Category: Business and Management

  • “Advanced Predictive Models for Identifying At-Risk Patients for Depression: A Comparison of Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Logistic Regression Models”

    You are a data and business-intelligence analyst working for a network of hospitals in rural districts. The hospital’s chief of behavioral health services (CBHS) would like to use existing research data to create a model to predict or classify newer patients as at-risk or not at-risk for clinical depression. Such predictions will enable them to provide early mental health interventions to at-risk individuals. The CBHS has tasked your team with creating the predictive model and then testing the model on five new patients at the hospital.
    You applied logistic regression to build a predictive model for the data set and presented your report to the CBHS. After reviewing the report, the CBHS is now interested in exploring additional predictive methodologies that could be used to analyze the historical depression data set, and potentially create more accurate predictions to improve the hospital’s ability to detect patients who are at-risk for depression.
    In Module Two, you applied logistic regression techniques to build a predictive model in Excel. In this assignment, you will apply advanced predictive models such as a decision tree and a random forest model to the same historical clinical depression data set using Rattle, a package for R Studio, within the VDI. You will then use the predictive model to classify five new patients at the hospital network as at-risk or not at-risk. You will then compare your results from the different models and share your analysis with the CBHS.
    Directions
    Create a report with your analysis about advanced predictive analysis models, such as the decision tree and random forest models. Include relevant screenshots from Rattle.
    Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:
    Build a Decision Tree: Build a decision tree prediction model for the given historical data set. Include relevant screenshots.
    Identify the independent and dependent variables in the given data set.
    Apply the decision tree algorithm on the given data set to produce a binary classification model.
    Generate a visualization of the decision tree.
    Interpret the results of the algorithm.
    What does the output tell you about the risk factors for depression?
    What business rules did the model generate, and what do they tell you about the data set?
    Apply the Decision Tree: Apply the decision tree model to make predictions about new data. Include relevant screenshots.
    Apply this model to the new set of patient data you have been given.
    Make predictions about the risk of depression in each of the new patients.
    Build a Random Forest: Build a random forest prediction model for the given historical data set. Include relevant screenshots.
    Apply the random forest algorithm on the given data set to produce a binary classification model.
    Interpret the results of the algorithm.
    What does the output tell you about the risk factors for depression?
    Apply the Random Forest: Apply the random forest model you built to make predictions about new data. Include relevant screenshots.
    Apply this model to the new set of patient data you have been given.
    Make predictions about the risk of depression in each of the new patients.
    Compare Predictive Models : Compare and contrast the random forest model, the decision tree model, and logistic regression.
    Discuss the differences (if any) in the final predictions for the five new patients using each of the models.
    What do you think led to these differences?
    Compare the accuracy of your prediction models.
    Discuss the out-of-bag (OOB) error rate of the advanced predictive models and how this might affect your predictions.
    Which model do you think is more accurate? Why?
    Share your thoughts about the pros and cons of each model.
    For which type of situations or business requirements would you choose each model?

  • “The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: An In-Depth Analysis”

    It’s a research paper the first file will be what’s it’s about and the next couple files will be what is needed 

  • “Exploring Cross-Industry Opportunities: Leveraging the Automotive Engine and Parts Industry to Boost Sales in the Boat Dealership and Repair Industry”

    I have to use data from the automobile engine and parts industry to find a problem to have a reason to want to sell to another industry and i chose the Boat dealership and repair industry  and i included the web pages i’m  suppose to pull from. 

  • “Employment Standards and Labor Laws: A Guide for New Hires at XYZ Company”

    You are the Senior Legal Payroll Specialist working in the Human Resources Department for a start-up company with approximately 60 employees. Your organization is hosting a New Hire Onboarding Welcome Event for 20 additional new hires and will be discussing the various details to being employed with the company. Create a PowerPoint presentation and discuss the critical details to employment standards and labor laws in accordance with your state of employment. Research and discuss the following topics as part of your Onboard Training:
    Briefly Introduce your company
    Identify the organization’s employment-at-will doctrine in accordance with your state of operation.
    Differentiate between exempt employees versus covered (nonexempt) employees and exemplify hourly wages earned as it relates to working overtime: minimum wage, maximum hours, and overtime.
    Research and discuss employee rest and meal periods in accordance with your state of business.
    Discuss whistleblowing and the measures enacted by your organization to protect the individual from unlawful termination.
    Your assignment should be in current APA Style with both a title slide and a reference list that includes all of the sources used. At least two scholarly sources should be used (your textbook can be one of the sources).
    See rubric for specific grading criteria.

