A critical analysis of the convergence-divergence debate in international management and human resource management and a consideration of globalisation critiques and alternative theories.
Abstract This paper examines how a critical issue in international and comparative human resource management (HRM) studies concerns the perception that "globalisation" is creating convergence (or contingency) in business and industrial relations practices. It looks at how academic debate centres on the crucial argument of whether convergence is an increasing phenomenon, fuelled by globalisation, or, in reality, the opposite is true ? that national cultures and institutions are a unique force for perpetuating diversity and divergence. Consideration is given to contemporary sources that analyse the convergence-divergence debate in HRM and international management.
From the Paper "The convergence perspective originated from the work of Kerr et al (1960), which stated that organisations? use of functional specialisation would increasingly create a convergent dynamic for business ? leading to a common structuring of the workforce within and across countries, based on technological changes and work systems. Beardwell and Holden (2001) note the convergent similarities in car production plants worldwide, echoing the findings of Mueller and Purcell (1992), that see globalising forces as a key factor in converging operational and management processes. Ritzer (1998) also applies the convergent paradigm to his studies into fast-food businesses and society. "The McDonaldization Thesis" illustrates the way multinationals use and perpetuate convergence in order to homogenise working practices, business processes and human resource management for increased economies of scale and competitive advantage."
Abstract This paper explain the divergent patterns of agricultural productivity growth in France and England. The paper looks at different labor practices, preferences for rural over urban activity and the ability to engage in agriculture given what is provided by the country's geographical landscape. It uses these factors to explain the reasons behind the divergent path phenomena of agricultural productivity growth.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
1900 Agricultural Outlook: France versus England
Pre-1900s: An Early State of Equal Agricultural Activity
Agrarian Transformation and Industrialization
Conclusion
From the Paper "Meanwhile, England embraced industrialization and urbanization. In the early 1700s, England was far from such industrialization, and there was "little economic growth in Britain in the second half of the eighteenth century" (Mokyr 81-2). When the Industrial Revolution eventually did arrive in England, it did not represent, contrary to popular thought, "a macroeconomic event that led to a sudden acceleration of the rate of growth, although growth eventually became an inevitable corollary" (ibid 82). On the other hand, it represented more of a "wave of gadgets" sweeping over Britain post-1760, which allowed goods to be produced more efficiently and at a higher quality (ibid). It also represented, depending on one's opinion, either the trigger for raised living standards or the signaling of lowered living standards for England (Nardinelli). Agricultural growth was certainly part of this revolution. Many scholars cite one of the main features of the Industrial Revolution as a movement from inorganic to organic materials (E.A. Wrigley, 1987 cited in Mokyr 83). Other important developments were increases in using machinery as labor power, something agricultural England embraced as France selected to retain its human labor pool as its primary agricultural power source. While the French farmers worked on the crops and fields with hand tools, machines in England became commonplace agricultural tools (ibid)."
Abstract This essay discusses how the experiences of immigrants are different because of divergent social, cultural, and family values in different cultures. When we examine books from different cultural traditions, we are able to compare their different approaches, since we are able to see how the topic of immigration is treated differently.
Abstract This paper considers globalization and whether globalization has led to convergence or divergence. It studies today's business environment, divergent effects of globalization and the benefits to companies in terms of low-cost production.
From the Paper "Today's business environment has been called a global village and many Americans simply accept without question the concept that transportation finance and telecommunications has made the world a smaller place that is that convergence has occurred. Traditionally attention has focused on the benefits to consumers and corporations by the global economy, including greater choices for consumers and lower costs for companies. In recent years however there has been increased attention by analysts on the divergent effects of globalization..."
Abstract There is great economic divergence between the countries of the world. The so-called first world or developed countries are affluent and growing richer, while the so-called third world or developing countries are poor, and some of them are growing poorer. The paper shows that economists are not entirely in agreement, but it does seem that economic divergence between developed countries and developing countries is increasing.
From the Paper "There is great economic divergence among the countries of the world. The first world or developed countries are affluent and growing richer, while the third world or developing countries are poor, and some of them are growing poorer. Economists are not entirely in agreement, but it does seem that economic divergence among developed countries and developing countries is increasing. Different explanations are offered for this, but most economists agree that corruption in developing countries is a major factor. This corruption must be traced back to its true roots: the wealthy companies from developed countries that stimulate this corruption by offering bribes."
Abstract The paper begins by discussing the primary metaphor of the diverging roads and by giving an outline of the plot. It debates whether or not the road was really the road less traveled. The poet's contradictions are pointed out and the poem's tone is studied. The paper concludes by showing how the poem could be misleading.
