Is Wal-Mart Good for America free essay sample

This direct quote from Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, was placed at the top of their website to nform its consumers of their general management philosophy. It is meant to instill a feeling of comfort that such an enormous multinational retailer still manages to hold on to its small town founders values. Provide people with the lowest possible prices on items that they need, whatever the cost. This slogan of always providing the lowest prices has made Wal-Mart the largest retailer on the planet and they generate billions of dollars in profit annually. But is Wal-Mart good for America? On the surface it would seem that providing a customer with an item at the lowest possible revailing question, one must more closely examine the mechanisms by which Wal- Mart is able to provide merchandise at such bargain basement prices. Providing people the lowest possible prices, whatever the cost. In this case, these low prices are being provided at the cost of the environment, Wal-Mart vendors, Wal-Mart employees, and even the American taxpayer. We will write a custom essay sample on Is Wal-Mart Good for America? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page As the Wal-Martization of America is forcing businesses to outsource their Jobs oversees Just to stay solvent, it creates a problem here back home of people not being able to pay their bills and maintain adequate living standards. Is Wal-Mart creating the greatest good for the greatest number? Or are they Just creating the greatest good for their executives and investors? This reflection paper will attempt to analyze and answer these questions as we dive deep into the culture of Wal-Mart and its effect on society domestically, as well as globally. The two dominant points of view used to analyze corporations and their overall purpose could be summarized by the terms stockholder and stakeholder management. The former was championed by the well-known economist Milton Friedman. He believed that a corporations primary and perhaps ole purpose is to maximize profits for stockholders (Arnold, Beauchamp Bowie, 2013) Friedman would view Wal-Mart as a corporation that acts solely in the best interest of their stockholders. Wal-Mart is notorious for not paying their employees very high wages and not offering much to their employees in terms of retirement benefits and health care coverage. At least when compared to other successful competitors such as Costco, Wal-Mart clearly comes up short in this department. The latter point of view mentioned was made popular by Edward Freeman in his essay, Managing for Stakeholders. In it he argues that the primary responsibility of the executive is to create as much value for stakeholders as possible, and that no stakeholder interest is viable in isolation of the other stakeholders. (Freeman, 2007) When we speak of stakeholders, we are referring to the five basic groups that stand to gain or lose from corporations. These groups are customers, suppliers, employees, the local community and the stockholders. Freeman argues that no one stakeholders interest should be taken at the expense of the others and that all must be considered by a corporation when it comes to maki ng the best decision. While the Friedmanite view has been seen as the classical dominant view on corporations and their purpose, the stakeholder view on management has been gaining speed over the last thirty years and cannot be underestimated or undervalued these days as companies struggle to stay competitive in a massive global economy. In terms of all stakeholders involved, both Friedman and Freeman would agree that Wal-Mart is acting in the best interest of their stockholders primarily. This benefit to the shareholders is at the expense of all the other stakeholders. The customers will suffer due to the lack of uality of items purchased. Wal-Mart outsources a great deal of their production to China to save on labor and production costs. As a result, the common saying you get what you pay for holds true. These items that Wal-Mart sells in their stores tend to be of inferior quality, and that quality is passed on to the consumer. The employees suffer because they are not able to earn a decent wage to live on. According to an article written by Wayne Cascio, Decency Means More Than Always Low Prices: A Comparison of Costco to Wal-Marts Sams Club, he indicates that The age is hardly enough to live on these days with gas prices where they are and the average cost of living going up. I know I couldnt live on 10 dollars per hour. These low wages actually end up costing the American tax payer in the forms government assistance programs such as Medicaid and food stamps. In a study conducted by the Institute for Labor and Employment at the University of California, Berkeley, taxpayers subsidized $20. million for medical care for Wal-Mart employees in that state alone. (Cascio, 2006) Suppliers suffer because they are forced to accept the ontracts that Wal-Mart offers them to provide their products in their stores that essentially eat up their profits. The local community suffers because when a new Wal-Mart is built, smaller stores struggle to stay competitive due to the fact they cant keep up wit h the prices that Wal-Mart charges for their product. They do not have the ability to outsource production and so they eventually go out of business. While Friedman and Freeman would believe that Wal-Mart is primarily serving the interests of their stockholders while disregarding all other stakeholders, John Boatright would ffer an alternative hypothesis on the issue. In his article, whats wrong-and whats right-with stakeholder management, he argues that a business organization in which managers act in the interest of the shareholders can also be one that, at the same time, benefits all stakeholder groups. (Boatright, 2013) He goes on to provide his definition of what a firm is and what their purpose should be. Boatright defines a firm s a nexus of contracts between a legal entity called a firm and its various constituencies, which include employees, customers, suppliers, investors, and other roups. (Boatright, 2013) It is believed that by each group providing their own services in a Joint effort with a firm, that the greatest financial return will be achieved. From Boatrights point of view, he would view the business philosop hy of Wal-Mart as one that does benefit all the stakeholders. Customers benefit by having more purchasing power. They can walk into a Wal-Mart and purchase more items than they could at any other retailer.

