("Case 26 Samsung Electronics," n.d.) Evaluation of Resources

The most valuable resources that Samsung would have are: their employees. This is important, because the staff can help management be able to improve their products and services. At the same time, they can help increase quality and how long it will take to introduce a new product to the market. ("Case 26 Samsung Electronics," n.d.)

Competitive Liabilities

When you analyze the various KSF weaknesses in comparison to other competitors, it is clear that the biggest weakness facing Samsung is: innovation. Where, a rival could develop a product that is the equivalent of the I Phone. Once this takes place, it could put the company at a distinct disadvantage, in trying to catch up with the innovations introduced by a competitor. ("Case 26 Samsung Electronics," n.d.)

Are the prices and costs competitive?

The prices and costs for the different products that Samsung Electronics sell are competitive.

Value Chain Analysis

When you conduct a value chain analysis, the value is added through: quality and innovative ideas. During the manufacturing process, this allows the various devices to be seen as superior to competitors. At the same time, the flexibility of the process allows the different departments to work together, in improving the quality of the product and the time it takes to introduce them to the market. ("Value Chain Analysis," 2010)

Critical Activities and Combinations of Activities

The critical activities are improved collaboration. This is important, because it is combining the various functions of different departments (through combined activities) to have an impact on the end products that are delivered to consumers. ("Case 26 Samsung Electronics," n.d.)

What Activities are Strategically Important

The biggest activities that have the most significance are: improved collaboration, flexibility...

These different elements have allowed Samsung to rebrand itself over the last ten years. ("Case 26 Samsung Electronics," n.d.)
Is the company stronger or weaker than key rivals?

Samsung Electronics is stronger than key rivals. Evidence of this can be seen by looking no further than: the market cap of the company (which is $100 billion), the way their business model is structured, numerous awards that the firm has received for outstanding quality / innovation and their ability to continue to innovate beyond that of rivals. A good example of this can be seen with the company introducing the Pixon 12. This was the first camera phone that would have a memory of 12 megapixels. Where, they would be the first to introduce this phone in comparison with its rival the Sony Ericson Satio. ("Samsung Pixon 12," 2009)

What issue or issue(s) merit front-burner managerial attention?

The biggest issue is being able to continue with the high levels of growth and innovation that are occurring. Where, the company could become so successful, that they may have trouble finding new areas to innovate and expand. Once this takes place, it could mean that a culture of complacency will begin to take shape. As the hunger for constant innovation will begin to wane; with the company facing this inevitable challenge.

Bibliography

Case 26 Samsung Electronics (n.d.).

Samsung Pixon 12. (2009). Phaing. Retrieved from: http://www.pahing.com/2009/06/samsung-pixon-12-the-mobile-phone-camera-rivals-se-satio-idou/

Sony. (2010). Yahoo Finance. Retrieved from: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/in?s=SNE+Industry

Value Chain Analysis. (2010). Business Dictionary. Retrieved from: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/value-chain-analysis.html

Cheidozie, A. (2008). E How. Retrieved from: http://www.ehow.com/about_5292437_history-portable-audio.html