Business Research Project Essay

Last week our team was requested to identify a company that has faced or is currently facing problems or situations that can be addressed by research. We chose Blockbuster as our research project, we analyzed the company and identified the company’s bankruptcy as our research problem. Based on that, we set our research hypothesis as the possible causes or reasons that lead the company to bankruptcy. According to that hypothesis we formulated our research questions. In order to go ahead with our investigation and find out if any of the independent variables proposed in our research is related to the bankruptcy of Blockbuster, we have to identify who is going to be our population and our research sample. Let starts first by understanding what populations and a sample are. In statistical terminology a population can be understood as a determined or specific set of things or units that are going to be investigated or studied, while a sample or population sample can be described as a subset or portion of the total units comprising the population. In other words the population is the group of elements or objects to be studied or investigated and of which inferences are made, that later will be tested to be finally accepted or discarded. By sampling a representative portion of the population is selected to be tested the results and conclusions about the population are drawn. Our investigation is limited to Puerto Rico area, so our targeted population will be Blockbuster customers in Puerto Rico. Our sample will consist of 24 puertorrican Blockbuster users selected utilizing the random sampling method. Once we have identified the sample we need to determine which data collection method will be used to obtain information. The collection and analysis of information is extremely important and there are four basic ways in which data can be collected. The first one is to obtain the data from a previously published source, this one is possible when someone has already collected and published the data needed. The second method is to perform an experiment to obtain the data. By this method a specific experiment is  designed and performed by the researcher under specific and controlled conditions. The third method is performing a survey, this method consist of selecting a sample and delivered them several question and record the information given by respondents. The last method is the observation, by this method the researcher observes behavior of the population in their natural environment and records the findings. As our data collection method we chose the survey that will be delivered to the selected sample of Blockbuster customers in Puerto Rico. Our survey will contain several questions to be answered and will consist in to parts. The first one will have multiple choice questions and the second one will have question that will require the opinion of the respondent. This method will allow us to have and insight on what was the real reason behind Blockbuster’s bankruptcy, and the closure of its video stores. This surveys will be sent by email to the personal email address of the respondents. They will have 7 days to answer it and send it back by email. Once the responses are received the answer given in the multiple choice question will be tabulated and the others will be recorded and analyzed. Reference University of Phoenix. (2014). Week Three Statistics: Statistic for Business and Economics 11th Chapter 6. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, QNT/561PR website. University of Phoenix. (2014). Week Three Statistics: Statistic for Business and Economics 11th Chapter 7. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, QNT/561PR website. University of Phoenix. (2014). Week Three Statistics: Business Research Methods 11th Chapter 10. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, QNT/561PR website. University of Phoenix. (2014). Week Three Statistics: Business Research Methods 11th Chapter 11. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, QNT/561PR website. University of Phoenix. (2014). Week Three Statistics: Business Research Methods 11th Chapter 12. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, QNT/561PR website.

Project management risk management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Project management risk management - Essay Example Risk can be defined as the possibility of loss. Risk arises due to the inability to achieve objectives within defined cost, schedule and technical constraints. Risk has two components, one the possibility of not achieving a particular outcome, and the second is the result of failure to achieve the outcome. The former is the probability of risk and the later is the loss. Risk management is a set of action that help the managers plan to deal with uncertain occurrences. It is through risk management managers assess risk and manage to reduce it to an acceptable level. The key idea in risk management is not to wait passively for a risk to materialize and become a problem. The objective of risk management is to ensure that for each perceived risk we know well in advance how to tackle it. The process of risk management begins during the analysis phase and the actual process of managing risks continues throughout. Risk management is a dynamic process because it deals with the activities that are yet to happen. Risk management has two fold agenda. First deciding actions for preventing risk from happening and second deciding actions for tackling risk that materialize. Therefore risk management is all about preempting a risk, coming up with a plan for resolving the risk and finally executing the plan. Risk identification: In this step manager gathers information about the potential risks in the project. The project manager plans the strategies for avoiding risks or controlling them. They discuss availability of technology, manpower, prevailing environment and the project related factors. The manager picks up the thread from these and creates a risk log. After risk log is prepared, the project manager calls a meeting within the team and technical experts to discuss the risk log and the mitigation plans. One of the effective ways of identifying risks is using a questionnaire to list out risks. Risk analysis: It consists of three steps i.e. Risk probability, Risk impact and Risk factor. After identifying the risks the manager needs to analyze the risks. Uncertainty and loss are the two characteristics of risk. The uncertainty factor in risk means that the unknown event may or may not happen. While analyzing risk manager needs to quantify the level of uncertainty and the degree of loss. Based on this, manger plans schedules and costs. During analysis, information on risk is converted into information on decision-making. There are various tasks involved in risk analysis; initially the task in risk analysis phase is to describe the risk. The risk can be product related, process related, organization related, client related or infrastructure related, secondly the manager quantifies the probability of occurrence of risk and thirdly the risks are rated depending on their probability of occurrence. Based on the probability of risk the manager identifies the impact of risk on cost, schedule, and quantity, which needs to be calculated and graded. Each risk is prioritized relative to other risks. The manager can prioritize risks based on the probability and impact of risks. High impact risks with moderate to high probability will catch the attention first. Risk Mitigation: Risk mitigation is the best possible approach adopted by the manager to avoid risks from occurring. The probability of

