Business law Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Business law - Case Study Example Based on the second case, Buchanan County and Davis also committed negligent retention of Batz as an employee despite several complaints of misconduct against him (Batz). Evidence presented in the second case included recommendations by Lieutenant Furness, to Davis, proposing termination of Batz as a canine handler. Evidence by Captain Hepke also proposed disciplinary actions against Batz. Davis disregarded all the complaints about Batz as submitted by different parties. On the first instance, a jury returned a ruling that favored Kiesau and offered her $ 160, 000 as compensation. For the second instance, the court ruled against Kiesau by dismissing the negligent supervision and retention claims against Buchanan County & Davis. Argument: Under the laws on negligent hiring and retention applicable in Iowa State, Buchanan County & Davis, were liable for wrongful conduct by facilitating Bazt’s tortious actions through failure to act on several recommendations and complaints. Issues: Were the Republic of France and the French lines liable for the resultant injuries owing to obvious laxity in rules and regulation on smoking at the port loading and offloading bay backing constitution of approximate cause? Rule: If the subsequent action, force, or occurrences that are evident as direct contributors to the injuries suffered by the plaintiff were not probable, many juries hold that it is an intervening cause. Subsequently it pardons the defendant of liability from dangers that trace back directly from the superseding cause. Complainant the US government reason that the French cargo ship crew did not task up, the complainant argue that the crew should have foreseen risk of explosion from the transported FGAN, which is in normal regulations set by the governing bodies on transportation of hazardous materials deem fire hazard. The ammonium nitrate gas is explosive if exposed to combusting materials. With this knowledge,

Week 5 Individual Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Week 5 Individual Assignment - Essay Example is one-tailed (Left tailed) and we want to determine whether there has been a reduction in the weight of individuals who joined Weight Reducers International. Since the z-test statistic is less than -1.645 therefore at the 5% significance level, we have sufficient evidence to conclude that those who will join Weight Reducers International on average will lose less than 10 pounds. Dole Pineapple, Inc., is concerned that the 16-ounce can of sliced pineapple is being overfilled. Assume the standard deviation of the process is .03 ounces. The quality control department took a random sample of 50 cans and found that the arithmetic mean weight was 16.05 ounces. At the 5 percent level of significance, can we conclude that the mean weight is greater than 16 ounces? Determine the p-value. We will reject the null hypothesis if the z-test statistic is greater than 1.645 (z > 1.645) since the test is one-tailed (Right tailed) and we want to determine whether 16-ounce can of sliced pineapple is being overfilled. A recent article in The Wall Street Journal reported that the 30-year mortgage rate is now less than 6 percent. A sample of eight small banks in the Midwest revealed the following 30-year rates (in percent): We will reject the null hypothesis if t-test statistic is less than -2.998 since the test is one-tailed (left tailed) and we want to determine whether the 30-year mortgage rate is now less than 6 percent Since the t-test statistic is greater than -2.998 therefore we will not reject the null hypothesis. At 1% significance level we have sufficient evidence to conclude that the 30-year mortgage rate is not less than 6 percent. The minimum significance level (p-value) at which the null hypothesis can be rejected is between 5% and 10% since the value -1.61 lies in between -1.415 and -1.895 for a t-distribution with degrees of freedom = 7 The null hypothesis is that there is no difference in the population mean number of times men and women buy take-out dinner in

Paper 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 5

Paper 2 - Essay Example Researchers such as Brown, Day and Sherrard discovered the correlation between summarizing, plagiarizing and patch writing (Howard, Tricia & Tanya 179). These three despite their distinct differences are all forms of plagiarism and many academic institutions recognize them as such. The academic integrity policies of various academic institutions treat patchwriting as plagiarism. Patchwriting involves the copying heavily from a source that is a writer chooses to paraphrase his or her cited sources too closely (Howard, Tricia & Tanya 179). Many academicians argue that patchwriting is not a serious academic offence; however, it is a form of academic dishonesty. The academic integrity policies refer to it as a moral failure. By patchwriting, a student fails to display his or her mastery of the subject being tested. It displays the lack of effort in understanding the content and fosters habits that are detrimental to the learning process. Patchwriting is often because of writers trying to summarize or paraphrase cited texts. Patchwriting