A city's 2006 research report titled Socio-economic Profiling of Urban Renewal Nodes and the accompanying Survey Questionnaire, which were used during class, are referred to below as the City’s KMP research report, survey questionnaire and data.

Q.1 The questions that follow below are taken directly from the City’s KMP Survey Questionnaire. Indicate the type of data (either nominal, ordinal, interval or ratio-scaled) likely to be obtained for each question. Substantiate your answer.

a.)    How many rooms, including kitchens are in the dwelling? (Count all rooms, but exclude bathrooms)? Number of rooms: .......

b.)    Where do you go to buy essential food stuff (i.e. bread, milk, etc)?

1. A shop inside a mall

2. A general dealer (i.e. Pick ‘n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers)

3. Café

4. House shop

5. Other, specify ……………………………….

Consider a portion of monthly return data (In %) on 20-year Treasury Bonds from 2006–2010.

Estimate a linear trend model with seasonal dummy variables to make forecasts for the first three months of 2011. (Round intermediate calculations to at least 4 decimal places and final answers to 2 decimal places.)

Enslaved: True Stories of Modern Day Slavery (2006), Jessia Sage and Linda Kasten

1) Summarize the book, themes, and social problem/issue 2) Identify key people and locations associated with this book 3) Identify the subject matter of the book, for example, immigration, human trafficking, interracial families, etc. 4) Provide a brief history of the subject matter ( 3-4 pages) 5) Did this book add to your knowledge of the subject matter? is so how?

Audit question

Q1. set out the rights and dutoes of auditos unddr cimpany act 2006?

Q2. Explain the responsibilities of:
        - the directors
        - the auditors
       In connection with the preparation and publication of a company's financial statement

Q3. State whether the following statement are true or false and explanation to answer choosen in respect of external auditors responsibilities:
-auditors are responsible for the financial content of the annual account
   (true / false) and why?

-auditors do not have obsalute assurance that the figures that they audit are correct.
(true/false) and why?

10. You have monthly data on gasoline prices in two cities—Vancouver and Toronto, for the years 2006–2010. In each month of each year, you observe the average price of gasoline in each city. Prices in Vancouver are usually higher than in Toronto, but the cities follow similar price trends, as prices rise in the summer months and respond similarly to demand and cost shocks. However, there are month-to-month fluctuations for various reasons.

    Starting from January 1, 2008, Vancouver imposed a carbon tax which was expected to be reflected in higher gasoline prices. Explain how you would use a difference-in- differences framework to estimate the effect of the carbon tax. Carefully define any new variables you need based on the data provided. Then, write down a line of R code which will run the regression you need. Make sure you point out which regression coeffcient is the desired estimate.

BONDS :

Huskies Corp. issued 9-year $750,000 bond on January 1, 2006 with coupon rate of 10%. The bond pays interest semiannually every June 30 and December 31, with the principal to be paid at the end of year 9. The effective market interest rate at the issuance date is 8%.

a. Calculate the proceeds and show clearly what you use for RATE, NPER, PMT, FV ?

b. What journal entry was recorded at issuance?

c. What annual coupon rate would Huskies have to offer in order to obtain total proceeds of $750,000 on the issuance of these bonds

d. UNRELATED to above. Labradors Inc. repurchased the bond which has been issued several years ago and which has a Face Value of $800,000 and unamortized premium of $42,000. The bond was repurchased at 106. Record the journal entry that the company made when it repurchased the bond.

1. In a 2006 blog entry titled The Secret Tesla Motors Master Plan, Elon Musk outlined his company’s vision and strategy for the electric vehicle industry. His vision was stated as “to help expedite the move from a mine-and-burn hydrocarbon economy towards a solar electric economy” in order to create a sustainable future. His Secret Master Plan to reach this overarching goal had four steps:

Build a sports car

Use that money to build an affordable car

Use that money to build an even more affordable car

While doing above, also provide zero emission electric power generation options

Do you think Tesla has a winning strategy? Discuss, using the 3 tests provided for a winning strategy (you can use the tests I provided, or the tests given by the textbook). Clearly state your reasoning. What information would you need to have in order to answer that question?

Dell

In January 2006, Dell, the world’s largest computer maker, announced plans to setup its fourth call center in India. The company already employs over 10,000 people in its Indian call centers, which provided a telephone help desk service to its many thousands of customers around the world. Like many other Western companies, Dell was attracted to India by the abundance of low-cost English-speaking workers, many of whom are well qualified and highly IT literate. Locating call centers in India sounds like a good deal all round. Customers get access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week wherever they are in the world, companies are able to reduce costs, and workers in a developing country get jobs.

