During Week 5, you will write an eight- to ten- page research paper (excluding title and reference pages) that addresses a particular human service profession.  The text lists numerous occupational titles (p. 125).  After choosing a title that interests you, research and develop a paper that includes the following topics as related to your chosen profession:
1.   NOHSE standards
2.   Historical perspective on federal laws relating to your profession
3.   Confidentiality
4.   Ethical responsibilities

Describe the unique aspects of your profession in the human services field as well as the general applications that may apply to most or all other human service professions. Include a minimum of five scholarly, peer-reviewed sources that were published within the last five years, cited according to APA guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center in your paper.
Writing the Research Paper

1.   Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
2.   Must include a title page with the following:

a.   Title of paper
b.   Student’s name
c.   Course name and number
d.   Instructor’s name
e.   Date submitted

3.   Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
4.   Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
5.   Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
6.   Must use at least five scholarly, peer-reviewed sources that were published within the last five years from the Ashford University Library.
7.   Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
8.   Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment. 

Assignment 1: Yahoo and Amazon: Building a Competitive Advantage

Due in Week 3 and worth 300 points

Review Case 21 “How Amazon.com became the leading online retailer by 2011”, and Case 23 “Is Yahoo!’s business model working in 2011?” located in the textbook to complete this assignment.

Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you:

1. Describe, in brief, the histories of both of Amazon.com and Yahoo.com, and determine the core business of each.
2. Determine the key strategic differences that have impacted the relative success of both Amazon.com and Yahoo.com. Provide two (2) specific examples of such strategic differences to support the response.
3. Compare and contrast the approach to strategic planning that each company has pursued in order to achieve a competitive advantage. Focus specifically on both intended and emergent strategies.
4. Analyze the manner in which each company’s distinctive competencies help to shape the strategies that each company pursues. Provide a rationale to support the response.
5. Recommend one (1) functional level strategy for each company which prescribes the essential ways in which each may achieve superior efficiency, quality, innovation, and customer responsiveness. Provide a rationale to support the response.
6. Use at least three (3) quality references. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Analyze the role of a company mission, vision, and objectives and the impact to business strategy.
• Describe strategic planning techniques used to formulate alternative strategies designed to achieve stated business goals.
• Analyze the external and internal environment for opportunities, threats, strengths, and weaknesses that impact the firm’s competitiveness.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in strategic management.
• Write clearly and concisely about strategic management using proper writing mechanics.