Organizational Culture The Organizations Vision And Its...

Introduction Organisational culture, also known as corporate culture, encompasses the principles, backgrounds and views of all the employees of an organisation (Homburg Pflesser 2000 pp.449-462). This often provides each company with their unique corporate identity, as no two businesses or employees are the same. The idea of individuality leads to companies striving to achieve a ‘strong culture’, which involves the entire work cohort sharing consistent goals and motivations, in hopes of potentially garnering higher profit margins as there many advantages that come with a stronger culture. Such benefits include greater productivity levels, loyalty and the unity of all of an organisation’s employees. While having a ‘strong culture’ is†¦show more content†¦These aspects in turn influence commercial operations such as the communication between peers, clients and shareholders as well dictate how employees act and perform their work duties. Organisational cult ure tends to decrease ambiguity in the workplace as to how tasks should be conducted, as well as give each company their distinct individual identity (Tajfel Turner 1986 pp.7-24). Every business has their unique culture, which serves the purpose of providing standards and limitations for the behaviour that should be carried out while employed at the organisation (Calori Samin 1991 pp.49-74). Numerous aspects make up a businesses unique culture, such as behavioural practices, group norms, the promoted values of the company, as well as the mental models a company chooses to adopt. As time passes, a company forms behavioural uniformities in regards to how employees interact. The customs and traditions that are adapted and brought into the workplace, plus the practices used in dealing with certain situations, are what these behavioural uniformities encompass (Trice Beyer 1993 pp.84-87). Behavioural practices also generally influence group norms, which are the implied principles and values that develop when working in a group (Schein 2010 p.16). These then carry over to the whole of the company, which solidifies the adopted values of the corporation. These

Is Psychology a Science Essay - 1133 Words

The British Psychological Society states that ‘Psychology is the scientific study of people, the mind and behaviour’ (BPS). In this essay I will be discussing what is actually meant by this and whether psychology fits into both the traditional views of a science, as well as more contemporary perspectives. It is widely suggested that Psychology is a â€Å"coalition of specialities† meaning it is multi-disciplinary (Hewstone, Fincham and Foster 2005, page 4). I will therefore examine whether it could be considered wrong to think that all parts of the discipline should neatly fit into one view of a scientific approach. In order to be considered a science, Psychology must consequently adhere to using a scientific method. If this were, as usual,†¦show more content†¦Studies such as the afore mentioned Milgram study showed that what may appear to be the most expected outcome may, in truth, be very different. I would also go on to argue that in actuality all sci ences are some adaptation of common sense (Oppenheimer, 1956), leaving Psychology in this way, no different to any of the others. Ben Goldacre even argues that particular forms of science, such as neuroscience, regularly offer empirically incorrect research in reputable journals, claiming statistically significant results without the appropriate statistical tests (Guardian). Furthermore, there are three main aspects which were customarily associated with a science: metaphysical, theoretical and methodological assumptions. Under metaphysical it is believed that to gain scientific status requires the certainty that the subject matter i.e. human thought/ behaviour, is similar to that of other accepted sciences. This could then be true for Psychology, as particularly since Darwin’s suggestion of a continuity between behaviours of humans and other species, behaviour has become more scrutinised. However, this must be assumed in respect of determinism, suggesting predictions could b e made. ‘Heisenbergs uncertainty principle’ suggests that when relating evidence of indeterminism within the universe to human behaviour, it proves ambiguous, and with parts of the discipline believing strongly in free will it seems difficult to establish a common ground (Valentine E.R. page 2).Show MoreRelatedThe Science Of Psychology And Psychology2314 Words   |  10 PagesChapter 1: The Science of Psychology Downs, Martin. â€Å"Psychology vs. Psychiatry: Which is better?† WebMd.com. WebMD, Inc., 2005. Web. 30 Nov. 2014. The article is about the importance of psychology, the article is written by the Downs Martin in the year of 2005. This article is very much important and it is providing information about the psychology and about the psychiatrist. In the medical treatment the psychological is very useful and significant means of medical treatment. 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Our brain function allows us to have these reactions, along with many other things that make up a person. Their motivation, emotions, development, and personality are all products of the different functions andRead MoreP sychology Is The Science Of Natural Science1080 Words   |  5 PagesPsychology as the behaviorist views it is a purely objective experimental branch of natural science. Its theoretical goal is the prediction and control of behavior. Introspection forms no essential part of its methods, nor is the scientific value of its data dependent upon the readiness with which they lend themselves to interpretation in terms of consciousness -John B. 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Indians Of The United States Essay Example For Students

