Labor unions

Introduction

Labor unions have existed in Canada since 1800 (Palmer, D., B.et.al, 2012). There has been tremendous transformation of management of trade unions in Canada. Several unions have come up and union activities have diversified to include participation in social empowerment e.g. fighting gender inequality. However, trade unions have been facing varied challenges that range from internal management of union affairs to mistrust among the Canadian public. These problems are mainly political, social and economical. These challenges should not derail the course of protecting workers rights. The task ahead as union executives is enormous and challenging. It calls upon courage and commitment among other selfless qualities to succeed. There are varied temptations and obstacles in undertaking your duties as union officials. It is clear that the hope of millions of Canadian workers rest on union officials in improving their welfare. This presentation concentrates on two issues. It acknowledges the existence of these problems and suggests practical solutions. The following challenges have contributed to the pathetic conditions of our labor unions.

1. Challenges facing labor unions in Canada

Low union density

The private sector constitutes 17% while the public sector constitutes 71% of members in Canadian labor unions (Real Women of Canada, 2008). It is evident that the public sector forms the backbone of Canadian unions.  In the public sector, it is mandatory for workers to be in a union. Many private companies in Canada are against union activities in their companies. They believe unions hinder the growth of their companies. Most unions protest against mechanization of a company’s activities. Unions demand increase in wages and salaries of workers. This lowers the net profit of companies and their level of productivity. Many employers in the public sector view unions as impediments and intruders in the daily running of their companies. Employers feel that union activities water down their absolute authority. They have no powers to reduce or change the workforce of their companies. Employers believe demands by unions for wage increase are devoid of economic considerations. Union demands prevent employers from having a competitive workforce. Private firms perceive union activities as irrelevant in the competitive world and do not reflect changing global market conditions. For example, most unions protest against introduction of technology that could displace their members. It is clear that technology increases productivity and reduces expenditure. In 2005 when it was successful to unionize workers in Wal –Mart Quebec, the management closed down the store (Real women of Canada, 2008). There have been failed attempts to unionize workers at McDonalds in Canada.  This has been a major hindrance in boosting increase of membership in most Canadian unions.

Negative public opinions on unions

There has been growing public outrage directed towards most Canadian unions. Workers contribute billion of dollars through union fees imposed to them. Various union officials have been involved in misuse of union money. This has generated a feeling that union officials are egocentric. Workers do not participate in management of union money and expenditure of union money remains a secretive issue. Most union officials have allocated themselves huge salaries from the union money (Anderson, Beaton &Laxer, 2006). Union officials are associated with richness that resembles employers. This has created a notion among the public that unions concentrate on exploiting poor workers through union fees. Several workers have filed suits in court to prevent unions from diverting money to non-union matters.

The Canadian public has developed a perception that union activities are archaic. Most employers have opened up avenues that promote dialogue with workers. This has reduced conflicts experienced between employers and workers. This reduces unions’ role in defending workers rights. A greater percentage of the Canadian public is aware of the current economic challenges facing employers. This has made to accept salaries given to them. They have realized reward in relation to productivity. Most union officials neglect workers contribution towards the running of the union’s affairs. Officials exclusively decide the amount union fee contributed by members. Some unions deduct exorbitant amounts from their member. This is exploitative towards poor workers.   Reduced public confidence in unions has weakened unions’ role in Canada currently.  Employers not threatened by union demands due to the disfavor from the public.

Growing political hostility from the government

Most Canadian unions are subscribing to leftist ideologies (Real women of Canada, 2008). Unions offer economical and moral support to activities connected to leftist political parties. Labor unions in Canada have funded and supported advocacy groups that support same sex marriages and anti-abortions laws. These are ideologies favored by leftist political parties in Canada. This has created unnecessary government interruptions on union activities. The right-wing government has fought back by supporting formation of legislation that hinders union activities. Harpers three interventions on free collective bargaining in six months is an epitome of government war against union activities. This strained relationship between the Canadian government and unions slows down achieving collective bargaining agreements. Differences between the government and unions also reduce cases of positive partnerships between the two.

Internal mismanagement of unions

Most Canadian unions have failed in transforming leadership of unions to match current conditions. Old veterans who lack fresh ideas dominate the scene in most Canadian unions. Those unions with young officials, lack a proper transitional process. Sudden generational change in unions has caused problems in unions today. Old union officials who leave office to the youth fail to create internal structures to create a smooth change over period. This casual approach has led to inability to attract professionals into union leadership. This ruins union activities that require professional approach. Some Canadian unions are involved in undemocratic practices during elections. Most union officials are adamant of leaving office. They select representatives who vote at conventions organized by the union leaders. Members are involved in elections of their leaders at a smaller scale.

Very many unions have infiltrated the labor movement in Canada today. Some of these unions have very few union memberships. Less membership in unions adversely affects a union’s financial capacity. Increased number of unions complicates coordination of union activities.  Duplication of union roles is rampant in many Canadian unions. It has generated unhealthy competition among unions for members. Rivalry and disunity among splinter unions reduces the impact of any union activity.

Harsh economic conditions

Unexpected economic changes have reduced the purchasing power of a number of families in Canada. These unfavorable economic conditions make the Canadian population desperate. Jobs that offer good remuneration and proper working conditions have been on the decline. People are now taking up jobs with precarious working conditions. It becomes difficult to impose industrial actions when unemployment is on the rise. Currently, there are many Canadians working in very dangerous mine fields. Unions cannot intervene as there less safer alternatives to the Canadian population.

The state of the economy has pushed various companies to reduce their staff (Anderson & Laxer, 2006). There have been massive layoffs in affected companies. Unions in a very difficult position when it evident the economy is in a bad state. Inability by unions to prevent major plant closures in Canada worsens the situation. Employers have taken advantage of the current economic failures to exploit workers. Canadians are surviving on stringent budgets that have made them accept any job offers. Unions have failed in creation of employment opportunities. There has been continued lack of initiatives by unions to boost labor force growth. Economic instability has reduced the number of global multinational companies in Canada operating in Canada. Many companies are closing their plants due to unsustainable losses. These countries cannot sustain a huge workforce with small margins of profits.

