Managerial Economics & Business Strategy 8th Edition by Michael Baye,Jeff Prince

Exercise 18

Automated Data Processing (ADP) provides computer software and services to a host of companies, including automobile dealerships. ADP charges dealerships a monthly lease for hardware, software, and support services, but does not charge for training the dealerships' employees. Dealerships need only pay for their employees' time and travel to ADP headquarters, where they attend "Software U" at no additional charge. Discuss the specialized investments (if any) made by an automobile dealership, its employees, and ADP-and identify two potential vulnerabilities that a dealership faces under this arrangement.