Week 4 Discussion

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Before beginning work on this week's discussion forum, please review the link Doing Discussion Questions Right, the expanded grading rubric for the forum, and any specific instructions for this week's topic.

For this assignment, make sure you post your initial response to the Discussion Area by the due date assigned.

Respond to the following questions using the lessons and vocabulary found in the readings.

This discussion assignment has three parts. You should use brief headings to separate your post into the three sections.

For the first section of your post, review the textbook discussion of alternative rationales for cooperative strategy on the business level. The text suggests that the most effective approaches for creating a sustainable, competitive advantage are complementary strategic alliances. Your first section should justify whether you agree that complementary strategic alliances are the best approach. Be sure to refer to the basic requirements for sustainable competitive advantage that are found in a business-level strategy. Utilize research, rationale, and appropriate examples in your response.

For the second section of your post, review the textbook discussion of the rationale for cooperative strategy on the corporate level. Select one of the three types of corporate-level cooperative strategy alternatives discussed in the text. Using the rationale of business strategy, explain how it can enable a firm to achieve a corporate strategy goal. In selecting and defending your choice, be sure to explain the particular advantages that a cooperative strategy brings. The best class discussion will occur if students do not all select the same corporate-level cooperative strategy alternative to defend.

The final section or paragraph (three or four sentences) of your initial post should summarize the one or two key points that you are making in your initial response.

Your posting should be the equivalent of 1.5 to 2 single-spaced pages (750–1000 words) in length.

Start reviewing and responding to the postings of your classmates as early in the week as possible. Respond to at least two of your classmates. Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing a point of view with a rationale, challenging an aspect of the discussion, or indicating a relationship between two or more lines of reasoning in the discussion. Complete your participation for this assignment by the end of the week.