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for Human Resource Assignment - 2

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for Human Resource Management - Assignment Example SWOT analysis assists an organization in their decision making. There are various strengths associated with the Simpkin’s sweet company; first, the company has stood the test of time since 1921, and secondly, the company only produces quality products. In addition, currently, it is able to export its products to 60 countries, which accounts for 25% of its overall income. The existing opportunities of this company are that it is able to keep up with technology thus being able to sell online; it also has efficient staff members. The addition of the sugar-free sweets to their menu is an added advantage since the diabetic customers can also benefit, thus boosting the company. In addition, the decision to open another tinning line could lead to more sales in a day. Some of the threats of the travel sweet company include increasing competition, and the plan to expand on their range means extra costs that will interfere with the profits, as well as the fact that their 200g of sweets is not selling well as compared to the 50 grams. The company’s weaknesses include the failure to expand to the Asian continent because of different water, which interfered with the taste of the sweets, and the Failure to move to another site since some of their loyal and skilled employees cannot relocate.   SWOT analysis -Human resource management -Accounting and finance -Marketing functions Strengths -Workers Working in shifts -A 25% income generated from exports -Exporting product to over 60 countries. -The use of the internet to sell online. - Ability to market sugar-free sweets thus increasing sales. Weaknesses -Few numbers of workers High turn-over due to - -Inability to expand business in Asia due to the different taste of the sweets. -Inability to establish another site, due to fear of the current employees not following the company. Opportunity -Hiring more employees with the establishment of a new tinning line - -penetrating to new markets -producing more of 50g pa ckets of sweets. Threat -Increase of salaries Income rose to 3 million last year Increase in competition. Therefore, for the travel sweet company to be at a competitive advantage, it should try to expand on its territories by establishing a new site. The fact that their employees won’t follow the company should not be a worry since the management can always hire new employees. This will enable the company to test new waters in a different location, and with time, it would prosper. On the production part, the company should set up another tinning line, since it will fasten production, thus increasing the number of sales made per day. On the human resource department, more employees should be hired, with the creation of a new tinning line.

One Legal Stop Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

One Legal Stop - Essay Example Subsequent questioning reveals that the subjects are offering conflicting statements regarding their presence in the area, and the officers arrest the suspects for loitering and prowling. A search of the vehicle reveals that it contains stolen property from the robbery. Reasonable Suspicion. While police officers have no right to harass or detain citizens without probable cause, they do have broad latitude in deciding if individuals at a particular scene may be questioned when circumstances warrant a reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed. There are two things that contribute to a justifiable cause for reasonable suspicion; the actions taken by individuals when they see police officers and the areas in which they are located when they encounter law enforcement. When a person runs from the police while in a dangerous area, the officers have a duty to investigate. The United States Supreme Court has specifically stated that "mere flight is not enough to create 'reasonable suspicion,' but...when the flight is 'unprovoked' and can be shown to have taken place in a 'high crime area,'" an officer is justified in stopping and frisking the individual (Williams, 2000, p. 381). In fact, the Chief Justice wrote that "[h]eadlong flight-wherever i t occurs-is the consummate act of evasion: it is not necessarily indicative of wrongdoing, but it is certainly suggestive of such" (Williams, 2000, p. 381). In this case, the officers were patrolling a high-crime area after news of a robbery. When the four subjects saw the officers, they immediately got into their car and drove away. This act of evasion, combined with the location of the activity, gave the officers completely reasonable suspicion of the need to investigate further. Their pursuit of the individuals was proper and legal. Reasonable Officer Conduct. Police officers are vested with significant authority over citizens. With that power comes the responsibility to act lawfully and reasonably. When police officers act reasonably and in good faith, they have latitude in the evidence they discover. The law says that any evidence uncovered by an illegal search is not admissible in a court of law. The reason for this rule is to "deter unconstitutional police conduct" (Feinman, 2000, p. 315). It must be noted, however, that even if the police do conduct an unreasonable or unlawful search, the evidence they uncover is still useable in the prosecution of the suspect if the police believed they were acting lawfully. Feinman goes on to point out that when police officers find evidence "in a good faith belief that their acts are constitutionally permissible, the criminal process should not be denied the benefits of using the evidence" (2000, p. 315). Here, the police officers acted reasonably and appropriately. Havi ng encountered the suspects loitering in a high-crime area, then seeing them attempt to evade, the officers made a legal stop. During the course of speaking with the subjects, the officers attempted to discover the truth of why the suspects were in the area. As discussed below, the search of the suspect's

