Trends in income distribution in the United States Essay

Trends in income distribution in the United States - Essay Example The higher concentration wealth to the a few people will reflect a hierarchical structured society. Moreover, a relatively sprite distribution of income among people will reflect a bigger middle class. Either two of the circumstances has an impact on the situation, conditions and perceptions of people. The first situation implies a better situation for those who are more affluent or those who are in the upper strata of society. This can also dictate an unfair playing ground between the have’s and the have not’s. The second situation entails more social equity. This means that opportunities are fair to all people regardless of their class. This will also reflect the government’s structure and the degree of welfare it provide to its citizens. It may be noted that the gap in income distribution may be a major cause of negative perceptions among Americans, which divides the country into economic lines (Allen, 2007). Scholars have studied trends in the income distribution in various industrialized countries including the United States. In the said studies, the scholars have identified a pattern in the income distribution of industrialized countries particularly in the trajectories of income distribution. The common features suggest a systematic pattern in which inequality at first increased, reached a peak, and later declined in the course of industrial development. This creates an inverted U shape figure. Further studies reflect that after the 1970s, a reversal of the first study occured (Allen, 2007). Income distribution can be gleaned through various measures such as data on household income, individual income or tax accrued to the government. Income distribution can also be studied vis-Ã  -vis other factors such as gender, regional distribution, race, etc. Each year, the U.S. Census Bureau releases data on the

Human Resources Management JC Penney Essay Example for Free

Human Resources Management JC Penney Essay JC Penney is ranked number 153 in the fortune 500 company list in the United States for the year 2012. They are one of the largest companies, and have been around for one hundred and ten years. Recently, Management has embarked upon new strategies to improve the company and create a better shopping experience for their customers. To do so, some of their sales tactics, as well as employee training to ensure a successful transaction, as well as satisfaction of customers has been examined and improved greatly. JC Penny has embarked on a new sales strategy to boost sales for the Christmas season. Starting Black Friday through Christmas Eve, employees will be handing out more than 80 million small, holiday-themed, circular buttons to customers. This is a ploy used to increase sales, since behind each button is the chance for customers to win great prizes. This is believed to be a better approach than mailing out coupons, since it ensures customers visit the store; increasing sales and giving them a cut above the rest of their competitors. Apart from using this strategy, the company has recently embarked on marketing strategies to equip employees with the necessary knowledge and tools, to improve sales on an everyday basis. Some of these includes: new pricing strategies, new logo and advertising. What they have done with their sale pricing strategies is made their sale prices into everyday low prices for customers to enjoy yearly. In addition to that, there is also easy to decipher tags. JC Penny is changing the way sales are distinguished by using a new tagging system to identify different prices. A red tag shows an â€Å"Every Day† price, a white tag is a â€Å"Month-Long Value†, and a blue tag shows the â€Å"Best Price.† This provides clarity for customers and makes it easier for them. New logo and advertising also has great influence on customers mentally. According to their press release,â€Å"the new JC Penny logo, which combines the elements that have made JC Penny an enduring American brand, by evoking the nation’s flag and JC Penney’s commitment to treating customers fair and square.† This make customers feel welcomed and appreciated and causes an increase in activity among the population of the United States. However before this can be possible, there must be employees who are competent enough to handle the task. For this purpose there are strategic processes which must be adhered when hiring new workers. This is believed to help in obtaining the best suited applicants for the job. These include individuals who are willing; and also share in the vision of the company. The process by which applicants are recruited into the company is similar to that of most business places; which takes the form of an interview. The interview process is intense and helps the employer to test many different skills and attributes of the employee. This is necessary since it allows employers to meet with potential workers face to face. Therefore it helps to distinguish if they are able to represent the image of the company physically both in attire and expression. In addition it helps employers to screen potential candidates to determine the most honest and experienced candidates. Also it helps to find out the punctuality of employees, something that one has to take into consideration; since unpunctuality can lead to upsets and setbacks in a business. It will also help to give an understanding of the knowledge the prospective employer have of the company. By knowing this, one can be able to tell if potential employees know what is expected of them. After the hiring process is over, the staff must be competent enough to deal with customers. They should have the knowledge and experience to do this in such a way as to build long term relationships with customers. This is to ensure smooth transactions and to avoid the loss of customers through unfriendly habits. JC Penny often provided training for new staff to ensure that they are able to understand and display the image that they would want to portray by the company; to ensure customer satisfaction and avoid hostility and unfriendly approach. One of the training programs offered by JC Penny for new employees is the planning and merchandising trainee program. This helps to give trainees the opportunity to experience first hand how buying, planning, allocation and inventory management integrate to produce products in JC Penny stores nation wide and on jcp.com. The 17-week training program is fast-paced and high-caliber. It gives employees the opportunity to gain insight into store environment processes, visit a logistics center, attend specialized training classes, and more. It also fosters interaction among the staff since Planning and Merchandising team members work side-by-side with other trainees throughout the entire process. A host of projects, activities and hands-on training also helps to facilitate learning; making the process enjoyable for participants. Having senior managers mentoring and coaching you to success will only lead to great achievement. Apart from training of new applicants, development training is also very important in the process of continuing to acquire success. This is because as time change so too do people and therefore strategies that were effective ten years ago may not be as successful today. For this purpose companies have to continue to train their employees so they will be able to comply with the changes of society; since strategic training received over a decade ago won’t be profitable in the workplace today. JC Penny provides sales associates with the skills they need to help the company achieve their business objectives in a challenging, supportive learning environment that fosters achievement. They are given the opportunity to build their skills and improve hands on relationships with customers; as they obtain experience to promote development. Associates typically are trained for a particular department, such as home decor or women wear, but may rotate from department to department based on need; they will also complete additional training for other departments. Helping them to be well rounded individuals who will be equipped enough to fill in where ever they are needed in the company. Therefore this additional training helps employees to be better equipped than when they first entered the workplace; increasing competent performances, and improving their ability to handle situations. In addition to normal rotation training, employees also have the opportunity to participate in developmental workshops offered by the company for which they qualify. Therefore this will help to mold them into very capable young individuals, with great experience for future endeavors. Because of the sales force strategies used at JC Penny, the company is noted as one which has both the interest of employees and customers at hand. The training offered to their staff is well executed and well received; resulting in JC Penny being described as a company that turns jobs into careers. In addition, it also creates innovative ways for customers to view the shopping experience; since the sales tactic they use make the experience much more easier, straight forward and convenient than most of their competitors.

