Knowledge management, social networks and innovation Coursework - 2

Knowledge management, social networks and innovation - Coursework Example Knowledge Management (KM), in this regards, is considered the sole requisite to enhance innovation that would act as an added advantage for organisations to maintain their dominance in the global environment. Hence, organisations in the present era are maintaining its competitive edge based on the efficient handling of strategies, such as OL as well as KM (Prange, 1999). Hence, with the developments in the concepts of practice and technology orientation, the organisations are illustrating, the general concepts sustained within the diversified business world (Argyris, 1999). In this context, the paper convolutes on creation of knowledge as well as transfer within organisation. The organisational dynamics will be duly elaborated based on the needs of social dynamics and engendered innovations. Furthermore, the paper inclined towards addressing the complex problems that are prominent within the business domain to enhance the ability of the organisation to assess knowledge. Correspondingly, by addressing the development within the domain of technology, the paper develops a better understanding of the diverse applications of changing business needs. With changing environment and dynamic needs of business, OL has become a major area of interest among business personnel that might help them to develop the quality of operation. Continuous development within the research and development field, as well as in the technical field has in turn acted as a stimulus for integrating OL into the system of business operation (Argote & Miron-Spektor, 2005). With the need to maintain a continuous process of growth and sustainability within the global edge, the organisations are fostering continuous learning process too (Schulz, 2011; Torlak, n.d.). It must be noted in this context that learning is often attributed as a prerequisite for developing the ability of employees in general by enhancing their capacity to perform within the global domain. OL herewith refers to a

Debate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

Debate - Essay Example One of the hardest parts is to give the bad news to an employee who is not receiving an increment. In order to effectively deal with these managers should be taken through train by undertaking role-playing exercises to boost their communication skills. However, this can be dealt with by ensuring that the news does not surprise anyone in the company. This can only be achieved by making sure that that organization continually reminds the employees the rise will only be given based on performance and that it is not automatic to all employees. The managers should also frequently communicate the performance of the employees though out the year. In addition, employees need to understand the consequences if they do not perform as expected. This can be included in the employees’ handbook that they are not entitled to a merit increment if they do not meet the expectations. This sends a message that the organization is taking seriously everyone’s performance. Managers should be equipped with adequate skills to communicate to the employees the definition of what good performance is and what unacceptable performance is. They should be able to show the connection that exist between pay increment, performance, and how to deal with the tough questions that may arise from employees who do not receive salary increment. A manager can explore other alternatives in giving the increment. Some employees are promising. Instead of totally denying them the merit increment a manager may consider delaying it to give them a chance to turn around their performance. Another option is to offer lump sum payments in place of a base salary increment. This makes it appear like a bonus instead of a salary rise. it does not affect salary increment or hourly wages. It also stretch merit budgets while at the same time slowing salary growth this should however not be misused. Whether merits has lost its

A Comparative Analysis on the Course to Self-realization of the Essay

A Comparative Analysis on the Course to Self-realization of the Protagonists in Emma, Huckleberry Finn, and My Name is Asher Lev - Essay Example ive description on the role of a protagonist in novels is achievable by using three coming-of-age novels such as â€Å"Emma† by Jane Austen, â€Å"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn† by Mark Twain, and â€Å"My Name is Asher Lev† by Chaim Potok as examples. These novels and their main characters each possess distinct storylines and traits. For instance, Emma Woodhouse in Austen’s novel is a wealthy woman from the Victorian era while Huckleberry Finn is a young man belonging to the lower echelons of the society. Asher Lev, on the other hand, traces his ancestry to conservative Jews. The novels exhibit different types of protagonists from the underprivileged boy depicted in the main character of Mark Twain’s novel to the affluent but immature woman in Austen’s â€Å"Emma†. To be more specific, Austen (1882) described Emma Woodhouse as a woman who has, â€Å"†¦power of having rather too much of her own way, and a disposition to thin k a little too well of herself:† (p. 1-2). Whereas Huck Finn’s character can be deciphered in Twain’s (2001) account stating, â€Å"The Widow Douglas she took me for her son, and allowed she would sivilize [sic] me;†¦and so when I couldnt stand it no longer I lit out. I got into my old rags and my sugar-hogshead again, and was free and satisfied.† (p. 1-2) Conversely, Potok’s (2003) indicates Asher Lev’s nature: â€Å"I am an observant Jew. Yes, of course, observant Jews do not paint crucifixions. As a matter of fact, observant Jews do not paint at all—in the way that I am painting.† (p. 3) Readers immediately perceive the differences on the growth of each protagonist in the three novels, which are affected by the literary elements of each novel.

