During the past recession, cali-bration company created a organization, when it restructured and eliminated several middle management positions and broadened the span of control for the remaining managers. as it emerged from the recession, cali-bration realized that technology permitted the remaining employees to be just as responsive to customer needs as the firm was prior to restructuring.

Leading guitar string producer wound up inc. has enjoyed a competitive advantage based on its proprietary coating that gives its strings a clearer sound and longer lifespan than uncoated strings. one of wound up's competitors, however, has recently developed a similar coating using less expensive ingredients, which allows it to charge a lower price than wound up for similar-quality strings. wound up's competitive advantage is in danger due to a. a lack of perceived value b. a lack of organization c. direct imitation and substitution d. resource immobility