...Limiting Big Pharma’s Power: Eric Sills Executive Summary This policy brief examines the power dynamic of the pharmaceutical industry with regards to its influence in Washington. By exerting so much influence in the arena where the drug laws are drawn up, discussed, and passed, the pharmaceutical industry, also known as BIG Pharma due to their scope, size, and influence, has negatively affected the consumer in its market, namely the medical patient. The drug industry has done this through lobbying in Washington to keep laws relating to the pharmaceutical market favorable for the drug companies themselves. This brief examines three possible solutions to this problem: lobbying spending and lobbyist limits for pharmaceutical companies, a ban on direct advertisements by pharmaceutical companies, and more transparency and screening before prescribing prescription pain killers. In this analysis, the first alternative represents the best solution to this problem as it has the highest overall potential for benefit and less total cost than the other two possible solutions. Introduction/Background This policy brief examines the pharmaceutical industry and how it has come to gain too much power not only with regards to market power in its industry but also with regards to their influence in Washington. By having this much power, drug companies have negatively affected medical consumers/patients through continued increased prices and a steady decline in innovation. Steps...
Words: 3199 - Pages: 13
...Big Brother Case 3.1 Business Ethics and Social Repsonsibility OMM640 November 17, 2012 Big Brother Case 3.1 Has there ever been a time when you were so ecstatic about your new job opportunity that you just simply signed your life away? How many times has a individual actually carefully read each word in each sentence of every paragraph on the countless pages before signing on the dotted line or initially on the page and signing on the very last page. Many employees may lightly read the material read the bold point or like me read over quickly and try to see if there is any fine print that will draw my attention. In any case the information on the page is what the company offers and what it expects from their employees. Some documentation may state that you are revoking your rights to work for any competing companies or that you have to adhere to the confidentiality of the organization under any circumstance permitted by law. It is not an abuse of power when one signs that they will be in compliance with the rules and regulations of the company in whom they are employed by. Yet is an abuse of power when they perform analytical searches into phone records of each resident in the 513 and 606 area codes as well as the phone records of 803, 849 homes (Boatright, 2009, p. 61). This is were P&G fell off and became erroneous. Verifying phone records of P&G employees would have been rationalized if and only if the company stayed within their limits. P&G...
Words: 568 - Pages: 3
...Turnover: Fort Bend County As Case Study. Leadership and Organization Behavior (MGMT-591) ABSTRACT A brief discussion about the Department of Family and Protective Services and the issue of high turnover of the workforce and suggestion on what the department can do further in ensuring workers retention becomes high. The agency is charged with one of the most difficult societal task and needs qualified and experience workforce in order to fulfil their mission and objectives. However in a world with many organization demanding the skills and services of may able bodied workforce it is becoming increasingly difficult for the agency to retain old workers and keep the new one at the agency. The paper looks at the agency from the eye on an insider and suggests some areas where the agency can focus its attention in ensuring workers stay and have a fulfilled career at the agency. The department of family and planning services is one of the social services organization charged with keeping the family structure together and functional and to ensure the safety of children in the home. Its powers and legality are founded under the Texas family code. It’s an organization that strives to ensure the safety of all children from abuse and neglect while keeping the family structure together as much as possible without excessive governmental intrusion. I work as an investigator for this department. My journey in the department started six months back with class environment training and on the...
Words: 3226 - Pages: 13
...the report will look at the different market structures and show examples of the types of companies, which trade within them. Also the report will look at the advantages and disadvantages to each of the market structures. Perfect competition This market structure has a vast amount of companies with no barriers to entry new companies can join easily. Product pricing rarely changes, and is usually low, as no one company has the resources to develop the product or business image. E.g. advertising. The downside to this type of market is that there is little reason for competition, as the price will not have a significant difference when consumers go to a different company. Another is that there is no chance of the market being able to innovate as all business in the sector are small and cannot afford a research and development. Oligopoly Market An oligopoly market has a small number of firms, which are all able to make supernormal profits. The advantages are that these companies have the resources to reduce the price of their products, this can sometimes lead to price wars such as in the case of the big supermarkets. Also the supernormal profit can help innovate the market through research and development programs. As there a fewer firms the more market share there is between them and the more influence they can have on the market. Another advantage is that these companies...
