Questions and Answers of Business Foundations A Changing World

How does empowerment work at GMCR?
Describe how Green Mounta in Coffee Roasters(GMCR) uses a decentrali zed and flat organizationa l structure.
How does innovation contribute to t he growt h of t he company?
What prepared Galen West on for his role as CEO of Lob law?
What are t he most import ant factors contributing to Galen Weston's success?
What are some pot ential pitfalls of Yammer, and how can t hese pitfalls be avoided?
How can Yammer be used as a way to improve productivity?
How does Yammer contribute to a firm's corporat e culture?
Describe how Best Buy has used teamwork to increase sustainability within its operations.
Why is communication so important in achieving Best Buy's sustainability goals?
Why d id Best Buy feel the need to embrace sustainability?
Describe how communicat ion occurs in organizations.
Compare and contrast some common forms of organizational structure.8. Distinguish between groups and teams, and identify the types of groups that exist in organizations.
Determine how organizations assign responsibility for tasks and delegate authority.
Describe how specialization and departmentalization help an organization achieve its goals.
Define organizational structure, and relate how organizational structures develop.
Do you think it is possible that Lululemon turned the recall into an opportunity for free publicity which will benefit the company in the long run? What are the pros and cons associated with doing
After reading t he chapter, especially the sect ions on contingency planning and crisis management, do you t hink Lululemon should have recalled the pants quiet ly? W hy or why not?
Do you think t he recall damaged the image of the store w ith consumers?
Why do you t hink Facebook is trying t o attract small businesses?
How do you think that Sandberg's job as a Google executive prepared her t o help run Facebook?
W hy is Sheryl Sandberg's job as chief operating officer so important?
How can managers make sure that they a re successfully implementi ng a values-based managerial approach?
Why do you think more managers want to adopt a values-based corporate culture?
How does a values-based culture differ from a top-down chain of command?
W hat are the challenges for a new C EO when trying t o ensure a company such as Rona continues t o stay successful?
What areas of management do you think Sawyer emphasized in his at tempt t o re-establish Rona as a lead er in home improvement prod ucts ?
How was Sawyer a strong leader in helping Rona's recovery?
Under Yvon Chouinard's leadership, Patagonia launc hed the Patagonia Music Coll ective. How does this new venture relate back to the com pa·ny's green va lues?
Describe why consumers tend to be more loyal to "green," environmentally friendly companies.
What initiatives has Patagonia taken to p romote its value of sustainability?
Summarize the systematic approach to decision making used by many business managers.
Specify the skills managers need in order to be successful.
Distinguish among three levels of management and the concerns of managers at each level.
Describe the major functions of management?
Form groups and find examples of mergers and acqui- sitions. Mergers can be broken down into traditional mergers, horizontal mergers, and conglomerate mergers. When companies are found, note how long
3. What gives New Belgium a competitive advantage over other craft brewers? Do you think its organizational structure plays a role? New Belgium Brewing is an employee- owned business that not only
2. Do you think New Belgium would have such a high degree of control over business decisions if it were a publicly traded company? Do you think New Belgium's owners should consider an initial public
1. What is unique about New Belgium's organizational structure that creates a high level of employee commitment and satisfaction? New Belgium Brewing is an employee- owned business that not only
Your team needs to think about how you should organize yourselves that would be most efficient and effective for your business plan. The benefits of having partners include having others to share
3. Which organizational form do you think would be best for Thomas and Bryan's company and why? Thomas O'Grady and Bryan Rossisky have decided to start a small busi- ness buying flowers, shrubs, and
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of their forming a partnership? Thomas O'Grady and Bryan Rossisky have decided to start a small busi- ness buying flowers, shrubs, and trees whole-sale
1. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of Thomas and Bryan forming a corporation? Thomas O'Grady and Bryan Rossisky have decided to start a small busi- ness buying flowers, shrubs, and
Ali Bush sees an opportunity to start her own Web site development busi- ness. Ali has just graduated from the University of Mississippi with a master's degree in computer science. Although she has
2. Select a publicly owned corporation and make a list of its outside directors. Information of this nature can be found in several places in your library:the company's annual report, its list of
1. Select a publicly owned corporation and bring to class a list of its subsidiaries. These data should be available in the firm's corporate annual report, Standard & Poor's Corporate Records, or
10. The most common example of a cooperative is a farm co-op. Explain the reasons for this and the benefits that result for members of cooperatives.
8. Why would secrecy in operating a business be important to an owner? What form of organization would be most appropriate for a business requiring great secrecy?
6. Which form of business organization has the least government regulation? Which has the most?
3. Differentiate among the different types of corporations. Can you supply an example of each type?
3. What is unique about the way Birkenstock U.S.A. is organized? Birkenstocks have long had the reputation of being hippie shoes, but they have been made in Germany since 1897. Nearly 70 years later,
2. What does Birkenstock offer in lieu of a traditional pension plan? Would you like this option or not? Birkenstocks have long had the reputation of being hippie shoes, but they have been made in
1. What competitive advantage allowed Birkenstock to be a success? Birkenstocks have long had the reputation of being hippie shoes, but they have been made in Germany since 1897. Nearly 70 years
3. What could be a disadvantage of operating an electric bike firm as a sole proprietorship? You surely have heard of electric cars, but what about elec- tric bikes? The bicycle industry found a way
2. Schwinn is a division of a public corporation-publicly traded company Dorel Industries. What advantages are there in being part of a public corporation? You surely have heard of electric cars, but
1. Ultra Motor Company Limited is a private corporation. What are the advantages of being private and not being traded on a stock exchange? You surely have heard of electric cars, but what about
Define and debate the advantages and disadvantages of mergers, acquisitions, and leveraged buyouts.
