1.

With choices, future companies will have to be very flexible in

order to quickly adapt to the changing environments if they are
to survive.
2. A. the characteristics of US corporations in the past was run by
a handful of big companies who planned the economy in the
name of stability, they introduced “new and improved” varieties
with predictable regularity; they provided their workers with
lifetime employement and they enjoyed fairly good industrial
relations with the giant trade unions
B. The changes that have occurred to US corporations is mostly
have shifted their production systems from high volume to
high-value, from standardised to customized. And they have
flattened their management hierarchies.
C. Shifting from high volume to high value means focusing on
booking higher-value guests.
D. There are three types of future companies. The first is that a
handful of giant companies are engaged in a “silent takeover”
of the world. The second is that big companies are a thing of
the past. The third is that companies are being replaced by
“networks”. Groups of entrepreneurs from such a network to
market an idea.
E. Because there are many choices around, for future
companies to quickly adapt to the changing environments.
F. He believes the key for company to survive is to be very
flexible in order to quickly adapt to changing environments.
3. Freelance
Entrepreneur
Shareholders
Consumers
Shareholders
4. Bureaucracy = b. Inflexible system of administration
Flattened hierarchy = h. when two companies become one
Standardised products = a. goods of the same quality and
design
Lifetime employment = f. Permanent jobs
Merger = d. more middle than senior managers
Customised = g. made for particular user
Tangible assets = e. building and machinery a company owns
Lease = c. rent a building on a temporary basis