Background Of Yeo Hiap Seng Management Essay

Background Of Yeo Hiap Seng Management Essay Mr. Yeo Keng Lian is the founder of YEO HIAP SENG. In the year 1990, Yeos history has started in Amoy, China with a small soya sauce factory was set up in that particular year. In the year 1957, the first YEO HIAP SENG office in Malaysia was established. Now, YEO HIAP SENG (MALAYSIA) BERHAD has become a public listed company on Bursa Malaysia. It operates in the consumer products sector which engages in the production, marketing and sale of food and beverage products. (BURSA MALAYSIA, 2011). Mr. Tjong Yik Min, who is a Singaporean and was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer on 1 June 2010. (YEO HIAP SENG (MALAYSIA) BERHAD, 2011) The company offers its food and beverage products included the Yeos, Cintan, Justea, SoyRich, Isotonic H-Two-O, and Yogurt brand names. They use the freshest ingredients for their products to maintain the quality of their products in order to achieve their vision which is to be the No.1 Asian food and beverage company in Malaysia. YEOs has achieved their vision in soya milk, tea drink and can meat category; and now they are trying to achieve their vision in can food and instant noodles category as well. (YEO HIAP SENG (MALAYSIA) BERHAD, 2011). There are several main competitors of this company such as Nestlà © S.A., Coca-Cola Co., Fraser Neave Holdings Bhd (FN) and some others. The most important factor that leads to succeed of this company is their 5Cs guiding principles that are not applied by other companies. These 5Cs are consumer focus, category leadership, channel management, cost control and confidence. (YEO HIAP SENG (MALAYSIA) BHD, 2004) CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ACTIVITY Marketplace Corporate governance Statement on Corporate Governance The Board of Directors has fully committed to the principles of corporate governance and best practices as embodied in the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (the Code). The Board has taken every step to ensure the highest standards of corporate governance are practiced throughout the Group in order to protect and enhance shareholders value and the financial performance of the Group. Composition of Board Balance The board of the company consists of nine members, including two Executive Directors and seven Non- Executive Directors. There is one-third of the Independent Non Executive officer in the board membership. Furthermore, the chairman is separate apart from the chief executive director. The chairman is responsible for leadership of the board and monitoring the effectiveness of the company. However, the chief executive director is control over the groups business such as implementation of major strategies where adopted by the member of the board. Senior Management Remuneration The determination of the remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors is a matter for the Board as a whole. However, Directors are not allowed to participate in decision making where regarding to their own remuneration. Shareholders have approved the remuneration of the directors on the AGM. Besides, the Audit Committee and Independent Non-Executive Directors are paid attendances allowances to be as a board committee. Internal control The Board has recognized the importance of a sound system of internal control and acknowledged its ultimate responsibilities in maintaining the same, which includes the establishment of an appropriate control environment and risk management framework, as well as reviewing, monitoring and ensuring its adequacy and integrity. CSR Management/ Reporting Corporate responsibility statement Yeos has integrated its corporate responsibility into a sustainable business model that goes beyond shareholders interests, for the betterment of society, as a socially responsible company. It has reflected their commitments to customers, employees, investors, suppliers and the community. Third Party Report Audit and Review The board of Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad is included audit committee as their member. Audit committee is to review the issues of accounting policies and presentation for external financial reporting. Meanwhile, audit committee has monitors the works of the internal audit function and ensures an objective and maintained the relationship with external auditors. Reporting guideline The Directors of Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad are responsible to ensure the integrity of the financial statement and the effectiveness of the financial controls, risk management systems and internal control. Other than that, the directors are also responsible to ensure that all financial statements are accordance with Companies Act, 1965 and Malaysian Accounting Standards (MASB). Stakeholder Engagement Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad engage in constant dialogue with their stakeholders through Annual General Meeting (AGM) and other meetings. Their AGM are in the primary platform for two direct way interactions with stakeholders and board of the company. They are constantly updating the companys performance to the stakeholders such as quarterly financial announcement. Procurement policies Maintain the Highest Halal Standard Compliance During the year 2011, Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad has commitment with the highest Halal Standard Compliance. This honor had proven that the company had contributed a lot of works on their ingredients, employees and systems in order to maintain the most rigorous of halal standards in Malaysia. Moreover, the company adheres to strict hygiene standards and stringent quality control in order