Saturday, January 25, 2020

Corporate Social Responsibility for Competitive Advantage

Corporate Social Responsibility for Competitive Advantage Introduction The famous Nobel Prize winning economist Milton Friedman who once said that there is one and only one social responsibility of business to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits (Friedman 1970). Friedman outlines views which are characterized in two perspectives with regards to social responsibility, on one hand we are aware that attaining profits is one of the primary objectives but it doesnt mean that the managers should be focusing only on profits when making business decisions. There are other factors as well, with can be explored around different perspectives related to social responsibility, however focusing on a businesss application of Social responsibility to make decisions and benefiting society (Spector, 2008). Regardless of whether businesses pose any responsibility to partake in social matters is an ever-growing part of the commercial and industrial world, not too long ago businesses were expected to avoid any harm being done, however recently its almost frowned upon if a corporation does not engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) at all. Qualitative Analysis Forbes published a blog and the writer carried out a survey about consumer behavior, attitudes and awareness about cause marketing, consumer and employee perspectives on CSR issues. The results were that 65% strongly considered leaving their jobs if harm is caused to the environment by the company and a staggering 90% of the consumers said improving society should go hand in hand with achieving company business goal (Epstein-Reeves, 2010). 30,000 consumers were interviewed on Corporate Social Responsibility conducted by Neilson Global this survey ranged across 60 countries with the purpose to understand how invested consumers are with regards to sustainable practices in their daily purchases. It also covered which segments are ecologically and socially supportive in the responsibility efforts made. 50%+ respondents claimed they purchased at a minimum one service or product within the span of six months from a company that is socially responsible. Out of every 10 respondents, four said they have made socially and ethical purchases, these respondents were from North America and Europe (Nielson, 2014) Per Net impacts what workers want report, from the sample size, 45% of the staff agreed to have 15% reduction in pay that has a positive environmental or social effect. A further 51% of employees claim that helping make a better world working towards contribution to society are fundamental to the working society (Heldrich et al. 2012). Criticism however of business extends much further in that much more is expected of corporations today, with realization of ineffective government solutions on a social responsibility platform, for this and other reasons, in developed countries at least. Private sectors organizations are baring the burden of this responsibility to solve these social problems, let alone the directly responsible cases and matters it must rectify ie. Pollution, health and safety of products produced (smith, 2013) Discussion It is clear that with increased public and media pressure CSR is a matter of competitive advantage. From a Moral stand point, the argument is that with all the money businesses have as well as the power they possess to make societal changes, and are now obligated to do so, which seems to be the view of supporters of CSR which is similar to Crowther et all (2008) when he explained in his book that its the obligation of the firm to consider and include the society within its decision making and business operations. However, some argue that large companies have the only responsibility to maximize profits and have no grounds in socially moral matters otherwise, this may seem like a heartless view, whereas the supporters of CSR argue that charitable initiatives tend to shift the focus away from organizations harmful and unethical practices (Tran, 2015) The issue is then how does a business engage in actions that benefit everyone, this is a very difficult task however business managers must be able to balance these competing interests. Shareholders are those individuals to invest their money in the company in exchange for a percentage of ownership and typically voting rights, this makes shareholders the actual owners of the company and shareholders dont necessarily have the time or expertise to make a big decisions they elect the board of directors corporate officers to manage the day-to-day operations and send shareholders who again are the owners to make the decisions is the responsibility of the corporate officers to make decisions that are in the best interests of the shareholders and what is more important to shareholders profit so it is the responsibility of the corporate executive to make as much money as possible while of course operating within the rules of the game which refers to establish laws now engaging in what is termed social responsibility is in direct conflict with the shareholder model because it diverse resources in energy is away from profit maximising behaviours Take for instance giving to a charitable organization Freeman isnt arguing against donating to a local church but he is arguing that a business is not the appropriate vehicle to do it. for one finding cars that all of its shareholders agree with would be nothing short of a miracle and secondly by spending energies and resources on social responsibility the businesses giving up those alternatives that it may have otherwise engaged those alternatives may produce more of a benefit for the business. Instead Freeman believed that this is a super super profit maximization is actually making as much money for shareholders as possible and with that extra cash shareholders to donate to whatever organization they wish Freemans views of course represent just one of the two perspectives related to social responsibility the second perspective is known as the stakeholder model and maintains that businesses have a responsibility to not only see profits but also satisfy the interests of multiple sta keholders these stakeholders represent individuals or groups that have an interest in the actions and behavior of the business The conceptual thinking behind the stakeholder model is that for an organization to operate effectively the business managers need to continuously maintain a positive relationship and understanding with the environment and the