2. The way forward for labor unions in Canada

Time has come for the labor movement in Canada to undergo a major overhaul. This is necessary to restore the lost glory of labor unions in Canada. A further ignorance of the existing conditions of unions in Canada will kill the labor unions in Canada. Labor unions in other parts of the world are in deplorable conditions. Unions in Canada should adopt strategies and structures that will prevent extinction of union activities. Restructuring of labor unions should aim at empowering union officials in performing their duties. The following suggested strategies will enable the growth of the labor union in Canada.

Depoliticizing of labor unions

Union officials are free to take political stands on various national issues. However, it is important to dissociate the entire union from a personal political position. Unions should take neutral positions. Disciplinary measures like expulsion are useful to punish officials who involve the whole union in political matters.  Members should consult on political matters that require union participation. Unions should concentrate on its core functions of protecting workers interests. Association with political leaders should be on a clearly outlined platform. Current office holders should not vie for political offices. It is advisable for union officials with political ambitions to resign from office. Officials should closely monitor bank accounts of unions during election period.

Professionalizing management of labor unions

Unions should hire professionals to help in the daily running of union affairs. These experts will ensure proper financial management. Audited union accounts should be in the public domain. Public relations officers should do extensive awareness program that boosts public confidence in unions. Union officials should involve their members in determining the contribution amount. Officials should consider job position of a member in relation to the prevailing economic conditions.

Many unions are operating with outdated constitutions that encourage mismanagement. Unions in Canada should undertake initiatives to make changes to their constitutions. The new constitutions should clearly state the code of conduct of union officials.

Formation of larger unions

Several unions are a sign of democracy among the labor union. However, continuous wrangles and competition for membership reduces effectiveness. It is advisable to merge smaller unions with common interests into a single union. This will lead to increased membership base. A large number of members will boost financial ability to manage union affairs. Large unions have a greater impact when undertaking an industrial action. This creates increased recognition by the government and the public sector. The merging of C.A.W and C.E.P TO form UNIFOR has contributed immensely to improvement of recognition by government and the private sector (Keenan, 2013).

These large unions should have structures that address different matters. For example in UNIFOR, there are sections that address grievances from the automobile sector and those that address issues from the paper industry. This reduces complaints of favoring one section only.

Union participation in social responsibility

Unions should use part of union funds to transform the society.  Unions should participate in improving education or health standards in Canada. This reduces the gap between unions and the society. The public will develop confidence in unions and their activities. Unions should carry out a social audit of an issue before offering financial assistance. Officials should avoid sensitive public matters that damage a union’s image like homosexuality and abortion.

Consultations with the private sector

It is significant to approach the private sector and initiate friendly forums for discussions. The unions should exchange ideas and knowledge with the private sector. This will make the unions to understand prevailing economic conditions. Such moves will make unions to make demands that suit the competitive global market. Interaction between the union and the private sector will promote good relationship (Hargrove & skin 1998). Private employers will develop trust towards unions and allow their employees to be in unions. This will help in increasing union density especially in the private sector.

Assessment of economic conditions

Research on economic impacts of union activities should be the basis of various union decisions. Unions should allow new methods and changes in the employment sector that favor current economic conditions for example, research on impacts of machines in a company. This will cut down on major plant closures in Canada. Research will allow union officials to make updated decisions. Officials should commission feasibility studies to determine viability of union demands.

Conclusion

It is clear that labor unions in Canada have major problems currently. These problems are through negligence by union officials or external influence. The task ahead as new executive officials is to transform the labor movement into a formidable entity. The first task is that we should accept the existence of these threats to the labor unions. The problems range from mismanagement to government interference. Secondly, steady implementation of the suggested changes. It is important to note that unions need fresh ideas to achieve the current standards of expectations. You have an onerous task ahead that requires commitment. Isolated approach to these problems will be a total failure. Experience should form the basis of union decisions and actions. The proposed solutions are just a guideline. The important matter is your dedication to the success of our labor movement.

References

Keenan, G. (2013). The Globe and Mail: C.A.W, C.E.P Union merger suggests greater number

in powers. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/unions-political calculus-with-numbers-come-power/article13678660/ on October 31, 2013

Hargrove, B., & Skene, W. (1998). Labor of love: The fight to create a more human Canada. Toronto: McFarlane, Walter and Ross

Real women of Canada. (2013). Tyranny of labor unions in Canada. Retrieved from http://www.realwomenofcanada.ca/publications/analysis-reports/the-tyranny-of-labour-unions-in-canada/ on October 31, 2013

Palmer, D., B. et.al. (2012). The Canadian Encyclopedia: working class history. Retrieved from

http://thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/workingclass-history on October 31, 2013

Gupta, T. D. (2006). Racism/anti-racism, precarious employment, and unions.

Precarious employment: Understanding labor market insecurity in Canada, 318-34. . McGill-Queen’s Press

Anderson, J., Beaton, J., & Laxer, K. (2006). The union dimension:

Mitigating precarious employment. Precarious employment: Understanding labor market insecurity in Canada, 301-317. McGill-Queens Press

Armstrong, P., & Laxer, K. (2006). Precarious work, privatization, and the health care industry:

The case of ancillary workers. Precarious employment: Understanding labor market insecurity in Canada, 115-140. McGill-Queens Press.

 

Pedigree Chart

Introduction

A pedigree chart is very helpful tool in the study of genealogy and it helps geneticists to effectively carry out an analysis of a family’s genetic history over several generations (Merriman, 2010). Therefore, it is plays an essential role in enabling scientists or a genetic counselor in finding out the history of a family by making these family trees that explicitly explain the  genetic history (Morgan, 2009). Thus, a pedigree chart is usually used in finding out the probability of a child to inherit a certain disorder in a particular family (Merriman, 2010). This is mainly because it highlights all the affected individuals in the family history. This is due to the fact that an interpretation of a pedigree chart involves determination of whether a trait is autosomal, X-linked or Y-linked and dominant or recessive (Morgan, 2009).

