Abstract This paper discusses the KmartCorporation and its evident performance problems. The author provides an overall description of the organization including its macro and micro environments and diagnoses the apparent problems of the KmartCorporation. The paper presents a plan of intervention and implementation, evaluates the plan and discusses the effect the changes will have on the corporation.
From the Paper "Kmart Corporation is a discount and general merchandise retailer. It began as the S.S. Kresge Co. founded by Sebastian S. Kresge in 1899. (Yahoo Finance) The name was changed to Kmart in 1977. In 1984 the company purchased Walden Books and Home Centers of America. Kmart began to collaborate with Martha Stewart in 1987; she became their primary spokesperson and consultant."
Abstract This paper presents an analysis of the corporation's financial records in an effort to find out why the company chose to file for bankruptcy. It conducts a financial analysis comparison of Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart. Suggestions are made as to what Kmart can do to regain their status in the market.
From the Paper "Kmart is a discount retailer with over 2,000 stores worldwide and at one time the chain was the leading discount retailer. Much of Kmart's troubles were made evident in November of last year when the company released its? SEC quarterly report. The company cited an operating loss of $76 million compared at only $28 million for the same period the prior year. Kmart's operating losses had jumped from .3% in 2000 to 1% in 2001. In addition to the increase in operating loss there was an increase in the company's selling, general and administrative expenses. This increase was $145 million for the 39-week period, which ended on October 31, 2001. (Kmart Corp (KM))"
Abstract This paper examines how Kmart was the second largest retail chain in the United States before it announced bankruptcy in the early part of the 2002 due to competition from its two main rivals, Wal-Mart and Target. It analyzes the failures in its old strategies and proposes new strategy recommendations for Kmart to reinvent itself and put it back at the top of the industry.
Outline
Old Strategy
New Strategy Recommendations
Kmart Should Solve its Identity Crisis
Reach Target Customers
Complete Reorganization
Urban and Emerging Markets
From the Paper "The biggest flaw of the company strategy lied in its competition techniques and in its inability to adapt to change. The company had no idea what to focus on because it never really tried to carve a niche for itself in the retail industry. What happens then is that companies lose focus and direction and thus start incorporating all sorts of foolish unproductive ideas in the company's strategy even when it is clear that these ideas are not exactly suitable. For example WALMART has its own niche in the industry, it is and will always be recognized as the "Low prices always" king whereas Target will always be a trendsetter and will be known for its style. But Kmart, a king of what? This is where the identity problem sets in, as people do not know what should Kmart be associated with."
Abstract In this essay the writer discusses the current strategic profiles of both Kmart (Sears Holdings) and Wal-Mart. The writer maintains that since Kmart emerged from bankruptcy protection following its purchase by Lampert and his subsequent purchase of Sears, the combined entity has posted some solid financial gains considering the competitiveness of the market. Further, the writer points out that Wal-Mart is, of course, dominating the retail market across many segments and appears poised to mimic its home market success internationally.
From the Paper "Wal-Mart's operating and strategic vision is based on the original vision of Wal-Mart as propounded by Sam Walton; chiefly, "to improve the lives of everyday people by making everyday things more affordable". This vision is based on an operating mission to continue large-scale expansion initiatives in all markets but especially in international markets. The strategic objectives to act on these vision and mission imperatives are to: 1) open up to 530 new stores nationally and 2) open up to 165 locations internationally. In the United States Wal-Mart currently operates 1,353 Discount Stores, 1,713 Super centers, 85 Neighborhood Markets with a total selling space of approximately 60m square feet (Wal-Mart, 2005). With this kind of market penetration Wal-Mart has begun to saturate several markets and has found it ... "
Abstract This paper analyzes the above book on the sociological ramifications of Chapter 11 bankruptcy and how bankruptcy has become a legitimate business tool that is often used by corporations. It discusses how the book reveals a great deal about the connections between law, economics and sociology and how since corporations have begun to use Chapter 11 filing as a legitimate business strategy, bankruptcy has become an increasingly common means to address social issues like victim compensation and labor issues. It shows how the legal system, in addressing an economic issue, ultimately plays an important role in the social fabric of American society.
From the Paper "Delaney's discussions also reveal a great deal about the connection between law, economics, and sociology. He notes that bankruptcy court is rapidly becoming a way for companies to address a wide variety of social concerns, rather than as a way to address economic problems. As such, it appears that our society is now endorsing, or at the very least allowing, financial and legal solutions for a variety of troubling social problems that commonly arise within the corporate sphere."
