Corporate Social Responsibility - 1015 Words

In a recent time companies are giving more attention to develop a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and mainly their core values. Core values are used in marketing strategies (Berry, 1999) also in customer-retention management in order to create distinctive, long-lasting relationships with customers (Prahald and Ramaswamy, 2004; Normann, 2001) and stakeholders (Pruzan, 1998; Post et a, 2002). The interaction with a stakeholder and concerns a business operation use to understood CSR as the voluntary integration of environmental and social, but it has failed to discuss and analyse CSR explicitly from the perspective of stakeholders (Andriof et al,2002; Post et al,2002). Drawing on freeman (1984, 1994), the adoption of CSR regards we†¦show more content†¦The shareholder strategy thus views CSR as a means, not as a goal. The social-harmony strategy, in contrast, takes a â€Å"communitarian-oriented† perspective (Selznick, 1994). It is been argued that the demands and needs of stakeholders must be balanced and does not separate ethics from business (Freeman, 1994, 2002). How CSR and stakeholder thinking are linked to each other needs to be examined a bit more closely. Thought the shareholder and the social-harmony strategy are both stakeholder strategies yet the CSR plays different roles within them, Freeman (1984) elaborated on these ideas by concluding that business needed to satisfy a multiplicity of stakeholders, and that focusing on shareholders alone was unsatisfactory, for several reasons. However, for Freeman (1984), this was not a matter of social responsibility or business ethics; rather, it represented a survival strategy for the company. At that time, Freeman had a critical approach to CSR (Freeman and Liedtka, 1991). However, he later recognised the emerging importance of ethics in business and argued that it is not possible to deal with them in isolation (Freeman, 1994, 2002). Friedman (1970) questioned whether or not a business can have any responsibilities other than increasing its profits (i.e. a shareholder perspective), but this view was strongly opposed byShow MoreRelatedCorporate Social Responsibility : Corporate Responsibility773 Words   |  4 PagesCorporate social responsibility may also be referred to as corporate citizenship and can involve spending finances that do not directly benefit the company but rather advocate positive social and environmental change. The soul in the next economy forum presentation made it evident that achieving corporate social responsibly in a company can reap major benefits in terms of finances, more inspiring workplace and customer satisfaction. In the past, companies mistakenly thought that corporate socialRead MoreCorporate Social Responsibility1990 Words   |  8 PagesCorporate social responsibility is becoming a key initiative and an essential tool in the growth of multinational corporations and the development of third world countries throughout the globe. The two concepts can work hand in hand to provide benefits for all; however difficulties in regulating and implementing corporate social responsibility need to be overcome before effective changes can be made. Definitions of corporate social responsibility can be somewhat varied depending on the perceptionRead MoreCorporate Social Responsibility1904 Words   |  8 PagesCorporate Social Responsibility The different aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) have been the topic of considerable debate since the last decades of the twentieth century. Main factor for the increased interest on the part of stakeholders in this topic are the increased public awareness and interest in the corporate social responsibility following the Information Revolution. This essay will assess the dangers and benefits of the business ethics for most of the stakeholders – employeesRead MoreCorporate Social Responsibility : Corporate Responsibility2819 Words   |  12 PagesIntroduction For the past years, corporate social responsibility also referred, as corporate conscience has been a respected subject for discussion. Corporate social responsibility, unquestionably, contains more viewpoint than simply worried about the ecological impacts of associations. It came in people groups mind at the later 1880, time of essential modern advancement that associations ought to think about the thought of social obligation. Associations that are near to social obligation issues got toRead MoreCorporate Social Responsibilities2100 Words   |  9 PagesSustainability requires monitoring and managing all the person to ensure that our economy and society can continue to exist without destroying the social and natural environment during development. The sustainability includes three pillars, which are economic, social and environment, forming a triple bottom line. The triple bottom line demands that a company s responsibility lies with stakeholder rather than shareholder. The stake holder is a party who can be affected or affect by the action of the company suchRead MoreCorporate Social Responsibility15903 Words   |  64 PagesCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) is a term describing a company’s obligation to be accountable to all of its stakeholder in all its operation and activities. Socially responsible companies consider the full scope of their impact on communities and the environment when making decisions, balancing the needs of stakeholder with their need to make profit. A company’s stakeholders are all those who are influenced by and can influence a company’s decisions and action, both locally and globally. BusinessRead MoreCorporate Social Responsibility3253 Words   |  14 PagesLiving Dangerously in Two Worlds In my paper I will be discussing the topics related to corporate social responsibility. Corporate social responsibility (CSR, also called corporate responsibility, corporate citizenship, and responsible business) is a concept whereby organizations consider the interests of society by taking responsibility for the impact of their activities on customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders, communities and other stakeholders, as well as the environment. This obligationRead MoreCorporate Social Responsibility : Corporate Responsibility2819 Words   |  12 PagesIntroduction For the past years, corporate social responsibility also referred, as corporate conscience has been a respected subject for discussion. Corporate social responsibility, unquestionably, contains more viewpoint than simply worried about the ecological impacts of associations. It came in people groups mind at the later 1880, time of essential modern advancement that associations ought to think about the thought of social obligation. Associations that are near to social obligation issues got toRead MoreCorporate Social Responsibility : Corporate Responsibility2818 Words   |  12 PagesFor the past years, corporate social responsibility also referred, as corporate conscience has been a respected subject for discussion. Corporate social responsibility, unquestionably, contains more viewpoint than simply worried about the ecological impacts of associations. It came in people groups mind at the later 1880, time of essential modern advancement that associations ought to think about the thou ght of social obligation. Associations that are near to social obligation issues got to be worryRead MoreCorporate Responsibility And Corporate Social Responsibility Essay1867 Words   |  8 PagesStevan Jakovljevic Professor Laud MGT 3550 Values, Ethics and Sustainability 10/18/16 Chapter 3: Define corporate responsibility (CSR). Describe the benefits. Why do some executives support CSR while others find it troublesome and argue against it? Corporate social responsibility is what a company uses to self-regulate itself and refers to business practices involving initiatives that benefit society. A business’s CSR can encompass a wide variety of tactics, from giving away a portion of a company’s

Race And Ethnicity Are Affected By Stratification - 938 Words

Before one might explain how race and ethnicity are affected by stratification. You first have to understand race and ethnicity in its self. Many people including me before I took this class thought they were the same thing. Racial groups are a group that is socially set apart because of obvious physical differences. An example of this is I come from Somalia but in the United States my race would be defined as black or African American. Ethnicity or ethnic groups are groups set apart from others because of its national origin or distinctive cultural patterns. An example of this is although my race is defined as black or African American my ethnicity is Somali. Race is a socially constructed concept. There is no biological meaning behind it. Race was constructed to give power and resources to a certain group of people, which are called the dominant group and majority group. The minority group on the other hand is a subordinate group whose members have significantly less control or p ower over their own lives. Minority statues is not due to being out numbered but rather having significantly less life opportunities for success, education, wealth, and the pursuit of happiness. Each society has its own arbitrary standard for determining which characteristics are most important in defining dominant and minority groups. In the United States whites are the majority and dominant group. The minority groups include Africana Americans, Hispanics, Asian and Pacific Islanders, andShow MoreRelatedSociology : White Privilege, Stratification ( Marx + Weber ) And Racial Sterotyping Essay1531 Words   |  7 PagesSociology 100: Social autobiography – Cameron McNae -8255593 Concepts: White Privilege, Stratification (Marx+Weber) and Racial Sterotyping As I stood upon the stage at Nelson College, receiving my 2013 prefect honours, I took a moment to consider my surroundings. I looked upon the hall of over 1000 young men in front of me, and saw people of all colours, backgrounds and cultures. A ‘diverse group of students from over 50 countries’ as the school administration never failed to remind us. HoweverRead MoreThe Impact Of Social Stratification On Minorities1195 Words   |  5 Pagesdisturbing