Barnes and Noble, Inc. is the world’s largest bookseller. You may have visited one of the company’s retail stores. In addition to the Barnes and Noble retail stores, the company also operates four...

Barnes and Noble, Inc. is the world’s largest bookseller. You may have visited one of the company’s retail stores. In addition to the Barnes and Noble retail stores, the company also operates four subsidiaries: Barnes & Noble.com, Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC, NOOK Media, LLC, and Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. According to the company’s 2012 annual report, Barnes and Noble operates three business segments: Retail, NOOK, and College. How do you think its subsidiaries are viewed internally—as cost centers, profit centers, or investment centers? Why?