The document discusses strategies for achieving competitive advantage through effective functional-level and value chain management. It outlines how developing strategies to improve quality, efficiency, innovation, and responsiveness to customers can create value and drive competitive advantage. Total quality management, just-in-time inventory systems, cross-functional teams, and stage-gate development processes are some of the techniques discussed for strengthening functional activities and the overall value chain.

2. Value Chain Management: Functional Strategies for Competitive Advantage McGraw-Hill/Irwin Contemporary Management, 5/e Copyright © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. chapter nine

5. Four Ways to Create a Competitive Advantage

6. Toyota’s Product Lineup Figure 9.2

10. Functional Activities and the Value Chain

20. Impact of Increased Quality on Organizational Performance Figure 9.4

27. Figure 9.5 Three Facilities Layouts

31. Changing a Facilities Layout Figure 9.6

41. A Stage-Gate Development Funnel Figure 9.7

43. Members of a Cross-Functional Product Development Team Figure 9.8

46. The Nature of Boundary-Spanning Roles Figure 9.9