MGT 608 - Seminar in Contemporary Topics in Management

The blockchain is a type of distributed ledger technology used for keeping a tamper-proof and permanent record of transactional data. This form of the distributed ledger is incorruptible and can be programmed not only to maintain a record of transactional data but also maintain records of virtually everything of value ( Crosby et al , 2016) . It operates as a decentralized database which is governed by different computers belonging to the P2P network ( Crosby et al , 2016) . The different computers in the peer-to-peer network keep a copy of the ledger to counter any single point of failure ( Crosby et al , 2016) . The maintained copies of the ledger in the computers in the distributed network are simultaneously validated and updated.             The blockchain is comprised of blocks that contain digital pieces of information. The blocks have three key parts which perform different functions. One of the parts keeps a record of...

From recent research, people respond to different obstructions differently, and this reveals more about our brains. People with bright characters can regulate their moods better than the ones with gloomy dispositions. These gloomy people are easily affected by negative things they experience in their daily lives. Happier people tend always to see the positive side of everything even the negative things they see in life. The optimistic people also rely on the good things which allow them to remain happy throughout their life (Allen & Smith, 2016). Therefore, happier people tend to see the better part in a situation even though they see the wrong side too.              This study is encouraging in real life because seeing the best in the worst situations keeps a person motivated to tackle every challenge posted on your way. People respond to different occasions under the control of a part of the brain called amygdala. A...

I feel that the Internet of Things is the game changer in the field of business when it comes to technological application. Considering that all businesses are going digital, I consider IoT as the only perfect tool that business should apply to realize their business digitization endeavors. Having read the benefits of IoT in businesses which include enhanced efficiency and increased customer and employee satisfaction, I felt that firms which to have increased competitive edge, as well as increased profit margins, should IoT in their firms. It is also essential that IoT implementation in businesses should not be considered as a one-time activity as it will lead to failure and disappointment to the firm. It is vital that the various implementation steps be strictly followed to maximize its benefits.             Furthermore, I also felt that the article achieves in explaining what is needed for a successful business IoT integration. This is because it not j...

I hold that it is the embraced Human Resource Management practices adopted in a particular organization that determines its competitive edge. Therefore, I felt it is essential that all organizations in the corporate world governmental, non-profit making or profit-making organizations that want to enhance their competitive advantage should focus on some core HRM practices. This core Human Resource Management practices are performance management, employees’ socialization as well as effective training and selection.             Additionally, I also felt that high competitive edge occurs where employees are motivated and imparted with the relevant skills through training, and I believe this will be the case if an organization invests in the four key HRM practices. Furthermore, if an organization engages in the right procedure of selecting its workforce, it is likely they will have the intended skills that will result in increas...

It is true that with the diversification of communication in the digital work environment, there has been an increase in terms of workload consequently resulting in ill-being at work.  The inducers of stress and increased workload in the current digital work environment should be addressed to safeguard the productivity of employees as well as avoid work-life conflict. This is because employees are forced to indulge in work-related activities such as reading emails while at home which infringes the normal life away from work. Iconquer with the perception that in the digital work environment, communication tools and platforms have been diversified. The diversification has increased the volume of communication as well as pressurizing people to stay connected always.  Furthermore, it has promoted an incomplete message. All these factors have promoted increased communication-related workload leading to techno-stress which in turn results to lack of wellbeing at workplac...

Positive intelligence is the science of developing and understanding your mind to achieve your full potential for happiness and hence success. Positive intelligence quotient (PQ) is the ratio of time your brain is working in your favor to the time your mind is sabotaging you. When your mind is on your side, the chances of success are higher as compared to when your mind is against you. Keeping your spirits in a good state increases the rate at which your brain operates in your favor making an individual happier, more creative and productive. According to Shirzad Carmine, the author of the author of the book “Positive Intelligence,” individuals can improve their PQ by interacting with co-workers, developing new habits and changing their attitude towards stress. Chamine compares building your mind to be positive to training your muscles at the gym and thus continued training eventually leads to the desired state of your mind. Doing little daily exercise is one way of enhancing your...

Artificial intelligence has been showcased as an arena in computer science that focuses on the creation of intelligent machines that functions and respond just like humans. Some of the functions that the computers with artificial intelligence have been executing are learning, recognition of speech, planning, as well as problem-solving. From their article, Cyrille and Harris acknowledge that artificial intelligence has had a positive impact on the business and society’s production value. From a personal perspective, I feel that artificial intelligence will turn out to be the biggest event in human history and is something that is determined to be beneficial. Although there might be potential for intelligence system to cause some harm, the current research puts us in a position where it will help in being proactive potential negative consequences in the future hence enjoying the benefits of AI while preventing drawbacks.  Outside the university project, the artificial intelligenc...

It is true that Artificial Intelligence is very risky as since its emergence it has been characterized by peaks and valleys. However, with the benefits that t can bring into an organization such as increased competitive edge and profits maximization due to the reduction of operational costs, I felt that it is worth for large organization especially those operating in telecommunication industry as well as in manufacturing to adopt Artificial Intelligence to up their services and processes. It felt they should be optimistic and focus on the benefits they will reap rather than the negative part. In addition, I also felt that everything in businesses is taking risks and firms should be experimenters as it is better to try than never trying at all. I also felt that Artificial Intelligence in the game changer in the corporate world hence the barriers to adoption of AI by firms should be mitigated as well as the risks associated with the same.  The public is piling too much pressure ...

I felt that the article is giving the right information at the right time as it is the high time for organizations to realize that the old is gone hence they have to familiarize themselves with the new rules of talent management. It is only through the application of the new rules that organizations can maximize the benefits of talent management such as increased profitability, high-quality production as well as increased competitive edge.  Although there is stiff opposition to the new rules from the organizations that do not need rapid innovation, I felt that the organizations that do not fall under this category should not use the opposition as an excuse for their delayed implementation of the new rules of talent management. Organizations should shun from the traditional form of appraisal that used to happen annually and adopt regular appraisal to ensure they get immediate feedback. It is through the immediate feedback that the firm will be in a position of establishing when...

Differences in behavior could to some extent play a role in determining the way a CEO would perform. Mostly, women have the tendency of being risk-averse. On the other hand, men are more oriented to risk-taking. It would, therefore, be prudent to give higher priority to women CEO in organizations that are associated with high-risk activities as a way of reducing chances of failure of the organization. Investors also respond differently to changes in top management. Nevertheless, it is crucial to consider merit but not in totality ignore what gender-based behaviors would play in the organization.  It would be necessary to begin by putting into consideration the relationship between the announcement of the CEO change and the stock returns before coming into a conclusion. Nevertheless, a change of plan could be necessary due to many other variables that could be influencing the stock returns other than the announcement of changes in the position of the CEO.  The sorts of ...