Walmart in the South

Introduction Walmart’s success in Mexico can be attributed to its competitive cost-reduction strategy. The implementation of NAFTA helped to solve most of the problems that Walmart was facing. Part of the success comes from the new manufacturing companies that established in Mexico. The production of goods in Mexico reduced Walmart’s reliance on imports.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Walmart in the South specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Improved infrastructure played a role in enhancing the effectiveness of the firm’s logistics system. Walmart faces reduced growth in the U.S. market, and varied success in the international markets. There is a culture clash between subsidiaries’ managers and the group’s executives. The firm can use local brands to enter new markets. There is a greater opportunity if Walmart can exploit the unmet needs in the emerging markets. Analysis The imple mentation of NAFTA helped to solve most of the problems that Walmart was facing (Daniles, Radebaught and Sulivan 365). Walmart is known as a low price retailer. Without NAFTA, Walmart was finding it hard to maintain low prices. A tariff rate of 10% made it difficult to compete with local firms (Daniles, Radebaught and Sulivan 365). It shows that Walmart relied on imports, before the formation of NAFTA. Walmart’s success can be attributed to NAFTA, which is based on imported goods. Part of the success comes from the new manufacturing companies. As a result of the new manufacturing companies, Walmart does not need to import some of the products. The tariff rate is 3% in the post-NAFTA era (Daniles, Radebaught and Sulivan 365). Walmart can obtain the goods at a free-tariff rate if they are manufactured in Mexico. The manufacture of goods in Mexico helped Walmart to avoid imports. Freight costs and tariffs are eliminated as a result of local production. NAFTA helped to reduce the cost of imported goods. Part of the success comes from improved infrastructure. Better infrastructure has helped Walmart to solve the logistical problems that it encountered when it entered Mexico (Daniles, Radebaught and Sulivan 364). The firm was finding trouble to use its experience in logistics because Mexico lacked supportive infrastructure. The Mexican government and the private sector have been involved in improving infrastructure. Any American firm would have encountered similar logistical problems. Walmart’s central distribution centers have reduced part of the problem. The distribution centers provide a central location, which reduces the overall distance that goods need to be transported. It can be noted that Walmart’s competitive strategy provides its ability to succeed.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Walmart has continuously reduced prices as par t of its competitive strategy (Daniles, Radebaught and Sulivan 364). Walmart relies on low prices to capture a larger market share. The ability to negotiate with suppliers for lower prices is Walmart’s competitive strategy. Walmart captured a large market share through acquisitions, which gave it a higher bargaining power over suppliers. Competitors collaborated to have a similar advantage. However, they are disappointed by Walmart’s continuous reduction of product prices. Walmart’s success in competitive pricing can be attributed to its strategy to gain a large market share, and collaborate with suppliers. Another American retailer would not have succeeded with a different strategy. Walmart’s strategy in reducing costs gave it a competitive advantage. Comerci and Soriana have combined their purchases to gain a higher bargaining power over suppliers (Daniles, Radebaught and Sulivan 365). Walmart’s main strategy is to reduce costs by working closely with suppliers. Comerci and Soriana are forced to combine their purchases because they have lost their market share. Comerci and Soriana need a continuous improvement strategy to reduce cost. The firms need internal controls to reduce costs continually. If they can continually reduce costs, they will be able to match Walmart’s competitiveness. Walmart’s strategy in Mexico and Central America is to focus on cost reduction, and an efficient logistics system. The effectiveness of the logistics system has been used to support suppliers, and the distribution network (Daniles, Radebaught and Sulivan 364). Walmart segmentation makes it easier to target specific demographic groups. Bilateral agreements have reduced the tariff rates of imports from 49 countries (Daniles, Radebaught and Sulivan 365). Walmart has gained a wider range of option in countries from which it can import goods. NAFTA reduced tariff rates in North America making it easier for the firm to import product from the U.S. into Mexico. Geographical proximity has an impact on free trade agreements as it can be seen in the NAFTA agreement. It has an impact on the cost of freight. It affects the speed at which goods may be imported. When countries are located close together, goods take less time on board.