Category: Essays

This week’s readings have dealt with the important issues of ethics, diversity, and social responsibility. Many people consider these issues to be inter-related or overlapping aspects of doing business in the 21st century. An organization’s diverse stakeholders can, and generally do, have diverse opinions and varied expectations concerning what constitutes ethical behavior and socially responsible management.

Consider the examples of Walgreens and Habitat International in Chapter 3 of your course text.

Submit by Day 7 a 300- to 700- word paper which answers all of the following questions:

What impact, if any, has the practice of hiring and training employees with disabilities had on operations and management decision making?
What motivated the managers of these two companies to begin this hiring practice?
Which of following is more compatible with the policy of hiring employees with disabilities: 1) a short-term focus on profit, or 2) a long-term focus on profit?
Should these companies rethink this hiring policy? Why or why not?
Has the hiring practice positively impacted the shareholders of these companies and society in general? Please support your opinion.

Application Assignments must be in APA style and format.

Resources:

Jones, G. R., & George, J. M. (2014). Essentials of contemporary management (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Chapter 3, “Managing Ethics and Diversity” (pp. 78–117)

This chapter addresses concepts of ethics and beliefs about right and wrong. The concept of stakeholders and their importance and effects on organizations and decision makers are also discussed. The authors examine the reality, value, effects, and challenges of increasing diversity in the workforce and the general environment, as well as the reality of workplace harassment and how it is dealt from a practical and ethical viewpoint.

Focus on the definitions and concepts provided throughout this chapter. After reading this chapter, ask yourself if you have a clear understanding of your own ethics. Do you operate according to your own clear understanding of right and wrong? Are there behaviors that you consider virtuous or wrong? What do you really think of the course text authors’ advocacy of utilitarian ethics? Do your ethics manifest in the way that you interrelate with others and make decisions in the workplace? Do you really value a diversity of opinions and perspectives? What, if anything, do race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or age have to do with having access to or ensuring a diversity of opinions and perspectives? How would you, as a manager, deal with an incident of workplace harassment based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or age?
Chapter 4, “Managing in the Global Environment” (pp. 118–153)

This chapter addresses the global environment of business. The subject is divided into two parts: (1) the big picture or general environment that all industries or businesses operate within, and (2) the more specific task environment of suppliers, distributors, customers, and competitors that influence managerial decision on a daily basis. The authors also examine the global forces and factors that contribute to rapid change in those environments, as well as how a change or trend in one of those factors can affect a specific business, region or entire national economy. The emphasis of this chapter is on smart adaptation to changing conditions by knowledgeable, sophisticated and flexible managers.

Focus on the definitions and concepts provided throughout this chapter. After reading this chapter, ask yourself, which products or service that you use originate in some form from an overseas location? In what way does the company that you work for benefit and/or is damaged by products or services from an overseas location? Which businesses in your community, state or region benefit from the ability to sell to overseas markets? Which business do you know are not taking advantage of overseas markets or resources to stabilize or grow? What do you, as an actual or potential manager, need to do to better prepare yourself to be successful in the changing global business environment

Unit 7 Discussion Parts 1 and 2

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Topic #1: Segment Reporting

Just as a house has rooms, a company has departments. These can be internal or external. These departments may be significant enough to have individual investor impact. If this is the case, they must be reported.

Now address the following questions regarding segment reporting:

Under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, what is the definition of a business segment?
When must business segments be submitted?
How must business segments be submitted?
Provide an example of a firm that commonly reports its business segments.

I am also sending the second discussion to save money on fees.

Topic #2: Interim Reporting

Although the common period in business is a year, sometimes business relationships require a period of less than a year. This calls for special accounting treatment.

Respond to the following questions regarding interim reporting:

Under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, what is the definition of an interim report?
When must interim reports be reported?
How must interim reports be reported?
Provide an example of an interim financial statement

Competitiveness and Inventory Management

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To be competitive, many fast-food chains expanded their menus to include a wider range of foods. Although contributing to competitiveness, this has added to the complexity of operations, including inventory management. In what ways did the expansion of menu offerings create a problem for inventory management? One form of inventory is safety stock, which is primarily carried by companies to ensure a variety of products is available at all times. However, safety stock ties up capital and hinders cash flow.

