Author: chris

The text should be handed in, printed and stapled, following a Microsoft Word format, a letter size twelve (12) and a spacing of one and a half (1.5) between sentences (or line spacing in the paragraph options). The extension of the work should not be less than three (3) pages or greater than five (5) pages of content…. The written essay should be a product that reflects your understanding and interpretation (substantiated with arguments, evidence and reasoning, expressed in a clear, consistent, and accurate matter) of the assigned readings( I WILL PROVIDE THEM) Do not use Internet sources and limit yourself to the assigned texts, the discussion in class and your own argumentative capabilities. DUE PREFERABLY ON SEPTEMBER 30, IF NOT OCTOBER 1ST NO LATER THAN 6AM. 

 

 

Instructions:

To understand the validity of an instrument we must critically assess the core concepts that supposedly are being defined, measured and applied in a psychometric test. Having that in mind we have, during the second unit, critically revised the concept of “Intelligence” since the beginnings of “mental tests”, in the late XIX century, until the more recent theories of Intelligence developed in late XX century (specially during the 1980s and 1990s). For that reason the purpose of the this test is to elaborate a single essay that discusses the following:

 

1. How certain interpretations of the concept of evolution influenced the instrumentation and measurement of “Intelligence” in the “Nature vs. Nurture” debate at the end of the XIX century and the beginning of the XX century.

 

2. The problems and limitations regarding how “Intelligence” has been measured, defined and applied. 3. How recent theories, specially Robert Sternberg’s and Howard Gardner’s theories, have tried to solve some of these problems and limitations. It is advisable that you take into account the following “guidelines” when elaborating your discussion:

 

1. Take into consideration the historical overview regarding the theory of evolution and individual differences as discussed in class and on Hergenhahn and Hanley’s (2014) text. It also advisable to look at Sternberg’s (2003) historical revision of some of the theories of Intelligence.

 

2. Focus on one of the recent theories, either Sternberg’s or Gardner’s, giving examples on how they prove that “Intelligence” cannot be reduced to what usual and traditional psychometric tests measure.

 

3. Use at least two (2) of the assigned texts. Limit yourself to said texts and the discussion in class. Assigned texts (in the order they were assigned). Hergenhahn, B.R. & Henley, T.B. (2014). Evolution and Individual Differences. In B.R. 1. Hergenhahn & Tracy B. Henley, An Introduction to the History of Psychology (279- 319). Belmont: Wadsworth. Sternberg, R. (2003). Intelligence. In Donald K. Freedheim & Irving B. Weiner, Handbook of Psychology: Volume I, History of Psychology (135-156). New Jersey: Wiley & Sons. Sternberg, R. (2009). The Theory of a Successful Intelligence. In James C. Kaufman & Elena L. Grigorenko (Eds.), The Essential Sternberg (71-101). New York: Springer. Gardner, H. (1989). Multiple Intelligences Go to School: Educational Implication of the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Educational Researcher 18 (8): 4-10. Gardner, H. (1995). Reflections on Multiple Intelligences: Myths and Messages. The Phi Delta Kappan 77 (3): 200-203, 206-209

Petrie’s Electronics Case Questions Solutions

2. Again, review the DFDs you developed for the Petrie’s Electronics case. (I have placed the level 1 diagrams in the Project Workbook – Week 3 folder in doc sharing, use your homework solution for the Record Customer Activities level 1).

Use these DFDs to identify the attributes of each of the six entities listed in this case, using Figure PE Figure 7-1; I have also placed the Visio diagram in doc sharing, Project Workbook – Week 4).

Write an unambiguous definition for each attribute. Then, redraw PE Figure 7-1 by placing the six (and additional) entities in this case on the diagram along with their associated attributes.

List at least 2 attributes for each of the six entities and describe then in a short sentence or bullet statement. Then redraw PE Fig 7-1 to look like figure 7-21.

 

 

 

3. Using your answer to Question 2, designate which attribute or attributes form the identifier for each entity type. Explain why you chose each identifier.

