Dictionary of Business Terms: horizontal integration
horizontal integration
a company's domination of a market at one stage of the production process by monopolizing resources at that stage. Contrast with vertical integration.
Dictionary of Marketing Terms: horizontal integration
horizontal integration
expansion via acquisition of a competitor or by adding outlets to a chain. For example, a book publisher might acquire another publishing house to increase its stable of editors and authors or to otherwise enhance its competitiveness. Horizontal integration is highly regulated by federal antitrust acts to prevent unfair dominance of markets.
