10 Rules For Managing Global Innovation

This is a review of the HBR article â€Å"10 Rules for Managing Global Innovation† for the authors Keeley Wilson and Yves L. Doz . Keeley Wilson is a senior research fellow at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France .Yves L. Doz is the Solvay Chaired Professor of Technological Innovation at INSEAD. INSEAD is ranked the 5th best business schools for an average of three years period by the Financial times ranking. â€Å"10 Rules for Managing Global Innovation† is written by the authors to pin point ten rules that the authors see crucial for a multinational company to manage its globally dispersed business units and still keep the innovative process going smoothly and efficiently.The authors list of the 10 rules is as follows,1. Start small: invlolving all team members in a short term projects and easy to achieve in order to build it and to make all members ready for the big challenging project 2. Provide a stable organizational context: and thus avoiding employees feeling insecur e and lose focus on the innovative process. 3. Assign Oversight and Support Responsibility to a Senior Manager: to avoid miscommunication, conflict, and stalemates over crucial decisions 4. Use Rigorous Project Management and Seasoned Project Leaders: to impose discipline, structure, and a shared sense of purpose across the locations.5. Appoint a Lead Site: ensured prompt decision making and a project successfully delivered on time and on budget 6. Invest Time Defining The Innovation: so that everyone working on the project has the same understanding of the goals and their individual contributions to them. 7. Allocate Resources On the Basis of Capability, Not Availability: Teams are selected not because they are the best qualified but because they are available at the time , when resources became available elsewhere, this module was moved to a team that had the necessary capabilities , but by then, morale had been dented, time wasted, and costs increased.8. Build  Enough Knowledge Overlap for Collaboration: in order to ensure critical interdependencies between modules. 9. Limit the Number of Subcontractors and Partners: to limit the additional complexity and time trying to manage different partners. 10. Don’t Rely Solely on Technology for Communication: regular face-to-face communications are important in order to drive projects forward, share knowledge, and reinforce trust between teams and project leaders.Article Critique:The article clearly states 10 rules that are important for managing global innovations in the author’s perspective. As they have done researches on companies that known for their high innovation spend for more than a decade in order to present a set of guidelines for successfully managing global innovation projects. The Authors identified the problems that MNCs face clearly in the article and their examples include big MNCs like Citibank, HP, Hitachi, Infosys, Intel, LG Electronics, Novartis, Philips, Samsung, Siemens, Vodaf one, and Xerox in the article which gives great credibility to their guidelines for managing global innovations.However, the article could be seen as being very generic and each rule in the article should be more elaborately explained and a guide for implementing those rules. And this should have been addressed as the limitation of the article. On the other hand, this overview provided by the authors gives the readers a good point to start from, especially if they are to know what managing innovation in an MNC means. Furthermore other external references are confirming the author’s perspective. Concerning the second rule, other business schools professors are confirming the same idea like Rita Gunther McGrath professor at Columbia Business School.In her book How the Growth Outliers Do It. â€Å"Stability is what enables these companies to innovate and to maintain steady growth. Coupled with transparent values, it allows employees to feel confident about taking the risks that experimentation requires.† Google Co-founder, Larry Page, had the idea of Google Books for a long time. People thought it was too crazy even to try, but he went ahead and bought a scanner and hooked it up in his office. He began scanning pages, timed how long it took, ran the numbers and realized it would be possible to bring the world’s  books online. Today, Google Books Search index contains over 10 million books.This example shows how important it is to start small for big projects to succeed as the authors clearly stated in the first rule in the article. Other literature was found to be supporting the role of management discussed in several rules in the article. â€Å"The findings reveal that management involvement has a positive and significant impact on all dimensions of innovation featured. It is also found that organizational innovation has a mediating effect on the association between management involvement and technical innovation.† (â€Å"The role of management involvement in innovation† by Stanley Kam Sing Wong published by Emerald Group Publishing Limited)Concerning the author’s last rule about communication, the case of Toyota â€Å"The Americanization of a Japanese Icon† clearly explains the importance of not relying on technology alone for communication. â€Å"The Fact is That Toyota and it’s U.S subsidiaries don’t always see eye to eye, especially when it comes to making design choices for the American market. Sometimes their conflicts are over small issues, other times there are clashes over crucial product-strategy decisions.†Conclusion:The Authors successfully managed to give the reader an overview of how to manage innovation in a MNC. Moreover, other literature and examples was found to be supporting the authors point of view. However, it would have been of more benefit if there were more specific examples to elaborate how this rules could be implemented successfully each of these rules were stated and a guidelines

