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Relationship between worker stress and performance

1. Describe the relationship between worker stress and performance (use an example). What should 21st century managers do regarding worker stress to keep the workforce productive? Provide an example.

2. Discuss any experience you have had with organizational politics in your job including specific causes. Describe any individual or organizational efforts to reduce the occurrence of organizational politics.

3. Discuss the relationship between job satisfaction and absenteeism and turnover. Discuss your own experiences with voluntary and involuntary absenteeism and turnover and how satisfaction with your job influenced those experiences.

4. Discuss the challenges and benefits associated with increasing workforce diversity. Provide examples/specifics.

Internationalization at harley-davidson

Internationalization at Harley-Davidson

Founded in 1903, Harley-Davidson (Harley) is a U.S. motorcycle manufacturer that offers thirty-five models through a network of nearly 1,500 dealers. Its annual revenues are about $6 billion, mainly from sales of t]he big bikes that made the firm famous. Harley earns three-quarters of its total sales in the United States, where it also manufactures almost all its bikes to ensure quality control.

The firm makes four distinctive groups of models:

¦ Standard. Practical bikes used for low-cost commuting.
¦ Performance. Sleek, sport-style racing bikes built for speed and easy handling.
¦ Custom. Stylized bikes customized to customer tastes.
¦ Touring. Long-distance, large-capacity, comfort bikes that typically include cruise control, stereos, and luggage racks. In the

United States Harley competes primarily in the custom and touring segments, which account for around 85 percent of “heavyweight” sales. Its numerous competitors are all headquartered outside the United States and include Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki in Japan, and BMW, Ducati, and Triumph in Europe. New competitors are emerging from China. Harley heavyweight bikes sell for $17,000 or more, which puts them beyond the reach of many buyers. The average age of a Harley buyer in the United States is nearly 50. One key to Harley’s success is the Harley Owners Group (HOG), a club of loyal Harley owners with over one million members, including 100,000 in Europe. HOG is an important marketing tool for promoting sales. In the United States brand loyalty is fierce, and switching costs for Harley owners are high. Over time, the firm has created a mystique around its heavyweight bikes that helps drive sales. Indeed, many owners get Harley tattoos.

Threat of Foreign Competitors

Harley faced financial ruin in the 1970s and 1980s. By 1970, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha were selling millions of motorcycles in the United States and specializing in inexpensive, lightweight models. Initially Harley paid little attention to the competition and continued to focus on heavyweight bikes, but the market for lightweights continued to grow. Meanwhile, Harley had begun to experience major problems with the quality of its bikes and poor productivity in its factories. Over time, the firm’s image suffered and sales declined sharply. In 1985, despite obtaining tariff protection from the U.S. federal government to combat Japanese imports, Harley continued to falter and nearly went bankrupt.

Revival

Following the arrival of a new CEO, Harley took proactive steps to revive the firm. Ironically, it adopted Japanesestyle management techniques, updating manufacturing methods, improving quality, and expanding model offerings. In its factories, Harley instituted just-in-time inventory systems and total quality management and empowered its production workers. Management increased marketing efforts, improved the dealer network, and undertook various cross-branding ventures. By the 1990s, management had repositioned Harley more strongly in the performance motorcycle market. The improvements paid off in sharp improvements in company image and in sales.

International Expansion

About the same time, Harley management resolved that future success would come from expansion into foreign markets. The firm had established a distribution network and local subsidiary in Japan, and by 2005, it was selling more than 12,000 motorcycles there annually. It continued to sell heavyweight motorcycles in Japan at a price of more than $18,000, substantially more than Honda’s standard lightweight model. Harley also made significant inroads in Europe, a vast marketplace that is home to dozens of countries with diverse needs and tastes. Exhibit 1 compares sales of the four Harley models in Europe and the United States in 2006. U.S. customers strongly preferred large custom and touring bikes, while Europeans favored smaller performance and standard models. Compared to U.S. customers’ tastes, European preferences are diverse. Freeways in much of Europe have high speed limits that necessitate high-performance bikes. Most Europeans do not relate to Harley’s U.S. image of rugged individualism, freedom, and rebellion, and its big bikes are difficult to maneuver in narrow streets and impractical for daily commuting. Fortunately, Harley sells a broad range of bikes that suit diverse European tastes.

