The Results of the Irish Economy - Term Paper Example

Running Head: COMPARATIVE…. “Comparative hrm—Singapore and Eire” by Chandakant Mallya REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Republic of Ireland lies in the periphery of Europe. A national framework of cooperation exists between the social partners and the Government on social and economic issues. This is the special feature of the country. A number of partnership arrangements have been formulated in recent years. Ireland is a small country, size-wise and population-wise. But its industrial and service base is dynamic. Both transnational and indigenous companies do well to interact with state system, mainly with regard to training and development. It has absorbed the best in the relative aspects from countries of the European Union, United States and United Kingdom. Country Enterprise Boards are established for the promotion of an enterprise culture at the local level and the creation of a range of enterprise-related projects at micro level. For job creation, the ‘social dialogue’ approach is adopted. The Irish culture has taken thousands of years to develop, so the people of Ireland cherish every moment of the cultural discovery. They are proud of their cultural traditions and make sincere efforts to maintain and develop it. The Department of Irish Folklore at University College Dublin has over 100,000 tales, myths and legends on record. This is the single largest collection of its kind in the world. The policy environment: The results of the Irish economy are encouraging and the international community has acknowledged its achievements. Human resource development is one of the top issues engaging the attention of the government. The cooperation between the State and the private enterprises is run on well-defined principles in the over all interests the nation. Unemployment: Notwithstanding the above positive indicators, unemployment problem is acute in Ireland. It is estimated around 20% of the labor force. The effect of additional jobs created is nullified as more and more young persons and married women seek employment. Immigration is also the contributing factor. Actually, the social welfare benefits available to unemployed persons have proved to be counter productive to employment creation. Enterprise/State cooperation: A unique feature of the Irish economic and social fabric is the national level coordination between Government and social partners like employee organizations, trade unions, and farming community. Major economic work and social groupings have the common national objectives. The employers consider it their duty to provide development opportunities and training for their staff both at the managerial and employees levels. Some of the trade unions have become centers of excellence, which is an indication of the proactive approach. Methodology: The cornerstone of development of this country is collaboration through social partnership. This very special methodology adopted by Ireland, has created worldwide interest. The structure of methodology is not that important. What is unique is its implementation. The County Enterprise Board initiative: A key factor in the implementation of these operational programs is the creation of 35 County Enterprise Boards (CEBs), which are geographically based, representative of local interests, include representatives of the social partners and act as a stimulus to local enterprise generation through the provision of financial and other support. The main thrust of their activities is "promoting enterprise creation and employment, a reintegration of the long-term unemployment and other marginalized groups into the labor market, promoting education and training measures to prevent early school leaving, leading to social exclusion and a regeneration of the environment in inner cities, towns and villages". Current Economic Conditions/Infrastructure: Ireland is one of the fastest growing economies of the European Union. “Many U.S. businesses find Ireland to be a particularly “attractive” destination for strong industrial investment, ripe employment opportunities, new cutting-edge technologies, and export capabilities. In fact, the island itself “has a higher proportion of young people in full-time education” than those who live and work in the U.S. alone. Thus, “low corporation income tax rates” and other promising financial incentives make Ireland all the more important to “a young, educated, mobile, English-speaking work force” residing at home and abroad.” (Quaranta, Jamie. 2007, January 11) In the year 2005, there were more than 570 US subsidiaries in Ireland, engaged in the manufacture of high-tech electronics, computer hardware and software and pharmaceuticals. Tourism is also the major ‘industry’ in Ireland. Current Political Situation: An era of stability marks the current political situation in Ireland. This coupled with buoyant industrial production, has given it an unassailable international standing. Top countries of the world are vying with each other to invest in Ireland and look up for business tie-ups. It is a stable parliamentary democracy based on common law and legislation enacted by the Parliament. Mary McAlesse made Irish history when she became the first female President, or “Head of State,” of Ireland in November 1997. From a largely agricultural society, Ireland has transformed itself into a modern, technologically advanced economy. Conclusions and observations: Employers and trade unions in Ireland are favorably disposed to each other. There is a realization in the country that mutual co-operation is beneficial for both. The trade unions no more believe that the management is their sworn enemy and they should be at war with each other permanently. Prosperity comes through productivity. The word unity is not exploited by the union leaders. Industrial sins are not committed, to harass the management, without rhyme or reason. The philosophy is no more, “Workers of the world unite!” Now it is “Workers, unite the world!” Presently, such a concept of unity can be found in Ireland. The trade unions are equally concerned about employment generation. SINGAPORE: The other name for Singapore is honesty, stability and effective government. Its expulsion from Malaysia in August 1965 was for its ultimate good. Economic development is the watchword in this country. The sense of nationhood is not achieved by mere sloganeering, but by a robust sense of determination and nationhood. Singapore has the highest standard of living in Southeast Asia. The country had to survive in a hostile world and therefore the style of governance is authoritarian, though democratic in principle. It is a closed circle leadership. The society is prosperous and well educated. Form of Government: The system of governance is based on the British system of parliamentary government. Voting is compulsory for all citizens above the age of twenty one. Members of Parliament are elected by universal adult suffrage from forty-two single-member