How sustainable is your competitive advantage?
Article Abstract:
Through strategy, a company seeks to sustain its competitive advantage. Yet only recently has the study of strategy begun to examine how long a specific advantage can be sustained. Based on a study of sustainability patterns in a number of industries, this article shows how the competitive pressures associated with product imitation can be predicted by identifying the core capabilities, or isolating mechanisms, that lie at the heart of a company's advantage. A number of these dynamic core capabilities are classified according to how fast they are duplicated. The imitation of capabilities shapes many strategic decisions in companies, indeed the distinctive character of companies, and that by thinking in these terms managers enhance their company's cohesiveness and responsiveness as they pursue their strategic mission in global markets. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)
Publication Name: California Management Review
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0008-1256
Year: 1992
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Global strategy, competence-building and strategic alliances
Article Abstract:
This article examines the growing phenomenon of firms that rely on a global strategy of building strategic alliances to fill out their product lines and to enter new markets. By relying extensively on licensing, joint ventures, and consortia to secure access to new markets and low cost production, many companies have formed long-standing technology sharing and co-production arrangements with firms in the Far East and Europe. The result has been a gradual but steady decline in these firms' ability to maintain technological and industry initiative to develop the next generation of products and processes in key industries. Firms that are unaware of the risks involved with strategic alliances will eventually lose control over their core competencies and skills when competing in a global environment. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)
Publication Name: California Management Review
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0008-1256
Year: 1992
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Revitalizing American industry: managing in a competitive world economy
Article Abstract:
America is facing intense foreign competition in industry. New management techniques including employee bonus systems and administrative teamwork may help improve the U.S. position in the international marketplace.
Publication Name: California Management Review
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0008-1256
Year: 1984
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