Governing Business Activity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Governing Business Activity - Essay Example Therefore, organizations must ensure that they have a competitive edge that will guarantee prosperity of the firm. Notably, competitiveness varies with certain factors. First, the industry in which the entities operate. Secondly, the size of the firm affects competitiveness significantly. Evidently, these factors have significant implications on competiveness. This write–up will discuss competitiveness in relation to the size of the entity. This write-up will also relate competitiveness to adaptation of large or small organizations to changes in the business environment (Harry & Normand 1996, p. 122). Competitiveness encompasses the ability of an entity to manage factors such as government, suppliers, rivals and customers. Suppliers provide an entity with inputs required to create products. Therefore, an entity should manage suppliers to ensure that costs do not spiral out of control thus, reducing an entity’s profitability. The government affects an entity’s com petitive edge by the policies it enacts (Pfeffer 1995, p. 234). Higher taxation reduces competitiveness. Conversely, tax cuts increases competitive edge since they entity can offer its clients products at reduced prices. Rivals are other partakers in the sector that are in direct competition with an entity for clientele or any other factor that is central to the undertakings of an organization e.g. raw materials. Therefore, rivalry reduces competitive edge since some competitors may opt for price cutting strategy to eliminate competition. This is a strategy utilized by large monopolistic entities, which seek dominance. The above factors influence competitiveness immensely as revealed above. However, their impact on competitiveness varies owing to the size of an entity (Pfeffer 1995, p. 231). A large firm has massive resources. As such, the entity has an enormous bargaining power, large market segment, and it operates on a massive scale. The above factors contribute significantly to the competitiveness of an entity. A large entity has the resources to undertake a far-reaching marketing. This will enhance its chances of boosting its sales. In contrast, a small organization does not have the resources to fund such campaigns. This reduces the chances of such an entity boosting its sales. An entity requires input to create its merchandise. Acquiring such inputs is tricky for smaller firms. Suppliers prefer large-scale purchasers. Consequently, large firms receive discounts form supplier decreasing their overheads. Contrary, small firm incur the full cost of their purchases. This means they do not benefit from discounts from supplier. The suppliers also treat large-scale purchasers in preference. If a shortage emerges, the smaller organizations will not receive any inputs. Large firms operate on a colossal scale allowing the entities to capitalize on economies of scale. Consequently, such entities incur minimum cost per unit product (Pfeffer 1995, p. 123). This allo ws such entities to offer reduced prices since they incur minimal costs. However, smaller firms incur higher costs per product. This reduces the ability of such to offer reduced prices. This decreases the competitiveness of smaller firms. In the analysis of the competitive edge, it is essential to evaluate the competitive advantage of firms based on innovation. A large firm has the means to invest in research. The research will contribute

The major challenges for China, Why the past successful export led Term Paper

The major challenges for China, Why the past successful export led growth model cannot continue - Term Paper Example Over a period of three decades, China has established a market-based economy but, however, the establishment of market institutions remains unfinished (Naughton, 2007). The export-led growth was greatly assisted by channeling savings and labor into large scale physical and human labor investments. Further, the shift to markets from planning brought about efficiency in the allocation of resources while taking advantage of the industrial experience acquired during the socialist era. According to Norton (2007), the present economic period has exploited a long entrepreneurship and commercialization history both inside and outside the country, which has eased access to capital and savings. With an emphasis on economy, this paper will discuss the major challenges that China is facing and the reasons why its past successes based on growth that was fueled by exports cannot continue. It will further suggest how the Chinese economy should further be transformed. The key concern facing Chinaâ⠂¬â„¢s economy is the improbability of the continuation of the conditions that facilitated the 7% economic growth in the past 30 years, save for the slowly but steadily improving human capital (Garnaut & Song, 2005). However, the improving human capital may be negated by the rapidly aging professionals that will put a strain on the government’s capacity of healthcare and pensions. ... Although the changeover has resulted in improved standards of living, it has also led to higher economic risk and uncertainty. This is manifested by the worsening distribution of income, unemployment, unstable education, insufficient infrastructure and a badly structured health insurance framework (Zhang, 2008). The economy is in a state of imbalance because of overdependence on exports, with relatively low shares of GDP realized from domestic consumption in comparison to the status in majority of the developed countries. This has led to a never-ending overcapacity, aggravating the trade imbalance between China and its significant partners in trade, the result of which has been recurrent apprehension in mutual relationships with trading partners and, more critically, the United States (Liu, 2007). From the economic point of view, China may be said to be a victim of its own success (Garnaut & Song, 2005). None of its trading partners is enjoying the exponential growth rates that China has experienced, and their imports from China cannot remain the same, or at least in a way that can lead China to continued stability. Viewed in another way, the trading partners may maintain their level of imports, but, from the perspective of China, they would not sustain the growth rates they have seen in past years. After going through a period of humble monthly gains, the country was faced by unexpected drops in September in exports (Silk, 2013). This occurrence renewed the indications of weak points within the emerging markets that China has been trading with as significant partners. More importantly, it signals the restrictions of heavy dependence on more export growth to

Tuna again In Fault-Finding England, It's a Cause for Divorce Essay

Tuna again In Fault-Finding England, It's a Cause for Divorce - Essay Example Because of this, complaints include the mundane, absurd and occasionally the bizarre. However, I argue that Lyall takes a serious subject much too lightly and that her implied ‘solution’, does nothing to fix the problem, instead it is an attempt to hold the rest of the world to a particular standard, which does not appear to be working very well anyway. Lyall is adamant about criticizing the United Kingdom system of divorce, implying that the most effective solution for the problem of divorces in the United Kingdom would be to move to the American model, and allow for no-fault divorce. However, how much of a problem is there in the United Kingdom? In the United Kingdom, the divorce rate for 2010 is 11.1 divorces per 1,000 individuals in the married population. If one takes into account the fact that a married couple consists of two individuals, this is a rate of a little over 20% of marriages fail (Rogers 2011). Furthermore, it is estimated that around 70% of these divor ces occur for first marriages (Divorce Rate 2009), suggesting that either people learn from their mistakes, or that few remarry. These statistics are different in the United States, where the divorce rate is approximately 50% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2012), that is, half of all marriages end in divorce. The relationship of divorce to number of marriage is also different, with second marriages having a higher rate of divorce than first, and third marriages having an even higher rate (Divorce Rate 1999). These figures suggest that marriages fare significantly better in the United Kingdom than in the United States. This might be a result of the United Kingdom system of divorce being more difficult, but the article by Lyall implies this is not the case. She suggests that results are not more complicated in the United Kingdom, just that they focus on more trivial matters. Therefore, if this trend is not caused by a difficultly in divorcing, the next logical answer is t hat marriages in the United Kingdom fare better than their United States counterparts. This raises some important questions. For example, does the United Kingdom system of divorce help to keep couples together? This argument is not as unreasonable as it sounds as thinking and writing out reasons for the divorce may help couples to confront their problems, and to realize how trivial many of these actually are. This allows room for much more reflection than the American process, where couples may not even be certain between themselves why they are divorcing. Lyall argues that creating a no-fault divorce would remove the requirement for judges and lawyers to determine fault in the divorce. As she explains, currently under the United Kingdom law a divorce must fall into one of five categories before it can be granted. The most common category is unreasonable behavior, which as Lyall shows, can cover a wide range of different types of behavior. However, Lyall appears to believe that movi ng to a no-fault divorce system would not increase the rates of divorce. This argument is heavily flawed, as by its very nature, making divorce easier would increase how often it occurs. For example, in the United Kingdom the practice of extended separation is common, and this is often used to provide evidence for a future divorce claim (National Family Mediation 2010). This practice can help couples to understand what they lose

Manage recruitment, selection & induction Assignment - 1

Manage recruitment, selection & induction - Assignment Example ruitment of employees at STAR Industries seems to be at logger heads with the legal expectations, a factor that is manifested in the reaction of job applicants as well as some members of the HR department at STAR. According to the email received from Gus Tinsdale reveals much of the practises from the department. The email suggests a number of non compliance cases that depict the reason why his denial for the opportunity as a shift supervisor is not subject to further discussion. For instance, the HR department at STAR could be involved in a possible age discrimination, in which the company makes preference for younger ages, regardless of other qualifications (Baras, Barberà  , Barrio & Rodrà ­guez, 2009). However, there are legal procedures that the company would comply to ensure maximum compliance with the legal provisions. It involves the incorporation of an induction program to the entire HR department on the modern legal recruitment provisions, especially at times when the company requires new employees for various positions. Official communication is made to the members concerned for such training programs, and adherence to the rules of recruitment form part of the new commitments among the members of the HR department. For instance, the HR should adhere to these methods to acquire the right candidates, other than discrimination based on age. After the advertisement of the available vacancies, it is important that the HR department consider a merit based selection, unlike other criteria such as age, in which STAR industry considers ‘youthful’ qualifications. For instance, merit based selection takes into account the following; Communication of new policies forms the backbone on which effective implementation of these policies lies and any breakdown in such results in confusion, wrongdoings and eventual stalling of organizational processes Hughes et al (1999). Choosing the right channel using which to communicate also plays a big part on new policy

