The Costs and Benefits of Joining EMU Case Study - 1

The Costs and Benefits of Joining EMU - Case Study Example The increasing interdependence among the European states is aimed at creating free mobility of goods, services, labour, and capital within the trade region (Debra, & Colin, 2007, p. 162). The EMU has increased the common rules among the member states to combine the separate markets and economies by increasing the economic coordination and cooperation and setting new competition policies for the member states. The EMU has created economic interdependence so as to eliminate monetary policies that undermine and distort benefits realized from such interdependency (Debra, & Colin, 2007, p. 162). For the EMU to function smoothly, the following feature must be present: The member states of EMU must surrender their sovereignty in some areas of policy formulation. Such areas include interest rates and exchange rates determination, and constraints acceptance in macro-economic exercise (Debra, & Colin, 2007, p. 163). The politicians from the member states of EMU are required to undertake unpopular policies required for a state to qualify to be a member of EMU, and also introduce economic structural reforms that will ensure their country’s economies survive within the economic and monetary union. However, reluctance among the major European Union community has led to serious problems of EMU. The above feature and condition do not determine whether the European Union has an ideal environment for using the common currency. The optimal currency areas (OCAs) theory sets the preconditions for use of common currency among states. For the EMU to succeed in using the common currency, the following conditions must be fulfilled: Though the EMU has been launched, some of these conditions appear to be lacking within the European Union trade region. However, some benefits have gained by the European Union countries for being members of EMU. The main perceived benefits of joining economic and monetary union include low costs of the transaction, single market consolidation, the convergence of prices, stabilization of foreign exchange rates, and price stability (De Grauwe, 2005).     

Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility of Levis Strauss Research Paper - 5

Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility of Levis Strauss - Research Paper Example Levi’s Strauss & Co (n.d.) strongly believes that its business can flourish based on its principles built on company values and its employees.   LS&CO’s values include empathy, originality, integrity, and courage. Its vision states, â€Å"We are the embodiment of the energy and events of our times, inspiring people with a pioneering spirit† (Levi Strauss & CO, n.d.). As pointed by our Chief Legal Officer, Hilary Krane (n.d), â€Å"for LS&CO., corporate citizenship is based on a strong belief that the company can help shape society through civic engagement and community involvement, responsible labor and workplace practices, philanthropy, ethical conduct, environmental stewardship, and transparency.† This is clearly indicative of the extent and amount of efforts LS&CO puts in towards achieving and maintaining CSR initiatives; moreover, our value attached to corporate citizenship encompasses all principles outlined by the UN Global Compact.  With respect to energy and climate issues, Levi Strauss hopes to reach carbon neutrality and is encouraging government policymakers to help companies reach carbon neutrality faster and at the lower cost. Our recommendations towards the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation: 1. Introduce the active promotion of diversity management at the organizational culture level. By introducing referral schemes for employees that will bring people from diverse backgrounds. b. By introducing better human resources practices in terms of pay, benefits, rewards, and recognition. 2. Involve actively in the promotion of wellbeing of the civic population by a. Involving actively in encouraging others to include members of invisible minorities like the LGBT community. b. Providing safe working conditions for pregnant women and the disabled through work practices, safe environment as well as safety equipment for the disabled. Secondly, towards undertaking initiatives to promote greate r environmental responsibility, we recommend to:  1. Introduce changes to the supply chain management system by a. Optimizing transportation from suppliers. b. Minimal packaging of supplies. 2. Promote awareness and affiliation towards environmental responsibility among external stakeholders by a. Measuring external stakeholders’ effectiveness in improving the green initiative. b. Rewarding and recognizing the top achievers of green initiative. Martin-Ortega and Wallace point that Levi’s code of conduct is considered as one of the first corporate code that defines ethics and labor rights in management contexts that were formed many decades ago ( 2007 p.313).