Business Report: Corporate Universities in the Global Economy, 2018

This report examines the role of corporate universities within multinational corporations in the global economy, emphasizing knowledge as a competitive advantage. It analyzes two case studies: Motorola University and McDonald's Hamburger University, detailing the reasons for their establishment, potential benefits, and their connection to knowledge management. The report explores how these universities contribute to employee training, knowledge dissemination, and overall business strategy. It highlights the importance of tailored training programs, maintaining work standards, fostering innovation, and improving communication. Furthermore, the report provides recommendations on the value of investing in corporate universities, considering their impact on employee retention, strategic alignment, and the ability to keep business secrets. The report concludes with an assessment of whether corporate universities are a worthwhile investment for multinational corporations based on the analysis and relevant literature on knowledge management.

Running head: BUSINESS REPORT
BUSINESS REPORT - IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY, KNOWLEDGE IS A
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Notes

1
BUSINESS REPORT
Executive Summary
The aim of the report is to assess the corporate universities that are set up by multiple
multinational companies of the world in order to have better business opportunities and profit
level. The two universities taken here are the Motorola University and the Mc Donald’s
Hamburger University which provide a number of advantages to the concerned companies in
the stage. The report analyses the reasons for the setup of the universities, potential benefits
for the set up and the recommendations for the same case along with the connection to the
theme of Knowledge management in the case. The recommendations to the worth of the
setting up of the corporate university is also provided for the ease of the setup.

2
BUSINESS REPORT
Table of Contents
1. Introduction............................................................................................................................3
2. In the Global Economy, knowledge is a competitive advantage...........................................3
2.1 What is a corporate university and a multinational firm?....................................................3
2.2 Identification of two multinational companies with corporate universities.........................4
2.3 Reasons for the setup of the corporate universities..............................................................5
2.4 Potential benefits for the corporate universities...................................................................6
2.5 The concept of Knowledge management and the link to the corporate universities...........7
2.6 Recommendations on the worth of the setting up of corporate universities........................9
3. Conclusion............................................................................................................................10
4. Reference list........................................................................................................................11

3
BUSINESS REPORT
1. Introduction
In the modern world, there are a number of corporate sectors and companies that are
looking for potential talents and skills to give them good business and profit. Inspite of the
presence of a number of candidates for the post, the lack of appropriate knowledge regarding
the sector as well as the company is one of the chief factors that has led to the concept of
setting up of own corporate universities for the interns and employees. According to Barkan
(2013), the concept though comparatively new to the world face has served both the
employees with both ample benefits as well as some drawbacks for the concept of knowledge
management and recommendations on the worth of the investment. The following report
highlights the corporate university along with then reasons for the setting up of the same. In
the following paragraphs, the potential benefits for the setting up of the universities has been
stated with link to Knowledge management and worthy recommendations on the worth of the
universities.
2. In the Global Economy, knowledge is a competitive advantage
2.1 What is a corporate university and a multinational firm?
According to the theories of Rolfe (2012), corporate University is defined as the
educational institution that is designed to implement knowledge and skills to the interns of
the company as well to the tenured employees who are willing to take any extra help from the
source. The strategy of the corporate university is to have the level of assistance for its parent
company and also to help the company to make profit by achieving the level of business and
goals. The corporate universities are the ones that help the interns to have the best of the
organizational learning and knowledge with skills (Rolfe 2012).