The paper gives background information on the K-mart corporation, showing how its diversification into specialty retailing brought the company close to bankruptcy.
Abstract The paper looks closely at the corporation of K-Mart, the #3 retailer in the United States. The writer shows how K-Mart became profitable, then in an effort to revitalize a mature market under increasing competition, diversified and made moves away from profitability, ultimately to move back to its more simplified stature in recent years.
From the Paper "March 30, 2000, MSN Money Central Investor released an alert that the company's P/E ratio was at least 25% below the average for its industry, but on March 28, 2000, Duff & Phelps Rating Company reaffirmed its ratings for debentures, medium-term notes, bank credit facility and lease certificates at BB+ and trust convertible preferred securities at BB; at the same time revising its rating outlook upward from Stable to Positive. The rating company affirmation reflects their assessment of the safety of the debt, in Kmart's case, $2.8 billion."
Abstract This paper examines the UAL Corporation, a company operating in bankruptcy. It addresses the question, can the company survive and how closely does it represent the problems of the industry as a whole?
From the Paper "This paper will present an analysis of "UAL Corp" based on financial and operating ratios. United Airlines is actually a subsidiary of "UAL Corporation" and its primary operating unit. Because airlines present certain unique ..."
Abstract This paper examines the causes and consequences of Conseco's bankruptcy and its filing for bankruptcy in December 2002. It explores the similarities between Conseco and Enron. The author discusses the deep problems of the company's unit of Conseco Financial. It also provides brief and general background of the situation.
From the Paper "When Conseco Corporation filed for bankruptcy protection in December it followed in the notorious footsteps of WorldCom and Enron. Like Enron, Conseco was a holding company which had one problematic operating unit, Conseco Financial causing ..."
Tags:bankruptcy, Conseco, Enron, Gary Wendt, Steve Hilbert
Abstract This paper analyses the effects of the bankruptcy reform bill. It discusses who is helped or hurt by it and the balance of lobbying interests involved. The author explores the effect of the moral connotations of bankruptcy on a bill designed to favor the interests of the banking and credit card industries.
From the Paper "The essential feature of the Bankruptcy Reform Bill that passed Congress and was signed by President Bush is that it limits the bankruptcy options of households above the median income in each state Under the ..."
Abstract This paper explores the issues and history of corporate taxation. Corporations are taxed at a rate depending on their income. This paper discusses the pros and cons of dropping the corporate tax, the methods which can be used to drop or lower corporate taxes and why. The paper includes charts and statistics concerning corporate taxes.
Table of Contents
I. The Beginning of Corporate Income Tax
II. The 1986 Tax Reform Act
III. How Does Taxes Affect Business
IV. Corporate Tax Rates
V. Decline of the Corporate Income Tax
VI. Why the Wide Range Between State and Corporate Taxes
VII. How Does Corporate Tax Work with Multi-state Manufacturers?
VIII. Does the Corporate Tax Help
IX. Proposals of Corporate Income Tax
X. Need of Stimulus
XI. Future Research Concerning Corporate Taxes
XII. Conclusions
XIII. Works Cited
From the Paper "Where did the corporate income tax begin? How does it affect our economy? What is the future of the corporate income tax? Will deleting corporate income tax be the answer for the economy? What about cutting part of this tax? How does the corporate income tax help the economy? These are questions that will be answered in this paper as well as how the corporate tax is affecting our economy now.
The Beginning of Corporate Income Tax
"How the corporate tax began is an example of why tax systems can be worse than they should be and how little influence the economic profession has on government policy (Norton 2). Sometimes ideals look great when they are not that sound. Corporate taxes were used during wartime until 1909, when Congress enacted a 1 percent tax on corporation income. The rate increased until 1932 to 12.5 percent when the rate was changed to the progressive rates. Norton stated, ?Surtaxes on corporate income were added for "excess profits" during both world wars. The highest peacetime rate, 52.8 percent, was reached in the sixties? (2). "
Abstract In this article, the writer critically evaluates the key success factors that corporations that are successfully managing corporate entrepreneurship programs have in common as well as which factors vary. The writer addresses the issue of how competitors to companies who have successfully put corporate entrepreneurship programs into place attempt to create comparable entrepreneurial climates and copy processes proven to be successful. Four companies who have successfully used corporate entrepreneurship programs are used as the basis of this analysis.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Introducing IBM's Emerging Business Opportunity (EBO) Unit
Nokia's Approach to Corporate Entrepreneurship
Toshiba's Unorthodox Laptop Journey
Trilogy Software and the Indian Corporate Entrepreneurship Connection
Summary
References
From the Paper "The EBO process within IBM quickly became one that had three parameters associated with project progress. These include project-based milestones, financials, and assessments of the specific business' maturity. As IBM's culture is heavily focused on metrics of performance, additional milestones included market acceptance including the number of customer pilots, customer references and design-ins, mentions by key industry analysts, product development checkpoints, internal execution, and software vendor partnerships. EBO-based initiatives also were staffed with the most senior members of the management team, and while these seasoned veterans complained they felt they were being actually demoted, in fact EBO leadership gave them the opportunity to gain a higher level of visibility than was the case before."
