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From: http://cmuscm.blogspot.ca/2012/09/fashion-forward-zaras-supply-chain.html

Businesses are increasingly outsourcing distribution and transportation to other organization that can provide such services cost effectively (Hoang, pg 586).

However, unlike others, Zara builds its factory in Europe to reduce the process and timing of logistic. I agree with Maggie that Zara is able to “cut the shipping time and can provide new apparels faster than any other firms. ” In addition, I would like to add that Zara may be able to control/influence the factory more easily if it were built closer to Spain. Stock and quality control may be easier than if the factory was set up in China due to better communication, which could reduce time lags and potential conflicts. This may also be the reason to Zara’s way of minimizing the chances of delaying the delivery of products to the end customers.

To avoid conflicts, Zara may need to share information and collaborate with its outsourcing partners often. This would require them to build trust among each others.

Maggie Huang’s blog: https://blogs.ubc.ca/maggiehuang/2012/11/04/shorter-supply-chain-leads-to-higher-profit/

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/blog/tech/105414–tablets-in-the-classroom-will-soon-be-the-norm

From: http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2010/04/update-using-the-ipads-external-keyboard.html

With iPad mini on shelves, tablet wars are heating up. Intense competition leads to cheaper and better technology. This entice more students to replace traditional laptops with tablets.  Nowak said , “According to educators, students still prefer to use laptops for taking notes in class, but the tide will shift soon, possibly even this year.”

To me, iPad is convenient for the following reasons:

1. With its long hours of battery, iPad minimizes disruption.

2. Its light weight make it portable around campus.

3. The easy and fast log-in save you a lot of hassle and waiting time when you switch on the iPad. It’s only split second.

4. Its “Note pad” and “Calendar” are convenient and hassle free to use.

5. It has a variety of uses: learning tool in class,  and an entertainment and personal use outside class.

The above points would be points of difference from other common personal computers.

According to David Vogt, director of digital learning projects for the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia, there may be some features that iPad cannot replace but he  believes that electronic textbooks will soon become trendy.

This means publishers are in a risky position and their dominance is “over”.

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/6602.html

Flames come out of the Taj Mahal hotel during a gun battle, 29 November 2008
(Photo: Reuters)

On November 26, 2008, the hotel, Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, was one of the 5 locations in Mumbai, India, that were attacked by terrorists. The intriguing fact is that despite the horrific attack, Taj employees “stay at their posts, jeopardizing their safety in order to save hotel guests”. This has lead to the attention of HBS professor Rohit Deshpandé who researched on what motivate these employees to have such level of loyalty and dedication to the company and the guest.

The vice chairman of the hotel said “they knew all the back exits—the natural human instinct would be to flee…in the process, some of them, unfortunately, gave their lives to save guests.” Taj general manager Karambir Singh Kang insisted on staying  at his post to help direct a response to the ongoing attack even after he received the news of the death of his wife and two young sons in a fire that swept through the hotel’s top floor.

“Not even the senior managers could explain the behavior of these employees.” – Deshpandé

Deshpandé stated that there is no definitive answer to the behavior of Taj employees but managers who read the case should understand the importance of intrinsic motivation.

The article clearly presents the idea that employees are not always motivated extrinsically. Similarly, Maslow believed that workers are motivated more than money, and psychological needs from the hierarchy must be met in order to motivate employees.

Perhaps, Taj employees have fulfilled esteem needs and are reaching the level of self-actualization, where employees are driven to become the best that they can be. In esteem level, praises and recognition helps boost ego. Also training shows employees are recognized and valued by the firm. Further, decision-making are granted  to increase morale. The problem solving skills, morality, and spontaneity of Taj employees shows they have  met self-actualization needs.

On Class 21 in Comm 101, in small groups, we were assigned to introduce new ideas to improve an already existing programs/products that are designed to be environmentally friendly.

