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The fact that superior service can generate a competitive advantage for a company does not mean that every attempt at improving service will create such an advantage. Investments in service, like those in production and distribution, must be balanced against other types of investments on the basis of direct, tangible benefits such as cost reduction and increased revenues. If a company is already effectively on a par with its competitors because it provides service that avoids a damaging reputation and keeps customers from leaving at an unacceptable rate, then investment in higher service levels may be wasted, since service is a deciding factor for customers only in extreme situations.
This truth was not apparent to managers of one regional bank, which failed to improve its competitive position despite its investment in reducing the time a customer had to wait for a teller. The bank managers did not recognize the level of customer inertia in the consumer banking industry that arises from the inconvenience of switching banks. Nor did they analyze their service improvement to determine whether it would attract new customers by producing a new standard of service that would excite customers or by proving difficult for competitors to copy. The only merit of the improvement was that it could easily be described to customers.
According to the passage, investments in service are comparable to investments in production and distribution in terms of the
  • a)
    Tangibility of the benefits that they tend to confer
  • b)
    Increased revenues that they ultimately produce
  • c)
    Basis on which they need to be weighed
  • d)
    Insufficient analysis that managers devote to them
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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The fact that superior service can generate a competitive advantage fo...
From the passage it can be inferred that investments in service are comparable to investments in production and distribution in terms of the basis on which they need to be 
weighed. 
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The fact that superior service can generate a competitive advantage fo...
Comparability of Investments in Service
- The passage highlights that investments in service, like those in production and distribution, must be balanced against other types of investments on the basis of direct, tangible benefits.
- This indicates that investments in service are comparable to investments in production and distribution in terms of the basis on which they need to be weighed.

Direct, Tangible Benefits
- Managers need to consider direct, tangible benefits such as cost reduction and increased revenues when deciding on investments in service.
- These benefits should be carefully analyzed and compared to ensure the most effective allocation of resources.

Competitive Advantage
- While superior service can generate a competitive advantage, not all attempts at improving service will lead to such an advantage.
- Investments in service should be evaluated based on their potential to differentiate the company from competitors and attract new customers.

Failure of the Regional Bank
- The example of the regional bank investing in reducing customer waiting times without considering the broader competitive landscape illustrates the importance of strategic analysis.
- Simply improving service for the sake of it may not necessarily lead to a competitive advantage if it does not address key customer needs or create a unique selling proposition.
In conclusion, investments in service should be carefully weighed against other types of investments and analyzed for their potential to create a competitive advantage. It is essential for managers to consider the direct, tangible benefits of service improvements and assess whether they will truly differentiate the company in the marketplace.
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PASSAGE IIIThe need for Competition Law becomes more evident when foreign direct investment (FDI) is liberalised. The impact of FDI is not always pro-competitive. Very often FDI takes the form of a foreign corporation acquiring a domestic enterprise or establishing a joint venture with one. By making such an acquisition the foreign investor may substantially lessen competition and gain a dominant position in the relevant market, thus charging higher prices. Another scenario is where the affiliates of two separate multinational companies (MNCs) have been established in competition with one another in a particular developing economy, following the liberisation of FDI. Subsequently, the parent companies overseas merge. With the affiliates no longer remaining independent, competition in the host country may be artificially inflated. Most of these adverse consequences of mergers and acquisitions by MNCs can be avoided if an effective competition law is in place. Also, an economy that has implemented an effective competition law is in a better position to attract FDI than one that has not. This is not just because most MNCs are expected to be accustomed to the operation of such a law in their home countries and know how to deal with such concerns but also that MNCs expect competition authorities to ensure a level playing field between domestic and foreign firms.Q. According to the passage, how does a foreign investor dominate the relevant domestic market?1. Multinational companies get accustomed to domestic laws.2. Foreign companies establish joint ventures with domestic companies.3. Affiliates in a particular market/sector lose their independence as their parent companies overseas merge.4. Foreign companies lower the cost of their products as compared to that of products of domestic companies. Which of the statements given above are correct?