Words: 3528 - Pages: 15
...worm on the other hand is a special type of virus that spread through the memory to avoid detection and will consume the computers resources. a Trojan horse is any type of malicious software that uses a trigger to activate, such as opening a certain program or reaching a certain date. 3. Explain the different with regard to power “irregularities” and the impact that each may have on the ability for a business to function with its information systems. the first type of power irregularities are called spikes or surges. these are sudden increases in voltage through power lines. Most systems are protected from these surges quite easily with the use of surge protectors making surges not a big threat. Another form of power irregulation is sags or brownouts. A brownout or sag is a drop in voltage in an electrical power supply. Brownouts can cause poor performance of equipment or even incorrect operation. the last power irregulation is called blackouts, or fault. Blackouts, like brownouts, are a drop in voltage of an electrical power supply but unlike brownouts which are quick a blackout could last days. Any company could be in trouble if there information systems ever went down for days at a time. 4. What are the “forces of nature” which could cause interruption in information processing for a business? The forces...
Words: 715 - Pages: 3
...created by the closure of a manufacturing plant in the same town. This illustrates a common outcome of the arrival of giant retail companies in otherwise unexplored geographies. This is also touted as the reason why many governments were initially and many still are opposed to the idea of allowing large retail companies to set up shop especially if they are from abroad. One of such large retailer is IKEA which has of late managed to enter the Asian market. IKEA is known all over the world as a low cost high quality provider of ready to assemble furniture. This is about what the company does and not what it stands for. IKEA is a symbol of excellence that serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurs and business houses alike. There are no two views about the successful business model adopted by IKEA which also has a strong value system. There are fewer controversies and lot more accolades for IKEA as compared to other large retail giants. What is more fascinating however is the fact that in spite of being a large and powerful entity IKEA does not abuse its dominant position to extract any benefits from its partners and suppliers. It is this characteristic that differentiates IKEA from other large retail companies. It is not surprising to find large corporations taking advantage of cultural and legal loopholes to expand their businesses. When a company like IKEA manages to expand its business in around 38...
Words: 2168 - Pages: 9
...markets and capitalism through competition for scarce resources by maintaining equilibrium between the supply and demand of resources. Also, as market participants compete, driven by their own needs and wants, they involuntarily benefit society at large without the help of goverment. This essay will examine the core theoretical ideas behind Adam Smith’s invisible hand theory, focusing on the negative aspects, and show that the negative aspects are more prominent when applied to the article ‘Power trader accused of abusing monopoly position’ Understanding of theory Adam Smith's invisible hand theory sets the foundation for laissez-faire economic philosophy, which describe the self-regulating behavior and minimize the role of government intervention and taxation in the free markets .Smith argued the most crucial variable in the market is the price and its functions is providing information telling people what to do and presenting incentive for them to act on this information. Both companies and workers are guided, as if by an invisible hand, to produce the goods and services that are most desired by consumers, which occurs when all of them are only pursuing their own self-interest. In his famous publication The Wealth of Nations, Smith makes the following statement: "It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest." Yet, in trying to maximize their own profits or wages, people are guided...
Words: 3465 - Pages: 14
... Globalization includes markets and production. “Globalization of markets refers to the merging of historically distinct and separate national markets into one huge global marketplace and the globalization of production refers to sourcing goods and services from locations around the globe to take advantage of national differences in the cost and quality of factors of production (such as labor, energy, land and capital)” (Hill, 2011). Globalization is an opportunity for big corporations as well as for small businesses; it is the movement of jobs, goods, finances, and investments. With the advancement of technology there are more business trading in more markets. With all of this advancement some are questioning whether globalization is a positive or negative for the economy. The answer to that would depend on whom you speak with. For the counties like India and China that are gaining employment and a higher standard of living due the large level of companies looking or cheap labor, and companies...
