Thursday, October 31, 2019

Social capital Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social capital - Essay Example 42) and intricacy and complexity associated with the word has not been reduced since then. But William Sewell (2008, p. 42) goes on to explain that culture is that part of the social life that needs to be separated from the actual human existence constituting economics, biology or politics. The concept culture has itself intrigued our lives and is the most crucial component of human existence yet its constituting elements are different for the people living in the different areas of the world. We are all identified and recognized by our culture we have adopted while living in our own family, society and even our country. Mathew Arnold, the nineteenth century poet and essayist, used the term culture to speak about as model of individual human refinement as he opined that culture means, â€Å"the best that has been thought and said in the world† (1999, p. 190). This conceptual analysis of this culture is quite similar to the German concept of the term bildung (Arnold 1999, p. 19 0). In other words it is an attempt to achieve total precision and a way of knowing others on the matters which are of deep concern to us. Yet the word itself is shrouded in the most debacle position as different propounders, anthropologists and even socialists are explaining the term in different contexts. They go on to the extent of explaining culture as a part of a science as it is associated with the human evolution, while others suggest that it germinates in the minds of the individuals who are more and more linked to their ancestral roots. Cultural socialists felt the necessity to show that culture has an impact on the upbringing of the children and to gain their identity and recognition in the society. This allowed many to formulate the culture as assortment of different items whose impact on the behavior can be scrupulously compared to that of standard sociological variables like class, gender, ethnicity, economic interest and level of education (Sewell 2008, p. 45). It was thus assumed that culture as a system of symbols and meanings defined by Weberian, Parsonian and Durkheimian as ambiguous rather metaphorically it’s a collection of tools understood as a way of carrying out combined activities in the society (Sewell 2008, p. 45). In the United Kingdom, Stuart Hall, Raymond Williams and other scholars as well as sociologists greatly influenced by Marxism formed cultural studies, and connected the culture with consumer goods and services and leisure activities like music, film, art, food, sports etc. It is the various means of production that determine the class relations and how the goods and services are consumed by the large number of people. The term â€Å"cultural studies† was first coined in 1964 by Richard Hoggart when Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies was founded by him in Birmingham. Since then it has been associated with Stuart Hall as he became the next director after Hoggart (Munt 2000, p.4). In United States of Americ a, the terms culture and cultural studies connote the study of the popular culture (Munt 2000, p. 6), in other words, it is the way people feel themselves associated and share voices and ideas and about the things we make use of in the daily life. Today what constitutes culture is the way we live, eat, wear, behave in the

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Information Technology Management Essay Example for Free

Information Technology Management Essay It is commonly argued in the Information Systems literature that a major reason why organizations fail to exploit Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) successfully is because of the lack of â€Å"alignment† between the Information Strategy, the Business Strategy and the Organizational Strategy. The provisions according to information sytem literature correspond to the real happenings in the real world. According to Campbell David, 2004, technological advancement has been embraced throughout various aspects of business, academics, finance and governance. The paper addresses one key component of information system that is considered as a challenge by organizations and business entities in the aspect of using information technology. The key value here is alignment between information, organization and business strategy. A major concern in this paper is to explain the term alignment in the context of information technology. The paper addresses reasons that make alignment one of the key values organizations seek to achieve. In this first issue of alignment the major concern is about transactions carried on in financial institutions. Information technology has been adopted in the recent past as a tool for executing and reviving business strategies in financial institutions. The development of certain business strategies has been enhanced by consideration of values that correspond to alignment. Alignment is therefore, the capacity by a business such as a financial institution to demonstrate a strong positive relationship between latest information technologies and the generally accepted financial guidelines. It calls for customer satisfaction, market share and product innovations. These measures are all essentials in value and adopting such determines the stability and the outcome of a financial institution. Before alignment financial institution needs to assemble all available information technology and carry on with feasibility study. This is because the effectiveness of a computer squarely depends