Economics assessment one and two

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

• Competency 1: Apply the theories, models, and practices of economic theory to create value for the firm.
  • Analyze solutions with support from relevant data, resources, references, and economic principles.
• Competency 4. Analyze the microeconomic environment of corporate operations.
  • Analyze graphed data referencing the possibility curve to develop assumptions.
  • Analyze the concept of opportunity cost.
  • Apply the concept of marginal cost and marginal benefit.
• Competency 5: Communicate in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the business professions.
  • Communicate in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the business professions.

• The term, "economics" comes from the ancient Greek words oikos, which means "house," and nomos, which means "custom" or "law." The term means, basically, "household management." It has taken on a much broader connotation in the last few centuries, however. Today, it means the study of households, consumers, businesses, and even nations. In its broadest sense, economics is the study of how to fill unlimited wants with limited resources.

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  The two most modern forms of economic activity—the free market and the command economy—each have advantages and disadvantages. Consider how scarce business and household resources are allocated, as well as how consumers decide what to consume, how much to consume now, and how much to consume later.

  In the problem set for Assessment 1, you will explore the specific methods economists use to examine economic behavior and the economy. You will then look at the economizing problem from both an individual and societal perspective. For the individual, you develop the budget line; for society, the production possibilities model. In discussing production possibilities, the concepts of opportunity costs and increasing opportunity costs, unemployment, growth, and present versus future possibilities are all demonstrated.

   

  Problem Preparation and Submission Guidelines

  Form, format, presentation, and appearance are almost as important in accounting and auditing as correct numbers. Poor presentation, in both written work (Word) and spreadsheets (Excel) is an indication of careless thinking and analysis. You cannot earn full credit, even if the solutions are correct, if your work is not presented in a professional manner. On the other hand, it is possible to receive full credit for professionally presented work even if the solution is not absolutely correct.

  All submitted written work must include an introduction. Include all relevant facts, dates, persons, et cetera, and a statement of what you are doing and why. Avoid using the first person.

  Conclusions must be supported. Numbers and calculations are not self-explanatory. In fact, numbers and calculations are not the analysis. After you perform the calculations, you must then analyze (interpret and explain) the results.

  Your analyses, papers, and the like must be prepared "in good and proper form." That means, for example, when you prepare financial information, your numbers must be aligned on the decimal and right justified. Use commas for thousands. Use underlines and dollar signs appropriately. Every number must be properly labeled and supported with calculations. This does not mean to type or show the formulas. It means to "show" the calculations in statement or schedule (table) form. Do not type formulas, equations, and calculations or show math or equal signs. Your client is not interested in reading formulas.

  When finished, submit your completed problems in one file (Word or Excel).

  Word file: The cover page must include your name, school, date, assessment number, and problem number. Each problem must begin on a new page with a hard page-break. If you use Word to prepare calculations, prepare them in table form as if it were in Excel. Do not write anything past the margins.

  Excel file: The first tab is the cover page with the same information as above. Each problem must be on a separate tab. Each tab must be properly labeled. Note that Excel is not actually required, but if you use Excel, you must use it correctly. One number in one cell and each number (cell) properly labeled. Do not type formulas. You cannot use a calculator in Excel; you must use Excel functions to calculate. Do not write anything past the margins. Use landscape if necessary.

  Spelling and grammar errors must be minimal.

   

  Limits, Alternatives and Choices

  Before you begin Assessment 1, make sure you have downloaded and read the Helpful Hints for Learners and Problem Preparation and Submission Guidelines documents, linked in the Resources under Capella Resources.

  Then, review the following economic problems and respond to each.

  Problem A

  Below is a production possibilities table for consumer goods (butter) and capital goods (guns).

  Production Possibilities

  Type of Production	Production Alternative A	Production Alternative B	Production Alternative C	Production Alternative D	Production Alternative E	Production Alternative F	Production Alternative G
  Butter	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
  Guns	14	13	11	9	7	4	0

  Graph the data in the table using Excel. Then, answer the following questions:

  1. What are the specific assumptions that underlie the production possibilities curve?
  2. What would be the cost of more butter, if the economy is at point C? What would be the cost of producing more guns? How does the shape of the production possibilities curve reflect the law of increasing opportunity costs?
  3. Suppose this hypothetical economy were producing only 1 item of butter and 10 guns, and this was depicted by this production possibilities table and curve. What conclusions could you draw about this economy's resource utilization?
  4. Can this economy produce outside its current production possibilities? How can technological changes affect the production possibilities curve? How can international trade permit consumption above its production possibilities curve?

