Question

Topic: Student Questions

Sustaining Competitve Advantage - Strategic Issues

Posted by Anonymous on 2/9/2005 at 6:51 AM ET 250 Points
Good morning everyone - i was hoping for some assistance.

The question:
Identify the key strategic issues facing an organisation as it seeks to generate and sustain its competitve advantage.

I have done in depth research into two possible organisations, Dyson and smart, as i beleive they are both companies that will provide interesting reading.

I was thinking of a general layout being;
Background of org.
Strategy to achieve SCA
Strategic issues facing org (internal and external)
Conclude - is orgs CA sustainable.

2500 words.

Please could you give me advice in the type of relevent theories and concepts to use, and which company would be the most viable in answering the question.

Regards

Tom
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Chris Blackman on 2/9/2005 at 7:34 AM Accepted
    Which theories do you think you should use?

    Why?

  • Posted by koen.h.pauwels on 3/19/2005 at 9:04 PM Accepted
    Hi,

    I would definitely take a look at Richard D'Aveni's arguments on 'hypercompetition' (eg his book with the same title), which argues that 'sustainable' CA is fictional in most markets: the company should continue to 'outrun' competitors, even while they are trying to catch up. Dell's quality is a good case in point: Michael's initial obsession paid off, but competitors could quickly imitate and catch up, unless Dell continues to get further down the learning curve..
  • Posted by bobhogg on 3/24/2005 at 6:35 AM Member
    Mathew...

    You've had some sound advice already , but let me add my ten-penny-worth!

    First, on your choice of companies - Dyson and smart sound like good choices to me; Ryanair could be interesting in that their somewhat cavalier approach to customers might well cause them problems in a truly open market - however, they do have a competitive advantage in the exclusivity they have negotiated on many of their routes!

    As far as your choice of theories is concerned, again I think your suggestions are sound, but you may also find it worthwhile to read Peter Doyle's approach to "building a competitive advantage" in Chapter 3 of his (excellent) book "Value-based Marketing" (ISBN 0471877271). You might find that you can relate some of Doyle's approach to Porter's Generic Strategies.

    Good luck with the project!
    Bob
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