Algernon DeMarcus Clarke

Algernon DeMarcus Clarke, or “Marco” to his friends, grew up in a tough section of Los Angeles
Subject Accounting
Question
It is your responsibility to read all instructions carefully before you begin. If there is something you do not understand, please ask your instructor for clarification.

Include your responses to all questions in ONE document labeled with your last name and “final,” — e.g. “Smithfinal”– This is a timed assignment that can be completed in a few hours. To be fair to those who turn the exam in on time, no late papers can be accepted, and no extensions can be granted

Be sure to base your discussion of these issues on the theories and principles in the reading you have done throughout this seminar. This is not a research project. The purpose of the assignment is to demonstrate your knowledge of and ability to apply the principles and theories discussed in the course materials. Do not consult sources outside the assigned AMBA 610 course materials. Using sources that are not in the course materials may result in point deductions.Your exam should contain specific references to the text book and other course materials. When making reference to course materials, be sure to include proper APA formatted citations and indicate direct quotations by using quotation marks and proper page citation. Course materials include the textbooks, articles, and any additional material posted by your instructor. Do not use any website materials.

Do not post a separate document for each question. Your final document should include ONE reference list at the end of the document with all of the references you used in your responses. The reference list is required but will not count toward the allowed number of words. In addition to the reference list, you should also cite sources in your text when appropriate.

You must address all questions. Your answers should be limited to the number of words indicated for each question. Failure to adhere to length parameters will result in deduction of points. It is advisable to use the word count feature to check.

Point Allocation:80% of your grade will be based on the quality of the content of your responses to the questions. The content points allocated to each question are indicated. In addition, consistent with the practice followed throughout the course, 20% of your grade will be based on the quality of your attention to graduate level grammar, punctuation, usage, spelling, and APA citation requirements.

Content – 80 points

Issue 1 – Ethics and Legal Environment – 30 points (1,000-word limit)

Algernon DeMarcus Clarke, or “Marco” to his friends, grew up in a tough section of Los Angeles. Although there seemed to be a different street gang on every block, each trying to recruit him to become a member, through good fortune and some timely interventions at critical moments during his school years by family and youth counselors from the church he attended, Marco managed largely to avoid the gangs and graduate from high school without any major problems. Although his academic record was not stellar, it was good enough to secure him a place in the freshman class at a branch of the state university; and he was able, as a walk-on, to secure a partial athletic scholarship from the varsity table tennis team (a sport he had picked up through many visits to the YMCA). With a little funding from his family, the table tennis scholarship, and several part-time jobs, Marco was able—barely—to cover his tuition, room, and board at the university. But there was rarely much left for social activities, and almost no time for socializing anyway.

One evening in his sophomore year, as he sat in the student union feeling exhausted and a bit down about his prospects for keeping up his grueling schedule until graduation, he was approached by Franklin “Frankie” Felon, who he recognized as a guy from his neighborhood who had tried a couple of times in the past to recruit him to a local gang. Frankie was looking for someone to assist him with a few quick “jobs” that would be good for a great deal of “easy money,” which would let Marco dump his time-consuming part-time gigs and relax a little. After a couple of beers, this proposal sounded pretty good to Marco, who agreed to assist Frankie. Frankie and Marco then went to Frankie’s car, where Frankie gave Marco a sawed-off shotgun—“just for, you know, the street cred”—and they proceeded to drive to a liquor store and rob it. As Frankie had predicted, it was an easy job—Marco showed the gun, Frankie emptied the till, no shots were fired (in fact, the shotgun was unloaded), no one was hurt, and Marco’s cut was more than sufficient to enable him to ditch his part-time work.

After that, life became a lot better for Marco: he was able to concentrate on his academics and his grades improved; he was able to socialize and became pretty popular; and he even managed to acquire a girlfriend. Whenever he needed some cash, he’d team up with Frankie and they’d rob another liquor store. Life was good.

Of course, as the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end and, unfortunately for Marco, the good life for him ended in the middle of his junior year when he and Frankie picked the wrong liquor store to rob. Marco and Frankie were arrested and sentenced to 10-year terms in the state penitentiary for armed robbery.