to learn that poverty, social inequality, race and cultural discrimination, gender stratification, environmental damage, population growth, and urbanization are among the social problems and controversial issues that still exist in the United States. What is Social Stratification Social stratification is defined as a system by which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy. For example, There are fundamental principles of stratification: slavery, caste, and class. The class systemRead MoreSocial Stratification and Discrimination849 Words   |  4 PagesNoora Zuwayed Mr. Mark Sociology 11G 22nd of April 2013 3 Questions Essay * How does social stratification show opportunities/limitations for people for differing social classes? First of all, social stratification is defined as a system by which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy. It’s the division of society into classes that have unequal amounts of wealth, power, and prestige. It’s made up from social classes. Social class is a general group in society having common economicRead MoreSocial Stratification : Social Class, Ethnicity, Age, And Gender1074 Words   |  5 Pages It is in the human nature to be social beings, and have a social identity. Social stratification is the organization of individuals into social groups based on their access to basic needs. Aspects that affect social stratification are wealth, power, and prestige. Wealth is the amount of currency or goods that an individual or family owns. This can include money, houses, livestock, etc. Power is the ability for one to achieve their goals regardless of opposition. Wealth is directly related toRead MoreEssay about Social Class1016 Words   |  5 PagesCLA SS Social class refers to the system of stratification of the different groups of people in a society. These different forms of classification are, in most instances, based on gender ethnicity and age. Social class makes everyone’s lives extremely different. For example: How long one can expect to live. In a wide range of ways, from success, to one’s health class, social class influences people’s lives (Grusky,2003). Among the life chances affected as result of social class involve factors suchRead MoreGoing Into High School As A Junior981 Words   |  4 Pagesthat I learned a lot that I never knew before and this was a great course and I am really glad that I took it. The things that took from this course that I can compare and relate to my life are the uses of technology in our society, social inequity, race of others, family and culture, gender differences, and personal life problems. When we look at how technology and how it has changed over the years, there are a lot of things that are different then how they used to be. The people, the way technologyRead MoreRacial Identity And The Social Identity923 Words   |  4 Pagesthe other children in my survey who were African-descent like me. This gave me a sense of social community and stratification with them. Also, since I was the oldest out of my childhood friends this boosted the social identity aspect I adopted from my sibling. My neighbourhood compared to others was at a lower class, there was small crimes such as vandalism, use of illegal drugs, and conflicts. This made me socially desensitised to common crimes which shaped my social identity by being calmer whenRead MoreStratification And Social Mobility On A Person s Chances For A Higher Life Expectancy Essay1681 Words   |  7 Pagesidea that stratification and social mobility can influence a person’s chances for a higher life expectancy is very p ossible. The concept of â€Å"stratification is defined as the structural ranking of an entire group of people that maintains unequal economic benefits and power within society.† This system allows individuals opportunities only based on the tier that they occupy. â€Å"There are four major systems of stratification which are slavery, caste, estate and class.† â€Å"The current stratification withinRead MoreTopic . The Goals Of My Research Strive To Assess The Biopolitical1457 Words   |  6 Pagesthe biopolitical construction of a socially embedded hierarchy of otherness in Singapore, with specific regards to its impact on the reproduction of low-skilled migrant workers. More concretely, this essay seeks to address the restriction and stratification of reproduction amongst low-skilled migrant workers in Singapore, illuminating and analyzing the key structural factors that contribute to this reality. As fertility levels in developed nations continue to decline and re liance on immigrant labourRead MoreSocial Stratification As A System Of Inequality Essay2084 Words   |  9 Pages Social stratification is a system of inequality in which one’s wealth, power, and rank in society are looked at to create social hierarchy (Larkin, 2015). A better way to understand this system is by looking at â€Å"The Larkin Stratification Diagram†. This shows the structure of stratification where it starts with the social differentiation, then social inequality, social order, social stratification, organizing principles of stratification, social structure, social institutions, and the life options

