In Module/Week 5’s Reading & Study folder, there are 3 short readings. Your assignment is to read them and then write an essay of at least 600 words in current APA format addressing the questions listed below.
While you are free to quote from sources, quotations will not count towards the minimum word count.
A note about the readings: The first reading is a synopsis of The Matrix. If you have seen the movie, this will function as a review for you.
The second reading comes from Plato’s classic work, The Republic. It is in the form of a dialogue between Socrates and Glaucon, a brother of Plato, and contains the famous cave allegory.
The third and final reading is a section from Meditation I, from Meditations on First Philosophy by Rene Descartes, who offers some reasons to doubt his senses.
Questions to Consider
1. Compare and contrast The Matrix with the readings from Plato and Descartes. What are some similarities and differences?
2. Can we prove that the world we are experiencing is real? How do we know we are not dreaming, living in a Platonic cave, or trapped in some sort of matrix?
SAMPLE ANSWER
Plato, Descartes, and the Matrix
Question 1
Basically, the three readings, Descartes’ musings, Plato’s cave analogy, and The Matrix are similar in that they all focus on the reality that our senses experience. There is a concern regarding if this reality is objective and tangible or an illusion. The Matrix is all about the reality that the computer generates and at one point, Cypher thought that knowing the truth would result to an easier life, but later, there is the discovery that knowledge is really a weight burden. Therefore, he wants to erase memories so that he can attain the former state. Descartes’ reasoning is that at one point, people discover that the false opinions that were taken to be true are actually vague since everything based on the fails. Therefore, it becomes necessary to do away with them and adopt a new framework for a firm foundation. In cave analogy, there is an enquiry regarding if what people perceive as the reality really holds. Following this reasoning, Descartes continued speculating what higher power it was that had subjected people to such deception (Descartes, 1641). Although these three sources differ in some other concepts, they all speculate on if not or if our perceptions or senses can be trusted.
Second, there is an exploration of how real reality is in the three sources. However, there is an agreement that the reality that people presently perceive through their senses can only be replaced by alternatives that also perceived through the same senses. In The Matrix, the reality that is within people has been presented in the form of a computer that holds their minds captive and gives them many illusions. To Plato, the reality is just like the shadows (Plato, n.d.). However, the usual items to illustrate reality (stone statues, fire, stone wall, humans, and sunshine). Similarly, Descartes knew that for him to reach the higher enlightenment, it was necessary to use the power of the present reality including his brains and thinking abilities (Hasker, 1935). The sensory experience that relates to reality is so much into humanity such that they cannot think of reality that differs from it.
Question 2
For people to prove different things, the premises underlying these proofs would first need to be established. Many times, human beings are never content with the basic reality and, therefore, they have a tendency of seeking the explanations for this reality. However, there are no alternatives to the reality. And if those refuting this reality can offer at least an example of a person who escaped this reality and was enlightened in another reality, then their arguments would have weight. Nonetheless, trusting that evidence would be hard since it would not be sure it the enlightenment experience of that person was simply another delusion based on the sadistic computer mastermind. The only necessity is an external source originating from an entity which is not restricted to human dimensions. This entity should be divine as no human would manage escaping this reality to confirm its reality.
There are different sources that advocate for true divine origins, including the Bible and Quran. However, presently, there are different movies which create awareness about divinity. One of these is ‘Heaven is Real’, and anyone who has ever watched it can agree that divinity is real. The young boy in the movie is able to perceive things that the parents had never told him about, and he says that Jesus informed them those things. This makes the dad very angry and confused. The boy was able to enter the realms and dimensions that are only accessible to the angles and Jesus Christ, and get answers on different things, and even meet his sister who had passed away on birth. The dad was in denial of what the son was experiencing since he declined using his senses to perceive the works of God in his son’s life (Dew & Foreman, 2014). However, with time, he realized how special his son was and his faith in God increased. Other people were also influenced immensely by this occurrence.
References
Descartes, R. (1641). Meditation I of the things of which we may doubt. In Descartes, R., Meditations on First Philosophy. Retrieved from Blackboard: http://www.learn.liberty.edu
Dew, J. K. & Foreman, M. W. (2014). How do we know: An introduction to epistemology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Hasker, W. (1935). Metaphysics: Constructing a world view. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Plato. (n.d.). The allegory of the cave. In Plato, The Republic, Book VII (pp. 514A1-518D8). Retrieved from Blackboard: http://www.learn.liberty.edu
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Here you will respond to an article written by an actual atheist. This article titled “On Being an Atheist,” was written by H. J. McCloskey in 1968 for the journal Question. McCloskey is an Australian philosopher who wrote a number of atheistic works in the 1960s and 70s including the book God and Evil (Nijhoff, 1974). In this article, McCloskey is both critical of the classical arguments for God’s existence and offers the problem of evil as a reason why one should not believe in God.
Please note the following parameters for this paper:
1. Your assignment is to read McCloskey’s short article and respond to each of the questions below. Looking for a detailed response to each question.
2. The response paper is to be a minimum of 1,500 words (not including quotes) and must be written as a single essay and not just a list of answers to questions.
3. The basis for your answers must primarily come from the resources provided in the lessons covering the philosophy of religion unit of the course (Evans and Manis, Craig, and the presentation) and these sources must be mentioned in your paper. You are not merely to quote these sources as an answer to the question—answer them in your own words.
4. You may use other outside sources as well, as long as you properly document them. However, outside sources are not necessary. Each of the questions can be answered from the sources provided in the lessons.
5. While the use of the Bible is not restricted, its use is not necessary and is discouraged unless you intend to explain the context of the passage and how that context applies to the issue at hand in accordance with the guidelines provided earlier in the course. You are not to merely quote scripture passages as answers to the questions. Remember this is a philosophical essay not a biblical or theological essay.
6. While you may quote from sources, all quotations must be properly cited and quotes from sources will not count towards the 1,500 word count of the paper.
7. You may be critical of McCloskey, but must remain respectful. Any disparaging comment(s) about McCloskey will result in a significant reduction in grade.
?******Specifically, you must address the following questions in your paper****:
1. McCloskey refers to the arguments as “proofs” and often implies that they can’t definitively establish the case for God, so therefore they should be abandoned. What would you say about this in light of Foreman’s comments in his “Approaching the Question of God’s Existence” presentation?
2.On the Cosmological Argument:
a. McCloskey claims that the “mere existence of the world constitutes no reason for believing in such a being [i.e., a necessarily existing being].” Using Evans and Manis’ discussion of the non-temporal form of the argument (on pp. 69–77), explain why the cause of the universe must be necessary (and therefore uncaused).
b. McCloskey also claims that the cosmological argument “does not entitle us to postulate an all-powerful, all-perfect, uncaused cause.” In light of Evans and Manis’ final paragraph on the cosmological argument (p. 77), how might you respond to McCloskey?
3.On the Teleological Argument:
a. McCloskey claims that “to get the proof going, genuine indisputable examples of design and purpose are needed.” Discuss this standard of “indisputability” which he calls a “very conclusive objection.” Is it reasonable?
b. From your reading in Evans and Manis, can you offer an example of design that, while not necessarily “indisputable,” you believe provides strong evidence of a designer of the universe?
c. McCloskey implies that evolution has displaced the need for a designer. Assuming evolution is true, for argument’s sake, how would you respond to McCloskey (see Evans and Manis pp. 82–83)?
d. McCloskey claims that the presence of imperfection and evil in the world argues against “the perfection of the divine design or divine purpose in the world.” Remembering Evans and Manis’ comments about the limitations of the cosmological argument, how might you respond to this charge by McCloskey?
4. 4. On the Problem of Evil:
a. McCloskey’s main objection to theism is the presence of evil in the world and he raises it several times: “No being who was perfect could have created a world in which there was avoidable suffering or in which his creatures would (and in fact could have been created so as not to) engage in morally evil acts, acts which very often result in injury to innocent persons.” The language of this claim seems to imply that it is an example of the logical form of the problem. Given this implication and using Evans and Manis’ discussion of the logical problem (pp. 159–168, noting especially his concluding paragraphs to this section), how might you respond to McCloskey?
?
b. McCloskey specifically discusses the free will argument, asking “might not God have very easily so have arranged the world and biased man to virtue that men always freely chose what is right?” From what you have already learned about free will in the course, and what Evans and Manis says about the free will theodicy, especially the section on Mackie and Plantinga’s response (pp. 163–166) and what he says about the evidential problem (pp. 168–172), how would you respond to McCloskey’s question?
5.On Atheism as Comforting:
a. In the final pages of McCloskey’s article, he claims that atheism is more comforting than theism. Using the argument presented by William Lane Craig in the article “The Absurdity of Life without God,” (located in Reading & Study for Module/Week 6), respond to McCloskey’s claim.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Introduction
Topics in regard to Gods existence have resulted in ongoing battles that have lasted for quite a while. These topics have sparked several debates with some people agreeing with the existence of God while other refuting such claims (Boehme, 2014). However, the debates that pertain to the existence of God have intrigued several philosophical ideas with many people alleging that they being that God cannot be seen, his existence is debatable.
Other schools of thought also allege that if God exists and claims to be all powerful, then evil should not exist in this world. It is essential to note that there are several pieces of evidence that support the existence of God (Boehme, 2014). This paper, therefore, attempts to critic McCloskeys views in regards to the atheistic objections and also describes several arguments that establish his illusions of the existence of God including the opposing arguments against his existence.
