International Business Organisation Management Report Essay

International Business Organisation Management Report - Essay Example The Bunnings Group Ltd is Australia and New Zealand's leading retailer of home and garden improvement products and is also a major supplier of building products. Its home building section especially targets small - medium builders. It became a public company in 1952 and in 1994 Wesfarmers acquired it. (Bunnings Warehouse Property Trust - BWPT website, 2006). The trust was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) in September 1998. The BWPT properties are on long-term leased to Bunnings Pty Ltd. typically for a period of 10 - 15 years. (BWPT History Overview 2006) 2001 was the year of extensive growth for Bunnings as Wesfarmers took over Howard Smith Ltd, which resulted in Bunnings fully integrating Howard Smith's Australia and New Zealand's BBC hardware operations known as Hardwarehouse, BBC and Benchmark. The Bunnings brand was to replace all three previous brands (Wesfarmers website 2006). Bunning's is in the pursuit of sustainability within their operations by striving to making the operations socially responsible, environmentally aware and economically viable. Bunnings took shape in 1886 when Arthur & Robert arrived in Perth, WA from London and soon won a government building contract and soon founded the group of companies known as Bunnings Bros Pty Ltd. The company has since seen many milestones. In 1952, Bunnings became a public company and expanded into retail. In 1994 Wesfarmers Ltd., one of Australia's largest public companies acquired Bunnings and Wesfarmers has given an able leadership and direction to the company. All the departments and divisions are being managed very professionally with. Organisational Structure Bunnings is structured around a team-based belief in providing the best service alongside the widest range of home improvements at the lowest prices. On a company level, they are structured to pursue sustainability in all its departments and through all their supplier relationships. A manager is manages the trust which in turn is run by a board of directors. These directors and management control the general everyday activities of the business. The management chain goes down to the state manager followed by the regional manager and then individual store managers. A store manager controls the business which has his/her group of employees broken into teams depending on their department or specialty. For example, there may be up to 5 different teams, with a team leader in control of the employees of that team. The team leader has an important role as he/she has to manage and motivate the employees. Each Bunning's store has a strong emphasis on teamwork and each employee is valued in the business. A key factor that all team leaders have at every Bunnings warehouse stores is that they have "reward power". This is where they have the ability as a manager to give or withhold tangible and intangible rewards such as pay rises, bonuses and verbal praise. As a result members of the organisation are more motivated to perform at a higher level; managers will have a highly motivated workforce as efforts are appreciated. This is a fine example of the 'path goal theory' model. Bunnings Encourages empowerment by expanding employee's tasks and responsibilities, giving employees authority to take decisions, be responsible for their outcomes, improve quality, and cuts costs - and provide feedback

How different are quantitative and qualitative research Essay

How different are quantitative and qualitative research - Essay Example In order to understand the differences between the qualitative and quantitative research, it would be necessary to refer to their fundamental characteristics as well as to their role, as key research methodologies. The definitions, which have been developed for the above two research methods, are also presented. The review of the literature published in the specific field has led to the assumption that the differences between the qualitative and the quantitative research are often ignored and their simultaneous use is attempted – especially for research projects that are quite demanding. 2. Qualitative and quantitative research – description, forms In the literature, the scope of qualitative research has been explained using different approaches; however, it seems that all relevant views focus on the same fact: qualitative research is used in order to identify the causes of human behaviour in regard to various social events. This view is made clear in the study of Maria mpolski (2001) where it is noted that ‘qualitative research seeks the meanings and motivations behind behaviour’ (Mariampolski 2001, p.7). ... h the definition of qualitative research presented in the study of Merriam (2009); in accordance with the above definition, ‘qualitative research is a situated activity that locates the observer in the world’ (Denzin and Lincoln, 2005, p.3, in Merriam, 2009, p.13). On the other hand, Potter (1996) notes that the role and the value of qualitative research can be understood only by referring to the particular elements of the specific research method. This task is developed through three different types of definitions:’ a) a component-type definition, b) a procedural-type definition and c) a product type definition’ (Potter, 1996, p.20-21). The first of the above definitions, the component-type one, focuses on the parts/ elements of qualitative research; an indicative definition of such type is, for example that of Jankowski and Wester (1991) who emphasized on the content of qualitative, i.e. on the meaning given by people to their social activities and their active presence within the society – meaning that all people in society have a role which tends to be changed under different social conditions (Potter, 1996). The second definition, the procedural-type one, refers to qualitative research as ‘a sequence of tasks’ (Potter, 1996, p.21). A definition which follows a similar path is, for example, that of Pauly (1991) who noted that the qualitative research includes five steps: a) identification of the topic, b) development of the research questions, c) collection of the material, d) explanation of the findings, e) presentation of the researcher’s personal view on the issues under discussion (Pauly, 1991, in Potter, 1996, p.21). Finally, the product-type definition gives emphasis ‘on what is produced by the qualitative method’ (Potter, 1996, p.21).

