Which is NOT a crucial question about target markets? Select one:
a. Is there a pain we can alleviate at an attractive price?
b. Can we offer benefits that are somehow better than the next-best alternatives?
c. Will entry into this segment provide an entry into other segments?
d. Can we create a sustainable competitive advantage?

Ajustification for job training programs is that they improve worker productivity. suppose that you are asked to evaluate whether more job training makes workers more productive. however, rather than having data on individual workers, you have access to data on manufacturing firms in ohio. in particu- lar, for each firm, you have information on hours of job training per worker (training) and number of nondefective items produced per worker hour (output). (i) carefully state the ceteris paribus thought experiment underlying this policy question. (ii) does it seem likely that a firm’s decision to train its workers will be independent of worker characteristics? what are some of those measurable and unmeasurable worker characteristics? (iii) name a factor other than worker characteristics that can affect worker productivity. (iv) if you find a positive correlation between output and training, would you have convincingly established that job training makes workers more productive? explain.

M. cotteleer electronics supplies microcomputer circuitry to a company that incorporates microprocessors into refrigerators and other home appliances. one of the components has an annual demand of 235 units, and this is constant throughout the year. carrying cost is estimated to be $1.25 per unit per year, and the ordering (setup) cost is $21 per order. a) to minimize cost, how many units should be ordered each time an order is placed? b) how many orders per year are needed with the optimal policy? c) what is the average inventory if costs are minimized? d) suppose that the ordering cost is not $21, and cotteleer has been ordering 125 units each time an order is placed. for this order policy (of q = 125) to be optimal, determine what the ordering cost would have to be.

Brandt enterprises is considering a new project that has a cost of $1,000,000, and the cfo set up the following simple decision tree to show its three most likely scenarios. the firm could arrange with its work force and suppliers to cease operations at the end of year 1 should it choose to do so, but to obtain this abandonment option, it would have to make a payment to those parties. how much is the option to abandon worth to the firm?