Posted on

Pricing and Revenue Management

45

Pricing and Revenue Management

This exercise is based on a sample provided by a fuel pricing solution provider. Imagine how a pricing analyst and helping a US petrol retailer to analyze its pricing strategies. A sample of data was collected from one of sites this retailer operated. You shall produce a business analytical report to help the client understand its demand structure, modelling the pricing decisions and provide insights into the pricing strategies.
The data in the file shows Petrol sales in gallons and prices in dollars. The columns are as follows:
• Date
• Weekday
• Vol – the volume in gallons of regular unleaded petrol sold at the site on that day
• Price – the price per gallon in dollars changed by that site
• AvgCompPrice – The average price charged by competitors to the site
• MinCompPrice – The lowest priced competitor to the site on the given day
• MaxCompPrice – The highest priced competitor to the site on the given day
Marking principle:
1. Understanding on the retail fuel (petrol) market and provide prescriptive analytic insight into the pricing decisions in such as a business context. (10%)
Note: You may want to associate spot market price with the retail fuel pricing. Some market information and data can be found in websites like (http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/data.cfm#prices). You should be able to use summary statistics to provide descriptive analytics and insights for the pricing data, and ask relevant research questions and hypotheses which will be studied in the following analysis.

2. Fit the price-response demand model and compare different demand models, analyze the own price elasticity and competitor’s price elasticity, and more importantly provide insights into petrol pricing using the predictive analytics. (45%)
Notes: You should compare at least the following demand models and discuss the corresponding hypothesis behind the model.
a. Linear regression with volume (sales) as the response (dependent variable) and own price and average competitor price as the predictors (independent variables).
b. Linear regression with natural logarithm (LN) of volume as the response and LN(price) and LN(average comp price) as the independent variables.
c. Include the weekday as a predictor by creating dummy variables (Note that you need to remove linear dependency).
d. You can also include the month or season as the predictor to address the seasonality effect.
e. You can further improve the model performance by examining the reference price effect and competition effect. You can then measure the competitive price elasticity.
f. Compare the above models to other model specifications you are interested.
Write down the model coefficients and R squared output (and adjusted-R squared output), then compare the goodness-of-fit using the (adjusted-)R squared output. Next, choose the best performance model and write down the demand function. You should also provide the model diagnosis to ensure that the model is specified properly. Finally, comment on the price elasticity of the sales and the impact of different characteristics (e.g., weekday, seasonality) on the price elasticity. You should be able to interpret the results clearly. As a business report, only presenting the statistical results is not enough. More importantly, you should use the statistical results (including the comparison of the models) to provide insights into the pricing strategies (even before you formally formulate the optimization models).

3. Propose the pricing optimization models and derive the optimal pricing strategies.  be able to state the model formulation clearly, explaining the meanings and implications of each term. Then  show how  to develop the optimal solutions and analyze the characteristics of the pricing solutions. Finally,  be able to examine the performance of the proposed pricing solutions using the sample data. Since the cost information is not available. use the regular gasoline spot price in the same period of time as the proxy (http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/data.cfm#prices). For those days without spot price information (as there was no trading in spot market), using the available price of the previous day. (40%)

PLACE AN ORDER TODAY & GET 15% DISCOUNT (CODE GAC15)

 

 

Posted on

The 21st century hazards of smoking and benefits of stopping: a prospective study of one million women in the UK

44

The 21st century hazards of smoking and benefits of stopping: a prospective study of one million women in the UK

Paper:
Pirie K, Peto R, Reeves GK, Green J, Beral V; for the Million Women StudyCollaborators. The 21st century hazards of smoking and benefits of stopping: aprospective study of one million women in the UK. Lancet. 2012 Oct 26.

Questions
1. What type of study design was used? (1 point)

2. What feature means that the women in this study may not be representative of all women in England? (1 point)
3. How was information on smoking obtained? (3 points)

4. Comparing current smokers to never smokers, what was the relative risk of death from:
a. Stomach cancer (1 point)
b. Bladder cancer (1 point)
c. Ovarian cancer (1 point)

5. What other factors may explain some of the differences in mortality between smokers and non-smokers? (3 points)

6. How did the risk of all cause mortality differ between those who stopped smoking aged 25-34 and (a) never smokers and (b) current smokers (3 points)

7. Surely the risk of all cause mortality is one- no-one is immortal – explain (3 points)

PLACE AN ORDER TODAY & GET 15% DISCOUNT (CODE GAC15)

Posted on

Rousseau’s Social Contract

43

Rousseau’s Social Contract – Term Paper

Option I
Consider the following quote from Rousseau’s Social Contract (Book 2 ch.7):
“He who dares to undertake the making of a people’s institutions ought to feel himself capable . . . of changing human nature . . He must, in a word, take away from man his own resources and give him instead new ones alien to him . . The more completely these natural resources are annihilated, . . the more stable and perfect are the new institutions; so that if each citizen is nothing and can do nothing without the rest . . [then] legislation is at the highest point of perfection.”

