Confidence Interval WS

[WLO: 2] [CLOs: 1, 3]

Prior to beginning work on this assignment, read Chapter 8: Confidence Interval Estimations.

You may find it helpful to review Excel Tutorial – Calculating Confidence Intervals (Links to an external site.) and How to Calculate Confidence Intervals in Excel (Links to an external site.).

In this week’s reading, the text discussed different types of samples and their distributions, and sampling errors, probabilities, and confidence intervals. Using Excel, complete the problem below. This is similar to Problem 33 in Chapter 8.

Problem: You have been assigned to determine whether more people prefer Coke or Pepsi. Assume that roughly half the population prefers Coke and half prefers Pepsi. How large a sample do you need to take to ensure that you can estimate, with 90% confidence, the proportion of people preferring Coke to within 5% of the actual value? Show all of your work.

In your Excel spreadsheet,

  • Identify the sample size.
  • Utilize the support tool of Excel.
  • Present any equations utilized.

    [WLO: 2] [CLOs: 1, 3]

    Prior to beginning work on this assignment, read Chapter 8: Confidence Interval Estimations.

    You may find it helpful to review Excel Tutorial – Calculating Confidence Intervals (Links to an external site.) and How to Calculate Confidence Intervals in Excel (Links to an external site.).

    In this week’s reading, the text discussed different types of samples and their distributions, and sampling errors, probabilities, and confidence intervals. Using Excel, complete the problem below. This is similar to Problem 33 in Chapter 8.

    Problem: You have been assigned to determine whether more people prefer Coke or Pepsi. Assume that roughly half the population prefers Coke and half prefers Pepsi. How large a sample do you need to take to ensure that you can estimate, with 90% confidence, the proportion of people preferring Coke to within 5% of the actual value? Show all of your work.

    In your Excel spreadsheet,

    • Identify the sample size.
    • Utilize the support tool of Excel.
    • Present any equations utilized.

Discuss on Human Resource Management

Find one library database published article or online article from within the current year. The topic should be on a topic that interest you from one of this week’s assigned chapters from textbook title; Robbins and Judge: Essentials of Organizational Behavior Edition: 14th, Ch 1: What is Organization Behavior? and Ch 12: Leadership or Northouse: Leadership: Theory and PracticeEdition: 9th, Ch 1: Introduction. I prefer that you use the library database because it is the most reliable source. While not as strong, Google Scholar and Google are also useful places to search for current articles. You should upload a PDF of the main initial posting article that you will be discussing.

You should write a “minimum” of 200 words per post and your contributions should extend the textbook. In other words, you should always have additional research beyond the textbook. Just citing the textbook in an initial posting or a response will elicit minimal points.

Find one library database published article or online article from within the current year. The topic should be on a topic that interest you from one of this week’s assigned chapters from textbook title; Robbins and Judge: Essentials of Organizational Behavior Edition: 14th, Ch 1: What is Organization Behavior? and Ch 12: Leadership or Northouse: Leadership: Theory and PracticeEdition: 9th, Ch 1: Introduction. I prefer that you use the library database because it is the most reliable source. While not as strong, Google Scholar and Google are also useful places to search for current articles. You should upload a PDF of the main initial posting article that you will be discussing.

You should write a “minimum” of 200 words per post and your contributions should extend the textbook. In other words, you should always have additional research beyond the textbook. Just citing the textbook in an initial posting or a response will elicit minimal points.

Discuss on The British national healthcare system

The British national healthcare system owns many hospitals and directly employs workers. General practitioner salaries are set by the British government. The funding for healthcare services comes mostly from the government. This is significantly different from the US healthcare systems. Consider the issues with government healthcare programs in financing and administration. Address the following:

  • Would the US be able to transit to the British style of national healthcare? Why or why not?
  • In comparison to the British system and US system, what would be some of the challenges the US would face in adopting a national healthcare system? Discuss at least three challenges. The British national healthcare system owns many hospitals and directly employs workers. General practitioner salaries are set by the British government. The funding for healthcare services comes mostly from the government. This is significantly different from the US healthcare systems. Consider the issues with government healthcare programs in financing and administration. Address the following:
    • Would the US be able to transit to the British style of national healthcare? Why or why not?
    • In comparison to the British system and US system, what would be some of the challenges the US would face in adopting a national healthcare system? Discuss at least three challenges.

