Illustration Capsule 5.1 discusses Amazon’s low-cost position in the electronic commerce industry. Based on information provided in the capsule, explain how Amazon has built its low-cost advantage in the industry and why a low-cost provider strategy is well suited to the industry.

MBA class. Business Strategy and policy class MB 695.

Book: Crafting and Executive Strategy: The Quest for Competitive advantage: conept and cases, 21st edition by Arthur Thompson

Celestila Moonn, an UMB MBA student selected Google stock for Capital Market/Portfolio construction project. Last week, Moonn realized that the stock lost 10% of its value since the stock was purchased. Moonn also noticed that Google pays no dividends yet investors are willing to buy shares in this firm.

In your initial post, briefly justify: How is this possible? Does this violate the basic principle of stock valuation? Do you support Moonn’s concerns?

Look at the following research questions. What would be an appropriate audience for each one? Why did you come to that answer?

1. How does the use of texting affect high school English grades?
2. What effect do medical budget cuts have on small town hospitals?
3. Does earning an MBA make you a better job candidate?
4. Why does the American government lend money to foreign countries?

1)  Explain the primary benefits of a business education?

2) Why is pursuing an MBA immediately after finishing an undergraduate degree generally a bad idea?

3) briefly describe the various alternatives to a formal business education.?

4) Explain the difference between “training” and “education”. Then explain the role of each in higher education (and specifically in business school)?

5)  What does a business degree signal to an employer?

6) Briefly describe the various formats for a business degree?

Discuss each of the pricing strategies below. What conditions are necessary to make each strategy successful in terms of increasing profits? Explain your answer.

1. A local restaurant/bar offers discounted drinks during “happy hour,” from 5 to 6 PM on weeknights.
2. The price Company X charges for its ink cartridges is nearly as much as it charges for a printer.
3. Packs of 5 T-shirts cost $10 while an individual T-shirt costs $4.
4. Computer and appliance manufacturers promote service contracts.
5. Microsoft Office includes several programs in one package.

* Forms of business organizations

Businesses can be classified into the following forms: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company (LLC), and limited liability partnership (LLP).

Different forms of businesses have different characteristics. Which of the following characteristics would apply to a partnership? Check all that apply.

- Subject to unlimited personal liability

- Income is allocated on a pro rata basis

- Can easily raise large amounts of capital

- Taxed at individual level

- Chartered by a state and is its own legal entity separate and distinct from its owners and managers

- Legal arrangement between two or more people

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The FAX of Life Company is considering the purchase of 100 FAX machines which will be leased to a convenience store chain. Individual convenience stores will then charge a small fee for the use of the machine by customers. The FAX machines will cost $70,000 and will be sold at the end of four years for the estimated $16,000 salvage value. The annual cash inflow from leasing the machines is expected to be $20,000. The income tax rate is 25%. The cost of capital is 12%.

Calculate the answer for each of the following capital budgeting methods. 1. Net Present Value 2. Internal Rate of Return 3. Payback Period 4. Accountant's Rate of Return

COMMON MUD SNAIL (Ilyanassa obsoleta), ROUNDWORM (Caenorhabditis elegans), SEA SQUIRT (Ciona spp.), ZEBRAFISH (Danio rerio), MOUSE (Mus musculus)

a. One of these species has individuals who are either male, female, or hermaphroditic (hint = Phylum Mollusca). Identify the species, and then explain two ways in which the hermaphrodites participate in mating in this species.

b. One of these species has individuals who are either male or hermaphroditic, with the latter being most prevalent (hint = Phylum Nematoda). Identify the species, and then explain one advantage of having each type of individual in this species.

c. Two of these species exhibit holoblastic rotational cleavage. Identify the two species, and then describe how their cleavage is different from the cleavage associated with zebrafish development, making sure to describe how the processes are influenced by the amount and distribution of yolk. Limit of three sentences per type of cleavage.

d. Biologists have analyzed the effects of exogenous agents on zebrafish development. Briefly describe one study in which such an agent is critical for normal embryogenesis but disruptive at high concentrations, and another study in which such an agent is disruptive at all concentrations tested. Limit of three sentences per study.