Chapter Discussion Questions Essay

1. Discuss the reasons that companies embark on cross-border strategic alliances. What other motivations may prompt such alliances? The text notes five motives for cross border alliances: 1) to avoid import barriers, licensing requirements and other protectionist legislation; 2) to share the costs and risks of the research and development of new products and processes; 3) to gain access to specific markets; 4) to reduce political risk while making inroads into a new market; and, 5) to gain rapid entry into a new or consolidating industry, and to take advantage of synergies. Each firm is faced with its own environmental conditions and this may prompt a strategic alliance for other reasons. The GM-Toyota strategic alliance resulting in NUMMI was motivated in part by the desire of each firm to learn. GM wanted to learn about the Toyota production process, and Toyota wanted to learn about American labor relations. The content notes five thought processes in cross fringe collusions: 1) to evade import hindrances, authorizing necessities and other protectionist enactment; 2) to impart the expenses and dangers of the innovative work of new items and courses of action; 3) to get access to particular markets; 4) to diminish political danger while making advances into another business; and, 5) to addition quick section into another or uniting industry, and to exploit collaborations. Each one firm is confronted with its own ecological conditions and this may incite a key organization together for different reasons. The GM-Toyota key cooperation bringing about NUMMI was roused to some extent by the craving of each one firm to learn. GM needed to look into the Toyota creation methodology, and Toyota needed to research American work relations. 2. Why are there an increasing number of mergers with companies in different industries? Give some examples. What industry do you think will be the next for global consolidation? There are a variety of reasons. In some cases, companies in different industries still can share resources in ways that create operating synergies. In other cases, companies can capitalize on the intangible resources of its new partner—resources like brand names and proprietary processes. Sometimes cross border mergers and acquisitions accompany the deregulation of industry, as it did in telecoms. If so, a likely candidate will be insurance, financial services and banking, all of which are undergoing substantial deregulation in world markets. There is an assortment of reasons. Sometimes, organizations in diverse businesses still can impart assets in ways that make working collaborations. In different cases, organizations can gain by the immaterial assets of its new accomplice assets like brand names and restrictive courses of action. Some of the time cross fringe mergers and acquisitions go hand in hand with the deregulation of industry, as it did in telecoms. Assuming this is the case, a possible hopeful will be protection, monetary administrations and managing an account, all of which are experiencing considerable deregulation in world markets. 3. Discuss the problems inherent in developing a cooperative alliance in order to enhance competitive advantage while incurring the risk of developing a new competitor. Technology transfer is inevitable in alliance relationship. An alliance partner can quickly learn all it needs to know about a new technology from its partner. Once that happens, it no longer needs its partner in order to conduct business. In essence, the first of the partners to fully learn the other’s technology or business practices obsoletes the venture. The text calls this the â€Å"race to learn.† In order to reduce this risk, firms sometimes â€Å"rope-off† certain sensitive areas from their partners. A strategic alliance is a difficult concept in some ways – cooperating with a competitor – and this may requires particular action to avoid strengthening the position of the competitor. In the end of chapter case on Lenovo, IBM will need to make sure that the association they maintain with this Chinese company does not compromise proprietary knowledge which is IBM’s competitive advantage. Innovation move is certain in partnership relationship. A cooperation accomplice can rapidly realize everything it needs to think around engineering from its accomplice. When that happens, it probably won’t needs its accomplice so as to direct business. Generally, the first of the accomplices to completely take in the other’s innovation or business hones obsoletes the wander. The content calls this the â€Å"race to learn.† so as to lessen this danger; firms now and then â€Å"rope-off† certain touchy regions from their accomplices. A vital partnership is a troublesome idea in a few ways – collaborating with a contender – and this may obliges specific  activity to abstain from reinforcing the position of the contender. Toward the end of part case on Lenovo, IBM will need to verify that the affiliation they keep up with this Chinese organization does not bargain restrictive information which is IBM’s preferred 4. What are the common sources of incompatibility in cross-border alliances? What can be done in order to minimize them? Differences in culture can cause differences in objectives, leadership style, strategy, governance, control and compensation among other issues. There can also be regulatory differences in the host country that preclude operating the business in the traditional style. Minimizing these difficult areas requires attention paid up front to the problem areas. If the problems are anticipated, it is more likely that they can be resolved in an easier and less costly fashion. Difference in culture can result in contrasts in destinations, authority style, system, administration, control and payment in addition to different issues. There can likewise be administrative contrasts in the host nation that block working the business in the conventional style. Minimizing these troublesome zones obliges consideration paid in advance to the issue regions. On the off chance that the issues are foreseen, it is more probable that they can be determined in a less demanding and less exorbitant style. 