Sony to cut plants and 8,000 jobs

Read these BBC articles on Sony, and answer the questions as you go

29/07/08 Sony sees sharp fall in profits
Q1a) Why were profits on Sony Play station lower than expected?
Q1b) Why were profits on Sony Ericsson mobile phones lower than expected?

Q1c) The article mentions several factors that may have caused Sonys profits to be less than expected. What were those factors? Do you believe these factors were the only cause of Sony’s lower profit figures?

03/12/08 Sony president maps out the future
Q2a) In which markets has Sony lost its market leadership ?
Q2b) Why does the article suggest that Sony is losing its reputation for quality.

09/12/08 Sony to cut plants and 8,000 jobs
Q3a) What actions have Sony announced in this article?
Q3b) Where do you think that Sony will cut jobs – in Japan or in its overseas offices?