Impact Of Ethnocentric Staffing Practice Management Essay

Impact Of Ethnocentric Staffing Practice Management Essay Introduction Over the past decades, an inconsiderable amount of research has dealt in the field of managing and reducing employee turnover in international staffing practice. In this study, which appraise staffing policies in International Human Resource and issues relating to employee turnover of local manger in subsidiaries of Multi-national Corporations. This paper evaluates series of issue encountered by the local or subsidiary manager. Hereby consider the role and patterns of international staffing model, the advantages and disadvantages of Parent country national (PCN), Host country national (HCN), retention strategies and approach used in managing avoid staff turnover. in this regard, has examined possible way-out of the present dilemma encountered by the local or subsidiaries mangers and the way forward but might vary in different sectors and culture of a country or probable the culture of the Multi-National Corporation. Function and Pattern of International Staffing Model There are different reasons for international staff transfer which can be as a result of control, co-ordination, developing management, unskilled local personnel and organization development. Which will lead to the increase of companys potential to succeed and compete in the international market (Edstrom and Galbraith, 1977; Harzing, 2001). However, Scholars have also pointed out that the success of knowledge sharing through international transfers is not automatic but rather depends on social processes. In recent it has been pointed out that key rationale for staff transfer is due to the transfer of advance and technical knowledge (Bonache et al., 2001; Hocking et al., 2004). However, staff transfer is a two- sided magnitude, which is between the Head quarter and the subsidiaries and it also involve the process comprises parent-country nationals (PCNs), host-country nationals (HCNs) and third-country nationals (TCNs) (Harzing, 2001; Welch, 2003). In this regard, Head quarters organization that are sent to HCNs and TCNs they are commonly referred to as Expatriates and vice versa for the inpatriates. Perlmutter and Heenan (1969; 1979) identified four different international staffing policies (ethnocentric, polycentric, geocentric and regiocentric). MNCs following an ethnocentric staffing policy would appoint mostly parent country nationals to top positions at their subsidiaries, while MNCs following a polycentric staffing policy would prefer to appoint host country nationals (HCNs). Organisation with a geocentric staffing policy might simply pick the best person, regardless of his/her nationality and that could include third country nationals (TCNs), nationals of a country other than the MNCs home country and the country of the subsidiary. The Head quarter-centric nature of the staffing policies has been criticised by Novicevic and Harvey.H (2001) introduced a pluralistic orientation that enable a multiple, diverse and possibly competition which subsidiaries are given more orientations of subsidiary staffing that independent operation within the MNC context. The pluralistic orientation also brought about an alternative concept and a harmony orientation toward international staffing. Thereby indicated a tranquillity between subsidiaries and the Head quarters which is as result of integrative aspect. Pro and Cons of PCNs, HCNs or TCNs These are some of the advantages and disadvantages of employing these different groups of employees. It is shown that none of the options is without its disadvantages whereby will focus on some of the most frequently mentioned advantages and disadvantages (Negandhi, 1987; Phatak, 1989; Dowling, Festing, Engle, 2008) are summarized as follows. In Table 7.1 below Source: Harzing and Reiche 2009. Influences on Subsidiary Staff Turnover Sebastian .R, (2007). Classified two major factors that lead to subsidiary staff turnover which is as a result of the effect of international staffing practices. He then conceptualise it has perceived career advancement opportunities and their organizational identification. Figure 1 shows the integration of all variables in a framework due to the effect of international staffing practices on subsidiary staff retention. Career Opportunities of Subsidiaries Staff These involves situation where the organisation seems to make global exposure and career advancement as part of the employment contract with the local national, but the organisation at the end of the day fail to fulfil their promise and with the design of international staffing practices that has an effect on subsidiary staffs career perspective and also leads to employee turnover .which aligns with (Griffeth et al., 2000; Hom and Griffeth, 1995) turnover studies and (Birdseye and Hill, 1995; Feldman and Thomas, 1992; Naumann, 1992) expatriate turnover research. Recent literature has focused