From the Paper "In Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken," there is no stable evidence that the speaker indeed chose "The Road Not Taken." Throughout the poem, the traveler himself is unable to identify with confidence which road was least taken. It is acknowledged that the two roads are almost the same. Yet the end of the poem contradicts the point that the roads were identical. In the future, he decides that the roads were in fact different."
Abstract The narrow focus of the research is the appropriate level of convergence and divergence between education and practice in database management systems for the period 2001-2020.
Two research questions are investigated:
1. What emphasis distribution between theory and skills during postsecondary database management systems education will have the greatest positive impacts on the effectiveness of database management systems practice over the long-term?
2. Will a dichotomy of perspective between database management systems educators and practitioners concerning the appropriate emphasis distribution between theory and skills during postsecondary database management systems education have negative impacts on the effectiveness of database management systems practice over the long-term?
The research strategy proposes to investigate the issue of the appropriate level for the gap between education and practice in database management systems will involve both structural analysis and phenomenological analysis. Structural analysis is applied to investigate the potential roles of theory and skills development in postsecondary education as a means of promoting long-term effectiveness in database management systems practice. Phenomenological analysis is used in the proposed study to collect data, refine issues, and analyse data within the context of the research questions investigated.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Statement of the Problem
Significance of the Study
Barriers and Issues
Research Questions
Limitations and Delimitations of the Study
Definition of Terms
Summary
Review of the Literature
Historical Overview of the Theory and Research Literature
Theory and Research Literature Specific to the Topic
Summary of What Is Known About the Topic
Contribution the Study Will Make to the Field
Methodology
Research Method
Procedures
Formats for Presenting Results
Projected Outcomes
Resource Requirements
Reliability and Validity
Summary
Discussion of Expectations
Anticipated Benefits
Projected Outcomes
Practical Applications and Findings
Constraints and Limitations of the Study
Contributions to the Field of Study and Advancements of Knowledge
Reference List
From the Paper "The revolution in postsecondary education in the late-1980s and early-1990s focused in part on the relationship between academic instruction and professional practice in most disciplines. Proponents of the so-called "new pluralism" emphasize a need for a closer integration of theory, practice, and skills within the educative process (Edwards, 1993).
While few in either academia or the professions advocate a complete de-linking of theory, practice, and skills, many do advocate that the role of academia is to provide the theoretical grounding that will permit graduates to practice in a productive manner throughout a professional career, easily adjusting to innovations as they are introduced (Beyer, 1983). For some, the issue is whether postsecondary education should be for life or for a particular job (Macfarlane, Jeeves, & Boon, 1987). This latter position holds that postsecondary education that focuses on skills development in relation to specific tasks or the ability to apply specific technologies in an expert manner reduces postsecondary education to the level of vocational education, as opposed to preparing individuals for lifelong learning and developing a capacity to grasp and apply innovations as they develop (Madden & Mitchell, 1993)."
Abstract This essay examines the topic of the immigrant experience and how it clearly involves divergent social, cultural, and family values in different cultures. When we look at books from different cultural traditions, and when we compare their different approaches, we see that the topic of immigration is often treated very much the same along certain themes. This is especially true in light of the differing cultural values.
Reaction paper to the article, "Differences in Managerial Values: A Study of U.S., Hong Kong and PRC Managers," by Ralston, Gustafson, Cheung, and Terpstra.
875 words (approx. 3.5 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 31.95
Abstract This paper describes the author's response to an article on managerial values, which analyzed and interpreted results of a study based on the convergence and divergence of managerial values in the United States, Hong Kong, and the People's Republic of China.
From the Paper "The article discussed the contrasting themes of convergence and divergence. The convergence approach proposes that managers in industrialized nations would embrace the attitudes and behaviors common to managers in other industrialized nations despite the numerous cultural differences. The divergence view proposes that individuals would retain diverse, culturally based values despite any economic and social similarities between their nations. The countries were chosen based on criteria defined in a previous study. The United States represented a capitalist business environment at the height of technological development. On the other extreme, the People's Republic of China represented a socialist legal and political system with communist origins. Serving as a link between these two extremes, was Hong Kong, with a well-developed financial system at the forefront of world commerce."
Abstract This paper contends that divergent cultural values can impede efforts made by multinational corporations to break into foreign markets. It uses the example of China, where 2000 years of shared cultural heritage inform the views and practices of over one billion people. It also advises that western businesses will do well to consider this fact when establishing operations in Asia.
From the Paper "In the realm of international commerce before a given corporation begins to conduct business overseas, it must first get acquainted with the cultural values of the region or regions it endeavors to inhabit. This is particularly so when Western corporations .."
Tags: china, international business, cultural norms, cultural values, core values
Abstract This paper explains that one of the greatest factors, involved in the changes or manipulations of an environment, lies in the geographic distribution religion and the way each specific religion spreads and interacts with the surrounding divergent cultures and religions. The author points out that the famous Chinese characters Yin and Yang signify both the shadowy and sunny sides of the same mountain: Yang represents the sunshine, and Yin the darkness. The paper relates that another critical geographic feature of Asian culture especially Chinese is the Yangtze River; the stones from its riverbed are called "Fengshui" or "Geomancy" and are believed to have special powers.
From the Paper "Another example of how the physical landscape of Asia affected Asian religion and culture is apparent in Taiwan. Located in the Shangdong province, Mt. Tai, referred to as "Taishan", is the Sacred Mountain of the East. "Chinese people believe that Mt. Tai is itself a deity or 'Buddha', a powerful deity as well." Mt. Tai illustrates the impact and importance physical geography can have on a culture. Buddhism has incorporated the physical landmark, Mt. Tai, as an integral part of their spiritual belief system."
Abstract This paper discusses how, in chapter 7 of "Inequality, Development, and Globalization, Ellen Meiksins Wood gives an account of globalization, from the perspective of development geography. In particular, the paper looks at how Wood argues that despite arguments to the contrary, globalization has tended to increase economic divergence, both within countries and within the global community. The paper also explains that, in this chapter, Wood uses a range of evidence and two case studies (in the Pacific Islands area and in Latin America) to make an argument that the neostructuralist perspective is the most accurate and useful for analyzing the implications of globalization for the Third World. The writer of this paper then makes the argument that Wood is incorrect in this analysis, and that in fact the dependency/post-development perspective is more useful for analyzing globalization and predicting its outcomes.
From the Paper "The author backs up his contentions with economic evidence - but oddly enough, it is evidence that seems to be contrary to his conclusion. He draws on a range of evidence, which illustrates the integrative nature of development geography, that is, the fact that many spheres of human activity must be taken into consideration in order to analyze diverse patterns of well-being among the various people of the world. For example, he provides global statistics on income, life expectancy and education, as well as information on global disparities in income per capita. He shows how massive is the digital divide, i.e. the difference between rates of internet use in the developed and developing world."
Abstract This paper compares the ideals of courtly love in the "Knight's Tale" with those in the "Wife of Bath's Tale". The Knight and the Wife of Bath are two very divergent characters, with equally divergent outlooks on love. The paper shows how these two wildly different characters share some ideas of the time in order to fit into their society.
From the Paper ""The Knight's Tale" is one of the most memorable in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales." It tells the story of two young knights, Palamon and Arcite, who are imprisoned together in a tower, and both fall in love with the same girl, Emelye. "The Knight's Tale" is the first story in Chaucer's book. That he began his story with the tale of this knight gives some weight to what an important role they played in society. Regarding the book, critics often say, "The Knight is often called one of the 'ideal' pilgrims along with the Parson and sometimes the Clerk because unlike the other portraits, Chaucer offers no attack or satire against them" (Lambdin 2)."
Tags: parson, clerk, wife, bath, knight, tale, pilgrim, character
Abstract This paper explains that Mark Twain used his humor to develop social commentary. Having grown up in the south and living through the era of slavery he witnessed significant social strife surrounding the institution and also surrounding the social stratification of the south, even among the roving whites of the region. The paper further explains that Twain's works, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", and "Puddn'Head Wilson" both offer the reader the opportunity to compare and contrast this foundational social commentary. This paper looks at how each work contains strong divergent characters, divergent and similar types of satire and each has a strong message about the character of both blacks and whites and the investment in a stratified social order.
From the Paper "The component of blacks in each novel was essential to satire and to the development of the character of the communities as contradictory. In Huckleberry Finn the character Jim is a great example of the similarities the boy's felt to black people. As black people were, being in the background, like children, aware of the contradictions that were lived in the white world. Jim has a fantastic sense of the idea that nothing is as it seems and this is a fact that binds him to the young band of robbers."
Tags: contradictions, colloquial language, black stratified challenge
An analysis of how both democracies are born of the same imperial template with similar political sub cultures, yet although similar, their political cultures are different.
3,770 words (approx. 15.1 pages), 8 sources, 2000, $ 103.95
Abstract Background
British Influence in the US and Canada
US Civil War ? It's affect on Canada's constitution
Constitutional Divergence ? Canada, US, and England
Political Culture
Political Sub Culture
Statistical Facts
Tags: canada, political, science, us, united, states
