History of San Juan, The Capital of Puerto Rico

The capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan ranks high on the list of most historic cities in the New World, with early explorers establishing a settlement there 15 years after  Columbus’s monumental first voyage. The city has been the scene of many historic events, from naval battles to pirate attacks. Modern San Juan, now a top Caribbean tourism destination, embraces its long and fascinating history. Early Settlement The first settlement on the island of Puerto Rico was Caparra, founded in 1508 by Juan Ponce de Leà ³n, a Spanish explorer and conquistador best remembered for his quixotic quest to find the Fountain of Youth in 16th-century Florida. Caparra was deemed unsuitable for a long-term settlement, however, and the residents soon moved to an island a short distance to the east, to the present site of Old San Juan. Rise to Importance The new city of San Juan Batista de Puerto Rico quickly became famous for its good location and port, and it rose to importance in the colonial administration. Alonso Manso, the first  bishop  to arrive in the Americas, became bishop of Puerto Rico in 1511. San Juan became the first ecclesiastical headquarters for the New World  and served as the first base for the Inquisition as well. By 1530, barely 20 years after its founding, the city supported a university, a hospital, and a library. Piracy San Juan quickly came to the attention of Spain’s rivals in Europe. The first attack on the island took place in 1528, when the French razed several outlying settlements, leaving only San Juan intact. Spanish troops started building San Felipe del Morro, a formidable castle, in 1539.  Sir Francis Drake and his men attacked the island in 1595 but were held off. In 1598, however, George Clifford and his force of English privateers managed to capture the island, remaining for several months before illness and local resistance drove them away. That was the only time El Morro castle was ever captured by an invading force. The 17th and 18th Centuries San Juan declined somewhat after its initial importance, as wealthier cities such as Lima and Mexico City thrived under the colonial administration. It continued to serve as a strategic military location and port, however, and the island produced significant sugarcane and ginger crops. It also became known for breeding fine horses, prized by Spanish conquistadors campaigning on the mainland. Dutch pirates attacked in 1625, capturing the city but not the fort. In 1797, a British fleet of approximately 60 ships attempted to take San Juan but failed in what is known on the island as â€Å"The Battle of San Juan.† The 19th Century Puerto Rico, as a small and relatively conservative Spanish colony, did not participate in the independence movements of the early 19th century. As the armies of Simon Bolà ­var and Jose de San Martà ­n swept across South America liberating new nations, royalist refugees loyal to the Spanish crown flocked to Puerto Rico. Liberalization of some Spanish policies – such as granting freedom of religion in the colony in 1870, encouraged immigration from other parts of the world, and Spain held onto Puerto Rico until 1898. The Spanish-American War The city of San Juan played a minor role in the Spanish-American War, which broke out in early 1898. The Spanish had fortified San Juan but did not anticipate the American tactic of landing troops at the western end of the island. Because many Puerto Ricans did not oppose a change of administration, the island basically surrendered after a few skirmishes. Puerto Rico was ceded to the Americans under the terms of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish-American War. Although San Juan had been bombarded for a time by American warships, the city suffered relatively little damage during the conflict. The 20th Century The first few decades under American rule were mixed for the city. Although some industry developed, a series of hurricanes and the Great Depression had a profound effect on the economy of the city and the island in general. The grim economic situation led to a small but determined independence movement and a great deal of emigration from the island. Most emigrants from Puerto Rico in the 1940s and 1950s went to New York City in search of better jobs; its still home to a great many citizens of Puerto Rican descent. The U.S. Army moved out of El Morro Castle in 1961. San Juan Today Today, San Juan takes its place among the Caribbeans top tourism destinations. Old San Juan has been extensively renovated, and sights like the El Morro castle draw large crowds. Americans looking for a Caribbean vacation like to travel to San Juan because they don’t need a passport to go there: it is American soil. In 1983 the old city defenses, including the castle, were declared a World Heritage Site. The old section of the city is home to many museums, reconstructed colonial-era buildings, churches, convents, and more. There are excellent beaches close to the city, and the El Condado neighborhood is home to top-notch resorts. Tourists can reach several areas of interest within a couple of hours from San Juan, including rainforests, a cave complex, and many more beaches. It is the official home port of many major cruise ships as well. San Juan is also one of the most important ports in the Caribbean and has facilities for oil refining, sugar processing, brewing, pharmaceuticals, and more. Naturally, Puerto Rico is well-known for its rum, much of which is produced in San Juan.

