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.

---

[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.

THE CORPORATION

 How can we ensure corporations are held accountable for their actions “ethically” and “legally”?

Corporations can show us they act legally and ethically in their daily exercise by creating campaigns that involve people, camping’s or projects that benefit society, also by demanding the results and the our rights as users of their services or as clients of their products.

Also, governments must be aware of all the practices of the companies and must enhance their legislations in order to establish much more control, must create norms, laws, institutions that control, support, help and observe the companies in these matters.

Should individuals (directors, employees, shareholders) bear any responsibility for the actions of a corporation? If so, to what degree?

Nowadays, it’s normal to think in large business units that you relate with the word corporation, that can be defined such as group of people working in order to obtain as much as profit as they can, and for a variety of common objectives, under too many circumstances; those circumstances can be positive or negative, it depends.                                                                                                               With the industrialization process in United States, corporations, which were once created by the state to develop, research or obtain a certain benefit from a specific task; change their basically orientation towards becoming a legal person, with rights, able to demand, sell and buy.

Along with globalization, CEO´s of major corporations became more and more ambitious in terms of the expansion, conquer new markets, and gain larger profits and revenues. They started changing and implementing new techniques or procedures that affected somehow negatively lots and lots of people, like their own employees, neighbor communities…among others. Right now, the film Erin Brockovish, with Julia Roberts, comes to my mind, because it shows how lots of people suffered the secondary effects from the intoxication with chemicals from the water, after it passes from a corporation’s plant in the neighborhood; it shows who had the responsibility of the actions the corporation took and how they handle the process with the victims.

Responsibility it´s complicated for me in the way that I think that you are responsible for all the actions you make or you choose to make, the issue here is that when you´re and employee of an organization, company or corporation, you act on behalf that “name”. Sometimes, you have to do certain things you might not agree, in order to not lose your job, but it’s because you are subordinated by your boss, and he is by he´s bosses and so on…so in an organization, for me responsibility comes from the higher ranks, CEO, VP´s, directors, who are the ones uncharged of taking the big decisions and setting the policies necessary for the organization to exist, succeed and achieve its objectives. Shareholders might be important or might be not in the decisions process, it depends of the type of the organization, and it’s different, here in Colombia, ECOPETROL than POSTOBON S.A. For me the responsibility comes and should be bear by the ones that take the decision that caused an effect you must be responsible of…directors, VP´s or the CEO.

What are the benefits of the corporate form? Could an alternative model offer these as well?

As a company, you have much more power than as an individual; that’s why companies along with having greater responsibilities have lots of benefits, not only in the monetary part where they gain a large amount of profits; also they can bring development to their own society and community, advances, new people, technology…as a stockholder you have benefits and you can play according to wherever your economic interest may be. 

Search for a foreign multinational corporation that has operations in Colombia. Research if they are run under Colombian rules or regulations or if they have special regulations?

Procter & Gamble is a multinational corporation with a big presence and impact into the Colombian health-beauty care market. They adapt their products into what this market demands, sometimes they even change the name of the product or just sold some lines, but not the hole portfolio of their products.

Should economic efficiency (Main argument for privatization) be the primary concern for commons and public services? Are there other criteria to determine who should own or operate them?

I think economic efficiency should be the primary concern in commons and public services due to the globalization trend we are living and facing right now, it’s what moves the world and what basically and finally connects today´s world and at the same time, customers are highly demanding lower process and excellent quality, so there´s where the business starts.

Good Will, corporate values and procedures, ethical practices, excellent quality of the service-product, responsiveness to the customer… are what can be used to determine who should own or operate them.

ERIN BROCKOVISH

DeVito, D., Sher, S., Shamberg, M., Lyon G., Hardy, J. (Producers), & Soderbergh, S. (Director). (2000). Erin Brockovish [Motion picture]. United States: Universal Studios

Erin Brockovish. Retrieved on February 14, 2011 from: http://pics.filmaffinity.com/Erin_Brockovich-258309066-large.jpg

MOTIVATION

Is economic retribution enough to motivate employees?

According to what I've learned, you can call motivation as external or internal forces that drive your actions and behavior in order for you to achieve something or to do a certain thing.

I think and for my personal experience that when you are motivated in life things change and take a different face. It’s like if they accompany you all the time and always remind you all the good things, results or consequences you will get by doing or achieving something. Its like that motor that drives you and it cheers you up even the road to get things is not always easy or how we would like it to be.

Talking about being motivated in your own job, besides internal incentives that may exist, external incentives may exist as well. Sometimes, it's not enough with the fact that you like and enjoy your job and that at the end of the month you receive your payment; you or at least for a lot of people, an encouraging and provocative reason why to do things it’s the key. This reason I'm talking about is not just the payment or economic retribution in case you do something special and get a bonus payment, no, well, it can be one, but it’s very important for you as an employee of an organization, fell part of it and to become identified with it, but at the same time, it’s important for your own esteem, that the organization recognize your qualities and be aware of who they have working with them.

