In Porter's Five Forces Model, which force describes the competition among existing competitors?

The force that describes the competition among existing competitors is referred to as rivalry among competitors. This aspect of Porter's Five Forces Model examines how the level of competition in a market can influence the profitability and sustainability of businesses within that market. High rivalry typically means that competitors are aggressively vying for market share, which can lead to price wars, increased marketing efforts, and product innovations, all of which can impact profit margins.

In environments where rivalry is intense, companies may focus on differentiating their offerings or cutting costs to remain competitive. This intense competition often stems from factors such as the number of competitors, the rate of industry growth, the level of product differentiation, and the barriers to exit for companies in the industry. Understanding this force is critical for businesses to develop strategies that can help them maintain or improve their market position.