Organizational Security Expansion - Essay Example

Organizational Security Expansion Introduction Security is a central factor that determines a country’s development and investments (Harwood, 2008). Formation of security organizations has played a key role in ensuring peace and security in all aspects of life. Big security companies are now investing and penetrating international markets at a very fast rate. However, security of their personnel and business security are areas of their great concern when exploring internationally new markets. Security companies involve large capital investments and hence cannot take any risk in investing in unproductive markets. This is because such a mistake is very costly to its operations. Harwood, (2008) Observes that Africa and Middle East are characterized by terrorism, pirates, poverty, corruption and other forms of violence. Though these require security service operations, they are a major threat to the operations of many security companies since they can lead into serious losses. An American security company expanding in Arab nations is risky than any other since it might mean more war and insecurity as opposed to business. Therefore, an American security company that wants to expand its operations in Africa and middle east may have to consider the possible threats that may affect its personnel welfare, business continuity and shipping among others to determine if they are potential investment areas or not. Expansion of the security Company Operations in Africa and Middle East Expansion of security operations from America to Africa and Middle East markets is a very risky task to undertake. This is because African and Middle East nations are characterized by serious insecurity issues, which mime negatively affect the companies operations. On the other hand, it may increase the company’s performance, since the two regions are characterized by insecurity issues, and hence may require boosting their security in their daily tasks. Therefore, the demand for security in those areas is likely to e high, despite the serious challenges that are likely to be encountered. Security Challenges in Africa and Middle East African nations are frequently dominated by war and other insecurity issues. The Security Council has in many cases addressed insecurity issues and other peace threats around African nations. The most affected nations in Africa are Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Libya, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Somalia, among others. Therefore expanding the security company’s operations in those areas may lead the company into facing many challenges, which might lead to loss of its employees together with profits, due to major, risky and intensive operations. The first challenge that the company may encounter is hostility in those nations (Anonymous, 2011). First, American people are seen as a major threat to peace and security in Africa and Middle East, especially in Arab territories. Therefore, such nations may be reluctant to offer those contracts and other job opportunities, besides threatening its existence in their nations. Though America has been in the fore front in trying to restore and maintain peace and security in Africa and Middle East, their efforts are little appreciated, since they lead to more insecurity, as terrorists try to fight them back. Therefore expanding an American security company operation in these regions may not be a wise decision, if the company has goals of future prospects. Secondly, African nations lack major businesses and other big operations that require the services of a security company. This is because; their economy is still unstable as they are still in the developing stage. Therefore, the demand for such services is still low, and is mainly given to African based security based companies, since they positively viewed by many Africans, thus attracting customers. However, Christian nations may not oppose American security companies, since they have no negative issues with them. On the other hand, they believe that they are better equipped and could therefore offer superior quality security services, as opposed to African based companies. Broader, (2009) assesses that Iraq and other Middle East nations pose serious threats to Americans. Since they are dominated by the Arabs, they are then the worst regions for the company to expand its services. Despite failing to penetrate any market in those regions, it may also risk losing its employees and capital, hence incurring huge losses, which the company may not be able to bear. This is because, Arabs dislike Americans and hence, to them, they may be of security threat than their aim of offering security services. This may threaten business security together with its personnel, which the company should avoid at all costs. Investing in a country like Somalia in Africa can negatively affect the company’s shipping activities and other operations. This is due to the fact that the country is dominated by terrorists, Muslims and pirates as Broader (2009) declares. Pirates are involved in hijacking shipping activities in the Indian Ocean. Therefore, the companies operations that may involve shipping across Indian Ocean may encounter serious problems from such pirates. Since they ask for hefty amounts of money to release captives, the company may lose a lot of money in saving its employees and equipments, which may be held captive. Furthermore, Muslims would rarely hire American security companies to offer them security services since the are never in good terms. Hence, the company is likely to