Discuss the key four or five elements that affect intensity and how hard firms must do battle with each other.

Discuss the key four or five elements that affect intensity and how hard firms must do battle with each other. What must ANY existing rival do in order to succeed?

· Supplier Power: Is there any power existing on the input side that forces firms to bend to the will of suppliers?

· Buyer Power: Are customers of rivals able to unduly influence rivals such that they can be forced to do things they otherwise would not choose to do?

· Threat of Substitutes: Define the basic need(s) met by the goods and services sold by rivals. Can this need be easily met by purchasing the goods and services of non-rivals and who/what might those substitutes be?

Each force should be discussed beneath their own headings in your paper using as much space as you deem necessary to complete your analysis. Also, please conclude your paper with a brief (1-4 paragraphs are probably good) summary of the key competitive forces that characterize your industry.

IMPORTANT: Finally, please make sure that you focus on the industry and NOT your firm. Students who focus on their firm too much have a tendency to go on incorrect tangents that later have to be corrected and will thus mean more work on your part. You certainly can use your firm as an example of what a firm in general must do, but the locus of analysis must remain on the industry.

APA Format Paper

APA First Page Header (NO COVER PAGE)

12-point Times New Roman font

Double-spaced

3-6 pages (excluding chart)

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