International Culture and the Impact on Approaches to Managing People Literature review

International Culture and the Impact on Approaches to Managing People - Literature review Example From the data he gathered, he defined five critical dimensions that are important in understanding the cultural setting of a foreign market. Over the years, advances in research have made Hofstede’s cultural framework questionable. This paper will discuss the five dimensions and offer a critique of each dimension. Proponents of Hofstede’s framework have highlighted that it has a measure of relevance. Notably, that Hofstede’s cultural framework presents some appealing characteristics to some researchers. The fact that the cultural framework emerged when minimal data existed concerning the effect of culture to businesses makes Hofstede’s work outstanding. Moreover, during that time, there were minimal scholarly studies and the fact that Hofstede relied on one to develop his cultural framework made his work appealing (Blodgett, Bakir, & Rose 2008, p. 340). Moreover, he carried out several systematic studies with the same purpose of understanding how different societies held different cultural views. Finally, he combined data from all his studies and developed the dimensions of his cultural framework. One of the underlying factors that contribute to questioning of Hofstede’s framework is the definition of culture. Notably, exists is no specific definition of culture that has received acceptance from different scholars. There are numerous definitions of culture and the relevance of any cultural theory depends on the definition of culture used by the scholar. According to Hofstede, culture denotes â€Å"a collective programming evident in the mind† of individuals, belonging to a certain group, and that makes them different from other groups. Therefore, Hofstede developed his cultural framework based on the definition of culture as mental programming comprising of thoughts and feelings that determined how members of a certain group act. The reason why

Green Tailing (Retail Innovation) Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Green Tailing (Retail Innovation) - Term Paper Example Green tailing also focuses on achieving low cost the customers, thus, they are able to achieve greater savings. However, innovations in green tailing focus not only on price, but also on exploiting fashion, providing outstanding services, offering expanded range of products, and selling high quality merchandise (Stern & Ander, 2008). Since some retailers lose while others win, all retailers must adapt to -Est Theory. The –Est theory states that a retailer must be the best by being superior to all others at one core proposition that is important to specific customers. Most green retailers achieve this through communicating their -Est position to the customers, executing it relentlessly at the store level and orienting their staff to that position. Additionally, their day-to-day operational decisions and strategies are based on that position. The world of retailing is changing faster and more dramatically than ever before, hence, it is always advantageous for a retailer or suppl ier who gets to that position first. Before, most green retails’ life cycles looked like a typical bell curve. ... In essence, green tailing is a crucial element of the future of retail. Therefore, it holds the key to understanding a seismic shift in consumer behavior that shifts the balance away from price to other factors that will require businesses to rethink their basic models. Types of green retail stores There are various types of stores that are considered as environmental friendly, which sell green products. Consumers have now become more enlightened; most are beginning to look for sustainable, green, and organic products (Radcliff, 2011). Hence, they are looking for stores and suppliers who embrace eco-friendly methods and green aspects in their operations. These stores include Clothing and Apparel that sell clothing products from sustainable organic materials such as bamboo fiber, hemp, cotton and other recycled fabrics. There is also increased demand for peace silk or vegan silk that is extracted from hatched silkworm castings; hence, no silkworms are harmed in the extraction. Additio nally, eco-friendly clothing is made with natural and organic dyes in accordance with green specifications. Secondly, there are green furniture stores that sell furniture made from natural materials such as teak wood, bamboo, natural fibers and reclaimed sustainable materials. More so, in finishing, this furniture use natural dyes, water and soya-based finishes, natural oils and waxes (Radcliff, 2011). Thirdly, there are organic foods grown through strict observance of green principles without use of any artificial chemicals and fertilizers. Lastly, there are personal care and household cleaning products that are made from natural and organic ingredients that are raised up with adherence to green

Sixth Annual Message of George Washington Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Sixth Annual Message of George Washington - Essay Example The laws of the US were opposed and were too powerful to be suppressed by general judicial proceedings or by the powers vested on the marshal of the district (Podell and Anzovin). Therefore, he sought to subdue and weigh the best option for the crisis. Washington urged the Congress to support his taxation laws so that the public debt would be reduced. Further, he urged the Congress not to procrastinate the issue since the fiscal measures had commenced (Podell and Anzovin). Washington was geared to foreseeing favorable international relations and therefore urged the Congress that the intercourse with foreign nations would be mandated to the Congress. Washington described the people who participated in the rebellion as enemies of order who were bound to start an insurrection. He also described them as an embittered and prejudice artifice of men whose passions promoted riots and violence (Burns and Dunn). In my opinion, it was not a fair assessment because democracy entails the will of the people. Therefore, he would have engaged the citizens in dialogue and explain to them reasons behind the new taxation measures to curb public

