Managing Organisations in a Global Context. Chevron Corporation Essay

Managing Organisations in a Global Context. Chevron Corporation - Essay ExampleGlobal scale of its operations, scarcity of technical workforce, and a highly competitive commodity based business makes Chevron highly vulnerable to the external environs. For Chevron to retain its market leadership in a competitive global knowledge-based economy, it has to depend on efficient knowledge exchange between its operations groups (customer facing) and the technology center staff (responsible for technology and support). Therefore, it is essential for Chevron to actively engage in knowledge management activities to increase operational efficiencies and overall cost-advantages. The report analyses the structure, transcriptional culture and leadership of Chevron to weigh its internal capabilities. Chevron has a decentralized organizational structure that poses both a threat and advantage to implement necessary changes for knowledge sharing and team up collaboration. The principles of The Ch evron Way that acts as a learning tool to communicate and reinforce the values and goals of Chevron is a key artifact for its team and learning-based organization culture. Chevron leadership has been instrumental in driving key initiatives as best practice sharing, operational efficiency management system and benchmarking wrt sedulousness practices. The key issues that are important to be addressed for Chevrons long-term future are low-cost competition from state-owned vegetable oil companies, global chat challenge regarding environmental concerns and its existing decentralized structure. Introduction The financial crisis of 2008 highlighted once again two key lessons for organizations all over the world firstly, that organization cannot be given in vacuum and is not invulnerable to what is happening in the external environment and secondly, the world is so interconnected that positive and negative effects in organizations can have ripple effects crossways the globe in a matter of minutes. External environment comprises of factors such as administrative and sound (international, non-governmental policies and regulations, legislatures and legal frameworks), technology (innovations, research and development), politics (government support and political systems in the geographical region), economic science (inflation, labour laws, opportunity costs, currency restrictions etc.), society and culture at local, national and regional levels and stakeholders (Harrison, 1970). There are evident examples of organizations that have been deeply impacted due to pressures of the external environment such as Kodak at the sexual climax of disruptive innovation in digital imaging (Forbes, 2008), Lehman Brothers bankruptcy due to 2008 global financial crisis (Investopedia, 2009) etc. Globalization has transformed contemporary business environment into a knowledge-based economy that makes organizations even more vulnerable to changes. Oil and Gas companies are no exceptions to this turbulent environment. The relevance of geopolitical tensions, environmental considerations, oil economics and market dynamics make them complex entities to operate. They deal with a number of complex tasks, which reason the necessity of knowledge management system in the oil and gas organizations. Globalization, innovative technologies, outsourcing and offshoring, new joint ventures, government regulations and scarcity of experienced personnel have amplified the need to share and mobilize knowledge, expertise and best practices across multi-national organizations to retain their competitive advantage (Leavitt, 2002). This report addresses the above factors in case of CHEVRON Corporation, and

Discussion Board Post Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion Board Post Response - Essay ExampleFor instance, many of the employees look demoralized in their activities as they feel devalued as their contributions in terms of input to the budget formulation does not matter (Zelman, McCue and Glick, 2009)). There is however one issue in particular I am interested in and would want you to clarify. Does your organization has a specific way of collecting employees, supervisors, and lower-level managers ideas or contributions to the budget? Does it happen during weekly meetings or do the employees forward-moving their contributions or input to their supervisors who then forward it to the top managers?Martusciello, your post was interesting and I learnt a lot from your research. I had not imagined that a change in staffing matrix could be reason enough to deviate from a budget as you have noted in your post. It is true that when cases where some of the staff resigns or are on leave puts the management in a hard situation whereby they have to hire new employees temporarily. This according to Zelman, McCue and Glick (2009) translates to additional expenses as much(prenominal) expenditure in terms of salaries for the temporary staff is not initially planned. I also agree that unplanned situations such as an influx or surge in the number of patients could cause deviation from a budget. Your organization did the right thing to employ the additional eleven nurses to float to units. I am interested to know, did the surge in patients affect the nurses in any way in terms of burnout and elevated stress levels?Zelman, W., McCue, M., & Glick, N. (2009).Financial management of health care organizations An invention to fundamental tools, concepts, and applications(3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ Jossey-Bass. Retrieved from the Walden Library

