Not a Competitive Force

Explanation

The remaining force is the threat of new entrants.

According to Porter's Five Forces framework, which is commonly used to analyze the competitive environment of an industry, there are five competitive forces that determine the intensity of competition. These forces are:

1. Bargaining power of suppliers: This force refers to the ability of suppliers to influence the terms and conditions of supply, such as price, quality, and delivery. If suppliers have significant power, they can demand higher prices or exert control over the industry, which can intensify competition.

2. Bargaining power of buyers: This force relates to the ability of buyers to influence the terms of purchase, including price, quantity, and product specifications. When buyers have strong bargaining power, they can demand lower prices or higher quality, putting pressure on industry players and increasing competition.

3. Threat of substitute products: This force considers the availability of alternative products or services that can fulfill the same customer needs. If there are many substitute products that offer similar benefits at a lower price or with better features, it can erode market share and intensify competition.

4. Threat of new entrants: This force looks at the ease with which new competitors can enter the industry. If there are low barriers to entry, such as low capital requirements or weak regulatory restrictions, new entrants can increase competition and potentially lower industry profitability.

5. Rivalry among existing competitors: This force examines the intensity of competition among current industry players. Factors that contribute to rivalry include the number of competitors, their market share, industry growth rate, product differentiation, and capacity. High rivalry leads to price competition, increased marketing efforts, and innovation, all of which can impact industry profitability.

Based on the information provided, the answer to the question "According to Porter, which is not a competitive force that determines the intensity of competition?" is A. none of these are competitive forces.