The diploma thesis focuses on creation of a corporate competitive strategy of the construction company. It contains strategic analysis of the company, which is based on theoretical knowledge in the thesis. It suggests corporate competitive strategy and its implantation on based set company goals and the strategic analysis.

The master’s thesis concerns with a theme of increasing competitiveness of a foreign exchange company. The theoretical part of the work includes knowledge about competitiveness of the company and service specifications. In the practical part knowledge are applied to a specific company. Based on the analysis of the company and her environment are created proposals for increasing competitiveness of the company.

The research explores the competencies that lead to firm success, success defined as the attainment of above-average rents over the long-term. The research asserts that to fully understand how companies come to be successful one needs to adopt a complex understanding of performance led by the internal workings of the firm. This involves identifying how different allocation processes might adapt resources to develop unique organisational competencies.Case study research was the most appropriate methodology to use in studying the internal workings of the firm. The case study focused on a single South African firm and, more specifically, on the competencies within a particular business division. Five competencies were identified and their development and evolution analysed in five historical phases of the organisation.Key findings are summarised as follows: strong leadership was essential in driving a particular strategy that once it became institutionalised developed into a core competence; one of the precursors to the development of competencies was the leaders’ choice of the firm’s positioning on the value chain; a collaborative organisational structure was not necessary for the development or evolution of organisational competencies; external sourcing for competencies was unsuccessful when the acquired competencies were foreign to the existing store of competencies in the organisation; institutionalisation, initially required to develop certain competencies, can inert the evolution of competencies due to perceived threats to existing norms and values in the organisation. The research also explored the development of competencies in an isolated environment which affords time to allocate resources and to develop processes in isolation from external market forces to build unique competencies.The findings contribute to an in-depth understanding of the reasons for the firm’s success as well as contributing to an area of strategy theory that is empirically understudied, particularly in the South African case. The research concludes with suggestions for further research to contribute to this important understudied area. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Electricity retailers have difficulties to differentiate themselves from each other, dueto increased competition and political regulations. The electric energy tradingmarket is facing a paradigm shift.The purpose of this study has been to investigate how a modern electricity retailercan avoid current and forthcoming difficulties within the market and what directionsthey should choose in order to improve their profitability.The study has been conducted using a quantitative and qualitative approach. Thequantitative approached was used to systematically describe all electricity retailersthat exist today in Sweden and collect data for analyzing how profitable they are.Structured interviews were later conducted in order to gather qualitative data fromthe most interesting companies from the quantitative data collection.From the quantitative approach it was found that selling electricity from guaranteeof origin was approximately two to four times more profitable than selling nuclearand fossil produced electricity. The total profits from electricity trading alone issurprisingly low. From the quantitative data sample, it was shown that 50 per centof the electricity retailers earn less than one million SEK and their averageprofitability is approximately 0.28 million SEK.In the qualitative study it was concluded that those who had succeeded with higherprofits were working with services along with the electricity trading. Examples ofsuch services are charity and loyalty programs. It was stated in the interviews thatthe profits are still low and will remain low if solely rely on electricity trading. Ittakes at least four years for a customer to be profitable. The most promisingsolution to avoid getting stuck in the middle is to expand their business withproducts together with services, servitization. If the electricity retailers shouldexpand their businesses with selling products together with services related toelectricity, servitization, they should also position themselves with a certaincompetitive strategy (cost leadership, differentiation, focus) and target a specificgroup. Groups that have been identified together with these competitive strategiesare those who wants to save money (cost leadership), environmentally friendly /technology enthusiasts (focus) and inbetweeners (differentiation)

