Internal Audit of Fuller Smith & Turner plc Essay

Internal Audit of Fuller Smith & Turner plc - Essay Example The aim of the audit is to see the need for corrective action by top-level management on its policies. The idea is to stimulate mutual discussion between outside auditors and insiders (management and employees) who implement goals and find ways of improving the present situation. Its objective is therefore not only to correct the present way things are done, but probably more important is the good that the process can do to everyone involved, like the conduct of surveys of the present situation and the roundtable discussions that would be based on facts instead of opinions (Kondo, 1988, p. 15-16). An internal audit serves an educational purpose and offers management a chance to review those facts of the firm's strategies and operations that may reflect on management, employees, and other stakeholders. One positive effect of an audit is contributing to the way employees improve relationships with each other and understanding the work they do. There are different ways of doing an internal audit. ... The simplest is to gather data from periodic strategic and operational reviews, but the firm can also commission the use of other tools such as employee and customer satisfaction surveys, performance excellence models, and benchmarking (Witcher, 2003). Three highly popular techniques we can use audit the firm and the business environment where it operates are the SWOT analysis (Andrews, 1987; Ansoff, 1965; Chandler, 1962), the PESTEL analysis (Steiner, 1979; Andrews, 1987), and Porter's Five Forces model and Generic Strategy (Porter, 1980 and 1985). SWOT/PESTEL Analysis For this first part, we combine the SWOT/PESTEL approach. The SWOT analysis is so-called because of the acronym of the four factors required for assessing the organization's internal (Strengths and Weaknesses) and external (Opportunities and Threats) environments. The PESTEL analysis considers six environmental factors that affect the enterprise and its business: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal. We will combine the PESTEL factors with the SWOT analysis factors to audit Fuller's. Porter's Models Porter (1980, 1985) proposed the Five Forces model that helps a firm analyse its environment and design its competitive strategy by choosing one of three generic strategies. The five forces are bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, threat of substitutes, the intensity of rivalry, and the threat of new entrants. The three generic strategies are over-all cost leadership that allow the firm to compete on the basis of price by achieving efficiencies by minimising costs and attaining economies of scale; differentiation by way of brand image, technology, features, uniqueness, or the quality of service support, any of which enables the firm to charge a

Greek and Eygptian Mythology Essay Example for Free

Greek and Eygptian Mythology Essay The Greeks myth of creation is one of the oldest theories to date. Dated back to 753 BC in Rome and have a lot of similarities to the Egyptian myth of creation. The Egyptians documented their beliefs on stone carving inside temple walls. Greek and Egyptian myths of creation Gaia is known as the mother goddess. In the beginning the world was ruled and formed by a female. Females were soupier to males and were thought to be powerful and have all the knowledge. (greek mythology, 2010) The Greeks believed that Chaos is born out of darkness from the Unknown. Gaia or the earth emerges from Chaos. (ancient-mythology. com, 2009) Gaia separates heaven from the earth, water from the land, air from the airless space. From the depths of Gaia comes, Tartarus and Eros. Chaos also gives birth to Erebus, the Darkness of the Underworld and Nyx, Night. Gaia also gives birth to Uranus, The Sky and Pontus The Sea. Uranus fertilizes Gaia with rains and from Gaia spring the mountains, the water, the animals and plants. (ancient-mythology. com, 2009) In the beginning there was only water it was a chaos of churning, bubbling water, that the Egyptians called Nu or Nun. It was out of Nu that everything began. (ancientegypt. com, 2012) As with the Nile, each year the flood caused chaos to all creatures living on the land, so this represents Nu. Eventually the floods would recede and out of the chaos of water would emerge a hill of dry land. This is celebrated as the first day of their existence every year. The Egyptians also believed the sun or god Atum was a creator god. That Atum arose out of the Nu and with nowhere to stand created a hill. The creation of this hill was bringing light to the darkness of the chaotic water. Atum was alone and wanted children but with no mate he couldn’t reproduce. It is said he joined with his shadow and created a son and daughter. Different worlds in Greek and Egyptian mythology In Greek mythology there are different worlds. The underworld or the afterlife of their myths was ruled by Hades. (ancient-mythology. com, 2009) Mortals passed through the underworld where they awaited judgment. If they lived a life that displeased the gods they were punished. People in Greece would place coins on the deceased eyes when they were buried to pay the toll into the underworld. These coins were to pay the boatman on the ferry needed to cross the river in Hades known as Styx. (greek mythology, 2010) The boatman was said to be evil and feared by all that passed through Hades. There were many parts of the underworld such as the Elysian Fields or paradise. There was also Asphodel Meadows that was a place of shadows, where souls of mortals that led lives of equal good and evil rested and Tartarus or hell. (ancient-mythology. com, 2009) The Egyptians had really intricate beliefs about life after death. Death was not considered to be the end of one’s life, rather it was considered to be a necessary stage that someone has to go through in order to enter an aspect of complete bliss and eternity. This was dependent on the way the individual lived their lives. (egyptianmyths. net, 2011) The Egyptians have their own criteria for judgment to which each individual will be judged and awarded his destination in the afterlife. This would take place in the Hall of Two Truths. (ancientegypt. com, 2012) Anubis was a cruel god that was considered to be the spirit of the dead. He would be the judge along with forty two other gods and judges that would judge each soul. The gods were classified into different categories. Amongst them were gods that exclusively governed the underworld. Egyptians priests were known for developing many myths and legends about life after death and it was these stories that drove the Egyptian afterlife beliefs. This is why the Egyptians had elaborate burial rituals the purpose of which was to ensure the preservation of the dead bodies and their soul. Some of the most important burial rituals included the process of mummification, the making of the tomb, the casting of spells and death masks. (ancientegypt. com, 2012) The Egyptians perceived the sky as a roof placed over the world it was supported by columns placed at the four cardinal points. The Egyptians thought that the Earth was a rectangle. That it was longer from north to south and that the surface bulges slightly and that the Nile was its center. On the south there was a river in the sky supported by mountains and on this river the sun god made his daily trip. (egyptianmyths. net, 2011) The stars were suspended from the heavens by strong cables, but they had no explanation for their movements. Mythology to explain nature occurrences The Greeks depicted god to explain the unexplainable. They had several gods that took the form of rain, wind, fire and other occurrences they couldn’t explain. The god Poseidon was the water god. He was a brother to Zeus and Hades and ruled the water. (ancient-mythology. com, 2009) Greeks blamed him for floods, earth shakes and droughts. He was visualized with a titan that he could control the waters and earth with. They believed that Zeus was the king of the gods who lived on mount Olympus. He was the ruler of the weather and the sky. He created thunder and lightning when he was angry with the mortals. (greek mythology, 2010) The Greeks believed there were four gods of directional windsBoreas was known as the North-Wind, Zephryos the West-Wind, Notos the South-Wind, and Euros the East-Wind. (ancient-mythology. com, 2009) They were also closely connected with the seasons. The Egyptians myths are a central base of the Nile. The Egyptians believed that the gods would flood the earth every year at the same time. They believed this was necessary to have their crops grow after the water receded. They based their yearly calendar around the flooding of the Nile. (egyptianmyths. net, 2011) Every year they would prepare for the flooding and celebrate the waters rising. The Egyptians believed that everything was on a path of cycle. Comparing Greek mythology with Egyptian mythology. The Egyptians and the Greeks had similar creation myths. They both believed that a single god erupted out of chaos. Egyptians myths believe it was out of water that the first male god was created. Where Greeks believed it was out of darkness the first goddess was created, known as the earth. Both myths believe that the first god sprung life from their selves and created more gods. They also both have several gods to explain nature occurrence. Both myths have several gods that control the rain, wind and sea. There are many myths documented throughout time. Some that try to explain where or how we all got here. Many religions hold on to these myths for validation and a sense of conformity. Greeks and Egyptians are no different. These myths have been around for century’s and rarely vary from one generation to the next. References ancient-mythology. com. (2009, september). Retrieved from http://www. ancient-mythology. com/greek ancientegypt. com. (2012, spring). Retrieved from http://www. ancientegypt. com egyptianmyths. net. (2011, June). Retrieved from http://egyptianmyths. net greek mythology. (2010, october). Retrieved from http://www. greekmythology. com/

Judge Declares Microsoft A Monopoly :: essays research papers

On November 5, 1999, District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson declared one of the leading software companies in the world, a monopoly. The United States' government has what are called, antitrust laws, which prevent a company from having a monopoly on a market. The US charged Microsoft with violations of these laws, stating that they were thwarting such competitors as, Netscape Navigator, and other web browsers. The US justice department has accused Microsoft of being "engaged in massive anticompetitive practices." Bill Gates, owner of Microsoft, believes that the practices of Microsoft are in no way that of a monopoly, and are just forms of very aggressive competition. It is estimated that any sanctions that Microsoft faces will be appealed for years to come, prolonging this case. Judge Penfield has not ruled on whether Microsoft has broken the antitrust laws set forth by the government; and it will be years before the judge sets the penalties for these infractions. The deci sion of Jackson was announced after the closing of the stock market, and the market is closed for a week after this decision. This is good news, because many economists feared a large dive due to this recent decision. The court evaluated thousands of pages of electronic mail, and 76 days of testimony, and came to the conclusion that Microsoft was partaking in anticompetitive practices. Jackson stated that "Microsoft has demonstrated that it will use its prodigious market power and immense profits to harm any firm that insists on pursuing initiatives that could intensify competition." The government will continue this case against Microsoft and continue to push for the penalties to be presented to the corporate giant.

