Caterpillar is a leading firm in the construction and mining equipment industry with extensive global operations. It has approximately 114,000 employees, and its revenues were $47 billion in 2015. In addition to its manufacturing and logistics operations, Caterpillar is well known for its superb service and parts supply, and it provides retail financing for its equipment. Required:
a. What are the important relationships among Caterpillar’s value-chain activities?
b. What are the important interdependencies? For each activity, identify the relationships and interdependencies.

Alpine west, inc., operates a downhill ski area near lake tahoe, california. an all-day, adult ticket can be purchased for $55. adult customers also can purchase a season pass that entitles the pass holder to ski any day during the season, which typically runs from december 1 through april 30. the season pass is nontransferable, and the $450 price is nonrefundable. alpine expects its season pass holders to use their passes equally throughout the season. the company’s fiscal year ends on december 31. on november 6, 2009, jake lawson purchased a season ticket. required: 1. when should alpine west recognize revenue from the sale of its season passes? 2. prepare the appropriate journal entries that alpine would record on november 6 and december 31. 3. what will be included in the 2009 income statement and 2009 balance sheet related to the sale of the season pass to jake lawson?