Abstract This paper examines business/corporatedownsizing by taking a closer look at transition plans, targeted change and morale and motivation.
From the Paper "History has shown American businesses that a rush into downsizing their workforce often achieves moderate success in the short-term followed by negative results and decreased efficiencies in the long run. Downsizing is often forced upon companies in order to stay competitive in the global economy. Or, it could be a voluntary decision by a company to reduce costs and overhead in order to increase shareholder value. Regardless of the rationale behind a company's decision to downsize, there are certain guidelines or tips that companies can follow to increase the chances of success. These guidelines have been learned over history by researching companies that have been successful in downsizing their workforce. Three guidelines that I believe are important to a successful downsizing are: 1) Companies should have a transition plan in place to help fill gaps, 2) The downsizing should be a systematic, targeted change that reduces inefficiencies, and 3) Employee morale and motivation should be addressed head on."
Abstract This paper explains that downsizing takes several forms: (1) Companies reorganize and restructure to increase efficiencies or economics of scale, (2) de-layer to eliminate layers of bureaucracy and reduce payroll expenses, (3) outsource certain functions to focus more resources on key competencies and (4) use contingent workers to meet demand increases and help keep payroll costs down. The author points out that the old paradigm that institutions will take care of their employees has been shattered as managers, who are often impervious to these changes, recklessly disregard the human consequences, which accompany massive reorganization. The paper relates that retained employees often suffer from post-downsizing stress syndrome, a psychological response that may surface after a series of layoffs; these employees demonstrate a sense of hopelessness about their situation resulting in increased anxiety about work-related issues, which eventually affects their health, personal life and attitudes toward work.
From the Paper "The ongoing practice of job elimination usually has another unintended and often unforeseen consequence: a rise in both discrimination lawsuits by minorities, women, and older workers, and occupational and non-occupational disability claims. The disability claims affect the organization's bottom line directly by increasing disability benefit costs, and indirectly through the loss of key employees' contributions. Furthermore, many managers are suing for wrongful discharge and quite often are collecting, which, together with discrimination lawsuits, have a negative impact on the firm's bottom line. Thus, "job massacres" may help to undercut the very cost and productivity advantages they are supposed to create."
Abstract This paper examines how the use of ?downsizing,? defined as an organization's conscious use of permanent personal reductions in an attempt to improve its efficiency and/or effectiveness (Budros 1999), affects an organization's human resources costs, structure, and competitiveness in its market.
From the Paper "Corporate downsizing by reducing human resource expense is a clinical way of saying a company is reducing its workforce in order to contain costs, with the results that those left still in the corporation are expected in increase their overall productivity, filling the vacuum left by their co-workers removal. It is hoped by companies that containing the human resource costs while pushing productivity rises in the remaining workforce will lead to either increased profits and thus happy shareholders or in more drastic circumstances, staunch the flow of red ink that occurs during severe economic times or competitive pressures."
Abstract In this review of Steven H. Appelbaum and Nadia Labib's article "Strategic Downsizing: A Human Resources Perspective," the writer examines the various impacts of layoffs in an organization. These include the effect on the employees who have lost their jobs, families of terminated employees and the employees that remain with the company. The reviewer highlights the article's suggestions for human resources managers in dealing with downsizing.
From the Paper "The authors indicate that downsizing is a problematic issue. Its failure and success are both debatable since the human cost is vaguely discussed when employees are suddenly robbed of their means of livelihood. Since firms do not take into account the "psychological, social, and financial effects" of downsizing, they fail to take appropriate measures for human resource support and building hence lending seriously negative connotations to the phenomenon. And it is not only the terminated employees who suffer, the authors feel that "downsizing has a major impact on surviving employees as well as on the organization itself, both strategically and operationally." "
Abstract This paper discusses whether downsizing of an organization has a significant impact on its employees and, therefore, present and future company health, as well as profitability and culture within the organization. The paper specifically analyzes the effects that downsizing has on an organization's employees from the point of view of the management and human resources.
