Secure Corporate Network Infrastructure Development

Secure Corporate Network Infrastructure Development Pop Quiz! VPN stands for†¦ A.1 VPN stands for Virtual Private Network or Virtual Private Networking. A VPN is a private network in the sense that it carries controlled information, protected by various security mechanisms, between known parties. VPNs are only virtually private, however, because this data actually travels over shared public networks instead of fully dedicated private connections. Introduction I have a strong point of view that MCC has been fostering is dear students from all computing courses since its establishment. With the intention of uplifting the education standard in Computer Technology, MCC has collaborated with NCC of Greenwich College in London to set up the Joint Program of International Diploma in Computer Studies (IDCS). I have given my best effort and attention and I also obtained priceless knowledge and experience in developing and implementing the cost-effective VPN extranet infrastructure for National Bank for Rural Development. Overview The construction of the Rural National Development Bank brought great prosperity to an area where previously had tremendous hardship in making monetary transaction. Being in a rural area like this, we cant have hefty load of budgets invest in for the normal operation of the bank. The bank has currently been using Microsoft Windows operating system as client machines and also the network is window-based. The bank wants to create a corporate network infrastructure to connect their agents and branches securely. The bank preferred to use NOS for Ubuntu Linux for they will reduce the overall cost dramatically when compared to Microsoft Server Version. All of these multi-functioned organisations and personnel need to have a medium to communicate for the smooth flow of their work. As the new networking advisor for this project, I have thought out the plan to implement such medium on less costly basis. The aim of this project is to investigate the currently favourable means for building a secure corporate network infrastructure that consists of servers, extranet, preferred form of internet connection and clients. This report will contain recommended methods and a sample of a network security design with a clearly labeled diagram. Also, the source and references of information and excerpts in this report will be acknowledged and can be found at the end of this documentation. Prototype for the Extranet VPN for NBRD There are altogether 500 computers and 100 peripheral devices in the main office bank. There are tens of departments and hundreds of staff ranging from front-office to auditor. VPN actually is a private network for delivering of important data and facts within the organisation via the secure use of the public network like Internet or Wide Area Network. The internet source is coming from ISP which provides high-speed Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line. The main office is a very sophisticated infrastructure and the daily normal operation of the bank is very much dependant on four servers-VPN Server which is a must in all VPN configured network, Print Server, File Server and Database Server. The computers and peripheral devices are connected from the four servers via multi-purpose switch (to regenerate signals). The outlet of the main office building has router in place for connecting separate logical networks to form an internetwork. And then comes the Gateway to convert Microsoft Ma il to Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) for transmission over the Internet. Although routers work at the Network layer and can route packets of the same protocol (such as TCP/IP) over networks with dissimilar architectures (such as Ethernet to token ring), gateways can route packets over networks with different protocols. And then comes a firewall. A firewall is a hardware device or software program that inspects packets going into or out of a network or computer and then discards or forwards those packets based on a set of rules. The data then travels on the VPN tunnel by using IPSec Protocol. It is the most popular method for encrypting data as it travels through network media. IPSec works by establishing an association between two communicating devices. An association is formed by two devices authenticating their identities via a preshared key, Kerberos authentication, or digital certificates. Suburban branch has 300 computers and 50 peripheral devices and has varieties of de partments and large numbers of staff for its daily normal operation and performs the same task mentioned above. National Bank for Rural Development has 50 computers and 5 peripheral devices. It also has departments and staffs but it depends on VPN server for its normal operation. Business partners and agents are connected to the VPN via remote access. Brief biography of Ubuntu is an open source (can change the source computer code at your desire) operating system version is upgraded every six months desktop, server and ultimate editions are available Can be used wih wide ranges of computers and hardwares:-(Intel x86 (IBM-compatible PC), AMD64 (Hammer) and PowerPC (Apple iBook and Powerbook, G4 and G5) architectures) Supported by Canonical Ltd. is GNU/Linux (comprises of many programs and most essential one is ‘kernel which is linux in (GNU/Linux) and it combines with other GNU programs to boot up the system) and if an error occurs and the Kernel becomes corrupted, a different copy can then be used instead. debian-based Linux is the system descended from Unix GNU/Linux was put into existence by Free Software Foundation in 1984 is free-of-charge and totally aimed at programmers and developers The first Linux kernel was invented by Finland-national Computer Science student ‘Linus Torvalds Because of its alluring advantages such as being free of charge, compatible with many software programs, not easily hanged or freezed, multi-tasking, and more safer than other OS make Linux more popular among business partners and individual person hide the user from browsing the registry keys that have important information more effective in hindering the spread of viruses and executing of malicious programs and threats Ubuntu can be downloaded from this site: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu is compatible with ‘Intel and AMD and the compatibility with hardware parts can be checked in this site: http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Hardware-HOWTO/ http://www.linux-laptop.net/ (For laptops) The minimum requirements for Ubuntu 700 MHz x86 processor 384 MB of system memory (RAM) 8 GB of disk space Graphics card capable of 1024768 resolution Sound card A network or Internet connection CD/DVD Drive For visual effects and graphic 1.2 GHz x86 processor 512 MB of system memory (RAM) Supported graphics card Note: the above descriptions are only minimum requirements and better processor and system memory will certainly enhance the performance of Ubuntu. For downloading software for disk partition by using disk management of windows: http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm Task 1- 50 Marks Your Bank currently has network client machines based on the Microsoft Windows Operating System. The Bank decides to evaluate the benefits of the open source Linux operating system, preferably the latest Ubuntu Linux distribution