Firm Case Studies Samples For Students

Identify the Sources of Finance Available To Living Wood

Living Wood is in a quagmire about how to source some funding for the purchase of two machines that will enhance the performance of the firm. The firm may source these funds from borrowing loans from commercial banks. This will require them to offer some sort of security for the money loaned out to them. The firm may use the assets of the firm as security, although this is potentially risky.
Alternatively, the firm may enter into a lease agreement with the sellers of these two machines such that the firm will just be making monthly payments to the Continue reading...

Abstract

Financial risk hedging and corporate management are important tools for non-financial corporations. Following the theories of Modigliani and Miller corporate risk management is an irrelevant activity. However, the presence of market imperfections can explain the corporate use of derivatives. Hedging can contribute to the firm value, when firms face a progressive tax rate and when in the presence of the expected costs from financial distress. Moreover, hedging can lower agency costs of debt. The use of derivatives can be also explained by the managers’ behaviour towards risk. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the theoretical and empirical Continue reading...

Abstract

In the current global economies, organizations aim at achieving competitive advantage given the intensified competition in the global market. This can be related to the story of Under Armor Inc from 1996, where the founder Kevin Plank aimed at making superior T-shirts. The idea originated from the fact that he was a former student and football player in University of Maryland.

Under Armor Strategic Management

In the current global economies, organizations aim at achieving competitive advantage given the intensified competition in the global market. This can be related to the story of Under Armor Inc from 1996, where the founder Kevin Plank aimed Continue reading...

Introduction

The two co-founders of Veja Kopp and Morillion though with no experience on business have made an impact on the fashion industry, (Kim, 2010). The duo identified the need to conduct business feasibility research and settled for a unique aspect within the fashion industry. Their discovery has attributed to their dominance and continues existence in the competitive fashion industry. Their unique fashion cloths portray a unique and astounding creativity. Propelled by the vast experiences they experienced on their business adventures the two settled for an environmental manufacturing plan. Their plan can be credited by the consequential increase in other Continue reading...

1. Background to the Acquisition
This proposed acquisition is between two firms, Congoleum Corporation (Abridged) and Prudential Insurance Company of America where by Congoleum is the targeted company and Prudential the acquiring one. The negotiations of the acquisition shall be handled by First Boston and Century Capital Corporation whereby the former is the lead negotiator while the latter shall one of the prospective equity participants. Congoleum is a highly diversified company with three products market segment; home furnishings, ship building and automotive and industrial distribution. The firm has an asset and revenue base of $323million and $576million respectively. In Continue reading...

You Make the Call, #3, Chapter 16, Page: 495

Question #1 What does the nature of this industry suggest about the elasticity of demand affecting Bowlin’s pricing?
In the information given about Bowlin, it is said that it is not a must for the firm to reduce its price but rather improve the quality of its work. This means that the service provided by Bowlin is a necessity and therefore, the price reduction might have less influence on the customer demand on the service of the company. The service provided is fairly elastic but its elasticity relies on the quality of the service offered by the responsible Continue reading...

Introduction

Without a doubt, the current trend in the business world is the application of leadership and its qualities in spheres of technology and business. As a matter of fact, the new responsibility of a business leader together with other managers in technology has changed tremendously since the founders are not only required to be talented but also portray qualities of leadership for the welfare of the company (Peters, 2001. This new role is quite important as it is shaping the business world. In the modern day, the role played by politics has changed and the business fraternity is now Continue reading...

The essence of the firm/industry problem

The evolution of fast casual in the use of new concepts will dilute the market. In 2010, Chipotle enjoyed dominance since it became the first in the fast-casual segment and surpassed Panera bread and other competitors (Hitt & Ireland, 2007). With the emergence of new concepts, new entrants such as Better Burgers serve as potential threats of Chipotle.
Chipotle faces two strategic challenges that include consumer awareness and profitability in International expansion and increased competition from the quick service restaurants. In consumer awareness, the firm has to address two challenges. The consumers in the food market industry are not aware Continue reading...

Management and Leadership Development

Introduction
Competitions among organizations are tight these days. The success or failure of the company’s market edge in the industry largely depends on the effectiveness of their respective management teams. Management effectiveness includes, but is not limited to, creativeness and the ability to think outside of the box. Resourcefulness and strategic skills are essential in determining ways to outsmart the competitors in today’s global industry. In this paper, readers would get to learn about the techniques and strategies to manage global organizations effectively. Readers will learn the competitors’ edge over one company in relation to management and Continue reading...

Executive Summary

In 1902, Chadbourne & Parke LLP was founded with its headquarters being located at New York City at the Rockefeller Plaza. The creation of the New York Office was meant to serve clients inside and outside the United States, thus becoming the firm’s base of operations. Representing all the practice areas, the New York Office consists of a number of employees, with different attorneys collaborating to meet the firm’s clients’ needs. The New York Office also coordinates activities in various other offices across the world. Therefore, the New York Office is a busy environment that cannot afford a Continue reading...

