Which strategy could create a competitive advantage for ABC through market orientation?

• A. Leveraging recycling capabilities to produce concrete incorporating shredded plastic from e-waste.
• B. Expanding to non-recyclable materials to reduce costs.
• C. Increasing product standardization to lower production variety.
• D. Focusing solely on low-cost production without market feedback.

Answer: (A)

Market orientation is about understanding what customers value and using that insight to create offerings that stand out. Leveraging recycling capabilities to produce concrete that incorporates shredded plastic from e-waste fits this approach because it directly meets growing demand for sustainable, eco-friendly construction materials and differentiates ABC through an environmental value proposition. It also makes use of existing capabilities, which can help deliver a unique product with potential branding and regulatory benefits, giving ABC a competitive edge. Expanding to non-recyclable materials doesn’t align with the sustainability trend, increasing product standardization can reduce flexibility to meet diverse customer needs, and focusing only on low-cost production without market feedback ignores what customers actually want and risks losing relevance in a changing market.