version 9.10 server edition (freely downloadable from http://www.ubuntu.com) Evaluate the benefit of Linux operating system as Interoperable and alternative NOS for the company in the form of a feasibility report to include the following: 1.1) The comparative Networking features of Windows and Linux. (10 Marks) Comparative Networking Features of Windows and Linux Windows Operating System Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) acts as a shield from unauthorized access to home networks and computers. It had come with the window installation package and it enables automatically in its default settings when the Network Setup Wizard is run and is compatible with most networks. ICF has manual switch on-off modes which can be done through the Network Connections folder. Wireless LAN provides Ethernet and Wireless Security with its improved standard IEEE 802.1X which has been developed with the combined effort of Microsoft, Wireless LAN dealers and PC dealers. Former version is highly inefficient in lacking security control with a key management system. The IEEE 802.1X is a port-based network access control and can be used with Windows XP via access points. Network Setup Wizard acts as a novice guideline in setting up the network can be utilised to configure the Internet Connection in networked computers, and also network adapters (NIC Card) can be used to enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), Network Bridge if appropriate, sharing resources such as files and printers and naming of computers. Network Diagnostics Features Diagnosing network features by using the following tools: The Network Diagnostics Web Page and NetSh helper Network Connections Support Tab Network Connection Repair Link Task Manager Networking Tab Updated Command Line Network Diagnostics Tool Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) A single internet connection from the source computer can be shared to all the other computers in a home or small office network. ICS is enabled in the source computer and gives out all the physical and IP addresses and translates these for all the networked computers in the organisation. Linux Operating System acts as a forbidder for all incoming connections but opens up for outgoing connections. When in ‘high mode, it allows for all outgoing connections and restricts to limited number of high ports for point-to-point applications. When switch to ‘medium mode, still permits outgoing connections, selected applications for incoming ports plus point-to-point application. When change to ‘none mode (â€Å"get out of my face†), it denies all incoming and outgoing connections. Only in the ‘laptop mode, the firewall does activate without giving any alert to an Interface (GUI). Protocols Linux supports IPv6 and SSH but Windows is not. 1.2) Interoperability features of Ubuntu with the existing Microsoft Windows Workstations. (10 Marks) Interoperability refers to the capability of the system ranging from hardware and OS to work in multi-platforms. Windows and Linux are both OS and of x386 architecture. Open Office in Linux which is similar to MS Office in Windows is java based application. All of us know java -based applications will work in any platform. OpenOffice.org can be used to open and save Microsoft Office formats, such as PowerPoint, Word and Excel documents. Ubuntu can share files with Windows with ease, and can connect with current e-mail servers even Microsoft Exchange. Ubuntu support plug-n-play hardware, wireless networking, printing and other graphical and multimedia software. Connecting from Linux to Windows With the use of network, we can control Windows computer from Linux: enable â€Å"remote administration† on the Windows host make sure you reach the computer from your Linux box ping windows_computer connect to the computer rdesktop windows_computer Connecting from Windows to Linux The following can be used to have control over Linux computer from a Windows box: Vnc Xdmcp NX X-Servers for Windows puTTy (command-line only) Exchanging files between Linux and Windows When having two hard disk partitions but running on one OS, in case want to access a Linux partition when running Windows and vice versa, the following can be done: When on a Linux host and want to access a Windows drive Winhost has been assumed as Windows computers hostname in this case (the hostname can be checked by right clicking on My Computer Icon and select Properties). Open the Explorer windows on Windows computer. Right-click on the folder and choose â€Å"Sharing and security† from the drop-down box. Name it â€Å"share1†. Then, on Linux computer, open the file explorer either Konqueror or Nautilus and type smb: //winhost/share1 in the address bar. All the files and folders can be seen in that share. With just double-click, you can open and view them. Want to share When on a Linux computer and want to make the folder accessible on Windows machines over the network, need to run SAMBA service on Linux computer. Right-click on a folder in favourite file explorer like Nautilus and choose â€Å"Sharing Options†. Click and name the share. Nautilus will require a password without prior enabling of the Windows folder sharing and after that install the service. It now requires you to log out and log in again. Windows computer should be available with the share. When on a Windows host and want to access a Linux drive WinSCP is used and SFTP protocol should be chosen. The login procedure and password are same as when log in locally. Firewall should be shut down and openssh service should be installed on Linux computer. Want to share a folder By using normal Windows sharing procedures can share files with Linux. By using samba, the Linux host can access these files. NTFS (New Technology File System) is the Microsoft Window default file system. It is readable as well with Linux and more than 2GB of files can be stored. 1.3) You need to install Ubuntu on a machine and configure network services for Windows and Linux mainly for file sharing and printing. Necessary screen shots have to be provided. Installation of Ubuntu Server Edition 9.10 During the ongoing installation process of Ubuntu Server Edition, LAMP which is a combination of Linux, Apache, and MySQL and PHP servers can be used instead. It is excluded from the Ubuntu Server Installation Package and can easily be used during the time of installation. The LAMP option does not require individual installation and integration separately of each of these components which can take prolonged period of time and need a help from an expert who is skilled in this particular installation. The overall cost can be greatly reduced due to the enhanced security performance, requiring lesser amount of time to install and any possibility of misconfiguration can be reduced. Flexible installation can be carried out with the Ubuntu Server Cloud computing server as varieties of servers like Mail Server, Open SSH Server, Samba File Server, Print Server, Tomcat Java Server, Virtual Machine Host, Manual Package selection, LAMP and DNS options work jointly with cloud computing node and P ostgreSQL Database options. These versions can be installed by Ubuntu LAMP server. Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic) Apache 2.2.12 Mysql 5.1.37 PHP 5.2.10 Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic) LAMP Server Installation is successfully completed and all applications installed will support apache, mysql and php. Ubuntu server 9.10 edition static ip address configuration The command [sudo apt-get install vim-full] can be used to install vim editor TCP/IP utilisation in a corporate or enterprise network needs the devices to be configured in detail, assigned addresses and the destined machines they were assigned need to be kept track of. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is used to make this process easier. Through Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Ubuntu installer has arranged our system to acquire its network settings. But we need to switch it to static IP address by editing setup: Edit/etc/network/interfaces and the detail data of your ip address needs to be entered. For instance, IP address 173.20.9.10 is used in this case. The command [sudo vi/etc/network/interfaces] is entered and the file is saved and exit by using the procedure â€Å"In vi, ESC, and then ZZ to save and exit†. The chief network interface auto eth0 iface eth0 inet static address 173.20.9.10 netmask 255.255.255.0 network 189.18.9.3 broadcast 198.34.8.9 gateway 167.8.2.3 Now the command [sudo/tec/init.d/networking restart] is used to restart network services When DHCP is not in use, manual setting up of DNS servers in resolv.conf file is needed with command [sudo vi/etc/resolv.conf] In resolv.conf file the one similar to below should be added. search domain.com nameserver xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx File Sharing configuration in Ubuntu server 9.10 edition Sharing File by using NFS which is the *nix systems default networking protocol inclusive of Ubuntu Linux. File sharing by using Samba protocol Samba File Sharing Samba client permits easy and smooth networking with Windows-based networks except firewall is in place at the ports. Ubuntu Jaunty comes originally installed with Samba client. Samba server When Samba server is not installed by default, the instructions below can be used to configure a Samba server. In this way, files can be shared seamlessly between windows Samba network computers to other Samba clients. Install Samba with the command [sudo apt-get install samba samba-tools system-config-samba] Samba-tools and system-config-samba are not compulsory Samba settings can be altered by:- Method 1 System>Administration>Advanced>Samba This method can only be performed only if system-config-samba is installed Method 2 Needs User Authentication to connect to File Sharing Server and it is highly recommended because of its reliability The instructions below should be carried out to share files on the machine. Current user should be added to Samba by command [sudo smbpasswd- a username] The login username should replace username. Samba config file is opened by command [sudo nano/etc/samba/smb.conf] The directories is to be added at the far end by using the format Path=/home/username/ (The username is to be replaced with your own username and with the folder to be shared) CTRL+ X is pressed and later Y to save Samba is restarted by the command[sudo/etc/init.d/samba restart] The format[\192.168.x.x] is used to access the folder in Windows Explorer. In this instance, \192.168.x.x is used as a sample IP address and the actual IP address of the server in which folder exists should be replaced. The format[smb://192.168.x.x] should be typed in Konqueror or Nautilus of Linux. In this instance also, 192.168.x.x should be replace with the actual IP address of the server in which the folder exists. In case of bug when sharing in KDEs System Settings panel, erase out any situations concerning with these two lines (â€Å"case sensitive† and â€Å"msdfs proxy†) in /etc/smb.conf. Workgroup changing in Windows network workgroup Change your Windows network Samba workgroup by the command [sudo nano/etc/samba/smb.conf] and search out for this line â€Å"workgroup= WORKGROUP† change the setting according to your LAN workgroups name. Print sharing configuration in Ubuntu server 9.10 edition Printers Many printers can be recognized by the new CUPS interface. The Linux Foundation OpenPrinting database provides instructions to install particular types of unrecognized printers. Printer configuration System>Administration>Printing>New Printer>New Printer Usually the printer connected and switched on will be detected automatically. My network printer was configured with IP address at 192.168.10.23 and it was correctly installed at socker://192.168.10.23:9100. Through Samba printers on a Windows system and on other networks can be chosen plus directly connected printers. 1.4) Enumerate the various costs associated with the performance, security, support and maintenance of the Ubuntu within the bank. Cost associated with security of the Ubuntu within the bank A Linux-based operating system, Unix-like and open source make the Ubuntu more secure than any other OS. Translation into higher quality code makes it less prone to spyware and viruses than other OS. Rather strict and hyperactive security policy prevents the effects as a result of open ports or misconfigured software. It is truly multiuser operating system with it allowance in users to accomplish their tasks without giving any harm to the system. In Ubuntu, the user never logged in with an administrator account instead log in as a simple user and can change settings concern only with the user but for modifying settings that can somehow affect the system, the user required to type in administrator password. Cost associated with maintenance of the Ubuntu within the bank LTSP thin client technology makes Ubuntu deployment and management simpler and easier. With only a single server, over 50 workstations can be setup, manage and administrate. Ubuntu can therefore reduce the amount of time spend in administrating computers. Ubuntu is and will always be free to obtain, use and upgrade. No license fees or upgrades expenses are cost even if 100 or more machines are to be installed or can install on computers only having specific programs. Ubuntu also assist in saving hardware costs by allowing redeploying older machines as thin clients using LTSP technology. Cost associated with support of Ubuntu within the bank Ubuntu support can be getting from Ubuntu communities. Authors of the Ubuntu can get in touch directly through mailing lists and IRC channels including Ubuntu developers. Wide varieties are support are available, on mailing lists, wiki websites, IRC channels and bug trackers. Canonical who finances Ubuntu development can give help in any paid work. The community at the back of Ubuntu attracts people to the use of operating system. Linux community people are largely ex-Windows users and they have exact feelings the newness of an operating system and they are willing to help. In the Linux environment the best community support is offered by Ubuntu. Cost associated with performance of Ubuntu within the bank Program calls Synaptic offers access to most applications available to Ubuntu and by clicking the program wanted and it will install without needing to accept agreements several times pre-installation. Just select the program and click OK and it is finished. Ubuntu will download the installation files, install them and start the application on its own. That makes Ubuntu easier to install new programs. Ubuntu is fast and does not take up a lot of resources. Performance will not even slow down in prolonged