Monday, January 27, 2020

Environmental Problems In The Superstructure Construction Construction Essay

Environmental Problems In The Superstructure Construction Construction Essay To identify the environmental problems in the superstructure construction, we need to recognize the environmental aspect of this site. So that identifies the environmental impact or problems. According to the ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management system, it lists out several environmental aspects a) emissions to air, b) releases to water, c) releases to land, d) use of raw materials and natural resources, e) use of energy, f) energy emitted, e.g. heat, radiation, vibration, g) waste and by-products, and h) physical attributes, e.g. size, shape, colour, appearance. Environmental aspect and impact Emissions to air During construction, all the material e.g. ready mixed concrete truck will deliver to the site by trucks or other vehicles, any transportation method to the site will require fuel to run. Thus they will release some pollutant to the air like CO, CO2, NO, NO2à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Impact Global warming will become more obviously. Although CO2 can maintain the temperature in the earth, excessive CO2 emission will cause green house effect. If the temperature continuous rise, it will become a big disaster for example the mean sea level will increase and the land will drown due to the ice in polar is melted. On the other hand, some of the pollutant will affect the health of human for example NO2 can irritate the lungs and lower resistance to respiratory infection such as influenza. Releases to water Due to the statutory requirement in Hong Kong, the exit of the site must install a wheel washing system to avoid any dust or pollutants bring to outside environment by vehicles. This kind of system will consume so much water and the water will be soil water. Any discharging of waste water will cause pollution. Impact If the waste water is directly discharged to the soil without any treatment, the toxic chemical inside the water will affect the existing plants or tree. The soil will store the toxic contaminant even passing many years. Also, the waste water will create a bad smell to environment. They may not damage the human health, but the bad smell will affect the working condition for worker. Releases to land The site area will divide to several parts for storage area. However this kind of material may be highly corrosion to the existing land for example cement is acidic and the soil is alkali. When cement is leakage to the soil, the soil original property will change and harmful the existing tree and plants. Impact The soil contamination will happen; the soil will become harmful to the existing tree and plant. This effect will not disappear in a short time; it is a long term effect. Use of raw materials and natural resources Timber is one kind of natural resources. It made by tree e.g. hard wood, soft wood. In building construction, timber is playing a very important role of construction material. The most commonly type is timber formwork. Before discharging the fresh concrete, timber formwork will form the fresh concrete to required shape. However the timber formwork cannot use many times because the fresh concrete will corrode the timber formwork. Impact The tree needs to take long time to grow, so timber will not provide without limit. In addition, there are many other products made by timber like furniture, paperà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ If the timber is over used and the timber becomes less production, it will very inconvenient for human life. Moreover the tree have a function to absorb the CO2, so when more and more tree disappear, the situation of global warning will get worse. Also the root of the tree can hold tightly to the soil, when the tree is cut, more chance to happen landslide in sloping area. Use of energy and f) energy emitted All the equipments will require electricity to operate in the site for example some hand tools use by worker, lighting system, passenger hoist and material hoist. On the other hand the machine will consume fuel to operate during excavation or transportation. During piling work on the site, the piling process will create big noise and vibration to the environment. Nevertheless, other construction process will also generate big impaction to environment. Impact Since the electricity is come from the fossil fuel by generator, the fossil fuel will create lot of containments like CO2 when burn them. As the above mention, CO2 will lead to green house effect and global warming will appear. Huge vibration will easily get settlement in adjacent buildings. Also the noise will annoy people and become noise pollution. Waste and by-products and h) physical attributes, They are almost same as the above mention. Reference Safety plan What