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An application of clustering for strategic group analysis
Author(s) -
Harrigan Kathryn Rudie
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
strategic management journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 11.035
H-Index - 286
eISSN - 1097-0266
pISSN - 0143-2095
DOI - 10.1002/smj.4250060105
Subject(s) - competitor analysis , operationalization , cluster analysis , selection (genetic algorithm) , cluster (spacecraft) , group (periodic table) , industrial organization , business , computer science , process management , management science , knowledge management , marketing , engineering , artificial intelligence , philosophy , epistemology , programming language , chemistry , organic chemistry
Taxonomies, factor analysis and clustering are discussed as tools to investigate the structure of competitors within an industry (‘strategic groups’). An example using cluster analysis is presented as one means of operationalizing this concept. Careful definition and selection of the dimensions used to identify the boundaries between strategic groups (their mobility barriers) are particularly crucial in the effective application of analytical tools.