$1.($Total $25$pts$)$

$1\mathrm{.}1.$ The MiniCase indicates that Nike$$s core competency is to create heroes. What does this mean? $(5$ pts$)$

$1\mathrm{.}2.$ How did Nike build its core competency? $(5$ pts$)$

$1\mathrm{.}3.$ Does this core competency obey the criteria resulting from a VRIO analysis in a resource$-$based view of the firm? In other words, is the core competency valuable, rare, and inimitable, and is Nike organized to capture the value created? $(15$ pts$)$

$2.($Total $25$pts$)$

$2\mathrm{.}1.$ Is Nike facing the Icarus paradox? $(5$ pts$)$

$2\mathrm{.}2.$ What would it take for Nike$$s approach to turn from a strength into a weakness? $(5$ pts$)$

$2\mathrm{.}3.$ Did this tipping point already occur? $(5$ pts$)$

$2\mathrm{.}4.$ Why or why not? $(10$ pts$)$

$3.($Total $25$pts$)$

$3\mathrm{.}1.$ What recommendations would you offer Nike? $(15$ pts$)$

$3\mathrm{.}2.$ Can you identify a way to reframe the core competency of $$creating heroes$?(5$ pts$)$

$3\mathrm{.}3.$ Or a new way to build the Nike brand through other, similar concepts? $(5$ pts$)$

$4.($Total $25$pts$)$

$4\mathrm{.}1.$ If you are a competitor of Nike $($such as Adidas or Under Armour$),$ how could you exploit Nike$$s vulnerability? $(5$ pts$)$

$4\mathrm{.}2.$ Define that vulnerability $(5$ pts$)$

$4\mathrm{.}3.$ and provide a set of concrete recommendations. $(15$ pts$)$