Four companies are described as follows. Characterize each in terms of the stage of P/OM development that seems appropriate. Classify each situation and explain the reason for the classification used.

a. This manufacturer pays little attention to the quality of the product. The owner is convinced that customers are plentiful but not loyal. Hard sell is stressed.

b. This service organization tries to keep up with its competitors by copying everything they do as soon as possible. The president believes that development costs are saved and that being a fast imitator results in a competitive advantage.

c. This manufacturer is constantly working at being as good as the best of the competitors. They have improved quality repeatedly while holding costs constant. The production manager participates in strategy formulation.

d. This service organization aims at global leadership based on the finest operations in the world. The service is constantly being improved, which gives the organization a proactive leadership role in its industry.