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Coping with Corruption in Trading with China Free Essays

CASE 2-5 Coping with Corruption in Trading with China Corruption is on the rise in China, where the country’s press frequently has detailed cases of corruption and of campaigns to crack down on it. The articles primarily have focused on domestic economic crimes among Chinese citizens, and on local of? cials who have been ? red or assessed other penalties. Indeed, China has been rated by Transparency International as number 59 of the 102 countries the German organization rates on its â€Å"Corruption Perception Index. We will write a custom essay sample on Coping with Corruption in Trading with China or any similar topic only for you Order Now †1 Finland is rated the least corrupt at number 1, the United States at 16, and Bangladesh the most corrupt at number 102. Corruption’s long arm now is reaching out to touch China’s foreign business community. Traders, trade consultants, and analysts have said that foreign ? rms are vulnerable to a variety of corrupt practices. Although some of these ? rms said they had no experience with corruption in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the majority said they increasingly were asked to make payments to improve business, engage in black-market trade of import and export licenses, bribe of? cials to push goods through customs or the Commodity Inspection Bureau, or engage in collusion to beat the system. The Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption reports that outright bribes as well as gifts or payment to establish guanxi, or â€Å"connections,† average 3 to 5 percent of operating costs in the PRC, or $3 billion to $5 billion of the $100 billion of foreign investments that have been made there. The most common corrupt practices confronting foreign companies in China are examined here. ANGLING FOR CASH MNCs also are asked sometimes to sponsor overseas education for children of trading of? cials. One person told a Chinese source that an MNC paid for that individual’s U. S. $1,500-a-month apartment, as well as a car, university education, and expenses. Firms ? nd direct requests for cash payments—undeniably illegal—the most dif? cult. One well-placed source said that a major trader, eager for buyers in the face of an international market glut, had fallen into regularly paying large kickbacks into the Honduran, U. S. , and Swiss accounts of of? cials at a PRC foreign trade corporation. Refusing to make payments may not only hurt sales, it can also be terrifying. A U. S. ?rm was one of several bidders for a large sale; a Chinese of? ial demanded the MNC pay a 3 percent kickback. When the company representative refused, the of? cial threatened: â€Å"You had better not say anything about this. You still have to do business in China, and stay in hotels here. † Not surprisingly, the U. S. company lost the deal. Traders of certain commodities may be tempted to purchase on the black market those import and export licenses that are dif? cult to obtain legally. A fairly disorganized underground market, for instance, exists for licenses to export China-made garments to the United States. Some branches of the Commodity Inspection Bureau (CIB) also have posed problems for some traders. Abuses have emerged in the CIB since it started inspecting imports in 1987. A Japanese company, for instance, informed CIB of? cials of its intention to bring heavy industrial items into China—items that had met Japanese and U. S. standards. The of? cials responded that they planned to dismantle the products on arrival for inspection purposes. The problem was resolved only after the ? rm invited the of? cials to visit Japan. Some traders get around such problems by purchasing inspection certi? ates on the black market. According to press accounts, these forms, complete with signatures and seals, can be bought for roughly U. S. $200. Some claim that, for the appropriate compensation, customs of? cials in a southern province are very willing to reduce the dutiable value of imports as much as 50 percent. Because the savings can far exceed transport costs, some imports that would logi cally enter China through a northern port are redirected through the southern province. PAYING TO IMPROVE BUSINESS Foreign traders make several types of payments to facilitate sales in China. The most common methods used are trips abroad. Chinese of? cials, who rarely have a chance to visit overseas, often prefer foreign travel to cash or gifts. (This was especially true when few PRC of? cials had been abroad. ) As a result, traders report that dangling foreign trips in front of their PRC clients has become a regular part of negotiating large trade deals that involve products with a technological component. â€Å"Foreign travel is always the ? rst inducement we offer,† said an executive involved in machinery trade. In most cases, traders built these costs into the product’s sale price. Some trips are â€Å"reasonable and bona ? de expenditures directly related to the promotion, demonstration, or explanation of products and services, or the execution of a contract with a foreign government agency. † But other trips, when of? cials on foreign junkets are offered large per diems and aren’t invited speci? cally to gain technical knowledge, may be another matter. Foreign travel isn’t always an inducement—it also can be extorted. In one case, a PRC bank branch refused to issue a letter of credit for a machinery import deal. The Chinese customer suggested that the foreign trader invite the bank of? ial on an overseas inspection tour. Once the invitation was extended, the bank issued the letter of credit. QUESTIONS 1. List all the different types of bribes, payments, or favors represented in this case and say why each is either legal or illegal. 