Exam 4: Internal Analysis: Resources, Capabilities, and Core Competencies

Accounting, human resources, and research and development (R&D) are examples of primary activities that add value directly to the value chain.

O'Ryan Plastics maintains a manufacturing plant overseas. The local government has just been overthrown by a military group that opposes foreign influence in the country. According to the SWOT analysis, the political situation in this location is considered to be an

________ describes a process in which the options one faces in a current situation are limited by decisions made in the past.

Leading guitar string producer Wound Up Inc. has enjoyed a competitive advantage based on its proprietary coating that gives its strings a clearer sound and longer lifespan than uncoated strings. One of Wound Up's competitors, however, has recently developed a similar coating using less expensive ingredients, which allows it to charge a lower price than Wound Up for similar-quality strings. Wound Up's competitive advantage is in danger due to

________ are barriers to imitation that prevent rivals from competing away the advantage a firm may enjoy.

Given the accelerated pace of technological change, in combination with deregulation, globalization, and demographic shifts, a firm will be successful today only if its

Elaborate on the resource-based view of competitive advantage.

Your company, a small software development firm, has attracted many of the top young programmers in your area. As a result, the apps you produce have been praised for their innovative features and intuitive user experience. According to the bathtub metaphor in the dynamic capabilities perspective, what is the best way for you to protect against resource leakage?

Explain how the activities of a firm help in achieving a competitive advantage.

Elaborate on time compression diseconomies.

You are the manager of Impromptu Printing, a leading print shop. Impromptu's resources include a highly experienced staff and state-of-the-art printing presses. However, your closest competition has started to cut into your market share by offering same-day turnaround on most orders. Although your staffing and equipment is not optimized for rapid production, you decide to start offering a same-day guarantee to your customers. According to the resource-based view, what is wrong with this decision?

Superlative Productions spent 10 million dollars to buy the rights to a best-selling novel. The company then prepared for production by hiring a screenwriter to adapt the novel, casting the main roles, renting cameras and other equipment, and scouting locations in southern Arizona. Which of the following pairs of resources are both intangible?

Which of the following provides an example of how a firm's valuable resource can be imitated?

After conducting a SWOT analysis, your firm has decided to focus on addressing issues located in the Weaknesses-Opportunities quadrant. Which of the following steps are you most likely to take?

Which of the following applies to the Strength-Threats quadrant of the SWOT matrix?

In the context of the SWOT matrix, which of the following best exemplifies a firm's internal strength?

In the context of the VRIO Framework, what does a valuable resource mean?

Although True Ion Inc. and One Electro Inc. operate in the same consumer electronic industry, True Ion Inc. has better sales and brand equity. This is attributed to True Ion Inc.'s commitment to innovation. The company has adequate financial and human capital to invest in research and development, an area in which One Electro Inc. lags behind. In this scenario, which of the following critical assumptions of the resource-based view of a firm has been illustrated?

Provide examples of the primary activities in a firm's value chain.

Trendline Architects' core competency is building multi-family housing in urban areas. This competency is based primarily on the decisions made by the company's top management over several years to focus on building in densely populated cities. This process is called