on its capacity to improve or malign the organizational units. Factors to consider before alignment Planning- the original process has to be planned and agreed upon by the managers of the financial institution. Auditors should also be involved in this exercise for audits, re-examinations and readjustments of the whole project. Relation to benefits –alignment must be of benefit to the financial institution since it is a costly exercise. It is of no use to adopt latest technology if the problem is controllable by changing some management practises. This is according Culp Christopher, 2001. For example, outputs like profits and revenue do not call for information technology rather the size and organizational structure and number of staff that dictate the demand for additional computers. Alignment must stick to its purposes to overcome all obstacles as resistance to change may come from many sources including the employees and customers. Advantages of alignment The latest technologies such as client sever internet, data warehousing has positive implications which include first, incremental profit gains. Second, internal alignment in an organization remains a success factor in employee’s ability to perform effectively and become a cutting edge provider of value to customers. Third, alignment acts as business intelligence solutions for organization that helps in management and efficient customer satisfaction. For example, e-banking software where customers can access their bank accounts at home without necessarily going to the banking halls. Fourth, other than saving time it is also considered a secure method than transporting money to banks. Fifth, business intelligence solutions have been important aspects in financial institutions as they help to sort out effectively volumes of transactions within a short period of time. For example, pay roll software that is able to calculate thousand of employee’s monthly dues, deductions and contributions irrespective of their earning rates within a mater of seconds. Computers have also been used to solve complicated business calculations and at the same time update them accordingly. Take for example where a customer gets a loan from a financial institution either on a reducing interest rate. The software will auto calculate the interests based on the number of years the customer will take to clear plus the principal amount and at the same time store the information. Sixth, alignment reduces the amount of paperwork used in various departments especially in printing, faxing and laminations. This is because nowadays office memos and other information are shared online by use of internet between departments and even branches. Seven, alignment has played a key role in marketing and advertising new products through the internet. A customer can place an order and at the same time pay by transferring funds from a financial institution to account of the seller effectively. Disadvantages Alignment is a very costly exercise to an enterprise like financial institution in terms of prices and employee training as it calls for massive training. System change over might also be rejected by both the employees and the customers. Sometimes computers breakdown and will definitely slow the process in financial institution slowing down the entire process. This leads to a massive loss and failure to satisfy customer needs. For example, slowing or breakdown of machines in a Forex bureau dealing with foreign exchange will loose sales since currency changes value every minute. Business alignment methods Nowadays, many business transactions are relying on an efficient IT support system. It is remarkable to note the improved professionalism and responsibility in corporate and technical fields. Many companies and especially in the financial sector have invested massively in business IT and corporate ICT. This is a very important development in creation of personal responsibility in terms of accountability, capability and commitment. However, with the changing technology certain changes are felt through continuous exercise which cannot be exploited. New machines have to be budgeted or the old ones have to be upgraded from time to time. To achieve this objective the following steps must be put into consideration. First, planning which calls for implementation of traditional IT alignment techniques seen by many as the CEO’s work. A successful IT/business alignment calls for a more interactive approach or dialogue between the IT managers. They need to clarify what the business expects, what it delivers and how to allocate (Watson Gregory, 2005). This is achieved through prioritization and putting into considerations the rules that empower and govern the IT department. A second plan or consideration used to bring about alignment is that IT should track, adapt and modify business level services. At the same time the use of information technology in financial institutions or any other entities should be done with a purpose of supporting appropriate support of services. Another method is proper management of technological systems which helps to achieve the desired results through a consolidated service support by IT staff. A system need to be put in place to monitor and manage urgent or critical business services. The system should prioritize service requests to enable service delivery at promised levels and also track business processes at certain levels. It is important to note that worth methods are usually required to effectively manage the IT infrastructure and implement changes. The chief executive officer and his or her