1. A company that specializes in making computer accessories has its managers concentrate on improving the quality of one of their products. The new product is more advanced than those of their competitors, and customers are willing to pay more for the higher quality. By _______, this company outperformed its competitors by producing a product more efficiently and effectively than their competitors.

building a competitive advantage

utilizing management stratification

employing empowerment

creating core competency

restructuring

2. Which is an example related to a part of a decision that is not within the decision maker's control?

whether to hire more staff or not

whether to invest in equipment or not

whether or not new technology is developed

adding service hours, minus resource cost, within reasonable estimates of potential volume increases