ABSTRACT
Based on the discussion in the previous chapter, the key to an increased understanding of the nature of the climates and dynamics of competition rests in the process of competition. This chapter discusses possible points of departure within existing theory which can be of use in the study of the competitive process. The first part of the chapter deals with existing theories of competition regarding structure and behaviour in an industry. The different schools contribute valuable understanding of structural and behavioural aspects of competitive pre-conditions within an industry, and how these pre-conditions may be interrelated. These different schools help distinguish a number of dimensions from which competition can be described. From the description of competition it then becomes possible to determine different contexts of competition.