Using the University online library resources and the Internet, research safety stock.

Then respond to the following:

As a manager, what recommendations could you provide to reduce inventories as it relates to safety stock?
What parameters would lead you to believe that (a) large safety stock, (b) small safety stock, and (c) zero safety stock would be advantageous for the organization? Be sure to provide examples and data in support.

After your initial post, discuss the following:

What are some of the ways in which a company can reduce the need for inventories?
How has technology aided inventory management?
How have technological improvements in products such as automobiles and computers impacted inventory decisions?

Write your initial response in 200 to 300 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources

However skillful we are with framing, at times we are apt to go “off message.” That is, under stress and in times of crisis, we may fail to communicate our best thoughts, self-image or regard for others. Leaders are especially vulnerable to go “off message” when meeting the press. Reporters are seeking a story of dramatic interest for the public. If a leader is not properly prepared for such moments, the leader’s failure may become “the story.” Press encounters require delicate framing and human sensitivity. As such, they provide excellent opportunities to learn about the art of framing in highly pressurized situations.

To begin your case study, select a televised press conference that involves a business, charity or political leader. The kind of conference to select is illustrated by Fairhurst’s (pp. 2-14) discussion of Robert E. Murray’s response to a Utah mine crisis. Consider as well her discussion of Hillary Clinton’s Pakistan encounter (pp. 127-131). View the selected conference and, where possible, obtain a transcript. Write a 5-7 page evaluation on how well the leader communicated his or her message, image and relationship to an audience.

Use these questions to guide your analysis:

How well does the leader enact, or fail to enact, Fairhurst’s “Rules of Reality Construction?”
In your view, does the leader marshal the best “Cultural Discourses” for his or her cause?
Does the leader seem well “primed” for the occasion?
How well does the leader use language forms discussed by Fairhurst (p.93)?
One cannot stay on message, if one lacks a message. Does the leader give evidence of having a vision and mission? Does he or she repeat the “master frame” sufficiently?
Does the leader effectively maintain emotional regulation?
Does the leader create audience rapport?

Requirements:

In a two to three paragraph introduction, provide the context for the press conference including:

Sponsoring organization
Speaker with a brief introduction if possible
Intended audience
Purpose and intent of message
A link to press conference video and possible transcript should be included in the appendix.

In 4 to 6 pages, analysis the communication strategies based on synthesis of the course readings and other resources or references. Use the guiding questions as possible approaches to the analysis.

Discuss how well the leader communicated the message
Discuss how well the leader constructed an image
Discuss how well the leader created and relationship to an audience.

In a 2 to 3 paragraph conclusion, reflect on what you have taken away from this analysis to apply in your communication strategies during a critical incident. The case study should include the following:

APA Formatting including heading and subheadings.
Graduate level writing free from grammar and mechanical errors.
Citations from readings or other relevant resources to support information presented.
The document should make best use of the technology

The 1960s civil rights movement in America was significant and eventful. The era was marked by protests against the Vietnam War and the passing of the most comprehensive civil rights laws. The 1960s were the age of youth as 70 million children from the postwar baby boom became teenagers and young adults.

Research the civil rights movement using your textbook and the Argosy University online library resources. Respond to the following:

The civil rights movement in the 1960s was volatile but fell apart in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Do you think the movement was a success? Why or why not?
Will there ever be another social movement in America of the same magnitude and impact as the civil rights movement of the 1960s? If no, why not? If yes, what societal dynamics would have to be in place for such a movement to occur?

Write your response to each question in 150–200 words.

responses should explain and discuss the following:

The volatile nature of the civil rights movement of the 1960s

Why did the civil rights movement fall apart in the late 1960s and early 1970s?
Was the movement a success? Why or why not?
Prospects of a future social movement with the same impact as the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
Would this social movement have the same impact and magnitude of the civil rights movement? Why or why not?
If yes, what societal dynamics would have to be in place for such a movement to occur?

By Thursday, January 28, 2016, post your response to the appropriate Discussion Area.

