Startimes’ Competitive Strategy Research And Analysis In Africa

The purpose of this research is to systematically understand and analyze Startimes’ competency in African market. This summary will enable Startimes business management team to better explore opportunities and minimize risks in the dynamic market in Africa, while developing new markets and exploring potential for existing markets.This research summarizes Startimes’ competitive strategy in African market as: “Through innovation based on strategy diversity, Startimes can change the business environment and competitors and become a differentiated competitor in overseas market.”On the basis of PEST model, Michael Porter’s competitive strategy, it is illustrated that Startimes’ competitive strategy is best suited to differentiation focus category and innovation. Then with the resources analysis tool first elaborated by Penrose and core competency concept co-invented by Prahalad and Hamel, analysis on what main capabilities are formed from unique set of resources of Startimes’ overseas strategy, and how these capabilities jointly contribute to Startimes’ core competency, is conducted. Furthermore, the work of Ming-Jer Chen involves rigorously studying the specific moves and countermoves of firms against its competitors.A wealth of business related macroeconomics and industry information is collected from various sources including focused interview with key staff at various functions, company internal reports as well as extensive research on international and domestic publications. Through in-depth analysis with competitive dynamics, it is found that the summarized competency matches extremely well with Startimes’ initiatives at various business activities including strategic planning, partner and competitor selection, operation, marketing and sales as well as technology development.It is also spotted that some business management model do not match Startimes’ competency well, and they could weaken Startimes’ competitive positioning in the market place. With comprehensive understanding on competitive dynamics and its relationship with business activities, some suggestions are proposed in the end on how Startimes should further cultivates, adjusts, strengthens its competency to embrace the opportunities and challenges in the future.