External Drivers

The External Drivers for the 1990s
The external drivers are the factors outside an organisation which cannot be controlled directly (except perhaps at the margins) by the management team, but which influence the future success of the business. The external drivers for the 1990s include:
• the global economy - is there a trend for growth? Will changes in trading blocs provide new opportunities or hinder global trade? How can an organisation combat the threats from low-cost economies?
• changes in demographics and lifestyles - for example, the ageing population; changing employment patterns, including a surplus of people available for work; couples deferring parenthood until later in life; the widening gap between the haves and the have-nots
• environmental issues - more legislation has added cost and complexity, while consumer demand for environmentally-friendly products is increasing
• market factors - there is a greater fragmentation of markets, and co...