Performance Measurement Systems in Business Essay -- assessing organiz

Business firms may seem to be similar, relying on guide of organizational models. However, in practice, all business is unique, functioning as a distinct arrangement of organizational models, designs and practices. Adoptation of any plan is all to support ‘’inimitable’’ business strategy. Performance measurement is critical in assessing organization overall performance and results are used for strategic planning to develop range of strategies (Tapinos & Dyson, 2005) for achievement of sustainable business success. Without this information and understanding, organizational strategies will not be in configuration with or effective in the business environment. Performance measurement is a multifaceted management tool that centres on how a business generates value. Performance measurement systems are used to reinforce the behaviours required for business success as well as for achieving organizational direction. Study On the impact of performance measurement in strategic planning process (Tapinos & Dyson, 2005) described the effectiveness of performance measurement system and explai...

A Biography on Martin Luther King Jr. :: essays research papers

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was born in Atlanta, Georgia, where his father was pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church. He attended public schools (skipping the ninth and twelfth grades) and entered Morehouse College in Atlanta. He was ordained as a Baptist minister just before his graduation in 1948. He then enrolled in Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and after earning a divinity degree there, attended graduate school at Boston University, where he earned a Ph.D. in theology in 1955. At Boston University, he met Coretta Scott; they were married in 1953. King's rise to national and international prominence began in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955. In that year, Rosa Parks, an African American woman, was arrested for refusing to obey a city ordinance that required African Americans to sit or stand at the back of municipal buses. The African American citizens of the city (one of the most thoroughly segregated in the South) organized a bus boycott in protest and asked King to serve as their leader. Thousands boycotted the buses for more than a year, and despite segregationist violence against them, King grounded their protests on his deeply held belief in nonviolence. In 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered Montgomery to provide integrated seating on public buses. In the following year, King and other African American ministers founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to carry forward the nonviolent struggle against segregation and legal discrimination. As protests grew, so did the unhappiness of King and his associates with the unwillingness of the president and Congress to support civil rights. The SCLC, therefore, organized massive demonstrations in Montgomery (King wrote "Letter from Birmingham Jail" during these demonstrations). With the civil rights movement now in the headlines almost every day, President Kennedy proposed to Congress a far-reaching civil rights bill. On August 28, 1963, over 200,000 blacks and whites gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., where King delivered his now famous speech, "I Have a Dream." In the following year, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting racial discrimination in public places and calling for equal opportunity in education and employment. In that year, King received the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1965, King and others organized a march to protest the blatant denial of African Americans' voting rights in Selma, Alabama, where the march began. Before the protesters were able to reach Birmingham, the state capital, they were attacked by police with tear gas and clubs.

