Abstract
The paper discusses how the housing credit market that offered sub-prime mortgages was a major factor in the economic downturn, while the American government is also to blame for encouraging financial institutions to accept risky loans. The paper then looks at the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) initiative, the American government's stimulus packages and the stimulus packages in countries around the globe, specifically, the European Union, China, India and Japan.

Outline:
Introduction
The Causes of the Current Economic Downturn
The Outcomes of the Current Economic Downturn
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The specific causes of the current economic downturn being experienced in America and rippling outward around the globe may be in debate. However, as Schramm and Litan noted, the housing credit markets certainly are at the root of the problems being faced today. Specifically, securities backed by sub-prime mortgages were certainly a major factor in the downturn. As these markets crumbled due to poorly managed risk, financial institutions that had previously been built upon trust, vanished forever. For this reason, Schramm and Litan surmise that the blame for the challenges being faced in today's economy lie in the hands of the parties who created these instruments, as well as those who misjudged them and thought they were an acceptable risk. However, some of the cause of today's problems also are the result of an overzealous government."

Tags:housing, credit, subprime, mortgages, TARP, stimulus, packages, bailout

Abstract
The paper explains that the capital asset pricing model is a model for pricing capital assets, for example shares, where the risk premium is determined using the product of market price risk and a share's systematic risk level. The paper relates that the model is used most commonly in relation to corporate finance. The paper notes that there is a wide range of research on the model, much of which extrapolates on the model's role and application within this corporate finance scope. This paper examines these issues, and also asks the question that is of great significance to researchers and students alike: Is the model valid?

From the Paper
"The capital asset pricing model is a model for pricing capital assets, for example shares, where the risk premium is determined using the product of market price risk and a share's systematic risk level. The model is used most commonly in relation to corporate finance. There is a wide range of research on the model, much of which extrapolates on the model's role and application within this corporate finance scope. This paper examines these issues, and also asks the question is of great..."

Tags:capital, asset, pricing

Abstract
The following paper explores why Greyhound is encountering problems with the symptoms being-- ineffective integration and management of diverse business units and a responsive instead of a proactive approach to changes in the environment. This paper identifies three base problems behind these symptoms: a problematic corporate culture, unclear goals and a lack of competitive advantage. After analyzing the problems, offering several alternative solutions and future scenarios, the writer recommends that Greyhound conduct a full analysis into both its internal environment and its external environment. This paper also recommends that Greyhound reduce its assets and focus on developing in one specific area, namely healthcare, diversifying by increasing its product line and increasing its global markets, rather than diversifying into various industries.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary
Overview
Problem Definition
Corporate Culture Problematic
Goals of the Business Unclear
Lack of Competitive Advantage
Integration of Businesses Ineffective
Responsive not Proactive Approach
Alternatives
Conduct Comprehensive Analysis on the Organization
Continue With Current Strategy
Separate Business Units
Decide on One Business Unit and Sell Off the Remainder
Move Into New Area
Scenarios
Recommendations
Implementation

From the Paper
?As companies grow they expand, with this expansion intended to improve the situation of the company. Greyhound is an example of a company that was initially successful and has since used its success to expand into diverse markets. This expansion, though, has not been successful for Greyhound. The main problem we see is how to integrate and effectively manage many different functions that have little relationship to each other. With Greyhound, we also see an example of a company that has not responded to the environment, but has maintained a culture and goals that may have been successful in its beginnings in the 1930's but are not successful in the current environment. We see a company that has no clear mission, has a corporate culture that does not match the current environment and is based on finding markets where there is no competition, rather than finding ways to compete. Essentially, Greyhound is a company that has not changed as the environment has changed. The reality is though, that the current environment is very competitive and is likely to only increase in competitiveness. There is a need then for Greyhound to reassess its position and use its assets to move in new directions.?

Tags:environment, effective, plan, expansion, healthcare, culture, diverse, markets, competitive, profit, modern, income

Abstract
The writer of the well-researched paper examines the history of sovereign ratings which have been around since approximately 1979. This paper details the importance of sovereign ratings, which basically assess the financial worth of an individual country. This paper analyzes the methods in which countries are rated, which include calculating the financial history, current assets and liabilities of a particular country. Sovereign ratings are significant when calculating whether or not a particular country can repay its debt, or whether the country in question will choose to default on its debt, to the lending country. This paper delves into the relevance of these ratings, when dealing with international trade and currency. This paper explores the various risks involved in lending money to sovereign nations. This paper examines the methodologies that are generally used by rating agencies, such as Standard and Poor's and Moody's. The writer discusses the various shortcomings that are associated with sovereign ratings, while discussing why certain countries, such as Korea and Malaysia do not have good ratings. This paper also supplies two tables relevant to this particular topic, including a sovereign credit rating, listed by country.

Table of Contents:
Literature Review
Introduction
History of Sovereign Ratings
Methodologies Used by Rating Agencies
Shortcomings
Conclusion
Works Cited

From the Paper
"While sovereign ratings are seen to be very important, more recent history is still suggestive of the fact that lending to sovereigns remains very risky. A survey taken by Standard & Poor's that dealt with 72 governments and looked at the debt based on outstanding foreign and domestic currency indicated that 30 of these had defaulted at least one time on either foreign or domestic currency debt since 1970. None of these sovereigns had any type of sovereign rating by a rating agency that was recognized internationally before they defaulted but nine of them have been rated subsequently by Standard & Poor's and Moody's. The frequency of default for many of these countries has been relatively high and this has been something that has caused a lot of stress and concerns for individuals in those sovereign countries that are simply trying to conduct good business today without being held back by the past."

