Case Study #2: Ashmark Corporation: Dealing with Supply Disruption

This case study illustrates the management of external suppliers at an OEM and associated risks. The case is unique in that it takes place in the bowels of a global supply chain and is presented from the point of view of a Tier I supplier. Prior to reading the case, be sure to familiarize yourself with the definition of an OEM, and the meaning of Tier I, II, and III suppliers.

Working in teams, provide one response per team to each of the following questions. Be sure to follow APA guidelines included on the course Blackboard site.

Address the following questions (in at least one case, find an article that supports your statements):

1. List two reasons why Red Star was a good supplier.

2. List two reasons why Red Star was not a good supplier.

3. What were two key “issues” with the Red Star-Ashmark relationship that led to the situation presented in the case? For each issue cited, what “red flag” should have caused concern at Ashmark.

4. Discuss either an advantage or disadvantage of Ashmark using multiple suppliers for the low volume parts made by Red Star.

5. List an action taken by Ashmark immediately after the bankruptcy and discuss its effectiveness.

6. Describe a future action that could be taken at Ashmark.

Social Network Analysis

Social Networks, Assessment 2
INSTRUCTIONS:
In the 1st summative assessment, you built your own network. In this second assessment, you will continue using your network from assessment 1. You may build a new network for this exercise too (bearing in mind that this may
require extra work for you). If you decide to build a new network, adhere to the constraints given in assessment 1 on how your network should look like (e.g. the network should have at least 10 nodes, the network should be original etc.) Consult Assessment 1 on Moodle for the requirements for your network. Note that you may need to ignore weights, directions, or signs of edges for some of the algorithms you’ll use below. If this turns out to be the case, mention briefly that the algorithm you use ignores (or you choose to ignore) some characteristics of the edges.
Some algorithms you’ll use below may fail to converge. If this happens, report the case, modify the algorithm, the statistical model, of your network until you get a solution.
You will write 1,500 words report. Your report should discuss the items given below. Structure your report in four parts corresponding to the four groups of items below. Each section is equally weighted in the final grade.
A: assortativity and communities
First describe briefly your network (i.e. what are nodes and edges) and how you constructed the network (i.e. how you collected the data). Also provide a plot of your network. The purpose is to remind us your network. If you chose to build a new network for this assessment, you will need give more details here.
1. Divide your network into two or three mutually exclusive subgroups. There may already be natural subgroups in your network (e.g. defensive versus offensive football players, actors from different teams, war lords from different clans, gender, students from different schools or countries etc.). If this is the case, use these natural divisions. If your network does not have such natural subgroups, impose an artificial division yourself and justify your division.
Calculate a modularity statistic using these subgroups and interpret the results. What do the results imply for assortativity in your network?
2. Now study assortativity with respect to a continuous variable. This continuous variable could be degree or any
other variable (e.g. age, income, etc. of a node). Interpret the results. What do your results imply for the level of
assortativity in your network with respect to the continuous variable you study?
3. Ignore now the division you imposed/studied in A-1. Run a community detection algorithm to detect hidden communities. Settle on a final community structure. Compare the communities you find here with those in A-1.
Interpret the results of your community detection algorithm.
B: Small-world and scale-free networks
Discuss briefly what a scale-free network is and what the small-world phenomenon means. Report the degree
distribution in your network and some measures of distance between the nodes in your network. Discuss if your network looks like a scale-free network and exhibits small-world characteristics (Your network will likely be rather
small to discuss these properties which apply to very large networks. But imagine you expand your network by adding many more nodes or by collecting additional data from many other similar networks. Would you expect to
see scale-free or small-world network characteristics?). Briefly discuss the mechanism that may or may not result in a scale-free and a small-world network in your case.
C: Exponential random graph modelling
Discuss briefly what Exponential Random Graph Modelling (ERGM) can tell us about your network that other approaches we treated in this class cannot tell. Formulate at least two or three hypotheses that you can test using an
ERGM. Test these hypotheses by fitting an ERGM with at least two or three independent variables. Interpret the results. Carry out a simulation analysis to assess the goodness-of-fit of your ergm. [NB: not all ERGMs converge.
If non-convergence (R failing to find reasonable solutions) occurs in your case, report this, and try different specifications (e.g. adding geometrically weighted terms, varying the decay parameter of these terms, removing terms, adding alternative terms) until you achieve convergence. If you cannot achieve convergence by this way, try modifying your network by e.g. adding a few new links or removing certain links, expanding your network by adding a few new nodes etc. If nothing works after all these steps, contact the teaching team.]
D: Self-reflection on Social Network Analysis
Based on your personal experience of the analysis of your network in assessment 1 and assessment 2, and comparing it with other social science approaches you have seen during your study discuss in ~350 words: “What are the key features of social network analysis that are different from other approaches in the social sciences?”

