The competition between firms within a strategic group is:

a. greater than the competition a member of a strategic group and companies outside that strategic group.
b. less intense than the competition between strategic groups
c. typically very low
d. an unknown factor in the analysis of competitive practices within a firm's strategic group.

The correct answer is A. Greater than the competition a member of a strategic group and companies outside that strategic group.

Explanation:

Companies that sell products or offer similar services to the same segment of the population are in a strategic group. For example, a haute cuisine restaurant and a fast food restaurant are both restaurants, but companies would be in different strategic groups, since they usually do not have the same customers. Similarly, a fashion boutique and a haute cuisine restaurant serve the same clientele, but they are in different strategic groups because companies offer different products. The examination of companies that operate within the same strategic group is called analysis of strategic groups.

This type of analysis is often discussed in conjunction with the market focus. In the market approach, the population of consumers is divided into market segments that share common characteristics such as education level, income, age and gender. Research companies study the general preferences of market segments and then use those preferences in gear products and services to specific market segments that are served by strategic groups.

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