PASSAGE IIIThe need for Competition Law becomes more evident when foreign direct investment (FDI) is liberalised. The impact of FDI is not always pro-competitive. Very often FDI takes the form of a foreign corporation acquiring a domestic enterprise or establishing a joint venture with one. By making such an acquisition the foreign investor may substantially lessen competition and gain a dominant position in the relevant market, thus charging higher prices. Another scenario is where the affiliates of two separate multinational companies (MNCs) have been established in competition with one another in a particular developing economy, following the liberisation of FDI. Subsequently, the parent companies overseas merge. With the affiliates no longer remaining independent, competition in the host country may be artificially inflated. Most of these adverse consequences of mergers and acquisitions by MNCs can be avoided if an effective competition law is in place. Also, an economy that has implemented an effective competition law is in a better position to attract FDI than one that has not. This is not just because most MNCs are expected to be accustomed to the operation of such a law in their home countries and know how to deal with such concerns but also that MNCs expect competition authorities to ensure a level playing field between domestic and foreign firms.Q. With reference to the passage, consider the following statements:1. It is desirable that the impact of Foreign Direct investment should be pro-competitive.2. The entry of foreign investors invariably leads to the inflated prices in domestic markets.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The fact that superior service can generate a competitive advantage for a company does not mean that every attempt at improving service will create such an advantage. Investments in service, like those in production and distribution, must be balanced against other types of investments on the basis of direct, tangible benefits such as cost reduction and increased revenues. If a company is already effectively on a par with its competitors because it provides service that avoids a damaging reputation and keeps customers from leaving at an unacceptable rate, then investment in higher service levels may be wasted, since service is a deciding factor for customers only in extreme situations.This truth was not apparent to managers of one regional bank, which failed to improve its competitive position despite its investment in reducing the time a customer had to wait for a teller. The bank managers did not recognize the level of customer inertia in the consumer banking industry that arises from the inconvenience of switching banks. Nor did they analyze their service improvement to determine whether it would attract new customers by producing a new standard of service that would excite customers or by proving difficult for competitors to copy. The only merit of the improvement was that it could easily be described to customers.According to the passage, investments in service are comparable to investments in production and distribution in terms of thea)Tangibility of the benefits that they tend to conferb)Increased revenues that they ultimately producec)Basis on which they need to be weighedd)Insufficient analysis that managers devote to themCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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The fact that superior service can generate a competitive advantage for a company does not mean that every attempt at improving service will create such an advantage. Investments in service, like those in production and distribution, must be balanced against other types of investments on the basis of direct, tangible benefits such as cost reduction and increased revenues. If a company is already effectively on a par with its competitors because it provides service that avoids a damaging reputation and keeps customers from leaving at an unacceptable rate, then investment in higher service levels may be wasted, since service is a deciding factor for customers only in extreme situations.This truth was not apparent to managers of one regional bank, which failed to improve its competitive position despite its investment in reducing the time a customer had to wait for a teller. The bank managers did not recognize the level of customer inertia in the consumer banking industry that arises from the inconvenience of switching banks. Nor did they analyze their service improvement to determine whether it would attract new customers by producing a new standard of service that would excite customers or by proving difficult for competitors to copy. The only merit of the improvement was that it could easily be described to customers.According to the passage, investments in service are comparable to investments in production and distribution in terms of thea)Tangibility of the benefits that they tend to conferb)Increased revenues that they ultimately producec)Basis on which they need to be weighedd)Insufficient analysis that managers devote to themCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about The fact that superior service can generate a competitive advantage for a company does not mean that every attempt at improving service will create such an advantage. Investments in service, like those in production and distribution, must be balanced against other types of investments on the basis of direct, tangible benefits such as cost reduction and increased revenues. If a company is already effectively on a par with its competitors because it provides service that avoids a damaging reputation and keeps customers from leaving at an unacceptable rate, then investment in higher service levels may be wasted, since service is a deciding factor for customers only in extreme situations.This truth was not apparent to managers of one regional bank, which failed to improve its competitive position despite its investment in reducing the time a customer had to wait for a teller. The bank managers did not recognize the level of customer inertia in the consumer banking industry that arises from the inconvenience of switching banks. Nor did they analyze their service improvement to determine whether it would attract new customers by producing a new standard of service that would excite customers or by proving difficult for competitors to copy. The only merit of the improvement was that it could easily be described to customers.According to the passage, investments in service are comparable to investments in production and distribution in terms of thea)Tangibility of the benefits that they tend to conferb)Increased revenues that they ultimately producec)Basis on which they need to be weighedd)Insufficient analysis that managers devote to themCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. 