However, not everyone is happy. Niels Kjellerup, Publisher and Editor of The Call Centre Managers Forum, an online chat room for call center managers, argues that the rush to outsource customer contact operations to cheaper locations has resulted in the worst of management practices in US and UK call centers being exported as ‘World Class Call Centre Practice’ in countries like India. He says that too often what is seen in India is bad customer service delivered cheaply. He claims that many Indian call centers are run as sweatshops with intelligent people being treated like cattle. Call center managers with little or no previous experience adopt ‘idiotic vendor measures’ such as ‘how many calls’ and ‘how short’, which simply result in the delivery of poor levels of customer service.

Agents are required to work nine and a half hours a day, but typically work anywhere from 12 to 16 hours. Processing 28 calls an hour is mandatory. Another target is to ensure that no customer calls back within seven days. The informant claimed that there are few, if any allowances for time off, even for doctor visits, sick days or handling family emergencies.

Question 1 (, maximum 300 words)

When a business expands its operation into other countries, the impact of globalization on human resource development and management is significant.

1. What role does HRM play for Dell? Support your answer with examples.
2. Discuss the obstacles that Dell faces for survival and success due to globalization. Support your answer with discussion and relevant example.

Fundementals of human resource management

THE SOUTHERN WIDGET MANUFACTURING

Introduction

Founded in 2006, Southern Widget Manufacturing sets out to be the leading manufacturer of widgets in the world. Southern Widget has sales and distribution centers around the world including six centers in the US. The company is a member of the World Widget Manufacturing Association (WWMA).

Widgets are used as a display tool for several products including: PC, TV, auto parts, furniture, etc.

The Widget is a Bamboo based product making both environmentally and economically sound. Bamboo, like wood, is a natural composite material with a high strength-to-weight ratio useful for many applications Widgets it is considered one of the fastest-growing plants in the world.

Mission Statement

·       Provide a high-quality, affordable product

·       Create long term relationships with customers

·       Respond immediately to changing needs of customers

·       Achieve complete customer satisfaction

·       Improve our customer services continuously

·       Maintain excellent employee relations

·       Sustain community involvement

Vision

The vision at Southern Widget Manufacturing is to utilize our well trained and satisfied employee teams to deliver outstanding customer services.

Mission

At Southern Widget Manufacturing every person in our company is a member of the team and a team player, with expectations that they perform their duties to their fullest capacity and potential. Our objective is a commitment to the highest quality of widgets and customer service. The customer’s satisfaction is our major focus, reached through innovative and cost effective production. We will lead the Widget industry with well trained and satisfied employees and pleased customers.

1)    Francisco works at Southern Widget as a welder. Although he is provided with protective goggles and a face mask, overalls and other types of protective clothing are not provided. After three months of work at Southern Widget, Francisco notices his skin becoming drier and gradually changing color. Alarmed with this development, he approaches his supervisor asking for details of the materials he works with. The supervisor declines to reveal any kind of information. What authority and laws can help Francisco file a claim?

2)    Virginia's boss, Luke, constantly uses sexually explicit language while communicating with his female subordinates. Though many female employees are bothered with this behavior, no one has ever complained for fear of negative repercussions. However, Virginia files a complaint against Luke with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Will this be considered as discriminatory behavior? Why or why not? Explain the prohibitions under Title VII for related behavior.

3)    Policy 137: The paint booths contain many toxic chemicals and are possibly harmful to unborn fetuses. In an abundance of caution Southern Widget will not allow its female employees of child bearing age to accept a position in the painting area. Employees working in the paint area make $5.00 more than other production employees. Is this considered discrimination, what is this called? Explain

4)    Southern Widget employees are being asked for their opinion on which type of insurance they would like to have. The choices are HMO or PPO. Explain the difference as they differ from traditional health care providers? Pretend you are an employee and give you choice, explain.

5)    You have been asked to write a FLSA policy. Be sure to include the three major parts as it might relate to Southern Widget.

6)    Thomas a Production Foreman was terminated. He has filed a Company grievance. On April 2, Thomas was told to open discharge valves into the Mississippi River which he refused to do. Additionally, he has been told by the company President, with witnesses, that he was such a good employee he had a job for life. Southern Widget’s rebuttal is that he refused a direct order and the company’s policy clearly state, that there are no contract employees. Does he have a case on either point? Discuss and serve as the arbitrator with the decision.

7)    John, the company Custodian, was in a horrific car accident as a child but has fully recovered from his injuries and is considered a very healthy individual. During the accident, John was burned and still has several facial scars that have disfigured his face. Many employees at John's company stare as he walks by and get distracted by his appearance. Is John protected by the ADA? Explain.

