RELIGION AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

1. How can we create an ethical relationship between religion and business so that they may cooperate towards a more sustainable and respectful development of life?

We can create an ethical relationship between religion and business through the tolerance of the differences between one and each other, through the acceptance of the many truths that may exist even though I may not be a believer of them. I think it´s besides tolerance and acceptance through patience.

2. Can you imagine a world without religion where everyone would be trying to get immediate satisfaction to their individual needs?

No, or at least not right now. For me each one of the different religions teach us the same things, but in a different way, for me they share the fundamental truth of a divinity that´s superior from us and that guide us from heaven.

3. Religion can create networks of trust and familiarity that facilitates economic transactions. Can you name other positive aspects of this relationship?

Religion can be related with economics or with business trough the creation of networks and bonds than create trust and familiarity between the parties. Trough religion, and more specifically the Islamic one, business are being made, in this case, religion give the parameters for the economic system, mostly for the banking system.

4. Do you think that stereotyping based on religion has been influenced by economical or political interests, why, whose? What is the role of The Media in this issue?

I think it depends on the case, but mostly it can be true. Depending on who says it and under which conditions it’s said. The Media, for me has a very strong and important role here because they can show the information according to their position and what´s best for their interests.

VIRTUAL TEAMS

Nowadays and with all the globalization process that generates a lot of interdependence between the countries, I found very interesting to know about how Virtual Teams, which can be defined as “group of geographically and/or organizationally dispersed coworkers assembled using a combination of information and communications technologies for accomplishing an organizational task”.[1]

I think Virtual Teams are more common than what we think, well or at least in multinationals and big companies with subsidiaries in other country or just by the fact that business takes place between people or companies from different places, and when they start running, entrepreneurs from one place to another interact with each other through virtual tools.

When working in a Virtual Team, I think planning is the basis for a good resolution or outcome of the project, planning schedules, meetings, responsibilities and evaluating them in the process is critical for me.

Besides the entrepreneurial field, I think other Virtual Teams can took place between people in a more informal way, just like what happened with Facebook, Twitter and MySpace among others…lately those social networks are moving and turning the world upside down.

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[1] “Virtual Teams”. Retrieved on May 5th from: Malhotra, Majchrzak& Rosen 2007

“Facebook”. Retrieved on May 5^th from: http://www.dreambank.org/images/facebook.png

“Twitter”. Retrieved on May 5^th from: http://www.bruceongames.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/twitter-logo-icon.png

“MySpace”. Retrieved on May 5^th from: http://turbo.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2011/01/myspace-layoffs.jpg

COMMUNICATION

Which ones are the main Cultural Differences in Non-Verbal Communication?

Non-verbal communication is the type of communication that is not organized by oral language. It can be through eye contact, facial expressions, the body language and posture, tone of voice…it even may include the way you express yourself through clothes, how you wear them and even how silent are you.

I think Culture is a very determinant element when defining the way of how you are, how you express yourself in front of others and so many other things. As an example, you can analyze the case of all those Islamic women who grow under the tradition of polygamy with their husband…they must share it, contrary to the western cultures where monogamy is the basis for marriage, I mean it’s not normal if you are a Colombian or Mexican woman to share your husband with other wives.

Also, comparing this difference on how culture induces behavior or expressions, even communication, between women for the eastern hemisphere from the western one, you can notice as a first sign the called BURKAS, they must wear compared to normal clothes like dresses, shorts, miniskirts that women here can wear…Here, its normal and you must do it in order to be credible, when you are talking to someone look him/her to the eyes in order to make eye contact.

Look what I find…It’s amazing.

“Non-Verbal communication”. Retrieved on April 24^th 2011 from:                                                                                                                                 http://www.communication-type.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/nonverbal-communication-percentage.gif

LANDMINES IN Colombia

As you know, Colombia is one of the world´s most famous countries for its landmines, which causes and leave lots of victims and conflicts around its victims or the communities where they are left.

Colombia is the only Latin American country with land mines, they can explode when one steps on them and they seem to be radios or even sweets, so they are even attractive to the human view.

