On Competition

This updated edition brings together more than a dozen landmark articles from the Harvard Business Review. Among these, five are newly included, featuring pivotal updates and new insights. Notably, this edition includes the 2008 update to Porter's classic framework, "The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy." Additionally, it offers groundbreaking work on pressing topics such as health care, philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, and CEO leadership.

Porter's articles are meticulously organised by topic to provide readers with seamless access to the diverse range of his work. The volume is divided into five parts:

Part I and II: These sections present the foundational frameworks for which Porter is best known. These frameworks elucidate how companies, nations, and regions can gain and sustain competitive advantage, providing a robust theoretical backbone for strategic thinking.

Part III: In this part, Porter demonstrates how strategic thinking can be applied to some of society's most pressing challenges, including environmental sustainability and improving healthcare delivery. This section showcases the versatility and relevance of strategic principles in addressing global issues.

Part IV: This segment explores how both nonprofits and corporations can create societal value by applying strategic principles to philanthropic efforts. It underscores the importance of strategic thinking in the realm of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy.

Part V: The final section delves into the critical link between strategy and leadership. It examines how effective leadership can drive successful strategy implementation and foster a competitive edge within organisations.

Each article within this collection has not only influenced academic thought but also redefined industry practices, making it a cornerstone of contemporary strategic management literature. In a compelling new introduction, Porter reflects on the evolution of his ideas, connecting individual articles to his broader thinking on competition and value creation.

On Competition is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to understand the intricacies of competitive strategy. Whether you are a business leader, a scholar, or a student, this book will provide invaluable insights into the mechanisms that drive competitive advantage and innovation in today's complex global landscape.