1. Define total cost of ownership (TCO) and list some of the characteristics that make a purchase, outsourcing analy- sis, or process analysis well-suited for TCO analysis.
2. Explain in brief how the Japanese business model led to the rise of relationship integration?
3. What is value proposition analysis? In your answer, mention three generic value propositions and explain the approaches.
4. What is activity-based costing? What are some of the problems that a company could face in its implementation?
5. What is cost driver analysis? List the four typical cost drivers in an organization.
6. How is corporate social responsibility affecting business today? Provide an example to support your answer.
7. What are the possible reasons that caused IBM to lose money in the PC market?
8. List the steps required to design an effective supply chain. Include the components of each step in your list, where applicable.
9. What is the bullwhip effect, and what are three ways to reduce it?
10. Many tools and techniques have been identified as vital to evaluating, establishing, and maintaining successful strategic alliances. Identify five tools or techniques and provide a brief explanation for each one.