2. For those practices that you say are illegal, classify each as lubrication, extortion, or subornat ion, and tell why. 3. Which of the payments, favors, or bribes are illegal under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)? 4. Assuming that the FCPA did not exist, what is the ethical response to each of the payments, favors, or bribes you have See www. transparency. org for more details about their 2002 index. 572 Cases 2 The Cultural Environment of Global Markets you think bribery will become less prevalent in markets like China? 573 identi? ed? Read the section titled â€Å"Ethically and Socially Responsible Decisions† in Chapter 3 as a guide to assist you in your decision. 5. Now that the OECD has approved an FCPA-like treaty to ban commercial bribery by ? rms in member countries, do 6. List alternatives to paying bribes in international markets and discuss the pluses and minuses of each. How to cite Coping with Corruption in Trading with China, Essay examples

Business Communication for Electronic Commerce and Business

Question: Discuss about theBusiness Communication for Electronic Commerce and Business. Answer: Introduction The proposal is done to focus on the impact of social media on the management of communication at the business organisation IBM. Communication is essential, not only for enabling coordination of work among the employees but also can lead to effective decision making, furthermore allow the organisation to perform its tasks within less time (Ibm.com, 2017). The digital communication is an easy and convenient way of communicating with each other through social media use and even makes quick decisions that can be successful for the management of business (Cambie, 2012). There are various channels of enabling communication between the employees and it is possible with the involvement of social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Research background The background of research illustrates the use of social media for managing communication within the organisation and its efficiency in managing good relationships between the stakeholders and allowing them to commit to the organizational excellence. Gmail, Google hangout, facebook, instagram and Twitter are relevant platforms for enabling communication transparency and make people communicate with each other within the organisation and discuss about matters to fulfill the roles and responsibilities with ease and efficacy (Chesher Kaura, 2012). Social media involvement is also essential for making people communicate with its customers and obtain their opinions and feedbacks to determine the market conditions and fulfill he needs and requirements of the customers easily (Ibm.com, 2017). Research objectives To identify the role of social media in facilitating the processes of communication at IBM To evaluate necessary measures for utilizing the social media and bringing out the best of benefits for the company To assess the probable impact of social media involvement on the management of communication at IBM To recommend probable measures for improving the communication process and maintaining string relationships with the business stakeholders Research questions What is the impact created by involving social media on the communication process at IBM? How could the various ways or approaches be used for facilitating the social media involvement and obtain business benefits? What kind of impact is created by using social media for the purpose of communication within the organisation? What are the methods or techniques recommended for enhancing the efficiency of communication process at IBM? Discussions The discussions are mainly based on the kinds of data and information that have been collected for understanding the impact of social media on the management of communication and facilitating the relationships between the stakeholders of IBM (Clark Jr Cain, 2013). Conclusion By analyzing the report, it could be understood that the social media usage had brought great benefits such as proper communication was enabled along with management of proper relationships between the stakeholders in business. Recommendations Few recommendations included: To use social media for enhancing brand awareness, enhance the visibility of products and services to make customers know about those and ensure that their buying behaviours are influenced too. To use the social media channels for promoting effective communication between the employees and making it easy for them to make decisions too To utilize the social media for improving the customers services It is also recommended to integrate the use of social media by aligning it with the business goals and objectives Introduction Social media platforms are effective channels for promoting effective communication and enabling higher engagement of the employees within the organisation. Social media involvement could increase the speed and rate of information flow and exchange, furthermore increase the employee engagement and reducing communication activities done through face to face meetings and telephonic conversations (Glisic Leppnen, 2013). The social networking within the workplace not only facilitates the communication process but also improves the organizational productivity by distributing information among the employees working at IBM. It improves the effectiveness of communication process, helps in identifying the new information and data and even allows the employees to discuss ideas and share opinions among themselves (Godlovitch et al., 2013). Digital communication with the involvement of social media The personal communications at IBM are managed with the help of providing a platform for managing accessibility to data, information