Environmental Factors Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Environmental Factors - Research Paper Example Being a dominant player in the furniture industry, IKEA had assumed its duty of educating and training its workforce so that ethical trade practices and agreements are not ignored. It also educates and trains its supplier base to improve efficiency in operations. Not going by the traditional business practices, IKEA had always tried to differentiate itself through its unique and specific products and its cost leadership. This is achieved through its strategic and collaborative relations with its suppliers who are equivalent partners in profit sharing. It had marketed its products at lesser profit margins in developing and underdeveloped countries that wished to own Western furniture but could not afford. This has made it earn an image of a corporation that believes in equality and possession of products equally. Being a home furnishing brand, IKEA always needed big and spacious locations to arrange for its warehouses and showrooms. As such, it never set up full fledged assembling facilities in any nation. It always went for outsourcing decisions where by the use of skilled and expert people, parts and components were manufactured elsewhere while the assembling task was completed at the destination location. Also it had communicated its product range across nations that match the perceptual structure of the residents. For US citizens, its furniture is stylish and stable, while for China, it is homely and giving a feeling of togetherness. Culture is something that cannot be created. It has to be learned and percolated down to ages. IKEA had been very strategic in weaving a story around itself every time it entered in a new market and aligned its marketing campaign accordingly. It had varied the sensibility of its marketing significantly across varying cultures. For instance, its European advertisements are more straight-forward unlike North-Americans, which are more witty. Cultural differences also arise

Safety Culture Evaluation Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Safety Culture Evaluation - Case Study Example The safety programs are well intent on establishing provisions that ensure the well-being of the company employees. A company that uses this factor is Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). Based on a recent survey, the institution is considered to be the best company to work for (Gustin, 2008). This is attributed to the medical cover that they provide for employees, as well as their children. There is a medical facility in the company premises, which is free of charge for the employees. This safety measure is fundamental, as employees be treated as soon as possible and get back to work. The safety measure is an efficient measure of ensuring the efficiency of the company. It serves that the employees are well assured in terms of safety measures, and if they may have a problem, they can seek medical attention immediately. This reduces the element of wasting valuable working time seeking solutions to a medical problem. These factors prove to improve the efficiency of the company. The establishment of a health facility increases the employee output, as they are motivated to work knowing that they have a medical facility that can ensure that their health is not in danger. Such programs are not common in manufacturing companies, as they are deemed expensive, which may reduce the level of profits that a company will generate. This is because the establishment of a medical facility is a production cost, affecting the level of revenue generated. It is a contributing factor as to why a number of firms, have not invested in a medical facility that can increase the safety measures. Since all firms aim to reduce the cost of operation, several companies will deem a medical facility as a high cost that is not a worthwhile investment. However, it increases the probability of health hazards in the workplace. There are some safety measures, which are established but do not work or do not serve their purpose. An example of such is the fire extinguishers. There