Marco was a model prisoner and, with time off for good behavior, was released from prison after serving eight-and-a-half years. After his release, Marco went back to college and finished his degree. He did so well that he was then able to go on to obtain a full academic scholarship and earn a graduate degree. With his degrees in hand, Marco returned to his old neighborhood in the city, where he founded a very successful and well-thought-of crisis intervention center for disadvantaged youth. He ran this award-winning center for three decades, until his retirement.

When he retired, Marco and his wife (his old girlfriend, who had forgiven him) moved to a pleasant area of North Carolina, where they became very active in community volunteer work and social events and made many friends. Among these was Clancy Cannon, the CEO of a munitions company whose operations were nearby. Clancy and Marco hit it off right away and over the years became good friends. Clancy respected Marco’s energy and people skills and his commitment to community work even in retirement. He thought that Marco would be a great addition to his company’s board and proposed this to Marco, who accepted. Marco served on the board for a number of years and eventually, based on his excellent work and cordial relationships with all the other board members, was elected chairman.

Unfortunately for Marco, Frankie—who had not been a model prisoner and who had served his full 10-year sentence (and been in and out of jail several times since)—nursed a grudge against him, blaming Marco for their having been caught in the first place. When Frankie learned from an old neighborhood acquaintance where Marco was living, he leaked a story to the local paper all about Marco’s criminal history. The story was released as a front-page, headline expose. The community was shocked. Clancy began receiving angry letters demanding that he dismiss Marco from the board. Shareholders began calling, demanding to know what was going on.

In an interview with the paper, Marco stated that he had never lied about his past or tried to cover up what he’d done. He said that after he moved to North Carolina, the subject of his criminal past had never come up and he had seen no reason to disclose it. Marco’s wife stated that she thought Marco should be praised, not blamed, for how hard he had worked to overcome his mistakes and make amends by giving back to the community all these years.

Clancy released a statement saying that although Marco had done wrong in his youth he had paid his debt to society and since then had led an exemplary life for 45 years. Some people were sympathetic to this view, but negative comments continued to arrive in Clancy’s office and demands for Marco’s dismissal escalated.

What action, if any, should Clancy take, and why? What are Clancy’s options? How should he assess them? Make a recommendation to Clancy regarding what he should do, and support your recommendation using the Badaracco ethical analysis framework you’ve been introduced to in this course.

Be sure to cite any reference sources you use from the AMBA 610 course materials. Do not use any materials outside of AMBA 610 course materials.

Issue 2 – Organizational Environment – 30 points (1,000-word limit)

Gargantua Corporation is a technology manufacturing firm with more than 150,000 employees in its worldwide operations. It currently does business in 95 countries and generates more than $22 billion in revenue. Among its many products are wind turbine power generators, light rail cars, automotive assembly robotics, and oil refinery plant process controls. The nature of these, and other, high-tech products makes it critically important that Gargantua be on the cutting edge of innovation and that it leverage to the extent possible economies of scale in its research/development and production processes. Gargantua’s customers pay top-dollar for these big-ticket products, so they are demanding in terms of having the most up-to-date and best-functioning technology.

Additionally, because of the nature of Gargantua’s products, its customers are often either governments or government-subsidized companies; so political concerns frequently come into play during the product sales cycle. Often governments favor suppliers that they perceive as country-friendly and committed for the long term: that, for example, hire local labor, purchase raw materials locally, and maintain an in-country presence—such as a subsidiary—to ensure knowledge of and compliance with local laws and regulations.

In thinking about Gargantua’s competitive environment and what the best structure might be to remain successful, its CEO, Peter Poshman, had the following thoughts about the attributes he’d like the company to have:

It must be both global (to be able to offer the finest technology available) and local (to respond to political aspects of the buying-decision process)
It must be both large (to enjoy needed economies of scale) and small (to be nimble in decision making and adjusting to marketplace changes)
It must be both decentralized (to nurture innovation and intrapreneurship) and centralized (in its reporting and control, to insure accountability and consistency in implementation)
Considering all the above, Peter thinks that a matrix design might be the way to go in terms of an organizational structure that will let Gargantua meet its goals and prosper into

the future.

