Effect of Social Responsibility on Organisation Productivity

Effect of Social Responsibility on Organisation Productivity Can social responsibilities effect the productivity of organisations in the Hospitality and catering Public thinking and opinion are the contents of the crucible from which the social fabric of a community, town, region, nation and international community are borne. The very nature of this arena (social consciousness), is an on-going evolutionary process which is reflective of the era one chooses to examine. Within the European Union legislation in varied areas has been enacted to improve the overall quality of services delivered to the public at large as well as for the benefit of workers. And while the United Kingdom is not a member of this body, the reforms, legislation and policies enacted become known and thus places the government under social pressure to enact changes in response to the overall public welfare. The progressive foundation of the United Kingdoms social policies provides a climate whereby the public expects that government stay abreast of new socially oriented developments as they develop and with such progress comes cost. The cost of enacting and overseeing same is borne by either the government, which translates is its people, and or by business. Sometimes referred to as the welfare state the United Kingdom has demonstrated historically demonstrated sensitivity to social issues and reform and this underlying foundation is comprised of three key elements which; Guarantees a set of minimum standards which includes a minimum income Provides for social protection And that services will be carried out in the best possible manner. The social welfare consciousness in the United Kingdom is extensive in terms of its embracing a broad spectrum of initiatives, thus private enterprises are bound by regulations and laws in keeping with this responsibility as established by the public trust. Those organizations that engage in extensive contact or service to the public and are particularly scrutinized and susceptible to implementation of both required (meaning legalized or regulated social policy mandates) and generally accepted norms of behaviour as well as conduct, and rightly so. Such public mandates carry with them implementation as well as ongoing maintenance costs which can manifest themselves in wage, compliance, training as well as standards in delivering and providing services. Such is the cost to the government, its populace and businesses to live in an environment which is in keeping with and reflects our modern society. These standards are particularly important when industry directly services the public as the impact of said services is immediate and on a mass scale. Given the relatively high content of labour intensity in the hospitality and catering industries, regulated or legislated changes can result in additional costs and thus reduce productivity as a result. New legislation which has been enacted for the hospitality and catering sector as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦essential regulatory guidanceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ with such having an effect that it encompasses some 1,500 pages of information. The sheer volume of this data can be overwhelming to an industry sector which is primarily composed (80%) of small sized firms (SMEs) employing 10 or fewer people. The new legislation sets standards in wages, the workplace, food preparation mandates, equipment and facility requirements which are in the publics interest as well as its employees which is the social responsibility of both the government and the industry sector (hospitality and catering), with the cost in time, expense, upgrades, modifications and compliance resulting in net expenditures that affect bottom line performance. Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Historical Social Climate The centralized governmental structure that is utilized in the United Kingdom nationalizes a social implementation process that can be traced back to the Poor Laws. These reforms, the first of which was enacted in 1598 and which drew to an end in 1958, started with; 1. the establishment of a poor rate foundation (meaning the level which established this as a social phenomenon), 2. utilization of overseers to administer relief, 3. and provisions designed to put the poor to work The Poor Laws were replaced by the passage of the; 1. 1946 National Insurance Act, which ushered in the foundations for social security 2. 1946 National Health Service Act 3. 1948 National Assistance Act that eliminated the Poor Law 4. and the 1948 Children Act The preceding developments effectively placed the countrys social policy on the path that defines its present day terms. The manner in which social policy is viewed in Europe, and its influence on the United Kingdom is an important variable in understanding why consistent changes and modifications to existing regulations, legislation and laws is necessary to keep pace with progressive developments that are in the interest of all concerned (government, citizens and the business community). This mood and historical climate help to shape the psychological parameters that act upon this area. Anderson (1983) has postulated that the social bond of deep horizontal comradeship is a key foundational element in nationalism and the corresponding socio-psychological ideology. Connor (1993) adds that the idea of nation is an emotional process and in global terms it forms an aspect of an individuals identity. The devastation in Europe that was a result of World War II created the social climate for welfares which was adopted as foundation for social policy in many European countries, including the United Kingdom. The mass scale of fragmentation as a result of refugees, displaced persons, the destruction of towns cities and the breach of national security created what leaders termed a lack of social cohesion which needed to be reinforced to provide the populace with the belief that circumstances would indeed improve as a result of policies and programs being put into place. To make this work, leaders believed that the establishment of a base level of political and economic provisions for citizens would provide assurances of the foregoing. In order to implement such policies they had to be introduced on a national level through institutions and agencies that needed to be created to administer a uniform code of social and financial services. The preceding was a major factor in why social policy in Europe is more liberalized and generous than in the United States. World War II also resulted in an elimination and or erosion of historical European monarchies and the formation of constitutional frameworks reflective of20th century thinking. The foregoing historical, political, economic and social variables are the key components blended into the European term which is the called the welfare state. The British Labour Party platform after winning the election in 1945 stated Jobs for all along with Social insurance against the rainy dayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ and included plans to attain said goals. The victory by the Labour Party was unforeseen and helped to establish a tone not only in Great Britain, but the rest of Europe as the publics vote heralded the beginnings of heightened social consciousness. 