The Link Between Competitive Advantage and Corporate Social Article

The Link Between Competitive Advantage and Corporate Social Responsibility - Article Example In reference to McDonald’s corporate social responsibility, the company is taking action, maintaining openness in communication with its customers and shareholders. For instance, the company has adopted socially responsible programs in order to engage the community its operation and be responsible for its activities. For example, as part of it being socially responsible, McDonalds has formulated a way of engaging communities in operations through community-based projects that benefit the society. More so, the company works with its suppliers to promote socially responsible behaviors or practices in its supply chain as an integral part of the company’s supply chain strategy. McDonald has a strong social responsibility program that aims to incorporate societies in the management and operation of the company. The company has included several things in its social responsible program that aim to make it more socially responsible. For instance, they have implemented service p rogram that aim to develop sustainable agriculture, employment policies and practices, health and nutrition. The company has environmental principles that aim to attain a sustainable society in more than 117 profitable growth restaurants globally. Additionally, in order to ensure that it achieves employee experience and employ a diverse long-term target, it has acknowledged that it has a strong community workforce. The McDonald House program ensures that children in vulnerable communities can receive medication and dental treatment in order to improve their health. The harm that could be embodied in these services is that it may stop funding some programs because some groups especially in Asian countries are opposing it. Charitable work may contribute to the sustainability of society. However, McDonalds provides little basis for balancing long-term objectives against short-term costs they incur (Porter and Kramer 82). Therefore, managers at McDonalds need to approach CSR program str ategically in order to be competitive and remain in the market. 2) Choose any ethical dilemma and using the concepts in Paine’s article â€Å"Ethics: a basic framework†, describe your recommended course of action using the following questions: Is the action consistent with the actor's basic duties? Does it respect the rights and other legitimate claims of the affected parties? Does it reflect best practice? Is it compatible with the actor's own deeply held commitments? Markets are sometimes unethical but market participants usually make ethical decisions about people and practices they meet in the marketplace. A basic moral duty is to act or not act in a certain way. Duties are owed to other parties such as the company, customers, public, and the company. Wal-Mart Company has been faced with an ethical dilemma regarding the decisions of its store manager to embezzle employee’s bonuses. Wal-Mart managers are usually faced with conflict of interest in that they fi nd it difficult to make decisions because they do not know whether their decisions are right or wrong. Self-interest at Wal-Mart made the company lose over $50 million in that the store manager took the company’s money inform of many incentives provided by the company to the workers. These incentives are part of bonuses that the company provides to its store managers. This manager did not respect the dignity of the people that are employed by Wal-Mart.

Mobile Computing and Social Networking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Mobile Computing and Social Networking - Essay Example regards the transmission of personal medical information over wireless networks, and assessing the use of social networking for group support for patients with similar medical concerns. Firstly, with regards to comparing and contrasting the monitoring of patient vital signs using mobile computing technology to inpatient visits, it can immediately be noted that a massive amount of time can be saved with regards to such a monitoring process. Due to the fact that only the data will need to be analyzed and the patient himself/herself is not present at the doctor’s office, it is possible for the doctor/doctors in question to analyze and keep track of a great many more patients than they might be able to otherwise. With employees shortages evidenced in nearly each and every healthcare sector, this is a positive aspect that could be furthered in the future. However, with regards to some of the negatives that such an approach could generate, it must be noted that the responsibility of measurement and/or sustainment of the device/devices in question used to report this information would ultimately be in the hands of the end patient. Whereas in the doctor’s office a team of medical support staff are able to ensure that proper measurements are being affected, quite a different situation entirely is evidenced with regards to a patient being responsible for utilizing equipment in the correct way. In effect, the veracity of the information and key environmental factors must be taken into account with regards to the inference which can be drawn from the date of which is perceived. Similarly, an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of using mobile computing technology to monitor patients will herein be engaged. With regards to the advantages which could be realized, it is necessary to note that a massive level of cost savings could be generated by maximizing time that the medical professionals have to devote to each subset of data. Whereas it is important to have personal contact and a discussion of complicated factors with the patient in question, oftentimes this personal contact eats in to the time that the medical professionals have to analyze key healthcare data that could otherwise be leveraged to make a positive overall impact upon the health of the individual. However, the converse view of this particular situation is one in which an impersonal and removed relationship exists between the healthcare professionals and patients. Although it is no doubt beneficial to maximize healthcare professionals time and increase the veracity of the information and data which can be accrued regarding file signs and healthcare information, achieving this at the risk of creating such an impersonal relationship between doctor and patient is a risk that carries a great deal of negative repercussions. Anytime a technology is employed it is necessary to consider the means by which security concerns can impact upon the way in which a particular

