Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 24

Globalization - Essay Example Depending on the merits and merits of globalization to various states, proper measures are instituted accordingly. Various factors will continue to encourage globalization. On the first note, improved technology will continue to serve as the primal driver of globalization. Technology advents such as the internet and mobile phones have played a major role in bringing globalization to its current state. Technology will continue to spread across the world since it is the main force behind significant integrations. Improved technology translates to better communication and information sharing (Ashford & Hall, 2011). Secondly, the world is undergoing a period of increased free trade. Free trade will continue to be an important factor of globalization since it has earned the support of World Trade Organization (WTO), which encourages global trading. Thirdly, stepped-up mobility of labor from one country to another will promote globalization. Developing countries have come to realize the big role that remittances of global trade plays in their economies. Fourthly, meliorated mobility of capital in the past few decades will stretch into the future to step-up the pace of globalization. Capital barriers have been trivialized, making it possible for capital to flow to and from various economies. In effect, firms are able to acquire financing, a trend that will continue to the future. Fifthly, a drop in the cost of transportation is not expected to deteriorate in the future. The advent of containerization means that the distribution of products, across the world, is cheaper. Consumers in all parts of the world will continue to access products, thanks to the reduced cost of transport (Zedillo, 2014). In unison, these factors will correct the pace of globalization that has been affected by the financial crisis in the world. All the same, there are factors that will hinder the prosperity of globalization. First, the increasing concern of environmental

Scope of branding and current trends Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Scope of branding and current trends - Essay Example Interestingly brands in the field of marketing originated in the 19th century with the advent of packaged goods. Industrialization moved the production of many household items, such as soap, from local communities to centralized factories. These factories, generating mass-produced goods, needed to sell their products to a wider market, to a customer base familiar only with local goods. So the packaged goods manufacturers needed to convince the market that the public could place just as much trust in the non-local product. Around 1900, James Walter Thompson published a house ad explaining trademark advertising. This was an early commercial explanation of what we now know as branding. Since their origin, brands have come a long way in technique, sophistication and reach. Many traditional â€Å"rules† of branding have been tossed aside over the years with the advent of the internet, cutting edge branding techniques and complex ventures. Branding has also conquered new terrains su ch as law firms, countries or even local produce. In this paper, we will attempt to identify and expand on some of the latest trends in branding and their scope. We will also attempt to demonstrate how these changes in branding concepts are a reflection of our times and a natural progressive reaction to external factors that has driven its rapid and powerful evolution. But, before we delve into that, we first take a look at the various issues that influence responsible branding to really comprehend the magnitude of a strong brand influence and also its constraints.

Causes of the Haitian Revolution (1791 †1804)

Causes of the Haitian Revolution (1791 – 1804) The Circumstances in Haitian Society That Made the Revolution Inevitable by 1791. The Haitian revolution began in 1791, and was the largest slave rebellion in the western hemisphere. Since the start of forced slavery in the Caribbean, there have been many revolts, revolutions and resistance against slavery, but the revolution in Haiti was the most successful and by the year 1804 slavery was abolished in the Caribbean (Beckles H., Shepherd V. A., 2). The results of the revolution have produced a historical monument that has influenced civil right movements all over the world to this day. Such a revolution and its impact must have been deemed a surprise and an ordinary rebellion that could have been overrun at the time it began (Fick, Carolyn E., 1). However, circumstances in the Haitian society such as the ill treatment of slaves, social hierarchy and the French revolution, made the revolution inevitable by 1791 (Rand, 1). The French colony Saint Domingue was the name given to Haiti before the revolution. It began as a French pirate outpost who stole from the Spanish ships. Soon this island was the most productive colony in the West Indies and possibly the world with the growth of sugar, coffee, indigo, and cotton plantations. It provided about 40% of Europe’s sugar and 60% of its coffee. More than thirty thousand new African slaves arrived each year, both to replace the many that died of overwork or disease and also to fuel the rapid economic growth that the colony experienced in the 1780s. Also as a result, the natural population growth was prevented and mortality rates were high. Between a third and a half of all slaves on the island were born in Africa and the slave population grew to occupy 90% of the island. The slaves had been Christianized in the early days of the colony but this was soon put to an end. After that, the slaves were left to their own resources, and had developed their own culture, complete with a language which was creole and religion known as voodoo, both strongly influenced by African roots. France as a West Indies colony owner was aware of the ill treatments of slaves and the government aimed to put a stop to it. Even before 1789 critics have been speaking out against slave trade and the brutality involved. The slavery system in the colonies including Saint Domingo was governed by royal edicts which made up the Code Noir or slave code. This code described penalties for rebellious slaves (Sylviane A. Diouf.) Slave owners were fearful of the potential of the slaves to hurt them on their own plantations. Thus there was an increase on strict and harsh punishment. As a result revolts and plans of rebellion were organized among slaves who were tired of such ill treatment. Over and over attempts were made to distinguish the white’s domination over plantations through voodoo, protests, destruction of owner’s properties and poisoning of the owners. The slaves fought back and slowly the French government became uneasy and nervous concerning these revolts (Sylviane A . Diouf). Of course before 1791 these rebellion threats were put a stop to but it was these slaves who fought back that provided hope for the revolution. From the moment these resistances persisted the revolution was unavoidable. The Haitian society consisted of four main classes, the whites or blancs, the free lacks and Mulattoes or gens de couleur libres, the poor whites and the slaves (Rand D). The whites were the Europeans who were in charge. They consisted on the colony government and the plantation and slave owners. They usually stayed in France and hired people to go to the colonies and govern the plantations and slaves. Below them, were the wealthy free colored people. Frenchmen would frequently father children with the slaves and would free their offspring which were known as the Mulattoes. Other free persons of color were black slaves who had purchased their own freedom or had been given freedom by their masters for various reasons. Next were the poor whites who worked as artisans and laborers. At the bottom of the hierarchy were black slaves and the maroons. There two types of black slaves the domestic slaves and the maroons. The maroons were a large group of run-away slaves who retreated deep into the mountains of Saint Domingue. There were tens of thousands of them prior to the Revolution of 179. The root of the Haitian revolution was the fundamental imbalance in Haitian societal hierarchy. After the rumors of the harsh treatment of slaves in the colonies the members of the French government was aiming to construct laws to increase the working conditions under which the slaves in Saint Domingue were forced to work. Thus, many white planters wanted independence from revolutionary France in order to escape trade laws along with continuing what they thought was the most effective way to get the most efficient labor out of the slaves. The free people of color who although they were often members of a free and educated propertied class, the system blocked them from occupying many public offices because of their color, also they were forced to join the French military which most was hesitant to do. Thus while struggling for full rights of citizenship they were attracted to the concept of equality embedded in the doctrine of The Rights of Man. Some made the voyage to France to speak on behalf of slaves for its abolition. The poor whites did not appreciate the fact that they lacked money and that colored people were treated better than them. As for the slaves, there was resentment growing because of their abuse. In such a society no one could have lived in harmony so tension grew and a political crisis and unrest grew. Each member of the classes worked against each other and alliances were made with unexpected partners. For example, Historians believe that it was the French government who orchestrated the start of the slave revolt in 1971in attempt to stop plant owner’s plot on making Saint Domingue independent. In the midst of this crisis slaves saw this as an opportunity to fight back and other countries such as the U.S, the Spanish, Dutch and British aiming to destroy the Frenches’ empire built in Saint Domingue gladly gave their support. With all these people who jumped at such an opportunity it seemed as if the revolution was assured. The French revolution had a huge impact on the Haitian revolution and it began in 1789 and ended in 1799. The French revolution was the result of years of feudalism which refers to the holding of land and in return a service or labor was received and unfair taxation. Along with this there was mismanagement of the country’s economy. As a result, France became in debt and King Louis XVI in an attempt to pay off this debt, spent money to fix the issues resulting in more debt. Eventually Frances’ economy collapsed and its people revolted due to a raise in taxation not enough food and medicine for the sick and supposed inequalities in social hierarchy where the royal took care of them while leaving the rest of France to fend for them. Thus there was a revolt against all nobility and war broke out in order to fight for liberty, equality and fraternity (Rosenzweig Roy, Center for History and New Media). In light of the French revolution and the fight therein for equality and a man’s civil rights, free colored people were inspired to fight for their civil right of citizenship and they were granted this (The Saylor Foundation). With the new circumstances surrounding the French revolution arising, slaves heard about this and the hope for freedom was sparked in them. This was just the stimuli the slaves needed to proceed with a revolt. Since the revolt occurred before the start of the revolt, it was not necessary to monitor the French revolution since it had already formulated ideas that have been inevitably brewing the minds of the revolutionists (Fick, Carolyn E., 4). The Haitian society was crowded with circumstances that influenced the unavoidable insurrection of the slaves which began in 1971. These circumstances were missed by the white colonists and as a result there was failure to predict the revolt that they had actually been forcing upon themselves since the societal desecration had begun. The mistreatment of slaves, the self-destructing societal hierarchy and the influential French revolution, all forced the most violent and ultimately, the most successful slave revolt in history. Works Cited Beckles H., Shepherd V. A., Freedoms won: Caribbean Emancipations, Ethnicities and Nationhood. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006. Bob Corbett. The Haitian Revolution, Part II. Web. 8th March 2015. Fick, Carolyn E. The Making of Haiti: The Saint Domingue Revolution From Below, Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1990. George Mason University, City University of New York. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: Exploring the French Revolution. Web. 8th March 2015. Rand D. Social Triggers of the Haitian Revolution. Web. 7th March 2015 Rosenzweig Roy, Center for History and New Media. Slavery and The Haitian Revolution. Web . 7th March 2015. Sylviane A. Diouf. 2007. The Abolition of The Slave Trade: African Resistance. Web. 7th March 2015. The Saylor Foundation. 2015.The Haitian Revolution. Web. 7th March 2015 United States Department of State, Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs. The United States and the Haitian Revolution, 1791–1804. Web. 7th March 2015.

