See Also:
Supplier Power (one of Porter’s Five Forces)
Signs a Company is in Trouble
Problems When Experiencing Business Growth
Threat of New Entrants
Intensity of Rivalry

Supplier Power Analysis

When analyzing a given industry, all of the aforementioned factors regarding Porter a supplier power analysis may not apply. But some, if not many, certainly will. Of the factors that do apply, some may indicate high supplier bargaining power whereas some may indicate low supplier power. But the results will not always be straightforward. Therefore, consider the nuances of the analysis and the particular circumstances of the given firm and industry when using these data to evaluate the competitive structure and profit potential of a market.
Download the External Analysis whitepaper to gain an advantage by overcoming obstacles and preparing to react to external forces, For example, an external force is when it is a supplier’s market.

Bargain Power of Suppliers is High/Strong

Bargain power of suppliers is high/strong if any of the following applies:

• Concentrated suppliers
• Buyer switching costs are high
• Buyer is not price sensitive
• Threat of forward integration is high
• Buyer purchases product in low volume
• Product is highly differentiated
• Buyer purchases comprise small portion of supplier sales
• Substitutes are unavailable
• Buyer is uneducated about the product

Supplier Bargain Power is Low/Weak

Supplier bargain power is low/weak if any of the following applies:

• Concentrated buyers
• Buyer switching costs are low
• Buyer is price sensitive
• Threat of forward integration is low
• Buyer purchases product in high volume
• Product is undifferentiated
• Buyer purchases comprise large portion of supplier sales
• Substitutes are available
• Buyer is well-educated regarding the product

Supplier Power Interpretation

When conducting Porter’s 5 forces supplier power analysis, low supplier power makes an industry more attractive and increases profit potential for the buyer. Conversely, high supplier power makes an industry less attractive and decreases profit potential for the buyer. Supplier power is one of the factors to consider when analyzing the structural environment of an industry using Porter’s 5 forces framework. Supplier power examples include both markets for new and rare products.
When you assess the supplier power, do not neglect other external forces. If you want to overcome obstacles and prepare to react to external forces, then download the free External Analysis whitepaper.

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