As the companies today are going global and are eager to trap the best possible talents from all across the world, diversity has taken a prior importance in work cultures. Every company today employees a diverse workforce in order to understand different needs of different markets spread over large geographical areas. IBM is one good example of companies that not only adopts diversity into its work practices but also tries to address that even a minority segment has equal representation on the company. I came across an article on "Diversity as Strategy," by David Thomas (HBR 2003) wherein IBM initiated task forces as Hispanics, people with disabilities, women etc. and ensured that none of the segments was left on its own to decide what was there in the organization for them. It suggests that the key to manage diversity successfully is to treat employees as “real partners”.
Diversity becomes strength for a company that knows how to manage it with equity but turns into a fiasco if the individualized goals are not aligned with the common organizational goals. There are often issues like discrimination, favoritism, unequal opportunities for employees that show up in a diverse culture. But it important to identify that these diversity issues cannot be taken care of only at the one single level as top management. These are implicit issues and have to be addressed at each level of the organization. As in case of IBM, there is a sponsor assigned to each task force that links the group with the other parts of the organization. In today’s competitive scenario it is difficult to work without being “Geo centric” in nature and be successful at an international level. But then there is a need to be impartial and ethical to people from different backgrounds and ensure that everyone grows with the growth of organization.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Boeing Protesting
As discussed in class last week, Airbus was awarded a $35 billion Air Force contract to build aerial refueling planes. Today, the New York Times is reporting that Boeing will protest the awarding of the contract to its European competitor, Airbus. In the article, Boeing claims it was “treated unfairly.” Boeing was operating under the impression that they were “widely expected to win the contract,” however I would assume that the majority of companies bidding on contracts they have been previously awarded assume they will maintain their current contracts. The article references cost data and the size of the planes as factors that influenced the contract being awarded to Airbus. While there is mention of a closed door meeting in Washington with the Air Force and members of a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee to discuss confidential information involved in the bid, there is no mention of the potential security risk of contracting with a foreign company for equipment that will be used by the military. The events of 9-11 heightened public awareness for security breaches and increased the sensitivity of the American public. I believe the public may be uneasy about Airbus having access to airplane design models and building military vessels. However, the contract should be awarded to the company that produces the best product at the lowest cost, regardless of where the company originates.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/business/worldbusiness/11boeing.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/business/worldbusiness/11boeing.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin
To Aim Ads, Web Is Keeping Closer Eye on You
After I read this article, I recalled a story of a successful hotel manger which happened in Taiwan. A journalist interviewed him and asked him what his key to be such successful is. He said that he would get to know every regular customer and take a note including their name, favor food, key points of conversation and so on. Next time when he met someone who came to his hotel before, he would say hello with customers’ name and do the arrangement based on their habit and favor. His attitude makes his customers feel to be more respected. In short, he collected information of his customers through having conversation and observing their habit, and then gave them what they wanted.
In this article, the Web companies collect visitors’ data when they search information on internet and then classify information into several categories. Next, Web companies could sell advertisement for higher price based on their valuable database. The argument in this article is whether Web companies should not acquire visitors’ information without notice them. When I first time read this article, I agree with that Web companies should not acquire or use their visitors’ information without asking them first, but I have second thought after I recall the story above. In both examples, either one did not acquire permission from their customers to use or keep their information. If I approve the first one, how could I doubt the second one? What is the difference between those two examples?
Reference: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/technology/10privacy.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=business
In this article, the Web companies collect visitors’ data when they search information on internet and then classify information into several categories. Next, Web companies could sell advertisement for higher price based on their valuable database. The argument in this article is whether Web companies should not acquire visitors’ information without notice them. When I first time read this article, I agree with that Web companies should not acquire or use their visitors’ information without asking them first, but I have second thought after I recall the story above. In both examples, either one did not acquire permission from their customers to use or keep their information. If I approve the first one, how could I doubt the second one? What is the difference between those two examples?
Reference: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/technology/10privacy.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=business
Monday, March 10, 2008
Is unintentional wrongdoing not considered a crime?
Just this week, there was this article floating around in Wall Street Journal and Yahoo News about a judge acquitting Countrywide Financial Corp., which was under investigation about misinterpretation of evaluating a company's financial status. He stated that he did not have clear evidence proving their errors being intentional. Countrywide had noticed a flaw in handling payments on home loans, and claims not to be accountable for exploiting this flaw and its application.
According to me, Countrywide should be facing penalties pertaining to being guilty as charged. Though their involvement in this matter was not completely proven to be intentional, this case brings out the point that such kinds of instances are very common in corporate culture and the fact that it happens so often makes the corporate world appear to be negligent regarding the legality of the issue. In this instance, the pattern of errors made by Countrywide was successfully proven, but it was not concluded to be an intentional wrongdoing. This is when business ethics comes into light, which would say that Countrywide, no matter what, committed a felony and has to be made completely responsible for its actions. I would concur on this inference, as the company would realize its mistake and it will warn the rest of the corporate world of 'the consequences of carelessness'. Letting the company get away with its mistakes will definitely create enough ground for other companies to find ways to 'bend the rules'.
According to me, Countrywide should be facing penalties pertaining to being guilty as charged. Though their involvement in this matter was not completely proven to be intentional, this case brings out the point that such kinds of instances are very common in corporate culture and the fact that it happens so often makes the corporate world appear to be negligent regarding the legality of the issue. In this instance, the pattern of errors made by Countrywide was successfully proven, but it was not concluded to be an intentional wrongdoing. This is when business ethics comes into light, which would say that Countrywide, no matter what, committed a felony and has to be made completely responsible for its actions. I would concur on this inference, as the company would realize its mistake and it will warn the rest of the corporate world of 'the consequences of carelessness'. Letting the company get away with its mistakes will definitely create enough ground for other companies to find ways to 'bend the rules'.