5. Explain what is necessary for companies to successfully implement a global sourcing strategy. Global sourcing isn’t just about finding lower paid workers. In order to fully benefit from a global sourcing strategy a firm must seek to develop into â€Å"transformational outsourcing† in which motives for sourcing are examined and acted on. Some recommendations include: examining your reasons for outsourcing, evaluating the best sourcing model, gaining the coop eration of your management staff, consulting with alliance partners, and investing in the alliance. Worldwide sourcing isn’t pretty much discovering lower paid laborers. To completely profit from a worldwide sourcing method a firm must look to form into â€Å"transformational outsourcing† in which thought processes in sourcing are analyzed and followed up on. A few proposals include: inspecting your purposes behind outsourcing, assessing the best sourcing model, picking up the collaboration of your administration staff, counseling with organization  together accomplices, and putting resources into the union. 6. Discuss the political and economic situation in the Russia Federation with your class. What has changed since this writing? What are the implications for foreign companies to start a joint venture there now? This area is still struggling to establish a modern market economy and achieve strong economic growth. The economic picture in 2007 is much brighter with a surging trade surplus fueled by rising world oil prices. The arrest of the Yukos CEO and the political strong-arm tactics of Mr. Putin however, have caused many MNCs to remain cautious. It appears that Russia is feeling the power that its energy resources have given her and is once again threatening parts of the world. The current political and economic climate of Russia makes foreign investment not too desirable, with the possible exception of the energy sector. This area is even now attempting to create a present day market economy and attain to solid monetary development. The financial picture in 2007 is much brighter with a surging exchange surplus powered by climbing world oil costs. The capture of the Yukos CEO and the political solid arm strategies of Mr. Putin in any case, have brought on numerous MNCs to stay mindful. It gives the idea that Russia is feeling the power that its vitality assets have provided for her and is by and by debilitating parts of the world. The current political and monetary atmosphere of Russia makes outside speculation not very alluring, with the conceivable exemption of the vitality division. 7. What is involved in strategic implementation? What is meant by â€Å"creating a system of fits’† with the strategic plan? In order for a strategy to work effectively, there must be a good fit between the company’s structure, systems, and operating processes. This process becomes more complex in an international setting precisely because the fit factors are subject to more cultural and environmental diversity. Further, the cross-cultural communication process discussed in the previous chapters indicates that the feedback needed for strategic adjustments will be more difficult to comprehend. Strategic control procedures, which constitute a continuous process, provide feedback to enable managers to reevaluate strategy so that the company can update and recycle its plans accordingly. In place for a methodology to work adequately, there must be a decent fit between the organization’s structure, frameworks, and working techniques. This methodology gets to be more intricate in an universal setting definitely on the grounds that the fit elements are liable to more social and ecological differences. Further, the diverse correspondence methodology talked about in the past parts shows that the criticism required for key modification will be more hard to appreciate. Vital control methods, which constitute a persistent procedure, give input to empower directors to reconsider methodology with the goal that the organization can redesign and reuse its plans in like manner. 8. Explain how the host government may affect strategic implementation—in an alliance or another form of entry strategy. There are many areas of influence by host governments on the strategic choice and implementation of foreign firms. The profitability of those firms is greatly influenced, for example, by the level of taxation in the host country and by any restrictions on profit repatriation. Also important influences are government policies on ownership by foreign firms, on labor union rules, on hiring and remuneration practices, on patent and copyright protection. Further, unpredictable changes in governmental regulations can increase the risk of failure in a venture. There are numerous zones of impact by host governments on the key decision and usage of remote firms. The productivity of those organizations is significantly impacted, for instance, by the level of levy in the host nation and by any confinements on benefit repatriation. Additionally critical impacts are government arrangements on proprietorship by remote firms, on worker’s guild standards, on enlisting and compensation hones, on patent and copyright insurance. Further, unusual changes in administrative regulations can expand the danger of disappointment in a wander. 