Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Benefits Of A Partnership Is The Trust Factor - 1604 Words

Much like a sole proprietorships, the creation of a partnership is relatively simple and doesn’t require a large amount of legal documentation, although it is slightly more than a sole proprietorship requires. Also, a partnership is taxed as personal income for each partner, not as a separate entity. That being said, each partner can deduct the losses of the business from their own personal taxes if it is a general partnership. This could be an option for the four brothers and their cousin, Xavier. This would make sure that the business is only run by the family and it gives everyone an equal say in the decision making of the farm. It also would help that the farm would be taxed only as personal income for each of them. Disadvantages The†¦show more content†¦Corporations are seen as separate legal entities by the government and are therefore taxed separately, twice during the year. The actual owners of the corporation are the shareholders that have invested into it and own stock in the company. The shareholders then elect a board of directors to run the company for them (Custom Text, pg. 265, 2015). Corporations can be either big or small, so big name companies like Walmart aren’t the only type of corporations out there. Advantages Since a corporation is owned by a group of shareholders, they are only legally liable for their initial investment in the company. If the company is sued, then the shareholders aren’t completely liable for all the damages as the company can be sued on its own as a separate entity. Another advantage for those that don’t hold stock in the company is that only shareholders are taxed on their income from the corporation, which comes in the form of dividends. In my current job, I send out the 1099-DIV forms for all of our shareholders as the company I currently work for is incorporated. These forms have to be filed with each shareholders tax return for the year. Another advantage to establishing a corporation is that, unlike the previous classifications given, â€Å"the business continues to exist even if a shareholder or director were to pass away,† as written in an article comparing the pros and cons of a sole proprietorship vs. a corporation (Nash, 2010).

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Leadership The Organizational Leadership - 2540 Words

In every organization around the world there is always one constant factor that remains as a key determinant in the success of that organization, which is the organizational leadership. Without the proper leadership in place the chances of any organization being successful in the long run could become hindered. Leadership in itself is about more than just supervising a group of people, large or small, it is about being able to motivate and drive the people that comprise an organization to long-term productivity. Good leaders in an organization must be able to handle a wide variant of issues that can in essence become the wound that becomes infected and leads to that organizations death. For a leader to be prepared they must have a strong stance of what the core values of leadership entail as well as be able to use those values in not only envisioning a successful future but set the proper tone to follow a path to that future. Along the way leadership will be encountered by a multitude of obstacles that will have to be properly dealt with in order to achieve success. The following will discuss what skills a leader needs to overcome the various obstacles and lead to success within an organization. The topic of what leadership is has been discussed and argued over for many years and over 100 definitions of what leadership is have come to light. One of the reasons why there are so many ideas of what leadership is and what it takes to lead is from the various beliefs thatShow MoreRelatedOrganizational Leadership : Leadership And Leadership1568 Words   |  7 PagesConceptualizing Leadership Leadership is different in the eyes of each and every individual. What one person considers great leadership may be viewed by another as too demanding. Ultimately, time, place, situation, and people involved are considered some of the view variables for which type of leadership will be most effective. Through taking the Gallup Strengths Finder survey, I have been able to cement some of my top strengths and see how they come into play in my daily life. Learning about strengthsRead MoreThe Leadership Of The Organizational Leadership786 Words   |  4 PagesThe organizational leadership drivers have been historically and predominantly filled with male leaders. Determined factors, however fictitious, in writing, as well as perceived by organizational Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), shareholders, Owners, and employees, female leaders were viewed through the stereotypical categories that included limitations. Moreover, gender discriminating society prof esses the positions for men and women would not be compensated equallyRead MoreOrganizational Behavior, Leadership, And Leadership1321 Words   |  6 Pages In any organization, it’s extremely important for the people in leadership roles to possess a strong leadership role. According to the text Organizational Behavior, â€Å"leadership is the process of developing ideas and a vision, living by values that support those ideas and that vision, and influencing others to embrace them in their own behaviors, and making hard decisions about humans and other resources† (Hellriegel Slocum, 2011). Regardless of what type of leader an individual is, their mainRead MoreOrganizational Management, Leadership, And Leadership2443 Words   |  10 PagesResilient Leaders that relate to Organizational Management and Leadership. The narrative concludes with three scriptures that group four feels sum up the responsibilities of a leader. Five Topics The five topics that group four chose from Resilient Leaders that relate to Organizational Management and Leadership are selfless service, integrity, leading by example, vision, and traits of wise leadership. Selfless Service. Dees (2013) stated, â€Å"resilient leadership is selfless service over time fromRead MoreLeadership And Culture Of The Field Of Organizational Leadership1058 Words   |  5 PagesLeadership and Culture Ethical Leadership According to research theories in the field of organizational leadership, â€Å"powerful leaders can have substantial impact on the lives of followers and the fate of an organization† (Yukl, 2006, p.340). Nevertheless, Heifetz (1994) points out, â€Å"there is no ethically neutral ground for theories of leadership, because they always involve values and implicit assumptions about proper forms of influence. The complexity of issues surrounding ethical and unethicalRead MoreToyota: a Glimpse of Leadership, Organizational Leadership, and Organizational Structure836 Words   |  4 PagesToyota: A Glimpse of Leadership, Organizational Behavior, and Organizational Structure Courtney Berry Organizational behavior is the study of application of individuals’ behaviors within structured groups within an organization (Robbins Judge, 2007). The field of study identifies behaviors within specific groups and individuals in organizations and how the structures of organizations play a role in behaviors (Robbins Judge, 2007). In the past several months, the leading company in the carRead MoreSituational Leadership Theory And Organizational Leadership1422 Words   |  6 PagesSituational Leadership Theory and Organizational Leadership Dwight D. Eisenhower said, â€Å"Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.† Leadership is the art of directing others in the pursuit of reaching a common goal or desired outcome. At the most essential level, a leader is a person who inspires, encourages and directs others toward fixed goals. Great leaders are able to motivate their team through the coaching, establishment, and setting