is not only confined to students, but professors also fall victim to this act. According to Roig, a substantial number of psychology professor patchwrite content that is not in their field (Howard, Tricia & Tanya 179). Other researchers such as Howard argue that patchwriting is a form of learning tactic employed by students and not a literary crime (Howard, Tricia & Tanya 179). Non-native speakers of English patchwrite their academic work despite their academic level. In Pecorari’s research on patchwriting (), it was found that non-native English speaking students used this technique even in their dissertations (Howard, Tricia & Tanya 179). These findings were collaborated by Shi (2004) who researched the practice in Chinese college students. The Marymount University Academic Integrity Policy details the values and principles that aid in maintaining academic integrity in the institution. Academic integrity, in this

Alcohol Abuse in Adolescents and Personality Essay

Alcohol Abuse in Adolescents and Personality - Essay Example Today, however, we will be considering the link between alcoholic abuse in adolescents and personality by reflecting upon two of the major personality traits that researchers believe to be indicative of Alcohol is the most commonly used substance among Australian adolescents. In 2001, the National Drug Strategy Household Survey reported that approximately two-thirds of 14-17 year-olds used alcohol, with almost one-fifth admitting that they consumed alcohol on a regular basis, while the Australian Temperament Project (ATP) revealed that some 25 percent of 13-14 year-olds had used alcohol within the previous month. The project also reported a serious increase in the amount of adolescents using alcohol, with 60 percent of 15-16 year-olds, and 85 percent of 17-18 year-olds, having consumed alcohol within the past month (Smart, Vassallo, Sanson, Richardson, Dussuyer et al.2003). The misuse of alcohol among adolescents is an increasingly serious problem. Although it has been shown that many teenagers do not suffer from alcohol-related problems (Bonomo, Coffey, Wolfe, et al., 2001), there exists a large sub-group who engage in dangerous levels of drinking. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW 2003), for example, reported that approximately 35 percent of 14-17 year-olds, and 64 percent of 18-24 year-olds, consume high-risk levels of alcohol. The incidence of dangerous drinking patterns was even higher among Australia's Indigenous youth (AIHW 2003). Alcohol and Personality - Current Literature An Australian survey (Shanahan & Hewit, 1999), which was conducted in order to discover the needs of a national alcohol campaign, reported that adolescents aged between 15-17 years identified the major influences in their use of alcohol as being: The desire to try new experiences (79%); the need to socialise with peers (77%); peer pressure (68%); a way of escaping from their problems (66%); and trying to dispel feelings of inadequacy/insecurity (66%). Other literature has also revealed similar results. Labouvie (1990) and Maggs (1997), for example, found that some adolescents used alcohol in relation to psychosocial adjustment and functioning. However, alcohol abuse and dependency usually results from a progressive development, which involves the dynamic interplay of a wide variety of influences spread over a long period of time.The way in which personality affects this process has received widespread research and/or study, through which it has been shown that; "By the first grade, or earlier, children show temperament and behaviour traits that are powerful indicators of their inclination to use and abuse drugs in their teenage and adult years. Researchers have identified not only common childhood risk factors and behaviours that predict drug abuse potential but also protective factors that shield some children from influences to use drugs" (Neil Swan, 1995). A number of long-range studies, which traced 1,242 at-risk children over a twenty-year period, identified two important risk factors predicting future alcoholic abuse. These were, shyness - described as "sitting alone, having few friends and not

Aggressive Breast Cancer Vs.Suicide Rates Term Paper

Aggressive Breast Cancer Vs.Suicide Rates - Term Paper Example To achieve my goal, I collected data from the American Cancer Society of both the suicidal rates and aggressive breast cancer rate from thirty states in United States randomly. This data is more recent (2010). Breast cancer is one of the most fatal and prevalent of all killer diseases and ranks in the top three killers of women in the USA, though it also affects men. Meanwhile there has been an association of the aggressive breast cancer with suicides in the United States. In this study, I will conduct statistical test to verify this relationship of aggressive breast cancer with rates of suicides. My hypothetical theory is that victims of the aggressive breast cancer are more prone to commit suicide. I anchor my theory to the worrying trend of the increasing mental anxiety and depression among the aggressive breast cancer patients. To achieve my objective of linking suicide rates to aggressive breast cancer condition, I collected data for