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 Mastercard: Going Upscale

Check, cash, or credit card? How many times have you heard that question and replied “credit card” without even thinking about it? When you do think about it, however, credit cards are a relatively new phenomenon. Yet when it comes time to pay, it seems we’re more likely to use the credit card (and to have several of them) than checks or cash. Indeed, some writers have even suggested that, in the not so distant future, we will all operate with “plastic money” all the time. MasterCard had its beginnings in 1966, when a group of banks joined together to form the Interbank Card Association (ICA). The ICA was founded by an association of banks rather than by a single dominant bank. Member committees ran the association by establishing rules for authorization, clearing, and settlement as well as marketing, security, and legal matters. In 1968, ICA went “global” by forming Continue reading

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What is Competitive Advantage? Definition and Meaning

The choice of industry affects firm performance but, within any given industry, some companies are more profitable than others. Why do some companies do better than their competitors? A firm that formulates and implements a strategy that leads to superior performance relative to other competitors in the same industry or the industry average has  a  competitive advantage.  The greater the performance, the greater is its competitive advantage. A sustained competitive advantage occurs when a firm maintains above-average performance for a number of years. “When a firm sustains profits that exceed the average for its industry, the firm is said to possess a competitive advantage over its rivals. The goal of much of business strategy is to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage”  (Porter, 1985) Strategy describes the goal-directed actions a firm intends to take in its quest to gain and sustain competitive advantage.  The firm that possesses competitive advantage provides superior Continue reading

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Howard Sheth Model of Consumer Behavior

John Howard and Jagadish Sheth put forward the Howard Sheth model of consumer behavior in 1969, in their publication entitled, ‘The Theory of buyer Behaviour’. The Howard Sheth Model is a sophisticated integration of the various social, psychological, and marketing influences on consumer choice into a coherent sequence of information processing. It aims not only to explain consumer behavior in terms of cognitive functioning but to provide an empirically testable depiction of such behavior and its outcomes (Howard 1977). The Howard Sheth Model proposes that a consumer’s purchase decision is influenced by multiple individuals, such as family members. It recognizes that family members take on different roles in the purchasing process, such as gathering information or deciding budgets. The model also acknowledges that retailers deal with a collection of individuals rather than a homogeneous unit. It identifies three levels of decision making – extensive problem solving, limited problem solving, and Continue reading

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Quantum Meruit in Business Law

‘Quantum meruit’ literally means ‘as much as earned’ or ‘as much as is merited’. When a person has  done some work under a contract, and the other party repudiates the contract, or some event happens  which makes the further performance of the contract impossible, then the party who has performed the  work can claim remuneration for the work he has already done. Likewise, where one person has  expressly or impliedly requested another to render him a service without specifying any remuneration, but  the circumstances of the request imply that the service is to be paid for, there is implied a promise to pay  quantum meruit, i.e. so much as the party rendering the service deserves. The right to claim quantum  meruit does not arise out of contract as the right to damages does; it is a claim on the quasi-contractual  obligation which the law implies in the circumstances. The claim Continue reading

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Tesco’s Steering Wheel: A Tool for Strategic Value Creation and Business Transformation

In early 90’s Tesco faced a stiff competition from various other retailers in the industry and thus its revenues showed a downfall. At that point Tesco could not differentiate itself from the other competitors. Later under the leadership of then CEO Ian Mac Laurin it went through an image makeover, and acquired other retailing outlets like William Low; with which it reached just up to the sustenance mark. Later Terry took over as the CEO of the Company and aimed to make the company value driven. Tesco in early 70’s had acquired a lot of other retailer companies but faced a problem of integrating them, more over Tesco stores were small and ill equipped. The company only focused on price where as the goods available at the stores were perceived to be of mediocre quality, but with rising income customers looked forward to expensive and luxury merchandise. Answering to this Continue reading

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Cost Control Concepts

The long-run prosperity of a firm depends upon its ability to earn sustained profits. Profit depends upon the difference between the selling price and the cost of production. Very often, the selling price is not within the control of a firm but many costs are under its control. The firm should therefore aim at doing whatever is done at the minimum cost. In fact, cost control is an essential element for the successful operation of a business. Cost control by management means a search for better and more economical ways of completing each operation. In effect, cost control would mean a reduction in the percentage of costs and, in turn, an increase in the percentage of profits. Naturally, cost control is and will continue to be of perpetual concern to the industry. Cost control has two aspects such as a reduction in specific expenses and a more efficient use of Continue reading

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