Category: Business and Management

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.
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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.

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***

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.

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

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.

Assignment Overview
Generational Motivation in the Workplace
Each generation brings its values, expectations, and work attitudes, influenced by the ethical norms and socio-economic conditions of their formative years. Understanding generational differences is important to support a productive and balanced work environment. 
Case 2 Resources
https://www.vscpa.com/article/4-generations-1-workforce

How to manage a multi-generational workforce

https://www.business.com/articles/hiring-multigenerational-workforce/
Textbook Readings
https://openstax.org/books/organizational-behavior/pages/7-3-process-theories-of-motivation
https://openstax.org/books/organizational-behavior/pages/7-2-content-theories-of-motivation
https://openstax.org/books/organizational-behavior/pages/7-1-motivation-direction-and-intensity
Case Assignment
Motivating Generations
We’ll explore the motivational factors that are most effective for Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. 
Identify and Analyze Motivational Factors 
Research and identify key motivational factors for each generational cohort in the workforce. Include how ethical norms, socioeconomics, technology, and cultural shifts shaped preferences and motivations.
Baby Boomers (3/4 page. Research required) 
Generation X (3/4 page. Research required) 
Millennials (3/4 page. Research required) 
Generation Z (3/4 page. Research required) 
Compare and Contrast
Analyze how these motivational factors differ across generations and discuss the possible workplace challenges and ethical concerns. (1/2 page. Research required)
Need help with the reference list format or citation format?
Free Citation Generator (APA)
“Full citation” is for the Reference list. In-text citation is used in the written paragraph.
This section is a research-based, professional paper, not a personal one based on feelings. It must be written in the third person. This means words like “I,” “we,” and “you” are not appropriate. No quotations are permitted in this paper. Since you are engaging in research, be sure to cite and reference the sources in APA format. 
Practical Implications and Personal Reflection 
Reflect on your personal experiences or observations related to generations in the workplace. Consider how this assignment has shaped your understanding of the practical application at work.
Offer concise recommendations for organizations on how to apply insights about generational motivation to enhance workplace dynamics and outcomes.
This section should be one page. This is a personal essay. It may be written using words like “I,” “we,” and “you.” 
Assignment Expectations
Use the MGT302 Case 2 APA-formatted template to create your submission. (ATTACHED IN FILE)
The template is set up in APA 7: double-spacing, font, margins, headings, page breaks, APA help links.
Your submission will include:
Trident University International’s cover page
A paper with APA citations (2- to 3-sentence Overview, 4 ½-page body, 2- to 3-sentence conclusion)
The reference list page in APA format

You are asked to perform some article search, or relevant YouTube and TedTalk segments and reply to the topic posted: Forecasting- Either Time Series of Regression. 
Posting for topic: you need to submit a short summary of the article (small paragraph, perhaps 6 to 8 MEANINGFUL sentences) along with the source (either the URL link or the journal/magazine reference and copy of article); that way, the whole class can benefit from your findings. 
It is your responsibility to ensure that the article is accessible (Either the URL link is active or provide a pdf or Word copy of the file). Failure to do so will result in the posting not being graded.
Topic: Forecasting
Possible Key Topics: Example of use of  forecasting in the Industry (Healthcare, Businesses, even sports); software available; Forecast accuracy;  economic forecasting models; etc.You could choose other leads as long as they relate to the posted discussion topic.
Couple of remarks:
1-It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the article is accessible (Either the URL link is active or provide a word/pdf copy of the file). Failure to do so will affect the grade for this assignment, possibly result in a Zero.
2- Also any “Copy&Paste” straight from the article is considered plagiarizing and will result in a Zero for this assignment and/or the whole course (refer to course syllabus on Honesty Code)

While preparing your discussion board activity, you read Heclo’s article, Hyperdemocracy. Hyperdemocracy consists broadly of the argument that in the age of instant communication, traditional political parties, interest groups, and the U.S. Constitution have lost influence with the public. Heclo warns us that too much democracy can be unhealthy. 
Yet, with more access, citizens are seemingly less engaged in a democratic society and increasingly alienated from it. Americans often feel they have no voice in the political system or society. Amid this “hyper democracy,” there appears to be a rise in radical or extreme individualism. This activity asks you to explore the idea of radical individualism and how it relates to a good society and civic engagement. 
REQUIRED RESOURCES
Please read the following articles:
Is Radical Individualism Destroying Our Moral Compass?, Michael Mascolo, Psychology Today, 2016                                                                                                                                                      https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/values-matter/201612/is-radical-individualism-destroying-our-moral-compass
Individualism and the Crisis of Civic Membership, Robert Bellah, et al, Religion Online           https://www.religion-online.org/article/individualism-and-the-crisis-of-civic-membership/
ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION
Respond to the following statement agreeing or disagreeing with parts of or the full statement below. Explain your answer in detail:
“Radical Individualism is getting in the way of a healthy republic.”

1.      
Describe the three of the ethical traps that
business communication often faces when making ethical decision and give a
workplace related example of each?
The three ethical traps that business communications often face are the realization trap, the self-deception trap, and the ends-justify-the-means trap.
2.      
Describe three forms of nonverbal communication
and give a workplace example of each.
The three forms of non-verbal communication discussed with examples are facial expressions, gestures, and voice. 
3.      
Researching may involve informal or formal
methods. List and describe two informal research method and two formal research
method.
The two formal research methods are survey and questionnaire, whereas the two informal research methods discussed are focus group and personal interview.
4.      
You are responsible for training a group of new employees
in proper e-mail use in the workplace. Describe six important email best
practice you should cover in the training session.The six important e-mail best practices are Clear and concise subject line use of professional e-mail address, double-check the e-mail, proofread, use proper salutations or professional greetings, avoid using short forms and any abbreviations.
5.      
Your textbook outlines several techniques to
gain your reader attention in the opening of a persuasive message. List two of
these techniques and write an original example of each
he persuasive techniques and original examples are resonating with the audience’s emotions and providing social proof.
6.      
Explain what a business plan is and when is necessary.
Then list five components that should be included in business plan, describing
the type of information that would be included in each
The business plan bridges the present and future of the business. It is a pre-decided path for a business for success. The business plan is necessary when the objective has to be achieved, for approval for a business loan from a financial institution, and pitching the idea to the potential investor. The five components of the business plan are executive summary, company description, market analysis, strategy implementation, and financial summary. 
7.      
Assume that a friend has an important job
interview next week and has come to you for advice. List and explain five tips
you would give your friend to prepare for the job interview.
The five tips to prepare for the job interview are: research the company and industry, prepare common interview questions, examine the job description carefully, review the resume and keep extra copies, and practice body language and speaking.

Read how to – then read case – then answer the questions below about the case using the how to as your guide.
Lincoln Electric Discussion Questions:
1. PutyourselfinCEOJohnStropki’sshoes.ShouldLincolnElectric expand into India by investing in a major production facility there?
IfyouweretoexpandintoIndia,wouldyouenterthroughacquisition, a greenfield site, or some type of joint venture? Which factors would inform your decision among these entry mode choices?
InwhichcountriesisLincolnElectriclikelytobemostsuccessfulor least successful? Why? How would this guide your own choice of where to place Lincoln Electric’s production facilities abroad?
WhenLincolnElectricgoestoIndiaandothercountries,whatfactors should determine how much it adapts its core incentive pay-for- performance management practices to local labor market norms? Should Lincoln Electric follow the adage “when in Rome, do as the Romans do,” or should it seek to always replicate the recipe behind its success in the home plant in Cleveland?