Concentration, the degree to which factors are distributed in the environment, can have differing effects on an organization's activities. Whether factors are concentrated in one or several locations, managers must be able to identify their location and develop methods for using them. When factors are concentrated in one location, transportation costs can be reduced because members need not travel to multiple locations to get them. When factors are dispersed, or evenly distributed in the environment, the cost of learning about those factors increases, as does the cost of transportation to and from the factors.
Thus, organizations in a concentrated environment will realize more efficiency in their operations is necessary than organizations in a dispersed environment.
Many firms have responded to customer dispersion by providing mail-order services. Sears, of course, developed this idea before the turn of the century through its catalogs. Some companies, such as Lands' End and many seed stores, use mail order almost exclusively to reach their customers. On the other hand, political lobbyists spend most of their time in Washington, D.C., because that is where most of the political factors are concentrated. Many brokerage firms locate in New York City because of the concentration of financial markets. And steel companies prefer to locate in the upper Midwest because ore and labor are concentrated in this region.
Published: 2007-05-12
Author: Martin Hahn
About the author or the publisher
Martin Hahn PhD has received his education and degrees in Europe in organizational/industrial sociology. He grew up in South-East Asia and moved to Europe to get his tertiary education and gain experience in the fields of scientific research, radio journalism, and management consulting.
After living in Europe for 12 years, he moved to South-East again and has worked for the last 12 years as a management consultant, university lecturer, corporate trainer, and international school administrator
www.martin-hahn.net
Thus, organizations in a concentrated environment will realize more efficiency in their operations is necessary than organizations in a dispersed environment.
Many firms have responded to customer dispersion by providing mail-order services. Sears, of course, developed this idea before the turn of the century through its catalogs. Some companies, such as Lands' End and many seed stores, use mail order almost exclusively to reach their customers. On the other hand, political lobbyists spend most of their time in Washington, D.C., because that is where most of the political factors are concentrated. Many brokerage firms locate in New York City because of the concentration of financial markets. And steel companies prefer to locate in the upper Midwest because ore and labor are concentrated in this region.
Published: 2007-05-12
Author: Martin Hahn
About the author or the publisher
Martin Hahn PhD has received his education and degrees in Europe in organizational/industrial sociology. He grew up in South-East Asia and moved to Europe to get his tertiary education and gain experience in the fields of scientific research, radio journalism, and management consulting.
After living in Europe for 12 years, he moved to South-East again and has worked for the last 12 years as a management consultant, university lecturer, corporate trainer, and international school administrator
www.martin-hahn.net
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