Case Study- I

Case studies are an important learning strategy in business classes. They give an opportunity to look at events that have happened in industry and business over a number of years and inspect situations that managers have had to deal with, such as changes in the competitiveenvironment. Classically, the case study then charts a manager's response, which can involve changing the business or corporate strategy.

You may be determining a case study in each unit of this course. The first case study you will look at is that of Cisco. Read the study several times-once to grasp the in general picture and then a few more times to understand the specific issues. Answer the two questions at the end of the study. Support your answers with a minimum of one additional source per question that is no more than five years old.

1. Starbucks has worked hard to act ethically and responsibly. Has it done a good job communicating its efforts to consumers? Do consumers believe Starbucks is a responsible company? Why or why not?
2. Where does a company like Starbucks draw the line on supporting socially responsible programs? For example, how much of its annual budget should go toward these programs? How much time should employees focus on them? Which programs should it support?

3. How do you measure the results of Starbucks's socially responsible programs?

Case Study- II

Read the Nordstrom case study. Answer to questions at the end of the study. Support your answers with a minimum of one source per question, no more than five years old. Your answer to each question should be approximately 400 words using APA format.

Questions
1. How else can Nordstrom continue to provide exceptional customer service and increase brand loyalty?
2. What are Nordstrom's greatest risks, and who are its biggest competitors?

Case Study-III

Read the case study (Disney), Support your answers with a minimum of one source per question, no more than five years old. Your answer to each question should be approximately 400 words using APA format.

Questions
1. How is building a brand in a business-to-business context different from doing so in the consumer market?
2. Is Cisco's plan to reach out to consumers a viable one? Why or why not?

Case Study- VII

Read the Gillette case study in Chapter 18 on page 532 of the textbook. Answer the three
questions at the end of the study (p. 533). Support your answers with a minimum of one source per question, no more than five years old. Your answer to each question should be approximately 400 words using APA format.

Case Study- VIII

Read the Starbuck's case study in Chapter 22 on pages 648-649 of the textbook. Answer the

Three questions at the end. Support your answerswith a minimum of one source per question, no more than five years old. Your answer to each question should be approximately 400 words using APA format.