9. How might the variable of national culture affect strategic implementation? Use the Mittal Steel example to highlight some of these factors. National culture influences everything, including strategy implementation. As we have learned from the work of Hofstede and others, management theory and practices do not always travel well across national cultures. Strategy implementation involves managerial practices and human relations. Different  approaches to â€Å"people management† are needed in different cultures. In the case of Mittal Steel, the issue involved the cultural norms of a particular ethnic group in which the preference was to maintain family ownership of businesses. This concept ran counter to global expansion and the founder, Mr. Mittal decided to attempt to break with these cultural values. National society impacts everything, including technique usage. As we have gained from the work of Hofstede and others, administration hypothesis and practices don’t generally traverse national societies. System execution includes managerial practices and human relations. Diverse methodologies to â€Å"individual’s administration† are required in distinctive societies. On account of Mittal Steel, the issue included the social standards of a specific ethnic gathering in which the inclination was to keep up family responsibility for. This idea ran counter to worldwide extension and the originator, Mr. Mittal chose to endeavor to break with these social qualities. National society impacts everything, including methodology usage. As we have gained from the work of Hofstede and others, administration hypothesis and practices don’t generally traverse national societies. System usage includes managerial practices and human relations. Diverse methodologies to â€Å"individuals administration† are required in distinctive societies. On account of Mittal Steel, the issue included the social standards of a specific ethnic gathering in which the inclination was to keep up family responsibility for. This idea ran counter to worldwide extension and the author, Mr. Mittal chose to endeavor to break with these social qualities. 10. Discuss the importance of knowledge management in IVJs and what can be done to enhance effectiveness of that process. Knowledge management in international joint ventures is critical, especially as we enter a more knowledge-based global economy. The alliance allows for the transfer of knowledge in order to make both firms in the partnership stronger. In order to capitalize on this benefit it is important to overcome cultural differences that may arise. There are essentially three processes  which occur in knowledge management of IVJs: transfer, transformation, and harvesting. Successful firms in this area have the personal involvement of the major principles of the parent company and encourage joint learning and sharing. Reference: Adapted from â€Å"International Management: Managing Across Borders and Cultures† by Helen Deresky

Formal vs. Informal Communication

What is Communication? When you think of communication, what is the first thing that comes to mind? What role does communication play in our everyday lives? Researchers have conducted numerous studies on communication and how it is used all around the world. First, let’s discuss the definition of communication. From the textbook, Leadership Communication, communication is defined as the transmission of meaning from one person to another or many people, whether verbally or nonverbally (Barrett, 2011, p. ). Communication from one person to another is often called the â€Å"rhetorical situation,† which is commonly depicted as a simple triangle consisting of the context, the sender, the message, and the receiver (Barrett, 2011, p. 5). The definition of communication, in terms of leadership, is the ability for leaders to put out information that is clear and concise to which their subordinates and peers will be able to comprehend. Barrett defines leadership communication as the controlled, purposeful transfer of meaning by which individuals influence a single person, a group, an organization, or a community by using the full range of their communication abilities and resources to connect positively with their audiences, overcome interferences, and create and deliver messages that guide, direct, motivate, or inspire others to action (Barrett, 2011, p. 6). There are several meanings that has been studied and written by researchers and scholars to describe communication. Communication is used in many fields of study that would differ in its characteristics and content. The way that you would communicate at home with family and friends would differ in the workplace with your bosses and co-workers. Thus far, we have covered the terminology of communication; the next topic of discussion is the two forms of communication: Formal and Informal. We start off by asking ourselves, what is the difference between formal and informal communication? People every day use formal and informal communication on the daily basis. For most of us it is second-nature, almost as if we are immune or equipped, or just simply common practice.