use. Everything will be opened in a short time after clicking the icon and closes immediately when click the icon X. Ubuntu gets update every six months. Everything about Ubuntu is free. Even they will dig their pockets to pay postal charges if you ask them a free copy of the operating system. The software installed is free including all the software that can be downloaded, any help and support is free. Research and produce a comprehensive project plan for the implementation of a VPN within the company. This should include the following: Performance of VPN within the bank VPN has other indirect cost savings advantages over other communications methods such as lesser requirements in training and staff, flexibility and scalability has been greatly increased. The largest benefit to utilising VPNs is money savings. The amount spent will be significantly reduced when compared to dedicated leased line options. Remote users can connect locally to an ISP and tunneling that connection to a VPN device on the destined network. Therefore, reduced technical help is required to install, configure, and manage networking equipment. With the use of a single WAN interface, it can carry out multiple functions so the expenses on WAN equipment installation and maintenance is no longer needed. Organisations can extend their network and capacitate their performance by setting up more accounts to control the increased demand. This will facilitate the answers to market demands or organizational challenges and is also time-saving. Therefore enterprises and corporate organisations can be linked from different locations into the network without the need of complex infrastructure, delays and tremendous expenses in joint with connection across borders. The wide area networking costs are cut down via telecommunication costs. Support of Ubuntu within the bank Technical help resources are sharply reduced with the emergence of VPNs. This is as a result of dependability on one type of Internet protocol (IP) from mobile users to an ISPs POP and security needs are standardised. If taking the help of the service providers to set up VPNs, they will take most of the support tasks for the network. Security of Ubuntu within the bank Fewer networking experts are required to control security features of the VPN as the ISP manages the WAN equipment. Hidden costs associated with distribution of VPN client software. Some adopters are finding that simple tasks not unique to VPNs, such as distributing and installing client software to remote users, pose a bigger challenge than ever imagined. Managing security and authentication systems require realising that complex skill sets not available in-house. Cost-VPN often requires a substantial up-front effort for configuration and software deployment. 2.1) A brief overview of current VPN technologies (both hardware and software). Components needed with VPNs With the effect of high security performance, VPNs are originally complicated. Typical components needed for an effective VPN include: Gateway devices Routers Dedicated servers Firewalls Client software Public-Key infrastructures (PKI) and associated key-management strategies Hardware-based encryption accelerators X.509 digital certificates Certificate Authority (ies) Directory services Servers with these features: Load balancing Failover Redundancy Network-transport communication mechanisms Typically, VPN components connected to the Internet include these: -Certificate Authority (CA) system -Managed ISP to support remote employees Corporate VPN gateway with these indispensables: -LDAP server -Registration Authority (RA) system Firewalls help in accomplishing three goals: Restrict accessing to certain segment of a network Block services requests that are thought to be insecure or unnecessary Interpret network addresses to conceal real device addresses from other segment of a network and is called Network Address Translation, or NAT VPN evaluation Certificate Authority (CA) support: If youll be handling more than a handful of users who possess digital certificates for authentication, youll need robust support for an external provider of CA services. Logging: If youre requiring information logs from the VPN, can they integrate into your existing logging mechanisms and reporting systems? Selective encryption: If youre thinking about adding a VPN to an existing firewall, you may want to encrypt only certain traffic- or risk bringing your firewall to its knees with an overload of overkill. VPN-management modules: Can you integrate your VPN into your existing enterprise networks monitoring system? If you cant, then how will you monitor its uptime? In your evaluation of VPN gateway products, look for these features: X.509 digital-certificate support LDAP support IPSec-compliant Encryption types supported Performance (Mbps) Maximum number of interfaces Maximum number of connections Quality of Service support Clustering (SMP) support Custom-application support Support for High-Availability (HA) features EAL/ITSEC/TCSEC Level In evaluation of VPN client products, look for these essentials: Thin-client support Fat-client support Network-mapping support Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) support NT Domain logon support 2.2) Design a suitable VPN using appropriate Internet Service Provider (ISP) for the requirements of the bank. 2.3) Identify and list the hardware and software required to implement the banks VPN. The infrastructure of existing network should be supported by a server. A server should serve as a domain controller, DNS server, Certificate authority and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server. The next step is to set up a certificate authority. A VPN server should be kept separate for the sole purposes of security threats. A firewall should be placed at the outlet of VPN server to only permit flow of VPN traffic into this server. Two NICs cards are needed to connect to the internet and the private corporate network. Identification of the remote users identity when trying to access the private corporate network is also necessary. The Server operating system comes with RADIUS- Remote Authentication Dial In User Service and IAS- Internet Authentication Service to do authentication process. VPN hardware products also do the authentication process. The Web Server (HTTP server) responds to HTTP requests for HTML pages that it delivers to customer browsers over the Internet. Its the only server that sits in front of the firewall and allows direct controlled access to the public internet. Its on this server you may want to store static Web page content and graphic images. All information processing that the Web server needs from applications or Database servers can only be accessed through the Firewall. Application Servers store, manage, and operate those software components relevant to the business, including Merchant server software, back-office accounting systems, customer information systems, order entry and fulfillment systems. You many opt for multiple application servers as your needs dictate. Any links to other legacy systems (such as mainframe-based systems0 may be made through the application servers as well. Database Servers store your product, purchase, and customer data in addition to all other distributed processing data already in place. They may use Object-Oriented Database Management products, traditional relational database products, or hybrids of the two. Choices of Database Server software include these: Oracle MS SQL Server Sybase DB/2 Informix Firewalls control the access to the internal (back-office) corporate networks. They serve as the mechanism under which the Web server accesses applications and data that is found behind them. These Firewalls will typically run monitoring software to detect and thwart external attacks on the site, and are needed to protect internal corporate networks. Common Firewall services are implemented as routers that sit in between two domains (subnets), and are selective about IP addresses from which it receives packets before it permits their routing to the other domain (subnet). These select IP addresses are considered as trusted hosts. Mainframe systems, If youve got them, can a

