Social Responsibility and Company Essay example - 864 Words

Rebecca Haste Student # 253741 EST1 - 310.2.1-05 Company Q and Social Responsibility Social responsibility is a key attribute for businesses in the market today. When consumers look to spend their disposable income, they look for businesses that not only offer the right product, at the right price, but that also offer great service. Great service can include anything from friendly employees to community involvement. That is where social responsibility becomes apparent in a company’s ethics and values. If a company has a strong tie to the community and demonstrates social responsibility, their consumers will consider this a positive quality and it will separate them from the competition. In this case study with Company Q, they are†¦show more content†¦Volunteerism is a powerful way to reduce crime, and to interact with potential consumers. Also, if crime is a concern, businesses should work with local law enforcement to determine ways to protect themselves and by working with local law enforcement they will become more invested and involved in their surrounding area. The second item that should be reviewed by Company Q is their ability to quickly respond to the needs and desires of their community. Consumers had to send requests to Company Q over several years in order to get some organic products into the store. This can be seen as a negative attitude on the part of Company Q. Consumers can say that Company Q does not care about carrying healthy food alternatives, and in turn does not care about the health of the community. Also, the company is not responding well to consumer requests. In order to develop a better position of social responsibility, the company should research and respond to customer requests to add and remove products from the product line. Polling and surveying the surrounding community will give the company a good resource of data that can help improve their store’s produ cts and even store appearance and staff. Even if the store decides that responding to a customer request is not feasible, the communication channel is now open between the company and the public. Offering products that are important to theShow MoreRelatedCompany Q and Social Responsibility952 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Company Q and Social Responsibility EST1 Evaluation Company Q’s attitude toward social responsibility reflects a negative reputation on them as a corporation in their current community. The geographical location in a major metropolitan area should sustain the business with a solid consumer base and maintain reliance of current investors. However, they closed two stores in high crime areas for consistently losing profits, waning investor trust and damaging employee faith. 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Country Environment Analysis †Singapore Free Essays

Country Environment Analysis – Singapore Date: 12/05/2012 Course: BUAD 6500 Prepared For: Dr. Stanford A. Westjohn Prepared By: Emtithal Alhumood, John Baker, Nora Dillon and Yuhong Fu Table of Contents: Page # Part 1 Macro Environment Analysis Abstract ——————————————————————————————–3 Social Perspective ——————————————————————————–3 Economic Perspective —————————————————————————-5 Political Perspective ——————————————————————————7 Challenges to Business in Singapore —â €”—————————————————–9 Summation of Macro Environment Analysis ————————————————10 Part 2 Country Environment Analysis ——————————————–12 Country Environment Analysis Abstract —————————————————–12 Scope of the Tourism Industry —————————————————————–12 Areas of Opportunity and Risk ———————————â⠂¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€œ16 Challenges for US Business in Singapore’s Tourism Industry —————————-19 Country Environment Analysis Summation ————————————————–21 Part 1 Macro Environment Analysis Abstract: The country of Singapore enjoys a highly developed and successful free market economy. We will write a custom essay sample on Country Environment Analysis – Singapore or any similar topic only for you Order Now The first section of this report details the economic, social and political aspects of Singapore from a business perspective. Furthermore, this report will identify and analyze challenges which any business must consider upon entry to this growing marketplace. Social Perspective: Geographic Location: Situated in the northern part of the equator, Singapore lies between Indonesia and Malaysia. The island has a huge coastline of 193km. Half of the terrain contains metropolitan areas while reservoirs, open military areas, plantations, and parklands cover 40%. Covering an area of 699 sq. km. , the country is believed to be among the world’s most beautiful nations. Population: As of June 2011, Singapore’s population stood at 5. 1 million, making it among the three most densely populated nations in the world (MediaCorp Pte Ltd, 2011). Singapore has a multicultural population with Mandarin, English, Tamil and Malay listed as the country’s four official languages. English is commonly used throughout Malaysia and is often referred to as the national language. Improved healthcare in the country has resulted in reduced infant mortality rate. However, the overall population growth rate is relatively low at 2% from 2009 to 2010. Immigration is a significant driver of population fluctuation, as local population growth has actually declined in the past decade. Literacy: According to the United Nations Development Programme Report (2011), Singapore has a literacy rate of 94. 7%, which ranks 75th in global literacy by country. Education is regulated and supervised by the Ministry of Education which oversees both private and public schools. All public schools instruct students using the English language and their native tongue (referred to as â€Å"Mother Tongue Language†). According to Wikipedia, education spending typically accounts for 20% of the national annual budget in Singapore. Cultural Values: Singaporeans have a hierarchical history, and for the local population power distance is generally high. Respect for authority and social formalities are highly valued in Singapore’s local culture. Respect for parents, elders, teachers, and employers is held in high regard. Due to the emphasis on family values, Singapore has developed a collectivist culture which focuses on the betterment of society; as opposed to the individual. Local residents generally express a modest humility when communicating with foreigners; which could be interpreted as â€Å"feminine† in reference to Hofstede’s cultural framework. Art / Music / Food: Held annually, the Singapore Arts Festival is a noteworthy event in the country’s celebration of the arts. The festival integrates visual arts, dance, and theatre. Besides home participants, global artists are also showcased. Today, the Festival is an international event. Additionally, the arts centre has traditional and classical music representation focusing on the four main cultures in the country. Singaporean cuisine signifies ethnic cultural diversity and food is seen as a uniting cultural strand that is fundamental to their national identity. Religion: Due to its strategic position, Singapore is home to many religions. Once it was declared a port, several ethnicities and nationalities from around the globe immigrated to Singapore. 