Glossary

Acquiring: The act of purchasing another company or its assets. (Case5.1)

Affiliation: The facilitation of user-to-user relationships and interactions. (Case 4.1)

Agile Strategy: A flexible and adaptive strategic approach that allows organizations to quickly respond to changes in the environment. (Case 2.1)

AI(Artificial Intelligence): The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning, reasoning, and self-correction. (Case 5.1)

Autonomous Driving: The ability of a vehicle to navigate and operate without human intervention. (Case 3.3)

Brand Perception: How consumers view or perceive a particular brand based on their experiences, beliefs, and feelings. (Case 4.2)

Bundled Offerings: Combining multiple products or services into a single package. (Case 6.2)

Business-Level Strategy: A plan of action to develop a competitive advantage and succeed in a specific market or industry. (Case 4.2)

Collaborative Playlists: Playlists that can be created, shared, and edited by multiple users. (Case 4.1)

Competitive Actions and Reactions: Moves made by companies in response to market conditions, competitors' actions, or internal strategies. (Case 5.1)

Competitive Advantage: A unique advantage that allows a company to outperform its competitors, achieved through offering greater value to customers or operating more efficiently. (Case 4.3)

Competitive Dynamics: The actions and reactions of companies as they compete against each other in the market. (Case 5.1)

Competitive Landscape: The external environment in which a company operates, including all of its competitors, their strengths and weaknesses, and prevailing industry trends. (Case 3.1)

Continuous Innovation: The ongoing process of introducing new ideas, products, or methods, ensuring that a company remains relevant and competitive. (Case 3.3)

Cost Leadership: A strategy where a company aims to become the lowest-cost producer in its industry. (Case 4.2)

Cost Leadership Strategy: A strategy where a company aims to become the lowest-cost producer in its industry by producing in large quantities, which leads to economies of scale. It may also achieve cost leadership by designing its production processes to be more efficient than its competitors. (Case 4.2)

Craft Seltzers: Carbonated alcoholic beverages that are typically lighter in calories and often come in a variety of flavors. They are similar to hard sodas but usually contain fewer sugars and carbs. (Case2.1)

Cross-Departmental Processes: Processes that involve multiple departments within an organization. (Case 4.4)

Cross-Functional Process Improvement Teams: Teams composed of members from various functional areas within an organization, working collaboratively to improve processes that span multiple departments. (Case 4.4)

Cross-Functional Teams: Groups that are made up of members from different departments within an organization, such as marketing, finance, and operations. (Case 4.3)

Crown Jewel Defense: A strategy where a company sells off its most attractive assets to deter a hostile takeover. (Case 7.1)

Customer Experience: The overall perception and feeling a customer has about a brand or company based on all their interactions with it.(Case 4.2)

Customer Satisfaction: A measure of how products and services meet or exceed customer expectations. (Case 4.4)

Data Analytics: The process of examining large datasets to uncover hidden patterns, correlations, and insights, often used to make informed business decisions. (Case 1.2)

Defect Rates: A metric that measures the number of defective items, errors, or faults in a set or sample. (Case 4.3)

Differentiated Products: Products that stand out from competitors due to unique features, design, quality, or other attributes. (Case3.3)

Differentiation: A strategy where a company offers unique features or attributes in its products or services to stand out from competitors. (Case4.2)

Direct-to-Consumer: A business model where companies sell directly to the end consumer, bypassing any middlemen or retailers. (Case 3.2)

Diversification: A strategy where a company introduces new products or enters new markets, often to spread risk and exploit growth opportunities.(Case 1.2, Case 6.1)

Diversified Suppliers: Multiple suppliers for sourcing materials or products, reduces dependency on any single supplier and mitigate risks associated with supply chain disruptions. (Case 2.1)

DVD-by-mail service: A service where customers rent DVDs online and receive them by mail. Once watched, customers return the DVDs in prepaid envelopes. Netflix began as such a service. (Case 1.2)

E-commerce Subscription: A subscription model where customers pay a recurring fee to access a company's products or services online. Amazon Prime, for instance, offers both streaming and e-commerce benefits. (Case 1.2)

Economies of Scope: Cost savings that result from sharing or transferring resources and capabilities across businesses. (Case 6.1)

