Tobacco Shop Franchising Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tobacco Shop Franchising - Essay Example The reason stems out of the fact that people are often more aware of the product or service offered by a franchise and prefer it to those offered by lesser-known outlets. Another benefit of signing the franchising agreement is that the franchisor has already proved that the operations in this market conducted in this particular manner can be successful. As the Pipe Dreams has been around for eight years and has established a network of franchisees, of which it is known that they have had a high success rate in the past, one can be certain the franchisor has proved that the chosen layout and location of the tobacco shops, the developed pricing policy and assortment of the tobacco goods offered are successful. Moreover, for Ralph Emerson to be able to run his tobacco shop effectively he needs the knowledge and feeling of the goods' peculiarities and the consumer preferences. Probably, in his previous career as a librarian he may have accumulated some knowledge about the tobacco and cigars, most probably through the hobby, but it can not be compared to the expertise of the well-known tobacconist whose ideas have proven their validity during the eight-year period. Therefore, the training and guidance in the assortment choice and the shop decoration is of high importance in this case.

Huck Finn in Education Essay Example for Free

Huck Finn in Education Essay For education to serve its purpose of helping students develop an understanding of themselves and the world around them, it must provide uncensored information and ideas. Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn undoubtedly supports that goal of education. The classic novel discusses issues regarding society’s greed and cowardice through a young boy’s, Huck Finn, perspective. Huck Finn is born into the American, white south during the mid 1800s when slavery and racism towards blacks was the norm. He is influenced by his surroundings to believe that slavery is right. The â€Å"civilized† adults dictate to him the nature of blacks as property. However, as a rebellious adolescent, Huck runs away from his home and journeys down the Mississippi river with a black slave named Jim. Across this adventure, Huck develops a different set of morals from his culture and slowly comes to view Jim as a person and a friend. America’s past white, southern culture is a testament to the gruesome reality of society’s ability to institutionalize its selfish nature. Mark Twain emphasizes in a genuine manner the ignorance of America’s slave-holding past and the importance of questioning the morals of society and as such, the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is worthy of belonging in compulsory education. Unlike many other novels, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn delivers an unromanticized depiction of the racist, white south and slavery in the early part of American history. As seen through his characters, Mark Twain is not afraid to show the true nature of racism present in the 1800s. One of the most unsympathetic characters in the book is Pap, Huck Finn’s drunkard and abusive father. Pap’s dialogue contains the image of the thoughts of the average racist southern man in America during that era. In one instance, Pap says: Oh, yes, this is a wonderful govment, wonderful. Why, looky here. There was a free nigger there from Ohio – a mulatter, most as white as a white man. He had the whitest shirt on you ever see, too, and the shiniest hat; and there aint a man in that town thats got as fine clothes as what he had; and he had a gold watch and chain, and a silver-headed cane – the awful- est old gray-headed nabob in the State. And what do you think? They said he was a pfessor in a college, and could talk all kinds of languages, and knowed everything. And that aint the wust. They said he could VOTE when he was at home. Well, that let me out. Thinks I, what is the country a-coming to?†(35) Pap’s words clearly show the hatred he has towards blacks and his belief of white supremacy. He finds the idea of a black man, even a half black man, having the right to vote, a stable job, and an education, absolutely repulsive. This prejudicial perspective of Africa Americans was as common as the modern belief that slavery is wrong. In fact, though slavery in the United States was abolished after the Civil War, the intrinsic racism in America would not be truly called to question until the mid to late 1900s, more than a century later. The inability of white Americans to come to terms with black rights is a portrayal of the wrongs of society. Society is not perfect and young members of society should understand that in order to later on change society for the better. Education in America should provide insight to the hardships of African Americans, and the struggle of Jim living in a society filled with minds like Pap exemplifies the struggle and history of Black Americans. Furthermore, in Pap’s statement is the word â€Å"nigger†. Throughout the entire novel, Mark Twain controversially used the derogatory term over 200 times. Many feel that the use of â€Å"nigger† causes the book to be unacceptable in compulsory education. However, a more accurate view would be that the word â€Å"nigger† is not used in the novel for the purpose of demeaning blacks; rather the word is used to make the story accurate to the time. Words get their meaning from the intent of the speaker. Twain’s intent was not for the word to criticize blacks as it is well known that Mark Twain was an advocate against slavery and racism. He used the word because back in the 1800s, the normal word for slaves was â€Å"nigger†. By using the word, Twain painted a realistic picture of the southern culture of America. Although other books exist that discuss the nature of slavery without the term, for example, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, books like Uncle Tom’s Cabin are not as effective of delivering a view of the past. In Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the slave Uncle Tom is unrealistic for a slave of the time period. He speaks in an educated manner, and his obsession with religion turns him into an allegorical religious figure. Uncle Tom’s characterization takes away from the true battle of slavery in the south. On the other hand, Jim in Huck Finn is characterized more realistically. He speaks in a lower class way, and his journey with Huck for freedom depicts slavery and racism in that era. The book does not hide the sad truth of bigotry and the dehumanization of African Americans. Instead the book highlights it and educates students the history of American slavery. Moreover, the character of Huck Finn goes through a journey that expresses the important idea of an individual going against society’s rules to act on an unhindered set of morals in order to do what is right and good. Young teens often end up conforming to society in order to fit in. This conformity creates a loss of new and innovative ideas. Twain poses an important lesson of individuality and questioning society. Huck Finn is a boy living in a world where all his adult guides would tell him that befriending a black man and helping free a slave would be completely immoral. Born in such a culture, Huck accepts the view as the truth. Black people are bad. His conformity can be seen when he says: â€Å"Conscience says to me What had poor Miss Watson done to you, that you could see her nigger go off right under your eyes and never say one single word? What did that poor old woman do to you, that you could treat her so mean? I got to feeling so mean and so miserable I most wished I was dead (91). Instead of pitying Jim’s status as a slave, Huck pities Miss Watson for losing a slave. This illustrates slavery’s prominence and integration into society, along with Huck’s own ignorance and inability to shake off society’s influence. Society’s strong grasp on Huck is similar to modern pop culture’s grasp on teens. Every day, the media bombards the youth of America images of what is right and wrong. Sometimes society gives off the wrong message. For example, the attitude towards rape in America is society being wrong and the youth following the rape culture without questioning. Students should learn from this novel to stand up for their conscience as Huck does as the story progresses. Through involvement with Jim, Huck discovers Jim’s humanity. This discovery of blacks being human just like whites leads Huck to a higher moral understanding. Huck writes: â€Å"It was a close place. I took . . . up [the letter I’d written to Miss Watson], and held it in my hand. I was a-trembling, because I’d got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself: â€Å"All right then, I’ll go to hell†Ã¢â‚¬â€and tore it up. It was awful thoughts and awful words, but they was said. And I let them stay said; and never thought no more about reforming†(207). When Huck tears the letter up, he is actively going against society and the white southern culture. This change is a depiction of not only the message of fighting society’s corruption, but also of Twain writing his opposition to slavery and racism. He calls out from his narrative for people to strip away their cultural influences. The influence of society can be harmful and slavery is a prime example. The whole of the south fought to uphold slavery, when today, the thought of legal slavery in the US is unthinkable. Mark Twain’s novel educates people to stand up for freedom from societal influences. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a classic American piece of literature that should be part of compulsory education. The book contains a strong message and a realistic portrait of the time era. Mark Twain does not cover up information. He narrates it in a compelling story. Students learn from this novel the flaws of society and the importance of questioning ideas through a young boy and slaves’ adventure away from slavery and societal rules.

Conservation of the Great Barrier Reef: is the Benefit worth the Cost?

