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Chapter 3 - Question Bank

International Strategic Marketing (HELP University)

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Strategic Management: A Competitive Advantage Approach, 17e (David/David)


Chapter 3 The External Assessment

1) To perform an external audit, a company first must


A) get an approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
B) perform an internal audit.
C) gather competitive intelligence and information about external trends.
D) hire a consultant to develop a comprehensive strategic plan.
E) create a budget.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
LO: 3.1: Describe the nature and purpose of an external assessment in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

2) Collecting and evaluating information on competitors is essential for successful


A) internal analysis.
B) strategy evaluation.
C) strategy formulation.
D) strategy implementation.
E) strategy correction.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
LO: 3.1: Describe the nature and purpose of an external assessment in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

3) External audits attempt to identify key variables that offer ________ responses.
A) actionable
B) authoritative
C) profitable
D) strategic
E) terminal
Answer: A
Diff: 2
LO: 3.1: Describe the nature and purpose of an external assessment in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

4) External audit is sometimes called


A) strategic analysis.
B) strategy evaluation.
C) statutory audit.
D) financial audit.
E) industry analysis.
Answer: E
Diff: 2
LO: 3.1: Describe the nature and purpose of an external assessment in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

1
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5) Industry analysis is also referred to as external strategic management audit.


Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
LO: 3.1: Describe the nature and purpose of an external assessment in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

6) An external audit focuses on identifying and evaluating trends and events within the control of
management.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.1: Describe the nature and purpose of an external assessment in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

7) The aim of an external audit is to develop an exhaustive list of every possible factor that could
influence the business.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.1: Describe the nature and purpose of an external assessment in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

8) External audits attempt to identify key variables that offer actionable responses.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.1: Describe the nature and purpose of an external assessment in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

9) External audits attempt to identify key variables that offer highly intuitive responses.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3
LO: 3.1: Describe the nature and purpose of an external assessment in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

10) External audits attempt to identify key variables that offer intuitive responses.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.1: Describe the nature and purpose of an external assessment in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

2
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11) A systematic and ethical process for gathering and analyzing information about the
competition's activities and general trends to further a business' own goals is called
A) unethical business practices.
B) artificial intelligence.
C) competitive intelligence.
D) industrial espionage.
E) competitive advantage.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning

12) Which of the following is NOT an external force that must be examined in formulating
strategies?
A) Economic
B) Social
C) Organizational
D) Cultural
E) Environmental
Answer: C
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

13) Availability of credit falls under the ________ forces category of external forces.
A) technological
B) social
C) environmental
D) organizational
E) economic
Answer: D
Diff: 3
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

14) In general, what happens to American goods in overseas markets when there is a strong
dollar?
A) They are less expensive.
B) They are more attractive.
C) They are cheaper.
D) They are more expensive.
E) They are desirable.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

3
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15) Individuals age 65 and older in the United States as a percentage of the population will rise
to ________ percent by 2030.
A) 27
B) 31
C) 14
D) 22
E) 19
Answer: E
Diff: 1
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

16) The United States' population is


A) getting younger and less white.
B) getting younger and more white.
C) getting older and less white.
D) getting older and more white.
E) remaining stable as to age and racial make up.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

17) In performing strategic planning and case analysis, relevant SCDE factors for a particular
firm must be ________ and actionable to be useful.
A) important
B) past focused
C) present focused
D) quantified
E) secular
Answer: D
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

18) In the U.S. food industry, demand for processed packaged foods is ________.
A) increasing
B) stabilizing
C) accelerating
D) declining
E) plateauing
Answer: D
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

4
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19) The acronym SCDE stands for social, cultural, demographic, and ________ forces.
A) economic
B) ecological
C) ethnic
D) external
E) environment
Answer: E
Diff: 1
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

20) Which of the following states has zero state income tax?
A) Florida
B) New York
C) North Carolina
D) Montana
E) Delaware
Answer: A
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

21) In 2012, ________ passed the world's first legislation that would treat marijuana like alcohol,
taxing and regulating its sales.
A) Arkansas
B) Colorado
C) New Hampshire
D) New York
E) North Carolina
Answer: B
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

22) When an industry relies heavily on government contracts, which forecasts can be the most
important part of an external audit?
A) Economic
B) Political
C) Technological
D) Competitive
E) Multinational
Answer: B
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Reflective thinking

5
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23) The emergence of 3D printing is an example of a(n) ________ force that impacts
organizations.
A) economic
B) legal
C) political
D) social, cultural, demographic, and environment (SCDE)
E) technological
Answer: E
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

24) The shift to a service economy is an example of a(n) ________ force.


