...BUS100 Assignment 1: The Business Environment Chad McCarl Professor Keisha A. Nelson July 12, 2012 Business in the economy Without business, we have no economy. People are able to consume and enjoy far more goods and services than they otherwise could if individuals were required to produce everything for themselves. People consume food that is grown by farmers or manufacturers. In many cases, the food is prepared by a restaurant as well. Very few people still sew their own clothing. They buy their wardrobes from department stores which carry clothing from large manufacturers. Your car, MP3 player, computer, and cell phone were produced by someone else. Our business based economy is responsible for of all the incredible technologies that people have access to today. Businesses bring people, equipment, and other resources together and coordinate the production of goods and services. Then the sell their goods and services on the open market for a profit. This exchange of currency, as trade, for the goods and services created fuels our economy. The employees, owners and investors of a business earn income for their services performed and then are able to use their incomes to buy the goods and services created by others. For-profit and nonprofit businesses and the economy Both for-profit and nonprofit businesses play an important role in our economy. For-profit organization is the Internal Revenue...
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...Business Analysis Part III MGT/521 February 13, 2012 Abstract Making the right choice when looking for a company to invest in can be difficult. Much of the change is due to the evolving business environments – more global competition, declining economy, faster technological change, and pressure to preserve the natural environment (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2010). In today’s economy it is important to look at many aspects of a company and see how they handle the economic trends and market change. By looking into the company’s strategic and tactical goals, investors can make informed decisions on whether to invest in the company or not. The investor also will get an inside look to the company’s longevity on a global scale. Business Analysis Part III The next segment in conducting a business analysis is reviewing strategic initiatives of a Fortune 500 company facing the recent economic trends and adapting to changing markets. A major part of the United States’ business success is due to an economic and social climate. Global economics and global politics also have a major influence on businesses in the United States (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2010). The recession of 2008 and the ever changing trends have had a major impact both at home and abroad. The last two weeks I began looking at Honeywell International and will conclude this three part series with looking at how the company is weathering the recession as well as adapting changing markets and the tactics used...
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...IBUS 750-Exploring Global Business May 31, 2014 Economic and Social Challenges in the United Kingdom and Their Impact on Business. The Great Recession was a crisis that affected economies worldwide. During this time, some countries only experienced small declines in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and declines in international trade while others experienced more severe repercussions such as increased unemployment rates, economic decline, increased poverty populations, higher crime rates, and other calamities. These challenges have caused the demise of businesses, mass employment layoffs, and a decreased ability to take financial risks across the world. Many countries and businesses are continuously struggling to rebuild their wealth and prevent major financial losses from occurring in the future. As a result of this crisis, the United Kingdom faced economic disparities due to a persistently high unemployment rate, stagnant economic growth, and excessive government borrowing. These factors have resulted in social and economic challenges that affect various businesses attributes including reduction in wages, availability of mortgages, talent constraints, global talent acquisition efforts, the need for innovation, global expansion, and an increase in self-employed individuals. The Great Recession had a major impact on the United Kingdom. One of the most detrimental affects of this crisis was the rise in unemployed citizens across the nation. Due to...
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...McKinsey Global Institute July 2013 Game changers: Five opportunities for US growth and renewal The McKinsey Global Institute The McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), the business and economics research arm of McKinsey & Company, was established in 1990 to develop a deeper understanding of the evolving global economy. Our goal is to provide leaders in the commercial, public, and social sectors with the facts and insights on which to base management and policy decisions. MGI research combines the disciplines of economics and management, employing the analytical tools of economics with the insights of business leaders. Our “micro-to-macro” methodology examines microeconomic industry trends to better understand the broad macroeconomic forces affecting business strategy and public policy. MGI’s in-depth reports have covered more than 20 countries and 30 industries. Current research focuses on six themes: productivity and growth; natural resources; labor markets; the evolution of global financial markets; the economic impact of technology and innovation; and urbanization. Recent reports have assessed job creation, resource productivity, cities of the future, the economic impact of the Internet, and the future of manufacturing. MGI is led by two McKinsey & Company directors: Richard Dobbs and James Manyika. Michael Chui, Susan Lund, and Jaana Remes serve as MGI principals. Project teams are led by the MGI principals and a group of senior fellows, and include consultants from...
