ECO / 561 MASTERS / DOCTORATE CHALLENGE

ON THIS ASSIGNMENT, I WANT LEVEL ONE HEADINGS AND LEVEL 2 HEADINGS

THIS IS 2 ASSIGNMENTS IN ONE BECAUSE MY FIRST TIME WRITING THIS IT WAS ALL MESSED UP !!!

Purpose of Assignment 1

The purpose of this assignment is the creation of a research analysis. Every day, consumers make millions of decisions that impact the marketplace and influence firms' decisions. Firms use economic concepts, models, and other "tools" of economics to help determine pricing, output, and profit maximization. As an MBA student of economics, you can apply the "tools" of economics to microeconomic and macroeconomic data to create recommendations for how firms can maximize revenue, profit and market share. (THIS IS STARBUCKS)

Assignment Steps 

Resources: Tutorial help on Excel® and Word functions can be found on the Microsoft® Office website. There are also additional tutorials via the web offering support for Office products. 

Scenario: Imagine you are a business consultant to a firm of your choice. You have been asked to analyze, advise, and create recommendations on how the firm can ensure its future success in its current market. 

Work with your instructor to choose a firm that matches the following criteria: a publicly-traded company operating in the U.S. market. Note: A publicly-traded company is a private-sector firm owned by its shareholders/stock holders. 

Prepare a minimum 1,050-word analysis of economic data and business data to explain how the core economic principles impact the sustainability of the firm and what actions the firm can take to ensure success. 

Address the following:

· Identify the market structure your chosen firm operates in, analyze your chosen firm's current market share, and identify the firm's local/global competitors. Analyze the barriers to entry in this market to illustrate the potential for new competition and its impact on your firm's future in the market. Hints: Be sure you review the barriers to entry discussed in the course text.  You might consider presenting the data graphically.

· Identify and explain trends in current macroeconomic indicators for last three years including:

· Current stage of the business cycle.

· Real gross domestic product (GDP).

· Inflation as measured by the consumer price index (CPI).

· Unemployment rate.

· Federal funds rate.

· Current rate for borrowing funds such as the so-called "prime rate."  Note: A requirement of the Week 1 Influence of Economics on Household Decision Making report was to gather data on the CPI, GDP, and interest rates, so you should consider reviewing the feedback you received on the Week 1 report.

· Evaluate trends in demand over last three years and explain their impact on the industry and the firm. Include quarterly (last two quarters) and annual sales (last three years) figures for the product your firm sells. Create business strategies by analyzing information and data related to the demand for and supply of your firm's product(s) to support your recommendation for the firm's actions. Remember to include a graphical representation of the data and information used in your analysis.

· Examine available, current data and information, such as pricing and the availability of substitutes, and explain how you could determine the price elasticity of demand for your firm's product. Assess how the price elasticity of demand impacts the firm's pricing decisions and revenue growth.

· Apply the concepts of variable and fixed costs to your firm for informing its output decisions. For instance, analyze how different kinds of costs (labor, research and development, raw materials) affect the firm's level of output.

· Based on the data gathered and analysis performed for this report write a conclusion in which you:

· Create business strategies, including price and non-price strategies, based on your market structure to ensure the market share and potential market expansions and explore global opportunities for your business in a dynamic business environment and provide recommendations.

· Develop a recommendation for how the firm can manage its future production by synthesizing the macroeconomic and microeconomic data presented.

· Propose how the firm's position within the market and among its competitors will allow it to take your recommended action.

· Recommend strategies for the firm to sustain its success going forward by evaluating the findings from demand trends, price elasticity, current stage of the business cycle, and government policies. 

Cite a minimum of three peer-reviewed references and a minimum of two government economic data sources/references.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Purpose of Assignment 2

This week students will review and revise their Week 3 Research Analysis for Business Signature Assignment based on economic analysis and the feedback provided by their facilitator. Students will also expand their Week 3 analyses to evaluate the challenges of expanding their chosen company's production to AUSTRALIA

About Your Signature Assignment

This signature assignment is designed to align with specific program student learning outcome(s) in your program. Program Student Learning Outcomes are broad statements that describe what students should know and be able to do upon completion of their degree. The signature assignments might be graded with an automated rubric that allows the University to collect data that can be aggregated across a location or college/school and used for program improvements. 

Assignment Steps 

Resources: Tutorial help on Excel® and Word functions can be found on the Microsoft® Office website. There are also additional tutorials via the web offering support for Office products. 

Prepare a minimum1,750-word report addressing the points listed below. The use of tables and/or charts to display economic data over the time period discussed is highly encouraged, you may submit any economic data in Microsoft® Excel® format in a separate file. You may use the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Dept. of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the Federal Reserve of St. Louis's FRED data, the CIA World Fact Book, World Bank data, and World Trade Organization, or other appropriate sources you might find on the Internet or in the University Library. The new sections of your report should:

· Evaluate current global economic conditions and their effects on macroeconomic indicators in your selected country. 

