Research Paper on:
Hubbard’s Cereals Case Study; Strategic Options and Recommendations

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
To determine a future strategy the first stage should be the consideration of the alternatives that are available to the company. These two strategies may be seen as very  different, however, they are not always mutually exclusive according to Asker, but in the models presented by Porter they are mutually exclusive, with a company that seeks to use both  types of advantage becoming stuck in the middle (Porter, 1985). This can be considered by looking at how companies compete and the way that the company may be able to  move forward in terms of generic strategies and how these may be used to take the company forward. 1.2 Competitive Advantage  Michael Porter has considered the way in which firms compete and defined two types of competitive advantage. These are cost advantage and differentiation. These are two different ways a competitor  may get the edge on its rivals. For example, if there are two products which are very similar, neither has the advantage, but if one looks better or is perceived  as better, it may have an advantage just as if one costs a company less to produce, the company will have an advantage afforded by superior profits. To compete in  the long term Porter has argued that there should be a source of competitive advantage and that the two advantages of cost and differentiation are not compatible, and will create  consumer confusion. Others, such as Asker, argues that the two may be compatible. The development of a competitive advantage is to increase  the profit level. This is undertaken by satisfying customer needs. Profit may be created by supplying a product that is the same as other products on the market, at a