Do you think that Sony has the right organization structure to foster the necessary integration among its electronic and entertainment content businesses that its revamped strategy seems to entail?
> The multiple-granularity protocol rules specify that a transaction Ti can lock a node Q in S or IS mode only if Ti currently has the parent of Q locked in either IX or IS mode. Given that SIX and S locks are stronger than IX or IS locks, why does the pro
> Describe the differences in meaning between the terms relation and relation schema.
> Although SIX mode is useful in multiple-granularity locking, an exclusive and intention-shared (XIS) mode is of no use. Why is it useless?
> In multiple-granularity locking, what is the difference between implicit and explicit locking?
> If deadlock is avoided by deadlock-avoidance schemes, is starvation still possible? Explain your answer.
> Under what conditions is it less expensive to avoid deadlock than to allow deadlocks to occur and then to detect them?
> Consider a variant of the tree protocol called the forest protocol. The database is organized as a forest of rooted trees. Each transaction Ti must follow the following rules: • The first lock in each tree may be on any data item. • The second, and all su
> Using the university schema, write an SQL query to find the ID and name of each instructor who has never given an A grade in any course she or he has taught. (Instructors who have never taught a course trivially satisfy this condition.)
> Consider the following locking protocol: All items are numbered, and once an item is unlocked, only higher-numbered items may be locked. Locks may be released at any time. Only X-locks are used. Show by an example that this protocol does not guarantee se
> Most implementations of database systems use strict two-phase locking. Suggest three reasons for the popularity of this protocol.
> Many transactions update a common item (e.g., the cash balance at a branch) and private items (e.g., individual account balances). Explain how you can in- crease concurrency (and throughput) by ordering the operations of the trans- action.
> Give example schedules to show that with key-value locking, if lookup, insert, or delete does not lock the next-key value, the phantom phenomenon could go undetected.
> Show that the following decomposition of the schema R of Exercise 7.1 is not a lossless decomposition:
> Explain the reason for the use of degree-two consistency. What disadvantages does this approach have?
> Explain the phantom phenomenon. Why may this phenomenon lead to an incorrect concurrent execution despite the use of the two-phase locking proto- col?
> Consider a relation r (A, B, C) and a transaction T that does the following: find maximum A value. Assume that an index is used to find the maximum a value. a. Suppose that the transaction locks each tuple it reads in S mode, and the tuple it creates in X
> Outline the key similarities and differences between the timestamp-based implementation of the first-committer-wins version of snapshot isolation, de- scribed in Exercise 18.15, and the optimistic-concurrency control-without-read- validation scheme, descri
> As discussed in Exercise 18.15, snapshot isolation can be implemented using a form of timestamp validation. However, unlike the multisession timestamp- ordering scheme, which guarantees serialize ability, snapshot isolation does not guarantee serialize a
> Under a modified version of the timestamp protocol, we require that a commit bit be tested to see whether a read request must wait. Explain how the commit bit can prevent cascading abort. Why is this test not necessary for write requests?
> Consider the following SQL query on the university schema: Select avg (salary) - (sum(salary) / count(*)) From instructor We might expect that the result of this query is zero since the average of a set of numbers is defined to be the sum of the numbers d
> List four significant differences between a file-processing system and a DBMS.
> Show that there are schedules that are possible under the two-phase locking protocol but not possible under the timestamp protocol, and vice versa.
> When a transaction is rolled-back under timestamp ordering, it is assigned a new timestamp. Why can it not simply keep its old timestamp?
> Using the functional dependencies of Exercise 7.6, compute B+.
> What benefit does strict two-phase locking provide? What disadvantages result?
> For each of the following isolation levels, give an example of a schedule that respects the specified level of isolation but is not serialize able: a. Read uncommitted b. Read committed c. Repeatable read
> Explain why the read-committed isolation level ensures that schedules are cascade-free.
> Why do database systems support concurrent execution of transactions, de- spite the extra effort needed to ensure that concurrent execution does not cause any problems?
> What is a recoverable schedule? Why is recoverability of schedules desirable? Are there any circumstances under which it would be desirable to allow non- recoverable schedules? Explain your answer.