Words: 2087 - Pages: 9
...Nike, Inc. was founded in 1964 by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman through an investment of $500 by each individual. Nike, Inc. was then called Blue Ribbon Sports and has evolved from being an importer and distributor of Japanese specialty running shoes to becoming the world leader in the design, marketing, and distribution of athletic footwear. Nike's business model was developed by Knight while attending Stanford Business School in the early 1960's. Knight realized that the United States' consumer appliance and electronic markets were beginning to be dominated by the lower-cost, higher quality Japanese producers. Most of the leading footwear companies were still producing their own shoes in higher-costing companies such as the United States and Germany, and Knight believed that by outsourcing shoe production to lower-cost Japanese producers, Blue Ribbon Sports could undersell its competitors and break into this market. As a result of this model, Blue Ribbon Sports began to import sports shoes from Japan and sales increased to almost $2 million in the early 1970's. Nike employers approximately 25,000 people on worldwide. In addition, approximately 650,000 workers are employed in Nike contracted factories around the globe . Nike owned over 200 Nike Factory Stores and over 100 sales and administrative offices. Many people these days are angered by the steps that corporations take simply to make money, and it is quite disgusting in some of the ways a corporation operates. Rallies...
Words: 2105 - Pages: 9
...Environmental Responsibility Small companies sometimes make big contributions to surrounding communities, and become leaders as they set social agendas and enact initiatives to address community issues. Such is the case for the New Belgium Brewing Company (NBB), which has gone to great lengths to incorporate environmentally sensitive and energy-saving alternatives into its brewery process. For example, it was the first brewery in America to be completely wind powered, and its brewery is LEED certified. The company is constantly experimenting with ways to reduce water consumption and waste, and to recycle a greater proportion of waste products. Currently, the company recycles around three-quarters of all of its waste. The brewery even donates barley and hop mash leftover from the brewing process to local pig farmers to use as feed. NBB has developed an organic wheat beer, making it one of the largest craft brewers in the country to do so. Beyond its commitment to the environment, New Belgium Brewing has become a model for social responsibility as a result of its philanthropic efforts in the states in which it is distributed. For example, for every barrel of beer sold, NBB donates $1 to a philanthropic cause within that state, amounting to nearly a half a million dollars annually. NBB also donates 1 percent of its profits to environmental causes. Because its primary product is beer, New Belgium focuses a lot of efforts on education about alcohol abuse and encouraging responsible consumption...
Words: 945 - Pages: 4
...saw the problems caused by industrialization and big business, but disagreed on the nature of these problems and the correct method of solving them. Roosevelt saw the benefit of increased efficiency brought on by big business but stressed the need to legislate against its abuse of power while Wilson saw all monopoly as inherently unproductive and stressed its abolishment. While each of these men were strong in their convictions related to reigning in or completing eliminating the big business mindset that had overtaken the country at the time, the simple fact is that not all of their goals were met while in office in relation to this cause. When running for office, candidates often lead with speeches of great change in an effort to sway the vote in their favor. However, despite the desires of their heart, these two men were unable to push their complete agenda because although their parties controlled the senate, receiving the support their required was nearly impossible for each stance they took. President Roosevelt was indeed a fan of the little man in America, and supported the thought of achieving the American dream; to include small business ownership. However, it was not his desire to completely interrupt what was going on with industry during your years in the White House. He realized to importance of big business in America, and the financial gains that came from such companies. He did not agree with the manner in which big business was handling things though, and strived...
Words: 1183 - Pages: 5
...helpful suggestions regarding the project. I also thank all the officers in the Commission who provided knowledge of the working of the Commission during the rotation exercise. The library staff also provided help whenever it was required. Page 2 A REVIEW OF THE COMPETITION ISSUES IN THE REAL ESTATE SECTOR: AN ANALYSIS OF THE POSITION POST DLF CASE TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………………5 OVERVIEW OF THE REAL ESTATE SECTOR IN INDIA…………………………..….6 Regulation of the Sector………………………………………………………..……7 The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2011………………………....7 ABUSE OF DOMINANCE IN THE REAL ESTATE SECTOR……………………..……9 Relevant Market…………………………………………………………………..…9 Assessment of dominance………………………………………………………..….9 Abuse of dominance…………………………………………………………….….11 BELAIRE OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION V. DLF LTD. & HUDA…………………..…….15 Other orders relating to DLF’s abuse of dominance……………………….………19 Implications of the order…………………………………………………..……….20 Consumers’ dilemma post DLF order……………………………………...………21 . CARTELLIZATION IN REAL ESTATE…………………………………………....……24 Standard form contracts and Competition Law…………………………...….…….25 APPLICABILITY OF...