on the view that a huge number of foreign expatriates distorted HCNs career advancement opportunities and create sizeable income and status disparities, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction among locals. In regards, the ethnocentric staffing practices which is a one-sided approach that restrict career advancement of local staff to a mere lower manger position. Sebastian Reiche (2007). Organizational Identification of Subsidiaries This involves situation whereby the international staffing practices affects the subsidiary staff in relation to the identity of their organization (Dutton et al., (1994) The degree at which a member defines himself by the same feature that he or she believes defines the organization. This has been shown to exert a negative effect on turnover intentions (Koh and Goh, 1995; Van Dick et al., 2004). The fulfilment of career aspirations is considered to serve as a key antecedent of organizational identification (Brown, 1969; Reade, 2001). In an organization which consist multiple relationship, each with unique set of values and objective operating from different sources of membership and identification, sustains the notion that individuals experience multiple commitments or identifications (March and Simon, 1958; Reichers, 1985). The polycentric staffing practices mainly shows identification with the local unit. At the same time, might be identified with the global company and it more difficult to promote. As Lawler (1992) notes, identification tends to be more significant with regard to association in contrast to larger organisation and also in the case of a geocentric orientation international career progression may only involve a very small fraction of HCNs. Finally, (Novicevic and Harvey, 2001) pluralistic orientation to international staffing serves as an additional source of identification of a harmonizing approach helps to constitute respective Head quarters policies and practices within it subsidiary which, in turn, facilitates HCNs approval and thus enhances their identification. International Staffing-Related Retention Strategies The staffing retention strategies are of two dimensions namely subsidiary management. Which will help minimize staff turnover in the subsidiaries such as managing subsidiaries through local staff and the expatriation of local staff may help to retain employees in MNCs worldwide operations. Hereby the strategies for the suitable scenario. Subsidiary Management Through Local Staff This involves pluralistic and harmony approach to international staffing that help to reconcile individual and organizational career plans, thereby tying individuals career commitment to the company and hence fostering long-term membership. Global assignments of PCNs which is to be maintained effectively by socializing. This becomes an essential instrument for clearing out dispute between local and foreign personnel (Lueke and Svyantek, 2000). Also strategy challenges the preservation of MNC cohesion. There should be regular regional meetings as well as close communication and exchange of knowledge serve between local personnel to the Head quarter. As important measures to align HCNs to the overall corporate values that may foster locals identification with the global organization. Expatriation and Impatriation of Local Staff This involves establishment of a centralized and comprehensive schedule of all managerial employees, regardless of nationality, for those are readily available for international assignments. But along the line there might be a slight problem to the local staff loss of autonomy. (Kopp,1994). The central record of corporate talent has to be complemented by a regionally administered register of lower-level managers suitable for intra-regional transfers. In the case of re-entry problem are associated with threat of turnover. Therefore, it can be effectively managed by establishing new repatriation policies and career projection from onset, thereby indicating long term commitment to the respective individuals and thus enhancing their organizational identification (Gregersen and Black, 1992; Stroh, 1995). Thus, provision made for international assignments for HCNs involves the concept inpatriation, entails the transfer of subsidiary manager to the Head quarter on a temporary to permanent basis (Harvey and Buckley, 1997; Harvey et al., 2000), that make the manger understand the culture of the Head quarter and build a network which will enhance reduction in employee turnover in MNC subsidiaries by feeling appreciated and fulfilled to an extend on foreign exposure. It also shows an appropriate mechanism to foster international assignments for local staff and to achieve the conflicting aim of share of foreign expatriates through a localization strategy. The term inpatriation will be more productive in subsidiaries developing countries that exhibit institutional distance cultural difference. Contrarily PCNs are still to be expatriated, but