Abstract This paper explains that the existence of a union within a team culture can be detrimental to promoting the fundamental concepts of self-directed teamwork. The author points out that, while it would seem that the political problems could possibly be overcome as trust builds over time, the basic problems are the seniority provisions of collective bargaining agreements versus the basic concepts of self-directed teamwork. The paper states that, as long as the seniority rules with respect to job promotions and craft boundaries continue to exist, unionized companies will never be able to fully realize the benefits of a self-directed team-based work force and, if not corrected, unionized companies will continue to pay out huge production bonuses but only get a fraction of the pay off.
Table of Contents
Terms Defined
The Issue of Union Seniority versus Team Culture
Union Politics
Conclusion
From the Paper "In the 1980's, while American manufacturing companies were utilizing organizational charts and multi-layered management personnel, foreign countries were restructuring their organizations to be streamlined, flexible, and responsive to customer needs. Consequently, American manufacturers lost a significant amount of business to the foreign markets. Many of the foreign manufacturers were practicing the principle that each employee had unused potential and that all organizations could run leaner by encouraging greater levels of employee participation. Manufacturers began to realize that to meet the demand for shorter delivery time and higher customer satisfaction, employees at the lower levels would have to become more responsible for the outcome of the product."
Abstract This essay answers the question of whether we live in a society dominated by other directed people. It suggests that we do live in an other directed society. The film 'Fight Club' is used in conjunction with arguments made by academics to prove this central argument.
From the Paper "Sociologists, anthropologists, political scientists and a whole range of other researchers have been struggling with the question of what type of society we live in. Many of these researchers have taken a special interest on what informs and motivates individuals. In particular many of these researchers are interested in whether society is being dominated by other directed people."
Abstract This paper addresses foreign direct investment in India. It discusses laws and regulations, pros and cons from the legal side, restrictions on FDO, and advantages or disadvantages of building a plant in India to manufacture scooters.
From the Paper "According to an essay published on the Government of India's Ministry of Finance website in recognition of the importance of Foreign Direct Investment FDI in stimulating economic growth, the government of India has been reforming laws ..."
Tags: FDI, foreign direct investment, india, free trade, protectionism, taxation, government intervention
Abstract This paper explains the way direct relationship investments are established. The author points out the effects of globalization and the emergence of new trade relationships to economics. The paper relates FDI patterns and major trends.
From the Paper "The International Monetary Fund (IMF) defines foreign direct investment (FDI) as a category of international investment, reflecting the objective of a resident in one economy, the direct investor, obtaining a lasting interest in an enterprise resident in another economy, the direct investment enterprise. The lasting interest implies that a long-term relationship between the parties is desirable and that there will be significant degree of influence by the investor on the management of the enterprise. A direct investment relationship is established when the direct investor ..."
Tags: foreign direct investment, developing nations
Abstract This paper explains the concept of an advanced directive - where adults make decisions concerning their final days in advance. The purposes of having an advance directive are also explained in the paper. The author justifies the importance of following an advance directive not only because it is a legal and binding agreement, but also because it can spare anguished family members from making difficult decisions. However, many ethical issues ensue when family members disagree with the directives and the paper discusses scenarios where opposition to an advance directive might have merit.
Outline:
Introduction
Purpose of an Advance Directive Why It Is Important To Follow an Advance Directive Opposing Positions May Have Merit
Gray Areas in Following An Advance Directive Arguments for Following an Advance Directive Research Concerning Whether to Follow or Not
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Adults have the right and obligation to make decisions concerning their final days in advance. Whether or not to decline life support if death is imminent, or if a coma state becomes permanent is usually an ethical opinion which has already been formed and the adult who makes a directive concerning their own life under those conditions may make this action permanent by creating a living will or a previously prepared power of attorney, or directive which appoints a health care representative which the doctor may ask the patient to prepare in advance and keeps in the patient's file. It is the view of the writer of this paper that a person's advance directive should be followed, no matter how difficult it may be for the family or medical personnel."
Abstract This paper looks at some of the controversy surrounding health care directives. The paper explains what a health directive is, looks at the purpose of health directives, explores the problems and controversy associated with them, and suggests a possible solution to these problems. Appended to the paper are notations concerning laws on health care directives, quotes about advanced directives from medical professionals, and a statement on health care directives made by a bioethicist.
From the Paper "The past few decades have seen an increase in law suits revolving around the final medical wishes of those who fall ill. Media coverage has provided the nation with front row coverage when it comes to people in comas, vegetative states, and no hope of recovery. Family members are often pitted against each other and the hospitals as the patient lays waiting for a decision to be made. One of the things that has been increasing in popularity to prevent such problems is the use of advance directives. While advance directives are gaining in popularity and power their relative infancy creates an atmosphere for problems. Advance directives can lay to rest painful family decisions, as well as doctor decisions that may or may not agree with the family. They provide a blue print of the patient's wishes that everybody can follow."
