(Decentralization; Internet) Search the Internet to identify three decentralized companies. Based on the information you find on each, either determine di¬ rectly or infer from the information given the types of responsibility centers used by these companies. Also, determine or speculate about whether the companies use transfer prices or allocation of costs for intracompany trans¬ fers of services. Prepare a report on your findings and inferences. In cases for which you had to infer, explain what information or reasoning led you to that inference. Why is decentralization appropriate for some companies but not for others?

17, (Centralization vs. decentralization) Many companies are trying to determine the best organizational structure for information technology (IT) operations. In the 1980s, the reduced cost of computing technology and personnel caused many companies to decentralize the IT operations; this trend began to shift back to centralization during the past 10 years. Gather research to compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of centralized and decentralized IT operations. What other important information would you need to make a decision on such an organizational structure?

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