4
BUSINESS REPORT
The corporate universities are significant in the modern world due to their tailor-made
course designs which aim for the betterment of the course and also for making the workers
have better overview about their work without having to worry about the detailed course
material. The importance of the Corporate University is in the matter that it focusses on the
learning of the candidate with proper work and experience which help the candidate flourish
in the work which they are focussing on. The significance of the corporate university lies in
the fact that it provides the candidate not only theoretical knowledge but practical experience
as well which is of utmost requirement in the modern world.
The multinational companies are the set of companies that have at least one or more
than one office in the country other than the home country in which it is operating in the
current scenario (Ruggie 2013). There are a number of multinational companies in the present
times which has their own set of corporate universities which can help the companies in
acquiring the amount of talent and skills in the required place.
2.2 Identification of two multinational companies with corporate
universities
The two multinational companies selected for the report which has their own
Corporate University are Motorola and Mc Donald’s. The universities set up by the
companies for their better strategic work and making their employees well acquainted with
the task is the Motorola University and Mc Donald’s Hamburger University.
The first company that is involved in the setting up of universities are Motorola which
is one of the most popular American multinational companies for the telecommunication
department (Motorola.com 2018). The company is set up in the year 1928 which is one of the
foremost mobile companies in the global sphere. According to Motorola.com (2018), the

5
BUSINESS REPORT
company manufactured a number of wireless phones that were used both for the personal use
of the people of the sector as well as the industrial as well as the commercial purpose.
The second company that is being considered in this case is Mc Donald’s, one of the
most popular American fast food brand. It was established in the year 1940 and operated
from the city of California. Mc Donald’s is one of the foremost brands that came up with a
varied range of fast food items even with some touch of some specific countries with their
own secret recipes that are taught to their interns and employees working in the same manner
(McDonalds.com 2018).
Both the companies are the leaders in their field of work which need extra efforts
from both the sides of the employees as well as the companies to have a proper amount of the
efficient trainers and workers for the better working of the university in a particular fashion.
2.3 Reasons for the setup of the corporate universities
The multinational corporations that set up corporate universities have to invest both
their time and efforts for the working of the staff and also to make sure that the people of the
organization have the sufficient skills and knowledge for the best work possible. Here are
some of the reasons for the setup of the corporate universities for the multinational firms –
 To provide best training – According to Atlbach (2015), one of the most effective
reasons for the setup of the corporate universities is the need to provide ample quality
and quantity of training for the employees. The freshers in the field or some of the
workers who need training and development activities for their work can register in
the University for having training at the best level. Both Motorola as well as Mc
Donald’s need to provide best training services for the best possible work methods.
 To keep their standards of work – The standards of the work have to be maintained
by all the corporate level of the multinational companies. The companies who have

6
BUSINESS REPORT
developed their corporate universities have their own standards of work which they
have to maintain by having good work and life standards. Both Motorola and Mc
Donald’s are popular organizations that have to maintain their standards of work
which is helped by their own university (Yan 2013).
 To benefit their employees in the longer time – One of the pivotal reasons for
setting up of the corporate universities is to benefit the workers of the companies in
the longer period of time. The employees have to work for the companies in the best
possible manner which make the training and lessons at the university one of the best
in the case (Altbach 2015). Both the companies have to keep their employees in a
work satisfactory position for the longest time.
 To make a particular work structure – The development of a particular work
structure is another major reasons for the setting up of the university as that enables
the workers to have a specific methods of work applicable for all. Both the companies
have their own methods of work which can be well taught in the universities.
 To keep their work a secret – Sometimes major companies try to keep their recipes
and formulations a secret for which they required extensive training. The whole
process of keeping the work a secret is one of the reasons for the setting up of
university. Mc Donald’s try to keep their recipes a secret which can be achieved by
these universities.
 To foster innovation – According to Yan (2013), Innovation can be fostered at the
university level and to make the companies have better customer satisfaction with the
innovative products. Motorola and Mc Donald’s have to continuous innovate newer
products to keep their customers happy which is done by the universities.
 To make communication better – The better communication between the employees
as well as the authorities is able at the university level which makes sure that all the

