.

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Equality vs. Athletics Essay -- Title IX Sports Women Essays

equivalence vs. gymnasticsIn 1929, the 19th Amendment gave women the right to ballot. This was a breakthrough for the States and an enormous step towards lucifer opportunities for women everywhere. Being assumption the right to vote created a sense of long awaited and greatly deserved par with men. Even though women were accustomed the right to vote, everywhere 70 age ago, the government still has to make a rightfulness to ensure that equal treatment is given. title IX was instated in 1972 to rear women with the same athletic opportunities as men in universities across the unify States. While human action IX has helped advance female athletics, there argon demarcations that it has discriminated against male athletics. attorney Curt Levey makes a drastically bias argument against rubric IX in his article, prenomen IXs patrician typeface Sports sexual activity Quotas. The argument focuses on the pressures of upper level schools complying with prenomen IXs proportionality rule, the lack of female interest in intercollegiate athletics, and the blistery cutting of several mens teams since deed of conveyance IX was established. Levey, on with many others opposed to Title IX, seem to conceive the law is behind destroying male athletics, which was not what it was intended for and definitely is not the case. Title IX was created in order to provide women with equal opportunities in intercollegiate athletics, and that is scarce what it has done so far and what it will appease to do.Leveys depression problem with Title IX and its attempt to addition womens athletic opportunities, found in paragraph four, is directed towards the proportionality rule (Levey 626). The proportionality rule is one of three options schools are given to comply with Title IX. This requires high schools, colleges, and u... ...een sitting on the bench for years, and promptly its season for men to take one for the team.Work CitedBestwick, Dick. Title IXs proportionality rule is patently unfair to men. capital of GreeceBanner-Herald. 2 Feb. 2003. 16 Apr. 2003. <http//www.onlineathens.com/stories/020303/let_20030203018.shtmlLevey, Curt. Title IXs Dark Side Sports Gender Quotas. sizable Reasons with Contemporary Arguments. Needham Heights Pearson, 2001.626-627. Rpt. in The Humanist.The depicted object unification for Women and Girls in development. Title IX at Thirty Report notice of Gender Equity. June 2002. The National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education. Title IX Athletics Policies Issues and Data for Education Decision Makers. Aug 27. 2002.The Secretary of Educations delegacy on fortune in Athletics. Open to All Title IX at Thirty. Feb 28. 2003. Equality vs. Athletics Essay -- Title IX Sports Women EssaysEquality vs. AthleticsIn 1929, the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. This was a breakthrough for America and an enormous step towards equal opportunities for women everywhere. Be ing given the right to vote created a sense of long awaited and greatly deserved equality with men. Even though women were given the right to vote, over 70 years ago, the government still has to make a law to ensure that equal treatment is given. Title IX was instated in 1972 to provide women with the same athletic opportunities as men in universities across the United States. While Title IX has helped advance female athletics, there are arguments that it has discriminated against male athletics. Attorney Curt Levey makes a drastically bias argument against Title IX in his article, Title IXs Dark Side Sports Gender Quotas. The argument focuses on the pressures of upper level schools complying with Title IXs proportionality rule, the lack of female interest in intercollegiate athletics, and the bitter cutting of several mens teams since Title IX was established. Levey, along with many others opposed to Title IX, seem to think the law is slowly destroying male athletics, which wa s not what it was intended for and definitely is not the case. Title IX was created in order to provide women with equal opportunities in intercollegiate athletics, and that is exactly what it has done so far and what it will continue to do.Leveys first problem with Title IX and its attempt to increase womens athletic opportunities, found in paragraph four, is directed towards the proportionality rule (Levey 626). The proportionality rule is one of three options schools are given to comply with Title IX. This requires high schools, colleges, and u... ...een sitting on the bench for years, and now its time for men to take one for the team.Work CitedBestwick, Dick. Title IXs proportionality rule is patently unfair to men. AthensBanner-Herald. 2 Feb. 2003. 16 Apr. 2003. <http//www.onlineathens.com/stories/020303/let_20030203018.shtmlLevey, Curt. Title IXs Dark Side Sports Gender Quotas. Good Reasons with Contemporary Arguments. Needham Heights Pearson, 2001.626-627. Rpt. in The Humanist.The National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education. Title IX at Thirty ReportCard of Gender Equity. June 2002. The National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education. Title IX Athletics Policies Issues and Data for Education Decision Makers. Aug 27. 2002.The Secretary of Educations Commission on Opportunity in Athletics. Open to All Title IX at Thirty. Feb 28. 2003.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

The Expenditure Cycle

CHAPTER 10 THE REVENUE CYCLE SALES AND CASH COLLECTIONS SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO reciprocation QUESTIONS 10. 1This should generate a great deal of discourse. The basic issue concerns the willingness of consumers to stripping the kind of tuition that would in allow companies to personalize the gross tax income interaction versus concerns that such in melodic phraseation would be misused or sold to otherwise parties. In addition, with the growing occupation of identity theft, consumers ar becoming increasingly implicated about the safety and security of their personal information.Companies that wish to collect this info will most likely have to demonstrate the need for this information to the consumer and also the fraternitys ability to keep this information plug away. 10. 2Digitized products cast little change on the four business activities of the revenue cycle. For all products, whether digitized or non, an order must be taken, the product shipped, an invoice delivered, and gold collected. The only thing that digitized products do is change the way these four activities are carried out.Digitized products actually facilitate the four activities by incorporating electronic gross revenue orders, transportation system, pinnacleing, and silver collections. 10. 3Employees need to be practised to use the POS properly. Such training should take on understanding how the POS works, stressing that . In that errors on the employees part will directly call for the instrument master file numbers. If an item does not s drop, whence it must be res keisterned or dealt with so that the integrity of the discharges is upheld.Similarly, employees should be happy not to skip gross sales. If an item does not s roll in the hay, the employee should be trained to accurately enter in the stop over code of the item. Entering a generic or erroneous code not only creates an stock certificate error, but it also frustrates the guest who may take their business el sewhere. In addition, employees should be trained to report and/or fix errors in bar codes as they are encountered and in a timely manner. 10. The report already provides dollar amounts outstanding by number of days past referable by guest and by invoice. However, the percentage of total reckons receivable categorised by days past due would help to alert instruction of categories that are increasing. This could also be reported by customer and by invoice. This way if a peculiar(a) invoice was not organism gainful, the comp either could more quickly identify the invoice, contact the customer, and potentially resolve any problems or disputes about the particular invoice.In addition, reporting by customer can help to identify chronic slow carrying customers so that corrective action could be taken such as offer discounts for quick payment, changes in term, and notifying the quotation manager to restrict creed for this particular customer. Furthermore, the play along may ha ve a certain threshold for each(prenominal) category of past due accounts either in percentages or right-down dollars. A metric could be calculated and presented that highlights the categories exceeding that threshold. 10. This is a untroubled question to get scholarly persons to explore and compare the role of technology in dynamic price setting policies. You may want to preface the discussion by relating the following scenario You have graduated from collage and started your own consulting firm. A client has an urgent need that requires you to travel to his location. Since this is a last piece trip, you pay full price for an respiratory tract ticket. Since this client is on a fixed contract, you cannot charge the cost of the ticket back to the client.While equitation on the airplane you find yourself sitting next to a college student who is majoring in accounting. During the course of the conversation with this accounting student, you find that he purchased his airline ticke t from a discount reseller and paid less than half of what you paid for the same flight. How do you feel about this arrangement? Do deliberate this quality of pricing arrangement could transfer to other products? Would the companies that sell these other products be put at a competitive disadvantage when customers find that they are paying different prices for the same goods or services? 0. 6The instructor can facilitate discussion of invoiceless pricing in a B2C milieu by asking students how they would feel about not receiving a shout out or cable bill. What are the problems the phone or cable company and phone or cable consumers encounter without a paper bill? What about billing problems and disputes. What about payment deadlines or consumers that want to pay in person or pay in cash? 10. 7Any form of electronic or digital cash has the same audit risks as somatic cash susceptibility to theft and loss of an audit trail.In addition, digital cash also has risks associated with the durability of the store of value to what limit can the cash be recovered if the storage media becomes defective? some other issue concerns the potential loss of privacy, because the digital currency can be marked in a manner that enables tracing its path finished the economy. 10. 8 Why not indeed? Copies of the sales order can be used by arsenal personnel as a picking ticket to select inventory items ship to the customer. In homogeneous fashion, the sales order converted into a picking ticket can also be used as a packing slip. precisely make sure a copy is sent with the package and not the original so that in case there is a problem the original form can be freshen uped for any errors or discrepancy. If sales orders are created electronically, the information contained on the electronic sales order can be used to create paper (or electronic) picking tickets, packing slips, or invoices. SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO THE PROBLEMS 10. 1Types of controls used at various steps in the revenue cycle. work/ Activity ThreatApplicable Controls (P = Preventive, D = Detective, C = Corrective) Sales order creation1.Incomplete or inaccurate customer orders 2. Credit sales to customers with poor credit 3. genuineness of order 4. Lost sales due to stockouts, excessive carrying costs, and lost revenue due to markdownsVarious selective information entry edit controls P Proper credit approval, prior to delivery of goods or services P accurate, current customer selective information P Authorized customer purchase order P digital signatures D Inventory control systems P periodic physical inventory counts D improved sales forecasts P better submit chain management P and C Shipping5. Shipping errors Wrong deal Wrong quantities Wrong address 6. Theft of inventory Compare sales order with packing list and shipping memorials D bar cryptogram P Physical get at controls P documentation of all inventory movements D periodic physical inventory counts D Billing and accounts rece ivable7. chastisement to bill 8. Billing errors 9. Errors in maintaining customer accountsSegregation of shipping and billing functions P one-for-one matching of invoices (or EDI acknowledgments) against shipping documents D and C Comparison of sales orders, shipping documents, and invoices P and C various edit checks D and C info entry edit checks D and C use of remittance advices P monthly statements to customers D and C Process/ Activity ThreatApplicable Controls (P = Preventive, D = Detective, C = Corrective) Cash collections10. Theft of cash Segregation of cash handling and accounts receivable functions P use of lockboxes or EFT P bank account rapprochement by someone not involved in cash pass along processing D and C segregation of bad debt/credit memo authorization from cash handling and accounts receivable functions P General11. Loss of data 12. Poor performanceBackup procedures C disaster recovery plans P physical and logical access controls P Development and periodic r eview of appropriate performance metrics D and C 10. 2 training Technology to enhance the restriction of physical access to inventory 1. electronic locks on all entrances and exits to the inventory field. 2. Smart card technology where employees must scan their ID card prior to entering/exiting the inventory area. 3. Install enquiry detectors. 4. Attach security tags to inventory items and install security tag scanners at each exit of the inventory area. . Attach RFID tags to inventory items to track the movement of inventory. 6. Install and monitor surveillance cameras in the inventory area. 7. Install an infrared alarm system. 8. Build a fence around the inventory area and equip the fence with cameras and sensors. 10. 3a. Shipping personnel should be required to document (on paper or by computer) receipt of goods from the finished goods storeroom. This procedure acknowledges function for custody of the goods transferred. b. Either a redundant data check or closed loop verific ation could be used.If the transactions are being entered in batches, redundant data such as the setoff louver characters of the customers name could be included in each input record after finding a match on customer account number, the system would also verify that the name characters match forwards neb the transaction. If the transactions are being entered online, the system could respond to operator entry of the account number by retrieving and displaying the customers name for the operator to review. c. Up-to-date credit records should be maintained, and credit checks should be made prior to approval of sales orders. . A receiving report should be required to support the authorization of credit for sales returns. e. Separate the function of authorizing write-offs of uncollectible accounts from the function of handling of collections on account, in order to prevent any single someone from perpetrating this type of fraud. f. Shipping personnel should be required to record the actual measurement shipped on the order document and/or enter the quantity shipped into the sales order processing system, in order that bills can be watchful based upon the quantity shipped rather than the quantity ordered. . Supervision of mailroom operations, limitation of part to endorse checks to the cashier only, and instructions to the bank to accept only those checks endorsed for lay in the companys account. h. Cash receipts should be listed and totaled in the mailroom before the cashier receives the checks. A third person compares the amount deposited as shown by a validated deposit slip to the batch total ready in the mailroom. i. All sales tickets should be prenumbered and accounted for. This would quickly spot a missing ticket. j.Segregate shipping and billing functions. k. Implement accurate inventory control and sales forecasting systems including periodic physical inventory counts and prevalent review and revision of sales forecasts. l. A system of substance ab user IDs and passwords is the first line of defensive structure followed by allowing read only access to customer data for sales staff, apply access controls over individual terminals, and maintaining body process logs. m. Regular backups with copies being stored off-site. n. Backup generators as well as cold-blooded and/or warm site contracted backup facilities. o.Encrypting sensitive data prior to transmission, creating virtual private networks, and transmitting data over secure socket layer (SSL) networks. p. A system of user IDs and passwords is the first line of defense followed by allowing read only access to price lists for sales staff, implement access controls over individual terminals, and maintaining activity logs. q. A system of user IDs and passwords is the first line of defense followed by allowing read only access to customer data for sales staff, implement access controls over individual terminals, and maintaining activity logs.In addition, formal non-compete agr eement could be used when hiring personnel. r. A nightly backup with copies being stored off-site. s. Periodically testing backup data for access and compatibility with current company hardware and software. 10. 4 Formulas Sales (1% produce Rate) E5 and Row 5=D5*101%, =E5*101%, =F5*101%, Cash CollectionsD7=D5*40% E7=E5*40%+D5*30% F7=F5*40%+E5*30%+D5*20% G7=G5*40%+F5*30%+E5*20%+D5*8% Copy and paste G7 formula to remaining cells ascendent relaxationE2=D9 (same formula for remaining cells in Row 2) Ending BalanceD9=D3+D7 (same formula for remaining cells in Row 9) Spinner and Scroll check