> Give an example of a serialize able schedule with two transactions such that the order in which the transactions commit is different from the serialization order.
> Consider the following two transactions: Let the consistency requirement be A = 0 ∨ B = 0, with A = B = 0 as the initial values. a. Show that every serial execution involving these two transactions pre- serves the consistency of t
> Explain the distinction between the terms serial schedule and serialize able schedule.
> Write the following queries in relational algebra, using the university schema. a. Find the ID and name of each instructor in the Physics department. b. Find the ID and name of each instructor in a department located in the building “Watson”. c. Find the
> During its execution, a transaction passes through several states, until it finally commits or aborts. List all possible sequences of states through which a trans- action may pass. Explain why each state transition may occur.
> Use Armstrong’s axioms to prove the soundness of the decomposition rule.
> List four applications you have used that most likely employed a database system to store persistent data.
> What is international entrepreneurship? Why is it important?
> What motives might encourage managers to over diversify their firm?
> What incentives and resources encourage diversification?
> This Mini-Case includes descriptions of recent Am Ex innovations. Do you anticipate that most of these innovations resulted from autonomous strategic behavior or from induced strategic behavior? Why?
> What actions do you believe Amax should take to establish an entrepreneurial mind-set among employees throughout the company?
> Use material from Chapter 4 to identify the business-level strategy Am Ex uses. What dimensions do you believe Am Ex should emphasize to use the strategy you identified successfully across time?
> This Mini-Case suggests that a lack of continuous innovation contributed to American Express’s (Am Ex) poor performance in 2014. Assuming this is true, what factors might prevent a firm the size and scope of Am Ex from being able to innovate continuously
> Using information in this Mini-Case as well as additional materials available to you via searches, how do you evaluate Tim Cook as a CEO? Is he an effective strategic leader or not? Use examples from the chapter’s discussion of “Key Strategic Leadership
> Given their different leadership styles, describe the differences you see in Apple’s culture under Tim Cook’s leadership compared to the culture in Apple when Steve Jobs was CEO.
> Tim Cook came from Apple’s internal managerial labor market to succeed Steve Jobs. In your view, was using the internal managerial labor market the best approach to follow when replacing Jobs? Use materials in the chapter regarding the internal and exter
> What makes a CEO’s job so complex? Use the challenge Tim Cook faces as Steve Jobs’ successor to provide examples that support your answer.
> What additional organizational structure and/or process adjustments will Sony need to make to realize its revised strategic objectives?
> What are the two ways to obtain financial economies when using an unrelated diversification strategy?
> To implement a corporate strategy, a firm needs to have a strong set of capabilities to “parent” the set of business units that the firm has established or acquired. Given Sony’s history and organization structure, what would you argue are Sony’s stronge
> What would you recommend to improve the governance systems in Japan, Germany, and China, respectively, given the governance devices described in Chapter 10?
> How do sovereign wealth funds affect governance of firms in home and foreign countries?
> What particular governance devices are helping or hindering good governance in these countries that are changing their governance systems?
> Why are many countries adopting “western” governance systems similar to those found in the United States and the United Kingdom that are more shareholder friendly?
> Should cost minimization or opportunity maximization be the primary goal of a cooperative strategy? Can both be achieved simultaneously? Why or why not?
> What costs are incurred in developing strategic alliances? How can these costs be managed?
> What role does competition from rivals play in the eventual success of cooperative strategies? Please explain.
> What are some of the major complexities encountered in developing cooperative strategies such as strategic alliances and joint ventures?
> How do firms create value when using a related diversification strategy?
> How can companies handle corrupt practices in foreign countries? Can they find ways to compete there without engaging in these practices? Please explain.
> Given the process described for gaining sponsorships (e.g., through sports marketing agencies), should Nike and other major companies realize that bribes and other corrupt practices were taking place?
> What international strategy is being used by the major companies holding these sponsorships? Please explain.
> What are the benefits to companies such as Nike and Coca-Cola acting as sponsors of soccer organizations in foreign countries?
