Section $3\mathrm{.}3$ in your text discusses Porter$$s Competitive Forces Model, which can be described as a framework for evaluating $$forces$$ in the external environment that can help or hinder the success of an organization, or firm as it is called by Porter. Essentially, this Model pictured above focusses the attention away from the internal processes at the firm, and instead is concerned with five elements or $$forces$$ outside the organization as follows:

$($Traditional$)$Competitors

New market entrants

Substitute products

Customers

Suppliers

One of the ways organizations contend with these kinds of external forces to protect or enhance their competitive advantage in the marketplace is by using information systems. Porter suggests four generic strategies, as he calls them, to fight off the effects of the Five Forces. Review this list and respond with your thoughts backed up by examples about how each one of these four generic strategies could leverage their information systems to enhance an organization's ability to respond to one of the five competitive forces shown above:

Low$-$cost leadership

Product differentiation

Focus on market niche

Strengthen customer and supplier intimacy