts by more recent entries in

Five Guys’ success led to imitation attempts by more recent entries in the fast-casual “better burger” segment of the restaurant industry such as BurgerFi, Shake Shack, and Smashburger. Do you think t...

Q: In your group, discuss a company that could be moving toward

In your group, discuss a company that could be moving toward a platform business or a new firm that is developing as a platform. Sketch out a business model for this firm and the network loop it could...

Q: Can you identify a pipeline business that is likely to be disrupted

Can you identify a pipeline business that is likely to be disrupted by the firm you discussed in question 2b above? What could this pipeline business do to improve its long-term viability?

Q: In your small group, discuss any potential ethical issues with Amazon

In your small group, discuss any potential ethical issues with Amazon paying the university administration for direct access into the school’s course textbook system.

Q: While Amazon as a firm continues to diversify its products, services

While Amazon as a firm continues to diversify its products, services, and markets under one corporate umbrella, why do firms such as Barnes & Noble choose to split into separate firms for greater focu...

Q: If your team was asked to consult for Barnes & Noble Education

If your team was asked to consult for Barnes & Noble Education, which corporate strategies would you recommend to the company’s senior leadership?

Q: What other industrial or commercial industries could benefit from such potential tourist

What other industrial or commercial industries could benefit from such potential tourist or recreational revenues? Discuss what new and complementary capabilities would need to be developed in order t...

Q: In your group, list other industry combinations you have seen be

In your group, list other industry combinations you have seen be successful. Consider why you think the combination has been a success.

Q: Using the build-borrow-or-buy framework and other

Using the build-borrow-or-buy framework and other strategic concepts, develop a set of questions to ask the managers of this small business to help you gather information regarding whether to hire new...

Q: In Strategy Highlight 9.2, Kraft is shown to be

In Strategy Highlight 9.2, Kraft is shown to be prone to using hostile takeovers. These acquisitions are completed over the objections of the acquired firm. As noted in the text, mergers and acquisiti...

Q: Given that traditional U.S. firms like IBM have over

Given that traditional U.S. firms like IBM have over 70 percent of their employees and almost two-thirds of their revenues come from outside the United States, what is an appropriate definition of a “...

Q: Do you think a trend toward more healthy eating is a threat

Do you think a trend toward more healthy eating is a threat to Five Guys? If so, what could the company do about it? For example, should the company change its menu to include healthier choices, or sh...

Q: Should IKEA be considered a Swedish firm with less than 6 percent

Should IKEA be considered a Swedish firm with less than 6 percent of sales garnered from the Swedish market? Discuss why or why not in your groups.

Q: Is there any special consideration a firm should have for its “

Is there any special consideration a firm should have for its “home country”? Is it ethical to keep profits outside the home country in offshore accounts to avoid paying domestic corporate taxes?

Q: Apply the CAGE distance framework to the foreign countries where Clif Bar

Apply the CAGE distance framework to the foreign countries where Clif Bar is operating. What is the relative distance of each to the United States? Rank the order of the countries in terms of relative...

Q: Given the results from the CAGE model, do the chosen countries

Given the results from the CAGE model, do the chosen countries make sense? Why or why not?

Q: Can you recommend three or four other countries Clif Bar should enter

Can you recommend three or four other countries Clif Bar should enter? Support your recommendations.

Q: What entrance strategy should the firm employ in expanding the business to

What entrance strategy should the firm employ in expanding the business to new countries? Why?

Q: How might this change the university’s allocation of resources (e.

How might this change the university’s allocation of resources (e.g., would more trained advisors and career counselors be required, and how would they be evaluated)?

Q: If large numbers of students decided they would learn some of the

If large numbers of students decided they would learn some of the core materials best by taking an online course, how might this affect the university’s revenue stream? How might this change the way p...

Q: Have each group member explain how this approach might change his/

Have each group member explain how this approach might change his/her program of study.

Q: Consider the potential pitfalls of such an approach and how these might

Consider the potential pitfalls of such an approach and how these might be addressed.

Q: Do you think Five Guys will be as successful outside the United

Do you think Five Guys will be as successful outside the United States as it has been in its home market? Why or why not?