 

The data shown below shall be used to generate a pedigree chart:

Subject: affected woman
Subject’s two brothers, unaffected
Subject’s father affected, mother unaffected
Subject’s paternal aunt and uncle, unaffected
Subject’s paternal grandfather affected, grandmother unaffected

 Pedigree Chart

 Genotypes on the pedigree chart

 

 Key:

X^HX^h: unaffected female (carrier)

X^hX^h: affected female

X^hY: affected male

X^HY:  unaffected male

 

Identification

1 = Subject’s paternal grandmother

2 = Subject’s paternal grandfather

3 = Subject’s father

4 = Subject’s mother

5 = Subject’s paternal aunt

6 = Subject’s paternal uncle

7 = Subject’s first brother

8 = Subject’s second brother

9 = Subject

 

Analysis

The analysis of the pedigree chart will consider all the possible five modes of inheritance.

Autosomal Dominant: The inherited trait appears in both sexes and both sexes transmit the trait to their offspring without skipping any generation where the affected offspring must have a parent who is affected unless when they are in possession of a new mutation. In autosomal dominant inheritance, when one parent is affected (heterozygous) and the other parent is unaffected (a carrier), approximately a half of the offspring will be affected. However, in case of unaffected parents, the trait is not transmitted to the offspring. This implies that autosomal dominant inheritance is a genetic trait that is transmitted from one generation to another without skipping, especially when the trait is passed from both fathers and mothers to daughters and sons.  This indicates that this pedigree chart shows an autosomal dominant inheritance.

Autosomal Recessive: The inherited trait appears in both sexes where both sexes transmit the trait to their offspring, and the inherited trait tends to skip generations. Usually, affected offspring are born to parents who are unaffected. This clearly indicates that the inheritance shown in this pedigree chart is not autosomal recessive because the inherited trait does not skip any generation.

X-linked Dominant: In this mode of inheritance, both males and females are affected; but females are often affected more than males. This mode of inheritance does not skip generations and sons who are affected must have an affected mother; whereas affected daughters must have either a mother or father who is affected. Affected fathers will usually transmit the trait on to all their daughters; whereas for affected mothers who are heterozygous, the trait will be passed to half of their daughters and half of their sons. This clearly indicates that the mode of inheritance shown in this pedigree chart is not X-linked dominant because affected do not transmit the trait to all their daughters.

X-linked Recessive:  In this mode of inheritance, both males and females are affected; but males are often affected more than females.  In X-linked recessive mode of inheritance, affected sons are usually born to mothers who are unaffected which means the trait skips generations. Approximately a half of sons born from carrier mothers are affected. However, a trait that is passed through X-linked recessive mode of inheritance is never passed from father to son, but all affected fathers’ daughters are carriers. This clearly indicates that the mode of inheritance shown in this pedigree chart is not X-linked recessive because the inherited trait does not skip any generation.

Y-linked: When a trait is Y-linked inherited, then it is only inherited from males and never occurs in females, and an affected male passes the trait to all male descendants. This is not the case in this pedigree chart because the pedigree chart shows that the trait has been passed to a female.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is undoubtedly evident that a pedigree chart is a very powerful and effective tool for the presentation of a family’s genetic history clearly highlighting how a particular trait is inherited while at the same time showing whether the inheritance of the trait is autosomal, X-linked or Y-linked and dominant or recessive. For instance, from the illustrated pedigree chart the mode of inheritance is autosomal dominant because it is transmitted from one generation to another without skipping, especially from both fathers and mothers to daughters and sons.

 

 

References

Merriman, B.D. (2010). Genealogical Standards of Evidence: A Guide for Family Historians. 2^nd ed. Toronto: Ontario Genealogical Society.

Morgan, G.G. (2009). How to Do Everything: Genealogy. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

 

 

 

 

Making Investment Decisions Using a Decision Tree

 

Question one

1. A Decision Tree

	£2,500
Buoyant market =    0.6
Moderate market = 0.2			£500
Depressed market = 0.2
­-£1,000
Portfolio of common
stocks investment
Fixed-interest
investment
£1,200

 

 

 

1. Expected Monetary Value Criterion

Expected monetary value at different market conditions:

Buoyant market = 0.6x£2,500 = £1,500

Steady market = 0.2x£500 = £100

Depressed market = 0.2x -£1,000 = -£200

Total Expected Monetary Value = £1,400

 

Assuming a risk-neutral investor, the investment which should be chosen is the fixed-interest investment mainly because according to the expected monetary value criterion, the expected monetary value for portfolio in common stocks investment would give £1,400 which is slightly above £1,200 expected from the fixed-interest investment. Thus, since the investor is risk-neutral, it is evident he/she should chose an investment which is relatively risk free.

1. The certainty equivalent is a guaranteed return that someone would accept, rather than taking a chance on a higher, but uncertain, return.
2. If the certainty equivalent is less than the expected monetary value, the investor is not a risk-taker mainly because he/she chooses an investment with less outcome but certain rather than an investment with a likelihood of high outcome but not certain meaning they is fear of taking risks.

 

Question two

1. A Decision Tree

 

£90,000
When new centre is unsuccessful = 0.2
When new centre is moderately successful = 0.4
£70,000
Established and		When new centre is very successful = 0.4
successful centre
£30,000
£130,000
New Centre		Very Successful = 0.4
Moderately Successful = 0.4
£60,000
Unsuccessful = 0.2
£10,000

 

 

1. Expected Monetary Value Criterion

 

Established and successful shopping centre:

When the new centre is unsuccessful = 0.2x£90,000 = £18,000

When the new centre is moderately successful = 0.4x£70,000 = £28,000

When the new centre is very successful = 0.4x£30,000 = £12,000

Total Expected Monetary Value = £58,000

New shopping centre:

When the new centre is unsuccessful = 0.4x£130,000 = £52,000

When the new centre is moderately successful = 0.4x£60,000 = £24,000

When the new centre is very successful = 0.2x£10,000 = £2,000

Total Expected Monetary Value = £78,000

 

Considering the expected monetary value and assuming a risk-neutral decision-maker, it is evident that the shoe store should be located at the new shopping centre because it has a higher total expected monetary value and the operational costs are lower than in the established and successful shopping centre.

