Abstract This paper attempts to answer the main question regarding the importation of pharmaceutical drugs; namely, whether or not the importation of foreign drugs should be allowed in the United States. For this purpose, the paper first examines the drug market structure in the U.S. and in Canada, with a focus on the existing price differential; it then scrutinizes the pros and cons in the importation debate on both sides of the border; and, in conclusion, it evaluates the merits of the arguments proposed by the drugs industry and by consumer associations.
From the Paper "The information technology revolution seems to have caught up with the pharmaceutical industry as a growing number of today's consumers have the ability to use broader and more comprehensive pricing information. The internet has given consumers access to cheaper drugs from Canada and has sparkled a far-reaching debate on U.S. drug companies? pricing policies. On one side, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the pharmaceutical industry claim that foreign drugs do not ascribe to U.S. safety regulations, thereby arguing for limitations on imports; while, on the other, consumer associations require unrestricted access to cheaper foreign produce. To further dilute the issue, Canadian politicians are loath to stop online pharmacies from operation due to strong growth in the sector and high profit margins."
Abstract This paper examines how the term "management" is linked to the activities that are part and parcel to the four general functions: planning, organizing, leading, and coordinating in organizations and how, when an organization can integrate these functions well, it is successful. It looks at how, with emerging trends in management, it is now believed that the function of leading is different from that of managing and how, therefore, the four functions that are carried out must be able to accommodate the "new paradigm" in management. It uses the example of the real estate business to assess the importance of each function individually.
From the Paper "Today it is believed that the key to organizational success lies in how well the organization is able to completely change the way organizations are managed. For an organization to be competitive it requires a stable workforce that is highly skilled, and posses good knowledge about their job. One of things that have to be changed is the traditional hierarchy, which must be able to include more and more employees who know more, do more, and contribute more to the organization. This is called the management model, which is based on the belief that people, who have greater involvement, will be better trusted in situations where they are required to make more important decisions about their work."
Abstract This paper examines the Krispy Kreme Corporation, primarily known for the quality of its donuts. It looks at how, since the company's inception in 1937, it has grown to be, for many customers, the best among its competitors. It analyzes how the company has many strengths, not least of which is its sustained popularity among customers, and the effectiveness of word of mouth advertising. It provides a SWOT analysis, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to Krispy Kreme, followed by comments to analyze and identify the company's position and future in the donut market.
From the Paper "Market evidence supports the assessment that Krispy Kreme's strengths exceed its weaknesses. However, there are weaknesses that need to be addressed. These include the fact that in an increasingly health conscious market, Krispy Kreme is offering no healthy alternatives to their high calorie product. In terms of advertising, the company relies solely on word of mouth and name recognition, and spends none of its revenue on formal advertising in any media. Furthermore Krispy Kreme does not include delivery service, thus failing to capitalize on a vast potential market and also the opportunity to gain new customers."
Abstract This paper presents an analysis of the global airline industry and environmental factors affecting the airlines of today. It examines the marketing practices of airline companies focusing on those of British Airways. It also proposes the development of a marketing plan in order to advise British Airways for future development.
Outline
Introduction
The Airline Industry
EU Enlargement
Industry Factors
Marketing Plan
Positioning
Product
Place
Price
Promotion
Conclusion
From the Paper "Firstly all airlines have to contend with factors in the micro environment. This includes an airline's competitors. Marketers, as well as adapting to the needs of target customers must also position their service strongly against what a competitor has to offer. An airline's pricing strategy and flexibility for example are important factors in determining whether a customer will fly with an airline or its competitor. A recent problem of the major airlines such as BA is the development of low-cost carriers such as RyanAir. They are playing an increasing role in commercial aviation accounting for more than 30 million passengers annually outside the US."
Abstract This paper critically examines and articulates key conceptual and practical differences between leadership and management through an analysis of the differences in the form, function and influence processes which underpin these complementary organisational roles. It explores the differing uses of power and influence within these roles and attempts to show that while management involves a key responsibility for leadership, effective management also needs to include the skillful application of other power bases which underpin the wider influencing tactics of effective leadership. It concludes that in the final analysis, leadership and management are likely to be different valuations of the same organisational behaviours
From the Paper "Leadership is different from management, and the primary force behind successful change of any significance is the former, not the latter. Without successful leadership, the probability of mistakes increases greatly and the probability of success decreases accordingly. This is true no matter how the change is conceptualised ? that is, in terms of new strategies, reengineering, acquisitions, restructuring, quality programs, cultural redesign and so on."
Abstract This paper relates that, in the mission statement, Microsoft is committed to enabling consumers and businesses to realize their full potential. The author points out that, in order to achieve its mission, the company networks with consumers, innovates cutting edge technology, and targets a global audience. The paper concludes that the new mission statement of the company has been derived to rectify the damaged image of Microsoft in the industry.