Comparing and Contrasting Euclidean, Spherical, and Hyperbolic Geometri

When it comes to Euclidean Geometry, Spherical Geometry and Hyperbolic Geometry there are many similarities and differences among them. For example, what may be true for Euclidean Geometry may not be true for Spherical or Hyperbolic Geometry. Many instances exist where something is true for one or two geometries but not the other geometry. However, sometimes a property is true for all three geometries. These points bring us to the purpose of this paper. This paper is an opportunity for me to demonstrate my growing understanding about Euclidean Geometry, Spherical Geometry, and Hyperbolic Geometry.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first issue that I will focus on is the definition of a straight line on all of these surfaces. For a Euclidean plane the definition of a â€Å"straight line† is a line that can be traced by a point that travels at a constant direction. When I say constant direction I mean that any portion of this line can move along the rest of this line without leaving it. In other words, a â€Å"straight line† is a line with zero curvature or zero deviation. Zero curvature can be determined by using the following symmetries. These symmetries include: reflection-in-the-line symmetry, reflection-perpendicular-to-the-line symmetry, half-turn symmetry, rigid-motion-along-itself symmetry, central symmetry or point symmetry, and similarity or self-similarity â€Å"quasi symmetry.† So, if a line on a Euclidean plane satisfies all of the above conditions we can say it is a straight line. I have included my homework assignment of my definition of a straight line for a Euclidean plane so that one can see why I have stated this to be my definition. My definition for a straight line on a sphere is very similar to that on a Euclidean Plane with a few minor adjustments. My definition of a straight line on a sphere is one that satisfies the following Symmetries. These symmetries include: reflection-through-itself symmetry, reflection-perpendicular-to-itself symmetry, half-turn symmetry, rigid-motion-along-itself symmetry, and central symmetry. If we find that a line on a sphere satisfies all of the above condition, then that line is straight on a sphere. I have included my homework assignment for straightness on a sphere so that one can see why a straight line on a sphere must satisfy these conditions. Finally, I need to give my definition of a straight line on a hyperbolic... ...h other along a third line, l. Then to consider the geometric figure that is formed by the three lines and look for the symmetries of that geometric figure. Then we were asked what we could say about the lines r and r’. I have provided my notes that include an outline to this proof for all three surfaces so that one can see the conclusions that we made as a class. We found that on a Euclidean plane parallel transported lines do not intersect and are equidistant. For a hyperbolic plane we found that parallel transported lines diverge in both directions. Finally for a sphere we found that parallel transported lines always intersect.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Using all the above material, we can see that there are many different similarities and differences when looking at a Euclidean Geometry, Spherical Geometry, and Hyperbolic Geometry. Using my artifacts will help one understand many of my conclusions about these three surfaces. This essay was an excellent opportunity to reflect on my growing understanding of these three surfaces. I hope you, the reader, can benefit from my conclusions and gain a better understanding of the similarities and differences of these three surfaces.

Softdrinks: Bad Influence for Our Bones, Teeth, and Body Weight

Coca-Cola’s advertisements typically radiate happiness and refreshment. In one of its latest ads, it shows its product as a factory of happiness. Soda advertisements can be very effective in psychologically conditioning people to think that softdrinks are equal to a happy and beautiful life. It sends a message that when people drink soda, they are drinking their way to a happier life. In reality, softdrinks wreak havoc to people’s health and lives. Sodas, as several scientific studies prove, are not good for us at all.Softdrinks may seem like a refreshing way to ease a hot day, but their short-term benefits cannot outweigh their long-term destructive effects. People should not drink softdrinks anymore, because of its bad influence on our bones, teeth, and body weight. Softdrinks drill cavities into our teeth. Poonam Jain, director of community dentistry at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine says: â€Å"Soda eats up and dissolves the tooth enamelâ₠¬  (Kanigel). Jain examined several sodas by measuring their pH level, which is an indication of acidity. Water has pH of 7; sugar-sweetened sodas range at 2.5; while diet sodas tally at 3. 2 (Kanigel). Jain stresses that soda’s acidity is even worse for our teeth than solid sugar in candy, because soda corrodes our teeth enamel, which hastens the tooth decay process by making it easier for bacteria to penetrate our teeth (Kanigel). A number of studies, including a University of Michigan investigation of dental checkup data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, back up that adults who imbibe â€Å"three or more sodas a day have up to 62% more decayed, missing, and filled teeth than those who drink less† (Kanigel).Softdrinks are good for sipping, and at times, it seems better to let the taste simmer in our mouth. People do not know that sipping soda actually makes it harder for their saliva to go back to neutral levels (Kanigel). Jain emphasi zes that â€Å"This is particularly an issue for people who drink several sodas a day, because they never give their saliva a chance to neutralize† (Kanigel). Clearly, sodas destroy our chances for that beaming close-up smile. Softdrinks eat away our bones too. Several studies showed that softdrinks have been correlated to lower bone density.In the 1950s, children downed 3 cups of milk for every 1 cup of sugary drinks; now, it has been reversed, because children drink 3 cups of sweetened drinks for every cup of milk (Kanigel). A number of experts connect softdrinks with osteoporosis, because people drink milk less, when they drink more softdrinks (Kanigel). The study by Jean Mayer of the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center, on the other hand, does not find a connection between drinking softdrinks and drinking milk, although their study also shows that cola consumption decreases bone density for older women (Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter 1).Girls are also being n egatively affected by sodas. In a study of 460 adolescent students in 2000, the Harvard School of Public Health discovered that â€Å"girls who drank carbonated soft drinks were three times as likely to break their arms and legs as those who consumed other drinks† (Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter 1). The study underscores that dark drinks seem to be more health-aversive than fruit-flavored drinks, because the study show that girls who imbibed colas were five times more prone to breaking their arms and legs in their adolescent years than girls who stopped drinking soda(Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter 1).Grace Wyshak, PhD, a biostatistician and the study's primary researcher, suggests that something in colas hold back the body's capability to use calcium (Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter 1). She is alarmed that this will make girls more susceptible to fractures and bone problems in later life (Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter 1). Indeed , sipping soda can be similar to chipping our bones away. Drinking sodas add up to our waistline. Olsen and Heitmann and Vartanian et al. review literature on the relationship between obesity and softdrinks. Majority of the studies prove that drinking sodas can be linked to obesity.Pereira also examines the evidence that links obesity and softdrinks. She concludes that several studies illustrate that there is a relationship between drinking sweet drinks like soda and higher body mass index. Marr also mentions studies that blame softdrinks for many children being obese or overweight. David S. Ludwig, MD, PhD, director of the obesity program at Children's Hospital Boston agrees with Marr and states: â€Å"In my estimation, sugary beverages are one of the two leading environmental causes of obesity, perhaps second only to TV viewing in the magnitude of its effect† (Kanigel).In 2001, he and his peers at the Harvard School of Public Health provided strong evidence that linked obes ity and softdrinks (Kanigel). They followed 548 teens for 19 months and discovered that teenagers who drank more sodas were more overweight than those who did not (Kanigel). Another study suggests that fructose in softdrinks can stimulate appetite, which makes it easier for people to get fatter (Kanigel). Softdrinks are fatteners. On the other hand, people who say that softdrinks is a cheap and easy way to feel refreshed want to defend their sodas.The reaction to this is that people can also drink cold water and feel refreshed. They can even drink lemon juice and dash it with honey, and they get less calories and fructose. Soda producers also assert that soda provides funding for many education programs. Yes, soda does that, but how about the bad influence of softdrinks? Childhood obesity cannot ethically fund education. Softdrinks are bad influence in many ways; they are bad for our bones, teeth, and weight. They increase risks for a number of health problems. They are not what the y want to be- to bring happiness to people.How can people be in high spirits, when they have bone problems, tooth decay, diabetes, or they are overweight? The ads got it all wrong. Sodas can make people unhappy. Works cited Kanigel, Rachele. â€Å"It Raises Diabetes Risk And Robs Bone. It's Wrecking Our Teeth. And It's Making Us Fat. The Culprit? Soda. † Prevention 58. 10 (2006): 160-207. Marr, Liz. â€Å"Soft Drinks, Childhood Overweight, and the Role of Nutrition Educators: Let's Base Our Solutions on Reality and Sound Science. † Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior 36. 5 (2004): 258-265. Olsen, N. J. and B. L. Heitmann. â€Å"Intake of Calorically Sweetened Beverages and Obesity.† Obesity Reviews 10. 1 (2009): 68-75. Pereira, M. A. â€Å"The Possible Role of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages in Obesity Etiology: A Review of the Evidence. † International Journal of Obesity 30 (2006): S28-S36. Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter. â€Å"Cola May Up O steoporosis Risk for Older Women. † Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter 24. 11 (2007): 1-2. Vartanian, Lenny R. , Schwartz, Marlene B. , and Kelly D. Brownell. â€Å"Effects of Soft Drink Consumption on Nutrition and Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. † American Journal of Public Health 97. 4 (2007): 667-675.

