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Two Types of Diversification |
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Three Forms of
Diversification |
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Vertical Integration
- integrating business along your
value chain, both upstream and downstream, so that one efficiently
feeds the other
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Horizontal Diversification - moving
into more than one industry; the new business usually somehow relates
to the existing one, although a few conglomerates instead pursue a
strategy of unrelated diversification
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Geographical Diversification -
moving into new geographical area to overcome limited growth
opportunities in the local market and/or to gain global leadership
positions
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Means of
Diversification |
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Do It Yourself
Do It with Others
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Why Diversification?
The two principal objectives of diversification
are
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improving core process execution, and/or
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enhancing a business unit's structural position.
The fundamental role of diversification is for
corporate managers to create value for stockholders in ways stockholders
cannot do better for themselves1. The additional value is created
through synergetic integration of a new business into the existing one
thereby increasing its
competitive advantage.
Forms and Means of Diversification
Diversification typically takes one of three
forms:
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Vertical integration - along your
value chain
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Horizontal diversification - moving into new industry
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Geographical diversification - to open up new markets
Means of achieving diversification include
internal development,
acquisitions,
strategic alliances, and
joint ventures.
As each route has its own set of issues, benefits, and limitations, various
forms and means of diversification can be mixed and matched to create a
range of options.
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