Monday, December 9, 2019

A Case Study and Strategic Management Of Wesfarmers

Question: Case study on Strategic Management Wesfarmers. Answer: Introduction: Strategic management refers to the development and implementation of the plan for conducting the business operations. In order to choose proper plan and strategy for the business operations, a business organization needs to identify the mission and vision at the beginning level. The objectives of the organization should be selected aligned with the mission and vision statement of the business. In this assignment, the strategic management planning of the Wesfarmers has been analyzed (Hill et al. 2014). Description of the business of the company and the details about the industry in which the company is operating has been analyzed in this report. The mission and vision of the company have been identified and specific objectives have been selected for the organization. Based on the mission, vision and objectives of the business organizations some recommendations are given in the report for improving the strategic management plan of the organization. Business Description: The organization was established in the year of 1914 with the agricultural merchandise and services to the Western Australias rural areas. In the later period, the company started diversifying of the product lines. At the beginning level the organization they were providing just hardware, forest products and home improvement products. The company started the retail business in the year of 2007 (Wesfarmers 2016). The business operations of Wesfarmers are divided into two major segments. One is for the retail business and the other one for the remaining operations. The retail business of the company is further subdivided into four categories. They are Coles (food, fuel and liquor), home improvement and office supplies, clothing and Kmart (discount departmental store and automotive service retailer). The remaining operations are insurance, chemicals, industrial safety equipments (Wisnz.co.nz 2016). The main business of the organization is the retail business (Ciulla 2014). Acquirement o f the products of this company by the Coles retail group in 2007 has made Wesfarmers the one of the largest retailers in Australia. Kmart is the departmental store which is operating in New Zealand and Australia. The organization is the largest and leading industrial safety requirements providers in New Zealand (Wesfarmers 2016). Industry Description: The retail industry in New Zealand is increasing in a high speed. In the last year, the retail industry of this country faced a positive growth. The economic recovery contributed a great confidence to the customers and the retail business companies. As a result of this scenario, the relationship of the retail companies and the customers became stronger. Although the customers like to buy the local products, but many overseas companies are offering free delivery of their products (Hitt et al. 2012). This is the reason of increasing the market competition for the domestic retailers of the country. Internet retailing is the main reason of the increased market competition in the retail sectors of the whole world as well the market of this country. The common people of the present world have become busier with their working life for hic they dont have enough time of shopping by going to the shops. This is the main reason of high priority of the internet retail market (Wisnz.co.nz 2016). A t the present situation, there is no sign of slowing the popularity of the internet retail market. Wesfarmers and all other business organizations are using the internet technology as their business operating platform. Currently the industry is in high demand and in future it will face a high growth. In order to get the desired level of success in this industry the companies in this industry have to pay proper attention in the area of forecasting about the future market trends and the strategy to achieve the competitive advantages. The product quality and price are the two weapons of the companies for competing with the other companies in the retail sector. Mission and Vision: The company has the aim of best practicing towards the ethical considerations of the business operations. The company wants to deliver satisfactory level of returns to the shareholders. The company has a good reputation in the countries in which it is operating the business operations. They want to improve their reputation in the area of the ethical practices. It has the mission of having the highest ethical standards among the companies which are operating in the retail industry of New Zealand (Wesfarmers, S. 2016). In order to ensure the satisfactory returns to the stakeholders, Wesfarmers has the objective of developing a unique, disciplined and high focused working culture in their organization. The ethical standard of the company is not about only the value of the shareholders (Swayne et al. 2012). The company is also concerned about the value of the customers, employees, suppliers and other community partners. In the area of the ethical practices, the company has the responsibi lities of social and environmental development. The company also has the aim of total economic development of the country through their business. It has high level of concern about the development of the aboriginal people of Australia and New Zealand (Wisnz.co.nz. 2016). The companys mission is to provide the platform for having equal opportunity of people who are working in the workplaces of the organization. Objectives: In order to get succeeded in the missions and vision, the company has to develop a set of specific objectives. In order to provide the right value to the shareholders, the first objective of the company is develop a proper organization culture in their workplaces (Purce 2014). A unique corporate structure has to be developed by the company. The unique culture should be used by all the sections of the company throughout the different countries in which it is operating now. In the corporate work culture of the company, high level of information transparency is required. The employees of the organization has to ensure that the all the business operations are conducting by maintaining all the ethical considerations applicable in the business environment (Storey 2014). The main objective of the company is to provide the best quality products to the customers. In order to get succeeded in the business, the company needs to focus in the product quality and information delivery to the customers. The customers must get the right information regarding the products (Budhwar and Debrah 2013). The ethical practices are concerned with the CSR strategies performed by the business organizations. As the company has the vision of having the highest standard of the ethical practices, the management of the company needs to focus in