Indians Of The United States Essay Indians of the United StatesThere was a time long ago when there was no man in America, only animals. This was thousands of years before Columbus ever set eyes on America. What he saw was different; he saw a land populated from the north to the south. Due to the natural instinct of man to explore, the explorers just that to figure out the mysterious Indians. The explorers later theorized that the Indians came from Siberia through a land bridge in the Bering Strait during the time when the water levels were not high. They also realized that it was difficult to predict the times when things happened to the Indians since they did not keep written records. Then they figured out by use of imagination that the Indians crossed over the land bridge to Alaska finding wild game. And following rivers and bodies of water, they moved south covering most of America. Another evidence was found near the site of Folsom, New Mexico, which was an arrow points or dart point. Fossils found showed that they used these arrow points to hunt mammoths and other animals. We can only guess what the story of the Indians is based on evidence and the story they sketched out in cave walls. I found this book to be very interesting and useful due to the fact that it covers many aspects of the Indian culture and it covers many different tribes and groups of the Indians. Also this books spans many years, following the development of the Indians. Also, this book portrays the struggles and hardships of the Indians. Another reason why I chose this book was because it covered the group of my choice, the Zunis, in extensive detail.

Wallia Sports Company Business Platform

Introduction The initial stage of establishing a business and seeing it grow to a successful venture is very demanding and it requires surviving the initial startup hurdles. Successful startups have evaded many entrepreneurs and in the process, many of them have ended up closing shop after only a few years in operation.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Wallia Sports Company Business Platform specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is the reason why Klofsten developed an idea that would help startups self evaluate their progress and seize their business strength and chances of survival. Klofsten called this idea the Business Platform and argued that for any startup to survive, it must attain a business platform (Davidsson Klofsten 2003). Such a platform would help the businesses tackle and overcome startup vulnerabilities. Klofsten (1998) continues to explain that even though the business platform may not necessari ly guarantee survival of the business, its achievement is very crucial for the growth of a company. Therefore business platform is not the ultimate goal in any company’s development but is nonetheless vital for success (Bell Mason 1991). This platform can be used in new technology based small firms (NTSFs) as a tool to help them do a self- diagnosis on their developmental needs and strategies. It distinguishes between goals and tools for business growth (Yencken Gillin 2006). Therefore it is a very useful tool in evaluating Wallia Sports, a new technology based small firm dealing with sports technology, developmental needs and opportunities in the sports technology market. Wallia Sports Wallia sports in a company that deals with the development and marketing of sports technologies and goods such as the digital tachometer. This is a new invention for use with modern gym equipment or rowing boats. The other product that Wallia sports have developed is the stepometer, a device designed for use by amateur runners. The company is owned by Digitech and a few other stakeholders, with Digitech holding the majority shares and control. The company was established after an extensive market survey on the necessity for its products. The investors contributed a lot of capital during the years of operation of the company. However, there were no commensurate returns with the company registering a partly  £62,000 return on its fourth year after establishment despite a  £625,000 initial capital injection. Eventually the company folded due to a number of reasons, most of which can be summarized using Klofsten’s business platform model Wallia Sport strengths for growth Despite the fact that the company did not grow to its full potential, it had several growth opportunities. Davidson and Klofsten (2003) argue that any successful start up must have the relevant and fully qualified staffs to help the company develop products and services that are relevant to the market.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As a result, the staff helps the company attain market competency. Such staff must not only have the relevant academic qualification and credentials but also the relevant experience and skills. Lack of business skills among the staff is a big impediment for the company’s growth (Davis, Vladica Berkowitz 2008). In its attainment of a business platform, Wallia Sports assembled a versatile team of experts in all fields who had the necessary qualifications in both academia and business skills. They had vast experience in the field of sports technology management as well as in starting up of new businesses. Furthermore the team complemented each other in terms of knowledge. The company’s experience was drawn from both individual and corporate background such as Digitech (founding firm) and Venture Capital in starting and run ning small business. The board of management which had vast knowledge and experience in marketing was also included, as well as a host of other individuals with diverse