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This is part 2 of a six step masters research project. Continuing from studying the relationship between private business and government, this issue researches how public policy objectives in labor, legal ramifications, city govt planning all affect where and how a company does business. Can it be edited for thoroughness?
Masters Project Part II- Policy Research
Explain how you went about researching the public policy issue you are exploring.
The idea was explored from different angles. Item pricing laws and state policy affect how retailers present products on shelves. What is needed is either a universal sales tax or capture of sales and use taxes for online purchases. Market forces are remote for most public administrators. Services and products (that are ) public goods are funded by budgets and appropriations. Society benefits from resources shared by all users. Roads, schools or even universal health care are examples. The government has secularized what was known as charity and education from private groups and religious organizations. Under the tome that these serve the purpose of government, were they areabsorbed in the myriad of non profit programs and quasi-public agencies and able to be funded by the govrenment. Yet the identification of problems, the formation of policy choices, and participation in legislation all take advantage of the expertise of public adminisstrators.
At a site previously occupied by a Social Security Office, and a Ram's Horn, the area was converted into a Staples store in the late 1980s. The site characteristics in the upscale commnity of the Grosse Pointes demanded that the location have a brick facade facing Mack, and a low key ground sign. The main facing of the store sign is parallel to the light three blocks away at the beginning of the southeast course eastbound on Mack Avenue. The major businesses in this town definitely have a smaller scale to them, and are placed at relative edges of town, except for the downtown Village area, a block away from Staples- and the true downtown of the city. Staples is also at the terminus of one of the major arteries in the city, St. Clair St. What this means for public policy, is that ambitious plans by the company to build a large scale store were rebuffed by local policy to create architecturally significant buildings blending in with the existing decor. CVS was not permitted to build a 15,000 sw ft store, and scale it doen to 3,000 sq tt. The local chain Damman Hardware was sold to the ACE Hardware chain The public perceived that the CVS had an 'image problem', and they were concerned about aesthetics, tried to vote down the subsequent driive thru pharmacy, and consider the 1920's gas station at the corner an 'unusual' zoning classification. As it relates to Staples, the character of the community defines how the company's products and services resonate into economic prosperity for the area, and translate the values of care, and mission of easy, reflect in responsible commitment. Traditions of local governments, statutes such as item pricing or the 'scanner law' are established, federal exemptions such as Work Opportunity Credit all relate to public policy regarding customer rights and the privileges afforded them.
Broad efficacy results through bureaucracy. As agents of the government carrying the weight of the law behind them, the bureaucratic mantle has allowed public administrators to be classified in terms of their personage. Civil service has limited spoils and patronage however, individuals are merited resources based on status as clients. Labor reform considered organizations worth relative to the outputs achieved, therfore the intent of the office promoted business like, workman like patterns of activity. The onus is on the public to be representative and make policies work in their favor. The public in administration levies taxes on businesses, and assesses the relative worth of services on the public like license fees for businesses, usually a routine endeavor. Yet public businesses face evaluation from a host of other agencies, including public health, sanitation, fire, police and consumer agencies. Michigan is unique in that the voters have enacted numerous Consumer Protection Laws. However, decline of the central city, Detroit has forced many retailers to build on the fringes of suburbs, now known as inner ring and outer ring suburbs. Some of them are suffering gradual or steep declines based on demographic changes and population shifts into more affluent communities.
Assess the role of policy research in iproving analysis on the public policy issue that you are exploring
These limits are not on power, but on the exercise of free will, that cannot be applied unilaterally. By not being a socialist government, this country does not broadly regulate pricing of goods and transportation of the same. This doctrine of free markets has been precipitated since the founding of the country. Right of free association and establishment of one's own family, homes and possessions is considered an inalienable right. The rights of businesses regarding fair treatment are upheld by the courts, and comunities can not prohibit a business from establishing, unless they feel the right of preserving their communities. Constraints on individual and corporate behavior limit the public administrator to managerial or cognitive approaches. The store has an active community presence even though it borders a different community, and attracts customers from a geographic region. Yet policy research attests to the fact that if the private sector cannot adequately provide services, satisfy preferences, develop efficiently or operate cost effectively- politicians should gauge satisfaction with benchmarks and surveys. An office supply store in an affluent community,many of whom work outside their city that they support with numerous services, draws the best of the rest among its clientele. Strategically placed near an affluent section of a declining central city, the store is able to draw customers. Being a salesperson, I experience first hand how hard it is to accurately price every single item. Some require repricing all shelf items because of the Michigan law, and others require prominence, if on sale- a frequent target of television news-hawk shows protectng rights, or in Michigan's case, state agencies enforcing scanner laws, but only if customers complain. It is necessary to understand the political approach and the values of responsiveness and representativeness from public officials. The body of administrative law has led to the rise of public interest groups like the Michigan Consumer Federation. This group supports item scanner repeal. Prices on goods except foods and prescription drugs must be labeled and consumers have the right to refunds for overcharges as well as 10X the overcharge up to $5.00. Customer information is used to market specific information based on trends and increase traffic to a location. It is also known that retailers strategically place certain items based on the items customers demand most. Private organizations lack the accountability to contro how information is used and ethical issues arise because unless the person believed to have been wronged reports the incident, none exists. Corporations are not obligated to investigate matters or probe into issues that deny protected classes unless it is a workforce issue, or customer service matter.
