Exploring the role of change management and new HRMS system adoption Dissertation

Exploring the role of change management and new HRMS system adoption the case of American Express Bahrain - Dissertation Example However, there are some strategic loopholes that can addressed to reap full benefits of the system. Table of Contents 1 Chapter One- Introduction 2 Chapter Two- Literature Review 3 Chapter Three- Research Methodology 4 Chapter Four- Results and Findings 5 Chapter Five- Conclusions and Recommendations 6 References 7 Appendices Chapter 1- Introduction 1.1 Title Exploring the role of change management and new HRMS (Human Resource Management System) adoption; the case of American Express Bahrain. 1.2 Aim To explore the role of change management by studying the steps American Express Bahrain has put into action to introduce the new HRMS on its employees. 1.3 Research Question What are the chronological steps that a company must apply in order to introduce new software to the organisation? 1.4 Objectives To examine the techniques that American Express Bahrain use when introducing change to employees. To establish a questionnaire to understand the steps those were taken. To draw conclusions on ways and theories that help organisations sequential their introduction of change to their employees. 1.5 Background to the study The term Change Management deals with the substitution of one thing or set of conditions for another , thus making something different from its previous condition, be it an alteration in state, or quality, variety, variation, mutation(Sofroniou,2009). Change Management is something that all managers should know how to cope with especially with our rapidly changing world and the contribution of technology to the modernisation of business functions and practises. Consequently, organisations must adapt to the environment around them in order to stay competitive by leveraging technology and new systems (Saunders, Lewis, and Thornhill, 2009). Organisations must be able to adapt to the changing environment if they are to survive. Threats to organisational existence include but are not limited to changes in technology, the tastes of consumers, the regulation s of the Government, the increase in the cost of various resources, and values and capabilities of the prospective employees, downsizing, mergers and acquisitions(Palmer et al, 2006). However, all these reasons came from one major source –Globalisation. According to Webster’s dictionary the term globalisation is the development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets (merriam-webster, 2012). Thus, the world’s economy is treated as one big market which makes it difficult for organizations to be unique and different from competitors. Moreover, globalization has majorly affected organizational change. This is evident because of all the planned and unplanned changes that occur in small and multinational companies. In the recent time the most important thing faced by most of the global organization is the constant changes in the all aspects of business. Due to the technological revolution most of the organizations are practicing the new technologies related to the human resource management system(HRMS). The development in the information technology has given a new paradigm shift to the HRMS. Most of the global organizations are accepting the virtue of the HRMS (Grobler & Warnich. 2005. P, 39) The new trend in the global organization is to apply computer based technologies to create a strong HRMS. Most of the organizations like American Express are using the HRMS to revamp the HRMS

Ethical Brand Management Strategies for Fashion Industry

Ethical Brand Management Strategies for Fashion Industry Though brand management is not limited to the apparels and accessories it is very evident that fashion industry has given the word a turnaround over the years. From brand fanaticism to Brand loyalty Fashion Brands have the tendency to create a strong Brand identity amongst the minds of the consumers. Many of their brand management strategies have been successful. The global fashion industry is a giant in terms of the impact it has on economy, trade and commerce of many countries, the reach and importance of its products and the strength of its employment. Over the century, growth of the industry has been astonishing in terms of technology and revenue. The innovations had been rapid and growth exponential. Though origin of branding dates back to historical times, fashion industry is one of the industries which capitalized the most of a Brands strength. Fashion industry has a strong affinity to brand management, and most successful brand strategies like retailers Zara, Mark Spencer and Luxury designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Armani, Dior and YSL. The Brand strategy of most fashion brands revolve around the concept of differentiation of products, target customer group and building brand-consumer relationship from which is derived a Brand Personality and Identity of each brand. This identity carves a niche for the brand in the market. But there arise a few questions about this glamorous industries brand management strategy. Does a successful brand management strategy mean ethical Brand strategy? Does having a good turnover a year make a brand strategy successful? Can Ethics be inculcated in a brand strategy in an effective way? In the recent years a new concern has developed for the industries worldwide, the Ethics of business. The London fashion week, 2008 states that the fashion Industry has been caught on the issue of ethical and environmental clothing. Though researches have been made widely on Ethics and Business in most of the fields and industries very few initiatives had been made for the same in terms of brand management ethics and