...One subsystem, organizational culture, directly impacts and plays a vital role in regards to the functioning and well being of an organization. Organizational culture, as defined by Schein, is a: (…) pattern of shared basic assumptions that the group learned as it solved its problems of external adaptations and internal integrations that has worked well enough to be considered valid and, therefore to be taught to new members as the correct way to perceive, think, and feel in relation to those problems” (as cited in Guzman, Stam, & Stanton, 2008, p. 34). Therefore, IT managers must consider that organizational culture is an important factor to be taken into consideration within the value chain. As stated by Schein, culture is relevant and it matters because it is a powerful, latent, and often unconscious set of forces that determine both our individual and collective behavior, ways of perceiving, thought patterns, and values (Guzman et al., 2008). In order to take a look deep inside an organization’s social and technical dynamics, via value chain we turn our attention to “The Mini-cases: 5 companies, 5 strategies, 5 transformations”. This unique interaction case study was conducted by Balu Bagopal, Maurice Berns, Zayna Khajat, Martin Reeves and Andrew Townsend a MIT Sloan Management Review and knowledge partner. The Boston Consulting Group, with sponsorship support from business analytics provider SAS,...
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...LOCATION AND PEOPLE ATTRACTIVENESS FOR OUTSOURCING Offshoring, when a company conducts activities outside its country of origin, took off in the late 1990s, and was mainly driven by an increased need for large-scale IT operations. Currently, many large companies have large parts of their service operations offshore, and analysts expect that midsize and small companies will follow. For hosting countries, attracting offshore activities is an important manner of boosting its economy, attracting know-how and building skills. As a result, countries are continuously trying to entice companies to offshore production to their premises. LOCATION ATTRACTIVENESS | | PEOPLE ATTRACTIVENESS | | INFRASTRUCTURE | HIGH | QUALITY OF POEPLE | MEDIUM | COUNTRY RISK | MEDIUM | COST OF HIRING PEOPLE | MEDIUM | TIME ZONE ATTRACTIVENESS | HIGH | TYPE OF SKILLS | LOW | | | ENGLISH PROFICIENCY | MEDIUM | TOTAL | HIGH | | LOW | Global Services Location Index The ‘Global Services Location Index’ (GSLI) 2014 by A.T. Kearney is the sixth edition of the report in which the consulting firm examines the offshoring landscape in 51* countries around the globe, and ranks the top destinations for global offshoring. To come to this ranking, three main categories were researched; financial attractiveness, people skills and availability, and business environment. The weight given to these metrics is based on their importance to the location decision. ‘Financial factors’ constitute for 40% of...
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...Vertical Integration vs Outsourcing of Zara Written by Mohd Rahman October 04, 2014 “The original business idea was very simple. Link customer demand to manufacturing, and link manufacturing to distribution. That is the idea we still live by” -- Jose Maria Castellano Rios, Inditex CEO. 1 Introduction to Zara Zara is an icon in the fashion world and largest international fashion designing and manufacturing company. Zara is the flagship chain store of Inditex Group owned by Spanish tycoon Amancio Ortega, Inditex is one of the world's largest fashion retailers with eight brands and over 6,460 stores throughout the world (Ref-1). Headquarter of the group is in Coruña, Spain where the first store of Zara was launched in 1975. This paper will analyse the company and try to link its activities with supply chain strategy of vertical integration and outsourcing. Later will come to a conclusion that Zara is vertically integrated with justification and made recommendation for further improvement. Definition of Vertical Integration In strategic management, the term vertical integration describes a style of management control, when a company expands its business into areas at different points of the same production path. Vertically integrated companies in a supply chain are united through a common owner. Usually each member of the supply chain produces a different product or services, and the production combine to satisfy common need. In the following paragraph I will try to...
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...ten years in the United States. The main headquarters is just outside of Chicago, IL from where the shoes are distributed. The brand has been quite successful in the past, but losing significant market share to Nike and Adidas. Management has decided to complement its soccer shoes with a stylish training jacket, pants and jersey to completely outfit soccer players or workout enthusiasts. The outfit is lightweight in design; providing maximum comfort and air circulation for indoor workouts, outdoor practice and soccer games. While Nike and Adidas are battling for global soccer domination, Komfort Kicks would like to make a comeback under the radar and strengthen its brand and reputation while becoming a sponsor at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. With increased competition in the sports athletic market, management has hired DeVry University’s Creative Marketing firm to propose an IMC Campaign. This campaign is intended to strengthen the Komfort Kicks brand equity, promote its new training outfit and increase sales. According to IBIS World, the sports and athletic goods industry has grown at an annualized rate of 0.6% to $9.1 billion, including 2.2% revenue growth in 2014. Over this time, the average profit margin for industry operators has also contracted due to the rising competition from imports, which has put downward pressure on selling prices. Research has concluded that as consumers become more health conscious, they will feel more inclined to purchase athletic apparel...
