ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Strategic management entangles the utilization of initiatives that managers deem appropriate and consistent with the emergent trends. They do this on behalf of the owners of corporations for purposes of ensuring sustained existence of their companies within the competitive market. More often, it cuts across “specifying the organization’s mission, vision and objectives, developing policies and plans…then allocating resources to implement the policies and plans, projects and programs” (Nag et al, 2007, p.935). The main reason for incorporating strategic management predominantly rests on the idea that any company whose members work towards a common goal has better chances of acquiring more profits. Profitability is critical since it marks a means of measuring a firm’s effectiveness in converting its resources into capital goods and other utilities (Mintzberg, 1973, p.38). In the light of these expositions, as the paper unveils, by considering the World Wide Technology Inc as a case example, various alternatives are available to the organization in their endeavor to realize growth. Finally, the paper identifies the best value discipline, generic strategy, and grand strategy for an organization, further, recommending a strategy or combination of strategies an organization should implement. In coming up with either generic or even grand strategies that enhance the growth of a company, a thorough scrutiny of the available strategic choices is perhaps compulsory. During the process of making a strategic choice and evaluation of the available options, one of the magnificent endeavors entails making a randomized, yet reliable environmental scan of every pertinent aspect that may afflict an organization’s existence. These aspects are available within the industry itself or even external to industry. Environmental Scans reveal the “areas to capitalize on, in addition, to areas in which expansion may be unwise” (Henry et al, 2003, p.79). Upon consideration of the myriad sphere of available choices, the evaluation of these choices becomes significant. In this end, Hunger and Wheelen reckon, “once the choices are identified they have to be vetted and screened by an organization with the objective of ascertaining the suitability, feasibility and acceptability of an option” (2006, p.56). The most subtle course of action is then determined. Such a course of action is the generic or the grand strategic decision that can realize ample success to the company. However, such a grand strategy must stipulate a reliable mode and direction of action, set the basis for competition without negating the fact that for it to realize success. It needs to possess high reliability in terms of its feasibility
The Stanley Works organization was a well respected company in its field of expertise, which involved the manufacture of bolts, hingers and other hardware equipment. They are regarded as the pioneers of the hardware business. As a successful organization, they were making great strides and raking in terrific revenue, giving way to the dream of expanding to other countries. This dream was fulfilled by setting up a branch of their business in Australia. Due to their superior product differentiation, business continued thriving as usual for the Stanley Works Corporation. This was achieved through the production of durable and high quality products, coupled with their superior brand recognition. As time went by, The Stanley Works Corporation started facing competition from Asian industries. While, the Asian companies made improvement on their products and retained the subsidized prices, The Stanley Works was regarded pricy, but their product quality and ability to deliver matched up to their price. The Asian manufacturers started pushing for the acquisition of a larger portion of the market share, a goal they achieved in a short period (Erlod 2002).This acted as a wake up call for Stanley Works Corporation, owing to their realization that they were loosing a higher percentage of their market share at a very fast pace. This culminated to the decision of not only restrategizing, but also acknowledging that the Asian competition was a force to reckon with. As much as the Asian companies’ main goal was to acquire larger percentages of market share, they never increased their prices even after making improvements on their products as per international standards. To counter the effects of its Asian competitors, The Stanley Works Corporation decided to offer positive unrivalled competition to them. As such, at the beginning of 1997, the Stanley Works Corporation effected changes in their management by bringing in John Trani as their new C.E.O. Mr. Trani came in with a new strategy that encompassed technological changes, strategic changes and structural changes which would work in conjunction with operational changes. As part of operational changes, the new CEO implemented strategic and structural changes with the aim of enhancing the company operations towards a competitive direction. Strategic change includes augmenting the management understanding of the corporation’s strategy for achieving the set company goals (Walinga 2008). This might involve changing a number of key things, not over looking the changing of the Corporation’s mission statement. This also involves looking into recapturing lost markets as well as and venturing into business in new fronts. Essentially, it involves looking into the chance of partnering with other companies situated in various global areas. In line with structural change, The Stanley Works Corporation decided to introduce a series of changes inclusive of setting new goals, new administrative procedures, hierarchy of authority and s
