...The Netherlands leads global efforts to improve textile industry The Netherlands is joining forces with Bangladesh to chair a group of donor countries, companies and civil society organisations that will tackle abuses in Bangladesh’s textile industry. LiliannePloumen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, is also making 9 million euros available to help improve the appalling conditions suffered by the country’s textile workers. The Netherlands will cofinance these efforts together with the textile sector. ‘All those involved – the textile industry, manufacturers, consumers and governments – must shoulder their responsibility now in order to break this vicious circle,’ said the Minister, stressing the synergy between aid and trade. ‘We can’t keep blaming each other.’ As co-chair of the coordination group, the Netherlands will engage in political dialogue with the Bangladeshi authorities and employer organisations on behalf of its fellow donor countries, coordinating and monitoring international efforts in this area. In the Netherlands, Ms Ploumen is discussing the matter with the companies and organisations involved to produce a detailed joint action plan with measurable goals and a clear schedule. The sector expects to have the plan ready in June. Source: www.government.nl Consumers In 2012, the Netherlands had a total population of 16.7 million people, which is a relatively high number considering its small geographic size (approximately 41,000 square...
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...Theodore H. Poister Obed Q. Pasha Georgia State University Lauren Hamilton Edwards Sam Houston State University Does Performance Management Lead to Better Outcomes? Evidence from the U.S. Public Transit Industry Although performance management processes are widely assumed to be beneficial in improving organizational performance in the public sector, there is insufficient empirical evidence to back this claim. In this article, the authors examine the impact of performance management practices on organizational effectiveness in a particular segment of the public transit industry in the United States. The analysis utilizes original survey data on performance management practices comprising both strategy formulation and performance measurement in 88 small and medium-sized local transit agencies in conjunction with comparative outcome data drawn from the National Transit Database maintained by the Federal Transit Administration. The results provide evidence that more extensive use of performance management practices does in fact contribute to increased effectiveness in this segment of the transit industry. O ver the past 20 years, some of the biggest questions of public management have revolved around performance management, the process of establishing goals for an agency or program, and then using performance information to help manage effectively so as to achieve those goals (Behn 1995; Moynihan and Landuyt 2009; Moynihan and Pandey 2010). In the public sector, performance...
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...Factors determining whether organisations survive in a particular industry and the further factors that might lead to superior performance...’’ There are many strategic factors that influence an organisations survival in a particular industry. The firm must firstly decide on which industry it wishes to remain in. 1. Fragmented Industry 2. Embryonic Industry 3. Growth Industry 4. Mature Industry 5. Declining Industry The first Industry to be discussed is Fragmented Industries. Fragmented Industries are industries which have a vast number of small companies competing against each other. There is only one factor for survival, Consolidation. The industry may consolidate in the following ways : 1. Chaining * Involves smaller units acting as one, this increases the power of size eventhough they are singularly small. * SuperValu shops have come together under the Umbrella of Musgrave to have larger buying power in the market 2. Franchising * Franchising grants franchisee’s the use of the franchiser’s brand image and reputation and all thats associated with the franchisers company * McDonalds and Supermacs are increasingly being franchised due to the benifits associated with franchising. 3. Internet and IT * The development of new IT often gives a company the opportunity to develop new business strategies to consolidate a fragmented industry. eBay and amazon.com, for example, use the Internet and the associated...
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...‘Because professional personnel in construction and real estate industries are key actors in the process of converting sales leads into purchases, specific training in sales, PR and advertising technique should be part of their professional training’ Debate this statement illustrating your answer with examples from your own experience. You may elect to discuss either the construction or real estate industry for your examples. The professional working in the house building industry must have an overview of the company structure and how each different department fits cohesively with another. It would be naïve and ignorant for a sales manager for example, not to have an understanding of the construction or land process however limited. Similarly the sales manager must be aware and have an understanding of the client added benefits and differentiation of their services or product from a similar competitor. If the statement is to be accepted that professionals are key actors in the process of sales leads into the purchases, then this is very likely to be personal selling (as apposed to general selling). ‘Personal selling is done face to face, this demands good interpersonal skills’1 and ‘most sales people are well educated well trained professionals who work to build and maintain long-term relationships with customers’2. The larger the company the more likely this statement will be true. It ‘is a form of marketing communication and as such is part of the firm’s communication...
