You are the chief financial officer (CFO) of Morb lights, a manufacturer of lighting components for cars. The board of directors have decided that there is a need to divert investments toward LED-based lighting solutions instead of traditional light bulbs. You are currently evaluating two alternative projects. The first is to integrate new technology in the existing factory, where the cash flows for the first 4 years will be below average as the production will be affected due to refitting of facilities. However, from year 5 it will increase to above-average levels once full capacity is achieved. The second project is to take over an existing small business with the required production facility. This is expected to increase cash flows to above-average levels immediately for the next 4 years, but decrease to lower-average cash flows from year 5, when the factory’s technology becomes outdated.

How do you choose from the two available options? Given the strategy of the firm, what other factors need to be taken into consideration for this decision?