knowledge and business experience. This rich base of knowledge and expertise set the company up for effective competition with its peers in the sports technology market. At inception, Wallia Sports had a very rich source of equity and capital for investment. Ability to access investment capital means that the company was ready for investment. The investment readiness of the company had the potential to attract credible investors (Mason Harrison 2004). Several firms, such as European venture, capital companies, Digitech, Anglo Sports Retail and a US Investment Fund injected capital in excess of  £625,000 over the first three years of existence. Such investment readiness was also boasted by the fact that the company had the relevant expertise in human personnel. The company also had a very strong driving force in th e early stages of its existence. The founders not only had a strong desire to create employment but also were driven by the need to create and build a successful company. That is why the company hired experienced and qualified staff and equity partners. Digitech also made consistent efforts to create a successful business and was committed to the company’s present and future growth. Moreover, the company felt the need to develop more than one income generating opportunity (Yenckin Gillian 2006; Klofsten 1998).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Wallia Sports Company Business Platform specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company thus developed two sports technology equipment, the tachometer and stepometer. Everyone at the company including the capital investors, management board and industrial firms, was committed to making the company a successful business venture with keen attention to future prospects. E quity holders had made significant in investment capital and were interested in making sufficient returns on their investment. The organization had taken the necessary steps towards conducting market research for its products with the intention of commercializing them. The idea was to develop products that had a niche over the competing products in the market (Klofsten 1998; Hindle Yenckin 2004). The tachometer was a revolution and the newest sports technologies application to rowing. The researchers and judges from the University of Oxford found out the product had very unique technological advantages that would have made the commercialization of the product a worthwhile venture. In order to ensure that the products were commercially viable the company invested a lot of money and time in market research before rolling out the business. The company had also aimed at achieving a business platform by taking the necessary steps towards establishing and marking out potential customers and market niche. This is achieved through several steps. They include gathering information through research. The resultant market intelligence generates valuable insight into potential market and possible competition. Other than this the organization should be supplied with the relevant personnel experts in sales and marketing as well as experienced leadership (Yenckien Gillian; Klofsten 1998). In addition, a clear and profitable market niche for products and services had to be identified. This also includes qualifying the market potential and creating contacts with the market (Klofste 1998). As such, the company had included some of the most competent marketers as part of the board of directors’ team. After a thorough market research, Wallia Sports identified a potential market in TechnoGym and Puma, two large corporations that would have given the company a large customer base. The company also calculated sales for its two products and the results were impressive. Market intelligence for the company comes from its own internally conducted research and supplemented by market intelligence from the inventors and researchers of the two products at the University of Oxford. The company has achieved the four main elements of competitiveness. The four are qualified experienced human capital, a founder (Digitech) who had the management knowledge in this business, vast industry knowledge by the founder on the industry and the ability to attract capital from potential and experienced investors and equity firms (Gummesson 2002; Westhead, Wright Ucbasaran 2001).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On these four variables the company attained a commendable score on achieving a business platform for sustainable growth and competitiveness in the sports technology market and as such had a very good opportunity for growth. Wallia business development needs and opportunities The company had made the expected progress in the first years of existence. Despite the fact that the company had achieved commendable business plat form then, it still ended up winding up ten years after it was established. This is due to a number of potential opportunities for growth and development that the company had but did not utilize. Some of the weaknesses occurred in product development, relations establishment, and company management and ownership which led the company to lose focus. There are other opportunities that influence a company’s strategy which in turn has an effect on a company’s organizational structure (Williamson 1984). Williamson further notes that there is a difference i n ownership and management structures between large firms and small firms especially startups. In the small firms ownership and management are rarely separated while in large corporations the management is distanced from ownership. This is due to the complexities that arise from these two issues. Business ownership and management affects to a large extent other variables such as business