is a safety plan? Safety plan is a document to direct the safety activity for a project. The main idea of the safety plan is to minimize the accident which causes worker injury and any hazard of their health. It will include the following things 1.Safety Policy, 2.Safety Organization, 3.Safety Training, 4.In-house Safety rules regulations, 5.Safety Committee, 6.Programme for inspection of hazardous conditions, 7.Job hazard analyze, 8.Person Protection Programme (PPP), 9.Accident/incident investigation, 10.Emergency preparedness, 11.Safety Promotion, 12.Health Assurance Programme, 13.Evaluation selection and control of subcontractor, 14.Process control programme Safety Policy We need to follow the statutory requirements Factory Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and Regulations Dangerous Goods Ordinance and Regulations Electricity Ordinance Fire Services Ordinance Builders Lifts and Tower Working Platforms (Safety) Ordinance Any related ordinances and regulations Safety Organization The following safety responsibilities should be clearly assigned: Monitoring the implementation and compliance of the Site Safety Plan Arrangement for regular reporting and communication Preparation of method statement, hazard identification survey, risk assessment and establishment of risk control system and monitoring its effectiveness and progress Training and promotion communicating with the enforcement agencies and outside advisory sources Reactive action to staff suggestion Subcontractors First-aid officer, competent persons and examiners 3. Safety Training To ensure the worker can use the machine properly to speed up the construction sequence and avoid the accident happening. The project should provide the following training like: Aerial Lift Operator Training Crane Operator Training Defensive Driver Training Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training Before the work start, it should have a site orientation or induction of training. The orientations provide a forum for the owner/managing contractor to convey its commitment to provide a safe working environment for all individuals on the job site. There also is an opportunity to remind everyone of their responsibility to give due consideration to safety while planning and conducting their work. This is the time to reinforce their responsibility not to expose others on the job site to risks or hazards. 4. In-house Safety rules regulations The entire worker in the site must wear the safety helmet and when the worker needs to wear the safety rope before they require working in height. The worker should wear the air-purifying respirators like mask to avoid any harmful contaminants inhale to worker body. Before the worker start to work, they must have suitable certificate with the corresponded safety training course. So the worker can prove they have required ability to work. Confined Space Certified Worker Safety Training Course Forklift Truck Operator License Examination Course Safety Training Course for Electric Arc Welding Manual Lifting and Handling Competent Person Safety Training Course Electrician License A Trade Test Preparation Course Electrician License B Trade Test Preparation Course Safety Committee Establish regularly coordinating meeting and site safety committee arrangement. Programme for inspection of hazardous conditions Regular inspection on the site the time interval is based on the past performance and hazard profile. Establish the inspection profile like compliance and safety walk and responsible personnel (including site senior management, safety officers and safety supervisors) Using the checklist to ensure they are fulfilled the standard. Job hazard analyze There are many hazards on the site like: Fall from height Falling objects Stepping on or striking against object Hazards associated with operation of machinery, transport and earth moving equipment such as concrete mixing plants, trucks, bulldozers, excavators etc. Hazards associated with lifting of materials, both mechanical and manual. Electrical hazards Fire hazards Chemical hazards Collapse of earth during excavation, slope cutting After we identify the corresponding the risk of the hazard, we can arrange the suitable solution to minimize the accident. Person Protection Programme (PPP) We must ensure that the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is the last resort after exhausting the hazard control. The PPE includes Safety helmet, safety footwear, UV protection (e.g. long sleeve shirts, wide brim hats, 15+ sunscreen) and eye, hearing and respiratory protection The selection and procurement must choose appropriate PPE with the qualification. We should provide suitable training to the worker to show how to use, storage and maintenance of the PPE. For example, we need to provide the safety helmets cabinet to store them. Accident/incident investigation Establish a system