- •Предисловие
- •Unit 1. Decision Making
- •1. Give examples of everyday situations when you make decisions. Is it always easy for you to make a decision? Why?
- •2. What styles of business decision-making do you know? Complete the test2 and identify what your decision-making style is.
- •Match terms 1- 10 with definitions a- j:
- •Circle the correct word or phrase.
- •Fill in the gaps.
- •Make up short texts using the words given.
- •Read the text and answer the following questions:
- •Translate the paragraph in cursive.
- •Summarize the text in 100-150 words.
- •Role play an interview about decision-making process in the restaurant industry. Work in pairs and ask each other the following questions:
- •Fill in the gaps with prepositions consulting the text and make your own sentences with the phrases.
- •Paraphrase with synonyms:
- •Match words to make collocations consulting the text. Make you own sentences with the phrases.
- •Read the text to answer the following questions:
- •Explain the following concepts in English and translate them:
- •Find phrases in the text that mean the same:
- •Match words to make collocations consulting the text:
- •Fill in the gaps with prepositions consulting the text and make your own sentences with the phrases.
- •Draw a mind map of the text.
- •1. Underline the correct verb form. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •2. Complete the sentences by putting the verb into present simple or present continuous. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •3. Complete the sentences by putting the verb into present simple, present continuous, future simple, future continuous or use the structure to be going to. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Ibm's decision to found computer compatibility system for the solution of its own problems
- •Describe a decision-making process using the notes below. Write at least 100 words.
- •Unit 2. Business Planning
- •1. Interview your partner in class and report what you have learnt.
- •2. Answer the following questions to make a decision about your own business idea. Compare and discuss your answers with the rest of the group.
- •2. Match definitions 1- 10 with terms a- j:
- •3. Circle the correct word or phrase.
- •4. Find the odd word.
- •5. Match the words from two columns to form a phrase.
- •Before you read the text discuss the following questions. Then, read the text and summarize the given recommendations.
- •Match headings with the paragraphs:
- •Match synonyms
- •Complete the table with correct word forms:
- •Fill in the gaps with prepositions consulting the text and make your own sentences with the phrases.
- •Define the terms in English:
- •In 50 minutes be ready to present your business plan to venture capitalists.
- •Read the text and answer the following questions:
- •Take notes of key ideas of the text by filling in the table:
- •Integrated business process management
- •Integrated business planning (ibp)
- •Translate the abstract “Business Model”.
- •Paraphrase the following words:
- •Complete the sentences by putting the verbs into the correct form (Past Simple/Past Continuous/ Past Perfect Simple/ Past Perfect Continuous). The first sentence has been done for you.
- •2. Complete the sentences in your own way with Past Simple/Past Continuous/ Past Perfect Simple/ Past Perfect Continuous.
- •3. Underline the correct verb form. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Include Managers in Strategic Planning9
- •Draw a business planning pyramid using the notes below and explain it. Write at least 100 words.
- •Unit 3. Marketing
- •Write down five things that come to your mind when you hear the word marketing. Discuss them with other students.
- •What is a marketing mix? Read and discuss the following questions.
- •Match terms 1- 10 with definitions a- j:
- •Complete the sentences using the necessary term from the box.
- •Match the words from two columns to form a phrase.
- •Circle the correct word or phrase.
- •Before you read the text discuss the following questions. Then, scan the text for answers.
- •Fill in the gaps in the text with subheadings and take notes of main ideas:
- •Match words to make collocations consulting the text. Translate the phrases.
- •Fill in the gaps with prepositions consulting the text and make your own sentences with the phrases.
- •Define the terms in English:
- •Before you read the text discuss the following questions:
- •Read the text and take notes of key ideas. Summarize the text by filling in the table:
- •Translate the underlined phrases.
- •Match synonyms:
- •Complete the table with correct word forms:
- •Fill in the gaps with prepositions consulting the text and make your own sentences with the phrases.
- •Match collocations by consulting the text:
- •Define the concepts in English:
- •1. Complete the sentences by putting the verb into Present Perfect Simple, Present Perfect Continuous, Future Perfect Simple and Future Perfect Continuous. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Write a sentence (statement/question) using the time expression in brackets. Write something that you might say in real life, in a professional or personal context.