Q: What is the business strategy for each store concept?

What is the business strategy for each store concept?

Q: How would the organizational structure be different for the two concepts?

How would the organizational structure be different for the two concepts?

Q: What would likely be the cultural differences in the two store concepts

What would likely be the cultural differences in the two store concepts?

Q: How would the control-and-reward systems be different?

How would the control-and-reward systems be different?

Q: What similarities and differences do you find in the way these firms

What similarities and differences do you find in the way these firms have implemented sometimes similar ideas?

Q: Discuss why traditional taxi companies, such as Yellow Cabs and those

Discuss why traditional taxi companies, such as Yellow Cabs and those needing medallions (such as in New York City), are choosing to attempt to prohibit these app-enabled, ride-hailing services rather...

Q: What are the benefits of this program for PepsiCo? What are

What are the benefits of this program for PepsiCo? What are its drawbacks?

Q: What other societal benefits could such a program have in Mexico?

What other societal benefits could such a program have in Mexico?

Q: If you were a PepsiCo shareholder, would you support this program

If you were a PepsiCo shareholder, would you support this program? Why or why not?

Q: The chapter applies the three elements of a good strategy to Tesla

The chapter applies the three elements of a good strategy to Tesla for insights into the company’s possible competitive advantage. As a group, choose a different firm that is well known to the student...

Q: This chapter introduces several approaches to assessing a firm’s competitive advantage.

This chapter introduces several approaches to assessing a firm’s competitive advantage. Using any one of these approaches, can you ascertain whether Microsoft has a competitive advantage over Apple? W...

Q: Form small groups of three to four students. Search the internet

Form small groups of three to four students. Search the internet on the following topic and debate your findings. For each group, search the internet for options and plans to (1) build more sustainabl...

Q: What problems would need to be addressed to introduce this angel-

What problems would need to be addressed to introduce this angel-network idea into a firm? Use a firm someone in your group has worked for or knows well to discuss possible issues of widely distributi...

Q: Which of them has vision or mission statements that are appealing to

Which of them has vision or mission statements that are appealing to donors, employees, and clients? Do these statements seem relevant in today’s environment or are they outdated? What improvements ca...

Q: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has made drastic changes to Microsoft’s strategy.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has made drastic changes to Microsoft’s strategy. What was Microsoft’s strategy before Nadella was appointed CEO in 2014? What is it now under his leadership? Do you agree...

Q: Looking three to five years into the future, who do you

Looking three to five years into the future, who do you expect will have a competitive advantage: Apple or Microsoft? Explain.

Q: Despite its initial success, why was JetBlue unable to sustain a

Despite its initial success, why was JetBlue unable to sustain a blue ocean strategy?

Q: Does Tesla have a good strategy? Why or why not?

Does Tesla have a good strategy? Why or why not? How do you know? Consider: By summer 2019, Tesla's market cap had fallen by 30 percent to $45 billion, down from $65 billion a year earlier. Many wonde...

Q: JetBlue’s chief marketing officer, Marty St. George, was asked

JetBlue’s chief marketing officer, Marty St. George, was asked by The Wall Street Journal, “What is the biggest marketing challenge JetBlue faces?” His response: “We are flying in a space where our co...

Q: Which strategic moves has the team around CEO Hayes put in place

Which strategic moves has the team around CEO Hayes put in place, and why? Explain whether they focus on value creation, operating costs, or both simultaneously. Do these moves correspond to St. Georg...

Q: Consider JetBlue’s value curve in Exhibit 6.11. Why is

Consider JetBlue’s value curve in Exhibit 6.11. Why is JetBlue experiencing a competitive disadvantage? What recommendations would you offer to JetBlue to strengthen its strategic profile? Be specific...

Q: JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes is contemplating adding international routes, connecting the

JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes is contemplating adding international routes, connecting the U.S. East Coast to Europe. Would this additional international expansion put more pressure on JetBlue’s current bus...

Q: How did Netflix use innovation in its business strategy to gain and

How did Netflix use innovation in its business strategy to gain and sustain a competitive advantage? What role did strategy, technology, and business models play? Explain in detail.