in particular context of Fashion and Apparel Industry. This Proposal aims in studying this less frequented topic of research yet growing concern of ethical consumerism in fashion industry, the requirements and processes involved for a brand to identify itself as a Holistic and authentic ethical brand. Scope of the Study Research Objectives, Questions and Hypotheses Research Objectives To study the brand management strategy of successful and powerful brands To understand the importance of Ethics as a critical factor for any brand strategy To analyze the effects of integrating ethics into the brand strategy and the implications of the relationship Research Questions What is a Brand strategy management? What are the successful brand strategies? What is business ethics? What is the need of Ethical Brand strategy? What are the implications of integrating ethical business and brand strategic management? Research Hypotheses Hypotheses 1 Strategic management is significant for a successful Brand Hypotheses 2 Business ethics has become an essential factor for competitive advantage of a brand Hypotheses 3 The relationship between brand management and business ethics can form an authentic ethical brand Literature Review of the Project This chapter aims to analyze the theory of the research project which is basically categorized into three broader topics of the research, namely Fashion Industry Brand Management strategy Business Ethics FASHION INDUSTRY Definition and History While fashion can be defined as the style or custom prevalent at a particular period of time adopted by the vast population in terms of clothing or behavior, it has been around from the time when people begun clothing. From 10,000 BC when men discovered a needle and loom to cloth themselves, through the Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilization where clothing got a religious meaning through the roman and Greek civilization where clothing was given an symbolization of beauty through the evolution of modern Elizabethan and Victorian era and finally to the era of influence of designers like Dior, Chanel to arrive at the Great Fashion era of today, Fashion has been ever evolving. Evolution But technically an industry for the same flourished only with the mark of Ready-to-wear invention around the beginning of 20th century. Till then tailors made cloths specific to a person, until when they found similarities of body forms of people they developed patterns which would fit more than one individual. Thus came in the Ready-to-wear garments. With the mark of 20th century the tailor shops were being turned into workshops to factories, where pattern drafting, bulk fabric cutting and sewing began. Industrial engineering and quality assurance were introduced as in other industries to yield greater quality and quantity of goods. During the era of industrial revolution the industry flourished. Thus evolved a billion dollar industry. With market being flooded with apparel products, the industry learnt the means of survival is differentiation. That is when the fashion industry started to adopt branding strategy for differentiation and creating particular identity of products that could be held in the minds of the consumers which would make them to buy the products repeatedly. Thus evolved fashion brand management strategy. Successful Fashion brands and brand philosophies Nike Just Do It The brand philosophy portrays grit, determination and passion. The products of Nike send the statement of a detached, determined, unsentimental attitude. Nike is synonymous with Cool LV Symbol of sophistication and style LV brand philosophy is tradition in combination with modernity LV products are Elegant, Practical, Prestige, Luxurious, Desirable, Stylish, Value-for-money, High-quality and Ever-lasting LV signifies Pride, Luxury and elegance Giorgio Armani Epitome of Luxury Fashion The brand founded and owned by the designer Giorgio Armani is a luxury line created by the designer catering top-notch clients with exemplary designs, style and materials that differentiates it from the regular luxury brands. The Brand Philosophy of Armani brands are based solely upon the founders personality and idea since the unique selling point of the brand is that it is Armanis! BRAND MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Brand Definition According to the American Marketing Association (AMA), A brand is a name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them intended to identify the goods and services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of other sellers. But in a more generic definition it could be a means of differentiation a company has over their competitors who produce similar goods. For Example: Procter and Gamble produces dental tooth paste and so do Unilever. They both have to differentiate and offer some product for their customer base that would make them loyal to the company. Thus PG created Crest and Colgate brands of toothpaste and Unilever created the Pepsodent. The name is not the brand. But the logo, symbol, the product offering, the values on the whole is the brand a company creates. brands enable a buyer to easily identify the offerings of a particular company. Psychological perspective of brand From the psychological perspective a Brand is a perception held in the minds of the consumers. Perceptions are the psychological experience of humans. Hence a brand is actually the psychological experience or view a human has about what it has to offer to them. As Scott Bedbury, a leading branding consultant in his book titled, A Brand New World rightly states Brand has become psychological concepts held in the minds of the public, where they may stay forever Brand Strategic Management Strategic management in a Brand arena is the structured