Experience Interview How did you learn that Dennis has a disability? (Who was present? When did this happen?) If you were giving advice to professionals who need to explain to a parent that his/her child has a special need, what would that advice be? Dennis was born with proper vision but lost his sight to Meningitis when he was four years old. He fell into a coma for one month and when he recovered he could not see. I was later informed by the doctor attending to him that it was unlikely for him to recover his sight. The doctor also advised me to find ways of helping him accept the situation. I was shocked and angry because the person who broke the news was casual in his approach. It took a long time for me to overcome my grief and help my son adjust to his new life. If I was to advise medical professionals tasked with the responsibility of breaking such news to parents, I would urge them to do it gently. I do not mean that they should withhold the truth, but they need to assess the situation and only offer hard facts when the person is in his/her right frame of mind. How did you feel when you received the diagnosis? I am a religious person and I was angry with God for letting my child lose his sight. I also felt sad because I was aware of the challenges that blind people go through on a daily basis and I did not want my son to encounter them. Have your feelings changed since the initial diagnosis? Describe. I have now accepted the situation and made peace with God. I have learned to accept that people in the world have different destinies and that we cannot change our fate. What have been the positive aspects of having a child in the family with a disability? The good thing about having a child with a disability in the family is that it teaches everyone in the household to be patient. We understand that it will always take Dennis longer to do some tasks compared to his siblings and we try to slow down and allow him to catch up. What have been the problems or challenges you have experienced having a child with a disability? The greatest problem I have encountered in having a child with a disability is social acceptance. As a child, Dennis sometimes wants to go out and play with his peers, but they do not let him take part in their games because he cannot do most of the things they do. How did your other children react to learning his/her brother/sister had a disability? What impact has Dennis had on them? Luckily, Dennis is the eldest in the family and his siblings were born after he went blind. They, therefore, grew up accustomed to his condition. What kinds of support have been most helpful to you? (family members, parent groups, neighbors, other?) How would you prioritize your family needs and the are
Principles of trait theory A trait is referred to as a characteristic way in which a person acts, feels, perceives, or believes. When an individual is being described, people are likely to use trait terms. Personality traits are of a big interest to psychologists (Kumar, 2009 p 1). The interest of psychologists is to find traits that do not easily change and are inherited. Personality trait theory studies consumer behavior in terms of individual traits such as influence, innovation, consumer ethnocentrism, and materialism. The principles of trait theory were originally laid down by Gordon Allport who stated that traits should be described as stable and enduring inclination to act in a consistent given way across a range of different circumstances. He recommended that traits be considered to be bipolar with the opposite end of each characteristic defining opposite traits. Trait theory defines people in terms of how extrovert or how introvert they are. Consumers make decisions of purchasing each day. A majority of big organizations conduct research on consumer buying decisions in a lot of details to answer questions regarding the behavior of buyers (Nakanisi, 1972, p 1). Wants and behavior of a person originate from culture. The behavior of human beings is to a large extent learned. Cultural factors apply the deepest and broadest influence on buyer behavior. Growing up in a society a person learns wants, perceptions, behaviors, and basic values (Albernese, 1993, p 1). Success, efficiency, involvement and activity, progress, freedom, youthfulness, material comfort, health and fitness, humanitarianism, and individualism are some of the values that a person learns from a society. Cultures regarding the buying behavior greatly vary from one culture to another. Background of Journal article The aim of the journal article is to propose a comprehensive model which indicates that buyers with diverse optimum stimulation level (OSL) have different assessments of goods and services, shopping behaviors, and shopping values. The OSL of a person shows an individual’s preferred level of environmental inspiration and predisposition to operate in the presence of environments (Wang, 2011, p 6). Methodology The methodology of the study is interviewing retail shoppers in Taiwan. Questionnaires were formulated in English and translated to Chinese. According to the findings in the journal, consumers in Taiwan with high OSL indicated better and favorable assessments of design elements, layout, ambient, and density compared to buyers who have low OSL (Wang, 2011, p 11). The journal hypothesizes that shoppers with higher OSL will have more positive assessments on layout, design, and ambient elements than those with lower OSL. Data was collected directly from shoppers in Taiwan who visited the stores. Information was collected during the peak hours for ten days. Respondents were obtained randomly at the exits of the stores when the customers were almost leaving the department stores. Findings of the journal According to the research, consumers in Taiwan who have high OSL were found to be having more positive assessments of the density, desi