objectives, the overall business practices, and marketing of products. The reason for the success of big corporations is their ability to separate the two (Beaver 2003). The genesis of Wallia Sports had been its inability to separate management and ownership. The company was owned and management by its majority shareholders, led by Digitech its founder. It also had successive changes in equity holders and managers for the short period it existed and as such the company did not achieve operational consistency. The management and ownership structure led to several disagreements over the running of the company. This resulted in several equity holders, investors, managers and relationship officers to walk out before any meaningful gain was made on business. Other than management and ownership vulnerabilities, the company failed to establish a credible business platform in relation to both the internal and external partners. For successful growth and development a company must establish sufficient relationship with customers (Klofsten 1998). Maintaining worthy relationships has a long- term positive effect and helps a firm plan and eliminates the risk of running out of business (Gummesson 2002). Out of the eight relationships that Wallia sport created none of them was customer oriented. As such the company did not have a direct contact with the clients, a major shortcoming in its growth strategy. The firm did not also go beyond defining the potential users. The only worthy relationship the company created was with financiers and this kind of relationship does not address growth and development issues (Westhead, Wright Ucbasaran 2001) Wallia Sports set out to market two distinct products, which had the potential for commercialization. The two products were the company’s main focus for the entire duration of its existence. For a company to attain a business platform it must develop prototypes of products and services, test them against the market and make sure that the products meets customer approval before commercialization (Klofsten 1998; Klofsten 2005). Wallia’s weakness is that it started to market a product that it had not tasted on potential users. There was no prototype of the tachometer and the stepometer up until the ninth year and by then, the company was beyond redemption. Therefore the firm did not have a finished product for sale. As such the products were met with a lot of customer dissatisfaction. Conclusion The company had very good opportunities for growth and development from the onset. It had attained a considerable level of b usiness platform by way of achieving the four valuable elements of profitable establishment: human capital, market and industry knowledge, committed founder and the ability to attract capital. These were significant milestones for the company. However there are other opportunities that the company encountered but the firm failed to recognize these opportunities. The firm had an opportunity to create valuable customer relationships with clients for profitable growth but did not. Instead of the company developing prototypes of its products, it ended up marketing products that ha not been tested on market suitability. This led to low sales and eventual collapse. As such the company did not utilize opportunities available to attain full business platform, which would have helped it to survive. Reference List Beaver, G., 2003. Management and the small firm. Strategic Change, Vol. 12, pp.  63 – 68. Bell, C., Mason, H., 1991. A method to diagnose high tech venture. Technology man agement: the new international language. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley. Davidsson, P., Klofsten, M., 2003. The business platform: developing an instrument to gauge and to assist the development young firms. Journal of business  management, Vol. 41,  No. 1, January 2003 , pp. 1-26. Davis, C., Vladica, F., Berkowitz, I., 2008. Business capabilities of small entrepreneurial media firms: independent production of children’s television in Canada. Journal of media and business studies. Web. Available from www.jombs.com/files/2008512.pdf . Gummesson, E., 2002. The new marketing- Developing long-term interactive relationships. Long range planning, Vol. 20, No. 4, pp 10-20 Hindle, K., Yencken, J., 2004. Public research, commercialism, entrepreneurship and new technology based firm: an integrated model. Technovation, Vol. 24, pp. 793 – 803 Klofsten, M. 2005. New venture ideas: an analysis of their origin and early development. Technology analysis and strategic management. J ournal of Technology Analysis and  Strategic Management, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 105–119. Klosten, M., 1998. The business platform entrepreneurship and management in the early stages of a firm’s development. Technovation, Vol. 24, No. 10, pp. 793-803. Mason, C., Harriso, R., 2004. Improving access to early stage venture capital in regional economies: a new approach to investment readiness. The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit, Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 159-173 Yencken, J., Gillin, M., 2006. The Klofesten business platform as a self diagnostic tool for new technology based small firms. Paper for HTSF conference 2006. Web. Available from www.utwente.nl/mb/nikos/archief/htsf2006/papers/yenckenetal.pdf . Westhead, P. Wright, M. and Ucbasaran, D. 2001. The internationalization of new and small firms: A resource-based view. Journal of Business Venturing, Vol. 16, No. 4. Williamson, J., 1984, The Leader-manager. London: John Wiley and Sons This report on Wallia Sports Company Business Platform was written and submitted by user Myst1que to help you with your own studies. 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