jurisdiction and the State and Local governments

Today’s urban transportation planning process is being impacted by the President’s Stimulus Plan. High speed rail is one such option to congestion along the highways of urban areas. These projects have two sides to them. There are those who support high speed rail and those who do not support high speed rail. You have been chosen to not support the Stimulus Plan for use of high speed rail to ease congestion. Your task is to help decision makers make up their minds. So, you are now on the opposing side. Discuss how this Stimulus Plan for high speed rail will not work. You can use any reference. But, you must also present your opinion based on facts and data, not just because you don’t like it. You will have to provide evidence to back up what you believe is a bad idea. (25 points)

Most (97 percent) roads and streets in the United States are under the jurisdiction of State and local governments. The Federal jurisdiction is mainly limited to National Parks, National Forests, and other government-owned land. Discuss what issues and problems might be common between the Federal jurisdiction and the State and Local governments, and what issues and problems might be unique to the Federal government compared to the State and local governments. List the common and unique attributes and provide a brief explanation to support your choice. Use references in APA format and also offer your own opinion on what you think of these issues and problems. (25 points)The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into effect on January 1, 1994. This sweeping agreement is designed to open the borders separating Canada, Mexico, and the United States to the free exchange of goods and services. There are many pros and cons of NAFTA that have emerged since 1994. The future of NAFTA is in the wind these days. It may fail or succeed for the next ten years. You job is to help Congress and other decision makers to decide what course of action they should take regarding NAFTA’s future. You are to take the side that NAFTA is a bad business investment; you are to represent the “con” side of the argument. So, discuss why you would defeat or destroy NAFTA or morph it from its current state to some other new state. (25 points)In early 1990s with a second wave of low-cost carriers (LCCs), which led to the second period of strong traffic growth from early 1993 through early 2000, Southwest Airlines arguably provided the blueprint for U.S. Between 2006 and 2009 a fuel crisis happened and a recession for business and the transportation industry. What is the impact today on LCC’s in order to be competitive in this economy coming on the heels of this recession?

recognizing the strengths

Question 1

Identifying weaknesses, while recognizing the strengths is not needed in critical thinking, but only in SWOT Analysis.

Answer

True

False

.0.2 points

Question 2

Wages and Working Conditions are excluded from the ethical issues of concern in international business.

Answer

True

False

.0.2 points

Question 3

Which of the following is correct about ethical management?

Answer

a. Decision making leads to orientation, discussion, and implementation

b. Ethical decision making leads to orientation, discussion, and implementation

c. Ethical management has a handsome long-term reward

d. Ethical orientation leads to discussion, decision Making, and implementation

e. Ethical implementation leads to discussion, orientation, and ethical Decision Making

.0.2 points

Question 4

Critical thinking is a normal mode of thinking.Answer True

False

.0.2 points

Question 5

Which of the following is not in the logical order of progression in an

Ethical Process Dialogue:Answer a. Modify Proposals

b. Value Differences

c. Uncover Assumptions

d. Evaluate Alternative Views

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 6

Which of the following statement is incorrect?

Answer a. Ethical issues could be used as justification of the Market System

b. Ethics, economics, and the law are not related in business

c. Ethics could be viewed as a part of the conditions for free markets

d. Ethics, economics, and the Law are related in business

e. Ethical right or wrong could be justified by economics and could be legal or illegal

.0.2 points

Question 7

Ethical process analysisAnswer a. Uses argumentative structures

b. Is that which is examined as the outcome of an experiment

c. Is that which is manipulated or changed

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 8

Ethical process analysisAnswer a. Is designed for people who are willing to discuss controversial issues with others

b. Examines direct cause-and-effect relationships

c. Focus on cause and effect, but are pre-assigned

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 9

Decision making could be at:Answer a. Individual level

b. Organization level

c. Business System level

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 10

Critical thinking is:Answer a. Self-directed

b. Self-disciplined

c. Self-monitored

d. Self-corrective

e. All of the above

.0.2 points

Question 11

Ethics is a guide to thinking.Answer True

False

.0.2 points

Question 12

Disagreements, as an advantage:Answer a. May prevent mistakes

b. Can promote a more inclusive and realistic proposal

c. Creates opportunity for learning

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 13

Disagreements, as a disadvantage:Answer a. May threaten cooperation

b. Can create a debating game of winners and losers

c. May delay action

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 14

Analyzing, evaluating, and improving are critical in critical thinking.Answer True

