Theoretical Framework

Written Assignments

Culminating Project Part V: Research Questions and Theoretical Framework

Research Question: Latham (2014) suggested that the foundation of any good research is a good question. We are interested in developing management questions related to the research problem because answers to these questions offer actionable information. (Page 46-54)

Theory: Identifying one or two theories enables the researcher to address the research questions. In addition, a theory can help to recognize which constructs in the conceptual framework are relevant to the target problem.

Conceptual Framework: When formulating research questions, it is helpful to graph the main issues identified in the problem. A visual representation of these issues will enhance our understanding of how these issues are related to each other.

For the purpose of this assignment, please consider:

1) Formulate research questions in such a way that:

• The answers they produce will be the new solutions to the problem stated in the project. As Latham (2014) suggested, the purpose of the study will be fulfilled once the problem is resolved.
• They relate to the conceptual framework,
• They are linked directly to the theories discussed in the literature review section of your project.

2) Select a theory that you believe is well suited for the targeted problem. Describe the theory and explain the extent to which its assumptions are similar to those in the research problem in your doctoral project.

3) Create a visual representation or conceptual framework of the issues identified in your doctoral project. Provide a brief description of the conceptual framework.

1. , the PESTEL and the FIVE FORCES models to analyze the situation and structuring the  Amazon’s rise is forcing laundry detergents to shrink.

Describe the layout design of walmart 's facilities .

I need refernce as well for your answer .

Hallmark Cards, Inc. v. Murley

When a former Hallmark employee breaches a term in her severance contract, how much can Hallmark recover as damages?

iStockPhoto.com/RiverNorthPhotography

BACKGROUND AND FACTS Janet Murley was the vice president of marketing at Hallmark Cards, Inc., until Hallmark eliminated her position as part of a corporate restructuring. As a vice president, Murley had access to Hallmark’s confidential information, including its business plans, market research, and financial statements. In 2002, Murley and the company entered into a separation agreement. Murley agreed not to work in the greeting card or gift industry for a period of eighteen months and not to disclose any confidential information or retain any business records or documents relating to Hallmark. In exchange, Hallmark paid $735,000 to Murley as part of her severance package.

After the expiration of her noncompete agreement, Murley accepted a consulting position with Recycled Paper Greetings (RPG) for $125,000 and disclosed confidential Hallmark information to RPG. Hallmark filed a suit in a federal district court against Murley, alleging breach of contract. A jury returned a verdict in Hallmark’s favor and awarded $860,000 in compensatory damages (the $735,000 severance payment and $125,000 that Murley received from RPG). Murley appealed.

IN THE WORDS OF THE COURT …

BYE, Circuit Judge.

* * * *

With respect to the $735,000, Murley contends Hallmark was not entitled to a return of its full payment under the parties’ separation agreement because Murley fulfilled several material terms of that agreement (e.g., the * * * non-compete provisions). Under the circumstances, we cannot characterize the jury’s reimbursement of Hallmark’s original payment under the separation agreement as grossly excessive or glaringly unwarranted by the evidence. Hallmark’s terms under the separation agreement clearly indicated its priority in preserving confidentiality. At trial, Hallmark presented ample evidence that Murley not only retained but disclosed Hallmark’s confidential materials to a competitor in violation of the terms and primary purpose of that agreement. Thus, the jury’s determination that Hallmark was entitled to a full refund of its $735,000 is not against the weight of the evidence.

With respect to the remaining $125,000 of the jury award, Murley argues Hallmark can claim no entitlement to her compensation by RPG for consulting services unrelated to Hallmark. We agree. In an action for breach of contract, a plaintiff may recover the benefit of his or her bargain as well as damages naturally and proximately caused by the breach and damages that could have been reasonably contemplated by the defendant at the time of the agreement. Moreover, the law cannot elevate the non-breaching party to a better position than she would have enjoyed had the contract been completed on both sides. By awarding Hallmark more than its $735,000 severance payment, the jury award placed Hallmark in a better position than it would find itself had Murley not breached the agreement. The jury’s award of the $125,000 payment by RPG was, therefore, improper. [Emphasis added.]

DECISION AND REMEDY The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated the award of damages but otherwise affirmed the judgment in Hallmark’s favor. The appellate court remanded the case to the lower court to reduce the award of damages to include only the amount of Hallmark’s severance payment.

Question: Do you agree or disagree with the Court's decision and how would you have ruled? Fully explain.

“Companies should focus on financial measures of quality because these are the only measures of quality that can be linked to bottom-line performance.” Do you agree? Explain. How are financial measures and quality related? What other factors should be considered?

In a short paper describe the four different types of analytics needed to create insights and make decisions from big data.

1. What are the main processes in project quality management?

2. Why is quality management becoming more important? what does it mean to use lean in quality assurance?

3. What are benchmarks? How can they assist in performing quality assurance?

4. Describe Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)?

A manager is attempting to put together an aggregate plan for the coming nine months. She has obtained a forecast of expected demand for the planning horizon. The plan must deal with highly seasonal demand; demand is relatively high in periods 3 and 4 and again in period 8, as can be seen from the following forecasts:

The department now has 20 full-time employees, each of whom can produce 10 units of output per period at a cost of $6 per unit. Inventory carrying cost is $5 per unit per period, and backlog cost is $10 per unit per period.

Prepare an aggregate plan that uses overtime ($9 per unit, maximum output 25 units per period) and inventory variation. The primary objective in this problem is to minimize backlogs to the extent possible without having any inventory remaining at the end of Period 9. The ending inventory in period 9 should be zero, and the limit on backlogs is 60 units per period. Note that Total output = Total regular output + Overtime quantity. Compute the total cost of your plan. Assume 20 full-time workers. (Omit the "$" sign in your response.)