A) technological
B) social, cultural, demographic, and environment (SCDE)
C) economic
D) legal
E) political
Answer: C
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

25) The World Economic Outlook report predicts a global growth rate of around ________
percent.
A) 3.6
B) 7.8
C) 2.1
D) 1.8
E) 5.3
Answer: A
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

26) A strong dollar enables ________ firms to purchase raw materials more cheaply from other
countries.
A) European Union
B) United States
C) Indian
D) Russian
E) Chinese
Answer: B
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

6
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27) All of the following are political, governmental, and legal variables that can represent key
opportunities or threats to organizations EXCEPT
A) tariffs.
B) environmental regulations.
C) level of defense expenditures.
D) legislation on equal employment.
E) population changes by race, age, sex, and level of affluence.
Answer: E
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

28) Competition in virtually all industries is


A) nonexistent.
B) intense.
C) never cutthroat.
D) easily avoidable.
E) insignificant.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

29) ________ forces are shaping the way people live, work, produce, and consume.
A) SCDE
B) VUCA
C) IO
D) Porter's five-
E) Internal
Answer: A
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

30) A weak dollar means


A) lower exports and higher imports.
B) lower exports and lower imports.
C) lower exports and no effect on imports.
D) higher exports and higher imports.
E) higher exports and lower imports.
Answer: E
Diff: 3
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

7
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31) Corporate intelligence is the name for a systematic and ethical process for gathering and
analyzing information about the competition's activities and general business trends to further a
business's own goals.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning

32) Major competitors' weaknesses can represent internal opportunities.


Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

33) Major competitors' strengths may represent key threats.


Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

34) Major competitors' strengths are areas of concern, but do not represent key threats to a firm.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

35) Hiring top executives from rival firms is a way companies obtain competitive intelligence.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

36) An effective competitive intelligence program allows all areas of a firm to access consistent
and verifiable information in making decisions.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Written and oral communication

37) Competitive intelligence is a polite way of referring to corporate espionage.


Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning

8
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38) Intelligence gathering is an unethical business practice.


Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning

39) The five major categories of variables known as external forces are: 1) economic forces, 2)
social, cultural, demographic, and natural environment forces, 3) political, governmental, and
legal forces, 4) technological forces, and 5) competitive forces.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

40) To perform an external audit, a company first must gather competitive intelligence and
information about economic, social, cultural, demographic, environmental, political,
governmental, legal, and technological trends.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

41) In the U.S. food industry, demand for processed packaged foods is increasing.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

42) Economic factors do not have much impact on the attractiveness of strategies.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

43) A low value of the dollar means lower exports and higher imports.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

44) There are benefits to the U.S. economy resulting from a low value of the U.S. dollar.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 3
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

9
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45) The United States is getting older.


Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

46) It is predicted that, by 2030, 19 percent of the population in the United States will be 65
years or older.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

47) It is predicted that, by 2050, over 25 percent of the population in the United States will be 65
years or older.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

48) Remaining solely domestic is an increasingly safe strategy for U.S. companies.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

49) U.S. households are making more and more purchases online.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

50) The trend toward an older society is good news for restaurants.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

51) In performing strategic planning and case analysis, relevant SCDE factors for a particular
firm need not be quantified to be useful.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

10
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52) Florida was the first state to legalize marijuana.


Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

53) By 2030, the Census Bureau projects that the number of Americans age 65 and older will
dramatically decrease.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

54) The trend toward an older America is bad news for furniture producers, hotels, airlines, and
home builders.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

55) Political issues and stances impact strategic decisions.


Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

56) Political forecasts can be the most important part of an external audit for firms that depend
heavily on government contracts.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

57) For firms with large U.S. sales, a strong dollar provides a boost.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

58) Florida is one of nine states that has zero state income tax.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

11
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59) Consumers in the United States now desire sedans rather than automobiles with greater space
and utility.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Written and oral communication

60) Competitive intelligence is not corporate espionage.


Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

61) The United States (and the world) is becoming older.


Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

62) The trend toward an older society is a threat for restaurants, hotels, and airlines.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

63) U.S. consumers spent $6.7 billion on legal marijuana in 2016.


Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

64) Wisconsin was the first state to legalize marijuana.


Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

65) Political, governmental, and legal forces are always threats for both small and large
organizations.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

12
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66) Define Competitive Intelligence (CI) and list three ways that CI can be gathered.
Answer: Competitive Intelligence as formally defined by the Society of Competitive
Intelligence Professionals (SCIP), is a systematic and ethical process for gathering and analyzing
information about the competition's activities and general business trends to further a business's
own goals (SCIP website). Students should also list three of the following: 1) hire top executives
from rival firms, 2) reverse engineer rival firms' products, 3) use surveys and interviews of
customers, suppliers, and distributors, 4) conduct drive-by and on-site visits to rival firm
operations, 5) search online databases, 6) contact government agencies for public information
about rival firms, 7) systematically monitor relevant trade publications, magazines, and
newspapers.
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning

67) What are the five major types of external forces that should be examined as part of an
external audit? Give an example of each type of force.
Answer: External forces can be divided into five broad categories: 1) economic forces, 2) social,
cultural, demographic and natural environment forces, 3) political, governmental and legal
forces, 4) technological forces and 5) competitive forces. Examples of each are as follows: 1)
level of disposable income, availability of credit, interest rates, value of the dollar in world
markets, and foreign countries' economic conditions; 2) immigration and emigration rates,
regional changes in tastes and preferences, life expectancy rates, attitudes toward customer
service, and social responsibility issues; 3) equal employment laws, unionization trends, antitrust
legislation, tariffs, and political conditions in foreign countries; 4) technological advancements
that could create new markets, result in a proliferation of new and improved products, change the
relative competitive cost positions in an industry, render existing products and services obsolete,
and/or create new competitive advantages that are more powerful than existing advantages; and
5) potential moves a competitor could make, changes to the strengths or weaknesses of
competitors, and vulnerability of competitors to a firm's alternative strategies.
Diff: 3
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

68) Explain briefly the SCDE forces.


Answer: SCDE is an acronym for social, cultural, demographic, and environment forces that are
an important part of a firm's external environment. SCDE forces impact strategic decisions on
virtually all products, services, markets, and customers. Each of the SCDE forces shape the way
people live, work, produce, and consume.
Diff: 2
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

13
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69) Explain how new technologies have been impacting strategic-planning decisions.
Answer: A variety of new technologies such as the Internet of Things, 3D printing, the cloud,
mobile devices, biotech, analytics, autotech, robotics, and artificial intelligence are fueling
innovation in many industries. Businesses are using mobile technologies and applications to
better determine customer trends and are employing advanced data analytics to make enhanced
strategy decisions. The vast increase in the amount of data coming from mobile devices is
driving the development of advanced analytics applications. Technology is rapidly changing the
competitive landscape in many industries characterized by brick-and-mortar stores.
Diff: 3
LO: 3.2: Identify and discuss ten external forces that impact organizations.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

70) Intensity of competition ________ in lower-return industries.


A) is lowest
B) is nonexistent
C) is highest
D) is not important
E) fluctuates
Answer: C
Diff: 2
LO: 3.3: Explain Porter's Five Forces Model and its relevance in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

71) What is NOT one of Michael Porter's five competitive forces?


A) Potential entry of new competitors
B) Rivalry among competing firms
C) Bargaining power of unions
D) Bargaining power of suppliers
E) Bargaining power of consumers
Answer: C
Diff: 2
LO: 3.3: Explain Porter's Five Forces Model and its relevance in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

72) According to Porter, what is usually the most powerful of the five competitive forces?
A) Potential development of substitute products
B) Bargaining power of suppliers
C) Bargaining power of consumers
D) Rivalry among competing firms
E) Potential entry of new competitors
Answer: D
Diff: 2
LO: 3.3: Explain Porter's Five Forces Model and its relevance in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

14
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73) Whenever new firms can easily enter a particular industry, the intensity of competitiveness
among firms tends to
A) stay the same.
B) increase.
C) decrease.
D) neutralize.
E) become irrelevant.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
LO: 3.3: Explain Porter's Five Forces Model and its relevance in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

74) If suppliers are unreliable or too costly, which of these strategies may be appropriate?
A) Horizontal integration
B) Backward integration
C) Market penetration
D) Forward integration
E) Concentric diversification
Answer: B
Diff: 2
LO: 3.3: Explain Porter's Five Forces Model and its relevance in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

75) When the products being purchased are standard or undifferentiated, it results in ________
bargaining power of consumers.
A) marginalized
B) lower
C) higher
D) negative
E) negligible
Answer: C
Diff: 2
LO: 3.3: Explain Porter's Five Forces Model and its relevance in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

