Value Chain Competitive Advantage - 1444 Words

Value Chain as Competitive Advantage If a firm sustain profits that exceed the industry average, said firm is said to have a competitive advantage. The goal of any given business strategy is to achieve a competitive advantage. Moreover, the goal of a successful business strategy is a sustainable competitive advantage. The question is how does a firm create that competitive advantage? According to Michael Porter, to achieve a competitive advantage, a firm must perform one or more value creating activities in a way that creates more overall value than competitors (1985). The purpose of this paper is to examine how the value chain creates competitive advantages. It will review the concepts of the value chain, the inter-relationship of these†¦show more content†¦Value Chain First suggested by Michael Porter, the value chain is defined as internal processes or activities a firm performs â€Å"to design, produce, market, deliver and support its product† (IMA, 1996, p.1). How the firm’s value chain performs its activities is a reflection of â€Å"its history, its strategy, its approach to implementing its strategy, and the underlying economies of the activities themselves† (p.1). Achieving a competitive advantage starts with a clear view of the current performance of the value chain. Porter’s value chain approach aid firms in identifying the areas in which they can derive the most benefit from analytics and operations research. By dividing the firm’s activities into two main categories (primary and support activities), a firm can analyze the interdependent activities as well as the linkages that connect these activities. According to Porter, â€Å"careful management of linkages is often a powerful source of competitive a dvantage because of the difficulty rivals have in perceiving them†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Poppelaars, 2013). The net result of the value chain is the creation of margin potential which translates into a competitive advantage. Competitive Advantage Competitive advantages are created in several forms; differentiation, low costs or both. Differentiation refers to products or services with a perceived higher quality, fewer risks and outperforms competitor products. Differentiation strategies include cost leadership, customer experience,

Augustus Caesars Foreign Policy Defensive imperialism or aggressive conquest Free Essay Example, 2500 words

Example of wars of conquest includes the war with King Philip the 5th of Macedonia, and King Antiochus the 3rd of Syria. To fully understand the foreign policies of Augustus Caesar, it is important to understand the manner in which he took power in Rome. To become the 1st Roman Empire, Augustus Caesar had to exterminate all his potential rivals, and this includes Mark Anthony, the Roman general who served under Julius Caesar. Augustus Caesar had to convince the senate to wage war against Egypt under the leadership of Cleopatra. This was a war against Mark Anthony, mainly because Egypt was under his protection (Morley, 24). This was the first war of conquest that Mark Anthony initiated, and the aim was to conquer Egypt and exterminate all his rivals to the throne of Rome. It is important to denote that Augustus was successful in this initiative, and he managed to take Egypt, and upon his coronation as an Emperor, he made Egypt his special province that was not governed by a Governor, but by a special prefect appointed by him. This prefect was directly answerable to Caesar, and thus ensuring his absolute control of Egypt. We will write a custom essay sample on Augustus Caesar's Foreign Policy: Defensive imperialism or aggressive conquest or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now It is important to denote that Egypt was very special and important to Augustus, mainly because it had the treasures and resources that enabled him to pay his army. Barrett (462) explains that it was a rule that anytime the legions of Augustus Caesar conquered any place, these were able to invoke the name of his title, and called him the supreme commander. Through this law, Augustus Caesar wanted to be associated with every victory his soldiers were able to acquire. Roth (188) further explains that by the year 12 BC, Augustus Caesar managed to conquer at least 21 territories, and in all these territories, his armies proclaimed the title, supreme commander. Furthermore, Augustus was able to promote the concept that the ways of life of the Romans were superior when compared to other ways of life. Furthermore, the emperor believed that the Romans were given the task and duty of ruling the entire world (Wilkinson, 39). Fuhrmann (53) explains that Augustus believed that to rule the world, the Romans had to use strength. It is based on this philosophy that the armies of Augustus Caesar were encouraged and motivated to invade new areas that were not under the jurisdiction of the Roman Empire. Gibbon (53) explains that one of the major characteristics of a state that engages in an aggressive conquest is a tendency of developing policies aimed at making the citizens of the state under consideration as superior to the citizens of other states.