Answer the following questions about Gargantua Corporation’s proposed structure. Be sure to state clearly any assumptions you makeabout the organization as part of the description of factors to consider and state the reasons for including each factor. Use organizational structure language and theory in your response.

1) Is a matrix a good choice for Gargantua? Advise Peter on the possible advantages and disadvantages of adopting this organizational structure.

2) Assuming that Peter decides to go ahead with a matrixed organization, describe to him, at a high level, what such an organization might look like in terms of business units and spans of control.

Be sure to cite any reference sources you use from the AMBA 610 course materials. Do not use any materials outside of AMBA 610 course materials.

Issue 3 – Critical Thinking – 5 points (400-word limit)

Read the following paragraph and provide a brief analysis of it from a critical thinking point of view

“Wolverine is the most awesome superhero ever. Anyone who won’t admit that Wolverine is the greatest superhero of all time is an idiot who knows nothing about comic-book superheroes. In 2008 Wolverine was ranked by a magazine as #1 among the top 200 superheroes in history, which proves that the folks at Marvel Comics are entertainment geniuses who are far more talented than those losers at DC Comics and other wannabe comic-book producers. My cousin Vinnie, who reads more comic books and sees more superhero movies than anyone I know, agrees that Marvel Comics must be the best because their stuff is the most enjoyable. Plus, with Wolverine, Marvel Comics came up with a superhero that will never be topped. Sure, there may be some ‘artsy’ superheroes out there like Batman or the Watchmen; but nobody likes movies with complex, depressing plots that make you have to pay attention to figure out what’s happening. Also heroes like Superman have been around for like the last million years, and nobody wants to pay $8 to see some movie about the stupid adventures of some kryptonite-impaired has-been. Anytime Wolverine’s name is on a movie it’s going to be fresh, with state-of-the-art special effects and fantastic adventure—so whenever Marvel comes out with a new Wolverine or X-Men project you should just go see it and forget about spending your hard-earned cash on any other so-called summer blockbuster movie.”

You don’t need to apply all of Browne & Keeley’s 10-critical thinking steps, but you must include at least the following three:

What is the issue and what is the conclusion?
Identify at least three reasoning fallacies, by name, and explain why they are fallacies in this argument.
Identify a value assumption in the argument and explain why it is a value assumption.
Be sure to cite any reference sources you use from the AMBA 610 course materials. Do not use any materials outside of AMBA 610 course materials.

Issue 4 – Business Associations and Torts – 15 points (600-word limit)

You plan to open AbsCan!, a full-service gym with solarium, health and beauty expertise, and personal trainers. You currently have $50,000 available. You estimate you will need $100,000 to start and operate the gym for 1 year. You also estimate you will need $25,000 a year for re-investment, assuming no growth. You plan on being the sole owner if possible, and having two managers: one for the technical side and one for the business side. You are well known in the community and could obtain a loan since you have successfully been in business before. You could also find people to invest in your gym, but you don’t like the idea of losing control. You have already started finding suppliers and buying equipment for your new venture. Your friend, Joe, has agreed to do much of the footwork, in terms of applications and filings with the state, for a fee. So far, all has gone well except that last week Joe forgot to set the brake on his truck while dropping off a check to the printing firm that’s doing the marketing materials for your new venture. Joe’s truck rolled down a hill and crashed through six feet of redwood fence fronting a local real estate company run by an old friend of yours, Brian. Brian’s told you that, because of Joe, you have really put him in a bind, as now he has to pay to fix the fence and business has been terrible for the last few months. Now, with a shabby-looking front fence, he fears he’ll get fewer walk-in customers. He’s asking you to pay for the fence damage.

Use the above fact scenario to answer the following questions:

1) What form of business should you choose for AbsCan! and why (justify your choice in relation to the other reasonable alternatives available to you)?

2) Are you and/or Joe responsible, legally or ethically, for Brian’s fence repairs? Explain why or why not.

