Structured Notes with Diagrams and Case Studies
Lecture 4: Competitiveness
Competitiveness is the ability of a country, firm, or individual to outperform others in
providing products and services in the market while enhancing living standards. It requires
innovation, productivity, quality, and trade efficiency.
Macro Level Competitiveness:
Measured at the national level through GDP per capita, infrastructure, political stability,
education, and R&D.; Example: Japan's heavy R&D; investment in the 1980s led to global
leadership in electronics and automobiles.
Micro Level Competitiveness:
Firms compete by innovation, speed to market, cost efficiency, and customer service.
Example: Apple Inc. stays competitive through design, innovation, and customer loyalty.
Investment
Productivity
Trade
Standard of Living
Lecture 5: Business Strategy and Technology Strategy
Strategy is a long-term plan to achieve mission and vision. Business strategy ensures
competitiveness in the market, while technology strategy ensures sustainable
technological advantage. Alignment of both is critical.
BCG Matrix:
High Growth Low Growth
High Market Share Stars (Invest) Cash Cows (Milk)
Low Market Share Question Marks (Invest selectively) Dogs (Divest)
SWOT Analysis:
SWOT identifies strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Example: A food
company may use its brand strength (S) to expand into a new market (O).
Lecture 6: Technology Planning
Technology planning is systematic preparation for future technologies. It includes
forecasting, audits, and life-cycle analysis. A CTO leads forecasting, acquisitions, and
technology integration.
Performance
S-Curve Growth
Time
Case Study Questions with Solutions
Q1 (Competitiveness)
Country X invests heavily in R&D; (3% of GDP), while Country Y focuses mainly on cheap
labor. Which country will have sustainable competitiveness in the long run? Why?
Answer: Country X, because R&D; investment leads to innovation, higher productivity, and
long-term growth. Cheap labor gives only short-term advantage.
Q2 (Strategy & Core Competence)
A food delivery company identifies its core competence as logistics and customer service,
while competitors focus only on price. What strategy should it adopt?
Answer: Focus on service and logistics quality (speed, reliability, trust) rather than price
wars. This creates customer loyalty and sustainable competitiveness.
Q3 (Technology Planning)
Company A makes cameras but smartphones are rapidly improving camera quality
(S-Curve disruption). What should it do?
Answer: Shift resources to smartphone camera modules or image-processing software.
Partner with phone makers to stay relevant.
Q4 (BCG Matrix)
A company has: Product A (High share, Low growth), Product B (High share, High
growth), Product C (Low share, High growth), Product D (Low share, Low growth). Classify
them and suggest strategies.
Answer: A = Cash Cow (milk profits), B = Star (invest), C = Problem Child (selective
investment), D = Dog (divest).
