Consumer Research Stats Case Analysis - 1493 Words

Consumer Research, Inc. is investigating whether there is any correlation between specific characteristics of credit card users and the amount these users charge on credit cards. Their objective is to determine if these characteristics can accurately predict the annual dollar amount charged by credit card users. Data was collected from a sample of 50 credit card consumers presenting information on the annual income (referred as Income), size of household (referred as Household), and the annual credit card charges (referred as Charges) for these consumers. A statistical analysis; including a descriptive, simple regression, and multiple regression tests, of this data was performed and the findings are presented below. Due to the†¦show more content†¦The model indicates that for each additional person added to the household, Charges are expected to increase by $404.13, when the Annual Income is held constant. This model produces the following statistical evidence: Model Summary of using Household to predict Charges R R ² Adjusted R ² Std Error of Estimate .753 .567 0.558 620.793 Paying particular attention to the R ² values (Table 2), this prediction equation can account for about 55.8% of the variations present within the data. This equation appears to have a stronger fit for predicting credit card charges then using Income. To construct a better prediction equation that produces a stronger linear relationship with the least amount of unexplained variance, a multiple regression analysis was conducted. Results of this analysis clearly indicate that using both Income and Household together to predict credit card charges is a better fit then just one of these characteristics. A multiple regression analysis produces a model prediction equation of Annual Charges = 33.13(Income) + 356.30(Household) + 1304.91. To determine how well this equation model fits, a multiple linear regression model containing the two characteristics variables was fitted to the data. The model assumptions were checked using a full residual analysis. The residual plots are shown in Exhibit 2. The two plots indicate clear relationships between the Amount ChargedShow MoreRelatedPanera Braed Case Analysis1223 Words   |  5 Pagesand environment. In 2004, the customers ranked Panera Bread highest among quick-service restaurants in the Mid-west and Northeast regions of the United Stats in all catergories which included environment, meal, service and cost. Panera Bread’s Strategies Its strategies were to make great bread broadly available to consumers across the United Stats by expanding 155 new company-owned and franchised bakery-cafe in 2006 and plan to open another 170 to 180 cafe location in 2007 and to have nearly 2,000Read MoreInquiring Minds Want to Know--Now! 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The Cry Of The Children - 1291 Words

â€Å"The Cry Of The Children† and The Art of Incitation Veering from the egocentric poems of the Romantic era, Victorian poets began to write poetry not only to express the feelings of an â€Å"I,† but also to inspire change in the collective â€Å"we.† Being from a historical period with a dramatic class divide, Victorian poets wrote with the intention of crafting beautiful lasting poetry as well as articulating a need for cultural reform in their now. One of the most renowned Victorian poets, Elizabeth Barrett Browning possessed the expert skill of integrating not only imagery and precise rhyme scheme into her poetry, but afflicting her readers with a sense of pity so paramount they had no choice but to make a change. After having read a government report exposing the heinous working conditions of child laborers in mines and factories, Browing began an impassioned campaign of awareness using her best medium of expression: the written word (Norton 421). Utilizing an uncomfortable and confrontational rhythm never before used by either her Romantic predecessors or Victorian contemporaries, Browning creates a vehement emotional plea in â€Å"The Cry of The Children† so powerful that it is credited with pushing the British parliament to pass new laws regulating child labor. The speaker in the poem does not hold accusations back for even a moment igniting the thirteen-stanza imploration with the lines, â€Å"Do ye hear the children weeping, O my brothers, / Ere the sorrow comes with years?† (1-2).Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Cry Of The Children879 Words   |  4 Pagesfocus on contemporary liberal issues that were happening around her. She published â€Å"The Cry of the Children† in 1843 following the Britain government investigations that exposed the exploitation of children employed in coal mines and factories. 