Define product differentiation and discuss the role that customer perceptions play in product differentiation.

Part A: Product DifferentiationDefine product differentiation and discuss the role that customer perceptions play in product differentiation.Identify the three broad categories of product differentiation and two bases of differentiation under each category.Explain the relationship between product differentiation and managerial creativity.Part B: Flexibility and Real OptionsWhat is strategic flexibility? Why is it thought of as a third generic business-level strategy?What are strategic options?What are real options?Part C: CollusionWhat is collusion?What are the two types of collusion and how are they different?How does signaling relate to collusion?Part D: Vertical IntegrationDefine vertical integration and differentiate between forward vertical integration and backward vertical integration.Identify the three fundamental explanations of how vertical integration can create value and discuss how value is created under each.Identify three reasons a firm may be able to create value through vertical integration when most of its competitors are not able to create value through vertical integration