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...Economic Recession affecting the US American history from 1877: How the Great Depression compare to The Current Economic Recession affecting the US. Introduction In 1929s, a global depression hit countries with market economies. Despite the fact that the Great Depression was moderately gentle in some nations, it had very severe effects on others, especially the America. In the United States, the great depression went down in history as one of the worst economic crisis, which left a deep-seated situation, leading to joblessness, starvation and homelessness for over a decade in the US. The Great Depression in America also led a great global depression, as typically each industrialized economy including Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, France, and others, was completely destructed. Various economists and the media have often linked the current economic crisis that heightened in 2008 to the great depression which occurred decades ago. Looking at the implications of the great depression and what is happening today, clearly there are several direct similarities between the two economic crises. Through a brief analysis of the two economic scenarios, this paper hence aims to show how they are related. What are the similarities with the current financial crisis? Some of the similarities between today’s economic situation and the Great Depression of 1920s include: High rates of unemployment- Economic forces are the main causes of unemployment in most countries today. Deteriorating...
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...Global Economic Situation The old expression “When America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold”, doesn’t always hold true. Since the U.S. has been in a recession, the rest of the world has suffered to a certain degree; however, the film industry in some parts of the world seems to be an exception. The global financial crisis resulted in the most severe worldwide recession and has since been faced with challenges for the last several years. The decline of the U.S. stock market has been the major challenge that viciously spread to various parts of the globe. For the most part, the global market has seen mixed results from film studios worldwide. Despite an increase in box office earnings, U.S. studios have been suffering, by having no choice but to downsize, and cut back on production and development. Although U.S. motion pictures are seen some adversity, interestingly the industry is a major private sector employer. According to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) the industry employs 2.1 million workers and 95,000 companies, which spans from make-up artists to costume designers, stuntmen to set builders, accountants to caterers (MPAA, 2011). Domestically, this powerhouse of an industry has collectively contributed to more than $175B to U.S. GDP. Directly, the industry produces $42.1B in wages, which is approximately 32% higher than the national average. The median salary for film and television that includes high quality jobs as producing, marketing...
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...Macroeconomics Assignment How a rigid Fiscal Policy saved Australia from the Global Financial Crisis TABLE OF CONTENTS: |Item |Heading |Page Number | |1. |Introduction | | |2. |Theoretical Concepts: | | | | | | | |2.1 Economic Growth | | | |2.2 Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply | | | |2.3 Fiscal Policy | | | |2.4 Monetary Policy | | | |2.5 The Impact of Unemployment | | |3. |Related Policy Issues | | |4. ...
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...regard to his or her creditworthiness. This was brought about by the “Spend yourself out of the post dot com bust recession” policy of the American government at that time. The end result of the Sub-prime crisis is manifesting itself in myriad ways. There are direct and indirect implications not only for the United States but for the entire world. The Sub-prime that was brought upon by the American financial system upon itself is spreading its tentacles around the world. People who were not even remotely connected with the Sub-prime crisis are being adversely affected. National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) is the official agency in charge of declaring that the economy is in a state of recession. They define recession as: “significant decline in economic activity lasting more than a few months, which is normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales”. BUSINESS CYCLE The term business cycle (or economic cycle) refers to economy-wide fluctuations in production or economic activity over several months or years. These fluctuations occur around a long-term growth trend, and typically involve shifts over time between periods of relatively rapid economic growth (an expansion or boom), and periods of relative stagnation or decline (a contraction or recession). Business cycles are usually measured by...