Q: Why is competition in internet streaming services heating up? Who is

Why is competition in internet streaming services heating up? Who is jumping into the fray, and why? How do these companies differ? What do you expect the result of this intensifying competition will...

Q: International expansion appears to be a major growth opportunity for Netflix.

International expansion appears to be a major growth opportunity for Netflix. Elaborate on the challenges Netflix faces going beyond the U.S. market. Do you think it is a good idea to rapidly expand t...

Q: What are some of the challenges Netflix is likely to encounter internationally

What are some of the challenges Netflix is likely to encounter internationally? What can Netflix do to address these? Explain.

Q: Describe Amazon's diversification strategy using Exhibit 8.8. What type

Describe Amazon's diversification strategy using Exhibit 8.8. What type of diversification strategy is Amazon pursuing? Explain.

Q: What is Amazon’s core business? Is AWS related to Amazon’s core

What is Amazon’s core business? Is AWS related to Amazon’s core business? Why or why not? Some investors are pressuring Jeff Bezos to spin out AWS as a standalone company. Do you agree with this corpo...

Q: Describe the rationale behind Tesla’s new master plan. How does this

Describe the rationale behind Tesla’s new master plan. How does this new strategy help Tesla fulfill its vision? To view Tesla’s “Master Plan, Part Deux” in its entirety, see Tesla’s blog: www.tesla.c...

Q: At this point, Google and Facebook are the clear leaders in

At this point, Google and Facebook are the clear leaders in the digital ad space, which is predicted to continue to grow exponentially (reaching $175 billion in 2021, overtaking traditional advertisin...

Q: Amazon.com continues to spend billions on seemingly unrelated diversification efforts

Amazon.com continues to spend billions on seemingly unrelated diversification efforts. Do you believe these efforts contribute to Amazon gaining and sustaining a competitive advantage? Why or why not?...

Q: Describe the reasons Lyft entered strategic alliances with GM and Waymo.

Describe the reasons Lyft entered strategic alliances with GM and Waymo. Are some reasons more important than others? Why or why not? Explain.

Q: GM invested $500 million in Lyft in 2016. What are

GM invested $500 million in Lyft in 2016. What are some possible reasons GM entered an equity alliance with Lyft? Are there any reasons GM would prefer Lyft over Uber as an alliance partner?

Q: What are some possible reasons Waymo entered an alliance with Lyft?

What are some possible reasons Waymo entered an alliance with Lyft? Are there any reasons Waymo would prefer Lyft over Uber as an alliance partner?

Q: Uber is still a much larger and more valuable firm than Lyft

Uber is still a much larger and more valuable firm than Lyft. Uber is also more diversified in that it offers services beyond ride-hailing, which is its core service. Do you think the strategic allian...

Q: List IKEA’s external and internal challenges. Looking at IKEA’s challenges,

List IKEA’s external and internal challenges. Looking at IKEA’s challenges, which ones do you think pose the greatest threat? Why? How would you address the challenges?

Q: Did it surprise you to learn that both a rich developed country

Did it surprise you to learn that both a rich developed country (e.g., the United States and Australia) as well as emerging economies (e.g., China and India) are the fastest-growing international mark...

Q: What can IKEA do to continue to drive growth globally, especially

What can IKEA do to continue to drive growth globally, especially given its strategic intent to double annual store openings?

Q: Assume you are hired to consult IKEA on the topic of corporate

Assume you are hired to consult IKEA on the topic of corporate social responsibility (see the discussion in Chapter 1). Which areas would you recommend the company be most sensitive to, and how should...

Q: Apply again the three-step process for crafting a good strategy

Apply again the three-step process for crafting a good strategy (see Section 1.1), this time to each element of the new master plan. On which steps of the new master plan has Tesla made the most progr...

Q: Why did Google restructure itself and create Alphabet? What is it

Why did Google restructure itself and create Alphabet? What is it hoping to accomplish? For additional insights, see Larry Page’s post announcing the restructuring at https://abc.xyz/.

