Chapter
Critical Thinking Case
From IntroductionToBusiness OP 8D04gAa
Concepts
- What demographic and time-use trends can be identified in the United States?
"1. The Bureau of Labor Statistics compiles demographic data. Visit http://www.bls.gov/bls/ demographics.htm , and describe the different types of information it provides. What kinds of changes are li
- Which technology trends appear most promising, and how might they affect businesses?
"2. Go to either the Red Herring (http://www.redherring.com) or Wired (http://www.wired.com) site and research technology trends. Compile a list of three trends that sound most promising to you, and d
- What do GDP growth, unemployment, and inflation trends reveal about business activity?
"3. Use the Bureau of Labor Statistics site ( http://stat.bls.gov) to determine the current trends in GDP growth, unemployment, and inflation. What do these trends tell you about the level of business
- What does current economic news suggest about the economy’s direction over the next year?
"4. What’s the latest U.S. economic news? Go to the CNBC website, and select the Economy page, which categorizes news about the world economy, the U.S. economy, and other important topics (http://www.
- How would your budget decisions affect the federal debt?
"5. How would you spend the national budget if you were president? Here’s your chance to find out how your ideas would affect the federal budget. Go online to Committee for a Responsible Federal Budge
- What demographic and time-use information can help explain changes in the United States?
"Working the Net 1. The Bureau of Labor Statistics compiles demographic data. Visit http://www.bls.gov/bls/ demographics.htm , and describe the different types of information it provides. What kinds o
- Which technology trends appear most promising and how might they affect business?
"2. Go to either the Red Herring (http://www.redherring.com) or Wired (http://www.wired.com) site and research technology trends. Compile a list of three trends that sound most promising to you, and d
- What do GDP growth, unemployment, inflation, and economic news reveal about the business cycle?
"3. Use the Bureau of Labor Statistics site ( http://stat.bls.gov) to determine the current trends in GDP growth, unemployment, and inflation. What do these trends tell you about the level of business
- How do federal budget choices affect the national debt?
"5. How would you spend the national budget if you were president? Here’s your chance to find out how your ideas would affect the federal budget. Go online to Committee for a Responsible Federal Budge
- Why is Walmart making major changes to strengthen its e-commerce business?
"Critical Thinking Case Walmart Gets Serious about E-Commerce As the world’s largest retailer, Walmart has built thousands of brick-and-mortar stores in the United States, Mexico, and elsewhere. Altho
- What research activities can help evaluate corporate social responsibility and ethical behavior?
"Sources: “Our Principles,” https://www.honest.com, accessed June 27, 2017; Eun Kyung Kim, “Jessica Alba’s Honest Company Recalls Diaper Wipes over Mold Concerns,” Today, http://www.today.com, May 16,
- How did Uber’s rapid growth create organizational and ethical challenges?
"Critical Thinking Case Uber Hits a Bumpy Road Uber Technologies, Inc. is the world’s largest technology start-up, valued at close to $70 billion. But that doesn’t mean it has been smooth sailing for
- How can research into corporate responsibility and ethical behavior improve business decisions?
"Sources: “Our Principles,” https://www.honest.com, accessed June 27, 2017; Eun Kyung Kim, “Jessica Alba’s Honest Company Recalls Diaper Wipes over Mold Concerns,” Today, http://www.today.com, May 16,
- How can Uber repair its corporate culture and protect its competitive position?
"Critical Thinking Case Uber Hits a Bumpy Road Uber Technologies, Inc. is the world’s largest technology start-up, valued at close to $70 billion. But that doesn’t mean it has been smooth sailing for
- How can international trade resources help companies evaluate markets and expand globally?
"1. Go to the Trade Compliance Center site at http://tcc.export.gov. Click on Foreign Trade Barrier Examples, and then search the reports. Pick a country that interests you from the index, and read th
- How has MTV expanded its global media brand through local markets and multimedia platforms?
"Critical Thinking Case We Want Our MTV (International) MTV, a division of Viacom International Media Networks and a mainstay of American pop culture, is just as popular in Shanghai as it is in Seattl
- How can international trade resources help companies evaluate markets, agreements, exchange rates, and global opportunities?
