External growth AO3 only
AO3 You need to be able to: Demonstrate synthesis and evaluation. Command
terms these terms require you to rearrange component ideas into a
new whole and make judgments based on evidence or a set of criteria. Compare,
Compare and contrast, Contrast, Discuss, Evaluate,
Examine, Justify, Recommend, To what extent
There is often a limit to how much a firm can grow internally. This limit is the result of:
- Lack of funds
- Inadequate knowledge of new markets
- A desire to grow more quickly than circumstances allow
External growth has the advantages of being:
- a faster way to grow and diversify
- a method of reducing competition
- ability to gain market share
- an excellent way of gaining new skills, experience and ultimately customers
However, external growth tends to be an expensive method of growth and can radically change the nature and culture of a business.
There are three methods of external growth:
- Joint venture
- Strategic alliances
- Mergers and takeovers
- Franchising