In $2019,$ Viking announced it would be entering a third cruise market, this one centered on so$-$called expedition cruises. Expedition cruises focus on exotic and hard$-$to$-$reach destinations, often requiring custom$-$made vessels with special kinds of equipment. The initial plan called for two small specialty ships, each capable of carrying $389$ passengers, to travel to such destinations as Antarctica, the Arctic Circle, North America's Great Lakes, and the Galapagos Islands. These cruises started in $2022.$ Viking also launched river cruise itineraries on the Mississippi River in $2022.$

Like many businesses, Viking was hit hard by the COVID$-19$ pandemic. Indeed, cruise ships have an unfortunate history when it comes to contagious diseases$-$when a viral or bacterial infection hits passengers on a cruise ship, it often travels quickly, impacting many people onboard. Compounding the problem is that people have no escape$-$they are "trapped" on the boat and the boat itself may not be able to dock. To Viking's credit, it reacted quickly and decisively when it became apparent that the COVID$-19$ virus was going to become a global health concern. Viking became the first major cruise line to act: on March $12,2020,$ it announced that it was immediately suspending all operations. It gradually returned to service again in late $2021.$ In its initial press release, Hagen said, "Since we started Viking nearly $23$ years ago, we have always cared first and foremost about our guests and our employees. As a private company with strong finances, we do not have to worry about quarterly profit expectations$-$ and that flexibility allows us the ability to do what is best for our guests and our employees, as we have always done.

Torstein Hagen's choice to renovate all its ships to meet certain business requirements is an example of which of the following?

Condition of risk

Unprogrammed decision

Alpha decision

Unfilled risk

Why was Viking criticized for targeting an older and affluent English$-$speaking market?

It was too competitive

It suggested some people weren't welcome

It was too risky

It would not draw people who loved technology

Viking chose to renovate its ships to use hybrid diesel engines, saving fuel costs and boosting profits. This decision is an example of which of the Viking chose to renovate its ships to use hybrid diesel engines, saving fuel costs and boosting profits. This decision is an example of which of the following?

Alternative programmed decision

Certain condition decision

Nonprogrammed decision

Risk condition decision

What innovation did Viking initiate to offer boats with larger public spaces?

Longships

Next generation ships

Megaships

Executive vessels

In response to COVID$-19,$ Viking became the first major cruise line to announce that it was immediately suspending all operations. Viking said it was able to do so because it did not have to worry about quarterly profits expectations. Why did Viking feel it did not have to worry about quarterly profits expectations?

It was a private company with strong finances

It was promised government subsidies

It was a public company with wealthy investors

Its board of directors did not prioritize profits