What is the value chain?

The value chain is the activities involved in delivering value to customers. The activities, and the overall value chain in which activities are embedded, are the basic units of competitive advantage. Strategy is reflected in the set of choices about how the activities in the value chain are configured and linked together.

What is the first activity in the value chain?

The first activity in the value chain is inbound logistics, which includes all receiving, warehousing, and inventory management of raw materials ready for production. The second activity is operations, which encompasses all efforts to convert raw materials into a finished product.

What is the value chain method of competitive advantage?

The value chain method is a way to identify the best path to enhance value for the customer. Competitive Advantage A competitive advantage is an attribute that enables a company to outperform its competitors.

What are the four support activities in a value chain?

Support activities facilitate the efficiency of the primary activities in a value chain. The four support activities are procurement, technological development, human resource (HR) management, and company infrastructure.

Which companies have successfully implemented the value chain?

Starbucks Corporation (SBUX: NASDAQ) Starbucks offers one of the most popular examples of a company that understands and successfully implements the value-chain concept. There are numerous articles about how Starbucks incorporates the value chain into its business model.

What is the value-chain theory?

The value-chain theory analyzes a firm’s five primary activities and four support activities. Because of ever-increasing competition for unbeatable prices, exceptional products, and customer loyalty, companies must continually examine the value they create in order to retain their competitive advantage.