of notification, recording and reporting. We should provide some systematic arrangement for investigation and implementation of remedial measures to curb further recurrence. Structured approach for compiling and analyzing accident Statistics. Arrangement for studying the trends of accidents and formulate strategies for enhancement of performance. Emergency preparedness For small fire accident, it should provide the suitable fire-extinguisher e.g. water CO2, foamà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ to stamp out the fire. For large fire accident, all the construction work must stop and follow the emergency routes to escape. Also, alarm system should be provided to remind worker to escape. For heavy typhoon like signal 8 and the red and black signal of the rainstorm, all the construction work must stop. We should provide the emergency manual on the site which contains: An emergency plan Floor plans and layout showing emergency exits, firefighting equipment Diagrams and layout of dangerous goods stores Telephone numbers of key company personnel, the police, etc. A list of outside bodies qualified to assist with special problem Safety Promotion We should have regularly meeting to the worker on site to promote the safety construction. Also we can establish the award and penalty system e.g. pay safety. If they can fulfill the safety requirement, they can get extra money. Otherwise, it will be reverse. Using the posters, magazines, newsletters, accident statistics displays video to increase the safety awareness of the worker. Health Assurance Programme We should provide some system such as pre-employment and medical examination programme for monitoring the exposure of labour. Noise control and provide suitable ear protector to the worker if they need to work in high noise area. Provide enough toilet facilities, hand washing, drinking water, resting and eating place and facilities for storage of personal protective equipment. Evaluation selection and control of subcontractor Means of communication and coordination with subcontractors and their employees and appropriate sub-contractor control. We must provide properly test system to check that all tools, materials and substances used by the subcontractors comply with statutory requirements. Establish some systems for reviewing subcontractors performance. For example if the sub-contractor cannot fulfill the standard, they will be exchanged. Process control programme Arrangement and procedures for ensuring that safety rules, and working sequence have been established and implemented for all safety and health aspects, and in particular a safe system of work, safe working method statement and permit-to-work system for highly risky operations, including but not limited to the following: Management of the Place of Work Fire Arrangements including precautions and firefighting equipment Work in confined spaces Working at height House keeping Protection against falling objects Management of Tasks and Operations Excavations Lifting operations Mechanical materials handling Temporary works Management of Equipment, Plant, Materials and Services Compressed air tools Electricity supply system Electrical works Portable tools Two main hurdles for the implementation of safety plan I think the money and labour safety awareness are two main hurdles. Since the money is the main domino of the whole project. Provide the safety training to the worker will spend extra time in the whole construction project. Some clients will argue that why dont we spend the time to work to speed up the whole project. Also, we need to use some human resource to supervise the construction process. Since the main purpose of the construction company is making profits. Even the project manager knows that the higher quality and standard of the personal protective equipment will be more safety. However, it will pay more money and increase the total construction cost. From the above reason, the project manager will do the minimize things of the statutory requirement; they will not do the best about the safety, so that they can have maximum return in the construction project. The other hurdle for the implementation of safety is the safety awareness of the worker. The labour will think that the personal protective equipment is very inconvenient for work. For example, they think that wear safety rope work in height will disturb their working. It is because the safety rope will limit the working area. And if they only work for few minutes at height, they will not wear them due to require extra work. Also, the worker cannot correctly use the PPE, so they cannot function properly. http://www.ab.ust.hk/hseo/esst/Const-notes2001.PDF http://www.polb.com/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=2527 http://www.safetypartnering.com/smd/pdf/pfss.pdf http://www.qbuild.qld.gov.au/00_downloads/whs_construc-safe-plan_all.pdf