Assessing Corporate Culture Essay

1. Scheins approach to assessing organizational culture a. Strengths of scheins approach to assessing organizational culture Schein defines and describes culture as any one of many elements of organizational culture. The culture of an organization can be viewed and treated like other structures within an organization. Certain organizations such as by-laws, committees, and chain of command flow charts, may serve to answer basic questions such as â€Å"how do we interact with the external environment?† and â€Å"how do we order ourselves internally?† As an organization responds to these questions, the responses become core assumptions. These core assumptions become the frames through which the organization interprets the world round it. In place of questionnaire or instrument that utilizes typologies, Schein prefers clinical research model of assessing organizational culture. In this model of organizational culture investigation, the researcher gets much more directly involved within the organization by acting as participant o bserver or ethnographer. He suggests that members of the organization will more openly respond to the researcher and the investigation because the members of the organization think they have something to gain by collaborating with the researcher. Schein believes that valid data on the culture of the organization will only be collected when the researcher is perceived as the consultant who is seeking to help the organization and has the best interest of the organization in mind. Schein admits that the clinical model of evaluating organizational culture assumes that the researcher intervenes in the culture of the organization. If the organization perceives that the researcher is helping to make changes that will benefit the organization, then the research will accurately yield the cultural dynamics of the organization. b. Weaknesses of Schein approach to assessing organizational culture The results gained from qualitative result are limited to specific cases under investigation. Direct comparison cannot be made between the results from other studies unless the research is specifically designed in that manner. Furthermore, results cannot be generalized to other settings and links to organization’s performance are rarely explored. One significant weakness to Schein’s approach (qualitative method) is the time needed for data collection and analysis which makes the research more costly and time consuming 2. Cameron and Quinn approach a. Strengths of Cameron and Quinn approach to assessing organizational culture Cameron and Quinn provide an evaluation tool called the organizational culture assessment inventory (OCAL). The OCAI is a survey instrument established on a theoretical model called the competing value framework. This framework is valuable for organizing and interpreting various phenomena within an organization. The competing values framework refers to whether an organization strives for flexibility and individuality or stability and control, whether or not an organization is focused externally or internally. The purpose of the OCAI is to discern the relative strengths of these culture types within a given organization. Used over time, the OCAI can measure culture changes within the organization. Cameron and Quinn observe many cases in the business world where culture change is the key to increasing organizational effectiveness. The four major culture types proposed by Cameron and Quinn embody these competing values: clan-internal/control; adhocracy-external/flexible; market-external/control; hierarchy-internal/control. In fact pure control (hierarchy), compete (market), collaborate (clan), or create (adhocracy) are extremely rare. Most of the company cultures that have been diagnosed using Cameron and Quinn’s organization culture instrument indeed have a strong secondary component. Cameron and Quinn identify the cultural and organizational competencies that give rise to value creation. It explains how cultural and leadership competencies can be profiled which, in turn, can lead to a diagnosis of culture gaps, cultural congruency and cultural strength. 3. London first united church Cameron and Quinn’s model is appropriate for this church. This approach is built around clan, adhocracy, market and hierarchy. These four maps themes were also used in the analysis of how organizational culture of London first united Methodist church chances with structural inventions. The church is both an organization and an organism. As such, the church has a lifecycle development built into it: birth, growth, reproduction, decline, and death. The church itself historically has through several changes. Change as renewal is a major aspect of the Methodist movement. Much of the rise and fall of the Methodism can be traced to how the church was willing, or not, to change. Oftentimes, organizations experience growth and/or renewal because of structural changes within the organization. The four maps themes therefore fit this church.

