1. International Joint Venture Anheuser-Busch (which is now part of AB InBev due to a merger), the producer of Budweiser and other beers, has engaged in a joint venture with Kirin Brewery, the largest brewery in Japan. The joint venture enabled Anheuser-Busch to have its beer distributed through Kirin’s distribution channels in Japan. In addition, it could utilize Kirin’s facilities to produce beer that would be sold locally. In return, Anheuser-Busch provided information about the American beer market to Kirin.
a. Explain how the joint venture enabled Anheuser-Busch to achieve its objective of maximizing shareholder wealth.
b. Explain how the joint venture limited the risk of the international business.
c. Many international joint ventures are intended to circumvent barriers that normally prevent foreign competition. What barrier in Japan did Anheuser-Busch circumvent as a result of the joint venture? What barrier in the United States did Kirin circumvent as a result of the joint venture?
d. Explain how Anheuser-Busch could have lost some of its market share in countries outside Japan as a result of this particular joint venture.
2. Valuation of Walmart’s International Business In addition to all of its stores in the United States, Walmart Stores, Inc. has 13 stores in Argentina, 302 stores in Brazil, 289 stores in Canada, 73 stores in China, 889 stores in Mexico, and 335 stores in the United Kingdom. Overall, it has 2,750 stores in foreign countries. Consider that the value of Walmart is composed of two parts, a U.S. part (due to business in the United States) and a non-U.S. part (due to business in other countries). Explain how to determine the present value (in dollars) of the non-U.S. part assuming that you had access to all the details of Walmart businesses outside the United States.
3. Impact of International Business on Cash Flows and Risk Nantucket Travel Agency specializes in tours for American tourists. Until recently, all of its business was in the United States. It just established a subsidiary in Athens, Greece, which provides tour services in the Greek islands for American tourists. It rented a shop near the port of Athens. It also hired residents of Athens who could speak English and provide tours of the Greek islands. The subsidiary’s main costs are rent and salaries for its employees and the lease of a few large boats in Athens that it uses for tours. American tourists pay for the entire tour in dollars at Nantucket’s main U.S. office before they depart for Greece.
a. Explain why Nantucket may be able to effectively capitalize on international opportunities such as the Greek island tours.
b. Nantucket is privately owned by owners who reside in the United States and work in the main office. Explain possible agency problems associated with the creation of a subsidiary in Athens, Greece. How can Nantucket attempt to reduce these agency costs?
c. Greece’s cost of labor and rent are relatively low. Explain why this information is relevant to Nantucket’s decision to establish a tour business in Greece.
d. Explain how the cash flow situation of the Greek tour business exposes Nantucket to exchange rate risk. Is Nantucket favorably or unfavorably affected when the euro (Greece’s currency) appreciates against the dollar? Explain.
e. Nantucket plans to finance its Greek tour business. Its subsidiary could obtain loans in euros from a bank in Greece to cover its rent, and its main office could pay off the loans over time. Alternatively, its main office could borrow dollars and would periodically convert dollars to euros to pay the expenses in Greece. Does either type of loan reduce the exposure of Nantucket to exchange rate risk? Explain.
f. Explain how the Greek island tour business could expose Nantucket to political country risk.
4. Exposure of MNCs to Exchange Rate Movements Arlington Co. expects to receive 10 million euros in each of the next 10 years. It will need to obtain 2 million Mexican pesos in each of the next 10 years. The euro exchange rate is presently valued at $1.38 and is expected to depreciate by 2 percent each year over time. The peso is valued at $.13 and is expected to depreciate by 2 percent each year over time. Review the valuation equation for an MNC. Do you think that the exchange rate movements will have a favorable or unfavorable effect on the MNC?
Assignment 1: Discussion
The purpose of this assignment is to reflect upon the role of the state. In a 2–3-page paper, address the following:
Research important considerations for enterprise system integration.
Introduction
Describe specific areas, issues and critical ideas that are central to your area of interest.
