Michael Porter Five Competitive Forces Model: approach to analyze the nature and intensity of competition in a given industry in terms of five major forces:
Rivalry. Extent to which competitors use tactics as price competition, product innovations, advertising, service, etc.
Bargaining power of customers. Customers force price reductions or negotiate increases in product quality and service at the same price.
------ of suppliers. Suppliers threaten price increases and/or reductions in quality of goods or services.
Threat of new entrants. Bid prices down or cause incumbents to increase costs in order to maintain market position.
Threat of substitute products or services. Availability of substitutes limits the prices that can be charged.
Portfolio Strategy Approaches
Analyze organization’s mix of businesses in terms of bouth individual and collective contributions to strategic goals.
Approaches:
BCG (Boston Consulting Group) growth-share matrix. – Compares various businesses in an organizations’ portfolio on the basis of relative market share and market growth rate. (Stars, Question marks, Cash Cows, Dogs)
The GE business screen – General Electric and McKinsey and Co. – a nine-cell matrix that is based on long-term industry attractiveness and on business strength
Product/market evaluation matrix – a 15 cell matrix (by Hofer) – businesses are plotted according to their strengths, or competitive positions, and the industry stage in a evolutionary product/market life cycle.
Managerial Decision Making
Decision making – the process through which managers identify organizational problems and attempt to resolve them.
Model of process:
Identify the problem –
Scanning, categorization, diagnosis stages
Generate alternative solutions –
Importance of alternatives
Evaluate and choose among alternative solutions –
Consideration of feasibility, quality, acceptability, costs, and reversibility
Implement and monitor the chosen solution.
Careful planning, design of follow-up mechanisms
Types of problems decision-makers face
Crisis problem – a serious difficulty requiring immediate action
Non-crisis problem – an issue that requires resolution but does not simultaneously have the importance and immediacy characteristics of a crisis
Opportunity problem – a situation that offers a strong potential for significant organizational gain if appropriate actions are taken.
Types of models of decision making
The rational model – managers are almost perfect information handlers and, therefore, make optimal decisions.
Nonrational models – information gathering and –processing limitations make it difficult for managers to make optimal decisions.
Group decision-making
Adv – more info is gathered on an issue, an increased number of alternatives potentially can be developed, greater acceptance and understanding of the final; decisions are likely, members develop knowledge and skills for future use.
DisAdv – time consuming, disagreement may delay decision making, and cause hard-feelings, discussion may be dominated by one or a few group.