Influence on the General Motors Corporation Essay

This report analyzes the primary internal and external influence on the General Motors Corporation and the influence of changing political environment on policy making and response of the corporation. Then the report discusses the changing political environment in and its influence. The influences of political environment on policies and decision making to the corporation are analyzed. The corporation response to the political environment changing is critically evaluated. At last, some improvement suggestion for the corporation in the response of the changing political environment is demonstrated. IntroductionGeneral Motors Corporation is the largest automobile manufactures in the world. The corporation, which is located in Detroit, employs more than 260 millions people and sells cars and trucks in about 35 countries. The corporation has a dominant influence in automobile market in the United States and other developed market such as the United Kingdom, Canada and so on. The corporation also enjoys a large market share in the rapid growing market of developing countries such as China and Brazil. However, the corporation is in face of changing internal and external environment. Discussion and AnalysisIn the first part of the report, the primary internal and external influence is analyzed following the SWOT Matrix, which is a modern tool for analysis of internal and external environment. In the SWOT Matrix, the S stands for strengths, W for weaknesses, O for opportunities, and T for threats. The strengths and weaknesses are the analysis of internal influence while the opportunities and threats stand for the influence of external environments. In the following part of the report, the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats that have influence of the organization is discussed one by one. Internal influence: Strengths This section analyzes the internal strengths of the corporation. The General Motors are rich in brands and product lines. The General Motors Corporation acquired and mergers many brands and auto companies in the early stage of its history. The General Motors Corporation acquired Buick and Oldsmobile after it is founded. Then it brought Cadillac, Elmore and Oakland and so on. As a result, the corporation owns many brands  which are fit for different segmented markets. Comparing to Ford’s only providing black Model T cars in the early years the General Motors Corporation provides various models, colors and brands for different markets. For example, the practical and economical Chevrolet are designed for entry level consumers, the Buick are make for middle class buyer and luxury Cadillac for high end consumers. (Warell, 2008) The advantage of multi brands strategy is to satisfy the needs and wants of different group of consumers to enter more segmented markets. The multi brands make GM a giant automaker and enjoys large market share. The General Motors Corporation has the strength that it governs the advance technology and has an influencing power in the distribution channel. The General Motors Corporation has developed for a century since it is founded in 1908. During the time, the technology and channel influence is accumulating and increasing. The technology is of great importance in the motor industry, but the technology accumulating needs a long period. The General Motors Corporation now governs the advanced technology that it can make more sophisticated automobiles which are more durable, more safety, and have a rapider speed. On the other hand, the General Motors Corporation has a dominant power in the distribution channel. The General Motors Corporation has been the top automobile manufacturer for a long time accordingly it has a strong bargaining power in the distribution channel. The corporation can distribute it product in the United States and all around the world. The technology and distribution chan nel can be a great assistant in the further development of the organization. Internal influence: Weaknesses This section analyzes the internal weaknesses of the corporation. One of the most significant weaknesses is that the cost of production is too high. The Japanese automakers such as Toyota are dangerous competitors for the General Motors Corporation and the have scrambled for quite a large part of market shares if the GM in America and the global markets. The Japanese competitors cut down the cost tremendously by lean production. However, the production cost is still high in the General Motors Corporation. And the inefficiency of production cause the high price of its automobiles and the market share shrinks accordingly.  (Coffey, 2005) Especially in face of the financial crisis, the General Motors Corporation has much to learn form lean production to cut down its production prices. The bureaucratic culture is another weakness in the corporation. The General Motors Corporation employs more than 260 millions staff, which composes a huge and complex organization. The General Motors Corporation had taken the lead in organization. For example, the corporation had injected into matrix organization that combined the functional and project patterns of department in the same corporation in early years. The General Motors Corporation also organized with strategic business unit that classified products and product lines in the same independent business department in ahead of other corporations. The decentralization makes each department a profit centre. However, after ages of development the departments and business units concerns more on their own benefits and become bureaucratic. The well defined division of departments and united became deficiency and resistance to change. Formal and informal networks formed in the corporation. The bureaucratic culture is accumulating and hander the further development of the corporation. External influence: Opportunities This section analyzes the external opportunities of the corporation. The emerging markets of developing countries provide a great opportunity for the General Motors Corporation. The market of developed countries is fully covered and closed to saturation in the modern days. For example, in the United States there are two cars in a family in average so the market can not keep a rapid growing rate. On the country, market in developing countries shows their potential. The sales volume in China and Brazil is second only to the market of the United States. Many international automaker groups are scrambling for these markets. The large and potential markets of developing countries