Seminar paper from the year 2002 in the subject Business economics - General, Nurtingen University (FB BWL), course: Seminar, language: English, abstract: Image - the key to success. In fact, a positive image matters for a company to be successful and it is a good opportunity to get positive publicity. On the other side there are other things, which are important to be successful. There are management ratios like productivity, profitability, liquidity and many other ratios, which count in order to value a company numerically. In my following work, I will only refer to the image. Image is not only developed through advertising. The products should suit the corresponding brand and the selected advertising medium should support the brand and its image through its means of communication in order to create a total image of the company, the brand and the products. The brand and the image of a company represent the promise that products and services will perform to expectations. The identity-oriented marketing of a brand and its products contributes in addition to revalue a company identity through good image. In this connection, I will focus more closely on the importance of brand identity and brand marketing. Furthermore, I will base my report on Thermador, an American kitchen appliance manufacturer, where I conducted my internship, to clarify the important role of Image. Thermador s corporate office is located in Huntington Beach, California. All employees of hierarchy level and departments are located here. Since my internship experience was conducted with Thermador, it enabled me to develop a deeper insight into the company and the brand. Thermador was bought in 1998 on its good image by the German company Bosch-Siemens-Home Appliances Ltd. and is banished almost exclusively in North America. The brand Thermador represents qualitatively high-value built-in appliances and has established, over a period of more than 70 years, an outstanding name in the home appliances industry throughout North America.

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Law, grade: 1.0 (A), Hawai'i Pacific University (-), course: MBA-Program (Vorlesung), language: English, abstract: Employee privacy is increasingly becoming an issue for employers, unions, employees and lawyers. Employer requirements to conduct tests and acquire additional information from employees, such as drug and alcohol use and testing has become a privacy concern. While increasingly employers have to ensure that their employees are fit for duty, the use of drug and alcohol testing is still controversial. With respect to drug and alcohol testing, some states prohibit such tests but state law varies dramatically. A study shows that America's drug problem is big. America, with 5% of the entire world's population buys and consumes fully 60% of the entire world's supply of illegal drugs and 77% of all illegal drug users are employed. Ostensibly, prospective employers and employees want the same thing: to match the best person with the most fitting job. Many employers are quick to welcome outside evaluations of an individual's mental and physical fitness and integrity, and to believe in their results - often at the risk of sacrificing individual privacy rights. The issue here is, should employers require their employees to be alcohol and drug tested and how does it affect privacy rights. In general, under human rights law, drug and alcohol testing are only allowed in certain circumstances. It is discriminatory to test potential or existing employees for drug and alcohol use if there is not a valid reason to test. The alternatives employers have are either drug test job applicants and existing employees or do not drug test them. There are pros and cons regarding alcohol and drug testing that need to be considered before deciding which alternative to chose. Criteria that is used in this research paper are basically violation of privacy rights and security and safety concerns.

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Economics - Foreign Trade Theory, Trade Policy, grade: 1.0 (A), Hawai'i Pacific University (-), course: MBA-Program (Vorlesung), language: English, abstract: To comprehend what is driving U.S. trade and investment policy requires an understanding of simultaneous developments occurring in investment, production, and trade. World exports grew more during the past decade than world production, indicating increased international interdependence. The growth in trade was made possible by improvements in transportation and communication networks, but also by the steady reduction of trade barriers. On January 1, 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect among Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The agreement provides a detailed framework for the conduct of trade among the three countries. But its objectives are much more expansive than trade alone: The agreement is designed to remove barriers to investment among the three countries, permit the free flow of services, and enable expeditious settlement of trade disputes. NAFTA is an economic agreement that should influence where and how goods are produced and how services are provided in North America. NAFTA should have a positive effect on income and employment in each of the three member countries. These effects should be greatest in Mexico, the least developed of the three.