analysis, decisions and actions the brand takes in order to conjure the brand identity and value which gives the sustainable competitive advantage over its competitors. Decision Analysis Action Brand strategy is the foundation laid for the creation of the brand Identity which signifies the brand promise the customer expects. A brand strategy encompasses systematic planning at each stage of branding process. Right from Realizing the mission and vision of the company, Researching and defining the target customer segment, Zeroing on the Unique Selling Proposition of the company, Differentiating from competitors Giving a personality to the brand, developing brand values, Communicating the Brand values and brand promise to the customer Until Sustaining the Brand the strategic planning, decision making is termed as the brand strategy Management. The Zara Strategic Management Definition A firm to sustain in the current competitive market scenario should formulate and implement a value creating strategy, in order to achieve strategic competitiveness. Strategy is an integrated and coordinated set of commitments and actions designed to exploit core competencies and gain a competitive advantage. Strategic management process is the full set of commitments, decisions, and actions required for a firm to achieve strategic competitiveness and earn above-average returns. Zara has adopted what is termed as the integrated cost leadership and differentiation strategy. This strategy involves engaging in primary and support activities that allow a firm to simultaneous pursue low cost and differentiation. The Strategic Process Today a consumer has high expectations while purchasing a good or service. They demand low-priced yet differentiated products to suit their needs. To address these demands organizations engage in primary and support activities which will equip them to capitalize on both lower cost and differentiation. The objective of this strategy is to produce products of differentiated value efficiently. Efficient production provides cost leadership and the differentiation of products add unique value to it. The firms thus become strong in networking amongst the primary and secondary activities becoming competent. Zaras Strategic Process Zara has successfully adopted this strategy of cost leadership and differentiation to provide consumers with desirable fashion goods at relatively low prices. The sophisticated design team, effective managing of costs, flexible production system and total quality of management are the capabilities of Zara which gives it an strategic advantage over competitors ETHICS Definition While the world is facing the strength of business and commerce flourishing despite the economic slowdown, there is a silent movement amongst both the consumers and the organizations arousing concern for Ethical Business. Business ethics has now become the much debated topic not only because of its growing importance but also the complexity and difficulty in understanding and implementing them in a business. Human Beings have the power and ability to think and make a decision which other creations dont possess. This ability also comes with choices. And these choices require rational thinking. The humans thus should make the choice of which is right over wrong, using their knowledge, views and analytical skills. But the right and wrong are not explicit and requires tough decisions as the ethical decisions are not easy to make and demands more than what the individual or organization is ready to give. But such decisions are vital for the greater good of the organization, people and environment Evolution of Ethics Ethics is one of the few terms with no one fixed definition. It is an evolutionary concept. Its meaning and purpose is evolving as does the business. The following are the few views on ethics, The Initial definition for ethics was simple. Ethics was about doing right thing in context to morals, values and culture. This works for an individual who has personal instinct and acts according to that instinct. When it comes to an organizations perspective, defining what is the Right thing and whom or what should be the primary concern for ethical decisions the company, the shareholders, the stake holders or the whole society, ample questions arise. But inevitably men are greedy and as time progressed since 1960s various ethical issues arouse in business. From the Employee-employer relationship tensions, bribery, financial frauds and mis-management, human rights, transparency issues, environmental issues to the Intellectual property stealth and cyber crimes every issue has led onto a newer perspective and need for ethics in business. These needs were supported by various laws and codes passed on by the authoritative organizations. The developments include the earlier code of conduct and values established by companies, to the formation of ethics resource centre and corporate social responsibility movements and until the Sarbanes -Oxley Act of 2002 business ethics have fallen under strict scrutinization of these regulations. Need for Ethics Business ethics in text definition is The Principles, standards or rules that guide the organization and the organizers together in the business arena. The standards are the judging criterions for what is right or wrong and what is acceptable and unacceptable by the society at large. But various studies suggest that ethics is ever evolving phenomenon. From being Just doing the right thing to the standards and laws of judging the right thing now ethics has evolved to Business beyond profits and laws. Now Business ethics is about the Triple Bottom Line. Financial Social Environmental Ethics is now beyond just doing business without harming the society and environment. It is about doing business and also contributing