A differentiator is least likely to be threatened by increases in input prices due to powerful suppliers when the a. new product features added raise costs but not the perceived value in the minds of consumers. b. differentiator is able to significantly reduce the value gap. c. differentiator is able to create a significant difference between perceived value and current market prices. d. source of a competitor's differential appeal is tangible rather than intangible.

while setting up his new office, an attorney ordered thick, frieze carpets for the floor. however, the building inspector had him remove the expensive carpeting. the building inspector stated that according to federal regulations, the office must be wheelchair accessible as it is a public area. he further explained that since wheelchairs do not maneuver well in thick, frieze carpeting, the carpets had to be removed and be replaced with smooth-textured carpets that do not restrict wheelchair maneuverability. this scenario illustrates how a company is influenced by the component of its specific environment.

Arriving and delivering a load of company executives for a business meeting at a destination far from home base requiring an overnight stay, a company’s pilot requested approval from the company finance office to pay to either have the company’s jet brought into the fbo's hangar overnight to protect it from a forecast snowfall or to have it de-iced by the fbo the following morning well-before scheduled departure. the company was under considerable financial pressure at the time, and the pilot’s requests were denied because of the cost. so, early the following morning, the pilot was up on the wing of the jet sweeping off an accumulation of snow and ice with a borrowed push broom in preparation for the scheduled departure with the executives, but slipped and fell to the ground, suffering a broken neck. the business was organized as a limited partnership, owned by 3 limited partners and one general partner. as a cost-saving measure, the company had dropped its workers’ compensation insurance before the accident. analyze the potential liability for the pilot’s injuries of each of the following, showing your reasoning clearly: the company the general partner the limited partners analyze how the outcome would have been different, if the business had been organized as a corporation and observed all of the formalities to legitimize its corporate status. analyze how the outcome would have been different, if the pilot had been covered by workers’ compensation insurance.

True tomato inc. makes organic ketchup. to promote its products, this firm decided to make bottles in the shape of tomatoes. to accomplish this, true tomato worked with its bottle manufacture to create a set of unique molds for its bottles. which of the following specialized assets does this example demonstrate? (a) site specificity (b) research specificity (c) physical-asset specificity (d) human-asset specificity