Final answer:
Competitive advantages are typically temporary because they can quickly become obsolete due to market dynamics and continuous innovation; identifying these advantages is crucial for sustaining a business's competitive edge.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question is about the nature of competitive advantages within businesses. Competitive advantages that are long term, stable and not easily changed are inherently difficult to identify, which is why they are typically temporary.
These advantages are often the result of a firm's unique capabilities or resources that provide value to its customers and differentiate it from its competitors. However, due to market dynamics and continuous innovation, what may be a competitive advantage today could quickly become obsolete tomorrow, which is why these advantages are often transient.
Businesses must therefore be vigilant and adaptive, continuously evaluating and adjusting their strategies to maintain or develop new competitive advantages. This is a core challenge in designing a sustainable business strategy and maintaining a firm's position in the competitive landscape.