Which of the following is most accurate regarding starbucks’ ability to maintain a sustainable competitive advantage in the coffee-beverage industry? (pick correct answer)

a. competitors would find it relatively easy to imitate starbucks’ strategy and take substantial market share from it.
b. starbucks’ strategy is virtually impossible to imitate and it’s highly unlikely that any competitors could grab market share away from it.
c. starbucks must lower its prices dramatically if it is to effectively compete against lower-priced rivals in the long term.
d. starbucks’ customer value proposition and profit formula do not allow it to maintain a sustainable competitive advantage.
e. starbucks can maintain a sustainable competitive advantage to the extent that it can continue offering a differentiated product and customer experience that customers are willing to pay for.

Eliminating entries (including goodwill impairment) and worksheets for various years on january 1, 2013, porter company purchased an 80% interest in the capital stock of salem company for$850,000. at that time, salem company had capital stock of $550,000 and retained earnings of $80,000.differences between the fair value and the book value of the identifiable assets of salem company were asfollows: fair value in excess of book valueequipment$130,000land65,000inventory40,000the book values of all other assets and liabilities of salem company were equal to their fair values onjanuary 1, 2013. the equipment had a remaining life of five years on january 1, 2013. the inventory was sold in2013.salem company’s net income and dividends declared in 2013 and 2014 were as follows: year 2013 net income of $100,000; dividends declared of $25,000year 2014 net income of $110,000; dividends declared of $35,000required: a.prepare a computation and allocation schedule for the difference between book value of equity acquired andthe value implied by the purchase price.b.present the eliminating/adjusting entries needed on the consolidated worksheet for the year endeddecember 31, 2013. (it is not necessary to prepare the worksheet.)lo6lo1

Which of the following is an effective strategy when interest rates are falling? a. use long-term loans to take advantage of current low rates. b. use short-term loans to take advantage of lower rates when you refinance a loan. c. deposit to a short-term savings instrumentals to take advantage of higher interest rates when they mature. d.select short-term savings instruments to lock in earnings at a current high rates.

In north korea, a farmer’s income is the same as a dentist’s income. in a country with a mixed or market economy, the difference between those two professions might be more than 5 times different. how can you explain the fact that individuals doing the same work in different countries do not earn comparable salaries?