Week9 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Week9 - Assignment Example In Communist Russia, with the new policy of Dictator Stalin to abolish religion in state, people faced a similar scenario when all of their religious landmarks and praying centres were destroyed. Similarly, in terms of political aspects, there are divisions found in societies because of a difference of opinion and support over a matter of support of political party and even on formats of governance. Social aspects such as the difference of interactions and sharing of opinions also cause cornering of families and selected people among societies (Rees, 2004). Economic statures also have had impact on social gatherings of societies, as a rift is created among individuals of societies who belong to a separate economic standard. Lastly, cultural aspects also create hostile situations, as people of different backgrounds interact with only each other and are subject to racial stereotypes, which cause aggressive behaviour at an individual level. With these aspects, societies are subject to hostile rifts that result in dangerous outcomes at times, which must be controlled by government policy

Why Is the Sky Blue Essay Example for Free

Why Is the Sky Blue Essay How would you describe Coyne’s point of view in this piece? Detached or involved? Insider or outsider? How does her point of view affect your perception of the federal prison for women that she writes about in this piece? My perception of Coyne’s viewpoint is the following; mothers in this particular setting truly cherish even the most simplistic gift given to them by their child (like a single flower), most importantly these mother’s cherish their loved one’s specially their children. Coyne’s believes that some of the inmates dedicate their unoccupied time to elaborate dresses, sweaters, to arrange their hair, put make-up on, in fact Coyne see’s hand made accessories on these women. These women do this and more so there love one’s see them the best possible way. While Coyne observes around the visiting room of the federal prison, she imagines these women in a whole different setting. In particularly Coyne’s see’s a different life for â€Å"Stephanie†, a life where Stephanie finishes’s her community college and spends more time with her son. But instead of this fictional reality, â€Å"Stephanie† is in prison and her son is not by her side. Coyne notices that â€Å"Ellie† â€Å"Stephanie† son, is a bitter and defiant boy; a boy that is clearly hurting and rebelling for his life situation. Coyne see’s the impotent feeling that â€Å"Stephanie† has when having knowledge of the things her young son is capable of. In my point of view, Coyne is detached of the setting around her and even detached of her feelings towards her sister. She is an outsider, in this particular point in time; this is clear to me when she mentions that her brother is sitting next to her and her younger sister. Even though her brother is sitting next to her, she is only able to see that a women got near him and they are having a conversation; while Coyne once again is distracted by all the action in the federal prison visiting room. I have never been in a federal prison analyzing and observing it’s evident action. Therefore prior to this reading I did not have a perception to this particular setting (women in the federal prison during mother’s day. And yes, Coyne seem’s (to me) logical, putting myself in these mothers position (not being a mother myself) seems’ s that I too would feel and grand positive feeling if my love one’s specially my children come to visit me. I also agree when Coyne says that mother’s do not express their true thoughts, they sugar code their feelings and avoid the conversation that probably both parties would like to address but they never have the ability to do so. They do not get to tell their love one’s that they are sorry for their mistakes, they are the most important thing in their life that these mother’s do not do another thing but to think of their love one’s. Since I did not have a feeling towards what mother’s that are detained feel, I feel that Coyne’s point of view persuaded my view point.

The Business Models Used By Dell Information Technology Essay

The Business Models Used By Dell Information Technology Essay Business Models are the one of the most discussed most overvalued and least understands aspects of the World Wide Web. A business model is a concept arising out of e-commerce and the Internet age. A good planned and successful business model will maintain their business in the longer term it will give the business a competitive advantage in its business enabling it to earn more profits than its competitors. (Turban, King, Mckay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, 2008) Now, Dell Computer Corporation is the worlds leading direct computer systems company, and it grows larger everyday. Dell sells directly to consumers by using Internet. They build products to consumer (customer) to order. Dell eliminates retail mark-ups and costs. They reduce risks associated with large inventories of finished goods. Relationship with consumers is also very important. Direct business model of delivering a better customer experience through direct, general customers relationships, cooperative research and development with technology partners, custom made computer systems built to customer specifications and service and support programs customized to customer needs. (Turban, King, Mckay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, 2008) Dells believes that the direct model provides it with some clear competitive advantages. First is the model that eliminates the need to the support a well-known network of wholesale and retail dealers, which allows them to avoid dealer mark-ups; and its avoids the higher inventory costs to connected with the wholesale or the retail outlet and the competition for retail shelf space. The direct model also allows them to maintain their study and update the customer database that can be used to manipulate future product gifts, service and support programs. (Awah, Elias, 2004) The Internet lets customers to configure the product by using online, order online, check the status of their order online, and get support, learn and study upgrade service online. Dell enables them to list their product at a sale and order it online. And that is the kind of customers experience that builds a long-lasting relationship between customers and Dell. Affiliate marketing Marketing partner refers consumers to the selling companys web site for a commission. Dell provides affiliate partners the opportunity to link from their Web sites to dell.com. Dell pays about 2 to 4 percent on any qualifies sale made from clicking on Dells link at the partners sites. Many people can click the link that the website provides to understand more about Dell. (Case study and Dell, 2011) Products and Services customization Many of the online stores have expanded their online offerings to include customer reviews and product news