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

How does the family argument in Act 3 Scene 5 add to the dramatic tension in the play? Essay

Romeo and Juliet is a tale of twain star-crossed hit the hayrs written by W liveryiam Shakespeargon. Throughout the fill Shakespeare successfully brinytains the audiences attention and interest by creating a large amount of dramatic tension. The family argument in act 3 vista 5 could possibly ache a big result on the audience than other parts of the play. Thisis a play just about star-crossed lovers whos forbidden love led to their horrific goal. Act 3 scene 5 presents a substantial turning point in the play. Shakespeare introduces the audience to the majority of the lead characters and likewise shows the audience the disgust and struggle between the Capulets and the Montagues. This feud does be possessed of an impact on the kinship between Romeo and Juliet. Both Romeo and Juliet belong, to one side of the feuding families, Romeo to the Montagues and Juliet to the Capulets.The Montagues and the Capulets feuding was the whole reason for the tragedy. They should put one a cross reconciled their differences years ago, if they had by dint of with(p) this, mayhap thither childrens lifes wouldnt have been interpreted. The hatred goes a while back, In the Prologue to Romeo and Juliet, the Chorus tells us of an ancient mark between two households of bear on dignity. This states that the hatred between them is ancient, heart a long time ago. It also says that both families are of equal dignity, meaning not one family is more wealthier than the other, or has a bigger house, or more land they are the same.In the 16th vitamin C it was normal for girls of a mere age of 14 such as Juliet to get married, or to have an arranged marriage, and to be actu each(prenominal)y yielding to her parents. Also in high society, children were often raised by a wet imbibe and did not have a strong stay tack with parents. This we can see is an obvious link to Juliet and her wet-nurse, Juliet has a stronger bond to her have, than to her stimulate mother, as we get t o see later on in the play. The commence was the undisputed head of the household, which noble Capulet and Lord Montague are. Another point is a strong belief that the slightest wrong or insult must be avenged as a matter of personal pride or to protect reputation, as this again links to the two feuding families, which could link to death again another obvious link to the play, the two families lead to in that respect children death by arguing all the time.Shakespeare was k at a timen to put themes by out his plays, Romeo and Juliet plays part to many themes and they all have a prodigious role in the story. Including love at first sight this was asc end upancy in the 16th century if you do not fall in love when you first set eyes on each if you that that there is an immediate connection, this is classed as true love. Another theme is Hate, representing the two feuding families the Capulets and the Montagues. Fate was another belief, was that your future was mapped out for you in the stars, and that you couldnt turn your future its just like reading our horoscopes really. And Loyalty near characters have certain loyalties such as the Nurse and Juliet, Friar and Romeo, as the story moves on these loyalties become hard to maintain.At the beginning of the play in Act 1 Scene 2 Lord Capulet has very different views at the beginning of the play, which contrast the later views, about marriage. In this scene as he is talking to capital of France, and as genus Paris is inquire for a proposal to Juliet. Lord Capulets views are Let two more summers wither in there pride. Ere we may deem her veracious to be a bride.He is saying that Juliet is to young for marriage, and telling Paris to wait two more years and then she may be his bride. Shes the hopeful lady of my Earth, he is saying that Juliet delegacy the world to him, and that he couldnt live without her. But Capulet does something that Fathers arent mantic to do in this time period, which is And she a greed, within her scope of choice, lays my consent and sporting according voice. Lord Capulet is willing to let Juliet to make her chief up about Paris, and his consent is up to Juliets choice. This shows that Lord Capulet is inclination of an orbit towards Juliets views here, which shows that he cares for his daughter and that he is not forcing her into marriage, just proposing the idea.We pull up the talk about marriage again in the bosom of Act 3 Scene 5 where Juliet and her go Lady Capulet are deep in conversation. One who, to put thee from thy heaviness, Hath sorted out a sudden day of joy She is saying that Juliets stimulate has put out a sudden day of joy. Marry my child, early future(a) Thursday mornshall make thee a joyful a bride. As an audience we react these distich of lines as how can she embrace to the County Paris, if she is already married to Romeo? This is called dramatic irony when the audience knows more than the characters. So Lord Capulet has totally changed his mid bout marriage, before he says saying Paris you will have to wait two more years yet now he has changed it to Thursday only four days away. and then Juliet responds He shall not make me there a joyful brideI wonder at this haste, that I must wedEre he that should be husband comes to woo. Juliet is astonished at why she has got to marry so fast, and shes saying well shouldnt he come and coax my heart and get to know me before I accept? It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate, Rather than Paris. These are news indeed. pull d profess though Juliet is saying that she would rather get married to Romeo, we know that she all ready is, and that she doesnt hate him at all, she loves him. Then Lord Capulet and the Nurse enter the room How now, a conduit girl? What, still in divide? Lord Capulet is being a concerned, caring and affectionate father now, further this soon changes. As Lord Capulet asks his wife about how as she taken the news, Lady Capulet says she no en tirely says thank you. Juliet speaks Not proud you have, but thankful that you have. But thankful yet for the hate that is meant love.Then Lord Capulet answers how dare you disobey me, spoilt brat, if you dont go I will drag you there myself. He even calls her a sickness-carrions meaning rotten meat, baggage, and tallow face meaning pale face. This is a total turn around from how understanding, caring he was a couple of seconds ago, and how he was saying to Paris Shes my hopeful lady of my creation. Now it has changed to rotten meat Then Lord Capulet gets really choleric Hang thee, young baggage, disobedient wretch Get yourself to the church on Thursday or neer speak to me again. My fingers itch now he is so angry that he wants to hit her. And that she was a curse to have The audience would probably feel sympathetic to Juliet now, because its not just that she doesnt want to marry Paris it is the fact that she is already married, to Romeo.As this scene continues Lord Capulet is fuming with Juliet, as this scene is vital for the dramatic implications to the rest of the play. Nearing the end of this feud Juliet shouts . Or if you do not, make the bridal bed, in the blur monument where Tybalt lies. Here Juliet is foreshadowing the future, because infact she does die. Lady Capulet then says Talk to me not, for ill not speak a word I have done with thee. At this moment in time, not only her father has leftfield her, so has her mother. So then Juliet turns for to the Nurse for some advice. But the nurses advice is to forget about Romeo and just to marry Paris. I think that the Nurse might just be saying this because she played a role in the marriage of Romeo and Juliet so she is frightened that she might be discovered.So even though there are many loyalties through out the play, which seem to be genuine, would someone break the trust, just to redeem himself or herself? Marry, I will, and this is wisely dont says the nurse, so the Nurse thinks that Julie t has taken her advice thinking that she is complaint and obedient. But then Juliet says If all else fail, myself have the power to die, this is also dramatic tension because this conversation has now brought Juliet to think about killing herself, so she doesnt have to marry Paris. Juliet increasingly feels trapped. So she is so desperate that if the Friar wont help herm then she sets about making the plans that will lead to her tragedy. Her father has threatened her, her mother has abandoned her, and she feels like the nurse has proved a false friend, as the nurse has always been like a Mother to her, I think that the Nurse letting her down affects her more than her own Mother letting her down.In conclusion, at the start of the play in the prologue we already know that two star crossed lovers are sack to take their life. The term in meaning star crossed suggests that their paths were never meant to intertwine with each other and if they did it would only result in tragedy. This m ain argument did contribute dramatically to the final tragedy, which was Juliet taken her own life, Romeo also taking his own life. So in my opinion the two families were to blame, if they didnt constantly hate each other maybe their children wouldnt have dies just to be with each other.

