Abstract Discusses whether free market principles can be applied to the labor market. Questions whether a minimum wge introduces artificial subsidies into the market which increase inefficiency and layoffs. Minimum wage theory from perspective of modern liberalism. Conservative argument. View of supply & demand. Concepts & realities of perfect competition.
From the Paper "Can free market principles be applied to the labor market? Specifically, does the imposition of a minimum wage introduce artificial subsidies into the labor market which increase inefficiency and result in layoffs? The debate over the minimum wage and its effect on workers raged throughout the second half of the twentieth century, and continues. Labor believes that the minimum wage is set too low, while business maintains that any increase places an unfair burden on companies that will be forced to lay off the workers the minimum wage is designed to protect. This research examines the liberal view of the minimum wage, the conservative critique of that view, and the evidence in support of both.
Minimum Wage Theory from the Perspective of Modern Liberalism
The minimum wage was..."
Abstract The writer gives details of available jobs in the high tech field and what level of education and expertise one must possess in order to find success in the growing field of computers and the internet. The writer shows how the skills necessary vary across the fields of design, database administrators and system administrators.
From the Paper "Web Designers are responsible for the layout and graphical design of Web pagers and training and certification is the next step for graphic artists who have published in print and in other media. This is also a path by which Web content managers can get the skills they need to design and create Web pages that meet an organizations corporate and marketing objectives."
Abstract Many mergers fail to integrate cultural differences successfully in today's global economy. This paper examines what can be done to help them succeed. It shows that one of the most neglected aspects of planning mergers and acquisitions, and one of the leading causes of their failure or success is the performance or neglect of cultural due diligence. The paper shows that Microsoft and Great Plains Software, and Cisco's merger with Cerent are examples of what to do right when merging two companies. It discusses how successful mergers employ specific and detailed approaches for pre-merger planning, which include methods for communication of vision, changes and purpose, involvement of employees, establishment of strategy, leadership, due diligence and potential process and system conflict.
Paper Outline:
Executive Summary; Introduction; Microsoft Acquires Great Plains Software; About Microsoft; About Great Plains Software; Combined Strategy; Culture Integration; Communication; About AOL and Time Warner; Recommendations; Cisco Corporation Acquires Cerent Communication; The Cisco strategy; Due Diligence ? Pre Merger Phase; Culture Perspective; Communication; Leadership; System Conflicts; Process Conflicts and Staffing Issues; Quality and Continuous Improvement; Recommendations and Observations; Future Acquisitions; Hewlett Packard and Compaq Merger; The Values of the New HP; Due Diligence Phase; Recommendations and Observations; What HP/Compaq could have done differently; Conclusion; References
From the Paper "Companies who have experienced successful mergers have found that integration of corporate cultures in an M & A environment includes the establishment of the strategic direction of the merged entities, developing a shared vision, careful scrutiny of management styles, communication to employees, suppliers, customers and shareholders, and identifying and resolving important cultural differences early and having a plan to integrate the cultures (Miller, 2002). The communication of the rationale behind the decisions, future goals and objectives, new roles and responsibilities, and managerial expectations through constructive dialogue and feedback, are vital to build trust and ensure credible leadership. In fact, this communication is more important in the period leading up to and following closure of a deal. The more dissimilar the cultures, the greater the cultural shock, particularly if the M & A was not voluntarily chosen."
Abstract In this paper the causes of the different types of discrimination are explored. Unconscious discrimination and its effects on both men and women are discussed. Furthermore, the detrimental effects on the women caused by discrimination is also analyzed, highlighting the phenomenon of the glass ceiling.
From the Paper "Discrimination against women in the workplace is exhibited in a variety of ways, ranging from the sexual harassment to the exclusion of women from "the old boys? club" where major decisions are made. Thus, in spite of the massive entry of women in the workplace and the increasing numbers of women in mid-level managerial positions, top-level positions remain as elusive to women today as they were more than a decade ago. Working in a world dominated by male decision-makers and their established practices, women encounter a variety of barriers impeding their surge to the top of their careers. Few women have managed to shatter the "glass ceiling"?the concept used to describe the barriers blocking women from top-level positions. The effects of the discrimination on women are manifested in the erosion of their identity and the desexualization of successful women in order to "fit in" with their male counterparts. The psychological effects of discrimination on individual women have serious sociological repercussions: women with feminine attributes leave their work, leaving desexualized women to serve as role models for female newcomers, thus perpetuating the cycle of male domination and discrimination."
Abstract This paper begins by discussing the steps which need to be considered when adult decides to further their studies and obtain a higher education. It looks at how obtaining a degree is beneficial to career advancement and work satisfaction. It then analyzes the position of women with a college education in the workforce and whether there is a difference in salaries between men and women with degrees. It discusses the personal benefits to obtaining a degree as well as benefits to the home environment. The paper concludes with discussing how one would need to cope with the extra stress of studying and possibly working at the same time.