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It is believed that children need to work out how to solve problems on their own. French children are given restrictions but within those restrictions they have huge amounts of freedom. If I French child is doing something they shouldn’t such as throwing a tantrum they are simply told à §a suffit! meaning that’s enough and givenRead MoreBehaviorism, Psychoanalytic Theory, And Attachment Theory879 Words   |  4 Pagesresponsive caregiving. I learned that I would soon be able to read my baby’s cries. I would know what was wrong and what I could do by the sound of the cry. After my baby was born, I responded quickly when he cried. To my surprise, I had difficulty calming him. I realized I did not always know what was wrong by the sound of his cry. I became very frustrated and decided that if my baby was dry, fed, and not tired. I would just let him cry it out. I didn’t know what else to do. 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Critical Thinking about Positive and Normative Theory Samples for Stud

Question: Discuss the critical Thinking about Positive and Normative Theory? Answer: Introduction Accounting practice involves accounting theory which seeks to explain the methodologies and principles used in the financial reporting. All the theories used in the study of accounting are covered by conceptual framework. These theories are based on logical reasoning. Various regulatory bodies such as International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) etc. play the role of rule and policy makers in the practice. However, there are beliefs that the accounting theory is said to be originated from behavioural science. On the other hand, few researchers think that accounting theory primarily involves pure science (Alexander, 2013). The paper tries to explain the two basic approaches for the purpose of analysis of the accounting theory. These two approaches are the positive and the normative theory respectively. In the subsequent section of the essay, the paper attempts to differentiate these two theories and finally wraps up with concluding note Critical thinking about positive and normative theory Positive Accounting Theory (PAT) is the branch of accounting research study. PAT attempts to elucidate the actual accounting practices. The theory holds the business as combination and nexus of contracts. Different parties involved herein namely shareholders, managers, employees, customers and suppliers etc. have a mutual relationship with each other by way of business contracts. Accounting, in such case, plays a crucial and critical role to unify all the contracts for the purpose of achievement of greater goals and objectives of the business (Althaus et al. 2012). The views expressed in the given theory has two perspectives namely efficiency perspective and opportunity perspective. Efficiency perspective shows that the managers choose the accounting theory and apply the same in the business practices wisely. In other words, management is efficient enough to practically apply the accounting theories that best suit with business expectations and also help to depict true financial performance of the firm (Cervi, 2013). On the other hand, opportunity perspective holds the view that the management of the business acts in own vested interest. Managers are the agents of the shareholders, being the owners of the business. Such agency issue creates the problem in terms of interest in the business by the respective groups. Managers, for example, are alleged to be intended to show the financial performance better than what actually is. This is because of the fact that the better performance of the business directly has a positive impact on the managerial remuneration (Creedy, 2009). Opportunity perspective is based on three hypothesis and these are briefly discussed as herein. Bonus plan hypothesis states that managers have vested interest in the business, which is the reason they show the financial performance of the company better than what actually is. In other words, managerial compensation and firms financial performance are directly proportional to each other and this gives rise to the incentive for the managers to inflate the profit and mislead the shareholders, the real owners of the business (Freebairn, 2012). Debt-Equity hypothesis, on the other hand, assumes that the managers tend to show more accounting profit in the income statement if the Debt-Equity level of the firm increases. This is because of the fact that higher debt components in the capital structure of the company mean more payment obligations in terms of interest payment and principal repayment (Gordon, 2014). Financial institutions including banks want to check the interest coverage of t he firm and liquidity position of the business so that the business may enjoy sufficient liquidity to pay off the debt. However, here comes the incentive on the part of the managers to overstate