Research Paper on:
AIB Case Study

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
4.3 Power of Buyers 13 4.4 Power of Supplier 14 4.5 Substitutes 15 References 15 1. SWOT Analysis 1.1 Strengths AIB has  a large number of strengths. The first is the way in which it has developed a strong competitive advantage; offering a high level of service through differentiation to high and  mid-range customers as well as small to medium-size businesses (SMEs). This is a lucrative market, supported by services differentiated through quality there is the ability to gain both initial business  and then retain loyalty. This is evidenced by the way that in the UK AIB was voted the best business bank for six years in a row, proving the presence  of this competitive advantage. Porter has argued that to compete in the long term an organization has to have a competitive advantage; differentiation through the provision of a high level  of service can be one that is difficult for competitors to emulate (Mintzberg et al., 2008). Differentiation has been used by the bank to grow; utilized in the way  that international operations have been undertaken. Instead of trying to compete on a cost basis with many national banks the organization has undertaken a strategy operating within niche markets on  a regional basis; an effective way of using the differentiation to add value. Differentiation is also supported the gaining of many Irish expatriate customers, another niche market that the bank  has been able to benefit from. The bank has diversified operations which may be argued as a strength; this spreads risk throughout different markets and the different segments within those  markets. The bank is not only operating within Ireland, it also has interests in the UK, the US and Poland; when there