First, you should select a company, research two of its competitors, and create a report to present to the client in which you analyze the business’s current competitive standing within its industry using at least two competitive analysis models/tools with a focus on the role IT plays in determining its current competitive posture; one of the models used in the analysis must be Porter’s Five Forces. It is recommended that you search the Internet to identify industries/companies for which a Porter’s Five Forces analysis have been completed prior to selecting the company on which you will focus your response. Part 2 of your business analysis should be 11–16 paragraphs in length and include at least five references from the Walden Library or other scholarly academic sources.

Note: Last week, you submitted Part 1 of this Assignment. This week, you will complete and submit only Part 2.

To prepare for this Assignment:

• Review this week’s Learning Resources.
• Refer to the Academic Writing Expectations for 2000/3000-Level Courses as you compose your Assignment.

By Day 7

Submit Part 2 of your business analysis, to include the following.

Part 2: IT and Competitive Advantage

• Illustrate the company’s use of information systems as part of its competitive business strategies. (150–225 words, or 2–3 paragraphs) 
• Analyze the company and its two competitors through the lens of Porter’s Five Forces. (225–300 words, or 3–4 paragraphs) 
• Analyze the company and its two competitors through the lens of one additional competitive analysis model or tool. (225–300 words, or 3–4 paragraphs)
• Compare the three companies in light of your two completed analyses, including a discussion of which tool you feel was more useful in helping you to determine the competitive position for your selected company. (150–225 words, or 2–3 paragraphs)
• Finally, present your analysis of the current competitive posture of your selected company. (75–150 words, or 1–2 paragraphs)

Note: For each prompt, be sure to reference at least one scholarly source to support your answer. Use the Week 6 Assignment Template, provided in this week’s Learning Resources, to complete this Assignment.

Required Resources

Competitive Advantage and IS/IT

Company leadership should examine every aspect of an organization’s operations when trying to gain a competitive advantage. Using these resources, you will examine how an organization can use information and information systems to achieve an advantage over its competitors.

Cronje, M. (2016, February 4). Management information systems and competitive advantage. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/management-information-systems-competitive-advantage-michelle-cronje/

 

Time Estimate: 3 minutes

Porter, M. E., & Millar, V. E. (1985, July). How information gives you competitive advantage. Harvard Business Review.

 

Time Estimate: 36 minutes

Competitive Analysis Tools and Models

When an organization wants to improve its competitive advantage, it often relies on tools and models to help in that process. Through these resources, you will explore the various competitive analysis tools and models that organizations use to help shape their competitive strategies and determine their competitive advantages over other companies in their domain.

Deluccia, T. J. (2018). 13 competitor analysis tools and resources you need to stay ahead [2018 update]. Retrieved from https://engeniusweb.com/articles/5-competitor-analysis-tools/

 

Time Estimate: 3 minutes

Fallon, N. (2018). SWOT analysis: What it is and when to use it. Retrieved from https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4245-swot-analysis.html

 

Time Estimate: 7 minutes

Harvard Business Review. (2008, June 30). The five competitive forces that shape strategy [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYF2_FBCvXw

 

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 13 minutes.

Oxford College of Marketing. (2016, June 30). What is a PESTEL analysis? [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://blog.oxfordcollegeofmarketing.com/2016/06/30/pestel-analysis/

 

Time Estimate: 3 minutes 

PESTLEanalysis Contributor. (2011). PESTLE and SWOT analysis: When to use SWOT. Retrieved from http://pestleanalysis.com/pestle-and-swot-analysis/

 

Time Estimate: 4 minutes

PESTLE Analysis. (2018). What is a PESTLE analysis? A tool for business analysis. Retrieved from http://pestleanalysis.com/what-is-pestle-analysis/

 

Time Estimate: 4 minutes

Mercer, A. (2014). Competitive advantage vs. positioning: What’s the difference? Retrieved from https://titanwebmarketingsolutions.com/competitive-advantage-vs-positioning-whats-the-difference/

 

Time Estimate: 3 minutes

Miller, J. (2016). 9 brand differentiators to create a competitive advantage. Retrieved from https://stickybranding.com/9-differentiators-to-create-a-competitive-advantage/

 

Time Estimate: 5 minutes

Tighe, D. (2017). How to do a competitive analysis in 5 easy steps. Retrieved from https://www.impactbnd.com/blog/5-ways-to-perform-a-competitive-analysis-establish-your-presence

 

Time Estimate: 2 minutes