society within which it operates. Failure to manage and maintain this will effectively cause harm to the reputation of the business in turn hinder their ability to operate. Since all stakeholder have different types of influence on organizations, they are then separated in to primary stakeholders and secondary stakeholders. Primary stakeholders represent those individuals or groups to have a greater influence on the organization they include businesses, customers, employees, suppliers government agencies and the local community (Henriques et al. 1999). These groups are very importance because the business depends of them for long term existence and survival. Consider the impact on the business if suddenly customers seize to buy and products or even the withdrawal of investors. The stakeholder model business managers top priority should be satisfying the various interests of these groups. Common secondary stakeholders like the media maybe not critical in the role played in CSR, however secondary stakeholders do pose strong publish perceptions which can influence the business (Henriques et al. 1999). Case Study 1 British Petroleum The stakeholder group do not carryout business on a regular basis with the company but the information that they communicate impacts the perception of the public drastically. For example, the lengths British Petroleum has taken to repair is damaged image in the light of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (Spence, 2011). The shareholder and stakeholder models above clarifies the if the objective if profitability, does it make it wrong to proceed with decisions with the profitability objective in mind although one can confidently argue the case that boosting profits by cutting cost didnt benefit BP in the long term. Therefore, conducting oneself as socially responsible is less about being socially responsible and being more profitable in an unadulterated socialistic way as Freidman suggests. On the other hand, Shell does portray and provide good examples of CSR by promoting openness. Shell makes it clear that it is keen to commit to transparency when debating with stakeholders. Tell Shell is a discussion blog or forum which tackles issues and matters relating to Shell on a global scale. The posts are criticizing Shell and at the same time supporting Shell, and regular responses from Shell (Shell, 2017). Once the correct personnel are in place, the identification of which stakeholder representatives should be engaged with, specific types of engagements should be determined and a measurement of social performance. A detailed understanding of the companies current corporate social performance is vital when constructing a plausible CSR strategy with clear objectives and goal (Shell, 2017) Case Study 2 Kraft Heinz Kraft Heinz Co suffered a blow from the media in 2009/10 because of Cadburys hostile acquisition. Even though the unions of Cadbury opposed and fought the case in the anticipation that there will be major job cuts. Following the take-over, many top potions employees and executives quit and as much as 30% of the Cadbury staff were privy to leadership posts (Moeller, 2012). As the acquisition ended, over four hundred job had been made redundant despite the promise of Kraft to retain employees (Stiener 2017), this was seen to be a horrible PR let alone a worst case of CSR for Kraft since Kraft now has been negatively portrayed socially. The rising government and public pressure regarding the manner in which companies operate and the total effect it has on the environment is increasing. Kraft as well as many other snack food companies are under pressure with their role in buying palm oil which has direct and considerable links to deforestation (Allen, 2015). Kraft as all multinationals has strict regulations when in operation, these rules are constantly changing with the evolvement of new contaminants globally, but was forced to recall 11 types of chocolate in Chine when it was reported that 50,000 babies become sick and 4 died by contaminated milk by a chemical product (Rigby, 2011) Kraft invests largely in improving its technology to minimize their Co2 emission and protect the environment and reduce global warming. They have incorporated policies to increase the use of rail and low emission modes of transport instead of using trucks (Kraft, 2010) Key Drivers To get and understanding to what the key drivers are, then answering questions of intent is the first item to uncover. An examination of processes and practices is not the only method when studying CSR, but also in depth discussions of communication strategies within CSR. In which way do social and organizational factors cultivate and shape the beliefs and norms that drive organizations to engage in socially responsible activities? A practical way to accomplish this would be to consult top management since they are normally the candidates that spear head CSR initiatives (Lee, 2010) Ethical Consumerism How aware are end users of the activities of the company they buy their product from? Front a B2B standpoint, are converter factories making conscious decisions about who they trade with? Responsible Investment This drives public /institutional investors as well as high net worth individuals to invest in ethically responsible companies. This is a big encouragement for companies to comply and produce CSR reports Shrinking Role of Government This is evident in the fact that due to the shrinking role of governments to solve the problems and issues within the society, its it becoming increasingly clear that organizations are taking on this role. Public Pressure/NGO We can establish that trade unions and NGOs do play a big role in pushing CSR initiatives, therefore due to the possible reputational consequences, firms are partly incorporating more inclusive CSR policies and initiatives. Conclusion Parameters for measuring a companys value or worth and competitiveness has evolved over time, especially since the time Friedman wrote his article in the 1960s. Hence with the ease of access and availability of external information, ie. Macro factors, yes parameters have changed. Therefore in the 60s, companies that took part in social initiatives were rarely publicized or even made known to the larger audience or media. Where as in this current day and age, even the slightest alteration in the CSR policy of the company or social activity is documented and either praise or frowned upon. To sum up, this is a view point Milton Friedman may have not anticipated at the time when analyzing and writing his report.