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Walmart in the South specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some of the challenges the firm may face as it expands include culture clashes, logistical problems, intense rivalry from local brands, and misunderstanding consumer preferences in different countries. Intense rivalry emerges when competitors copy Walmart’s pricing strategy. Misunderstanding consumer demand comes from entering new markets. Logistical problems are attributed to poor infrastructure, and different trends in new markets. Alternatives Enter new markets using local brands, and then convert to Walmart after some time (BDC par. 4) Walmart used the same approach in Mexico (Daniles, Radebaught and Sulivan 363). It can work in markets where people are loyal to local brands. The firm may also use local brands permanently. Advantages The firm can capture a large market share rapidly because it is able to benefit from the local brand. It provides time to win local brand loyalists, before changing to Walmart. It provides time learn and integrate new cultures. Disadvantages It may build the local brands instead of promoting Walmart as a brand. It may be necessary to have separate marketing programs to capture different brands, which may increase marketing costs. Find markets for products that can be made locally as new products Eyring, Johnson and Nair (par. 5) suggest that the best way to succeed in the emerging markets is to find unmet needs, and develop products to meet the needs. The firm can seek to find out why some products are not very successful, and find ways of increasing the attractivenes s of the products. Eyring, Johnson and Nair (par. 3) discuss that multinationals fail to succeed in emerging economies because most of them think that reducing costs is the only formula to succeed. Advantages New products in new markets have a potential for rapid growth in revenues. Customers in emerging markets have a tendency of trying new products (BDC par. 3). Disadvantages New products may need a lot of marketing to create awareness. New products may turn into slow moving stock. New products may need importation, which increases cost. Walmart can succeed by targeting the largest social class in a country Eyring, Johnson and Nair (par. 5) explain that when a company targets high-income earners in emerging economies, they may not be very successful. The reason is that high-income earners do not form a large part of the population in emerging economies. Advantages Middle-income earners are increasing in emerging markets. Revenues rely on the sale of basic commodities, which c an get support from middle-income earners. Disadvantages The largest social class may have a low purchasing power, especially in emerging markets. The major difference between high-income earners and middle-income earners may be in the purchase of durables. Middle-income earners may purchase less of durable products than high-income earners. Walmart needs to update its automatic logistics system to recognize products with a high percentage of discounts, which they would not want to be reordered Advantage It will prevent reordering of products that do not maximize profits. Disadvantages It will be costly to regularly update the programmed system to match emerging needs. It will need verbal communication between managers of units, executives, and developers of the program. One of the ways of managing culture diversity is by managing the flow of information Nataatmadia and Dyson (581) discuss that knowledge sharing can applied down-upwards within an organization to improve multi cultural understanding. Nataatmadia and Dyson (582) support written communication as opposed to verbal communication for communities where English is learnt in the classroom rather than from practice. Advantages Written communication creates time for better statements and understanding between members. Written communication gives time to non-native English speakers to understand the subject. Managers can learn new things about the people’s culture. Disadvantages Written communication may require support software such as intranet or internet. It involves additional cost. Written communication may reduce openness, which is necessary for sharing knowledge. The Arkansas executive can allow managers in individual countries to create their own organizational culture provided that they meet the firm’s objectives The organization can have only the core parts of its organizational culture standardized.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Advantage The subsidiaries can meet the organization’s goals without having a culture clash between managers and employees. Disadvantages Walmart’s organizational culture may be lost when each subsidiary is identified with a different organization culture. It may difficult to transfer the same success Walmart has in the U.S. to other countries if managers cannot adapt to Walmart’s organizational culture. Conclusion Walmart has the alternative to manage by objectives, and allow subsidiaries to form their own organizational cultures. Sharing knowledge can be used to reduce culture clashes between managers. Walmart continuously reduces prices, which may prevent competitors from catching up with its low price strategy. Competitive pricing may not always be successful. Exploiting the unmet needs is a formula that may work best in emerging markets. Recommendations The firm can enter new markets using local brands. Acquisitions are a good penetration strategy in ne w markets with strong local brands. Television advertisement provides a better coverage, but is very expensive. In the U.S., in 2011, it was about $110,000 on average for a 30-second ad (Crupi par. 1). They can be used in the early stages, before the firm reverts to other methods of advertisement. Later, the firm can scrap out advertisement costs, which can be used to lower the cost of products. Works Cited BDC. Doing Business in Emerging Markets. 13 Jun. 2010. Web. Crupi, Anthony. In Their Prime: Broadcast Spot Costs Soar. 22 Jun. 2011. Web. Daniles, John, Lee Radebaught and Daniel Sulivan. International Business. 14th ed. 2011. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. Print. Eyring, Matthew, Mark Johnson and Hari Nair. New Business Models in Emerging Markets. 31 Jan. 2011. Web. Nataatmadia, Indrawati and Laurel Dyson. â€Å"Managing the Modern Workforce: Cultural Diversity and Its Implications.† Proceedings of the 2005 Information Resources Management Association Internat ional Conference. San Diego. May 15-18 (2005): 580-584. IRMA. Web. This essay on Walmart in the South was written and submitted by user Julissa C. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The Basics of an Experiment

