Author: akohtum

Consider and explain entry strategies and organizational structures utilized by Ford Motor and Volkswagen, when referring to the “Internet Exercise: Organizing for Effectiveness” on page 339 in the textbook. Complete this assignment by answering the following questions:1) What type of arrangement(s) do you see the two firms using in coordinating their worldwide operations?2) Which of the two companies has the more modern arrangement?3) Do you think this increases that firm’s efficiency, or does it hamper the company’s efforts to contain costs and be more competitive? Why?Write a one to two page paper summarizing your findings. The written summary should be double-spaced using 12-point Times New Roman font. You will need to cite your sources of information (at least three) at the end of your paper. Though the paper need not be in APA format, the citations at the end do. One of those three citations may be from the Luthans and Doh textbook, and one citation may come from an online website. Every MNC tries to drive down costs by getting its goods and services to the market in the most efficient way. Good examples include auto firms such as Ford Motor and Volkswagen, which have worldwide opera- tions. In recent years Ford has been expanding into Europe and VW has begun setting up operations in Latin America. By building cars closer to the market, these companies hope to reduce their costs and be more responsive to local needs. At the same time this strategy requires a great deal of organization and coordination.Visit the websites of both firms and examine the scope of their operations. The Web address for Ford Motor is www.ford.com, and for Volkswagen it is www.vw.com. Then, based on your findings, answer these questions: What type of organizational arrangement(s) do you see the two firms using in coordinating their worldwide operations? Which of the two companies has the more modern arrangement? Do you think this increases that firm’s efficiency, or does it hamper the company’s efforts to contain costs and be more competitive? Why?

This is just a discussion question. Discuss the importance of recognizing and implementing different entry strategies and organizational arrangements which result in shared control and oversight through collaborative relationships, as illustrated in the Chapter 9 opening-discussion case, “Volkswagen’s Comeback: Aligning Strategy and Structure.”  Please post your Discussion based on the following questions: 1) Which organizational structure described in the chapter does Volkswagen’s “customer oriented” structure most closely resemble? 2) How might such a structure help or hinder entry into new markets? 3) Does a matrix or customer-oriented structure lend itself better to forming joint ventures and alliances?  In the fiercely competitive global automotive industry, Volkswagen has pursued an ongoing global strategy that emphasizes both centralization and regional adaptation and leverages the range of capabilities from its various brands and their production. The Volkswagen Group makes245 models of passenger cars, trucks, and buses under 10 brands. In 2012, it sold 9.3 million vehicles in 153 countries on five continents, adding more than 1 million passenger cars over 2011 and catapulting it ahead of both General Motors and Toyota to become the largest automaker in the world.1 Despite the tough global environment for automotive sales, especially in Europe, VW’s home base, the Volkswa- gen Group outperformed the market in 2012, growing in almost all key regions. Deliveries of all vehicles climbed 12.2 percent, increasing the Group’s global share of the passenger car market to 12.8 percent from 12.3 percent in the prior year. Volkswagen’s revenue increased by 20.9 per- cent in fiscal year 2012 to €‚192.7 billion from the previous year’s €‚159.3 billion. Like many leading automotive compa- nies, including Ford, GM, and Toyota, VW operates a joint venture in China that generated a €‚3.7 billion (€‚2.6 billion) share of the 2012 operating profit.2 In 2013, VW extended its lead over its rivals in market share for passenger vehi- cles and trucks through its many brands, including the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand; the Audi brand; ŠKODA, a car and truck manufacturer; SEAT, an entry level vehicle brand; Bentley, the luxury car maker; sports car manufac- turer Porsche; the Commercial Vehicles group; Scania, a truck maker; and a financial services group.3Despite these successes, as recently as 2007, VW was facing severe challenges with slow sales, meager mar- gins, and no clear global strategy. What factors led to the impressive comeback?

PART I1. What does Stanley Milgram\’s \”Perils of Obedience\” have to tell us about efforts to standardize professional ethics? What does Milgram believe is the relationship between the obedience and individual morality? And how would Milgram evaluate Edward Snowden\’s decision to leak classified information about what he believed to be unconstitutional practices within the NSA?
2. Using MacIntyre\’s theoretical framework (that is, by reference to terms like \”internal goods,\” and \”external goods\”), explain why someone who loves the child depicted in MacIntyre\’s \”chess\” example might offer her some candy to play chess when she doesn\’t want to play? And why might one offer her twice as much candy if she plays well? Refer directly to the paragraph in \”The Nature of the Virtues\” where this is discussed, making sure to explain all its relevant aspects.3. Consider Seumas Miller\’s comments on Searle’s discussion of deontic powers:

How would Searle respond, do you think? Do you find anything objectionable in Miller\’s claims here? Explain clearly. 


4. Should scientific institutions take account of social or political pressures in determining the best course of action in solving scientific problems? Can they avoid doing so? For instance, in discussing the medical community\’s desire for \”clean\” trials, Epstein writes that some treatment activists argued:          the defense of science put forward by mainstream researchers was an ideology designed to promote the kind of science they happened to do as the only kind that could be called science. (p. 423)

Is there merit in this charge?


