CIMA P2 Syllabus A. Managing The Costs Of Creating Value - Value Chain Analysis - Notes 5 / 7
Value Chain Analysis
Looks at the activities of a firm to see those which form a competitive strength
Primary Activities
Inbound
This is the receiving and storage of goods
Operations
This transforms the goods or service
Outbound
The distribution of the product to the customer
Marketing and Sales
Customer Service
Area | Function | Example |
---|---|---|
Inbound Logistics | Receiving, storing and taking it to the product | Stock control, Transport, Materials handling |
Operations | Transform inputs into the product or service | Packaging, machining, assembly, testing |
Outbound Logistics | Collection, storage and distribution of product to customer | Warehousing, transport |
Marketing and Sales | How users are made aware of product and able to purchase it | Sales admin, advertising |
Service | Enhances or maintains value of the product | Installation, repair, training |
Support Activities
These support the primary activities above..
Procurement
The purchasing of goods
Human Resources
Recruitment, training and rewarding of staff
Infrastructure
Systems and routines including Quality control
Area | Function | Example |
---|---|---|
Procurement | Acquiring inputs into primary activities | Buying raw materials |
Technology Deployment | Key technologies (including ‘know how’) for the product / process / resource | R&D, product design, process development, raw material improvements |
Human Resource Management | Across all primary acts. Determines whether firm is rigid or innovative | Recruiting, training, developing and rewarding staff |
Infrastructure | Structures, routines, systems (again determines rigid or innovative) | Quality control |
It is rare for 1 company to do all the value activities itself. Normally specialisation occurs and the company is just a part of a wider value system
In fact much of the value is created in the supply and distribution channels
Management should look at adding more value at each stage of the value chain
How to Add Value
More features
Less features but more user friendly
Making a purchase easier
Promotion of brand
Speed of delivery
Reliable service
Innovation
Using Value Chain Analysis
Creating value for customers ultimately leads to creating value for shareholders
In your exam the model is used to provide a strategic assessment of performance
Assess each link in the chain by asking yourself the following:
How (if any) is value added here?
Is the value greater than those created by the competition?
Have added value techniques failed?
If there are no core competencies in the one area then consider outsourcing
Learn more list
- People Tree
Where ethics is a resource