Environmental Problems Essay Example

Environmental Problems Essay Example Environmental Problems Essay Environmental Problems Essay Environmental Problems The environment is everything around us. It is the air, water, land, climate and so on. Since many years ago, people interferences with the environment which causes several problems. Some of these problems are air pollution, water pollution, rain forest destruction, smog, overpopulation, and global warming. The worst problems now affecting the world are global warming and overpopulation. First of all, global warming, which means increasing the temperature of the earth, is the most dangerous one. There are many things, which cause global warming. The major reason is pollution, which is one of the man-made problems. In fact, burning fossil fuels is one thing that causes it. When fossil fuels are burning, they give us a greenhouse gas called Co2. After that, the greenhouse, which traps heat and light from the sun, will increase; as a result, the temperature rises. This happens because the heat and light can get through the atmosphere, but it can’t get out. Depending on the scientists, there are two major effects of global warming. One of them is rising of sea levels, which kills people, plants, and animals. The other one is an increase of the frequency, duration, and intensity of weather events, such as floods, droughts, heat waves, and tornadoes. Second is overpopulation. The population of the world has been gotten up for years. The population is almost reaching the stage where there are too many people for planet to support. The huge numbers of people consume more items, drive more cars, and create larger amounts of garbage. Consequently, we are putting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which increases the global warming problems. Thus, overpopulation is the worst environmental problems. Indeed, communities now are aware of the environmental problems and they are trying to do more research, and find suitable solutions for its. They are doing the best especially with overpopulation which leads to the biggest issues for the earth.

Europe and the Revolutions of 1848 essays

Europe and the Revolutions of 1848 essays From ancient times until well into the nineteenth century, people were often considered subjects (not citizens) of their states and countries. The people wanted to see a change, which is why socialism was discovered. Socialism focused its aim on economic, political, and social justice for all people. The possibility of achieving these aims was first envisioned in the last quarter of the eighteenth century. It was a time of extraordinary social and political upheaval. Socialism grew out of the French Revolution and its intellectual growth and demand for equal rights, absolute democracy, and the redistribution of property. Socialism was first developed because of the revolutionary impact capitalism had on European society. Capitalism first emerged late in the Middle Ages throughout the Industrial Revolution. Capitalism (or the market economy) broke all the social bonds that had been seen during the Middle Ages. The class structure, in which everyone had a fixed position and individual responsibilities in society, was demolished. For the first time, a large class of factory workers came forth whose livelihood depended on wages. They were considered to be deprived of property because they owned no means of production. The value of their labor was seized by the capitalists for profit, while at the same time, their wages were kept as low as possible. Socialists saw the possibility of class conflict in this new capitalist economic structure. The conflict that arose was between the number of exploited workers and their capitalist exploiters. Because of this conflict, the socialists predicted the eventual transfer of the ownership of private property (the means of production) from the owners to the workers. Karl Marx's The Communist Manifesto discusses how a revolution could come about. Ever alert to ironies, Marx observes that it was the Industrial Revolution itself that had been organizing the workers most effectively. History, of cours...

5 More Dangling Modifiers

5 More Dangling Modifiers 5 More Dangling Modifiers 5 More Dangling Modifiers By Mark Nichol Judging from the relative ease with which I accumulate real-world examples of dangling modifiers introductory phrases that provide additional information but do not integrate grammatically with the sentence’s subject I conclude that this error is among the most common of grammatical sentence-construction flubs. Here are five more examples from my overstuffed vault. 1. â€Å"A culmination of eighteen years of work, Jones admits he realized he was ‘basically making the same movie over and over again.’† The writer has hidden the key component of this sentence a reference to a film Jones directed after the revelation that his previous work had been repetitive. Any effective revision of this sentence must explicitly refer to the latest project, but the sentence should also begin by identifying the filmmaker and then parenthetically referring to the newest film: â€Å"Jones, whose film is a culmination of eighteen years of work, admits he realized he was ‘basically making the same movie over and over again.’† 2. â€Å"Delivered in Smith’s soft-spoken, nurturing manner, students can paint along with the master.† As in the previous example, this sentence only implies the context this is a description of an audio recording of an artist teaching people how to paint. For the sentence to make sense, the educational materials must be explicitly mentioned: â€Å"Using these lessons, delivered in Smith’s soft-spoken, nurturing manner, students can paint along with the master.† 3. â€Å"Tall, still lean, and still performing at eighty-three, Taylor’s legacy has not diminished with time.† Taylor, rather than his legacy, is described in the introductory phrase, so the two ideas must be separated, and Taylor must be associated with the descriptions, while the reference to the legacy can be appended at the end: â€Å"Tall and still lean, Taylor is still performing at eighty-three, and his legacy has not diminished with time.† 4. â€Å"For Lukas’s mom, playing in the school band has given her son a chance to stretch himself and see what he is capable of accomplishing.† This sentence reads as if Lukas’s mother is playing in the school band and implies that her participation has had the stated effects on her son. But he, not his mother, is in the school band, and her role in the sentence is merely to provide the information. This sentence can easily convey the writer’s intent with a straightforward attribution: â€Å"Lukas’s mom says her son’s participation in the school band has given him a chance to stretch himself and see what he is capable of accomplishing.† 5. â€Å"A brutal dictator, his regime was unchallenged until the uprising that began in February.† According to this sentence, someone’s regime was a brutal dictator. The revision should simply identify the regime as â€Å"belonging† to the tyrant: â€Å"The brutal dictator’s regime was unchallenged until the uprising that began in February.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:The Meaning of "To a T"60 Synonyms for â€Å"Trip†Threw and Through

Internationalization Strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Internationalization Strategies - Essay Example An organization can also have facilities and economic interests in several countries. According to Hitt, Ireland, Hoskisson (2011), the main reason firms go international is to extend the lifecycle of their products. Firms require expanding to secure required resources. Supply of raw materials has caused many Chinese companies to expand internationally. Industries such as electronics and clothing move their operations to foreign companies due to lower production coasts. Industrialization in different countries has caused similar demand for products. This has caused pressure in several companies to integrate their operations globally. People in developed countries have similarities in lifestyles and companies are forced to expand globally to meet increased demands. Business level- integrated cost leadership and differentiation Every business requires a competitive strategy in its domestic market. In international business the home country is the main source of competitive advantage. T he ability of a firm to expand into international countries depends on the resources and abilities established in the home country. However, as the business expands into the global market, the home country becomes less significant in providing competitive advantage Hitt, Ireland, Hoskisson (2011). As stated by Michael (1998), this advantage occurs in two types: cost leadership and differentiation. ... dership and differentiation are integrated actions aimed delivering goods or services at prices lower than competitors with features acceptable to customers. A business requires efficient scale facilities and control production costs and overhead tightly. Monitoring costs of competitor products helps an organization adjust its prices to lower levels. Advantages The firm concentrates on a segment of customers and tailors its strategies and resources to its service. Hoskisson (2008) argues that strategic competitiveness is achieved when the firm satisfies a group of customers. The firm is committed at providing customers with superior value to gain advantage over competitors. This helps a company increase its profit. For example, Ford Motors estimates that increase in customer loyalty creates approximately $100 million additional profits annually. Firms concentrate more on their core business activities. Firms channel most of their resources on core activities and carry out innovations aimed at satisfying their customers. SAS institute is a software company that allocated more than 30 percent of their revenues to R&D. the firm concentrates on its core competences to serve customers such as the U.S bureau. Companies maintain low costs while serving a wide segment of customers. In the case of airlines, flight attendants may be required to purchase their own uniforms and customers are charged to check luggage. Flight attendants spend time selling products like water, digital cameras and MP3 players to passengers. Global companies can participate in e-commerce. This improves customer relations management. Careful integration of technology in a firm increases successful competition of a business. CEMEX SA, a Mexican global cement company, uses the internet as a link between

Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 28

Ethics - Essay Example Unethical behavior in the workplace can be defined as any action that does not confirm with the standards of conducts established by the organization, this unethical behavior can occur between the employees. The following example will explain better the impacts of unethical behavior in a business organization. At one occasion, one of my colleagues entered my room and expressed his desire to apply for the leave. The leave was marking 5 working days of the month, I explained to him that in this month it’s almost impossible to apply for such a long leave and the CEO would cancel his application for the leave. He insisted me to talk to the CEO and somehow convince him, I refused and told him that already few applications were rejected, he thought that I was making an excuse and was not trying hard for him, on my second refusal he just rushed out of my room and made his way towards the CEO‘s room, to talk to him about my unprofessional behavior. The CEO called me and asked for an explanation, I told him the whole situation, he was convinced later and asked me to be polite next time with the employees. In this situation, I was not responsible for what happened but the employee’s unethical behavior for complaining about me without any reason. This incident started a non-cordial relationship with that employee and the work that we shared soon started to get affected. Unethical behaviors in the office environments has always made negative impacts on the environment, employees and the employer, it affects the work and behavior of the organization thus leading to negative progress in the

Case study on neisseria meningitidis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

On neisseria meningitidis - Case Study Example It is a human specific pathogen and is gram negative and aerobic in nature. The bacterium is enveloped with a carbohydrate capsule that is covered with polysaccharides attached to its surface. The chromosome of neisseria meningitides has a chromosome 2.0 and 2.2 mega base and contains about 2000 genes. According to CDC (2012)â€Å"Neisseria species, such as N. lactamica. The organism has both an inner (cytoplasmic) and outer membrane, separated by a cell wall’ the outer membrane contains several protein structures that enable the bacteria to interact with the host cells as well as perform other functions. When the meningitis progresses it invades the subarachnoid space of the brain and thus cause inflammation of the meninges. But before this enters this space, they multiply significantly within the blood stream. According Klee (2000,pg .2083-95)â€Å"Neisseria meningitidis colonizes the nasopharynx, from which it can seed the bloodstream before crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to cause meningitis†. The meningitis is diagnosed with the help of conventional and real time PCR assay which can detect bacterial meningitis pathogens. The PCR technology is used typically to detect the causative agent in a suspected case of bacterial meningitis. The assays concurrently works on the DNA extracted from the clinical specimen or isolate. As per Bennett (2008,pg.1764-65) â€Å"PCR-based assays for the rapid individual detection and identification of meningococcal serogroups 29E, X, and Z. The ctrA gene, exclusive to meningococci and forming part of the capsule biosynthesis locus, was chosen as the PCR target†. According to NHS(2013) â€Å"The Hibergene Meningococcal LAMP assay by HiberGene Diagnostics Ltd. is a molecular test for rapid diagnosis of meningitis or septicaemia caused by Neisseria meningitides (meningococcal). It can be used on samples of blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid†. The HiberGene Meningococcal LAMP assay uses loop-mediated

