Essay about The Jungle is Upton Sinclair - 1405 Words

The Jungle is Upton Sinclair’s novel that narrates the tragedy of Jurgis Rudkus and his family, Lithuanian immigrants who travel to America to work in Chicago’s meatpacking plants. It is a grim story of suffering and hardship. This family undergoes considerable difficulties that vary from the appalling and unsafe working conditions, to poverty and starvation, in addition to merciless businessmen who extort their money as well as dishonest politicians who generate laws that permit the existence of such scandal. Furthermore, the narrative traces Jurgis’ transformation when he meets the new political and economic system of socialism. The novel also uncovers, in one of its parts, the sickening and disgusting methods of the meat processing†¦show more content†¦The increase of the family’s living costs obliged both Ona and Stanislovas, one of Teta Elzbieta’s young children, to work. However, jobs in Packingtown entail a very exhausting labor, bec ause it is carried out in dangerous conditions without any care for individual workers. Yet, the packinghouses are filthy and unhealthy places where every part of the animal is exploited for the sake of profit. Moreover, marking moldy meat as good for consumption and sending it out for sale is regarded as a common practice. Many of the old or rotten pieces of animals are sold, and even the waste from drainage is thrown into the pile of meat destined to be canned or made into sausage. In some of the factories, even dead rats are added to the meat. The workers do not worry and the factory bosses allow themselves to do whatever they can to speed up the production of the meat. In addition, in order to maintain wages control and to keep them down, most of the time the factories employ additional workers. Often, work offers are less than the demands of people in search for jobs, so the majority of workers only gain a few cents per hour. Along with all those hardships, corruption and crime are additional burdens on the immigrant community. Dede Antanas, Jurgis’s father, could not find a job unless he accepted to grant a third of his wages to another man for helping him getShow MoreRelatedThe Jungle By Upton Sinclair1526 Words   |  7 Pagessocietal and government reforms did â€Å"The Jungle† call for. Do you feel this novel was effective in bringing about any of these reforms. â€Å"The Jungle†, written by Upton Sinclair, is an astonishing novel informing readers about the devastating truths involving impoverished life in America, particularly Chicago. This novel gives the reader an inside look into to the struggles of numerous European immigrants as they ventured to America during the early 1900 s. Sinclair depicts the disturbing and emotionalRead MoreThe Jungle By Upton Sinclair986 Words   |  4 PagesThe life of Jurgis Rudkus, from the novel The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, shares many parallels to the life of the working class in American society during the period 1865 to 1910. that limits the freedom of the working class. Even though it is stated on paper that working class citizens such as Jurgis are equals and just as free as the upper-class citizens, society limited the the freedom of the working class. People like Jurgis are not truly â€Å"free† because the social and political forces at the timeRead MoreThe Jungle By Upton Sinclair 1155 Words   |  5 Pages8/10/17 The Jungle By Upton Sinclair Book Review The working conditions in the US in the 20th  century were diffcult since workers had to struggle to survive on the daily bases.The Jungle written by Upton Sinclair does not only highlight the life of American workers but also uncovers the infleunce of capitalism in the US, where workers and employees were destined to fight for a living, while the upper-class reaped the benefits of national wealth.The Jungle gives many examples of theRead MoreThe Jungle by Upton Sinclair651 Words   |  3 Pages This book is called The Jungle. The Author or this book goes by the name of Upton Sinclair. The Jungle was published on February 26, 1906. Upton Sinclair is an American author with almost 100 books which are based on many different genres. Sinclair is a journalist, novelist, as well as a political activist. Sinclair is most famous for this book. The Jungle is a novel that is based on the disgusting conditions of the US meatpacking industry, and the hardships of the labor that immigrant me n and womenRead MoreThe Jungle by Upton Sinclair1400 Words   |  6 PagesWhat are the major issues Sinclair addresses in The Jungle? The Jungle by Upton Sinclair is a vivid account of life for the working class in the early 1900s. Jurgis Rudkus and his family travel to the United States in search of the American dream and an escape from the rigid social structure of Lithuania. Instead, they find a myriad of new difficulties. Sinclair attributes their problems to the downfalls of capitalism in the United States. While America’s system was idealistic for Jurgis and hisRead MoreThe Jungle By Upton Sinclair1210 Words   |  5 PagesThe Jungle by written by Upton Sinclair Book Report This report is based upon the book The Jungle, written by Upton Sinclair. This book was published by The Jungle Publishing Co. New York in 1906. Introduction of Author: Upton Sinclair was born on September 20, 1878, in Baltimore, Maryland. He belonged to a family off southern aristocracy but once Sinclair was born, his family went into poverty. Sinclair was a very smart boy and graduated from high school at the age of fourteen to go on and attendRead MoreThe Jungle by Upton Sinclair 792 Words   |  3 PagesCritics often argue that Upton Sinclair, author of many classic American novels including The Jungle, was cynical and bitter even. However if one were to dig just a bit deeper they may realize that Sinclair was spot on in his idea that this â€Å"American dream† that our country sells is actually a work of fiction. In his book The Jungle, Sinclair, points out the flaws of the American dream. Many immigrants traveled thousands of miles aboard, cramped, disease infested, ships with hope of coming to thisRead MoreThe Jungle By Upton Sinclair1260 Words   |  6 Pages The Jungle by Upton Sinclair was published in 1906. After reading two-hundred and ninety-four pages, it is evident that humans have been shaping the world over time and the world has been shaping us as well. A lot has changed since the industrial revolution, the time frame in which this novel takes place. Our food industries have improved, money value has risen, and job opportunities have expanded. Throughout The Jungle the reader follows an immigrant family on their journey of hardships andRead MoreThe Jungle By Upton Sinclair937 Words   |  4 PagesThe Jungle, by Upton Sinclair and Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, by Frederick Douglass both bring forth personal or fictional events that capture t he interest of the the reader. The use of pathos in their writing along with true events questions the ethics, morality, and human rights of each individual at the time setting for the publication. In the book, The Jungle, Upton Sinclair advocates for the overall elimination of oppression and exploitation of workers andRead MoreThe Jungle By Upton Sinclair1334 Words   |  6 Pages1900s there were already more than 10 million immigrants living in America. Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle reveals the struggles and hardships of a family that immigrated to the United States from Lithuania during the 1900s. Although many immigrant families came to America in search of a better life, soon most found themselves barely surviving with no job, food, shelter, or money. As is the case of the family in The Jungle. The novel not only unveils the corruption of the political and economic system