"1. Go to the Trade Compliance Center site at http://tcc.export.gov. Click on Foreign Trade Barrier Examples, and then search the reports. Pick a country that interests you from the index, and read th
- How has MTV adapted its global media brand to diverse international markets?
"Critical Thinking Case We Want Our MTV (International) MTV, a division of Viacom International Media Networks and a mainstay of American pop culture, is just as popular in Shanghai as it is in Seattl
- How should you compare states when deciding where to incorporate a business?
"Here are two to get you started: http://www.incorporate.com and http://www.usa-corporate.com . Find out what steps are necessary to set up a corporation in your state. How do the fees compare with ot
- What should prospective franchisees investigate before buying a franchise?
"3. The Federal Trade Commission is the government agency that monitors and regulates franchises. Visit the FTC site ( http://www.ftc.gov ), and explore the links to its resources on franchising, incl
- How can franchise owners motivate employees and monitor restaurant profitability?
"5. Inc. magazine ( http://www.inc.com ) has many franchising articles in its section on Startup. It offers insights into how franchisors and franchisees can better manage their businesses. Using the
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Green Bay Packers’ community-owned structure?
"Critical Thinking Case I’m an Owner of a Professional Sports Team! Many of the richest individuals have added professional sports teams to their ownership portfolios. Paul Allen owns the Seattle Seah
- What should you investigate when choosing a corporation or franchise?
"Here are two to get you started: http://www.incorporate.com and http://www.usa-corporate.com . Find out what steps are necessary to set up a corporation in your state. How do the fees compare with ot
- How does the Green Bay Packers’ community-owned structure differ from other professional sports teams?
"Critical Thinking Case I’m an Owner of a Professional Sports Team! Many of the richest individuals have added professional sports teams to their ownership portfolios. Paul Allen owns the Seattle Seah
- How does Innovation Pavilion extend the traditional business incubator model?
"Vic Ahmed is no stranger to business start-ups; he’s been involved in at least 15 or 20. But his latest venture is a start-up … for start-ups. Ahmed founded Innovation Pavilion, a business incubator
- How does Innovation Pavilion support business growth through acceleration and education?
"While IP has a traditional incubator program, with companies housed within the IP campus, it has a semi- virtual hypergrowth accelerator program for more mature firms, too, which is open to companies
- Why is Innovation Pavilion expanding entrepreneurship opportunities in smaller cities?
"Innovation Pavilion has national expansion plans—and several signed agreements with specific cities—targeting not the giant metropolitan areas but also second tier and “ring” cities across the countr
- What critical questions does the case raise about fostering entrepreneurship?
"1. What characteristics made Vic Ahmed a successful entrepreneurs? 2. How did their Ahmed and Steven Case's partnership and shared vision of \"Rise of the Rest\" serve their business goals? 3. Is foc
- How does Innovation Pavilion support start-ups through an entrepreneurial ecosystem?
"Vic Ahmed is no stranger to business start-ups; he’s been involved in at least 15 or 20. But his latest venture is a start-up … for start-ups. Ahmed founded Innovation Pavilion, a business incubator
- Why is Innovation Pavilion expanding its entrepreneurial ecosystem into smaller cities?
"Innovation Pavilion has national expansion plans—and several signed agreements with specific cities—targeting not the giant metropolitan areas but also second tier and “ring” cities across the countr
- How do Vic Ahmed and Steve Case promote entrepreneurship beyond coastal start-up centers?
"Steve Case, the cofounder of America Online (AOL), shares Vic Ahmed’s vision for entrepreneurship in mid- America. His “Rise of the Rest” bus tour has traveled 8,000 miles over the last three years,
- How did T. K. Kurien adapt Toyota’s manufacturing techniques to Wipro’s operations?
"During a tour of a Toyota Corolla assembly plant located near their headquarters in Bangalore, India, executives of Wipro Ltd. hit on a revolutionary idea—why not apply Toyota’s successful manufactur
- How did Wipro use employee empowerment and rewards to encourage continuous improvement?
"Wipro also adopted Toyota’s kaizen system of soliciting employee suggestions. Priya, who has worked for Wipro for years, submitted several kaizen and was delighted when her bosses responded promptly
- How did Toyota-inspired management practices help Wipro improve operational efficiency and competitiveness?