False

.0.2 points

Question 15

Which of the following is correct about ethics and corporations?Answer a. Ethical behavior of Corporate entities could be legally binding on company executives through agency law

b. The decisions made by the teams are the responsibilities of the individual executives

c. Corporate teams perform as individuals when making ethical decisions

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 16

Critical thinking is Answer a. An objective reasoning and judgment to determine merits and faults.

b. Thinking aimed at a well-founded judgment, using appropriate evaluative standards to determine true worth, merit, or value.

c. The art of thinking about thinking while thinking, in order to make thinking better.

d. All of the above.

e. None of the above.

.0.2 points

Question 17

Critical thinkersAnswer a. Use theories to explain how the mind works.

b. Apply those theories to the way they live every day.

c. Have self-command of the principles of critical thinking; keep alive in the mind; and have continual engagement in everyday life.

d. All of the above.

e. None of the above.

.0.2 points

Question 18

Ethical process analysisAnswer a. Balances advocacy and inquiry

b. Includes both descriptive and normative analysis

c. Connects dialogue and argument

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 19

The following are related to the theory of absolutism and relativism, except:Answer a. Lack of contact with other cultures

b. Morally Relevant Differences

c. The variety of Ethical Outlooks

d. The Right of People to Decide

e. Required Conditions for Doing Business

.0.2 points

Question 20

Corporations are legal entities that bear no social responsibility.Answer True

False

.0.2 points

Question 21

The following could be identified in corporate governance, except:Answer a. Interested groups vs. Corporate goals

b. Stakeholders Theory

c. Devil’s advocate

d. Property Rights and Social Institutions Theory

e. Contractual Theory

.0.2 points

Question 22

The following could be identified in corporate governance, except:Answer a. Property Rights and Social Institutions Theory

b. Diversity myths

c. Contractual Theory

d. Agency Theory

e. Codes of Ethics

.0.2 points

Question 23

Which of these does not belong to the Dialogical Choice of Debate:Answer a. Is driven by implicit meanings

b. Exploits weaknesses

c. Increases alienation

d. Forces participants to protect positions

e. Forces participants to face each other as combatants

.0.2 points

Question 24

Critical thinkers use theories to explain how the mind works.Answer True

False

.0.2 points

Question 25

In international business, ethical frame of reference could beAnswer a. Diversity Consciousness versus Understanding

b. Awareness versus Skills in handling people

c. Absolutism versus Relativism

d. Enhanced Diversity versus Skills

e. Expanded Horizon versus Empowerment

.0.2 points

Question 26

Ethical issues of concern in international business include the following, except:Answer a. Taking an active role in educating yourself

b. Foreign Bribery

c. Cultural Differences

d. Employment Practices

e. Consumer Protection

.0.2 points

Question 27

Define critical thinking in five ways.Answer

1. First, critical thinking seeks to evaluate the validity of a claim by presenting oneself with arguments that will help the thinker know the validity of a claim.

2. From this, critical thinking is, as said in the previous questions, self-directed, self-disciplined, self- monitored, and self-corrective thinking. This means that a critical thinker is aware of his thought process, and evaluates it over and over again so that he can correct any preconceived notions and assumptions.

3. Because of this, critical thinking allows the thinker to have a clear and open mind that will entertain all sorts of claims, how absurd they may appear to be initially.

4. However, this does not mean that critical thinking will result in accepting all assumptions – after entertaining the claims, there will be a reasonable, disciplined, and controlled filtering process that will accept and reject some of the claims.

5. Lastly, critical thinking requires thinkers to use sound theories that explain how the mind works, and apply these theories in everyday decision-making processes. In the end, critical thinking involves criticizing one’s own mind.