and applications that are present on the host system. The personal communication feature at IBM include the virtual terminal emulation and system network architecture that can provide multiple functionalities such as proper networking, communication and other features of administration including the emulation of host terminal, client server applications and better connectivity (Ibm.com, 2017). The major component of IBM Host Access Client Package and IBM Host integration solution could also facilitate the social media involvement and enhance the processes of communication largely. Social media platforms changed the way of communication One of the major effective social media platform is the facebook, which has been a top priority for the businesses to allow people connect with each other and share personal thoughts, opinions and behaviours. Twitter is another fast-paced network that has allowed the users to share data and information by using hash tags and allow the content to be seen by the targeted audiences (Kotz, Kozubowski Podgorski, 2012). The employees of IBM have managed to communicate with each other through these social media platforms and this has facilitated the marketing activities and ensured proper communication at the workplace. Snapchat is also used as a temporary social media platform that allows the employees working at IBM to share the content and it can be seen for maximum 24 hours (Kwok Yu, 2013). It is effective for the managers and higher authorities to communicate and share their messages and information that are confidential and so Snapchat can be used to make the messages visible for 24 hours and then get automatically removed, so that it cannot be accessed by any other person. This would communicate the messages and instructions properly to the subordinates and allow for making quick decisions too (Leonardi, Huysman Steinfield, 2013). Communication strategies With the involvement of social media in business, there are more scopes and opportunities to enhance the business contacts and target wider audiences. It is also useful for managing advertisements and the recruitment process, which can further enhance the market research capabilities and develop marketing campaigns by enabling proper communication between them. The implementation of marketing campaigns would also deliver effective communication and direct the individuals to various websites for making them acknowledged with happenings within the company (Macnamara Zerfass, 2012). The companies to communicate and connect with its customers and other stakeholders while selling the products and services use the social networks. By involving the social media, it has become easier to develop trust and loyalty among the individuals within the business and ensure that ideas and opinions are circulated properly. The social media sites can be created to focus on personal broadcast network and fare well above the traditional advertising, furthermore share both positive as well as negative responses related to the business transactions or decisions that are needed to be made (Schivinski Dabrowski, 2016). The most suitable online communication strategy is to invest in social media and think strategically about how to make the best use of these social media platforms. The social media communication strategy could create a proper networking event and monitor the content that should be provided by the people. The blogs are used as an excellent platform for managing the business communication strategy, share insights into the business and develop relationships with the customers (Wang, Yu Wei, 2012). The blogging in social media can help in producing quality content for engaging the individuals within the company and determine the needs and preferences. The content posted through blogs could also make people know about the industry trends and facts and share about the business success stories too (Ibm.com, 2017). Benefits and drawbacks of social media Digital communications have been largely influenced by the involvement of social media to foster the development of relationships and setting connections between the staffs within the workplace of IBM. Conversations are easily managed with the use of social media platforms by communicating through open body languages and connecting it with the staffs, managers and subordinates. Few drawbacks of social media communication within organizations could be the lack of skills and abilities to read, write or spell due to lack of accessibility of keyboards (Cambie, 2012). Though social media usage could promote effective communication, still the lack of physical cues and face-to-face interactions might create misunderstandings and misconceptions. Information overload could be caused due to the busy online discussions and communications through useof social media. The time taken for commenting or receiving a particular response might be high, which could create other issues as well. While usin g social media platforms for facilitating the communication process, negative comments might be posted, which in turn, could result in deteriorating the brand image as well (Chesher Kaura, 2012). Conclusion The report was developed to focus on the various aspects of social media and how it had impacted the process of communication at the organisation IBM, India. Social media platforms had helped in creating effective channels for managing communication between the individuals and ensured successful functioning of the business organisation. The social media platforms enabled the staffs of IBM to communicate and at the same time, improved the marketing activities efficiency to share and exchange messages and information, furthermore make effective decisions with ease and effectiveness. References Cambie, S. (2012). International