Csr – Evaluation Methods

Claremont Colleges Scholarship @ Claremont CMC Senior Theses CMC Student Scholarship 2011 An Evaluation of Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Implemented by Alcoa, Votorantim, and Vale as a Means to Aid in Poverty Alleviation in the Brazilian Regions These Mining Companies Operate Emily A. Coleman Claremont McKenna College Recommended Citation Coleman, Emily A. , â€Å"An Evaluation of Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Implemented by Alcoa, Votorantim, and Vale as a Means to Aid in Poverty Alleviation in the Brazilian Regions These Mining Companies Operate† (2011).CMC Senior Theses. Paper 198. http://scholarship. claremont. edu/cmc_theses/198 This Open Access Senior Thesis is brought to you by [email  protected] It has been accepted for inclusion in this collection by an authorized administrator. For more information, please contact [email  protected] claremont. edu. CLAREMONT McKENNA COLLEGE AN EVALUATION OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INITIATIVES I MPLEMENTED BY ALCOA, VOTORANTIM, AND VALE AS A MEANS TO AID IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN THE BRAZILIAN REGIONS THESE MINING COMPANIES OPERATE.SUBMITTED TO PROFESSOR WILLIAM ASCHER AND DEAN GREGORY HESS BY EMILY AIKO COLEMAN FOR SENIOR THESIS FALL 2010/ SPRING 2011 APRIL 25, 2011 Acknowledgements Thank you to my loving parents who supported me throughout my academic career from preschool to my degree at Claremont McKenna College. I would have never made it without you! Thank you to my excellent professors who have challenged me to stretch outside my comfort zone in order to help me grow academically and personally. A special thank you to Professor William Ascher for his undying support and constant critiques.You made this process enjoyable and stress free. I truly appreciate your invaluable contribution to my Claremont McKenna College education. Lastly, thank you to my friends, Career Services Center, Kravis Leadership Center, and the wonderful staff at Claremont McKenna College for you r friendship and support throughout my college career. Table of Contents I. The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in International Development Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies Corporate Social Responsibility Implementation Techniques Corporate Social Responsibility Assessment Methods II.Historical Trends of Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies Implemented by Corporations in Brazil Background: Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazil Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazilian Business Culture Brazilian Government Social Policies Brazilian Government Environmental Policies Present State of Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazil Modalities of Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazil Corporate Social Responsibility in the Mining Industry Challenges Faced By Mining Companies The Mining Industry in Brazil III.ALCOA in Juruti, Para: Bauxite Mine and Shipping Port The Region Alcoa’s Perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsib ility Initiatives Civil Society Organization Partners Conflicts with the Local Community Evaluation of Aloca’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program and Impacts Analysis of Aloca Corporate Social Responsibility Table 1. Alcoa corporate social responsibility programs and impacts analysis IV.Votorantim in Niquelandia, Goias: Nickel Mine and Processing Center The Region Votorantim’s Perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Civil Society Organization Partners Conflicts and Community Challenges for Votorantim Program and Impacts Analysis of Vorotantim’s Corporate Social Responsibility Table 2. Votorantim corporate social responsibility programs and impacts analysis V.Vale in Carajas, Para: Iron Mine, Railroad, and Smelting Industry The Region Vale’s Perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Civil Society Organization Partners Conflicts and Challenges at the Car ajas Mine Evaluation of Corporate Social Responsibility Program and Impact Analysis of Vale’s Corporate Social Responsibility 1 6 10 14 19 19 19 23 25 26 30 33 34 36 38 38 38 40 42 44 45 48 49 52 52 52 54 56 57 59 60 62 62 63 65 67 68 69 70 Table 3. Vale corporate social responsibility programs and impacts analysis VI.Analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies: Alcoa, Votorantim, and Vale Evaluation of the Data Collection Analysis of Alcoa, Votorantim, and Vale’s Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Degree of Monitoring and Evaluations Implemented by Alcoa, Vale, and Votorantim Can Companies Learn from Corporate Social Responsibility Experiences? VII. Assessment and Recommendations Considerations for Corporate Social Responsibility Development and Implementation Implementation of Evaluations Conclusion VII. Bibliography 65 73 73 74 84 87 89 90 94 99 100I. The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in International Development Even though each year m illions of people in developing countries are rising out of poverty to join the emerging middle class, a large portion of the developing world still lives on less than $2 a day. Governments, non-governmental organizations, non-profits, and corporations acknowledge this disparity and aim to address the issue using a variety of methods. Mineral extraction corporations, in particular, have the potential to play a key role in alleviating poverty.These firms are eager to meet the increasing demands of the newly developing global middle class by spreading their operations further around the globe. Their sprawling presence creates new opportunities to serve the world? s impoverished through corporate social responsibility initiatives. Today, many of the problems seen in developing countries include inefficient distribution of resources, poverty, poor standards of living, overpopulation, malnutrition, disease, lack of education, gender inequality, and government corruption.Corporate social responsibility initiatives create new avenues to address these issues associated with developing nations. In the past 20 years, the private sector has been experiencing a paradigm shift from purely focusing on generating profits to also contributing to the social good. Today, civil society pressures corporations to not only earn profits, but also contribute to the betterment of society. Corporate social responsibility initiatives are methods of how companies can provide services to society.The term is roughly defined as â€Å"economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic expectations placed on organizations by society at a given point in time â€Å"(Carroll and Buchholtz 2000, 35). Carroll and Buchholtz argue that each of these corporate social responsibility components must be met before the 1 subsequent component can be met (2000). Essentially, businesses must first fulfill economic responsibilities which include, making profits, providing employees with safe and fair paying jobs, and providing customers with good quality products. More broadly speaking: to be a functioning economic unit and stay in business.Secondly, businesses need to commit to their legal responsibilities. Meaning a business must obey the laws and follow industry norms. Since the government is viewed as an extension of society, the laws that the government enacts are social codes that must be met before any other social responsibilities are pursued. The third step of corporate social responsibility is to address a business? s ethical responsibilities. Carroll defines this element as what is generally expected by society, above and beyond economic and legal requirements (1991).Society generally expects corporations to be just, fair, and to do what is right. Lastly, businesses will focus on corporate social responsibility philanthropic initiatives. The Greek word â€Å"philanthropy† directly translated means â€Å"the love of the fellow human. † Thus, philanthropic corporate s ocial responsibility is how businesses can positively contribute to the overall quality of life (Hennigfeld et al 2006, 8). Corporations are driven to participate in corporate social responsibility by a compilation of altruistic and utilitarian motives.The stronger and more integrated application of these motives precipitate richer, fuller relationships capable of producing higher value for stakeholders on multiple levels (Austin 2004, 30-32). Altruistic components refer to a passion to help society. Utilitarian components refer to organization competitiveness. It is important to note that each factor does not represent a â€Å"right† or â€Å"wrong† corporate social responsibility method. There is not an innate tension between the two because both are essential in the corporate social responsibility process. While it is important to serve the needs of the community, it is equally important to meet the legitimate needs of a corporation. (Austin 2004, 33). Davis and Blo mstrom's â€Å"Iron Law of Responsibility† suggests that â€Å"in the long run, those who do not use power in a manner which society considers responsible will tend to lose it† (1975, 50). The most successful corporations must choose to intentionally and strategically become a part of the solution to complex issues today, in order to preserve their businesses for the future.Michael Porter, well-known for his work on competitive advantage, argues that if a corporate philanthropic activity does not have a strategy base, it is a disadvantageous activity. Thus, even though companies gear corporate social responsibility towards an altruistic element, a utilitarian element must be present, as well. Porter attests that certain philanthropic investments will create a long-term competitive advantage for business, industries, and communities (2003). In some cases, companies are better equipped than governments to meet society? needs because they possess specialized skills and te chnologies that are significantly more efficient than government. Similarly, the â€Å"bottom of the pyramid† method aims to tap into the nearly 4 billion person market in developing countries. When companies transform their products to meet the financial and resource needs of this market they simultaneously increase profitability and contribute to reducing poverty. In addition, when companies contribute to social, economic, or environmental community needs the company is investing in the region? s potential for business operations in the future.As a result, improving the company? s competitive advantage compared to those companies who do not participate in equitable quality corporate social responsibility. 3 Adversaries of corporate social responsibility business strategy refute that corporations should play a role in philanthropic activities. Milton Friedman once attested that the primary â€Å"social responsibility of business is to make profits (Friedman, 1970). † Within his argument, Friedman claims that only human beings are responsible for their actions and that corporations are not considered human beings.Therefore, corporations are not responsible for their business activities, but rather the individuals a part of the corporation must hold themselves responsible. Further, Friedman (1970) asserts that social issues should be the responsibility of the state, not business. This is because managers do not have the capacity to understand how to address society? s needs. This rests under government jurisdiction. Since legal restrictions on business activity are set in place by the government, who represents society, managers are obligated to solely act in the interest of shareholders, as long as the mandatory legal framework is being met.According to Friedman, shareholder interest revolves around fulfilling the corporation? s central purpose: profitability (1970). For managers to act otherwise, would be considered „theft? from shareholde rs. Friedman does not deny that corporations participate in such corporate social responsibility activities, however he argues that any business action performed for corporate-interest should not be classified as corporate social responsibility (1970). If actions are grounded in a central goal to produce profit, then Friedman reasons it should be not characterized as a corporate social responsibility activity.Either way, corporations are engaging in corporate social responsibility activities, therefore, investigating the most efficient models provides valuable information to these entities. Determining which element causes the other, corporate social responsibility initiatives or profitability, is nearly impossible to prove because of the ambiguity between 4 each factor. There is, however, a positive relationship (Porter and Kramer, 2002). So according to Carroll? four-level corporate social responsibility design, it is imperative that corporations take into account social concerns because corporate social responsibility promotes profitability, which is the first requirement of his corporate social responsibility model. Corporations are attracted to corporate social responsibility activities because of the multi-tiered benefits for the community and the corporation itself. For example, by using a socially responsible business structure studies show an increase in new consumers who are attracted to the company? s positive reputation.Further, companies who uphold social responsibility attract a higher quality workforce, which is even more committed to their corporation because of its perceived socially responsible mission. Establishing a positive mutual relationship with the government is also an advantage for corporations. They gain more autonomy from and influence over legislation in order to promote their own business practices. Overall, corporate social responsibility represents short-term and long-term investments in the local population, government, and ec onomy to secure a prosperous business in the future (Henningfeld 2006).Individual corporations participating in corporate social responsibility initiatives dictate their own strategies according to their industry norms, available corporate resources, and specific community needs. Some corporations commit to meeting the minimum governmental regulations. By doing this, corporations curb the most pressing public concerns, but do not go beyond their legal obligation. On the other hand, corporate social responsibility could be used to fulfill a philanthropic vision in which a corporation proactively and consistently contributes to society above and beyond the basic governmental requirements.Regardless of the differing corporate social responsibility 5 missions, each entity strategically formulates their corporate social responsibility agenda to, in some regard, meet the needs of the communities it affects. This agenda dictates how a corporation? s resources and expertise are administered . Discussed below are examples of methods in which corporations may construct corporate social responsibility initiatives. This information represents hypothetical strategies and possible results, not necessarily strategies proven to be most effective.Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies (1) Environmental Sustainability Environmental sustainability initiatives aim to provide an environment that meets the needs of those today, without compromising the ability for future generations to meet their own needs (United Nations, 1992). Since a wide range of people benefit from sustainable development and environmental activist groups strongly support these initiatives it is useful in influencing positive public opinion. In addition, corporations preserve future resources for their own business activities.The first step corporations take in pursuing environmental sustainability is to thoroughly research the environmental impacts of their operations. If corporations are producing negati ve environmental externalities, local communities are inflicted with present and future environmental challenges. In response, corporate social responsibility resources are used to create proactive and retroactive sustainable business responses, techniques, and technologies in order to reduce their direct environmental impacts. Further, environmental education and sustainable community development can be provided.This strategy places more responsibility on the local citizens to use their sustainability education to benefit their 6 own community. In theory, it creates a longer lasting sustainable influence because community members can use their knowledge throughout their entire lifetimes and pass on sustainable traditions to future generations. (2) Anti-corruption/ Anti-bribery Multinational corporations operating in the developing world typically possess more influence over political, social, and economic issues than local community members.This is due to the fact that the corporat ions have superior financial resources, connection with the government and knowledge about national legal issues. Despite this power disparity, it is in a corporation? s best interest to avoid engaging in corrupt activity. The news of questionable business operations eventually leaks out to the global community. Currently, international business etiquette disapproves of corrupt behavior and views it as immoral. A company that participates in corrupt activities negatively impacts its reputation, thus, diminishing shareholder confidence and ultimately decreasing overall business value.To avoid this, a corporation should adopt anticorruption and anti-bribery corporate social responsibility strategies. When a corporation refuses to engage in dishonest activities, it reflects positively on corporate operations and adds to a just political climate (Stewart 2009). In addition, a contribution to a smooth running government benefits corporations because they can operate with few governmental interventions and also save money by avoiding bribes. 7 (3) Local Economic Development Corporations may choose to invest in local economic development.As a method to spur business growth corporations provide microfinance loans to local start-up or small businesses within the community. Business management courses that extend knowledge concerning entrepreneurship and sustainable business are another beneficial corporate social responsibility economic development alternative (Stewart 2009). In addition, contribution to infrastructure such as roads, ports, and city centers are beneficial for local trade because goods can be more efficiently transferred over a broader region. 4) Education and Training If a corporation employs people from the local community, it is necessary that these people are trained adequately. Education integration into business operations is imperative for social development (Nelson 2006). Corporate social responsibility focused on educational development helps p eople become more self-sufficient by teaching them skills that will attribute to being more productive members of society. This type of corporate social responsibility strategy, creates valuable human capital. Corporations could choose to focus on primarily employee training or choose to extend services to the entire community.The latter would consist of supporting primary to tertiary schools in order to invest in local human capital for potential future employees. The locally operating corporations will be more efficient with trained and educated employees who gain business and operations skills. 8 (5) Health and Wellness Access to health care services attributes to healthier community members, therefore extending a person? s work life and improving productivity. â€Å"Business works best when operating in stable and secure societies,† (Plugge 2004) in which a healthy workforce plays an important role.Corporate social responsibility health and wellness strategies may include education about basic hygiene, nutrition, and sanitation. Corporations who open access to basic medicines reduce the risk of many common illnesses that could be avoided or significantly reduced. All of these benefits contribute to stronger, healthier, and more productive employees. (6) Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Evidence shows that empowering women contributes to positive socio-economic development within communities in developing countries (Malhorta et al 2002, 33).Female leadership programs, increase corporate employment of women, provide microfinance loans for female entrepreneurs, and establish strict sexual harassment corporate policies are all possible corporate social responsibility gender equality initiatives (Plugge 2004, 6). By empowering women, more people are added to the work force, more businesses are developed, and familial relationships are more equalized. As a result, the community becomes increasingly competitive. (7) Employee Volunteerism Highly qualif ied professionals immigrate into local developing communities when a large business opens.These people have received ample training and are intellectually 9 qualified to operate a business on multiple levels. Using employee volunteerism within the local community is another example of a beneficial corporate social responsibility strategy. Depending on each employee? s skill set, corporate volunteers serve the community by improving local business strategies, infrastructure, education system, and public services. Studies have shown that employees desire a sense of â€Å"self-worth and a belief that their work provides value to the community,† rather than solely receiving high salaries (Shayon et al 1975, 2).Employee volunteerism fulfills this desire for importance in corporate work. When employees participate in volunteer work they also gain and perfect skills that will be more effective within corporate operations. Hence, this corporate social responsibility technique improve s employee morale, provides needed services to the community, and advances employee skills. Corporate Social Responsibility Implementation Techniques Corporations choose from a variety of implementation techniques in order to maximize the positive effects of each corporate social responsibility strategy within communities.Specific techniques are â€Å"aimed at mobilizing not only money, but also the company? s people, products, and premises to help support and strengthen local communities and non-profit partners† (Nelson 2006, 7). Discussed below are examples of corporate social responsibility implementation techniques that multinational corporations invest in. 10 (1) Philanthropic Cash Donations The philanthropic corporate donation phenomenon began in the United States during the 20th century with business leaders such as Rockefeller, Mellon, Ford, Gates, Kellogg, and Packard.This type of relationship is based upon responses to non-profit requests for donations with simple à ¢â‚¬Å"check-writing,† rather than a deeper interaction with charitable organizations. Interactions between corporations and non-profits are usually infrequent, with low engagement, and do not apply strategic planning. The basis for this implementation technique is to promote company image in a way that consumers and stakeholders perceive a compassionate and responsible institution. On the flipside, nonprofits receive the necessary funding to maintain service operations (Austin 2004, 4). 2) Independent Service Provider Less commonly pursued, corporations may choose to develop an â€Å"in-house† philanthropic service department to carry out their corporate social responsibility strategies. This department would act as the management team for the creation and implementation of corporate social responsibility strategies autonomous from non-profits, non-governmental organizations or the government. Nonetheless, consultation from these service organizations and the government occurs because of their specialized understanding of philanthropic initiatives which the corporation does not possess.Employee volunteerism would be the most common resource used within this implementation technique because it is one of the most accessible assets the company holds. 11 Direct Corporate Humanitarian Investments represent another form of independent service provider implementation technique that corporations autonomously develop. This technique â€Å"involves a firm using its resources and know-how to alleviate a particular instance of human misery† (Dunfee ; Hess 2000, 95). Corporations with specific niches in a development sector best optimize this technique.For example, the pharmaceutical company, Merck, held the patent to the drug that controlled river blindness. Hence, Merck was the only entity that could distribute this drug independently to developing communities for a reduced price. (3) Partnerships Corporate and social sector partnerships resemble a jo int-venture relationship in order to achieve common philanthropic goals central to the mission of each institution. Within the partnership each organization shares its resources equally and frequently communicates about specific initiatives.In addition, the managerial complexity required within a partnership typically precipitates a separate department to directly manage and implement the bilateral exchanges (Austin 2004, 4-5). In contrast to the previous implementation techniques, corporations acting in a partnership focus on specific initiatives and programs. For example, cause-marketing, project development, and synchronization of strategies are all activities involved within corporate and non-profit partnerships. Multinational corporations play an additional role in partnership corporate social responsibility implementation.Specifically, multinational corporations frequently participate in cross-sector partnerships because most have a mission to engage with the local community. Not only do corporations transfer technology and economic 12 development, but also their values and social policies (Austin 2004, 35). This adds another level of influence within the partnership. Methods of how corporations establish partnerships include social networking, past relationships, connections through acquaintances, related institutions or an affiliation with a specific cause.Typically in developing countries partnerships are with reputable non-profits or non-governmental organizations. Corporations partner with mostly traditional institutions because of their established reliability and proven success. In more progressive developing countries relationships could be developed with local service organizations, but in more underdeveloped countries multinational western based service organizations are used. A partnership acts as a form of risk-management for both the corporation and non-profit organization.Corporations utilize a partnership as an effective tool to address in curred harm to the community from business activities or as a resource to resolve future issues (Austin 2004, 34). Specifically in industries that produce negative externalities, a preventative alliance with a non-profit that specializes in neutralizing harmful business activities is extremely advantageous. Businesses cut-costs, improve public image, and engage with the local community with an established partnership. Moreover, when a corporation partners with the government or provides a service to society, both parties create a â€Å"win-win† relationship (Steward 2009, 18).The government gains from the economic development, material wealth, and jobs that corporations provide. Corporations benefit from government investment in infrastructure and legal protections. In addition, the government determines laws and regulations that a corporation must abide by. Thus, positive and reliable partnerships would influence the government to be more willing to 13 responsive to accommod ating corporate needs. Governments are better off because corporations create an increase in GDP, provide jobs to local citizens and contribute to national development.Non-profits and non-governmental organizations further gain from partnering with corporations. Funding diversification and reducing dependence on public resources are the main examples of how these organizations reduce their business risks. Corporations provide a secure source of funding despite possible government fluctuations in monetary support. For example, if a non-profit organization relies solely on government funding and there is a change in government leadership, budgeting, or policy that reduces funding to the non-profit, the organization would be at-risk of losing many resources.By partnering with corporations, non-profits and non-governmental organizations reduce their financial risk and gain valuable business strategy consultation. Corporate Social Responsibility Assessment Methods The evaluation of corpo rate social responsibility initiatives is extremely important for organizational analysis and public awareness. Documenting corporate social responsibility investments may influence corporations to be more accountable and take more ownership over their activities because it will be appraised by corporate and public experts.Firms use a variety of corporate social responsibility assessment methods in order to internally assess and externally report their corporate social responsibility investments. Reporting assessments may be an important and efficient way to communicate corporate social responsibility investments and achievements with academia, the financial community, government, policy makers, regulators, interest 14 groups, non-governmental organizations, general public, the local community, employees, shareholders, and the industry (Tilt 1994).Jason Saul (2009) believes that â€Å"at the end of the day we have to demonstrate value, and the way we demonstrate value to business, and to society, is by speaking the language of the business—by speaking the language of measurement. † Therefore, he argues that quantitative analysis of corporate social responsibility initiatives and reporting is a key component of corporate social responsibility management. In addition, if companies choose to use the internet and their websites to disseminate their social and environmental activities they have the potential to increase their transparency.This is an advantageous mode of communication because of its wide accessibility, low-costs, and ability to easily create in-depth or interactive tools (Line et al, 2002). The information gathered from expert audits, annual reports, corporate social disclosure reports, environmental sustainability reports and corporate assessments can be used to assess the efficiencies and short comings of corporate social responsibility initiatives. Important factors to consider are generally firm transparency, corporate governance, code of conduct, corporate social disclosure, social mpacts, community relationships, product quality, and stewardship (Szablowski 2006, 49). Thomas Haynes (1999) further recommends all companies measure four critical areas of corporate social responsibility: 1) economic function, 2) quality of life, 3) social investment, and 