Introduction The nineteenth century period witnessed a lot in terms of women involvement in political and other socio-economic affairs. They became increasingly aware of the various local, regional and international matters affecting them at large. Besides, their intense involvement in religious, philanthropy and other socially engaging activities like abolitionist movements, politics and utopia greatly exposed them to events surrounding their immediate environment. This essay analytically explores some of the conditions which helped bring about movement for women’s right in Great Britain and United States before the close of the last century. Moreover, the essay further attempts to investigate the most significant demand of these early women’s activists. Abolitionist movement To begin with, North American and Continental Europe women had already engaged themselves into charitable work which inevitably led into what was referred to as social activism. This took place as early as the beginning of the nineteenth century. Once they found their way into activism, the politicking spirit engulfed them by leaps and bounds. One of the key areas where women voiced their concerns was in the abolition of slave trade. Although both Great Britain and United States had declared slave trade illegal by the first decade of the nineteenth century, the reform and implementation process was considered to be taking place at a snail’s pace. In fact, in 1824, a woman activist, Elizabeth Heyrick vehemently differed with those supporting the slow and gradual abolition approach to slave trade (French & Poska 334). She decried foul by lamenting that more action than mere talk was needed to free the enslaved lot whom she asserted were not productive even to their masters while in that state of slavery. As this debate was picking up, more women joined hands and spoke in one
Executive Summary The tainted milk scandal took place in 2008 in China. This scandal managed to expose the issues that were inherent in Chinese economic miracle. It was found that Chinese manufacturers were no strangers to institutionalized scams and scarce supervision during the periods of rapid and substantial development of the country. Several babies were found dead. Hundreds and thousands of other babies were found injured due to the act of pollution of milk and dairy with melamine. The latter is an industrial organic compound exploited in nourishments and plastics. Melamine can be utilized in production to conceal milk that has been diluted. Protein levels in milk can also be hidden with the use of melamine because it is rich in nitrogen. This organic compound may trigger the appearance of kidney stones in adults and fatal consequences in children. Introduction This issue raised major questions concerning the ethics of business in China. Chinese manufacturers’ image was critically undermined, and there is little chance that it will be restored anytime soon. What is even more shocking, this was not the first time when Chinese manufacturers encountered this kind of issue. Even though China managed to get back on the track and restore its business connections, there were widespread statements claiming that senior Chinese representatives were aware of the contamination but they chose not to close it down in order to discontinue the production of hazardous milk. Summer Olympics may be one of the reasons why this eventually happened. For the most part, Chinese officials were worried about bad PR when China was in the international limelight, but this does not absolve them from responsibility for their actions. Responses to challenges In this case, the issue is rather complex. We should pay attention to the fact that China cannot boast of a good business image, so it is going to be hard to get rid of this slur. One of the possible responses could be the convening of an international delegation. This should be done in order to supervise the quality of Chinese production (including dairy and any other suspicious areas). Another way to fight the issues in the sector would be fighting corruption. This is a very extensive task that needs to be broken down into sub-tasks. These sub-tasks include checking people in leadership positions in Sanlu Group (including such aspects as their background and connections). Lastly, the efforts should be concentrated on the transformation of the corporate vision and culture. It is important to understand the premises of the situation in order to adequately address the issue and propose a reasonable solution. Implementation of solutions The delegation should consist of international representatives in order to minimize the risk of fraud or bribery. The author supposes that the implementation of a plan developed by the delegation and recurrent check-ups would positively impact the production process in the corporation. Nevertheless, Sanlu Group should realize that this plan requires
Introduction The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which requires companies to treat all their stakeholders in an ethical and socially responsible manner has gained primacy all over the world in the course of the last two decades. Today, companies are expected to behave responsibly and the number of CSR initiatives has risen significantly as companies seek to become more competitive and foster greater social cohesion. Emphasize on CSR has been due to the realization that corporate responsibility is necessary if a corporation wants to increase its chances of succeeding. A less known concept is that of National Social Responsibility (NSR) which explores how a nation treats its stakeholders (citizens) in a responsible manner. Jawahir and Hopkins (2008) lament that while CSR has been implemented aggressively in many countries; most nation states lack social responsibility programs for their citizens who are the key stakeholders of the state. In spite of the poor results in NSR by many states, there have been some NSR programs which have shown great success. An example of this is the National Youth Service Corps Schemes (NYSC) which is a Nigerian national youth programme that lasts for one year. While the NYSC was originally created as