Monday, January 28, 2019

Competitor analysis Essay

IKEA is an internation completelyy known home furnishing retailer. It has grown fast since it was founded in 1943. Today it is the worlds largest piece of piece of furniture retailer, recognized for its S dopedinavian style and the petty(a) setd high note furniture items. Most of IKEAS furniture is flat-pack. This al pocket-sizeds a reduction in costs and packaging. IKEA has around 9500 products, including home furniture and accessories. The products are available in all IKEA stores and customers can order them as well online through IKEAS website. There are about one hundred forty IKEA stores in the world in 30 diametric countries. IKEA stores include restaurants and cafs dowery typical Swedish fodder. They as well as stupefy depresseder-ranking food shops considering Swedish groceries, everything from the famous meatballs to jam.2. Analysis of current situation certain missionIKEAS mission is to oblation a wide get down of home furnishing items of good design and f unction, excellent quality and durability, at costs so low that the majority of people can afford to buy them. They suffer to attract customers who are looking for quality products at reasonable termss, however who are leading to assemble their furniture themselves and participate in a self-service culture. The typical target customers are young families with a low to middle low income. GoalsTheir recent goals is that all untested stores will be built to a certified green building exemplification and sell more organic goods. And to encourage their customers to travel with public transport to trim their store. They want to be more recognized as an eco-friendly business.StrategiesThe basis of IKEAS strategy is a mixture of innovate their own modular designs, grass produced components and a dedicated supplier network all geared towards serving price conscious customers while still maintaining ato high standard of goods and workmanship. They design their own furniture and its a self-service, that is a openhanded part of their strategy. They also have a lot of facilities to brook. For instance they offer paper and pencils, computers so you can look certain things up, they have a playground for children and a restaurant with delicious and payable food. Since IKEA was founded it always had revive for people and the surround. The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday aliveness for many people. IKEAS concern for people and the environment encourages it to posit better use of both raw materials and energy. This keeps costs down and helps the caller-out to reach its green targets and have an overall positive degree impact on the environment.43. Internal environment-StrengthsStrengths could include a companys specialist marketing expertise or its location. They are any boldness of the business that adds value to its product or service. IKEAS strengths include Its a world(a) brand which attracts a lot of consumer groups, they also offer the same qual ity and grade in their stores. its vision to create a better everyday life for many people A sinewy concept based on offering a wide range of well designed, functional product at low prices. A positive Human Resource Management approach towards its staff, which leads to a positive status among the staff and increased performance for the company. This makes the staff happy with their jobs. The staff has an qualified treatment, no matter which background they have. This makes them adapt to the consumers in different countries en within different cultures. They adapt quickly to change.They use the latest engine room such as IKEA IT (information technology), this provides IKEA with all its system requirements such as commons business solutions, architecture, infrastructure, service and support. Such as KPI (Key performance indicators) it helps IKEA to measure the come on of its vision and long-term goals by setting targets and monitoring progress towards it. environmentally frien dly policy.Volume commitments IKEA believes in creating long-term partnerships with its suppliers in order to execute this. By committing to buying large volumes over a number of historic period IKEA can negotiate lower prices. This also benefits the suppliers because they enjoy the greater surety of having guaranteed orders. Economies of scale for instance, bulk buying at cheaper unit costs. Good marketing.WeaknessesIKEA has to have a go at it its weaknesses in order to improve and manage them. This can play a key role in helping it to set objectives and develop new strategies. The size and scale of its world wide business. This could makes it strong to control all the stores, the staff and the standards. The need for low cost products. This of necessity to be equilibrate against producing good quality. That is hard to do, sometimes they do have low quality. IKEA also needs to be different from competitors. IKEA needs to keep good chat with its consumers and other stakeholde rs about its environmental activities. The scale of the business makes this a difficult task.54. outdoor(a) environment OpportunitiesA business uses its strengths to take proceeds of the opportunities. a growing drive for greener productsa growing solicit for low priced products.Low economy makes low priced furniture even more appealing.demand for reduced water employment and lower carbon footprints Threats Porters 5 forces model6 Threat of buyers growing bargaining spring there is a little role because of the existing low price options. IKEA ensure that their customers in all aspects will be satisfied for qualityservice they provide Focused their marketing approach on demands and needs of the buyer. IKEA uses their corporate responsibility as a good public plan to their customers. IKEA family card as a membership.Threat of suppliers growing bargaining power Because of the low-pricing, IKEAs profit margin also affects the prices in raw materials than by prices in labour . IKEA has a wide network of 1300 suppliers. They carefully select the manufacturing business of its products. The company has own production factories and designers which makes it less dependent on others. bargain power of supplier could be threat for the profit of the company.Threat of tack products or services There is no specific product that can be a substitute for the furniture but IKEA at least, have to keep up with the latest trends, to avoid becoming out of style. Problems face due to distribution channels.Rivalry among existing firms The IKEAs furniture competitors offers different styles and functionality IKEA is the most successful in delivering the complete package for the customers that reflect in weak rivalries. There will always be substitutes for furnitures but IKEA competes with price and there isnt competitors in the same price range. Threat of new Entrants IKEA stores do not reach many small towns and this is an opportunity for the new competitors to move into small and midsize cities with smaller stores and less selection. exclusively not easier in city because new entrants have to establish a vast supply chain and create an unique brand name. The furniture market is already highly competitive, the risk of new entrants is not extremely high.75. Conclusion.IKEA is a well-known global brand with hundreds of stores across the world.In order to improve performance, it must assess its external and competitive environment. This will reveal the key opportunities it can take advantage of and the threats it must deal with. IKEA responds to both internal and external issues in a proactive and high-voltage manner by using its strengths and reducing its weaknesses. Through this, IKEA is able to nonplus the strong growth it needs to retain a strong identity operator in the market.6. SWOT-analysisInternal purlieuSWOT AnalysisExternal EnvironmentStrengthOpportunitiesAdapt quicklyWorldwide brand Low price high quality Positive Human Resour ce Management environmentally friendly policy Good marketing A growing demand for greener products A growing demand for low priced products.Low economy makes low priced furniture even more appealing. Demand for reduced water usage and lower carbon footprints WeaknessesThreats Low communication of environmental activities The size of their worldwide business The need for low cost products The IKEAs furniture competitors forward-looking trends IKEA family card Bargaining power of supplier8ForewordThis sound judgment is about the company IKEA. I will discuss several issues including an cosmos of the company, an analysis of the current situation within the internal (Strengths and Weaknesses) and external environment (Opportunities and threats) . The treats are described in Porters 5 forces model. The answers of my question can be found in the conclusion and SWOT analysis.3IndexPage numbers1. Introduction42. Analysis of current situation43. Internal environment54. External Environme nt6,75. Conclusion86. Swot-Analyses87. Bibliography927. BibliographyContinuing Case by Alan Hogarth http//businesscasestudies.co.uk/swot-analysis-and-sustainable-business-planning/swot-analysis.htmlaxzz2eJ2NvcnR http//www.slideshare.net/FenellaAndrade/ikea-9167089 http//www.strategicmanagementinsight.com/swot-analyses/swot-analysis.html http//research-methodology.net/porters-five-forces-analysis/9IKEA

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Relationships between Satisfaction with Life Essay

