Strategic Management Portfolio Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategic Management Portfolio - Case Study Example The company's unswerving concentration and consistent strategies on its retail activities are also noteworthy and undoubtedly one of the main reasons for the company's stellar performance records over the years. (Micha Gisser and Raymond D. Sauer) Nonetheless, Thorntons needs to keep tabs on its competitors at the top level. There is no mention of the margin of lead between Thorntons and its competitors whose performances are better than that of Thorntons. The company needs to put together its act on horizontal integration too. In the current market scenario of mergers and acquisitions, if aggressive policy of horizontal integration is not in place, the company is in danger of having the rug pulled from under its feet. And the threat is not always from the top players. The global economy is full of eyes waiting in the wings like a hawk to scoop down on its prey from unexpected regions. (Globalization Challenge) The company also needs to exploit its in-house manufacturing resources. There is no mention if this supply base is allowed to cater to competitors' requirements. Thorntons is sourcing some of its products from outside suppliers. Hence, it makes business sense to allow part of its manufacturing activities to be used to meet competitors' needs. (Michael Porter's Five Forces) Thorntons' strength lies in its popular brand name which it has assiduously built over the years. Its hold over its product ingredients, market maneuverability based upon differentiation, marketing and manufacturing expertise, influence over retailers and customers, ability to secure outlets at key locations, and traditional family ownership, albeit professional management policies play key roles in Thorntons' market presence as a worthy entity. The company has also done well in building up strong presence in Midlands and North England. Nevertheless, Thorntons must aggressively pursue its agenda in London and South England where its presence is vulnerable. There are strong contenders in the form of existing players such as Cadbury and Nestle, and potential competitors. The company has wisely invested in a strong in-house supply base in Midlands and North England. It can begin its marketing operations in London and South England on a stronger note to shore up its sales figures. It can supplement its inventories from its own manufacturing plants in Midlands and North England, keeping its options to begin manufacturing operations in London and South England as soon as opportunities unfold. (Carol Propper et al) Thornton must also begin its sales activities from its own retail outlets. Besides serving as deterrent to ever present threat from strong retailers and manufacturers as potential competi

Comparison of Literature Respecting Fascism during the Nazi Party Era Essay

Comparison of Literature Respecting Fascism during the Nazi Party Era - Essay Example Fascism is: ''A form of political behavior marked by obsessive preoccupation with community decline, humiliation or victim hood and by compensatory cults of unity, energy and purity, in which a mass-based party of committed nationalist militants, working in uneasy but effective collaboration with traditional elites, abandons democratic liberties and pursues with redemptive violence and without ethical or legal restraints goals of internal cleansing and external expansion.''1 Fascism is generally associated with mysterium inguitatis, or sin. There are similarities with fascism and terrorism, which unfortunately citizens of the United States are concerned about more than ever since the events that occurred on September 11, 2001, which was an example of inspiring intimidation through force. While there are unfortunately many fascist leaders in the world today, many may recall most of all a fascist leader named Adolph Hitler, who was a leader of Germany before and during World War II. Over the past few years, two books have been published addressing fascism that focused in large part on Hitler and World War II. One book, "Austerlitz", which is a fictional book whose main character's last name is the title of the book, was written by W. G. Sebald, who is a knowledge expert of the Holocaust in particular2. Basically, the book focuses on one man's journey through this part of European history and its fascist leaders. The other book, "The Anatomy of Fascism", by Robert O. Paxton, is a non-fiction book that dissects the components of fascism quite thoroughly, such as the history and cause of fascism, past fascist leaders and how they operated, and predicts the future of fascism in the world3. So, what exactly is fascism and how was it overtly demonstrated by Adolph Hitler Fascism is also correlated with evil. One accepted definition of fascism is a political paradigm that involves the implementation of a militaristic and autocratic government. Fascists are also creators of right wing authoritarian regimes. Why is it correlated with evil Because historically the citizens of fascist leaders, such as Hitler, experience the same consequences and human emotions of evil, such as calamity, suffering, sorrow, and distress. This evil delivered by fascist leaders typically and initially develops the perception of total innocence and assurance of prosperity of these citizens when they follow their objectives. Yet on every occasion of fascist leaderships, mercilessness occurs if not coerced by the fascist leaders eventually, such as Hitler, whose Holocaust deaths are believed to be by many as a true definition of evil. These leaders typically use the same tactics as those who desire to brainwash others, such as: 1. Keeping their citizens unaware and ignorant of certain events and knowledge. 2. Fascist leaders attempt to control their citizen's time and environment as much as they can. 3. These leaders create dependency and fear among their citizens. 4. The leaders suppress if not outlaw the ways things were done in the past. 5. Fascist leaders instill new beliefs that they claim are necessary for the

Understanding of the material presented on social learning and general Essay

Understanding of the material presented on social learning and general strain theories - Essay Example The general strain theory is a criminology branch that has a perspective that criminal behavior is a result of pressure by negative emotions such as anger which results to negative or strain relationships with others. The social learning and the general strain theories have some similarities and differences that explain more concerning them. The difference between the two that, general strain theory puts emphases on the negative relationships with others while the theory of social learning focuses much on the cognitive information acquired through the learning process. The general strain theory involves a motivational element of emotions that are negative while social learning involve a general learning process of either negative or positive things around the human beings (Agnew 67). For general strain theory, motivation occurs before the negative performance, but for social learning theory, motivation occurs when the desired behavior is achieved, although reinforcement is applied whenever a learner shows undesirable action. The social learning theory has some general similarities with the theory of general strain. Both of the two theories focus on the behavior one acquires from their environment they live. Both theories influence the development of a human being under any specified circumstances. They both explain how the human surrounding influences the relationship that he will have to the people around or even objects (Agnew 68). The two theories have motivation and reinforcement as the key factor that influence the action one engage in. They are both behaviors centered as compared to the other theories. The two theories propose that both behaviors of conformance and criminal like behavior are some kind of behaviors that one acquire and maintain, or even change through interaction with others. The most convincing theory between the two mentioned theories is the social learning theory. This theory can easily handle behavior

The Digital Divide Essay example -- Papers

The Digital Divide Digital Divide is often described as the gap between those with access to technology (e.g. computers and the Internet) and those who have not. It is a social and political issue that started since the early 1990’s and is believed to have grown over the years. There is also such thing as â€Å"Global Digital Divide†, and this refer back to the gap between developed and developing countries. At present, programs such as BBC’s Computeraid try and help solve this social problem by donating computers in rural areas and helping educate people. Digital Divide isn’t just about the access of people to such facilities but also described as the differing levels of IT skills within the society. Digital Divide is often referred back to the haves and have-nots, also known as the rich and the poor. In earlier years, they have been described as the middle and working classes, although these sectors vaguely exist in the society at present. The haves are people who can afford to buy these new technologies such as compute...