Communications Strategy: Development in Cross-cultural Communications, PR and Social Media.Strategic Direction,28(6). Chesher, M., Kaura, R. (2012).Electronic commerce and business communications. Springer Science Business Media. Clark Jr, G. C., Cain, J. B. (2013).Error-correction coding for digital communications. Springer Science Business Media. Glisic, S. G., Leppnen, P. A. (2013).Wireless communications: TDMA versus CDMA. Springer Science Business Media. Godlovitch, I., Monti, A., Schfer, R. G., Stumpf, U. (2013). Business communications, economic growth and the competitive challenge.Study for the European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA) and the International Telecommunications User Group (INTUG. Bad Honnef, Germany: WIK-Consult GmbH. Ibm.com. (2017). IBM - India. [online] Available at: https://www.ibm.com/in-en/ [Accessed 23 Nov. 2017]. Kotz, S., Kozubowski, T., Podgorski, K. (2012).The Laplace distribution and generalizations: a revisit with applications to communications, economics, engineering, and finance. Springer Science Business Media. Kwok, L., Yu, B. (2013). Spreading social media messages on Facebook: An analysis of restaurant business-to-consumer communications.Cornell Hospitality Quarterly,54(1), 84-94. Leonardi, P. M., Huysman, M., Steinfield, C. (2013). Enterprise social media: Definition, history, and prospects for the study of social technologies in organizations.Journal of Computer?Mediated Communication,19(1), 1-19. Macnamara, J., Zerfass, A. (2012). Social media communication in organizations: The challenges of balancing openness, strategy, and management.International Journal of Strategic Communication,6(4), 287-308. Schivinski, B., Dabrowski, D. (2016). The effect of social media communication on consumer perceptions of brands.Journal of Marketing Communications,22(2), 189-214. Wang, X., Yu, C., Wei, Y. (2012). Social media peer communication and impacts on purchase intentions: A consumer socialization framework.Journal of Interactive Marketing,26(4), 198-208.

Organisational Group Behaviour

Introduction Organisational group behaviour comprises of a wide array of topics ranging from sociology, psychology, management, to communication among others. All these elementary principles are critical to the formation of an effective group. This area is a dynamic concept that has received a lot of attention because the various theories regarding organisational group behaviour are somewhat novel in their application in this context.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Organisational Group Behaviour specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As such, the theories have existed for quite a long time, for instance, the vital quality of communication as an icebreaker in any relationship, but their specific application to an organisational context requires further expertise. Numerous theorists have attempted to piece together what necessary elements are requisite in achieving this desirable intricate balance, and most of these theorists have ended up writing books that are too complex for lay managers and group leaders. Subsequently, readers and authors alike are in the quest for a simplistic explanation of what comprises organisational behaviour, as well as analogous case studies and real-life examples of how to apply this knowledge. Based on this background, this paper seeks to use the publications of two â€Å"more comprehendible† authors, Ian Brooks’ â€Å"Organisational Behaviour: Individuals, Groups and Organisation† (13 Nov 2008) and John Hunt’s â€Å"Managing People at Work: A Manager’s Guide to Behaviour in Organisations† (1 Apr 1992), to provide a better understanding of organisational group behaviour concepts and theory. Structural context There are several possible entry views to organisational group behaviour. One such view bases its arguments on the time factor and classifies its discourse within the modern, symbolic, and postmodern view. This view is a very general theory as the finer elements as motivation and communication are lost in the attempt to categorise organisational behaviour into periods. Conversely, another view subdivides its discourse into a bi-pronged format comprising of macro and micro organisational behaviour.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Under this view, micro-organisational group behaviour focuses on the dynamics of relations between individuals in groups within a particular organisation, whereas macro organisational behaviour focuses on the wider perspective of inter-organisational and inter-industrial relationships of organisational groups. It follows that this dimension is the preferable view within the context of this paper because the second dimension, (macro) builds on the theories observed with the first (micro) as they are similar but applied on a wider scale. As such, loo king at the macro level simply expounds the initial theories while introducing minimal additional information that becomes significant at the macro level. Both Brooks and Hunt use this perspective in their textbooks, and this aspect assists the reader in further understanding the concepts they are building. Principle-agent problem and the Incentive Theory (motivation) This theory is a cocktail of both human resource and management theory and is expounded by both Brooks and Hunt. Conventionally, the incentive theory is one among the variety of motivation theories such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, equity, and the attributive theory. It posits that human beings need some form of incentive that arouses their desire to achieve a certain envisioned goal. Brooks opines that the motivational force ought to direct the subjects and maintain their concentration upon the attaining of the goal, otherwise the force would be ineffective and the goal would remain elusive. Hunt builds on t his opinion by referring to the misguided notion of monetary gain as an incentive. He asserts that money alone cannot maintain an individual’s focus on achieving some goal; moreover, he observes that other extrinsic factors such as the work environment and labour gratification are key players in maintaining motivation. However, a study conducted by Fehr and Gotte (2007) indicates that monetary rewards are the major driving forces of improved performance. In this context, Brooks fails to categorise work places and appreciate the fact that in some organisations especially in developing countries, workers would rather work under abusive conditions than to lose their only source of income, something that Fehr and Gotte highlight clearly in their study.