3% of the population practice Buddhism making it the core faith, 18% are Christians, 15% Muslims and 5% are Hindus. Besides, close to 17% of the populace do not practice any religion as they claim to be free-thinkers (Chong, 2010). Economic Per spective: Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in consumer electronics, information technology, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. Since the early 1990’s a focus on globalization has driven Singapore’s economy to new levels of growth and development.  Also you can read about  History of the Culinary Arts. It has signed 13 free trade agreements to encourage international commerce and it boasts globally competitive tax incentives to draw international investors. Current GDP Breakdown: Singapore’s current GDP falls at $239. 7 billion. GDP per capita is roughly $60,000 which ranks fifth highest in the global community. According to trading economics. com, Singapore experienced an annual GDP growth rate average of 5. 54% between 2007 and 2011. Despite a 1. 5% GDP contraction in the third quarter of 2012, Singapore’s overall GDP is expected to follow historical growth around 5% this year. Export, Import and Trade: Singapore is the 14th largest exporter and the 15th largest importer in the world. According to the WTO, Singapore has the highest trade to GDP ratio in the world at 407. 9%. International trade is essential for Singapore, as it has virtually no natural resources. A large percentage of trade is conducted to meet domestic demand for energy, food, and other necessities. Singapore also regularly engages in trade, whereby industries and businesses in the country import raw materials, before refining them for re-export. 47% of Singapore’s exports consist of re-exports. Singapore has relatively few barriers to trade. Trade partners have zero tariff rates applied to their products; other than alcoholic beverages. Some import restrictions exist, which are focused primarily on environmental regulation, health, and public security concerns. The import of rice also requires import licensing in order to ensure food security and price stability. In 2010, Singapore’s exports were valued at $351. 2 billion (USD). The primary export partners include Hong Kong (11. 6% of total exports), Malaysia (11. 5%), US (11. 2 %), Indonesia (9. 7%), China (9. 7%), Japan (4. 6%). Singapore’s imports were valued at $310. 4 billion. The U. S. was Singapore’s primary source of imports (14. 7% of total imports) followed by Malaysia (11. 6%), China (10. 5%), Japan (7. 6%), Indonesia (5. 8%), South Korea (5. 7%). Primary Industries: The petroleum and petrochemical industry in Singapore is one of the biggest in the world. Singapore imports oil from other countries before refining it for further use in other countries. Singapore has the third largest oil refinery in the world. The Singapore Petroleum Company (SPC) is also a leading player in the petroleum industry and is engaged in exploration, production, refining and distribution. Manufacturing is another major industry in Singapore. Although Singapore has specialized in digital and electronics manufacturing for the past forty years, the country has diversified into other forms of manufacturing. Thanks to government initiatives and subsidies, biomedical and pharmaceutical manufacturing is seen to be the future for Singapore’s industries. Singapore is also a global leader in services, particularly in finance. Singapore’s banking system is considered to be among the strongest in the world. Singapore has the fourth largest foreign exchange market in the world after London, New York and Tokyo. The Singapore Government Securities is the only Asian market, besides Japan, to be part of the Citigroup World Bond Index. The Singapore Exchange (SGX) was also the first demutualised, integrated securities and derivatives exchange in Asia-Pacific (Wikipedia, 2012). Economic Forecast: From 2011 onwards, Singapore’s GDP growth rate (constant prices, national currency) is expected to grow between the ranges of 4. 008 percent to 5. 162% in the next five years. According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) in Singapore, 2012 may see a higher growth rate of 5 to 7% as its primary trade partners continue to recover economically. Political Perspective: Singapore’s government is a blend of democracy and authoritarianism. It is a Parliamentary republic with a legal system modeled after English common law. The president is voted into office by the popular vote for a six year term. Voting in elections is required by law, so every citizen 21 years and older is legally obligated to cast a vote. The cabinet and the prime ministers are appointed by the president. There are 84 parliamentary seats and each person serves a term of five years. The judicial power belongs to the Supreme Court which is split into the Court of Appeals and the High Court. Judges in both of these courts are appointed by the president of Singapore (Government Structure, 2012). Political Parties: There are five main political parties: The Worker’s Party of Singapore, the Reform Party, the Singapore Democratic Party, the Singapore Democratic Alliance, and finally the People’s Action Party which happens to be the most dominant. This dominance is due to the fact that PAP brought Singapore from an impoverished nation to one with incredibly rapid economic growth. Although this party has brought a certain level of prosperity to the country, they have also instituted extremely strict laws and censorship on almost all aspects of life. Current Political Environment: In the past, Singapore was very conservative with spending and investment. However, in 2001 Singapore’s government began structuring a stimulus package that included tax rebates for businesses and citizens, lower public service fees, a more expansive welfare program and financial assistance for smaller businesses. The monetary stance was changed to keep their currency competitive while assisting the increase in exporting. Since then, Singapore has relied less on government intervention and more on the liberalization of the economy. This came about due to the lack of improvement government intervention made and the requirements for a World Trade Organization membership (Politics Government, 2007). Because the PAP holds over 90% of the seats in Parliament they have little trouble getting their policies approved by Parliament which only requires a two-thirds majority. As a result there is not a proper check and balance in Singapore’s parliament against the PAP. However, recently their dominance may be lessening according to the outcomes of the 2011 elections that showed a significant decline since 2006. In order for the PAP to stay dominant they must focus on maintaining a strong economy and addressing immigration issues while gaining the trust of the younger generations. Due to Singapore’s low birth-rate, immigration has been essential to their economic growth. The percentage of native citizens had gone down to 74% in 2010. This has forced native citizens to compete with immigrants for jobs. In the upcoming years it will be up to the government to legislate integration programs, lower the immigration rate, and smooth over ethnic tensions (Political Overview, 2011). Relationships Abroad: Singapore developed a good relationship with the United States during the Cold War due to the PAP’s anti-communist platform and their ability to spread free trade through the