- •Unit 4. Operations Management
- •2. Match terms 1- 10 with definitions a- j:
- •3. Complete the sentences using the necessary term from the box.
- •4. Circle the correct word or phrase.
- •5. Match the words from two columns to form a phrase.
- •Read the text and discuss the questions:
- •Complete the text with sentences:
- •Describe Chrisler’s case.
- •Fill in the gaps with prepositions consulting the text and make your own sentences with the phrases.
- •Match words consulting the text. Translate the terms.
- •Paraphrase with synonyms:
- •Define the terms in English:
- •Write the summary of the text in 100 words.
- •Read the text and title it. Take notes while reading the text:
- •Answer the questions after reading the text:
- •Draw an illustration/scheme of how to manage overproduction.
- •Translate the italicized abstract.
- •Paraphrase with synonyms:
- •Define the terms in English and translate them:
- •1. Decide if uses 1-7 are most associated with Future Simple, Present Simple, Present Continuous or to be going to. Make an example sentence with each point. The first point has been done for you.
- •Put the verb into the more suitable form: Present Simple, Present Continuous, Future Simple, to be going to. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Answer these questions, using different future forms and the following expressions.
- •Describe the manufacturing process of vehicles using the notes below. Write at least 100 words.
- •1. Harmony vs. Control: Americans Value Objections
- •2. Individuality vs. Collective: a Team Approach in China
- •3. Hierarchy: Why Titles Are Valued in Germany
- •4. Analysis vs. Action: Budget Processes Take Longer in Brazil
- •Switzerland – the Ideal Cultural Mix?
- •Unit 5. Quality Management
- •Define the term quality, quality management and total quality management (tqm) in business context.
- •Study the Six Sigma definition and discuss its aim.
- •Match terms 1- 10 with definitions a- j:
- •Complete the sentences using the necessary term from the box.
- •Fill in the gaps.
- •Find the odd word.
- •Read the text and discuss the following questions:
- •Complete the text with the sentences:
- •Is Quality Still Relevant? New Solutions to Classic Dilemmas20
- •Match synonyms:
- •Complete the table with correct word forms:
- •Fill in the gaps with prepositions consulting the text and make your own sentences with the phrases.
- •Explain the terms in English and translate them:
- •Match words to make collocations from the text. Translate them:
- •1. Rewrite these sentences using the passive voice. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Rephrase the sentences to make them more formal according to the model.
- •Describe a quality control process using the notes below. Write at least 100 words.
- •Unit 6. Project Management
- •Match definitions 1- 10 with terms a- j:
- •Complete the sentences using the necessary term from the box.
- •Circle the correct word or phrase.
- •Read the text and complete it with subheadings:
- •Answer the following questions:
- •Translate the abstract in cursive.
- •Locate the following words in the text. Find their synonyms in a dictionary.
- •Fill in the gaps with prepositions consulting the text and make your own sentences with the phrases.
- •Explain the following word combinations and terms in English:
- •Match words to make word combinations from the text:
- •Before you read the text discuss the questions:
- •Read the text and answer the questions:
- •Title the text
- •Read the text and take notes of key ideas:
- •Match synonyms:
- •Complete the table with correct word forms:
- •Fill in the gaps with prepositions consulting the text and make your own sentences with the phrases.
- •Define the terms in English and translate them:
- •. Underline the correct verb form. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •. Complete the sentences by putting the verb into the correct form. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •3. Write answers to these questions using your own ideas. Begin as shown.
- •Describe a project management process using the notes below. Write at least 100 words.
- •Before reading the text, discuss in pairs or groups how you feel about English traditional weather-talk.
- •Read the text and discuss the following questions:
- •Unit 7. Risk Management
- •Match terms 1- 10 with definitions a- j:
- •Complete the sentences using the necessary term from the box.
- •Fill in the gaps.
- •Match the words from two columns to form a phrase.
- •Give definition to each term and explain the table. Find the necessary information on your own.
- •Before you read the text discuss the following questions. Then, scan the text for more information:
- •Summarize the text in about 100 words, focusing on the topic, problem and main ideas. Fill in the table:
- •2. Choose a company or a project to talk about. Complete the following table and discuss it with the rest of the group. Be ready to answer any questions.
