Discussion 1: "Strategic Competitiveness"
• From the first e-Activity, determine which of the two primary drivers of the competitive landscape is more influential. Explain your rationale.
• Explain which model (I / O model or resource-based model) you believe will best help a firm in the industry you researched earn above-average returns.
Discussion 2
Before starting this activity, review the LEARN (e-Activity) and read Chapter 2 in the course text book. Doing this will give you the Why to include in your response to the following:
Research Union Pacific Railroad (you are encouraged to use a myriad of reputable sources, including the company's website.) Perform an analysis of the social/demographic, technological, economic, environmental/geographic, and political/legal/governmental segments (as discussed in the textbook) to understand the general environment facing Union Pacific.
Describe how Union Pacific will be affected by each of these external factors.
1) Perform an analysis of the social/demographic, technological, economic, environmental/geographic, and political/legal/governmental segments to understand the general environment facing Union Pacific.
2) Describe how Union Pacific will be affected by each of these external factors.
Discussion 3: "Strong Brands"
• Several companies use their brand as a competitive advantage. Given your knowledge about the global economy, identify three brands you believe have the strongest likelihood of remaining a source of advantage in the 21st Century and explain why.
• Explain the effects you believe the Internet's capabilities will have on the brands you identified in the previous discussion and what the owner of the brand should do in light of them.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.