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In your own words, use precise economic terminology to discuss the concept of moral hazard and how it is addressed in this article.

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MBA 624 Managerial Economics

The Wall Street Journal published an article by Bruce P. Brooks and M. Todd Henderson entitled “The FDIC Should Act Like A Real Insurer” (March 29, 2023) that discussed the issue of moral hazard in the recent collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB).

  • https://www.studypool.com/questions/download?id=2834785&path=uploads/questions/5741856/20230505005900wsj_on_moral_hazard.pdf&fileDownloadName=attachment_1

In your own words, use precise economic terminology to discuss the concept of moral hazard and how it is addressed in this article.

How does Patrice Lumumba characterize Belgian rule? (Note consider the introduction’s description of the Belgian King’s speech). According to Lumumba, how did Congo achieve its independence? How does Lumumba describe the new relationship between Belgium and Congo?

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Primary source 2

read the selections, James Aggrey, “Parable of the Eagle,” and Patrice Lumumba, “Independence Day Speech,” available on the course Blackboard page and then answer the following questions. Be sure to cite specific passages from the readings to support your answers.

Please answer the questions using complete sentences and paragraphs with proofreading for proper spelling and grammar. You will probably need a paragraph or two to answer each question. When quoting from the sources, please include the page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence, after the period. (pg. XX)

1. Very briefly introduce the primary sources. What are the primary sources, who produced them and when? Who were James Aggrey and Patrice Lumumba?

2. Explain James Aggrey’s “Parable of the Eagle.” How does the parable challenge the idea of imperialism as a “civilizing mission?”

3. How does Patrice Lumumba characterize Belgian rule? (Note consider the introduction’s description of the Belgian King’s speech). According to Lumumba, how did Congo achieve its independence? How does Lumumba describe the new relationship between Belgium and Congo?

4. What are Lumumba’s goals for the new country of Congo? Does Lumumba’s speech suggest any potential challenges facing the newly independent country of Congo?

Use the assigned readings and class materials to answer the questions. You should not need to use any sources from outside the course, but if you do, they must be properly cited. Please give a full citation, including a full url for online sources

Does the clause making the policy effective only after a medical examination violate public policy? What other basis for a lawsuit might Martha have against the insurance company? Explain.

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The Case of the Customer Who Died to Soon

 

Facts:

On October 26, a Wednesday Country Life Insurance agent went to the house of Martha and Gary Andersen. He persuaded the Andersens to buy a life insurance policy and accepted a check for $1,600. On his way out the door, he gave the Andersens a “conditional receipt for medical policy,” dated that day. The form stated that the Andersens would have a valid life insurance policy with Wednesday Country Life, effective October 26, but only when all conditions were met. The most important of these conditions was that the Wednesday Country Life home office accept the Andersens as medical risks after the company scheduled a medical examination. The Andersens were pleased with the new policy and glad that it was effective that same day.

Gary died in a car accident three weeks later. Wednesday Country Life declined the Andersens as medical risks and refused to issue a policy. Martha Andersen sued. Wednesday Country Life pointed out that medical approval was a condition to being covered. In other words, the company argued that the policy would be effective as of October 26, but only if it later decided to make the policy effective. It had not made that decision as of the date of Gary’s death.

At Trial

Plaintiff argued that the policy was a scam. The so called “conditional receipt for medical policy” is designed to trick customers and then steal their money. The company leads people to believe they are covered as of the day they write the check. But they aren’t covered until much later, when the insurer gets around to deciding the applicant’s medical status.

The company gets the customer’s money right away and gives nothing in exchange. If the company, after taking its time, decides the applicant is not medically fit, it returns the money, having used it for weeks or even months to earn interest. If, on the other hand, the insurance company decides the applicant is a good bet, it then issues the policy effective for weeks or months in the past, when coverage is of no use. No one can die retroactively. The company is being paid for a period during which it had no risk.

Defendant, Wednesday Country Life, argued that it would be impracticable for Wednesday Country Life to issue life insurance policies without doing a medical check. That is the road to bankruptcy and would mean that no one could obtain this valuable coverage. They further argued that they do a medical inquiry as quickly as possible as it is in their interest to get the policy decided one way or the other.

The policy clearly stated that coverage was effective only when approved by the home office,after all inquiries were made. The Andersens knew that as well as the agent. If they were covered immediately, why would the company do a medical check?

Questions:

  1. Does the clause making the policy effective only after a medical examination violate public policy? Explain
  2. What other basis for a lawsuit might Martha have against the insurance company? Explain
  3. Based on your answers to Nos. 1 and 2 who will win this case and why?

Has Kilo acted unethically in any way(s)? Explain using one of the ethical philosophies from the readings and facts from the scenario.

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Case of Global Ethics vs. Global Economy

This is a case that will be tried in the court of Public Opinion.