To enhance its European presence, Harley launched an overseas branch of the HOG club. Then in 2008, the company purchased the Italian motorcycle firm MV Agusta Group for $109 million. MV Agusta’s fast, lightweight models sharply contrast with Harley’s heavyweight bikes. The deal gave Harley a line of smaller bikes that appeal to Europeans. In addition to Europe and Japan, Harley management wants to target emerging markets. Brazil, Harley’s biggest potential market in Latin America, is fraught with challenges. Initially Brazil’s government imposed high import tariffs that doubled the cost of bikes to Brazilian buyers. To address this dilemma, Harley established an assembly plant in Brazil. Local assembly avoids import barriers and reduces costs thanks to the availability of low-cost workers. Management also set its sights on China, home to 1.3 billion people, many of whom ride small motorcycles. While average wages are low, income levels are growing rapidly. Harley is concerned about piracy, however. Some Chinese entrepreneurs are known to counterfeit wellknown foreign branded products, especially those with big price tags. Harley is also considering India, where millions of households have annual incomes over $80,000. Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki all have a strong presence there. Nevertheless, management notes that BMW and Suzuki both tried to enter India and failed, mainly due to high trade barriers and other complexities of the Indian market.

Recent Events

Harley’s fastest-growing market outside the United States is Canada. But Canada still accounts for just 4 percent of total Harley sales. Harley holds a similar market share in Japan, but the country’s economy is in recession, and disposable income has been falling. Australia seems promising, but with a population of twenty million people, the market is limited. In Latin America, Brazil provides less than 2 percent of total sales. Low buying power in Latin America remains a challenge. Interestingly, despite making substantial inroads in foreign markets, Harley’s international sales began to decline after 2000, reaching just 16 percent of total sales in 2003. One of the complexities of Europe is that needs and tastes differ on a regional basis. Some buyers prefer Italian styling, which is dominated by Ducati. Others prefer the German styling of BMW.

Environmental Sustainability Challenges

Like automobiles, motorcycles pollute the natural environment, and Harley is vulnerable to regulatory sanctions because it manufactures very large bikes. Most of Harley’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions emanate from its manufacturing plants, and management is moving to reduce pollution, as well as energy and water usage, as part of an integrated sustainability strategy. The firm is also addressing climate change by preparing for the transition to a lower-carbon economy. These actions and its recycling program help align Harley’s actions with stakeholder expectations and strengthen the brand California and Taiwan have recently imposed rigorous new GHG standards on motorcycles. Japan and various European countries are developing similar new standards aimed at GHG reduction. Harley is attempting to stay ahead of evolving regulations. In 2005, the firm launched a motorcycle recycling program in Japan.

The Future

Beginning in late 2008, the global recession hurt Harley as discretionary income fell around the world. For management, a big question is how best to position the firm given declining demand worldwide. Management believes the keys to sustainable growth will be: (i) a heightened focus on foreign markets; (ii) an appeal to lighter-weight, performance-based markets; (iii) improved and larger dealer networks; and (iv) strategic control of distribution. Harley also needs to balance production and sales for domestic and international markets. As the U.S. market slows, Harley’s revenues are suffering. To diversify its revenue streams and reduce its dependence on U.S. sales, Harley wants to increase its international business. Its CEO believes the ideal sales mix is 60 percent in the United States and 40 percent internationally, but the company is struggling to achieve this goal.
Reflective Thinking Skills, Analytic Skills, Ethical Understanding and Reasoning Abilities

Case Questions

1. What is the nature of the international business environments Harley faces? What types of risks does the firm face?

2. How can Harley benefit from expanding abroad? What types of advantages can the firm obtain? What advantages acquired abroad can help Harley improve its performance in its home market?

