Category: Business

TMA structure :

The student must select a topic in an area which interests him/her. His/her task is to write an extended essay of up to 3000-3500 words on the project of his/her choice.

The aim of the project is to enable the students to learn and develop different skills, apply and explore concepts, hypotheses, theories, analytical techniques and methodological skills. This can be achieved through identifying an economic problem, addressing the question, collecting and assessing data either qualitative or quantitative, making academic judgments about the work of other studies, carrying out research interviews or working with econometric models.
First, you need to decide which of the following three project options will suit you best:
– A literature review in which you look at a number of books or articles from a selected part of the course or from DD202 course. You compare and contrast authors’ analyses of a topic and come to some evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments and provide your contribution.
In choosing a particular topic, it is important to decide upon a set of objectives. Try not to be too ambitious and focus on a narrow course-related topic. Remember that you have only 10 weeks to prepare your project and to meet your cut-off date.
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the paper should look at an economic problem in your country.
i have selected an economic issue in kuwait which is surplus(positive) trade balance resulting from exporting oil. My idea is that many economics believes that a positive trade balance is an indicator of economic growth, and what i try to prove is the opposite that surpluses is harmful since kuwait suffers from domestic slow economic growth and ect.

Requirements:
__________________
-An abstract

-Introduction (500) words: discuss t he problem or issue (why i have selected this topic) because trade surplus is not necessarily of economic growth. kuwait suffers from domestic economic growth .

– Body (Literature review) what other studies, economists or researchers have said about this problem( trade surplus) and what solutions or conclusion they have reached ? Then your own evaluation whether to agree or disagree with them , providing solutions or potential future solutions to correct the (trade surpluses) in kuwait.

 
Navistar International Corportation is the name of the company you must do research to find out what their International Strategy for their company is. I will include the powerpoint of what international strategy what the types that there are. So with the information from the powerpoint you should be able to find out what Navistar’s international strategy is. The number of sources is not important and length of the paper is not really important as long as you can get a lot of detail and good information please.

 
1)Please Justify the Consumer decision making process: Explain all of the stages!
a)Need recognition
b)Search for information (please explain what means search for information) in the context of study? my topic is emotion, consumer behavior specifically this model and traditional retaling areas and shopping center. To my teacher this is the important stage! Why this search for information? in this context!
c)Pre purchase evaluation of alternatives
d)Purchase
e)Consumption
f)Post consumption evaluation
g)Divestment
DO NOT WORK ON TABLE OR CHARTS! JUSTIFY YOUR IDEAS USING ACADEMIC REFERENCE.ACCORDING TO MY PAPER WHAT DOES IT MEAN SEARCH FOR INFORMATION( THE TOPIC IS EMOTION IMPACT ON CONSUMER DECISION MAKING PROCESS). PLEASE USE ACADEMIC REFERENCE WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESS OF THIS MODEL.BE CLEAR PLEASE USE SIMPLE ENGLISH.

 
Billabong International Limited.

The following case involves each team performing a detailed financial analysis of the business performance of Billabong International Limited (Billabong) for the years ended June 30, 2015– 2011. The following questions will lead you through an analysis of Billabong’s business, competition, and financial performance. Annual reports for Billabong and a spreadsheet with the financial statements are available on PSU’s D2L site for Actg 495.

Do not limit your thoughts to this but spend some time on the Investor Relations site and looking and what is easily available on the internet to augment your thoughts

Before you start this project, let me discuss two common student failings. First, students get so focused on calculating in the numbers that they fail to understand the underlying business drivers behind the numbers. It is important to understand what is happening in the business. This case involves each team developing a story that interprets the numbers. Second, after you understand the business at the 1,000 foot level, step back to see the forest. Too often students fail to understand the larger picture. Overall what is going on in the business? What are its trends, how has it changed, and how has the company managed the change? Make sure that you can explain the trends and changes in the entity as a whole by analyzing the financial statements.
Company Background (14 Points)
1. Review the annual report for the five year period ending June 30, 2015. Based on reading Billabong’s annual reports analyze Billabong’s business strategy in terms of (a) the nature of its products and services and (b) the degree of geographic diversification. As best you can, determine Billabong’s strategy for creating a competitive advantage over this six year period. Finally, compare the different strategies of that Billabong & Quiksilver. Which would you have expected to be more successful? Explain the reasoning behind your conclusion.
Profitability (20 points)
Calculate the following ratios and develop answers to the following questions for Billabong. Refer to PowerPoint slides and lectures that are online when determining the following information. Focus on the entire five year’s ended June 30, 2015
1. Are there any transactions that indicate poor earnings quality? Develop a table that identifies each earnings quality issues and the after tax affect on your profitability analysis. Then explain each earnings quality issue and clearly state your reasoning for each item.
2. Develop a table with the results of your quantitative analysis of both Return on Assets (including profit margin and asset turnover) and Return of Common Equity (including financing cost ratio and capital structure leverage), after adjustments for earnings quality, for each of the last five years. Use Billabong’s marginal tax rate when calculating ROA profit margin.
a. Explain the primary reason for the change in ROA profit margin over this period of time. Consider both the results of your common size income statements and the results of your geographic analysis.
b. Explain how asset turnover has changed over this period of time, including how asset turn has changed in different geographic regions.
c. Explain the trend in changes for the financing cost ratio over the last five years? Also, explain the trend in changes capital structure leverage over the last six years. Based on your evaluation of the combined effect of the financing cost ratio and the capital structure ratio, in which of the last six years did financial leverage best work to the advantage of the common shareholder? Explain the logic behind your conclusion.
d. Using the information obtained above, identify the most significant causes of change in ROCE over this period of time.
3. Develop a table with the results of your calculations of Billabong’s sustainable growth rate for each of the last five years. How has Billabong’s actual asset and revenue growth rates compared with its sustainable growth rate? How has this influenced the numbers reported in the financial statements? Explain your reasoning.
4. Write several paragraphs that summarize and explain the key trends in profitability over the five years. This is the time to look at the forest, not just the trees. Do not skimp on this area. Calculating the numbers is not the end of the story.

