Why is the threat of new entrants a significant force in an industry?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The prompt presents a question about why the threat of new entrants is a significant force in an industry, but the provided data lacks multiple answer choices to analyze. Nevertheless, we can evaluate the single given statement in the context of Porter's Five Forces and explain why it can be true, while noting its limitations.

Consider the statement: 'It forces existing firms to innovate and improve.' This reflects a core mechanism of threat of new entrants. When potential entrants view an industry as attractive, they can lower the perceived barriers by introducing new products, more favorable pricing, or novel business models. Incumbents then confront intensified competitive pressure, which often compels them to innovate—whether through product improvements, process efficiencies, customer service enhancements, or marketing breakthroughs—to defend market share and maintain profitability.

Additionally, the presence of potential entrants raises strategic stakes for incumbents in several ways. It can drive incumbents to invest in differentiating features, expand brand loyalty, achieve economies of scale, or secure access to distribution channels to deter entry. In this sense, the threat acts as an ongoing incentive to improve, because failure to innovate can lead to erosion of market position if new competitors capture segments with superior value.

However, while the statement captures a valid consequence (pressure to innovate), it does not fully describe all the facets of why the threat is significant. A comprehensive explanation would also mention other impacts such as potential entrants increasing capital requirements, reducing prices, and increasing marketing and distribution costs for incumbents, as well as regulatory or network effects that can raise entry barriers for new players.

Since there are no additional answer options provided to compare, we cannot assess which options might be more or less accurate. The discussion above focuses on the reasoning behind the stated option and why it captures an important aspect of entrant threat, while acknowledging the broader context in which this force operates.

MKT395 C The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy

Why is the threat of new entrants a significant force in an industry?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Licensing costs and legal requirements are a barrier to entry for Netflix in global markets.

It is difficult to start up a major league sports team because existing professional teams have contracts with the best players and long-term leases on stadiums. Which barrier to entry does this illustrate?

Competitive pressures associated with the threat of entry are greater in all of the following situations except when

Launch Cars, a car manufacturing company, has patented its breakthrough technology that reduces pollutant emissions by half. The company is now an active supporter of anti-pollution laws that are likely to diminish the profitability of many other auto makers. Launch Cars is attempting to ________.

If barriers to entry go up, threat of entry goes down.

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler