Essays and Research Papers on Management & Business

This 5 page paper considers the use of complex adaptive systems theory in the commercial environment, how this can link in with leadership theory, creativity and entrepreneurship, examines the validity of this as a management theory and finishes by discussing the implications on strategic decision making. The bibliography cites 4 sources.

An 8 page paper discussing economic, social and technological forces affecting Starbucks' strategy, followed by a discussion of the firm's strategy at firm and business levels. Starbucks’ future seems to be assured, at least as long as it continues to focus attention on quality and personable service. Customers can find the opposite at ...

A 4 page paper reviewing an "InfoWorld" article discussing FedEx Kinko's new remote printing service. Rather than printing a file and then taking it either to Kinko's or an in-house printing office, the user sends it to Kinko's electronically for remote printing. The user can select any number of remote Kinko's locations, enabling ...

A 4 page paper discussing Amazon.com's position in 1996 and some of the options available to it. The paper identifies two primary problems: inability to physically handle books and consumers' mistrust of e-commerce sites to protect their private (i.e., credit card) information. The paper proposes solution to both problems. Bibliography lists 3 ...

An 11 page paper defining risk and risk assessment, and exploring some of the tools emerging to assist with risk assessment and risk management. Varying approaches appear to be emerging in different industries. The paper discusses risk associated with IT projects, but also includes mention of the banking, petroleum, healthcare and insurance industries. ...

This 5 page paper is a discussion of social responsibility, including the elements found in most definitions and the argument for companies to be socially responsible. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 13 page paper is an overview of Toyota, looking at its core competences in terms of manufacturing and process, how it competes with cost leadership and differentiation, as well as aspects such as marketing and vision. The bibliography cites 20 sources.

This 6 page paper considers the retailing of groceries in the UK through e-commerce. The paper looks at the current market with companies such as Tesco and Sainsbury and considers how easy it should be for a new entrant to enter the market and how they should compete. The bibliography cites 7 sources.

A 5 page paper discussing only the measurement aspect of the balanced scorecard approach to implementing strategy and creating value for the organization. Accurate measurement enables the organization to identify where its efforts return the greatest benefit and value, so that it can concentrate on those areas in the future while still building other, ...

12 pages in length. The extent to which positive motivation is critical to employee performance and loyalty in the fitness industry is both grand and far-reaching; that this particular type of business is not necessarily viewed as requiring the benefits of intrinsic and/or extrinsic motivation in order to retain qualified, enthused staff speaks to ...

A 12 page paper discussing Harvard case 289-045, discussing Philip Morris' attempted takeover of Kraft in October 1988. Philip Morris would be successful before the year was out, but at a cost of $12.9 billion rather than the $11 billion it initially offered for all of Kraft's stock. Capital budget analysis at $11 ...

A 7 page paper discussing Amazon.com's position in 1996 and some of the options available to it. The paper identifies two primary problems: inability to physically handle books and consumers' mistrust of e-commerce sites to protect their private (i.e., credit card) information. The paper proposes solution to both problems and offers analysis according ...

A 10 page paper discussing research-led strategy change from traditional to customer-targeted methods. The bottom line in making the shift from traditional to customer-targeted marketing lies in focusing on customers' true needs – rather than those assumed by the organization – and then aligning business processes and products to serve the needs of the ...

This 10 page paper considers a company that is planning to implement 6 sigma. The paper considers how this should be planned for, looking at the human relations aspect and the practical management of the change. The bibliography cites 10 sources.

This 9 page paper analyses the differences approaches to environmental strategy that may be adopted by companies. The paper looks at different models, from total environmental commitment to the view of environmentalism as an unimportant aspect of strategy. The way in which the models may be applied is illustrated with real examples. The bibliography cites ...

A 5 page paper discussing changes in Nike's stock and comparing it with that of Reebok and Skechers. Reebok has grown slowly but steadily over the past three years as Skechers has struggled with managerial problems. Nike had been stalled for some time as investors decided what to do with the ethical charges ...

A 4 page paper examining competitive advantage at FedEx. Harvard's Michael Porter has maintained for 25 years that the primary source of competitive advantage lies in choosing to compete in ways that competitors do not, and FedEx certainly has done that with its acquisition of Kinko's. With its unfolding remote printing services, FedEx ...

This 7-page paper focuses on the marketing and organizational structure of Walgreens Co. In addition to discussing the 4Ps of product, pricing, promotion and placement, the paper discusses, to an extent, Walgreens' organizational philosophy. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 5 page paper is an analysis of Toyota, performing a PEST analysis to consider the political, economic, social and technological influences. The paper then uses Porters Five Forces model to examine the company's position in the industry. The bibliography cites 6 sources.

A 9 page paper discussing operations at Target Corp according to Tuckman's Stages theory of group development. Tuckman observed small groups in a variety of environments to arrive at the forming, storming, norming and performing sequence of group evolution. Tuckman's original four stages aptly describe group formation and operation at Target on the ...

Corporate reputation is made up of corporate image and corporate identity. This 3 page paper examines these two concepts, looks at how they may be managed by a company and how they come together to form a company reputation. The paper uses several examples to illustrate points raised. The bibliography cites 3 sources.

This 11 page paper consider the development and use of mentoring in small and medium sized enterprises. The paper looks at why and how it is important, the different types of mentoring and the way it may be undertaken. The bibliography cites 14 sources.

An 18 page paper including a memo of transmittal, an abstract and 3 pages of graphic elements with the 8 page paper. The paper discusses methods of improving employee orientation procedures and examines two companies' approaches as best practices to arrive at recommendations. A ten-slide presentation is also available. Annotated bibliography lists ...

This 19 page paper looks at an example of a collaboration that turns into a joint venture and show how this fits it positively with the strategy of the company. The example chosen is the Brewery Group Denmark; BGD and their use of collaboration and joint ventures in distribution. The bibliography cites 8 sources.

This 9 page paper is a literature review considering aspects of succession planning that need to be faced by large companies and small family businesses. The paper considers the lessons that can be learnt from former failures and how the planning should take place. The bibliography cites 6 sources.