1.2 Sector Ramifications Hospitality and Catering The preceding understanding of the United Kingdoms social fabric is important in equating the recent legislation affecting the hospitality and catering sector. Both sectors are highly dependent on labor and as a result any new regulations or legislation have a deeper impact due to the labour dependant composition that characterizes its makeup. Said changes must not only be communicated, but overseen as well and these changes cannot be simply written into a software program or changes in assembly line methods, they are by and large done by individuals. Additionally the general low wage composition of this sector for a good percentage of its employees means that additional compliance slows productivity as it is primarily manual in nature. The new legislation is estimated to affect and estimated 81% of the business in this sector Economically the increase of compliance and legislative changes in the service sector as a factor of a countrys GDP decreases the economic growth rate with a corresponding decline in productivity rates due tithe costs involved. The hospitality and catering sectors are within the broader classification termed Travel and Tourism and this industry is projected to become the largest classification globally during 2005. As such the major issue facing the hospitality and catering sector is increasing productivity so that it will affect the profitability of operations. With this industry sector (hospitality and catering)representing an estimated 1 out of 12.4 jobs throughout all industry classifications the implications of increased productivity represents sizeable gain in economic strength and the corresponding effect upend (Gross Domestic Product). The composition of the companies within this industry (hospitality and catering) forms a critical component in equating the influence of social responsibility and the resultant impact on productivity as a result of expenditures to comply. It is important to understand that fully 94% of the 2.7 SMEs within the travel and tourism sector are comprised of what is termed micro-enterprises that employ less than ten (10) individuals, and 94% of this total represents approximately fifty present (50%) of the labour force. The newly enacted legislation encompasses social responsibility in that it seeks to standardize not only the delivery of services within this sector, it also benefits the individuals employed therein as well. An examination of the varied factors comprising productivity in the hospitality and catering sector to correlate the effect of social responsibilities requires an understanding of the structural as well as staffing variables within each sector along with any new regulations, laws and or legislation which might act upon bottom line performance. Chapter 2 Methodology 2.1 Gaining a Perspective As the subject of this paper asks the complex question of how social responsibilities act upon productivity, the logical point to first understand is the nature and breathe of where social responsibility emanates from and what it indeed means. The preceding broad context was undertaken to permit the gathering of information on an ad hoc basis rather than utilizing the blinders of preconceived notions or understandings which might not reflect actual circumstances or conditions as they transpired. Research methodology, regardless of personal knowledge, demands that one look at the subject with a clean mental slate in order to maintain objectivity. This means exploring the process from all conceivable angles. As understanding the implications of the foregoing formed the starting point, delving into searches via the internet was determined to be the point of origin from which to gain a perspective. The subject of social responsibility is a fluid rather than static subject. It is based upon the point in time one is looking at as social changes reflect human consciousness and awareness which is consistently evolving. However, it also based upon what preceded it in the past. The area of social responsibility has its roots in the temper and climate of the society it is borne into and how that idea was/is expounded upon. The social bond of deep horizontal comradeship as put forth by Anderson (1983) forms an important base element in the formation of nationalism as well as the corresponding socio-psychological ideology. As the historical significance of all the component parts required background information, secondary research was conducted utilizing Internet search engines to gather data from journals and articles as well as to determine what literature sources (books) to be explored. The nature of the subject is well suited to secondary research ahistorical events held the factual records of the evolution of the social policy process. Secondary research provides the benefit of obtaining detailed facts, dates and information which can be analyzed against the subject matter at hand. And while primary research gathers opinion, viewpoints and information first hand, it is a structured process that requires prior experience with the subject to formulate the basis for questions, interviews and information which form the prevailing view but not necessarily the answer. Following the historical timeline of events in society, the industry sector, government and labour provided the inputs that revealed the sources and underpinnings which contained the answers. While there are varied voluntary aspects and areas that a firm can undertake which qualify as social responsibility said measures would be difficult to equate in terms of their application, use and affect unproductivity. Therefore, the source of any social responsibly issues needed to consist of something that applied on a broad basis and was identifiable as well as fit the parameters. In this instance the source is the legislation adopted by the United Kingdom from the European Union such as the Employment Rights Act 1996) which set forth a broad spectrum of regulations, compliance and rules as well as catering legislation and regulations that have been enacted. Chapter 3 Literature Review 3.1 A Broad Spectrum of Inputs As the United Kingdom