Abstract
This paper examines how the reward system in a corporation helps promote cost effective ways to increase production, sales, and profits. The paper further notes that many companies fail to recognize the benefits of the reward system due to a lack of understanding of basic concepts. The book "Innovative Reward Systems for the Changing Workplace" is cited for its suggestions of how to implement reward systems.

From the Paper
"In today's increasingly dynamic and competitive world of business, more than ever, companies need cost effective ways to increase production, sales, and profits. And while many business professionals recognize that reward systems can serve this exact purpose, many others fail to recognize this fact for lack of understanding of basic concepts. As the author of the book, Innovative Reward Systems for the Changing Workplace, suggests, reward systems represent all the various forms of financial and non-financial returns to individual employees, team members, and the..."

Tags:hr, reward systems, human resource managment

Abstract
This paper interprets Exhibit 3 and looks at what it reveals. The paper explains that Exhibit 3 computes dividend growth for five years using a random list of public corporations to compute a Terminal Value by interpolating the calculations so that an investor has a tool to compare the percentage of equity cost to the current market price projected over time. The paper shows how it reflects a maze of numbers to consider.

From the Paper
"Risk and reward - evaluating investments Response(s) to questions posed in this assignment, as follows: 1. Interpreting Exhibit 3: Q. What does it reveal? A. Exhibit 3 computes dividend growth for five years using a random list of public corporations to compute a Terminal Value by interpolating the calculations so that an investor has a tool to compare the percentage of..."

Tags:analyze, invest, walk

Abstract
This paper is oriented towards assessing the marginal costs and benefits of a decision that most people will have to make at some point in their lives; namely, should they have children (or another child) or abstain from having children? The paper posits that this topic is of considerable personal interest insofar as being a parent probably brings more rewards - and more potential set-backs - than any other decision a man or woman will make.

From the Paper
"This paper is oriented towards assessing the marginal costs and benefits of a decision that most people will have to make at some point in their lives; namely, should they have children (or another child) or abstain from having children? Although a young person, this topic is of considerable personal interest insofar as being a parent probably brings more rewards - and more potential set-backs - than any other decision a man or woman will make. The essay notes that the increase in affluence after world war II and the societal upheavals that emerged in the 1960s reduced the motivation for many people to have children (or at least many...)"

Tags:micro, economics, marginal, costs

Abstract
This paper examines how it is generally believed that the more the economy grows or slows down, the more all voters reward or punish the incumbent party for improving or worsening their economic situation and how presidential approval ratings often drive the results of the economic models of voting. It looks at how these approval ratings are typically conceptualized as capturing both non-economic factors and other economic factors beyond near-election economic growth. It discuss two major economic models, the competency and low-cost of voting, both of which show how economic outcomes may affect party choice.

From the Paper
"It is logical to expect public support for the EU, as a relatively new political system, to be more responsive to short-run policy outcomes than is public support for political institutions in mature democracies. In other words, EU institutions might not benefit from broad legitimacy. Thus, the European publics have a tendency to blame EU institutions rather than policy-makers for short-run policy failures. However, even if this is the case, only a weak theoretical connection exists between EU policy and domestic economic performance (Palmer 1995). Until very recently, the EU was responsible for neither fiscal nor monetary policies. And while EU membership represents a constraint on national economic policies, historically, this effect has been indirect."

Tags:eu, elections, policy

Abstract
This paper discusses the procedures that adopting parents need to go through before they are granted a child. It compares different laws applicable in certain states as well as special criteria and conditions which apply. It looks at adoption within a family due to the tragedy of abusive conditions and also examines the cost of private adoption.

From the Paper
"Adopting a child is a major decision. A prospective single parent or couple or family may come to the decision of adopting a child through many different paths. For instance, they may have tried to have children and failed, or they may have some children of their own but they want to adopt an orphaned child from a poor socio-economic situation. Whatever the path to adoption, it is a process that is rife with legal requirements and obstacles And of course, once the child is adopted, the responsibilities are huge. But, in the end, the act of adopting a child is immensely satisfying and interviewed adopted parents always gush that the experience and the adoption of child was life-changing."

Tags:child, parent, adoption, welfare, america, state

Abstract
This paper explains that Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor's social penetration theory suggests as relationships grow deeper as self-disclosure deepens and uses social exchange theory, also called the game theory, to analyze the cost-reward balance of these self-disclosures. The author points out that "Dancing With Wolves" provides excellent examples of how totally different cultures can both attract and repel one another, how friendships and trust are formed by deeds not just words and how different intersecting strata of social and cultural lives either repel or attract one another. The paper relates that it teaches that the differences among people tend to be created without truly being aware of one another and can be resolved as those "onion skin" layers are removed revealing our true inner personalities.

From the Paper
"There are many examples of initial encounters in "Dances With Wolves", and the manner of the meeting does not always provide the result of closeness, of course. What makes the novel so fascinating is the contact, verbal and non-verbal that links the white man with the Comanche, and prepares him for a life he had never known or understood before. Was it simply loneliness or necessity that brought these encounters to fruition? Is social penetration merely a theory that evolves as social circumstances change? Are we different, socially, today, than were the people in the post-Civil War era covered by this novel?"

