Abstract This paper describes a business research problem on a theoretical business, the methods for testing the hypothesis, the data collection method, sample size, assumptions, levels of measurement, and the descriptive statistics that will be needed. The study uses statistical data gathered from initiating research in a business, examining problems related to customer retention in a retail environment. The business is a large chain of bicycle shops in the Northwest United States.
The Business Research Problem
Methods for Testing a Hypothesis
Data Collection Method
Sample Size
Assumptions
Levels of Measurement
Descriptive Statistic Needed
From the Paper "The business research problem is how to retain first time customers and bring back former bicycle shop customers. The bicycle shop carries a database of 6,000 total customers. Of the 6,000 customers, 2,000 are current customers. The bicycle shop's new customers are approximately 23 per week. The percentage breakdown for all categories is 65% men, 35% women. A current customer is someone who has used a bicycle shop service in the past six to eight weeks. A former customer is someone who has not used any of the services offered in the past year. The hypothesis to be tested is as follows: New customers and former customers will be retained and visits increased by mailing customer service oriented surveys. Through mail-in surveys over a period of time, analysis will be able to prove if this is correct."
Abstract This paper examines the problems and their causes currently facing Faith Community Hospital. First, the paper suggests that the lack of clarity in the mission statement allows for it to be interpreted from many different perspectives, with such interpretations then influencing and determining the manner in which medical care and services are offered and received. The paper next suggests that there is also a lack of clarity amongst board members and staff regarding legal and policy mandates, which the hospital must adhere to in order to protect itself as well as its? patients. A third significant problem identified is that the hospital does not have an established specialization or identity. Finally, the paper looks at the problem of decreasing patients. Included in the discussion of each problem is a recommendation for resolving it.
From the Paper "There is lack of consensus and understanding amongst the Board of Directors, health and medical staff, and patients of the differences between values and ethics, and how each of these influences medical practices. The basis of this confusion and lack of clarity appears to be the result of the mission statement of Faith Community Hospital which emphasizes the role of spiritual values and beliefs in directing medical care. No one spiritual faith is adhered to or largely represented amongst board members, staff and patients. Thus, such diversity in spiritual and religious backgrounds leads to massive opportunities for the mission statement to be interpreted from many different perspectives, with such interpretations then influencing and determining the manner in which medical care and services are offered and received. Lack of clarity in the mission statement leads to lack of clarity in purpose and fails to provide a clear and concise foundation upon which the hospital builds its? identity and determines its? daily practices and operations. Currently, the mission statement is such that it allows for the board of directors, the staff and patients to use their own personal/professional identities as well as values, ethics and beliefs as the basis for decision-making."
Abstract This paper examines how the Ford Motor Company is, according to its financial statements for the last year, in relatively good financial shape, especially if one considers the current weak state of the economy, the past recessionary months, and the still extremely shaky state of the recovery. Using Michael Porter's five forces model, it analyzes the external environment in which Ford is presently situated and evaluates its assets and its weak points.
Outline
Strengths
Weaknesses
Threats
Opportunities
PESTEL Analysis: Political and Legal Environment
Economic Factors
Social-Cultural and Environmental Factors
Technological Elements
Ford's Current Strategy
Ford's Strategic Options
Recommendation
From the Paper "The social-cultural factors that affect Ford vary (by definition) from one country to the next. Certainly one of its weaknesses as a company is its very low profile in Asia, with the exception of its ownership of Mazda. However, this ownership has done less for its overall penetration into Asian markets than expected. It has also had unexpected problems integrating Mazda production and marketing into the established company and these problems have not yet been entirely worked out. One of its long-term weaknesses may well be its inability to become more of a presence in the Asian market. Porter's value-chain argument (1985, 1998), which is summarized below, suggests that one of the reasons for these particular problems faced by Ford is the lack of sufficient attention to marketing and sales in certain regions of the world."
Abstract This paper examines how global markets provide Americans and other citizens of the world with more opportunities for people to tap into more and larger markets around the world. It looks at how we now have greater access to more capital flows, technology, cheaper imports, and larger export markets. It also notes how new risks come with these new opportunities and how, as we move into a global era, we must reevaluate our security strategies.
From the Paper "As a result of the globalization boom of the 1990s, we now live in a world in which markets, media, law, corporations, labor, scientific research and advocacy groups are international, multinational, and multicultural. This has resulted in an enormous increase in multiculturalism around the world. Thus, globalization has encouraged differences in our daily lives. For example, nearly every city in the world now provides its residents with a variety of food choices, including Spanish, French, Italian, Thai, Middle Eastern, Indian, Mexican, Chinese and more."
Abstract This paper explains that the most important legislation in connection with employment discrimination is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which clearly states that employers cannot discriminate of sex, color, or race. The author points out that, as long as a person is able and willing to work, he or she cannot be discriminated against, provided their skills match the job for which they have applied. The paper reviews six rules, which should be part of every employment evaluation process: consistency, bias suppression, accuracy, correctability, representativeness, and ethicality.
