Identify the driving forces in the robotic vacuum industry. Which of these forces appears to be the strongest? Where does the industry appear to be headed as a result of these forces?

Select yes for those statements below that are accurate and choose no for those that are not.

a. The driving force of innovation and the resulting advanced features appeared to have the greatest influence on increasing demand in the robotic vacuum industry. (Click to select) Yes No

b. Driving forces in the robotic vacuum industry include slow demand, shrinking differences among competitors, and lower prices. (Click to select) Yes No

c. Government policy changes have impacted production of these innovative products. (Click to select) Yes No

d. The robotic vacuum industry is in a maturity stage with demand and profits declining. (Click to select) Yes No

e. Advanced features are especially powerful driving forces when coupled with a defensive strategy that slows or prevents emulation by rivals. (Click to select) Yes No

f. The driving force of product innovation has been slow with consumers opting for less expensive products. (Click to select) Yes No

Which of the following accurately characterize iRobots resource strengths and competitive capabilities?

Select yes for the strengths and capabilities that are accurate and choose no for those that are not.

a. iRobot enjoys a liquid financial position, a large amount of working capital, and ample financial resources to sustain its growth. (Click to select) Yes No

b. iRobot's brand is not as recognizable as its closest competitor. (Click to select) Yes No

c. iRobot has accumulated a large portfolio of patents (1,000) worldwide, which covers the concept of a self-navigating household robot. (Click to select) Yes No

d. iRobot has not been able to achieve a competitive strategy to differentiate themselves. (Click to select) Yes No

e. The company has not been able to secure a global presence but enjoys a strong national presence. (Click to select) Yes No

f. iRobot has accumulated significant proprietary technology, and superior technological and innovative skills. (Click to select) Yes No

Which of the following accurately characterize iRobots resource weaknesses and competitive liabilities?

Select yes for the resource weaknesses that are accurate and choose no for those that are not.

a. iRobot has an increasing number of competitors. (Click to select) Yes No

b. The company has focused on only one product. (Click to select) Yes No

c. iRobot has introduced many products into the market. (Click to select) Yes No

d. iRobot faces many barriers to enter international markets. (Click to select) Yes No

e. iRobot faces the threat of new and existing competitors leapfrogging iRobot's products with new features, and lower costs. (Click to select) Yes No

f. iRobot's profitability has been stagnant for the past few years. (Click to select) Yes No

Which of the following accurately characterize iRobots market opportunities?

Select yes for the market opportunities that are accurate and choose no for those that are not.

a. increasing buyer demand for robotic vacuums (Click to select) Yes No

b. adopting a late mover strategy to learn from the failures of competitors (Click to select) Yes No

c. alliances or joint ventures with companies such as Apple, Amazon, and Google to monetize data obtained by iRobot devices (Click to select) Yes No

d. outsource essential tasks that outside companies can perform better (Click to select) Yes No

e. utilization of existing company skills and technological ability to develop additional robotic vacuums with new advanced features (Click to select) Yes No

Which of the following represent external threats to iRobots future well-being?

Select yes for the external threats that are accurate and choose no for those that are not.

a. public concerns and negative publicity about data-collecting vacuums and vacuums connected to the internet and the "smart home" (Click to select) Yes No

b. aggressive competitive pressure in the Chinese market (Click to select) Yes No

c. increasing strength of competition among industry rivals who could squeeze profit margins (Click to select) Yes No

d. likely continuing entrance of new rivals, and price-based competition (Click to select) Yes No

e. consumer preference for more standardized products (Click to select) Yes No

f. increased tariffs to enter global markets (Click to select) Yes No