Islamic Banking and finance industry is aiming to provide alternatives

Islamic Banking and finance industry is aiming to provide alternatives to conventional interest-based banking and financial products and services. It has grown at a rapid pace for the last two to three decades and is becoming popular even in non-Muslim regions due to unique characteristics and solutions it provides and genuine concerns raised on the effectiveness of conventional financial markets and systems.

Islamic Banking and finance industry is aiming to provide alternatives

Type of Assessment: Written Assessment (Project report)
Weight: 20% of course grade

Description
Islamic Banking and finance industry is aiming to provide alternatives to conventional interest-based banking and financial products and services. It has grown at a rapid pace for the last two to three decades and is becoming popular even in non-Muslim regions due to unique characteristics and solutions it provides and genuine concerns raised on the effectiveness of conventional financial markets and systems. Nevertheless, it is just a small fraction of total global banking and finance industry and moreover, facing challenges such as misconceptions about its products even among Muslims, evolved conventional industry and legal and regulatory issues in both Muslims and non-Muslims states.

Topic/Task
The students are require d to prepare a report covering the following issues/aspects:
1.      Identify and compare 3 products originated in global Islamic and conventional banking and finance industries between 2000 and 2019.
2.      Compare the process and pace of innovation and development in both the sectors.
3.      Make recommendations for improvement in Islamic banking and finance industry and/or its products and services”.

Instructions
1.    FIRSTLY, Students should work in groups of not more than 4 members for this assignment.
2.    SECONDLY, The reports must be prepare using Calibri, 12 font, and 1.5 line spacing with total report size of 10 pages (± 2 pages) excluding cover page and bibliography.
3.     THIRDLY, Submit reports online on or before the deadline.
4.      FOURTHLY, HCT’s policy on academic dishonesty and plagiarism is applicable on this assessment.

 

Leadership action on practical organizational and business experiences

This is a paper that focuses on the leadership action on practical organizational and business experiences. The paper also describes the two parts for writing this assignment in detail.

Leadership action on practical organizational and business experiences

Prepare a 2000-word case study on leadership in action from your own practical organizational, business experience or from some personal experience of team leadership e.g. teacher, sporting club, parent etc. As a last resort you may interview a person from your networks, but a personal experience is preferred. It should consist of 3 parts.

•Part 1(approximately 200 words -maximum)
Brief outline of the chosen case selected. It should contain a brief summary of the leadership issues and context.

Part 2 (approximately 800 words x 2 = 1600 words)
Students to prepare two 800-word reports using two different leadership theories (to be chosen by the student) to analyse and problem solve the leadership issue described in part one. The objective is to show how the application of different leadership theories can have different outcomes. The two reports should outline and apply the chosen leadership theory, provide potential solutions to the leadership challenge and detail implications of the chosen approach.

USE THE FOLLOWING LEADERSHIP THEORIES
1.     Transformational
2.     LMX (Leader-member exchange)

Part 3 (approximately 200 words)
The last section should compare and contrast the outcomes and implications of the two chosen leadership theories, detailing insights and learnings. Students will challenge and critique the two theories and review how the chosen leadership framework may affect an organisation’s results or effectiveness – drawing from course knowledge, assigned readings as well as a broad range of academic literature.

Ensure that the paper should be at least 2000 words long excluding the cover page and also the reference page. Additionally, ensure that you include all the references from the sources you use. Finally, cite your assignment from the references that you will use in the assignment.

Identifying an HR topic for opportunities for improvement

This is an assignment that focuses on the identifying an HR topic for opportunities for improvement. The assignment also illustrates the writing guidelines for the paper.

Identifying an HR topic for opportunities for improvement

“On the job training” as your topic of interest. Minimum requirements for this paper are: APA Formatting (margins at 1″, minimum font size 12) Cover Page 15 pages in length 5 references from scholarly studies. The paper should be at least 15 pages in length (excluding cover and citations) with at least five different references (one may be the text book). Please make sure the paper is free of grammar and spelling errors.

Firstly, your focus for this assignment is to identify a specific HR topic and focus your efforts on: Illustrating your expertise in HR by identifying opportunities for improvement with the selected topic. Secondly, apply concepts of HRM and explore a practical approach to the real world HRM issue. Thirdly, propose recommendations for improvements and formulate a considered opinion on the HR topic of interest. Fourthly, analyze available literature to provide greater understanding of research topics related to the HR topic of interest.