1. Provide forecasts for population growth,

2. gross domestic product (GDP) growth,

3. GDP per capita growth,

4. export growth,

5. and sales growth.

· Evaluate any competitors' existing production in the chosen country.

· Assess sales forecasts in the selected country by using the Federal Reserve of St. Louis's FRED data, the CIA World Fact Book, World Bank data, World Trade Organization, or other appropriate sources you might find on the Internet or in the University Library.

· Categorize the type of economy that exists in your selected country as closed, mixed, or market. 

1. What is the difference between these types of economies and how might this affect your expansion?

· Assess how your chosen country's current credit market conditions,

· especially interest rates and the availability of financing,

· affect demand for your product or service and your planning or operating decision for your production in that country.

· Analyze the role of the selected country's central bank on that country's economy.

· Compare the availability,

1. education,

2. and job skills of the work force in the selected country.

3. Discuss any additional challenges of international production,

4. such as political stability,

5. availability of government financing or other incentives,

6. threat of capital controls,

· and exchange rate risks.

· Explain any additional supply chain challenges you anticipate if attempting to make your product in your chosen country and selling the product in other countries.

· Based on the data gathered and analysis performed for this report write a conclusion in which you:

· Create business strategies, including price and non-price strategies, based on your market structure to ensure the market share and potential market expansions and explore global opportunities for your business in a dynamic business environment and provide recommendations.

· Develop a recommendation for how the firm can manage its future production by synthesizing the macroeconomic and microeconomic data presented.

· Propose how the firm's position within the market and among its competitors will allow it to take your recommended action.

· Recommend strategies for the firm to sustain its success going forward by evaluating the findings from demand trends, price elasticity, current stage of the business cycle, and government.

· Recommend any comparative advantages your company will have over competitors currently operating in that country, and defend your position, either for or against, expanding your company's production into your chosen country based on your research. 

Integrate The first part of this with this last portion. The final report should be a minimum of 2,800 words. 

Cite a minimum of six peer reviewed sources not including the textbook.

Format your assignment consistent with MASTERS APA guidelines.

WRITE THE 1ST PORTION, THEN WRITE THE 2ND PORTION !! THE 2ND PORTION MUST INCLUDE EVERYTHING WITHIN THIS RUBRIC.

Rubric

[OA] Challenges of Expansion to a Foreign Location1001Global Economic Conditions(10.52%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Did not evaluate current global economic conditions and their effect on local macroeconomic indicators in your selected country.

Approaches Expectations Analyzed current global economic conditions and their effect on local macroeconomic indicators in your selected country.

Meets Expectations Evaluated current global economic conditions and their effect on local macroeconomic indicators in your selected country.

Exceeds Expectations Synthesized current global economic conditions and their effect on local macroeconomic indicators in your selected country.

2Forecasts(5.26%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Did not consider forecasts for population growth, GDP growth, GDP per capita growth, export growth, and sales growth.

Approaches Expectations Analyzed forecasts for population growth, GDP growth, GDP per capita growth, export growth, and sales growth.

Meets Expectations Considered forecasts for population growth, GDP growth, GDP per capita growth, export growth, and sales growth.

Exceeds Expectations Developed forecasts for population growth, GDP growth, GDP per capita growth, export growth, and sales growth.

3Competitor Production(5.26%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Did not differentiate the competitors’ existing production in the chosen country.

Approaches Expectations Explained the competitors’ existing production in the chosen country.

Meets Expectations Differentiated the competitors’ existing production in the chosen country.

Exceeds Expectations Evaluated the competitors’ existing production in the chosen country.

4Forecast Sales(5.26%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Did not assess forecast sales in the selected country.

Approaches Expectations Analyzed forecast sales in the selected country.

Meets Expectations Assessed forecast sales in the selected country.

Exceeds Expectations Assessed forecast sales in the selected country. The assessment went beyond the assignment requirements.

5Types of Economy(5.26%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Did not prioritize the type of economy that exists in your selected country – closed, mixed, or market.

Approaches Expectations Explained the type of economy that exists in your selected country – closed, mixed, or market.

Meets Expectations Prioritized the type of economy that exists in your selected country – closed, mixed, or market.

Exceeds Expectations Evaluated the type of economy that exists in your selected country – closed, mixed, or market.

6Differences in Types of Economy(0.05%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Did not explain the difference between these types of economies and how this might affect your expansion.

Approaches Expectations Identified the difference between these types of economies and how this might affect your expansion.

