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Questions and Answers

What is primarily addressed by business-level strategy?

  • Selecting main sources of funding
  • How a firm intends to compete in a specific market (correct)
  • Decisions regarding mergers and acquisitions
  • Determining overall company objectives
  • Which of the following options is NOT a component of functional-level strategy?

  • Corporate strategy (correct)
  • Marketing strategy
  • HR strategy
  • Financial strategy
  • How should functional strategies be aligned according to the levels of strategy?

  • They should reflect only the corporate strategy
  • They should operate independently of business strategy
  • They should prioritize short-term financial gains
  • They need to align with both business-level and corporate-level strategies (correct)
  • Which type of demand refers to the actual number of units sold?

    <p>Net demand (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect does financial strategy NOT typically include?

    <p>Decisions about recruitment and training (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of a business-level strategy?

    <p>To gain a competitive advantage by exploiting core competencies. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a broad competitive scope?

    <p>The firm competes in many customer segments. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are potential types of competitive advantage as mentioned by Michael Porter?

    <p>Low cost and differentiation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the role of IT strategy within a firm?

    <p>To provide a framework for IT-related initiatives that support the firm's goals. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of a differentiation strategy?

    <p>Possessing unique product features that allow for premium pricing. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of companies employing a cost leadership strategy?

    <p>They typically earn low margins but achieve high sales volumes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a differentiation strategy, what is the primary goal of a company?

    <p>To create unique products that fulfill valued customer needs. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do focused strategies differ from broad market strategies?

    <p>They concentrate on specific segments or geographic markets. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is crucial for a successful cost focus strategy?

    <p>Having cost advantages in a targeted segment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the concept of economies of scale imply for companies following a cost leadership strategy?

    <p>Reduced costs as production volume increases. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes a Strategic Business Unit (SBU)?

    <p>It is defined by a homogeneous group of activities sharing similar technologies. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately reflects the purpose of business-level strategy?

    <p>It determines how to compete in a specific market while addressing customer needs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do the five forces of competition influence business-level strategies?

    <p>They provide a framework for understanding competitive dynamics and can lead to above-average returns. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a critical risk associated with pursuing a business-level strategy?

    <p>Over-dependence on singular market segments without diversification. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What best describes the relationship between customers and business-level strategies?

    <p>Understanding customers informs the who, what, and how of business-level strategies. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    What is a Strategic Business Unit (SBU)?

    A distinct part of a multi-business company, focused on a specific market or markets with its own vision, mission, and objectives. It operates with independent strategies that are separate from other SBUs within the company.

    Levels of Strategy

    Different levels of strategy that influence an organization's overall direction, from the most encompassing (corporate) to specific details within different business units (functional).

    Corporate-level strategy

    Strategic decisions that affect the entire organization, encompassing overall direction and goals.

    Business-level strategy

    Strategic decisions that focus on how a company competes in a specific market or industry to achieve competitive advantage. It involves choosing the right customer segment, product/service offerings, and competitive approach.

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    Functional-level strategy

    Detailed strategies implemented within each functional area of a business unit, like operations, marketing, human resources, finance, and research & development.

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    Corporate Strategy

    Deciding what business to be in, what market to serve, resource allocation, mergers and acquisitions - all fall under corporate strategy.

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    Financial Strategy

    This includes choosing funding sources, managing the company's own funds, and overall financial planning.

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    HR Strategy

    This involves decisions about recruiting, organizing, and managing employees, including compensation, training, and organizational structure.

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    Competitive Advantage

    A favorable position a company holds over its competitors which allows it to gain and retain customers and outperform them in the marketplace.

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    Cost Leadership

    A strategy where a company aims to have the lowest production and distribution costs in its industry, enabling it to offer the most competitive prices.

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    Differentiation

    A strategy where a company distinguishes its products or services from competitors in ways that customers value and are willing to pay a premium for.

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    Broad Scope

    A strategy where a company targets a wide range of customer segments in a market.

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    Narrow Scope

    A strategy where a company focuses on a specific niche or segment of the market, tailoring its offerings to their particular needs.

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    Cost Leadership Strategy

    A strategy where a company aims to produce goods or services at the lowest cost compared to its competitors, while still maintaining acceptable quality for customers.