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Offline Marketing and Online Marketing, grade: 1.0 (A), Hawai'i Pacific University (-), course: Marketing Lecture MBA Programm, language: English, abstract: The United Colors of Benetton: a company of colors and controversies. Offering the world an insight to fashion, as well as, human equality and world issues, Benetton gives us stylish clothing and innovative promotion. While trying to capture an audience favoring Italian character in style and design, the company additionally desires to present the world with contentious campaigns to awaken thoughts and debates. These controversies are jeopardizing Benetton's position in the industry, and its reputation of being trendily unique and committing to world harmony. The United Colors of Benetton (Benetton), an Italian based company, is primarily focusing its business on clothing and controversial advertising. Presented all over the world, the company is available to young and old in combined colors and stylish fashion. In the following pages a complete internal and external analysis of the company will be explained, as well as, a description of the company s overall standing. The alternatives as seen are described to include the advantages and drawbacks of each alternative. Conclusively, a recommendation based upon all of the findings outlined is prescribed.

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Leadership and Human Resources - Miscellaneous, grade: 1.0 (A), Hawai'i Pacific University (-), course: Lecture MBA Program, language: English, abstract: In the business environment HIV and AIDS has become both a health and an economic problem. As the epidemic spreads throughout the workforce, Human resources personnel and managers in general must be prepared to deal effectively with the challenge of having employees who are affected by HIV and AIDS. The majority of large U.S. corporations already employ a substantial number of people who have AIDS or are infected with HIV. Integration of HIV and AIDS programs into human resources management systems should be viewed as a means to achieve overall effective human resource management and to reduce costs. Currently, only 16% of U.S. businesses offer AIDS/HIV workplace education programs to their employees. In order to deal with this issue effectively, managers need to know how HIV is transmitted, the stages of the disease, how to prevent discrimination against employees who have AIDS or are infected with HIV, and what accommodations must be provided for such workers under the ADA and other laws. They also need to learn how to manage the psychological climate of work groups that have employees with HIV or AIDS to prevent workplace disruptions. Statement of the problemHIV and AIDS have become a serious problem in all five continents. HIV continues to spread around the world and global statistics show that 34.3 million people are living with HIV in 2003, in comparison to 5.4 million in 1999. The virus impacts not only the internal system of an individual s body, but also does the infection rate affects business and the workplace. Health records show that on average HIV-infected employees have taken seventeen full days of sick leave. The cost of absenteeism, provision of hospital and medical care, training and wages for new employee s replacements is enormous. But HIV at the workplace also leads to an ethical dilemma. There are different moral viewpoints and different interests that may conflict with those of another. But not just interests might be different, also the rights of employers and employees may conflict. An employer has the right to expect productivity and employees are entitled to a safe working environment but also to not being discriminated. Therefor making ethical decisions in the workplace is not a simple matter.

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Accounting and Taxes, grade: 1.5 (A), Hawai'i Pacific University (-), course: Vorlesung MBA Programm, language: English, abstract: The companies we selected are from the SEC Industry group 5651-Retail Clothing stores. This industry has a variety of stores ranging in age, distribution, and reputation. The companies we will financially analyze are Nordstrom, Gap Inc. and Abercrombie & Fitch. These three businesses represent the variety which the clothing industry contains. This report will consider and examine various financial aspects of our companies. By analyzing key figures from financial statements, we will be able to compare key issues between the companies. Such issues include liquidity, leverage, profitability, overall financial standing and accounting methods implemented. First we will begin with a brief description of each company. Nordstrom was founded in 1901 by John W. Nordstrom. His philosophy was to offer customers the best possible service, selection, quality and value. The company is committed to the idea of which it began with, earning trust form customers one at a time. Nordstrom created its fashion departments to fit individual's lifestyles. They currently have five channels of operation: full line stores, off/price stores, boutiques, catalog and the internet. GAP was founded by Donald and Doris Fisher in 1969. Today it is one of the largest specialty retailers with three of the most recognized names: Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. The company employees over 165,000 people and has about 4,200 stores in the US, UK, Canada, France, Japan and Germany. The Gap is focusing on their international locations and continual expansion of company owned and operated stores. They are committed to monitor and improve the clothing production factories conditions overseas. The Gap continues to evolve and adopt good corporate governance revolving on conducting business in a responsible, honest and ethical matter (www.gap.com). A & F was introduced in 1997 and spun off The Limited in 1998. It is a leading specialty retailer encompassing three concepts: Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie and Hollister Co. The company focuses on high quality merchandise to compliment a casual American lifestyle, while targeting age's 18-college. Abercrombie & Fitch claims their most important strategy: building their brands. Presently they are focusing on developing their women's and girls departments. In 2002 they grew rapidly opening 112 new stores whereby at the end of the year the company had 597 locations nationwide (www.abercrombie.com).

