Deck 12: Manage Marketing Channels, Logistics, and Supply Chain

Question 1

Physical distribution, or logistics, is the integrated process of moving input materials to the producer, in-process inventory through the firm, and finished goods out of the firm through the channel of distribution.

Answer 1

TRUE

Question 2

The value chain portrays a mixture of primary and support activities utilized by an organization to design, produce, market, deliver, and support its products.

Answer 2

TRUE

Question 3

Receiving and properly processing customer orders takes place before the product moves into the supply chain.

Answer 3

FALSE

Question 4

Facilitating functions performed by intermediaries include a variety of activities, including financing and market research.

Question 5

The lead player in an administered VMS is called the channel captain. 

Question 6

With a push strategy, much of the intensive promotional activities take place from the manufacturer downward through the channel of distribution.

Question 7

Customers, both end users and those within a channel, are often considered by organizations as unimportant members of the value network.

Question 8

Unresolved channel conflict will never result in an uncooperative and inefficient channel; however, it may impact end-user consumers through inferior products, spotty inventory, and higher prices.

Question 9

Cutting out intermediaries will always guarantee that consumers will save money.

Question 10

A vertical marketing system is comprised of independent entities.

Question 11

Logistics is a function of channel intermediaries.

Question 12

Many firms are using outsourcing or third-party logistics to better focus on their core business.

Question 13

In an ideal supply chain, materials of all kinds are handled as many times as possible.

Question 14

The degree of push versus pull used is fundamental in framing the channel structure and relationships that are likely to optimize a product's success.

Question 15

Disintermediation is common in the machining channel.

Question 16

The performance of transaction and communication functions is a category of intermediary contribution within a channel.

Question 17

A wide variety of types of intermediaries exist, and they usually fall within two principal categories: merchant intermediaries and agent intermediaries.

Question 18

When marketing planning, a good channel decision can be one of the most important within the entire planning process and can lead to market advantage over competitors.

Question 19

Expert power is when channel members adopt an approach of utilizing their unique competencies to influence others in the channel.

Question 20

A channel is a system of interdependent relationships among a set of organizations that facilitates the exchange process.

Question 21

Keisha is in charge of overseeing the flow of activities among several entities for Walmart. Her main objective is to coordinate these value-adding activities in a way that maximizes value and profit. She is in charge of ________.

A) physical distribution
B) assortment creation
C) supply chain management
D) partner relationship management
E) transaction reduction

Question 22

Jenn, a production manager at a company, has decided to take a value network approach to create a competitive advantage over the company's competitors. In the context of network organizations, this approach will make the company's operations more ________.

A) rigid
B) costly
C) consistent
D) static
E) nimble

Question 23

A(n) ________ represents all organizations involved in providing a firm, the members of its channels of distribution, and its end-user consumers and business users.

A) value chain
B) supply chain
C) virtual channel
D) direct channel
E) indirect channel

Question 24

A value network perspective is a macro-level strategic approach that is being adopted by many firms in part because of the intense competition to cut ________ and maximize ________ every step of the way to market.

A) costs; process efficiencies
B) rewards; stock inventory
C) employee benefits; cost control
D) time inefficiencies; profits
E) labor hours; performance incentives

Question 25

A producer can always grant an intermediary an exclusive territory for sales purposes.

Question 26

A(n) ________ contains one or more intermediary levels.

A) channel community
B) network organization
C) virtual organization
D) direct channel
E) indirect channel

Question 27

________ intermediaries perform a variety of physical distribution, transaction and communication, and facilitating functions that make exchange possible. They do not take title to the product.

A) Wholesalers
B) Retailer
C) Agent
D) Distributor
E) Supplier

Question 28

A virtual organization is otherwise known as a ________ organization.

A) flat
B) boundaryless
C) bureaucratic
D) tall
E) network

Question 29

________ enhance utilities by providing a wide array of specific functions including physical distribution functions, transaction and communication functions, and facilitating functions.

A) Direct channels
B) Value networks
C) Indirect channels
D) Pull strategies
E) Channel intermediaries

Question 30

A channel of distribution consists of interdependent entities that ________.

A) transfer possession of a product from producer to consumer
B) fix the price of a product to create monopoly
C) experience inefficiencies in business processes
D) develop new products
E) include members of the same market segment

Question 31

E-commerce is not generally a central part of most firms' marketing strategies.

Question 32

Which of the following has no intermediaries and operates strictly from producer to end-user consumer or business user?

A) exclusive distribution
B) physical distribution
C) virtual network
D) direct channel
E) indirect channel

Question 33

Exclusive dealing may be legal if the parties show exclusivity is essential for strategic reasons, such as to maintain product image.

Question 34

Although the Internet has reshaped the way businesses and consumers interact, it has not been successful in B2B customer interfaces.

Question 35

A ________ eliminates many in-house business functions and activities in favor of focusing only on those aspects for which it is best equipped to add value.

