RJA #9b: Argument

Reasons:
1) Returns shareholder value for companies to be sold at a premium
2) Expands product selection when a company is sold.
3) Prices usually decline for products because the good can be produced at a lower amount passing the savings along to the consumer.

Objections:
1) American companies lose their American identity
2) American jobs are lost to foreign competition
3) Branding is forever tarnished because of foreign ownership

RJA #9a: Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement:
American companies are being acquired by international companies because of the weak dollar.
Precise Claim:
Currency is the major factor in merger and acquisition activity.
Reasons:
1) The Euro has had a steady advance against the dollar which has increased purchasing power.
2) Recent economic conditions have placed many American companies for sale at fire-sale prices.
3) It is attractive for foreign companies to expand their global foot prints by acquiring American companies.

Research Question:
What elements are contributing to the increased pressures for American companies to be acquired by international competitors.

RJA #8b: Evaluation Check

http://csando1020.blogspot.com/2010/03/rja7a-evaluation-of-sources.html

http://carolpilk.blogspot.com/2010/03/rja-7a-evaluation-of-sources_2269.html#comment-form

RJA #8a: Quotation, Paraphrase, and Summary

The president in an attempt to jump start exports in an effort to help with the unemployment issue facing Americans is working to double exports in five years. The presidents plan calls for lending to small and medium sized businesses and a new czar to oversee the process, reporting to the cabinet. Many are speculating that because American goods are expensive through production costs the global economy is not ready for a surge in American exporting. One strategy being explored is that of technology to make up for manufacturing. To help propel the technology export theory the administration is working to change the export controls which can limit what technologies are permitted to trade. The trade team that is reporting to the president are comprised of former blue chip business executives.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/business/economy/12trade.html

RJ#6c Field Research Options

Market Research
1) comparison of foreign based services that have domestic competition
2) Identify a change in marketing in domestic companies that have been sold.

-Survey
1) Ask peers
2) Ask consumers

-Currency predictions
1) Verify short interest on currency trades
2) Pin point currency speculation with trade date

RJA #6b: Social Media and Multimedia

Resource searched:Twitter.com
Keywords: American Buyouts
Search strategies: American_Buyouts
Date of Search:3-3-10
Number of Hits: 6
Relevance: 2

Resource searched: SeekingAlpha.com
Keywords: American Products
Search strategies: American_Products
Date of Search:3-3-10
Number of Hits: 199
Relevance: 4

Resource searched: blogsearch.google.com
Keywords: American Business takeovers
Search strategies: American_business_takeovers
Date of Search:3-3-10
Number of Hits: 160,423
Relevance: 3

Resource searched: Yahoo message boards
Keywords: Searching specific blue chip American companies
Search strategies: *Various
Date of Search:3-3-10
Number of Hits:
Relevance: 4

RJA #6a: Websites–

Resource searched:Yahoo.com
Keywords:Great American Business products
Search Strategies: American _ Business_Products
Date of search:3-3--10
Number of hits: 198 million
Relevance:3

Resource searched: ask.com
Keywords: American Business takeovers
Search Strategies: American _ Business_takeovers
Date of search:3-3--10
Number of hits: 617,000
Relevance:4

Resource searched: onine.WSJ.com
Keywords: Takeover
Search Strategies: company takeovers
Date of search:3-3--10
Number of hits: 168
Relevance:5