Why Trafalgar was won before it was fought: Lessons from resource-based theory

Abstract

Executive Overview Resource-based theory enhances our understanding of how some organizations achieve a sustained competitive advantage in their industries. These principles are used to analyze the British Royal Navy's historic triumph at the Battle of Trafalgar, a battle that the British had won even before the first shot was fired because they possessed certain key resources that gave them a sustained competitive advantage over the enemy fleet. Lessons for today's business managers are derived from the analysis of this battle.