Art Comparison Essay - 1701 Words

Compare and Contrast Works of Art Bright colors jumping at you asking for attention, images so real viewers can not tell the difference. These are the thoughts that came to my head as I gazed at two works of art by two Mexican artists at MoLAA museum of art . I visited two museums, Bowers Museum of cultural Art in the heart of Southern California and the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach for my report unfortunately I only liked the works in MoLAA and will talk about it through out my paper. I will talk about two Mexican artists Rafael Cauduro and David Alfaro Siqueros that caught my eye, and made me want to learn more of them and their approach to art. Siqueiros caught my eye and interest because according to his biography â€Å"no†¦show more content†¦Cauduro paints supernatural scenarios with realism akin to 17th century masters like Dutch artists Rembrandt van Rijin (Painting information Cauduro). The piece I choose to critic is titled â€Å"Buscado por su madre† or â€Å"Wanted by his Mother† by Rafael Cauduro, no year. This piece is an Oil on Canvas painting that measured 48†x36† located at the Long Beaches MoLAA. The work is presented as one of a few Mexican artists that share an interest in their painting primarily figurative style, political in nature, that often narrated the history of Mexico or the indigenous culture. The painting is one of the first viewers see as they enter the Museum. It is at eye level and demonstrates a superb use of illusionistic realism that it creates the illusion of being real. The painting is of a old Missing poster of a man on a brick wall. What made it stand out in my eyes was the fact that it looked to be a three dimensional object on what looked like real bricks with the words wanted by mother on the top. Cauduro’s piece, in my eyes looked like he literally took a chunk out of a wall, and placed an old torn missing poster of a man on the front and put it out for display. Cauduro uses texture to represent the look of brick by applying thick strokes of paint creating a body of its own as and mimics the look and shape of brick. He also makes applies the same technique on the wanted poster by implying that it is old and torn by again layering his paint to create theShow MoreRelatedEssay History of Western Art Comparison 1590 Words   |  3 PagesSculpture: Khafre Enthroned to Kritios Boy Early Egyptian art from the Old Kingdom, ca. 2575-2134 BCE, demonstrates uniform structure. Egyptian artists and sculptors adhered to a system of strict rules known as canon to create this consistency. The Egyptian canon suggested perfection to be a rigid, ageless idealization of reality. Roughly 1,500 years later, a progressive canon emerged in Greek art reflecting new ideals of perfection. Greek art beginning in the Early Classical Period, ca. 480- 450 BCERead MoreComparison Between Art And Food993 Words   |  4 PagesContrast: Art to Food The boundaries of art and food are being pushed each day. As boundaries are pushed, the line between food and art becomes smaller, almost non-existent. Existence is a construct made by man, just as the creations of food and art. In the twenty-first century, nothing is positive and everything is arbitrary. People are less worried with how everything looks, but more concerned with the emotional impact they receive. Art is food and food is art. Webster’s dictionary defines art as â€Å"theRead MoreA Comparison Of Marcel Duchamps Fountain, And The Physical Impossibility Of Art1870 Words   |  8 PagesAccording to Oxford Dictionary, the definition of perfection is â€Å"The action or process of improving something until it is faultless.† In art, the striving for perfection has always been changing back and forth in a continuous cycle between realism and impressionism. Artworks that point to this idea include Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain, and Damien Hirst’s The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living. Through Duchamp’s work, the viewer gets a face-to-face interaction with somethingRead MoreArt and Literature, a Comparison965 Words   |  4 PagesArt and Literature: A Comparison Art and writing are two very different ways of expressing oneself, but there are elements of artistic expression that remain common in both. Tone, theme, and structure are just a few of these elements. The works of Jasper Johns, False Start, and, Painting with Two Balls, as well as Annie Dillards, Heaven and Earth in Jest, are comparable in that all three works of art use the aforementioned elements in order to reach the audience with a direct point, whichRead MoreThe Ecstasy Of Sculpture : A Comparison Of Art2008 Words   |  9 PagesThe Ecstasy of Sculpture: A Comparison of Sculpture in Italian Baroque Art Focus Question: To what extent was the Italian Baroque art, specifically Bernini, a support for the Catholic-Counter Reformation compared to The Neoclassical era, not even a century later? A comparison of Bernini’s â€Å"The Throne of Saint Peter† and â€Å"Ecstasy of Saint Teresa†; and Antonio Canova’s â€Å"Amor and Psyche†. Michael Thiessen IBN: 000874-0212 Friday, March 20, 2015 Word Count: 2000 IB Art History─Period 5 Jamie Roberts-JonesRead More Comparison of Babylonian Art vs. Egyptian Art Essay875 Words   |  4 PagesComparison of Babylonian Art vs. Egyptian Art Over the history of man, there have been many prosperous empires that ruled in different parts of the world. Babylon and Egypt are two of these empires that ruled almost 500 years apart, but had one thing in common, great artistic works. Wall paintings such as the Babylonian work Investiture of Zimrilim, and the Egyptian Queen Neferati Making an Offering to Isis are examples of the great works of their times. Both pieces are rich in meaning andRead MoreComparison of Two Historical Art Periods1131 Words   |  5 Pages Comparison of Two Historical Art Periods: Middle Ages (Gothic) and Renaissance Architecture Christina Plunkett Western Governors University IWT1 Humanities Task 1 Gothic style came about in the middle of the twelfth century. It was named after the Goths that controlled France during that time. It was developed as a result of Christian ideals. Christian leaders wanted