My group came up with the idea on improving Eco-To-Go container exchange program so that more people could use it. Eco-To-Go program is available to everyone at every UBC food services locations. However, we have realized, not many people utilize this program. Probably, people find it inconvenient as they have to go back to the shop and return it. Thus, the group suggested that setting up drop-off boxes around campus might increase the number of people using to-go containers.

Further, I believe setting drop-off boxes around campus can be used as an advertising tool to consistently remind people about the Eco-To-Go program. On the other hand, setting up these boxes may be costly.

To improve the environment, people consistently come up with new methods of sustainability. After arriving Canada, I found out that people from this particular part of the world are very concerned and practical in environmental protection. I think it is a good habit and more of us should adopt this spirit. Perhaps, one day, I could emphasize environmental protection in my nation, Burma.

Imagine having such a strong brand that you receive over a million job applications annually. What would you do?- By Nathan Chanesman,

Google adopts highly scientific methodology into the recruitment and selection process. Instead of focusing only on academic achievement and past experience, Google also looks for specific personality favorable to  an open job position.

Google considers two main question when assessing potential employees during recruitment.

1. Are the candidates attracted to people or tasks?

From: http://summermgmt.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/mcclellands-theory-of-needs/

According to McClelland’s theory of needs, people who seek to have good social relationship with the management team are those who need affiliation. They are best suitable for jobs with social interactions such as marketing and customer relations. And those who focus on tasks have the need for achievement. The article mentions that people attracted to tasks enjoy working with facts and data that does not require social skills.

2. At what speed do they work?

Google determined that people who are outgoing often work at a rapid pace while those conservative work slowly and cautiously.

From the article, it is obvious that workforce planning is time and money consuming. But the right recruitment will save time and money in the long run. Having the right employee will reduce labor turn over rate, improve morale and productivity.

For Google, the key is to select a candidate that does not only have the skills but also the natural talent needed to successfully tackle their jobs.

http://sites.thomsonreuters.com.au/recruitment-extra/2010/09/14/the-google-approach-to-employee-selection/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/nov/01/water-pollution-doubled

A desalination plant being built at the Thames Water sewage plant in Beckton, east London. Photograph: David Levene

“Reassuringly, the latest performance record shows businesses are increasingly recognising there is a value and opportunity in this broader sense of responsibility.”- Environment Agency

After increased pollution in water industry doubled in England and Wales in 2011, Environment Agency has shut down 759 illegal waste sites. It has been implementing methods that could motivate businesses in water sector to become more environmentally friendly. Since the start of regulatory cost cut for environmentally conscious businesses  in 2011, more firms than ever are having “A” grade for their environmental performance.

In this case, it is obvious that firms are being socially responsible because such actions help the business to become more profitable (Strategic CSR attitude). A drop in regulatory cost to be paid to Agency will reduce the firm’s cost of production. However, some firms may adopt an Altruistic CSR attitude as they may feel obligated to act in a humanitarian and unselfish manner. Such firms may donate money to charity or invest in local community projects. But it is difficult to identify whether businesses act responsibly due to altruism or to improve their corporate image.

Other than Environment Agency, businesses from water sector may have faced pressures from external stakeholders such as pressure groups, government policies and communities to strive towards being environmentally friendly.

Lawyers for environmental groups have pressed Northern Gateway pipeline representatives about the hypothetical possibility of Chinese interests buying control of the project. (CP)

The entrance of China’s National Offshore Oil Corp into Canada is known as foreign direct investment (FDI). This will increase employment and earnings may have a multiplier effect on Canada’s economy, stimulating growth. In addition, Canadian government will earn high tax revenue from NOOC’s profit. NOOC may bring along technology  that may not be available in Enbridge. The cooperation between the two large firms will create synergy. They can have access to each others’ resources, including control of distribution channels, management know-how and human resources.

