Author: chris

Discussion #2 – Bribery Law, SOX, and the FCPA

Which practices might put corporations in violation of anti-bribery laws? Has the ambiguity in the FCPA been lifted with the recent release of new guidance (A Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act)?

What constitutes a foreign official? How does the FCPA deal with government ownership of a foreign business? Does the guide address an effective compliance program?

Your role in this discussion: After answering the above questions, apply your answers to Wal-Mart’s recently revealed problems in Mexico. Identify what they did wrong? Who got paid off? How does Sarbanes-Oxley apply? What is the downside for false certification?

Your response to the question posted must be approximately 250-500 words. Your response must have a clear, well formulated thesis; development using textual quotes and references; and sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, spelling count. Your response should be insightful, thoughtful, and analytical.

Your response should be at least 200 words in length. You are required to use at least your textbook as source material for your response. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations.

Assignment Objectives

Analyze and resolve problems related to healthcare services, delivery, and finance.

Managed Care Organizations and Information Technology

The most important function of information technology (IT) for the managed care organization (MCO) is to support the business of the MCO. How the IT department aligns with the operational dynamics of the MCO is a vital management consideration. A well-functioning IT department will help the MCO reduce risk (e.g., costs). The IT department should design, implement, and operate the systems that run the MCO. Efficiency is the hallmark of a good system.

Your task as the manager of the MCO is to determine what the IT department in your organization should consist of, what its function will be, and what critical elements will be turned over to the IT department. Complete the following:

• Describe the key elements of an information system for an MCO. What elements are different than for a physician office or group?
• Describe the technology that you think the MCO would need to operate fully.
• Propose a specific electronic health record (EHR) or electronic medical record (EMR) program that is Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant. Describe the essential functions, costs, and projected savings for the MCO.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of insourcing versus outsourcing your IT needs, and make a final recommendation based on that evaluation.

 

List and discuss five important criteria that a state must meet in order to be approved by OSHA for safety and health related responiblitiy.  Please provide approximately 200-300 workds anda reference citation for your source material in your response.  must be APA format

The terms: health care and public health are often used interchangeably. Two such widely used terms are public health and health promotion.

Based on your understanding of the topic, create a report in a Microsoft Word document answering the following questions:

Define the terms public health and health promotion.
What are the similarities and differences between the two?
What specific health promotion activity was provided in your community during the past one year and what was the beneficial result?
How did Healthy People 2020 develop and what is the purpose and goals of this program?

Over the years, the public health care system has evolved due to the numerous legislative and regulatory influences. These efforts are being illustrated as legislative and regulatory pressures on the form and function of the delivery system.

Note: Click here to view a link to get a better understanding about the issues affecting the community and nation (Go to Policy and Advocacy > Congress and Federal Agencies > Legislation and Issues).

What current legislation has had the maximum impact on the way health care is provided?
What interest group(s) influenced the establishment of this legislation?

Mention an interest associated with a health care promotion or wellness program that, according to you, had the greatest impact on the people of the U.S. in the last three years. Provide a description of this program.

The description should include the following details:

What were the activities actually associated with the program?
How was it reported in the media?
What was it about this program that had an impact on you?
What population was involved? Why do you think the specified population was involved in the program?

This “Assignment 2” writing assignment is a comparative essay focused on topics encountered in our HUM 111 class. The project will be based on research but will reflect your views and interpretation of the topic. This project is designed to help you stretch your mind and your abilities as an organized, innovative, and critical thinker. If approached properly, it should also be fun!

Choose one (1) of the topics from the list of topic choices below. Read the topic carefully. Write a three to four (3-4) page paper (750-1,000 words) that follows instructions and covers each part of the topic. (The title page and References list do not get included in this word count).

Note: Your instructor may require you to submit your topic choice for approval before the end of Week 5.

For the topic you choose:

1. Establish a clear thesis about your topic as part of the introductory paragraph (often the thesis is the last thing one determines after doing the basic research and outline; however it will be placed in the first paragraph of your paper).
2. This is a comparative essay. Comparison approached properly will require some critical thinking on your part. Use a point-by-point approach for the essay. That means, if comparing subject A with subject B, don’t do the first half of the essay on subject A and then the second half on subject B–that will seem like two (2) separate essays and comparisons will tend to get lost. Instead, you should be mentioning both subjects in most of your paragraphs as you compare them throughout the essay. Comparisons will identify similarities as well as contrasts.
3. Do not try to do everything on your two (2) subjects. You should end up narrowing your focus to a few insights and issues about the subjects being compared. And, from those fairly specific points of comparison, you will develop a thesis and glean some lessons.
4. Follow closely the instructions below for your specific topic.
5. Include a concluding paragraph at the end. This paragraph will, in some way, refer back to the thesis established in your first paragraph, since now you have demonstrated and supported it. It may be here that you also include your observations relating your study to the modern workplace or society (see your topic). Try to finish with flair!
6. Use at least three (3) good quality academic sources, with one (1) source being the class text. Note: Wikipedia and other similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources. You are highly encouraged to use the Resource Center tab at the top of your Blackboard page.