As a way of recognition to your accomplishments in work, for me, it’s not enough with the economic retribution to get an employee motivated, it’s also important to recognize their abilities, their importance for the organization through recognition programs, special bonus, flexible benefits packages, different ways and symbols of distinction like the employee of the month, leader of a certain successful project or idea, among other ways of recognition because they represent incentives for people when they are fulfilling their objectives.

It´s like a way to see that it’s a win-win situation, it´s good for you and for the other.

Motivation. Retrieved on February 23 2011 from:                                                                                                                                                                                       http://www.positive-thinking-for-you.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/figure1-motivation.jpg

ATTITUDES AND VALUES

How can values be a source of conflict in multicultural context?

In a general context and like for the basic definition, values are beliefs about social or personal conducts, behaviors or actions that determine certain situations or events in our lives. Through values, a culture or a community determines what’s good and what’s bad, or what is accepted and correct and what is not, they are related with the ethical behavior of a community, a culture, a society or even an individuals.

When you are living or experiencing a multicultural context, its possible to reach a conflict because of the cultural differences. For someone a certain action might be good, normal, that person may think its accepted and there's no problem with it so...he did it and that could have harm you or some part of the community and there’s where problems may arise.               

I think that when you are facing a multicultural environment you must take as an advantage that is an opportunity where you can learn and share lots of things like knowledge's, traditions, languages, customs, histories and many other elements that are part of a culture, but at the very same time you must be aware to respect those differences that distinguish you from the others.

Respect, for me, is the key to avoid reaching a conflict in a multicultural environment, because its what makes us recognize and be aware of the diversity of values that exist; also because it's the tool to create relationships and make them stronger, where differences exist and where among those differences you still can fell the other person like your brother. Even if you might not agree with the behavior, practice, attitude, action, reason ...you must respect it, as you wish like the others respect yours because for each person its values, moral and ethic are elements that define who you are, how you are and why you are in a certain way.

Multicultural. Retrieved on February 23 2011 from: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDdokYdBTyEVxntUMwQAjiGGQYon1O_i7Cj9HPo9OsByWB5DTL4dErG21lsJlrkIHfhKiazqdF5VyuvAlttgHE9jbQI6hpNAMR2Z76UqCFEmeBLuP_ojYzHpQv0fgaZxNHLFhOr18q2xv/s320/multicultural_kids.jpg

THE BOB´S

http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

The Sartorialist shows me in an indirect way the latest trends and fashion statements directly from the streets, where I think real fashion is shown, mostly from the most fashionable cities like London, Milan, Paris and New York.

I also loved about this blog the way the writer makes relevant and wise comments about some details that for people, who are not very interested in fashion, wouldn´t notice at all. Are comments and pictures that open your mind to new and fresh ideas, and that at the same time guide your inspiration in order to express you through fashion.

The Sartorialist. Retrived on February 23 2011 from: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJSavXe5DpFVElNRFX6czkuoqL1qS0pJa8Lz1bAJvvaCgV8VsWA39Kfe8RuJf-SiCbblTyRp_r9im1fdNgkNAhbcyQ1GeGD8AXv73OvzW9aJAnNznQcnkS_QvH23oSNoEUJAaBJYZzXwD/s1600/scott-schuman-the-sartorialist.jpg

The Sartorialist. Retrived on February 23 2011 from: http://media.photobucket.com/image/the%20sartorialist/despazitostrends/OliviaPalermoforTheSartorialist.jpg

http://misscouturable.blogspot.com/

I really feel identified with Miss Coturable blogger. She starts writing when she was in high school an expresses her ideas about certain things, mostly with fashion issues, entertainment, celebrities, and fashion magazines. What I liked most here is the way the writer related the topics she write about with previous experiences, knowledge’s and her own life.                                                                 You feel in her shoes, well or at least that´s my case, because I´ve been always interested in fashion, trends, designers, fashion weeks… latest statements in all these matters and my mother, some close friends, my sisters and I share these common tastes and give one to another advices or  tips when its necessary.

http://forwomenonline.com

For women online it’s a blog that shows different aspects of a woman life. It may not apply to all women but at least it applied to my lifestyle. I found there news, entertainment, fitness, beauty, fashion, politics among other topics that might interest women in general.

What I liked the most were the tutorials they posted about how to apply or wear new products or fashion trends, how to create certain hair styles, new diets, exercise and beauty routines, recipes and what can you do if you invite someone at your house, vacation destinations and plans …also the fact that they keep you up to date from shows and programs like the Bravo realities (in case you missed them) which I personally like a lot.