Michael E. Porter's Five Forces Analysis model provides valuable information to support strategic management, especially in addressing relevant issues in the external environment of the business. These issues are based o

CS Professional · Multidisciplinary Case Studies · PYQS · December 2021
Michael E. Porter's Five Forces Analysis model provides valuable information to support strategic management, especially in addressing relevant issues in the external environment of the business. These issues are based on external factors that represent the degree of competitive revalry in the industry, the bargaining power of customers or buyers, the bargaining power of suppliers, the threat of substitution, and the threat of new entrants. Super Foods Ltd., a fast food company operating in South India, intends to apply the said model to survive and grow. Explain how can the company prioritize the strategic issues related to competition, consumers and substitutes.

Answer & Explanation:

Considering the combination of market conditions, Porter's Five Forces analysis of Super Foods Ltd. establishes the following intensities of the five forces: Competitive rivalry or competition - High Bargaining power of buyers or customers - High Bargaining power of suppliers - Low Threat of substitutes or substitution - High Threat of new entrants or new entry - Moderate Competitive Rivalry or Competition with Super Foods Ltd. (High) Super Foods Ltd. faces tough competition because the fast food restaurant market is saturated. This element of the Porter's Five Forces analysis model tackles the effects of competing firms in the industry environment. In Super Foods Ltd. case, the strong force of competitive rivalry is based on the following external factors: High number of firms - Strong Force High aggressiveness of firms - Strong Force Low switching costs - Strong Force . The fast food restaurant industry has many firms of various sizes, such as global chains like Super Foods Ltd. and local mom-and-pop fast food restaurants. This external factor strengthens the force of rivalry in the industry. Also, the Five Forces analysis model considers firm aggressiveness a factor that influences competition. In this business case, most medium and large firms aggressively market their products. This factor increases the intensity of competitive rivalry that Super Foods Ltd. Corporation experiences. In addition, low switching costs make it easy for consumers to transfer to other restaurants, such as Wendy's and Burger King. This external factor adds to the force of competition. Thus, this element of the Five Forces analysis of Super Foods Ltd. shows that competition is among the most significant external forces for consideration in the strategic management of the business. Bargaining Power of Super Foods Ltd. Customers/Buyers (Strong Force) Super Foods Ltd. must address the power of customers on business performance. This element of the Five Forces analysis deals with the influence and demands of consumers, and how their decisions impact businesses. In Super Foods Ltd. case, the following are the external factors that contribute to the strong bargaining power of buyers: Low switching costs - Strong Force Large number of providers - Strong Force High availability of substitutes - Strong Force The ease of changing from one restaurant to another (low switching costs) enables consumers to easily impose their demands on Super Foods Ltd.. In the Five Forces analysis model, this external factor strengthens the bargaining power of customers. In relation, because of market saturation, consumers can choose from many fast food restaurants other than Super Foods Ltd.. This condition makes the bargaining power of buyers a strong force in affecting the company's external environment. Moreover, the availability of substitutes is relevant in this external analysis. In this case, the availability of many substitutes adds to the bargaining power of customers. For example, substitutes include food kiosks and outlets, and artisanal bakeries, as well as microwave meals and foods that one could cook at home. Based on this element of Porter's Five Forces analysis, it is crucial to develop strategies to increase customer loyalty, especially in the face of the socio cultural trends. Bargaining Power of Super Foods Ltd. Suppliers (Weak Force) Suppliers influence Super Foods Ltd. in terms of the company's production capacity based on the availability of raw materials. This element of the Five Forces analysis model shows the impact of suppliers on firms and the fast food restaurant industry environment. In Super Foods Ltd. case, the weak bargaining power of suppliers is based on the following external factors: Large number of suppliers - Weak Force Low forward vertical integration of suppliers - Weak Force High overall supply - Weak Force The large population of suppliers weakens the effect of individual suppliers on Super Foods Ltd. Corporation. This weakness is partly based on the lack of strong regional and global alliances among suppliers. In relation, most of Super Foods Ltd. suppliers are not vertically integrated. This means that they do not control the distribution network that transports their products to firms like Super Foods Ltd. In Porter's Five Forces analysis model, such low vertical integration weakens the bargaining power of suppliers. Also, the relative abundance of materials like flour and meat reduces individual suppliers' influence on the company. Thus, this element of the Five Forces analysis shows that external factors combine to create the weak supplier power, which is a minimal issue in strategic management. Threat of Substitutes or Substitution (Strong Force) Substitutes are a significant concern for Super Foods Ltd. Corporation. This element of Porter's Five Forces analysis model deals with the potential effects of substitutes on firm growth. In Super Foods Ltd. case, the following external factors make the threat of substitution a strong force: High substitute availability - Strong Force Low switching costs - Strong Force High performance-to-cost ratio of substitutes - Strong Force There are many substitutes to Super Foods Ltd. products, such as products from artisanal food producers and local bakeries. Also, consumers can cook their food at home. In the Five Forces analysis model, this external factor contributes to the strength of the threat of substitution in the fast food service industry. In addition, it is easy to shift from Super Foods Ltd. to substitutes because of the low switching costs. For example, shifting from the company to substitutes typically involves insignificant or minimal disadvantages, such as slightly higher costs per meal in some cases, or additional time consumption for food preparation. Moreover, substitutes are competitive in terms of quality and customer satisfaction (high performance-to-cost ratio). In this element of the Five Forces analysis of Super Foods Ltd. Corporation, external factors make substitutes a major strategic issue that requires approaches like product quality improvement. In relation, the company's efforts include encouraging people to eat in fast food restaurants instead of resorting to substitutes. Threat of New Entrants or New Entry (Moderate) New entrants can impact Super Foods Ltd. market share and financial performance. This element of the Five Forces analysis refers to the effects of new players on existing firms. In Super Foods Ltd. case, the moderate threat of new entry is based on the following external factors: Low switching costs - Strong Force Highly variable capital cost - Moderate Force High cost of brand development - Weak Force The low switching costs allow consumers to easily move from Super Foods Ltd. toward new fast food restaurant companies. In Porter's Five Forces analysis model, this external factor strengthens the threat of new entrants. Also, variable capital costs of establishing a new restaurant empowers new businesses to enter the global fast food restaurant industry. For example, small restaurant businesses involve low capital costs compared to major corporations in the market. This external factor leads to the moderate threat of new entry against Super Foods Ltd. On the other hand, it is expensive to build a strong brand in the industry. Many small and medium businesses lack the resources to create a strong brand to match the Super Foods Ltd. brand. Thus, the external factors in this element of the Five Forces analysis shows that the threat of new entrants is considerable but not the most important strategic issue.

Topics: Strategic Management

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