big, tall, ornate churches to represent their strong faith. Later it was also used for non-religious buildingsRead MoreComparison Between Etruscan And Roman Art1357 Words   |  6 PagesSubject 2: Memorializing the Dead in Etruscan and Roman art Both Etruscan and Roman tomb sculpture function to memorialize the departed allowing them to move on from the world of the living and seeks to comfort those who have lost the ones they love. The two societies have differing practices in regards to death and therefore sculptures concerning the subject are somewhat different with a few identifiable similarities. While both societies seek to comfort the living and commemorate the dead thisRead MoreIphone 6 Vs. Samsung Note 4 : The Phablet Comparison Guide3466 Words   |  14 PagesiPhone 6 Plus vs. Samsung Note 4: The Phablet Comparison Guide Copyright  © 2014 Conceptual Kings. All are rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Introduction The comparison between these two devices can become a passionate one as users each have their preferences which essentially is what means more to them. ToRead MoreArt: Comparison and Contrast of 19th Century Art Essay1175 Words   |  5 PagesEtienne Theodore Rousseau†). He was good at what he liked which was drawing landscapes. â€Å"However, he did not base his style on classically inspired landscapes as it was in Italy; instead he drew from his inspiration of a 17th century Dutch landscape† (Art of the Middle Ages and Renaissance). This means that he went against norms and standards of drawing a landscape and did his own style. As the title suggest it was an evening when he painted it. The surrounding that he chose was rocky and because it

Euthanasia 2 Essay Example For Students

Euthanasia 2 Essay Sue Rodriguez has reminded us all of our own mortality and our need to think carefully about the kind of society we want to live and to die in. Sue Rodriguez was known through the media, and her well spoken and eloquent speeches. People painfully in support of what she believed in, watched as her strength was sapped by the devastating disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and we were moved by her clear thought and her bravery as a person facing death. Here was a woman who acted on her beliefs with courage and tenacity and whose grace has enriched us all. It is no defense to point to the fact that a person has requested to be killed: â€Å"No person is entitled to consent to have death inflicted upon him, and such consent does not affect the criminal responsibilities of any person by whom death may be inflicted upon the person by whom consent is given,† which seems to mean that no one has a right to consent to have death inflicted on him or her. In addition, if a person caus es the death of another, the consent of the deceased does not provide the person who caused the death a defense to criminal responsibility. Is there a difference, do you think, between a person who, at a dying person’s request, prepares a poison and leaves it on the bedside for that person to take, and a person who helps the patient to drink it or who administers it directly at the request of a dying person who is unable to take it personally? Is there, in short, a real distinction between killing and letting die? Well, this is the difference between passive and active euthanasia, and if you believe in euthanasia, you must decide which one is correct or even accept both to be correct depending upon the situation. We must carefully think through a number of conceptual issues. What is a person? What is death? How does the difference between active and passive function in arguments for and against euthanasia? Is there any difference between killing and letting die? Suppose the d octor agrees to withhold treatment†¦ The justification for his doing so is that the patient is in terrible agony, and since he is going to die anyway, it would be wrong to prolong his suffering needlessly. But now notice this. If one simply withholds treatment, it may take the patient longer to die, and so he may suffer more than he would if more direct action were taken and a lethal injection given. This fact provides strong reason for thinking that, once the initial decision not to prolong his agony has been made, active euthanasia is actually preferable to passive euthanasia, rather than the reverse. Individuals have the right to decide about their own lives and deaths. Denying terminally ill patients the right to die with dignity is unfair and cruel. The golden rule requires that we allow active euthanasia for terminally ill patients who request it in certain situations. People have the right to die with dignity and lucidity. Gayle Stelter (Vancouver Sun) writes, â€Å"For almost seven years I have been living with cancer, mostly joyously and gratefully, but gradually seeing the disease encroaching relentlessly on my once healthy body. Throughout these years, I have thought long and hard about death and I’ve discovered that it’s not the prospect of death itself that is so frightening, but the process of dying. So to give myself courage, I have held an option in reserve. When I can see no quality ahead, when I am capable of bidding my loved ones a coherent farewell, when I am still in control of my resources, I will enlist someone’s help to speed me on my journey. †¦ For those of us who may choose to leave while there is still an element of control, of coherence, may we be fortunate to have a friend, a loved one, a health professional who will use their gifts in order that we may be excused. To deny such expert guidance in this last rite would be both heartless and inhuman.† Another person I had read about states: †Å"I have multiple myeloma†¦a rare bone marrow cancer†¦that destroys the blood, bones, immune system, kidneys and sometimes liver and spleen. The worst of it is the disintegration of the skeleton†¦Unless one is lucky enough to die of sepsis first, the death is long and agonizing. The act of sitting up can fracture the vertebrae and lifting the dinner tray can fracture both forearms. Who deserves that? For what principle?† I believe that there are some circumstances when euthanasia is the morally correct action. I also understand that there are real concerns about legalizing euthanasia because of fear of misuse and/or overuse and the fear of the slippery slope leading to a loss of respect for the value of life. We do need to proceed with caution. Euthanasia is homicide. Some homicides are justified. Life at some point can become so unpleasant and so hopeless that virtually no one would wish to continue it, and the opponent of euthanasia must face up to this fact h onestly. Suffering can take many forms, physical, mental and emotional. Not all of these are relevant to euthanasia I have not heard anyone suggest, for example, mercy killing for the clinically depressed but many are, in particular physical agony and the emotional despair of extreme disability. People have always killed themselves, for reasons that seemed good to them, and it has long been recognized that laws against suicide serve little or no purpose. This issue remains a live one with respect to euthanasia because it is plausibly pointed out that, if you have a legal right to commit suicide, and you are physically unable to do so unaided, it seems unfair to prosecute someone who helps you. Suffering and suicides are perennial factors, but today’s conditions have added a host of other complications. In particular, we have medical techniques that can preserve life far beyond what would have been possible in the past. .