Strategic Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategic Management - Case Study Example   It works in numerous industries such as electronics, financial services, films, games as well as music. The company is acknowledged for creating value for customers, which is highly admired. It is because of this fact that Sony has managed a combination of resources such as capabilities as well as core competencies that have permitted the company to design a strong sustainable competitive advantage. It was noted that the company in the month of May’ 2011 decided to sell nearly 27 million television sets in the month of July of the year 2011. However, it could manage to sell only 22 million television sets in the month of July 2011. Intangible resources of the company are those non-physical assets that are used by it in order to manufacture goods and services, or are expected to create future productive advantage s. The Sony brand is generally quite recognizable as well as trusted in the globe. It focuses upon superior quality, style as well as innovation. The companyâ€⠄¢s employees are considered to be the key drivers towards success. However, it has been found that the company had reduced 30000 jobs and commenced joint manufacturing venture. Furthermore, since the year 2000, the company has been losing its market value by a considerable amount (BusinessWeek, 2011). Question 1(iii) Sony Strategy Using the Competitive Advantage (Porter) Framework A company which is able to maintain its profits and thereby surpass the average of its industry is said to possess a competitive advantage against its rivals. According to Michael Porter, there are two types of competitive advantage. They are identified to be cost advantage and differentiation advantage (Worldscibooks, 2012). It has been observed that Sony is taking measures in order to improve the image as well as audio quality of its Bravia range of LCD televisions that forms the basis of its current television line-up. It is customizing its product offering so that it is capable of meeting specific reg ional market requirements. The company aims at enhancing the functions as well as performance of LCD models so that it is capable of differentiating itself from the other competitors (Sony, 2012). Sony aims at following differentiation advantage which generally takes place when a company is capable of establishing a premium price in the marketplace from its differentiated products surpassing the cost of offering the differential characteristics (Blackwell Publishing, 2011). Sony needs to recognize the customers and the way in which its products can meet their needs. When the performance of the television business of Sony is undermining, it becomes imperative for the company to adopt differentiation advantage so that it can maintain competitive advantage in both the short as well as the long-run. The company even make use of various 3D contents in order to speed up the growth of 3D entertainment (Scribd, 2012). Question 2 (ii) Comcast Strategies from the Perspective of the Resource-B ased View of the Firm Framework Comcast Corporation is performing quite well in areas of media, communication as well as entertainment sectors.  

European union Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

European union Law - Essay Example The conditions that were laid down were that the provision must be clear and precise; it must be unconditional; and its operations must not be dependent upon further action by national or EC authorities. The query as to whether a Directive could have direct effect was found to be contentious. Directives are intended to be implemented and brought into effect by national legislation within a stipulated period of time. ‘A Directive is to be binding, as to the result to be achieved, upon each Member State to which it is addressed†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢2 On a literal interpretation the power is conferred on the Member State so as to implement the measure. Thus the idea had been that the condition of further implementing measure could not be satisfied so no direct effect. However, in, the courts3 found that an individual could rely on a directive which had not been implemented in national law. Further development occurred by relating the doctrine of estoppels and stating that a State could n ot rely on its own fault to frustrate the rights that had been conferred upon individuals under the Directive. Thus if Member State due to its fault, fails to implement the Directive in national law or has done so inaccurately, the individual can claim against the state the rights that have been provided, had the Directive been (correctly) implemented4. Thus allowing vertical effect is appropriate because the fault can be attributed to the Member State for its failure and not of any other individual.5. This rule had been criticized for inequality, as an action could only be brought against the state.6However, it is important that the time limit for implementation must expire, because before that the Member State is not in breach of any obligation.7 In respect of the facts at hand the Directive has been incorrectly implemented, however, the problem lies in the fact that the timeline for the Directive to be implemented has not passed and therefore dependency is still there and the con ditions for direct effect would not be satisfied and an action against Age Aged Ltd cannot be brought about by Per by way of direct effect. The doctrine of indirect effect was laid down so as to allow parties to claim if they could not rely on direct effect8. The doctrine places an obligation on national courts to interpret national legislation ‘in the light of wording and purpose’ of Community law that is the duty of harmonious interpretation. The principal is to apply to national legislation regardless of whether it is passed before or after the EC legislation9. Indirect effect applies to vertical as well as horizontal actions. The limits that have been placed are that there must be national legislation; the doctrine applies subject to general principles of law, e.g. legal certainty and non-retroactivity10; and the exception of criminal liability11, however, this does not apply in respect of claims for civil liability on individuals12. In respect of the current situat ion it is important to point out that there is national legislation which has incorrectly implemented the directive and therefore Per can claim that the national courts are duty bound to implement it so as to give effect to the limitation on exclusion clauses in business contracts and therefore claim against Age