Commuication and Culture Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Commuication and Culture - Case Study Example Racial abuse is a serious offence and should be dealt with serious punishments. The Blacks were known not only for their physical strength but also for their inventive methods in labor department, and were always successful in whatever the field they had chosen. Blacks were seen as enemies in many societies. During the civil war in US it seemed as perfect situation for those people who always hated the Blacks and used their forces to suppress them. The war has witnessed most of the Blacks being brutally murdered and thrown out of their respective homes. The White forces had committed many atrocities against the Blacks. In US the Blacks and Latinos are the largest immigrants. They migrated from the far lands of the black continent Africa and other parts of the American continent respectively. In the past, since these countries were not as developed as US and their socio-economic structure was on decline, many of the citizens were forced to work as slaves and have to migrate to US. In US, Black and Latino immigrants have less education and less skill set, even among women also. Apart from other groups these Blacks and Latinos have less human capital, so they have very less employers in their group and it is indirectly affecting their economic status and social environment also. Gender inequality was always prevailed among the Blacks.

Marriot Being a Marketer Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Marriot Being a Marketer - Case Study Example The marketer offers excellent positioning and segmentation to the multinational business entity. The marketer utilizes several marketing strategies for his target market and offers the ideal segmentation for all the business undertakings around the globe. The marketer gives more concentration on the consumer than any other element to make the business a success. He utilizes market researches too obtain feedback that is usually utilized in the provision of the best services within the multinational business. Key marketing Issues Market research-Marriott utilizes market research to deal with certain marketing issues or create competitive advantages towards its competitors. The multinational utilizes different methods to collect information for market evaluations. Forecasting methods- Marriott utilizes dissimilar forecasting techniques for different brands offered within its business empire. Markets- Marriott is a business-to-consumer market since it comprises of consumers and purchaser s of products without the intention of gaining any profits from the provided services. Market targeting-Marriott utilizes three strategies in market targeting for its products. The three strategies are concentrated, differentiated and undifferentiated target strategies. Market positioning-Marriott has successfully positioned its products in the thoughts of its consumers by providing products that effectively address their desires. Positioning has also assisted Marriott in marketing segmentation in several ways. Market segmentation-Marriott segments its market accordingly to suit all consumers visiting its hotels all over the globe. Segmentation has extensively done to group consumers according to their needs and preferences. Personal Case Analysis Marriot case introduces the basic and most imperative concepts in the market strategies. The case presents the difficulties that a marketer undergoes to keep the business running. Market targeting, segmentation, and positioning offer the m arketer with the best strategies to run the business. Marriott obtains a huge market share by operating on dissimilar countries around the globe. Case Questions 1. How is Marriott segmenting the market for hotel services? Marketing segmentation offers different or distinct groups of consumers with homogenous needs and characteristics (Shoba 1). Marriott has effectively segmented the market into Marriott and Renaissance consumers who bear dissimilar preferences. Renaissance customers presented the urge to open the windows up and look outside upon arrival in their presented rooms. The customers who spent their time within the Marriott’s property showed interest in undertaking various high-tech activities such as video conferencing. Marriott has responded to this call through the institution of equipment such as the most recent recording and communication gadgets within the meeting places. The property has also created an affiliation with AT&T as well as Cisco to provide virtual meeting facilities. Marriott has also presented another segment within its brands that consist of customers and commerce travelers conscious about the environment. Marriott has responded to this segment through the development of model green hotels. The hotel brands bearing these green hotels are designed to hold communal spaces, and visitor’s room that are more oriented towards preserving water, and energy than the earlier versions. Marriott brand with the green hotels aims at operating in ecosystem friendly environs. The hotels in this segment offer pads manufactured from recycled paper and key cards developed out of recycled plastics. The achievers serve as another of the many segments that Marriott has developed.

