Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness Research Paper - 6

Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness - Research Paper Example In the last few decades, globalization has become a crucial factor in business, as it affects business in different ways. In the case of Kmart, globalization has led to increased competition in the market. For instance, Target and Wal-Mart are new entrants in the market, having come after Kmart. These later replaced Kmart as the leading retailer. In addition, consumers today have a wide range of options to choose from. With increased technology that comes with globalization, consumers in America can now shop from other international companies, out of America. Being operational only in Guam, the United States, and Puerto Rica, Kmart has not stabilized and diversified enough to adapt to the competition that is globalization presents. In addition, the company has not adopted technology to the required global standards, therefore, cannot fully exploit new business opportunities globally (Turner, 2003). Technology is an important factor in companies today, considering the benefits it presents. In Kmart, the factor of technology made it lag behind and lose it to Wal-Mart. This is because Kmart took a long period to adopt technology to the standards of its competitors. Wal-Mart, which is Kmart’s main competitor, used technology since the early 1970,s as the key to its success. During these years, the company used computers in its stores, electronic cash registers, and used scanners to read UPC bar codes. Later, Wal-Mart started using virtual documents in placing orders and receiving shipping notices. Since Kmart did not take the initiative of integrating technology in its business, this made Wal-Mart have all the competitive advantage, as advanced technology brought effectiveness in the business. However, during the end of 1980s Kmart started to adopt advanced technology in its business process gradually. Nonetheless, the sluggish adoption of technology due to lack of

Corporate Culture Essay -- Essays Papers

Corporate Culture Introduction How one chooses to dress, the physical distance one keeps from others, speech patterns, where one looks while talking, and similar factors are taken into consideration when identifying what composes a certain culture. In order to distinguish right from wrong, culture provides the individual with boundaries of acceptable behavior. According to one definition, "culture is the set of learned behaviors, beliefs, attitudes, values, and ideals that are characteristic of a particular society or population" (Ember & Ember, 402). These accepted behaviors are learned in all cultures (Ember & Ember 20). Specific cultures dictate behaviors for certain environments ranging from massive countries to small organizations. Each culture provides the individual with the comfort of knowing what is expected from him or her, which in turn allows the society or group to function. Certain theories developed through anthropological research about culture may be applied to developing a culture within an organization. Comprehending what differentiates groups of human beings is useful because such clarity helps to avoid misunderstandings between people. Exposure to anthropological theory [co-cultures, constraints (established through norms), action chains and culture shock/adaptation] can help alleviate some of the misunderstandings that arise from unconscious between people of different cultural groups (Ember & Ember, 11). By recognizing the role that culture has upon the individual as well as the group, the members of a group could apply these principles to create a stable community. In cultural anthropology, there are theories and terms that explain why people act the way that they do and what actions elicit ... ...tive difference?" Business and Society Review v104.i4 (1999): p104. Williams, Kelly. "How do you keep good employees? With perks." OfficeSolutions v17.9 (2000): p26. Yetzer, Elaine. "Piecing it together: Recruiting, retaining employees doesn't end when a job opening is filled." Hotel & Motel Management v216.1 (2001): p44. Young, Cheri A., and Craig C. Lundberg. "Creating a good first day on the job: allaying newcomers' anxiety with positive messages." Cornell Hotel & Restaurant Administration Quarterly v37.6 (1996): p26. Zemke, Ron. "Employee orientation: a process, not a problem." Training: the Magazine of Human Resources Development. Aug. 1989: 33. Zion, Lee. "Small business big on retention." San Diego Business Journal 14 Aug. 2000: 33. Zyska, Patricia. "Loyalty, not perks, helps to retain employees." Computing Canada v26.18 (2000): p28.