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 1.2 (A), Hawai'i Pacific University (-), course: Lecture MBA Program, language: English, abstract: Image - the key to success. In fact, a positive image matters for a company to be successful and it is a good opportunity to get positive publicity. On the other side there are other things, which are important to be successful. There are management ratios like productivity, profitability, liquidity and many other ratios, which count in order to value a company numerically. In my following work, I will only refer to the image. Image is not only developed through advertising. The products should suit the corresponding brand and the selected advertising medium should support the brand and its image through its means of communication in order to create a total image of the company, the brand and the products. The brand and the image of a company represent the promise that products and services will perform to expectations. The identity-oriented marketing of a brand and its products contributes in addition to revalue a company identity through good image. In this connection, I will focus more closely on the importance of brand identity and brand marketing. Furthermore, I will base my report on Thermador, an American kitchen appliance manufacturer, where I conducted my internship, to clarify the important role of Image. Thermador s corporate office is located in Huntington Beach, California. All employees of hierarchy level and departments are located here. Since my internship experience was conducted with Thermador, it enabled me to develop a deeper insight into the company and the brand. Thermador was bought in 1998 on its good image by the German company Bosch-Siemens-Home Appliances Ltd. and is banished almost exclusively in North America. The brand Thermador represents qualitatively high-value built-in appliances and has established, over a period of more than 70 years, an outstanding name in the home appliances industry throughout North America.

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2004 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: A-, Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU), course: MBA class, language: English, abstract: ABB Ltd. is a leader in power and automation technologies. ABB provides products and systems for industrial, commercial customers, and financial services using the most advanced technologies and applications. The ABB Group was formed in 1987 through the merger of the Swedish company Asea with the Swiss company Brown Bovery. Presently its core company is organized into 5 divisions and the following are the percentages of the 2002 gross revenues:- Automation Technology (22%)- Utilities (21%)- Industries (19%)- Power Technology (19%)- Other (19%)Percy Barnevik, who at that time was the CEO of Asea, became the CEO of this new established corporation. Back in 1996, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recognized Barnevik as an innovative inspirational leadership in the electro industry and his role as a chief architect of a global company that recognizes no national borders and vigilantly protects the spirit of entrepreneurship (ABB, 1996). Through his new management style and through delegating responsibilities to its managers, ABB became a predominant player in the Industrial electrical equipment industry competing with companies such us: Emerson Electric, GE, ITT Industries and Nidec Co. with operation in around 100 countries and employing about 115,000 people.

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2004 in the subject Business economics - Offline Marketing and Online Marketing, grade: A-, Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU), course: Information Systems MBA class, language: English, abstract: This paper will analyze the five competitive forces in the automobile industry. More particularly, it will be analyzed how the forces have an effect on the car manufacturer BMW. Based on this analysis, the force with the most impact on the company will be identified. Based on that, it will be described how BMW uses Information Systems to offset the force. The five competitive forces model was developed in 1980 by Michael E. Porter. Porter s five forces model suggests that competition in an industry is rooted in its underlying economic structure and goes beyond the behavior of current competitors (Porter, 1980). The stage of competition depends upon five basic competitive forces, which determine the degree of competition and the profit potential in an industry. The five forces are intensity of competitors, power of suppliers, power of customers, threat of new entrants and threat of substitute products. BMW, which stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke, has made a well-known name as a luxury car manufacturer. The headquarter of the BMW group is in Munich, Germany, but the company is present all over the world. The company built a high brand equity over the years through continuous branding efforts and high quality products. BMW is arguably the most admired carmaker in the world and BMW products inspire near-fanatical loyalty (Kiley, 2004).