Table of Contents
About the Company
Microsoft's Mission Statement
Customers
Products or Services
Markets
Technology
Concern for Public Image
Concern for Employees
Conclusion
From the Paper "Microsoft believes in recruiting individuals who are bright, creative and energetic. Another requirement for employees at the company is to realize, respect and follow the great values of the company. The values require the employees to be honest towards provision of services to consumers. The employees must show respect for consumers, technology and business partners. Employees must be ready to take on big challenges. Another significant value expect from the employees, which also compliments the mission of the company is an employee's commitment to self-improvement."
Tags: image, technology, employee, customer, global
Abstract In his book, "Fast Food Nation", Eric Schlosser shows his distaste for America's fast-food culture, but perhaps more so for the business practices that have allowed fast food to become a way of life. This paper presents examples from Shlosser's book, which highlight the author's point that the fast food industry is wreaking moral, social, and medical havoc in the U.S. and the world. It also examines the author's use of logos and pathos throughout his book.
From the Paper "Schlosser does not use the health effects of food to convince readers that there is something wrong with the food industry, except at the end of the book when he discusses diseases caused by germs in the food, rather than the food itself. But failure to mention such things as the fact that cholesterol found in super-sized burgers can cause heart disease could be considered a rhetorical device. Schlosser assumes that his readers don?t want heart disease, and he assumes they have heard that eating beef tallow might well produce heart disease. In this respect, he is also using ethos: as an award-winning writer for the Atlantic Monthly, he can bank on his reputation in subjects like this one."
Abstract This paper examines how business forecasting is a valuable tool in aiding businesses to make both long-term and short-term business decisions. It looks at how both qualitative and quantitative methods of forecasting can be highly effective, especially when applied to the correct business environment and practice. It also shows that, while many methods, including the much-used Delphi and time series methods of forecasting, are flawed, they also can provide valuable data.
From the Paper "In this small business, more formalized methods of forecasting would not be financially viable. The cost of obtaining a Delphi analysis would far outweigh the benefits to the business. Nonetheless, the owners may be able to benefit from an industry-wide quantitative analysis of the future market for car repairs. This analysis would allow the owners to track industry changes in car repair sales. Further, an industry-wide analysis of the type of repairs, and the models of cars repaired may help this small business to predict the type of future repairs, and thus run their business accordingly."
Abstract Schlosser's book, "Fast Food Nation", argues that the institution of fast food, originally trumpeted as one of the successes of modern capitalism, was really a triumph of American advertising. It was dependant upon the exploitation of low-paid American workers, usually for part-time and non-benefit-conferring hours, and seduced children into making poor food choices that take them away from wholesome family meals. The paper shows how Schlosser's main point in his book is that fast food was a uniquely American institution, but became something that pulled America apart. The paper also examines Schlosser's use of rhetoric, logic, and pathos in his book.
From the Paper "Schlosser has some respect for the founders of fast food. Like our nation's founding fathers, Schlosser admits Kroc had a vision. Kroc deployed capitalism and freedom to realize that vision in an energetic and individualistic fashion. However, the consequences of untrammeled capitalism and advertising that was attractive to American ideals of convenience, sameness, and product loyalty also created a nightmare for many individuals, particularly those whose health was damaged by the sanitary procedures common at many fast food establishments. Kroc's individualism and enterprise also put many "mom and pop" businesses, out of business."
Abstract This paper examines how the increased use of technology in today's workplace has had a largely negative effect on workplace stress and reviews two articles on the topic. The applicability of each of the articles in relation to a type of organization similar to the law/claims group of a public utility is also analyzed, giving recommendations. The two articles are Michael C. Dennis's "Technology and Stress in the Workplace", which focuses closely on the newly emerging impact of technology-mediated stress in the credit industry, and the State of Utah's article,"Workplace Stress".
From the Paper "The State of Utah's article can be applied to a public utilities law/claims group type of organization. Employees in such an organization are likely to share the feeling that workplace stress is an ingrained feature of office life. Further, these employees likely share the impression that there is little that can be done to combat technology-fueled workplace stress. Importantly, the characteristics of those who deal well with workplace stress can also be applied to employees in the field of public utilities."
Abstract One of the key aspects to being a good manager is being a good decision maker and a good facilitator of decision making between others. However, although this statement may seem to be a cliche, like so many cliches about demonstrating strong leadership and business acumen, it bears a certain level of scrutiny when put into real world terms. This paper asks what happens when one must negotiate and mediate in the real world. It shows that, in these cases, there are two dominant paradigms every business manager must take into consideration, namely, what is economically feasible and good business sense, and what is ethically coherent with the company's philosophy and American law. This paper applies two available decision making models that satisfy both of these aspects, the rational actor decision-making model and the organizational processes decision-making model.
