Business A Changing World 8th Edition O.C. Ferrell - Solutions

1. Why is Barbie less popular with girls today than she was a generation ago? Barbie debuted in 1959 and instantly filled a gap in a doll mar- ket filled with baby dolls. After decades of popularity (Barbie hit her peak in 2002 with $1.52 billion in sales), Barbie sales have fallen close to 30
Assess a company's marketing plans, and propose a solution for resolving its problem.
Summarize the environmental forces that influence marketing decisions.
Investigate how marketers conduct marketing research and study buying behavior.
Examine the development of a marketing strategy, including market segmentation and marketing mix.
Explain the marketing concept and its implications for developing marketing strategies.
Specify the functions of marketing.
Define marketing, and describe the exchange process.
Form groups and go to monster.com and look up job descriptions for positions in business (account executive in advertising, marketing manager, human resource direc- tor, production supervisor, financial analyst, bank teller, etc). What are the key requirements for the position that you have been
3. What are some industries for which this arrangement would not be a good fit? All companies must manage human resources in order to maximize pro- ductivity while keeping employees sat- isfied and loyal. Bluewolf, Inc., is an IT consulting firm dedicated to assisting cli- ents in harnessing cloud
2. What is the result of Bluewolf's unusual approach to human resources? Are employees satisfied? All companies must manage human resources in order to maximize pro- ductivity while keeping employees sat- isfied and loyal. Bluewolf, Inc., is an IT consulting firm dedicated to assisting cli- ents in
1. Why does Bluewolf offer such flexible vacation time? All companies must manage human resources in order to maximize pro- ductivity while keeping employees sat- isfied and loyal. Bluewolf, Inc., is an IT consulting firm dedicated to assisting cli- ents in harnessing cloud computing. It offers the
3. What can Medallion do to make the team approach work more smoothly? What role do you think diver- sity training should play? Medallion Corporation manufactures quality carpeting and linoleum for homes throughout the United States. A recession and subsequent down- turn in home sales has sharply
2. What are some of the potential problems that must be dealt with after an organization experiences a major trauma such as massive layoffs? Medallion Corporation manufactures quality carpeting and linoleum for homes throughout the United States. A recession and subsequent down- turn in home sales
1. What did Medallion's HRM department do right in dealing with the employees who were laid off? Medallion Corporation manufactures quality carpeting and linoleum for homes throughout the United States. A recession and subsequent down- turn in home sales has sharply cut the company's sales.
9. Besides collective bargaining and the grievance procedures, what other alternatives are available to labor and management to handle labor disputes?
4. What is the significance of performance appraisal? How do managers appraise employees?
3. Do you think it is important, even in corporations as large as Molson Coors, to have a coherent corporate culture that pervades the entire organization? Why or why not? Is it ethical for corporations to reward executives with high compensation packages even when the company performs poorly? In
2. What did Swinburn do to help turn the company around and improve performance? Is it ethical for corporations to reward executives with high compensation packages even when the company performs poorly? In light of recent corporate scandals, this question has caused many companies to reevaluate
1. What were some of the problems at Molson Coors when Swinburn took over as CEO? Is it ethical for corporations to reward executives with high compensation packages even when the company performs poorly? In light of recent corporate scandals, this question has caused many companies to reevaluate
3. What do you suggest companies do to help align execu- tive compensation and long-term corporate health? Is it ethical for corporations to reward executives with high compensation packages even when the company performs poorly? In light of recent corporate scandals, this question has caused many
2. What are some of the unintended consequences of bas- ing executive pay on short-term goals? Is it ethical for corporations to reward executives with high compensation packages even when the company performs poorly? In light of recent corporate scandals, this question has caused many companies to
1. Do you think executives deserve high compensation pack- ages? If the firm is doing well? If the firm fares poorly?Is it ethical for corporations to reward executives with high compensation packages even when the company performs poorly? In light of recent corporate scandals, this question has
3. Why is King Arthur Flour such a great place to work? Would you like to work there? You might think that flour is boring, but at King Arthur Flour employees love the stuff. The company was founded in 1790- the year after George Washington was elected president. It has grown slowly from 5
2. What are some of the perks of working at King Arthur Flour? You might think that flour is boring, but at King Arthur Flour employees love the stuff. The company was founded in 1790- the year after George Washington was elected president. It has grown slowly from 5 employees in 1990 to 160 today.