The Soliloquies of Shakespeares Hamlet - To be or not to be Soliloquy

The â€Å"To be or not to be† Soliloquy in Hamlet      Ã‚  Ã‚   One soliloquy stands out above the others in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Of the seven soliloquies by the protagonist, the â€Å"To be or not to be† soliloquy is universally recognized as superior to the others. This essay considers this most famous soliloquy.    Marchette Chute in â€Å"The Story Told in Hamlet† describes just how close the hero is to suicide while reciting his most famous soliloquy:      Hamlet enters, desperate enough by this time to be thinking of suicide. It seems to him that it would be such a sure way of escape from torment, just to cease existing, and he gives the famous speech on suicide that has never been worn thin by repetition. â€Å"To be, or not to be . . .† It would be easy to stop living.    To die, to sleep; No more. And by a sleep to say we end The heartache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to . . .    But Hamlet has never succeeded in deceiving himself, and he cannot do so now. . . . [He] will not . . . be able to kill himself. He has thought too much about it to be able to take any action. (39)    Considering the context of this most notable soliloquy, the speech appears to be a reaction from the determination which ended the â€Å"rogue and peasant slave† soliloquy. In fact, in the Quarto of 1603 the â€Å"To be† speech comes BEFORE the players’ scene and the nunnery scene – and is thus more logically positioned to show its emotional connection to the previous soliloquy (Nevo 46). Lawrence Danson in the essay â€Å"Tragic Alphabet† discusses the most famous of soliloquies as involving an â€Å"eternal dilemma†:      The problem of time’s discrediting effects upon human actions and intentions ... ...evin, Harry. â€Å"An Explication of the Player’s Speech.† Modern Critical Interpretations: Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. Rpt. from The Question of Hamlet. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1959.    Nevo, Ruth. â€Å"Acts III and IV: Problems of Text and Staging.† Modern Critical Interpretations: Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. Rpt. from Tragic Form in Shakespeare. N.p.: Princeton University Press, 1972.    Rosenberg, Marvin. â€Å"Laertes: An Impulsive but Earnest Young Aristocrat.† Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Masks of Hamlet. Newark, NJ: Univ. of Delaware P., 1992.    Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1995. http://www.chemicool.com/Shakespeare/hamlet/full.html   

Hershey Foods Corporation Essay

Suggested Discussion Questions: 3. Based on your valuation of HFC, do you feel it was fairly valued by the market before the announcement of the sale? Are the Nestle–Cadbury Schweppes and Wrigley bids fair to their own shareholders (i.e., what needs to happen in order for these bids to create value for the bidding companies)? I think that Hershey’s Foods Corporation was fairly valued by the market before the announcement of the sale. I think that many of the shareholders were not happy with the selling because it tied into the community. I think the shareholders knew that it was a good idea because they would make more money and be able to diversify the company from their sale. I do not think that Nestle-Cadbury Scweppes and Wrigley bids are fare to their shareholders because I do not think that they are getting as much say as they should within the company. In order for these bids to create more value for the bidding companies I believe the company needs to diversify. I think their best option would be stock repurchase. This would allow the to have less stocks outstanding and make the company more profitable. Final Case Exam Questions: 1. What is the nature of Wrigley’s business? Is this a healthy, growing company? What would a major recapitalization of Wrigley signal to investors? (15 points) 2. What will be the effect of issuing $3 billion in new debt and using the proceeds to repurchase shares on:(a)Wrigley’s market value per share? (15points) (b)Wrigley’s number of outstanding shares (15 points)? (c)Wrigley’s book value and market value of equity (15 points)? 3. Would book value and market value weights change as a result of the recapitalization? (10 points) 4. What is Wrigley’s WACC before the repurchase? (15 points) 5. What will be the new WACC if the repurchase is undertaken? (15 points)

Business Aims and Objectives Essay

Knowing that you are taking a qualification at Bloomsbury Regional Technical College, you have been approached by several friends who would like you to help with the setting up of their businesses. You enjoy business because the subject constantly changes and you can see the relevance of all that you are learning. You can also apply what you are learning to different situations. a. Alice is thinking of setting up a small restaurant in a village two miles from the town centre. The setting is attractive. Her restaurant will only cater for a maximum of 36 customers, for whom she wants to serve gourmet food. b. Perminder wants to create a small charity that locally supports children with cerebral palsy. She represents a network of 30 parents who experience the illness and she wants to make sure that the charity can provide them with many of the resources and experiences they require in order to make their lives more comfortable. 1. You meet both Alice and Perminder for a cup of tea. Explain why organisations need aims and objectives. (P1) Every organisation needs to set aims and objectives to be able to run the business more easily and effectively. Objectives are more like goals, it’s more realistic than aims. Objectives are far more sensible and achievable. Aims are what an organisation wants to achieve. These are long-term plans, probably over next 3 to 5 years. This allows the business to move forward. Objectives set out how the organisation will meet their aims. 2. Describe to Alice and Perminder how they could use their aims and objectives. As you do so, explain the purpose of setting SMART objectives. (P2) An obvious objective for Alice and Perminder is to achieve goals. Precise, measurable targets will help you do this. You will have to concentrate on doing your best as you achieve one goal at a time. You should set these goals using SMART objectives. * Specific- You needs a clear  statement about what will do. Usually, it is quantified, which means it has a number in it. * Measurable – achievement can be checked. Recording your progress and keeping a record of your completed assessments will enable you to measure your achievements * Achievable – you can attain your target if you work hard. You can do really well if you stretch yourself * Realistic- your target should be sensible so that you stand a chance of achieving it. * Time-constrained – every objective should include a date for achievement or review/ these acts as a warning, as well as a spur if you are falling behind. You either achieve a SMART objective or need a good reason for not doing so. These types of objective are important for managers and employees in a business to measure success in achieving business aims. 3. Produce a mission statement for Alice for her business as well as for Perminder’s charity, alongside a series of objectives. Many large organisations have a mission statement that briefly identifies the main purpose of the business and how it sees itself. Alice: Alice wants to open a small restaurant in a village two miles from the town centre. The setting is attractive. Her restaurant will only cater for a maximum of 36 customers, for whom she wants to serve gourmet food. This is known as a privately owned business and will focus on customers, employees. The cost of their products or how they give values for money. Sainsbury’s mission statement is: â€Å"Our mission is to be the consumer’s first choice for food, delivering products of outstanding quality and great service at a competitive cost through working ‘faster, simpler and together.† Alice’s Mission Statement: ‘We take pride in working together to providing the best quality food for our customers of outstanding value to delight our customers’. Objectives for Alice: To provide good services and must make a profit to survive, to make sure that you only break even or make a loss for a very short time or the business can fail. Perminder: Perminder wants to create a small charity that locally supports children with cerebral palsy. She represents a network of 30 parents who experience the illness and she wants to make sure that the charity can provide them with many of the resources and experiences they require in order to make their lives more comfortable. This is known as Not- For-Profit and voluntary organisations and focus on the services they provide, the causes they support their aims in helping those in need. For example the mission of the Oxfam International is an ‘international group of independent non-governmental organizations dedicated to fighting poverty and related injustice around the world’. ‘ Perminder’s Mission Statement: ‘Our mission is to support children with cerebral palsy. So that is no longer causing a disability and premature death to children. Objectives for Perminder: To raise money that is used to support children. To aim to make surplus, after the cost of the business have been deducted, and reinvest this into the business and the services it offers.

101 Bien Pretty and Authors Purpose Professor Ramos Blog

101 Bien Pretty and Authors Purpose Notes Quick Write Imagine you do not have to worry about making money in order for food or shelter. Everything you could ever want is now taken care of. What would you do now? What would you want to be? What would you decide to do with your time? What is your purpose in life? To what end are you doing what you are doing? Notes Paste journals into the email with clear subjects. Dont email me links. Introduce the articles in journals Give journals proper titles Authors Purpose All writing has a purpose. When we write anything, it can be for any number of reasons. When you read a story, try to figure out why the author wrote it. What motivated them to write it? What are they trying to achieve with it? What possible purpose can the author have? What purpose does the text have? To Entertain To Inform To Persuade These are the three main purposes a text can have. These are not the only reasons. In college, we write to learn, to build knowledge, to demonstrate learning. To Learn To Build Knowledge To Show learning When you are given an assignment, figure out what your purpose is. What is the text supposed to convey? Good writing is purposeful. You have to know what you want to accomplish before you can figure out how to accomplish it and if you accomplished it. We can also think about writing within a conversation. You can write to summarize a conversation, in order to understand it. You can write to enter a conversation. Trying to add to a existing discussion. To understand To Enter a Conversation To Join a Conversation Bien Pretty We are going to practice analyzing Bien Pretty. The Five Moves of Analysis Suspend Judgment:  Set aside your likes and dislikes, your agreeing or disagreeing. Say to yourself, â€Å"What I find most  interesting  here is†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . Notice and Focus:  Simply put, pay close attention to details. â€Å"What do you notice?† What is significant/interesting/revealing/ strange. Slow down and take your time here. Don’t jump to interpretations before you’ve exhausted the details. Uncertainty is good. Look for Patterns:  Start sifting through the text looking for Repetitions, Strands, Binaries, and Anomalies. Repetitions:   â€Å"Anisdel Toro† drink in â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants,† etc., sheep dog in â€Å"How to Talk to a Hunter† Strands:   Animals in â€Å"How to Talk to a Hunter,† alcohol in â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† Binaries:   Light/Dark in â€Å"Sonny’s Blues,† young/old in â€Å"One of  Star Wars, One of  Doomâ€Å" Anomalies:   Mysterious notebook in â€Å"One of  Star Wars, One of  Doom,† tin of chocolates with Santa Claus â€Å"fondling† children painted on it in â€Å"How to Talk to a Hunter† Make the Implicit Explicit:  Explain to the reader what the details or the patterns imply. Explain your thought process. Pull out the implications and show them why you think they are â€Å"folded in† to the meaning of the text or image. What does this mean and  So What?  Why is it important? Keep Reformulating Questions and Explanations:  What else might this detail or pattern mean? How else could it be explained? What details don’t fit my theory? Can I adjust my theory to better fit with this? In-Text Citations One author: (Ramos 23). Two Authors: (Ramos and Smith 23). Three or more authors: (Ramos et al. 23). Quote from the article â€Å"Sandra Cisneros’s Modern Malinche: A Reconsideration of Feminine Archetypes in  Woman Hollering Creek† by  Alexandra Fitts: Cisneros reevaluates, and in a way revalues, the three most prevalent representations of Mexican womanhood: the passive virgin, the sinful seductress, and the traitorous mother, idolized in the figures of the Virgin of Guadalupe, La Malinche, and La Llorona. Here Fitts directly incorporates a quote from another author: In the words of Chicana critic and activist Gloria Anzaldà ºa, â€Å"this is her home / this thin edge of / barbwire† (20). â€Å"The historical representative of this sexualized position as cultural mediator is La Malinche. Malinche, doà ±a Marina, Malinalli-she has many names and many incarnations. What we know of her is that she was an Indian woman who served as interpreter and lover to Hernn Cortà ©s while he conquered her land and massacred her people. Infamous as a traitor and a whore, her legacy has been to serve as a representative of the victimization of the native people of Mexico at the hands of the whites, and as the shameful reminder of a woman’s complicity† (Fitts). Fitts, Alexandra. â€Å"Sandra Cisneros’s Modern Malinche: A Reconsideration of Feminine Archetypes in  Woman Hollering Creek.†Ã‚  International Fiction Review  29.1 (2002). Let’s cite an article together. What questions do you have? Peer Review Keep these things in mind. Peer edit the same way you revise your own work. Be specific in identifying problems or opportunities. Offer suggestions for improvement. Praise what is genuinely good in the paper. Context Makes Meaning The context of writing is what gives writing meaning. The way you structure an argument affects how it will be understood. You have to give the reader enough information and context so that they will understand and follow your point. You have to provide the context for your readers. If you fail to provide enough context the reader is left guessing. If you provide the wrong context, the reader is left confused. If you provide the right context, the reader is persuaded to see it your way. How you set up an argument affects how it will be perceived. If you describe Muslims as terrorist, you are setting up a context where they cannot be empathized with. If protesters are described as criminals and trouble makers, you cannot understand their point of view. If you describe Mexicans as rapists and murderers, you cannot see them as normal people. Quick Write What is your purpose for writing? How can you set up context to suit your purpose?