- •Summarize the text by filling in the table
- •Complete the sentences with a form of the verb in brackets. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •2. Complete the sentences so that they are true for you. Compare with a partner.
- •3. Write a sentence with If only I…
- •Informed Investment Planning with @risk and TopRank
- •Versatile Software Tools Underpin Enterprise Risk Management
- •Describe the process of risk management using the notes below. Write at least 100 words.
- •Unit 8. Administration
- •2. Match terms 1- 10 with definitions a- j:
- •3. Substitute the incorrect terms in bold with the suitable ones from exercises 1 and 2.
- •4. Complete the sentences using the necessary term from the box.
- •Complete the text with subheadings:
- •Match words to make word combinations from the text:
- •Complete the table with correct word forms:
- •Fill in the gaps with prepositions consulting the text and make your own sentences with the phrases.
- •Paraphrase with synonyms:
- •Complete the sentences with can, can’t, could, couldn’t or be able to. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •2. Write a few sentences about the things in the following list, using details from your personal or professional life.
- •3. Underline the correct form. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Write slides for a 7 minute presentation Careers in Public Administration.
- •Unit 9. Human Resources Management
- •Match definitions 1- 10 with terms a- j:
- •Circle the correct word or phrase.
- •Match the words from two columns to form a phrase.
- •Find the odd word.
- •Before you read the text discuss the following questions:
- •Read the text and take notes of the recommendations the author makes about manpower planning. Fill in the table. Write a 100-word summary of the text.
- •Complete the gaps with headings:
- •Match synonyms.
- •Fill in the gaps with prepositions consulting the text and make your own sentences with the phrases.
- •Paraphrase with synonyms:
- •Define the terms in English:
- •Take notes while reading the text. Select main ideas about talent management and summarize them. Answer the questions:
- •Is Talent Management the Next Frontier for s&op?39
- •Explain the following concepts in English:
- •Complete the table with correct word forms:
- •Match terms by consulting the text:
- •Fill in the gaps with prepositions consulting the text and make your own sentences with the phrases.
- •Write an annual report on the work done in an hr Department. Use the suggested structure below. Write at least 300 words.
- •Unit 10. Management and Logistics
- •Read the two definitions of management and discuss main differences between them. Which one do you think is the recent definition?
- •2. Match terms 1- 10 with definitions a- j:
- •3. Complete the sentences using the necessary term from the box.
- •4. Give synonyms to the following terms.
- •5. Circle the correct word or phrase.
- •6. Make up short texts using the words given.
- •Read the text to answer the following questions:
- •1. Underline the correct form. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Reply to a job advertisement:
- •Unit 11. Supply Chain Management
- •Match definitions 1- 10 with terms a- j:
- •Match the words from two columns to form a phrase.
- •Fill in the gaps.
- •Find the odd word.
- •1. Answer the following questions with a partner.
- •2. State true or false. Explain your choice.
- •Take notes while reading the text. Select main ideas and summarize them. Describe the elements of inventory holding cost.
- •Inventory costs44
- •1. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the word in bold. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Complete the sentences using the following verbs in the correct form. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •3. Make one sentence from two. Complete the sentence with an -ing or –ed clause. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Draw a supply chain management cycle using the notes below and explain it. Write at least 150 words.
- •Unit 12. Goods Flow
- •1. Answer the questions:
- •2. Match terms 1- 10 with definitions a-j:
- •3. Circle the correct word or phrase.
- •4. Complete the sentences using the necessary term from the box.
- •Read the text.
- •Fill the table below by matching designations and explanations with their symbols. The first point has been done for you.
- •Define the following concepts in English:
- •Translate:
- •Match synonyms:
- •Fill in the gaps with prepositions consulting the text and make your own sentences with the phrases.
- •Match words to make collocations from the text:
- •Complete the table with correct word forms:
- •1. Underline the correct word. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •2. Adjective or adverb. Underline the correct word. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •While you are reading the text, draw a chart illustrating the text.
- •Define the following terms in English:
- •Describe a goods flow using the notes below. Write at least 150 words.
- •Unit 13. Warehousing
- •Match definitions 1- 10 with terms a-j:
- •Find the odd word.