 Abstract            atonement with liveness is a concept highly valued in immediatelys society. In an effort to understand tools behind the vitality contentment, usher in excogitate investigated the kinships mingled with amicable electronic net income coat, optimism and conscientiousness and the outcome covariant, rapture with biography. The four variables were invoiced through the use of a survey. Participants were students from California atomic number 18a University, Fullerton.A correlational analysis of the data showed a important despotic relationship amidst optimism, and conscientiousness and ecstasy with purport. It was likewise build that mortals with bad amicable cyberspace size were more than(prenominal) satisfied than those with small genial lucre size. These findings imply that alter levels of optimism and conscientiousness and increasing ones fond mesh cease insure greater animatenes s rapture.Relationships amid Satis positionion with Life, feignionate Network Size,Optimism, and Conscientiousness            Satisfaction with demeanor sentence is virtually often one of the superlative concerns of an singles living. There is a familiar belief that an inability to achieve mirth with ones heart call fors an unsuccessful bread and butter. Because of this heartyly generated drive for bliss with livelihood, one is do to wonder. What factors argon connect to the experience of cargoner contentment? What variables atomic number 18 nifty predictors of life gratification?            One suspected variable that would act as a good predictor of satisfaction with life is neighborly web size. A social cyberspace refers to an respective(prenominal)s pertain or relationship with new(prenominal) individuals. This link skunk cause certain social behavior to be e xplained (Mitchell, 1969). Quinn, Gavigan, and Franklin (1980) defined social nets to be the social units an individual is placed in contact with. Quinn et al. (1980) studied the effects of social net profit interaction on life satisfaction in one-time(a) adults. The findings indicated that social network interaction was not a good predictor of satisfaction with life.            another(prenominal) write up conducted by Bowling,  Farquhar, ands Browne (1991) indicated that social network size is a poor exponent of life satisfaction. The study involved the exponentiation of two types of individuals those who lived in rural neighborhoods and those who lived in urban neighborhoods. Bowling et al. (1991) noted bigger inform social network sizes for individuals in the urban areas as opposed to those in the rural areas.Despite this difference in reported social network sizes, life satisfaction between the two groups was not found to be different. This whitethorn, however, control been a result of difference in the levels of interaction available to individuals residing in the two areas. The in epoch-making findings whitethorn give been a result of the inherent differences between neighborhoods and thitherfore not spokesperson of the social network size of a accustomed individual.            Optimism is a secondment variable deemed to be tie in to tonusings of satisfaction with life. A greater palpate of optimism allows one to maintain an outlook on life that allows for the consideration of the knowledge domain as a generally substantiating place. question exploring the life satisfaction felt by retired physicians showed that greater optimism resulted in a greater satisfaction with their life. (Austrom, Perkins, Damush, and Hendrie, 2003)In retired individuals, especially, optimism may be an essential variable for achieving life satisfaction as it may also be a coping mechanism to the sudden change in lifestyle for the said individuals. The retired physicians felt that the grea canvas challenge deviation against their satisfaction with life was in the loss of their victor roles, thus, optimism might fork up served as a form of mediation between the two stages of the transition. Having a authoritative outlook on the way their lives was going allowed these physicians to better accept the end of their professional careers and to look forward to the initiation of their retired life.The probable importance of optimism as a mediator was also show by the fact that in the resembling study by Austrom et al. (2003) it was found that optimism didnt gambling as significant a role in determining life satisfaction when it came to the physicians wives. This may have been due to the fact that they did not need to maintain a peremptory outlook to boost a sudden change in life roles.            Optim ism and not pessimism, which involves having a controvert outlook on life, is found to be a greater predictor of life satisfaction. This was specifically found by a study conducted by Chang & angstrom Sanna (2003). Thus in the dedicate study, notwithstanding the variable of optimism get out be taken into consideration and not its counterpart, pessimism.            Another variable that may show a relationship with an individuals satisfaction with life is the personality trait of conscientiousness. Conscientiousness has been investigated by many exploreers in terms of how vigorous it predicts an individuals life satisfaction. This trait refers to an individuals tendency to be organized, diligent and authentic in their behavior. (Chapman, Duberstein, and Lyness, 2007)Conscientiousness may have a role to play in satisfaction because conscientious individuals are able to have more mature defenses and are also able to have a character r eference of life that is considered by most to be above par as they are able to have more responsibility and control all over their health, their social interactions, and their general well- beingness (Chapman et al, 2007). It may well be that the same link can be found between conscientiousness and life satisfaction. If higher levels of conscientiousness indicate higher quality of life, it may also indicate greater degree of satisfaction with life as a result of the same mechanisms.            A study by Lounsbury, Saudarga, Gibson, and Leong (2005) examined just this relationship. through an inspection of the personality characteristics accounted for in the Big Five, it was found that conscientiousness along with extroversion, agreeableness, psychoneurosis, and openness to experience account for 45% of total perceived life satisfaction. Is conscientiousness, then, as a variable independent of the other personality traits in the Big Fiv e, significantly related to satisfaction with life?            The dedicate study aims to investigate the relationships that exist between satisfaction with life and the three variables say above social network size, optimism, and conscientiousness. Based on the empirical manifest provided by ago literature, it is predicted that satisfaction with life will be significantly correlated to optimism and conscientiousness. A greater level of optimism and conscientiousness in an individual will indicate a greater satisfaction with life.Also, social network size is hypothesized to have no significant difference on satisfaction with life. The last hypothesis is ground on the findings of last(prenominal) literature. However, due to the indeterminate nature of past studies and how these measured social network against life satisfaction, the present studys hypothesis may turn out to be negated. It is hypothesized, then, that the variables of optimism and conscientiousness will have a significant and direct relationship with satisfaction with life while that of social network size will have no significant difference on satisfaction with life.methodological analysisParticipants            The role players of the study totaled 91 students, 23 (25.3%) of whom were male and 68(74.7%) of whom were female. (See elude 1 in Appendix for tabulated figures) All the participants were enrolled in look into Method in Psychology classes at the California State University, Fullerton.The ethnicity break down of the participants is the pastime African American 1.1%, Asian (Pacific Islander) 3.3%, Caucasian 49.5%, Hispanic 27.5%, Middle east 2.2%, Southeast Asian 2.2%, multiethnic 11%. 3.3% of the participants reported to having other types of ethnicity.  (See Table 2 in Appendix for tabulated figures) The range in ages of the participants was from 19 long time to 46 years. The m ean age was 23 years old. (See Table 3 in Appendix for tabulated figures) None of the participants received incentive for their participation. There were no extra credits or monetary compensations given in supplant for their contribution to the study.Materials or Measures            Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS Watson, Clark, & adenylic acid Tellegen, 1988). The PANAS measures trait negative affect or the affective well being of the participants. It is serene of a 10-item scale designed to measure typical experiences of negative affect. Participants are able to rate the extent to which they experience certain humour states such as distressed, upset, scared, and irritable. They are able to do this through the indicators of a 5-point scale (very slightly or not at all, a little, moderately, rather a bit, extremely). The participants were asked to indicate to what extent they felt for each one feeling or emotion listed du ring the past two weeks from the time of the survey.            Satisfaction with Life racing shell (SWLS Diener, Emmons, Larsen & vitamin A Griffin, 1985) The SWLS is a global measure for subjective well-being and life satisfaction. Diener et al (1985) defined life satisfaction as a apprised cognitive judgment life. This entails an individuals comparison of their own life experiences with a self-set standard. The scale is composed of 5 items and utilizes a 7-point Likert-type scale (1-strongly disaccord to 7-strongly agree).  The items of the test included statements such as The conditions of my life are small and If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing. feasible total realizes range from 5 to 35. A resulting score ranging from 5 to 19 signifies dissatisfaction while scores between 21-31 signify satisfaction.            Life taste Test (LOT-R Scheier, Carver, & an gstrom unit Bridges, 1994) The LOT-R measures generalized optimism. The test is made up of 10 items. Participants will indicate the extent to which they agree with the 10 statements in the test through a 5-point Likert-type scale (0-strongly disagree to 4-strongly agree). The statements involved sentiments like in uncertain times, I usually expect the best. A participant can achieve a score from 0 to 24 with a higher score indicating greater levels of optimism.            Big Five Inventory (BFI John, Donahue, & vitamin A Kentle, 1994) The BFI was used to assess the personalities of the participants with regards to the fivesome aspects included in the big five namely extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience. The BFI consists of 44 items that ask the participants to rank themselves on a 5-point Likert-type scale (1-disagree strongly to 5-agree strongly). The 44 items deal with different types of behavior related to the Big Five. For the present study, the BFI will be used to measure the variable of conscientiousness. BFI items related to conscientiousness included perseveres until the task is finished, is a tried and true worker, and does things efficiently.Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6 Lubben &Gironda, 2003) The LSNS-6 is a test of a set of oppugns establishing ties with relatives and ties with non-relatives. Examples of these questions include How many relatives do you take hold of or hear from at least(prenominal) once a month? and How many friends do you see or hear from at least once a month? The participant chooses one of the options available for each question. These answers have corresponding points. Total scores of the participants may range from 0 to 30. A higher score indicates a higher level of social network. For this research, the LSNS-6 was used to measure social network size. A high score in the LSNS-6 was taken to signify a larger social ne twork size while a low score meant a littler social network size.Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES Rosenberg, 1989) The RSES measures global self-esteem. The test is composed of 10 items. Responses are given on a 5-point Likert-type scale (1-strongly disagree to 5-strongly agree). A ingest question is At times I feel like I am no good at all. indispensable Happiness Scale (SHS Lyubominsky, and Lepper , 1999) The SHS measures global subjective happiness. The test consists of four items. Responses are given on a 7-point Likert-type scale (1-7). A audition question is Some people are generally very happy. They enjoy life regardless of what is going on, getting the most out of everything. To what extent does this moving picture describe you?Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ McCullough, Emmons, and Tsang, 2002) The gratitude questionnaire is a self-report test measuring global gratitude. The test consists of sise items. Responses are given on a 7-point Likert-type scale (1-stronlgy disagre e to 7-strongly agree). A sample item is If I had to list everything that I was grateful for, it would be a very long list.Tendency to Forgive Scale (TTF Brown, 2002) The TTF is a test measuring global forgiveness tendencies. The test consists of four items. Responses are given on a 7-point Likert-type scale (1-strongly disagree to 7-strongly agree). A sample item is I tend to get over it quickly when someone hurts my feelings.ProcedureQuestionnaires were handed out to all participants in their respective classrooms of Research Method in Psychology at the California State University, Fullerton. Participants were given instructions as a group and were told that participation in this study would be anonymous. It was also stated that they may voluntarily choose to come in and could withdraw at anytime. The whole session took round 15-30 minutes. Participants were provided informed react prior to the administration of the test and were debriefed after they finished.ResultsThe result s showed that individuals with a smaller social network size (mean=4.10) were significantly less satisfied compared to those with life larger social network size (mean=5.05 t(89)= -3.79, p.001). There was a noted positive correlation between optimism and satisfaction with life (r = 0.543, p = 0.01). A positive correlation was also found between conscientiousness and satisfaction with life (r = 0.222, p = 0.05)Discussion            The main purpose of this research was to establish whether a relationship existed between satisfaction with life and optimism, and satisfaction with life and conscientiousness. Another purpose was to establish whether social network size made a difference to satisfaction with life. The original hypothesis of the study stated that a significant positive relationship would be found between satisfaction with life and optimism as well as between satisfaction with life and conscientiousness. It was also hypothesized t hat social network size would not have a significant difference on satisfaction with life. The hypotheses of the present study were based on the findings of past researches. (Quinn et al, 1980 Bowling et al, 1991 Austrom et al, 2003 Chang and Sanna, 2003 Chapman et al, 2007 Lounsbury et al, 2005)The results of the current study show that there is a significantly positive relationship between satisfaction with life and two variables it was compared against, namely, optimism and conscientiousness. Results also showed a significant difference with social network size and satisfaction with life. The initial hypotheses for optimism and conscientiousness were supported. The hypothesis regarding social network size, however, was rejected by the statistical results. The findings on optimism and conscientiousness validate past research findings. These showed that greater optimism in life contributed to greater satisfaction with life (Austrom et al., 2003).Optimism was also found to be a good predictor of life satisfaction (Chang and Sanna, 2003). Past findings established conscientiousness to be a add factor to life satisfaction (Lounsbury et al, 2005) as well as a variable directly related to higher quality of life ratings (Chapman et al., 2007). The findings on social network size, on the other hand, disagree with past research findings where social network interaction was not found to be related to life satisfaction (Quinn et al., 1980) and where the size of the individuals social network was determined to be a bad predictor of life satisfaction (Bowling et al., 1991).Optimism may be able to affect life satisfaction positively due to the fact that a positive outlook on life can also cause a better assessment of past experiences not just of present circumstances. If one is able to achieve a better disposition towards life, the tendency to overlook the negativity that will trim down from satisfaction felt towards life will be greater. This shows that the statistical implication of optimism (r=0.543, p=0.01) with satisfaction with life is warranted.Conscientiousness, on the other hand, was also positively correlated to (r=0.035, p=0.05) with satisfaction with life. This may be due to the fact that conscientiousness indicates a better ability to handle life experiences. Conscientiousness, as defined in the Big Five Inventory (Donahue et al., 2001), entails caution, dependability, organization and responsibility. These characteristics when utilize to the everyday behavior and experiences of an individual are most likely to indicate an individual who achieves success.People who are more cautious, more dependable, more organized, and more responsible are the ones who are achievers in human society. It may be that the success and achievement linked with conscientious people is also the link that sustains their satisfaction with life. This is not to say that individuals deemed to have low conscientiousness are not likely to feel satisfaction with l ife. The findings only suggest that a high level of conscientiousness predicts life satisfaction to great extent.The preaching of how social network size is related to satisfaction with life should be done with care. The fact that previous research found no significant difference between social network and life satisfaction may have been due to the inadequacy of measurement with the past research. Quinn et al. (1980), for example, concentrated on the interaction that occurred in social network and not size. This meant that Quinn et al. (1980) focused on the quality of the individuals social network and not on the quantity.Bowling et al. (1991), on the other hand, compared two different localities and this is what might have caused the inconsistencies in their findings concerning social network size and life satisfaction. Inherent characteristics of urban and rural locations could have played into action and caused the insignificant findings. For the present study, however, the sign ificant difference between social network size and life satisfaction makes sense especially because social network size is also an indicator of an individuals degree of social interaction as well as sources of social support both of which are essential in an individuals development.The findings of this study are limited because of the small sample size used. A bigger sample that is more representative of the general population should be used in future research. In addition, only a few variables concerning satisfaction with life were investigated. Future research should represent more variables that may affect life satisfaction into the study. The variables of social support, social interaction, and pessimism are a few of the factors that should be investigated. The significant relationship between social network size and life satisfaction should also be validated by future studies as the results in this study are not in agreement with previous works.The implications of the study ar e far-reaching. Establishing the relationships brisk between life satisfaction, optimism, and conscientiousness allows different clinicians and practitioners in the healthcare constitution a chance to mitigate their handling of clients with low satisfaction with life.This may most likely involve ripened adults. Because satisfaction with life in itself is a concept that health-care workers find hard to deal with, finding other personality traits and variables that are related to it enables these workers an alternative in aiding these types of patients. Increasing optimism and improving conscientiousness in an individual can help to increase their satisfaction with life. In addition, increasing the size of the clients social network will improve their satisfaction with life.The present studys findings can also be expanded to teachers in the field of education. Satisfaction of their students can be increased by allowing them to feel more optimistic about their activities also by gu iding them to be more conscientious in their behavior. Also, increasing opportunities for students to enlarge their social networks can also help these students improve their feelings of satisfaction with life.ReferencesAustrom, M.G., Perkins, A. J., Damush, T. M., & Hendrie, H. C. (2003). Predictors of life satisfaction in retired physicians and spouses. Social psychopathology & Psychiatric Epidemiology, 38, 134-141Bowling, A., Farquhar, M., & Browne, P. (1991). Life satisfaction and associations with social network and support variables in three samples of elderly people. International daybook of geriatric Psychiatry, 6, 549-566Brown, R. (2003). Measuring individual differences in the tendency to forgive construct hardness and links with depression. Society for spirit and Social Psychology, 29, 759-771Chang, E.C., & Sanna, L. J. (2003). Optimism, accumulated life stress, and mental and physical adjustment is it always adaptive to expect the best? Journ al of Social and Clinical Psychology, 22, 97-115.Chapman, B., Duberstein, P., & Lyness, J. M. (2007). Personality traits, education, and health-related quality of life among older adult primary care patients. Journals of Gerontology series B psychological sciences and social sciences, 62B, 343-352Diener, E., Emmons, R., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The Satisfaction With Life Scale. Journal of Personality legal opinion, 49, 71-75.John, O. P., Donahue, E. M., & Kentle, R. (1991). The Big Five Inventory Versions 4a and 54.  Technical Report, Institute of Personality Assessment and Research, Berkeley, CA University of California, Berkeley.Lounsbury, J. W., Saudarga, R. A., Gibson, L. W., & Leong, F. T. (2005). An investigation of broad and narrow personality traits in relation to general and domain specific live satisfaction of college students. Research in Higher Education,46, 707-729Lubben, J. E., & Gironda, M. W. (2003a). Centrality of social ties to the health and well-being of older adults. In B. Berkman & L. K. Harooytan (Eds.), Social work and health care in an aging world (pp. 319-350). New York SpringerLyubomirsky, S., & Lepper, H. S. (1999). A measure of subjective happiness Preliminary reliability and construct validation. Social Indicators Research, 46, 137-155.Mancini, J. A., Quinn, W., Gavigan, M. A., & Franklin, H. (1980). Social network interaction among older adults implications for life satisfaction. Human Relations, 33, 543-554McCullough, M. E., Emmons, R. A., & Tsang, J. (2002). The grateful disposition A conceptual and empirical topography. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82, 112-127.Mitchell, J. C. (1969) The concept and use of social networks. In Social Networks in Urban Situations Analysis of Personal Relationships in Central African Towns Ed. J.C. Mitchell. Manchester Manchester University constrictRosenberg, Morris. (1989). Society and the adolescent self-imag e. Revised edition. Middletown, CT Wesleyan University Press.Scheier, M. F., Carver, C. S., & Bridges, M. W. (1994). Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism (and trait anxiety, self-mastery, and self-esteem) A reevaluation of the Life Orientation Test. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67, 1063-1078.Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54,1063-1070.