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Organisational Group Behaviour specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Laffont and Martimort (20012) also note that monetary rewards remain at the top in the hierarchy of employee motivation. In today’s capitalistic market place the majority of workers just want to have money, lots of it and thus money remains a key motivation element. Industrial Revolution Brooks and Hunt discuss this concept although in different dimensions. The industrial revolution is responsible for the diversification of labour and the labour market. It follows that individual group members have possibly invested in human capital to attain proficiency in a variety of tasks. Consequently, organisational groups are often infiltrated with diverse individuals with just as diverse skills; therefore, organisations in need of those skills find themselves at a risk of losing priceless talent and profits if they are incapable of managing the organisation’s staff as per the optimal standards. Brooks states that, on-the-job trainers invest millions each year to internal educational programs meant to qualify employees and employer s to the specific or customised needs of various task forces. However, he adds, such investment can easily turn into loss statements if the firm does not set its house in order in terms of the other elements necessary to retain group satisfaction. He suggests that organisational group behaviour in the 21st century has since shifted from the scientific approach theory that only required leaders to identify the objectives then appoint customised members to fulfil their respective related obligations. Instead, it has shifted in line with human relations approach, which was a result of the Hawthorne studies that determined the significance of group norms on human behaviour and work output. Beyond that, the decision making approach that alludes to principles of opportunity cost comes into play and asserts that for optimal results, group members should be in a position to sacrifice decisions that would not yield optimal conditions for goal achievement when making goal-oriented decisions.A dvertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More He further states that for such a decision to be made, loyalty to the group is necessary, and that there exists several ways of earning such loyalty including achieving group-member buy-in, which refers to feelings of ownership in the desired objectives that group members are required to achieve. There are several possible ways of accomplishing this starting with involving members in decision and strategy design. Building a comprehensive group culture that the members identify with, as a constant during turbulent times, also helps along the turbulent journey to achieving loyalty in a group. Additionally, it is important to ensure that in appointing duties, the process is equitable and uniform in order to avoid social loafing, which refers to the tendency of some group members taking a spectator approach leaving the majority of the tasks to more competent members. In an attempt to counter this element, Hunt holds that there should be specification of tasks for each group member, to e nsure that every group produces results necessary for the comprehensive conclusion of the task. He also suggests that members should be motivated so that they do not feel dispensable and this aspect requires the delegation of equally challenging tasks, which require effort and cooperation to achieve. Hunt introduces the Neo-Human’s relations school concept that is fit for the modern organisational group due to its allegiance to various famous theories, especially Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. As such, members will work optimally if all five levels of human needs, viz. psychological, love, safety, esteem, and self-actualisation are met. He adds that the self-transcendence tier that Maslow added to his hierarchy near death also requires attention, as in his opinion, this tier underscores the inexorable force behind the success of philanthropic successes. Additionally, he suggests theory Y dimensions of management by asserting that members inherently act responsibly while on a task and that the role of leadership is to ensure that they achieve their individual goals through working on the organisation’s objectives. Hunt favours theory Y and states that it carries the mark of true leadership in any organisation to get the employees to work as if they were building their own personal business, while working for the organisation. This concept builds on Brooks’ buy-in concept. Nevertheless, Bobic and Davis (2003) note that theory Y has many inherent weaknesses, which underscore why many firms have failed miserably in the contemporary market place; therefore, they insist that theory X would work best for these firms. Stewart (2010) echoes these sentiments and states that while