the CSR strategies. The well beings of the employees, customers, society and environment are the important factors of the CSR strategies (Eden and Ackermann 2013). The objective of the company is to provide the best beneficial services to the employees and the consumers. The objective of the company is to develop a strong and sustainable HRM and marketing strategy. In order to provide the satisfactory working environment to the employees, the company should ensure the work place health and safety requirements for the employees. The employees well beings and motivational factors should given high priority for practicing the high ethical standards (Rothaermel 2015). The objective of the company is to work for the sustainable development of the society and the environment associated with the area in which it is operating the business operations. In this context, the objectives are to minimize the carbon emissions, improve the water and energy efficiency (Boyd et al. 2012). Recommended Strategy: In order to fulfill the objectives of the company, the management needs to develop a supervisory unit for observing the activities of the employees and the workplace environment. The supervisory unit will also be responsible for the measuring the level of performance of the employees. Depending on the analysis of the report provided by this unit, proper actions need to be taken by the management (Renwick et al. 2013). In case of good performance of the employees, they should be rewarded by the employers. Team development and transparent working style is highly required for achieving the objectives of the company. Relevant information should be shared with the team members and the related employees for keeping them updated about the work progress and other related information (Vogel and Gttel 2013). In this way the employees of the organizations will be able to share the corporate goal for achieving the objective of the organization. The leadership style is very important for the effective handling of the human resource of the company. The leaders are the responsible persons for taking the decisions for the business operations. The leadership style should be employee oriented. The leaders should treat the employees in a good way and should give them priority in the decision making system of the company (Rahm and Riha 2012). The product quality should be certified by the third party. In this context, the company should use the ISO standard for ensuring the product quality. The ISO certified products will be able to attract more customers towards the products and services (Jiang et al. 2012). The company should get the standard certificate from the International Organization of Standardization. In order to ensure the social development, the company should participate in the social development programs jointly with the local social worker organizations. They should sponsor the games and social or cultural programs. In order to practice the environmental development, the company should use the energy efficient devices or technical equipments in their workplaces (Priem and Carr 2012). In the production strategy, they should ensure the lowest carbon emission. This can be done by using the innovative technical equipments. Conclusion: Strategic management is required for the achievement of the competitive advantage in the age of intense market competition. It is required for smoother operations of the business activities. Wesfarmers is one of the most popular retail business organization and currently operating mainly in Australia and New Zealand. The company is trying to improve the brand image by concentrating in the area of ethical considerations. The mission of the company is to provide the best services to the customers. The company is also concern about the well-beings of the employees. They are also concern about the social and environmental development. In order to meet these requirements for fulfilling the mission and vision of the company, it needs to follow the recommended strategy as described in this report. The company needs to develop a good HRM strategy for the management of the workforce. In the area of the CSR strategy, they have to think about the use of the energy resources and should reduce by the use of the energy efficient technical equipments. The company also needs to focus in the area of leadership style and motivational factors for the employees. References: Boyatzis, R. and McKee, A., 2013.Resonant Leadership: Renewing Yourself and Connecting with Others Through Mindfulness, Hope and CompassionCompassion. Harvard Business Press. Boyd, B.K., Haynes, K.T., Hitt, M.A., Bergh, D.D. and Ketchen, D.J., 2012. Contingency Hypotheses in Strategic Management Research Use, Disuse, or Misuse?.Journal of Management,38(1), pp.278-313. Budhwar, P.S. and Debrah, Y.A. eds., 2013.Human resource management in developing countries. Routledge. Chhokar, J.S., Brodbeck, F.C. and House, R.J. eds., 2013.Culture and leadership across the world: The GLOBE book of in-depth studies of 25 societies. Routledge. Ciulla, J.B. ed., 2014.Ethics, the heart of leadership. ABC-CLIO. Eden, C. and Ackermann, F., 2013.Making strategy: The journey of strategic management. Sage. Hill, C., Jones, G. and Schilling, M., 2014.Strategic management: theory: an integrated approach. Cengage Learning. Hitt, M., Ireland, R.D. and Hoskisson, R., 2012.Strategic management cases: competitiveness and globalization. Cengage Learning. Jiang, K., Lepak, D.P., Han, K., Hong, Y., Kim, A. and Winkler, A.L., 2012. Clarifying the construct of human resource systems: Relating human resource management to employee performance.Human Resource Management Review,22(2), pp.73-85. Priem, R.L., Li, S. and Carr, J.C., 2012. Insights and new directions from demand-side approaches to technology innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategic management research.Journal of management,38(1), pp.346-374. Purce, J., 2014. The impact of corporate strategy on human resource management.New Perspectives on Human Resource Management (Routledge Revivals),67. Rahm, B.G. and Riha, S.J., 2012. Toward strategic management of shale gas development: Regional, collective impacts on water resources.Environmental Science Policy,17, pp.12-23. Renwick, D.W., Redman, T. and Maguire, S., 2013. Green human resource management: a review and research agenda*.International Journal of Management Reviews,15(1), pp.1-14. Rothaermel, F.T., 2015.Strategic management. McGraw-Hill. Storey, J., 2014.New Perspectives on Human Resource Management (Routledge Revivals). Routledge. Swayne, L.E., Duncan, W.J. and Ginter, P.M., 2012.Strategic management of health care organizations. John Wiley Sons. Verba, S., 2015.Small groups and political behavior: A study of leadership. Princeton University Press.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Writing with an Informative Aim free essay sample