Enron Scandal with Code of Ethics

Arthur Andersen Limited Liability Partnership was one of the â€Å"Big Five† accounting firm who providing auditing, tax and consulting services to large corporations. This is an accounting firm that held by reputation and trust by public and investor but it facing bankruptcy in the end. Early of the 20th century, invertors don’t know who can be trust because there was spread of business scandals. All they need was auditors. Andersen establishes a company to be trusted. He and his auditors will check and certificate the company accounts if the accounts were honestly and accurately. Andersen advises his partners to pay attention on public needs rather than the profit of company make. After 1950s, the company force to commercialize for the coming of Information Technology era but it still keeps its reputation. But to win the best customers, they must attract a new generation of employees. The new director was keen to explore more customers. They audit and certificate more accounts and made larger profits for their company. Andersen guaranteed the accounts for dishonest company from John DeLorean to Enron and WorldCom. The code of ethics which Andersen against are: 1. Standard I (A) Knowledge of the Law. Members and Candidates must understand and comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations (including the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct) of any government, regulatory organization, licensing agency, or professional association governing their professional activities. In the event of conflict, Members and Candidates must comply with the more strict law, rule, or regulation. Members and Candidates must not knowingly participate or assist in and must dissociate from any violation of such laws, rules, or regulations. A case of John DeLorean, the founder of the DeLorean Motor Company who goes Ireland to builds his dream car. British government desperate to create job and gave 80 million pound. It was Andersen responsible for the money he spends. But DeLorean spend the money not belong to him. He will spend the company fund s of purchase of equipment for decorating his houses. He orders two Mercedes Benz, one send to his wife use in California. DeLorean asks to pay 17 million dollar to his Swiss bank account call GDP. In conclusion, DeLorean do nothing with the dream car. Although the Code and standard do not required that members and candidates report violations to their governmental or regulatory organizations but strongly encourages members to report violations. Andersen should report DeLorean who spend the money which are not related to the development of dream car and the money was not belonging to him. They shouldn’t participate in illegal activities such help DeLorean to cover the fact and follow the rules and regulations. . Standard I (B) Independence and Objectivity. Members and Candidates must use reasonable care and judgment to achieve and maintain independence and objectivity in their professional activities. Members and Candidates must not offer, solicit, or accept any gift, benefit, compensation, or consideration that reasonably could be expected to compromise their own or another’s independence and objectivity. In case of WorldCom, who was one of the company who use false account to earning profit by deceive public. After the scandal, WorldCom was the largest bankruptcy in U. S. history. It led to a domino effect of accounting and like corporate scandals that continue to tarnish American business practices and the foundation of economic. Thousand hundred of investors lost their life saving. Arthur Andersen emphasizes professional view and implements independence and objectivity which were refusing to certificate dishonest accounts. New generation of employees who work in Andersen should follow the thinking and view of the establisher. Although they want to expand their business, but they should work independence to report or refuse to certificate dishonest accounts, not helping them to deceive public. . Standard I (D) Members and Candidates must not engage in any professional conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, or deceit or commit any act that reflects adversely on their professional reputation, integrity, or competence. Arthur Andersen has involved in dishonesty act which was making false accounting. The company has loss its reputation once the scandal burst out. I n a nutshell, all company should follow rules and regulation. Otherwise, it may harm thousands even millions of people lost their life saving or in debt.

Free Essays on Pioneers Of Western Civilization

Western civilization has many different pioneers that helped form the culture to what it is today. Many different civilizations such as hunters and gathers, ancient Egyptians, and Sumerians contributed to western civilization. Without these different civilizations contributing, society would not be where it is today. These civilizations of man contributed agricultural techniques, laws with authority, tools, writing, mathematics and religion. The first civilizations were hunters and gatherers who wandered the lands in desperate need of food and materials. Eventually mankind would develop methods of cultivating food, so they would not have to wander around nomadic. The first civilization to develop agricultural techniques was the Neolithic societies. By shifting to agriculture coincided with advances in stone tool technology, brought the development of greater precision. Once domestications had taken place, people could move to areas where these plants and animals did not occur naturally. The invention of pottery also enabled people to store surplus foods and liquids, and to transport them, as well as to cook agricultural products were difficult to eat. Also crops required constant care from planting to harvest, so Neolithic farmers built permanent dwellings. The farmers also built small two-man circular huts and clustered in groups around a central storage place. Later people built square and rectangular family sized hous e with individual storage places and enclosures to house livestock. Neolithic villages tended to be self-sufficient. The Ancient Egyptians brought in a culture that was unique from many others of that particular time. When people think of the Egyptian, they think of the pyramids, the sphinx, and the pharaohs. Many people do not realize the contributions the ancient Egyptians made to western civilization. They contributed through the laws and regulations, which maintained society. The Egyptian people believed that their... Free Essays on Pioneers Of Western Civilization Free Essays on Pioneers Of Western Civilization Western civilization has many different pioneers that helped form the culture to what it is today. Many different civilizations such as hunters and gathers, ancient Egyptians, and Sumerians contributed to western civilization. Without these different civilizations contributing, society would not be where it is today. These civilizations of man contributed agricultural techniques, laws with authority, tools, writing, mathematics and religion. The first civilizations were hunters and gatherers who wandered the lands in desperate need of food and materials. Eventually mankind would develop methods of cultivating food, so they would not have to wander around nomadic. The first civilization to develop agricultural techniques was the Neolithic societies. By shifting to agriculture coincided with advances in stone tool technology, brought the development of greater precision. Once domestications had taken place, people could move to areas where these plants and animals did not occur naturally. The invention of pottery also enabled people to store surplus foods and liquids, and to transport them, as well as to cook agricultural products were difficult to eat. Also crops required constant care from planting to harvest, so Neolithic farmers built permanent dwellings. The farmers also built small two-man circular huts and clustered in groups around a central storage place. Later people built square and rectangular family sized hous e with individual storage places and enclosures to house livestock. Neolithic villages tended to be self-sufficient. The Ancient Egyptians brought in a culture that was unique from many others of that particular time. When people think of the Egyptian, they think of the pyramids, the sphinx, and the pharaohs. Many people do not realize the contributions the ancient Egyptians made to western civilization. They contributed through the laws and regulations, which maintained society. The Egyptian people believed that their...

