Imagine that you have just been hired by a new company as the director of the HR department. You have been tasked to hire a new secretary for the department and to develop an employee compensation and benefits package that will be used for that position upon hire. Develop a PowerPoint presentation to present this information to your Vice President. Go to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Website, located at www.bls.gov, for information regarding organizations and pay in your geographical area.

Problem Solving, Creativity, and Learning Paper

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Due Date: Jan.2, 2016 23:59:59       Max Points: 250

Details:
Problem solving, creativity, and learning may be closely linked. Guided by current research, this assignment will explore the possible effects of creativity and problem solving on learning.
Use the following information to ensure successful completion of the assignment:
This assignment uses a grading rubric.
Include two scholarly resources other than those in the assigned readings with appropriate references and in-text citations.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
Write a paper of 1,000-1,250 words that explores the potential link between problem solving, creativity, and learning. Include the following in your paper:

A brief description of the elements of creativity
A discussion of how logical and creative problem solving are applied to generalized real-world situations
A research-guided hypothesis of how creative problem solving could be applied as a tool to improve learning
View Rubric

A thorough description of the elements of creativity is presented. Information presented is from current scholarly sources.

A thorough discussion of the application of logical and creative problem solving is presented. Information presented is from current scholarly sources.

A hypothesized application of creative problem solving is presented. The hypothesis presented is guided by current scholarly research.

All required elements are present. Scholarly research sources are topic-related, and obtained from highly respected, professional, original sources.

Thesis and/or main claim are comprehensive. The essence of the paper is contained within the thesis. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.

Clear and convincing argument that presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative

Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.

All format elements are correct.

in-text citations and a reference page are complete and correct. The documentation of cited sources is free of error.

No Plagiarism, and Reference Page

ou are going to college because it is relevant to the career you want to pursue. What is this career? Research and describe the social and economic characteristics of your profession: What type of people does it employ (gender, race, education, etc.)? What are the typical conditions of employment (pay, unions, stability, etc.)? How is this profession doing today in the economy, in your state, and in the U.S. as a whole (unemployment, location, projections, etc.)? What are the major issues it is facing? Then, think about how you chose this career and what the information you just presented means for you in this profession in the future. Whenever appropriate, link the information you present to concepts, theories, facts, and core values of “community and social justice” from the course.

The paper will be a minimum of seven (7) pages in length and include a title page and a reference page, using a standard 12-point font. You may use additional resources, provided they are appropriately cited. You are required to use the American Sociological Association (ASA) formatting style to format your paper and sources. Information on ASA is available in the course under Resources.

Please note that this assignment is unique in that your written communication skills will be assessed.  This assignment also includes a specialized rubric focused specifically on written communication.

After reviewing the book section, presentation materials, and additional readings you will be asked to compose an argumentative essay where you will argue for or against the thesis identified below regarding the implementation process of a strategic management plan.  Here is the thesis statement you are expected to support or refute using well-reasoned arguments:

The successful implementation of the strategic management plan in a large corporation like Comcast is highly reliant on measurement and evaluation efforts during and after the implementation phase. 

In responding to this assignment you should continue your review of the information available on Comcast.  Identifying strategies over the past couple of years that did not work out so well versus strategies that succeeded might be helpful in supporting key arguments.  Some questions to ask yourself in formulating your arguments might include: What barriers might have gotten in the way of any less successful strategies?   And what type of strategic evaluation efforts do you think are necessary to keep an eye on progress in a large company like Comcast?  How does measurement of implementation processes help assure success?  How does the evaluation process help to assure future success?

In this assignment, make sure you clearly identify the position you are taking with respect to the thesis.  Your essay should include an introduction, and well developed arguments in support of your position.  You should wrap up your essay with a conclusion.

Assignment Expectations

Your case assignment should be a minimum of 5 pages in length.

You are required to use APA formatting and you are required to cite and reference your sources.  There should be a minimum of three reputable sources cited and referenced in your paper but more is preferred.

 

Module 4 – SLP

Strategy Implementation & Evaluation

1. A logistics specialist for Charm City Inc. must distribute cases of parts from 3 factories to 3 assembly plants. The monthly supplies and demands, along with the per-case transportation costs are:

 

Assembly Plant

 

1                      2                      3                      Supply

 

__________________________________________________________________

 

A         6                      10                    14                    200

 

Factory                        B          2                      2                      6                      400

 

C          2                      8                      7                      200

 

__________________________________________________________________

 

Demand                       220                  320                  200

 

 

 

The specialist wants to distribute at least 100 cases of parts from factory B to assembly plant 2.