Asian-Pacific region. In 2003, the United States and Singapore signed the first bilateral agreement between the United States and an Asian country. Singapore’s government has not only pursued good relationships with the United States they also focus on good working relationships with Australia, Jordan, India, Korea, New-Zealand, and Panama through the signing of Free Trade Agreements. The government is currently negotiating similar agreements with countries such as Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. (Politics Government, 2007) Challenges to business in Singapore: According to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report, Singapore has the most conducive regulatory environment for business among 183 economies worldwide (guidemesingapore. com). While this exponentially expanding economy provides many opportunities for business development, there are a few challenges that must be considered by global entrepreneurs. Singapore has grown at a very rapid rate over the past few decades, and its economic success has attracted many industry leaders. This increase in business has created a very competitive marketplace, which presents challenges for new entrants. High competition is a barrier to entry for amateur organizations, and stiff competition often means reduced margins. Many companies who are considering an expansion into Singapore have concerns regarding economic growth and profitability. Many of these concerns stem from rising costs in the labor market and reductions in productivity. According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, labor productivity fell 2. 2% in the first quarter of 2012, following a downward trend for the past 12 months. Also, manufacturing costs rose 4. 6% and overall labor costs are up 3. 7%. The productivity reductions can be attributed to contagion from struggling European and U. S. markets. Higher costs in goods and services are driving increases in both labor and operating expenses. Access to raw materials is also a concern for manufacturers considering business in Singapore. Geographic limitations and limited access to resources often force manufacturers to import raw materials. Logistic costs associated with the delivery of raw materials can often become cost prohibitive. This problem grows increasingly prevalent as the cost of fuel continues to rise globally. Another barrier to entry for new business in Singapore is the government’s recent effort to restrict the inflow of foreigners. Singapore’s citizens are growing increasingly discontent with income inequality and rising costs of living. In response, the government has been enacting a series of benefit restrictions for permanent residents and foreign workers. For example, certain workers are not permitted to bring parents or in-laws into the country, and healthcare benefits are being reduced. In July 2012, Singapore’s parliament considered amendments to its immigration law which would make new residency or long-term work permits a criminal offense (Mahtani – WSJ). These social indicators are red flags for new businesses who fear the impact of legislative protectivism. Summation of Macro Environment Analysis: Singapore proves itself to be a promising location for businesses hoping to internationalize. It’s diverse and vibrant culture welcomes newcomers as evidenced by its high rate of immigration. Singapore’s technology focused economy is growing at a stable rate with little sign of slow-down. This can be partially attributed to its political stability. It has been run by the same political party for decades, allowing Singapore to keep steady international relationships with foreign countries and their business partners. While all of these factors encourage business investment, new entrants must also consider legislative protectivism and the increase costs of labor and manufacturing in their decision. Part 2 – Country Environment Analysis Country Environment Analysis Abstract: With its rich cultural tapestry and beautiful landscape, modern day Singapore has a lot to offer its tourists. The second section of this report details Singapore’s recent efforts to make their country a major travel destination. As the fastest growing sector of its economy, Singapore has recently made huge investments in its tourism industry. Singapore’s government has constructed a mass-rapid-transit-system (MRT) which serves as a means of transportation for sightseeing tourists. Singapore is also focused on building attractions such as amusement parks and botanical gardens. Singapore is a melting pot of different cultures; as a result it offers a cornucopia of cuisines and cultural events. Along with its high population of English speaking locals and low crime rate, it serves as an ideal travel destination for westerners. Scope of the Tourism Industry: Singapore has developed a rich tourism history over the past 300 hundreds of years. At the southern tip of Malaysia, Singapore is a primary destination for eastern trade. This bustling trade environment has attracted a culturally diverse population, and it is no surprise that this environmentally beautiful hub for international business has become one of the premiere tourist destinations. Singapore’s tourism industry is massive. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) notes $22. billion in tourism revenue for 2011. In that same year, Singapore attracted over 13 million tourists, which was a 13% increase from 2010. This is an astounding number for a nation whose population is just above 5 million. 76% of these visitors were Asian; primarily from Indonesia, China and Malaysia. However, Australia, India and the Philippines also represented large percentages (see figure 1). Singapore has been experiencing double-digit percentage growth in tourism receipts for the past 6 years and is expected to grow another 12% in 2012 according to major Asian news organization Asiaone News. Fig 1: Singapore Tourist Levels per Country 2009-2011| Country or territory| 2009Tourists (ea)| 2010Tourists (ea)| 2011Tourists (ea)|   Germany| 183,681| 209,231| 219,952| Taiwan| 156,761| 191,173| 238,488| Vietnam| 265,414| 322,853| 332,231| South Korea| 271,987| 360,673| 414,879| United States| 370,704| 416,990| 440,576| United Kingdom| 469,756| 461,714| 442,611| Hong Kong| 294,420| 387,552| 464,375| Thailand| 317,905| 430,022| 472,708| Japan| 489,987| 528,817| 656,417| Philippines| 432,072| 544,344| 677,723| India| 725,624| 828,903| 868,991| Australia| 830,299| 880,486| 956,039| Malaysia| 764,309| 1,036,918| 1,140,935| China| 936,747| 1,171,337| 1,577,522| Indonesia| 1,745,330| 2,305,149| 2,592,222| *Data Source – Singapore Tourism Board 2012| Singapore attributes much of its growth to improvements in infrastructure and air connectivity. Investments in port access, roadways and air space have streamlined the movement of people and products throughout Singapore. The government has also invested heavily in railway for its MRTS which moves an average of 2. 