Jollibee Case Study Essay Example for Free

Jollibee Case Study Essay 1. Introduction Anil K. Gupta and Vijay Govindarajan argue in their article, â€Å"Knowledge flows and the structure of control within multinational corporations†, that mainly all previous research on strategic control within multinational companies (MNCs) has paid attention to why these choose to go abroad. They instead argue that for successful offshore business, one must understand how communication flows within the different sub-units of the organization. As Jollibee Foods Corporation considers whether they should establish a fourth store in Hong Kong, it faces several challenges. One of the main challenges regards knowledge transfer between its Filipino facilities and the newly established ones abroad. It is therefore relevant to look at the following research question: What consequences does the current â€Å"strategic control over its subsidiaries† have on the knowledge transfer between the Jollibee headquarters on the Philippines and the offshore Jollibee Food plants in Hong Kong? In answering the research question, we will start by explaining the framework of Gupta Govindarajan’s (1991) on different kinds of subsidiaries, with attention paid to knowledge transfer and their related control instruments. Further we will examine what kind of challenges Jollibee Foods Corporation is facing with its expansion to Hong Kong. Finally, the above analysis will provide us with information about the existing opportunities on the Chinese market and will enable us to suggest a reconstruction of the offshore business in Hong Kong to make it more successful. Jollibee meets several tasks in their offshoring project, but due to space limitation there will in this paper only be focus on two selected challenges, the challenges of adjusting to Chinese taste and their management structure. 2. Jollibee Foods Construction and its strategic control over its subsidiary in Hong-Kong Gupta and Govindarajan (1991) proposed that there exists a certain association between different types of subsidiary units and the strategic corporate control of that subsidiary. They defined four ideal types as; Implementor, Global innovator, Integrated Player and Local Innovator, based on the amount of knowledge that flows and the direction of this knowledge, between the subsidiary and the rest of the MNC. Upon Tingzon ´s arrival the main strategy of the offshore business has been â€Å"flag planting†. Flag planting aims at establishing a presence in each market before competitors, and so, emphasizing at implementing customer expectation, influencing taste and building brand (case p. 11). The initial plan in Hong Kong has been to become one of the major players in the market fast. The previous international strategy meant that the subsidiaries in Hong Kong functioned as implementors. An implementor is characterized by a high degree of knowledge inflow from the headquarters but with a low degree of knowledge outflow; hence mainly applying the strategy used in the parent company without any local adaption (Gupta and Govindarajan 1991). Functioning as an implementor has meant that the established Hong Kong stores have not been engaged in any knowledge creation, but simply followed instructions from the Filipino headquarters. Furthermore one can argue that Jollibee’s approach to Hong Kong has been to primarily implement the already existing practices from the Philippines. For example, the menu offered in Hong Kong is almost the same as the Filipino one, knowledge of what to sell has simply been brought in from headquarter (case page. 12) Further evidence arguing for that the Hong Kong subsidiary has been operating like an implementor can be seen in the management transfer of the CEO’s brother-in-law, from the parent company to the Hong Kong subsidiary (case page 12). In addition, the store-level managers were all Filipino while little crew were Chinese and staffing problems consequently grew. To solve the problem the Manila based Franchise Service Manager worked continuously with Hong Kong for more than six months, without success. In 1997 a dispute over discipline between the four Chinese Managers, and the five Filipino Managers, resulted in the Chinese Managers leaving Jollibee with only Filipino crew left (page 12). This points towards the subsidiaries in Hong Kong adapting the characteristic of an implementor, e.g. pure inflow of knowledge from the parent company and little outflow of knowledge from the Hong Kong subsidiary. Furthermore is the overall â€Å"flag planting† strategy of Jollibee very i ndicative of the skewed power balance between Jollibee and its subsidiaries. 3. Organizational Challenges Jollibee experienced the internal challenges of organizational culture clash between its implemented Filipino workers and the Chinese staff. Furthermore the implementation of the international menu was not as successful as expected (case p. 13). The strategy of focusing on Filipino expatriates in new markets, might has helped Jollibee’s entry to the Hong-Kong market, since they already had a distinguished costumer group of Filipinos. But as Tingzon asks in the case â€Å"might we risk boxing ourselves into a Filipino niche that prevents us from growing enough to support operations in each country?