There are 6 essay questions

1. The financial crisis of 2008-2010 has been described as a “perfect storm” of unfavorable industry forces.

Concisely describe the industry before the financial crisis using Porter’s 5 forces model. 

Describe how the crisis changed any 3 of the factors in the general environment of the mortgage-backed security industry.

Identify 2 specific examples of industry hyper-competition that contributed to the mortgage-backed security industry’s collapse

1. Document related are attached
2. 2. Analyzing Solar Power
3. Identify 3 of the 7 segments of the general business environment that we discussed in class. Use specific examples from the music recording business to illustrate each segment.

Briefly describe Porter’s 5 forces model and identify each force. Use specific examples from the solar power industry to illustrate each force.

Briefly describe the Value Net and identify each of its 4 major components. Use specific examples from the industry to illustrate each component.

2 Document related are attached, select either Sunpower or first solar.

3. Understanding value creation at Wal-Mart

1. List the 9 components of the value chain and use Wal-Mart to specifically illustrate 7 of the 9 components.

4. Defending Competitive Advantage in Formula 1

Identify 3 factors determine the relative value of a resource to firms, and therefore competitive advantage.  Identify these 3 factors and provide a specific, real-world example of each in the auto racing industry.

1. Identify the 3 basic types of isolating mechanisms and provide a specific, real-world example of each in the auto racing industry.

In class I argued that a resource or capability needs to have 4 characteristics in order to provide a firm with sustainable competitive advantage.  Identify each of these characteristics and provide a specific, real-world example of each, from the auto racing industry.

document”formula 1 ….” is attached 

1. 5. Big-Picture Strategy

Concisely describe the Industrial Organization (I/O), Resource-based and Blue Ocean strategies, and highlight the basic differences among them.

Briefly describe two examples of firms in the food sector using I/O-based tactics.

1. Briefly describe two examples of food sector firms using Resource-based tactics. 

Briefly describe two examples of food sector firms using Blue Ocean tactics.

Note: food sector can include anything touching upon food. Restaurants, retail stores, grocery stores, farmers’ markets… etc. 

6. Understanding the value creation curve

Fung Manufacturing Systems (FMS) produces customized manufacturing systems for industrial manufacturing firms. FMS has hired a consultant to better understand their competitors, learning that their pricing is similar to, but slightly above, their competitors. FMS thinks their pricing is justified because they provide on-site maintenance and troubleshooting for each of their machines, along with a rapid-response option that is highly prized by their customers. They’re in a relatively new industry that is growing quickly, and so FMS is deciding whether to increase, decrease, or maintain their pricing strategy.

First, identify which generic business strategy FMS currently follows and provide evidence to support your choice. Next, evaluate what changes, if any, you recommend – should they increase, maintain, or decrease prices? Support your recommendation using 1-2 real world examples.