Reservior Dogs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Reservior Dogs - Essay Example They are completely optimistic that the robbery will be successful. They are thus taken by a surprise when law enforcers emerge at the exact place and time they are executing the deal. In the course of the ensuing confrontation with the police, one of their own is killed with a few police officers and civilians escape with gun wounds. When the surviving gangsters meet at the designated meet point after the ordeal they begin to infer that one of them is working as an undercover cop. Joe Cabot a crime planner contracts five thugs to rob a diamond hoard. Although the criminals are almost certain that the plan will succeed, the police botched the robbery. As the criminals regroup in the warehouse to discuss the unsuccessful robbery, they ponder the possibility of a set-up. The story is expressed in form of a flashback while Tarantino maintaining an element of suspense by not revealing the actual diamond store (Berardinelli, "Reservoir Dogs"). Plot construction and background Tarantino ha s used a complex plot construction which is very effective in the development of the story line. He has taken out the warehouse setting’s claustrophobia and has instead offered a sparkling background on the robbery plot, the undercover police officer’s activities and the thugs’ aggressive relationships. ... Sally Menke is very effective at cutting and helps maintain the entire scenes firm and the time-jumping plot conclusive. The time jumping plot of the film ensures that the film is short but interesting. Some of the details especially the actual robbery in the diamond store is kept off-camera. This helps in creating a kind of mystery in the plot construction. Although the movie is exceptionally violent from the first scene to the last, Tarantino has maintained the confrontation between the thugs and the cops off camera (Berardinelli, "Reservoir Dogs"). Since the botched robbery is the major part on which the film is created, leaving the details unrevealed is a unique way of creating suspense. The director describes the confrontation and the ensuing results through a dialogue between different actors in the cast. The entire movie is shot after the botched robbery and the discussions and mysteries facing the thugs make the film very captivating. This is thus not a normal crime movie bec ause the crucial part of the confrontation between the thugs and the cops is not shown to the audience. This makes the movie pure and natural hence making it appear as a reality (Berardinelli, "Reservoir Dogs"). Film position Tarantino managed to minimize the discovered covered while making the movie by ensuring that the casting took long in one location. This enabled him to save a lot on the limited resources that were available to make the film. Productions that are length usually spend a lot of money and can be very costly. In Tarantino’s case, time and resources are saved by limiting the movements in shooting and ensuring that no time is lost while moving from

Introduction to marketing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Introduction to marketing - Assignment Example These include government rules, regulations and policies that impact on the business environment. According to Georgiev’s (2013, p. 4) study, these policies and regulations include tax policies, trade and labour laws, trade restrictions, tariffs, environmental laws and regulations, infrastructure and development policies. On the same note, political stability is also a critical factor that affects both the economy and the business. From these factors, it is clear that the political factors impact on the daily operations of businesses. This requires that businesses prepare to respond to the current, as well as anticipated future legislations, in order to adjust their marketing policies accordingly. These factors relate to the economy and affect how an entity conducts its business and their profitability. These factors include inflation, interest rates, exchange rates, economic growth, and disposable income of consumers and businesses. An entity has no control over these factors, and it only adjusts its business strategies, commercial and financial policies to benefit most from the prevailing economic conditions. These denote the social-cultural factors and include the shared beliefs and attitudes and can affect the business strategies positively or negatively. They include the demographic aspects such as religious beliefs and social stigmas, age distribution, employment and income statistics, education and career trends, overall general attitude, and population growth rate. These factors have a great impact on the operation of an entity since poor strategies, especially those which go against the societal norms face opposition, criticism protests and even negative publicity. A marketer must, therefore, understand individuals based on age as well as the whole society and what drives them to making a purchase. These factors are brought about by the technological landscape changes in the

Reservior Dogs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Reservior Dogs - Essay Example They are completely optimistic that the robbery will be successful. They are thus taken by a surprise when law enforcers emerge at the exact place and time they are executing the deal. In the course of the ensuing confrontation with the police, one of their own is killed with a few police officers and civilians escape with gun wounds. When the surviving gangsters meet at the designated meet point after the ordeal they begin to infer that one of them is working as an undercover cop. Joe Cabot a crime planner contracts five thugs to rob a diamond hoard. Although the criminals are almost certain that the plan will succeed, the police botched the robbery. As the criminals regroup in the warehouse to discuss the unsuccessful robbery, they ponder the possibility of a set-up. The story is expressed in form of a flashback while Tarantino maintaining an element of suspense by not revealing the actual diamond store (Berardinelli, "Reservoir Dogs"). Plot construction and background Tarantino ha s used a complex plot construction which is very effective in the development of the story line. He has taken out the warehouse setting’s claustrophobia and has instead offered a sparkling background on the robbery plot, the undercover police officer’s activities and the thugs’ aggressive relationships. ... Sally Menke is very effective at cutting and helps maintain the entire scenes firm and the time-jumping plot conclusive. The time jumping plot of the film ensures that the film is short but interesting. Some of the details especially the actual robbery in the diamond store is kept off-camera. This helps in creating a kind of mystery in the plot construction. Although the movie is exceptionally violent from the first scene to the last, Tarantino has maintained the confrontation between the thugs and the cops off camera (Berardinelli, "Reservoir Dogs"). Since the botched robbery is the major part on which the film is created, leaving the details unrevealed is a unique way of creating suspense. The director describes the confrontation and the ensuing results through a dialogue between different actors in the cast. The entire movie is shot after the botched robbery and the discussions and mysteries facing the thugs make the film very captivating. This is thus not a normal crime movie bec ause the crucial part of the confrontation between the thugs and the cops is not shown to the audience. This makes the movie pure and natural hence making it appear as a reality (Berardinelli, "Reservoir Dogs"). Film position Tarantino managed to minimize the discovered covered while making the movie by ensuring that the casting took long in one location. This enabled him to save a lot on the limited resources that were available to make the film. Productions that are length usually spend a lot of money and can be very costly. In Tarantino’s case, time and resources are saved by limiting the movements in shooting and ensuring that no time is lost while moving from

In what ways do you anticipate our education system changing at the Assignment

In what ways do you anticipate our education system changing at the national, state, and local levels as a result of global society emphasis - Assignment Example At the state level, many schools are attempting to meet with more advanced international standards in order to keep America competitive. By aligning state-level curriculum with global standards, such as those in the highly-sophisticated United Kingdom learning programs, the U.S. can maintain more globalized focus in training education to ensure transferability of imported or exported expatriate workers. By ensuring all developed countries meet the highest standards of learning, it creates a more unified global curriculum that has multiple benefits to corporations that need human capital. At the local level, the educational system will improve by establishing course content such as team function, building a positive and diverse culture in the classroom, and training for community leadership roles (e.g. local politics or urban engineering) so that local-level city management is able to recruit well-educated talent for these jobs. Local city leaders must coordinate with state-level and national level talents, such as when new development projects have federal funding, thus this team concept must be established for sustaining local community management

