9
A
weakness
is
a
limitation
or
deficiency in one or more resources or
competencies relative to competitors that impedes a firm’s effective performance.
An
opportunity
is
a
major
favorable situation
in
a
firm’s
environment
identification
of a
previously.
A
threat
is
a
major
unfavorable
situation
in
a
firm’s
environment. Threats are key impediments to the firm’s current or desired position.
The entrance of new competitors, slow
market growth, increased bargaining power of
key buyers of suppliers, technological changes, and new or revised regulations could
represent threats of a firm’s success.
2.2.1.
External Resources
External
factors
influence
a
firm’s
choice
of
direction
and
action
and
ultimately
its
organizational
structure
and
internal processes. These factors, which
constitute the external environment, can be divided into three interrelated
subcategories: operating environment, industry environment, and remote
environment.
In
combinations,
these
factors
form the
basis
of
the
opportunities
and
threats that a firm faces in its competitive environment.
2.2.1.1.
Remote Environment
Economic
factors
concern
the
nature
and
direction
of
the
economy
in
which
a
firm
operates.
Economics
factors
include
the
general
availability
of
credit,
the
level of disposable income, the propensity of people to spend, prime interest rates,
inflation rates, and trends in the growth of the gross national product.
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