Proofs Can’t Establish the Case of Gods Existence
To begin with, McCloskeys view implies that there are no proofs that can establish Gods existence and those allegations should be abandoned. In my view, McCloskey makes no effort to determine what evil is nor does he explain its existence. In other words, he attempts to discredit people’s belief in God by making allegations against the origin of their beliefs. However, McCloskey fails to address why the faith of a people may not be valid and whether they take the time to discover such evidence before they ascent to Christian theism (H.J. McCloskey, 1974). McCloskey views God as jaded, unforgiving, uncaring, and punitive and believes that the best proofs on the nonexistence of God can be depicted in the evil acts of his creation since morality has strongly subdued the proof of an intelligent creator designing the universe. For Christian, the expressions of truth are only found in Christ’s words in John 14:6 that He is the way, the truth and the Life.
The Cosmological Argument
The author of the article, “On Being Atheist”, opens by giving a description on the reasons theist believe in God. He purports that the grounds of such beliefs are inadequate and gives the reasons as to why the atheist do not believe in Gods existence. McCloskey in his article tells of a Christian friend who believed that philosophers place so much of importance on the proofs that regard to the existence of God as the foundation to their religious beliefs (H.J. McCloskey, 1974). In my view, in order for the universe to exists, there was its origin or something that created its existence. Nothing has the capacity to create itself and there is the need of an independent creator that existed before the universe.
In the book: Reasonable Faith, William Lane Craig, alludes to the fact that there must be a creator responsible for all the creation activities and the creator needs not a cause to do the things that have an origin. This, therefore, means that everything that exists needs a cause and saying that something has no beginning denies the existence of a predecessor. McCloskey also alleges that the Cosmological Argument does not give us the right to postulate an all-powerful case that he considers uncaused (H.J. McCloskey, 1974). In as much as this argument provides no proof of the existence of God , it supports the idea of a necessary being as the only responsible cause that erases the need for an infinite regressive cause. In my view, there is only one possible view that is compatible with other views on Gods existence, a factor that makes it an individual’s choice to desire learning about the existence of God.
The Teleological Argument
This argument is an argument from the design point of view that alludes to the existence of a maker of all the contingent objects. This argument in some way has some connections with the cosmological argument that implies that all the designs employ a greater designer, there is a designer in the world, and that the designer is the greatest (H.J. McCloskey, 1974). McCloskey as other philosophers claims that to believe that nature was designed; there is a need for indisputable examples.
In other words, this author claims that the evidence and examples on this must never be refuted and also contends that indisputable claims are essential and unreasonable in defining God. In my own view, a given example or evidence on the existence of God such as nature shows the indisputable possibility of a creator and there is nothing that can be disputed in this claim (H.J. McCloskey, 1974). In regard to McCloskey’s claim on the presence of imperfection and evil is an argument that is incompatible with the perfection of the Divine Creator since the creator set a perfection standard for goodness, but man as a sinful being made the imperfect evil possible.
On the other hand, McCloskey suggests that evolution should take the place of a Divine Designer. In my view, this would imply that everything that exists in nature is primarily motivated by chance, which would hardly be the case since everything in nature requires some guidance (Feser, 2013). This is a process since everything has a specific construction and certain functions. If there is not a Divine Designer then this would mean that everything in nature may function by chance, a factor that could see things happen in any manner. For example, the snows would come during summer since everything functions in no order.
On the Problem of Evil
McCloskey also stresses in his articles on his objections on the problem of evil by alluding that no being that is perfect and claims of goodness could create the world in which there is suffering of the creatures. According to Feser (2013), the element of evil remains one of the conversant objections that have widely been presented by the atheists. The atheists tend to view why people should not believe in God as described. These objections are mainly posed by the frequent occurrences of suffering and evil that is presently seen. This remains the reason why many philosophers, as well as McCloskey, dismiss the claims on Gods existence basing their claims on the presence of evil. The theist approach of Gods view is in relation to His attributes that depict Him as omnipotent, omniscient and benevolent. On the other hand, the atheist believe that if all this attributes point towards God and He truly exists as He claims then he had the capacity to stop suffering and evil.
Other theists also take a stance on the concept to the of evil by leaning on the free-will defense, which alludes that God was the creator of human beings and was the same giver of the free will to choose what is right and wrong. This according to them is considered better since humanity has the freedom of choice than to haven none. According to this view, the evil that is prevalent in the world today exists since man chose the way of evil (Feser, 2013). Considering the fact that we have been granted the free will to choose what we opt right or wrong, humanity therefore needs to choose to believe in God, who needs to be worshiped, and praised. God has the capacity to mitigate the element of evil, but this means we may lack the free-will to choose. The coming of Christ to offer salvation to Humanity would not have made any sense if God chose to eliminate evil offer salvation.
Some theists respond to the problem of evil through a free-will defense in which God is stated as the creator of human beings with a free will since it is better to have the freedom to choose that to lack the freedom of choice (LeDrew, 2013). In other words, the evil that exist in the world is a result of the choice of a man to do evil. As free will beings, we need to believe in God, worship and praise Him. If God would have eliminated evil, then Christ should not have come to offer salvation and he would not have died for our iniquities.
On Atheism as Comforting
At the end of his article, McCloskey concludes by asserting that atheism is more comforting than theism. In his argument on this point, he uses the existence of evil and the sufferings that occur of the innocent to support his atheistic perceptions that a perfect being may not necessarily exist and allow evil things to occur (LeDrew, 2013). He also contends that people who follow theism are more likely to find cold comfort in believing religiously and that people need to find comfort and strength wherever they can find it inclusively.
Thinking about this, it is essential to note that people in many instances may need comfort, a factor that makes them seek for spiritual authorities to assist them in understanding things, both the bad and the good (LeDrew, 2013). A Biblical understanding of the element of comfort is encouragement which can be done through the use of words or the presence of an individual to help in the times of need. Comfort in this case as viewed by Christians remains in the ability of Christians o choose whether to believe in God or not, thus giving them the chance to know God more, understand him and commit to him truthfully.
Conclusion
McCloskeys view implies that there are no proofs that can establish Gods existence and those allegations should be abandoned. In my view, McCloskey makes no effort to determine what evil is nor does he explain its existence. McCloskey also alleges that the Cosmological Argument does not give us the right to postulate an all-powerful case that he considers uncaused (Boehme, 2014). In as much as this argument provides no proof of the existence of God, it supports the idea of a necessary being as the only responsible cause that erases the need for an infinite regressive cause.
On the Teleological Argument McCloskey as well as other philosophers claims that to believe that nature was designed; there is a need for indisputable examples, views that find to substantial backings. McCloskey also stresses in his articles on his objections on the problem of evil by alluding that no being that is perfect and claims of goodness could create the world in which there is suffering of the creatures and concludes by asserting that atheism is more comforting than theism (Boehme, 2014). In a nutshell, I believe that McCloskey provides minimal pieces of evidence on his claims that are aimed at supporting atheism and instead attempts to point out to the faults of Christians as a claim to refute the existence of God. The arguments of this theist, therefore, point out to the existence of God.
References List
Boehme, A. J. (2014). The Atheist’s Primer. Reviews in Religion & Theology, 21(1), 114-116. doi:10.1111/rirt.12286
Feser, E. (2013). The New Atheists and the Cosmological Argument. Midwest Studies In Philosophy, 37(1), 154-177. doi:10.1111/misp.12000
H.J. McCloskey (1974). “On Being an Atheist, “The Southern Journal of Philosophy – Vol. 15 – Issue 1 – pp. 101-111
LeDrew, S. (2013). Discovering Atheism: Heterogeneity in Trajectories to Atheist Identity and Activism. Sociology of Religion, 74(4), 431-453.
Thiessen, J. (2014). There Is No God: Atheists In America. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 53(2), 453-455. doi:10.1111/jssr.12099
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In your professional experiences, you may have encountered a number of different approaches to formal performance management. Do any of those past experiences stand out in your memory as having exceptional benefits, challenges or unintended consequences?
•Discussing the benefits and challenges of performance management for employee engagement and capability
•Sharing alternative perspectives on the benefits and challenges of performance management for line managers and other organisational leaders, including how performance management systems might interface with or relate to other aspects of business leadership
•Considering the potential unintended consequences of performance management systems
NOTE:
I work in Aviation company
SAMPLE ANSWER
Performance Management
The importance of people within an organization cannot go underestimated. The difference that people make within an organization is well covered in the different principles that make up sound studies of performance management and the effective use of human resources in an organization (Pugh and Mayle, 2009). The management should therefore put in the right efforts as they yearn to correctly deploy the human resources personnel within an organization. The correct use of the human resource within an organization is the main source of differentiate the business capabilities of any organization with the other. In an effort for companies to realize a competitive advantage over the other operators within the society, the company needs to deploy people with the right knowledge and skills to carry out the different functions of the business. Effective performance management is however faced with different challenges as well as benefits to the organization.
One of the benefits of performance management for the employee engagement and capability is the ability to arrange the different tasks within the workplace. A good workplace with the already set out plans of what need to be achieved will clearly set out the objectives of the organization in attaining the different targets (Cornellhrreview.org, 2015). The individuals that will be used in the attaining the different objectives will be known. The organization will also tailor the different tasks to individuals depending on the individual capabilities. Individuals will be informed on what they need to achieve within an organization. The well organization of activities within an organization makes it possible that the different targets will be met in an organization.
