A company's competitive strength scores pinpoint its strengths and weaknesses against rivals and point to offensive and defensive strategies capable of producing first-rate results. determine whether a company has a cost-effective value chain. determine if the company's market opportunities are better than those of its rival. analyze whether a company is well positioned to gain market share and be the industry's profit leader. determine whether a company's resource strengths are sufficient to allow it to earn bigger profits than rivals.

Richardson hired j.c. flood company, a plumbing contractor, to correct a stoppage in the sewer line of her house. the plumbing company's 'snake' device, used to clear the line leading to the main sewer, became caught in the underground line. to release it, the company excavated a portion of the sewer line in richardson's backyard. in the process, the company discovered numerous leaks in a rusty, defective water pipe that ran parallel with the sewer line. to meet public regulations, the water pipe, of a type no longer approved for such service, had to be replaced either then or later, when the yard would have to be excavated again. the plumbing company proceeded to repair the water pipe. though richardson inspected the company's work daily and did not express any objection to the extra work involved in replacing the water pipe, she refused to pay any part of the total bill after the company completed the entire operation. j.c. flood company then sued richardson for the costs of labor and material it had furnished. (c) for what, if anything, should richardson be liable? explain."

Which of the following would not generally be a motive for a firm to hold inventories? a. to decouple or separate parts of the production process b. to provide a stock of goods that will provide a selection for customers c. to take advantage of quantity discounts d. to minimize holding costs e. all of the above are functions of inventory.

Magic realm, inc., has developed a new fantasy board game. the company sold 15,000 games last year at a selling price of $20 per game. fixed expenses associated with the game total $182,000 per year, and variable expenses are $6 per game. production of the game is entrusted to a printing contractor. variable expenses consist mostly of payments to this contractor.required: 1-a. prepare a contribution format income statement for the game last year.1-b. compute the degree of operating leverage.2. management is confident that the company can sell 58,880 games next year (an increase of 12,880 games, or 28%, over last year). given this assumption: a. what is the expected percentage increase in net operating income for next year? b. what is the expected amount of net operating income for next year? (do not prepare an income statement; use the degree of operating leverage to compute your answer.)