Refer to the HR Reports in the Inquirer. Through past investments in recruiting and training Baldwin has obtained a productivity index of 109.4%. This means that Baldwin's labor costs would be increased by 9.4% if it did not have these productivity improvements. This is a competitive advantage that Baldwin can sustain or even widen further if its competitors have no HR initiatives. Now, refer to the Income Statement in Baldwin's Annual Report. How much did Baldwin's productivity improvements save it in direct labor costs (in thousands) last year?

Coca-cola was primarily known for its core competencies in marketing, bottling, and distributing aerated drinks. however, with the success of gatorade, coca-cola developed competencies in the development and marketing of its own sports drink, powerade. which of the following is true of coca-cola? a. it is leveraging existing core competencies to improve current market position. b. it is building new core competencies to protect and extend its current market position. c. it is redeploying and recombining existing core competencies to compete in markets of the future. d. it is targeting the chasm between the early adopter and early majority market segment.