KEY VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS: IDENTIFYING PAIN POINTS TO IMPROVE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE

This paper introduces the Key Value Chain Analysis (KVCA) methodology, designed to systematically identify pain points and opportunities within business value chains. Drawing from the literature on Human Performance Improvement (HPI) and marketing management, the three-step KVCA methodology enables business executives to transition from heuristic, overly simplistic approaches to comprehensive, data-driven analysis. This paradigm shift mitigates cognitive biases that often lead to suboptimal decisions and unintended consequences. Documented successes across various industries in China demonstrate that KVCA can help business executives enhance revenue, profitability, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency by addressing a critical gap in the literature.