Table of Contents:
Hypothesis
Literature Review
Methodology
Data Collection Methods
Study Subjects
Analysis of Data
Conclusions and Suggestions for Future Research
From the Paper " A study by Nantaporn & Kleiner (March 2003) noted that downsizing "often creates more problems than it solves - only rarely achieving its original financial objectives" (p. 52). This article also discusses three main types of downsizing workforce reduction; organizational redesign; and systematic strategies, and negative impacts, from downsizing, on morale of staff left behind, who are called "survivors", and also on the now displaced (or jobless) workers. The article also discusses better and worse (e.g., more or less painful) procedures for company downsizing."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relevance of the law of diminishing returns to a manufacturing facility and to analyze economic reasons behind Eaton Corporation's decisions to close plants, to lay off employees and to reduce company contributions to healthcare benefits in the context of productivity and cost.
Outline
Abstract
Productivity and Cost
The Law of Diminishing Marginal Productivity
Strategic Decisions Analysis
Production, Total Cost and Output
Conclusion
From the Paper "The law of diminishing marginal productivity, one of the most famous laws of economics, goes back to the early Nineteenth Century. It was first formulated by the famous British economist, financier, and successful businessman David Ricardo. Ricardo established, "that as more and more resources are combined in production with a fixed resource-for example, as more labor and machinery are used on a fixed amount of land-the additions to output will diminish (David, 2005, para. 3)."
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.
Abstract This paper examines corporate crime and applies conflict theory to this type of crime. Firstly, it defines corporate crime. It then critiques the conflict theory. The paper argues that conflict theory can be used to explain why corporate crime is abundant and why it is not often persecuted. It also discusses, according to conflict theory, why corporate crimes tend to remain under punished.
From the Paper "Most white collar offenders belong to the "white collar class" - in other words, usually privileged, educated, rich (or at least economically middle class) and usually white and viewed in a different light than the more 'common criminals' and hence punished differently. In most cases they can also afford better and more expensive lawyers, which usually leads to lighter sentences. McDermid Gomme (1998) asserts that recidivism rate is quite high for convicted organizations and high-ranking individuals within these organizations. This can easily be explained by minimal penalties these crimes are given, and deterrence is almost non-existent, but rewards and immediate. Indeed, as McDermid Gomme (1998) notes "fines are so small that business executives generally think of them as modest licensing fees" (446)."
Abstract This paper explores the changes in corporate compliance brought about by the enactment of The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The paper relates that both of these comprehensive legislative initiatives were brought about by infamous events in American Corporate history, and were aimed at preventing such corporate transgressions in the future. They brought personal liability for the actions of the corporation to its directors, officers and management.
From the Paper "The corporate veil was a thick impenetrable barrier that protected Officers, Directors, Management and shareholders from personal liability from the acts of the corporation. The immunity granted by the legislative progenitors of these modern day immortals are now chipping away at the corporate shield, and have created large holes where the long arms of personal liability can now reach. As with all things political, seminal events brought about these fundamental changes in corporate law. The pollution scandal of Love Canal brought about The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), among other provisions brought about criminal liability to Officers and Management for willful violations (Darragh, 1997, n.p.). The corporate financial scandals associated with the "Dot Bomb" era of the late 1990's resulted in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, establishing personal liability to the corporate officers in the reporting of financial data to the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) (Hein, Neimeth, Rosner & Watts, 2002, n.p.). The spectacular misdeeds of a very few in the corporate world brought about increase personal liability and risk to those that run corporations in America."
Abstract A study of corporate governance and how it has evolved in the last 20 years. It includes an in-depth definition of corporate governance including examples of how it can be used in several white-collar cases. It also discusses the role of the board of directors and shareholders and the recent changes in their relationship. A discussion about ethics and their place in corporate governance today especially since the Enron scandal.
From the Paper "Corporate governance (or the lack thereof) has risen to the forefront of the public eye over the past 20 years in numerous high-profile, white-collar cases. Examples of such cases include the Lincoln Savings and Loan failure that involved Charles Keating and conspiracy, fraud, and racketeering; illegal stock manipulation and insider charges relating to Ivan Boesky; and Michael Milkin and fraud and racketeering charges. The most current scandals involving corporate fraud are exemplified by Arthur Andersen Inc. (shredding of crucial documents related to Enron), Enron (bankruptcy filed surrounding allegations of fraud and misrepresentation by corporate insiders), First Alliance Mortgage (defrauding consumers by illegally charging them exorbitant fees), and Waste Management Inc. (insider trading allegations). One reason why corporate governance has attracted such public interest is due to its apparent importance for the economic health of corporations and society in general."