Conservation of the Great Barrier Reef: is the Benefit worth the Cost? Introduction The Great Barrier Reef has been an iconic part of Australia’s global image for decades. It is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world, it has been a world heritage site since 1981 and it is considered a state icon of Queensland. This stunning and complex natural resource draws in more than two million visitors a year, and yet there is immense controversy surrounding the conservation of the reef. The Great Barrier Reef is a sensitive environment that relies on the costal ecosystems surrounding the reef to function. The costal ecosystems provide the aquatic terrestrial link that â€Å"†¦support[s] the physical, biological and biogeochemical process that underpin the ecosystem health of the Great Barrier Reef†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, 2012). The Great Barrier Reef provides Australians and people worldwide many social benefits such as agricultural production, commercial and recreational fishing, tourism, recreation and environm ental values. Total Economic Value of the Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef provides economic benefits when either preserved or destroyed. Environmental and economic concerns tend to raise controversy, whether it be land rights, natural resources, pollution or any other variety of environmental concerns. Public opinion is heavily divided, some believe that the environment should come first at all costs while others believe the economy is of greater importance. There is no right or wrong answer. The truth is that economic benefits often conflict with environmental and social benefits. This effects the way that policy makers make decisions, therefore it is very important that there is a way to value environmental features within nature in monetary terms. â€Å"Valuing nature in monetary terms can effectively inform policy settings and help industry, government, the science community and the wider public fully understand the contribution of the environment to the economy and society.† (Total economic value of the Great Barrier Reef what you need to know, 2017). In a world that is continually growing more environmentally conscientious it is important that there is a way to assist with mutual understanding of environmental and economic costs and benefits. Using the Total Economic Value (TEV) framework a monetary value can be placed environmental features such as the Great Barrier Reef. The aim of this essay is to provide an analysis of the value of the Great Barrier Reef and provide a case for conserving the Great Barrier Reef and limiting or modifying the main activities or driving forces that are putting pressure of the Reef’s overall health. What is Total Economic Value (TEV)? TEV is a cost-benefit analysis framework used for valuing a natural resource and comparing the cost and benefit of having said resource to the cost and benefit of not having it. As represented in figure 1 below, there are many different types of values, the main two being use values and non-use values. Figure 1: Total Economic Value Framework (Total economic value of the Great Barrier Reef what you need to know, 2017) Putting a monetary value on a natural resource is a complex task and therefore all values must be reviewed and understood. For example the Great Barrier Reef is an iconic Australian image, as an icon the Great Barrier Reef holds icon value which is internationally influential on not only tourism but politics and business as well. Identifying the Costs and Benefits of Great Barrier Reef Conservation Cost Benefit analysis (CBA) is a process that attempts to measure the positive and negative consequences of something. CBA measures externality effects, social benefits and effects on both participants and non-participants. Social Benefits of Great Barrier Reef Conservation The Great Barrier Reef holds a significant number of social benefits that need to be reviewed when considering the TEV or a CBA of the reef. In a report of this size not all benefits can be reviewed, just the most major social benefits and costs will be briefly discussed. The Great Barrier Reef has been an important resource for thousands of years, stretching back to when the indigenous population lived within the coastal areas surrounding the Great Barrier Reef. Today the reef is used and valued as a place for people to visit and enjoy. The reef has provided over 54000 full time jobs for Australians through fishing and tourism (At what price? The economic, social and icon value of the Great Barrier Reef, 2017). The reef is also an important area for culture, recreation, scientific research and defence force training (McCook et al., 2010). Even through indirect use the Great Barrier Reef effects millions of people purely by existing. Having a pristine coastal and marine area to use for recreational activities promotes a healthier lifestyle, this is a social benefit that provides a healthier population and therefore in the long term decreases medical costs. There is a similar situation regarding air pollution. Having a healthy coastal environment and healthy marine environment would help to increase clean air and reduce air pollution, this again would cut medical costs in the long term and promote a healthy lifestyle. Social Costs of Great Barrier Reef Conservation It can be argued that the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef will have a negative effect on jobs due to the fact that reef conservation has a negative effect on coal mining and shipping routes. In order to protect the reef costal development must be regulated and minimised and this will have a significant effect on population growth and will economically effect coastal towns. Conservation of the reef does not necessarily mean removing all profitable practices from the reef. Conservation can mean that economic activity may continue but only in a way that is sustainable. Great Barrier Reef conservation will result in decreased growth rate for jobs within mining, fishing, agricultural and tourism sectors. Although growth rates for jobs would have to slow in the long term picture the jobs that are created would be created to last. As population size will continue to grow it must be determined if the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef will be enough to support many coastal and inland communities in north Queensland. The biggest driving force for the support of development of new coal mines and coastal ports in north Queensland is the promise of new jobs for the people living in proximity to the Great Barrier Reef. Measuring the costs and benefits of Great Barrier Reef conservation Benefits of the Great Barrier Reef Benefit Benefit Type Economic Value Type Valuation Method Recreational Benefits Social Benefit Direct Use Both visitors and residents use the Great Barrier Reef for recreational activities. The travel cost method would be used to determine the amount of money that people spent travelling in order to use the reef for recreational activities.    â€Å"About 60 per cent of recreational visitors visit the Reef between one and 10 times in a year, but a small proportion (about 15 per cent) visit the area more than 50 times a year. Recreational use (including recreational fishing) contributed $153 million to the Australian economy in 2006/07. The exact contribution of the non-fishing component is not known.† (Gbrmpa.gov.au, 2017) Economic Sustainability Private Benefit Direct Use By maintaining the health of the Great Barrier Reef it will continue to be an asset and supply jobs to the local area. Economic Sustainability can be valued using the Damage Cost Avoided, Replacement Cost, and Substitute Cost Methods Cultural Benefits Social Benefit Bequest Value Altruist Value Existence Value Icon Value Many Australians take pride in the natural phenomena within the country and are inclined to protect it for the use of future generations. Hedonic pricing would be used to determine the benefit of the reef in terms of cultural and aesthetic value. Health Benefits Social Benefit Direct Use Cleaner air and promotion of recreational activities will have health issues decrease and money will be saved on Medicare. Health Benefits would be measured using the contingent valuation method. Scientific Research Social and Private Benefit Direct Use The Great Barrier Reef can continue to be used for scientific research that may one day supply invaluable research. Fishing industry Private Benefit Direct use The use of the reef for commercial fishing can be valued using the market price method, as fish can be valued within a commercial market. Tourism Industry Social Benefit Direct Use The use of the reef for tourism can be valued using the productivity method or the contingent valuation method as the reef supplies many products and services within the tourism industry. Costs of the Great Barrier Reef Options for quantifying the costs and benefits of Great Barrier Reef conservation It appears that the best way to determine a monetary value of the Great Barrier Reef is the total economic value (TEV) framework. This framework has been used many times by many different organisations and repeatedly appears to have consistent conclusions. Oxford Economics assessed the TEV of the Great Barrier Reef in 2009 and came to the conclusion that it is worth 51.4 billion dollars (Valuing the effects of Great Barrier Reef bleaching, 2017), and in 2017 Deloitte economists determined that the value of the Great Barrier Reef stood at 56 billion dollars (At what price? The economic, social and icon value of the Great Barrier Reef, 2017). The TEV framework effectively encompasses the greatest range of costs, benefits and values out of all other frameworks. When using cost benefit analysis (CBA) the indirect benefits are not considered in the same way that they are with the TEV approach. It was determined in the Deloitte economists report that the second most valuable aspect of the Great Barrier Reef was indirect or non-use value at 23.8 billion dollars, second to only tourism which was determined to be worth a staggering 29 billion dollars. It is clear that the TEV framework is the best system currently within use. Conclusion The final thoughts on the topic of evaluating the value of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s greatest natural resources, is that currently the best and most effective way to put a monetary value on the reef is to use the TEV approach. This resource must preserved and Australia must not allow this resource to become abused and destroyed, it is one of the country’s greatest resources and is such an iconic image that represents Australia as a whole. The value that this brings through non-use value is irreplaceable and is in no way worth destroying for an economic trade off. References Deloitte Access Economics 2013, Economic contribution of the Great Barrier Reef, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville. Ecosystemvaluation.org. (2017). Market Price Method. [online] Available at: http://www.ecosystemvaluation.org/market_price.htm [Accessed 5 Aug. 2017]. Gbrmpa.gov.au. (2017). Coastal development and protecting the Great Barrier Reef GBRMPA. [online] Available at: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/managing-the-reef/threats-to-the-reef/coastal-development-and-protecting-the-great-barrier-reef. Gbrmpa.gov.au. (2017). Recreation GBRMPA. [online] Available at: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/managing-the-reef/how-the-reefs-managed/Managing-multiple-uses/recreation [Accessed 5 Aug. 2017]. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (2017). Ports and Shipping information sheet. pp.1-7. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (2012). Informing the outlook for Great Barrier Reef coastal ecosystems. Townsville: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, pp.1 18. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (2009). Coastal development. pp.1-2. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (2004). Environmental Impact Management Policy. pp.1-10. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (2014). 2014 Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report. Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report. [online] Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, pp.5-18. Available at: http://www.gbr.qld.gov.au/documents/gbr-outlook-report-2014-full.pdf. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (2009). 2009 Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report. Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report. [online] Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, pp.1-12. Available at: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/3843/OutlookReport_Full.pdf. Greenpeace. (2017). Boom Goes the Reef. [online] Available at: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/6607/gbrmpa_EIM_Policy_2010.pdf. McCook, L., Ayling, T., Cappo, M., Choat, J., Evans, R., De Freitas, D., Heupel, M., Hughes, T., Jones, G., Mapstone, B., Marsh, H., Mills, M., Molloy, F., Pitcher, C., Pressey, R., Russ, G., Sutton, S., Sweatman, H., Tobin, R., Wachenfeld, D. and Williamson, D. (2010). Adaptive management of the Great Barrier Reef: A globally significant demonstration of the benefits of networks of marine reserves. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107(43), pp.18278-18285. Moore, T. (2017). International concern about LNG industrys impact on Reef. [online] Brisbane Times. Available at: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/international-concern-about-lng-industrys-impact-on-reef-20111106-1n2fx.html. Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (2013). Draft report on the economic and social impacts of protecting environmental values in Great Barrier Reef catchment waterways and the reef lagoon. Marsden Jacobs, pp.38-117. Total economic value of the Great Barrier Reef What you need to know. (2017). 1st ed. [ebook] Deloitte Access Economics, pp.4 9. Available at: https://barrierreef.org/uploads/Total%20economic%20value%20of%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20-%20Need%20to%20know.pdf [Accessed 9 Aug. 2017]. Valuing the effects of Great Barrier Reef bleaching. (2017). 1st ed. [ebook] Saint Aldates: Oxford Economics, pp.1 80. Available at: https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/Media/Default/economic-impact/sustainability-and-climate-change/gbrfoxford.pdf [Accessed 13 Aug. 2017]. Stoeckl, N., Hicks, C., Mills, M., Fabricius, K., Esparon, M., Kroon, F., Kaur, K. and Costanza, R. (2011). The economic value of ecosystem services in the Great Barrier Reef: our state of knowledge. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1219(1), pp.113-133. At what price? The economic, social and icon value of the Great Barrier Reef. (2017). [online] Deloitte Economics. Available at: https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/au/Documents/Economics/deloitte-au-economics-great-barrier-reef-230617.pdf [Accessed 14 Aug. 2017].

The Role of Music in Thomas Hardys Writing :: Biography Biographies Essays

The Role of Music in Thomas Hardy's Writing Music played a role of marked importance in the life of Thomas Hardy. Hardy was surrounded by a family and a community in which music enhanced everything from church services to social gatherings at the local alehouse. His family was full of active musicians; his father and grandfather were instrumentalists in local church bands, his uncle was a violin player, and his mother often sang traditional ballads. Like many village musicians, Hardy had the ability to read music and play the violin. Although he owned a written collection of music, Hardy, like other villagers, focused on an oral musical tradition. Hardy could play several hundred songs on the violin, and was exposed to countless others at family, village, and church gatherings. This music, and the rural tradition out of which it grew, were foundations on which Hardy built a literary identity. Through the incorporation of music into his works, Hardy strove to preserve the musical traditions of his familiar rural settings. In his prose, Hardy used music as a means to evoke emotional responses from his characters. The introduction of music into a lush, fertile nature, such as that described in chapter XIX of Tess of the d'Urbervilles, resulted in a heightened sensuality of the character. As Tess walked through the outskirts of the garden, the music of Angel's harp intensified both her physical and emotional states. In chapter VI of Far From the Madding Crowd, Gabriel Oak sought respite from his sorrow through "the sound of the well-known notes [that] cheered his own heart."(Hardy) By playing his flute in the malthouse, Gabriel shared his joy in music with the townspeople. Hardy incorporated a traditional piece of rural life into his novels using folk songs and church music. He presented folk music in Tess of the d'Urbervilles as a symbolic link between Tess's past and her present circumstances. Tess is reminded of a lullaby sung to her as a child as she is trying on her wedding gown. At that point she realizes the significance of the familiar tune with the current events in her life. In Under the Greenwood Tree, Hardy relied on traditional church hymns to develop the Christmas caroling scene with the Mellstock Church Choir. The tradition of caroling in these rural societies exemplifies the role of church music in the lives of the rustic people. Hardy extensively used music in both the structural composition and thematic development of his poetry.

