Professional Skills and Ethics - Term Paper Example

? Personal Learning Report -- Module Professional Skills and Ethics Assignment Part A What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)? CSR can broadly be defined as a form of basic corporate self regulation that has been worked into and integrated into a company’s main business model. CSR is crucial in the self evaluation and regulation of a business as it strives to constantly ensure that it constantly monitors its compliance with international business norms, spirit of the law and various acceptable ethical standards. CSR generally aims to encourage a business to actively become responsible for its various actions which are deemed as having an impact on the local communities, environment, employees, consumers and stakeholders (Benn and Bolton 2011). Corporate Social Responsibility in Marketing in the Aviation Industry Over the years, environmental interests and various laws and regulations have caused for there to be a general change in the way most organizations view the notion of sustainable business actions. Most of the companies in the aviation industry frequently find that they how have to constantly ask themselves is to what extent do they happen to act responsibly. The paramount reason that causes companies to engage in business is to ensure that the owners and employees stand to gain various economic benefits. Any other actions by the various businesses are frequently considered to be secondary responsibilities and most firms have been ignoring them over the past years (Sun et al. 2010). In recent times that a new system of business has emerged that has forced players in the industry to change the way they conduct business due to the increasing awareness of corporate social responsibility and the vast impact that the industry has on the environment (Sun et al. 2010). Implementation of Responsible Business Practices for both Individuals and Organizations in Marketing within the Aviation Industry In the highly competitive and rather pollutive aviation industry, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) faces a myriad of various challenges in its implementation. The competitive nature of the industry that has been generally caused by the often high price sensitivity seen in the industry’s customers coupled with the customer’s frequent desire to obtain the very best of services at reasonably decent prices makes it a prerequisite for most of the industry’s operators to ensure that they market their product as being innately cost efficient while offering their customers the very best services that are available. Companies and various operators in the industry are finding this to be increasingly difficult to do due to their incurring rather high operating costs which have been seen to affect and have a profound influence in the entire industry (Flouris and Yilmaz 2011). The Challenges Facing the Conduction of Responsible Business Practices for both Individuals and Organizations in the Aviation Industry Environmental Challenges. The aviation industry is facing the challenge of developing appropriate and sustainable CSR models because it has been forecast that the industry should poise itself for a rather tremendous general increase in the rate of flight traffic over the next 15 years. The increased air traffic will consequently result in a general increase in raw material consumption, increased carbon emissions as well as an overall increase in pollution that is resultant of the industries activities. Industry Marketers are finding that they increasingly need to develop actions that will appease and fulfill all the stakeholders’ expectations as well as ensuring that the airlines are sufficiently taking care of the environment (Phillips 2006). Efforts by marketers in the aviation industry to promote the various players in the industry as having appropriate corporate social responsibility practices are being severely hampered by a report released by the Aviation Environment Federation which showed the estimated damage to the environment and society do to the activities in the aviation industry. The report predicted that the nitrogen oxides emissions by the activities of the industry will potentially increase from the current levels of about 2.5 million tons to a high of approximately 6.1 million tons by the year 2025 whereas the emissions of Carbon dioxide will potentially double to an estimated 1229Mt. All airline operators will have to face the challenge of increasing their investments into efforts geared at protecting the environment. Such measures will be immensely dissatisfying to the various shareholders as it will lead to a general decrease of the industry’s profitability (Aviation Environment Federation 2008). Application of the Stakeholders Theory in the Challenges Facing CSR in the Aviation Industry The stakeholders theory was developed way back in the 1970’s and states that as a general rule, all corporations are inherently more autonomous in comparison to single individual actors. They are thus seen to playing increasingly vital roles in various communities that happen to place various expectations, responsibilities as well as obligations upon them. Corporations can therefore be perceived as being depicted as citizens of certain specific communities who are as such subject to the various societal controls which happen to enforce