The Basics of an Experiment Science is concerned with experiments and experimentation, but do you know what exactly an experiment is? Heres a look at what an experiment is... and isnt! Key Takeaways: Experiments An experiment is a procedure designed to test a hypothesis as part of the scientific method.The two key variables in any experiment are the independent and dependent variables. The independent variable is controlled or changed to test its effects on the dependent variable.Three key types of experiments are controlled experiments, field experiments, and natural experiments. What Is an Experiment?  The Short Answer In its simplest form, an experiment is simply the test of a hypothesis. Experiment Basics The experiment is the foundation of the scientific method, which is a systematic means of exploring the world around you. Although some experiments take place in laboratories, you could perform an experiment anywhere, at any time. Take a look at the steps of the scientific method: Make observations.Formulate a hypothesis.Design and conduct an experiment to test the hypothesis.Evaluate the results of the experiment.Accept or reject the hypothesis.If necessary, make and test a new hypothesis. Types of Experiments Natural Experiments: A natural experiment also is called a quasi-experiment. A natural experiment involves making a prediction or forming a hypothesis and then gathering data by observing a system. The variables are not controlled in a natural experiment.Controlled Experiments: Lab experiments are controlled experiments, although you can perform a controlled experiment outside of a lab setting! In a controlled experiment, you compare an experimental group with a control group. Ideally, these two groups are identical except for one variable, the independent variable.Field Experiments: A field experiment may be either a natural experiment or a controlled experiment. It takes place in a real-world setting, rather than under lab conditions. For example, an experiment involving an animal in its natural habitat would be a field experiment. Variables in an Experiment Simply put, a variable is anything you can change or control in an experiment. Common examples of variables include temperature, duration of the experiment, composition of a material, amount of light, etc. There are three kinds of variables in an experiment: controlled variables, independent variables and dependent variables. Controlled variables, sometimes called constant variables are variables that are kept constant or unchanging. For example, if you are doing an experiment measuring the fizz released from different types of soda, you might control the size of the container so that all brands of soda would be in 12-oz cans. If you are performing an experiment on the effect of spraying plants with different chemicals, you would try to maintain the same pressure and maybe the same volume when spraying your plants. The independent variable is the one factor that you are changing. It is one factor because usually in an experiment you try to change one thing at a time. This makes measurements and interpretation of the data much easier. If you are trying to determine whether heating water allows you to dissolve more sugar in the water then your independent variable is the temperature of the water. This is the variable you are purposely controlling. The dependent variable is the variable you observe, to see whether it is affected by your independent variable. In the example where you are heating water to see if this affects the amount of sugar you can dissolve, the mass or volume of sugar (whichever you choose to measure) would be your dependent variable. Examples of Things That Are Not Experiments Making a model volcano.Making a poster.Trying something, just to see what happens. On the other hand, making observations or trying something, after making a prediction about what you expect will happen, is a type of experiment. Sources Bailey, R.A. (2008). Design of Comparative Experiments. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521683579.Beveridge, William I. B., The Art of Scientific Investigation. Heinemann, Melbourne, Australia, 1950.di Francia, G. Toraldo (1981). The Investigation of the Physical World. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-29925-X.Hinkelmann, Klaus and Kempthorne, Oscar (2008). Design and Analysis of Experiments, Volume I: Introduction to Experimental Design (Second ed.). Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-72756-9.Shadish, William R.; Cook, Thomas D.; Campbell, Donald T. (2002). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for generalized causal inference (Nachdr. ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-61556-9.

