The forces that make up the external marketing environment of a firm a. can be controlled to the firm's advantage. b. are generally beyond the firm's control. c. result from the operations of the firm. d. have little effect on internal operations. e. include price, promotion, distribution, and product.

b. are generally beyond the firm's control.

Explanation:

Marketing environments are environmental influence or factors affecting the marketing effort of an organisation, whose influence can be favorable or unfavorable.

Generally speaking business firms are faced with two types of environments:

1. Internal Environment- These are factors existing within an organization, affecting the marketing effort which are within the control of a firm e.g. Product research, sales strategy, sales and marketing staff e.t.c.

2. External Environment - These factors existing outside an organization affecting the marketing effort and is outside the control of an organisation.. e.g. Monetary policy of the government, fiscal policy, taxes, export policies e.t.c