Question Tag: Competitive Strategy

Search 500 + past questions and counting.

MGE – Nov 2014 – L2 – Q3 – Strategic Implementation

Choosing an organizational structure for effective strategic alignment and competitive positioning.

Question

Universal Food Processing Company Plc. is a company in Nigeria engaged in the production of food products and confectioneries. Some of the products are cocoa beverages, candy, food seasoning, and biscuits. Since inception, the company sources most of its raw materials locally and from a West African country. It currently produces 10 different products from different production facilities and is structured along functional lines.

As part of its corporate strategy to consolidate and improve its competitive position, the Board of Directors has resolved to integrate backwards. This decision stems from current challenges with cocoa suppliers, the company’s primary raw material. Due to the Ebola outbreak, supplies from other West African sources have become erratic.

The situation, coupled with competitor activities, has drastically reduced local cocoa supplies. To address this, the company decided to establish cocoa plantations and a cocoa processing plant in Western Nigeria.

To effectively implement this strategy, management has also decided to redesign its organizational structure to support the backward integration strategy and enhance organizational effectiveness.

Required:

a. Identify and explain the types of organizational structures that Universal Food Processing Company Plc. can adopt.
(10 Marks)

b. Advise the company on which of the organizational structures identified will best suit its new strategy, giving reasons for your advice.
(10 Marks)

Answer

Find Related Questions by Tags, levels, etc.

Tags: Backward Integration, Competitive Strategy, Organizational Structure, Strategic Alignment, Supply Chain Management
Level: Level 2

Topic: Strategic Implementation

BMF – May 2016 – L1 – SA – Q10 – Basic Management Functions

This question evaluates the student's knowledge of Porter's Strategic Management Model and which element is not a part of it.

Question

Which of the following is NOT part of Porters’ Model of Strategic Management?
A. The Strategic goal for a company should be to achieve a superior long-term return on investment
B. Strategy must offer a unique value proposition for the customer
C. There should also be a distinctive value chain
D. The selected strategy will not involve some trade-offs
E. There should be continuity of strategic direction

Answer

Find Related Questions by Tags, levels, etc.

Tags: Competitive Strategy, Porter's Model, Strategic Management
Level: Level 1

Topic: Basic Management Functions
Series: MAY 2016

PM – Nov 2018 – L2 – Q6a – Risk Management

Analyze threats due to patent expiration and recommend strategies to maintain profitability for DDD Ltd.

Question

DDD Limited is a relatively small, specialist manufacturer of chemicals used in the pharmaceutical industry. It does not manufacture pharmaceutical products itself but modifies raw materials sourced from large chemical companies using patented processes before selling them to pharmaceutical companies. Several patents are due to expire in the next three years.

The following are some key points regarding the company:

DDD’s customers are large pharmaceutical companies under pressure from governments to reduce drug prices.
DDD has experienced high profit margins due to the protection provided by its patents.
The expiration of these patents poses a threat to DDD’s business, with customers pressuring for lower prices.

Required:
a. Advise the Board of Directors on the possible threats related to the expiration of patents.
(7 Marks)

b. Appraise suitable courses of action DDD might take to maintain its profits in light of the threats identified in part (a).
(8 Marks)

Answer

Find Related Questions by Tags, levels, etc.

Tags: Competitive Strategy, Patent Expiry, Profit Maintenance, Threats
Level: Level 2

Topic: Risk Management
Series: NOV 2018

CSEG – May 2016 – L2 – Q6c – Analysing the external environment

Identify and explain five determinants of barriers to entry for new entrants into an industry, focusing on factors that protect existing firms from new competitors.

Question

A new entrant into an industry will bring extra capacity and more competition and so could, in turn drive down profits. The strength of the threat posed by new entrants is likely to vary from one industry to another and depends on the strength of the barriers to entry and the likely response of existing competitors to the new entrant.

Required: Identify and explain FIVE determinants of barriers to entry to new entrants into an industry. (10 marks)

Answer

Find Related Questions by Tags, levels, etc.

