$1.$ Please take a look at the Case #$7$ Target and answer following questions $(20$ points$).$

a$.$ In what ways does Target$$s massive infrastructure relate to the complexities of making coherent, competitive decisions? Can a large corporation like Target cope $$ and thrive $$ in the information intense environment that it has created? What kinds of solutions might help Target avoid some of the pitfalls that it has experienced most recently?

b$.$ Target functions using a traditional, top$-$down structure with a group of C$-$suite executives led by a CEO. How can an organization with this kind of traditional structure expect to keep all of the moving parts in the company moving in a coordinated way? What kinds of decision$-$making tools might increase Target$$s ability to cope with changing market demands?

$2.$ Please take a look at the Case #$8$ UBER and answer following questions $(20$ points$).$

a$.$ Although many argue that the gig economy has opened opportunities for individuals to be self$-$employed in ways that complement their lifestyle, the investments that gig giant Uber is making suggest a different kind of future for the uber$-$successful taxi substitute. What do you think Uber has in mind?

b$.$ What are some of the potential applications for fleets of self$-$driving vehicles? What role might this kind of infrastructure play in towns and cities in the future? How might Uber leverage these kinds of assets to generate a profit? Do you see a way for Uber to be successful while still employing human drivers? How?

$3.$ Please take a look at the Case #$9$ Electronic Art and answer following questions $(20$ points$).$

a$.$ How can feedforward, concurrent, and feedback controls help Electronic Arts meet its quality goals for video games?

b$.$ Which of the control systems and techniques can be most useful to EA$$s next round of business decisions, and why?

$4.$ Please take a look at the Case #$10$ Dunkin Donuts and answer following questions $(20$ points$).$

a$.$ How does Porter$$s Five Forces analysis describe the food industry in which Dunkin$$ Donuts and Starbucks compete? What are the strategic implications for Dunkin$$ Donuts?

b$.$ Could Dunkin$$ Donuts use strategic alliances to even better advantage than it does now? How could cooperative strategies help it succeed further with its master plan for growth?

$5.$ Please take a look at the Case #$11$ National Public Radio and answer following questions $(20$ points$).$

a$.$ What are the implications of NPR$$s operating approach in contrast to that of for$-$profit media? How might this decision be related to NPR$$s not$-$for$-$profit status? What kinds of issues are likely to play a role in how successful this model is$,$ moving forward, in light of the massive consolidation of the industry?

b$.$ How does the structure of NPR relate to questions relating to branding? What about quality control? Would this kind of $$organic$$ organizational structure work in a not$-$for$-$profit setting? Why or why not? What other kinds of businesses might benefit from this kind of loose conglomeration? Why, specifically? What about higher education?