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17 , .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17 .postImageUrl , .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17 , .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17:hover , .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17:visited , .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17:active { border:0!important; } .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17:active , .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17 .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u1d9e1868d3e43c819d44a11fcdd88d17:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Artificial Intelligence Essay

International Human Resource Management Essay Example

International Human Resource Management Essay Guide To International Human Resource Management By Santosh Bagwe [emailprotected] com +91 99676 42282 Index †¢ Introduction to International HRM ? ? ? ? ? ? †¢ Definition Difference between IHRM and Domestic HRM Difference between Domestic and International Managers Type of International Employees Issues in IHRM Barriers to Effective Global HRM Understanding Culture ? ? ? ? ? ? Elements of Culture Factors encouraging convergence of Cultures Factors encouraging change of culture Determinants of Culture Importance of cultural sensitivity for global business and diplomacy Impact of culture on management approaches Cross Culture Business Communication and Behaviour ? ? ? ? ? Deal Focus VS Relationship Focus Formal VS Informal Rigid Time VS Fluid Time Expressive VS Reserved Cultures Business Protocol †¢ Cross Cultural Negotiations ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Need for cross cultural negotiations Anatomy of negotiations Prepare for international negotiations Parameters of negotiations Pla nning for negotiations Importance of trust in negotiations Negotiation styles of major cultural groups and countries †¢ International Business and IHRM Approaches ? Stages of Internationalisation of Business ? Management Philosophy/Approaches to IHRM ? Competencies Required in International Managers †¢ Recruitment and Selection by Multinationals ? ? ? ? International Labour Market Sources Selection Procedure of Expatriates Expatriate Success Factors Adaptability to cultural change †¢ Expatriate Training and Development ? ? ? ? ? Need for training to Expatriate Cultural Integrator Cultural Awareness Training Types of Cross Cultural Training Cultural Assimilators †¢ Organising Multinational Structures ? Stages of Structural Evolution of Multinationals ? New Types of Multinational Structures ? Role of Human Resource †¢ Compensation Management ? ? ? ? Factors Influencing Compensation Programmes Paying Expatriates Approaches to Expatriate’s Compensation Cultural Impact and Compensation Policy †¢ Performance Management in International Organisations ? ? ? ? Performance Management and its link with other HR processes Multinational Performance Management Performance Management of Expatriates Variables that Influence Performance of Expatriate †¢ Organisational Ethics ? ? ? Ethics Ethical Issues Facing Multinationals What can Organisations do to foster Ethical Behaviour Good Corporate Citizen Introduction to International HRM Definition General : â€Å"Procurement, allocation, utilisation and motivation of Human Resources in International business. † P Morgan: Two groups of variables that affects basic HR process 1st – Types of employees 2nd – Poli tical, economic, legal environment, labour laws and practices prevailing in different countries Accordingly IHRM can be defined as an interplay between these two group of factors. We will write a custom essay sample on International Human Resource Management specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on International Human Resource Management specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on International Human Resource Management specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer But in other model, one more group is added i. e. multinational’s operational philosophy. Difference between IHRM and Domestic HRM †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Responsible for a greater number of functions and activities Broader knowledge of foreign county employment law Closely involved with employees lives Cope with more external influences Exposure to problems and liabilities Management of differential compensation Diversity management More liasoning activities More coordination and travel More risk management Difference between Domestic and International Managers †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Global mindset Communication skills Conflict management skills Oriented towards a process of continual change International experience Political, economical and social sensitivity and knowledge of many countries Knowledge of culture shock and how to minimise it Leadership and team building skills Types of International employees 1) 2) 3) 4) Foreing parent expatriates Host Country nationals Third Country expatriates of foreign parent Third Country expatriates of new venture Issues in IHRM †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Managing international assignments Employee and family adjustment Selecting the right person for a foreign assignment Culture, communication and gauge Language and communication Barriers to effective global HRM †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Variations Perception of HR Attitude and actions of headquarters towards HR Resistance to change Cultural differences in learning and teaching styles Understanding Culture Elements of Cultures †¢ †¢ Values form the bedrock of a culture Norms ? Folkways – actions of little more significance, the way people are expected to behave ? Mores – Central to the functioning of a society and to its social life Cultural traits – unique aspects of individual cultures Enculturation – the process of acquiring cultural traits Diffusion – the process through which cultures change Acculturation – traits borrowed over short term become permanently adopted Assimilation – immigrants or other newcomers adopt the culture of society in which they have settled †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Factors encouraging convergence of Cultures †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Improvements in transport and communications Globalization of media Similarities in the tastes and consumption patterns of young people