Tags: Barriers to entry, Competitive Strategy, Industry Analysis, Market structure, Porter’s Five Forces
Level: Level 2

Topic: Analysing the external environment
Series: MAY 2016

CSEG – May 2017 – L2 – Q4a – Strategic management in the globalized workplace

Discuss the factors in Porter’s Diamond of national advantage that determine the competitiveness of West African countries.

Question

Persiba IT Limited (PIL) started operations 10 years ago in Ghana providing a wide range of information technology solutions to diverse clientele. Mr. Quainoo, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the company, recently has been contemplating venturing into other West African markets to take advantage of untapped opportunities. This is also to strengthen the competitive position of PIL since Ghanaian market growth is beginning to slow down and competition is getting keener.

At the 2016 second quarter Board meeting, the CEO tabled his proposal for consideration and board’s input before the document was finalized. During the Board discussions Prof Amartey, who lectures Corporate Strategy, suggested to the CEO to use Porter’s Diamond of national advantage to assess competitive advantage of the other West African countries the company intends to enter. Prof. Amartey also mentioned to the CEO that companies that compete in the global marketplace typically face two types of competitive pressures: pressures for cost reductions or global integration and pressures to be locally responsive.

The cost reduction-local responsiveness dilemma shapes and results in four basic international strategies – international, global, multidomestic, and transnational – which the CEO should consider in making the choice.

Required:

Discuss how the FOUR factors in the Porter’s Diamond of national advantage determine competitiveness of the other West African countries on the global stage. (8 marks)

Answer

Find Related Questions by Tags, levels, etc.

Tags: Competitive Strategy, International Expansio, National Advantage, Porter’s Diamond
Level: Level 2

Topic: Strategic management in the globalized workplace
Series: MAY 2017

CSEG – Nov 2017 – L2 – Q5b – Strategic alternatives, analysis and selection

Identify and explain five competitive advantages associated with being a first mover in product innovation.

Question

Innovation can be a major source of competitive advantage for business firms, even though it comes with a burden of cost and uncertainty. Management would have to decide whether it would be a leader or follower in the industry regarding innovation.

Required:

State FIVE competitive advantages associated with being a first mover in product innovation in an industry. (5 marks)

Answer

Find Related Questions by Tags, levels, etc.

Tags: Competitive Strategy, First Mover Advantage, Innovation
Level: Level 2

Topic: Strategic alternatives, analysis and selection
Series: NOV 2017

MGE – Nov 2014 – L2 – Q3 – Strategic Implementation

Choosing an organizational structure for effective strategic alignment and competitive positioning.

Question

To effectively implement this strategy, management has also decided to redesign its organizational structure to support the backward integration strategy and enhance organizational effectiveness.

Required:

a. Identify and explain the types of organizational structures that Universal Food Processing Company Plc. can adopt.
(10 Marks)

b. Advise the company on which of the organizational structures identified will best suit its new strategy, giving reasons for your advice.
(10 Marks)

Answer

Find Related Questions by Tags, levels, etc.

Tags: Backward Integration, Competitive Strategy, Organizational Structure, Strategic Alignment, Supply Chain Management
Level: Level 2

Topic: Strategic Implementation

BMF – May 2016 – L1 – SA – Q10 – Basic Management Functions

This question evaluates the student's knowledge of Porter's Strategic Management Model and which element is not a part of it.

Question

Answer

Find Related Questions by Tags, levels, etc.

Tags: Competitive Strategy, Porter's Model, Strategic Management
Level: Level 1

Topic: Basic Management Functions
Series: MAY 2016

PM – Nov 2018 – L2 – Q6a – Risk Management

Analyze threats due to patent expiration and recommend strategies to maintain profitability for DDD Ltd.

Question

The following are some key points regarding the company:

DDD’s customers are large pharmaceutical companies under pressure from governments to reduce drug prices.
DDD has experienced high profit margins due to the protection provided by its patents.
The expiration of these patents poses a threat to DDD’s business, with customers pressuring for lower prices.

Required:
a. Advise the Board of Directors on the possible threats related to the expiration of patents.
(7 Marks)

b. Appraise suitable courses of action DDD might take to maintain its profits in light of the threats identified in part (a).
(8 Marks)

Answer

Find Related Questions by Tags, levels, etc.

