Southwest Airlines is an airline industry leader. It has protected its competitive advantage by ________.
A) paying its workers higher than average wages
B) patenting specific aeronautical technologies
C) configuring its value-chain activities in an inimitable way
D) eliminating activities to the value chain that are unique

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Southwest Airlines has protected its competitive advantage by configuring its value-chain activities in an inimitable way. This includes its cost-effective approach to operations, customer service, and employee satisfaction. Other airlines have attempted to replicate Southwest's model, but have not been able to achieve the same success. Southwest has not patented any specific aeronautical technologies and while it pays its workers fairly, this alone does not provide a sustainable competitive advantage. Eliminating unique activities from the value chain could actually harm the company's competitiveness.

Southwest Airlines Is an Airline Industry Leader