ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction Outsourcing and “off-shore” outsourcing provisions have currently intensified in the business arenas. According to Raman (2009, p. 16), outsourcing refers to contracting out a business process to another organization, which is independent, competent, and deemed fit to accomplish the agreed obligations. Concurrently, off-shoring is described as the shifting of business processes to a different country. When corporations or businesses employ subcontractors in a foreign nation, then off-shoring becomes analogous to outsourcing. However, the difference sets in when corporations shift jobs to a similar company in a different country. There are several benefits of outsourcing and/or off-shoring. This explains why most corporations and institutions in developed nations such as US and UK outsource their tasks to different organisations overseas (Herath & Kishore 2009, p. 312). Actually, there are individuals who believe that the benefits of outsourcing outweigh its disadvantages. In this essay, evidences to support that the benefits of outsourcing and/or “off-shore outsourcing” outweigh the disadvantages are discussed. Evidence to Support That the Benefits of Outsourcing and/or Off-Shore Outsourcing Outweigh the Disadvantages Free movement of trade has been experienced in the past two decades more than any other time in history. Even though BPO have been received by mixed responses, it has proved to be one of the greatest driving forces in international economy. Workers, particularly those who work from overseas, can find new job opportunities to productively exploit their skills. They are not only able to earn income from their services but can also advance their skills (Tambe & Hitt 2010, p. 62). However, there are individuals whose lives have been interfered with following outsourcing of their work to low-paid labours in foreign parts. According to their perception, outsourcing is a risk to people’s lifestyles. Given that the global economy is rapidly opening up for emerging nations, outsourcing has developed to become widespread in rising Asian nations such as India and Africa. Another driving factor to BPO is advancement in information technology, which is becoming one of the main industries. Currently, career prospects in outsourcing jobs have made substantial influence in offering job opportunities to a large fraction of the workforce in emerging nations (Benson et al. 2010, Pg. 23). According to Tadelis (2007, p. 30), even though there are different benefits of outsourcing, there are also particular weaknesses such as poor communication between the individuals involved, which often results into poor performance. Nevertheless, generally outsourcing has proved to very successful in most parts of the world and the advantages of outsourcing, backed by evidences, could outweigh their limitations. Even so, arguments on the advantages and dis
Introduction Modern-day organisational managers are highly interested in the ability of employees to meet flexibility requirements for them to suit different work environments as organisational situations change. This implies that the ability of an employee to perform well in only some specific tasks ceases from being the main criteria for selection and recruitment. According to Fleeson, “in recent years, managers have become interested in determining how well an employee’s personality and values match an organisation” (2004, p.83). This suggests that some employees are well suited to meet organisational goals and objectives than others depending on their personality traits. Personality refers to “the total of ways in which an individual reacts and interacts with others” (Goodstein & Lanyon 2009, p.291). It is measured by the traits that people exhibit. Research on personality in an organisational context has focused on labelling various traits, which describe employees and customers’ behaviour. Some of the personality traits that have been established by various studies as having the ability to influence the behaviour of people include aspiration, allegiance, assertiveness, thoughtfulness, timidity, indolence, and antagonism among others (Kihlstrom, Beer & Klein 2002, p.29). Earliest research efforts to identify personality traits that were useful in an organisation in terms of helping managers to make selection and recruitment decisions led to the establishment of long lists of traits. This provided a major challenge in their practical application within an organisation. However, the big-five model and the Myers-Brigg type indicator were exceptional in that they focused on less number of important personality traits. The focus of this paper is to analyse the big-five model for personality in the context of the Apple Company. Organisational Background Apple Inc. was established in California in 1977. The company and its subsidiaries collectively called Apple engage in designing, manufacturing, and marketing of a variety products. According to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (2010), these products include, “personal computers, mobile communication and media devices, and portable digital music players…selling a variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications” (p.11). These products run by brand names such as IPhones, Mac apple TV, iPad, iPod, and X-serve among others. The company also designs and manufactures professional computer software applications, iOS, and OS-X as some of its operating systems for its gadgets. The company stocks a variety of ITunes through which consumers can access and purchase support offerings. Additionally, according to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (2010), “The company sells its products worldwide through its retail and online stores, direct sales force, third-party cellular network carriers, whol