 

 

 

(a) Formulate a linear programming problem to minimize total cost for this transportation problem.

 

(b) Solve the linear programming formulation from part (a) by using either Excel or QM for Windows. Find and interpret the optimal solution and optimal value. Please also include the computer output with your submission.

 

 

 

The following questions are mathematical modeling questions. Please answer by defining decision variables, objective function, and all the constraints. Write all details of the formulation. Please do NOT solve the problems after formulating.

 

 

 

2. A congressman’s district has recently been allocated $45 million for projects. The congressman has decided to allocate the money to four ongoing projects. However, the congressman wants to allocate the money in a way that will gain him the most votes in the upcoming election. The details of the four projects and votes per dollar for each project are given below.

 

 

 

Project             Votes/dollar

 

________________________

 

Parks                     0.07

 

Education               0.08

 

Roads                     0.09

 

Health Care           0.11

 

Family Welfare     0.08

 

 

 

In order to also satisfy some local influential citizens, he must meet the following guidelines.

 

– None of the projects can receive more than 30% of the total allocation.

 

– The amount allocated to education cannot exceed the amount allocated to health care.

 

– The amount allocated to roads must be equal to or more than the amount spent on parks.

 

– All of the money must be allocated.

 

 

 

Formulate a linear programming model for the above situation by determining

 

(a) The decision variables

 

(b) Determine the objective function. What does it represent?

 

(c) Determine all the constraints. Briefly describe what each constraint represents.

 

 

 

Note: Do NOT solve the problem after formulating.

 

 

 

3. An ad campaign for a trip to Greece will be conducted in a limited geographical area and can use TV time, radio time, newspaper ads, and magazine ads. Information about each medium is shown below.

 

Medium	Cost Per Ad	Number Reached
TV	8500	12000
Radio	1800	4000
Newspaper	2400	5500
Magazine	2200	4500

 

 

 

The number of TV ads cannot be more than 4. Each of the media must have at least two ads. The total number of Magazine ads and Newspaper ads must be more than the total number of Radio ads and TV ads. There must be at least a total of 12 ads. The advertising budget is $50,000. The objective is to maximize the total number reached.

 

 

 

Formulate a linear programming model for the above situation by determining

 

(a) The decision variables

 

(b) Determine the objective function. What does it represent?

 

(c) Determine all the constraints. Briefly describe what each constraint represents.

 

 

 

Note: Do NOT solve the problem after formulating.

 

 

 

4. The Charm City Vacuum Company wants to assign three salespersons to three sales regions. Given their experiences, the salespersons are able to cover the regions in different amounts of time. The amount of time (days) required by each salesperson to cover each region is shown in the following table:

 

                                          Region (days)

 

Salesperson                 I           II            III

 

________________________________________

 

A                           11          18           12

 

B                          11           15           14

 

C                           10           14           16

 

 

 

However, because of his health reason, salesperson C does not want to be assigned to region II.

 

The Company wants to assign either salesperson A or salesperson C to region I. The objective is to minimize total time of covering the three sales regions.

 

 

 

(a) The decision variables

 

(b) Determine the objective function. What does it represent?

 

(c) Determine all the constraints. Briefly describe what each constraint represents.

 

 

 

 

 

5. The Charm City Inc. must select among a series of new investment alternatives. The potential investment alternatives, the net present value of the future stream of returns, the capital requirements, and the available capital funds over the next three years are given below:

 

 

 

Net Present      Capital Requirements ($)

 

Alternative                                  Value ($)      Year 1   Year 2   Year 3

 

_____________________________________________________________

 

Warehouse expansion               30,850          32,000              12,000     38,000

 

Test market new product            92,300          58,000              41,000     45,000

 

Advertising campaign                 40,000          25,000              12,500     11,800

 

Research & Development           82,000          53,000 13,000     44,000

 

Purchase new equipment            33,000          12,500                4,500       8,900

 

_____________________________________________________________

 

Capital funds available                                               110,500            65,000                88,750

 

 

 

The company wants to select at least 3 alternatives. In addition, the company also wants to select at least two alternatives from the warehouse expansion, research & development and purchase new equipment alternatives.