 

 

1. A perfect forecast of shopping centre success would likely change the order of the decision tree in ‘(a)’ mainly because increasing success of the new shopping centre will cause a decrease in the success of the established and already successful shopping centre and vice versa. This means when the new shopping centre is very successful, the established shopping centre becomes unsuccessful. These changes have the potential to significantly change the investment decisions.

 

 

 

Reference

Deng, H., Runger, G. & Tuv, E. (2011). Bias of importance measures for multi-valued attributes and solutions. Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks (ICANN).

Sung-Hyuk, C. & Tappert, C.C. (2009). A Genetic Algorithm for Constructing Compact Binary Decision Trees. Journal of Pattern Recognition Research, 4 (1): 1–13.

 

 

 

 

Business law Case Sturdy Questions

Identify the various crimes that BMF Entertainment, Inc. and/ or its officers, directors etc. were alleged to have committed.

The officers were found in possession of Cocaine, marijuana and over a million dollars in cash i.e. money laundering and black market operations. BMF entertainment was alleged to have facilitated the transactions via its entertainment label. The other crimes can found in the RICO statute that defines a broad range of racketeering activities.

2. Could the Corporation be held liable for the crimes committed by its officers, directors etc. Why or why not.

Yes. The Corporation is vicariously liable for the offences committed by its agents if they were acting as the agents of the corporation. But the criminal nature of the offences makes them also to be personally criminally liable.

3. Would the Rico Statute apply to this situation? Why or Why not.

Yes it would have applied as the nature of the crimes committed are defined under these provision but the BMF case was very secretive that gathering evidence needed much more than the RICO statute. The fourth amended had to be amended to include the evidence needed to prosecute the BMF bosses.

4. Discuss how the issue of legal immunity relates to this situation.

The legal immunity protects the right of privacy for the defendants. The wire taps were acquired illegally hence they cannot be used in a court of law. As the evidence was acquired under an illegality the law provides immunity from prosecution using evidence obtained illegally. If the initial federal prosecution fails to provide enough evidence to secure conviction the the defendant is immune from the same trial of the same offence. (Donofrio, 1993)

5 The Fourth Amendment is part of the US constitution Bill of Rights that outlaws unreasonable searches, wire tapping or other seizures without any warrants. All the evidence acquired under an illegality in this section is not admissible in a court of law unless authorized by a judge. Instances like illegal wire tapping cannot be used as evidence in a court of law against the BMF entertainment unless this provision that requires consent from the parties involved and authorized searches and warrants are amended to include such evidence obtained without consent that also allows the invasion of privacy i.e. The constitution guarantees the protection of one’s privacy that should not be compromised. Unless this provision is amended then the evidence gathered secretly such wire tapping are illegal and can’t be used as evidence or obtained for any purpose.

6. BMF is a body corporate it’s different from its own directors. No. but there must be proof of new evidence and additional charges to prosecute the case again. The federal prosecutor can prosecute the officers on any charges provided there is sufficient evidence or proof that the offences are different. (Donofrio, 1993) The double jeopardy applies where the prosecution lost the case to reasons of their inadequacy or incompetence or lack of evidence and case failed to convict the defender. The defender is protected from being prosecuted on the basis of the same case.
7. They were all seized by the state. They now belong to the US government. The assets acquired under prosecution relating to the provisions of the RICO statutes revert to the state upon successful convictions of the suspects.

 

Reference

Donofrio, A. J. (1993). “The Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment: The Supreme

Court’s Cursory Treatment of Underlying Conduct in Successive Prosecutions”. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology 83 (4): 773–803. doi:10.2307/1143871.

 

 

 

4Ps of Nike

Introduction

4Ps is an important marketing mix analysis tool for organizations. 4Ps of marketing comprise of old 4Ps and new 4Ps. The old 4Ps consist of product, prices, place and promotion while the new 4Ps of marketing consist of people, performance, processes and programs (Constantinides, 2006). These essay discuses the 4Ps of marketing associated with Nike. The paper discuses both the old and new 4Ps associated with Nike.

Old 4Ps

The old 4Ps of marketing consist of analysis of product, price, place and promotion. Nike as a product can be analyzed using old 4Ps marketing mix as follows.

(I). Product

Nike manufactures and distributes a variety of sports equipments that suits different customers’ needs. Nike produces sportswear such as different types of shoes, shorts, jerseys, shocks and hat among others. Nike also manufactures sports equipments such as baseball, football, basketball, cricket, tennis and ice hockey among other equipments used for various sporting activities. Nike therefore has a variety of products that include sporting shoes, apparels and other equipments. The diversity of the products manufactured by Nike makes it serve a variety of customers needs (Constantinides, 2006).   This makes it to be able to satisfy a variety of customers needs.

 

 

(II). Price

Nike offers prices that are competitive in the market. Nike prices are also flexible and depend on the design, market and features of the product. The prices of Nike products are also determined by the targeted customers. Nike employs the use of vertical integration pricing which is aimed at controlling prices and costs at various manufacturing and distribution channels of the company. This ensures that the company is able to control costs and prices of its products a long the supply chain and leads to enhance financial performance and productivity (Vereecke & Muylle, 2006).

(III). Place

Nike as a brand is available in all countries around the world. Nike is an international company with various branches and distribution centers in several countries around the world. Various products of Nike are available in retail shops that are located in various countries around the world. The availability of Nike products in the global market makes it accessible to all its targeted customers.

(IV). Promotion

Promotion includes all types of marketing strategies that are used by organizations. The marketing techniques used by organizations include advertising, product demonstrations, sales promotion, direct marketing and point of sales display among others. Nike uses a number of promotional activities to market its products. Some of the marketing strategies used by Nike include advertisement, sports endorsements, sales promotion and use of point of sale display.

 

New 4Ps

The new 4Ps marketing mix consists of four main elements that include people, processes, programs and performance.

(I). People

People in the new 4Ps reflect internal marketing processes conducted through organizational employees (Goi, 2009). The employees of organizations are important in determining the success of marketing. Nike has a huge number of employees across the world. Nike employs both the skilled and unskilled labor. The employees of the company perform their duties with determination hence ensure that the aims and objectives of the company are fulfilled. The company follows appropriate recruitment channel to ensure that they hire competent people. The recruitment process employed by the company is elaborate and tailored towards meeting their specific needs and objectives. In most cases they collaborate with various human recruitment firms and consultants to hire the best candidates. The hired employees are also trained on regular basis to ensure that they cope up with various technological, market and organizational changes. The internal training also ensures that employees are able to carry out their specific duties effectively.