certain limitations on their various actions. The debate on role played by companies can be seen to be gradually increasing over time with special emphasis being placed upon a company’s impact on the local community, its employees and the environment. The main reason for the upsurge in the debate can mainly be attributed to the fact that the basic sizes of corporations can be seen to be gradually increasing and this has resulted in a similar increase in the impact of these companies on the general society (Sun et al. 2010). It is generally agreed that facing both the risks and opportunities is an acceptable part of everyday business for all modern day companies. The ability of these companies to the various subtle as well as strong changes in the environment is quite imperative if the company is to be able to ensure that its survival is guaranteed. It is thus of vital importance that all airlines constantly ensure that they are always well aware of the various issues facing their stakeholders as well as the various trends and occurrences that can potentially affect them in their operating environment. In order for the airlines to be able to do this, it is imperative that they subsequently adapt good CSR programs that will serve to act as effective tool kits that will be essential for the tracking of problems arising from social, environmental, strategic and economic risks that face the players in the airline business (Sun et al. 2010). Community Support Challenges that Face the Implementation of Responsible Business Practices in the Aviation Industry All commercial airlines tend to have a significantly enormous effect on the various communities that happen to surround the various airports that they happen to serve. They allow such communities to have sufficient access to various products and services such as perishable produce as well as mailing and medical services. The communities also end to enjoy increased employment opportunities and benefits. A good example being the London Gatwick Airport which happens to directly employ around 25,000 employees as well as indirectly employing a further 13,000 persons (House of commons debates 2008). Despite all the economic benefits that airports happen to bring to the surrounding communities, they are often considered to be a nuisance as the communities face various noise and road traffic environmental concerns which are not only both disturbing and annoying but also tend to be quite unhealthy, increased energy consumptions which can inadvertently effect a general increase in electricity prices. Other health challenges include the fact that research conducted by the Imperial College of London essentially showed that the larger percentage of persons who happen to live underneath major airplane flight paths, potentially run the risk of doubling the chances of their risk at developing high blood pressure (Airport International 2010). Employee and workplace related Challenges that Face the Implementation of Responsible Business Practices in the Aviation Industry The nature of most jobs in the airline industry is such that they happen to be customer service jobs which cannot be automated, this often causes it to be quite challenging to nurture employees as airlines have to ensure that their operating costs are kept to a minimal so as for them to remain competitive (Sun et al. 2010). Reflection on the Impact of These Challenges The challenges facing the implementation of these responsible business practices have necessitated the need for the industry players to come up with various skills and solutions that are vital to effectively deal with these challenges. Such solutions include the need for the companies to develop strong visions as well as relatively high levels of commitment to CSR, hiring of personnel with the right skill sets and in procession of some innate skills such as interpersonal skills which cannot be easily taught, the companies also need to develop programs which will motivate their employees such as employee buy-in schemes as well as various motivational factors and incentives. Awarding of these bonuses and the development of strong stakeholder engagement programs are also crucial factors in ensuring the continued success of the implementation of a company’s CSR efforts (Sun et al. 2010). Conclusion The challenges facing the implementation of responsible business in the aviation industry include forecasts that indicate increased future pollution levels, stake holder expectations that do not easily allow for reduced profitability, the increased electricity prices in the communities surrounding airports and the manual nature of jobs in the industry. The impact of these challenges is quite daunting and although many airlines are working towards effecting various skills and factors aimed at negating these challenges; their impact is largely debatable and is yet to be seen. Assignment Part B Analysis of Employability Skills in Regards to the Advertising Industry What are Employability Skills? Employability skills can broadly be defined as the essential basic skills that are usually necessary and enable one to be able to obtain, keep and perform relatively well in any job that they happen to be given. In modern times, it is often rather difficult for most employers in the advertising industry to be able to find good workers who happen to possess job readiness or