  • “Worker Classification: The Case of Uber Drivers”

    No citations necessary. 
    Read the Introduction to the IRS twenty-factor test, the twenty factors, and the relevance of worker
    classification, all contained in this document. Then, do some research on the job duties and aspects
    of the work that Uber drivers perform. Finally, write a 300-word minimum memo explaining why
    you believe Uber drivers should be classified as either employees or independent contractors. Note
    that you are reaching your own conclusion based on the IRS twenty-factor test; do not research
    what courts have determined  

  • “Optimizing Machine Maintenance: Calculating MTBF and Breakdown Costs”

    As you have learned from your reading, knowing when a part or system will fail is important for a company. Mean time between failures (MTBF) is the expected time between failures of a part, process, or system and is a common matrix for a firm to use to understand how often a failure will occur.
    Assume that you are the manager of a production line and are responsible for keeping the machines running 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. When a machine breaks, it must be repaired and put back onto operation as soon as possible. The problem is that your machines are always breaking down, and you really do not have a good understanding of how often a machine breaks down.
    Hint: For this assignment, you will NOT be using the OM software but should use Excel to work the problem.
    Expand AllPanels Collapse AllPanels
    Step 1: Calculate the MTBF
    You decide to run a test to determine the mean time between failures. During the test, you start with 75 operational machines on your production line producing widgets. You record breakdowns during a 120-hour observation period in which three of the machines broke down. One at 40 hours into the test, one at 50 hours into the test, and the 3rd failure comes at 90 hours.
    Use Excel and the data you collected to calculate the MTBF of your machines. Analyze your results and place them on the spreadsheet.
    Continue to Step 2: Calculate the Expected Breakdown Maintenance Costs . . . 
    Step 2: Calculate the Expected Breakdown Maintenance Costs
    After collecting and analyzing the MTBF data, you were surprised at how often your machines really broke down. At your last company, you remember that they had a service firm that would come in and perform preventive maintenance (PM) on your machines and you wonder if this would be an option to reduce breakdowns. However, before you go to your boss to pitch the idea, you want to see if using an outside PM firm would reduce your cost.
    So you do some research on the cost and run another study on the number of breakdowns of your machines.
    Over the last 12 months, the machines have broken down at the rate indicated in the following table:
    Number of Breakdowns Number of Months that Breakdowns Occurred
    0 1
    1 7
    2 4
    3 1
    You also do some research on breakdown cost and find that the average cost of a breakdown to your firm is $350. You find a service firm and request a price quote from them. The PM service firm costs $200 per month, but they tell you that you can still expect on average of 2 breakdowns per month even with the PM service.
    Use Excel and the data to calculate the expected breakdown maintenance cost versus hiring the PM firm to service your machines.
    Analyze your results and indicate which of the options you will recommend to your boss – hire the firm or continue dealing with the breakdowns at the current rate?
    Continue to Step 3: Recommend and Submit . . . 
    Step 3: Recommend and Submit
    Submit one spreadsheet containing a tab for each step. Be sure to include a detailed analysis of your results on each of the tabs. Save your assignment using a naming convention that includes your first and last name and the activity number (or description). Do not add punctuation or special characters.
    Review the Problems Rubric for detailed grading information.

  • Title: Ethics, Security, and Terrorism in International Human Resources Management: Challenges and Strategies for MNCs

    Welcome to Week 8, Ethics, Security, and Terrorism in IHRM
    The complexity of international human resources management suggests the organization should meet the constituency needs and be responsible on ethics issues. So, it is necessary to analyze the ethical and social responsibility issues that arise in IHRM practices.
    Managers involved in international business activities face many of the some of the same ethical issues as those in domestic business, but the issues are made more complex because of the different environment.
    Since 9/11, organizations have been concerned with Homeland security war on local and international terrorism and destruction from natural disasters to kidnapping threats, to the employee privacy act.  Organizations (MNCs) must be better prepared to address the full range of threats that expatriates working globally may face.
    IHRM is responsible for recruiting good employees on an international level, as many employees came from different countries and different cultures. So, that their thinking level and behaviors may be very different from the local staff. This becomes a challenge for the IHRM practices to manage the human resource, where training and measures must be set in place.
    Week 8 Discussion Questions:
    What is your view of international initiatives to criminalize foreign bribery?
    Beyond checklists and systemic analysis, what actions can MNEs take to reduce risks related to terrorism? What roles can HRM take in these processes?
    What IHRM activities would be pertinent to the sending, by Médecins Sans Frontieres, of a medical team into a country such as Bangladesh?
    List each heading to you know when the criteria is met in APA Format with 2 references.
    Global and international courses must use current resources – 2009 to current – as the global community is ever evolving.
    Articles from 2009 – present only. Use your online library.  No Wikipedia, BLOGS with Ads from Yahoo, UK Essay Buzzle.com, or sites that challenge as they present a biased opinion. Google Scholar is accepted. Works in APA Format with a minimum of 2 references.
    ***I also attached the powerpoint from the learning this week***