- •Substitute wrong terms in bold with correct ones from exercises 1 and 2.
- •5. Complete the sentences using the necessary term from the box.
- •Read the text and think of your own examples illustrating the modern trends of warehousing and the impact of the Internet on storage. Write a summary of the text.
- •1. Underline the correct answer. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Paraphrase the following phrases using the apostrophe s. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Make compound nouns from the nouns given in each group, use of where necessary. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Put the verb to be into the correct form in Present Tense and fill in the gaps with the correct pronoun. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Write an email to an executive manager of a warehouse suggesting ways to improve teamwork there. Include all necessary details about the company, business and warehouse (150 words).
- •Unit 14. Transportation Management
- •Match terms 1- 10 with definitions a- j:
- •3. Complete the sentences using the necessary term from the box.
- •4. Match the words from two columns to form a phrase.
- •5. Circle the correct word or phrase.
- •Answer the following questions:
- •1. Underline the correct pronoun. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Complete the sentences with the correct reflexive or reciprocal pronoun where necessary. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Underline the correct pronoun. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Read the text and think of a title for it.
- •Summarize the text by writing out key characteristics of each type of zone.
- •Unit 15. Transportation Planning
- •Complete the table with the suggested characteristics and discuss them with your partner.
- •Fill in the table by matching the type of transport with its appropriate characteristics. Discuss the table.
- •2. Match terms 1- 10 with definitions a- j:
- •3. Give synonyms to the following terms.
- •4. Complete the sentences using the necessary term from the box.
- •5. Find the odd word.
- •6. Make up short texts (50-100 words) using the words given.
- •Discuss the following questions in pairs:
- •Underline the correct word. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Complete the sentences with one of the following words. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •3. Put the verbs into the correct form in present tenses. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Match the terms with the definitions. Discuss the definitions and illustrate them with real-life examples.
- •2. Give examples of storage units.
- •3. What does the selection of a storage unit depend on?
- •Read the text and take notes of key ideas. Answer the following questions:
- •Read the text and discuss the following questions:
- •10 Cultural Contrasts between us & Japanese Companies59
- •Unit 16. Financial Flow
- •2. Match terms 1- 10 with definitions a- j:
- •3. Complete the sentences using the necessary term from the box.
- •4. Match the words from two columns to form a phrase.
- •Fill in the gaps consulting exercise 1.
- •Read the text bellow and answer the questions:
- •Title the text.
- •When reading fill in the table.
- •Complete the sentences with the words from the box. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Underline the correct word. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Complete the sentences with quantity (of), number (of), amount (of), level (of), figures. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •1. If a Japanese person says they can complete the job, it is best to take them on face value.
- •2. From a Japanese perspective, the customer is God.
- •3. For the Japanese, the company conference room is not a place for discussion but rather somewhere to report progress.
- •4. A delay in reaching a decision is a not a reflection of a Japanese person’s inefficiency.
- •Unit 17. Logistical Services
- •Match definitions 1-10 with terms a-j:
- •3. Fill in the gaps.
- •4. Find the odd word.
- •5. Substitute the underlined wrong terms with correct ones from exercises 1 and 2.
- •Give definitions to the following terms in English:
- •Complete the sentences with the correct adverbs or adverbial phrases from the box. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Complete the sentences with at, in, on, over, to, under. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Answer the following questions. Read the text and check your answers.
- •Unit 18. Customer Service Management
- •1. Underline the correct option in each sentence. The first sentence has been done for you.
- •Make up sentences by following the instruction in brackets and using the words/phrases given in the box.
- •Before you read the text discuss the following questions:
- •Find synonyms from the text to the following words:
- •1. Decide what to write as a topic of this email. Reply to this email writing at least 100 words:
- •Unit 1. Decision-making
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 2. Business planning
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 3. Marketing
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 4. Operations Management
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 5. Quality Management
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 6. Project Management
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 7. Risk Management
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 8. Administration
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 9. Human Resources Management
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 10. Management and Logistics
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 11. Supply Chain Management
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 12. Goods Flow
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 13. Warehousing
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 14. Transportation Management
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 15. Transportation Planning
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 16. Financial Flow
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 17. Logistical Services
- •Vocabulary
- •Unit 18. Customer Service
- •Vocabulary
- •Список литературы
- •54 Commercial Development of Regional Ports as Logistics Centres, United Nations. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, 2003.
