Laudable, culpable and non-culpable decisions Essay

Laudable, culpable and non-culpable decisions - Essay Example This research aims to evaluate and present laudable, culpable and non-culpable decisions. Laudable decision: BAES made an initiative to hire Lood Woolf to have an independent and irreproachable investigation into its ethical practices as a business and to identify areas of improvement where its dealings as a business entity can be improved. Despite of all the unscrupulous dealings of BAES, its decision to have an independent panel of investigators to be headed by Lord Woolf that would inquire into BAES ethical standards was laudable. This initiative yielded positive results in identifying which ethical practices needs improvement and produced a recommendation on how to improve it. Lord Woolf himself practiced ethical propriety in setting the parameters of his investigation. Agreeing to investigate cases which are also conducted by SFO would be tantamount into meddling in the investigation by the authorities and thus, would be ethically inappropriate. Non-culpable decision: In January , 1997, the chief executive officer (CEO) of British Aerospace (BAe), backed Tony Blair to become Prime Minister of the UK. Many business leaders did the same. Although it is not illegal for a business entity to support a politician vying for office, it is deemed inappropriate to back somebody with the expectation of business gains in the future. Though it was not tacitly expressed in the case that BAES solicited for business favours when Tony Blair became the Prime Minister of UK, it was implied that he was returning favours to BAES when acted like a salesman for BAES in trying to persuade the Czech Republic Gripen fighter jets, worth $1bn. No immediately harm was done with BAES’s political support to the candidacy of Tony Blair, but the political gratuity extended by Tony Blair leading to BAES unethical and controversial business practices tainted UK’s defence industry. Culpable decisions Blameworthy Context In 2001, Tanzania paid to BAES $21 million for a military a ir traffic control (ATC) system that came from debt that was supposed to be spent on Tanzanian education. This decision of Tanzanian President Benjamin Mpaka to purchase an overpriced (at least four times more expensive than civilian radar) air traffic control (ATC) system which was disbursed from a fund that was supposed to be spent on Tanzanian education was most blameworthy. BAES used Shailesh Vithlani, a â€Å"marketing adviser† to secure a a ?28m Air Traffic Control radar which was four times more expensive than a civilian radar). Payments to Vithlani were routed through Red Diamong Trading (RDT), a shell company based offshore in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). It would be naive not to have the â€Å"obvious inference† that some of the money Vithlani got was used to bribe Tanzanian officials. 2. Outlining standard ways to place blame and respond to it, interpret any defensive utterances by the culprits (and their supporters); and interpret their critics’ (and victims’) utterances Outcome related disappointments/blame-ORD Person/relationship-related disappointment – PRD ORD + PRD (any utterances expressing both) Utterance: Mr Turner said: â€Å"we are fully complying with all the SFO’s requests. We are acting in a responsible and dignified way and we are very proud of this company. We think it is unfair and unjust that our reputation is being affected.† Interpretation: BAES is bluffing that they are an ethical company and is offended with the decision of SFO to investigate their company. Utterance: Mike Turner said: â€Å"we want to be in a position to provide customers, investors, employees and communities [with] further assurance that our policies, ethics and business conduct are subject to continuous improvement and set the pace for the international defence industry.† Interpretation: It is just a PR utterance that BAES does not really mean to say considering their actual

Multimedia and Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Multimedia and Design - Essay Example Norman (2007) reveals that it is particularly important that before we judge these people we try step into their shoes. Before allowing one to label this person, try imagining they are acting like so or saying those things they are saying. Maybe this person always keeps to him/herself because s/he is uncomfortable around others, they just are not used to conversing with people hence they are a little cold, or most probably, they were not feeling well at the particular time you encounter them. We need to put ourselves on the receiving end, as in being treated the way we may be treating these people. It is necessary to note this before saying anything to the other person. It is definite that you would be pretty hurt if a stranger or someone you are not familiar with said something mean to you because you did not look or sound or act to their expectations or anticipated thoughts. If you could not take the pain, then you would not want to subject someone else through the same path. Just because the first encounter with this person gave you a poor impression does not mean that they are constantly saying or acting in that manner. Some people may be psychiatric cases, a force the prompts them behave in weird ways, and if one is not able to; at an instance make this out, one may end being prejudiced in his/her judgment of the subject. There is a probability of them having a bad day at the time of encounter or were in some way depressed or angry (Norman, 2007). One should try to engage this person often and see how they act before you create an impression. Some people are generally moody hence; a number of encounters should be enough ground to draw a solid ground on their behavior. Some machines are able to read peoples moods and determine the ability to engage in some chores effectively in the said mood, while some can measure the level of desire of something in a person. Norman (2007) suggests the need of incorporating an emotional component program into