Organisational Change Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 8

Organisational Change Management - Essay Example These are the challenges that the organisation face when they do not plan their change program (Flamholtz, and Randle, 2008). Generally it has been noticed that the flawed decisions of the management are responsible for creation of such barriers. However, in case of this study, the change process would be viewed from the perspective of 5D AI method. The AI method comprises of 5D, namely, 1) Define, 2) Discover, 3) Dream, 4) Design, and 5) Deliver. However, before discussing the case study of D2, the basis of AI model has to be understood, so that the readers can understand how this model would be useful in meeting the objectives of the study. The model of AI is based on the hypothesis that the question that is generally asked by someone, focus towards a particular direction (Armenakis, and Harris, 2009). Other methods evaluate and assess the situation and propose solutions on the basis of the deficiency model. Generally it has been noticed that changes and other prerequisites related to changes are seen as a challenge in the deficiency model, while AI model consider it as a deficiency and it takes an alternative approach (Bauer, 2011; Barry, 1997). Through this process change becomes easy and all the members in the organisation gets motivated and also understand the importance of change and value that it might add. Appreciative Inquiry AI approach in change management is different from simple problem solving method. Problem solving begins with the identification of the problem, while this model begins with appreciation, and identifying the best things in the system. Problem solving analysis the cause of the problem, which AI envisions what should have been the cases, which reveals a positive attitude again.... This essay stresses that challenges are faced during unplanned as well as planned change. It is a wrong notion that leaders do not face challenge if they go for plan change in their organisation. Firstly, resistance from employees even before the change process is implemented is a major challenge in both cases. Even in D2 the leaders will face the resistance when they will disclose their decisions to the employees. The leaders in the organisation have a critical role to play in this situation, as they need to prepare the people of D2 UK plant for the change. In case of unplanned change, the leaders do not have a step wise strategy to deliver the change process. To some extent the change decisions of D2 is an example of an unplanned change. This paper makes a conclusion that during the change process leaders will faces complex situations, where they might face hindrance. For example the employees at France or Spain might resist accepting employees from UK plant, and work with them. If the company plans to relocate the employees then they need to be provided the due facilities to those human resource too, which the company should consider in to their relocation cost. Teams in UK plant of D2 can take up responsibility to identify solution for different issues. Employees in the plant can even come up with excellent ideas to revive the plant at UK, rather than relocating, without increasing the cost further. This might drive the management to change their decision of closing the UK plant.

Compare Musical and Opera Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Compare Musical and Opera - Essay Example In comparing Musical and Opera, one can base the argument relating to their source, historical background, development and their evolution. However, this paper shall discuss the key features that compare Musicals from the Operas. In the present time, people fail to provide a clear distinction between the two, and instead define any form of entertainment performance with music as musicals, and some famous music singers confuse their musicals with Opera (http://www.aria-database.com/). Musical theaters currently referred, as ‘Musicals’ is a style used in theater, whereby the songs, dances, and oral dialogue integrate to narrate a story. In the contemporary world, a musical takes various forms as long as it aims at narrating a story. For that reason, musical could be a stage performance, a film/television presentation and it combines the modern and the known music styles and discourse in narrating the entire story (http://www.aria-database.com/). Opera is classified under a certain form of theater, in which a musical group and singers incorporates sheet music and â€Å"libretto† also known as the text in contemporary language to narrate a story. On the other hand, performance of musicals takes place in theatres. Presentation of musicals could be staged or televised. ... Another key difference between Musicals and operas is in terms of language used. While performing musicals, the audience understands the performance language. For instance, Musicals developed in England and America is performed in English regardless of whether the developer comes from non- English-speaking nations. Together with that, the singing, dancing, and dialogue follow the rules of the popular music, popular dance styles, and the modern dialogues. Musicals have three major characteristic; the brain, the heart and courage (Kagen, 1968). The Brain – in order to perform musicals, the developer should have required intelligence and necessary writing style. On the other hand, the heart calls for the genuine feeling while developing the story, and lastly, courage calls for one to have the ability, creativity, and boldness in presenting something. This is very different from an Opera, in that, there is comprehensive training of the singers, classical singers in this context, a nd they are required to memorize and present the song without making any translations (http://opera.stanford.edu/main.html). In addition, there are numerous well-known opera styles in different languages, for instance, the Italian Opera, the German Opera, Russian opera, French opera, and lastly English–language opera. The performance of each Opera takes a different style (http://opera.stanford.edu/main.html). Based on their production, musicals and Operas portray many differences. First, Opera upholds music as the livelihood of production, whilst musical depends on text written and the story narrated. In the modern time, the Operas are established on classical music. It relates the way one would visualize the Mozart’s classical music

