Friday, 20 June 2014

Strategic management

1. (TCO A) If you were in charge of a Research and Development (R&D) department for a large pharmaceutical company, would you encourage your researchers to do basic research or applied research? Provide the rationale for your answer. (Points : 30) <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?></o:p>

</o:p>
2. (TCO A) Lately, computer users have been using USB jump drives to copy and store files. These are also called thumb drives, pen drives, and other names. These are small drives you can attach to a key chain and plug into any USB port and have the utility of a hard drive. The size of their memory varies from 16 kilobytes to several gigabytes. Assume you are the CEO of the Ajax Thumb Drive Company. How might you use the s-curve model to predict when to switch to a new technology? What would be the limitations of this approach? (Points : 30) </o:p>

</o:p>
3. (TCO B) Explain what factors affect the technology trajectory and chance of success of a new technology besides its quality and technical advantage. (Points : 29) </o:p>
</o:p>
4. (TCO B) Explain why it is that if a company's technology is adopted by users ahead of other technologies, it might be at a tremendous advantage and competitors will have trouble catching up. (Points : 29) </o:p>
</o:p>
5. (TCO C) Gallon, Stillman & Coates suggest a six-step approach for identifying and cultivating a firm s core competencies. Describe this approach and provide examples. (Points : 29) </o:p>
</o:p>
6. (TCO D) Explain why the cash flows (profits minus costs) for a project that are expected to continue for 20 years need to be discounted. Why not simply use the amounts as they are? Would it make a difference if 80% of the profits came in during the first 5 years? (Points : 29) </o:p>

1. (TCO A) Among member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the majority of R&D funds come from ______. (Points : 4) </o:p>
government
industry
universities
private nonprofit organizations
</o:p>
</o:p>
2. (TCO A) Which of the following is most clearly an example of process innovation? (Points : 4) </o:p>
a pizza chain is able to develop a method of baking pizza that enables pizzas to be baked in 10 minutes rather than the standard 20 minutes during the late 1980s
a potato chip company introduces a line of its potato chips with a new type of seasoning.
a major motion picture studio releases a new 3D movie.
a tire manufacturer develops a tire that re-inflates itself instantly when it is punctured
</o:p>
</o:p>
3. (TCO B) When both Nintendo and Sega claimed to have over 60 percent market share of the video game console market, both were trying to influence _____________. (Points : 4) </o:p>
users perceptions and expectations about the installed base.
perceived technical utility.
pre-order demand.
technology bias.
</o:p>
</o:p>
4. (TCO B) Most graphic artists, newspapers, magazines, and other professionals who work intensely with pictures use Photoshop. To be perceived as a better value, a new graphics program would have to offer more value than Photoshop’s _________________ (Points : 4) </o:p>
complementary goods
installed base
complementary goods and installed base
technological ability, complementary goods, and installed base
</o:p>
</o:p>
5. (TCO C) Which of the following would describe a primary activity according to Michael Porter’s model of the value chain? (Points : 4) </o:p>
The human resource activities of Wal-Mart
A Wal-Mart advertising campaign
The accounting function at Wal-Mart
The development of new scanning equipment at Wal-Mart
</o:p>
</o:p>
6. (TCO D) Using the real options approach, if the cost of future investments to capitalize on the R&D program is less than the returns from this investment, then __________. (Points : 4) </o:p>
the program should be abandoned
the program should be pursued
further calculations should be made
the exercise price should be determined</o:p>

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)