incur very heavy losses, without even any profits but problems. Palestinians Israel war has affected American relationships with Middle East nations. American has always, and always will support Israel in this war, something that Palestinians, Arabs, and other Muslims are never happy about. Therefore, an American security company expanding its operations in such regions may pose serious challenges like lack of market, security threats to its personnel. Though Israel may be very happy to invest in such a company, Palestinians may have a negative outlook towards the company, thus creating operation tensions. Thus may hinder the company from effectively offering its services in this region. Arab nations have always been in a mission to revenge against Americans for its fight against Al Qaida and other terrorist groups. Therefore, investing in such nations may pose serious security threats to its personnel and hence business continuity. Presenting the company’s operations in this region may create war between Americans and such groups in their revenge mission. With the recent death of Osama, the Al-Qaida group is in a severe mission to revenge for his death, and wants to show America that he left his children and students. Therefore, expanding in their territory may make their work easy by attacking and destroying such a company, since it will mean American loss. This would therefore mean constant war instead of business thus threatening business survival and staff welfare. The company may also lose a lot of capital equipments which may lower its capital base and future prospects. North African countries also view American security as a threat to their own security and operations. Therefore, it may not be advisable for the company to invest in this region because they cannot penetrate the security market. Muslims and Arabs who widely inhibit this region may never employ American security based company and likewise, the others may fear hiring them, to avoid being attacked by their enemies. This is because they may be seen as bringing insecurity in the region or supporting Americans. This means that the company’s operations and personnel may be at risk, despite lacking market. Another threat of investing in African nations is lack of democracy in all aspects of life (Anonymous, 2011). This hinders transparency in many operations including that of security services. This hinders operations of profitable and high quality service companies. On the other hand, there is a lot of corruption in those regions. This may expose the company into giving bribe, so that it can be offered contracts or be hired in major operations. Giving bribes reduces a company’s profits thus threatening business continuity. Furthermore, it may face opposition from other companies, which are very convefrsant with the game, thus failing to penetrate the market. Global financial crisis may also not allow the security company to effectively expand its operations in Africa and Middle East, and even other parts of the world. Financial crisis has resulted into high food prices, mass unemployment and official documents leaks, for example wiki leaks. Many big industries that may require security services are therefore closing down, thus reducing the demand o services from security companies. Low market means that it is not advisable for the company to invest in such areas, because profits will definitely be minimal, thus threatening business continuity. High food prices means high cost of living, which may be a challenge to the company’s personnel. Many African and Middle East nations face serious poverty conditions that trigger major crime and violence in the regions, especially among the youth (Anup, 2007). If the company decides to expand its operations in these regions, it may have to deal with serious violence issues of crime like gangsters. Such gangsters attack and murder security personnel so that they can acquire guns, which they use to perpetuate their activities. The security of the company’s personnel may therefore be at risk while carrying out their operations. In cases where they may be involved in money transit, they are likely to encounter attacks from such gangsters, who are only in need of money but unfortunately kill those involved. Therefore, the company would need to heavily invest in equipping its personnel, if it has to effectively expand in these regions. This increases their cost, which the poor nations may not be able to meet, thus opting for local security services. Conclusion Security issues in African and Middle East nations have been on the rise. However, the fact that they may need security services from specialized company is high but investing in such regions threatens staff welfare, together with business continuity. Middle East is Arab dominated, who are ever opposing Americans. On the other hand, Africa is characterized by pirates, terrorists and other violent crimes besides corruption and lack of democracy. Furthermore, financial crisis in those developing countries is also high leading to high cost of living and closure of big industries that may require security services. This lowers demand and hence market for security services. Crimes of poverty among the youth lead to murder and high security operations among security personnel. In conclusion, it is not advisable for the company to invest in these regions since they pose serious threats to personnel welfare, business continuity, and shipping activities because of pirates. References Anonymous. (2011). “Middle East and North Africa Unrest.” Global Issues. Observed on 4th June, 2011 from Read More