Total Quality Management (TQM)

Total Quality Management (TQM) TQM is an intricate approach aimed at improving the value of processes by consistently checking for deficiencies in these products and services (Sashkin Kiser, 1993).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Total Quality Management (TQM) specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More TQM is equally indispensable in the administration of hotels. It determines consumer contentment in terms of value of services provided. Nonetheless, measuring value still remains one of the concerns in the hospitality segment. It is crucial to apply TQM as a systematic approach; however, this is not enough to maintain it in an organization. TQM can be lucratively implemented in management of hotels by first recognizing customers as the most essential component of a transaction. This means paying attention to their responses. There should always be a balance between the initial expectations of clients and how they view the service received. A service can be considered of high quality if it meets or exceeds client expectations (Sanders Graham, 1992). Quality of processes provided can be improved by evaluating competitor’s performance. An outstanding provider pays attention to concepts pertaining to timeliness. It is the responsibility of a manager to make certain employees provide services on demand within the agreed time. Integrity is also vital; it entails completeness of the service that an organization provides. Employees should always follow the right procedures during provision of services. TQM is also implemented by coming up with measurement steps, which gives it, coherence. Statistical analysis of the processes helps in highlighting possible shortcomings in products and associated services. The results derived from the measurement methods are quite vital in making sound decisions (Mukherjee, 2006). An executive in the hospitality industry can constantly progress the quality of processes offered in various ways. One ca n induce personnel to embrace teamwork directed towards quality culture. Employees should be assisted so that they can improve job performance by eliminating barriers. These may incorporate lack of quality materials that aid duties. Job performance can also be enhanced by providing sufficient and relevant training in TQM as well as other areas of work. TQM requires managers to distinguish achievement. Symbolic rewards such as certifications should be accompanied by material recompense (Sashkin Kiser, 1993).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The thriving realization of TQM in an organization by an executive can be evaluated in various ways. Employees should embrace and sustain a tradition of TQM. Successful achievement of TQM involves acknowledging consumers’ needs. It also entails establishing clients’ wants, which should be, written down and explored . Consumer desires eventually translate to the processes that distinguish an organization. The processes developed should be understood by those within the company. The administration of an organization should ensure that the processes developed satisfy the needs of customers. Finally, administration should derive a means of providing processes with exemplary standards (Sashkin Kiser, 1993). TQM initiative is poorly implemented by organizations on numerous occasions. This is evident when a company does not demonstrate objectivity in improving their products and service through the provision of long-term plans for education and research. Such organizations focus on profits that are termed as short-term in nature. TQM cannot be productively implemented if an institute disregards the needs of the customers (Sashkin Kiser, 1993). An organization that inadequately attends to client feedback, and lacks methods of evaluation is likely to fail. References Mukherjee, P.N. (2006). Total Q uality Management. Mumbai: PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd Sashkin, M. Kiser, K. J. (1993). Putting total quality management to work: what TQM means, how to use it, and how to sustain it over the long run: San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Sanders, I. Graham, M. (1992). Total Quality Management in the Hospitality Industry. Vol 3, Issue 3: Oxfordshire: Carfax Publishing Company  Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Total Quality Management (TQM) specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

Qualitative Data Definition and Examples

Qualitative Data Definition and Examples In statistics, qualitative data- sometimes referred to as categorical data- is data that can be arranged into categories based on physical traits, gender, colors or anything that does not have a number associated with it. The hair colors of players on a football team, the color of cars in a parking lot, the letter grades of students in a classroom, the types of coins in a jar, and the shape of candies in a variety pack are all examples of qualitative data so long as a particular number is not assigned to any of these descriptions. Qualitative data is contrasted with  quantitative data  wherein quantitative  data sets have numbers associated with them that evaluate the quantity of an object or objects with shared features. Oftentimes, quantitative data is used to analyze qualitative data sets. Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data Its pretty easy to understand the difference between qualitative and quantitative data: the former doesnt include numbers in its definition of traits of an object or group of objects while the latter does. Still, it can get confusing when thinking in terms of statistical attributes, which include size and dimensions, which are quantitative and not qualitative data. In order to better understand these concepts, its best to observe examples of particular datasets and how they can be defined. Observe which are qualitative and which are quantitative data sets in the following examples: The cats have orange, brown, black, or white fur (qualitative).The boys have brown, black, blonde, and red hair (qualitative).There are four black cats and five orange cats (quantitative).The cake was 50 percent chocolate and 50 percent vanilla (quantitative). Even when a particular feature or attribute of an object is qualitative, such as chocolate for the cake or black for the cats, the inclusion of a number in the data set makes it a quantitative one, though this interplay is important for the study of statistics as it provides categories for which mathematicians  can then compare numerically. The Importance of Qualitative Data Whereas quantitative data is important in determining the particular frequency of traits or characteristics, the sizes, and dimensions of objects, and that sort of information about a given topic, qualitative data like the color of hair or skin of employees in a company or the healthiness of a pets coat can be important in statistical analysis, especially when paired with quantitative data about these qualitative features. Essentially, qualitative data is important because it allows statisticians to form parameters through which to observe larger sets of data. For instance, a company that wanted to determine the diversity of its workforce would want to look at a set of qualitative data like race and ethnicity of its employees as well as the quantitative data of the frequency of employees to belong to those races and ethnicities. Qualitative data provides the means for which observers can quantify the world around them- there are three blondes, two brunettes, and three black-haired women at the table or there are 16  freshmen and 15 sophomores attending the annual band trip.

BUS205 MOD 3 CA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

BUS205 MOD 3 CA - Essay Example Blank contracts are evident across McDonalds’ operations. They range from supplies, transportation to customer service contracts. A dominant blank contract central to the operations of McDonalds is franchising. McDonalds allows other parties other than its founders to own and run McDonalds restaurants around the world. All McDonalds’ stores are however subject to the regulation and control of the top management and the McDonalds Corporation. This means that deviant practices from those of McDonalds Corporation are not acceptable. Franchising ranges from buying, leasing to co-operating McDonalds stores. The sale of goods and services is subject to laws that seek to regulate and control the underlying transactions. An essential law to account for is the Uniform Commercial Code (White & Summers 130). This code is basically a law that governs the sale of products and services. The code is made up of different articles, each of which addresses a specific issue prior to transactions that involve sale of goods and services. In the McDonalds context, article 2 of the UCC is evaluated in regard to McDonalds’ blank contract in franchising. McDonald’s employs three different franchising strategies. These are: conventional franchise, business facilities lease (BFL) and joint venture franchising (Shaw & Lafontaine 1041). The first strategy is a twenty-year lease of the company’s stores. The second one involves a contract where the company sells it stores to potential buyers. Finally, the third strategy is basically the partnership of the corporation and its affiliate parties in a bid to expand and spread McDonalds’ operations. Article 2 of the UCC provides for the sale of goods only. The article does not provide for any service contracts. The critical aspect of this article is that a good is defined as an item that is identifiable and movable at the time of sale (White & Summers 237). In this regard, some franchising

Waste Management (Firm Analysis) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Waste Management (Firm Analysis) - Essay Example nvironment protection and regarded as an interface between the production, distribution and consumption of goods on the one hand, and soil, groundwater, air and climate on the other. Hence, it is an essential collaborator in the perspective of sustainable development. In the current scenario, industrialized nations are busy enhancing their regulatory frameworks and waste management infrastructure. As it is, the industry deals with extensively rising environmental and legal standards, best practices and the need for greater efficiency, quality management and occupational health aspects. Apparently, with the diversity and intricacy of products and accordingly of wastes, byproducts, and residues, there is no single solution to the waste treatment demands of today. A suitable combination of technologies is necessary in order to meet and respond to the many technical, ecological and economic requirements of integrated waste management on a regional level. As long as industry and consumers produce waste, an infrastructure is needed for their proper treatment and detoxification and for the secure and continuing disposal of residues (Hunt, 1990). The idea of producer’s responsibility was realized by swinging or reallocating the financial burden for the appropriate treatment or recycling of end-of-life products to manufacturers. This move established a new line of communication between the environmental sector and the manufacturing segments of society. In this scheme, waste managers convey information concerning designs for recycling and the design for disposal upstream to producers and manufacturers, thereby advocating the cause of the environment’s capacities and environmental constraints (Deyle, 1990). Today, the waste management industry is highly conscious and responsive of the significance of social aspects. These include, among others, the siting of facilities and introduction of novel collection schemes, educating consumers, training workers and staff,

I wondered how a person can be developed to be a leader Essay

I wondered how a person can be developed to be a leader - Essay Example An effective leader knows what needs to be done to bring life back to the company, to deal with the company’s debt and financial burdens, to manage burgeoning and diverse groups of employees or to introduce more consumer-relevant products. The leader is the person who knows how to bring results. This is the reason that company leadership is the first variable that is changed when it hits rough patches. Conversely, the asset that is most appreciated and valued when the company is gaining speed. I understand that an innate set of leadership characteristics is essential in a person to be a good leader, combined with relevant education and training. I attained that education in business school right at the onset of my career and it has proved instrumental in my career progression and leadership capabilities. I have surmised that leadership is very contextual in nature and exists in many forms and manifestations. There are no didactic rules surrounding leadership; leadership is suc cessful when it is addressing change and bringing results. What is Leadership? While there are countless definitions of leadership in textbooks, the one I found most relevant was presented by Kotter, saying that leadership addresses change in organizations and prepares it for the ensuing struggle (2001). The world is in a state of constant change and dynamism, affected by a multitude of factors including newer technologies, economic shifts, globalization, social responsibility, the internet and scarce resources. As a result, today’s companies need people at the helm who are capable of dealing with change and deciding strategies that bring about change. The legendary Steve Jobs is commended as being one of the best leaders of our times because he steered Apple single-handedly not only towards profit, but made the company the most innovative company in the world which affected billions all over the globe. The idea crafted by Jobs, in retrospect, seems so simple: to enable the e veryday consumer to have simple yet artful gadgets for everyday entertainment. It was that vision of change, combined with Jobs’ management of Apple’s resources to steer it towards achievement of that vision that has allowed Apple to become what it is today. Thereupon, I take leadership as the force that not merely creates a vision for betterment, but also communicates it to all stakeholders, making it possible for that vision to be realized. The Leadership Role With the understanding that leadership exists to address change, I attempted to understand the exact role leadership plays in this process. Leadership is about refusing to limit one’s mind to ‘either this or that’ scenarios, says Martin (2007); the author explains that leaders do not simply consider two three options and select among them, but rather they create new, unheard-of solutions. Effective leaders are not afraid of complicated problems and nor do they develop strategies that fit som e pre-conceived mould. Instead, leaders strive to find a special solution that meets the unique business need. The innovativeness in leaders’ thinking is represented by creative solutions to problems that are a result of multidirectional factors and often opposing options (Martin). McShane and VonGlinow (2009) state that leaders use all the persuasion tactics at their disposal to motivate people to understand and implement their creative solutions. I learnt

The culture of China Mafia (triad) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The culture of China Mafia (triad) - Essay Example Although clans have the same hierarchical triad structure, each one of them operates separately from the others, and each one can undertake a business, without asking the consent from the other (Booth 78). An important rule of these triads that can be also related to other organized crime organizations around the world is that women are prohibited to infiltrate in such societies. Moreover, their culture is based mainly on loyalty, because all members develop family ties and should pass an initiation process. In what concerns the profile of members of such societies, some of them are very educated (e.g. lawyers and accountants), who are using their professional status for illegal businesses (Lintner 88). These professionals are not under the possibility of being arrested because the police are focusing on the street criminals, and not on the legitimate lawyers and accountants (Chow 478). When assessing the culture of triad societies is important to overlook the main domains in which they operate. Chinese clans operate mainly in the area of heroin trafficking, but also on counterfeiting goods and human trafficking. The cities with the highest presence of triads are Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The functioning of Chinese triads has also been based on a strong connection or association with the government, mainly because of the communist regime of this country. An example of this kind of association happened in 1992 when Tao Siju (which was minister of public security) encouraged the patriotic work of clans, and set up the framework to continue their businesses, considered in the interest of the state (Brodhurst and Wa 12). Nowadays, it is also necessary to discuss the activity of these triads and to see if law enforcements and other measure had an impact on the culture of these triads and the way they operate. It has been seen an improvement in combating triads activity in Southern China due to a rapid economic development in this

