The smartphone market has been dominated by Apple, but recently the Droid has been able to leverage Google's information services into market gains, while Blackberry, known for its secure business-oriented network, has attempted to become more attractive with a "friendlier" interface. At the same time, a number of less capable fringe firms are emerging. Suppose an economist analyzes this industry as follows: ECONOMIST: Each firm brings its own distinct capabilities to its product design, with each product design appealing to a different segment of the market. Apple is known for the aesthetics of its products; Google is known for its ability to manage information effectively; and Blackberry is known for its more secure data network. Each of these distinct capabilities is likely to be sustainable for some time and will be a source of competitive advantage for each. Fringe firms, on the other hand, do not appear to be able to replicate these capabilities; thus, they are more homogeneous and more likely to compete on price. True or False: This analysis is consistent with the industrial organization.

Who is better at multi-tasking? in business, employees are often asked to perform a complex task when their atten-tion is divided (i.e., multi-tasking). human factors (may 2014) published a study designed to determine whether video game players are better than non–video game play-ers at multi-tasking. each in a sample of 60 college stu-dents was classified as a video game player or a non-player. participants entered a street crossing simulator and were asked to cross a busy street at an unsigned intersec-tion. the simulator was designed to have cars traveling at various high rates of speed in both directions. during the crossing, the students also performed a memory task as a distraction. two variables were measured for each student: (1) a street crossing performance score (measured out of 100 points) and (2) a memory task score (measured out of 20 points). the researchers found no differences in either the street crossing performance or memory task score of video game players and non-gamers. “these results,” say the researchers, “suggest that action video game players [and non-gamers] are equally susceptible to the costs of dividing attention in a complex task”

If a team of three workers, each making the u.s. federal minimum wage, produced these 12 rugs, what would the total labor cost be? don't forget that these workers would be working overtime.

Select the correct answer. ramon applied to the state university in the city where he lives, but he was denied admission. what should he do now? a.change his mind about graduating and drop out of high school so he can start working right away. b. decide not to go to college, because he didn’t have a backup plan. c.stay positive and write a mean letter to let the college know that they made a bad decision. d. learn from this opportunity, reevaluate his options, and apply to his second and third choices.