Solaris Autos Inc

question 91

Multiple Choice

Solaris Autos Inc., a large automobile company, made an initial small investment in a start-up company that was developing a solar-powered car. This gave Solaris Autos controlling interests in the start-up company. However, Solaris Autos had no obligations to make continued investments in the experiments of the start-up company. It could invest small amounts depending on the new product's success at each stage of its development. If the product proved to be successful, Solaris Autos would have the right to buy out the start-up company. This approach to strategic alliance is referred to as

• A) a break-even analysis.
• B) a real-options perspective.
• C) credible commitment.
• D) transaction cost economics.

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Definitions:

Diminishing Marginal Returns

An economic principle stating that as investment in a particular area increases, the rate of profit from that investment, after a certain point, cannot continue to increase if other variables remain at a constant.

Variable Factor

An input or resource whose quantity can be changed in the short run to adjust production levels.

Total Output

The total quantity of goods or services produced by an economy or firm in a given period.

Total Product Curve

A graph that illustrates the total quantity of output produced by a firm as a function of the total quantity of a single input used, holding all other inputs constant.