Merychippus - Facts and Figures

Merychippus - Facts and Figures Name: Merychippus (Greek for ruminant horse); pronounced MEH-ree-CHIP-us Habitat: Plains of North America Historical Epoch: Late Miocene (17-10 million years ago) Size and Weight: About three feet tall at the shoulder and up to 500 pounds Diet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Large size; recognizably horse-like head; teeth adapted to grazing; vestigial side toes on front and hind feet About Merychippus Merychippus was something of a watershed in equine evolution: this was the first prehistoric horse to bear a marked resemblance to modern horses, although it was slightly bigger (up to three feet high at the shoulder and 500 pounds) and still possessed vestigial toes on either side of its feet (these toes didnt reach all the way to the ground, though, so Merychippus still would have run in a recognizably horselike way).  By the way, the name of this genus, Greek for ruminant horse, is a bit of a mistake; true ruminants have extra stomachs and chew cuds, like cows, and Merychippus was in fact the first true grazing horse, subsisting on the widespread grasses of its North American habitat. The end of the Miocene epoch, about 10 million years ago, marked what paleontologists call the Merychippine radiation: various populations of Merychippus spawned about 20 separate species of late Cenozoic horses, distributed across various genera, including Hipparion, Hippidion and Protohippus, all of these ultimately leading to the modern horse genus Equus. As such, Merychippus probably deserves to be better known than it is today, rather than being considered just one of the innumerable -hippus genera that populated late Cenozoic North America!

Cystic Fibrosis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Cystic Fibrosis - Research Paper Example Reflecting on the experiences of the patient who has CF provides deeper insight in to the illness and shows that it has a great impact on the lives of the child, family, and then the adult who must live with CF. Cystic fibrosis is an illness that only just 70 years ago was fatal for children within their first year. The illness was most often diagnosed during autopsy and an understanding of the illness had yet to emerge. Although increases in treatment improved the prognosis of CF, real knowledge about the illness came in the late 1980s when in 1989 the CFTR gene was discovered. Originally the sweat test was considered the definitive test to determine the presence of the illness derivations of the disease have emerged that defy the sweat test as the gold standard. The treatment for CF has improved to the point that instead of dying as infants, people are now living long into old age through management and care (Bush, 2006). The following paper will examine cystic fibrosis through looking at what is known about the disease in relationship to its pathology, through the developing knowledge that has increased life expectancy, and through the treatments and care that has extended the lives of those who suffer from the illness. The paper will discuss the experiences of those who suffer from the illness as well as how treatment has advanced throughout the last decade. Cystic fibrosis is a devastating disease that has taken the lives of many children, but with the advances that have been made in understanding the disease, people are now living much longer and more meaningful lives as they live with the condition. In 1938 Dr. Dorothy Andersen wrote a landmark medical report in which the illness of cystic fibrosis was differentiated as a separate and distinct illness. In 1953 Dr. Paul di Sant’Agnese and associates came to understand that losses in salt

See the topic on the file that i send u Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

See the topic on the file that i send u - Essay Example Larmor equation originates from the classical physics and uses specific magnetic field strength. The equation aids in computation of the resonant frequency of the precession (Kamel and Merkle 2011, 102). Larmor equation is significant since it the frequency at which the underlying nucleus ought to absorb energy (Bacchieri and Giovanni Della Cioppa 2007, 56). The process of absorption of energy makes the proton change its configuration and ranges from one to one hundred MHz within the MRI. This paper illustrates the impacts and limitations of the higher B0 3T and 1.5T imaging providing imaging in regard to the Larmor formula. Numerous impacts associated with relocating from lower to higher field strength in regard to the imaging. The different normally result from the Larmor frequency, wavelength and the specific absorption ratio (Weir 2011, 69). Moreover, the primary delinquent pertains to the escalation within the excitation rate of recurrence ? of Larmor equation: ?0 = ? B0 Where ? 0 = the angular frequency of precession of protons within an external magnetic field, ? = gyromagnetic ratio=42.58 MHz/T i.e. ? = 2.67*108 radians s-1 T-1 B0 = the strength of the external magnetic field Thus, the timbre frequency escalates from roughly 63.9 MHz at the rate of 1.5T to corresponding 127.8 MHz at 3T. For computation of the wavelength within the water and the velocity of light is equivalent to 3.0?108M/s over the prevailing echo frequency. The dielectric constant of H2O into consideration: .The wavelength within liquid diminishes from fifty two centimeters at a range of 1.5T to corresponding twenty six centimeters at a range of 3T (Kamel and Merkle 2011, 115). Relative diminutive wavelengths are nearer the ordinary physique diameters and result to a gain of protective impacts. It also results to intrusions of overlaid RF surfs possessing multifaceted impacts on the RF consistency. The related complications are predominant within the front and lumbar imaging processes ( Bacchieri and Giovanni Della Cioppa 2007, 56). Rectification of an imaging problem takes place via RF shimming and advancing coil design. Absorption ratio associates to the corresponding square of excitation frequency that affects the square B0 field strength (Vittinghoff 2012, 65). The Larmor precession rate of recurrence is the degree of the precession of a swirl package within the magnetic field power. The rate of recurrence of the RF pointer stimulates alteration within the nucleus spin energy level. It also determines the gyromagnetic proportion of atoms and strength of the underlying magnetic meadow. Thus, stronger magnetic fields will result in higher precessional frequency (Kamel and Merkle 2011, 95). RF rhythm of the Larmor rate of recurrence is the applicable core atom and protons, which changes configuration of track of the principal attractive field. The rearrangement of the positive ion to the chief attractive field results in the emission of energy at the Larmor freque ncy. Attractive field variation across the magnetic field slope results in deviation of the Larmor rate of recurrence (Weir 2011, 85). Chemical shift scale is directly proportional to attractive field strength. Thus, plump and liquid resonance rate of recurrence normally contrast via the two hundred and twenty hertz at a range of one point five tesla and corresponding four hundred and forty