"With multibillions in revenues, thousands of employees, and a U.S.-traded stock that advanced 230 percent in a two-year period, Wipro is a star of India’s burgeoning information technology industry.
- How did Wipro apply Toyota’s continuous-improvement philosophy to software and business-process operations?
"During a tour of a Toyota Corolla assembly plant located near their headquarters in Bangalore, India, executives of Wipro Ltd. hit on a revolutionary idea—why not apply Toyota’s successful manufactur
- How did Wipro use kaizen and recognition to empower and motivate employees?
"Wipro also adopted Toyota’s kaizen system of soliciting employee suggestions. Priya, who has worked for Wipro for years, submitted several kaizen and was delighted when her bosses responded promptly
- How did Toyota-inspired management practices improve Wipro’s efficiency and competitive position?
"With multibillions in revenues, thousands of employees, and a U.S.-traded stock that advanced 230 percent in a two-year period, Wipro is a star of India’s burgeoning information technology industry.
- How can organizational charts be analyzed by structural design?
"1. Using a search engine, look for the term “company organizational charts,” and find at least three examples of organizational charts for corporations, not-for-profits, or government agencies. Analy
- Why do companies reorganize, and how successful are their efforts?
"2. Search the archives at the Bloomberg Businessweek ( https://www.bloomberg.com ), Fortune ( http://fortune.com ), or Forbes ( http://www.forbes.com ) website for stories about companies that have r
- How has FlexJobs addressed the demand for flexible employment?
"4. FlexJobs ( http://www.flexjobs.com ) is an online company devoted to matching job hunters with flexible job experiences, whether they are telecommuting jobs, contract work, or part-time gigs. Read
- How have companies approached the organizational change process?
"5. Managing change in an organization is no easy task, as you’ve discovered in your new job with a consulting firm that specializes in change management. To get up to speed, go to Bpubs.com, the Busi
- What does a career in project management require?
"6. After managing your first project team, you think you might enjoy a career in project management. The Project Management Institute is a professional organization for project managers. Its website,
- Should companies outsource portions of their IT departments?
"7. Many companies are outsourcing portions of their IT departments. Should they, and why? Develop a position on this issue by researching outsourcing trends on Information Week, ( http://www.informat
- How does Gore’s flat structure support its unusual business practices?
"Critical Thinking Case Gore’s Flat Structure Works Well Imagine an organization with more than 10,000 employees working in 30 countries around the world—with no hierarchy structure. W. L. Gore & Asso
- How can organizational structures and reorganizations be analyzed?
"Working the Net 1. Using a search engine, look for the term “company organizational charts,” and find at least three examples of organizational charts for corporations, not-for-profits, or government
- How do virtual corporations and flexible jobs shape organizational life?
"3. Visit the Inc. magazine website, http://www.inc.com , and use the search engine to find articles about virtual corporations. Using a search engine, find the website of at least one virtual corpora
- What career and management issues are involved in organizational change, project management, and IT outsourcing?
"5. Managing change in an organization is no easy task, as you’ve discovered in your new job with a consulting firm that specializes in change management. To get up to speed, go to Bpubs.com, the Busi
- Why does W. L. Gore & Associates use a flat organizational structure?
"Critical Thinking Case Gore’s Flat Structure Works Well Imagine an organization with more than 10,000 employees working in 30 countries around the world—with no hierarchy structure. W. L. Gore & Asso
- How should organizations approach pre-employment screening and affirmative action?
"website at http://www.integctr.com offers a brief tutorial on pre-employment screening, a glossary of key words and phrases, and related information. Prepare a short report that tells your assistant
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of web-based training?
"5. Web-based training is popular at many companies as a way to bring a wider variety of courses to more people at lower costs. The Web-Based Training Information Center site at http://www.webbasedtra
- What issues and perspectives shape labor unions today?
"6. What are the key issues facing labor unions today? Visit the AFL-CIO website, http://www.aflcio.org , and Labornet, http://www.labornet.org . Select three current topics and summarize the key poin
- How does workplace discrimination continue to affect employees?