What Is The Role Of Engineers Environmental Sciences Essay Free Essays

string(228) " of of import events that encourage environmental position on technology World population, followed by clime alteration are considered the two chief factors that are determining new applied scientists with environmental attack\." Through the last few decennaries the physical growing of population has become one of the universe ‘s highest environmental menaces. This growing has created singular demands for land, transit, energy, H2O, sanitation, etc. , and marked the different countries or Fieldss where applied scientists are working. We will write a custom essay sample on What Is The Role Of Engineers Environmental Sciences Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now As a consequence, todays ‘ applied scientists in both developed and developing states must to follow a new holistic attack toward natural and societal systems ( Amadei 2004 ) . Which means exchange the controlling nature attack for collaborating nature attack ; through sustainable development in pattern. Engineers, people that design professional solutions for societal issues, are playing a critical function in the building of modern societies, although the ways as they overcome and approach these depend mostly on the socioeconomic conditions which vary significantly. This essay will discourse the function of applied scientists in developing states and analyse H2O supply A ; sanitation and energy as two of the most important countries affected by their decision-making. Role of technology General Perspective The function of technology has suffered many alterations over the last few decennaries, although its construct which is based on test and mistake has remained an indispensable component of the scientific-technological method ; where societal, environmental and human factors define the most suited solution to pull off a peculiar issue. Therefore, applied scientist ‘s function is go oning reshaped harmonizing to the new challenges and necessities implicated by specialised subjects on peculiar countries of engineering ( civil, chemical, agricultural, etc. ) . ( UNESCO 2010, p. 24 ) Contemporary Perspective and sustainable development Unlike the twentieth century where the technology epoch seemed to hold limitless natural beginnings, todays ‘ century is confronting serious jobs that are seting tremendous force per unit area on the environment ( Azapagic, Perdan A ; Clift 2004, pp. 3-5 ) . Therefore, todays ‘ applied scientists besides the basic proficient and scientific cognition of the technology subject, they besides have to lend and advance sustainable development that meets todays ‘ necessities without impacting adversely the capableness of approaching coevalss to run into up their ain necessitates. This new function of technology, demands new patterns based on social-environmental factors instead than merely concern ends. Impact of technology on society The history shows legion illustrations in which applied scientists ‘ public presentation has widely influenced among communities. Quality of life, economic wealth and good substructure for case, are one of the most relevant and common indexs of their weight on society. As ( UNESCO 2010, p. 40 ) have stated, by 2025, the universe ‘s population will hold increased from 1.5 billion to 6.6 billion about and the per centum of migration to urban countries will lift from 40 per cent to 60 per cent. This information shows that urbanisation rates will hike dramatically. Subsequently applied scientists have the duty to do effectual and sustainable solutions as an incorporate attack without generate negative impacts, which is known as technology societal duty. Ethical side of technology In general footings, technology ‘s moralss is straight related with technology duties regulated by criterions codifications which act harmonizing to several state of affairss. The aim of the ethical factor in technology instead than merely fixed up regulations, is pulling solutions with reflection of peculiar state of affairss fixed into anterior rules. On this footing, at the clip of doing determinations, applied scientists should take into history the undermentioned points: sustainable development, protection of the public-environment, faithful agent of stakeholders – related with objectiveness, competence-knowledge, equity and justness, unity in the workplace ( dedication and service ) , and professional accountability- leading. ( UNESCO 2010, p. 190 ) Engineers in Developing States As in developed states, applied scientists must work within the societal, economic and environmental context in order to vouch existent sustainable development for the whole universe ( Parsons 1996, p. 170 ) . Social duties such as H2O supply, sanitation, nutrient, energy and environmental protection are the same in developing states. The difference resides on the socio-economic factors which are straight influenced by people ‘s behavior, authoritiess places and development precedences. Engineering accomplishments and moralss in Developing states As is described in the subdivision A.1 and A.3, competencies and rules of applied scientists in developing states remain the same as standardised features. The great challenge for them is in fact, to develop realistic undertakings on clip to peculiar communities and engineering available ( Parsons 1996, p. 170 ) . In fact, environmental issues, frequently take less importance because there are others which have more â€Å" relevant societal impact † , oil geographic expeditions for case. Successful and failed undertakings The successful and failed undertakings in developing states depends much on the capableness of applied scientists to set about undertakings with a clear apprehension of the aims, dependable appraisal of resources ‘ handiness, concern, and proficient demands and effectual communicating among stakeholders. The ability to implement accurately these facts will convey up utile and applicable options to turn to existent issues. By contrast, deficiency of attending to the social-economic context, moralss codifications, unrealistic outlooks, underestimated clip, quality and cost will convey hapless results. ( Parsons 1996, pp. 171,172 ) Relationship between engineering and socioeconomic factor The usage of high-technology does non vouch a successful undertaking or accurate solutions. In order to accomplish good consequences, applied scientists must be able to do a balance between usage of engineering and socioeconomic properties. Parsons ( 1996 ) points out that the appropriated choice of engineering will find non merely undertaking ‘s success besides its viability. As a consequence, there are four points to take appropriated engineering harmonizing to socioeconomic factors: it must be conceptual and physically compatible with operators, trim parts and equipment must be available in the influenced country, undertaking support must be commensurate with its budget, and the engineering must be compatible with the physical environment where it will be used. This theoretical account leads to reason that the relationship between engineering and socieconomic factor is really narrow, it must suit users and demands every bit good as must be designed to better quality life. Engineering Areas Environmental tendencies that are determining new applied scientists Brief reference of of import events that encourage environmental position on technology World population, followed by clime alteration are considered the two chief factors that are determining new applied scientists with environmental attack. During the last half of the 21th century ; universe population increased from 2.5 billion to 6 billion particularly in less economically developed states, this tendency is expected to top out at 9.3 billion by 2050 ( United Nations 2012 ) . In add-on, overpopulation besides has been linked with higher demands of natural resources ( H2O, cropland, wood ) , shanty colonies, transportation-infrastructure shortages etc. Another of import event that is doing an environmental attack is the fact that the current planetary economic is based on productiveness, which has brought several impacts associated with nursery gases, waste merchandise of fossil fuels and air pollution. Climate alteration is surely the consequence of all these elements at an unnatural rate. Therefore, the universe has changed its development attack to sustainable deve lopment ( Brown, Rener A ; Halweil 2000 ) . Hence, most of professional corporations have incorporated sustainable development into their purpose statements and codifications. New theoretical account of acquisition and pattern To face the planetary challenges that the Earth are confronting today, technology instruction has incorporated the construct of sustainability into all technology Fieldss. This means, that professional are expected to do dependable determinations that improve quality of life every bit good as cut downing negative impacts on environment and degrees of ingestion, and be aftering their actions harmonizing to socio-economic factors and engineering available. Consequently, the procedure of acquisition and pattern has been adjusted by a theoretical account of instruction more realistic-practical. Where pupils throughout workshops are larning and edifice cognition in existent state of affairss, every bit good as has created in them greater environmental duty. ( Amadei 2004 ) . Sustainability and transmutation As explain Azapagic, Perdan A ; Clift ( 2004 ) , there are surely three constrains that built the construct of sustainability. Techno-centric concerns, which represent human expertness, inventiveness and economic systems, Eco-centric concerns related with natural resources and ecological capableness and socio-centric concern based on human and societal outlooks. The Techno-centric concerns, has been traditionally used in the procedure of instruction in technology, the duty of today ‘s applied scientists is to include in equal proportion or balance all three restraints to accomplish a sustainable development. Which finally is seeking for human well-being, in other words fulfilling human demands, bettering quality of life in an eco-friendly manner. Water