is connected by history and geographic location to the European Union, even though it has not become a member, it recognizes the broader implications of keeping in step with the developments, rules and regulations this body enacts. Within this context the United Kingdoms recent legislation affecting the hospitality and catering sectors finds its roots in said organization. Organizations such as: 1. The European Federation of Trade Unions in the Food, Agriculture and Tourism (EFFAT), and 2. HOTREC (Hotels, Restaurant and Cafes in Europe, were two contributors to the EU Commission from which the broad compendium of laws, rules, regulations and policy was adopted. The following summarizes those organizations: 1. The European Federation of Trade Unions in the Food, Agriculture and Tourism (EFFAT) This organization is a federation that represents 120 trade unions throughout Europe in 35 countries (European Union and non-European Union nations). With a membership roster in excess of 2,600,000 it utilizes their input and consensus to investigate and formulate policies in a multitude of areas. EFFATs policy statement mentions that the organization is committed to sustainable development in areas such as pollution, drinking water quality and availability as well as ecological problems through dialogue and cooperation and recommendations. The organization is also cognizant of migration and immigration issues in the industries it represents and how these types of individuals form a good portion of the labour pool for the sectors it represents, thus indicating the need for effective training techniques and the associated laws and regulations to protect the interests of these groups as well as turning them into productive workers. 2. HOTREC (Hotels, Restaurant and Cafes in Europe) As one would assume the hotel, restaurant, and cafÃÆ' © sectors are governed by strong social laws, externally (for the protection of the public), and internally (for the protection of employees). The extensive numbers of measures (in excess of fifty [50]), has been identified as a source of concern by this organization as these industries are labour intensive that compliance will increase the operating costs and potentially affect employment as well as growth. Milton Friedman explains that since individuals run businesses, the social responsibility of these firms is an outgrowth of the management culture and their understanding as well as identification with the notion of social precepts. Friedman poses the question that the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦first step toward clarity.. entails understanding the context of social responsibility in terms of what it ..implies for whom. Friedman explained the fit of social consciousness in business should not become lost in the complexity as the process is simple, people run enterprises and as individuals they are influenced by society as well as being a part of it. Thus as ones influence and responsibilities increase, so does the need to expand their vision in terms of the effects of that influence and act accordingly. The requirement that individuals thinking terms of the implications and ramifications of the sphere of influence exerted by a company as well as the generation of profits. The reminder and assertion being put forward is that regardless of the profit motive, business has an obligation to other individuals as a result of the humanity of our global community. The acts of labour, government and the industry has shown that the concept of social responsibility is an active component of the hospitality and catering sector as evidenced by the following organizational meetings which included or focused on social responsibility issues as an important part of their agendas; A. World Summit for Social Development, International Labour Organizations Sectorial Activities Programme B. Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms C. Ministerial Conference on Human Rights of the European Social Charter D. International Labour Organizations Sectorial Activities Programme E. Tripartite Meeting on Human Resources Development, Employment and Globalization in the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Sector The following organizations helped to set the framework for the European Commission and are examples of governmental, industry, jaborandi social consciousness which provided the specifics concerning social responsibility and its effects upon productivity, as well as means to harness this in a method which is positive for employers and employees; A. World Summit for Social Development, International Labour Organizations Sectorial Activities Programme The World Summit for Social Development meeting of March 1995 in Copenhagen pledged to reduce poverty, work toward the objective of full employment, and to foster social integration. As a United Nations organization the importance of the influence of this program is obvious, making the issues a global concern via utilization of a formal stage under the aegis of the U. N. The conference convened in Geneva in2000 to review the commitments made in Copenhagen in 1995. The importance of this initiative has moved the sphere of social policy tithe forefront of global attention. B. Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Organized under the Council of Europe, the name of the Convention explains its origins as well as purpose. As a natural outgrowth, social policies were tabled and have helped to shape the social responsibility concerns which business needs to embrace as part of the broader human community. C. Ministerial Conference on Human Rights of the European Social Charter This Conference put forth an extensive list of employment related social and legal accords which were agreed to by the countries comprising Europeans a foundation for commercial regulations ensuring fundamental as well as progressive social rights. This list forms the underpinning of all social responsibility areas in the public arena and thus sets a standard for social corporate behaviour. The extensive list shall be elaborated on in Chapter 4. D. International Labour Organizations Sectorial Activities Programme As a separate organization devoted to labour issues the International Labour Organization segments its Sectorial Activities Programme into industrial classifications. This organization brings together business, government and people, Tripartite, so that initiatives undertaken have balance due to all entities being represented. The policies implemented by this organization have a binding effect as a result of this tripartite mixture. It actualizes discussion at other levels (meaning organizations and programs), into working realities. E. Tripartite Meeting on Human Resources Development, Employment and Globalization in the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Sector This is the industry Programme specifically devoted to the Tourism classification. The policies and areas identified by these organizations helped to form parts of the European Union enactments which was then adopted by the United Kingdom and subsequently resulted in the 1,500 pages of legislation for the Hospitality and Catering sectors which covers: 1. The Employment Rights Act of 1996 2. Working Time Regulations of 1998 3. Employment Relations Act of 1999 4. Part-Time Workers Regulations of 2000 5. 