Answer the Following Questions Using the Information Below:
Following a Strategy

question 56

Multiple Choice

Answer the following questions using the information below:
Following a strategy of product differentiation, Arseniq Company makes a high-end Appliance, XT15. Arseniq presents the following data for the years 2014 and 2015:
$\begin{array}{lrr}&2014&2015\\\text { Units of XT15 produced and sold } & 50,000 & 52,500 \\\text { Selling price } & \$ 500 & \$ 550 \\\text { Direct materials (square feet) } & 150,000 & 153,750 \\\text { Direct materials costs per square foot } & \$ 50 & \$ 55 \\\text { Manufacturing capacity in units of XT15 } & 62,500 & 62,500\\\text { Total conversion costs } & \$ 6,250,000 & \$ 6,875,000 \\\text { Conversion costs per unit of capacity } & \$ 100 & \$ 110 \\\text { Selling and customer-service capacity (customers) } & 150 & 150 \\\text { Total selling and customer-service costs } & \$ 2,250,000 & \$ 2,343,750 \\\text { Selling and customer-service capacity cost per customer } & \$ 15,000 & \$ 15,625\end{array}$ Arseniq produces no defective units but it wants to reduce direct materials usage per unit of XT15. Manufacturing conversion costs in each year depend on production capacity defined in terms of XT15 units that can be produced. Selling and customer-service costs depend on the number of customers that the customer and service functions are designed to support. Arseniq had 140 customers in 2014 and 145 customers in 2015.
-What is the change in operating income from 2014 to 2015?

• A) $2,200,000 U
• B) $3,875,000 F
• C) $2,200,000 F
• D) $3,875,000 U

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Definitions:

Marketing

The activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.

Lifestyle

The interests, opinions, behaviors, and behavioral orientations of an individual, group, or culture.

Word-Of-Mouth Activity

Word-of-mouth activity refers to the process by which information, recommendations, or experiences are shared verbally from person to person.

Influencer Marketing

is a strategy where brands collaborate with individuals who have a large and engaged online following to promote products or services.