Assignment:
The background material discussed the process and utility of conducting an internal analysis - particularly with regard to it providing support for the identification of strengths and weaknesses in connection with a SWOT analysis. Two different tools of methods were discussed: The Value Chain Analysis and the Resource Based View.
You will be researching sources of information required to complete a an RBV analysis.
Step One: RBV is based on the concept of the creation of economic rent thought distinctive capabilities. Thus, the first step is to find a way to value a firm's economic rent or Economic Value Added (EVA). A firm's EVA is the amount of capital it generates above and beyond the cost of doing business. Find out how EVA is measured and how you can determine a company's ecomomic rent.
According to RBV, a firm's competitive advantage is driven by its ability to manage its unique capabilities and resources to achieve above average returns.
Step Two: Resources are the inputs into a production process. They can be capital, equipment, patents, skill sets of individual employees and/or managers, financial resources, etc. Resources can be tangible or intangible. Individually, they may not necessarily lead to a competitive advantage, it is how they are used and the synergies they create that make them strategically valuable. Research web and library sources that would give you data on a company's unique resources. Find a minimum of 2 different sources for data and information concerning each of the following 6 resources, and note that some sources may give you information on more than one factor:
Tangible Resources
1. Physical Resources
2. Financial Resources
3. Human Resources
Intangible Resources
1. Technical Resources
2. Intellectual Resources
3. Goodwill
Step Three: Distinctive capabilities are those competencies posessed by a firm that can not be copied or copied only with great difficulty. Research web and library sources that would give you data on a company's unique resources. Find a minimum of 2 different sources for data and information concerning the following:
1. Architecture
2. Reputation
3. Innovation
Step Four: In a 2 page paper (not including cover page or references), list your resources from steps 1-3 above. For each source, provide a brief paragraph explaining what information is available, how it would be useful in an internal analysis, and critiquing the source (for example, What are the limitations of the source? Is one better than the other? Why?)
Expectations:
You may be concise in your presentation of this Project. It does not have to follow the conventions of a written case paper. Tables or bulleted lists may help you present the information concisely and make it easy for the reader to quickly grasp the information. Give the full title of the resource and a URL, if applicable, as you list them. Be sure to provide complete references for each source on a separate reference page.