Want Beverages strengths

Want Beverages is a beverage company based in Burlington, Ontario owned by Bill and Angela Moffat. Even though the company owners could clearly picture where they want their company to be in the next few years, they are not sure of the means of making it get there. Strengths are those attributes that will enable the firm to increase its sales to a level that will ensure success in achieving its long-term goals. The firm operates in a dynamic industry, which requires it to position itself to achieve a competitive edge over other competitors (Fredrick and Gary, 2011).

The Continue reading...

The latest annual report for the Amazon.com, Inc. was released on 14^th December, 2010 and covers 2009 financial year. The year officially ended or dates 31^st December 2009. The report is titled ‘2009 Annual Report’ and begins with a brief statement addressed to its shareholders. Like the last thirteen annual reports since the year 1997, the report contains a brief statement as a letter directed to the firm’s shareowners which bears a signature of the firm’s founder: Jeffrey P. Bezos. The statement also shows an executive post of Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) being held by the mentioned Amazon.com founder. Both statements are countersigned by the C.E.O (Amazon.com, 2010).

Continue reading...

Economic evaluation involves the business aspect monitoring and analysis in a company. This analysis is intended to carry out comprehensive auditing of the profit and/or loss making aspects of the company. The end result is expected to put the management of the company in the know that theirs is a profit or loss making venture. During such evaluation, several aspects are considered especially the financial aspects. The analysis is intended to identify the various needs of the company and try to propose practical solutions to the identified needs of the company. Such solutions may include a change in the Continue reading...

Alistair is a chief legal officer in a well-respected company involved in making lifesaving drugs. He has been asked by the board of the company to investigate rumors of price-fixing within the firm’s European offices. In the course of him doing his mandated duty, he encounters a breach in the operation of one of his firms, involving a Bosnia contract in which a very large commission was paid to Romanian distributor to deliver the kits into Bosnia.
Problem statement: Alistair as a chief legal officer has to make a decision whether this is a form of bribe and Continue reading...

How this scenario relates to an area of law taught in Introduction to Business Law

The tort of negligence is the area of law which this scenario relates to. LMS has threatened to seek legal action against Chuan & Associates to recover damages for the harm suffered because of the approval of financial statements which had material misstatements by the audit firm. Everything 4 Less Limited (E4L) acquisition was a decision based on the information contained in those financial statements and LMS suffered financial loss by relying on them. The statements had overstated the value of the company’ Continue reading...

The case study examines the main determinants of the performance of firms in Greece. It differentiates the non financial and financial drivers of firm performance in the country. The measures used to examine firm performance include return on equity, return on assets, and profit margin or return on sales. The results of the study show that the factors that significantly affect firm performance in Greece include effective management, size, location, export activity and leverage (Liargovas & Skandalis, 2010). The firms with the best performance in Greece are big young firms which deal with exports and are headed by competitive management Continue reading...

On the 27th September 2013, it was reported in the news that mining company BHP Billiton Limited had put on hold its expected project of expansion of the Olympic Dam owing to a challenge of resources. This brought to the fore the issue of competitive challenges in the company which is regarded as one of the biggest mining company in Australia and indeed, in the whole world. As a consequence, this paper seeks to analyze the company BHP Billiton Limited, also listed in the Australian Securities Exchange, with a view to exposing the competitive challenges that the company faces Continue reading...

REPORT ON HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The report is aimed at uncovering the reasons behind the success of the company as .far as human resource is concerned. Having won the human resource awards three times, the company is clearly ahead of others in the sector. The report uncovers the various aspects that motivate the employees and how the management comes in to render a hand in improving the skills of employees. The collection of data was basically in the company so as the data collected would be first hand and a real indication of what happens at the ground rather than theories and Continue reading...

Assessing the Goal of Sports Products, Inc.

a. What should the management of Sports Products, Inc., pursue as its overriding goal? Why?
Answer: Moyer, McGuigan, Rao, & Kretlow (2012, p. 6) had emphasized that the main objective of any organization must be to increase/maximize the wealth of its major stakeholders- mainly the investors who had invested their money in the firm. This improvement in their wealth will be reflected in current price (market price) of the organization’s stock. The price of the share would be a sign of size, risk and timing of the cash that would be generated over a certain time according to shareholders Continue reading...

After working for a big Accounting firm for six years, Amanda Smith decided to start her own accounting and tax returns firm. Initially she had one employee but the departure of a major competitor signaled an increase in clients and compelled Amanda to employ three more accountants. However, after a few months, complaints on tax returns started troubling Amanda and her company is on the brink of collapse. This paper seeks to make recommendations to Amanda on the five facets of management that she ought Continue reading...