Kilo Shoe Company, a United States corporation, buys clothing assembled by Crystal, LTD., a foreign company that employs children under 12 years of age. These children work nine hour days and for low pay. Crystal’s nation does not enforce its child labor laws limiting workdays to seven hours for children under 12. Many times the children’s income is needed by the family for basic necessities. Crystal and Kilo are aware of this.

Human International Politics (HIP), an international political activist organization, discovered Kilo’s connection to Crystal, LTD. HIP plans to reveal this information to the press and on social media. Kilo hears about this proposed action by HIP. Before HIP can act, Kilo terminates its relationship with Crystal. Kilo then publicizes this action in its advertising. The company’s sales and profits increase, apparently as a direct result.

  1. Has Kilo acted unethically in any way(s)? Explain using one of the ethical philosophies from the readings and facts from the scenario.
  2. From an ethical perspective, is Kilo’s conduct in terminating its relationship with Crystal more important than whatever its motive might be? Why or why not?

Think about a personal relationship that you have or had. Which personal conflict styles (avoidance, accommodation, etc.) do you use most often and how does it affect the relationship?

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Introspection-Response 4

Instructions

  • The assignment needs to be 380-400 words long without the assignment description.
  • Review and use terms discussed about conflict styles in textbook on pages 327-336.
  • Use own examples and not use sources from websites or other sources except textbook.
  • You need to double space

Questions

    1. Take the assessment on page 335 about your method of conflict resolution. List the scores for the five conflict styles. Which one needs improvement?
    2. Think about a personal relationship that you have or had. Which personal conflict styles (avoidance, accommodation, etc.) do you use most often and how does it affect the relationship?
    3. Based on your findings, discuss whether different behavior might produce more productive results.

What determine the Structure of Interest Rates and name the three primary shapes of the Structure of Interest Rates?

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Week 7: Interactive activity

7.1 Learning Outcomes:

  • Understanding the structure of interest rate.
  • Explaining the main factors that affect the structure of interest rate and how do they influence its’ shape.

7.2 Action Required:

Read the article in the following links:

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/termstructure.asp

7.3 Test your Knowledge (Question):

What determine the Structure of Interest Rates and name the three primary shapes of the Structure of Interest Rates?

7.4 Instructions

Answer the given question in Discussion Board.

Week 8: Interactive activity

8.1 Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify the different types of firm stock.

8.2 Action Required:

Kindly go through the article in the following link:

Understanding Preferred Stock vs. Common Stock (investopedia.com)

 

8.3 Test your Knowledge (Question):

What Is the Difference Between Preferred Stock and Common Stock?

 

8.4 Instructions

Answer the given question in Discussion Board.

Should Dawn be forced to settle her claim through arbitration? Why? Assume your company’s arbitration policy was exactly like Tooters’. Name one aspect would you retain, and which one might you change? Why? Be specific.

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Tooter’s and ADR

Tooters Restaurant used an alternative dispute resolution program. Employees of Tooters had to sign an “agreement to arbitrate employment-related disputes” to be eligible for raises, transfers, and promotions. Under the agreement, both Tooters and the employee agreed to resolve all disputes arising out of employment, including “any claim of discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, or wrongful discharge, whether arising under federal or state law,” through arbitration.

In a separate policy document not shared with employees until after they had signed the agreement, Tooters set forth the rules and procedures of its arbitration program:

The employee had to provide notice of the specifics of the claim, but Tooters did not need to file any type of response to these specifics or notify the employee of what kinds of defenses the company planned to raise.

Only the employee had to provide a list of all facts or witnesses and a brief summary of the facts known to each.

While the employee and Tooters could each choose an arbitrator from a list, and the two arbitrators chosen would then select a third to create the arbitration panel that would hear the dispute, Tooters alone selected the arbitrators that were put on the list.

Only Tooters had the right to widen the scope of arbitration to include award any matter, whereas the employee was limited to the matters raised in his or her notice.

Only Tooters had the right to record the arbitration.

Only Tooters could cancel the agreement to arbitrate or change the arbitration rules.

Dawn had worked as a bartender at the Tooters restaurant for about five years before Tooters adopted its arbitration policy. Dawn was given a copy of the agreement to arbitrate to review for five days and then sign. Approximately two years later, a Tooters official grabbed and slapped her buttocks. After appealing to her manager for help and being told to “let it go,” she quit her job. When she threatened to file a lawsuit for sexual harassment, Tooters filed an action in federal district court to compel arbitration of Dawn’s claims.

  1. Should Dawn be forced to settle her claim through arbitration? Why?
  2. Assume your company’s arbitration policy was exactly like Tooters’. Name one aspect would you retain, and which one might you change? Why? Be specific.

It is acceptable to use the Power Point slides for the required text reference.