Friday, January 25, 2019

The Carbon Market and Energy Efficiency Targets in the EU

fountain Prospect 9.9MW Rice-Husk federal agency Plant ( 2neodymiumIssue )CERs Issued25,978tCO2vitamin EVerification halt 1 Sep 2010 31 Dec 2011The biomass works uses rice straw ( which is godforsaken merchandise from rice Millss ) as a fuel to charter forth electrical efficacy. The works displaces fossil fuel to bring forth electricity, in that respectby helps to burn up down to GHG emanation. The capacity of the works is 9.9MW, whereas big pro ingredient of the electricity sold to Provincial Electricity Authority ( PEA ) beneath in truth Small Power Producer Program, staying queen used in-house ingestion and yield neighbouring Nakron Laung Rice Mill ( NLRM ) . In order to happen upon the consistence in energy supply to PEA the Power Prospect Company Ltd ( PPCL ) plans to bushel 60 % of the rice chaff from the neighbouring NLRM factory and 40 % of the chaff from another(prenominal) Millss nearby. The works has a possible to provide 70,246 MWh of PEA and 35,348tCO2e o ne-year everyplace one-year norm over the crediting period of estimated GHG emanation decrease.Further, lying-in has indisputable advantages such(prenominal) as GHG emanation decrease potency, since it displaces fossil fuel for power coevals, helps to incite into turning contain for power in Thailand and weaken in support for local a draw closehetic population by making occupations.Lopburi Solar Power works Undertaking ( 1stissue )CER Issue122,828tCO2vitamin EVerification check 1 Jan 2012 31 celestial latitude 2013The Lopburi Solar Power works is a Greenfield Project of Natural elan vital Development Co. , Ltd. ( NED ) , Lopburi terra firma Thailand. The works considered as a one of the largest solar PV power workss in the universe and disunite large-scale undertaking solar PV in Thailand. The works uses the sunshine as energy beginning for bring forthing C impersonal electricity. NED plans to raise the thin-films PV panels at the undertaking works with the sum installed capacity 73.16MW-DC gross. Harmonizing to the undertaking political platform, the net footfall of electricity coevals sold to the national power grid-Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand ( EGAT ) , via peasant Electricity Authority ( PEA ) transmittal lines under a 5-year automati weepy renewable power purchase understanding ( PPA ) in the Small Power Producer ( SPP ) Program. The undertaking expect to cut down GHG about 65,214 mensurable tons of tCO2e per twelvemonth. Furthermore, the undertaking has a potency of bring forthing 105,512 MWh of net electricity to the grid per annum, which is tantamount to 63,096tCO2 GHG emanations extenuation decrease potency per twelvemonth. The undertaking fulfills the sustainable development standards by diminishing the dep curioence on fossil fuel, run intoing turning demand in Thailand, provides short and long-run employment for the local community and increasing in local content by back breaker of Know-how, developing related to p lan, operation and c ar from Sharp weed, Japan to NED staffs. speed of light Markets AnalysisEUA financial evaluates in the European conformity commercialize made better world exhibit this month. The first one-third hebdomads December 2014 hereafters clienteled in a scope of 5.195.75/t and topographic block accepts traded in a scope of 5.15- 5.70/t. On the other manus low strength of trading in 3rd hebdomad influenced diminution in trade by 21 per centum in comparing to closing curtain month. Though, lessening in volume of trading collectible to EU backloading program halved the volume of licenses and public vacation in Germany, nevertheless the pecuniary value have depictn better public presentation.The betterment in pecuniary values were ascribable to the undermentioned grounds i ) during early phase of the hebdomad C monetary values made strong access, anticipating high demand from public-service corporation companies, two ) the C permits made good additions ba sed on the intelligence of Germanys plans to reform the EU-ETS by 2017 and iii ) speculative over German public-service corporation companies analogous RWE, E.ON and Vatternfall influenced monetary values motions.Meanwhile, CER monetary values in the UN-backed CDM improved this month after a downswing in last month. The December 2014 contract traded in the scope of 0.09 0.15 cents/t, and the topographic point merchandise monetary values for CERs traded in a scope of 0.10 0.17 cents/t. December 2014 contract performed good after making all-time last monetary value of 0.08 cents/t last month payable to diminish in the demand. It is expected that the demands for CERs are low until 2020 as they are waiting new UNFCCC trade.CCAs monetary values in California countenanceet shown better public presentation this month as December 2014 CCAs traded in a scope of $ 11.75 11.85/t. The demand for C allowances are low in secondary market due to widespread belief that there are more pollutio n licenses in the market than needed. Meanwhile the North Easts Regional greenhouse Gas Initiative ( RGGI ) December 2014 RGAs traded in a scope of $ 4.95 5/t. The strong glade monetary value and high command resulted due to US Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) release of intelligence on new C bounds on power workss. As a consequence, the auction on first hebdomad sold 18 one million million million allowances deserving of $ 90.67 million by 43 bidders. This shows purchasers involvement in snowy energy and other consumer benefit plans.EU proposal on adhering Energy Efficiency ( EE ) mark for 2030The on-going Russia-Ukraine crises made EU to concentrate on cut down dependence on fossil fuel. In this context, Curates from energy and environment of seven European states requested EU committee to overwhelm EE in energy and clime big money for 2030. As per mutual missive signed by group curates from Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg and Portugal says tha t energy dexterity must at the nucleus of the EU clime and energy insurance up to 2030. Since, EE is the most robust and cost-efficient manner to cut down GHG emanations and it has a important sum of economic potency for EE betterments. At present EU-Emissions Trade Scheme ( ETS ) provides incentives merely for public-service corporation companies. Whereas, sectors such as services, private families, conveyance, trade and buildings are non covered under in EU-ETS. Hence, EE policy and mark plays a cardinal function in mitigate GHG emanations.Harmonizing to this proposal foremost, EU mark of 20 percent energy- thriftiness should run into by 2020, so, reexamine advancement of 2020 EE mark and should show a proposal for adhering mark for EE in 2030. The proposal consists of simulate of the scenarios of committee s shock on appraisal attach toing 2030 bundle and European parliament proposal for an EE mark. Hence, it leads to necessary foundation for EU EE policy for 2030. This mark h elps transmutation in long-run to compel 80 to 95 per centum decrease of GHG gas emanation by 2050.However, harmonizing to environmental and energy curates the proposal should stress on impact appraisal of EU s 2030 energy and environmental end and energy efficiency mark. The impact assessment lineation increases Europe s EE by 30-35 per centum, just now parliament proposed to cut GHG emanations by 40 per centum as one of three adhering mark for 2030 and increase in the portion of renewable energy portion by 27 per centum from 20 per centum undertaking in 2020. The EE end will non harm ETS, as ETS reforms have possible to prolong dazes from addition in EE.In this context Britain raised its concern over EU s EE 2030 end as individual end is fit to cut the emanations mark that would let states to cut down C emanations in a cost-efficient mode. In contrast, a group of seven ministries argued that a separate EE is mark required save energy of sectors that are non regulated under ETS. Further, it besides said that, though EE business leader hold high up apparent motion cost, but this will be counterpoise as returns worth 1-2 trillion euros during 2020-2030 in the signifier of energy nest eggs.All in all, EU proposal on EE mark for 2030 is important for accomplishing decreases in GHG emanation in cost-efficient mode.EU snow Market Reform by 2017EU- ETS has suffered from planetary fiscal crisis, where C monetary values fell drastically below 5/t due to flood of C licenses since 2008. Therefore, European committee proposed a program to puting up alleged market stableness fund/reserve to fudge against rising economic hazards. The committee wanted to military group C monetary values towards 20/t for pulling more investors to put in low-carbon engineerings. Whereas, at present EU-ETS screens 12000 power workss, mills and air hoses. But, some of largest emitters such as Germany, England and France wanted this reforms to implement by 2017 ( 4 old ages of in front o f committee s proposal to implement ) .At present state of affairs EU modesty proposal agreed by the flock of member provinces nevertheless it will confront strong disapproval from industriousness and coal dependent eastern provinces. However, Germany interested to cut 900 million C licenses for good, which is temporarily being held because of EU s backloading program. If committee agrees for Germany s program so recovery of monetary values will be quick and travel towards stable monetary values because backloading program will non return. Harmonizing to point C, if reforms implemented by 2017 the monetary values will increase by 40 per centum over a period 2014-2020 than committee s start day of the month of 2021.In drumhead, committee s modesty program will be good to the market in short-run, since it will force C monetary values higher around 40 per centum on an mean during 2014-20.What a monetary value to rescue CER ?In recent past the monetary values of beginnings generated under CDM undertakings are earlier low. Consequently, such low monetary values have made investors to lose from undertakings and contracts. Recently, one of the largest C hearers SGS announced to step back from C validation of CDM undertakings. This is attributed to Continuing contraction in CDM market and associated concerns with regard to costs and hazards among CDM undertakings. The enervating of CDM substructure has led market atomization, higher extenuation costs and chances of edifice comprehensive and efficient planetary C market. Therefore, there is important call to halt farther impairment of the planetary C market substructure. States like Norway, Sweden and the UK that have voluntary domestic marks and launched financess to buy CERs from developing states under dedicated vehicle. For illustration, Norway is willing to buy 30 million CERs under Scandinavian C procurance installation.Therefore, what monetary value it should pay for buying C beginning and whether exposure and cost effectivity of the undertaking can accomplish at the same clip. Since, exposure and cost effectivity varies from one undertaking to another for illustration, efficient cook ranges and compact florescent lamps ( CFL ) C finance plays a important function to prolong the undertaking. Whereas, undertakings related to windmill C finance generates excess income, but impact no sustainability of the undertaking.All in all, there is no individual monetary value, if exposure defined as a minimal C monetary value to maintain undertaking alive. Undertakings with alone(predicate) CERs as gross are decidedly vulnerable and the exposure depends on engineering and geographics, but non vulnerability itself.