Critical Thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Critical Thinking - Essay Example ver, recent years have shown the will of the two nations to come a peace agreement but political analysts have argued that the influence of outside forces is greater than their will to negotiate a peace deal. One significant external force directly linked to this conflict is the United States. The United States is perceived as a great ally of the Israeli nation. At the same time the nation is directly involved in the quest for peace in the region. In an argument by Citron (2006) the relationship between the United States and Israel is the greatest hindrance to a peace strategy between the Arab and the Israeli. The author further argues that the United States protects nuclear activities carried out by Israel but greatly condemn if any Arab nations use the same weapons. With this intervention, the quest for peace in the region has become an imagination that may never be achieved. It is also an obvious assumption that the Arab population has a significant level of hate against the United States. And their involvement in the conflict in the Gaza does not make the situation better. One could easily argue that the role of the United States in this particular conflict is to safeguard its interest and their diplomatic relationship with Israel. However, to their defense the United States government has on several occasions claimed that its involvement in the conflict is based on its responsibility to stop the use of dangerous nuclear weapons rejected across the globe. Additionally, its significance in the global political front puts the nation in a position whereby it has the obligation to act as the negotiator in this conflict. In an argument by Citron (2006) with the majority of the Arab nation against the role of the United States in the conflict, would it be better if the negotiating responsibility was given to a neutral nation? The same notion is shared by Maoz (2006) who argues that the Arab/Israeli conflict has been heightened by the constant interference of the

Emaar Properties PJSC Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Emaar Properties PJSC - Coursework Example Working Capital ratios 8 Investor performance 9 Conclusion 15 Bibliography 17 Executive Summary This report is a financial analysis of Emaar Properties PJSC which is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing real estate developers. Their performance is indicative of the huge rise in demand of living solutions for people around the globe. Emaar properties' has held a growing position in the industry as compared over the period of two years. The reports highlights on what financial effect the global financial crisis had on Emaar Properties’ performance. The continuous growth and expansion in various developments by Emaar Properties has played a vital role in its success. It has been competing well in its sector and industry within the geographical boundaries of Middle-East and has spread to international horizons as well. The leap to other countries has made Emaar Properties a global enterprise in the world of real-estate developers leading with innovations and state of the art facilities The report is clearly spread out in different sections according to financial results obtained while comparing Emaar from the year 2009 to 2010 and Emaar as compared to the industry average and its main competitors. This report is divided into parts and properly analyzed into different parts. The ratios have been calculated and analyzed as per the past record of Emaar properties. Other than that Emaar Properties figures have been compared to the Industry average too as well as other competitors. Emaar has been a leading real-estate developer and due to much expansion in its projects it has been retaining profits since 2007. It has been giving out zero dividends and all the money is invested back in the company. (Rasmala, 2010) Introduction Company Overview Emaar is one of the largest property investment organizations listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) in the year 2000. It was started in 1997 and is currently known as Emaar Properties Public Joint Stock Limited Company (PJSC). Emaar offers high quality apartments to homebuyers with its full range to cater to their particular requirements. Emaar is innovating at a quick pace to provide premium lifestyle to its consumers globally. It is responsible for developing value-added, master planned communities along with homes. It has changed the concept of living lifestyle with its innovative designs and devel opment. Along with developing and expanding in the Dubai Market, it has reached out globally in various countries for future projects and has been active for quite some years now. It is expanding globally by spreading its vision of innovative lifestyle development and a new concept of ‘home’. Additionally Emaar is listed on two additional markets of Jones Arabia Titans Index and S&P IFCG Extended Frontier 150 Index. Emaar was also awarded the 462nd position in the world by 11th Financial Times Global 500 in 2007. (Emaar Properties, 2008) Financial Overview In June 2004, Emaar took the initiative of reducing the value of their shares from AED 10 to AED 1. It was done primarily to protect the interests of the shareholders and make their shares affordable for potential investors. Emaar further went on to do a 1:1 rights issue to double its capital in July 2005. (Emaar Properties, 2008) Ownership and Management Emaar is currently run by Mohamed Ali Alabbar who is the Direct or General of Dubai Department of Economics Development and also the Chairman of Emaar Properties. Emaar was privately held when it was established in 2007. After expanding into 60 different areas of development by its companies, it was listed in the Dubai Financial Markets. By 2007, the government of Dubai bought a 32% stake by giving the private investors AED28 billion worth of stock. The company also owns the Gold and Diamond Park in

Critical Thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Critical Thinking - Essay Example ver, recent years have shown the will of the two nations to come a peace agreement but political analysts have argued that the influence of outside forces is greater than their will to negotiate a peace deal. One significant external force directly linked to this conflict is the United States. The United States is perceived as a great ally of the Israeli nation. At the same time the nation is directly involved in the quest for peace in the region. In an argument by Citron (2006) the relationship between the United States and Israel is the greatest hindrance to a peace strategy between the Arab and the Israeli. The author further argues that the United States protects nuclear activities carried out by Israel but greatly condemn if any Arab nations use the same weapons. With this intervention, the quest for peace in the region has become an imagination that may never be achieved. It is also an obvious assumption that the Arab population has a significant level of hate against the United States. And their involvement in the conflict in the Gaza does not make the situation better. One could easily argue that the role of the United States in this particular conflict is to safeguard its interest and their diplomatic relationship with Israel. However, to their defense the United States government has on several occasions claimed that its involvement in the conflict is based on its responsibility to stop the use of dangerous nuclear weapons rejected across the globe. Additionally, its significance in the global political front puts the nation in a position whereby it has the obligation to act as the negotiator in this conflict. In an argument by Citron (2006) with the majority of the Arab nation against the role of the United States in the conflict, would it be better if the negotiating responsibility was given to a neutral nation? The same notion is shared by Maoz (2006) who argues that the Arab/Israeli conflict has been heightened by the constant interference of the

Hewlett-Packard, Inc Essay Example for Free

Hewlett-Packard, Inc Essay Hewlett-Packard, Inc. has been one of the leading IT Company competing with DELL. Throughout the company history, Hewlett-Packard’s top management team has always sought to ensure that the company stays ahead of its competitors. Though this has been the case, strategic decisions made by the company’s past and present CEOs, especially, Carleton S. Fiorina and Mark V. Hurd may differ as much as they may be similar in some ways. During Carleton S. Fiorina’s tenure, the main focus was on the future and all strategic decisions and investments were made for future growth and stability. This kind of investment was at the expense of any decisions that would ensure growth at the time. Fiorina was the HP CEO from 1999 to 2005 and during her tenure the main causes of loss of revenue and market share were due to the fact that she not only focuses on the future rather than current growth but she made investments that seemed costly to the company at the time but which she believed could bring greater revenue growth in the future. Great opposition from managers and some board members, coupled with the scandal on leaked company information saw the company image delve into the negative causing financial damage to the company. According to Evans-Correia (2005), â€Å"Broderick said HP still faces numerous problems. It continues to lose market share to Dell Inc. and its corporate-computing unit, which includes storage, software and server computers, has remained weak and unable to fend off competition from IBM and EMC Corp. â€Å"The company has good technologies, but their to-market strategy has not been effective. †Ã¢â‚¬  Though the merger with Compaq brought increased revenue growth in the future, at the moment the merger was given a go ahead and completed, HP encountered its share of losses that were a little higher than it may have predicted initially and announced publicly. The then CEO, Fiorina, was questioned about these losses and the apparent in-disclosure of these information to the public and board of directors. In his article, Intense Grilling Flusters Fiorina, one of the writers, Burt (2002) reported that â€Å"Just as he had done yesterday, Hewlett attorney Stephen Neal repeatedly grilled the chief executive about internal financial reports that predicted larger revenue losses for 2003 than HP projected in publicly issued statements. † Increasing counterfeit products could also be seen as one of the setbacks that cost HP its revenue, image as well as market share. While the merger with Compaq brought H-P an added competitive edge in the computer hardware manufacture, the acquisition of EDS, an HP Company will now see H-P attain a competitive edge in the IT Services sector. This means that both ventures are almost equally important to H-P in maintaining leadership in the IT industry. The Compaq merger/acquisition was aimed at gaining HP footing in the computer hardware industry while the acquisition of EDS was strategically targeted at giving the company the competitive edge in IT services and customer care. While HP was mainly focused on the sale of printers, expansion to the computer hardware would prove strategic at the time the merger with Compaq was initiated. The moment EDS came on board, expansion and enhancement of the HP outsourcing service delivery was realized. During ex-CEO Fiorina’s tenure, the main strategic choices that were made were aimed at cost cutting and investment in the future with new ventures. While Fiorina focused on new ventures and expansion of the business part of the company, Hurd focused on expansion, growth and retention of employees and enhancement of customer service and support. Fiorina was more focused on sales, high profits and numbers at all costs while Hurd focused on the company tradition of focusing on the employees as well as growth and expansion. While Fiorina went to on to cut jobs so as to cut on costs, Hurd took on a new stand by focusing mainly on all that could be done to maintain the best workers and staff retention as well as customer satisfaction. As stated by Hurd and Lesjak in the HP Annual Report (2008), â€Å"The addition of EDS further expands HP’s comprehensive, strategically assembled portfolio that provides unparalleled capabilities for delivering end-to-end solutions. More importantly, EDS adds a world-class, globally scaled services capability to HP’s established leadership in hardware and management software. † Since inception, the company has proven to be a greater competitor and leading in innovation and customer satisfaction.