the suicides rates and aggressive breast cancer from thirty states. I subjected this data to statistical analysis to establish a link in these two variables. These states were collected randomly. PRESENTATION OF RAW DATA AND DISCUSSION ARRAY OF ALL DATA FROM THE THIRTY STATES Presentation of data on arrayed form with discussion   Table 1: Female Breast Cancer Incidence and Suicide Rates in thirty states (2002-2006) State Breast Cancer Incidence Suicide Rates Alabama 114.9 23.2 Alaska 128.9 22.0 Arkansas 113.9 22.8 California 128.0 23.9 Colorado 123.7 22.6 Connecticut 137.5 24.3 Delaware 123.8 23.5 Florida 115.9 21.8 Georgia 120.7 22.5 Hawaii 139.1 21.7 Idaho 118.7 22.5 Illinois 124.1 24.2 Indiana 115.1 24.2 Iowa 124.3 22.8 Kansas 125.2 24.2 Kentucky 118.8 24.4 Maine 128.0 23.4 Massachusetts 134.6 24.4 Missouri 122.2 25.3 Montana 118.8 23.0 Nevada 115.1 24.9 New Jersey 132.6 27.3 New Mexico 115.6 23.4 Oklahoma 127.6 25.0 Oregon 130.5 24.2 Pennsylvania 124.1 25.9 Rhode Island 129.6 23.5 South Carolina 121.2 22.8 Virginia 121.4 24.4 Wyoming 118.2 22.9 Source: Source Incidence 4, 2009 Data which is to be subjected to statistical tests for ascertain the relationship of the two v ariables. The data is listed alphabetically according to states Array of aggressive breast cancer incidence in thirty states data, in descending order State Aggressive Breast Cancer Incidence Suicide Rates 1. Hawaii 139.1 21.7 2. Connecticut 137.5 24.3 3. Massachusetts 134.6 24.4 4. New Jersey 132.6 27.3 5. Oregon 130.5 24.2 6. Rhode Island 129.6 23.5 7. Alaska 128.9 22.0 8. California 128.0 23.9 9. Maine 128.0 23.4 10. Oklahoma 127.6 25.0 11. Kansas 125.2 24.2 12. Iowa 124.3 22.8 13. Illinois 124.1 24.2 14. Pennsylvania 124.1 25.9 15. Delaware 123.8 23.5 16. Colorado 123.7 22.6 17. Missouri 122.2 25.3 18. Virginia 121.4 24

Chicken Production Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Chicken Production - Case Study Example Furthermore, optimizing the design and performance decisive factor for facilities and equipment, as well as set up industry-wide guidelines (i.e., plan principles), will benefit the whole industry by civilizing efficiency of manufacturers (i.e., one design vs. multiple) and plummeting contamination and following product recalls. Leading characteristics of a diversity of classes, breeds and varieties of chickens; essential Mendalian concepts of legacy; the mechanism of qualitative and quantitative legacy; heritability of quantitative traits; objectives of poultry propagation for meat and egg production; systems of breeding plus their meaning; pure breed vs present day hybrid used for meat and egg production; the position of assortment in genetic development; assortment methods; culling and its meaning; factors pressure egg size and work of art; growth and sexual adulthood; ovary, The requirements plus specifications for poultry production buildings depends on which climatic area the production is situated in, and the kind of production. No doubt, day-old chicks from the hatchery are placed in the brooder rings upon influx. According to the expert analysis, broilers that have reached a known size may be given access to the whole barn. Furthermore, broiler chickens are kept in great, complete houses with a bottomless layer of litter (such as sawdust, chopped straw or shredded newspaper) on the floor. The grow-out stage lasts 35 - 45 days before the broilers reach market heaviness and is bring to the slaughterhouse (Parkhurst, C.R. and G.J. 1997). Principles of Building Construction Furthermore, every profitable poultry production is batch based characteristically 42 days or 12 months depending on production. Following each batch the birds are detached, the manure is detached and the buildings are cleaned and clean. Subsequent to a period of time, a latest batch is located in the building. Moreover, the building has routine feeding, watering, temperature control and airing systems. Buildings may be either of course ventilated (air alter due to wind) or automatically ventilated (where air is drawn into the buildings from side to side vents due to a unenthusiastic pressure created by means of wall fans that tire out inside air) Moreover, the production facilities are kept as stopped up units with strict control on access by employees and corporation. No doubt, eggs may be washed prior to sale, make waste water waste matter containing natural matter. Linked infrastructure ordinary to broilers and egg layers includes silos for feed think, manure storage space facilities and containers for deceased birds (Etches, R.J. 1996). Poultry Building Fabric Thermal Analysis To Planning For Reduced Production Costs If we analyzed then we come to know that personified energy varies extremely between poultry

Strategic Analysis Of Wholesale Company Costco Marketing Essay