4) problem-solving. However, Harold D. Lasswell would consider these four critical areas incomplete because it does not take into account the evaluation of corporate social responsibility investments and policies according to the appraisal results. The corporate social responsibility goals must be specific and clear in order for the evaluations to be 15 ffectively implemented to improve corporate social responsibility programs and investments or to propose alternatives. In the past decade, corporate social disclosure reports are being more commonly used. These reports consist of voluntary and mandatory accounting of community issues above purely economic activi ties, such as human resources, community involvement, energy, product safety, environmental issues). The Corporate Citizenship Company, an international corporate responsibility and sustainability consulting firm, uses seven categories to assess the effectiveness of corporate social responsibility activities.Assessment Factors by Corporate Citizenship Company (Yakovleva 2005, 23) 1) Shareholders a. Return on investment b. Corporate governance 2) Employees a. Salary and Benefits b. Health and safety c. Training and staff development d. Diversity e. Communications 3) Consumers a. Price/ value b. Quality of product c. Advertising policy 4) Business partners a. Jobs sustained b. Payment of bills c. Technology transfer 5) Government a. Tax contribution b. Local economic impact c. Transfer pricing policies 6) Community a. Charity contributions b.Local economic impact c. Transfer pricing policies 7) Environment a. Sustainable raw materials 16 b. Emissions to water and air c. Energy efficie ncy d. Waste management e. Reduced packaging f. Consumer education In partnership with the Corporate Citizenship Company, the London Benchmarking Group analyzes corporate social responsibility investments and gives each program and service quantitative value. The LBG was founded in 1994 and consists of over 100 companies dedicated to measuring Corporate Community Investment. Hundreds of companies round the world use the LBG method to quantitatively value corporate social responsibility activities. Monetary values are applied to 5 variations of business activities: 1) business basics, 2) mandatory contributions, 3) commercial initiatives in the community, 4) community investment, and 5) charitable gifts. These varying business activities allow corporations to classify a monetary value to a company? s corporate social responsibility inputs including cash, time, in-kind, and management costs (â€Å"Measure for Measure,† 2004).The companies also assess their corporate social resp onsibility outputs and impacts in order to equate the net gains of corporate social responsibility investment. For example, new availability of cash or other resource, quantity of people aided, and business benefits represent measurable outputs. Assessment tools have the potential to be extremely valuable in corporate social responsibility strategies. Companies should be evaluating the performance of their corporate social responsibility investments to gain further intelligence about how to efficiently improve the use of their corporate resources.However, currently corporations are not required by law to report their corporate social responsibility activities. Those that do report use different methodologies, creating inconsistencies in appraisals techniques. 17 Some models that companies are presently using could be omitting crucial key factors in corporate social responsibility efficiencies, thus, providing incomplete information. A comprehensive corporate social responsibility ev aluation model needs to be established in order to effectively assess and improve corporate social responsibility activities. 8 II. Historical Trends of Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies Implemented by Corporations in Brazil Background: Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazil Throughout Brazilian history, philanthropic and charitable donations were significantly represented in the nation? s culture. Since the colonial period, the Catholic Church has inspired the establishment of many civil society organizations that carry out needed services for society. This movement grew during the industrialization period and gained substantial public support.During military rule, civil society organizations diminished in quantity because of the extremely centralized government. By the democratization period during the late 1980s until present, more and more corporations have adopted corporate social responsibility initiatives, thus, influencing a shift in Brazilian business culture. B razilian society remains highly centered around philanthropic concerns, which is made evident through a study cited by Cappellin and Giuliani. In 2000, 70 percent of the adult population donated goods and money to social organizations or people in need (2004).Understanding the historical trends of the evolution from philanthropy to corporate social responsibility strategies will provide more insight into the analysis of mining company corporate social responsibility and how it could be most effectively implemented. Brazilian colonial development was originally based upon an agricultural slave economy under an authoritarian and centralized government. The country? s colonial origins also influenced the predominance of the Catholic Church in Brazilian society. The state collaborated heavily with the Church.Responsible for public services including education, health and social welfare, the Church played an important role in connecting 19 the state to its people. After the separation of Church and state in 1891, the Church continued to invest in schools, hospitals and charitable works (Landim 1998, 68). During this period, â€Å"popular Catholicism† inspired the establishment of the first societal associations, including the most notable â€Å"Brotherhoods of Mercy. † These endeavors were sponsored by the business elites, who helped in establishing a philanthropic cultural norm among many wealthy citizens.These associations were used for worship, as well as creating some of the first hospitals, homes and psychiatric hospitals (Landim 1998, 67). Corporations did not notably donate to philanthropic associations, but business leaders contributed individually. The state managed Brazilian society in a hierarchical fashion that maintained power and wealth within exclusive authoritarian elite. For example, societal changes generated by industrialization in the late nineteenth century were managed using agreements between the dominant elites (Landim 1998, 64 ).Under governance, the Brazilian rich became relatively richer while the poor became relatively poorer. This disparity is evident to this day. During the industrialization period between 1822 and 1930, the government established associations to provide services and resources to the unemployed as a strategy to attract foreign workers. Trade unions gained momentum during this period, as well. Thus, businesses were forced to deal with employee rights and services in order to contract with the trade unions.James Austin notes that if corporate social responsibility was implemented, it only extend to corporate employees (Austin 2004, 29) during the industrialization period. Military governments controlled the state from 1964-1985. They prioritized economic growth through expanding its industrialization system to diversify from the 20 previous mono-culture agriculture of sugar, rubber, coca, and coffee (Schroy 2006). In the mid-twentieth century the military government instigated anti-inf lation policies and invested in economic infrastructure: industry, transportation, and power, but failing in essential reform of public education (Evanson 2002).In addition, this period also marked the suppression of social organizations and social movements. The state controlled all social initiatives from education, to social security and health care. Consequently, the evolution of corporate philanthropy into Brazilian business strategy became extremely limited. However, the Brazilian non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and non-profits that did operate during the period of military rule were given minimal supported by the government, so some organizations turned to corporations as a source of resources and funding.This process led to significant alterations to how Brazilian social organizations strategized their operating models (Austin 2004, 207). Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazilian Business Culture In Brazil, like elsewhere, companies are being c hallenged to better strategize their corporate social responsibility resources in order to become a part of the shifting paradigm that businesses should implement corporate social responsibility initiatives in their development. A survey conducted by Instituto Ethos (2002), a Brazilian corporate social responsibility on-profit organization founded in 1998, reveals that Brazilian consumers expect ethical behavior from companies. It is no longer acceptable for a corporation to produce negative externalities without engaging in activities to recuperate and compensate those who are affected. On the other hand, Brazilian consumers seek out 21 companies that operate sustainably, collaborate with the community, and provide quality working conditions (Instituto Ethos 2002). Corporations increasingly devote more resources to their corporate social responsibility initiatives as a result of public pressure and evolving business missions.In the 1990s, an increase in civil society organizations occurred because of the changing economy and collaboration of business leaders. Liberalizing the Brazilian economy presented many challenges due to over 25 years of strictly regulated military rule. After eradicating most trade barriers, local Brazilian businesses were faced with intense international competition that nearly suffocated local businesses. This created an extremely unfavorable economy for corporate commitment to factors outside of direct business activities, such as corporate social responsibility.Instead, business leaders personally founded third-sector organizations in order to influence legislation and public opinion regarding issues they were most passionate about. For example, a group of business people who all had a mission to mobilize, encourage, and help companies manage their business in a socially responsible way, established Instituto Ethos. Once the Brazilian economy began to recover in the mid-1990s, businesses slowly started engaging in corporate social r esponsibility initiatives once again, first with charitable giving (Austin, 2004) to many of the newly established third-sector organizations.The increase in research, academic studies, dissemination pieces, and broad media communication about corporate responsibility initiatives has further influenced businesses to participate in corporate social responsibility activities. The stronger spotlight on this shifting business paradigm further increases awareness and promotes widespread expectation of corporate social responsibility investment. 22 Brazilian Government Social Policies During the early part of the twentieth century, civil society organizations rapidly gained a strong presence within Brazilian culture.In 1938, the Decree-Law was enacted establishing the Conselho Nacional de Servico Social (National Social Service Council or CNSS): a linkage institution between the state and public sector. The institution? s main duties included implementing and assessing aid to the poor and determine which nonprofits should receive government funding. In addition, the Legiao Brasileira de Assistencia (Brazilian Legion of Assistance or LBA) was established to serve the needs of the noticeably vulnerable portions of the population, for example, young children, pregnant women, and the elderly.These services were carried out with the partnership of social or church organizations. These departments of state maintained a social network within the government and society that set a precedent for subsequent social governing and Brazilian culture. The military acted as a highly centralized functioning government from 1964 to 1988. Under military rule, the government directly controlled the economy, national development, and social service agencies. The military focused on rapid economic growth and expansion creating the â€Å"Brazilian Economic Miracle. From 1964-1972, Brazil experienced an average of 10% GDP growth (Schroy 2006). Despite its economic achievements, Brazil negl ected education and health care reform leaving a significant portion of the population in poverty (Evanson 2002). By the end of military rule, the economic disparities between the rich and poor were epic creating the societal need for poverty assistance. 23 The current democratic government and constitution were founded in 1988 after the military relinquished governing power. In light of the experience under the military governments, the 1988 constitution directly protects Brazilian civil rights.It is best known as the â€Å"Citizen Constitution† due to the state? s commitment to enhancing social policies and defending human rights (Austin 2004, 210). This philosophy aids in developing and maintaining civil society organizations that contribute to reducing poverty, improving health care and education, and protecting the environment. Government regulation of business also reflects the protection of civil rights. For example, in 1995 the Environmental Crime Law was enacted to g ive citizens the right to sue business executives in court if they do not comply ith health, environmental, or safety standards (Cardoso 2003). To understand the remaining needs and opportunities for corporate social responsibility contributions, it is important to understand existing social policies. Currently, the Brazilian government actively implements social service programs for poverty alleviation and social safety protection. The government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva established the Ministerio do Desenvolvimento Social e Combate a Fome (Social Development and Fight Against Hunger Ministry or MDS) in 2004.This ministry enacted â€Å"Assistencia Social† (Social Assistance), â€Å"Bolsa Familia† (Family Bag), â€Å"Seguranca Alimentar e Hutricional† (Food and Nutrition Security), â€Å"Inclusao Produtiva† (Production Inclusion), and â€Å"Avaliacao e Gestao oa Informacao† (Information Management and Evaluation) all aimed at elevatin g poverty and promoting human development (Desenvolvimento Social, 2010). As a result, Brazil? s poverty rate declined by 20 percent during the 1990s (Cardoso 2003). Bolsa Familia was created in 2003 as a 24 ethod to reduce short-term poverty and combat long-term poverty by requiring children to attend school and become vaccinated. Currently, the program provides 11 million families with US$44 a month (Casanova 2009, 141). The past decade has shown even more social improvements. The World Bank justifies that living on less than US$1. 25 equates to living in poverty. In 2003, 22. 9 percent of the Brazilian population was impoverished, but by 2009 only 10 percent of the population was impoverished (Santos 2010). It is important to note that there are still many weaknesses within the social system. 3 percent of the active working population does not qualify for unemployment or social insurance, leaving them at risk against sickness, accidents or maternity leave. At the same time, 20. 