managers need also to ensure that the set organization standards and expectations are met through proper implementation processes. Certain considerations such as model should be considered for purpose of implementing alignment and information technologies (Selznick Philip, 1952). This involves mapping of IT assets and planning for resources that support services at critical times. It identifies the resources needed to be assembled to deliver IT services. This is done at agreeable service while at the same time reducing costs. A second consideration is measurement whereby the IT department should come up with methods of data collection and operational procedures all based on areas of functionality. According to Chester Arthur, 1994, the measurement methods should correspond with technology and be business oriented. In addition, the measures should ensure a more real time resource allocation decision. The consideration of various measurement principles gives an entity or enterprise the capacity to execute its duties fast. The methods applied by different entities in business alignment are deemed to measure up to set standards and cut down on costs. Alignment of costs and deliver of services through technological application gives entities the capacity to run their operations in a more efficient manner. Validity of alignment as a goal The role played by ICTs is paramount and evident in real life applications in business and organizations. As a goal, alignment is seen to support productivity and new innovation across the entire world. ICT play a very important role on trade development. Application of information technology is also seen as a tool for infrastructure development. Recently, the world economic performance has improved leading to global growth as a result of embracing information systems. The economic growth is seen to have an impact in both developed and developing countries with some developing countries recording a remarkable growth (Danis Wade, 2006). Most countries have recorded a positive growth of the gross domestic product. In addition international markets trade and industrial production has been boosted through alignment. Economic development has led to a smooth global supply chains that broaden the market. A number of advantages arise as evidence that alignment is a valid consideration in the scope of information technology. First, ICT is used for research to provide an organization with basic information about how to improve on performance. Organizations consider putting in place certain measures necessary to acquire information from competitors (Daghfous Abdelkader, 2006). The acquired information is essential as it helps entities to achieve their goals. Second, in the current world of changes, it is important for every organization to consider evaluating measures that support alignment to out perform their competitors. Application of ICT by entities thus promotes a common understanding of how transactions are carried within organizations at low cost. It is a future consideration that all entities should develop measures to fight threats of new entrants, threat exposed by bargaining powers of buyers, sellers, threat of substitute products and barrier to entry. According to Herman James, 2000, embracing information and communication technology will help to do away with threats imposed by five forces. A third consideration is the fact of e-commerce which is a component of electronic business. The use of information systems in carrying on with business transactions online is a true reflection about the validity of alignment. The future of using information technology in the world especially in business transactions is very certain. The concept of globalization is playing a very big role in creation of favourable environment for trading. Creation of strong communication networks enables countries from different regions to carry on with business transactions online. This is one major development of information technology embraced by both developed and developing states. Every state has the mandate to promote the application of information technology through application of the necessary measures. A fourth consideration that needs to be put in place is thorough training of individuals on how to use internet. This should be done in schools and other institutions that promote learning. Children at young age need to know how to apply technological information for purpose of establishing proper measures in business and other aspects of life.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Case of Cladophialophora caroinii Chromoblastomycosis

Case of Cladophialophora caroinii Chromoblastomycosis A Rare Case of Cladophialophora caroinii Chromoblastomycosis in a Skin Graft Recipient Roy PK, Dudhat VL, Prasanna S Introduction: Chromoblastomycosis, also called chromomycosis is a subcutaneous chronic mycosis caused by dematiaceous (black) fungi.1 The most frequently isolated organisms are Fonsecaea pedrosoi, Phialophora. verrucosa, Cladosporium carrioni, and less frequently, Rhinocladiella aquaspersa.2 It Progresses slowly and involves exposed body parts. It is characterised by crusted and raised lesions. The fungi present as sclerotic bodies in the lesions, which is a pathognomic feature of this disease. It is distributed worldwide. However it is most commonly seen in tropical and subtropical regions.1 C. caroinii has been reported only sporadically in India in a few case reports.3,4,5,6,7 We present a rare case of chromoblastomycosis by C. caroinii. Case Description: A 40 year old male patient, presented to the surgery