You should have at least 3 pages, 1 full section of your paper, dedicated to recommendations for improvement. Consider this assignment a paper you are delivering to the HR Manager at a company who has asked you for help on the topic. Analyze the practices of HR in organizations using the concepts of the HR topic of interest. Analyze the approach of HRM in organizations on the selected HR topic(s), including the strengths and weaknesses of the current approach in organizations, citing relevant research and theories. Tables, graphs, and illustrations can help bring out key points. Remember that these are only the minimum requirements. An “A” paper will achieve a higher level of quality. If you have any questions regarding the final paper, please let your professor know

Analyze how business practices visiting hours easy access 

Analyze how business practices(i.e. visiting hours, easy access to their medical records, best practice policies, parking) regulatory requirements (i.e. joint commission, centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, or hospital quality initiatives like HCAHPS/core measures) and reimbursement (i.e. survey, Medicaid/ Medicare/ private, ability to help community?) impact patient-family-centered care within a healthcare organization. Part 2; Discuss how cultural diversity within the team supports patient-centered, culturally competent care.

Analyze how business practices(i.e. visiting hours, easy access

Part 1)
This section should be at minimum 3 well-developed paragraphs, each thoroughly addressing each of the 3 parts, supporting citations must be included.
– Analyze how business practices(i.e. visiting hours, easy access to their medical records, best practice policies, parking) regulatory requirements (i.e. joint commission, centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, or hospital quality initiatives like HCAHPS/core measures) and reimbursement (i.e. survey, Medicaid/ Medicare/ private, ability to help community?) impact patient-family-centered care within a healthcare organization.

Part 2
1) Firstly, Discuss how cultural diversity within the team supports patient-centered, culturally competent care.
2) Secondly, Using one of the leadership theories below, discuss the leadership style you would utilize in developing a successful healthcare team: • transactional leadership, • transformational leadership, • emotional leadership, • traditional leadership
Additionally, this section should be at minimum 2 well-develop ed paragraphs, each thoroughly addressing each question, supporting citations must be include d.

Part 3
1) Firstly, Why would it be beneficial to healthcare organizations to allow patients/families to participate in interview teams/search committees?

2) Secondly, Create a strategy to increase patient-centeredness in the organization that will support the participation of patients/families on interview teams/search committees? Would you apply system theory or change theory in the development of your strategy? *2 paragraph for this*

3) Finally, Discuss how the team will work together to implement the strategy.
This section should be at minimum 4 well-developed paragraphs, each thoroughly addressing each part, supporting citations must be included.

The analysis of three competitors within an industry of your choice

This is a paper that focuses on the analysis of three competitors within an industry of your choice. The paper also provides clear guidelines for writing this paper.

The analysis of three competitors within an industry of your choice

A‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‍nalyze three competitors within an industry. A good competitive analysis is a scouting report of the actual market terrain the industry itself must navigate in order to be successful. A Competitive Analysis is a tool utilized in the strategic planning process to: Help management understand their competitive advantages and disadvantages within the industry. Generate an understanding of competitors’ past, present, and (most importantly) future strategies. Provide an informed basis to develop strategies to achieve competitive advantage in the future. Forecast the returns that may be made from future investments. In this assignment, the student will select an industry to explore. Make sure it has an IBISWorld (database) industry code.

The analysis of three competitors within an industry of your choice

Then prepare a competitive analysis of three of the largest industry competitors you are analyzing (or those with relevant stats). Thoroughly research these industry competitors, representing:

1. Executive summary: Firstly, write a high-level overview of the paper; this would be read by a busy executive to determine interest in the report and its findings. (one-page length).

2. Industry overview and description: Financial data, revenue size, number of competitors, industry leaders, etc. Secondly, provide key industry stats based on IBIS or Hoover’s information (other sources are available as well). You may consider utilizing a chart to demonstrate the information in this section with some text information to transition information and lay a foundation.

3. Key factors: Thirdly, indicate factors that drive this industry in regards to growth and innovation include an environmental scan of the social, legal, regulatory, demographic areas, etc. Provide a SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat analysis) of the industry in a grid format. Moreover, include an analysis utilizing Porter’s Five Forces of the industry itself.