will provide opportunities for the corporation. The achievement in technology is a great opportunities for the General Motors Corporation. The technology makes breakthrough achievement in fields of information, manufacturing, fuel and so on. The advance of information  technology and implementation of management information system make it possible to collect and analysis accurate data and information all around the huge organization. The computers and instant communication tool help the corporation to organize and manage the supply chain. The new methods in manufacturing, such as lean production, can increase the efficiency of production while cutting down the cost. The leading edge achievement on fuel and new energy engine can promote the upgrade of automobiles. The General Motors Corporation is huge enough to afford the cost of R&D center and the implement of new technology, which in turn can raise the competency of the corporation. (Sengi et al, 2004) External influence: Threats This section analyzes the external threats of the corporation. The increasingly growing price of petroleum is a threat to the General Motors Corporation. On the one hand, consumers turn to other transport tools when they can not afford the high petro price. On the other hand, they want to purchase energy saving automobiles. Many products of the General Motors Corporation are large in size and heavy in weight and they are high fuel consumption motors. The fluctuation of oil price has a negative effect on the sales volume of the automobile of the General Motors Corporation. Some political affaires such as wars and conflictions in the Middle East, the â€Å"oil shock† caused by OPEC with economic and political purpose, the environment protection organizations anti-automobile movement and so on, enhance the threats of oil price turbulence. The competition, both in the United States and the global market, is a vital threat to the General Motors Corporation. There are three automaker giants in the United States. They are the General Motors, Ford, and Daimler Chrysler. They compete fierce in the United States and in global market. In the Europe, there are strong competitors such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Peugeot etc. In the 1970s, with the raising of oil price, some Japanese automakers gradually seized the automobile market shares. The low cost and energy saving cars, such as Toyota, Honda and so on became world famous brands. More and more automobile brands enter into the United States and they also scramble the global automobile market. (Loomis, 2006) They compete and try to meet consumers’ different needs and wants with lower production cost. The competition in and abroad America is fierce and threats the  survival of the General Motors Corporation. The following is the second part of the report. This section of the report discusses the changing environment in and aboard the United States. First, the influences of political environment on policies and decision making to the General Motors Corporation will be analyzed. Second, the corporation response to the political environment changing will be critically evaluated. At last, some improvement suggestion for the corporation in the response of the changing political environment will be demonstrated. Influence on policies and decision makingThis section analyzes the influence of political environment change on the policies and decision making of the corporation. The political environment has great influence on the operation of the General Motors Corporation. One of the key political influences of the General Motors Corporation and automobile industry is the increased protectionism for fear of the decline of employment in the industry. The major automakers employ so many employees that the decline of automobile sales volume will cause the significant increase of unemployment in a country. As a result, many governments tend to support the automobile industry, no matter in the form of fund assistant, protective tariff or quota. The government of the United States has a tradition of protecting its automobile industry. For example, the America government used high protective tariff to protect the automakers from the competitors from Europe and Japan in the last century. The government also gave financial assistant to the automaker that is at the verge of bankruptcy such as Chrysler. In the modern time, the automakers fall into trap again and the financial crisis enhance the tendency. The America government aims to give a large quantity of money to the automakers and use other protection methods to protect the automobile industry. It can be seem that the changing of political environment has significant influence on the policy and decision making of the General Motors Corporation. (Bowler et al, 1996) However, different presents and its government in the United States may have different attitudes on the protectionism of the Automobile industry. The General Motors Corporation should take serious consideration on the change of political environment and make full use of it. The Country Alliances and Economic Blocs and other regional cooperation organizations are another main tendency of the political environment. The competition extends form national to blocs, even global. (Cho, 1998) The North American Free Trade Agreement, which including the United States, Canada, and Mexico, formed in 1994 with the purpose of freeing the trade, eliminating tax barriers and promoting fair trade in the North America. The NAFTA also extended to Free Trade Area of the Americas, which including country in the North America, Latin America and Caribbean countries. Many European countries ally with each other to form the European Union. After years of development, the union own 27 membership countries and creates a common economic area, in which people move and trade freely. There are many other Country Alliances and Economic Blocs such as Association of Southeast Asian and so on. The political tendency of regional cooperation requires the top managers of the General Motors Corporation to consider and resolve the benefit conflicts between one power countries blogs and another when making decisions and policies. The Country Alliances and Economic Blocs and other regional cooperation organizations provide opportunities for the automobile manufacturers but the organizations in other area also became threat to the United States. The decisions and policies makers of the General Motors Corporation have to make strategy to cope with the tariff and nontariff barriers within and between the Country Alliances and Economic Blocs. The corporation should rethink its strategy. (Tay, 2007) The structure of the corporation according to different regional cooperation organizations should be considered when making decisions and policies. (Sastry, 1997) The new staffing and leading methods to deal with culture diversity also influence the policy and decision making of the Genera l Motors Corporation. The labor union, environmental organization and other political groups are gaining more and more power. The United Auto Workers is a key labor union in the automobile manufacturing industry. The union fights for the benefits of workers such as less working hours, more salaries, health insurance and pensions and so on. The labor union cause the high cost of the General Motors Corporation. The total expense on employees