Different people approach the process of writing in different manners. For those who are born with an inherent flair for it, writing is a natural and easy process; but on the other hand, for those who do not possess any in-born liking for it, writing is a very difficult process. However, from personal experience as well as from a review of several kinds of literature on writing, I have understood that the wiring process could be made easy if a person does it systematically after thoughtful planning. In the following few lines, I will explain my process of writing. The first step I take when I have to write an essay is to think of a thesis that I can write about. I make myself convinced about my thesis and look for and go through relevant material that supports my thesis. Then I consider the counterarguments that may exist on the specific topic and weigh them. Finally, I take note of all the relevant points that I can use to substantiate my arguments in favor of my thesis. Similarly, I make a list of the counterarguments that may exist on the specific issue or subject. As a second step, I plan how to organize my paper. For this, I prioritize my arguments, rendering them in the form of topic sentences, and decide how to arrange these in the essay. I also decide what data or other evidence should be used to validate each of the topic sentences, then I make a note of the same in the outline. I also note down the counterarguments that may arise against my thesis. I think of points of rebuttal by which I can establish that my thesis outweighs the counter-argument because it enjoys more advantages or benefits. In some cases, I think of suggesting remedial measures to negate the points brought out in the counterarguments. As the final stage of step 2, I make a layout of the conclusion in the outline by a recapitulation of the main points in the topic sentences and a statement of the validity of my thesis as opposed to the counter-arguments. The third stage is the actual writing process, where I implement my plan into the execution phase. Based on the outline, I do my wiring by using an appropriate style that suits the subject matter. I rethink each point and make minor modifications that were necessary as I write. I also make sure that I am using apt words, phrases, and a tone that complements the topic. Once the writing is over, I set it aside for a while and have a coffee. Once refreshed, I go over the writing once again, closely proofreading the paper and editing it where necessary. I repeat this exercise once more to fix any other issues that I may have missed in the initial reading. From experience, I have learned that by writing in such a systematic and planned manner, one will be able to produce a cohesive essay that retains clarity. The process of proofreading and editing will help remove any flaws that may exist in the paper and ensure that the essay is err
Introduction Product liability law describes some commodities as rationally dangerous and/or unsafe for people consumption. As a result, when defective products cause injuries to people who use them, manufacturers, product distributors, or designers among other parties are held liable for damages. While exercising due care, manufacturers sometimes distribute faulty products without their knowledge. In a bid to avoid expensive class lawsuits against defective products, the Toyota Company recalled about 9 million vehicles in 2009 and 2010. This paper discusses product liability law with reference to this example of mitigating expenses in the payment of damage claims at the Toyota Company. The purpose is to provide an opportunity to look at product liability law in more depth and to develop an understanding of how this specific legal issue affects business operations and business decision-making. This goal is accomplished through a discussion of the background to product liability law, its basic theories, and defences to product liability lawsuits with reference to product liability legal issues. Background to Product Liability Law In the legal practice, it is unusual to set up universal policies that can be followed consistently. However, the case of Winterbottom v. Wright established such a unique general rule in 1842. Mr. Winterbottom sustained wounds upon the breaking up of the vehicle, which he was steering. As Jacobs reveals, the cause of collapse was established as poor construction. Mr. Wright was the manufacturer of the coach. He had retailed it to Postmaster General, which then engaged in an agreement for providing the means that were required for drag the coach. The coach owner hired Mr. Winterbottom as the driver. When Mr. Winterbottom suffered damage as resulting from poorly constructed coach, he sued Mr. Wright for negligence. The court dismissed the suit citing the general rule that a party that did not enter a contract with a manufacturer cannot sue the manufacturer for negligence, even if the cause of damage can be proven as attributed to poor manufacturing of the product. This claim implies that only a party in privity can sue a seller. Thus, Mr. Wright could not assume liability for a product he had manufactured. The above precedence completely closed doors for legal suits involving any party that lacked privity key. The universality of the applicability of the precedence was transformed through the stipulation of exclusions to the broad privity statute. The first exception was provided for in situations involving a seller selling products or goods, despite him or her knowing that the products are defective, and that they can cause damage to a buyer who is unaware of the defectiveness of the goods or products. According to Jacobs,