Total cost           $

Case - Tracy Stuart and Sweet Briar College

1. Post a cohesive and focused analysis of the case, as it pertains to the 2 perspectives you selected (listed below). Think about the leader(s) and how their actions support or can be used to illustrate whichever theories you choose. Read and analyze the case looking for and finding examples of the various theories. In your post, clearly label each discussion. Limit your initial post to about 600 words.
   • Contingency Theory
   • Bass's Transactional/Transformational Theory
   • Complexity Theory
   • Leadership Ethics

Manage U: How Can I Be More Creative at Work?

Creativity is a talent regularly sought by organizations and the career readiness competencies of proactive learning, positive approach, problem solving, and self-motivation can help foster creativity. By focusing on proactive learning, whether about work-related issues or not, your curiosity will foster creative thinking. Positive feelings like gratitude, hope, joy, and empathy have been shown to build creative thinking. Using problem-solving skills will help you to see issues with new perspectives. You should establish creativity goals to direct your attention and efforts at finding creative ways to approach situations.

Discussion:

1) Which of the above recommendations interest you? (proactive learning, positive approach, problem solving or self-motivation)

2) In what ways can you improve your creative skills, and what specific activities are you willing to commit to in order to increase your creativity?

Explain about the 4ps of marketing that Roots Canada should implement to work out well in russia

What are the principles of management? Include the name, explanation, and reasoning for each of the critical dimensions in your response. Provide examples to convey understanding.

what are some different types of media as well as their goals and typical media behavioral patterns during emergencies or disasters

just gave you the initial headlines. I'm looking here at the statement from the bank itself, talking about the investigations that the FCA and the PRA have opened up into Jes Staley and some actions at Barclays. The FCA and the PRA are saying that Jes Staley, they're looking into his personal, individual conduct, and senior management responsibilities relating to a Barclays whistleblowing program. An attempt by Mr. Staley to identify the author of a letter that was treated by Barclays as a whistleblower. The board says that Jes Staley explained his mistake here, they believe it was an honest mistake, that Staley thought he was able to look into the identity of the letter author and try to find out who it was. The board is saying that they are going to reprimand, or have reprimanded, Jes Staley formally with a written reprimand and also that they are going to very significantly adjust his compensation. But the board is saying now that Barclays is fully cooperating with the FCA and PRA investigations, which are ongoing. And that they-that Jes Staley has the full support of the board after that written reprimand and very significant pay adjustment. So we'll continue to follow this developing story, but very interesting stuff coming across from Barclays on an investigation that is now open and ongoing into their search for the writer of a whistleblower letter.

>> Yeah Matt, just looking through that statement as well. John McFarlane, who is the chairman over at Barclays saying that he's personally very disappointed and apologetic that this situation has occurred. Referring of course to-well Matt, you were just saying that, is that Jes Staley went-it's alleged that he tried to identify who the whistleblower was. In a situation, McFarlane saying, "I'm personally very disappointed and apologetic that this situation has occurred, particularly as we strive to operate to the highest possible ethical standards." The board takes at Barclay's culture and integrity of its controls extremely seriously. "We've investigated the matter fully at using external law firm, and we will be commissioning an independent review of Barclays processes and controls to determine what improvements can be made." So of course, the reprimand being made, it might work, some would say it hurts immediately, and that is in your pay packet. Matt.

>> For sure, and I think it's interesting, you know, Staley at the end of the statement,

he's quoted as well saying, "our whistleblowing process is one of the most important means by which we protect our culture and values at Barclays, and I certainly want to ensure that all colleagues and others who may utilize it understand the criticality," I didn't even know that was a word, criticality, "which I attached to it." So basically saying,

he shouldn't have looked for the author of that letter and going forward, they won't try and identify whistleblowers who wish to remain anonymous.

1. The video title refers to a pay cut for the CEO. What prompted the board of directors to take this action?

a.Unethical actions in regard to a whistleblower's identity

b.Ongoing investigation by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

c.Unhappy customers

d.Concerns about falling stock prices

2. CEO Staley remained in the position after this scandal was revealed. Who is ultimately responsible for Staley's past and future behaviors in his role as CEO?

a.Staley's fellow executives

b.The whistleblower

c.The board of directors

d.CEO Staley

3. The whistle-blowing program at Barclays is part of the corporation's governance mechanisms. Which of the following categories of corporate governance would it fall within?

a.Ethics

b.Customer

c.Financial

d.Innovation

4. Which of the following statements best characterizes the behavior of the board of directors after learning of the FCA and PRA investigations?

a.The board is committed to cooperating with ongoing investigations by the FCA and PRA.

b.The board is committed to drafting a code of ethics.

c.The board is committed to defending Staley's actions.

d.The board has resisted any attempts to allow outsiders to conduct investigations into the matter.

5. The board directors reprimanded Staley but did not dismiss him from his position as CEO. This action appears to stem from belief in Staley's profession of innocence about the wrongdoing and his willingness to take responsibility. The two sides—fire him for an unethical action or keep him because he took responsibility—create which of the following situations for the board of directors?

a.Complex strategy

b.Ethical dilemma

c.Opportunistic exploitation

d.Code of ethics

6. Although the video does not provide the content of the whistleblower's letter, which of the following unethical behaviors best describes Staley's actions in trying to find out the whistleblower's identity?

a.Opportunistic exploitation

b.Information manipulation

c.Self-dealing

d.Corruption