Discuss the options to source internationally, Lexan logistics, or continue with domestic suppliers

Competency
Compare the nature of logistics operations and services in both international and domestic contexts.

Scenario
You are a newly hired Junior Analyst at Mitchell Consulting, a firm that specializes in providing managerial expertise in supply chain management. You are assigned as a support role to a senior consultant. Your role does not allow you to make selections for clients, but you will be evaluated for future promotion based upon your work in the analyst role. A client, Lexan Shaft has contacted Mitchell Consulting to provide options to achieve cost reductions and maintain their competitive advantage. Your manager, Senior Analyst Andrea Sims, has directed you to work on this case and provide analysis and options to resolve the problems.

Lexan Shaft is finding it difficult to remain competitive in supplying golf club shafts to major manufacturers due to the rising cost of the raw materials necessary to produce their patented Win-Flex shaft. Major manufacturers prefer Lexan technology, but are considering shifting to lower cost alternatives. Nunso X is a material key to the patented design of the shaft, but the raw material is mined only in Argentina. Three US suppliers currently supply all of this recently discovered metal. Nunso X demand and cost has significantly increased due to mobile device case manufacturing which results in superior durability.

Lexan Shaft’s Chief Operating Officer, Walter Mathis, believes that new opportunities to source Nunso X from Argentina need to be considered to decrease the cost of the raw material. The current US distributors do not manufacture any products. Two transportation companies have just entered into the global marketplace to deliver Nunso X from Argentina to the United States. Instanto and Momentus both offer a delivered cost that is below the cost prior to the new demand for durable mobile device cases. Because Lexan Shaft has always used the same supplier for their raw materials due to limited suppliers in the market, they have limited experience in building a plan for logistics decision-making. Walter has asked Mitchell Consulting to provide a plan to consider cost savings in sourcing Nunso X through a newly created Lexan transportation department or one of the two new Argentinian distributors.

Instructions
Your manager, Senior Analyst Andrea Sims, has asked you to prepare a presentation to be sent to Lexan Shaft’s Chief Operating Officer, Walter Mathis, presenting your analysis and a recommended selection process they can use to choose whether to source Nunso X from Instanto, Momentus, or create a logistics division of Lexan to source Nunso X. Your presentation must include the following:

Discuss the options to source internationally, Lexan logistics, or continue with domestic suppliers
Propose opportunities to reduce costs with current domestic suppliers
Compare the risks of sourcing internationally versus domestically
Examine tools to evaluate logistics sourcing options and suppliers
Outline the recommended steps to help Lexan Shaft make the best decision to source Nunso X

Explain the role capitalism plays in corporate decision making.

Capitalism is an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state, (Shaw, William H. (2014). Business ethics (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning). In this assignment, you will explain the role capitalism plays in corporate decision making.

Write a paper in which you:

Explain the role capitalism plays in corporate decision making.
Use at least two (2) quality references that are properly cited. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
three paragraphs 1. Intro 2. Body 3. Conclusion

give an account of whether we should accept the account of Locke and Schechtman, or that of Hume and Giles.

Where Locke and Schechtman hold the view that we are a succession of experiences organized by a consciousness, Hume took what we understand to be an Eastern approach. One of the central ideas of Buddhism is the pursuit of ‘self-negation’. By ‘negating’ or eliminating the need for one’s differentiation from other entities in the world, a person is able to eliminate material desire; and, thus attachment to the material world. This idea of self-negation is meant in the mystical sense, where the ultimate purpose of self-negation is the joining of one with Brahman (Approximately, this is the spirit of the Universe. See the SEP article on Religious Experience for more information.)

In this article James Giles attempts to advance the position Hume by relating to subjective phenomena regarding an individual’s psychological and emotional states. The footnotes in this assigned reading are particularly useful.

Prompt: Explain Giles position in this article and how he makes the case for a theory of personal identity that can epistemologically (how we might have knowledge of) account how our subjective experiences, if we are not ourselves constituted as a ‘bundle of ever-changing elements’. Second, give an account of whether we should accept the account of Locke and Schechtman, or that of Hume and Giles. Provide a reasoned opinion to your decision.

Required Reading: Reading 14: James Giles, “The Non-Self Theory: Hume, Buddhism, and Personal Identity” (PDF); David Hume – Of Personal Identity (Weblink)

Recommended: SEP, “Religious Experience” – Section 4, “The Diverse Objects of Religious Experience”

Remember: A response consists of more than one word or simply agreeing. Please cite all passages in the text (including page number) and cite all outside information according to MLA guidelines. Your answer should have AT LEAST 3 responses (possibly more), aside from your original post. You will always be required to create a post responding to the discussion prompt (300-600 words), before viewing any responses of other students. Please review your work carefully before you submit since you will not be allowed to edit it afterwards (i.e., type and edit your responses in a WordDoc before posting.) Additionally, each discussion board requires you to respond to at least three other students (50-100 words per response)

Evaluate potential business level strategies for the organization.

