Assignment 1
The management of a Fortune-500 corporation is infamous for "managing the numbers." As long as the executives make the financial targets, the Board of Directors takes a "hands off" approach. Executive bonuses and stock awards are dependent on making the targets.
This year, it looks like the targets will not be made. One manager decided to do a little innocent juggling of the numbers. She decided to recognize some revenue for January in December. She also went into the accounting system and changed some dates on large purchases from December to January.
Question 1: Why does it matter what month the purchases are recorded in if the date recognized is "close enough" to the desired goal?
Question 2: Was this manager's action illegal? If it is not illegal, could her practice negatively impact the company?
Question 3: Was this manager's action unethical? Why or why not?
Question 4: If this action was unethical, do you think the board is responsible or do you agree with their hands-off approach whereby they expect managers to act responsibly?
Question 5: What is the standard method used to recognize revenue and expenses?
Question 6: What accounts are involved in sales and purchases?
Assignment 2
There are several different classifications of law. Sometimes it's difficult to understand the differences between criminal and civil law. Criminal law is concerned with acts against society as a whole, resulting in some form of punishment. In other words, a crime has been committed. Civil law is concerned with acts against a person, usually resulting in compensation or relief. For example, contract law falls under civil law.
Research a current or recent case or incident within the past year. You might look on the Internet or daily news. You might even find a case on the television news! Please be sure to cite your sources in APA format.
In your initial post, please provide a brief summary about this case and discuss the following:
Question 1: Determine if the case falls under civil or criminal law and tell us why.
Question 2: What type of law is possibly broken?
Question 3: Finally, give your opinion as to the result.
Question4: If the case has been decided as to guilt or innocence, do you agree with the decision? Provide support for your answer.
Question 5: If the case has not been decided, tell us what you think will happen and why.
Question 6: What sort of punishment or compensation is there or should there be?
Question 7: Are there any ethical issues involved in this case?
Assignment 3
Part 1
You should work on this assignment as you complete your reading assignment. Avoid copying directly from the text; your responses should be in your own words. Please write in complete sentences.
Question 1: How does your textbook define the legal environment of business defined?
Question 2: Distinguish between the pairs of terms in each of these classifications of law:
a. public law, private law
b. felonies, misdemeanors
Question3: Define the term jurisdiction.
Question4: Briefly explain the differences between the Federal Court System and the State Court System.
Question 5 : Briefly explain the role of the Constitution in the United States. Why is the separation of power so important? What would happen if one branch became more powerful than another?
Question 6: Why should you, as a businessperson, be knowledgeable of the basic protection that the Constitution offers?
Question 7: How does the Commerce Clause affect federal regulation of business activities? How does it affect state regulation of business activities?
Part 2
Please read Case Gonzales v. Raich. This case demonstrates how the U.S. Supreme Court interprets the Commerce Clause. In particular, this case considers whether medicinal marijuana can be seizedand destroyed by federal authorities.
Once you have carefully read this case, summarize the relevant facts of the case and discuss the following questions:
Question 1: Summarize the relevant facts of the case.
Question 2: What is the conclusion?
Question 3: What are the similarities between this case andWickard?
Question 4: Are there significant differences that the court ignores or downplays?
Be sure that you make your responses in at least one well-developed paragraph. Explain and support your opinions and views and positions. You must justify your responses. Apply your critical thinking skills!