1990 Food Safety Act and subsequent amendments a. General Product Safety Regulations b. Hygiene Legislation c. Food Control Regulations d. Food Law Guide The extent of the foregoing is so extensive that they shall be discussed under the following section. Chapter 4 Analysis of Data 4.1 Social Responsibility in Modern Society In order to understand the aspect(s) of social responsibilities with regard to their effect on the productivity of firms within the hospitality and catering sector of the travel and tourism industry classification, one must first be cognizant of the broader spectrum from which this emanates, social policies which evolve from public opinion. This is also termed as a social contract which is a term that has been derived from political science and sociology to signify both real as well as hypothetical understandings or agreements within country concerning the rights and responsibilities of citizens as well as the nation. Jean Rousseau (1762) stated that the social contract is an understanding that in order for individuals to live in a society they must agree that in exchange for this society (nation) giving them certain rights such as the right to live, they also must give up certain aspects such as harming others, and that as a result the society (nation) is obligated to administer laws and rights equally as well as fairly. This social contract is a living entity that is modified, amended and adjusted by public opinion that changes the context of laws and regulations as the social consciousness of the society (nation) evolves. The implication of the foregoing is that if individuals demand and require more rights these rights carry with them the caveat that the individuals within said society (nation) also must agree to and take on more responsibilities and the nature and weight of these responsibilities increase with more rights. Simply stated, more rights mean more responsibilities and less responsibility mean fewer rights. The prior statement has been utilized to provide a foundational point of understanding to illustrate that social responsibility factors are an outgrowth of said social contract and the process is evolutionary in nature. Individuals within a society become familiar with the implications of this contract through the educational process, media, elections, voting and other communication forms. Most of the contents of this contract are understood by high percentage of the population which know that voicing said opinions through activist groups and contacting elected officials is the process by which newer theories and or applications of social practice and behaviour are updated to contemporary terms. As companies and corporations are an inherent part of the societal fabric they are bound by social codes of conduct and behaviour both legislated as well as those that are considered part of progressive thinking and behaviour. Governmental reforms and acceptance on an official basis of new theories, understandings and precepts of social conduct and responsibility is necessarily a slow process because it must weigh and consider the ramifications of each aspect and how this affects existing and accepted social norms, as well as the negative impacts and how such affect all aspects of the social fabric. This simplified summary explanation is neither in defence of or a comment on government reaction to new inputs. Not all forms or aspects of this social contract(understandings) are formalized, meaning being a part of laws or regulations, they can tend to be rules of accepted conduct or progressive thinking (and living) which become an expected part of these progressive circles. 4.2. UK Legislation As stated by Bob Cotton, Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association, the number of the regulations enacted by the United Kingdom covering the hospitality and catering sectors, some 1,500pages, represents a compliance maze has become a time, cost and administrative burden for an industry primarily comprised of smaller firms. He indicated that even with amendments to reduce the total number it would still à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦impose new cost burdens which are just as onerous. The European Laws introduced since 1997 under this and other legislations has increased the compliance and administrative cost to businesses by 46% (currently  £30 billion), in what the Derby Council calls à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦red tapeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ A survey by the British Chambers of Commerce has stated that the laws covering the protection of data, maternity as well as paternity leaves and other areas are costing businesses billions of pounds, and in a study conducted by the Burdens Barometers this figure was calculated as being in excess of  £10 billion since being put into effect in 1999. In all the total bill for areas indicated as red tape have been estimated as adding  £9 billion in costs just in 2003.The following will summarize the extensive nature of the preceding: 1. The Employment Rights Act of 1996 Consisting of 245 segments under Chapter 18 the Act sets forth Employment Particulars which are the foundation for a broad number of areas affecting the hospitality and catering sectors within the context of this paper. This Act also forms the framework for the Working Time Regulations of 1998which contains a number of amendments that represent part of the new legislation. Some highlights of this Act are: a. Employment Particulars b. Protection of Wages c. Guarantee Payments d. Sunday Working for Shop and Betting Workers e. Protection from Suffering Detriment in Employment f. Time Off Work g. Suspension from Work h. Maternity Rights I. Termination of Employment j. Right not to be Unfairly Dismissed k. Remedies for Unfair Dismissal 2. Working Time Directive The additional paperwork, regulations, new benefits and associated measures comprising the amendment to the Working Time Directive which specifies minimums for health and safety under Article 2 of Directive89/391/EEC and Article 17. The Directive amendment sets forth provisions for the following in the private and public sectors: a. rest period minimums