Thursday, December 19, 2019

Historical Perspective Of Renaissance Florence - 933 Words

Historiography The scholars who have documented the history of Florence in the Italian Renaissance observes Machiavelli in his Florentine Histories (Istorie fiorentine), tending to begin work there. The works of Machiavelli and Guicciardini have been useful in the studies of Renaissance Florence, through the direct translation of Latin, giving history from the view of these humanist historians of 15th century. Other authors have focused on the works of Bruni, Bracciolini and Scala, as in a relatively modern outlook to the study of Renaissance Florence has seen the difference in perspective of what occurred in Renaissance Florence leading historians to take a deeper look at these humanist. Authors looking at the historical perspective of Renaissance Florence tend outline the aspects of the past and present state of studies in this field of the Renaissance and Renaissance Florence. In recent years, American scholars have concentrated on the methods and ideas in history rather than the specific prob lems of these Florentine information gaps. Historians within the modern study tend to only focus on the primary sources within the region, rather than try to look outside the area for references to said events. The tradition study of Florentine historiography tends to only focus questions asked and answered about Bruni, Bracciolini and Scala. In Dr W s Book, he states historians tend to ask certain questions: What interests and engages the author?; What is the substance of hisShow MoreRelatedThe Renaissance and Italys Decline1592 Words   |  7 PagesThe Renaissance and Italys Decline Definition: The period in European civilization immediately following the Middle Ages, conventionally held to have been characterized by a surge of interest in classical learning and values. 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Among the two sculptures, Michelangelo’s has a more profound, fascinating, and exceptional quality to it that contributed greatly to the Renaissance. The High Renaissance was a period denotingRead MoreEssay on Renaissance Art1826 Words   |  8 PagesThe Renaissance was a period of European history that began in 14th-century Italy and spread to the rest of Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. In this period, the feudal society of the Middle Ages (5th century to 15th century) was transformed into a society dominated by central political institutions, with an urban, commercial economy and patronage of education, the arts, and music. The term renaissance, literally meaning rebirth, was first employed in 1855 by French historian Jules Michelet

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Development of New Lenovo Computer Models †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Development of New Lenovo Computer Models. Answer: Introduction Every computer model is unique in its structure, operating environment as well as technical requirements. Development of new Lenovo computer models is subject to several constraints that hugely influence their success. These constraints may also limit the commencement and progression of the new initiatives. At the end, there may be a negative impact on the success of the new laptop computer models in the market. The company is likely to incur huge losses in the event that the new laptop models are not fully embraced by the targeted customers. It is therefore important for all the constraints to be identified before the manufacturing of new Lenovo laptop models can commence. Lenovo Company would develop a master plan and schedule a look-a-head program before the models are finally designed and released to the public. The company would prepare a detailed schedule which would reflect the field conditions. There would then be professionals who would be able to implement the program. Anal ysis of the expected constraints and proper scheduling of the programs would be a critical component in ensuring the success of the program. This research proposal intends to provide constraint analysis that would be of great importance in organizing a look-ahead scheduling (Punch, 2006, p. 1). Computer innovation industry has over the past years recognized the importance of developing reliable and constraint-free programs. However several innovation projects are affected by cost constraints and delays. These problems mostly come as a result of failure to identify constraints and effectively act against them. It is impossible to avoid subsequent conflicts and losses if constraints are not properly identified earlier and effectively managed. Projects that are currently designed by companies have generally become technically complicated (Punch, 2006, pp. 32-34). Logistical challenges complicate matters even further. They tend to depict construction constraints as being very complicated. In addition scheduling methods which have been