Which type of system focuses on strong control and coordination among its members?

The correct choice is a vertical marketing system (VMS) because this type of system is designed to coordinate and control the activities of different levels of the marketing channel, including producers, wholesalers, and retailers. In a VMS, the members work together towards a common goal, often with a shared vision or strategy, which enhances efficiency and effectiveness in reaching consumers.

Vertical marketing systems can take several forms, such as corporate, contractual, or administered systems, and they unite all participants under a single leadership or agreement, leading to better communication and a more streamlined approach to distributing products or services. This strong level of coordination helps to minimize conflicts that can arise when individual parties in a channel operate independently, thus leading to improved overall performance and consistency in marketing strategies.

Other systems, such as independent marketing channels, do not have such centralized control, as members operate independently and may prioritize their own interests over those of the channel as a whole. Horizontal marketing systems, which involve collaboration between different businesses at the same level of distribution (like two retailers working together), focus primarily on shared marketing efforts rather than control or coordination of production and distribution. Lastly, network marketing systems emphasize personal selling and recruitment rather than the coordinated channel management found in VMS.