Interstate conflicts Essay Example for Free

Interstate conflicts Essay Introduction: Interstate conflicts are an integral part of the 21st century. The previous century was dominated by two world wars which were extremely violent and the repercussions of which the world is facing even today. It becomes essential to the study the different dynamics of interstate conflicts in order to expedite the processes of conflict management and resolution. There are different actors in a conflict environment and mass media is an important one among them. It is through mass media that conflicts are communicated to citizens. Mass media influences the citizen’s impression and image of the other i.e. the enemy in question. Proliferation of mass media technology has resulted into mediates conflicts. Conflict is continuously hammered upon the audience by various forms of media and hence the need to critically examine the various aspects of media’s role in conflict. This study deals with the most crucial conflict in South Asia i.e. of India-Pakistan. This conflict has shaped the political and economic situation in the sub-continent. Mass media’s role in the India-Pakistan conflict has been much debated by scholars and media n professionals alike. What has not been explored is the possibility of Peace Journalism as opposed to mainstream War Journalism between the two countries. For this very purpose, the researcher has selected a Peace Journalism campaign named Aman Ki Asha (Hope for Peace). The campaign was launched on January 1st, 2010 by The Times of India (India) and The Jang Group (Pakistan) leading media houses of the respective countries. The campaign intends to create an enabling environment by facilitating dialogue between the two governments, encouraging people-to-people contact, thereby contributing to peace between the two countries. The initiative is the first of its kind by print media in the sub-continent. It seeks to satisfy its quest for peace by discussion on all contentious issues between the two countries through mediums like seminars, conferences, cultural festivals and all other forums of people to people contact. The campaign has also committed itself to positive use of print media to promote the benefits of peace and give space to each others point of view on issues of dispute. So far, Aman Ki Asha has organized literary and music fests, editors conferences, trade conferences and strategic seminars to realize its vision. Peace Journalism in the context of India and Pakistan assumes much importance because media in both the nations have been  vehicles to spread hate and animosity. Dissemination of stereotyped images and conventional messages has been at the forefront of media activity in India and Pakistan. During the Kargil War (1999), media contributed to building up of the war hysteria. Thus, media has essayed a by and large negative role when it comes to promoting peace between the two neighbors. Looking at the above mentioned arguments, Aman Ki Asha offers a different perspective on what kind of role can be played by the media in the course of India-Pakistan conflict. It is a Peace Journalism venture launched for the first time in the media history of the two nations. Its critical examination can offer insights into the workings of the Peace Journalism model in current and conflicting times. Moreover, it comes at a time when there looms a constant threat about a nuclear zed conflict in South As ia. Hence, the campaign has been chosen for the study. HEALTH: Use war as a metaphor for disease one which needs cure Incorporate the idea that was is a disease that has afflicted the people of both countries Peace has been used as a metaphor for a healthy state of mind and body. Healthy and progressive relations between India-Pakistan can be established through peace. Intricate connections between war-disease and peace-health have been affirmed by all the articles under this theme. Cooperating on health issues is seen as a possibility of widening dialogue among citizens of both countries. The articles under this theme depict the campaigns stress on cooperation between soft areas like health, IT, education, agriculture, tourism etc. However, there is no specificity on what kind of mechanisms ought to be developed to counter these health threats. There is not much information available in the articles on what kind of health threats do people in Pakistan face and also no commentary about the need to channelize money being overspent on defense by b oth nations on building better health infrastructure. Thus, there is no correlation established between the concept of perceived threat and neglect of peoples issues in both countries. People-to-People contact through sector-wise cooperation has been emphasized repeatedly but questions about its sustainability and impact have not been addressed at all. The styles in which the three articles have been written is starkly different The stand point taken by all the three stories is  pro-peace and pro-cooperation The article dated November 20, 2011 seeks stories from ordinary people on both sides of the border. It talks about ailing Pakistani children being operated in India free of cost It shows that the existing gap between the two nations can be successfully bridged by its common people. There is no exploration of the facet of Pakistanis contributing to Indian medicine and healthcare in any way but the vice-versa has been reported. (1) BUSINESS/ECONOMY: Business/trade has been identified as another important area of cooperation by the campaign. This is evident from the number of articles devoted to the theme. The articles on business identify visa restrictions prevalent between the two countries as the major hurdle for advancement of economic ties. They contain important statements from policy-makers marking a shift in the attitudes of governments on both sides when it comes to trading. Eg: Statement from Pakistani Commerce Minister first to visit India in 35 years. Trading ties with India for Pakistan are a subject of national interest not only for its government and citizens, but also for its military establishment which speaks volumes about the military being an important stake-holder in the political system of Pakistan. The militarys stake in the peace process may lead to an entirely different set of consequences which has not been debated at all. There is also a passing mention about the arrangement of SAFTA (South Asia Free Trade Agreement) but no analysis of how its workings have been hampered by the discord between India and Pakistan. Apart from increasing trade ties, the two nations as mentioned in the articles can also help each other in building institutions of commerce and capacity building of people in the field of business. Enhancing trade tries is not viewed as being restricted to the easing of the visa regime but has been furthered to action oriented cooperation. A possibility to strengthen regional cooperation through SAARC (South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation) has been envisioned. This shows the desire for normalcy not only in bilateral relations but peace for the entire South Asian region items etc the latter granting the same to Pakistan in 1996.(2) POLICY: Kabul river treaty between Afghanistan and Pakistan and how Indias aid to  Afghan developmental projects is creating mistrust between India and Pakistan. This is in consensus to the Peace Journalism model developed by Galtung which says that peace journalism does not restrict the number of parties in a conflict to two and also reports about other parties which may have an indirect or direct influence on the conflict. The article provides a factual and critical analysis to dispel suspicious thinking on part of Pakistan. This is an important component of peace journalism because if threats of conflict are critically analyzed, then they might reveal certain misconceptions and pre-conceived notions.(3) This a very good example of peace reporting and it stands out among the entire lot of articles mainly because it is analytical in nature as opposed to factual reports. One of the characteristics of peace journalism is looking at larger benefits of peace and cooperation, which this article successfully does. It also prescribes peace alternatives for eg: How India can facilitate an Afghan-Pak water treaty to remove suspicions about its role. CULTURE/ENTERTAINMENT: Culture may not seem to be an obvious avenue of cooperation between the two countries but it is an important one because culture has deep influence and impact on people. It is through culture and different forms of mass media that existing stereotypes can be dismantled. India-Pakistan cooperation in the sector of culture is not an institutionalized one. It has grown by itself. Over the time, Pakistani artists have been accepted whole-heartedly by the Indian audience and they have also gained commercially by being a part of the Indian entertainment industry. Their Pakistani identity has not come in the way of their achieving success in Bollywood. They have made a home for themselves in India, says the article, which essentially signifies the transcendence from rigid to flexible national identities in this case. There is a possibility for greater cooperation in sectors of film and music by the way of cross country productions between India and Pakistan. For eg: An India-Pak film festival. This is a very significant article because the Aman ki Asha campaign itself has been a venue for various cultural exchanges between the two countries through which the ability of culture to bring people together is demonstrated. (4) Civil Society and Peace Activists: A number of civil society organizations and NGOs are working to promote peace  and harmony between two nations. They include among others South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), Pakistan, Green circle Organization (GCO), Pakistan, Institute for Secular Studies and Peace (ISSP), Pakistan and Aman Ki Asha (Hope for Peace) a joint venture of two daily newspapers of India and Pakistan. (5) Peace between India and Pakistan has been stubbornly elusive and yet tantalizingly inevitable. This vast subcontinent senses the bounties a peace dividend can deliver to its people yet it recoils from claiming a share. The natural impulse would be to break out of the straitjacket of stated positions and embrace an ideal that promises sustained prosperity to the region, yet there is hesitation. There is a collective paralysis of the will, induced by the trauma of birth, amplified by false starts, mistrust, periodic outbreaks of violence, suspicion, misplaced jingoism and diplomatic doublespeak. Tragically, opportunity knocks unheard on doors bolted on the inside. Opportunism, that appeals to atavistic passions, elicits an instant response to every single knock. It is one of history’s ironies that a people who share so much, refuse to acknowledge their similarities and focus so avidly on their differences. We believe it is time to restore the equilibrium. Public opinion is far too potent a force to be left in the hands of narrow vested interests. The people of today must find its voice and force the rulers to listen. The awaam must write its own placards and fashion