1. Growth of Firms

2. Firms can grow internally by: By investing in more capital goods by borrowing more money, raising more funds from owners or by keeping some of the profit back in business.

3. Firms can grow externally by: INTEGRATIONThrough INTEGRATION-when one firm combines with another business. This can happen in any two ways: By a merger-a friendly deal where two businesses join together (each business owns a share of the other business for mutual benefit or, By a takeover-a forced and sometimes hostile deal where one firm buys a share of the other business.

4. Integration can take place in two directions- HORIZONTAL integration. This occurs when firms in the same industry and at the same stage of the production process combine to form a larger business. For example: a merger between two banks - Westpac and Trustbank =WestpacTrust

5. Advantages It reduces competition, thus increases market share Increase in market power It has greater control on prices to make more profit Gain new ideas from the other business As its scale of operations is greater, it may experience economies of scale (decrease in average costs=efficient use of resources=more profit The new business may not need all of the workers. They could remove some workers to become efficient and make more profit

6. Disadvantages For Firms The businesses may have different objectives and targets It costs a lot of money to merge with or takeover another business Communication problems For Consumers They may have to pay higher prices due to lack of competition Less choice

7. VERTICAL integration This occurs when a firm expands by combining with an existing business in the same industry but at a different stage of the production process. This can be Backward or Forward

8. 1st Type Forward Vertical Integration - where a firm buys into another in a later stage of production. For example, a group of farmers buys the local milk processing plant.

9. 2nd Type Backward Vertical Integration - where a firm buys into another firm in an earlier stage of production. For example, when KFC (takeaways) buys the country ’ s biggest poultry processing plant.

10. Why vertical integration? Forward integration involves integrating with customer firms to ensure retail outlets for products. Backward integration involves integrating with a “input” supplier to reduce supply costs (or guarantee their quality). Frank Allen Tyres Dunlop Rubber plantation

11. Advantages of vertical integration: It has the advantage of cutting costs by reducing the profits, or reducing costs made at different stages of production. It also controls the quality and delivery of materials right through the production process. Increase entry barriers to potential competitors Increased control of the market. Better able to deal with any periods of shortage.

12. Disadvantages of vertical integration Increase in costs e.g. May need to appoint staff to run the business Inexperience in the field could prove costly Possible diseconomies of scale that may arise in terms of administration Decreased ability to increase product variety

13. Diversification Firms can also expand by diversification. This involves take over or merger with another firm in an unrelated industry. Firms can also expand by diversification. This involves take over or merger with another firm in an unrelated industry. When a firm increases the range of businesses it is involved in, it may develop into an industrial combine, or conglomerate. When a firm increases the range of businesses it is involved in, it may develop into an industrial combine, or conglomerate. For example: Mitsubishi For example: Mitsubishi

14. Why Diversify? Advantages Firms diversify for a number of reasons: Firms diversify for a number of reasons: to spread their risks. When sales in one industry are depressed, other industries provide more buoyant sales to spread their risks. When sales in one industry are depressed, other industries provide more buoyant sales to obtain other revenue sources, (so that it is not dependent on one market). to obtain other revenue sources, (so that it is not dependent on one market). To increase the range of products they make or sell. To increase the range of products they make or sell. To develop into a conglomerate. To develop into a conglomerate. Take advantage of existing expertise, knowledge and resources in a company. Take advantage of existing expertise, knowledge and resources in a company.

15. Example A market gardener whose property is next to a McDonalds car park. The market gardener turns part of his property into a mini-golf course to make additional income from the crowds who stop for takeaways.

16. Disadvantages May result in the slowing growth of its core business. Adding management costs. Losses may incurred during the market consolidation process. Complex dealings with the legal requirements of different countries.