Communication of the Saudi Arabian Culture Research Paper

Communication of the Saudi Arabian Culture - Research Paper Example ere allowed to enter Saudi Arabia only when they witnessed during the Depression period, a drastic fall in their revenues which they received from the pilgrims (Lacey, 2009, p.75). The principles and values intrinsic in these morals as well as devotion to Islam lie down at the core of the enlightening among the diversified group of citizens and non citizens, tribal or non-tribal, living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The societal values which are a part of the everyday behavior of Saudis include kindness, unselfishness, and generosity; respect for elders in the hierarchical structure of the family; liberation and independence on others and command over the emotions and feelings of each others; and a readiness to maintain lives of other members of the family assuming accountability for their mistakes also (Abbasi & Hollman, 1993, p.56). Saudis worry that respite of the world picturing them as coming from another planet, although most are outstandingly polite and convivial once you truly break free from the principles. Limitations on intermingling between not related people of the opposite sex stay rigorous. Currently, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is managing to move on against its harsh rules, initially by starting a coeducation university, allowing women to sell private clothing to other women, even harmonizing down the decapitations. King Abdullah has taken drastic measures for the positive environment of the nation. However, to the rest of the globalizing world, these changes are hardly noticeable. Saudi Arabia is measured or seen as an extremely high context culture. In high-context cultures, significance is entrenched more in the perspective rather than the policy. Hall (1982) discussed that "most of the information is either in the physical context or internalized in the person, while very little is in the coded, explicit, transmitted part of the message" (p.18). Thus it is important for the listener must appreciate the appropriate signals so as to seize the

Project Management & Strategic Planning - Case Study -- [S6] Essay

Project Management & Strategic Planning - Case Study -- [S6] - Essay Example major steps in strategic planning phase went missing; steps such as estimation of resource requirements, risk planning and communication with all stakeholders. Furthermore in monitoring and controlling phase business continuity was not planned hence the WestJet implementation took more time and cost along and resulted in customer dissatisfaction. Estimation of resources such as time, people and money ensures a better execution, through risk planning all the related risk factors to the project are estimated with risk prevention and mitigation plans while communication with all stakeholders including customers ensures business continuation in an effective way and clarifying roles and responsibilities (Charvat, 2002). Effective communication prior to a project initiation determines the information and communication needs of the stakeholders resulting in better understanding of responsibilities and tasks distribution as well as clarifying the expectations from them. It results in formation of a cohesive team resulting in a better performance later on and initiates a change management process within the organization. Increased level of awareness invites ideas from employees and customers and ensures readiness of all involved parties. Some disadvantages to communicating a major project in advance include wasted time of project managers in communicating with stakeholders, revealed plans to competitors most of the time triggering a reaction, increased level of suspicion amongst the employees and confusion within customers. Communicating major projects in advance, the project manager has to emphasize on explaining each stakeholder the specific value addition for them (Green, 2007). With volumes sales go down and decreased revenue is not considered good for even an organization in its transition or up-gradation. Along with the unavailability of seats or canceled flights it was essential that both airlines convey the positive message maintaining the trust of the customer