Supply Chain Disruption in the United States Due to Covid 19

POLICY ANALYSIS
Using the rational model described in the textbook by Kraft and Furlong (“Steps in the Policy Analysis Process” on pages 116-122) analyze the policy topic selected for this term for your hypothetical client.
TOPIC: “Supply Chain Disruption in the United States. Covid-19 has severely disrupted the supply chain, causing a host of secondary effects. The United States Department of Commerce has hired you as a consultant to study the matter and provide recommendations.”

III. Write about a 6000-word analysis (approximately 15-20 pages excluding references, double-spaced) in which
A) The rational analysis or decision-making model as described by Kraft and Furlong (“Steps in the Policy Analysis Process” page 116-122), not the incremental model, is briefly summarized (about one – two pages). Use this section as an executive summary—i.e., if step #1 is to define the problem, how are you defining the problem here for your policy topic? Tie EACH STEP into your specific policy problem so that the reader has a great overview of your paper.
B) The policy issue is briefly summarized (about 1.5 – 2 pages), including at least one of the five contexts of public policy as described by Kraft and Furlong ( “Contexts of Public Policy”). You may wish to focus on one particular aspect of a policy. You must provide the exact citations as appropriate using APA style format.
C) Reason(s) for government involvement are clearly delineated according to Kraft and Furlong (“The Reasons for Government Involvement”).
D) Appropriate instrument for the model and issue is justified according to Kraft and Furlong (“Instruments of Public Policy” e.g. regulation, govt management).
E) Policy typology is identified and justified according to Kraft and Furlong (“Policy Typologies”, e.g. distributive).
F) At least one appropriate theoretical model is articulated and applied according to Kraft and Furlong’s “Theories of Politics and Public Policy” (e.g. elite, group, institutional, etc.) ; you may NOT use the rational comprehensive decision-making model, the incremental decision-making model or the policy process model.
G) Construct at least three policy alternatives; “do nothing” or “no action analysis” are NOT acceptable alternatives. Provide the key strengths and weakness of each policy alternative <based on research, not opinion>.
H) Develop and justify at least three of the more appropriate of the eight evaluative criteria in Kraft and Furlong; “Evaluative Criteria for Judging Policy Proposals” (e.g. effectiveness).
I) Assess each of the alternatives identified in section G) using each of the criteria in I); you may use compare or contrast, SWOT, or MAUT method, as long as you apply each evaluative criteria to each alternative. <this section should contain your matrix and columns analysis>
J) Justify the one alternative you would select <this section should have your “pairs comparison”
K) Identification and justification of which methods of policy analysis are most appropriate to use of the eight advanced by Kraft and Furlong; “Using the Methods of Policy Analysis” (e.g., economic approaches, forecasting, impact assessment, political feasibility analysis, etc).
L) conclusion/summary

Strategic plan research Operations Management homework help

Research and select a sample strategic plan in an industry with which you are familiar or interested. Be sure it includes the various components of a typical strategic plan. Reference Figure 1.1 “Identifying a Company’s Strategy—What to Look For” in Ch. 1 of your text.

Identify in 350 to 525 words what the plan does well, in addition to areas for improvement.

Discuss whether the plan:

Clearly states where the organization is going and how it will get there
Evaluates the organization’s external and internal environments
Includes a people plan and addresses achievement of a diverse workforce
Includes corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability

Analyze the financial condition of a company using vertical, horizontal, and ratio analysis to make informed decisions.

shoals corporation
Shoals Corporation puts significant emphasis on cash flow when planning capital investments. The company chose its discount rate of 8 percent based on the rate of return it must pay its owners and creditors. Using that rate, Shoals Corporation then uses different methods to determine the most appropriate capital outlays.

This year, Shoals Corporation is considering buying five new backhoes to replace the backhoes it now owns. The new backhoes are faster, cost less to run, provide for more accurate trench digging, have comfort features for the operators, and have 1-year maintenance agreements to go with them. The old backhoes are working just fine, but they do require considerable maintenance. The backhoe operators are very familiar with the old backhoes and would need to learn some new skills to use the new backhoes.