Foundation of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs (NACW) Assignment

Foundation of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs (NACW) - Assignment Example The objectives of the women association were; working towards moral, religious, economic, women and youths’ social welfare. The second objective was to safeguard women and youths’ rights. Thirdly, the association was out to improve the quality and standards life in families and homes. The fourth objective was to promote education of women and youths through departments of work. The fifth one was to articulate their influence for civil and political freedom for Africa-Americans as well as every citizen. They also intended to promote effective female-male interaction. Lastly, they had an objective to promote justice and good will through inter-racial understanding. (Wesley, 1984). The association had several milestones of progress. Among the accomplishments were the incorporation of St. Louis, Missouri in 1904. The women were able to establish a loan fund known as Hellie Quinn Brown Scholarship Fund. This Association of Colored Women also established an association for colored girls. Another legacy of this association is the purchase of the current national headquarters at Washing DC. W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington. Were African leaders that harshly disagreed on strategies for black social and economic progress. Washingtons policy served only to effect white oppression. (Wesley, 1984). The National association of colored women liaised with booker T. in his articulation for the ending of racism. He supported and spoke for the African-Americans accept into political and social status quo of segregation and racism and instead focus on black community progress. Booker T, was most

Bardens Bakery System Investigation Research Paper

Bardens Bakery System Investigation - Research Paper Example Question: Following on from any possible incorrect orders: If an order is received in the afternoon say, then the order would be raised manually, i.e. input by hand. Answer: There is a lot of paperwork associated with this process. Lots of problems with this current system, therefore there it is hoped that new information system can solve [there could be human errors in the 'manual order' process]. Question: How does the delivery process work Answer: Each delivery is dispatched the following day. Answer to Part 2 - SYNOPSIS AND EVALUATION Answer to section 1: The purpose of functional decomposition is to iteratively break down the description of the system into finer detail which creates a set of charts in which one process on a given chart is explained in greater detail on another chart. Each process may consist of several sub processes. Each sub processes may also be broken down into smaller units. Decomposition continues until you have reached the point where no sub process can logically be broken down any further. A good Functional Decomposition helps the analysis in several ways: The simplicity of the structure and representation aids in understanding the breakdown of functions and processes. Specifying the precise requirements and features for each function becomes easier because the functions and processes are broken down into smaller units. The partitioning and independence of the functions localizes errors and minimizes system faults. It allows the customer to view and discuss the organization in a form that can be dealt with, i.e., as a collection of functions, rather than as a continuous process. The process of decomposing the functional requirements is as follows: Decomposition Diagrams: A decomposition diagram or... Each process may consist of several sub processes. Each sub processes may also be broken down into smaller units. Decomposition continues until you have reached the point where no sub process can logically be broken down any further. A data flow diagram (DFD) of the scope of an organizational system that shows the system boundaries, external entities that interact with the system and the major information flows between the entities and the system The above process starts with the primary function of the company and breaks down to the services it provides and the granular level of decomposition is shown to give a picture of all the processes involved and sub processes that are carried on. The preparation for the interview demanded a lot of knowledge of the back ground of the company processes and it required a detailed study of the various processes which are carried on. The inflows, outflows and the various data structures, for example the databases involved. The overall conduct was good. Working within a team led to the identification of facts and better understanding the penetrations of the system and the decision as to how many data flows are involved.

The Rise of China And Its Positive Impact On the Trend In World Essay

The Rise of China And Its Positive Impact On the Trend In World Politics - Essay Example This essay stresses that the global economic framework that exists with 5the principle function of financial supervision was created in 1974 by the G7 nations in which China is a partisan member. The framework is the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) China is able to contribute positively to the trends in world politics through the observation of the various governing rules and standards that dictate its engagement with institutional bodies and other key industrial players. Voluntary standards imposed on minimum capital rules derived from banks aim to correct challenges ND problems of high leveraged loans instabilities occurring in transnational markets between banks, competitive inequality problems and â€Å"race to the bottom† regulatory. This paper makes a conclusion that China has been seen to adopt the Badel Capital Adequacy Accord that is referred to as Basel 1. The G10 countries decide to adopt the principle that required the member states of which China is inclusive to have an 8% holding capital that was measurable of their overall risk-weighted assets. Big global banks challenged the Basel 1 framework and sort for an internal risk model that was going to facilitate the competition that existed among the global industrial players. It therefore led to the formation of a reviewed framework Basel 2 that defined the mechanisms of market self-regulations. However, the new regulation only favored the high economic powe4rs and the developed countries gained less from the rule.