buy custom Sex and Morality essay

buy custom Sex and Morality essay The purpose of the essay is four-fold. First, the essay will provide a summary based on the general considerations of the principles stating what sources of moral knowledge are, what it means to say that the principles of morality are perennial, why those principles are perennial, and what the fundamental principle of sexual morality is. Second, the work will state the reasons given for the judgments made about premarital sex, homosexuality, and masturbation in specific applications. Third, it will provide a description of how obedience contributes to morality, and lastly, it will draw a conclusion that provides a standpoint on sexuality and morality. Discussion In reference to modern scientific research, sexuality profoundly affects an individual's life since it is among those factors which distinguish human beings. In fact, sex leads to the distinction of a man and woman psychologically, biologically and spiritually, hence, it defines his/her maturity and integration in the society. Sexual matters form the crucial theme that is openly and frequently discussed in books, magazines, reviews, as well as other social media (Seidman, 2003). It is evident that, in the current world people agree that human vocation and dignity can be discovered through own intelligence and values inherent in their nature Moreover, individuals should nurture those values and practice them in their lives, for them to achieve a noticeable development (Greenberg, Bruess Conklin, 2011). In relation to moral matters, an individual cannot personally make a value judgment, since consciously he/she detects a law that he/she cannot impose on him/herself, but ensures his/he r obedience. It is false in the contemporary world for people to assert that it is impossible for a man to find immutable norm in human nature and reveal law that serves certain reasons, which are not expressed in the overall law of charity, as well as value for human dignity. However, divine revelation emphasizes the genuine demands of human nature. This manifests the presence of immutable laws that are innate in the constitutive fundamentals of human nature, and as such, it is exhibited by individuals gifted with reason. Sexual ethics concerns with both Christian life and human fundamental values; thus, its teaching equally pertains to sexuality. Church has unhesitatingly transmitted some norms and principles as a part of its teaching, though worldly morals and opinions ppose them (Adams Pigg, 2005). The principle does not originate from certain culture type, but from divine law and human nature knowledge. Many individuals vindicate premarital sex, but their opinion contravenes Christian doctrine which states that sex should be enjoyed within the confines of marriage, and that premarital sex cannot protect relationships from caprices and whims. In addition, those who practice homosexuality do it in opposition to the Christian teachings and moral sense. The homosexuals should be accorded necessary treatment and understanding in order to overcome their problems and be inculcated to the society successfully. Their blameworthiness will be evaluated with caution. Today, the doctrine maintained by Catholic that masturbation adds up to a grave ethical disorder is denied or doubted. Masturbation, from a psychological and sociological standpoint is regarded as a normal phenomenon that indicates sexual development. Though it cannot be justified that scriptures condemn the sin, the church understands that the New Testament condemns it when it speaks of unchastity, impurity, as well as other vices . Obedience is a virtue that enables someone to be in agreement with, to comply, respect or conform to something. It is the opposite of disobedience. Individuals will only be obedient to someone or of something because of fear of the consequences. Only those who are courageous enough will tend to disobey. For instance, a young child will obey his or her parent just because of the fear of the cane. If it was not of the consequences, the child would have disobeyed the parent. This is referred to as a blind obedience if you are being forced to conform. Many people obey so that they can have peace with themselves whereas others disobey in search of freedom or liberty. Many trouble makers, we say, are courageous because they seek their own independence and self responsibility. When a person is disobedient people tend to shun away from him/her in lonely situations while people, who are aware of the consequences, tend to follow good behavior. Delinquents are always people with bad norms or values that include disobedience. This people, who are usually engaged in risky activities such as burglary, are not only of disobedient but also courageous. Obedience is all about rejecting your own personality when people tend to be submissive, for instance, wives should be submissive to their husbands no matter what they orrder. The wives will only comply with it because they fear their husbands. Obedience in many cases does not involve a lot of questioning and reasoning that will increase the chances of one being manipulated and exploited either by the rest of people or the government. Its only when you are courageous that you question the legality of some actions. For instance, if the government gives an order the citizens, they will have to judge whether it is right or wrong before they obey. Normally, people tend to seek for conformity because they find it easier than disobedience. It does not involve a lot but only social responsibility.For instance, people follow the societal norms and values just because they are a part of the community and any disagreement with the norms can make the ancestral spirits angry. This will bring a curse or suffering among the members of the society. The cost of disobedience is sometimes scary and requires strong people to face it. The Bible states, if one wants to live till the old age, he or she is supposed to obey his or her parents. To be in good terms with the creator, obedience is better than sacrifice, this makes it possible for an individual to relate with the powerful well and be on a saver side both in the earthly living and the life to come. Most people actions are based on the current and future benefits that they derive. Those, who are defiant, are courageous enough to face the consequences just even when they had an opportunity to behave well. Again we find people like Abraham, David, Shadrack, Meshack and Aberdneko in the Bible to be the most courageous people to obey God even if the consequences, they were going to face, was too severe (Fuller, 1964). Their actions were not as a result of fear but the value of Gods teachings in their lives. Conclusion In conclusion, obedience is a moral virtue that we need to uphold even if the consequences are too severe and demanding. Though the goodies that come with disobedience include freedom and independence, they are short-lived. Observance of the ethical law, as well as practice of chastity in the field of sexuality, is endangered. This is because there is a growing tendency to minimize, but not deny, grave sin reality in the lives of people. Based on Christian teachings, moral sin is not only premised on direct and formal resistance to chastity, but it is also found in the opposition of authentic love embodied in moral laws. Buy custom Sex and Morality essay

