Author: chris

1. Strategic planning involves adapting the resources of the firm to the opportunities and threats of an ever-changing retail environment (Dunne and Lusch). What, in your opinion, makes strategic planning such a crucial aspect to retail management?

2. As a store manager, what strategies would you take to entice customers into your store to shop and buy? How is consumer behavior applied to retail management?
3. In many states, gas stations are offering lower gas prices per gallon for those who pay by cash rather than by credit card. Why do you feel more and more companies are offering these types of deals and how does it affect your spending habits?

4. Describe and give an example as to why dependency, power, and conflict can influence supply chain relations for retailers.

1. Consumer behavior can be defined as products and services that consumers select, purchase, use, and dispose of to satisfy personal needs and wants. As a consumer, think about a product and a service that you purchase. Why do you feel these purchases are a necessity?

2. Experts state that consumer behavior and marketing go hand-in-hand. Do you agree that consumer behavior is essential to an organization’s marketing plan? Explain.

3. In today’s economy, one might see various brand names on the store shelves right next to the generic store brand. As a consumer, do you feel that it is necessary to stick to the brand name items or do you find that you are happy to purchase the cheaper generic brand? Explain.

This week, you have expanded on your knowledge of multiple regression to work with linear multiple regression. In this Application, you will perform a linear multiple regression analysis.

To prepare for this Application:

• Review Chapter 8 of the Field text for a description of the linear multiple regression and an example of conducting a linear multiple regression using PASW.
• Review Chapter 5 from the APA manual, “Displaying Results.”
• Review the media resources demonstrating the linear multiple regression.

The assignment:

Complete Smart Alex’s Task #5 on p. 355 to complete the linear multiple regression analysis using the Child Aggression.sav dataset from the Field text. However, use only the variables Aggression (DV), and test to see if Sibling Aggression is a mediator of the relationship between Parenting Style and Aggression or whether Sibling Aggression is a moderator of the relationship.

You can follow the steps outlined on pp. 331–354 as a guide. Report your findings in APA format according to the guidelines in the PASW Application Assignment Guidelines handout. The final document should be 2–3 pages long.

Submit your Application to the Week 7 Assignment 1 submission link by Day 7.

Discussion Question 1 (Aggregate Assessment) due 1/12/16

In community and public health nursing the target of care is the community, thus the community is the client receiving the care. The role of the nurse is to evaluate health concerns, and develop an aggregate plan of care to address those concerns. Aggregates or target populations in the community may include child care centers, cities, counties, senior centers, homeless shelters, minority communities, faith based organizations, work sites, schools, or other populations. Identify and discuss a few targeted populations in your community that are of interest to you, and explain your reasons for the selections identified.

Discussion Question 2 (The Intervention Wheel) due 1/15/16

Using the Intervention Wheel, choose two of the interventions that you feel are most important and discuss how they can be used with an aggregate.

Discussion Question 3 (Health Problems) due 1/17/16

Which area, rural or urban, has the most health problems? Why?

Discussion Question 4 (Epidemiological Issues) due 1/19/16

What epidemiological issues did you find in your community? What differentiates these as epidemiological issues vs. individual issues? For example, hypertension in the African American population is an epidemiological issue, but in the Caucasian population, it is an individual issue.

Discussion Question 5 (Chronic Diseases) due 1/21/16

Discuss the top two chronic diseases seen in adults in your area.

Discussion Question 6 (Health Promotion) due 1/23/16

Using one of the health issues identified for your community, discuss health promotion areas at two levels.

Discussion Question 7 (Poverty and the Community) due 1/25/16

What is the poverty level in your community? How many people live below the poverty level in your community? What does this mean for your community (what issues arise from the poverty level and the number of people below the poverty level)?

Discussion Question 8 (Causes of Death) due 1/27/16

Using the CDC website, conduct a search to compare the causes of death among two ethnicities of the same age or two ages of the same ethnicity.

Discuss your selection and the results. Cite two sources to explain your results.