Banning of Books

Written stories have been around for a long time. For as long as humans have walked the earth they have been capturing their lives in pictures, symbols and words. Some stories were saved on cave walls and some on leaves but eventually stories started to be composed on paper and saved in books. As soon as books started to be published they were critiqued and some were eventually banned. Books have been banned for several different reasons such as containing inappropriate language, racism, or demonic themes. Some people are in favor of banning books and some people are against it.Although some feel it is appropriate to ban books containing inappropriate material for certain age groups books should not be able to be banned because reading increases awareness and literacy, it is against freedom of speech, and reading is a more educational source of entertainment than television. Some books are banned because they have been deemed age inappropriate. Certain people feel banning these types books protects young readers from being exposed to inappropriate elements such as foul language, suggestive themes, or drugs. That is why schools ban books.Young children do not need to be exposed to these things. Children grow up fast enough and books with inappropriate materials only speeds up the process of them losing their innocence. Despite the potential for inappropriate language, written text provides a great source of entertainment for readers. Nowadays the most common source of entertainment is television. This relatively new technology has rapidly spread in popularity. Television provides viewers a visual story experience in many different forms such as drama, comedy, action, or adventure. These types of stories can be experienced through reading, as well.But, reading requires people to use more of their imagination as they interpret the story. This is why many feel reading is more educational than watching television. However, if a book gets banned readers will not be a ble to exercise their imagination, learn its lessons, and enjoy its story. Also, banning books will contribute to a decrease in the popularity of reading and therefore increase the popularity of watching television. All books should be available to people so they have access to a better form of entertainment. Banning books also restricts education.If a book is banned then teachers in schools around the country cannot teach the valuable morals the book has to offer. This greatly inhibits students' education. Reading also helps people become more aware of the world around them. This is important because if children cannot read a book because it is banned then they may not learn about important events that have occurred in the world. Children need to be aware because they are the future leaders of the world. Along with increased awareness, reading increases literacy as it exposes people to a wider portion of their language.So, banning books only hinders the education of children, stude nts, and others who could have possibly read their stories. Finally, one inalienable right all citizens of the United States have is freedom of speech. The first amendment of the Constitution says â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. This grants everyone the right to say, draw, or write anything they desire. This means that authors can write about any topic they choose. If an author's book is banned it contradicts their Constitutional rights. This is technically illegal. The banning of books can be harmful to education and decreases options for entertainment. Additionally, it goes against the Constitutional right of freedom of speech. Banning books also decreases the ability of people to read and increase their awareness of different events aro und the world and can negatively impact literacy.Unlike television, books exercise the readers’ imagination as they provide entertainment, they teach important lessons, and they are far more educational. Although some feel it is appropriate to ban books containing inappropriate material for certain age groups books should not be able to be banned because reading increases awareness and literacy, it is against freedom of speech, and reading is a more educational source of entertainment than television.

Fraud fear in internet banking and reducing fears - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 14 Words: 4121 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Finance Essay Type Argumentative essay Did you like this example? Critical investigate the risk assessment and fraud prevention for banks, payment and processing service providers using internet banking. Evaluate and analyze that why are dwindling customers confidence on internet banking and huge loss of reputation, find out reasons, methods of securing the internet banking. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Fraud fear in internet banking and reducing fears" essay for you Create order A relatively analysis on Banks about the world trepidation an enormous loss of reputation and diminishing clients trust in their Internet daises through very intellectual and increasingly triumphant Internet banking attacks. Introduction Halifax plc is banking and insurance company in the United Kingdom, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Lloyds Banking Group having been taken over in January 2009. It is the holding company for Bank of Scotland plc, which operates the Bank of Scotland and Halifax brands in the UK, as well as HBOS Australia and HBOS Insurance Investment Group Limited, the groups insurance division. HBOS was formed merger of Halifax plc and the Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland and the formation of HBOS was heralded as creating a fifth force in British banking as it created a company of comparable size and stature to the established big Four UK retail banks. It is also the UKs largest mortgage lender. HBOS Group Reorganisation Act 2006 saw the transfer of Halifax plc to the Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland, which was now a registered public limited company, Bank of Scotland plc. Although officially HBOS is not an abbreviation of any specific words, it is widely presumed to stand for Halifax Bank of Scotland. The corporate headquarters of the group were located on The Mound in Edinburgh, Scotland; the former head office of Bank of Scotland. Operational headquarters were based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England; the former head office of Halifax. The group became part of Lloyds Banking Group through a takeover by Lloyds TSB. This came into effect on Monday 19 January 2009 after both sets of shareholders approved the deal. HBOS continues to operate as a separate organisation within the new group, although over time it is likely to be restructured. Lloyds Banking Group has stated that the new group will continue to use The Mound as the headquarters for its Scottish operations and will not cease the issue of Scottish bank notes. The services and products Halifax offers include: different types of bank accounts and saving accounts, travel packages, credit cards, investments, loans, mortgages, insurance and online banking. Background Halifax has now released monthly figures for March estimating UK house prices have dropped 2.5%. Some areas are down twice that. House prices have now fallen year on year. In March 2007, Halifax had the average UK house price at 194,094. For March 2008 its down to 191, 556. (Halifax doesnt highlight the fact, instead focusing on three month rolling averages to record a small year on year gain.) Key data from the Halifax report House prices fell by 2.5% in March. Prices in Quarter 1 were 1.0% lower than in 2007 Quarter 4. House prices in March were 1.1% higher than a year earlier. The biggest rises were in Greater London (1.6%), East Anglia (1.4%) and East Midlands (2.2%).There were price falls in a number of regions, with the biggest falls in West Midlands (-5.0%) and Wales (-4.7%). Amusingly for students of spin, the Halifax obfuscates these numbers with a few paragraphs of Dont Panic waffle: We expect there to be a modest (low single digit) decline in UK house prices this year. Any declines, however, should be viewed in the context of the significant price rises over recent years. UK prices have increased by 171% over the past ten years and by 51% over the last five years. The average UK price has risen by 120,860 during the past decade from 70,696 to 191,556. All 12 UK regions have experienced substantial house price rises over the last ten years, ranging