1. King Arthur Flour is 100 percent employee owned. How does this change how the business operates, and how is it run versus other organizational models? You might think that flour is boring, but at King Arthur Flour employees love the stuff. The company was founded in 1790- the year after George
Describe the importance of diversity in the workforce.
Discuss some of the issues associated with unionized employees, including collective bargaining and dispute resolution.
Specify the various ways a worker may be compensated.
Identify the types of turnover companies may experience, and explain why turnover is an important issue.
Discuss how workers are trained and their performance appraised.
Summarize the processes of recruiting and selecting human resources for a company.
Define human resources management, and explain its significance.
Form groups and outline a compensation package that you would consider ideal in motivating an employee, recogniz- ing performance, and assisting the company in attaining its cost-to-performance objectives. Think about the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and recognition. How can
3. Do you see any potential downside to volunteering? As part of an increasing focus on social responsibility, companies of all sizes are turning to volunteering. There's no doubt that well-publicized volunteering efforts help improve a company's repu- tation and look good on annual reports and in
2. Why is team volunteering especially helpful for employees? As part of an increasing focus on social responsibility, companies of all sizes are turning to volunteering. There's no doubt that well-publicized volunteering efforts help improve a company's repu- tation and look good on annual reports
1. Why should managers investigate providing volunteer opportunities for employees? What are the advantages? As part of an increasing focus on social responsibility, companies of all sizes are turning to volunteering. There's no doubt that well-publicized volunteering efforts help improve a
As you determine the size of your work- force, you are going to face the real- ity that you cannot provide the level of financial compensation that you would like to your employees, especially when you are starting your business. Many employees are motivated by other things than money. Knowing that
3. Put yourself in the shoes of one of the four regional sales managers and argue against potential cut- backs to the motivational program. Eagle Pharmaceutical has long been recognized for its innovative tech- niques for motivating its salesforce. It features the salesperson who has been the most
2. What is the value of getting employees to compete against a goal instead of against one another? Eagle Pharmaceutical has long been recognized for its innovative tech- niques for motivating its salesforce. It features the salesperson who has been the most successful during the previous quarter
1. Which motivational theories are in use at Eagle? Eagle Pharmaceutical has long been recognized for its innovative tech- niques for motivating its salesforce. It features the salesperson who has been the most successful during the previous quarter in the company newsletter, "Touchdown." The
4. Could others in the organization accept such creative behaviors? Background: Do you think that, if employers could make work more like play, employees would be as enthusiastic about their jobs as they are about what they do in their leisure time? Let's see where this idea might take us. Task:
3. What would be the likely (positive and negative) results of making work more like play?Background: Do you think that, if employers could make work more like play, employees would be as enthusiastic about their jobs as they are about what they do in their leisure time? Let's see where this idea
2. Are these forces real, or imagined?Background: Do you think that, if employers could make work more like play, employees would be as enthusiastic about their jobs as they are about what they do in their leisure time? Let's see where this idea might take us. Task: After reading the
1. What prevents managers from making work more like play?Background: Do you think that, if employers could make work more like play, employees would be as enthusiastic about their jobs as they are about what they do in their leisure time? Let's see where this idea might take us. Task: After