employability skills that are essentially necessary and will help them to be able to comfortably fit and remain in a specific given work environment (Hartley, Woods and Pill 2005). It is of vital importance for employees to be able to find responsible and reliable workers who not only have the potential of solving various work-related problems, but also happen to have basic social attitudes and skills that will be crucial in helping them work closely together with fellow workers and various supervisors. As opposed to technical or occupational skills, it is often found that employability skills are mostly generic in nature and not job specific. Employability skills are found to effectively cut across all job levels, business sizes and industry types and cover the entire spectrum range from the most senior most position in an organization to the most basic of entry-level job positions for workers (Hartley, Woods and Pill 2005). Examples and Application of Some of My Employability Skills Along with sufficient subject knowledge and technical understanding, employers often have to ensure that they outline a separate set of skills that they require their employees to be in procession of. The employer often believes that possession of these skills is necessary in equipping the company’s employees with all the attributes that are necessary to ensure that they are able to effectively carry out their various roles (Aldridge and Wanless 2012). Problem Solving Skills: This is a key skill that is essential in ensuring that I am basically able to understand the various work related problems by being able to break them down into basic parts. Breaking the problems down into basic parts eventually aids the employee in identifying any key issues involved, the potential implications caused by the issues and finally identify the possible solutions to the problem. It is vital for employees to be able to apply the knowledge that they have obtained from all the several different areas in solving tasks (Aldridge and Wanless 2012). Working under Extreme Work Pressure and Stressful Deadlines: The nature of business in the advertising industry today is that, workers will frequently experience severe pressure and deadlines and it is crucial that they are able to meet them (Aldridge and Wanless 2012). Team Working: This skill is important in ensuring that I am capable of effectively working with various people from several different backgrounds, expertise and disciplines in accomplishing given goals and tasks (Aldridge and Wanless 2012). Communication and Interpersonal Skills: This skill helps me in being a rather effective communicator, communicating in a fashion that can be deemed as being concise and clear through either spoken or written means. The skill also helps workers in the advertising industry to be able to listen and effectively relate with other persons and then proceed to logically act upon any key instructions or information (Aldridge and Wanless 2012). Self Motivation and Initiative: This skill helps me in the development of new ideas which is an essential skill in the marketing field. These ideas can then be worked on and turned into successful marketing campaigns. The skills also helps in ensuring that I have a personal drive that helps me in doing my work without having to be prompted to do so. (Aldridge and Wanless 2012) Improved Organizational Skills: One of the skills that employability skills have helped in honing includes my organizational skills which help in my approaching my work in a methodical and organized manner. This skill helps me effectively plan my work and ensure that I meet all my expected targets and deadlines. It also helps me in monitoring the pace at which I am working so as to ensure that I am well on track towards meeting any set deadlines (Aldridge and Wanless 2012). Benefits of My Employability Skills My employability skills can be seen to be both beneficial to both me and any organization that I choose to work with. My employability skills are beneficial in that they help me have extreme confidence in myself as well as my ability to perform well in any job or task that I may happen to undertake. The skills play a relatively big part in helping me have a generally positive attitude and an overall willingness to actively take any necessary initiative required for me to learn any new things on the job at hand. They cause me to become a rather accountable person as I willingly take all responsibility for my actions. I am also better able to set priorities and goals in both my personal and work lives so as for me to be able to effectively control all my monetary and time resources in a conservative manner. I am also able to deal with my colleagues in a manner that is basically not only open, but also honest while all the time displaying respect for my supervisors and fellow co-workers despite the vast marked individual differences and diversities (Aldridge and Wanless 2012). Employability skills have also been instrumental in helping me develop good personal habits as well as encourage my showing up for work in good time, as scheduled and dressed appropriately. I also find that I am generally agreeable to any proposed change wherever necessary. Managing Conflict in Organizations What is Conflict Management? Conflict management is a term that is commonly used in referring to the formulation and subsequent