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...Great Lakes will be affected by each of these external factors. The social segment that Great Lakes faced were the environmental groups that were publicly criticizing and putting pressure on Great Lakes to stop the production of its lead based products. The major affect that the environmentalists will have on Great Lakes is to make it more socially conscious and to try to drive it to make decisions based on the good of the world and not its own profits. The demographic segment of Great Lakes switched from developed countries to less developed countries that still used leaded gasoline. The affect that the demographics will have on Great Lakes is significant, in that, when the poorer nations begin the process of switching from leaded gas to unleaded gas, Great Lakes will need to have a strategic plan in place to continue to find a way to keep their business viable. Although Great Lakes never set out to be a lead additive producer when it acquired Octel Associates it now had the technology that enabled the company to make a profit. Great Lakes’ has few competitors in this field but will need to find a way to use the technology it now uses to produce lead additives in another capacity. The economic environment that Great Lakes sells its lead additives to needs to be monitored closely since developing nations could decide to switch to unleaded products and Great Lakes would not have anyone to sell its products too. The environmental and geographic segments are arguably...
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...automotive industry: main features and trends Timothy J. Sturgeon Industrial Performance Center (IPC), MIT, 292 Main Street (E38-104), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA E-mail: sturgeon@mit.edu Olga Memedovic* United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Vienna International Centre, A-1440 Vienna, Austria E-mail: O.Memedovic@unido.org *Corresponding Author Johannes Van Biesebroeck Department of Economics, University of Toronto, 150 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G7,Canada E-mail: jovb@chass.utoronto.ca Gary Gereffi Department of Sociology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0088, USA E-mail: ggere@soc.duke.edu Abstract: This paper lays out the main features of the global automotive industry and identifies several important trends. A boom in developing country sales and production has not yet overshadowed the importance of existing markets in developed regions. Regional integration is very strong at an operational level, yet the industry has recently developed a set of global-scale value chain linkages, and retains national and local elements as well. The paper highlights how global, regional, national and local value chains are nested to create a pattern of global integration that is distinctive to the industry. We use global value chain analysis to help explain the limits of build-to-order in the industry, the role of regional and global suppliers, the shifting geography of production and how the characteristics of value chain linkages in the industry favour...
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...automotive industry: main features and trends Timothy J. Sturgeon Industrial Performance Center (IPC), MIT, 292 Main Street (E38-104), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA E-mail: sturgeon@mit.edu Olga Memedovic* United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Vienna International Centre, A-1440 Vienna, Austria E-mail: O.Memedovic@unido.org *Corresponding Author Johannes Van Biesebroeck Department of Economics, University of Toronto, 150 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G7,Canada E-mail: jovb@chass.utoronto.ca Gary Gereffi Department of Sociology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0088, USA E-mail: ggere@soc.duke.edu Abstract: This paper lays out the main features of the global automotive industry and identifies several important trends. A boom in developing country sales and production has not yet overshadowed the importance of existing markets in developed regions. Regional integration is very strong at an operational level, yet the industry has recently developed a set of global-scale value chain linkages, and retains national and local elements as well. The paper highlights how global, regional, national and local value chains are nested to create a pattern of global integration that is distinctive to the industry. We use global value chain analysis to help explain the limits of build-to-order in the industry, the role of regional and global suppliers, the shifting geography of production and how the characteristics of value chain linkages in the industry favour...