The Mission and Value of Google Company

The corporate culture and mission of Google Company reflects a philosophy of creating money without doing wickedness or evil. Moreover, work must be challenging and fun. At Google, these beliefs dictate life. The Google’s Inc certified mission statement is arranging or organizing information of the world and making it globally useful and accessible (Corporate Information 3). It has a value of no retaliation. Google Company forbids retaliation against any employee within the firm who participates in or reports an investigation enquiry of a likely violation of their code (Google’s Corporate Information 10).

History of the Google Company

Sergey Brin and Larry Page, Continue reading...

Management

Management

Overview of the Home Depot and Interconnected Retail

The Home Depot and Interconnected Retail is one of the world's largest improvement chains. The management of the organization that included the senior leadership on the ground majored on a discussion that would best navigate the new and interconnected world of retail. The organization was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, where it first opened its first stores in 1979. The interconnections that have been created have worked to ensure that the organization grows to many areas to capture a wide platform of consumers who are considered as the main factors within the supply chain.
In an effort to create Continue reading...

Dear Madam,

Re: Management Consultancy Report in Respect of Your Firm Amanda Smith
The consultancy has carried out an analysis and comprehensive evaluation of your firm and arrived at a number of observations that need to be brought to your attention in the immediacy of time. In addition, this report contains a number of recommendations that the firm ought to pursue in the interest of its own survival and strategy in pursuit of business. In our analysis and recommendations, we were guided by managerial theory, scientific and strategic models and as well as experience gathered and observed throughout in the industry Continue reading...

The two products that Timbuk2 makes and sells are the San Francisco based custom tailored messenger bag and the Chinese produced laptop bags. The competitive dimensions driving sales of the bags are different. However, they enjoy the same synergy that is the brand image that the firm has acquired of its products over time. The key dimensions driving sales of the messenger bag include the fact that it is tailor made to the requirements and needs of the consumer. Indeed, clients have the opportunity to give their specifications and designs and the same is incorporated in the production process. Continue reading...

Credit Analysis

The special purpose financial statements are financial statements that are only limited to specific users. They are prepared using a special purpose structure to meet the special needs of particular users of a financial statement. Addition their use are limited and are not prepared for the general public. Special purpose statements are in most cases prepared for the internal users such as management and there are these made for the specific users such as banks and government. For instance, those financial statements that are prepared for tax purposes are prepared in accordance to the regulatory Continue reading...

Financial risk management is important for any firm’s success and survival in today’s corporate world. There are several strategies employed by firms to mitigate risk. Hedging is a strategy used in risk management aimed at minimizing or eliminating the probability of making losses due to translation exposure, transaction exposure and economic exposure. There are several techniques used by firms to hedge against risk, they include; money market and commodity market hedge options forward contracts, swaps and currency futures. This paper aims to critically appraise the theoretical and empirical literature for and against the use of the various Continue reading...

Cloud computing involves delivery of computer software or hardware through internet. The end users of software or the hardware receive this application via a web browser. Cloud computing enables a firm to reduce the cost associated with the infrastructure. The firm is relieved the cost of developing of the infrastructure. As a result, the firm will be in a position to concentrate on other factors that affect the success of a business, to remain competitive in business, Salesforce.com has embraced cloud computing. The firm leases its software as opposed to other firm, which sell their software and hardware.

Question 1

The Continue reading...

1. According to Welch I (2005), WACC or amply the weighted average cost of capital is a rate to the firm that shows the cost of capital of running that firm. It is a calculation of a firm’s cost of capital showing how each category is weighted proportionally showing the categories percentage of the total capital of running the firm. In the calculation of the WACC, all capital sources like stock (common and preferred), debentures, bonds, and other sources including short and long-term debt are incorporated in the calculation of WACC. It should also be noted that WACC Continue reading...

The business organization under analysis in this case is Mueller-Lemhmkuhl that is involved in production and sale of apparel fasteners and it is located in Germany, Europe. The company has operations on the international front though it is faced with multiple challenges that inhibit is profitability and market dominance. The cost accounting model used has flaws and impinges on pricing of fasteners leading to reduced earnings due to intense competition from rivals. The President of the company, Dr. Richard Welkers attested that HI, a Japanese firm poses a great challenge to Mueller- Lemhmkuhl due to their price wars, as Continue reading...

Fitness industry business is one of the booming activities in the present business milieu. A fitness business focuses on offering individual training, fitness instruction and utilization of the fitness facility to those interested in pursuing their individual fitness objectives. Starting a fitness business does not require the initiators to be fitness gurus, but a passion in fitness or readiness to adopt a fitness lifestyle such as Zumba forms a critical part of success in the industry. This response to the case study seeks to consider various business models that Zumba could use to establish a successful business. In addition, Continue reading...