mainly to countries where adjustment problems are less critical (Harvey et al., 2000). Inpatriation is also important in the transfer of tactic knowledge from the subsidiaries to the Head quarter and it a plus on the parent company manager exposing them to an international perspective. for example in the case of use of inpatriates, especially in European and US multinationals, will increase in the future (see Box 7.2). The above box illustrate the envisage population rate of inpatriate between European companies and US companies which might increase to this point in the nearest future. Managing and Strategies for Prevent Manager Turnover Maertz and Campion, (1998) explains that an organization manages to avoid turnover or not will be based on the availability of internal retention incentives and how well organization and appropriate the organisation can make it applicable to them. This classification of retention practices is due to the HR policies that result into various outcomes in terms of organisational advancement employee perceived behaviour and exhibit synergies. Delery and Doty, (1996). At this point, which deduce a typology of available HR practices that possess retention capacity. HR practices either have the capacity to control turnover on a short-term and responsive basis nature. Relational employment contract that will increase career development and job enrichment may be effective practices to keep core employees. While transactional relationships in short-term retention needs can be achieved through adequate remuneration, control and overseeing. Sebastian. R,(2008). Classification of Retention Practices Source: Sebastian Reiche 2008. The table above highlight four unique types of retention practices (see Table. 1 above), which is framed following difference between responsive versus preventive practices and practices in transactional versus relational employment relationships. Responsive retention practices in transactional employment relationships Transactional employment relationships are due to majorly time frame to respond and the scope of the retention needs are necessarily limited. It policies is in relation to pay and incentives which will help retain managers in HCN. Shaw et al., (1998). Responsive retention practices in relational employment relationships Relational employment contracts will include long term benefit for managers that are productive. For example Preventive retention practices in transactional employment relationships This is deals with managers that have been fulfilled, motivated, job satisfaction. Thus, entails assigning supervisory role to such managers and in order to retain them managing employees job expectations right from the beginning. Cappelli, (2000); Glisson and Durick, (1988). Preventive retention practices in relational employment relationships This involves equality of the highest order, treating the PCNs, HCNs or TCNs managers equally, in fairness, procedural justice and transparency. Bloom and Michel, (2002); Shaw, Delery, Jenkins, Gupta (1998) J.D. Shaw, J.E. Delery, G.D. Jenkins and N. Gupta, An organization-level analysis of voluntary and involuntary turnover, Academy of Management Journal 41 (5) (1998), pp. 511-525. Full Text via CrossRef | View Record in Scopus | Cited By in Scopus (120)Shaw et al., (1998). Conclusion This write up briefly emphasize the main characteristics of international staffing practices of IHRM. This provides an analysis of the various staffing policies, with a focus on the effect of the one-sided effect (ethnocentric staffing) and the deficit effect on the local subsidiaries, dealt with specific influence leading to staff turnover for local managers and also considered the advantages and the disadvantages of using the staffing model. Identifying the effect of international staffing practices on local staff turnover and ways to manage such turnover in order to retain also put into consideration mechanism put in place to reduce turnover and retain subsidiary staff and the management of such turnover. However, local staff are usually the progenitor of tactic knowledge which is the key knowledge and also the linking source towards good social network which is evidence show in scholars research. Sebastian. R, (2007). Therefore, this is an opportunity develop the capability of major local employee over a long period, improve their career and making them feel identified with the company because they serve as mechanism of gaining a competitive edge. A number of subsidiaries are fruitful and Multi- National Corporations are moving in that line for further investment. However, international staffing practice may take exception and might involve different structure, process and also different countries culture. (Porter, 1990 ) At this point, will say international organisation or Multi-National Corporation can adopt the pluralistic view and still need to enforce more attention in the management of the local managers.