Scientific Study from the year 2004 in the subject Business economics - Offline Marketing and Online Marketing, grade: A, Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU), course: Brand Management MBA class, language: English, abstract: A survey was conducted to analyse the brand BMW and the companies branding strategy. The survez indicated the following: Since the functional luxury market's traditional male domination is lessening, the target market for BMW consists of both genders. Citizenship or ethnicity is unimportant. As an exporter, BMW goal is to appeal to all people regardless of ethnicity. BMW believes the positive associations (country of origin) for their brand assist them in their export markets. The survey results indicate that the BMW message is reaching their target market. Of the survey respondents, more then two thirds recalled BMW as a luxury car, nearly all recalled BMW as a foreign car, and all respondents recognized the BMW name. BMW produces models targeting the singles market as well as models for families. The survey data indicates the attributes relating to associations with the singles market to be far weaker then those focused on the family market. BMW realizes that their target market s financial status requires them to focus on a more educated customer, one that has completed college, and survey results confirm their success. The price segmentation BMW chooses limits its target market to individuals at higher levels of income. The market segmentation requires income levels corresponding to educated individuals and professionals. Professions of survey participants included managers and other professional s BMW targets. The survey also indicated respondents not targeted by BMW are interested their products. This is a result of BMW s association as a status symbol. Our survey resulted in a score of 4.1 and 4.6 (5 maximum possible) when participants were asked to indicate agreement with the words prestigious car and status symbol , respectively. Some of those not targeted yet interested in BMW could move into the target market through graduation from college or increasing levels of corporate responsibility.

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2004 in the subject Business economics - General, grade: A-, Hawai'i Pacific University, course: MBA IT class, language: English, abstract: This paper will analyze how the German car manufacturer BMW derives value from information systems as well as identify the value chain activities that are affected by the identified information systems. Following analysis will be limited to the information systems that provide the greatest value to BMW in form of gaining or maintaining a competitive advantage. BMW, which stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke, is a luxury car manufacturer. The headquarters of the BMW group is in Munich, Germany, but the company is present all over the world (BMW Group, 2004). The company built high brand equity over the years through continuous branding efforts and high quality products (Interbrand, 2001). BMW is arguably the most admired carmaker in the world and BMW products inspire near-fanatical loyalty (Kiley, 2004). Michael E. Porter developed the value chain concept in 1985. Porter s value chain provides a systematic means of categorizing activities. At each stage of the value chain there exists an opportunity to contribute positively to the firm s competitive strategy by performing some activity or process in a way that is better than the competitors, and so providing some uniqueness or advantage (Porter, 1985). Value activities can be divided into two broad types, primary activities and support activities (Porter, 1985). There are five generic categories of primary activities involved in competing in any industry: (a) Inbound Logistics, (b) Operations, (c) Outbound logistics, (d) Marketing and Sales, and (e) Services (Porter, 1985). Support activities support the primary activities and can be divided in four generic categories: (a) Procurement, (b) Technology Development, (c) Human Resource Management and (d) Firm Infrastructure (Porter, 1985).

Scientific Study from the year 2004 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: A, Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU), course: MBA class, language: English, abstract: Change is often not welcomed, because it is more comfortable to do things the way we've always done them and change is often perceived as a threat. But change has always been a reality of life and is even more so today. The challenge for leaders is the transformation of their organization at this time of fast change. In this context, the research paper will analyze how the German car manufacturer BMW can apply organizational change and development theories to ensure highest quality and increase its market share in the emerging Chinese market. China's explosive growth, which has turned its car market into the fastest-growing in the world, has attracted foreign automakers in hordes (Welch, 2004). Over the past decade, nearly every major car company has entered the Chinese market and so did BMW. The German car manufacturer invested in the local market and formally opened its first production facility in Shenyang. BMW entered a 50-50 joint venture with Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd in 2003 and opened a 450-million plant, which will produce both BMW 3-series and 5-series models. BMW, which sells its three brands BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce, is thus the only carmaker in the premium segment that produces locally in China (Welch, 2004).