OPD with cutaneous ulcer over right knee after a fall injury, not associated with fever or pain. The patient was admitted in a tertiary care centre, I.V antibiotics and daily dressing had been done. The swabs from the base of the ulcer had been sent for bacterial culture and sensitivity, shown no growth. After a few days of treatment ulcer was healing with good margins and base. Patient was discharged with oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents. After one month patient came back for review to OPD with hypopigmented patch over the right knee. The patient was referred to plastic surgery department and skin grafting was done. The graft was taken from the right back. The patient was administered with I.V steroids, antibiotics and oral anti-inflammatory agents. The patient was discharged with oral steroids with tapering dose and antibiotics. After two weeks period, patient developed soft non-raised fluctuating swelling post skin grafting over the same region (right knee). Differential diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis and aspergilloma was made. The FNAC was carried out from the swelling, from which frank pus was aspirated. The pus sample was forwarded for bacterial culture, fungal and mycobacterial culture. The bacterial cultures, both aerobically and anaerobically showed no growth. The sample was negative for acid fast bacilli by Ziehl Neelsen staining. However, KOH mount and Gomori’s methenamine silver (GMS) stain showed septate hyaline hyphae. The GMS stain revealed few grey black round structures measuring around 6-10 Â µm, suggestive of Medlar or sclerotic or copper penny bodies. The culture of the pus sample, on Lowenstein-Jensen medium showed no growth after eight weeks of incubation. However, culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol revealed slow growing fungus, which was first observed on the tenth day and gradually matured over next three weeks. The growth was initially grey-green which slowly turned to olive-green with cottony folded out texture and with a jet black reverse after three weeks of incubation at 25Â °C. The lacto phenol cotton blue (LPCB) preparation, from the culture showed septate hyaline hyphae with acropetal long chains of conidia suggestive of Chladophialophora species. The fungus showed growth at 37Â °C, but not at 42-45Â °C and urease negative. Based on these findings the fungus was identified as Chladophialophora carrionii. The patient was diagnosed to have subcutaneous mycosis (chromoblastomycosis) with the presence of sclerotic bodies and the causative organism was identified as Chladophialophora carrionii. The patient was started on oral Itraconazole and he showed good improvement in the condition. Discussion: As first described by Medlar in 1915, the term chromoblastomycosis is used for cases in which sclerotic bodies are present in tissue. Sclerotic bodies, also known as Medlar bodies, are globe-shaped, cigar-colored, thick-walled structures that are 4-12 Â µm in diameter.8 The best name to define the disease was recommended as chromoblastomycosis by the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM).9 The term chromoblastomycosis (chromo – coloured, blasto – budding, mycosis – fungal) was coined by Terra et al in 1922 to define a polymorphic fungal disease located on lower limbs, consisting of nodular or verrucous plaques which could probably ulcerate and develop into hyperkeratosis and acanthosis of the affected epithelial tissues.10 This condition is often misdiagnosed as it is clinically indistinguishable from tuberculosis verrucosa cutis, squamous cell carcinoma, palmo-plantar psoriasis, and sporotrichosis.11,12,13 In this case also, a differential diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis was kept in mind. The typical histopathological findings of cutaneous chromoblastomycosis are marked epitheliomatous hyperplasia, microabscesses, chronic granulomatous infiltrates with multinucleate giant cells, epithelioid cells, histiocytes and lymphocytes and presence of copper penny bodies.14 in this case we found septate hyphae and sclerotic bodies on GMS stain of FNAC sample. Certain non-pathogenic or contaminant fungi such as Paecilomyces spp and Penicillium spp. may be sometimes confused with Cladophialophora carrionii. Although both these fungi produce long chains of elliptical conidia, the conidia arise from structures such as metula and phialides, which are not seen in C. carrionii. Both these fungi are rapid growers, unlike C. carrionii, which grows very slowly. Moreover, these non-pathogenic fungi usually form greenish white or greenish brown colonies with no pigment on the reverse, in contrast to the jet black reverse of C. carrioni i, which helps in correct identification of this fungi.15 However, C. carrionii should be differentiated from other similar dematiaceous fungi such as Cladophialophora bantiana and Fonsecaea pedrosoi. C. bantiana has the ability to grow at 42-43Â °C, which can be used to differentiate it from C.carrionii. Unlike Cladophialophora spp., Fonsecaea spp. produce short chains of five or less conidia. Moreover, in Fonsecaea spp. At least two of the three types of anamorphic conidiation (rhinocladiella, phialophora, cladosporium) will be seen.15 Slide culture technique will be useful for proper identification of the above-mentioned features.15 Surgery was considered the treatment of choice for chromoblastomycosis before the advent of triazole antifungal agents.16 However, currently with the availability of potent antifungal agents, chemotherapy has become the first-line of treatment with itraconazole and terbinafine being the drugs of choice, while surgery is used only for limited or small lesions.17 As there have been only few and sporadic case reports of chromoblastomycosis caused by C. caroinii from India, this case reports finds its importance.3,4,5,6,7 References: Kalabhavi AS. Chromoblastomycosis – Review article. International Journal of Current Research 2013: 5(7);1691-5 Silva JP, de Souza W, Rozental S. Chromoblastomycosis: a retrospective study of 325 cases on Amazonic Region (Brazil). Mycopathologia 1998-1999;143:171-5. Pradeepkumar NS, Joseph NM. Chromoblastomycosis caused by Cladophialophora carrionii in a child from India. J Infect Dev Ctries 2011; 5(7):556-560. APTE G, GEDAM JR, POOJARY S, GURU N, PAI VV. Chromoblastomycosis in a case of borderline lepromatous leprosy with recurrent Type II lepra reaction. Lepr Rev (2011) 82, 310–5 Shanthala GB, Rudresh SM, Nagarathnamma T. Chromoblastomycosis: A Case Report. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research 2011:5(4); 865-6 Mandal RK, Banerjee S, Kumar P, Chakrabarti I. Non-healing verrucous plaque over upper limb for 1 year in a tea garden worker. Dermatology Online Journal 19 (3): 12 Kindo AJ, Ramalakshmi S, Giri S, Abraham G. A Fatal Case of Prostatic Abscess in a Post-Renal Transplant Recipient Caused by Cladophialophora carrionii. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl 2013;24(1):76-9 Medlar EM. A cutaneous infection caused by a new fungus Phialophora verrucosa with a study of the fungus. J Med Res. 1915; 32:507-22. Odds FC, Arai T, Disalvo AF, et al. Nomenclature of fungal diseases: a report and recommendations from a Sub-Committee of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM). J Med Vet Mycol. 1992; 30(1):1-10. Terra F, Torres M, Fonseca Filho O. Novo tipo de dermatite verrucosa; micose por Acrotheca com associado de leishmaniose. Brasil Medico. 1922; 36:363-8. Pradhan SV, Talwar OP, Ghosh A, Swami RM, Shiva Raj KC, Gupta S. Chromoblastomycosis in Nepal: a study of 13 cases. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2007: 73; 176-8 Mohanty L, Mohanty P, Padhi T, Samantray S. Verrucous growth on leg. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol2006: 72; 399-400. Nair PS, Sarojini PA. Chromoblastomycosis resembling sporotrichosis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 1993: 59; 125-6. Nirmala V, Chacko CJ, Job CK. Tuberculoid leprosy and tuberculosis skin: a comparative histopathological study. Lepr India 1977: 49; 65-9 Fisher F, Cook NB. Fundamentals of Diagnostic Mycology. Philadelphia: W.B.Saunders Company 1998; 372 Sayal SK, Prasad GK, Jawed KZ, Sanghi S, Satyanarayana S. Chromoblastomycosis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2002:68; 233-4. Gupta AK, Taborda PR, Sanzovo AD. Alternate week and combination itraconazole and terbinafine therapy for chromoblastomycosis caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi in Brazil. Med Mycol 2002:40; 529-534

Friday, October 25, 2019

The Anthropic Prohibition on Preemptive Warfare Between States :: War Wars World Politics Essays

The Anthropic Prohibition on Preemptive Warfare Between States When considering the pre-emptive strategic approach, it is useful to reduce hypothetical scenarios to a humanly comprehensible level. War, natural disasters, and other events of this magnitude are beyond a mind’s comprehension in their totality. By using a domestic analogy, such as advocated by Christian Wolff, where â€Å"states are regarded as individual free persons living in a state of nature,† the moral and legal implications of pre-emptive actions can be seen more clearly (Jus Gentium Methodo Scientifica Pertractatum,  §2, p.9). The advent of pre-emption has coincided with an explosion of non-state actors on the military stage, and it is therefore important to expand the analogy beyond states; the analogy is otherwise only applicable to nations in a macroscopic political arena, such as existed before World War I. This paper will expand Wolff’s conception of the domestic analogy to embrace and differentiate state actors and non-state actors, and use this e xpanded principle to produce scenarios in consideration of pre-emption. The examination of these scenarios will yield that preemption is a morally wrong military strategy between states, though state interaction with non-sovereign actors is far more ambiguous. We can extend the domestic analogy of Wolff, to make a general anthropic principle (human-like principle), which states that any group of people, whether a state or an organization, can be made analogous to one person. Both states and organizations have governing bodies composed of people, and these bodies make individual decisions, which in turn affect larger groups of people. Though it is more difficult to reconcile many competing individuals vying for a specific decision or policy within one organization, this can be represented as competing elements of a human mind, such as emotion and reason or desire and conscience. Usually, a conflict between elements is resolved in some manner and a decisive moment occurs, whether it is an individual or an organization. This anthropic principle can continue farther in analogy and embrace more unorthodox situations as well. A state thrown into anarchy, without any discernable authority, is similar to some mental disorders, where competing elem ents in the mind eliminate the faculties of reason. The actions of terrorist organizations, nations, independence movements, and any other artificial construct to group people can all be compared to the actions of one individual person for ethical examination. This is an important acknowledgement, because the Al Aqsa Martyrs brigade, the Tamil Tigers, al Quaeda, and the Irish Republican Army are all significant players in the current geopolitical stage: global politics are not limited to state entities.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Walmart Unethical Behavior