â€Å"Writing with an Informative Aim† (Lesson 9) There are many benefits to taking English Composition 1. For example, it has been many years since I have been in school and I am a bit rusty around the edges. This course helps me to improve my writing skills and structure sentences properly. It gets me back in the swing of rigorous writing, which is what will be demanded of me throughout my college courses. It provides me with all of the tools and skills necessary to be successful with writing a good paper and for this it is of great value to me. When I decided to go back to school to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting, I wasn’t sure what type of course to take. I did know, that I would be taking online courses as opposed to on campus courses because it is the most fitting method for my already hectic schedule. We will write a custom essay sample on Writing with an Informative Aim or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page What I didn’t know was the methods of courses available and which of these would best suit my needs. I read information provided by my college that differentiated both methods and I asked for guidance from my academic advisor who suggested I try both to see which I preferred best. I now am taking one course of each and have drawn my own conclusion to the advantages and disadvantages of the guided study course. Guided study is less interactive and more self-learning which for me is an advantage because the less I have to interact throughout the week the better. Guided study requires a written assignment due each week while online requires a written assignment due every other week however online also requires you to participate in a discussion forum throughout the week and interact with other students. My day-to-day work is demanding and I find the online course more time consuming for this reason. During my research, I saw posts from other classmates that believe online study is a good way to increase your GPA because points are awarded as long as you participate in the forums. While this may be true, I find convenience in only having one assignment due on Sunday’s. This allows me to manage my time more effectively and without that, it is harder to maintain the course work and easier to fall behind. If you are disciplined to stay on pace with little to no proctor contact, guided study is great. If you need the additional interaction and structure offered by online courses this method would suit you best. I believe education is one of the best attributes you can give yourself so for me my dedication provides me the discipline I need to stay on track. While there are pro’s and con’s to essentially every decision the best way to learn which decision is best for you is by trial and error. I find more advantages in guided study the more I partake in the online course, but if I had not tried them both I would not be able to sufficiently weigh the differences and conclude this myself.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