used in the past such as critical path methods and drawing of bar graphs have some disadvantages. They limit the capacity of identifying constraints and establishment of the most appropriate solutions to the constraints. Blames have been raised ov er these methods. Many people have claimed that the methods have limited modeling, the creation of new designs and communication of constraints. There are also people who have blamed the methods for their inability and failure to evaluate constraints (Denscombe, Martyn, 2012, pp. 3-5). In order to develop new Lenovo computer models, conceptual frameworks would be addressed before any project work is undertaken. Business research objectives The main goal that this research seeks to achieve is to develop a Management system that would address all the constraints that are likely to hinder the development of new Lenovo computer models. This study provides a clear literature review and industrial practices that can effectively eliminate constraints that are associated with the development of new computer models. The objective of the study is therefore to provide industrial practices that would eliminate all possible constraints associated with the development of new laptop computer models. The study also has some other sub-objectives as follows: To review the sources as well as characteristics of constraints associated with development of new computer designs To provide a classification mechanism that would facilitate easier identification of constraints To review industry practices that are currently employed by competitors in coming up with new computer designs To provide a conceptual framework that would ensure total constraint Management The result obtained from this study would be of great importance to computer manufacturers and related designers who are tasked with the duty of coming up with new computer models. These kinds of people would be able to know factors that they must consider before they come up with new computer designs (Punch, 2015, p. 3). Past reviews by Lenovo Company have focused primarily on creating an understanding of some particular constraints. The constraints include resource, technological, information and special constraints. However, very little progress has been made to ensure that the constraints can be classified according to some criteria. In an effort to resolve the constraints that are likely to be faced, there are several recommendations that have been put in place. It has been recommended that there would be the use of CPM methods which would effectively handle constraints that are related to time. It would hence be possible to tell the most appropriate time for the designing and introduction of new Lenovo computers into the market (Maree Westhuizen, 2009, p. 9). Lenovo Company would not be able to make a lot of profits if they introduce new computer designs into the market at a time when there are several designs which have just been introduced by their competitors. CPM-based methods would also ma ke it possible for Lenovo Company to be able to beat any time deadline. Knowledge-based systems would also be used to facilitate automation of activities that would generate a work-plan to be used. Constraints would be visualized and communicated through the use of visualization techniques that include 3D, Virtual Reality, and 4D. There has been the lack of a structured approach that is necessary for the Management of constraints. The structured approach that has been proposed would first be put to test before they are finally implemented. The company intends to develop two new computer designs in the first case. However, they will not be released to the public market. They will only be accessed by the company staff members who work within the enclosure of the company. The production of the two computer model designs is aimed at identifying possible constraints that are likely to arise when the company finally produces new computer models to the public. Once all the constraints have been identified and it has also been established that they can effectively be addressed, Lenovo Computer manufacturing company would be able to roll out its program of producing new computer models. The company would hence be able to go ahead with the program without any problem. At this point, measures of addressing constraints that are likely to arise would have been put in place already (Denicolo Becker, 2012, pp. 1-2). The laptops would be portable and have the highest processing speeds of all laptops in the market. Rival companies have have failed to invent new laptop models. Computer users have complained over the past regarding the failure in growth of the laptop manufacturing industry. Laptop manufacturing companies have developed fear for constraints that are associated with development of new laptop models. However, Lenovo company has the capacity to identify and address the expected constraints. It is therefore