When does life begin essays

When does life begin essays Three Perspectives on When Life Begins Subject: Where does life begin? That is the age-old question. The decision that legalized the right to an abortion in all 50 states and sparked a political debate that remains charged to this day. Topic: Many questions surround abortion. What really makes someone human? Sub Topics: a) Some suggest life begins when the soul is created. b) Others advocate it is when the child is capable of giving and receiving love. c) Some suggest that life begins at conception. In this paper I will argue the validity of each of these issues. Topic @ Some have tried to find an answer in a religious belief, such as suggesting that human life begins when the soul is created. Others object that such answers cannot be used as a basis for law, because that would be a violation of separation of church and state. . There is a far bigger problem with such a definition of life. In the essay, When Does Life Begin?, Jay Johansen says, ...the soul definition, this one may be philosophically interesting but is of little practical use, as it is not at all clear how we could determine when someone first becomes conscious. The author means that no one knows when the soul is created, and it is difficult to see how we could find out. If someday, someone invented some kind of machine that could detect and measure a soul, this might become a useful definition. Until then, it can only be a subject for speculation. Topic B: Or consider human life begins when one is capable of giving and receiving love. Dr Schwarz argues, Imagine a case of two children. One is born comatose and he will remain so until the age of nine. The other is healthy at birth, but as soon as she achieves the concept of a continuing self for a brief time, she too lapses into a coma from which she will not emerge until she is nine. Can anyone seriously hold that the second child is a person ...

Distinguishing Between Hardwood and Softwood Trees

Distinguishing Between Hardwood and Softwood Trees The terms hardwood and softwood are widely used in the construction industry and among woodworkers to distinguish between species with wood regarded as hard and durable and those that are considered soft and easily shaped. And while this is generally true, it is not an absolute rule. Distinctions Between Hardwood and Softwood In reality, the technical distinction has to do with the reproductive biology of the species. Informally, trees categorized as hardwoods are usually deciduous - meaning they lose their leaves in the autumn. Softwoods are conifers, which have needles rather than traditional leaves  and retain them through the winter. And while generally speaking the average hardwood is a good deal harder and more durable than the average softwood, there are examples of deciduous hardwoods that are much softer than the hardest softwoods. An example is balsa, a hardwood that is quite soft when compared to the wood from yew trees, which is quite durable and hard. Really, though, the technical distinction between hardwoods and softwoods has to do with their methods for reproducing. Lets look at hardwoods and softwoods one at a time.   Hardwood Trees and Their Wood Definition and Taxonomy:  Hardwoods are woody-fleshed plant species that are angiosperms (the seeds are enclosed in ovary structures). This might be a fruit, such as an apple, or a hard shell, such as an acorn or  hickory nut.  These plants also are not monocots (the seeds have more than one rudimentary leaf as they sprout). The woody stems in hardwoods have vascular tubes that transport water through the wood; these appear as pores when wood is viewed under magnification in cross-section.  These same pores create a wood grain pattern, which increases the woods density and workability.Uses: Timber from hardwood species is most commonly used in furniture, flooring, wood moldings, and fine veneers.  Common species examples: Oak, maple, birch, walnut, beech, hickory, mahogany, balsa, teak, and alder.Density: Hardwoods are generally denser and heavier than softwoods.  Cost: Varies widely, but typically more expensive than softwoods.Growth rate: Varies, but all grow more slowl y than softwoods, a major reason why they are more expensive. Leaf structure: Most hardwoods have broad, flat leaves that shed over a period of time in the fall. Softwood Trees and Their Wood Definition and Taxonomy:  Softwoods, on the other hand, are  gymnosperms  (conifers) with naked seeds not contained by a fruit or nut. Pines,  firs, and spruces, which grow seeds in cones, fall into this category. In conifers, seeds are released into the wind once they mature. This spreads the plants seed over a wide area, which gives an early advantage over many hardwood species.Softwoods do not have pores but instead have linear tubes called tracheids that provide nutrients for growth. These tracheids do the same thing as hardwood pores - they transport water and produce sap that protects from pest invasion and provides the essential elements for tree growth.Uses: Softwoods are most often used in dimension lumber for construction framing, pulpwood for paper, and sheet goods, including particleboard,  plywood, and fiberboard.Species examples: Cedar, Douglas fir, juniper, pine, redwood, spruce, and yew.Density: Softwoods are typically lighter in weight and less dense than hardwoods.Cost: Most species are considerably less expensive than hardwoods, making them the clear favorite for any structural application where the wood will not be seen. Growth rate: Softwoods are fast-growing as compared to most hardwoods, one reason why they are less expensive.Leaf structure: With rare exceptions, softwoods are conifers with needle-like leaves that remain on the tree year-round, though they are gradually shed as they age. In most cases, a softwood conifer completes a changeover of all its needles every two years.