- •57 International Logistics and Supply Chain Outsourcing: From Local to Global by Alan Rushto, 2007.
Read the text and think of a title for it.
Summarize the text by writing out key characteristics of each type of zone.
Free Ports. Free ports are free zones that cover a lager physical area, typically an entire port city. Free ports often combine the characteristics of free trade zones (FTZ), industrial free zones (IFZ), and enterprise zones (EZ). Perhaps the most famous have been the city-states of Hong Kong and Singapore.
Commercial Free Zones. Commercial free zones also developed out of the trading activities of port cities, but with more limitations and controls than a free port. The main objective of a commercial free zone is the promotion of trade, and most commercial free trade zones function as adjacent to ports, airports, or other international transportation hubs. The physical facilities of commercial free zones are generally simple warehouses and economic activity is trading-oriented. A leading example of this kind is the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai.
Enterprise Zones. In these zones various incentives such as reduced taxes, regulations, and low-cost financing of investments, land are offered to expand employment, export, and import substitution.
Export Processing Zones. EPZs, also called industrial free zones are a relatively recent free trade zone innovation. While sharing the same fundamental characteristics of the free trade concept, EPZs are explicitly designed to facilitate production of goods and services for export market, rather than simple transshipment activities.
Industrial Free Zones. Area or industrial estates outside customs barrier adjacent or near a port, which offer duty free movement of goods, in and out of zone, as well as fiscal, regulatory, and tax incentives. Usually used to encourage establishment of export industries by domestic and foreign investors.
Special Economic Zones. China introduced the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) concept in 1979 as part of its “open door policy” which consciously used the SEZs as proving grounds for market – oriented economic reforms. Although patterned after the EPZ and free port concepts, SEZs feature several important differences, first, they cover a much larger territory than any EPZ and most free ports, from 15 square kilometers to 23,000 square kilometers, secondly, they allow a broad range of economic activities, and thirdly, they offer differential incentives among the various projects. Lastly, strict controls are placed on sales of SEZ goods into the Chinese custom territory, even upon full payment of import duties and taxes.
Hybrid Models. Several countries have allowed for the creation of hybrid zones, which combine features of two or more of the types listed above. The most common combines an industrial EPZ model with a commercial free zone.
There are currently 845 free trade zones that offer comprehensive logistics and production capabilities (UNCTAD, 1999). Particular attention should paid to China which began expanding its logistics facilities through large-scale foreign capital inducement and developed a free trade, adopting a free trade zone system to ensure the free trade of global firms. In case of China, a large number of special economic zones (SEZs) had been established since 1970s and foreign investment incentives were granted to 'coastal cities' to stimulate economic growth and trade development. For example, special economic zones had been established in Fujian and Guangdong provinces in the late 1970s and in the cities of Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou by the end of 1980s. China has transformed many port areas into modern FTZs, and existing ports have equipped themselves with large FTZ areas, providing customers with one-stop shopping services that guarantee both industrial activities and logistics activities in the same place.
In addition, economies in the ESCAP region such as Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Chinese Taipei have already established free trade zones in ports and developed several logistics centres in the FTZs in order to provide value added service and strengthen logistics function of the ports. For example, Yokohama Port Cargo Centre in the Port of Yokohama, Distriparks in the Port of Singapore, ATL Logistics Centre in Hong Kong and several distribution centres in Kaohsiung port were developed for the purpose of strengthening logistics function of the port.
c. Translate the following terms and be ready to explain them in English:
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d. Write synonyms for these words consulting the text:
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e. Make word combinations consulting the text:
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f. Fill in the gaps with prepositions consulting the text and make your own sentences with the phrases.
to develop __ trading activities
function __ adjustment __ ports
to provide grounds __ market
to pattern __ something
to be placed __ sales
to allow __ creation of hybrid zones
g. Fill in the table with correct word forms.
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commercial |
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Translation
Translate the sentences focusing on the underlined terms.