  • “Effective Paper Logistics: A Guide to Structuring and Organizing Your Research Paper”

    Paper Logistics
    2 to 3 pages in length
    Use APA format
    Avoid using direct quotes. Paraphrase!
    Ensure that information is properly attributed to works cited. Generally, in a research paper, most of the information should be cited
    Avoid first person and passive voice
    Check and double check your grammar and spelling
    Structure of a Research Paper
    Introduction that clearly states the thesis and aims of the work. Using what you found in your preliminary research, write a thesis statement that succinctly summarizes what your research paper will be about. This is usually the first sentence in your paper, making it your reader’s introduction to the topic. 
    Body – Position/finding/challenge supporting the thesis
    Supporting content
    Supporting content
    Conclusion – The conclusion of a research paper restates the research, summarizes your arguments or findings, and discusses the implications.
    In constructing the body of the paper, you may consider developing your paragraphs using the MEAL plan. Well-organized paragraphs guide readers logically through a paper’s development, adding to the effectiveness of the argument and the credibility of the writer. Paragraphs vary in length and structure based on context, but they should focus on only one idea. Most paragraphs also include the following elements: a statement of the paragraph’s main (M) idea, evidence (E) to support that main idea, analysis (A) of that evidence, and some link (L) to the paper’s thesis. The MEAL Plan is an easy, effective strategy to help you organize paragraphs.
    MAIN IDEA  – All paragraphs should have a main idea or point. Typically, this main idea is expressed in a topic sentence – a sort of mini-thesis statement for the paragraph. Often, a topic sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph, though it may come after or within a transition statement.
    EVIDENCE/EXPLANATION/EXAMPLES  – This next section of the paragraph elaborates on the main idea. Depending on the type of assignment, the paragraph might require one or more of these “E”s:
    Evidence—What does the main idea of the paragraph need to support it? Make sure to cite outside information.
    Explanation—Do you need to explain key terms, concepts, or events? What information in the paragraph may be especially complex or unclear?
    Examples—Other main ideas are best suited to examples, either from personal experience or research, to illustrate or highlight elements of the main idea.
    ANALYSIS – Once the main idea has been stated and supported, it is time to break that information down and analyze it. What more do your readers need to understand about the evidence or examples you provided? How can you make it clear that you are interpreting this information in a certain way? In other words, this is the section of the paragraph where the HOW? WHY? or WHO CARES? of your evidence is explained.
    LINK – Linking refers to the link between a paragraph and the paper’s thesis. Ask yourself how does this paragraph contribute to the overall effectiveness of the paper? You may not end up including that answer as part of the paragraph, but you must make sure you have made the connection clear. Too often writers assume readers automatically will recognize the link on their own, but your job as a writer is to make it impossible for a reader to miss how each paragraph supports your overall goal for the paper. Think about this connection to your thesis as a way to develop a smooth transition to the next paragraph.

  • Exploring the Baldrige Excellence Framework: Part I Exploring the MBNQA Criteria and its Relationship to Workforce Engagement, Processes, Results, Measurement, and Systems Thinking

