Instruction
First, please watch this short intro video:
https://hbr.org/video/3590615226001/the-explainer-porters-five-forces
Then:
carefully read the article The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy
Then thoughtfully answer the following questions in your own words. I am not looking for specific “right/wrongs” in your answers, although some may be obvious. In fact, some of the best answers may conflict with each other. I want you to communicate with your answers that you have really thought about the material. Please feel free to share your opinions but back them up with solid reasoning!
I expect about 6 pages, 12 pt Times New Roman font, single-spaced for this one, 1 inch margins in a MS-Word Document. Please include the numbering / outline from the questions, but without repeating the questions.
1.What is the main purpose of Porter’s Five Forces Model? Explain please.
2.Which of these forces are most important to your athletic footwear company in achieving a competitive advantage? Explain please.
3.What is likely to happen if many new companies enter your athletic footwear market? Explain please.
4.What is likely to happen if many of your suppliers go out of business? Explain please.
5.Tough, integrative general business / economics question to consider: Too few, or too many competitors are bad for the market. Why? What is the benefit to customers and businesses of the “right” number of competitors? Explain please.
6.The five forces model is generally applied to the real-world footwear industry as having weak, strong or moderate impacts as listed below. For each (a-e) explain why you believe this is (or isn’t) applicable/true to your company referring to the article and your specific competitive environment in the BSG world.
a.The threat of new entrants - weak force
b.The bargaining power of suppliers - weak force
c.The bargaining power of buyers/customers - moderate force
d.The threat of substitute products or services - moderate force
e.Rivalry among existing competitors - strong force