An impressive, short commentary by Daniel Byman, in the FP Blog; full title being: Al Qaeda's M&A Strategy Is franchising a successful way to build a global terror network?

Early on:
much of al Qaeda's growth in the last decade has been the kind of expansion that any American businessman would recognize: They've systematically tried to absorb regional jihadist start-ups, both venerable and newly created, and convince them that their struggle is a component of al Qaeda's sweeping international agenda -- and vice versa.
Midway:
When groups embrace al Qaeda's "far enemy" logic, they are also embracing strategic absurdity. Terrorist groups that succeed politically, like Hezbollah and Hamas, are firmly anchored in local realities and politics, and their success comes in part because their ambitions are limited.
Ends with:
In all these cases, however, the United States should strive to separate the locals from the al Qaeda core. The organization's merger strategy is a double-edged sword: Al Qaeda has gained from its acquisitions, but it can also be hurt by them.
Link:http://www.foreignpolicy.com/article...and_a_strategy

IIRC some of these business strategy terms have appeared before and indirect responses. David Kilcullen in particular comes to mind, having read his first book.