    WEEK 3 (Discussion)—Baldrige Framework, Part I
    DISCUSSION: THE BALDRIGE EXCELLENCE FRAMEWORK, PART I
    For this week’s commentary, take time to peruse the 2023–2024 Baldrige Excellence Framework (Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, 2023). This source is one of the required textbooks listed on the syllabus.
    The antecedent of the Baldrige Excellence Framework is the Deming Prize, as introduced by the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers. Recognizable quality-related problems in US-based organizations prompted President Ronald Reagan to instigate a series of public inquiries into the problems of US productivity, starting in 1981. In the United States, various industry associations with missions of promoting quality improvement in organizations, notably the American Society for Quality Control (ASQC), American Productivity and Quality Center (APQC), and National Advisory Council for Quality (NACQ), held a series of conferences in 1983 to devise a strategy for adapting the Deming Prize to a US-based corollary award or manner of recognition (Dooley et al., 1990). These associations joined with members of public agencies to found the National Organization for the United States Quality Award, which would formalize the criteria for the prospective recognition. Naming the distinction after the Secretary of Commerce, President Reagan signed the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Improvement Act on August 20, 1987, only four weeks after Baldrige’s death (at age 64, in a rodeo accident).
    As a product of this series of events, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) is therefore unique primarily in its instituting comprehensive quality criteria for organizations in a government-sanctioned structure rather than leaving those criteria and associated recognitions in the domain of private industry associations. This singular feature of the Baldrige Framework distinguishes it from the Deming Prize and marks the instigation of the first nationally regulated award for organizational quality in the world. Other countries would follow this pattern to create today’s proliferation of national quality awards, virtually all of them modeled in whole or in part on the Baldrige precedent. In turn, of course, the origin of the Baldrige precedent is the Deming Prize. As in the case of most national quality awards, the MBNQA is a distinction for US-based companies alone, although non-US-based companies have often adapted the MBNQA criteria to their own quality improvement efforts. By comparison, since 1989 the Deming Prize has been open to companies from all countries.
    Select a Question to Answer
    For this commentary, select one of the following MBNQA core concepts. Explain the concept in your own words. As in last week’s discussion board task, this effort will demand some creativity, as the temptation to copy the description from the source is strong. Nevertheless, until one is able to express an idea correctly using alternative phraseology from the original source, one has yet to understand the idea.
    Next, identify an example of the selected concept from your own experience as part of a team or organization. Try to explain how the experience that you have recounted qualifies as an example of the identified concept. The experience that you cite may exemplify either a success or a failure in applying the concept. The point is to address the concept adequately, in either context.
    As in last week’s task, the aim of this exercise is to motivate careful thought into the facets of the MBNQA. More than one perspective is available in answer to each concept. Be creative in your self-expression, but formal, as mandated by the rhetorical expectations of this course.
    #1. Leadership: How does leadership in the MBNQA differ from common leadership theory?
    #2. Strategy. What is the essence of strategic thinking from the perspective of the MBNQA?
    #3. Customers. How does the MBNQA apply the novel concept of the voice of the customer?
    #4. Workforce. To what do the MBNQA criteria refer by reference to workforce engagement?
    #5. Operations. How does the MBNQA incorporate the PDSA cycle into the idea of processes?
    #6. Results. What differentiates the definition of results in the MBNQA from the common idea of results in general parlance?
    #7. Measurement, Analysis, and Knowledge Management. Where do the MBNQA criteria draw the line between adequate measurement and exhaustive measurement?
    #8. Core Values and Concepts. How do the core values and concepts in the MBNQA effectively overlap with Ackoff’s (1973) philosophy of systems thinking?
    As before, clearly indicate your selected item first, by indicating the number. Write at least 300 words (as defined in the syllabus). Again, your concept may demand more detail than that short length allows. Review the Week 2 writing criteria for further details on correctness.
    To amend your main commentary (before the deadline), type “AMENDED SUBMISSION” at the top of the new version.
    References
    Ackoff, R. L. (1973). Science in the systems age: Beyond IE, OR, and MS. Operations Research, 21(3), 661–671. https://www.jstor.org/stable/169376
    Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. (2023). 2023–2024 Baldrige Excellence Framework: Proven leadership and management practices for high performance. National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://www.nist.gov/baldrige/publications/baldrige-excellence-framework/businessnonprofit
    Dooley, K., Bush, D., Anderson, J., & Rungtusanatham, M. (1990). The US Baldrige Award and Japan’s Deming Prize: Two guidelines for total quality control. Engineering Management Journal, 2(3), 9–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/10429247.1990.11414580

  • Summary of Key Issues and Takeaways from Forum Discussion on Business Orientations in Marketing Throughout the two weeks of forum discussion on business orientations in marketing, several key issues were brought up and thoroughly discussed. The main focus was on the considerations that companies

    End of the forum discussion 
    Using the previous post, write a summary of the key issues and what you have taken from this two weeks discussion .
    (Find attached previous posts and a given example of a summary post)
    Background
    Evolution in marketing practice has been a constant theme in the world of business for the past 150 years, with organisations adopting a variety of different orientations. In recent times, marketing orientated approaches have been in vogue, but that is not to say that every company currently pursues this direction.
    Discussion Question
    What considerations must be taken into account when a company decides upon its business orientation?
    Think about how different products and/or services can be marketing and sold to consumers (B2C) or to business customers (B2B).
    Aim to research and report on examples of different orientations adopted by companies, in a variety of business environments.
    The learning outcomes for this discussion are:
    Classify and analyse different sales functions.
    Formulate appropriate strategies for the marketing and selling of products and services in diverse business settings.