> How does the FIFA scandal represent a form of political risk for companies operating in foreign countries?
> What would you suggest the firm do to improve its restructuring plan and ultimately its poor performance?
> The new CEO, Jan Jewish, has undertaken a restructuring strategy. Why do you think the market reacted negatively to this plan?
> Given that there have been performance difficulties of this “merger of equals,” which of the “Problems in Achieving Acquisition Success” do you believe have most likely affected this deal?
> Of the “Reasons for Acquisitions” discussed in the chapter, which reasons are the primary drivers of Lafarge-Holism’s merger strategy?
> Given the diversification approach that Disney uses, what are some things they can do to deal further with the trend toward cord-cutting and competition from large streaming and content producers such as Netflix, Amazon, and other content producers?
> What are three reasons firms choose to diversify their operations?
> What are synergies and economies of scope and how do they work at Disney to lower its overall costs?
> How does the corporate office create a parental advantage, which is difficult to duplicate by its more focused competitors?
> What corporate diversification strategy is being pursued by Disney? What evidence do you have that supports your position?
> In a competitive rivalry sense, explain the actions (strategic and/or tactical) you believe Walmart and Costco will take to respond to Aldi’s intentions to have 2,500 U.S. stores by 2020.
> Using concepts and actions explained in this chapter, decide if Aldi is more likely to respond to any strategic actions Amazon might initiate through Whole Foods or if Amazon through Whole Foods is more likely to respond to any strategic action Aldi take
> As explained in this chapter’s Opening Case, Amazon purchased Whole Foods. How will this transaction affect Aldi as it seeks to expand its presence in the United States? What competitive actions might Aldi take in response to Amazon’s purchase of Whole F
> Using materials in the case and items to which you gain access through a search, describe how Aldi is creating competitive rivalry in the retail grocers’ industry.
> What are the most serious competitive challenges you anticipate Hein Celestial will face over the next ten years? How should the firm respond to these challenges?
> In years to come, should Hein try to grow primarily organically, through collaborative strategies such as joint ventures and strategic alliances, or through mergers and acquisitions? Explain your answer.
> On what environmental trends did Hein Celestial base its business-level strategy? What environmental trends could have a negative effect on this firm’s strategy in the future? Why?
> What are the different levels of diversification firms can pursue by using different corporate-level strategies?
> We note in the Mini-Case that Hein Celestial is implementing the differentiation strategy. Provide some examples of the competitive dimensions on which this firm focuses while implementing its differentiation strategy.
> What actions would you recommend the management of super dry take to resolve its problems and turn around the performance of the firm?
> What value does super dry create for its customers?
> Will the actions that super dry is taking solve its problems? Why or why not?
> Does Super dry have one or more capabilities that are valuable, rare, costly to imitate, and no substitutable? If so, what are they? If not, on which criteria do they fall short?
> What influences from the external environment over the next several years do you think might affect super dry’s ability to compete?
> Is Jet.com a potential concern for Amazon? Why or why not?
> What are Amazon’s major strengths? Does it have any weaknesses? Please explain.
> How formidable a competitor is Google for Amazon? Please explain.
> Can any firm beat Amazon in the marketplace? If not, why not? If so, how can they best do so?
> What is corporate-level strategy and why is it important?
> As Starbucks’s new chief executive officer and strategic leader, what key challenges does Kevin Johnson and his firm face?
> Starbucks’s mission is “To inspire and nurture the human spirit—one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.” What actions do you recommend the firm take to reach this mission?
> Identify three or four capabilities you believe Starbucks possesses. Of these, are any a core competence? If so, explain your reasoning.
> What competitive advantage or competitive advantages do you believe Starbucks seeks to establish? What are the main challenges the firm faces as it tries to maintain the advantage or advantages you identified?
> What are the specific risks associated with using each business-level strategy?
> How can firms use each of the business-level strategies to position themselves favorably relative to the five forces of competition?
> What are the differences among the cost leadership, differentiation, focused cost leadership, focused differentiation, and integrated cost leadership/differentiation business-level strategies?
> What is a business model and how do business models differ from business-level strategies?