Direct impact on the bottom line and corporate culture reign foremost in the approach to customer relations policy, secondary to compliance with federal and state statutes. In retail, this emphasis is supported because "40% of first jobs are in retail and 21% of small business workers are in the trade." (Lee 1998) The 'symbolic serivcescape'mentioned by Rosenbaum (2005) suggests that the gap between marketing and environmental psychology is narrowed by customers who formulate approach/avoidance decisions based on a welcoming environment. Thr underpinnings of Organization Theory suppose that :
1. The organization structure affects behavior
2. The structure affects the behavior to stakeholders.
3. Internal processes affect the behavior of the group.
4. The design helps the achievement of goals efficiently.
5. Treated as systems responding to the environment.
6. Cultures define concption of any activity.
Rosenbloom (2004).
Learning more about what went wrong and what does not work has been the prevailing trend of administrative capacity. In this role, research can help solidify public opinion, galvanizing support for changes in market practices and empowering legislation maximizing customer rights. Mentioned in a previous paper was the idea of how the Single Business Tax and corporate exemptions for location do irreperable harm to small businesses in small comuunities, and those trying to grow in larger ones. In the same context, the Grosse Pointe Master Plan refers to its community as tight-knit, and refers to development as 'properly manged with appropriate screening and access control...proximity may have a negative impact on adjacent residential uses and land value" (Grosse Pointe) A balance of small scale stores and service/office uses is limited by the lack of space on Mack Ave. Policy limits frontage, facades and streetscapes within approved guidelines to maintain the character of the community. The city encourages businesses without noise and ambient traffic, (i.e. gas stations), and welcomes rear entrances. Parking in most areas is relegated to the rear of many small businesses like doctor offices, craft shops, specialty shops, and other businesses. Parking buffers, landscaping and private alleyways restrict residential interaction.
Analyze how the decision to implement the public policy you are exploring was made
The decision to implement the Item Pricing Law as a public policy issue for residents and visitors affected by shopping in the Pointes was made due to the city future planning strategy. By 2030, the Southeast Michigan Council of Government suggests that the area will be increasingly elderly with fewer school age children. A loss of owner occupied units, and fewer young people maintaining roots in the area portends changes in how the store and other businesses will have to make to provide essential services and comply with pricing regulation. Steadfastly, the Master Plan even mentioned the city schools as an alternative to the provision of possible senior housing. The DMB, or Downtown Management Board, is an acronym for the development authorities that reside with any municipality to retain or establish 'working' downtowns. Public parking, promotions and events cooperative advertising all support maintenance of PSD (Principal Shopping Districts). Street improvement, property acquisition,and landscaping are among the rights from Public Act 1920 of 1961 (MI).
This business driven organization utilizes various functions of separate entities, supported by apportionment, funding and business interests. Yet a body such as this lacksa functional tax financing scale, dedicated millage or special assessments to get funding passed. This is where the public right becomes involved when citizens petiton to have certain regulations enforced. Self organized criticality (SOC) is a model of the interaction between retail competition and innovation. Entry and exit by companies in this chaotic model can support how a 'poised' mstate is economically healthy. (The Economist 2005) Public policy in this context must not disadvantage locally owned businesses. Policies like the GP Plan show how the best interests of communities are reflected in long range planning, but fail to recognize changing characteristics of community, shopper, income, and background. The vigor of the local economy, the change in spending habits, and the resulting economic impact are shaped more by character defining institutions, than typical chain retailers.