Alaska Airlines Flight Human Factors

Alaska Airlines Flight Human Factors The term human factors can be defined as anything to do with humans. In aviation maintenance human conditions like stress, illness, complacency are important because if these factors are not taken care of can lead to fatal accidents. Human factors in aviation industry have become more significant as over the time it has been realized that in most airborne accidents, human error is the main reason rather than mechanical failure. Human Factors are too broad a definition for our understanding of its application in aircraft maintenance. It focuses on a wide range of challenges faced by any human in his/her day to day personal or professional life and when combined how they can lead to human errors and ultimately to a fatal accident. This report is the case study of one such incident, Alaska Airlines Flight 261, a McDonnell Douglas MD 83, which crashed into Pacific Ocean near Anacapa Island, California killing all 88 people on board. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determ ines that the probable cause of this accident was a loss of airplane pitch control resulting from the in-flight failure of the horizontal stabilizer trim system jackscrew assembly’s acme nut threads. The thread failure was caused by excessive wear resulting from Alaska Airline’s insufficient lubrication of the jackscrew assembly (NTSB (2003). Loss of Control and Impact with Pacific Ocean Alaska Airlines Flight 261. WASHINDTON, DC: NTSB. 180.) After going through the accident and studying all the possible causes of this fatal accident it has been observed that it was the chain of events that led to one error after the other. The Cheese Error Model is used for analysis to explain the causes. C:UsersYashikaDesktopswisscheese2.gif Fig 1 (http://www.aviation.unsw.edu.au/about/articles/swisscheese.html) SYNOPSIS According to NTSB report 2003, â€Å"on January 31, 2000, about 1621 Pacific standard time, Alaska Airlines flight 261, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, N963AS, crashed i nto the Pacific Ocean about 2.7 miles north of Anacapa Island, California. The 2 pilots, 3 cabin crewmembers, and 83 passengers on board were killed, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces. Flight 261 was operating as a scheduled international passenger flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 from Lic Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle, Washington, with an intermediate stop planned at San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan.† (NTSB. (2003). HISTORY OF FLIGHT. In: NTSB Loss of Control and Impact with Pacific Ocean, Alaska Airlines Flight 261. WASHINDTON, DC: NTSB. 1.) PROBABLE CAUSE The National Transportation Safety Board carried out an intense investigation to find out what brought the flight 261 down and founded many r easons responsible for this accident. The NTSB report considered the main reason as the loss of airplane pitch control due to the in-flight failure of the horizontal stabilizer trim system jackscrew assembly’s acme nut threads. The thread failed because of excessive wear resulting from Alaska Airlines insufficient lubrication of the jackscrew assembly. NTSB reports also mentions about the design flaw of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 as it didn’t have fail safe mechanism to prevent the disastrous effects of failure of acme nut threads.

Human genetic enhancement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Human genetic enhancement - Essay Example However, with the continued research and development (R&D) headed by scientists stationed mainly in Oregon and Newcastle, there were discoveries made that uncovered the biotechnology’s ability to facilitate more than just medical corrections. These ‘other’ application areas that human genetic enhancement promised are the center of ethical and scientific wars that form a significant battleground for the US policy makers in making decisions regarding human genetic enhancement. This synthesis paper shall scrutinize the readings provided to come up with the key issues US policy makers need to put into consideration in a task of installing laws regarding human genetic enhancement. The benefits of human genetic enhancement, if implemented along ethical and lawful limits, outweigh the disadvantages that the biotechnological advancement could come along with in improving human life. Merits of human genetic enhancement The key consideration that the US policy makers would have as the ultimate reason to allow human genetic enhancement would be the prevention of diseases. Stock (2003) elucidated this fact by analyzing a study that demonstrated the possibility of a strain in the genetic makeup of people with Down syndrome having the ability to reduce cancer incidences by 90%. This study was a clear indication that human genetic enhancement