76) A ________ integration strategy is used by firms to gain control or ownership of suppliers.
A) backward
B) forward
C) horizontal
D) vertical
E) vortexed
Answer: A
Diff: 2
LO: 3.3: Explain Porter's Five Forces Model and its relevance in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

15
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77) According to Michael Porter, five competitive forces define the nature of competitiveness in
a given industry: 1) rivalry among competing firms, 2) potential entry of new competitors, 3)
potential development of substitute products, 4) bargaining power of suppliers, and 5) bargaining
power of consumers.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.3: Explain Porter's Five Forces Model and its relevance in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

78) Bargaining power of consumers is usually the most powerful of Porter's five competitive
forces.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.3: Explain Porter's Five Forces Model and its relevance in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

79) Significant barriers to entry are not always sufficient to keep some new firms from entering
industries with higher-quality products, lower prices, and substantial marketing resources.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.3: Explain Porter's Five Forces Model and its relevance in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

80) Laser eye surgery would be considered a substitute product for eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.3: Explain Porter's Five Forces Model and its relevance in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

81) A forward integration strategy is used by firms to gain control or ownership of suppliers.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3
LO: 3.3: Explain Porter's Five Forces Model and its relevance in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

16
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82) According to Michael Porter, what are the forces that together define the nature of
competitiveness in a given industry. Discuss the one force that is usually the most powerful.
Answer: According to Porter, the nature of competitiveness in a given industry can be viewed as
a composite of five forces: 1) Rivalry among competing firms, 2) Potential entry of new
competitors, 3) Potential development of substitute products, 4) Bargaining power of suppliers,
and 5) Bargaining power of consumers. Rivalry among competing firms is usually the most
powerful of the five competitive forces. The strategies pursued by one firm can be successful
only to the extent that they provide competitive advantage over the strategies pursued by rival
firms. Changes in strategy by one firm may be met with retaliatory countermoves, such as
lowering prices, enhancing quality, adding features, providing services, extending warranties,
and increasing advertising. The intensity of rivalry among competing firms tends to increase as
the number of competitors increases, as competitors become more equal in size and capability, as
demand for the industry's products declines, and as price cutting becomes common. Rivalry also
increases when consumers can switch brands easily; when barriers to leaving the market are
high; when fixed costs are high; when the product is perishable; when consumer demand is
growing slowly or declines such that rivals have excess capacity or inventory; when the products
being sold are commodities (not easily differentiated, such as gasoline); when rival firms are
diverse in strategies, origins, and culture; and when mergers and acquisitions are common in the
industry. As rivalry among competing firms intensifies, industry profits decline, in some cases to
the point where an industry becomes inherently unattractive.
Diff: 3
LO: 3.3: Explain Porter's Five Forces Model and its relevance in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

83) According to Michael Porter, the nature of competitiveness in a given industry can be viewed
as a composite of five forces. Name these forces.
Answer: 1) Rivalry among competing firms, 2) Potential entry of new competitors, 3) Potential
development of substitute products, 4) Bargaining power of suppliers, and 5) Bargaining power
of consumers.
Diff: 2
LO: 3.3: Explain Porter's Five Forces Model and its relevance in formulating strategies.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

84) ________ is NOT a basic mission of a competitive intelligence program.


A) Providing a general understanding of an industry
B) Providing a general understanding of a company's competitors
C) Identifying industry executives who could be hired by the firm
D) Identifying areas in which competitors are vulnerable and assessing the impact strategic
actions would have on competitors
E) Identifying potential moves a competitor might make that would endanger a firm's position in
the market
Answer: C
Diff: 3
LO: 3.4: Describe key sources of information for identifying opportunities and threats.
AACSB: Application of knowledge

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85) The investor relations pages of a company website ________ information about a firm.
A) is a good place to start to find
B) is not a reliable source of
C) is only acceptable as a last resort for
D) should not be used as the first place to look for
E) is a waste of time when searching for
Answer: A
Diff: 2
LO: 3.4: Describe key sources of information for identifying opportunities and threats.
AACSB: Information technology

86) Unpublished sources of external strategic information include all of the following EXCEPT
A) abstracts.
B) customer surveys.
C) market research.
D) speeches at professional and shareholders' meetings.
E) conversations with stakeholders.
Answer: A
Diff: 3
LO: 3.4: Describe key sources of information for identifying opportunities and threats.
AACSB: Written and oral communication

87) Which of the following is NOT a published source of external strategic information?
A) Periodicals
B) Customer surveys
C) Journals
D) Reports
E) Directories
Answer: B
Diff: 2
LO: 3.4: Describe key sources of information for identifying opportunities and threats.
AACSB: Written and oral communication

88) Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage does not provide online access to
A) Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys.
B) Mergent's (formerly Moody's/FISOnline) Manuals.
C) stock reports.
D) The Outlook.
E) mutual fund reports.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
LO: 3.4: Describe key sources of information for identifying opportunities and threats.
AACSB: Written and oral communication

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89) What are educated assumptions about future trends and events called?
A) Wild guesses
B) Forecasts
C) Facts
D) Statistics
E) Premonitions
Answer: B
Diff: 1
LO: 3.5: Discuss forecasting tools and techniques.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

90) Without assumptions, planning would be


A) impossible.
B) easier.
C) difficult.
D) inexpensive.
E) intuitive.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
LO: 3.5: Discuss forecasting tools and techniques.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

91) Forecasts are educated assumptions about future trends and events.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
LO: 3.5: Discuss forecasting tools and techniques.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

92) Assumptions have no place in planning.


Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3
LO: 3.5: Discuss forecasting tools and techniques.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

93) Without reasonable assumptions, the strategy-formulation process could not proceed
effectively.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 3
LO: 3.5: Discuss forecasting tools and techniques.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

94) While forecasts might not be perfect, they are never wildly inaccurate.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.5: Discuss forecasting tools and techniques.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

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95) Organizations never develop their own projections.


Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.5: Discuss forecasting tools and techniques.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

96) Wild guesses should never be made in formulating strategies.


Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.5: Discuss forecasting tools and techniques.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

97) Discuss the following statement: "Planning would be impossible without assumptions."
Answer: By identifying future occurrences that could have a major effect on the firm and by
making reasonable assumptions about those factors, strategists can carry the strategic-
management process forward. Assumptions are needed only for future trends and events that are
most likely to have a significant effect on the company's business. Assumptions can serve as
checkpoints on the validity of strategies. If future occurrences deviate significantly from
assumptions, strategists know that corrective actions may be needed. Without reasonable
assumptions, the strategy-formulation process could not proceed effectively. Firms that have the
best information generally make the most accurate assumptions, which can lead to major
competitive advantages.
Diff: 2
LO: 3.5: Discuss forecasting tools and techniques.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

98) A total weighted score of ________ in an External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix indicates
that an organization is responding in an outstanding way to existing opportunities and threats in
its industry.
A) 1.0
B) 4.0
C) 5.0
D) 10.0
E) 100.0
Answer: B
Diff: 2
LO: 3.6: Explain how to develop and use an External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

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99) What is the first step in designing an External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix?
A) Identifying key external factors
B) Summing the weighted score for each competitor
C) Calculating the sales of each competitor
D) Drawing the horizontal and vertical lines for the matrix
E) Determining four competitors
Answer: A
Diff: 2
LO: 3.6: Explain how to develop and use an External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

100) What is the range for a firm's total weighted score in an External Factor Evaluation Matrix?
A) 0 to 4
B) 0 to 5
C) 1 to 4
D) 1 to 5
E) 0 to 10
Answer: C
Diff: 2
LO: 3.6: Explain how to develop and use an External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

101) When using External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix, what is done after multiplying each
factor's weight by its rating to determine a weighted score?
A) Identifying key external factors
B) Summing the weighted score for each competitor
C) Summing the weighted scores for each variable to determine the total weighted score for the
organization
D) Drawing the horizontal and vertical lines for the matrix
E) Determining the preferred strategic factors
Answer: C
Diff: 3
LO: 3.6: Explain how to develop and use an External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

102) A total weighted score of 1.0 for an EFE Matrix indicates that the firm is responding in an
outstanding way to existing opportunities and threats in its industry.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.6: Explain how to develop and use an External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

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103) In an EFE Matrix, opportunities often receive higher weights than threats, but threats too
can receive high weights if they are especially severe or threatening.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.6: Explain how to develop and use an External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

104) Regardless of the number of key opportunities and threats included in an External Factor
Evaluation Matrix, the highest possible total weighted score for an organization is 4.0, and the
lowest possible total weighted score is 0.0.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.6: Explain how to develop and use an External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