in addition to their product catalogs. This means people will visit dell.com to view the online catalogs that offer additional information rather than those that dont offer this product knowledge. It also increases the time the shoppers spend on a website and it increases the chance that they will refer items to their friends. (Victoria Duff, 2010) Supply Chain Management Dell supply chain management Dells strategy is to provide customised, low cost, and quality computers that are delivered on time. Dell takes orders directly from its customers by using online system (services). Therefore, Dell reduces the cost of intermediaries that would otherwise add up to the total cost of computers for the customer. Dell also saves time on processing orders that other companies normally deserve in their sales and distribution system. By directly dealing with the customer Dell gets a clearer indication of market trends. This helps Dell to plan for future besides better managing its supply chain. (Turban, King, Mckay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, 2010) 2. Explain the different types of EC transactions used by Dell. EC transactions used by Dell are B2B, B2C, B2E, B2G, and e-learning. a. B2B Business-to-Business is a model in which all of the participants are businesses or other organization. Business-to-business as when one company buys its supplies from another company online. E-business has transformed how the business world operates from the supply side to the selling side and all the banking and commercial transactions in between. This affects everything from small family-run enterprises to international stock exchanges. (Turban, King, Mckay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, 2008, Awah, Elias M., 2004) Dell delivers business-to-business transactions that allow your organization to lower their procurement costs. With the B2B transaction, you can shop online from within your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) procurement application and return the contents of your shopping session back to your ERP system by e-mail. No longer had you required to enter duplicate information in the order to purchase the products. The electronic application can now be routed through your standard ERP workflow where it can be approved by e-mail. Once this electronic application is approved, it can become an electronic purchase order and be transmitted straight away to Dell. These orders flow directly go into Dells manufacturing system where your orders are built immediately, this will saving you hours or days in processing time. This brings you the latest technology at the quickest speed. If a customer is not currently able of integrate their procurement systems and processes with their suppliers, Dell ca n provide the necessary hardware, software, and consultation to help build and set up a solution that not only connects the customer to Dell, but one that can to connect to even other suppliers or customers. (Dell, 2010) b. B2C Business-to-Consumer is a model which businesses sell to individual shoppers. Business-to-consumers (B2C), as when you purchase from a shops website (Turban, King, McKay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, 2008, Awah, Elias, 2004). Consumers shop at dell.com by using electronic catalogs. Dell also sell their computer or laptop to consumer (customer), they can search the latest product at the Internet. (Case study) Customers can purchase the product by using online. It is very convinces and easy for customers to purchase a computer by using online services like Dell. Dell provides many different type of computer example: desktop type computer, laptops, printer and so on. Example: Customer can use online services to purchase Dell products. And it is secure for customer to using the payment system that Dell provides. Customer also can make their order easy. We can just sit at home, using the online services to purchase a product or more than 1 product from Dell. After the payment transaction make from the payment system, Dell receives your order they will arrange the time table and send it to you. It is very easy for us to purchase products from Dell. Customers can save their time to shopping, to compare the products, save cost to travel the place and so on. These are the benefits for the customers. (Dell, 2011) c. B2E Business-to-employees is a model which an organization delivers services, information, or products to its individual employees (Turban, King, Mckay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, 2008). Dell provides EPP Employees Purchase Program for all the employees that has 1 account number. They can get Best Price to purchase product from Dell. And if have any request the employees can call or chat with Dell expert. (Dell, 2010) Example: employees from Dell. They can enjoy more than 25% discount for any products from Dell. d. B2G Business-to-Government is a model which a government buys or provides goods, services, or information to businesses or individual citizens. Businesses sell goods or services to governments and government agencies (Turban, King, Mckay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, 2008, Awah, Elias M., 2004) Dell provides their computers to government. Government will purchase some product with Dell. Example: The U.S. government is at a critical juncture. Citizens are demanding more accountability and transparency, and government agencies are responding by breaking down barriers that have caused inefficiencies. More than at any point in history, IT is expected to be a driving force of change that moves the government forward. IT leaders are under greater scrutiny to spend budgets effectively and are increasingly being measured on project performance. Yet many are dealing with fragmented IT environments that are complex, outdated, and costly to maintain, leading to further challenges with security, interoperability, and manageability. (Dell, 2010) e. E-Learning E-learning is used a lot organizations for training and retraining employees. It is also practical at virtual universities. E-learning is the online delivery of information for purposes of education, training, or knowledge management. Dell provides e-learning for the customers, who dont know how to use their products, installing the hardware or software, and so on. Dell not only provides e-learning for customers is also including employees who need to learn and training (Turban, King, Mckay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, 2008) Dell provides some training courseware to employees or even students also can join; they can learn more and detail. (Dell, 2010) Why choose the Dell leaning system? Because employees and students can saves money to help maximize training budget. And E-Learning reduces travel expenses and time away from the office. And it also easy-to-use, the interface through the Learning Management System enables administrators and students to navigate efficiently through e-Learning programs. Dell has 24 hours and 7 days online services; online access