 

 

 

Develop a capital budgeting problem to maximize the total net present value in this situation.

 

 

 

Please answer by defining decision variables, objective function, and all the constraints. Write all details of the formulation. Please do NOT solve the problem after formulating.

 

 

 

 

 

6. Jodi wants to lease a new car and start a part time business to give people car rides. She has contacted three automobile dealers for pricing information. Each dealer offered Jodi a closed-end 36-month lease with no down payment due at the time of signing. Each lease includes a monthly charge and a mileage allowance. Additional miles receive a surcharge on a per-mile basis. The three dealers provided the details about the monthly lease cost, the mileage allowance, and the cost for additional miles.

 

 

 

Jodi is not sure how many miles she will drive over the next three years for this business but she believes it is reasonable to assume that she will drive 10,000 miles per year, 14,000 miles per year, or 18,000 miles per year. With this assumption, Jodi estimated her total profit for the three lease options. The three lease options and the associated profits for each are given below:

 

 

 

Dealer         10000 Miles             14000 Miles     18000 Miles

 

A               $ 7000                 $10500             $13500

 

B                $ 8500                  $11500             $11000

 

C                 $10000                $ 9500              $ 9800

 

 

 

 

 

Determine the optimal decision to lease the car from a dealer and the profit associated with it by using the following decision criteria.

 

1. Maximax

 

1. Maximin

 

1. Equal likelihood

 

1. Minimax regret criterion.

 

 

 

7. For the problem given in Question 2, the probabilities are given by P(10000 miles) = 0.5, P(14000 miles) = 0.3 and P(18000 miles) = 0.2.

 

 

 

1. Compute the expected value for each decision and select the best one.

 

1. Compute the expected regret value for each decision and select the best one.

 

1. Calculate and interpret the expected value of perfect information.

 

 

 

 

 

8. For each of the following queuing systems, indicate whether it is a single- or multiple-server model, the queue discipline, and whether its calling population is infinite or finite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Hair salon

 

 

 

1. Bank

 

 

 

1. Laundromat

 

 

 

1. Doctor’s office

 

 

 

1. Adviser’s office

 

 

 

1. Airport runway

 

 

 

1. Service station

 

 

 

9. Explain and provide example – The Single-Server Waiting Line

 

 

 

10. What are the different types of simulation models?

 

In this assignment, you will apply key concepts covered in the module readings. You will identify the component parts of arguments and differentiate between various types of arguments such as inductive and deductive. You will then construct specific, original arguments.

 

There are two parts to the assignment. Complete both parts. The following is a summary of the assignment tasks.

 

Part 1

 

1a: Identify Components of Arguments

Identify the component parts of the argument, premises and conclusion, for the passages. Where applicable, highlight key words or phrases that identify a claim as a premise or a conclusion. Part 1a has three questions.

 

1b: Identify Arguments as Inductive or Deductive 

Identify the arguments as inductive or deductive for given passages. Offer a brief explanation why each argument is either inductive or deductive. 1b has three questions.

Part 2

 

2a: Argument Identification and Analysis

In these longer text passages, identify the key components of each argument. For each argument, list the main conclusion and the reasons (or premises) that support the conclusion.

 

2b: Constructing Original Arguments 

Construct one original inductive argument. Using 75–100 words, explain why the argument is an inductive one. Then, construct one original deductive argument. Using 75–100 words, explain why the argument is a deductive one.

 

2c: Finding Native Argument Examples 

 

Find one example of an argument from contemporary media; this can be a short argument. Include or reproduce the original passage of the argument, paraphrase the conclusion(s), and identify the argument as either inductive or deductive. Using 75–100 words, explain why the argument is either inductive or deductive.

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Recognizing Arguments

In this assignment, you will apply key concepts covered in the module readings. You will identify the component parts of arguments and differentiate between various types of arguments such as inductive and deductive. You will then construct specific, original arguments.

There are two parts to the assignment. Complete both parts.

Part 1

1a: Identify Components of Arguments

Identify the component parts of the argument, premises and conclusion, for the following passages. Where applicable, highlight key words or phrases that identify a claim as a premise or a conclusion.

