Name ____________________
MBA 500
Fall, 2022
Course Exam
November 16 – November 19, 2022
1. ______ (25 points)
2. ______ (25 points)
3. ______ (25 points)
4. ______ (25 points)
5. ______ (25 points)
6. ______ (25 points)
7. ______ (25 points)
8. ______ (25 points)
Total ______ (200 points)
1. I will only grade what is submitted on the page with the question, so you are limited to slightly
less than one full page for the answers to all parts of the question
3. Answers can be provided in bullet point form.
4. State your answers clearly and with supporting comments; do not take a position, make a
statement or generalization without supporting comments that clearly support your position.
5. Answers should be typed, using an Arial or Times Roman size 12 font. Answers should be
double spaced with one each margins on all sides.
I have neither received nor provided help on this exam or used answers that I found on the
internet or from other sources.
Name ___________________________________ Date ___________________
1. (25 points)
From the Chapter 1 opening vignette titled “Inside the Zoom Boom”, answer the following three
critical thinking questions:
1. How did the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to Zoom’s success?
2. What value and benefits does Zoom offer? What, if any, are the disadvantages?
3. What are the advantages of a freemium pricing model? Disadvantages?
2. (25 points)
From the Chapter 3 Technology and the Economy vignette titled “Data Privacy Concerns Take
the World by Storm”, answer the following three critical thinking questions:
1. What type of international barriers are companies like Facebook and Google facing in the
realm of user privacy?
2. Describe the global implications of the GDPR law.
3. How might tougher regulations make it harder for users in Europe to utilize online
services?
3. (25 points)
From the Chapter 6 Responding Business Challenges vignette titled “Potbelly Sandwiched in a
Crowded Market”, answer the following three critical thinking questions:
1. Describe how Potbelly, under Johnson’s leadership, is engaging in the four management
functions.
2. Do you think Johnson’s plans are more operational, tactical, strategic, or a combination?
Explain your reasoning.
3. As Johnson works to increase sales and revamp the company, do you think an autocratic,
democratic, or free-rein leadership style would be most effective? Explain your reasoning.
4. (25 points)
From the Chapter 8 Responding to Business Challenges vignette titled “Target Aims for
Bullseye with Supply Chain Improvements”, answer the following three critical thinking
questions:
1. Describe the many ways Target is trying to improve its supply chain in order to compete.
2. Why might changes to its inventory management improve Target’s distribution?
3. What are some of the risks of adopting a just-in-time approach? What are some ways that
blockchain increases transparency in the supply chain?
5. (25 points)
From the Chapter 11 Responding to Business Challenges vignette titled “Kraft Heinz Plays
Ketchup”, answer the following three critical thinking questions:
1. How are evolving consumer perceptions changing Heinz mayonnaise products?
2. Describe how Heinz used consumer interaction as a form of marketing research.
What type of data did it collect, primary or secondary?
3. What type of segmentation variables is Heinz using for its Mayochup advertising?
6. (25 points)
From the Chapter 14 Technology and the Economy vignette titled “Artificial Intelligence
Transforms Accounting Intelligence”, answer the following three critical thinking questions:
1. Describe some of the advantages of AI to the accounting industry.
2. GL.ai, the AI system adopted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, helps identify anomalies in its
clients’ general ledger systems. Why do you think this is important?
3. If AI can take over basic accounting tasks such as data entry, do you think this will
improve the services accountants offer to their customers? Why or why not?
7. (25 points)
From the Chapter 15 Technology and the Economy vignette titled “Digging into the Digital
Wallet”, answer the following three critical thinking questions:
1. Do you think digital wallets will revolutionize electronic banking and in-store
transactions?
2. How do you think digital wallets will affect traditional banks?
3. What are some of the risks of digital wallets? What can be done to mitigate these
risks?
8. (25 points)
For many months your prospective customer interested in a timekeeping/payroll system has been
analyzing your new software product that meets the requirements for a timekeeping/payroll
system. They have analyzed the assumptions and design of the $1,000,000 software product you
are selling. So far, you have knocked yourself out to try to make this sale. If the sale goes
through, your company will realize an unexpected revenue gain that had not been anticipated.
This will help it meet its income target for the year. As it is now the last quarter of the year and
the company does not see other opportunities that will enable it to reach the income target. Also,
this will enable you to reach your yearly sales quota which will result in a nice bonus. On the
other hand, loss of this sale may mean you start looking for other employment.
The finance, accounting, human resource and IT put together by the client have reviewed the
specifications and finally recommended purchase of the software. However, as you looked over
their shoulders and helped them through the evaluation process, you began to realize that their
legacy information systems that would need to be integrated with the new system were not a
good fit for the software and will require additional customization. At the very least, the
customizing will add $250,000 to the redesign, implementation and training cost. The team is
not aware of the issue, and you know that the necessary $250,000 is not in the budget.
What do you do? Why?
