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Core Competence, Distinctive Competence, and Competitive Advantage - Ann Money

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Core Competence, Distinctive
Competence, and Competitive Advantage:
What Is the Difference?
ANN MOONEY
STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY

ABSTRACT. Core competence, distinctive competence, and competitive advantage
ABSTRACT.
are 3 of the most important business concepts that managers, researchers, and educators rely on for decision making, pedagogy, and research. However, little attention has been paid to defining these concepts.
As a result, they have become buzzwords that are used so frequently that their meanings are often taken for granted but are not fully understood. In this article, the author reviews the evolution of these concepts in business literature and provides comprehensive definitions, conceptual models, and examples to help clarify and distinguish the concepts so that failures of communication can be avoided.
Keywords: competencies, competitive advantage, strategy
Copyright © 2007 Heldref Publications

110

Journal of Education for Business

S
R

ince its genesis in the mid-20th century, the study of business disciplines has become an established academic discipline. The proliferation of business curricula, journals, and academic and professional associations is evidence of a dramatic growth in business education. Although the growth has improved the understanding of business and informed business practices, with growth comes various problems.
For example, business practitioners, researchers, and educators are confused over important terms and concepts used pervasively in the field. An understanding of key concepts is critical for the foundation from which business practitioners and academics communicate and future research builds. In this article, I explore three important concepts: core competence, distinctive competence, and competitive advantage.
Business experts,

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