Managers need to understand what the general indicators are saying about the _______ economy and about the ________ relationship between the key variables governing our mixed economic system

By creating its own direct sales force, a company can

a. reduce materials handling and shipping costs. b. eliminate middle management. c. circumvent the need for distributors or dealers. d. outsource certain value chain activities.

If legally allowed, during periods of rising inventory values, a retailer using the FIFO (first-in-first-out) method could reduce its tax liability by _____

a. using the cost method of retail accounting b. maintaining a book inventory c. calculating deductions from retail value d. switching to LIFO