Topic Proposal Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Topic - Research Proposal Example I am proud to understand that my grandfather was part of Second World War which a historical event changed the face of my home country. Having a multiple ancestry root is admirable fact, but my grandparent’s engagement in World War II changed my persona to a great extend† (Thesis)â€Å"Developing one’s self consists mainly in trend to self-development†3 Second World War is an historical event which has a great importance in political and social terms. This is a war which had all the superpowers of the world participating in it and winning this war was a crucial for all. This Second World War has enhanced the innovative dynamics of America and has built in them a sense of citizenship and patriotism. This war shows the dedication, sincerity and devotion of veteran Americans had for their country. â€Å"The Americans supplied us with 450,000 lorries.Of course, in the final stages of the war this significantly increased our armed forces mobility, decreased our losses and brought us, perhaps, greater success than if we had not such help†7 The Second World War is immensely connected to my family as my maternal and paternal side is linked to this historical event. Firstly, my Granddad was a war veteran which showed the patriotism he had for his country. â€Å"Over time in the United States, this necessary war has been transformed into a good war, the best war the country ever had† 1.Apart from this, on my maternal side, her Irish ancestors took part as British military men in Second World War. Moreover, as we moved to Connecticut after World War II, our life took a positive course â€Å"At the outbreak of the Second World War southern Ireland declared itself neutral while the six counties of Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom became involved†5. Understanding one’s family heritage is of great value as it allows one to grow emotionally and personally as an individual. â€Å"The family is usually considered

Personal Statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 8

Personal Statement - Essay Example While searching for a major to match with my interest, my brother, who was studying in the States at that time, suggested that I study in the U.S. As I already had English language skills and was very interested in American culture, this was too good to refuse. I eventually came to the U.S. in March 2011 and began taking classes at Bellevue College in June of that same year. At first, I had difficulty getting used to the style of lectures here; this made me nervous during every class. In Korean schools, students do not actively participate in class activities. Instead, they just sit and listen to the teacher talking during the lecture. They rarely ask questions because raising a hand and asking a question in the middle of a lecture is sometimes considered rude. Also, Korean students tend to work by themselves and are not likely to cooperate with classmates. I was used to this style of learning, so the American lecture style, which encourages students to work with partners and ask questions whenever they want to, was very much culture shock. Even though I liked to have conversations with people and was excited to get to know them, it was even hard for me to mingle with other classmates due this cultural barrier. I felt that I was not progressing, so I kept losing my confidence. This lack of confidence created a negative perspective toward me while workin g in groups. I believed that working on my own was much more suited to me. However, over time I have adapted and overcome these cultural differences. The more I worked with partners, the more I was able to see the advantages of group work. As I talked to group members and became closer to them, I realized how helpful it was to share opinions and study together. We shared helpful tips about critical information needed to finish assignments. Group work also enabled me to understand the study material better and helped me get used to college life here. I learned how to cooperate through working together. Also,

Real Business Cycle theory Thesis Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Real Business Cycle theory - Thesis Proposal Example This is completely different form the supply shocks model in which technological or supply shocks would be the major driving force of the cycle. Real business cycle show growth in economic activity and Real Business cycle helps in explaining economic boom time as also recessions. This discussion draws out a comparison between Real Business Cycle theory and Theories of Business Cycle which highlights that demand shocks cause the cycle. The various aspects of the economy such as effects of wage hikes, productivity, and employment resources are also discussed in terms of business cycle models. Real Business Cycle theory explored by Muth (1961) and Lucas and business cycles were studied with the assumption that they were driven by technological rather than monetary shocks and changes in expectations. In real business cycle model, shocks in government purchases are also taken into consideration. Real Business Cycle Theory or RBC holds that the business cycle is caused by random fluctuations in productivity and recessions and periods of growth are seen as responses of output. The RBC theorists argue that the level of national output indicates that the government should not intervene through fiscal or monetary policy that could either minimize effects of recession or that of a rapidly growing economy. Business cycles, according to Real Business Cycle theory are considered as real and reflect the most efficient operation of the economy. This is different from Keynesian economics and Monetarism which consider recessions as the failure of some markets to clear. Some examples of the business cycles would be graphical representation on how advanced economies exhibit sustained growth over time and also depict higher levels of economic activity. There may even be random fluctuation in the growth trend and this would show how the latter economic activity could predict the earlier ones. The time series of an economy's output and gross national product or GNP indicating value of goods and services produced by a country would be useful for determining economic behavior. The first part of the discussion is about defining Real Business Cycle theory. Recessions are seen as a condition of market failure by mainstream macroeconomists. There is lack of demand, of workers and income and there is an adjustment of output but not the prices. The economy in certain cases is driven away from equilibrium and the output adjusts although if markets are in equilibrium, how are fluctuations in business activity explained' When people's marginal productivity drops, the real wage also drops and shifts work decisions. The real business cycle shows that a certain cyclical pattern of economic activity could hold over a longer period and when there is a technological shock that raises real wage, people work more and output increases and when technological shock lowers real wage, people tend to withdraw from work and output falls. Economic booms and recessions are explained with Real Business Cycle models although many economists do not endorse the real business cycle theo ry as technological shoc