from 146% in Scotland to 271% in Northern Ireland. Average prices increased by 191% in Greater London, 188% in Wales and 150% in West Midlands during the period. Sound economic fundamentals are supporting house prices. A strong labour market, low interest rates and a shortage of new houses underpin housing valuations. The Bank of England is certain in my view to cut rates on Thursday by 0.25%, but whether th at can reduce the interbank lending rate that has increased mortgage rates let alone stems the steady withdrawal of mortgage products remains to be seen. Internet banking allows customers to perform a wide range of banking transactions electronically via the banks Web site. When first introduced, Internet banking was used mainly as an information presentation medium in which banks marketed their products and services on their Web sites. With the development of asynchronous technologies and secured electronic transaction technologies, however, more banks have come forward to use Internet banking both as a transactional as well as an informational medium. As a result, registered Internet banking users can now perform common banking transactions such as writing checks, paying bills, transferring funds, printing statements, and inquiring about account balances. Internet banking has evolved into a one stop service and information unit that promises great benefits to both banks and consumers. Internet banking services are crucial for long-term survival of banks in the world of electronic commerce (Burnham 1996). The market for Internet banking is forecast to grow sharply in the next few years, affecting the competitive advantage enjoyed by traditional branch banks (Duclaux 2007). Indeed, it also was estimated that financial institutions that 0failed to respond to the need for Internet banking services would likely lose more than 10% of their customer base by the year 2000 (Orr 2008; Tower Group 1996). Internet banking would help banks present a potentially low cost alternative to brick and mortar branch banking. Burnham found that the majority of banks with Web sites spent less than 25,000 to create a Web presence, and less than 25,000 a year maintaining it. He suggested that even if these figures were to rise as banks began to offer Internet banking services, they would still be less costly than the traditional branch banking. For example, it requires 1.5 million to 2 mi llion to set up a traditional brick and mortar branch and 350,000 to 500,000 a year to operate it. Note that Burnhams figure of 25,000 is just for creating an electronic presence on the Web. A fully functional Internet banking site is likely to cost 1 million to 2 million. However, while traditional banks operating costs account for between 50% and 60% of revenues, running costs of Journal of the Association for Information Systems 5 Internet banking is estimated at between 15% and 20% of revenues (Booz-Allen Hamilton 1997). From the consumers perspective, Internet banking provides a very convenient and effective approach to manage ones finances as it is easily accessible 24 hours a day, and seven days a week. Besides, the information is current. For corporate customers, sophisticated cash management packages offered through Internet banking provide them with up to the minute information, allowing for timely funds management decisions (Kalakota and Whinston 2008). Web banking customers with Halifax are being put at risk of fraud because of serious loopholes in their security systems; it is claimed 27 August, 2009. An expert assessment of the security regime at the ten leading online banks put the two household name firms at the bottom of the league. The news follows a 132 per cent rise in web banking fraud against UK consumers last year to a total of 52.5million. Internet banking refers to systems that enable bank customers to access accounts and general information on bank products and services through a personal computer (PC) or other intelligent device. Internet banking products and services can include wholesale products for corporate customers as well as retail and fiduciary products for consumers. Ultimately, the products and services obtained through Internet banking may mirror products and services offered through other bank delivery channels. (Comptroller of the currency, Administration of National Banks, 2007) Sophisticated criminal gangs, many based in Eastern Europe and China, are finding ways to access the web bank accounts of victims in order to grab their cash. Most often this is done through phishing, where the criminals send out emails pretending to be from a persons bank directing them to a bogus site where their access passwords are stolen. However, there is also a problem where criminals implant a virus or spying software malware on the computers of their targets, which tracks the websites visited and the keystrokes used. (Sean Poulter, 27 August 2009) Online banking is now huge with some 21million active accounts, providing a lucrative pot of cash for the thieves who can circumvent bank security. Computing, published on 27 August 2009, found Halifax has one of the least secure log-in procedures. It asks for three pieces of information to confirm a customers identity. As each entry is typed in full, it makes the information vulnerable to a simple key logger virus (a virus that sits on a computer and tracks every keystroke with the aim of collecting passwords). The Halifax allows customers, real or criminal to transfer money out of the account without making additional security checks. Customers of Halifax are not immediately logged out if they browse away to another website. This means that if they walk away from a shared computer, someone else could access their account. Computing editor Sarah Kidner (August 2009) said: There are surprisingly big differences between big banks visible online security systems. (Sean Poulter, 27 Aug ust 2009) Some simple measures, like the use of drop-down menus, could improve safety considerably. The banks may say its the hidden security measures that count, but to have real confidence in an online account, customers need to see security in place. Halifax, which is now part of Lloyds, said the bank has additional security measures beyond those immediately apparent to a customer. Halifax said they give the highest priority to the security of customers accounts and its systems are constantly reviewed and improved. A spokesman for the banking industry payments body, APACS, said: Online banking customers are increasingly being targeted by malware attacks, which is why the industry continues to remind customers that they have their computers firewall switched on and anti-virus software installed and kept up to date. (Sean Poulter, 27 August 2009) In the context of the framework, intention to adopt Internet banking services is thus the dependent variable, while the independent variables comprise attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. In the below framework, the research framework for the Internet banking services: (Margaret Tan, National University of Singapore, 2008) Halifax: Would not it be nice if your bank thanked you properly for your custom? Our new Reward Current Account does just that rewarding you with 5 each month. So we know what they are saying but it this exactly true? I dont think there is any logic at all behind this new Reward Current Account and their certainly not giving anyone extra. That is 5 of taxpayers money that you get back when you pay into your account 1000 or more in your account a month. After all most of these banks have been being bailed out with taxpayers money anyway. I find it to be unbelievable that they have the cheek to say they are rewarding their customers. After all, its not rocket science to figure out their basically giving you 5 of tax payers money that you bailed them out with a few months back anyway. It is time they got their thinking caps on and start rewarding their customers for real instead of making them believe that they are being rewarded because when you look at it from this viewpoint scenario you know youre not exactly being rewarded. The Halifax Bank of Scotland adverts have entertained us and made us cringe and their cross-branding can get confusing at times but these days with everyone and their dog (no offence Churchill) able to start up an internet based insurance company many are turning back to the reliability and comprehensive cover that you generally only get when a well known financial institution is at the helm, not just financing the boat. Although it is