Sunset Grill at Blue Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Sunset Grill at Blue - Case Study ExampleMelhuish recognized that during the first course of instruction of operations and even when his franchise managed to break even, he was struggling and leaving money on the table. With new ideas, ready to implement before the summer leave alone help reduce queues and get the operations fully on track.Data collection shows that the most burdensome queues are during the weekends. To alleviate this, Melhuish is planning on hiring a part timer food runner. The food runner will deliver the food from the kitchen directly to the table, saving the servers time and energy. This addition to the staff, even on a part time basis, would increase daily table turn over by five to ten percent.Melhuish is considering on adding a menu boards around the restaurant. ace would be above the open concept kitchen and the other would be electronic near the front entrance. Both boards would be strategically placed so that those wait would have the option of looking over the menus prior to sitting down. By the time the customers were seated, they would know what they wanted to order. This would reduce the amount of ordering time by up to 10 legal proceeding. Melhuish believes the electronic menu boards could also be useful in promoting a few high-margin items.In response to customer complaints, Melhuish brainstormed the idea of allowing substitutions to trustworthy menu items. Currently, the policy of no substitutions is strictly enforced. Data shows that allowing substitutions on certain menu items or during shoulder seasons would increase the preparation time from 5 minutes average to 6 minutes average. This small amount of time, is not a very big change in comparison to the advantages of allowing certain substitutions and satisfying customers requests / complaints.another(prenominal) way to help reduce wait times is to add additional seating to the restaurant. Melhuish is considering increasing capacity by converting the

Different elements of a contract Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Different elements of a take in charge - Assignment ExampleThe next element of a attempt is the acceptation. An sufferance is an expression of absolute and unconditional agreement to all the terms set out in the offer. It can be oral or in writing. The acceptance must exactly mirror the original offer made(Smithies, 2007). The offer should be accepted without any conditions. If there are any changes, modifications or additions in the original offer made, it is considered as a counter-offer which must also be accepted by the offeror. A counter-offer cannot be considered as an acceptance. An example of this is when the offer harm for a car is $20,000 and the offerer gets back at the offeror and asks that the price instead be $18,500. The legal consideration is that thing of value which the parties to a contract must receive(Smithies, 2007). A contract will only be binding if it is supported by something of value. For a contract to be valid, the persons entering into a contract sho uld have the legal capacity to do so. This means that they should not have any genial impairment they must be of legal age, i.e. they are not minors and must not be prisoners(Fitzroy Legal Service Inc., 2010). For example, a person who is suffering from autism cannot enter into a contract with another person because of his mental impairment. He might be entering into an agreement which he does not fully understand, which is not fair for him and the other party.

Racial Disparity in Criminal Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Racial Disparity in Criminal Justice - Essay ExampleDeath penalisation or execution is the most severe clip that the United States and other countries use particularly for rape and murder cases. Military laws and federal states have also bestowed capital punishment for other crimes like espionage, treason, kidnapping, forsaking from military service and robbery. The fact that state prisons are full of a disparate number of inmates who are people of color and who are on remainder row is a clear indication of racial disparity in sentencing. In other words, todays capital punishment is a establishment that vents the anger of society over crime crisis on a select group. As far as death penalty is concerned, the contagious existence of racialism has not slackened with time and this crisis is not confined in whizz area. One of the possible causes for this abiding problem is that the juries who make the critical decisions on death penalty in the United States are almost exclusively wh ite. An empirical study at Law School in St. Marys University indicates that in the U.S, there is only one percent African-American District Attorneys in counties that use the death penalty while the other chief District Attorneys are white with a helping of almost ninety-eight.