7
BUSINESS REPORT
people of the university have better working structure in the case. According to
Galegher and Carmen (2014), both the companies have to make better and effective
communication channels for the better work.
 To retain employees – According to Das and Baruah (2013), retention of employees
is one of the best possible ways if the employees are given proper training facilities
along with the provision to work for the company as well. Retention of employees is a
must if both the companies want to sustain in the longer run.
2.4 Potential benefits for the corporate universities
The establishment of the corporate universities have potential benefits to them which
make more companies engage in this method for the longest period of time. The benefits are
as follows –
 Strategic alliance with the company – The corporate universities follow the path of
strategic alliance with the companies against which the university has been set up.
Different companies have different strategies for the company which is the reason the
universities have importance (Shi and Prescott 2012).
 To retain employees – One of the possible benefits for the university is the retention
of employees in the long run. The retention of employees have a lot to do in the case
which means that the employees can be sustained in the organization for a longer
period (Das and Baruah 2013).
 To gain profit with better business – With the training and employment notes, the
employees will be able to perform better and gain a lot more on the personal front in
the case. The better business and better profit will make sure to have good results for
the company.

8
BUSINESS REPORT
 To keep the quality of work consistent – The quality of the work is to be maintained
to make sure that the work of the employees remain in a consistent manner (Tiwana
2010). The organizations have to be maintained for their level of work to make sure
that they get their level of work done.
 To have better recruitment – The better recruitment of the employees is there for
the university as it enables the workers for the better recruitment phase in the case and
also to enable better employment range.
2.5 The concept of Knowledge management and the link to the corporate
universities
According to the views of Dalkir (2013), knowledge management is defined as the
process in which the important information as well as the resources of the commercial
organization are efficiently handled and managed. The management of the apt knowledge is
in consideration with the universities which are set by the multinational companies of the
nation. The corporate universities are determined to make sure that the knowledge regarding
the working and the requirements of the organizations are being done in the concrete manner.
According to the opinions of Gary and Sallis (2013), the corporate universities have to make
sure that they employ sufficient amount of knowledge to the employees both in terms of work
as well as management to make sure that the abundance of knowledge in the said courses is
being maintained.
The prospect of knowledge management is to make sure that the corporate
universities have the level of understanding with the people of the organization and they are
dedicated to make efficient and truthful employees for their organization. The students who
are from the corporate university are enabled to maintain and handle the information and
ways of means that is being done by the workers of the state (Dalkir 2013). The concept of

9
BUSINESS REPORT
knowledge and culture is to be analysed keeping in mind the ways in which corporate
universities have an effect on the education level.
The two corporate universities stated here are the Motorola University and Mc
Donald’s Hamburger University which help the students and the future employees of the
organization to have the efficient level of knowledge in the sense and to cater to the measures
in the required span of time. The two universities have their level of working to make sure
that each of the students who are enrolled in the university get the best of their services and
studies to become potential and great employees for the organization.
The concept of knowledge management is there for both the corporate universities
chosen in this case for being one of the best sources for the implementation of knowledge and
skills in the required span of time. Both the universities have to be well accustomed to
provide the best of the knowledge to have the best of the results.
2.6 Recommendations on the worth of the setting up of corporate
universities
Companies have stated the need to have better employees with not only experience
but also knowledge in the field which is possible in the corporate universities. The worth of
the setting up of corporate universities is major and certain recommendations can be implied
–
 One of the major recommendation is to establish universities that will be sufficient for
the requirement of the organization which is setting the university up. The companies
which have innovative goals and ideas have to be in line with the latest management
techniques for the formation of the university in the sense. Both Motorola and Mc
Donald’s

10
BUSINESS REPORT
 The second recommendation is to have a detailed communicative line with the
employees of the future company which will enable the company to have the required
amount of the corporate level understanding and study in the detailed sources. The
recommendations for the universities in the corporate level is to be at par with the
organizational level.
 The third recommendation for the corporate university is to make sure to have the
level of employees in the prolonged time of time. The employee retention is one of
the best measures to make sure that the people of the organization have the level of
the work in the concerned manner.
 The whole aspect of the corporate university and the knowledge gained by those in
the concerned time is to make sure that all the work being done is properly executed.
In the last part of the recommendations, it can be stated that corporate universities are one of
the best investments made by the corporate world in terms of organization.
3. Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be stated that corporate universities have a major role to play in
the overall sector of the term which can make sure that the organizations have to be in line
with the people who are willing to work for the task and also make sure to have a better
career opportunity growth in the concerned time span. The corporate universities of Motorola
and Mc Donald’s have been established to make sure that the companies get benefitted in the
prolonged period with the required readings and experience of those places. From the above
analysis, it can be stated that corporate universities are one of the most needed investments
that the companies make in the competitive world.