(II). Processes

Processes of an organization include the creativity, structure and discipline that are included in marketing strategies (Goi, 2009). Nike has efficient distribution, manufacturing and human resource management process that ensures that it remains cost effective and productive in the world market as compared to other rivals firms. This ensures that they have competitive advantages over other firms in the global market hence attracts new customers as well as retain its existing customers (Vereecke & Muylle, 2006).

(III). Programs

The company has various programs that ensure that its operations are not affected. Some of the programs that the company is involved with include sporting activities and corporate social responsibilities programs. These programs ensure that the company maintains close relationship with its customers and various stakeholders. For example, corporate social responsibilities are involved with activities that enable stakeholders of organization to interact with each other. Nike sponsors various organizations and individuals in different activities such as sports. This improves its image in the world market as well as help in the promotion of its products (Constantinides, 2006).

(IV). Performance

The performance of the company is an important element in determining the success and effectiveness of a company. Nike put a lot of emphasis towards improving its financial and non financial performance. The company uses various measurements to determine its performance that includes profitability and productivity. Some of the measurement that the company uses to determine its performance includes the analysis of its financial performance as indicated by its financial statement such as balance sheet and income statements (Vereecke & Muylle, 2006).

Conclusion

4Ps is made up of important elements for marketing organizations products. There are two different groups of 4Ps that are the new and old 4Ps. The new 4Ps consist of people, processes, programs and performance while the old 4Ps consist of product, price, place and promotion. The 4Ps in each of the two categories are important in various organizational processes. Nike as a brand employs the use of 4Ps in the analysis of its brands. The 4Ps according to marketing mix analysis are important in the determination of the performance of Nike.

 

References

Constantinides, E. (2006). The marketing mix revisited: towards the 21st century marketing.

Journal of Marketing Management, 22(3-4), 407-438.

Goi, C. L. (2009). A review of marketing mix: 4Ps or more? International Journal of Marketing

Studies, 1(1), P2

Vereecke, A., & Muylle, S. (2006). Performance improvement through supply chain

collaboration in Europe. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 26(11), 1176-1198.

 

 

 

 

Family Changes

Many experts cite the weakening of the family as one of the causes for some of the problems that society faces today. I agree with the expert’s opinion as the profound changes in the family setting have reshaped the family. Since the 1960s there has been increased divorce rate leading to upsurge in single-parent families which were initially referred to broken homes. Additionally, since 1960, the number of single-woman families has tripled. Cohabitation outside marriage and premarital sex has been on the increase since 1970.

Causes of the changes in Family

            The root cause of the changes in the family is due to sexual revolution in the 1960s which was characterized by openness about sexuality. Sexual revolution characterized by radical changes in “manners and morals” as new meaning about sexuality was portrayed in theaters, literature, movies, fashion and advertising (Amato, 2005). Additionally, the introduction of birth control pill as an effective family control method promoted premarital sex (Amato, 2005). The entertainment industry also acknowledged couples outside marriages and magazines influenced sexual orientation by displaying images of scantily dressed men and women while movies where characterized by virtual sexual acts (Amato, 2005). This led to openness in sexuality which was transferred in active social life.

Additionally, the government was involved in regulating and defining the private sexual behavior of its citizens. For instance, the state legislatures or the courts liberalized laws concerning contraception and sex. For instance, the display of sex in literature, art, and film was ruled as freedom of speech by the Supreme Court in 1957 (Amato, 2005). Additionally, the Supreme Court also amended the laws that prohibited the distribution or prescription of contraceptives, and decriminalized abortion (Amato, 2005).

Education and workforce has also led to the reshaping of the family. For instance, the increased number of employed women has been on the increase due to the high cost of living leading to families opting for other sources of income (Amato, 2005). As a result, women are forced to work so as to support their families. Women have also attained high educational level motivating them to seek employment for fulfillment and intellectual stimulation.  Additionally, women have control over their fertility through abortion and contraception which allow women to work effectively (Amato, 2005). Finally, the feminist ideologies that emerged in the 1960s also led to the transformation of societal expectation of women and awakened women. This is because women’s attitude towards childcare, housework and family roles were altered (Amato, 2005). For instance, the role assumed by women in financially supporting their families led has led to women demanding for their husbands’ participation in housework and childcare.

Families are becoming weaker. According to Amato (2005), people in modern society are likely to live alone, postpone marriages, and engage in sexual activities outside and before marriages than their predecessors. Thus the changes in family structure affects “the cognitive, social, and emotional well being of a child as children with both biological parents differ from children with one biological parents” (Amato, 2005).  I agree with the experts because due to the increased cost of living families do not have consisted woman, man or children as parents are busy at work while children are either at school or with a third party. As a result, parents do not have time to bond or guide their children leading to children acquiring antisocial behavior especially from technology like social media which involves social networking.

Finally, in order to strengthen the family both parents should be encouraged to balance between work and children by creating a work schedule that allows their presence in the family. This will allow parents to monitor their children’s cognitive, social and emotional development. Additionally, the implemented laws and policies should strengthen the family. For instance, requirements should be made for employers to offer parent unpaid leave to care for young children, and also uniform national standard for child-care centers should be implemented by the federal government.

Reference

Amato, P. R. (2005). The impact of family formation change on the cognitive, social, and             emotional well-being of the next generation. The Future of Children, 15(2), 75-96.

 

Accounting/Finance related ethics

 Lehman Brothers

 

Introduction

Lehman Brothers began its operations in the year 1850 in Montgomery, Alabama, US. Founded by Henry and Emanuel Lehman, it initially provided financial services. Before its foreclosure due to financial impropriety and eventual bankruptcy in the year 2008, Lehman Brothers traded in the New York Exchange under the symbol LEH and it was one of the largest investment banks in the United States, the fourth after, Merrill Lynch, The Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. It had over 26,000 employees in the year 2008.