Industrial Revolution Essays - Rockefeller Family, Gilded Age

Industrial Revolution Essays - Rockefeller Family, Gilded Age Industrial Revolution Corporate development during the Industrial Revolution was made in part by entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs were the people who took responsibility for the organization and operation of a new business venture. These business men often risked the initial money for setting up different types of businesses. With the risk of large sums of money, some of these entrepreneurs made enormous profits. Two major entrepreneurs of American history are John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie. The Standard Oil Company founded by John D. Rockefeller and the U.S. Steel Company founded by Andrew Carnegie, both were two corporations that had a great impact on the lives of most Americans. The Standard Oil Company and U.S. Steel Company were made successful in different ways due to the actions of their different owners. The companies differed in their labor relations, market control, and structural organization. In the steel industry, Carnegie developed a system known as vertical integration. This means that he simply cut out the middle man. Carnegie bought his own iron and coal mines, because using independent companies was unreliable, cost too much and were inefficient. By doing this he now was able to undersell his steel making competitors, because they had to pay the competitors they went through to get the raw materials. Unlike Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller integrated his oil business from top to bottom, his distinctive innovation in movement of American industry was horizontal. This meant he followed one product through all its stages. For example, Rockefeller controlled the oil when it was drilled, through the refining stage, and he maintained control over the refining process turning it into gasoline. Although these two powerful men used two different methods of management their businesses were still very successful (Conlin, 425-426). Entrepreneurs or better known "Robber Barons" like Andrew Carnegie, "the steel king," and John D. Rockefeller, "the oil baron," exercised their genius in devising ways to circumvent competition. Although, Carnegie inclined to be tough-fisted in business, he was not a monopolist and disliked monopolistic trusts. John D. Rockefeller came to dominate the oil industry by bringing a new energy and overwhelming strategy into his business. With one upward stride after another he organized the Standard Oil Company, which was the nucleus of the great trust that was formed. Rockefeller showed little mercy in his business dealings. He believed primitive savagery prevailed in the jungle world of business, where only the fittest survived (Social Darwinism). He pursued the policy of "ruin or rule." Rockefeller's oil monopoly did turn out a superior product at a relatively cheap price. Rockefeller believed in ruthless business, Carnegie did not, yet they both had the most successful comp! anies in their industries (The American Pageant, pages 515-518). Rockefeller treated his customers and competitors in the same manner that Andrew Carnegie treated his workers: cruel and harsh. The Standard Oil Company desperately wanted every possible company to buy their products. For example Standard Oil used ruthless tactics when Rockefeller threatened to start his own chain of grocery stores and put local merchants out of business if they did not buy oil from Standard Oil Company. Carnegie dealt with his workers with the same cold lack of diplomacy and consideration. Carnegie would encourage an unfriendly competition between two of his workers and he goaded them into outdoing one another. Some of his employees found working under Carnegie unbearable. These rivalries became so important to the employees that some did not talk to each other for years (McCloskkey, page 145). Although both Carnegie and Rockefeller created extremely successful companies, they both used unscrupulous methods in some aspect of their corporation building to ! get to the top. The success of the Standard Oil Company and U.S. Steel company was credited to the fact that their owners ran them with great authority. In this very competitive time period, many new businesses were being formed. It took talented businessmen to get ahead and keep the companies running and make the fortunes that were made during this period. Work Cited: Bailey, Thomas A. and David M. Kennedy: The American Pageant. pp. 515-518. 1987. Conlin, Joseph R. History of the U.S.: Our Land, Our Time. pp. 425-426. 1985. Latham, Earl: John D. Rockefeller; Robber Baron Or Industrial Statesman? (Problems in American Civilization Series). pg. 39.