In this section, you will be evaluating various strategies and making recommendations for the organization.

Write a 1,050-word minimum strategic evaluation in which you include the following:

Evaluate potential business level strategies for the organization.
Assess potential corporate level strategies for the organization.
Assess potential global strategies for the organization.
Recommend a strategy or combination of strategies the organization should implement, and include a rationale for that recommendation.

Identify who or what contributed to the development of the theory. Were there key researchers or seminal research that led to the theory?

When you have a strong grasp of the basic tenets, strengths, and weaknesses of key theories of psychology, you can make an informed decision as to which theory or theories best apply in understanding a particular set of behaviors. By keeping a journal of sorts, you can document the characteristics of each theory as you learn about it. Your journaling will be a useful reference for you long after you complete this course. The Psychology Theories Template provides a matrix where you can record what you have learned about each theory.

For this Assignment, you will explore key concepts found in psychodynamic theories and begin your journaling of this week’s theories.

To complete
Begin populating the Psychology Theories Template related to this week’s theories—psychodynamic theories. As you begin populating your template, consider the following:

Identify who or what contributed to the development of the theory. Were there key researchers or seminal research that led to the theory?
Record whether the theory emphasizes nature (biology), nurture (environment), or both.
List the primary characteristics or features of the theory (its key tenets and concepts). Be sure to include if a particular period of life is emphasized.
List the noteworthy strengths and weaknesses of the theory.
(Optional) Include any notes that you find helpful in understanding and applying the theory, such as potential contemporary themes or fields of research in which the theory could be applied

What is intellectual property? Give at least 5 examples.

This week we will explore intellectual property. Most people do not know what intellectual property is, yet it is extremely important. Intellectual property is not specific to large corporations. Rather, individuals can also generate intellectual property. We also explore challenges of new technologies and how they affect copyright laws.

Pick a topic below and post your reply by Wednesday at midnight. Your response should be at least 400 words and appropriately cites your resources.

Respond to two of your classmates by Sunday at midnight. Your responses should be at least 200 words and should be substantive. You should offer additional resources, insight, or other helpful feedback. A simple “I like your post” will result in a 0.

You will not be able to see your classmates’ posts until you make your first post.

Note: plagiarism is not tolerated in this course. Everything must be in your own words with sources! Failure to do so will result in failing grade.

Discussion_Grading_Rubric_Final (2).docx download

Grading_Late_Discussion-1 (3).docx download

Topics:

What is intellectual property? Give at least 5 examples.
How does new technology challenge how intellectual property is protected?
How is intellectual property like physical property? How is it different?
Do you agree with the idea that someone can “own” intellectual property?
What do you think the impact would be on creative industries, such as music, movies and fiction novels, if copyright laws did not protect intellectual property?

Please search the internet and highlight 5 emerging concepts that are exploring the use of Blockchain and Big Data and how they are being used.

Project is a comprehensive assessment of what you have learned during this course.

It has two parts: Limitations of Blockchain and Emerging Concepts.

Blockchain continues to be deployed into various businesses and industries. However, Blockchain is not without its problems. Several challenges have already been associated with the use of this technology. Identify at least 5 key challenges to Blockchain. Additionally, discuss potential solutions to these challenges. Lastly, please discuss if we will see the limitations to blockchain be reduced or mitigated in the future.

There are several emerging concepts that are using Big Data and Blockchain Technology. Please search the internet and highlight 5 emerging concepts that are exploring the use of Blockchain and Big Data and how they are being used.

Conclude your paper with a detailed conclusion section which discusses both limitations and emerging concepts.

Your paper should meet the following requirements:

Be approximately six to eight pages in length, not including the required cover page and reference page

Summarize and appraise an article for bias and validity in a collaborative environment.

Purpose: Summarize and appraise an article for bias and validity in a collaborative environment.

Assessment: The DBs are worth 35 points. It will be graded based quality of 3 posts made on 3 different days. Please see the grading rubric embedded below for complete criteria.

Instructions: Carefully read, summarize, and appraise your group’s assigned article. The discussion board for this week should cover the following concepts in order to have a complete draft by the end of the week. Apply the concepts discussed in the lecture and the readings. As you provide input to your peers, be sure to state a rationale for your claims.