theory Y might underscore one of the best management techniques, it is not applicable across board and thus it might score poorly in some cases. Communication Communication is a vital element of any group’s dynamics and it comes into play when any task is to be executed. Communication in a group can be categorised into two basic faucets. First, there is the leader-member communication that transcends the vertical structure of the group and is made manifest in case a new task is to be achieved. Groups should set up forums for discussing new responsibilities among members including the best implementation technique, and when there is participation at this initial stage of decision-making, the transition into the new policy becomes smoother. Secondly, the significance of confidentiality of shared communication cannot be overemphasised. The concept of assessment results is a sensitive issue especially if it is internal and members are required to evaluate each other. Assessors should be sensitive to malice as this element can adversely affect the report done on a member. As organisations continue to market free and open communication, whistle blowers find themselves in jeopardy of losing their employment or its equivalent in the form of their status at work among peers. Therefore, it is critical to guarantee that their complaints shall be handled with utmost confidentiality and ethical means in order to foster free disclosure and raise the ethical standards of the organisation. Linked to this concept is the management of unethical conduct. Brooks suggests that any viable organisation should put in place some structured methods of dealing with unethical behaviour within its ranks, and that such a method should be applied uniformly and persistently regardless of who the victim may be. This, he adds, shall be instrumental in inspiring confidence among workers due to the predictability of the system. Group leadership Through job design, praise, constructive feedback, and goal setting, a leader can motivate members to perform better. As concerns goals, SMART goals, viz. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time bound goals are very effective. Leadership marks a point of divergence between Brooks and Hunt as the la tter’s idea of ideal leadership is one that orders and controls member behaviour to achieve organisational goals, whereas Brooks prefers leadership that advances member interests and manages to accomplish organisational objectives simultaneously. As per Brooks, such leadership is characterised by extrinsic features of openness such as open offices and regular assessments of performance aimed at improving member’s prospects of advancements. This argument disappears from Hunt’s notion of a visible gap between the management and human resource departments of an organisation, which features leaders receiving blatant displays of an appreciation for their status in the form of fringe benefits and accolades. Whereas both authors drive a poignant point, this paper insists that, a less-obvious gap between the two groups is more favourable. However, Schermerhorn, Hunt, and Osborn (2000) note that it is important have clear-cut boundaries defining who is in charge because in the absence of such a distinction, anarchy or chaos could easily emerge and thus lead to the disintegration of a group. Conclusion This paper has briefly compared and contrasted the views of two famous authors of organisational group behaviour in a contemporary concept. It has analysed several areas of interest including motivation, the industrial revolution its impact on organisational groups, communication, and leadership. Both authors are commendable in their brief yet very comprehensive analysis of group behaviour, and the credibility of each other is somewhat reaffirmed when one’s views complement the other’s. However, Mr. Brooks is more convincing of the two and this paper has capitalised on his superior positions on group behaviour. Reference List Bobic, M Davis, W 2003, ‘A Kind Word for Theory X: Or Why So Many Newfangled Management Techniques Quickly Fail’, Journal of Public Admin. Research and Theory, vol. 13 no. 3, pp. 239-264. Fehr, E Gott e, L 2007, ‘Do workers work more when wages are high? Evidence from a randomised field experiment’, American Economic Review, vol. 97 no. 1, pp. 298-317. Laffont, J Martimort, D 2001, The Theory of Incentives: The Principal Agent Model, Princeton University Press, New Jersey. Schermerhorn, R, Hunt, J Osborn, N 2000, Organisational Behaviour, Wiley, New York. Stewart, M 2010, ‘Theories X and Y Revisited’, Oxford Leadership Journal, vol. 1 no. 3, pp. 81-87. This research paper on Organisational Group Behaviour was written and submitted by user Shania Kerr to help you with your own studies. 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A Thanksgiving Guide for College Students

A Thanksgiving Guide for College Students Thanksgiving break, for many college students, is an oasis in the middle of fall semester. Its a chance to return home and recharge. You can take a break from midterms and papers. For a lot of students, it might be their first chance to get some good food and spend time with old friends. Lots of students go home for Thanksgiving, but some stay on campus. Others head to a friend or roommates house to celebrate the holiday. No matter your situation, though, there are things you can do to make sure you squeeze every last drop out of the long weekend. Friends, Family, and Relationships Thanksgiving is nearly always about friends and family. And while every college student has a unique situation when it comes to their nearest and dearest, nearly everyone needs a little love around the holidays. Some families are less supportive than others. If you find being back home