8)    The Widget Operators Local Unions 621 filed a petition to have Southern Widget create an alternative dispute resolution, including the most common techniques. Is that a good idea for the company, if so, what how should it include?

9)    Southern Widget is preparing to announce a new compensation system. Before the system goes live, as the HR Training Supervisor, you are required to do a company training on what goes into a compensation system. You will need to explain and discuss issues like: job structure, pay levels, motivation, cost control, etc.

10) As a future Supervisor what did you learn about Human Resources that you did not know before taking this course? What will you do to include this knowledge in your supervisory role?

Fundementals of human resource management

THE SOUTHERN WIDGET MANUFACTURING

Introduction

Founded in 2006, Southern Widget Manufacturing sets out to be the leading manufacturer of widgets in the world. Southern Widget has sales and distribution centers around the world including six centers in the US. The company is a member of the World Widget Manufacturing Association (WWMA).

Widgets are used as a display tool for several products including: PC, TV, auto parts, furniture, etc.

The Widget is a Bamboo based product making both environmentally and economically sound. Bamboo, like wood, is a natural composite material with a high strength-to-weight ratio useful for many applications Widgets it is considered one of the fastest-growing plants in the world.

Mission Statement

·       Provide a high-quality, affordable product

·       Create long term relationships with customers

·       Respond immediately to changing needs of customers

·       Achieve complete customer satisfaction

·       Improve our customer services continuously

·       Maintain excellent employee relations

·       Sustain community involvement

Vision

The vision at Southern Widget Manufacturing is to utilize our well trained and satisfied employee teams to deliver outstanding customer services.

Mission

At Southern Widget Manufacturing every person in our company is a member of the team and a team player, with expectations that they perform their duties to their fullest capacity and potential. Our objective is a commitment to the highest quality of widgets and customer service. The customer’s satisfaction is our major focus, reached through innovative and cost effective production. We will lead the Widget industry with well trained and satisfied employees and pleased customers.

Address any five of the Southern Widget Manufacturing Company following company issues: Please send to [email protected].

1)    Francisco works at Southern Widget as a welder. Although he is provided with protective goggles and a face mask, overalls and other types of protective clothing are not provided. After three months of work at Southern Widget, Francisco notices his skin becoming drier and gradually changing color. Alarmed with this development, he approaches his supervisor asking for details of the materials he works with. The supervisor declines to reveal any kind of information. What authority and laws can help Francisco file a claim?

2)    Virginia's boss, Luke, constantly uses sexually explicit language while communicating with his female subordinates. Though many female employees are bothered with this behavior, no one has ever complained for fear of negative repercussions. However, Virginia files a complaint against Luke with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Will this be considered as discriminatory behavior? Why or why not? Explain the prohibitions under Title VII for related behavior.

3)    Policy 137: The paint booths contain many toxic chemicals and are possibly harmful to unborn fetuses. In an abundance of caution Southern Widget will not allow its female employees of child bearing age to accept a position in the painting area. Employees working in the paint area make $5.00 more than other production employees. Is this considered discrimination, what is this called? Explain

4)    Southern Widget employees are being asked for their opinion on which type of insurance they would like to have. The choices are HMO or PPO. Explain the difference as they differ from traditional health care providers? Pretend you are an employee and give you choice, explain.

5)    You have been asked to write a FLSA policy. Be sure to include the three major parts as it might relate to Southern Widget.

6)    Thomas a Production Foreman was terminated. He has filed a Company grievance. On April 2, Thomas was told to open discharge valves into the Mississippi River which he refused to do. Additionally, he has been told by the company President, with witnesses, that he was such a good employee he had a job for life. Southern Widget’s rebuttal is that he refused a direct order and the company’s policy clearly state, that there are no contract employees. Does he have a case on either point? Discuss and serve as the arbitrator with the decision.

7)    John, the company Custodian, was in a horrific car accident as a child but has fully recovered from his injuries and is considered a very healthy individual. During the accident, John was burned and still has several facial scars that have disfigured his face. Many employees at John's company stare as he walks by and get distracted by his appearance. Is John protected by the ADA? Explain.

8)    The Widget Operators Local Unions 621 filed a petition to have Southern Widget create an alternative dispute resolution, including the most common techniques. Is that a good idea for the company, if so, what how should it include?

9)    Southern Widget is preparing to announce a new compensation system. Before the system goes live, as the HR Training Supervisor, you are required to do a company training on what goes into a compensation system. You will need to explain and discuss issues like: job structure, pay levels, motivation, cost control, etc.

10) As a future Supervisor what did you learn about Human Resources that you did not know before taking this course? What will you do to include this knowledge in your supervisory role?