for a days, weeks and annual vacation as well as break periods, maximum weekly hours b. aspects covering certain areas concerning night shifts, shifts and work patterns. The following sets forth provisions under the preceding sections: a. Minimum Rest Periods: 1). Article 3 Daily rest Specified as a minimum daily period of rest between working periods of 11 hours 2). Article 4 Breaks Specifies that when the shift exceeds six hours each employee is entitled to a rest break as specified and laid out in collective agreements 3). Article 5 Weekly rest period During a seven-day period each worker is entitled to the indicated11-hour daily rest and a minimum 24-hour rest period which is specified as Sunday 4). Maximum weekly working time This is subject to the prevailing country law and the total working time for the seven day period shall not exceed 48 hours (in the United Kingdom), which includes overtime b. Night Work Shifts and Patterns of Work 1). Workers on the night shift are to receive a health assessment free of charge prior to being assigned and any worker who is determined to have a health problem that is diagnosed as connected to night work shall be transferred as soon as possible to day work shifts 2). The indicated health assessment must conform to medical terms of confidentiality 3). Employers compliance with the indicated health assessment can be performed via the national health system c. Night work guarantees Certain night worker categories shall receive guarantees as specified by legislation of that country concerning risks at work to their health and or safety 1). Article 11 Notification concerning the regular utilization of night employees health and safety protection If so requested by authorized agencies and or individuals information concerning night workers shall be provided by the company 2). Article 12 Pattern of work Countries shall see that regulations are in place to guide employers in setting procedures for night employees that minimize repetitive patterns and set a rate that provides safety and health specifications 3). Article 13 Safety and health protection Countries shall see that night employees as well as shift employees have the appropriate safety and health protection applicable to the work being performed The preceding are provisions that are applicable in this instance for the hospitality and catering sector concerning social responsibility aspects whereby costs are incurred as a result of their enactment. The Employment Relations Act of 1999 sets forth those provisions that are cost additives for businesses under social responsibility: a. Maternity and Parental Leave 1999 Maternity leave is granted to employees who meet certain criteria and conditions: 1).That said employee notify the employer of the maternity leave period 21days prior to the date said leave shall commence as long as she has notified the employer of said pregnancy, the expected day of delivery and the date of maternity leave commencement. 2). Said employee shall provide the employer with documentation on said pregnancy from a licensed medical practitioner, or midwife and that such be in writing if so directed. That the employer shall allow foresaid maternity leave be at least 18 weeks. The cost additive under social responsibility in this instance is that said provision applies to all workers. In the past part time workers were not entitled and thus their return to their positions was subject to the discretion of the employer and not a right. 3). Parental Leave If an employee has been with the firm on a continual basis for a period of not less than 1 year and has direct legal responsibility for amino, then said employee shall be entitled to 13 weeks parental leave(not consecutive) and shall not lose their job as a result. a. Time off for domestic incidents Employees are entitled to paid time off for domestic incidents as set forth in collective agreements. b. Part-Time Worker Regulations of 2000 Under this provision part-time workers shall be paid at the same rates full time employees for comparable work and shall also be paid for overtime under the same understanding. The seasonal as well as temporary workers within the hospitality and catering sectors are benefited by the Act, however employers who formerly utilized this category as a justification to pay lower wages now have this as a cost additive. Part-time workers are entitled to the same coverage and other provisions of full time workers on a pro-rata basis. c. 1990 Food Safety Act and subsequent amendments The importance of regulating and ensuring the public safety is a function of government and the Food Safety Act of 1990 was enacted

Comparing Platos Republic and Gullivers Travels Essay example -- com

Plato's Republic and Gulliver's Travels      Ã‚  Ã‚   In The Republic, Plato attempts to define the ideal state as it relates to the tripartite division of the soul. In this division, wisdom, the rational characteristic of the soul, is the most valuable and important. In the ideal state the ruling class would be the guardians, those who maintain rationality and will operate according to wisdom. Each individual "should be put to use for which nature intended them, one to one work, and then every man would do his business" (276d). This conception of the ideal state is exemplified in Jonathon Swift's Gulliver's Travels, within the society of the Houyhnhnms. Each member of the society maintains a role which he or she was born into, and according to Gulliver the Houyhnhnms are "wise and virtuous" (Swift, 260). These two qualities are most valuable to Plato within the ideal state, and are manifest in Houyhnhnm land.    The problems that occur within these "utopias" are the central problems of democracy. The question that arises is whether or not a state such as either of these is just. This problem is far too great to understand within the context of these societies, so in an attempt to understand the beneficial aspects it should be realized that if considered without "moral" judgements, these societies could function appropriately. Plato'... ...nd do just that. The maintenance of a virtuous state requires a unanimous understanding of each member's place and position. Without this understanding the ideal state cannot exist; this is why sometimes the pleasures of the individual must be overruled in favour of the needs of the society.    Works Cited Donoghue, Denis. Jonathan Swift: A Critical Introduction. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 1969. Marra, James L., Zelnick, Stephen C., and Mattson, Mark T.  Ã‚   IH 51 Source Book: Plato,   The Republic, pp. 77-106. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque, Iowa, 1998. Swift, Jonathan. Gulliver's Travels. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.