Die fusion von hewlett-packard

Die fusion von hewlett-packard 1. Einleitung „Aus zwei Verlierern wird kein Gewinner, diese auf die Fusion von Hewlett-Packard und Compaq bezogene Aussage stammt von Bob Djurdjevic. (Schießel, 2001) Ist das wirklich wahr? Mà ¼ssen vermeintliche Verlierer auch immer solche bleiben? Resultiert daraus, dass aus zwei Gewinnern immer ein neuer wird? Fast tà ¤glich berichten die Medien à ¼ber Unternehmenszusammenschlà ¼sse, immer wieder ist die Rede von „Mergers and Acquisitions und jedes hat seine eigene Meinung darà ¼ber, ob die einzelnen Transaktionen erfolgreich waren oder nicht. Es muss sich niemand die Meinung eines Anderen aneignen, wenn er die Mittel dafà ¼r hat, sich seine eigene bilden zu kà ¶nnen. In unserer Seminararbeit geht es um Erfolgsfaktoren von „Mergers and Acquisitions. Wir mà ¶chten nicht nur die Erfolgsfaktoren vorstellen, sondern dem Leser ein Werkzeug in die Hand geben. Mit diesem Hilfsmittel sollte er in der Lage sein Unternehmenszusammenschlà ¼sse von einer neuen Perspektive, nà ¤mlich die des Kritikers, zu betrachten. Es wird ihm eine Checkliste als Grundschema vorgegeben, anhand dessen er seine persà ¶nliche Einstufung eines Zusammenschlusses in Erfolg bzw. Misserfolg vornehmen kann. Zum Schluss unserer Seminararbeit wenden wir unsere aus der Theorie abgeleitete Liste auf das Fallbeispiel Hewlett-Packard und Compaq an. Daher werden wir soweit es unsere Literatur erlaubt insbesondere auf „Mergers and Acquisitions in der IT-Branche eingehen. Eine detaillierte Erarbeitung von finanziellen Aspekten insbesondere Aktienkursen werden wir vernachlà ¤ssigen, weil wir davon ausgehen, dass diese Informationen fà ¼r jeden Interessenten leicht auffindbar sind. Auch das Thema der Unternehmenskultur wird nur erwà ¤hnt, aber nicht bearbeitet, da dieses Thema den Rahmen unserer Arbeit sprengen wà ¼rde. Jeder Leser unserer Seminararbeit soll im Nachhinein sein eigenes Werkzeug, d.h. seine eigene Checkliste zur Beurteilung von Unternehmenszusammenschlà ¼ssen erstellen und auch anwenden kà ¶nnen. Denn wir sind der Meinung dass Erfolg keine objektive sondern subjektive Einschà ¤tzung ist. Die Arbeit ist in die Kapitel Begriffliche Grundlagen, Motive fà ¼r Merger Acquisitions Transaktionen, Wandel der IT-Branche, Die drei Phasen der Fusionen, Kritische Erfolgsfaktoren von Mergers Acqusitions, Praxisbeispiel: Fusion von HP und Compaq sowie einem Fazit untergliedert. Im Kapitel Begriffliche Grundlagen werden die fà ¼r diese Arbeit notwendigen Begriffe definiert. Das Kapitel Motive fà ¼r Merger Acquisitions Transaktionen zeigt aus der Literatur, welche Motivationen Unternehmen haben eine Fusion oder Unternehmensà ¼bernahme zu tà ¤tigen. Im Kapitel Wandel der IT-Branche wird gezeigt wie sich der relevante Markt im laufe der Zeit verà ¤ndert. Im Kapitel Die drei Phasen der Fusionen wird detailliert der Ablauf einer Fusion aufgezeigt. Das Kapitel Kritische Erfolgsfaktoren von Mergers Acqusitions arbeitet aus der Literatur Erfolgsfaktoren heraus welche man bei einer Fusion wahrnehmen kann und arbeitet diese fà ¼r den IT-Markt aus. Im Praxisbeispiel Kapitel wird d ie herausgearbeitete Theorie an einem Vorgestellten Beispiel erprobt. Im Fazit wird der Wert und die Aussagekraft der Erfolgsfaktoren kritisch gewà ¼rdigt. 2. Begriffliche Grundlagen Das Kapitel Begriffliche Grundlagen ist der Grundstein der Arbeit. Es werden die Begriffe Mergers and Acquisitions und Erfolgsfaktoren definiert. Eine Eingrenzung und Definition der IT-Branche, wie sie in dieser Arbeit verwendet wird, erfolgt im dritten Unterpunkt. Alle nachfolgen Kapitel verwenden diese Begrifflichkeiten. 2.1 Mergers and Acquisitions Externe Wachstumsstrategien durch Unternehmenszusammenfà ¼hrungen in Form von Fusionen oder Erwerbe bieten Unternehmen eine Alternative zum internen Wachstum, die durch Aktivierung eigener Potenziale realisiert werden kà ¶nnten.[1] (Bea Haas, 2001: 171ff) Das fà ¼r Fusionen und Erwerbe stehende englische Begriffspaar Mergers and Acquisitions (MA) gehà ¶rt mittlerweile zum deutschen Sprachgebrauch (Picot, 2000: 15), wobei Merger auch als „Verschmelzung, „Vereinigung oder als „Zusammenschluss von Unternehmen à ¼bersetzt werden kann (Macharzina, 2003: 636). Acquistitions steht fà ¼r den „() Kauf ganzer Unternehmen bzw. einzelner Unternehmensteile oder strategischer Anteilspakete () (Mà ¼ller-Stewens, Spickers Deiss, 1999: 1). In einigen Bà ¼chern werden die beiden Wachstumsarten „Merger und „Acquisition nicht differenziert, sondern syonym verwendet (Schrà ¶der, 2007: 2). Falls doch eine Unterscheidung erfolgen soll, so kann diese durch die Bindungsintensità ¤t durch die Analyse rechtlicher und wirtschaftlicher Selbststà ¤ndigkeit vor und nach des Zusammenschlusses ausgearbeitet werden (Lucks Meckel, 2002: 23). „Nach der Richtung der Diversifikation kà ¶nnen horizontale, vertikale und konglomerate Zusammenschlà ¼sse unterschieden werden (Bà ¼hner, 1985: 28) Tà ¤tigen zwei Unternehmen der selben Branche eine MA so spricht man von einem horizontalen Zusammenschluss. Wenn die Unternehmen an einer Produktionskette liegen, so spricht von einem vertikalen Zusammenschluss. Um einen konglomeraten MA handelt es sich, wenn die Unternehmen weder auf Produkt- noch auf Marktebene Gemeinsamkeiten aufweisen.[2] (Bà ¼hner, 1990: 5f) Wir werden in unserer Arbeit die Begriffe „Merger und „Acquisition synonym verwenden. 2.2 Erfolgsfaktoren Nach (Daschmann, 1994: 1) versteht man unter Erfolgsfaktoren alle in einem Unternehmen vorkommenden Determinanten, Maßnahmen und Aktività ¤ten, die den zukà ¼nftigen Erfolg positiv beeinflussen kà ¶nnen. Um seine Wettbewerbsfà ¤higkeit zu erhà ¶hen muss ein Unternehmen seine Erfolgsfaktoren, d.h. seine eigenen Stà ¤rken und Mà ¶glichkeiten kennen und sie bei seinen strategischen Entscheidungen heranziehen. Auch seine Investition sollten gezielt in deren Richtung gelenkt werden um seinen wirtschaftlichen Erfolg verbessern zu kà ¶nnen. (Mandorf, 2008) Der Unternehmenserfolg hà ¤ngt zum grà ¶ÃƒÅ¸ten Teil von sog. kritischen Erfolgsfaktoren ab, wà ¤hrend die meisten anderen Faktoren diesen untergeordnet sind. (Hoffmann, 1986: 832) 2.3 IT-Branche Bei der Definiton der IT-Branche treten methodische Probleme auf, denn es handelt sich um einen à ¼ber mehrere klassische Branchen verteilten Sektor. Selbst die offizielle Wirtschaftsstatistik weist keine allgemein gà ¼ltige Begriffsbestimmung auf, sondern zà ¤hlt einzelne IT-relevante Wirtschaftsbereiche zusammen. (Langenstein, 2006: 14f) Somit ist der IT-Sektor nur durch die Angabe der betroffenen Wirtschaftszweige definierbar. (Menez, Munder, , Tà ¶psch, 2001) In unserer Arbeit stellen wir nur eine Mà ¶glichkeit zur Abgrenzung des IT-Sektors vor: Nach dem Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) umfasst der IT-Sektor die folgenden allgemeinen drei Bereiche: Softwaretechnologie und Softwaredienstleistung, diese umfasst unter anderem Unternehmen, die Softwareentwicklung in verschiedenen Bereichen wie z.B. dem Internet und Datenbanken anbieten. Auch Beratungs- und Dienstleistungsunternehmen der Informationstechnologie gehà ¶ren in diese Kategorie. Hardware und Ausrà ¼stung, in diesen Bereich fallen die Hersteller und Vertreiber von elektornischen Gerà ¤ten und den zugehà ¶rigen Intsrumenten. Halbleiter und Halbleiterausrà ¼stungs Hersteller 3. Motive fà ¼r Merger Acquisitions Transaktionen Nachdem die begrifflichen Grundlagen im 2.Kapitel geschafft wurden sind, stellen wir nun die Antriebskrà ¤fte, die das Handeln der Unternehmen auf die Akquisitionsziele ausrichten, vor. (Bamberger, 1994: 59) In diesem Kapitel werden die wichtigsten und hà ¤ufigsten Motive fà ¼r MA dargestellt. Achleitner (2002) unterscheidet die Fusionsmotive in wertmaximierende Motive, die generell durch Ertrags- und Kostensynergien ergeben ist, und die nicht wertmaximierende Motive. (Kirchhoff, 2009: 20). Dem zu Folge kategorisiert der (Achleitner, 2002) die Fusionsmotive in Strategische, finanzielle und persà ¶nliche Motive. 3.1 Strategische Motive In diesem Unterpunkt werden die strategischen Motive von Unternehmen in die Punkte Synergieeffekte, Ausnutzung von Marktmacht und Markterweiterung unterteilt und dargestellt. Alle drei Punkt sind von gleicher Bedeutung. 3.1.1 Synergieeffekte Ein wichtiges Motiv fà ¼r MA stellt die Realisierung von Synergieeffekten dar. Es werden die bereits vorhandenen Ressourcen beider oder mehrer Kooperationsunternehmen gebà ¼ndelt. Damit wird auf verschiedenste Art und Weise das Ziel verfolgt, die Effizienz in Unternehmen zu erhà ¶hen und Kosten einzusparen. Aufgrund von Grà ¶ÃƒÅ¸envorteilen ( Economie of scale ) kà ¶nnen produktionswirtschaftliche Synergieeffekte erzielt werden. Dabei sinken die Stà ¼ckkosten durch die Massenproduktion. Dies fà ¼hrt teilweise dazu, dass Rationalisierungsgewinne durch Personalabbau, erzielt werden. (Budzinski Kerber 2003: 42; Park 2004: 51f). Weiterhin treten aufgrund von Verbundvorteilen ( Economies of scope ) operationale Synergieeffekte auf. D.h. die Leistung, die jedes Unternehmen unabhà ¤ngig von einander erbracht hat, wird zusammengefasst. Auf dieser Weise kà ¶nnen hà ¶here Skalenertrà ¤ge erzielt werden. In vielen Branchen mit hohen Investitionskosten ist es von zentraler Bedeutung Forschungs- und Entwicklungs-Synergieeffekte zu erzielen, damit durch Unternehmenszusammenschà ¼sse sowohl die Kosten, als auch das Risiko gestreut werden kann (Budzinski Kerber 2003: 44; Park 2004: 52). Ist die Grà ¶ÃƒÅ¸e eines Unternehmens gestiegen, so kann man von den finanzwirtschaftlichen Synergieeffekten profitieren, da das Unternehmen fà ¼r die potentiellen Anleger attraktiver erscheint. Dies erleichtert die Aufnahme in Bà ¶rsenindices und somit den Anstieg der Kreditlinie bei Banken (Kleinert Klodt, 2002: 43). 