Tags:economy, international, countries, government, finance, investment, debts, loans

Abstract
The paper relates that over a decade after it was first introduced, community policing remains the most important innovation in American policing today (Forman, 2004, p. 1). The paper provides a critique of an article concerning the evolution of community policing and how it may assist in crime detection and prevention. More specifically, the current discussion critiques the article entitled "Community Policing and Youth as Assets" by James Forman Jr.

From the Paper
"Over a decade after it was first introduced, community policing remains the most important innovation in American policing today (Forman, 2004, p. 1). The following discussion provides a critique of an article concerning the evolution of community policing and how it may assist in crime detection and prevention. More specifically, the current discussion critiques the article entitled "Community Policing and Youth as Assets" by James Forman Jr."

Tags:community policing, police, police relations

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."

Tags:mazda, production, strategy, market, michael, porter

Abstract
This paper reviews key issues that shape the future of the accounting profession such as modifying the GAAP standards to more accurately reflect modern business models, finding better methods for accounting of intangible assets, developing more uniform international standards and providing more public access to once privileged information. Next, the author suggests that, in the future, educational programs will require ethics classes. The paper concludes that the accountant of 2014 will resemble the accountant that is beginning to emerge today but will have a new set of tools. The paper has end notes.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Do We Need More Regulation and is it Inevitable?What Education is Needed by the Professional Accountant to Meet Future Demands?
Will a New Format for Financial Statements Help Provide Disclosure Needs?
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Another issue that will affect the future of accounting is the need to cater to an International audience. Globalization of businesses means the need to develop standardized forms of reporting so that information can be universally understood by a diversified audience. The adoption of international standards is already underway. However, developing the specifics of these standards remains an issue. The problem centers on the many variations that exist in accounting practices within different countries. Most will agree that if we wish to continue to expand our global presence, then everyone needs to be on the same page. However, getting them there will be a long process."

Tags:madoff scrutiny sarbanes-oxley standardization, decision-making team

Abstract
This paper explains that the monopoly of the top five tourism destinations of France, Spain, the United States, Italy and China is being challenged by over thirty other countries located in Asia such as Malaysia, Africa such as Mauritius, the Middle East such as the United Arab Emirates, South America such as Cuba and the newly independent countries in Europe such as Azerbaijan, Croatia, and Uzbekistan. The author points out that the most significant macro-economic trend, which began in the 1990s, is globalization. The paper stresses that rapid and unplanned tourism development is resulting in destroying the beauty and ecological balance of many a natural habitat, which means that the tourism industry is rather irresponsibly destroying one of its own key capital assets.

Table of Contents
Competitive Trends
Macroeconomic Trends
Environmental Issues
Leveraging Strengths to Overcome Key Threats to Global Tourism

From the Paper
"The World Tourism Organization estimates that there were 694 million international tourist arrivals in 2003, and that international tourism receipts totaled $514 billion in 2003. These figures indicate the importance of tourism to the global economy and more important, the efforts that are being made to encourage its growth. In fact, the investment of money, time, and effort in tourism is not surprising considering that tourism represents approximately 7 percent of worldwide exports of goods and services, occupying the fourth position after exports of chemicals, automotive products and fuels."

Tags:globalization, countries, ecological, strengths, complex

Abstract
This paper is about the importance of liquidity. The writer shows how all organizations need to be liquid because the need for cash can arise at any time. Banks are especially vulnerable to liquidity crises, as happened in the Asian crisis. The concept of asset management is examined as a way to meet liquidity needs.

From the Paper
"Yes, liquidity is very important, to say the least. And what exactly is liquidity since it is important to know about? Liquidity is the indication of the organization's ability to meet its current and maturing obligations as they come due; it is the near term cash perspective of the business; and it is cash fuel supply management. The implications of liquidity are that typically lenders will default or shut off credit first to operations with: marginal or negative liquidity, (particularly when coupled with) high debt to asset amounts. Liquidity has one essential rule: be liquid with appropriate working capital. Liquidity is a vital financial concept, as during good times, more expansion/growth opportunities exist due to it; during bad times, still more expansion/growth opportunities exist; liquidity provides revenue opportunities as commodities can be held through low prices; liquidity often reduces costs with lower interest rates; liquidity reduces stress; and during difficult times, sufficient cash stays in business (Birch, 2000). "

Tags:cash, economics, company, growth, bank, asia, organization, funds, management, account, asset

Abstract
This paper uses a case study to examine generally accepted accounting principles and current assets and liabilities vs. non-current items. The paper also studies financial statements from Ford Motor Company to study the effectiveness of different financial statements.

From the Paper
"Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are the common set of accounting principles, standards and procedures established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). The mission of the Financial Accounting Standards Board is to establish and improve standards of financial accounting and reporting for the guidance and education of the public including issuers, auditors and users of financial information. Thus, GAAP is a combination of authoritative standards that define the accepted ways of preparing financial statements. These are the rules that companies are expected to follow. Thus the term generally..."

Tags:accounting, principles, current assets, assets, liability, insurance, case study