Nestle: Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility

01What are the responsibilities of companies in this or similar situation? Nestle. The world's leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company. Its mission of â€Å"GoodFood, Good Life† is to provide  consumers with the best tasting, most nutritious choices ina wide range of food and beverage categories and eating occasions, from morning tonight. The Company was founded in 1866 by Henri Nestle in Vevey, Switzerland, where itsheadquarters are still located today. Nestle employ around 280 000 people and havefactories or operations in almost every country in the world. Nestle sales for 2010 werealmost CHF 110 bn. Current controversyIn this particular case, the issue was that Nestle Alimentana, one of the world’s largestfood-processing companies had been the subject of an international boycott as a result of  the accusations that the company was directly or indirectly responsible for the death of  Third World infants. The charges were based on the sale of infant feedin g formula, whichsupposedly caused the mass deaths of  babies in the Third World. Corporate social responsibility of the company Corporate Social Responsibility refers to operating a business in a manner thataccounts for the social and environmental impact created by the business.It signifiees acommitment to developing policies that  integrate responsible practices into daily businessoperations, and to reporting on  progress made toward implementing these practices. Responsibilities are as follows 01)  Every multinational company like Nestle has a prudent Business policy whichcomes after deep scrutiny about the environmental, cultural impact of their activities. For  example  nestles  principles  are  no  advertisement  to  general  public,  no  sampling  tomothers , no use of commission or bonus for sales ,no point of sale advertisement , nofinancial and material inducement to promote products etc.So, every company shouldstick on their policy. 02)Arou nd the world every country countries has own law to protect its people fromillegal or illogical operation of companies. In this case every company should respectcountry’s law and they also should play their production and marketing activities withconsidering these laws. 1. What are the responsibilities of companies in this or similar situations? Any industry or company, in its attempt to expand operations and explore opportunities, employ marketing strategies that ultimately lead to one thing- sales objective/ target achievement.And many times over, this mindset resorted to different marketing/ promotional schemes, regardless of culture, lifestyle, beliefs, etc. across the globe. Marketing jargons like â€Å"scare tactics†, (eg Whitehall's Incremin: lack or iron among children can lead to death†, source: Health Today Philippine edition) â€Å"premium offers† (Bisolvon's â€Å"win a car, join†¦.. , source: Mercury Drug branch), â€Å"free if you buyà ¢â‚¬  (bundling of Colgate-Palmolive , shampoo + toothpaste) â€Å"save† ( Unilever's shampoos 33% savings in a bigger sachet pack) , are examples of this â€Å"mind-conditioning† among consumers.Nestle's case proved one point- we cannot undermine the marginalized sector of the society and use them to gain profits and increase market share. One case-in-point was how milk was promoted in the mid- 70's: Lactogen (Nestle) : â€Å"When breastmilk fails choose Lactogen† (ad in Sierra Leone) Klim (Nestle): † The child is going to die, because the mother's breast has given out, Mama o Mama the child cries, if you want your child to get well, give it KLIM milk (a radio ad in Africa) Another industry that remains controversial up to this time is the cigarette/ tobacco industry.For many years, issue on responsible marketing is challenged by several sectors. Despite the inclusion â€Å"smoking is dangerous to your health† in cigarette packs and the ongoing de bate † freedom of choice† – that consumers' will do what pleases them, incidence of lung cancer continue to rise in developing countries. Responsibilities of companies facing the same issue include the following: (1) Adhere to the policies set by regulating companies. For milk companies, follow the guideline stipulated in the â€Å"International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk substitutes† For cigarette ompanies, adhere to the Master Settlement Agreement† which stipulates the do's and don'ts in cigarette advertising. This can save the company in any potential threat or problem(2) Changing the culture or local practice doesn't happen overnight, add to that is the huge investment needed to teach how people should behave in a manner large companies want them to be. It is important to respect age-old practices and understand local dynamics (3) To say that third-world countries are a dumping ground of large multinationals maybe subjective because there are companies who conduct business ethically.In any respect, companies, big or small, should be responsible in educating its target market, be able to answer consumers' inquiries (Hotline is one good example), and begin to think the long-term benefits of each action to avoid damaging the equity of their company. 2. What could have Nestle done to have avoided the accusations â€Å"Killing Third World Babies† and still market its product? Nestle understandably wanted to come out strong in supporting its milk product line, especially that they have the muscle and money to hold different marketing programs.But rather than contradict age- old practice of breastfeeding and resort to scary campaigns â€Å"breastfeeding is not good at all†¦Ã¢â‚¬ , they should have concentrated on the additional nutrients breastfeeding moms can give to their children. The advertising hyped so much on the inefficiency of breastmilk. And its advertising campaign came out to be a desperate act of win ning new sets of customers. Misinformation also put Nestle in a bad light. With advertising comes responsibility to educate the consumers, no matter which country you are in.Another thing mentioned in the case is the inability of Nestle to comply with the implementing guidelines which provoked the consumers to continue rallying against Nestle. Reality is, even in the local setting, practices mentioned in the case (such as sampling todoctors, sponsorship in medical societies, direct advertising to consumers) is still evident. Legal pursuits can be avoided if Nestle abided with the guidelines. All in all, this problem could have been avoided if: †¢ Nestle concentrated on the nutritional benefits of infant formula, with proper clinical substantiation to back up its claim †¢ Uphold best ethical practices.Being one of the leading companies worldwide, they should set ethical standards and do not resort to cheap gimmickry to entice consumers †¢ Employ a wholistic approach. E ducate all perceived target group- doctors, mothers, schools, hospitals, pharmacies, nurses and midwives. By doing an integrated approach, it will uphold its commitment to deliver quality products to its market and be a reliable healthcare partner as well 3. After Nestle's experience, how do you suggest it, or any other company, can protect itself in the future? The recurring issue â€Å"to create the need or address the need† remains a challenge to most companies.Nestle is no exception. It wants to be a pioneer in changing the lifestyle and mindset of consumers during the early-mid `70s, coupled with their desire to expand operations to third world and developing countries to sustain its business growth. In this case, they are changing the practice (traditional breastfeeding) drastically and tried to create the need (infant formula) which is not highly present yet when they launched the campaign. Below are some ideas that can help protect other companies: †¢ Understandi ng the ever-changing consumer trends and practice is one way to

