• Global Strategy and the Value Chain Consider the firm's value chain, those value adding activities that result in a finished good or a delivered service to a satisfied consumer. The concept of optimizing the firm's value chain reflects the way that the firm will combine activities, locations, competences and other factors in a way that permits it to derive the most profit possible from it's productive activities. 
• 1. How does the firm reflect this idea of optimization of the value chain in its mode of entry decisions? What are some of the advantages it may derive from locating particular activities in particular locations? 
• 2. The firm's value chain consists of both core and ancillary or supporting activities. These supporting activities may include such things as advertising, accounting and legal services, distribution related services, such as freight forwarding, human resources etc... Will the firm follow the same sort of optimization strategy with such supporting activities? Why? Initial Post: Must be 300 to 400 words in length Be thoughtful and substantive Follow the guidance regarding sources in the syllabus. Respond to discussion prompt and demonstrate higher-order thinking (apply, analyze, synthesize, evaluate, examine, pose, or connect course concepts to marketing) Follow APA formatting and documentation guidelines when referring to course readings and other materials Use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.