Water Quality Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Water Quality - Research Paper Example Different bodies set the standards for basing water quality measurements. The primary purpose for setting standards is protection of aquatic and human life. Standards The concerned organizations set different standards according to the varying uses of water (WHO 1). Environmental factors affect natural water bodies and environmental specialists work to identify sources of contamination. Many people usually associate the term â€Å"water quality† with contamination. Water quality, as a topic under discussion, is a complex subject since water cannot be separated from the ecology. The chief cause of water pollution on the globe is its use in industrial and commercial sectors of the economy. Untreated wastes from industries pose a significant threat to aquatic, as well as human life. Runoff water from agricultural activities also contaminates water. Parameters As stated earlier, standards for measuring water quality are set accordingly as uses of water vary. The intended use of wa ter, therefore, sets parameters for water quality. There is a focus on water treated for use in industries, by human beings or in the environment. Contaminants in untreated water intended for human use comprise of organic contaminants (chemical contaminants from industrial and petroleum use), inorganic contaminants (salts and metals), and microorganisms (bacteria and viruses). Water quality depends on bio network or ecology, as well as human uses of water. For example, water may be used to dispose sewage or industrial waste thereby affecting its quality (Kaul and Gautam 4). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), established in 1970s, has set two types of standards to limit contaminants in tab water. These standards are primary, which regulate substances that are likely to harm health of people, and secondary. Secondary standards dwell on the qualities that have an effect on odor, appearance and taste. Drinking water may have low levels of contaminants which may not necessarily pose a threat to health. Municipal water systems in urban areas use water purification technology to treat water from the source before distributing for human use. The terms â€Å"hard† and â€Å"soft† water describe types of water needed for industrial or domestic use. Hard water contains minerals, for example, magnesium and calcium, which hamper effective washing abilities of soap. Soft water, on the other hand, does not have minerals and people prefer it for washing. Soft water is not healthy for human consumption since it lacks minerals needed by the body. Therefore, softening of hard water for human use is not advisable. Environmental water quality touches on surface water in oceans, rivers and lakes. The quality standards for such water vary due to flora and fauna, ecological conditions and intended human use (â€Å"Water quality targets online† 10). Toxic substances in water, needed for fishing, irrigation and industrial use, present risk to health. Plants irrigated with such water absorb toxins which get passed on along the chain as animals consume them. Toxins also have adverse effects on aquatic life. Water quality regulations set standards for protection of water, and establish provisions to guard against water contamination. Environmental scientists strive to preserve flora and fauna and focus on preservation of endangered kind and the health of people. Water quality sampling and testing There are numerous water quality indicators which shows that water quality as an area under discussion is multifaceted. Water exists in balance with the environment and, hence, experts make precise measurements of water quality on the source. Measurements of temperature, turbidity, conductivity, dissolved gases, and transparency depth (closely related to

Luxury Goods in Hong Kong, China Essay Example for Free

Luxury Goods in Hong Kong, China Essay Luxury goods experienced a slowdown in current value growth for 2012 against 2011, largely attributed by the unstable economic conditions brought about by the 2011 Euro crisis as well as the slowing down of the Chinese economy. While consumers’ sentiments were still relatively strong, spending continued to tilt towards a more cautious end. Depreciation of Euros also saw more consumers heading to Hong Kong for holidays and in turn purchasing luxury goods from there to take advantage of the. Euromonitor International’s Luxury Goods in Hong Kong, China report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the Luxury Goods market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market and their effects on Luxury Goods retailing along with the development of consumers’ shopping patterns. Forecasts to 2017 illustrate how the market is set to change. Buy a Report Copy @ http://www.rnrmarketresearch.com/contacts/purchase?rname=88087. Product coverage: Designer Apparel (Ready-to-Wear), Fine Wines/Champagne and Spirits, Luxury Accessories, Luxury Cigars, Luxury Electronic Gadgets, Luxury Jewellery and Timepieces, Luxury Travel Goods, Luxury Writing Instruments and Stationery, Super Premium Beauty and Personal Care.Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data. Why buy this report? Get a detailed picture of the Luxury Goods market; Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change; Understand the competitive environment, the market’s major players and leading brands;