4. Analysis of the top three competitors:

Fourthly, develop an analysis of key factors for the competitors and a SWOT of each competitor. A grid format presents a strong representation for both the analysis and the SWOT. It should include company financial data, major lines of business and potential divisions of‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‍ interest, market positioning, market share, branding, target market, company overview, products, revenue, HQ, employees, financial overview, points of differentiation, critical success factors, etc. Summarize this section by answering the following questions: How do the companies stand up to the competition? What are the competitive edges of each? What does each do better than its competition? Where might each competitor be vulnerable? What is the major “watch-out” for each competitor? Why? And if none, what are the vulnerabilities? Finally, what are the market strategies utilized by each to achieve their objectives?

Industry future

5. Industry future (this is your higher-level analysis of the “industry facts”): Also, what factors will influence the success or decline of this industry over the next three years? Where do you see the competitors in three years, and how will the industry itself change? What recommendations would you have for each competitor based on what you have researched? Consider how you would relate Blue Ocean Strategy to the industry-specific to the three competitors. This section should demonstrate how well you have synthesized the information and also your analysis. This section should be two to three pages in length and supported by your research.

6. Conclusion: Lastly, your final thoughts on this industry. Would you recommend it as an industry for investment over the next three years? (Sections 5 & 6 need to be at least three pages with support.) Does this industry have a future for you? Additionally, this paper requires substantive research using credible secondary sources citing six to eight credible references sources including IBIS. The final paper should be approximately 10 to 12 pages plus references and exhibits. The paper MUST be in APA format with a cover page, table of contents, reference page, and any applicable appendices The topic is Wireless Telecommunications in the US the IBIS #5172‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‍1 on IBIS WORLD

The analysis of a dataset containing AirBnB from Chicago

This is an assignment that focuses on the analysis of a dataset containing AirBnB from Chicago. The paper also involves using data science strengths in analytics.

The analysis of a data set containing AirBnB from Chicago

In this assignment, you will analyse a dataset containing AirBnB data taken from the city of Chicago in SAS VA (data file is called AirBnB-Chicago2). Your team is responsible for undertaking research to present findings to a company trying to understand the AirBnB market in Chicago. To have an effective report, your group will need to identify a specific set of objectives or questions that can be addressed through data exploration (e.g., what type of properties lead to the best guest experience or prices). In addition, you should detail how the data analysis was conducted to ensure replicability. Before carrying out the analysis, each member must visit https://asb.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4GufsFdfXHO6GXj and complete the survey to find your data science personality.

After establishing the data science team’s analytic strengths, you will analyse the data and prepare a written report that covers the following:
1. Team overview: The establishment of your team and its capabilities, by sharing and consolidating your data science personality.
2. Data exploration: Explore the relationships in the dataset and provide a summary of the insights.
3. A short narrative recommending how the firm can use add open data, unstructured data or social media data to extend the dataset.
The report covering the above has a limit of 2500 words, excluding figures, references and appendices.

The analysis of a dataset containing AirBnB from Chicago

Firstly, consider the points that you wish to make in this report and slide deck. Then, you should consider using tables and figures to present some material as they may help structure your argument.
In preparing the assignment, you should place yourself in the role of an external consultant.  It is important that you provide your audience with information that is customised for their situation rather than producing material that reads like a generic textbook. You should therefore illustrate that you understand their context and priorities. In order to do this you will need to make some assumptions. You should state all assumptions in an appendix to your assignment. You may also need to undertake research to prepare your assignment. References in the report and slide deck should be provided in Harvard style.

Assessment Criteria
The following set of marking criteria are for the report and slides.
Criteria Explanation Weight

Background and objectives
A set of well-articulated and justified objectives for data exploration and a well-justified explanation as to their suitability for the company (exploration). A well-considered analysis of your team data science personalities, revealing key skills and responsibilities. 15%

Analysis A detail and justification analysis of how data exploration was conduct. 35%

Evaluations and recommendations A well-articulated explanation of how data exploration meets the set objectives and also can provide useful insights for the organisation. 35%

Communication
The effective and coherent communication of information in a format suitable for a consulting report and presentation for senior management. Adherence to Business School presentation standards including Harvard referencing and the use of acceptable research materials. 15%

Business contact about occupation and industry you are interested in

To gather information from a business contact about occupation and industry you are interested in, to help you make more informed decisions about your career.