Carrier and shipper
There was an agreement between the shipper and the carrier, concerning contacts between those parties prior to tendering the consignment.
Air waybill is made out by or on behalf of the carriers, conforming receipt of the goods by the carrier and evidencing the contract between the shipper and the carriers for the carriage of goods by aircraft.
Allotment is assigned to a carrier or an agent for the purpose of the booking of cargo for a specific voyage.
Arrival notice is sent by a carrier to a nominated party advising of the arrival of a certain shipment.
Bill of lading evidences a contract of carriage by sea and the taking over or loading of the goods by the carrier, and by which the carrier undertakes to deliver the goods against the surrender of the document.
Delivery
Delivery is the process of delivering the consignment to the consignee at the agreed time and place.
Goods must be available for transport to the customer on delivery date.
Delivery instruction is issued by a buyer giving instructions regarding the details of the delivery of goods ordered.
In shipping delivery order is a document issued by or on behalf of the carrier authorising the release of import cargo identified thereon and manifested under a single Bill of Lading.
Delivery plan is authorised by the commercial and technical sectors, which states per finished product the quantity per unit of time to be delivered.
Case study
Read the case and discuss the following questions in groups.
1. In what ways would functional organization be an appealing option for structuring Club Med? Product/market organization?
2. How would you describe the current structure of Club Med according to the model of matrix organization?
3. Which factors in Club Med’s situation should be given the most weight in determining formal arrangements for a new organizational design?
4. What are the peculiar or unique factors in the environment of Club Med that may affect its decisions about further organizational design?
Organizing the Structures of Club Med
For twenty years, Club Méditerranée’s headquarters in Paris had much of the flavor of one of the club’s free-wheeling holiday villages. The informal management structure, whereby executives in jeans dropped in and out of the office of the firm’s chief executive, recently gave way to a more strait-laced corporate structure with four regional operational centers covering the globe.
According to chief executive Gilbert Trigano, the change in management style was dictated in part by the club’s continuing spread around the world – a network of resorts that totals ninety installations in twenty-six countries. Another factor pushing the club to reorganize was the brief danger that Trigano might leave Club Med to assist French President. In the old structure, decisions seemed to be made on an ad hoc basis, reflecting Trigano’s personal-management style. Centralization was the rule, to the point where such things as commercial policies to be pursued in the Japanese market or how to run a holiday village in Tahiti were dictated from Paris. An “animator” would fly from Paris to Agadir, Morocco, just to discuss evening entertainment at the company’s Agadir resort.
The need for quick financial decisions in different parts of the globe, the need to adapt rapidly to changing market conditions and to maintain close links between marketing staff and operating personnel at the firm’s resort villages all argued in favor of decentralization. Given the basic uniformity of the company’s resort villages around the world, a geographic divisional structure made more sense than a product-based organizational structure. Under the current structure, the regional directors fly into Paris once a month to review world strategy and to discuss the financing of new villages and problems with tour operators, exchange controls, and the like.
Writing
1. Write a letter of complaint. You ordered 10 boxes of fruits, but when you received the order you noticed that the boxes were damaged and 1 box was missing. You asked an insurance surveyor to examine the packages and he said that the damage was probably due to insecure packing and not to any unduly rough handling of the case. You decided to write to the supplier to explain the case, complain about service and ask for replacement. Write at least 150 words.
2. Write about the following topic: Transportation capacity constraints and the increase in transportation security are transportation management’s problems of higher concern. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Give reasons for your opinion and include any relevant examples. Write at least 250 words.
Culture
Work Ethic and Ethical Work: Distortions in the American Dream55
Read the text and discuss the following questions:
Do you agree with the phrase “a work ethic is the manifestation of personally held values”?
Which is your answer the following question: “As global business intensifies the connections among economies, will the ''American Dream'' serve as a model to emulate, or an example of how a good idea got off track?”
What does Ciulla mean by the term “betrayal of work”?
What do the authors mentioned in the article think of work ethics?
Which points of view mentioned in the article are the most attractive for you? Why?
