Why a companys resources and capabilities are centrally important in giving the company competitive edge over rivals?

What is Resources and Capabilities?

Resources and Capabilities are the sources of competitive advantage and the primary source of profitability for any firm. Resources and capabilities empower a company to drive the business and face competition with their products & offerings for the need of customers.

Importance of Resources and Capabilities

Resources and organizational capabilities play an important role in business. They can be explained as:

A) Resources can be divided into:

1. Tangible – Physical and financial assets. Eg: Machinery, offices, warehouses

2. Intangible – Skills, reputation and brand names. Eg: Whatsapp, Disney

3. Human Resources – Skilled Employees

B) Organizational capabilities:

They refer to the business routines, processes and the organizational culture. Identification of core competencies or capabilities can be useful in identifying what contributes more to customer value and which market segments to target. A firm must analyse which resources and capabilities are most important in providing a sustainable competitive advantage to the firm. It should also identify its strengths and weaknesses with respect to its competitors. The firm must ensure that all resources and capabilities are fully employed and exploited. It must focus on regenerating valuable resources and building competencies. In a rapidly changing external environment a focus on internal resources and capabilities is more secure than market focus.

Hence, this concludes the definition of Resources and Capabilities along with its overview.

This article has been researched & authored by the Business Concepts Team. It has been reviewed & published by the MBA Skool Team. The content on MBA Skool has been created for educational & academic purpose only.

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How do resources and capabilities lead to competitive advantage?

Competitive advantage is created by using resources and capabilities to achieve either a lower cost structure or a differentiated product. A firm positions itself in its industry through its choice of low cost or differentiation. This decision is a central component of the firm's competitive strategy.

Why should companies focus on their resources and capabilities to gain competitive advantage?

These strategic resources can provide the foundation to develop firm capabilities that can lead to superior performance over time. Capabilities are needed to bundle, manage, and otherwise exploit resources in a manner that provides value added to customers and creates advantages over competitors.

What is the importance of resources and capabilities?

Resources and Capabilities are the sources of competitive advantage and the primary source of profitability for any firm. Resources and capabilities empower a company to drive the business and face competition with their products & offerings for the need of customers.

What resources and competitive capabilities does a company need to have to be competitively successful?

Businesses can develop core competencies by identifying key internal strengths and investing in the capabilities valued by their customers..
Innovation of Cutting Edge Products. ... .
Quality and Reliability. ... .
Exceptional Customer Service. ... .
Stay Flexible to Stay Competitive. ... .
Other Core Competencies..