Vertical Integration along the Industry Value Chain

15 important questions on Vertical Integration along the Industry Value Chain

What is Vertical Integration?

The firm's ownership of its production of needed inputs or of the channels by which it distributes its outputs.


The Degree of Vertical Integration tends to correspond to the Nr of Industry Value Chain stages in which a firm directly participates.

When should firms Vertically Integrate?

When firms are more efficient in organizing economic activity than markets.
(Pursuing an activity internal costs less than buying it on markets)

What is the Industry Value Chain?

A depiction of the transformation of raw materials into finished goods and services along distinct vertical stages, each of which typically represents a distinct industry in which a number of different firms are competing.
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What is Backward Vertical Integration?

Changes in an Industry Value Chain that involve moving ownership of activities upstream to the originating (inputs) point of the value chain.

When a firm buys another firm at an earlier stage of production.


-- often used to overcome the threat of opportunism and to secure key raw materials

What are the Benefits of Vertical Integration?

- Lower costs
- Improved quality
- Facilitating scheduling and planning
- Facilitating investments in specialised assets
- Securing critical supplies and distribution channels

What are Specialized Assets?

Unique assets with high opportunity cost. They have significantly more value in their intended use than in their next-best use.

What are the 3 Types of Specialized Assets?

1) Site Specificity
2) Physical-asset specificity
3) Human-asset specificity

3 Types of Specialized Assets: Physical-asset specificity

Assets whose physical and engineering properties are designed to satisfy a particular customer.

3 Types of Specialized Assets: Human-asset specificity

Investments made in human capital to acquire unique knowledge and skills which are not transferable to a different employer

What are the Risks of Vertical Integration?

- Increased Costs
- Reduced Quality
- Reduced Flexibility
- Increased potential for legal repercussions (nadelig gevolg)

What is a Vertical Market Failure?

When the markets along the industry value chain are too risky, and alternatives too costly in time or money.

Alternatives to Vertical Integration:  What is Taper Integration?

A way of orchestrating value activities in which a firm is backwardly integrated but also relies on outside-market firms for some of its supplies and/or is forwardly integrated but also relies on outside-market firms for some of its distribution.

What are the Benefits of Taper Integration?


- Performance comparisons are possible- Enhances flexibility
- Combination of Internal and External knowledge

Alternatives to Vertical Integration:  What is Strategic Outsourcing?

Moving one or more internal value chain activities outside the firm´s boundaries to other firms in the industry value chain.

What is offshoring / Offshore outsourcing?

When outsourced activities take place outside the home country.

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