Marijuana should not be legalized Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Marijuana should not be legalized - Essay Example It has been reported that the increasing number of children are experimenting with the recreational drugs such as Marijuana. Further, studies on the arrested criminal serving their sentences in different jails suggested that they were involved in using drugs like Marijuana at least once in a week before they were arrested. (DuPont, 2010). These statistics suggest that the society as a whole can actually bear a lot of cost for the unrestricted and unrestrained used of drugs like Marijuana and therefore should not be legalized. This argumentative essay will present a case for not legalizing the Marijuana and will present different reasons along with practical examples as to how the legalization of Marijuana can actually be detrimental to the society and the individuals. Marijuana should not be legalized Probably one of the biggest arguments against the legalization of the marijuana is based upon the principles of morality. The use of the drugs in general is considered as immoral in any given society due to the overall impact of the same on the society. ... Religion therefore in this sense suggests that the use of drugs generally should not be allowed because it will diminish the humanistic characteristics of the individuals. Historically the use of drugs such as Marijuana remained banned due to the adverse social impacts of their use on the individuals. Since the use of the Marijuana often result into the intoxication therefore can seriously cause the personal injury. It is also important to note that the marijuana is considered as the stepping stone drug which can lead to the use of other drugs such as cocaine and other more severe drugs. This is because of the fact that the Marijuana is often considered as easy to obtain and use and the relative effects of the drug can often lead to the so called experimentation with other hard and soft drugs. Such tendencies therefore can further led to the excessive use of other drugs and therefore the overall cost of rehabilitation of all those engaged into the use of harder drugs can be high. (Me sserli, 2010) It is also important that the Marijuana is considered as a socially addictive drug therefore and has really capability to induce abuse. Such capacity of the drug therefore can further led to the domestic as well as the social disturbance giving the fact that the drug is of addictive nature. This is also because of the fact that due to overall nature of Marijuana people who actually use this drug become what is called potheads and Marijuana start to dominate most parts of their lives. Such domination therefore creates further social alienation as well as the marginalization of the drug addicts. The use of Marijuana is therefore not only