Compare and contrast two Jazz Big Bands Research Paper

Compare and contrast two Jazz Big Bands - Research Paper Example With these elements Jazz music introduced a new ‘Swing Style’ which spread across the country making Jazz even more popular and enjoyable. In this research paper I have chosen to discuss two very important Jazz bands – The first one is the ‘Benny Goodman and his Orchestra’ and the second is a modern Jazz band which is the ‘Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis Orchestra. 2 The years of Jazz that followed held great significance as major Jazz figures with their own inimitable style, aesthetic sense and technical skills emerged. Some of these greats on the Jazz scene were – Louis Armstrong (1932), Duke Ellington and others who set the stage for the progress of Jazz music. (Schuller, Gunther, 1989, pg.3) The socio-economic backdrop with the Depression on one hand and the Wall Street Crash on the other provided potent ground for the flourishing of Jazz. (Schuller, Gunther, 1989, pg. 4) The economic conditions were poor and unemployment was rampant and musici ans found it hard to make ends meet. It was during this difficult period that the ‘Swing Era’ emerged when Jazz became synonymous with American Popular Culture. Benjamin David ‘Benny’ Goodman, clarinetist and bandleader of the group, was crowned the ‘King of Swing’ in History during this period. Born in Chicago on May 30th, 1909, Benny went on to lead one of America’s most popular Jazz orchestras. (Benny Goodman- The King of Swing, www.bennygoodman.com/) It was his popularity that epitomized the Swing Era because his music was heard by both the Blacks and Whites equally as he strived hard to quench the thirst for Jazz music for the new mass audience and finally emerged as a ‘symbol of the era’. (Schuller, Gunther, 1989, pg. 6) Benny Goodman’s career began when he joined the Henderson band which was one of the best bands of that time whose form, style and sound was so remarkable and unique. An alliance was formed and t he Benny Goodman band went on to create history by shaping the future of Jazz. 3 Teenagers were swept off their feet as they craved for swing music and very soon they had a good fan following of Jitterbugs who went crazy for his music. (Benny Goodman, www.jazzhotbigstep.com/45801.html) One of his popular numbers that I listened to was ‘Swingtime in the Rockies’. It was an interesting dance number that was so foot tapping that I felt like dancing myself. It was rhythmic from beginning to end filled with staccato snatches from the clarinets and trumpets which were joined in by the trombones. The drums kept a steady rhythm right through the composition which was so energetic as it was fulfilling. (Benny Goodman, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL47798F00A3AF3280 The music of Benny Goodman and his Orchestra is unmistakable because most of the compositions are so lively and energetic. One of the other songs I listened to is ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ which featured in a f ilm titled ‘Hollywood Hotel’. Besides Goodman, the other players were Gene Krupa on the drums and Harry James – Trumpet. The song was fast paced and rhythmic and the orchestra played it flawlessly with the entire group joining in the last piece. (Sing, Sing, Sing’, www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mJ4dpNal_k The Benny Goodman Orchestra was the most popular swing

Simulation Analysis Report Lab Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Simulation Analysis - Lab Report Example It is therefore true to say that the strategy adopted by the company was successful as it helped the company in achieving its operational and strategic goals. The companys strategy has also been effective in the achievement of the operational and strategic goals of the company. The effectiveness of the company strategy can be evaluated using activity ratios. Judging from the activity ratios, it is clearly evident that the company has been effective in its operations. For example, the inventory turnover of 0.24 clearly shows that the company has been efficient in the management of its inventory as well as in the generation of sales from the inventory. However, a low ratio of accounts receivable turnover of 20.58 recorded by the company is an indication that the company has not been quite efficient in the collection of its receivables. To improve its future operations, the company will have to change its strategy in order to improve on its marketing outcomes. That is, there is the need for improvements in the company’s operations and strategies. The company through its Board of Directors and management should improve its R&D outcomes in order to improve on its operations efficiency and profitability. This will include investing more in R&D in order to create new and innovative products in the High-End Segment (Capsim Manual). Highly innovative products will enable the company to remain a cost leader with a focus on the product life cycle. There is also the need for the company to change its strategy to a differentiator with product lifecycle focus. This strategy will enable the company to gain a high competitive advantage with innovative new products that have excellent design and easy accessibility. The new products will also keep pace with the market and will offer improved performance and design, which w ill earn the company increased sales, profitability and overall improvement of its marketing outcomes (Baum,

