EST Analysis
(STEEPLE)
    
Political, Economic, Social, Technological Factors
PEST Analysis (STEEPLE)
    
 
The PEST Analysis is a framework that strategy consultants use to scan the external macro-environment in which a firm operates. PEST is an acronym for the following factors:
    *
      Political factors
    *
      Economic factors
    *
      Social factors, and
    *
      Technological factors.
PEST factors play an important role in the value creation opportunities of a strategy. However they are usually beyond the control of the corporation and must normally be considered as either threats or opportunities. Remember macro-economical factors can differ per continent, country or even region, so normally a PEST analysis should be performed per country.
 
In the table below you find examples of each of these factors.
    Political (incl. Legal)
     
        Economic
     
        Social
     
        Technological
     
    Environmental regulations and protection
        
    Economic growth
        
    Income distribution
        
    Government research spending