Social Media Marketing in the European Football Industry Dissertation

Social Media Marketing in the European Football Industry - Dissertation Example The paper operates mainly based on research question which can be stated as follows: Do European football clubs that engage fans through e-marketing techniques generate more revenues than those who do not? Most of the large clubs are known to many around the world, showing a positive relationship between fan base and revenue generation. This relationship is strengthened through innovative e-marketing techniques by the clubs. Football is one of the most popular sports not only in Europe but also around the globe. There are billions of football followers and fans. Since the world is changing to become a global village comprised of an online community, the concepts of e-commerce, e-business and e-marketing are very common. The traditional boundaries are no longer hindrances in the frequent communication of people who live thousands of miles away from each other. E-marketing is a growing phenomenon which is based on the most recent and innovative marketing tools such as social media and mobile phones. It is equally beneficial for all industries, producers and investors to get engaged in income generating activities. All of the European football clubs have a large number of fans and followers who attract investors and sponsors to finance the clubs so that their products and services are maximized. The analysis of data collected for this study through primary and secondary sources, shows that the clubs which engage their fans through e-marketing techniques are generating solid revenues even in times of recession. Contents Abstract 1 Contents 2 Football as an Industry 5 Marketing and Sports Communication 6 Role of Branding and Brand Awareness in Marketing 9 Marketing through Social Media 13 Types of Social Media 16 Viral Marketing 19 Web 2.0 Marketing 21 Web 3.0 Marketing 22 Social Media and Online-Social Networking 24 Marketing Football through Social Media 26 Demand and Supply Chain: 27 Publicity and Popularity: 27 Direct Interaction between Football Clubs and Fans: 28 Reward for Fans 28 Engage and Expand Fan Circle: 28 Set up Campaign 29 Procure Content 29 Update Content 29 Track Metrics 29 Analyse and Review 30 Effective E-Marketing 30 Social Media and European Football Clubs 32 Research Question 41 Methodology 41 The Rothschild Study 41 Sampling 42 Data Collection 42 Questionnaires 42 Interviews 43 Online Surveys 43 Types of data 43 Rate of Response 43 Triangulation 44 Length of the Study 44 Findings 44 Clubs’ Personnel Preferences 44 Nexus between E-Marketing and Increase in Revenues 46 Benefits of Common Age Groups 53 Increase in Number of Fans for Increase in Revenues 54 Income Generation by the Clubs through Fan Engagement 55 Discussion 59 Intensify Use of E-Marketing Strategies 59 Enhance Relationships with Fans 60 Establishing a Dedicated Communications Department 60 Leverage Experts to Boost Interaction with Fans 61 Design Interactions Based on the Stimulus-Response bond 62 Explore the Potential of Social Media 62 Exploit New Strategies Made Possible by Web 3.0 63 Train the Ordinary Users 63 Development of a Marketing Strategy for the Club 63 Economic/Financial Aspects 64 Social Aspects 65 Technological Aspects 66 Limitations 66 Future Research 67 References 67 Appendix A 77 Appendix B: New technology for Football Fans â€Å"Apple TV† 80 List of Tables and Figures Figure 1 Clubs’ Revenues 2010/11 5 Figure 2 Annual Progress in Social Media Comments 14 Figure 3 60 seconds on Facebook 23 Table 1 Social Network landscape as of August, 2009 16 Figure 4 Social Media Workflow 27 Table 2. Popular Social Networks as of July 2009 32 Fig. 5 The Fan Engagement Spectrum 34 Figure 6 Facebook’s March to a Billion 37 Fig 7: Clubs’ Personnel Preferences 42 Fig 8: Nexus between E-Marketing and Increase in Revenues 43 Fig 9: Clubs’ Revenues 44 Fig 10 Facebook Share of Time Spent Online 44 Fig 11 Role of Social Media in Revenue