Strategic Analysis Of Wholesale Company Costco Marketing Essay This report has performed a brief strategic analysis of the internal resources and external factors that affect Costco. The report includes an over view of the firms strategies using Porters five force model as well as a SWOT analysis of the firm. The report illustrates why Costco remains the Anti-Wal-Mart using aggressive scare tactics to achieve the lowest possible prices for its customers even if it means dropping high brand names. The report includes recommendations for the wholesalers, the main one being to carry on with their current successful strategies in order to maintain the fight for industry leadership and further their globalisation in to Eastern countries 1.0 Introduction to Costco Costco is a wholesale cash and carry, which operates through warehouses using a membership only service. The company sells high quality, private label merchandise at low prices to businesses buying for commercial use as well as individuals that are members of specific employment groups , for example NHS or government employees. The basis of the company is to achieve high sale volumes and rapid inventory turnover, offering a limited array of merchandise, with a wide product category at low prices (www.costco.co.uk). Additionally Costco operates customer services ranging from health insurance to financial planning. The main competitor of the company is Wal-Marts -Sams club within the US, although they have 200 more stores operating in ten more states than Costco , Sams club does not experience the same revenues. Yet there is still a constant battle for increased market share with newer entrants such as BJs Wholesale Club (Hughes, 2007). Operating internationally the company has divisio ns in the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, Taiwan, Japan and Korea, Australia and an internet site operational in the US and Canada. Some of the stores include pharmacies, food courts, opticians, photo centres, travel desks and hearing aid centres within the warehouses. The company also operates 307 petrol stations with some of the US and Canada stores. Named as the only company Wal-Mart fears James Signal (2004) of Costco has captured a breed of urban sophisticates, who trade up for exiting products and trade down to private labels of more prosaic products (Duff,2009). 2.0 Costco existing missions/strategies Costcos Mission Statement; To continually provide our members with quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices (www.findarticles.com) In order to sell at the lowest possible prices Costco implement various pricing strategies through bargaining with suppliers and only adding a maximum mark up of 14% to each product, even in cases where demand is high as CEO Signal stated you always give the customer the best deal'(Shapiro, 2004). Costco falls into the Overall Price Leadership category one of Porters four generic competitive strategies (Mitchell, 2001). Price leadership is achieved by implementing a successful strategy using continual exceptional efforts to reduce costs, without excluding services or products which customers perceive to be essential. There strategies include; ? Low advertising costs to keep merchandise price down, using word of mouth ? High employee wages to retain employees and reduce new staff that would require training ? Merchandise stock on pallets to reduce labour and allow for maximum sales ? Inventory system detects items that are reaching thresh hold for re order ? Just in time approach to reduce over stock, buying direct from manufacturers and sent directly to warehouses within 24 hours ? Provide low prices through volume buying ? Willing to change manufacturers to gain the best possible price on a product 3.0 Strategic Management Costco Strategic management shows an ability to develop and sustain competitive advantage, resulting in of added value to their brand (Ramachandran et al, 2006). Illustrated by Costcos rise in net income by 1.1% to $266 million and revenue soared to $71.4 Billion compared to Sams club at $46.8 billion and BJs at $10 billion for the first fiscal quarter ended Nov 22nd 2009 (Business News, 2009) compared to Wal-Mart net sales which increased by 1.2%. The just in time approach implemented by the company means products are sold for cash before the payment to the suppliers is due ,creating a high operating cash flow. This operating advantage improves Costcos working capital and efficiency, resulting in a long lasting value difference in the product, compared to the competitors and as perceived by the customers (Duncan et al, 1988). 4.0 Porters Five Forces The nature of competition in an industry rely on five forces including; the threat of new entrants, the bargaining power of new entrants, the bargaining power of customers, the bargaining power of suppliers and the threat of substitute products or services (Porter, 1979). These are all competitors that may be more or less prominent or active depending on the industry. A companys awareness of Porters five forces can allow the organisation to stake out a position within its industry that is less vulnerable to attack (Bruton, 2008). 4.1 The threat of new entrants- medium threat There are many potential new entrants into the industry, which could pose as a threat including, wholesale clubs, discounters and hypermarkets such as Aldi and Netto, which are both limited range discounters. Other large existing wholesale competitors such as Wal-Mart could gain market share through acquisition giving them new resources. However, barriers to entry in to the wholesale food industry are relatively high, as huge costs would be involved in imitating established distribution networks, brand name and financial capital that Costco have established. Furthermore it is unlikely customers will switch to a competitor when they have already paid a yearlong membership fee (Costco reported 85% of cardholders renewed their membership in 2009, www.phx.corporate-ir.net). 