"Critical Thinking Case Discrimination in the Workplace Continues Although we live in enlightened times, a recent Gallup Poll found that 15 percent of American workers still experienced some form of w
- How should an assistant prepare a report on pre-employment screening?
"website at http://www.integctr.com offers a brief tutorial on pre-employment screening, a glossary of key words and phrases, and related information. Prepare a short report that tells your assistant
- How can managers research and discuss affirmative action and equal employment?
"4. You’ve been asked to give a speech about the current status of affirmative action and equal employment to your company’s managers. Starting with the website of the American Association for Access
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the Web for training?
"5. Web-based training is popular at many companies as a way to bring a wider variety of courses to more people at lower costs. The Web-Based Training Information Center site at http://www.webbasedtra
- What labor relations issues and union perspectives should students examine?
"6. What are the key issues facing labor unions today? Visit the AFL-CIO website, http://www.aflcio.org , and Labornet, http://www.labornet.org . Select three current topics and summarize the key poin
- How can open-book management motivate employees and improve productivity?
"3. Open-book management is one of the better-known ways to create a participatory work environment. Over 2,000 companies have adopted this practice, which involves sharing financial information with
- How should a company develop an effective staff recognition program?
"4. You’ve been asked to develop a staff recognition program for your company but don’t have a clue where to start. Three sites with articles and other useful information are Incentive magazine, http:
- How should you compare year-end bonuses with employee stock options?
"5. You have two great job opportunities. Both are equally attractive in terms of job content and offer the same salary. However, one offers year-end bonuses, whereas the other includes stock options
- Which work-life benefits are most important when comparing employers?
"6. Use a search engine to find companies that offer “work-life benefits.” Link to several companies and review their employee programs in this area. How do they compare? Which benefits would be most
- What strategies can companies use to attract, retain, and motivate employees as the talent pool shrinks?
"Critical Thinking Case Motivating Employees: A Monster of a Problem As mentioned in earlier, U.S. businesses will face a decrease in the available workforce due in part to a smaller generation of tal
- Does open-book management motivate employees and improve productivity?
"3. Open-book management is one of the better-known ways to create a participatory work environment. Over 2,000 companies have adopted this practice, which involves sharing financial information with
- How should you develop a staff recognition program for your company?
"4. You’ve been asked to develop a staff recognition program for your company but don’t have a clue where to start. Three sites with articles and other useful information are Incentive magazine, http:
- How do you compare year-end bonuses with employee stock options?
"5. You have two great job opportunities. Both are equally attractive in terms of job content and offer the same salary. However, one offers year-end bonuses, whereas the other includes stock options
- What strategies can companies use to motivate and retain employees as the talent pool shrinks?
"Critical Thinking Case Motivating Employees: A Monster of a Problem As mentioned in earlier, U.S. businesses will face a decrease in the available workforce due in part to a smaller generation of tal
- How can online research help organizations evaluate suppliers, locations, regulations, technologies, and quality programs?
"Meier and Danielle Ivory, “Worker Safety Rules Are Among Those Under Fire in Trump Era,” The New York Times , https://www.nytimes.com, March 13, 2017; Kenneth Cheng, “Senior Managers Could Be Taken t
- How can organizations use operations management and innovation to improve efficiency and customer value?
"Critical Thinking Case Innovation and E-mail Rules This chapter provides insights into how manufacturing and service organizations can implement processes and controls to increase efficiency, manage
- How can online research support decisions about suppliers, locations, regulations, technology, and quality?
"Meier and Danielle Ivory, “Worker Safety Rules Are Among Those Under Fire in Trump Era,” The New York Times , https://www.nytimes.com, March 13, 2017; Kenneth Cheng, “Senior Managers Could Be Taken t
- How can innovation and operational controls improve manufacturing and service organizations?
"Critical Thinking Case Innovation and E-mail Rules This chapter provides insights into how manufacturing and service organizations can implement processes and controls to increase efficiency, manage
- What opportunities and market information can you find for working at home with companies like Herbalife or Rodan+Fields?
"1. You want to start a job at a company like Herbalife or Rodan+Fields and work at home. Do a search of the U.S. Census database at http://www.census.gov to get information about the work-at-home mar
- How can the VALS survey help marketers understand psychographic segments?
