Reference no: EM132881138

i) Suppose, Apex Company and Bata Company sells the same shoe at the same price. But Bata gains competitive advantage over Apex Company. Explain the cost leadership strategy which is used by Bata Company.

ii) A large kitchen cabinet and appliance distributor expects an increase in annual sales during the next 10years from Tk. 1, 50,000 to Tk. 2,250,000. The company notes that the local environment is changing. The HR planner for the kitchen distributor wants to forecast the requirements for installers for the next 10year period. The CEO wants to use their own installers in the future rather than relying on more expensive outside subcontractors. Mr. Rafiq, the HR planner, decides to forecast HR demand by determining the relationship between the sales of the distributor and the number of installers required. He contacts several distributors of various sizes and obtain the following information-

Sales in million No. of installers

1.0 4

1.5 7

2.0 9

2.5 15

3.0 17

Under the above situation, which statistical approach would be appropriate to identify the HR demand of that company? Explain. Can you relate this method of manpower planning with competitive advantage?