Business contact about occupation and industry you are interested in

OBJECTIVE:
To gather information from a business contact about occupation and industry you are interest ed in, to help you make more informed decisions about your career

DIRECTIONS:
Conduct an information interview either via telephone or in-person (NOT via email) with a professional within the U.S. who is currently in the career field that you are considering. The purpose of this assignment is to learn more about a career area of interest by interpreting the answers yourself.

NOTE:

You should be processing the answers in your own words and from your own perspective. Simply having your interviewee complete the answers for you via e-mail will result in a 0 grade on the assignment. In addition, simply repeating answers in quotes only or confining answers to just the most basic regurgitation of interviewee responses will result in either reduced or 0 credit for specific answers or, in the most egregious cases, a 0 grade for the entire assignment.

List each of the items/questions in your paper and document the information you have uncovered concerning the following:

5) Why you selected this particular individual to interview.

6) Also, General background information concerning the interviewee: degree, years in current position, etc. (Do not ask about interviewee’s salary)

7) Additionally, What are the primary tasks perform ed for this position and what percentage of the day is spent in each of these primary tasks?

8) Further, What do you find to be the most rewarding and most difficult aspects of your job and why?

9) Also, What kinds of technical and people skills are necessary to do well in this career, and why are they necessary?

10) Moreover, What is the work environment like (i.e., hours, facilities, co-workers, and culture)?

11) Besides, If you could start all over again, would you change your career path in any way? Why or why not?

12) Consequently, Which professional journals (or any other written materials) and organizations would help me learn more about this field?

13) Additionally, Design your own question and provide the interviewee’s answer>

14) Finally, Design your own question and provide the interviewee’s answer>

15) Lastly, State what you learned from the interview>

Challenging for organizations to calculate the financial benefits

Discuss why it is very challenging for organizations to calculate the financial benefits (returns) of online advertisement. Research has shown that although organisations spend a lot of money in all kind of online advertisement, they are finding it very difficult to calculate the return on investment.

Challenging for organizations to calculate the financial benefits

 SECTION A: ONLINE ADVERTISEMENT
A) Firstly, Discuss why it is very challenging for organizations to calculate the financial benefits (returns) of online advertisement. Research has shown that although organisations spend a lot of money in all kind of online advertisement, they are finding it very difficult to calculate the return on investment. (1.5 to 2 pages)

B) Google Analytics is a fantastic tool made by Google. It helps organizations track their Web traffic and social networks, view their ads spending performance and take corrective actions. Also, Dashboards and other features are also supported by the Software. Additionally, Explain all the features that are supported by Google analytics. Be very explicit. Further, Don’t just copy and paste from Google.com. Show me that you understand what each feature does. (1.5 to 2 pages)

SECTION B: ONLINE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
a. Online customer relationship management proved to be very effective than offline CRM. Also, Explain the different factors that can explain this fact. Lastly, Read about what researchers say and add your own understanding about this fact. (1.5 to 2 pages).

b. Organizations that have implemented ERP (Enterprise resource planning systems) are more likely to be successful in implementing online Customer relationship management. ALSO, Explain why this makes sense (1.5 to 2 pages).

SECTION C: BUILDING ELECTRONIC COMMERCE BUSINESSES.
a. Firstly, Search electronic databases and find three multichannel retailers such as Walmart that failed their online businesses. A good example is Sears. You may use Sears as the first example. Finally, Please write one page for each retailer. For each retailer, describe the most striking failure factors. (1.5 to 2 pages)

b. Finally, Same as in question an above but this time do the same for those who succeeded their online businesses. An example would be Walmart. (1.5 to 2 pages).

The understanding in corporate governance in organization

This is an assignment that focuses on the understanding in corporate governance in organization. The paper involves answering two sections on the topic.

The understanding in corporate governance in organization

UNDERSTANDING IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IS NEEDED Briefly set out:

1) Firstly, key theoretical perspectives underlying the remuneration of executive directors in major national or multinational firms; 2) Secondly, the institutional requirements and guidance as to the setting of executive director remuneration for quoted companies in the UK; 3) Thirdly, major issues and controversies arising in respect to executive director remuneration in recent years;

4) also then against this contextual background proceed to outline the nature of executive director remuneration in one major UK listed company, identifying and interpreting changes in the nature of remuneration over the past 10-15 years, how these were communicated to stakeholders, and any specific issues relating to that remuneration and its manner of determination which you consider to be insightful and relevant. Relevant material will be available from a whole variety of sources including lecture and class notes and handouts, books, journal articles, Blackboard, and also wider ranging internet sources.

