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Using Web-Based Homework To Teach Principles Of Microeconomics: A Preliminary Investigation
Get PDFThis study evaluates an interactive web-based homework designed to increase student understanding in a principles of microeconomics course. Employing concepts from Action Research, the preliminary investigation was undertaken based on assumptions about the efficacy of online educational resources. Do students who do well on online homework improve performance on exams? Which characteristics of students explain achievement differences? The authors address these questions in relation to the use of a web-based, interactive online homework service which accompanied the text. An econometric model using exam performance as the dependent variable and various course component and demographic characteristics as independent variables. The study found no statistically significant impact of online homework on the mean exam score. This preliminary study indicated no gender, ethnicity, class standing, or declared major impact on exam performance though the limited degrees of freedom make generalization questionable. The only statistically significant predictor was shown to be GPA
Internships: The Nuts And Bolts Of An Effective Program
Get PDFBraxston Public Engineering and Consulting Group (BPECG) is a nationally known and respected company that is magnate for students who wish to receive a valued internship experience. Under the able direction of Amy Greene, the work experiences were coordinated during the summer and interns were well paid for their contributions. The case study chronicles the trials and tribulations faced by a competent, highly energized engineering intern who faces the malaise of an organization that is unprepared to provide a valid learning experience. As the case unfolds, Greene has an Eureka experience and learns from a colleague how interns can and do make vital contributions (ROI’s) to their assigned organizations. Upon reviewing the contributions that interns made in three organizations, she redesigns Braxston’s Internship program, reviews the State University Intern to Work Program that addresses, among many other factors, the internship purpose, supervision, learning objectives, and intern and employer obligations. The case includes an Intern Evaluation form and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the university and the company. Last, the Questions and Instructions provide for focused discussion and analysis and the references enable learners to research the top internship programs in the United States
The Impact of Inventory Valuation Methods on Corporate Financial Reports.
Get PDFBusiness students are generally introduced to LIFO and FIFO in their first accounting course. However, that introduction generally focuses exclusively on computing ending inventory and cost of goods sold. Students are rarely challenged to compute or analyze the impacts of LIFO and FIFO on the income statement, balance sheet, or cash flow statement. This paper presents a hypothetical case designed to provide a framework within which students can compute, analyze, and discuss the financial statement impacts and economic impacts of choosing one or the other of these accounting methods. The questions in this case also address the effects of this choice on financial indicators like liquidity ratios, the impacts of each method on quality of earnings, and the potential impacts of IFRS convergence on companies that are currently using LIFO.One important feature of this case is its adaptability to support a variety of learning outcomes in different courses. This flexibility results from making the questions posed in the case as independent of each other as possible. That independence allows a professor to select only the questions that support the learning outcomes for that professor’s specific course. The teaching notes discuss in detail possible course applications and uses of this case
Building Customer Value And Profitability With Business Ethics
Get PDFFirms assume ethical business practices only add costs to the firm. However, business ethics actually add value for customers and result in increased profitability and performance for the firm
From Burdens To Benefits: The Societal Impact Of PDL-Enriched, Efficacy-Enhanced Educators
Get PDFSocieties continue to absorb increased burdens in cost for helping citizens unable to achieve at optimal levels. Building on past research, we project educational benefits to offset current societal burdens through enhanced educator capabilities. Studies reviewed show participation in a high-impact professional development and learning solution resulted in improved student performance and reduced dropout rates, reduced disciplinary rates and increased rates for college-bound, along with lower teacher turnover. Computations show that generalization of such impacts should trade societal burdens for benefits at between 6.9 billion within the first year. Cumulatively within 20 years the burdens converted to benefits are projected to exceed $85 billion. Enhanced educator capabilities will substantively reduce needs and costs for societal programs, replaced with tangible benefits to all
The Effect Of Working Capital Management On Firm’s Profitability: Empirical Evidence From An Emerging Market
Get PDFIn this study, we empirically investigate the effect of working capital management on firm’s financial performance in an emerging market. We hypothesize that working capital management leads to improved profitability. Our data set consists of firms listed in the Cyprus Stock Exchange for the period 1998-2007. Using multivariate regression analysis, our results support our hypothesis. Specifically, results indicate that the cash conversion cycle and all its major components; namely, days in inventory, days sales outstanding and creditors payment period - are associated with the firm’s profitability. The results of this study should be of great importance to managers and major stakeholders, such as investors, creditors, and financial analysts, especially after the recent global financial crisis and the latest collapses of giant organizations worldwide.