Seminar paper from the year 2002 in the subject Business economics - General, Nurtingen University (FB BWL), course: Seminar, language: English, abstract: Image - the key to success. In fact, a positive image matters for a company to be successful and it is a good opportunity to get positive publicity. On the other side there are other things, which are important to be successful. There are management ratios like productivity, profitability, liquidity and many other ratios, which count in order to value a company numerically. In my following work, I will only refer to the image. Image is not only developed through advertising. The products should suit the corresponding brand and the selected advertising medium should support the brand and its image through its means of communication in order to create a total image of the company, the brand and the products. The brand and the image of a company represent the promise that products and services will perform to expectations. The identity-oriented marketing of a brand and its products contributes in addition to revalue a company identity through good image. In this connection, I will focus more closely on the importance of brand identity and brand marketing. Furthermore, I will base my report on Thermador, an American kitchen appliance manufacturer, where I conducted my internship, to clarify the important role of Image. Thermador s corporate office is located in Huntington Beach, California. All employees of hierarchy level and departments are located here. Since my internship experience was conducted with Thermador, it enabled me to develop a deeper insight into the company and the brand. Thermador was bought in 1998 on its good image by the German company Bosch-Siemens-Home Appliances Ltd. and is banished almost exclusively in North America. The brand Thermador represents qualitatively high-value built-in appliances and has established, over a period of more than 70 years, an outstanding name in the home appliances industry throughout North America.

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Law, grade: 1.0 (A), Hawai'i Pacific University (-), course: MBA-Program (Vorlesung), language: English, abstract: Employee privacy is increasingly becoming an issue for employers, unions, employees and lawyers. Employer requirements to conduct tests and acquire additional information from employees, such as drug and alcohol use and testing has become a privacy concern. While increasingly employers have to ensure that their employees are fit for duty, the use of drug and alcohol testing is still controversial. With respect to drug and alcohol testing, some states prohibit such tests but state law varies dramatically. A study shows that America's drug problem is big. America, with 5% of the entire world's population buys and consumes fully 60% of the entire world's supply of illegal drugs and 77% of all illegal drug users are employed. Ostensibly, prospective employers and employees want the same thing: to match the best person with the most fitting job. Many employers are quick to welcome outside evaluations of an individual's mental and physical fitness and integrity, and to believe in their results - often at the risk of sacrificing individual privacy rights. The issue here is, should employers require their employees to be alcohol and drug tested and how does it affect privacy rights. In general, under human rights law, drug and alcohol testing are only allowed in certain circumstances. It is discriminatory to test potential or existing employees for drug and alcohol use if there is not a valid reason to test. The alternatives employers have are either drug test job applicants and existing employees or do not drug test them. There are pros and cons regarding alcohol and drug testing that need to be considered before deciding which alternative to chose. Criteria that is used in this research paper are basically violation of privacy rights and security and safety concerns.

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Economics - Foreign Trade Theory, Trade Policy, grade: 1.0 (A), Hawai'i Pacific University (-), course: MBA-Program (Vorlesung), language: English, abstract: To comprehend what is driving U.S. trade and investment policy requires an understanding of simultaneous developments occurring in investment, production, and trade. World exports grew more during the past decade than world production, indicating increased international interdependence. The growth in trade was made possible by improvements in transportation and communication networks, but also by the steady reduction of trade barriers. On January 1, 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect among Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The agreement provides a detailed framework for the conduct of trade among the three countries. But its objectives are much more expansive than trade alone: The agreement is designed to remove barriers to investment among the three countries, permit the free flow of services, and enable expeditious settlement of trade disputes. NAFTA is an economic agreement that should influence where and how goods are produced and how services are provided in North America. NAFTA should have a positive effect on income and employment in each of the three member countries. These effects should be greatest in Mexico, the least developed of the three.