to live experts and resources for help with course study, daily work activities, and topics relating to information technology, desktop applications, and business skills. They are many benefits to help you improved. Dell provided. (Dell, 2010) Analyse the competitive advantages Dell has over its brick-and-mortar competitors. Brick-and-mortar retailers are retailers who do business in the non-Internet, physical world in traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Traditional retailing frequently involves a single distribution channel, the physical store. In some cases, traditional sellers also may operate a mail-order business. (Turban, King, Mckay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, 2008) Dell has operated kiosks in shopping malls in the United States, but the physical stores add a new dimension to their move to click-and-mortar. Various models of computers are ion display in the stores, provide the different model of the computers catologs and Dell staffs are available to recommend or suggestion and support and assist customers in personalizing their purchases. However, the stores hold no inventory, so interested customers must still place their orders online from within these stores (Turban, King, Mckay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, 2010) Online services and Delivery Dell provides online services and delivery services. Online services are customer can purchase products at the online payment system. After purchasing online, the staffs will delivery the product to you. (Dell, 2011) Dell brings products to market faster than its competitor. Dell was able to make computers much faster than it produced earlier. Computers have life cycles of only a few months. Thus, dell enjoys early-to-market advantage. (Turban, King, Mckay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, 2010, Dell, 2011) Quick response Dell will keep the feedback from the customer and will reply them if their customer has any problem with the products. Dell has their own database to save all the customers detail. (Dell, 2011) Reduce bullwhip effect Dell provides special web pages for suppliers. Dell let them to view the orders they has made. This allows suppliers to plan based on customer demand. (Dell, 2011) Advertising and Promotion Advertising is very important. Dell provides many different advertising so that everyone is starting to concern its products. In addition to let everyone knows that the products, Dell also hopes to attract more customers and so do a lot of different promotional campaigns to boost turnover. (Dell, 2011) After brick-and-mortar, Dell has made a miracle. Dell do their own business by using internet, customers can purchase products by using online payment system. (Turban, King, Mckay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, 2010) Doing online services is more easy and convenient for all peoples. And the most important things in now Dell provides online training, online learning for those who dont know how to use Dell products, or something happen they can just search the information on dell.com to learn more. Is not just good for the employees who know more about Dell products and also good for the student to look for it. (Dell, 2011) E-Commerce is not that easy to control, but the things is we need to learn from the beginning just like the Dell whos done the business with a very good result, they earn profits, and many customers like their products and identify their products. Relate this case to supply chain management improvements. The term of supply chain is comes from the concept of how the partnering organizations are linked together. (Turban, King, Mckay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, 2008) Dell has become famous for its use of the Web to sell computers to individuals and businesses and even government are now started to use; it has also used technology-enabled supply chain management to give customers exactly what they want. Dell reduced the amount of inventory it keeps on hand form three weeks sales to six days sales. Eventually, Dell wants to see inventory levels measured in minutes. By increasing the amount of information it has about its customers, Dell has been able to significantly reduce the amount of inventory it must hold. Dell has also shared this information with members of its supply chain (Schneider, 2007). Now, Dell use internet online and web technologies in managing supply chains has yielded much increased process like example speed, reduced costs, and increased flexibility. All of these attributes combine and to allow a coordinated supply chain to produce products and services that better meet the needs of the ultimate consumer. Just-in-time services When you purchase a product online at dell.com, the system from dell will receives your order. The staffs will delivery your product just in time, with the services that they provide. (Dell, 2011) Online Services E-learning and e-training are provided online at the website dell.com. And there also provides online chat, to chat with the technical assistance. Dell provides 7 days 24 hours for the online services. Customers can online purchase any products. (Dell, 2011) Close to customer Dell gives discount to customer if the customer purchases more products. Relationships with customer and suppliers allow us to know what we must be able to supply in real time and then very quickly and precisely meet that demand while maintaining low inventory. (Dell, 2011) RFID Radio Frequency Identification RFID is suitable to the effectiveness of the information that it provides leading to much better real time data. Dell has plans for the retirement and decommission of the old technologies as a forecasting technique as well. By using the RFID, customers are able to follow the progress of their computers and decide the delivery dates automatically. Due to the fact that Dell now manufacturers almost all of the products that they sell, there can be little to no problems with excessive storage in warehouses. The benefits of RFID and real world awareness aid in keeping Dells supply chain extremely successful. (Goitsolutions.net, 2005) Reference and bibliography Awah, Elias M., (2004) Electronic commerce from vision to fulfilment (second edition) Pearson education Inc United Business2000.ie Available at: http://www.business2000.ie/pdf/pdf_7/dell_7th_ed.pdf [Accessed 28 December 2010] Csulb.edu Available at: http://www.csulb.edu/web/journals/jecr/issues/20014/paper4.pdf [Accessed 3 January 2011] Dell 2010, Business Model [Online] Available at:http://content.dell.com/us/en/corp/d/corp-comm/cr-ca-business-model.aspx [Accessed 27 December 2010] Dell 2010, Dell Business to Business (B2B) E-Commerce Solutions Available at:http://www.dell.com/content/topics/reftopic.aspx/pub/commerce?c=uscs=19l=ens=dhs~section=001 [Accessed 27 December 2010] Dell, 2010, Dell Federal Government Services, Consulting and Discount (Online) Available at:http://www.dell.com/us/en/fedgov/df.aspx?refid=dfs=fedcs=RC1009777~ck=mn [Accessed 27 December 2010] Dell, 