Provide a minimum of 3 examples and/or reasons of when you would choose one search engine over another and explain why.

For this Case Study, you will discover that using the Internet to locate information can be a useful tool to the student (or manager) interested in exploring topics in OB. For this first exercise, go to www.searchenginewatch.com to learn more about what Search engines and metacrawlers do and how they differ. Once you are on the Search Engine Watch website, click on Search Engine Listings, then on Major Search Engines. This page presents an overview of the major engines and how best to use them. Do not forget to look at other topics on this website that are interesting to you.

Perform a search on “Organizational Behavior” using three different search engines.

1. Do the results differ or are they the same?
2. If they differ, why do you think they are different?  If they are the same, why do you think they are the same?
3. Provide a minimum of 3 examples and/or reasons of when you would choose one search engine over another and explain why.

Expected response length is 3 sentences per question. Write your responses answering these questions based on what you learned from researching search engines.  Please restate the question you are answering in your case study.

It is not sufficient to state your opinions alone; you must be able to backup your responses by applying concepts from the text with the case data that supports your findings.

Through writing this case study you will be required to demonstrate a knowledge of how to integrate management concepts with the case data, how to conduct research, and how to properly cite sources using APA formatting guidelines.  You will be responsible for using a minimum of 2 scholarly/peer reviewed sources. 

What are three key takeaways you have learned about restorative justice by participating in this course?

Journal: Professional and Personal Application of Restorative Justice Principles

For many people, restorative justice is an unfamiliar concept that challenges traditional conceptualizations of justice and accountability. Think back to the beginning of the course. What did you know about restorative justice? How does your initial knowledge of this topic compare to what you know now? In this final Journal, you have an opportunity to reflect on your learning in this course and how you will apply it to your professional and personal life.

Write a 250-word journal response to the following prompts:

What are three key takeaways you have learned about restorative justice by participating in this course?

How will you apply restorative justice principles in your professional and personal life?

PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS ABOVE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM I HAVE HIGHLIGHTED ITEMS THAT NEEDS EXTRA ATTENTION ALSO MAKE SURE YOU REFERENCE YOUR WORK AND YOU CAN USE OUTSIDE REFERENCES AS WELL. THIS PAPER IS A 250 WORD COUNT OR MORE AND IF YOU SHOULD HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS JUST MESSAGE ME, I WILL ANSWER BACK IN A TIMELY MANNER THANK YOU……………

ABOVE IS THE ASSIGNMENT AND INSTRUCTIONS AND I HAVE ALSO ATTACHED 2 PIECES OF READING MATERIAL TO HELP YOU FOR YOUR WORK IF NEEDED….

Identify the risk category for the attack shared. Was this a business, non-business, or financial risk?

 Reply to this document.

• Identify the risk category for the attack shared. Was this a business, non-business, or financial risk?
• Given your understanding of the risk elements (vulnerabilities, threats & threat agents, impact, and likelihood of this attack), discuss at least 2 approaches that could be used to mitigate the attack.
• Provide sensitive and insightful feedback, and feel free to encourage further dialogue through open-ended questions.
• Read replies to your post and respond as appropriate.

discuss what experience you have with data mining and data visualization

Please read and study the entire online book, “Data Mining Tutorial- Introduction to Data Mining (Complete Guide).

(https://data-flair.training/blogs/data-mining-tutorial/ )” This is a wonderful look at the major topics and tools of modern data mining studies.You are to discuss your thoughts about this reading. Please discuss what experience you have with data mining and data visualization, what you would like to learn from these topics, and where you find your future in the field of Data Science.

Submit your answers in 2 page word document to this assignment and requires a minimum of 1-2 reference

APA7 Format

Plagiarism tool “Plag should be checked in Turnitin ”

describe how the quantitative analysis approach can be applied to this situation

 Imagine you are a business analytics employee at BAT Car Company. The president and CEO of BAT have tasked you with providing them with a data plan addressing expansion of BAT’s production business into Frankfurt, Germany, on a $40 million Model Z plant. This $40 million, which encompasses all fixed costs, the BAT CEO plans to apportion equally (25%) each) among the four types of vehicles the Model Z plant will manufacture.All economic and environmental impact studies have been approved. The size of the plant is predicted to be 420 soccer fields in size (a soccer field is 100 yards wide by 130 yards long). The car sales are expected to be: $30,000 per sedan; $50,000 per sports model; $20,000 per small cargo van; and $40,000 per passenger minivan. It will create 10,000 jobs for Frankfurt and the surrounding areas.There have been some issues with protestors regarding the building of an automotive plant that destroys forestland valued at $350 million. There has been some rumbling regarding a group called “Save The Forest” that could implement a cease all actions lawsuit against BAT. Research has shown that previous lawsuits and environmental impact has led to years of litigation and legal fees. The variable costs for the first year’s operation look to be $20,000 per sedan; $40,000 per sports model; $10,000 per small cargo van; and $25,000 per passenger minivan. Sales are expected to be: 40,000 sedans; 5,000 sports cars; 2,000 cargo vans; and 12,000 minivans.Prepare a brief report for the president and CEO of BAT Car Company. Your report should include the following elements:

• an introduction section that describes how the quantitative analysis approach can be applied to this situation;
• BAT’s profit formula results;
• BAT’s break-even point for each vehicle type; and
• your final recommendation on actions to take. (This section should convey to the CEO if the expansion of the production plant is profitable to BAT over the long haul, as well as how to deal with any possible litigation.)

Your final report must be at least three pages in length, and you must show all of your computations .You should use at least two academic sources in your report, one of which may be your textbook. Adhere to APA Style when constructing this assignment, including in-text citations and references for all sources that are used. Please note that no abstract is needed. 

What is the quality management philosophy of the brand?

Choosing a global brand that is well-known for its strategic total quality management approach, please answer the following questions:

1. What is the quality management philosophy of the brand? The types of quality management approaches can be classified into various categories such as the Crosby approach, the Deming and Juran’s approach. Which of these approaches do you think best describes your chosen brand’s philosophy and why. (400 words)

Notes:

*Remember: The types of quality management approaches can be classified into various categories such as Crosby approach, Deming and Juran’s approach. Please read information below:

Crosby: Crosby has been emphasizing on diversified principles which can be used for the purpose of augmenting the quality aspects in business processes. Similarly, the manufacturing unit has been using this approach by defining several quality standards so as to meet industry standards (Approaches to Quality Improvement, n.d). There are four absolutes of quality management necessary for conformity which also aids in aligning customer needs.

Juran’s approach for quality controlling: Juran’s approach to quality management had Japanese roots in which he mainly emphasized on three aspects which are essential for companies to carry out into practice. Quality planning involves building awareness to improve the service provision and for that management commitment is required the most. After that quality control process needs to be carried out so as to test products and services as per their quality standards. Another significant component is quality improvement which is a continuous pursuit towards perfection.

Deming’s philosophy of TQM: As per the approach, a company should design quality products and services according to the needs and demands of customers so as to reduce waste attributes and simultaneously this can increase quality aspects with limited allocation of resources on processes.

Compliance model: The model establishes different standards and criteria which could assist in enhancing the standard of services. It also develops processes for ensuring consistency of assessment both within and between service providers and users. The model is cost effective and it requires centralized systems for regular reviews and audits. It set standards for quality management.

Evaluative model: The model is highly committed to quality assurance and continuous improvement. The main purpose of the model is to make the business entity realize the need of quality assurance for the customers. The model has sub standards similar to ISO 9001- 2008.

Question 2. Please analyse the range of quality controls the brand applies and explain how service to the customer can be improved through the application of these quality control methods (TQM tools, inspection, quality assurance etc…) (400 words)

Notes:

*Remember: A definition of quality assurance is:

The processes that ensure production quality meets the requirements of customers

This is an approach that aims to achieve quality by organising every process to get the product ‘right first time’ and prevent mistakes ever happening. This is also known as a ‘zero defect’ approach.

In quality assurance, there is more emphasis on ‘self-checking’, rather than checking by inspectors.

Advantages of quality assurance include:

• Costs are reduced because there is less wastage and re-working of faulty products as the product is checked at every stage

• It can help improve worker motivation as workers have more ownership and recognition for their work (see Herzberg)

• It can help break down ‘us and them’ barriers between workers and managers as it eliminates the feeling of being checked up on

• With all staff responsible for quality, this can help the firm gain marketing advantages arising from its consistent level of quality

A definition of quality control is: The process of inspecting products to ensure that they meet the required quality standards

This method checks the quality of completed products for faults. Quality inspectors measure or test every product, samples from each batch, or random samples – as appropriate to the kind of product produced.

The main objective of quality control is to ensure that the business is achieving the standards it sets for itself.

In almost every business operation, it is not possible to achieve perfection. For example there will always be some variation in terms of materials used, production skills applied, reliability of the finished product etc.

Quality control involves setting standards about how much variation is acceptable. The aim is to ensure that a product is manufactured, or a service is provided, to meet the specifications which ensure customer needs are met.

There are several methods of quality control.

At its simplest, quality control is achieved through inspection. For example, in a manufacturing business, trained inspectors examine samples of work-in-progress and finished goods to ensure standards are being met.