In October, 2019, California companies can no longer require employees to sign an agreement forcing harassment, discrimination and wage claims into arbitration as a condition of employment instead of being able to sue.

California’s legislation was careful not to conflict with the Federal Arbitration Act and U.S. Supreme Court case law that allows companies to enforce mandatory arbitration agreements. The new state law says it’s illegal to require mandatory arbitration as a condition for employment, but doesn’t invalidate existing agreements. It also protects employees from retaliation and allows them to go to the state Labor Commissioner’s Office.

What kind of suit will Jim file and what is its basis? Who are the Plaintiffs and who are the Defendants? Why? What are the defenses, if any, of Rico or Christina?

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The Case of the Director Who Wore Too Many Hats

Christina is one of 5 directors of Rico Investments Corporation. She is also a majority shareholder holding both common and preferred stock. Her stock with voting rights amounts to 47% of all stock issued with voting rights.

Christina buys, for $1,500, an option to purchase a tract of real estate called Blackacre, which is next to Rico’s home office, for $50,000. Christina forms a new corporation, Commercial Property, Inc., to hold the option. She then has Commercial Property buy Blackacre. As a director of Rico, Christina orders Rico to authorize its real estate agent to negotiate the purchase of the land from Commercial Property for $100,000. After a successful negotiation for the purchase of Blackacre for $100,000, Christina has Commercial Property sell it to Rico, and loan the money to Rico for the purchase price at a 5% interest rate which is 2% below the market rate. Jim, a minority shareholder in Rico, formally complains to Rico’s board which takes no action.

The Trial

Jim files a suit against Christina on Rico’s behalf seeking to cancel the sale. Christina asks the Court to dismiss the lawsuit as Jim has no standing to bring the lawsuit.

Arguments At Trial

Christina’s attorney argues that Blackacre is necessary for Rico as it will allow them to expand their offices and production plant thus increasing the net worth and potential profits to the shareholders. Further, the Board of Directors of Rico authorized the purchase which appeared to be in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation.

Jim’s attorney argues that the purchase of Blackacre should have been put to a vote of the shareholders of Rico as required by Rico’s Bylaws. Rico’s Board of Directors failed in its duty to make sure this sale was in the corporation’s best interest.

Questions to Decide

  1. What kind of suit will Jim file and what is its basis?
  2. Who are the Plaintiffs and who are the Defendants? Why?
  3. What are the defenses, if any, of Rico or Christina?
  4. Who will win the case and why?

Prepare an advertisement for that position that complies with federal law. Prepare 10 legal questions that may be asked during the interview.

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Anti-Discrimination Laws Related to Employment

Your supervisor has placed you in charge of hiring a new, full-time administrative assistant for your department.

  • Prepare an advertisement for that position that complies with federal law. This advertisement must be detailed. The minimum length of your job description must be 300 words (approximately three-fourths of a page). You can make up the job details but must include the following:
  • A job description
  • A description of the job duties
  • A description of the minimum qualifications
  • Prepare 10 illegal questions that must not be asked. For each question, be sure to justify your reasoning.
  • Prepare 10 legal questions that may be asked during the interview. For each question, be sure to justify each question.

Discuss which type of market does that product belong to? and why? Discuss the price elasticity of demand for this chosen product to increase total revenue.

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Week 7: Interactive activity

7.1 Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the difference between explicit and implicit costs

2. Explain the difference between the short run and the long run

3. Explain the difference between variable and fixed costs

4. Apply the Principle of Diminishing Returns

5. Define economic cost and economic profit

6. Provide examples of production costs.

7. Evaluate a company’s cost structure

8. Recognize how changes in economic conditions affect a company’s profitability

7.2 Action Required:

Reading

Read the following to prepare for this week:

  • Survey of Economics, Chapter 5: Production Technology and Cost

Video:

MIT OpenCourseWare video lecture series, “Productivity and Costs”)

Watch the following video(s), which you can access in the Weekly Media object or by clicking on the link(s) below: and answer the question.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4iKuKAjzK0&list=SP61533C166E8B0028&index=10

7.3 Test your Knowledge (Question):

Question: Refer the video lecture, once an economist Malthus has predicted that production of food will slow down because of diminishing marginal product of labour, without increasing capital. So, continuous increase in demand due to increase in world population, some day may result in mass starvation. Now world population has increased more than 800% and there is no mass starvation as predicted.

Discuss what did Malthus get wrong?

7.4 Instructions

  • Answer the question in test your knowledge section.
  • Post your answer in the discussion board using the discussion link below (Week7: Interactive learning Discussion
  • Choose a product of your own choice and complete the following. [5 Marks]
    1. Discuss which type of market does that product belong to? and why?
    2. Discuss the price elasticity of demand for this chosen product to increase total revenue.