Rolls Royces Strategic And Business Management Management Essay

Rolls Royces Strategic And Business Management Management Essay Rolls-Royce is founded in 1906 by Frederick Henry Royce and Charles Stewart Rolls (Pugh, Peter, 2001).Headquartered in London. As a diversified company, Rolls-Royce operates in four global markets namely civil aerospace, defense aerospace, marine and energy-in each of which it is among the worlds top three competitors. The company has manufacturing sites or service centers located in 50 countries around the world. Rolls-Royce produces both commercial and military engines civil and defense aerospace business for a broad customer base, including more than 650 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, and 160 armed forces around the world. Rolls-Royce also supplies power generation systems to the oil and gas industry and is one of the worlds largest makers of marine propulsion systems. It maintains key operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, with emerging presence in the Middle East (Nancy Daniels, 2001). Rolls-Royces revenue for the year 2009 was  ¿Ã‚ ¡10,414 million, definitely higher than the figure for 2008, which is  ¿Ã‚ ¡9,082 million. In 2009, 44% of Rolls-Royces revenue came from civil aerospace, while defense aerospace, marine and energy each accounted for 20%, 26%, 10% (Rolls-Royce, 2009). 2. Analysis of the Current Business Environment Affecting the Industry 2.1 Macro-Environmental Analysis The PESTLE analysis (appendix A) details the main macro-environmental trends affecting the aviation industry. Of these, the economic crisis is the most pressing current issue but in the longer term, technological advancements remain central to the industrys progression. More international cultural exchange will accelerate the development of aviation industry, and the growth in developing countries needs more energy and a range of products serviced by Rolls-Royce. 2.2 Micro-Environmental Analysis Porters Five Forces analysis (appendix B) indicates that the threat of substitution in the aviation industry is fairly low. Limited to the technologies and standards, the airline company can only get the suitable parts from the original corporation which supplied the products. Threat of entry is quite low because the aviation industry needs the latest scientific and technological achievements and long-term technology accumulation as well as a lot of money and human resources, so the potential competitors are hard to entry. Suppliers are hard to influence the aviation industry, for the reason that big corporations such as General Electric (GE) and Rolls-Royce possess the key technologies, while the suppliers are so many that can be easily replaced. The power of buyers has increased somewhat due to ease of switching, transparency of costs. But they dont have many choices but only three. Overall, competitive rivalry within the aviation industry is very high due to the presence of General Electric (GE) and Pratt Whitney (PW), rapid technological change and intense products and services competition. 2.3 Main Opportunities and Threats The main opportunity is the increasing business in the jet aircraft market and growing aerospace and defense market as well as Rolls-Royces Strategic alliances and investments. The most prominent threat currently faced by the industry is the economic crisis. Based on a survey of randomly selected flight departments about their expected use and purchase plans over the next five years, market forecasters believe Europe will remain a major source of demand for business aircraft, and orders will reach record levels in the next five years. While most of Europe entered recession about a year later than the America, European orders are expected to recover once economic growth resumes (Ian Goold, 2010). The challenge of climate change will present a range of exciting opportunities for Rolls-Royce. Many customers will potentially consider investing in new technology earlier in order to minimize emissions. Equally there is likely to be a lot of interest in future low carbon technologies as well as alternative energy sources (Rolls-Royce, 2009). And as manufacturing employment has declined in Britain, there has been less reason for the best and brightest to study the subjects that manufacturing demands. Rolls-Royce executives say that the pool of experienced engineers, process managers and skilled workers from which the company can recruit is shrinking (The Economist, 2009). Any company engaged in global business should be aware of the risks of currency fluctuations. In such an economic environment, the exchange rate fluctuations can affect Rolls-Royces earnings and value. They are fully exposed to what is known as an exchange risk. 3. Analysis of Rolls-Royces Strategic Capabilities 3.1 How the various market trends have affected Rolls-Royce plc And after 1987 the various market trends are as following: Rolls-Royce was rescued by being nationalised by a Conservative government when the firm reached its nadir in 1971. Margaret Thatcher privatised it in 1987, when Rolls-Royces engines were then used by only a handful of airlines. There was a trend that the engine market would be dominated by GE and Pratt Whitney. After that, the core of the firms strategy had been to increase the number of its engines powering the worlds civil jets. There was a trend that defence spending would be reduced after 1987, which