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This note introduces the basic concepts of value creation and value capture, which are used as the building blocks for many other concepts, tools, and frameworks in Competitive Strategy. Defining these concepts allows us to think and talk more precisely about Competitive Strategy. They also allow us to make progress in our understanding of what strategies might actually work, and which are doomed to fail. In this note, we will also define some other concepts such as value creation strategies, willingness to pay, and the productivity frontier....

This case deals with an Italian company that produces machine tools (milling machines), an expensive product in a very competitive and cyclical industry. It discusses the Taylor production system, which is extremely complicated and involves mass production. The case presents the effects of the recession on P&L accounts and balance sheets and possible solutions.This case deals with an Italian company that produces machine tools (milling machines), an expensive product in a very competitive and cyclical industry. It discusses the Taylor production system, which is extremely complicated and involves mass production. The case presents the effects of the recession on P&L accounts and balance sheets and possible solutions....

The case provides the opportunity to discuss some of the decisions faced by Gopala Krishnan (GK), an Indian entrepreneur who has developed a number of successful technology-related start-ups. The case presents three ventures that GK worked on in parallel: TimePass India, a cinema and real estate business; Immunizeindia, a social venture; and Banyan Mobile, a music streaming business. GK is faced with three strategic decisions, one for each venture. All three ventures are part of GK's business incubator: Hanin Global....

The Dodot brand of Arbora & Ausonia (A&A) is suffering significant market share decline in the diaper division in Spain and Portugal at the hands of lower priced private label products. The case presents an A&A dual proposal to launch a new economy (basic) line of diapers to combat these rivals and to reposition its top-of-the-line product....