Look in the book for the definition of an identifier – an attribute that will make each entity unique (sometimes called candidates Key or primary keys; i.e. student ID etc.). Pick an identifier for each of the six entities that will make them unique. Identifiers are underlined in attribute list in entities – so look in the book for some examples)

 

 

4. using your answer to Question 3, draw the relationships between entity types needed by the system. Remember, a relationship is needed only if the system wants data about associated entity instances. Give a meaningful name to each relationship. Specify cardinalities for each relationship and explain how you decided on each minimum and maximum cardinality on each end of each relationship. State any assumptions you made if the Petrie’s Electronics cases you have read so far and the answers to questions in these cases do not provide the evidence to justify the cardinalities you choose. Redraw your final E-R diagram in Microsoft Visio

Comprehensive and Secure Solution

Assume you are a consultant to a local business that has asked you to propose an enterprise-wide solution that includes computers, peripherals, and networking solutions such that the entire system is secure.

The business is a small publishing company that has 50 employees. The office is located on one floor of a single story dwelling. There are only pillars holding up the roof and no walls. Each “office” is a single glass cubicle.

Detailed specifications are as follow. Addressing each should comprise a separate section of the body of your proposal.

1. PC Selection
   

   a. The company for which you wish to be hired as a contractor needs to purchase new personal computers. The company requires clarification regarding all technical specifications for the PC’s with justifications for each attribute. (Note: specify hard drive capacity, speed, RAM, etc., and also recommend an operating system.)

   b. The company is looking for at least 20 business-class machines.  Brand is not mandated. The company will eventually network all of the computers. The company is looking for you to explain what internal and external networking components are required (explaining each and justifying WHY you chose the machines you did).

   c. All proposals should include cost elements.

2. Peripherals
   

   a. The company has asked that you provide details regarding the different types of peripheral equipment that can be connected to the computers proposed in the PC Selection section. Include descriptions of the types of connections needed for monitors, storage devices, printers, and any other devices you feel would be appropriate for the scenario described.

   b. All proposals should include cost elements.

3. Networking
   

   a. You are required to provide a solution that can connect all users in a manner that will allow them to manage and share files in a central location. These are the basic requirements, but you are encouraged to be creative in proposed solutions, keeping in mind that while the organization is growing quickly, it remains relatively small.

4. Security
   

   a. In this section be sure to discuss how the individual PCs and network would be secured.

Your draft proposal should include each of the following sections, with each preceded by an appropriate heading:

1. Introduction/overview
2. Table of Contents
3. Body, including a separate section for each numbered item in the specifications above
4. Conclusion
5. APA References
6. Any appendices you feel appropriate

Change Model Assignment

 

Assume you are the Sales and Marketing Director for Sea Treasures, a small group of well-known retail stores specializing in exotic sea life and high-end accessories for aquariums.   The company has been in business for over 50 years, but the customer base is shrinking, sales are slow, and you are faced with reducing staff and closing stores.   Sea Treasures will be out of business within a year if innovative and creative changes are not made quickly.   After many months, you have finally been able to convince the owner that the only way to sustain the business and increase revenue is to create an Internet Website to sell the large inventory of aquarium decorator items (currently gathering dust in a costly warehouse) .  This will be a short-term, small scale change.  Six months later, you will expand the Website to sell live sea creatures such as tropical fish and small sea turtles online, which is a long-term, large-scale change.

You face many challenges in this transformational change initiative, beginning with strong employee resistance, new technology, and shipping methods.  Many small businesses have been faced with these same issues, and have made the transition successfully.  Consider the humble beginnings of Amazon, and look where they are today.  Selecting the best change model for this business, and implementing it step by step provides the foundation for creating an exciting new company.

In 3 – 5 pages, explain which change model you would follow for the short-term change and which you would follow for the long-term change.  Provide rationale for your decision and discuss the effects that these changes would have on the employees, managers, and executives within the organization.  Include at least three references and follow standard APA formatting for your paper.

 

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment

Assignment 1: Growth in Emerging Markets

 

When analyzing new markets to enter, companies need to perform an environmental screening to be sure about which potential candidates would be the most likely to provide the right conditions for achieving expected results. In doing that, economic conditions and growth patterns always play an important role for decision making.

