Question

A firm's diversification strategy is most likely to add value if:________. a. There exist economies of scope between diversified business units. b. The firm has a comprehensive business portfolio in different industries. c. The diversification strategy enables the firm to enter several unrelated businesses. d. It enters unfamiliar market through aggressive acquisitions.

Answer 1

Answer:

Option A. There exist economies of scope between diversified business units

Explanation:

The reason is that diversification is lowering the industry risk of the business the company is in by investing in several other industries. This helps us to lower the risk and have a steady returns in the subsequent years. This means uncertainty related to cash flows is lowered and this has also increased the chances of cash surplus for subsequent years.

Furthermore, if the investments made in diversified business units possesses economies of scope, which means that we are in related diversification because we are manufacturing different but similar goods which are substitutes to each other from large to some extent. This brings economies of scope and would lower the total operating cost of company. Hence the Option A which says that economies of scope does add value to the company is the right option.

Option B is not preferable option as the option of investing in different businesses is choosen in the option A.

Option C is again the same as Option B and the difference is that it uses the word several unrelated businesses instead of comprehensive business portfolio which is the same thing. Hence Option C is also not preferable option here.

Option D is incorrect because when we acquire an organization it is the move of increase in risk portfolio because acquisitions are mostly not a sound investments and not a part of diversification strategy as the company is putting all the eggs in the single basket.