the liquidity position so that business possess debt fund flowing in the business. Political cost hypothesis states the tax implications of the business and corresponding impact on the psychologies of the managers. If the business earns more profit, more tax needs to be paid to the Government. Therefore, managers, for the purpose of evasion of tax liability, may tend to show lower profits than what actually is. In other words, as per the hypothesis, the primary intention of the managers revolves around evading tax by lowering profits so that financial performance of the business does not catch the political eyes including Government (Haffner and Winters, 2015). Figure 1: Hierarchy of Positive Accounting Theory (Source: Created by author) Normative Accounting Theory (NAT), on the other hand, is fundamentally different than that of PAT, as discussed above. NAT talks about the optimum accounting theory and practice as against the propositions of PAT which discusses about the actual theories and practices. In other words, NAT discusses what it should be as against the PSAT which talks about what it is. From the viewpoint of logical reasoning, it may be construed that the NAT is more deductive theory than that of PAT. It may be noted that there have been differences in opinions as to whether the methodologies and procedures as laid down under the natural sciences may be appropriate and hence applicable to the social sciences. In this context, it may be observed that the principles of natural sciences may be used in defining and explaining any social issues or cases (Hewson, 2014). However, it may also be noted identified that two human being may not act in a similar manner in same situations. Furthermore, the human being may not repeat the same action in the same situation. Therefore, there are differences with respect to the application of social science and that of natural science. Though NAT proposes to hold the optimum theories of accounting, NAT is alleged to be superficial and unreal. Difference between positive and normative theory relating with the article As discussed above, there are differences between PAT and NAT with respect to the prescriptions, principles and practices. PAT is practical, whereas NAT is theoretical. As mentioned earlier, PAT puts emphasis on what it is. NAT, on the other hand, explains what it should be. It may be claimed that the true net worth of the firm should be communicated to all the stakeholders namely shareholders, borrowers, lenders, customers, suppliers, managers, employees etc. However, financial statements do not always tend to report the true picture of the firm. Fixed assets and other non-current assets of the business are recorded under the historical cost method. On the other hand, few securities including derivatives and other financial instruments may be recorded as per fair value method. Therefore, the balance sheet of the firm shows a mix of assets differently valued following different principles (Hogan, 2012). On the other hand, there have been few inductivists who prefer inductive model ov er the deductive model. Inductivists assume that NAT follows an inductive model. It may be construed that these two theories complement each other and in no way substitute for each other (Lymer and Oats, 2007). In the context of given two articles, it may be observed that the articles discuss two different types of accounting theory. One article talks about accounting as a positive theory. Md. Humayun Kabir, in the article, has mentioned different aspects and anomalies related with positive accounting theory. The paper rightly expresses the different opinions on methodologies followed in accounting practices. The research also portrays gaps identified in the positivism concept in the field of accounting. On the other hand, the second article, written by the same author, showcases different aspects associated with normative accounting theories. The article, as mentioned previously in this paper, presents few differing theories propagated by both inductivists and deductivists researchers under normative accounting framework. These theories, though mutually contradictory at times, present a holistic idea about the accounting theory and practical application of accounting principles. The article by Md. Humayun Kabir on Normative Accounting Theories reviews the exemplary works of different types of theorists (both for inductive and deductive) with respect to accounting. The article shows that one of the approaches in NAT is that the same is based on both deductive and inductive model as well. There are works of various scholars which analyse accounting theory from the viewpoint of both the models namely inductive and deductive. However, it may be mentioned that almost all the works and approaches contain assumptions for the purpose of practical application of