Are there resources or equipment that you need to access in order for you to successfully engage in your research?
Assignment Title: Conducting Primary Research
Developing the ability to conduct primary research can be an invaluable asset to add to your business tool belt. In this assignment, you will engage in developing the following professional competencies related to marketing research:
* Analyze qualitative data in decision making.
Marketing researchers conduct primary research to gain human perspective on the problem or opportunity being studied, or to identify problems or opportunities for study.
Directions for completing this assignment:
In this assignment, you will analyze the Student Computer Lab case study. To effectively meet the requirements of this assignment, analyze the qualitative data derived from the primary research found in the case study scenario.
To successfully complete this assignment, write a 2-3 page critical essay covering the following topics:
1. Determine overall student satisfaction with the computer lab.
2. Provide an opinion describing if it was wise to have a group with both graduate and undergraduate students included? Support your opinion with research.
3. Analyze the focus group transcript very thoroughly. Make a list of problems and ideas generated for the student computer lab.
4. What do you see as the benefits and limitations of the focus group findings? Do you think the task force plan for utilizing the focus groups is appropriate?
5. What changes would you make to improve the problems or to capitalize on the opportunities identified in the primary research? Collect and describe student recommendations for improvements.
For additional requirements in relation to this assignment, download the grading rubric below.
Directions for Submitting this Assignment:
Review the grading rubric below before beginning this activity. For additional help with your writing and APA citation, please visit the Kaplan University Writing Center. Compose your Assignment as a Microsoft® Word® document and save it with your first name initial and last name (Example: TAlex-MT355 Assignment- Unit5.docx). Submit your file by selecting the Unit 5: Assignment Dropbox by the end of Unit 5.
Health Literacy and Patient Empowerment
Health literacy is the degree to which people possess the ability to comprehend and make use of health information about their bodies, conditions, and prescribed medical interventions. The concept of health literacy is of paramount importance as patients are beginning to play increasingly participatory roles in their own healthcare. One concern is the varying degrees of health literacy that patients possess. Some patients will have a high degree of health literacy while others only a minimal level. This has important implications as to how health information is presented at the individual as well as the public level.
Select a chronic disease. Find three websites that provide patient information about the condition, its effects, and treatment.
Note: Read articles that are peer-reviewed to establish authenticity of their data.
Use the required readings and other scholarly sources to answer the following questions:
Health literacy is the degree to which people possess the ability to comprehend and make use of health information about their bodies, conditions, and prescribed medical interventions. The concept of health literacy is of paramount importance as patients are beginning to play increasingly participatory roles in their own healthcare. One concern is the varying degrees of health literacy that patients possess. Some patients will have a high degree of health literacy while others only a minimal level. This has important implications as to how health information is presented at the individual as well as the public level.
Select a chronic disease. Find three websites that provide patient information about the condition, its effects, and treatment.
Note: Read articles that are peer-reviewed to establish authenticity of their data.
Use the required readings and other scholarly sources to answer the following questions:
Several regulations and standards must be considered when designing an effective electrical safety program. OSHA has a series of regulations under Subpart S dealing with electrical systems. The National Electrical Code and several NFPA standards contain guidelines for installation and maintenance of electrical systems. Discuss the relationship between the various regulations and standards related to designing an electrical safety program. In your opinion, what are the most important elements that should be included in an effective electrical safety program?
Read the Forbes article “The Difference Between Coaching and Mentoring.” Coaching and mentoring are both functions of human resources management. Many of the characteristics are similar. However, the two techniques are best used for different situations. Describe the main differences between coaching and mentoring. Give an example of a scenario in which coaching is the better method. Give an example in which mentoring is the better method.
Corporate social responsibility is a function of human resources (HR). However, HR must ensure that employees understand the importance of corporate social responsibility and how they are affected. Watch the video clip on Esprit and Patagonia. After viewing the clip, answer the following questions: