Sustainability Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Sustainability - Assignment Example If the environment is maintained then the well being of each human being shall be observed. However there have been some practices or measures which have been taken and have depleted the environment. The aim of these activities is to gain sustainable development. Sustainable development is a pattern of practices which aim to meet the needs o all human beings while at the same time preserving the environment or the importance of future generations. In attaining sustainable development the environment should be kept safe. Some practices like constructions at sometimes do not promote this sustainable development. There are many arguments supporting sustainable development while at the same time there are others which argue against this method o resource use. Many examples have been illustrated for the arguments and therefore it becomes hard to decide whether it is right or wrong. Arguments against Sustainable Development It has been argued that this is a bad concept to put in practice s ince its effects are unknown. The effects that may result to the ecology or the economy are unpredictable making this concept a dangerous one. Some practices like deforestation are likely to cause many environmental hazards. It may lead to global warming and rise of deserts. With global warming all living things shall be affected by the high or low temperatures. Therefore the consequences of sustainable development are likely to be risky to human lie (Morse 2010, p.80). It has been argued that it is not easy to make use of the environment while avoiding the negative outcomes. Since they will always come then this concept should be avoided (Yang & Sidwell 2005, p.90). It has been argued that the term sustainable development is very vague. This is because when man is to benefit from the environment then there is no point in saying that he will still be conserving the environment for future use. For instance in constructions, the environment is interfered with negatively thus it would be impossible for sustainable development to occur. Some have even argued that this is a spam since it talks of what can be done and not what is really been done. The government policies are supporting this to see to it that the environment is not interfered with to save future generations. It has been further argued that this concept is oxymoron. It will not be possible to make maximum use of the environment now and then you expect in future to make the same use. This is termed as de-growth. Sustainable development will only apply now but in future it will not sine the resources will have been fully exploited thus they will not be in a position to human life anymore. This is wrong concept to be used (Chartered Institute of Building 2009, p.46). This concept has also been argued against since it is not measurable. It is not easy to measure sustainable development. Therefore it will be obvious that the consequences of the same will not be known and this may be a big risk for future g enerations (Yang & Sidwell 2005, p.99). Arguments for Sustainable Development It has been argued that human beings must survive in their own ecology using all the possible means. Sustainable development is therefore a good practice which will make the survival

Roman Influence on Byzantine Empire and Islamic Societies Essay Example for Free

Roman Influence on Byzantine Empire and Islamic Societies Essay The mother of the world has been killed,† stated a 5th century historian, bereft and appalled when the news of Rome’s fall had reached ear. Certainly his words hold truth, for Rome the dauntingly colossal Empire engulfing the Mediterranean and all territories around it; the source of artistic, intellectual, and cultural ascendancy; the influential factor of brilliance in so many of the coexisting societies of the western world was truly the predecessor and creator of all Western Civilization to come. However, what no one knew, was that the lasting impression this powerful and astonishing civilization would make upon the world, even if only through the works of fleeting memory or written text. As always, with loss comes a chance for gain an opportunity for rebirth and renewal that could previously have only been a dream. And so, with the collapse of one great empire, opportunities arose for the numbers of new kingdoms and societies to follow. The Byzantine Empire and Islamic societies were two especially prominent societies that gained primacy, arising from the fourth to sixth century. Although both Byzantine and Islamic societies created their own empires, with separate rulers and individuals, the Roman Empire heavily influenced their cultural aspects, as demonstrated in their religion, art, and law. The Byzantine Empire was a highly prosperous society centered around the city of Constantinople. This society, dating back to around 330 AD, consecutively arising after the fall of the Roman Empire, and managed to remain in power for more than 1000 years. It was the most powerful economic and military force in all of Europe at the height of it’s power. Constantinople, located at present day Istanbul, was the capital city of the Byzantine Empire, and played a key role in the hegemony of the empire. By cause of the city’s prime positioning with access to east-west and north-south trade routes, trade became an important institution and base of economy in the Byzantine Empire. Silk was originally bought from China for the grand empire, until silk-worms were illegally obtained by Byzantine monks, and factories were established in the Empireto create this rare product. Silk soon became an imperial monopoly, and through this way, the trade of luxury items became the Byzantine’s main source of income. The location of Constantinople also aided in military conquest and defence, for the