Cash Flows (20 Points)
Determine the following information and develop answers to the following questions for Billabong. Refer to the PowerPoint slides and lectures that are online when calculating the following ratios. Focus on the six year’s ended June 30, 2015.
1. Operating cash flows
a. Develop a table that summarizes your calculation of sustainable cash flow from operations for the five years ended June 30, 2015. Reconcile reported operating cash flow to your estimate of sustainable operating cash flow. Then explain each reconciling item and clearly state your reasoning for each item.
b. During the period studied, can Billabong’s sustainable cash flow from operations cover the current portion of financing debt and dividends? Show your work.
c. Explain the underlying reasons for the changes in sustainable cash flow from operations for the five years ended June 30, 2015. (Note: This may link back to your discussion of profitability).
2. Investing Cash Flows
a. During the period studied, was Billabong able to generate sustainable free cash flow? Explain your answer.
b. Overall develop an explanation of Billabong’s investing activities. What types of assets were acquired over the period? Did new assets improve the company’s prospects for profitability? Were significant assets sold? Were significant assets converted into different assets (e.g., investments => plant and equip.)?
3. Financing Cash Flows
a. During the period studied, what were the major sources of Billabong’s financing? Address the proportions of different types of financing over the five year period. Also, how was this financing used to advance the goals of the company?
b. During the period studied, how were Billabong’s financing obligations retired? Did Billabong have sufficient operating cash flow, or free cash flow to retire debt? What sources of cash were used to retire debt?
4. Now write one or two paragraphs that explain top three trends in terms of how cash has been provided and used by Billabong. How has the business financed itself (including operating cash flow or free cash flow)? What has the company invested in? Do not skimp on this area. Calculating the numbers is not the end of the story.
Operating Cycle (10 Points)
Calculate the following ratios or determine the appropriate information from Billabong’s financial statements for the five years ended June 30, 2015. Refer to the PowerPoint the slides and lectures that are online when calculating the following ratios.
1. Calculate Billabong’s gross operating cycle for each of the last five years. How has the gross operating cycle changed over this period of time? Address the specific components of the gross operating cycle.
2. Calculate Billabong’s net operating cycle for each of the last six years. How has the net operating cycle changed over this period of time? How is Billabong financing its operating cycle? Address the specific components of the net operating cycle.
3. Now write one or two paragraphs that explain the overall trends over the five year period in terms of how the company has managed its operating cycle. How has growth or decline in sales affected the operating cycle? How is company strategy reflected in its operating cycle? Do not skimp on this area. Calculating the numbers is not the end of the story.
Liquidity and Solvency (16 points)
Calculate the following ratios or determine the appropriate information from Billabong’s financial statements. Refer to the PowerPoint slides and lectures that are online when calculating the following ratios. Focus on the entire five year’s ended June 30, 2015.

Liquidity Risk (8 of 16 points)
1. Develop a table of Billabong’s financing obligations that are due in the upcoming year and the resources that are available to meet those obligations. Treat negative sustainable operating cash flow as an obligation and positive sustainable operating cash flow as a resource. Develop this table for each of the last six years. Has Billabong improved its liquidity?
2. Calculate Billabong’s current and quick ratios for each of the last five years. Explain the trend of changes in these ratios. Explain the changes in these ratios.
3. Write one or two paragraphs explaining your conclusion about the trends in Billabong’s liquidity risk. In general, is liquidity risk significant, moderate or low? If you determine that the company is liquid, what resources are necessary for the company retain its liquidity? How have these trends changed over time and what are the underlying reasons for your liquidity risk conclusions? Do not skimp on this area. Calculating the numbers is not the end of the story.

