Compared to tangible resources, intangible resources are an inferior source of core competencies

Compared to tangible resources, intangible resources are an inferior source of core competencies

Name: Class: Date:

Chapter 03: The Internal Organization: Resources, Capabilities, Core Competencies, and Competitive

Advantages

True / False

1. Technology has made it more difficult for companies to find ways to develop competitive advantages.

a. True

b. False

ANSWER: True

2. Firms should seek to continually develop new core competencies because all core competencies guarantee above-

average profit.

a. True

b. False

ANSWER: False

3. In today's global economy, some resources that were traditionally critical to firms' efforts to produce, sell, and distribute

goods are now less likely to be a source of competitive advantage.

a. True

b. False

ANSWER: True

4. Firms achieve strategic competitiveness and earn above-average returns by acquiring, bundling, and leveraging their

resources for the purpose of taking advantage of opportunities in the external environment in ways that create value for

customers.

a. True

b. False

ANSWER: True

5. Analyzing the internal environment enables a firm to determine what it MIGHT DO by identifying what opportunities

and threats exist.

a. True

b. False

ANSWER: False

6. Analyzing the internal environment enables a firm to determine what it CAN DO by identifying resources, capabilities,

and core competencies in the internal organization.

a. True

b. False

ANSWER: True

7. Understanding how to leverage the firm's unique bundle of resources and capabilities is a key outcome decision makers

seek when analyzing the internal organization.

a. True

b. False

ANSWER: True

8. The best way to understand the relationship between resources, capabilities, and core competencies is to recognize that

Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero.Page 1

See Also:
How to Turnaround a Company
SWOT Analysis
How to Run an Effective Meeting
How to Train People for Success
Action Plan

Core Competencies Definition

The core competencies definition is a resource or capability that gives a firm competitive advantage. Core competencies are the business functions or operational activities that a company does best. A company’s core competencies are what differentiate it from the other competitors in its industry. They are also the resources and capabilities that allow the company to achieve profitability. A firm should devise its strategy so as to exploit the resources and capabilities that comprise its core competencies.

Resources

A company’s resources are the operational inputs that allow it to perform its business activities. Resources are often divided into three categories, including the following:

  • Physical assets
  • Human resources
  • Organizational capital

Resources can also be classified as either tangible resources or intangible resources. Tangible resources are physical assets, such as equipment or property. Intangible resources are non-physical assets, such as reputation, brand equity, or superior organizational architecture. Resources become core competencies or contribute to core competencies when they meet the criteria outlined below.

Capabilities

A company’s capabilities are the activities and functions it performs to utilize its resources in an integrative fashion. Capabilities are practiced and honed over time. As they become stronger, the company enhances its expertise in a particular functional or operational area. This expertise allows the company to differentiate itself from competitors. Furthermore, capabilities are operational activities that the company has mastered. They are inimitable or difficult for competitors to figure out and replicate. When capabilities meet the criteria outlined below, they contribute to the company’s competitive advantage and profit potential, and are considered core competencies.
When a company determines its core competencies, it may decide to focus on these activities only, and to outsource other peripheral or non-core activities. Provided that non-core activities can be performed more efficiently and economically by an outside organization that has expertise in that activity, it may benefit the company to outsource all possible peripheral business activities in order to devote itself to core business activities and competencies.

Core Competencies Criteria

When a company’s resources or capabilities meet certain criteria they can be called core competencies. If a resource or capability meets the following criteria it contributes to a firm’s competitive advantage over industry rivals and allows the firm to achieve profitability. A resource or capability is a core competency if it is valuable, rare, costly to imitate, and non-substitutable.
A capability or resource is valuable when it allows the company to capitalize on opportunities or defend against external threats. It is rare when few or no other industry competitors possess the resource or expert capability. A resource or capability is costly to imitate when competitors must incur heavy costs to replicate them or they are altogether inimitable. It is non-substitutable when no other resource or capability can be utilized as an equivalent.
See the following for the core competencies criteria:
1. Valuable
2. Rare
3. Costly to imitate
4. Non-substitutable
If you want to learn what your core competencies are, then click here to access our free Internal Analysis whitepaper.

Compared to tangible resources, intangible resources are an inferior source of core competencies

[box]Strategic CFO Lab Member Extra

Access your Exit Strategy Checklist Execution Plan in SCFO Lab. The step-by-step plan to put together your exit strategy and maximize the amount of value you get.

Click here to access your Execution Plan. Not a Lab Member?
Click here to learn more about SCFO Labs[/box]

Compared to tangible resources, intangible resources are an inferior source of core competencies

Source:

Harrison, Jeffrey S., Michael A. Hitt, Robert E. Hoskisson, R. Duane Ireland. (2008) “Competing for Advantage”, Thomson South-Western, United States, 2008.

Why core competencies are considered as the sources of competitive advantage?

Developing core competencies enables organizations to gain a competitive advantage with the express benefit of increasing sales and profits. Companies achieve this through innovation in developing products and services.

What are the differences between resources and core competencies?

Resources are a business's assets, capabilities are the ability to exploit its resources, and competency is a cross-functional integration and coordination of capabilities.

Are core capabilities tangible?

They can be tangible, like a business process that is automated, but most of them tend to be tacit and intangible. Critical to forming competitive advantages, capabilities are often based on developing, carrying, and exchanging information and knowledge through the firm's human capital.

What are tangible competencies?

1. In addition to soft skills, there are other, more tangible skills that most projects require. These are called hard skills or technical skills. They are the specific knowledge and abilities required to do the job. Examples of hard skills include computer coding, equipment operation, and painting.