Business

Given Unilever's geographic and category portfolio what are the megatrends Unilever should capitalize on and manage in seeking to attain their €80 billion sales target?
Unilever was founded or started by the lever brothers who saw the need to meet the unfulfilled needs in the society such as hygiene and cleanliness through provision lifebuoy soap. The company would later merge with margarine, Unie, and Union to produce more than a third of the world's commercial oils and fats. In addition, it covered a wide geographical area than any other company worldwide. As time progressed, the company has diversified in Continue reading...

The shareholders and executives of T-Mobile should not invest in the five year project because the net present value of the project is negative, meaning the firm will not gain any profits in the longrun.

The NPV concept a concept of calculating the profitability of a project in the longrun (future) using the available information. The NPV concept can be used to choose between two projects, one that is more profitable. Continue reading...

Andrew is Alberta Branch manager for Dominion Tanking Limited. He needs to be assigned a trucking contract by Natural Fertilizers Limited. If assigned, his company will do liquid fertilizer delivery for Natural Fertilizer Limited. This particular contract is very essential to Andrew since it highly contributes to the future existence of his branch. In other words, the head office can decide to close his branch down since it will bring any financial gain. Andrew is very certain about this action since another branch named Wetaskiwin was just closed down a year earlier, based on the same grounds. In addition, Continue reading...

Are there any hidden assumptions or price rigidities in the country or countries that might inhibit market force indicators from revealing the true economic health of the country, thereby either preventing government policy actions from correcting the problems or otherwise making them ineffective and counterproductive?
Hidden assumptions that may have an influence on revealing the true economic health of a country include the level of labor in the countries. Most of wages in an economy are controlled by the market economy, and this determines the growth of the economy. Additionally, foreign investments levels are quite low. Information concerning the Continue reading...

Table of Contents

Introduction.2

Mission and Goals2
Situation Analysis3
Corporate Level Strategy..10
Business Level Strategy11

Executive Summary

This is a case analysis of Turner Construction Company, a subsidiary of HOCHTIEF operating in the construction industry and offering related services. The report starts with a short introduction followed by the company’s goals and objectives. This is followed by situational analysis of the company’s past and present situation using strategic tools such as SWOT analysis. The subsequent section that follows is the company’s corporate and business level strategy. This is followed by business structure, promotion and finally recommendation of Continue reading...

Activision and Vivendi Games company will combine their sales into a merger regarding a lately developed, subsidiary of Activision and Vivendi Games. Due to this alliance, Vivendi Games, one mother partnership of Blizzard Production and Sierra, will convert too fully of Activision. Vivendi will receive around 295.3 million lately issued dividends of Activision general property. Concurrently including the Alliance, Vivendi will buy around 62.9 million lately issued stock ownership of Activision general assets at a price of $27.50 for individual share at a cost of around $1.7 billion. Appearing in an entire Vivendi control pale in Activision Blizzard around Continue reading...

Introduction and Background

MedImmune is a corporation in Mountain View, California. The firm is a biotechnology company that has five main products in the market namely RespiGam, Ethyol, Synagis, Cytogam and NueTrexin. The company anticipates producing more products for the market . The firm is contemplating on acquiring Aviron, which is a smaller biotechnology firm in its expansion plan. The process of acquisition of Aviron is hectic and a financial analysis has to be done to ascertain the correct price that the firm should propose to the company. Aviron has a single product that it offers to the market, namely FluMist and has Continue reading...

Finance & Economics - Apple Inc

Answer 1
The organization chosen in Apple Inc. It's symbol is AAPL. Apple Inc. is a firm that operates in the technology products industry which is extremely competitive and dynamic. Innovation plays a very crucial role in this business and so human resources form a critical element or an asset of the organization. The fact that innovation and vision are prime factors that helped Apple succeed, the death of Steve Jobs, the prime visionary of Apple, is a great loss to the firm.
It will be an interesting focus for the application of economic ideas because there are several Continue reading...

TRUE RELIGION CASE STUDY

True Religion Brand Jeans industry is a company that manufactures and sales jeans, usually of denim brand. The company began in 2002 by Kim and Jeff Lubell. It started selling its jeans in upscale departments’ stores and later changed to retail stores, opening several branches in the country. The company recorded a high financial performance but its actual profits graph showed that it was not stable; full of booms and recessions. The profits were affected by various factors such as the consumer moves and the rise of costs of the supplier of raw materials. Despite all these problems, the Continue reading...

Question 1

The interview strategy used by the firm was not right for a firm of such caliber. It shows carelessness of the firm management as well as of the interviewing panel. The use of such questions, that are more attacking to an individual than trying to find out their qualification for the post, shows negligence and carelessness. The firm should have primarily focused or given priority to finding out Maria’s qualification and ask other relevant questions that pertain to the job specification. Since the firm deals with environmental protection issues, it would have been more effective if the panel Continue reading...