Tags:depenetration, cost-reward, comanche, white, man, relationships

Abstract
This paper explains that motivation, defined as a force that affects behavior, influences behavior (1) by energizing, changing or initiating behavioral patterns, (2) by determining the behavior a person chooses and (3) by sustaining behavior or determining the individual levels of effort with respect to behavioral patterns. The author point out that pay appears to be a motivator in short-term situations but is ineffective as a long-term solution to reducing costs and increasing productivity. The paper concludes that, by implementing appropriate pay structures, incentive plans and motivation programs; management professionals may be able to shift the focus of employees from the extrinsic reward of pay to the intrinsic rewards of job satisfaction and recognition.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Motivation
Theories Related to Pay and Motivation
Research Conclusions
Incentive Plans
Non-Monetary Motivational Programs
Management Implications
Conclusions

From the Paper
"A similar needs-based theory was outlined by Clayton Alderfer (1969). Alderfer condensed Maslow's five levels into three levels and designated them as his ERG theory. The first, existence needs, encompasses physiological needs as well as safety and security needs. Belongingess and external esteem needs make up the second level of relatedness needs. The third and final level, growth needs, consists of self esteem and self-actualization. This model is very similar to Maslow's as it is hierarchical in nature. That is, lower-level needs must be met before higher-order needs can be fulfilled."

Tags:maslow, mcgregor, gainsharing, options, recognition

Abstract
This paper explains that reciprocal altruism is a feature of socialization based on a system of reward and punishment. The author points out that reciprocal altruism appears to be an adaptive human behavior because it occurs in situations far beyond kinship and even in situations that do not result in an immediate reward for the altruistic act. The paper relates that altruism can be evaluated in terms of a cost-benefit analysis in that the altruistic act is a risk with potential or actual costs, which are weighted against the benefits of the altruistic act both for the recipient and the actor.

From the Paper
"Reciprocal altruism can be conveniently framed in terms of game theory and the "Prisoner's Dilemma". The "Prisoner's Dilemma" accounts for the obvious complexity involved in the evolution and development of cooperative behavior in human societies. Participants base their decisions to cooperate on selfish motives, a "tit for tat system". However, participants know that cooperation may result in benefits greater than the costs involved. An investment metaphor also works: individuals invest in altruism to the extent they can bank on receiving returns."

Tags:cooperation, survivalism, reward, punishment, cost-benefit

Abstract
The purpose of this report is to educate upper-level management and line managers on the importance of employee morale. It first discusses what morale is and its significance in the corporate structure. Then it addresses who is affected by low morale and how. It also explains the high costs related to low employee morale, the critical role managers play in morale, signs of deteriorating employee morale, and techniques for improving morale. In the concluding pages, a proposal is presented on how upper-level management within corporate America can help improve morale. Some of the solutions include transformational training for managers, employee empowerment, improved ties between reward and performance, and improvements on basic employee practices, all of which can be implemented using a 7-step morale-boosting program described in the recommendations section of this paper.

Outline
Overview: Report
Introduction: Employee Morale Problem
Background: Corporate America's Morale Problem
What is Morale?
Significance of Employee Morale
Deteriorating Employee Morale
Case Studies
Recommendations: Ideas for Improving Employee Morale
Techniques for Improving Morale
Action Plan
Tying it All Together
Conclusion

From the Paper
"A great way to help upper-level management discover employee problems is through an employee satisfaction survey. A well-orchestrated employee survey can lead to high return rates and help uncover hidden many workplace problems. However in order to receive helpful information from these surveys they must: (1) establish clear goals and objectives, (2) ask the right questions the right way, (3) collect data the right way at the right time, and (4) ensure confidentiality. The most important thing is that management must take clear follow-up actions. After reviewing and collecting the data have a group meeting informing the employees on the findings of the survey, how management intents to go about addressing the issues, ask for feedback, and implement the necessary changes."

Tags:boosting, motivation, techniques, reward, performance

Abstract
This paper is a brief discussion of motivational theory. Various theories of motivation are outlined, including the most widely recognized modern motivational theory of opportunity-cost. The importance of motivation is also discussed.

From the Paper
"Motivation is the study of what makes us do things. Every day we are faced with many decisions. What choice we make is the study of motivation. There are several theories of motivation, the theory of opportunity-cost is the most widely recognized. This paper will discuss the major forces that drive us and influence our decisions.
The advent of the industrialized age forced many companies to study what motivates their workers in an attempt to boost production. It was believed that money was the key motivational factor in driving employee performance. It was later found that other factors besides money effect their attitudes and work ethics (Lindner, 1998). This led to further studies in an attempt to understand the factors that motivate employees. These included Maslow's need-hierarchy theory, Herzberg's two-factor theory, Vroom's expectancy theory, Adam's equity theory, and Skinner's reinforcement theory (Lindner, 1998). All of these theories centered on one factor. Modern motivational theory believes that all of these theories are summarized in one idea, opportunity-cost (Lindner, 1998). This idea is centered on the idea that every action has a cost. This cost may be time, money, or emotional. In making our decisions we weigh the potential gain from the action against the cost (Lindner, 1998)."

Tags:Maslow, Herzberg, Vroom, Skinner, Adam, productivity, management, reward, punishment