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    Differentiation Strategy

    A strategy where a company aims to create a unique product or service that is distinct from its competitors, focusing on aspects that customers value.

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    Focused Strategies

    A strategy where a company concentrates on a specific market segment, either through cost leadership or differentiation.

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    Cost Focus

    A type of focused strategy where a company aims to be the lowest-cost producer within a particular market segment.

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    Why companies like Apple produce in China?

    Apple chooses to manufacture its products in China due to lower labor costs, readily available skilled workforce, and established supply chains. This allows them to maintain costs while still offering differentiated products.

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    Study Notes

    Business-Level Strategy

    • Business-level strategy is an integrated set of commitments and actions to gain a competitive advantage by exploiting core competencies in specific product markets.
    • It is a means of developing a generic strategy.
    • Key Issues in Business-level Strategy: Who will be served? What needs will be satisfied? How will those needs be satisfied?

    Types of Potential Competitive Advantage

    • Low Cost: Achieving lower overall costs than rivals.
    • Differentiation: Possessing the capability to differentiate a firm's product or service and command a premium price.

    Competitive Scope

    • Scope: The number of segments a firm chooses to target.
    • Broad Scope: The firm competes in many customer segments.
    • Narrow Scope or Niche Market: The firm selects a segment or a group of segments in the industry and tailors its strategy to serve them.

    Types of Business-Level Strategies

    • Based on the combinations of competitive scope (broad or narrow market) and basis for customer value (lowest cost or distinctiveness).
      • Cost leadership: Lower overall costs than rivals.
      • Differentiation: Providing unique products or services that are valued by customers.
      • Integrated cost leadership/differentiation: Combining features of both strategies.
      • Focused cost leadership: Low cost in a narrow market.
      • Focused differentiation: Differentiation in a narrow market.

    Cost Leadership Strategy

    • An integrated set of actions to produce goods or services at a low cost.
    • Typically earns low margins but achieves high sales volumes.
    • Economies of scale exist when firm's costs fall as a function of its production volume.
    • Examples: Walmart, KIA, Lenovo, Southwest.

    Differentiation Strategy

    • An integrated set of actions to produce goods or services that customers perceive as different.
    • Firms seek to be unique in attributes that are valued by customers.
    • Examples: Apple, Mercedes-Benz, Saveco.

    Functional-Level Strategy

    • Financial, HR, marketing, operations, and IT strategies that support the corporate and business-level strategies.
    • Important aspects of each:
      • Financial Strategy: Selecting funding source, developing own funds.
      • HR Strategy: Recruiting, organizing staff, compensation, training, and organizational structure.
      • Marketing Strategy: Pricing, promotion, distribution, brand image and public relations.
      • Operations Strategy: Production techniques, use of technology, processes, quality control.
      • IT Strategy: Using information technology to achieve firm goals, including current and future projects with timelines.

    Strategic Business Unit (SBU)

    • A homogeneous group of activities sharing the same technology, resources, skills, and facilities.
    • It's an independent division with its own vision, mission, and objectives.
    • An SBU focuses on a specific market(s) for its products or services.

    Levels of Strategy

    • Corporate-level strategy: Concerns strategic decisions affecting the entire organization; includes decisions about the markets to serve, resource allocation, mergers, and acquisitions.
    • Business-level strategy: How a firm intends to compete in a particular product market.
    • Functional-level strategy: Strategies adopted by each functional area (marketing, finance, HR, etc.) to support the business-level strategy.

    Focused Strategies

    • An integrated set of actions to serve the needs of a particular competitive market segment.
    • Focus can be on a narrow product line, buyer segments, or geographic market.
      • Cost focus: A firm seeks a cost advantage in its target segment.
      • Differentiation focus: A firm seeks differentiation in its target segment.

    Responding to Low-Cost Rivals

    • Strategies to avoid losing customers to low-cost competitors.

    Value-Chain Activities (Differentiation)

    • Detailed examples of activities related to a differentiation strategy are shown and explained..

    Strategy Clock

    • The competitive strategies are positioned on a two-axis chart based on Price and Perceived value.

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