The collapse and eventual bankruptcy of the Lehman Brothers investment bank can largely be attributed to the cosmetic accounting gimmicks which were normally applied at the end of every financial quarter to paint the company as stable when in essence it was going through very difficult moments. They practiced a kind of repurchase financial agreement that temporary shifted the securities from the bank’s balance sheet. These repurchase financial agreement were once described as Lehman as ordinary sale of securities. These transactions led to the wrong conclusions about the company’s financial position or condition between the later years of 2007 and 2008. (Sorkin, 2009)

The bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers can also be traced to the failure of one of its branches that dealt with the Subprime mortgage i.e. the BNC Mortgage. The closure of BNC Mortgage, the subprime lender led to the loss of over 1200 job positions in a total of twenty three branches. These retrenchments were explained as normal restructuring exercises that were necessitated by the poor economic conditions that were prevailing at the time. (McDonald, 2009)

The subprime mortgage financial crisis continued to drain the Lehman Brothers dwindling cash reserves in 2008. These losses were related to the large portfolios held in subprime and other related low rated mortgage portfolios when making the collaterals under the mortgages. It’s not clear why Lehman Brothers held on these large unproductive subprime mortgages for such a long period. Throughout most of 2008, huge losses were incurred due to the subprime mortgage securities. For instance, during the second financial quarter of the year 2008, the company lost $2.5 billion and to offset the loss, Lehman brothers had to sell assets worth $6billion. Lehman Brothers stocks at the New York Stock lost 73% of their value.   In September 2008, the company made a profit of $489 million against their perennial rivals Merrill Lynch and Citigroup posted $1.97 and $5.1 billion respectively. The company had a little reprieve when its shares rose by almost 46% but that was all.

On 9^th September, Lehman’s Stock value declined by almost half of its remaining value and the S & P 500 share index dropped by 3.4% while the Dow Jones dropped by 300 points. Investors were now getting concerned by the financial state of the Lehman Brothers and for sometime most investors hoped that the US government might subsidized the company’s debt to prevent the bank crash but the US government never made any announcement to that effect.

At 1 a.m. on the morning of the 15^th day of September the year 2008, Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy under chapter 11 of the company’s Act citing inability to meet its entire financial obligation with a glaring debt of $613 billion in banks debts and another $155 billion in bond debt and the assets of Lehman Brothers were $639 billion. Its subsidiaries however were instructed to continue with their operations until further notice.

These subsidiaries were later acquired by different companies on various dates. For instance, on September 16, the same year, Barclays Plc acquired most of the bank’s operations in North America for $1.75 billion which was later revised to $1.35 billion and included the 38 storey Lehman Brothers headquarters in Manhattan together with the responsibility of maintaining over 9000 former employees of the bank. On September 29, the same year i.e. 2008, Neuberger Berman, its former investment management division was sold to some equity firms. Bain Capital Partners together with Hellman and Friedman for a total of $2.15 billion.

In March 2010, a report into the conduct of Lehman Brothers management and its auditors, Ernst & Young, revealed that Lehman Brothers had adopted an accounting practice known as repo 105 that temporarily turned and exchanged $50 billion worth of assets into cash just before its accounts went into publication. This was an accounting malpractice that was conspired by both the external auditors i.e. Ernst and Young together with the management of Lehman Brothers. However, the wall street journal (Eaglesham & Rappaport, 2011)) and the Guardian (Clark &Andrew, 2010) reported that Stock Exchange Commission (SEC) were not confident that Lehman Brothers operations were illegal as no laws specifically prohibited such practices.

The major cause of the Lehman Brothers Bankruptcy was mainly due to its incompetency in handling the Subprime mortgage crisis and other low rated mortgage securities. The major firms like Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan Chase took decisive actions to avert the final catastrophe that befell Lehman Brothers. In fact, in March 16, a rival bank Bear Sterns opted for a fire sale of all its assets and liabilities by JP Morgan Chase to save its customers and creditors the bankruptcy option that was imminent. Financial analyst predicted that Lehman Brothers was also heading the same direction. A suggestion was also made that Lehman Brothers were unable to sell or dispose of the lower rated mortgages as such a huge amount of its capital was tied to these mortgages that were not profitable. From that time onwards, Lehman Brothers management was fighting a losing battle as the economy also entered the infamous 2008 financial crisis that saw the American economy take a nose dive. (William, 2010) The unemployment rate was raising and the inflation rate was also taking its toll on the local economic activities. The levels of savings were dropping and most people were not investing. http://research.stlouisfed.org/publications

In October 2011, the management of Lehman Brothers was compelled to pay 148 million pounds from their pension plans after their appeal to overturn the initial judgment failed.

To conclude, Lehman Brothers contribution in this scandal was that its management tried very hard but didn’t manage to hide the true picture of the company’s financial condition.  The repurchase financial agreement and the repo 105 were unethical accounting tricks that were meant to hide the true financial position of Lehman Brothers Investment bank. These tricks were successful for sometime but the true cause of the problem was the subprime Mortgage financial crisis that was not addressed satisfactorily.

 

References

Clark, Andrew (2010). “Could Lehman’s Dick Fuld end up behind bars?”. The Guardian March 12 (London). Retrieved 2010-05-07.

Eaglesham, J. & Rappaport, L. (2011) “Lehman Probe Stalls; Chance of No Charges”. Wall Street Journal, March 12. Retrieved 2011-03-13.

McDonald, L.G. (2009) A Colossal Failure of Common Sense: The Inside Story of the Collapse of Lehman Brothers. Crown Business

Sorkin, A. R. (2009) Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System—and Themselves. Viking Adult

William, M. T. (2010). “Uncontrolled Risk: The Lessons of Lehman Brothers and How Systemic Risk Can Still Bring Down the World Financial System”. Mcgraw-Hill.

http://research.stlouisfed.org/publications/iet/

Sport facility planning involving government

 

Sport teams have an economic impact through activities that promote employment in areas such as front offices and day of game employees in part time temporary positions. The presence of a sporting stadium also has an economic impact on the restaurants in the vicinity, ticket payment for entry into the stadiums from people within the area as well as others from different states. Economists consider the economic gain that building new stadiums promote. They indicate that some of the gains are made from opportunities provided through seats, catering facilities, advertising and other luxury facilities (Siegfield & Zimbalist, 2000).