to the society and environment from where they take resources for doing the business and also sell the end product or service. Thus the expectation is that while the business has growth there should also be the societal and environmental growth. This evolution of ethics gave rise to a new field in business namely the Corporate Social Responsibility. CSR is about an organization going beyond what is legal and makes most profit for the company to contributing and achieving societal benefits with interest of all stakeholders. ETHICAL BRAND MANAGEMENT STRATEGY The New Concept While the business ethics is much debated and though complex organizations are trying to interpret and implement them in business. Research and studies are conducted in this field of business ethics. But unfortunately Brand management and integration of ethics into the foundation of branding still remains unobserved. The reason for the same could be many including the major misconception that branding is all about the powerful logo and name that enables organizations to sell products and rake profits. But that is only one part of the branding. The product branding is much regarded with importance that organization branding is overlooked. This study is to understand the importance of integrating ethics into organization branding and the strategic implementation of the same. Brands today have a powerful position in the minds of the consumer. The consumers associate themselves with the brand and studies claim that bran is a Personality in the minds of the consumer. This phenomenon leads to brand loyalty or in severe case to brand fanaticism. When brand has such importance amongst its consumers and has direct impact with its activities in society and environment, there is growing demand for Ethical brands. Case study: Apple Considering the Case of one of worlds powerful brand, Apple: Apple has a perceived personality of sophistication and uniqueness in the minds of its customers and the society. But a recently one of Apples supplier manufacturer have been found guilty for chemical poisoning of 49 employees and another supplier reported to have used child labor. Though Steve jobs of Apple claim that Apple is not responsible for the same, these reports highlight lack in ethical concerns in area of production of worlds popular devices. This might pose as a threat for the brand Image Apple has created over the years and its sustainability becomes questionable. Consumers have the access to information to realize Apples sophisticated product is an end result of unacceptable work environment and child labor. Then the Brand Personality in their minds might take a change. Thus to avoid such a situation it is not an option but a necessity for Ethical brand Management Strategies. The Ethical Approach Ethical brand is perceived as an oxymoronic term by business community at large. They are regarded as two contradictory terms put together. But the real sense in perceiving them is as two complementary words working in synchronization with each other. Both is of no use when the other is insignificant. While a typical Brand Strategy aims to Establish the brand values amongst customers Create Brand Identity and market position differentiating from competitors Create and sustain brand loyal customers To maximize profit by increased sales and expansion of brand These aims are basic and essential for any organization trying to establish and sustain a brand and make the organization profitable. But as the brand grows in size, power and financially, these aims are testified for their ethical commitments and that is when they flatter undoubtedly. The Ethical approach to the same brand strategy aims would possibly be, Establish the brand values amongst customers By not just stating the values but integrating those values at each and every stage of the organization. Brand values are promise made by the organization. Create Brand Identity and market position differentiating from competitors By competing fairly, without trying to override competition unethically at any means Create and sustain brand loyal customers Without fake promises, with transparency and sustainable brand practices. To maximize profit by increased sales and expansion of brand Without bringing about any harm to the environment, society and stake holders, and also contributing to the society and environment responsibly. The table does not follow any standard code of ethics but just a perspective in which the same aims can be redesigned for an ethical brand. ETHICAL FASHION BRANDS Fashion industry is undoubtedly ever flourishing industry not only because of its size and buzz but also since it produces one of the basic commodity for which there is a ever increasing demand: Clothing. Fashion Industry is characterized by Labor intensive, customer centric, fast changing trends, extensive raw material usage, and tedious manufacturing and marketing processes. Consumers of fashion brands are loyal followers of their brands. Be it high end fashion designer brands like Dior and Armani to the mass marketing fashion brand like Zara and MS, brand followers have very high expectation of their brands. From product quality to service these brands have to live upto their brand promise. With Globalization, a brands customers have access to informations of all forms. And the rising concern of the fashion consumer is not only about how cost efficient their clothes are but also how ethical are the clothes they wear? It has to be mentioned here that the same consumers who question about ethical status of the brands also demand lower costs of quality products. As discussed earlier in ethics there are always choices, whether to provide higher ethical products and the higher cost that accompanies it to make sustainable profits whether to