REPLIES AND DQ'S

BUS 230 CLASS

7.1

Q1. Case 7.2. Trucker Logs, Sleep, and Safety: Describe the positions of the trade organizations and explain why the two groups have taken the positions they have on black boxes

7.2

Q2. Case 7.5. JCPenney and Its Wealthy Buyer: Do you agree that both the buyer and the seller are guilty in commercial bribery cases? Is the purchasing agent “more” wrong?

BUS 202 CLASS

7.1

Q1. Thinking Passage: Treating Breast Cancer: Why have the US Preventive Services Task Force’s new guidelines for breast cancer screening cast doubt on previous, long-standing recommendations that women over the age of 40 get routine mammograms and that all women should perform regular breast self-exams? On what evidence did the Task Force base their guidelines?

7.2

Thinking Passage: Treating Breast Cancer: In this radio program, at least one caller and one of the guests (Constance Lehman, the medical director of radiology and director of breast imaging at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance) criticize the Task Force’s new guidelines. What reasoning do they offer in their objections?

MRKT 110 CLASS

7.1

Q1. Under what conditions is a producer most likely to use more than one marketing channel?

7.2

In what ways are traditional specialty stores and off-price retailers similar? How do they differ?

BUS 202 CLASS

REPLY TO STUDENT GERMAINE

1.The  US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)  is an independent panel of experts that reviews scientific evidence to make recommendations on various preventive health services.

In 2009,  the USPSTF  issued controversial guidelines that suggested women should start routine mammograms at age 50 instead of 40 and that breast self-exams had limited benefit. 

These guidelines cast doubt on the previous long-standing recommendations, sparking debates and discussions among healthcare professionals and the general public.

The USPSTF  based their updated guidelines on a comprehensive review of the available scientific evidence. They evaluated the benefits and potential harms associated with breast cancer screening, considering factors such as mortality reduction, false positives, overdiagnosis, and the overall balance of benefits and harms.

One of the key reasons for the change in guidelines was a re-evaluation of the balance between benefits and harms. The USPSTF found that while mammograms do have the potential to reduce breast cancer mortality, the benefits were smaller for women in their 40s compared to older age groups.

They also identified significant harms associated with mammography screening, including false-positive results that lead to unnecessary procedures, overdiagnosis (the detection and treatment of cancers that would not have caused harm), and the resulting physical and psychological burden on women.

The Task Force's evidence review also found limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of routine breast self-exams in reducing breast cancer mortality. 

Studies showed that self-exams led to increased rates of benign breast biopsies and did not significantly improve survival rates. This led to the conclusion that the potential harms of breast self-exams may outweigh the benefits.

It's important to note that  the USPSTF's  guidelines are recommendations, and they do not apply to all individuals. Individual factors, such as personal and family medical history, should be taken into account when considering breast cancer screening options.

Women are encouraged to discuss their individual risk factors and preferences with their healthcare providers to make informed decisions about breast cancer screening.

The USPSTF   based their updated guidelines on a thorough evaluation of scientific evidence, finding that mammography benefits are smaller for women in their 40s and identifying potential harms. Limited evidence supported the effectiveness of routine breast self-exams. Individual factors should guide screening decisions through discussions with healthcare providers.

REPLY TO STUDENT GERMAINE

2. The guidelines offered by  Constance Lehman for organizations doing business in other countries were criticized because they were seen as being too simplistic and not taking into account the complexities of doing business in different cultural and political environments.

Lehman's guidelines focused on ethical behavior and the importance of following laws and regulations, but did not provide guidance on how to navigate  cultural differences or handle difficult situations such as corruption or bribery.

· Critics argued that the guidelines failed to address the ethical challenges that arise in international business, such as conflicting values and norms, and did not offer practical solutions for resolving these issues.

· Additionally, some critics argued that the  guidelines were too focused on Western values and did not take into account the perspectives and values of other cultures.

· Overall, while  Lehman 's guidelines provided a useful starting point for thinking about ethical behavior in international business, they were criticized for being too simplistic and not providing a nuanced understanding of the complexities of  cross-cultural business practices.