Gateway is a computer company/ Operation Management
1.) Ikea is an innovative furniture company that is using its web site to refine its strategy. It has always relied on information technology to keep costs low by tracking sales at individual stores and using the information to control inventory and reduce shipping costs between the factory, distribution centers, and its massive retail stores. Go to the Ikea web site (www.ikea.com). What else does the web site tell you about Ikea’s strategy? Will the web site help Ikea offer superior value? Explain your answer.
2.) Gateway is a computer company that uses direct distribution to its customers in the U.S. Go to the Gateway web site (www.gateway.com) and think about how it is organized. Given that Gateway doesn’t use different channels of distribution to reach different types of customers, how does it segment the market?
3.) CIA’s World Factbook
Visit the web site for the CIA’s World Factbook (www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook) and compare the profile data for Canada and Australia. How are they similar and how are they different?