The Global Hunt for Edward Snowden Essay Example for Free

The Global Hunt for Edward Snowden Essay The wild flight of the fugitive leaker — from Hong Kong to the transit area of Moscow’s Sherymetyvo Airport, and perhaps on to Ecuador — has turned into a public humiliation for the White House. U.S. officials publicly threatened â€Å"consequences† if Snowden wasn’t returned, only to be openly rebuffed by Chinese officials and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. This made embarrassingly clear how little leverage President Obama has in Moscow or Beijing (and how much wiser it would have been to request Snowden’s return in private). Most disturbing, the Snowden affair has enabled some of the world’s worst human rights offenders to portray themselves as champions of freedom by defending Snowden while denouncing America as a massive violator of rights. China’s Xinhua news agency branded the United States as â€Å"the biggest (cyber) villain in our age.† Russian parliamentarians did likewise. You might think that such self-righteous claims would be dismissed as political posturing. Yet in today’s world, with America’s image sullied by Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, and by our paralyzed politics, these charges can find a receptive audience, not only abroad but at home. So let’s look at the records of the countries that are offering Snowden the greatest support. For starters, there is something bizarre about the list. While Snowden claims to be defending personal freedoms, he has sought shelter from egregious violators of human rights, including China, Russia, Cuba, Venezuela and Ecuador. Whatever his motives, this lends an air of hypocrisy to his claims. He took refuge in Hong Kong, which is part of China, whose leaders control the country’s Internet portals, block content and monitor individual access. The Chinese censor print and electronic media and have â€Å"the largest recorded number of imprisoned journalists and cyber-dissidents in the world,† according to Amnesty International. Chinese government hackers have conducted massive commercial and military espionage in the United States (and presumably elsewhere) and even breached Google’s computers. Beijing is obviously delighted that it can fend off U.S. complaints by claiming America does likewise. Such charges are bogus — and they know it. Whatever your opinion about the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs, the fact is that Congress OK’d them and set up special courts to monitor them. The U.S. public can debate whether the controls should be tightened, and demand change. In China, no Congress or courts govern surveillance nor can Chinese citizens oppose it. Government hackers break into the software of international companies such as Apple to steal industrial secrets — on a massive scale. As Obama noted, that’s not normal intelligence gathering; â€Å"that’s theft.† Then there’s Russia, where the state controls all major newspapers and national TV networks, which are still the major news source for the bulk of the population. Journalists are beaten up or murdered, and the perpetrators, conveniently, are never found. Political dissenters are cowed, arrested, or driven into exile. So when Putin praises Snowden as a â€Å"human rights activist† who â€Å"struggles for freedom of information,† it’s hard not to gag. Any Russian who did similarly would wind up in the gulag or worse. Snowden’s final destination — possibly Ecuador via Venezuela — is equally odd for a defender of freedom. As pointed out by Bill Sweeney, editorial director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, Venezuela has shut down independent broadcasters via a system of politicized regulations. As for Ecuador, its populist president, Rafael Correa, has criminalized reporting that is critical of his government — and prosecuted journalists who attempt it. That brings us to the heart of the matter. Snowden’s saviors have seized a delicious opportunity to deflect U.S. criticism of their own cyberattacks and rights violations by branding the United States as the real sinner. Dogged by images from Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, Washington has become an easy target. Even some allies have tired of America’s human rights demands (which are readily ignored when strategic concerns trump them, as in Syria). So, critics of American hubris may cheer when Putin praises Snowden — or when the People’s Daily proclaims that Snowden â€Å"tore off Washington’s sanctimonious mask.† It’s necessary to remind them: The countries helping Snowden aren’t doing so because they dislike spying. On the contrary. They don’t want limits on their own surveillance, just on ours.

