When Susan, the CEO of Gregarious Simulation Systems, expanded her operations to a different international market, she was surprised to see how little competition she faced. In her home country, the competition for simulation systems is incredibly fierce. As a result of her international expansion, her firm has been able to easily position themselves as a major player. Which of the four categories of Porter's Diamond framework best explains this advantage?

a. competitive intensity in the focal industry
b. related and supporting industries/complementors
c. demand conditions
d. factor conditions

Porter's competitive intensity explains the level of rivalry that exists in a particular industry. The competitive intensity is influenced by different factors, such as the fixed cost, concentration of the industry, switching cost, rate of industrial growth etc.

Therefore, from the information given, since the company expanded her operations to a different international market, and the subsequent little competition that was faced, this is explained by the competitive intensity in the focal industry.

Therefore, the correct option is A.