Quality plan The main elements of the quality are the following things: Management responsibility We need to define different quality duty of different position of Executive Committee, Project Manager, Construction Quality Assurance Manager, Design Quality Assurance Manager, Sampling and Testing Personnel, Staff Inspectors, Testing Technician, Geotechnical Engineer Pile Driving Analyst, QA Surveyor and Construction Manager. For example the duty of the Project Manager is responsible for organization and maintenance of a document control system for all quality data, coordinate quality check point in quality control programme reviews, and ensure reviews coordinated with outside entities. Objective of the quality plan Consistency meets the standard and requirement of the client To deliver the project on time with agree quality and prize To maintain and continually improve the quality of management systems To maintain and continually improve the quality of whole project Establish the quality policy To achieve the highest standard and quality of the project, it should be provided highly professional construction team. Establish the long term relationship between supplier and sub-contractor Follow the standard of ISO9001_2008. The construction work must under the supervision and inspection by authorize people. Provide training to the worker who is the first time come on the site. When any problems arise, the solving method should not be downgraded the target quality. Communicate the expectations of this Policy to all employees and stakeholders. Fulfill the client requirement Treating all our employees with respect, equality and fairness Resource management For human resource, we need to provide training to teach them how to properly use the equipments. Also demonstrate the require standard for them to reach the require quality. For material purchase and selection, we need to choose a properly material with suitable budget. Since the prize will directly affect the quality, so the budget arrangement is very important. Well-known and reputation supplier company should be selected to ensure the material quality. Inspection testing and quality audit We should establish the acceptable standard to the worker like accepted level of defection. After the standard is published, we need to provide suitable testing to ensure that they can reach the require standard. Then, it will be recorded for future improvement. An internal quality audit system will introduce in this project and it will be implemented during each phase of the project. Document control Establish the recording system and process to control Project Documents at each Project Phase. Ensure that the latest information is provided to the all staff and workers, so they shall use the update information to process the construction work. Two main hurdles for the implementation of quality plan http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/27A54B86-9825-4E81-9DEE-138823B4ED86/56842/QMPOutline050409.pdf http://www.suzlon.com/pdf/SEA_Quality_Policy.pdf The Purpose of a Project Quality Plan https://stdmail.cityu.edu.hk/attach/BSI%20BS%20EN%20ISO9001_2008.pdf Task 2 Social obligations and professional responsibilities of legal and ethical issues According to the Hong Kong Institute of Construction Management, the project manager shall: in fulfilling their professional responsibilities and the duties which they undertake, have full regard to the public interest. demonstrate a level of competence consistent with their professional. ensure, when undertaking any other construction related activity, that all such work is in accordance with good practice and current standards and complies with all statutory and contractual requirements; at no time improperly offer or accept gifts or favors which would be affect the client to obtain preferential treatment; keep them informed of current thinking and developments appropriate to the type and level of their responsibility. They should be able to provide evidence that they have undertaken sufficient study and personal development to fulfill their professional obligations in accordance with the current guidelines not offer or provide whether to a prospective Client or a third party any gift or favor whether in money or otherwise designed to secure instructions for work not undertake work for which they knowingly lack sufficient professional or technical competence, or the adequate resources to meet their obligation Social obligations and professional responsibilities of client protection The project manager shall: not divulge to any person, firm or company any information of a confidential nature relating to the business activities or processes of their Employer or Client acquired during the course of their work; not, without the permission of their Employer or Client, render any services, with or without remuneration, which conflicts