The international automobile industry is a typical case where shortening the product development lead time is recognized as a valuable competitive weapon.

Companies regularly use this cost-cutting technique as a competitive weapon without regard to the domestic consequences.

And if better taste is not enough of a competitive weapon, then other consumer benefits have to be found.

But today, the factory floor at a company like Intel is confidently described as a competitive weapon, alongside design know-how and financial muscle.

Mr. Owens contends that scale is accounting's ultimate competitive weapon.

The ability to distribute first-run movies could be a valuable competitive weapon.

Merrill's huge capital base provided a potent competitive weapon.

Knowledge is the most potent of competitive weapons.

But increasingly, patents are emerging as a competitive weapon used by corporations in their efforts to control markets.