Q24~Q25: GWD32-Q13-Q14

Manufacturing
site location is an important consideration in determining the optimal
deployment of a firm’s production resources, but one that is usually
given only limited attention. Decisions about location are often based
purely on quantitative analyses that trade off transportation costs,
economies of scale, and other cost-based variables. This practice,
however, can lead to suboptimal results, as decision-makers tend to
focus only on easily quantifiable factors. A further disadvantage of
strictly cost-based methods is that they tend to focus on cost
advantage factors, which are often transitory
        Government
regulations, tax systems, and exchange rates can quickly change.
Strategies based on such parameters may eventually be rendered obsolete
by the very factors that first created an advantage.

        In
contrast, qualitative issues, which are frequently neglected in
choosing manufacturing site locations, are often central to creating
and supporting a competitive advantage. For example, the level of skill
possessed by the local workforce varies with location; consequently,
location can affect the ability of firms to implement skill-based
process technologies. When
formulating a site location strategy, companies should therefore
emphasize qualitative factors to ensure that the chosen strategy
supports the company’s overall business strategy. Only after
establishing a set of desirable location options should companies
refine choices using cost-based factors.

Q14. According to the passage,
            analysis of quantitative factors is best used for which of the following?

A.      Determining strategies for offsetting qualitative disadvantages in manufacturing site locations

B.       Evaluating manufacturing site-location parameters affecting long-term competitive advantage

C.      Choosing manufacturing site locations that have access to optimal workforce populations

D.      Narrowing manufacturing site-location options arrived it through qualitative analysis

E.       Making decisions about business considerations other than location of manufacturing sites

ANS:C

我开始选的是D。 定位至文章最后两句， quantitative (cost-based factors) should be used to
refine choices after establishing a set of desirable location options
by using qualitative factors.

但在看了答案和一些讨论之后觉得CD都有点道理，请大家帮忙分析一下。先谢过了！

选D啊!!!