Week 2 discussion
DQ1 Amazon.com:
Gathering the External and Internal Data
During Week 1, we will be compiling information concerning
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as they relate to Amazon.com.
First, visit the website of Amazon.com:
https://www.amazon.com.
Go to the “Investor Relations” section of the Amazon.com
website (you will find the “Investors” link at the bottom of the page), and
locate the company’s most recent Annual Report. Share with your classmates at
least three (3) key facts, metrics, ratios, or observations as they relate to
some key strength, weakness, opportunity, or threat faced by the company (i.e.,
an internal functional area, a PESTLE force, or one of Porter’s Five Forces).
For example, you might provide a financial ratio along with
your impression as to whether it is a financial weakness or a strength
(Internal Profile), or you might mention how the governmental politics of a foreign
country might be placing one of Amazon’s foreign operations at greater risk
(External Environment).
In the company’s Annual Report, you will find multiple
references to the external environment and extensive self-reported information
and data on the company’s internal functional areas as well. Alternatively,
visit IBISWorld, and type in “E-Commerce and On-line Auctions in the U.S.”
Choose one of Porter’s Five Forces and one of the PESTLE forces, and discuss
how each of these forces influence competition in the E-Commerce and On-line
Auctions industry.
Remember to properly cite your sources. You can also use
current trade journals, business magazines, or newspapers if you like.
The purpose of this week’s Discussion is to locate data or
information from the external environment. Do your best not to duplicate
information that has already been provided by one of classmates.
DQ2 Amazon.com
Completing the SWOT
After reading the key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
and threats presented by your classmates in Week 1, provide your impression as
to whether Amazon.com has more strengths than weaknesses or more weaknesses
than strengths. Do the company’s opportunities (if any) outweigh its threats?
Does Amazon.com have any sustainable competitive advantages (SCA), and if so,
what are they?
Be sure that you respond to at least two of your classmates’
postings. Remember that there are no right or wrong answers; what is important
is that you use critical thinking to support your position, and that you are
able to support your position.
