V.R.I.O. Analysis

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A FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS : VRIO • Resource-based analysis of the firm determines which resources and capabilities result in which strengths or weaknesses • Strategies are to be implemented which exploit (or build) strengths and avoid (or eliminate) weaknesses • What constitutes a strength or weakness is partially a function of the external environment • Framework for analysis: VRIO - resources and capabilities should be o Valuable o Rare o Inimitable o Organization can effectively exploit them VALUE of resources and capabilities • A VALUABLE resource or capability (or a combination thereof) must o Contribute to fulfillment of customer's needs o At a price the consumer is willing to pay, which is determined by  Customer preferences  Available alternatives (including substitute products)  Supply of related or supplementary goods • Thus, value is partially a function of external environment (product market, demand forces) • Changes in consumer tastes, industry structure, technology, etc. can result in changed value • Resources of different firms can be valuable in different ways (e.g., Timex versus Rolex) • Value = Lowered costs or increased revenues or both SCARCITY of resources and capabilities • Resources and capabilities must be in short supply to create competitive advantage (and go beyond competitive parity) • What would happen if this were not the case? • An analysis of the firm's resources and capabilities must include critical assessment whether they are unusual when compared to those of competitors • How rare does a resource have to be in order to have potential for generating a competitive advantage? • Example of a rare resource: Wal-Mart's point-of-purchase... ... middle of paper ... ...s and competitors • Competitive advantage is not just a function of how to play the game of business, but also of how assets can be deployed and re-deployed in a changing market • Strategy analysis must be situational • Strategy involves choosing among and committing to long-term paths of competence development; strategic change is difficult and costly • Entry decisions must be made with reference to competencies and capabilities • Business opportunities lie close to firm's existing business • Focus needs to be defined in terms of distinctive capabilities, not products Inherent limitations of firm's dynamic capabilities • Learning is typically incremental, not path breaking • Search for new sources of competitive advantage is path dependent • Development of new products and capabilities can either enhance or destroy the value of complementary assets

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