Identify and discuss the following:
dependent variable(s) and the instrument(s) used to measure them.
how the data for the dependent variable(s) were collected.
the intervention and procedures for delivering it.
the key results for the study, including any p-values, reported.
the conclusions the researchers drew.
Appraise and debate the quality of the data collection methods and determine whether the conclusions of the study were supported by the statistical results. Consider the following questions:
Were the measurement instruments reliable and valid? Why or why not?
Was treatment fidelity for the intervention ensured? Why or why not?
Were the conclusions of the study were supported by the statistical results, as indicated by the variable values and the p-values if reported?

Consider your organization or another organization that has been affected by a cyber-attack. Feel free to research current events on this topic if you do not have personal experience with an organization who has been affected by a cyber-attack. Once you have selected an organization, answer the following questions:

Consider your organization or another organization that has been affected by a cyber-attack. Feel free to research current events on this topic if you do not have personal experience with an organization who has been affected by a cyber-attack. Once you have selected an organization, answer the following questions:

Provide a brief summary of the organization you have selected.
What type of cyber-attack occurred?
How did the organization respond to the attack?
What were the impacts (or potential impacts) to the business?
What were the costs associated with the attack? If you do not have actual numbers, what types of costs were likely involved?
What did the organization do to mitigate the risk of future attacks? Did the organization change its processes or procedures?
As a business manager, what are some additional recommendations you would make to the organization, from a business perspective, to better defend itself in the future? What steps can the business take to better support the IT (information technology) department’s security efforts? Explain.
Embed course material concepts, principles, and theories, which require supporting citations along with at least two scholarly peer reviewed references supporting your answer.
Use academic writing standards and APA style guidelines.
Be sure to support your statements with logic and argument, citing all sources referenced.

What approaches to justifying this investment might Sylvia consider?

Case Study:

Investment Associates, Inc. started as a small firm in 2001 with four employees plus its owner, Jim Tower. The company specialized in providing financial investment and tax advice to its clients. Jim had brought a substantial number of clients from his private practice, which had become too large for him to handle by himself. His four employees included three colleagues who had some experience in financial investment advice and a secretary/administrative assistant. Jim and his three colleagues were all certified public accountants (CPAs), and a considerable portion of the company’s business was in tax consultation and the completion of individual and corporate tax returns.

Investment Associates was quite successful and, by 2007, had added 42 new employees—financial and tax advisers and additional administrative staff, including an office manager, Marian Sweet. In addition to the office manager’s supervisory tasks, Marian had to complete federal and state reports on the employees as required by law.3 However, Marian was not trained in HRM, and she suggested to Jim that the company needed to hire someone with a background in HRM before they “got into trouble” with the government. Marian was particularly concerned about gender and racial discrimination but did not understand how to apply the provisions of the appropriate laws and guidelines.

In November 2007, Investment Associates hired Sylvia Wong, who had an undergraduate degree in psychology and four years’ experience in HR. In addition, in December 2007, Jim was negotiating to purchase the financial consulting business of an old friend who was retiring. This purchase would mean the addition of 17 new employees in February or March 2008. Sylvia met with Jim in mid-January 2008 to discuss the growing burden of employee reports and payroll processing, all of which were currently being done using a paper-based HR system. She advised Jim that the company needed an HRIS to process employee records and complete the required government reports. As an example, she stated that, because she had to search through paper copies of all employee files, it took her a full week to complete the Equal Employment Opportunity Report (EEO-1)4 required by the federal government. Furthermore, based on this report, it appeared that the company could have problems in terms of compliance with several federal laws. She suggested that the company purchase an HRIS to assist with company record keeping and the production of required reports.

Since the company had been using computer-based applications for financial analysis and tax reporting, Jim thought that Sylvia’s suggestion to computerize employee records was a good one. However, given his financial background, he wanted Sylvia to develop a business case, including a cost-benefit analysis, for the purchase of an HRIS. Your task is to help Sylvia justify the purchase of an HRIS.

Case Study Questions:

What approaches to justifying this investment might Sylvia consider?
What are some of the costs and benefits involved in this investment in an HRIS? Which would you be sure to include in your CBA of this project and why?
Explain how to estimate costs and benefits, both direct and indirect, in terms that Jim will understand. (Remember, Jim always has his eye on the “bottom line.”)
Explain how to calculate a CBA to justify the HRIS project. Would you use cost reduction or organizational enhancement (or both) as a strategy for justifying the purchase?
What are the three common problems that could occur in your CBA for an HRIS? How would you avoid them?
What are some of the ways you can use the HR metrics that would be available after the implementation of an HRIS to justify its purchase?
Finally, and most important, explain how variance estimates that can be generated for a CBA would be useful to Jim in the management of his company