Supply and Sanitation Developing States background UNESCO ( 2010 ) states that H2O supply is one of the most serious jobs confronting by developing states, in India for case, 85 % of the urban population has entree to imbibing H2O, but merely 20 % of the of this meets the health-quality criterions set by World Health Organization. Additionally, the day-to-day rate of H2O supply frequently is really low and depends on economic factors and location. The state of affairs on sanitation is even worse ; frequently sanitation has lower precedence than H2O supply. It has estimated that 2.6 billion people do non hold decently or bing sanitation system in developing states. Another issue related with sanitation is in fact that effluent and solid waste aggregation services ; and stormwater drainage are unequal. Littering straight to open countries for case, has created environmental impacts on surface and land H2O resources being more dramatic in countries such as shanty towns. Engineering Challenges Engineers attack The traditionally intervention of H2O supply and sanitation direction is considered now as a standard process. Which has several interventions harmonizing to the H2O physicochemical features, engineering available and environmental ordinances. Although, it is by no agencies certain that this process has been the best. Indeed, 95 % of the effluent in the universe has been discharged to the environment without intervention ( Montgomery A ; Elimelech 2007 ) . Hence, Beside new ordinances and codifications, todays ‘ applied scientists instead that retroflex solutions from developed states to developing states, they will hold to run into basic demands of all communities for H2O and sanitation and work as facilitators of sustainability attack within context institutional, societal, political, economic, environmental and technological. Thereby, the issue of H2O and sanitation in developing states will be overcame or at least decreased. For illustration, cleaner production can be â₠¬Å" an expensive solution † , nevertheless it is truly depends on legion conditions linked with the population objet, such as natural resources, demands and societal category. Energy Developing States background In the following few decennaries, the force per unit area on energy services will increase well in developing states. It is predicted that energy ingestion worldwide will increase approximately 30 % from 2007 to 2030 and most of that growing will be came from developing states. As a consequence, the intergovernmental panel clime alteration ( 2007 ) point out that these energy issues will be addressed through cost-efficient energy plans based on the decrease of dodo fuel usage ; executions of ecofriendly engineerings and renewable energy in lodging, transit and industrial sectors and eventually the decrease of life-cycle cost, this related with all disbursals in the design, building, operation and care of a peculiar undertaking. ( Liu, Meyer A ; Hogan 2010, pp. 35,36 ) . Today ‘s modern development demands serious energetic plans that fix up both economic development and sustainable development based on the rational usage of natural resources. Engineering Challenges and attack in developing Nations. Worldwide experiences have showed that the replacing of non-renewable to renewable energy seems to be more expensive and furthermore, information about renewable engineerings is unequal or unapproachable. For that ground, the common committedness for applied scientists on energy solutions is provide better options in footings of sustainability and development. Adoption and design of new engineerings, ordinances, technology supervising within national schemes, continues updating, provide advice of energy demands, etc. , will be the common countries where applied scientists ‘ function will be important for environmental energy development in the less economically developed states. ( UNESCO 2010, p. 288 ) . Decisions How to cite What Is The Role Of Engineers Environmental Sciences Essay, Essay examples

Polycoms Acquisition Process †Free Assignment Sample Available

Question: Discuss about the Polycoms Acquisition Process. Answer: Introduction In the given case we are dealing with two companies, PictureTel and PolyCom, they are in the business of Audio-Video conferencing. PolyCom has a share of 90% in audio conferencing and it is leading in the video conferencing market. PictureTel once had a huge market share which is declining currently. Moreover they are going through a loss $ 107 million in the year 2000. In the given case we have to follow the various process of PolyCom, which they consider while doing any acquisition. We are provided with the Income statement of PolyCom and PictureTel, and thei market share in Video Conferencing Products. Since PictureTel just launched another product IPower which is a substitute of a product launched by PolyCom. It is being seen that IPower might have a better market future than t he one launched by PolyCom. Due to lack in engineers and Research and development team of PolyCom they are considering acquisition. We have to decide whether acquisition of