Understanding The Moral Viewpoint Philosophy Essay

Understanding The Moral Viewpoint Philosophy Essay What is the moral point of view, and why is it regarded as important? ¿Ã‚ ½ Defend or criticize the view that business people must operate from the moral point of view. The moral point of view as stated by Partridge, (2010) assumes that a morally mature individual possesses a cognitive capacity which just might be unique to our species: the capacity of each of us to recognize in others the personal qualities such as emotions, aspiration, values, and consciousness, that we immediately experience ourselves. Whereas Kurt Baier holds that one is taking the moral point of view if one is not being egoistic, one is doing things on principle, one is willing to universalize one principles, and in doing so one considers the good of everyone alike. (Gensler, Spurgin Swindal , 2004). Yet, Hume thought that the moral point of view was that of sympathy. (Gensler, Spurgin Swindal , 2004), When we take the moral point of view, we seek to adjudicate disputes rationally, we assume that other persons are neither more nor less important than ourselves, and we assume that our own claims will be considered alongside those of others in an impartial manner. These three components of the moral point of view are respectively concerned with rationality in the sense that it involves the application of reason rather than feeling or mere inclination, universalizability in the sense that the principles or propositions ascertained therefrom apply to all persons and to all relevantly similar circumstances, and impartiality in the sense that principles or propositions ascertained therefrom apply to persons irrespective of arbitrary considerations (Beauchamp, Bowie, Arnold, 2008). Thus in a collective sense, the moral point of view may be understood as the point of view of every person and could be defined as approaching a problem from the perspective of its being morally right or wrong, or morally excellent. The Moral Point of View has two key features: a commitment or willingness to seek out and act on reasons in that the best action is the one supported by the best reasons and a commitment to impartiality, of regarding the interests of everyone as equally worthy of consideration. A commitment to these two key features is justified by the fact that we are rational and communal beings; acting this way, therefore, best fits with who and what we are. The application of the moral point of view within business is one that is needed. According to Beauchamp, Bowie, and Arnold, (2008), a business organization that is solely guided by economic considerations is an amoral or unethical organization. An organization that operates under the pretense that what and how they do business does not impact or affect others is destined for a short and rocky history. An organization must understand they not only impact or interact with suppliers, employees, other business, but also those not directly involved with their operations, but those second or third removed, with association through the suppliers, through the employees, and through other business and the community. When a business is amoral or unethical, they present themselves as less of a competitor and will find their profit margin shrink, as they do their customer base. References Beauchamp, T. L., Bowie, N. E., and Arnold, D. G. (2008). Ethical Theory and Business (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. Gensler, H. J., Spurgin, E. W. and Swindal, J. (2004). Ethics: contemporary readings /. New York: Routledge Partridge, E., Ph.D (2010). Environmental Ethics and Public Policy [Website]. The Online Gadfly, Retrieved December 4, 2010, from www.igc.org/gadfly Question 2 Provide an exposition of the stockholder view of the corporation as defended by Milton Friedman. ¿Ã‚ ½ What would Friedman likely say about the NYSEG Corporate responsibility program? ¿Ã‚ ½ Provide an exposition of the stakeholder view of the corporation as defended by R. Edward Freeman. ¿Ã‚ ½ What would Freeman likely say about the NYSEG Corporate responsibility program? ¿Ã‚ ½ With whom do you agree more? Answer The traditional or classical Stockholder View, the one presented by Milton Friedman, is that the corporation seeks to maximize profits in the interest of increasing the wealth of its owners, the shareholders (Beauchamp, Bowie, Arnold, 2008) in the simplest of terms ?to make money.? Managers are morally and legally obligated to serve as agents of the stockholders, and advance their interests regardless of how those decisions might affect the other stakeholders. The only group that has a moral claim on the corporation is the people who own shares of the stock. Regarding Friedman?s view on NYSEG Corporate Responsibility Program, Friedman would tow the hard line. Based on his theory, he would say it was good business to cut off services to those that are unable to pay, since it did not violate a law or regulation, and it was within the organizations right to do so. Sitting at the other end of the spectrum is the Stakeholder View, essentially a balanced accountability approach, presented by R. Edward Freeman. The corporation is obligated to seek balance in striving to serve justly the particular demands of each of its stakeholder groups (Beauchamp, Bowie, Arnold, 2008). The key is finding the correct balance of returns provided and contributions expected for each stakeholder group, including owners, management, employees, customers, suppliers, government, the community, and society as a whole. This involves trade-offs, while profit generation is one goal, this has to be balanced against other goals and sometimes profit may be sacrificed in order to help out other stakeholders. Managers are morally and legally obligated to serve as agents of all stakeholder groups, and try to advance all of these interests collectively, without favoring any