Instructions

This posting should be a minimum of one short paragraph and a maximum of two paragraphs. Word totals for this post should be in the 100–200-word range. Whether you agree or disagree, explain why with supporting evidence and concepts from the readings or a related experience. Include a reference, link, or citation when appropriate.

Preparation

Watch the following video about some of the worst business decisions ever made:

You can view the transcript for “10 Worst Business Decisions Ever Made” here (opens in new window).

For your reference, here’s a list of the ten business mistakes identified in the video:

• Blockbuster declined to buy Netflix
• Western Union turned down a chance to buy the patent on the telephone
• Publishers turned down Harry Potter
• AOL and Time Warner merger
• Firestone refused to recall faulty tires and lost Ford partnership
• 20th Century Fox granted George Lucas rights to Star Wars films and merchandise
• Atari said no to Apple computer
• Kodak sat on first digital camera too long
• NBC vs. Conan and Leno
• RCA diversified too much

For Discussion

Pick one of the examples from the video, or research your own example (if you do this, please provide at least one supporting link). You may also choose to do more research on the example you chose. Then answer ALL of the following questions about the decision you chose:

1. What barriers do you think the decision-makers faced? Can you identify any biases that might have influenced their decision?
2. What tools or processes do you think the decision-makers could have used to avoid the bad decision? Be specific about why you think the tools or process would have led them to a different decision.
3. Put yourself in the decision-maker’s shoes. Do you think you would have made the same mistake? Why or why not?

1). Most all people unwittingly purchase many imported
goods. It might be an interesting exercise to check your recent purchases to
see how many items include a “Made in China” tag. The U.S. has long criticized
Beijing’s policymakers of keeping the Yuan (Chinese currency) artificially
cheap to give Chinese exports an unfair advantage in global markets. Explain
how China has been able to devalue their currency, the more specific the
better.

2). Watch the
case study here of Susan and her friends Frank & Jimmy. (view the case
study script)

After you watch the case study, please answer the
questions:

• What
  critical errors do you see in the initial planning phase of the Clean-Air
  Carpet Cleaning Company?
• What
  economic factors do you think Susan, Frank, and Jimmy should have included
  in their plans for the Clean-Air Carpet Cleaning Company?
• What
  operational improvements would you have suggested for the Clean-Air Carpet
  Cleaning Company?
• What
  do you think were the main factors contributing to the failure of the
  Clean-Air Carpet Cleaning Company?

Assignment (8 pages at least

For the journal assignment, students should choose to investigate the world from the aspect of one of the sociological categories that we are discussing –race, class, or gender. The purpose is to view the world with a sociological eye, and to present your findings in a collection that provides a critical scientific observation, without bias or judgment.

Each student is to choose a category (race, class, or gender). A student should be specific about the race/class/gender they choose, as a subcategory of their larger category. As such, students can choose the following groupings as possible populations

➢ Racial (Black/White/Asian/Native American)

➢ Ethnic (Latino/Irish/Pakistani/Jewish/Chinese/etc)

➢ Gender (Male/Female/Gay/Straight/Bisexual/Transgender)

➢ Disabled

➢ Class (Upper/Middle/Working/Lower/Underclass)

For the assignment, the student must collect a minimum of 8 articles on the category/subcategory that they have chosen. The articles *must* be recent; they can be no older than from October 20th, 2012. The articles _cannot_ be different perspectives on the same issue; each article must be unique. (For example, if the topic were African American, and there was a race-based riot that took place somewhere in the world, you couldn’t have multiple articles about the same riot).

Additionally, no more than one article can be from any given day. In other words, you cannot have multiple articles produced on June 7th, for example.

Each article must be printed and have information indicating its source (where it came from) and its date of publication/release. Please, NO blogs or generic website copy; these have to be actual articles from a newspaper, magazine, journal, or other periodical. Stories from television news sites would be acceptable.

Each article should be summarized with at least ½ page of double spaced feedback/commentary from the student. It should highlight key points, and express how the article is relevant to the category/subcategory chosen.

At the end of the minimester, a student is to present a stapled group of the 8 articles and their summaries for grading. Each grouping/journal should have a cover page that has ONLY the following on it:

Name

SOCI 243: Sociology of Race, Class, and Gender

Journal Assignment

Category and Subcategory Chosen:

The organization of the journal should be as follows: (a) Cover Page, (b) First summary, (c) first article, (d) second summary, (e) second article, (f) third summary, (g) third article, (h) fourth summary, (i) fourth article, (j) fifth summary, (k) fifth article, (l) sixth summary, (m) sixth article. Summaries must be typed, double spaced, in either Calibri or Times New Roman fonts, 11 pt.

No holders, covers, or report binders for journals. Simply staple them together in the order indicated. Make sure it is stapled by the time you come to class.

Research a health care organization or a network that spans several states within the U.S. (Example: United Healthcare, Vanguard, Banner Healthcare, etc.).

Harvard Business Review Online and Hoover’s Company Records, found in the GCU Library, are useful sources. You may also find pertinent information on your organization’s webpage.

Review “Singapore Airlines Case Study.”

Prepare a 1,000-1,250-word paper that focuses on the organization or network you have selected.

Your essay should assess the readiness of the health care organization or network in addressing the health care needs of citizens in the next decade, and include a strategic plan that addresses issues pertaining to network growth, nurse staffing, resource management, and patient satisfaction.

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.

This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be submitted to Turnitin.

NRS451V.R.SingaporeAirlinesCaseStudy_Student_02-04-13.docx