Nike Sweatshop

Trust Nikkei Inc. , the sports apparel multinational company has been under suspicion and scrutiny for their practice of the unfair treatment and negligent labor habits In their offshore factories. They have been criticized for human rights abuse, child labor law violations, as well as minimum wages and trade union relations violations within a number of Asian countries. They subsequently misguided the public in an attempt to make one believe there is no substance to the allegations of their involvement.The abusive and exploitative treatment and working conditions In these factories has been touted as Inhumane In nature as well as an Implored violation of worker's human rights (Figure 1). Some of the most common abuses being Imposed upon their workers were insufficient pay (Figure 2), inferior and hazardous working conditions, below standard living conditions and long grueling hours away from their families and home. In 2000 more than 11,000 sweatshops violated minimum wage and over time laws.This type of behavior brings to question their ability to gain trust thin their company amongst their employees, their investors, and the public. This hinges on one aspect of Interpersonal behavior found In Nine's sweatshops. By definition, trust is a culture of transparent communication which forms a foundation for building relationships. A sense of safety and the level of comfort when it comes to interpersonal interaction; this pervades a workplace that should developed and nurture a culture of trust (About. Com). NIKKEI Inc. Pays Tiger Woods enough money that he could purchase a house In the slums of Indonesia every second, while it pays heir factory workers low wages. It takes a worker In Indonesia work roughly 9. 5 years to make what Tiger makes In one round of golf Figure 3 shows the hourly wage for a Nikkei factory worker in Indonesia is $0. 34 an hour, which comes up to roughly $23. 80 a week per worker. This barely gives workers enough wages to cover their daily n eeds, versus $925. 00 per week for a comparable job in the United States. From an equity theory stance, this could lead to mistrust for Nine's underpaid workers.Nine's blatant unwillingness early on to be fair and Just In establishing equal pay for equal ark clearly would give their workers a sense of mistrust by taking advantage of not only the economic hardships within the country In which they've set up shop: but also by underrepresented what would be considered a â€Å"fair† wage if Nine's factory had been established in the United States. According to Greenberg the equity theory states, â€Å"People are motivated to maintain, equitable relationships between themselves and others and to avoid those relationships that are inequitable†.According to an AM Broadcast (201 3), unions In Indonesia say at least six Nikkei- contracted factories have applied to be exempt from paying an Increases to the minimum wage rate. According to Jim Keyed, founder of Educating for Justi ce, â€Å"this is a clear violation of Nine's code of conduct and in a more general sense; the minimum wage is a poverty wage alone. To pay less than the minimum wage I Just think absolutely runs counter to Nine's public claims that they care about the welfare of their workers and they want to see them have decent lives. Nikkei has also been accused of using deplorable tactics and coercion to force workers to produce Nine's defiant workers. If an employee doesn't do what is asked of them, they are whipped, eaten, killed, threatened at gun point, and subjected to search and seizure tactics within their homes. In any environment, work related or otherwise, where there is such brutality, an employee's emotional state and lack of positive motivation invites vulnerability, both internal as well as externally prohibiting those involved in any attempt at establishing trust.Typical in any relationship, as it applies to working conditions, when one person perceives that management and/or th e organization does not place a vested interest in their wellbeing equal to the organization itself, there is breach in confidence and trust. Corporate Responsibility: The pyramid of corporate social responsibility is composed of four types of responsibilities: Philanthropic, Ethical, Legal and Financial. According to Greenberg, â€Å"To be socially responsible, companies must meet the four types of responsibilities (2013).Nikkei has portrayed its sweatshop allegations as more of a crime against public relations rather than face that they've violated the factory workers' human rights. Their strategic decision has been to mislead the public. They have avoided addressing key issues regarding wages, forced overtime and suppression of workers' eight to freedom of association. This has led credence to civil and human rights groups to be Justifiably correct in treating Nikkei with suspicion. NIKKEI, Inc. ‘s code of ethics for all employees called, Inside the Lines, addresses the ex pectations of Nines' employees.It clearly defines the expectations of its employees to follow and include a range of topics regarding: employee activity, ethical behavior, product safety, legal compliance, competition and use of resources. Nine's code of conduct specifically addresses and places emphasis on the conduct of contractors that manufacture Nikkei-branded products. It directs them to respect the rights of their employees and promises to provide workers with a safe and healthy work environment. Nine's code of conduct states, â€Å"Nine's good name and reputation result in large part from our collective actions.That means the work-related activities of every employee must reflect standards of honesty, loyalty, trustworthiness, fairness, concern for others and accountability. We are expected to be sensitive to any situations that can adversely impact Nine's reputation and are expected to use good Judgment and common sense in the way we all conduct business. This Code of Ethi cs applies to Nikkei and its subsidiaries worldwide† (Nikkei, 2009). Yet, Nine's actions go completely against their policy regarding ethics and