Please do 2.4 2.7

Problems 2.4 and 2.5 relate to Achieving Competitive Advantage Through Operations . 2.4 The text provides three primary strategic approaches (differentiation, cost, and response) for achieving competitive advantage. Provide an example of each not given in the text. Support your choices. (Hint: Note the examples provided in the text.) .. 2.5 Within the food service industry (restaurants that serve meals to customers, but not just fast food), find examples of firms that have sustained competitive advantage by competing on the basis of (1) cost leadership, (2) response, and (3) differentiation. Cite one example in each category, provide a sentence or two in support of each choice. Do not use fast-food chains for all categories. (Hint: A "99 menu" is very easily copied and is not a good source of sustained advantage.) Problem 2.6 relates to Issues in Operations Strategy ... 2.6 Identify how changes within an organization affect the OM strategy for a company. For instance, discuss what impact the following internal factors might have on OM strategy: a. Maturing of a product. b. Technology innovation in the manufacturing process. c. Changes in laptop computer design that builds in wireless technology. Problem 2.7 relates to Strategy Development and Implementation ... 2.7 Identify how changes in the external environment affect the OM strategy for a company. For instance, discuss what impact the following external factors might have on OM strategy: a. Major increases in oil prices. b. Water- and air-quality legislation. c. Fewer young prospective employees entering the labor market. d. Inflation versus stable prices. e. Legislation moving health insurance from a pretax benefit to taxable income. Problems 2.82. 12 relate to Strategic Planning, Core Competencies, and Outsourcing ..2.8 Pragram Technologies, Inc., has narrowed its choice of outsourcing provider to two firms located in different countries. Pragram wants to decide which one of the two countries is the better choice, based on risk-avoidance criteria. She has polled her executives and established four criteria. The resulting ratings for the two countries are presented in the table below, where 1 is a lower risk and 3 is a higher risk. Selection Criterion England Canada Price of service from outsourcer 2 3 Nearness of facilities to client 3 1 Level of technology 1 3 History of successful outsourcing 1 2 The executives have determined four criteria weightings: Price, with a weight of 0.1; Nearness, with 0.6; Technology, with 0.2; and History, with 0.1. a. Using the factor-rating method, which country would you select? b. Double each of the weights used in part (a) (to 0.2, 1.2, 0.4 and 0.2, respectively). What effect does this have on your answer? Why? PX 2.4 Problems 2.4 and 2.5 relate to Achieving Competitive Advantage Through Operations The text provides three primary strategic approaches (differentiation, cost, and response) for achieving competitive advantage. Provide an example of each not given in the text. Support your choices. (Hint: Note the examples provided in the text.) Within the food service industry (restaurants that serve meals to customers, but not just fast food), find examples of firms that have sustained competitive advantage by competing on the basis of (1) cost leadership, (2) response, and (3) differen- tiation. Cite one example in each category: provide a sentence or two in support of each choice. Do not use fast-food chains for all categories. (Hint: A "99 menu" is very easily copied and is not a good source of sustained advantage.) 2.5 Problem 2.6 relates to Issues in Operations Strategy ... 2.6 Identify how changes within an organization affect the OM strategy for a company. For instance, discuss what impact the following internal factors might have on OM strategy: a) Maturing of a product. b) Technology innovation in the manufacturing process. c) Changes in laptop computer design that builds in wireless technology 1 Problem 2.7 relates to Strategy Development and implementation ... 2.7 Identify how changes in the external environment affect the OM strategy for a company. For instance, discuss what impact the following external factors might have on OM strategy a) Major increases in oil prices. b) Water and air-quality legislation