Friday, January 17, 2020

Introduction to Modernism in an Architectural Context

Introduction to ModernismModernism Architecture is a manner of architecture that emerged around the clip of the Second World War in many western states. The roots of Modernists can be traced back to a Russian designer by the name of Berthold Lubetkind ( 1901-1990 ) and his architecture pattern TECTON. Specifying Modernism, nevertheless, may look as an unlikely undertaking. This is because as a manner, it lacks clear boundaries and is by and large less coherent. Besides that, it besides incorporates a big assortment of gustatory sensations, design manners and esthesias. Due to this fact, many critics would reason that modernism is non a remarkable manner and many interior decorators say that they follow no â€Å"style† . A clear illustration of this is Frank Lloyd Wright. The celebrated designer objected to be placed in the same group as modernist. However, without him, modernist architecture would ne'er hold been the same.Features of modernismThe first and most obvious of mode rnism architecture’s features is that the design of the edifice is inspired by map. â€Å"Form follows Function† was said by Frank Lloyd Wright’s wise man, Louis Sullivan. Sullivan expressed that in his sentiment, functionalism was the riddance of decorations so the edifice could show its functionality and this functionality would order the signifier of the edifice. Besides that, Modernism architecture promoted simpleness in design or as the expression goes, â€Å"Less is more† . This phrase was coined by the German-american designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. As we can infer from the stating, modern architecture typically enjoys clutter-free designs and is missing of unneeded elements. Parameters of the design are determined early in the design stage and merely needed characteristics are included into the edifice. This causes the focal point to switch from the decor or inside informations of the edifice to the infinite itself. Buildings, particularly places, will be clean, functional, and simple. The following feature we notice when analyzing modernism architecture that instead than hiding the nature of their edifices, modernists prefer to expose the interior workings and the true nature of their designs. Alternatively of painting or covering up, the stuffs of the edifice is exposed and bare. Nothing is hidden or modified. This includes structural elements like columns and beams are shown. This gives birth to the impression of â€Å"Truth† in a place where all stuffs and elements are exposed. On that topic, Modernists besides prefer adult male made stuffs. For illustration, concrete, steel, and glass. Another thing that can be said about modernism is that interior decorators that pattern modernism love lines. This can be seen rather obviously in modern designs where one can easy happen strong, bold, additive elements every bit good as perpendicular and horizontal characteristics. When planing as infinite, modern designers will to the full use the columns, beams, Windowss, floors and etc. to farther heighten the creative activity of a additive infinite. It is rare to see curving, organic lines in modernism though non impossible. . Besides, as a mark of rejection of historic precedency, it is highly rare to see a modern house with a triangular or pitched roof. Modern designers prefer to force the envelope with horizontal, bold, level roofs. For illustration, edifices can hold multiple roof degrees at different highs. This provides the edifice with a alone silhouette and adds complexity/sophistication to the design. An mixture of lines, domed ceilings, overhangs and unusual additive elements are all arms in a modern architect’s armory to make a more alone statement. This leads to the rule that the edifice is more than merely a construction but an artistic and sculptural statement. â€Å"Architecture is frozen music† –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. In add-on to the points above, another characteristic that we have in modernism architecture is the presence of an copiousness of natural visible radiation from Windowss. Modern places frequently feature floor to ceiling Windowss, window walls and skiding doors. Occasionally, clearstory Windowss are besides seen in modernist design. These are Windowss that are located high in the walls to let visible radiation to come in while continuing privateness Next, attending should be paid to the agreement of the interior walls of modernism edifices. Modern designers are post-and-beam designers. They prefer utilizing indirect division of infinites like sunken or raised countries as opposed to walls. Even in the state of affairs where walls are built, they are likely to be non-loading walls and function to merely split the infinites. Either that or they will be â€Å"pony† walls. These are walls that don’t make the ceiling therefore leting the suites to portion airing and visible radiation. Because of this, modern edifices tend to hold more unfastened programs when compared to programs from other manners. The concluding features that we shall analyze is the revamping of out-of-door infinites by modernists. Modernism blurs the boundary between interior and exterior infinites with big Windowss. Besides that, multiple suites can open onto a terrace or an atrium to widen square footage. Besides, modernists attempt to integrate the topography of the land into their designs ( Internet Explorer. Fallingwater ) . This is similar to Frank Lloyd Wright’s belief that a edifice should be â€Å"one