The purpose of this study was to understand the types of competitive methods used by independent hotels in their bid to obtain and sustain competitive advantage. The concept of the co-alignment principle, as it relates to the choice of competitive methods and their implementation, was the focus of the research. The study investigated the co-alignment between the elements of the co-alignment principle; strategy choice, firm structure and firm performance. Five hotels in Jamaica and two propositions were used to test the model. The theoretical discussions were based upon the resource-based view literature. The empirical section of the study consisted of in-depth case studies, direct observations, guests' surveys and secondary data of independently owned and operated hotels in Jamaica. Interviews were conducted with general managers (or acting general managers) and other managers at each hotel. The study revealed the importance of co-alignment in hotels and the results indicated that performance was best when there was co-alignment. The results also indicated that the competitive methods cited by managers, as providing the greatest value to the hotels, were not always in line with what guests saw as important to them. Six conclusions were reached, which revealed the actions of managers of independent hotels. Unlike past research that focused on only one element of the co-alignment principle, this study focused on three elements; strategy choice, firm structure, and firm performance. The fourth element, environmental forces, was held constant in this study. / Ph. D.

No description available.

This thesis forms part of a PhD by Publication based on the research and scholarly work of Sheila Wright. It explores her contribution to the field of Competitive Intelligence & Insight Management (CI&IM) made through ten articles published between 2002 and 2010. The research projects that involved the collection of primary data were carried out within a qualitative research methodology using a semi-structured interview or case study method and typically adopting a pragmatic paradigm. Through this work, it has been possible to present a best-practice framework for CI&IM. Similarly, it has been possible to develop an operational framework for CI&IM, which identifies the inter-connectivity of the CI&IM tasks as well as the organisational influencing factors which can aid or hinder successful implementation. As well as engaging in a critical evaluation of current CI&IM practice the thesis indicates how the articles offer solutions which can aid the delivery of improved performance to practitioners as well as academics who teach and research the subject. The thesis also identifies the place of CI&IM in the business discipline and draws attention to the cross-boundary, inter-disciplinary nature of its reach. The development of bibliometric software and citation identification programmes has enabled the inclusion of a citation analysis for each article which also identifies the context within which that citation was made. This is presented as supporting evidence for the contribution to knowledge and value of the body of work. Through this mechanism it has also been possible, not only to identify the frequency with which the articles have been cited, but more importantly, the impact and contribution this has had on scholars who have subsequently used the output and frameworks as a basis for their own research.

Medical manufacturing leaders struggle to maintain their competitive position due to inefficient business strategies. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that in vitro diagnostics (IVD) medical manufacturing's leaders have used to gain and maintain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Porter's competitive advantage theory was used to understand how IVD medical business leaders maintain their competitive edge. Data were gathered through interviews with a purposive sample of 3 IVD medical device leaders from companies in California, Connecticut, and New York who had run IVD medical businesses for at least 10 years and who attended a 2014 medical exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany. To reduce the risk of bias in measurement, triangulation methods included a literature review and intensive analyses of the interview responses, participant observation notes, company websites, and organizational records. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to find essences of the participants' perceptions. The themes were derived from coding and the number of references coded during the data analysis. Eight themes emerged representing strategies for improving competitive advantage: customer support; marketing, e-marketing, and branding; competitive collaboration; quality; cost structure; regulation; innovation; and information technology. The 8 general themes have been divided into 3 categories: cost leadership, differentiation, and focus strategies base on Porter's competitive advantage theory. Results can help U.S. IVD organizational leaders develop strategies to thrive and secure market advantages, which could provide the resources for creating new products and increasing employment opportunities.

Competitive intelligence (CI) helps company to make right strategic decision in uncertain competitive environment. Many companies do different kinds of marketing research, but still have not adopted CI tools yet, especially in those countries where they have just started to implement instruments of free market economy. This could be related to Russian situation. The thesis is organized into three chapters. Competitive intelligence theory is explained in the first chapter. In the second chapter tools and techniques of competitive intelligence are discussed. Here the main tools are explained. Implementation of competitive intelligence tools is explained in third chapter of this thesis. Here we see developing new marketing strategy for restaurant chain by using competitive intelligence tools. 'Rosinter Restaurant Holding' is a leading casual dining chain operator in Russia. The main focus is made on 'Planet Sushi' restaurant chain in Omsk region. In this chapter we see implementation of competitive intelligence tools in marketing department while creating new strategy.

This Master´s Thesis introduces options of using Comptitive Intelligence to predict future actions of Competitor in Competitive environment.

The content of this thesis is the introduction of Competitive Intelligence and its methods to companies in the chemical industry. The main objective of this work is to create particular solution of Competitive Intelligence for Lovochemie, a.s., i.e. to propose competent employee who will be periodically monitor the selected information resources using Competitive Intelligence software tools. The analyses were used to achieve this objective. At first analysis of the chemical industry was conducted in the Czech Republic and also in the world and analysis of the selected company has been created. Information resources that the company should follow through Competitive Intelligence tools were selected on the basis of this information. The first part deals with the introduction of Competitive Intelligence, intelligence cycle CI, strategic analysis methods and Competitive Intelligence tools for searching and monitoring of information on the Internet. The second part is devoted to the aforementioned analysis. At first the chemical industry is analysed and the world's biggest fertilizers producers are described. This section also introduces the company called Lovochemie, a.s., its competitors, suppliers and customers. In the last part of this thesis, the information resources available to the company and selected Competitive Intelligence tools are described. Finally, the particular solution for Lovochemie is created.

The thesis analyzes the competitive environment of CK Alexandria. The aim is to create a comprehensive framework for systematic analysis of competitive environment. The thesis uses principles of Competitive Intelligence reflecting the specifics of travel agent industry. The first part introduces travel agents in general. It is followed by a description of competitive environment of travel agents. The following capture introduces the theoretical information about Competitive Intelligence. The practical section outlines the possible usege of CI in the particular company.

Diploma thesis “Competitive Intelligence” treats with using methods of competitive intelligence at the example of certain company. We will define basic terms and principals of competitive intelligence at the beginning, and then the thesis will contain analyses of concrete situation and procedures suggestion how to solve critical situations. For the analyses will be use information provided by company and also information from public databases. We will dedicate implantation of competitive intelligence methods to the company's decision making process with consideration future market development in this thesis. We will clarify phases which company has to make for establishing CI methods to the reader on the pages of this work. We will also devote information sources and procedure, which can be for those issues crucial.

Master thesis focuses on developing proposals for strengthening competitiveness of a company engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of electronic light sources with glass or plastic shades. Aim of the thesis is to process and evaluate proposals for measures leading to strengthening company’s competitiveness on the Czech market and contributing to ensure company's sales growth on the market. The proposals are based on theoretical knowledge gained from professional literature and on analyses of the current state of the company.