Consult Debrief ( 4 pages double spaced)

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New Roman font, one-inch margins, and APA-style citations. The debrief itself (not including the title page and resources) should be 4 pages in length.

Overview

The final project for this course is the creation of a company consult debrief that analyzes an existing web application with regard to its human-computer interaction (HCI) and recommends solutions for improving the application to meet the needs of the intended audience. This assessment will give you a chance to demonstrate your skills in employing user-centered methodologies in the analysis of an existing web application, and you will make recommendations for improving the application to meet the end users needs.

Outcomes

In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:

· Assess the potential of user interfaces for meeting their intended audiences needs

· Determine the extent to which IT applications demonstrate compliance with accessibility guidelines in recommending improvements that align with standards-based policies

Evaluate user interfaces using heuristic evaluation techniques for their compliance with human-computer interaction best practices

Propose user-centered solutions that apply human-computer interaction best practices in meeting the intended audiences needs

Prompt

PayPal. PayPal offers a secure electronic shopping cart that gets your electronic storefront up and running within minutes. This is a free application, but it requires registration.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

1. Overview. Identify the application you chose, its intended audience, and the reasons you chose it.

2. Analysis. Assess the existing application with regard to human-computer interaction (HCI), being sure to employ appropriate HCI terminology.

a. Visual/Graphic Design. Describe the applications overall aesthetic quality, layout of information, and clarity of visual elements (e.g., icons) with regard to how they are presented to the audience. You may also wish to provide details about whether these elements are aligned with industry best practices.

b. Ease of Use. Describe the navigability of the application and its ability to move users through tasks in a logical and flexible manner with respect to HCI best practices. Justify your position with specific examples.

c. Functionality. Assess the functionality of the application with respect to HCI best practices. For example, how long does it take for each page to load? Do the applications required user actions correspond to their goals? How accessible is the information the user is trying to obtain? (That is, must the user go to multiple systems for information?) Justify your position with specific examples.

d. Environmental Factors. What potential factors in the intended audiences environment would impact the use of the application? For example, if the site requires sound to relay critical information and the audience is in a library, how would that impact the user experience?

e. Cognitive Load. Discuss how the application accounts for human limitations in cognitive capabilities (e.g., how user friendly the application is for users with various levels of technical knowledge), as well as sensory capabilities (e.g., how well the application is designed to avoid eye strain), with respect to HCI best practices. Justify your position with examples.

f. Human Factors. Describe the impact of human factors €such as culture, gender, or socioeconomic status €on the intended audiences use of the application.

g. Accessibility. Discuss whether the application demonstrates compliance with accessibility guidelines. Justify your position with specific examples. For example, you might use the following Section 508 standards to identify potential gaps in the current application: â ‚¬Å“Software Applications and Operating Systems,Web-Based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications, and Functional Performance Criteria.

3. Recommendations. Recommend changes to improve the human-computer interaction, and describe the methodologies that back up your recommendations.

a. Changes. Given the analysis you have conducted, describe specific changes you would recommend for improving the applicationâ ‚¬ „¢s human-computer interaction with respect to its intended audience, and describe how you would implement those improvements.

b. Accessibility. Given the analysis you conducted above, describe specific changes you would recommend for bringing the application intofull compliance with accessibility guidelines, and describe how you would implement those improvements.

c. Methodologies. Describe the user-centered methodologies that support your recommendations, and describe how they support your recommendations. For example, what human factors should be taken into account in improving the effectiveness of the user interface for a broader audience?

d. Users Environment. What recommendations would you make in aligning the application to the needs of the users environment? Why? For example, if critical instructions are in the audio and the environment is not conducive to hearing them, how would recommend that information be conveyed?

Final Submission: Company Consult Debrief

In task 7-2, you will submit your company consult debrief. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course.

Discrimination in all its guises undermines employee loyalty, lowers or destroys morale, and diminishes productivity and quality of work. For both ethical and business reasons, it is incumbent upon you as a manager to prevent and remedy discrimination in the workplace.

In this assignment, you will develop a persuasive slide presentation to educate fellow managers on the need for cultural competency in an organization. (This can be one for which you currently work, have worked for in the past, or another company with 15 or more employees that you research.)

