Value Chain Analysis and Competitive Advantage

1033 Words5 Pages
The linkages in value chains can be finely tuned to gain a competitive edge. All firms make decisions that affect their competitive position and profitability. Strategic planning is the organizational process of making these important decisions. It is undertaken in an effort to help the firm position itself against its competitors in the pursuit of competitive advantage. Porter [1] suggests that value chain analysis can be a useful approach in developing strategy. Value chain analysis can be used to formulate competitive strategies, understand the source(s) of competitive advantage, and identify and/or develop the linkages and interrelationships between activities that create value. This paper offers a better understanding of the kinds of linkages and interrelationships that exist or can be developed between value chain activities. Competitive strategies (business strategies) are based on integrating activities in the value chain. For example, within Michelin there is a distinct interconnectedness of R&D, production, marketing, and information systems. Since there are many linkages and interdependencies among activities, the ability to co-ordinate interrelationships is critical to achieving competitive advantage. Integration can increase a firm’s capacity to implement strategies, e.g., respond quickly and effectively to market forces, improve its response to customer needs, and reduce costs. Competitive strategies focus on activities needed to increase the value of a product or service. Porter [2] suggests that in an environment with increasing competition firms may need to co-ordinate the sharing of activities between organizational sub-units. Customer demands and market forces may require that coordination move beyond integration between the traditional departments, product lines, or geographic structure. A firm may need to formulate
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