these theories and models in the practices. There are separate viewpoints and perspectives to evaluate NAT. Accounting theory may be viewed as a part of normative science from the cost perspective (Lymer and Oats, 2013). Few theorists hold accounting under historical cost method; few others consider market price or current cost model. In addition, few researchers also put reliance on the realisable value or replacement cost. The followers of historical cost convention possess opinion that these market-linked values such as realisable value or resale price are relevant only for few specific types of decision making and not for reporting as a whole. Furthermore, there are dissimilarities between the propositions by dif ferent theorists advocating normative accounting theory. For example, the researchers belonging to historical costs school of thought place critical consideration on the concept of objectivity and verifiability (Mangioni, 2014). In other words, it is opined that the accounting process is objective and does not require enough corroboration by way of assumptions to be validated. Conclusion From the discussion made above, it may be observed that the variations and approaches on accounting theory are the vast areas of entire accounting study. There are various types of perspectives emerged time to time to substantiate the theories and relate the same to practices. It may be construed that reliability is one of the basic and fundamental assumptions and components behind accounting theories (Metcalf, 2007). Financial statements present financial performance of the business to the targeted audiences so that decision making process of every stakeholder associated may be smooth and efficient. In other words, the primary objective of accounting is said to present economic truth to the users of financial statements. Therefore, primary requisite of the financial statements is to be reliable. Accounting theory may be analysed as a positive theory or normative theory. However, the financial reporting should be efficient and it needs to be kept in mind that the accounting informati on helps the management and stakeholders to evaluate the business and take necessary decision accordingly. Lastly, it may be construed that the accounting theories and practices emerge as a part of both social science and natural science. Simultaneous inclusion of measurement and disclosure in the accounting framework makes the subject as a balanced mix of both human science and natural science (Waller, 2007). Therefore, it may be concluded that PAT and NAT support each other. The drawback of NAT has been eliminated, to a greater extent, in PAT. However, NAT provides the theoretical and principle-based framework which is utmost critical for any practices or operations. The combination of both normative and positive theories makes accounting one of the most useful subjects in today's world, which is both practical and based on principles (Woellner et al. 2012). References Alexander, R. M. (2013). Tax transparency. Business Horizons, 56(5), 543549. Althaus, C., Bridgman, P., and Davis, G. (2012). The Australian policy handbook. Australia: Independent Pub Group. Cervi, B. (2013). Buisness focus: Corporate split-up leads to new union. Engineering and Technology, 8(8), 2022. Creedy, J. (2009). Personal income taxation: From theory to policy. Australian Economic Review, 42(4), 496506. Freebairn, J. (2012). Personal income taxation. Economic Papers: A journal of applied economics and policy, 31(1), 1823. Gordon, R. N. (2014). Making hedge funds more tax-efficient. The Journal of Wealth Management, 7(1), 7580. Haffner, M., and Winters, S. (2015). Homeownership taxation in Flanders: Moving towards optimal taxation? International Journal of Housing Policy, 159-168(4), 118. Hewson, J. (2014). The politics of tax reform in Australia. Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, 1(3), 590599. Hogan, L. (2012). Non-renewable resource taxation: Policy reform in Australia*. Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 56(2), 244259. Lymer, A., and Oats, L. (2007). Taxation - policy and practice 2007-2008: 2007-2008 (14th ed.). Birmingham: Fiscal Publications. Lymer, A., and Oats, L. (2013). Taxation: Policy and practice: 2013/14 (20th ed.). Birmingham: Fiscal Publications. Mangioni, V. (2014). Emerging trends of state land tax and local government rate revenue in Australia. Pacific Rim Property Research Journal, 20(2), 145160. Metcalf, G. E. (2007). Federal tax policy towards energy. Tax Policy and the Economy, 21(4), 145184. Waller, V. (2007). The challenge of institutional integrity in responsive regulation: Field inspections by the Australian taxation office. Law and Policy, 29(1), 6783. Woellner, Woellner, R., Barkoczy, S., and Pinto, D. (2012). Australian taxation law 2012 (23rd ed.). Australia: CCH Australia.