Table of Contents
Definition: Employment Discrimination
Discrimination on the Basis of Sex
Discrimination on the Basis of Race
Age Discrimination
Discrimination on the Basis of Disability
Rules of Evaluation
From the Paper "Discrimination on the basis of race is a very old issue and concern. Organizations today try their best to minimize risks of discrimination, on the basis of racial background, but the problem still exists and it plagues our organizational culture in the United States. Racial discrimination is obvious and thus can be easily detected; almost 78 percent of working Americans believe that their employers discriminate on the basis of race. One of my very close friends became victim of reverse discrimination when she was denied a job she deserved on the basis of company's fixed quota for minorities. While Debra is extremely bright and quite a diligent worker, she was denied an entry level job at JC Penny and instead a black woman, slightly older than herself, got that job simply because the company had a policy of hiring as many black employees in a year as whites."
Abstract This paper examines the reasons for the Enron debacle, the ethical issues involved, and how Enron was able to hide its precarious financial position from the public until the very end. It discusses how the meteoric rise and fall of Enron Corporation is a classic example of how market euphoria in times of an extended bull-run, individual greed, conflict of interest, disregard for ethical business, and unrelenting focus on increasing share value can combine to spell disaster.
Outline
Enron's Birth: The Beginning of the End?
Enron's Risky Operations
Ethical Issues
Raptor Oddities
Conclusion
From the Paper "During the times when Enron was making huge profits due to highly volatile energy prices, and there was widespread perception about the unlimited potential of online trade and technology innovations such as the broadband, things looked very rosy for the company. In the late 1990s, however, other energy companies such as Dynergy, Duke Energy, and El Paso started to enter the field of energy trading and the competition started to eat into the huge profit margins of Enron. Other factors such as falling energy prices in early 2001, the approaching world-wide recession and the broadband bubble burst began to work against Enron's "dream" run. The company, in the meantime, had embarked on a culture of cutting trading deals that had a momentum of its own that was hard to stop."
Abstract CVS is a retail corporation that sells prescription drugs and general merchandise products. This paper presents an overview of the company, including its corporate structure and history. The paper then discusses CVS's strategic goals and objectives, including its impressive community involvement plan. Finally, the paper concludes with overall highlights of the company's operations before providing financial statements for both CVS and its prime competitor, Walgreen's.
From the Paper "CVS has also improved its company strength from all areas of the business. Most notable is the operating income increased from $700 million in 2001 to $1.2 billion in 2002, return on equity increased from nine percent in 2001 to 13 percent in 2002, and return on assets increased from five percent in 2001 to almost eight percent in 2002. This reflects the strong growth from the company, improving their inventory controls, expanding into new markets, opening new stores in existing market areas and marketing to the baby boomers, which is the largest user group in the U.S."
Abstract In this SWOT analysis, the writer delves into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that affect Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. It explains that Krispy Kreme is a highly successful company, whose main product, not surprisingly, is doughnuts. The company went public in 2000 and saw a hugely successful increase in share price immediately after.
From the Paper "Krispy Kreme's biggest strength is in its product. It is best known for its best known for its fresh glazed, yeast-raised doughnuts, made from a secret recipe. The doughnuts are highly popular throughout North America, and have a mass appeal that is based largely on word of mouth and superior product. Interestingly, Krispy Kreme's doughnuts are so popular that Krispy Kreme is able to generate a media frenzy without using major or national advertising. Certainly, this is a major advantage to the Krispy Kreme company, as it greatly reduces the cost of advertising to the company."
Abstract This paper discusses the future of management, explains the differences between leadership and management, and describes emerging trends in management. The paper also examines the author's perception on the four functions of management.
From the Paper ?Each of these functions is essential to management to ensure its success, and the success of the organization. Without these functions, managers can lose focus on areas of priority, causing a decline in productivity and profits. Although these functions are important, managers must conduct themselves as leaders, and not just manage the functions. The functions are a tool that will keep managers on track, but they must also remember to be innovative, and communicate effectively."
Abstract This paper uses Wal-Mart as an example of how to successfully implement a supply chain management process. The paper describes the steps necessary in order to have an efficient system of supply chain management and looks at how Wal-Mart has implemented these steps. According to this paper, Wal-Mart has one of the most efficient supply chain management systems in the history of retail, and it has used this system in a fair and ethical way.
From the Paper "Supply chain management is the process through which a group of companies work together to ensure efficient production, delivery and design of products. Companies rely on supply chain management to find the essential components necessary to make products and provide services and deliver those products and services to customers. Wal-Mart has implemented one of the most efficient supply chain systems in use by retailers today, though it still stands room for improvement. Their supply chain system follows many of the steps described below. In order for a supply chain management system to be effective, it must be efficient and easy to comprehend."
Abstract This paper explains that one of the most important components of any successful business is the ability to make effective decisions regarding the future; this allows the business to anticipate sale,s thus gearing their business components toward these changing sales figures. The author points out that one of the most important assumptions of business forecasters is that the past acts as an important guide for the future, but this presents a problem in times of uncertainty. The paper states that both the Delphi technique and time series forecasting are valuable forecasting tools in the right circumstances. The Delphi technique is useful for short term forecasts; therefore, it is often a more valuable tool for business forecasting during conditions of uncertainty.