The Management Efficiency Unit

I have been working in the Public Registry for the last 8 years.   The location of the offices is quite distant from my residence and sixteen other colleagues that work in the aforesaid department have the same problem.   Every morning we are required to travel a one hour ferry and nearly 2 hours drive to arrive at work.The Management Efficiency Unit noted this issue and finally top management decide to take remedial action by requesting a transfer to another department, the Treasury Section, which mitigates such location problem.Unfortunately the scheme designed by executive management was not properly planned.   They also did not discuss this issue with operational managers who possess far greater knowledge on the day to day running of the office.   As a result the decision lacked practical issues and led to other problems, as will be further illustrated below.Everybody accepted the transfer and we were eventually informed that our training for the new job will take approxi mately two or three months and will take place in the head office of the Finance Department, which is also distant.   The new job was highly technical and involved a lot of accountancy issues, which the majority of us were not capable to comprehend that easily.The three months passed and we were still unable to work unsupervised from our tutors.   The impracticality of the decision was highlighted from the fact that our principal in charge, who was also taking training was still incapable to work on his own after three months.When these issues started to crop up, crises management arose.   A new assistant director was assigned to this division, who once realized of the vast serious problems arising from such decision, he immediately denied this new role.Demotivation arose in our section and staff is constantly complaining about the problems we are facing.   In addition no communication exists between us and executive management and we are alone with this new work, which we a re not trained to do.The only reasonable solution that management was able to come up with is to extend the duration of the training to eight months.   However with this decision they have not yet solve the problem that the location of the office is far from home and are incurring additional costs to train us.If they planned carefully before deciding and discussed it with operational managers they would have definitely solved the problem more efficiently.   It is imperative that when managing change proper communication and planning exist.Reference:Johnson G.; Scholes K.; Whittington R. (2005). Exploring Corporate Strategy. Seventh Edition. England: Pearson Education Limited.   

Week6 Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Week6 - Article Example There is the possibility of reorganizing or refunding debts of the federal government. In order to take these steps, there needs to be evaluation and assessment of refunding or reorganization of debts. A good way that the federal government could reorganize or refund its debts obligation is whereby the city’s administrators highlight upon the debts with high interest rates (Seitz & Ellison, 2004). These types of debts can hamper the government’s ability to perform other financial duties or obligations. Therefore, refunding would imply that the government would add new debt to the existing debt kitty. In turn, the government would be forced to increase debt in order to facilitate payments of both interest and the existing debts (Lee & Joyce, 2008). If the government’s new debt can be increased at high interest rate, this would offer economic prosperity and other possible benefits may be realized in case the interest rates decrease such as transforming the conditio ns of the debt that may permit the local government of Seattle to revise their payment plan that may assist with short-term budget demands. Refunding debts to substitute a lower interest rate may poses some economic merits, if other transformations are made, like term, there is a probability that there will be a net rise in the debt costs over the debt’s term. Furthermore, another refunding or reorganization tactic is the reduction of the overall expenditures gained by the government. This would establish an additional financial base that should be diverted towards settling the city’s debts. In order for the federal government to decrease the high debts, it is vital that alternative funding options are created in order to support its debt obligation. The federal government may provide financial help in quarterly or annual terms. Another alternative is for the city to try to maximize revenues gathered (Shapiro, 2004). My budget has a defined goal that I have to

Risk Assessment and Management Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Risk Assessment and Management Plan - Essay Example People suffering physical disabilities as well as having psychiatric problems are among the main sufferers of domestic violence. Furthermore, children are also directly or indirectly influenced by domestic violence (Iowa State University of Science and Technology, 2011). In accordance with the case, Janice, who is the mother of two and a half year child Sam was observed to be suffering from a problem of mental health i.e. bipolar disorder. Janice was least caring about the nutrition as well as the medical needs of Sam. Subsequently, Sam was removed from the care of Janice. After three months when Janice’s condition stabilised through medication, Sam’s care was restored to Janice. Moreover, for two years Janice and her partner Doug was together as well as had another child named Jessie but there were various incidents of domestic violence among them. Due to the stoppage of medication, Janice’s conditions worsened which led to further extreme violence among them. However, the partners were majorly concerned about their children. Domestic violence worker is required to support Janice in order to protect her goals and facilitate her to be able to take care of her children. The Mental Health Service is concerned about Janice and her children as she missed her two group support meeting consecutively. Moreover, it was observed in the last meeting that Janice was asking for money from other members of the group. The Police had approached o the Department of Child Safety in order to discuss about this family in the SCAN (Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect) meeting. The meeting was organised as they were concerned about the safety of children. The disability service provider and Child Health Clinic were concerned about the health of Evelyn and Jessie respectively. The Educational or School Counsellor was concerned about Sam who was negatively impacted by the acts of domestic violence, results of which were seen in his behavioural aspects towards the other

