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

Core Business and Marketing Definitions

Public Relations (PR)

Public relations embraces publicity but is broader; PR includes other ways of gaining favorable responses. Typical PR activities include:

• Donating money to charity
• Giving speeches
• Participating in community activities
• Sponsoring events
• Other public-facing activities

PR is the organizational function that manages the firm's communications to achieve a variety of objectives, including building and maintaining a positive image, handling or heading off unfavorable stories or events, and maintaining positive relationships with the media.

Intensive Distribution

When customers limit their search efforts, products must be easily available. Intensive distribution is a strategy where the firm maximizes... Continue reading "Essential Marketing, Distribution, and Pricing Concepts Defined" »

Understanding HashMaps in Python

Introduction

This document demonstrates a simple implementation of a HashMap in Python. A HashMap, also known as a hash table, is a data structure that implements an associative array abstract data type, a structure that can map keys to values. A hash function is used to compute an index into an array of buckets or slots, from which the desired value can be found.

Code Implementation

The following code provides a basic HashMap class in Python:

The Korean War: Origins of Conflict

The Korean War began following the post-World War II partition of the peninsula, which had been ruled by Japan since 1910. In 1945, Soviet and American troops occupied the territory, divided along the 38th parallel.

The Division of Korea (1945–1948)

• In North Korea, indigenous Marxists under Kim Il-sung took control with Soviet assistance and began organizing a totalitarian state.
• In South Korea, General John R. Hodge began establishing defense forces and police, moving toward a separate administration.

By the time Washington and Moscow focused on Korea, the Cold War had already set in, and the de facto partition became permanent. South and North Korean governments arose in 1948, each claiming legitimacy for... Continue reading "The Korean War: Partition, Invasion, and Global Impact" »

An Arrhenius acid is a substance that dissociates in water to form hydrogen ions or protons. In other words, it increases the number of H⁺ ions in the water. In contrast, an Arrhenius base dissociates in water to form hydroxide ions, OH^-.

A Bronsted-Lowry acid is a solution that donates protons and is known as a proton donor. The Bronsted-Lowry base, on the other hand, is a solution that accepts protons and is known as a proton acceptor. Going back to a Bronsted-Lowry acid, in general, it must contain a hydrogen ion that it can give up.

) What is the difference between PEST, PESTEL, STEEPLE, and SLEPT Analysis?

16.) What are a corporation's dynamic capabilities and why is it important to be aware of them as part of the strategic management process?

17.) Different internationalization strategies are normally compared based on two main dimensions. What are these two dimensions and why were they originally chosen by companies to compare their internationalization strategies?

18.) How can a company create competitive advantage in its most basic form?

19.) What are sources of competitive advantage?

20.) What is the next step after you have conducted a PEST Analysis? How do you use such an Analysis?

21.) In class we discussed four basic levels of internationalization. Name and compare... Continue reading "International Business and Global Competitiveness: Key Concepts and Strategies" »

Chapter 10 Test Questions

True or False

1. A written contract is necessary to create a valid agency relationship. FALSE
2. An agency relationship is a fiduciary relationship. TRUE
3. A Standard Representation Agreement for a professional sport league would be considered an apparent agency agreement. FALSE
4. Ratification occurs when an agent did not in fact have authority to act of behalf of the principal, but the principal accepts responsibility for the agent’s acts. FALSE
5. Most athlete agent acts such as the UAAA regulate dealings only between athlete agents and student athletes. TRUE
6. One of the most consistent limitations imposed on athlete agents by the players associations is the registration and certification process for representing professional athletes.

What is a monopoly?

The exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service. (Microsoft)

What is an oligopoly?

A market structure in which a few large firms dominate a market (Video Games: Nintendo, Sony, Blizzard)

What is limited competition?

Many producers and sellers but only a few products (radio)

What is the difference between direct payments and indirect payments?

Direct: when a firm buys a product
Indirect: when a firm makes money off of ads

What is synergy?

Refers to any promotion and sale of different versions of a media product across the various subsidiaries of a media conglomerate

Regulation by marketplace

There's no need for regulation if there exists enough of an outside competitive force

Postmodern media conglomerate

Disney... Continue reading "Understanding Media: Monopoly, Oligopoly, and Limited Competition" »

Introduction

The optimistic view of intelligent extraterrestrial life often overlooks the improbable chain of events that led to human existence.

Special Timing

Our Sun formed late enough to have sufficient metallicity for creating a rocky, Earth-like planet. Older stars have even fewer metals than our Sun's 2%.

Special Location

The Sun resides in the "galactic habitable zone," extending 23,000 to 30,000 light-years from the galactic center. This zone, comprising only 7% of the galactic radius, contains less than 5% of the stars due to their concentration towards the core. While still containing numerous stars, this zone excludes the majority of stars in our galaxy. Most planetary systems are chaotic, lacking the stability Earth has provided for... Continue reading "The Rare Earth Hypothesis: Why Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life May Not Exist" »