Quiz

Test you understanding of key chapter concepts by working through this quiz. You can check your answer by clicking on the arrow to the right or on what you think the correct answer is.  The correct answer will then be revealed to you for that question. 

1. Whereas Porter concentrates attention externally on markets, advocates of the RBV focus attention:

  1. Externally on macro-external forces
  2. Externally on strategic groups
  3. Internally on organizational capabilities
  4. Internally on organizational structure

Answer:

c. Internally on organizational capabilities

2. The acronym RBV stands for:

  1. Resource Based View
  2. Resource Based Value
  3. Resources, Brands and Values
  4. Real Brand Values

Answer:

a. Resource Based View

3. The RBV focuses on internal factors because:

  1. An organization has control over its external factors only
  2. An organization has control over its internal factors only
  3. An organization has control over both internal and external factors
  4. An organization has no control over either internal or external factors

Answer:

b. An organization has control over its internal factors only

4. Which of the following are isolating mechanisms identified by Penrose?

  1. Path dependencies in resource development
  2. Firm-specific knowledge possessed by managers
  3. Entrepreneurial vision of managers
  4. All of the above

Answer:

d. All of the above

5. According to the RBV:

  1. Resources provide the building blocks for constructing a firm’s strategy
  2. Capabilities provide the building blocks for constructing a firm’s strategy
  3. Resources and capabilities provide the building blocks for constructing a firm’s strategy
  4. Human resources provide the building blocks for constructing a firm’s strategy

Answer:

c. Resources and capabilities provide the building blocks for constructing a firm’s strategy

6. Basic types of resources are:

  1. Financial
  2. Physical
  3. Human
  4. All of the above

Answer:

d. All of the above

7. Examples of capabilities could be the following:

  1. A good track record in research and development
  2. A reputation for using only high-quality inputs
  3. A reputation for good customer service
  4. All of the above

Answer:

d. All of the above

8. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. It is more difficult to assess tangible resources than intangible ones
  2. It is more difficult to assess intangible resources than tangible ones
  3. Tangible resources cannot be assessed
  4. Intangible resources cannot be assessed

Answer:

b. It is more difficult to assess intangible resources than tangible ones

9. According to Barney, a firm orientated to a product market strategy is unlikely to generate economic rent for which reason:

  1. If there are clear substitutes, then the buyers may choose one of them
  2. Other firms in the market cannot buy the same resources and eliminate any rent-making possibilities
  3. The market for such resources will value the assets to account for the future earnings potential, making the assets very expensive and eliminating the possibility of earning economic rent
  4. Competition is less important than resources and capabilities

Answer:

c. The market for such resources will value the assets to account for the future earnings potential, making the assets very expensive and eliminating the possibility of earning economic rent

10. The VRIN characteristics stand for:

  1. Valuable, Real, Imitable, Non-substitutable
  2. Valuable, Rare, Industrial, Non-substitutable
  3. Valuable, Real, Independent, Non-substitutable
  4. Valuable, Rare, Imperfectly imitable, Non-substitutable

Amswer:

d. Valuable, Rare, Imperfectly imitable, Non-substitutable