conduct.A clear violation of trust, as well as under- minding the responsibility of a reputable corporation to do what is morally and ethically right. It wasn't until the brutal working conditions, and intimidation tactics against these factory workers were exposed and Nine's corporate image was at stake. Price Waterholes Coopers (PWS), an independent monitoring firm hired by NIKKEI Inc to conduct interviews and surveys of the overseas factories. The interviews with Nine's factory workers lasted approximately 7 to 10 minutes each.The venue in which the interviews were conducted were not in a private setting where workers could express themselves openly, which was intimidating at best. In 1999, a worker in an Indonesia factory stated, that PWS or NIKKEI interviewed three line workers, the supervisors knew who the workers were and appro ached them after the interview to try to discover what they had disclosed. Clear violation of trust, workers could not workers to express themselves without reprisal. As you can see in the chart labeledFigure 4, Nikkei revenue sales were impact after the Nikkei scandal broke. While it appears revenue sales are beginning to incline there was a definite dip, which more than likely can be attributed to the scandal regarding Nine's business practices and treatment toward factory workers abroad as opposed to that of workers in the United States. NIKKEI sales are on the rise due to endorsements form Derek Jester ( New York Yankees), Eddie Jones (Miami Heat), Vince Carter (Toronto Raptors) and of course, Michael Jordan.Also, they have almost fixed the labor problems worldwide that have bothered them for years. Therefore, Nikkei is moving in the right direction to regain corporate social trust. Recommendations: Build Trust & Improve Corporate Responsibility From an ethical and corporate res ponsibility standpoint Nikkei should understand that they have obligation not only to their employees but to consumers as well to live up to the ethos they embody. Building trust amongst and commitment amongst their employees is vital to improving their corporate image.Enhancing their social image could attract more customers and investors, therefore provide positive benefits while creating a working environment that where employees feel safe, expected and valued will promote productivity and positive cash flow for the company. For example, to improve its public image, Nikkei could do the following: Establish a team to perform audits or inspection of facilities. Actively invest in the education of their overseas workers and/or their children to ensure they are taught valuable skills to better themselves. Offer opportunities for upward mobility.Create scholarships for the children of these families who have demonstrated the want to better themselves (this will do wonders to build cre dibility between Nikkei and the employee). Provide better health care for offshore workers possibly for a minimal fee so that the coverage is equivalent to that which is offered to their counter parts in the United States. Directly invest money into the surrounding communities (this will foster a sense of goodwill as well as increasing the number of qualified applicants for positions that need to be filled).Connect employees to financial services that can aid in providing relief and resources to help with obtaining adequate and habitable housing. Establish partnerships with non-profit organizations that promote the embodiment of humanity. Would do well to implement lessons learned or post- assessment process to address or curtail future issues before they get out of hand. Conduct forums which allow for the exchanging of ideas between the workers and management (this will create a sense of commitment and belonging).Ensure that a percentage of the supervisors and managers come from th e host nation (this should help to establish trust and alleviate cultural tension). Nikkei has a corporate responsibility to all stakeholders. Engaging in one or more of these suggestions could position them well on their way to be viewed as a company that cares for its rockers, appreciates its customers, respects its shareholders and its workers, as well as, is committed to society. The majority of the recommendations listed here are feasible. It will require NIKKEI to invest in its employees.

Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust Essay - 924 Words

In history, there have been many reasons people have had to kill others: land, power, money, and millions of other things. Despite the violence that has taken in the past, the world was introduced to a justification unlike any other for mass murder. This explanation was simply prejudice, and it resulted in what is known as the Holocaust- the slaughter of numerous racial and religious group members dubbed undesirables by the Nazi party. This horrific event is now studied endlessly, but why do we learn about it? How do we benefit from being educated on this tragedy? It all began with a man named Adolf Hitler. He was Austrian-born but came to Germany to fight in their army for World War I. Mustard gas had caused him to be in the hospital†¦show more content†¦The Nuremberg Race Laws, as they came to be known as, were the foundation for subsequent laws that inflicted further punishments on the undeserving victims of the Nazis stereotypes. The laws prohibited marriage between Aryan Germans and undesirables. German females under the age of 45 could not be employed by Jews. Undesirables could not fly the national flag, as such patriotic acts had to be limited to only the dominant race. Jewish government officials employed before 1914 and World War I veterans of undesirable descent were excluded in earlier policies, but the Nuremberg Laws rendered all these exceptions void. People being discriminated against were stripped of their citizenship and all their civil rights, and only worse was to come. The tragedy that followed was devastating. There were concentration, labor, and extermination camps to which Jews were forced to go. The Nazis did their best to dehumanize undesirables. Their