 

Refer to the following example:

“All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.”

 

All men are mortal.                                      Premise

Socrates is a man.                                      Premise

Therefore, Socrates is mortal.                     Conclusion

“Therefore” is a key word indicating the claim is the conclusion.

 

1. Sue is pregnant and will give birth to one child. We know already this child has no genetic anomalies. If Sue’s baby is a boy, he will be named Mark. If Sue’s baby is a girl, she will be named Margaret. Sue will have either a boy or a girl. So we know Sue’s baby will be named Mark or Margaret.

 

 

2. If the library has The Lord of the Rings,you won’t find it on the first floor. This is because all fantasy novels are fiction and all works of fiction are housed on the second floor of the library. Of course, I am assuming that all the books are properly shelved at this time.

 

 

3. “After a year, brain scans showed that among the walkers, the hippocampus had increased in volume by about 2 percent on average; in the others, it had declined by about 1.4 percent. Since such a decline is normal in older adults, ’a 2 percent increase is fairly significant,’ said the lead author, Kirk Erickson, a psychologist at the University of Pittsburgh. Both groups also improved on a test of spatial memory, but the walkers improved more. While it is hard to generalize from this study to other populations, the researchers were delighted to learn that the hippocampus might expand with exercise” (Span, 2011).

 

 

Reference

Span, P. (2011, February 7). Fitness: A walk to remember? Study says yes. The New York Times, p. D.6. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/08/health/research/08fitness.html?src=me&ref=general

 

1b: Identify Arguments as Inductive or Deductive

Identify the arguments as inductive or deductive for the following passages below. Offer a brief explanation why each argument is either inductive or deductive. (Remember that in this exercise you are not concerned with whether the arguments are strong or weak, valid or invalid. You are only concerned with the form of the arguments—that is, whether they are deductive or inductive.)

 

1. Because Una has circles under her eyes, is yawning, and looks tired, I’m certain she didn’t get much sleep last night.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Grace concluded that psychotherapists caused indigestion, because every time she had a session, she left with a horrible stomachache.

 

 

 

 

 

3. If a bug is a spider, it must have eight legs. A daddy-longlegs has six legs, consequently, a daddy-longlegs is not a spider.

 

 

 

 

 

Part 2

 

2a: Argument Identification and Anaylsis

In the following longer text passages, identify the key components of each argument. For each argument, list the main conclusion and the reasons (or premises) that support the conclusion.

Issue

 

1. “You say many women at the most elite colleges intend to ‘put aside their careers in favor of raising children.’ But why shouldn’t the raising of children be considered a career as well? Few would deny that being a stay-at-home parent is a terrifically demanding job, requiring unlimited ‘people skills’ and a total commitment to a workweek that recognizes no concept of overtime, not to mention a paycheck. The term ‘working mother’ is a redundancy. No woman need feel any guilt for opting to fill her days with whichever activities give her the greatest joy and fulfillment” (English, 2005).

 

 

The author concludes that: __________________________________

The reasons for making the argument are: _____________________

 

 

     

 

 

 

2. “The attorney general does not merely head up the Justice Department. He is responsible for ensuring that America is a nation in which justice prevails. Mr. Gonzales’s record makes him unqualified to take on this role or to represent the American justice system to the rest of the world. The Senate should reject his nomination” (The New York Times, Editorial, 2005).

 

The author concludes that: __________________________________

The reasons for making the argument are: _____________________

 

 

 

 

 

References

Editorial: The wrong Attorney General [Editorial]. (2005, January 26). The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=F20716FF3D5F0C758EDDA80894DD404482&smid=pl-share

English, D. (2005, September 20). A revived debate: Babies, careers, ‘Having it all.’ [Letter to the editor]. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/22/opinion/l22women.html?pagewanted=print

 

 

2b: Constructing Original Arguments

Complete the following:

Construct one original inductive argument and address the following:

• Identify the conclusion and the supporting reasons within the argument.
• Using 75–100 words, offer an explanation or justification for why the argument is an inductive argument.