expected, due to their extensive mortgage facilities and experience, for the Halifax to sell home cover they also insure your car, pet, travel and health. Unlike most insurers these days, the Halifaxs website is geared towards getting you to phone so that they can tailor your policy and as incentive they offer deals like premium fixing which only available offline is. They also have quite a stringent online questionnaire with things like making more than two claims in three years and working from home requiring you to phone them. Confusing to us becaus e surely if you wanted to call them you would have opened the Yellow Pages, not logged online to find their website. Anyway, discounts that apply with either application include up to 30% no claims discount plus a further discount if you buy both buildings and contents cover together. (James Slack, Home Affair editor, 26 May 2010) The latter normally has some of the lowest combination discounts weve seen (e.g. 5% a few months ago) but its good to see a strong effort with the ever growing trend of no claims bonuses attached to home insurance. As you would expect they pride themselves more on service than the cheapness of their policies with a no-form-filling claims inquiry process, a dedicated Halifax claims manager to process that claim and a 24 hour repair/replace promise once that claim is settled. Travel insurance from the Halifax is not as extensive as specialised travel insurers but if youre looking to have general cover for your holidays and you want to keep all your policies in one place there is nothing wrong with the cover provided for such. Single trip travel insurance, individual annual cover, world travel cover, winter sports and family travel insurances are all available with a discount for buying any policy online. Halifax pet insurance services are less generous with the discounts with only a fe w pounds off should you buy online but you do get an extra discount if you insure more than one pet with them. Big plus is the no age limit with some insurers capping at five years for some breeds. The Halifax Bank of Scotland Group (HBOS) has been providing insurance and closely related services such as mortgages for many years which give them a unique perspective to create comprehensive home cover. They quote themselves as the largest mortgage and savings provider in the UK and one of the leading insurers. Key Literature There have been numerous studies identifying the key service quality attributes in the physical banking environment, where personal interaction between customers and bank employees is a primary aspect of service deliver. However, relatively little literature has investigated service quality attributes in the Internet Banking Sector (e-Service) where non-human interaction is the main component of service delivery. Joseph (2009) investigated the influence of technology, such as the A.T.M., telephone and Internet on the delivery of banking service in UK. Using the Hemmasi (2004) importance performance technique, their study identified five underlying dimensions of electronic banking service quality. First is convenience/accuracy, second is feedback/complaint management, third one is efficiency, fourth is queue management and the last is accessibility and customisation. The main limitation of this study is that they took a generalised perspective on electronic banking and did not conside r that each type of technology might have a different effect on customers perceptions of quality. Jun and Cai (2008) have focused specifically on the issues associated with Internet banking quality. Using the critical Incident technique they revealed a total of seventeen attributes of Internet banking service quality, which they classified into three broad categories: customer service quality, banking service, product quality and online systems quality. They concluded that Internet banks should pay attention to all seventeen attributes in order to maintain a high level of overall banking service quality. However, to reinforce competitiveness in an extremely competitive market place and given limited organisational resources, they recommended that banks offering Internet banking services should focus on the following six key attributes; responsiveness, reliability, access, ease of use, accuracy and product variety/diverse features. Their research findings have revealed that these six attributes tend to have a strong impact on customers satisfaction, depending on the quality performance of those attributes. These six attributes were, therefore, used as a basis for the research des cribed in the paper. Banks around the world fear a huge loss of reputation and dwindling customer confidence in their Internet platforms through very clever and increasingly successful Internet banking attacks. Furthermore, experts are now convinced that securing Internet banking through IT security methods (user authentication, encryption, authorisation codes) is not enough, since almost every security system can be cracked in practise (man-in-the-middle and man-in-the-browser attacks have a high success rate nowadays), especially if the security system has to remain affordable and user-friendly. IT security measures can be ideally supplemented by a risk assessment of every transaction on the Internet banking server. Even internet provider such as airlines (online ticket sale) or online shops are confronted with a high number of fraud losses.ÂÂ   An international study conducted by the consulting agency Deloitte proved that 79% of all airlines have to fight against fraud. Most of the fraud cases ar e caused by payment via credit card. During the last years, the losses due to fraud have increased worldwide fivefold. The losses in total add up to 600 million British Pounds. Justification I have chosen this topic and bank branch because I have Halifax bank is incredible managing all financial services in personal banking, business banking, Private banking and Commercial banking. In my point of view and according to market survey, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) are affecting in the time period of 2007 to 2010. There are several reasons of influence and main reason of this time period is recession. Specially; SME businesses have an effected. Halifax (Walthamstow Branch) has been playing greatly rationalized role in the SME market in the form of lending. This bank branch has offered various plans to SME market for making better improvement in business. As I mentioned above about Halifax offers for SME Lending and Halifax Lending activities to make more suitable and helpful for every kind of business under different circumstances and excellent offers comparatively other banks and building societies. This Branch is trying to improve the business in the particularly area SMEs. I have chosen this company because this Bank is providing on the specific level of business and it wants to help in real business market. Halifax bank understands all issues of SME business like how these businesses are surviving in the recession time? How will SME improve in this critical situation of businesses? Hypothesis Halifax has improved in a number of ways to access the account. In recent years the Bank has therefore been focusing on areas of more specific interest and concern that is fraud fear on internet banking. Examples of this increased focus are the Banks report on The Financing of Technology-based on usage of internet banking, published in October 2008, and the report on Smaller Exporters, published in January 2008. This latest report in that series focuses on the financing of ethnic minority firms in the Ilford, London, UK, concentrating on the smaller end of the business sector and on the start-up and early growth stages. Halifax is to cutÂÂ  interest ratesÂÂ  on a range of products by up to 0.65 per cent, it has been revealed. The changes will take the form of a new range ofÂÂ  fixed rateÂÂ  andÂÂ  lending. Among the new products is the banks lowest rate ever a two yearÂÂ  fixed lendingÂÂ  at 3.49 per cent. RemortgageÂÂ  customers will also see the cost ofÂÂ  lendingÂÂ  fall, with deals on offer from 3.79 per cent. John Russell, director of branch (2009) internet banking department, said: They remain committed to online banking to our customers and offering highly competitiveÂÂ  securitiesÂÂ  during these challenging online fraud, hacking, phishing in less security conditions. Methodology Primary Research The primary data in this research will be will be collected through conducting a questionnaire survey. This research study