You will be using the Dirt Bikes case study for several of the written assignments in this course. Your first task is to do a general management analysis. Review Dirt Bikes’s company history, organization chart, products and services, and sales and marketing in the Introduction to Dirt Bikes.
Then complete and submit responses to the following three points. Your paper should be 2-3 pages, double spaced
1. Company summary. Write a ½ page summary of the Dirt Bikes organization. You will re-use this summary for any case analysis on Dirt Bikes, so spend some time creating a succinct description of the company’s mission, products, customers and market, its relevant features (number of employees, volume of business, etc.) and its company culture. What are the competitive and market forces it faces? In a consulting case, this paragraph demonstrates to management that you understand the organization and their business. (you will be able to use this summary for context in future assignments related to the Dirt Bikes case.
2. Give a brief overview of what kinds of information systems and technologies would be the most important for a company such as Dirt Bikes to support its business processes? Explain each item and tell how it could be used and would benefit the company.
3. Using applicable economic analysis tools you’ve studied (such as value chain, core competencies, competitive forces, and network economics) outline the strategic and competitive position of the firm. Identify ways that technology and information systems might support their strategic position and competitive advantage. You might want to consider some of the following. Which activities at Dirt Bikes create the most value? How does Dirt Bikes provide value to its customers? What about the competition (How do their products compare in price to those of Dirt Bikes? What are some of the product features they emphasize?)? What are the competitive forces that can affect the industry? What competitive strategy should Dirt Bikes pursue? What information systems best support that strategy?