  Problem B

  1. What is an opportunity cost?
  2. How does this concept relate to the definition of economics?
  3. Which of the following decisions would entail the greater opportunity cost: allocating advertising expenditures to boost sales—or investing in a new plant and equipment? Explain.

  Problem C

  Cite four examples of recent decisions that you made in which you, at least implicitly, weighed marginal cost and marginal benefit.

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  Attached is the Helpful Hints Document

  Economic Problems, Set 1 Scoring Guide

  Economic Problems, Set 1 Scoring Guide Grading Rubric

  Criteria	Non-performance	Basic	Proficient	Distinguished
  Analyze solutions with support from relevant data, resources, references, and economic principles.	Does not identify solutions using relevant data, resources, references, and economic principles.	Identifies solutions with support from appropriate data, resources, references, and economic principles.	Analyzes solutions with support from relevant data, resources, references, and economic principles.	Interprets solutions using relevant data, resources, references, and economic principles, with correct data and written work to support conclusions.
  Analyze graphed data referencing the possibility curve to develop assumptions.	Does not identify graphed data referencing the possibility curve to develop assumptions.	Identifies graphed data referencing the possibility curve to develop assumptions.	Analyzes graphed data referencing the possibility curve to develop assumptions.	Interprets graphed data referencing the possibility curve to develop assumptions about opportunity costs, economy, available resources, and the possibilities of production.
  Analyze the concept of opportunity cost.	Does not identify the concept of opportunity cost.	Identifies the concept of opportunity cost.	Analyzes the concept of opportunity cost.	Interprets the concept of opportunity cost with correct data and written work to support conclusions.
  Apply the concept of marginal cost and marginal benefit.	Does not define the concept of marginal cost and marginal benefit.	Defines, but does not apply, the concept of marginal cost and marginal benefit.	Applies the concept of marginal cost and marginal benefit.	Applies the concept of marginal cost and marginal benefit, and identifies areas of uncertainty, knowledge gaps, and/or additional information that would be needed in order to gain a more complete understanding.

   

  ASSESSMENT TWO

   

  For this assessment, you will write a 3–4 page critical analysis comparing two different companies, using an article on value creation as well as supporting and relevant data, resources, references, and economic principles.

  Business analysts must be able to evaluate and synthesize relevant data, facts, theories, and economic principles, in order to provide guidance on business issues.

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  By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

  • Competency 1: Apply the theories, models, and practices of economic theory to create value for the firm.
    • Create a critical analysis comparing two companies, using supporting relevant data, resources, references, and economic principles.
    • Evaluate an author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a specific firm, supporting conclusions with scholarly articles that either support or refute the author.
    • Apply an author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a firm to two companies.
  • Competency 2: Assess the impact of ethical and regulatory considerations on economic decisions.
    • Assess the impact of ethical and regulatory considerations to two companies.
  • Competency 4: Analyze the microeconomic environment of corporate operations.
    • Analyze an issue or issues related to the value of customer relations for two different companies.
    • Evaluate the economic significance of the issue or issues related to customer relations for each company, with regard to the theory of profit maximization and/or utility maximization.
  • Competency 5: Communicate in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the business professions.
    • Communicate in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the business professions.

  • For Assessment 2, use the article listed below to write a 3–4 page critical analysis comparing two companies.

    Read Reichheld's 2006 article, "The Microeconomics of Customer Relationships," in MIT Sloan Management Review, volume 47, issue 2, pages 73–78. This article is available in the Capella library and is linked in the Resources.

    • Think critically about the topics presented in the article and evaluate the author's point of view. You will synthesize this new information into the current paradigm of knowledge and understanding, such as the theory of profit maximization and/or utility maximization.
    • Evaluate the author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a specific firm.
    • Draw your own conclusions on value creation by applying relevant data, facts, theories, and economic principles from the article and other reading you have done.

    Select two publicly traded companies from the Standard and Poor's (S&P) 500 for comparison:

    • Select one company that is considered exemplary.
    • Select one company that is not considered exemplary; perhaps a company that has had some sort of issue that it, itself, caused.

