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

Reconstructing the Gold Standard

After World War I, there was a widespread willingness to return to stable currencies through a gold standard or an equivalent system. This led to the Gold-Exchange Standard, where currencies were backed not only by gold but also by "hard currencies" (like the British Pound Sterling and the US Dollar) that were convertible into gold. A central question was at which parity to return. Significant differences in wartime inflation had left various currencies at different distances from their pre-war parity with gold.

The Challenge of Setting Parity

If a country wanted to return to its pre-war parity but its currency was inflated, it had to revalue its currency upwards. This required deflating the economy to attract... Continue reading "The Interwar Gold Standard: Policy Choices and Consequences" »

Policy as Institutional Output

• Governments bestow legitimacy, universality, and mandatory policies.
• The characteristics of government organizations and institutions influence the types of public policies embraced by officials.
• Certain issues, problems, and interest groups have more weight than others in government.

Process Model

• It conceives the political process as a series of political activities: identification of the problem, establishment of the agenda, formulation, legitimation, implementation, and evaluation.

Group Theory Model

• Policies are the efforts of groups to influence and modify public policies.

Theory of the Elite

• Public policy reflects the interests and values of the elite rather than the demands of the people.
• Change in public policy

Executive Summary

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a way of managing companies based on the management of the impacts that their activity generates on their customers, employees, shareholders, local communities, the environment, and society in general.

Introduction to CSR Practices

This report will examine different ways a company practices CSR, focusing on three key pillars:

• Employment & Community (People)
• Environmental Protection (Planet)
• Ethical Business Growth (Profit)

Employment and Community Engagement

Companies must pay attention to factors affecting the well-being of everyone, not just their employees, in areas where the company has its plants and offices.

Collaboration with local sports, cultural, or economic activities can improve... Continue reading "Corporate Social Responsibility: Impact & Strategy" »

Human Resource Management in Small Businesses

The Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a small business as one that is independently owned and operated.

Country Culture in Global Business

A country's culture is the set of values, symbols, beliefs, languages, and norms that guide human behavior within that country.

The Strategic Planning Process

Corporate Mission

A company's mission is its continuing purpose or reason for being. The corporate mission is the sum total of the organization’s ongoing purpose.

Objective Setting

Objectives are the desired end results of any activity. Objectives should have four basic characteristics:

1. They should be expressed in writing.
2. They should be measurable.
3. They should be specific as to time.
4. They should be challenging

CHAPTER 9: MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

1. The Basic Forms of Acquisitions

• Merger or Consolidation
• Acquisition of Stock
• Acquisition of Assets

Merger vs. Consolidation

Merger

• One firm is acquired by another
• Acquiring firm retains name and acquired firm ceases to exist
• Advantage – legally simple
• Disadvantage – must be approved by stockholders of both firms

Consolidation

• Entirely new firm is created from combination of existing firms

Acquisition

A firm can be acquired by another firm or individual(s) purchasing voting shares of the firm’s stock

• Tender offer – public offer to buy shares
• Stock acquisition
  • No stockholder vote required
  • Can deal directly with stockholders, even if management is unfriendly
  • May be delayed if some target shareholders hold out for more

Finance Concepts: Ratios, Markets, and Risk

1. 1. Types of work in finance subareas

   Be able to recognize the types of work in subareas of finance such as investments, financial management, international finance, etc.

2. 2. Basic ratio categories to know

   Know the basics of the different ratio categories (e.g., liquidity, asset management, profitability).

   Liquidity — a ratio that measures the relationship between a firm's current assets and current liabilities.

3. 3. Average collection period ratio

   Know what the average collection period ratio measures.

   The average number of days between the date a credit sale is made and the date the purchaser pays for that sale.

4. 4. Time value of money concept

   Know that money in the future is worth less than money today.

   (Time

Forms of Business Organization

Sole Proprietorship

Introduction and Definition

Introduction, Definition

Characteristics

• Single ownership
• No separate legal entity
• Less legal formality
• Unlimited liability
• Secrecy
• Flexibility
• Risk
• No sharing of profit or loss

Advantages

• Easy to form and wind up
• No profit sharing
• Better control
• Secrecy
• Flexibility
• Personal touch

Disadvantages

• Unlimited liability
• Limited capital
• Lack of managerial expertise
• Lack of continuity

Joint Stock Company (JSC)

Joint Stock Company Overview

• Introduction
• Definition
• Features
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Types of companies
• Incorporation of JSC
• Legal documents
• Management

Memorandum vs. Articles of Association

• Definition
• Main object
• Subject matter
• Obligation
• Registration
• Significance
• Relationship
• Provision
• Legal status

Private

Clients, Customers, and Consumers

• Customer: A person who buys a product but is not a habitual client.
• Client: A person who usually buys a product.
• Consumer: A person who uses a product but does not necessarily pay for it.

Consumer Protection

Consumers are at the end of the distribution channel. A consumer purchases a product or service for direct use, not for reselling or for further production. The following stages in the distribution chain of goods from their production to the time they reach the end user.

The manufacturer is the party that makes the product. This is stage 1.

The wholesaler is the intermediary who buys products from the manufacturer and sells them on to the retailer. This is stage 2.

The retailer is the party who sells the product... Continue reading "Understanding Consumer Rights and Legal Protection in Spain" »

T.11 1. Is

the organization design of the MNE a function of its strategy or vice versa? Is both a function of its strategy and its design also drives its strategy. The objective of organization design is to provide, maintain, and develop the organizational structure that works best toward the achievement of firm’s strategic objectives into workable assignments of rights, duties, and responsibilities for the various units and individual positions that make up the organizational apparatus. The structure can represent a constraint on the firm’s mode of operations and in turn on its strategic thinking.

2. If you

were a top manager in a subsidiary in Mexico, would you expect similar to subsidiaries in London in authority, knowledge flow, or strategic... Continue reading "Global Organization Design and Integration Strategies" »