Abstract
This paper explores the guiding principles related to employees, product line modification and customer relations that have become Harley-Davidson's foundation for organizational growth and prosperity. The paper shows how the new CEO revamped the company's product quality, instituted a flattened organizational team approach and gained customer loyalty that has set Harley-Davidson strategically and solidly apart from competitors. The paper concludes that the successes over the past two decades have established this company as a global icon.

Outline:
Paving the Road to Change
A Team Approach
Productivity and Global Growth
Building Brand Community
The Future
Conclusion

From the Paper
"To fully comprehend the challenges faced by organizations in changing times, the volatility of the marketplace, and the unforgiving drive of global competition, one needs to look no further than the experience, vision, and enterprising capabilities of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Amidst a devastating product decline, a deteriorating reputation, and subsequent financial collapse, the survival of this Century-old organization hinged on its capacity to completely re-invent itself. By methodically embracing new high performance practices, Harley-Davidson not only completely re-invented its manufacturing and production practices; it established guiding principles that empowered employees and cultivated a lasting and loyal brand community that will no doubt sustain Harley-Davidson well into the future (Young, & Murrell, 1998)."

Tags:employees, turnover, attitude, brand, loyalty, product, line

Abstract
Using Immanuel Kant's 'Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals' as criterion, this paper discusses the ethical issues surrounding the deceitful practices that eventually led to the exposure and downfall of Enron. The writer describes first how Enron used investors as a means to an end and then explains why, according to Kant, this constitutes an unethical action. Some possible alternative scenarios that could have protected the investors in this case as well as any future cases of corporate deceit are discussed, but the paper concludes that deceit will endure as long there are those who are willing to put their trust in others.

From the Paper
"In the case of the now defunct energy giant Enron Corp (Cases in Business Ethics, 2006, p.10), the management took advantage of the trust of investors by pocketing hundreds of millions of dollars while deliberately covering up and lying about the company's imminent financial collapse. Rather than name specific offenders, the word management is used in this discussion since it took the collusion of numerous individuals to hide Enron's true performance from investors. The ethical problem in this case is not the risks the management of Enron took or the loss of investor money. Investment risk and bankruptcy are known realities to investors and are not unethical in and of themselves. The breach of ethics in this case occurs when management deceives the trust of shareholders as a means to achieve personal profit."

Tags:greed victim, categorical imperative, secrecy manipulation, Arthur Andersen

Abstract
The paper demonstrates how information technology, mainly the Internet, has affected how managers function and make decisions. It looks at organizations in an open system perspective as information technology being the environment which the organization interrelates with. This paper discusses both the positive and negative aspects of the technology as well as details current uses of information technology in organizations. The findings of this paper are important in understanding how organizations and managerial positions have changed and how they are continuing to change for upcoming managers. The Internet boom definitely affected the organizations that are taking advantage of the new platform but how did this boom affect the employees who manage the organizations? his paper sets out to detail those affects.

From the Paper
"With the Internet boom came an explosion of a new type of business platform. Suddenly organizations everywhere were developing informational websites that were used to grab attention and compete on a new global level. As more and more managers began to recognize the potential of the Internet, websites moved from being informational to being actually functional. Now customers can go online to purchase products, make reservations, submit application forms and much more. The functionality of organizational websites continued to evolve as competition became heavier and expectations of online customers grew. Today because of the fast advances of information technology development, Internet technology has become much more affordable making it more widely available to small and medium sized business. Because of this increase in online competition and the decrease of cost, intranet and extranets are having the largest affect on managerial functions. For the purpose of this paper I will refer to both intranets and extranets as content management systems from this point on."

Tags:controlling, management, organizing, Computer, Industry, Almanac

Abstract
This paper provides a a step by step account of how Carnival Cruise Lines has earned the dominant position they have today in the tourism industry through strategic alliances, marketing and how they have used technology to leverage their competitive advantage. It focuses on their efforts in four areas: being family orientated; being environmentally friendly; convenience and customer service; and their affiliations and strategic initiatives and shows how through these efforts customers stay loyal and come back in the future on one of their other cruises.

From the Paper
"Carnival Cruise management have a strong ability to recognize social trends such as the need for short 3-5 day vacations (mini-vacations) and have invested in travel and tourism related companies to help them offer the best vacation in that short time period. For example, Carnival purchased Cunard Line Limted And Airtows PLC to help compliment their cruises with land activities. This is given Carnival the ability to fully control and create packages for three different adventure categories that are truly unique to Carnival such as Dog Sledding in Alaska. Management has also been able to align itself with companies such as Universal Studio's."