3 percent of children are still living in poverty (Santos 2010). Overall though, the system as a whole has been effective in reducing poverty. Brazilian Government Environmental Policies The government has a formal commitment to sustainable development in addition to improving civil society. For instance, the Brazilian â€Å"Environmental Protection and Licensing Plan† requires corporations to receive a „Previous License? „Installation License? , and „Operation License?. At each stage, environmental risk assessments must be completed by the company and approved by the environmental government agency, Insituto Brazileiro do Meio Ambiental (IBAMA 2010). At any time in the application process, the Brazilian government has the right to halt construction. Government regulations appear to be strict; however, past precedent shows that the government encourages profitable resource extraction industries, such as mining. Mineral exports are a robust commodity for Brazi l contributing to GDP and tax revenue for the quickly 25 eveloping nation. Therefore, the government reduces regulation and loosens its monitoring system in order to promote rapid resource extraction and increase national revenue. At the same time of the increasing expansion of the mining industry, the International Council of Minerals and Metals, consisting of 19 robust multinational mining corporations, have set in place environmental and social commitments in an attempt to preserve environmental and social rights. Each mining project must receive a â€Å"Social License to Operate† from the International Council of Minerals and Metals.This requires consent by the local community through negotiations and written agreement of how the community will regulate mining activities. The firm is obligated to administer an environmental impact assessment to pinpoint potentially hazardous affects on the environment and how it plans to rehabilitate any degraded environments. However, th e International Council of Minerals and Metals does not regulate corporate social responsibility initiatives. Companies themselves are responsible for implementation and assessment.Present State of Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazil Instituto Ethos, Brazil? s prominent social change non-profit organization, reports that more than half of Brazilian companies implement social policies (2010). Public opinion continues to promote a shift in corporate culture to develop solutions to some of the country? s toughest problems such as, environmental degradation, poverty, and health care. The vast inequalities within Brazilian society have become a hot topic among international development organizations. For example, even though Brazil? s economy is 26 anked as the eighth largest economy in the world (IMF 2010), 50 million people are living on less than US$30 a month. Globally, Brazil is ranked 4th to last in income distribution and 73rd on the Human Development Index (Austin 2004, 215 ). This wealth disparity highlights the extensive potential corporate social responsibility initiatives could have upon the disadvantaged populations. Corporations operating in Brazil view corporate social responsibility as a tool to restore trust among the public by serving those who suffer from the unequal distribution of national wealth originally initiated by some of these corporations.SustainAbility ViceChairman Geoff Lye reasons that â€Å"if business leaders can make a difference but choose not to, they will live to regret the disruptive social, environmental, and economic consequences that will result from failing to achieve development goals† (Lye 2006). Purely focusing on firm profitability is not enough now. A corporation? s culture, impact, and global image play an imperative role in Brazilian business activity. Businesses that do, however, chose to participate in corporate social responsibility initiatives usually focus on issues that have relevance to their own business activities.For instance, Roberta Mokrejs Paro and Claudio Bruzzi Boechat (2008) researched business priorities and corporate social responsibility initiatives of 30 Brazilian companies. The study uncovered that corporations prefer corporate social responsibility activities that are important for business activities. For example, the top four corporate social responsibility initiatives among the participants are in the energy, water, education, and environmental sectors. These were also the top four sectors for the implementation of business activities (Paro 2008, 539). 7 The Brazilian government heavily promotes corporate social responsibility activities, as well as, implements extensive corporate regulations in order to protect its environmental, social, and economic identities. Even though some business philosophies behind corporate social responsibility activities appear to be clearly defined and structured, often the reality is a different scenario. Emilio Klein a resea rcher at the International Labor Organization remarks about corporate social responsibility in Brazil Hopkins 2007, 177): †¦in that country everything is there on paper, perfectly neat and rational. But when you check the reality then things are very different. I would say that roughly in Latin American large corporations, and almost all enterprises, lack something that is essential in the background of your definition: fairness. They are unfair with their stakeholders, both inside and outside, and they can be so because they have all the power, including of course the government. If you add to that their short-term perspective, then you get what we get [in Brazil].Employees, customers, purveyors or whatever, are being squeezed and pushed around by business, particularly those related to basic services (privatized), financial services and commerce. Even though the Brazilian government has set into place complex social and environmental protection laws, the enforcement and regul ation of these principles are extremely limited. Therefore, businesses easily take advantage of local communities by out maneuvering them through economic and political avenues. As a result, businesses typically operate according to their own motives, not the governmental guidelines.Instituto Ethos uses strategies such as expanding the corporate social responsibility movement, deepen corporate social responsibility practices, creating a more favorable business environment for corporate social responsibility, and articulating corporate social responsibility within public policies to achieve their mission. Currently, this Brazilian corporate social responsibility organization has 907 member companies 28 who combined employ about 1. 2 million people and contribute to about 30 percent of GDP. Business represents one of the most powerful groups in Brazilian society.Therefore, it is pivotal that this sector engages in corporate social responsibility activities to achieve development succe ss. In 1999, the UN Secretary General launched the Global Compact Program. This aims to coordinate business and corporate responsibility initiatives. Instituto Ethos organized a conference of over 107 companies to develop guidelines for Brazilian companies to participate in this Program. Fourteen principles were created: 1) Indivisibility of rights (all human rights must be considered as a whole) 2) Meeting employee human rights should be viewed as positive and productive for business 3) Companies are leading agents for hange because of their large presence in society, 4) Possible new labor relations could be developed 5) Refuse child labor 6) Implement multiple intervention corporate social responsibility programs 7) Business participation in policy development for long-term commitment 8) Promote women rights 9) Environmental protection 10) Exchange knowledge and methodologies 11) Increase interaction with UN agencies 12) Pro-active thinking 13) Create methods for discussion 14) Mo nitor Global Compact indicators 29These goals represent key factors that Brazilian companies could address while constructing their corporate social responsibility initiatives. Because of the scope of corporate social responsibility options is broad, the presence of corporate social responsibility and corporate social conscience create a favorable environment for further promoting corporate social responsibility into businesses not yet participating. Modalities of Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazil Within the Brazilian corporate social responsibility environment, corporations most commonly participate in civil society partnerships.A study conducted by James Austin (2004, 215) shows that of the 385 companies that participated, 85 percent rely on some variation of alliances with civil society organizations to implement social responsibility strategies. Of this group, 15 percent solely use partnerships to conduct their social practices, 37 percent use non-permanent partnerships, and 33 percent occasionally engage in partnerships. Most often these partnerships are multi-sectored, because each civil society organization has specific niches that aid in the common corporate social responsibility goal.For example, businesses often partner with non-governmental organizations and non-profits that already have social management expertise to reduce implementation and operating costs for business social responsibility activities. In addition, corporations are amenable to working with local non-governmental organizations or non-profits because it can lead to positive community relations. In addition, corporations may also choose to partner with the local, regional or national government to implement social initiatives. Business leaders often view Brazilian governmental organizations as non-cooperative, bureaucratic, slow, nd 30 inefficient. Therefore, business and government alliances tend to be infrequent in Brazil (Austin 2004, 220). However, these difficulties do represent an opportunity for businesses to enhance government entities and to provide advice on how to make the government processes more effective. For example, Naturas commitment to improving local public education in Itapeceriaca da Serra not only required the company to work closely with the local government quiz, but also led to the establishment of â€Å"Barracoes da Cidadania† (Community Shelters).This program is managed by the Municipal Secretary of Culture in order to provide needy children and youth social and cultural activities and equipment (Austin 2004, 220). Even though such partnerships are becoming more prevalent, a significant proportion of corporations? efforts remain un-partnered because of factors such as lack of confidence in civil society organizations, lack of information, and precedent frustration. 15 percent of the companies in the Austin? s sample do not engage in partnerships, but individually create and implement corporate social responsibility (A ustin 2004, 219).Some company executives believe that they can better manage their resources independently because they have â€Å"better control† (Austin 2004, 219) than those firms who engage in cross-sector partnerships to implement their social initiatives. Another finding is that companies that incorporate corporate social responsibility into their business models are more likely to make profits than if they treat these factors as expenses unrelated to business strategies directed to enhancing good will, educate potential employees or provide health care to the community (Hamman 2003, 238).Company executives frequently commit to carrying out ethical business practices as a component of their corporate responsibility. This includes refraining from using 31 child labor, providing fair compensation, creating safe and comfortable work conditions, and operating within the legal environmental regulations. This promotes ethical business behaviors, as well as benefits the produc t and companies because they will avoid potential labor rights issues. Further, environmentally friendly operations reflect positively on the company and its products.The company also reduces the risk for governmental fines due to negative environmental impacts. Often companies whose business leaders choose to invest in â€Å"green† technology and environmentally sustainable business practices tend to become industry leaders because they are evaluating and strategizing how to improve their operations, as opposed to maintaining the status quo. Joint commitments to practice corporate social responsibility among firms at the same level within a specific industry have proven to be an effective tool to promote company investment in corporate social responsibility initiatives.These commitments consist of each company dedicating a standardized amount of business resources to corporate social responsibility. Therefore, no company can gain a competitive advantage by not engaging in co rporate social responsibility, thus creating a â€Å"level playing field† within the industry. The International Council on Mining and Metals is an example of this type of alliance. The organization consists of 18 mining and metals companies, as well as 30 national and regional mining associations and global commodity associations.Its vision is to lead â€Å"companies to work together and with others to strengthen the contribution of mining, minerals and metals to sustainable development† (ICMM 2010). This alliance encourages mining corporations to participate in corporate social responsibility, which neutralizes potential disparities 32 between competitors because a significant amount of the world? s most prominent mining companies are members of the International Council on Mining and Metals.Corporate Social Responsibility in the Mining Industry Mining company leaders argue that the extraction of non-renewable resources is essential to world development (Jenkins and Yakoyleva 2006, 271). They declare that newly discovered mineral deposits and improved technologies will provide additional wealth into the world? s economy. Even though the mining companies claim that they are a part of an important source of global wealth, public opinion has largely focused on the negative externalities of mining activity.In response to this public cynicism, corporate social responsibility represents a valuable impression management tool that all prominent mining corporations utilize (Jenkins and Yakoyleva 2006, 272). Corporate social responsibility is treated as a strategic response to social challenges that inevitably arise from mining extractive operations. Almost all mining companies allocate resources to these initiatives. Thus, it is necessary for corporations in this industry to participate in corporate social responsibility initiatives in some capacity in order to remain current among industry competitors.It has become standard practice in the mining indus try to develop more environmentally and socially conscience operational strategies. â€Å"corporate social responsibility in the mining industry is viewed as a mechanism for maximization of positive and minimization of negative social and environmental impacts of mining, while maintaining profits† (Acutt et al, 2001). According to a poll of the ten largest mining companies in the world, the number one reason for participating in corporate social 33 esponsibility activities is to contribute positively to brand reputation. Additional incentives are to increase value to shareholders, maintain relationships with the domestic government, and satisfy socially conscience consumers (Hamann 2003, 242). Not only is corporat

