Generic business level strategies

  1. Identify an industry (ie, automotive, beverage, technology, grocery, etc.).
  2. Give an example of companies using each of the four generic business level strategies within your selected industry (cost leadership, differentiation, focused cost leadership, focused differentiation). One company per strategy.
  3. Give an example of a best cost strategy company within your industry. This must be a different company than those used in #2. (Chapter 5, section 5 and 5.1, p. 161).
  4. Identify a company within your industry considered to be stuck in the middle. This must be a different company than those used in #2 and #3. Is that company still in existence? Why or why not did that company survive?
  5. Of your given examples (you should have 6 different companies), which strategies seem to be most effective for creating competitive advantage within your industry? Which strategies seem to be least effective for creating competitive advantage within your industry?

Sample Solution