When searching for new market opportunities, which area of product-market focus is least likely to take the firm beyond its current mission?

a. market development
b. product development
c. market penetration
d. diversification
e. all are likely to move the firm into product-markets outside the scope of its current mission.

Market penetration

Explanation: Comparison to the total potential market for that good or service, market penetration is a representation of how much a client uses a product or service. When developing strategies to raising the share of the market of a particular good or service, market penetration may also be used.

A paragraph explaining the role, markets and competitive advantages of a corporation; a brief written statement of objectives and principles of your organization is called its mission.

Thus, market penetration can only help in increasing market share and is not used for nay structural change leading to change in mission. Thus, we can conclude that the correct option is C.

answer; read and consider the content of the items;