Answer the following questions: (Minimum 250 words per answer)

1. Locate an organization in the news and explain how it is trying to create value and competitive advantage in its sector.

2. When evaluating an organization, what political and ethical factors must be taken into account?

Answer the following questions: (Minimum 150 words per answer)

3. Explain the importance of analyzing and understanding the firm’s external environment.

4. Define and describe the general environment and the industry environment.

5. Discuss the four parts of the external environmental analysis process.

6. Name and describe the general environment’s seven segments.

7. Identify the five competitive forces and explain how they determine an industry’s profitability potential.

8. Define strategic groups and describe their influence on firms.

9. Consider a specific sector of the transportation industry – airlines, railroad, trucking, shipping, or multimodal. How have external operating environment factors affected the sector’s performance?

References:

Hitt, M.A., Ireland, R.D., & Hoskisson, R.E. (2015). Strategic management: Competitiveness and globalization (11th ed). Stamford, CT: Cengage.