AMAZON.COM, INC Individual Case Analysis Assignment

ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS Your written analysis should address the questions listed below:

1. What is Amazon's business model?

2. What is Amazon's core competency?

3. How is Amazon using its core competency in its diversification efforts? Do you believe these efforts contribute to Amazon gaining and sustaining a competitive advantage? Why or why not?

4. Where is Amazon's next growth engine coming from?

5. Is AWS related to Amazon's core business? Why or why not? Some investors are pressuring Jeff Bezos to spin out AWS as a standalone company. Do you agree with this recommendation? Why or why not? 6. Which of the competitors does Bezos need to pay the most attention to, and why? And how should he deal with them in terms of devising Amazon's business and corporate strategy?