empire’s naval headquarters were located along the shores, and had access to the Black Sea and Mediterranean. Because of the Empire’s location, all but overlapping the fallen Roman’s territory, the Byzantine Empire was greatly affected by these Roman’s past traditions and ways of life. The Roman Empire influenced the Byzantine Empire’s culture, mainly through the religion of Christianity. Christianity first appeared in the Roman Empire, with the birth, teachings, and supposed resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the beginning years of it’s arrival, Christianity was not tolerated and Christians were mainly, and most often brutally prosecuted. However, with Constantine’s Edict of Milan, Christianity was officially tolerated, and under Theodosius, it became the official religion of the Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire inherited this relatively new religion, continuing to follow the beliefs and traditions of the church, as well as spreading the word of Jesus Christ and the message of god. Churches sprung up in the empire, such as the mighty Hagia Sophia. Located in Constantinople and built by Justinian, this church especially exemplified Roman influence through its divine architecture. â€Å"Above the arches is raised a circular building of a curved form through which the light of day first shines,† (document 2) boasts Procopius, a Byzantine scholar from Palestine. He became the principal historian of the 6th century, documenting the works and wars of Justinian I. Procopius describes the church’s magnificent domed ceiling, which, along with columns and a concrete skeleton, can hardly be castigated, nor denied of it’s uncanny resemblance to Rome’s Pantheon. Justinian was the Christian Emperor of the Byzantine Empire who is famous for his building projects, battle tactics, and his codification of Roman law. â€Å"We have attempted the most thorough amendment of the entire law, to collect and revise the whole body of Roman jurisprudence, and to assemble in one book the scattered treatises of so many authors,† Justinian writes, reflecting upon his work. The Justinian code was essentially a collection of scattered Roman documents on law, treaties, and other diverse legal matters. This codification was used as the basic system of law in the Byzantine Empire, and successfully governed an Empire of citizens for roughly 1000 years. In conclusion, if not for the influence and impact of lingering hints of Roman Christianity, architecture , and law, the Byzantine Empire would have evolved into a profoundly variant society than the one established so many years ago. Islamic Societies were very militaristic, religious, and politically based on the teaching of Muhammad. Although small when first founded in the sixth century, at it’s height of power, regions conquered and maintained by the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties included Egypt, Arabia, lands of the Persian Empire and Asia Minor, regions of North Africa snaking along the Mediterranean, and territories of present day Spain in the west. Comprised of brilliant generals and thousands of well-motivated men striving for eternal paradise in the after-life, the army was immensely dynamic, efficacious, and cardinal to the prodigious power of the Islamic Kingdom. Religion influenced much of the population’s way of life, dictating family practices, working hours, diet, public ceremonies, and many other aspects of everyday life. To maintain the promise of eternal paradise after death, a Muslim was expected to follow the ruler and faith with honor and loyalty, as well as the Five Pillars of Islam. Stated in the Qur’an, these pillars are thought of as the hindmost commitment to Islam, and obedience to the laws is key. One must accept monotheism and Muhammad as God’s holy messenger (Shahada), pray five times a day and attend communal prayer on friday (Salat), give alms to the poor and less fortunate (Zakat), fast during the holy month of Ramadan (Sawm), and make a pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) at least once in a life-time. The rulers of Islamic Society, entitled as caliphs, were expected to follow these pillars, as well as the practice of Jihad striving in the way of the Lord. However, although the Islamic culture and government had many newly created aspects, the motif of previous Roman society was still predominantly clear. Roman influence on Islamic Societies was mainly displayed in its art, specifically architecture and language. The multitude of Roman architects, hired by kings to institute the design and production of churches, were frequently extremely bright, talented, and passionate. The innovative building models established were graced with stability, natural impregnability, and beauty. Islamic societies gained much of their knowledge on contemporary architecture from the Romans, and in effect, produced constructions very similar to those erected in the bygone days of the Roman Empire. For example, the Islamic Dome of the Rock, constructed in Jerusalem 690 AC, possesses aspects similar to those of the Roman Pantheon. The Dome of the Rock’s ceiling, to no extent of surprise, is in fact in the shape of a dome, such as the ceiling of the Pantheon. Furthermore, the Islamic structure contains many columns that are conjointly displayed in the Roman temple. The Mosque at Cordoba contains arches and columns resembling those built by Romans in water canals and at the gates of cities. The Islamic religions also continued to carry on the most spoken language of Rome Latin. Caliphs and libraries collected texts from all around the world, while scholars translated the sterling works into Arabic and Latin. Although Islamic some celebrations show congruency with celebrations of Christians,Roman influence on the Muslim people was mainly cultural. News of Rome’s fall spread quickly throughout lands of