Business Strategy Questions

DirectionsPlease answer the following questions as best you can from the materials (Slides, Lectures,
Readings, etc) covered in our class. The answers that get the most credit will address the
questions in the specific way that we have covered the associated topics. Please make sure to
incorporate examples that were given on the topics since this is an important part in grading
each essay. Examples may come from course lectures, slides, articles, videos, etc.
Grammar and other writing tips that you were asked to avoid in the group project are not
graded in this exam, although please try to make your answers as coherent as possible.
For each question, I give you a suggested minimum length. This is meant to give you an
expectation of how long the answer should be at a minimum. We all write differently, so it
could be that you need more, or much more, to accurately answer the question.
***** Questions Begin On Page 2 *****
Essay Questions
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Q1: What is horizontal coordination and how did we study it with respect to our industry
structure topic? NOTE: I’m not expecting any M&A here
, Suggested Length, 2-3 Paragraphs]
Q2: I stated in class that joint ventures work when the JV partners (Firms X, Y etc) have a
reason or incentive to join the JV. Explain this in terms of what they may contribute to the
JV in order for it to make sense to even have the JV in the first place.
, Suggested Length, 2-3 Paragraphs]
Q3: There are numerous strategic reasons for M&A. Explain resource acquisition and
overcoming barriers to entry in this context. You can explain these two reasons as one since
that is what I did in class.
[10 Points, Suggested Length, 1-2 Paragraphs]
Q4: Explain why I gave you the Orbitz flight search assignment in class during our discussion
of horizontal issues and anti-trust. Be as specific as possible with both explaining what we
did and why we did it.
Points, Suggested Length, 2 or more Paragraphs]
Q5: Explain the difference between a conglomerate and a relatedly diversified company.
Points, Suggested Length, 1-2 Paragraphs]
Q6: How do franchise systems grow as opposed to growth for firms that don’t use franchising
(in other words, chaining)? When answering, think about the risks and rewards for each. ,
Suggested Length, 2 Paragraphs]
Q7: Explain the difference between trade secrets and patents. Start by briefly explaining
each and how they are protected by the USPTO. Then explain the differences between them
and why a TMT may have a hard time deciding between which one to use for a specific
technology/code/chemical compound, etc.
Suggested Length, 2 Paragraphs]
Q8: Studying the topic of vertical issues is key to business strategy as this is often an area
where firms struggle. What is meant by vertical issues (or vertical competition)?
Furthermore, what were some of the problems that we studied in class, readings, videos etc.
that point to struggles that firms may have in their vertical chain?
, Suggested Length, 400+ Words]
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