was the edge of the end of cold war. Growth in civil business was doubly important because Rolls-Royce was badly hit by the fall of the Soviet Union-at which time defence accounted for 60% of its revenues (The Economist, 2005). Government began to reduce defence spending, thus Rolls-Royce got less orders from the military. Worse for the firm, British Airways, which was Rolls-Royces old customer, equipped its new Boeing 777 wide-body planes with GE engines (The Economist, 2005). From then on, Rolls-Royce tried its best to get its engines on the wings of big airlines around the world. The British government used to be Rolls-Royces biggest customer, buying its jet engines for Royal Air Force planes and its nuclear power plants for Royal Navy submarines. But nowadays America (the biggest defense market by far) is its biggest defense customer, using its jet engines on todays jump-jet aircraft and planning to do so on the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter, which promises to be the subject of the biggest contract in military history (The Economist, 2005). Nowadays America and British are facing the threat of international terrorist organizations, so the market is still promising. With the development of the worlds emerging economies, the world needs ever more tankers to transport oil and gas over long distances, and demand is growing for economical but high-power marine gas turbines to drive them, in place of the diesel-electric hybrid motors that have dominated until now. 3.2 Rolls-Royces development strategies According to these various market trends, Rolls-Royce increased the number of its engines to civil jet, and bought copper in order to push oil and gas along pipelines. In order to expand American market share, Rolls-Royce bought Allison. With over 80 per cent  of global commercial shipbuilding taking place in Asia, Rolls-Royce recently relocated its global headquarters for the Marine business to Singapore, bringing the Group closer to the customer base. The company had already placed its Global Headquarters for Marine Services and the regional headquarters for the Commercial Marine business covering Asia, the Middle East, India and Australia in Singapore. The operations also house one of Rolls-Royces global repairs and overhaul service centers. Rolls-Royce stands out as well for being the only company to offer an expanded OEM warranty (Rolls-Royce, 2009). As the expansion of the new markets and the use of new engine, Rolls-Royce has sold more services together with their products. Ansoff: product/ market matrix Product Current new Current penetration product development Market New market development diversification The theory of the Ansoffs: Product penetration refers to current product for current market. Aircraft engines Automation and control equipment Diesel and gas turbine engines Electric propulsion systems Engine support services Fuel cells Generators Offshore drilling equipment Overhaul and repair services Technical publications Training (Hoovers, Inc., 2009) Product development -it means new product for current market. Diesel and gas turbine engines; providing a better service Market development it means current product for new market. Marine motors ¼Ã…’Fuel cells ¼Ã…’Engine support services; Expanding American market share Diversification-It means new products for new market. Such as jet engines 3.3 How the main competitive advantage have been built up Competitive advantage refers to condition which enables a company to operate in a more efficient or otherwise higher-quality manner than the companies it competes with, and which results in benefits accruing to that company. After 1987 Rolls-Royce focused on four sectors which are civil, military, and marine as well as energy, and the firm continued its expenditure on investment and RD, it provides new products and new technologies. Rolls-Royces competitive advantage mainly focuses on core markets and core technology. We can see that, for the past decades years, the core strategy of the company has been to focuses on the four chosen markets namely civil aerospace, defense aerospace, marine and energy, now each of them are the top three in the world. Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce has increased the number of its engines powering the worlds civil jets, and the whole firm mainly makes all kind of engines, which accounts the majority of their revenue.   3.4 Evaluate the companys use of acquisitions Acquisitions means acquiring control of a corporation, called a target, by stock purchase or exchange, either hostile or friendly, also called takeover. After 1987 Rolls-Royce had several acquisitions as a method of strategic growth as following: (1) In 1996 Rolls-Royce bought Allison, its an American maker of small jet engines, mostly for corporate jets. This gave Rolls-Royce a significant presence in America-essential for any firm seeking to increase sales to the Pentagon (The Economist, 2005). From then on, American gradually  replaced Britain as Rolls-Royces largest market.   (2) In 1999 the company bought Vickers, a struggling arms-and-marine business. This acquisition took Rolls-Royce into the business of marine propulsion systems for warships. (3)In the same year Rolls-Royce bought Coopers, another specialist company, as the short cut in compressors with gas turbines in order to push oil and gas, which was very good for Rolls-Royces energy business. 