Professional sporting groups in the US have been sharing stadiums such as the Lakers in Los Angeles and Kings playing in Staples Arena. The government has been contributing a certain percentage of the construction expenditure for the stadiums (Siegfield & Zimbalist, 2000). The Convention Sport Leisure presented a report on the economic impact of the Major League Ball Park to the Redevelopment Agency of San Jose California in September 2009 (San Jose Redevelopment, 2009).

The economic impact of the Major League Ball Park depends upon the amount and nature of spending that takes place in the San Jose city (San Jose Redevelopment, 2009). It is estimated that twenty five percent of the labor and twenty percent of the materials used in the construction of the stadium shall have a direct impact on the city’s economy. During the three years of construction the project is estimated to create 350 jobs and a projection of 980 jobs in the recurring years up to 2018  (San Jose Redevelopment, 2009).

The estimated personal income from the project for the recurring years after construction of the project is projected period of 2018 is at $61,940,000 while ones for the next 30 and 50 years is projected at $1,371,500,000 and $1,968,400,000 respectively (San Jose Redevelopment, 2009). The Ballpark is also estimated to host three non-Major League Ballpark (MLB) events and other large scale outdoor events every year. This will have a positive contribution to the San Hose market because the city does not have a facility that is big enough and capable of accommodating outdoor activities (San Jose Redevelopment, 2009).

The positive economic impact for the supply chain will be accounted for by the fact that half of the attendees of the games in the Ballpark are estimated to be non-San Hose residents. Additionally, the spending inside the facility from MLB and non-MLB events is also estimated to be at $49 and $74 per person. Spending outside the facility is estimated at $47 and $26 for MLB and non-MLB events respectively (San Jose Redevelopment, 2009).

In ensuring transparency in tracking the economic impact of the project, it is important that the audit accesses accurate information about the origin of the attendees of the park and those that are drawn to the city owing to the presence of the facility in the city. The economic impact of a proposed sporting facility mainly depends on the context of the facility. This means that if a facility A is built in the city of Glendale and attracts residents of the City of Phoenix, it means that the construction of facility A is making a positive impact to the economy of the city of Glendale. However, if only residents of Glendale visit facility A, this may not be interpreted as a positive economic impact because the residents only change the location where they spend their entertainment budget within the same city making no extra contribution of the city’s economy (Connolly, 2012).

It is important to have a reporting system in place to provide accurate information on the new transactions that are triggered by the facility in the city. The system is an important way of collecting information on the main drivers of the positive economic impact (Garofalo & Waldron, 2012). It is also important for establishing marketing strategies to ensure that the facility is occupied for most of the time during the year. The system must also monitor the number of non-San Jose residents that visit the city and the type of activities that they undertake to get a true report of the economic impact of the facility.

References

Connolly, B. (2012, October 1). What Does Economic Impact Really Mean. Retrieved October 29, 2013, from The Business of Sports: http://www.thebusinessofsports.com/2012/10/01/what-does-economic-impact-really-mean/

Garofalo, P., & Waldron, T. (2012, September 7). If You Build It, They Might Not Come: The Risky Economics of Sports Stadiums. Retrieved October 29, 2013, from The Atlantic: http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/09/if-you-build-it-they-might-not-come-the-risky-economics-of-sports-stadiums/260900/

San Jose Redevelopment. (2009, September 2). Economic Impact Analysis: The Proposed Major League Ball Park. Retrieved October 29, 2013, from San Jose Redevelopment: http://www.sjredevelopment.org/ballpark/ei_report_09022009.pdf

Siegfield, J., & Zimbalist, A. (2000). The Economics of Sports Facilities and Their Comminities. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 14(3), 95-114.

 

 

The role of the state and how it affects unions

The role of the state is to create decent jobs for the workers. A decent job is one that can pay a sufficient amount to provide for a small family with a safe, healthy and better standard of living. This is contrary to the assumption that upcoming jobs will provide workers with higher opportunities to raise their living standard.

The labour unions represent a structural change that would enhance the ability of the government’s economy to create decent jobs. Labour Unions enable workers to have the bargaining power they need in order to negotiate major improvement in their working conditions. If unions negotiate for the better of the workers only, it may raise the business costs extremely and will therefore limit the availability of jobs.

Workers who come together and bargain collectively on their working conditions have a better negotiating power. This could significantly raise a number of decent jobs on offer hence creation of better jobs. Policies are made easier when workers join unions. The unions contain measures that protect workers from employer’s efforts to stop them from bargaining collectively.

Labour Unions considerably enhance the pay and benefits in present occupations alongside those that are projected to have the largest planned employment growth. A higher rise in union representation would add millions of jobs in a country’s economy. The economic impact of unions does not guarantee that the higher rate on unionisation reduces the higher rate of unemployment. If workers do not change their working conditions, a higher percentage of workers in a country will not have decent jobs. Lack of structural changes can lead to problems in economy which may go a long way. Unions promote a favourable projection for decent job offers by encouraging workers to bargain collectively over their working conditions.

 

The development of labour law—is it supportive?

The labour law is the body that mediates the rights and duties of workers, employers, and labour unions. These laws set the standard that rule workers rights to organize in the private sector and overrides most state and local laws. Federal and state laws protect workers from employment prejudice, on grounds of race, gender, religion, national origin and age. Federal law pre-empts most state laws that would stop employers from discriminating against employees to prevent them from attaining pensions and other benefits or retaliating against them for asserting those rights.

Labour laws establish a minimum wage and overtime rights for most private sector workers, with a number of exemptions and exceptions. In labour laws of Canada, It is in the interest of a worker to know whether they are eligible for the protections and coverage, and for employers who need to know to whom they owe legal responsibilities. (Godard, & Delaney, 2000)

First, general principles of fairness require that all people with similar characteristics ought to be treated in the same way. Secondly, no one should be permitted to work in unfavourable conditions. This might happen in several ways. If significant groups of workers were excluded from coverage but were willing to work in unfavourable conditions employers might be tempted to reassign work to them, and take it away from workers who are covered.

