Written Assignment 1
Write a 1- to 2-page paper (250 to 500 words) in APA format that answers the following questions. Use the course material and at least two outside sources.
First, explain the reasons why a “global village” may be referred to as an oxymoron. Why is it important to possess verbal and nonverbal cultural indicators in our globalized world? Then, describe a personal experience of intercultural interactions where you either successfully or unsuccessfully exercised verbal and nonverbal cultural skills. Using your knowledge of the cultural domains (religion, ethnicity/nationalism, modernization, and geography), in your assessment, analyze the situation within the context of the factors influencing globalization. Be sure to support your statements with evidence. [MO 2.3]
Submit your paper to the mentor for grading. Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.
Use the Add Submission button below to submit your written assignment.
Case Study 1-BUS 421
The case study assignment for Module 1 draws on the following case study in your textbook:
Case 4: Costco Wholesale in 2016: Mission, Business Model, and Strategy, by Arthur A. Thompson (page C-26)
Read the case and then respond to the case questions provided below. (See Guide to Case Analysis for further guidance on writing a case analysis.)
In addition to reading the case study provided in the textbook, research the company further to find any relevant events that have transpired since the writing of the case study. Use the company’s website, Internet search engines such as Google, online data services, or other sources to locate the latest articles about the company including press releases and current financial information. Be sure to cite all sources according to APA guidelines.
Note: For assistance with analyzing any financial data in this case, Table 4-1 (Key Financial Ratios: How to Calculate Them and What They Mean) in your textbook is a useful reference.
Please limit your analysis to 4 pages (1000 to 1100 words), double-spaced.
Students please note: Feel free to bring in any recent news or current events concerning this company into your answer.
Case Questions
- The first chapter of your textbook begins with a quote from Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric: “Strategy means making clear-cut choices about how to compete.” Do the efforts, actions, and practices of Costco support Welch’s statement? Explain your answer. Be specific, and provide examples to support your views in your response.
- One of the planks in Costco’s principles and operational approaches states that the firm “take[s] care of our employees.” Do Costco’s compensation and workforce practices align with this principle? Explain your answer.
- Does Costco enjoy a competitive advantage over BJ’s Wholesale? If so, what is the nature of its competitive advantage? Does Costco have a winning strategy? Support your answer.
- For a set of organizational strategies, goals, and objectives to have a chance of success there must be pervasive support by/from the organizational culture. Which of the practices of Costco do you feel has the most direct influence on its business culture? Explain the foundation for your response. Is the nature of that influence positive or negative for Costco’s organizational culture? Support your position.
- Which revenue stream do you think is most important to the Costco business model and strategy? Provide details of your selection as well as the rationale for your choice.
Case Study 2
The case study assignment for Module 2 draws on the following case study in your textbook:
Case 13: Panera Bread Company in 2016—Is the Company’s Strategy to Rejuvenate Its Growth Working? by Arthur A. Thompson (page C-142)
Read the case and then respond to the case questions provided below. (See Guide to Case Analysis for further guidance on writing a case analysis.)
In addition to reading the case study provided in the textbook, research the company further to find any relevant events that have transpired since the writing of the case study. Use the company’s website, Internet search engines such as Google, online data services, or other sources to locate the latest articles about the company including press releases and current financial information. Be sure to cite all sources according to APA guidelines.
Note: For assistance with analyzing any financial data in this case, Table 4-1 (Key Financial Ratios: How to Calculate Them and What They Mean) in your textbook is a useful reference.
Please limit your analysis to 4 pages (1000 to 1100 words), double-spaced.
Students please note: Feel free to bring in any recent news or current events concerning this company into your answer.
Case Questions
- What does a SWOT analysis of Panera Bread reveal about the overall attractiveness of its situation? Does the company have any core competencies or distinctive competencies?
- Select one of the Fast-Casual restaurant competitors to Panera Bread. Compare the two companies utilizing competitive analysis principles and practices. Which company is better prepared to be a major force in the Fast-Casual restaurant space? Detail your rationale for your conclusion.
- Does Panera Bread’s Pay-What-You-Want bakery-café concept constitute an adequate demonstration of Panera’s stance on social responsibility? Explain your perspectives.
- What strategic issues and problems does Panera Bread management need to address?
SOCIOLOGY 101
Written Assignment 1
The sociological imagination is a significant departure from so-called common sense understandings. Write a 2- to 3-page paper (500 to 825 words) in APA format focused on how sociological research applies key theoretical paradigms in understanding at least one important social problem. Cite and use at least one additional outside source for this paper.
Your paper must address the following:
- Provide direct reference to our reading material and define the sociological imagination.
- Explain in detail how the sociological imagination is important to the scientific work of sociologists. For example, how is the sociological imagination used in sociological research? Provide at least one example.
- After doing your own independent research, analyze an important issue in society from the sociological imagination perspective and contrast this with a non-sociological analysis.
- Finally, provide at least one example of how the sociological imagination is currently used in public policy. For example, how is the sociological imagination used in order to deal with affordable housing shortages, combating crime, or city planning? [MO1.2, MO1.3]