MEM Case Study Questions (Harvard Business School)

MEM Case Study Questions (Harvard Business School) INTRODUCTIONMEM Company, Inc., started up in 1883 by Mark Edward Mayer, produces an extensive range of colognes and toiletries. Sales had decreased over the year and MEM is now looking into several options to improve growth. After much extensive analysis, our team had decided to drop the option of launching Cambridge due to the stiff competition from Shulton's Blue Stratos which has a $12 million marketing budget with a fresh slogan, 'Unleash the Spirit', which we believe will differentiate Blue Stratos from the competition. Without the financial muscle and distinct product differentiation, Cambridge would languish in the shadow of Blue Stratos. Therefore, our team suggests that MEM should concentrate on repositioning itself in the market to retain and attract customers.PRODUCTBased on the data given, we found out that there are multiple products that are targeted at the same group of consumers. We found that this problem might have been caused by the process in choosing fragrance fr om the manufacturer.Mem à » Zà ®nIt is stated that most of the time, the research results turn out to be inconclusive. We feel that it is important to have a wider test market that does not belong to the employees of the company and that a clear guideline is given to them to ensure that they know what is the process about.Another suggestion we have is to remove Lime from the product line as it targets at the same consumers as Musk. Furthermore, Lime only makes up for a 2.3% of total sales and most of it is from the sale of the gift sets. By eliminating Lime, there will be more shelf space freed to display other products. The withdraw production of product Lime will provide more cash available for advertising budget. Production efficiency can also be improved. It is...