From the Paper "Many contemporary employers in the United States support on and off-the-job general education for the employees (Ivancevich 394). In general, such benefits are offered as incentives to workers and are viewed as fostering increased loyalty to the firm, enhanced job satisfaction, and personal growth as well as professional development. Some firms use educational benefits and incentive programs to facilitate the advancement of their own employees, creating an increasingly well-educated, skilled and trained workforce."
Tags: job, satisfaction, career, professional, college
Abstract This paper analyzes what the relationship between employee productivity and employee perceptions of job satisfaction or dissatisfaction is, among behavioral care workers in private mental health provider organizations. It shows that the findings of this study are that behavioral care workers in private mental health care provider organizations generally are satisfied with their jobs and that job satisfaction was positively related to the productivity of behavioral care workers.
From the Paper "Behavioral care workers in mental health care provider organizations frequently are required to care for patients who are acutely psychotic, aggressive, highly destructive, suicidal, or at risk of escape. Traditionally, "management strategies" for such patients have included the use of physical restraints, seclusion rooms, or constant one-to-one observation. These strategies have been criticized on grounds of ethics, economics, and efficacy (Montgomery & Johnson, 1996). The continued use of seclusion and restraint in psychiatric facilities "in the face of low confidence in such coercive interventions by health care professionals may be a sign both of the persistence of traditional practices which have not been closely examined, as well as by the use of these traditional practices to shield the staff of such facilities against fear of mental illness, violence and loss of control" (Goren & Curtis, 1996, p. 7). Under such conditions, the stress placed on behavioral care workers becomes intense. Even when the needs of patients are less demanding than those described above, pressures and stress on behavioral care givers can reach damaging levels when accompanied by unsatisfactory organizational or working conditions (Wells, Astrachan, Tischler, & Unutzer, 1995)."
This paper uses the Ford Corporation as a specific example of how a company can effect a community and in turn, change the literal and figurative face of American industry.
Abstract This paper examines how through the principal of entrepreneurship, ethnic minority communities can advance toward the common goal of economic empowerment and examines how in order to achieve a better America, America's corporate sector must first invest in minority communities to encourage financial growth. It looks at how the Ford Motor Company has taken the lead in offering resources to communities such as the African-Americans and the Latinos. It evaluates the three-part system, which Ford embraces-- training, development and patronage and how Ford has so far helped its minority suppliers to create nearly 40,000 jobs in their communities.
From the Paper "The grass roots success of minority entrepreneurship has a second beneficiary - the American marketplace. The first of many advancements will be a more diverse workplace. When the playing field is even and all people are represented, everyone benefits from diversity. And many companies are taking a proactive approach to developing business in minority communities. Through internships, scholarships and training programs, Ford Motor Company is changing the make-up of the automotive industry. Through its support of women and minority dealers, Ford is opening up an entire new market for minority professionals. It is important that all automotive manufacturers encourage minority dealers and suppliers."
Abstract The report written here covers the importance of communication in organizations. The paper suggests that problems in communication experienced by organizations during globalization may be ameliorated through effective human resource plans.
From the Paper "Problems in efficiency may emerge due to the lack of communication or the lack of skills with newer personnel employed in the firm. This is because they are not aware of exactly what the cultural atmosphere was at the original location of the firm. Since they have been newly employed they are bound to face problems such as these. It is therefore required that they be trained by concerned individuals within the organization, and these should be people who are aware of what the culture of the organization is."
Tags: globalization, managing, human, resources, communication, in, organizations
Abstract This paper looks at possible human resource management problems which could occur in the intense working environment of a call-center. The writer identifies ten problem areas and suggests ways to control and manage these factors. The factors are - recruiting and hiring principles; team building; conflict resolution; performance development; training; documentation; compensation practices/benchmarking; retention/rewards and recognition; employee relations and risk management/safety.
From the Paper "A call center environment presents many challenges a traditional work environment does not. Typically a call center has a higher turn over rate than other organizations. This requires special attention to recruiting and hiring practices as well as retention programs, in an effort to retain quality employees in a dynamic employment environment. The ten HR concepts listed above are critical for supervisors in a call center environment to understand in an effort to support the work force in a 24 hour employment environment. Most call centers provide customer service to clients on a 24 hour basis, thus three shifts will have to be staffed and managed accordingly. Though there are certainly other HR principles that are equally important, such as diversity training and policy planning and interpretation, the ten listed above are crucial to understand, and crucial for supervisors to grasp in order to attain and maintain successful management practices. Each of the concepts listed above will be explored further below."
Tags: recruitment, conflict, resolution, employee, compensation, team
Abstract The paper discusses China's market-orientated enterprise reform which has resulted in many employees being laid off. The paper cites several reasons for this growth in unemployment and notes the strain being put on the social security system. It also explains a new employment scheme being initiated by the Shanghai Government to combat the issue.