4 million people per day (Wikipedia, 2012). Furthermore, developments in telecommunications have helped to improve information accessibility, which has improved the ease of travel for both business travelers and tourists. In the year 2000, Singapore’s government decided to liberalize its telecommunications sector. Previously, two companies controlled the entire telecommunications industry. In an effort to encourage global competitiveness, the government compensated the two companies, and opened the floodgates of telecommunication competition. Allowing market forces to drive this sector resulted in a revolution of progressive technology which has solidified Singapore’s current position as a technological hub. So why is Singapore growing increasingly popular as a â€Å"must visit† international destination for tourists? Many economists note the business friendly environment which has attracted top-tier investors from around the world. This environment has produced a cosmopolitan culture of engineering, art, food and music. Noting official languages of English, Malay, and Chinese, many international visitors also find it easy to communicate. Singapore’s government realized the unique opportunity for its tourism industry long ago, and developed the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in 1964 to facilitate and develop its tourist activities. According to the STB, sightseeing and entertainment represented the largest spend for tourists in 2009 (see figure 2). Given its rich history of tourism, Singapore has developed many attractions over the years. Visitors can tour museums of contemporary art, explore Singaporean history, walk its pristine botanical gardens, and experience its science centers and exotic zoos. But some of the most impressive attractions have been developed in the past decade. The Marina Bay Sands Resort is a contemporary architectural masterpiece which opened in 2010, and holds the record as the most expensive casino property in the world at $8 billion (Wikipedia,2012). Fig 2: Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay has 250 acres of reclaimed land which holds state-of-the-art conservatories, horticulture themed gardens, flower markets, and massive â€Å"supertrees† which stand 82 feet high and house countless exotic ferns and plants. These artificial trees were aesthetically constructed with tourists in mind, and illuminate the park at night with spectacular LED displays. Singapore also has its own Universal Studios which opened to the public in 2009. This â€Å"Hollywood themed† amusement park attracts visitors from around the globe, and is popular with western tourists who find comfort in its familiarity. Tourist attractions are big business in Singapore, and the STB works to ensure that there is no shortage of entertainment. Another tourist attraction is Singapore’s annual Grand Prix motor racing, which has generated significant revenue for Singapore’s growing economy. Auto racing has been a significant part of Singapore’s history since the 1960’s, and in 2007 the STB signed a contract to bring Formula 1 racing to Singapore. According to Wikipedia, 110,000 tickets were made available for the first race, and the event quickly sold out filling every seat in the newly constructed raceway. This international event has since gained popularity as a premier racing competition. The Grand Prix weekend event generated over $200 million in overall local revenue in 2011. Areas of Opportunity and Risk: Future development: As previously detailed, Singapore is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The connectivity of the country is vital to increasing competitiveness. Toward this end, one of the future plans for infrastructural development is the expansion of its MRTS, in an effort to connect all geographical areas in the country (GuideMeSingapore. com, 2012). Since, Singapore has slowly become a regional hub for petroleum production and exploration and a tourist destination, the MRTS is aimed at providing a reliable, fast and cheap transportation of people and goods around the country. As previously discussed, communication facilities, particularly the telecommunications, have fueled growth in most parts of the country. Future plans related to communication include opening up most parts of the country by investing in the telecommunication sector. Satellite systems and submarine cables are projected to reach most parts of the country by 2014 to enhance geographic development. Other future developments plans include the transformation of the city into an exciting and buzz place by illuminating all areas with LED lights. The objective is to attract more tourists to the ity (GuideMeSingapore. com, 2012). The major areas of the city targeted for this transformation include Singapore River, Orchard Road, Marina Bay and the whole of the Central Business District. The projected number of tourists by 2015 is expected to reach 18 million (from 13 million in 2011). Hence, future plans include improving current tourist attractions. Funding/Investment: With its fast growing economy, Singapore is considered an important investment destination as compared to many countries in the world. Singapore has numerous funding opportunities for investors ranging from traditional banks to the grants provided by the government for investment purposes. Institutional support for both private and public funding is encouraged in Singapore. Funding opportunities are provided both to foreign and local investors. With the wide range of funding and financing opportunities, numerous investment opportunities are available in Singapore. As previously mentioned, one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy is the tourism industry. This sector provides numerous investment opportunities; particularly investments in tourist handling facilities such as guest houses, leisure resorts and hotels as well as investment in transportation facilities. Oil production and exploration is another area of opportunity. With the rising demand for cheap gas and oil products in Singapore, oil exploration is an important investment opportunity for multi-national corporations dealing with onshore oil exploration activities. Other opportunities include investment in the financial sector such as providing financial services and trading in the stock market. Political Stability: While political stability is an area of risk in many countries of the world, it is an area of opportunity in Singapore. Singapore is ranked first as the most politically stable country in the Asian region (GuideMeSingapore. com, 2012). The political structure in Singapore makes the county an area of opportunity since the countries major sectors are not governed through political appointments. Important sectors of the economy are governed by bureaucrats. This means that performance, skills and loyalty to the policies of the nation qualify one to be appointed in any office in the country. Further, the dynamic nature of the country’s population contributes immensely to its political stability. The country has a multi-religious and multi-racial character where providing fair chances for all in terms of health, education and investment opportunities continues to maintain economic balance (GuideMeSingapore. com, 2012). Hence, Singapore’s political system is an area of opportunity rather than an area of risk. This is further investment incentive for U. S. MNE’s. Security of tourists: Singapore has a well-organized security system. The Internal security organ of the government is bestowed with the responsibility of ensuring the security of both local and foreign nationals. Hence, tourists are accorded utmost security by both private and government forces and protected from any instances of hate or racial utterances. Tourist sites and facilities are guarded by national law enforcement authorities to ensure that tourists move freely without threats to their security (Ramesh, 2010). Singapore was recently noted as the number one â€Å"Ultra-Safe Destination† by Opentravel. com; which boasted its crime rates as the lowest in Asia. Hence, security of tourists is a major area of opportunity in Singapore. Financial Stability: The country’s projected revenue is expected to hit more than $40 billion according to the 2011 estimates. Expenditures are estimated at $35 billion leaving a trade surplus of more than 5 billion. In this regard, Singapore boasts of trade surplus rather than trade deficit. This means that the country is economically stable and it has stable resources for purchase of capital goods for the development of the country. The economic growth rate is an important indicator of the country’s economy. The projected economic growth rate is expected to hit more than 7. 