to ensure the high quality of all its products to their consumers. ENVIRONMENT Environmental policy Reusable Resources. Yeos has committed and passionate about environmental conservation. Yeos has become the first food and beverage to introduce their Asian Drinks products in Tetra Pak packaging which is environmental friendly and recyclable. Set targets for improvements and significant initiatives to reduce Moving Toward Paper-less Yeos has introduced several programmes to upgrade IT infrastructure which aim to encourage paperless environment through electronic communications and e-filing system. Beside, Distributor Management System (DMS) has been introduced and implemented by Yeos to enhance the effort of paperless environment. WORKPLACE Health Safety (HS) issues Committed to Hazard Free Zone Yeos has dedicated to afford a safe, healthy secure and contributive workplace for all the visitors, employees and business stakeholders. The promise to the effective implementation of Occupational Safety and Health Policy has achieved a hazard-free work zone. Yeos has organized different communications activities and campaigns to confirm the employees awareness of safety precautions. Human capital development Continue to Build Human Capital Yeos has entrust to provide a supportive working culture for the companys employees through training and development programmes. During the year 2011, the employees have participated in external training programmes and various in-house from technical-related skill to soft management skills. Yeos expected to bring up the future workforce of their industry; hence, Yeos continues to welcome the interns of short-term attachment to complete their degree requirements. Employee welfare Employee benefit Yeos aim to enrich the performance of staff throughout staff recognition schemes, offering equal opportunities, training and development and creating sound employees relations. Every year, in acknowledgment of the loyal, devoted and committed employees, Yeos has pleased and rewarded the long service employees at its Annual Dinner and Dance. COMMUNITY Details on the companys community investment initiatives Yeos Program Susu Soya Sekolah 2 Yeos initiated a corporate responsibility campaign, Yeos Program Susu Soya Sekolah in year 2010 and received positive feedbacks from public. Thus, Yeos continued this initiative with Yeos Program Susu Soya Sekolah 2. This campaign covered another 100 schools and reached out to another 50,000 students with an aim to instill the importance of a balanced diet and in educating the students on preserving the environment through recycling. Yeos Scholarship Programme Students from 51 primary schools in the Klang Valley and Putrajaya took part in the Yeos Program Tajaan Biasiswa Sekolah backed by the spirit of enthusiasm and perseverance. Yeos logo from empty beverage packs was collected by students to struggle for the scholarship. Yeos achieved their primary objective in setting a platform for students to exercise creativity and problem solving skills through this programme. It also promotes the spirit of esprit de corps amongst students and teachers to work towards achieving the school category scholarship for school development fund. 1Malaysia Creative Sculpture Recycling Competition Yeos support the 1Malaysia philosophy by embarked on its green and remarkable 1Malaysia recycled sculpture competition among all participating schools of Yeos Program Susu Soya Sekolah using Yeos recyclable materials. It is to encourage the youngs creativity and nurture recycling mindset. Yeos awarded the winning schools each with school development fund to support the development and extra-educational activities at school level in order to recognize their effort in this competition. My New Village Carnival Yeos joined Nanyang Siang Pau in My New Village Carnival for three consecutive years to reach out to smaller communities and villages. Yeos contributed part of its sales generated from the carnival to the schools in those villages to support their infrastructural and facilities building fund. Besides that, Yeos also embarked on Embellish Your Village with Yeos in which the participating villages has collected, cleaned, and recycled Yeos recyclable materials to embellish a selected spot in the participating villages. Furthermore, Yeos has also shared knowledge of creative recycling through fun and interactive games. Dynamic Dance Competition Yeos in collaboration with China Press, organized a national dynamic dance competition in line with Lead a Joyful Life campaign. The main objective is to encourage the communities to live and lead a healthier and joyful lifestyle. Support of World Vision Malaysia Movement In order to raise fund for World Vision Malaysias movement, Yeos has supported 30-Hour Famine program through the sponsorship of soy milk to individual camps. It is to help those who are suffering from poverty and hunger, giving them the opportunity for improved health, better quality life, and hope. Factory Educational Visits Yeos continues its initiative to welcome the local and overseas colleges and universities to enhance students knowledge about the food and beverage manufacturing processes. AUDIT PROCEDURE MARKETPLACE Corporate Governance Statement on Corporate Governance The audit procedure that will be adopted is observation. For corporate governance, the BOD has fully committed to the principles of corporate governance and best practices. We should observe what step has been done by Yeo Hiap Seng ( Malaysia ) Berhad to ensure the highest standards of corporate governance are practiced to protect and enhance the shareholders value and the financial performance of the group. Composition