2010, Dell Member Purchase Employee Discount Program (EPP) [Online] Available at:http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/epp_why_buy_dell?c=uscs=2236l=ens=eep~ck=mn [Accessed 27 December 2010] Ebscohost.com Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/uploads/imported/thisTopic-dbTopic-1074.pdf [Accessed 3 January 2011] Fredman, Catherine. A Moment of Transition: A Chat with Tom Merideth, [Online] Available at: http://www.ee-online.com/oct/oct_qna.htm [Accessed 28 December 2010] Goitsolutions.net Available at: http://www.goitsolutions.net/rfidpaper.pdf [Accessed 4 January 2011] Idiana.edu Available at: http://www.indiana.edu/~tisj/readers/full-text/16-1%20kraemer.pdf [Accessed 28 December 2010] Schneider, Gary, (2007) Electronic Commerce (Seventh Annual edn), Canada, Thomson Course Technology Turban, King, Mckay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, (2008) Electronic Commerce 2008, Canada, United States, Pearson Education Turban, King, Mckay, Marshall, Lee and Viehland, (2010) Electronic Commerce 2010, Canada, United States, Pearson Education Victoria Duff, eHow Contributor, (2010) [Online] Available at: http://www.ehow.com/about_4793990_ecommerce-business-models.html [Accessed 18 Jan 2011]

Corporate Social Responsibility And Recent Events Management Essay

Corporate Social Responsibility And Recent Events Management Essay Hopkins (2003) defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as treating the stakeholders of the firm, ethically or in a responsible manner. According to Wan-Jan (2006) is the best working definition that best depicts the concept of CSR. This definition depicts CSR both as an ethical stance and as a business strategy. This also conforms to the argument that CSR should not put emphasis on getting rewards or payback. The definition does not emphasize that practicing CSR should have its rewards. CSR is very important in this era of globalisation. Globalization is generally seen but not exclusively, as an economic process (Sparrow, Brewster Harris 2004). The level and pace of global economy change is still at its early stage, yet the pace of change of the economy is rapidly accelerating. This challenge is posed to international human resource management professionals to be become more complex and strong. Also, it has provided significant opportunities for organizations in reconfiguring their strategies in their respective supply chains as well as the globalization of their production systems. This paper shall discuss how CSR is an important concern for both society and corporations. This shall also argue whether or not CSR is an effective means of corporations in bolstering their reputation and provide responses to pertinent issues. Sample cases will be presented in order to provide evidences for the mentioned points of discussion. Corporate Social Responsibility On the recent events brought about by the earthquake in Haiti, Motorola Foundation, along with Motorola and its employees have donated cash and kind relief efforts to the victims of the said calamity. The foundation is the charitable and philanthropic division of Motorola. This organisation is responsible in making strategic grants, pushes strong partnerships with the community, fostering of innovation and engagement of stakeholders. This foundations focus its funding especially with the need in education, science and technology, engineering and math programming among others (CSR Digest 2010). The case of Motorola is one example that an organisation really paves way to have a separate division that focuses in CSR. Although as the description of the foundation reflected that its funds are especially focused in education particularly in science and technology, which is mainly the nature of Motorolas business (CSR Digest 2010). Another evidence for Motorolas focus in technology and development is its collaboration on the reference design for phones that have Blue tooth technology (Portable Design 2004). Herbert and Schantz (2007) argued that corporate actions of organizations are being subjected to more scrutiny than ever. There is an attempt to legitimize the roles of corporations and as seen in the corporate social responsibility as a part of a framework, which is triple bottom. In the study that they have conducted, credence values such as corporate social responsibility and business ethics are still intangible. Thus, the corporate brand becomes a guarantee for the social values that are being communicated. Johnson (1958) considers that one of the most important changes that took place in the recent generation of corporations is the development of a new role in the corporate citizenship with the corporation. The economic and social responsibility is hence being recognized. There are several measurement methods for CSR being implemented by different organizations. According to Sethi (1975), a structural framework to facilitate analysis of corporate social activities should have at least the following two properties. First, categories for classifying corporate activities should be stable over time, which makes historical comparisons possible. Second, the definitions of various categories should be applicable across firms, industries, or even social systems, making comparative analysis possible. CSR has also been described as a tool to build good corporate reputation. Lewis (2003) found that public perception on the role of companies in society has changed significantly. In late 1970s, two-to-one of the British public agreed that the profits generated by large companies make things better for their customers. In early 2000s, two-to-one disagree. At the same time, 80% of the public believes that large companies have a moral duty to society. But 61% believes that companies do not really care about the environment and social responsibility. The dissonance between what the public expects firms to do and what they think the firms are actually doing is worrying. But Lewis argued that companies have a new basis to regain public trust through exercising their CSR. Lewis believes that CSR can become a competitive edge/core competence for those companies who can exploit it properly. Porter too echoed the same opinion (Porter, 2003) when he stated that todays companies ought to invest in CSR as part of their business strategy to become more competitive. The extent of social responsibility of corporations, it is anticipated that there will be an increase in the resonance of corporate citizenship. It is also associated in the in the participation of a wider polity and aspirations that are normative. In the fulfillment of such demands, it is required from the society to give strong pressures as well as from the corporate leaders in order to bring about a true separation of economic spheres and politics. This is an implication in the reverse mechanism of routine mobilization (Barley, 2006). Implementation of Effective CSR Report through a Business Plan Strategic planning is the organizations projection its destination in a certain period of time