Publisher: Richard D. Irwin Books, 1997, 296 pages
ISBN: 0-2562-1423-9
Keywords: Strategy
Setting the strategic direction for a business is one of the most complex tasks facing any senior manager. Competitive and Corporate Strategy recognises the link between competitive (business) strategy and corporate strategy and provides a new form of analysis for the role of the corporate centre. This book discusses the responsibilities of the corporation in managing its constituent, profit-making business units in relation to the changing competitive environment.
Cliff Bowman and David Faulkner introduce a number of new tools as the basis for the analysis leading to all major competitive strategic decisions. These tools include the customer matrix (identifying what the customer wants and what the competition is offering), the producer matrix (what the firm needs to be able to do well in terms of its effectiveness and its unit costs) and the risk cube. By identifying the key competences of a corporation, the book provides practical tools to aid the analysis of the competition, to assess the company's ability to meet the needs of the market place, and to maintain and improve its market position.
Moving away from the more theoretical, analytical perspectives that have influenced many strategic management texts, Competitive and Corporate Strategy offers description, analysis and practical demonstrations of the matrices, tools for identifying diversification risk and co-operative strategies and a specific methodology for scenario planning. The text also deals with product and service industries, international aspects and diversification, supported by chapter summaries, illustrations, worked examples and references.
Ideal for strategic management, corporate strategy and business policy courses at MBA and undergraduate levels, as well as for senior managers, Competitive and Corporate Strategy provides a suitable framework for the analysis of problems faced by strategists in real-world situations and will assist managers making realistic strategic and resource decisions.