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...I Introduction: Crane manufacturing industry forms an integral part of the Construction Equipment market. The Global Crane market is undergoing a radical change due to growth of the emerging economies, infrastructure industry and drive towards greater energy efficiency. According to TechNavio’s analysts forecast the Global Crane market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.29 % over the period 2013-2018[7]. Fig1- Regional differences, Source - http://www.khl.com/servlet/file/CHRIS%20SLEIGHT.pdf?ITEM_ENT_ID=81256 The Indian industrial crane market amounts to approx. Rs2000 to 2200 crore per annum. Majorly 70% demand comes from the private sector and 30% from the government owned companies (Saibal ray, Yigal Gerchak & Elizabeth M. Jewkes, 2002) India has few factors which would ensure the steady growth of this segment in the next few years. The increase in domestic spending on infrastructure as stated in the Budget 2014-15, increased investment from foreign multinationals would prove to be a key factor in the growth of the construction industry as a whole. ElectroMech is the largest EOT cranes manufacturer in India with Pune being the base. It commands the highest market share and is recording 50% average annual growth. ElectroMech offer precise solutions for wide-ranging applications in manufacturing plants and infrastructure projects through a complete range of Hoists and Cranes. Apart from the standard and semi standard product delivery, Electromech also offers the...
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...Lead Generation for ERP Reseller Companies In joint lead generation activities, both organizations (reseller and the ERP company) must be able to neutralize individual challenges and leverage strengths, to create a greater pool of demand and drive success. The reseller has the advantage of leveraging the bigger brand, to reach out to a wider prospect base. ERP giants often face the challenge of being seen as companies selling software that require huge investment and time, and thereby being feasible only for large enterprises. This is where they can leverage reseller’s experience in reaching out to prospects in the mid-market and conveying to them how they can achieve the same benefits as some of the largest clients, at a fraction of time and cost. An important way, in which the reseller can showcase the value-proposition of the ERP companies to their prospective clients, is by developing proprietary modules that are highly industry-specific and specifically target industry-based challenges, on top of the ERP software. For an ERP giant, customizing their solution for different micro-industries may not make sense, as it does not drive large economies. For resellers, creating technology not for the masses but for the focused groups with the ability to showcase micro-industry expertise will help in differentiation as well as in driving new scales and economies. Resellers should leverage the bigger company’s resources to reach out to the right focused groups, at the right place...
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...each of these external factors. Social/demographic: Great Lakes started as a successful, low-key corporation. With the acquisition of Octel, they stumbled on a gold mine. They had the ability to create more bromine but also but them as owner of a lead additive called tetraethyl lead (TEL). Socially, this has made them an enemy. TEL has caused the death and disablement of many. Society is not looking at Great Lakes as a hero. They are looking at them as a problem that needs to be dealt with. The terminated use of TEL would make them more favorable here in the U.S. as well as in other developed and developing countries. As they venture into more un-chartered territory to expand the use of lead gasoline, more lives will be put at risk. Mortality and disability rates will increase. Technological: Great Lakes does not have any technological issues. They have the capability to remove the lead additives and to stop producing them as well. Their products were sold not only in the US and other developed countries but developing countries as well. Some developing countries did not have the capacity or know how to make the change from lead to unleaded gas which meant Great Lakes could still make a profit off of lead additives. It would be in their power to help those developing countries with the necessary technology to make the switch but the switch would also hurt them economically. Economics: By 1995, Great Lakes’ annual revenue was $5 billion. They were...
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...competitiveness of Indian industry 1. Innovation - Research and development R & D expenditures in India are inadequate. India as a whole spends only 0.85 % GDP on research and development. Focus should be on development of indigenous technology, efficiency and adaptation of imported technologies. Also government has to come up with industrial and trade policies which will promote research and development. The industries should make alliances with educational systems for providing solutions to practical problems face by them. The alliances in business and education should focus on identifying creative, flexible partnership models between governments, industry, and the academic community. Industries should also provide necessary funding and infrastructure to set up laboratory in educational institutes. They should promote students for doing extensive R & D and acquiring patents. The renewable energy and sustainable resources track highlighted opportunities in the renewable and alternative energy sector that are keys to creating greater energy security and economic competitiveness. 2. Information Technology (IT) systems Information technology (IT) is playing & will play a crucial role in Indian industries. It has transformed the whole world into a global village with a global economy, which is increasingly dependant on the creative management and distribution of information. IT provides the communication and analytical power that industries need for conducting trade...