Tags: Competitive Strategy, Patent Expiry, Profit Maintenance, Threats
Level: Level 2

Topic: Risk Management
Series: NOV 2018

CSEG – May 2016 – L2 – Q6c – Analysing the external environment

Identify and explain five determinants of barriers to entry for new entrants into an industry, focusing on factors that protect existing firms from new competitors.

Question

Required: Identify and explain FIVE determinants of barriers to entry to new entrants into an industry. (10 marks)

Answer

Find Related Questions by Tags, levels, etc.

Tags: Barriers to entry, Competitive Strategy, Industry Analysis, Market structure, Porter’s Five Forces
Level: Level 2

Topic: Analysing the external environment
Series: MAY 2016

CSEG – May 2017 – L2 – Q4a – Strategic management in the globalized workplace

Discuss the factors in Porter’s Diamond of national advantage that determine the competitiveness of West African countries.

Question

Required:

Discuss how the FOUR factors in the Porter’s Diamond of national advantage determine competitiveness of the other West African countries on the global stage. (8 marks)

Answer

Find Related Questions by Tags, levels, etc.

Tags: Competitive Strategy, International Expansio, National Advantage, Porter’s Diamond
Level: Level 2

Topic: Strategic management in the globalized workplace
Series: MAY 2017

CSEG – Nov 2017 – L2 – Q5b – Strategic alternatives, analysis and selection

Identify and explain five competitive advantages associated with being a first mover in product innovation.

Question

Required:

State FIVE competitive advantages associated with being a first mover in product innovation in an industry. (5 marks)

Answer

Find Related Questions by Tags, levels, etc.

Tags: Competitive Strategy, First Mover Advantage, Innovation
Level: Level 2

Topic: Strategic alternatives, analysis and selection
Series: NOV 2017

Question Tag: Competitive Strategy

Filter by Professional Bodies

Filter by Subject

Filter by Series

Filter by Topics

Filter by Levels

MGE – Nov 2014 – L2 – Q3 – Strategic Implementation

Choosing an organizational structure for effective strategic alignment and competitive positioning.

BMF – May 2016 – L1 – SA – Q10 – Basic Management Functions

This question evaluates the student's knowledge of Porter's Strategic Management Model and which element is not a part of it.

PM – Nov 2018 – L2 – Q6a – Risk Management

Analyze threats due to patent expiration and recommend strategies to maintain profitability for DDD Ltd.

CSEG – May 2016 – L2 – Q6c – Analysing the external environment

Identify and explain five determinants of barriers to entry for new entrants into an industry, focusing on factors that protect existing firms from new competitors.

CSEG – May 2017 – L2 – Q4a – Strategic management in the globalized workplace

Discuss the factors in Porter’s Diamond of national advantage that determine the competitiveness of West African countries.

CSEG – Nov 2017 – L2 – Q5b – Strategic alternatives, analysis and selection

Identify and explain five competitive advantages associated with being a first mover in product innovation.

MGE – Nov 2014 – L2 – Q3 – Strategic Implementation

Choosing an organizational structure for effective strategic alignment and competitive positioning.

BMF – May 2016 – L1 – SA – Q10 – Basic Management Functions

This question evaluates the student's knowledge of Porter's Strategic Management Model and which element is not a part of it.

PM – Nov 2018 – L2 – Q6a – Risk Management

Analyze threats due to patent expiration and recommend strategies to maintain profitability for DDD Ltd.

CSEG – May 2016 – L2 – Q6c – Analysing the external environment

Identify and explain five determinants of barriers to entry for new entrants into an industry, focusing on factors that protect existing firms from new competitors.

CSEG – May 2017 – L2 – Q4a – Strategic management in the globalized workplace

Discuss the factors in Porter’s Diamond of national advantage that determine the competitiveness of West African countries.

CSEG – Nov 2017 – L2 – Q5b – Strategic alternatives, analysis and selection

Identify and explain five competitive advantages associated with being a first mover in product innovation.

Our offerings

Contact Info

Customer

Get In Touch