give lower cost, lower ethical products and still make larger profit Unfortunately most fashion brands seem to have chosen the latter option which could be viewed as the immediate best solution for the brand and customers. But is the solution sustainable is the issue of the hour. Case of Ethical Brand Failure HM Originated in Sweden in the year 1947, HM now holds 2000 stores across the world. The brand has its own base of customers and promise them fashion and quality at the best price. The corporate social responsibility of HM as stated in their sustainability report which states style and substance encompasses most of the ethical issues of fashion industry. Their sustainability vision as stated is that they follow a strategy for the business operations which ensures financial, social and environmental sustainability. But recent reports claim otherwise, Financial Times has reported that HM clothings organic cotton claims are deceptive as a test conducted on these so called organic cotton fabrics reveal a outrageous amount of genetically modified cotton, (DNA modified cotton for better productivity and anti-pest properties). It is well known that there is worldwide outrage against genetically modified crops as their ill-effects surpass the benefits they possess. Many countries have banned the cultivation and use of genetically modified cotton as they possess unforeseen threats to the consumers health, environment and the society. Here is the case of HMs failed promise. Their sustainability vision has lost its application as they committed financial, social and environmental sustainability but the reports claim the opposite. GAP Gap, claiming to be the worlds largest specialty retailer, was founded by Doris and Don Fisher in the year 1969 with San Francisco as the base. They include array of brands namely Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta. Gap now operates 3100 stores worldwide. Interestingly GAP has dedicated a separate website for the cause of the Brands social responsibility and ethical practices. The Statements and claims are powerful and brings a positive aura about the brand. Gap states that they believe not only in the basics of ethical business practices but also to embrace a broader, deeper responsibility to people and the planet. The statement states that the brand stands up to care for the stakeholders, society and the environment at large and they make choices which bring no harm to them. They also ensure the GAP customer that every time a Gap product is purchased the consumer acknowledges a Brand which cares about people and planet. But the true depth of these statements becomes questionable when GAP is now caught in the middle of quality of the work environment GAP suppliers are subjecting their workers to. The Telegraph reports about child-labor in factories in India sewing GAP garments. The Saipan Islands of the pacific, Officially under US has a legal system for setting their own immigration system which facilitated garment manufacturers to bring in cheap labor from china and use labels stating Made in USA. The large Chinese owned garment factories bring in young female workers from china and mostly south-east Asia with assurance of good salary and work environment but contrastingly with sweat shop work environment. A critical analysis of what GAP has stated as their ethical policy is strikingly in contrast with these reports. If the ethics is as integrated into Gaps vision as they claim what could be possibly be the cause of these situations in factories supplying GAP clothing? The Need for Authentic Ethical Brand The cases of GAP and HM are just examples of ethical failures in Fashion Brand management. There are many other big brands associated with ethics failure the list including Nike, Abercrombie Fitch, Calvin Klein, Wal-Mart and more. These cases plainly illustrates these companies didnt lack a vision for sustainability. They had well-structured vision and mission for sustainable ethical strategy, but what they lacked was the implementation and monitoring of the same. It is also essential to begin this process right from the basics. That is ethics and brand strategy should integrate from the fundamental and progress upwards through all processes of the brand development. Research Methods This research proposal aims in laying the foundation for the detailed dissertation to follow on developing an ethical brand strategy framework for the fashion industry. The proposal aims in locating the problems of existing ethical strategies and their implementation and monitoring systems. RESEARCH FRAMEWORK Trend Analysis Design process Sampling DESIGN MERCHANDISE Ethical check point Ethical issue Ethical Solution Approved Rejected Scheduling resource allocation Supplier Analysis Raw material procurement Sampling PLAN SOURCE Ethical check point Ethical issue Ethical Solution Approved Rejected Garment Sewing Management Fiber to fabric monitoring Marketing Ads Management Sampling PRODUCE AND MARKET Ethical check point Ethical issue Ethical Solution Approved Rejected DISTRIBUTE Warehouse management Inventory Management Transportation to showrooms Ethical check point Ethical issue Ethical Solution Approved Rejected Floor planning VM Sales feedback Sales Trend analysis SALES, ANALYSE AFTER SALES Ethical check point Ethical issue Ethical Solution Approved Rejected Research Development Human Resource Management Administration SUPPORT ACTIVITIES Ethical check point Ethical issue Ethical Solution Approved Rejected PRODUCT OF AN AUTHENTIC ETHICAL BRAND The idea of the research framework Fig is to ensure the brand can be known to be practicing an ethical strategy if and only if code of ethics is integrated at each level of process flow of product development. Description of the framework The framework is structured