3.1.2 Ausnutzung von Marktmacht Bei einem Zusammenschließen erhoffen sich die Unternehmen zum einen Wettbewerber aus dem Markt genommen zu haben und zum anderen den Marktanteil des à ¼berlebenden Unternehmens zu steigern. Die dadurch gestiegene Marktmacht der Unternehmen ermà ¶glicht ihnen eine flexiblere Preisgestaltung gegenà ¼ber Kunden sowie Lieferanten. Somit kann die Marktmacht zu einem erheblichen Wettbewerbsvorteil auf dem Markt beitragen. Die Unternehmen kà ¶nnen durch MA Eintrittsbarrieren fà ¼r die zukà ¼nftigen Konkurrenten aufbauen. Durch den Nichteintritt weiterer Konkurrenten sichern sie sich eine stabilere Preismacht auf dem Markt. (Klopfer, 2008: 44) 3.1.3 Markterweiterung Ein weiteres klassisches Ziel der strategischen Unternehmensakquisition ist das Streben nach dem Marktwachstum. Damit verfolgen Unternehmen in erster Linie das Ziel der Umsatzsteigerung und der Stabilisierung ihrer Ertrà ¤ge. Die Umsatzsteigerung resultiert aus dem Eintritt in neue attraktive Mà ¤rkte und aus der Erhà ¶hung der Wertschà ¶pfungspotenziale. Bei der geographischen Expansion wird zwischen den grenzà ¼berschreitenden, so genannten „Cross- Border- Zusammenschlà ¼ssen und den nationalen MA differenziert. (Jansen Kà ¶rner, 2000: 18) (Jansen, 2000b: 388) Es ist beobachtbar, dass in den vergangenen Jahren die grenzà ¼berschreitenden Zusammenschlà ¼sse mehr an Bedeutung gewonnen haben. Die Unternehmen kà ¶nnen sich dadurch den langwierigen und risikoreichen Eigenaufbau in einem fremden Land ersparen. (Amihud Lev , 2002: 21). Allerdings sind dabei die kulturellen oder sprachlichen Unterschiede nicht zu unterschà ¤tzen. In diesem Zusammenhang bestà ¤tigt auch Wolfgang Wagner, Senior Partner und CEO der PricewaterhouseCoopers Eurofirms ( PWC ) die Relevanz dieses Motivs mit der Aussage: CEOs kleiner und großer Unternehmen aus der ganzen Welt sehen zunehmend Wachstumsmà ¶glichkeiten fà ¼r ihre Unternehmen. Sie nutzen die Globalisierung nicht mehr primà ¤r zum Outsourcing oder der Produktionsverlagerung in Niedriglohnlà ¤nder, sondern um neue Produkte, neue Absatzmà ¤rkte und neue Kunden zu finden (presseportal.de, 2009) 3.2 Persà ¶nliche Motive Als treibende Kraft fà ¼r Fusionen wird hà ¤ufig das Management genannt. Unterstellt man einen perfekten Kapitalmarkt, so ist nach Manne (1965) der Kapitalwert einer Unternehmung direkt von der Leistung des Managementteams der Unternehmung abhà ¤ngig. Er folgert, dass eine schlechter bewertete Unternehmung von einem ineffizienten Managementteam geleitet wird und bei einer à ¼bernahme von einem effizienteren Managementteam abgelà ¶st wird. Dieses kann durch einen besseren Fà ¼hrungsstil die Effizienzpotentiale als Gewinn realisieren. Bei einem intensiven Unternehmenskontrollen Wettbewerb der Managementteams wà ¤ren keine Freirà ¤ume fà ¼r deren eigenen Ziele oder Interessen vorhanden. Nach dieser Theorie sind die Interessen der Eigentà ¼mer und des Managementteams kongruent. Da die Prà ¤missen in der Globalisierten Welt von Heute nicht zutreffen und es keinen perfekten Kapitalmarkt gibt, entstehen Freirà ¤ume fà ¼r das Managementteam um seine von den Eigentà ¼mern abweichenden Ziele zu verfolgen. Es entsteht nach Bà ¼hner (1990, 19) eine Pricipal- Agenten Situation zwischen Eigentà ¼mer und Management. Das Hauptziel der Eigentà ¼mer ist eine Gewinnmaximierung. Das Hauptziel des Managements kann hiervon abweichen. Es kann nach persà ¶nlichen Motiven handeln, um sein eigenes Einkommen zu maximieren. Die Gehà ¤lter hà ¤ngen von vielen Faktoren ab wie z.B. der Grà ¶ÃƒÅ¸e der Unternehmung, der Umsatzhà ¶he, der Mitarbeiterzahlen oder der Aktienkurse. Diese Faktoren kà ¶nnen vermeintlich durch eine Fusion oder à ¼bernahme herbeigefà ¼hrt werden. Das eigene Prestige und der Bekanntheitsgrad sind Eigenschaften des Managementteams, welche durch eine Fusion gesteigert werden kà ¶nnen und sich auf das eigene Einkommen in der Zukunft positiv auswirken kà ¶nnen, aber nicht der Gewinnmaximierung der Unternehmung dienen. Es besteht nun das Risiko von „unprofitablen Fusionen oder à ¼bernahmen von Managementteams, falls diese nicht von den Eigentà ¼mern kontrolliert werden. Eine Kontrolle von den Eigentà ¼mern kann durch ein Anreizsystem geschehen. Nach Faulli-Oller und Motta (1996) mà ¼ssen mit dem Managementteam Vertrà ¤ge geschlossen werden, die einen Anreiz fà ¼r die Entlohnung geben. Sie schlagen eine à ¼bernahmesteuer vor, diese wà ¼rde dem Management von dem Gehalt abgezogen werden. Die Entscheidung fà ¼r eine à ¼bernahme soll aber bei dem Managementteam bleiben, da diese sich mit dem Tagesgeschà ¤ft beschà ¤ftigen und sich besser mit der Materie auskennen. Fusionen dienen auch dem Management als Schutz vor der eigenen à ¼bernahme. Je grà ¶ÃƒÅ¸er ein Unternehmen ist, umso schwerer ist es sie zu à ¼bernehmen. Als Folge dieser Tatsache entsteht fà ¼r das Management ein Arbeitsplatz und dieser ist einer geringeren Bedrohung von Außen ausgesetzt. Als Zusammenfassung kann man bestà ¤tigen, dass es ein heterogenes Feld zwischen den Eigentà ¼mern und dem Management gibt. Neben den strategischen Motiven geben die Management Motive eine Erklà ¤rung dafà ¼r, warum es so viele und auch unprofitable Fusionen gibt. Das gelingen einer Fusion hà ¤ngt somit zum Teil auch von dem Management und dessen Interessen ab. 3.3 Branchenspezifische Motivationen In der Literatur lassen sich spezifische Motivationen feststellen, die insbesondere fà ¼r die IT-Branche gelten. Nach Fox (2002) ist die Motivation von Technologie Erwerb durch MAs in der IT-Branche sehr hoch. Das fà ¼hrt er auf den Wandel in der IT-Branche und dem damit entstehenden Druck sich Sektoren à ¼bergreifend zu positionieren und zu einem Anbieter von Produkten aller Sektoren zu werden. Die schnellste Là ¶sung eine Technologie zugà ¤nglich zu machen, ist der Zusammenschluss mit einem Unternehmen, welches diese Technologie besitzt. Wenn ein sektorenà ¼bergreifendes Angebot von Produkten geboten wird, haben die Unternehmen den Vorteil, dass sie sich nicht auf ein Segment fixieren und von den Wachstumsschwankungen abhà ¤ngig sind. Insbesondere ist dieses bei dem PC-Sektor so. Dieser Sektor ist sehr von der Performance der anderen Mà ¤rkte abhà ¤ngig und neigt zu starken Schwankungen. Die Motivation sich horizontal zu erweitern hà ¤ngt stark von dem Wandel in der IT-Br anche ab. Denn die Unternehmen mà ¼ssen sich den Nachfragen an diesem Markt anpassen. (Westerwelle, 2003: 41ff) 4. Wandel der IT-Branche In den Kapiteln vorhergehenden Kapiteln wurden die Begriffe dieser Arbeit definiert und die mà ¶glichen Motivationen fà ¼r MA insbesondere des IT-Sektors vorgestellt. Wir bleiben in diesem Kapitel in der IT-Branche und erlà ¤utern die anhaltenden Verà ¤nderungen der Branche. „Die IT-Branche ist im Fusionsfieber. Unternehmen versuchen, ihre Konkurrenten durch Expansion zu à ¼berrunden und sich neue Geschà ¤fte zu erschließen. Immer mehr Firmen setzten auf Dienstleistungen. (Berger, 2009) In Anlehnung von Westerwelle (2003: 37ff) kann man den Wandel wie folgt skizzieren. Mit dem Erfolg von Dell, welcher durch die Sà ¤ttigung des PC-Marktes und seinen sehr kostengà ¼nstigen direkt Vertrieb von PCs her kam, wurde der PC-Sektor Ende 2000 zu einem margenschwachen Sektor. Alle großen PC-Hersteller außer Dell machten in dem Jahr ab 2001 große Verluste von Marktanteil dieses Sektors. Der Sektor hatte kaum Wachstumspotential da eine Sà ¤ttigung am Markt bestand. Diese Sà ¤ttigung kam von den Leistungs-Level der PCs zu diesem Zeitpunkt, denn ihre Leistung war ausreichend und folglich waren die Unternehmen nicht mehr willig hohe Kosten fà ¼r die Herstellung von leistungsstà ¤rkerem PCs zu à ¼bernehmen. Die Kundenwà ¼nsche, insbesondere die der lukrativen Großkunden, à ¤nderten sich. Sie gingen zu einem Komplettangebot à ¼ber. Diese Kunden wollten eine ganze PC Infrastruktur kaufen und nicht mehr nur einen PC. Um das zu gewà ¤hrleisten mussten große Unternehmen wie IBM, HP oder Compaq ihre Angebotspalette stetig ausbauen. Da die Technologien im IT-Markt schnelllebig sind, behalfen sich diese Unternehmen einer schnellen Methode, die der MAs, um sich wichtige Technologien zugà ¤nglich zumachen. Der IT-Dienstleistungssektor welcher am margenreichsten ist wurde von IBM dominiert, da sich z.B. IBM auf die Integration von Netzwerkstrukturen verstand wurden von diesem Unternehmen nicht nur das Know-how sondern auch die spezifische Hardware bezogen. Dieses ist Resultat der Erkenntnis, dass eine effiziente und sehr gut abgestimmte Netzwerkstruktur nur mit abgestimmten Komponenten aus einer Hand preiswert realisiert werden kann. Diese gestiegene Nachfrage von effizienten Netzwerkstrukturen kam durch einen Wandel, die Einfà ¼hrung von Verteilung des Unternehmens à ¼ber das Internet. Die Nutzung des Internets von Kunden, hat einen Wandel im IT-Markt gebracht. Was die Spieler in diesem Markt noch immer zu massiven Verà ¤nderungen Ihrer Angebote zwingt. Mit diesem Kapitel werden die Branchenbedingungen von HP und Compaq wà ¤hrend unserer Untersuchungszeitspanne bis zum Jahr 2003 erà ¶rtert. 5. Die drei Phasen der Fusionen In dem folgenden Kapitel werden die Schritte eines Fusionsprozesses allgemein erklà ¤rt. Der Fusionsprozess là ¤sst sich grob in drei Phasen unterteilen, die chronologisch aufeinander bauen. Sie lauten Pre Merger- , Merger- und Post Mergerphase. Diesen Phasen werden wir, die von uns betrachteten, Erfolgsfaktoren zuordnen. 