International trade between Kuwait and the World Essay

International trade between Kuwait and the World - Essay Example Petroleum production accounts for almost 95% of export revenues and provides 80% of government’s income (Moore 179). The rising oil prices around the world have significantly influenced Kuwait’s economic growth. Its government has been keen on reducing the overreliance of oil through the transformation into a regional trading and enhancing Kuwait as a tourism hub (Dianne, Peter, and Nasser 1-15) Kuwait is very active on food imports, vehicles and also construction materials and services. Despite Kuwait’s relatively small population, itis firmly placing itself among the world’s most popular and attractive markets for many leading international franchises. The major motivating factor to these franchises lies on the young, strong shopping and consumer culture and the affluent population that has a great affinity for international brands. It is a suitable destination for retailers around the world seeking to extend their footprint. Kuwait’s law restricts foreign firms from opening branches solely in the country, but retailers can enter in the market through joint ventures and partnership with the locally incorporated companies (Moore 128). Before venturing into any market, it is always advisable to explore several factors such as the culture of the people, economic overview, geographical factors, religion, living standards, and the people’s responsiveness to international businesses. Habitants of the Gulf region are not anyhow strangers to conflicts and contradictions. Many are the idiosyncrasies that have shaped the region in both the ancient and the modern times. In the country, there have been contacts with the western countries and most their corporations and these have resulted to a commendable improvement to the region (Dianne 6). It has been through encouragement for better education, increased communication, greater mobility and an improved healthcare. Though cultural conflicts are now minimal, in the past

Case study of Upton Ltd Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Case study of Upton Ltd - Essay Example This is a situation where the interests of the family members are more likely to conflict with the interests of the business such as adherence to the objectives, plans and goals of the company. In this regard, it can be predicted that if there is significant conflict of interest within the company a programmed decision of closure of the restaurant or part of its business units can be made. Samantha who is the manager of the toy department is engaged with her studies which mean that she does not have adequate time to play her role within the Toy department which serves significant activities and processes within the restaurant. This means that the productivity of the Toy department will deteriorate as a result of poor management or absentee manager. This can be used to predict the closure of this department within a programmed decision framework. Furthermore disagreement between Samantha and Albert, her uncle, reveals that there is poor communication within the management team which i s as a result of age differences and opinion of managers on the best strategy of conducting business activities. It is argued that when the management team is unable to come into a consensus over decisions because of divergent views and interests, failure in effective decision making is likely to result (Simons 34). Therefore failure in decision making which represents an important function of the management team leads to programmed decision for closure of the restaurant. From the Upton Ltd case, it is notable that the promotion of employees to the top management positions is rarely based on qualifications. This is illustrated by the fact that Claude who was a chef was promoted directly into the manager position in the restaurant. The management team of a company must be equipped with adequate skills, knowledge and competencies which are required for effective management. Failure of a manager to exhibit these skills means that his or her managerial roles will not be effective and as a result translating into business failure (Gorry and Morton 27). In this regard therefore the lack of qualifications among some managers within Upton Ltd can be argued to be a reflection of a predictable business failure and as a result reaching a programmed decision for the closure of the restaurant. Lack of the stock control system within Upton Ltd demonstrates a looming failure in the business processes of the restaurant which can be used to make a programmed decision for closure is nothing is done soon to solve the problem. This problem within the restaurant is further revealed by the fact that storage of stock is largely inadequate and ineffective. In addition, it is notable from the case study that the equipment that is used within the restaurant is old and rarely maintained. Inappropriate equipment within a business entity is said to be the main cause of business process inefficiency which would lead to possible discontinuity of business processes (Gorry and Morton 31). It is therefore reflective from the case study that the restaurant faces a risk of losing business continuity which makes a programmed decision for closure a reality in the Upton Ltd case. Customer service is inefficient within the restaurant as reflected by the fact th