Ciara Vensel Principles of Management Individual Research Project Part VI 2/15/13 Wal-Mart, is one of the biggest well know companies in the United States and in the world since 1962 when founder Sam Walton created Wal-Mart. It has been the place where a lot of people usually do their shopping for the low prices and variety of products. This is why it is so controversial Wal-Mart continues to grow even with the accusations of unethical business practices.Wal-Mart has been accused of sexual discrimination and unfair pay for employees, and destruction of small towns, excessive amounts of corporate power through the government and how Wal-Mart is turning into a monopoly. With all of these allegations, Wal-Mart is still one of the leading discount retailers in the country, and as a corporate office, they still stand tall and state that they follow fair ethical values. Walton was an entrepreneur with a vision that started his own company and made into the leader of discount retailing like it is today.Walton borrowed some money from his father-in-law and opened a variety store after serving as an Army captain in World War II. A chain of drugstores followed, Walton went into business with his brother and by 1960 the Walton’s' had 15 stores that were taking in $1. 4 million a year. However, Walton soon saw a new competitor arise, which was the discount store. The Walton brothers opened their first Wal-Mart in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas. Specializing in name brands at low prices, the chain of Wal-Mart stores sprang across rural America.Walton's management style was popular with employees and helped to spur growth. As the years past, the chain of stores grew sporadically. The sales grew to $26 billion by 1989. (Store Wars, www. pbs. org) However, as sales grew ethical standards lowered throughout the company. Wal-Mart’s poor labor practice consists of avoiding non-unionizing of all employees, low wages, expensive benefit packages, and sexual discrimination. T hey insist on keeping full time employees to minimum to avoid handing out benefit packages and yet they are making employees work full time hours.There is dozens of wage and hour suits against Wal-Mart accusing the company and its managers of various illegal practices. Those included forcing employees to work unpaid off the clock, erasing hours from time cards, and preventing workers from taking lunch and other breaks that were promised by the company or guaranteed by the state laws. In 2008 Wal-Mart announced that they have agreed to pay between $352 million and $640 million to settle 63 wage and hour lawsuits filed against the retailer in 42 different states.The lawsuits accused the company of cheating hourly workers by forcing them to work through breaks and not paying them for overtime. (Wal-Mart to Settle Suits over Pay, NYTimes. com. ) Full-time employees are eligible for benefits, but the health insurance package is so expensive employees pay 35 percent which is almost double the national average. (Store Wars, pbs. org) Wal-Mart is also the leading employer of diversity and different cultures in the United States and the majority of this is men.More than 125,000 African Americans and more than 74,000 Latinos work at Wal-Mart nationwide. Two Latinos sit on the board of directors along with two women out of 15 board members. Only one woman serves as an executive officer of the company. Almost 2,000 women in 48 states claim that Wal-Mart discriminated against them for pay and promotions. The filings state women who say Wal-Mart systematically favors men for raises and promotions. (Wal-Mart Sex Discrimination Claims Filed by 2,000 Women, huffingtonpost. om) Wal-Mart’s  London Kentucky Distribution Center denied jobs to female applicants  from 1998 through February 2005. During  that time, Wal-Mart regularly hired male entry level  applicants for the warehouse positions, but excluded female applicants who were  equally or better qualified. W al-Mart regularly used gender stereotypes in filling entry-level order filler  positions. Hiring officials told  applicants that order filling positions were not suitable for women, and that  they hired mainly 18 to 25 year old males for order filling positions.Excluding women from employment or  excluding them from certain positions because of gender violates Title VII of  the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Wal-Mart ended paying $11. 7 million in back wages and compensatory damages to settle the sex discrimination lawsuit. (Wal-Mart to Pay More Than $11. 