† (case p. 11). We found that the expatriate-led strategy have prevented further expansion of the company on the Hong Kong market. This is due to the local knowledge that resides in Chinese workers and managers are not exploited when only employing Filipino managers. As stated above, in the early entry into the Hong Kong market, Jollibee did also employ Chinese managers but due to their sole implementation of inflows from headquarters, clashes arose between the Chinese and the Filipino managers. Furthermore one major challenge to successfully establish a fourth store and gain more market share is to adapt the prevailing menu to the Chinese taste. The main challenge for Jollibee now is how to realize, and best use, the knowledge that resides in Chinese workers. 4. Altering the Strategy for the Hong Kong Subsidiary From the above section we can conclude that there exists several challenges of how the subsidiary in Hong Kong has previously been structured, for example has one of the sub-franchisees tried to suggest changes to the menu. To be able to attract more local costumers he proposed low fat chicken and Chinese tea, as he sensed a demand for these products among the Chinese people (case p. 12). He has tried to implement these changes for several of months but has not yet received a go-ahead from the headquarters. This indicates that Jollibee mainly sees its subsidiaries as implementors, without any outflow of local knowledge to the other subsidiaries. But for Jollibee to succeed in opening a fourth store and increase its market share on the Hong Kong market, reconstruction and adaption to the local market is crucial. The top management saw a high profit potential in Hong Kong, and therefore urged Tingzon to open the fourth store. But as the profit potential is high, the competition in Hong Kong for similar food companies, such as McDonalds, is also very intense. Jollibee Food Construction does not have the competitive advantage of a first mover and is not alone on the market. For example has their main competitor, McDonald’s, both stronger brand recognition in the Hong Kong market and they are stronger financially. Hence Jollibee has to take on a different subsidiary strategy than the â€Å"implementor†, in order to success (Hymer p. 61). With this in mind the strategy of the Hong Kong sub-division can become a successful sub-division if it adapts the characteristics of a local innovator instead of trying to be an implementor, with both low inflow and outflow of knowledge. One main challenge for Jollibee is to attract more local employees and as Gupta and Govindarajan’s proposition 3 states; under norms and administrative rationality will the composition of the top-management for the specific subsidiary consist of mainly locals if the division acts as a local innovator (Gupta and Govindarajan 1991). As an implementor has the possibility for autonomous initiative been low while it as a local innovator exists space to adapt to the local environment, e.g. for Jollibee to take on a more Chinese menu. 5. Conclusion In conclusion, as Jollibee decide whether or not to establish one more store in Hong Kong, they have to look over their strategic control over its subsidiaries. As examined above, the company has mainly viewed their subsidiaries as implementors. We found this international strategy insufficient, and that it hindered them to fully exploit the market potential in Hong Kong. The prevailing challenges for Jollibee now is how to realize and best use the knowledge that resides in Chinese workers. Due to limitations of the paper, it is only a fraction of possible explanations that have been highlighted and these revolve primarily around the importance of increasing the local engagement in the Hong Kong subsidiary, and increase the local innovation towards more local taste. Hence we argue for Jollibee’s subsidiaries in Hong Kong to adapt towards a local innovator role. 6. Bibliography Case: Bartlett, C. A. (2001). Jollibee Foods Corporation (A): International Expansion. Harvard Business School Gupta, A.K.,Govindarajan, V. (1991). Knowledge flows and the structure of control within multinational corporations. Academy of Management, Review 16(4) 768-792 Gupta, A.K., Govindarajan, V. (2000). Knowledge flows within multinational corporations. Strategic Management Journal 21, pp. 473-496. letto-Gilles, G. (2005). â€Å"Hymer ´s seminal work†, in Part III Modern Theories in Transnational Corporations and International Production. Academic Books, Copenhagen Business School. Published by Edward Elgar Publishing, Inc. Schlegelmilch, B., Ambos, B., Chini, T. (2003/4). Are you ready to learn from your offshore affiliates? European Business Forum, 16