Write a paper responding to this citation (using a theorist from Hobbes on), answering the following questions:
• Is the perfect political life founded on the basis of personal annihilation of each citizen?
• Can a democratic society be founded on the basis of complete interdependence?
• What happens to the relationship between the individual and society is “each citizen is nothing”?
• Can this quote be understood as promoting a society of perfect equality? Is it possible to understand the concept of equality as requiring a dynamism that is not accounted for in the formulation of this citation?

Option II

Analyze the work of a theorist (from Hobbes and on; not Ibsen) that we have read in terms of his/her approach to liberty. “Liberty” is a large topic, so it is important to structure your analysis with some fundamental questions:
• Does the theorist view liberty as fundamental to what it means to be human? Why or why not?
• Does the theorist view liberty as fundamental to the (good or bad) functioning of the state? Why or why not?
• Is liberty / should liberty be integral the arrangements of power?
• Has this theorist’s approach to liberty fundamentally influenced the way we view liberty in the 21st century? Alternatively, is there a fundamental part of our understanding of liberty of which this theorist has not taken account? Why/why not?

Option III
Analyze the work of a theorist (from Hobbes and on; not Ibsen) that we have read in terms of his/her approach to equality. “Equality” is a large topic, so it is important to structure your analysis with some fundamental questions:
• Does the theorist view equality as fundamental to what it means to be human? Why or why not?
• Does the theorist view equality as fundamental to the (good or bad) functioning of the state? Why or why not?
• Is /should equality be integral the arrangements of power?
• Has this theorist’s approach to liberty fundamentally influenced the way we view equality in the 21st century? Alternatively, is there a fundamental part of our understanding of equality of which this theorist has not taken account? Why/why not?

Important requirements
• This report must be 10-12 typed pages in length (double-spaced; 12 font)
• The full version of an author’s work must be utilized. In other words, if you decide to write on Rousseau, you must read the full Social Contract/Discourse on Inequality.
• This report must contain at least two scholarly sources on the paper’s topic.
• For the purposes of this assignment, information derived from the internet is not considered scholarly source-material. You must go to the library to find standard scholarly commentary on the book/topic that you choose.
• This information must be actively utilized and footnoted in the report at the bottom of the page (NO ENDNOTES) using standard footnoting format. PAPERS SUBMITTED WITH ENDNOTES WILL BE RETURNED UNREAD AND THE ASSIGNMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED UNFULFILLED
• REPORT MUST CONTAIN PAGE NUMBERS ON EVERY PAGE!!!
• In addition, a full bibliography must be appended to the report.
• YOU MUST SUBMIT THIS ASSIGNMENT ON SAFE ASSIGN. YOU MUST ALSO HAND IN A HARD COPY TO ME BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ON MAY 14, 2012. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS!

Hints for writing a successful paper
• Language and style are crucially important in presenting a persuasive case. When reading a written report, the reader has no other clue but what you provide in written form. Please help the reader.
• Please make your best argument. Making your best argument means that you have the responsibility to be as clear as possible so that the reader “gets” what you are trying to say.
• Clarity. This can be increased by paying special attention to, but is not limited to, the following items:
1. Use vocabulary properly (how else can the reader know what you are trying to say?);
2. Make sure that your tenses agree (for an analytic paper, it is generally best to stay in the present tense);
3. Make sure that your grammar is correct;
4. Be aware of homonyms that can be mistakenly applied (to/too/two, for example);
5. Use syntax correctly.
6. MAKE USE OF YOUR RESOURCES. This means having people read your work so that they can critique it from an “outside” perspective. Consider the following:
• Don’t be afraid to go to the Writing Center if you need help. Remember our class discussion, highlighting the classes given by the Writing Center for common issues in writing.
• Have friends/colleagues read your work to let you know if you are making your best case.
• Please come to my office to show me early drafts of your work, or just to kick ideas around.

