Decision-Making Paper

Our text suggests that objective reality is often significantly different from perceived reality and is an important variable to consider when making decisions within an organization. In addition, attribution theory describes how people create the explanations for their own and others’ actions, as well as the outcomes of the applied behaviors. Based on these two premises, consider the following and then, formulate an analysis about how attribution theory and bias (according to chapter 8 in our text) can explain human behaviors within organizations and industry.

Use, or closely follow, this template for your paper.

Consider the following information associated with attribution theory to support to your writing about decision-making:

perceptions

bounded rationality

cognitive biases

conjunction fallacy

consistency

consensus

distinctiveness

fundamental attribution error

creative decision making

*Writing Content

-Decision-Making

Based on our content this week, discuss the importance of rationale decision-making in an organization, using necessary citations. Include how bounded rationality, cognitive biases, and conjunction fallacy might affect decision-making.

–Attribution Theory

Explain attribution theory using necessary citations. Include a discussion about the effects of consistency, consensus, distinctiveness, and fundamental attribution error. Consider inclusion about the effects of perception, primacy and recency effects, selective perceptions, contrast effect, stereotyping to further support your discussion.

-Personal Experience: Inaccurate Judgement

Based on our content this week, consider your own experiences with others. Have your actions ever been judged inaccurately by a person such as a boss, a peer, or a family member? How could this experience support your thesis about whether or not attribution theory and bias affect human behaviors with organization?

Can self-serving, or other, bias affect one’s perception of a behavior?

-Creative Decision Making

Explain how creative decision-making can improve our ability to make better decisions, considering the numerous obstacles to do so. Include an analysis about how good decision making can potentially affect productivity and job satisfaction.

Writing considerations:

a. The introduction paragraph should introduce your topic and clearly explain what the paper will address.

b. Headings can be used to organize your information. See template. (Each heading should include at least two paragraphs – minimum.)

c. Each paragraph should make a point which can be linked back to your introduction paragraph. Design the topic sentence to embody what the paragraph will entail.

d. The most important consideration in the body paragraphs is the argument that you want to develop (is or is not perceptions, attribution theory and bias applicable?) in response to the topic (applicability of perception, attribution theory and bias). This argument is developed by making and linking points in and between paragraphs.

e. The conclusion paragraph should restate your thesis (your suggestion that perceptions, attribution theory and bias does or does not apply to human behaviors in organizations.)

Your assignment should be a minimum of five to six double-spaced pages, and should adequately discuss the topic, demonstrate maturating self-awareness, and include at least one peer-reviewed source, in addition to your text. Use the rubric to check for thoroughness. Include frequent citation to resources.

The Ashford Library should be used as your primary resource for this assignment, but other credible sources will also be accepted. Your sources should be cited according to APA format as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..  

The paper 

Must be five to six double-spaced pages in length, not including the title or references pages, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

Must include a title page with the following:

Title of paper

Student’s name

Course name and number

Instructor’s name

Date submitted

Must begin with an introductory paragraph which will outline the two parts to be addressed within the paper.

Must address the topics with critical thought and support all assertions with peer-reviewed sources.

Must end with a conclusion that synthesizes your findings about attribution theory and bias effect on human behavior.

Must use at least one peer-reviewed sources from the Ashford University Library, not including your textbook.

Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the In-Text Citation Guide (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the APA References List (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

Resource: Before you submit your written assignment, you are encouraged to review the The Grammarly Guide: How to Set Up & Use Grammarly tutorial set up a Grammarly account (if you have not already done so), and use Grammarly to review a rough draft of your assignment. Then carefully review all issues identified by Grammarly and revise your work as needed.

 

Assignment 3 Part 1: Operation, Technology, and Management Plan

Use the NAB Company Portfolio to complete this assignment. 

Write a three to six (3-6) page paper in which you provide the following information below.

Operations Plan (1 – 2 pages)

Note: Remember to assign a dollar amount to each operational cost you find, as you will need these figures for your income statement and cash flow in Week 8.

1. Create an operations plan for your NAB company using the template in the text as a guide (p. 214 | Operations Plan Preparation Form – Click here for help accessing a specific page number in your eBook). Extract appropriate information from the NAB Company portfolio, where applicable. Other required items in the template should be filled in using your personal preferences.
2. Provide a rationale for the competitive advantages section using appropriate functional-level and business-level strategies to explain the competitive advantages.
   • Note: Much of the research pertaining to the hints provided here can be found in the NAB company portfolio.
   • Hints: Consider whether you will rent or buy your facilities or outsource production to an existing company.
   • Hints: One of your biggest expenses as a startup non-alcoholic beverage company will be transitioning from a small batch prototype of your beverage to production on a large scale. Research the equipment you will need (vats, refrigerators, burners, ovens, bottling equipment, and so on), whether you will rent or buy, how you will maintain and clean it, and so forth. Consider how you will ensure quality control. What capacity do you intend to reach?
   • Hints: Deliberate your inventory control. Where do your supplies come from and what is your turnaround time to produce your beverage once you have received an order?
   • Hints: Consider your distribution method. Refer back to your notes for the SWOT analysis assignment in Week 2 of class.
   • Hints: How will you stay abreast of new developments in your industry? What new products do you have in development now, in addition to your flagship product?
3. Describe your research and development activities and explain how they will contribute to the company.

