University of Amsterdam 2024/2025
Master's in Business Administration
55 common test questions and answers from all chapters
Level: average
Literature used: contemporary strategy analysis Grant 12th ed. 2024
, Contents
Part 1: Introducing Strategy...................................................................................................................................................2
Part 2: The Environment........................................................................................................................................................2
Part 3: Strategic Capabilities..................................................................................................................................................3
Part 4: Strategic Purpose........................................................................................................................................................3
Part 5: Culture and Strategy...................................................................................................................................................3
Part 6: Business Strategy.......................................................................................................................................................4
Part 7: Corporate Strategy and Diversification.......................................................................................................................4
Part 8: International Strategy.................................................................................................................................................4
Part 9: Innovation and Entrepreneurship................................................................................................................................5
Part 10: Mergers, Acquisitions, and Alliances.......................................................................................................................5
Part 11: Evaluating Strategies................................................................................................................................................5
Part 1: Introducing Strategy
1. What are the three main levels of strategy within an organization?
Corporate-level, business-level, and operational strategies.
2. According to Chandler, how does strategy flow?
Strategy flows logically from setting goals to allocating resources.
3. What does the three-horizons framework emphasize?
It suggests organizations should balance current core activities (Horizon 1), emerging
opportunities (Horizon 2), and future possibilities (Horizon 3).
4. What is a strategy statement, and what are its three main themes?
It summarizes an organization’s strategy and includes goals, scope, and competitive
advantage.
5. What are the four main elements of the Exploring Strategy Model?
Strategic position, strategic choices, managing strategy into action, and context-specific
adaptations.
Part 2: The Environment
6. What are the six elements of the PESTEL framework?
Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, Legal.
7. What is the primary purpose of scenario analysis?
To prepare for uncertainties by exploring possible future environments and their strategic
implications.
8. What factors determine high rivalry among competitors according to Porter’s Five
Forces?
Competitive balance, industry growth rate, high fixed costs, and high exit barriers.
9. Define “hypercompetitive industries.”
Industries with constant disequilibrium due to frequent, aggressive, and bold competitive
Master's in Business Administration
55 common test questions and answers from all chapters
Level: average
Literature used: contemporary strategy analysis Grant 12th ed. 2024
, Contents
Part 1: Introducing Strategy...................................................................................................................................................2
Part 2: The Environment........................................................................................................................................................2
Part 3: Strategic Capabilities..................................................................................................................................................3
Part 4: Strategic Purpose........................................................................................................................................................3
Part 5: Culture and Strategy...................................................................................................................................................3
Part 6: Business Strategy.......................................................................................................................................................4
Part 7: Corporate Strategy and Diversification.......................................................................................................................4
Part 8: International Strategy.................................................................................................................................................4
Part 9: Innovation and Entrepreneurship................................................................................................................................5
Part 10: Mergers, Acquisitions, and Alliances.......................................................................................................................5
Part 11: Evaluating Strategies................................................................................................................................................5
Part 1: Introducing Strategy
1. What are the three main levels of strategy within an organization?
Corporate-level, business-level, and operational strategies.
2. According to Chandler, how does strategy flow?
Strategy flows logically from setting goals to allocating resources.
3. What does the three-horizons framework emphasize?
It suggests organizations should balance current core activities (Horizon 1), emerging
opportunities (Horizon 2), and future possibilities (Horizon 3).
4. What is a strategy statement, and what are its three main themes?
It summarizes an organization’s strategy and includes goals, scope, and competitive
advantage.
5. What are the four main elements of the Exploring Strategy Model?
Strategic position, strategic choices, managing strategy into action, and context-specific
adaptations.
Part 2: The Environment
6. What are the six elements of the PESTEL framework?
Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, Legal.
7. What is the primary purpose of scenario analysis?
To prepare for uncertainties by exploring possible future environments and their strategic
implications.
8. What factors determine high rivalry among competitors according to Porter’s Five
Forces?
Competitive balance, industry growth rate, high fixed costs, and high exit barriers.
9. Define “hypercompetitive industries.”
Industries with constant disequilibrium due to frequent, aggressive, and bold competitive