PictureTel is better option for PolyCom or not. We have to perfom Screening Test, Sensitivity Analysis, Net Present Value etc. We have to also consider other various factors such antitrust issue, lawsuits against PictureTel, and Integration of both companies after acquisition. Analysis: Whether to Acquire or do an inbuilt Video Conferencing Product: Polycom is the company which has a market share of 71%, currently they are selling ViewStation product line which has a market share of 54%. ViewStatiuon product of Polycom deals with prototypical appliance, they want to enter into something major i.e. IPower of PictureTell, which is more technologically advanced and has a better future along with good market share for personal video conferencing. Their first concern is whether they can make such product or should they outsource their manufacturing (by acquisition of manufacturing company). If we go through the 4 acquisition, we get to see that Polycom has always acquired companies who manufactures product for them and they provide their brand name, marketing help to excel the market. Name of the company acquired Product produced by them Reason ViaVideo Communication Inc Video conferencing equipment Since ViaVedion was in product development stage, it was reasonable to acquire it rather than in house production of video conferencing product. Atlas Communication Engines, Inc Integrated Access device Technology Atlas Communication was again not a big firm, and it was still dealing with their Research development phase. Polycom again considered purchasing the small firm. Circa Communication Voice-over-IP technology Prodcut Many companies already started to built Voice-Over-IP, if PolyCom started to built such product, it would had been a very late launch of product, as most of the companies would have already secured their market place. So they acquired Circa Communication and financially helped them to get through the stage of production. Accord Networks Network System They didnt have the core competencies and engineering expertise in that area. So they acquired the company with 50% market share instead of making it on their own. In the given case Polycom neither have engineers within depth expertise in video conferencing technology, nor research and development team, and ViaVedio is not capable of making such product. Polycom lack such feature hence they are considering of acquiring PictureTell for such benefits and increasing their market share. Since PictureTell is financially declining, Polycom is considering acquiring it for future benefit. Whether to Acquire PictureTel or not? Applying Screening Criteria: PolyCom considers only those deals which help to maintain or enhance its target operating model. Acquisitions needed to fill either a technology or product gap for PolyCom and good cultural fit also needed to exist between the two companies. And also, the company needs to pass the small test no potentially costly lawsuits, no hint of financial impropriety. For considering PictureTel, we have to first see whether it fulfills the target operating model. Growth rate of PictureTel can be calculated from Exhibit 8 and Exhibit 1b: We have to apply compound Growth rate formula to calculate growth rate of PictureTel, Formula of compound annual growth rate is, CAGR = (Ending Value / Beginning Value) ^ (1 / Number of years) 1 = (530 / 44) ^ 1 / 4 - 1 = 86.30% per year market growth Therefore, Growth of PictureTel would be, 16% (Exhibit 1b) of 86.30% i.e. 13.80% Estimated increase in Financial Statement of PictureTelupto 2005 would be as follows: Assumptions for the below calculations: Cogs increase as a percentage of total revenue SGA and RD cost remains similar to previous year Particulars 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Revenue: Product Revenue (174071*1.1380) 225429.6 256539 291941 332229 198093 Service Revenue (71078*1.1380) 92049.14 104752 119207 135658 80887 Total Revenue 278980 317479 361291 411149 467887 Cost of Goods Sold: Product cost of Revenue (128252*1.1380) 166092 189013 215096 244780 145950 Service Cost of Revenue (59945*1.1380) 77631 88345 100536 114410 68217 Total COGS 214167 243723 277357 315633 359190 Gross Margin 64813 73755 83934 95516 108698 Operating Expense: SGA Exp 65000 65000 65000 65000 65000 RD 47000 47000 47000 47000 47000 Total Operating Expense: 112000 112000 112000 112000 112000 Loss from Operations: -47187 -38245 -28066 -16484 -3302 Checking for operating model Assumptions: If PictureTel is acquired by PolyCom they will lay off 50% of the Employee, so their SGA expenditure will reduce by 50% of the current expenditure. COGS, sales and marketing costs are calculated as a percentage of Revenue. RD cost remains similar to previous year. Inference from above table: Although operating model criteria doesnt get met in the first year, it will eventually start getting met from 2002. However the model doesnt take into account the anti synergy cost arising due to Ipower eating into the revenue of Polycoms earlier product. PictureTel is providing technology as well as providing a new product, IPower to deal with the market. Since one