Poetry & art Essay Example for Free

Poetry art EssayPoetry is a form of art. Though I want to be an Economics Major in the University of Penn, I am a young aficionado of poetry and prose at heart. I would love to develop my skills through a disciplined and distinguished writing program and Penns School of Arts and Sciences offers to cater my aspirations. Believing that one must be a great reader before becoming a great writer, I indulge into books of every genre to harvest more knowledge. Literature brings out in me an overwhelming joy and I wish to carry my fondness for indicant and writing into my college majors. The uniqueness cultivated by Penns English Department is perceptible by the de facto of education, wherein the emphasis is on creative writing. Through this facet of the University, I want to channel my passion for poetry into academia. As a Founder and President of our schools Poetry Club, if accepted, I plan to visit the Kelly Writers stick out religiously, and satisfy my perpetual craving for liter ature.I can picture myself grabbing a turkey-and-cheese sandwich, without mayonnaise, at the 1920 Commons, and rushing off to the Kelly Writers House, carrying an armful of books by Maya Angelou and Eric Schlosser. Gathered in a most circle of chairs, my fellow literature lovers and I share professional works, with our own daring lines of free verses, swap suggestions, compliments, and light-hearted laughs.During these workshops, my very soul seeps steadily through an hidden tube from brain to ballpoint, the not-so-simple phenomenon of input-output fabricating ink on paper, a painting made of letters. On my way to a morning class on modern American poetry, I pass Oldenbergs famed Split Button and acknowledge Mr. Franklin, sitting upright in his chair. After the lecture, Professor Josephine Park and I digest research by analyzing the influence of conflicts between America and East-Asia.Being in the Penn family, I converse with colleagues, sisters and brothers that destiny lacked t o give. I tutor secondary school students just about reading and writing through the outreach program. Having been featured in a myriad of written works and publishing my own collections, I roll up my sleeves and steer literary pieces in the weekly undergraduate magazine, First Call. As the evening sinks, I bike to the Van Pelt Library, sit cross-legged in my favorite armchair and finalize the touches on a Second World War paper.Traveling to the other parts of the City of Brotherly Love, I gather up with involve group friends for our fine dinner. When I reach home, my roommate chatters about the highlights of her day. I then read an article from The Daily Pennsylvanian. Turning off the lights and setting my scandalise clock for 600 am, I drape my jogging shorts and shirt on a chair for the morning. Before drifting off to sleep, I reminisce those final months when I submitted my application to Penn and smile in the quietness of my room, happy to be here at last.

China Country Identification Essay Example for Free

china Country Identification EssayThe company has brought to our attention that it desires to expand into the Eastern Asiatic market where it is believed that the opportunity will be best and certainly more than double its profits by this venture. The Country of choice will be mainland China location is the city of Macau, which is an established trading center in Southeast Asia. B. Major Cross-Cultural Issues and Impacts there are some marketing aspects to consider. Our approach mustiness be culture sensitive to be successful. Insulting any sensation in our demarcation relations for work in China could end the deal or movement unnecessary delays. It is vital for exclusively personnel involved in this venture to train with care in the marketing and cultural behaviors of the Chinese. Culture is a major issue and the company must be meticulous with training in order to be accepted. The Asian cultures are very careful almost non losing face and this is critical. Keeping face goes back to Confucianism, which focuses on ones duty and loyalty, honor, sincerity, and keeping harmony with solely those related to them through family, business, and social ties.This is strictly followed with respect for come on first in any of these kinships. One must never lose face with any of these ties for to lose face is to lose honor. The concept of face translates as honor, good reputation, and respect. There are four types of face. Face behavior is power-oriented behavior with the purpose of maintaining stability or control of ones self. Diumianzi originates from the word mian and in a flash relates to ones reputation or place in society. It is actions or deeds, which former(a)s have observed, and it is earned. Geimianzi is response to or giving of face to some other through masking respect to the other person. Liumianzi is developed by avoiding mistakes and showing wisdom in making