.0.5 points

Question 28

Corporate social responsibility is the voluntary actions and decision outcomes affecting society, that are perceived to have the best interest of society, not just goals beyond purely economic and legal responsibilities.Answer True

False

.0.2 points

Question 29

Ethical process analysis Answer a. Is neither dependent nor independent

b. Begins with people stating their views of what should be done

c. Is only of the control, extraneous, and moderator variety

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 30

People see the role of managers in business ethics as:Answer a. Economic Actors

b. Company Leaders

c. Community Leaders

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 31

How can you apply critical thinking to your life and in business in five different ways?Answer

1. First, when we are presented with a claim or a problem, we must gather the necessary information needed to evaluate the claim properly and reasonably. We must be persistent in researching about the claim, so that we will not simply jump to conclusions as this can destroy us quite rapidly. Also, when we gather information, we must research furthermore where this information came from, as sources can affect the credibility of the information. For example, some guy tells me that my wife has been seeing some other guy. I should gather a lot of information about this claim before I confront my wife. Also, I should evaluate who this guy is (my father, my brother, or some prankster neighbor kid).

2. Second, after gathering the needed information, we must analyze it thoroughly. Weight out the evidence, conduct tests and experiments if this is about an academic research or a business survey.

3. After all of these, combine the findings and formulate possible conclusions. I can write these explicitly or this can happen in a few seconds only inside my head. As all these commence, we must remember to be open minded, and that in some cases, there is no absolute answer.

4. Consider and listen to the views of other people. In fact, it is better to try and put myself in the shoes of other people. For example, I have a heated disagreement with an officemate because he insists on cutting budget for production, while I defend my stand of increasing the budget so that quality products are made. Unknowingly, this officemate of mine can be the one who is pressured almost every day by questions of the board regarding the diminishing profits over the past few weeks, while I am not receiving that amount of flak. Considering this will push me to pursue an agreement that will benefit the both of us, in a clear and calm manner.

5. Lastly, I believe in trying to understand the background of the person talking to me. This is very much related to 4, but this involves the person’s ethnicity, cultural background, religion, job, etc. There are lots of listening that we need to do in life, and when we allow ourselves to really listen, then we can make each other’s lives better than before.

.0.5 points

Question 32

Ethical process:Answer a. Examines direct cause-and-effect relationships.

b. Focus on cause and effect, but are pre-assigned.

c. Is a way of working together to make better decisions and fewer mistakes.

d. All of the above

e. None of the above.

.0.2 points

Question 33

Likely guideline (s) for multinational companies (MNC) could be:Answer a. Human Rights

b. Welfare

c. Justice

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 34

To maintain ethical standards:Answer a. Become a critic of your thinking.

b. Establish old habits of thought.

c. Develop no confidence in your ability to reason and figure things out.

d. All of the above.

e. None of the above.

.0.2 points

Question 35

Ethical issues of concern in international business include the following, except:Answer a. Employment Practices

b. Be modest

c. Consumer Protection

d. Environmental Protection

e. Political Payments and Involvement

.0.2 points

Question 36

Ethics in the World of Business affect:Answer a. Business Decision Making

b. Economic Interest

c. Organizational Interest

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 37

Which of the following is not in the logical order of progression in an

Ethical Process Dialogue:Answer a. Encounter Disagreements

b. Engage in Dialogue

c. Develop Good Reasons

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 38

Disagreements, as a disadvantage:Answer a. May favor “argumentative” types over others

b. May stifle participation

c. May be stressful

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 39

The best critical thinker pays close attention to thinking by:Answer a. Analyzing

b. Evaluating

c. Improving

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

.0.2 points

Question 40

Thinking Critically, you would:Answer a. Examine your thinking and put it to test.

b. Take your thinking apart, to see it as something constructed out of parts.

c. Identify weaknesses, while recognizing the strengths.

d. Creatively reconstruct your thinking to make it better, overcoming the natural tendency of the mind to be rigid.

e. All of the above.

.0.2 points

Question 41

To maintain ethical standards:Answer a. Apply non-intellectual standards to thinking.

b. Focus on clarity, accuracy, precision, and relevance.

c. No need for depth and breadth.

d. All of the above

e. None of the above.

.0.2 points

Question 42

To maintain ethical standards:Answer a. No need for logic and significance.

b. No need for fairness.

c. Avoid sweeping statements that could lead to serious errors.

d. All of the above.

e. None of the above.

