domingo, 15 de mayo de 2011

RELIGION AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

When we think about religion we have to go beyond. We have to realize how important is religion not only in a personal level but also in a business level.
Now days, we are facing societies which are centered in productive business organizations. In order to survive to this and be successful it is important to have into account that we are going to deal with different lifestyles that have to adapt to globalization.
It is important of being aware of restrictions and regulations also of imposes and requirements of the different cultures around the world, and the most important being respectful.
As Andrew Wicks says: it is critical to understand the role of religion in the workplace and mostly if you are a leader, because there are a lot of different people operating in different corporations around the world, so it is really important if you know how to behave and how you are going to manage your employees or your colleges, in order to inspire them and try to get from them as much as possible for the successful of the company.
                                             http://www.cracked.com/funny-125-religions/

VIRTUAL TEAMS

Virtual teams: also known as a Geographically Dispersed Team (GDT) is a group of individuals who work across time, Space and organizational boundaries with links strengthened by communication technology. They are committed to a common purpose and also have interdependent performance goals. Geographically dispersed teams allow organizations to hire and retain the best people regardless location.
Yes to virtual teams: some advantages.
ü  Better workers may be located anywhere around the world
ü  Workers demand personal flexibility and increasing technological sophistication
ü  A flexible organization is more competitive and responsive to the marketplace
ü  Globalization
ü  The global workday is 24 vs. 8 hours
ü  The emergence of environments which require inter-organizational cooperation as well as competition
ü  Increasing horizontal organization structures characterized by structurally and geographically distributed human resources.
        http://www.nuwave-tech.com/it-project-blog/bid/43361/3-Tips-for-Managing-Virtual-Teams

INTERCULTURAL COMUNICATION

Which ones are the main Cultural Differences in Non-verbal Communication?
As we already know Non-verbal communication is really important when interacting with others. A good communication will depend of some factors such as culture for example and its background.

ü  Gestures: Gesturing varies from culture to culture.  Some cultures are animated; other restrained. Pointing with a finger is considered rude in some cultures especially in Asia where they use their entire hand to point something.

ü  Facial Expressions: Majority opinion is that these do have similar meanings worldwide with respect to smiling, crying, or showing anger, sorrow, or disgust.  However, the intensity varies from culture to culture.  Note the following: Many Asian cultures suppress facial expression as much as possible. Many Mediterranean (Latino / Arabic) cultures exaggerate grief or sadness while most American men hide grief or sorrow.


ü  Body Movement: body movement and position is a key ingredient in sending messages.

ü  Posture: Bowing in the US is criticized and by the other hand it shows rank in Japan, hands in pocket is disrespectful in Turkey, sitting with legs crossed is offensive in Ghana, Showing soles of feet is offensive in Thailand.


ü  Smell: in France for example they don’t take frequent showers, the contrary to us that we can take even two showers per day.

ü  Touch: In the Middle East the left hand is reserved for body hygiene and should not be use to touch others or transfer things.In Muslim culture it is bad seen to touch someone of the opposite gender

ü  Eye contact: In Western culture, eye contact is interpreted as attentiveness and honesty; However in many cultures, including Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Native American, eye contact is thought to be disrespectful or rude

ü  General Appearance and Dress: For example Americans appear to be obsessed with dress and personal attractiveness. 

 

MIGRATION ISSUES

Characterize one country and its main immigrants; describe the types of labor they perform and the living conditions of them.
I am reading a really interesting book that is call “El sindrome de ulises” and it is related with this topic.
The book it’s about Colombians who go to live to France as illegals. Their labor conditions are really bad, since they have to work for example as prostitutes or cleaning dishes in a restaurant, etc. They have terrible jobs in order to survive.
They do this because they are searching for better opportunities and they want to be able to send money to their families in their home countries. But they are always facing the fear of being catch by the police.
                                       http://giseleteixeira.wordpress.com/2011/02/page/3/