Meets Expectations Explained the difference between these types of economies and how this might affect your expansion.

Exceeds Expectations Evaluated the difference between these types of economies and how this might affect your expansion.

7Credit Market Conditions(5.26%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Did not justify how your chosen country’s current credit market conditions affect demand for your product or service and your planning or operating decision for your production in that country.

Approaches Expectations Analyzed how your chosen country’s current credit market conditions affect demand for your product or service and your planning or operating decision for your production in that country.

Meets Expectations Justified how your chosen country’s current credit market conditions affect demand for your product or service and your planning or operating decision for your production in that country.

Exceeds Expectations Justified how your chosen country’s current credit market conditions affect demand for your product or service and your planning or operating decision for your production in that country. Justification went beyond the expectations of the assignment.

8Role of Central Bank(5.26%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Did not analyze the role of the selected country’s central bank on that country’s economy.

Approaches Expectations Explained the role of the selected country’s central bank on that country’s economy.

Meets Expectations Analyzed the role of the selected country’s central bank on that country’s economy.

Exceeds Expectations Evaluated the role of the selected country’s central bank on that country’s economy.

9Comparisons(5.26%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Did not compare the availability, education, and job skills of the work force in the selected country.

Approaches Expectations Identified the availability, education, and job skills of the work force in the selected country.

Meets Expectations Compared the availability, education, and job skills of the work force in the selected country.

Exceeds Expectations Evaluated the availability, education, and job skills of the work force in the selected country.

10Challenges(5.26%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Did not explain the additional challenges of international production, such as political stability, availability of government financing or other incentives, threat of capital controls, and exchange rate risks.

Approaches Expectations Identified the additional challenges of international production, such as political stability, availability of government financing or other incentives, threat of capital controls, and exchange rate risks.

Meets Expectations Explained the additional challenges of international production, such as political stability, availability of government financing or other incentives, threat of capital controls, and exchange rate risks.

Exceeds Expectations Evaluated the additional challenges of international production, such as political stability, availability of government financing or other incentives, threat of capital controls, and exchange rate risks.

11Supply Chain Challenges(5.26%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Did not explain any additional supply chain challenges you anticipate if attempting to sell your product made in your chosen country to countries outside of that market.

Approaches Expectations Identified any additional supply chain challenges you anticipate if attempting to sell your product made in your chosen country to countries outside of that market.

Meets Expectations Explained any additional supply chain challenges you anticipate if attempting to sell your product made in your chosen country to countries outside of that market.

Exceeds Expectations Evaluated any additional supply chain challenges you anticipate if attempting to sell your product made in your chosen country to countries outside of that market.

12Comparative Advantages(5.26%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Did not recommend any comparative advantages your company will have over competitors in that country.

Approaches Expectations Analyzed any comparative advantages your company will have over competitors in that country.

Meets Expectations Recommended any comparative advantages your company will have over competitors in that country.

Exceeds Expectations Recommended any comparative advantages your company will have over competitors in that country. Recommendations went beyond the expectations of the assignment.

13Position(5.26%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Did not defend your position, either for or against, expanding your company’s production into your chosen country based on your research.

Approaches Expectations Analyzed your position, either for or against, expanding your company’s production into your chosen country based on your research.

Meets Expectations Defended your position, either for or against, expanding your company’s production into your chosen country based on your research.

Exceeds Expectations Synthesized your position, either for or against, expanding your company’s production into your chosen country based on your research.

14The paper is organized in a logical and coherent manner. Transitions are used to improved flow.(10.52%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Paper is organized in a logical or coherent manner but not both.

Approaches Expectations Paper is generally organized in a logical and coherent manner; transitions, however, are awkward.

Meets Expectations Paper is generally organized in a logical and coherent manner; transitions for the most part are smooth.

Exceeds Expectations Paper is fully organized in a logical and coherent manner; transitions are smooth and flow seamlessly from one point to the next.

15Valid research is used to appropriately support the content. References to sources are used when required.(10.52%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Valid research is not used to support content; references to sources are not used when required.

Approaches Expectations Valid research is generally used to support content; references to sources are minimally used when required.

Meets Expectations Valid research is properly used to support content; cited at least two references.

Exceeds Expectations Valid research is properly used to support content; cited more than two references.

16The author uses correct grammar and spelling. Format and citations are consistent with APA rules.(10.52%)

Does Not Meet Expectations Multiple errors in grammar and spelling; some format and citations are not consistent with APA rules.

Approaches Expectations Several errors in grammar and spelling; some format and citations consistent with APA rules.

Meets Expectations Few errors in grammar and spelling; most format and citations consistent with APA rules.

Exceeds Expectations No errors in grammar and spelling; all format and citations consistent with APA rules.