Consider the following series of independent situations in which a firm is about to make a strategic decision.

Decisions

a. Lactalis Foods is planning to come out with a special tetrazzini made with seafood, mushrooms, cream, and cocktail sauce.

b. Vanford Soap has started producing a new bar of soap, eyeing the low-cost segment of the soap market in which the company does not have much presence.

c. Diato Inc., a manufacturer of drill machines, is considering applying to a tender by quoting a very low price to supply 1,000 pieces of drill machines with standard features.

d. Smart Pixel is considering introducing a new tablet model that features a powerful processor with ample RAM to facilitate video calling, which is one of its unique features.

1. For each decision, state whether the company is following a cost leadership or a product differentiation strategy.

2. For each decision, discuss what information the management accountant can provide about the source of competitive advantage for these firms.