105) What are the five steps needed to develop an EFE Matrix?
Answer: The EFE Matrix can be developed in five steps: 1) list key external factors as identified
in the external-audit process with a total of 20 factors, including both opportunities and threats
that affect the firm and its industry; 2) assign to each factor a weight that ranges from 0.0 (not
important) to 1.0 (very important) - the sum of all weights assigned to the factors must equal 1.0;
3) assign a 1 to 4 rating to each key external factor to indicate how effectively the firm's current
strategies respond to the factor, where 4 = the response is superior, 3 = the response is above
average, 2 = the response is average, and 1 = the response is poor; 4) multiply each factor's
weight by its rating to determine a weighted score; and 5) sum the weighted scores for each
variable to determine the total weighted score for the organization.
Diff: 3
LO: 3.6: Explain how to develop and use an External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix.
AACSB: Analytical thinking

106) The process of performing an external audit needs to include


A) only top level managers, as it is a planning function.
B) as many managers and employees as possible.
C) primarily front-line supervisors.
D) between 15 to 20 managers for it to be valid.
E) stockholders and external government agencies.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
LO: 3.7: Explain how to develop and use a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM).
AACSB: Analytical thinking

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107) One difference between a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM) and an External Factor
Evaluation (EFE) is that
A) CPM includes both internal and external issues.
B) the weights and total weighted scores have different meanings.
C) CPM ratings range from 1 to 10.
D) CPM is performed only for the company, whereas EFE is performed for both the company
and its competitors.
E) CPM is only used in small firms.
Answer: A
Diff: 3
LO: 3.7: Explain how to develop and use a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM).
AACSB: Analytical thinking

108) The weights and total weighted scores in a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM) have the
same meaning as the weights and total weighted scores in a(n)
A) Comprehensive Profile Analysis (CPA).
B) Dynamic Trends Analytical Framework.
C) Porter's Five Forces Model.
D) External Factor Evaluation (EFE).
E) Evaluative Forces Matrix (EFM).
Answer: D
Diff: 3
LO: 3.7: Explain how to develop and use a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM).
AACSB: Analytical thinking

109) The critical success factors in a Competitive Profile Matrix and EFE Matrix include
A) internal, but not external issues.
B) external, but not internal issues.
C) both internal and external issues.
D) neither internal or external issues.
E) only non-quantifiable data.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
LO: 3.7: Explain how to develop and use a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM).
AACSB: Analytical thinking

110) What is the range for a firm's total weighted score in a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM)?
A) 0 to 4
B) 0 to 5
C) 1 to 4
D) 1 to 5
E) 0 to 10
Answer: C
Diff: 3
LO: 3.7: Explain how to develop and use a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM).
AACSB: Analytical thinking

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111) As many managers and employees as possible should be involved in the process of
performing an external audit.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
LO: 3.7: Explain how to develop and use a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM).
AACSB: Analytical thinking

112) The weights and total weighted scores in both a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM) and an
External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix have the same meaning.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.7: Explain how to develop and use a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM).
AACSB: Analytical thinking

113) The critical success factors in a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM) and an External Factor
Evaluation (EFE) Matrix include both internal and external issues.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
LO: 3.7: Explain how to develop and use a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM).
AACSB: Analytical thinking

114) Discuss the process of performing an external audit.


Answer: To perform an external audit, a company first must gather competitive intelligence and
information about economic, social, cultural, demographic, environmental, political,
governmental, legal, and technological trends. Once information is gathered, it should be
assimilated and evaluated. A meeting or series of meetings of managers is needed to collectively
identify the most important opportunities and threats facing the firm. A prioritized list of these
factors must be obtained. All managers could individually rank the factors identified, from 1 (for
the most important opportunity/threat) to 20 (for the least important opportunity/threat) or
managers could simply place a checkmark by their most important "top 10 factors." Then, by
summing the rankings, or the number of checkmarks, a prioritized list of factors is revealed.
Diff: 2
LO: 3.7: Explain how to develop and use a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM).
AACSB: Analytical thinking

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115) Describe the Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM) noting similarities to, and differences from,
the External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix.
Answer: The Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM) identifies a firm's major competitors and its
particular strengths and weaknesses in relation to a sample firm's strategic position. The weights
and total weighted scores in both a CPM and an EFE have the same meaning. However, critical
success factors in a CPM include both internal and external issues; therefore, the ratings refer to
strengths and weaknesses, where 4 = major strength, 3 = minor strength, 2 = minor weakness,
and 1 = major weakness. The critical success factors in a CPM are not grouped into opportunities
and threats as they are in an EFE. In a CPM, the ratings and total weighted scores for rival firms
can be compared to the sample firm.
Diff: 3
LO: 3.7: Explain how to develop and use a Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM).
AACSB: Analytical thinking

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