Form: Follow your instructor’s specific format guidelines, if any. Graduate-level structure, grammar, spelling, punctuation, word usage, and citations are expected to be reflected in your answers: 20 points

AMBA 610 – Week 9: Knowledge Integration Rubric Summer 2014
Objective 3: Assess ethical dilemmas that occur in organizations and develop constructive resolutions based upon application of ethical theories, principles, and models.

Objective 6: Apply the principles of organization theory and design to maximize effective implementation of goals through the application of appropriate technology structure and process.

Review: Objective 1: Apply models of critical thinking and systems thinking to address complex organizational issues.

Competencies: Ethical Leadership, Problem Solving, and Communication Skills

General Instructions:Given the word length limitations, it is not necessary to restate the facts of each case. You may simply stipulate to the facts as stated, but you need to state any additional information you would find useful or any assumptions you make in order to analyze the situation. Be sure to cite any reference sources you use from the AMBA 610 course materials. Do not use any materials outside of AMBA 610 course materials. Refer to the detailed instructions on the assignment.

Issues
Exceeds Expectations

Meets Expectations

Below Expectations

Unsatisfactory

Issue 1 – Ethics and
Legal Environment – 30 points.(1,000- word limit)

Demonstrates mastery of ethical decision analysis and the ability to apply general rules to a specific situation. Includes all steps and tests in the analysis and arrives at reasonable, defensible ethical solutions to the problem presented. Analysis is logical, well-reasoned, and original. Assumptions, beliefs, and personal biases are identified, and terms are defined. Analysis is supported by ample evidence and citation of ethical principles. Ideas are supported by references to the readings.

Recommendation is clear and decisive.

Demonstrates satisfactory understanding of ethical analysis and ability to apply it to the facts of the case. Analysis, though satisfactory, may be lacking in thorough understanding of ethical principles, may lack clarity, may be missing essential steps, or may require additional support for assertions.

Recommendation is satisfactory, but may lack clarity or specificity.

Demonstrates marginal understanding of ethical analysis and ability to apply it to the facts of the case. Analysis demonstrates some understanding of ethical principles but may be missing steps and/or is not well supported.

Recommendation is marginal and /or does not demonstrate satisfactory ability to apply ethical principles.

Does not demonstrate a sufficient level of understanding of ethical analysis and/or the ability to apply it to the facts of the issue. Response is descriptive rather than analytical; arguments are not well supported.

Recommendation is missing or fails to demonstrate understanding of ethical principles.

Possible Points

27-30

23.9-26.9

20.9-23.8

Below 20.9

Your Points – Issue 1

Issue 2 – Organizational Environment–30 points (1,000- word limit)

Demonstrates mastery of organizational theory and design concepts and the ability to apply the appropriate theories to a specific situation.

Includes principles of organizational theory in the analysis and presents logical and well-reasoned factors that the organization should consider. Ideas are supported by references to the readings.

Recommendation is on point, clear, and decisive.

Demonstrates satisfactory understanding of the subject matter and adequate ability to apply it to the facts of the issue.

Analysis is basically sound, but may contain some misconception of theory or lack sufficient support or clarity.

Recommendation is satisfactory, but is somewhat off point, unclear, or hedging.

Demonstrates some limited understanding of the subject matter; may confuse concepts or have other difficulties applying it to the facts of the case.

Analysis has errors in logic or theory and/or is insufficiently supported or unclear.

Recommendation is largely off point, unclear, or hedging.

Does not demonstrate a sufficient level of understanding of the subject matter or the ability to apply it to the facts of the case.

Response is descriptive rather than analytical; arguments are not well supported or are unsupported.

Recommendation is completely off point, unclear, hedging, or missing.

