What is a key characteristic of organizations in the maturity phase of the business life cycle?

In the maturity phase of the business life cycle, a key characteristic is indeed increased competition and potential stagnation. At this stage, the market for a company's products or services is typically well-established and may be saturated. As a result, businesses often face intense competition from existing players, leading to pressure on pricing and margins.

During this phase, organizations may find it challenging to maintain growth rates as they did in the earlier growth phase. There is typically less opportunity for expansion due to the market reaching its peak, which can lead to stagnation in revenue and profits. Companies may need to innovate, improve efficiencies, or diversify to remain competitive and avoid stagnation. This environment necessitates strategic adjustments to sustain profitability and market relevance.

The characteristics described in the other options do not accurately reflect the maturity phase. Rapid growth in profits is more representative of the growth phase, while declining market share due to innovation typically indicates a transition out of maturity or towards decline. Decreased competition and market expansion are also not common traits of this phase, as competition usually intensifies when businesses reach maturity.