Specific Questions for Discussion

For this discussion assignment, your post should respond to the four numbered sets of questions listed

below which align with the components of the analysis focus on applying the principles of RBV $($i$.$e$.,$

resource based view$)$ and environmental analysis. You do not have to answer each sub$-$question

specifically but to the general theme of each numbered set. In addition to your own post, submit

comments on the posts of two other students.

$1.$ Thinking first about the first article, the book excerpt from Ed Catmull, identify some resources

$($what Pixar has$)$ and capabilities $($what Pixar does$)$ of Pixar. Don$$t just say $$braintrust$$ instead,

think more specifically about the broad range of capabilities apparent in what you read. For

example, perhaps $$a keen understanding of the audience$$s perspective$$ is a capability. Using the

four criteria of the resource$-$based view, explain your perception of whether that resource or

capability is strong on one or more of the criteria $($or$,$ alternatively, weak on one or more criteria$).$

How does that resource or capability you$$ve identified contribute to the sustained competitive

advantage of Pixar. Identify a force or some forces in Pixar$$s external environment $($e$.$g$.,$ the PESTEL

environment$).$ Explain how one of the resources or capabilities you identified is either a good fit or

a bad fit with that external force. Is the external environmental force you$$ve mentioned something

that Pixar is well$-$positioned to deal with or is it a challenge that leading Pixar to change to deal with

effectively?

$2.$ Look at the categories of activities in the value chain analysis. Name one primary activity and one

support activity that you think likely takes place at Pixar $($you can make assumptions; you do not

have to know for certain and the activities do not have to be major or core$).$ Activities in the

company$$s value chain are activities the company has chosen to do in$-$house $$ it does these

activities itself. Any activities that the company chooses to outsource $($purchase from a supplier$)$ are

not part of its own value chain, but instead, would be part of its supply chain. Think about the

activities that you have identified as part of Pixar$$s value chain. Explain a reason why Pixar has

chosen to keep those activities in$-$house. Some explanations you might consider include cost,

quality, availability of suppliers, integration with other activities, competitive advantage,

convenience, or other explanations you think of$.$ Which explanation$($s$)$ might apply to the value

chain activities you have selected?

$3.$ In the Braintrust article, Ed Catmull of Pixar has gone into great detail about the company$$s

methods for producing successful movies. Why do you think he was willing to give this much detail

about a process that seems to be so important to how Pixar competes? Does this article help

competitors beat them at their own game? Can$$t this process now be easily imitated? Why or why

not?

$4.$ Looking at the competition in animated films, the article about Disney and Universal describes

several different strategic choices that seem to be affecting the performance results for the

companies, such as streaming vs$.$ theater releases, and original stories vs$.$ franchise characters and

sequels. As acknowledged in the article, Disney has been and still is a strong competitor in the

animated film industry. However, other competitors $$ particularly Universal and its subsidiaries $$

have improved and strengthened over time, too. Identify how some resources or capabilities are

being used effectively to help Universal and Disney in their competitive efforts. Some that you

might consider are described in the article such as existing characters, creativity in creating new

stories or new characters, brand recognition, reputation for quality, and others that you might have

noticed $($even if not mentioned in the article$).$ How is the external environment affecting the

competition in this industry? Think, too, about other forms of entertainment that can take

customers from both of these competitors $$ what forces do Disney and Universal both have to

watch for other than just paying attention to each other? How might the fact that Universal owns

Illumination and DreamWorks have helped Universal to compete against the combined

Disney$/$Pixar$?$