The operation of multinationals across the world Consumers’ willingness to accept fresh ideas and try new products Adoption of similar technologies in several countries Factors encouraging change of culture †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Rising living standards Urbanization of population Immigration and emigration Economic and political destabilization Improvement in the education system Opening of foreign trade Introduction of new technologies Determinants of Culture †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Religion – a system of shared beliefs and rituals that are concerned with the realm of the sacred. What is important for management is how religion shapes the attitude of a society towards work and entrepreneurship. Social Structure – It is the degree of relative importance to individualism or group that differentiates different cultures. Social Mobility – The extent to which individuals can move out of the caste or class in which they are born. Language – It distinguishes one culture from another. Education – Learning and sharing cultural values happens through the education system. Aesthetics – the things such as designs, forms, colours, shapes, sound, conveying the concept of beauty and good taste. These are reflected in the music, art and architecture of a society. Importance of cultural sensitivity for global business and diplomacy †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, business associates in other countries and with foreign employees Conduct egotiations and understand body language of other parties Predict trends in social behavior likely to affect the firm’s foreign operations Realize social responsibility in various countries Predict impact of cultural differences on consumer reactions to advertisements Foster relationship between union and employees Understand local govt. policies Conduct efficient meetings in different meetings and encourage employee participation Impact of culture on management approaches †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Centralized vs decentralized decision making Safety vs risk Individual vs group rewards Informal vs formal procedures High vs low organizational loyalty Cooperation vs competition Short term vs long term horizon Stability vs innovation Cross Culture Business Communication and Behaviour Deal Focus VS Relationship Focus Deal Focus Culture Task oriented DF find RF dilatory, vague and inscrutable Open to do business with strangers. They straight away talk business and get down to facts. DF value direct, frank, straightforward language Relationship Focus Culture People Oriented RF find DF as pushy, aggressive and offensively blunt. Prefer to deal with family, friends and persons who can be well known and trusted RF favours an indirect, subtle, roundabout style. They give priority to maintaining harmony and avoid saying anything that may cause embarrassment or loss of face. Country wise distribution DF: German, North America, Australia and New Zealand Moderately DF: UK, SA, Brazil, Mexico, Hong Kong and Singapore RF: Arab World, Africa, Latin America and Asia Formal VS Informal Formal Culture Organized in steep hierarchies which reflects major differences in status and power Formal way of addressing people and maintaining proper protocol are ways of showing respect to people. Country wise distribution Formal: Most of Europe, Asia, Arab, Latin America Informal: Australia, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Denmark, Norway, Israel Informal Culture Egalitarian organization with smaller differences in status and power RF don’t know how to show respect to high-ranking persons from formal cultures. Rigid Time VS Fluid Time Rigid Time Punctuality is critical, schedules are set in concrete, agendas are fixed and business meetings are rarely nterrupted. Country wise distribution Monochronic Business Culture: North America, Japan, German Moderately Monochronic Business Culture: Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, China, South Korea, South Africa, Southern Europe Polychronic Business Culture: Arab World, Africa, Latin America, SE Asia Expressive VS Reserved Culture Expressive Expressive people tend to be uncomfortable with more than a second of silence during conversation. Country wise distribution Very Expressive Culture: Latin Europe, Latin America Variably Expressive Culture: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Asia, Africa Reserved Culture: East and SE Asia, Nordic Europe Business Protocol †¢ Dress Code †¢ Business Cards †¢ Gifts †¢ Form of Address Reserved Reserved cultures feel at ease with much longer silence. Fluid Time Less emphasis on punctuality and not obsessed with deadlines. Meeting within meeting. Cross Cultural Negotiations Need of cross cultural negotiations †¢ Govt. ften imposes restrictions on repatriation of profits and ownership of raw material resources and requires employment of local people and use of indigenous input. MNCs have resources, technology and management skills and they want tax concessions and protection of their patents and technology. Hence the two must interact and negotiate with each other to settle terms. Seeking to enter a market via an agent or distributor Setting up sales netwo rk Establishing a joint venture or production facility Licensing a technology or seeking technology transfer Mergers and acquisition †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Anatomy of negotiation Negotiations involve two levels †¢ Rational decision-making level †¢ Psychological and social level Psychological and social elements are affected by culture, therefore, negotiations are as much to do with psychological as with the rational. Preparation for negotiation †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Taxation and legal data Commercial data Financial and economic data Infrastructure data Labour force data Political data Trade unions Cultural data Parameters of negotiation †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ When to negotiate When to negotiate Who negotiates Who has the authority to decide Why negotiate How to negotiate How much time is needed for negotiation Planning for negotiations †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ What is the minimum I can accept to resolve the conflict What is the maximum that I can ask for without appearing outrageous What is the maximum I can give away What is the least I can offer without appearing outrageous What answers is the other person likely to have these questions How to conduct successful negotiations †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Separate people from the problem Emphasise win-win solutions Find underlying interests Use an objective standard Understand the other party Negotiation as a sequence of events The intangibles Personalities Physical space Time pressure Who has the authority to decide Goals Importance of Trust This means accepting that they will †¢ Negotiate in good faith †¢ Exchange information that is needed to solve problems †¢ Not resort to unethical behaviour, for example, tapping your communication with HO †¢ Respect the secrecy of information and opinions expressed in confidence †¢ Do their best to convince their members to accept any agreement that they make with you †¢ Do their best to implement the agreement Guidelines for negotiating in different cultural zones †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Japan (China, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore) – A relationship-focused, formal, monochromic and reserved culture Germany (UK, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Czech Republic) – A dealfocused, moderately formal, monochromic and reserved culture France (Belgium, Italy, Spain, Hungary) – A moderately deal focused, formal, variably expressive and monochromic culture Russia (Poland, Romania) – A relationship-focused, formal, polychromic and expressive culture Brazil (Argentina, Mexico and other Latin American Countries) – A relationship-focused, formal, polychromic and expressive culture Saudi Arabia (Egypt, Greece, Other Middle-eastern Countries) – A relationship-focused, polychromic and expressive culture Australia (Canada, USA, New Zealand) – A deal-focused, informal, monochromic and variable expressive culture International Busin ess and IHRM Approaches Stages of Internationalisation of Business †¢ Domestic Firms Many well-known firms were domestic firms. Companies understand their markets, customers, perfect their technologies and products, and learn to operate business. International Firms A domestic firm begins the internationalisation process when it is involved in direct and indirect exporting, importing, and licensing, franchising, manufacturer’s contract, technical agreements or joint ventures. Multinational Firms Any firms that performs its operations in at least two countries. A firm that owns income-generating assets in more than one country. A manufacturing company that does business in several countries. Control is largely decentralised and it is expected to make decisions on local R D, production, distribution and marketing. The MNC HQ exercises worldwide financial control. Transnational Firms Advanced stage of MNC in which nationals of different countries hold shares in Company Strategies focus on the simultaneous attainment of local and experience economies Criteria for assessing the globalisation levels – Share of foreign assets, shares of sales beyond the national boundaries and % of employment of foreign nationals. Global A corporation develops a coordinated system that searches the world to borrow money at the lowest interest rates, purchases raw materials from anywhere at the lowest price, manufactures at the lowest costs, sells at the highest profits and invests in gains for highest return. The world is a single entity for them. Selects best people for management regardless of nationality. It offers globally standardised products that are advanced, functional, reliable and at low price. It doesn’t completely reject product customisation and differentiation, but adjusts to differences in product preferences only after exhausting all efforts to retain standardisation. Transnational Confederations Primarily organised around technology, design and marketing A small or medium sized company rather than a large company Stages of production performed by subcontractors, rather than by subsidiaries or branches Primarily a managing or marketing company †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Composed of two parts, one that designs and market product worldwide and the other that manufactures the products Management philosophy/approaches to IHRM †¢ Ethnocentric Organisation Home oriented organisation. â€Å"This works in my country; therefore, it must work in other countries also. They believe that home country nationals are more intelligent, reliable and trustworthy. All key positions in HQ and international are for Home Country nationals When rewards are distribut ed, home country nationals receive the lion’s share. Polycentric Organisation Host country oriented. â€Å"When in Rome do as the Romans do† Local people know what is best for them. Let’s give them some money and leave them alone as long as they make us a profit. Home Country nationals at HQ and local nationals at respective local subsidiary. HQ keeps check through financial and posting of key persons. Regioncentric Organisation Regionally oriented organisation Eg. Japanese subsidiary will manage its Asian operations and a French subsidiary will manage European operations â€Å"Regional insiders know what neighbouring countries want† Regional HQ will be responsible local R D, local executive selection ,cash management, brand policy, capital expenditure. HQ will manage world strategy, country analysis, Intercompany loan, long term financing, selection of top management Geocentric Organisation World oriented â€Å"All for one and one for all. We will work together to solve problems anywhere in the world. † The entire organisation focuses on worldwide and local objectives. They integrate diverse regions through global decision making, making possible flow of ideas between countries, allocate resources on a global basis, erase geographical boundaries and globalise functional and product line. Reward system motivates managers to surrender national biases and work for worldwide objetives. †¢ †¢ †¢ Competencies required in international managers †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Knowledge of One’s own country A global perspective Global mindset Knowledge of other country Understanding of international business environment Understanding international business partners Knowledge of Customers Knowledge of the silent and spoken international language Knowledge of business etiquettes of the host country Recruitment and Selection by Multinationals International Labour Market Sources †¢ Parent Country Nations (PCNs) PCNs are managers who are citizens of the Country where the MNC is headquartered. The reasons for using PCNs include The desire to provide the company’s more promising managers with international experience The need to maintain and facilitate organisational coordination and control The unavailability of managerial talent in the host country The company’s view of the foreign operation as short lived The host country’s multi-racial population The belief that a parent country manager is the best person for the job. Host Country Nationals (HCNs) HCNs are local managers hired by MNCS The reasons for using HCNs Familiar with the culture, language Less expensive, know the way things done, rules of local market Hiring them is good public relation Third Country Nationals (TCNs) TCNs are managers who are citizens of countries other than the one in which the MNC is headquartered or the one in which it is assigned to work by the MNC. The reason for using TCNs These people have the necessary expertise They were judged to be the best ones for the job. †¢ †¢ Selection procedure of Expatriates †¢ Use of selection