WAWAP18 International Human Resource Management Essay

WAWAP18 International Human Resource Management - Essay Example In the context of this research, national culture shall be considered to be the collective set of customs, beliefs, behaviours and norms that distinguish the populations of different sovereign nations. On the other hand, HRM will be considered to be the organisational function that is designed to maximise the performance of human resources (employees) in accordance with the organisational strategic objectives. Culture generally has a significant and considerable impact on the approaches organisations use to manage their employee. For example, British management theories will generally mirror the British background in which they were designed. Ideally, this means that it may not be possible to separate British management from British culture. However, HRM, among all other management practices, appears to be the most influenced and affected by cultural differences (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 2004). Essentially, cultural differences will have significant implications on the design of HRM strategies and how appropriate they will be. The typical work environment is characterised by business (organisational) goals. However, in international HRM, cultural differences give rise to divergent preferences and perceptions that consequently shape general organisational behaviour such as management style and decision making, work motivation, performance appraisal, rewarding, communications, work ori entation and definition of objectives (Milikic, 2009). Further, apart from organisational culture, national culture will impact on HRM practices such as staffing, career development, management and compensation. Nations may differ in many significant aspects such as the educational characteristics of the labour force and regulatory and institutional environments, but cultural differences and especially cultural values shape HRM

Business Strategy Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Business Strategy - Article Example This is so because success is based on an organisation's ability to create, rather than predict the future by developing those products that will literally transform the way the world thinks and view it self and the needs (Kanter 1995:71). Within the context of today's global competition, businesses and firms no-longer compete as individual companies but try to corporate with other businesses in their activities (Wu & Chien 2007:2). These researchers went further to argue that, this strategy has become quite common in many businesses including the retail clothing chain stores. The conventional vertical integrated company based business model is gradually being replaced by collaborative relationship between many fragmented, but complementary and specialized value stars and constellation (Wu & Chien: 1). This paper focuses on Subway Franchise Company. The paper examines the strength weaknesses opportunities and threats of this chain of restaurants. There after the paper examines its competitors at various level of the chain, the third section of the paper uses Porter's five forces framework to identify the sources of competition in the industry while the last section provides the conclusion and recommendation. According to the Compa... 1.1 Overview of Subway Sandwich Franchise According to the Company's (2008) report, Subway Sandwich Franchise is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. (DAI). This chain of restaurant has been rated as one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with approximately 30,881 restaurants in 89 countries. The restaurant is the second largest restaurants after the Yum restaurant brands having 35000 locations. Many analysts have attributed the restaurant's fast growth to the growing concern by restaurant customers and the community. This has been capitalised on by the company's marketing department. Subway today is noted as a health concious restaurant chain. The restaurants are managed by Doctor's associates founded in 1965. The restaurant do not follow just the traditional restaurants, Subway operates in many non-traditional locations. For instance, the Company's (2008) reports states that, there are over 900 Subway locations inside of Wal-Mart stores and 200 on military bases, including several in Iraq, in addition to three located inside the Pentagon, some universities and other shops (Company Report 2008). 1.2 SWOT Analysis of Subway Franchise Strengths Better Value, in the form of lower prices. Fresher merchandise and wider assortments of sandwiches. Superior Locations Better physical appearance of the restaurants themselves. Good will, exclusive rights with some of their suppliers. Maximisation of the four Ps of Marketing at all front. High capital and a pool of reserves, and cheap credit facility offered in some locations. The Employees, 30,881 restaurants around the world. cheaper, better