the Mediterranean, Africa, Persia, and Arabia. All were astonished at the supposed failure of the once mighty empire, considering it’s previous success and military conquest. Acting as predecessor and nurturer, Rome had affected countless bordering societies, all across the western world. However, the historian pronouncing Rome’s title as â€Å"mother of the world† had been ludicrously incorrect in concern to one aspect of the Empire’s demise. Rome went on influence future cultures in the Mediterranean regain for centuries, especially those of the Byzantine Empire and ancient Islamic Societies. By means of the Empire’s culture, religion, and law, Rome continues to influence American society today, even hundreds of year’s after the empire’s fall. In Washington D. C. , the use of columns, arches, and domes is a common motif in most political buildings, as well as domestic dwellings. Christianity is now a widely adopted religion, practiced by approximately thirty-three percent of the entire world’s population. Justinian’s codification of Roman law can still be compared with legal and justice systems from around the world, especially in western civilization. The 6th century historian was terribly mistaken in the fact that Rome had been killed, for today as vividly as yesterday; as true as the promise of tomorrow’s rising sun Rome lives on. In the subtle curve of an elegant column, in the chromatic dazzle of a church’s stained glass window, and in the crack of a judge’s mallet, bringing justice to all those our mighty nation gives promise to protect and serve, Rome survives. Chin to the sky, arms open, Rome stands tall and illustrious, ready to embrace all those who walk the earth all whom she deems children.

The origins of the Strategy

The origins of the Strategy This domain has quickly evolved for the company in the same way: to reach the objectives. The corporate strategy today involved the specification over long term goals and objectives that will create add value. Every aspects of the organization have his own function (people, finances, productions, and environment). A corporate strategy is driven by the companys goal which can be several purposes: for example provide works to his employees, distribute a dividend to the stakeholders or give a wider range of products to the customers. The goal of any strategy, according to Porter, is to create a competitive advantage. In other words, a strategy would create an advantage regards as his competitors (low cost, differentiationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.) and to create value for the customers. Corporate Strategy is the pattern of mayor objectives, purposes or goals and essential policies or plans for achieving those goals, stated in such a way as to define what business the company is in or to be in and the kind of company it is or is to be Lynch, 1997. Another role given to the corporate strategy is to make the link between the internal management of the organizations resources and the external relation between the different actors (suppliers, customers, competitors, economic environment) Today, two of the mains routes of corporate strategy are the Emergent and Prescriptive strategies. In the past, only the prescriptive strategy was used; but several environmental modifications (like oil price growing) have created and developed more incertitude for companies with this planned approach. Thus, the emergence strategy appears. These two strategies are going to be discussed and developed through this report. After that, I will explain with a relevant example, Maersk Line. PARLER COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE The Prescriptive Strategy PRESCRIPTIVE According to Lynch, a prescriptive is one where the objective has been defined in advance and the main elements have been developed before the strategy commences. (Corporate Strategy, Lynch, 2000, p.52). The prescriptive strategy involves a tight supervision of all the planning process by the top of the management. For example, the top management expresses its initial requirements and issues broad guidelines to the lower levels of the organisations, which are then, translate into concrete action plans. The head quarter, through careful analysis would think about how the resources are going to be coordinated and redistributed among the business. (Corporate Strategy, Roger Bennett, 1999, p.356). So, the strategy would be developed into a linear system where everything is known. From the start to go, (where are we now), to the final objective. The prescriptive approach process is divided in 3 steps: Strategic Analysis Strategic Development Strategic Implementation Æ’Â  These 3 steps are clearly separated: The strategy would be developed according the environment and the resources of the company (macroeconomic, politicalà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.) on an agreed objective. Porter and Ansoff argue that the maximisation of the return on the capital is one of the main aims in a company. All the strategy will start from this point. The company will reconsider his missions/objectives if something would change and then works on all the options than the company will develop. But, before that the strategy commences. The company will select option(s) against the likelihood of achieving objective. To find the strategic route to reach the objectives will come out of the rational selection. His development would be done according: Consistency of the objectives Financial Æ’Â   do we have the resources? Suitability Æ’Â   how the options match with environment? (SWOT Analysis cf. Andrews) Validity Æ’Â   is the strategy logical and reasonable? Feasibility Æ’Â   do we have the environment to implement the options? Risks Æ’Â   are they important? Does it follow the stakeholders expectations? These essentials 7 points show that the evaluation is very important in