is almost twice as much as the workers in other industry in the United States, and much more than  the employees in competitors’ factories, such as Honda and Toyota. (Benders and Morita, 2004) The union is blamed as the reason of the uncompetitive of the General Motors Corporation and the crisis of the automobile industry. However, the methods to deal with the strong political power are the problem to the policies and decisions makers of the General Motors Corporation. In 2007, the United Auto Workers went on a strike against the General Motors Corporation, which causes tremendously negative effects on the General Motors Corporation. So the policies and decisions of the corporation should balance the interest of the employees. The environmental organizations are gaining more and more power. With the increasingly dangerous environment problems, many green groups, which become independent and influencing political power, claim for the protection of the earth. Motor vehicle exhaust is considered as the main effects of the greenhouse effect. Some green groups are against the using of automobiles, which cause the decline of the automobile sales volume. As the increasing of environment protection power and the widely acceptance of the green opinion, the managers should make new policies and decisions such as designing alternative fuels vehicles. Evaluation of GM’s responseThis section critically evaluates the corporation’s response to the changing political environment. In face of the dynamic changing political environment, the General Motors Corporation makes some responses accordingly. The General Motors Corporation makes full use of the protectionism policies and financial assistance of the government to maximize its benefits. In order to be more influence in political, the General Motors Corporation spends a lot of money on political contributions. Statistics shows that the General Motors Corporation spent quite a lot of money as the political contribution for both the Democrats and the Republicans. The spending on lobbying the members of parliament is also quite large. Besides the political contributions, the General Motors Corporation also spends plenty of money on charities. For example, the General Motors Corporation is the exclusive financial source of â€Å"Safe Kids Buckle Up† program, which p rotect the children through education and inspection. The political and charitable contributions are positive and active response to the changing political environment. On the one hand, the General Motors Corporation strengthens its influence and enhances the  connection with the government. On the other hand, the corporation undertaken its social responsibility, which wins the corporation positive reputation so the General Motors Corporation can easily get the support when in crisis and consumers tend to purchase automobiles of the corporation. In the behavior of giving political and charitable contribution, the General Motors Corporation well response to the political change and gain more political influence, which helps the corporation get protection from the government. The Country Alliances and Economic Blocs and other regional cooperation organizations are a main political change these decades. In order to minimize the hindrance and the conflict between different Economic Blocs, the General Motors Corporation makes trade strategy, ally with other automaker group, and establish joint venture in some countries. For example, the United States and China have different ideologies and economic situations and they belong to different Country Alliances and Economic Blocs. The Chinese government forbids the wholly foreign owned subsidiary in the automobile industry. The China customs also charge tariff on the automobiles. In order to enter the market of other Country Alliances and Economic Blocs, the General Motors Corporation establishes joint venture with Chinese company. The Shanghai GM joint venture is created by the General Motors Corporation and a Chinese company, in which the automobiles of China’s market were manufactured. The General Motors Corporation brings advance technology, operation experience to the venture. The joint venture employs local workers whose salaries are quite low comparing with the workers of the United Auto Union. The joint venture brings profits for both sides and the General Motors Corporation avoids the high tariff and nontariff protection between different countries and different Economic Blocs. The General Motors Corporation makes an effective response to cover the gap between the Country Alliances and Economic Blocs. The labor union and environmental organization become increasingly influencing political powers. The General Motors Corporation tries hard to response properly to the increasingly strong power of the labor union. The United Auto Union is blame as the cause of uncompetitive of the General Motors Corporation for the members’ salaries in the union are much higher than its foreign competitors. The General Motors Corporation tries to cut down costs of the workforces in face of the financial crisis and problem of the automobile industry. The General Motors Corporation makes a policy of eliminating the lifetime health benefits of the white collar retirees. It is a hard decision after negotiation to response the political environment change and the automobile industry crisis. The General Motors Corporation has a long way to go, but it has taken a constructive step to response to the changing of political environment. In response to the political force of green groups, the General Motors Corporation designs energy saving vehicles which implement alternative fuels and electric. The corporation researches and designs some alternative technology vehicles and some flex fuel burning vehicles. The General Motors Corporation also builds an automotive battery laboratory to research on battery for the electric vehicles. The hybrid electric vehicles are a more practicable automobile in the future. The General Motors Corporation introduced the hybrid concept vehicle in 2005. Up to now, the corporation owes several hybrid electric automobile models and even all electric vehicles. The General Motors Corporation does a good job in developing alternative fuels and electric vehicles in response to the environment protection political power. Areas for improvementThis section demonstrates some areas for improvement of the corporation. The General Motors Corporation does well in response to the challenge of changing political environment. However, there are still some areas for improvement for the corporation. The most important improvement area is to raise the manufacturing efficiency. The average cost of manufacturing in the General Motors Corporation is high comparing with its main competitors such as Toyota. The Toyota is scrambling the market share of the GM little by little in the United States and all around the world. The competitiveness of Toyota come form the low cost caused from lean production. The core spirit of lean product is more value with less work. The purpose of production is to provide value to the final consumers. The expense for other goals is considered as a waste, by which the waste of resource is eliminated and the manufacturing efficiency promoted. It can introduce advance assembly line and reorg anize the logistic department,  through which the supply chain is