BUSN 115 Discussions Week 1 to 7 Introductions to Business and Technology

BUSN 115 Discussions Week 1 to 7

Introductions to Business and Technology

BUSN 115 Discussions Week 1 :

BUSN 115 Week 1 DQ 1: 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?

BUSN 115 Week 1 DQ 2: 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. What are the risks for a social entrepreneur? Why? What are the benefits for a social entrepreneur? Why? What are the similarities and differences between business entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs? Why is this important to consider and discuss? Can social entrepreneurship be successful in our capitalistic society; if so, how? Why? If not, why not? What should be changed in our capitalistic society to assist social entrepreneurs in becoming successful? Why? Would strict capitalists recommend such changes in order to accommodate social entrepreneurs? Why? How?

BUSN 115 Discussions Week 2:

BUSN 115 Week 2 DQ 1 : 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? Why not? What impact would your endeavors in international trade have on your business? Why?

BUSN 115 Week 2 DQ 2 : 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? What are the responsibilities of businesses in industrialized nations to businesses in developing nations? Are there any? Why? Why not?

BUSN 115 Discussions Week 3:

BUSN 115 Week 3 DQ 1 : Socially Responsible (Graded)

Will there ever be a single set of international rules governing multinational companies? Why? Why not? In what way are United States businesses demanding socially responsible behavior from their international suppliers? Why is this important to discuss?

BUSN 115 Week 3 DQ 2 (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 semesters instructor and your current course instructor dont 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 weeks assigned chapter? Why? Why not?

BUSN 115 Discussions Week 4:

BUSN 115 Week 4 DQ 1 : Ethical Considerations (Graded)

You’re thinking about starting your own chain of upscale, drive-through espresso stands. You have several ideal sites in mind, and you’ve analyzed the industry and all the important statistics. You have financial backing, and you really understand the coffee market. In fact, you’ve become a regular at a competitor’s operation for over a month. The owner thinks you’re his best customer. He even wants to name a sandwich creation after you. But you’re not there because you love the espresso. No, you’re actually spying. You’re learning everything you can about the competition so you can outsmart them. Is this behavior ethical? Explain your answer.

BUSN 115 Week 4 DQ 2 : A Small Business and Social Media (Graded)

You are the owner of a small business that provides repair services to various brands of vacuum cleaner units. Your store is independent in that you aren’t affiliated with a particular brand of vacuum cleaner. Based on your education and your newly earned undergraduate degree from DeVry University (but, of course), you’re considering expanding your marketing efforts by using social media. You wish to grow your business and feel that this is one area that might assist with your expansion ideas. Based on this information, discuss the use of social media in such a fashion. Use the following questions to further the discussion. Of course, add other questions as you see fit. Remember, if you provide information from other sources, be sure to cite your sources using APA style as your style guide.

BUSN 115 Discussions Week 5:

BUSN 115 Week 5 DQ 1 : Communication: In a Promotional Way, of Course (Graded)

What kinds of problems can emerge if a firm doesn’t communicate with environmentalists, the news media, and the local community? Why? Do you know of any firms that aren’t responsive to your community? If so, describe the firm and tell us why it isn’t responsive. What are the consequences if a firm chooses to ignore such stakeholder groups?

BUSN 115 Week 5 DQ 2 : Blogs, Podcasts, and Social Media: Oh My! (graded)

How have blogging, podcasting, and social media affected other media you use, like news sites, newspapers (either printed or online versions of the printed papers), or television? Do you think blogging is an influential word-of-mouth promotional tool? Why? Why not? Do you read newspapers now? If so, which ones? Why?

BUSN 115 Discussions Week 6 :

BUSN 115 Week 6 DQ 1 : 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 you should contemplate such ideas. Given this information, discuss with your colleagues management, promotions, and leadership in either your current organization or maybe a new organization that you might consider working for.

Do you prefer to work for a small firm or a large firm? Why? Do you prefer to work for a private company or a public company? Why? Do you prefer to work in the for-profit sector or the not-for-profit sector? Why? Do you prefer to work in an office setting? Why? Do you prefer to work out in the field? Why?

What kind of leader do you think that you would be? Why? Do you have any information to support your self-perceived leadership style? If so, what is this information?

BUSN 115 Week 6 DQ 2 : 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, automation eliminates many jobs. With your course colleagues, discuss this situation. Here are some questions to help start the discussion.

Are you concerned that automation may increase unemployment or underemployment in the United States and around the world? Why? Why not? Is using robotic technology in a factory in the United States a fair and equitable solution to the high cost of human labor? Why? Why not?

BUSN 115 Discussions Week 7 :

BUSN 115 Week 7 DQ 1 : 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?

BUSN 115 Week 7 DQ 2 : Financial Controls (Graded)

The company you co-founded last year is growing rapidly and has strong prospects for an IPO in the next year or two. The additional capital that an IPO could raise would let you hire the brightest people in the industry and continue to innovate with new product research. There is one potential glitch: you and the rest of the executive team have been so focused on launching the business that you haven’t paid much attention to financial control. You’ve had plenty of funds from venture capitalists and early sales, so working capital hasn’t been a problem, but an experienced CEO in your industry recently told you that you’ll never have a successful IPO unless you clean up the financial side of the house. Your co-founders say they are too busy chasing great opportunities right now, and they want to wait until right before the IPO to hire a seasoned financial executive to put things in order. What should you do and why?