Technology Plan (1 – 2 pages)

1. Create a technology plan for your NAB company using the template in the text as a guide (p. 227 | Technology Plan Preparation Form ). Extract appropriate information from the NAB Company portfolio, where applicable. Other required items in the template should be filled in using your personal preferences.
2. Provide a rationale for the personnel needs section by incorporating appropriate functional-level strategies.
   • Hints: Consider the type of technology your company will use to conduct the following activities: manage personnel; take, fulfill, and track orders; manage inventory; communicate with customers and provide customer service; and produce your beverage.

Management & Organization (1 – 2 pages)

1. Create a management plan for your NAB company using the template in the text as a guide (p. 248 | Management Plan Preparation Form ). Extract appropriate information from the NAB Company portfolio, where applicable. Other required items in the template should be filled in using your personal preferences.
2. Using the flow charts on p. 242 as a guide, outline your company’s management hierarchy. Note: Charts or diagrams must be imported / included in the MS Word document.
3. Provide a rationale for the management structure and style section by incorporating appropriate functional-level strategies.
4. Format your assignment according to these formatting requirements:
   1. Cite the resources you have used to complete this exercise. Note: There is no minimum requirement for the number of resources used in the exercise.
   2. Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
   3. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length.

RESPOND EACH STUDENT 200 WORDS

Ronnie Sims 

Week 4 Rodgers vs. Mackey

Maximizing long term shareholder value is one of the objectives many businesses have in determining their growth and success. Shareholders are regarded as the owners of the companies and so, their worth should always be given the top priority before any other business is considered. However, when corporations act ethically by contributing towards their immediate societies through corporate social responsibility initiatives, they are seen to disregard the shareholder wealth maximization objective. Organizations should strike a balance between community based charity initiatives and taking care of their real owners. Firms that fail to maximize the wealth of their owners have always been at loggerheads and may end up losing their worth in the market. Adding more value to the society than it is to the company may mean lack of understanding of the company and its objectives which is also another recipe for long term failure. 

This concept is far more important to businesses, society and individuals in that its understanding facilitates proper coordination between the three extremes.  The best position to approach this issue is from Mackey whose ideas stress on the need to balance between organizational objectives and societal needs. According to Hartman, DesJardins, & MacDonald, (2018). When the long-term shareholder value is fully maximized, attention should then focus on the societal needs based on their urgency. Individuals will have a better understanding of the firm, its objectives and the focal areas before its attention is shifted to those outside its realms. Additionally, the society will know where the focus of the organization is and develop a framework that will cater for their needs, instead of depending on the corporation for all their needs.

Miguel Bernal 

Week 4 Discussion

There are many corporations throughout the world that are successful and some that go under. The ones that survived are the ones that create items that society needs, but also sell their product at a price that people can afford. The job of business managers is to make sure that the company’s investing in technology, buying or maintaining equipment, process running correctly, people are working efficiently, and facilities are in working order. On top of that, workers need to be provided with fair wages and good benefits. If workers feel that they are not getting treated right, they might refuse to work for the company or go on strike. These means that products for that company will not be created and the stock prices start falling. All of these items required money, money helps create the products and money in needed to pay workers. Some of the money is from shareholders, which could also be used for investments. The more shareholders buy stocks, the more money than can flow into the company for expansion of facilities, equipment, human capital, and products. In turn, the company will produce more products in order to satisfy human needs. The company should constantly try to develop or find new ways to keep satisfying those needs. According to Maslow (1969), humans are constantly searching to satisfy their needs that are constantly expanding.  The more humans are getting satisfied, the more profitable the company and shareholder become.

            In regard to charity, I believe Mackey has been successful in his company but most of their prices are higher than other corporations. According to Pecorino (2016), companies that pledge to donate to society do so by having their products much higher and are set on fixed pricing. The company uses its fixed prices in order to know that it can cover its donations to society. This is good if customers believe that the company has good intentions and they’ll keep supporting the company’s vision. However, there are many variables in society can have impacts on corporations and consumers. For example, the president can impose an increase in taxes that would cause a decrease in purchasing power for consumers. People might not be able to pay for higher prices and would go on searching for better deals to satisfy their needs.

            In my opinion, I’d follow Rogers view, it would be in the best interest of the company to try and maximize profits for its shareholders ("Rethinking the Social," 2005). However, the company would have to keep on searching for ways to satisfy human needs to stay profitable.

 

Assignment 3 Part 2: Business Plan – Draft

This assignment consists of two (2) sections: a draft of your business plan and an income statement containing your business plan financials Note: You must submit both sections as separate files for the completion of this assignment.

You must intend to raise money for your startup company. You can start with money from friends and family but at some point you will need funds from outside investors, either angels or venture capitalists, depending on how much money you project you will need to raise. Another possible angle is to develop money through crowdfunding, assuming your product meets the demand of such audiences.

Before you can raise money, you must develop a business plan that convinces an investor that your company will succeed.

