In What Manner is Wal-Mart Influencing America?

In What Manner is Wal-Mart Influencing America? (graded)

Perform an Internet search on, “Is Wal-Mart Good for America?” Read the introduction and the interviews sections of the PBS special. You can also visit Wal-Mart’s website via the course Webliography. Then let’s discuss in what manner Wal-Mart is influencing America.

• Do Wal-Mart’s business practices raise or lower our standard of living? How? Why do you think this is so?
• Is Wal-Mart’s business strategy fair and equitable to all parties? Why or why not?

Can Social Entrepreneurship Succeed? (graded)

It is generally understood that social entrepreneurs are people with creative and innovative solutions for society’s problems. They are possessed by their ideas and are committed to changing society for the better. Perform an Internet search to read more about social entrepreneurs at the Skoll Foundation’s website, then address the following in separate paragraphs:

What are the risks for a social entrepreneur? What are the benefits for a social entrepreneur? What are the similarities and differences between business entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs, and why is this important to consider?

Can social entrepreneurship be successful in our capitalistic society? What should be changed in our capitalistic society to assist social entrepreneurs in becoming successful?

Week 2 discussion

International Trade or Stay Close to Home? (graded)

Most of the world’s population lives outside the United States. However, many U.S. companies, especially small businesses, still do not engage in international trade. Why do you think this is the case? If you were a small business owner, would you want to engage in international trade? Why?

Industrialized Versus Developing (graded)

The United States is considered to be an industrialized nation because we have such a high standard of living. Countries with lower standards of living are considered to be emerging or developing nations. What factors prevent developing countries from becoming developed? Why? What are the responsibilities of industrialized nations to developing nations in this regard? Why?

Week 3 discussions

Socially Responsible? (graded)

Will there ever be a single set of international rules governing multinational companies? In what way are United States businesses demanding socially responsible behavior from their international suppliers? Why is this important to discuss?

Is It a Matter of Ethics? (graded)

An acquaintance of yours in your class has just asked you if he or she could copy a paper you wrote for another instructor last semester. Chances seem good that last semester’s instructor and your current course instructor don’t talk with one another much. Given that, what are your alternatives? What are the consequences of each?

Would this situation have been easier to resolve if you had asked yourself the three ethical test questions listed in this week’s assigned chapter?

Week 4

Effects of Information Technology on Management (graded)

Evaluate and discuss the human resource, security, privacy, and stability issues affected by information technology. The increase of information technology has affected management greatly. The best guess is that it will probably continue to do so. Given that, discuss the issues from the perspective of change and change management. What is the impact of such issues on the management of information technology? Conversely, what is the effect of information technology on management? Why is this important to discuss? In what way does information technology and management impact what you do at your job on a day-to-day basis? Why do you think this is important to discuss?

Financial Order or Financial Martial Law (graded)

Read the Legal Briefcase: Financial Order or Financial Martial Law? article found on page 501 in Chapter 18 of the textbook.

Consider EFMs and how they are used. The article posits that EFMs might expand beyond Michigan to other states. Also, oversight boards have been given powers similar to those powers that EFMs hold.

Discuss the article as well as the impact EFMs have on cities, towns, and school districts. What are EFMs? Are EFMs the financial solution to distressed communities? To what extent do EFMs provide order and stability? How? How would you feel if an EFM was appointed to oversee and manage your local school district? Why? What would be your course of action? Why?

Week 5

Communication: In a Promotional Way, of Course (graded)

What kinds of problems can emerge if a firm does not communicate with environmentalists, news media, and local community? What are the consequences if a firm chooses to ignore such stakeholder groups? Do you know of any real cases in this regard?

Blogs, Podcasts, and Social Media: Oh My! (graded)

How have blogging, pod casting, and social media affected other media you use, such as news sites, newspapers, or television? Do you think blogging is an influential word-of-mouth promotional tool?

Week 6

Discn

What!? Me!? A Manager!? (graded)

A number of learners in our business programs aspire to a management position within their organizations. In some cases, the aspiration includes that of a senior leadership position within the organization. Maybe you have contemplated such ideas. Maybe youshouldcontemplate such ideas. Given this information:

1. Discuss with your colleagues management, promotions, and leadership in either your current organization or maybe a new organization that you might consider working for.

2. What kind of leader do you think that you would be? Do you have any information or experience to support your self-perceived leadership style?

Workers and Robots: Fair and Equitable? (graded)

It seems that robots and other machines are replacing workers in a manufacturing facility. On one hand, this allows companies to compete with relatively inexpensive labor from other countries. On the other hand, the perception might be that automation displaces jobs and the types of job available.

With your course colleagues, discuss this situation. Here are some questions to help start the discussion.

1. Are you concerned that automation may increase unemployment or underemployment in the United States and around the world?

2. Is using robotic technology in a factory in the United States a fair and equitable solution to the high cost of human labor?

Week 7 disn

Effects of Information Technology on Management (graded)

Evaluate and discuss the human resource, security, privacy, and stability issues affected by information technology. The increase of information technology has affected management greatly. The best guess is that it will probably continue to do so. Given that, discuss the issues from the perspective of change and change management. What is the impact of such issues on the management of information technology? Conversely, what is the effect of information technology on management? Why is this important to discuss? In what way does information technology and management impact what you do at your job on a day-to-day basis? Why do you think this is important to discuss?

Financial Order or Financial Martial Law (graded)

Read the Legal Briefcase: Financial Order or Financial Martial Law? article found on page 501 in Chapter 18 of the textbook.

Consider EFMs and how they are used. The article posits that EFMs might expand beyond Michigan to other states. Also, oversight boards have been given powers similar to those powers that EFMs hold.

Discuss the article as well as the impact EFMs have on cities, towns, and school districts. What are EFMs? Are EFMs the financial solution to distressed communities? To what extent do EFMs provide order and stability? How? How would you feel if an EFM was appointed to oversee and manage your local school district? Why? What would be your course of action? Why?