3.5 Main Strengths and Weaknesses Rolls-Royces main weakness is they have to employ a lot of employee, which is very common in the manufacturing industry. It means Rolls-Royce has to pay a lot benefit for the retail employee. And sometimes, the orders may not be implemented well in such a big group corporation. There is another issue that Rolls-Royce has to focus on, that is, the increasing inventory which is caused by the unexpected order or demand. This will increase the companys operating costs. Rolls-Royces main strength is they are a leading integrated power systems company operating in the civil and defense aerospace, marine and energy markets. They have built their golden quality of their band, and they have regular partners and customers, for whom they will provide sustainable products and services. Furthermore, Rolls-Royce is a global corporation, so their business has a diversified geographic spread, which can be a source of guaranteed profit. Also they have a strong and trustful leadership to guarantee the right direction the corporation goes. Evaluation of Rolls-Royces Recent Strategies Rolls-Royces recent strategy is based on five key elements: 4.1 Address four global markets Rolls-Royce should focuses on the four core businesses, civil aerospace, defense aerospace, marine and energy, which are the most four profitable markets to the corporation. And there are still a lot to be done in order to develop the international market. As we know, Europe and the American market accounted for the majority of revenue, thus Asia and African are two emerging markets to emphasize. In some developing countries, Rolls-Royce will benefit from the preferential policies and cheap labor force. 4.2 Invest in technology, infrastructure and capability Rolls-Royce needs to invest more in RD to develop more innovative, environment-friendly products in order for it to keep the possession of advanced technologies and to offer better services. Meanwhile, with the development of the global market, it is necessary to invest more on the infrastructure to offer better services and attract more customers. 4.3 Develop a competitive portfolio of products and services As mentioned above, a competitive portfolio of products and services can consolidate existing markets and explore new markets. 4.4 Grow market share and installed product base Across the group, the installed base of engines in service is expected to generate attractive returns over many years (Rolls-Royce, 2009). 4.5 Add value for the customers through the provision of product-related services. Rolls-Royce should seek to add value for their customers with aftermarket services that will enhance the performance and reliability of their products (Rolls-Royce, 2009). 4.6 Others Manufacturing industry need a lot employee to make products, so Rolls-Royce could move the manufacturing centers to countries with low labor costs, which can greatly cut the cost. 4.7 Key Competitors GE Aviation and Pratt Whitney are Rolls-Royces top competitors. General Electric (GE) enjoys a very strong position in the wide body market, with the CF6 and GE90 engines powering about 40% of aircraft in the class. Pratt Whitney (PW) and Rolls-Royce each have about a 30% market share with the JT9D/PW4000 and the RB211/Trent series, respectively (Aircraft Economics, 2004/2005). To date, the most fuel efficient single-aisle jet engine belongs to Pratt Whitney, a considerably smaller player. The company unveiled its PW1000G geared turbofan in 2008 after a decade of development and promised it would reduce fuel burn by some 12% to 15% compared to todays engines (WSN Staff, 2010). In other business areas, there are some Rolls-Royces competitors not as big as GE and Pratt Whitney, such as SAFRAN, Emerson Electric, GE Honda Aero Engines, Honeywell Aerospace, IHI Corp, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, McDermott, Siemens AG, and Volvo. 5. Evaluation of Rolls-Royces leadership Sir John Rose took over as CEO in 1996. Rolls-Royces CEOs used to have an engineering background until Sir John Rose. He likes the intensely challenging job in Rolls-Royce which has something to do with His adventurous lifestyle, I guess. His leadership is critical to Rolls-Royces success. Rose insisted on continuing to invest substantially in the Trent engine series and it proved to be very important. Under Roses direction, the second largest business of Rolls-Royce, marine propulsion also has fared very well over the past years (Heller, Richard, 2005). Sir John Rose attaches importance to the after-sales business. And it makes sense, because engine services and sales of spare parts to replace worn components make up more than 50 percent of turnover. All in all, Rolls Royces leadership is smart, mature ¼Ã…’dynamic, aggressive and trustworthy. 6. Conclusion Rolls-Royce, the global leader in power systems and services for air, land and sea, will focus on both the importance of services for its civil and defense aerospace markets and its newest programs for these markets, mainly on the global market. In civil and military business, they can also through acquisition of developing countrys jet industry to expand market segment. Therefore there are tremendous opportunities for future business in expanding consumer markets, such as China and India. After setbacks in the exploration, the corporation has achieved a positive development under the leadership of Sir John Rose.