Examines the standards used to determine the role of a self- directed workforce, where those that are employed on staff are typically able to direct their own progress in the workplace environment.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 71.95
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the traditional model of management- directed workforces against the new model of self- directed workforces, especially in respect to those individuals that are most likely to work best under self- directed management. An emphasis is provided to younger individuals are being less accepting of workplace management that is self- directed rather than management- directed.
Abstract This paper examines the ways that direct marketing can provide the operational framework through which direct relations with customers may be built and maintained. The paper stresses that, because the investments required to launch a direct marketing campaign are quite high, management has to evaluate rigorously the profitability of launching direct marketing campaigns. The paper then underscores the importance of the market research through all stages of the functional value chain. The paper then points out methods of evaluating direct marketing programs such as calculating the return on investment (ROI). The paper presents Dell, Inc. and Amazon.com as examples of direct marketing programs.
From the Paper "A widely practiced strategy in launching this type of marketing program is to do a test run initially. Data collected from the test run will provide an indication of the level of response to be expected if the direct marketing campaign is launched. If the level of response is judged to be too low, then the management has to revise its procedures of selecting the right consumer segment. Because the costs of implementing direct marketing programs are high and because direct marketing programs usually generate a very low percentage of response, it is critical that the right consumer segment be selected."
Tags: relations profitability, market research, digital dell amazon
Abstract Intersis (HK) Limited, a local funded direct selling company in Hong Kong selling similar kinds of products as big players in the industry, will be at the edge of being eliminated if it is not able to counter such emerging critical competitive challenges. The strategies to help Intersis (HK) Limited survive are many and various, and they are addressed throughout the paper. In addition, organizational analysis and other company-related information is addressed in the literature review in order to show that there are many issues that Intersis must address. Furthermore, this study thus focuses on facing emerging threats, and what strategy locally-owned direct selling companies need to conduct to cope with them. This allows these companies to counter and overcome the challenges to continued operation in the industry, and hopefully also lead them into a new business era.
Outline:
Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1 What is Direct Selling?
1.2 Background of Direct Selling Industry in Hong Kong and China
1.2.1 Direct Selling Industry in Hong Kong
1.2.2 Direct Selling Industry in China
1.3 Statement of the Problem
1.4 Significance of the Problem
1.5 Hypothesis
1.6 Scope of the Study
1.7 Profile of Intersis International (Hong Kong) Limited
1.8 Aims of the Study
1.9 Objectives of the Study
Chapter 2
Literature Review
2.1 Michael Porter
2.2 Intersis and the Five Forces Model
2.2.1 Rivalry among Competing Firms
2.2.2 Potential Entry of New Competitors
2.2.3 Potential Development of Substitute Products
2.2.4 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
2.2.5 Bargaining Power of Consumers
2.3 SWOT Analysis
2.3.1 Strengths
2.3.2 Weaknesses
2.3.3 Opportunities
2.3.4 Threats
2.4 Business Ethics
Chapter 3
Research Methodology
Chapter 4
Findings and Analysis
Chapter 5
Conclusions and Recommendations
Bibliography
From the Paper "Multinational companies often come under scrutiny because they do not always use their power in the best possible way. They have a lot of clout in some of the countries they do business in, and this allows them to get privileges that they would not normally have in their home country. There are conflicting views about multinational companies. Some see them as a helping hand for rich nations to continue to enslave poor nations, but others see them as the last hope for world peace. Multinational corporations often have technology that is far greater than that of some of the countries that they sell to, and they are held in high regard. Often their products are bought, even though they are more expensive, because of the advertising campaigns they use in smaller, less developed nations.
"Multinational companies exist under diverse legal systems, and often what is allowable in one country is not allowable in another. If one country feels that a product is dangerous, but another country allows the product to be sold there, it is up to the company whether they are morally and ethically comfortable with selling a product they know can cause harm simply because there is no regulation against it."
Abstract This paper explains that foreign direct investment includes equity investment, both wholly foreign-owned and joint venture investment; contractual investment, including contractual joint ventures and oil exploration ventures; and other forms of activities, such as compensation trade, processing and assembling arrangements, and international leasing. The author points out that the purpose of foreign direct investment is to boost the economies of the host nation while providing the foreign nation with a means of investment, which is both lucrative and efficient, allowing countries to share ideas, increasing awareness of foreign markets, and developing valuable business skills. The paper relates problems involved in assessing the impact of inward investment on any individual host nation and states that the main reasons for such problems are strict labor, product, and market rules.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Overview of Foreign Direct Investment
Cost and Benefits Associated with Foreign Direct Investment
The Stability of Foreign Direct Investment
Benefit
Costs
Stimulation of National Economy
Benefits
Costs
Development of Infrastructure and Shared Technology
Benefits
Costs
Crowding In and Crowding Out
Benefits
Costs
Assessing the Impact of Inward Investment on Any Individual Host Nation
Conclusion
From the Paper "Although the transfer of technology can be beneficial to the economy of the host country, it can also be detrimental if the businesses in the host country or the culture of the host country are not prepared to deal with these new technologies. The Earth Summit report explains that the technology that foreign firms utilize may be inappropriate for the local needs of the host country. These technologies may also require a great deal of investment capital and negatively affect small businesses because they will not be able to adapt to the changing technological climate. In addition, the external changes that may occur may not be an improvement over the already existing approaches."