Discuss Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia

Medical Marijuana

Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia

Vaccines for Children

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Right to Health Care

Research arguments for and against the health policy and addressing the following:

Research the policy issue and present background information on the issue

Address the political, financial, and economic issues related to the health policy.

Discuss the specifics of who will be eligible and who will be responsible for providing services.

Discuss the impact of your proposal on recipients and providers of care; include eligibility requirements for receiving benefits, application process, expected benefits, requirements for a provider to be eligible.

Identify the specific government health programs and organizations that are involved and analyze their role in the policy.

Examine budgetary issues such who will be responsible for funding: state, federal, or a combination of both.

Medical Marijuana

Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia

Vaccines for Children

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Right to Health Care

Research arguments for and against the health policy and addressing the following:

Research the policy issue and present background information on the issue

Address the political, financial, and economic issues related to the health policy.

Discuss the specifics of who will be eligible and who will be responsible for providing services.

Discuss the impact of your proposal on recipients and providers of care; include eligibility requirements for receiving benefits, application process, expected benefits, requirements for a provider to be eligible.

Identify the specific government health programs and organizations that are involved and analyze their role in the policy.

Examine budgetary issues such who will be responsible for funding: state, federal, or a combination of both.

Strategic Plan Research

  1. In this course, you will be analyzing an existing Company’s strategic plan based on the information you have learned throughout the coursework in your MBA program.

    Research and select a sample strategic plan from a company 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. Be sure to choose a specific company! 

    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
    • Use bullets or paragraphs and headings for each question! 

      Submit your assignment and its citation/reference for your specific company strategic plan.
      Include the citation and reference so I will be able to review the strategic plan online.  
      This will also be used in Weeks 4 and 5 of the course. 

Discuss ways to Rebuild Customer Trust and Revive Sales Growth

Write a 350- to 700-word response that addresses the following questions:

  • What factors contributed to the loss of confidence in the Chipotle brand?
  • Do the actions taken to-date present a strategy that would improve consumer trust? Why or why not?
  • Consider Chipotle’s competitors. How does Chipotle’s internal environment compare to the internal environment of one of its competitors? Based on this analysis, what is the probability that the strategic moves implemented by Chipotle would lead to a sustainable competitive advantage? Explain.
  • What additional recommendations would you make for Chipotle to gain consumer trust and reclaim a leadership role in the fast-food industry? Provide justification for your response.
  • Based on the information presented in this case study, what kind of business strategy would you suggest to help Chipotle achieve a competitive advantage?
  • Use bullets or paragraphs/headings for each question! 
    Write a 350- to 700-word response that addresses the following questions:

    • What factors contributed to the loss of confidence in the Chipotle brand?
    • Do the actions taken to-date present a strategy that would improve consumer trust? Why or why not?
    • Consider Chipotle’s competitors. How does Chipotle’s internal environment compare to the internal environment of one of its competitors? Based on this analysis, what is the probability that the strategic moves implemented by Chipotle would lead to a sustainable competitive advantage? Explain.
    • What additional recommendations would you make for Chipotle to gain consumer trust and reclaim a leadership role in the fast-food industry? Provide justification for your response.
    • Based on the information presented in this case study, what kind of business strategy would you suggest to help Chipotle achieve a competitive advantage?
    • Use bullets or paragraphs/headings for each question! 

Modified SWOT Analysis

  1. Successful businesses regularly analyze their processes to ensure they’re operating as efficiently as possible and maintaining their competitive advantages. Although you can assess a company in many ways, a common technique is the SWOT analysis. In this assignment, you will practice using a SWOT analysis to better understand the factors involved in making business decisions that promote sustainable competitive advantage.

    Select and research a company from the 2019 Fortune 500 list that demonstrates a sustainable competitive advantage in the marketplace. Be sure to choose a specific company! 

    Evaluate the selected company’s sustainable competitive advantage using the SWOT analysis technique.

    Write a 700- to 1,050-word modified SWOT analysis that includes the following:

    • An introduction with a detailed description of the company
    • A SWOT analysis diagram that includes strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
    • An evaluation of how specific internal factors (strengths and/or weaknesses) support and/or promote a competitive advantage; examples may include:
    • Financial, physical, or human resources
    • Access to natural resources, trademarks, patents, or copyrights
    • Current processes (employee programs or software systems)
    • An evaluation of how specific external factors (opportunities and/or threats) support and/or promote a competitive advantage; examples may include:
    • Market trends (new products or technology advancements)
    • Economic trends (local and/or global)
    • Demographics
    • Regulations (political, environmental, or economic)
    • Conclusion with an evaluation of how the company has retained its competitive advantage
    • Use bullets or paragraphs/headings for each question! 