Learning Lab Denmark Case Study Essay

Executive Summary The Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition, from 1914 to 1916, is a compelling story of leadership when disaster strikes again and again. In words of David Foster Wallace, Real leaders are people who help us overcome the limitations of our own individual laziness and selfishness and weakness and fear. Q1;- Has designing and leadership at Learning Lab Denmark been effective so far? Why/Why not? What about Organizational Culture? A1:- Organizational design is the pillar of any organization. It is the deliberate process of configuring structures, processes, reward systems, and people practices to create an effective organization capable of achieving the business strategy. It is ongoing process and simply a vehicle for accomplishing the strategic tasks of the business. A well-designed organization helps everyone in the business do his/her job effectively. A poorly-designed organization (or an organization by default) creates barriers and frustrations for people both inside and outside the organization. Organizational design affected by few key factors, which are: 1. Strategy 2. Environment 3. Technology 4. HR Learning Lab Denmark was the â€Å"Research and Development Institute† which was established by the help of Danish Ministry of Business and Industry, the Ministry of Research and the Ministry of Education and the Private sectors. Like every organization, in LLD, there was an Organizational design to perform its job smoothly. In that organization, there was a central unit which conducted all the the jobs like Management, Communication and Culture activities called â€Å"Secretariat†. It was an independent organization but affiliated with the Danish Pedagogical university (DPU). In LLD, there were two senior managers, one was managing director and other was a research director. Research director was responsible for research jobs which were going on in all Consortia. The MD was to report to the boards and to oversee the organization’s daily operations. There were six consortia where in each  consortia, a Consortium Director was deputed and under which many employees were working on different projects. The Consortium were : Math and Science (MS) Neuroscience, Cognition and Learning (NCL) Play and Learning (PL) The Creative Alliance (TCA) Workplace Learning (WL) Tools for the Knowledge Based Organization (TKO) There was a dpartment under secretariat for sharing all the information and ensure an effective network of communication within LLD. It shared all the learnings between all Consortia and between Consortia and Secretariat. It also support to LLD by developing a consortium’s website. Secretariat also focused on the organizational culture whether is was followed or not. In my view, the Organizational design and leadership both were not so effective due to that Organization failed to perform. If we consider the basic key factors of Organization design, we will find; 1. Startegy – There was lack of strategy. What we have to do and what will be the tentative time frame of completion of job. There was lack of experienced employees so that they couldn’t make proper strategy. 2. Environment – There was no favourable work environment. Leaders were not able to communicate properly. Each consortia was doing his own way. There was ego issue between two different departments and both were avoiding each other instructions. 3. Technology – This was the research institute so the first thing which was required, adequate knowledge, experienced expertise, upgraded technologies. There was lack of all these things which led to fail the organization. 4. Human Resources – The HR management was handled by DPU so there was big gap betwee n the actual scenario inside the LLD and action taken by DPU. DPU was not involved directly and there was no perfect communication networking between LLD and DPU. There was big dissatisfaction in the employees of LLD. One of the reasons to fail the LLD was weak leadership. In the case study, it was clear that the role of top leaders was not effective. The CDs didn’t follow the instructions which were taken by senior leaders. There was big  ego issue between two departments. The CDs were doing their job in their own way. Organizational Culture – Organizational culture is the basic pillar of any organization. It decides the way to achieve the goal along with growth and great satisfaction of each and every employee. The culture depends on the few key factors which have been described below:- 1. Team Orientation – Degree to which work is organized around teams rather than individuals 2. People Orientation – Degree to which management decisions take into account the effects on people in the organization 3. Attention to detail – Degree to which employees are expected to exhibit precision, analysis and attention to detail 4. Stability – Degree to which organizational decisions and actions emphasize maintaining the status. 5. Aggressiveness – Degree to which employees are aggressive and competitive rather than cooperative. 6. Innovation & Risk Taking – Degree to which employees are encouraged to be innovative and to take risks 7. Outcome Orientation – Degree to which manager’s focus on results or outcomes Since in LLD, there was no any structured Organizational design so there was also lack of culture. There was no strategy according to which all consortia could perform. The consortia leader was not interested to follow the instruction of his senior management. The above described all factors are required to develop an organizational culture but in LLD, no any factors were lays. Q2 :- What are the opportunities and challenges of designing and leading Learning Lab Denmark? A2:- If any system fails it means that faced many challenges which couldn’t be attended on the time. In the case of LLD, there were multiple challenges in designing and leading, which i have described below. 1. Establish the Hilton Experience – Hilton experience means that the administrative side of LLD sustains the research side with supportive attitude where helpful procedures and routines make it easier, not harder, for the researcher to do their job. But in actual condition, there was lots of confliction between consortia and secretariat. 2. Common Culture and Identity – MD and Research Director of LLD wanted to establish common culture and identity across all consortia but it was very tough since the project job of all consortia were different from each other, so the working  was also different. 3. Establish the communication networking across LLD – It was very big challenge to establish the proper communication among Secretariat and Consortia and also among all Consortia. They didn’t want any interruption in their working on the projects. 4. Financial Crisis – Since LLD was an organization which was funded by Danish Govt. as well as Private investors. At the initial time when LLD was being established, the global market was facing recessions. The terrorist attacks on Sep’11, 2001 further heightened pessimism. So, it became tough to collect the fund for the Organization. 5. Execution of LLD Research model – LLD has established a research model where the involvement of Stakeholders have been introduced directly with the researchers to give their inputs so that researchers can work in that direction and at the same time, Researchers can convince with their efforts to Stakeholders. But it was not established due to weak leadership of LLD top management. 6. Recruitment of Researchers – This was research institute so the employees should have high knowledge along with experienced, only then research could be done in within time frame. This type of researchers could be recruited only when selector s having high knowledge. Other thing was the new inexperienced employees who got the first job of life in LLD, could be performed as per expectation due to lack of job experience. This was the big challenge. 7. Work Environment – A healthy and familiar work environment is required to perform well in the organization. This environment can be achieved by taking care of employee. For that a strong HR management should be there but in the LLD, this was lacking point. 8. Decision Taking Authority – There should be the freedom to take decision regarding research to all consortia but this should be controlled by LLD top management. For this, a structural frame should be in the organization with proper strategy. This was not in the LLD. 9. Get Result – All stakeholders invest on the basis of performance of the organization. They want results for that they invest the money. In LLD, only research work remained ongoing but results didn’t deliver with full satisfaction and within time frame. It also remained challenge and reason for failure. 10. Confliction – This was the big issue in the LLD and the main reason of the confliction between the employees was Power, Authority and Hierarchical Status. The top management couldn’t able to resolve this confliction. There are so many opportunities where LLD management should focus and could be improved. Few points have been described below. 1. Organizational Design – There should be proper structured team in LLD by considering few factors like; Strategy, Technology, Environment and Human Resource. This team should perform effectively. 2. Communication Networking – Communication networking to be strengthen and for communication, there should be a proper channel which should not be bypassed in any case. Communication should be monitored by senior management effectively. What to be shared with stakeholders, what to be requested to investors, what to be ordered to researchers; these all things should be monitored properly. 3. Recruitment – Since the core business of this organization was research so the employee recruitment should be on the basis of real merit and experience. 4. Training – If employees having less job-experienced then there should be a training cell where the researchers can be developed by training. 5. Feedback System – There should be proper feedback system for the ongoing projects status and it should be monitored on regular basis. 6. Fund Arrangement – There should be proper team for fund collection. Team has ability to convince the investors. They should make other strategy to draw the attention of investors. 7. Execution of LLD Research Model – The research model established by LLD was very good but it was not executed due to having much confliction between the top management of LLD and Consortia leaders. So, it should be role of top leaders that the good model should be executed effectively. 8. Resolves Confliction – There was too much confliction on the thoughts among the LLD and it created tension. The tension was created due to Power, Authority, Hierarchical Status and this was continued due to unwillingness of senior management. The senior leader should take their responsibilities and perform effectively. Q3:- Identify tensions, problems, issues, paradoxes, characteristics and dilemmas that make organizational design and leadership ongoing challenges in new ventures such as LLD. What is distinctive about LLD’s design? A3:- In LLD, there was tension between the Broker team (Communicator) and the Consortium Director and its related to whether the broker team is a â€Å"Service Team† that executes orders/requests issued by the CDs or a â€Å"Techno  Structure† that can issue orders/requests to the CDs. The tension was related to three main issues; Power, Authority and Hierarchical Status. The problem was that the more the broker team acts as if it is a technocratic structure, the more CDs resist. The paradox underlined the organization-wide tension between Standardization and Variability. The communicator team emphasized on stability and standardization as it represented secretariat of LLD where as the CDs fostered variability because they resisted the brokerâ€⠄¢s initiatives. â€Å"They accepted, the brokers are right when they say that no procedure includes all local conditions but we are also resisting because the procedures minimize our autonomy†. The consortia people also resisted to follow the standardization procedures due to which the secretariat was facing big challenge to deliver on the idea of being a Hilton experience. They were frustrated with LLD’s organizational bureaucracy, which they believed was constraining their efforts unnecessarily. Another problem was in the relationship between LLD and DPU. LLD’s managers and employees knew they belonged to DPU as an independent unit, but never viewed their organization as a part of DPU. Even though all LLD’s budget including salaries was paid through DPU’s administration, LLD’s administrators feared that if they used this bureaucracy, LLD would become like DPU means very slow, dusty and inefficient. According to LLD’s personnel, they were facing some human resource problem. They said that their salaries were not released on time by DPU. There was some management issue, due to which two Chief Financial Officers had resigned within 18 months and the reason shared was the perceived difficulty of serving as the interface between the two organizations. The LLD’s Organizational design was different in the case that only two senior managements were involved and MD was to oversee the organizational daily operations. There was confliction in the team due to having issues like Power, Authority and Hierarchical Status. The employees didn’t view their organization as a part of DPU whereas LLD was administratively governed by DPU. It showed there was no effective leadership. Q4:- As a leader, how do you prepare for and manage the difficulties and challenges identified in questions 2 and 3? Consider actions, strategies and techniques that you might want to take/use. Be specific and illustrate with examples? A4:- In this case study, i have found many difficulties and challenges and Being a leader, here i am explaining my remedial action to resolve those challenges. 1. Organizational Design – I would like to frame a design where responsibilities of everyone would be described and everyone will have to perform according to that. I would like to make a team on the basis of Strategy, Environment, Technology and Human Resource. I would introduce every consortia, a leader under whom a technical and managerial employee will work. Managerial employee will look after the basic needs of all involved researchers. And Technical employee will take reports on daily basis from the researchers and talk about their demands for doing project smoothly. Both will report to Consortia head. Consortia head will power to take decision for his consortia work and decide the time frame with responsibilities. Now in Secretariat, similarly, one top leader will be under whom a research director, a finance head , a HR head will work. Research Director will take report from all Consortia head. Finance head will manage all funding for LLD and head a cell which will work for fund collection by involving investors. HR head will look after all the basic needs of all employees across LLD. The head of Secretariat will take report from all three heads and take appropriate actions for the organization. He will shared the key points with DPU, Danish Govt. And Stakeholders. The all consortia head will be liable to follow the instructions given by all three heads, whom he will report and discuss the issue. 2. Communication Networking – Communication networking will be affected by leadership quality. If the above design will work effectively, the communication will remain strong. 3. Recruitment and Training – The HR will be responsible for recruitment and there will be selector team in which a technical and managerial employee will be involved for selection of researchers. In the selection, they will have to giv e priority to those who have much job experience and having higher degree of knowledge. Few researchers can be selected who have no much job experience but for those, there would be manage a training program on regular interval to increase their skills. 4. Financial Establishment – The finance dept will be responsible for the  funding arrangement. They will make different teams in which one will be in touch with every consortia and review their financial demands like equipments for experiment and other basic requirements, one will be responsible to review current cash situation and their expenditure plan, keep previous expenditure report, one will be responsible to involve investors, stakeholders by convincing with the performance of the organization, make some investment schemes., one will be responsible to review current market condition, take care of investors who has become partner in the organization. 5. Get Result – The organization is â€Å"Research and Development Institute†, so it’s growth will depend on the completion of projects within time frame. For this, every consortia head will be responsible for completion of all projects within time frame and share the way forward plan, if any projects doesn’t complete in within time frame. To involve the investors, everyone will keep honesty in his work. For this, HR team will responsible to arrange the meeting between investors and respective consortia at regular time of interval along with research head, so that every investors can remain updated with the ongoing research. 6. Confliction – This is the big challenge for any organization. This can only be resolved by the effective organizational design. It is the responsibility of the top leader to define the responsibility along with power and level of freedom to take decision on any topic. According to me, i will define the decision taking authority with the power and Hierarchical status. The HR department will be responsible whether the things are being followed or not. Whatever decision is taken by higher management, it should be followed by every employee. 7. Organizational Culture – Organizational culture is the basic pillar of any organization. It decides the way to achieve the goal along with growth and great satisfaction of each and every employee. The culture depends on the few key factors which are, Team Orientation, People Orientation, Stability, Aggressiveness, Innovation & Risk Taking, Outcome Orientation. In my leadership, i will assure the organizational key factors are being followed or not. Q5:- What should Vaaland and Jensen do? A5:- Being Managing Director, Marianne Stang Vaaland had much power to handle  the all obstacles. There are two types of obstacles; one can be controlled by your efforts since the reason of the obstacle remains known but another type of obstacle comes due to external agencies which is not in your hand and take much time to control that, like recession, market condition, investors demand etc. Vaaland should form an effective organizational design along with responsibility. He should take action if there is any deviation. Similarly being Research Director, Hans Siggaard Jensen should define the working responsibility of all researchers along with tentative time frame. He should take honest feedback from each consortia on regular basis and suggest if he founds any deviation. At first, Vaaland should resolve all the confliction by distribute the Power and Authority on Hierarchical base so that a healthy work environment can be developed. Both should have assured that researchers which are being selected will give benefit to the organization. It means selection process should be effective. If any researcher is selected who has less experience but having capability to learn and grow, for such type of researchers, there should be training cell. Both should have reviewed the market scenario and investors demand and according to that they should establish the working model. They should develop such type of organizational culture where whatever decision has been taken by both of them that should be followed by their sub-ordinates. Before establish any working model, both should discuss with their sub-ordinates. Both should make a strategy to collect the fund by providing different type of schemes for their investors. They should make a cell that looks after only the fund collection job. Both should have assured the project completion time frame so that investors can faith on the organization. It gives a positive message in the market and it helps to attract the investors. Both should have established the proper networking for communication and taking feedback. No one should have confliction on this. Both should have enforced to establish the Hilton Experience effectively between Secretariat and all Consortia. Q6:- What lessons can you draw from LLD? What LLD a success? A6:- The case study â€Å"Organizing From Scratch: Learning Lab Denmark Experience† is really having great lesson for all the leaders. In my  opinion, LLD was a big failure due to weak leadership and having no any strategic plan to run the organization for long time, achieve the targets, lack of organizational culture, inexperienced work force and weak financial condition. Here I am sharing the key points which I have learned from the case study to run any organization effectively:- Importance of effective and structured Organizational Design.

