Strategic Management: Strategic Choices and Implementation

To complete Module 4 case Assignment, please read the information in the background material, look for more information and review some of your previous readings for this class, and then write a 4 to 5 pages report for your professor and the executives of HD corporation by answering the following questions:

i) What strategy (or combination of strategies) did Harley Davidson use to become such a successful organization?

ii) To what extent has Harley Davidson’s strategy (or combination of strategies) changed over the years, or been constant?

iii) How does Harley Davidson’s strategy (or combination of strategies) “fit” with the environment of the motorcycle industry?

iv) How does Harley Davidson’s strategy (or combination of strategies) “fit” with the internal resources and competencies of the firm?

v) Based on your analysis and findings, what would you recommend to the executives of Harley Davidson Motorcycle Corporation?

Required Readings

Review the materials from HD’s investor web page.

Harley Davidson. (2012). Quick Links (Investor relations page). Retrieved from: http://investor.harley-davidson.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=87981&p=irol-govhighlights&locale=en_US&bmLocale=en_US

Also review materials you have covered in previous modules that will provide you with insights for completing the assignments.

The following readings demonstrate the relationship between Porter’s generic strategies and the threats from competitors. customers, suppliers, and substitute products.

Quickmba.com (2010). Porter’s Generic Strategies. Quick MBA. Retrieved August, 2011, from http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/generic.shtml

Tutor2u.net (2011). Competitive advantage. Retrieved, from: http://www.tutor2u.net/business/strategy/competitive_advantage.htm

Also take review the following document that outlines Harley’s alliance with Lehman Trikes:

Looney, D. C., & Ryerson, A. (2011). LEHMAN TRIKES: A STORY WITHIN A STORY. Journal Of The International Academy For Case Studies, 17(7), 45-58. (Available via the Library by way of the EBSCO database).