appropriate for Lenovo to be the first in filling the gap that is existing in the market. Lenovo would hence attract many new customers who will be attracted to the new Lenovo computer models. Therefore, the research aims at developing a Lenovo computer model that meets the specifis needs of the consumers which other brands have failed to satisfy. Lenovo Company targets students in higher learning institutions across the world. The students require small, portable, efficient and good looking laptop models for their research work. The students are in their youthful stage. As a result, they prefer new and emerging technologies. Upon the production of the Lenovo laptop computers, a sample of 5000 laptops would be given for free to students in selected higher institutions of higher learning spread across the world. The company would then collect the views of the selected sample in regard to the new Lenovo computer models. Due to the far-fetched locations of universities, tertiary colleges and polytechnics a cross the world, there is need for a data collection method that would work effectively without major challenges. The company would collect the email addresses of the particular students so that they would be engaged via emails. Online questionnaires would be sent to the students for filling and thereafter they would email them back to the company Management. Lenovo would also carry out data collection via its Facebook account. Many students have Facebook accounts and hence would easily share information with the company via the platform. The sampling frame would be based on the companys sales data base. Information from Lenovo sales data base shows that majority of its customers are students in institutions of higher learning. In addition, the group of customer frequently engage the company via email and Facebook. The sample must therefore be obtained from the student population. Probability sampling method of simple random sampling would be used. The method gives every member of the population an equal opportunity of being selected. As a result, there would be no bias during the selection process. Nonprobability sampling method is prone to biasness which may alter results at the end. The company intend to use a sample size of 5,000 people. Several questions may be raised on how the sample population has been arrived at. Lenovo Company has considered many factors, among them the cost of the study, requirements for proper analysis of the data and the study purpose. 5,000 students spread across institutions of higher learning a cross the world would be sampled. They would be sampled because majority of Lenovo customers are drawn from such students. Since the students are based in far locations in different parts of the world, they would be sampled through emails and Facebook. The sampling would be done immediately the proposal is approved. The operational plan would be executed once the sample plan has been checked and approved by the manager (Ogden Goldberg, 2002, p. 12). Conclusion There are conceptual frameworks that are necessary for the development of new computer models. In the event that the conceptual frameworks are not addressed, then failure is likely to occur. Development of new computer models is associated with constraints that should be keenly looked into. The constraints include time and resource among many others. Time is essential in the development of new projects. It would be needless to develop a project that is not favored by time. A thorough research must, therefore, be done to ascertain that the intended project would fit within the time. The available resources must also be adequate enough for the entire project. In addition, it is important to find out whether customers would embrace the new models or not. It would be needless to carry on with a project that is not acceptable among customers. A simple design model is always carried out to gauge the feelings of the customers and also to collect their views. The company also uses the opport unity in determining whether the constraints have been well taken care of or not. References: Denicolo, P. Becker, L., 2012. Developing Research Proposals. s.l.:SAGE. Denscombe, Martyn, 2012. Research Proposals: A Practical Guide: A Practical Guide. s.l.:McGraw-Hill Education (UK. Maree, K. Westhuizen, C. v. d., 2009. Head Start in Designing Research Proposals in the Social Sciences. s.l.:Juta and Company Ltd. Ogden, T. E. Goldberg, I. A., 2002. Research Proposals: A Guide to Success. s.l.:Academic Press. Punch, K. F., 2006. Developing Effective Research Proposals. London : SAGE. Punch, K. F., 2015. Developing Effective Research Proposals. London: SAGE.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Sample Final Exam free essay sample