with the land† and non merely applied on top of it.Celebrated designers in modernismIn this portion, we shall present a few of the more celebrated designers of the modernism manner and some of their plants.Frank lloyd WrightName: Frank Lloyd Wright Born: 08-06-1867 Location: Wisconsin, USA Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1886 Frank Lloyd Wright ( bornFrank Lincoln Wright, June 8, 1867 – April 9, 1959 ) was an American designer, interior interior decorator, author, and pedagogue, who designed more than 1,000 constructions and completed 532. Wright believed in planing constructions that were in harmoniousness with humanity and its environment, a doctrine he calledorganic architecture. This doctrine was best exemplified by Fallingwater ( 1935 ) , which has been called â€Å" the best all-time work of American architecture † Selected Plants: Fallingwater, Pennsylvania, 1935 FallingwaterorKaufmann Residenceis a house designed by architectFrank Lloyd Wrightin 1935 in ruralsouthwestern Pennsylvania, 43 stat mis ( 69km ) sou'-east ofPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The place was built partially over a waterfall onBear Runin the Mill Run subdivision ofStewart Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in theLaurel Highlandsof theAllegheny Mountains.paradoxical sleep koolhaasName: Remment Lucas â€Å"Rem† Koolhaas Born: 17-11-1944 Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands Education: Architecture Association London, 1972 Rem Koolhaas is a Dutch designer, architectural theoretician, urbanist and professor. Selected Plants: Netherlands Dance Theater, the Hague, 1988 The Netherlands dance Theater was completed in 1987 and was originally conceived in 1980. It is a Dutch Contemporary Dance Company. Nexus Housing, Fukuoka Japan, 1991 This undertaking is a sum of 24 houses in the kasha District of Fukuoka, each three narratives high. Each house has a private perpendicular courtyard that allow visible radiation and extra infinite.Im PeiName: Ieoh Ming Pei Born: 26-04-1917 Location: Canton, China Education: B. Arch. Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) , 1940 M. Arch. Harvard Grad School of Design, 1946 I.M. Pei is known for utilizing big, abstract signifiers and crisp, geometric designs. His glass-clad constructions seem to spring from the high tech modernist motion. Pei is popularly known for planing theRock and Roll Hall of Famein Ohio. However, Pei is more concerned with map than theory. His plants frequently incorporate traditional Chinese symbols and edifice traditions. Selected Plants: The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Ithaca, New York, 1973 TheHerbert F. Johnson Museum of Art ( â€Å" The Johnson Museum † ) is anart museumlocated on the northwest corner of theArts Quad on the chief campus ofCornell University. The Johnson Museum has one of the finest aggregations of art in New York State and is recognized as one of the most of import university museums in the state. Dallas City Hall, Texas, 1977 Dallas City Hallis the place of Dallas municipal authorities, located at 1500 Marilla in theGovernment Districtofdowntown Dallas, Texas ( USA ) . The current edifice, the metropolis ‘s 5th metropolis hall, was completed in 1978 and replaced theDallas Municipal Building.mies van der roheName: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Born: 27-03-1886 Location: Aachen, Germany Education: Worked in the office of Bruno Paul ( Berlin ) Worked 4 old ages in the studio of Peter Behrens Believing thatless is more, Mies van der Rohe designed rational, minimalist skyscrapers that set the criterion for modernist design. Selected Plants: Farnsworth House, Plano, Illinois, 1950 It is a one-room weekend retreat in a once-rural scene, located 55 stat mis ( 89km ) sou'-west ofChicago ‘s business district on a 60-acre ( 24ha ) estate site, bordering the Fox River, South of the metropolis ofPlano, Illinois.decisionBased on the points, presented in the study above, we can pull our ain decisions on the pros and cons of Modernists architecture and how it has affected history. The Modernism Architecture manner has risen and fallen but hasn’t wholly left our society. Even till this twenty-four hours, we can still see the influence of the modernist design on our modern-day architecture. To wrap up this study, we leave you with a quotation mark from William Morris to sum up what we have learned from Modernism. â€Å"Have nil in your house that you know non to be utile or believe to be beautiful.† Thank you.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Immigration And Nationality Act Of 1952 Essay - 1223 Words

Immigration Immigration to the United States has become a significant public and political debate, questions primarily surrounding inflow, roles in the labor market, admission policies, benefits, and costs. In 1952, Congress proposed and passed the Immigration and Nationality Act, also known as the McCarran-Walter Act, to revise the laws relating to immigration, naturalization, and nationality. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, signed by President Truman, was initially drafted to exclude certain immigrant from coming to the United States post World War 2 and early Cold War. The Act did not only deny people based on country origin but also targeted by unlawful, immoral, diseased, politically radical, and gender. In contrast, it accepted those who were willing and able to assimilate into the U.S. lifestyle with ease economically, socially, and politically. 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