3. How can Harley effectively compete with rivals from Japan and Europe? What strategies should management apply to grow the firm’s sales in those regions?

4. Competitors such as Lifan and Zongshen are beginning to emerge from China, where they enjoy competitive advantages like low-cost labor and extensive experience with emerging markets. How can Harley compete against such firms? Should Harley more aggressively pursue emerging markets such as Brazil, China, and India? If so, what strategies will help it succeed in those markets?

5. Evaluate Harley’s environmental sustainability initiatives in the evolving regulatory environment on global greenhouse gas. What advantages does Harley gain by attempting to produce environmentally safe and sustainable products?

Economies of scale in a supply chain cycle inventory

Chapter 11 – Managing Economies of Scale in a Supply Chain Cycle Inventory

As an inventory quality manager at a major big box retailer, you have been tasked to reduce the lot size of products from a major supplier. a) Discuss which costs are expected to change. b)Your boss has tasked you to achieve the objective of lot size reduction without increasing cost. How will you achieve that?

Discuss the impact of quantity discounts and trade promotions on lot size.

Chapter 12 – Managing Uncertainty in a Supply Chain: Safety Inventory

Describe the impact of supply uncertainty and on safety inventory.

Describe the concept of postponement. Will you change the variety of products you offer (as a firm) as you get better at postponement? How?

Discuss the ethical implications of a leader”s role

Discuss the ethical implications of a leader’s role in the socialization of new hires into the preexisting culture of an organization. What responsibility does a company have to inform newly hired persons that it wants to shape their values, perceptions, and behavior to conform to the organization’s culture? What impact does socialization have on both individual and organizational effectiveness?

Develop a charter for the rals rostering project

Task – Develop a charter for the RALS Rostering project including:

Include the project description and overview you have developed as part of your preparation for Assessment.

Part One: MOV – Measurable Organisational Value

(This is the goal of the project and is utilised to define the value that your team project will bring to your client)

-Identify the desired area of impact – Rank the following areas in terms of importance: Strategy / Customer / Financial / Operational / Social

-With reference to your project, identify one or two of the following types of value:

• Better – is improving quality important to your client?
• Faster – does your client want to increase efficiency?
• Cheaper – is cutting costs important?
• Do more – does your client want to continue its growth?

-Develop an appropriate metric – this sets the target and expectation of all the stakeholders. It is important to determine a quantitative target that needs to be expressed as a metric in terms of an increase or decrease of money.

-Determine the timeframe for achieving the MOV – ask yourselves, when do we want to achieve this target metric?

-SUMMARISE THE MOV IN A CLEAR CONCISE STATEMENT OR TABLE

Part Two:

Define Scope and produce a Scope Management Plan

Define the scope of the project and detail how the scope will be managed.

Provide a list of Resources

Identify and detail the resources for the project using MS Project where appropriate, including:

• People (and their roles), plus any extra personnel that is required for the project.
• Technology – any hardware, network and software needs to support the team and your client.
• Facilities – where will most of the teamwork be situated?
• Other – for example, travel, training etc.

Part Three:

Using MS Project, develop a schedule using a high level Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). It should include:

• Milestones for each phase and deliverable
• This will tell everyone associated with the project that the phase or deliverable was completed satisfactorily. o Activities I Tasks
• Define a set of activities / tasks that must be completed to produce each deliverable.
• Resource Assignments
• Assign people and resources to each individual activities.
• Estimates for Each Activity / Task
• Develop a time estimate for each task or activity to be completed.

Part Four:

Project Risk Analysis and Plan

• Document any assumptions you have made about the project
• Using the Risk Identification Framework as a basis, identify five risks to the project – one for each of the five phases of the methodology.
• Analyse these risks, assign a risk to an appropriate member, and describe a strategy for the management of each specific risk.

Part Five:

Quality Management Plan. It should include:

• A short statement that reflects your team’s philosophy or objective for ensuring that you deliver a quality system to your client.
• Develop and describe the following that your project team could implement to ensure quality;
• A set of verification activities
• A set of validation activities

Explain the basic principles involved in establishing a site

Explain the basic principles involved in establishing a site layout for a spill or release response. In your response, include the requirements for air and personnel monitoring.