11
BUSINESS REPORT
4. Reference list
"Mcdonald's: Burgers, Fries & More. Quality Ingredients.". 2018. Mcdonalds.Com.
https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us.html.
"Motorola US | Unlocked Cell Phones & Modular Smartphones". 2018. Motorola.Com.
https://www.motorola.com/us/home.
Altbach, Philip. "The rise of the pseudouniversities." International Higher Education 25
(2015). Available online at
http://ejournals.bc.edu/ojs/index.php/ihe/article/viewFile/6947/6164
Barkan, Joshua. Corporate sovereignty: Law and government under capitalism. University of
Minnesota Press, 2013. Available online at https://muse.jhu.edu/book/26754
Dalkir, Kimiz. Knowledge management in theory and practice. Routledge, 2013.
Das, Bidisha Lahkar, and Mukulesh Baruah. "Employee retention: A review of
literature." Journal of Business and Management 14, no. 2 (2013): 8-16.
Galegher, Jolene, Robert E. Kraut, and Carmen Egido, eds. Intellectual teamwork: Social and
technological foundations of cooperative work. Psychology Press, 2014.Available online at
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781317784166/chapters/10.4324%2F978131580764
5-7
Jones, Gary, and Edward Sallis. Knowledge management in education: Enhancing learning
& education. Routledge, 2013.
Rolfe, Gary. "Fast food for thought: how to survive and thrive in the corporate
university." Nurse Education Today 32, no. 7 (2012): 732-736. Available online at
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0260691712001025

12
BUSINESS REPORT
Rolfe, Gary. The university in dissent: Scholarship in the corporate university. Routledge,
2012. Available online at https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781136190650
Rubenstein-Montano, Bonnie, Jay Liebowitz, Judah Buchwalter, Doug McCaw, Butler
Newman, Ken Rebeck, and The Knowledge Management Methodology Team. "A systems
thinking framework for knowledge management." Decision support systems 31, no. 1 (2001):
5-16. Available online at
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167923600001160
Ruggie, John Gerard. Just Business: Multinational Corporations and Human Rights (Norton
Global Ethics Series). WW Norton & Company, 2013. Available online at
https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=nJqoTmuD6uoC&oi=fnd&pg=PR11&dq=Ruggie,+John+Gerard.
+Just+Business:+Multinational+Corporations+and+Human+Rights+
(Norton+Global+Ethics+Series).+WW+Norton+%26+Company,
+2013.&ots=AHbx4Bg19R&sig=q9igeDIBa5yFWWHib8JyEoLXyOo
Shi, Weilei, Jing Sun, and John E. Prescott. "A temporal perspective of merger and
acquisition and strategic alliance initiatives: Review and future direction." Journal of
Management 38, no. 1 (2012): 164-209. Available online at
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0149206311424942
Tiwana, Amrit. The knowledge management toolkit: practical techniques for building a
knowledge management system. Prentice Hall PTR, 2010. Available online at
https://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=323909
Yan, Yungxiang. "Of hamburger and social space: Consuming McDonald’s in
Beijing." Food and culture: A reader (2013): 449-471. https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=uO210jcx0ZUC&oi=fnd&pg=PA449&dq=Yan,+Yungxiang.+

13
BUSINESS REPORT
%22Of+hamburger+and+social+space:+Consuming+McDonald%E2%80%99s+in+Beijing.
%22+Food+and+culture:+A+reader+(2013):+449-471.&ots=6K6iD-
gzHS&sig=Eh5dbY0juC1cxzzvynLBt8pvEZY#v=onepage&q&f=false