There are several factors that can contribute to a firm’s ability to be competitive in its industry. Building blocks of a competitive advantage include efficiency, quality, innovation, and responsiveness to customers. A firm with a competitive advantage may experience higher profits than the average profit in the industry while competing for the same customers. In the case of Honda, this is true. Honda has many distinctive competencies based on its resource and capabilities that allow it to have a competitive advantage in the auto manufacturing industry. Three areas that give Honda a competitive advantage in the auto industry include Honda’s engineering and design, research and development, and brand equity. Honda is unique in that its corporate structure is made of three companies. Honda Research and Development is in charge of research and development of innovative products for the company. Honda Motor produces, sells, and services the all Honda products. Honda Continue reading
Business Strategies
What is First Mover Advantage? Definition & Examples
In the business world that is characterized by cutthroat competition, businesses do whatever is in their capacity to gain a competitive advantage. One of the common desires for any business is to dominate an industry or a region by being the first to enter into the specific business area. As a business concept, first mover advantage is a highly preferred concept where businesses seek to dominate given business areas by being the pioneers. Although many examples show first mover advantage is not always the best, there are equally many success stories of being the pioneers in a given business area. Firstly, from a management viewpoint, any business that acquires customers in an area where other companies have not been established ends up being the market leader as the pioneer in the given business area. Such an organization has the technological leadership of the products it creates. The process of developing Continue reading
Case Study of Dyson: Competitive Advantage through Innovation
Dyson, an electrical manufacturer, is solely owned by Sir James Dyson, and its headquarters are based in Malmsbury, Wiltshire. Dyson was the first company to introduce a bagless solution to conventional vacuum cleaners. After securing a significant market share in the vacuum cleaner industry, the company decided to diversify in to new products and countries. Dyson’s vision is to make products more environmentally friendly and easy to use; his ongoing mission is to promote design and innovation through the production of his products. Today Dyson has a presence in 45 countries and still maintain a 46 % and 32% share in the UK and US Vacuum cleaner market, respectively. Dyson has strong brand recognition, as the qualities projected by James Dyson become associated with the product itself. The product is instantly identifiable by the brand name, because of the innovative design portrayed. Even though Dyson is a leading vacuum cleaner Continue reading
The Role of Strategic Leadership in Change Management
Strategic Leadership The term ‘strategy’ is very common in the business world today. However, the word ‘strategy’ has been broadly used that it has lost clear meaning. Despite the significance of strategy, there is astoundingly little consensus on what it means. Nonetheless, the fact is that behind every success, there must be a strategy. A strategy is an ambiguous term normally linked to long-term planning, prearranged goals, and a preferred system of creating a balance between the organizational resources and externalities. The contemporary schools of thought in strategic management strongly suggest that strategy should be comprehended as the creation of the organization’s goals, which is realized through joint effort, regarded as a constant process, and distinctive strategic vision and core values are terms that are often used in strategic management. Strategic vision refers to the executive views on the long-term direction. On the other hand, core values are the principles and Continue reading
Analysis of Competitive Position Using Porter’s Five Forces Model
Michael Porter’s Five-Forces Model of competitive analysis is a widely used approach for developing strategies in many industries as the intensity of competition among firms varies widely across industries. According to Porter, the nature of competitiveness in an industry can be viewed as a composite of five forces: rivalry among competing firms, potential entry of new competitors, potential development of substitute products, bargaining power of suppliers and bargaining power of consumers. There are 3 steps to use Porter’s Five Forces Model can reveal whether competition in a given industry is such that the firm can make an acceptable profit. Firstly, identify key aspects or elements of each competitive force that impact the firm. Secondly, evaluate how strong and important each element is for the firm. Lastly, decide whether the collective strength of the elements is worth the firm entering or staying in the industry. Rivalry among the competing firms is Continue reading
Case Study: Success Story of Exxon Mobil
Exxon Mobil Corporation (Exxon Mobil) is an integrated oil and gas company based in the US. It is engaged in exploration and production, refining, and marketing of oil and natural gas. The company is also engaged in the production of chemicals, commodity petrochemicals, and electricity generation. The company operates across the globe. It is headquartered in Irving, Texas and employs about 80,000 people. Exxon Mobil operates through three segments: upstream, downstream, and chemicals. The upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. The company’s upstream business has operations in 36 countries and includes five global companies. These companies are responsible for the corporation’s exploration, development, production, gas and power marketing, and upstream-research activities. The company’s upstream portfolio includes operations in the US, Canada, South America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Australia, the Middle East, Russia, the Caspian, and Africa. The company’s downstream activities include refining, supply, and fuels marketing. Continue reading