5. According to Heinz Leugenbiehl, \”professional ethics cannot simply be the subject of abstract philosophical analysis. It needs to be looked at in the context of particular cultural domains.\” Explain why he believes this to be the case, using his case studies as the basis for your argument. And how, if at all, might this relate to MacIntyre\’s argument for the different definitions of virtue across the ages?
6.  On page 426 of Steven Epstein’s essay, in discussing Gieryn’s “boundary work” thesis he argues that the “recent reconfiguration of the boundaries (Gieryn 1983) between the “inside” and the “outside” of biomedicine has been the outcome of struggle.” Can the same be said for the “inside” and “outside” of engineering and its subfields?Your task here is to do an analysis of a moment of “struggle” over norms within engineering, and questions of relevant expertise. Examine the discourse around the official NIST investigation of the collapse WTC Building 7, and determine:

   1.    whether that investigation was conducted in a way that conformed to the norms of engineering-based investigations of this sort. Determine whether the investigation sought to, and did successfully, answer the relevant questions raised about the fate of the building, or whether legitimate questions remain; and

   2.    how organizations critical of the NIST narrative have fared in making a case for their own expertise as a basis for rejecting the official narrative (an example of such a group would be Architects & Engineers for 9/11 truth, www.ae911truth.org). In your view, is this an organization whose voice should be considered an expert one?Why or why not?

Some potential resources (there are many others):





You work for a marketing department in a hospital within a suburban location of a large metropolitan area. Though it neighbors million-dollar homes, the hospital’s mission includes providing care to underserved and indigent populations in the area.A new primary care physician moved into the area and approached your hospital to partner with her as she begins a new practice in the community. Because the administration is always anxious to welcome new practitioners to the hospital, you agree to meet with the physician. During the meeting, the physician explains that she wants to establish the first concierge medical practice in the community. The physician plans to attract around 100 families to her practice, and she plans to charge from $300 to $1,000 per month, depending on the size of the family unit. (Note: A goal of 100 families may not be realistic; however, the number makes for easier calculations.)The patients who join the concierge practice will receive access to the physician’s services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at an office located near the hospital. Families will receive preventive care services, and the physician will design wellness programs to encourage healthy lifestyles for her patients. The physician will use the hospital for all emergent care, day surgeries, rehabilitation, and in-patient care. The physician also plans to use nutritionists and the hospital’s fitness center facilities.By , submit your report in a 2 page Microsoft Word documen 

All businesses have associated risks. Businesses must cope with risk in order to operate. The risks can be minimized when you are certain of the outcome and can be maximized when there are uncertainties. The internal and external factors also impact risk. With all other factors held constant in financial markets, the higher the risk associated with the decision, the higher the expected return. Many investors are risk averse especially when dealing with their investments.In this assignment, you will discuss risks and risk aversion. You will also explore your natural risk tendencies and discuss how you would react to specific financial decisions that you may encounter, personally and professionally.Complete the following:Write a 2–3-page research paper. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Imagine how terrible it would be to plan a party and no one showed up. As a social worker, you may very well plan a group and no one attends. Why might this happen? In part, it might be due to a lack of proper planning. Prior to establishing a group, there is a great deal of planning that needs to occur. First and foremost, you need to assess the need for the group.As you can see, there are many details a social worker needs to address, prior to starting a group. Once these details are finalized, how will you run the group and what intervention skills might you use to meet the need you identified?, review this week’s Resources. Then, select a population with which you might like to build a group. Consider the needs of the population and the type of group you might build to benefit the population. Think about how you might structure this group and what role you, the social worker, might need to assume in order to support the group members. Finally, reflect on what intervention skills this group might require and the potential group dynamics of which you should be aware while running the group. 

Research your chosen company   Find a minimum of one library source, which will support your thesis in this assignment.  Review your assigned weekly lecture and text reading.  Select from this reading 3-5 key concepts, which will also support your thesis.  In a address the questions below.  Your paper should follow APA format including a title and reference page.  The 2 page paper length requirement does NOT include the title page and reference page.  Refer to your classroom area titled South University Policies and Guideline: Using APA Standards in Your Coursework to ensure you are following the correct format.Describe both the formal and informal communication methods within the organization.  Address whether or not the organization uses effective communication techniques.  Evaluate the role culture plays in both the formal and informal methods of communication.  Make recommendations for improvement for both informal and formal communications.   Describe how the organization uses teams.  Evaluate the effectiveness of the use of teams based on the model of team effectiveness described by Daft.Submit your report by . 

This is a 1-2 page written assignment using proper APA format. Review the social issues of the past ninety days in your local newspaper. You may check it online. Based on the front page or the local section, which social issue appears to be the most important issue for your community––crime, job layoffs, transportation, or pollution? Examine how the social issue is defined and by whom. Is the input from community leaders and neighborhood groups being included? Why or why not? Which of the three sociological theories; conflict, functionalism or symbolic interactionism help explain the existence of the problem? My local news papers included The Oakland Press, The Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News.  The most popular topics of discussion appear to be both crime and the Flint water crisis (pollution).