I. Rivalry
In the traditional economic model, competition among rival firms drives profits to zero. But competition is not perfect and firms are not unsophisticated passive price takers. Rather, firms strive for a competitive advantage over their rivals. The intensity of rivalry among firms varies across industries, and strategic analysts are interested in these differences.
Economists measure rivalry by indicators of industry concentration. The Concentration Ratio (CR) is one such measure. The Bureau of Census periodically reports the CR for major Standard Industrial Classifications (SIC's). The CR indicates the percent of market share held by the four largest firms (CR's for the largest 8, 25, and 50 firms in an industry also are available). A high concentration ratio indicates that a high concentration of market share is held by the largest firms - the industry is concentrated. With only a few firms holding a large market share, the competitive landscape is less competitive (closer to a monopoly). A low concentration ratio indicates that the industry is characterized by many rivals, none of which has a significant market share. These fragmented markets are said to be competitive. The concentration ratio is not the only available measure; the trend is to define industries in terms that convey more information than distribution of market share.
If rivalry among firms in an industry is low, the industry is considered to be disciplined. This discipline may result from the industry's history of competition, the role of a leading firm, or informal compliance with a generally understood code of conduct. Explicit collusion generally is illegal and not an option; in low-rivalry industries competitive moves must be constrained informally. However, a maverick firm seeking a competitive advantage can displace the otherwise disciplined market.
When a rival acts in a way that elicits a counter-response by other firms, rivalry intensifies. The intensity of rivalry commonly is referred to as being cutthroat, intense, moderate, or weak, based on the firms' aggressiveness in attempting to gain an advantage.
In pursuing an advantage over its rivals, a firm can choose from several competitive moves:
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Changing prices - raising or lowering prices to gain a temporary advantage.
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Improving product differentiation - improving features, implementing innovations in the manufacturing process and in the product itself.
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Creatively using channels of distribution - using vertical integration or using a distribution channel that is novel to the industry.
As soon as a competitor changes their plans or a new competition comes along customers may not want to change their mind about going to a different location (Belonwu). Having a “rivalry” may help concentrate on what needs to be improved in a business depending on what their weaknesses and strengths are. Having competition may be wonderful for the consumers because they have different choices to select what kind of brand of clothing, shoes, or a variety of tools, food and etc. Being able to choose a certain type of customer, may bring in a flow of customers that they’re are trying to reach out for; such as Walmart, they chose to sell products that are family oriented while having different areas in the store pertaining to men’s, women’s, and children’s necessities. If a customer is loyal and you all of a sudden are raising prices on items where they can get goods at a lower price elsewhere, that is causing a business to be disloyal due to competition.
This organization belongs to the oligopoly market structure. The oligopoly market structure involves a few sellers of a standardized or differentiated product, a homogenous oligopoly or a differentiated oligopoly (McConnell, 2004, p. 467). In an oligopolistic market each firm is affected by the decisions of the other firms in the industry in determining their price and output (McConnell, 2005, P.413). Another factor of an oligopolistic market is the conditions of entry. In an oligopoly, there are significant barriers to entry into the market. These barriers exist because in these industries, three or four firms may have sufficient sales to achieve economies of scale, making the smaller firms would not be able to survive against the larger companies that control the industry (McConnell, 2005, p.
Competition is seen daily amongst Pepsi and Coca-Cola. In most cases individuals even compare the two just because they are major competitors that are always creating and innovating new ideas. The key to competition always making sure there is a plan to become successful. Businesses have to always have to stay ahead of the game. The businesses must always be put into place and remain one step ahead of the competitor. One business may target only the elderly generation. While on the other hand another business is targeting the generation to come or the present generation. Children may not like what the older generation
The next step is the growth stage. In this stage product growth is monitored and big investments are made. Maturity stage the growth of the outputs is significant. For the company to ensure product survival in the market and gain a competitive advantage over competitors it has to incorporate product differentiation. The final stage involves product decline stage. In this juncture product sale goes down and the product identification
Firm Strategy, Structure and Rivalry: refers to the rules and norm that governs the companies and also their local competitors.
In addition to the pro-competitive economic effect some firms also experience what is known as a post-merger which is basically an incentive for a firm to raise downstream competitor costs by raising upstream market costs. Hence the increased price pressures the previously established downstream prices which cause conflict.
Porter, M. E. (2008). The five competitive forces that shape strategy. Harvard business review, 86(1), 25-40.
Rivalry among established firms is fierce. There are several factors that illustrate this: established market players (6.1). The product is highly standardized and the switching costs of the customers are low. Players are aggressive (6.2)
In today’s world, it’s hard to compete for accompany that don’t known well their competitors. It ‘s like walking blind into a fire. For instance, knowing a great deal on what a competitors is offering in term of products can help a company to differentiate it’s product and make it more appealing for the customers. If the competitor’s products have weakness, one could build a better product without the same weakness the competitor had and from there gain competitive advantage. Furthermore, knowing the price of the competition can allow one to set competitive prices as
Porter, M. E., 1999. The Five Forces that Shape Competitive Strategy. Harvard business review, p. 80.
Degree of Rivalry - Very High to Intense – Multiple competitors, high strategic stakes, innovation often easily imitated, and low switching costs for consumers
In the modern world of conducting business, any company that wishes to succeed must differentiate its products or services from others in the industry. Differentiation makes it possible for consumers to point out notable differences between one company’s products as compared to those of competitors. Differentiation helps companies build brand loyalty as the uniqueness keeps customers fixed on a particular product. BMW is one of the most popular automakers in the world today. It definitely uses differentiation as a strategy to beat off competition by building products that are innovative, detailed and incomparable to those of competitors.
Tacit collusion It is an illegal agreement thus the absence of a written agreement. When, firms that are competing do not want to engage in competitive behavior such as cutting the price, advertisements and promotion they come up with unwritten rules of collusive behavior such as: price leadership. A price leader then emerges setting a general industry price high enough that the least cost-efficient firm in the market may earn some return above the competitive level.
significant activities in the strategic way better than the rivalry firms (Lüsted, 2012). It is
Examination of the eight factors of rivalry intensity shows a number of competitors with many of them producing very similar product lines.