Saturday, November 23, 2019

The Negro Motorist Green Book Aided Black Travelers During Segregation

The Negro Motorist Green Book Aided Black Travelers During Segregation The Negro Motorist Green Book was a paperback guide published for black motorists traveling in the United States  in an era when they might be denied service or even find themselves threatened  in many locations. The creator of the guide, Harlem resident Victor H.  Green, began producing the book in the 1930s as a part-time project, but growing demand for its information made it an enduring business. By the 1940s the Green Book, as it was known by its loyal readers, was being sold at newsstands, at  Esso gas stations, and also by mail order. Publication of the Green Book continued into the 1960s, when it was hoped legislation prompted by the Civil Rights Movement would finally make it unnecessary. Copies of the original books are  valuable collectors items today, and facsimile editions are sold via the internet. A number of editions have been digitized and placed online as libraries and museums have come to appreciate them as noteworthy artifacts of Americas past. Origin of the Green Book According to 1956 edition of the Green Book, which contained a brief essay on the publications history, the idea first came to Victor H. Green sometime in 1932. Green, from his own experience and those of friends, knew of painful embarrassments suffered which ruined a vacation or business trip. That was a genteel way of expressing the obvious. Driving while black in 1930s America could be worse than uncomfortable; it could be dangerous. In the Jim Crow era, many restaurants would not allow black patrons. The same was true of hotels, and non-white travelers might be forced to sleep by the side of the road. Even filling stations might discriminate, so black travelers could find themselves running out of fuel while on a trip. In some parts of the country, the phenomenon of sundown towns, localities where black travelers were warned not to spend the night, persisted well into the 20th century. Even in places that did not blatantly proclaim bigoted attitudes, black motorists could be intimidated by locals  or harassed  by the police. Green, whose day job was working for the Post Office in Harlem, decided to compile a reliable listing of establishments African American motorists could stop and not be treated as second-class citizens. He began collecting information, and in 1936 he published the first edition of what he titled The Negro Motorist Green Book. The first edition of The Negro Motorist Green Book sold for 25 cents and was intended for a local audience. It featured advertisements for establishments that welcomed African American patrons and were within a days drive of New York City. The introduction to each annual edition of the Green Book requested that readers write in with ideas and suggestions. That request drew responses, and alerted Green to the idea that his book would be useful far beyond New York City. At the time of the first wave of the Great Migration, black Americans might be traveling to visit relatives in distant states. In time the Green Book began covering more territory, and eventually the listings included much of the country. Victor H. Greens company eventually sold about 20,000 copies of the book each year. What the Reader Saw The books were utilitarian, resembling  a small phone book that could be kept handy in an automobiles glove compartment. By the 1950s dozens of pages of listings were organized by state and then by town. The tone of the books tended to be  upbeat and cheerful, giving an optimistic look at what black travelers may encounter on the open road. The  intended audience, of course, would be all too familiar with discrimination or dangers they might encounter and did not need to have it stated explicitly. In a typical example, the book would  have listed one or two hotels (or tourist homes) that accepted black travelers, and perhaps a restaurant that did not discriminate. The sparse listings might appear unimpressive to a reader today. But to someone traveling through an unfamiliar part of the country and seeking accommodations, that basic information could be extraordinarily useful. In the 1948 edition the editors expressed their wish that the Green Book would one day be obsolete: There will be a day sometime in the near future when this guide will not have to be published. That when we as a race will have equal opportunities and privileges in the United States. It will be a great day for us to suspend this publication for then we can go wherever we please, and without embarrassment. But until that time comes we shall continue to publish this information for your convenience each year. The books continued to add more listings with each edition, and beginning in 1952 the title was changed to The Negro Travelers Green Book. The last edition was published in 1967. Legacy of the Green Book The Green Book was a valuable coping mechanism. It made life easier, it may have even saved lives,  and theres no doubt it was deeply appreciated by many travelers over many years. Yet, as a simple paperback book, it tended not to attract attention. Its importance was overlooked for many years. That has changed.   In recent years researchers have sought out the locations mentioned in the Green Books listings. Elderly people who recall their families using the books have provided accounts of its usefulness. A playwright, Calvin Alexander Ramsey, plans to release a documentary film on the Green Book. In 2011 Ramsey published a childrens book, Ruth and the Green Book, which tells the story of an African American family driving from Chicago to visit relatives in Alabama. After being refused the keys to the restroom of a gas station, the mother of the family explains the unjust laws to her young daughter, Ruth. The family encounters an attendant at an Esso station who sells them a copy of the Green Book, and using the book makes their journey much more pleasant. (Standard Oils gas stations, known as Esso, were known for not discriminating and helped promote the Green Book.) The New York Public Library has a collection of scanned Green Books which can be read online. As the books eventually went out of date and would be  discarded, original editions tend to be rare. In 2015, a copy of the 1941 edition of the  Green Book was placed for sale at Swann Auction Galleries and sold for $22,500. According to an article in the New York Times, the buyer was the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

ASSESSMENT 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

ASSESSMENT 2 - Essay Example This demonstrates the interdependence that exists between the managerial decisions made by the two firms and this affects the pricing and output in the market. Monopolistic market structure is characterized by the presence of multiple of firms that sell similar but non-identical products to equally informed consumers. Consumers are thus presented with an opportunity of picking either product from any of the consumers, as they are substitutes of each other and thus serve the same purpose. Edward Chamberlin and Joan Robinson first described the monopolistic market structures in the 1930s and generated the characteristics of such a market. Duopoly and monopolistic market structures differ significantly in the number of producers, type of goods and the government influence that is exerted in each situation. This paper seeks to highlight the differences between the two market structures and this affects the performances of the firms involved. The paper also seeks to provide a case study of firms in the united states that operate under the two different market structures and how their success and failure has been influenced by this market struct ure (Weron and Weron, 438). The first obvious characteristic of duopoly market is the presence of only two firms, sellers or produces whose actions or lack of it affects the managerial decisions of the other. For long, a number of firms in the United States have operated under a duopoly market structure but has since changed due innovation and technological advancement. Pepsi and Coca-Cola are the major soft drink manufacturers in the United States and they literally control the market and its dynamics. Visa and MasterCard have also remained as the major plastic money providers not just in the United States but also in major economies around the world (Weron and Weron, 439). In a duopoly market structure, the decisions made by one of