However, there will be loss of control as NOOC gains market share in Northern Gateway. Both firms will suffer from increased bureaucracy and slower channels of communication, especially when there are corporate cultural clash. In this case, “the Chinese environmental and manufacture safety and emergency awareness is not up to par with Canada’s strict standards.” This conflict will create inefficiency and slower decision making.

Canadian government should negotiate with NOOC before accepting their purchase of shares. NOOC should run its projects following Canada’s main rules and regulations, especially on environmental laws. Managers from both firms should exert their negotiation skills and be able to handle the added pressures and responsibilities that they will face.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/09/08/enbridge-northern-gateway-pipeline-chinese-interest_n_1867701.html

Kelly Gu’s blog https://blogs.ubc.ca/kellysongmeigu/

Google, as a monopolist, has a high degree of market power and has the ability to set the market price.

Google has a high barrier to entry due to ownership of patents and frequent acquisition to reduce suppliers. Its strong brand image makes it hard for new entrants. It could abuse its power by adopting practices that are only of firm’s interest, instead of the society as a whole. Google has altered its algorithms in its search engine, which is providing customers with biased search results, instead of the most relevant ones, especially when competitors are concerned in the search. The new system favors products from Google and companies that spend a high budget on advertising.

One of the main reasons for Google’s profitability is its massive advertising to the users. Customers believe that Google should “allow users to reduce the number of ads shown or incorporate a user’s preferred services in search results”. Another reason to Google’s success is its innovative and top notch services which used to adapt to what the online community desires. This shows that Google should not overlook the needs of customers, which is their main asset. Further, it wouldn’t be following the motto of its founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page:  “Don’t be mean.”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303830204577448792246251470.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/20/us-mcdonalds-idUSBRE83J0P020120420

Porter’s Generic Strategies allows firms to access their level of competitiveness in the market using the three general strategies: cost leadership, differentiation, and focus.

McDonald’s competitive advantage in the fast food market is mainly its provision of food at a low cost. It adopts cost leadership strategy, which does not aim to compete with firms, such as Burger King and Wendy’s, that offer higher-quality products, since this would lead to price hikes. McDonald directly competes with its competitors using predatory pricing strategy, in which it sets a price so low that competitors, especially smaller firms, cannot compete at a profitable level. The firm is able to sell low using economies of scale.

Although McDonald’s products are easy to copy, its quality, strong brand image and customer loyalty stabilizes its position in the fast food market. Non-price competition is also used by McDonald to increase its sales revenue using differentiation strategy through new menu, and focus strategy on “restaurant makeovers and longer operating hours.”

That article states that ” Same-restaurant sales rose 5 percent in Europe and 8.9 percent in the United States, where mild weather has helped lift restaurant sales.” This indicates that firms are affected by the external influences. When the economy is in recession, unemployment will rise, and reduces purchasing power of consumers. This leads to a fall in demand and thus a fall in expenditure.

Firms usually adopt ethical code of conduct to meet their ethical objectives such as reducing pollution, increase recycling, disposal of waste environmentally friendly manner, offering staff a proper working condition and fairer conditions of trade. This article

An Indian boy yawns as he washes plates at a roadside resturant in Allahabad. A new study has identified India among the worst child labour hot spots. Photograph: Diptendu Dutta/AFP

mentions that there are many emerging economies that use child labor, especially in the agriculture sector and textile industry.

According to the Child Labor Index 2011, the abuse in child labor is so extreme that it has reached global concern.  This warns the large multinational companies to be aware of the sources of their raw materials to prevent the support of unethical business behaviors. Firms adopting ethical behaviors will improve corporate image, increase customer loyalty, improve staff motivation, loyalty and efficiency.

When firms are socially responsible by providing a proper pay and working conditions to their workers, labor turnover rate will reduce. This will reduce the cost incurred in recruitment.

Although firms often stress the importance of CSR, there are different views and attitudes upon the role of being ethical. Some businesses may adopt ethical behavior altruistically while some adopt the strategy of being socially responsible only if it will help the business in making more money.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/dec/02/child-labour-hotspots