7 Million to Settle EEOC Sex Discrimination Suit, 2013) The amounts of unethical business practices that are evolving throughout the years regarding Wal-Mart really does amaze me; how a business can be so disrespectful to their employees and still be the leading retailer in the world, and have millions of consumers.Wal-Mart’s employees for the first time in Wal-Mart history went on strike in the fall of 2012. Wal-Mart w orkers across the country  coordinated  a Black Friday walkout in an effort to build awareness about the retailer’s low wages and poor working conditions. (CNN Host, Calls Out Wal-Mart Executive over Poverty Level Wages, 2013) â€Å"Wal-Mart employs more people than any other company in the United States outside of the Federal government, yet the majority of its employees with children live below the poverty line. †(Store Wars, www. bs. org) There was an interview conducted on CNN by host Carol Costello with Wal-Mart’s Vice President of Communications David Tovar regarding the Black Friday walkout, when Tovar is confronted about these labor practices he is unsure of his answers. Currently in the United States, the poverty level is $15000 for a yearly income and a Wal-Mart employee is making an average of $15350, Costello is arguing this level of income with Tovar because he claims that they provide more support for their employees then the average retailer.S he states, â€Å"Is it Wal-Mart’s responsibility to make sure that its employees can support a strong middle-class lifestyle? † Tovar’s response is, â€Å"We’re working hard every day to provide more opportunities for associates. † (CNN Confronts Walmart Spokesperson Over Retailer's Low Wages, Poor Working Conditions | ThinkProgress, 2013) Costello abruptly argues, â€Å"But if a lot of them are making $15,000 a year, you can’t live a strong middle-class lifestyle on that! (CNN Confronts Walmart Spokesperson Over Retailer's Low Wages, Poor Working Conditions | ThinkProgress, 2013) Tovar also tries to justify the average wage of a Wal-Mart employee by not giving a straight answer and showing how to help their employees by stating, â€Å"Our average rate is about $12. 40 an hour for a full time associate. We also offer comprehensive benefit packages as low as $17 a pay period, which is very affordable and we also pay quarterly bonuses, which is something that not a lot of retailers do. In addition, we know that they appreciate that. They also get a 10 percent discount card.So you have to factor in all of those things when you’re looking for how we’re helping associates. † (CNN Confronts Walmart Spokesperson Over Retailer's Low Wages, Poor Working Conditions | ThinkProgress, 2013) In reality, he is just working his way around stating the obvious that employees are getting paid low wages for today’s economy. Wal-Mart CEO Michael Duke has an average income of  $18. 1 million; it would take more than 700 employees salaries to match his total compensation package. Not only does Wal-Mart treat employees unfairly, but also it is unethical to the communities it develops in.It is certainly true that Wal-Mart has a tendency to crush competitors. The more successful Wal-Mart is, the more there will be bankruptcies of smaller businesses. According to the National Bureau of Economic research it’s been proven that Wal-Mart has adverse effects on small town stores. They did a study on Wal-Mart store in Arkansas; the employment results indicated that a Wal-Mart store opening reduces small town retail employment by about 150 workers, meaning that each Wal-Mart worker replaces approximately 1. 4 small town workers.This represents a 2. 7 percent reduction in average retail employment. The payroll results indicate that Wal-Mart store openings lead to declines in small town retail earnings of about $1. 4 million. (The Effects of Wal-Mart on Local Labor Markets, 2013) I myself come from a small town with a population of less than a 1000 people; we are mainly a tourist town because we are located right next to Mille Lacs Lake, which means we are only seasonally making a profit. Whenever it is fishing season in our area is where we have the most profitable seasons.Coming from a small town, I know that it is very hard to keep small businesses going; Wal-Mart thrives on making new estab lishments in these types of areas. This is very profitable for Wal-Mart but not for the community’s small businesses this causes these family businesses that have been around for years to come to a screeching halt, because it is more convenient to get everything at Wal-Mart for a low price then go to each individual small business for different items. Without these small businesses, small towns like mine gradually disappear. How Wal-Mart is destroying America (and the world) and what you can do about it, Quinn, B) With that said Wal-Mart has taken over some many rural areas and they pay their employees at such low wages that Wal-Mart is increase in corporate power through the government and are becoming a monopoly. A monopoly is a situation in which a single company owns all or nearly all of the market for a given type of product or service. Everywhere you go you see more and more Wal-Mart’s even if there in cities that is 10 minutes apart from each other.Especially wi th most Wal-Mart’s, now being super Wal-Mart’s there profit is immensely growing to outrageous amounts. (Corporate Power, Wal-Mart and the Undermining of the Democratic Process Dollars ; Sense, http://dollarsandsense. org) With all the controversy surrounding Wal-Mart the corporate office still claims that they are an ethical company that favors their employees. There website has a statement of ethics stating all of their policies are for the employees. They state to be a non-discriminative work place and that they offer fair wages.This is obviously something that is corrupt within their company because there would not be that many lawsuits and complaints about Wal-Mart’s business practices if they abided by their statement of ethics. They also claim that Wal-Mart builds small communities by offering more employment in the rural areas. The website states, â€Å"It’s our mission to create opportunities so people can live better. We consider it our respons ibility to make a positive impact in the communities we serve.Whether