The management program will also offer an opportunity for appraising the performance of the different personnel within the organization. The level of performance of the different individuals will be assessed and the results assessed against the overall targets. The performance management is also faced with different challenges that include: the process of developing the right focus is challenging to the organization (Peoplestreme.com, 2015). The focus can be in the form of the personnel that will be needed within the organization so as the organization meets the different targets. The other challenge is in the creating of a connection between the operations of the employees and the outcomes of the organization. The process is a matching process that s specific in the meeting of the needs of the organization using the available expertise within an organization.
The performance management process relates to the different aspects of the organization. The challenges and benefits of the process can alternatives be approached e.g. through training of the personnel to provide a better focus on the different targets of the organization. The different personnel will be informed on their respective functions within the organization and the process will give sound process adoption within the organization (Pasher & Ronen, 2011). The focus among the different personnel will therefore be greatly enhanced.
The process of change management may lead to certain unintended consequences within the organization. The process may lead to high staff turnover. The case is common in the cases where the personnel within the organization are not informed of the planned changes prior to the changes. The human resource within the organization feel alienated with the management process that has been implemented within the organization (Cornellhrreview.org, 2015).
It can be evidenced that one o f the priorities that need to be set within an organization is the effective choice and implementation of a chosen performance management mechanism within an organization. The process has long-term benefits to the organization.
Reference list
Cornellhrreview.org, (2015). From Measurement to Ownership: the Evolution and Organizational Implications of Modern Performance Management — Cornell HR Review. [online] Available at: http://www.cornellhrreview.org/from-measurement-to-ownership-the-evolution-and-organizational-implications-of-modern-performance-management/ [Accessed 22 Oct. 2015].
Pasher, E., & Ronen, T. (2011). The complete guide to knowledge management. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley.
Peoplestreme.com, (2015). Explain What is Employee Performance Management ?. [online] Available at: http://www.peoplestreme.com/what-is-performance-management.shtml [Accessed 22 Oct. 2015].
Pugh, D. and Mayle, D. (2009). Change management. Los Angeles: SAGE.
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submit an academic paper that covers the concept of distribution strategy. Choose Apple as the company to provide your analysis.
Your paper should discuss the overall distribution strategy of the company, clearly describe the distribution channels, and why you think the distribution strategy of your company of choice is effective and provides a competitive advantage.
You are to also provide possible alternatives to the companies distribution strategy in light of what you have learned thus far in the course. When providing alternatives, such should be well-founded, and based on appropriate research rather than simply stating an opinion without support.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Apple International’s Distribution Strategy
Introduction
Apple International provides services to a vast pool of consumers. These consumers come from sectors such as education, government, enterprises, and SMB markets. Therefore, there is reason to have a coordinated distribution strategy to ensure that products reach consumers efficiently (Mallin & Finkle, 2011). The distribution strategy used by Apple Inc. combines both concepts of marketing logistics and marketing communications. Therefore, the following discussion will indulge in discussing the distribution strategy used by the Apple Inc. in the move to make profits and achieve customer satisfaction. In addition, the discussion will give recommendations on how the company can best utilize its distribution strategy/channels.
Discussion
Apple Inc. is an American Corporation that deals with designing and marketing consumer electronics, personal computers, and computer software. It has the range of products ranging from iPad, iPhone, and iPod. Through its centrifuged marketing strategies, Apple Inc. has been able to make sure that its customers are satisfied beyond maximum efficiently (Mallin & Finkle, 2011). This correlates to the fact that the distribution medium used by the company ensures that products reach the consumer conveniently. Ina addition, the distribution strategy has enabled the company to create a unique reputation in the overall consumer electronics industry.
The distribution strategy used by the Apple Inc. is meant to counteract intense completion from such players as Google, Microsoft, and other companies (Rimac, Borst & Walid, 2008). In emphasis, the distribution strategy used by Apple Inc. is entirely a selective distribution strategy. This strategy ensures that the company gets the right medium for its distribution. It makes sure that the channel shows a complete combination of effective marketing communication and marketing logistics (Homburg, Vollmayr & Hahn, 2014). In addition, the selective distribution ensures that it exclusively limit market reach. Furthermore, the selective distribution strategy ensures that Apple Inc. control over distribution by authorizing sellers to sell on their behalf. Apple Inc. uses four distribution channels to reach its consumers. These channels range from online stores, retail store, direct sales force, and third-party wholesalers (Sahoo, 2012). The company distributes its products and resells third-party products to most major markets. This ensures that there is a direct selling of products to the consumers.
In addition, the company uses indirect distribution channels to reach its consumers. These channels comprehensively comprise retailers, value-added resellers, and wholesalers who are mainly third-party cellular network stakeholders (Sahoo, 2012). Both direct and indirect distribution strategies are characterized by pros and cons. All the distribution channels are meant to make the company continue to gain competitive advantages in the market. The company has some retail stores. The large network of stores gives the company a major advantage in the distribution (Rimac, Borst & Walid, 2008). Apple Inc. understands the preferences it customers clearly. Thus, its distribution channels are crafted to meet all brand-touch points. The company is increasingly improving its distribution capabilities by opening its retail stores in important cities around the globe (Sahoo, 2012). The retail stores have potential customers have direct experience of the company’s brands. The environment in the stores enables the customer experience a stimulating environment characterized by no-pressure setting that gives them opportunities to discover more about the Apple fraternity. The retail staff is composed of trained and helpful people whose enthusiasm lures customers to come and shop again at the stores. Homburg, Vollmayr & Hahn (2014) argue that distribution is an important ingredient of the marketing mix. It usually takes the place of ‘place’ in the mix.
Online store selling is another form of the direct distribution channel. Through online, there is no presence of intermediaries. The consumers are made to observe the product feature through the Apple Website. In addition, the customer requests and purchase the products selected through online (Sahoo, 2012). These channels are important became it is convenient and cost friendly on the part of the company. This is because it can induce the customer to engage in impulsive buying by just observing features of the products through online efficiently (Mallin & Finkle, 2011). However, this channel has been criticized by Sahoo (2012)to bring shortcomings due to a lot of unnecessary information on the websites that make the customers unable to purchase products and prefer to visit the stores themselves.
The company also uses retailers in the distribution strategy. With the use of retailers’, Apple Inc. ensures that the retailers buy smaller quantities of products from them (Sahoo, 2012). Therefore, this form of indirect distribution channels ensures that the presence of the retailers does not have many costs as compared to when both retailers and wholesalers are present. Using such retailers as Waymart And Best Buy, Apple Inc. is bale to eliminate the presence of wholesalers in the channels (Rimac, Borst & Walid, 2008). This ensures that products reach the final consumer on time, and at the same time, realizing the projected profits by the company.
To improve marketing communication, Apple Inc. uses telecom companies such as Verizon and AT& T to ensure that communication within the distribution channel is enhanced. All the four distribution channels are interconnected with various communication models efficiently (Mallin & Finkle, 2011). This ensures that an emergent information is communicated easily to the retail stores, online stores, retailer, and the wholesalers. It is observed that the telecom companies are also authorized to sell iPhone units.
The company is said to use third-party wholesalers as a part of the distribution strategy. The third-party wholesalers, used by the Apple Inc., offer products to consumers through their businesses. The company usually makes quality products. However, the third-party wholesalers sell these products independently (Samaha, Palmatier, & Dant, 2011). The Apple Inc. is responsible for manufacturing products before they are distributed to their wholesalers. The problem with this channel is that the customer cannot get experienced Apple specialists to assist them with their new products. This, therefore, forces the customers to opt to go to the direct stores where they can get the experienced specialist to advise them on how to use new products. Rimac, Borst & Walid (2008) as companies giving fulfillment services, refers the third-party wholesalers. Apple Inc. uses fulfillment services from firms such as eBay and Amazon.com for Apple Inc to sell their products. The third-party wholesalers ensure that consumers are not supplied by Apple-related products directly, as this type of distribution strategy make products be shipped at least two times (Chu, Chintagunta & Vilcassim, 2007). However, use of a third-party wholesaler is still a convenient way for Apple Inc. to reach its consumer despite the channel associated with certain drawbacks.
Lastly, Apple Inc. uses direct sales forces as one of the distribution channels. The direct sales force gives the customer an experienced technical staff. Observably, for instance, it is easier for a customer to buy two or more computers from Apple. However, it becomes difficult for a company to purchase, for instance, two hundred computers. Therefore, the direct sales force gives the buyers confidence that they are purchasing from the right distributors (Samaha, Palmatier & Dant, 2011). They deliver the purchased products to the buyer’s premises, in addition to providing consultations to the buyers on how to deal with software and hardware. Notably, the use of direct sales force is a direct form of distribution strategy.
Recommendations
Weaknesses of the selective distribution strategy used by Apple Inc are that it has a policy of exclusivity. This has been approved by the discussion above that Apple Inc. selectively authorizes sellers of its products. Yu, Cadeaux & Song (2013) warn that such an exclusive distribution strategy limits Apple Inc.’s market reach. The second and final recommendations to improve the distribution strategy of Apple Inc. are to ensure the indirect stores have specialized consultants. This move will decrease the number of people avoiding to purchase from the third-party wholesalers to go to the direct stores. Chu, Chintagunta & Vilcassim (2007) argue that congesting customers in one place do not mean improved profits when its subsidiaries have less number of customers visiting the places. Therefore, ensuring that the subsidiaries have consultants and other assisting agents, more customers will buy from the indirect stores thus improving services and services to the corporation.
Conclusion
In summary, it has been observed that Apple Inc. majors in using the selective distribution strategy. This strategy involves the company selecting its authorized retailers. This enables the corporation to leverage its functions. However, this strategy prohibits further market reach. Therefore, Apple Inc. needs to use an inclusive distribution channel to increase its market reach.