Respirtory case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Respirtory case study - Essay Example It can also be due to the allergic rthinitis, as well as the rhinitis that occurs following an environmental irritant. The patient’s condition might be indicating that he or she has influenza infection. Part 2 In order to reach at a conclusion concerning the patient’s condition, certain questions are essential in helping eliminate some of the range of suspected diagnosis (Bass, 2004). Following the initial physical examinations, the patient was said to have a prolonged coughing that is persistent with chest pressure radiating to the back. This implies that in order to be sure that the patient’s case is not as a result of acute cough or common cold, such questions as how often do you sneeze or at what frequency do you sneeze, do you feel any sort of obstruction in your nose do you feel any irritation in your throat, have you been experiencing a postnasal drip lately, shall be of use. The rationale behind these questioning is that, in case, the patient presents sig ns of irritation and lacrimation in her/his throat, nasal obstruction, signs of sneezing, signs of postnasal drip, with a normal chest, and possibly rhinorrhea, then common cold or acute cough shall be responsible for the patient’s conditions. On the contrary, if the patient fails to show this signs, then common acute cough may be ruled out of the possible causes of the patient’s condition. ... The rationale behind asking this question is based upon the idea that the patient is a smoker and thus prone to noxious particles from tobacco smoking that can end up triggering an abnormal inflammation response in the patient’s lungs. In ascertaining if the patient’s condition suggest anything that he/she is influencer affected, the essential questions shall be do you feel feverish or chilly, has your sore throat lasted for more than 3 days, do you experience frontal or retro-orbital headache and how severe is it, do you have any burning sensations, or pain upon motion, do you feel weak or fatigued when performing normal activities, do you experience shortness of breath and pains in your chest. A range of questions set above are meant to help rule out influencer as the possible cause of the patient’s condition. Part 3 lungs shall be the vital system that I would checked by performing lung functioning tests. The rationale behind checking the lungs is that at admi ssion, the patient was said to be a smoker, and had cough accompanied by chest pressure radiating to the back. This implies that smoke particles must be the causal agent for patient P’s condition. Part 4 Diagnostic tests The Recommended treatment plan for each of the Differential Diagnoses Diagnosis of the exacerbation of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease needs lung function tests Diagnosis of acute cold require laboratory tests. b. Therapeutic regimens Acute cold due to common cold can be treated with dexbrompheniramine plus naproxen and pseudoephedrine. Ipratropium for relieving rhinorrhea and sneezing along with zink Lozenges. Antibiotics for treating bacterial infections due to bacterial sinusitis. In treating the exacerbation of the

Small Business in Nigeria Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Small Business in Nigeria - Essay Example A short history of Nigeria's business and political changes is given. Environmental scans show that because of government intervention at many levels of business, and the favoring of large business by government, small business suffers from a lack of resources and funding. Because of political upheavals and tensions between factions of Nigeria, there has been a lack on economic stability or long-term economic policy. This paper relies upon information found in previous surveys. There is a severe lack of information available from Nigerian government sources. The postal system in Nigeria is deficient, and a third factor of difficulty is the unwillingness on the part of many Nigerians to 'share' information with outsiders. Personal visits by the sources to many companies were used to correlate information. Findings have been combined to develop an overall picture. While there are serious cultural differences WITHIN Nigeria, as well as without, the impact on business in Nigeria is becoming less important. ... The largest cultural difference within the country is from the North, the Huasas territory which is Muslim and very traditional, eschewing the English language, but still dominating the government policies. Another cultural situation is the paternalistic management of companies that follow traditional ways, using the older males of the family to manage the business. The impact of bribery and corruption has been shown to be negative on business in countries all over the world. Evidence of this is given in this paper. Communitarian virtue ethics theory is briefly discussed to the ethical context of Nigerian business. Cultural challenges as well