depends upon both primary and secondary data sources. Mostly research will be dependent on questionnaire survey or primary data. Types In the primary research, there are multiple types for example; Interviews with consumers and bank service providers, surveys, focus groups and questionnaires. Advantages/disadvantages Using primary research, it will help me to find out problems in internet banking and banking problems for fraud what they are facing. They will get original and authenticate data but still Halifax cannot provide all information because they think it could be drawback for the market competitors point of view. Chosen I have chosen this topic because my personal account in this bank and this branch is near to my accommodation and I can get easily more authentic information for my research according to various users. Objective: with the objective of fulfil the research requirement and fraud fear on internet banking in the current century (2010). Secondary Research Types Secondary data will be gathered from books, journals, articles, research agencies and from other online recourses. Both categories of secondary data, internal (inside the organization) and external (outside the organization) data will be themed. Advantages/disadvantages In the secondary research, it will help me to find out all previous data, facts and figures and surveys which have done in past. So, I can theme this data for my research and it will help me for my research and future data. Objective I have chosen it because I have already study of Internet banking in different societies and banks for example; Halifax, Halifax, RBS, and HSBC. Objective: using my all information; I can achieve my targets for this research and I can complete my research for dissertation. Quantative / Qualitative As the quantitative data or information is obtained from the available secondary sources it will be achieved in this dissertation from articles, published reports, magazines and online recourses. Qualitative data provides the information with nearest approach of reality and reliable quality. So qualitative data of dissertation will be collected from the interviews, question is survey and focus groups. Scope After completing my research on internet banking for Halifax customers in particular bank branch (Halifax Ilford branch). This research would help to improve the internet banking and analyze the consumers view with the reference of Halifax internet banking in different areas, situation. Limitations During the research, interviews and statistic data; I will try to get more information for my dissertation. The greatest impact of Halifax bank is through its internet banking policies, and through the companies and personals that it usage of Internet Banking and allows to operate. Only smile, as part of the Halifax Bank, has a complete ethical internet banking policy. Halifax Ethical internet banking providersÂÂ  only invest in ethical companies and funds generally, ethical internet banks willÂÂ  avoid doing fraud in internet banking in business with companies that have anything to with green or ethical violations. Ethics In the proposal, I consult all the data and information from Halifax bank report, journals and books and I themed all references and give the credit to original authors and writers. I have not themed any illegal websites, books or any other way of material for this research. Secondly ethical banking of Halifax is an umbrella term for putting your money where you morals are and choosing financial products which are in line with yourÂÂ  own ethos. But its not just ethics that encourage people toÂÂ  choose green, as some ethical investment products, for example, have been known to outperform their non-ethical counterparts, so it can make good financial sense too. Recommendation Halifax Bank was asked to tackle the enquiry of permission to fraud fear in internet banking under the Ilford branch for social movement. This research report has needed supplying evidence on the present obligation for and providing of business economics banking and personal banking on internet for social endeavours in the UK and has also calculated forthcoming reasons of internet banking fraud fear, which may be fundamentals to description for the social benefits of public endeavours movements. The proof accessible in the statement reveals the complexity of the substance in the area of Internet banking for the personal, business and commercial customers. As the Banks appraisal demonstrates, the division is composed of a various diversity of administrations for controlling the online banking fraud, that are building up a plan in instruct to protected a more maintainable internet banking for Halifax customers. Communal endeavours, like all commercial, need access to use to several way of access the account especially online banking. Our investigates illustrate that, while a substantial amount of public schemes do access internet banking, there are problems on both the need and offer side that can create it more hard and tricky for hackers of internet banking.

A Case Study of Leadership at First National Bank - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 14 Words: 4274 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Finance Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? The significance of productive managerial leadership is crucial in a business environment. Business managers, encompassing the economic services commerce, are faced with many challenges. In alignment to competently address these difficulties, the exclusive development desires of business managers require to be addressed constantly. From the South African issue of outlook, business managers face exclusive trials for example globalization, culture diversity, very dark economic empowerment and transformation. Leaders whose competence grades amply evolved were adept to address these matters and accomplish achievement in the supplemented worth to their organizations. The inquiry is if the essential expert leadership features can be came by through higher education programs that are expressly conceived for mature individuals, and if this training assists to the development of thriving business leaders. From the South African issue of outlook, business managers face many trials, for example globalization, culture diversity, very dark economic empowerment and transformation. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "A Case Study of Leadership at First National Bank" essay for you Create order Overview of case study Business environment impersonates exclusive trials that may need not only general, but furthermore inspirational and transformational leadership competence. Given the political backdrop of South Africa, many adaptations were essential in a business environment with the first popular elections in 1994. Khoza (2000) interprets that the new notion of business in South Africa require to be taken into account the customs and culture of African traders and commerce, that is, the notion of community. He interprets that the notion of community management has a powerful philosophical groundwork in the notion of Ubuntu, and evokes pictures of the support, collaboration and solidarity. Nussbaum (2003) composes about Ubuntu, as African social beliefs, and recounts it as the capability of African culture to articulate compassion, reciprocity, dignity, harmony and humanity in the concern of setting up and sustaining community founded on fairness and mutual caring. Booysen and Beauty (1997) further more documented that the penalties of Ubuntu-oriented leadership method encompass not only work in a team down to the lawn origins grade and boosting the team constituents or followers to forfeit their individual advantage or reason, for those of the assembly as a whole. The authors issue out that this method encompasses creative collaboration, open communication, teamwork and mutual lesson obligations.    Leadership competencies    Ulrich (2000) characterises competence as those that recount the behavior of excellence in performance in the exact context of work. Competencies can be recounted as a set of behaviors that the worker should display in alignment to competently present the jobs and purposes allotted role. David McClelland proposed initial use of competencies. He first utilised the competencies as an alternate to restore the intelligence checks with the benchmark quotation checking (McClelland, 1973). He contended that intelligence checks are not legitimate predictors of intelligence, and, thus, irrelevant to the work force. McClelland (1973) composes that jurisdiction is usually founded on the investigation by consulting and discerning the professional performer. During the investigation, the rudimentary behavioral signs are very resolute to effectively convey out the work, these behavioral signs that is affiliated with competence.    