Possible Points

27-30

23.9-26.9

20.9-23.8

Below 20.9

Your Points – Issue 2

Issue 3 –Critical Thinking – 5 points (400-word limit)

Possible Points

Your Points – Issue 3

Clearly identifies and succinctly states the issue and the conclusion

Demonstrates a solid understanding of the concept of reasoning fallacies and identifies the most important fallacies in the argument by name; discusses their impact on the argument

Demonstrates solid understanding of value assumptions; clearly identifies the major value assumption(s) in the memo; articulates why it is a value assumption

4.5-5

Generally correct in identification of issue and conclusion but fails to summarize one or the other clearly

Demonstrates a good understanding of the concept of reasoning fallacies and identifies some by name; discusses their impact on the argument

Demonstrates good understanding of value assumptions; satisfactorily identifies the major assumption(s) in the memo; adequately discusses why it is a value assumption

4-4.4

Generally correct in identification of issue and conclusion but fails to summarize either clearly

Demonstrates some confusion about the concept of reasoning fallacies; fails to describe the important ones by name, does not clearly articulate their impact on the argument

Demonstrates weak understanding of value assumptions; does not satisfactorily identify the major assumption(s) in the memo

3.5-3.9

Does not identify issue and conclusion correctly or at all; confuses concept of issue and conclusion

Does not demonstrate understanding of the concept of reasoning fallacies, fails to identify most, or all, by name, does not clearly articulate their impact on the argument

Does not demonstrate understanding of the value assumption(s) in the memo; omits the discussion or confuses the concept

Below 3.5

Issue 4 –Business Association and Tort – 15 points (600-word limit)

Possible Points

Your Points – Issue 4

Evidences a complete and systematic discussion and application of all of the factors of analysis (by name) for choosing a legal form, as well as additional important factors

Demonstrates a clear understandingof the tension between the venture’s need for liability protection and the owner’s desire for management control

Evidences exceptional understandingof the distinction between agency contract vs. tort liability principles

.Demonstrates a clear understanding of the legal and ethical issues facing the owner and employee

13.4-15

Evidences a systematic discussion and application of most of the factors of analysis (by name) for choosing a legal form, as well as additional important factors

Demonstrates some understanding of the tension between the venture’s need for liability protection and the owner’s desire for management control

Evidences good understanding of the distinction between agency contract vs. tort liability principles.

Demonstrates a general understanding of the legal and ethical issues facing the owner and employee

12-13.4

Evidences an incomplete discussion and application of some factors of analysis for choosing a legal form. Names some. Few or no additional important factors are discussed.

Little or no discussion of the tension between the venture’s need for liability protection and the owner’s desire for management control

Evidences some weak understanding of the distinction between agency contract vs. tort liability principles.

Demonstrates some understanding of the legal and ethical issues facing the owner and employee.

10.5-11.9

Spotty discussion and application of the factors of analysis for choosing a legal form. Names some. Few or no additional important factors are discussed.

No discussionof the tension between the venture’s need for liability protection and capitalization and the owner’s desire for management control

Does not evidence understanding of the distinction between agency contract vs. tort liability principles.

Demonstrates little, confused, or nounderstanding of the l legal and ethical issues facing the owner and employee

Below 10.4

Total Content Grade: (possible 80 points)

72-80

64-71.75

56-63.75

Below 56

Form: 20 points

Graduate level writing is reflected in allresponses.

Responses are well organized; paragraphs flow smoothly.

There are few or no errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, word usage or sentence structure.

Citations are properly used (APA format) and all sources are identified and cited properly in the text and the reference list.

All responses adhere to word limit requirements.

Writing is acceptable inallresponses.

Responses are generally well organized and paragraphs flow smoothly.

There are several errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, word usage, or sentence structure.

Only minor errors in citation identification and/or format, and all sources are identified and cited properly in the text and the reference list.

All responses adhere to word limit requirements.

Writing is acceptable in all but one response; however, that one response is not well organized and/or exceeds word limitations.

Overall there are numerous errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, word usage, sentence structure, or citation identification and/or format.

Some major errors in citation identification, source identification, or citations in text or reference list.

Length requirement exceeded on one response.

Writing does not meet graduate standards.

Responses are not well organized and/or paragraphs do not flow smoothly.

There are an unacceptable number of errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, word usage, or sentence structure.

Major errors in citation identification and/or format and/or all sources are not identified or cited properly in the text and the reference list.

Length requirements exceeded on more than one response.

Form Grade: (possible 20 points)

18-20

16-17.75

14- 15.75

Below 14

Your form grade

Total Grade: Content Form

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