decisions. Jiangmianzi, when face is increased through others by another comp lementing one to a business partner or associate. Saving face or reputation is very crocked in the Chinese culture. People are generally reserved, quiet, and refined.No boisterous or loud behavior is welcome and conside expiration in poor taste. Another way to explain this is quiet dignity, always keeping control of ones emotions. The personnel who are involved in this business venture will need to beware of the quiet reserved behaviors of the Chinese and adopt such(prenominal) behavior in respect and get to know well each Chinese in the business relationship. It is distinguished to save face at all times and avoid blunders or mistakes of ourWestern culture, and never criticize the Chinese or any others involved in the business or personal relationship in Macau, China. This includes any associates whether foreign or domestic (China 2010). When greeting in China, the eldest is always greeted first and though a handshake is most uncouth among Chinese with foreigners, sometimes wit h the elderly or government officials a slight bow will be go acrossn. During the greeting exchange, it is the practice by the Chinese to prospect at the ground when shaking hands or bowing along while addressing the individual with their honorific title and surname (China 2010). Visiting and annihilateing similarly have special rules.A guest always waits for the host to give direction for seating. Formal dinners have different rules on seating arrangements. The conversation at meals is light, no business, or personal talk. The host will always serve an abundance of food. The host will usually escort a guest immaterial their home a distance even down a street and the guest should politely resist with the special ritual of hospitality. It is customary to bring a wrapped induct presented with two hands when invited to the home of a Chinese. In China, they do not open a gift in front of the sponsor this is to avoid embarrassment for gifts that are not needed. Both the giver and receiver will always use two hands for the gift. Another very important gesture is to refuse the gift three times before accept it this shows that one is not greedy.Once the gift is accepted, it is important to express thanks to them for accepting the gift. If giving money gifts around New Years for personal friendship, the bills must be even bills and there should be an even number of bills, and given in a red envelope. Do not use sportsmanlike, black, mordant, or the number 4 for anything be clear it is associated with stopping point and funerals. This would be very embarrassing. Unacceptable gifts include clocks which exemplify time is running out, a handkerchief suggests a farewell greeting, shoes, especially straw sandals, suggest sad memories, and do not give ink pens with red ink which signifies death. Sharp objects like knives and scissors are not appropriate as it represents severing of relationships (Roberts 1998).Dress is important, no bright colors or blue jeans ar e to be worn, and all colors should be neutral with business meetings or dinners. Women must have on downcast heals, nothing sleeveless or sheer, modest necklines, even the jewelry should be modest and not flashy. Relationship is everything to hurry would be a waste. Theimpact of our approach on Chinese business with obedience to cultural differences is everything, the dress, the greeting, visiting, dinners, and showing of respect to all parties involved both Chinese, and U.S. will affect the stability of the relationship (King 1999). If the relationship is not sealed in the antecedent with saving face or respect and trust with the Chinese, then the business deal whitethorn never take place or may be a very weak deal. The Chinese find friendship and trust to be far too important to rush through a business deal. Respect or face must be earned over time and never lost.C. Cross-Cultural CommunicationMacau, China has a very strong economy with a GDP of 21.8 part growth currently, i s not expecting a recession anytime soon and has a steady growth rate of double digits up to 21 or more percent per year (Economy 2011). The humid weather and subtropical climate will be a great help in the special heat hardening process, which is necessary to extend the life of the engine components. It is important for us to pay close attention to detail and avoid use black, gold, yellow, red, or white on the engine components for any identification of parts used. Our company will need to use colors that are low key, peradventure silver, grey, brown, tan, or green, for any differentiation used to identify parts. Red is overused and is considered a New Years awareness. The black as mentioned earlier represents death and is not a good omen. Do not use black or red scar on any of the parts or packaging, this represents evil and death and does not work in the Chinese market.When promoting the product for