Segment 4: Essays [30 Marks]

This section has 2 Essay Questions. Each question is worth 15 Marks. Both essays are
compulsory. Each essay must be between 600 – 800 words.

QUESTION 1 (15 marks)

Competitive advantage refers to factors that allow a company to produce goods or services better
or more cheaply than its rivals. These factors enable the productive entity to generate more sales
or superior margins compared to its market rivals. Competitive advantages are attributed to
various factors, including cost structure, branding, and the quality of product offerings, the
distribution network, intellectual property, and customer service.
To stay ahead in the competition, businesses have to use various tactics and models. In the late
1970s and early 1980s, Micheal Porter developed frameworks and models that many companies
use to date. Some of these models include the Five Forces Model and Three Generic Strategies.
You are to write an essay and include the following:
 Define Porter's Five Forces Model. (1 mark)
 Explain the forces in Porter's Five Forces Model and how each could benefit an organization.
(8 marks)
 Explain the strategies in Porter's Three Generic Strategies. (3 Marks)
 How can an organization immaculately use these strategies to stay ahead of the competition?
(3 marks)
QUESTION 2 (15 marks)

Biometrics narrowly defined as the identification of a user based on a physical characteristic, such
as a fingerprint, iris, face, voice or handwriting. Using something that is part of the user such as
a fingerprint or voice, is by far the best and most effective way to manage authentication.
Unfortunately, biometric authentication can be costly and intrusive. For example, iris scans are
expensive and considered intrusive by most people. Fingerprint authentication is less intrusive
and inexpensive but is also not 100 per cent accurate.

You are to write an essay and include the following:

 What are your views on having your fingerprints, facial features, and perhaps more of your
biometric features encoded in documents like your passport? Explain your answer. (3 Marks)
 Is it reasonable to have different biometric identification requirements for visitors from
different nations? Explain your answer. (4 Marks)
 “People will probably feel more strongly against biometric information on a driver’s license.”
Analyse the use of biometric by various organisations nowadays and explain if you agree or
disagree with its usage in certain business/applications. (4 Marks)
 “Using something that is part of the user such as a fingerprint or voice, is by far the best and
most effective way to manage authentication.”
Apart from being the most effective way to manage authentication, explain why you would
want to implement biometrics in your organization.(4 Marks)

The END