Court Visit Report

Court visit report My first court visit was a civil appeal case under the hierarchy of appellant jurisdiction at the Intermediate court and my second visit was a criminal case under the original of criminal jurisdiction at the district court. Both courts are found in Port Louis, Mauritius. The difference between the two courts is that the appellant jurisdiction was already heard in a lower court whereas the criminal jurisdiction was heard for the first time in the lower court.The atmosphere and the surrounding of the courts were nearly the same as both had magistrate seat and desk, advocate seat and desk, benches, microphones, speakers, air conditioning system, witness box, bright lighting system and smoke detector. The differences between the courts were that in the intermediate court there was a computer and in the district court there was an accused box. In the court of appeal, the magistrate; in a black gown behind his desk on the podium, was facing the people.There was a court u sher in a suit who was passing documents and evidences to the magistrate and a formally dressed person in front the computer who was recording the proceedings. Both lawyers in black gowns sat on the first bench. Just behind their lawyers, formally dressed, sat both claimant and defendant. Both the court of appeal and the district court function in nearly the same way. The only difference is that in the latter the accused had no lawyer to represent him and hence he sat with the audience. A quite friendly atmosphere prevailed in both courts.Their ushers gave me the cases’ histories, details and facts. In the court of appeal, the lawyers were exchanging words with their client and I even got the opportunity to interview the claimant, the defendant and even the lawyers. In the district court I interviewed the accused who was sitting next to me and was rather stressed. In each court, when the magistrate came, the people stood up to show respect and remained silent. In the court of appeal Mrs Bibi Fatima Rughoonauth filed a civil suit against the Commissioner of Police for unlawful arrest.In the preceding civil case, she was accused of molesting a police officer on duty as â€Å"lichien (dog)†. When the proceeding started, the witnesses; all police officers in uniform, were individually called by the court usher so as to maintain confidentiality. Each witness went in the witness box and presented himself. The statement of police was read as evidence for cross examination. During interrogation, the magistrate even had to intervene once as the witness was not responding. During her interrogation of the witness, the defendant’s lawyer refuted the points raised by the plaintiff’s lawyer.After the second witness’s interrogation, the third one came and the plaintiff’s lawyer questioned him in such a persuasive and enforcing way that he cracked under the strain and revealed the truth. Due to time constraint, no verdict was given an d the case was postponed. In the district court, Mr Brado Michel Nicolas was prosecuted for breaching the road traffic act (amendment) 2003. The accused had a car accident and went to the police station to give his statement. He gave an alcohol test which came positive. Mr B. M. Nicolas; casually dressed, came in the accused box upon the court officer’s call.He was asked by the magistrate to remove his hands from his pockets as such act caused disrespect to court. The magistrate asked Mr B. M. Nicolas if he pleaded guilty but the latter requested the magistrate if he could hear his statement given in the police station once again. Then a police officer presented himself in front of the magistrate and read the statement of the witness in the witness box. Then Mr B. M. Nicolas pleaded guilty. The magistrate held the accused to pay a fine of Rs 3,100 (three thousand and one hundred Mauritian rupees).According to me it was a fair trial. Changes which I believe would help in maint aining order in the court and also its dignity are as follows: 1. A normal person, unaware of court functioning, should be briefed as when I was there, due to lack of information a witness went in the accused box and had to be guided to the witness box by the court officer. 2. Equipments in such an important and sensitive place as a court should be working properly since during my visit the microphones and speakers were not working and hence the court proceedings could not be heard properly.