Discussion Question 9 (Responsibilities of a Nurse) due 1/29/15

Discuss the following with regard to the role and responsibilities of a nurse in a community:

• How are nurse practitioners utilized in your community?
• Do they increase access to health care or work for physicians?
• What are the requirements for nurse practitioners in your state?
• What privileges do they have that general nurses do not have?

Discussion Question 10 (The Five Pillars and Aggregates) due 1/31/15

In your opinion, which of the five pillars defined in the College of Nursing Philosophy -caring, communication, critical thinking, professionalism, and holism is most important in dealing with an aggregate or community?

Resource: The Importance of Accountability Paper Grading Criteria

Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper that addresses the following:

• Why is accountability important in the health care industry?
• How is an employee’s accountability measured in the health care industry?
• How does accountability apply to ethical considerations in leadership and management?
• What does a checks-and-balances process look like in a successful organization?
• How does accountability affect an organization’s working culture?
• How can you maintain a positive working culture and avoid a working culture of blame?

Cite a minimum of 4 references.

Format your paper according to APA guidelines.

Must be at least 1200 words.

Alternate Work Arrangements
Various alternative work arrangements exist for use in businesses and other types of organizations; included among the options are compressed work weeks, flexible work schedules, telecommuting, and job sharing. This case focuses on alternative work arrangements in general rather than on a particular one exclusively; however, telecommuting does receive additional attention.
The case revolves around the potential advantages and disadvantages that are associated with alternative work arrangements, and the factors that are contributing to an increased use of various alternative work arrangements by employers. With respect to the various advantages and disadvantage that are identified in the case, the positives seem to outweigh the negatives. “Organizations that offer flexible working arrangements are, and will continue to be, employers of choice. ¼ Employees consistently rank flexible schedules high on their list of desired benefits; employers who are reluctant to offer these popular perks will find themselves falling short in the bidding wars for talent.” The case identifies three underlying factors that are driving the movement toward the increased utilization of alternative work arrangements in many different workplaces. These factors are: (a) the needs, desires, and expectations of workers for greater flexibility at work; (b) fuel costs and fuel consumption associated with commuting, and the related carbon footprint impact; and (c) the restrictive impact of the 2008-2009 economic recession on job opportunities.
The case concludes by pointing out that many nations have experimented successfully with various flexible work programs and some countries have enacted legislation promoting alternative work arrangements. It then poses the question: “Will the United States government and American businesses be adequately prepared to meet future economic challenges, at least in part, by embracing the movement toward increasing use of alternative work arrangements?”
Case Study – Alternative Work Arrangements: Possible Solutions for a Plethora of Problems?
Alternative work arrangements, such as compressed work weeks, flexible work schedules, telecommuting, or job sharing, can have positive and negative consequences for employers and employees. In general, alternative work arrangements can generate beneficial outcomes, particularly for employers, such as “increased employee retention, loyalty and morale; higher productivity; improved recruiting of highly qualified workers; decreased employee tardiness and unscheduled absences; and maximum use of facilities and equipment.” On the employees’ side, telecommuting—one type of alternative work arrangement—has favorable effects on perceived autonomy, the resolution of work–family conflicts, job performance, job satisfaction, and the experience of stress. What is more, it does not harm perceived career prospects or the quality of workplace relationships. On the downside, however, are the challenges associated with making these programs work for both employer and employees: handling issues regarding employee training, work monitoring, and performance evaluation; maintaining lines of communication with bosses and coworkers; and changing the attitudes of managers who might be uncomfortable with anything other than traditional working arrangements.
On balance the positives seem to outweigh the negatives. “Organizations that offer flexible working arrangements are, and will continue to be, employers of choice.¼ Employees consistently rank flexible schedules high on their list of desired benefits; employers who are reluctant to offer these popular perks will find themselves falling short in the bidding wars for talent.”