Q: Do you think the reorganization is beneficial for Alphabet’s moon shots,

Do you think the reorganization is beneficial for Alphabet’s moon shots, now housed in their own business unit with profit-and-loss responsibility? Why, or why not? Explain.

Q: Why has Google “failed” to develop other profitable businesses?

Why has Google “failed” to develop other profitable businesses? Is Google’s strategy process of planned emergence to blame? Why or why not? Will Alphabet’s new structure with independent SBUs enable t...

Q: What was the original mission and vision of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes

What was the original mission and vision of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes? How did Holmes set out to fulfill her mission?

Q: What is the designated role of a board of directors? Did

What is the designated role of a board of directors? Did the Theranos board of directors fulfill this role? Why, or why not? If not, what was the motivation behind stacking the board the way Holmes di...

Q: Theranos was valued at some $10 billion at its peak.

Theranos was valued at some $10 billion at its peak. Did the investors overlook any red flags? Or was it simply FOMO (“fear of missing out”) that made them hurry to jump on the Theranos bandwagon? Why...

Q: Why and how did Theranos get in trouble?

Why and how did Theranos get in trouble?

Q: What lessons can be learned from the Theranos case?

What lessons can be learned from the Theranos case?

Q: This chapter introduces three levels appropriate for strategic considerations (see Exhibit

This chapter introduces three levels appropriate for strategic considerations (see Exhibit 2.3). In what situations would some of these levels be more important than others? For example, what issues m...

Q: The “job to do” approach discussed with the Clayton Christensen

The “job to do” approach discussed with the Clayton Christensen milkshake example can be useful in a variety of settings. Even when we are the customers ourselves, sometimes we don’t look for better s...

Q: What challenges (as detailed in this ChapterCase) is Facebook facing

What challenges (as detailed in this ChapterCase) is Facebook facing? How should Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg deal with each of them? List each of the challenges, and make specific recommendati...

Q: This chapter covers the choices firms make in entering new markets.

This chapter covers the choices firms make in entering new markets. Reflect on ChapterCase3 and discuss how Airbnb might have answered these questions in Exhibit 3.6.

Q: Conduct a value chain analysis for Five Guys. What are its

Conduct a value chain analysis for Five Guys. What are its primary activities? What are its support activities? Identify the activities that add the most value for the customer. Why? Which activities...

Q: The chapter discusses seven different business models with a brief description of

The chapter discusses seven different business models with a brief description of each. Given the changing nature of many industries, choose an industry you have some knowledge of and describe how the...

Q: Patents are discussed as part of the invention phase of the innovation

Patents are discussed as part of the invention phase of the innovation process in Exhibit 7.2. Describe the trade-offs that are made when a firm decides to patent its business processes or software. I...

Q: While many new firms and industries are using a platform strategy,

While many new firms and industries are using a platform strategy, there are downsides to this approach. Explain two ways in which multi-sided markets may be a disadvantage for firms entering new mark...

Q: Nike is a large and successful firm in the design of athletic

Nike is a large and successful firm in the design of athletic shoes. It could easily decide to forward-integrate and manufacture the shoes it designs. Thus, the firm has a credible threat over its cur...

Q: The chapter notes that some firms choose to outsource their human resource

The chapter notes that some firms choose to outsource their human resource management systems. If a firm has a core value of respecting its employees and rewarding top performance with training, raise...

Q: Given the poor track record of M&As, what explains

Given the poor track record of M&As, what explains the continuing trend for mergers and acquisitions in many industries? What steps can a firm take to improve the chances of successful M&As?

Q: Strategy Highlight 10.2 discusses the failure of Walmart in Germany

Strategy Highlight 10.2 discusses the failure of Walmart in Germany. Using the CAGE distance framework, discuss how Lidl should seek to be successful with its move into the US market.?

Q: The chapter notes that global strategy can change over time for a

The chapter notes that global strategy can change over time for a firm. YouTube is one example in this chapter. Conduct a Web search of a firm you know to be operating internationally and determine it...

Q: Compare and contrast the strategic leadership of Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg

Compare and contrast the strategic leadership of Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg. Which qualities for each strategic leader stand out to you, and why? Where would you place each individual on the...