test †¢ Technical Ability †¢ Cross cultural requirements Following traits are identified s predictors of expatriate success Cultural empathy Adaptability Diplomacy Language ability Positive attitude Emotional stability and maturity †¢ †¢ Family requirements Multinational requirements Management philosophy or approach The mode of operation involved The duration of assignment †¢ The amount of knowledge transfer inherent in the expatriate’s job in foreign operation Language skills Expatriate Success factors †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Willing and motivated to go overseas Technically able to do the job Adaptable Good interpersonal skills and be able to form relationship Good communication ability Supportive families Adaptability to cultural change †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Work experience with cultures other than one’s own Previous overseas travel Knowledge of foreign language Ability to integrate with different people, cultures, and type of business organisation The ability to sense developments in the host country and accurately evaluate them The ability to solve problems within different frameworks an from different perspectives Sensitivity to subtle differences of culture, politics, religion and ethics in addition to individual differences Flexibility in managing operations on a continuous basis, despite of lack of assistance and gaps in information An adjustment model Two major types of adjustments that an expatriate must make when going on an overseas assignment. †¢ Anticipatory adjustment Carried on before he leaves for the assignment It is influenced by following factors predeparture training pervious experience In-country adjustment Ta kes place on site It is influenced by following factors Ability to maintain a positive outlook in high pressure Jobs as reflected by the role he plays in managing, authority he has to make decisions, newness of work-related challenges and the amount of role conflicts †¢ Organisation culture Non work factors – toughness with he faces new cultural experience, family adjustment with new country Socialisation factor – to know what is what and who is who Expatriate Training and Development Need for Training to Expatriate †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Cost of expatriate failure is very high To build a team of internationally oriented, committed and competent personnel Minimize personal problems such as politeness, punctuality, tactfulness, orderliness, sensitivity, reliability, tolerance and empathy Improve overall management style Pre-departure Training- Emphasises on cultural awareness and business customs of the country of posting to cope with unexpected events in a new country. Post-departure Training – helps in minimising culture shock and depression that usually sets in a new country and culture. Cultural Integrator †¢ An individual who is responsible for ensuring that the operations and systems are in accordance with the local culture. †¢ He advises guides and recommends action needed to ensure this synchronisation. †¢ Even though expatriate are trained before being sent abroad, they are still not totally prepared to deal with the day-to-day cultural challenges because they lack field experience. †¢ He is responsible for handling problems between the subsidiary and host cultures. †¢ He may be from parent country or host country who has intimate knowledge of the company’s culture and can view operations from both sides. †¢ He can only advice ore recommend a course of action. Management philosophy and training †¢ Ethnocentric companies will provide all training at the HQ. †¢ Polycentric companies will rely on local managers to assume responsibilities for seeing that the training function is carried our wherever appropriate. †¢ Geocentric companies organise training courses in different parts of the world, where a particular function is best carried out. †¢ Regiocentric companies organise training courses in different countries of the region. Cultural Awareness Training †¢ There are five types of pre-departure training o Area studies that include environmental briefing and cultural orientation o Cultural assimilators o Language training o Sensitivity training and o Field experience †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ To decide the rigour and level of training, following factors are important o degree of interaction required in the host culture o similarities between home and host cultures If interaction is low and similarities are high, then training should be on task and job related issues rather than culture related issues. If interaction is high and similarities are low, then training should be on cross cultural skill development as well as task. Preliminary visits o average duration will be about one week o A well planned overseas trip for candidate and spouse provides a preview to access their suitability for job, introduction to host country management, accommodation required, and schooling facilities available. Language training Types of cross cultural training †¢ Environment briefing about geography, climate, housing and schools †¢ Cultural orientation to familiarise with cultural institutions and value system of host country †¢ Cultural assimilators to provide intercultural encounters †¢ Language training †¢ Sensitivity training to develop attitudinal flexibility †¢ Field experience to make expatriate familiarise with the challenges of assignment Cultural Assimilators †¢ It is a programmed learning technique that is designed to expose members of one culture to some of the basic concepts, attitudes, role perceptions, customs and values of another culture. These assimilators are developed for one culture where the candidate is currently working and the other culture is where he is proposed to be posted. †¢ Type of assimilators o The trainee read a short episode of cultural encounter and choose an interpretation of has happened and why. o Critical inci dents: to be identified as a critical incident, a situation must meet at least of the following conditions: An expatriate and a host interact in the situation The situation is puzzling or likely to be misinterpreted by the expatriate The situation can be accurately interpreted if sufficient knowledge about the culture is available †¢ The situation is relevant to the expatriate’s task or mission requirements Organising Multinational Structures Stages of Structural Evolution of Multinationals †¢ Stage 1 – Export o An export or import or franchising arrangement o Company appoints an export manager who reports to chief of marketing and all operations concerning export and imports are controlled by the home office Stage 2 – Initial Division Structure o At this stage, company creates an export division at the corporate home office and the export division head directly reports to CEO. o As international sales increases, the local government exert pressure to set up manufacturing facilities. This prompts the company to set up a subsidiary. o Each subsidiary