Free Essays on Click Thorugh Rate

Click-through rate (CTR) and Brand Awareness! The web is amazing. You can move around this medium, going "virtually" anywhere. And just think what it means to your brand to be able to generate awareness and have a two-way presence in an editorial environment that has affinity with your product or service? Yes, yes. What a powerful branding medium this could be, placing advertisers' images and messaging in an appropriate editorial context, but with the added benefit of being able to have the potential consumer communicate with the brand. What a great medium for exercising a little engagement branding, getting folks to involve themselves in brand by having brand affiliated with this two-way medium. The promise of Internet advertising has always been that it is more quantifiable than advertising offline. Being able to quantify the impact of branding, and eventually develop best practices that work best for us, is a great benefit for the Internet advertising industry. One of the measurement tools is the Click-Through Rate. The average number of click-through’s per hundred ad impressions, expressed as a percentage is a CTR. It is important to distinguish what a click-through rate does and does not measure. The CTR measures what percentage of people clicked on the ad to arrive at the destination site; it does not include the people who failed to click, yet arrived at the site later as a result of seeing the ad. Merely getting visitors to a site had value when Web site traffic was generally accepted as a measure of success. Though, the trend towards profitability, along with better tracking tools, has resulted in less interest in click-through rates. Click-through has been one of the standard ways to measure the effectiveness of online ads. They allow advertisers to track not just how many people see a particular ad, but how many are engaged enough to "click through" to the underlying Web site. Compared with traditional advertising, ... Free Essays on Click Thorugh Rate Free Essays on Click Thorugh Rate Click-through rate (CTR) and Brand Awareness! The web is amazing. You can move around this medium, going "virtually" anywhere. And just think what it means to your brand to be able to generate awareness and have a two-way presence in an editorial environment that has affinity with your product or service? Yes, yes. What a powerful branding medium this could be, placing advertisers' images and messaging in an appropriate editorial context, but with the added benefit of being able to have the potential consumer communicate with the brand. What a great medium for exercising a little engagement branding, getting folks to involve themselves in brand by having brand affiliated with this two-way medium. The promise of Internet advertising has always been that it is more quantifiable than advertising offline. Being able to quantify the impact of branding, and eventually develop best practices that work best for us, is a great benefit for the Internet advertising industry. One of the measurement tools is the Click-Through Rate. The average number of click-through’s per hundred ad impressions, expressed as a percentage is a CTR. It is important to distinguish what a click-through rate does and does not measure. The CTR measures what percentage of people clicked on the ad to arrive at the destination site; it does not include the people who failed to click, yet arrived at the site later as a result of seeing the ad. Merely getting visitors to a site had value when Web site traffic was generally accepted as a measure of success. Though, the trend towards profitability, along with better tracking tools, has resulted in less interest in click-through rates. Click-through has been one of the standard ways to measure the effectiveness of online ads. They allow advertisers to track not just how many people see a particular ad, but how many are engaged enough to "click through" to the underlying Web site. Compared with traditional advertising, ...

Crimson Tide essays

Crimson Tide essays Detective Regis was the main character in the movie and made many ethical decisions throughout the movie. To start off with, in the very beginning of the movie, there is a man standing in the middle of the city in the road holding up traffic because he has a gun to his head, and is threatening himself. Detective Regis makes an ethical decision to walk out there and know that the guy is not going to shoot himself or at him. He could have gotten himself shot very easily, or made the guy shoot himself very easily, but from what he knows and the business that he is in, he knows that the gun is on safety and he doesn't have to worry about anything bad happening to him or anybody else Another ethical decision he makes is to blame the presidents son for the murder. Just from what he knows, he tries to blame the presidents son for killing a girl, just because they had sex an hour before she was killed. But what he didn't know was that someone was just trying to frame the son. Another ethical decision he made was to keep questioning Nina Chance, because he thought that she knew some things, but she was not telling anyone. And it turned out to be a good decision to do this, because he found out a lot of very important information about people that he never would have found out before. And with all of the things he knew, he put it all together and figured out that the murderer was Jordan. Without this one simple decision he made, the murderer may have never been found, and could have killed lots more people, maybe even the president. Another one of the very important ethical decisions he made was to go to the president and tell him that Jordan was the murderer, because by doing this he could have got killed, or got other people killed. But it turned out that the only person that was killed was Jordan. But without the bravery on Nina Ch ...

