Assignment 1: Application of Value Curve Tool
Using PowerPoint or Excel graphic tools, develop a value curve for an industry context where there are both bricks and mortar and e-commerce players competing against each other. Specify the "dimensions of benefit" in the graph. Once you have developed your graphic model, briefly support why you placed data points of performance in each of the dimensions of benefit. In other words, what is the basis for the structure of your value curve in terms of each of the dimensions of benefit? Thus this assignment will contain two elements: (1) your value curve and, (2) a roughly 750 word essay supporting your decisions in constructing the value curve.
Value Innovation Brainstorm -
Write a 1250 - 1500 word essay addressing each of the following points/questions. Be sure to completely answer all the questions for each bullet point. There should be five sections, one for each bullet below. Separate each section in your paper with a clear heading that allows your professor to know which bullet you are addressing in that section of your paper. Support your ideas with at least three citations in your essay.
• Using a company of your choice, provide a set of recommendations to the CEO of this company to help it compete against existing competitors. Focus your recommendations on the six starting points for value creation as found in Exhibit 7.2. Be creative in this exercise and try to provide specific examples where additional value innovations could be generated using each of the six starting points shown in the framework.
For example, if you were using online education as your context, you might think about ways in which an academic institution might partner with corporation training units. This would promote creative thinking from "looking across substitute industries", i.e corporate training is a product substitute for university-based training. You might also apply the "looking across the chain of buyers" and decide that an innovative value creating initiative might involve developing a voluntary relationship with the student's employer and asking them what services might be applied to help this employee's career progress and perhaps ask the employer to financially support such services. Try to use all six of the value creating starting points. Again, this is an exercise where there are not necessarily "right answers", but rather, the activity emphasizes your own creative thinking so crucial to the value creation process.
Combine the two parts into one paper.
Benchmark Assignment 2: Ducati versus Harley-Davidson Case Study
This is a benchmark assignment for the School of Information Technology MISM, MSIS - Applications Development, MSIS - Web Development, and MSIT, Master's Program students.
Task
Read the Ducati versus Harley-Davidson Case Study in the Jelassi et all text (pg. 389).
In a 1,250 word essay, respond to the following questions:
1. Compare and contrast Ducati's e-commerce strategies with those of Harley-Davidson. Where did the companies use similar strategies and where were the strategies different? What were the differences in the typical customers of Ducati versus Harley-Davidson and how did these differences impact the major decisions in their respective e-commerce strategies?
2. How did these companies attempt to align their internal processes with their e-commerce strategies?
3. This case was written in 2003. What kinds of e-commerce strategies do believe might be appropriate in the present day in light of the evolution of e-commerce platforms?
Business Case Analysis
This assignment focuses upon channel conflict as described in your readings. Select a business or industry that has experienced the phenomena of channel conflict as a result of new e-commerce initiatives. Do some web research to learn about common strategies and other suggestions for managing such conflict. (Examples often involve a conflict between existing bricks and mortar retailers and their associated e-commerce divisions). Pick an example and analyze the channel conflict from the perspective of the various analytical tools described in Chapter 9. Using the channel conflict matrix in Exhibit 9.6, where do you see the firm in question in relation to the channel conflict matrix. Do you believe that they perceived their channel conflict in the same way that you are proposing in your response? Are new ethical or social responsibilities issues at play? Critique their response to this channel conflict; do you think they developed an optimal solution? If not, what recommendations would you offer for a better solution to this channel conflict? (750 word essay)
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.