Ecosystem Creation: The development of interconnected products, services, or platforms that complement each other, encouraging users to engage with multiple offerings from the same company. (Case 3.3)

Empowerment: Granting teams or individuals the authority to make decisions and take actions autonomously. (Case 4.4)

Enhanced Collaboration: A culture of collaboration and breakdown of departmental silos. Auto max expected that these teams would foster such a collaboration. (Case 4.4)

Ethical Sourcing: Procurement of products or resources in a responsible and sustainable manner, considering environmental, social, and ethical factors. (Case 3.1)

EV(Electric Vehicle): Vehicles that operate on an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine that runs on fossil fuel. (Case3.3)

Exchange Rates: The value of one currency for the purpose of conversion to another. (Case 3.3)

Exclusive Access: Having special access to resources or opportunities that others do not. (Case 6.2)

Facilitator: An individual who guides a group in achieving its objectives, ensuring effective collaboration and communication. (Case 4.4)

Feedback Loops: Mechanisms or systems set up to receive feedback, which can then be used to make improvements or adjustments. In AquaBrew's case, it was used to understand consumer preferences. (Case 2.1)

Flexible Production: A production approach that can be easily adjusted based on demand. It allows companies to increase or decrease production quickly in response to market conditions. (Case 2.1)

Firm Infrastructure: The organizational structure, culture, and resources that support the core activities of a company. (Case3.2)

Geopolitical Issues: Political factors that are influenced by geographic factors, such as borders, resources, and population distribution.(Case 3.3)

Global Expansion: The strategy of entering and operating in international markets. (Case 1.2)

Government Incentives: Financial incentives or support provided by the government to promote specific behaviors or decisions, such as purchasing electric vehicles. (Case 3.3)

Holistic Approach: A strategy or method that considers the whole entity, rather than analyzing its parts separately. (Case 4.3)

Hostile Takeover: The acquisition of a company against the wishes of its management. (Case 7.1)

I/O Model: Short for Industrial Organization model, it suggests that a firm's strategy and performance are primarily influenced by the external environment or industry structure. (Case 3.3)

Immersive: Providing a deep, engaging experience that captures the user's full attention. (Case 4.1)

Inbound Logistics: Activities related to receiving, storing, and distributing inputs internally. For GreenTech, this involves sourcing recycled materials. (Case 3.2)

Integrated Cost Leadership/Differentiation Strategy: A strategy that combines features of both cost leadership and differentiation. The company aims to offer unique and innovative products while still maintaining competitive pricing. (Case 4.2)

Integrated Hardware-Software Approach: A strategy where a company controls both the physical components (i.e., hardware) and the operating systems or applications (i.e., software) of its products, ensuring compatibility and a unified user experience. (Case 3.3)

Interactive Content: Digital content that requires active engagement from the user, such as choosing the direction of a storyline. (Case 4.1)

Internal Resistance: Opposition or reluctance from employees or other internal stakeholders to accept or adapt to changes within the organization. (Case 4.2)

Internal Resources: The assets, capabilities, processes, information, and knowledge that an organization controls. (Case 5.1)

Joint Distribution Channels: Using the same distribution channels for multiple products or services. (Case 6.1)

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Specific and measurable metrics used to track the performance of a business in various areas. (Case 4.3)

Lean Manufacturing Principles: A production method derived from the Toyota Production System that emphasizes minimizing waste while maximizing productivity. (Case 3.2)

Leveraged Relationships: Using existing relationships to gain an advantage in a new area. (Case 6.2)

Licensing Agreements: Legal contracts between content creators and distributors that grant permission to use copyrighted content for specific purposes, often in exchange for payment. (Case 1.2)

Limited Operational Overlap: When businesses share some similarities but have distinct operations. (Case 6.2)

Litigation: The process of taking legal action. (Case 7.1)

Localized Content: Content that is tailored to the culture, language, and preferences of a specific region or group of people. (Case 4.1)

Macro-environmental Factors: External and uncontrollable factors that influence an organization's decision-making and affect its performance and strategies. (Case 3.3)

Market Power: The ability of a company to influence the terms and conditions of its transactions. (Case 6.2)

Marketing & Sales: Activities related to promoting and selling products or services. This includes GreenTech's efforts to promote its eco-friendly unique selling proposition (USP). (Case 3.2)