will be responsible for operations within its own geographic area. Subsidiary manager reports directly to the export division head o The role of subsidiary manager is To transfer of managerial and technical know-how to subsidiary Communicate, coordinate and implement corporate policies Assist corporate office by keeping HQ informed of political, economic development, opportunities and threats in its market. Liaising with local government Stage 3 Global Product/Area/Functional Structure o When companies start acquiring and allocating resources on the basis of global opportunities and threats, global structures are necessary either on product, geographical area or functional patterns ? Global Product Division: In this structure, the company treat each of its major products as distinct SBUs. The logic behind this structure is that products and services of the company should be sufficiently distinct in product technologies, requiring different marketing skills to deal with different types of customers and markets. Each product division is treated as a separate profit centre. The corporate HQ will maintain control in terms of budgetary constraints, approval of certain decisions like launching of new product, total profit and contribution. Benefits It improves client satisfaction because product responsibility and contact points are clear Helps to integrate marketing, production and finance globally on product basis It provides a direct link from customers to policy makers and directs R D efforts into new products †¢ †¢ Disadvantage Duplication of personnel within each division Neglecting areas with long-range potential o Global Area Division In this structure, MNC prefers to divisionalise the foreign operations on the basis of geographical unit. This structure is useful when economic and political environment in different countries is fast changing product range is not too broad common resources can be shared, product lines are in the maturity stage Disadvantage Lack of centralised management and control R D is ignored o Global functional Structure Not very common except in mining and construction fields The operations are divided worldwide on the basis of function. Marketing, finance, operations and HRM functions directly report to corporate functional chief. Stage 4 – Global Matrix Structure o When a MNC is trying to integrate its operations in more than one dimensions, like product as well as area, or customers and technology, it resorts to the matrix structure. o Both product and area division share joint responsibility. o In this structure, there is a pressure from horizontal matrix managers for equal allocation of resources; however the vertical managers are supposed to balance this by organisational priori ties and other long term consideration o Advantage Better quality decisions Better customer focus or response to local needs o Disadvantage Coordination becomes difficult Dual reporting can cause frustration and confusion Matrix forces managers to spend time on meetings Information logjams due to proliferation of communication New types of Multinational Structure †¢ Heterarchy o A MNC might have a no of different kinds of centres apart from the traditional centre HQ o The argument is that competitive advantage does not necessarily reside in any one country o E. g. Centralised R D in a particular subsidiary o Control is less reliant on the top-bottom mechanism of previous hierarchical modes and more reliant on mutual cooperation and coordination, organisation culture and widely shared awareness of central goals and strategy. †¢ Transnational o It is characterised by an interdependence resources and responsibilities across all business units regardless of national boundaries. The transnational copes with large flows of components, products, services, resources, people and information among its subsidiaries, while simultaneously recognising the specialised resources and capabilities of each business unit. o It demands a complex process of coordination and cooperation involving strong cross-unit int egrating devices, a strong corporate identity, and a well developed worldwide management perspective. Networked Firm o Subsidiaries have developed into significant centres for investment, activities and influence, and cannot be regarded as at the periphery. o Interaction between HQ and each subsidiary is likely to be dyadic, taking place between various actors at many different organisationa level and covering different exchanges, the outcome of which is important for effective global performance. Such MNCs are loosely coupled political systems rather than tightly bonded homogenous, hierarchical systems. o One subsidiary may act as a nodal unit linking a cluster of satellite organisation. Thus one centre can assume responsibility for other units in its country or region. Keiretsu o It is a large often vertically integrated group of companies that cooperate and work closely with each other. o E. g. Mitsubishi o These companies are bound together by cross-ownership, longterm business dealings, interlocking directorates and social ties. †¢ †¢ Role of Human Resource – plays a key role in control and coordination process †¢ The key means for vital knowledge generation and diffusion is through personal contact. Organisation needs processes to facilitate contacts. †¢ Staffing decisions are very crucial. Very high importance should be given to communication and interpersonal relationship ability in selection process. †¢ Staff transfer †¢ Visit of the CEO to different countries. Compensation Management Factors Influencing Compensation Programmes †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Compensation decisions are strategic decisions and play a key role It should be consistent with overall strategy, structure and business needs of MNC It must attract and retain the best staff It must facilitate the transfer of international employees in a cost effective manner. It should give due consideration to equity and ease at administration. It requires the knowledge of employment and taxation laws, customs, cost of living index, environment and employment practices, the knowledge of labour markets and industry norms, foreign currency fluctuations. Paying Expatriates: unique problems †¢ Discrepancies in pay between PCN, HCN and TCN †¢ The need to vary expatriate compensation depending on the life cycle of the expatriate’s family †¢ Compensation issues related to re-entry into the parent country organisation Approaches to Expatriate’s Compensation †¢ Going Rate Approach o Base salary remains linked to the salary structure of the host country. o Required information is obtained through compensation surveys and published information. This approach is favoured by polycentric organisation o Advantage Equality with local nationals and expatriates of different nationals Simple approach Attract the nationals of PCN and TCN if location is a high-pay country o Disadvantage Transfer from a developed country to a developing country Fighting for getting