Sonnys Blue And Everyday Use

Sonnys Blue And Everyday Use You will never say that these two stories are only mundane waste of ink. Reading these stories, you understand things you have never thought about before. However, what do people think? Did all of them recognize the same these authors did? Each of us should answer this question by own. Years passed but plays, novels on the theme, which James Baldwin Alice Walker talked about, are still writing, and films are still shooting, why? There are things, which we remember, and things, which we cannot forget. Whether this is good or bad is up for opinion. There are some of the most interesting and touching stories, I have ever read. Making my way through long lines of bookshelves in the library these two books caught my eye: Sonnys Blue by James Baldwin and Everyday Use by Alice Walker. After reading them, I understood how good they are for arguing about. All standpoints about these books are contradictory and varied. Nevertheless, you should read these novels to understand and determine what place do they occur in your life. I did. Moreover, I must admit that, they are definitely not just another mundane waste of ink, whatever they can be said to be. However, these stories are believed to be unique, talented and ubiquitous. They are worth of attention, as I will prove it through this paper. So, let me begin to explain. Main question In two stories Sonnys Blue by James Baldwin and Everyday Use by Alice Walker, the authors explore sibling relationships, demonstrating how siblings may feel both love and conflict toward each other. The main mission of the paper is to discuss and analyze the relationships between siblings in these two stories and to explain how conflicts are resolved or not. When I finished reading these two stories, words and snatches of conversations echoed around my head, so I could not sleep. I decided to read them and analyze in order not to be lost in thoughts. This at first glance frantic idea appeared to be overwhelming. All points of view about these books are contradictory and varied. I must admit that Sonnys Blue by James Baldwin as well as Everyday Use by Alice Walker influenced me a lot. These stories are two mysterious worlds, they can be judged or understood, but never wiped off. Creations of its authors, novels include feelings, words, and dearest moments. To sum up, reading these nov els is not mortifying thing, it is not just wasting the time. Anyway, they exist and it is nothing to do. It is mentioned in the source that Sonnys Blue (that was written in 1957 by James Baldwin) opens with the narrator, who reads about his brother named Sonny who was caught in a heroin bust. However, he cannot get his mind off Sonny. Sonny is related to the narrator they are brothers. They keep in contact, and after Sonny gets out of jail, he goes to live with the narrator and his family. They eat a family dinner, which then turns into a flashback about their parents (2010, , pg 2). The relationships between relatives (for example brothers) are always difficult and various. Not always conflicts between brothers could be resolved. Through the story two brothers (narrator and Sonny) are arguing and deciding are they brothers or not. They remember fathers and mothers death and even uncles. Then they have a conflict in interests, when Sonny claimed that he wants to become a pianist and a jazz musician. As it is mentioned, they figure out his living arrangement for the remainder of his hig h school career. Sonny calls his brother ignorant for not knowing who Charlie Parker is, and argues that he does not want to finish high school or live at Isabels (a wife of narrator) parents house. Eventually, Isabels parents have a piano, which Sonny can play whenever he wants, provided he go to school (2010, , pg 2). During the entire story, two main heroes (brothers) argue and have a conflict. Eventually, in the end of story they have a conversation, where Sonny tells his brother about what he feels when his veins are filled with heroin. Sonny also mentions that he would not die in order to stop suffering (at least, he would not die earlier then anybody else would in this case). Finally, narrator accepts Sonny as a brother (even if he is a kind of a drug addict), when he hears how beautiful and magical is Sonnys play in jazz club. The story ends that way. Another story called Everyday Use by Alice Walker. It is said that she illustrates the importance of understanding our present life in relation to the traditions of our own people and culture. Walker personifies the different sides of culture and heritage in the characters of Dee and the mother (the narrator). Dee can be seen to represent a materialistic, complex, and modern way of life where culture and heritage are to be valued only for their trendy-ness and aesthetic appeal. Mother represents a way of life where culture and heritage are valued for both its usefulness as well as its personal significance (2003, pg 1, ). Thus, it must be mentioned that this story contains a conflict between two women (Dee and the mother). Main conflict in the story is that Dee struggle because of creating identity for herself. She wants to change her name. Moreover, her strict heritage can be defined as that of Afro Americans. The point is that Dee was named after her grandmother and aunt. It was a kind of tradition. Finally, through the story Walker illustrates readers that culture is neither name changes nor speaking a foreign tongue. Ones culture and heritage are taught, from one generation to the next, not suddenly picked up or acquired. A person who possesses real heritage and culture make use of it every day of their life (2003, pg 1, ). Conclusion In conclusion, I must admit that both stories touch conflicts and problems that modern people face in their routine daily life very often. The value of these stories is definitely great in nowadays culture, because people can gain some experience from them and look for some answers for their questions. The main mission of the paper was to discuss and analyze the relationships between siblings in these two stories and to explain how conflicts are resolved or not. I believe mission is completed. Sonnys Blue by James Baldwin and Everyday Use by Alice Walker are obviously talented and useful stories in our fast moving contemporary world.