Generally speaking, a work ethic is the manifestation of personally held values. Every culture has a unique history and set of conditions that influence the meaning given to work in people's lives. The U.S. experience is one of impressive economic accomplishment. Historic tracking attributes this advancement to a successful combination of capitalism with democracy. Further, early capitalism has been described as the linking of two impulses — asceticism and acquisitiveness, which combined effectively only in the presence of a supportive culture and a character structure such as that in early U.S. history. Asceticism refers to rather austere self-discipline, which is often connected to religious beliefs and value placed on non-material rewards. Acquisitiveness is the counterbalancing desire for material goods. The unique culture that developed in early U.S. history supported the balance of these impulses - the desire to have things along with the belief in deferred gratification. Together these factors fed into the democratic ideals adopted for governance.
For future prosperity, perhaps being successful capitalists is not enough, if wealth is accomplished in the absence of important values that balanced the equation during earlier success. The example set by the United States is certainly not a story one can tell without cautionary notes. As global business intensifies the connections among economies, will the ''American Dream'' serve as a model to emulate, or an example of how a good idea got off track?
A three-stage approach is offered here, that may be helpful in answering this question.
First, a deeper look at the evolution of work ethic in America provides some insight to standards of work effort and involvement that have, gradually, become acceptable to the general population. Standards that, in turn, can potentially either support value-distorting decisions in an organization, or simply keep people so busy as to not take notice when this is happening. What came to be known as the Protestant work ethic is considered to be a primary factor in the success of capitalism in the United States, so that reviewing the adaptations of that work ethic over time can help with understanding today's work behaviors.
Second, an emphasis on consumerism (acquisitiveness) is reviewed in line with the overall relationship between the individual and the organization, under the heading of ''Returns from the Work Ethic''. Capitalism has altered its form in the past in response to patterns of consumption. Particularly in this democratic society, adaptability encourages individual expression. The public may be signaling the need for another change not yet widely
Third, these factors are re-considered by extracting key messages from the work ethic and exploring two possibilities for distortion. In one variation, people may receive contradictory messages. In their effort to make sense of these contradictions, they sometimes seek the easiest combination, rather than attempting to find resolution that retains the most positive essence of each message. In the second variation, each key message can be taken to a dysfunctional extreme, leading to a different type of distortion. These two perspectives combine for some insight as to why people with the same basic work ethic may differ in behaviors related to ethical work.
Ciulla wrote of the ''betrayal of work'' as it is currently being experienced. She believes that work has become a primary source of identity, replacing the fulfillment previously derived from family, friends, and religion. The opportunity to work hard and achieve a better life is a foundation of capitalistic enterprise, but when the process itself becomes the predominant theme in life, people may have reached an unhealthy extreme of that philosophy. According to Ciulla, the prevailing belief that an individual should be able to have everything brings growing frustration. In the midst of rapid change and mushrooming options, people defer to the readily available guidance of marketers and employers — one helps us spend our money, the other lays out rules for how we can get more of it to spend. In this cycle, the return for having a good work ethic is an ongoing push to do even more.
In related discussion, Reich emphasized that today's overabundance of choices creates a volatile marketplace in which companies must constantly update products to meet every whim of the consumer. In turn, each employee trying to excel in the competing organizations must be ever ready to put in the extra effort it takes to meet both internal and external competition. More uncertainty, more competition. More compensation for those who do well but, for the less successful, concerns about the acceptability of a more modest standard of living. ''You don't have to scale the wall, but the consequence of not doing so is harsher; and the reward for doing so is sweeter, than you have ever encountered before''. In considering this new pressure to work harder, it is important to also consider that what it means to work ''hard'' has evolved somewhat. For many (though not all) people, the element of physical labor has been lessened or eliminated. Hard work now is now typically considered to mean working long hours, intensity of work demands within those working hours, or frequently a combination of both.
Systems in the United States now have a history, and these systems may have become entrenched to the point of making change difficult. The work ethic that drove development throughout that history has evolved to some extent, but it may be showing signs of diminishing returns. Obviously, there is a tension between forces to change and desire to hold fast to important principles. Perhaps the outcry over recent business scandals in the past decade and resulting push for better corporate governance has encouraged a more conscious look at responsibility in both research and practice, including the beliefs and values society is willing to condone, as well those that are no longer acceptable. Whether there is enough momentum to carry recent reactions into more thorough guidance remains to be seen.