The resource-based view (RBV) of competitive strategy emphasises the importance of unique firm resources and associated capabilities to the formulation of competitive strategy. This cross-sectional study seeks to determine whether or not the pattern of usage of competitive methods related to marketing, information technology and flexibility in the Portuguese service sector aligns with the resource-based view. Fifteen service-related competitive methods are identified. Surveyed firms were asked to indicate the degree of relevance of these competitive methods to their competitive strategy. Exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling indicates that these methods represent four underlying strategy dimensions that reflect some of the dynamic capabilities suggested by the resource-based view. In addition, cluster analysis revealed that each of the responding firms could be classified into one of three capability orientations. Some implications of these findings for strategy development in the Portuguese service sector are discussed. Limitations of the study and areas for future research are also presented.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze and benchmark the strategic approaches utilized by Portuguese small and medium enterprises manufacturing organizations in response to the competitive pressures in the European and global markets. Design/methodology/approach – For the purpose of this paper, factor analysis and cluster analysis are used to analyze and to compare responses obtained from a cross-sectional sample of 68 Portuguese manufacturing organizations. Findings – Based on the results of the analysis, it appears that the sampled organizations are following hybrid strategic orientations. These strategic orientations appear to be motivated by well-defined mixed strategies. The strategic elements of e-business are detected in these mixed strategies. Research limitations/implications – The sample used in this paper is specific in nature (Portuguese manufacturing organizations). Thus, the results should be interpreted accordingly. Practical implications – This paper attempts to shed some light on the effectiveness of current strategic practices of Portuguese manufacturing organizations. The findings of this paper have practical benchmarking strategic implications. Originality/value – This paper investigates the nature and scope of new strategic orientations utilized by manufacturing organizations. Evidence of the presence of innovative, mixed strategies is uncovered.

Small businesses make up about 90% of all business entities and employ about 60% of the total workforce, yet 50% of small businesses fail within their first 5 years. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore how SBOs use the appropriate product diversification strategies to remain sustainable. The sample population were 3 small retail business owners in a large-sized county in the Washington, D. C. metropolitan area who employed fewer than 19 people and have successfully used product diversification strategies to remain sustainable beyond 5 years. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and company document reviews. Data analysis entailed using an alphabetic coding process to identify the frequency and importance of themes. Grounded in the conceptual framework of the model of market orientation, this study revealed 4 themes that could help small business owners use the appropriate product diversification strategies to remain sustainable: customer-centric decision-making, market-trend orientation, resource orientation, and complementary products and services. The implications for positive social change include the potential to give small business owners a decision-making framework to achieve sustainability and growth, which would contribute to healthy economic conditions through consumerism, higher employment rates, and a reduction in poverty. The findings of this study could benefit local, small businesses and communities.

The purpose of this thesis is to explore, how it is best to enter to the wind turbine manufacturingindustry and suggest a competitive strategy for that purpose.The thesis follows Michael E. Porter's Competitive Strategy framework. The market is analyzed using data and scenarios from World Energy Council, Global Wind Energy Council and European Wind Energy Association. As competitors, European-based wind turbine manufacturers belonging by their market share to Global Top 10 are analyzed. A five-point competitive strategy is drafted.Technological innovations and business model improvements are not analyzed in this thesis.The result of competitive strategy research performed in this thesis is, that a window to enter to wind turbine manufacturing industry is embedded into the process of establishing a new experience curve. The new experience curve is based on direct drive wind turbine concept. The thesis suggests that the market to enter the industry is European onshore wind turbine market.A major barrier entering the industry is well established relationships between old wind turbine manufacturers and customers whereas the newcomers lack of sufficient references. A strategy to hurdle the barrier is acquiring the references by forward integration. Therefore, to enter to the market, wind turbine company should own its own wind park as a base of references and new product testing. As wind parks product, electricity is a commodity and sold on a commodities market, the forward integration does not need major extra know how.Core competences for the emerging company include product engineering and quality management.