Solvency Risk (8 of 16 points)
1. I would normally ask you to determine how does cash flow from operations compares to the each of the next five years of debt maturity. However, IFRS calls for a somewhat different breakdown in how debt matures. Using the appropriate information provided develop a table with information about how debt matures.
2. Develop a table of Billabong’s financing obligations that are due in the next five years and the resources that are available to meet those obligations. Treat negative sustainable operating cash flow as an obligation and positive sustainable operating cash flow as a resource. Develop this table using appropriate information and classifications about debt maturities. Explain how Billabong’s solvency has improved or deteriorated over the last six years.
3. Calculate overall debt to equity and financing debt to equity for each of the last six years. Explain the trend of changes in the company’s capital structure.
4. Write one or two paragraphs explaining your conclusion about the trends in Billabong’s solvency risk and capital structure. In general, is solvency risk significant, moderate or low? If the company has significant solvency risks, what strategies and resources are necessary for the company to mitigate these risks? How have these trends changed over time and what are the underlying reasons for your solvency risk conclusions and what influence has this had on the company’s capital structure? Do not skimp on this area. Calculating the numbers is not the end of the story.

Final Review of the Company (20 points)
Now that you have an in-depth understanding of the Billabong International Limited, this the time to tie things together.

1. Do you think that Billabong is financially viable – is it a going concern?
2. What do you think is its biggest risk?
3. Create a max 10 slide PowerPoint strategy session presentation by the CFO to the company employees ( Remember the CFO will want to praise the good and target the bad for improvement in as positive way as possible to rally the troops )
4. Qicksillver went bust within the last few months . what , if anything is there to stop Billabong going the same way ? Why do you think that its auditors did not have a going concern comment ?

This part of the research to clarify to what extent to the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency as a central bank doesn’t deal with this law and they doesn’t have any cooperative with minister of commerce and industry as an regulator for the completion law, the following points will be important to discuss when start writing:
1- An overview of the competition law (attached) in Saudi Arabia and the applicable effective for this type of laws. Moreover, indicate to the legal text (articles) which is related to this study.
2- To what extent this law will effective on the banking industry in Saudi Arabia if SAMA could adapt the legal text of that law. Then discuss the influences of this law to prevent the monopoly on the banking industry in Saudi Arabia as a lack of the banking control law 1966.
3- What’s the main factor should be on the banking control law 1966 to deal with the competition law?
4- The possibility to applicable the competition law on banks in Saudi Arabia to prevent the monopolies, and what the best steps for SAMA to active this Law.
5- The new references of the work you will add, please be aware not existed on the list and highlighted to be clear for me.

Please be aware of the previous issues on the research and try to write the above points with the same context and linking among them to be on the same body of the research.
All the work will be on chapter 3 and 4 with highlighted the new word.
Finally, the format of the word document is important as well.

Assignment Brief
As a Consultant, you have been asked to help a company with understanding how they can assess
their ongoing impact on the environment. The company are keen to improve their sustainable image
and hope this will be reflected in increased sales along with attracting more customers.
In order to help them you have been asked to look at the following topics and give them some
guidance on what is involved:
1. What is the definition of sustainability when viewed from an industry stance?
 What is sustainability
 What are the ‘Pillars’ and what do they each mean
 Use a diagram to illustrate your answer
 Explain why sustainability is important to industry
2. Identify the KEY Steps you would need to undertake when conducting your baseline
sustainability audit and the areas for consideration.
 Briefly explain why a baseline audit is required.
 Clearly identify the various resources that should be covered in your audit
 Consider both internal and external resources.
 Outline what actions are required by each of your chosen steps
 Produce a flow diagram which can be used as a route map of the process for others
to follow.
3. For each resource identified, highlight what information is required to assess the quantity
used, potential emissions and costs.
 Location of information if available
 How you would obtain some data if none was readily available
i. Specific sections of the company
ii. Specific machines or processes
4. Explain how you would analyse the data obtained during the audit to highlight areas of
opportunity for improvement.
 Outline potential types of data
 Briefly explain the methods you would use to show which areas could be targeted for
improvement.
 Use some simple examples of data analysis to show your chosen techniques
5. Develop a plan for the company which would help them understand the sequence of
performing a sustainability audit and implementing recommendations.
 Think about the sequence of doing an audit from the company viewpoint
 Produce a Gantt chart or project plan to help visualise how the process may be
undertaken.
 Identify the tasks and associated times. An estimate is sufficient to illustrate your
thinking.
6. Explain to the company how you would embed a sustainability culture within the company to
establish the long term benefits.
 Identify areas that would help the company
 Consider how to involve external suppliers
 Think about people, product and future
Please include in your report sections 1 – 6 as shown above. You may add a brief introduction and
concluding remarks.
The assignment should be in the order 15 pages in length (18 pages maximum) including the
necessary illustrations, references and any appendices. You should structure your report in a fashion
that allows for easy reading and brings out the main points suitable for the Company Board of
Directors to assess. The use of short paragraphs and bullet points is encouraged.
You should reference any material used within your report.
Explain any figures you include. You should use a font of size no less than 10 points.