of Board Balance Inspection of records and documents is required in the composition of board balance. The documents or records that we needs to observe including the legal form given by the company and annual general meetings and circular resolution. Those legal form or meetings are highly reliable since they are collected from government. Furthermore, confirmation letter send to third party from auditor to obtain reliable evidence to ensure the existence of the board that are independent. However, receive positive response from third party represents it is reliable evidence. Senior Management Remuneration The inspection of records or documents is needed in audit procedures. Before verify the transactions, we need to examine the reliability of the documentary evidence through vouching and tracing. Vouching is selecting an item from ledger or journal and then examines the underlying document, to ensure the occurrence of the transaction while tracing is another way round, for checking the completeness of the whole transaction. After confirmed the reliability of documentary evidence, just we will able to verify the transactions. Furthermore, computation of remuneration is needed in this circumstance. Computation consists of checking the mathematical accuracy of documents or records. Despite of checking any errors exist, it is normally considered as a highly reliable evidence when auditor creates this type of evidence, it include checking the posting from journals to ledgers, basic computation, recalculation of the transactions, reconciling ledgers to account balances. Internal control Control environment and risk management framework were established to maintain the internal control. Inquiry have to carry out with the board to gain an understanding of the importance of a sound internal control system and its techniques. Besides that, confirmation from the internal auditor of the company should be obtain to verify whether the company internal control function accordingly. CSR Management/ Reporting Corporate responsibility statement The audit procedure that will be used is confirmation of the arrangement to obtain corporate responsibility in marketplace area. Yeos has integrated into a sustainable business model. Thus, we should confirm if it exceeds the shareholders interests and reflects their commitments to customers, employees, investors, suppliers and community. Third Party Report Audit and Review Inspection of records and documentation is required for the audit committee. Therefore, we should review the evidence whether the audit committee is existed. While at the same time, we should inspect the relationship between the company and the board. Inspection is necessary in order to judge the independence of the board of audit committee. We need to check whether audit committee is having financial interest with the company. Moreover, inspect the relevance internal document is required in the audit procedures such as annual return, circular resolution and other form. In this circumstance, inquiries are needed in order to observe the employees are awareness towards the policy and regulation. Reporting Guideline We should review the policy and observes the evidence that the policy has been really followed such as Company Act, 1965, Malaysian Accounting Standards (MASB) and financial reporting standard. Moreover, inspect the relevance internal document is required in the audit procedures such as annual return, circular resolution and other form. In this circumstance, inquiries are needed in order to observe the employees are awareness towards the policy and regulation. Stakeholder Engagement Observation needed to perform on this circumstance. It consists of looking at a process or procedure being performed by others, for an example, the auditor might need to attend the organizing committee meeting, review the minutes of meeting or even attend the activity to perform the observation. However, it might face difficulty that people might act differently once the auditor is not around and the evidence is very limited. Procurement Policies First of all, Inspection of relevance records and documents about Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad is needed. The main reason of inspection is to ensure the company is provided a safety and halal food as they apply in the field operation. Other than that, confirmation letter can be send to third party, the distributor of the honor to obtained evidence and ensure the reliability and credibility of this honor received by Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad. Besides that, auditor on-site visit is needed in this commitment. The main purpose is to have more understanding the workplace environment to ensure that the food provided in clean, halal and safety, although it allowed auditor to obtained evidence but relatively low reliability and it do not leave an audit trail because they might act differently when they were being observed. ENVIRONMENT Environmental policy Reusable Resources The audit procedure that will be taken was inquire the management to get more understanding on the concept of Tetra Pak packaging uses in food and beverages products and the detail information of processing and packaging. Beside, physical observation on the process of packaging should be carry out to ensure quality control on the packaging done time to time and entire process was follow the company policies and procedure. Moreover, As an auditor, we should obtain Quality Control Report from the management and review report from independent consultant as an evidence whether the Tetra Pak packaging implement by Yeos is environmental friendly and recyclable. Lastly, any certification from