The aim is the improvement of the company's strategy Prada Group in the Russian market during the economic crisis and sanctions against Russia. Objectives of the study: - Classify the overall exit strategy of the company to foreign markets; - Identify the features of formation of exit strategies of foreign companies (clothing manufacturers) on the Russian market; - To analyze the conditions of Prada Group; - Identify the forms of interaction Prada Group with Russian companies; - To propose changes in the strategy of Prada Group on economic activity in the conditions of the use of economic sanctions against Russia. The object of investigation is the problem of choosing the right exit strategy Prada Group in the Russian market. The subject of research is the gradual promotion of Prada Group in the Russian market, while analyzing the micro and macro environment in foreign markets, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the company. Scientific novelty of the research is to develop a theoretical and methodological approaches to the analysis and use of strategic decisions for the formation of a package of measures to change the strategy of foreign companies, taking into account characteristics of sectors and risk in the administration of the sanctions measures. Among the most important scientific results that define the scientific novelty and significance of the research, should be highlighted: 1) The proposed steps of forming a marketing strategy yield in emerging markets in the context of globalization; 2) The peculiarities of the Russian clothing market, affecting the output of foreign companies into the market; 3) Develop guidelines for choosing the exit strategy of the company Prada Group in the Russian market. The practical significance of the results of the research is both theoretical and methodological and applied character. The proposed recommendations can be applied at the exit of foreign companies to the Russian market. The work carried out situational analysis to develop marketing strategies exit of foreign companies in the clothing market. / Целью работы является совершенствование стратегии компании Prada Group на российском рынке в условиях экономического кризиса и санкций против России. Задачи исследования: - классифицировать общие стратегии выходы компании на зарубежные рынки; - выявить особенности формирования стратегий выхода зарубежных компаний (производителей одежды) на российский рынок; - проанализировать условия развития Prada Group; - выявить формы взаимодействия Prada Group с российскими компаниями; - предложить изменения в стратегии Prada Group на экономическую деятельность в условиях применения экономических санкций к России. Объектом исследования являются проблема выбора правильной стратегии выхода Prada Group на российский рынок. Предметом исследования выступает поэтапное продвижение Prada Group на российский рынок, анализируя при этом микро- и макроокружения на внешних рынках, а также преимущества и недостатки фирмы. Научная новизна диссертационного исследования состоит в разработке теоретико-методических подходов к анализу и использованию стратегических решений для формирования комплекса мероприятий по изменению стратегии иностранных компаний с учетом особенностей отраслей и рисков в условиях введения санкционных мер. В числе наиболее важных научных результатов, определяющих научную новизну и значимость проведенных исследований, следует выделить: 1) Предложены этапы формирования маркетинговой стратегии выхода компаний на развивающиеся рынки в условиях глобализации; 2) Выявлены особенности российского рынка одежды, влияющие на выход иностранных компаний на данный рынок; 3) Разработаны рекомендации по выбору стратегии выхода компании Prada Group на рынок России. Практическая значимость результатов проведенных исследований носит как теоретико-методический, так и прикладной характер. Предлагаемые рекомендации могут найти применение при выходе иностранных компаний на рынок России. В работе проведен ситуационный анализ для разработки маркетинговых стратегий выхода иностранных компаний на рынок одежды.

How should managers choose between improvements in revenue and gross margin rate, when both contribute to overall profitability? Many finance managers face this question when balancing their companies’ targets and goals. Prior studies show that companies’ stock returns respond to both metrics, especially when they are consistent with each other, which I replicate in my sample. I predict that the relative strength of responses to revenue and gross margin percentage depends on industry growth. I find that the market’s response to revenue growth is greater in high revenue growth than low revenue growth industries. I also argue that the market responds more positively to gross margin rate changes in low growth industries, but the differences are statistically insignificant.In a second study, I apply the theory to the generic pharmaceutical industry where revenue growth is slower. I expect a higher focus on gross margins or pricing when barriers to entry are lower. The Department of Justice and State Attorney Generals sued generic pharmaceutical companies for violating the antitrust laws and manipulating drug prices (consolidated as the multi-district litigation case 2724), making the industry less attractive. I study the pricing changes around the lawsuits and how they affected the likelihood of generic drug manufacturers staying vs. leaving the industry. I also analyze the disparate impact of the lawsuit on large vs. small and medium manufacturers, as the lawsuits listed many large manufacturers as defendants. / Business Administration/Accounting