The following information is available to use in deciding whether to purchase the new backhoes:

Old Backhoes

New Backhoes

Purchase cost when new

$90,000

$200,000

Salvage value now

$42,000

Investment in major overhaul needed in next year

$55,000

Salvage value in 8 years

$15,000

$90,000

Remaining life

8 years

8 years

Net cash flow generated each year

$30,425

$43,900

Instructions
1. Evaluate, discuss, and compare whether to purchase the new equipment or overhaul the old equipment. (Hint: For the old machine, the initial investment is the cost of the overhaul. For the new machine, subtract the salvage value of the old machine to determine the initial cost of the investment.)

Calculate the net present value of the old backhoes and the new backhoes.
Discuss the net present value of each, including what the calculations reveal about whether the company should purchase the new backhoes or continue using the old backhoes.
Calculate the payback period for keeping the old backhoes and purchasing the new backhoes. (Hint: For the old machines, evaluate the payback of an overhaul.)
Discuss the payback method and what the payback periods of the old backhoes and new backhoes reveal about whether the company should purchase new backhoes or continue using the old backhoes. Calculate the profitability index for keeping the old backhoes and purchasing new backhoes.
Discuss the profitability index of each, including what the calculations reveal about whether the company should purchase the new backhoes or continue using the old backhoes.
2. Identify and discuss any intangible benefits that might influence this decision.
3. Answer the following: Should the company purchase the new backhoes or continue using the old backhoes? Explain your decision.

This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:

Analyze the financial condition of a company using vertical, horizontal, and ratio analysis to make informed decisions.

Should participants ever be deceived concerning the true nature of a psychological experiment in which they are taking part?

The assignment
You are asked to write an which answers the following
question:
Should participants ever be deceived concerning the true
nature of a psychological experiment in which they are taking
part?
Your essay should be based on your reading and the discussions that have taken place on this module.
The marking criteria for the essay are provided on pages 6-7. The main criterion of the essay is that you answer the question. We want you to provide a focussed and balanced answer to the question above. You should think about the material introduced in Lectures 3 and 4 and read the guidance on ethical conduct provided by the BPS and/or APA. In addition, have a look at some of the resources provided in this document (see pages 2-4). These sources will provide you with some ideas and information that will be helpful when writing the essay.
Hints and tips
Below are links to several papers that discuss the use of deception in psychological
research. You should read some of these articles and decide whether you think
researchers should use deception. Once you have decided on your point of view,
4PS003 Assignment 1
2
you can use the rest of the essay to justify your answer. You will need to provide a
balanced argument, and to do this you must highlight points that both support and
contradict your answer. But one side of the argument, in your opinion, should be
stronger than the other. Your job is to show why this is the case.
There is no right or wrong answer, but you will need to engage in some selfreflection
in order to make a decision. This is a starting point of your continued selfreflection
concerning ethical approaches to research, as well as the first essay you
will be writing on your degree programme. Since you are at the beginning of your
degree, we see this assignment as an invaluable skills-building exercise. Indeed,
one of the key skills that you will need to develop throughout your degree is the
ability to form a well-balanced argument. This is the skill that is being most keenly
observed in this piece of assessment.
Other information
We ask that you provide a full references list at the end of your essay, in APA format.
Of course, we are also aware that you will be new to referencing, so this will not
affect your overall mark. It is just a useful way of getting some feedback on your
referencing prior to subsequent assignments in which you will be required to use
APA referencing properly.
You should also write your essay in the third person – avoiding first person pronouns
such as “I” or “my”. Again though, this will not unduly influence your mark on this
assignment.
Resources
This list is by no means exhaustive, but it provides references to some articles that
you might find helpful when tackling this assignment. You can also use the
references list from Lecture 4 and academic databases to find other relevant
sources.
Controversial studies that have used deception
Below are references to some studies that made controversial use of deception. You
may want to comment on some of these in your essay, but there are plenty of other
examples that you can discuss. Remember, this is not an essay on Milgram, nor is it
an essay where you extensively discuss the classic studies. Here, you should
critique and answer the question at hand.
Asch, S. (1955). Opinions and social pressure. Scientific American, 193, 31-35.
In a famous study examining the effects of group pressure, volunteers were told to
judge the length of lines in groups of 7 to 9. Unbeknownst to the actual participant,
the other members of the group were confederates who deliberately gave an
incorrect answer.
Bramel, D. (1963). Selection of a target for defensive projection. Journal of Abnormal
and Social Psychology, 66, 318-324.
4PS003 Assignment 1
3
Heterosexual males were given discrepant information about their sexuality.
Specifically, they were deceived into thinking they were sexually aroused by photos
depicting other men.
This paper is available on the 4PS003 Canvas topic.
Campbell, D., Sanderson, R. E., & Laverty, S. G. (1964). Characteristics of a
conditioned response in human subjects during extinction trials following a single
traumatic conditioning trial. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 68, 627-
639.
Alcoholic participants thought they were taking part in an experiment testing a
possible treatment for alcoholism, but without their knowledge they were injected
with a drug that caused a temporary interruption to their respiration. The effects of
this drug were described as “horrific” (p. 627) and led participants to feel they were
dying.
Milgram, S. (1963). Behavioral study of obedience. Journal of Abnormal and Social
Psychology, 67, 371-378.
A famous and controversial study in which participants believed they were
administering intense and potentially fatal electric shocks to another participant.
Papers discussing deception in (psychological) research
The references below provide insightful reviews of the use of deception in
psychology, whether it is ethical, and the advantages and disadvantages of
deceiving participants. They may provide you with some ideas to discuss in your
essay. Hyperlinks to the original sources are provided.
Epley, N., & Huff, C. (1998). Suspicion, affective response, and educational benefit
as a result of deception in psychology research. Personality and Social Psychology
Bulletin, 24, 759-768.
Hertwig, R., & Ortmann, A. (2008a). Deception in experiments: Revisiting the
arguments in its defense. Ethics & Behavior, 18, 59-92.
Hertwig, R., & Ortmann, A. (2008b). Deception in social psychological experiments:
Two misconceptions and a research agenda. Social Psychology Quarterly, 71, 222-
227.
Kimmel, A. J. (2011). Deception in psychological research – a necessary evil? The
Psychologist, 24, 580-585.
Uz, I., & Kemmelmeier, M. (2017). Can deception be desirable? Social Science
Information, 56, 98-106.