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The bank managers did not recognize the level of customer inertia in the consumer banking industry that arises from the inconvenience of switching banks. Nor did they analyze their service improvement to determine whether it would attract new customers by producing a new standard of service that would excite customers or by proving difficult for competitors to copy. The only merit of the improvement was that it could easily be described to customers.According to the passage, investments in service are comparable to investments in production and distribution in terms of thea)Tangibility of the benefits that they tend to conferb)Increased revenues that they ultimately producec)Basis on which they need to be weighedd)Insufficient analysis that managers devote to themCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
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The bank managers did not recognize the level of customer inertia in the consumer banking industry that arises from the inconvenience of switching banks. Nor did they analyze their service improvement to determine whether it would attract new customers by producing a new standard of service that would excite customers or by proving difficult for competitors to copy. The only merit of the improvement was that it could easily be described to customers.According to the passage, investments in service are comparable to investments in production and distribution in terms of thea)Tangibility of the benefits that they tend to conferb)Increased revenues that they ultimately producec)Basis on which they need to be weighedd)Insufficient analysis that managers devote to themCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. 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The bank managers did not recognize the level of customer inertia in the consumer banking industry that arises from the inconvenience of switching banks. Nor did they analyze their service improvement to determine whether it would attract new customers by producing a new standard of service that would excite customers or by proving difficult for competitors to copy. The only merit of the improvement was that it could easily be described to customers.According to the passage, investments in service are comparable to investments in production and distribution in terms of thea)Tangibility of the benefits that they tend to conferb)Increased revenues that they ultimately producec)Basis on which they need to be weighedd)Insufficient analysis that managers devote to themCorrect answer is option 'C'. 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The bank managers did not recognize the level of customer inertia in the consumer banking industry that arises from the inconvenience of switching banks. Nor did they analyze their service improvement to determine whether it would attract new customers by producing a new standard of service that would excite customers or by proving difficult for competitors to copy. The only merit of the improvement was that it could easily be described to customers.According to the passage, investments in service are comparable to investments in production and distribution in terms of thea)Tangibility of the benefits that they tend to conferb)Increased revenues that they ultimately producec)Basis on which they need to be weighedd)Insufficient analysis that managers devote to themCorrect answer is option 'C'. 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The bank managers did not recognize the level of customer inertia in the consumer banking industry that arises from the inconvenience of switching banks. Nor did they analyze their service improvement to determine whether it would attract new customers by producing a new standard of service that would excite customers or by proving difficult for competitors to copy. The only merit of the improvement was that it could easily be described to customers.According to the passage, investments in service are comparable to investments in production and distribution in terms of thea)Tangibility of the benefits that they tend to conferb)Increased revenues that they ultimately producec)Basis on which they need to be weighedd)Insufficient analysis that managers devote to themCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice The fact that superior service can generate a competitive advantage for a company does not mean that every attempt at improving service will create such an advantage. Investments in service, like those in production and distribution, must be balanced against other types of investments on the basis of direct, tangible benefits such as cost reduction and increased revenues. If a company is already effectively on a par with its competitors because it provides service that avoids a damaging reputation and keeps customers from leaving at an unacceptable rate, then investment in higher service levels may be wasted, since service is a deciding factor for customers only in extreme situations.This truth was not apparent to managers of one regional bank, which failed to improve its competitive position despite its investment in reducing the time a customer had to wait for a teller. The bank managers did not recognize the level of customer inertia in the consumer banking industry that arises from the inconvenience of switching banks. Nor did they analyze their service improvement to determine whether it would attract new customers by producing a new standard of service that would excite customers or by proving difficult for competitors to copy. The only merit of the improvement was that it could easily be described to customers.According to the passage, investments in service are comparable to investments in production and distribution in terms of thea)Tangibility of the benefits that they tend to conferb)Increased revenues that they ultimately producec)Basis on which they need to be weighedd)Insufficient analysis that managers devote to themCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
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