      Include APA-formatted in-text citations and a reference page with at least 2 sources. Note: You may include your textbook as 1 of the sources.

    • Successful businesses regularly analyze their processes to ensure they’re operating as efficiently as possible and maintaining their competitive advantages. Although you can assess a company in many ways, a common technique is the SWOT analysis. In this assignment, you will practice using a SWOT analysis to better understand the factors involved in making business decisions that promote sustainable competitive advantage.

      Select and research a company from the 2019 Fortune 500 list that demonstrates a sustainable competitive advantage in the marketplace. Be sure to choose a specific company! 

      Evaluate the selected company’s sustainable competitive advantage using the SWOT analysis technique.

      Write a 700- to 1,050-word modified SWOT analysis that includes the following:

      • An introduction with a detailed description of the company
      • A SWOT analysis diagram that includes strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
      • An evaluation of how specific internal factors (strengths and/or weaknesses) support and/or promote a competitive advantage; examples may include:
      • Financial, physical, or human resources
      • Access to natural resources, trademarks, patents, or copyrights
      • Current processes (employee programs or software systems)
      • An evaluation of how specific external factors (opportunities and/or threats) support and/or promote a competitive advantage; examples may include:
      • Market trends (new products or technology advancements)
      • Economic trends (local and/or global)
      • Demographics
      • Regulations (political, environmental, or economic)
      • Conclusion with an evaluation of how the company has retained its competitive advantage
      • Use bullets or paragraphs/headings for each question! 

        Include APA-formatted in-text citations and a reference page with at least 2 sources. Note: You may include your textbook as 1 of the sources.

Define and explain The weighted average cost of capital (WACC)

  • Create a unique hypothetical weighted average cost of capital (WACC) and rate of return.
  • Recommend whether or not the company should expand, and defend your position.

Respond:

 

The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the average rate of return a company is expected to pay to all its shareholders, including debt holders, equity shareholders, and performed equity shareholders.

WACC is used in financial modeling (it serves as the discount rate for calculating the net present value of a business). It’s also the “hurdle rate” that companies use when analyzing new projects or acquisition targets. If the company’s allocation can be expected to produce a return higher than its own cost of capital, then it’s typically a good use of funds.

Also, many investors don’t calculate WACC because it’s a little more complex than the other financial ratios.  But if you are one of those who would like to know how the weighted average cost of capital (WACC works, here’s the formula for you. WACC Formula = (E/V * Ke) + (D/V) * Kd * (1 – Tax rate).

  • E = Market Value of Equity
  • V = Total market value of equity & debt
  • Ke = Cost of Equity
  • D = Market Value of Debt
  • Kd = Cost of Debt
  • Tax Rate = Corporate Tax Rate

The WACC for Walmart is as follows:

V = E + D = $328 billion + $44 billion = $372 billion

The equity-linked cost of capital for Walmart is:

(E/V) x Re = (328 billion / 372 billion) x 5.59% = 4.93%

The debt component is:

(D/V) x Rd x (1 – Tc) = (44 billion / 372 billion) x 3.9% x (1 – 21%) = 0.32%

Using the above two computed figures, WACC for Walmart can be calculated as:

4.93% (weighted cost of equity) + 0.32% (weighted cost of debt) = 5.25%

On average, Walmart is paying around 5.25% per year as the cost of overall capital raised via a combination of debt and equity.  This Wal-Mart can expand to great things for its employees.

Big Data Presentation

Scenario

Big data is the hot topic of the company you work for. With the majority of the world’s data being created in the last few years or an average of 2.5 quintillion bytes of data generated daily, it is the future of business decision-making. You are the Chief Information Officer for a large publicly-traded company and part of the executive leadership team. The executive leadership team consists of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Finance Officer (CFO), Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Chief Operations Officer (COO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). The Executive leadership team has asked you to prepare a presentation about big data and how it will be useful to the company and to each of the team members in their individual roles.