References
Chu, J., Chintagunta, P. K., & Vilcassim, N. J. (2007). Assessing the Economic Value of Distribution Channels: An Application to the Personal Computer Industry. Journal Of Marketing Research (JMR), 44(1), 29-41. doi:10.1509/jmkr.44.1.29
Homburg, C., Vollmayr, J., & Hahn, A. (2014). Firm Value Creation Through Major Channel Expansions: Evidence from an Event Study in the United States, Germany, and China. Journal Of Marketing, 78(3), 38-61. doi:10.1509/jm.12.0179
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For this assignment, you will visit a local historical site and write a brief (1000 words) paper about it. Your paper should provide a description of the site you are visiting, a historical narrative of the site (i.e., what happened there – was a famous person born there? Was it important during some historical period?), and provide historical context for why the site is important enough to be preserved. In order to provide historical context, you should be able to relate it to important class concepts that you may find in lectures, the textbook, or other readings. No outside research is necessary for this assignment, although if you decide to use information from outside lecture and/or the textbook you should cite it. If you are writing about a recent landmark (created/relevant after 1940), you might want to read ahead.
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Visiting Local Historical Site
This paper provides a historical narrative of the Adobe Avila, the historical significance of the adobe and the manner in which it turned out to be a historical monument. The Avila Adobe is attached to various historical happenings, and marks different economic, political, and social changes in the California from the nineteenth century up to the 20th century.
The Avila Adobe is a historical residence built by Francisco Jose Avila in 1818. It is characterized as the oldest standing residence in Los Angeles. Francisco Avila died in 1832, after which his second wife and their two children continued to live in the house. The house has been registered as California Historical Landmark. The house has its location in the paseo of historical Olvera Street, which is part of a California State Historic Park known as Los Angeles Plaza Historic District. The whole historic district is listed as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument as well as in the National Register of Historic Places (Office of Historic Preservation).
In 1846, the U.S. declared war on Mexico, whereby the U.S. took control of Alta California. On July 14, 1846, U.S. Navy Commodore landed at Monterey and declared victory over California. The Commodore Robert F. Stockton proceeded to Los Angeles where he declared the city as won over without much struggle. However, the Pueblo de Los Angeles did not capitulate easily and they revolted against the U. S. Navy, which ultimately led them to win the Siege of Los Angeles. In October, the Commodore was compelled to return to the U.S. through San Diego. Following the loss of the Battle of San Pasqual, the Navy moved back toward Los Angeles, whereby they participated in the Battle of Rio San Gabriel in January 1847. Stockton and his team managed to quell the Mexican resistance after two days in the battle, after which they entered the Battle of Mesa.
The news of the advancing U.S. troops resulted to many inhabitants in Pueblo, including Maria Encarnacion, flying away to other places to seek refuge. Encarnacion Avila’s husband had died and she did not have a man to protect her family, so she moved to stay with a nearby relative, leaving her house in the control of a young boy. The young boy had been instructed to ensure that the shutters and the doors were closed. On January 10, 1847, the U.S. troops landed at Pueblo with a marching band fanfare, luring the boy in charge of the Avila Adobe to open the doors. The troops were drawn to the house because of its spaciousness as well as lavish furnishings. Accordingly, they decided to use the Villa as temporary headquarters. Following the end of the hostilities a few weeks later after the signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga, the troops ended up vacating the house (Kielbasa, J. R. Avila Adobe).
In 1850, Avila’s youngest daughter, Francisca, got married to a German native called Theodore Rimpau. Following the death of Encarnacion in 1855, Francisca and her husband stayed in the house up to 1868. The house had grown so old in structure which made the Rimpaus to vacate it. Over the following few years, various family members rented the house. It later turned into a boarding house. An earthquake occurred in 1870, which caused more damage to the structure and caused the house to fall into ruins. Consequently, it was condemned by the City of Los Angeles in 1928 (Office of Historic Preservation).
During the early twentieth century, an English woman called Christine Sterling moved to Los Angeles and immediately took interest in the cultural history of the city. In 1926, Sterling started working on the project to transform the skid row ruin of the old plaza area into a Latin-American cultural center. She sought out the assistance of the Los Angeles Times owner and publisher, Harry Chandler, who produced various articles for purposes of generating public attention to the project and raising funds for restoration. Nevertheless, after two years, the funding recorded miserable failure. Despite the fact that Sterling encountered overwhelming chances and even seemed to lose the cause, when she became aware of the 1928 condemnation of the house, she acted promptly to have an impact on the wrecking ball. After tracking down the ownership of the house, she found out that Miss Sophia Rimpau was the owner, who agreed to rent it to Sterling for a nominal amount. Sterling then called out news reporters to cover a story about the restoration of the adobe and Olvera Street. Through the campaign, Sterling obtained great support and she raised enough funds to purchase the adobe (El Pueblo De Los Angeles).
Florence Dodson de Shoneman was one of Sterling’s benefactors. He was charged with providing furnishings for one whole room in the adobe. Sterling saw to it that necessary renovations were undertaken in order to save the adobe from being demolished. She also went to plead with the city council to rescind the order to demolish the adobe. In addition to the council fulfilling Sterling’s request, the chief of police also extended his help by sending prison inmates to assist in cleaning up the plaza area. The Avila Adobe eventually got restored to its original glory. By March 1930, several transformations had happened to Olvera Street that it was no longer a skid row but a Mexican-style marketplace (Office of Historic Preservation).
Christine Sterling continued to reside in the adobe, although she made it open for student and group tours. The adobe was acquired by the State of California in 1953 and included in the El Publo de Los Angeles Historic Park. Sterling maintained her residence until her demise in 1963. The adobe sustained several major damages following the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. The city council closed the house in the bid to achieve a five-year, $120,00o restoration plan. A memorial of Christine Sterling was set up at the rear of the adobe. Up to date, the adobe has been open to tours since 1976.
The Avila Adobe house is now a historic house museum. From the large house it used to be, it now only has seven rooms left. Through restoration, it has been possible to come up with an idea of what the original house used to look like. The family room was the largest, with a general area for social gathering, entertainment and dining. The major business hub was Francisco’s office room. The living room was a spacious room reserved for special occurrences such as baptism or wedding. The other rooms included a kitchen, a sleeping quarter for the parents and another for their daughters. The courtyard was used for cooking, while sanitation was also outdoors. Most of the original adobe’s furnishings were outsourced from countries involved in Avila trading (Estrada, 2009). When I visited the site, noticed that the structural walls of the adobe were comprised of sun baked adobe brick, with a thickness of about 2 feet. The adobe was surrounded by shops and restaurants to serve the neighborhood, and many people walked around Olvera Street. Amusing and exciting Mexican songs could be heard in the neighborhood. Tourists were served food with a great Mexican smell. Candles in the adobe also had a Mexican scent. At the time I got into the adobe, it was slightly humid and dark, and I could feel particles of dust flowing through my nostrils.
This week’s paper is a place for you to reflect on the work you have done to this point and to tie up any loose ends. Begin by framing your learning process in this course and sharing any new knowledge you have gained about yourself as a doctoral student and your approach to the doctoral study process.
• Critically reflect on your problem statement and the topic (EFFECTS OF HRM PRACTICES ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE) you have chosen for your individual doctoral study. In what ways can you limit the negative impact of your own biases, assumptions, and attitudes on your study? How will you identify your biases?
• Evaluate the ethical considerations on conducting and documenting research as a scholar-practitioner.
Problem Statement
Employee performance is finding out whether a person carries out his assigned task to the letter. It is done through job evaluation in the designated job station. For effective employee performance, human resource management is an essential to achieving this intent. The term Human Resource Management is defined as the overall supervision and monitoring of employees in an organization for the achievement of the organizational objectives and realization of employee performance (Batt & Colvin, 2011).
It is important to note that employee performance has an impact on the overall performance of an organization. The implementation of human resource management provides a means through which employers can monitor the input offered by their employees and provide a basis for the administration of the workforce needed for the achievement of the organizational goals.
References
Batt, R., & Colvin, A. J. (2011). An employment systems approach to turnover: Human resources practices, quits, dismissals, and performance. Academy of management Journal, 54(4), 695-717.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Reflecting on Bias
In the current situation, most organizations are bent towards human resource management practices that help control employee input to drive employee performance to its optimum level. However, what most human resource managers don not realize is the impact these management practices have on employee performance. All management practices have been realized to be biased at some point to a specific level (Paauwe et al., 2013). Each practice having its type of bias that affects the employee performance in various ways. The overall organizational performance is dependent on the identifying these biases and working towards reducing their impact on employee performance (Batt et al., 2011). Then and only then, would Human resource management practices have a good bearing on the employee performance and the overall performance of the organization.
This paper will focus on the different ways to identify these biases, prevention methods or reduction of their impact on employee performance. By accomplishing that, there will be formed a moral ground for Human resource practices that have an ethical aspect to managing individual employee performance. Biases caused by management practices may take different forms. The different forms of biases include emotional bias, cultural, religious among others.
In an organization that has employees that have a diverse culture, it is given that at some point there might be a form or cultural biases when it comes to HRM practices. For instance, during recruitment and hiring or selection of new employees. The Human Resource Management personnel conducting the exercise might be biased to choose a certain individual over the other due to the individual’s cultural background. Reason being that they belong to the same culture or at some point a realization that they share the same beliefs. The selection process is then said to be biased on the basis of cultural affinity. Therefore, the organization may find itself hiring persons from the same cultural background. The result of this kind of action might have its toll on employee performance in a negative way.
