Five Forces Analysis

Read the article “The Five Competitive Forces that Shape Strategy” and fill out the blank in the slide template, using Apple case facts about PC industry.

1. Identify industry or segment boundaries that you will analyze. (fill out the blank left above.)
2. Identify players in each Force using case facts.
3. Assess level of threat, power, intensity of each force using case facts and 5 forces concepts. (i.e., high/ moderate/ low)
4. Make final assessment of how attractive the industry is in which to compete, using results of 5 Forces analysis to support your view. (Decide whether “attractive” or “not attractive.” Briefly support your decision in one sentence, using the intensity of each force.)
5. Identify the strategic implications for the firm. (Provide your argument about how this analysis can help CEO to make his/her strategy. Maximum 3 sentences)

You may use the font size-9 in the PPT template for your convenience. Please submit a hardcopy in the beginning of next class.

1. Slide #2 VRIS Analysis

Please read the article “Competing on Resources” and follow instructions below, using case facts of Apple (2015):

1. (First column) Identify resources and capabilities (not products, but tangible or intangible resources like patents, knowledge, designers, or etc.) – 4 points
2. (First column) Are the resource & capabilities specific enough that they wouldn’t fit any other company? (just brief comments on the uniqueness of the resource & capabilities)
3. (Second through fourth columns) Evaluate each resource & capabilities using VRIS (choose Yes or No)
4. (Fifth column) Properly identify the competitive consequences (based on the VRIS, decide possible competitive results (choose one among “competitive disadvantage,” “competitive parity,” “temporary competitive advantage,” “sustainable competitive advantage.”)
5. Identify the strategic consequences for the firm (e.g., what resources and capabilities does the firm need to develop, protect, invest in, etc.) Please write down short arguments on strategic implications from your VRIS analysis.

1. Slide #3 Generic Strategies

Please read the article “Types of strategy: Which strategy fits your business? (HBSP)” and follow instructions below, using case facts of Apple (2015):

1. Identify business segment or industry that you are analyzing. You can choose one of Apple’s business segments. For instance, if you choose smart phone industry, then your analysis includes Apple and its competitors, such as Samsung, Lenovo, Huawei, LG, and etc. Otherwise, you can choose other industry. Please pick only one segment/industry and do not mix them.
2. Identify the generic strategy of the Apple’s segment that you picked. (Choose one among cost leadership, differentiation, and focused cost leadership, focused differentiation, or integrated strategy).
3. Place the Apple’s logo on the graph.
4. Place the competitor’s company logo on the graph.
5. Justify why you think that Apple selected the strategy that you identified (strategic implication).

1. Strategic Implications from tying the analyses together

You may read the article, “Creating Competitive Advantage.”

1. Try to integrate above three strategy frameworks to understand the Apple’s competitive advantage.
2. Based on your analysis (Slide #1, #2, #3), please briefly explain strategic implications about Apple’s business strategy.