to highlight six vital process categories for a brand to produce the end product. The categories include Design merchandise The design and merchandising is the first stage in a fashion brand process flow, as this where the product is conceptualized and given form. The trend analysis, feasibility of design, material selection, sampling and all merchandising coordination processes takes place at this stage. This is the mind work part of the fashion product development. Plan source Planning includes the pre-production scheduling, resource allocation, backward planning and ensuring commitments. Sourcing includes procurement of raw materials for the production process. This stage requires large supplier and buyer co-ordination and resource planning. Produce and market The apparel manufacturing is the most labor intensive of all levels of product development. However automated, the actual cut, sew and pack requires ample workforce management. Marketing is where the brand transports its values to the customers and involves PR Distribute The distribution is the most important of the supply chain activities, inventory and warehouse management of finished goods, allocation planning and transportation to the showroom. Sales, analyze after sales This is where the product is made into revenue through sales. The showroom management, floor planning, visual merchandising all enable shoppers trafficking the showroom while the sales analysts analyze the sales patterns and suggest on replenishment. The after-sales services and waste management of the Brands products are areas of concern. Support Activities The support activities form the backbone of the brand process flow, which includes the essential human resource management generating, training and maintaining workforce, research development bringing about new innovations for the brands portfolio and the general administrative department taking care of the overall functioning of the brand from conceptualization to customer care. The Ethical Checkpoint The research aims in finding the feasibility of having an ethical checkpoint at every stage of product development of an apparel brand. The purpose and functionality of the ethical checkpoint could be Aim To ensure only ethically sustainable products pass through different levels of brands production process. Process Each brand should define their own ethical standards and code of ethics to be followed at each level of the Brands product development. This code of ethics should be in compliance with both global and local ethics standards in accordance to the brands demography. The function of the ethical checkpoint is to ensure that at each level of process flow the ethical standards are met and if any ethical issues arise the suitable ethical solutions are arrived at before the product pass on to the next level of the process flow. In this way the product at each level is ensured to be sustainable. Thus the brand self-monitors itself for ensuring the sustainability promise it has made to its consumers End Result The end product is not just name sake ethical but holistically ethical made by ethical standards from the scratch to the finished goods stage. Positive Impact By adopting this strategy the brand not only ensures it stays committed to the people, planet and product but also they promote positive consumerism amongst their consumers. This is one of the possible frameworks of authentic ethical brand management strategy for the fashion industry. A descriptive framework for the ethical check point could be Ethical check point Ethical issue Ethical Solution Approved Rejected

The Role of Computers in Family Life :: Technology Society

The Role of Computers in Family Life In this paper I will be explaining how computers play both a positive and negative role in the family life. Along with how much computers have changed the â€Å"Family Life†. I will explain how computers open the doors to endless access to the world. All this freedom however comes with a price. One must realize that you will be losing security with every new site signed up for or every purchase made on-line. Not to mention all the other problems that come along with having a computer. You must be ready and aware of the risks so you can be prepared when you hook-up your computer. Right now you can practically do everything you need to do right from your own computer. There are so many tools to work with and things you are capable of doing. You can virtually talk to anyone anywhere at anytime if they have the proper hook-ups. This also includes the newly on-line dating services that has pro’s and con’s of its own. Another plus for computers is instead of the children being glued to the TV for hours, they are now being productive on the computer. They are doing things that force their minds to keep thinking and not just zoning out. The introduction of computers to the family life also helps families come together and spend more quality family time together. The list can go on, but with all these opportunities we have, we also lose a lot. We lose privacy and security. There are also some greater drawbacks when in comes to the net, like Internet related crimes and identity theft. When you think of computers, what do you think about? Conducting business at work or writing assignments at school maybe. There is so much more to do with computers. I don't even know the half of them, but a computer at home can make things a whole lot calmer. First off, you can do all your bills on line. You can check on balances, or check when the payments were received. Also check your savings/checking accounts. This is a great feature because you get away from talking to machines and being put on hold. No more driving out in the cold or in traffic to see if you have enough money to cover your checks.

