1. Introduction: 20 to 30 points. Paper states the adopted
topic, and describes the purpose of the research. Paper provides an
expanded purpose statement to include issues to be examined in the research,
including any identifiable “Problem Statement,” if applicable and/or relevant. Additionally,
paper describes the industry (s) that directly relates to the topic adopted.
2. Major Findings from
Literature Review on the Topic: 50 to 80 points. Paper states the positive
and negative findings (minimum of six expert opinions from credible sources, or
more) from the sources used for the research (10 different sources is the
minimum per Addendum to the Course Syllabus announcement) that directly relates
to the adopted topic utilizing, but not limited to, credible research sources
listed in the course syllabus. Additionally, paper compares and contrast
“differing expert opinions” as may be necessary.
3. Implications of the
Findings on Business Planning and Decision Making: 50 to 80 points. Using applicable
real-life examples, paper states and describes the impact of the findings from
literature review on business planning and decision making (Microeconomics). Business decisions
cover a wide range of topics, such as investment in plant and equipment, acquiring
another company, expansion into new markets (domestic and international), construction
of low-income housing, and luxury homes, upgrading or investing in new operating
software/information systems, contributing to the healthcare costs and pensions
of employees, promoting and giving raises to qualified employees, etc.,
4. State of Macroeconomic
Indicators: 40 to 70 points. Paper states and describes the “prevailing’
macroeconomic indicators in the United States. Do these Macroeconomic indicators support, or
inhibit business planning and decision making in the areas described in section
#3 above? Examples of macroeconomic indicators are, GDP growth rate, level of
unemployment, housing starts, inflation, and interest rates, etc., (what are
they now?)
5. Industry Trends and
Analysis: 50 to 80 points. Paper states and describes eight to ten industry trends,
followed by industry analysis using Porter Five Forces analysis commonly
described as, Competitive Rivalry, Threats of New Entrants, Threats of
Substitute Products/Services, Bargaining Power of Buyers, and Bargaining Power
of Suppliers (Google information about Porter’s Five Forces), and remember to
rank the “Forces” as High, Medium, or Low. In some cases, when a Force is
“High,” it is a “Threat,” which should be addressed in section #6 below.
6. Recommendations and
Solutions: 50 to 80 points. Paper states and describes how
the case firms used as part of the discussions in the paper, or as examples, can
mitigate the threats that resulted from Porter’s Five Forces analysis. Additionally,
paper states the “best practices’” based on research, with which to address the
negative findings?
7. Conclusion: 20 to 40 points. Paper describes the key
takeaways from sections 2 through 6.
8. Writing Skills: 20 to
40 points. Paper has several, or a few grammatical, sentence structure
and punctuation errors, and there are in-text citations from at least 95
percent of the reference sources used for the research).