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Question

Vertical merger is the merger of two firms which are involved in which one of the following forms ?

This question was previously asked in
UGC NET 2016 Paper 3 Management Question Paper (22-Jan-2017)
The correct answer is

Different stages of distribution and production in same business activity

 Option 2 — Different stages of distribution and production in same business activity is correct.

A vertical merger joins two firms that operate at different stages of the same production-distribution chain, i.e. a buyer–seller relationship. A classic example is a car manufacturer merging with a tyre or steel supplier (backward integration), or with a dealership network (forward integration). The firms are not competitors; they occupy successive links of the same value chain.

The strategic logic is to secure supply, capture the supplier’s or distributor’s margin, cut transaction costs, and gain better control over quality and delivery. This distinguishes it from a horizontal merger (same stage, same product line) and a conglomerate merger (unrelated businesses).

Merger typeRelationship of firms
HorizontalSame product / same stage (competitors)
VerticalDifferent stages of the same production-distribution chain
ConglomerateDifferent, unrelated businesses

Why the other options are wrong: Option 1 describes a horizontal merger; Option 3 describes a conglomerate merger; Option 4 mixes the two and does not define a vertical merger.

Takeaway: “vertical” means up or down the same supply chain, not sideways among rivals.

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Important Questions from Strategic Management

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    d. Deciding about the Mission of the organisation 

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  3. When the target company uses the tactic of divestiture, to defend itself from a hostile takeover, it is said to sell the :

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