Although alternative work arrangements can be highly beneficial for both employers and employees, we need to ask the question: “What seems to be the underlying factors that are driving the movement toward the increased utilization of alternative work arrangements in many different workplaces?” One factor reflects the needs and desires of workers. “Many people today are seeking flexibility at work. Parents ¼ may want more time for family. Students hope to fit employment into a busy class schedule. And some people look for work after retirement. Whatever their situation, they’re not alone in wanting a job that’s a better match for their lives.”
Younger workers and those nearing retirement age are two particular segments of the workforce that can be meaningfully targeted by employers offering various alternative work arrangements. Younger workers are entering the workforce with different expectations than previous generations of workers. Whereas their parents were work-centric, most members of Generations X and Y give priority to their personal lives; or at the very least they desire to balance their work lives and personal lives. Sharif Khan, vice-president of human resources at Microsoft Canada, says, “Gen X and Gen Y are coming into the workplace with the expectation that they’re going to be treated as individuals, [who] ¼ want to be able to fit their life and their work together comfortably, as opposed to focusing on work and dealing with life after the fact.”
Another important demographic group in the workforce consists of those individuals nearing retirement. “Baby Boomers are reaching retirement age. While many Boomers may choose to stretch their retirement date based on some combination of lifestyle choice and recent market developments, many are opting for less-demanding positions or reduced workloads.” “By 2020, 16 percent of the U.S. population will be age 65 and over, up from 12 percent in 1999. ¼ Yet leaders of many organizations ignore aging workforce issues despite the potential problems they see coming, and some damage seems likely to occur before the issues receive appropriate attention.” “[T]he size of the Baby Boomer demographic group exceeds current graduating classes, and replacing their experience will be a challenge for most firms.”
Increasingly, business and governmental organizations are adopting alternative work arrangements for economic reasons. For example, a May 2008 poll conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management indicated that 18 percent of responding organizations offered telecommuting in order to help employees with rising fuel costs. Four months later, with fuel prices continuing to soar, the percentage of organizations offering the telecommuting option had risen to 40 percent. In October 2008, when gasoline prices were peaking, Ann Bednarz, writing in Network World, reported that “[g]as shortages in the Southeast United States are prompting companies to consider expanding their telework programs so employees can conserve fuel. Other options workers are weighing include greater use of carpools and public transit, along with alternative scheduling arrangements such as four-day work weeks.”
In addition to the dramatic increase in fuel costs in the summer and autumn of 2008, concerns about global warming and long commutes have fostered interest in alternative arrangements. Moreover, two recession-related factors could lead more employees to seek out long-distance telecommuting options for at least part of their time on the job. First, the slow housing market limits people’s ability to move to new jobs. Consequently, rather than physically commuting a long distance for a new job, part-time, long-distance telecommuting could be an option. Second, the weak job market that has been caused by the recession appears to be increasing the number of commuter marriages wherein the spouses work in different cities. Here too, part-time, long-distance telecommuting might be a viable option.
Many nations have experimented successfully with various flexible work programs; and indeed, some countries have enacted laws to make alternative work arrangements more accessible to employees. Although the United States has not enacted such legislation, the demographic and economic changes that are occurring may result in alternative work arrangements laws that “could play an important role in preparing the U.S. economy for the future.”
Will the U.S. government and American businesses be adequately prepared to meet future economic challenges, at least in part, by embracing the movement toward increasing use of alternative work arrangements?
This case was written by Michael K. McCuddy, The Louis S. and Mary L. Morgal Chair of Christian Business Ethics and Professor of Management, College of Business Administration, Valparaiso University.
In your paper discuss the following questions with concepts from the course:
1. How can employees benefit from alternative work arrangements? Why?
2. What are some of the possible negative outcomes for employers and/or employees regarding alternative work arrangements? Please explain your answer.
3. What types of factors are influencing organizations to consider using alternative work arrangements? Explain how alternative work arrangements can address the problems/issues that are raised by these factors.
4. Should the availability of alternative work arrangements to employees in the United States be mandated by law? Why or why not?

