Question: It has been stated that an industry or a market segment within an industry goes through four basic phases of development. These four phases - introduction, growth, maturity and decline - each has an implication for an organisation's development of growth and divestment strategies.
- The following brief profiles relate to four commercial organisations, each of which operates in a different industry. Company A. Established in the last year and manufactures state-of-the-art door locks which replace the need for a key with computer image recognition of fingerprint pa tterns. Company B. A biotechnological product manufacturer established for three years and engaged in the rapidly expanding animal feed stuffs market. Company C.
- A confectionery manufacturer which has been established for many years and is now experiencing low sales growth but high market share in a long-established industry.
Company D.
- A retailing organisation which has been very profitable but is now experiencing a loss of market share with a consequent overall reduction in turnover.