A) value network
B) mechanistic distribution system
C) virtual organization
D) physical distribution system
E) tall organization

Question 36

Electronic retailing is the communication and sale of products or services to consumers over the Internet.

Question 37

In the context of the distribution channel, which of the following takes title to a product?

A) product promoters
B) merchant intermediaries
C) agent intermediaries
D) brokers
E) commission dealers

Question 38

In evaluating a website, one of the key measures is its "stickiness," which refers to the amount of time visitors remain and explore a site.

Question 39

A(n) ________ is thought of as an overarching system of formal and informal relationships within which the firm participates to procure, transform and enhance, and ultimately supply its offerings in final form within a market space.

A) value network
B) virtual organization
C) business conglomerate
D) organic organization
E) tall organization

Question 40

Channel members add their value by bridging gaps in form, time, place, and ownership that naturally exist between ________.

A) consumers and transporters
B) facilitating agents and transporters
C) producers and consumers
D) producers and retailers
E) distributors and agents

Question 41

________ means the shortening or collapsing of marketing channels due to the elimination of one or more intermediaries, which is common in the electronic channel.

A) Creating assortments
B) Reducing transactions
C) Channel integration
D) Outsourcing
E) Disintermediation

Question 42

Big Market purchases different fruits from local farmers and then sells them to local restaurants and retailers. If the fruits rot before Big Market sells them, the store takes the loss. As an intermediary, Big Market is performing the function of ________.

A) financing
B) market research
C) channeling
D) risk-taking
E) sorting

Question 43

Intermediaries engage in ________ when they accumulate products from several sources and then make those products available down the channel as a convenience for consumers.

A) creating assortments
B) reducing transactions
C) transportation and storage functions
D) facilitating functions
E) disintermediation

Question 44

A ________ is the highest-potential start-up and growth mechanism for small-business owners, and it is an effective way to expand a distribution channel quickly and efficiently.

A) franchise operation
B) retailer cooperative
C) wholesaler cooperative
D) channel captain
E) partner relationship management (PRM) strategy

Question 45

Core Inc., a dealer of electronic items, enjoys economies of scale due to its large buying and selling operations and controls many aspects of the channel's operations. As a consequence of this, the company enjoys tremendous power in the market. In the context of administered vertical marketing systems, Core Inc. is a(n) ________.

A) franchise organization
B) retailer cooperative
C) channel captain
D) wholesaler cooperative
E) agent intermediary

Question 46

A(n) ________ vertical marketing system creates a powerful competitive advantage in the marketplace due to cost and process efficiencies realized when a channel is strictly controlled by one entity.

A) distributive
B) disintermediated
C) corporate
D) contractual
E) administered

Question 47

Local Farmers of Tampa Bay sell their produce in the market every day. They band together to gain cost and operating economies of scale in the market for selling their produce. This is an example of a ________.

A) retailer cooperative
B) disintermediation
C) pull strategy
D) vertical integration
E) customer community

Question 48

Financing, market research, risk-taking, and other services are considered to be ________ functions.

A) physical distribution
B) transaction and communication
C) transportation and storage
D) facilitating
E) e-commerce

Question 49

An example of a contractual vertical marketing system is ________.

A) e-tailing
B) stocking
C) wholesaling
D) franchising
E) retailing

Question 50

Good Egg Co. buys eggs from local farmers, sorts them into different grades, and then packages them to sell to larger grocers. Good Egg Co. is performing the distribution function of ________.

A) physical distribution
B) product processing
C) determining variety
D) breaking bulk
E) accumulating bulk

Question 51

It is possible that a(n) ________ vertical marketing system can be more formally structured through strategic alliances and partnership agreements among channel members that agree to work in mutual cooperation. An example of this is the relationship between Walmart and Procter & Gamble.

A) distributive
B) private
C) corporate
D) contractual
E) administered

Question 52

In an administered vertical marketing system, the sheer size and power of one of the intermediaries places it in a position of control. The lead player in such situations may be referred to as the ________.

A) virtual organization
B) retailer cooperative
C) wholesaler cooperative
D) channel captain
E) network organization

Question 53

________ is one of the most commonly provided channel intermediary activities.

A) Showrooming
B) Franchising
C) Storage
D) Outsourcing
E) Disintermediation

Question 54

Nadia works for a major soda distributor. The company decides to buy a transportation company to move its product from its own manufacturing facility to the consumer. This is an example of a(n) ________ vertical marketing system.

A) private
B) intermediated
C) corporate
D) contractual
E) administered

Question 55

A vertical ________ system consists of vertically aligned networks behaving and performing as a unified system.

A) insourcing
B) marketing
C) assortment
D) allowance
E) inventory

Question 56

Introducing an intermediary into a channel may contribute to ________ that are necessary to complete an exchange.

A) creating assortments
B) reducing transactions
C) transportation and storage functions
D) facilitating functions
E) disintermediations

Question 57

An intermediary works with large consumer product manufacturers as well as small local retailers. The company buys large quantities of products from the manufacturers and sells them in smaller quantities to retailers to better match quantities needed for space constraints and inventory turnover requirements. The intermediary is performing the distribution function of ________.

