Product Description

Discover the art of strategic thinking

Revised and updated to reflect the cutting edge of academic thinking about business strategy, the Fourth Edition of Besanko, Dranove, Shanley, and Schaefer′s highly acclaimed text offers a solid economic foundation for strategic analysis. By presenting basic concepts of economic theory with ideas in modern strategy literature, the book provides an economic lens for viewing the broad sweep of the strategic activities of the firm.

The book begins by focusing on the boundaries of the firm and examines competitive strategy from the perspective of industrial organization (IO) economics, particularly Porter′s Five Forces. It then explores strategic positioning and dynamics as well as topics associated with internal organization, including personnel economics, organization structure, and strategic fit.

Features of the Fourth Edition
∗ Chapters on human resources management, entry, positioning, dynamics, technological change, and organizational structure are substantially revised.
∗ An updated chapter on business history covers the recent dot–com bubble.
∗ Presents economic principles without overemphasizing the math.
∗ Rigorous treatment of organizational topics such as structure and culture enables you to experience the full scope of strategic thinking.
∗ The authors use Porter′s Five Forces as a tool for organizing industry analysis, building on the coverage of industrial organization and game theory. The text also considers the Value Net, another tool for organizing industry analysis.
∗ Includes coverage of make or buy decisions (Chapters 2–4) and benefit and cost advantage and sustaining advantage (Chapters 11–13).
∗ Fascinating examples, including many new to this edition, bring the economic models to life. Many of the examples involve businesses outside of the United States.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42327 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 632 pages

Review
“…the book seeks to supply an economic lens for viewing the broad sweep of the strategic activities of the firm.” (Times Higher Education Supplement, Thursday 28th February 2008)

Review
“…the book seeks to supply an economic lens for viewing the broad sweep of the strategic activities of the firm.” (Times Higher Education Supplement, Thursday 28th February 2008)

From the Back Cover
Discover the art of strategic thinking

Revised and updated to reflect the cutting edge of academic thinking about business strategy, the Fourth Edition of Besanko, Dranove, Shanley, and Schaefer’s highly acclaimed text offers a solid economic foundation for strategic analysis. By presenting basic concepts of economic theory with ideas in modern strategy literature, the book provides an economic lens for viewing the broad sweep of the strategic activities of the firm.

The book begins by focusing on the boundaries of the firm and examines competitive strategy from the perspective of industrial organization (IO) economics, particularly Porter’s Five Forces. It then explores strategic positioning and dynamics as well as topics associated with internal organization, including personnel economics, organization structure, and strategic fit.

Features of the Fourth Edition

• Chapters on human resources management, entry, positioning, dynamics, technological change, and organizational structure are substantially revised.
• An updated chapter on business history covers the recent dot–com bubble.
• Presents economic principles without overemphasizing the math.
• Rigorous treatment of organizational topics such as structure and culture enables you to experience the full scope of strategic thinking.
• The authors use Porter’s Five Forces as a tool for organizing industry analysis, building on the coverage of industrial organization and game theory. The text also considers the Value Net, another tool for organizing industry analysis.
• Includes coverage of make or buy decisions (Chapters 2–4) and benefit and cost advantage and sustaining advantage (Chapters 11–13).
• Fascinating examples, including many new to this edition, bring the economic models to life. Many of the examples involve businesses outside of the United States.

Customer Reviews

Sadly, a "6 stars" rating isn't available...
Well, I have read many books on strategy and organization but none has been so thorough, exciting and intuitive as this! Insisting on "the need for economic principles", the authors explore a considerable number of topics in industry evolution and firm dynamics in a very consistent, analytic and understandable manner. In contrast to most books adopting a purely qualitative analysis that disorients most serious strategy readers, this book provides a thorough quantitative arsenal for analyzing effectively and consistently almost every possible business situation... In brief: If you think business is a game, then this book is definitely its Manual.

THE MBA book on "economical" Strategy
Excellent book! The book covers (all) the aspects of Microeconomics/Strategy in a fantastic and very readable manner. Ok, there's quantitative stuff, but kept down to a minimum. Personally, one of the view "must buy" text books in strategic management.

Best Book which combines Economics and Strategy
Truely outstanding book. Comprehensive coverage of the economic reasoning behind strategic decisions. Shame most consulting firms may have never heard of this. If there is only one book in your life you want to read about strategy and economics then this is it.