Describe the corporate form of organization, and cite the advantages and disadvantages of corporations.
Identify two types of partnership, and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the partnership form of organization.
Define and examine the advantages and disadvantages of the sole proprietorship form of organization.
3. What are some of the factors complicating inter- national expansion of a brand like Disney? What can a multinational corporation do to mitigate these issues? Mickey Mouse has been a beloved
2. What stumbling blocks did Disney encounter at their France and Hong Kong theme parks? Mickey Mouse has been a beloved American icon since the 1930s. The suc- cess of his and other Disney
1. What led The Walt Disney Company to believe that its theme parks would be successful internationally? Mickey Mouse has been a beloved American icon since the 1930s. The suc- cess of his and other
Think about the product/service you are contemplating for your business plan. If it is an already established product or service, try to find out if the product is currently being sold
3. Should Audiotech consider a joint venture? Should it hire a sales force of people native to the countries it enters? Audiotech Electronics, founded in 1959 by a father and son, currently oper-
2. What are some of the unique problems that a small business might face in global expansion that larger firms would not? Audiotech Electronics, founded in 1959 by a father and son, currently oper-
1. What are the key issues that need to be considered in determining global expansion?Audiotech Electronics, founded in 1959 by a father and son, currently oper- ates a 35,000-square-foot factory
3. Identify a local company that is active in interna- tional trade. What is its level of international busi- ness involvement and why? Analyze the threats and opportunities it faces in foreign
2. Although NAFTA has been controversial, it has been a positive factor for U.S. firms desiring to engage in international business. What industries and specific companies have the greatest potential
10. Compare multinational and global strategies. Which is best? Under what circumstances might each be used?
6. How do social and cultural differences create barriers to international trade? Can you think of any additional social or cultural barriers (other than those mentioned in this chapter) that might
2. What effect does devaluation have on a nation’s currency? Can you think of a country that has devaluated or revaluated its currency? What have been the results?
3. Do you think that China will ultimately be successful in reducing pollution and improving its environmental record? Why or why not? As the largest producer of greenhouse gases, China has become
2. What are some of the criticisms levied against China regarding its environmental initiatives? As the largest producer of greenhouse gases, China has become associated with high pollution and
1. What steps has China taken to reduce its pollution output? Do you think these measures will help or hurt businesses? As the largest producer of greenhouse gases, China has become associated with
3. What is Walmart's international strategy? What are its major international competitors? For Walmart, the chance of penetrating India was too large an opportunity to pass up. However, laws forbid
2. How is Walmart in India different from Walmart in other countries? For Walmart, the chance of penetrating India was too large an opportunity to pass up. However, laws forbid foreign com- panies
1. What barrier to entry did Walmart encounter in India, and what did the corporation do to overcome that hurdle? For Walmart, the chance of penetrating India was too large an opportunity to pass up.
Assess the opportunities and problems facing a small business considering expanding into international markets.
Contrast two basic strategies used in international business.
Summarize the different levels of organizational involvement in international trade.
Specify some of the agreements, alliances, and organizations that may encourage trade across international boundaries.
Investigate some of the economic, legal-political, social, cultural, and technological barriers to international business.
Explore some of the factors within the international trade environment that influence business.
3. How might one determine when a company has crossed the line between puffery and outright deception? Pfizer Inc. is a well-known drug company that produces a number of popular medications. Its
2. What advertising approaches do you think that Pfizer should take in the future in order to avoid the same kind of scrutiny and criticism engendered by the Jarvik Lipitor ads? Pfizer Inc. is a
1. If the information conveyed in the ads is truthful, should it matter that Dr. Jarvik is associated with development of an artificial heart but is not a practicing physician? Pfizer Inc. is a
3. What are the benefits of being perceived as an ethical company? What are the downsides of having a reputation for ethical misconduct?
2. What are some of the recommendations made by the report? Can you think of any other recommendations to give companies on how to behave more ethically?
1. What are some of the reasons cited in the Arthur Page Society and the Business Roundtable Institute for Corporate Ethics report for public distrust of corporations?
3. How would you handle the situation if you were Barnard?Checkers Pizza was one of the first to offer home delivery service, with overwhelming success. However, the major pizza chains soon followed
2. Do you see this as a potential violation of privacy?Explain. Checkers Pizza was one of the first to offer home delivery service, with overwhelming success. However, the major pizza chains soon
1. What are some of the ethical issues in giving customers an award for consumption behavior without notifying them first? Checkers Pizza was one of the first to offer home delivery service, with
4. What is an ethical issue? What are some of the ethical issues named in your text? Why are they ethical issues?
3. What are some of the stakeholder concerns of Walmart's eco-labeling system? Walmart, long criticized by socially and environmentally conscious consumers for its large size and wastefulness, is
2. Why is it considered ethical to take steps to improve sustainability? Walmart, long criticized by socially and environmentally conscious consumers for its large size and wastefulness, is trying to
1. What is Walmart doing to help improve its reputation as a green company? Walmart, long criticized by socially and environmentally conscious consumers for its large size and wastefulness, is trying
3. How can an individual avoid being a victim of a Ponzi scheme? In 2009, billionaire Bernie Madoff exchanged his $7 million penthouse for a prison cell. He pleaded guilty of operating a $65 billion
2. How would you describe how a Ponzi scheme works? In 2009, billionaire Bernie Madoff exchanged his $7 million penthouse for a prison cell. He pleaded guilty of operating a $65 billion fraudulent
1. Why did Bernard Madoff engage in such purposeful misconduct? In 2009, billionaire Bernie Madoff exchanged his $7 million penthouse for a prison cell. He pleaded guilty of operating a $65 billion

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