as government changes suggest the need for a "mediating institutions approach" (Mambula 2004). The Enterprise Promotions Act of 1972 helped use more indigenous people in the management of foreign operations. These business philosophies may help reorganize Nigerian economics. The role of women in the workplace in Nigeria is examined, as it has become a growing part of the business world. Previous cultural restrictions have caused women to get less schooling and technical training, and own fewer businesses. But recent economic needs have pushed women into business where they often run their own business as well as take care of dometic chores. The constraints of banking practices on small business is discussed briefly. The overall viewpoint leads to considerations American business might need in deciding whether to engage in business in Nigeria or not. Leadership styles are also highlighted to show which has been more effective. And ethical business theories are focused upon. Common variables of research articles for direction and future research A paragraph from Babarinde (1997) states that

International Trading Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

International Trading - Term Paper Example Peace and stability, interdependence and spread of ideals viable for business expansion are threatened thus reducing the country’s real Gross Domestic product (GDP).Low GDP implies low investments which implies low incomes thus devoting little saving for business expansions. This has devastating macro-economic effects on aggregate demand thus threatening job creation in a country. Trade barriers also reduce benefits accrued to consumers and limits production efficiency due to low competition. Low quality products supplied to the market lowers utility for consumers. Question Two Allowing international trade in Canada will mean it will import bicycles. The reasons are that the imports are cheaper than the exports due to comparative advantage. In a real world situation, black markets situations may result threatening the survival of domestic industries. The producers and manufactures of bicycles in Canada will suffer as rational consumers will obviously go for the cheaper importe d bicycles than their own expensive ones. This will reduce demand for bicycles thus reducing profits. This will later threaten jobs and incomes firms will be earning. In addition, the government will have to suffer economically in importing bicycles, subsidizing them or even meeting the higher cost as a result of inflation. On the other hand, consumers will benefit as they will find imported bicycles cheaper than their own home-made thus benefiting from income and substitution effects. Generally, the loss will be greater than gains due to additional social costs associated inflation, market imperfections and allocative inefficiencies. Question Three Comparative advantage has numerous gains. First, it enables a country to specialise in production of a certain products and services due low cost of factor inputs. It also leads to high quality products and high-knowledge services than their competitors in the market. This leads to an improvement in allocative efficiency and economic wel fare. It also makes a country to gain from international trade skills, knowledge and technology and can set standards in the international markets. It has high chances of creating monopolistic market situations due high costs of production its competitors. This can make it set prices and reap all the supernormal profits. It is noted that there will be production and consumption gains from comparative advantage as consumers will spend less in maximizing their utilities. If a country has an absolute advantage in all goods, first, there will be no trade. This implies that in the long run, trade deficits due to lack of new tastes and preferences. Through trade, all countries will benefit due to comparative advantages. However, in the real world it is difficult to encounter such an ideal economic situation. Question four. Factor prices are unequal because of the following reasons. First, population pressure on land causes the margin of cultivation to be pushed out. As agricultural yield increases, its prices sour higher due to higher manufacturing costs. Second, the differences between a country’s factor inputs, tastes and preferences, could cause a difference in prices of goods and services. For instances, a country’s expenditure patterns might be different from another due to income and factor inequalities. Third, the means of production (state of technology) could have greater magnitudes

Muslim Womens Experience on Wearing Hijaab in British Society Dissertation