Antigone and Ismene :: English Literature Essays

Antigone and Ismene Tragic heroes are generally people of high social stature with a tragic flaw that usually manifests itself in the form of poor judgment and arrogance, condemning the hero to a disastrous end and establishing the character’s destiny. Antigone is a tragic heroine deeply conflicted between her virtue and her hubris, personifying courage in her civil disobedience against criminal "leadership." A product of incest, her very existence is shameful, but perhaps this is why Antigone has such a burning desire for righteousness. She has great regard for following tradition, and a compulsion to follow these traditions even at the cost of her own life. Sacrifice is one of her qualities and she is ready to die for what she believes in. She shows disdain for Ismene’s cowardice and tendency to be a fair-weather friend. Her reprisals against traitors are especially fiery. Her concern for family becomes almost an unhealthy obsession, and her selflessness is soon shown to be madness and self-infliction. Being a tragic heroine, she shows excellence of character and bravery, but her fatal flaw is that her will to please the gods is greater than her will to preserve her own life. In the end, uncompromised rigidity is her downfall. She obeys the laws of the gods and is careless about the mortal law’s penalty, her own death. Antigone does not understand the need to act according to humanity’s place in the scheme in things, one’s pleasing of the gods should continue up until the point when it puts ones life in danger. Our heroine shows hubris by breaking the rule of the golden mean, not because she is egotistical, but because her head gets in the clouds when she believes herself to be a high and mighty enforcer of virtue. This is a form of arrogance, which Zeus despises. Her conception of justice is so rigid that she puts herself in harm’s way, which is not at all honorable in the eyes of the Greeks. Her ‘holier than thou’ quest has gone too far, and she is stubborn and irrational, lacking the common sense the Greeks so valued. One example of Antigone’s extremely twisted vision of unbending idealism is when she told Ismene she wouldn’t care if she yelled incriminations about the burial from the rooftops, an unnecessary passion and clear disregard of moderation. The exact opposite of her sister, Ismene is, according to Greek conventional wisdom of the time, functioning ideally in her moderation, aware that it is vital not to overstep her boundaries in the overall scheme of things.

