Suppose that Kohler is deciding whether to create a line of self-insta

QUESTION

Suppose that Kohler is deciding whether to create a line of self-installed kitchen and bathroom fixtures.

In what way would Kohler’s definition of its mission lead it to make a different decision than it would make if it had no defined mission and merely attempted to follow widely accepted business practices?
A) Kohler would focus on the customers’ underlying needs instead of their demand for existing Kohler products.
B) Kohler would pursue opportunities that are very different from the areas in which it has competed successfully.
C) Kohler would alter its conception of “gracious living” to include activities such as installing kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
D) Kohler would not produce the new line of fixtures if it determined that doing so would not fit with its definition of “gracious living.”
E) Kohler would create the new line of fixtures if the expected profits were higher than products that could more reasonably fit under its definition of “gracious living.”

ANSWER

Answer: D
Explanation: D) Having a brand identity has advantages, but keeping that identity sometimes requires an organization to pass up opportunities that conflict with the brand’s image. In this case, Kohler’s mission would lead it to avoid the line of fixtures if, as in Choice D, that line did not fit with the mission. Choice A is good advice for any company but does not speak to Kohler’s mission. Choices B, C, and E go against the passage. Having a mission determines what the organization does, not the other way around.