Imagine you walking easily and with no worries and from the sudden find in the floor an appealing object or even a dead body or a wounded people…and it´s risky to help them because they might explode. Others are built and designed to explode in the air even before steeping on them so they can destroy an entire leg.

Where and how are they hidden is like a mystery according to some experts. In many war zones is where they are usually hidden, areas which are extremely dangerous for children to cross by or to play, roads and lands around schools usually are very attractive to be full of mines. Colombian fighting groups including its army are the ones who have been used them.

Juanes, the famous Colombian singer had created an organization to fight against landmines conflict in Colombia and to help its victims.                                                       Today, April 4^th is the first international day to fight against landmines…how to do it? By rolling up a boot of your jean, your pant, short or even your shirt, it’s just a symbol but that can move masses.

I love these types of manifestations and if they are worldwide much better because more repercussion and press or a major impact they can get. It’s time to get conscious and star fighting for what has not been fighted for…besides kidnapping, terrorism or violence.

“ Minas Antipersona” Retrieved on April 4^th 2011 from: http://www.metamike.com/media/mina01.jpg

JAPAN ATTITUDE AND STRENGH TOWARS THOUGH TIMES

Recently, and it's not surprise for anybody Japan suffered a terrible catastrophe. In a same day, Friday March 11th. of 2011, an Earthquake and a Tsunami hit the island with such a strength that ruined the entire city of Sendai, killed even though many of them are still as missing persons and for sad to say it, thousands of people, and left lots of families in great pain and morning for they loved ones, their city, their country I mean their complete life's.

As a result of the earthquake, who was measured as 9.0 in the scale, waves of about 10 meters entered to the city as consequence of the tsunami that hit the island and that was formed by the earthquake strength.

Japan, as a world super power and rich country, has some nuclear and radioactive plants for lots of purposes, but a terrible thing happened, well, it could have been worst compared to Chernobyl in Russia, but anyway it’s a stressful and delicate situation because some of those nuclear/radioactive plants are in or very near of the area where the catastrophe took place and the system suffered some disconfigurations and affected the nucleus of some of those radioactive substances. In order to control the "situation" and prevent a worst disaster, which could affect the entire island of Japan and even other countries, they sent some voluntaries to fix and control the problem while it goes back to normality again, the thing that surprise me here, is that those people are like HEROES for the Japanese people, because due to their constant exposition to all those radioactive substances they are like magnets and they will suffer diseases in a future and even might die faster that what they would ever have thought.

I want to admire and I really admire the way how the Japanese culture have faced and have reacted among these terrible event for their life's and for their country. Order remain everywhere, lines were respected, nobody assaulted markets or stores or even houses or offices that remain in feet, they help each other in whatever they can, they also have shown an amazing behavior of strength when receiving sad news of their missing relatives. It’s a reaction among a very sad and difficult thing that I consider as an example for the entire world, and I hope lots of people learn also from it as I do. I guess their traditions, background and culture, like the Samurai philosophy among others, help them live this mourning process in such an amazing way, it’s a kind of compromise for their land, for their country; its like if they have it in their own blood...I'm surprised.

I recommend you to watch The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise. I loved it.



“ The Last Samurai” Retrieved on March 28 2011 from: http://www.wallpaperpimper.com/wallpaper/Movies/The_Last_Samurai/The-Last-Samurai-7-1CQGMLW7WI-1024x768.jpg

THE LAST SAMURAI MOVIE

Zwick ,E., Herskovitz, M., Le-bour, T., Wagner, P., Kroopf ,S., Engelman, T. (Producers), & Zwick, E. (Director). 2003. The Last Samurai [Motion Picture]. United States: Radar Pictures

“Japan’s Earthquake”. Retrieved on March 28 2011 from:                                                                                                   http://onlinenews4u.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/070531_Kobe_earthquake.jpg

“ Japan’s Earthquake” Retrieved on March 28 2001 from: http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200707/r160426_586651.jpg

 

LEADERSHIP AND CONVERGENCE

¿Do you think the power of vision have been overestimated or underestimated in giving direction to business?

When I analyze which is the real power or impact of the Vision into giving direction to a business, the first thing that comes across my mind is…Practically it’s the direction by itself, a lot, or at least much more of what I could ever think about it.