Abstract This paper explains that the components of direct instruction include explicit step-by-step teaching procedures, student mastery, immediate feedback, practice and gradual withdrawal from teacher direction. The author points out that cooperative learning is a diverse group of instructional methods in which small groups of students, usually grouped so higher-achieving group members can assist students who are having academic difficulty, work together and aid each other in completing academic tasks. The paper relates that, although there have been issues of research flaws, in general, cooperative learning overwhelmingly has been found to be effective and generally accepted as a viable approach; whereas, direct instruction has received criticism for its ineffectiveness in the classroom and even has been deemed to be harmful to all children. Table of Contents Introduction Direct Instruction Direct Instruction Strategies Cooperative Learning Cooperative Learning Strategies Comparison/Contrast
From the Paper "Scholars have also focused on processes within cooperative learning groups that seem to be related to academic success. Webb (e.g., 1982, 1983, 1985) conducted a series of influential studies that examined relationships between aspects of peer interaction and achievement. Webb's (1989, 1991) reviews of these and similar studies indicated that giving explanations was positively associated with achievement. However, the effect of receiving help varied. "Receiving explanations is sometimes helpful, receiving information has mixed effects (or no effect), and receiving only the answer is harmful." Receiving a lower level of help than is requested is also harmful. Johnson and Johnson (1985) concluded from a meta-analysis of their studies that the process of elaborative rehearsal of the material, support from team members, and "constructive controversy" among students increase the achievement benefits of cooperative learning. "
Abstract The work seeks to prove the statement of thesis which states that "ecosystemic play therapy provides better support for the child in play therapy than does the models contained in non-directive play therapy and is therefore more successful in eliciting change than non-directive play therapy." Ecosystemic methods of therapy and non-directive methods of therapy for play are researched and reviewed in this work in a comparison of the two methods toward the end of answering the question of which method is most desirable for therapeutic use.
Table of Contents:
Objective
Statement of Thesis
Introduction
Play Therapy Defined
Non-Directive Play Therapy
Ecosystemic Play Therapy
Summary
Conclusion
From the Paper " Many studies have been conducted in measuring the effectiveness of Non-Directive Play Therapy. Findings include those of the following studies. The effectiveness of non-directive Play Therapy was investigated by Kot (1995) in working with those who had witnessed domestic violence incidents. The Joseph Pre-School and Primary Self-Concept Screening Test, Child Behavior Check list and Children's Play Sessions behavior rating scale. Findings state that there was a significant reduction in the externalization of behavior problems as well as reduction in the overall problems with behavior."
Abstract The paper defines self-directed work teams and describes their characteristics that include proper planning, preparation and education. The paper first examines various studies regarding the personal traits and competence of self-directed team members that show the complexity of these groups and their makeup. The paper then shows how, because one is dealing with the variability of human personality, behavior and skills, forming and implementing successful self-directed teams is not an easy process. The paper concludes with three main points and emphasizes that as with any new program, introducing self-directed work teams can bring excellent results only if implemented the correct way.
Outline:
Abstract
Conclusion
From the Paper "Self-directed work teams are becoming increasingly popular in both manufacturing and service organizations, because of their positive characteristics of focusing on team contributions and solutions, collaboration, continuous improvement, competency and positive results to productivity. However, a company must think carefully about the ramifications on both the management and the personnel when implementing these teams. They will impact everyone in the organization, including both management and employees."
Abstract The paper explains the role foreign direct investment (FDI) plays in global business and discusses how foreign direct investments represent a major chance for economic growth and stability in Ukraine. The paper further discusses how the economic growth and the FDI have increased at a slow rate, discouraging further investments. The paper focuses on the banking sector in Ukraine and explains why Ukrainians should place more emphasis on increasing the levels of foreign direct investments into their banking system. The paper then sheds light on the strong link between foreign direct investments and Ukraine's adherence to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, World Trade Organization and the European Union.
Outline:
Abstract
Ukraine's Economy
FDI to Ukraine
Particularities of FDI into the Banking Sector of Ukraine
From the Paper "We currently live in a constantly changing and developing world which forces us to become more flexible and adaptable. Changes have become increasingly obvious at all levels of life, including the social, political, economic and more importantly, the technological sides of our every day lives.
"The economic changes can be divided into two major categories: business changes and macroeconomic changes. The microeconomic changes refer to the modifications affecting the internal structures and organizational behaviour of companies. Basically, these refer to an attention shift from production to the human resource and the clientele. On a more general context, the macroeconomic changes refer to market liberalization and globalization. The two terms are in fact complex concepts to encompass a wide series of national and international changes which affect the local, national and international side of a business."
