Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Baccalaureate

Reduce Energy Consumption

There are many ways to reduce energy consumption in our daily lives:

• Turn off lights and electronic devices when not in use.
• Use LED light bulbs instead of traditional ones.
• Unplug chargers and appliances when not needed.
• Use public transport, bike, or walk instead of driving.
• Insulate homes properly to reduce heating/cooling needs.
• Use renewable energy sources like solar panels.

Small actions can make a big difference.

Reduce Water Consumption

Water is a vital resource, so it is important to reduce its use whenever possible:

• Take shorter showers and turn off the tap while brushing teeth.
• Fix leaks in pipes and toilets.
• Use dishwashers or washing machines only when full.
• Water plants early morning or late evening.
• Collect rainwater

Herzberg's Two-Factor Motivation Theory

Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory (1959) proposes that job satisfaction and dissatisfaction are influenced by separate sets of factors, rather than being opposite ends of a single continuum.

Hygiene Factors (Dissatisfiers)

Hygiene Factors (also called Maintenance Factors) are elements in the workplace that, when absent or inadequate, cause job dissatisfaction. However, when present, they only prevent dissatisfaction—they do not actively motivate employees.

• Examples:

  • Company policies and administration
  • Supervision quality
  • Salary and job security
  • Work conditions
  • Interpersonal relationships

• Case Example: A competitive salary prevents dissatisfaction but doesn't necessarily motivate employees to perform better.

Motivational

Business Concept

1. Business Structure: Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation.
2. Business Size:
   • Microbusinesses: Up to 10 workers.
   • Small and Medium-sized Businesses (PYMES): 11 to 250 employees.
   • Macro businesses: More than 250 employees.
3. Economic Sector: Primary (extraction), Secondary (manufacturing), Tertiary (service).
4. Economic Activity: Industrial, Commercial, Service.
5. Scope of Activity: Local, Regional, Domestic, Multinational, Transnational.
6. Business Model: Retailer, Manufacturer, Fee-for-Service, Subscription, Freemium, Bundling, Marketplace, Affiliate, Razor blade, Franchise, Brokerage.
7. Description of Product or Service:
   • Product or service description
   • Product or service selling volume
   • Product or service selling prices
   • Product or service net sales
   • Net

True or False Statements

1. The challenges for sustainable development are intergenerational equity, assigning duties, and interconnection. True
2. Chemistry helps ecology by creating future models to predict the consequences of environmental issues. True
3. Biology is the science that studies the interactions between living things and their environment. True
4. A population is the living and nonliving things sharing the same space and time. False. A population refers to a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area, not living and nonliving things. The correct term is ecosystem.
5. Life may not be able to exist without the heterotrophs due to that are the base that drives the entire ecosystem. False. Life may not be able to exist without

Role of Entrepreneurship in Economic Development

1. Job Creation – Entrepreneurs establish businesses, generating employment opportunities.
2. Innovation & Technology Advancement – They introduce new products, services, and technologies, improving efficiency.
3. Wealth Creation – Businesses generate income, increasing national wealth and improving living standards.
4. Market Competition – Entrepreneurship fosters competition, leading to better quality and lower prices.
5. Economic Growth – Startups and businesses contribute to GDP growth.
6. Investment Attraction – Entrepreneurship attracts both domestic and foreign investments.
7. Social Development – Businesses address societal challenges, improving infrastructure and services.

Entrepreneurs drive economic... Continue reading "Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Economic Impact" »

Italy's Seismic Risk: A Case Study

On August 24th, 2016, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck near Amatrice and Accumoli, Italy. The devastating event resulted in 299 fatalities, over 400 injuries, and left more than 4,000 people homeless. Italy is highly susceptible to earthquakes due to its location between the European and African tectonic plates, making the region seismically active.

Challenges in Building Safety

In Amatrice, a school that had undergone an earthquake-proofing upgrade costing 700,000 euros just four years prior, collapsed during the earthquake. This raises concerns about the quality or completion of the upgrade work. Experts estimate that 70% of buildings in Italy do not meet modern earthquake safety standards. Despite efforts... Continue reading "Italy's Seismic Risk: Amatrice Earthquake Case Study" »

Biological Neurons

A biological neuron is the fundamental unit of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information throughout the body. It consists of three main parts:

• Dendrites: These are branch-like structures that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body.
• Cell Body (Soma): Contains the nucleus and other essential organelles responsible for processing information.
• Axon: A long, thread-like extension that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

Neurons communicate using electrical and chemical signals through synapses, where neurotransmitters help in transmitting the signals. The brain contains billions of neurons that work together to perform cognitive functions,... Continue reading "Neural Networks: Neurons, Activation, Structure" »

Managing Organizational Change Effectively

Change is transformational and requires structured management. A Project Manager (PM) or Change Leader ensures smooth adoption with minimal resistance.

1. Assess the Need for Change

Change arises from market trends, challenges, or regulations. A readiness check ensures the organization is prepared.

2. Define Vision & Goals

A clear vision and SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) provide direction.

3. Ensure Stakeholder Involvement

Leadership, employees, and customers must be on board. Open communication builds trust.

4. Develop a Comprehensive Change Plan

Define:

• What’s changing (processes, systems, culture).
• What’s needed (budget, training, tools).
• Timeline & risks (

Understanding Key Marketing Concepts

Marketing is the process of identifying and fulfilling customer needs by creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging products or services with value. It essentially aims to promote and sell a company's offerings through various strategies like advertising, branding, and market research, to achieve specific goals like increased sales, brand awareness, and customer loyalty.

Key Functions of Marketing

• Product Management: Developing, designing, and managing the product itself to meet customer needs, including features, packaging, and lifecycle.
• Pricing: Determining the optimal price for a product based on market analysis, competition, and cost factors.
• Place (Distribution): Making the product readily available

Entrepreneurship Fundamentals

1. Define Entrepreneurship and Explain Its Key Characteristics.

Answer:
Entrepreneurship is the process of identifying, developing, and bringing a vision to life by taking risks to create and manage a business. It involves organizing resources, innovating, and making strategic decisions to establish and grow a venture.

Key Characteristics of Entrepreneurship:

1. Innovation – Developing new products, services, or processes.
2. Risk-Taking – Willingness to bear financial, operational, and market risks.
3. Leadership and Vision – Ability to guide a team and foresee future trends.
4. Decision-Making – Making crucial choices regarding investments, operations, and strategy.
5. Resource Management – Efficiently utilizing land, labor,