Section 1: Business Plan (MS Word or equivalent)

Read Chapters 18 and 19 of the course text: Successful Business Plan. Use the Plan Preparation Forms at the end of each chapter of Successful Business Plan as a rough guide.

1. Create an Ethics & Social Responsibility Plan.

Note: The Ethics & Social Responsibility plan should account for approximately three to five (3-5) pages of the Business Plan Draft.

1. Describe the ways in which your company is committed to being a good corporate citizen.
   • Hints: Consider the following areas:
     • Creating jobs
     • Following the laws of every jurisdiction in which your company operates
     • Fair and honest treatment of employees
     • Non-discrimination of employees and increasing diversity of your work force
   • Hints: If your company is designed as a social venture—in which you have a primary purpose of achieving a social or environmental goal—describe what that goal is and what aspects of your company are designed to reach that goal. Provide a rationale for why you have or why you have not chosen this to be a social venture.
2. Discuss how your company’s activities will affect the environment and identify the steps you will take to mitigate any negative impacts.
   • Hints: As a beverage company, consider such issues as your choice of packaging, disposal of bottles / packages by consumers, and your use of resources, such as water in areas where water may be scarce. 
3. Determine any health issues / claims related to the product you are making, whether negative or positive. Suggest the strategy your company will use to mitigate any negative issues, and to ensure any positive claims are true.
4. Many beverage products have negative health impacts on certain segments of a population (e.g., children, pregnant mothers, etc.). Suggest your company’s plan, through advertising, distribution, and / or other methods, to target and reach only appropriate market segments.
5. Format your assignment according to these formatting requirements:
   1. Cite the resources you have used to complete the exercise. Note: There is no minimum requirement for the number of resources used in the exercise.
   2. Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
   3. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length.

Section 2: Business Plan Financials (MS Excel worksheets template)

1. For year one, revise and submit the Income Statement, Cash Flow Projections, and Balance Sheet sections from the “Business Plan Financials” MS Excel template (see: Course Required Files in Week 1).

Financial Analysis and Recommendations for Improvement

This is the last component of your course project. This assignment has three parts. Include all three parts in a single paper.

Part 1

Write a synopsis of the outcomes of your assignments in Units 3, 5, and 7, including any changes you want to make in response to feedback from your instructor or peers, or from further learning. Do not just copy and paste your assignments. Instead, write a professional synopsis of each assignment in 2–3 pages each. Ensure that somewhere in your synopses you:

1. Analyze the selected nonprofit organization’s budgeting and financial management and its financial analysis practices.
2. Analyze the current profit or loss and long-term fiscal strength of the nonprofit, in light of its mission, vision, values, and stakeholder impact.

Part 2

Write a brief (3–5 pages) section discussing recommendations for improving the financial analysis and management practices used in the organization. This section should include at least three practical, actionable recommendations for improvements. Base your recommendations on the information you developed in the first three assignments and support your recommendations with scholarly resources. Make sure that this section includes the following:

1. Recommendations for the nonprofit that balance the philosophical complexity of accomplishing mission, vision, and values with fiscal responsibility.
2. A communication of the financial position of the organization and the implications of its fiscal policies. Use a professional style appropriate to a scholarly or professional audience.

Part 3

Write 2–3 pages of personal, thoughtful reflection on the process of completing this project. In your reflection, analyze what you learned about collaborating with professional tax, financial, and legal consultants to support an organization’s financial position.

You also might want to discuss the most important things you learned. Or, you might want to include how you will be able to use your knowledge in your professional life. Consider what you learned about the following and how you learned it:

1. Analyzing the financial operations of for-profit, nonprofit, and government human service organizations.
2. Analyzing the theories and practices of organizational fiscal management and control.
3. Evaluating opportunities to develop and secure capital and financial resources.
4. Critiquing investment philosophies and policies in conjunction with a board of directors or organizational stakeholders.

Reflection will help you process your experiences, provide insight, and help you assess the value you attach to your learning.

Paper Structure

Your final course project should consist of the following sections:

• Title page. 
• Abstract with keywords.
• Synopsis of the Intersection of Mission and Money assignment. 
• Synopsis of the Financial Reporting Strategies and Decision Making assignment. 
• Synopsis of the Financial Management Practices assignment. 
• Recommendations. 
• Reflections. 
• References.

Review the scoring guide for this assignment now, to learn about the criteria on which your assignment performance will be graded.

Submission Requirements

Your paper should meet the following requirements:

• Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message. Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others, consistent with the expectations for stakeholders in human services professions.
• APA formatting: Resources and citations should be formatted according to current APA style and formatting requirements. Include correct headings, citations, and references.
• Number of resources: At least 5 resources (peer-reviewed publications), excluding the course text. Critically evaluate the literature and practices addressed.
• Length of paper: 11–15 typed, double-spaced pages, not counting the cover page, abstract, and reference page. 
• Structure of paper: Include a cover page, an abstract, and a reference page. 
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
• Headings: Use headings based on the assignment tasks, in APA format.

Attached you will find the first 3 assignments to refer to. 

Submit your paper to Turnitin and then submit your assignment and Turnitin report in the Assignment area as attachments. Your assignment should be a Word document.