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7115 · 1.3

Enterprise, business growth and size flashcards

Revision flashcards for Cambridge 7115 Enterprise, business growth and size (syllabus 1.3). Flip, recall, then mark a real past-paper question.

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    Organic growth?

    Internal expansion — new stores, products, markets over time.

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    Inorganic growth?

    Merger, takeover, joint venture — instant size increase.

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    Horizontal integration?

    Merge with competitor at same stage — e.g. two supermarket chains.

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    Vertical backward?

    Take over supplier — e.g. brewer buys hop farm.

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    Vertical forward?

    Take over retailer/distributor — e.g. manufacturer opens shops.

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    Conglomerate?

    Unrelated businesses — risk diversification.

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    Why grow?

    Economies of scale, market power, shareholder returns, survival.

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    Diseconomies link?

    9.1.2 — communication breakdown if integration poorly managed.

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    What is organic growth?

    Expansion of a business from its own resources and activities, such as by launching new products or opening new locations. It does not involve acquiring other companies.

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    Define horizontal integration.

    The merger or acquisition of a business operating in the same industry and at the same stage of production. Example: A supermarket chain buying another supermarket chain.

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    What is the difference between forward and backward vertical integration?

    Backward vertical integration is acquiring a business at an earlier stage of the supply chain (a supplier). Forward vertical integration is acquiring a business at a later stage (a distributor or customer).

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    What is conglomerate integration?

    The merger or acquisition of businesses in completely unrelated industries. The main objective is diversification to spread risk.

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    Define diseconomies of scale.

    Factors that cause long-run average costs to rise as the scale of output increases. Often caused by communication problems, poor coordination, and low morale in a large business.