Your response must be at least 300 words in length. You are required to use at least your textbook as source material for your response. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations.

Measure performance management in organizations

Reflect on a past work experience where your performance was reviewed and identify three behaviors that were evaluated. In examining the behaviors, which do you feel were task or contextual behaviors? In preparing your response, answer the following questions:

• How appropriate or effective were the metrics that were employed for these behaviors?
• How would you have improved the metrics?
• If there were no metrics in place, which metrics would you suggest? Justify your response.

Be specific and provide examples with references to this week’s literature.

Post in 250 words or more  a cohesive and scholarly response based on your readings and research this week that addresses the following:

Evaluate the use of metrics to measure performance management in organizations. Analyze the behavioral factors that should be considered by an organization when they are measuring an employee’s performance. Justify your responses with references to the literature attached

Attachment:- week 3 reference.pdf

The Pressure to Overstate Stock Valuation

Learning Activity #1
The Pressure to Overstate Stock Valuation
You have been the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for a large pharmaceutical company for 15 years. The Company’s year-end is March 31 and you are finishing the year end
accounts. You have recently been advised by the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of a significant level of slow moving stock. The stock in question is now more than nine
months old and would normally have been written down some months previously. The shareholders are trying to sell the Company and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who
is also the majority shareholder, has told you that it is not necessary to write down the stock in the year end accounts. You are sure that the CEO wants the financial
statements to carry an inflated stock valuation because he has found a prospective buyer for the Company. The CEO has mentioned to you that if the proposed deal is
successful, all employees will keep their jobs and you will receive a substantial pay increase.
What are the ethical implications of this scenario and how would you resolve them? Are there any ethical theories that might support your answer?
Learning Activity #2
Read the short article and watch the accompanying video:
https://www.apple.com/environment/
Answer the following:
Does it pay to be social responsible? Why or Why not?

Name three strategies that you use to motivate yourself to overcome difficulties when learning and researching. 2. In your opinion, what is the most important step to take when reading research articles? According to the material you’ve watched and read, what is the most important step to take when reading research articles?

PART 2
Your first writing assignment in WRTG 391 will be a Summary of Research Findings.  Please watch the video– How to Read and Comprehend Scientific Research Articles:
Summary of Research Findings.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2K6mJkSWoA&feature=youtu.be
Respond to this discussion topic by answering the following questions.

1. Name three strategies that you use to motivate yourself to overcome difficulties when learning and researching.
2. In your opinion, what is the most important step to take when reading research articles? According to the material you’ve watched and read, what is the most
important step to take when reading research articles?
3. What obstacles make finding “meaning” difficult when reading a research article? What suggestions from the video and the template will help one to overcome these
obstacles to meaning?
4. What research topic do you think that you will focus upon for this semester’s work? Why?
5. After watching the first two library tutorials
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-sAimlKuZE

please find two articles on your chosen research topic that review and give the findings of a research study.  In responding to this discussion topic, give the author
(s), the title of the article, and a brief one- or two-sentence description of the research study and its findings.
The activity in this last task will help you get started on your Summary of Research Findings, which is writing assignment #1.
Thank you.

“History of Aviation the Wright Brothers”

good

Opposition Argument Analysis

Just like the Argument Summary assignment you just completed, this is designed to help you become more familiar with argument, and with your position in general, by
analyzing the opposing points of your ownargument. Too often, we either dismiss opposing views or divert our argument away from them without fully exploring or
understanding them. As a result, we often focus on one-sided arguments that are overly simplistic or, too often, disingenuous because we don’t fully understand how
complex they are or why people hold positions different from the one we present. This kind of closed thinking is evident as our nation debates many important issues
and in our own lives as well. To help us avoid this thinking error in our own work, this assignment will help us better understand our overall topic by becoming
intimately familiar with the opposing points of view.