The challenges and opportunities for healthcare services in the future Essay

The challenges and opportunities for healthcare services in the future - Essay Example e first aid services to all sick or injured people, provide programs for the prevention and control of communicable diseases, control of endemic diseases, and offer generic medical advice1. However, health care services are facedwith many challenges presented by demographic and economic pressures. On the objective side, many opportunities can help healthcare services to develop and improve. Health care was and will continue to be one of the important sources in promoting the physical health and the wellbeing of people all over the world. However, with the advent of numerous healthcare changes, the sector of healthcare as well as the people who are working in healthcare service is continually presented with many challenges and the opportunities. This paper will discuss in detail the challenges and the opportunities for health care services in the future. It will have a deeper look at three main topics: technology and research, people and chronic disease, and working environment. It will address the challenges and the opportunities in each of these topics2. The world health organization has focused on establishing factors that contribute to the high preference of chronic diseases in their recent past. According to WHO, food determinants are a critical determinant of the health of any individual. An increased consumption of fast foods and a high preference for unhealthy foods has contributed to the souring occurrences of chronic diseases. Diseases such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and liver and kidney diseases are attributable to an unhealthy eating pattern. The need for adoption of healthy eating patterns cannot be over emphasized3. Food habits have a direct correlation to the body mass index which is a reflection of one’s susceptibility to chronic diseases4. This is to say that, people with poor eating habits register high BMIs, high cholesterol levels and are susceptible to obesity. If such trends persist then the future will present a higher

( individual Posters presentation ) for my project Speech or

( individual Posters ) for my project - Speech or Presentation Example Each poster must include: a. Customer Service and Demand Management The products of Al Ain mineral water organization is not without competition. Thus, to remain competitive in the market, Al Ain must also extend exceptional customer service in addition to the high quality and ready availability of their products. The demand side of the product is constant since water is an inelastic demand. It meant that the product that of Al Ain will always have a demand regardless of market condition because the market or its customers cannot live without water. It does not mean however that the company should be complacent in meeting this demand because if Al Ain fails to deliver its product, the competition will instead take its place and that would mean lost business for the company and will erode its market share. Demand management and customer service must come together to keep Al Ain relevant in the market. This means that Al Ain must have enough products to satisfy the customers while prov iding its customers with exceptional customer service to encourage loyalty to their brand. b. Inventory Management Al Ain mineral products must be readily available to the customers through its effective supply chain. It is not enough that the company has a good product but also has to ensure that their products reach the customer by keeping sufficient inventory to match the demand. But in doing so, it must not also overwhelm its inventory because large inventory will incur additional holding cost. In the case of Al Ain, they manage the number of inventory by matching the holding cost that will be incurred by stocking up with the ordering cost to determine the ideal quantity of their inventory. The ideal number of inventory must be enough to satisfy the anticipated demand without keeping too many products in the inventory. By maintaining an effective inventory management, Al Ain also reduces other costs such as unnecessary transportation cost and holding cost. It is important to not e that the life cycle of Al Ain’s products is less than 6 weeks so the company places its reorder in the fifth week to avoid selling spoiled products to the customers. c. Sourcing and Supply Management Supply management includes those processes which involve manufacturing the product to delivering it in the market which in the case of Al Ain mineral products, procurement of the water from the mountains and the fruits for its Capri Sun fruit drink. The bottled mineral water product lines have a straightforward procurement system because they not have to deal with a third party vendor since water is a product and fruits are products of nature. These resources must be use at its optimum to create a product that will bring optimum profit to the organization. It could also add value in the process such as the inclusion of flavoured water and added fluoride and calcium water in its product line not just to offer variety to its customers but also to optimize the products that can be made with the available supply. The life cycle of these stocks is not more than 6 weeks (Shauter & Theillio, 2006). In the fifth week of the inventory cycle the organization used to place reorder in order to utilize the time of distribution. The reason why a reorder has to be made in the fifth week as part of supply management to ensure that there will be available products when customer needs it without overwhelming its inventory. As part of its supply management, Al A