Scenario: Audio Component Outsourcing
Echo Corporation manufactures high-quality audio components, such as speakers,
amplifiers, and receivers, for home entertainment systems. Echo has been losing market
share in recent years due to the competitive pricing of other audio component
manufacturers that engage in outsourcing. Echo managers are attempting to convince
Nathan Douglas, the firm’s founder and CEO, that outsourcing would enable the firm to
be more competitive without sacrificing quality.
Which of the following most likely supports the argument of Echo managers to
outsource some of the firm’s manufacturing activities?
A) Echo managers could reduce the wages of U.S. based employees and
sub-contractors.
B) Echo could save money by reducing the costs incurred in manufacturing the
component parts.
C) Echo managers could implement a marketing campaign for foreign markets that is
identical to the outsourced firm’s marketing campaign.
D) Echo could merge with one of its U.S.-based competitors to gain a larger market
share.
Which of the following steps of the market screening process involves an evaluation of
the government bureaucracy?
A) identification of basic appeal of a market
B) assessment of the national business environment