26-year Life in Prison v.s. Lawyer Professional Ethics
In yesterday the “60 Minutes” program, there was a story about an innocent guy who has been in prison for 26 years, while two attorneys who knew he was innocent kept silent. The real killer in the case was the lawyers’ client, who confessed to them when they were dealing with another case. However, that was the exact reason for the two lawyers to maintain the client confidentiality, based on the rules of conduct for attorneys. Late last year, before the real killer died, the two lawyers convinced him to let them reveal the truth after his death. That was the point when we know the secret after 26 years. Now the innocent man, who is 54 now, is waiting for trials to set him free.
Watching the Oprah show ...
I must admit that I felt more than a mild irritation reading the article written by Peggy McIntosh. Personally I can say that I have always worked for what I have and my position at work and grades at schools weren’t as a result of my race nor my sex as far as I can determine. However, I decided to put my annoyance aside and try and learn as much as I can; I did not have much of a choice in the matter. I normally read with the TV on in the background, I found the coverage of the democratic nominations somewhat ironic. Seems that being of the ‘wrong’ skin color and sex is less of an obstacle in politics than in everyday life and business as Peggy seems to imply.
Considering that at least half of the American population were more than happy to choose either a woman or a minority for president, I made the assumption that racism and sexism would be more prevalent internationally than locally. I switched over to BBC news to look at international news. The story that appeared was of Yi So-yeon, the first South Korean astronaut. Funny thing was, Yi is a 29 year old female. Was that right? Couldn’t be. Not in this male dominated world.
Ah ha. The next story brought me to a familiar territory; middle aged, white and male and privileged. Now I could see what the life of privileged was all about. But there was something wrong here too. The gentleman being interviewed was not an executive, but a working class man from Easington in County Durham, UK. In spite of being poor and needy, the people of Easington do not qualify for any social help programs because they are neither immigrants nor minorities. Mmmmm. I guess Peggy is unfamiliar with American voters and with the BBC.
Discriminating on the basis of race and sex is wrong, as is all other types of discrimination. But it is also wrong to elude that lack of performance is due to discrimination when it is not. I have a number of colleagues that are female and/or minorities that have done very well for themselves economically. That shows me that the biggest factor in achievement does lie with the individual him or herself, irrespective of race or sex.
And now this privileged white male is signing off to watch Oprah ...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7286989.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7281107.stm
Considering that at least half of the American population were more than happy to choose either a woman or a minority for president, I made the assumption that racism and sexism would be more prevalent internationally than locally. I switched over to BBC news to look at international news. The story that appeared was of Yi So-yeon, the first South Korean astronaut. Funny thing was, Yi is a 29 year old female. Was that right? Couldn’t be. Not in this male dominated world.
Ah ha. The next story brought me to a familiar territory; middle aged, white and male and privileged. Now I could see what the life of privileged was all about. But there was something wrong here too. The gentleman being interviewed was not an executive, but a working class man from Easington in County Durham, UK. In spite of being poor and needy, the people of Easington do not qualify for any social help programs because they are neither immigrants nor minorities. Mmmmm. I guess Peggy is unfamiliar with American voters and with the BBC.
Discriminating on the basis of race and sex is wrong, as is all other types of discrimination. But it is also wrong to elude that lack of performance is due to discrimination when it is not. I have a number of colleagues that are female and/or minorities that have done very well for themselves economically. That shows me that the biggest factor in achievement does lie with the individual him or herself, irrespective of race or sex.
And now this privileged white male is signing off to watch Oprah ...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7286989.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7281107.stm
Inmate Care- State of Delaware
On the front page of yesterday’s News Journal, an article titled “Sick, Hurt, Disgusted” caught my attention. Duane Williams, an inmate of Gander Hill Prison, is currently suffering from liver failure. This is a result of having both Diabetes and Hepatitis C. Williams first noticed symptoms four months ago, and reported this condition on six separate occasions.
Inmates in Delaware correctional systems are cared for by a third party—CMS. One of the responsibilities of this company is to administer drugs. As a diabetic, Williams required Insulin on a regular basis. A nurse working for CMS injected Williams with a dose of insulin which was contaminated with Hepatitis C. Of the 46 people injected, Williams is one of six who tested positive for illness.
After four months of illness in prison, Williams finally received necessary attention. Was it too late? The State of Delaware may be under scrutiny from Williams’ family if he does not recover. Should inmates be treated like any other citizen while incarcerated? Since the State of Delaware contracts out medical work to a third party, will they be held responsible for the condition of an inmate? One thing is certain. Williams did not deserve to be infected with Hepatitis C. But is this a consequence of his irrational behavior which landed him in prison?
Inmates in Delaware correctional systems are cared for by a third party—CMS. One of the responsibilities of this company is to administer drugs. As a diabetic, Williams required Insulin on a regular basis. A nurse working for CMS injected Williams with a dose of insulin which was contaminated with Hepatitis C. Of the 46 people injected, Williams is one of six who tested positive for illness.
After four months of illness in prison, Williams finally received necessary attention. Was it too late? The State of Delaware may be under scrutiny from Williams’ family if he does not recover. Should inmates be treated like any other citizen while incarcerated? Since the State of Delaware contracts out medical work to a third party, will they be held responsible for the condition of an inmate? One thing is certain. Williams did not deserve to be infected with Hepatitis C. But is this a consequence of his irrational behavior which landed him in prison?
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