"2. Visit the Strategic Business Insights website at http://www.strategicbusinessinsights. com, and click on the VALS TM link. First, read about the VALS survey and how marketers can use it. Describe
- How should you revise a marketing strategy using advice from Entrepreneur and other resources?
"3. How good was the marketing strategy you developed in Question 2 of Preparing for Tomorrow’s Workplace? Using advice from the marketing section of Entrepreneur ( http://www.entrepreneur.com ) or ot
- How do online retailers use leader pricing, bundling, odd-even pricing, and other pricing strategies?
"4. Visit an online retailer such as Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com) , PCConnection.com ( http://www.pcconnection.com ), or cvs.com (). At the site, try to identify examples of leader pricing, bund
- How do online auction prices compare with local store prices and affect pricing strategies?
"5. Do a search on Yahoo! ( http://www.yahoo.com ) for online auctions for a product you are interested in buying. Visit several auctions, and get an idea of how the product is priced. How do these pr
- How can a shopping bot be used to compare prices, information, and ease of use for consumer electronics?
"6. Pick a new consumer electronic product such as a digital camera, HDTV, or laptop computer. Then go to shopping bot http://www.dealio.com. Compare prices, information, and ease-of-use of the site.
- How did Rohan Oza build successful beverage brands through marketing and celebrity partnerships?
"Critical Thinking Case The Brandfather Strikes Gold Coca-Cola is promoting its new Full Throttle energy drink, PepsiCo Inc. is marketing energy drinks under its SoBe and Mountain Dew brands, and smal
- What opportunities and information are available for people who want to work at home for companies such as Herbalife or Rodan+Fields?
"1. You want to start a job at a company like Herbalife or Rodan+Fields and work at home. Do a search of the U.S. Census database at http://www.census.gov to get information about the work-at-home mar
- How can the VALS survey help marketers understand consumers and identify psychographic segments?
"2. Visit the Strategic Business Insights website at http://www.strategicbusinessinsights. com, and click on the VALS TM link. First, read about the VALS survey and how marketers can use it. Describe
- How should a business marketing strategy be evaluated and revised using marketing resources?
"3. How good was the marketing strategy you developed in Question 2 of Preparing for Tomorrow’s Workplace? Using advice from the marketing section of Entrepreneur ( http://www.entrepreneur.com ) or ot
- How do online retailers and auctions use pricing strategies, and how do their pricing considerations compare with those of local retailers?
"4. Visit an online retailer such as Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com) , PCConnection.com ( http://www.pcconnection.com ), or cvs.com (). At the site, try to identify examples of leader pricing, bund
- How did Rohan Oza use branding, celebrity endorsements, and equity arrangements to build successful beverage brands?
"Critical Thinking Case The Brandfather Strikes Gold Coca-Cola is promoting its new Full Throttle energy drink, PepsiCo Inc. is marketing energy drinks under its SoBe and Mountain Dew brands, and smal
- How can internet resources be used to study supply chains, logistics, e-retailing, comparison shopping, advertising, marketing, guerrilla marketing, and press releases?
"Working the Net 1. Visit Industry Week ’s website at http://www.industryweek.com . Under Archives, do a search using the search term “supply-chain management.” Choose an article from the results that
- Why is the Super Bowl considered a major opportunity for advertisers and media companies?
"Critical Thinking Case Advertisers Score with the Super Bowl What sporting event is televised in 170 countries and has created a quasi–national holiday in the United States? The Super Bowl is conside
- What online activities explore supply-chain management, global logistics, e-retailing, comparison shopping, advertising, marketing, guerrilla marketing, and press releases?
"Working the Net 1. Visit Industry Week ’s website at http://www.industryweek.com . Under Archives, do a search using the search term “supply-chain management.” Choose an article from the results that
- How has Super Bowl advertising become a major opportunity for advertisers and media companies?
"Critical Thinking Case Advertisers Score with the Super Bowl What sporting event is televised in 170 countries and has created a quasi–national holiday in the United States? The Super Bowl is conside
- What resources can help companies research ERP, intranet, cybersecurity, and identity theft?