and how the organization will go there (Farrah et al 2001). It is a systematized planning process that involves a number of steps identifying the current status of the organization, including its mission, future vision, operating values, operational needs, goals, and prioritized actions and strategies, action plans and monitoring plans. The most important concept of strategic planning understands that in order for an organization to succeed, every member should contribute in achieving it. Business development strategies are needed to achieve a sustainable development in an organization. There are seven steps in managing an organization according to sustainable development principles. These are performing a stakeholder analysis; setting policies and objectives for sustainable development; designing and executing an implementation plan; development of a supportive corporate culture; development of measures and standards of performances; preparation of progress reports; and enhancement of internal monitoring processes. There are ways suggested in improving the strategic planning of organizations. There are five suggestions namely: starting with the issues; the right people should be brought together; planning cycles should be adapted to the needs of each organizations; strategic performance management system should be implemented; and human resources should be integrated on the strategic plan. A CSR report will be created to evaluate all the economic viability of the company including the description and analysis of all the companys business prospects. It will define and focus the companys objective with the use of appropriate information and analysis. Also, the business plan can be used as a selling tool when dealing with important business relationships including investors, lenders and banks. The business plan can also reveal omissions and weaknesses on the companys operating processes. Finally, the business plan can be used to solicit suggestions and opinions from people in relation with the business processes and operations. The contents of the business plan are the companys vision statement, the people, the companys business profile, economic assessment, cash flow assessment and the companys marketing and expansion plans. The companys vision statement should be concise and state the companys purpose and goals. The people portion should have the most important individuals in realizing the set goals of the organization. The business profile should define and describe the business and the specific plans in carrying out the set goals. The segmented market on which the business aims to target should also be included. The necessary factors in a very effective business plan shall include a sound business concept, an identified and well understood market, a stable industry, capable management, a very able financial control, and a consistent business focus. Business plan implementation is a vital stage in business planning. Execution of the developed strategies should focus on two levers more powerful than structural change. These are clarification of the decision rights, specifying who the owner of each decision is and who should be responsible in providing the inputs. Another lever is ensuring the information flows wherein it is needed. The most important levers in the most successful strategy execution are the decision rights and information flow. In decision rights, every individual in the organisation should know which decisions and actions they are responsible for. Higher level managers and officers should know how to delegate operational decisions. In the flow of information, it should be ensured that important information in the competitive environment is quickly flowed in the corporate headquarters. In this way, the upper management can formulate quickly the best practices in the entire company. Also, the facilitation of information flow across organizational boundaries is very important. Lastly, managers and officers should help those field and line employees in understanding how their everyday choices affect the bottom line of the company. In a successful strategy execution, there are seven rules to follow. These are: keeping everything simple; challenging assumptions; same language should be spoken in the organization; resource deployments should be discussed early; priorities should be identified; performance should be monitored continuously; and execution ability should be developed. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) must be the steward of all the strategies that define the organisation and what will it become. As the companys chief strategists, the CEO should translate the business purpose into practice. You must be open to the possibility that this purpose might change. You should everyday watch the strategy which is your greatest opportunity in shaping the company as well as to outwit the competition. In the preparation phase of planning, the CEO should be the one determining the parameters; you should be clear in mind the scope of the planning. You should also be the one to determine the composition of the strategic planning team. The selection of the planning facilitator should also be in your responsibilities. Finally, the CEO should also set the climate for the strategic planning process. In the creative process phase of the session, you should be the one to formally open the activity. During the deliberation, it is your role to listen on what the team ahs to say and just ask two questions: is that where we want to go? and are these the people who will get us there?. As the session ends, it is also your duty to formally close the strategic planning session. In the implementation phase, you will be the overseer of the approved discipline. You should regularly check the teams performance on the formulated action plans. When the action plans are completed, it is your role to recognize the success of the entire team and appreciate their efforts for a job well done. The SBU managers and other functional executives shall perform very vital roles in the strategic planning process. The key roles include interpersonal roles which will serve as the plans figureheads, leaders and liaison officers; informational roles which functions to monitor, disseminate information and serves as a spokesperson for the respective business units; and decisional roles which serves as innovator, disturbance handler, allocates resources and negotiator. These managers will initiate and form the strategic planning process team. They will mobilize change through executive leadership. These strategies will be translated into operational terms which will be defined and executed by the SBU managers and functional executives. The formulated strategies will be aligned by these people into the goal of Lawrence Manufacturing. These officers shall motivate their people to make strategy everyones job. Finally, it is these peoples responsibility to monitor that the formulated strategy will be a continual process in the organization. To evaluate the individual departments