    Using what you have gleaned from Reichheld's article, as well as supporting and relevant data, resources, references, and economic principles, write a 3–4 page critical analysis comparing the two companies. You are expected to support your analysis with appropriate citations and references to other academic sources.

    • Address the following components in regard to each of the companies you selected:
      • Identify and analyze an issue or issues related to the value of customer relations, for each company.
      • Evaluate the economic significance of the issue or issues related to customer relations for each company, with regard to the theory of profit maximization and/or utility maximization.
      • Apply the author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a specific firm to the two companies you selected.
      • Assess the impact of ethical and regulatory considerations.
      • Evaluate the author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a specific firm.
      • Draw your own conclusions on value creation by applying relevant data, facts, theories, and economic principles from the article and other reading you have done.
    • Be sure to use correct APA format for your in-text citations and reference list. Use the resources provided to help you properly cite and reference your sources and avoid plagiarism. Remember that Wikipedia is not an appropriate source to use in an academic or professional paper.

    Additional Requirements

    • Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
    • APA formatting: Your paper should be formatted according to current APA style and formatting.
    • Length: 3–4 typed and double-spaced pages.
    • Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12-point.
    • Research: Refer to the Research Resources in the left navigation menu for help finding credible sources.

  • Microeconomics of Customer Relationships Scoring Guide

    Microeconomics of Customer Relationships Scoring Guide Grading Rubric

    Criteria	Non-performance	Basic	Proficient	Distinguished
    Create a critical analysis comparing two companies, using supporting relevant data, resources, references, and economic principles.	Does not create a critical analysis comparing two companies.	Creates a critical analysis comparing two companies, but does not use supporting relevant data, resources, references, or economic principles.	Creates a critical analysis comparing two companies, using supporting relevant data, resources, references, and economic principles.	Creates a critical analysis comparing two companies, using supporting relevant data, resources, references, and economic principles, and identifies assumptions on which the analysis is based.
    Evaluate an author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a specific firm, supporting conclusions with scholarly articles that either support or refute the author.	Does not evaluate an author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a specific firm.	Evaluates an author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a specific firm, but does not support conclusions with scholarly articles that either support or refute the author.	Evaluates an author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a specific firm, supporting conclusions with scholarly articles that either support or refute the author.	Evaluates an author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a specific firm, supporting conclusions with scholarly articles that either support or refute the author. Identifies assumptions underlying the conclusions drawn.
    Apply an author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a firm to two companies.	Does not identify an author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a firm.	Identifies an author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a firm.	Applies an author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a firm to two companies.	Applies an author's arguments and conclusions for creating value in a firm to two companies, and identifies areas of uncertainty, knowledge gaps, and/or additional information that would be needed in order to gain a more complete understanding.
    Assess the impact of ethical and regulatory considerations to two companies.	Does not identify the impact of ethical and regulatory considerations to two companies.	Identifies the impact of ethical and regulatory considerations to two companies.	Assesses the impact of ethical and regulatory considerations to two companies.	Interprets the impact of ethical and regulatory considerations to two companies, supported by relevant data, resources, references, and economic principles.
    Analyze an issue or issues related to the value of customer relations for two different companies.	Does not identify an issue or issues related to the value of customer relations for two different companies.	Identifies an issue or issues related to the value of customer relations for two different companies.	Analyzes an issue or issues related to the value of customer relations for two different companies.	Interprets an issue or issues related to the value of customer relations for two different companies, critically and clearly.
    Evaluate the economic significance of the issue or issues related to customer relations for each company, with regard to the theory of profit maximization and/or utility maximization.	Does not evaluate the economic significance of the issue or issues related to customer relations for each company.	Evaluates the economic significance of the issue or issues related to customer relations for each company, but not with regard to the theory of profit maximization and/or utility maximization.	Evaluates the economic significance of the issue or issues related to customer relations for each company, with regard to the theory of profit maximization and/or utility maximization.	Synthesizes the economic significance of the issue or issues related to customer relations for each company into the current paradigm of knowledge and understanding, such as the theory of profit maximization and/or utility maximization.

  Required Resources

  The following resources are required to complete the assessment.

  Library Resources

  The following article from the Capella University Library is linked directly in this course.

  • Reichheld, F. (2006). The microeconomics of customer relationships. MIT Sloan Management Review, 47(2), 73–78.