.0.2 points

Question 43

Ethics affect business decision making only in theory.Answer True

False

.0.2 points

Question 44

Ethical issues of concern in international business include the following, except:Answer a. Wages and Working Conditions

b. What is a Justified Wage?

c. Following through

d. Foreign Bribery

e. Cultural Differences

.0.2 points

Question 45

Which of these does not belong to the Dialogical Choice of Dialogue:Answer a. Is driven by individual interests

b. Supports strengths

c. Strengthens community

d. Allows participants to explore positions

e. Allows participants to face each other as partners

.0.2 points

Question 46

Ethics is the right or wrong without regard to culture or perception.Answer True

False

.0.2 points

Question 47

Disagreements, as an advantage:Answer a. Allows us to examine reasons

b. Increases the pool of resources

c. Can reveal a proposal’s limits

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

give examples.

Exam 2 Questions
Discuss how banks make money, and are structured in respect to Asset, Liability and Capital Management – give examples.
The theory of bureaucratic behavior indicates that the FED never operates in the public interest. Is this statement true or false, or uncertain? Explain your answer and give specific examples.
it is a take home exam questions you will find most the answers in powerpoints

(it should be an essay format 4 to 5 paragraphs) you should add graphs if you could

+++the second homework is a geology homework it says everything in the document i attached

Stephenson Real Estate Capital Restructuring

Stephenson Real Estate Capital Restructuring

Instructions: Your final report should include a complete set of tables, numerical and written answers to each part of the assigned questions. Show your computation steps. Your written report for this project should not exceed 10 pages. If necessary, you can choose to provide additional evidence such as supporting excel calculations, regressions, additional tables or data.

Stephenson Real Estate Company was founded 25 years ago by the current CEO, Robert Stephenson. The company purchases real estate, including land and buildings, and rents the property to tenants. The company has shown a profit every year for the past 18 years, and the shareholders are satisfied with the company’s management. Prior to founding Stephenson Real Estate, Robert was the founder and CEO of a failed alpaca farming operation. The resulting bankruptcy made him extremely averse to debt financing. As a result, the company is entirely equity financed, with 9 million shares of common stock outstanding. The stock currently trades at $37.80 per share. Stephenson is evaluating a plan to purchase a huge tract of land in the southeastern United States for $95 million. The land will subsequently be leased to tenant farmers. This purchase is expected to increase Stephenson’s annual pretax earnings by $18.75 million in perpetuity. Jennifer Weyand, the company’s new CFO, has been put in charge of the project. Jennifer has determined that the company’s current cost of capital is 10.2 percent. She feels that the company would be more valuable if it included debt in its capital structure, so she is evaluating whether the company should issue debt to entirely finance the project. Based on some conversations with investment banks, she thinks that the company can issue bonds at par value with a 6 percent coupon rate. From her analysis, she also believes that a capital structure in the range of 70 percent equity 30 percent debt would be optimal. If the company goes beyond 30 percent debt, its bonds would carry a lower rating and a much higher coupon because the possibility of financial distress and the associated costs would rise sharply. Stephenson has a 40 percent corporate tax rate (state and federal).

QUESTIONS

1. If Stephenson wishes to maximize its total market value, would you recommend that it issue debt or equity to finance the land purchase? Explain.

2. Construct Stephenson’s market value balance sheet before it announces the purchase.

to offer affinity credit card

No more than 3 pargraphs, intext citations & references

Read the two articles in the links below about affinity credit cards and schools. After reading these, do you think universities should enter into agreements to offer affinity credit cards to students? Why or why not? Discuss the ethics of such offerings.

1. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/02/19/credit
2. http://www.rit.edu/news/utilities/pdf/2007/2007_09_06_BusinessWeek_the_dirty_secret_Manning.pdf

Also, find websites that calculate or explain NPV or any other financial concept we have learned about. What did you find? Anything with light humor?

liberate him,

While violations of the law still unfortunately occur, there are few credible persons who believe that any group of people should be discriminated against because of the race, gender, ethnicity, age, etc.

