Which stage of the Product-Market Life-Cycle corresponds to a strategy of defending market share and continuous improvement in product and production efficiency? Rapid Growth Introduction Decline Shakeout Maturity Which of the following might represent an issue in the Social-Demographic category of the relevant general environment? It is projected that by 2044 the combined population of racial minorities will make up the majority of the total U.S. population. A number of solar and wind energy companies have recently formed so-called “Yield Companies” to monetize the returns from utility-scale energy generation projects. All of the listed issues would be considered part of the Social-Demographic category of the relevant general environment. The FCC has proposed the regulation of internet providers as “common carriers.” California has begun studying what type of licensing should be required for operating an autonomous (self-driving) automobile. Which of the following statements about strategic groups is false? Two assumptions are made: (1) no two firms are totally different, (2) no two firms are exactly the same. The forces in the “Five-Forces Model of Industry Competition” may be somewhat different for different strategic groups within the same “industry”. Strategic groups are helpful in thinking through the implications of each industry trend for the group as a whole. Strategic groupings are of little help to a firm in assessing mobility barriers that protect a group from attacks by other groups. Strategic groups help chart the future directions of firms’ strategies.