the development process. The implementation of the strategy will be the final step according the chosen strategy option. Everything is going to be defined before than the company integer the market (Corporate Strategy, 2006, Lynch, p.54-55) Here an example of prescriptive strategy Sources: http://www.global-strategy.net/categories/Strategicmanagement Advantages Complete overview of the organisation There is a possibility to compare all the objectives. Clear picture of different choices that the company can use regards as the resources. The organisation has the possibility to observe the agreed plan as it is implemented. As well, the progression can be evaluated. Source: (Corporate Strategy, 2006, Lynch) Disadvantages Difficulties According to Mintzberg and Porter, there is no possibility to predict the future enough accurately to make rational and realistic choices. If the desire to organise the strategy is too developed, the creativity potential of the company and his members can be choked. ( Strategy Safari, p58) Define the long term strategy would not be possible. The strategies proposed present a logical and a capability to be managed in the way proposed. As well, to control all the variables can be a really difficult work. It tends to favour a centralization and concentration of decision making at senior management. Only the chief executive has the power of the decision between all the options. Nobody needs to persuade him on his decision. This can lead to a bad decision. It presents some very simplistic actions as the implementation phase that is separate and distinctive and only comes after than a strategy has been approved. Planning can be a source of strength and become a major obstacle for the flexibility and adaptability of the enterprise and thereby harm the development of innovative ideas. Haut du formulaire Source: (Corporate Strategy, 2006, Lynch) The emergent strategy EMERGENT Lynch says that an emergent strategy is a strategy whose final objective is unclear and whose elements are developed during the course of its life, as a strategy proceeds. A strategy emerges and adapts her-self to the environment and the humans needs. This idea is one of the fundamental lines of the emergent strategy. Nevertheless, it has to be noted that there are an important number of variations possible. (Corporate Strategy, 2006, Lynch) The emergent strategy process is not lock on Top Down schema (which is formed earlier, like the prescriptive strategy). This strategy build in bottom-top structure, can be developed from the ideas and constructions coming directly from the market reality. The participative management integers tools like the management system control which promote the emergence of new strategy. (Simons, 1995) (Strategy Safari, Minztberg Ahlstrand Lampel) One of the recommendations, according Scott D. Anthony, Mark Johnson is to keep the door open for all the new ideas coming from the field and not to be too rigorous with the definitions of the objectives and be able to change the lines of the strategy at any time. Thank to the person working directly on the field whose brings essential information regard as the market expectations. Henry Mintzberg As we say, an emergent strategy is open for any changes. During this revision of the strategy, it allows to alter the course of the strategy judiciously or more radically, to redesign the strategy in order to take advantage of an opportunity. The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. Winston Churchill There is not final objective with an emergent approach. This is more like a series of experimental approach and discussion developed than the strategy goes ahead. The development and the implementation of the emergent approach are not distinct. These 2 stages work together. Firstly, we are going to identify what are the objectives. The strategy emerges from the background and knowledge of the company. It has to be very clear. After the objectives are defined, we discuss about the different options/choices possible and argue with members within the company to develop and implement to strategy. If the strategy works, it will stay on the same way trying to optimize. However, if the strategy does not meet the objectives, all the members will discuss about another compromise.And so on. We could say than this process has a circular structure. (Corporate Strategy, 2006, Lynch) Sources: http://www.global-strategy.net/categories/Strategicmanagement Emergent STRATEGY Advantages The strategy evolves continuously. It is a very flexible approach that can be developed over time according the new resources, policy and market expectations. Very efficient into fast moving market. It allows a constant development as more as the company learns about the strategy and market situation. The implementation is redefined, so it is an integral part of the strategy development process. The fact to work in a day by day approach allows the optimal culture to emerge instead of an artificial planning process Source: (Corporate Strategy, 2006, Lynch) Disadvantages Difficulties All the members of the company would have a very relevant knowledge about what the company does. The vision must be unified to avoid any muddle which can cost a lot to the company. The experience would be a really important point to counter this concern. According to Mintzberg, it is more complex to develop than a prescriptive strategy because it is constantly changing and ask more implication in the long term. Although the process of the strategy selection has to be softening according to the managers acceptation, this does not make it wrong; rational decision making based on evidence has a greater chance than a premonition or a personal whim. After the presentation about the emergent and prescriptive approach, I think interesting to take in consideration the debate between these two kinds of strategies. This