MANAGING CHANGE AND CONFLICT

MANAGING CHANGE AND CONFLICT
In the text by Von Glinow, Shapiro and Brett (2004) ¿Can we talk, and should we? The authors argue that words might lead to misunderstanding in cross-cultural settings. Give examples of other alternatives that might be effective when dealing with conflict situation.
Emotional conflict is inevitable in MCTs; therefore, encouraging MCT members to avoid emotional conflict is not a useful prescription. When emotional conflict occurs, talk may be not possible or if it’s possible, may be undesirable and therefore ineffective. It may be more helpful to train MCT members and the leaders of such teams to use aesthetic means to deal with emotional conflict rather than encourage talk.
For example a way to release our anger is through painting, it will help us articulate what we are felling.
Also visual images facilitate cross-cultural understanding. Metaphors graphic as well as conceptual nature helped people understand culturally different meanings of teamwork.
Another example is an aesthetics activity, which is for example singing songs in order to feel positive emotions including unity and pride. In the business context aesthetic activities has been linked to an increase in positive feelings such as empathy, unity and solidarity among employees.
                             http://thehrcoach.org/2011/03/31/leadership-quote-of-the-day-10/

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

¿How can new knowledge be transferred into action or valuable assets inside organizations?
First of all we should take into account setting the organization goals in order to increase motivation, performance, guidance, etc; also having a good organizational structure with management strategies and resource allocation.
Try to collect as much information is possible in order to share it and reflect knowledge to all members in the organization based on past knowledge and experiences.
I think one of the most important things is the attitude you have towards the organization regarding it is yours or you just work there as an employee. If you have love for your work and there is a positive organizational environment it is going to be easier to transfer knowledge into actions and assets.

miércoles, 2 de marzo de 2011

Leadership

How does followers should react when they do not agree with their manager’s directions?
In The companies we can find some cases where followers don’t agree with their managers or bosses directions. There are some people that don’t like being control or manipulate, those are the most complex personalities to handle. In order to control this, a manager should study, research and ask for advises in order to handle all kind of situations and try to satisfy the staff members to have a nice work environment.
I think both followers and managers or bosses should have a direct, transparent and continuous communication with each other, base on respect, honesty and responsibility.
When followers don’t like or disagree with something they should immediately express their inconformity and try to resolve it in a respectful way.  Also as a follower, try to do the best effort to understand the manager points of view and think open mind, be patient.
http://pmstudent.com/project-management-leadership/ pinguins

Ethical behaviour and international business

What does the statement “all capitalism is crony capitalism” is referring to? Do you agree with this statement or not? Give an example.
The statement “all capitalism is crony capitalism” refers to the alliances made by the companies and the government affecting directly the development of the market. Those companies are the ones that have more advantages over the market providing to the government a lot of profits and benefits. I think that sometimes the government takes advantages of this, where they can manipulate the market for their convenience. I think the government sometimes abuses from its power and can affect us in damaging ways.  An example was when Wall-mart in order to enter the Chinese market had to do an alliance with a Chinese company owned by officials.
What is a banana republic? Why the author is comparing India with a banana republic?
Banana Republic refers to a country that deals a lot with crony capitalism and corruption also it is a country that bases its economy on agriculture. The author explains how Mr. Tata warn us against becoming a banana republic  because banana republic’s run on cronyism and that things are not good for people with lesser power in such states. This will create an unstable country where the rich will become richer and the poor ones will become poorest
Why is it problematic that in the business world “The Media” becomes a corporation?
The media can create a great unbalance in society affecting each aspect of it. It has a great power and influence everywhere and on everything, real state, mining, hotels, banks, even into private treaties with other corporations in whom they acquire a stake. Now day’s media is not very impartial, sometimes media shows things at their convenience. This is way we could say that if media becomes a corporation it will create an unbalance giving some power to others at their convenience affecting societal equilibrium and justice.
In this situation, what behaviors are considered unethical for corporations, journalist and the state?
ü  Corporations: manipulation to the media, corruption and their selfish attitude to the world.
ü  Journalists: their unethical behavior in order to get more credits bypassing the social welfare (un-neutral position); how they are influenced by people with more power just because their convenience and the lies they made up when broadcast information.
ü  State: people involved in this field are selfish and corrupt. They care more about their welfare than the others welfare.
What can The Media, Corporations and the States do in order to behave ethically and in the benefit of the people and not their own interest. Give at least 5 good ideas.
1.    The media can act in an impartial way, being fair and not damaging reputations, showing real and truth facts.
2.    Corporations should have a better emphasizes on social responsibility, providing the society benefits. Being honest and not selfish.
3.    Corporations should organize and restructured their objectives or goals in order to direct them to the welfare of society.
4.    State should focus more on the welfare of each individual than to the welfare of corporations. Eliminating the corruption.
5.    State should be less corrupt and more transparent. Provide more benefits to society trough social programs. Think first in society and them in themselves.