However, your text did not address Affirmative Action, one of the programs that impact employment where there are hotly debated issues upon which reasonable people can disagree. It originated from an executive order to suppliers of goods and services to the federal government, and includes those agencies like colleges and universities who receive funding from the federal government (i.e., research grants and financial aid).

The link below takes you to the Dept. of Labor page where you can view the official description of Affirmative Action requirements and programs. While the document speaks for itself, here’s a quote from President Lyndon Johnson that captures the essence of the idea behind the development affirmative action programs. “You do not take a person who, for years, has been hobbled by chains and liberate him, bring him up to the starting line of a race and then say you are free to compete with all the others, and still just believe that you have been completely fair.”

The main arguments against affirmative action efforts revolve around reverse discrimination and the effectiveness of these programs in the short and long run.

http://www.dol.gov/general/topic/hiring/affirmativeact

The next two links will take you to pages that purport to present the arguments for and against affirmative action programs. Please take the time to review them carefully.

http://www.balancedpolitics.org/affirmative_action.htm

https://www.mtholyoke.edu/~jesan20l/classweb/pright.html

Of course, you are welcome to research other sites as well, but be warned that many do not even attempt to be balanced in their presentation of the topic. Even worse, some seem to actively conceal their intent.

Your assignment is to produce a short paper that addresses the following topics. As I mentioned before, these are debatable issues, so your answer will rarely be considered “right” or “wrong”. The point is to not only have you be familiar with the issues, but to encourage you to understand, while not necessarily agree, with those who hold differing opinions. As always, your expression of your thoughts in a college level manner is expected and required. Please label each response with the corresponding number below.

  1. Overall, are you in favor of affirmative action programs or opposed to them? Provide a rationale for your position.
  2. Which of the arguments you’ve read about that take a position contrary to yours do you feel are worthy of consideration? What ideas do you have that might be put into practice to address these concerns?
  3. If, in #1, you expressed support for these programs, address the concept of how long they should be in place. Answers could range from “until no discrimination exists” to “next year”.

If, in #1, you expressed dissatisfaction with these programs, what alternative do you have that would take their place in instances where disparate treatment or disparate impact have been identified as having taken place?

Whatever your position, please provide a rationale for it.

The minimum drainpipe size

1. The minimum drainpipe size for a vertical drain stack with 9 units is
A. 11/4 inches.
B. 11/2 inches.
C. 2 inches.
D. 3 inches.

2. A shower head should be physically supported and connected to the supply pipe from the valve body with a
A. drop-ear elbow.
B. stop valve.
C. metal strap.
D. flange.

3. A washing machine drain line must slope downward at a rate of _______ inch per running foot.
A. 1/4
B. 1/2
C. 5/8
D. 3/4

1. (TCO 4) The standard cost sheet includes all of the following, except (Points : 3)

2. (TCO 4) The usage variances focus on the difference between (Points : 3)

3. (TCO 4) Which factor would cause an unfavorable labor rate variance? (Points : 3)

1 (TCO 4) The standard overhead cost assigned to each unit of product manufactured is called the (Points : 3)

2 (TCO 4) A variable overhead efficiency variance could be caused by (Points : 3)

3 (TCO 6) Which market is characterized by the following: only a few firms in the industry, a fairly unique product, difficult entry into the industry, and spending for differentiation of the product? (Points : 3)

1. (TCO 6) When firms with market power price products too high, companies are (Points : 3)

2. (TCO 6) A disadvantage of absorption costing is (Points : 3)

3. (TCO 6) The sales price variance is created by a difference between (Points : 3)

1. (TCO 6) In order for an effect of changing sales mix on profit to exist, a company must produce (Points : 3)

2. (TCO 4) Which factor would cause an unfavorable labor rate variance? (Points : 3)

3. (TCO 4) A variable overhead efficiency variance could be caused by (Points : 3)

diverse that no one mechanical way

Preparing a Written Case Analysis about Oliver’s Market case Maximum (2-4 pages)

Preparing a Written Case Analysis

Preparing a written case analysis is much like preparing a case for class discussion, except that your analysis must be more complete and put in report form. Unfortunately, though, there is no ironclad procedure for doing a written case analysis. All we can offer are some general guidelines and words of wisdom—this is because company situations and management problems are so diverse that no one mechanical way to approach a written case assignment always works.