Using the University online library resources and the Internet, research recent growth trends for developed and emerging countries and answer the following:

• After the 2007/2008 world economic crisis, what has been different about emerging markets with regard to growth patterns, economic conditions, and trends? Justify your answer by providing some examples.
• If you were the person in charge of growth strategies for a retail company, what market(s) would be your primary targets for an expansion? Why? Explain your reasoning and substantiate your claims with citations from your research.

Give reasons in support of your responses. Be sure to cite any relevant resources.

Write your initial response in 300–500 words. Your response should be thorough and address all components of the discussion question in detail; include citations of all sources, where needed, according to the APA style; and demonstrate accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

By Saturday, September 26 post your response to the below Discussion Area.

 

Assignment 2:Ethnocentrism

In M5: Assignment 1, you evaluated some aspects of the economic/market conditions that should be part of the environmental scanning that any company needs to perform before making a decision to enter new markets. In this assignment, you will focus on the social-cultural dimension of the analysis of international opportunities. Understanding a new culture and all idiosyncrasies and differences between the company’s original culture and that of the new market being considered as a new target is fundamental for achieving success. Your company should never assume that values, ethics, needs, and expectations are the same in all markets. Ethnocentrism can be a major problem when a company looks at new markets.

Using the University online library resources and the Internet, research the topic of ethnocentrism in business and answer the following:

• What is the impact of ethnocentrism on companies that want to expand their operations to new markets? Illustrate your answer with real-world examples.
• How can a company mitigate the impact of ethnocentrism? Provide suggestions and give examples to illustrate your points.
• If you were the person in charge of growth strategies for a retail company, what market(s) would be your primary targets for an expansion? Explain your reasoning.

Give reasons in support of your responses. Be sure to cite any relevant resources.

Write your initial response in 300–500 words. Your response should be thorough and address all components of the discussion question in detail; include citations of all sources, where needed, according to the APA style; and demonstrate accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

By Saturday, September 26  post your response to the below Discussion Area.

Petrie’s Electronics Case Questions Solutions

2. Again, review the DFDs you developed for the Petrie’s Electronics case. (I have placed the level 1 diagrams in the Project Workbook – Week 3 folder in doc sharing, use your homework solution for the Record Customer Activities level 1).

Use these DFDs to identify the attributes of each of the six entities listed in this case, using Figure PE Figure 7-1; I have also placed the Visio diagram in doc sharing, Project Workbook – Week 4).

Write an unambiguous definition for each attribute. Then, redraw PE Figure 7-1 by placing the six (and additional) entities in this case on the diagram along with their associated attributes.

List at least 2 attributes for each of the six entities and describe then in a short sentence or bullet statement. Then redraw PE Fig 7-1 to look like figure 7-21.

 

 

 

3. Using your answer to Question 2, designate which attribute or attributes form the identifier for each entity type. Explain why you chose each identifier.

Look in the book for the definition of an identifier – an attribute that will make each entity unique (sometimes called candidates Key or primary keys; i.e. student ID etc.). Pick an identifier for each of the six entities that will make them unique. Identifiers are underlined in attribute list in entities – so look in the book for some examples)

 

 

4. using your answer to Question 3, draw the relationships between entity types needed by the system. Remember, a relationship is needed only if the system wants data about associated entity instances. Give a meaningful name to each relationship. Specify cardinalities for each relationship and explain how you decided on each minimum and maximum cardinality on each end of each relationship. State any assumptions you made if the Petrie’s Electronics cases you have read so far and the answers to questions in these cases do not provide the evidence to justify the cardinalities you choose. Redraw your final E-R diagram in Microsoft Visio

Complete both parts of this assignment and submit as a single document.

Part One Based upon recording balance of payment (BOP) transactions, determine whether or not the following is a debit, credit, or no entry to the U.S. Balance of Payment statement. Also determine what chart of account is affected (i.e., CA, KA, or OSB):

1. U.S. resident purchases Mercedes Benz C230,

2. U.S. resident purchases Chevelot Impala,

3. foreigner purchases GE dryer,

4. U.S. resident purchases UK stock, and

5. U.S. resident borrows funds from British broker to purchase stock.

 

Part Two  

Read the case study, pp. 759-762, “H&M: The Challenges of Global Expansion and the Move to Adopt International Financial Reporting Standards.” Answer questions 19-3 and 19-4 at the end of the case study and the questions listed below. Your response for all four questions should be at least three pages in length and follow APA style guidelines.