From the Paper "Swift economic development was gone together with rising living standards for the majority of people. In 1992, in the Fourteenth Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, it was determined that China's objective of reform was to construct a "socialist market economy." At the Third Plenum of the Fourteenth Party Congress, it was come to a decision that the existing scheme of state and collective owned enterprises was to be substituted by the "modern enterprise system" based on “clarified property right, clearly defined responsibility and authority, separation of enterprises from the government, and scientific management." (He, 1998) The Fifteenth Party Congress in 1997 took a advanced step, deciding that whereas collective owned enterprises and small state owned enterprises were to be privatized, large and medium-sized state owned enterprises were to be reorganized as share holding corporations (He, 1998). In 1980s there was virtually full employment in the urban sector. However, since 1993, urban unemployment has been mounting speedily. By 1997, about 18.5 million workers had been laid off from state owned enterprises and urban collective enterprises, augmenting the real city unemployment rate to as high as about 10 percent (He, 1998)."
The paper provides a book review of Susan Schaefer Davis' 1985 work
"Patience and Power: Women's Lives in a Moroccan Village", which presents an account of the economic activity of women in the small village of Sidi Embarek, Morocco.
Abstract The paper examines how the authoress looks beyond traditional economic analysis and succeeds in showing how Moroccan women wield power in the informal economy and the private sphere. The paper discusses the woman's lack of identity and need to protect her honor, using examples from the book to clarify points. The paper also looks at the types of socially acceptable work Moroccan women were allowed to carry out.
From the Paper "Like many societies, there were strict social rules in place regarding the status and roles of women in Sidi Embarek in the early 1980s. Women clearly did not enjoy as much freedom as men. The women could not hold public office and were expected to fulfill domestic and household chores. In many ways, the women in Sidi Embarek are akin to property. Their identities are always subsumed with the menfolk, making them someone's wife or daughter. For example, sons were expected to care for their elderly parents. When married, a woman "belongs" to her husband's family and is expected to take care of her in-laws. For this reason, Davis says that sons were often valued over daughters."
Abstract This paper examines the ever-growing problem of sexual harassment, especially in the workplace. It provides a definition of this act and examines different forms of sexual harassment. It discusses how this phenomenon is very common in workplaces and how companies and organizations need to battle this problem head on.
From the Paper "Any type of unwanted verbal or physical behavior is illegal if it is hostile or intimidating, or if it interferes with an individual's work or educational performance. For example, sexual harassment can include crude sexual jokes, sexual requests or favors, and references to the physical attributes of the victim. In the U.S., sexual harassment is a serious offense and there are strict laws against it.
In fact, the U.S. requires that corporations assume responsibility for the actions of their employees through the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC). In Code 29 of the Code of Federal Regulation, an employer is deemed responsible for the acts of employees regarding sexual harassment of employees in the workplace, in cases in which the employer, its agents, or supervisory employees are aware of the conduct and fail to take appropriate corrective action (O'Donohue, 1998)."
Abstract The International Labor Organization estimates that there are at least 250 million working children between the ages of five and fourteen in developing countries. About half of them work full-time. This paper examines the arguments for and against child labor. Those in favor of child labor state that the income that these children bring in, usually save their families from starvation. They also argue that trade restrictions will only harm families these countries by limiting their income and slowing their development. The paper shows that those who argue against child labor state reasons such as the risk to the child's health and well-being, the fact that the child's educational possibilities are stunted and various forms of child abuse.
From the Paper "Conservative concerns that developing countries are just too poor to do anything about child abuse are inane. Even if their beliefs were true, there's simply no economic justification for exposing children to life-threatening working conditions, abuse, slavery, and situations that cause irreversible harm to their physical development. Child labor only perpetuates poverty for the child as well as the country. Because developing countries are in a better position than developed countries were in when they began implementing child labor regulations, preventing "hazardous child labor" is really about a decision and commitment by developed and developing countries to place more value on the child's life. Government intervention through the creation and enforcement of laws is needed, not waiting for free trade to somehow magically convert unethical business people into humanitarians."
Abstract Articles 1 and 2 of "Code of Ethics" state that meeting "public needs" and "public welfare" is a duty of professional engineers. The Articles make a clear distinction between commitments to technical precision and moral or social duty. A number of sub-tenets of the Articles aim to ensure that an engineer conforms to the Articles. However, the "Code" is not legally enforceable and therefore can be breached. Additionally, commitment to the public welfare of an individual practitioner could be compromised due to externalities.
Abstract The cost of AIDS is another important issue. First, people are afraid of contracting AIDS from the infected person. Prejudice against those with AIDS is another problem. Because AIDS has no cure, some employees will quit rather than associate with an AIDS-Infected co-worker. As a general policy, employees with AIDS should be treated the same as other handicapped employees.