relevant authority should be obtain from management. Set targets for improvements and significant initiatives to reduce Moving Toward Paper-less Yeos has introduced several programmes to upgrade IT infrastructure which aimed to encourage paperless environment. Auditors should inquire the management on whether the Distributor Management System (DMS) is implemented and function effectively by Yeos. Observation carry out to determine whether the system helps to enhance the effort and work effectively such as improving the reliability and quality of service in terms of reducing outages, minimizing outage time and decreasing the uses of paper. Besides, confirmation from independent IT consultant on the effectiveness of system should be obtain as an evidence. Services Report of DMS should require from the management to verify whether update and improvement on system have been carry out timely to ensure the system function effectively and efficiently. WORKPLACE Health Safety (HS) issues Committed to Hazard Free Zone The audit procedure taken is review the term of policy. The Occupational Safety and Health Policy were implemented to accomplish a hazard-free work zone. In consequence, we should review the term of Occupational Safety and Health Policy to make sure the visitors, employees and business stakeholders be familiar with the policy clearly and pay attention to safety and health. Besides, report for the activities and campaign that held by Yeos and the feedback of the employees should be obtain to perform checking whether the activities and campaign have enhance employees, customers, and other stakeholders awareness of safety n health. Moreover, confirmation should be obtain from related authority if there is any certificate that awarded by the society. Human capital development Continue to Build Human Capital The audit procedure that will be carried out is inquiry. Yeos has entrust to provide a caring working culture for the companys employees over and done with training and development programmes. We have a duty to inquire the employees on whether there is any programme or activities being performed by Yeos. Other than that, we have to inquire and confirm that what skills will be used, learned and will boot the future workforce through the programmes. Moreover, confirmation should be obtain from external specialize or processor who in-charge for the programmes to ensure the reliability of the information. Lastly, we should review the programs report of each function to ensure that every employee have involved. Employee welfare Employee benefit The audit procedure that we applied is review of the record of employees. We should review every employees detail and observe whether period of service have been recorded clearly. Inspection and scanning on the employee welfare policies should be carry out to examine whether management have perform accordingly. COMMUNITY Details on the companys community investment initiatives Yeos Program Susu Soya Sekolah 2 The audit procedure need to be done is obtaining confirmation from third parties. We have obtained a confirmation from Yeos Program Susu Soya Sekolah which received positive feedbacks from the public. We also inquire the management and students of some of the schools that involves about their involvement in this campaign. We can make sure that the existence of Yeos Program Susu Soya Sekolah 2. Yeos Scholarship Programme The audit procedure that we carried out is inspection on the documents that related to Yeos Program Tajaan Biasiswa Sekolah and checked the activities that have been done by Yeos to achieve their objective. We also performing the computation on the amounts that being given as scholarships to ensure that the amounts are not used for other purpose. 1Malaysia Creative Sculpture Recycling Competition The audit procedure to be done is obtaining confirmation from the winning schools whether they receive the fund from Yeos. Next, analyzing cash flow and profit of Yeos. We checked whether the fund is a cash outflow for Yeos and being minus out from its profit. My New Village Carnival The audit procedure carried out is inquiry Yeos whether has participated in My New Carnival with Nanyang Siang Pau. Besides that, we need to get confirmation from Nanyang Siang Pau about the existence of the carnival and involvement of Yeos. We should confirm the sales generated from the carnival have been contributed to support the schools infrastructural and facilities building fund. Dynamic Dance Competition The audit procedure done is inspection on the documents which related to the campaign and checked the activities done by Yeos to encourage communities to live and lead a healthier and joyful lifestyle. Support of World Vision Malaysia Movement The audit procedure carried out is obtaining confirmation from third parties about sponsorship of soy milk in 30-Hour Famine Programme. We have obtained the confirmation letter from the individual camps about the sponsorship to them. Factory Educational Visits The audit procedure need to be done is obtaining confirmation from colleges or universities about their visiting. Besides that, we should observe the method done by Yeos to enhance students knowledge about the manufacturing process of food and beverage. WEAKNESS AND RECOMMENDATION MARKETPLACE As we know that, Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad is focus more on the details of the Companys internal control and they did not much detail on the CSR event of the market place. Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad have to pay more attention on the CSR event of market place. The company is have a good internal control, yet does not focus more on the event of CSR such as empowerment of women and blood donation campaign. Moreover, product responsibility should disclose in the annual report. Product responsibility is needed for this company since Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad is a food and beverage industry. Product responsibility is a status for the company that it has provided a safety product and services. Recommendation Product responsibility is required in the Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad. Product responsibility can addresses the effect of product and services management on the customers such as health and safety, information and labeling, marketing and privacy. The company should exercise due care in the design of their products and services in order to ensure they are fit for the intended use. Some other specific policies and regulations are needed in order for Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad to function efficiently. However, the policies and regulations are to be set in place to govern the process of acquiring and keeping goods. As their main products are food and beverage, it is of the importance that the quality is maintained. Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad should set their reorder levels as such their inventories level is low and adequate without jeopardizing their daily operation. ENVIRONMENT Yeos does not have measurement systems The company does not implement the measurement systems in place to measure emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, energy consumption, water consumption and waste production and management which will harm the environment. The example for the measurement systems is Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems. Recommendation Yeos should implement Continuous Emissions Monitoring System, a tools to monitor and calculate the carbon footprint of stores and improve performances. Besides, internal control policies should be set up for the environmental concern to measure and reduce the direct and indirect emissions deriving from their operations in stores. Yeos can enhance the effort by implement the environmental and energy management systems, creating knowledge-based schemes within the company. Yeos does not conduct environmental impact assessment In Section 34A, Environmental Quality Act, 1974, it requires the projects that have significant impact to the environment have to carry out the Environmental impact assessment and submit the report to the Director of Environmental Quality for examination. Recommendation EIA is an assessment of the possible positive and negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, social and economic. Therefore, the environmental impact assessment should be conducted by Yeos for preventing environmental problems due to their business operation. Projects which bring the detrimental effects to environment will be discarded. The elements that will be assessed by EIA project are water quality, noise, air quality, wealth and other social impacts. Lastly, when EIA integrated with the existing planning and decision-making machinery, it could provides additional information for better decision making. WORKPLACE Yeos does not implement the work-life balance Use a better work-life balance to ensure that the employees have good quality of life. Nevertheless, Yeos company is not exercising the work-life balance. It does not offer the flexible working arrangements, pension plans, counselling or assistance programmes and sport activities for the employees. Recommendation Yeos should build up counselling service at the workplace and sport activities for employees. If a business environment is filled of challenges, employee will easily get nervousness and stressful all the time. Provided the counselling service, it can assist the employees to deal with the stress and mentally problem. Due to that, employees with a good physically and mentally condition will easily deal with the jobs problem and lend a hand company to accomplish a superior performance. Yeos does not cultivate diversity in workplace Having cultivate diversity in workplace is essential because it brings a great deal of creative suggestion, new idea and innovations from people who are in different background and different experience. Other than that, it may also bring a diverse pool of candidates means a more qualified workforce. Unfortunately the company does not work on the diversity in workplace this is because Yeos does not employ people with disabilities. Recommendation We recommend that Yeos should provide equal opportunities to people with disabilities. Discriminatory case on gender, races, nationality and physical ability should be avoided. We should involve everyone one of your employees to assist in achieving organizational goals and objectives regardless of race, colour, gender, ethnicity, age, religion, disability, or national origin. Learn to appreciate the unique differences in all individuals. Yeos should evaluate them based on their qualifications and the skills they possessed but not rejecting them even before they are been interviewed. Furthermore, Yeos may provide diversity training and select diverse individuals for leadership roles. COMMUNITY Employment of local workforce in its operation Yeos does not only hire local workers in its operation but also employ low-skilled foreign labours. Although it will reduce the expenses of company as the wages are low but it will create unemployment for the local workers. Furthermore, it will cause a low productivity since they are low-skilled and unable to perform some tasks that need professional skills. It needs training for them to perform those jobs which will incur additional cost. Recommendation