Paper instructions:
The Research Paper The description and rubric for the research paper is presented as a separate document and posted in the resources area. The paper should be typed and doubled spaced with a minimum of 20 pages excluding the cover, table of contents and work cited pages.

Please use the MLA format for your citations and credible sources for your research. Wikipedia and About.Com are not credible, do not use them.

The companies below are publicly traded companies, so go to their websites and click on Investor relations to access their Annual or 10-K Reports under publications.

Suggested Cases for the Research Paper:

1. Honda Motor Company

2. True Religion, Inc
3. Jacobs Engineering

4. Tutor Perini

5. Hot Topic

6. Mattel Toys

7. Avery Denison

8. Stamps.com

9. Public Storage
10. Korn Ferry International

Sample Table of Contents for the Research Paper:

1. Introduction, including the purpose of the paper (why are you writing the paper), products your assigned firm sells, or services they provide and how they do so to generate revenue, how long in business, market position, and location of the corporate headquarters.

2. Competitive strategy. Do they compete on low price, or premium price (differentiation)? If so, discuss.

3. Industry. Describe the industry the company belongs to, and the trends and forces that drive competition in the industry. You should also state and describe the government agency (s) that regulates the industry.

4. Short-term (measurable and specific objectives that can be achieved within a year or less) and long-term goals of the company. What are the strategies for achieving these short-term objectives and long-term goals?

5. Organizational structure of the firm. Is the company organized by department (function), product, division, or by geography? Does the structure creates too many layers for the firm, and slow down decision- making, or strategy implementation? If so, what are your recommendations?
6. Financial management. Compute and discuss the results of the following ratios for the firm: Current ratio regarding the liquidity of the firm, gross margin and net profit ratios regarding the profitability of the firm, and debt to asset ratio regarding the leverage or debt load of the firm.
Sample Formulas for Ratios:
1. Liquidity Ratios: Current ratio = current assets/current liabilities expressed as in decimals.

1. Profitability Ratios: Gross profit margin= sales – cost of goods sold/sales expressed as percentages, net profit margin = net profit after taxes/sales expressed as percentages, return on investment= net profit after taxes/total assets expressed as percentages.

1. Activity Ratios: Days of inventory = inventory/cost of goods sold/ 365 days, Average collection period = accounts receivable/sales per year /365 days

1. Leverage Ratios: Debt to asset ratio = total debt/total assets expressed as percentages.
7. Conclusion