An assessment of the competing claims of the stockholder stakeholder approaches to corporate social responsibility, and a look at similarities and differences of each type of approach to responsibility.
2,515 words (approx. 10.1 pages), 10 sources, 2001, $ 76.95
Abstract This essay will discuss the competing claims of both the stockholder and the stakeholder approaches to corporate social responsibility. An explanation for corporate social responsibility will be provided and arguments will be put forward for similarities and differences in the stockholder and stakeholder approaches to this movement. Evidence to support these arguments will be provided throughout the essay.
From the paper:
"Before discussing the competing claims, it must be understood what is meant by the term corporate social responsibility. Corporate social responsibility is just one aspect of business ethics and has become increasingly important for companies operating in the global economy. It is a fast developing and increasingly competitive field. There is no single, commonly accepted definition of corporate social responsibility but it generally refers to the idea that businesses are accountable for the effects of their actions on the community and should seek socially and economically beneficial results. It involves operating a business in a way that meets ethical and legal standards as well as meeting public expectation. Decisions taken by managers need to satisfy the needs of the community and companies must be accountable for the way in which their results are achieved."
Abstract This paper presents the identification and analysis of corporate governance issues at Alltel corporation. It describes the company and defines elements of corporate governance. The paper concludes that the company is guilty of the appearance of inproprieties. It recommends the company should adopt a policy of not funding unregulated business operations from the earnings of regulated business operations, and eliminate the requirement for a mandatory equity position for the Board of Directors.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to analyze relevant corporate governance issues at Alltel Corporation. This executive summary provides description of the company as well as providing a ..."
Abstract The paper discusses the effectiveness of corporate governance in banking and financial systems in Malawi, an African developing economy. The paper begins with a discussion on the history of Malawi combined with a short explanation of its economy and past laws affecting the banking industry. The banking industry in Malawi is then critiqued along with a general discussion of the manner in which banks operate and affect a country's economy. Next, the paper analyzes the larger financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in the context of Malawi's economy. In addition, the available literature on the topic is outlined, broken down into different sections. Furthermore, the paper assesses the effectiveness of corporate governance in Malawi's financial sector and proposes a study for future work. Finally, predicted results of the study are outlined, and well as recommendations for implementing and establishing better guidelines for corporate governance in Malawi's financial services and banking industry.
Outline:
Proposal
Introduction:
Corporate Governance in Malawi
Proposal Conclusion
An Overview of the Role of Commercial Banks
Malawi's Financial Services & Banking System
Literature Review
Public Sector Management
Public Policy Formulation
Decentralization
Corporate Governance
Purpose of the Study & Methodology
Proposed Study Methodology
Conclusion
From the Paper "The effectiveness of corporate governance in Malawi's commercial banks is an important issue given the essential role banks play in the financial systems of developing economies and the widespread banking reforms that these economies have implemented. Although the subject of corporate governance in developing economies has recently received a lot of attention in the literature, the effectiveness of corporate governance of banks in Malawi has been almost ignored by researchers. In developed economies, the corporate governance of banks has only recently been discussed in the literature. In order to address this research deficiency, this paper discusses some of the key concepts and issues for the corporate governance of banks in Malawi that can be applied to other developing economies. In many developing economies, the issue of bank corporate governance is complicated by extensive political intervention in the operation of the banking system. Malawi is a low income country where economic development is a priority for a future stable economy. Economic development consists of capacity building, good governance and economic reform. Acquired skills cannot be utilized fully and institutions cannot operate efficiently without good governance; similarly, economic reform cannot be implemented properly without institutions that are functioning well ."
Abstract This paper examines the history of the use of corporal punishment in American education. It look at the traditional use of corporal punishment in American schools and homes since Colonial times. The paper discusses the reasoning, sociopolitical and spiritual factors motivating the use of corporal punishment in schools and describes forms of corporal punishment.
