Strategic Analysis: Markets, Resources, and Ecosystems

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Strategic Analysis: Markets, Resources, and Ecosystems

This course is part of Strategic Management Specialization

Instructor: Sage Instructors

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Evaluate industry and product-market boundaries to identify strategic opportunities.
Analyze customer segments and value disciplines to enhance market positioning.
Assess organizational resources, capabilities, and ecosystem dynamics for strategy.

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This course is part of the Strategic Management Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

This course develops advanced strategic analysis skills, covering markets, customer insights, organizational capabilities, and business ecosystems. Learners acquire tools to evaluate industry dynamics and build sustainable competitive advantage.

It helps learners assess market structures, understand customer segmentation, and evaluate resources, capabilities, and routines. Real-world disruptions, like the COVID-19 pandemic, are examined to illustrate strategic decision-making. The course combines frameworks, case studies, and interactive quizzes, enabling learners to apply strategic concepts directly to practical business challenges. Ideal for business professionals, strategists, and students seeking advanced analysis skills. Some familiarity with business fundamentals is beneficial but not required. This course is part two of a three-course Specialization designed to provide a comprehensive learning pathway in this subject area. While it delivers standalone value and practical skills, learners seeking a more integrated and in-depth progression may benefit from completing the full Specialization. This Specialization is based on the book, Strategic Management, by Henk W. Volberda, Rick M. A. Hollen, Joana R. Pereira, Jatinder S. Sidhu, and Kevin Heij. Copyright ©2024 by Sage Publications Limited. All rights reserved, including rights for text and data mining and training of artificial technologies or similar technologies. Published by Sage Publications Limited, London. Used by arrangement with Sage Publications Limited.

This module guides learners through the process of analyzing industry and product-market boundaries, understanding market structures and life-cycle stages, and evaluating competitive forces and profit pools. By examining strategic groups and rivalry, students will gain practical tools to assess market attractiveness and competitive dynamics.

What's included

1 video10 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Overview1 minute

10 readingsTotal 57 minutes

Introduction6 minutes
Industry and product-market boundaries5 minutes
Market structure4 minutes
Industry and product-market life-cycle4 minutes
Market forces9 minutes
Profit pools5 minutes
Strategic groups8 minutes
Rivalry6 minutes
Behavioural profile9 minutes
Summary1 minute

1 assignmentTotal 16 minutes

Industry and Product-Market Analysis Fundamentals16 minutes

This module explores how organizations can strategically segment markets, assess segment viability, and leverage value discipline frameworks to gain a sustainable competitive edge. Learners will discover methods for identifying customer needs, evaluating market opportunities, and applying innovative approaches such as Blue Ocean thinking. By the end, participants will be equipped to make informed decisions about targeting and serving distinct customer groups.

What's included

1 video7 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Overview1 minute

7 readingsTotal 37 minutes

Introduction5 minutes
Market segmentation and segment viability4 minutes
Segment viability5 minutes
Value disciplines5 minutes
Value disciplines, hypercompetition and ambidextrous organizations5 minutes
The benefits and risks of Blue Ocean thinking11 minutes
Summary2 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 16 minutes

Customer Analysis and Strategic Positioning16 minutes

This module explores how organizations leverage resources, routines, capabilities, and competencies to adapt and thrive in changing environments. Learners will examine the role of dynamic capabilities and ad hoc problem solving in strategic decision-making, especially during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Through real-world cases, you'll gain insights into sustaining competitive advantage and organizational resilience.

What's included

1 video8 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Overview1 minute

8 readingsTotal 47 minutes

Introduction4 minutes
Resources6 minutes
Key Debate: Cognition and Knowledge-Based Strategy5 minutes
Capabilities9 minutes
Dynamic capabilities8 minutes
Sustainable competitive advantage4 minutes
Ad hoc problem solving6 minutes
Closing Case: Pandemic 5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 16 minutes

Strategic Resources and Organizational Competencies16 minutes

This module explores the structure and dynamics of business ecosystems and digital platforms, focusing on modularity, network effects, and platform governance. Learners will examine how platforms differ from traditional pipeline businesses, the nature of competition within and between ecosystems, and strategies for sustainable growth. Key concepts include ecosystem emergence, interdependencies, and the factors driving winner-takes-all outcomes.

What's included

1 video11 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Overview1 minute

11 readingsTotal 59 minutes

Introduction4 minutes
Interdependencies7 minutes
Modularity6 minutes
Ecosystem emergence and governance4 minutes
Competition in and between ecosystems5 minutes
Platforms6 minutes
Platforms versus pipeline businesses7 minutes
Winner-takes-all outcomes9 minutes
Beyond the size of the network5 minutes
Platform governance4 minutes
Summary2 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 16 minutes

Ecosystems and Platforms in Modern Business16 minutes

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Instructor

Sage Instructors

Sage Publications

28 Courses175 learners

Offered by

Sage Publications

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

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