Research Paper for Intro to Micro Economics

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intro_to_micro_writing_assignment.docx

Course: Intro to Micro Economics (01:220:102:09)

Research Writing Assignment:

Choose a public Company and in detail summarize the history of the firm. List of firms can include small to large cap national, multinationals, or even franchises. Briefly describe the beginnings of the firm and outline the extent of growth the firm has experienced from inception to the present. Make sure to include any significant milestones the firm may have experienced in its life. For example, when did the firm go public?

· MLA format recommended: Please include the following

I. Cover page (Include) Name of the firm

II. Industry code SIC (Standard Industry Classification)

III. Industry Structure

a. Purely competitive

b. Monopoly

c. Monopolistic competitive

d. Oligopoly

IV. 4 firm concentration ratio

V. Herfindahl index

VI. The firms growth strategy

a. New Markets?

b. New Products?

c. Acquisition?

d. Merger?

e. Partnerships?

VII. Cost cutting strategies

a. Salary freeze?

b. Layoffs?

c. Outsourcing?

d. Innovation?

e. Employee training

VIII. Firms pricing strategy

a. Premium Pricing?

b. Penetrating Pricing?

c. Economy Pricing?

d. Non-Price strategy (i.e Advertising, Customer service, Warranties)

IX. Firms Capital Structure

a. How is the firm financed?

Required:

1. Write your paper on one Company only

2. The text of the paper must be at least 5 written pages

3. The Title page and the Bibliography do not count as part of the 5 pages

4. The paper must include an opening paragraph (labeled introduction).

5. The paper must also include a closing paragraph (labeled Conclusion)

6. In your conclusion you must summarize the main points of your paper

7. Your sources must include the following

a. At least two published periodicals either in print form or from the library database

b. At least one internet source (You must cite what person or organization is responsible for publishing the source on the internet)

8. MLA formatting is preferable (However do include a cover page)

a. Helpful Link- http://mlaformat.org/the-format-of-the-research-paper/

b. Make sure to cite all sources regarding..

i. Direct quotations

ii. Significant facts or statistics

iii. Ideas that come from other sources

9. For your topic of choice, you should make some reference to an economic theory or concept we have discussed in class.

10. Lastly, you are to work alone. This is not a group project.

Rubric

Excellent

Very good

Good

Satisfactory

Need Improvement

Introduction 10%

Introduction is

new, original and

intelligent at a

level appropriate

to the audience.

Gets audience

attention

immediately by

starting with a

statement/ relevant humor

Makes the audience

curious to hear about

the topic

Is underdeveloped

and irrelevant

No Introduction used

Content and Facts 30%

facts are completely accurate for all information used

facts are accurate for almost all information used

facts are accurate for most (~80%) of the information used

some facts are present but may be inaccurate for the information used

facts are inaccurate or not present

Quality of Information

30%

information clearly relates to the main topic and provides several good supporting details and/or examples

information clearly relates to the main topic and provides supporting details and/or examples

information clearly relates to the main topic, but few details and/or examples are given

information generally relates to the topic on an average level and may or may not contain details or examples

information has very little or nothing to do with the main topic, some attempt is evident though

Spelling and Grammar 10%

no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors

almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation

errors      

a few grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors

may contain many grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors 

errors make it difficult to read the essay

Information Organization

10%

information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs and sentences

information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs

information and paragraphs have obvious organizational errors

information and paragraphs appear to be somewhat disorganized 

information is generally disorganized, paragraphs may not even exist

Conclusion 10%

Outstanding

topic review;

strong sense of

closure

Satisfying review of

highlights

Acceptable work

needing additional

development

Abrupt,

ending

without connection

to subject

No Conclusion