of the founder of Polycom Brian Hinman, was also the founder of PictureTel, along with Jeff Rodman being the 5th employee of PictureTel. Since they used to work in PictureTel, PictureTel will not have much problem with cultural Fit factor, since the work ethics and some the policy will be similar to PictureTel. The company, PictureTel made various changes in their financial statement quarterly in the past, and during one of those changes it received a lawsuit from Securities and Exchange Commission of $ 12 million, which is quite a big amount. They may in future be able to again continue the same behavior of changing their Financial Statement which might cause them a law suit from the SEC. For that Polycom has to take over their accounts and other financial department totally. Calculation of NPV: Since the Value of operation is already negative, calculation of NPV is of no use. If we see the estimated cash flow pattern, we get to see that the loss of PictureTel is decreasing each year. If Polycom invest in PictureTel, it might turn into a profiting company within time. Sensitivity Analysis: If we consider doing Sensitivity Analysis, we have to consider changing the growth rate of PictureTel, but even if we increase the growth rate, the estimated cash flow will still be negative, as the Cost of Goods sold will also increase with the same growth. If the Cost of Goods sold and Operating Expense increases at a decreasing rate or a rate different from the rate of growth, then it might give a positive cash flow. Those cash flows might not be higher, but positive enough for a better future. Integration of companies Since the founder of the company PolyCom, Brian Hinman and Jeff Rodman were also the founder and employee of PictureTel, they will not have much problem regarding cultural fit of the integration. But since the previous acquisitions of PolyCom has always been of those companies whose number of employees generally ranged from 20 180 employees. And the number of employees of PolyCom itself is 537 which is less than the employees of PictureTel i.e. 820. PolyCom will have to do some huge number of redundancy, as they only require their after sales service staff, engineers and research development employees. They might have to curtail 50% of the employee or more to make the integration work. Generally during such acquisition, employees of the company which is being acquired are more scared about their status of job. If the company which is acquiring are clear from the beginning about their strategy, number of employees that will be curtailed then it will help the acquiring in integration. If they acquire PictureTel, then it will require a very carefull planning of integration, and it cannot be rushed upon as PolyCom did with their other such acquisition. If they acquire PictureTel, they will have a problem with antitrust issues which will be time consuming and costly. Already PolyCom is paying a huge consideration for acquiring PictureTel, with loan and cost for anti-trust issues their expense is only increasing. They should either re consider their consideration or come up with a better way to acquire the benefit of PictureTel. Conclusion From the above analysis we get to see various results, we were to decide whether acquisition of PictureTel by Polycom would have been a better decision or not. We first checked whether Polycom is capable of making the video conferencing product on its own or they need to buy it from outsiders and then sell it in the market with their own brand name and advertising technique. Since Polycom lacks better engineers and good research and development team, they are bound to get the product manufactured from outsiders. Hence, it is then decided that we should acquire a company whose engineers and Research development are better than the one of Polycom. PictureTel is in perfect position to be acquired, and since it has the requisite engineers and RD team plus they have the best after sales service facilities which Polycom lacks. Along with these benefits they can also have a huge market share, which will make them the ultimate seller of Audio-video conferencing products. From the above analysis which Polycom generally use to determine whether they should acquire a company or not, we concluded that acquiring PictureTel would be a better option for future benefit. The only struggle Polycom will face will be due to antitrust issued. For that we can make sure that Polycam doesnt acquire PictureTel immediately, when the financial position of PictureTel improves a bit, then they should acquire it, so that in future they can cover up the expense of antitrust issues. We considered screening test, sensitivity analysis, Net Present value and integration problems that we will face during such acquisition. We prepared the estimated Cash flow of PictureTel from which we get to see that the loss of picture tell is reducing gradually and it will turn into profit if Polycom provide its brand name and advertising facilities. Currently they should provide a loan of $15 million to PictureTel. From all that we finally concluded that acquisition is better option.