5% by the end of 2012. With sound financial stability, international investors can have confidence in their expected return on investment. The tourism industry has seen similar growth in recent years (see Fig 3). Fig 3: Challenges for US Business in Singapore’s Tourism Industry: The STB is the countries’ leading economic development agency for tourism, and most opportunities for U. S. partnership in the tourism industry would be facilitated through this organization. The United States is a primary marketing point for the STB; which maintains office-space in both New York and Los Angeles. The government of Singapore prefers to use local firms to combine tourism with the ethnic lifestyles of Singapore. One concern for US firms who are considering opportunities in Singapore is the growing pressure of protectivism in its local culture. This is also a challenge for the STB who is aggressively recruiting visitors. The STB does work to promote local heritage, but it also strives to develop global tourism demand which often requires deviation from traditional culture. For example, Singapore’s theater district regularly presents western musicals and dramas to satisfy western audiences. This is an area of opportunity for U. S. based organizations who wish to get in on Singapore’s booming tourism industry, but a legislative recent push to protect local heritage is prioritizing eastern values and culture. Singapore also relies on international investors and engineers to develop new world-class attractions. For example the Singapore Flyer, a 42 story high Ferris wheel located on Singapore’s southeastern tip, was designed by German engineers. Also, the design for its world famous Garden by the Bay Park was decided by an international competition which attracted more than 170 firms from 24 countries. The final design was awarded to two firms: Grant Associates from New York, and Gustafson Porter from London (Wikipedia, 2012). Another barrier to US business is the overwhelming Asian influence in Singapore. As previously stated, the majority of foreign tourists come from Asia (Japan 36%, Philippines 34% and China 31% – 2011). This is partially due to Asian airlines that have drastically reduced their airfares in an effort to encourage Singapore tourism. Collaborations of these Asian countries not only ensure that there is stability in Singapore’s tourism industry, but they also make it difficult for other countries to penetrate the market. Singapore is known for its â€Å"pro-business† culture, and in most cases it encourages international investment. Tourism, however, is a unique industry and the government is not as interested in incentivizing foreign tourism investment as it used to be. Some of the biggest challenge for U. S. firms and investors in Singapore’s tourism industry include: limited opportunity, competition, and government control. International firms are fighting to penetrate Singapore’s $20 billion tourism industry. The opportunity for substantial profit is attracting top-tier entertainment, culinary, construction, and engineering companies. However, Singapore is eographically small and well developed at this point. The STB is selecting from a pool of innovative firms when developing new p rojects and their preference to promote local firms is increasingly evident. This business environment is incredibly competitive, and the STB tends to award local firms when given the choice. One strategy for U. S. companies is to provide innovative proposals which cannot be easily replicated. U. S. based firms can also develop collaborative relationships or joint ventures with Singaporean organizations to gain a competitive edge. Country Environment Analysis Summation: The tourism industry in Singapore appears to have a lot of promise. Its diversity offers tourists a rich cultural experience while still allowing ease of the communication and transit. It also boosts a low crime rate, an increasing number of attractions, and stable political and economic environment. Those wanting to invest in Singapore’s tourism industry through the construction of resorts and hotels will be welcomed by Singapore’s traditionally pro-business policies but potentially discouraged by its recent push towards protectivism. One thing is certain, the tourism industry in Singapore is booming, and the potential for growth is attracting the most innovative firms in the game. Works Cited: AsiaOne. com. 2012. http://www. asiaone. om/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Singapore. html Chong, T. (2010). Management of Success: Singapore Revisited. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian. GuideMeSingapore. com. 2012. Why choose Singapore? Available from http://www. guidemesingapore. com/incorporation/introduction/singapore-incorporation-advan tages Retrieved on 10th November 2012. GuideMeSingapore. com. 2012. Introduction to Singapore’s political system. http://www. guidemesingapore. com/relocation/introduction/singapores-political-system. Retrieved on 10th November 2012. Janus Research Reports -Doing Business in Singapore vs USA – http://www. guidemesingapore. com/research-reports/usa/doing-business-singapore-usa Ramesh, S. (2010). â€Å"Government goal is to ensure all citizens enjoy fruits of growth: PM Lee† Channel News Asia (Singapore) Mahtani, S Raghuvanshi, G. , (2012) Singapore Restricts Foreigners web: http://online. wsj. com/article/SB10001424052702303567704577518591429808110. html MTI (Ministry of Trade and Industry) Singapore (2012) web http://www. mti. gov. sg/Pages/home. aspx MediaCorp Pte Ltd (2011). Singapore’s population reaches 5. 1 million. Retrieved from http://www. channelnewsasia. com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1155998/1/. html Ministry of Trade and Industry – Economic Survey of Singapore First Quarter 2012 http://www. mti. gov. g/ResearchRoom/SiteAssets/Pages/Economic-Survey-of-Singapore-First-Quarter-2012/Ch1_1Q12. pdf OpenTravel. com. 2010. http://opentravel. com/blogs/top-ten-ultra-safe-destinations-to-travel/ Shibani Mahtani and Gaurav Raghuvanshi – WSJ – 06/101/2012 – Singapore Restricts Foreigners – http://onli ne. wsj. com/article/SB1000142405270230356770457751 8591429808110. html Wikipedia. com (2012). http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Mass_Rapid_Transit_(Singapore) http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Singapore_Tourism_Board http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Gardens_by_the_Bay http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Tourism_in_singapore How to cite Country Environment Analysis – Singapore, Papers

