University of huddersfield | How A Company/Organisation Attempts To Achieve Sustainable Competitive Advantage | The Application of Relevant Theory to the Eddie Stobart Group | | Author: Andrew Yelland
Student Number: U0970411Course: Transport & Logistics ManagementModule: Strategic ManagementModule Tutor: Dr. Andrew JenkinsModule Code: SHT 4002Date: December 2011 | |
Executive Summary |
This report consults literature from a range of academic resources in order to provide an understanding of strategy, strategic management and how firms achieve and sustain a competitive advantage. The paper will focus on Generic strategies implemented by firms in industry, low cost and differentiation.
…show more content…
Henry (2011) refers to Strategic Management as the process that analyses a given situation faced by a company or organisation, and on the basis of the findings of the analysis, formulating a strategy and then finally implement that strategy. Appendix A, a strategic management process model illustrates and underpins this theory. Henry (2011) continues by stating, “the end result is for the organisation or company to achieve competitive advantage over its rivals in industry”.
2. An Academic Discussion of Competitive Advantage and how Competitive Advantage may be Achieved and Sustained 3.1 What is Competitive Advantage
Competitive Advantage can be described when an individual firm or company has a higher profit rate than the average for its industry. Developing this theory, a firm or organisation achieves a sustained competitive advantage when it is able to maintain this high profit rate over a number of years (Hill; Jones 1998).
Porter (2004) refers to Competitive Advantage as at the heart of the firm’s performance in competitive markets. This perception is further developed by Stacey (2003) who places emphasis on strategic choice and the choice implemented by the firm as the main focal driver in order to secure competitive advantage for the organisation. Stacey (2003) adds to this by stating:
“The key concern of strategic choice theory is to identify, secure and sustain an advantage over competitors such that superior performance
Porter, Michael. 1998. “Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance.” 26 Dec, 2011. Free Press, 1998.
Michael Porter investigated why nations have a competitive advantage in specific industries his findings saw two basic types of competitive advantage that firms could pose low cost or differentiation. If you combine the two types of competitive advantage and allow room for a way in which firm wish to achieve them this will lead to three generic strategies which will achieve higher average performances in industries: cost leadership, differentiation and focus.
Thompson, A. A., Peteraf, M. A., Gamble, J. E., & Strickland III, A. (2012). Crafting and executing strategy the quest for competitive advantage concepts
Competitive strategy, after Porter, came to be defined as the strategy of a business unit which seeks to achieve sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA). The literature on strategy deems the market-based view (MBV) and the resource –based view (RBV) as two approaches to giving businesses the competitive edge they need to compete in their industries. Aside from having competitive advantage as their ultimate goal, the two approaches are also similar in the sense that they both make use of particular tools and models in their undertakings. They also differ in numerous ways,
1. What is competitive advantage, and how does it relate to a company’s business model?
Competitive advantage(CA) is an advantage competitors gain by providing or offering customers or consumers greater value for their money through product and service differentiation or through lower prices. Maintaining competitive advantage is crucial to many businesses or organizations' success in order to survive in the market. Competitive advantage is characterized by superior performance which could be an attribute to outperform the competitors whether current or potential; or gaining a higher market share in a particular industry thereby ensuring market leadership; or ultimately, maximization of profit.(JOBBER 2010)
It is essential for the managers and the business owners to ensure that they work in order to create a competitive advantage for the business. This will help the business is differentiating itself from other businesses in the same industry (Gorgievski, et.al, 2011, pp. 209). Furthermore, competitive advantage is something that is the unique point of a business, thus it should be carefully designed and worked upon by the business owners. Successful business owners should be capable enough to develop a unique competitive advantage that will help the company in succeeding in the industry.
Competitive advantage - Competitive advantage is the advantage over a company’s competitors. Competitive advantage is gained by offering customer great value.
The challenge for a marketing strategy is to find a way of achieving a sustainable competitive advantage over the other competing firms in a market. A competitive advantage is an advantage over competitors gained by offering consumers greater value. It has many ways to get the advantage in market. But firstly, Sözeri has to work on some steps to gain competitive advantage.
Competitive advantage is really a position that the company makes return upon its investment that is higher than the price of the expense. Competitive advantage ought to be relevant, distinctive, and environmentally friendly. The word competitive advantage may be the ability acquired through characteristics and resources to do at a greater level compared to others within the same business or marketplace. It is essential mostly simply because that aggressive advantage can make sure that a organization earns extra returns for a longer time of period. Almost just about all businesses need to face rigid competition using their business competition in almost any market these days. Having a benefit over them is not enough to ensure the organization
Several companies strive for a competitive advantage, but very few understand what it is, how to achieve it and how to actually sustain it. Competitive advantage can be viewed as any activity that creates superior value above its rivals. The best competitive advantage is a strategy that cannot be copied by other companies. Competitive advantage can be achieved by offering consumers a better value than the competitors, such as by offering lower prices, or by providing quality services that justify a higher price.
Competitive advantage means superior performance relative to other competitors in the same industry. Every company have to have some strategic capabilities which can deliver the company competitive advantages. After performing
Several companies strive for a competitive advantage, but very few understand what it is, how to achieve it and how to actually sustain it.
A competitive advantage is an advantage over other competitors in the market by being the
“Competitive advantage is the essential companion to the competitive strategy. While competitive strategy concentrates on the industry, competitive advantage concentrates on the firm”