Topcoder Case Study

If you were a senior manager at TopCoder, what are the main capabilities you would need to develop to succeed at running the firm? Are these capabilities similar or unique from managing a more traditional firm In order to develop and execute the highly non-traditional business approach and vision of TopCoder, the senior management has to regularly challenge existing industry practices and innovate better methodologies to improve the quality of deliverables to the client. . Since the business model for TopCoder is highly reliant upon participation from the develop community they need to keep a continuous track of the activities in their forum and need to devise the competition in such a way that it attracts more and more better quality coders. To make this happen, the senior management has to develop high level of marketing skills so that they can promote their product and keep the coders interested. 2.The main challenge which company faces is that though the customers are getting hig h quality defect free products in a short span of time they are usually suspicious of the product quality since they do not have any relationships and in person/on call interaction with the developer community. Due to this suspicious outlook of the customers, the management needs to have high level of negotiation and convincing skills so that they can keep the customers. 3. Software product requires regular maintenance and updation after certain period of time and thus vendor selection for development is a long term investment.Now, the customer knows that the developer community of TopCoder is usually interested in complexity of the competition and intellectually challenging tasks and thus the top coders in the community might not take up such tasks. Thus, it becomes very important for TopCoder management to keep the clients interested. 4. The TopCoder community is innovation and competition driven, thus managing innovative and creative people who can be blunt and too direct to the customers may diminish and even destroy the reputation of company with he customer thus they need to be capable to handling not only the customer but the coders, who are primarily independent and can move out at any given time, given a better opportunity Most of the capabilities required by the senior management at TopCoder are rather similar to managers at a more traditional IT company, but the fact that they have to manage both the customer relationships, as well as the virtually located coder community, which can be challenging.Also, they have to additionally handle the feedback from both these communities and have to keep a balance between these two parties, which I not desired to such an extreme from a normal IT manager. What are barriers to entry in this type of a business? TopCoder is competing with in the tough and saturated space of IT Product development and Services. Gaining a market share in the high tech industry with already established and trusted brands along with re latively newer but technologically advanced businesses is a mammoth task. The entry barriers are the result of competitive behavior by existing businesses within the marketplace.TopCoder faces a variety of entry barriers that must be overcome or adapted to in order for its non-traditional business approach to create trust and standing with the customers and gaining a foothold within any given marketplace. According to the Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing, the most common entry barriers are: 1. Established businesses attempt to prevent new competitors from entering their market because they could lose business and profits. 2. Absolute cost and capital advantages of existing business 4. An existing large company with high bench strength is more capable to cope ith new competitors by developing high complexity products at a lesser cost than a new company. 4. High entry barriers present a difficult challenge for new businesses to overcome to be profitable in the market. If t he barriers are too high, incumbent businesses in the market have a distinct advantage over any new entrant which can prevent the new business from being a significant threat to their market position 5. There can be many customers, who prefer contracts of multiple projects with an established brand which may prevent them to source their requirements to a relatively smaller new company, 6.Several times the processes and specialized business knowledge available with established companies are aligned with the processes and business needs of the customer and they prefer to work with each other. 7. Having worked in multiple projects together and knowing the quality of deliverables customers develop a preference to certain companies 8. Some customers, such as banks, have a lot of sensitive and secure data which they want to share with only already established and trusted IT firms 9. Usually high performing IT firms have a highly sophisticated infrastructure and quality control mechanism i n place.

Final Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Final Report - Essay Example It is both the largest meat producer and the second largest processor and food production company in the world. The company works with more than seven thousand independent chicken growers and employs one hundred and ten thousand workers in its four hundred facilities and offices. It operates in more than ninety countries and hopes to be the best source of food for hotels and households. The company’s core value is also to create value for its customers, shareholders and employees. Amazon.com Inc has its headquarters in Seattle, Washington and is the largest online commerce company in the world. It was founded in 1994, by Jeff Bezos, as a bookstore and has expanded to be a multinational company that sells so many products such as electronics, clothes car accessories among other products. The company has used its mission of being the largest web store to include other products such as kindle and cloud space in its portfolio. Time Warner Cable Inc sells TV and basic internet, triple basic, triple play, triple with turbo, digital TV and turbo, basic TV and turbo, internet, phone and intelligent-home. Its products are packaged according to the level and type of usage by customers for example they have the packages for residential homes and offices. The company always works to develop new and state of art products such as the intelligent-home that enable customers to save power and control what happens in his / her home without necessarily being at the house. Amazon.com has partnered with sellers and manufactures such as Dell, HP and publishers who sell their products through its web store. It also has an option for individuals to sell second hand products and products which they don’t use. Amazon products are divided into physical products such as clothes, electronics and furniture and digital products such as ebooks, cloud storage and music. It has developed the kindle where customers can read books, listen to music and share on social media, the

Historical Event in S. Korea that Affected on Family Business, Work Essay

Historical Event in S. Korea that Affected on Family Business, Work Experience, Life (1910-2000) - Essay Example A short history of how things were in the period 1910-1945 In 1910-1945, Korea was colonized by Japan. Changes were clearly noticed in the way the country carried out its political, social, economic endeavors. Not much was done in the business perspective of this country. The Japanese took over the Korea’s fertile lands, their buildings and businesses (Savada and Shaw 1990, 24). During this time, the country was in dire need for capital and advanced technology. Japan took up the responsibility of making sure that Korea had a good infrastructure. The Japanese were tough in their rule, and did their best to make sure that the Korean people assimilated the Japanese culture including the types of names, their kind of religion and even their national and official language. In this period, most citizens never thought of Korea’s economic development. They had lost their power and control of their own nation. They concentrated on earning for their basic needs and lived in extre me poverty. Fortunately, my great grandfather had a small store where he used to make and dye fabric which sustained him in the hard times. He was able to give his family a good life. My grandfather was advantaged to even go to Pai Chai Hak Dang, one of the expensive schools; this was rear at that time. Chai Hak Dang was the most expensive intermediate school then. Most students who were lucky to enroll into these schools dropped out because of lack of school fees. They were then employed in factories, publishing firms and in farming activities where they lived a desperate life due to the low income (Chance and Thatcher 2012). At last, the Japanese surrendered in 1945, and by 1948 the South Korean republic was formed by the democrats while the republicans formed the republic of North Korea. In 1950, South Korea was captured by North Korea. During this time, my grandfather was only 17 years old. He describes this time as the hardest that ever occurred on the Korean soil. The North Ko rean army and the USSR had joined hands to make life unbearable. He was scared and couldn’t stand the thought of him ever losing his family or his own life because people around him were dying every day and to the living, their hopes were destroyed because of the ongoing war and lack of basic needs. Young South Korean men were forcefully recruited into the army to fight, and my grandfather had to hide from them. It was impossible for him to look for necessities for his family. He stopped thinking about his bright future and only thought of how to survive. My grandfather’s family moved to safety in the south and on their way, they witnessed the death of many people. At this time, he was captured and joined the army forcefully at the age of 18 years. He was well educated, and this gave him the opportunity to join the cadet where he worked for ten years. Note that as from 1945, as noted by (Pike, 2011), many experienced Korean cadets came back to their country and had for med the armed forces. Under the rule of the U.S.A, the group was dissolved, and its members were taken into the defense force which comprised of 25,000 heads of soldiers. In 1945, the U.S.A. organized for an academy where the cadets were trained. The cadets were commissioned immediately they cleared their Basic English education. United States took up Korea on the 27th day of the seventh month in the year 1950 under the leadership of General McArthur. As a cadet in this organization, my