"of how companies use the ERP software. What are the latest trends in ERP? 2. What can intranets and enterprise portals accomplish for a company? Find out by using such resources as Brint.com’s Intran
- How did Novartis use technology to improve international invoice processing?
"Critical Thinking Case Novartis’s Prescription for Invoice Processing What do you do when you have more than 600 business units operating through 360 independent affiliates in 140 countries around th
- What are the latest developments in enterprise systems, cybersecurity, and identity theft?
"of how companies use the ERP software. What are the latest trends in ERP? 2. What can intranets and enterprise portals accomplish for a company? Find out by using such resources as Brint.com’s Intran
- How did Novartis use document-processing technology to improve invoice management?
"Critical Thinking Case Novartis’s Prescription for Invoice Processing What do you do when you have more than 600 business units operating through 360 independent affiliates in 140 countries around th
- How can Moneychimp and EDGAR help you understand corporate financial reporting?
"Moneychimp’s “How to Read an Annual Report” features an interactive diagram that provides a big- picture view of what the report’s financial information tells you: http://www.moneychimp.com . Which s
- How does Accountingfly change the way CPAs get hired?
"Critical Thinking Case Accountingfly Changes How CPAs Get Hired Filling accounting positions, especially at the CPA level, can be a challenge. Until a few years ago, businesses other than the Big 4 f
- How can Moneychimp and the SEC’s EDGAR system help you understand corporate financial information?
"Moneychimp’s “How to Read an Annual Report” features an interactive diagram that provides a big- picture view of what the report’s financial information tells you: http://www.moneychimp.com . Which s
- How does Accountingfly use specialization and content to compete in accounting recruitment?
"Critical Thinking Case Accountingfly Changes How CPAs Get Hired Filling accounting positions, especially at the CPA level, can be a challenge. Until a few years ago, businesses other than the Big 4 f
- What happened at Wells Fargo, and how did its banking practices affect consumers and employees?
"community and consumers up in arms regarding the ethics of fraudulent banking practices, ongoing credit issues, and customer privacy. Using an internet search engine, research what happened at Wells
- What privacy rights do consumers have when dealing with financial institutions?
"6. What are your rights to privacy when dealing with financial institutions? Use the internet to research the specific privacy provisions related to banking and financial services, and write a paper
- How did Stripe revolutionize digital payments for online businesses?
"Critical Thinking Case Stripe Revolutionizes Digital Payments Raised in Ireland, Patrick and John Collison were precocious, inquisitive youngsters who taught themselves computer coding at an early ag
- What happened at Wells Fargo, and how did its practices affect consumers and employees?
"community and consumers up in arms regarding the ethics of fraudulent banking practices, ongoing credit issues, and customer privacy. Using an internet search engine, research what happened at Wells
- What privacy rights do you have when dealing with financial institutions?
"6. What are your rights to privacy when dealing with financial institutions? Use the internet to research the specific privacy provisions related to banking and financial services, and write a paper
- Could selling stock before undisclosed bad news constitute insider trading?
"impending bad news will cause the stock price to plummet? Does this constitute insider trading? Sources: Verne Kopytoff, “Equifax Board Reviews Executive Stock Sales after Data Breach,” Fortune, http
- How can factoring, venture capital, and stock exchange listings support business financing?
"Working the Net 1. If factoring accounts receivable is still a mystery to you, visit the 21st Financial Solutions site, http://www.21stfinancialsolutions.com . Follow the links on the home page to an
- How should investors evaluate publicly traded companies and corporate bonds?
"4. Choose a company currently traded on the NYSE ( http://www.nyse.com ). Find the company’s website using a search engine such as Google. At the website, find the firm’s investor relations informati
- How can businesses and investors research financial management and securities markets?
"Working the Net 1. If factoring accounts receivable is still a mystery to you, visit the 21st Financial Solutions site, http://www.21stfinancialsolutions.com . Follow the links on the home page to an
- What caused Blue Apron’s IPO to lose investor confidence?
"Critical Thinking Case 650 Chapter 16 Understanding Financial Management and Securities Markets This OpenStax book is available for free at http://cnx.org/content/col25734/1.7\n\nBlue Apron IPO Leave