Sample Essay Questions for Midterm
Business 189 – Prof. Wood
You will be required to write one essay. You will be able to choose from at least two
alternative essays. The essay questions will be open-book, but you will not be permitted
to use your notes.
1. What are distinctive competences of Wal-Mart? Why do you believe those
distinctive competences emerged and gave Wal-Mart competitive advantage?
How difficult do you believe it would be for other firms to imitate these
competences?
2. Analyze the Home Video Game Industry as an environment for profit-seeking.
Discuss where it is in industry evolution and the threats to profitability that firms
in the industry face. Do you believe that any firm can remain highly profitable in
the industry in the long run? Why have Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft been
willing to invest so much to achieve a position in the industry?
3. Discuss the strategies of Billy Cockrell of Adrenaline Air Sports. Which strategies
have contributed to the survival of the firm so far? Would you take any additional
steps to make the firm a better source of income for Billy?
4. Which of the generic strategies discussed in Chapter 5 was Nintendo following
when it launched its home video game system? What distinctive competencies
did it develop to support this strategy? Why do you think Nintendo was unable to
defend its lead?
5. In the Replacements Ltd. case, Bob Page (the firm’s owner) says the firm has no
business plan, strategies, marketing plan, or budgets. Do you believe
Replacements Inc. has any distinctive competences? If so, explain how it could
have achieved these competences without a fully planned strategy. If not, explain
why you believe Replacements has been so successful.