Cultural Event Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cultural Event Report - Essay Example The museum is located on 5th avenue in Manhattan, New York. We visited the museum on 1st October 2011 during the morning hour period. On arrival to the museum, I was immediately perplexed and remained rooted to a beautiful statue by the of the entrance, which could only have been made by non other than Michelangelo. The statue was of King David with the right hand holding the thigh and the left hand touching his shoulder. Even Monica who does not easily get excited was awash with a big smile on her face not believing that a fellow human being could have done such a statue. The most beautiful site we visited was the Temple of Dendur located in Sackler wing of the museum. We learnt that the magnificent artifact was built during the Roman Period in the days of Augustus Caesar and transferred from Egypt to the United States in 1965. Two years later, it was given to The Metropolitan Museum of Arts. At the base of the temple are papyrus carvings that look like they are growing from waters. The image of the sun can be seen from the top of the gates. On the way in, are images of the vultures with their wings spread out making the scene totally scintillating that left us simply amazed. The image of the king offering sacrifices and holding scepters is seen between the walls that separate the sky from the earth. The gods Isis and Osiris are crowned and with some writings by their figures. The believe within the temple of Dendur is that if a couple make love there, they will never part ways until death. This was good news for Monica and I since we have marriage p lans in the future but that was saved for another visit. We also visited the section where American art collections are stored. The most exciting scene was that of George Washington and his soldiers crossing the Delaware. Being a passionate lover of Africa, we could not leave the museum without visiting the African Art site, and I must say,

Police and Criminal Evidence Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 8750 words

Police and Criminal Evidence - Coursework Example The boundaries between its strict application and exercise of discretion shall be presented for the purpose of shedding more light to the public. It will include examination of all relevant decisions of the courts so that the factors affecting the exercise of discretion could be clearly identified. It will also include a study of connecting the policies with the actual practice in courts. Thus, legal as well as practical recommendations shall be made in the end. As a general rule, criminal laws are enacted in order to protect the society from unscrupulous elements of the law and vindicate the rights of the victims, which have been violated by the suspects. These laws lay down the specific acts which, when committed, create a demandable right, both on the state and the individual, to pursue the suspect and indict him for the malfeasance committed. Thus, justice on the part of the victim could be obtained by merely proving the existence of probable cause against the suspect so that the police authorities could immediately act and apprehend the suspect for prosecution and trial. On the other hand, criminal procedure as embodied in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) lays down the policies as well as th... Thus, justice on the part of the victim could be obtained by merely proving the existence of probable cause against the suspect so that the police authorities could immediately act and apprehend the suspect for prosecution and trial. On the other hand, criminal procedure as embodied in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) lays down the policies as well as the limitations to be observed by the police that will serve as guidance to the magistrates who will handle the case. One of the issues embraced therein is the admissibility of evidence procured by the police thru means not sanctioned by law. In short, the question is whether or not the court, for purposes of convicting the accused, should accept the evidence illegally obtained by the police authorities. Those who oppose the proposition base their arguments on the legal maxim that such kind of evidence is 'a fruit of the poisonous tree' and therefore must not be used. No amount of evidence, no matter how substantial it would be, could justify its use for the conviction of an accused, which, incidentally, is always presumed to be innocent unless proven beyond reasonable doubt. Hence, the end does not justify the means. Indeed, if conviction of an accused will lie on evidence that has been obtained in violation of the latter's rights, absolute justice will still not prevail as in the process, injustice was also meted to the accused. This should not be the case of the English judicial system. On the other hand, adherents of the proposition stand firm on the logic of the maxim, 'The end justifies the means.' It has been argued that justice to the victims should not be

Effects of imagination on a child from the perspective of Peter Pan by Essay

Effects of imagination on a child from the perspective of Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie - Essay Example As his life is a life of dreams, his real life only being in his imagination, the writer will show how he goes between the need of nurturing and the need of nature or his concept of reality. A conclusion will be made associating the need of Peter Pan in an adults' society. We all wish to live in a wonderful perfect family with a strong mother figure. In chapter 7 Peter had saved the life of the Redskins who referred to him as "The great white father"." Secretly Wendy sympathised with them a little but she was far too loyal a housewife to listen to any complaints against father. "Father knows best", she always said..." Peter Pan served as a father figure to two groups, the set of Indians and the lost boys. He would never admit is as "it was only in Peter's absence that the lost boys could speak of mothers" (chapter 2) In chapter 6, the Little House, the lost boys "went on their knees, and holding out their arms cried, "Oh Wendy lady, be our Mother." "There was a step above, and Wendy, you may be sure was the first to recognize it. "Children, I hear your father's step. He likes you to meet him at the door." At end of the chapter, "Dear Peter, with such a large family, of course, I have now passed by best, but you don't want to change me do you?" "No Wendy... I was just think, it is only make-believe, isn't it, that I am their father. It would make me so old to be their real father." Wendy then asks."Peter what are your feelings for me? " "Those of a devoted son". The purpose was to illustrate the use of the imagination to nurture children who don't have the love of a mother and father figure. Peter Pan and Wendy formed a surrogate family for a short while. A wonderful transition from the imagination of nurture to the imagination of nature is the use of the clock. Hook was not angry to have lost his arm, he said "I want Peter Pan, who first gave the brut(the crocodile) its taste for me...by lucky chance it swallow a clock which goes tick tick inside. "When you wan t the time on the island was to find the crocodile, and hen stay near him till the clock struck" (chapter 10)He is afraid of the crocodile when he no longer can hear the tick tock of the clock, he will lose his life. This is a child's imagination of death (Chapter 5 ) . He can prevent himself from dieing. Another more playful side of childhood is to use the imagination to pretend that he can change the nature of time, events, school, people etc...."I shall pour my medicine into Nana's bowl, and she will drink it, think it is milk!" (chapter 3) Mr Darling is completely in the role of a child, the dog is in the role of a nanny, and the children are acting as though they were adults. The imagination of nature is the concept of what goes on in the present. Children think about the here and now. There is no concept of time for any of the children. "The boys on the island vary...when they seem to be growing up, which is against the rules, Peter thins them out". (chapter 5) ""He did this b ecause there is a saying in the Neverland that, every time you breathe, a grown-up dies; and Peter was killing them off vindictively as fast as possible". (chapter 11) A child's imagination dreams of a world of being able to live without the constraints of adults. What fun to have control over all the grown-up world, not to have to take medicine, and not to have to do school work. To live in a place where one could play to his heart's content. These two concepts interchange in a child's head. Wendy dreams of

Indigenous Peoples Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Indigenous Peoples - Essay Example It is also this roots that makes the term Indigenous Peoples, not just ambivalent, but highly paradoxical. Definition of Indigenous Peoples The term Indigenous Peoples has been a subject of much debate but mainstream understanding indicates that people who lived in an area before the conquerors arrive are indigenous. This understanding, however, is muddled with confusion. Indians, for example, were in Louisiana before the arrival of white Americans but ask any American and they would claim original ownership of the land. A further understanding would most likely present two concepts: 1) The First People pertains to the original settlers of a country or area. They are also often called ethnic group or aborigines. 2) Cultural Difference is also used as a major differentiating point between who is indigenous and who is not. Languages, religion or spiritual belief, and socio-economic structure define who is indigenous to the culture In a bid to have a universal understanding of indigenou s peoples, a defition was developed by Jose Martinez Cobo in the Special Rapporteur on Discrimination against Indigenous Populations. This was, for a time, accepted internationally (Sanders 214): "Indigenous populations are composed of the existing descendants of the peoples who inhabited the present territory of a country wholly or partially at the time when persons of a different culture or ethnic origin arrived there from other parts of the world, overcame them, by conquest, settlement or other means, reduced them to a non-dominant or colonial condition; who today live more in conformity with their particular social, economic and cultural customs and traditions than with the institutions of the country of which they now form part, under a state structure which incorporates mainly national, social and cultural characteristics of other segments of the population which are predominant." However, the definition resulted to many questions and challenged many political, cultural, and s ocial beliefs. For one, the acceptance of the definition makes the identity of indigenous peoples dependent on the chronology of its social development. Next, classifying conquerors as people from other parts of the world effectively eliminates neighboring conquerors which may have been more prevalent before recorded history. The definition fundamentally assumed and solidified that the formation of identity, history and culture were dependent on when Europeans started colonizing different parts of the world. It was beyond simple. It was, in fact, unreasonable as it ignored the more organic formation of culture, history and identity that started hundreds, if not thousands of years before European colonizers. Essentially, the definition that was supposed to uphold the identity of a country was based on discrimination. So much, in fact, that even their definition had to be around the axis of the colonizers. Europeans had to arrive before the presence of culture is recognized. The defin ition may have been well-intentioned but the result only lead to further marginalization of people that should have never had to fight for their land. There is also the lack of framework on how culture, tradition and beliefs continue to persist even in the face of modernity and continuous strengthening of global hybrid community. What the definition did, though, is make provide a better and stronger mainstream understanding of the

I need a research proposal that is related to nursing

I need a that is related to nursing - Research Proposal Example 5 series of 2008, setting new policies/standards and increasing Bachelor of Nursing to a 5-year course from its previous 4-year program. Drawing from perceptions of graduates before and after the CHED Memo NO. 5 ( School Years 2005-2010), the strengths and weaknesses of the old curriculum (SY2005-2009) and the new (SY 2009-2010) can be assessed (Simbulan, p.1). The proposed study will gather data on perceptions of CEU College of Nursing graduates, who passed the Nursing board examination, and have been employed as professional nurses in the country or abroad. Their opinions will be drawn not only from their years of education, but the actual application of their knowledge, competence, and commitment to the profession. Evaluation research shall be applied to determine whether the CHED social intervention produced the intended results, using the method of survey and interview of respondents drawn randomly from the list of practicing CEU nursing graduate-professionals. Response variable s consist in the relevance and effectiveness of (a) the required general education subjects (b) theoretical foundation and fundamentals of nursing practice, and (c) apprenticeship program. Survey instruments shall be farmed out and retrieved by way of e-mail or letters through the assistance of the CEU Alumni Foundation. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis shall be done, utilizing survey and open interview data results.