is what I am going to speak about in the next part: DISCUSSION Today, according to March, a lot of companies are confronted to combine two conflicting ideas to survive: firstly, the capability and maintain of their aptitudes into a changing market, and secondly, the control and the stabilization on certain strategic activity than reach their maturity. (March, 1991). We are actually between the emergent and prescriptive approach. The idea of Jansen, in 2005, gives a good illustration of the combination: the adaptation into a changing environment, explore new ideas or new processes and to develop new products and service for emerging market. At the same time, they need to be stable to maintain and exploit their actual competences and operate into existing market. Thus, the management is between two sides: the exploration and the exploitation. EXPLOITATION EXPLORATION Improvement Choice Production Efficiency Selection Implementation Execution Research Variation Ventured Strategy Game Acting Flexibility Discovery Innovation MARCH 1991, p71 These two philosophies appear closely related. In 1934, Schumpeter developed a thesis saying that if the company creator stops innovating, he would lose, in opposition, his creator position. (). Therefore, we can see that the prescriptive notion appears integral part of the emergent approach. Mintzberg says that the planning and the strategy are different. He argues that a bureaucratic or analytical planning process mislead the managers into thinking that they are planning strategically and hence developing and improving organizational for the future. He has received a lot of critics. Indeed, a lot of people say that his approach his very simplistic. D. Powell says: Planning must involve both analysis and thinking. Changing labels wont improve poor processes or teach planning skills to those who lack them. Mintzberg raises a valid issue, but he fails to offer any real solutions. http://planningskills.com/askdan/11.php Parler que avoir les capacities peut faire la difference dans une organisation The different management school are The company would be confronted to a dilemma between Le concept de stratà ©gie à ©mergente  « ouvre la voie à   lapprentissage, parce quil reconnaà ®t le droit de lentreprise à   faire des expà ©riences. Une action isolà ©e sera menà ©e, des retombà ©es seront observà ©es, et le processus continuera jusquà   ce que lentreprise se rassemble sur un modà ¨le, qui deviendra sa stratà ©gie  » (Mintzberg et al., 1999, p. 198). En dautres termes :  « Lentreprise a pris des mesures, lune aprà ¨s lautre, qui ont fini par converger pour donner une certaine cohà ©rence, ou schà ©ma  » (Mintzberg et al., 1999, p. 21). Or, pour Mintzberg et ses co-auteurs, toute stratà ©gie en prise avec le monde rà ©el, se doit de conjuguer stratà ©gies dà ©libà ©rà ©es et stratà ©gies à ©mergentes :  « exercer un contrà ´le tout en favorisant lapprentissage  » (Mintzberg et al., 1999, p. 22). Là   encore, lentreprise est confrontà ©e au dilemme entre exploitation et exploration : mettre en oeuvre et contrà ´ler des stratà ©gies intentionnelles et dà ©libà ©rà ©es et, dans le mà ªme temps, dà ©tecter et formuler de nouvelles stratà ©gies dont il convient de favoriser là ©mergence  « ladaptation aux environnements compà ©titifs  » et surtout, vers les stratà ©gies à ©mergentes :  « les systà ¨mes de contrà ´le interactif sont utilisà ©s pour guider les processus bottom-up dà ©mergence de la stratà ©gie  » (Simons, 1995, p. 98). Cette distinction entre contrà ´le diagnostic et contrà ´le interactif traduit lopposition dà ©sormais classique entre deux modà ¨les de reprà ©sentation du contrà ´le de gestion http://www.wikiberal.org/wiki/Henry_Mintzberg Application with Maersk Line Strategy From the start to go, Maersk has been a very innovative company Nils Smedegaard Andersen (Maersk CEO) In a former time (1920), Maersk Line was a shipping specialist within the chemical industry. They operated in United States and East Asia thank to 6 tankers. The company understood very quickly than the business could be more developed. So, they made up their fleet with news engines in order to have more productivity. They adapted them-self to the new environment asking for more efficiency and created a competitive advantage (cf. Porter). The competitors stayed with old engines. 30 years later, they started to build larger units vessels to follow the market expectations. The new constructed port would provide more space in which bigger boats can operate. They adapted their strategy which was to transport more units at the same place because the market was growing. The strategies emerged from the market. http://www.maersk.com/AboutMaersk/WhoWeAre/Pages/History.aspx?SSItemId=8 Another plan used in the 60s was the diversification of his strategy thank to the containers revolution. Indeed, the standardization of the exchange would provide a very interesting future in this sector; where the company dedicated very important amount in the investment. The amount was around $2 billion (the biggest investment of the company at this time) to follow an emerging market. They opened a new area in the company through this opportunity and implementing a emergent strategy. In 2008, Maersk Line drove his new strategy. The objectives were to drive the turnaround of the business and return to sustainable profitability based on the long term. More than everything, Maersk Line wanted to reinforce his leadership position in the shipping market. Maersk is today is 10 times largest than it was 10 years ago and as the CEO said The have lost focusà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the way we operate today does not conform to our present size. With the growth we have had, the complexity has grown and so has the bureaucracy (Jaunary14, 2008, The Journal of