Regional Integration for and Against Article-EU Essay

With all complex political and economic ventures there are pros and cons. Regional integration is no different and has many benefits and risks. In order for one to gain a better understanding of the issue, it is necessary to examine both the advantages and disadvantages of regional integration. In this paper I will look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of regional integration in the European Union. I will also discuss the economic stages and growth of France and Austria. The European Union (EU) was created in the late 1950’s to bring about peace, equality, and the value of human rights. It has grown into one of the strongest regional groups in the world and has acquired a total of 27 members. With these values at the helm of the European Union’s work its membership has grown. Many countries flock to join the EU because of its numerous benefits. These benefits validate the formation of regional integration as an effective means to achieve peace, security, and prosperity. There are many economic advantages of regional integration. It can produce bigger markets with more trading opportunities, while boosting competition and reducing prices for consumers. It has also been shown that integration introduces higher levels of domestic and foreign investment. EU has advanced by introducing common currency-Euros. The presence of a common currency is a benefit to consumers because some of the transaction costs are reduced. When members of EU trade there is not a need to buy or sell foreign currencies; therefore the losses of exchange is removed due to regional integration. In this situation firms are able to pass on their savings to consumers by reducing their prices. Trading generates a lot of wealth which helps European Union give its citizens a better life and future. The EU works to achieve fair trade and wants to ensure that its partners in developing countries can join their system. With the formation of the regional organization, firms are able to have greater and easier access to the markets of other members. This increases market size and allows firms to enjoy higher potential profits. Firms also  are able to have greater access to resources from other member’s states. This has been said to lower costs of inputs to allow them to increase their profits as well. Regional integration also allows firms to expand and increase profits and when profits and output increase, this will assist to promote economic growth in the country and the region. With regional integration member states have the support of other member states and this increases investors’ confidence in the region. With more confidence in a region investors are willing and able to invest in EU with confidence. All of these things will help EU to achieve its goal, promote growth and increase standard of living across the entire region. Austria and its economy greatly benefited after entry into the EU in the late 1990’s but with this interdependency Austria has become vulnerable to financial instability. A few of the banks there required assistance from the government such as nationaliz ation. In an effort to strengthen banking groups Austria National Bank came up with a system of measures and moved up implementation of the Basel III rules. They will continue to restructure and encourage greater labor flexibility and increase participation of labor to offset many of its problems. France came up with a series of economic plans that would provide a growing governmental direction of the economy. Some of their plans included an expansion of their basic sectors which exceeded the goals they set. Another plan was to create monetary stability and balance foreign payments. This increased production by 20% and brought forth a major economic expansion. France faced poor growth, lowered public finances, and elevated unemployment before joining the EU. After joining France moved into liberalization. Large shares of utilities and telecommunications were privatized. In spite of the European Union (EU) being most influential regional in the world many countries aren’t interested in joining. This is largely due to the disadvantages of regional integration. One disadvantage to regional integration would be the loss of sovereignty . To establish integration member nations are made to give up their sovereignty to a regional parliament, council, or other body. This body will have authority and make decisions that may affect every member. Regional integration also makes it hard for national governments to issues and carries out policies based on what they need. These policies which may be beneficial to one member could hinder the economies of other member nations. (Alfredo, D.  2011) In regional integration members enjoy lower tariffs for trade but this could result in an unfair comparative advantage over non-member states. This would mean countries are no longer able to trade based on their comparative advantage because of the discriminatory tariffs and barriers that EU practices. When countries are unable to trade according to their comparative advantage, production is less efficient and they will no longer reap the benefits of free trade such as higher world output and lower prices. Even though it has been argued that regional integration allows firms to gain greater access to markets of other member states and thus enjoy higher potential profits. Regional integration also exposes firms to greater competition from firms of other member states as well. Failure to compete with firms may cause local firms to close down. This will increase unemployment rate in the country. (Advantages & Disadvantages.2010) After reading this paper it appears evident that regional integration brings member nations together in times of prosperity and times of difficulty. The advantages and disadvantages discussed in this paper can each be seen as beneficial, harmful, or neutral, depending on what is going on in the world economy and the domestic situation of member nations. References Advantages & Disadvantages. Retrieved April 18, 2010 from: http://library.thinkquest.org/19110/english/advantag/advantag.html Alfredo, D. 2011. Advantages & Disadvantages of Regional Integration. Updated on May 21, 2011 http://www.ehow.com/info_8461841_advantages-disadvantages-regional-integration.html