Sap Swot free essay sample

Overview of SAP SAP is the enterprise application software market leader, helping companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device, SAP helps people and organizations work together efficiently and use business insight effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable more than 232,000 customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably (SAP. com, 2013). Strengths SAP has various amounts of strengths that contribute to their company which make them a top contender in their industry. One of the strengths that SAP has is the functionality of their products. The R/3 System offers you a software solution that covers all commercial processes and transactions commonly occurring in a company or group of companies (Karkhanis, 2013). SAP products are also user friendly. The R/3 System has a uniform graphical user interface for all application areas. SAP has ways for individuals that buy their products to solve their problems their self. We will write a custom essay sample on Sap Swot or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page System-controlled customizing procedures allow you to create solutions from a wide variety of prepared application variants to satisfy individual requirements (Karkhanis, 2013). SAP’s [products have very flexible structures. Whether in a departmental organization or on the warehouse or factory floor, change is the only facet of your business that will not vary. Adaptability must be universal, and the R/3 System’s flexible structure and extensive integration helps make that easier. The also has a wide Integration. SAP’s enterprise-wide R/3 System solutions meet the needs of constantly changing, continually evolving businesses. The R/3 System’s application components are fully integrated. Transaction-related process chains trigger the next activity as needed from engineering to materials management, to production planning, to sales and distribution. The R/3 System’s full integration pulls your enterprise together, promoting data access, flexibility, and productivity. No other product or suite of products provides the R/3 System’s functional links between processes that multiply the power of each person’s work. SAP also provides real time Information: The R/3 System’s ability to â€Å"drill down† to whatever level of detail you need is legendary. More than any other product, the R/3 System provides up-to-the-minute, real-time information wherever and whenever you need it. (Karkhanis, 2013) Weakness One weakness that SAP has is high cost of purchasing and implementing these programs. The company must purchase the software and hardware necessary to run the programs company-wide. Costs include labor costs of internal information technology (IT) employees or external consultants overseeing the process. Once the company implements the software, employees need to be trained. This involves training each employee in the functions they have access to. Ongoing costs include software maintenance and periodic upgrades (McIntosh, 2013). Another weakness of SAP is the complexity built into the software. Most companies implement one feature or function of the software at a time, allowing employees to gain familiarity with the software before moving forward. The complete implementation process may take several years (McIntosh, 2013). Opportunities SAPs primary function is to service clients with marketing, investment, business solutions and more. The launch of their new database software SAP CRM powered by SAP HANA is an innovative new tool that gives them a competitive edge (Vance, 2013). Making strategic partnerships is also important for the image and integrity of the company. SAPs new partnerships with brands in sports, art, and entertainment such as the 49ers and McLaren Group F1 Racing are examples of the new developments being taken within the company. SAPs Emerging Entrepreneurs Initiative creates opportunities for not only the company but up and coming business owners as well. They are investing in â€Å"underserved youth† education in order to expand the economic market and equip the students with the skills to be successful. The company’s growing businesses intelligence platform is a great marketing strategy that will open many doors (Wilms, 2012). Threats Other SaaS service providers are offering cheaper prices for their assistance, which can pose a threat to SAPs market. Customers are becoming more likely to utilize other more affordable forms of help for their investments, etc. (Zolman, 2012). SAPs clients trust them with extremely valuable information such as company security codes and much more. This makes them a prime target for hackers to try and infiltrate the companies system. The number of security vulnerabilities has risen dramatically over time (Nunez). Recommendation #1: SAP must spend time developing new methods and technology that will ensure the security of them and more importantly their faithful clientele. Recommendation #2: SAP should try to find less expensive data chips with the same or similar processing power. By lowering certain company expenses SAP can possibly lowers consumer prices as well and restore customer loyalty. References SAP (2013). About SAP: Helping the world run better. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www. sap. com/corporate-en/index. epx. [Last Accessed 02 March 2013]. Santosh Karkhanis (2013). Advantages of SAP. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www. karkhanisgroup. com/consulting/sap/sap-implementation/78-advantages-of-sap. html. [Last Accessed 02 March 13]. Kathy Adams McIntosh (2013). SAP Advantages and Disadvantages. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www. ehow. com/info_8306440_sap-advantages-disadvantages. html. [Last Accessed 02 March 13]. Zolman, S. (2012, October 25). SaaS Providers: A Bigger Threat to SAP and Oracle than they are to each other? NET(net) . Wilms, T. (2012, 11 13). Rethinking SAP: Beyond Business as Usual. Forbes , 3. Vance, A. (2013, february 21). SAP Speeds Up With its Hana Database Software. Bloomberg Businessweek . Nunez, M. Cyber-Attacks amp; SAP systems: Is our business-critical infrastructure exposed? Onapsis Securing Business Essentials.