Organizational Issues and Trends Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Organizational Issues and Trends Paper - Essay Example d of course in order to be able to predict tendencies the managerial staff has to be on top of the topic in the present to know how are these areas affect the business in the present and how they have influenced in the past to learn from the victories and the mistakes. Three topics or issues of great importance which are studied in this essay are global ethics, stress in the workplace and organization politics. The paper analyses these three issues from a current perspective as well as looking at the tendencies in these issues a decade from now. Stress is a mental and emotional condition that affects the behavior of humans in all facets of life. It is a condition that is not healthy and organization must recognize its existence and ensure preventive measures are in place to minimize its occurrence. If stress is identified among a group or individual worker the company must also have a way to litigate with the problem on a personal and confidential matter to ensure the employee or employee get the help needed to deal with the problem. Since stress is a human condition spark by a variety of factors in a person’s personal and work life it will always be present among some members of the staff. A company first of all has to take measure to ensure the work conditions of the company do not contribute to a stressful work environment as well as having protocol measures in place to identify employees suffering from this medical condition to provide them with the counseling the person needs to help them deal with the situation . Stress in the workplace is an undesirable condition because it leads to lower productivity, a higher incidents of human error, unnecessary tension, a lack of group synergy and other negative factors for an enterprise. The factors or categories that lead to stress in the workplace include bad economic trends in an organization, interpersonal relationships, organizational culture, lack of promotional opportunities for qualified candidates and other

Simulation Analysis Report Lab Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Simulation Analysis - Lab Report Example It is therefore true to say that the strategy adopted by the company was successful as it helped the company in achieving its operational and strategic goals. The companys strategy has also been effective in the achievement of the operational and strategic goals of the company. The effectiveness of the company strategy can be evaluated using activity ratios. Judging from the activity ratios, it is clearly evident that the company has been effective in its operations. For example, the inventory turnover of 0.24 clearly shows that the company has been efficient in the management of its inventory as well as in the generation of sales from the inventory. However, a low ratio of accounts receivable turnover of 20.58 recorded by the company is an indication that the company has not been quite efficient in the collection of its receivables. To improve its future operations, the company will have to change its strategy in order to improve on its marketing outcomes. That is, there is the need for improvements in the company’s operations and strategies. The company through its Board of Directors and management should improve its R&D outcomes in order to improve on its operations efficiency and profitability. This will include investing more in R&D in order to create new and innovative products in the High-End Segment (Capsim Manual). Highly innovative products will enable the company to remain a cost leader with a focus on the product life cycle. There is also the need for the company to change its strategy to a differentiator with product lifecycle focus. This strategy will enable the company to gain a high competitive advantage with innovative new products that have excellent design and easy accessibility. The new products will also keep pace with the market and will offer improved performance and design, which w ill earn the company increased sales, profitability and overall improvement of its marketing outcomes (Baum,

Chp 26 dis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Chp 26 dis - Essay Example This is because the lawnmower by Sears was a non-inventory collateral because the debtor (Cosmo Fiscante) retained the good. This therefore automatically perfects the PMSI of Sears and hence the Sears have the legal obligation to regain the lawnmower and take it back and not the other creditors who claim it. A Purchase Money Security Interest (PMSI) is a type of legal guarantee for a seller against other creditors in case the debtor becomes bankrupt or is unable to meet his or her obligation. The PMSI is only considered valid if it is perfected by the seller. Perfecting of the PMSI depends on whether the good sold is an inventory or non-inventory collateral. Inventory collateral has to be followed by a notification to the debtor in order for the PMSI to be considered perfected. In the case of non-inventory collateral, no notification is required and once the good is given to the debtor, then the PMSI is considered to be perfected (Miller and Jentz,