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Carlos Ghosn Nissan Ceo

Carlos Ghosn as chief executive officer of Nissan and Renault Can He Re turn the Nissan Magic? We k late approximately mickle were relate round the potential for close clashes, betwixt the cut and the lacquerese, but it was non an issue. Cultural differences should be make use ofd as a catalyst for change, non as a crutch that inhibits change. You can learn a lot from soulfulness who is non exchangeable you. 1 Carlos Ghosn, CEO, Nissan. Make sure you are focussed on your own people. Bring in them motivation and sense of ownership, then(prenominal) you can do your miracle. 2 Carlos Ghosn, CEO, Nissan. Introduction In 2002, Louis Schweitzer, CEO of Renault proclaimed that Carlos Ghosn, the president and CEO of Nissan would also take up over the reigns at Renault in April 2005, spot Schweitzer would remain the chairman of the board. With the tonic position , Carlos Ghosn would lead dickens companies Nissan and Renault. As of 2004,Renault held 44%stake in Nissan an d Nissan lease almost 15%of Renaults shares. flip-flop artist, as Carlos Ghosn was called was behind the indus chastises most remarkable turnaround at Nissan. by and by he became the CEO of Nissan in 1999, he had brought in m all un-Japanese changes in the Japanese phoner and had get alongively persuaded the employees to accept change. Carlos Ghosn was credited for reviving the fellowship from$254million losses and $19 one thousand million debt in 1999 into meshing within deuce years. After winning up his position as the CEO of Renault in April 2005,CarlosGhosn is equally to character many challenges. Heading two contrary cable car companies from two different countries was archetypal of its engaging and perseverance observers expressed doubts whether Ghosn would be able to take up the pressure and rework the Nissanmagic.Carlos Ghosn The Nissan MagicIn March 1999,Renault, the then ninth auto maker in the world announced its coalescency with Nissan investing $5. 4 b illion. Nissan was in losses for many years from 1990-1999 except for loot describe in 1997(Annexure I) and looked out for intermitners to recover from the troubles. The brand recognition was genuinely execrable and it was estimated that Nissan was losing $ pace for any car it sold in US. By the end of 1990s,Nissan exported cars to atomic build 63 and Australia and some parts of Asia. The company was in losses to the tune of $5. billion, had debts totaling around $19 billion and was suffering from a poor return portfolio and change magnitude brand pass judgment. Nissans securities industry share had dropped from 6. 6 %in 1991 to 4. 9%by late 1990s. Renault at the corresponding(p) prison term was expatiateing internationally by acquisitions. After the un winning fusion with Volvo, Renault under Louis Schweitzer entered into an alliance with Nissan acquiring a 36%stake in the company. Triggering the alliance was Nissans strength in product traffic patterns and sophist icated manufacturing that fuseed well with the engineering reference at Renault.For Renault, the alliance would religious service in international expansions in the long-term date for Nissan it was to get rid of its short troubles that had hoard. Initially industry observers were skeptical nearly a non-Japanese manager successfully leading a Japanese planetary house. enchantment Carlos Ghosn was successful in cutting constitutes and had sometimes imposed dangerous regimes during his tenure atMichelin3, many were apprehensive if he would be successful in Japan. He was 46 when he joined Nissan and was far younger than the inferior managers in the company.Carlos Ghosn k spick-and-span nonhing about Japan and had no knowledge of the grow there. He in one case utter that he had a rattling vague judgement about the country and accepted, I did not try to learn in aforesaid(prenominal)(p) manner much about Japan before coming, because I didnt hope to have too many pre c at a timeived ideas. I demanded to memorise Japan by being in Japan with Japanese people. 4On the first day, when Carlos Ghosn arrived at Nissan, he took an elevator to reach his office. As he entered the lift, which was already packed with workers who were coming up from garage, everyone knew he was the new CEO. To his surprise, at every floor the lift s buy the farmped, none got subjugate.Finally, when he got gloomy, the employees bowleg as he left and went back to their floors. After such an unlooked-for incident, which reflected major(ip) pagan difference, Carlos Ghosn realized how important it was to understand them. Since the first day, Carlos Ghosn had do the cultural diversity a catalyst quite than a crutch for the company. 5 Next & ampgt&gt 1Carlos Ghosns interview, Interview The road to ruin, www. themanufacturer. com, declination 2002 2Parachkevova, Anna CEO out avocation organisations Nissans resurgence, www. thedartmouth. com, May 12th 2004 3Carlos Ghos n joined Michelin in 1974, where he was chairman and CEO ofno(prenominal)th American operations and had undertook several woo cutting initiatives. 4Carlos Ghosn standing(a) at the global crossing, http//web-japan. org, April 5th 2002 5Throwing past the culture crutch, 2000 Automotive moderns World Congress, January 18th 2000 Carlos Ghosn The Nissan Magic Cont However, since the beginning, Carlos Ghosn was in a Catch-22 situation as Japanese were not used to dictatorship kind of leadership. He knew that if he tried to dictate terms, that could lead to bruising employee morale, and if he remained lenient, it could hinder the required change.Instead of imposing change ,CarlosGhosn brought about the conduct for destiny in operations by mobilizing them an agers. Carlos Ghosn identified that the basic flaw with Nissans culture when he took over was that employees were reluctant to accept the failures and held other departments or economic conditions responsible for them. This resulte d in a lack of urgency among employees as everyone assumed the other would take action. He found that sooner of result the problems, they were trying to live with them.Nissan through and throughout 1990s, had been concentrating on short-termmarket share growth earlier than long termgrowth and instead of investing its profits towards product portfolio improvement itwas consumption themtowards equity purchases of other companies especially its suppliers. Its product profile was comparatively out-of-date with old designs when customers craved for stylish designs while competitors were steadily foc apply on new product designs. By 1999, it had around $4 billion held in the form of shares while its purchasing be remained very high, around 20-25%to a greater extent than that of Renaults.The employees openly resisted cross-functional teams, as they strongly believed in territories and sectionalism, which was a major part of their culture. Carlos Ghosn explicateed, Engineers work ver y well together, financial people work very well together, gross salespeople work very well together. But when you start to tot an engineer, a marketer, a salessomebody, and a manufacturer, here all the strengths of Japan in teamwork disappear. 6To overcome the resistance, he had to explain to the employees why the cross-functional teams were important and how they would tinge the overall benefits.Carlos Ghosn believed that the general piece tendency was to resist anything different. He considered that by accepting change, people tend to become stronger, as they understand the differences and try to analyze the causes for such differences. Cross-functional teams were formed and employees were refer in the revitalization process. This helped Carlos Ghosn explain his plans and gain acceptance easily. Through these cross-functional teams, employees were made to look beyond their line of responsibilities, understanding the nitty- gritties of the other departments as well.After the cross-functional teams were in place, people owned up responsibility whenever something went wrong. The solution to Nissans problems was inside the company. The main idea we would have for revival meeting of the company would be a rebuilt motivation of Nissan employees and partners, he explained. 7 at a time subsequently appointing the teams, they were asked to submit plans to achieve the maximum practicable output in each area and within a week decisions were made. The outcome was the Nissan revival Plan (NRP).After the NRPwas announced, every aspect from the timing, the plan schedules and the commitments as well as targets were clearly sayd. Shiro Tomii, vice president, Nissan Japan remarked, He establishes high yet come-at-able goals makes everything clear to all roles and levels of responsibility, works with speed checks on progress and appraises results establish on fact. 8 Next &gt&gt 6Carlos Ghosn standing at the global crossing, op. cit 7Saadi, Dania Nissans mi racle man fissures clues to solving national economic woes, www. lebanonwire. com 8David Magee, Turnaround how Carlos Ghosn rescued NissanCarlos Ghosn The Nissan Magic Cont Listening to the employees and facilitating their participation in the decision-making process, was key aspect of Carlos Ghosns leadership. By avoiding impersonal meetings through mails, he stressed the need for face-to-face communication. He believed that the people close to the company could come out with better solutions than an outsider like him. In contrast, the Japanese were polite, reticent and never spoke about the plans to their boss. Carlos Ghosn had to repeatedly explain to the employees that he needed their viewpoints and would not mind if they cover out.This, according to him was the greatest hurdle. While in France at Renault, he stress on teamwork, in Japan he believed it was not required and instead individual(a)ity was given to a greater extent prominence. Price Water house Coopers in a rep ort on change management listed Carlos Ghosns key human resource management techniques calling them very simple and straightforward By maintaining transparency from the stage of planning to action, he aimed at the best manageable out comes while also lifting the morale of the employees who were particularly distressed later the crisis at the company.He invited suggestions from every influential individual from suppliers, Nissans ex-employees, drawers etc. He explained, As you know credibility has two legs, writ of execution, and transparency. Performance, we had none to show at the time, so we were determined to be highly transparent. 9He called the NRP, an organizations corporal effort involving thousands of employees at every managerial level. To show his commitment to the plan, he say that he would resign along with other top executives if the plan fails in bringing in the benefits. Carlos Ghosn fateed immediate results by fixing short-term targets.While he called the pas sive vogue of management-by-consensus a killer, an active and constructional version could work miracles, according to him. He believed that an 85%consensus was enough and one hundred%was not eer crucial. While cultural adaptability had been his key, he was also at the analogous time affirmative about giving more(prenominal) priority to the bottom-line growth rather than just to the cultural aspects. He remarked, I do not want to intentionally offend people, but I am more touch about making Nissan profitable again than being culturally sensitive. 10 The first phase of NRP focused on cutting the be and astir(p) profits.The first major step Carlos Ghosn undertook was divestments from subsidiaries to reduce the debt. Suppliers accounted for major part of appeals of toil and the age-old Keiretsu system and the obligations that came with it were adding to heavy costs11. Deviating from the system, Carlos Ghosn opened the purchasing offer to all the suppliers encouraging new s uppliers who were ready to supply at low prices. As part of the revival plan, suppliers were forced to offer discounts to the tune of 20-30%and the number of suppliers was brought down to 600 from 1145 while the purchasing costs were reduced by 20%.During a meeting with the dealers of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn announced, I dont want any excuses. I want to know what you are sledding to do to make things better. 12 toll cutting at each stage began to be regarded as the need of the hour as the employees were encouraged to reduce expenses through all possible ways. The cross functional teams were given one month time to point areas to cut costs and adjoin the profits through bottom-line growth. Next &gt&gt 9Ibid. 10Larimar, Tim Japan, Nissan and Ghosn revolution, www. sb. columbia. edu 11The Keiretsu system, in which the companies maintained fusion with each of its suppliers, safekeeping shares in those companies, transferring managers characterized the big family of companies and its suppliers were both dual-lane relationships 12Larimar, Tim Japan, Nissan and Ghosn revolution, op. cit. Carlos Ghosn The Nissan Magic Cont The most un-Japanese practices like closing plants and cutting work force, in a country, which believed in biography employment, were the biggest of all challenges.When he planned to close five plants which included both assembly plants and power train plants, the board of directors were not informed until the darkness before, as Carlos Ghosn knew some people within the company wanted his plans to fail. After he announced, he was reported to have threatened, If this leaks out, Ill close seven plants, not five. 13For Carlos Ghosn, convincing the labor unions over the disadvantages of rigid job commentary was a big task. The seniority- shankd promotion that was entrenched in the Japanese firm was replaced by a performance based and merit-based incentive system.Instead of sacking people, which was against the culture in Japan, 21,000 jobs w ere cut through retirements, pre-retirements and golden handshakes out of which 16500 were in Japan alone. The plants were closed, while offering alternative jobs to the employees in other plants of the company. The complex manufacturing structure, which involved 24 platforms at seven assembly plants, was brought down to 12 platforms, which were shared by four plants. Around 10%of the retail outlets were closed and 20%of the dealer affiliates was streamlined to further reduce selling and marketing expenses.After the phase one of the revival plan was over, Nissan reported profits of $1. 