Q: Why is it important for an organization to have alignment between its

Why is it important for an organization to have alignment between its strategy and structure?

Q: The chapter describes the role of culture in the successful implementation of

The chapter describes the role of culture in the successful implementation of strategy. Consider an employment experience of your own or of someone you have observed closely (e.g., a family member). D...

Q: What makes some strong cultures helpful in gaining and sustaining a competitive

What makes some strong cultures helpful in gaining and sustaining a competitive advantage, while other strong cultures are a liability to achieving that goal?

Q: The shared value creation framework provides help in making connections between economic

The shared value creation framework provides help in making connections between economic and societal needs in a way that transforms a business opportunity. Taking the role of a consultant to Uber (ri...

Q: The text discusses strategic trade-offs that are different between Walmart

The text discusses strategic trade-offs that are different between Walmart and Nordstrom even though they are in the same industry. Think of another industry that you know fairly well and select two f...

Q: Corporate social responsibility has four components. Do you agree that public

Corporate social responsibility has four components. Do you agree that public firms should address all four elements? Why or why not? If not, where should the firm "draw the line?” Please provide an e...

Q: In the discussion about Merck (Strategy Highlight 1.2),

In the discussion about Merck (Strategy Highlight 1.2), the firm faces difficult situations about life-saving drugs. What is your assessment of Merck's consideration of various stakeholders in the two...

Q: The chapter discusses several strategic leadership issues at Facebook. Several other

The chapter discusses several strategic leadership issues at Facebook. Several other firms are also noted in the chapter with some positive and some negative leadership results. Choose a firm mentione...

Q: Several elements of strategic decision making are highlighted in this chapter.

Several elements of strategic decision making are highlighted in this chapter. Think of an important decision a firm has recently faced and choose either devil’s advocacy or dialectic inquiry to lay o...

Q: How much are you willing to “pay for pay” if

How much are you willing to “pay for pay” if your dream job is in management consulting or investment banking?

Q: Given the apparent leadership crisis at Facebook, should Mark Zuckerberg and

Given the apparent leadership crisis at Facebook, should Mark Zuckerberg and/or Sheryl Sandberg be replaced? Why, or why not? Explain your answers.

Q: Many people approach the job market by thinking about particular firms.

Many people approach the job market by thinking about particular firms. What are some advantages of broadening this thought process to consider the industry-level factors of a potential new employer?...

Q: What industries do you think may offer the best U.S

What industries do you think may offer the best U.S. (or domestic) job opportunities in the future? Which industries do you think may offer the greatest job opportunities in the global market in the f...

Q: Do these types of macro-environmental trends affect your thought process

Do these types of macro-environmental trends affect your thought process about selecting a career field after college? Why or why not? Explain.

Q: Write down your own strengths and weaknesses. What sort of organization

Write down your own strengths and weaknesses. What sort of organization will permit you to really leverage your strengths and keep you highly engaged in your work (person–organization fit)? Do some of...

Q: Personal capabilities also need to be evaluated over time. Are your

Personal capabilities also need to be evaluated over time. Are your strengths and weaknesses different today from what they were five years ago? What are you doing to make sure your capabilities are d...

Q: Are some of your strengths valuable, rare, and costly to

Are some of your strengths valuable, rare, and costly to imitate? How can you organize your work to help capture the value of your key strengths (or mitigate your weaknesses)? Are your strengths speci...

Q: As an employee, how could you persuade your boss that you

As an employee, how could you persuade your boss that you could be a vital source of sustainable competitive advantage? What evidence could you provide to make such an argument?

Q: The myStrategy box at the end of Chapter 2 asked how much

The myStrategy box at the end of Chapter 2 asked how much you would be willing to pay for the job you want—for a job that reflects your values. Here, we look at a different issue relating to worth: Ho...

Q: Employees and consultants say the Amazon workplace is the epitome of a

Employees and consultants say the Amazon workplace is the epitome of a “do more for less cost” environment. We recognize this is a hallmark goal of a cost-leadership business strategy. But ask yoursel...