Confucianism, Daoism & Legalism Essay -- essays research papers

Amidst the chaos of political instability and constant warring of the Zhou era, arose many intellectual thinkers that brought such profound impact in the field of politics, religion and philosophy. Even to the day, their influence can be espied in the many matters of China. Confucianism became the paramount school of thinking and later significant philosophies such as Daoism and Legalism gained immense recognition as well. Each party had their own proposals for creating an idealistic political society where the many problems they faced in their everyday lives could be eliminated. All three approaches were very distinct but at the same time, they contained certain similarities as well. In my reasoning, I find that Confucianism and Daoism could be paralleled in many ways to find several common grounds. On the other hand, Legalism goes on to take a more unique approach which was much different from the previous two. Kongzi (Confucius, a Latinized name) was born in 551 B.C.E., to a poor family of the lower nobility. Throughout his life, he relentlessly tried to gain an office with a prominent ruler of the time who was willing to adopt his various concepts. Unfortunately, Confucius died in 479 B.C.E., before such a change ever took place. However, he succeeded in winning over a handful of devote followers who continued his legacy and Confucianism later went on to become one of the most influential thought systems of Chinese history. Of his followers, Mencius and Xunzi became the most renown. Since Confucius did not succeed in completing a manual of his views, these followers had to derive their own interpretations of the system which now formulate, the Analects. The Analects portray an idealized gentleman, and his various duties in terms of the society, family and the rituals. Confucius explains about the way (Dao) which he believed, that if the people accepted its terms and were willing to a bide, they would succeed in creating a utopian society. By the beginning of the common era, another philosophy emerges and gains wide acceptance among the commoners. Daoism, just like the predecessor and also as the name implies, puts emphasis on "the way," that a certain individual is to abide to. Even though the two systems had different concepts about the way, the common denominator of both schools ... ... Morality and benevolence were crucial factors for a successful state, according to Confucianism and Daoism. They also placed great importance for rituals and other traditions. Many practices were continued throughout generations. Legalism believed that such aspects should have no role in the government. According to them, a strong rule with a strict hand was necessary in order to keep the citizens from growing lazy and disrespecting the authority. Out of the three different thought systems, Legalism was a success in the sense that it achieved what the other two systems desperately strove for - the unification of China. "Qin conquered Yan in 226, Wei in 225, Chu in 223, Qu in 221. Now, in 221, it ruled the entire Chinese world and was ready to make that world over in the image of Qin" (Wills 41). Many of the Legalist ideas were quite thought provoking and praiseworthy; they believed in equality for all and government according to merit. However, the system gained a rotten reputation according to the ruthless rule of the First Emperor. Confucianism thus became the official Philosophy, gaining wide acceptance in China.

