A2.4.3.5 Where to find information for Value Chain Analysis
Analysts can explore various sources to find information necessary for conducting the value chain analysis. Up to three years of annual reports of the company can be analysed to see how the costing of the activities are changing over the period and whether they are in unison with the competitive strategy of the firm. These annual reports of the company can be compared to the annual reports of the key competitors in order to see how competitive strategies differ between the companies, along with finding the difference in the contribution of activities to the company’s profitability.
In order to gain knowledge about the core competence of the company, analysts can look at the company and competitor websites. SWOT analysis can help the analyst to understand the key strengths and weaknesses of the company and how the firm differs from its competitors. Furthermore, journal articles, trade publications and magazines are useful sources of information to identify how value is created in the particular industry in which the company operates and which activities play a key role in the generation of that value.