Analysis of the Competitiveness of Amhara Management Institute (AMI) in International Business: Using Resource Based View (RBV) Model

Abstract

Today's global business environment is characterized by stiff competition. As a result, firms are compelled to establish and improve competitive advantage over their competitors. However, competitive advantage is not an easy concept to define and several factors, directly or indirectly, affect and jointly determine the competitive strength of an individual firm. The challenge is the identification of these specific factors, and how and to what extent they influence firm’s competitiveness. This paper addresses these questions through adopting analytical framework which incorporates both the firm specific (internal firm resources) and the external business environment analysis. Firm’s competitiveness depends on both their way of converting their resources in response to the needs of clients and interacting with external business environment. This paper is aimed at systematically applying different theoretical understandings and to make a critical analysis and personal synthesis of the case company, Amhara Management Institute (AMI), to make it competitive in international business. AMI is a Management Development Institute (MDI) found in Ethiopia, Amhara region, is mandated to work on management research, consultancy and trainings for governmental, non-governmental and private organizations and particularly to solve the management problems of public sector organizations.