5.1 Pre Mergerphase Am Anfang des Prozesses steht die Pre Mergerphase. In dieser Phase wird zunà ¤chst eine allgemeine Grundstrategie formuliert. Bei dieser Formulierung geht es darum zuerst die Stà ¤rken und Schwà ¤chen des eigenen Unternehmens herauszuarbeiten und zu analysieren. Somit kann à ¼berprà ¼ft werden, ob das Unternehmen à ¼berhaupt eine Fusion benà ¶tigt. Als Abschluss des ersten Schrittes wird ein strategisches Konzept erstellt, welches die zusammenfassenden Erkenntnisse à ¼ber die Unternehmensanalyse sowie Motive und Ziele fà ¼r die bevorstehende Fusion beinhaltet. Ferner kà ¶nnte man aus dem erstellten Konzept erkennen, welche Bindungsintensità ¤t fà ¼r das Unternehmen besser geeignet wà ¤re. (Grube Tà ¶pfer, 2002: 44ff). Es ist wichtig, dass das Konzept sorgfà ¤ltig bearbeitet wird, da letztendlich der Erfolg oder Misserfolg einer Fusion bereits in dieser Phase bestimmt wird. (Middelmann, 2000: 113) „Diese Kenntnisse erleichtern in der anschließenden Phase die Suche nach dem optimalen Partner, das so genannte Screening (Stegmann, 2002: 32) Dementsprechend werden die mà ¶glichen Kooperationspartner auf einer Liste aufgefà ¼hrt und nach wichtigen Kriterien wie beispielweise potenziellen Synergieeffekten bewertet. (Rà ¶dl, 2002: 39) Fà ¼r die Kandidatenauswahl sollte das Unternehmen einen kontinuierlichen und systematischen Prozess einfà ¼hren, bis sie den optimalen Partner gefunden haben. (Wirtschaftswoche, 2008, Nr. 28) 5.2 Merger- Phase Die Merger- Phase beginnt nach der erfolgeichen Suche eines geeigneten Fusionspartners und verlà ¤uft à ¼ber Verhandlungsstrategien bis hin zum endgà ¼ltigen Vertragabschluss. Um eine endgà ¼ltige Entscheidung zu treffen, ob der potenzielle Fusionspartner wirklich geeignet ist, werden externe Spezialisten wie Unternehmensberater und Wirtschaftsprà ¼fer zur Hilfe gebeten, diese bilden das sog. Due Dilligence- Team. Um die in der Pre Merger- Phase formulierten Ziele der angestrebten Fusion erreichen zu kà ¶nnen, à ¼berprà ¼fen die Spezialisten, wo sich die Schwà ¤chen des eigenen Unternehmens und die Stà ¤rken des potenziellen Partners ausgleichen. Dieses Vorgehen wird in der Literatur als strategisches Fit bezeichnet. (Middelmann, 2000: 114) „ Due Dilligence bedeutet, dass die zu erstellenden Analysen mit hà ¶chster Sorgfalt durchzufà ¼hren sind. Dabei sollen Gefahren, aber auch Chancen des bevorstehenden Unternehmenszusammenschlusses erkannt werden. (Scott, 2002: 14) Kommt das betrachtete Zielunternehmen als Fusionspartner in Frage, so werden in einer weiteren Analyse seine Wirtschaftlichkeit, seine Geschichte und das finanzielle Risiko, das mit der angestrebten Fusion aufkommen wà ¼rde, unter die Lupe genommen. (Middelmann, 2000: 114f) Falls die Analyse ein positives Ergebnis liefert und das Zielunternehmen zu einem Zusammenschluss bereit ist, wird unter der Prà ¤misse die rechtlichen Kartellbedingungen nicht zu verletzen, Vertragsverhandlungen gefà ¼hrt und letztendlich ein Vertrag ausgearbeitet und abgeschlossen. 5.3 Post Merger- Phase Am Ende des Fusionsprozesses steht die Post Merger- Phase an, die sich sehr intensiv mit der Integration und deren Planung beschà ¤ftigt. Die Integrationsplanung orientiert sich an den, in den vergangenen Phasen ermittelten, Potenzialen vom Fusionspartner. Eine vorhergehende detaillierte Planung der Integration ist wichtig, um von den Synergien optimal gebrauch machen zu kà ¶nnen. (Grube Tà ¶pfer, 2002: 45ff) Die Aufgabe beider Unternehmensfà ¼hrungen ist es nun, trotz der gravierenden Unterschiede in den Bereichen wie Kultur und Organisation, ein neues einheitliches Unternehmen zu errichten. Des Weitern mà ¼ssen alle betrieblichen Ablà ¤ufe in der Fertigung und Steuerung, wie Controlling, Rechnungswesen und Personal, aufeinander abgestimmt sein. (Middelmann, 2000: 118f) Nicht zu vernachlà ¤ssigen ist die intensive Zusammenarbeit mit der Personalorganisation, damit Unsicherheit und eine eventuelle Demotivation bei den Mitarbeitern vermieden werden kann. Hier spricht man von der internen Kommunikation im Unternehmen, die gestà ¤rkt werden muss. Neben der internen Kommunikation spielt die externe Kommunikation auch eine sehr große Rolle. Das heißt, dass die Gesprà ¤che und Informationen à ¼ber den Ablauf der Fusion in den Veranstaltungen und Verà ¶ffentlichungen sehr gezielt und vertrauenerweckend sein mà ¼ssen, um die Skepsis von Kunden, Lieferanten und Wettbewerbern gegenà ¼ber dem neu entstandenen Unternehmen abzubauen. (Middelmann, 2000: 118f) Die besondere Schwierigkeit dieser Phase liegt bei dieser Integrationsaufgabe. Gelingt der reibungslose Zusammenschluss nicht oder nur unzureichend, so war die Fusion nicht erfolgreich. Darà ¼ber hinaus sollte das Unternehmen die Dauer des Integrationsprozesses genau festlegen, denn meistens treten die gewà ¼nschten Synergieeffekte der Fusion erst nach mehreren Jahren nach der Fusion ein. (Grube Tà ¶pfer, 2002: 45ff) Wird der Integrationsprozess zu kurz bemessen, so kà ¶nnte die Fusion als Misserfolg ausgelegt werden, was wiederum bà ¶se Konsequenzen, wie z.B. extreme Kursschwankungen in der Bà ¶rse und gar die Aufhebung der Fusion, mit sich bringen kà ¶nnte. Der letzte Schritt dieser Phase beinhaltet die Erfolgskontrolle. Es werden dabei die Ergebnisse der Fusion mit der Zielsetzung der Anfangsstrategie verglichen und eine Bilanz gezogen. Werden Abweichungen und Probleme bei der Umsetzung erkannt, wird versucht diesen entgegen zu steuern. 6. Kritische Erfolgsfaktoren von Mergers Acqusitions 6.1 Due Dilligence Due Dilligence hat eine sehr zentrale Bedeutung in allen Mergers und Akqusitionspozessen. Dieser Faktor kà ¶nnte sogar alleine den Erfolg oder Misserfolg einer Fusion bestimmen. „ Der Begriff „Due Diligence stammt aus den angelsà ¤chsischen Rechtswissenschaften und bedeutet unzureichend à ¼bersetzt „gebà ¼hrende Sorgfalt. Der Begriff hat à ¼ber die juristische Verwendung hinaus bei Mergers Acquisitions Anwendung gefunden und stellt bei heutigen Projekten die Grundlage zur Bewertung und Analyse einer Organisation dar. (Bischoff, Jà ¼rgen M.,2007 : 73 ) Im Wesentlichen verfolgt „ Due Dilligence drei Hauptziele: Endecken und beschreiben der wesentlichen Unterschiede zwischen den beiden Unternehmen und deren mà ¶gliche Auswirkungen Generierung von Integrationsrichtlinien sowie von Ansatzpunkten fà ¼r die erfolgreiche Gestaltung der Post-Merger-Phase Unterstà ¼tzung bei der Kaufentscheidung, der Preisfindung sowie zur Risikominimierung (Bischoff, Jà ¼rgen M., 2007 : 74) Die gewonnen Informationen von Due Dilligence bestimmen letztendlich den Umfang und den Schwerpunkt in der Post Merger Integration. Das Due Dilligence- Team besteht aus externen Spezialisten wie Wirtschaftsprà ¼fern, Anwà ¤lten und Unternehmensberatern und internen Mitarbeitern. Die Unternehmen arbeiten bewusst mit unternehmensexternen Spezialisten, weil die eigenen Mitarbeiter emotional und nicht neutral handeln kà ¶nnten. Das Due Dilligence- Team muss ein hohes Maß an Pflichtbewusstsein mitbringen, damit die Grà ¼ndlichkeit der Bewertung und die Interessen des Unternehmens nicht darunter leiden. Die Unternehmensbewertung sollte explizite Informationen à ¼ber den ausgewà ¤hlten Fusionspartner geben. Die zur Verfà ¼gung gestellten Informationen werden auf Finanzkraft, Unternehmenswert und Synergiepotenziale analysiert. Nach Abschluss der Prà ¼fung mà ¼sste der Auftraggeber der Due Dilligence in der Lage sein, zu entscheiden, ob es sich bei dem ausgewà ¤hlten Fusionspartner um ein geeignetes Unternehmen handelt. Ist dies der Fall so wird à ¼ber Due Dilligence eine Verhandlungsbasis fà ¼r die Entscheidung der weiteren Integrationsschritte zur Verfà ¼gung gestellt. (Blà ¶cher, 2002: 35ff) „ Die gewonnen Informationen werden dem Auftraggeber der Due Dilligence in so genannten Data Rooms zur Verfà ¼gung gestellt. Dabei kann es sich sowohl um elektronische Datenbanken als auch um Akten oder Dokumente handeln (Krà ¼ger, 2000: 157ff) 6.2 Personalmanagement Human Resources ist ein weiterer wichtiger Faktor, der zum Fusionserfolg beitrà ¤gt. Das gut ausgebildete Personal wie z.B. Entwickler , Fà ¼hrungskrà ¤fte und Fachleute gehà ¶ren zum „menschlichen Kapital eines Unternehmens. Da die Mitarbeiter ganz unterschiedlich auf die Verà ¤nderungen wà ¤hrend der Fusion reagieren, sollte das Unternehmen deren Auswirkung im Fusionsprozess nicht unterschà ¤tzen. (Klodt, H. , 2002:S. 106.) Das Humankapital beeinflusst eine Fusion positiv sowie negativ. Einerseits kann es als Motivation fà ¼r eine Motivation einer Fusion dienen, das ist dann der Fall, wenn ein Unternehmen auf der Suche nach qualifizierten Mitarbeitern im Zielunternehmen ist. Andererseits entsteht eine negative Beeinflussung, die ihren Ursprung in persà ¶nlichen Anliegen hat. Verlustà ¤ngste des Arbeitsplatzes oder Gehaltverschlechterung kà ¶nnen das qualitative Arbeiten erheblich mindern und fà ¼hren zu einer Skepsis gegenà ¼ber einer Fusion. Das kann sogar dazu fà ¼hren, dass kompetente Mitarbeiter das Unternehmen verlassen. Um das zu vermeiden, muss sich das Personalmanagement zur Aufgabe machen in direktem Kontakt zu den Mitarbeitern zu stehen. Die Organisation muss in der Integrationsphase Antworten auf offene Fragen haben und einen sicheren und ehrlichen Umgang mit den Mitarbeitern pflegen. Die Aufgaben des Personalmanagements kà ¶nnten folgendermaßen in den jeweiligen Fusionsphasen aussehen: In der Pre Merger Phase muss die Bedeutung des Human Kapitals geklà ¤rt werden, damit das Personal im Verlauf der Fusion ausreichend berà ¼cksichtigt wird. In der Merger- Phase werden sà ¤mtliche Mitarbeiterdaten, Lohnabrechnungen oder Arbeitzeiten ausgewertet und miteinander verglichen. So wird die Kombinierbarkeit der unterschiedlichen Strukturen und Systeme der Personalorganisationen auf eine Vereinheitlichung hin geprà ¼ft. In der Post Merger- Phase muss geklà ¤rt werden, zu welchem Zeitpunkt bestimmte Ziele erreicht werden sollen, ob und wann Umstrukturierungsmaßnahmen oder à ¼bergangsregelungen erfolgen und auf welche Art und Weise die Mitarbeiter zu informieren sind (Pribilla, P.: Personalmanagement bei Mergers Acquisitions, in: Picot, A./Nordmeyer, A./Pribilla, P. (Hrsg.), Stuttgart, 2000, S. 64-67.) Um all diese Maßnahmen durchfà ¼hren zu kà ¶nnen ist eine gezielte und gute Kommunikation unausweichlich. Dies kann à ¼ber verschiedene Wege erfolgen. Z.B. à ¼ber Mitarbeiterversammlungen, regelmà ¤ÃƒÅ¸ige Email und Newsletter oder Diskussionsforen. Ferner sollte dem Angestellten ermà ¶glicht werden, direkte Fragen an das Management zu stellen zu kà ¶nnen. . ( Grube, R./Tà ¶pfer, A., 2002, S. 152.) Schließlich erfolgt die eigentliche Integration durch die Integrationsteams, die nur die Aufgabe haben die Fusion zu koordinieren. Damit eine schnelle gegenseitige Akzeptanz unt