Municipal Employees’ Perceptions Of Political Interference In Human Resource Management Practices: Evidence From The Free State Province In South Africa
Get PDFService delivery in South Africa has of recent been marred with much criticism and citizens’ dissatisfactions evidenced by protests across the country, especially in different municipal areas. While the South African central government recognizes the important supportive role of human resources management (HRM) in ensuring quality service delivery, the municipalities’ human resource management seem not to be playing this important role. There are accusations of too much political interference in municipal human resource management activities in municipalities in the country. The objective of this study was to determine municipal employees’ perceptions of political interference in human resource management practices within selected municipalities in South African. Using a sample of nine municipalities and 342 employees, results of the quantitative analysis of data collected using questionnaires showed that municipal employees perceived little or low levels of political interference in HRM practices. The results are discussed within the context of organisational justice theory and implications on issues such as application of appropriate ethics in HRM practices are suggested
Absenteeism Problems And Costs: Causes, Effects And Cures
Get PDFEmployee absences are both costly and disruptive for business, and the trend has been increasing steadily over the years. Personal illness and family issues are cited as the primary reason for unplanned absences. Employers have been attempting to determine the validity of these illnesses and offer incentives and propose possible solutions to mitigate these absences, including those caused by family issues. Illness, family responsibilities, personal issues and stress all take a toll on the worker which in turn affects morale, absences and productivity in the workplace. Some sources including Statistics Canada cite that absenteeism approximates 15-20 percent of payroll (direct and indirect) costs. This is significant. Canada Newswire stated on May 23, 2008 that absenteeism translates into losses of over $16 billion in salary expenses. The purpose of this paper is to identify the leading factors of absenteeism, possible “cures” that exist for these factors, and present results of companies that have implemented programs to combat the problem of absenteeism. It is important that businesses determine if they in fact have an absenteeism problem and thus consider utilizing some of the proposed solutions offered in this paper
An Empirical Assessment Of The EFQM Excellence Model In Purchasing
Get PDFThis study focuses on the important concepts of quality management, internal customer satisfaction, and business performance within the neglected purchasing unit of manufacturing firms on the basis of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model, thus, filling a void in the existing literature. In doing so, this study tests the viability of the EFQM model in a single functional unit. Three hypothesis were generated based on the EFQM model to identify the specific relationships between purchasing’s quality management practices (EFQM enabler), internal customer satisfaction, and business performance (EFQM results). The hypotheses were tested through structural equation modeling based on a sample of 306 purchasing agents within manufacturing. The results indicated that the EFQM seem to be a viable model that represents what impacts implementing QMP enablers will have on the resultants, ICS and OP. Additionally, the results identified that the extent of adoption of quality management purchasing has a direct positive impact on improving internal customer satisfaction and an indirect positive impact on business performance mediated by internal customer satisfaction, as predicted by the EFQM model. This study highlights the positive impact of adoption of EFQM in the purchasing area, thus, lends support to purchasing departments trying to justify the implementation of quality management practices to their administrations. Additionally, it gives upper management, looking for ways to improve the company’s bottom line, the specifics to do this through the implementation of quality management practices in purchasing. Management and purchasing departments are given a blueprint for improving their performance
Residential Proximity And Its Impact On College Students’ Body Mass Index
Get PDFObjective. The purpose of this study was to examine if environmental accessibility to healthy resources was associated with college students’ corresponding health behaviors and body mass index (BMI). This study looked at college students’ proximity and distance to environmental influence, such as fitness centers and fast food restaurants in relation to their physical activity (PA), fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC), and BMI. Methods. A sample of 156 college students from a mid-western university completed the cross-sectional survey on proximity to campus-related environmental resources. Student addresses were used to calculate accessibility to healthy environmental resources, including proximity to the university recreational facility and local grocery store. Physical activity was calculated into metabolic equivalents (METs) and dietary behavior included measures of daily fruit and vegetable consumption and weekly fast food meals. Analysis. Linear regression was used to estimate differences in participants’ multiple health behavior and BMI based on proximity to certain environmental resources.Results. Of the 156 students who participated in the current study, 79% were female and 87% were White, Non-Hispanic, with a mean age of 20.13±1.91. No associations between behaviors and BMI were detected. Proximity to the campus recreational facility significantly predicted lower BMI (p=0.01); and distance to the community grocery store was associated with increased BMI (p=0.01). Conclusion. Findings suggested associations between proximity to environmental resources and participants’ BMI; however, this influence occurred outside the measured health behaviors. Longitudinal examinations are needed to determine the potential impact of resource proximity on changes in participants’ health behavior and BMI overtime.