7. What is Theory Z? How can businesses apply Theory Z to the workplace?
5. What are Herzberg's hygiene and motivational factors? How can managers use them to motivate workers?
3. What was the goal of the Hawthorne studies? What was the outcome of those studies?
3. How did J.A. Frate handle layoffs? What this a good strategy for maintaining employee morale?
2. How does J.A. Frate keep its employees motivated and satisfied?
1. What has J.A. Frate done to set its business apart from the competition?
3. Do you think that the changes Sony has made will help it to regain a competitive advantage? For 20 years, Sony was a key innovator in consumer electron- ics, creating the Walkman, the first portable music player, and the PlayStation. Today, however, the electronics giant has been suffering
2. How does the company motivate its employees? For 20 years, Sony was a key innovator in consumer electron- ics, creating the Walkman, the first portable music player, and the PlayStation. Today, however, the electronics giant has been suffering thanks to competition with Apple (portable music
1. What happened to Sony to make it lose its competitive edge? For 20 years, Sony was a key innovator in consumer electron- ics, creating the Walkman, the first portable music player, and the PlayStation. Today, however, the electronics giant has been suffering thanks to competition with Apple
3. Do you think caring about its employees has paid divi- dends for Lundberg, or is it an excessive expense? Lundberg Family Farms, whose rice products are available nationwide, is one of the original organic farming pioneers in the United States. Albert and Francis Lundberg founded the company in
2. How has Lundberg Family Farms developed a competitive advantage over other farms? Lundberg Family Farms, whose rice products are available nationwide, is one of the original organic farming pioneers in the United States. Albert and Francis Lundberg founded the company in 1937. After seeing soil
1. How does Lundberg Family Farms support and motivate its employees? Lundberg Family Farms, whose rice products are available nationwide, is one of the original organic farming pioneers in the United States. Albert and Francis Lundberg founded the company in 1937. After seeing soil destruction in
Describe some of the strategies that managers use to motivate employees.
Investigate various theories of motivation, including theories X,Y, and Z; equity theory; and expectancy theory.
Compare and contrast the human-relations theories of Abraham Maslow and Frederick Herzberg.
Summarize early studies that laid the groundwork for understanding employee motivation.
Define human relations, and determine why its study is important.
Form groups and assign the responsibility of finding com- panies that outsource their production to other countries. What are the key advantages of this outsourcing deci- sion? Do you see any drawbacks or weaknesses in this approach? Why would a company not outsource when such a tactic can be
3. Sustainability is a common goal in the craft brewing market. Why do you think manufacturing sustainability is such a popular goal in craft brewing? Europeans have long favored craft beer, but Americans are just now jumping on the bandwagon. Americans are increasingly drawn to the local, quirky,
2. How do craft brewers maintain quality control? Europeans have long favored craft beer, but Americans are just now jumping on the bandwagon. Americans are increasingly drawn to the local, quirky, and more personal feel of craft brews. Nielsen (the rating company) reveals that American beer
1. What kind of operations process do you think most craft brewers use (standardized, modular, customized)? Europeans have long favored craft beer, but Americans are just now jumping on the bandwagon. Americans are increasingly drawn to the local, quirky, and more personal feel of craft brews.
For your business you need to deter- mine if you are providing raw materials that will be used in further production, or you are a reseller of goods and ser- vices, known as a retailer. If you are the former, you need to determine what pro- cesses you go through in making your product. The text
3. If you were an executive at McKing, how would you proceed with the introduction of pizza into the restaurants? McKing Corporation operates fast- food restaurants in 50 states, selling hamburgers, roast beef and chicken sandwiches, french fries, and salads. The company wants to diversify into the
2. How could this product introduction have been coordinated to avoid the problems that were encountered? McKing Corporation operates fast- food restaurants in 50 states, selling hamburgers, roast beef and chicken sandwiches, french fries, and salads. The company wants to diversify into the growing
1. What mistake did McKing make in approaching the introduction of pizza?McKing Corporation operates fast- food restaurants in 50 states, selling hamburgers, roast beef and chicken sandwiches, french fries, and salads. The company wants to diversify into the growing pizza business. Six months of
3. Interview someone from your local Chamber of Commerce and ask him or her what incentives the community offers to encourage organizations to locate there. (See if these incentives relate to the criteria firms use to make location decisions.)