We recommend that employment of local workforce to be carried out not only in management area but also the manufacturing area. The salary and welfare of employees should be discussed and improvement should be done to ensure that local workforce to be employed and reduce foreign labours. An adorable welfare system may help to attract more local workforce to work in the company. Internship or graduate placement schemes Yeos does not practice internship or graduate placement schemes. An internship can provide trainee to learn the skill to handle the jobs and gain some experience before they enter into workplace in future. A graduate placement can help the fresh graduates in their future career prospects as it builds the confidence and get relevant work experience. However, Yeos does not offer the internship and graduate placement schemes for the community. Recommendation Internship or graduate placement scheme should be provided by Yeos to community. Yeos can offer university students to have their internship in company. This can train undergraduate students to have more knowledge about this sector as well as skills and experience in the company. Besides that, Yeos can offers scholarship to college or university students. The scholarship enables students to save their costs for education expenses. By doing so, students will have the opportunity to work in the company after they graduate. Encouraging employee volunteerism Yeos encourage its employee to voluntary involve in activities that contribute to society. Employee volunteerism to the community is always appreciated by the company. The employees of Yeos are not unite and do not strive as much as possible in their work and lead to low productivity. Recommendation The company should put more effort in encouraging employees volunteerism in its CSR activities. An Employee Volunteerism programme should be developed by the company to attract employee involvement. Employee volunteerism is important for a company as it can improve the performance of employees in their works, enhance the companys image and reputation and increase the employees loyalty. For example, compa

Pestle Analysis

PESTEL analysis of the macro-environment There are many factors in the macro-environment that will effect the decisions of the managers of any organisation. Tax changes, new laws, trade barriers, demographic change and government policy changes are all examples of macro change. To help analyse these factors managers can categorise them using the PESTEL model. This classification distinguishes between: . Political factors. These refer to government policy such as the degree of intervention (interference) in the economy. What goods and services does a government want to provide? To what extent does it believe in subsidizing (grants or loans) (buying) firms? What are its priorities in terms of business support? Political decisions can affect many important areas for business such as the education of the workforce, the health of the nation and the quality of the infrastructure of the economy such as the road and rail system. .Economic factors. These include interest rates, taxation changes, economic growth, inflation (price rise) and exchange rates. As you will see economic change can have a major impact on a firm's behaviour. For example: -higher interest rates may stop investment because it costs more to borrow? – a strong currency may make exporting more difficult because it may raise the price in terms of foreign currency? – inflation may lead to higher wage demands from employees and raise costs -? higher national income growth may increase demand for a firm's products . Social factors. Changes in social trends (fashion/lifestyle) can impact on the demand for a firm's products and the availability and willingness of individuals to work. In the UK, for example, the population has been ageing. This has increased the costs for firms who are committed to pension payments for their employees because their staffs are living longer. It also means some firms such as Asda have started to recruit older employees to tap into this growing labour pool. The ageing population also has impact on demand: for example, demand for sheltered accommodation and medicines have increased whereas demand for toys is falling. .Technological factors: new technologies create new products and new processes. MP3 players, computer games, online gambling and high definition TVs are all new markets created by technological advances. Online shopping, bar coding and computer aided design are all improvements to the way we do business as a result of better technology. Technology can reduce costs, improve quality and lead to innovation. These developments can benefit consumers as well as the organisations providing the products. .Environmental factors: environmental factors include the weather and climate change. Changes in temperature can impact on many industries including farming, tourism and insurance. With major climate changes occurring due to global warming and with greater environmental awareness this external factor is becoming a important issue for firms to consider. The growing desire to protect the environment is having an impact on many industries such as the travel and transportation industries (for example, more taxes being placed on air travel and the success of hybrid cars) and the general move towards more environmentally friendly products and processes is affecting demand patterns and creating business opportunities. Legal factors: these are related to the legal environment in which firms operate. In recent years in the UK there have been many significant legal changes that have affected firms' behaviour. The introduction