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Offline Marketing and Online Marketing, grade: 1.0 (A), Hawai'i Pacific University (-), course: Marketing Lecture MBA Programm, language: English, abstract: The United Colors of Benetton: a company of colors and controversies. Offering the world an insight to fashion, as well as, human equality and world issues, Benetton gives us stylish clothing and innovative promotion. While trying to capture an audience favoring Italian character in style and design, the company additionally desires to present the world with contentious campaigns to awaken thoughts and debates. These controversies are jeopardizing Benetton's position in the industry, and its reputation of being trendily unique and committing to world harmony. The United Colors of Benetton (Benetton), an Italian based company, is primarily focusing its business on clothing and controversial advertising. Presented all over the world, the company is available to young and old in combined colors and stylish fashion. In the following pages a complete internal and external analysis of the company will be explained, as well as, a description of the company s overall standing. The alternatives as seen are described to include the advantages and drawbacks of each alternative. Conclusively, a recommendation based upon all of the findings outlined is prescribed.

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Leadership and Human Resources - Miscellaneous, grade: 1.0 (A), Hawai'i Pacific University (-), course: Lecture MBA Program, language: English, abstract: In the business environment HIV and AIDS has become both a health and an economic problem. As the epidemic spreads throughout the workforce, Human resources personnel and managers in general must be prepared to deal effectively with the challenge of having employees who are affected by HIV and AIDS. The majority of large U.S. corporations already employ a substantial number of people who have AIDS or are infected with HIV. Integration of HIV and AIDS programs into human resources management systems should be viewed as a means to achieve overall effective human resource management and to reduce costs. Currently, only 16% of U.S. businesses offer AIDS/HIV workplace education programs to their employees. In order to deal with this issue effectively, managers need to know how HIV is transmitted, the stages of the disease, how to prevent discrimination against employees who have AIDS or are infected with HIV, and what accommodations must be provided for such workers under the ADA and other laws. They also need to learn how to manage the psychological climate of work groups that have employees with HIV or AIDS to prevent workplace disruptions. Statement of the problemHIV and AIDS have become a serious problem in all five continents. HIV continues to spread around the world and global statistics show that 34.3 million people are living with HIV in 2003, in comparison to 5.4 million in 1999. The virus impacts not only the internal system of an individual s body, but also does the infection rate affects business and the workplace. Health records show that on average HIV-infected employees have taken seventeen full days of sick leave. The cost of absenteeism, provision of hospital and medical care, training and wages for new employee s replacements is enormous. But HIV at the workplace also leads to an ethical dilemma. There are different moral viewpoints and different interests that may conflict with those of another. But not just interests might be different, also the rights of employers and employees may conflict. An employer has the right to expect productivity and employees are entitled to a safe working environment but also to not being discriminated. Therefor making ethical decisions in the workplace is not a simple matter.

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Accounting and Taxes, grade: 1.5 (A), Hawai'i Pacific University (-), course: Vorlesung MBA Programm, language: English, abstract: The companies we selected are from the SEC Industry group 5651-Retail Clothing stores. This industry has a variety of stores ranging in age, distribution, and reputation. The companies we will financially analyze are Nordstrom, Gap Inc. and Abercrombie & Fitch. These three businesses represent the variety which the clothing industry contains. This report will consider and examine various financial aspects of our companies. By analyzing key figures from financial statements, we will be able to compare key issues between the companies. Such issues include liquidity, leverage, profitability, overall financial standing and accounting methods implemented. First we will begin with a brief description of each company. Nordstrom was founded in 1901 by John W. Nordstrom. His philosophy was to offer customers the best possible service, selection, quality and value. The company is committed to the idea of which it began with, earning trust form customers one at a time. Nordstrom created its fashion departments to fit individual's lifestyles. They currently have five channels of operation: full line stores, off/price stores, boutiques, catalog and the internet. GAP was founded by Donald and Doris Fisher in 1969. Today it is one of the largest specialty retailers with three of the most recognized names: Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. The company employees over 165,000 people and has about 4,200 stores in the US, UK, Canada, France, Japan and Germany. The Gap is focusing on their international locations and continual expansion of company owned and operated stores. They are committed to monitor and improve the clothing production factories conditions overseas. The Gap continues to evolve and adopt good corporate governance revolving on conducting business in a responsible, honest and ethical matter (www.gap.com). A & F was introduced in 1997 and spun off The Limited in 1998. It is a leading specialty retailer encompassing three concepts: Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie and Hollister Co. The company focuses on high quality merchandise to compliment a casual American lifestyle, while targeting age's 18-college. Abercrombie & Fitch claims their most important strategy: building their brands. Presently they are focusing on developing their women's and girls departments. In 2002 they grew rapidly opening 112 new stores whereby at the end of the year the company had 597 locations nationwide (www.abercrombie.com).