America is the most powerful nation in the world. Therefore, its policies have far reaching effects. Presidency is the highest political office in the U.S. Therefore, the U.S. presidency is the most powerful political office in the world. However, the presidency has undergone several changes. These changes are due to the changes in local American politics and waning global influence of the U.S. There has been a significant increase in the executive powers of the president. During the early years of the inception of the U.S. presidency, presidents had limited executive power. Oversight by congress and courts helped in limiting the powers of the presidency. Therefore, presidents sought public support on various issues. However, a ‘unitary executive’ has helped in increasing the powers of the Executive Office of the President (EOP). After the Second World War, the U.S. provided global leadership. The U.S. was had a moral obligation to provide leadership to other countries. However, global conditions have undergone several changes since
I have seen many times that the lack of communicational skills and inability of team members to establish cooperation resulted in poor results and problems with nursing care delivery. All these specialists had the great level of skills and knowledge. Moreover, they were experienced professionals who had been working in the given sphere for a long period of time. However, the absence of mutual understanding and partnership within a team conditions the inability to delegate responsibilities and use the most efficient procedures to treat a patient. That is why I should admit an outstanding importance of communication and partnership for any team that functions in the healthcare sector. It should be considered the basic element that determines the existence of a common approach exercised by a group of specialists. It is vital to choose a communicational pattern that satisfies all specialists who comprise this very team and guarantees the efficient delivery of the most important services. Moreover, one realizes the importance of partnership as it is crucial to feel support and be sure that any team member is able to perform a certain task and correct a mistake that might appear in the course of treatment. In these regards, efficient communication is crucial for teams working in this field.
Introduction Every industry in the commercial sector has its own ethical standard that must be complied. Ethical provisions maintain an even playing field for all the members of the commercial sector ensuring that the basic norms of exchange are obeyed. It is therefore of paramount importance to every business enterprise to ensure that it maintains a good ethics strategy and program. United Technologies Corporation therefore has an obligation to enforce and maintain a stable and effective ethics compliance program (Desjardins 2008, p 145). Background Since its first initiative in 1929, the United Technologies Corporation has grown both in magnitude and size. It has increased its employee and consumer base to a seven multinational unit capacity that runs under a 31 billion dollar budget. This has also acted to increase the managerial and strategic concerns. The company has employed an ethical compliance program that has been used by all member units across the globe. The ethical strategy has faced several historical and strategic challenges that have put its usefulness and relevance to the test. The defense acquisition scandals of the 1980s were a great challenge to the defense based contracts with the United States government. The company however made it through the investigations retaining its status as the country largest defense contractor. This was however followed by the Packard commission that led to the defensive industry initiative that sought to regulate the unevenness in the ethics compliance standards. The constant failure of industrial measures and standards led to the formulation of the first company code of ethics in 1990. This marked the beginning of the review and amendment of the broad ranging code to ensure that it complies with the relevant legal requirements (McClenahen 2003, pp 456). Problem Statement The United Technologies Corporation is a multi unit enterprise that has a worldwide departmental collection. The management therefore faces the challenge of establishing and formulating a cross-cultural and cross-national ethical policy that will embrace all the values that are considered paramount in the various countries and cultures in which the company has offices. It also has a large conglomerate employee base of 205,700 employees who are all affected by the company’s ethical policy. Review The effectiveness or otherwise of the United Technologies Corporation’s ethics and compliance program depends on how well it serves the interests of the various concerned stakeholders such as the customers employees suppliers shareowners competitors, the community and the outstanding standard of conduct that govern the business transactions and actions in the various jurisdictions. The existing code of ethics cuts across these interests by providing for individualized provisions that address the responsibility of