Tourism Management Course Work Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Tourism Management Course Work - Assignment Example If the front desk doesn’t respond pleasantly and efficiently to the needs of the traveler, this also will leave a bad impression. How a guest is treated is more important than the looks of an establishment, which does not diminish the need for a beautiful venue. It just means that beyond that beauty should be substance, which is represented by the quality of the staff. 3. As a resort hotel manager, do you believe your guests need to be educated about environmental protection? Do you need to educate your staff? Answer: Because of the new trends in green tourism, the staff definitely needs to be fully informed on all the ways that the hotel is implanting green policies in order to leave a smaller eco footprint. The staff should also be prepared to answer questions concerning ways in which the guests might take issue with one policy or procedure or another which does consume more than what might be desired. The guests should see literature in their rooms and at the front desk tha t shows what measures have been taken in order to lower the rate of consumption by the hotel. This type of information is both instructive and develops good relationships between the hotel and the guests. The information, however, should also be subtle because those who are at the resort are there to experience a sense of luxury. A good balance between maintaining the appearance of excess, while also showing responsibility, will provide for the best possible outcome regarding this issue. 5. For new developments, should the access roads be supplied by a government agency, the developer, or both? If both, who should supply what? Answer: Access roads to a new development are supplied by the government as the building of new commerce is considered to be a benefit to the city. Negotiations between the government and the developer will often allow for other considerations as well, but the access roads, as they are connected to the main roadways, are the responsibility of the government ag ency who is in control of road development within that specific area, whether it be city, county, state, or federal. 8. The sports director of a large resort hotel has been instructed to upgrade the hotel's physical fitness program. Provide some suggestions as to how this might be done. Answer: When approaching physical fitness within a resort hotel environment, conservative is the best approach because of the liability risk involved in active participation. Low impact, high result physical activity is the best method so that guests are attracted to the hotel, but are not in danger of physical injury. Although all physical fitness has some risk, making sure that staff is fully prepared to help guests and that any activity that is programmed has fully certified instructors is the best possible mitigation to risk. The second element of reconstructing a physical fitness program is in looking at the current trends and selecting those trends that reflect safe use, but also are exciting t o the guest. Dance routine type programs, such as Zumba, an exercise program which incorporates salsa dance, provide an environment of fitness while supporting something that is relatively safe. Being current while mitigating risk factors is the key to any new physical fitness program in a resort environment as it is likely some guests who participate will have not had much previous physical activity in their background. Therefore, the third element is making sure the program is

Does social security adversely affect savings Essay

Does social security adversely affect savings - Essay Example This has therefore started a debate on the reduction of the social security taxes, much because the incentives offered through social security system are not convincing. Considering the fact that, the social security taxes deducted from the earnings of an individual are offered to the retired officers of that time, which means that, deducted amount is neither invested, and it is a source of profitability, which can be later shared with the individuals. The social security system has been meant out, only to collect amount from one end, and distribute it among other party. (Carolyn L. Weaver. Social Security's Looming Surpluses: Prospects and Implications. 1990. Longman. pp. 146) It is therefore more advisable that the individual save or invest the similar amount in some sort of business or financial scheme, and it is expected that the individual can earn appropriate amount during the period of his retirement. Critically, why should a person contribute towards such a system, which is neither investing nor offering any profit or return over the deducted amount, rather it only offers return back. (Christopher Borgman. Social Security, Demographics, and Risk. 2005. Springer Publications. pp. 174) Feldstein hasIMPLICATIONS OF SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM Feldstein has provided sufficient material to prove that the system of social security is responsible for decline in the accumulation of total capital. The social security system has adversely affected the domestic productivity; it is because the individual is offered with no other option but to contribute towards the social security system. It the similar contribution had been made by the individuals in banking and businesses would have improved the increased the magnitude of local financial and capital production. Feldstein has provided sufficient evidence to prove that the practice of Social Security is corrupted. It has been able to observe that the social security system is responsible for the reduction in the private saving and local investment, and therefore the magnitude of regression coefficient on the social security variable was negative. The magnitude of the regression coefficient was large enough to warn against the implementation was such exercise, because it had caused much setback for local savings. A large drop in the saving scheme has been experienced since the plan of social security was launched. It has further deplored the situation, as it is important to support and encourage personal saving, so that the activities of banks and other financial institutions can gain momentum. It is being critically evaluated whether the government bonds are based on net wealth for a society. If there is increase in the percentages of the taxes, the government is likely to borrow lesser amount from public, and it can be expected that the government might reduced the percentage of taxes in the future years. This entire system is analogous to the social security system, where the government cuts heavy rates from individuals during particular course of time, and later reduces it, and then offers the packages during the retirement period in corresponding quantities. This practice itself is not fair and appreciable, the amount of social security