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V.R.I.O. Analysis

Satisfactory Essays

A FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS : VRIO
• Resource-based analysis of the firm determines which resources and capabilities result in which strengths or weaknesses
• Strategies are to be implemented which exploit (or build) strengths and avoid (or eliminate) weaknesses
• What constitutes a strength or weakness is partially a function of the external environment
• Framework for analysis: VRIO - resources and capabilities should be o Valuable o Rare o Inimitable o Organization can effectively exploit them
VALUE of resources and capabilities
• A VALUABLE resource or capability (or a combination thereof) must o Contribute to fulfillment of customer 's needs o At a price the consumer is willing to pay, which is determined by
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Rare? Costly to Imitate ? Exploitable by the Organization? Competitive implications Economic performance Strengths or Weaknesses
No - - No Competitive Disadvantage Below normal Weakness
Yes No - to Competitive Parity Normal Strength
Yes Yes No Temporary competitive advantage Above normal Strength and distinctive competence
Yes Yes Yes Yes Sustained competitive advantage Above normal Strength and sustainable distinctive competence
Source : Barney, 1997, Tables 5.2 and 5.3, p.163.
Threats to sustainability
• Imitation or substitution
• Market entry
• Powerful buyers and suppliers
• Unpredictable changes in external environment
• Factors beyond a firm 's control (bad luck)
Limitations of the RBV
• Presented as static concept - however, many firms need to be able to cope with turbulent environments
• Suggests that managers may have limited ability to create sustained competitive advantages (empirical support by "perpetually failing firms" - firms that consistently earn normal or below-normal returns
• Difficult to test empirically - data problem (at the level of the unit of analysis, Le., resources and capabilities)
• What is the appropriate level of analysis? How deeply does one have to look?
Principles of capabilities-based competition
Goal : Build difficult-to-imitate organizational capabilities that distinguish a company from its competitors
Principles

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