MNCs

1. How can we ensure corporations are held accountable for their actions “ethically” and “legally”? Creating conscious, especially to kids, who are the future of this world (education). Also through norms, laws, rules, penalties, control agencies, etc. Countries legislation should become stronger and just full.

2. Should individuals (directors, employees, shareholders) bear any responsibility for the actions of a corporation? If so to what degree? I think in a very high degree, because they are the ones responsible for everything. They are the brains behind these corporations.

3. What are the benefits of the corporate form? Could an alternative model offer these as well? Corporations allow the movement of people within them whether is legal or not in order to satisfy their economical needs. Also they make much money as they can and can bring development to society.

4. Search for a foreign multinational corporation that has operations in Colombia. Research if they are run under Colombian rules or regulations or if they have special regulations? Colgate Palmolive: they adjust to each country they are selling at, following and adapting to each rule or regulation, respecting the laws of each country. They have a conduct code where everything is clear and shown. http://www.colgate.com/Colgate/US/Corp/LivingOurValues/CodeOfConduct/PDFs/DY-245%20code_of_conduct_p_SP-LA_no%20faq.pdf. With this conduct code they provide more security and respect for each market, generating this way a really good image of the company to the world. So yes, they adapt to Colombia regulations in a positive way, bringing to the country a lot of benefits and development.

5. Should economic efficiency (Main argument for privatization) be the primary concern for commons and public services? Are there other criteria to determine who should own or operate them? In my opinion, economic efficiency should be the primary concern in commons and public services because if there is a good economic performance, it can provide development to society and a good quality life. Also because now days we have to follow globalization steps in order to be successful and survive in this business world. But there are some other things such as: social responsibility, environmental conscious, following laws etc that complement the economic efficiency. Things as ethics, values, good service and quality between others can be used to determine who should own or operate them.

Organizational motivation

Procter and Gamble Philippines uses this kind of strategies to motivate their employees, this way they can have a better performance. These two athletes had the objective to inspire greatness to P&G employees.
"Our people have always been our greatest asset and with our objective to be the best consumer products and services company in the world, we thought of bringing in only the best people to motivate our employees" These are words from P&G Philippines President and General Manager James M. Lafferty.
When I want some motivation in my life I look for phrases: its forbidden cry without learning, wake up some day without knowing what to do, be afraid of your memories and absolutely forbidden not to laugh to your problems.
http://www.pg.com/en_PH/news/articles/employee_motivation.shtml

Attitudes and values

Is it possible to change employee’s attitudes at work?
I think it is really difficult to change employee’s attitudes. It is a hard process, where you have to put a lot of effort. Like Thomas Jefferson said: “nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude”.
Some attitudes are more resistant to change, for example the ones derived from personal experiences: if for example I had a problem with my boss, my attitude will be stronger towards him and I will be really difficult to persuade.
As I already said, I think attitudes are difficult to change, BUT they are not impossible. With the necessary process, expertise, persuasion, words, etc. You can change someone’s attitude towards something or someone.

Organizational behaviour

Interesting phrases:
ü  The study of how individuals behave alone, as well as how individuals behave in groups.
ü  Maximum benefit for the individual employee as well as for the organization.
ü  Workers influence their environment and are also influenced by their environment.
ü  From the individual level to the group level.

CURIOUS THINGS...

I am so curious about Russia’s´ culture. Here I found a guy that shows his life in a small town of Russia. I found it interesting because it is a place that has terrible things but at the same time beautiful things, also because they live so different from us.
I am so fascinated with India culture. This blog is so interesting because it tells different experiences from different people, how they live their lives, how they act in front different situations, I really like to know personal experiences from others.
I found this blog interesting because I love to eat good food. I really like to enjoy the different meals of the day. I love to taste the food and also to watch it in photos.  Also in this blog are different recipes and dishes that seem delicious.

martes, 25 de enero de 2011

Description

"This blogs is an academic exercise part of the Organisations & Cultures’ course at the International Business Department at Universidad EAFIT".