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...Write a 3-4 page paper in which you: 1.Describe the role of business in the economy. 2.Compare and contrast the roles of for-profit and nonprofit organizations in the economy. 3.Discuss the impact of current fiscal and monetary policy on the economy. 4. Select a product or service with which you are familiar and outline a strategy for accessing global markets. 5.Select an organization with which you are familiar and discuss the impact of that organization ’s level of social responsibility on a stakeholder group of your choice. My assignment must: •Be typed, double-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: •Distinguish between the major forms of business ownership and compare the advantages and disadvantages of each. •Define entrepreneurship and the nature and importance in the U.S. economy of small businesses. •Describe the basic accounting process and the financial statements used in business. •Explain the role of financial management, human resource management, and information management in a business. •Identify the basic components of the marketing process (product, promotion, pricing, and distribution). •Use technology and information resources to research issues in business. •Write clearly and concisely about business issues using proper writing...
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...Perspective Paolo Pigorini Vinay Couto Ariel Fleichman Carlos Gondim Reshaping Your Company Business Model Building for the Future During the Downturn Contact Information: Buenos Aires Ariel Fleichman Principal +54-11-4131-0413 ariel.fleichman@booz.com Chicago Vinay Couto Partner +1-312-578-4624 vinay.couto@booz.com Rio de Janeiro Paolo Pigorini Partner +55-21-2237-8409 paolo.pigorini@booz.com São Paulo Carlos Gondim Senior Associate +55-11-5501-6371 carlos.gondim@booz.com Booz & Company EXECUTIVE SUMMARY There is widespread recognition that the typical corporate cost-cutting initiatives will not suffice in the current business environment. To navigate the global downturn and even prosper in the process, corporate leaders must take a step back and consider how best to implement long-lasting and effective initiatives aimed at fundamentally improving the way their companies operate. Booz & Company’s approach focuses on three strategic questions: What do we do? How do we do it, and where? How well do we do it? Our experience shows that companies too often neglect the relevant issues related to their business model (“How do we do it?”). Focused efforts in this area can result in structural improvements in efficiency and effectiveness. This Perspective explores the commonly observed issues and derailers surrounding companies’ business models in light of important questions they currently face: Have we built into our operation the flexibility and resilience necessary...
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...Brazil’s Economy In 2001, Brazil was viewed as one of the up and coming, fastest growing economies in the world. In fact, Jim O’Neill wrote a paper titled, “Building Better Global Economic BRICs”, which is about the emerging economies in the world. The acronym BRIC represents: Brazil, Russia, India, and China (Smith). These global leaders have lived up to expectations and have grown at a much faster rate than the rest of the world. They have been able to lift millions of people out of poverty, including 40 million in Brazil alone. Will Brazil continue to be part of the BRIC in years to come? A 2010 Goldman Sachs report predicted by the year 2030 the BRIC countries would account for an astounding 41% of the world’s market share (Smith). But we now see that those predicted numbers are very far from certain. Many believe if Brazil does not improve some of its problems plaguing its society, the BRIC could easily become the RIC group. Without the necessary changes being made, Brazil’s annual compounding rate of 4.4% could be washed away. Recently the GDP numbers show their industrial output lingering around recession numbers. It is also predicted that the Brazilian economy will grow less than the U.S. economy this year (Rapoza). Brazil was originally able to secure its spot in the fastest growing nations in the mid to late nineties by bold privatization and economic liberalization policies by then president Fernando Henrique Cardoso. Cardoso’s successor, “Lula” da...
