There are many factors that can influence the balance of power in a negotiation. These factors are classified into 3 levels:
- Macro level: STEEPLE framework: social, technological, economic, environment, political, legal and ethical
- Micro level: Porter's five forces:
Diagram Description automatically generated
- One-to-one buyer-supplier dynamics.
The question asks about the micro factors that increases buyer's bargaining power. Among 5 answers, only 2 are likely to increase buyer's power:
- JCB's switching costs are low: Buyer may easily switch its suppliers anytime
- These components are highly standardised: The products are not different any more, buyer may choose to buy from any supplier available.
Other answers cannot be correct because:
- Suppliers are more concentrated than buyer: Suppliers are forming oligopoly market, their bargaining power tend to be greater.
- Eruption of epidemic in supply market: this is a macro factor. Eruption of epidemic may cause factories closed and disruptions on supply chain.
- Buyers purchase in small volumes: Buyer will be seen as less potential to suppliers. Buying organisation may have difficulties to deal better price with suppliers.
LO 1, AC 1.3
