Organizations differ considerably in the way they utilize management theory, as they confront contemporary management challenges. Two firms that present widely differing viewpoints are Accenture, [http://www.accenture.com] a management consulting firm, and Wal-Mart [http://www.walmart.com/], the giant retailer.

View the Accenture Web site, especially the information contained in the pages under the heading "About Accenture." Then view the Wal-Mart site, especially the "About Wal-Mart" section, and answer these questions:

1. Based on the information at the Web sites, which perspective on management seems most representative of each organization?
   
   
2. To which contemporary challenges is each organization responding, based on the information you can locate at its Web site?
   
   

Internet Exercise
The closing case in Chapter 2 discusses changes made at Yellow Freight [www.yellowcorp.com/] as the firm works to maintain its strong position in the U.S. transportation industry. Visit the firm's Web site and the Web site of Yellow Transportation, Yellow's largest division, and then answer the following questions:

1. What are the major challenges facing Yellow Freight?
   
   
2. What seems to be Yellow Freight's corporate perspective? How is it using management theory to address its challenges?
   
   
3. Do you think Yellow Freight is likely to be successful in meeting its challenges, given its corporate perspective? Why or why not?

Explore Further
Examine the Web site of FedEx Custom Critical [http://customcritical.fedex.com/], a subsidiary of Federal Express, which specializes in freight trucking. Compare Custom Critical's products, operations, and challenges with those of Yellow Freight. How is each firm unique in its response to the challenges of the transportation industry?