Describe and Explain the Relationship between Corporate Diversification and Corporate Performance A Case Study
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of the case, students should be able to:
- Understand the meaning of Corporate Diversification and Corporate Performance
- Understand the similarities and differences between Corporate Diversification and Corporate Performance
- Apply the knowledge attained to real-life businesses
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Corporate diversification is the strategy of expanding a firm's operations into different product lines, markets, or industries. Diversification can help a company reduce its risk exposure, increase its profitability, and create synergies among its business units. However, diversification also entails significant challenges and costs, such as managing complex operations, integrating different cultures and systems, and allocating resources efficiently.
Corporate performance is the measure of how well a firm achieves its goals, such as profitability, growth, market share, or social responsibility. It reflects the ability of the organization to achieve its strategic goals and objectives, as well as to satisfy the needs and expectations of its stakeholders.
Corporate performance can be measured by various criteria, such as financial results, customer satisfaction, employee engagement, innovation, social responsibility, and environmental impact. By monitoring and evaluating corporate performance, managers can identify the strengths and weaknesses of their business processes, products, and services, and implement appropriate actions to improve them.
There are two main types of corporate diversification: related and unrelated. Related diversification occurs when a firm enters a new business that is similar to its existing businesses in terms of resources, capabilities, or customers. For example, a car manufacturer may diversify into producing motorcycles or trucks. Unrelated diversification occurs when a firm enters a new business that is dissimilar to its existing businesses and has no obvious synergies. For example, a car manufacturer may diversify into producing cosmetics or furniture.
The relationship between corporate diversification and corporate performance is complex and contingent on various factors, such as the degree of diversification, the mode of entry, the industry environment, and the firm's capabilities. Some studies have found that moderate levels of related diversification can enhance corporate performance by exploiting economies of scope, sharing resources and capabilities, and cross-selling products or services. However, excessive levels of related diversification can reduce corporate performance by increasing complexity, coordination costs, and conflicts of interest.
Similarly, some studies have found that low levels of unrelated diversification can enhance corporate performance by reducing risk, increasing financial flexibility, and exploiting market opportunities. However, high levels of unrelated diversification can reduce corporate performance by creating inefficiencies, diluting core competencies, and diverting managerial attention.