Final answer:
Yes, it is possible that Borders' core competencies of store locations and a desirable physical environment for customers became core rigidities eventually leading to bankruptcy as a result of changing customer shopping patterns and the emergence of new technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, it is possible that Borders' core competencies of store locations and a desirable physical environment for customers became core rigidities eventually leading to the filing of bankruptcy as a result of a new technology emerging and changing customer shopping patterns (option C).
Borders was primarily a brick-and-mortar bookstore chain that relied heavily on its physical store locations to attract customers. However, with the rise of e-commerce and online book sales, customers started shifting towards online platforms like Amazon to purchase books.
This change in customer shopping patterns and the emergence of new technology disrupted Borders' traditional business model, rendering its core competencies outdated and eventually leading to its bankruptcy.