stressful, try planning to see friends or a trip to your favorite coffee shop. For many students, its the first chance they have to visit with friends from high school. If you had a large circle of friends, getting to see everyone you wanted to see might be hard. After all, the Thanksgiving break is only a few days, and most people will have some family obligations as well. Because of this, it is wise to try to plan group activities where you can spend time with as many of your old friends as possible. Dealing With Change If Thanksgiving is the first time youve been home since the start of college, you may have a hard time adjusting to being back. After months of the freedom to come and go as you please, having a curfew again might be hard to swallow. Things around your town have probably changed, too. You may have new interests and hobbies that you didnt have before, which your family may or may not approve of. Dealing with change isnt easy for anyone, including your parents. Try to approach the differences with an open mind. College is about moving from childhood to your adult life and its a process which is why you still have to follow your parents rules- but it wont be like that forever. Be patient when your parents start treating you like youre back in high school; they need time to adjust to their child growing up. When you start getting frustrated remind yourself its just a long weekend, youll be back at school before you know it. Dealing With Politics Its not uncommon for students to return home with new ideas or insight into the politics of the world. If your politics no longer align with your families, it could lead to some unpleasant conversations. Many people attempt to avoid discussing politics during the holiday but if thats not an option, view it as a learning experience. Ask your family members to explain their political beliefs to you. Even if you dont agree, allowing others to feel like theyve been heard can ease tensions. Its also easier to explain your beliefs when you have shown that you respect the other person enough to hear what they have to say. Heading Home Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year, so knowing what to expect can prevent a fun trip home from turning into a travel nightmare. Knowing what to pack when heading home for Thanksgiving is half the battle. The other half is planning your route home. If youre in charge of purchasing your airline ticket, youll want to book it at least six weeks in advance. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest travel days of the year, so youll want to avoid it if you can. If you have a class scheduled that day, talk to your professor about ways to accommodate your absence so you can leave earlier in the week. Dont worry if you forgot to buy your ticket home; there are ways to find last-minute student travel deals. If you do have to leave on Wednesday, leave early and be prepared to deal with travel delays and crowds. Staying on Top of Your Academics For most students, Thanksgiving falls either right before or right after midterms. So just because youre relaxing and hanging out with people over the break doesnt mean you can let your academics slide. While staying on top of your coursework is challenging, it isnt impossible. Thanksgiving is your first real chance to get to learn how to manage homework over a college break. Even if your professors didnt assign you anything over the break, you probably have a larger project or paper that you can work on. Remember, the end of the semester is really only a few weeks away. The time will pass faster than you think and saying you have to study is a great excuse to get out of an awkward conversation with extended family members.

Differences Between International Business Management and United Essay

Differences Between International Business Management and United States Business Management - Essay Example Different business management practices differ depending on the purposes and the scope of the business or the area it covers (Adekola & Sergi, 2008). There is the difference between international business management and United States business management. The international business management is a business that incorporates many factors as compared to the business management of America. The international business has factors like different government policies, cultures of different people and other foreign elements that are put into consideration, while the United States business management has only the domestic policy, one culture, and other internal factors that are considered when designing it. The American Business Management uses an individualistic approach where managers are the one who are responsible for the decisions made in their areas of the jurisdiction (Dewan, 2011). In this case, the decision always lies with the management though the other staff can discuss but the final say lies in the word of the boss. For the case of the international business, the board of management deliberates the matters affecting the busines s. The management approach here is not like the one of United States business management, but it entails deliberations that are made by the board and are implemented by the representative managers of various countries in the world. The accountability of the international business lies in the board of management where in consultation with the various managers of different countries they account for everything that is done in the business. The managers of American companies have a belief that the overwhelming success in a business brings real rewards. Thus, they tend to disregard the opinions of the other subordinates members (Punnett, 2014). This approach brings a lot of problems when the things go wrong and in meetings there are some incidences of