Once you establish and define your company´s Vision, which is like the definition of what´s what the company wants to create? , Who they want to be? , How they want to be recognized for? All the actions and projects of the company are settled in order to arrive to that certain point and all the decisions will be taken in order to do it.

Nowadays, I think Vision it’s a very helpful tool for companies to see how they are doing, how far or how close are them in order to accomplish that vision they once settled…that’s why I consider it as a powerful and estimated tool in a company; regardless, you as a leader, or a good manager must think and realize how is the environment, the business, the industry, I mean the actual situation, which can be determinant into your company´s future. Sometimes you know who´ll be, but maybe because of the circumstances you can fell lost at a certain point so…you start over in a different route and you can reach your desired point.

The fact, the Vision, can be overestimated or underestimated I think depends on lots of elements like the company, the sector of the industry it belongs, its managers, the economy, the competition among others.

Leadership. Retrieved on February 28 2011 from:                                                                     https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHdsdRJ_roEJZa8GLCc1uFosReqsR0xBtqs_G-HtzVOQs3YFI2OOacy9PcE-pE4TuVQccAoPTzLP2aDN4Qz5kqRdob-iwzCUrWu4eJYnsCtMqFIkky5Vw9qkVqwS5PtsBirIFKNnPd-c/s1600/leadership.jpg

Leadership. Retrieved on February 28 2011 from:                                                https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jUtcR6D8sCI87FEdc7VRJh_vaVn6qKlvJMQ24hrZxA_VY25KaTnMnflUNE2Czam5ne5Q12qr1HoqmYNElSZeKSPFXC-8MqXEB069Ic0aKAk9IFcUeuzNzh_6VqXHEOPTGpkCXcPP_nth/s1600-r/64138_24_36~Leadership-Posters.jpg

ETHICAL BEHAVIOR AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

1.     What does the statement “all capitalism is crony capitalism” is referring to? Do you agree with this statement or not? Give an example.

The statement “all capitalism is crony capitalism” refers to the fact that sometimes states or governments are responsible for the success of a determinate company and not just the market mechanism by itself. When the state influence the market, benefits came come from the companies of such markets which have been influenced.

2.     Why is it problematic that in the business world “The Media” becomes a corporation?

The Media has nowadays become as a problematic corporation due to the enormous influence it has over everything or everyone and also due to its rapid growth. It´s a huge and powerful force that can bring you positive or negative consequences. According to the situation, you make it your enemy or your ally.

3.     In this situation, what behaviors are considered unethical for corporations, journalist and the state?

·         CORPORATION: the types of relations or bonds between high officials, commanders and politicians, and how those high officials control through the media their business.

·         JOURNALIST: the un-neutral scope they give to their news can have positive or negative consequences, the kind of information they present and also the fact of controlling the quality and amount of information they broadcast.

·         STATE: When politicians in order to achieve their personal objectives don’t care about the society´s welfare, giving certain benefits to some but not to all.

4.     What is a Banana Republic? Why the author is comparing India with a Banana Republic?

A Banana Republic is a term referred to countries that are highly dependent from the agricultural sector, where their economy is based on agriculture, and also where crony capitalism and corruption are part of the “government”.

He compares India with a Banana Republic trying to explain that when countries are very poor and with a high percentage of crony capitalism, instability and unbalance will emerge reinforcing the richer and the poorer.

5.     What can The Media, Corporations and the States do in order to behave ethically and in the benefit of the people and not their own interest. Give at least 5 good ideas. 

·         Media, Corporations and States must reinforce education, where I think everything starts; promoting development for the society and the community and also at the same time that would bring progress and growth.

·         States should focus on what’s really their task, common welfare, needs, progress… and not that much on some particulars welfare and must fight openly against corruption.

·         Media should be aware of the consequences of their actions and be a neutral part, letting individuals, states or companies decide by themselves.

·         States must demand for corporations a minimum of social responsibility, and at the very same time corporations must accomplish and grow their social responsibility projects creating and allowing benefits for the community.

·         Corporations must use legal, honest and straight means in order to achieve their objectives and maintain a sustainable company.