Henry: Understanding Strategic Management
Chapter 03
Porter, M. E. (1979) How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy, Harvard Business Review, 57 (2):137-145.
Many factors determine the nature of competition, including not only rivals, but also the economics of particular industries, new entrants, the bargaining power of customers and suppliers, and the threat of substitute services or products. A strategic plan of action based on this might include: positioning the company so that its capabilities provide the best defense against the competitive forces; influencing the balance of forces through strategic moves; and anticipating shifts in the factors underlying competitive forces. McKinsey Award Winner.
Link to purchase full article:
http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/b02/en/common/item_detail.jhtml;jsessionid=OSXUZLBE0AOZMAKRGWDSELQBKE0YIISW?id=79208&referral=2340
Brandenburger, A., and Nalebuff, B. J. (1995) The Right Game: Use Game theory to Shape Strategy, Harvard Business Review 73 (4): 57-71.
The essence of business success lies in making sure you're playing the right game. How do you know if it's the right game? What can you do if it's the wrong game? To help managers answer those questions, the authors have developed a framework that draws on the insights of game theory. The primary insight of game theory is the importance of focusing on others. In other words, companies should consider both cooperative and competitive ways to change the game. Who are the participants in the game of business? The authors introduce a schematic map that represents all the players and all the interdependencies among them.
Link to purchase full article:
http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/b02/en/common/item_detail.jhtml;jsessionid=MEBHQYVLCNVWIAKRGWDSELQBKE0YIISW?id=95402&referral=2340