For businesses that rely on a continuous process, the use of statistical process control (“SPC”) is common. SPC is the continuous monitoring and charting of a process while it is operating. Data collected is analysed to warn when the process is exceeding predetermined limits (400 words)

Question 3. Please provide a few recommendations to the brand so that it can enhance its added value in the minds of consumers? (400 words)

Notes:

Remember: Added value = the difference between the price of the finished product/service and the cost of the inputs involved in making it. Let’s say a celebrity chef is preparing a meal at his luxury restaurant. Once the cooking is complete, the meal is being served and sold for a high price, substantially more than the cost of buying the ingredients. Value has been added.

You don’t have to use robots or have the culinary skills of Gordon Ramsay to “add value”!!

For example, businesses can add value by:

· Building a brand – a reputation for quality, value etc that customers are prepared to pay for. Nike trainers sell for much more than Hi-tec, even though the production costs per pair are probably pretty similar!

· Delivering excellent service – high quality, attentive personal service can make the difference between achieving a high price or a medium one

· Product features and benefits – for example, additional functionality in different versions of software can enable a software seller to charge higher prices; different models of motor vehicles are designed to achieve the same effect.

· Offering convenience – customers will often pay a little more for a product that they can have straightaway, or which saves them time.

Develop and explain the probability and relative frequency of the data you found for each mode of transportation.

The mayor and city council members of Seatville have hired you as a consultant to determine the transportation modes within their city. The mayor wants to know where to spend budget dollars to improve infrastructure and transportation modes. Being a diligent consultant, you interviewed 1,255 people during a 16-week period. You determined the following methods of transportation were used:

• 850 residents drove a personal car,
• 200 used public transportation (bus),
• 5 rode a bicycle,
• 50 walked, and
• 150 rode a motorcycle.

Prepare a report that outlines the requirements of your consulting task. In your report, you should include the following:

1. Provide an introduction that outlines the problem and gives on overview of the situation as well as a conclusion that sums up your report.
2. Develop and explain the probability and relative frequency of the data you found for each mode of transportation.
3. Compute the relative frequencies to two decimal places. If you need practice computing relative frequency, watch the Unit II Relative Frequency Example video created by the CSU Math Center.
4. Use this data to make a final recommendation of where the mayor and city council should spend their infrastructure/transportation.

Your completed report must be at least three pages in length, and you must use your textbook and at least one other academic source. Adhere to APA Style when constructing this assignment, including in-text citations and references for all sources that are used. Please note that no abstract is needed. 

Why does politics have such an important impact on strategy in the healthcare sector?

Repeal of Obamacare?

The ACA, signed into law in 2010, substantially changed the direction and strategies of most US healthcare organizations. The US Department of Health & Human Services was given the responsibility of implementing many of the provisions that sought to “expand coverage, emphasize prevention, improve the quality of health care and patient outcomes across health care settings, ensure patient safety, promote efficiency and accountability, and work toward high-value health care.” The law instituted healthcare exchanges to facilitate purchasing insurance and banned lifetime dollar limits and discrimination based on preexisting conditions (Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation 2016). The law was designed to motivate care coordination and integration across the continuum of care by transitioning to a population health and value-based care focus. Healthcare organizations responded, among other ways, through mergers and acquisitions. Physicians merged into mega– group practices. Pharmaceutical and insurance companies consolidated (Singer 2016). Hospitals acquired other hospitals, as well as physician practices and insurance businesses. Providers opened accountable care organizations, which were established to take capitation that could function next to traditional fee-for-service models. Healthcare insurers merged to counterbalance the growing market power of hospitals. In sum, changes happened in and across all sectors in the healthcare field. Much of the consolidation has been blamed on the ACA, and in early 2016 these changes seemed inevitable (Gluck 2016). However, few predicted the election of Donald Trump in the fall of 2016 and his effect on the direction the healthcare sector has taken. Trump signaled that on his first day in office he would “work immediately on repealing Obamacare” (Koronowski 2017). A full or even partial repeal of the ACA would have significant impact on the strategies of healthcare organizations. Although we may not know what the repeal means for some time, and the final shape of the healthcare field under a Trump administration may gradually evolve, most Americans support coverage guaranteed regardless of preexisting conditions yet oppose a mandate. The ACA also cut $700 billion from Medicare provider reimbursements, which will probably not be restored by Trump’s reforms (Kapur 2016). Whatever the results, the political winds of change have roared through a healthcare sector that now must review and revise its plans.