Tags:business, carnival, competitive, management, marketing, organization, strategic

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that in order for a business to be successful, profits must exceed costs, and one of the best ways to ensure that this happens is to maintain high levels of productivity among employees. The writer points out that worker motivation is very important to ensuring high levels of productivity and product quality. In order to ensure work motivation many industrial organizational psychologists have studied the topic in search of what motivates employees best. This paper reviews the issues surrounding motivation in the workforce and includes solutions that have been offered by researchers in the field, including the topic of goal setting. The writer concludes that motivated employees are the key to having a successful organization, company or business.

From the Paper
"The United States is known in particular for developing methods which have been described as being the most sophisticated in the world in terms of manufacturing goods which are purchased around the world. Industrial organizational psychologists have been a central part of developing these sophisticated methods. Often times, the routine of a workplace is sufficient enough to ensure high levels of productivity and quality, but even the most well thought out routine or method of doing business will fail if employees are not properly motivated to complete their jobs. Thus, employers are faced with a significant challenge in this day and age. Employers must manage to continue their advantage over other industrialized nations while not sacrificing their employees' safety or satisfaction. If employees are placed in dangerous positions on the job without proper compensation, or if they are asked to keep high levels of productivity without high levels of incentives, eventually their motivation will diminish and employers will be left with a demoralized workforce, which is never good for productivity and profit."

Tags:profits, deadlines, employees, morale

Abstract
This paper explains that many aspects of change management must be considered: Resistance to change by employees, staff stress over change, the "calm waters" approach that may not be suitable, the role of the organization's culture, and the knowledge that the past is not always a good indication of future performance. The author stresses that change agents should conduct a force-field analysis, a method that analyzes two sets of forces, driving and resisting change, because an organization should concentrate more on reducing the resisting forces than increasing the driving forces. The paper relates that signs of stress that change agents and managers need to be able to identify in order to effectively reduce stress can be broken into three categories: Physiological, psychological, and behavioral.

From the Paper
"There are several ways change agents can overcome this natural resistance to change. Firstly, employees should be able to participate in the change program [Dover, 2003]. Employees feel more empowered and thus committed to implementing the change successfully. On the other hand, if employees are not skilled enough to participate in the change program then they should not be allowed to help. This means finding other ways to instill a commitment to the change in the employees. It is also critical to communicate the vision to employees clearly. This will help reduce any uncertainty and ambiguity."

Tags:resistance, stress, culture, performance, analysis

Abstract
The paper describes the case of NorthEastern Mutual Life (NML), a business that was confronted with the sharp decrease in net income, and faced with an age-old question familiar to most companies: Should it downsize its staff in order to be more financially sound? The paper asserts that NML is representative of this trend, as companies are constantly dealing with the undesirable option of downsizing as a means of survival in a competitive market. The paper explains that this case is particularly fascinating because of the ethically controversial nature of NML's approach towards its employees (the potential firing of its staff) and its potential decision to not adhere to the legal framework (the filing of the partial wind-up to the Alberta Pension Commission). The paper concludes that whether NML wants to admit it or not, its financial success ultimately depends on being socially responsible to its clients, because its reputation was largely built on this premise.

Outline:
Introduction
Ethical Issues
Stakeholders
Alternatives
Choice of Alternative
Solutions
Conclusion

From the Paper
"There could be a number of solutions for NML to turn to in order to increase their ROE, but the more realistic could include: salary cuts for the CEOs/CFOs etc, freezing of common share disbursement or sell shares of their subsidiary companies. The CEO salary cuts would be self-explanatory, but alone would possibly be not enough to organize an increase in ROE. If NML froze the selling of common shares they could also start buying back some of their shares through a stock repurchase, which would decrease the equity of the company and in turn increase ROE. NML could also attempt to cut costs through other expenses within the company. Selling their subsidiary shares would allow NML to buyback more of their own shares. Something could be done in terms of paying out dividends or selling off assets (in return, decrease equity), but in the case of dividends, the article states that any effect on dividends would affect the amount of revenue generated through sales ("a lower yield rate would directly affect sales")."

Tags:layoff, stockholder, value, job, loss, downsizing

Abstract
The following paper gives an analysis of adidas supply chain management and discusses what Adidas' current position is in terms of the supply chain . The writer further examines what actions Addidas are taking to deal with the suppliers and buyers. Finally this paper investigates the relevant globalized drivers such as: market drivers; cost drivers; competitive drivers and government drivers and integrates all of these products into three specific consumer-group targeted divisions: FOREVER SPORT, ORIGINAL and EQUIPMENT.

