How does Porter's Five Forces model relate to the concept of strategic alignment within a business strategy framework?

Porter’s Five Forces model examines the competitive forces that shape an industry—supplier power, buyer power, threat of substitutes, threat of new entrants, and rivalry among existing firms. By mapping these forces, a company sees the external pressures that must be addressed in its strategy. Strategic alignment then means shaping the company’s internal resources, capabilities, and actions so they fit the realities revealed by the forces, ensuring the strategy is both realistic and competitive. For example, if the model shows high buyer power, a firm might align by focusing on differentiation and customer loyalty to mitigate that pressure. Thus, the Five Forces provide the environmental blueprint that a business uses to align its strategy with external realities.