 

Topic Choices – Choose just one (1) of the topics below:

• Qualities of the Hero: Comparing Gilgamesh and Odysseus. Write an essay comparing these two (2) heroic figures from ancient epics of different cultures, especially focusing your analysis on the sources about their encounters with monsters: Gilgamesh encounters the monster guarding the forest, Humbaba, in Tablets 3-5 of the Epic of Gilgamesh (see http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/mesopotamian/gilgamesh/; scroll down to the Tablet links; think of “Tablet” numbers like chapter numbers).” Odysseus encounters Polyphemus the Cyclops in Book 9 of The Odyssey(see http://www.theoi.com/Text/HomerOdyssey9.html; from line 105 to the end). Your paper should:

a) Compare Gilgamesh and Odysseus as to their heroic qualities, noting similarities and differences, using specific examples from the epics.

b) Summarize what this indicates about differences between ancient Mesopotamian and Greek cultures in their ideals and expectations.

c) From this comparison, suggest ways that current cultural ideals and expectations shape modern notions about role models and heroes.

 

• Confucius and Aristotle on Virtue. Write an essay comparing these two (2) ancient thinkers on the concept of virtue or good ethical character and conduct. Stay focused on the issue; keep any biographical or other information short or limited. As much as possible, analyze their writings (in translation, of course), using Confucius’ Analects (at http://classics.mit.edu/Confucius/analects.html ) and Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (athttp://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.html ). Your paper should:

a) Compare the teachings of Confucius and Aristotle on what constitutes virtue or good ethical character and conduct, noting similarities and differences in specific ideas or emphasis.

b) Consider what your findings suggest about differences between ancient Chinese and ancient Greek culture.

c) From this comparison, suggest ideas of virtue that can apply to ethics in a modern setting, such as a diverse workplace.

 

• Comparing Sculptures of Ancient India and Greece. Write an essay comparing the way gods and humans were depicted in sculpture in ancient India and Greece, and identify the cultural values and ideals that these art works reflect in each case. Your paper should:

a) Using specific examples, compare the way gods and people were depicted in the sculptures of ancient India and Greece, noting similarities and differences.

b) Identify the cultural values and ideals that these art works reflect for each society.

c) From this comparison, suggest a modern situation of artistic expression and the ways it reflects or counters prevailing cultural values.

 

• Comparing Ancient Skeptics. Write an essay comparing Lucretius and Wang Chong (=Wang Ch’ung), skeptical philosophers of ancient Rome and China. They were skeptical about popular religious and spiritual beliefs and widely-held superstitions. Lucretius was an Epicurean philosopher of Roman culture (Chapter 6). Wang Ch’ung was a thinker in ancient Chinese culture (Chapter 7). Focus your comparison on their writings as found athttp://www.humanistictexts.org/lucretius.htm and http://www.humanistictexts.org/wangchung.htm#On Not Flying to Heaven. Your paper should:

a) Using examples from their writings, compare these two (2) thinkers on their views about specific subjects and on their approach in explaining and expressing their skepticism.

b) From this comparison, identify popular beliefs in each culture that seem similar and those that seem different.

c) From this comparison, suggest any modern situation in which materialist skeptics confront spiritual and religious beliefs, and comment on the considerations of free expression and cultural respect.

 

• Comparing Ancient Male Rulers. Take any two (2) of these rulers and write an essay comparing them: Ramses II, Shihuangdi, Constantine, Ashoka, Pericles, or Charlemagne. Select rulers from different cultures. You may also propose (for approval or not) a ruler not listed. Avoid lengthy quoting or lengthy close paraphrasing from biographical sources. Make it YOUR comparative analysis. Your paper should:

a) Compare the two (2) rulers in terms of their situation and methods of rule and their apparent ideals and practices, noting similarities and differences. Use specific examples.

b) Consider what your study suggests about the cultures over which they ruled, identifying any similarities and differences between the cultures.

c) From this comparison, suggest lessons about different types of effective leadership in the world of modern business and / or modern politics.