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 1.2 (A), Hawai'i Pacific University (-), course: Lecture MBA Program, language: English, abstract: Image - the key to success. In fact, a positive image matters for a company to be successful and it is a good opportunity to get positive publicity. On the other side there are other things, which are important to be successful. There are management ratios like productivity, profitability, liquidity and many other ratios, which count in order to value a company numerically. In my following work, I will only refer to the image. Image is not only developed through advertising. The products should suit the corresponding brand and the selected advertising medium should support the brand and its image through its means of communication in order to create a total image of the company, the brand and the products. The brand and the image of a company represent the promise that products and services will perform to expectations. The identity-oriented marketing of a brand and its products contributes in addition to revalue a company identity through good image. In this connection, I will focus more closely on the importance of brand identity and brand marketing. Furthermore, I will base my report on Thermador, an American kitchen appliance manufacturer, where I conducted my internship, to clarify the important role of Image. Thermador s corporate office is located in Huntington Beach, California. All employees of hierarchy level and departments are located here. Since my internship experience was conducted with Thermador, it enabled me to develop a deeper insight into the company and the brand. Thermador was bought in 1998 on its good image by the German company Bosch-Siemens-Home Appliances Ltd. and is banished almost exclusively in North America. The brand Thermador represents qualitatively high-value built-in appliances and has established, over a period of more than 70 years, an outstanding name in the home appliances industry throughout North America.

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2004 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: A-, Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU), course: MBA class, language: English, abstract: ABB Ltd. is a leader in power and automation technologies. ABB provides products and systems for industrial, commercial customers, and financial services using the most advanced technologies and applications. The ABB Group was formed in 1987 through the merger of the Swedish company Asea with the Swiss company Brown Bovery. Presently its core company is organized into 5 divisions and the following are the percentages of the 2002 gross revenues:- Automation Technology (22%)- Utilities (21%)- Industries (19%)- Power Technology (19%)- Other (19%)Percy Barnevik, who at that time was the CEO of Asea, became the CEO of this new established corporation. Back in 1996, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recognized Barnevik as an innovative inspirational leadership in the electro industry and his role as a chief architect of a global company that recognizes no national borders and vigilantly protects the spirit of entrepreneurship (ABB, 1996). Through his new management style and through delegating responsibilities to its managers, ABB became a predominant player in the Industrial electrical equipment industry competing with companies such us: Emerson Electric, GE, ITT Industries and Nidec Co. with operation in around 100 countries and employing about 115,000 people.

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2004 in the subject Business economics - Offline Marketing and Online Marketing, grade: A-, Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU), course: Information Systems MBA class, language: English, abstract: This paper will analyze the five competitive forces in the automobile industry. More particularly, it will be analyzed how the forces have an effect on the car manufacturer BMW. Based on this analysis, the force with the most impact on the company will be identified. Based on that, it will be described how BMW uses Information Systems to offset the force. The five competitive forces model was developed in 1980 by Michael E. Porter. Porter s five forces model suggests that competition in an industry is rooted in its underlying economic structure and goes beyond the behavior of current competitors (Porter, 1980). The stage of competition depends upon five basic competitive forces, which determine the degree of competition and the profit potential in an industry. The five forces are intensity of competitors, power of suppliers, power of customers, threat of new entrants and threat of substitute products. BMW, which stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke, has made a well-known name as a luxury car manufacturer. The headquarter of the BMW group is in Munich, Germany, but the company is present all over the world. The company built a high brand equity over the years through continuous branding efforts and high quality products. BMW is arguably the most admired carmaker in the world and BMW products inspire near-fanatical loyalty (Kiley, 2004).