Strategic Planning and Organizational Mandates Assignment

Strategic Planning and Organizational Mandates - Assignment Example AmeriCare is an organization with the mandate of offing relief programs and health in situations of a disaster by delivering medication and medical supplies to these victims. The organization has the mandate of providing people with humanitarian assistance in different countries around the world. Moreover, the organization has been providing aid worth ten billion to more than one hundred and forty countries (Americares, 2011). Moreover, AmeriCares also provides medical support by establishing free clinics, non-for profit pharmacies and numerous hospitals in different parts of the world to assist poor. Americare is an organization with a mission of offering relief and charitable assistance, thereby responding to emergencies caused by disasters. Moreover, they have upheld values towards their assistance programs, which are offered to victims of a disaster with emergency medical needs. Stakeholders in Americare organization include private sector donors, the government and other associates who facilitate operations of the organization. In fact, these parties assist the organization to execute their mandate of ensuring that people are living longer and healthier. Moreover, this requires supply of critical medicine and health care services to people from different parts of the world. Other stakeholders include leading pharmaceutical companies and medical manufacturers who offer medical supplied to the organization. The organization has managed to acquire partnership with over 2000 hospitals, clinics and community health programs in numerous parts of the world. There are other stakeholders, who include international and local nongovernmental organizations and ministries. Americare has gathered products donations from the private sector, and they determine the urgency of various needs to intervene through their assistance. Moreover, they have the ability to convince their stakeholders to offer financial support, which they send to affected areas through airlift and ocean cargo. Americare has acquired health care professionals, who are deployed in impecunious regions with people suffering from different disasters.

Management Process Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Management Process Analysis - Essay Example Change management is best defined as the process of continuous reviewing and renewing of the direction, structure and capabilities of the organization in order to meet the ever-changing needs and demands of internal and external customers (Todnem, 2005). Organizational change is a very important element of the organizational strategy. It is very important for an organization to have the ability to identify where it needs to be in the future and then manage the change management process in order to get there. The business environment is constantly changing with increased globalization, technological innovation, deregulation, dynamic workforce, shift in demographic and social trends, etc (Todnem, 2005). This makes the change management process even more important. For any organization, to sustain growth and remain successful it is very important that it effectively manages its change management process. One of the best examples of effective change management in modern day businesses is Apple. Apple Inc. Founded in 1976, Apple has become the most valuable company on the planet today. Started as a computer company, Apple has revolutionised the personal computer industry. Apple started with a personal computer, but today its products range from music (iPod) to phones (iPhones). Chief Architect of Apple’s success story is Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple (Royston, 2009). Apple’s journey to the top has not been a smooth one. It has had failures along the way and at one stage was on the verge of being shut down. Apple has adapted to changing environment and the industry needs and demands to become the most successful and valuable company on the planet. Apple’s products include iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad and iTunes (Apple, 2011). Apple is also developing cloud computing products and services which are not commercially available at. Apple – Change Management Apple is one of the best examples for effective organizational change management. It can be said that Apple has mastered the art of change management. Apple has been successful in understanding the changing needs and demands, and at same time adapt to those changes and needs. It has been able to build a loyal customer base, build new technologies, products and services. Leadership The most important element of Apple’s change management is Steve Jobs, i.e. his leadership. Apple’s nightmarish run started with the exit of Steve Jobs in 1985 and ended with his return in 1996. With the return of Steve Jobs in 1996, there was a major change in the organization’s leadership. The bureaucratic management style that had replaced the creative and entrepreneurial culture (organizational culture that Steve Jobs had infused into Apple in the beginning) had to undergo a major change. Steve Jobs along with him brought back the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants entrepreneurial culture back to Apple (Anderson & Anderson, 2010). He redefined the organization’s DNA and ensured its effective implementation. The original culture and the mindset were welcomed by the workforce and they responded with creativity and innovation. With the change in leadership, the management structure was now redefined with only very few management layers. This was vital in order to accommodate the change in the leadership and organizational cul