A1. the role of corporate governance in firms where there is separation of ownership from control; A2. the importance of corporate governance in sustaining competitive advantage. A3. how to think about governance through the identification and analysis of the firm’s business model.

B. Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills B1. Firstly, assess the role of capital markets in aligning the interests of managers with those of owners; B2. Secondly, understand the relationship between strategy and the role of board structures in corporate governance; B3. Thirdly, evaluate how executive compensation arrangements align the interests of managers with those of owners C. Transferable and Generic Skills C1. Communicate complex ideas and also arguments fluently and effectively; C2. Critically evaluate qualitative and quantitative information.

You must conduct research on Ford Motor Company

You must conduct research on Ford Motor Company in preparation for your Midterm Exam.  Your goal is to develop an understanding of Ford’s current business strategies, challenges and the industry and market segments in which it competes.

You must conduct research on Ford Motor Company

Midterm Exam Preparation:
You must conduct research on Ford Motor Company in preparation for your Midterm Exam.  Your goal is to develop an understanding of Ford’s current business strategies, challenges and the industry and market segments in which it competes.  In particular, you should concentrate on Ford’s recent (2018) decision to cease production of most models of sedans for the North American market.

Below are some sources that can get you started but you will need to supplement your research beyond these initial sources:
Ford website:  https://www.ford.com

Mergent Online: Ticker is F

Ford made bold decision to stop making sedans: How it’s…

Ford accelerates cost-cutting plan, will drop most U.S. sedans

Also, Ford dropping all but 2 cars from its North American dealerships

money.cnn.com/2018/04/25/autos/ford-cars-north…

Ford To Ditch Cars In North America, Focus On Trucks And SUVs…

www.npr.org/2018/04/26/606153452

Ford Will Drop Focus and Fusion Sedans in North America – The…
www.nytimes.com/2018/04/25/business/ford…
Ford to Drop All Passenger-Car Lines Except Mustang | News…
www.caranddriver.com/news/a20067725/abandon-car…

Exam Instructions:

Respond to all parts of the essay question below using specific evidence and information to support your analysis and recommendation while staying focused and concise.  Your goal in this exam is to demonstrate that you understand the course concepts and tools.  To that end, your responses should make explicit use of our course concepts, tools and techniques.  Within your essay, you can and should incorporate figures and tables to more concisely present your comprehensive analyses.  In addition, your essay response should use credible evidence to build your analyses and arguments.  Accordingly, you will need use appropriate within-text citations and provide a full reference list at the end of your essay.

Your response must be well written and reflect your own individual work.  Because this is an exam I will not review drafts of your essay.  The file you upload to BB must be in .doc, .docx or .pdf format no later than 11:59pm.  Also, Late submissions will not be accepted, no exceptions.

Essay Prompt:

Conduct research on Ford Motor Company to respond to the following questions in essay format:

Provide an introductory explanation of Ford’s current business situation taking care to identify the most salient business challenges, and specifically address the North American sedan decision.

Conduct a comprehensive PEST analysis OR 5-forces analysis to analyze the external environment for Ford.  Take care to comprehensively gather and cite information to complete the analysis.

Conduct a comprehensive Capability Analysis OR Strategy Map Analysis OR Growth/Share Portfolio Analysis to analyze Fords’s competitive position.  Take care to comprehensively gather and cite information to complete the analysis.

Synthesize the most significant opportunities, threats, strengths and weaknesses from your analyses of the external environment (from #2) and your competitive position (from #3).

Evaluate Ford’s new strategy in North American and global strategies, including autonomus and electric vehicles.

FIRSTLY, What corporate level, business level and functional level strategies and/or socially responsible strategies is Ford pursuing with these actions?

SECONDLY, What are the prospective benefits of these strategies (e.g value creation along the value chain for business-level strategies, economies of scope and/or scale for corporate level strategies, stakeholder alignment for socially responsible strategies)?

THIRDLY, What are the limitations?

FOURTHLY, Which specific strategic mode are they using to implement this strategy.

ALSO, What are the advantages and limitations of the mode?

Extra Credit:

We talked about three corporate governance mechanisms this semester.  Evaluate Ford on 2 out of the 3 governance mechanisms (Hint: Mergent Online is an easy resource for this information).  Take care to use concepts from our course in your response.