with the interests of their Employer or Client; ensure, when providing an advisory service, that the advice given is fair and unbiased; if undertaking any other construction related activity be required to maintain insurances and indemnify their Client against the risks for which insurance is commonly effected arising out of the works in respect of workmen, third parties and adjoining properties; when acting for a Client or when in contemplation of acting for a prospective Client whose interests conflict or may conflict with his own, or those of any of his associates to disclose the relevant facts forthwith to the Client or prospective Client and to the associate and where such disclosure is oral to confirm the same in writing at the earliest opportunity and inform the Client that he shall be unable to act or continue to act unless the Client requests him to do so; keep in one or more bank accounts separate from his own, his firms or his companys bank account (as the case may be) any Clients money held by or entrusted to him, his firm or his company in any capacity other than that of beneficial owner; account at the due time for all moneys held, paid or received on behalf of or from any person (whether a Client or not) entitled to such account and whether or not after the taking of such account any payment is due to such person.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Hbr Cases Csr Outsourcing in Tangers 2 P

CASE STUDY: Multinational Outsourcing and CSR. Inditex: The worldwide outsourcing garment industry and social community development in Morocco Intermon claims that pressures on foreign clothing suppliers are smothering employees. [†¦]  In Morocco, where Cortefiel, Inditex Zara), Mango and Induyco El Corte Ingles)manufacture their products, a Tangier based textile factory sold a pair of slacks to large Spanish retailers for 3.3 euros three years ago; today, the same item sells for 2 euros. Female factory workers work 12 to 16 hours a day during the high season, because orders from Spain demand six ? ay delivery  terms  in  order  to  suit  shop  window  change  schedules. † (El  Pais  Newspaper,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Mujeres  en  Aprietos†,  10  ? 02  ? 2004) towards  process  outsourcing  that  responded  to  its  characteristic  labor  ? intensive  production and current competitive pressures for cost reduction and flexibili ty. Sector companies had been  forced  to  redesign  their  business  strategies,  focusing  on  performance  measurement,  new competence and skill development, product quality improvements and more strategically oriented  human  resources  management.Yet,  this  new  strategic  focus  entailed  unprecedented   risks,   especially   as   regards   labor   practices,   environmental   care   and   unfair   competition. As   multinational  companies  embarked  on  this  process,  multilateral  agencies  and  global  NGOs  had   begun  to  look  into  and  report  on  wrongful  practices  by  large  corporations,  significantly  calling   the  attention  of  increasingly  sensitive  and  aware  consumers  and  customers. Global  society  was   urging  apparel  industry  players  to  adopt  a  more  responsible  attitude  to   be  embraced  by  their   entire  business  value  chain,  including  vendors  and  outsourced  suppliers.Thus,  Inditex  was  held   responsible  for  what  went  on  at  outsourcing  shop  s  owned  by  Moroccan,  Peruvian,  Chinese  or Indian  businessmen. This  was  precisely  why  Javier  Chercoles,  Social  Responsibility  Department   director   at   Inditex,   was   losing   sleep:   how   could   they   know   for   sure   what   happened   in   over   1,800  outsourcing  shops  scattered  all  around  the  world? Introduction It   was   early   in   October   2005,   and   the   date   set   for   the   next   Social   Council   meeting   was   fast   approaching. This   advisory   body   provided   counsel   to   Inditex   Group   on   corporate   social   responsibility   (hence   CSR)à ‚   issues.The   upcoming   meeting   would   assess   the   CSR   policies   and   programs  the  Group  was  developing. The  textile  industry  in  general  and  Inditex  ? as  an  industry   leader  ? in  particular  were  facing  complex  social  challenges  that  affected  not  only  their  image   and   reputation   but   their   operations   as   well. Inditex   CSR   strategy   had   emerged   largely   in   response   to   these   challenging   issues. The   time   had   come   to   evaluate   this   strategy’s   impact,   especially   focusing   on   outsourced   shops,   in   order   to   outline   a   future   course   of   action.Specifically,   Inditex   had   launched   a   program   in   Tangier   and   needed   to   assess   this   experience   and   find   a   way   to   incorporate   it   into   the   Group’s   global   