Performance Oriented Change Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Performance Oriented Change - Case Study Example This extraordinary happening presents a universal point of disappearance for conjecture concerning the future of NPM inventiveness in three nations. The paper will expound on New Zealand as well the UK, as the two nations that have been frontiers of NPM, Australian Council of Social Services. (1998).The period commences with a description of NPM. The pressures for changing the public domain have also been investigated. More so, the paper develops in debating the emerging variations, conclusions as well as unrestricted realm transformation, Hood, C. and M.W. Jackson. (1991). The backdrop through which administrators operate is increasingly being altered, vastly diverse from that reflect by preliminary intellectual stalwarts of society management, Moore, Mark Harrison (1995). Societal bureaus are anticipated to correlate with each other, with nonprofit corporations and with citizen groups and to employ contemporary expertise methodically to administer and execute utility. Commanding demands that entail proficient resource use are evident owing to transnational markets as well as quasi-bazaar variables that have been asserting turbulent market forces. This framework is significant in the intellect that bureaus need to administer individual resources consequently but also compassionately and officially, Moore, Mark Harrison (1995). ... Moderately, the disciplines need to be incorporated in the civic administration prospectus in modes that ensure they will be integrated in learners' minds and hence their practice. Most essentially, civic administration pedagogy should be embedded to helping learners regarding civic corporations, government as well as governance, and the functionality of the collective department in an assortment of communal and financial system, Moore, Mark Harrison (1995). Universal Archetype The Institution for Fiscal Integration and Progression observed in 1995 that a modern archetype for public administration has materialized, aimed at fostering a concert slanting culture in a less federal communal subdivision. The description implied that implementation of modern archetype was not complete and differed from nation to nation (OECD 1995:8). During this interlude, a corporate entity known as the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM), a corporate for unrestricted management suppliers and scholars in fifty four nations of the British Commonwealth, seized its introductory symposium. The New Public Management can be defined as an agreement flanking the public; designated legislatures; on one end and collective overhaul on the excessive end. The civic societies and politicians want elevated-quality unrestricted services as well as eminent performance by domain corporate, what Al Gore referred 'the administration that functions better yet co sts less' Gore 1993). In realizing this, they are willing to give communal workers excessive administrative sovereignty, human capital in addition to scientific capital towards realizing

Manifest Destiny Concept Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Manifest Destiny Concept - Essay Example The Manifest Destiny concept tremendously influenced the United States policy. This enhanced the American expansion to the West. The idea was largely put forward by posters, newspapers and other avenues. Despite the fact that it was not a formal policy of the government, it facilitated the passing of legislation like the Homestead Act, which promoted colonization and acquisition of areas in the West (Robinson 2010, 21). Additionally, the idea was a factor in the thought of America. Movement into the West regions provided a prospect for self-development. To be familiar with the concept of Manifest Destiny, it is essential to comprehend the desire and need of the United States to expand. This paper will look at how issues around it affected the U.S, how the views of Americans on the issue changed over the period, and will also mention some events as examples. How the Issues Affected the U.S John O'Sullivan, a U.S newspaper editor writing on the planned occupation of Texas, was the firs t to use the term in 1845. He asserted that it was America’s â€Å"manifest destiny to spread to the whole continent.† The newspaper issue recommended that through expanding, America could turn out to be a renowned superpower. According to O'Sullivan, the United States had been exclusively selected for the mission of Westward expansion. This would push out the wilderness and bring civilization. Between independence and 1920, the government passed land laws that were favorable for people to migrate. The federal government also persuaded people from Europe to come and inhabit. It used the military to protect the settlers from natives. It further put money into explorations, such as that of Clark and Lewis. Wherever there was sufficient water, homesteading was practiced by people from the Midwest to the Pacific regions. Cheap and available land, high birth rates and immense population formed the basis of the expansion. Imperialism was used to facilitate the Manifest Desti ny. There was a perception that mission and God was the path to Manifest Destiny.  Ã‚