From the Paper "In other words, quite often decision making in the work force cannot presume that all conflicts have a rational basis, or that all mediate decisions made thusly can simply regard the quantitative and qualitative data that may be at the roots of a particular conflict. Decisions may ideally come from identifying relevant criteria, cause and effect beliefs, and different evaluations of proposed alternatives. However, if even from a purely rational basis conflict may result in all three areas, when conflicts in the workplace assume because of long-standing tensions, human resource management becomes even more difficult in achieving decisions that are mutually amicable for all parties."
Abstract This paper examines Delta Airlines's financial and marketing goals and notes how the financial objectives are closely linked to the marketing goals. The paper looks at how Delta focuses on the needs and wants of its customers, as well as how it has been financially affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks. The paper also discusses the areas that Delta intends to target for marketing purposes and where it faces the greatest competition.
From the Paper "The company's financial objectives and goals are closely linked to its marketing plan. Vicki Escarra, Chief Marketing Officer of Delta Airlines says that the company's singular dedication to the needs and wants of consumers has allowed Delta to survive and thrive in the most difficult market environments (Morris, 2002). One event that shook Delta and the rest of the airlines was the terrorist activities of September 11th. Increased expenses due to security training, cockpit door reinforcement, and insurance costs dramatically altered the airline's fixed overhead costs."
Tags: corporate, travel, industry, domestic, international, airports, seats, flown, miles
Abstract Although the reporting of facts and figures is often thought of as an objective science, quite frequently even business reporting is characterized by logical fallacies, including but not limited to, appeals to ignorance, hasty generalizations, and ad hominem attacks. This paper argues that these logical fallacies are particularly common and pernicious in business reporting because of the frequently technically complex nature of the subject matter in regards to facts and figures, combined with the emotional texture of business reporting that involves the fabric and texture of individual lives. The paper shows that reporters wish to attract attention and render complexities comprehensible, but frequently fall into logically fallacious traps to accomplish these objectives. The paper provides examples from business reports to elaborate on the ideas.
From the Paper "This is particularly important to remember when reading the business section about distasteful individuals, because it is tempting to assume, when hearing about past dirty dealings, to either discount all of the information brought up by the person, because of the past character of the potential economic criminal, or to assume that he or she knew everything about the dark corporate dealings at the company. Even the lack of evidence is made to sound dark in the above-cited article's rhetoric: "Considering that he was the driving force behind Enron's growth, the micromanaging former CEO did an amazing job of distancing himself from its decline. He stopped selling stock four months before Enron collapsed"and left the company entirely two months beforehand. He rarely used e-mail. His signature is conspicuously, and uncharacteristically, absent from the approval sheets for some of Fastow's most controversial deals.? ("Who Will Fastow implicate"? January 19, 2004, Business Week Online retrieved on January 19, 2004 at http://www.aol.businessweek.com/bwdaily/index.html#top) The ad hominem attack is generally used as a kind of intellectual shorthand, equating man with message, rather than trying to understand the business at hand."
Abstract An organization's structure is one of the key factors in whether or not an organization is operating efficiently and effectively. Yet, it is one of the more ubiquitous facets of an organization. An organization's structure does more than just identify the chain of command; it demonstrates the values of the organization and lays out the individual's responsibilities for the organization's success. This paper describes the formal, or traditional, organizational structure and how it compares with other structures. In addition, it discusses how informal culture affects formal structure, as well as the role of power and politics within an organization's culture. Finally, this paper discusses which leadership styles are most effective for traditional and informal organizational structures.
From the Paper "Combining divisional and functional structures is the design of a matrix structure. (Harris & Raviv, 2002) Unlike a traditional structure, the matrix structure is not typically utilized for the entire organization. Organizational members that are part of the matrix usually have a central base they function from, but have the flexibility to work with other groups or on special projects, as the organization's needs demand."
Abstract This paper explains that the three main strategic issues that Krispy Kreme will need to evaluate are its low degree of diversification, international expansion, and its distribution system, including franchising. The author points out that Krispy Kreme's greatest strength is its enthusiastic and loyal customers who have been developed through word-of-mouth publicity rather than traditional advertising. The paper relates that the most serious competitive threat is from Dunkin? Doughnuts, which is the well-established market leader, known for both its wide variety of doughnuts and for excellent coffee.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Strategic Issues
Internal Environment - Strengths and Weaknesses
External Environment - Opportunities and Threats
Recommendations
From the Paper "The third strength I have noticed in the case study is that the company seems to have a sound financial situation. Indeed, the IPO in 2000 raised enough cash to pay off debts and now the company can focus on its expansion. Of course, it has decided to cease paying dividends in the period to come, which I have considered a weakness and will discuss it further below, however, it is obvious that the company has no financial problems and that it can concentrate on its expansion."
Tags: diversification, franchising, word-of-mouth, dunkin?, international