Another issue that could form some biasness in the recruitment and selection of employees is the personal traits and character (Paauwe et al., 2013). A professional employee ought not to bring his or her personal feelings to work to prevent distractions of any kind that might affect employee performance. Therefore, some individuals will have personal feelings about a certain person looking for a position in the organization. The applicant may be chosen on the basis of character traits and not job qualification, experience, and skills. The chosen applicant may not even be suited for that profession. Eventually, there will be biases on the side of the likeness of work and other things that directly affect employee performance. Once something like this ensues. Employee performance is affected. Sometimes it may be for better or for worse. However, it is good to keep a professional air of things in a work environment. Thereby ensuring that employee performance is not affected in any way by some negative biases due to some HRM practices.
In conclusion, the reason for evaluating and consistently managing employee performance is to create a sustainable competitive advantage that would last in the long term. This can be achieved by reducing or eliminating biases due to tome HRM practices. By ensuring this, Human Resource Managers can steer the overall organizational performance to meeting the strategic business goals of the organization and making their organization successful.
References
Batt, R., & Colvin, A. J. (2011). An employment systems approach to turnover: Human resources practices, quits, dismissals, and performance. Academy of management Journal, 54(4), 695-717.
Marescaux, E., De Winne, S., & Sels, L. (2012). HR practices and HRM outcomes: The role of basic need satisfaction. Personnel Review, 42(1), 4-27.
Naidu, S., Pathak, R. D., & Chand, A. (2014). 11. Towards a double triangle model of socially desirable HRM practices and firm performance in small-island developing states. Corporate Social Responsibility and Human Resource Management: A Diversity Perspective, 192.
Paauwe, J. A. A. P., Wright, P. A. T. R. I. C. K., & Guest, D. A. V. I. D. (2013). HRM and performance: What do we know and where should we go. HRM and performance: Achievements and challenges, 1-13.
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Please do the literature review as discussed.
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Pantiva
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Table of Contents
Section 1: Foundation of the Study……………………………………………………………..
1
Background of the Problem…………………………………………………………………
1
Problem Statement……………………………………………………………………………
2
Purpose Statement…………………………………………………………………………..
2
Nature of the Study………………………………………………………………………….
3
Research Question………………………………………………………………………….
4
Interview Questions…………………………………………………………………………
4
Conceptual Framework……………………………………………………………………..
4
Definition of Terms…………………………………………………………………………
5
Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations………………………………………………
6
Assumptions……………………………………………………………………………..
6
Limitations………………………………………………………………………………..
7
Delimitations………………………………………………………………………………..
7
Significance of the Study……………………………………………………………………
8
Contribution to business practice………………………………………………………..
8
Implication of social change……………………………………………………………..
9
A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature……………………………………
9
Human Resource Management…………………………………………………………….
10
Human Resource Strategies………………………………………………………………..
10
Employee Productivity……………………………………………………………………
10
Company Productivity……………………………………………………………………..
11
Transition and Summary……………………………………………………………………
11
References……………………………………………………………………………………..
13
Background of the Problem
Profitability in many organizations is below envisaged levels due to a lack of knowledge about effective usage of human capital among their HR professionals (Lawler &Mohrman, 2013). In Thailand, organizations that fail to implement the necessary HR strategies by their recommended HR professionals often record the lowest profits or no profits and collapse within 2 to 4 years of their existence (Becker &Huselid, 2014). Zaugg and Thom (2013) asserted that employee productivity and the subsequent profitability of many organizations could be increased through the adoption of appropriate human resource management (HRM) strategies and adjust to the fast- changing labour market. The company productivity is directly linked to the employee’s productivity. If the employees are motivated and are given the freedom to express themselves in a way that corresponds to the operations of the company’s efforts will result to improved company performance.
Inefficiency as far as HR departments are concerned leads to insolvency or financial distress of companies. Organizations have efficiently played a role in improving the nature and the operations that are undertaken by the human resource (HR) professionals. The HR professionals’ role is to ensure that the employees are effective in increasing the company profitability and productivity (Wright et al., 2014). The creations of sustainable HR strategies are essential for improved employee productivity and continued profitability in organizations in Thailand (Pfeffer&Veiga, 2014). For instance, firms in Thailand have adopted HR strategies such as motivation and ranking of position. This strategy helps the employees to work excellently so that they can get the reward and at least get promoted to a certain position. In return, the employees’ productivity and the company’s profitability increase since the two are directly linked to one another.
Problem Statement
More than 50% of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) business leader in Thailand fails to utilize strategic human resource management (HRM) practices to manage employee productivity (Platonova et al., 2013). HRM practice accounts for over 80% of employee productivity in SMEs (Platonova, Hernandez & Moorehouse, 2013). The general business problem is that lack of HRM strategies to manage employee productivity could affect SMEs profitability (Chahal, Jyoti, & Rani, 2016). The specific business problem is that some SMEs business leaders in Bangkok, Thailand lack HRM strategies to increase employee productivity.
Purpose Statement
The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study is to explore human resource management (HRM) strategies that small and medium-sized (SMEs) business leaders use to increase employee productivity. The target population consists of SMEs in Bangkok, Thailand. I will interview five business leaders from SMEs who are successful in implementing HRM strategies to increase employee productivity in their perspective organization. The implication for social change stems from its design to help businesses to implement strategies to increase employee productivity. Employee productivity could increase business profitability, which could foster growth, resulting in employment opportunities for local communities.
Research Question
What HRM strategies that SMEs business leaders use to increase employee productivity?
Interview Questions
What HRM strategies you use to increase employee productivity?
What are the challenges you face while implementing HRM strategies?
How do you overcome such challenges?
How do you know that you are successful in implementing HRM strategies?
What else could you share that is pertinent to your HRM strategies that we have not covered for increasing employee productivity?
Nature of the Study
There are three types of research method: a) qualitative, b) quantitative, and c) mixed method (O’Brien et al., 2014). In a qualitative method, a researcher seeks to understand the event from the perspective of those who are experiencing the phenomenon (Vaismoradi et al., 2013). Quantitative researchers use statistical method that gives numerical results to provide additional data sets for analysis (Blau et al., 2013; Gherardi&Perrotta, 2014; Wolgemuth, 2014). In this study, I will be interviewing participants to understand the particular occurrence from their perspective. There will be no statistical analysis of numerical data. Therefore, I chose qualitative method over quantitative method. Mixed method, researchers use both qualitative and quantitative methods (Yin, 2014). The mixed methodology is not suitable for this study since the quantitative method is not viable.
There are many designs to choose from under qualitative method. In ethnographic design, a researcher collects ideas, histories, insight, and assumptions in cultural settings (Symons & Maggio, 2014). In narrative design, a researcher collects data in a storytelling format to find the research outcome (Benson, 2014). The purpose of this study is to explore HRM strategies to increase employee productivity. Both ethnographic and narrative design is not suitable for my research because I am not collecting data in a story telling from the participant’s point of view or in cultural settings. The phenomenological design is suitable for the study that plans to explore the lived experiences of the participants (Wagstaff& Williams, 2014). In this study, I do not plan to capture the lived experience of participants in a general setting, and for this reason, the phenomenological design is not appropriate.
I will use a multiple case study design for this study because it offers in-depth information about a particular matter that would not be likely to get from other designs. The case study is exploratory in nature that integrates multiple data collection techniques and helps to develop common factors inherent in the collected data (Gherardi&Perrotta, 2014; Yin, 2014). The multiple case studies will allow me to interview select SMEs business leaders from multiple companies to understand their perspective on the phenomenon under study.
Conceptual Framework
The Ulrich model is the conceptual framework for this study. Ulrich and Yeung (1989) developed the Ulrich Model in 1989. The Ulrich Model views the human resource process in terms of talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, training and development, leadership, organizational design, and HR development (Brockbank et al., 2013). The model connects HR strategy, goals, objectives, and processes into an operating model (Brockbank et al., 2013). The central objective of this model is to explain the relationship between the competency of HR professionals and the performance of the organization (Huselid et al., 2014). This framework is applicable to the study, as it will help me to understand how SMEs business leaders integrate HR strategies, HR goals and objectives, and HR process in their overall business strategy to increase employee productivity and business profitability.
Definition of Terms
The following defined terms are specific to the study topic. These definitions help the reader to understand the study as a whole.
Cognitive Orientation: Cognitive orientation describes the different ways an individual may go about the thinking process (Wolgemuth, 2014).
Competency Model: This is a set of expectations within organizations that are used to serve as benchmarks for exemplary performance and increased productivity (Wolgemuth, 2014).
Competency: Competency describes the ability someone’s to do something effectively or successfully (Huselid, Jackson & Schuler, 2014).
Effectiveness: It’s the potential of an organization to make use of its asset to generate cash inflow that exceeds its cash outflow (Yeung, Woolcock& Sullivan, 2013).
Human Capital: Human capital is the skills, knowledge, and experience possessed by an individual and includes education, experience, knowledge, and skills (Wright, Dunford& Snell 2014).
Management: It is the capability of a firm’s management to formulate and attain challenging objectives, take change and decisive practices, outdo the competitors and motivate other to execute efficiently (Weatherly, 2013).
Managerial Competencies: These are the motives, skills, as well as attitudes necessary for a job, including characteristics such as problem-solving, communication skills, the ability to work as a team, and customer focus (Weatherly, 2013).
