According to the manufacturing-based definition of quality,
a. quality is the degree of excellence at an acceptable price and the control of variability at an
acceptable cost
b. quality depends on how well the product fits patterns of consumer preferences
c. even though quality cannot be defined, you know what it is
d. quality is the degree to which a specific product conforms to standards

The following cost data pertain to the operations of montgomery department stores, inc., for the month of july. corporate legal office salaries $ 75,300apparel department cost of sales"evendale store $ 97,200corporate headquarters building lease $ 50,300store manager's salary"evendale store $ 12,900apparel department sales commission"evendale store $ 11,550store utilities"evendale store $ 12,800apparel department manager's salary"evendale store $ 10,450central warehouse lease cost $ 18,600janitorial costs"evendale store $ 11,800 the evendale store is just one of many stores owned and operated by the company. the apparel department is one of many departments at the evendale store. the central warehouse serves all of the company's stores. required: 1. what is the total amount of the costs listed above that are direct costs of the apparel department? 2. what is the total amount of the costs listed above that are direct costs of the evendale store? 3. what is the total amount of the apparel department's direct costs that are also variable costs with respect to total departmental sales?

The quinoa seed is in high demand in wealthier countries such as the u.s. and japan. approximately 97% of all quinoa production comes from small farmers in bolivia and peru who farm at high elevations—8,000 feet or higher. the seed is considered highly nutritious. mostly grown and harvested in bolivia and peru, and sold to markets in other countries, the seed is now considered an important for these nations. the governments of bolivia and peru are hopeful that this product will increase the quality of life of their farmers.

Four key marketing decision variables are price (p), advertising (a), transportation (t), and product quality (q). consumer demand (d) is influenced by these variables. the simplest model for describing demand in terms of these variables is: d = k – pp + aa + tt + qq where k, p, a, t, and q are constants. discuss the assumptions of this model. specifically, how does each variable affect demand? how do the variables influence each other? what limitations might this model have? how can it be improved?