Smartphone industry

Case analysis of “Smartphone Industry in 2013: Samsung’s Dilemma” – (I will
attach the copy of the case) & the case is 15 pages long. Please make sure you got
all the pages
Submissions may be up to 1,375 words, and the word count (not including the cover page,
references or citations – headings are also exempt if they do not contain information not found
elsewhere).
Citations from the case text may be a page number [e.g., (p. 3)] since we will be able to
determine the source material from our own copy of the text. Any (optional) citations from
outside materials must include sufficient information for us to find the source material. APA
bibliography format will ensure that complete information is provided.
For this write-up, please answer the following questions. The majority of your answers should
be derived from the material presented in the case. Please be very circumspect in using outside
information or personal insights unless these sources corroborate (and are corroborated by)
information presented in the case. Please pay attention to the value of each question when
determining how much effort to expend on answering it.
Q1. How attractive was the smartphone industry as an arena in which to do business at the
time of the case? For this question, use the five framework (Threat of new entrants, bargaining
power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, Threat of substitute products/services and
rivalry among existing competition) for industry analysis. Discuss all elements of the framework
one by one. If you are making assumptions, state them clearly.
[This question should bring to mind specific frameworks, which you should use when
composing your response. Keep in mind that this question requires a complete analysis using
the relevant framework with a conclusion supported by that analysis.] 35%

Q2. What (generic) competitive strategy does Samsung pursue at the time of the case? Is it
overall Low-cost provider strategy, broad differentiation strategy, focused low-cost strategy or
focused differentiation strategy? Explain your answer using concepts of competitive strategies
and industry positioning. Also, do you think this is a viable strategy in this industry? Briefly
explain. 20%
Q3. What specific resources or capabilities (you should analyze two separate resources/
capabilities) were critical for Samsung in the industry in which it competes? Are these resources
or capabilities sources of competitive advantage? Sustainable competitive advantage? How did
Samsung utilize these (and other) resources/ capabilities (i.e. is Samsung organized to leverage
its resources and achieve a sustained competitive advantage; how do they fit together)?
You may NOT list capital (money) as one of your two chosen resources/capabilities for this
write-up.