of age discrimination (discrimination definition: where u make fun and not treat someone right because of their background, colour, how they look or age) and disability discrimination legislation, an increase in the minimum wage and greater requirem ents for firms to recycle are examples of relatively recent laws that affect an organisation's actions. Legal changes can affect a firm's costs (e. g. if new systems and procedures have to be developed) and demand (e. g. if the law affects the likelihood of customers buying the good or using the service). . Different categories of law include: .1) Consumer laws; these are designed to protect customers against unfair practices such as misleading descriptions of the product. .2) Competition laws; these are aimed at protecting small firms against discrimination by larger firms and checking that customers are not exploited by firms with control and power . ) Employment laws; these cover areas such as redundancy, dismissal, working hours and minimum wages. They aim to protect employees against the abuse of power by managers 4) Health and safety legislation; these laws are aimed at ensuring the workplace is as safe as is reasonably practical. They cover issues such as training, reporting accidents and the appropriate provision of safety equipment. http://www. scribd. com/doc/16171096/PESTEL- Framework-and-Porters-Five-Forces-Model

Post Modern Social Theory Essay

In a nutshell, postmodernism rose out of the perceived problems and dangers that were brought by the modern era of the world. With most parts of the world being under the influence of modern theoretical perspective like objectivity and scientific inclination, most of the theories that can be categorized under postmodernism can be defined as an attack and criticism to the perceived problems of philosophers, sociologist and even artists to the reality that was created by modernism (Kellner, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). Under the banner of postmodernism, we can see numerous thinkers that had attempted to analyze the modern world using their postmodern spectacles. Among this thinker are French philosopher and sociologist jean Baudrillard and Zygmunt Bauman who manage to provide a rich and fertile discussion on the discourse of postmodernism and the cultural and sociological framework of the modern world. In this paper, two thinkers shall be put in focus. These two thinkers are so vital and important in the postmodern discourse that understanding their thoughts and ideas will enable us to understand more the context of postmodernism. Jean Baudrillard Just like any postmodernist theorists, the ideas presented by Jean Baudrillard can be characterized to be an attempt to analyze the modern sociological and cultural framework. In many cases, he managed to provide a discourse through the comparison of modern practical and theoretical system and pre-modern practical and theoretical system (i. e. frameworks during the industrial revolution). A good example that is very notable is his conception of the value system. For Baudrillard, the modern world had managed to provide numerous ways of characterizing value. He named at least four value systems that can characterize something or someone. The first one is the functional value which is in relation to the functionality and instrumental use of the object. The second one is the exchange value which is the value of the object in relation to the economic condition and economic sense of manufacturing it. The third one is the symbolic value which is in relation to the relationship of the object to some individual or group of individual (e. g. diamond ring for marriage proposal). Lastly is the sign value which is the value of an object in a given set or system of objects due to the idea or values that it may represent (Baudrillard & Levin 132-133). According to Baudrillard, the modern world today with all the products and things that are being developed are enabling the construction of a new world system that is based on the third and fourth kind of value system. This means that most of the objects and products today base their values on a superficial value system. This is in contrast to the value system of eras like the industrial revolution wherein things and objects are manufactured and made out of functionality and essence. This arrangement of the modern world that is based on superficiality of value is ought to be destructed soon due to the empty bubble that it creates that is not based on people’s needs but rather to people’s superficial beliefs and desires. An idea also related to the value system is Baudrillard’s idea on simulacra and simulation. For him, what we have in the modern world is a system wherein we perceive things that are not really real and necessary. We are now living in a world wherein we acknowledge things like holiness, titles, prestige and other categories which do not really exist. It is comparable to a hyper-reality wherein we are living in a world where we acknowledge references without real referents. Much of our activities are contributing to the development of this ‘simulacra’. In many cases, we disregard what is real and just fit to live under the influence of this new and alternative reality. Baudrillard argues that this is indeed a dangerous system wherein we are living our lives in this new reality and we are living what is truly real to rot and be set aside (Baudrillard, 50-51). Indeed, much of Baudrillard’s philosophies and criticisms are ought to make us review and rethink the human condition. With his ideas on superficial value system and simulacrum, we are being forced to open ourselves and think outside what the society taught us