Author: chris

Unit VII Scholarly Activity

Sociologists research and write about current topics that are culturally, politically, socially, and economically important. One such subject is same-sex marriage.

For this assignment, you will research a few court cases. Your goal here is to study this subject as a scientist would. Therefore, it does not matter whether you agree with the ruling or not, you can still write objectively about it. Use the Internet to find court cases and news articles from mainstream news outlets to use for your references, along with the textbook.

Begin by looking up the Loving v. Virginia case. Next, list the states that allow same-sex marriage. What were some of the arguments the states used in their legalization? What were some of the legal arguments against same-sex marriage? (Note: When looking for information, please refrain from religious reasoning or personal opinions; remember, you are looking at this as a scientist.) Do you think that the Supreme Court’s ruling on Loving v. Virginia changed much about American attitudes and practices? Does this case set precedent for same-sex marriage? How has this view changed over time? Do you see a shift in America’s view towards same-sex marriage? In what way is it changing?

Finally, briefly discuss how you feel about the subject. To what groups do you belong that help to shape your feelings about this issue? How do they help shape them?

Your assignment must be a minimum of two pages in length. As always, use APA formatting. Pay special attention to the proper citation of Internet resources.

Step 3: Assessment of the Current Human Resources Environment

Based on analysis of information obtained in Steps 1–3, prepare a professionally written report assessing the current human resources environment, suitable for presentation to the senior executives of the company. Your report should present your assessment of the human resource management topics listed below, indicating the impact of each on the company. The body of the report should be 8–10 pages excluding title, references page(s), and any appendices.

Employee Engagement Strategies
Global Talent Management
Corporate Social Responsibility
Human Resource Technology
Employment Law and Human Rights Issues
Emerging Trends in Human Resource Management
Human Capital Challenges in the 21st Century
Best Practices in Human Resource Management

Option #1: Technology Impact on Healthcare Decision Making

For this assignment you will write a paper addressing the following:

Technological advances have changed the way medical care is practiced and delivered. Identify and describe three of the most significant clinical and/or information technological changes you have seen in the last five years. Discuss the influence each technological change on a specific aspect of healthcare. Consider the influence on decision making and ethical choice from the patient and healthcare provider/professional’s perspective. End your evaluation by considering whether technology brings great benefits, but also produces new ethical dilemmas for health care based on your research and assessment.

Your paper should meet the following requirements:

Be three to four pages in length, not including the cover or reference pages.
Be formatted in APA
Support your analysis by referencing and citing at least three (3) credible sources other than the course textbooks, readings, or lecture.
Use headings to organize your work.

Write a minimum of a 700-word response to the following questions:

Part 1

Discuss the pros and cons of mandatory sentences. Do mandatory sentences remove discretion from the sentencing judge and vest discretion in the prosecutor, who may elect to charge a defendant with a lesser offense to avoid imposition of a mandatory sentence?

Part 2

In a substantial number of criminal appeals, some state appellate courts routinely issue decisions merely stating “Judgment Affirmed.” When an appellate court rejects a defendant’s issues on appeal, should it be required to issue an opinion justifying its decision? In discussing this issue, consider whether such a requirement would require greatly increasing the number of judges and support staff and the additional costs thereof, as well as detract from the court’s ability to direct its efforts to writing opinions on novel questions of law.

Population/Environment Impact Paper

Research a recent article from a recognized professional journal or government publication regarding environmental issues associated with global security.

Write a 1,400- to 1,750-word paper discussing the effects of excessive population/under-population, depletion of natural resources, or environmental impacts.

Consider how neighboring countries are affected, as well as emergent issues like new arctic shipping routes, or the international interest in Africa’s natural resources.

Analyze the impact of global environmental policy associated with these issues. Use specific countries as examples.

Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Response

Write a 700-word response in which you answer the following:

What is meant by the ‘fruit of the poisonous tree’ doctrine in relation to searches and seizures?
Present two hypothetical situations about this doctrine. In the first situation, describe a case where the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine can be applied, and then describe one case where it does not apply.

Assignment 2: Required Assignment 2—IT Strategic Planning

Using a company of your choice, determine the strategic business goals. Develop an IT strategy that aligns to the business goals. You can use the balanced scorecard approach or you can develop your own method for defining and aligning the IT strategy to the business strategy. You will need to cite at least two credible sources that will provide justification for your strategy or approach.