The company currently has earnings per share of $8. 25. The company has no growth and pays out all earnings as dividends. It has a new project which will require an investment of $1. 60 per share today (at time zero). The project will increase the earnings by $0. 40 per share indefinitely starting one year after the investment. Investors require a 10 percent return on XYZ stock. Assume the firm just paid the dividend of $8. 25 yesterday. a) What is the value per share of the company’s stock assuming the firm does not undertake the investment opportunity? 5 pts) b) If the company does undertake the investment what is the value per share now? (10 pts) c) What will the value per share be 3 years from now? (5 pts) Solution: a) P = Dividend / R = 8. 25 / 0. 1 = $ 82. 5 b) NPVGO = (-1. 60 + 0. 40 / 0. 1) = $ 2. 40 So the stock price will be: 82. 5 + 2. 40 = 84. 90 c) (8. 25 + 0. 40) / 0. 1 = 86. 5 Question 3 – Portfolio Variance Suppose the expected returns and standard devia tion of stocks A and B are E(Ra) = 0. We will write a custom essay sample on Sample Final Exam or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 13, E(Rb) = 0. 19, ? a = 0. 38, ? b = 0. 62 respectively. ) Calculate the expected return and standard deviation for a portfolio that is composed of 45 percent A and 55 percent B when the correlation coefficient between the returns on A and B is 0. 5 (10 pts) b) How does the correlation coefficient between the returns on A and B affect the standard deviation of the portfolio? (3 pts) c) Provide a range for the correlation coefficient where we obtain diversification benefits. (i. e, The portfolio standard deviation is less than the weighted average of the individual standard deviations of the stocks? ) Provide a range where we don’t have diversification benefits. 3 + 2 pts) d) For some values of correlation coefficient, we can achieve a portfolio standard deviation of almost zero. TRUE or FALSE? ( 2 pts) Solution: a) The expected return of the portfolio is the sum of the weight of each asset times the expected return of each asset, so: E(RP) = wAE(RA) + wBE(RB) E(RP) = . 45(. 13) + . 55(. 19) E(RP) = . 1630 or 16. 30% The variance of a portfolio of two assets can be expressed as: ([pic] = w[pic]([pic] + w[pic]([pic] + 2wAwB(A(B(A,B ([pic] = . 452(. 382) + . 552(. 622) + 2(. 45)(. 55)(. 38)(. 62)(. 50) ([pic] = . 20383 So, the standard deviation is: (P = (. 20383)1/2 = . 4515 or 45. 15% b) As Stock A and Stock B become less correlated, or more negatively correlated, the standard deviation of the portfolio decreases. c) corr lt; 1 (strictly less), corr = 1 d) TRUE Question 4 – CAPM and SML Suppose that you observe the following information. Assume these securities are correctly priced. Beta Expected Return XYZ Corp: 1. 4 0. 150 ABC Corp: 0. 9 0. 115 a) What is the risk free rate and the expected return on the market? 3 + 3 pts) b) What is the expected return on an asset with a beta 1. 6? (4 pts) c) What is the beta on a portfolio consisting of 30% XYZ, 30% ABC, 20% risk free asset and 20% market portfolio? (5 pts) d) If a security has beta 1. 8 and expected return 18%, is this security above or below SML? Over or under priced? ( 2 + 3 pts) Solution: a) Here we have the expected return and beta for two assets. We can express the returns of the two assets using CAPM. If the CAPM is true, then t he security market line holds as well, which means all assets have the same risk premium. Setting the reward-to-risk ratios of the assets equal to each other and solving for the risk-free rate, we find: (. 15 – Rf)/1. 4 = (. 115 – Rf)/. 90 .90(. 15 – Rf) = 1. 4(. 115 – Rf) .135 – . 9Rf = . 161 – 1. 4Rf .5Rf = . 026 Rf = . 052 or 5. 20% Now using CAPM to find the expected return on the market with both stocks, we find: .15 = . 0520 + 1. 4(RM – . 0520). 115 = . 0520 + . 9(RM – . 0520) RM = . 1220 or 12. 20%RM = . 1220 or 12. 20% b) 5. 20% + 1. 6 (12. 20% – 5. 20%) = 5. 20% + 11. 20% = %16. 40 c) 0. 30 * 1. 4 + 0. 30*0. 9 + 0. 2*1 +0. *0 = 0. 89 d) According to SML 5. 20% + 1. 8 (12. 20% 5. 20%) = 5. 20% + 12. 60% = 17. 80%. The security is above SML. It is underpriced. Question 5 1). For a multi-product firm, if a projects beta is different from that of the overall firm, then the:Â  (4 pts) A. CAPM can no longer be used. B. project should be discounted using the overall firms beta. C. project should be discounted at a rate commensurate with its own beta. D. project should be discounted at the market rate. E. project should be discounted at the T-bill rate. 2). Jacks Construction Co. as 80,000 bonds outstanding that are selling at par value. Bonds with similar characteristics are yielding 8. 5%. The company also has 4 million shares of common stock outstanding. The stock has a beta of 1. 1 and sells for $40 a share. The U. S. Treasury bill is yielding 4% and the market risk premium is 8%. Jacks tax rate is 35%. What is Jacks weighted average cost of capital? (8 pts) A. 7. 10% B. 7. 39% C. 10. 38% D. 10. 65% E. 11. 37% Re = . 04 + (1. 1 ( . 08) = . 128 Debt: 80,000 ( $1,000 = $80m Common: 4m ( $40 = $160m Total = $80m + $160m = $240m [pic]