Correct Answer: A

A protected niche strategy is applied in nations where global competitors are discouraged by governmental impediments, such as domestic content rules or tariffs. The strategy is designed to be effective in markets with governmental constraints and requires close attention to the national government.

Correct Answer: A

Modern management theory emphasizes employee empowerment. The question is not whether employees should be empowered, but the circumstances in which it should occur. The paradox isthat managers who appropriately surrender power by empowering employees actually gain power. They have an increased ability to achieve desired results.

Correct Answer: B

Differentiation may reduce the leverage enjoyed by strong buyers because of the uniqueness of the product and the resulting lack of close substitutes. Focus strategies also may reduce buyers' ability to negotiate in a narrow market. Substitutes may not be able to compete on price, quality, etc.

Correct Answer: B

Integration is a special case of entry into a new business. Thus, the firm must incur costs to overcome mobility barriers to enter the adjacent business:economies of scale, proprietary technology, capital investment, sources of materials, etc. Integration also increases fixed costs and operating leverage, which is in itself a cause of increased business risk. Thus, an integrated firm is exposed to fluctuations affecting any of its components. For example, sales of an upstream component depend on sales of downstream components. Moreover, integration may increase the difficulty of leaving the industry (exit barriers). Finally, integration may foreclose access to supplier or customer technology. The integrated firm may have to create its own technology rather than taking advantage of supplier/customer expertise.

Correct Answer: C