2. Find a real company that uses JIT, either in your local community or in a business journal. Why did the company decide to use JIT? What have been the advantages and disadvantages of using JIT for that particular company? What has been the overall effect on the quality of the company's products
3. What is Toyota doing to restore its reputation and to get back on track?
2. What changed at Toyota that led to its large product recalls?
1. What is the "Toyota Way?"
3. How does recycling help to boost Best Buy's profits? Best Buy wasn't always concerned with going green. The company paid little attention to its environmental impact until customers and employees gave them a wake-up call. Best Buy executives pride themselves on listening to their employees and
2. How does Best Buy encourage customers to recycle? Is this a good idea in your opinion? Best Buy wasn't always concerned with going green. The company paid little attention to its environmental impact until customers and employees gave them a wake-up call. Best Buy executives pride themselves on
1. How does making moves to be more sustainable help improve Best Buy's service and operations? Best Buy wasn't always concerned with going green. The company paid little attention to its environmental impact until customers and employees gave them a wake-up call. Best Buy executives pride
3. How does the new ordering system help to improve customer service? In 2009, Domino's Pizza launched a new online feature called Build Your Own Pizza, which allows customers to submit their order via dominos.com. As customers customize the size, crust, sauce, and toppings for their pizza, their
2. Do you think the build-your-own pizza feature on Domino's website helps to give the company a competitive advantage? In 2009, Domino's Pizza launched a new online feature called Build Your Own Pizza, which allows customers to submit their order via dominos.com. As customers customize the size,
1. What has Domino's done to regain market share? In 2009, Domino's Pizza launched a new online feature called Build Your Own Pizza, which allows customers to submit their order via dominos.com. As customers customize the size, crust, sauce, and toppings for their pizza, their selections appear on
Specify some techniques managers may use to manage the logistics of transforming inputs into finished products.
Describe the elements involved in planning and designing an operations system.
Explain how operations management differs in manufacturing and service firms.
Define operations management, and differentiate between operations and manufacturing.
Assign the responsibility of providing the organizational structure for a company one of your team members has worked for. Was your organization centralized or decen- tralized in terms of decision making? Would you consider the span of control to be wide or narrow? Were there any types of teams,
3. What other companies might benefit from implement- ing a ROWE system?
2. How did ROWE help solve Best Buy's problems while increasing productivity and loyalty?
1. What about Best Buy's organizational culture was driving employees to quit?
Developing a business plan as a team is a deliberate move of your instructor to encourage you to familiarize yourself with the concept of teamwork. You need to realize that you are going to spend a large part of your professional life working with others. At this point in time you are working on
3. Evaluate the pros and cons of the system developed by QS. Quest Star (QS), which manufactures quality stereo loudspeakers, wants to improve its ability to compete against Japanese firms. Accordingly, the com- pany has launched a comprehensive quality-improvement program for its lowa plant. The
2. If each work group has a team representative, what problems will be faced in supervising these representatives? Quest Star (QS), which manufactures quality stereo loudspeakers, wants to improve its ability to compete against Japanese firms. Accordingly, the com- pany has launched a comprehensive
1. What techniques or skills should an employee have to assume a leadership role within a work group? Quest Star (QS), which manufactures quality stereo loudspeakers, wants to improve its ability to compete against Japanese firms. Accordingly, the com- pany has launched a comprehensive
2. Interview the department chairperson in charge of one of the academic departments in your college or university. Using Table 7.2 as a guideline, explore whether the professors function more like a group or a team. Contrast what you find here with what you see on your school's basketball,
1. Explain, using a specific example (perhaps your own future business), how an organizational structure might evolve. How would you handle the issues of specialization, delegation of authority, and central- ization? Which structure would you use? Explain your answers.
8. Discuss the role of the grapevine within organiza- tions. How can managers use it to further the goals of the firm?
7. Discuss the different forms of organizational struc- ture. What are the primary advantages and disadvan- tages of each form?
5. Distinguish between centralization and decentraliza- tion. Under what circumstances is each appropriate?
3. How has organizational restructuring helped Yahoo! return to the path of profitability?
2. What has Bartz done during her first years as CEO to help get the company back on track?

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Business A Changing World 8th Edition O.C. Ferrell - Solutions

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