Included in this module are the suggested readings regarding staffing plans, along with examples for how to incorporate staffing in your agency. In a minimum of 300 words, you will post your answer to the Discussion Area.
Tasks:
Using at least 5 resources from the professional literature, respond to the following in a minimum of 400 words as it relates to the Human Services field. The literature may include the University online library resources, relevant textbooks, peer-reviewed journal articles, and websites created by professional organizations, agencies, or institutions (.edu, .org, and .gov):
• Using the same position in the Human Services field that you discussed in M1 Assignment 1 Discussion, assume that you are the hiring officer in your agency. Discuss a minimum of three things you will look for when choosing your staff. (This can include personality characteristics such as dedication, hard work, and efficiency; and/or job skills, such as understanding Microsoft Office programs, having experience working with children, and having tutoring experience.) How will you determine that the applicants have the desired qualities? Keep in mind the mission and vision of your agency.
• Determine and discuss how you will evaluate and hold employees accountable.
Suppose you have a supervisee who has earned a negative quarterly evaluation. Discuss how you would talk with this supervisee, including three examples of statements or questions you would ask during your discussion. Keep the ethics codes and multiculturalism values in mind when answering this question.

Complete the following readings early in the module:
• Module 4 overview
• From your course textbook in HS6010 An Introduction to Human Services: Policy and Practice, read the following chapters:
o Organizing and Changing Systems
o Understanding Legal Issues
• From your course textbook in HS6532 Program Evaluation and Performance Management: An Introduction to Practice, read the following chapter:
o Measurement for Program Evaluation and Performance Monitoring
• From your course textbook in HS6020 Becoming an Ethical Helping Professional: Cultural and Philosophical Foundations, read the following chapters:
o Ethics Codes, Codes of Conduct, Employer Policies, and the Law
o Teaching, Mentoring, Supervision
• From the University online library resources, read the following articles:
o ‘Accountability’: An Ever-Expanding Concept?
o An Integrated Analysis of Nurse Staffing and Scheduling Policies
o Performance-Based Contracting for Human Services: A Proposed Model
o Rediscovering Implementation: Public Sector Contracting and Human Services
o Ten Approaches for Enhancing Empathy in Health and Human Services Cultures
Suggested Reading:
From the Internet, read the following:
An Integrated Approach to Determine Hospital Outpatient Staffing Needs

Final Research Paper/Project The paper/project must be on a policy or legal aspect directly related to the course material and topics are assigned. TA list of topics will be available by the end of Week 1. Students then must select a topic and submit it with a rough outline for instructor approval by COB in Week 3. The paper must be written as a research paper, not an essay; must be properly researched; and written clearly and concisely. MUST be in APA format, including use of APA citations and referencing. Sources must absolutely properly quoted and cited in accordance with APA standards. Below is a list of topics. This is a graduate course and paper must meet graduate writing requirements. TURNIT.COM will be utilized for plagiarism check.

Pick a specific data protection/breach statute you find interesting and discuss how it is being applied in a business setting; how does it work, is there a governmental agency responsible for enforcing its provisions, what are its limitations and strengths, and find some recent cases which have interpreted specific aspects of the law you selected.
2. Electronic surveillance and the NSA
3. How the 4th Amendment has impacted the development of electronic surveillance laws
4. Select a specific case of an insider threat, how it occurred and why, which laws were used to prosecute the insider and how those laws applied to that specific set of circumstances.
5. Identify a data breach case which was international and discuss the relevant international laws and policies used to address and prosecute those responsible for the breach.
6. Extraterritoriality, Multiple Legal Assistance Treaties in the prosecution of cyber criminals
7. Use of social media as evidence and its admissibility in court
8. The Third Party Doctrine: Compare and contrast with the EU fundamental right of privacy

Take the perspective of an American citizen in 1837, and identify yourself: location, age, and occupation. Assuming this role with no future knowledge, describe your view of Andrew Jackson. Provide an opinion on at least three distinct issues that took place during his administrations (1829-1837). 500 words.

General answer to question above. Not an essay or citing needed.