Law, Social and Ethical Responsibilities in Business Essay

Law, Social and Ethical Responsibilities in Business - Essay Example As we continued walking, we met a friend of ours. We asked him if he saw our POI and he informed us that he was in church. We went to the church which was some distance away from school. As we went our way and crossed the busy street, an idea came up in the mind of Y. She suggested that a message be sent to the Supreme Student Council (SSC) informing them that we were hit by a car while crossing the street. The idea hatched and we hoped we could enjoy the joke. After that, I dropped the phone in my pocket, making-believe that something has happened to the three of us. The mobile phone in my pocket kept ringing and ringing but I didn't notice it because we were so engaged in laughing while walking, imagining how the Supreme Student council would be rattled. Then I noticed the phone ringing, but before I could answer, I composed myself that I may act as though I were really scared. In my conversation with the caller, I noticed that his voice was nervous and I continued acting, like crying at the same time talking in a confused manner, telling him where we were. I laughed a little in between my sobs but he didn't notice. So, perfect! We did it! They ran barefoot to our place: the senators, our PIO, our Internal Affairs Officer. Shockingly, Prof. F, who was tabulating the game results, was disturbed by the news that he heard and hurriedly moved to keep away his things. In the process, he hurriedly closed his laptop computer which eventually fell hard on the cement floor. Meanwhile, we got ready for we were sure they would be looking for us. While on our way, our Vice President got his phone and began calling Dr. Jane, our Faculty Adviser. She was very busy printing the certificates for winners that time, but alarmed by the news, she began calling someone near the supposed accident site to contact an ambulance, but to no avail. There was misinformation between the SSC Officers. I already told one of the officers that my two companions were in an ambulance but he failed to tell the VP. One fellow senator continued running, but while he was on his way, he noticed why there were none among the people looking alarmed and no ambulance was in sight as I had told him. When he came to where we were, he was very angry and he felt betrayed as he saw us walking and laughing without the wounds I had reported. He threatened to kick us out of the Council, where he initiated a Council Resolution afterwards for our expulsion from the Council. After the other officers came to know that we were only joking, they got very angry and our VP told us that we had to explain to our Adviser, Dr. Jane, and the tabulator why we did what we did. Although earlier, the whole thing was nothing to Dr. Jane but child play, she began to see the whole thing in a different light when Prof. F, the tabulator, began to pester her for payment of the fallen laptop at $740 on account of the mischief of the students. The new laptop was on memorandum receipt (MR) issued to him by the State University and he wouldn't be able to be cleared of obligations by the end of the semester when he asks for clearance. The question is who is responsible for paying for

Transfer of HRM practices by MNCs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Transfer of HRM practices by MNCs - Essay Example As Multi National Companies (MNCs) come into the picture, the scenario gets a little different. MNCs typically misjudge the effect that disparities in Industrial relations methods, workplace settings, and defiance from local people to several HRM practices can all have on their workings and operations. In addition, Unions also time and again, weaken to establish effectual transnational strategies to provide their memberships and associations in other countries in an improved manner. A question therefore arises that whether the MNCs can effectively transfer their HRM practices abroad, particularly when the notions that lie beneath these practices do not coincide with the norms, values, and cultures of the host-countries. The U.S. MNCs into the Chinese market have been taken into account in this paper Under the HRM practices, it is also important that one administers their approach toward the assistance and recompense for the employees, employee accounts and programs. However it is also critical that they make sure that their staff has, and is informed about, the personnel policies that coincide with the existing code of practice. Drivers of Change The world is moving on the path of change, with two significant drivers, i.e. globalization and technological revolution. The two influences actually pose as the foundation for a new way of sharing out the workforce concerning countries and organizations that has come to light throughout the preceding few decades. Different attitudes and opinions about globalization, divide countries and corporations, and also their volume and capability to transform or update themselves with new technologies. Basically the search for new markets and the means for resources has been the driving force toward globalization. As competition gets highly international, and in fact in some businesses, completely global, new production processes and organizational practices are seen to have emerged. (Competitiveness in Developing Asia, pp.58, 2003) The method, by which production at a transnational level is embarked on at current time, varies a lot from the way it was done some years ago. The argument remains in the intricacy of the production procedure, accompanied by the pace and extent of the transnational movements of goods and information. A large variety of highly innovative products, these days, are manufactured by Multi National Corporations (MNCs) in significantly competitive markets. Although MNCs have been there for quite a while now, their existence is very much sensed at current time. The uniqueness of MNCs nowadays is that they have production plants positioned worldwide, with the concern that production consists of planning, management, and coordination of innumerable operations. This lets MNCs to cut up the sequence of their