Your instructor may assign you a specific topic around which to prepare your written report. Or, alternatively, you may be asked to do a comprehensive written case analysis, where the expectation is that you will (1) identify all the pertinent issues that management needs to address, (2) perform whatever analysis and evaluation is appropriate, and (3) propose an action plan and set of recommendations addressing the issues you have identified. In going through the exercise of identify, evaluate, and recommend, keep the following pointers in mind.3

Identification It is essential early on in your paper that you provide a sharply focused diagnosis of strategic issues and key problems and that you demonstrate a good grasp of the company’s present situation. Make sure you can identify the firm’s strategy (use the concepts and tools in Chapters 1–5 as diagnostic aids) and that you can pinpoint whatever strategy implementation issues may exist (again, consult the material in Chapters 9–11 for diagnostic help). Consult the key points provided at the end of each chapter for further diagnostic suggestions. Consider beginning your paper with an overview of the company’s situation, its strategy, and the significant problems and issues that confront management. State problems/issues as clearly and precisely as you can. Unless it is necessary to do so for emphasis, avoid recounting facts and history about the company (assume your professor has read the case and is familiar with the organization

Analysis and Evaluation This is usually the hardest part of the report. Analysis is hard work! Check out the firm’s financial ratios, its profit margins and rates of return, and its capital structure, and decide how strong the firm is financially. Table 1 contains a summary of various financial ratios and how they are calculated. Use it to assist in your financial diagnosis. Similarly, look at marketing, production, managerial competence, and other factors underlying the organization’s strategic successes and failures. Decide whether the firm has valuable resource strengths and competencies and, if so, whether it is capitalizing on them.

Check to see if the firm’s strategy is producing satisfactory results and determine the reasons why or why not. Probe the nature and strength of the competitive forces confronting the company. Decide whether and why the firm’s competitive position is getting stronger or weaker. Use the tools and concepts you have learned about to perform whatever analysis and evaluation is appropriate.

In writing your analysis and evaluation, bear in mind four things:

1. You are obliged to offer analysis and evidence to back up your conclusions. Do not rely on unsupported opinions, over-generalizations, and platitudes as a substitute for tight, logical argument backed up with facts and figures.

2. If your analysis involves some important quantitative calculations, use tables and charts to present the calculations clearly and efficiently. Don’t just tack the exhibits on at the end of your report and let the reader figure out what they mean and why they were included. Instead, in the body of your report cite some of the key numbers, highlight the conclusions to be drawn from the exhibits, and refer the reader to your charts and exhibits for more details.

3. Demonstrate that you have command of the strategic concepts and analytical tools to which you have been exposed. Use them in your report.

4. Your interpretation of the evidence should be reasonable and objective. Be wary of preparing a one-sided argument that omits all aspects not favorable to your conclusions. Likewise, try not to exaggerate or overdramatize. Endeavor to inject balance into your analysis and to avoid emotional rhetoric. Strike phrases such as “I think,” “I feel,” and “I believe” when you edit your first draft and write in “My analysis shows,” instead.

Recommendations The final section of the written case analysis should consist of a set of definite recommendations and a plan of action. Your set of recommendations should address all of the problems/issues you identified and analyzed. If the recommendations come as a surprise or do not follow logically from the analysis, the effect is to weaken greatly your suggestions of what to do. Obviously, your recommendations for actions should offer a reasonable prospect of success. High-risk, bet-the-company recommendations should be made with caution. State how your recommendations will solve the problems you identified. Be sure the company is financially able to carry out what you recommend; also check to see if your recommendations are workable in terms of acceptance by the persons involved, the organization’s competence to implement them, and prevailing market and environmental constraints. Try not to hedge or weasel on the actions you believe should be taken.

By all means state your recommendations in sufficient detail to be meaningful—get down to some definite nitty-gritty specifics. Avoid such unhelpful statements as “the organization should do more planning” or “the company should be more aggressive in marketing its product.” For instance, if you determine that “the firm should improve its market position,” then you need to set forth exactly how you think this should be done. Offer a definite agenda for action, stipulating a timetable and sequence for initiating actions, indicating priorities, and suggesting who should be responsible for doing what.