one group. Many groups have a moral claim on the corporation that derives from the corporation potential t o harm or benefit them these groups would includes the owners, corporate managers, local community, customers, employees and suppliers Regarding Freeman?s view on NYSEG Corporate Responsibility Program, Freeman would support the program. Based on his theory, the customers are a stakeholder group that is worthy of consideration. Striving for the balance of profit, and support of those customers requiring assistance. With Freeman?s view, I find myself in total agreement, his view provides for a stable and balanced approach. In that developing a strong relationship with the customers, provides to a degree the possibility of profit gain to the shareholder, as well as providing a marketing prospect for new customers. References Beauchamp, T. L., Bowie, N. E., and Arnold, D. G. (2008). Ethical Theory and Business (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. Question 3 What are the main features of Kantian ethics? What are the main features of utilitarian ethics? ¿Ã‚ ½ Which view do you find most persuasive? Why? Answer Kantian ethics In Kantian ethics the main guiding principle is known as the categorical imperative also called Formula of Universal Law, or Formula of the Kingdom of Ends; what everyone, everywhere, ought to do. A key feature of the categorical imperative is its universal nature in framing goodness, but there may be exceptions, and only if they can be universalized (Beauchamp, Bowie, Arnold, 2008). Although Kantian ethics contain several main principles, the primary concept is the idea that certain principles are intrinsically moral, and that a moral person or society must observe these categorical imperatives in all situations. Moral rules should be based on the premise of reason and rational agents, not on human nature or conscience (Beauchamp, Bowie, Arnold, 2008). Intentions, motives, will of the person and actions-in-themselves are morally relevant and more important than consequences. When considering an action an individual must ask whether they can imagine their intentions for an action as a general rule for everyone. If a person does something out of a sense of duty to moral law, to make an informed, uncoerced decision, free of external authority, then his actions have moral value. Treating people with ?dignity? and respect is a moral consideration. Respect for the person, people are intrinsically valuable and should not be used or treated as a means to an end. People should be respected as ends in and of themselves. Utilitarian Theory According to Beauchamp, Bowie, and Arnold, (2008), John Stuart Mill argues that unconvincing and incompatible theories can be coherently unified by a single standard of beneficence that allows us to decide objectively what is right and wrong, developing Utilitarianism. The principle of utility, or the ?greatest happiness? principle, dictates that the given action or practice is right when compared with any alternative action or practice if it leads to the greatest possible balance of beneficial consequences or to the least possible balance of bad consequences. Mill also holds that the concepts of duty, obligation, and right are subordinated to, and determined by, that which maximizes benefits and minimizes harmful outcomes (Beauchamp, Bowie, Arnold, 2008). Utilitarianism is a moral principle that holds that the morally right course of action in any situation is the one that produces the greatest balance of benefits over harms for everyone affected. So long as a course of action produces maximum benefits for everyone, utilitarianism does not care whether the benefits are produced by lies, manipulation, or coercion. In evaluating the goodness of an action, utilitarianists look for the effect or consequence that the action may have, and whether or not the greatest happiness by all will be achieved. Utilitarianists do not necessarily view an action as having any intrinsic worth in and of itself. They do not require we know every possible consequence of an action, but that we take into account what can reasonably be anticipated to result from the action. Utilitarianism offers a relatively straightforward method for deciding the morally right course of action for any particular situation we may find ourselves in. To discover what we ought to do in any situation, we first identify the various courses of action that we could perform. Second, we determine all of the foreseeable benefits and harms that would result from each course of action for everyone affected by the action. And third, we choose the course of action that provides the greatest benefits after the costs have been taken into account. Which is more persuasive, Kantian or Utilitarian? Kants theory of imperatives, though quite rational, seems to be a utopian concept that cannot be fully realized in a complex society. Whereas Utilitarian calculation requires that we assign values to the benefits and harms resulting from our actions and compare them with the benefits and harms that might result from other actions; this in itself would be a tremendous undertaking. Kantian ethics focuses more on the actual action or motive and the morality of that action as opposed to utilitarianism, which focuses more on the morality of the consequence and, not of the action or motive. Kantian ethics state the treatment of everyone should be as an end in themselves and never exploit them as means, as opposed to utilitarianism, which states the treatment of people should be as means to improve everyone?s situation. Looking at Kantian and Utilitarian philosophies, the two appear as polar opposites. But in the end, they both seek a morally right and virtuous life. Each brings a different aspect to a given situation. The two theories are not all encompassing for every situation; it is in this that both are persuasive for a given event.