 

 

 

 

 

Construct one original deductive argument and address the following:

• Identify the conclusion and the supporting reasons within the argument.
• Using 75–100 words, offer an explanation or justification for why the argument is a deductive argument.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2c: Finding Alternative Argument Examples or Finding Inductive or Deductive Argument Examples

Find one example of either an inductive or a deductive argument from contemporary media. Complete all the following tasks:

• Identify the type of argument (inductive or deductive).
• Include/reproduce the original passage of the argument and provide a complete citation for the source.
• Identify/paraphrase the conclusion(s).
• Using 75–100 words, identify/explain how you know or why you think the argument is an inductive/deductive one.

Organizations today have adopted innovative measures to retain key talent and reduce turnover. These measures include dual-career paths and alternative or flexible work arrangements. In addition, some organizations also provide their employees with outplacement, recruitment, and coaching services.

 

Managers should know and understand how to develop an employee in his/her preferred career path.  In order for the assessment data to be beneficial to the employee, the manager should understand and know how to interpret the data.   For this assignment, you will conduct an interview with someone who is in or has been in a management position and write a 4-5 page paper covering the following items:

 

What value does the manager you interviewed place on career self-assessments?

What role does the interviewee play in helping his or her employee reach their career objectives? Does the manager see any room for improvement in this area? Why or why not?

Based on your interview, outline proactive approaches employees can employ to gain assistance from his/her manager to advance within the organization and discuss how the information gathered from a career assessment can be used to promote internal career development

In addition, address the steps the employee can take to ensure assistance is received on a continual basis from the manager to promote workplace self-development.

Technology Paper – Worth 200 points, you will be expected to write a short paper on a recent industry development in logistics technology, or a company using logistics/supply chain technology. The topic can be based on your actual experience in a job or internship, if it is related to technology in a logistics/supply chain setting. To obtain full credit the paper must:

Include at least two documented sources if not based on direct personal experience. If based on personal experience, include yourself as a source note. Sources must be presented in APA notation as both inline and endnotes.  The paper must be single-spaced, one-inch margins, at least two (2) and no more than four (4) pages, and use at least 11pt font.

Feel free to include pictures and diagrams as an appendix. Appendix pages do not count toward the four-page maximum.

The paper should include content that reflects your own evaluation & opinion of the technology or company’s use of it. Is it the next big thing? Will it go nowhere? What are the benefits & drawbacks? Your instructor reads plenty of articles every week…. I know MY opinion…. I want YOURS!

The paper must be handed in, in hard-copy, no later than the start of class on December 2, 2015. No exceptions. There are many great resources to investigate current trends. Here are some to get you started (you are not limited to using these):

Supply Chain Brain http://www.supplychainbrain.com/content/index.php

Inbound Logistics http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/

DC Velocity http://www.dcvelocity.com/

Logistics Management http://www.logisticsmgmt.com/

Baseline Magazine http://www.baselinemag.com/

Modern Material Handling http://www.mmh.com/

Topics for your paper could include, but are not limited to: (1) Warehouse Management Systems (2) Transportation Management Systems (3) Point-of-Sale Systems (4) ERPs (5) Customer Relationship Management tools (6) RFID (7) Warehouse Automation (vehicles, robotics, etc.) (8) Drones (9) 3D Printing (Additive Manufacturing) (10) Onboard Technology (11)Global Trade Management tools (12) eCommerce (13)The Internet of Things (14) Big Data (15)Sustainability & Green Systems (16) Manufacturing Executi

Module 3 – Home

The Money Market
Modular Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, the student will be able to satisfy the following outcomes:

•Case ◦What is money?
◦Explain the tools the Federal Reserve uses to conduct monetary policy.
◦Apply what you have learned about fiscal and monetary policy to identify government actions.

•SLP ◦Analyze the effect of Federal Reserve policy on the financial health of organizations.

•Discussion ◦Discuss the problems with high inflation.

Module Overview

Money, which represents the prose of life, and which is hardly spoken of in parlors without an apology, is, in its effects and laws, as beautiful as roses.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844.

We’ll examine money—what it is, how it evolved, how it functions, how it can be manipulated, and how it relates to the rest of the economy. This module also focuses on the role of the Federal Reserve and monetary policy.

Module 3 – Home

Peak Performance
Modular Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, the student will be able to satisfy the following outcomes:

•Case ◦Discuss the importance of striving for peak performance.

•SLP ◦Evaluate the importance of the HR functions.

•Discussion ◦Discuss contemporary HR issues.

Module Overview

This module will focus on human capital and peak performance in organizations.