After evaluating the broad macro environment, the entrepreneur changes focus to the immediate competitive environment. A useful tool for analyzing a specific industry's attractiveness within the competitive environment is the Five Forces Model developed by Harvard Business School's Michael Porter. According to the Five Forces Model, these forces interact with one another to determine the setting in which companies compete and hence the attractiveness of the industry. Which of all the following is NOT one of the five forces?

a

the rivalry among noncompeting firms

b

bargaining power of buyers

c

threat of new entrants

d

bargaining power of suppliers

e

threat of substitute products or services