performance, each officer will be required to practice the balanced score card system in monitoring their respective areas developments. The balanced score card is a part of the strategic planning process. Conclusion In an article written by Hagel, Brown, and Davison (2009) in Harvard Business Review, they have formulated ways in shaping strategies in this world that is constantly disrupted. According to this article, very few companies act proactively and adapt to shape their strategies. Strategists can attract a critical mass of participants by developing these strategies by means of opportunities are convincingly articulated to the participants; standards and practices are defined so that participation are easy and affordable; and the demonstration that the organizations have the conviction and resources for success and will not be in competition with the participants. In formulating a shaping strategy, the three elements should be considered. The first element is the shaping view. In order to achieve this element, five factors should be considered: the organizations view should express a long term direction and how it perceives change; the organization should clearly identify attractive business opportunities; opportunities should be seen as a broader economic, cultural, and technological force in the organization; views should have a sufficiently high level of allowing unexpected developments; and views should be aggressively and continually communicated within the organization. The second element of the strategy is a shaping platform. In order to achieve this component, there are five factors to be considered: the platform should promise financial benefits especially by reducing costs and increasing revenue generation; it should support a diverse set of participants and offering a values of opportunity; platforms should scale up in accommodating large numbers of participants; should likely generate increase in returns as the organization grows; and the platforms functionality should continually evolve and providing the participants to regularly engage in it. The third component of a shaping strategy is the shapers acts and assets. In order to achieve this component, six factors should be considered: shapers should be able to convince potential participants; shapers should be able to gain access to assets that will prove to participants the ability of sufficient resources; potential participants should be able to be assured that there will be no competition; senior management and other members of the executive level should have the tolerance to risk and the patience in committing the assets and in taking the essential actions in being successful; organizations should be capable of mobilizing and attracting enough number of participants; and the organizations top management should have the enough personality to build a shaping platform. Many evidences have been discovered and CSR has been perceived by many individuals as a social strand that is important for development. This is due in no small measure to the lack of formal study of the topic, despite the widespread debates it provokes. Moreover, it is a complex subject that currently lacks even a single broadly accepted definition. The field of comparative CSR, ultimately, addresses a research question of critical practical importance: how best to structure global enterprise to import best practice in CSR in order to produce economic development that is consistent with raising labor standards and encouraging environmental protection? Strike, Gao and Bansal (2006) have produced empirical evidence that clearly states the challenge, by virtue of their findings that international diversification of firms increases both CSR as well as corporate irresponsibility, given the difficulties of managing semi-autonomous subsidiaries in different countries. Other further comparative investigations are necessary in order to better understand the concept of CSR. Such research may provide an empirical and theoretical basis for developing policies to encourage CSR and for conceptualizing which kinds of pressures are likely to be effective in encouraging a positive relationship between international businesses and society. This i s also important in gearing towards globalisation. Based on estimation of a disaggregated model, they report that there is a positive relation between firm performance (measured using market value added) and strategic CSR and a negative relation between altruistic CSR and firm performance. Analysis of the strategic implications of CSR is hampered by cross-country/cultural differences in the institutions that regulate market activity, including business, labor and social agencies. Institutional differences lead to different expectations and different returns to activity. For firms operating in multiple countries/cultures this complicates the process of determining which activities to engage in and how much to invest. As the knowledge base of CSR develops worldwide, we will be better able to analyze and advise on CSR. We are in the Globalization era. Globalization takes place when there is acceleration in the movement of people, products and ideas. Today, companies are more international than ever. According to the United Nations, there are more than 60,000 multinational companies (Mott, 2004). As a company becomes an international corporation, the criticism against it for damaging the world increases, as does the expectation that the company take responsibility for these damages. The notion of corporate social responsibility is an important tool for corporations to use in response to various concerns about them in the globalization era (Rampton, 2004). Corporations and public relations/advertising practitioners have tried to respond to the criticisms by conveying CSR messages that they are contributing to society in various ways, both locally and globally (Alfonso Sharma, 2005; Prabu, Kline, Dai, 2005). Under the post national constellation of an emerging global order, we need a fresh view on the role of business in society. In our contribution (Scherer Palazzo, 2007), we were critical that many CSR scholars have largely neglected the consequences of that tectonic shift and still build on the idea of an intact national regulatory power. We described the growing positive and negative impact of corporations on democratic institutions and their participation in global processes of governance with and without government as the politicization of the corporation, and we proposed a new concept of political CSR. We have been criticized by Edward and Willmott for dismissing the concept of corporate citizenship. They advance several arguments in favor of that concept, which already includes concern in the advancement of corporations willingness and capacity in their participation in the public process (2007: 1109). Finally, CSR should be observed at all times by all organizations if possible. This will not only create a good image but also addressed the responsibility that we all have towards our community.