Instructions: Address the following in your presentation:

1. Appraise the level of racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity in the organization, particularly in relation to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and identify what forms of discrimination it expressly prohibits.

2. Describe a federal court case in which the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued a for-profit corporation for violating one of the forms of discrimination covered under Title VII and that could also happen to your organization. Show why your organization could be culpable of legal violations with regard to discrimination.

3. Analyze a competitor to your organization with regard to its success in managing and promoting a diverse workforce according to Title VII. Compare and contrast the two organizations on policies that (a) ignore or mishandle discrimination, and (b) prevent and remedy discrimination.

4. Make suggestions for how your organization should move forward in educating employees

about diversity and inclusion and for implementing new policies.

Presentation Requirements:

Your presentation will be 10 slides APA Format

In a separate one-page paper, be sure to include citations for all facts presented. Be sure to include the URL of your presentation when using internet-based tools. Paste the URL into a Word document and upload it with your presentation.

The U.S. has increased the number of laws that protect workers (e.g., Civil Rights Act, Equal Pay Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act). Does this legislation replace the need for labor unions? Why or why not?

Part 2

Select 3 labor laws from the following list:
Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890
Railway Labor Act of 1926
Norris-LaGuardia Act of 1932
Wagner Act of 1935 (also called The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA))
Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 (also called the Labor-Management Relations Act)
Landrum-Griffin Act of 1959 (also called the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA))
Answer the following questions about the 3 labor laws that you selected:
What was the purpose of the law; that is, why was it created? Describe the highlights of the law’s provisions.
Did the law promote or suppress the union and how?
How did this law protect consumers?

-go to the Federal Reserve web site http://federalreserve.gov go to ‘’economic research and data’’ and access ‘’recent statistical releases’’ and the ‘’consumer credit. ’Find average interest rates charged by commercial banks on new automobile loans, personal loans, and credit card plans.

· Compare the average level of interest rates among the three types of loans.

· Access ‘’historical data’’ and then ‘’consumer credit’’ and compare trends in the cost of consumer credit provided by commercial banks over the past three years.

P2- find the future value of $10,000 invested now after five years if the annual interest rate is 7 percent.

· What would be the future value if the interest rate is a simple interest rate?

· What would be the future value if the interest rate is a compound interest rate?

P3- determine the future values if $5,000 is invested in each of the following situation:

A-5% for 10 years

B-7% for 7 years

C-9% for 4 years

P4- you are planning to invest $2,500 today for three years at a nominal interest rate of 9 % with annual compounding.

a- What would be the future value of your investment?

b- Now assume that inflation is expected to be 3 percent per year over the same three year period. What would be the investment’s future value in terms of purchasing power?

c- What would be the investment’s future value in terms of purchasing power if inflation occurs at a 9 percent annual rate?

P5-find the present value of $7,000 to be received one year from now assuming a 3% annual discount interest rate. Also calculate the present value if the $7000 is received after two years.

P6- determine the present values if $5,000 is received in the future (i.e. at the end of each indicated time period) in each of the following situation:

a-5 % for ten years

b- 7% for seven years

c-9 % for 4 year

P7 determine the present value if $15000 is to be received at the end of 8 years and the discount rate is 9%. How would your answer change if you had to wait six years to receive the $15,000?

P16 use a financial calculator or computer software program to answer the following question:

a- What would be the future value of $15,555 invested now if the earns interest at 14.5%for seven years

b- What would be the future value of $19,378 invested now if the money remains deposited for eight years and the annual interest rate is 18 percent?

P17use a financial calculator or computer software program to answer the following question:

a- What is the present value of$359,000 that is to be received at the end of 23 years if the discount rate is 11%?

b- How would your answer change in (a) if the $359,000 is to be received at the end of 23 years?

P19 use a financial calculator or computer software program to answer the following question:

a- What would be the future value of $19,378 invested now if the money remains deposited for 8 years, the annual interest rate is 18 %, and interest on the investment is compounded semiannually?

b- How would you answer for (a) change if quarterly compounding were used?