Practices: Practices describes the ability to perform or carryout a particular method, custom, or activity regularly or habitually (Wright, McMahan & McWilliams, 2014).
Strategy: Strategy describes a policy or a plan of action designed to attain a major or overall aim of an organization (Yeung, Woolcock& Sullivan, 2013).
Sustainability: Sustainability is logical development based on the balance of economic, social, and environmental outcomes to provide benefits to multiple stakeholders (Huselid, Jackson & Schuler, 2014).
Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations
Assumptions
An assumption is acknowledged as accurate or confident to happen without having any proof, (Baranyi, Csapo, & Sallai, 2015). Making sure that the study is complete, there are several underlying assumptions. The first assumption is that during the interview process the researcher should obtain continuous feedback from the research participants. Secondly, during this study, women HR professionals are termed as considerate since they are looking for ways to increase the profitability of their organizations. The third assumption is that the research participants would provide perspectives or ideas that would assist other HR professionals a not only focus on their industry and business alone but also think global and act the same time act local. This assumption made on the premise that the research participants will articulate how to use HR management strategies to increase organizations profitability.
Limitations
A limitation is the limiting circumstances or rule and restrictions, (Souba, & Souba, 2016). There is a limit of the study by the selected location of study, and there is a possibility of research participants unwilling to share or holding back information. For the mitigation of this limitation particularly the lack of willingness to open up and memory, the interview questions focused on specific issues followed by probing questions to seek for clarifications to ensure that short answers but on point according to the research questions obtained. The five research participants are the other limitation of the study only focused on two medium sized businesses in Bangkok, Thailand.
Delimitations
Delimitation is the choices which the researcher makes for the research which is under the management of the researcher, (ZHANG, & ZHANG, 2013). The researcher must rationalize these delimitations in a research proposal. To mitigate the limitations of the study several delimitations established concerns the research participants, data, as well as the geographical area of the survey. For instance, the study included participants from two HR organizations that seemed to help organizations to manage their employee’s productivity. The data collection included interviews with the SMES businesses, and the reviews documented. The geographical area provided a reasonable representation of areas in Bangkok, Thailand.
Significance of the Study
Contribution to business practice
The creation of sustainable human resource management strategies is necessary for the continued profitability of SMEs in Bangkok (Pfeffer&Veiga, 2014). The business profitability is dependent on employee productivity (Ahmad et al., 2015; Becker &Huselid, 2014). The human resource management strategies highlight HR activities within the organizations, both large and small to remain sustainable (Becker &Huselid, 2014; Yeung et al., 2013). Organizations that integrate HRM strategies are efficient in utilizing its human capital and ultimately displaying high profits and growth (Huselid et al., 2014; Martina et al., 2013; Platonova et al., 2013). In essence, the findings of this study could contribute to effective business practice in three ways. First, the study results will provide HR operational, procedural, and process strategies that successful SMEs use to increase employees productivities. Second, the study may help businesses to identify HRM software and other business intelligence tools that successful SMEs business leaders use to remain profitable. Lastly, the study findings may act as a precursor for future research in strategy formulation to increase business productivity.
Implication of social change
The study results will lead to HRM strategies that are effective in the workplace to increase employee productivity which could lead to business profitability. Effective HRM strategies would make employees satisfied with their job and hence, lower employee turnover for the company resulting in a reduced unemployment rate in the society (Gherardi&Perrotta, 2014; Wolgemuth, 2014). (Wright et al., 2014). Moreover, employee productivity could increase business profitability. Profitability fosters business growth, which could result in employment opportunities for local communities.
A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature
The purpose of the qualitative is to explore human resource management (HRM) strategies that small and medium-sized (SMEs) business leaders use to increase employee productivity. To come up with comprehensive findings and results of the dissertations, various resources were used. They were arranged in the Zotero software. Seventy articles were researched as far as literature review is concerned, ninety seven percent of the articles were peer reviewed and ninety three percent are in accordance with limited time period required by the Walden University Chief Academic Officer (CAO) agreement. I limited myself to case studies and peer review to acquire the necessary information that I needed to answer to the research questions formulated and more so get to review the into detail about the human resource management strategies that SMEs business leaders use to increase productivity.
The central research question of the study was as follows: What HRM strategies that SMEs business leaders use to increase employee productivity? In this section, the topic to discuss covers how organizations in Bangkok, Thailand uses or link the human resource management with employee’s productivity that yields to company’s productivity. The subsections include (a) human resource management, (b) human resource strategies, (c) employee productivity, and (d) company productivity.
Human resource management
The primary role of human resource management is to hire and fire employees. However, this changes as per the organizational environment and the nature of the firms operations. In an organization, the human resources play with the company’s operations and they tend to waste time even if they are working. To ensure productivity, the human resource management department imposes human resource strategies such as motivation of workers to ensure productivity. Doing so, they must come up with various HR mechanisms and strategies that are flexible and easily adoptable by the employees, ((Yeung, Woolcock& Sullivan, 2013).It makes it easier for the human resource to comply with the strategies and yield efficient productivity n terms of company’s productivity. In return to this, the organization will increase on its core competencies, gain a competitive position in the market that is resulted by a bigger market share in the market arena as compared to the competitors. This makes the company profitable with a strong financial position.
Human resource strategies
The imposed plans of the human resource management tend to motivate the staffs to work a little bit harder to ensure efficiency and efficiency of the company’s operations. The strategies imposed should be flexible and adoptable to change depending with the nature of the business environment both internal and external. Also, the strategies must comply with the demand and supply of what is been produced by the employees and what is needed by the company from the human resources. If the strategies imposed by the HR management department are not in accordance with the taste and preference of the employees, it is difficult to force them to comply. On the other hand, if they are in accordance with their demand, they will comply and changes will be identified in their productivity together with the company productivity, (Huselid, Jackson & Schuler, 2014). Some of the strategies that are imposed are motivations. Through motivations, the employees may compete fairly for the betterment of attaining the award set for the winner or the group of employees. The results of this are to increase the employee’s productivity.
Employee productivity
If the strategies imposed by the HR management department are not in accordance with the taste and preference of the employees, it is difficult to force them to comply. On the other hand, if they are in accordance with their demand, they will comply and changes will be identified in their productivity together with the company productivity, (Huselid, Jackson & Schuler, 2014). It is with no doubt that employee’s productivity is directly related to the human resource strategies. When a company fails to impose good human resource strategies, it means that the probability that the employee’s productivity will be high is less than 0.5 and vice versa. When employees are well catered for, it guaranteed that they would reciprocate by working in an effective and efficient manner for the development of the firm’s operations. When the employees work excellently, the company profitability will increase since the organization market share and the competitive position will gradually develop (Jakob et al., 2013).
Company productivity
When the HR mechanisms and strategies are flexible and easily adoptable by the employees, ((Yeung, Woolcock& Sullivan, 2013) It makes it easier for the human resource to comply with the strategies and yield efficient productivity n terms of company’s productivity. In return to this, the organization will increase on its core competencies, gain a competitive position in the market that is resulted by a bigger market share in the market arena as compared to the competitors. This makes the company profitable with a strong financial position.
Company productivity is a result of increased or improved employee’s productivity. When the staffs work increases, they develop the organization’s competences at a minimum hurdle rate. With this, it means that the company operation cost is less hence huge profits. Furthermore, improved employee’s productivity creates opportunities for the firm to operate globally and this increases the firm’s competitive position and financial position.
Transition and Summary
The central research of this study is What HRM strategies that SMEs business leaders use to increase employee productivity? The section covered some key elements in the study and those are the Problem Statement, Purpose Statement, Nature of the Study, Research Question, Conceptual Framework, Significance of the Study, and Literature Review sections.
Human capital shows a significant proportion of expenses in organizations that subsequently reduce their profits (Platonova et al., 2013). Research shows a lack of profitability strategies that are unique to the utilization of human capital (Platonova et al., 2013). Organizations perform better when their human capital is aligned to their needs (Becker &Huselid, 2014). The review of the literature on the practices of HR professionals and organizations’ profitability has shown that in order for effective management of the human resources there is need for organizations to ensure implementation. It entails the implementation of innovative human resources management practices that are angered in the efficiency, competencies, and willingness of the HR professionals (Ahmad, Kausar & Azhar, 2015).
The organizations which are in forefront at implementing such practices with commitment and dedication, attains competitive advantage over their competitors. it is because such practices influence other variables such as financial performance, job satisfaction, employee turnover, employee commitment, among others positively. Therefore, lead to overall organizations’ performance, productivity subsequently resulting in increased profitability (Platonova, Hernandez & Moorehouse, 2013). The findings from the study could provide HR professionals with a better understanding of the strategies that are effective to increase the employee productivity.
The knowledge could facilitate HR professionals to enhance the profitability potential in their organizations. The literature review provided an understanding of the processes, social constructs, and motivations that are unique to human resource management. In Section 2, there is a description of a qualitative method research approach, including the populations and sampling, data collection, data analysis, and reliability and validity. The information in Section 3 presents the doctoral study findings, including applications to professional practice, implications for social change, and recommendations for future research.
