Graded Homework

1 of 10

Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. introduced the first major production mountain bike in 1980. Two-thirds of its profits come from the sale of mountain bikes. It is recognized worldwide for its ability to design and produce superior mountain bikes. This ability is its

customer sustainability.

organizational advantage.

relative competence.

distinctive competence.

superlative advantage.

Question

2 of 10

A sustainable competitive advantage exists for an organization when other companies have tried unsuccessfully to duplicate the advantage and

those companies have been prohibited from duplicating the advantage by federal law.

those companies have, for the moment, stopped trying to duplicate the advantage.

the organization is able to implement exclusive distribution.

the organization operates in the international marketplace.

the organization has a follower strategic stance.

Question

3 of 10

When companies are performing above or better than their strategic reference points, top management is more likely to choose a daring, risk-taking strategy.

True

False

Question

4 of 10

A competitive advantage becomes a sustainable competitive advantage when other companies find it very expensive to duplicate what the company is providing to customers.

True

False

Question

5 of 10

Companies should use their resources to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

True

False

Question

6 of 10

The ____ is a portfolio strategy that managers use to categorize their corporation’s businesses by growth rate and relative market share. This strategy helps them to decide how to invest corporate funds.

investment matrix

SWOT matrix

BCG matrix

portfolio management matrix

Maslow grid

Question

7 of 10

Starbucks, the operator of Starbucks coffeehouses, also markets a line of compilation CDs and other noncoffee items. The making and marketing of the CDs and other noncoffee products would be an example of

related differentiation.

related diversification.

an integrated acquisition.

competency acquisition.

unrelated diversification.

Question

8 of 10

Four conditions must be met if a company’s resources are to be used to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. The resources must be valuable, rare, imperfectly imitable, and nonsubstitutable.

True

False

Question

9 of 10

Companies face very little uncertainty in their strategic business environments.

True

False

Question

10 of 10

Suppose Dow Chemical is conducting a situational analysis. According to its sales, Dow is the second largest chemical company in the world. BASF is the largest. Both companies use a similar strategy. Within Dow’s situational analysis, BASF would be classified as a

cash cow.

primary firms.

unrelated firm.

core firm.

secondary firm.

PART 2- Video Analysis Essay

1. Select Chapter 6.
2. Click “Management Workplace Videos” and watch the video on Theo Chocolate.
3. After reviewing the video and studying Chapter 6, respond to the following four questions in an essay (introduction, body, and conclusion) format. Grading will be based on your ability to incorporate core ideas from the textbook and to respond to each question and activity in a detailed and structured manner.

Video Analysis Essay Questions

Note: Minimum word count for each question is 200 to 250.

1.Provide an overall summary of the video. Provide details and examples to support your answer.

2. 2.Evaluate Theo’s new strategy of attracting a wider customer base. Based on the details provided in Chapter 6, using the SWOT analysis approach provide details regarding the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Provide details to support your response.
4. 3.Based on the details provided in the textbook, define BCG Matrix. Using the BCG Matrix, explain Theo’s decision to offer a classic line of chocolate bars after having limited success with Fantasy Flavor chocolates. Provide details to support your response.
6. 4.Based on the details provided in the textbook, define the three positioning strategies: differentiation, cost leadership, and focus. Which of these three strategies— differentiation, cost leadership, and focus—do you think is best for Theo Chocolate? Explain your response.

References

Barboza, D. (2007, January 5). Google acquires stake in Chinese web site. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/05/technology/06googlecnd.html?_r=0

Heiskanen, V., & Hoffmann, K. (2012, April 12). Cisco to close flip video-camera business as part of revamp. Bloomberg Business Week. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-12/cisco-to-close-flip-video-camera-business-as-part-of-consumer-unit-revamp.html

Higginbotham, S. (2011, April 11). What went wrong and what needs to be fixed. Business Week Retrieved from http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/apr2011/tc2011047_372332.htm

Nanus, B. (1992). Visionary leadership. New York, NY: Jossey-Bass.

Snell, T., & Bateman, S. (2012). Management. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.