selling, again, color is of utmost importance and it is important to be creati ve. No black borders and no black print can be used, it is considered to be a bad omen or evil. The same is true with red print, it is considered to be related to death of the person knowledge the red ink. White wrap signifies death of the person receiving the gift and is not a happy color. Yellow used in marketing generally relates to pornography, so it must not be used or it will damage the face of the new company and possibly be an embarrassment or cause it to fail. The colors purple for power and nobility, blue green, and some other colors can be used with marketing to promote our engine components, but red, yellow, gold, black, and white are best avoided entirely for marketing purposes (Gao 2011).The advertize name should involve only two perhapsthree syllables with the last syllable having inflection upwards with transition of voice. The Chinese consider this necessary for a favorable impression and for recognition of a product or service. Chinese words are often very direc t and it would be best to use such words to gain trust and immediate understanding, and to portray quality and enjoyment of the vehicle because of using fellowship As engine components. Another aspect to show purity and trust is a picture of a mountain in relation to televised advertising or media advertising on the internet, and in our promotional brochure (Lehman 1992). Manufacturing companies like Sinotruck Group, Qingdao Seize The Future Automobile Co. Ltd., and Special Truck keep company China case Heavy Duty Truck Co., to name a few major manufactures for heavy-duty trucks, to market the engine components produced by Company A would be our sucker audience for this market (Brighter 2011).China is expecting an increase in unit freight mileage leading to long distance transportation implying a demand for high-end trucks in the next few years. China is an excellent market for our truck engine components and this is good timing with Chinas economic growth and increased investme nt funds in the trucking industry (Intelligence 2011). Currently, in China, the demand for trucks ranked first and automobiles ranked second (Intelligence 2011). Pricing of the engine components is based on production and the exaltation costs for China. Choosing to build a manufacturing plant in Macau, China would prove to be financially prudent and help to keep prices in line with other competing engine makers in the truck industry for China.To protect competition in China, the prices would need to be equal in revenue as that of other countries in which these engine components are sold. To distribute these engine components in China it is necessary to have distribution partners for acceptance in the different market areas. Company A will have to build a network of distributers among locals where face-to-face relationships can grow. It will be prudent to train local mechanics for problems with the engine components that may occur after the sale. It is important to have connections w ith individuals in all areas of the business for trust and friendliness to the Chinese country. They see life as a base connection in all associations.D. Cross-Cultural Ethical DifferencesIntroducing ourselves into the Chinese market is crucial and must be done through an intermediary, someone who will give face favorably about Company As reputation. Chinese do not like to do business with strangers. The meetings need to be pass on in writing preferably one or two months in advance by someone that they know and trust who connects for Company A. Plan to get under ones skin a bit early, do not be late as the Chinese perceive this as an insult and it could cause negative problems for the business relationship. punctuality is considered a virtue in China. It is important not to wear bright colors for meetings men should wear dark colored conservative business suits. Women should wear a conservative business suit or dress with a high neckline and flat shoes or not much of a heel. The re is no gender bias in China.About the introductions, when greeting the Chinese, the highest official or eldest will start the introductions and will either bow roughly while looking to the ground or shake hands while looking to the ground, do not look them in the eye during the introductions but do state their honorific title and then surname. Example, It is an honor to meet with you, President Chen. They have a great sense of humor and like to laugh if they are comfortable. If it is appropriate on your behalf at any time, be sure to laugh at yourself. The names of all who will be at the meeting and their titles, of course, would be important to have in each members portfolio. Once the introductions have been made and you have been given the invitation, provide information about Company A and what is desired to be accomplished. If offered a business card always accept with both hands