The economic and social effect of strikes

When work stops because of an industrial dispute, the workers and their families are affected. Their families also feel the impact of lost household income. During a strike, members of the public may miss out on some goods or services. Strikes usually give the media attention to grow and give the workers better opportunities after the press is involved. Strikes may also give the workers what they went on strike for and improve their situation at their work place. Negatively, many people on strike end up losing their jobs.

A substantial harm is affected on business and to the view of investors of the local business environment. The strike may capture the attention of the opposing negotiators and the public. In as much as strikes are used as an instrument of influence in negotiations on socio-economic issues, they also act as a “blunting” instrument of negotiation and large harm is affected on business and to the perception of investors of the local business environment.

A successful strike can form a new partnership between government and business, which may lead to a more effective collaboration with labour in the national economic interest.  Business often acts to preserve the integrity of our business environment and is sometimes forced to make substantial compromises to safeguard positive investor perception.  In a society where economic outcomes are determined in negotiations between business, government and labour, business must continue to be a counterweight in this relationship.

Strikes affect a country’s reputation. The communities affected by the strike, such as students, visitors, business people and immigrants applying for visas, are probably more likely to rethink of a country’s image.

The function of unionism

The function of trade unions is to ensure that adequate wages are given to workers. The union should see to it that employees have secured a better working environment. Unions also oblige employers to handle employees with dignity and respect; and at their best, they give a way for workers to make society both more democratic and independent. (Yates, 1998). Unions should also raise the status of workers in the industry. If the union fails by way collective bargain method, it will put up a fight with the management by forming a strike.

The trade union should try to foster a spirit of co-operation and friendly industrial relationship among their members. They should as well take measures for improving the self esteem of the workers to generate self-confidence. If necessary, they should arrange legal assistance to the members. They should provide opportunities for promotion and growth and protect women against discrimination.

It is advisable for workers to know enjoy what they do since work is something more than a punishment. The choice of occupation defines one’s true identity basing on a commonly asked question “What do you do?” This is a clear indication that our existence passes through the gates of paid employment. (De Botton, 2010).

Management’s right to manage and economic democracy

The manager’s right to manage is the rightful entrepreneurship, or other industrial societies, of the disciplinary powers that managers claim over workers. It is basically connected to the property rights of the person claiming to own particular means of production. Their agents act on their behalf, in directing wage labourers to perform duties. It is closely related to the Master-servant relationship in industrial law, the manager’s right to manage is often disputed by day to day industrial resistance, or organised bodies of workers, such as trade unions.

Economic democracy is a socioeconomic idea that proposes to shift decision-making power from corporate shareholders to a larger group of public stakeholders that includes workers, customers, suppliers, neighbours and the broader public. No single description or approach covers economic democracy, but most proponents claim that modern property relations externalize costs, subordinate the general well-being to private profit, and deny the public a democratic voice in economic policy decisions.

 

Conclusions

The labour unions are good since they assist workers in the sense that their wages improve and ensure the safety of their workplace. However, employers occasionally complain that unions are harmful to business and to the economy. Employees who are not in union are typically hired “at will,” meaning they can be fired for no reason. There are exceptions. Employers cannot terminate a worker for biased reasons such as race, religion, age and the like. Nor can they fire an at-will employee for being a whistleblower and certain other reasons. However, workers with union jobs can only be terminated for “just cause,” and the misbehaviour must be serious enough to lead to such action. Before an employee can actually be fired, he or she can go through a grievance procedure, and if necessary, negotiation.

Unionized workers have more power as an organized group than by acting individually. Through collective bargaining, workers negotiate wages, health and safety issues, benefits, and working conditions with management through their union. Rules vary among collective bargaining agreements, but in the event of layoffs, employers usually are required to dismiss the most recent hires first and those with the most seniority last. In some cases, a worker with a union job who has more seniority may receive a first priority for an open job. Seniority also can be a factor in determining who gets a promotion and eliminates favouritism in the workplace.

Some unions also require a one-time initiation fee. Dues help the union pay for officials’ salaries and conducting union business, but members sometimes complain about the amount they pay, how the money is spent, and how it is allocated between the national and local union. The flip side of job security is that union members sacrifice individuality by belonging to a group. You may disagree with the union’s decisions, but you are bound by them.

 

References

De Botton, A. (2010). The pleasures and sorrows of work. Random House Digital, Inc..

Godard, J., & Delaney, J. T. (2000). Reflections on the” high performance” paradigm’s Yates, M.

implications for industrial relations as a field. Industrial and Labour Relations Review,

482-502.

Yates, M. D. (1998). Why unions matter. NYU Press.

 

 

 

 

Internet

With the recent changes in Information Technology in the United States, changes will be inevitable especially in the next ten years. However, the good news is that these changes will not be negative but positive instead. More business opportunities will be available and the cost of doing business will depreciate. Internet reduces the whole globe into a village and this means a person can comfortably run several businesses over the internet. It is important to identify a group of professional who would benefit more with these prospected changes courtesy of internet. The sociologists will have great opportunities to study life through observation, research and data collection and analysis. Golder (2012) considered the above mentioned areas as a park for sociologists in regard to internet.

The use of internet will enable the sociologist to observe human’s overt behaviors and emotions through over a varying period of time can be very helpful (Hirschman, 2013). Internet therefore offers them a golden opportunity to make observations without limitation of both time and space, thus are able to deduce several views that concern human living. Secondly, internet will offer perfect means of doing research form across the globe which will save time and cost effective as well. The information sociologists will be getting via internet is numerous too. Finally, the field of data collection and analysis forms the apex of sociologists since this will be where they will find conclusions to their findings and thus submitting the same to the relevant authorities. It is important to note that the use of internet in the coming years will offer the best data collection and analysis and therefore will be very instrumental to sociologist as they undertake to study human life.

References

Golder, S. (2012, February 17). Livescience. Retrieved October 29, 2013, from livescience.com: http://www.livescience.com

Hirschman, D. (2013, October 16). Sociologists Commonplace Book. Retrieved October 29, 2013, from asociologist: http://www.asociologist.com