The Republic by Plato Essay Example for Free

The Republic by Plato Essay In the book The Republic, Plato explores the mystery contained in living a good life where he looks at living a just life and what it entails. He also looks at life when there are philosopher kings ruling. The main character in the book is Socrates who is engaged in a discussion by some friends he meets when coming from the Piraeus to offer his prayers. He is walking with Glaucon on his way to the city when Polemarchus catches sight of him and invites him to walk with him along with Adeimantus who is the brother to Glaucon and they end up going to his house. Once they get to the home of Polemarchus, there they find Cephalus his father, his brothers Lysias and Euthademus and also Thrasymachus, Cleitophon and Charmantides. Cephalus admonishes Socrates for not visiting him often yet he is an old man who cannot be able to travel as he would wish. He however appreciates old age since it has given him peace that he could not have gotten when he was younger. He exhorts the goodness of old age instead of complaining as his peers did about the ills of old age. Socrates becomes intrigued and asks him whether his position is affected by the fact that he is wealthy and there starts the discussion of what makes one content with his life. Cephalus is convinced that ones disposition determines how contented or discontented one is with his life. According to him riches whether acquired or inherited does not play a part in ones happiness instead how you have decided to live your life is what matters (Jowett B. pg 11). He is of the idea that a good man whether poor or rich is a happy man while a bad man whether rich or poor is an unhappy man. He defined a good man as he who is just to others. Socrates wants to know what justice is and thus the beginning of the discussion about justice. Since they defined justice as speaking the truth and paying off debts, Socrates wants to know whether there are any exceptions to these rules. He also wants to know if one becomes less just if he decides that it is for the best not to do exactly as required by the rule of justice if it causes more harm than good to obey the rule. Socrates is of the opinion that justice must have a much broader definition than the one currently in use. At this point Cephalus exits and leave his son to take over the conversation on his behalf. Polemarchus is of the same opinion as Socrates but still quotes a respected man and a poet (Simonides) as having said differently but excuses him by assuming that he had not considered all the scenarios that are possible.   Polemarchus is however of the opinion that this rule only applies to those people who are considered to be ones friends. To those who are enemies, the rule of returning what is owed applies strictly even if by doing so one cause harm to the one receiving what is owed. He interprets what Simonides meant when he wrote about justice and assumes it to mean that one should give to each what they deserve meaning that to a friend one should do that which is good and to an enemy one should give evil. If by repaying a debt one is doing evil to a friend, then one should not repay it but if it is to an enemy one ought to be able to do so gladly. In their discussion, it emerges that there are times that injustice is preferred to justice and that in most cases it is considered useless when other things are useful and vice versa (Jowett B. pg 17). After much discussion they seem to agree that a just man cannot cause harm to others whether they are enemies or friends. This then leaves them with no definition of what justice is yet they require knowing what it is. At this point, Thrasymachus enters the conversation but for him to give his opinion of what he thinks justice is, he demands that he be paid some money. He introduces to the reader the third definition of justice which he claims to be the interest of the stronger (Jowett B. pg21). This is because the laws governing people’s deeds are formulated by the government which in turn is made up of the strong people regardless of what sort of government it is. Socrates questions this definition since the rulers may be wrong in formulating the laws and make some which may cause injury to them. If the subjects in being just must obey the law, the question then becomes whether by causing injury to the ruler they are still supposed to be just. At this point, Cleitophon contributes by saying that as long as the stronger thought that whatever was being done was to his interest, then it was justice to go ahead and do it despite its assumed harm to him. Thrasymachus defines the ruler or the stronger man as he who cannot make a mistake and if one does make a mistake, he ceases to be a ruler. Socrates asks him who is the master of an art and after it is established that the one who does something best is the master of the trade. In agreeing to this, Thrasmychus finds himself cornered by Socrates because then it means that the ruler defines justice as that which serves the interest of his subjects and not his own interests. This is because a master of an art does all he can for the benefit of those under him and one of the examples given is that of a physician who does all he can for the benefit of the patient yet he is the master of the art. It seems in this case that the ruler has made a law that affects him negatively because it has reduced his social standing. In this way then, the ruler has made a mistake and hence stops becoming a ruler because he has not put his interests first in making the law. Thrasymachus is of the opinion that the unjust man benefits more than the just one does and he defines justice as â€Å" the interest of the stronger whereas injustice is a man’s own profit an interest† (Jowett B. pg 27). He seems not be consistent in his view since he attributes different qualities to different professions as the definition of justice. The discussion takes a turn at towards perfect societies where the perfectly unjust society is seen as being more profitable than the perfectly just society. Thrasymachus is of the opinion that just people want equality with the just but want to have more than the unjust while the unjust wants more than everyone (Jowett B. pg 32). Socrates asks if an unjust society can be able to rule without exercising any form of justice. He however does not receive a precise answer. The first book ends with the question whether justice is good or evil. Thrasymachus remains silent from this moment on. Glaucon enters the scene with questioning Socrates about the types of goods there are and how they can be classified. They come up with three types of goods an justice is placed at the level of goods which are accepted because by practicing them one gains but if they had another choice would rather not engage in them thus preferring injustice to it (Jowett B. pg 38). In doing this he seems to be supporting the position of Thrasmychus but still wants to hear the opinion of Socrates on the true nature of justice. He believes that people do that which is good because they are afraid of the repercussions of doing evil and if they had a choice they would opt for evil other than good. To support his position, he tells the story of Gyges, a shepherd, who got a ring from a dead mans body that had the power to make one invisible. The ring allowed him to do things that he would otherwise not do with people seeing him. People obey the rules of justice because others can see them but if there is a chance that they will not be seen, then their true feelings emerge and most often than not they (the feelings) will be inclined towards injustice and evil. As the story is told, Gyges uses the ring to become invisible and seduce the queen who helped him eliminate the king and he became the king. It is obvious that prior to his having the ring, he could not have done so but under the guise of invisibility he was able to do much evil (Jowett B. pg 39). Glaucon wants the unjust man to be totally unjust and the just man to be totally just because total injustice can be misconstrued to mean justice. Adeimantus his brother supports him by adding that parents teach their children to be just so that in future they may be able to get good jobs and marriages and not necessarily to make them good. However Socrates is convinced that they are arguing for injustice yet they do not believe in being unjust (Jowett B. pg 45). According to Socrates, a state arises as a result of the needs that people have and it must be comprised of different categories of people who all work together to ensure the goodness of all. Justice is supposed to have led to the existence of three classes of people namely: the rulers, the producers and the soldiers. They all have specified duties and none should try to do another’s because that would be deemed as being unjust. They all have their roles and to assume another’s role is to rob the individual of his way of earning a living hence becoming unwittingly unjust. Also in trying to add another person’s load onto your own, it would lead to doing a shoddy job hence becoming unjust to those who trusted you to do the job for them (Jowett B. pg 47). Socrates takes both Glaucon and Adeimantus through the formation of a state where the three categories of people exist with justice being defined as minding ones business and letting others do the same up to the point where out of increased needs, the roles start to intermingle leading to a breakdown of justice. People in the state require that which does not belong to them to make their lives comfortable and in so doing become unjust. He then decides to create an ideal city where there is no private property or even wives and children. This is done for the common good and in such a city justice is not required. The discussion changes from whether a city is just to the question of whether there is any possibility of such a city existing. It is at this point that he introduces the idea of philosopher kings. The philosopher king is supposed to be just, a lover of wisdom and of truth. He rules not because he gains but because he wants to help the people who are his subjects. In this state, there is no discrimination among sexes and neither are there classes of people since all are considered to be equal. Philosophers are assumed to be the only people who can be able to decide which pleasures are good for the citizens and hence the need to have one as a ruler. He believes that power corrupts a ruler and the only one who is incorruptible is the philosopher and hence the need to give him the power to rule. He finishes off by criticizing the forms of governments that arise as a result of corrupted rulers. According to him, the least threatening of the governments is what he calls timocracy which is an authoritarian rule that is headed by an unstable minded man who wants to avenge the humiliation suffered by his father at the hands of his mother. Oligarchy is worse than timocracy and is characterized by having a band of few rich men who are the leaders and respect nothing other than money. Democracy follows and is seen as the rule by demagogues who are not even fit to be doing so. The worst of all the governments is tyranny where the ruler has absolute power and rules by dictating his desires and making them into laws to be followed by the citizens. The book ends without any conclusion on the definition of justice but before Socrates leaves his friends, they agree that to live a just life is better than to live an unjust life.