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...rising standard of living and its impact on the discount retail market. Abstract This paper investigates published articles, financial information and books which discuss Wal-Mart’s recent business activities in China. The activity discussed includes Wal-Mart’s increasing impact and influence on the Chinese economy as a buyer and consumer of raw materials, a manufacturer of products, and as a retailer and employer in China. This paper discusses how Wal-Mart sources its finished products and raw materials in and from China, how Wal-Mart markets to China’s middle class, and how Wal-Mart manages China’s middle-class as both its primary customer and their source of labor in China. The intent of this paper is to provide readers with a high level understanding of how Wal-Mart is conducting business in today’s China and how Wal-Mart’s manages their exposure to the various supply chains in China, its increasing dependence on products and services sourced in China and how Wal-Mart is handling China’s growing middle-class and the nationally unionized workforce in their Chinese stores. Lastly, this paper discusses how Wal-Mart’s business strategy competes and compares with Target Stores, one of their leading competitors in the discount retailer marketplace. Keywords: wal-mart, target, china, supply chain management, sourcing, global marketplace Identification. This paper discusses Wal-Mart’s history in China and the potential impact of China on its supply chain model...
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...STRAYER UNIVERSITY ACCOUNTING GRADUATE CAPSTONE – ACC 599 Assignment: – Ford Motor Company AHMED M. KAMARA DR. TONY SOMATHITI April 19, 2012. Introduction Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.Ford Motor Company completed its third year in a row of improved annual operating profits and announced the reinstatement of paying quarterly dividends for the first time in over five years. The automobile industry continues to face a number of challenges, including ongoing economic uncertainty, rising fuel and commodity costs, and the need to reduce CO2 emissions. (www.corporate.ford.com.) In the light of this, this research paper will focus on Ford Motor Company as it discussed the related issues below: 1. Based on the most recent quarter pre-tax operating profit, project the profit for the next four (4) quarters assuming that the U.S economy stays the same as today, declines into a recession and modestly improves. Explain the assumptions made to support your calculations. The most recent quarter pre-tax operating profit was $1.1 billion which is the 4th quarter profit in 2011. Projection for the next 4 quarters in 2011 will be base on the trend from quarter 1 to quarter 4 in 2011 depicted...
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...Abercrombie and Fitch: International expansion external and internal analysis Name Here Business Mgmt Name Here Date Here Executive Summary This case study was identified to examine why international sales volume of Abercrombie and Fitch have increased over the past three years and to recommend further international expansion to increase sales volume. The research draws attention to the fact that in 2009, the US stores generated 81.2% of Abercrombie and Fitch’s net sales. The shares of international stores and direct-to-consumer net sales were very small in comparison. Over the next two years the US stores decreased net sales percentages while net sales increased. Further investigation reveal that the US market shrinkage in terms of overall company net sales percentage coincided with the increase in international sales and direct-to-consumer sales and the overall company net sales percentage over the same time period. Since the economic downturn in the US economy in 2008 the disposable income for Abercrombie and Fitch clients appeared to decrease. Additionally individuals were utilizing disposable income for other items such as technology, cell phones and other gadgets. These two items appeared to be the major causes of the decreased company percentage in net sales of Abercrombie and Fitch in the US. During the same two year period the international stores and direct-to-consumer net sales increased dramatically. This was an increase of 342% for international...
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...Evaluate how external factors, over a specified future period, may impact on the business activities, strategy, internal structures, functional activities and stakeholders of a specified organisation (D2) External factors could affect the business through a number of ways. With the upcoming events both businesses will be affected through one way or another. The businesses will need to change how they work in order to survive these changes. During the next 5 to 10 years there will be big changes that both businesses will need to make in order to survive, business activities including ownership is one of the external factors which can change the business in a big way. Over the next 10 years a number of things can affect the business activities such as Economical factor, Political factor, social factor, Legal factor and environmental factor. The recession is a major factor that could affect the business ownership over the next 5 to 10 years. The economy has not been as strong as what it was before because of the recession, this has impacted on the consumers on how much they would normally spend outside, because of losing jobs and businesses becoming insolvent. The recession impacted CostCutter with profits lower than previous years, lower levels of investments and an increase on unemployment, it puts a pressure on them to create more jobs and lower prices just to keep up and boost the economy, by helping families keeping in their budgets and more promotional offers. Environmental...