Treatment In Smokers Serious Mental Illness -Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Treatment In Smokers Serious Mental Illness? Answer: Introduction One of the biggest issues that are faced in the community is the tobacco use disorder. Tobacco use disorder is diagnosed in individual when they become increasingly dependent on nicotine found in tobacco. Nicotine in tobacco is a psychoactive drug that affects the central nervous system and acts as a stimulant. The addictive nature of this chemical is seen to include drug reinforcing behavior that associates with obsessive use, reoccurring use after abstaining from it as well as physical dependence on it. A number of health risks remain associated with tobacco use disorders. This includes cancer of the mouth, throat, lung, esophagus and others. It also exposes individuals to emphysema, chronic bronchitis, heart disease and stroke. It also involves upper respiratory functions, gum diseases, tooth decay, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders and roughness of voice (Evins, Cather and Laffer 2015). All these result in suffering of the people for chronic disorders and hence poor quality life. Public health is the domain that can be adopted by individuals as a profession who want to serve and care for the greater good of the people. There is an urgent need to create awareness among the people of the communitiy. It is important for the community residences to understand the harm they will bring on themselves and on their future generation by their risky behavior of tobacco smoking. Public health study will help in conducting social analysis to indentify the statistics of people engaged with such disorder in the community. Depending on the lifestyles and habits, public health study will help in establishing health promotion campaigns in the community that will involve all individuals (Luke et al. 2014). By following one of the models like ecological models, health belief model, relapse prevention model, stages of change model, social cognitive model and others, individuals can successfully help in establishing health promotion strategies. They would help in increasing the he alth literacy of the people of the community which would prevent people from engaging themselves in such habits. References: Evins, A.E., Cather, C. and Laffer, A., 2015. Treatment of tobacco use disorders in smokers with serious mental illness: toward clinical best practices.Harvard review of psychiatry,23(2), p.90. Luke, D.A., Calhoun, A., Robichaux, C.B., Elliott, M.B. and Moreland-Russell, S., 2014. Peer Reviewed: The Program Sustainability Assessment Tool: A New Instrument for Public Health Programs.Preventing Chronic Disease,11.

WalMart and its Criticism

Introduction In recent years, Wal Mart has come under intense criticisms. Its major critics have been Christian groups and labor organizations in relation to the company’s practices. In the long run, the company has ended having bad public relations. This is a matter of concern to the management. As a matter of fact, there are various issues that need to be looked at for sustainability.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on WalMart and its Criticism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Bad public relations affect the company’s performance in various ways. Although there might be some misconceptions in relation to the company’s policies, there is need to ensure that such issues are clearly addressed. This will make it easy for various stakeholders to understand the company’s position in a better way. Discussion Criticisms In recent years, several labor unions have argued that the company does not allow its workers/employees to become their members (Frank 5). They have further implied that Wal Mart has a very strict anti-union stance. This means that workers cannot join trade unions without any victimization. For instance, in 2005, the company was negatively portrayed by labor unions through media campaigns (Kabel 7). An example of such negative media campaigns is the Wal-Mart Watch advert. This advert was sponsored by the service employees union (Kabel 12). In addition, there was the wake up Wal- Mart advert by the food and commercial union. Wal-Mart has also been criticized for locking night shift workers in the shopping malls. This case was compounded by an employee who waited for hours before he could get any help after crushing an ankle (Frank 15). The worker could not get any medical attention because all the exits were locked. Various organizations have argued that this is the cheapest practice that the company has ever engaged in as far as risk management is concerne d (Stilgoe 32). Furthermore, this is a very draconian working environment. Wal- Mart is being accused of paying its employees low and unacceptable wages. Most people believe that the company is getting away with such a practice and this is unacceptable. Although these payments are above the poverty levels, the company is being pressurized to at least increase its wages. Because of this, the company’s competitors and other organizations are saying that there is an impact to workers wages when it enters a given market. In this case, the company can displace other high wage retail jobs. This therefore becomes an economic loss to most workers. In addition, disposable income is greatly affected and this reduces their purchasing power. On the other hand, the company reduces a country’s employment by 2.7% (Meekel 16). This is in relation to its store openings as far as retail employment is concerned.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we ca n help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These critics have further implied that Wal- Marts entry to a given market makes other retailers to change their wage policies and practices. In this case, it depresses wages and salaries. In addition, the company is believed to displace good and better paying jobs. Jobs that have been eliminated pay 18% more than what the company offers in a metropolitan area. Generally, merchandising workers wages are reduced by more than 0.8 % (Meekel 24). Wal- Mart is also being accused of exposing employees to dangerous health hazards. This means that employees are subjected to poor working conditions. According to them (critics), the company is big enough to ensure that health standards and practices are adhered to (Barbaro 19). To push their case forward, they have made reference to the company’s reports that attest to the fact that it has extensive health problems in its directly sourced factories. Apart from these argu ments and accusations; there is a feeling that Wal- Marts entry in a given market hurts small businesses. This is because; there is a reduction in net employment more so by small retailers. As a matter of fact, this increases the chances of job destruction in case there is an exit from the market. From the Wake- up Wal- Mart media campaign, the company has been accused of making taxpayers to suffer because of its poor pay and low wages (Barbaro 34). This means that public assistance as a result of the company’s policies makes different states to lose a lot of money. Various communities feel that the company does not consult them in their expansion programs. In this case, they argue that Wal- Mart builds various stores in different towns without