Ex †Basketball Player Essay -- Literary Analysis, John Updike

In the poem, â€Å"Ex – Basketball Player† by john Updike, (which is a narrative poem) illustrates the nature of life on how life is potentially is seen has a mirror to other people’s life, especially people who play sports. Life is the physical and mental experience of an individual. An in the poem the main character Flick, supply the poem with a good example of how life is potentially a mirror for other people. This poem is formally organized, even though it locks some qualities, it still haves the qualifications of a good poem. The â€Å"Ex Basket Player† is an interested poem because it has a good theme, tone and lots of figurative languages. The theme of this poem is about a high school basketball star that has become less successful in the future. The theme focuses on the point that if one doesn’t work hard on their goals, they will never reach their dreams. Also, if you do not reach your goals you can end up living a disappointing life. In the poem, the theme evidently shows that Flick is not necessarily despondent, but out-of-place which carries throughout the poem. The poem stated that, â€Å"the ball loved Flick (16)† and â€Å"he was the best (14),† and this allows everyone to see that it is not just Flick who looks upon his past with a sort of admiration and pride. It is everyone in the city, and he is the local hero. The boy who didn’t exactly make it big, but he made it big enough that he’s remembered. In the poem the main character Flick is a mirror or allusion for people who was successful in sports, in the past and become a loser in the future. For example Flick was once a high-school basketball star, but now his glorious past is behind him. The ideal image of his character presents a vivid image of most people in that plat sports ... ...rpose. The tone of this poem was very neutral by not saying that the life Flick was living is good or bad. With the author not putting his opinion into the poem, it can be interpreted in many ways. The tone also brings life in to the poem and helps to understand Flick’s personality more. But even though the tone was neutral by not stating whether or not the life Flick was living is good or bad, it still Bissasor 4 enable us to understand the moral of the poem. Which is work hard and you will receive you goals and never give up. To conclude, the poem â€Å"Ex-Basketball play,† is a poem that shows the reality of life. It reflects the nature of life in the real world and it helps people who have a dream and want to pursue their goals to go for it. The poem was formally organized and provides a number of figurative languages that helps to bring out tone of the poem.

Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five Essay -- Kurt Vonnegut Slaughterho

Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five Great artists have the ability to step back from society and see the absurd circus that their world has become. Such satirists use their creative work to reveal the comic elements of an absurd world and incite a change in society; examples include Stanley Kubrick’s film, Dr. Strangelove, and Joseph Heller’s novel, Catch-22. Both works rose above their more serious counterparts to capture the critical voice of a generation dissatisfied with a nation of warmongers. Completing this triumvirate of anti-war classics is Kurt Vonnegut’s novel, Slaughterhouse-Five. Infusing his social commentary with science fiction, satire, bizarre characters, and the problem of death, Vonnegut creates one of the most effective arguments against war in the American canon of literature. The life of Kurt Vonnegut began on November 11, 1922 in Indiana. He aged and entered school, picking up an affinity for the written word while editing his high school paper (Klinkowitz, â€Å"Chronology† 3). As he grew up, Vonnegut faced a nation rapidly changing under the burdens of the Depression. This economic disaster harmed Vonnegut’s family as well, causing his parents to make countless sacrifices to keep their family from crumbling under the pressure (Klinkowitz, â€Å"America† 8). Vonnegut survived the Depression to enroll at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where he majored in chemistry and biology. Three years into school he enlisted in the United States Army and fought in World War II. One year later Germans captured Vonnegut and held him as a prisoner of war in Dresden. He lived in this city for less than half a year before he survived the â€Å"boundless† â€Å"destruction† (Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five 22) caused by the D... ...uarterly 103 (1998): 17. Simpson, Josh. â€Å"’This Promising of Great Secrets’: Literature, Ideas, and the (Re)invention of Reality in Kurt Vonnegut’s God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, Slaughterhouse-Five, and Breakfast of Champions.† Studies in Contemporary Fiction 45 (Spring 2004): 261-271. Infotrac Onefile. 28 Oct. 2004. . Tanner, Tony. â€Å"The Uncertain Messenger: A Reading of Slaughterhouse-Five.† Merrill 125-130. Vees-Gulani, Susanne. â€Å"Diagnosing Billy Pilgrim: A Psychiatric Approach to Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five.† Studies in Contemporary Fiction 44 (Winter 2003): 175-184. Infotrac Onefile. 28 Oct. 2004. . Vonnegut, Kurt. God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater or Pearls Before Swine. New York, NY: Dell Publishing, 1965. ---. Slaughterhouse-Five. New York, NY: Delta Fiction, 1969. Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five Essay -- Kurt Vonnegut Slaughterho Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five Great artists have the ability to step back from society and see the absurd circus that their world has become. Such satirists use their creative work to reveal the comic elements of an absurd world and incite a change in society; examples include Stanley Kubrick’s film, Dr. Strangelove, and Joseph Heller’s novel, Catch-22. Both works rose above their more serious counterparts to capture the critical voice of a generation dissatisfied with a nation of warmongers. Completing this triumvirate of anti-war classics is Kurt Vonnegut’s novel, Slaughterhouse-Five. Infusing his social commentary with science fiction, satire, bizarre characters, and the problem of death, Vonnegut creates one of the most effective arguments against war in the American canon of literature. The life of Kurt Vonnegut began on November 11, 1922 in Indiana. He aged and entered school, picking up an affinity for the written word while editing his high school paper (Klinkowitz, â€Å"Chronology† 3). As he grew up, Vonnegut faced a nation rapidly changing under the burdens of the Depression. This economic disaster harmed Vonnegut’s family as well, causing his parents to make countless sacrifices to keep their family from crumbling under the pressure (Klinkowitz, â€Å"America† 8). Vonnegut survived the Depression to enroll at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where he majored in chemistry and biology. Three years into school he enlisted in the United States Army and fought in World War II. One year later Germans captured Vonnegut and held him as a prisoner of war in Dresden. He lived in this city for less than half a year before he survived the â€Å"boundless† â€Å"destruction† (Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five 22) caused by the D... ...uarterly 103 (1998): 17. Simpson, Josh. â€Å"’This Promising of Great Secrets’: Literature, Ideas, and the (Re)invention of Reality in Kurt Vonnegut’s God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, Slaughterhouse-Five, and Breakfast of Champions.† Studies in Contemporary Fiction 45 (Spring 2004): 261-271. Infotrac Onefile. 28 Oct. 2004. . Tanner, Tony. â€Å"The Uncertain Messenger: A Reading of Slaughterhouse-Five.† Merrill 125-130. Vees-Gulani, Susanne. â€Å"Diagnosing Billy Pilgrim: A Psychiatric Approach to Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five.† Studies in Contemporary Fiction 44 (Winter 2003): 175-184. Infotrac Onefile. 28 Oct. 2004. . Vonnegut, Kurt. God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater or Pearls Before Swine. New York, NY: Dell Publishing, 1965. ---. Slaughterhouse-Five. New York, NY: Delta Fiction, 1969.

Bsn vs Associate Degree in Nursing Essay

Nursing is a knowledge based discipline, which focuses on the wholeness of human being. (Faucett, 1933. ) As per definition nurses are playing great role in modern medicine, either with an associate degree or as bachelor of nursing degree. Both, with the same licensure, the Registered Nurse. Nurse. The Associate dDegree nNurse(ADN) takes a shorter path of two years where the BSN takes longer one with 4 years of education to complete the degree. When we compare the data collected by various groups of nursing professionals, it is evident that the mortality rate, medication errors and patient outcomes are largely improved with high number of BSN onboard. The ADNAssociate degree nurse program was introduced to minimize the nursing shortage during post, second world warSecond World War. Even though The Goldmark report in 1923 recommended that the entry level of education for professional practice as a registered nurse should be a bachelorBachelor of Science in nursing (BSN), the new Associate degree nurse programs, gained much popularity among health care settings, and continuesprograms, gained much popularity among health care settings, and continue even today. Associate degree nursing programs are more to task oriented, where BSN program is based on theory and research. The needs of patients are changing on a daily basis, the need for higher education for nurses is in great demand.. Nurses are advocates of patient population, so be prepared to have the knowledge to help them, in preventive medicine, risk reduction, disease management, public health and over all provide a safe environment as per Nightingales theory of environment. When you compare work of an associate degree nurse with a BSN on a daily basis you could see the differences of approaches between associate degree nurse and a BSN. In this author’s experience, an associate degree nurse is well oriented to practical side of nursing, which is well evidenced. When comes to a patient with MRSA infection of an amputated limp site, the Associate degree nurse, is quick to get the patient pain meds, help with positioning, dressing changes, and maintains a clean environment, maintains contact isolation and provided emotional support. Whereas the BSN is there to teach the patient and family about prevention of infection, promotion of healing by correct diet choices, increasing activity and maintain the previous activity level, and prevent progression of infection and further loss. Also coordinated the care with dietary, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social services and case management services etc, thus provided the patient a smooth transition to the new life as a right above knee amputee. The BSN did investigate about the support groups, prosthesis options, family dynamics, and so on. In this situation one could clearly see the different ways of an associate nurse in their scope of practice vsvs. BSN performed through evidence based nursing practices. The expectation to the future of nursing is that, nurse should be capable of maintaining a patient’s over all well being, mentally, physically, socially and emotionally. One could obtain those qualities through proper education and adapting multiple ways of thinking. The ability of clinical reasoning is very important. The clinical picture of patient is changing, always ask yourself, why, what and how. Why the clinical picture is changing, what are the causes, and how can we correct that. For this we have to understand the metaparadigm of nursing, explained by the founders of nursing. A nurse also should have the clinical imagination, scientific and creative reasoning. The new age of nursing is characterized by a synthesis of facts and ideas that generate principles and theories. (Rogers,1994) . One could only achieve that by advancing one’s education to a higher level. Once you reach that level, the horizon is wide; you could further advance your studies to masters programs, nurse practitioner in various disciplines, go for doctorate programs etc. etc. In a study report from International Jjournal of nursingof Nursing sStudies, June 2009, headed by Dr. Kkoen Van den Heede found a major link between the number of BSN on cardiac care units and hospital mortality. Data analyzed from different countries including Canada, Belgium, Netherlands and USA. The result showed there were 4. 9 percentages fewer deaths per 1000 patients on intensive care units with higher number of nurses with BSN degree. Linda Aiken and her associates, in their Landmark study in 2003 showed a strong connection between the educational level of registered nurses and patient outcomes. Substantial survival advantage noted specially in surgical patient population. , Even as little as 10% increase in the BSN degree holders make a difference in patient death and failure to rescue by 5%. A highly educated nursing work force is essential to the future of nursing. In short, the medial world is changing, so as the patient. So it is imperative that, the nursing work force should change to meet the needs of future health care. So here the transition from associate degree nurse to BSN is much more appreciated and welcomed. Reference: -The reference page is a separate page. This is not APA format. Creating a more highly qualified nursing workforce (fact Sheet) Retrieved from http//www. aacn. nche. edu/media/factsheets/nursingwrkf. htm: Retrieved on 01/06/2012 from Creasia & Friberge, The Bridge to Professional Practice, Conceptual foundations 5th edition.