Marketing Synergy: The combined efforts of a marketing strategy to produce a result that is greater than the sum of their individual effects. In this case, it refers to AquaBrew marketing seltzers alongside their craft beers to leverage their established brand. (Case 2.1)

Market Commonality: The degree to which companies compete in the same markets or segments. (Case 5.1)

Mitigation Measures: Specific steps taken to reduce adverse impacts or risks. The term "mitigation" in a business context, especially related to environmental or community concerns, might be specialized knowledge. (Case 1.1)

Niche Players: Companies that specialize in a particular segment of the market, catering to specific customer needs. (Case 4.2)

Objective Setting: The act of defining clear and specific goals for a team or project. (Case 4.4)

Operational Impact: The effect or influence that a group or decision has on the day-to-day functions of an organization. While "impact" is a common term, "operational impact" is more specific to how something affects the daily workings of an entity. (Case 1.1)

Operational Levels: Different stages or steps in the business process, from production to sales to customer service. (Case 4.2)

Operational Strain: Challenges or difficulties faced in the day-to-day operations of a business. (Case 4.2)

Operations: Activities related to the transformation of inputs into the final product. In GreenTech's case, this refers to the manufacturing processes of their electronic products. (Case 3.2)

Outbound Logistics: Activities related to collecting, storing, and distributing the product to buyers. For GreenTech, this involves distributing products to third-party retailers. (Case 3.2)

Partnership Strategy: A strategic approach where companies collaborate or form alliances with other companies to achieve specific objectives. (Case 5.1)

Partnerships: Collaborative arrangements between two or more entities to achieve mutual benefits. StreamFlix collaborates with local telecom providers to offer bundled packages. (Case 4.1)

Pilot Launch: A strategy where a new product or service is introduced to a limited area or audience to test its viability before a full-scale launch. (Case 2.1)

Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle: A four-step management method used in business for the control and continuous improvement of processes and products. (Case 4.3)

Poison Pill: A strategy used by a company to prevent a hostile takeover by making the company less attractive to the acquirer. (Case 7.1)

Positive Risk: A risk that has the potential to result in a positive outcome or benefit for the organization. In this context, it refers to the opportunity presented by the rising popularity of craft seltzers. (Case 2.1)

Powerwall: A product by Tesla that is a rechargeable home battery system that stores energy from solar or the grid and makes it available on demand. (Case 3.3)

Pricing Dilemma: A situation where a company faces challenges in setting the right price for its product, balancing between costs, competition, and perceived value. (Case 4.2)

Proprietary: Something owned by a particular company or individual, often referring to technologies or methods that are unique to that entity. (Case 3.2)

Proxy Fight: A strategy where an acquiring company tries to persuade shareholders to replace the target company's board of directors. (Case 7.1)

Related Linked Diversification: Diversification into businesses that are related at some level but do not share a high degree of operational commonality. (Case 6.2)

R&D (Research and Development): The department or functional area within an organization responsible for product innovation, research studies, and the development of new products. R&D tasks include investigating and developing new technologies or products. (Case 4.2 and Case 5.1)

R&D (Research and Development) Capabilities: Refers to a company's ability to conduct research and develop new products, technologies, or solutions. (Case 3.3)

Reach: The number of people a business can connect with or access. In StreamFlix's context, it refers to its availability in over 100 countries and its efforts to cater to various languages and cultures. (Case 4.1)

Recognition and Rewards: Systems or programs within an organization that acknowledge and compensate employees for their achievements and contributions. (Case 4.3)

Regulatory Approvals: Permissions or sanctions given by official regulatory bodies. The process and importance of obtaining these approvals in business contexts is often a nuanced topic. (Case 1.1)

Related Constrained Diversification: Diversification where businesses share more than just a few resources. (Case 6.1)

Reputation: The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something, in this context, a company's standing in the eyes of the public or its customers. (Case 4.4)

Rebranding: The process of changing the corporate image of a company or organization. (Case 4.2)

Recalls: Actions taken by a company to return a product after the discovery of safety issues or product defects that might endanger the consumer or put the maker/seller at risk of legal action. (Case 4.3)

Resource Similarity: The extent to which a company's tangible and intangible resources resemble those of another company. (Case 5.1)