4.2 Bargaining power of suppliers-low/medium threat The bargaining power of Costco sells to many business owners, the power over their suppliers is very high, as suppliers are forced to cut prices to lessen the risk of them losing their contract. Costco have a small range of brands for each product, yet sell high quantities. They could be losing a large amount of sales compared to Wholesalers like Wal-Mart, whom give customers a larger amount of choice and therefore spread their sales between suppliers. Furthermore Costco have proven they are willing to lose even major brands to improve their leverage, margins and lower prices, forcing suppliers to compete amongst themselves and with the wholesalers cheaper own brand products. Highlighted through Costcos most recent decision to stop selling Coca-Cola in a pricing dispute due to growing power of private labels, by using details received from loyalty cards retailers are more aware of which brands to keep and lose (Neff, 2009). 4.3 Bargaining power of customers- low threat According to Bruton (2007) the threat is low because there is only a small concentration of wholesale buyers, predominantly middle class consumers, small business owners and families. The latter two however have a greater power over the higher and middle class customers as they would buy to satisfy needs rather than luxury items. They are likely to resort to finding alternative stores such as competitors to get what they want at the price they can afford to pay for their regular purchases, due to the growth and alternative availability in discount stores. 4.4 The threat of substitute products- low threat The threat of substitutes limits the profit potential of the wholesale industry by identifying the effectiveness of volume of sales at a particular price level. Substitutes include specialised stores, for instance The Home Depot in America and BQ in the UK competing against the non-food sales through discounting as well as hypermarkets. For these reasons, the threat of substitutes is low for the wholesale notion. However, there is an increased threat to particular sections such as furniture and electronics especially because supermarkets are now selling a wider array of products for example Tescos. A further threat is e-commerce businesses and sites such as EBay focusing on the customer directly (Bruton, 2007). 4.5 Rivalry among competitors-medium threat Rivalry between competitors in the growing wholesale industry is particularly low because the three main competitors concentrate on different consumer groups. Furthermore price wars are minimal due to the lack of advertising with the rivals especially Costco. However as Costco is gaining strength through globalisation, there are different levels of threats in particular countries. 5.0 SWOT analysis The basis of strategic management is the notion that strategy creates an alignment between an enterprises internal strength and weaknesses as well as its opportunities and threats (SWOT) in its external environment (Andrews, 1987). The following table illustrates alignments factors within and outside of Costco; 6.0 External factors Focusing on the external, broader environment in which the company operates it is clear the next stage in the Costco globalisation process would be expansion. Due to the fierce market in the US and saturation a large opportunity for the company would be to enter the Chinese and Eastern European market and according to Baker (2001) Globalisation of the markets is at hand. Competitor Wal-Mart have already entered the fast growing market in China through purchasing 35% of the recognised hypermarket- Trust-Mart. The alliance benefits Wal-Mart , gaining expertise in operations and logistics and allow Chinese consumers to build trust with their brand name- an important part of their culture. Globalisation forms markets where economies of scale lead to reduction of costs and prices according to Baker (2001). Therefore, Costco may have to adapt their strategy when entering new countries due to the barriers of entry; it would be difficult to compete with local companies that are already established as well as suppliers to cut prices as low as they do in the West. The main threat to Costco currently is online speciality stores, which can compete through lower operating costs and manufacturing abroad thus increasing the power of existing buyers. The economic slowdown in 2007 with the credit crunch attracted more customers to the company due to its low prices and bulk products which allowed customers to stretch their money in the economic crisis enabling sales to grow by 13% by 2008. However the net income still decreased by 15.3% by 2009 as of the weakened economy. Even fiercer pricing strategies reduced the impact of the recession by reducing costs on a range of popular products two weeks before the reduction came through anticipated from manufacturers. Thus allowing them to get ahead of competition by taking advantage of the opportunity to attract customers through surrendering their profit (Duff, 2009). 