PLACE AN ORDER TODAY & GET 15% DISCOUNT (CODE GAC15)

 

Posted on

Current Issues and Trends in IT Paper

41

Current Issues and Trends in IT Paper – Essay

1) Select an article on a current issue in IT or trend in IT, write a 3-4 page paper (800 word minimum) summarizing the main points of the article and explain why this particular issue or trend is important

PLACE AN ORDER TODAY & GET 15% DISCOUNT (CODE GAC15)

Posted on

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

40

The QUALITY of the U.S. HEALTH CARE SYSTEM – Term Paper

The final paper should demonstrate an application of your knowledge of the U.S. health care system by synthesizing the information from the readings and class work into work and life experience. Your paper may include information and examples from previous experience as well as implications for future application.
Analyze future trends in U.S. healthcare related to that one topic.
Address the questions below related to that one topic:

QUALITY

How does the quality of healthcare in the United States compare to the quality of care in other industrialized nations?
How can an acceptable quality of health care be assured for all?
Will providing data in areas such as patient outcomes, compliance with national standards for preventive and chronic care, and comparative costs to the public be an acceptable measure of healthcare delivery outcomes?
Though physicians believed that only physicians could and should judge the quality of hospital medical care, they found participation in such hospital peer review activities a most disagreeable obligation. What were the problems with the process?
Managed care organization credentialing by the National Committee on Quality Assurance rapidly evolved as a standard of quality in the industry. Discuss the pros and cons on the value of credentialing by an independent organization to a managed care organization and to consumers.
How does medical technology affect the communication between healthcare providers and patients? What affect does this have on the quality of care?

Writing the Final Paper

Must be eight- to ten- double-spaced pages in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved APA style guide.
Must include a cover page that includes:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement.
Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
Must conclude with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph.
Must use at least five scholarly resources, including a minimum of three from ProQuest.
Must use APA style as outlined in the approved APA style guide to document all sources.
Must include, on the final page, a Reference Page that is completed according to APA style as outlined in the approved APA style guide.

PLACE AN ORDER TODAY & GET 15% DISCOUNT (CODE GAC15)

Posted on

THE REVOLUTION OF TEA PARTIERS

39

THE REVOLUTION OF TEA PARTIERS

NO OTHER OUTSIDE SOURCE TO BE CITED BUT THE ONES PROVIDED BELOW

SOURCES:
1. US Constitution read aloud in House of Representatives www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12131137

2. Tea and Antipathy www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2010/12/20/101220crbo_books_crain?currentpage=all

3. A Critic at Large www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2011/01/17/110117crat_atlarge_lepore?currentpage=all

4. The Tea-Party Tradition www.nationalreview.com/articles/248160/tea-party-tradition-daniel-hannan

5. The Wal-Mart Hippies www.nytimes.com/2010/03/05/opinion/05brooks.html

THE STRUCTURE OF THE ESSAY SHOULD BE AS FOLLOW:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Begin your introduction with a general statement to reveal your topic. Then narrow the topic until you get to your main issue. State the thesis (your position on the issue) in one clear sentence at the end of the introduction.

Paragraph 2: Supporting point #1

State the point clearly in your topic sentence Explain the point briefly to tell the reader what you mean
Support the point with material from sources (quote or paraphrase) or with something from your own experience

Paragraph 3: Supporting point #2

State the point clearly in your topic sentence
Explain the point briefly to tell the reader what you mean
Support the point with material from sources (quote or paraphrase) or with something from your own experience

Paragraphs 4: Supporting point #3

State the point clearly in your topic sentence
Explain the point briefly to tell the reader what you mean
Support the point with material from sources (quote or paraphrase) or with something from your own experience

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

Bring the discussion back to the thesis and wrap it up

The format shown above may seem simple, and it is! Still, it is quite functional and will work with nearly any type of written piece from a five-paragraph essay to a much longer research paper.

There is no “magic” about having five paragraphs. You may decide to develop four supporting points or five supporting points. In that case, your essay would have more paragraphs. This is only one model, used for example.

PLACE AN ORDER TODAY & GET 15% DISCOUNT (CODE GAC15)

Posted on

An Experiential Approach to Organization Development

38

Kmart and Sears Marriage – Research Paper

Textbook: An Experiential Approach to Organization Development 8th Ed. Donald R. Brown.

1. Research paper. As noted in a syllabus, a research paper is required for this upper level university course.Select and post in “Topic Paper” under “Course Home” the subject research paper. The subject should include an organization that you are associated with and have identified a problem that lends itself to resolution using organization development and change techniques. Keep in mind, through your research, you are developing a managed change plan and the objective of the research does not have to be implemented.

2. Topic. Use our text as a guide in your research.

Major areas of the Research Paper will include: (1) introduction, (2) body, (3) conclusion, and (4) references.