involving to residents (Barbaro 41). The company is also facing various gender and sexual orientation law suits. It is alleged that female employees are discriminated against as far as promotions and pay are concerned. This is a very b ig law suit considering that the company employs more than 1.5 million women (Stilgoe 23). The company has received various grievances in relation to employee-employer relationships. There is an unfavorable relationship that makes it hard for employees to carry out their duties more effectively. This affects their productivity and ability to become more creative and innovative (Barbaro 19). Recommendations All these arguments and accusations have in one way or the other affected the company’s public relations. As a matter of fact, the company needs to rectify the bad public relations it has received. In addition, they can still turn this public relations mess into a more positive public image. As much as the company has launched an effective media campaign, working families for Wal- Mart, it needs to intensify such campaigns to correct its image. This will give it an opportunity to tell its own side of the story (Sellers 21).Advertising We will write a custom essay sampl e on WalMart and its Criticism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In this case, people will be able to understand what is going on in the company instead of reading stories from the media. There should be more intensive counter criticisms through effective public relations. As a matter of fact, the company has a PR website, walmartfacts.com, which needs to be made more effective. Through this website, the company can be able to engage various stakeholders and come up with the best way forward. Wal- Mart needs to engage the services of a competent PR firm that will interact with stakeholders on a personal level. This will give them a chance to express themselves in relation to the company’s policies. In addition, the company will be able to explain these concerns before they are taken advantage of by its critics. As far as the company’s health standards and working conditions are concerned, they can invite people to visit i ts headquarters and stores. This will enable the company to interact well with various parties and come up with a solution to such a problem. The company needs to come up with good health coverage plans that will cover more employees (Basker 9). These plans should be well marketed and publicized to attract more employees and ensure that they are taken care of. This will correct the bad public relations that it has received in relation to health standards. Online interaction should also be enhanced to improve its relations with shoppers and customers. This will enable the company to get rid of any misconceptions in advance. Because it has been hurt by bad public relations, the company should increase its public relations and media team. This will ensure that any concerns and bad public relations are attended to without straining its existing team. In the long run, it will attract the best talent in public relations and improve its image (Basker 27). Through these recommendations, the company will be in a better position to improve its bad public relations for sustainability. This is because bad public relations can affect its business and market position. Conclusion Bad public relations affect the company’s performance in various ways. Although there might be some misconceptions in relation to the companies policies, there is need to ensure that such issues are clearly addressed. This will make it easy for various stakeholders to understand the company’s position in a better way. All these arguments and accusations have in one way or the other affected its public relations. As a matter of fact, the company needs to rectify the bad public relations it has received. In addition, they can still turn this public relations mess into a more positive public image. As much as the company has launched an effective media campaign, working families for Wal- Mart, it needs to intensify such campaigns to correct its image. This will give it an opportunity to t ell its own side of the story.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Works Cited Barbaro, M. It’s not Only about Price at Wal-Mart. New York: The New York Times, 2007. Basker, E. Job Creation or Destruction? Labor-Market Effects of Wal-Mart Expansion. Missouri: University of Missouri, 2002. Print. Frank, T.A. A Brief History of Wal-Mart. The Washington Monthly, 2006. Kabel, M. Wal-Mart, Critics Slam Each Other on Web. Washington: The Washington  Post, 2006. Meekel, D. Wal-Mart Flacks Detail Plan – Again. Lebanon Daily News, 2005. Print. Sellers, J. Deliver Us from Wal-Mart? Christianity Today, 2007. Stilgoe, J. Wal-Mart Giant Can Be Tamed. The Boston Globe, 2006. This essay on WalMart and its Criticism was written and submitted by user Warm Lynx to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

5 Guaranteed Strategies to Getting a Raise

5 Guaranteed Strategies to Getting a Raise You know this is your moment. You’ve bided your time, minded your Ps and Qs, and you’re just waiting for your boss to realize and recognize all your hard work with the raise that you so richly deserve. The trouble is, you’re realizing that you might have to actually prompt him or her for it. Here are five  things to consider when you think it’s time to ask about getting a raise and you want your boss to  up your compensation. Remember: it’s easy as ABCA: Achievement. Show your value, what you’ve done for the company, your excellent performance. B: Brand. Yours and the company’s, and how they fit together, how you are invaluable to the company and everybody knows it. And, C: Campaign. Have as much support as possible. If your colleagues think you deserve a raise, chances are your boss will too.Look to the futureIt’s all well and good to say: here’s what I’ve done for you so far. But go the extra mile and show wh at you still have in you to do, and why that should be worth more to your boss. Make your ongoing personal career development crucial and connected to the development of your company. And keep the conversation on the great things you can achieve working together.Be preparedThat said, it’s also important to have a clear outline of what you have achieved, and what your accomplishments have been so far. Show your boss that you’ve consistently gone above and beyond your job and salary parameters, and have gotten the results. Be prepared also to make your case and still not get the answer you are looking for.Do your homeworkDon’t go in there asking for a 25% pay bump when you know the company is making cuts and no one has gotten more than a 5% raise in the past five years. Do know your value, based on what you’ve done and how you’re situated to do even more. Be realistic about what you can ask for in the current climate of your company. Have a precise a nd reasonable range in mind. Your boss will appreciate this level of attention to what’s possible, and your ability to compromise.Be confidentDo so even if you don’t get the raise. If you’ve done the necessary preparation and have a clear picture of your worth and achievements in your head, it’s still cause to celebrate. It means you and your boss know exactly what you’re worth. This doesn’t mean be arrogant, but do enjoy the new perspective on your unique position and worth within the company.