A) disintermediation
B) assortment creation
C) reverse logistics
D) breaking bulk
E) accumulating bulk

Question 58

The goal of ________ is to share resources, especially knowledge-based resources, to effect optimally profitable relationships between two channel members.

A) pull strategies
B) push strategies
C) materials requirement planning (MRP)
D) enterprise resource planning (ERP)
E) partner relationship management (PRM) strategies

Question 59

________ refers to companies handing over most or all of their supply chain activities to third-party organizations that are experts in those areas.

A) Creating assortments
B) Outsourcing
C) Channel integration
D) Disintermediation
E) Breaking bulk

Question 60

In a(n) ________ vertical marketing system, a channel member invests in backward or forward vertical integration by buying a controlling interest in other intermediaries.

A) private
B) distributive
C) corporate
D) contractual
E) administered

Question 61

________ occurs when channel members experience disagreements and their relationship becomes strained.

A) Disintermediation
B) Channel conflict
C) Stock-out
D) Vertical integration
E) Outsourcing

Question 62

Unresolved channel conflict can result not only in an uncooperative and inefficient channel, but it can also ultimately impact end-user consumers through ________.

A) intensive distribution
B) selective distribution
C) increased supply
D) increased demand
E) higher prices

Question 63

In a(n) ________ vertical marketing system, one channel member may be placed in a position of channel control.

A) referent
B) organic
C) corporate
D) contractual
E) administered

Question 64

________ power involves an explicit or implicit threat that a channel captain will invoke negative consequences on a channel member if it does not comply with the leader's request or expectations.

A) Coercive
B) Reward
C) Expert
D) Referent
E) Legitimate

Question 65

When the objective is to obtain maximum product exposure throughout the channel, a(n) ________ strategy is designed to saturate every possible intermediary.

A) selective distribution
B) intensive distribution
C) exclusive distribution
D) partnership relationship management
E) materials requirement planning

Question 66

Consumers engage in limited search for items like midrange fashion apparel, home furnishings, and appliances. These are examples of ________ goods, which are candidates for selection distribution.

A) technology
B) durable
C) convenience
D) impulse
E) shopping

Question 67

When a channel member is respected, admired, or revered based on one or more attributes, that member enjoys ________ power within the channel.

A) coercive
B) reward
C) expert
D) referent
E) legitimate

Question 68

________ is the degree to which any member of a marketing channel can exercise influence over the other members of the channel.

A) Channel power
B) Distribution intensity
C) Disintermediation
D) Assortment
E) Exclusive power

Question 69

________ power can take the form of sharing important product knowledge.

A) Coercive
B) Reward
C) Expert
D) Referent
E) Legitimate

Question 70

________ strategies can be intensive, selective, or exclusive.

A) Assortment
B) Disintermediation
C) Virtual
D) Referent
E) Distribution

Question 71

Intensive distribution is typically associated with low-cost ________.

A) industrial goods
B) heavy equipment
C) convenience goods
D) machine tools
E) manufacturing tools

Question 72

________ implies that many of the promotional activities take place from the manufacturer downward through the channel of distribution.

A) A selective distribution
B) An exclusive distribution
C) A push strategy
D) A pull strategy
E) An intensive distribution

Question 73

In deciding on the right balance between control and flexibility in a channel, marketing managers must consider ________.

A) utilizing software applications
B) the type of channel power to be used
C) the right pull strategy
D) employing enterprise resource planning systems
E) the type of products involved

Question 74

________ distribution is often part of an overall positioning strategy built on prestige, scarcity, and premium pricing.

A) Selective
B) Exclusive
C) Widespread
D) Convenience
E) Intensive

Question 75

An example of a push strategy is ________.

A) organizing couponing campaigns
B) utilizing newspaper advertising
C) using television advertising
D) employing direct marketing
E) paying a shelf fee

Question 76

Grape Inc. sells high-end wines to liquor, wine, and spirits wholesalers who have built relationships among select restaurants and hotels. Grape Inc. employs a(n) ________ strategy.

A) selective distribution
B) exclusive distribution
C) push
D) pull
E) intensive distribution

Question 77

________ power is NOT a source of channel power.

A) Reward
B) Referent
C) Legitimate
D) Consumer
E) Expert

Question 78

________ goods are appropriate for intensive distribution, as their sales rely on the consumer seeing the product, feeling an immediate want, and being able to purchase now.

A) High-technology
B) Durable
C) Convenience
D) Impulse
E) Shopping

Question 79

The motivating force for suppliers to work with large chain stores is that the stores can offer huge ________ power in the form of writing big orders.

A) coercive
B) reward
C) expert
D) referent
E) legitimate

Question 80

________ power results from contracts such as franchise agreements or other formal agreements.

A) Coercive
B) Reward
C) Expert
D) Referent
E) Legitimate