Sub topics for the body of the research paper should include: (a) anticipated the need to change, problem and area for improvement(b) impact of the organization’s culture, (c) client and practitioner considerations, (d) diagnostic process and data collection, (e) overcoming resistance to change, (f) institutionalization action plan and timelines, (g) action plans, strategies, and techniques, and (h) specific intervention analysis.
All papers should include citations or quotes from some organizational members, even if informally. Senior members or officials are better than junior ones. Ensure the personal quotes are cited and listed on the reference page.

In your conclusion, restate or highlight a potential OD intervention that may be beneficial in resolving the organizational problem. An overview of OD interventions are listed chapter 7, An Experiential Approach to Organizational Development.

A research paper conducted on a contemporary organization will buttress your knowledge about development and change.

3. Action & due dates. The due date for the research paper is midnight, Sunday, Week 7. It should be dropboxed as a Microsoft Word attachment.

4. Style and Form. Please use Microsoft WORD for composing your research paper. The research paper should be at least ten pages long, not including the cover page and reference page. There is no deduction for research papers that exceed the minimum. A template is provided in “Doc Sharing” tab above between “Chat” and “Dropbox”; please ensure you use it, to include the detailed table of contents. The template conforms to APA style with some developer preferences.

An excellent site for APA format information is: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html.

5. References. The paper should give adequate credit where due. Please ensure references are used and properly cited in APA format. References that are listed on the reference page, should all be cited in the introduction, body, or conclusion of the paper.

PLACE AN ORDER TODAY & GET 15% DISCOUNT (CODE GAC15)

Posted on

Researched Ethical Argument about how it was unethical that the priests guilty of pedophilia were relocated to different congrations instead of being held liable for their actions

37

Researched Ethical Argument about how it was unethical that the priests guilty of pedophilia were relocated to different congrations instead of being held liable for their actions – Research Paper

For ethical argument focus on how the decisions made to relocate the priests and bishops that were guilty of pedophilia were transferred to other congregations instead of being made to resign.Have an annotated bibliography, outline, work cited page and copies of the 4 sources used.Paste the requirements of the paper for reference.

The Assignment: Compose a 4-6 page Researched Ethical Argument exploring the issue of justice surrounding a historical event. Support the ethical claim with 2-4 good reasons and fairly consider and respond to opposing views. There are many kinds of history, and almost any one of them might provide a suitable subject for this assignment: political history, economic history, religious history, intellectual history, military history, environmental history, literary history, art history, urban history, historical geography, etc. The number of potential historical subjects is infinite. Of course, your topic, whatever it is, must deal with the issue of justice (whether something is ethical or unethical, fair or unfair, just or unjust), and you must formulate a thesis that has to do with justice. Included with this assignment sheet is a list of ideas and, though it may seem quite long, it is really no more than a small sampling of the many topics you might choose for your historical essay. You may certainly come up with another topic on your own. For this paper, you may need to begin your research with generalized sources, such as encyclopedias, use the information that was found in an encyclopedia to direct , detailed academic sources. Encyclopedias are still unacceptable as cited sources in academic papers; therefore, don’t borrow in any way from an encyclopedia in the course of Ethical Argument.
Thesis Statement: (Historical event/policy/decision) was ethical/unethical because (reason one) , (reason two) , and (reason three) .

I. Provide Background Information on Your Historical Issue
• Give details concerning when this occurred and who was involved.
• Help the reader understand the historical context for the argument.

II. State Reason One: .
• Provide evidence (in the form of research or personal experience) to prove the validity of reason one.
• Remember that evidence must be explained/ developed for the reader.

III. State Reason Two: .
• Provide evidence (in the form of research or personal experience) to prove the validity of reason one.
• Remember that evidence must be explained/ developed for the reader.

IV. State Reason Three: .
• Provide evidence (in the form of research or personal experience) to prove the validity of reason one.
• Remember that evidence must be explained/ developed for the reader.

Other Elements of Ethical Argument

Introductory Paragraph: Begin with an introduction that grabs the reader’s attention, provides a bit of background and context, and clearly states the ethical thesis for this paper.

Opposing Views: Opposing views can be considered and responded to in many different areas of the paper.Decide when and where to handle them.Handle opposing views early in the paper, after the background information. It may be that there is an opposing view for each reason to state in the paper, or it may be that opposing views come from a completely different area and need to be handled in their own paragraph near the end of the paper.

PLACE AN ORDER TODAY & GET DISCOUNT  (CODE GAC15)