Analysis of John Greens Looking for Alaska

Analysis of John Greens Looking for Alaska Looking for Alaska Introduction: â€Å"The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive.† John Green, the author of Looking for Alaska, writes a story about a group of young adults, where we see how love and friendship are special and how life can vanish in a moment. This book shows how sometimes adults just do not understand or do not see how big situations are for teenagers. Adults think that teenagers think they are invisible which somehow it is true teenagers do feel like they are invisible, but there is a big picture in all this. Teenagers will always have friends that are always there for them. There will be always that someone that helps them go on and that is when friendship and live comes in. Life is a puzzle is a â€Å"labyrinth† and everyone has to find their way out by themselves before life is gone. The young adult novel represents a combination of genres. It has romance, mystery, and adventures and this is thanks to how the characters in the story live this crazy and adventuro us experiences. Summary: Miles Halter is a young adult who is fascinated by famous last words. Miles leaves his family in Florida to start boarding school in Alabama. Miles goes to Culver Creek to seek a â€Å"Great Perhaps† which are the last words of his favorite poet before he died referring to find the path of success. At Culver Creek, Miles start a very strong friendship with his roommate Chip. Chip introduces Miles to his other two very close friends, Alaska and Takumi. Miles in company of Alaska, Chip and Takumi experience crazy adventures. One day Miles, Chip and Alaska got really drunk. Couple days later the school receives the news; Alaska had a car accident and she died. Now Miles and Chip are set to investigate to know what really happened and if Alaska’s death was intentional in her own way to get out of the â€Å"labyrinth†. At last Miles and Chip never get to know what really happened in that accident but they understood that the only way out of the â€Å"labyrinth† of life and suffering is to forgive themselves which was what Alaska had left them after her death. Boarding school was over, Chip got ready to leave for vacation with his mother and Miles as well. Miles went home for vacation but he never forgot the message Alaska tried to make him understand about how to get out of the â€Å"labyrinth†. Character analysis: Alaska is one of the main characters of the story. She becomes a mystery to her friends and to the readers when she dies. Alaska has this bipolar type of personality; she is funny, crazy, and mysterious, and she can sometimes be rude and mean but most of all she is very smart. Alaska has been tormented since her mother died when she was little, somehow Alaska feels guilty for her mothers’ death. â€Å"She had fallen over. She was lying on the floor, holding her head and jerking. And I freaked out. I should have called 911, but I just started screaming and crying until she finally stopped jerking.† Even though Alaska has lived a very tough past, she is still very happy and energetic; or maybe that is just how she wants others to see her. Alaska is the type of person that can be having fun one day and the next one she is totally other person by being mean and rude. â€Å"I’m really not up for answering any questions that start with how, when, where, why, or what.à ¢â‚¬  Alaska is really pretty or maybe is just Miles making her look good. â€Å"And now is as good a time as any to say she was beautiful†¦I could see her eyes-fierce emeralds†¦And not just beautiful, but hot, too, with her breast straining against her tight tank top, her curved legs swinging back and forth beneath the swing.† Throughout the story Alaska changes a lot. She evolves from being a confident and strong girl to a very confused and depressive one. After remembering what happened to her mother, she cannot stand the guilt she feels and she becomes a cold person. Alaska dies in the story and that is when the mystery comes since she left everything to be continued. â€Å"‘This is so fun’ she whispered, ‘but I’m so sleepy. To be continued?’† Alaska always thought of life as a labyrinth of suffering and she wanted to know what the way out of it was. She discovers that her only way out of the â€Å"labyrinth† of su ffering was to forgive. Alaska had to forgive herself for what happened to her mother and top getting all the guilt of something she did not do. Analysis and Evaluation: In this book John Green was trying to tell how he sees the real world in a teen fiction story. John was trying to introduce the reader into the â€Å"labyrinth of life† and persuade us to look for our own â€Å"Great Perhaps† (purpose in life). John did a pretty good job gathering us into the labyrinth and making us think about what we really want. He hides the real meaning; his thoughts about what he really thinks about life in the story. He created a story that could be easily enjoyed by everyone that reads the book and still has the result he wanted. Reading the book was very worth it. Now I have a different perspective of life. How I see life now is as a game, a challenge, a puzzle and if I find the way to win the game, surpass the challenge or solve the puzzle life will have a reward for me. If I find what I am here for I will be successful. As a reader of Looking for Alaska, I would totally recommend it to other readers. I might not be an expert of books but of al l the books I have read this book totally goes into my favorite ones. The book supports many of my beliefs and way of thinking about certain things. One of the things that the book supports me on is about affection and love. â€Å"If you must express affection, I always felt, you should do it†. This quote really got to me because that is the exact same thing I always says about someone who says that loves somebody else. If someone truly loves someone else the person has to show their affection to the other person. Another thing that the book and I have the same thought is about fighting for what we really want. â€Å"‘Sometimes you lose a battle. But mischief always wins the war.’† This quote caught my attention because this is actually a very general way of thinking and many people might think this way too. But I liked this quote because it reminded me of times when I could not do something and then I remembered what my parents always told me, similar to the quote, that sometimes in life you will lose some battles but if you work enough you could win the war and be successful. Conclusion: Looking for Alaska is a really good book. The book has a pretty interesting story. Even though there were parts in the book that seemed that something was missing it was kid of the purpose; leaving the reader thinking about what was the next event. The author introduced the readers into this new perspective of life. Just how Miles understood the way out of the â€Å"labyrinth of life† everyone has to find their own way out. Also besides finding the way out of the labyrinth people have to find their purpose in life so they no longer live this life full of emptiness asking themselves what they are missing.