Leadership competencies for the First National Bank    Key competencies of leadership in business managers can function at a high comparable level. In this part, the study advised that the competence and behavior affiliated with the First National Bank in attachment with his diverse leadership roles. In alignment to amass a register of leadership competencies most often utilised in the First National Bank, the investigator analyzed the performance of agreements and competency structure function and places held by individuals who may be recognised as leaders of others The investigation displayed that from mid-level (coordinator / team leader) at the provincial grade leadership, FNB devotes mostly generic competencies in diverse management and leadership. Further investigation of the structure of the NWF competence displayed that the most often utilised competencies are the following:    African Leadership competencies    Most ideas of leadership have been evolved over the last 100 years, and begin from the western world. The major constituents cited in the manual of the theory of managers, followers and the position or context. Both managers and followers activity answers contemplate the behaviors that are advised legitimate and befitting inside their specific society (Shaheen and Wright, 2004). Business in Africa, and especially in South Africa, created of some businesses with distinct culture customs and their managers need an exclusive and varied know-how, in alignment to simultaneously contend globally and to rendezvous the desires of their followers. As cited in the introduction to this paper, Khoza (2000) interprets that the business in South Africa should take into account the customs and culture African traders and commerce, i.e., the community concept. This notion has a powerful philosophical groundwork in the notion of Ubuntu, which stands for standards for example support, collaboration and solidarity. Van der Colff (2003) farther sharp out that African leadership is constructed on participation, blame and religious administration Mgidi (2004) summarizes the key standards of African leadership as follows:    esteem for the dignity of other ones, and solidarity groups: damage an wound to all Teamwork: no one of us more all of us, assisting other ones in a essence of harmony, interdependence Persuasions    Above characteristics or centre standards of African governance have some characteristics to the competence of management, for example teamwork, support and collaboration and the influence and influence. Competence that does not appear to get passionate vigilance from African managers for performance management and accountability. Nkomo and prepare nourishment Luis (2006) contend that Ubuntu supporters contend that while this set about emphasizes teamwork and vigilance to the connection, he furthermore inquired the empathy between leader and followers. Overemphasis on this understanding can stand in the way of productive performance management.    Organization is actually undergoing a enduring change initiated by affray, economics, business discovery and the realization that remainder of stagnation can signify organizational death. As the business environment rises in complexity and altering very quickly, First National Bank and the management, thus, is experiencing a foremost transformation to contend with these changes. At the micro grade (enterprise level), those alterations will encompass the transformation of the interior business culture, as well as improvements in human asset management in answer to expanded job kind and the increasing desires of the workforce. Thus, the likelihood of change is a significant part of the business environment of the First National Bank, while the proficiency to assist them acclimatize to alterations in the identically significant task for business leadership. When First National Bank is established at the crossroads of change, he is under crisis. DuBrin (1989) characterised the crisis as a rotating issue for better or poorer, or a position that has come to a critical stage. Emotional intelligence at First National Bank When First national Bank is in crisis, it needs a resolute and bold leadership to recognise, isolate and deal with the crisis (Topping, 2002). Leadership now needs very distinct behavior from the leadership custom we are used to. It needs managers who can talk to the collective fantasy of their persons, co-opt them to become involved a business trip. It furthermore needs assuring motivators that origin persons to make the additional effort full commitment. Its all about human behavior and comprehending how persons and the First National Bank proceed, conceiving connections, construction firm promise, adaptation of behavior to convey in a creative and inspiring way (Kets DeVries, 2001).       In latest years, the transformation that researchers accept as factual lead to achievement in the learning process. Organizational behavior has altered aim and buys more vigilance to how persons believe and seem in the First National Bank. Something called emotional intelligence is the major theme of concern at present as the sole significance of good intelligence IQ is not as broadly recognized. Emotional Intelligence easily a set of competencies that permit us to see, realise and regulate strong sentiments in us and in others. The concept of emotional intelligence, or occasionally mentioned to as EI is absolutely crucial in todays society, where the interaction inside the workplace are progressively important. All the items that pursue address the key matters of relevance EI in the First National Bank. According to numerous literatures, for example in the Prati, Douglas, Ferris, Ammeter, and Buckley (2003), is an emotional facet, which is a key benefactor to the thriving management and execution at the first National Bank. In this item, along with other ones, as Svyantek (2002), acquiesced that intelligence should encompass more than just reasonable natural forces and that EI is absolutely a significant characteristic has a thriving First National Bank. Article Macaleer and Shannon (2002) furthermore carries this by saying that IQ can not be advised the lone most significant component in the First National Banks management and operation. This item really states that roughly 80 per hundred of achievement an individual affiliated with EI and only 20 per hundred of IQ. This statistic assists to strengthen that they are in truth the connection between higher grades of EI and affirmative behaviors and mind-set in the First National Bank Svyantek (2002). All three of these items propose that the occurrence of social traits efficiency Prati et al (2003) is vital for thriving Managers, and the cornerstone of these characteristics is enclosed by the delineation of emotional intelligence. As occupations are now taking the team to complete the methods of difficulties, broadcast competently and sustain a cohesive and supportive air, emotional intelligence is that much more important. These items support the detail that perception of EI, producing the workplace more effective in periods of these structures. Two of the three items, the general gaze at the characteristics of thriving leadership reliant on EI. Prati et al (2003) and Macaleer and Shannon (2002), and accept as factual that Managers with high emotional intelligence will surpass those underneath EI. They both depend on information from the publications of emotional intelligence Goleman, in his articles. In agreement with these items, those managers who have high emotional intelligence can identify and control their individual strong sentiments and behavior. This devotes them self-awareness and self-leadership, which they can then swap to other persons and assemblies inside the First National Bank. Both items address the proclamation Goleman that there is no repaired equation for large leadership Nevertheless, we find that productive managers are inclined to illustrate power in not less than one jurisdiction of one of the four major localities of emotional intelligence [self-awareness, self-management, social awareness,] Strategic management Prati ET. Al (2003) proceeds farther than any other item in their investigation of emotional