Introduction Eric Strikwerda’s book, The Wages of Relief: Cities and the Unemployed in Prairie Canada 1929-39 , is an economic historical book of the Canadian history. Strikwerda tells of the economic development during the British colonial era and how British ruling until Canada was a fully independent nation affected the Canadian economy. It is an interesting historical book aimed at equipping the readers with profound knowledge of the economic activities and developments under the influence of the British colonialism. Canada is the largest importer of timber products from Northern America today and from the book, the readers learn that the British initiated timber trade when they ruled in Canada, and thus the rule’s impact on the Canadian economy is alive even in the contemporary times. In addition, employment and labor unions started during the colonial era as the author indicates. Relevance of the Book to the Course Commentary The above illustration has great relevance to the course commentary since the Great Depression and its impact on labor and the Canadian economy is deeply discussed in the course commentary, though in a different dimension. The author carried out his research about the topic effectively as it corresponds to the historic reviews of the Canadian history concerning the events of the Great Depression. From the course commentary From Great War to the Verge of Great Depression , the depression allegedly occurred due to the post war stress, but Strikwerda (20) argues that the depression emerged from global economic recession emerging from the crash of the New York Stock Exchange system. The Wages of Relief is one of the best books on the Canadian business and labor history and it equips the reader with knowledge of the Canadian economic history at large before the 1940s, which also corresponds to the aim of the course commentary. Strikwerda argues that the Great Depression of the 1930s had a great adverse effect on the Canadian economy whereby the majority of economic activities were at recess, which rendered many people jobless, and thus they ended up depending on the government’s aid. This argument supports the book’s title, The Wages of Relief , as despite the people’s ability to work for their economic gains, there were no job opportunities and thus they were forced to rely on aid. Hence, the book is of great importance for academic purposes since it is based entirely on the historical development of economic activities in Canada during the British colonial rule, thus adding great deal of knowledge to the course commentary. Review of the Book’s Thesis Going by the title of the book, The Wages of Relief: Cities and the Unemployed in Prairie Canada, 1929-39 , Strikwerda’s main objective is to add knowledge to the past literature on the Canadian economic history during the events of the Great Depression. The author tells of the historical growth of the Canadian cities and economic activities that brought about vast employment opportunities to the majority of the population long before the events of the Great Depression. Canada’s economic gr
Overview FedEx has enjoyed regional dominance in parcel and cargo deliver in Southern China for a couple of years. When it entered Chinese market in 1995, FedEx enjoyed a brief monopoly of international deliveries in Southern China. It also had a stake in Hong Kong and other Cities in mainland China. With at least 11 weekly flights to and from Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, FedEx had a considerable Market Share in U.S.-China delivery. While entering Chinese market in 1995, FedEx opted for frontal-assault marketing strategy which was used in Europe in 1980s. The strategy was successful despite the Asian devaluation currency in 1997. However, the company recorded its first international quarterly loss in 2008. The 2008 loss and poor deliveries to China ware expected to be compensated by increased Chinese export to western countries especially the United States. The company had nearly locked out competitors from southern China market of Guangzhou and Shenzhen which represented the largest manufacturing base in China. FedEx controlled over 13% of international deliveries in the region by 2001. It faced stiff competition from UPS, DHL, TNT and China post EMS international delivery express. It is now necessary for it to protect its market from competitors and venture into new ones. However, domestic express deliveries have been limited by bureaucracy and biased regulations from Chinese Communist Party government with the aim of shielding local investors and China Post from international competition. Competitors like DHL and UPS entered joint ventures with Chinese firms like Sinotrans and China Post. China joined World Trade Organization and agreed to remove some regulations by 2005. This would allow fair competition between local and international delivery companies. Competitors have entered agreements and bought local Chinese firms with hope of capitalizing on the situation. Recommendation 1 FedEx should venture into un-tapped market in remote Parts of China though increased investment. Justification The Chinese economy accounts for slightly over 1% of world economy but its growth rate is one of the highest with an average of over 10% in the last few years. Several cities in China rely on local companies to deliver parcels and cargo to international destinations. However, the parcels and cargo take several days to reach their destinations. Furthermore, Southen Chinese cities are increasing their manufacturing capacities which increase their exports too. Therefore, most business establishments require fast delivery services for mails and cargo. Although competitors like UPS and DHL have been expanding their markets recently, there a