to be. We are being taught by Baudrillard to perceive and see things as it is for us learn more in the real world. Zygmunt Bauman Together with Baudrillard, Bauman, a Polish sociologist had also provided a fertile ground in the discourse in modernity, culture and consumerism. Just like other postmodernist thinkers, Bauman had offered a picture of the modern arrangement of the modern world. He argued that what we have now is a society which preferred individual freedom rather than collective security. Prior to this system is an arrangement wherein individuals highly regards its power over nature, efficiency, hierarchy, rules and regulation. This is aimed to make our world safer and more secure. For Bauman, this is the characterization of the solid modernity. However, people had observed that despite these constructive efforts to bring peace, security and stability; there are groups that cannot just be really controlled. This groups or individuals which cannot be controlled shall be referred as ‘strangers’. As a response, this solid form of modernity will later transform to a liquid form of modernity. In this new form of modernity, what are more important are the individual pursuit and the new level of freedom. However, this new sets of characteristics are made possible at the expense of concepts like security (Bauman, Postmodernity and its Discontents, 130). In this new type of modernity, numerous problems are arising. Primarily, the classic institutions like school, government and even laws are now losing its grip to the people. The task of finding one’s individual path is left to the people. People are forced to decide for their own goals and actions which often bring confusion and disarray. The strangers mentioned earlier in the first part of the discussion are also experiencing problems. Bauman for example relates these theoretical strangers to the Jews in the time of the Holocaust. He argued that though societies are being enticed with the spontaneity and actions of the strangers, they are at the same time afraid of them because no one knows what they will do next. In this sense, the Jews are the strangers of Europe. The Holocaust is the result of the fear to these Jews that is made possible with the fertile ground provided by this new kind of modernity (Bauman, Intimations of postmodernity, 94). Conclusion One cannot deny the historical pattern of societal system that exists in our world. As one societal arrangement managed to rise and exist, a new one will come to arise out of its shortcomings and mistakes. As the modern society managed to successfully challenged earlier system such as feudalism, postmodernism is also a response for the shortcomings of modernity. Then again, we can always argue that postmodernism will improve the live that we have. Though we gain much from the modern system, we also lose much. The ideas of postmodernism are an attempt to repair our society and to reestablish or regain those functional characteristics that were dropped or erased because of our shift to modernism. Though some people can and may argue against this, one thing is for sure, the ideas of postmodernism are giving us a shot for a chance to improve our lives. Works Cited Aylesworth, Gary. Postmodernism. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2005 Baudrillard, Jean & Levin, Charles. For a critique of the political economy of the sign. Telos Press, 1981 Baudrillard, Jean. Symbolic Exchange and Death. London: Sage, 1976/1993 Bauman, Zygmunt. Does Ethics have a Chance in a World of Consumes. Harvard University Press, 2009 Bauman, Zygmunt. Intimations of Postmodernity. London: Routledge, 1992 Bauman, Zygmunt. Post Modernity and its Discontents. New York University Press, 1997 Kellner, Douglas. Jean Baudrillard. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2007 Klages, Mary. Postmodernism. University of Colorado, 2003

Current Event Child Abuse Prevention - 909 Words

Current Event – Child Abuse Prevention in Idaho On April 9th, 2015, the Boise, Idaho law enforcement agency, students, and social workers joined in alliance with a total of 200 people kicking off the introduction to the Child Abuse Prevention Month on the Capitol steps in Boise. The Nampa Family Justice Center hosted their first annual child abuse prevention march. The march began at the Caldwell police station and proceeded to the courthouse where participants planted a garden of blue pinwheels, which is a symbol of child abuse prevention. Child abuse is a common but serious event throughout state, as it is throughout the United States as well. The event was expressed by many as the hot topic of the year, in which members who participated struggled in raising awareness of this painful subject but was recognized as something that needs to be confronted and discussed to prevent the abuse and neglect of children throughout the state (Smith, D. 2015). One of the program managers of Idaho’s child welfare services, Marian Woods, said there is good news to share, as research shows it is possible to keep children safe; however, this requires the help of everyone in the community to take part, especially in creating and maintaining social connections or resources available to abused and/or neglected children (Smith, D.). Woods also stated that another critical factor in the protection of children is the solid support for and in behalf of families during times of stress, including,Show MoreRelatedChild Abuse Prevention Community Project Essay1590 Words   |  7 PagesChild Abuse Prevention Community Project Child abuse continues to be a significant problem in the United States including Mississippi and Lee County. 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