Evaluation of the Internal and External Environments Essays

Evaluation of the Internal and External Environments Essays Evaluation of the Internal and External Environments Paper Evaluation of the Internal and External Environments Paper Evaluation of the internal and external environments is then followed by crucial decisions grading long and short-term goals and finally organizes for the implementation of the plan of action. The internal and external environments of Logo and Harley Davidson companies are described using an environmental scan. Environmental Scanning According to Wheeled Hunger an environmental scan is the monitoring, evaluation, and dissemination of information from the external and internal environments to key people with the corporation (Wheeled Hunger, 201 0, p. 8). External environments are identified by the possible opportunities and threats outside the organization. Internal environments are identified by the strengths and weaknesses within the organization. In addition, successful businesses analyze the following forces that drive industry competition, threat Of new entrants, rivalry among existing firms, threat Of substitute products or services, bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, and relative power of other stakeholders. Logos Internal Environment According to Metcalf Alfresco (2013), inbound logistics, which emphasizes on raw material, is fundamental in the companys operations. It acquires her main bulk of chemical materials from Leanness, a German company that provides standardized ingredients without any bottleneck that may interfere with Logos company. Logo further focuses on their products future demands by ensuring proper product mix. Although it is a cumbersome and technical forecast, the company has always done it successfully via utilization of software and analytical approach in achieving their goal. Moreover, Logo has optimally managed their manufacturing process in a way that high quality products are produced with minimal incidences of faultiness and wastage. The companys patented plastic ingredient ensures durable product and desirable colors as well as adherence to the European CE-labeling thus ensuring conformation with the European Union legislation (Hauser Robertson, 2009). Additionally, Logo has outsourced their distribution to DEL Excel Supply Chain in Eastern Europe hence reducing excess capacity during Summer when sales are low. It further helps them to concentrate in the production services and letting experts do their distributions. Logo has also diversified their operations such as entering into a strategic partnership with organizations such as Lucas Arts and Warner Pros that has enabled Star Wars and Harry Porter act as the savior of Logo (Metcalf Alfresco, 2013). Hauser Robertson (2009), posit that several businesses combinations that Logo has entered itself in make it enjoy indirect marketing thus contributing to their dramatic increase in sales. The company has been expanding their production facility closer to their customers as well as numerous promotional strategies such as conventional media and philanthropic charity. The company also uses superior prices and avoids any engagement in price tragedy and associates their high prices with better quality. It has also integrated some of their programs with educational institutions as a way of improving their products. Logos External Environment Considering Logos bargaining power, their significant supplier is within the chemical market that is very competitive thus reducing the suppliers bargaining power. The company has categorized their suppliers based on rockiness hence making their largest suppliers to be in low risk countries and smaller group of suppliers in high-risk countries. Companies in the toy industries including Logo have ensured low suppliers bargaining power. Retailers play an important role in selling and distributing Logos company (Hauser Robertson, 2009). Additionally, Logo has huge cost advantage since it does their production in low waged regions as well as the advantage of economies of scale. Logo also enjoys a vast variety of expertise that enables them to make competitive decisions. In addition, they have high brand equity that have been created for a long time. Metcalf Alfresco (2013), argue that Logo has addressed the issue of threat brought about by computer games by paving to electronic gaming. Logo enjoys loyal customers worldwide with exclusive licenses, solid distribution network, financial liberty as well as market experience. Harley Davidson Internal Environment According to Agnostic (201 3), Harley Davidson is amongst the leading motorcycle companies that have applied technology to their image thus making it stay competitive. The organization possesses a lot of internal resources that strengthen their long-term strategies. It has a great corporate structure that counts as amongst the first divisional structure that used just in mime inventory strategy. It is involved in a diversified kind of business that not only includes motorcycles but also includes other related products and financial services. Moreover, the companys decision-making process is decentralized and every department is accorded responsibility to deal with various issues. Harley Davidson is so much concentrated on deep emotional customer link via their services and products and this greatly attracts many customers who feel that the company cares for them. The companys relationship of employees is so close and awesome as the top management is loosely bonded to other employees thus easing decision-making process. Harley Davidson culture is aimed at preserving and maintaining the organization through constant product and service quality as well as achievement of financial success. The company always works at adding value to their products as well as creating image and attracting new customers. It has successfully licensed their products and this has really enhanced their image. The organization sells their products through a wide network of dealers who have ensured a wide customer base especially in America (Agnostic, 2013). Harley Davidson treats their customers by offering them 1 year membership to the Harley owners group and further conducts rallies that help in showcasing and demonstrating their new products. It uses value over price strategy and provides company information online. Harley Davidson has strong financial position making it be in a favorable position to withstand falling prices and increased costs. It further uses strong RD by investing in new technology that makes it manufacture powerful, lighter, stronger and finest motorcycles possible (Robertson Equalize, 2010). Harley Davidson External Environment According to Robertson Equalize (201 0), demand for motorcycles in the sporting industry has grown very high and Harley Davidson is so much trusted due to their high quality production. Being a IIS based company it enjoys a wider market segment because most people trust and love made in U. S products particularly when it comes to motorcycles. Harley Davidson enjoys efficient supply of sheet metal, coils and other raw materials from the favorable supply bases. The company dwells on its success in the heavyweight motorcycles beating highly competitive substitutes such as Yamaha, Honda and Sukiyaki. Measurement Guidelines Both Harley Davidson and Logo use profit and increase in revenue as the measurement guidelines of the effectiveness of their strategies. The number of sales made and the ability to beat competitors in terms of revenue generated and the number of units sold remains integral way of ascertaining the effectiveness of the companies strategies. Also, Harley-Davidson and Logo focus on the wide market coverage especially the overseas market as a way of achieving their effectiveness. Measurement guidelines for both companies are indeed very effective and positive since they focus on the main objective of every business, making profit. Unless business revenue rises and profit increase is experienced, a business cannot be said to be making a progress and achieving their objectives. Conclusion Both Logo and Harley Davidson have demonstrated that environmental scanning has been essential to their success in identifying internal and external environments. Their long-term strategic plan has been successful because their ability to focus on what works and what do not in regards to internal and external forces. They were able to gain and maintain nominative advantage over their competitors by knowing their strengths and weaknesses.

Tesco CSR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tesco CSR - Essay Example F during charity â€Å"Change for Good.† The phrase was used for children charity and hence it was private but Tesco used it anyway for its own commercial purposes. This led to a lot of controversy and it ultimately damaged the income stream for the children which did not sit well with a section of the public and damaged a bit the reputation of the company. The issue is meat supply from its suppliers. After research unveiled that some of the beef burgers from Tesco contained 29% horsemeat and others pig meat, the reputation of the company dropped instantly. This was not the fault of Tesco but rather of its suppliers who supplied the meat to the numerous Tesco stores countrywide. Sales of frozen burgers and frozen ready- made food has dropped significantly. The confidence of the customers on the meat and food being sold in the stores has dwindled and the effects being experienced in the sales (Wall, 2013). Tesco has to restore the confidence of its customers once again. This should be preceded by having to seek new suppliers of the meat as well as having to monitor these suppliers to ensure that the meat being provided and the products in general are up to human consumption standards (Butler, 2013). The legal team also has to work extra hard to prevent law suits from customers on the products. Briefly analyse what happened applying theories on organisational ethics theory, corporate governance CSR concepts, stakeholder applications & reputation management concepts/metrics. Not all of them are required, but the more you apply and reference inside the PR crisis/issue the better it is. Demonstrate application of relevant theories. This is an ethical matter and all stakeholders in conjunction with the management must come up with the best strategies to handle the matter and prevent a repeat in future (Philips, 2003, pg. 87). The reputation of the company must be taken care of if CSR is to work in favour of the company and people are to accept it. To ensure quality

Kodak and Fujifilm Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 11

Kodak and Fujifilm - Essay Example George Eastman created the Kodak Company whose headquarters are in New York in the late 1880s. Ever since, the company has specialized in the production of imaging and photographic equipment, imaging services as well as such other materials as are used in the photography industry. The popularity of the company has been in photographic film products and such consumables as chemicals and films. Over years, Kodak commanded the larger film and photography industry with its success being associated with such principles as low-cost mass production, international distribution, customer focus as well as extensive advertising. Although the company started with such products as dry photography plates, the company easily embraced innovation and this led to the introduction of the Kodak camera and later on in the early years of 20th century, the company invented the motion camera.Great success followed the operations of the company but was halted by technological advancement and the rise of Fuji film.The Fujifilm Company has risen to command a global reputation in the industry of photography and films. Fujifilm has had its core operations focused on development and production, digital camera sales and servicing, color paper, photographic film, materials for graphic arts, photofinishing materials, optical devices as well as photocopiers and printers among other areas of specialization. Besides, penetrating in an already monopolized industry, the company was able to embrace effective marketing procedures and innovation.

Models of Communication. Communication in Organisation Essay

Models of Communication. Communication in Organisation - Essay Example It is clear enough in conventional usage, but obscure when we seek to determine the limits of its application. To illustrate, if someone talks to another and common understanding results (indicated by mutually satisfactory action), we have no qualms about saying that communication has occurred. If, however, misunderstanding results (indicated by mutually unsatisfactory action), we are uncertain whether we should say that there has been poor, or no, communication. (David, Kenneth,1970:15). Definitions of "communication" fall into two broad categories. In one category are those definitions which limit the process of communication to those stimulus-response situations in which one deliberately transmits stimuli to evoke response. In the other category are those definitions that include within the area of communication stimulus-response situations in which there need not be any intention of evoking response in the transmission of the stimuli. The second category obviously overlaps the first. (David, Kenneth,1970:16) Mathematical Model of Communication: Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver published a model; the model uses boxes and arrows to represent the communication process. However, the model is little bit complex. Box-and-arrow models of communication: This model breaks the communication strea... However, the model is little bit complex. Box-and-arrow models of communication: This model breaks the communication stream into components i.e. sender, message, and receiver and the direction of influence. In the diagram below arrows go from left to right, that is, from a sender to a receiver, the idea is that it is the sender who, through messages or speeches, brings about communication influences on the receiver. Group Communication Model: This model emphasizes on communication within an organisation i.e. the flow of messages between two individuals or within a group of people. The figure below describes the layout of the model where each circle is a person. (Models of Communication,2006) Post office model of Communication: The usually unarticulated theory of communication in Western culture focused on an alleged "transfer" of meaning from one mind to another by means of some medium. Communication is erroneously thought to be accomplished by wrapping an idea in words and sending it off to the other person, who unwraps the words and discovers the idea. (Barnett,1989:19) Schemata Model of Intercultural Communication: Generally communication requires the transmission of information from sender to receiver. Commonly, person A encodes an idea and sends it to person B who decodes it. The codes are culturally based, as is the semantic content (the meanings in each communicator's mind). When communicators come from different cultures, person A may take person B's culture into account, and encode with certain characteristics of B's codes and meanings in mind. Similarly, when decoding the message communicator B may take into account certain characteristics of person A's communication codes and semantic categories. What communicator A

The economics of Exhaustible Resources Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

The economics of Exhaustible Resources - Essay Example This essay discusses that without a doubt, economists’ description of exhaustible resources is based on the prediction of production and price trajectories and the likelihood of resources exhaustion. This is because; exhaustible resources have limited life span considering the optimal exploitation of resources at the both individual and industrial level. As a result, focus on Harold Hotelling explanation on maintenance of exhaustible resources is based on the importance of sustainability of a production–consumption system as a way of controlling extinction of exhaustible natural resource without getting comparative advantage from it as compared to its future demand. More significantly, it is imperative for exploitation of non-renewable resource to be undertaken for the benefit of the people and a country’s economy considering the level of extinction and financial value derived. Considerably, it is essential to make decisions considering the economic models that f ocus on sustainable economic growth taking into account resource constraints. As a result, it is decisive to evaluate on whether or not it is viable to carry out exploration on the extent in which resource constraints can be overcome by substitution and technological change. Nonetheless, the influence of the extinction of natural non-renewable resources is focused on the current initial stock of the resource considering the amount of the resource to be extracted within different periods with the main aim being on the maximization of profits. (Hotelling 139). However, it is difficult for a country to avoid exploiting its exhaustible resources especially when there is a high demand for the commodity. More so, it is essential to consider that non-renewable resources provide a comparative advantage because countries could be the sole producers of valuable non-renewable resources. As a result, such country’s take advantage of their monopolistic position in the resource market, as it lacks competition in the production of the exhaustible resources thus, positioning itself strategically in the world market (Martinet 17). In addition, a country makes a decision on price that the exhaustible resource would be sold as it gains competitive advantage, when negotiating for the prices being the sole producers of such extinct natural resources like oil. Thus, the duty of a government is to create ways in which the non-renewable resources can be sold in the world market resulting in a country getting a chance to exploit the non-renewable resources it has by using the best-suited strategies of price maximization. Although, exhaustible resources bring international trading to a country it also creates issues in terms of international development in the world. More so, exhaustible resources are predicted by production and price trajectories thus it becomes difficult for countries to make viable decisions considering the fact that the resources become scarce leading to inc rease in prices of non-renewable resources. However, such decisions of taking advantage of the prevailing high prices does not take into consideration the international development issues including effects resulting from the extinction of most of the natural resources that are in the risk of extinction because they are non-renewable (Solow & Wan 360). More significantly, the dominance in the monopolistic market of different natural resources have seen organizations that are establish by countries join to create a common stand in the provision of higher prices of the exhaustible resource they produce. For example, oil producing and exporting countries (OPEC) that deals with the oil

Trade Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Trade Law - Essay Example Benny was asked by Carlos to make all shipping arrangements; though it is the buyer’s obligation to make such arrangements under FOB contract. ‘Under an FOB sale, the buyer is responsible for making the arrangements for shipping the goods to their destination’. Thus, it had to be Carlos’ obligation to make all shipping arrangements with him being the buyer of the goods. Moreover, according to the FOB contract law, the seller is not under a duty to ship the goods until he has received shipment instructions from the buyer; thus Benny was not obliged to arrange any shipment without Carlos giving him the necessary instructions. It should be added, that this is the Buyer’s responsibility to arrange the shipment of goods to the port of destination. . The two cases were destroyed during loading at the port; it is necessary to find out who is responsible for these losses. According to s 20 of the Sale of Goods 1979, risk passes with property and in FOB sales risk passes along with property upon shipment – that is, when the goods pass the ship’s rail.