Civil Disobedience By Thoreau

Philosophers, historians, authors, and politicians have spent centuries pondering the relationship between citizens and their government. It is a question that has as many considerations as there are forms of government and it is rarely answered satisfactorily. A relatively modern theorist, author Henry Thoreau, introduced an idea of man as an individual, rather than a subject, by thoroughly describing the way a citizen should live many of his works. He indirectly supplements the arguments he presents in his essay Civil Disobedience through a comprehensive selection of adages found in his other works. In articular, the phrases  «A simple and independent mind does not toil at the bidding of any prince » and  «To be awake is to be alive. I have never met a man who is quite awake » support many of the arguments in Civil Disobedience because they help to explicate the complex ideas Thoreau presents. The phrase  «A simple and independent mind does not toil at the bidding of any prince » regards the responsibilities of a man to his own consciousnessit is a duty that can not be revoked by any form of tyrant. Rather than hinting at a type of anarchy, this statement merely describes each mans duty to performing justice in all his actions. This does not refer to any  «mans duty to devote himself to the eradication of any, even the most enormous wrong; he may still properly have other concerns to engage him; but it is his duty, at least, to wash his hands of it, and, if he gives it no thought longer, not to give it practically his support » (681). The term  «simple » does not refer to an underdeveloped sense of morality; it describes a state of mind in which the concept of justice is so defined that contradictions cannot exist. To toil, as it is presented in this quotation, means to sacrifice ideals for the sake of conformity or law. The only real power the State holds over any individual is the promise of brute force; it  «never intentionally confronts a mans sense, intellectual or moral, but only his body, his senses » (687). Therefore, many acts the State requires will be unjustthey can and will force a man to slave for the sake of an ordeal he does not believe in. As Thoreau notes in Civil Disobedience,  «a wise man will only be useful as a man » (678). In essence, Thoreau believes that a man who toils at any ruling institutions bidding simply because it bid him to do so sacrifices his own facilities as a human being. He then becomes nothing more than a man put  «on a level with wood and earth and stones Command[ing] no more respect than men of straw, or a lump of dirt » (678). Another quotation that helps to explicate Thoreaus Civil Disobedience is  «To be awake is to be alive. I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. In this phrase, Thoreau uses the term  «awake » as an euphemism for being fully aware of ones concept of right and fully in control of ones moral and physical existence. Understandably, people who are consistently awake, in this sense of the word, are hard to find:  «There are ine hundred and ninety-nine patrons of virtue to one virtuous man » (680). Also, the fact that Thoreau has  «never met a man who was quite awake » implies that fully conscious individuals have difficulty existing in modern society. In fact, Thoreau believes that  «no man with a genius for legislation has appeared in America. They are rare in the history of the world » (692). Perhaps, by the word  «awake, » and its equation with  «alive, » Thoreau is also referring to the ability to fulfill his own mission:  «I came into this world, not chiefly to make this a good place to live in, but to live in it, be it good or bad » (683). Although this concept is not a particularly unique one, it is nearly impossible to fulfill completelybut to fulfill it partially is useless. As a living being, one must  «cast your whole vote, not a strip of paper merely, but your whole influence » (684). To truly be alive, one must be consciously satisfied with every passing moment. Through his conscientious support of every facet of his philosophy, Thoreau effectively proves his statements regarding citizenship and government. He remains consistent to nearly every idea he presents and therefore surrounds them with a seriousness that cannot be ignored.

The Art of Slow Reading

The art of slow reading Patrick Kingsley If you’re reading this article in print, chances are you’ll only get through half of what I’ve written. And if you’re reading this online, you might not even finish a fifth. These are the two findings from two recent research projects, which both suggest that many of us no longer have the concentration to read articles through to their conclusion. The problem doesn’t just stop there: academics report that we are becoming less attentive book-readers, too. So are we getting stupider?Is that what this is about? Sort of. According to The Shallows, a new book by technology sage Nicholas Carr, our hyperactive online habits are damaging the mental faculties we need to process and understand lengthy textual information. Round-the-clock news feeds leave us hyperlinking from one article to the next – without necessarily engaging fully with any of the content; our reading is frequently interrupted by the ping of the latest email; and we are now absorbing short bursts of words on Twitter and Facebook more regularly than longer texts.Because of the internet, we have become very good at collecting a wide range of information, but we are also gradually forgetting how to sit back, contemplate, and relate all these facts to each other. Still reading? You’re probably in a dwindling minority. But no matter: a literary revolution is at hand. First we