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...You chose to study in the United Kingdom. You are beginning to think about what your options are after graduation. Building on an excellent international education you are returning to your home country, Brazil. You stand at the beginning of an exciting career, but what are the steps you need to take in order to find a suitable job, and where do you find the information you need? This careers profile provides you with practical advice about returning to work in Brazil to help you make a successful start in your career in the Brazilian labour market. Included are key facts about current trends and jobs in Brazilian industry, advice about seeking employment in Brazil, hints and tips for making a successful application, and helpful information sources. Country profile Benefits Main routes to employment Where will your career take you? Current career prospects Where to find more information Appendix 1: sample CV Country profile In the past two decades Brazil’s economy has seen a growth spurt, with an average growth of GDP of 4.5% between 2004 and 2007. Before the credit crunch which affected the global economy in 2008 – 2009, an estimated average GDP growth for 2008 to 2010 had been predicted at 5%. For 2010, the finance minister of Brazil has predicted the GDP growth to be 5.2%. This shows that the Brazilian economy is still one of the fastest growing economies of the world, together with the other BRIC countries: (Russia, India and China), of which India...
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...Executive Summary Zara has relied on Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s) and Point of Sales (POS) terminal operating on Microsoft DOS which are not linked to the headquarters or other stores for its daily transactions. Although, the system has proved to be stable and reliable over time, it has become obsolete and cannot be supported by the providers. I recommend that the company invest on a new system like Windows, UNIX or Linux operating system which will enhance connectivity and flexibility in operations and information flow. Investing in a cutting edge technology though may be capital intensive initially; it will ultimately improve efficiencies across board and provide new learning opportunities for the entire workforce. Introduction Zara is a division of the Inditex group, a multinational clothing retailer and manufacturer with headquarters in La Coruna, Spain. Inditex operates in a `fast fashion` industry and in an environment where consumer demand was notoriously hard to forecast. The first Zara store was opened in 1975 near the factory. Today, Zara has over 650 stores spread across 50 countries around the world located in luxury shopping districts that attracts well-heeled customers. As part of an integrated group that includes, fabric, dye making and computer aided (CAD) cloth making factory, Zara contributes over 73.3% of the group’s sales in 2002 fiscal-year and the most profitable. Almost half of Inditex revenue is gotten in Spain while...
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...Brazil occupies a large area along the eastern coast of South America and includes much of the continent's interior,[141] sharing land borders with Uruguay to the south; Argentina and Paraguay to the southwest; Bolivia and Peru to the west; Colombia to the northwest; and Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana to the north The Ministry of External Relations is responsible for managing the foreign relations of Brazil. Brazil is a significant political and economic power in Latin America and a key player on the world stage.[1] Brazil's foreign policy reflects its role as a regional power and a potential world power and is designed to help protect the country's national interests, national security, ideological goals, and economic prosperity. Between World War II and 1990, both democratic and military governments sought to expand Brazil's influence in the world by pursuing a state-led industrial policy and an independent foreign policy. Brazilian foreign policy has recently aimed to strengthen ties with other South American countries, engage in multilateral diplomacy through the United Nations and the Organization of American States, and act at times as a countervailing force to U.S. political and economic influence in Latin America. Contents * 1 Overview * 2 Foreign policy * 2.1 Lula da Silva administration * 2.2 Rousseff administration * 3 Regional policy * 4 Diplomatic relations * 5 United Nations politics ...
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...vision and agility to respond quickly and flexibly to rapidly changing market conditions, developing the capabilities needed to respond to four strategic imperatives: 1. The Middle East and surrounding emerging markets are continuing to grow, and the region’s operators must reestablish the momentum they had before the recession if they are to capture their fair share of that growth. In developed markets, they must develop new value-added services that can differentiate them from competitors. In emerging markets, they must continue to gain share as quickly as possible. 2. As large sections of the telecom value chain become commoditized, operators must work to derive value through innovation. Simply copying competitors’ services and pricing plans will not work. Instead, operators must look outside their markets—and even their industries—for ideas, and create the means and the culture to promote internal innovation. 3. Demand for high-speed broadband is increasing all over the world, and the Middle East is no exception. Customers are looking both to improve their Internet experience and to make effective use of a wide...
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...Introduction: This is a report to assess whether the sports entertainment company WWE is meeting its aims and objectives. It will show what WWE are currently doing to meet the Initiatives they have set. Evidence for this report is from the company’s current business issues site http://corporate.wwe.com/ this includes company statistics and slideshows for people to view. I have also viewed a conference which is called WWE business partner summit. Ownership for this company is publicly traded company and has Shareholders. They are an international business as they do their programming in 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 500 million homes around the world. Aims and Objectives Recently the company had rebranded themselves from World Wrestling Entertainment to just the WWE knocking out the words wrestling will help in order to open more things and enter into all audiences homes on their TV other than just wrestling such as making offices out of USA to make relationships with all types of viewers, this is an example of their aims. In addition they aim to also make a profit and to improve financial results every year. They wanted to expand from the wrestling product by making new products. Also wanted to be more international and building relationships in those countries this can go under having more viewers. After revising their first quarter results WWE have fallen in many areas such as Live Events/Venue Merchandise and Pay‐per‐view “Free Cash Flow declined...