Business Communications Essay -- essays research papers

THE IMPORTANCE OF WRITING SKILLS IN BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS: HOW AND WHY TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEES’ WRITING Abstract This essay describes how poorly written communication can lead to misunderstanding and a possible loss of business. Through this paper the author wants to persuade the employer to sponsor a workshop for all employees to improve their writing skills, to increase business communications and to avoid arguments through poor communication. This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of writing skills and why business communication is important in any kind of business. What can your business achieve with good writing skills and what it the impact of good writing skills on business. THE IMPORTANCE OF WRITING SKILLS IN BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS: HOW AND WHY TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEES’ WRITING These last few weeks have been hard for some people in the office. Many arguments erupted and people started to blame each other for the fact that this particular business deal might be lost. All this arguing amongst the employees does not improve the work environment, and it is apparent to clients that the atmosphere in the office is not professional. The reason for the dispute is clearly due to misunderstanding through poor written communication. This had a negative effect on some people’s feelings, which in turn lead to low morale and higher risk of losing business which can be directly attributed to poor writing skills. It is important for our company to look at a way to improve employees’ writing skills to avoid similar incidents in the future. One probably has received advertisement mail from various companies and, after reading the first paragraph, the paper ends in the waste paper basket because you did not like what you read in the first sentence. The way the writer started to communicate did not make you read the rest of the document. The same happened in this last business deal; that message was not understood because it was poorly written. Clearly this is something that should not happen in business writing, especially when writing a letter or a memo, either internal or external. When your employee is not a good business writer, it can affect your business in such a way that you will loose customers. Even inside the office amongst the employees, poor communication can arouse conflict due to misunderstanding. Poor business writing can cost the co... ... environment amongst the employees. I want to finish with a quote from Barret J. Mandel & Philip Vassallo (1999) to convince you that good writing is also good management: â€Å"A person who learns to control the use of language in the writing of effective business documents is often the same person who learns to use language creatively and flexibly in order to lead others to work productively and harmoniously. In our experience, many of the most effective managers are also adept business speakers and writer.† (p338). References Drozdowski, Mark J. (2003) â€Å"The Write Stuff.†, Chronicle of Higher Education, 50 (5), 5. Abstract retrieved June 4, 2004, from UOP Library, EBSCOhost. Lauer, Charles S. (2002) â€Å"Short and Sweet†, Modern Healthcare, 32 (15), 28. Abstract retrieved June 4, 2004, from UOP Library, EBSCOhost. Mandel & Vassallo. (1999) â€Å"From ‘Me’ to ‘Us’: Crossing the Bridge from Academic to Business Writing.†, ETC: A Review of General Semantics, 56 (3), 338. Abstract retrieved June 4, 2004, from UOP Library, EBSCOhost. Mims, Julian L. (1995) â€Å"Writing for results.†, Records Management Quarterly, 29 (1), 27. Abstract retrieved June 4, 2004 from UOP Library, EBSCOhost.

Organizational Design At Microsoft Essay -- essays research papers

ntroduction The ongoing case study presented by Microsoft and the scrutiny of the Justice Department and Congress serves as an excellent departure point to establish the nature and premises of organizational theory and design since it allows for examination from both the viewpoint of the public and the economic aspects of the situation in which Microsoft finds itself. While issues of organizational structure and corporate policies as related to costs, revenue, profit and market structure are inherent in the study of any company or organization, it is important to recognize the unique aspects of Microsoft. Microsoft, undeniably, has a larger presence throughout the computer software industry and the users of its many products since its operating system defines, to a great degree, how work is done in the modern business world. With a company that has virtually always been in a "near-monopoly" situation such as Microsoft, it comes as no surprise that there are many who believe the company should be split into two (or more) independent organizations. However, that has little to do with the organizational design reality that actually is the Microsoft Corporation. Most companies grew out of their perpetual search for profit and how to make that profit grow bigger each year and Bill Gates and Microsoft are certainly no exception to that rule. In fact, they are the personification of the rule! Such a determined search for ever-increasing profits has resulted in large, vertically integrated organizations. But it is essential to keep in mind the fact that economic growth does not end in profit accumulation. In the case of the computer and software industry, growth came in the form of reliance on external economies, that is, keeping apace with the technological progress of other companies in the same industry rather than each company going its own way. Microcomputer companies that remain active to this day are the ones that view computers as open ended machines, ready to be upgraded and improved from time to time, at pace with the current technology advances. Again, Microsoft presents the definitive example of such a company. Organizational Design for the 21st Century Any business or business process has had to face a certain level of re-engineering or reconstruction in order to fit into the managerial revolution of the 1990s and the move into the 21st cent... ...loyees and grand plans for the future. For both start-up ventures and existing firms, entrepreneurship carried on in the pursuit of business opportunities spurs business expansion, technological progress, and wealth creation. The Connor Model would certainly verify that fundamental fact. In order to adequately plan for the future, especially in terms of making the appropriate organization design plans for the future, Microsoft has had to broaden its collective understanding of information and other aspects associated with non-bureaucratic organizational design in order to appropriately commit to the ideas Connor advocates. Clearly, the current changes in organizational environments, are disturbing the century-long domination of the bureaucratic organization but a company such as Microsoft has not had to deal with such hidebound "traditions." However, it is also important that it not allow itself to be "married to" the unique traditions and processes it has established. Considering the past performance and accomplishments of the company, regardless of decisions made by the government, it is likely Microsoft will continue to evolve in ways that assure its success

Employees Provident Funds Act, 1952 Essay