had slow food, then slow travel. Now, those campaigns are joined by a slow-reading movement – a disparate bunch of academics and intellectuals who want us to take our time while reading, and re-reading.They ask us to switch off our computers every so often and rediscover both the joy of personal engagement with printed texts, and the ability to process them fully. Lancelot Fletcher, the first present-day author to popularise the term â€Å"slow reading†, argues that slow reading is not so much about unleashing the reader’s cr eativity, as uncovering the author’s. And while Fletcher used the term initially as an academic tool, slow reading has since become a more wide-ranging concept.Slow reading, like slow food, is now, at root, a localist idea which can help connect a reader to his neighbourhood. Slow reading is a community event restoring connections between ideas and people. The continuity of relationships through reading is experienced when we borrow books from friends; when we read long stories to our kids until they fall asleep. But our era’s technological diarrhea is bringing more and more slow readers to the fore. Keith Thomas, the Oxford history professor, is one such reader.He doesn’t see himself as part of a wider slow community, but has nevertheless recently written about his bewilderment at the hasty reading techniques in contemporary academia. â€Å"I don’t think using a search engine to find certain key words in a text is a substitute for reading it properly,â €  he says. â€Å"You don’t get a proper sense of the work, or understand its context. † â€Å"The words of the writer,† suggests sage Nicholas Carr, â€Å"act as a catalyst in the mind of the reader, inspiring new insights, associations, and perceptions. And, perhaps even more significantly, it is only through slow reading that great literature can be cultivated in the future. As Carr writes, â€Å"the very existence of the attentive, critical reader provides the spur for the writer’s work. It gives the author the confidence to explore new forms of expression, to blaze difficult and demanding paths of thought, to venture into uncharted and sometimes hazardous territory. † The internet is probably part of the problem. It accustoms us to new ways of reading and looking and consuming. It fragments our attention span in a way that’s not ideal if you want to read.The real issue with the internet may be that it erodes, slowly, one’s se nse of self, one’s capacity for the kind of pleasure in isolation that reading has, since printed books became common, been standard. What’s to be done, then? Most slow readers realise that total rejection of the web is extremely unrealistic, but many felt that temporary isolation from technology was the answer. Some people have advocated turning their computer off for one day a week. But, given the pace at which most of us live, do we even have time? Some people think the iPad might just be the answer.It’s pleasant and fun, and doesn’t remind people of work. But, for the true slow reader, there’s simply no substitute for particular aspects of the paper book: the binding of a book captures an experience or idea at a particular space and time. And even the act of storing a book is a pleasure. Personally, I’m not sure I could ever go offline for long. Even while writing this article I was flicking constantly between sites, skimming too often, absorbing too little; internet reading has become too ingrained in my daily life for me to change.I read essays and articles not in hard copy but as PDFs, and I’m more comfortable churning through lots of news features from several outlets than just a few from a single print source. I suspect that many readers are in a similar position. But if, like me, you just occasionally want to read more slowly, help is at hand. You can download a computer application called Freedom, which allows you to read in peace by cutting off your internet connection. Or if you want to remove adverts and other distractions from your screen, you could always download offline reader Instapaper for your iPhone. If you’re still reading, that is.

Essay on Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe - 3009 Words

Post colonialism deals with cultural identity in colonized societies and the ways in which writers articulate that identity. Things Fall Apart is a good novel that serves as a reminder of what Nigeria once was. It shows how a society can deal with change, how change affects the individuals of that society, and how delicate a change can be; so much so that the people themselves are surprised at the change. Things Fall Apart is an English novel by the Nigerian author Chinua Achebe which was published in 1957. Throughout the book the role of customs and traditions is very important and decides the fate of men, women, and children. Some of the customs practiced in this culture would certainly be frowned upon in the West yet are perfectly†¦show more content†¦In these seven years, he hears of the destruction of the village of Abame by the white men because the natives there had killed a white man. This part also introduces the missionaries into the lives of the people with particular reference to their interest of converting people into their religion. Finally, there is the farewell feast that Okonkwo arranges for the whole village before he returns to his own village after his seven years of exile. The third part deals with Okonkwo returning to his village and his disappointment at the lack of interest in his arrival. Many things have changed during these seven years. The village has virtually ‘fallen apart’ with the entry of the white men who have brought about a lot of changes in the village. They have brought in a new government and many