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...Great Lakes. Describe how Great lakes will be affected by each of these external factors. Great Lakes produced specialty chemicals for the production and distribution of polymers, fire suppressants and retardants. Founded in the 1930s, Great Lakes were known as an oil and gas exploration company under the name of McClanahan Oil Company. In the 1950s its focus was petroleum production but later took a different approach into the bromine and chemical business. The idea behind the company was to extract bromine salt water brine deposits from underground. Having a headquarters in Indiana, Great Lakes built a great reputation and became the world’s largest bromine plant in southern Arkansas. Great Lakes have proven to be a leader in the industry of leaded additives. Technological advances for the company include advances to eliminate the harmful chemical being produced. Great Lakes were committed to “protecting the health and safety” of its employees, communities, and the environment(Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2011). Great Lakes seemed to have a good Management Information System to track their profits and losses over the years. The company was aware of the fact if they stopped producing the leaded additives there was potential loss of profits which would result in low average returns. The fact that developing countries didn’t have a means to produce the additive was a positive for Great Lakes because they could supply the countries with a product not available or currently produced...
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...the tax incentives for foreign investors policy Reporting to the Manufacturers league Executive Summary This report has been written in response to the government’s proposed tax incentive policy for foreign multi-national corporations to increase foreign direct investment within Australia. The report draws attention to the reasons behind the government’s proposal. These include the slow growth trends of the manufacturing industry, restoring the dropped level of foreign investment caused by the global financial crisis as well as a desire to increase levels of employment within the manufacturing sector. It continues by drawing attention to the resultant competitive issues that may be caused by such a move as well as issues that may arise due to inflation. It also draws attention to the tendency for foreign investment to result in less government intervention which may affect the industry in the longer term. It is recommended that: * The government increase the breadth of its proposal to all investors in the manufacturing industry so as to reduce competitive pressures on local manufacturers. * The government increases investment in training to provide a skilled workforce and reduce inflationary wage pressures. Introduction This Report shall be to determine whether or not tax incentives, with relation to foreign direct investment (FDI), are beneficial, holistically. First we must say a word about the nature of FDI. FDI can be defined as “...investment...
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...subjects are discussed. The oil and gas industry has become an important part of every person’s day. Whether it’s lighting, driving, or cooking, oil and gas has become a conglomerate in big business. Known as one of the most profitable industries in the market today, stocks fluctuate on a daily basis. The history, current leaders, and financial statistics of the industry all play factors in how the business operates. The history of oil and gas plays a factor in today’s society. Petroleum has always had great demand around the country. By the twentieth century, petroleum lead the world in the product for trade market. Countries such as America, Canada, and Russia began to establish oil fields in the early 1900’s and by mid century, these countries produced up to 3,500 tons of petroleum. The first modernized oil refinery was built in Poland. This oil refinery exported petroleum to counties in Europe and in northern Africa. Competition in eastern Europe for oil was getting competitive. The U.S. took over Europe as world leaders of producing oil in the 1920’s. Factories and refineries began popping up all over the country. The hotspots in the U.S. for oil and gas are Charles 2 Texas, Oklahoma, California, and Alaska. These states to this day lead the country with the most oil and gas produced and their economies are based around the booming economy of oil and gas. Offshore oil welling in the Gulf of Mexico also contributes to the industry. Sherwood Boehlert states that, “About...
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...existing in that environment (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2011 custom edition). Because firms cannot directly control the segments of their external environment, successful ones learn how to gather the information needed to understand all segments and their implications for selecting and implementing the firm’s strategies (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2011 custom edition). Social/Demographic Segments The demographic segment for the Great Lake Chemical Corporation was that since the world’s population roughly doubled in a forty year period between 1959 and 1999, they did well with their oil and gas exploration company. Great Lakes never set out to be a lead additive producer but acquired Octel Associates for its capacity to produce bromine. Great Lakes could continue to supply lead additives to developing countries. The demand would remain high and the competition would be minimal, but the vocal opposition from environmentalists and others would likely only grow stronger (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2011 custom edition). As for the age structure of Great Lakes, less people are retiring because they cannot afford to. These people will need gas to get to and from work. People will also still need cleaning products. Great Lakes is challenged by popular health concerns surrounding...
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