Industry life cycle

Industry life cycle is a concept used in strategic management that describes the stages of development that an industry goes through as it matures over time. It is a useful tool for management to help identify areas of growth and potential decline. Stages of the industry life cycle typically include introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. In the introduction phase, the industry is in its early stages of development, characterized by high risk and innovation. In the growth phase, the industry grows rapidly and experiences a surge in profits. During the maturity phase, competition and demand increase, leading to greater efficiency and cost savings. Finally, in the decline phase, the industry slows down and profits begin to decrease.

Example of industry life cycle

• Automobile Industry: The automobile industry is a good example of an industry life cycle. In the introduction phase, the industry was characterized by innovation and risk-taking as new technologies were developed and tested. During the growth phase, the industry experienced a surge in profits as demand increased and production costs dropped. In the maturity phase, competition between automakers became fierce as they worked to produce more efficient and cost-effective vehicles. Finally, in the decline phase, the industry has seen a decrease in profits as more efficient and cost-effective vehicles have been developed and older models have become less attractive to consumers.
• Smartphone Industry: The smartphone industry is another example of an industry life cycle. In the introduction phase, the industry was characterized by innovation and risk-taking as new technologies were developed and tested. During the growth phase, the industry experienced a surge in profits as demand increased and production costs dropped. In the maturity phase, competition between smartphone makers became fierce as they worked to produce more efficient and cost-effective devices. Finally, in the decline phase, the industry has seen a decrease in profits as more efficient and cost-effective devices have been developed and older models have become less attractive to consumers.
• Video Game Industry: The video game industry is another example of an industry life cycle. In the introduction phase, the industry was characterized by innovation and risk-taking as new technologies and genres of gaming were developed and tested. During the growth phase, the industry experienced a surge in profits as demand increased and production costs dropped. In the maturity phase, competition between video game companies became fierce as they worked to produce more efficient and cost-effective games. Finally, in the decline phase, the industry has seen a decrease in profits as more efficient and cost-effective games have been developed and older titles have become less attractive to consumers.

When to use industry life cycle

Industry life cycle is a useful tool for strategic management that can be used to identify stages of growth and decline in an industry. It can be used in a variety of situations, including:

• Identifying market opportunities: Industry life cycle can provide insight into potential areas of growth or decline, allowing businesses to identify new market opportunities.
• Developing marketing strategies: Knowing the industry’s stage of development can help businesses develop more effective marketing strategies.
• Making investment decisions: Companies can use industry life cycle analysis to determine when it is a good time to invest in certain industries.
• Assessing competitive advantage: It can be used to assess a company’s competitive advantage within its industry, as well as its potential for growth.
• Identifying potential risks: Companies can use industry life cycle analysis to identify potential risks, helping them to develop risk management strategies.

Stages of industry life cycle

The industry life cycle is a useful tool for management to help identify areas of growth and potential decline. It consists of four distinct stages: introduction, growth, maturity, and decline.

• Introduction: In the introduction phase, the industry is in its early stages of development, characterized by high risk and innovation. During this phase, companies are introducing new products and services and establishing themselves in the market.
• Growth: The industry enters the growth phase after the introduction phase, and during this stage, the industry experiences a surge in profits. Companies are able to gain market share and expand their customer base as demand for their products and services increases.
• Maturity: During the maturity phase, competition and demand increase, leading to greater efficiency and cost savings. Companies are now able to offer better products and services at lower prices and the industry becomes more mature and stable.
• Decline: In the decline phase, the industry slows down and profits begin to decrease. Companies may struggle to remain competitive and need to focus on innovation in order to remain viable.

Advantages of industry life cycle

Industry life cycle is a useful tool for management to help identify areas of growth and potential decline. The advantages of utilizing the industry life cycle include:

• Understanding the competitive landscape and identifying opportunities: By analyzing the industry life cycle, managers can better understand where the industry is in its development and can identify potentially lucrative opportunities for growth.
• Predicting industry trends: By understanding the industry life cycle, managers can more accurately predict future trends and changes in the industry and adjust their strategies accordingly.
• Minimizing risk: By understanding the industry life cycle, managers can identify riskier stages of the life cycle and adjust their strategies accordingly to minimize risk.
• Improving decision-making: By understanding the industry life cycle, managers can make more informed decisions about investments and other aspects of their businesses.

Limitations of industry life cycle

The industry life cycle is a useful tool for managers to identify potential opportunities and threats in their industry, however, there are a few limitations.

• First, the industry life cycle assumes that all industries go through the same stages, which may not be the case in reality.
• Second, it does not take into account external factors such as changes in technology or regulations that could significantly affect the industry.
• Third, the stages of the industry life cycle are not clearly defined, making it difficult to accurately identify when an industry is in a particular stage.
• Finally, the industry life cycle does not account for the differences between industries, as each industry may have different stages of growth and decline.

Other approaches related to industry life cycle

Industry life cycle is a concept used in strategic management that describes the stages of development that an industry goes through as it matures over time. Other approaches related to the industry life cycle include:

• Porter’s Five Forces Model - This model is used to analyze the competitive environment of an industry. It identifies five key forces that can influence the level of competition in the industry and suggests strategies for dealing with them.
• Resource-Based View - This view suggests that a firm’s competitive advantage lies in its unique resources, such as skilled employees, technology, or brand recognition. It argues that firms can gain a competitive advantage by making the most of their resources.
• Value Chain Analysis - This approach focuses on the activities that add value to the product or service. It looks at the cost of performing each activity, the quality of the output, and the value created for the customer.

In summary, industry life cycle is a concept used in strategic management that describes the stages of development that an industry goes through as it matures over time. Other related approaches include Porter’s Five Forces Model, the Resource-Based View, and Value Chain Analysis. These approaches can be used to analyze the competitive environment of an industry and identify opportunities for gaining a competitive advantage.

Industry life cycle — recommended articles

Level of competition — Resource based view — Technological portfolio — Competitive environment — Map of strategic groups — Competitor — Threat of new entrants — Business driver — Product competitors

References

• Audretsch, D. B., & Feldman, M. P. (1996). Innovative clusters and the industry life cycle. Review of industrial organization, 253-273.