Legal Brief Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Legal Brief - Essay Example (US Constitution, 1st Amendment) Art 1 of the New Jersey Constitution 1947 likewise forbids the â€Å"establishment of one religious sect in preference to another.† (New Jersey Constitution 1947, Article 1) Article 1 also forbids requiring a â€Å"religious or racial test†¦as a qualification for any office or public trust.† (New Jersey Constitution 1947, Article 1) The main issue with respect to these provisions was whether or not the New Jersey public school district’s educational policy as practiced with the display of secular and non-secular holidays on its school calenders offended these Establishment Clauses. Preliminary issues resolved before proceeding with the main issue included standing and ripeness. In other words the defendant School Board challenged the various defendant’s rights to pursue the action and whether or not the action contained a triable issue under the Constitutional clauses it was brought under. On the preliminary issues the court ruled that the since the educational policy had already been instituted the Constitutional issue was triable and therefore the action contained the necessary ripeness for adjudication. (Clever v Cherry Hill Board of Education, 1993) As for the issue of standing the court ruled that parents of children who were students in the school district had perhaps the greatest interests in the adjudication of the issues than anyone else. The parents would therefore remain parties to the aciton. (Clever v Cherry Hill Board of Education, 1993) The plaintiff Clever would also survive the challenge to standing since the court found that he had property in the area and was a taxpayer. Clever’s tax money was used to fund the school district thereby giving him an interest in the educational policy currently before the court. (Clever v Cherry Hill Board of Education, 1993) â€Å"Christmas and Chanukah are celebrated as cultural and national holidays

The economics of Exhaustible Resources Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

The economics of Exhaustible Resources - Essay Example This essay discusses that without a doubt, economists’ description of exhaustible resources is based on the prediction of production and price trajectories and the likelihood of resources exhaustion. This is because; exhaustible resources have limited life span considering the optimal exploitation of resources at the both individual and industrial level. As a result, focus on Harold Hotelling explanation on maintenance of exhaustible resources is based on the importance of sustainability of a production–consumption system as a way of controlling extinction of exhaustible natural resource without getting comparative advantage from it as compared to its future demand. More significantly, it is imperative for exploitation of non-renewable resource to be undertaken for the benefit of the people and a country’s economy considering the level of extinction and financial value derived. Considerably, it is essential to make decisions considering the economic models that f ocus on sustainable economic growth taking into account resource constraints. As a result, it is decisive to evaluate on whether or not it is viable to carry out exploration on the extent in which resource constraints can be overcome by substitution and technological change. Nonetheless, the influence of the extinction of natural non-renewable resources is focused on the current initial stock of the resource considering the amount of the resource to be extracted within different periods with the main aim being on the maximization of profits. (Hotelling 139). However, it is difficult for a country to avoid exploiting its exhaustible resources especially when there is a high demand for the commodity. More so, it is essential to consider that non-renewable resources provide a comparative advantage because countries could be the sole producers of valuable non-renewable resources. As a result, such country’s take advantage of their monopolistic position in the resource market, as it lacks competition in the production of the exhaustible resources thus, positioning itself strategically in the world market (Martinet 17). In addition, a country makes a decision on price that the exhaustible resource would be sold as it gains competitive advantage, when negotiating for the prices being the sole producers of such extinct natural resources like oil. Thus, the duty of a government is to create ways in which the non-renewable resources can be sold in the world market resulting in a country getting a chance to exploit the non-renewable resources it has by using the best-suited strategies of price maximization. Although, exhaustible resources bring international trading to a country it also creates issues in terms of international development in the world. More so, exhaustible resources are predicted by production and price trajectories thus it becomes difficult for countries to make viable decisions considering the fact that the resources become scarce leading to inc rease in prices of non-renewable resources. However, such decisions of taking advantage of the prevailing high prices does not take into consideration the international development issues including effects resulting from the extinction of most of the natural resources that are in the risk of extinction because they are non-renewable (Solow & Wan 360). More significantly, the dominance in the monopolistic market of different natural resources have seen organizations that are establish by countries join to create a common stand in the provision of higher prices of the exhaustible resource they produce. For example, oil producing and exporting countries (OPEC) that deals with the oil

Legal Brief Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Legal Brief - Essay Example (US Constitution, 1st Amendment) Art 1 of the New Jersey Constitution 1947 likewise forbids the â€Å"establishment of one religious sect in preference to another.† (New Jersey Constitution 1947, Article 1) Article 1 also forbids requiring a â€Å"religious or racial test†¦as a qualification for any office or public trust.† (New Jersey Constitution 1947, Article 1) The main issue with respect to these provisions was whether or not the New Jersey public school district’s educational policy as practiced with the display of secular and non-secular holidays on its school calenders offended these Establishment Clauses. Preliminary issues resolved before proceeding with the main issue included standing and ripeness. In other words the defendant School Board challenged the various defendant’s rights to pursue the action and whether or not the action contained a triable issue under the Constitutional clauses it was brought under. On the preliminary issues the court ruled that the since the educational policy had already been instituted the Constitutional issue was triable and therefore the action contained the necessary ripeness for adjudication. (Clever v Cherry Hill Board of Education, 1993) As for the issue of standing the court ruled that parents of children who were students in the school district had perhaps the greatest interests in the adjudication of the issues than anyone else. The parents would therefore remain parties to the aciton. (Clever v Cherry Hill Board of Education, 1993) The plaintiff Clever would also survive the challenge to standing since the court found that he had property in the area and was a taxpayer. Clever’s tax money was used to fund the school district thereby giving him an interest in the educational policy currently before the court. (Clever v Cherry Hill Board of Education, 1993) â€Å"Christmas and Chanukah are celebrated as cultural and national holidays

Comparing IFRS To GAAP Paper Essay Example for Free

Comparing IFRS To GAAP Paper Essay There are several differences between the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The IFRS is considered more of a principles based accounting standard in contrast to U.S. GAAP which is considered more rules based. By being more principles based, IFRS, arguably, represents and captures the economics of a transaction better than U.S. GAAP. As a team me collaborated to answer the following seven questions. IFRS 2-1: In what ways does the format of a statement of financial of position under IFRS often differ from a balance sheet presented under GAAP? IFRS does not mandate a specific order or classification of accounts on the statement of financial position. In most cases, companies report assets in reverse order of liquidity. An example of the order of accounts on the statement of financial position is as follows: Long Term Assets Current Assets Shareholder Equity Long Term Liabilities Current Liabilities GAAP specifically requires that all accounts be ordered based on their degree of liquidity. Therefore, cash is usually reported first and non-current assets will be reported last. Below is an example of the order typically found on a GAAP balance sheet: Current Assets Long Term Assets Current Liabilities Long Term Liabilities Shareholder Equity IFRS 2-2: Do the IFRS and GAAP conceptual frameworks differ in terms of the objective of financial reporting? Explain. No, GAAP and IFRS maintain very similar viewpoints on the objectivity of financial data. Both of these authoritative bodies agree that financial reporting data should be relevant and faithfully represented. Information that is relevant is anything that could be viewed as useful in the eyes of an investor, creditor, or regulator. Information that is faithfully represented should conform to  industry standards and any estimates should be conservative in nature. IFRS 2-3: What terms commonly used under IFRS is synonymous with common stock and balance sheet? Balance Sheet is synonymous with the â€Å"Statement of Financial Position† and Common Stock is typically labeled as â€Å"Share Capital Ordinary† on IFRS financial statements. IFRS 3-1: Describe some of the issues the SEC must consider in deciding whether the United States should adopt IFRS. The SEC has several aspects to consider when it comes to the adoption of IFRS in the United States. First, the SEC should consider the overall costs impact this will have on businesses. It is likely that it would cost billions of dollars in new reporting expenses for U.S corporations to implement IFRS. It would also require accounting firms to vastly change their education requirements. Second, the SEC’s main job is to protect investors from fraud on public exchanges. The commission must determine whether IFRS does a better job of protecting investors from unlawful activity. IFRS 4-1: Compare and contrast the rules regarding revenue recognition under IFRS versus GAAP. Under GAAP, it is possible to use cash-basis or accrual basis accounting for revenue recognition. Under cash basis, revenue is recognized with payment is received. Under accrual basis, revenue is recognized when it becomes economically significant. GAAP has specific requirements for various industries on when an event qualifies to be recognized as revenue. IFRS has fewer requirements on revenue recognition, but follows the same basic principle of economic significance. Revenue can be recorded when t is probable that any future economic benefit associated with the item of revenue will flow to the entity and it can be measured reliably. IFRS 4-2: Under IFRS, do the definitions of revenues and expenses include gains and losses? Explain. Under IFRS, revenue is used to describe the total amount of economic benefits arising from the ordinary operating activities of a business. Therefore, it does not include non-operating gains. This principle applies equally to expenses, which do not include losses from non-operating activities. FRS 7-1: Some people argue that the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) put U.S. companies at a competitive disadvantage to companies outside the United States. Discuss the competitive implications (both pros and cons) of SOX. When it was implemented in 2002, SOX created an array of new reporting requirements for publically traded companies. While it is true that this costs American  businesses additional capital in compliance expenses, it also creates a more stable financial system. The major frauds of Enron and WorldCom were much more damaging the financial system. Overall, it reduces the risks for investors in public companies and encourages foreign direct investment. After all of the information was gathered, I could say that I have a much better understanding of the differences between the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). References: Terms Synonymous with Common Stock and Balance Sheet – IFRS2-3. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16, 2015, from http://octotutor.com/terms-synonymous-with-common-stock-and-balance-sheet-ifrs2-3/ Still in flux: Future of IFRS in U.S. remains unclear after SEC report. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16, 2015, from http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/Issues/2012/Sep/20126059.htm