strategy. At   the   same   time,   Javier   Chercoles  wondered  what  options  were  available  for  social  intervention  in  developing  nations. What  were  the  limits  to  the  company’s  social  responsibility? Should  Inditex  strive  to  ensure  the   wellbeing  of  its  suppliers’  workers? He  also  pondered  the  visibility  issue  :  Should  the  company   communicate   its   CSR   efforts   openly,   or   should   it   pursue   a   more   â€Å"   subtle†,   low   ? profile   approach?In  recent  years,  the  textile  industry  had  become  highly  globalized  as  a  result  of  a  strong  trend   1 Inditex  Group  Evolution By  late  2005,  Spain’s  Inditex  (Industria  de  Diseno  Textil)  Group,  owner  of  several  retail  brands   including   Zara,   Pull   and   Bear,   Massimo   Dutti, Bershka,   Stradivarius,   Oysho,   Zara   Home   and   Kiddy’s  Class,  was  a  world  leader  in  its  sector,  with  more  than  2,600  stores  in  62  countries. The   first   Zara   store   was   inaugurated   in   La   Coruna,   Spain,   in   1975. Since   then,   the   company   had   opened  stores  in  over  400  cities  in  Europe,  the  Americas,  Asia  and  Africa.Inditex  engulfed  eight  retail  chains  with  broad  international  presence. The  group  also  included   other   companies   associated   with   apparel   business   design,   manufacturing   and   distribution   operations. Group  figures  show  that  Zara,  its  oldest  and  most  internationally  expanded  chain,   accounted  for  70%  of  its  overall  business,  with  724  stores  located  in  54  countries. Europe  was   Inditex’s  core  business  focus,  featuring  1,945  stores  that  grossed  over  80%  of  its  total  sales. In   2005,   the   more   than   1,000   stores   located   outside   Spain   accounted   for   57. %   of   the   group’s   sales,   and   stores   were   opened   in   four   new   markets:   Slovenia,   Slovakia,   Russia   and   Malaysia. Most  Inditex  stores  were  wholly  ? owned  and  managed  by  the  company;  franchises  were  only   2 used  for  12%  of  the  group’s  points  of  sale,  contributing  10%  to  total  store  sales  from  all  chains. Inditex  had  experienced  significant  growth  over  the  past  few  years,  posting  a  net  income  of  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚   628  million  on  consolidated  revenues  of  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  5. 67  billion  in  2004. As  of  December  31,  2005,  the   group  had  an  overall  headcount  of  58,190  employees.Amancio   Ortega   Gaona,   founder   of   Inditex,   started   his   first   apparel   manufacturing   factory,   Confecciones   Goa,   in   1963. Soon   he   developed   an   interest   for   retailing   and   opened   the   first   Zara   S. A. store,   which   became   his   first   retail   and   distribution   company. Since   inception,   Zara   was   positioned   as   a   store   selling   quality   fashion   clothing   at   reasonable   prices. By   the   end   of   the   1970s,   there   were   half   a   dozen   Zara   stores   in   Galicia,   Spain. In   1985,   Inditex   S. A. was   established   as   a   holding   company   atop   Zara.Since   then,   its   expansion   gathered   momentum: the  first  store  outside  Spain  was  opened  in  1988  (in  Portugal),  and,  between  1989  and  1998,   the   company   expanded   to   18   additional   countries,   developing   or   acquiring   other   fashion   brands,  such  as  Pull  and  Bear  and  Massimo  Dutti. Throughout  this  process,  the  Group  underwent  deep  structural  changes  and  went  from  being   an  exclusively  Spain  ? based  producing  chain  in  1980  to  deploying,  by  2005,  company  audited   and  certified  production  centers  and  providers  in  the  Americas,  Africa,  Europe  and  Asia.This   new   scheme   posed   new   challenges   for   Inditex,   especially   in   terms   of   labor,à ‚   social   and   economic   concerns   regarding   its   employees,   its   suppliers   and   outsourcing   shops,   as   the   company   struggled   to   uphold   the   values   and   principles   inspiring   the   Group’s   CSR   strategies. Zara  was  a  successful  store,  and  success  brings  visibility. For  several,  reasons,  both  the  media   and  the  NGO  community  had  their  eyes  set  on  Zara,  a  fact  the  company  could  not  ignore. culture  based  on  ethics  and  respect  and  translate  into  more  than  just  aesthetic  moves.So,  is   Inditex  really  and  globally  committed  to  CSR? (Press  release  by  SETEM  NGO,  June  15,  2004)      In  1992,  Levi’s,  a  U. S. apparel  company,  was  accused  of  selling  jeans  manufactured  by  Chinese    immigrants  working  in  slavery  ? like  conditions. In  1994,  Kukdong,  a  Nike  and  Reebok  supplier,   was  charged  for  violating  