constituencies and thirteen group representation constituencies. The group representation constituencies elect a team of three members, at least one of the whom had to be Malay, Indian, or a member of one of Singapores other minorities. Singapore is a multiracial society. Singapore had only one level of government--national government. Local government also means the same. The Government is headed by a Prime Minister and his cabinet. The constitutional head of State is the President, who occupied a largely powerless and ceremonial role. The president was elected by the Parliament for a four-year term. The Constitution can be amended by a two-thirds vote of Parliament. Public service: Public Service is entirely free from corruption. Dedication for the national values and probity are the foundation stones of this ruthlessly honest society. High salaries are paid to public officials to deter temptation of corruption. Administrators are talented and recruited through a competitive test. Responsible projects are given to the able youngsters. Statutory Boards: These boards are something special about Singapore. The responsibilities of the Boards are well defined and target-oriented. They are established by an act of Parliament and enjoy designated powers. The activities are overseen by a Cabinet Minister. They can borrow funds for their projects from the government and bodies as also the World Bank. Statutory boards included the Housing and Development Board, the Central Provident Fund, the Port of Singapore Authority, the Industrial Training Board, the Family Planning and Population Board, and the Singapore Muslim Religious Council. Providing low cost housing using the best construction material was one of the major achievements of the Housing and Development Board. Public Enterprises: The government control over the private business establishments is unique- It is both tight and free. The Government owed or held equity in many businesses that operated in private sector. Unprofitable business enterprises are liquidated. They must survive in the stiff national and international competitive world and no subsidies are provided. Private companies are engaged in weapons production, electronics, and food production and computer software. Potentially monopolistic services are controlled by the government. Some of such companies are, Singapore International Airline, Neptune Orient Line, an Ocean Shipping firm etc. Strategic and defense needs are taken care off by the government enterprises. Para political Institutions A newly independent country is saddled with multifarious problems. With the Singapore rulers, the problem was to weld the different races and communities into a cohesive unit. To secure the loyalty and commitment of the people to the national goals was its concern. The government of the day desperately wanted the support of the people on a continuous basis. The Para political institutions like the advisory committees did this job admirably well. Such organizations were formed with a pool of talent and the intellectuals got an active opportunity in nation-building. Political Parties: Since 1959, one political party the PAP and one man, Prime Minister Lee Kwan have led the country from success to success and commanded tremendous political support of 60 to 70% of the popular votes. The Communists and the left wing trade unions did bother the government to some extent, but the government backed up program, “modern unionism” virtually eliminated the strikes. The National Wage Council set up by the Government, rendered justice to the workers. The administrators, technocrats and manages, rather than the full-time political brokers led the nation and steered it through problems. Skilled performance and demonstration of loyalty were the main points. The leaders identified themselves with the national interests and they knew what was good for the nation and what was good for them. The founding fathers of the Nation worked with a tremendous sense of responsibility. The watchwords as for the foreign policy of Singapore were the national interest. Friendship was extended to one and all, if it served the interest of the Nation, without any consideration for ideology. Survival and development of the Nation were the paramount considerations in deciding any issue. The Media: Press freedom existed, under the watchful eyes of the Government. It owned radio and television stations. The Government had the powers to restrict the newspapers, which found guilty of distorted reporting. The Foreign magazines engaging and interfering in the domestic policies of the Government were not spared from appropriate action. . Similarities and differences between Singapore and Ireland: 1. Singapore has a blend of Eastern and Western cultures. The culture of Ireland is purely western. 2. There is an undercurrent of similarity within the dissimilarities, in all aspects of life in both the countries, whether it is social, political or economic. 3. Trade Unionism is committed to national and economic progress in both the countries, even though the commitment is more in Singapore. 4. Singapore, in the initial stages of the independence, had the problem of integrating the multi-ethnic groups. Ireland has the problem or religious conflicts between the Catholic Church and the Protestants. 5. Religious influence is not there with the Government of Singapore. In Ireland, even though the Church influences politics, its aura is gradually decreasing. 6. Both countries have now a robust, unassailable economic base. 7. Trade Unions are the active partners in governance, policy making of the industrial establishments. The workers have realized that higher wages can be secured through higher productivity and loyalty to the institution. 8. Both countries are tourists spots sought after by European and Asian travelers. Tourism is a major industry in both the countries. 9. The laws and the implementation of the laws are very strict in Singapore. Death penalty is imposed for the guilty as per the provision s of the law. Mercy petitions are rejected as a rule. 10. Singapore has always been able to solve its labor, domestic and international issues by negotiations across the table. Clashes, on both political and religious issues, mark the life in Ireland. 11. Irish Culture has taken thousand of years to develop, has gone through several wars and tribulations. Singapore is just a five decade old country trying to weave its multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-lingual society into the cohesive net based on nationalism and patriotism. 12. Unemployment problem is acute in Ireland. There is no such problem in Singapore. ---------- Refeences: Quaranta, Jamie. (2007, January 11). The Land of the Celtic Tiger-An Underdog Look into an "Old Countrys" Modern EU Success Story. EzineArticles. Retrieved May 06, 2007, from http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Land-of-the-Celtic-Tiger-An-Underdog-Look-into-an-Old-Countrys-Modern-EU-Success-Story&id=415648 Read More