Communication between countries

Communication between countries has become one of the most important things for country leaders to consider. However, some people think that regular communication can lead to a mixture of culture that may cause culture collapse. Actually, communication between countries cannot be avoided in modern society. Also, culture will always disappear when time passes as young people are less concern about culture. Besides, communication can create new culture that can lead the world to a more platonic place that all people can live together without much culture differences Firstly, we need communication and diversity between countries.Different countries have different culture. Without communication, the country is over closed that may cause huge disaster. Just like China during King Dynasty: when the empire decided to close the gate of trade, she actually closed a most convenient way to develop and gain power. Finally, the whole country was almost defeated by the foreign enemies. From the le sson taught by Chinese people's blood, we cannot stop communicating between countries. Secondly, culture collapse is not mainly caused by communication. When ages pass, all old things will eventually disappear s these are not what young people interested in.Therefore, when more old people have gone, less people are familiar with it; even it Is their own culture, until finally when they realize it. At that time, those people actually need other similar culture to complete their lost part. From time to time, the thing that some called culture collapse occurs, but it is Just a way for people to maintain their culture. Last but not least, it is true that many cultures have huge differences that a little action may cause huge misunderstanding. For example, the same gesture made In China means K means money in Japan and also means affront In Brazil.As a result, because traveling has become one of the most Important entertainments, so we need to accept different culture from communicating between countries. Although there are many religions In the world, their mall purpose Is the same which Is to give people belief, to prevent them giving up when meeting difficulties as they believe gods are helping them, and to lead them In the right way with appreciation. In that case, even countries have a variety of culture; the mixture of culture can actually Improve the ultra and make It better.In conclusion, communication between countries cannot be stopped as not only countries need It, culture needs It, too. It may cause culture change Its original, but It Is no doubted that the communication Is helping the culture and lower the speed of culture collapse. Communication between countries By Rose-Wang have gone, less people are familiar with it; even it is their own culture, until finally huge misunderstanding. For example, the same gesture made in China means K means money in Japan and also means affront in Brazil.As a result, because revealing has become one of the most impo rtant entertainments, so we need to many religions in the world, their main purpose is the same which is to give people helping them, and to lead them in the right way with appreciation. In that case, even countries have a variety of culture; the mixture of culture can actually improve the culture and make it better. In conclusion, communication between countries cannot be stopped as not only countries need it, culture needs it, too. It may cause culture change its original, but it is no doubted that the communication is helping the

A Four Seasons Case Study The Ultimate Test for Isadore...

In early May 2009, Isadore Sharp released a much awaited book about his business brainchild. The founder and CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, a company he spent nearly five decades building out of a motor lodge in Toronto, Sharp shares the secrets to his astounding rise in the most unpredictable of industries. ‘Four Seasons: the Story of a Business Philosophy’ ends as the company and the lodging industry enter a crucial period of existence, with the dawn of an unprecedented economic downturn on a global scale. Having given numerous interviews on creating one of the most recognised and respectable brands in the industry, Sharp now has to answer questions on the feasibility of the company’s business model in the current economic†¦show more content†¦Speaking about Four Seasons and its powers in terms of contractual agreements with hotel owners he says, â€Å"They manage all aspects of operations and that gives them significant leverage, if they choose it†¦.. They make it clear that it is in your best interest to not oppose their plans.† Another instance of the adverse effect of the economic downturn has been felt at the Four Seasons Hotel, San Francisco. Millennium Partners , the hotel’s owners, have defaulted in the payment of their two-year old $90-million CMBS loan. Though this was done intentionally, to convince the lenders for restructuring of the debt and make use of more convenient payment solutions, it is worth noting that with decreasing property prices, the value of the San Francisco hotel was lower than its total debt. (http://trendsupdate.com) In 2007, Isadore Sharp sold all but 5% of Four Seasons’ shares to two investors he thought had the right mindset and would believe in the way the company was being managed in his hands. Microsoft chairman, Bill Gates and Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, the nephew of the king of Saudi Arabia bought the company for an astounding US$3.8 billion. The prince reiterated his commitment to the company and his faith in Sharp’s abilities at the helm when, during the height of the recession he said, â€Å"We’re doing it for profit. But