Anonymous
Posted March 31, 2007
This is neither a book on microeconomics nor on management: its a cross-over. Its an economic treatment of management strategy, i.e. using economic reasoning and analysis for strategic purposes. You dont need any prior studies in economics besides general introductory studies, say a first year course. Its is not mathematical so you dont need that prerequisite either. It is not a 'how-to' book on either strategy nor management, it mainly adds some theoretical flesh to the bones of practical management, and makes you see business strategy from an economist's perspective. Thus it is most suited to economics and/or management students. Additionally, it is reader-friendly and well done.
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Posted May 18, 2000
Best strategy text book so far : all current strategy concepts are supported by micro-economics, game theory and financial theory.
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More About This Textbook
Overview
Sound strategic management is dependent on a set of business principles that apply to all sectors of the economy. Besanko, Dranove, Shanley, and Schaefer's highly acclaimed Economics of Strategy, now in its Fifth Edition, gives you grounding in those fundamental strategic concepts that will serve you throughout your career, in any economic circumstances.
This book focuses on the economic principles that form the building blocks of strategy and details the tools you'll need to perform comprehensive analysis of a firm's economic strategy. This Fifth Edition features new and expanded discussion of topics, such as:
Demand, costs, pricing, and game theory
Economics of scale, a concept fundamental to competition, entry, positioning and sustainability
The interface between the theory of the firm, organization design, and business strategy
Incentives-vital for understanding integration and organization structure
The boundaries of the firm
Positioning and sustaining advantage
Competition
New examples, drawn from real-world cases from the eighteenth century to present day, use the lens of business history to illustrate how these principles play out in the actual corporate arena.
Editorial Reviews
Booknews
Details both the external market environment of firms and their internal organization, for MBA students, advanced undergraduates, students in executive programs, and practicing managers. After a primer on economic concepts for strategy, four sections address the boundaries of the firm; competitive strategy from the perspective of industrial organization economies; strategic positioning and dynamics; and topics associated with internal organization. Boxes illustrate economic models with cases from real companies. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)From the Publisher
“…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)Product Details
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION: STRATEGY AND ECONOMICS.
PART ONE: ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS OF STRATEGY.
1 Basic Microeconomic Principles.
2 Economies of Scale and Scope.
3 Agency and Coordination.
4 The Power of Principles: A Historical Perspective.
PART TWO: FIRM BOUNDARIES.
5 The Vertical Boundaries of the Firm.
6 Organizing Vertical Boundaries: Vertical Integration and Its Alternatives.
7 Diversification.
PART THREE: MARKET AND COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS.
8 Competitors and Competition.
9 Strategic Commitment.
10 The Dynamics of Pricing Rivalry.
11 Entry and Exit.
12 Industry Analysis.
PART FOUR: STRATEGIC POSITION AND DYNAMICS.
13 Strategic Positioning for Competitive Advantage.
14 Sustaining Competitive Advantage.
15 The Origins of Competitive Advantage: Innovation, Evolution, and the Environment.
PART FIVE: INTERNAL ORGANIZATION.
16 Performance Measurement and Incentives in Firms.
17 Strategy and Structure.
18 Environment, Power, and Culture.
Glossary.
Index.