Finding a company: If you are employed, it is best for you to use your current place of employment so you can practically apply the concepts in this assignment. Alternatively, you can use a nonprofit organization or any other organization you may have ties or access to.

Your IT strategy should include:

Business Goals and Objectives
List at least two or three specific business goals for the next year or two with an explanation of the business’ rationale for the goal.
List an objective for each business goal to explain what the company needs to do to achieve the goal.
IT Strategies aligned with business goals and objectives
List one or two IT strategies for each business goal
These should be recommended strategies that would enable the business goals and objectives to be achieved.
If your company already has IT strategies, you may provide an analysis and justification or new recommendation for each of the strategies
Organizational Structure
Describe the structure of the organization including:
Organizational design
Organizational culture
Leadership factors (the types of leadership displayed within the company)
Business processes
Physical layout (i.e., how many offices, virtual offices, international locations)
IT Infrastructure
Describe the current IT infrastructure including:
Hardware
Software
Network
IT resources
This should be a high-level overview
IT Challenges
Describe internal and external challenges IT faces in meeting the business needs
Include social and/or ethical considerations
Risks
Describe risks IT might face when implementing change

As you develop your strategy, you may want to consider the following:

An effective IT strategy will enable the business operations, helping business leaders achieve business goals more efficiently and effectively.
Focus on top priorities. Take the time to understand organizational issues, how they are related, and how they affect performance. Determine what will happen if nothing changes and where IT can have the greatest, positive impact.
Identify how IT supports business processes. The business is relying on their capabilities to achieve the business goals. The IT strategy should include a plan for supporting those business capabilities, creating efficiencies, and competitive advantage for the business.
Define IT priorities and governance for IT. Without priorities and a process for IT governance in place, progress will be slowed. An agreed upon plan for governing IT will enable the decision process.

Case Assignment

The final case in this course explores some of the concerns manager face as they adapt to an increasingly technological environment. The Case “How Starbucks is Changing to a Digital and Social Enterprise” is a thought provoking case and may challenge you to consider some of the actions to take if placed in similar circumstances. The case can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/efraimturban/online-files Chapter 1 or at https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B01kmYbW3pyfbmlmNVNiOVowd1E/edit?pli=1

How is Starbucks changing to a Digital and Social Enterprise? What are the drivers for this change?
In what ways you think Starbucks increases its brand recognition with its E-Commerce initiatives?
Is the E-Commerce system bringing Starbucks closer to its customers? Is it changing consumer behavior? Why and why not?

Note: this case study was selected from the book Electronic Commerce

A Managerial and Social Networks Perspective by Turban, E., King, D., Lee, J,. Liang, T., & Turban, D. For more info see: http://www.gallaugher.com/chapters

Sports Business Paper

Research a sport business organization or individual (see sample list) and write a report that summarizes the organization’s products, services, major accomplishments, and other relevant information in relation to the sport industry.

In the next phase, ruminate on what you learned in your interview—especially anything that helped you to gain a deeper insight into the topics you studied in the course—and write a research and reflection paper in which you draw upon learning shared with your instructor and colleagues, your individual learning, and knowledge you have gained from the interview to demonstrate a more in-depth understanding of the foundational principles of management. In your paper, go beyond recitation of memorized facts or regurgitation of information; strive to synthesize the most important topics of management (i.e., leadership, personality, motivation, decision-making, communication, and the importance of good management to yourself and to society) into a hybrid research and reflection paper.

Your paper should integrate responses to each of the following questions in a well-organized and coherent paper:

What leadership precepts did your interviewee impart to you (or what can you glean on the topic as a result of your interview), and how do those dovetail with one or more of the modern theories of leadership?
How do the personalities of workers, colleagues, managers, and subordinates impact your performance in, and experience of, the workplace? How do they interact with one or more leadership models to create the most effective work environment?
In light of your interview, the leadership model(s) you’ve discussed, and your own personality, what one or two tenets of motivation theory have you taken away from the course?
How do your understandings of motivation theories impact your conceptions of the best practices when it comes to making decisions and communicating at work?
Based on your interview and on learning from this course, what does it take to be an effective employee, a successful manager, and an exemplary citizen of society?