topic 4 - growth Flashcards
state the 7 methods of growth
- internal/organic growth
- diversifcation
- horizontal integration
- forward vertical integration
- backward vertical integration
- lateral integration
- conglomerate integration
describe internal/organic growth
this means businesses deciding to grow on their own without getting involved with other organisations.
describe the internal/organic growth methods
launching new products/services - businesses can meet the needs of different market segments, especially if they diversify (eg launch new products into different markets from their current ones or export existing products abroad.
opening new branches or expanding existing branches - a business can reach new markets by opening up in new locations. It can also expand existing premises to cater for more products/staff and more customers, make more sales.
introducing e-commerce - by selling online, a business can trade 24/7 to a globel market.
hiring more staff - increasing the number of will improve the business’s ability to make sales, make better decisions and develop more products.
increasing production capacity - businesses can invest in new technology to make more products themselves.
advantages of internal/organic growth
- no loss of control to outsiders as growth is internal.
- hiring more staff could bring more ideas to the business.
- investing in new equipment will increase production capacity.
describe diversification
this is when products are launched across different markets, for example, Samsung sell mobile phones, tablets and TVs as well as refridgerators and washing machines.
describe horizontal integration
horizontal integration occurs when two businesses from the same sector of industry become one business.
advantages of horizontal integration
- the new, larger business can dominate the market as competition will be vastly reduced.
- the new business can benefit from economies of scale, eg buying in bulk to reduce prices.
- due to recued competition, the new larger business can raise prices, increasing profits.
disadvantages of horizontal integration
- the merger/takeover may breach EU competition rules.
- quality may suffer due to lack of competition.
- customers may have to pay higher prices for the same goods.
describe forward vertical integration
this is when a business takes over or merges with a business in a later sector of industry, often a distributor. An example would be a manufacturer of mobile phones such as HTC taking over a mobile phone shop such as Carphone Warehouse.
describe backward vertical integration
this is when a business takes over or merges with a business in an earlier sector of industry, in other words, they take over their supplier. An example would be a coffee bean company, such as Starbucks, taking over a coffee bean plantation.
advantages of forward vertical integration
- the business can control supply of its products and could decide to not supply to competition.
- can increase profits by ‘cutting out the middle man’ and adding value itself.
advantages of backward vertical integration
- guaranteed and timely supply of inventory (stock).
- no need to pay a supplier its marked-up prices so inventory is cheaper.
- quality of supplies can be strictly controlled.
disadvantages of backward and forward vertical integration
- company may be incapable of managing new activities efficiently, meaning higher costs.
- focusing on new activities can adversly affect core activities.
- monopolising markets may have legal repercussions.
describe lateral integration
this is when a business aquires or merges with a business that is in the same industry but does not provide the exact same product. In other words, the two businesses are not in direct competition with eachother. An example would be if Greggs bought a wedding cake bakery.
advantages for lateral integration
- the business can target new markets abd therefore increase sales.
- new products can complement existing ones, eg if a suit company bought a shirt maker, both could then be sold as a complete outfit for a customer to wear.