Resource-Based View (RBV): A theoretical framework that emphasizes the internal capabilities and resources of an organization as the primary sources of its competitive advantage, as opposed to external industry factors. (Case 3.3)

Reverse Engineer: The process of analyzing a product to determine its components and their interrelationships, often with the aim of recreating or improving upon it. (Case 5.1)

Richness: The depth and quality of the information exchange between a business and its users. For StreamFlix, this encompasses high-quality streaming, interactive content, detailed analytics, and comprehensive content descriptions. (Case 4.1)

Risk Management: The process of identifying, assessing, and controlling threats to an organization's capital and earnings. (Case 2.1)

Service: Activities related to maintaining the product's value after it has been sold, such as customer support, warranty, and repair services. (Case 3.2)

Shared Resources: Using the same resources for multiple purposes or businesses. (Case 6.1)

Smart Device Industry: A sector focused on producing devices with integrated computing capabilities, such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. (Case 5.1)

Starbucks Experience: The unique value proposition offered by Starbucks, encompassing high-quality coffee, ambiance, customer service, and other amenities. (Case 3.1)

Strategic Actions: Specific steps or initiatives taken by a company to achieve its strategic objectives. (Case 4.1)

Strategic Move: A planned approach or decision made by an organization to achieve specific goals or objectives. (Case 4.4)

Strategic Positioning: How a company positions itself in the market in relation to its competitors, based on differences in strategy or market focus. (Case 3.2)

Strategic Positioning: The way a company differentiates itself from competitors and positions itself in the market to achieve a competitive advantage. (Case 4.1)

Strategic Shift: A significant change in the direction or approach of a company's strategy. (Case 4.2)

Strategizing: The act of planning a strategy or course of action. (Case 5.1)

Supplier Quality Ratings: A metric that evaluates the quality of products, services, or processes provided by suppliers. (Case 4.3)

Support Activities: Activities that support the primary functions of the value chain, including procurement, technology development, human resource management, and firm infrastructure. (Case 3.2)

Sustainable Competitive Advantage: A long-term advantage that a company has over its competitors, allowing it to generate greater sales or margins and/or retain more customers. (Case 3.1)

Tangible Results: Measurable and concrete outcomes resulting from specific actions or initiatives. (Case 4.4)

Tender Offer: A public offer to buy shares of a company at a specified price. (Case 7.1)

Third-Place Experience: Refers to Starbucks' aim to make their coffee shops a "third place" for people, aside from home (i.e., first place) and work (i.e., second place), where they can relax and socialize. (Case 3.1)

Total Quality Management (TQM): A comprehensive, systematic approach to improving organizational performance as well as the quality of products, services, and processes through a continuous commitment to quality across all levels of the organization. (Case 4.3 and Case 4.4)

Town Hall Meetings: A public meeting where members of a town or community gather to discuss local issues. The format and purpose might be unfamiliar to those not versed in community engagement or local governance. (Case 1.1)

Trade Policies: Policies related to the import and export of goods and services between countries. (Case 3.3)

Transferred Capabilities: Applying skills or knowledge from one area of a company to another. (Case 6.1)

USP (Unique Selling Proposition): A factor that differentiates a product from its competitors. GreenTech's USP is its eco-friendly and sustainable electronic products. (Case 3.2)

Urbanization: The increasing number of people that live in urban areas. (Case 3.3)

User Base: The total number of users or customers who use a product or service. (Case 4.1)

User Experience: The overall experience a user has with a product or service, encompassing usability, design, and overall satisfaction. (Case 4.1)

Value Chain Analysis: A strategic tool that breaks down the activities of a company into its key components to understand how value is added at each stage and identify areas for improvement or differentiation. (Case 3.2)

Value, Rarity, Inimitability, and Non-Substitutability: The four criteria used to determine a firm's sustainable competitive advantage. A resource or capability must meet all four criteria to be considered a source of sustainable competitive advantage. (Case 3.1)

Water Conservation Measures: Techniques or practices used to reduce water use or wastage. This term is more specific to environmental sustainability and might not be standard in general business courses. (Case 1.1)

Warranty Claims: Requests made by customers to have a product repaired or replaced under a warranty, which is a guarantee that the product will meet certain performance and quality standards. (Case 4.3)

White Knight: A friendly party that makes a counteroffer to a hostile bidder. (Case 7.1)