Southwest airlines competitive advantage case study

For this case analysis, your group will prepare a written analysis of 3 to 5 pages that uses the text and other credible sources as appropriate. Your group paper should have 1" margins, be double spaced, and use APA formats for • • • topic and subtopic headings citations references Your group case must minimally address the following issues/questions: • • • • What are the key industry conditions which render profits elusive for airlines? Using the five forces model of competition, what does the structure of the industry reveal about competitive rivalry and profit potential? Discuss Southwest Airlines’ business-level strategy and its record of success. How is the company stacking up against other major airlines today? Are there any strategic shortcomings that need to be addressed? Identify and explore the opportunities and challenges presented by Southwest Airlines’ acquisition of AirTran. What are the merits and concerns of using the acquisition to launch the company’s expansion into international territories? Does Southwest Airlines have a sustainable competitive advantage? What strategic recommendations can be made to strengthen the durability of the company’s competitive advantage; or do conditions suggest that it is time for a shift in Southwest Airlines’ strategic direction to achieve long-term competitiveness against its rivals? Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines Criteria This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGroup - Assessment of industry conditions, rivalry, and profitability This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGroup - Review of business-level strategy and effectiveness in the marketplace This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGroup - Review of AirTran acquisition and potential for international expansion Ratings 9.0 pts Exceeds expectations and expertly evaluates the likely impact of recent developments and impending change on industry profitability and rivalry in the future. 6.0 pts Exceeds expectations and thoughtfully identifies strategic elements that need to be addressed. 6.0 pts Exceeds expectations and insightfully assesses the merits and concerns of using the acquisition to launch an international expansion strategy. 7.0 pts Analysis fully and accurately assesses the industry's profit potential and intensity of rivalry using the five forces model of competition. 4.0 pts Analysis thoroughly discusses the company's businesslevel strategy, its record of success, and how it performs against competitors. 4.0 pts Analysis deeply explores the opportunities and challenges presented by Southwest Airlines' acquisition of AirTran. 4.0 pts Analysis sufficiently assesses the industry's profit potential and intensity of rivalry using the five forces model of competition. 2.0 pts Analysis adequately discusses the company's businesslevel strategy, its record of success, and how it performs against competitors. 2.0 pts Analysis includes some of the opportunities and challenges presented by Southwest Airlines' acquisition of AirTran. P 2.0 pts Analysis does not fully and/or accurately assess the industry's profit potential and/or intensity of rivalry using the five forces model of competition. 9.0 1.0 pts Analysis does not adequately discuss the company's businesslevel strategy, its record of success, and/or how it performs against competitors. 6.0 1.0 pts Analysis excludes many of the opportunities and/or challenges presented by Southwest Airlines' acquisition of AirTran. 6.0 Southwest Airlines Criteria This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGroup - Assessment of competitive advantage and the need for a change in the company's business-level strategy This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGroup - Grammar, Writing, APA Format Total Points: 30.0 Ratings 6.0 pts Exceeds expectations, successfully defining strategic groups and arguing for or against integrating differentiated features into the company's business strategy. 4.0 pts Assessment thoughtfully evaluates competitive advantage sustainability and provides strong recommendations for addressing industry change. 3.0 pts Information is appropriately sequenced with topical headings and subheadings. Language use, grammar, spelling, and punctuation are at an appropriate graduate level, with no errors. Uses paragraph form with topical sentences that are supported by the remainder of the paragraph, and effective transitions. Writing is clear, concise, and in correct voice and tense. Correct application of APA format.