Commerce) http://web.ebscohost.com.librouter.hud.ac.uk/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1hid=105sid=833f65f7-a644-40dc-b0dd-3c5c53fabf3d%40sessionmgr111 This strategy is endorsed on the improved financial results and customer satisfaction seen in the closed past. Thank to that, we can see that the company has developed his strategy according to his good results experience of the market in the recent months. Indeed, during the 6 previous months of this period the company had feedbacks from customers. The strategy had four core elements: Filling the ship with profitable cargo Provide the most reliable product demanded by our customers Provide a faster, more responsive service closer to customers Reduce complexity and cost First of all, to reduce the complexity and the cost, the global organization has reduced by 2,000 to 3,000 positions out of 25,000, principally cut into the middle management. The main point is reducing the regional organizations into smaller teams. To reduce the impact and consider the human aspect of the firing, the organization informed long time ago to the concern people in order to them to find alternative solution and sometime come along them to find new positions. As well, pushing decision-making out to the countries: as close as possible to the customers. With this new process, the company had reduced the bureaucracy and streamline processes. As expected, the complexity is reduced for a double benefice: for the customers because they will have a better proximity service and for the internal efficiency, less complex. Through this point, we can say than the company redesign his decision making process in order to be more reactive and close with the customers. In another word, the Maersk will be more empowered with his customers. It will be for example faster to take a decision into a part of the world; do not waiting for the head quarter to give his feedbacksà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦For the future; the decentralized management will develop the emergence of local strategy and give, again, more signification to the launched of this proximity service strategy. As well, the fact to work more closely with the customers and build long term relationship provide as well, a better visibility and allow a better anticipation. It is a brilliant solution for the future of the company. The strategy has been implemented in few months. Journal Traffic World, January 21, 2008 http://web.ebscohost.com.librouter.hud.ac.uk/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1hid=105sid=cb510fcd-112a-4c32-b25b-cb5f62f1c019%40sessionmgr113 Through this strategy, we have seen the importance of the market learning. The experience provides the better knowledge than a company can have. According to Eivind Kolding (CEO), the new management team, which will drive the strategy, has the experience and proven ability to deliver results. As we have seen previously in the report, the experience of the market is a key factor for the competitiveness of the organization. Having the experience of the market and the customers expectations, they applied the better strategy as possibleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ http://www.maerskline.com/link/?page=lhp_newspath=/asia/taiwan/20100222 The benefits of this emergent strategy are today already visible. The activity of the Maersk Line is from now on good position. The result are better than expected and to reach a $168 million net profit (1st trimester 2010) against a loss $581 million (1st trimester 2009). The turnover as well gives a good idea of the progression: $5.743 billion (1st trimester 2010) against $4.661 billion (1st trimester 2009). Eivind Kolding The market has been better and our efforts are gainful. Maersk has been able to develop all his strategy through the time and thus, take advantages of certain situation The company wants still to improve his competitiveness and they are ready to catch new opportunities bolting from the actual economic situation. http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=113177 http://www.maerskline.com/link/?page=lhppath=/africa/guinea/general/news http://www.maersk.com/AboutMaersk/WhoWeAre/Pages/History.aspx?SSItemId=8 CONLUSION Through this project, we have studied the difference between the emergent and prescriptive approach in Strategic and Corporation Management through an academic discussion, his different point of view and a company example. We have seen that the prescriptive approach is a strategy The experience is a key factor. JONK LOCKE Sentences

Why I Volunteer Essay -- Contribution to My Community Service

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Ghandi I believe I have been truly blessed to have the opportunity to grow up in Smallville, USA, in a home where my parents have instilled in me the principle that there is a service requirement beyond our immediate household. Realizing what has been provided for me by my parents, my church and my community, I want to use my college degree to serve my community. Not only have my parents modeled before me that we are to volunteer our time and services as citizens to make our community a better place to live, but they have always encouraged me to become involved in church and community activities. Therefore, church and community service, which I feel are inseparable for a thriving community where people desire to live and raise families, have become a way of life for me. I have been taught t... ...ontinue to locate and expand, I am committed to obtaining a quality college education to become an investment for my community. If I am selected as a recipient of this scholarship, your organization will not only be investing in my education but you will also be investing in my community for many years in the future as I live out my commitment to fulfill my obligation of giving back to a community that has helped mold and shape my life.

Whi Is Ihrm Such an Important Issue for Mne’s ?

Why is IHRM such an important issue for MNE’s? International Human Resources Management is the process of procuring, allocating, and effectively utilizing human resources in a multinational corporation. It is born thanks to globalization and to the growth of multinational enterprises all around the world. Globalization and the effective use of international human resources are two major issues facing firms in today’s global economy. As more and more firms operate internationally, there is a clear need to understand how to manage human resources that are located outside the domestic environment.A HRM system cannot be an efficient approach for a multinational enterprise (MNE) to optimize their employees’ performances because compared to IHRM: it has less HR activities, a smaller perspective, less involvement in employees’ personal lives, and difficulties to adapt to the workforce mix (expatriates and locals). Indeed, an MNE has to deal with different types o f employees: * Host-country Nationals (HCNs): locals of a country a MNE operates in a subsidiary. * Parent-country Nationals (PCNs): expatriates from the country where the MNE has its headquarters. Third country Nationals (TCNs): employees from countries other than the host or home country. These are also expatriates. The correlation between HCNs and PCNs in an MNE is crucial because they both have different points of view about the activity. HCNs are useful thanks to their knowledge of foreign market, language and needs and they know human resources policies for local employees, whereas PCNs have the ability to maintain control (for example with a newly established subsidiary), to adapt an ethnocentric attitude and to process an expatriation management (staffing, training, compensation).An IHRM system is a product of distinct activities, functions and processes that are directed at attracting, developing and maintaining the human resources of a MNE. Indeed, IHRM seeks to assist org anizations to make the most effective use of their human resources in the international context. Schuler said: â€Å"IHRM for many firms is likely to be critical to their success, and effective IHRM can make the difference between survival and extinction for many MNEs†. This quote means that an MNE has different choices for its IHRM approach.The four generic IHRM orientations of MNEs: ethnocentric, polycentric, geocentric, and regiocentric, introduced by Perlmutter (1969) and Perlmutter and Heenan (1979), are widely recognized. * In an ethnocentric approach, the MNE exports the home HRM system abroad. Strategic decisions are made at the headquarters and subsidiaries are managed by expatriates. Like Porter said: â€Å"In a global industry, a firm must integrate its activities like HRM on a worldwide basis to capture the linkages among countries†. * An MNE with a polycentric approach adapts to the local HRM system that the local companies use.Foreign subsidiaries have a large autonomy and HCNs fill the senior positions. HCNs are more likely to be promoted to positions at headquarters. * In a geocentric approach, the MNE takes a worldwide approach to its operations: employees can be promoted to senior positions in both headquarters and subsidiaries according to their capabilities, regardless of nationality and location. * The regiocentric approach is similarly to the geocentric approach, but senior managers enjoy regional rather than global autonomy in decision-making.Each of these four approaches has certain advantages and disadvantages. The choice of approaches to IHRM depends on the interaction of home-country factors, host-country factors and firm characteristics. The firm has to adapt its HRM activities to each host country’s specific requirements. It is also linked to cultural environment, like Hofstede said: â€Å"Culture awareness from senior and middle management is essential†. The location of the country is one aspect of the context in which MNEs operate.The home-country factors include home HRM systems and domestic political, legal, economic and sociocultural factors. These factors impact on IHRM through their influence on a firm’s characteristics. Organizations in one country might thus share many similarities while being essentially different from those headquartered in other countries. According to Ferner (1997), even the most global companies remain deeply rooted in the national business systems of their country of origin. Without any internal or external influence, an MNE would export all of its own home HRM system to subsidiaries.IHRM is definitely an essential issue for MNEs because it depends on it to avoid barriers of distance, language, time and culture between employees, which often make it very difficult for managers to resolve conflicts. Nowadays, we can still wonder if it is possible to develop a generic IHRM model that could be widely applicable. â€Å"IHRM is of fundamental impo rtance in realizing an efficient and effective multinational organization because it enables the firm to deal with control and cross-cultural issues that are both internal and external to the firm† (Adler and Ghadar 1990).