Words: 10071 - Pages: 41
...IoD Big Picture Summer 2013 Tax avoidance: remedies and collateral damage SNAPSHOT • The term ‘tax avoidance’ needs to be carefully defined and is not the same as ‘tax abuse’ or ‘tax evasion’. This article considers where avoidance becomes abuse and, in particular, the advantages and disadvantages of some measures to control it. Tax avoidance: remedies and collateral damage Richard Baron, former Head of Taxation at the IoD, and Stephen Herring, his successor, consider the proper use of the term ‘tax avoidance’, where avoidance becomes abuse, and the pros and cons of some measures to control it. • The basics of UK tax law are simple, but difficulties arise from complex transactions that require specific rules – which in turn create opportunities for aggressive tax avoidance and abuse. ax avoidance has rarely been out of the news over the past two years, although the term has also rarely been properly defined and has often been muddled both with tax abuse and, even more incorrectly, tax evasion. Commentary has focused on two separate assertions that tax avoidance is taking place. Firstly, claims that some multinational groups of companies, generally US-owned, have undertaken planning which might involve recognising profits in one country rather than another that has higher corporation tax rates. Secondly, introducing planning arrangements to secure better treatments of financing costs, intellectual property rights and undistributed profits by locating business...
Words: 4175 - Pages: 17
...The problem within this company is communication. The company has a policy where they allow supervisors to free reign in decision making. Issues come about because both sets of supervisors have equal power but at different times, over a different set of staff and so they are unable to communicate on issues that come up and how all four of them can agree to solve it. Communication issues are also connected to their individual legitimate power. Mr. Finder has also been receiving grievances files by subordinate staff through the union because of alcohol and drug abuse by the supervisors on the night shift. Communication issue have caused him to find out these problems from an outside source rather than internally. Patrick Finders company has the a “can-do” attitude where they encourage supervisors to make decisions. This is an excellent strategy for some companies but it doesn’t work for all. There are four supervisors, two on the day shift and two on the night shift. It is obvious that the supervisors don’t communicate because of the constant conflict in the hand over meetings. The supervisors have power on their own shifts, over their own staff and so they don’t see that they “share” this power with the two others in the opposite shift. This is where the conflict comes from. Through this power, the two supervisors on the night shift have begun to drink and do drugs on company compound and the subordinate staff don’t seem to be able to do anything about it. It is possibly because...
Words: 608 - Pages: 3
...the edge of the slope is where doing what is right often can tarnish relationships and cause rift. There are those who are lost in the minefield of power and politics, some of these managers suffer not only a career crisis, often they fall on their sword in an act of career suicide. Managing the delicate balance of politics, power and influence can ensure that the manager survives their trip through the minefield. What can influence the way a manager or supervisor navigates this minefield, besides experiencing it firsthand, learning about the short comings of other managers and supervisors who share their story. During the course of the project, Tom Green and his experience at Dynamic Displays is a case study in which a student can see how to better apply power and influence to navigate the workplace and a chosen career. Where did the power players of Dynamic Displays appropriately use and miss use power and information? The Problem No two people are alike; Davis expected his replacement to be as much like he was and use his style when Green took on the promotion. It appears as though Green does everything but the expectations that Davis envisions; however, it is not evident that Davis ever clearly laid out the expectations to the subordinate. Davis having held this position prior to Green’s promotion, had expert power from his experience, skills and knowledge (French & Raven, 1959). With his experience from working many years in Green’s...
Words: 1451 - Pages: 6
