Stability strategy is most likely to be pursued by small businesses or firms in a mature stage of development.
Stability strategies are implemented by ‘steady as it goes’ approaches to decisions. No major functional changes are made in the product line, markets or functions.
However, stability strategy is not a ‘do nothing’ approach nor does it mean that goals such as profit growth are abandoned. The stability strategy can be designed to increase profits through such approaches as improving efficiency in current operations.
Why do companies pursue a stability strategy?
1) the firm is doing well or perceives itself as successful
2) it is less risky
3) it is easier and more comfortable
4) the environment is relatively unstable
5) too much expansion can lead to inefficiencies
Situations where a stability strategy is more advisable than the growth strategy:
a) if the external environment is highly dynamic and unpredictable
b) strategic managers may feel that the cost of growth may be higher than the potential benefits
c) excessive expansion may result in violation of anti trust laws
Types of stability strategies;
1) Pause/Process with caution strategy – some organizations pursue stability strategy for a temporary period of time until the particular environmental situation changes, especially if they have been growing too fast in the previous period. Stability strategies enable a