a Peace Keeping initiative, the program has become an instrument of making the youth more socially responsible. This paper will set out to illustrate the similarities between CSR and the national youth service initiative in Nigeria so as to demonstrate that the NYSC is a successful model of how corporate social responsibility can go national. Snapshot of Nigeria Nigeria is a developing country in Africa and it is ranked as the most populous nation in the continent. Elaigwu (2008) documents that “Nigeria has a total area of 932,768 square kilometers and boasts of a population of about 130 million people, as well as a population growth rate of 2.6 percent” (p.1). It is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse countries (with over 300 identifiable ethnic groups and over 400 lingo-cultural groups) and this communal heterogeneity makes governance a complex affair. The official language of the country is English but the languages of the three large ethno linguistic groups; the Hausa, Yoruba, and the Igbo, make up the major languages of the Nigerian people. There are three major religions in Nigeria: Islam, Christianity and African Traditional Religion. Of the three religions, the African Traditional Religion is the oldest one and it is also the religion that has suffered the greatest loss of followers as Nigerians move to the other two predominant religions. An important feature of Nigeria is that it is a federation of a number of states. This federation was established by the British colonial rulers in 1954 and it has survived intact up to date. Elaigwu (2008) notes that this federation of previously independent states was not the result of voluntary union or contract between the states but rather an
One of the most notable aspects of a contemporary living in Saudi Arabia is the fact that, as time goes on; people are being exposed to the exponentially increased amounts of information about what appears to be the discursive essence of the surrounding natural, social and cultural reality. This situation has been predetermined by the recent breakthroughs in the field of IT – particularly, by the rise of Interment, which is the main driving force behind the process of this planet becoming increasingly ‘flat’, in the allegorical sense of this word (Globalisation). In its turn, this has a strong effect of the qualitative dynamics within Saudi society – something that is being reflected by the fact that more and more citizens come to realise that there is a strong call for the qualitative reformation of the country’s system of education. The actual objective, in this respect, is to make it more adjusted to the worldwide discourse of post-modernity, which presupposes that it is essential for people to be able to understand the overall discursive significance of their professional careers. In plain words, there is the objectively predetermined need for a number of Saudi colleges/universities to be transformed (by the mean of organisational change) from being the places where students acquire knowledge (often socially irrelevant), into the places of helping them to grow wise about the actual ways of the world. In this
Introduction The efficiency of an agency’s public personnel administration is essential for acquiring a high-level workforce. It can be considered a vital area of attention, as the effects of human resource management are likely to influence the established system as well as depend on its practices (Boon, et al., 2019). This essay will examine the United States (US) Department of Justice’s (DOJ) public personnel administration. The explanations of its human resource management (HRM) organizational design will be provided along with the system’s goals, practices, strengths, and weaknesses. In addition, with respect to the areas of recruiting and training a qualified workforce, recommendations for their improvement will be outlined. Organizational Design US DOJ public personnel administration has a particular design that shall be considered in detail to assess its relation to the entire structure and its strengths and weaknesses. The HRM is functioning under the Assistant Attorney General for Administration’s direction and, on the lower level, under Deputy Assistant Attorney General Human Resources Administration’s direction, along with five other departments. These units are equal employment opportunity staff, security and emergency planning staff, library staff, consolidated executive office, and temperamental executive secretariat. HRM consists of a director and three deputy directors responsible for the following areas: recruitment and services benefit, human resources planning and employment equity, and Human Resources (HR) information and record management (“Justice Management Division,” n.d.). Therefore, there is a functional organizational structure intended to assist in fulfilling the Agency’s functions with the highest possible efficiency. The role of the (HR) Staff, among other departments, is to support the mission of administering justice through developing and implementing policy and programs, providing guidance, and leading efforts to attract, develop, and retain high-performing employees (“Justice Management Division,” n.d.). The strength of the HRM derives from its well-established organizational design, within which there are specific responsibilities the department has and concrete goals it achieves (Gleeson, 2019). However, it can conceive such issues as lack of coordination between separate departments and weakening of common bonds (Gleeson, 2019). Therefore, HRM possesses a functional organizational structure that has an essential proc, with respect to the efficiency, and certain cons, related to the clarity of communication and interactions between units of the Agency. Personnel Recruitment and Hiring Practices There is a variety of goals, policies, and practices regarding the recruitment and hiring of a qualified workforce, HR s