Muslim Womens Experience on Wearing Hijaab in British Society - Dissertation Example As such, this aims in looking at actual experiences of women practicing Islam by wearing hijaab, especially on public receptions they are receiving in academic or work settings, and their counteracting actions during encounters with condemning attitudes and environmental responses. The study is psychosocially significant for it delves on mental cognition and behavior of Muslim women. As the series of positive and negative events in subjects’ lives are placed in focal study, it may reveal defensive reactions they adapted, uncovering inner thoughts, opinions and feelings regarding their understanding and acceptance of their social interaction in a place of modern religious outlooks. By this, citizens, especially in Great Britain, will become more conscious and understanding of potential lapses in social values and attitudes, as some reserve religious acceptance of religious expression, and where improved awareness may give more opportunities to Muslim women to live in European p laces free of social discrimination and subsequent psychological rejection. Literature Review The British society had been said to be more accepting with the donning of hijaab by Muslim women, where British media implored against racist treatment of Muslim women in account of current conflicts between the West and violent Islam fanatics (Eyben & Moncrieffe, 2007, p. 116). These women are allowed to wear the veil during work, giving them freedom and public space (Mezey, 2004, p. 34). Great Britain, then, holds a multicultural stance in favor of various race and religions. Yet, the inclusion of United Kingdom in the multi-setting study by Bigger (2006, no pag.) negates this, as it showed psychological struggles by women in... The paper tells that the British society had been said to be more accepting with the donning of hijaab by Muslim women, where British media implored against racist treatment of Muslim women in account of current conflicts between the West and violent Islam fanatics. These women are allowed to wear the veil during work, giving them freedom and public space. Great Britain, then, holds a multicultural stance in favor of various race and religions. Yet, the inclusion of United Kingdom in the multi-setting study by Bigger negates this, as it showed psychological struggles by women in universities. In his experiental study, the conducted interviews demonstrated that Muslim women are treated with contempt and prejudice, and several of them had been verbally abused and assaulted in reference to American bombings. Hijaab, then, had been associated with stereotyped view that Muslims are a violent group, bent on destroying lives in their wake. In another qualitative study conducted in various a reas in Great Britain, specifically in London, Muslim women had been surveyed and interviewed for their experiences while living in such regions. A Muslim woman from East London could not ride a bus for she is either looked at with hostile scrutiny or some buses would not stop upon seeing her with hijaab. Even work environments can be socially isolating, with more lost work opportunities when one appears with hijaab during job interviews, despite excellent qualifications.

Public health Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Public health - Annotated Bibliography Example 438). The postoperative complications and prolonged hospitalization of the patients were analyzed in the light of these nutritional tools. The study identified that both MUST and SNAQ were equally competent in detecting malnourished patients. Malnutrition identified by both MUST and SNAQ were linked with postoperative complications, postoperative acute heart failure, prolonged ICU stay as well as prolonged hospitalization (p. 439). The study also showed that MUST is independently capable of detecting malnutrition among participants. The article is of importance as it emphasizes the need to conduct preoperative nutritional therapy among cardiac patients to identify adverse clinical characteristics. Johnson, T., Macdonald, S., Hill, S.M., Thomas, A & Murphy, M.S. 2006. Treatment of active Crohns disease in children using partial enteral nutrition with liquid formula: a randomised controlled trial. Gut. 55(3), 356–361. The article shows the effects of both Total enteral nutrition (TEN) and partial enteral nutrition (PEN) among children with active Crohns disease. The sample consisted of 50 children (26 with 50% of PEN and 24 with 100% of TEN) with a paediatric Crohns disease activity index (PCDAI) >20. During the six weeks of study the PEN group was allowed to supplement their energy requirement with an unrestricted normal diet whereas the TEN category was provided only nutrition in liquids. The results showed that both TEN and PEN contributed to significant reduction in the PCDAI. However, the research revealed that TEN was more suitable for the treatment of active Crohns disease as it could suppress inflammation, increase haemoglobin and albumin, and reduce diarrhoea whereas PEN failed to suppress inflammation and prevent disease relapse (p. 360). The study shows that nutritional supplementation is comparatively less effective a treatment in the case of children with active Crohns disease. The article makes a comparative