7.0 Conclusions From carrying out the report on one of the leading wholesale suppliers it is clear they refuse to buy from suppliers that are not willing to pass on the reduction in manufacturing costs on to Costco. They are willing to remove high named brands from their shelves if they think they are being charged too much for the product. Through these publicly made choices it seems clear that Costco are on the customers side when it comes to prices, and are willing to lose profit to satisfy their customers. Both the Porters Five Forces Model and the SWOT analysis identify the main internal and external threats to the company, the highest threat of all being the power of suppliers. Costcos strategy of merging high wages with innovative ideas, and low cost products highlights that consumers, workers and shareholders can all benefit from a cost-leadership strategy. 8.0 Recommendations ? Continuation with their current successful pricing strategies of low prices and high volumes in order to maintain barriers against buyer power, supplier power and new entrants. Porters low cost leadership will also allow growth in revenues from further international expansion. ? The main threat to Costco currently is the threat of substitutes especially in discount stores and hypermarkets and the alternative to this is online speciality stores which can compete through lower operating costs and manufacturing abroad thus increasing the power of existing buyers. ? In order to compete with the threat of e-commerce businesses a further development in the online sales capability is likely to increase the companys strengths. Cannibalisation is unlikely to occur until the industry becomes completely saturated in the US in which case the company can then be ahead of competitors through the internet or through global expansion. ? Subsidiaries or Joint venture are a possibility as in Mexico where the 31 warehouses are 50% joint ventures, this strategy may benefit within the foreign Indian and Chinese market, to allow for a better integration and brand loyalty ( www.slideshare.net). The firm is likely to have the logistical capabilities to enter the Chinese market as they have entered nearby Japan successfully, and some networks would be partially formed through transportation. ? More strategic alliances with manufacturers as with Kirkland in expanding countries to gain trust from customers, enabling them to recognise brand names and build loyalty 9.0 References Andrews, K.R (1987), The concept of Corporate Strategy, Homewood: Irwin Baker.M.J Critical perspectives on business and management, Routledge, London Bruton. A, (2007) Five Forces Analysis, www.books.google.co.uk/books?id=9lmR75vPpEACprintsec=frontcover#v=onepageq=f=false accessed 21/02/10 Costco Financial Report 2009, www.phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=83830p=irol-reportsannual, accessed 16/02/10 Ducan, W.J, Ginter, P.M Swayne, L.E (1998), Competitive advantage and internal organisational assessment, Academy of Management Executive Duff. M (2009) Costco Surrenders Profits To Make a Point www.industry.bnet.com/retail/1000461/costco-surrenders-profits-to-make-a-point/ accessed 19/02/10 Hughes, M.T (2007) Costco wholesale strategic analysis, Washington College Business Management Ireland, R.D, Hitt, M.A Simon, D.G (2003), A Model of Strategic Entrepreneurship: The construct and its dimensions, Journal of Management, 29, 963-989 Mitchell. R.C, (2001), Strategy Formulation, TAOFS Formulation, www.csun.edu/~hfmgt001/formulation.doc, accessed 20/02/10 Neff, J (2009) From CVS to Costco, retailers put the screws to brands, Advertising Age,Business Source Premier, 11/30/2009, Vol. 80, Issue 40 Porter. M.E, (1979) How competitive forces shape strategy, Harvard College, Harvard Business Review Porter, M.E, (1985), Competitive advantage: creating and sustaining superior performance, New York: The Free Press Prahalad, C.K Hamel, G. (1990), The Core Competence Of The Corporation, Harvard Business Review, 68, 79-91 Ramachandran, J.M Sud. M, (2006) Strategic Entrepreneurship in a Globalising Economy: Evidence from Emerging Economies, IIMB Management Review, 28, 291-302. Trout. J, (2004), Trout on Strategy: capturing mindshare, conquering markets, McGraw-Hill (Jan 14th 2008) Food industry , BNET UK, www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb3235/is_1_25/ai_n29402690 accessed 16/02/10 Shapiro, N. 2004. Company for the people. Seattle Weekly, December 15. Retrieved from www.seattleweekly.com/ generic/show_print.php on 15/02/2010. www.slideshare.net/guestce0202a/costco-strategic- plan accessed 20/02/10 www.findarticles.com/121753md5=91af14cebe7ede4/c72/169594b2badc8b accessed 20/02/10 www.costco.com accessed 21/02/10 Contents Page Executive Summary 1.0 Introduction to Costco 2 2.0 Costco existing missions/strategies 2 3.0 Strategic Management 3 4.0 Porters five forces 3 4.1 The threat of new entrants 3 4.2 Bargaining power of suppliers 3 4.3 Bargaining power of customers 4 4.4 The threat of substitute products 4 4.5 Rivalry among competitors 4 5.0 SWOT analysis 5 6.0 External Factors 6 7.0 Conclusion 6 8.0 Recommendations 7