villagers have converted to the new religion (Christianity), including Nwoye, Okonkwo’s son. Trade has also been established. The last two chapters’ deals with the terrible treatment meted out to the leaders of the tribe by the District Commissioner. His actions impel Okonkwo to behead one of their messengers and after finding that his action has no support from the tribe, Okonkwo is compelled to take his own life. Even at this last stage of his life, his fellow clan members do not bury him since he has desecrated the land of the Goddess Ani, by taking his own life. The author at the end of the novel criticizes the British for their lack of sensitivity and at the sameShow MoreRelatedThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe1415 Words   |  6 Pagesbook Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe does just that. This book should be taught in schools because it shows the values and traditions of Achebe’s Igbo culture, persistently teaches life lessons throughout the book, and shows the darker reality of European colonialism in Africa. Chinua Achebe is known as one of the most influential and famous authors to ever write. Chinua Achebe originates from an Igbo background and he expresses that through his writings very well including Things Fall ApartRead MoreThings Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe1324 Words   |  6 Pages Chinua Achebe chose to write his novels in English to reveal a deep response of his people to colonisation and to make that response understood to people all over the world. Things Fall Apart was written in English to teach people worldwide of the struggles he faced and the people of Nigeria faced growing up. Many authors and critics have written about Achebe’s ‘Things fall apart’ adding their valued opinion on what he was trying to say and his decision to write in English. In the followingRead MoreThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe Essay1203 Words   |  5 Pages who took their land for monetary gain. This was a dark period of time for Africans that live there. 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In order for the EuropeanRead MoreThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe2361 Words   |  10 PagesThings Fall Apart Book Critique Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a historical fiction novel describing the life of Okonkwo in a Nigerian village succumbing to European ways, in order to portray Achebe’s view on imperialism. It was chosen for us to read by our teacher because it describes imperialism and its effects in an Ibo village of Nigeria. It also shows the treatment of natives by the Europeans and how the natives reacted. Things Fall Apart is useful to our course of studies because itRead MoreThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe1265 Words   |  6 PagesThings Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is markedly relevant to our current course of studies in World History, as it tells a story based on European Imperialism in Africa. Coming off the heels of our Imperialism unit, this post-colonial novel provides very helpful context on different civilizations’ perspectives throughout the Age of Imperialism; aside from analyzing death tolls, descriptions of conflicts, and names of countries, it was previousl y hard to envision what life was actually like during thatRead MoreThings Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe 735 Words   |  3 PagesThings fall apart. Achebe. Ernest Gaines once said, â€Å"I write to try to find out who I am. One of my main themes is manliness. I think Im trying to figure out what manliness really is.† Indeed, every society or culture has its own understanding of an ideal man. Even though these characteristics are different in various parts of the world, the significance of masculinity can never be overestimated. â€Å"Things Fall Apart† by Chinua Achebe is considered as one of the best examples of a riseRead MoreThings Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe692 Words   |  3 Pagesthe way to go. Through commercial trading Islam spread into Igboland, and this led to more Igbo people leaving the Igbo way of life for another, whether it be Islam or Christianity which divide the country in two. In the novel Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe British colonialism and the migration of Muslims to Nigeria led to the change in the faith, social and economic changes in the Igbo society. Traditional Igbo faith believes that there is only one creator or god known as ChinekeRead MoreThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe897 Words   |  4 PagesIn the novel, â€Å"Things Fall Apart† by Chinua Achebe the Igbo tradition revolves around structured gender role. Everything essential of Igbo life is based on their gender, which throughout the novel it shows the role of women and the position they hold, from their role in the family household, also planting women crops, to bearing children. Although the women were claimed to be weaker and seemed to be treated as objects, in the Igbo culture the women still provided qualities that make them worthyRead MoreThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe Essay1851 Words   |  8 Pageschoice and styles are critical not only to the reader’s understanding of the text but to his appreciation as well. How language is effectively manipulated in their writings enhances the reader’s valuing of the works. The selected novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a representation of Igbo culture and their language. It explores the life of an Igbo tribe at the time of when colonization hit Africa. It could be considered as a post-colonial text, as the protagonist of the story and the other