 

• Comparing Ancient Female Rulers. Compare the Tang Empress Wu Zetian (also known as Empress Wu or as Wu Zhao; ruled China around 690-705 AD) with either the Pharaoh Cleopatra (ruled Egypt around 51-31 BC) or the Pharaoh Hatshepsut (ruled Egypt around 1478-1458 BC). You may also propose (for approval or not) a female ruler not listed. Avoid lengthy quoting or lengthy close paraphrasing from biographical sources. Make it YOUR comparative analysis. Your paper should:

a) Compare the two (2) rulers in terms of their situation and ascent to power, their methods of rule, and their achievements and resourcefulness, noting similarities and differences. Use specific examples.

b) Consider what your study suggests about the cultures over which they ruled, identifying any similarities and differences between the cultures.

c) From this comparison, suggest lessons about different types of effective leadership by a female in the world of modern business and / or modern politics.

 

• Other topic choice using a comparative approach (proposed by student or instructor) and approved by the professor and supported by the grading rubric.

The Project Paper will be graded on:

1. The level to which the instructions were followed for the paper generally and for the specific topic.
2. The establishment of a clear thesis about your topic.
3. The adequacy and relevance of information, examples, and details which support the general thesis.
4. Covering each part of the topic as instructed, including the comparisons, the consideration of ancient cultural differences, and the reflection on lessons for modern society or the modern workplace.
5. The quality of your research and your persuasiveness using critical reasoning.
6. The use and acknowledgement of a minimum of three (3) required references (the class textbook plus at least two (2) other quality academic sources) documented using the APA style –including both the use of a proper References list and the use of proper in-text citations.
7. Adherence to standard rules of grammar, punctuation, paragraphing, and mechanics, and general clarity of presentation.

 

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides. Both in-text citations and a References list are required. Citations and references must follow APA style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions specific to the selected topic. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the course shell for guidance).
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length. For our purposes, you may omit any abstract page.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Explain how key social, cultural, and artistic contributions contribute to historical changes.
• Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context.
• Examine the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and socio-economic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions.
• Identify major historical developments in world cultures during the eras of antiquity to the Renaissance.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures.
• Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics.

 

Identify the major stakeholders in your organization (or one with which you are familiar). Analyze the top-management structure (as explained in Chapter 2), investigate and enumerate the code of ethics (written or not written), and explain the ethical stance of all stakeholders involved in the organization. Identify the relationship among any reward systems and organizational goals and what positive or negative effect there is on employee productivity. Cite concepts and ideas from Chapter 2 to compliment your work.

 

Your paper should be at least two pages in length, not including the title page or reference page. You are required to use at least Chapter 2 of your textbook as source material for your response. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations in the proper APA format.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) was drafted in response to the much publicized accounting scandals such as Enron, WorldCom, etc. Conduct research on the SOX Act and prepare an essay that addresses the following:

• Briefly summarize the Act.
• How will SOX impact your career as an accountant?
• Do you feel that SOX is doing a good job of preventing accounting fraud? Explain.

Many immigrants are drawn the United States by the belief that American is the land of opportunity, while many Americans also strive for the American Dream, to do better than the generation before you. Reflecting on this week’s readings, discuss whether the American Dream is possible. What are some myths about income and opportunity? What are some barriers to social mobility? How might social class inhibit one’s mobility? What reform would you suggest to promote equality?

 

 

1. Explain the “Hardware Reliability Bathtub Curve” and the “Software Reliability Bathtub Curve.” [pages 700-710]. Why is it important for all project personnel to understand these concepts?

2. Using Figure 20-4 and Table 20-1 [pages 703-705], explain when (during the typical SDLC) you as a PM should be concerned about each of the following:  fault forecasting, fault prevention, fault removal, and fault tolerance.

3. Why is it important for all project personnel to understand the difference between an errorand a defectand to use the terms correctly in project communication and correspondence?

4. Robustness is the property of being tolerant of bad inputs. Describe a specific example of building in robustness to any newly designed GUI interface system.

5. ) What are the reasons for the majority of software failures?  [page 707]

6. () When does fault removal begin and end during the project life cycle?  [pages 711-713]

7. ) Describe your understanding of fault tolerance.  [pages 713-715]

8. ) What does ROI have to do with a Software Reliability Plan?  [page 716]

9. When dealing with non-software testers or non-quality analysts employees tend to have a different perspective towards the work of quality. Here are a few interesting illustrations and insights. Please give the class 2 of your insights where others may view QA differently

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Read: Five steps to fostering better software tester and QA results

 

11. After reading the article please give the class 2 more additional steps that you feel are important to include