Question: Why have alt-labor groups caught on

> What is a distribution channel?

> Which of the four basic functions of management discussed in Chapter 7 would be involved in decisions that establish or change a company’s channels of distribution? Explain your answer.

> Chapter discussed the fact that supply chain management integrates all the activities involved in the production of goods and services from suppliers to customers. What are the benefits of involving wholesalers and retailers in the design, manufacturing,

> How is the AIDA model incompatible with a social, conversational approach to customer communication?

> Imagine that you own a small specialty store selling handcrafted clothing and jewelry. What are some of the non-store retail options you might explore to increase sales? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option?

> Manufacturers that have been selling to wholesalers and other intermediaries occasionally decide to start selling directly to end customers, which of course puts them in competition with the channel partners that have been selling for them. Even if this

> How could strategic planning help a discount retailer avoid the pitfalls of the wheel of retailing?

> How might a once-valued intermediary find itself threatened with disintermediation?

> Would it be wise for a brick-and-mortar retailer that wants to stop showrooming to use wireless-jamming technologies to prevent people from using smartphones inside their stores. Why or why not?

> How does branding help consumers?

> How does cost-based pricing differ from value-based pricing?

> How many books will a publisher have to sell to break even if fixed costs are $100,000, the selling price per book is $60, and the variable costs per book are $40?

> What are the functions of packaging?

> What is test marketing?

> What are the potential consequences of inaccurately forecasting the demand for a particular product?

> What are the four stages of the product life cycle?

> Review the discussion of cultural differences in international business. Which cultural differences do you think Disney had to consider when planning its product strategies for Disneyland Paris? Originally the company offered a standardized product but w

> Concept Integration. Review the theory of supply and demand. How do skimming and penetration pricing strategies influence a product’s supply and demand?

> In what ways might Mattel modify its pricing strategies during the life cycle of a toy product?

> Ethical Considerations. If your college neighborhood is typical, many companies in the area adorn themselves in your school colors and otherwise seek to identify their names with your school name and thereby encourage business from students. Some of the

> Why is it important to review the objectives of a strategic marketing plan before setting a product’s price?

> Given the weaknesses of cost-based pricing, why would any company use this method?

> Why are some well-established brands worth millions or even billions of dollars?

> Why would customers knowingly buy counterfeit luxury brands?

> What are the four basic components of the marketing mix?

> Other than image, what factors might prompt manufacturers of high-end technical or luxury products to decide not to sell their products through Costco?

> What external environmental factors affect strategic marketing decisions?

> What is strategic marketing planning, and what is its purpose?

> How does the organizational market differ from the consumer market?

> Why are companies pushing for more accountability from the marketing function?

> Concept Integration. How might the key economic indicators discussed in Chapter 2, including consumer price index, inflation, and unemployment affect a company’s marketing decisions?

> If you were launching a new manufacturing company, would you draft your marketing plan or design your production processes first? Why?

> How might a retailer use relationship marketing to improve customer loyalty?

> Ethical Considerations. Is it ethical to observe shoppers for the purposes of marketing research without their knowledge and permission?

> Why do companies segment markets?

> Why does a company need to consider its current marketing situation, including competitive trends, when setting objectives for market share?

> What sort of customers should a company target for the introductory phase of a product’s life cycle?

> Should companies open themselves up to criticism by being active on social media?

> How does the long history of labor-management relations affect labor relations in today’s economy?

> How does mediation differ from arbitration?

> What is a collective bargaining agreement?

> What is a right-to-work law?

> How did the Wagner Act affect the balance of power between unions and employers?

> From an employee’s perspective, what are the potential benefits of unionization?

> Concept Integration. Which motivation theory or theories discussed in Chapter 10 help explain the sometimes contentious nature of labor relations?

> A co-worker is arguing that the President should not have the authority to issue an injunction to stop a strike because doing so violates the legal rights of workers. How would you respond?

> What advice would you give the founders of a new company who want to avoid unionization efforts among their workforce as the company grows?

> Is there still any need for traditional marketing techniques in a world of social commerce? Why or why not?

> You work as an organizer for a union that is trying to persuade workers in the banking industry to unionize. You’ve collected authorization cards from 52 percent of the workers at a particular company. Should you file a petition with the NLRB for a secre

> What are some of the explanations for the decline in labor union membership in the past 50 years?

> How does the relationship between labor and management reflect the potential for conflict in the stakeholder model?

> How do incentive programs encourage employees to be more productive, innovative, and committed to their work?

> What is the glass ceiling?

> How do defined benefit plans differ from defined contribution plans?

> What is the purpose of conducting a job analysis? What are some of the techniques used for gathering information?

> What are some strategic staffing alternatives that organizations use to avoid overstaffing and understaffing?

> What do human resources managers do?

> If you have a product that appeals to the majority of consumers in a given market, would there be any value in segmenting the market before launching the product? Why or why not?

> Explain the purpose of the six major functional areas in a business enterprise. (1) Do companies that deliver services rather than creating tangible goods ever need to engage in research and development? Why or why not? (2) Why is good customer support e

> Concept Integration. Of the five levels in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which is satisfied by offering salary? By offering health-care benefits? By offering training opportunities? By developing flexible job descriptions?

> What steps could you take as the owner of a small software company to foster “temporary loyalty” from the independent programmers you frequently hire for short durations (one to six months)?

> Assume you are the manager of human resources at a manufacturing company that employs about 500 people. A recent cyclical downturn in your industry has led to financial losses, and top management is talking about laying off workers. Several supervisors h

> Ethical Considerations. Corporate headhunters have been known to raid other companies of their top talent to fill vacant or new positions for their clients. Is it ethical to contact the CEO of one company and lure him or her to join the management team o

> Why is it in a company’s best interests to break down the glass ceiling?

> Why would companies include vesting criteria in their 401(k) retirement plans?

> Why do some employers offer comprehensive benefits even though the costs of doing so have risen significantly in recent years?

> How does the expectancy theory explain the effect of self-doubt on employee motivation?

> What is negative reinforcement?

> What are the core job dimensions in the job characteristics model?

> What are some of the ways that pay-for-performance schemes could backfire if a company doesn’t set them up carefully or effectively manage the factors that affect employee performance?

> What is management by objectives?

> What is expectancy theory?

> What is motivation?

> Concept Integration. Chapter 7 discussed several styles of leadership, including autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire. How do each of these styles relate to Theory X and Theory Y assumptions about workers?

> You manage the customer service department for an online clothing retailer. Customers tend to call or email with the same types of complaints and problems, day after day, and your employees are getting bored and listless. Some are starting to miss more d

> Ethical Considerations. Motivational strategies that reward employees for meeting specific performance targets can encourage them to work hard—sometimes too hard. Overwork can contribute to mental and physical health problems as well as interfere with o

> Why do managers often find it difficult to motivate employees who remain after downsizing? Explain your answer in terms of one or more motivational theories discussed in the chapter.

> What effect will job enhancement likely have on someone with low growth needs? Why?

> How might a deadline that is too easy to meet cause someone to work more slowly than he or she might otherwise work?

> Why is it important to monitor performance variables that are the most meaningful, not those that are the most easily measurable?

> How is management likely to change as companies increasingly use contingent workers over full-time employees?

> What is scalability, in the context of managing a service business?

> What is a lean system?

> What is mass customization?

> Why is offshoring controversial?

> What role does feedback play in a system?

> Concept Integration. How might supply chain management issues influence your decision on how to expand your vitamin and nutritional supplements company internationally?

> You’ve developed a reputation as an outstanding math tutor, and you want to turn your talent into a full-time business after graduation. How will you address the challenge of scalability in your new venture?

> If 30 percent of the patrons eating at your restaurant say they won’t eat there again, what steps would you take to define the problem(s) that needs to be solved, measure the relevant performance variables, and then analyze the root cause of the problem(

> Business is booming. Sales last month were 50 percent higher than the month before, and so far, this month is looking even better than last month. Should you hire more people to accommodate the increase? Explain your answer.

> Ethical Consideration. How does society’s concern for the environment affect a company’s decisions about facility location and layout?

> Why might a service business be more selective than a goods-producing business regarding the customers it pursues or accepts?

> How does perishability affect the delivery of services?

> How can supply-chain management (SCM) help a company establish a competitive advantage?

> Why do some firms now think in terms of value webs instead of value chains?

> Why is important for companies to decide on their core competencies before choosing an organization structure?

> What are the advantages and disadvantages of the unstructured organizational model?

> What are the advantages and disadvantages of functional departmentalization?

> What are the advantages and disadvantages of work specialization?

> What are the characteristics of tall organizations and flat organizations?