The Immaturity of Professor Higgins in Pygmalion :: George Bernard Shaw Pygmalion Essays

The Immaturity of Professor Higgins in Pygmalion Professor Higgins is seen throughout Pygmalion as a very rude man. While one may expect a well educated man, such as Higgins, to be a gentleman, he is far from it. Higgins believes that how you treated someone is not important, as long as you treat everyone equally. The great secret, Eliza, is not having bad manners or good manners or any other particular sort of manners, but having the same manner for all human souls: in short, behaving as if you were in Heaven, where there are no third- class carriages, and one soul is as good as another. -Higgins, Act V Pygmalion. Higgins presents this theory to Eliza, in hope of justifying his treatment of her. This theory would be fine IF Higgins himself lived by it. Henry Higgins, however, lives by a variety of variations of this philosophy. It is easily seen how Higgins follows this theory. He is consistently rude towards Eliza, Mrs. Pearce, and his mother. His manner is the same to each of them, in accordance to his philosophy. However the Higgins we see at the parties and in good times with Pickering is well mannered. This apparent discrepancy between Higgins' actions and his word, may not exist, depending on the interpretation of this theory. There are two possible translations of Higgins' philosophy. It can be viewed as treating everyone the same all of the time or treating everyone equally at a particular time. It is obvious that Higgins does not treat everyone equally all of the time, as witnessed by his actions when he is in "one of his states" (as Mrs. Higgins' parlor maid calls it). The Higgins that we see in Mrs. Higgins' parlor is not the same Higgins we see at the parties. When in "the state" Henry Higgins wanders aimlessly around the parlor, irrationally moving from chair to chair, highly unlike the calm Professor Higgins we see at the ball. Higgins does not believe that a person should have the same manner towards everyone all of the time, but that a person should treat everyone equally at a given time (or in a certain situation). When he is in "one of those states" his manner is the

Confronting Fear in Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now :: Movie Film comparison compare contrast

Confronting Fear in Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now    Inherent inside every human soul is a savage evil side that remains repressed by society. Often this evil side breaks out during times of isolation from our culture, and whenever one culture confronts another. History is loaded with examples of atrocities that have occurred when one culture comes into contact with another. Whenever fundamentally different cultures meet, there is often a fear of contamination and loss of self that leads us to discover more about our true selves, often causing perceived madness by those who have yet to discover. The Puritans left Europe in hopes of finding a new world to welcome them and their beliefs. What they found was a vast new world, loaded with Indian cultures new to them. This overwhelming cultural interaction caused some Puritans to go mad and try to purge themselves of a perceived evil. This came to be known as the Salem witch trials. During World War II, Germany made an attempt to overrun Europe. What happened when the Nazis came into power and persecuted the Jews in Germany, Austria and Poland is well known as the Holocaust. Here, human's evil side provides one of the scariest occurrences of this century. Adolf Hitler and his Nazi counterparts conducted raids of the ghettos to locate and often exterminate any Jews they found. Although Jews are the most widely known victims of the Holocaust, they were not the only targets. When the war ended, 6 million Jews, Slavs, Gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, Communists, and others targeted by the Nazis, had died in the Holocaust. Most of these deaths occurred in gas chambers and mass shootings. This gruesome attack was motivated mainly by the fear of cultural intermixing which would impurify the "Master Race." Joseph Conrad's book, The Heart of Darkness and Francis Coppola's movie, Apocalypse Now are both stories about Man's journey into his self, and the discoveries to be made there. They are also about Man confronting his fears of failure, insanity, death, and cultural contamination. During Marlow's mission to find Kurtz, he is also trying to find himself. He, like Kurtz had good intentions upon entering the Congo. Conrad tries to show us that Marlow is what Kurtz had been, and Kurtz is what Marlow could become. Every human has a little of Marlow and Kurtz in them.   Marlow says about himself, "I was getting savage (Conrad)," meaning that he was becoming more like Kurtz.

