Organizational Health – Concept, Dimensions, and Characteristics

Management Concepts

Organizational Health Approach – Building a Strong Workplace

Modern Management Concepts

Participative Management – Workers Participation in Management

Human Resource Management

Case Study on Entrepreneurship: Larry Page

Business Analysis

The Boundaryless Career: Modern Contemperory Perspective on Career

Human Resource Management

Case Study of McDonalds: Strategy Formulation in a Declining Business

McDonald’s Corporation or rather the CEO, Mr. Greenberg realized there was a major problem arising within their corporation when their earnings declined in the late 1990s till the early 2000s. Their net income not only shrunk to 17%, but also suffered from slow sales growth below the industry average during that period of time. Although their market share was well above their competitors such as Burger King and Wendy’s nevertheless there was a slow share growth. Therefore the question of what caused the Big Mac Attack is raised. It is observed that there was a growing trend of customers moving to non hamburger meals which is being offered by indirect competitors such as KFC, Subway (dominating the market with more than 13,200 US outlets) and Pizza Hut as an alternative choice. Sandwiches and a variety of microwaveable meals are being offered at supermarkets, convenience stores and even at petrol stations. Continue reading

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Differentiation of Strategy from Policies and Tactics

Strategy v/s Policies Strategy has often been used as a synonym of policy. However, both are different and should not be used interchangeably Policy is the guideline for decisions and actions on the part of subordinates. It is a general statement of understanding made for achievement of objectives. Policies are statements or a commonly accepted understanding of decision making. They are thought oriented. Power is delegated to the subordinates for implementation of policies. In general terms, policy is concerned with course of action chosen for the fulfillment of the set of objectives. It is an overall guide that governs and controls managerial actions. Policies may be general or specific, organizational or functional, written or implied. They should be clear and consistent. Policies have to be integrated so that strategy is implemented successfully and effectively. For example, when the performance of two employees is similar, the promotion policy may require the Continue reading

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Unorganized Retail in India

Retailing in India is predominantly unorganized. According to a survey by AT Kearney, an overwhelming proportion of the Rs. 400,000 crore retail market is UNORGANISED. In fact, only a Rs. 20,000 crore segment of the market is organized. We are known as a nation of shopkeepers with over 12 million, the highest outlet density in the world in the world with an estimated turnover of $ 200 billion. However a disturbing point here is that as much as 96 per cent of them are smaller than 500 square feet in area. This means that India per capita retailing space is about 2 square feet (compared to 16 square feet in the United States). India’s per capita retailing space is thus the lowest in the world. Another point to note is that only 8 % of our population is engaged in Retail whereas the global average is around 10-12%. Traditional retailing Continue reading

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Working Across Boundaries

During the last decade, the concept of working across boundaries has become a popular concept. The basic premise is that individuals and organizations need to traverse boundaries if they are to achieve their goals. Essentially earlier concepts of fixed organizational demarcation lines no longer apply in modern-day business concepts. Within the organizational framework, the concept of boundaries can become a reasonably complex issue. There still remains an active debate as to whether the definitions of boundaries are realistic, objective, or imagined. The concept has become more complex with the use of outsourcing and Public/Private partnerships in terms of lines of demarcation and authority.  The concept of boundaries within organizations takes on different shapes and forms. Much of this has to do with social and knowledge boundaries. The explosion in technological and communication advances has simplified the concept of working across boundaries. Despite the fact that organizations still are challenged to Continue reading

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Financial Sector Reforms in India

In India, a decade old on-going financial reforms have transformed the operating environment of the finance sector from an administrative regime to a competitive market base system.  Since mid-1991, a number of reforms have been introduced in the financial sector in India.  Rangarajan once noted that domestic financial liberalization has brought about the deregulation of interest rates, dismantling of directed credit, reforming the banking system, improving the functioning of the capital market, including the government securities market.  The main emphasis on the financial sector reform has been on the banking system so as to improve the performance of public sector banks. The Narasimhan Committee constituted in 1991 laid the foundation for the revamping of the financial sector in India. The Committee had submitted two reports– in 1992 and 1998 which gave immense importance on enhancing the efficiency and viability of this sector. Taking a cue from the developments in the Continue reading

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Introduction to Performance Appraisal

In almost every organization, every employee is subjected to periodic  appraisal of his/her performance. This is highly important if the organization’s  human resource development objectives are to be realized, if the organization  wants to make best use of its human resource available and if the organization  wants to have a scientific and retinal compensation system. An effective  performance appraisal system brings rationality in management. If an  organization wants to maximize its effectiveness then the organization must  have tool by which it can discriminate between an effective employee and not so  effective employee. Today, appraisal is not something of a choice left to the  wishes of the corporate bosses, nor it is a privilege to be enjoyed by few  businesses conglomerates. Therefore, it is a must for every organization for its survival and growth.  The appraisal practices are in somewhere structured and formally sanctioned and  in other instances they are an Continue reading

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