A company wants to reduce its operational expenses. The chief executive officer (CEO) decides to relocate the company’s factory to a country where labor and materials are cheaper. Which strategy did the CEO use?

While relocating a factory to another country may involve some elements of international expansion, this choice does not specifically address the cost-saving measures being implemented. International expansion focuses more on growing the company's presence in new markets rather than directly lowering operational expenses through resource management.

Developing emerging markets refers to strategies aimed at entering or growing in markets that are still developing economically. Although the company may end up in an emerging market, the primary intent of the relocation in this scenario is to reduce costs, not necessarily to foster development in that market.

Gaining market growth involves strategies aimed at increasing a company's share or reach within a particular market. This strategy does not specifically focus on the operational efficiencies being sought through relocating the factory to lower labor and material costs.