Questions
Pfizer and the Challenges of the Global Pharmaceutical Industry
Overview and Objectives
The Pfizer case provides an introduction to external analysis. The case highlights the pharmaceutical industry, which has enjoyed extraordinary long-run profitability. The case also demonstrates how broad changes in broad environmental factors (i.e. demographics, technology, culture, etc.) have an impact on industry competition. The case is not especially complex, so it is not overwhelming as a first case.
Study and Discussion Questions
1. Why has the pharmaceutical industry been so successful historically?
2. What is your assessment of the pharmaceutical industry at the time of the case? How is competition changing? What factors are driving the changes?
3. What will competition in pharmaceuticals look like in 10 years?
4. What is your assessment of Pfizer’s position in the industry? What are the keys to success in the industry?
5. What recommendations would you make to Kindler?
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
The story of Wal-Mart’s rise to dominance is a standard case on resources and capabilities and how they contribute to sustainable competitive advantage. This case works well as a first case on resources and competitive advantage. It can
Objectives
1. Students gain experience in applying the VRIO framework, particularly issues around imitation and sustainability.
2. Students will explore issues surrounding how firms exploit existing advantages in new markets.
3. Students are introduced to challenges that firms face in developing new capabilities to take advantage of new opportunities.
Study Questions
1. What are Wal-Mart’s most critical competitive advantages?
2. How did Wal-Mart develop their advantages?
3. How sustainable are Wal-Mart’s advantages? What is your assessment of Wal-Mart’s competitors and their ability to imitate Wal-Mart’s advantages?
4. What are Wal-Mart’s strategic options? To what extent do these options exploit Wal-Mart’s competitive
Overview and Objectives
The Pfizer case provides an introduction to external analysis. The case highlights the pharmaceutical industry, which has enjoyed extraordinary long-run profitability. The case also demonstrates how broad changes in broad environmental factors (i.e. demographics, technology, culture, etc.) have an impact on industry competition. The case is not especially complex, so it is not overwhelming as a first case.
Study and Discussion Questions
1. Why has the pharmaceutical industry been so successful historically?
2. What is your assessment of the pharmaceutical industry at the time of the case? How is competition changing? What factors are driving the changes?
3. What will competition in pharmaceuticals look like in 10 years?
4. What is your assessment of Pfizer’s position in the industry? What are the keys to success in the industry?
5. What recommendations would you make to Kindler?
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
The story of Wal-Mart’s rise to dominance is a standard case on resources and capabilities and how they contribute to sustainable competitive advantage. This case works well as a first case on resources and competitive advantage. It can
Objectives
1. Students gain experience in applying the VRIO framework, particularly issues around imitation and sustainability.
2. Students will explore issues surrounding how firms exploit existing advantages in new markets.
3. Students are introduced to challenges that firms face in developing new capabilities to take advantage of new opportunities.
Study Questions
1. What are Wal-Mart’s most critical competitive advantages?
2. How did Wal-Mart develop their advantages?
3. How sustainable are Wal-Mart’s advantages? What is your assessment of Wal-Mart’s competitors and their ability to imitate Wal-Mart’s advantages?
4. What are Wal-Mart’s strategic options? To what extent do these options exploit Wal-Mart’s competitive