its own slogans. The leaders must learn to be led and not blindly followed. Skepticism about the given is often the genesis of faith. This skepticism has been brewing. It can be unleashed to forge a new social compact between the people of this region. The media in India and Pakistan speaks directly to the hearts and minds and stomachs of the people. It can help in writing a final chapter, adding a happy t wist to a story that seemed headed for tragedy. It can do so by shaping the discourse and steering it away from rancour and divisiveness. It has the maturity to recognize the irritants and obstacles to peace and will not take a timid stance towards the more intractable and contentious issues – whether relating to Kashmir, water disputes or the issue of cross-border terrorism. It can offer solutions and nudge the leadership towards a sustained peace process. It can create an enabling environment where new ideas can germinate and bold initiatives can sprout. The media can begin the conversation where a plurality of views and opinions are not drowned out by  shrill voices. It can cleanse polluted mindsets and revive the generosity of spirits which is a distinctive trait of the subcontinent. It can help cool the temperature and wean away the guardians from fortified frontiers. It can argue the case for allocating scarce resources where they are needed the most. We believe that this is an intervention whose time has come. We recognize that set backs will occur but these should not derail the process. We will need t o reach out and pluck the low hanging fruit in the beginning before we aim higher. Issues of trade and commerce, of investments, of financial infrastructure, of cultural exchanges, of religious and medical tourism, of free movement of ideas, of visa regimes, of sporting ties, of connectivity, of reviving existing routes, of market access, of separated families, of the plight of prisoners, will be part of our initial agenda.. They talk to each other about food, about music, about poetry, about films, about theatre and about the prolonged absences spawned by lost years. They share anxieties, discuss rising prices, seek advice on their children’s education, gossip about their in-laws, trade anecdotes and laugh at the foibles of politicians. We want to lower the walls so that the conversation continues. We owe our unborn generations the right to rise out of the depths of poverty, and squalour. It is embarrassing to read the statistics confirming our resistance to positive change in the fields of education, health and poverty alleviation. All social indices are s tacked against us and will remain so unless we scatter the war clouds that menace our skies. There are external elements at work in the region that thrive on the animosity between the two neighbours. They have a stake in keeping the region in turmoil. We need to combat them by making them irrelevant. A surge of goodwill and flexibility on the part of civil society and the media will push these forces back by denying them the raw material that manufactures hate. Our subcontinent needs to follow the footprints left behind by the great poets, sufi saints and the bhakts who preached and practiced love and inclusiveness. This is the land of Tagore and Ghalib, of Bulleh Shah and Kabir, of Nanak and Moinuddin Chisti. It is their spirit that will guide us in this journey. The one and half billion people of this region await the dawning of an age where peace, equality and tranquility prevails. This will happen when every heart beats with Aman ki Asha. What Aman ki Asha has achieved so far: Aman ki Asha has brought about a sea change in perceptions about each other among Indians and Pakistanis. Independent surveys in India and Pakistan have shown that as a result of the Aman ki Asha campaign, every positive perception about Pakistan in India has improved, and every negative perception has decreased. Some of the more significant changes in perception include. Before Aman ki Asha was launched only 4% Indians knew Pakistan’s point of view on the Kashmir; after 12 months of campaigning this increased by 425%, to 17%.(6) 1. The terror perception of Pakistan decreased from 59% to 29%. 2. The hope for sustainable peace in our lifetime increased from 13% to 29% 3. The desire for peace amongst Indians increased from 62% to 82% Indians familiar with and following the Aman ki Asha campaign had an approximately 40% more positive perception about Pakistan than those not familiar with Aman ki Asha. By openly and aggressively campaigning forthe resolution of disputes, establishing trade and investment relations and greater people to people contacts, Aman ki Asha has enabled all other stakeholders , NGOs engaged in peace-building, politicians, the business community and civil society leaders – to openly advocate normalization of relations between Pakistan and India far more rigorously than before. (7) Aman ki Asha has brought the business communities of both countries together in their individual capacities as well as the two largest business associations of India and Pakistan the Pakistan Business Council and the Confederation of Indian Industries. By strongly advocating economic collaboration and making presentations to the Commerce Ministry of Pakistan, Aman ki Asha has provided impetus to Pakistans grant of MFN status to India. By providing a platform for an open and honest discussion on contentious issues and giving voice to the strong desire of the people of both countries for peace, Aman ki Asha has given tremendous confidence to both governments to negotiate with an open mind and show flexibility (during his visit to Pakistan, the then Indian Foreign MinisterS.M. Krishna publicly acknowledged that, â€Å"the sea change in the relations between India and Pakistan during the last two years is largely attributable to the efforts of Aman ki Asha and we now share the optimism of Aman ki Asha†). All mainstream political leaders of Pakistan – Mian Nawaz Sharif, then Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani, Altaf Hussain, Imran Khan, Liaqat Baloch – have strongly  endorsed the objectives and the positive contribution of Aman ki Asha. Aman ki Asha has not only captured the imagination of the people of both countries it has drawn wide and vocal support from the international community.(8) Conclusion: From the above analysis, we can conclude that the Aman Ki Asha campaign has focused on events like meetings of elites, dialogues with top level officials, policy makers, and subject experts to stress on sector wise engagement between the two countries. The campaign is an initiative to dismantle stereotypes prevailing in both countries and a subtle critique on the media which relies heavily on nationalistic discourse and demonizing the other. It has provided a scope for voices of peace to be heard and has ventured the path less treaded. It has tried to establish itself as a model of peace journalism by portraying the good work done by people on both sides of the border. The thrust of the campaign comes from the belief that peace can be achieved as a result of cooperation enhanced in different sectors. However, the articles of the campaign do not delve deeper and provide a critical commentary on various peace alternatives that can be made available to India and Pakistan. Certainly, pea ce reporting should be optimistic, but it should also be balanced with the aim of guiding future policy decisions. Many first time initiatives taken up by the campaign have been discussed in the articles (eg: meetings of delegations of subject experts, visit of Pakistan Commerce Minister etc). The campaign has been a platform for elites of the two countries to meet up and exchange ideas. The articles have not covered a single visit of an Indian delegation to Pakistan which may come out as a skewed form of 15 cultural exchange. This is not to conclude that vice-versa exchanges have never taken place. Only they have not been reported in the selected sample for study. The study is limited in the sense of not being able to study the Jang Group of publications for articles about the campaign that have appeared in the Jang newspaper and its other associates. The inability to study the Jang newspaper has been because of the language barrier. The articles in the newspaper are in Urdu. However, future studies can consider including The News International, a daily from Pakistan which has partnered Aman Ki Asha with The Times of India. Studies  including articles from Jang and The News International will be able to provide a more holistic and balanced view of the campaign. Also the paucity of news articles talking about exchanges between common citizens can be attributed to two reasons Since, the campaign is of a continuous nature it may not be possible to deem each exchange and interaction between representatives of both countries as news. Hence, only some which are considered to be important and of news value have been presented in the campaign. Foreign Policy is the domain of the elite and interaction between elites is perceived to be of much more importance than between ordinary citizens to bring about an effective change in the attitudes of policy makers. Despite the lacunae in the articles analyzed, the campaign comes extremely close to the normative prescriptions developed by Galtung for a Peace Journalism model. As has been observed in the data analysis section, all the articles conform to the selected considerations in some or the other way. All considerations may not apply at the same time to a particular article. Through analysis, there has been an attempt to depict the underlying nuances of the documents which may not be quite apparent to the reader. The campaign thus, serves as a Peace Journalism model the first of its kind in the context of India-Pakistan and assumes not just greater importance but also greater responsibility to meet the challenges that lie. References: 1 Patel, T. (2005). News Coverage and Conflict Resolution: Aid or Impediment. Unpublished M.Phil Dissertation, University of Queensland. Australia. 2 http://amankiasha.com/faqs.asp Accessed on February 23, 2012 3 Chattarji, S. (2008). Tracking the Media: Interpretations of Mass Media Discourses in India and Pakistan. Routledge, New Delhi. 4.http://amankiasha.com/joint_statment.asp 5. Alam, I. (2006). Media and Peace in South Asia. Pakistan: Free Media Foundation. 6. Anupama, C. (2007). King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan and the Seductive World of Inidan Cinema. New York: Warner Books. 7. Bhaumik, S. N. (2006). Politics of Indian War Films. Pakistan: South Asian Policy Analysis Network. 8. Holm, A. N. Holm, A. N. (2008). Batting for Peace. Germany: VDM Publishers. Bibliography: 9. Kukreja, V. Singh, M. P. (2008). Democracy, Development and Discontent in South Asia. New Delhi: Sage Publications India Pvt. Ltd. 10. Rao, S. (2010). Shah Rukh Khan: Symbol of Indian Secularism. Pakistan: South Asian Journal. (Journal # 29, named: Cinema in South Asia). 11. Saigol, R. (2006). Ideology and Curriculum in India and Pakistan. Pakistan: South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA). 12. Gupta, A. (2006). India’s Soft Power. Indian Foreign Affairs Journal. Page # 50-52. New Delhi:

Lulu Hypermarkets In Dubai Commerce Essay

Lulu Hypermarkets In Dubai Commerce Essay Lulu Hypermarkets belongs to EMKE Group which is a leading consortium in Dubai. There are 78 hypermarkets of the group that are operating within the GCC Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (Bahrain, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE). The hypermarket competition in Oman is composed of: Lulu Hypermarkets with the French company Carrefour Hypermarkets, the Kuwait-based Sultan Center Hypermarkets, Oman-based Safeer Hypermarkets, the Dubai-based KM Trading Hypermarkets, and the new entrant from Dubai Al Maya Hypermarkets (opened in April 2009). Lulu is operating currently four (three in Muscat, one in Sohar) hypermarket retail outlets (in the metropolitan areas) and eight supermarket retail outlets (in small towns and upcountry areas) in Oman and will be opening its fifth hypermarket in Salalah the third largest city in Oman after Muscat and Sohar. The Companys central warehouse for Oman is located in the capital city Muscat. The Problem Situation Lulu Hypermarkets has been facing tough price competition from the Dubai-based: KM Trading Hypermarkets and the new entrant Al Maya Hypermarkets. With the current global economic crisis and fluctuating oil prices Oman too is facing the need to tighten finances and the same applies to consumers in Oman. The result is consumers have become more careful and frugal in spending and sometimes end up cutting their volume of purchases and are more motivated here in Oman by discounted prices and Sale since the middle of year 2008. A major proportion of the inventory of Lulu Hypermarkets is made up of imported grocery items and consumer electronic items, fashion goods, clothes, stationery, toys, and furniture) from Australia, India, China, the EC, Malaysia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Thailand. This merchandise goes into stocking via Lulus vertically integrated supply chain. The stores staff in Lulu hypermarkets and supermarkets report to their floor supervisors and each of the supervisors (there are 3 floor supervisors one for each floor in each of the hypermarkets and 1 floor supervisor (only ground floor) in each of the supermarkets) directly report to the purchasing supervisor in each hypermarket and supermarket. The purchasing supervisors directly report to the Purchasing Manager (see Figure 1 below for a simplified Lulus organisation structure of its purchasing department). Figure 1: Organisation Structure of Lulus Purchasing Department, Oman The purchasing manager receives orders from the purchasing supervisors who base their order requisitions from the informational output generated from the EPOSs at each hypermarket/supermarket outlet. Thereafter the purchasing manager orders stocks from abroad and liaises with overseas suppliers through and with the Tendering Contract Specialist. [As is common here in the GCC countries, Lulu too has a very conservative top management that includes its Board of Directors]. However, currently Lulu is actively engaged in replacing the old IT architecture and revamping its Management Information Systems (MISs), including a Inventory Management System, soon (around end of September 2010) to take advantage of online ordering systems with the introduction of its own web-portal. Customer retention is a key factor for successfully operating any business at all times (Hurley, 2004). This is all the more critical now given the global economic crisis which most of the countries worldwide, including Oman, are going through. Of late (since mid 2008) there have been frequent shortages of stocks (spray dried milk and other staple grocery items leading international brands) and as a result Lulus customers (both the Omanis and expatriates) are unhappy over the non-availability of items/brands of their choice that were retailed by Lulu. In certain lines of grocery items there were excess stocking and on others there were shortages. And in order to overcome the shortages orders were made to be transported by air which significantly increased the freight cost of imported goods. On the other extreme, some grocery items (low bulk) that are supplied to small institutional buyers (e.g. coffee shops in Muscat) could not be sourced from the exporters in time for delivery as several orders had to wait to be bunched to make up the bulk to obtain low cost freight from the shipping companies. These mistakes have been caused by weak or bad decision making resulting from poor information and communication flows between the store outlets (sales) and purchasing department (purchases). For example, the Inventory Status Analysis Report and Customer Sales History have been found to be not that accurate during a specially commissioned operational audit in February 2009. Furthermore, Lulus warehousing space in (Muscat) Oman is limited. Although the EMKE Group is capable of building a new warehouse in Muscat, the mountainous terrain makes it difficult to construct warehouse buildings in the short run. In consequence, poor inventory management is a serious issue which is threatening Lulus efforts in customer retention and loyalty and the profitability of its business in Oman. An attempt has been made in this paper to analyse the above issue in Lulu, Oman by applying Checklands (1981; Checkland Scholes, 1990) Soft Systems Methodology (SSM). Metaphors Problem situations such as the above can be effectively tackled by the application of critical systems thinking (Jackson, 2003). Critical systems thinking approach employs a wide range of organisational metaphors (images) which can help in understanding the organisations as well as to explore and analyse the difficult problem situations which managers need to tackle (Flood Jackson, 1991). Metaphors can be viewed as cognitive lenses through which people make sense their situations for obtaining a better understanding of the same (Kendall Kendall, 1993). The most common archetypal metaphors that can be used to guide systems thinking are (Jackson, 1993; Morgan, 1997): Organisations as machines Organisations as organisms Organisations as brains Organisations as cultures Organisations as political systems Organisations as psychic prisons Organisations as flux and transformation Organisations as instruments of domination Metaphoric expression of the organisation helps to understand how its stakeholders make sense of their organisation and their worldviews and also encourages its managers to think creatively about their organisations as well (ibid). This is because metaphors provide a useful avenue to make creative assumptions in organisational analysis for describing and exploring the problem situation effectively (Morgan, 1980 1997). To guide the critical systems thinking, in relation to the above problem situation, the organisms metaphor has been chosen at the dominant metaphor and the machines metaphor as the dependent metaphor. The organisms metaphor represents open view and the machine metaphor represents closed view (Flood Jackson, 1991). According to Jackson (1993) an organisation when viewed as a machine is seen as a tool created for achieving the purposes of the owners of the organisation. Managers are assumed to be rational in their decision-making (ibid). Control in the organisation is enforced through strict rules and procedures within a rigid organisational hierarchy of authority (ibid). An organisation when viewed like an organism appears as a complex system composed of sub-systems that coexist together (ibid). The main aim of the organisation is survival from which the derivatory objectives are set for each of the organisations sub-systems to accomplish (ibid). If there are functional failures then the sub-systems should be examined as whether they continue to meet the organisations objectives and needs and also the organisation should be cross-checked as to whether it is properly aligned with and well-adjusted to its environment (ibid). To this end the managerial sub-system must be entrusted with this important task (ibid). Accordingly with regard to the Lulus problem situation above, the organism metaphor is considered as the dominant metaphor as the inventory management and costs involve external environmental participants (for e.g. suppliers and customers) and the machine metaphor as the dependent metaphor since it produced negative effects through poor information and communication flows in relation to purchases and sales as well as wrong decision making in relation to ordering supplies. Hard Systems Thinking and Soft Systems Thinking Problem situations in organisations can be tackled by managers by using a hard systems thinking approach or soft thinking approach. Hard systems thinking approach is useful when systems exist and the objectives of the system/s can be easily defined (Checkland, 1981 1988). Hard systems thinking approach is based upon rational and scientific methods where a single optimal solution is found (Checkland, 1981). However, the hard systems thinking approach is not useful to handle messy, unpredictable, and ill-structured problem situations wherein the human participants constitute an important variable in the complex problem situation (Checkland, 1981 1989). Soft systems thinking approach does not require systems to exist and views the human activity systems (HAS), which indicates the human activity to accomplish a certain goals, quite distinct from other systems in the organisation (Checkland, 1981). The strong emphasis placed upon systemness sets hard systems thinking approach distinctly separate and different from soft systems thinking approach (Checkland Holwell, 1998). The System of Systems Methodologies (SoSM) For exploring the complex problem situation of Lulu Checklands (1981; Checkland Scholes, 1990) Soft Systems Methodology has been chosen from Jackson and Keys (1984) the System of Systems Methodologies (see Table 1 below). The reason behind choosing SSM was that Lulus problem context involved unique participants separated by locations and the unique nature of the inventory system which is significant both in the problem context as well as for Lulu to satisfy its customers needs. Table 1: The System of Systems Methodologies (Jackson Keys, 1984). PARTICIPANTS Soft Systems Methodology SSM Checklands (1981; Checkland Scholes, 1990) Soft Systems Methodology is a useful methodology for applying systems thinking to complex problem situations in organisations to analyse both qualitative and quantitative information for the same, since Lulus problem situation involves complex human, political, and social elements. SSM Process The SSM is a 7 stage process of enquiry wherein the logical connections of the SSM process help the actual problem solving activity to move more flexibly between one stage and the other in the SSM (Flood Jackson, 1991). Although the SSM is a 7 stage process the stages need not necessarily to be used in a strict sequential order (Checkland Scholes, 1990). Figure 2 below illustrates the 7 stage SSM process. Figure 2: 7 Stage Model of SSM (Source: Adapted from Checkland Scholes, 1990) Stage 1- The Problem Situation In this first stage of the SSM the participants of the HAS start investigating the ill-structured problem situation without any assumptions which eventually lead to a common understanding of the messy-problem which requires immediate attention (Jackson, 2003). Lulus messy problem situation represents the shared need of the participants of the organisational (Lulu) human activity system (HAS) to collect the available information together as a team in order to explore. The HAS in Lulus problem situation is represented in the form of a Review-Group composed of: the Director and Assistant Director Purchasing Warehousing -, Purchasing Manager, Purchasing Supervisors (Muscat only), one floor staff from each of the Lulu Hypermarkets, two general stores staff members from Lulu hypermarkets and supermarkets, and the Tendering Contract Specialist. Accordingly, the information was gathered and sorted through data collection on physical and social structures and processes (departmental, for e.g. Accounts Finance) by studying the inventory records, large samples of daily till rolls, minutes of the purchasing department meetings, interacting with customers, etc. In addition to this 3 workshops were conducted, at Lulus Head Office (its first Hypermarket at Darsait a metro in Muscat) with the above participants where open discussions were encouraged. Stage 2- Problem Situation Expressed through Rich Pictures Rich picture/s is/are used to represent the available information which was gathered from stage 1 of the SSM process to depict the actual situation involving the human activity (Paucar-Caceres Rodriguez-Ulloa, 2007). In other words, the rich picture helps to visualise the generalised characteristics of the problem situation better. The following key characteristics emerged from the workshop with the participants of the Review-Group: Poor Inventory Management Stock-out situations Limited inventory storage space May lose customers to competitors Poor information and communication flows between the store outlets and purchasing department Inadequacy of the existing inventory management system. The rich picture shown in Figure 3 (on the next page) illustrates the review groups impressions and viewpoints on Lulus problem situation. Figure 3: Rich Picture for Lulu The above rich picture in Figure 3 illustrates the concerns of the Lulu staffs and the members of the Purchasing Department in the problem situation. Dotted line indicates the inadequacy/ lack of good communication and information flows. Stage 3- Root Definitions After examining the rich picture in detail, a systematic description of the viewpoints or the worldviews from different angles are made. Root definitions help capture the core purpose of the activity systems to explore effectively into the problem situation and improve it (Checkland Scholes, 1990). Root definitions in effect are verbal descriptions about the systems which are being examined (Hicks, 1991). The root definitions help to describe the transformation processes and the situational-changes in the real world (Paucar-Caceres Rodriguez-Ulloa, 2007). Accordingly a single root definition was derived from the above rich picture and has been reproduced below: An inventory management system owned by the Company with the objective of improving the inventory control through timely and efficient procuring and purchasing of goods by utilising the available resources effectively in order to sell profitably. This inventory management system will be used to manage the purchase routines effectively through better communication and exchange of information among all the staffs for satisfying customers by providing improved customer services. The abbreviation CATWOE is consisting of the six key elements: Customer, Actor, Transformation, Worldview, Owner, and Environment, are used for formulating the root definitions. The CATWOE elements for the above root definition are: Customers: Lulu and its customers Actors: The entire staffs of Lulu Transformation: Improved inventory control and better communication flows World view: Provision of improved customer services Owners: The Managing Director and