implementation of policies that have been designed to effectively limit any negative aspects of potential conflict that may arise within the organization. Conflict management seeks to increase all the positive aspects that are as a result of conflict. It also seeks to enhance both the group and learning outcomes. Conflict has been shown to be potentially valuable to organizations and groups as it has been shown to increase a group’s output in the event that the conflict is properly managed (Wallensteen 2011). Management of Conflict As a general rule, conflict management is concerned with any efforts aimed at the total avoidance or elimination of conflict within an organization. It is seen to aim at attempting to try and minimize affective conflicts while ensuring that it constantly maintains substantive conflict. The management of conflict is often carried as a series of five steps. These are: Analyze the Conflict: This is usually the first set in the resolution of conflict. It is vital for one to be able to critically analyze not only the nature of the conflict but also the type of conflict afflicting individuals or elements in the organization. At this stage of conflict resolution, it is important for one to identify the groups involved, the cause of the conflict and underlying issues and if there are any potential consensus that can effectively serve the interests of all the parties (Dorochoff 2007). Determination of the Management Strategy: Once the conflict has been effectively analyzed, the groups involved in the conflict will have to analyze and select the strategy deemed as the most effective of all. It may be necessary for a neutral facilitator to be involved in helping the conflicting groups reach a viable consensus(Dorochoff 2007). Pre-Negotiation: This normally entails the initial initiation of the negotiation process, an assessment of whether the two parties are willing to reach an agreement, the setting of various agenda and ground rules for decision making, negotiation and communication. The pre-negotiation period also entails the setting out of an organization that sets pre-agreed places and times (Dorochoff 2007). Negotiation: This is the actual stage at which the negotiations are carried out. It is encouraged for all the parties to openly discuss their various interests, options for the conflict resolution are provided and subsequently evaluated to ascertain their suitability as well as a written agreement is created and all the parties proceed to commit themselves to it (Dorochoff 2007). Post Negotiation: This step is mainly concerned with the implementation of any decisions made. The decisions must be ratified by all concerned parties and then implemented under close monitoring(Dorochoff 2007). Benefits of My Conflict Resolution Skills My conflict resolution skills are critical in ensuring that I am able to avoid any constant fights with any of my fellow workers. Constant conflict in an organization has the potential of reducing the overall productivity of staff members. It helps in the prevention of conflict and facilitates an avenue that allows employees to concentrate on their work. It is a vital part in the strengthening of bonds between a company’s employees which will help in resolving most of the conflicts that might arise between them (Wallensteen 2011). My conflict resolution skills allow for me to explore all possible potential causes of conflict that might lead to big problems. Once identified, they can be easily resolved before they can escalate into potentially bigger problems. It is always a wise thing for one to prevent a fight rather than waiting to have to face its often negative consequences (Wallensteen 2011). Bibliography: Hartley P., Woods A. and Pill M. 2005. Enhancing Teaching in Higher Education: New Approaches for Improving Student Learning. Routledge. Aldridge M. and Wanless S. 2012. Developing Healthcare Skills through Simulation. SAGE. Wallensteen P. 2011. Understanding conflict resolution: war, peace and the global system. London: SAGE. Dorochoff N. 2007. Negotiation basics for cultural resource managers. Walnut Creek, Calif.: Left Coast Press. Phillips E.D. 2010. Corporate Social Responsibility in Aviation. 2006. Journal of Air Transportation. Accessed on 4th December 2012, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5467/is_200601/ai_n21395395/ Airport International. 2010. Airport Noise 'Causes High Blood Pressure'. Accessed on 4th December 2012, from http://www.airport-int.com/news/airport-noise-causes-high -blood-pressure.html Sun W., Stewart J., and Pollard D. 2010. Reframing corporate social responsibility: lessons from the global financial crisis. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Pub. Aviation Environment Federation. 2008. Unpublished report forecasts huge increase in aviation’s global environmental impacts. Accessed on December 4th 2012 from http://www.aef.org.uk/?p=245 Benn S. and Bolton D. 2011. Key concepts in corporate social responsibility. Los Angeles : SAGE. Flouris G. T. and Yilmaz K. A. 2011. Risk management and corporate sustainability in aviation. Farnham, Surrey, England ; Burlington, VT : Ashgate. House of commons debates. 2008. House of Commons Hansard Debates for 15 Jan 2008 (pt 0010). Accessed on December 12th 2012 from http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080115/halltext/8011 5h0010.htm Read More