Issue analysis paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Issue analysis paper - Essay Example The act was to be financed within the next ten years for it to be fully operational to help those who are unable to insure as depicted by the health act. As a result, millions of people will benefit from employment based insurance coverage than in the absence of Affordable Care Act (ACA).The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated the government budget and effects for the ten years. The Affordable Care Act will be financed thus delivering a devastating analysis of the inefficiencies and problematic social costs of Obamacare. The Affordable Care Act still faces opposition from Congressional Budget Office (CBO) since the key selling point of Affordable Care Act was to cover a significant number of above 30 million Americans who lacked it. As per today, the CBO is out criticizing the Affordable Care Act in America that within a decade, 6 million people will not be given health care insurance from their companies or from the employers due to Affordable Care Act (john 45). This makes the Americans to see as if the act was politically passed so as only target a certain group of Americans and segregating those who can be able to acquire the insurance coverage. The estimated expenditure of Affordable Care act will be about $2 trillion within the next 10 years meaning that there would be disruption of the United States medical system since the federal government will not be able to achieve the objectives, of providing coverage to 30 million Americans. The Congressional Budget Office maintains that within the ten years the same number of 30 million Americans will lack insurance as before since the Affordable Care Act will collapse within the next 5 years. Another opposing idea of the ACA is that the poor people will get subsidies and after they achieve certain level of compensation then the subsidy will disappear when one reaches a higher pay level. Basing their