organized. (Kochan, 2003) The lean production and be combined with six sigma quality and total quality management to maximize the efficiency and cut down the cost. (Dahlgaard and Dahlgaard-Park, 2006)The General Motors Corporation can make a reform on culture. It can build a harmonious culture as in Japanese automobile manufacturing factories to coordinate the relationship and benefits between managers and workers. On the one hand, the harm of the Union Auto Workers can be minimized and the cost of manufacture can be cut down. On the other hand, the harmonious culture can promote the efficiency of manufacturing. The General Motors Corporation also needs to fight against the bureaucratic culture. The organization structure can be reformed and reconstructed break out the barriers between different departments and stimulate the cooperation of different profit centers. Different methods can also be implemented to motivate confidence, communicate and collaborate between staff in different level. ConclusionThis report analyzes the internal and external environment of the General Motors Corporation in the first paragraph and then discusses the changing political environment of the corporation. In analysis, the strengths of branding strategy and advantage in technology and channel, the weaknesses of high production cost and bureaucratic culture, the opportunities of emerging markets and achievement of technology, and the threats of petroleum price fluctuation and strong competitors are analyzed with the SWOT model. In the second part of the report, the influence of political environment change is discussed in three perspectives. They are the protectionism from government, the tendency of Country Alliances and Economic Blocs, and the growing in strength of labor union, green groups and other political groups. Their influence on policies and decision making and the response of the corporation are analyzed and critically evaluated. Then some suggestions are given on several areas for improvement of the corporation. Recommendations As is analyzed in above, the General Motors Corporation can improve in two ways. First, the corporation can introduce new manufacturing methods, such as the lean production, the six sigma quality and total  quality management and so on. By implementing advanced manufacture methods, the corporation can promote its efficiency in manufacturing while reducing the cost. Second, the corporation can build a harmonious culture and fight against the bureaucratic culture, through which the barriers between different departments are broken while the staff in the corporation is motivated. Reference: Benders, J. and Morita, M. (2004), ‘Changes in Toyota Motors’ operations management’, International Journal of Production Research, 42(3), pp: 433-45. Bowler, S. et al. (1996), ‘The growth of the political marketing industry and the California initiative proces’ European Journal of Marketing, 30(10/11), pp: 166-78. Cho, D.S. (1998), ‘From national competitiveness to bloc and global competitiveness’ Competitiveness Review, 8(1), pp: 11-23. Coffey, D. (2005), ‘Delineating comparative flexibility in car assembly: the problem of wide selection’ International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 5(1), pp: 18-31. Dahlgaard, J.J. and Dahlgaard-Park, S.M. (2006), ‘Lean production, six sigma quality, TQM and company culture’ The TQM Magazine, 18(3), pp: 263-81. Kochan, A. (2003), ‘GM creates flexible assembly line at its Ellesmere Port plant in the UK’ Assembly Automation, 23(1), pp: 32-5. Loomis, C.J. (2006), ‘The tragedy of General Motors’, Fortune, 153 (3), pp: 31-45. Sastry, M.A. (1997), ‘Problems and paradoxes in a model of punctuated organizational change’, Administrative Science Quarterly, 42(2), pp: 237-75. Sengir, G.H. et al (2004), ‘Modeling relationship dynamics in GM’s research-institution partnerships’, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 15(7), pp: 541-59. Tay, H.K. (2007), ‘Rethinking competition in the world auto market: cultural determinants, strategic’ Strategy & Leadership, 35(4), pp: 31-7. Warell, A. (2008), ‘Multi-modal visual experience of brand-specific automobile design’ The TQM Journal, 20(4), pp: 356-71.

Unit 9 Assignment - 694 Words

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African Culture in Things Fall Apart - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 1 Words: 429 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2019/05/02 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Things Fall Apart Essay Did you like this example? In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebes African culture is shown rampantly throughout the book. The book replicates his culture and also replicates history. The things that influenced his novel the most were, the European literature surrounding Africa, where he grew up and what was happening to Nigeria at time. During the time of European colonization, many pieces of literature were written about Africa. According to Things Fall Apart Further Study, Achebe was tired of seeing his culture represented as primitive, socially [backwards], and, most important, language-less so he decided to write a book that represents his culture and people more accurately, (https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/things/context/). This influenced how he wrote his book, because he wanted to show the true aspect of Africans. He made sure of this by being careful to not stereotype the Europeans, while also showing how advanced the Igbo culture really is, (https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/things/context/). Achebe wanted to show thing for how they were, while trying not to do what the European writers had done before. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "African Culture in Things Fall Apart" essay for you Create order Achebe was born and grew up in a popular city in Nigeria. Where he lived, the people there followed the culture of the Igbo. This is very important because the book is about a leader of the Igbo tribe, and their life during European colonization. Similar to as stated above, Achebe wanted to bring the real aspect of African culture to this book, not the aspect the Europeans had wrote down long ago. Achebe was born to Protestant missionaries while also living in a village with native traditions still alive. He was able to incorporate this into the book by showing what happened when the missionaries originally came to the tribe. Because of his unique circumstances he was able to incorporate both european standpoint and the natives standpoint. Where Achebe grew greatly influenced his novel because he wrote entire novel based on his culture. In 1958 and 1959 Nigeria was working its way to gain independence from Great Britain. This would have directly influenced his book and indirectly influenced culture and even politics. In Diana Rhoads article titled, Culture in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart, In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe does incorporate his culture into the book. He incorporates it by including his peoples history, by showing a different aspect to how native Africans were normally looked at, and by letting what was happening in his home country affect his writing. By incorporating his culture into the book, he was able to make it more realistics and provided a better aspect to African culture.