From the Paper "Sony Corporation, along with many other large and small businesses, uses business forecasting techniques to predict future sales. The Sony Corporation of America is the American subsidiary of Tokyo's Sony Corporation. The company manufactures information technology, audio, video and communication products for both professionals and consumers. The company had over $62.3 billion in consolidated annual sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, with $20 billion in sales in the United States (Sony Corporation of America). Given these impressive sales figures, business forecasting plays an important role in Sony's corporate strategy."
Tags: Delphi, time, series, uncertainty, strategy, tool
Abstract This paper is an analysis of a case analysis of Starbucks by Ariff Kachra and Mary Crossan. It introduces the topic, provides a background of the company, and current issues facing the company. The paper presents an analysis of the coffee industry and Starbucks itself, including a brief SWOT analysis. Alternatives and recommendations based on the case study follow. The paper includes an appendix and an annotated bibliography.
From the Paper "Based on the assessment provided by the case study, Starbucks has reached the limits of its growth domestically and must now look abroad to continue its growth. The authors say that over the last 20 years, the coffee market in the United States has been characterized by a decline in basic coffee consumption paralleled by an increase in consumption of specialty coffees. The specialty coffee market has become increasingly competitive during this period as well, with the entry of several minor but significant and a few major players. The company's prior effective marketing and diversification of Starbucks? product line in this setting has resulted in a healthy growth for the company in the United States, but the saturated domestic market has required the company to aggressively look abroad to Asia and the Pacific Rim for additional markets."
A discussion why organizing functions of management in an organization related to human resources and knowledge are especially crucial to an organization's success.
Abstract This paper explains that the organizing functions of management that impact human resources and knowledge may strongly impact an organization's success. The organizing functions of management in relation to human resources consider business and employee needs, develop personnel organizational charts, incorporate internal and external factors, and establish goals for day-to-day management. It shows how the organizing functions of management in a knowledge management scenario are focused closely on understanding and identifying company and employee needs. It concludes that organizing functions are especially important, as failure in identifying knowledge management issues within a larger business context can be devastating to the business.
From the Paper "Effective organization of human resources provides and mobilizes a framework for success. Such a framework considers the overall structure of the human resources unit, considers the needs of the business and employees, develops personnel organizational charts, incorporates internal and external factors, and establishes management practices for day-to-day operations. In terms of knowledge management, the organizing functions of management are equally crucial. In the case of knowledge management, organizing functions include effectively identifying and mobilizing intellectual and knowledge-based assets, and are focused on specific and clear goals. Further, this process includes provisions to allow employees to become actively involved in knowledge management, the integration of information technology, and is built on an understanding that knowledge is constantly updated, deleted, and amended."
This paper discusses Edward de Bono's Plus/Minus/Interesting (PMI) decision-making technique, which can help managers to effectively improve their decision-making.
1,015 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 5 sources, APA, $ 35.95
Abstract This paper explains that planning using the PMI technique (1) gives managers a standard of measurement, thus allowing managers to determine if goals are being met; (2) helps managers to transform values and beliefs into specific coherent actions; and (3) allows limited resources like budgets and human resources to be committed in the most efficient manner. The author points out that, in the PMI technique, the T-chart is divided into three sections: plus (good points), minus (negative points), and interesting sections (points that are neither specifically good nor bad, but applicable, interesting, or have extended implications for the decision). The paper relates that the PMI may not be especially useful when a manager has few or no prejudices regarding a specific decision and already has a broad and nonjudgmental understanding of the problem; when a manager has strong existing biases, the PMI is especially useful.
From the Paper "Small and large businesses, for profit and non-profit organizations, high technology and manufacturing businesses all require good decisions to be viable and successful. Further, in today's fast-paced and complex business environment, managers are often faced with difficult and sometimes seemingly unsolvable problems. As such, managers require decision making tools and techniques that are effective across a wide variety of situations. The Plus/Minus/Interesting (PMI) decision-making technique is one of most valuable and simple tools that managers can use to make effective decisions. Developed by Edward de Bono in his 1982 book, de Bono's Thinking Course, the PMI is essentially a thinking tool (PMI Edward de Bono's) that amplifies and improves on the common pro and con lists that many people devise."
Abstract To maintain a strong financial position the company's capital structure must be well organized to reduce the overall cost of capital. It is essential that proper management of the cash flow and investments are scrutinized on a constant basis. This paper shows that without a firm hand on the money going out and the money coming in, a company could find themselves without working capital, bad dept and an excess inventory. Everything that affects working capital, such as payables, receivables, equity, loans, inventory and investments must be controlled constantly. This paper examines how capital management in healthcare requires regular maintenance to be successful.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Capital Management
Importance in Healthcare
Cash and Investments
Managing Payables
Inventory Management
Investments
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Ratios are important to a company and must be analyzed frequently. Comparing the ratios to that of other similar companies will reveal just where the organization stands in the business. There are two basic financial decisions a company must make before starting. While looking at the assets of an organization, the company will naturally lean towards investing in the positive net present value (NPV) projects. Once this is determined then a capital structure is created to fund the project."
