The impact of company's industry affiliation on sustainable growth management
Subject. The concept of sustainable growth is gaining special significance, because the sales growth as the main source of potential development has become inaccessible for a number of businesses. Objectives. The study aims at establishing the influence of company's industry affiliation on the balance between sustainable and real growth, and at verifying the hypothesis about the impact of the industry factor on the management of sustainable growth. Methods. The study rests on the systems approach and employs general and special scientific empirical and theoretical methods, like comparison, detailing, measurement, analysis, synthesis, formalization, deduction and induction. Results. I consider samplings of companies operating in three different industries, i.e. pharmaceutical, chemical and textile. Initially, I determine the balance between real and sustainable growth rates and the main trends by industry. The paper unveils companies that are in the least stable position, describes the performed additional analysis of the influence of industry factors on sustainable growth, and offers directions for overcoming negative trends. Conclusions. Industry affiliation influences the management of sustainable growth, primarily through the supply-demand balance in the relevant market. When making operational and financial decisions, companies should consider the industry affiliation as one of the most important factors.