ABSTRACT
The twenty-first century has ushered in an era of business that is perhaps one of the most challenging in history. Markets for many products have weakened; major firms face some of their most critical financial crises; international competition for major product categories is at an all-time high; and financial markets are in an upheaval due to interest rate changes, uncertainty over future rates, and shifting government policies on tax decreases, increases, and deficit spending. These are only some of the most obvious environmental factors business managers must cope with.
