Sector Matrix Vs. Value Chain and Commodity Chain

Using an extended example critically discuss the view that a �sector matrix’ gives a better strategic understanding of product markets than the concepts of �product’ or �commodity’ chains.

Abstract

This paper will investigate the relevance of three tools for analysing and prescribing remedies for improving company performance; Porter’s Value Chain, Gereffi and Korzeniewicz’s Global Commodities Chain framework and finally the Sector Matrix approach as described by Froud, et. al. Values and limitations of these approaches will be recognised and discussed via specific references to Ford Motor Company (hereafter to be referred to as Ford), the third largest corporation in the automotive industry.

The Value Chain

“Every firm is a collection of activities that are performed to design, produce, market, deliver and support its product. All these activities can be described using a value chain…”

(Porter, 1985: pp. 36)

Porter (1985) argues that firms achieve competitive advantage via implementation of successful generic strategy (i.e. differentiation, cost leadership, focus) in the chain of a particular firm’s business unit activities. Porter classifies these as either primary (inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics, marketing & sales, and service) or support activities (procurement, technology development, human resource management, and firm infrastructure). Porter defines primary activities as those �involved in the physical creation of the product and its sale and transfer to the buyer as well as after-sale assistance’ and support activities as those which �support the primary activities and each other by providing inputs, technology, human resources, and various firmwide functions’. Moreover, he argues that three support activities; human resource management, technology development and procurement �can be associated with specific primary activities as well as support the entire chain’ whereas the fourth support activity, firm infrastructure �is not associated with particular primary activities but supports the entire chain’.

“Competitive advantage cannot be understood by looking at a firm as a whole. It stems from the many discrete activities a firm performs in designing, producing, marketing, delivery and supporting its product. Each of these activities can contribute to a firm’s relative cost position and create a basis for differentiation”.

(Porter 1985: p.33)

Evaluation

A general objection towards the applicability of the value chain is that many value-adding activities in the value chain often overlap. Nonetheless, Porter would probably argue that chain analysis on Ford would spawn the understanding that the company