Repeal Obamacare? Week 1

Read “Repeal Obamacare?” on Page 20 of this week’s text, “Strategic Healthcare Management: Planning and Execution” and address the following questions:

1. Why does politics have such an important impact on strategy in the healthcare sector?

2. Why were healthcare organizations merging under the ACA? Why might these strategies have needed to be revisited?

3. How does this case demonstrate the difficulty in only having a prospective strategy?

Explain, in your own words, why working capital investments are subtracted each year in the cash flows.

When a business considers investing in a new project, the decision must be carefully evaluated. Businesses should invest in projects that are expected to add value to the company. One method to determine the added value of a project is net present value (NPV) analysis. NVP analysis determines the present value of the benefits and costs of a project. If the project’s NPV is greater than $0, then the project is considered to add value to the company. For this discussion, you will practice calculating the added value of project using the NPV.

Prepare: 

Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum,

• Complete the Week 4 – Learning Activity 1.
• Read Chapter 7 of Essentials of finance.

For the initial post, you will complete the NPV problem below. You will not be able to see other students’ posts until you post your initial post.

Problem: 

A large auto company has just completed the research and development (R&D) on a new product, the Electrobicycle. The Electrobicycle is an electronic, climate-controlled bicycle with zero emissions. The R&D efforts focused on developing the capability to utilize electricity to power bicycles. Ultimately, the auto company expects Electrobicycles to be popular for most urban citizens due to convenience and low cost.

The R&D, which cost $3 million, is complete and paid for. The plant and equipment to mass produce the Electrobicycles will cost $2 million. This plant and equipment will be depreciated over 5 years using the straight-line method to zero book value ($400,000 per year). A working capital investment of $1 million will be needed at the beginning of the project. A working capital investment of $200,000 per year will be needed thereafter.

At the end of 5 years, the auto company believes there will be no more sales opportunities for Electrobicycles and will cease all production. Thus, at the end of the project, all working capital investments (the $1 million initial investment and the $200,000 per year) will be recovered at full value. The plant and equipment will be scrapped for a salvage value of $300,000 (after tax).

The company expects moderate sales in years 1 and 2, and then significant growth in each year thereafter as consumers adopt the Electrobicycles. Revenues and earnings will cease at the end of Year 5. The revenues, after-tax earnings, and cash flow for the 5-year life of the project are shown in this table.

Table 1

Projected Electrobicycle Financial Projection

Numbers in $000’s

TABLE ATTACHED

Note: n/a = not applicable

Calculate: 

• Determine the NPV for the Electrobicycle project. Use the annual project cash flow from the table above. For the required rate of return, use the percent value from your birthday date. For example, if your birthday falls on the 16th of the month, the required rate of return would be 16%.
  • For guidance, review Section 7.1 of the textbook, NPV Example: The Pizza Scooter Delivery Project Revisited.

Write: 

In your post, include the following:

• Calculate the NPV of the Electrobicycle project. Be sure to show your NPV calculations.
• Explain, in your own words, why working capital investments are subtracted each year in the cash flows.
• Explain, in your own words, the meaning of the required rate of return for the project.
• Assume the auto company has a required rate of return of 15%. Based on the required rate of return you used for the Electrobicycles (based on your birthday date), is the Electrobicycle project more or less risky than the auto company? Explain your answer.
• Based on your concluded NPV, should the company invest in this project to build Electrobicycles? Justify your answer.

What is the purpose of NPV analysis?

In the past two weeks, you have chosen a publicly traded company (APPLE Inc.) and have prepared Section 3 of the Week 5 final project. Section 3 evaluated the stock price of the company using the constant growth formula. This week, you practiced NPV calculations in the discussion, and you are working on Section 4 of the Final Project. In Section 4, you will use the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) to calculate the company’s required rate of return. Then, using this CAPM required rate of return, you will recalculate the company’s stock price using the constant growth formula.

At this point, you have begun to develop an understanding of the value of the company’s stock. Ultimately, you will need to decide if you can recommend investing in this company’s stock (with a buy recommendation) or if you do not feel it is a good investment (a sell recommendation). For many companies, the evidence will be quite strong in one direction or the other. For other companies, the evidence will be conflicting, and you may consider issuing a holdrecommendation.

Write: 

Write a two-to-three-page answering the following questions:

• What are the similarities between the time value of money formulas (from Week 3) and the NPV analysis in the Week 4 discussion?
• What is the purpose of NPV analysis? Be sure to discuss the concepts of risk and return in your answer.
• What are two improvements or corrections you could make to your previous assignments in preparation for the final project that is due in Week 5?
• What is going well and what are you struggling with in regard to Weeks 3 and 4?
• What is one question you have about the Week 4 assignment or the Week 5 final project?