References
Ahmad, A., Kausar, A. R., &Azhar, S. M. (2015). HR professionals’ effectiveness and competencies: A perceptual study in the banking sector of Pakistan. International Journal of Business and Society, 16, 201-220.doi:10.10843/985206306293668
Becker, B. E., &Huselid, M. A. (2014). High performance work systems and firm performance: A synthesis of research and managerial implications. Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management, 16(3), 53-101.doi:10.1177/0149206306293668
Benson, P. (2014). Narrative inquiry in applied linguistics research. Annual Review
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Its important that the writer use in text citations for this paper to support the comments
The writer will have to read each of this post and react to it by commenting, analyzing and supporting with relevant articles. The writer will have to read carefully before giving constructive comments or criticism on the post. The writer should write a one paragraph of at least 150 words. APA and in text citation must be use as each respond to the 4 article must have in text citations. The writer will have to use an article to supports his comments and criticism on each of the article. Address the content of each post below in a one paragraph each, analysis and evaluation of the topic, as well as the integration of relevant resources. The writer cannot just say “I agree or disagree” the writer must constructively support and use relevant sources to support his point why expanding on the article.
Details for the paper will be send via email title comments 7
SAMPLE ANSWER
Article 1: Doctoral Study and Scholar Practitioner Model
Well established healthy relationship between leaders and their followers is being emphasized in this article. The basis of corporate influence is seen to be closely intertwined with the prowess and the character of its leadership. According to the author the pursuance of professional training for practice rather than for academic purposes will have a significant effort in changing organizational leadership; empowering staff/ employees and improving cooperation between leadership and the ones who are described as their followers. The author’s claims are in line with that of Uhl-Bien, Riggio, Lowe and Carsten in their 2014 study. The author claims that the doctoral study will better how he/ she will associate and relate to followers/ the ones he/she leads. This claim is rational since better academic qualification enables one to understand people more; to learn how to meet their needs and on how to satisfy them. This will have a direct effect on positive outcomes in an organization. With further education, leaders will be in good position to develop better and effective strategies (Price & Vugt, 2014).
Article 2: Doctoral Study Impact on Improvement in Management & Business Practice
The author claims that the kind of leadership an organization keeps will determine environmental climate within the organization and the performance of its employees. The claim that completion of a doctoral study will help the business leaders to lay in better and more effective strategies is supported by Price and Vugt (2014). According to Zhu, Avolio and Walumbwa (2009) transformational leadership will have a positive and critical role in improving relationships among employees. Through transformational leadership the leadership and workforce will work together for the common good of individuals which will enable the organization to attain its goals. Transformational leadership will empower employees, work relationships which will see development of efficient business practices. Cooperation between leadership and employees achieved through transformational leadership will ensure that an organization achieves desired profitability. Transformational leadership is necessary for an organization to achieve global competitiveness, being economically viable and in the achievement of a social change. Yes, transformational leadership will ensure the development of effective and up to date strategies (Northouse, 2013).
References
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership Defined. In L. Shaw, P. Quinlin, & M. Stanley (6th Ed), Leadership: Theory and Practice (pp. 185-217). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Price, M. E., & Vugt, M. V. (2014). The evolution of leader – follower reciprocity: the theory of service – for – prestige. Front Hum Neurosci, 8, 363.
Uhl-Bien, M., Riggio, R. E., Lowe, K. B., & Carsten, M. K, (2014). Followership theory: A review and research agenda. The Leadership Quarterly, 25(1), 83-104. http://doi:10.1016/j.leagua.2013.11.007
Zhu, W., Avolio, B.J., & Walumbwa, F.O. (2009). Moderating role of follower characteristics with transformational leadership and follower work engagement. Group Organization Management. 34, 590-619. http://doi:10.1177/1059601108331242
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Campaign objectives and consumer insight of Lorna Jane yoga pants
Order Instructions:
Since i did finish other parts of the project so far, so only thing the writer need to do is consumer insight and campaign objective.
I will send all the information in the files and just follow my concept and idea that i provided. Also, the requirement for those 2 parts. All of them including in my files.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Campaign objectives and consumer insight of Lorna Jane yoga pants
Campaign objectives
There are several objectives for the advertisement campaigns for the Lorna Jane wear yoga pants line. These targets include developing awareness about the Eunoia line of yoga pants among the people of Sydney as an independent line of clothing. The campaign is also aimed at reaching 30 percent of the target population, which is Sydney within three months of advertisement. The attainment of the objective should be timely and precise.
The campaigns should also increase improve the attitudes f the people of Sydney about the brand, from zero percent to 20 percent. This objective should be attained by use of the natural background and the desirable models to be featured in the campaign ads. The slogan should also be made clear in all advertisements it would be significant in popularising the brand and improving the attitude of viewers of the campaign ads.
The advertisements should also show the fashion sense of the yoga pants to the potential clients as a way of increasing the attitudes of people. The slogan of the line, which is fashionably well minded, peace & beauty, eco-sexy, the beauty of the mind, natural fashion, naturally wild should be able to help achieve this aim. Campaign ads should be able to connect all the aspects captured in the slogan statement. This would blend the fashion sense of the yoga pants, natural beauty of the customers, and the outgoing nature of the young adults of between 18 and 25 years of age.
The campaigns should also enlighten the customers about the various colours and types of yoga pants under the new brand name. All the different colours of the yoga pants that signify the various parts of the slogan would be featured in the ads, while worn by a beautiful model. The ads should create a sense of choice among the viewers (Park, H, Jeon, J, & Sullivan, P 2015)..
The campaigns should highlight the strengths of the new line of yoga pants. Views of the campaigns should be able to identify the uniqueness of the material that the new yoga pants will be made of. Viewers of the ads should be able to tell the advantages of the Eunoia brand over the other brands.
Consumer insight
The target clientele are women who are interested in maintaining their body fitness body fitness. This means that the clients would majorly be female youths between the age of 18 and 25 years old who are either fit and would like to remain that way or are unfit and would like to become fit and sexy. The brand would majorly be sold in Sydney where there is a hug population of youths. The youths in Sydney are also influenced by the pop culture which influences ladies to have a youthful look.
It is a positive thing that fitness is what drives motivation to perform yoga and therefore buy yoga pants. This is because with the popularity of pop culture in Sydney, more and more women are conscious of their looks and therefore generate a long term market for products to do with yoga. The brands have a variety of categories in terms of colors and sizes to ensure that all the potential clients can get a pair of yoga pants (Carroll, A 2009).
85 percent of participants of yoga in Sydney are women. It is more likely that investments in yoga outfit for women would be less risky than the investment in outfits for men. In the total number of people who participate in yoga in Australia, 56.6 percent attended practice one or two times every week. 24.1 percent attended practice more than three times per week while the rest were not consistent. From these statistics, it is clear that the consumers need a more durable material for the yoga pants. A line of yoga pants that would be of high quality may be need by consumers. Yoga sessions also take a considerable amount of time each day of practice.
In a typical day in Sydney, about 46 percent have to work for longer hours and therefore prefer to engage in yoga in their free time because of the lack of enough time to engage in other physical activity and the calming nature of yoga.
The target market for the Lorna Jane line of yoga wear is mostly the youths. This class of people is fashionable and needs a sense of freedom. Therefore, Eunoia line of yoga pants is expected be favorable and marketable to the target group due to the lines ability to capture al the aspects of youth fashion (Park, H, Jeon, J, & Sullivan, P 2015).
The consumers should buy the yoga pants from authorized dealers of the Lorna Jane brand and other countrywide stores and malls. The yoga pants will also be available in online stores for the busy people of Sydney to purchase from their offices and homes.
The media to be used to communicate with the potential clients would majorly be social media such as facebook. This is because of the popularity of the social network. Other media for advertisement would include television and magazines. Most of the people who attend yoga also have smartphones and other internet enabled gadgets such as PCs and tablets. It is therefore easier and cheaper for the line to be advertised through social media (LaPointe, P 2012).
The campaign ads should reach at least 30 percent of the population of Sydney city to achieve the objectives of the advertisement. This may be achieved by advertisements being done at least two times between seven and nine o’clock in the night. Facebook ads should be updated as frequent a hourly due to the high number of times youths log in to facebook (Smith, S 2013).
The key challenges of communicating with the target audience may be the high expense of TV ads in terms of costs per ad. Therefore, to reduce on the cost of TV ads, the ads would be short and precise.
Bibliography
‘Effect of an office worksite-based yoga program on heart rate variability: A randomized controlled trial’ 2011, BMC Public Health, 11, 1, pp. 578-582, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 14 October 2015.
LaPointe, P 2012, ‘Measuring Facebook’s Impact on Marketing’, Journal Of Advertising Research, 52, 3, pp. 286-287, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 14 October 2015.
Smith, S 2013, ‘Conceptualising and evaluating experiences with brands on Facebook’, International Journal Of Market Research, 55, 3, pp. 357-374, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 14 October 2015.
Park, H, Jeon, J, & Sullivan, P 2015, ‘How does visual merchandising in fashion retail stores affect consumers’ brand attitude and purchase intention?’, International Review Of Retail, Distribution & Consumer Research, 25, 1, pp. 87-104, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 14 October 2015.
Carroll, A 2009, ‘Brand communications in fashion categories using celebrity endorsement’, Journal Of Brand Management, 17, 2, pp. 146-158, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 14 October 2015.
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In the topic it says “a country of your choice” preferably to make it Ukraine (if not enough information, choose another country)
An Introduction (about 170 words) should provide a general background to the topic at the beginning. This should be followed by the main body where you need to present your analysis and /or discussion. The essay should show evidence of reading from at least 15 sources – including books, academic journal articles, newspapers / magazines and websites. Refer to the module handbook for recommended reading sources. It is OK to use some sources more extensively than others. Do not include charts and graphs in the core-text of the essay. These can be included in an appendix section at the end of the essay; however you need to cite them when you refer to them in the core-text. The Conclusion (about 170 words) of the essay should summarize the analysis / discussion and provide concluding statements.