Investigating Staff And Children s Perceptions Of...

This research project will investigate staff and children’s perceptions of inclusion of children with special educational needs (SEN) across year three. It will consider whether the inclusive methods used by staff are effective, with reference to psychological theories, relevant legislation and recent research. The project will take place at a three form entry junior school where I am a teaching assistant. It will involve a range of school staff and pupils from Year Three. The enquiry will be based around perceptions gained through a range of interviews, questionnaires and observations. Therefore permission from the parents of the children involved will be required and informed consent given due to their age. Similarly, consent will be required from all adult participants involved. The effectiveness of inclusion will be measured by the extent to which participants feel children with SEN are included within the classroom setting. The researcher will take observations from a series of lessons, which will also be recorded. Another teaching assistant will then observe the recordings and give feedback to provide another viewpoint, or rather ‘investigator triangulation’, consequently reducing researcher bias (Thomas, 2013, p.146). This area of research is of particular interest to the researcher, firstly because inclusion is widely recognised by the National Curriculum. It highlights ‘A wide range of pupils have special educational needs’ and consequently, ‘Lessons should beShow MoreRelatedMadison Metropolitan School District18559 Words   |  75 Pagesnew strategies to render the values expressed in their practice more consistent with the educational values they espouse; record their work in a form which is readily available to and understandable by other teachers; and thus develop a shared theory of teaching by researching practice. - John Elliott What is Action Research? | Five Phases of Action Research | Starting Points | Data Collection: The 5 W s and an H | Writing Prompts for Classroom Action Researchers | Ideas for Your Final Write-upRead MoreHistory and Rolls of Law Enforcement in America10094 Words   |  41 Pagesresponses will incorporate knowledge of policing trends and issues gained throughout the course. Followed by a reaction summary. To understand today, you often have to look at yesterday. To grasp the challenges that contemporary policing faces, we need to explore a brief history of law enforcement in the Untied States. It is a story of a countries continuing struggle with law enforcement within a democracy. On the one hand we all want a professional police, with highly trained officers who willRead MoreEssay Paper84499 Words   |  338 Pagesin the glossary are applicable only to uniformed personnel. AR 690–600 contains similar terms that are applicable to Department of Defense civilians. Proponent and exception authority. The proponent of this regulation is the Deputy Chief of Staff, G–1. The proponent has the authority to approve exceptions or waivers to this regulation that are consistent with controlling law and regulations. The proponent may delegate this approval authority, in writing, to a division chief within the proponentRead More2006 Arroyo Case Study31910 Words   |  128 PagesMeasurement, Analysis, and Review of Organizational Performance †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Information and Knowledge Management †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 16 17 Category 5—Human Resource Focus 5.1 5.2 5.3 Work Systems†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Staff Learning and Motivation †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Staff Well-Being and Satisfaction †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 19 21 24 Category 6—Process Management 6.1 6.2 Health Care Processes †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Support Processes and Operational Planning †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 25 29 Read More2006 Arroyo Case Study31910 Words   |  128 Pages4.1 4.2 Measurement, Analysis, and Review of Organizational Performance †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Information and Knowledge Management †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 16 17 Category 5—Human Resource Focus 5.1 5.2 5.3 Work Systems†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Staff Learning and Motivation †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Staff Well-Being and Satisfaction †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 19 21 24 Category 6—Process Management 6.1 6.2 Health Care Processes †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Support Processes and Operational Planning †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 25 29 Category 7—ResultsRead MoreAdvancing Effective Communicationcommunication, Cultural Competence, and Patient- and Family-Centered Care Quality Safety Equity53293 Words   |  214 PagesAdvancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient- and Family-Centered Care A Roadmap for Hospitals Quality Safety Equity A Roadmap for Hospitals Project Staff Amy Wilson-Stronks, M.P.P., Project Director, Health Disparities, Division of Quality Measurement and Research, The Joint Commission. 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Porter free essay sample