Instructions

Research any publicly traded company and create a PowerPoint presentation. Remember that each department officer wants to know how the decision to use big data will help him or her specifically. In your presentation, include:

  1. Title slide
  2. Definition of big data’s impact on analytical decision-making
  3. Summary of how big data could impact each department
  4. Finance
  5. Marketing
  6. Operations
  7. Information
  8. HumanResources
  9. Analysis of one of the departments using the big data evaluation
  10. Determine the scope (KPIs).
  11. Discuss the planning (variables and measurements).
  12. Discussoperations or implementation of the method.
  13. What data visualization method could be used for results?
  14. A decision tree for implementing or not implementing bigdata for the company
  15. Final recommendation
  16. Conclusion
  17. Provide attribution for credible sources needed in completing your report

    Scenario

    Big data is the hot topic of the company you work for. With the majority of the world’s data being created in the last few years or an average of 2.5 quintillion bytes of data generated daily, it is the future of business decision-making. You are the Chief Information Officer for a large publicly-traded company and part of the executive leadership team. The executive leadership team consists of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Finance Officer (CFO), Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Chief Operations Officer (COO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). The Executive leadership team has asked you to prepare a presentation about big data and how it will be useful to the company and to each of the team members in their individual roles.

    Instructions

    Research any publicly traded company and create a PowerPoint presentation. Remember that each department officer wants to know how the decision to use big data will help him or her specifically. In your presentation, include:

    1. Title slide
    2. Definition of big data’s impact on analytical decision-making
    3. Summary of how big data could impact each department
    4. Finance
    5. Marketing
    6. Operations
    7. Information
    8. HumanResources
    9. Analysis of one of the departments using the big data evaluation
    10. Determine the scope (KPIs).
    11. Discuss the planning (variables and measurements).
    12. Discussoperations or implementation of the method.
    13. What data visualization method could be used for results?
    14. A decision tree for implementing or not implementing bigdata for the company
    15. Final recommendation
    16. Conclusion
    17. Provide attribution for credible sources needed in completing your report

Risk Mitigation Action Plan

Scenario

Case Background:

Nikola Tesla dreamed of a ‘connected world’ in 1926 that Martin Eberhard, Marc Tarpenning, Ian Wright, JB Straubel, and Elon Musk made a reality in 2003 with the creation of Tesla Motors. With the vision of producing an entirely electric car, Tesla disrupted the automotive industry with their innovative thinking. After shifts in leadership, the departure of founders Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, and mounting financial troubles in 2009, the company went public in 2010 under the leadership of Elon Musk.

As the popularity of Tesla grew, the organization announced the building of a ‘super factory’ in 2014. In what Musk refers to as a Gigafactory, the Sparks, Nevada facility was built to produce batteries that store gigawatt-hours of capacity. The first Gigafactory is on track to becoming the world’s largest building by footprint.

In transiting sustainable practices and automation from its automobiles, Tesla took the same vision and implemented it into the Gigafactory, where they build the vehicles by automating many processes within the facility. Although automotive manufacturers have used industrial automation for years, the level to which Tesla automated its Gigafactory is unprecedented. As Tesla increased automation at its other facilities to address its growing mass consumer market demand, Tesla experienced a minor setback in 2017 when its Freemont, California location shut down twice in two months.

With the efficiencies Tesla experienced through automation, the organization has reduced the price of its automobiles, further increasing the demand for its electric vehicles on a global scale. Tesla has opened another Gigafactory in Shanghai, China, a Solar City Gigafactory in Buffalo, New York, and announced the construction of a European Gigafactory in Grünheide, Germany. Tesla now has an opportunity to reflect on the lesson-learned from Sparks, Nevada and Freemont, California, when developing an automation strategy for these locations.

As the Technology and Innovation Specialist for Tesla, you are working on a follow-up project for the new European Gigafactory. Your Chief Technology Officer (CIO) has asked you to review the Freemont shutdowns and create a risk mitigation action plan for the new European factory. Your action plan is part of a larger risk mitigation plan and will be used to strategize future planning.

Instructions

Conduct research and the scenario above to create a risk mitigation action plan for the new plant. Make sure to address the following:

  1. Include an introduction to the IoT, application, and ecosystem for Tesla.
  2. Discuss the shutdown of the Freemont, California plant. What role did IoT (automation or mass-automating) have on manufacturing?
  3. What strategies could be implemented for the Grünheide, Germany Gigafactory?
  4. Identify ethical or legal risks. How would Tesla create a risk mitigation strategy to counter these ethical and legal risks?
  5. Provide attribution for credible sources needed in completing your plan.