The Early 1800’s, The Dawn of a New Era Had Begun

By the early 1800†³s, the dawn of a new era had begun. Family and home life was changing as well as the communities around them. There was a fast growing need to produce products like clothing, quickly and efficiently. This new era brought about the mechanical industry that created factories, which could meet this need. But who would work in these factories if the men were moving west? By the 1840†³s the necessity to find workers for these factories had produced major social changes-changes which carry on until today. Before this time, most all clothing was spun and woven in the home by women. But by the 1840†³s, most was produced in factories set up in what were referred to as mill towns. Lowell Massachusetts was one such town. This change created a whole new idea of what women†s duties were, domestic or money earning laborers? Women had previously only been seen as domestic and having one goal, that of being a housewife. Their move into town to provide a workforce for the clothing factories sparked controversy in many eyes. Some people branded them â€Å"mill girls† who were doomed and unmarriable. Others thought of them as adventurers, with the fancy of bringing new fashions, books and ideas home with them. But the statistics show the average working life at a Lowell factory was only three years. Many of the women who returned home were sick and never married, because they were characterized by â€Å"she has worked in a factory†. In the factories, women were looked down upon–seen only as people who flowed in to the factory day in and day out earning their keep, spinning and weaving for the rest of their lives. They were not worthy of earning an education, and were considered socially and intellectually inept. As time went by, the bigotry began to wear away. The factories flourished with women who had wisdom and potential. One man who visited one of the mills was noted to have bowed to all the women in the mill, This sign of respect was usually reserved for ladies whom society regarded as upper class. As time wore on, â€Å"mill girls† were eventually heeded as ladies, women worth of respect. Eventually, people started noticing that the â€Å"mill girls† were spending their free time bettering themselves. Many had circles of natural selection that allowed them to cultivate and stimulate their minds. They filled the churches, libraries and lecture halls. Many of the women were highly respected by clergyman and lecturers. They testified that the women†s spirits were high along with their intellect. Inevitably, women were encouraged to finish school and reach for goals. This shows a change in how women were perceived. They were no longer lone mill workers without anything to offer society; each was an individual with purpose and worth. Though this was happening, the conditions of the factories were not changing. The Lowell factories provided boarding houses for the women, each housing up to sixty girls. To onlookers, the houses were so charming that many came to visit just to see how the women lived. The perceptions of outsiders were that the women worked and lived in great conditions. They enjoyed their jobs and were hearty and content, but this was not the case. The women often worked twelve or more hours a day and were only allowed up to an hour and forty-five minutes for meals, depending on the time of year. The factories were not properly ventilated and poorly lit. Eliza R. Hemmingway recalls that at any given time six or more women were out due to illnesses. . Miss Sarah G. Bagley submitted the first petition to the Lowell Corporation that was signed by Mr. John Quincey Adams Thayer, and eight hundred and fifty others. This petition called for improvements in the overall working conditions within the factories. These demands for better conditions lit a spark that was the beginning of what is a modern day OSHA, a systematic law for all employers and employees. The corporation acknowledged that their demands were reasonable and considerable, but believed they were not the source for solving the problems the mill workers faced. They felt that the workers in a capitalistic system had their own bargaining power and were equal to management. As a result, the Massachusetts Legislature did not pass into law the provisions outlined in the petition. Around this same time poor immigrants started pouring into the United States by the thousands. They became willing workers, not complaining about conditions as the native workers did. Could this be why the corporation did not meet the women†s needs? The immigrants would be happy to take over the jobs for less money and in the same conditions. What does this say for the corporation? Were they steering away from caring the women working in their factories, or was it just easier to use immigrants? Or maybe, they feared the switching of women†s class and roles in society? They were not ready for women of independence and means. Regardless, society now had to deal with a more independent, self-assured working class woman. No longer needed to fill the entry level, low-paying jobs in the mills, and no longer interested in going back home to be homemakers, women entered society as productive members of the workforce. This transition is still taking place today.