Which level of strategy is typically the responsibility of business unit managers?

• A. Global strategy
• B. Corporate strategy
• C. Business/competitive strategy
• D. Functional strategy

Answer: (C)

The level that focuses on how a single business competes in its market is the business/competitive strategy level, and it is typically the responsibility of business unit managers. These managers decide how to position the unit, what value proposition to offer, which customers to target, and how to differentiate or price offerings to beat rivals. They translate overarching corporate directions into a concrete plan for their own market, determining product focus, distinctive features, channels, and capabilities needed to gain and sustain a competitive edge, all while working within the resources and constraints set by the corporate level. Functional strategies support this effort by detailing how marketing, operations, and other functions will execute the plan within the unit. Corporate strategy, in contrast, deals with which businesses the company should own and how to allocate resources among them, and global strategy addresses multi-market and cross-border considerations at a higher level.