Questions and Applications Essay Example for Free

Questions and Applications Essay The current financial crisis has many parallels with what happened to Enron in the early part of the decade. Although the hazards associated with overpaid executives, unethical practices and lack of accountability were clearly illustrated by the Enron Crisis; little was done to prevent the repetition of such behaviors. As a result, similar malfeasance, hubris and incompetence, coupled with the lack of political will for regulation has resulted in yet another financial crisis. The U. S. and overseas stock markets were still adjusting to the psychological and economic impact of the terrorist attacks in New York City in the two months prior to the announcement of the bankruptcy of Enron. (Weller, Miller, Zhang, 2001) The markets had just stabilized, and reassumed their moderate growth owing, in large part, to the assurances by Federal Reserve Chairman, Alan Greenspan that the underpinnings of the economy were strong, and large economic entities, such as Enron, were economically stable and fundamentally secure. (Weller, Miller, Zhang, 2001) These assurances came despite the consistent deregulation of trade practices in both federal financial markets, and California energy markets. (Weller, Miller, Zhang, 2001) Such deregulation was the bailiwick of not only Greenspan, but the Republican congress and White House. (Weller, Miller, Zhang, 2001) The assumption on the part of those who supported deregulation and limited scrutiny of practices, was that enlightened self-interest of the heads of corporations would prevent destabilizing acts of stock manipulation and other actions that would serve to destroy the underlying equity in the corporation. (Weller, Miller, Zhang, 2001) Clearly, this was not the case, as a small number of executives pillaged the assets of Enron without regard to the economic fallout of their actions. These people reaped their individual fortunes, largely by dumping corporate stock, valued in billions of dollars, just prior to affecting the economic ruin of the company. (Weller, Miller, Zhang, 2001) Had this episode had a salutatory effect on the perceived need for closer oversight and regulation of economic practices, it may have been worth the cost, but the lessons of Enron went unlearned, and the same behavior of corporate executives derailed the economy once again by destabilizing financial institutions and undermining economic development. Congressional hearings regarding the current collapses of financial institution are ongoing at the time of this writing, but it is unclear at this point whether any laws were actually broken. As the lengthy prison sentences handed out to Enron executives illustrate, the actions of this group outpaced ethical considerations and proceeded to securities fraud, concealing evidence and other illegal acts. As of now, none of the executives involved in the collapse of the financial institutions are yet facing criminal charges. This fact illustrates a key point regarding these activities. If executives can run decades-old financial institutions into the ground, bankrupt them, destroy their lending capabilities (which paralyzes corporate growth) and leave with multi-million dollar compensation packages without having broke the law, then clearly the law as it stands is inadequate. In the case of Enron, the executives knowingly engaged in fraudulent activities to the detriment to the company and its shareholders. The drive to maximize profits cannot outstrip ethical obligations of full and correct disclosure and fair trade practices. These standards are not only ethical in nature, but legal as well. The law sets reasonable guidelines for practices that compel executives to act in the interest of their shareholders to the best of their ability, and in the case of Enron, they did not do so. The fact that these executives were knowingly breaking the law was illustrated clearly by their destruction of relevant records. This clearly illustrated the mindset of guilt that the people responsible had, and proved the likelihood of a significant cover-up effort. It is unclear at this point whether the same holds true for the authors of the current financial debacle. However, there are some key differences in the situations. For one, unlike the Enron executives, the bank executives were inflating values of securities in a manner that benefitted their shareholders and borrowers as well as themselves. The second key difference is that these banks gained SEC exemptions that made what they were doing technically legal, if not particularly smart. The regulations governing energy sale in California contributed significantly in Enron’s ability to commits fraud and force a false energy crisis upon the state. (Griffin, 2006) Once prices were deregulated for energy in 1996, Enron determined a market plan that was predicated on short-term contract bidding for energy. (Griffin, 2006) Essentially, Enron was maximizing profits by selling their commodity to the highest bidder. (Griffin, 2006) The problem with this system is it is not regulated, and executives at Enron decided to take advantage of the lack. (Griffin, 2006) Enron took advantage of the rules in three significant ways. (Griffin, 2006) First, they would shut down plants in certain areas forcing energy to come from marginal plants located nearby, and charged premium prices, that were additionally padded so that executives could skim off of the income. (Griffin, 2006) Enron also conducted â€Å"wash trades†. (Griffin, 2006) These recorded sales and purchases of energy that never occurred. These trades are revenue-neutral for both parties, but the activity drives up index prices by creating a false demand for the energy. (Griffin, 2006) Finally, Enron itself place bids to occupy energy on the grid, creating artificial shortages, which they, in turn, would alleviate at premium prices. (Griffin, 2006) These practices, combined with an increase in demand coupled with a stable, but not increasing reserve volume of natural gas, helped cause the California Energy Crisis. (Griffin, 2006) Then-Governor Grey Davis absorbed a significant amount of blame for the perceived energy crunch in California that followed from these practices, but he was in no way to blame. (Griffin, 2006) The policies that were manipulated were enacted by the legislature, not the Governor. (Griffin, 2006) Davis was also fighting the public perception that not only was he complicit in the crisis, but he was in contact with Kenneth Lay of Enron over the issue. (Griffin, 2006) Davis never denied this, but claimed it was a prerequisite to asking the federal government for aid. When the Bush administration declined to offer aid, Davis, a Democrat, was recalled and replaced by Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Griffin, 2006) The Stanly Milgrim experiments were invoked in the film, â€Å"The Smartest Guys in the Room† to explain why energy traders for Enron, who were aware of the damage caused by their activities, continued to act in the manner that they did. Milgram set up an experimental circumstance where subjects believed that they were causing bodily harm to another participant (actually, a confederate of the experimentor). The variable being measured was how much pain (measured by voltage of electrical shock) would a subject be willing to administer under no compulsion other than being told by a person in a lab coat that they â€Å"must continue†. It was demonstrated through this experiment that up to 50% of subjects would give what they believed would be fatal shocks to others under virtually no duress, and with no promise of reward. It was suggested that Milgrim’s experiments proved that individuals would do things (such as shock a person to death) with nothing more than a verbal instruction from a perceived authority figure to prompt them. From this, Milgrim concluded that unquestioned obedience to authority is a reaction that is very strong in most individuals. It should be noted that this argument had earlier failed to sway judges of the Nazis at Nuremburg, and later those who judged Callay guilty for the Mi Lay massacre. While this experiment does illustrate some insights regarding human nature and obedience, it does not explain, or really relate significantly to the situation regarding the energy traders at Enron. For one thing, the Energy Traders, as evinced by their own recorded conversations, stood to gain significantly from their activity themselves. Their motivations clearly went well beyond â€Å"following orders† as they expected to be â€Å"able to retire at 30. † The common element between the two circumstances (Milgrim’s Experiment and the Enron Traders) appears to be a perceived locus of responsibility. That is, the subjects/traders felt that whatever the consequences of their actions, blame and responsibility would fall solely upon the persons who issued the orders.In the case of the Enron Traders, this turned out to be true to a great extent. ? References Griffin, L. (2006) â€Å"California Energy Crisis Meets Enrons Ethical Catastrophe†. Retrieved December 8th, 2008 from McCombs School of Business Website: http://www. mccombs. utexas. edu/news/pressreleases/spence06. asp Weller, M. Miller, P. Zhang L. (2001) â€Å"Moral Hazard and the US Stock Market: Analysing the ‘Greenspan put’† The Center for the Study of Globalization and Regionalization Working paper No. 83/01, November, 2001.