Contemparary Issues In International Hrm Management Essay

Contemparary Issues In International Hrm Management Essay In wide range of market economies, human resource management plays an important role. Analysis and evaluation of HRM have become major themes in, policy, academic and practitioner literatures (ref: human resource management by Julie Beardwell and Tim Claydon, 5th edition). In any organization, the main objective of the Human Resource Management function is to check that the most effective use is made of its human resources(ref :global excellence ) International HRM has been characterized by three broad approaches. Comparative HRM: It is one of the approaches in IHRM using which HR Management in MNCs (multinational companies) understands the reasons for similarities and cross- national differences in HR practice in the countries in which they operates. Before exploring this in detail, it is necessary to understand the institutional distinctiveness of National Business Systems (NBS) as it is the main reason for cross-national differences in employment policy and practice. Distinctiveness of NBSs: Global economy can be defined as amalgamation of different individual and independent nations. While majority of these nations are capitalist, they have followed unique and different path ways for their industrial capitalism .Each market economy is shaped by its distinctive economic, political and social characteristics which are embedded in its social system. Hall and Soski (2001) have done an academic work on NBSs by considering US, UK, Germany and Japan. Writer of this assignment explored. Hall and Soskis academic work and identified following things: Capitalist economies are of two types Liberal Market Economies (LMEs) and Co-ordinated Market Economies (CMEs).These creates different national patterns of corporate strategy. These also determine different labour laws and regulations around funding etc. US and UK economies are liberal with less government involvement in labour market and funding regulations. Provision of funds operates with in open market. Here capital providers like pension fund managers provides funds, on short term basis and expects rapid returns. It is more focused on the value created for shareholders with in short time scale. US is highly liberal market with highly developed stock and capital markets to reinforce market relations.UK even though liberal and capable of innovation .But low level of institutional regulator in labour and capital markets, skills education hinders its capability Germany and Japan economies are treated as CMEs where there is less free market for equity capital and most of the shares are owned by founders of firms, and have institutional fund providers supported by state provides funds as a credit and they look at long term prospective also their labour market is highly regulated. Germany is coordinated market economy which can exhibit incremental innovation and change and has sustained competitive advantage in manufacturing due labour and capital regulation. Due to these Distinctiveness of NBSs discussed above Comparative HRM approach is needed for MNCs to understand Cross-national differences in HR policy and practice. Researchers found differences in training, pay practices, industrial relations and employees representations between different nations. These differences which are impacting HR policy can be well understood, if we consider part time employment in Europe as more and more employers are using part time employees as a method of matching labour demand and supply on temporary basis and also European commission is promoting part time employment to combat unemployment. If we examine OECD stats, highest part time employment in UK can be explained due to lack affordable childcare facilities, state tax and welfare policies and availability on more students for part time etc. At the same time if you consider Spain which has less part-timers can be explained due to existence of fixed term contracts (full time) available in labour market. Also in UK part time means 17 HRs a week and in France part-time means 21.5hrs a week. Due to these differences, it is challenging for any global company to have HR strategy in different countries. USA has the weakest system of employment protection .Less or lack of regulation reduces barriers or constraints faced by employers, weather this result in improved performance is another issue for argument. If we take Germany it is a quiet contrast labour market is regulated and Germany human resource and employment relation policy and sectoral collective bargaining are deeply integrated in its society as a method of determining the wage. Almost 80%of German employees are covered by this creating good working conditions and standardisation of pay . Also training and human resource planning policies and institutions are governed by government, trade unions and employers. Sometimes these types of policies are treated as constraints for IHRM, weather it is true or not is another issue. This comparative approach doesnt take into account about the effects of multinationals and multi cultures have on HR strategy and policy. Cross -cultural approach Culture is a of shared attitudes, values, goals and practices that characterizes an company or institution (Asgary and Walleor, 2002) or a complicated socially constructed system which includes art, law, knowledge, beliefs, customs, morals and any other habits and capabilities acquired by human as a member of society (Banerjee, 2008). There exists ,many criticisms towards the cultural approach by HRM academics, out of  which Hofstede, Trompenaars and Laurent are confined in centre of attraction, as well being ambiguous when using ethnographic approach. The individualism has also a very different apprehension, from one civilization to another, and may not be always completely different from collectivism. Although, Hofstede and Trompenaars believe an apparent association between attitudes and  behaviour, on account of that, there is assumption that specific cultural attitudes would lead instantly to particular type of behaviour. They have as well been accused of disregarding cultural framework, having motionless determination which does not locate principles in historical growth and relationship between community and institution. Again, there is a problem of accreditation of one culture to entire national structure, which masculinity and femininity are inappropriate names and that structure of four-dimension app roach could be easily questioned (Beardwell et al. 2001, pp.642-643). Hofstedes (1980a) approach was one of the first attempt to develop a universal framework for understanding cultural differences in managers and employees values based on a worldwide survey, although not the only one. The argument here is that this work was starting point, both for serious academic research, and for managers working across culture to make a first estimate of the differences in organizational values which may exist among different countries(ref: international hrm: a cross cultural approach by Terence Jackson). Hofstedes work focuses on value systems of national cultures which are represented by five dimensions (1991). Power distance This is the extent to which inequalities among people are seen as normal. This dimension stretches from equal relations being seen as normal to wide in equalities being viewed as normal. Uncertainty avoidance This refers to a preference for structured situations verse unstructured situations. This dimension runs from being comfortable with flexibility and ambiguity to need for extreme rigidity and situations with a high degree of certainty. Individualism This looks at whether individuals are used to acting as individuals or as part of cohesive groups, which may be based on the family (Chinese societies) or the corporation (Japan: Hui, 1990). The dimension ranges from collectivism to individualism. Masculinity Hofstede (1980a) distinguishes hard values such as assertiveness and competition, and the soft or feminine values of personal relations, quality of life and caring about others, where in a masculine society gender role differentiation is emphasized. Long-term Vs short-term Orientation: This distinguishes peoples choice of focus for their actions; values that foster virtues oriented towards future rewards (persistence, perseverance) vs fostering virtues related to the present and past (eg :stability, respect for tradition) (Romani in Harzing Van Ruysseveldt, 2004; Jackson 2002) Multinational approach Multinational human resource management is an important function in multinational organizations. Multinational human resource management functions cover many different activities related to a business organizations employees and contractors. The first and most important is the staffing needs of the company whether staff members are company employees or outside contractors. Functions include Recruiting and training employees Performing at expected levels Handling performance issues Multinational human resource management is the fastest-growing subset of human resource due to the growing trend for global business operations. Companies can apply one of the three different approaches to managing and staffing their subsidiaries (Francesco, Gold, 1998). Different models and their advantages and disadvantages are as below Ethnocentric. Centre of operations from the home country makes key decisions, employees from the home country hold important  jobs, and the subsidiaries follow the home country resource management practice. Companies following the ethnocentric approach assume the home country approach is best and that employees from other parts of the world can and should follow it. Advantages and Disadvantages of using local employees as staff in multinational subsidiaries (Gomez-Mejia, Balkin, Cardy, 1995) are as below Advantages Lower labour cost Acceptance of the company by the local community Maximizes the number of options available in the local environment Leads to recognition of the company as a legitimate participant in the local economy Effectively represents local considerations and constraints in the decision making process Disadvantages Makes it difficult to balance local demands and global priorities Leads to postponement of difficult local decision until they are unavoidable, when they are more difficult, costly and painful than they would have been if implemented earlier May make it difficult to recruit qualified personnel May reduce the amount of control exercised by headquarters Polycentric Each subsidiary manages on a local basis. A local employee heads a subsidiary  because headquarters managers are not considered to have adequate local knowledge. Subsidiaries usually develop human resource management practices locally. Advantages Cultural similarity with parent company ensures transfer of business/management practices Permits closer control and coordination of multinational subsidiaries Gives employees a multinational orientation through experience at parent company Establishes a pool of multinational experienced executives Disadvantages Creates problems of adaptability to foreign environment and culture Increases of the subsidiary May involve high transfer and salary costs May result in personal and family problems Leads to high failure rate Has disincentive effect on local management morale and motivation May be subject to local government restrictions Geocentric or global. The company that applies the global integrated business strategy manages its staff and employees on a global basis. Advantages In developing an international managerial team in global context Overcomes the federation Co-operation and resource have sharing across units Disadvantages Most of local citizens employed demands by host government Extensive documentation is required References Richard C. Hoffman Frank M. Shipper (2012): The impact of managerial skills on employee outcomes: a cross cultural study, The International Journal of Human Resource Management Brent MacNab, Richard Brislin Reginald Worthley (2012): Experiential cultural intelligence development: context and individual attributes, The International Journal of Human Resource Management. David G. Collings (2012): International Human Resource Management: Policies and Practices for Multinational Enterprises, The International Journal of Human Resource Management PAPER 2 Culture Definition Culture is the shared knowledge and schemes created by a set of people for perceiving, interpreting, expressing, and responding to the social realities around them (p. 9). Lederach, J.P. (1995). Nature of Culture Every nation possesses at minimum some differences such as laws, government and history when compared to others. The more nations in which a multinational organization works the more compound and complicated will be their HRM policies that effect business performance. Its common for the MNCs to work together with multiples of other countries. Variations in the national cultures pertaining to different countries and degree of complexity in understanding the cultural differences is one of the main challenges faced by IHRM in its modern and global operations. Importance of Human Resource Management Human resource management plays a key role in the organization in recruiting the most effective human resources into the organization. In achieving the organizational goal, the HR professional make of activities include sourcing, development, reward and performance appraisal towards the employees. In this process the Human resource managers have different mind sets towards the organizational goal. There are mainly four mind sets Ethnocentric In this ethnocentric, major strategic decisions are made at the headquarters of the organization. They are managing the subsidiaries by the expatriates from the home country. Polycentric In this polycentric, multinational enterprise treats their subsidiary as a distinct national entity. Regiocentric In this regiocentric, decisions are made within a geographic region. In decision-making, the regional managers enjoy a degree of regional autonomy and they not be promoted to headquarters. Geocentric In this geocentric, they follow global approach to its operations, identify the each part and make a unique contribution with its unique competence. Hofsteds Study The research of the author Geert Hofstede, primarily reliant on review data attained from two organization approach studies performed has offered seminal insights of the changing cultural tendencies over the global barriers. A group of five dimensions are recognized involving power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism, Long-term versus short-term orientation and Masculinity versus femininity Power/Distance It explains about the degree of inequality in among the people with and without power. In this case, when the power/distance is high that indicates the society is in an unequal distribution of power and people in the system. Individualism/Collectivism (IDV) In this individualism, it explains that the individual are expected to take care of themselves and their related families only. In this collectivism, it means that the individual are expecting their relatives or group of members to take care after them in exchange for not loyalty. Masculinity Vs Femininity (MAS) In this dimension, the masculinity represents they preference the society for heroism, assertiveness, achievement and reward for success. Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI) In this uncertainty avoidance dimension, explains that the degree in which the members of a society feel uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity. Long-Term Vs Short-Term Orientation (LTO) In this long-term orientation, they deal with societys search for virtue. In this dimension, people believe the truth on basis on situation, context and time. They also have ability to allow traditions to changed conditions and determination in achieving results. In this short-term orientation, they have strong concern with establishing the absolute truth; they think in normative way, respect the traditions and focus on achieving quick results. RECRUITMENT Recruitment is the process of searching the candidates for employment and stimulating them to apply for jobs in the organization. -by Edwin B. Flippo In every organization or company, recruitment plays a role in human resource in achieving the organization goal. Recruitment is a continuous process in which the company attempts to develop a pool of qualified applicants for the future human resources and needs even though specific vacancies do not exist. TYPES IN RECRUITMENTS INTERNAL RECRUITMENT Recruitment takes place within the organization. In the internal recruitment they recruit the employees from their own organization by three sources Transfers Promotions Re-employment of ex-employees In this way, the organization can save the money, time and efforts. By this approach the organization can have drawback in refrains the new blood into the organization. Internal recruitment has some advantages and disadvantages Advantages Quickly and cheaper to recruit Employees are well-known to same business and operations Opportunities for promotions within the organization Disadvantages Numbers of potential applicants are in limits No new ideas can be implemented EXTERNAL RECRUITMENT External recruitment takes place outside the organization. The sources for the recruitment into the organization are Advertisements Employment exchange Labour contracts Educational institutes It involves a lot of time, money and effort in recruiting of new applicants into the organization. There are some advantages and disadvantages in the external recruitment Advantages New ideas come from new people Identify the right person for the right job Experience employee Disadvantages Big process to recruit the new applicants More expensive RECRUITMENT IN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RESOURCE In international organizations, it is not easy to recruit the people from different cultural backgrounds and Human resource managers need to identify and ensure that the recruited people are eligible and having right skills and knowledge for the right position in the international role. Culture plays a key role in recruitment process in the organization. It involves in hiring talent from different cultures and it can influence in key recruitment practices such as interviews, assessments and applicants. Understanding the persons cultural background determine not only what holidays they celebrate, which language they speak but virtually we must understand and aspect of social and professional life is important. Diverse cultural backgrounds, different behaviours and attitudes can create confusion, misunderstandings and false perceptions are some factors while hiring new employees into the organization. For example: Job interviews conducted by the UK Company in INDIA may not get effective result in hiring the best candidates as a result of large cultural differences in between two countries. There are some keys areas in which the interview may fail as a lack of cultural awareness and cross cultural differences. In UK culture, the people are openness and directness are highly valued so that, the UK interviews may tend to ask the questions around the professional background of applicants. But in INDIA culture, people are some where they are closed-minded and may be difficult for the Indian people to tell for the direct questions and make them uncomfortable and not respond appropriately. In UK culture, the interviewer interviews the candidates in face to face .Face to face communication plays important role in recruitment. But in the case of INDIAN culture, there are different steps in recruiting the candidates such as writing test, communication test and then finally interview test. Another factor difference in culture between UK and INDIA while in interviewing the applicant the most important is eye contact. In interview process, the eye contact is most important that means it shows the applicant is confidence. References http://www.carla.umn.edu/culture/definitions.html http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/culture.html http://geert-hofstede.com/dimensions.html http://recruitment.naukrihub.com/meaning-of-recruitment.html http://www.managementstudyguide.com/types-of-recruitment.htm http://blog.communicaid.com/cross-cultural-training/hiring-overseas-can-cultural-awareness- training-help-hr-professionals-manage-the-economic-crisis/ Paper 3 INTRODUCTION In this globalization, there are plenty of imperative and expatriate managers in doing international improvements for the challenging implications for IHRM. The development of multinational in the emerging countries is important factor in which to analyze and realize the organization structures and policies in complex situations. The imperative and expatriate managers from host and third countries into the home country organization in order to hold potential in developing of future global managers. In todays business environment, the globalization was approaching the status of a strategic norm and it is becoming strategic necessity. In increasing of business globalization there is necessarily of adaptation of human resource procedures, people and identifying the people who can facilitate the organization adaptation of global strategies while responding to local markets and competition. In the globalization, in competitive field the organization must develop their managers and protect them as core competencies which the company allows to compete effectively. In this growing consensus, the organization must have global human resource management architecture, reflecting the quantity and quality of global managers may be important resources of the organization capability to compete in the competitive world. IHRM IN EMERGING MARKETS In present economic environment, emerging markets are treated as economic engines for growth of MNCs in developed and matured economies. These emerging markets are important as they are rapidly expanding in certain areas like population, economic growth rate and having the opportunities or risk to attract the investors. Countries such as MEXICO, ARGENTINA, TURKEY, RUSSIA, POLAND, BRAZIL, CHINA, SOUTH AFRICA, INDIA and SOUTH KOREA are some of the emerging nations. In future, the vast majority of the population is to be in emerging countries due to this global expansion. There is rapid growth in emerging markets, which shows that there is more demand for both industrial and consumer goods and services. In the near future MNCs from emerging countries will have common uniqueness appropriate to European and United States based MNCs. Main difference is in economic development and cultural distance between the developed and emerging countries and it is the main reason for increase in the requirement of HR managers in MNCs, who are willing, capable ,understand and manage cultural differences between these distinct countries. If a HR manager is from native emerging county, they have ability to understand and forecast the future in different specific socioeconomic and cultural situations and add strategic value to MNCs. Most of the MNCs expanding their business into emerging markets and they need managers with specific social knowledge and ability to conduct revenue generating business in these countries. These MNCs believe in managers who can effectively operate in economically/culturally distant countries and this is key resource for creating competitive advantage and finally success for MNCs in the global market. MNCs treat HRM as important, knowledge intensive core competency, which have to be developed within the organisation. They treat this as must have to maintain competitive advantage over other organisations or other MNCs. This strategic international human resource management is focus on building process and procedures for utilizing personnel as a competitive asset. In recent survey they found that 81% of the companies felt, to expand their organization into emerging countries (expatriate manager program, 1997). In achieving the organization goal, in this competitive world the international human resource management managers identify the framework for emerging countries which is shown below. A conceptual framework of strategic HRM for emerging MNEs Internationalization Outcomes IHRM Philosophy, policy, practice Internationalization Drivers Practice Staffing, evaluating, rewarding and developing a global workforce Expatriation Vs Impatriation Talent attraction retention Vs diversity management Policy Fit between corporate subsidiary Centralized Vs Decentralized in decision-making Control communication Internal drivers Corporate vision mission Corporate structure strategy Resource seeking via MA Efficiency orientation Experience in international business Choice of host country Industry size External drivers Domestic global competitive demands Changing global market environment Government policy resource support Invited by developing host countrys government to revitalize economy Networking with local firms to industrialize Global village concerns Satisfy multiple stakeholders Cultural sensitivity local responsiveness Economic development in industry sectors Social harmony, peace and stability MNE goals Effectiveness in resource allocation Global competitiveness Global co-ordination integration Flexibility, learning and further expansion Other important emerging context specific variables (including geo-political factors) Philosophy National culture Vs Corporate culture Global integration Vs Local responsiveness Sinocentrism Vs Globalism INTERNATIONALIZATION DRIVERS There are both external and internal drivers of internationalization similar to those proposed in the prior models as the background of Strategic Internationalization Human Resource Management (SIHRM). Two distinctive drivers for internationalization of MNCs at the global level are domestic and global competition demands and global market environment. In present decades, many emerging countries economics have adopted major economic reforms and they have largely integrated into global economics. For example: In recent decades, China has become emerging country in global economics. Most of the multinational corporations have identified the China market and they establish their operations and created enormous competitive pressure. Due to the globalization, the market environment was changing with the increasing free flow of information, flow of capital, and labour that helps in facilitate networking and transactions between internally and abroad. Multinational enterprises have more opportunities and threats in free market conditions. Of course they have more opportunities but they have to face different cultural dimensions and organizational frameworks both in home and in the host countries. They also face the challenges in order to adjust their policy and practices in response to the changing environments. Therefore the internal and external drivers for the internationalization of MNCs are most combined and create confluence effects. STRATEGIC IHRM PHILOSOPHY, POLICY AND PRACTICE SIHRM is essentially for the balancing MNCs inter-unit and within unit and also the needs for differentiation and standardization. SIHRM policy formulated with three concerns similar to those established MNCs First, they think about the subsidiaries that it manages independently or to be managed by the headquarters way of the MNCs. Second, they need to devote considerable energy, time and financial resources towards managing their global workforce. They have take decision making use of resources in achieving the goal of ultimate effectiveness in resource allocation by using either centralization or decentralization depending on circumstances. Third, they have to decide whether in sending the staff from headquarters or need to recruit the resources from locally, regionally and globally in order to carry out tasks generated in first and second points. The importance and roles of these international staff is able to control, co-ordinate and facilitate communication between headquarters and subsidiaries. IHRM practices are most important to the strategy need of any MNCs of those practices related to evaluating, rewarding, staffing and developing a global workforce. Of course the MNCs have lack in managerial experience and impatriate the managerial staff to the headquarters and allow the general staffing issue to local subsidiaries. It is important to acknowledge both the internal and external fit in the organization and internal fit for the set of IHRM philosophy, policy and practices and external fit for the environment. INTERNATIONALIZATION OUTCOMES In organizational level, the IHRM play a key role in achieving the effectiveness in resource allocation, efficiency, global integration, global competitiveness, flexibility and learning. But they also need to take into account are national, industry, global and community levels of concern when multi levels of drivers are considered. In general HRM often considers employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment. But it is difficult in multinational organization to satisfy the needs of the employees. It is important and need to recognize local conditions when applying the IHRM across different cultural and institutional environments in the globalization. By positive results, the organizations would provide feedback so that they could analyze the alignment of their corporate strategy, structure and systems and strengthen existing IHRM. It indicates that the outcomes from home and host countries, that the policy makers has focus on further development in further expansion.