and look at it with interest on both sides and then place on the table in the front of the place setting or in a suit pocket or briefcase, never in the back pocket. When giving a business card use two hands and place Chinese side up to the Chinese officer. scarce the eldest officer from each business will hold the conversation for negotiation. All others will listen. Posture and facial expression is very important to the Chinese and persons attending the meetings must watch carefully and be aware of their posture and facial expressions to remain neutral. There should not be any staring into anothers eyes only concentration on what is being said and careful glancing to notice expressions. Tone of voice is of great importance andshould be fast noted. Relationship cultivation is first, no agreement will be made at this meeting. When the meeting concludes the Chinese will say they will think about it, accept that answer just as they say, thinking about it (Ltd. 2004) and be patient for the deal to close at another time. It may take some(prenominal) meetings to finish the business deal. When the Chinese diplomat in charge invites the visiting company to a banquet, this is a signal that they are ready to give their terminal answer. They use a banquet to celebrate (Ltd. 2004). Our company needs to be patient and ready. In China, it is not customary to give gifts it is considered bribery and illegal.It is only acceptable to bring a wrapped gift for the most senior officer in the company after the business deal is complete and state that the gift is from your company and that it is wished for the senior officer to accept it on behalf of their company. If there are wrapped gifts for more than one individual in a group, all gifts must be different and monetarily representative of the status for each individual. It is disrespectful to give the same gift choice to several individuals, the gifts must be different, and the value worn-out(a) commensurate with the associate receiving the gift. If meeting over dinner our members must remember to wait until the host sho ws them to their personal seat, and recognize that the executive who called the dinner will be paying for all, no one is going Dutch.Remember to talk about whatever interests them and the food. Generally, light talk is expected. No business will be discussed while dining. The seating behavior is much like it is in formal dining with the United States. Unlike the U.S., though take time with dining and eat all you can or at least make it appear that time is not important. Eating is a very social event with the Chinese, never a rush. They may not hurry to be at a dinner or meal for a certain time, but may be fairly late.Timeliness is not crucial as is expected for a business meeting. It is rare to be invited to a Chinese home. If this occurs, be on time, take a gift and offer it three times but do not expect them to open it in front of you. Take off your shoes and do not pay attention to slurping or belching noises, this is the Chinese way to show enjoyment with the food. All business personnel must learn to eat with chopsticks (Ltd. 2004). These culture differences are very important though strange to what our customs are here in America. All Chinese customs must be followed carefully to have asuccessful business relationship in China.ReferencesBrighter, Mr. Made In China.Com. 2011. http//cntruck.en.made-in-china.com/ (accessed celestial latitude 12, 2011). China, Neso. Social Norms, Saving and Losing Face. October 4, 2010. http//www.nesochina.org/dutch-students/preparing-your-stay/social-norms (accessed December 11, 2011). Economy, Macau. Macaus Economy Grows 21.8 percent from January to September. Macau Hub Magazine on line. December 1, 2011. http//www.macauhub.com.mo/en/2011/12/01/macaus-economy-grows-21-8-pct-from-january-to-september/ (accessed December 11, 2011). Gao, Kane. Public Relations and Strategic Communications. Illuminant A Source of Light. January 17, 2011. http//www.illuminantpartners.com/2011/01/17/color/ (accessed December 12, 2011). Intellig ence, China Research. Research Report on China Truck Industry. April 12, 2011. http//marketinfoguide.com/2011/04/12/research-report-china-truck-industry-2011-2012/ (accessed December 12, 2011). King, Susan. Facts About Chinese Business Attire. eHow Culture and Society. 1999. http//www.ehow.com/about_5040513_chinese-business-attire.html (accessed December 11, 2011). Lehman, Edward. Media and Advertising. Lehman, Lee, Xu. 1992. http//www.lehmanlaw.com/practices/media-and-advertising.html (accessed December 12, 2011). Ltd., Kwintessential. Chinese Etiquette and Customs. Kwintessential. 2004. http//www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/china-country-profile.html (accessed December 13, 2011). Roberts, Kimberly. International Business Gift Giving Overview. 1998. http//www.cyborlink.com/besite/international_gift_giving.htm (accessed December 11, 2011).