Theory of Competitive Strategy ITM
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Every company has, to a greater or lesser extent, an information subsystem -- that is, a means by which it gathers data, interprets it, and makes it available to employees through a distribution system. Whether we are talking about marketing information, cost projections, accounting results, or internal quality reports, every company depends on knowledge to support its planning, decision making, and control.
So how does knowledge fit into the picture? The emergence of the field called knowledge management in the last 10 years or so has highlighted some key propositions:
- All organizations are storehouses of knowledge that operate in information-rich environments made up of people and things both inside and outside the organization itself
- Organizations organize, interpret, and evaluate this information to solve organizational problems
- Knowledge is the primary mechanism for processing and utilizing information
- People's brains are the key knowledge resource of any organization
- Codified knowledge stored in books, audio and video tapes, and computer systems can be an important knowledge resource as well
- There are organizational processes and strategies generally and IT management processes and strategies in particular that can significantly enhance the ability of organizations to use their knowledge resources to solve organizational problems effectively
Several of these themes will come up again in later modules in this course. But by way of introduction to the subject, let's take a look at some views of how knowledge works (these are the REQUIRED readings):
Leonard, D., & Swap, W. (2005). The Knowledge Coach. HBS Working Knowledge. Retrieved from:http://hbswk(dot)hbs(dot)edu/item/4562.html
Levinson, M. (2007). Knowledge Management Definition and Solutions. Retrieved from:http://www(dot)cio(dot)com/article/print/40343
Wiig, K.M. (N.D.) On The Management of Knowledge. The Wiig Group. Retrieved from http://www(dot)km-forum(dot)org/wiig.htm
this case assignment Instructions are (1) read through the three articles then (2) select any one IS theory listed at:
http://istheory(dot)byu(dot)edu/wiki/Main_Page
and read about that theory in-depth, then (3) write a 3-4 page essay that discusses how data, information and knowledge are applicable in the context of that theory, or vise-versa. Be sure your discussion demonstrates that you understand the meanings and differences between data, information and knowledge. In your discussion give a real-world example of data, knowledge and information in the context of your theory and provide some commentary on that scenario as to what was done right, what could be better to achieve a better outcome.
Case assignment expectations:
Your assignments will be graded following these expectations:
- Precision: the questions asked are answered.
- Clarity: Your answers are clear and show your good understanding of the topic.
- Breadth and depth: The scope covered in your paper is directly related to the questions of the assignment and the learning objectives of the module.
- Critical thinking: It is important to read the “required readings” posted in the background material plus others you find relevant. Your paper should include important concepts from these readings and incorporate YOUR reactions and examples that illustrate your reflective judgment and good understanding of the concepts.
When your paper is done, send it in.
Theory of competitive strategy
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Theory of Competitive Strategy
Introduction
The theory of competitive strategy was developed by Michael Porter in 1979 to describe the factors that determine the success of any business (GNU, 2012). These factors would affect ability of organizations to offer services to stakeholders who have direct impact on the profits made. The theory describes influences by buyers, suppliers, new entrants, substitutes and the competition in the industry. Buyers and sellers' influence is through bargaining power while new entrants or availability of substitutes would pose a threat to a business success. The combination of these four factors would imply competition among existing firms. The aim of this paper is to discuss how data, information and knowledge are applicable within Porter's competitive strategy theory. This will be illustrated through real life example, comments on what was done right and recommendations that would achieve better results.
The theory is rich in knowledge that would drive a business to success. It takes into consideration the perspectives of business, management and operations to show the nature of impacts posed by buyers, sellers, new entrants, substitutes and intensity of competition. It outlines how these forces could be managed for the benefit of a business. The discussion of factors that would enable a business to create competitive advantage over other rivals presents managers with clear understanding on courses of action that would be undertaken to achieve objectives. Businesses that apply this body of knowledge would achieve desired targets. Management of knowledge about competitive strategy could enable a business to identify and distribute the knowledge to employees (Wiig, n.d.). However, adoption of the knowledge may face challenges of getting employees on board and this world be overcome by developing environment favorable to social and cultural values of the people. The knowledge could also be distributed through shadowing and joint problem solving. With shadowing employees learn from experts by themselves while joint problem solving enables them work together to find resolutions that would enhance success of the business.
Wide information is also applied in this theory and ranges from the founder to links to other related theories. The information search theory makes known of the different names that would be used to locate the body of knowledge within the IT systems and shows the main constructs as well as the synopsis. A scheme that coordinates the factors is shown to illustrate the relationship that exists between the business and environment (GNU, ...