it is through the grants we provide to the thousands of organizations that share our mission or through the inspiring volunteer efforts of Wal-Mart associates, we are passionate about helping people live better. One community at a time. † (Wal-Mart Corporate – Our Story, http://corporate. walmart. com/ourstory/) Companies like this that survive these major ethical issues are the ones that can spot the issues and correct them before they become a problem. In the case of Wal-Mart, it failed to acknowledge these potential problems and they are probably going to pay for it in the end.Wal-Mart’s unethical business practices have hurt its company’s reputation. Although millions of people still shop at Wal-Mart knowing the rising allegations still many consumers have stopped shopping at Wal-Mart. This includes my mother who is very against shopping at Wal-Mart and will avoid if it is at all pos sible. If Wal-Mart wants to survive they will have to try harder to improve their image; not only at the corporate level but also within in each individual establishment level.They need to show that they care about ethics by treating employees fairly, and the communities that are allowing Wal-Mart to establish their stores. As a result, it will attract good employees and consumers and keep this business thriving to its full potential. A company this large should admit its faults to overcome any obstacles to obtain success. Bibliography Peled, M. (n. d. ). PBS Store-Wars: The Story. PBS: Public Broadcasting Service, Retrieved January 18th 2013, from http://www. pbs. org/itvs/storewars/story. html Greenhouse, S. 2008, December 23) Wal-Mart to Settle Suits over Pay – NYtimes. com, the New York Times, Breaking News, World News ; Multimedia, Retrieved January 18th 2013, from http://www. nytimes. com/2008/12/24/business/24walmart. html? _r=0 Wal-Mart Corporate – Our Story. ( n. d. ). Wal-Mart Corporate – We save people money so they can live better. Retrieved January 18, 2013, from http://corporate. walmart. com/ourstory/ Harrison, J. A. (n. d. ). Corporate Power, Wal-Mart and the Undermining of the Democratic Process Dollars ; Sense.Dollars and Sense: Real World Economics. Retrieved January 18, 2013, from http://dollarsandsense. org/archives/2011/0211harrison. html Quinn, B. (2000). How Wal-Mart is destroying America (and the world) and what you can do about it (Rev. ; updated. ed. ). Berkeley, Calif. : Ten Speed Press. CNN Confronts Walmart Spokesperson Over Retailer's Low Wages, Poor Working Conditions | ThinkProgress, 2013, http://thinkprogress. org/economy/2012/11/20/1221081/cnn-confronts-wal-mart-spokesperson-over-retailers-low-salaries-poor-working-conditions/Wal-Mart Sex Discrimination Claims Filed by 2,000 Women, 2013, http://www. huffingtonpost. com/2012/06/06/walmart-sex-discrimination-women-_n_1575859. html Wal-Mart To Pay More Than $ 11. 7 Million To Settle EEOC Sex Discrimination Suit. (n. d. ). EEOC Home Page. Retrieved February 15, 2013, from http://www. eeoc. gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/3-1-10. cfm The Effects of Wal-Mart on Local Labor Markets. (n. d. ). The National Bureau of Economic Research. Retrieved February 15, 2013, from http://www. nber. org/papers/w11782

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Mcd’s Current Strategy Essay

Do we have a contradiction here? †¢ Can we develop many successful segments, as many as McDonald’s would like, create a new image and having their main business continue to be burgers and fries? †¢ Is the CFO correct in assessing that the main business of the company is to compete with other burger companies? †¢ What do you think of the current suggested strategy that McDonald’s develop a healthy line because this will continue to attract people whose main demand is burgers and fries? †¢ Do you think that the current socio—economic demographics will continue to positively react to the McCafe’s? What would you suggests as strategies or main strategy for Mc? I dont think there is a contradiction in this case. In my opinion, we say it is a contradiction because McD company uses different strategy to different segments in the market. The company has been trying to build a new image of â€Å"healthy food† to go along the need of modern adults. On the other hand, however, the burgers and fries still take large pile of market. McD is well-known by there traditional products– burgers and fries and there is one thing that we have to admit is that many people order burgers and fries in McD because customers eating habit has been changed by McD. As far as I know, I think McD can sell their original products as well as doing more advertisements of those new and healthier food to appeal new customers. Since McD has been playing a very important role of domain people’s eating habit, I suppose that McD should develop more, or I say different, concept of healthy food. With specific stores selling different stuff then analyze which chain is better to suit modern people. So I agree with the CFO’s opinion. McD wants to be the NO.1 then it has to win in the market with other fast food companies. And to attract more customers is the point to gain more profit. To develop more healthy food, will definitely get more people to buy its stuff. As for the McCafe, lower price and better quality will be the motivation that people want to buy a cup of espresso in McC. But since there are more and more coffee companies already existed in the market, I suppose it might not be that positive to McC. Except for the price and quality, the service and the diversity of products are important too.