Determine the need for political support to implement the public policy issue you are exploring
It is within this framework that political support is necessary to implement fairness policies protecting the rights of consumers. In 2003 the Department for Professional Employees (AFL-CIO) sponsored a streamlined 'sales and use tax' agreement to collect taxes from online sales. By 2005, GP placed restrictions on CVS , a pharmacy, from building a store to 3000 sq tt from 10000 sq ft average size. Staples, Kroger supermarket, Wendy's, and several banks conform to an unspoken genteel approach to development, avoiding the strip mall technique or a major anchor tenant anywhere. Typical buyers range, although frequent buyers are many and buy in bulk for their businesses. Many of the small businesses in the Pointes use Staples for their essential needs. Schools, teachers, students and home workers comprise the best of the rest. Many representatives of city agencies shop regularly, and a heavy police presence patrols the lot for expired plates and patrols the store both in plainclothers and in uniform. A low key public presence is reflected in few public events except for Back to School. Many businesses just across the street crash and burn failing to realize growth potential with a major tenant in their midst. Policies that are truly cosmopolitan favor growth in a regional view. "And policies that genuinely favor economic development are much more likely to be adopted if the people most in need of development can make their voice heard." (Kofi Annan)
Ideas to limit suburban sprawl and policy affecting the same, has created a schizophrenic shift in how cities are growing into the future. Detroit just had its first Staples store now competing with the Grosse Pointe store. Its typical manager is also Caucasian, with a large minority shopping population. The area is in a downtown development tract with tax breaks, young urban professionals, and those who have turned urban renewal into a shadow of the discrimination that once was. New policies favor entrenchment for older, settled communities, that tend to favor limiting or denying access to public services of other cities into their areas. Many of lower socioeconomic status have to travel out into the suburbs for jobs, and second jobs h additional responsibilities. The One D project in Detroit and transit plans include increases on the gas tax, an Ann Arbor/Pontiac/Midtown Detroit commuter train and other bridge building connections. The last master plan for the city was undertaken in 1976, with minor changes. Constant references to 'desirable characteristics' litter the discourse about their concept of community. Growth has expanded the local hospital, as city wrestles with how to bill them for city services. Competitiveness and the rapidly changing nature of the industry makes it necessary to understand that markets have to be defended from enroachment and supported against environmental forces. Labor problems, supplier issues and demographic changes change the landscape a retailer seeking profit in and for whom he does business. Shocks and fluctuations on a macro level send rippling effects to the support from complementary sources. Thus the implications for policy are how and what kind of control does a system need to achieve a critical state. "Then if left alone, would a system be able to self organize, or morph into the virtue of profit reaching a critical stage at the edge of chaos?" (The Economist 1995) Corporations have benefit of credits for work opportunity, hiring people in protected classes, and the support of city services to help larger businesses. The quality of the work force, the appearance of a business, and the variety of customers served match the intensity of development. Good education systems send high school and college students to Staples to develop skills useful after graduation. Access to markets is available with an Information Thinking community, Natural Resources near its proximity to a lake, hunting clubs, and Quality of Life as espoused in its million dollar giving history to charity. The state is reducing taxes for businesses vital to nurturance of growth in manufacturing and technology. Coincidentally, Staples has an Easy Tech program of computer repair, and supports Invention Quest Associations in the town are not made with local groups, very citizen active. Private ownership has replaced state initiatives on more than one occasion. The burden on public roads, police and public services have also been absorbed by the community. There is absent presence of the county sheriff or any county presence, as the municipalities strangely all have separate police departments but share schools and other services.
Evaluate how competing interests were balanced and tradeoffs were made in the development of the public policy issue you are exploring.
Future thinking in retail such as RFID technology, once rumored to be part of science fiction, but now include sensor tags hidden in objects, invisibly marked and other theft deterrents. A consequence of this is the unfair profiling and targeting of shoppers by race. Staples does not hire security, but has a police presence. Most thefts are petty: CD's, small box items. But our store window has been broken 3 times, and we have pictures of suspected robbers in the break area. Social differences cause some customers to avoid Detroit and its closer store altogether. Most customers are willing to take the five miles further east and shop in Roseville, another 95% white suburb. The greater independence in budget, legislation and autonomy has given much power to the social elite who have dominated the community for 200 years. Pronounced differences began to emerge after Detroit became run by a black mayor and the city sought cooperation with its suburban neighbors. Attempts at joint shopping plazas and regional development were rebuffed with the same fervor as anti busing advocates like L. Brooks Patterson of northern Oakland County were in the 1970s. Nothing subject to Roosevelt's New Deal or Johnson's Great Society affected the area, still prosperous in Detroit as well. No senior buildings, no bus stop benches, no public housing, and selectivity in hires appear to give the area an established look. This old order of establishment has been shown to weaken its very exclusivity to its core, as its neighborhoods are increasingly populated by not only workers of a different ethnicity, but its stores are patronized by more of the same creating policy implications between definition and purpose.
Bibliography
Pollach, Irene (2006). Privacy Statements as a Means of Uncertainty Reduction in WWW
Interactions. Journal of Organizational and End User Computing, 18(1), 23-49.
Rosenbaum, M. (2005) The symbolic servicescape. Journal of Consumer Behavior. 4(4), 257-268. Retrieved from EBSCO at Apollo Library.
Lee, J. (1998). Cultural brokers. American Behavioral Scientist 41(7), 927-936. Retrieved from ProQuest at Apollo Library.
Rosenbloom (2005). Organization: Structure and Process. Chapter 4. Retrieved from the eResource at the University of Phoenix Student and Faculty Web.
Krider, R. (2004). Emperical Evidence of Long Run Order in Retail Industry Dynamics. Academy of Marketing Science Review. Vol. 2004 pg. 1. Retrieved from: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1040274671&sid=2&Fmt=3&cl ientId=2606&RQT=309&VName=PQD
DPE Public Policy Policy Letters and Statements September 25, 2003
The Economist 2001, "Nightmare on Fifth Avenue." October 6, 2001, 361 8242: 58-61. Retrieved from the Apollo Library.
The Economist 2005. "Retailers exert enormous power and influence." Retrieved from the Apollo Library.
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