Competitive position: The position of one business relative to others in the same industry. There are a multitude of factors contributing to (and which can be used to measure) competition. The major categories are (1) market position-relative share of market, rate of change of share, variability of share across segments, perceived differentiation of quality/service/price, breadth of product, and company images; (2) economic and technological position relative cost position, capacity utilization, technological position, and patented technology, product, or process; and (3) capabilities-management strength and depth, marketing strength, distribution system, labor relations, relationships with regulators.