International Business Competitive strategy is the bedrock on which companies base business decisions to reach their targets and achieve profitability. Formulating and implementing strategies in international business is much more complicated and difficult task than doing so in home or familiar markets. Competitive strategy deals with the development of abilities by a firm to keep ahead of competitors in the fields in which it operates. Firms develop competitive edge in global

Joint ventures also help BMW access other growing and/or promising markets and allow the company to share costs with partners as well as resources (Kim & McElreath, 2001). This helps minimize financial problems in times of slow sales or at times when resources may be pricey or unavailable. All of these actions help mitigate BMW's global financial risk and increase their long-term profitability and competitiveness. BMW also uses product sourcing

For example, Southwest reduced it turnaround times, and this allowed it to have more flights in a day Arthur a. Thompson, 2010() , which consumers had the opportunity to choose from instead of the larger airlines. Serving short distance and budget fare, the airlines were able to do away with some luxuries which consumers were not interested in like first-class, seat numbering, in-flight meals, and baggage transfers. The budget airlines

This allows for greater levels of planning and cooperation, and fills in the information gap that currently exists between the factory floor and the rest of the supply chain. Lexmark provides an example of waste. Recently, the company found itself with more than $1 million in scrap from one lot. Engineers had insufficient information to isolate and fix the problem, so were instead relegated to crisis control. With more accurate

European Union - Business in Europe European Union * Competitive advantages of a European area in a chosen Industry and Porter's Five Forces * Personal impressions and reflections on what was learned? The European Union is made up of several countries, and all these countries have one single aim, which is to promote and develop business relationships within Europe and also with the rest of the world, in today's world of globalization. When one wishes

Big Businesses Sustainable? Sustainable practices based on environmental regulations have been a concern for businesses, especially big businesses, in the past few decades. The significance of sustainable business practices has gained traction in the past few decades because of the enactment of regulations that seek to promote environmentally friendly practices by businesses. Countries across the world, especially developed countries, have been enacting laws that seek to help streamline business operations