Using Namespaces in VB.NET

Using Namespaces in VB.NET The most common way VB.NET namespaces are used by most programmers is to tell the compiler which .NET Framework libraries are needed for a particular program. When you choose a template for your project (such as Windows Forms Application) one of the things that youre choosing is the specific set of namespaces that will be automatically referenced in your project. This makes the code in those namespaces available to your program. For example, some of the namespaces and the actual files they are in for a Windows Forms Application are: System in System.dllSystem.Data in System.Data.dllSystem.Deployment System.Deployment.dllSystem.Drawing System.Drawing.dllSystem.Windows.Forms System.Windows.Forms.dll You can see (and change) the namespaces and references for your project in the project properties under the References tab. This way of thinking about namespaces makes them seem to be just the same thing as code library but thats only part of the idea. The real benefit of namespaces is organization. Most of us wont get the chance to establish a new namespace hierarchy because its generally only done once in the beginning for a large and complicated code library. But, here, youll learn  how to interpret the namespaces that you will be asked to use in many organizations. What Namespaces Do Namespaces make it possible to organize the tens of thousands of .NET Framework objects and all the objects that VB programmers create in projects, too, so they dont clash. For example, if you search .NET for a Color object, you find two. There is a Color object in both: System.DrawingSystem.Windows.Media If you add an Imports statement for both namespaces (a reference may also be necessary for the project properties) ... Imports System.DrawingImports System.Windows.Media ... then a statement like ... Dim a As Color ... will be flagged as an error with the note, Color is ambiguous and .NET will point out that both namespaces contain an object with that name. This kind of error is called a name collision. This is the real reason for namespaces and its also the way namespaces are used in other technologies (such as XML). Namespaces make it possible to use the same object name, such as Color, when the name fits and still keep things organized. You could define a Color object in your own code and keep it distinct from the ones in .NET (or the code of other programmers). Namespace MyColorPublic Class ColorSub Color() Do somethingEnd SubEnd ClassEnd Namespace You can also use the Color object somewhere else in your program like this: Dim c As New MyColor.Colorc.Color() Before getting into some of the other features, be aware that every project is contained in a namespace. VB.NET uses the name of your project (WindowsApplication1 for a standard forms application if you dont change it) as the default namespace. To see this, create a new project (we used the name NSProj and check out the Object Browser tool): Click Here to display the illustrationClick the Back button on your browser to return The Object Browser shows your new project namespace (and the automatically defined objects in it) right along with the .NET Framework namespaces. This ability of VB.NET to make your objects equal to .NET objects is one of the keys to the power and flexibility. For example, this is why Intellisense will show your own objects as soon as you define them. To kick it up a notch, lets define a new project (We named ours NewNSProj in the same solution (use File Add New Project ...) and code a new namespace in that project. And just to make it more fun, lets put the new namespace in a new module (we named it NewNSMod). And since an object must be coded as a class, we also added a class block (named NewNSObj). Heres the code and Solution Explorer to show how it fits together: Click Here to display the illustrationClick the Back button on your browser to return Since your own code is just like Framework code, its necessary to add a reference to NewNSMod in NSProj to use the object in the namespace, even though theyre in the same solution. Once thats done, you can declare an object in NSProj based on the method in NewNSMod. You also need to build the project so an actual object exists to reference. Dim o As New NewNSProj.AVBNS.NewNSMod.NewNSObjo.AVBNSMethod() Thats quite a Dim statement though. We can shorten that by using an Imports statement with an alias. Imports NS NewNSProj.AVBNS.NewNSMod.NewNSObj...Dim o As New NSo.AVBNSMethod() Clicking the Run button displays the MsgBox from the AVBNS namespace, Hey! It worked! When and Why to Use Namespaces Everything so far has really just been syntax - the coding rules that you have to follow in using namespaces. But to really take advantage, you need two things: A requirement for namespace organization in the first place. You need more than just a Hello World project before the organization of namespaces starts to pay off.A plan to use them. In general, Microsoft recommends that you organize your organizations code using a combination of your company name with the product name. So, for example, if youre the Chief Software Architect for Dr. Nos Nose Knows Plastic Surgery, then you might want to organize your namespaces like ... DRNoConsultingReadTheirWatchNChargeEmTellEmNuthinSurgeryElephantManMyEyeLidsRGone This is similar to .NETs organization ... ObjectSystemCoreIOLinqDataOdbcSql The multilevel namespaces are achieved by simply nesting the namespace blocks. Namespace DRNoNamespace SurgeryNamespace MyEyeLidsRGone VB CodeEnd NamespaceEnd NamespaceEnd Namespace or Namespace DRNo.Surgery.MyEyeLidsRGone VB CodeEnd Namespace