Case Studies

Question 1

What is the cola wars case an example of?

Answer 1

Sustainable competitive advantage -> Market power

Question 2

Analyse the porters 5 forces for Coke and Pepsi

Answer 2

Threat of new entrants - low 
Bargaining power of buyers - med
Threat of substitute - low
Bargaining power of suppliers - low 
Rivalry - high

Question 3

Apply the VIRO framework to amazon go

Answer 3

Value - offline data, account, freedom
Rarity - pioneer, new tech/data
Imitability - yes, short-term advantage
Organisation - no but hiring + acquisition

Question 4

What are the core competencies of amazon?

Answer 4

Proving largest selection of items available online and superior IT systems and customer services

Question 5

Compare the value chain of amazon with amazon go? What are the issues?

Answer 5

Amazon - operations, service, procurement

Amazon go - technological development

Question 6

What should amazon go do to maintain its competitive advantage?

Answer 6

SWOT

Question 7

What are the sources of trader joe’s competitive advantage?

Answer 7

Sourcing seasonal products
Advertising - loyalty scheme
Affluent areas
Cannot imitate brand

Question 8

Is their competitive advantage sustainable?

Answer 8

video

Question 9

What is Kodak an example of?

Answer 9

Declining industry

Core capabilities become core rigidities

Question 10

Why did blockbuster not survive the competition with Netlix?

Answer 10

Large investments in items (DVDs)
Blockbuster - no innovation or exploration, core capabilities become core rigidities
Netflix - example of ambidexterity, using experimentation and testing for exploration

Question 11

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Barnes and Noble e-book market?

Answer 11

Strengths - wide availability

Weaknesses

Question 12

What could you advise Barnes and Noble on their strategy?

Answer 12

Unique deals with book sellers