Business Research Report (Coursework Sample)

Business Research Report Apple and the First Unions Name Instructor Institution Date Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u 1.Introduction PAGEREF _Toc118451548 \h 31.1Background PAGEREF _Toc118451549 \h 31.2Company description PAGEREF _Toc118451550 \h 31.3Problem statement PAGEREF _Toc118451551 \h 41.4Research question PAGEREF _Toc118451552 \h 41.5Organization of the Report PAGEREF _Toc118451553 \h 42.Theoretical framework PAGEREF _Toc118451554 \h 42.1Introduction PAGEREF _Toc118451555 \h 42.2Industrial Democracy Theory PAGEREF _Toc118451556 \h 52.3Summary article 1 PAGEREF _Toc118451557 \h 52.4Summary article 2 PAGEREF _Toc118451558 \h 63.Analysis PAGEREF _Toc118451559 \h 73.1Introduction PAGEREF _Toc118451560 \h 73.2Summary of main findings PAGEREF _Toc118451561 \h 74.Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc118451562 \h 8 1 Introduction 1 Background The number of members of the union has been dwindling for years. But, during the past six months, workers have unionized at a rate that has not been witnessed in this nation after the Great Depression. The Apple retail workers in the United States won their first union election. By the time the votes were counted late Saturday night, 65 out of 33 employees in Towson, Maryland had opted to become the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Employees. One hundred ten workers were offered the chance to vote. The company had tussled with the employees who wanted to join the union. At least 75 percent of workers have signed cards showing their support for the union. Apple immediately launched a vigorous anti-union effort after becoming public. It seems the corporation was able to win over some of its opponents' followers, but not quite enough to bring them down below the 50% barrier required for winning (Harrington, 2022). 2 Company description Apple Inc. (Apple) produces and sells mobile devices, laptops, computers on the go, and wearable technology. In addition to their software and services, they provide software for other platforms, networking solutions, and digital applications and content developed by other companies. The Apple product line consists of the iPhone, iPod, Mac, Apple TV, iPad, and Apple Watch. OS, iPad OS, macOS, watch OS, iCloud, Apple Pay, AppleCare, and accessory are just some of the enterprise and consumer software it delivers. The corporation operates in all five major economic regions of the world: North America, South America, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. Cupertino, California, is where Apple is headquartered (Keller, 2010). 3 Problem statement Apple launched a vigorous anti-union effort after becoming public. Workers' desire to have a voice in how the shop is operated served as the primary motivating factor for the organizing vote. Trade unions could make a company less productive. Trade unions often go on protest when they are unable to amicably negotiate an improved condition, which lowers corporate efficiency (Harrington, 2022). 4 Research question Do trade union activities contribute to positive impacts on Apple or workers? 5 Organization of the Report This report has 5 sections. The first part is the introduction which presents the background of the company, company description, research question, problem statement, and organization of the report. The second part has an introduction, a summary of labor demand theory, summaries of two articles, a conceptual framework, and a Conclusion. The third part is the analysis of the report, which also presents the summary of all the findings. The fourth and the final part of the report has the conclusion significance of the concept, and lastly answer the MRQ. 2 Theoretical framework 6 Introduction To be able to articulate why trade unions exist, it is crucial to comprehend trade union ideologies. Although there are several trade unionism ideas, none of them fully explain the structure and purposes of trade unions. Several academics have put forward various views on organized labor and the overall labor movement. One key theoretical perspective on trade unions serves as the foundation for this research (Harrington, 2022). 7 Industrial Democracy Theory A concept known as "industrial democracy" consists employees making choices and sharing responsibility and power at work. Although employees are consulted and given a voice in participatory leadership organizational structures, in industrial democracy-based companies, workers also have the final vote meaning they make decisions about organizational hierarchy and design. Following the German term Mitbestimmung, the concept "co-determination" is typically used in business law. In Germany, firms with over 2000 employees elect 50% of their administrative boards of directors, which select management, from among their investors and half among their staff. Industrial democracy's supporters frequently underline how possessing a more fully involved and contented workforce boosts efficiency and service delivery. Other benefits involve fewer workplace conflicts as a result of improved communication, more inclusive decision-making processes that result in higher decision making, lower stress and enhance wellness, an increase in work satisfaction, a decrease in lateness, and a greater sense of satisfaction. Other authors believe that citizenship lead to industrial democracy. 8 Summary article 1 The industrial democracy doctrine of labor unions was created by socialist British reformers, Sidney and Beatrice Webb. The hypothesis was created in 1897, at the close of the 19th century. The Webbs saw trade unions as a continuation of democracy in both politics and business (Devinatz, 2011). Therefore, trade unions are seen as means by which workers may exercise their right to self-determination to get fair compensation, comfortable working conditions, and improved employment agreements. Collectively chosen by the workforce, representatives negotiate collectively on behalf of the workforce. Trade unions are within the category of pressure organizations whose ways of articulating interests are founded on democratic practices when seen through democratic glasses. These include the conduct of strikes and collective bargaining, both of which are permitted in democracies. The Webbs claimed that one method to improve the workforce is via the collective bargaining process. Trade unions, according to Devinatz (2011), provide ways for labor to interact positively with capital during productive working agreements for the advantage of both sides. In democracies, no one individual has the power to decide on their own. To guarantee that the resulting policies or choices benefit many people, smart decisions are instead made after extensive discussions with all the relevant stakeholders (Williams, 2004). 9 Summary article 2 Workers involvement in management is described by Rathnakar (2012) as the involvement arising from practices that boost the scope for employees' share of impact in decision-making at various levels of organizational ranking with concurrent assumption of accountability. This definition is taken from the International Center of Labour Research. There is a possibility for increased efficiency and improved personal connections when employees engage in choice and experience genuine democracy. Industrial democracy seems to motivate managers and staff to work together. Businesses that support industrial democracy are the most likely to see a significant decrease in the frequency of union negotiations and lockouts. Based on the International Labour Organization's Labour Commission, discussion should be employed in the office to foster harmony, which would undoubtedly increase work efficiency and everyone's well-being. Employees must also be granted the same privileges that every member is entitled to. According to Rathnakar (2012), employee participation in managerial decision is the critical part of industrial democracy. Having employees as member of the company and allowing them to partake in choices that have an influence on them and how the firm is managed are indeed examples of industrial democracy. Therefore in way, the connection among the servant and the master would change into a collaboration, which is anticipated to lead to improved professional relationships and increased productivity for the business. 3 Analysis 10 Introduction The findings ...