labor  standards  by  hiring  minors  to  work  up  to  10  hours  a  day  and   allowing  verbal  and  physical  employee  abuses. In  1998,  charges  were  brought  against  Adidas   for  forcing  prison  inmates  in  China  to  work  in  despicable  conditions.These   precedents   had   driven   large   textile   companies   all   over   the   world   to   adopt   socially   responsible   strategies   and   policies. Industry   leaders,   like   Nike,   H&M,   Benetton   and   Gap,   had   developed   and   published   codes   of   conduct   that   included   their commitment   to   observe   and   enforce   legal   labor   practices   and   the   principles   contained   in   the   Universal   Declaration   of   Human  Rights  both  at  their  own  production  plants  as  well  as  their  suppliers’. This  implied  the   adoption   of   specific   practices,   such   as   inspection,   audit   and   evaluation   mechanisms   for   outsourcing  shops.However,   many   NGOs   were   still   quite   skeptical   when   it   came   to   textile   industry   practices. Especially   noteworthy   in   this   regard   was   the   Clean   Clothes   Campaign,1   an   organization   that   originated   in   Holland   in   1984   and,   by   2004,   had   already   turned   into   an   informal   NGO   and   union   network   spanning   throughout   the   world. It   was   devoted   to   pressing   apparel   multinationals  to  ensure  all  their   products  and  services  were  produced  in  accordance  with  fair   labor  policies,  as  well  as  to  raising  consumer  awareness  on  industry  abuses.The  Clean  Clothes   Campaign  had  such  a  vast  impact  in  Europe  that,  in  1997,  the  European  Parliament  praised  its   work  and  recommended  the  European  Commission  to  explicitly  support  this  organization. In  Spain,  the  Clean  Clothes  Campaign  had  been  initially  led  by  Setem,  a  Spanish  development   NGO,  and  later  by  Intermon  Oxfam,  a  larger,  more  established  organization. Both  had  adopted   differing   strategies   in   their   dealings   with   the   industry:   while   Setem   pursued   an   ongoing   and   outspoken   advocacy   strategy,   especially   in   the   case   of   Inditex,    Intermon   ?Oxfam   preferred   a   more   collaborative   approach   to   both   the   entire   industry   and   Inditex   in   particular. In   2001,   4 Stakeholders’  Reaction  to  Inditex  CSR  Strategy â€Å"Arteixo. ?  SETEM,  NGO  that  coordinates  the  Clean  Clothes  Campaign,  will  attend  the  textile   Inditex  Group’s  General  Shareholders’  Meeting,  to  be  held  tomorrow  at  Arteixo  in  La  Coruna,  in   order  to  question  company  officials  on  primary  issues,  such  as  its  Code  of  Co duct’s  failure  to   refer  to  International  Labor  Organization  (ILO)  standards  and  the  right  to  a  fair  wage. Since  the   creation   of   the   Inditex   Corporate   Social   Responsibility   Department,   SETEM   ? Clean   Clothes   Campaign   has   monitored   the   company’s   commitment   to   labor   rights,   purchasing   practices,   management   transparence,   etc. ?   in   short,   all   the   aspects   that   truly   determine   a   business   3 Setem  purchased  Inditex  stock  in  order  to  join  the  company’s  annual  Shareholders’  Meetings.Setem’s  July  2004  press  release  clearly  expressed  its  position  on  the  company:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Inditex  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s  social   responsibility   plan   is   a   deceitful   front   that   has   enabled   the   company   to   portray   itself   in   the   media   as   a   pioneer   in   social   responsibility   issues   in   Spain. †Ã‚   Instead,   Intermon   Oxfam,   a   development   NGO   used   to   working   with   business   companies,   published   a   report,   Moda   que   Aprieta  (February  2004),  that  referred  specifically  to  Inditex  in  the  following  terms:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"This  is  the   Spanish  apparel  group  that  has  made  more  progress  in  CSR  issues.Its  key  weakness  lies  in  its   difficulty  to  match  its  aggressive  marketing  policy,  based  on  stringent  order  fulfillment  terms,   and  its  demand  for  suppliers  to  comply  with  its  ethical  code. †Ã‚      Currently,   Clean   Clothes   Campaign   platforms   were   approaching   several   sector   multinationals   to   formulate   a   proposal   for   good   practices   in   the   textile   industry.    In   other   words,   some   companies   and   NGOs   were   trying   to   analyze   market   pressures   forcing   harsh   productivity,   flexibilityà ‚   and   low   cost   strategies   on   sector   players   in   an   attempt   to   minimize   their   negative   impacts,  such  as  labor  instability  and  unsafe  working  conditions. A   group   of   Inditex   top   executives   recognized   the   need   to   approach   company   stakeholders   meaningfully  and  to  develop  sound  CSR  strategies. They  believed  that  it  was  crucial  for  Inditex   to   set   in   place   suitable   mechanisms   to   approach   its   stakeholders. The   company   had   already   moved   in   this   direction

