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Peer Review

Porter's Five Forces Model of Competition

Reviewed:
Mar 13, 2003 by Business
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 3.3 stars
Content Quality: 3.3 stars
Effectiveness: 3.3 stars
Ease of Use: 3.3 stars
Overview:
This module is a short tutorial that provides a basic overview of Porter?s
Five Forces Model with an accompanying detailed description of each of the
forces. It appears that this site is designed to support distance learning and
provide the users with very basic definitions and concepts.
Type of Material:
Tutorial
Recommended Uses:
As this site provides a very basic overview of the topic, it would be best used
to introduce students to Porter's model. It could be used as a part of an
in-class lecture or as a homework assignment. It could also be used as a part
of team-based project where students are each assigned a portion of the model to
apply to an industry of their, or their instructor?s, choosing.
Technical Requirements:
Standard internet browser.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The major learning goal is to introduce the reader to the concept of industry
competition and to introduce a model that will assist the user in assessing the
level of competition within different industries by determining the threat of
new entrants; the bargaining power of suppliers and buyers; intensity of
rivalry; and threat of substitutes.
Target Student Population:
This module would be best used in a Principles of Management class to introduce
the concept of competition and how to analyze it or, in a Strategic Management
class, as a review of the concept and model. It would be an effective
supplement to any class where students will be performing case analyses.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
While there are no definite prerequisites required, a basic introduction to
management would make the material more meaningful.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:
The material is clearly and accurately presented. It provides a general
introduction to the model and then defines each aspect of it in more detail. It
also includes a nice graphic of the five forces.
Concerns:
The model would be more effective if more examples were provided. If, following
the presentation of the theory, the authors could provide a step-by-step
analysis of an industry with which most students were familiar, it would bring
the model to life and clearly demonstrate its benefits to the
students.

In the discussion of the bargaining power of suppliers the authors discuss the
impact of corporate decisions to integrate forward or backward. These are more
complex concepts that should be discussed in more detail. The information would
be more useful if there were some discussion questions provided. Also, there
is a place for key terms on the page - but this has not been completed.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:
The most beneficial aspect of this module is its usefulness as a basis for
individual or team based assignments. After assigning the module for review,
the instructor could assign individuals or teams to utilize the model to analyze
various industries. These analyses could range from complex and detailed
(requiring significant research ? to approach the term paper level) or an
in-class analysis utilizing a student?s own knowledge of an industry. Further
it is information that every student should have to apply to a case analysis in
any strategic management class.
Concerns:
The information in the module is relatively abbreviated. While this provides a
good beginning point the instructor would likely need to put it into context and
provide additional content. There is little guidance provided as to how the
students should use this material. Students would need instructions or an
assignment to help them focus on specific materials.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:
The module is easy to read and presents the information in a simple and concise
format. It also has a nice visual representation.
Concerns:
The module would be more appealing with the introduction of more examples or
perhaps an interactive quiz or on-line case analysis to ensure that students
understand the concepts presented.
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