Introduction
Overview of the footwear industry
Introduction
German market

Company information
General information
Strategic Business Unit (SBU)

Strategy
Brand Strategy

Global Market
"Street Ball" and Common customer needs
World Cup "Multinational company" battlefield
"Feel the Breeze"

Cost Management Manufacturing Strategies
Technologic innovation

Government Forces
Political Risks
Say NO to Indian Leather

Global Competitors
Nike
Global Challenges

From the Paper
"Adidas have become successful because of the brand strategy they are using, also the focus on the quality of the products, which they produce. adidas feels that it can gain an advantage over competitors by making a product that which is extremely technologically advanced. While many companies in the shoe industry try to gain an advantage-using price such as Nike and Reebok, however, that the quality of their footwear make customers return. For the future, adidas look to expand the manufacturing to satisfy the large the demand for its products. The desire to increase its share in the market requires it must lower the cost of producing the products making the company more efficient.Furthermore, adidas must diversify to maintain high-level of trade and strength in order to have a bright future in the athletic footwear market. The strength of this market but will have to improve their products to retain the strong demand for their products."

Tags:advertisement, management, nike, reebok, strategy, modernising, restructuring, international, competition, technologies, quality, products, value.

Abstract
This paper analyzes the concept of disruptive innovation, also known as disruptive technology and disruptive change. Using Ron Adner's definition from his article titled "When Are Technologies Disruptive? A Demand-Based View of The Emergence of Competition" as a guide, it attempts to investigate the dynamics of disruptive innovation in the marketplace. It looks at some of key characteristics and attributes inherent in any disruptive innovation and outlines some useful strategies companies can use to protect themselves through identifying, assessing and even creating disruptive innovation. It concludes with a discussion concerning some of the major hurdles companies undergo when contending with such an event in their market space.

Outline
Introduction and Objective
The Dynamics of Disruptive Innovations
Sustaining vs. Disruptive
How to Identify and Assess Disruptive Innovation
How to Respond to Disruptive Innovation
Five Responses to Disruptive Innovation
Major Hurdles
How to Create Disruptive Innovation
Strategy #1 - Creating a New Market as a Base for Disruption
Strategy #2 - Disrupting the Business Model From the Low End
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Another common hurdle in the face of disruption comes to light once a company has decided to embrace the innovation while continuing to operate the current business. Since, a disruptive innovation creates the need for such a different business model, and usually a different product, there is no question that complications arise when a company tries to incorporate the new business within the current model. The issues are numerous and range from funding, human resources, leadership, and cost structures just to name a few. To minimize these risks and hurdles studies suggest that the new business functions be carried out as an independent entity, linking back to the parent only when necessary or to take advantage of clearly beneficial synergies."

Tags:competition, consumption, management, technology

Abstract
This study was undertaken with a purpose of analyzing and making recommendations based on the analysis of situation and strategy identified within the mountain bicycle industry. In particular, close attention is paid to Cannondale Corporation, the leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance aluminum bicycles and its immediate rivals. Assessment of the nature and strength of competitive forces in the mountain bike industry is based on the five factors analysis and allow to identify key success factors that are a must for survival and profitability of any company that operates in the mountain bicycle industry. A graphical representation of current rivals allows to judge strength of the competition in the industry and influence the choice of alternatives and eventual recommendations for Cannondale corporation.

From the Paper
"The global bicycle industry, including bicycles, parts and accessories, is estimated to have total retail sales in excess of $20 billion. The bicycle-manufacturing segment of the industry produces approximately 100 million units per annum. The global market for bikes is reported to be dominated by just a few big players, many of whom seem to bounce from owner to owner, and from cash crisis to cash crisis, on a distractingly regular basis. (bikebiz.com). Even though people seem to be "saturated" with bicycles and the mountain bike boom is proclaimed to be over (bikebiz.com), comments of the cyclist community allow to conclude that the industry's and segment's decline is not likely. It was also noted that the worldwide cycling industry is waiting for the "next big thing" in cycling which will likely shift position of major players in the industry if they can't keep up with the trend."

Tags:analysis, bicycle, cannondale, corporation, driving, factors, forces, group, industry, key, map, market, mountain, penetration, strategic, strategy, success