Question: You are one of the managers of a small specialty maker of custom tables, chairs, and cabinets. You have been charged with finding ways to use IT and the Internet to identify new business opportunities that can improve your company's competitive advantage, such as ways to reduce costs or attract customers.
1. What are the various forces in a specialty furniture maker's task environment that have the most effect on its performance?
2. What kinds of IT or MIS can help the company better manage these forces?
3. In what ways can the Internet help this organization improve its competitive position?