MBA Research

Businesses have a lot to do with utility—they can create it, and they can enhance it. That’s why it’s so important for your students to learn what utility is and how businesses influence it. Teach them with Use It! This LAP explains the four types of utility, as well as what businesses can do to give their products more utility. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT!...

Can your students explain why they pay what they do for products and services? Or how supply and demand influence prices? Most likely, they haven’t given the concept of price much thought. This LAP helps your students learn why prices are important; the functions of prices; how prices are determined; and how consumers, businesses, and resource owners use prices to make economic decisions every day. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented...

Economic resources (factors of production) enable businesses to produce the goods and services that consumers want. Regardless of a business’s product or size, a significant consideration affecting the business’s success is its ability to choose and use the best combination of natural resources, human resources, and capital goods. Use this LAP to help your students learn about the different types of resources and their limitations, how to respond to limited resources, and why economic...

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage emotions in ourselves and others. EQ and You (Emotional Intelligence) includes a detailed explanation of the components of emotional intelligence. It also explains the importance of emotional intelligence in the business world and the benefits that it brings to the workplace. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a...

Conflict is a natural part of life. From disagreements at home, at school, and at work, students are exposed to conflict practically every day. In this LAP students will learn how to successfully resolve conflicts, helping them build positive, resilient relationships with their peers and coworkers. Students will discover their personal conflict management style – and learn how to interact with people that handle conflict differently. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include...

Whether we like it or not, rules are a part of life – at home, at school, and at work. Learning how to adhere to organizational guidelines is an integral skill for students of all backgrounds and interests, as well as for current job-seekers and young professionals. In this LAP, students will learn the importance of company protocols, policies, and procedures, as well as the personal and organizational benefits of adhering to them. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all...

Your students negotiate every day, whether they realize it or not. But not all negotiations are as simple as what to have for dinner—what about important workplace negotiations, like getting a raise or bargaining with a coworker? With this LAP, you can give your students a leg up. They’ll learn how to negotiate with anyone—supervisors, coworkers, or customers. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a...

All businesses are affected by the environments in which they operate. There are a number of external factors that influence the decisions and strategies that businesses must make to be successful. Teach your students what these factors are and how businesses respond to these environmental changes to compete locally, nationally, or even internationally. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student...

Individuals aren’t the only ones who are responsible for paying taxes—businesses pay them, too! Teach your students why businesses pay taxes, what types of taxes they pay, and where their tax dollars go. This LAP also covers different tax structures, business deductions, and the role of the IRS. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information...

Inflation doesn’t just affect businesses–it affects consumers, too. In this LAP, students will discover the impact of inflation both on the economy and in their own lives. They will explore the pros and cons of inflation levels, and learn how governments attempt to control inflation rates. In the activities, students will delve into inflation rates over time, learning how inflation has impacted the prices of common products and services throughout the years. LAPs (Learning Activity...

The effects of unemployment are felt by individuals, families, communities, and the nation as a whole. Teach your students about the types, causes, and costs of unemployment. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about the impact of unemployment rates, a (So What?) discussion of why it's important to learn,...

Do your students know where their stuff comes from? Chances are, their favorite products have traveled a great distance to get to them. In this LAP, students will discover the impact of globalization – both on their everyday lives and on the buying and selling of goods across the world. They will learn why countries engage in global trade, the economic benefits of global trade, and the many barriers to trade. In the Gray Zone, students will examine the ethicality of sweat-shop labor, an...

Before the Industrial Revolution, many workers labored for low wages in poor working conditions without benefits. But when workers joined together to demand better treatment, organized labor took shape—changing the business world forever. Teach your students what labor unions are, how they negotiate with employers, and what effects they have on employees and businesses. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP...

Writing down everything that you want isn’t easy. That’s because we all have unlimited, competing wants, but our resources are limited. As a result, we must learn to make wise economic choices. Economics is all about decision-making—determining how to get the most satisfaction with the fewest resources. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT!...

Teach your students about the advantages and disadvantages of specialization and division of labor, the impact of specialization on businesses and employees, and the relationship between job scope and depth. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about specialization and division of labor, a (So What?)...

Competition isn’t a bad thing—it turns the wheels of our private enterprise economy! This LAP explains the types of competition, the four main types of market structures, and how competition benefits businesses, customers, and society. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about competition, a (So What?)...

Boom or Bust explores the business cycle—a wild, never-ending rollercoaster ride with thrilling ups and scary downturns. Help your students understand the ongoing cycle of economic expansions, peaks, contractions, and troughs that our economy experiences, as well as internal and external factors causing these highs and lows. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT!...

What’s the difference between economic and noneconomic wants? What are goods and services? How can goods and services be classified? This LAP answers these questions and explains even more about economic goods and services. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about economic goods and services, a (So...

We all work best when we capitalize on our strengths and minimize our weaknesses. This LAP explains how self-assessments can help people increase opportunities for career success, ace their interviews, make better decisions, work well in teams, and more! LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about assessing...

Have you ever heard of “win-win” situations? They’re possible—as long as people act assertively! This LAP explains how assertive behavior differs from aggressive or passive behavior. It also explains the benefits of behaving assertively, as well as the steps anyone can take to become more assertive. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. Each LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes...

In any group situation, it can be hard for everyone to agree—that’s where consensus building comes in! This LAP explains what consensus is and isn’t, the advantages and disadvantages of using it, and the steps any group can take to build consensus. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about consensus...

Treating others with respect and dignity is an important skill to have, at school or in the workplace. This LAP explains the ways people are different and how to treat them respectfully, no matter what. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about treating others with dignity and respect, a (So What?)...

Globalization has a great impact on the way we live. This “shrinking of the world” has an effect on everything and everyone. Teach your students about the influence of the global environment on modern businesses and ways that people can do business in other countries. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about the global business...

Well-planned organizational design is crucial to the success of any business. In this LAP, students will discover the importance of structure within an organization by studying the many types of organizational design used by successful companies today. In the Gray Zone, students will evaluate a situation in which a manager abuses his/her authority within an organization’s hierarchy. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan....