Managerial Decision Making Research and Analysis
Research a specific company of your choice and identify some of the managerial decisions that were made over time and in response to changes in its market or competitive environment. Use Ashford University Online library and web-based resources for your research. At least 3 external resources must be used. Address all of the following areas:
Focus of the Final Paper •Describe the company and provide a brief history of its operations. Find or use graphs to illustrate its financial performance over the years.
•Identify any sources of risk or uncertainty in its operations. Do the financial reports indicate risky or uncertain activities or changes to the economic environment that ultimately appear to have affected the company’s financial outcomes? Be specific.
•Are there any government regulations that have affected this company’s operations domestically or abroad? Explain.
•Describe the inputs that are used in this company’s production function and identify any challenges to securing these inputs.
•Determine if the company has introduced new products in existing markets or created new markets over time. What is the impact on its finances?
•Determine if the price of its products increased or declined over time and analyze the reasons for price fluctuations. Study the demand elasticity for its products and discuss the availability of close substitutes for its products. How does that affect pricing decisions?
•Analyze the company’s profitability. Identify the economy or industry influences on its costs, operations, and profitability.
•Describe the competitive environment in which the firm operates, the distribution of market power, and the strategic behavior of the firm and its competitors. Apply your knowledge of the theory of this company’s market structure. How does the company make pricing and production decisions? Is your observation supported by the theoretical models? Refer to the financial reports for illustration.
•Identify any non-price competitive strategies that the company might be engaging in? Provide specific examples.
•Evaluate if the company made any mistakes in its decisions over time, and recommend any changes or improvements for the future operations. Refer to the financial reports when making specific observations or recommendations.
•Use economic language and demonstrate your understanding of the concepts and theories of this course.
Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:
1. Must be 8 to 10 double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
2. Must include a title page with the following:
a. Title of paper
b. Student’s name
c. Course name and number
d. Instructor’s name
e. Date submitted
3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
6. Must use at least 3 scholarly sources.
7. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Grading Criteria Final Paper 25 percent possible Content Criteria Weight
The paper describes the company of choice and provides a brief history of its operations and identifies any sources of risk or uncertainty in its operations.
3
The paper describes the inputs that are used in this company production function and identifies any challenges to securing these inputs.
3
The paper analyzes the company’s profitability, identifies the economy or industry influences on costs, operations, and profitability. Are there any government regulations that have affected this company?
4
The paper describes the competitive environment in which the firm operates, the distribution of market power, and the strategic behavior of the firm and its competitors.
3
The paper provides an evaluation of the company’s mistakes and decisions over time and has recommended changes or improvements for the future operations.
3 Writing Skills
The paper includes a clearly identifiable thesis statement that indicates the topic of the essay and ends with a conclusion that reaffirms the thesis.
1
Ideas are expressed in complete sentences.
1
Paragraph and sentence transitions are present, logical and maintain the flow throughout the paper.
1 Research Criteria
Must use at least three scholarly external resources.
1 Style Criteria
Must include a cover page that includes:
Title of Paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
1
The paper is eight to ten double-spaced pages in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
3
The paper includes, on the final page, a Reference Page that is completed according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
1