Conduct a literature review into the issues faced by the GTRSB (Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen and Boater) community in accessing higher education, particularly within a Scottish context.

Task: Conduct a literature review into the issues faced by the GTRSB (Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen and Boater) community in accessing higher education, particularly within a Scottish context.

Useful Background Information:
In 2020, the University signed the “GTRSB into HE” pledge, founded by Bucks New University, in order to show our commitment to members of the Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen and Boater (GTRSB) communities of offering a welcome and inclusive learning environment where their culture is understood and respected. We recognise that people from GTRSB communities are under-represented within higher education, and we aim to better understand and help surmount those barriers to access.

Relevant Organisations:
• Friends, Families and Travellers: https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/
• STEP (Scottish Traveller Education Programme): https://www.step.education.ed.ac.uk/
• The Traveller Movement: https://travellermovement.org.uk/

https://bemis.org.uk/resources/gt/scotland/report%20on%20the%20situation%20of%20the%20roma%20community%20in%20govanhill,%20Glasgow.pdf
https://urbact.eu/sites/default/files/import/Projects/Roma_Net/documents_media/The_Local_Action_Plan_of_Glasgow.pdf

– List all of the foods and drinks that you consume in one day that contain caffeine. – Calculate your total caffeine intake. – What is your preferred method of caffeine, if you have one? – Do you think this intake is appropriate for you? Why or why not? – If you are wanting to make a change on your caffeine intake, how are you going to do so?

answer the following critical thinking questions.
– List all of the foods and drinks that you consume in one day that contain caffeine.
– Calculate your total caffeine intake.
– What is your preferred method of caffeine, if you have one?
– Do you think this intake is appropriate for you? Why or why not?
– If you are wanting to make a change on your caffeine intake, how are you going to do so?

What is work specialization? Discuss its advantages and drawbacks.

1. What is work specialization? Discuss its advantages and drawbacks.

2. Describe the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of a virtual organization

at least 1.5 – 2 pages in length, Times New Roman 12-pt font, double-spaced, 1 inch margins and utilizing at least one outside scholarly or professional source related to organizational behavior. This does not mean blogs or websites. This source should be a published article in a scholarly journal. This source should provide substance and not just be mentioned briefly to fulfill this criteria. The textbook should also be utilized. Do not use quotes. Do not insert excess line spacing. APA formatting and citation should be used.

Text

Title: Essentials of Organizational Behavior, Student Value Edition

ISBN: ISBN-13: 9780135468890

Authors: Stephen P. Robbins, Timothy A. Judge

Publisher: Pearson

Edition: 15TH

What is blockchain? What are the key elements of a blockchain system and how does it work? According to the article what have the obstacles in implementing blockchain? The article also talks about Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. What are these and why are they not being accepted faster than they currently are?

What is blockchain? What are the key elements of a blockchain system and how does it work?

According to the article what have the obstacles in implementing blockchain?

The article also talks about Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. What are these and why are they not being accepted faster than they currently are?