heads were shaved, their clothes were stripped away and replaced with pinstriped costumes, and their jewelry and other possessions were taken away. Forced to work long and exhausting labor hours, the prisoners were also given very little to eat and placed in dirty living quarters. Over the course of the Holocaust, 11,000,000 people were killed, and 6,000,000 of them were Jews. HitlerShow MoreRelatedAdolf Hitler and the Holocaust1249 Words   |  5 PagesAdolf Hitler was the driving force behind the Holocaust. Many people think he was insane to torture the human race that way. Others praise him for attempting to exterminate the Jewish people. Some wonder what was going on inside his head when he had the first thought and/or plan of the Holocaust. A majority of the world just want to know what drove him or what made him hate the Jewish race so much. Studying Adolf Hitler’s beliefs can give the world history because he gave the world an insightRead MoreAdolf Hitler And The Holocaust1078 Words   |  5 Pages Adolf Hitler played a major role in WWII. Hitler was anti-Semitic. Anti-Semitic is to be against Jews. Hitler’s perspective of perfection was a blue-eyed, blonde-haired white person; most Jews did not fit this description. This view is what caused the Holocaust. The Holocaust was a period of time in which many Jews were killed in camps. He also believed that he could bring Germany to greatness once again. Because of Adolf Hitler’s actions and beliefs, he was an important figure inRead MoreAdolf Hitler And The Holocaust Essay905 Words   |  4 PagesAuschwitz On January 30, 1933 Adolf Hitler was appointed the German chancellor. This was the beginning of the most tragic and horrifying mass murder the world has ever known. Adolf Hitler was a man who despised Jews and blamed them for everything that had gone wrong in Germany. He wanted to annihilate every living Jew in Germany through a plan that he called â€Å"The Final Solution.† To fulfill his master plan, he appointed German SS officers to round up mass amounts of Jews and ship them off to deathRead MoreAdolf Hitler And The Holocaust Essay1105 Words   |  5 PagesAdolf Hitler and the Holocaust. The Holocaust is the word used to describe the mass murder of approximately six million European Jews during Adolf Hitler’s rule in Germany. Among the Jews were also other groups described as â€Å"Sub-Humans† such as Gypsies, homosexuals, intellectually challenged, political prisoners and most Eastern Europeans. German lacked confidence in their weak system, the Weimer Republic. Adolf Hitler, the chairman of the Nazi Party by 1921, was a World War I veteran who still believedRead MoreAdolf Hitler And The Holocaust1667 Words   |  7 Pagesthe more sharply they became distinguished in my eyes from the rest of humanity,† Hitler wrote in Mein Kampf, describing his feelings when he first arrived in Vienna in 1925 and began to develop anti-Semitic ideas. The Holocaust was when the Nazi’s eliminated the Jewish people under Hitler’s rule. This was one of the most gruesome events in world history. There were three main reasons why Hitler started the Holoca ust and exterminated the Jews: he had a need for power; he was convinced the loss ofRead MoreAdolf Hitler And The Holocaust2262 Words   |  10 PagesWhen Adolf Hitler rose to power in 1933, he had a belief that race was the sole matter that defined the culture of a civilization. He influenced the country of Germany to change the ideological values that they previously abided by. This change marked the beginning of a new era, which led to the most pure ideological genocide that can be remembered to this day since there was no pragmatic motivation throughout the time period the Holocaust took place. It is a dark mark in the history of westernRead MoreAdolf Hitler And The Holocaust2948 Words   |  12 PagesAdolf Hitler, chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945 and fà ¼hrer of Nazi Germany from 1934 to 1945, was the mastermind behind both World War II within Europe and the Holocaust. In the â€Å"Final Solution,† concentration and extermination camps were implemented in an a ttempt to rid of the Jewish population entirely. Such a task, genocide, would not be done easily. By the end of World War II, over six million Jews had been killed. However, not merely Jews were subject to mass murder, but nearly five millionRead MoreAdolf Hitler and The Holocaust Essay729 Words   |  3 Pageshandicaps. This geonocide, led by Adolf Hitler, who was the chancellor and future dictator of Germany, resulted in the death of six million Jews and thousands of other innocents. The Holocaust is arguably the worst thing that has happened in our history. In our modern world we still have racist and religious problems accross the world particularly in the Middle East and Africa. By studying the Holocaust we can learn many things and gain a perspective on our lives. Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazi politicalRead MoreAdolf Hitler and The Holocaust Essay1519 Words   |  7 Pages On January 30th, 1933, Adolf Hitler became a dictator of Germany, which marked the start of the twelve year massacre, the Holocaust. The Holocaust lasted until May 8th, 1945, when Europe won World War II. During the event of the Holocaust, six million Jewish followers were murdered; nearly two-thirds of the European Jewish population and one-third of all the Jewish population in the world. The Nazi Party not only targeted the Jews, but communists, Marxists, and anyone who stood up to, or posedRead MoreAdolf Hitler and the Holocaust Essay1114 Words   |  5 Pages Germany’s fate was changed on April 20, 1889, the day I, Adolf Hitler was born to German official, Alois and my dear, Klara Hitler. Little did they know of what a miracle that had blessed them that day. My destiny was decided for me every time my father lectured me about the abhor Jews, taking up our German property, and beat me for the childish mistakes I made. I realized my destiny was to punish the faults in our once perfect nation. My father’s strict upper hand was not the only contribution