Devised self-Evaluation

Our first unit of work in the IGCSE was Devised theatre. Our theme was â€Å"The unexpected† and we chose this title because there is an always unexpected things that happens in our life. Our play is about a person who once had a family, job, and life, but after he got fired he loses everything. Then later on in the story a devil and an angel appears giving him idea of earning money. At last the person choses the Devils way instead of the angel’s way of earning money. The devils way of earning money is to wear his old uniform and pretend to be the manager of the supermarket. Then steal the money and walk away. The plan does not go as expectation. All things went wrong. At last nobody wants to help him, even the angel and devil did not want to help him. He even got someone in jail. Our group used the theme to create a 10 minute play exploring on unexpected events. We went about process by firstly planning the events that is going to happen in our play and then think of things that could go wrong in the story. We first started with the idea of a person who is desperate in need of money. Then we changed it gradually bit by bit, until we are satisfied. Input was shared equally by all members of the group by sharing different ideas and contributing to the group. Each member had contributed something to the group. Some people contributed props, equipment, ideas, and etc. Before the start of the performance I felt really nervous and i also excited about that I was going to perform in front of many parents and peers. It was also the first time I had to perform in the public. I try to overcome these emotions by telling myself not to panic and by staying in role during the performance. In my performance, I portrayed myself as an old granny and a little boy. I tried to communicate this character through the use of my tone, clarity, enunciation, volume, gesture †¦ I thought I was able to effectively use my tone, body gesture, and facial expression to create a sense of humor during the performance. For example, I had a hunched back gesture and a cranky voice, when I was being the grandmother. I stayed in role during the performance. I think I need to improve on having more eye contact toward the audience. I admired Andy’s group mainly of their use of comedy and humor. Their exploration of how they used their vocals, and how they used their body gesture was really outstanding during the performance. In conclusion, I think as a group we work quite well and I think our performance was quite successful, but I think there are some improvements to be done. The targets for our devised theatre are that we have to be more confident on contributing ideas to each other. Finally, the target for my performance skills is that i should more eye contact toward the audience.

Enlightenment Vs Romanticism

Enlightenment vs. Romanticism The enlightenment was an 18th century movement that emphasized reason to change society and advance knowledge. The enlightenment changed how people all over Europe, and later North America, thought about religion, hierarchy, monarchy, and science. People began to question the church and there was a loss of unity in the Christian church. It was a time in which people began to think more about themselves without the influence of the government and their church. The enlightenment brought an age of rational, scientific and secular thinking. TheEnlightenment resulted in greater freedom and more humane treatment for all individuals as well as the scientific process. Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement that originated in late 18th century. It emphasized on individual's expression of emotions and imagination. Some people see it as the opening to modernity and others see it as the as the beginning of a tradition of resistance to the enlightenmen t. I see Romanticism as the new movement for cultural and aesthetic values and the rise of individualism. The way I understand it, enlightenment is more about basic morality and knowledge.Romanticism is more self-oriented, more about self-discovery. If I had to choose to which side I favor the most I'd go with the enlightenment because I believe more about that man are created equal and that education is important. However I can also favor romanticism because I believe every individual deserves freedom but also need to follow the rules so that we can be an orderly society. Hollywood Censored During the sass to sass moral censorship guidelines were established for many films produced by major studios in the United States.During the early sass there ere numerous of films that were morally questionable because they contained hardcore words, mature subject, and sexually suggestive dialogue. This lead to the creation of the motion picture production code, which established a series of re strictions to the production of films in the US. The church had to get involved on this subject because they were scared that their people would be morally hit. They turned in a list of the things that had to be restricted in the studios. Many of the restrictions were implemented because the studios didn't want the government to intervene.Many films even promoted traditional values that crime and sexual elation's were not attractive. Films showed that crimes had to be punished. Like in the movie surface the producers had to change the ending multiple times, the character was brought into trial at last. The studios worked under code for several decades until the sass when explicit films started appearing again and then in 1968 the code was dismissed and a new way of classifying films was established such as G for general, M for mature, and so on. I believe that the code was a good way to minimize crime because I think violent movies do a commit crimes. T us and make individual