This assignment focuses on an Oregon-based company that concentrates on the design, development, and worldwide marketing of high-quality footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessory products. The company sells its products to approximately 19,700 retail accounts in the United States, and it also sells its products through a mix of independent distributors, licenses, and subsidiaries in approximately 110 countries around the world.

Virtually all of the company’s products are manufactured by independent contractors. Most footwear products are produced outside of the United States, and apparel products are produced both in the United States and abroad.

A company’s value chain includes:

A. Research and development
B. Product and service process design
C. Production
D. Marketing
E. Distribution 
F. Customer service

1. How would you describe each of the above function in terms of adding value to company’s goods and services? How would you use some of these functions to add value to your company?
2. Conduct a preliminary search and Identify 1 decision that the company managers make in each of the 6 value chain functions.
3. Based on your understanding of each function, which function of the value of chain do you think is most important? Please discuss your reasons
4. For each decision, please identify 1 piece of accounting information that would aid the manager’s decision.
5. Accounting information includes both financial and nonfinancial information used by decision makers. Please conduct a preliminary search and illustrate five questions that can be answered by the accounting information. For example, “How many shoe styles should the company produce for next year?” or “Where are the sales trends declining?”

In your own words, post a substantive response to the Discussion Board question(s) and comment on other postings. Your response should address the DB question(s) and move the conversation forward. You will be graded on the quality of your postings, including mastery of the concept as well as critical thinking. If asked for your opinion, do not simply state that it is a good or bad idea; elaborate on your reasons and argument. Include enough detail to substantiate your thinking as well as your position on the questions or comments.