In proposing an action plan, remember there is a great deal of difference between, on the one hand, being responsible for a decision that may be costly if it proves in error and, on the other hand, casually suggesting courses of action that might be taken when you do not have to bear the responsibility for any of the consequences.

A good rule to follow in making your recommendations is: Avoid recommending anything you would not yourself be willing to do if you were in management’s shoes. The importance of learning to develop good managerial judgment is indicated by the fact that, even though the same information and operating data may be available to every manager or executive in an organization, the quality of the judgments about what the information means and which actions need to be taken does vary from person to person.4

It goes without saying that your report should be well organized and well written. Great ideas amount to little unless others can be convinced of their merit—this takes tight logic, the presentation of convincing evidence, and persuasively written arguments.

Objectives of Case Analysis

Using cases to learn about the practice of strategic management is a powerful way for you to accomplish five things:2

1. Increase your understanding of what managers should and should not do in guiding a business to success.

2. Build your skills in sizing up company resource strengths and weaknesses and in conducting strategic analysis in a variety of industries and competitive situations.

3. Get valuable practice in identifying strategic issues that need to be addressed, evaluating strategic alternatives, and formulating workable plans of action.

4. Enhance your sense of business judgment, as opposed to uncritically accepting the authoritative crutch of the professor or “back-of-the-book” answers.

5. Gaining in-depth exposure to different industries and companies, thereby acquiring something close to actual business experience

If you understand that these are the objectives of case analysis, you are less likely to be consumed with curiosity about “the answer to the case.” Students who have grown comfortable with and accustomed to textbook statements of fact and definitive lecture notes are often frustrated when discussions about a case do not produce concrete answers. Usually, case discussions produce good arguments for more than one course of action. Differences of opinion nearly always exist. Thus, should a class discussion conclude without a strong, unambiguous consensus on what do to, don’t grumble too much when you are not told what the answer is or what the company actually did. Just remember that in the business world answers don’t come in conclusive black-and-white terms. There are nearly always several feasible courses of action and approaches, each of which may work out satisfactorily. Moreover, in the business world, when one elects a particular course of action, there is no peeking at the back of a book to see if you have chosen the best thing to do and no one to turn to for a provably correct answer. The best test of whether management action is “right’ or “wrong” is results. If the results of an action turn out to be “good,” the decision to take it may be presumed “right.” If not, then the action chosen was “wrong” in the sense that it didn’t work out

Hence, the important thing for you to understand about analyzing cases is that the managerial exercise of identifying, diagnosing, and recommending is aimed at building your skills of business judgment. Discovering what the company actually did is no more than frosting on the cake—the actions that company managers actually took may or may not be “right” or best (unless there is accompanying evidence that the results of their actions were highly positive.

The point is this: The purpose of giving you a case assignment is not to cause you to run to the library or surf the Internet to discover what the company actually did but, rather, to enhance your skills in sizing up situations and developing your managerial judgment about what needs to be done and how to do it. The aim of case analysis is for you to become actively engaged in diagnosing the business issues and managerial problems posed in the case, to propose workable solutions, and to explain and defend your assessments—this is how cases provide you with meaningful practice at being a manager.

A fallacy

A fallacy is an error in reasoning. An argument commits a fallacy when the reasons we offer do not support our conclusion. Understanding and being able to identify fallacies assists us in spotting fallacy arguments and keeps us from being easily mislead or deceived. The following video presents eight distinct fallacies:

Video link:

 Prompt

Present a 600 word essay describing a specific fallacy from the video and presenting at least two strategies for avoiding this fallacy. Define and describe the fallacy. For example, if you select the post hoc, you want to define the post hoc and discuss what occurs in the post hoc. Describe the error that is committed in the fallacy. In other words, what’s wrong with the argument? Identify two strategies that will help you in avoiding this fallacy. You can choose strategies presented in the class or create your own strategies that you think will help you in avoiding this type of fallacy.

-APA format

-A title page

-One-inch margins

-12-point font, double-spaced

-500 Words

-A reference page

-Include sources, and be sure to cite them in the body of the paper and include them on the reference page.