The object of this assignment is to summarize the strongest opposing arguments from the conditions of rebuttal in your Toulmin Outline. To do this successfully, you
will summarize the opposing points in specific detail, using unbiased language. Our job in this essay is not to pass judgment on the position, but to come to truly
understand it by informing ourselves. From this, we may see a side to our topic that we have dismissed or that we are unaware of, and we may gain a deeper
understanding of the underlying issues that make these topics so difficult to solve. This summary should follow the same format as the previous assignment, including a
clear introduction of the argument, a body (in which you detail the argument), and a conclusion that summarizes the strongest points. If there are multiple sources of
opposition, please choose the one you feel to be most credible for this assignment.

For examples, please look at the UMN Writing Center at:

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~jewel001/CollegeWriting/WRITEREAD/Summary/samples.htm (Links to an external site.)

Requirements

One-page, single-spaced analysis of your Toulmin Outline

12-Point Times New Roman Font

Professional Tone

Summary/Opposition Rubric (2) (1)
Summary/Opposition Rubric (2) (1)
CriteriaRatingsPts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroduction, thesis and conclusion
Intro establishes context, the overall point is clear. Clear conclusion
10.0 pts
Insufficient context, or the point is slightly unclear or unfocused
7.0 pts
Little connection between ideas distracts from the author’s main point
5.0 pts
No identifiable point to the essay. The essay is one long summary of the work.
3.0 pts
10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCritical Thinking
evidence, claims, and conclusions are effectively analyzed and evaluated
10.0 pts
demonstrates some synthesis and critical thought, but fails to connect all ideas
7.0 pts
critical thinking and analysis are almost completely absent
5.0 pts
evidence, claims, and conclusions are ineffectively analyzed and evaluated
3.0 pts
10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAnalysis, language, and logical fallacies
The summary is clear and well supported by specific examples from the text.
10.0 pts
The summary is good, but could be clearer or better supported
7.0 pts
The summary is unclear and there are very few, if any, specific examples connecting the ideas
5.0 pts
The summary is missing or unidentifiable
3.0 pts
10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization
The essay is well organized and the flow of ideas is logical and effective.
10.0 pts
The essay is mostly well organized and logical but some paragraphs are vague slightly disjointed
7.0 pts
Ideas are not logically ordered and the paragraphs are difficult to connect
5.0 pts
Ideas are disjointed and disconnected. The paragraphs are not connected in any logical way
3.0 pts
10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLanguage, mechanics, and audience awareness
The essay is engaging and has an identifiable voice. The author uses transitions and professional language. No grammar errors
10.0 pts
The analysis is mostly engaging, but a few grammar errors or lack of professional tone distract from the flow. Some transitions are used
7.0 pts
The summary is difficult to follow and repeated grammar errors distract from the point. Very few transitions are used
5.0 pts
The tone is unprofessional, opinionated and overly emotional. There are too many grammar errors to follow the essay and no transitions.
3.0 pts
10.0 pts
Total Points: 50.0
Mahmoud Alhujayri
Dustin Crawford
English 2010
2/28/2017

