Legal Studies and Ethics

Question

Labor laws, that is, laws that govern the relationship, and enforce standards of conduct, between employers and the employed, exist because frictionless economic efficiency can often operate to the disadvantage of the employed, even to the point of the violation of the basic civil rights of the employed. Expound on why labor laws exist and provide three (3) examples within an organization of how labor laws are used.

Management/Social Responsibility

Question

In Germany, under the model of "stakeholder capitalism", employee representatives sit on company boards of directors. In the German model of business it is assumed that both labor (employee representatives) and capital (shareholder representatives) have important stakes in the enterprise and should work in harmony with each other. In the United States, the board of directors usually represents only the owners of the business. What advantages are there to employees as stakeholders are available in Germany that are not provided to employees in US companies? In the United States, how do employees let management know their stakeholder concerns?

Marketing and Research

Question

It has been suggested that marketing has evolved from the early days of the production orientation to today's societal marketing concept. However, not all companies have adopted the marketing concept, let alone the societal marketing concept. Why might some companies still operate under the production, product or selling orientations and what impact might this have on their profitability and customer satisfaction/retention? Provide examples of specific companies you see currently operating under each of these orientations. Justify your selections.

Quantitative and Technological Analysis

Question

Stakeholders are people who have an interest in a commercial entity including those within the organization and outside. These include the boss, senior executives, customers, suppliers, government, your co-workers, the team and others. All these people are important in the implementation and success of strategy. Stakeholder analysis is an important aspect to the financial management of a company. What do you understand by the phrase "stakeholder analysis"? Attempt a stakeholder analysis of an organization that you are closely associated with. Consider the strategic tool of "stakeholder analysis" to:

• Identify people or groups and institutions that will influence your initiative
• Anticipate the kind of influence, positive or negative, these groups will have on your initiative
• Develop strategies to get the most effective support possible for your initiative and reduce any obstacles to successful implementation of your program.