Shareholders Environment: Market competition and the organisational sub-systems. Stage 4- Building Conceptual Models The root definitions serve as the basis for building the conceptual models for the problem situation. The conceptual model (see Figure 4 on the next page) from the above root definition indicates the following: The purchasing department of Lulu must establish an effective feedback system to improve decision making in purchasing as well as in inventory control. Effective management of information and communication flows. Motivate the staffs to participate positively in the inventory management. This feedback system should also inform Lulu about its customers needs. Figure 4: Conceptual Model The conceptual model in Figure 4 depicts the activities that are required to carry out the transformation processes from the above root definition. The conceptual model indicates that for timely imports to be made a number of key activities have to be carried out like inputting the customer history, maintaining an active cooperation with the overseas suppliers etc for improving the inventory management system and thus ensure that Lulus business operations run efficiently and effectively with least disturbances. Stage 5- Comparing Conceptual Models with the Real World This stage is to promote constructive debate (open discussion among the Review-Group participants) based on the conceptual model. This is carried out by comparing the conceptual model with the real world and identifying the differences therein to determine any changes for implementing them successfully in such a way that the reality matches closely to the conceptual model derived from the application of systems thinking approach (Jackson, 2003). Stage 6- Systematically Desirable and Culturally Feasible Changes The debate in the form of open discussion is continued in this stage as well. The main aim of this debate is to identify systematically desirable changes relevance and culturally feasible people oriented -. The purpose here is to determine changes that need to be made for improving the problem situation rather than the conceptual models (Checkland Scholes, 1990). The Review-Group identified the following systemically desirable and culturally feasible changes for intervention: Introduction of an up to date Inventory Management System (new application software) which is capable of keeping the stock levels under control such that adequate (optimal) quantity levels and lines of stocks are available at all times. Ensure that the staffs are motivated to work in a cooperative way, especially, the staffs that are involved in Lulus purchasing function. It would be necessary to incorporate customer sales history for having control over slow moving items (that still have customers who buy them but not frequently). Although Lulu maintains an excellent rapport with all its overseas suppliers, the group felt that more active cooperation from the suppliers should be elicited. Timely imports through enhanced purchasing procedures. With improved purchasing procedures and optimal re-order sizes better discount deals from the suppliers should be actively negotiated and obtained. This could give a competitive advantage for Lulu over its rivals in Oman through competitive pricing. Increasing the capacity of storage space for holding stocks would involve capital budgeting procedures by the Top Management. Stage 7- Taking Actions to Improve the Problem Situation This stage involves taking systematically desirable and culturally feasible actions for improving the problem situation. The taking of systematically desirable and culturally feasible actions can help further to improve the problem situation (Jackson, 2003). Accordingly, the information gathered from the 3 workshops with the Review-Group participants was helpful for Lulu in creating recommendations that require intervention in the real world for improving the problem situation, through the possible implementation of the systemically desirable and culturally feasible changes identified in Stage 6 above. Conclusion This paper attempted to apply the Soft Thinking approach to complex problem solving in the case of Lulu Hypermarkets, Oman through the application of Checklands (1981; Checkland Scholes, 1990) Soft Systems Methodology. Lulus operations in Oman is driven by the need to totally import all of its stocks from overseas (which is inevitable in Oman as the industrialisation is being developed only since 1995 after the implementation of privatisation by the Omani Government) and the objective of Lulu to keep all its customers satisfied with availability of goods as and when the customer requires. (Part A: 3,021 words without Contents References) Part B The present day business environment is dominated by rapid and continuous global changes, which businesses and other organisations as well as their managers cannot afford to ignore these changes today and continue (Turban et al, 2005). Further organisations have become and are becoming more complex due to the changes in the business environment in economic activity, population, and technology as a result of which organisations need to build their ability to adapt to these changes in order to meet the challenges imposed by the changes (Sterman, 1994). Todays managers require effective strategies to facilitate their organisations to adapt to the changing business environment and allow their organisations to continue their operational existence successfully into the future (Hitt, 1996). Fifth Discipline In order to face the changes in the business environment an organisation need to be a learning organisation (Senge, 1990). A learning organisation is one which is expanding its capacity continually for the purpose of obtaining a sustainable continued operational existence into future (ibid). In other words a learning organisation is one where it continually renews itself to stay in step with the changing times in the present as well as into the future. A learning organisation is distinctly unique from the other forms of traditional organisations in terms of the following five disciplines (ibid): Building shared vision Mental models Personal mastery Team learning Systems thinking. The Five Disciplines of Learning Organisation Building Shared Vision Shared vision according to Senge (1990) is the common mutual image /view which people in an organisation have in regard to the activities of the organisation they are in and the organisation itself. The main purpose of the shared vision discipline is to ensure that the individuals goals and objectives are aligned with the organisational goals and objectives in order to promote a mutual shared understanding of the organisation to which they belong. The discipline of shared vision is aimed at bringing about voluntary and wilful commitment from the people in an organisation. Mental Models Mental models are the embodiment of deeply seated generalisations and assumptions, images and pictures as to the worldview held by individual from his or her own perspectives (ibid). In other words, the mental models allow an individual carry out introspection for deeper exploration within him or her for the mutual benefit of the individual and the organisation. Personal Mastery This discipline involves the continual clarification and strengthening ones personal vision to facilitate concentrated focus of human energies by learning to be patient and developing the ability to see the real world in an objective way (ibid). This is usually the highest of human aspirations which we all strongly endeavour to achieve. Team Learning The team learning discipline is about individuals thinking in a unified way where US is more important than I. The core of the team learning discipline is about mutual dialogue that permits s thinking together (ibid). Team learning is indispensable for the learning organisation where teams are the dominant resource for learning in order to remain adaptable to changes in the organisational environment. Systems Thinking Systems thinking is a modern approach to decision making that is composed of valid knowledge that help in the understanding of the problem patterns more clearly to formulate better improved solutions (ibid). Systems thinking is the key discipline of the learning organisation. Thats why Senge (1990) calls it as the Fifth Discipline in his book. Senge states that the systems thinking discipline integrates the previous four disciplines of the learning organisation. In his view the systems thinking discipline facilitates managers to obtain a better understanding of their organisational systems in order to plan and carry out action that are more appropriate to the problem situations in question. Systems thinking implies and indicates to the modern approach to thinking about systems that systems are important (Forrester, 1994). Systems thinking can help managers to handle complex problems more effectively by allowing them to view their organisational systems holistically (Checkland, 1981). In other words, the systems thinking approach helps managers to reconceptualise complex issues as well as find workable solutions to them (Senge Sterman, 1992). Using the conventional approach, assuming linearity, managers used to break a problem into their separate constituent parts to formulate a solution by analysing each of these parts and form conclusions in a scientific way (Kofman Senge, 1993). However, the modern problem situations which managers face in todays complex world do not yield to the conventional linear approach and hence would require systems thinking that forces to look into the circularity of the variables that make up the problem situations (ibid). Further systems view manifest systems thinking approach by helping and banding people to make their mental models that can foster group learning and obtain a shared understanding of the purpose (Turban et al, 2005). Given the current globalised world it is imperative to understand the importance of systems thinking in making decisions to address the challenges imposed by the changes in the global business environment (ibid). According to Senge (1990) systems thinking has three core elements that provide the basis for systems view of the organisations. These are (ibid, p.373): Practices: What you do, Principles: Guiding ideas and insights, Essences: The state of being those with high levels of mastery in the discipline. Leaders and managers can bring about the desired behaviour from their people in the organisation by focusing on the four levels of the behavioural perspectives of their people (ibid). These are (ibid): Events observable behaviours and actions; Patterns of behaviour repetitive behaviours and actions; Systemic structures the interrelationships between the patterns of behaviour; and Purpose story forming mental models that keep that hold the systemic structures. Summary The cornerstone of Senges learning organisation is systems thinking discipline and systems thinking helps the individuals to learn in their organisations with a holistic view of their organisation as a system. This is because systems thinking is a unifying discipline which integrates all the other disciplines (the disciplines of: shared vision, mental models, personal mastery, and team learning) of the learning organisation to meet the challenges of changing and turbulent business environment in order to sustain the organisations continued existence. Systems in the learning organisation are composed of interrelated mental models (composed of each of the individuals perceptions) from its people. For a successful learning organisation to take place individuals must share their mental models without inhibition in order to obtain a coordinated understanding of the actual system holistically through a shared vision. It should be noted here that the concept of shared vision help individuals to learn more willingly and actively in a cooperative way. However, to do so managers should be free willing and equally actively extend their cooperation as well. Also managers should come out of their traditional mindsets to allow new systems thinking to get in (Senge, 1990). Fifth Discipline Lulu Hypermarkets (Muscat, Oman) Application of the Soft Systems Methodology, the soft systems thinking approach to Lulus complex problem situation, in Part A of this paper is good example of applying Senges Fifth Discipline Systems Thinking. Global Economic Crisis The current global economic crisis has impacted Oman also. As a result the private sector as well as the public sector is facing challenges due to the global economic crisis. One of the major effect of the current global economic crisis is businesses in Oman, including Lulu Hypermarkets, are cutting back on their investments as well as their current pending capital projects. A key challenge faced by Lulu is the reduced spending pattern that has become noticeable since August 2008 in Oman (as is indicated by the drastic fall in the resale-value of the beach-side prestigious properties of the Wave project in Muscat). Lulu wrongly estimated that its sales would remain either unaffected or marginally affected by the impact of the global economic crisis. This is because about 78% of Lulus sales revenue comes from selling food and grocery items. But the inventory management problem situation coupled with reduced customer spending on food and grocery items threatened not only Lulus sales but also made it vulnerable to tough price competition from its rival hypermarkets. Together these indicate the unpreparedness of Lulu to changes in the external environment such as the one caused by the current global economic crisis. Systems Thinking Systems thinking is the vital element for learning organisations that aim to continually have organisation renewal (Senge, 1990). And the use of systems thinking discipline implies that the organisation and its managers in question are willing to adapt to changes and meet the challenges posed by those changes to overcome them successfully. Systems thinking presupposes (although not necessarily) the use of shared vision, mental models, personal mastery, and team learning disciplines. The above SSM study for Lulu from Part A can be used to illustrate these disciplines in order to obtain a better understanding of the reduced spending arising from the impact of the global economic crisis. Shared Vision The formation of the Review-Group for applying the SSM process brought together the participants from Lulus different locations in Oman, though many of them were sharing similar job responsibilities, in a face-to-face and peer-to-peer contact with one another as a group as well as workshop participants, allowed direct personal and open interactions with the members of the top management (the Purchasing Director and the Purchasing Manager). During the entire period of each of the workshop debates within the SSM process the open interactions helped one another to share their ideas and opinions regarding the problem situation, more so due to the close proximity of the factors that revealed the inventory management problem. In doing so the Review-Group members and the members of the top management and thus Lulu were on the same track to address the problem situation. Mental Models The exercise of