 What type of exposure could the CFO of H&M in the U.S. be subjected to since H&M is based in Sweden and the financial statements are prepared according to IFRS?

 Payments or liabilities may also be subjected to exposure. Explain the operational hedging strategies that may offset exposure.

19-3. If an investor wants to compare the financial results of the Gap, Index, and H&M. what difference does it make that their financial statements are prepared according to different GAAP? Would you expect there to be a big difference between U.S. GAAP as used by the GAP and IFRS as used by H&M and Inditex?

 

19-4. Waht are the major sources of influences o H&M’s accounting standards and practice?

 

THE CASE STUDY IS OUT OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTS AND OPERATIONS (15TH ed). by daniels, radeabaugh, and sullivan.

Required Assignment 2—Manufacturing Budget Analysis

Tom Emory and Jim Morris strolled back to their plant from the administrative offices of Ferguson & Son Manufacturing Company. Tom is manager of the machine shop in the company’s factory; Jim is manager of the equipment maintenance department. The men had just attended the monthly performance evaluation meeting for plant department heads. These meetings had been held on the third Tuesday of each month since Robert Ferguson, Jr., the president’s son, had become plant manager a year earlier. As they were walking, Tom Emory spoke: “Boy, I hate those meetings! I never know whether my department’s accounting reports will show good or bad performance. I’m beginning to expect the worst. If the accountants say I saved the company a dollar, I’m called ‘Sir,’ but if I spend even a little too much—boy, do I get in trouble. I don’t know if I can hold on until I retire.” Tom had just been given the worst evaluation he had ever received in his long career with Ferguson & Son. He was the most respected of the experienced machinists in the company. He had been with the company for many years and was promoted to supervisor of the machine shop when the company expanded and moved to its present location. The president (Robert Ferguson, Sr.) had often stated that the company’s success was due to the high-quality work of machinists like Tom. As supervisor, Tom stressed the importance of craftsmanship and told his workers that he wanted no sloppy work coming from his department. When Robert Ferguson, Jr., became the plant manager, he directed that monthly performance comparisons be made between actual and budgeted costs for each department. The departmental budgets were intended to encourage the supervisors to reduce inefficiencies and to seek cost reduction opportunities. The company controller was instructed to have his staff “tighten” the budget slightly whenever a department attained its budget in a given month; this was done to reinforce the plant manager’s desire to reduce costs. The young plant manager often stressed the importance of continued progress toward attaining the budget; he also made it known that he kept a file of these performance reports for future reference when he succeeded his father. Tom Emory’s conversation with Jim Morris continued as follows: Emory: I really don’t understand. We’ve worked so hard to meet the budget, and the minute we do so they tighten it on us. We can’t work any faster and still maintain quality. I think my men are ready to quit trying. Besides, those reports don’t tell the whole story. We always seem to be interrupting the big jobs for all those small rush orders. All that setup and machine adjustment time is killing us. And quite frankly, Jim, you were no help. When our hydraulic press broke down last month, your people were nowhere to be found. We had to take it apart ourselves and got stuck with all that idle time. Morris: I’m sorry about that, Tom, but you know my department has had trouble making budget, too. We were running well behind at the time of that problem, and if we had spent a day on that old machine, we would never have made it up. Instead, we made the scheduled inspections of the forklift trucks because we knew we could do those in less than the budgeted time. Emory: Well, Jim, at least you have some options. I’m locked into what the scheduling department assigns to me and you know they’re being harassed by sales for those special orders. Incidentally, why didn’t your report show all the supplies you guys wasted last month when you were working in Bill’s department? Morris: We’re not out of the woods on that deal yet. We charged the maximum we could to other work and haven’t even reported some of it yet. Emory: Well, I’m glad you have a way of getting out of the pressure. The accountants seem to know everything that’s happening in my department, sometimes even before I do. I thought all that budget and accounting stuff was supposed to help, but it just gets me into trouble. It’s all a big pain. I’m trying to put out quality work; they’re trying to save pennies.