Q: Amazon has surpassed 650,000 employees and was the second publicly

Amazon has surpassed 650,000 employees and was the second publicly traded company in the world to hit $1 trillion market capitalization (just after Apple). The company offers bold new ideas as a retai...

Q: How was an internet startup able to disrupt the hotel industry,

How was an internet startup able to disrupt the hotel industry, long dominated by giants such as Marriott and Hilton, which took decades to become successful worldwide hospitality chains? Explain.

Q: Before you launch into a new project, job, or firm

Before you launch into a new project, job, or firm, or even before you make a change in industry in the effort to move forward in your career, always consider the trade-offs that you would and would n...

Q: Thinking about today’s business climate, would you say that now is

Thinking about today’s business climate, would you say that now is a good time to start a business? Why or why not?

Q: Do you see higher education as a benefit or detriment to becoming

Do you see higher education as a benefit or detriment to becoming a successful entrepreneur? Why?

Q: Explain how you would apply the strategic management framework to enhance your

Explain how you would apply the strategic management framework to enhance your startup’s chances to gain and sustain a competitive advantage.

Q: Using Exhibit 8.8 as a guide, list each of

Using Exhibit 8.8 as a guide, list each of your major activity areas. Think of each of these as a business. (If you are literally “all work and no play,” you are a single-business type of personal div...

Q: Do you need to make adjustments to your portfolio of activities?

Do you need to make adjustments to your portfolio of activities? Explain the reasons for your answer.

Q: Let’s consider dynamics—has your level of diversification changed over time

Let’s consider dynamics—has your level of diversification changed over time (say, over the last five years)? Looking toward the future, do you expect your level of diversification to change as you com...

Q: Create a list of up to 12 people at your university with

Create a list of up to 12 people at your university with whom you regularly communicate (in person, electronically, or both). Draw your network (place names or initials next to each node), and connect...

Q: Now compare your actual career-related network using a site such

Now compare your actual career-related network using a site such as LinkedIn. Are any of your connections linked together? With how many alumni from your university are you linked? These alumni can pr...

Q: As a baseline of your current position, list your strengths and

As a baseline of your current position, list your strengths and weaknesses for each component.

Q: Why is it that PESTEL factors can have such a strong impact

Why is it that PESTEL factors can have such a strong impact on the future of a business? Do you support legislation such as that passed in New York (and elsewhere), or do you think it has more to do w...

Q: Identify your weakest area and make a list of activities that will

Identify your weakest area and make a list of activities that will help you improve your capital in that area.

Q: Identify at least three activities you could do this week to get

Identify at least three activities you could do this week to get started. For example, you could choose to work with international students on group projects in class. Perhaps invite students with div...

Q: Review Exhibit 11.11 and circle the organizational characteristics you find

Review Exhibit 11.11 and circle the organizational characteristics you find appealing. Cross out those factors you think you would not like.

Q: Have you been in school or work situations in which your values

Have you been in school or work situations in which your values did not align with those of your peers or colleagues? How did you handle the situation? Are there certain values or norms important enou...

Q: As you consider your career after graduation, which control-and

As you consider your career after graduation, which control-and-reward system would you find most motivating? Is this different from the controls used at some jobs you have had in the past? How do you...

Q: As this cohort expands in the work force, do you expect

As this cohort expands in the work force, do you expect to see different sets of business ethics and workplace culture take hold? Please explain.

Q: Are efforts such as the MBA oath (discussed in this chapter

Are efforts such as the MBA oath (discussed in this chapter) reflections of a different approach that Gen Z will bring to the business environment, compared with prior generations?

Q: List your personal goals. Which stakeholders are supportive of these goals

List your personal goals. Which stakeholders are supportive of these goals? Which are likely to try to block these goals?

Q: Develop a plan to address key stakeholder concerns from each perspective.

Develop a plan to address key stakeholder concerns from each perspective. Can you find a pathway in the stakeholder analysis to build support for your key goals?

Q: What would it take to implement your ideas/plans to move

What would it take to implement your ideas/plans to move forward with these goals?