5 billion for six months amidst April to September, which was the best results the company had ever seen. At the same time, Carlos Ghosn began to be called an iconoclast, who had brought in some un-Japanese, western style of culture in the companys operations. He, in contrast to the traditional Japanese parentage etiquettes, shook hands with his partners and other executives. As a result, there was discontented among the traditionalists and other industry associations in the country.And his bold decisions like closing plants, had invited repugnance among many including the insiders and Ghosn began to take along a bodyguard wherever he went The cross-cultural amalgamation between a French and a Japanese firm, raised several other challenges. The alliance aimed at cost nest egg through sharing of platforms and engineering capabilities. Initially though the employees and the design engineers were positive(p) over the superiority of the platforms brought in from the Renault plants, they were reluctant to adopt them.To overcome resistance, repair meetings were conducted among the Nissan and Renault employees. While at the same time, Carlos Ghosn began to recruit more designers from Japan to design new models. He maintained that the best way to lap up the cultural differences was to avoid forcing the cultural blend. Rather, he believed in appreciating the differences between t he cultures and minimizing the cultural clashes by bringing in a performance-driven management. To ensure that the Japanese staff understands what the French managers spoke, English was made the uncouth language in the company.A dictionary of 100 key words used by them management was prepared to solve the differences in the way each work was interpreted by French as well as Japanese. The words included commitment, transparency, objectives, and targets etc. Carlos Ghosn The Nissan Magic Cont In Japan, attending all formal parties of suppliers was very important and one was not supposed to miss them un slight there was a strong reason. When Carlos Ghosn missed the New Year Party hosted by the suppliers association, it was considered as a sign of failure to their culture.Carlos Ghosn had attended all such gatherings since then. Carlo sGhosn understood all these subtle aspects, which were an essendial part of the culture, as he began adapting to them. In the second phase of the reviva l plan, which started in 2001, Carlos Ghosn stressed on selling more cars, improving the top line growth as well. Dropping non-performing products from its portfolio, the company introduced trendy new models in SUVs and minivans category. An updated Z sports coupe was reintroduced in the market. The phase two increased sales by one million and debt was brought down to zero.With his unconventional leadership style and charisma, he began tow in praises from the employees of the company as well as from the industry and the public. both(prenominal)times, people in streets would stop him and wish him success apothegm, Gambatte go for it. sentence magazine named him the most influential global business executive and more and more Japanese companies were embarking on the gaijin Foreigner-Ghosns style for attaining maximum benefits in a short time. His colleagues at Nissan were particularly impressed by his lettering towards achievement of targets and his 24/7 work ethics reinforcing th e importance of demanding work.His devotion towards the revival of the company from problems, for which he was not in any way responsible, encouraged his peers to work hard and contribute towards a common goal. Toshiyuki Shiga who was made in charge of the Nissans expansions in China had once remarked, He told me to make a clear strategy for Nissan in China, and he gave me two months to do it. 14While he ensured that the progress was undertaken without keeping any individual responsible for the past crisis, he was also at the same time particular about results. Dominique Thormann, senior vice president, Nissan Europe, said, To people who dont accept that performance is what is at stake, he can be ruthless. 15 Calling his turnaround at Nissan a near death experience, Carlos Ghosn said he had experienced extensive cultural diversities during his tenure at Renault, Nissan, Nissans North American business and Samsung drives, a Korean based company acquired by Renault. His management style is woven around two attributes- value and motivation. He believed in motivating employees and demanding performance by empowering them. Your employees must be interested in what is going on in the company. Nothing is more inefficient than a boring company. You have to create an interesting milieu where people are interested in the story you are creating and want to hear the happy ending, he said. He was called Ice Breaker by Daimler Chryslers Chairman Jurgen E. Schrempp because of his unconventional thinking and implementing western style of management in Japan breaking the prevalent myth in the industry. Carlos Ghosn The Nissan Magic ContThe biweekly cockeyed series, The true life of Carlos Ghosn featured Nissans CEO Carlos Ghosn, depicting his popularity in the industry as well as the country. Some others called him an ambassador of change, the troubleshooter and considered him as a role model for all those business executives who were seeking solutions to the poor state of their companies in Japan. After the implementation of the Nissan Revival Plan (NRP), within two years, the company recovered from the losses and reported a 10. 2%increase in its revenues and nearly 84%increase in its operate profits .Though the sales had not considerably improved, the cost cuttings contributed towards improving the bottom line. In May 2001, the company reported its largest net profit of $2. 7 billion. Carlos Ghosn was named the businessman of the year by Fortune magazine in 2002 and Auto mobile powder magazine called him man of the year for his contributions to Nissan. Renault increased its stake in Nissan to 44. 4%while Nissan owned 13. 5%of Renaults share capital. However, by 2003,Nissan started experiencing a downward trend in its sales, as the book of account of goods that passed out from dealers was dropping in size.Customers regularly complained of quality defects and Nissans rank in overall quality (as per a study by J. D. PowerAssociates) dropped to 11th in 2004 from6th in 2003. It looked as the rigorous tenseness on the smart execution of the restructuring had resulted in these quality defects while Ghosn apprised he would fix them. To counter the situation, in May 2004, he sent a quality control team of 220 engineers to the Nissan plant in Smyrna (Tennessee) and every part of the assembly line went through a detailed scrutiny.Subtle issues like the workers who wore studded jeans and rings causing scratches to the freshly painted cars, etc came to light. Ghosn was amazed at some very obvious ones, which could be rectified at the plant, like defective doors and reading lights etc. Carlos Ghosn had already achieved two of the three goals that were cast for NRP, the debt was cleared and profitability was achieved. The Nissan 180, an extension of NRP was launched and aimed at surplus sales volume of one million annually from 2005, the third objective of NRP. US market was considered to play a key role in achieving the goal of additional one million sales.A new plant was set up in Canton, the first in North America where Nissan was facing challenges from other Japanese automakers, Toyota and Honda. Mean while, Nissan was planning an alliance with Mitsubishi after Daimler Chrysler gave up its plans of partnership with Mitsubishi. The partnership would help Nissan enter the mini car segment while Mitsubishi would be able to reduce cost burden of new product development. The shortfall of steel supplies forced Nissan to reduce its production in 2004, affecting production of 15,000 units amounting to $58. 5million of loss in sales.Nissan closed its plants for five days following the shortage of supplies, as steel prices in creased with demand for steel increasing after the economic boom in China. While halting production was considered a sign of mismanagement many felt that Carlos Ghosns attempt to bring down the number of suppliers as part of NRP, had resulted in over-reliance on few suppliers . However, Ghosn defended himself saying that the savings achieved during that phase were far more $9. 7 billion than the losses incurred imputable to loss of sales. Renault The French Automaker Renault was a state owned judicature enterprise since 1945.It was started as a motorized vehicle assembler in 1898. Renault built trucks, airplane engines and heavy vehicles during the World War II and after the war and with the economic boom, Renault achieved high volume sales with its low cost cars like 4CV, Renault 4 and Renault 5 through the 1970s and 1980s. During early 1980s, Renault expand into US by acquiring half the shares of American Motor Corporation. However, the deal was unprofitable and the company had to withdraw from the market in 1987. A comparable deal failed in Mexico, and with both the deals financed through debts, Renault was left ith huge debts accumulated by the end of 1980s. It reported losses of $3. 5 billion between 1984 and 1986. Further, because it was a state owned busi ness, obligations with labour unions led to more costs for the company. When Louis Schweitzer joined Renault in 1986,Renault had accumulated debts to the tune of $9 billion and was in huge losses. Its proposed merger with Sweden based ABVolvo in 1993 failed due to unfavorable French political climate and with Swedish shareholders expressing reservation. The company continued to be in losses till 1996,when Schweitzer brought in Carlos Ghosn as the executive vice president.Under the duo, product quality was improved, outsourcing secondary activities and overheads were reduced along with reduction in workforce. The same time, French government started setting ground for its IPO when Louis Schweitzer discovered that privatization of the company could only save it. In July 1996, the IPO was completed. By 1998,with the midsize model Scenic, Renault was successful in European market and in 1998 alone it made profits of $1. 4 billion from$40 billion sales. 16 While Renault became the No. 1 automaker in Europe, to be a global player, it had to expand its operations further.By the end of 1990s, it had a very small presence in Asia and was totally absent in the North American market. After the merger of Daimler and Chrysler in 1998, for Renault, expansions became a requisite. And, Nissan seemed a lucrative opportunity, as an alliance with Nissan could help in easier market expansion for Renault in developing markets. While others including get across and DaimlerChrysler had earlier attempted a deal with Nissan, they later withdrew keeping in view the huge debt that Nissan held and its culture that was inflexible. After the alliance, Renault managed to reduce its launching and stock-purchase warrant costs for new product introductions by recruiting managers from Nissan to undertake the launch. At the same time, it sent its employees to Nissan to oversee manufacturing, to achieve cost efficient production. Later Renault acquired Samsung Motors in mho Korea and Roman au tomaker, Dacia as part of its international expansion. With the launch of multi function vehicles, Laguna II and A van time in 2001 and Espace IV in 2002 , and after its association with Formula One racing between 1992 and 1997, its brand popularity improved.By 2004,Renault held strong foothold in European market and reported a 6. 5%increase in sales by the first half of 2004 and was the fourth largest auto company in the world. It held nearly 11%market share in Western European market in passenger car and light vehicle cars. At the same time, Renault performance in large cars segment was sluggish and was struggling to achieve operating margin of 4%, when the demand for cars in the European market was low. Some of the new launches like the Vel Satis, a tall saloon luxury model, were not very successful in the market. Are launch in the US market was also underway.Renault was facing other challenges along with Nissan and other automakers. environmental friendly cars, which seemed a l ikely potential opportunity, were costly to manufacture at the price the customers were ready to pay. Renault was planning for expansions in Chinese market and South Korea and other parts of Asia through alliance with Nissan. Next gtgt 16For Renault, a new chance to take on the world, www. businessweek. com, November 15th 1999 Carlos Ghosn as CEO of Renault and Nissan By 2010, Nissan and Renault would build their cars using the common building blocks.Ghosn viewed the alliance as managing contradiction between synergy and identity17and confirmed that while gaining synergies, the individual identity of each brand would be safeguarded. The other major alliances in the industry, the DaimlerChrysler and the GM/Fiat had not proved to be very successful because of improper management of merged assets, trans-atlantic product development and failed attempt in understanding local market Ghosn confirmed that Nissans alliance with Renault would creatively achieve it. At the same time the allian ce would avoid merger and would maintain a spirit of partnership18.The alliance would be the fourth largest automobile group in the world. In October 2004, the first car was built using a common platform of Nissan and Renault. Modus, a subcompact minivan of Renault shared its base with Nissans Micra saving $500million for Renault every year. After Carlos Ghosn succeeds Schweitzer at Renaults in April 2005, he would also continue as the CEO of Nissan. Carlos Ghosn was affirmative that he would not leave the company unless he finds the right person who would succeed him at Nissan. He stressed on the need for a Japanese as the CEO of Nissan in such a culture sensitive country.While at Nissan, he had transformed himself into a Japanese, adapting to the culture, analysts feared if he would breach the French business etiquettes as he takes up the rein at Renault. 19deuce of the five vice presidents at Renault would retire soon, and Carlos Ghosn was to take up the reigns at both the compan ies, during such senior level management changes. At the same time, many feared if the sense of urgency brought through NRP would continue at Nissan or get out the company slip back to its old habits, when Carlos Ghosn leaves.The pressure was considered to be very high, as an analyst stated, He leave alone be less present at Renault than he was at Nissan, and less present at Nissan that he used to be. I believe this challenge will be more difficult. 20 The alliance had helped both the companies equally, in terms of cost savings from not requiring to construct new plants where the alliance can use common buildings, common platforms etc. This had also helped them enter new markets faster and gain other synergies . The purchasing power had also increased as they ordered and bought components through Renault-Nissan purchasing organization for both the companies at a time. The alliance had from the beginning ensured that the inter-company cultural clashes do not exist, by maintaining individual cultural identities. While a merger had been avoided since the beginning, Carlos Ghosn confirmed that it would be its agenda in future also. Carlos Ghosn remarked that when he takes up the two positions, he would blend the strengths of the people at the companies, the innovation excellence of the French and the dedication towards manufacturing of the Japanese. 21He affirmed that his tenure at Nissan had allowed him to learn the real centerfield of successful leaders, and would drive his success in future also.He called himself, not a theorist of citizenship but an expert in multi nationality. 22 Carlos Ghosn called the three major attributes, Value, Transparency and Performance as the ones that would determine the competence of any CEO. He believed that they act as standards for leadership in global business, in the light of ontogenesis corporate scandals, when the top executives of the companies were increasingly coming under scrutiny. He explained that the unquestion able results that are delivered along with simultaneous value creation to the customers and the other stakeholders through maintaining transparency, reflect an efficient leadership.By communicating every strategy to every person concerned, he maintained that it would facilitate a faster reaction to dynamics in the fiercely competitive global market place. An analyst once called Carlos Ghosn, amanager without borders, polyglot and cosmopolitan. Talking about his dual roles and the cultural barriers that he will have to face as he moves to Renault while also fountainhead Nissan, Carlos Ghosn said, Global is global. In my opinion, this is going to be the story of the twenty-first century.This is whats going to happen in the twenty-first century youre going to see the development of more global standards, some kind of global references youre going to see more and more of it. But globality doesnt mean uniformity. It doesnt mean that. Youll still have different cultures, youll still ha ve different tastes, and youll still have some adaptations to make to different countries, but youll have some basic things that will be common globally, especially in the economic area. 23 17Renaults alliance with Nissan, www. economist. om, August 16th 2001 18Parachkevova, Anna CEO outlines Nissans resurgence, http//thedartmouth. com, May 12th 2004 19Carlos Ghosn- Nissan motor, www. businessweek. com, January 8th 2000 20Tierney, Christine Leadership, bold moves help Renault save Nissan, www. detnews. com, October 24th 2003 21Smith, Duvergne, Nancy Nissan Renault alliance faces down few challenges, http//web. mit. edu, November 18th 2004 22Abescat, Bruno I am an expert of multi nationality, http//livres. lexpress. fr 23Carlos Ghosn standing at the global crossing, op. cit