On Competition

For over twenty years, Michael E. Porter's pioneering work has set the standard in competitive strategy. In On Competition, Porter brings together more than a dozen of his influential Harvard Business Review articles that have redefined how companies, nations, and organizations approach competition. The collection features five new contributions, including the 2008 update of his renowned article on the Five Competitive Forces, alongside fresh insights into health care, corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, and leadership. The book is thoughtfully organized, providing readers with clear thematic sections that guide them through Porter's seminal frameworks. The early sections focus on the strategies that enable businesses and regions to secure and sustain competitive advantages. Subsequent parts explore the application of these strategies to address broad societal challenges—from environmental sustainability to the improvement of healthcare delivery—while also illustrating how both nonprofits and corporations can create value through strategic thinking. In a compelling introduction, Porter connects each article to his evolving philosophy on competition and value creation, offering a comprehensive look at the enduring impact of his work.