Case Study in Waste Management of Philippines Essay

Bart Meehan Facilities and Services Division, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia Keywords Australasia, Environmental management strategy, Universities Abstract Discusses the extent to which environmental management is considered a mainstream business activity within Australian and New Zealand universities. Describes how a survey instrument was used to collect data on environmental programs, their resourcing and control processes, and the level of community involvement in their development and ongoing management. These indicators of mainstreaming are discussed and particular reference is made to the Australian National University (ANU) and its experience with mainstreaming environmental management. The survey data indicate that in the majority of the surveyed institutions, environmental management cannot be considered a mainstream business activity. To aid universities in assessing their progress towards mainstreaming, a conceptual framework is presented and a model of organi sational change is discussed. Introduction In response to the calls for ecologically sustainable development (WCED, 1987) and for leadership in environmental protection (Leal Filho et al., 1996), many universities throughout the world are recognising the need to adopt environmental management systems and to integrate these systems into their business operations. However, in the USA  and Europe, at least, few universities are vigorously pursuing green initiatives (Dahle and Neumayer, 2001). One reason for this may be that environmental management remains a peripheral management issue. This article suggests that if environmental programs are to succeed, they must be mainstreamed into university operations, rather than sidelined as a soft management issue. Read more:  Waste Management in the Philippines This article provides an analysis of environmental management in ten universities surveyed throughout Australia and New Zealand. While much information about environmental management in both US (e.g. HammondCreighton, 1998; Herremans and Allright, 2000), and European (e.g. Delakowitz and Hoffman, 2000; Noeke, 2000; Dahle and Neumayer, 2001) tertiary institutions has been forthcoming, aside from Howard et al.’s (2000) case study of the Charles Sturt University, little information about environmental management at Australian and New Zealand universities is available. Hopefully this contribution will stimulate discussion and interest and encourage further empirical studies on environmental management in Australasian universities. The aim of this investigation is to identify the extent to which environmental management systems are underpinned by business management practice and thus mainstreamed into university management processes. Herremans and Allright (2000) have suggested that the level of financial investment, and the level of senior executive involvement indicate how mainstreamed environmental management programs are within tertiary institutions. While agreeing, we feel that there are other indicators of mainstreaming that demonstrate organisational commitment. These include community involvement, the development of environmental plans and the presence of control processes. This article examines features of each of the environmental programs surveyed, with particular emphasis on the following:  The presence of an environmental management p lan and the level of financial and human resources available. . The control processes that exist (e.g. environmental management systems, audits, reports to management). . The level of campus community involvement in the program. After discussing the surveys, a brief case study of the Australian National University (ANU) will be presented. This is included because of the authors’ familiarity with the issues and not because it necessarily offers an example of best practice. Indeed, if the analysis shows anything, it is that while much has been done to improve environmental performance at the surveyed universities, there is still much more to do. Methodology and survey results The authors developed a simple survey instrument to gather information about the environmental management systems of Australasian universities. An invitation to complete the survey was issued to all universities in Australia and New Zealand via the Australian Universities Environmental Managers Network (AUEMN) and the mailing list of the Australasian Higher Education Facilities Managers Association (AAPPA). Of the 46 possible universities (38 Australian; eight New Zealand), ten complete surveys were received  ± a response rate of 21.7 per cent. The response rate for New Zealand universities (37.5 per cent) was much higher than that of Australian universities (18.4 per cent). The participating universities were: . The University of Western Australia. . The University of Newcastle. . The University of New South Wales. . University of Wollongong. . Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. The results of the surveys are shown in Tables I, II and III[1]. Table I shows base information about the environmental policy of the participating universities, including whether or not an environmental plan exists and the  level of financial support. Table II contains information about community involvement. Table III contains details of control processes such as reporting and auditing. Not surprisingly, as indicated by Table I, the survey showed that all participating universities had an environmental policy approved at the executive level. All policies where established between 1994 and 1998. Either working groups or formal committees developed the majority of policies; only two policies were established by employees without feedback from a working group or committee. All the policies established by the participating universities make energy conservation, waste management and â€Å"sustainability’’ key aims of the environmental program. Seven policies also make broad references to the teaching and research activities of the universities and the importance of consistency between the principles espoused in teaching and the actions of the corporate university. Only one policy makes a specific reference to â€Å"greening the curriculum’’. Seven respondents indicated that an environmental management plan was developed following the approval of a policy and that these plans are used to operationalise the principles detailed in the policy documents. Of the universities who did not have a formal plan, one stated that a plan was currently being developed, another that they â€Å"work from the policy’’, and yet another that the â€Å"university has an appropriate vision and objective which is driven by a well represented working party’’. One university without a plan also indicated that it was â€Å"becoming increasingly recognised that one would be useful . . . [to bring] various programs together and give them momentum’’. The survey asked respondents to comment on what, if any, management structure and budget had been established to facilitate the implementation of the environmental management program. Six universities stated that they had a formally established environmental management committee overseeing the implementation of the policy; four respondents indicated that there was no committee structure, with one of these respondents noting that the pre-existing management committee had â€Å"ceased meeting in 1998 and has not reconvened’’. The surveys indicated that the facilities management department played a strong role in the implementation of environmental management objectives, in all but one of the participating universities.