Scientific Study from the year 2004 in the subject Business economics - Offline Marketing and Online Marketing, grade: A, Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU), course: Brand Management MBA class, language: English, abstract: A survey was conducted to analyse the brand BMW and the companies branding strategy. The survez indicated the following: Since the functional luxury market's traditional male domination is lessening, the target market for BMW consists of both genders. Citizenship or ethnicity is unimportant. As an exporter, BMW goal is to appeal to all people regardless of ethnicity. BMW believes the positive associations (country of origin) for their brand assist them in their export markets. The survey results indicate that the BMW message is reaching their target market. Of the survey respondents, more then two thirds recalled BMW as a luxury car, nearly all recalled BMW as a foreign car, and all respondents recognized the BMW name. BMW produces models targeting the singles market as well as models for families. The survey data indicates the attributes relating to associations with the singles market to be far weaker then those focused on the family market. BMW realizes that their target market s financial status requires them to focus on a more educated customer, one that has completed college, and survey results confirm their success. The price segmentation BMW chooses limits its target market to individuals at higher levels of income. The market segmentation requires income levels corresponding to educated individuals and professionals. Professions of survey participants included managers and other professional s BMW targets. The survey also indicated respondents not targeted by BMW are interested their products. This is a result of BMW s association as a status symbol. Our survey resulted in a score of 4.1 and 4.6 (5 maximum possible) when participants were asked to indicate agreement with the words prestigious car and status symbol , respectively. Some of those not targeted yet interested in BMW could move into the target market through graduation from college or increasing levels of corporate responsibility.

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2004 in the subject Business economics - General, grade: A-, Hawai'i Pacific University, course: MBA IT class, language: English, abstract: This paper will analyze how the German car manufacturer BMW derives value from information systems as well as identify the value chain activities that are affected by the identified information systems. Following analysis will be limited to the information systems that provide the greatest value to BMW in form of gaining or maintaining a competitive advantage. BMW, which stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke, is a luxury car manufacturer. The headquarters of the BMW group is in Munich, Germany, but the company is present all over the world (BMW Group, 2004). The company built high brand equity over the years through continuous branding efforts and high quality products (Interbrand, 2001). BMW is arguably the most admired carmaker in the world and BMW products inspire near-fanatical loyalty (Kiley, 2004). Michael E. Porter developed the value chain concept in 1985. Porter s value chain provides a systematic means of categorizing activities. At each stage of the value chain there exists an opportunity to contribute positively to the firm s competitive strategy by performing some activity or process in a way that is better than the competitors, and so providing some uniqueness or advantage (Porter, 1985). Value activities can be divided into two broad types, primary activities and support activities (Porter, 1985). There are five generic categories of primary activities involved in competing in any industry: (a) Inbound Logistics, (b) Operations, (c) Outbound logistics, (d) Marketing and Sales, and (e) Services (Porter, 1985). Support activities support the primary activities and can be divided in four generic categories: (a) Procurement, (b) Technology Development, (c) Human Resource Management and (d) Firm Infrastructure (Porter, 1985).

Scientific Study from the year 2004 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: A, Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU), course: MBA class, language: English, abstract: Change is often not welcomed, because it is more comfortable to do things the way we've always done them and change is often perceived as a threat. But change has always been a reality of life and is even more so today. The challenge for leaders is the transformation of their organization at this time of fast change. In this context, the research paper will analyze how the German car manufacturer BMW can apply organizational change and development theories to ensure highest quality and increase its market share in the emerging Chinese market. China's explosive growth, which has turned its car market into the fastest-growing in the world, has attracted foreign automakers in hordes (Welch, 2004). Over the past decade, nearly every major car company has entered the Chinese market and so did BMW. The German car manufacturer invested in the local market and formally opened its first production facility in Shenyang. BMW entered a 50-50 joint venture with Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd in 2003 and opened a 450-million plant, which will produce both BMW 3-series and 5-series models. BMW, which sells its three brands BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce, is thus the only carmaker in the premium segment that produces locally in China (Welch, 2004).