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...Cooperativismo – associativismo ou integracionismo? Edelvino Razzolini Filho Cícero Fernandes Marques Humberto Stadler Resumo Este trabalho aborda a questão do cooperativismo sob a ótica da logística, mais especificamente sob a perspectiva do Supply Chain Management – SCM, em que se procura demonstrar que não existe, nas cooperativas paranaenses, condições ideais para a implantação da filosofia de gestão propugnada pelo SCM, uma vez que as cadeias de suprimentos das cooperativas vive uma dicotomia: associativismo em parte da cadeia e necessidade de integracionismo em outra parte dessa cadeia. A dificuldade em fazer com que as cadeias de suprimentos das cooperativas sejam integradas leva a uma perda de competitividade que compromete a eficácia dessas cadeias, trazendo prejuízo a todos os envolvidos e, consequentemente, à sociedade como um todo. Palavras chave: Logística, Cadeia de Valor, Cooperativismo, Integracionismo, Competitividade. 1. Introdução Muito se tem escrito sobre o tema cooperativismo, ao longo do tempo. Porém, não se analisa a questão das cooperativas sob a ótica do seu funcionamento enquanto parte de uma cadeia produtiva mais ampla; muito menos se percebe a gestão dessa cadeia sob a abordagem da administração das cadeias de suprimentos – SCM – supply chain management – o que tem levado muitas cooperativas a um estado de quase falência ou, ainda, de competição em desvantagem no mercado. Assim, o que se pretende é analisar essa questão...
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...A GLOBAL / COUNTRY STUDY AND REPORT ON “ _________________________________________” Submitted to (SARDAR PATEL COLLEGE OF ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMNT) IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT OF THE AWARD FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF BUSINESS ASMINISTRATION In Gujarat Technological University UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF Name and Designation Submitted by (STUDENT NAME) [Batch: 2010-12, Enrollment No.:2006 to 2012] MBA SEMESTER III/IV (SARDAR PATEL COLLEGE OF ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMNT) MBA PROGRAMME Affiliated to Gujarat Technological University Ahmadabad March-2012 Students’ Declaration We, __________________________________, hereby declare that the report for global country report entitled “______________________________”in (Name of the country) is a result of our own work and our indebtedness to other work publications, references, if any, have been duly acknowledged. Place : …….. (Signature) Date : (Name of Student) ------------------------------------------------------ Institute’s Certificate “Certified that this Global /Country Study and Report Titled “……………… ……………” is the bonafide work of Mr./ Ms……… …………………….. (Enrollment No………..), who carried out the research under my supervision. I also certify further, that to the best of my knowledge the work reported herein does not form part of any other project report or dissertation on the basis of which a degree or award was conferred on an earlier occasion on this or any other candidate. Signature...
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...Vipp The Danish entrepreneur company ! % * ( ( # # ! & ' ( # ) " # ! $ 1 “I never knew it was possible to spend so much money on a bathroom pedal bin. I’d been to the supermarket to return two bags full of recyclable bottles and cans, and, nosing around a few shops on the very short walk home, having extracted some cash from the bankautomat, and having purchased a photo-frame for my wife, I wandered into “liro”, a designer furnishings boutique and art gallery. Amongst their beautifully overdesigned and overpriced stock were a number of exceedingly smart looking Vipp pedal-bins. I imagined one such in our bathroom, in place of the small blue plastic bucket-shaped bin we’d been using for the past year and a half. I sensed an impulsebuy coming on, but then looked at the price, which startled me and made me think twice, until, very shortly after, having thought about it a third time, I bought one anyway.” Giornale Nuovo, January 2003 – a Swedish customer tells his Vipp-story Perception of the Brand A waste bin becomes an object of desire. “Less is more” seems to be slogan of Scandinavian design in general: Luxury is rather an understatement than a flashy interior and like furniture and kitchen equipment it takes a lot of decoding to translate the desirable brands into a pretty posh lifestyle. Only if you are sufficiently posh yourself you can decode for instance the Vipp pedal-bin as a desirable object – and then you become a member of this sequestered club...
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