intelligence, and his occurrence in good leaders. These analysts have recognised how managers have traits Goleman, in supplement to other facets of the consideration, George, as in the Prati et al (2003) are more probable to make an emotionally smart team. By this they signify that managers are better equipped for the formation of powerful emotional connections inside the team, and thus they have more possibilities to illustrate performance. If an emotionally smart team leader can instill the features of the constituents of his team, as a outcome of constituents of these assemblies will furthermore be better equipped to advance the value of the team for the collective good of the group. Although there are many of information that carries the outlook Prati et al (2003) and other items, then, of course, the disagreement effectiveness and relevance of EI in the learning process. Latest item on Antonakis (2003) does not specifically acquiesce with Prati ET. Al (2003) Antonakis (2003) did not acquiesce on some basic matters that Prati ET. Al (2003) and other items do. Its most significant rebuttal Prati et al is that not sufficient empirical facts and numbers to assign EI from general intelligence and personality. In answer to Antonakis (2003) and Prati et al. Al released an answer to the item Antonakiss. In so managing, they identify that there is somewhat little empirical facts and numbers on the EI account, it is a somewhat new area, although, they contend that whereas study may be constrained still stands and assists as an significant cornerstone for their claims. Antonakis (2003) focuses firmly on one facet of the study undertook by Prati et al, although, Prati et al had a very broad viewpoint EI when they composed their article. They encompass numerous distinct characteristics of emotional intelligence and items Antonakis, though he does again it in distinct phrases, still appear to concern to the delineation and building of certain EI Prati et al. Further investigations will assist to clarify both edges of this argument; although, at this instant of emotional intelligence is absolutely an undertaking device, which can be utilised in the management of organizational settings. Emotional intelligence can be a key device for advancing much organizational behavior. Prati et al talks about the numerous facets that can be advanced with the use or implementation of emotional intelligence. From his item, one can resolve that AI may leverage the least significant connection in the First National Bank until the whole chain. All of the First National Bank of the one-by-one worker to the task team, or even the First National Bank as an entire can be a affirmative leverage of emotional intelligence. By lifting emotional intelligence in the front of the National Bank could well proceed to accomplish better organizational performance by reinforcing the institutional collaboration of constituents, assistance and organizational well-being of members. All these buildings are more probable to be accomplished with Emotional Intelligence, the brain in the future. Although not an swamping allowance of study to the effectiveness of emotional intelligence in the First National Bank, these items recognise undertaking future in encouraging the management to become more creative and efficient. From these undertaking outcomes it would be advisable for the First National Bank to take part in some kind of training EI. First National Bank can assist employees in evolving emotional intelligence by supplying befitting training as its constituents advance their comprehending of the strong sentiments, both their own and others. Guidelines that will assist endow persons in the First National Bank to augment with the altering times. A progressively international economy, it will be even more essential for persons and the First National Bank as a entire, to better contend with these pressures. We should realise the pointers of other ones and be adept to effectively reply to these signals. In a try to manage this, first National Bank and persons should trial t o evolve their emotional intelligence abilities through training, perform and many of feedback.       Section 2    Organisational challenges Managers and bosses of the First National Bank, until now, have wise to use a mechanistic thinking to face organizational challenges, recognise new tendencies, set up to proceed a competitor face to the customers obligations or to acclimatize to the aspirations of their employees. Unfortunately, they use the incorrect device, they believe it should be finished in a certain alignment that it should be finished on a methodical cornerstone, they should cover all facets of the script, though they may depart some facets of the work to complete product. From this viewpoint we can glimpse that the solid business to endure and has a methodical character-oriented output and in an orderly and controlled the situation.    The complexity of the dynamics of this interaction has directed more than leadership undertakings (e.g., transformational leadership). Complexity presents juvenile associations, undertaking social systems, or convoluted adaptive schemes comprising of diverse adaptation agencies that recursively combine and mutually leveraged each other, and thereby develop new behavior of the scheme as a entire (Marion, 1999, Regina, and Levin, 2000). Complexity viewpoint fundamentally change the way we have to address leadership. Unlike customary top-down leadership controlled the prospects of organizational methods, complexity theory outlooks the association as a bottom-up dynamic that is conceived by interactive connections between interdependent, the require to find persons, each of which are localized (limited) evaluation of social and institutional arrangements on First National Bank. This is an interactive dynamic can be recounted as a recursive, significance it has interdependent, multi-way s tring of connections of causality, nonlinear behavior, and many, often inconsistent, response loops.    Managers in the functionalist paradigm of the First National Bank in the pattern of complexity and the transformation will conceive and evolve a dialect for order and control organizations. Functionalist theory is usually considered as the First National Bank awkward occurrence, and not glimpsed difficulties of the association as synonymous with the difficulty of efficiency and most lately in efficiency. Taylorism, human relatives, the theory of X, Y, Z, the notion of structure, technology, environment, etc. all share this widespread practice. They are seeking to conceive and coordinate the dialect of organizational life, which assists to structure the organizational truth in a way that makes the controlled performance possible. First National Bank, and control theory is the dialect of governance that has developed in nature and sophistication to contend with the altering desires of institutional control.    Functional association theory presents its purchasers with a reflector through which he can glimpse and assess us by the First National Bank. Functionalist theorists have scrounged very powerfully from living institutional dialect as an entails of structuring and comprehending of organizational reality.    Functionalist theory of the association endeavours to conceive a synthesis of information that can be advised as legitimate and reliable. Drawing inspiration from the achievements in the area of natural sciences, functionalist study hunts for to recognise patterns and connections that distinuish the world association, therefore producing them subject to proposition and control. Pragmatic information therefore developed presents a set of generalized ideologies that can be utilised with some self-assurance for the management and control of First National Bank.       Interpretive Paradigm at First National Bank    Interpretive Paradigm outlooks of the social world as an appearing social method that conceives individuals. Social truth is not anything more than assumptions and the mesh between personal empathy. In the Interpretive Paradigm for the First National Bank investigators examined one of the next part for discussion.       Managers from Mechanistic thinking at First National Bank    In the understanding of Managers paradigm to interpret the steadiness of perform from their own issue of view. The managers of the First National Bank understood only one way that works to get finished in a methodical kind, without getting negotiable or not departing a lone step. Managers in mechanistic considering that would be poor communication between purposeful localities and it is tough to work out who is to blame for the malfunction of achievement (for demonstration, poor merchandise sales).       