Economics of Strategy

Discover the art of strategic thinking. Revised and updated to reflect the cutting edge of academic thinking about business strategy, the Fourth Edition of Besanko, Dranove, Shanley, and Schaefer's highly acclaimed text offers a solid economic foundation for strategic analysis. By presenting basic concepts of economic theory with ideas in modern strategy literature, the book provides an economic lens for viewing the broad sweep of the strategic activities of the firm. The book begins by focusing on the boundaries of the firm and examines competitive strategy from the perspective of industrial organization (IO) economics, particularly Porter's Five Forces. It then explores strategic positioning and dynamics as well as topics associated with internal organization, including personnel economics, organization structure, and strategic fit. Features of the Fourth Edition include: chapters on human resources management, entry, positioning, dynamics, technological change, and organizational structure are substantially revised; an updated chapter on business history covers the recent dot-com bubble; economic principles are presented without overemphasizing the math; and rigorous treatment of organizational topics such as structure and culture enables you to experience the full scope of strategic thinking. The authors use Porter's Five Forces as a tool for organizing industry analysis, building on the coverage of industrial organization and game theory. The text also considers the Value Net, another tool for organizing industry analysis. It includes coverage of make or buy decisions (Chapters 2-4) and benefit and cost advantage and sustaining advantage (Chapters 11-13). Fascinating examples, including many new to this edition, bring the economic models to life. Many of the examples involve businesses outside of the United States. http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

"...the book seeks to supply an economic lens for viewing the broad sweep of the strategic activities of the firm." (Times Higher Education Supplement, Thursday 28th February 2008) http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

• Title: Economics of Strategy
• Edition: 4
• 4th Revised edition
• Illustrations note: illustrations
• Imprint name: John Wiley & Sons Inc
• Table of contents: Introduction: Strategy and Economics. Primer: Economic Concepts for Strategy. PART ONE: FIRM BOUNDARIES. 1. The Evolution of the Modren Firm. 2. The Horizontal Boundaries of the Firm: Economies of Scale and Scope. 3. The Vertical Boundaries of the Firm. 4. Organizing Vertical Boundaries: Vertical Integration and Its Alternatives. 5. Diversification. PART TWO: MARKET AND COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS. 6. Competitors and Competition. 7. Strategic Commitment. 8. The Dynamics of Pricing Rivalry. 9. Entry and Exit. 10. Industry Analysis. PART THREE: STRATEGIC POSITION AND DYNAMICS. 11. Strategic Positioning for Competitive Advantage. 12. Sustaining Competitive Advantage. 13. The Origins of Competitive Advantage: Innovation, Evolution, and Environment. 14. Agency and Performance Measurement. PART FOUR: INTERNAL ORGANIZATION. 15. Incentives in Firms. 16. Strategy and Structure. 17. Environment, Power, and Culture. 18. Strategy and the General Manager. Glossary. Name Index. Subject Index.
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