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...Problem Today the economy is at its worst than it’s ever been before since the 1940s. Unemployment is at a record high as well as companies that are continuing to close down due to financial issues. The housing markets, auto industry, banking industry, & loss of jobs are all major things that are being affected by the way the US is spending money. The housing market and banking industry are both some of the main things that are having a major affect on the U.S. and to how this affects all other aspects of daily living. Some people may ask, “How did we get this way”? Over the past 180 years the United States grew to a huge, integrated, industrialized economy that makes up over a quarter of the world economy. The main causes were a large unified market, a supportive political-legal system, vast areas of highly productive farmlands, vast natural resources (especially timber, coal and oil), an entrepreneurial spirit, a commitment to investing in material and human capital, and at times a willingness to exploit labor. In addition, the U.S. was able to utilize these resources due to a unique set of institutions designed to encourage utilization and extraction. The economy has maintained high wages, attracting immigrants by the millions from all over the world. In the 19th century, recessions frequently coincided with financial crises. Because of the great changes in the economy over the centuries, it is difficult to compare past recessions to early recessions. After the...
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...BUSINESS STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE DURING DIFFICULT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS For the Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) John Kitching Robert Blackburn David Smallbone Small Business Research Centre, Kingston University Sarah Dixon School of Management, Bath University June 2009 URN 09/1031 Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY i 1. INTRODUCTION, RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND METHODS 1 2. RESEARCH CONTEXT 1 2.1 Defining Difficult Economic Conditions 1 2.2 The Current Crisis 1 3. ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK 1 4. THE BUSINESS STRATEGY AND MANAGEMENT LITERATURE 1 4.1 Business Strategy: General Considerations 1 4.2 Strategic Adaptation to Environmental Jolts, Turbulence and Radical Institutional Change 1 4.3 Strategic Adaptation to Recession 1 4.4 Retrenchment Strategies 1 4.5 Investment Strategies 1 4.6 ‘Ambidextrous’ Strategies 1 4.7 Business Size as an Influence on Strategic Adaptation to Difficult Economic Conditions 1 4.8 International Experience 1 5. CONTEMPORARY COMMENTARY ON THE CURRENT CRISIS 1 6. STRATEGIC RESPONSES IN THE RECESSION: DELIBERATIONS FROM A THINK-TANK 1 6.1 Introduction and Objectives 1 6.2 Business Responses in Recession 1 6.2.1 Knowledge Base 1 6.2.2 Unevenness of Recession 1 6.3 Modelling Strategic Change 1 6.3.1 Typologies of Strategic Change 1 6.3.2 Strategic Thinking and Strategic Actions 1 6.4 The Role of Innovation under Recession Conditions 1 6.5 Roles for Public Policy...
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...Economic crisis in International Business.” Letter of Authorization This research report on “Coping strategies adopted by unilever in Pakistan to overcome the world wide economic crisis in International Business.” was assigned by international business analysis course instructor, Sir Arshad Husain. The matter presented for reader in this report is authorized by our course instructor. Letter of transmittal We would like to request to our course instructor Mr. Arshad Husain to kindly accept this report and take into consideration to research work that we have accomplished according to course requirement of preparing a term report on “Coping strategies adopted by unilever in Pakistan to overcome the world wide economic crisis in International Business.” in order to have a better understanding of the practical implications of international business analysis ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This report has contributed a major accumulation to our knowledge of the topic. We are Thankful to Allah for making it possible for us, and to our course instructor who supported us throughout this research We are also thankful to the management of Lever Brothers Pakistan Limited, RF, especially Mr. Shahzeb Mehmood who provided useful guidance and information for understanding the practical work of the organization to understand the global presence of Unilever Company. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION pg.7 1.1 GLOBAL BRANDING- MARRIED TO THE WORLD ...
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