Y2k: Should We Be Worried? :: essays research papers

Some people wonder what Y2K is, and whether it is true or false. Should we be worried about Y2K? Some people are sure it is false, yet the news stresses that it is true. This has many people in fear for their life. Some have been preparing for over a year now because they think Y2K is going to hit and the power will go out and absolutely nothing will work. Should we believe this? Many people ask, "What is Y2K?". It made me wonder one day, "What does Y2K really mean?". I went to the search engine <a href="http://www.altavista.com">Altavista and typed in "What does Y2K stand for?". I looked and looked and finally found a page that answered mine and many others' questions. Y2K stands for Year 2000. Why K though? Why not Y2T? It is K because the Greek for thousand is Kilo so we use K to stand for thousand. Then comes another big question. What causes Y2K? There are two different factors in what causes Y2K. One factor being: Along time ago, approximately in the 70's different operating systems were being made for computers. The computer programmers decided to make the dates in these operating systems and programs with 2 digits(73) instead of 4(1973). That was all fine until about the early 90's when computer programmers noticed something. They saw that when the year 2000 rolled around the computers would read the date as 00 instead of 2000. The computer would think, "1900?", but I was made in 1973. This confuses the computer ,therefore, it resets it's self to 1980 and rearranges all of the settings in the BIOS (the programs that tells the computer which drive to load to, what kind of memory, what kind of CD-ROM the computer has, etc.). This could cause a problem, but nothing that could not be fixed in 5 minutes. One downfall to that is every time it got up to 2000 it would need to be fixed again. The upside being a program that reads the date with four digits is approximately ninety dollars depending on the kind of program wanted. The other factor is a computer programming language called COBOL (common business oriented language). This computer programming language is used by many businesses' computers. COBOL handles numbers and text so that businesses can produce reports and keep track of all sorts of data. It has no idea what a date is.