Competitive Strategy

  1. Formulating Business-Level Strategy
    1. Generic Competitive Strategies
      1. Cost Leadership Strategy
        1. Sources of Cost Advantage
          1. Economies of Scale
            1. Learning Curve Effects
              1. Production Techniques
                1. Input Costs
                  1. Capacity Utilization
                    1. Operational Efficiency
                    2. Implementation Requirements
                      1. Organizational Structure
                        1. Control Systems
                          1. Culture and Skills
                          2. Risks of Cost Leadership
                            1. Technological Change
                              1. Imitation by Competitors
                                1. Focus on Cost vs. Value
                              2. Differentiation Strategy
                                1. Bases of Differentiation
                                  1. Product Features
                                    1. Customer Service
                                      1. Brand Image
                                        1. Technology
                                          1. Distribution Channels
                                            1. Timing
                                            2. Creating Perceived Value
                                              1. Implementation Requirements
                                                1. Innovation Capabilities
                                                  1. Marketing Excellence
                                                    1. Quality Systems
                                                    2. Risks of Differentiation
                                                      1. Imitation Threats
                                                        1. Changing Customer Preferences
                                                          1. Cost-Benefit Trade-offs
                                                        2. Focus Strategies
                                                          1. Focused Cost Leadership
                                                            1. Target Segment Selection
                                                              1. Cost Optimization for Niche
                                                              2. Focused Differentiation
                                                                1. Unique Value for Segment
                                                                  1. Specialized Capabilities
                                                                  2. Market Niche Analysis
                                                                    1. Risks of Focus Strategies
                                                                      1. Market Size Limitations
                                                                        1. Vulnerability to Broad-Based Competitors
                                                                          1. Segment Evolution
                                                                      2. Strategic Positioning Challenges
                                                                        1. The "Stuck in the Middle" Problem
                                                                          1. Causes and Consequences
                                                                            1. Performance Implications
                                                                              1. Avoiding Strategic Traps
                                                                              2. Integrated Cost Leadership/Differentiation
                                                                                1. Conditions for Success
                                                                                  1. Balancing Cost and Differentiation
                                                                                    1. Implementation Challenges
                                                                                      1. Mass Customization Approaches
                                                                                    2. Strategic Choice Factors
                                                                                      1. Industry Structure Influence
                                                                                        1. Resource and Capability Constraints
                                                                                          1. Competitive Dynamics
                                                                                            1. Customer Requirements
                                                                                              1. Stakeholder Expectations