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Beauty in Jane

The movie â€Å"American beauty† through its very title conveys the idea that it focuses on beauty as an important concept in human relationships. One of the special instances when the idea of beauty is given a fresh interpretation is the relationship between Ricky, the next-door neighbor of the Burnham family, and Jane Burnham. The beauty Ricky sees in Jane is deep inner beauty, the beauty of the soul that exceeds the conformance of the body to popular standards.Like any other American teenage girl, Jane seems to be worried a lot about standards and conformance to those. In fact, she even considers plastic surgery to increase her breasts since she is worried about her body image. She is not even coming close to the model looks of her friend, Angela Hayes, and this makes Jane a shy and insecure girl in the company of teenagers. It is the age when people care about external beauty and want to look their idols, popular models and actresses they see in glossy magazines.It is Rick y who comes into Jane’s life to teach her his special understanding of beauty. The guy who thinks the floating of the plastic bag finds enough wisdom to see that Jane is special in the sense that she does not conform to standards, and this makes her especially beautiful in his eyes. Ricky has the courage to tell the wildly popular Angela in response to her phrase â€Å"Well, at least I'm not ugly! † things like â€Å"Yes, you are.And you're boring, and you're totally ordinary, and you know it† (American Beauty). The movie teaches the audience about the kind of beauty that really makes people stand out. It is the beauty that lies in the heart. It is special and may be not seen by all people at a time, and it is exactly the kind of beauty Ricky discerned in Jane. Bibliography American Beauty. Dir. Sam Mendes. Perf. Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Jude Law. 1999.

Friday, January 3, 2020

Pestel Retailing and China - 7657 Words

The PESTEL analysis `The PESTEL analysis stands for political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, environmental and legal analysis of forces that impact the business environment. It will be utilized to find the circumstances surrounding the market and as an instrument for understanding the market situation such as market growth/decline, business position, market potential and the direction of a company’s operations. It is very important for a company to consider its environment before starting to perform activities. As a first step on the way to enter and perform successfully on the Chinese market, knowledge about the macro environment will have to be created.50 In the following the six parts of the PESTEL analysis will be presented†¦show more content†¦Hence China has an incredibly big population and people have got more money. This development has led China to be one of the most important economical powers worldwide, with a big potential due to the large popu lation and the high growth rates. An interesting forecast is made on China, saying that China in 2015 is expected to surpass the United States as the largest economy in the world.57 The purchasing power of the Chinese population is an important measure, when looking at the attractiveness of the market for foreign companies. An attempted determination of this can be made by comparing the development in GDP with the development in the consumer price index (CPI) which reveals the changes in consumer prices over a period. For making the comparison possible the same period of time is used.` Figure 5.1.2 Consumer buying Power 1000,0 900,0 800,0 700,0 600,0 500,0 400,0 300,0 200,0 100,0 19 85 19 78 Index(1978=100 Consumer price index GDP per capita d s 19 94 19 98 19 90 19 92 Source: http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2006/indexeh.htm - Statistical yearbook of China table 9.2 As shown the consumer prices have increased approximately 4.5 times since 1978. Compared to a GD P per capita increased 9 times and a GDP total increased 12 times, it is giving a picture of improved purchasing power in China. This makes China an interesting market for foreignShow MoreRelatedExternal Analysis1181 Words   |  5 PagesSpirits, Perfumes amp; Cosmetics, Watches amp; Jewelry, and Selective retailing. This external analysis will focus on the fashion and leather goods sector, which accounts for 30% of the company’s total revenue. 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