Any establishment registered under Cooperative Societies Act or State law relating to cooperative societies, employing less than 50 persons and working without paid of power To any establishment belonging to or under Control of Central Government or a State Government and whose employees are entitled to benefit of contributory provident fund or old age pension. To any establishment set up under any Central or State Act and whose employees are entitled to benefit of contributory provident fund or old age pension. Administration of the fund [section 5(1A)]. Both employer and employee have to pay contribution at prescribed rates. These amounts are credited to a fund. The fund vests in and is administered by Central Board. Employees Covered Under the scheme As per section 2(f), â€Å"employee† means any person who is employed for wages in any kind of work, manual or otherwise, in or in connection with the work of an establishment, and who gets his wages directly or indirectly from the employer. Thus, Persons employed through contractor in connection with work of establishment are covered Apprentices employed under Apprentices Act or under standing orders of establishment are disqualified, i. . they are not employees. [The model standing orders merely state that an ‘apprentice’ is a learner who is paid an allowance during the period of his training]. Non-eligible Employees Under PF Employee whose ‘pay’ is more than Rs. 6,500 per month are not eligible. Apprentices as per certified standing orders or under Apprentices Act Casual employees. However, employees employed through cont ractors have also to be covered under PF. Employee to Become member of Fund Immediately on Joining Every employee employed in or in connection with work of a factory or establishment to which the Act applies is entitled and required to become member of Provident Fund, unless he is an disqualified employee. Contribution by Employer & Employee As per section 2(c) â€Å"contribution† means a contribution payable in respect of a member under a Scheme or the contribution payable in respect of an employee to whom the Insurance Scheme applies. As per section 6, contribution shall be paid by employer @ 12% of basic wages plus DA – dearness allowance plus retaining allowance. This amount is defined as ‘pay’. Employees Provident Fund Scheme This is the main scheme under the Act. Both employer and employee have to pay contribution to Provident Fund. The employer has to deduct contribution of employee from the salary of employee and has to pay both employees’ contribution as well as employer’s contribution by a challan in prescribed form. The amount has to be paid in approved bank. EMPLOYEE CAN PAY HIGHER CONTRIBUTION – Employee has to contribute 12% of his ‘pay’ as contribution. The employee can voluntarily pay higher contribution above the statutory rate. However, employer does not have to match the voluntary contribution, over and above the statutory rate. Contribution Payable under PF scheme The Principal Employer is liable to pay contribution of his own employees as well as employees employed through contractor. Principal Employer can recover from contractor the amount paid by him on behalf of contractor. The contribution is 12% of ‘pay’ i. e. basic wages, plus dearness allowance, cash value of food concession and retaining allowance. Contribution of both employer and employee is same i. e. 12% each. Employer has to pay his contribution to EPF. He cannot deduct his contribution from wages of the employee. However, he has to deduct employee’s share from his salary and pay the same in EPF scheme. This deduction can be only from the wages pertaining to period for which contribution is paid. However, if there is accidental omission, the amount can be recovered later. Amount deducted from salary of employees is held in trust by the employer or contractor. The balance will be retained in the EPF scheme. Thus, on retirement, the employee will get his full share plus the balance of Employer’s share retained to his credit in EPF account. Lower Contribution in certain cases The employer’s and employee’s contribution is 12% each. This is applicable to many of industries and establishments. However, this contribution is not applicable to – â€Å"any establishment employing less than 20 persons† any establishment registered with Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) as a sick company – the lower rate of contribution continues till its net worth is positive * any other establishment which has accumulated loss equal to or more than its assets and has also suffered cash loss in last two years. Jute industry , Beedi industry ,Brick industry other than the spinning sector. In these cases, the contribution is 10%. Transfer of accounts (1) Where an employee employed in an establishment to which this Act applies leaves his employment and obtains re-employment in another establishment to which this Act does not apply the amount of accumulations to the credit of such employee in the Fund or as the case may be in the provident fund of the establishment left by him shall be transferred within such time as may be specified by the Central Government. Investment The amount received by way of provident fund contribution is invested by the board of trustees in accordance with the investment pattern approved by the government of India. The members of the provident fund get interest on the money in their provident fund accounts. The rate of interest for each financial year is recommended by the board of trustees and is subject to final decision by the government of India. 2) Where an employee employed in an establishment to which this Act does not apply leaves his establishment and obtains re-employment in another establishment to which this Act applies the amount of accumulations to the credit of such employee in the provident fund of the establishment left by him may if the employee so desires and the rules in relation to such provident fund permit be transferred to the credit of his account in the Fund The Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 Applicability EPS, 1995 applies with effect from 16. 11. 995 to all establishments to wh ich EPF,1952 and 1971 were applicable. Eligibility Employer’s and employees’ contribution Protection of provident fund Pensionable salary Pensionable service Formula for calculation of pension Monthly members’ pension = Pensionable salary * pensionable service 70 Employees’ family pension scheme For the purpose of providing family pension and life insurance benefits to the employees of any establishment or class of establishment to which the act applies. the scheme is applicable to all subscribers of employers’ provident fund. Contribution The employees contribution of 8. 33% will be diverted to the fund of pension scheme. Employers contribution is 12%. In such cases, 8. 33% is diverted to pension scheme and balance 1. 67/3. 67% as the case may be, will be in credit of employee’s name in provident fund account. family pension fund from and out of provident fund contributions payable by the employer and employee in each month, a part of the contribution representing one and one and 1/6 the percent from and out of employees contribution is remitted by the employer to the family pension fund. Benefits under the scheme: Members will get pension on superannuation or retirement from service and upon disablement during employment. Family pension will be available to widow/widower for life or till he/she remarries. In addition, children will be entitled to pension, up to 25 years of their age. Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme The Central Government may by notification in the Official Gazette frame a Scheme to be called the Employees’ Deposit-linked Insurance Scheme for the purpose of providing life insurance benefits to the employees of any establishment or class of establishments to which this Act applies. Deposit-linked Insurance Fund into which shall be paid by the employer from time to time in respect of every such employee in relation to whom he is the employer such amount not being more than one per cent of the aggregate of the basic wages dearness allowance and retaining allowance (if any) for the time being payable in relation to such employee. The employer has to pay contribution equal to 0. 50% of the total wages of employee, in addition to administrative charges of 0. 1% of total wages. The employee need not contribute any amount too the scheme. The salary limit for coverage of employees in same as that of provident fund.