“History of Aviation the Wright Brothers”
Claim: Wright Brothers started the history of aviation.
Reasons:
Bishop Wright one day brought Wilburn and Orville Wright a small toy helicopter that was made up of wood and two curled rubber bands as a small propeller. Both the
brothers played with it until it broke. After that, they made new copies of toys themselves. They also sold their toys to their friends. So it developed an interest of
flying in them.
Wright Brothers started the printing business in 1889 together but after 3 years they started the business of bicycle. They started selling repaired bikes initially.
They establish their own brand in 1896. By working on bikes Wright Brothers generated an idea of flight.
They used the technology about which they got knowledge from bicycles on airplanes.
That technology included spoke wires, sprockets, chains, and ball bearings. From bicycles they learned to balance and control their aircraft.
Orville and Wilburn Wright performed different experiments to fulfill their dream of inventing an aircraft.
They also learned different techniques to control aircraft such as they realized the need of 3 axes of motions.
Orville and Wilbur got this idea from the flying bird. They saw the birds twisting and curving their wings.
They also performed Kite/glider Experiments.
In 1899 the Wright Brothers began their research on aeronautical research. They used to test their notions of aircraft with a small kite having a five-foot wingspan.
They built a machine in 1900 that carry a pilot in it.
Their 1900 aircraft was not that successful so they flew it as a kite and collected information to improve the functioning of their machine.
Assumptions:
Innovators made several assumptions about the development of flight. Since all the animals that fly have wings so innovators though of developing strap on wings. To
test their assumption they would have to jump from the tall building.
Some other innovators built flying machines and took years to build costly prototypes. All of them failed during the testing process.
The modern innovators can learn from the approaches adopted by Wright Brothers.
The Wright Brothers were flawless experimenters.
They adopted simple and low-risk ways to test their assumptions.
Wright Brother flew kites to test their assumptions.
The Innosight advised a big consumer product company to deliver a device to centralized points on campuses.
The business plans were assumed to take 3 months to get approval to sell their devices at school. They could pilot the idea at dew schools. But school slowly processes
that approval because they assumed to approach it differently.
Backing:
As Wright Brothers started their aeronautical research in 1899, the first aircraft they flew was a kite.
Their first experiment did not produce less lift than expected. They tested small wing model to simulate flight conditions. The wind tunnel they used was a box that
had a fan with mounted wings attached on a particular balance inside a tunnel. By using that device, Wright brothers design the wings of gliders and powerful aircraft
that would carry them into the air for flight. They got the information on satisfactory wing shape. Wright brothers discovered the wing warping through gliders test
that formed an unequal drag alongside the two wings. As a result, they developed a direct linkage between the warping system and the radar.
The design was successful and Wrights were ready to move on the nest step that was powered aircraft.
In 1903, the flyer took off on its own power where Orville was flying. After flying for 12 seconds it covered a distance of 37 meters.
Orville and Wilbur took three more flights on that day.
The fourth flight was the longest one which traveled 260 meters in the duration of 59 seconds.
After their success in North, Caroline Wright brothers continued with their experiments on flying.
Conditions of Rebuttal:
The critics of Wright brothers call their photos the Lost Flights of the Wright Brothers as none of their photo got published ever.
The European aviators criticized Wright Aircraft and call their forward elevator as unstable.
The Wright Aircraft gallop as compare to other aircraft and pilot tried to maintain their attitude. (Wright-brothers.org)
Moreover, some new evidence suggests that a German immigrant flew 2 years before Wright’s Brother took off their flight at Kitty Hawk.
Today a growing number of aviation experts deny the history of Wright Brothers.
The first flight of an n airplane was made by the German immigrants Gustave Whitehead in Connecticut before 2 years. However, its photo is blurry. ( ZENNIE, 2013)
Qualifier:
History has revealed that history of aircraft begins with the Wright brothers.
The evidence in the favor of Gustave Whitehead is small in number as compare to those of Wright Brothers.
However, there are a number of photos of Wright Brothers flying while there is none a single photo as an evidence for Gustave Whitehead’s first light. (Crouch, 2013)
References
ZENNIE, M. (2013, March 14 ). Is history wrong about the Wright Brothers? New evidence suggests German immigrant flew TWO YEARS before pioneers took off at Kitty Hawk.
daily mail.
Brunson , A. (2002, Jul 19). HISTORY CHANNEL FILMS WRIGHT FLYER PROJECT. The Herald Journal .
Centennial of Flight. (n.d.). The Wright Way:The Process of Invention. NASA.
Crouch, T. (2013, Mar 18). Air and Space Curator: The Wright Brothers Were Most Definitely the First in Flight. Smithsonian.com.
Wright-brothers.org. (n.d.). The Lost Flights of the Wright’s Brothers. Retrieved Mar 03, 2017, from http://www.wright-
brothers.org/History_Wing/Aviations_Attic/Lost_Flights/Lost_Flights.htm