3. Reading and Resources
3.1 Essential Reading (Purchase Recommended)
Hill, Charles W.L. (2014) International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace (Global Edition). New York: McGraw-Hill.
OR
Daniels, J.D., Radebauch, L.H., and Sullivan, D.P. (2014) International Business: Environments and Operations. Pearson.
3.2 Supplementary Reading
Morrison, J (2011) The Global Business Environment: Meeting the Challenges, Palgrave Macmillan
Cavusgil, S-T, Ghauri, P., Knight, G., and Riesenberger, J. (2013) International Business, Global Edition, Pearson
Joshi, R. M. (2009): International Business, Oxford University Press.
Dunning, J-H & Lundan, S-M (2008) Multinational Enterprises and the Global Economy,
Edward Elgar
Piggott, J. & Cook, M. (2006) International Business Economics: A European Perspective, Palgrave Macmillan
Note: See Reading Resources (Library List) on Study Direct for a more detailed reading guide.
3.3 Other Reading
Students should complement their reading through consulting relevant journals, websites, magazines and newspapers, for example:-
Journals
Harvard Business Review
International Business Review
Journal of International Business Studies
Journal of World Business
Management International Review
Newspapers / Magazines
Financial Times
The Economist
The Wall Street Journal
Business Week
Strategy+Business
2
Websites
CIA (World Factbook)
IMF
UN Global Compact
UNCTAD
World Bank
World Economic Forum
Multinational companies operate in different nations having different political backgrounds. Such companies often face different political risks such as insurrection, expropriation, corruption, and prejudicial actions not in favor of multinationals operating in the country (Sadgrove, 2015). Political risk can be termed as the risk that a host country will approve political verdicts that may have negative effects on the multinational’s objectives or revenues. Political risk is a reality and often varies in extent and nature from one nation to another. A political risk may be as a consequence of policy adjustments by the ruling government to alter the controls put in place with respect to exchange rates and interest (De Grauwe, 2013). Political risks may also be an outcome of actions of legitimate governments. For example controls on outputs, activities, prices, currency, and remittance restrictions. However, it is imperative to note that political risk may also arise from events that are beyond government control. Such as terrorism, labor strikes, extortion, war, and revolution.
However, this paper discusses political risks that exist in Ukraine giving examples of such risks. On the same note, the paper provides ways in which firms can deal with those political risks they may face in a foreign country.
Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe. The country is bordered by Russia, Belarus, Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. The country is headed by a president put in place according to the constitution and democratic voting. The country GDP is USD 177.4 billion ranking number 55 in the world according to World Bank. However, Ukraine economy had been exposed to high risk even before the beginning of a series of conflicts and political crisis that happened in 2013/2014 (Overseas Business Risk, 2015). The country economy went into chaos after the suspension of an IMF funding program in the year 2011. This crisis has resulted in macroeconomic imbalances such as fiscal deficit and account deficit. The country’s foreign exchange reserves have been declining fast because of recurrent central bank intervention to protect the quasi-fixed exchange rate, financing of fiscal deficit and protection of capital flight. The Ukrainian economy has faced recession since mid-2012.
Since 2014, the Ukrainian government forces have been in conflict with separatists found in the eastern part of Ukraine. The country is also involved in a serious dispute with Russia, which has seriously hampered the economic crisis in Ukraine (TRINDLE, 2015). The foreign exchange reserves have continued to dwindle regardless of the massive international support, the balance of payment has also continued to persist, and the recession in Ukraine has seriously deepened, the country is planning to do a sovereign debt restructuring during this financial year.
The Eastern European nations are also undergoing transition. These nations are attempting to upgrade their political, legal and economic framework to merge with the European Union standards. However, Ukraine economic growth in the recent years has been hampered by the recession, economic upheavals, and bureaucracy. The country’s economic growth is expected to increase though the political risk existing is still high.
Key Political Risks
The level of bureaucracy and legal system in Ukraine is high. Therefore, it is cumbersome for the organization to establish their firms in the nation (Overseas Business Risk, 2015). On the same note, enforcement of contracts is tied bureaucracy and political influence making it more cumbersome to operate a business in Ukraine.
The president of Ukraine proposed an economic and political reform dubbed “Ukraine 2020.” The reform is supported by most of the western government as well as the International Monetary Fund (Wolczuk, 2014).. The project seems ambitious yet it is unpopular and may prove to be difficult when implementing the reform.
There is an ongoing violence between the government, pro-Russian separatists in the Southern, and Eastern part of the country. This violence has seriously hampered the government operations as well as the economic growth. Currently, there is a ceasefire but because of the consistent violations of the cease-fire has resulted in the marginalization of government power and reduced soldier’s morale (TRINDLE, 2015). It is clear that the ongoing political and economic instability is not going to stop shortly. The Russian government seems not to respect the cease-fire order. Therefore, it may result in a further economic recession and widening the gap existing in the political environment of Russia.
Ways in Which Multinationals can minimize political Risks
There are various factors that multinationals must consider before entering a new foreign market. There are three broad categories that define international trade. That is the foreign direct investment, international licensing and technology, and trade (Terpstra et al., 2012). A firm should consider these categories before making a choice of entry. It is also important for a firm to consider the capital resources, nature of its products or services. As well as a number of risks the firm is willing to take before making the most appropriate choice of entry.
A multinational company should also consider political risks and develop ways to mitigate such risks before entering into a foreign market. There are quite some measures that can be adopted even before investing in a foreign market. Firstly, a firm should conduct research to understand the domestic and international affairs of the potential foreign market (Curlb, 2012). Some of the critical areas that should be researched are political stability of the nation and strength of its institution. The firm should also find out if there are any religious or political conflicts, minority rights, and ethnic composition. It is also paramount to consider other factors such as relations with neighbors, recognition of international law, membership with the international organization as well as border disputes (Bremer, 2015). The company can obtain the mentioned information above by conducting research. However, they can find such information from insurance companies, international business consulting firms, international chambers of commerce, foreign embassies as well as international businesspeople.
Multinationals can also negotiate terms of compensation with the host nation. This strategy helps to establish a legal basis for taking action in future in the event that something happens that may disrupt the firm activities (Howes, 2013). Therefore, a firm can take a legal course to defend its position or claim compensation for any damage that might have occurred due to political risks in the host country. Such strategy can be fruitful because most nations respect agreements they made with multinationals because of their respect for international law and they have to honor the agreement (Jervis, 2015). The government may also provide insurance coverage to foreign firms as a strategy to encourage foreign direct investments and international trade in a country. However, this strategy may not work because the legal systems in most countries may not be advanced and is prejudiced against foreign companies. With time, a new government may be born who may not honor contracts entered by the previous governments.
Another possible solution is purchasing a political risk insurance cover after entering a nation that is considered risky (Curlb, 2012). A multinational company can approach an organization that are experts in selling political risk insurance and buy a policy that will cover all the adverse risks that may occur in the course of business. The premium that the company can pay is dependent upon many factors such as a number of risks insured, the country, cost of doing business and the industry in which the firm operates. Political risk insurance can cover the following types of political risks such as political violence for example insurrection, terrorism, civil unrest, war, and revolution. Secondly is insurance against confiscation of assets or governmental expropriation. They also cover business interruption, the frustration of contracts as well as inconvertibility of currency among another risk that a firm may face in a global market.
Multinationals often use political risk insurance to boost their confidence of trading in markets that is seen to be risky as compared to the home market. Political risk insurance enables multinationals to focus their energy on the commercial aspects of trade leaving the political risk insurance provider to take care of any potential losses and gather for any damages resulting from any political risk.
In conclusion, political risk is one of the risks that business faces in the international setting. With increasing globalization, political risks are taking new dimensions. In the contemporary economies, states have to deal with real and perceived income inequalities. Nations also focus on solving challenges resulting from high sovereign debts. The government may also take actions meant to promote state-owned companies, build trade barriers among other public policies (Jervis, 2015). Multinationals may face challenges that may lead to loss of revenue or disruption due to political risk. Therefore, firms should always consider the potential consequences that may arise due to political risks even before entering a foreign market. Ukraine is not left out in this case. The country has been in recession since the year 2012 after IMF stopped providing funding. The country is also facing numerous political differences that result in political imbalance making business it hard to do business operations.
Some of the key political risks that a multinational firm may face in Ukraine include high bureaucracy and corruption in the Ukraine government that may make it hard for multinationals to set up operations (Overseas Business Risk, 2015). Secondly is political unrest in the country and reforms that may hinder business operations. However, a multinational can still invest in the country because high risks often result in high profits. But still, the firms wishing to invest in Ukraine should develop effective strategies that may help to mitigate any risk that may result due to political unrest.
References
Sadgrove, M. K. (2015). The complete guide to business risk management. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd..
De Grauwe, P. (2013). Design Failures in the Eurozone: Can they be fixed?.LEQS Paper, (57).
Jervis, R. (2015). Perception and misperception in international politics. Princeton University Press.
Terpstra, V., Foley, J., & Sarathy, R. (2012). International marketing. Naper Press.
Bremmer, I. (2015, June). Managing Risk in an Unstable World. Retrieved October 17, 2015, from https://hbr.org/2005/06/managing-risk-in-an-unstable-world
Curlb, S. (2012, August 27). Political Risk Can’t Be Avoided, But It Can Be Managed. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/steveculp/2012/08/27/political-risk-cant-be-avoided-but-it-can-be-managed/