Free sample - Why I want to be a Doctor. translation missing

Why I want to be a Doctor. Why I want to be a DoctorBecoming a successful doctor and touching on the lives of many people seems to be my main objective in life. The drive towards this course in life is derived from a number of factors that are worth mentioning at this point. First, my past experience as a child spells clearly on the reasons why I want to become a doctor with specialization in gynecology. The passion for helping other people started early in life when I was still a child. Playing as a doctor was my favorite during those early childhood pleasures and I always enjoyed handling my play patients who were friends, animals and dolls with a lot of love and tenderness. I was also good in handling pregnant women and babies because they seemed to be very delicate and deserving a lot of care. I always had a strong feeling that I could heel my patients because I understood what they were going through. Naturally I  Ã‚   have a liking for life on earth be it for animals or humans; and I would do anything to protect it. I believe that I can make important contributions towards improving the health and medical services of other people in the society. Secondly my personal experiences have also provided impetus in my desire to pursue a medical profession. My own blood brother suffered severe migraines that really affected his early life. He was forced to spend weeks in a darkened room and almost gave up with education. This particular experience really broke my heart as I just wished to bring him back to his normal life. Personal touch with babies in hospitals during medical tours and other events have really influenced my attitude towards sick babies. I have had a baby cousin who suffered from neuroblastoma cancer during infantry and it really broke my heart. The problem started as a lump in her spine that was later diagnosed as a cancer. The cancer culminated into a paralysis on the lower waist. The paralysis had a great impact on her   as evidenced by the walking difficulties she encountered later on. The picture of her on the hospital bed with artificial tubes touched my life and triggered my passion to assist such cases. At local and national hospitals I have participated in future Doctor programs. The tours in these facilities have provided hand-on experience with operations and equipments that have shaped my curiosity to learn more. Successful Doctors have also encouraged me to follow the medical path in the course of our interactions in the hospitals. A terrible first encounter as an ob/gyn has always motivated me into making a difference in the medical profession. This particularly concerns Doctors who had weak skills and showed no empathy to patients. In light of this unfortunate incidence, I have vowed to be different and make good connections with people in the course of helping to address their medical challenges. In my professional career I have a desire to bring significant changes in the provision of medicare for pregnant women and babies. As already indicated these people are delicate and deserve the best care. Reducing mortality rates of infants in my country would be part of my strategy in my medical profession. Cases of negligence and lack of empathy amongst some doctors have really disheartened me and I am really determined to be more caring compassionate in bringing great care to mothers and babies. I have a strong conviction that such an accomplishment would bring meaning not only to me but to other people in the society. By recognizing the innocence in babies and participating in welcoming them to the world I would make important contributions to our future generations. Skills and knowledge acquired in the course of studying medicine would eventually trickle down to the entire society with the practice of the profession in various health facilities. Given the opportunity I would put in all my efforts and leave a legacy that would remain in the minds of many for the rest of their lives. Finally it is important to re affirm that I have a strong calling to pursue this cause so as to help other people and bring change in the society in terms of infant and maternity care. This dream can only be actualized if I am granted the opportunity to study for the course in your institution.

International Acoounting theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

International Acoounting theory - Essay Example The process of cutting down disparities among national accounting regulations, also referred to as the process of harmonization, has undoubtedly made steps forward since profound work began on it as freshly as 1967. Taking into account the dissimilarities that are present between the accounting goals of nations at various levels of progress and with various legal structures, possibly the astonishing thing is that any development at all has been accomplished in such short notice (McCarthy 2003). There are several theoretical assumptions of categorizing countries when taking into account their accounting requirements. One apparent difference is between the democracies and the authoritarian administrations that govern a great portion of the world. This difference does not match up efficiently to a partition between free enterprise and centrally regulated economies, because there are democracies such in the case of India with a considerable section of the economy in the control of state-owned and state-regulated enterprises, and there are those countries which are communist such as Hungary and Yugoslavia that leave capacity for a number of free enterprise (Solomons 1986). The relevance of this difference for financial accounting depends in the contribution of private investors as well as the capital market. They will commonly be much more relevant in free enterprise economies, and financial accounting will function in the same way more important role in the allocation and dist ribution of scarce resources (ibid, 53). Another evident difference is between the industrialized nations of North America, Europe, Australia and Japan and developing nations of Asia and Africa. Once again, the distinction is one of scale rather than of type. Every country is developing or retrogressing, and accounting has its task to fulfil in that growth in all of them. Majority