Porters Five Forces Analysis Threat of New Entry There are many companies manufacturing and selling office products at an International level. New entrants can find it easy to enter and establish their position In the market by basing their strategy on low cost. The market offers growth opportunities to new entrants as well Indicating low entry barriers for the firms wanting to enter into the area of office products. Therefore It can be stated that Staples Inc Is operating In an Industry where the threat of new entry Is high. Buyer power The bargaining power of buyers Is determined In an Industry on the basis of the Influence that they can have on the price structure of the products of a firm. In case of organizations manufacturing office related products the issue they are facing is that few of the products that they are manufacturing are easily available in the market, such as stationery items. Staples Inc is dealing with medium organizations and fortune 1000 companies as customers of their products. They need to provide these organizations with a competitive price structure or the customers can shift to another company for the supply of office items. But the company also has an dvantage that it provides them with products that have unique designs and packaging. Therefore it can be stated that Staples Inc is operating in an industry where the customers have moderate bargaining power. Supplier Power There are many suppliers operating in the industry of office supplies and office related products. The large number of suppliers has resulted in low level of bargaining power of suppliers. The companies that are manufacturing the office related products can select the suppliers that offer them the most suitable package. In case of Staples Inc they have strong ties with their suppliers and are taking dvantage from a network of supply parties that maintain the effective flow of raw materials being supplied to the company. Threat of Substitutes There are many companies manufacturing office related products and offering them at a lower cost than the price charged by Staples Inc for their products. This situation has resulted in moderate level of threat of substitutes. In case If an organizations is not satisfied with the price structure offered by Staples Inc for their products, It can opt for other companies which are manufacturing slmllar products and charging less for them. Threat of Competitors The Industry In which Staples Inc Is operating In, It has many small and large scale companies. Therefore the Industry has a high level of threat of competitors. Staples Inc Is dealing with competitors such as Office Depot Inc OfficeMax Inc (Staples Inc TOP competitors, 2011). PESTEL Analysis Political Factors The political disturbance in US or in other countries of the world disrupts the supply and manufacturing process of Staples Inc. Other political factors such as changes in tne rules ana pollcles developed Dy OITTerent governments 0T tne world In wnlcn Staples Inc has its stores also have an impact on the profitability of the organization. Economic Factors Financial condition of a country has an influence on the price and purchase of the raw material, manufacturing of the number of products and buying behaviour of the people. Staples Inc also faced problems due to global financial crisis. Abelson (2008) has reported that due to the economic crisis, Staples Inc had to take steps such as decreasing the rate of capital investment for manufacturing of certain products which were facing low demand due to recession. One of the products that were ompromised on during economic downturn was office furniture, as the sales of these products had declined and customers were avoiding the purchase of these items. Social Factors Many organizations around the world have been trying to bring in changes in their set up and to participate in activities that are a reflection of corporate social responsibility. Staples Inc has also been focusing on participating in community building activities to create a positive image in the mind of the consumers. Staples Inc has been trying to share in the process of community development by providing unds for social causes and benefit of the people (What is Staples Soul, 2010). Technological Factors Staples Inc is a supplier of computer related products and also offers after sales services related to these products to the organizations that are their customers. Technological changes and advancements enable the company to bring in necessary modifications and provide its customers with the latest version of the computer and its related accessories. Technological factors have a significant impact on the production of Staples Inc as they can not only develop new product designs but also evelop low cost manufacturing means. Environmental Factors Many organizations around the world have been required to alter their business processes top meet the policies developed by the governments and environmental protection agencies. As stated by the annual report of the company, the Race to the Top strategy applied by the management of the company is a reflection of the efforts they have been putting in to obtain a competitive position in the market through effective business practices and environment friendly products (Staples, Inc Annual Report, 2010). Legal Factors Staples Inc is currently dealing with legal issues related to the lawsuits filed by its employees with the claim that the organization has been indulging in unjust business practices. For instance the company had to manage the case in which claim was made that it was not paying the workers with over time charges (Lawsuits: Staples Inc, 2007). Along with that the company has also been dealing with the patent issues. These issues not only portray a negative image of the company in front of the public but also require capital investment by the company.