Review the case. Respond to the following:

• Identify the problems that appear to exist in Ferguson & Son Manufacturing Company’s budgetary control system and explain how the problems are likely to reduce the effectiveness of the system. (approximately 1 page)
• Explain how Ferguson & Son Manufacturing Company’s budgetary control system could be revised to improve its effectiveness. (approximately 1–2 pages)
• Explain how the use of an activity-based costing system could change the results of the budget, if utilized. (approximately 1 page)
• As stated in the case, many employees have “quit trying” and have altered behavior on the job. Provide specific ways for how you would use a budget to change employee behavior and align goals in the organization. Explain how goal alignment can improve profitability and overall return to the shareholders of the company. (approximately 1 page)
• Synthesize data to explain the concept of ROI and describe how the use of an activity-based costing system can improve the company’s ROI and the potential impact on free cash flow. (approximately 1 page)

Write a 5–6-page report in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M5_A2.doc.

By Wednesday, September 30, 2015, deliver your assignment to the M5: Assignment 2 Dropbox.

Assignment 2 Grading Criteria	Maximum Points
Identified the problems that appear to exist in the company’s budgetary control system and explained how the problems are likely to reduce the effectiveness of the system.	64
Explained how the company’s budgetary control system could be revised to improve its effectiveness.	64
Explained how the use of an activity-based costing system could change the results of the budget if utilized.	44
Identified ways of how one can use a budget to change employee behavior and align goals in the organization and explained how goal alignment can improve profitability and overall return to shareholders of the company.	44
Synthesized data to explain the concept of ROI, how the use of an activity-based costing system can improve the company’s ROI, and the potential impact on free cash flow.	56
Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.	28
Total:	300

For this assignment, you will review the steps to communicating the purpose of a research study and management question, examine the process to create a literature review, and develop Purpose of the Investigation andManagement/Business questions to use as a guide to your investigation. You will also begin researching information for the Problem or Opportunity Background section of your Portfolio Project.

Please note that the literature review, which is in Section II of your Portfolio Project, is entitled Problem or Opportunity Background. There are several components to this assignment:

Section I

• Revise and complete the Section I Worksheet—Business Opportunity  or Section I Worksheet—Organizational Problem
• Draft Section I using the Portfolio Project Template.

Problem or Opportunity Background

• Provide an outline of areas/topics you intend to investigate.
• Submit a list of at least twelve references that you will analyze and incorporate into Section II of the Portfolio Project (Problem or Opportunity Background) for the Week 8 Portfolio assignment in this course.
• Concentrate on using references that were published within the last five years.
• Ensure that a minimum of three references for each topic area have been identified at this point in the process.
• Identify and include a specific theory that is relevant to the topic, problem, purpose and management question.

Remember: the literature review does not attempt to answer your problem statement. The twelve references will provide the most up-to-date review of the areas/topics of your investigation. The references will be a starting point to develop Section II – Problem or Opportunity Background, which is due in Week 8 as part of the Portfolio Project.

Your well-written paper (one to three pages for Section I draft, plus outline of areas/topics for investigation and list of twelve references) should be formatted according to APA guidelines, including a title page, running head, page numbers, a separate reference page and the completed Worksheet asanAppendix.

 

Complete the Addressing International Legal and Ethical Issues simulation.

 

Write a 350-word summary. In your paper, answer the following questions:

 

• What are the issues involved in resolving legal disputes in international transactions?
• What are some practical considerations of taking legal action against a foreign business partner based in another country?
• What factors could work against CadMex’s decision to grant sublicensing agreements?
• When the local customs and laws conflict with the customs and laws of an organization operating abroad, which should prevail? Explain why.
• How would you compare the issues in this simulation to the domestic legal issues discussed in your Week One readings? How should companies resolve domestic and international issues differently?
• Include an in-depth introduction and conclusion.

 

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

 

Please see the attachment the results of the Addressing International Legal and Ethical Issues simulation.

 

This is the second part of the assignment.

Write a 85-150-word summary defining statutory law and differences between substantive law, procedural law, criminal law, civil law, and common law. Provide examples of statutory law and discuss what U.S. Constitution amendments were implemented to protect the rights of businesses and organizations. Discuss the topics you are comfortable with, the topics you struggled with, and how the weekly topics relate to application in your field.