Managers of organizational complexity and transformation at First National Bank    Where, as Manager of First National Bank, which functions in the complexity and transformation, it will be so straightforward for them to formulate a reduced complexity and formalization, decentralized decision-making (including the adaptation obligations, flexible mind-set, and level and up communication). Managers on the complexity and transformational association can pay for the specialization difficulty and the know-how to evolve and not have the redundancy of purposes between the assemblies, what occurs in the partition design    In the understanding paradigm, where the managers at the First National Bank in the pattern of organizational complexity and the understanding of transformational set about proposes that associations require to realise the self-assurance and yearn for certainty in the socially assembled occurrence and that association theorists and practitioners should battle this and other myths and ideologies, to double-check their practice. This paradigm in organizational complexity and the transformation entails that we heal our notion of organizational truth as a helpful fiction which we use to direct our comprehending of the undertakings and happenings in this environment. The outlook proposes that associations require to glimpse and realise each individual as an association of individual property.    Organizational perform is appreciated as a relentless method of application into force. The concept that constituents of the association to accept their own truth (Weick, 1979) warrants exceptional mention as one of the clearest and most significant deduction from the understanding of the term. Interpretive theory points to an unwitting conspiracy that, under the wires that the realism of the organizational structure, directions, and nearly all the characteristics of organizational life.    The fundamental humanist paradigm at First National Bank This set about has much in widespread with the interpretive paradigm, although, his border of quotation tends to outlook society which tensions the significance of a cast or to overwhelm limitations of living social relations.   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Manager for First National Bank, which functions in the complexity and transformation, they will have a viewpoint that discloses the ethical dimension of embedded schemes in significant action. Popular theorist John Van Maanen remarks in brain that the way the fundamental humanist considered can enrich the understanding of the theory that the sense in the end, functional and substantive responses to the inquiries of reality (Van Maanen, 1981).    Managers in the organizational complexity and transformation into fundamental humanists recognise the lifeless significance of the organization. One of the most significant but often neglected facets of the fundamental humanist considered focuses on the function of the lifeless in forming the world. Managers in this kind of association are wealthy in symbolic implication, and numerous organizational happenings and undertakings should be appreciated as a manifestation of deeper psychological methods that are at best badly understood. (Pondy et al, 1983, White and McSwain, 1983)       Radical Paradigm Structuralism at First National Bank    This set about has numerous supporters of the functionalist paradigm; although, it is directed at fundamentally distinct ends. Radical Structuralism tends to a fundamental change, emancipation, and potentiality, in an investigation that emphasizes functional confrontation, modes of domination, confrontation and deprivation. Radical structuralist focuses on the functional relatives inside a realist social world. First National Bank develops social confrontation between the proprietors of output and work, and is seen as target truth of the demoralised categories (labor). This confrontation has the promise for fundamental change. Truth arises from the basic social confrontations between proprietors of output and work (class struggle). Structural economic and social dissimilarities, for example the class scheme, connected to the capitalist mode of production.    There is vigilance to the modes in which power and domination to maintain this truth, and there is furthermore aim on the inclination of society to conceive confrontation and instability. The promise for fundamental change and there is habitually a mighty force, are prevalent in society.    It would appear that the Interpretive and fundamental humanist paradigm encompass psychological structure, the inquiry of existential and humanistic disciplines. To realise the truth of the phenomenological. There is no target truth lives, but rather, the truth is that the beholder perceives it to be. The reality of a better comprehending of the advantageous place process other than content. On the other hand, functionalism and fundamental structuralist psychological constructs exactly the inquiry of the behavioral theory with an focus on objective reality. Thus, we can resolve that the set about of Burrel Morgan, to realise the rudimentary values of social theory founded on meta assumptions either personal or target reality. Social research theory endeavours to interpret reality via Newtonian facet of building forecasting and control.    Managers with organizational complexity and transformation at First National Bank    Manager, who works at First National Bank, which is in the complexity and transformation, but in the fundamental structuralist paradigm, they will have a viewpoint that will supply the Manager with the theory of association, which tensions the significance of self-organization changes. In most customary interpretations of social change to make in one pattern or another, that random forms that gaze at external components as a entails of comprehending how alterations as the occurrence of shape. Radical structuralist outlook of the First National Bank issue of outlook, on the other hand is founded on the dialectic that is altering as a outcome of the very stress that its very reality creates. For demonstration, all coordinated format to refute that they are not. Another demonstration of this, any proceed of management, which directly groups up a dialectical stress between him and organises the position that has created.    The fundamental structuralist viewpoint encourages comprehending of the organizations function in the general social formation in which they are installed. Organization from this issue of outlook of the empirical facets of the prime way associations and their nature and implication can only be appreciated in periods of function playing in general.       Conclusion    Rapid stride of change in our up to date world, propelled by endowing technologies transistors, has struggled the proficiency of First National Bank to function effectively. One cause is that the vintage thoughtful structure presuming steady, not less than gradually altering economic, social instructions, which are widespread wisdoms-based management, is not directed in very fast transients, for example we now experience. This paper contends that the use of metaphor of research of convoluted schemes in the human world can supply a new thoughtful structure for the management of First National Bank, under which thriving connections, procedures and practices that have developed into the First National Bank inside a couple of decades you can glimpse the meaning. There is a high likelihood that at the correct grade of abstraction, these procedures can be directed to associations in all parts, are opposite fast alterations, encompassing the infantry and international relations. Four paradigms (in the investigation of social theory) in the overhead text is advised in the matrix in which each paradigm portions a widespread set of purposes with its friends in the level and upright axes in one of two proportions, but differentiated as asserted by another dimension. They can be advised as a relentless, but separate. Four paradigms characterise basically distinct points of outlook to investigate social phenomena. Therefore, for Managers in the First National Bank, which has the complexity and the transformation is so straightforward to change, because the complexity of research is new, its practitioners still have no widespread dialect or logical set of concepts.