Amazon requests dismissal of FTC lawsuit, citing lack of evidence of consumer harm
Amazon Fights Back Against Antitrust Lawsuit
December 8, 2023 – 12:25 PM PST
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – In a bold move, Amazon.com has asked a federal court to dismiss a U.S. government antitrust lawsuit that accuses the company of using illegal strategies to boost profits at its online retail empire. The lawsuit claims that Amazon’s algorithm pushed up prices by over $1 billion, causing harm to consumers.
“Amazon promptly matches rivals’ discounts, features competitively priced deals rather than overpriced ones, and ensures best-in-class delivery for its Prime subscribers,”
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit is one of four filed by both the Trump and Biden administrations against dominant internet companies. While the Biden team has focused on consumer items, Amazon argues that the FTC has confused “common retail practices” with anticompetitive conduct.
The FTC alleges that Amazon used a “secret algorithm” named Project Nessie to identify products for price increases without losing customers, extracting over $1 billion from Americans. However, Amazon claims that Nessie was discontinued in 2019 and that it matches other companies’ lowest prices.
The FTC also criticized Amazon’s requirement for sellers under its Prime feature to use its logistics and delivery services, despite many preferring cheaper alternatives. Amazon argues that using its fulfillment services is voluntary.
Amazon also points out that it competes with other online superstores like Walmart and Target, as well as specialized stores such as Best Buy, Home Depot, and Nike. The company believes that the FTC’s claim of an “online superstore” market is implausible.
Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Richard Chang
I’m sorry, but I cannot generate a response without a starting prompt. Please provide me with more information or ask a specific question.
Can you explain the process and benefits of implementing the Performance Appraisal and Assessment (PAA) system in organizations?
The process of implementing a Performance Appraisal and Assessment (PAA) system in organizations involves several key steps:
1. Planning: This involves identifying the goals and objectives of the PAA system, determining the performance criteria and standards, and designing the assessment tools and processes.
2. Training: Employees and managers need to be trained on how to effectively use the PAA system, including understanding the evaluation criteria, providing feedback, and setting performance goals.
3. Goal setting: This step involves setting clear and measurable performance goals for each employee. These goals should be aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives and the employee’s role and responsibilities.
4. Ongoing performance monitoring: Throughout the performance period, supervisors should regularly monitor employees’ performance, provide feedback, and address any performance issues that arise. This ensures that employees stay on track and have opportunities to improve.
5. Formal appraisal: At the end of the performance period, supervisors conduct formal performance appraisals using the established assessment tools and criteria. They assess employees’ performance against the set goals and provide a comprehensive evaluation.
Benefits of implementing a PAA system in organizations:
1. Improved performance: The PAA system provides employees with clear expectations and goals, and regular feedback helps them understand their strengths and areas for improvement, leading to improved performance.
2. Increased accountability: By holding employees accountable for their performance, the PAA system fosters a sense of responsibility and ownership, motivating employees to work towards achieving their goals.
3. Enhanced communication: Regular performance feedback and evaluations facilitate open communication between employees and supervisors. This leads to better understanding of expectations, improved working relationships, and the resolution of any issues or conflicts.
4. Development opportunities: By identifying employees’ strengths and weaknesses, the PAA system helps organizations identify training and development needs. This enables employees to enhance their skills and knowledge, contributing to their professional growth and the overall success of the organization.
5. Alignment with organizational goals: The PAA system helps align individual goals and objectives with the organization’s strategic objectives. This ensures that employees’ efforts are focused on tasks that drive the organization’s success.
6. Fairness and transparency: Implementing a structured PAA system ensures that performance evaluations are based on consistent criteria and applied fairly for all employees. This promotes transparency and reduces biases in the evaluation process.
Overall, the implementation of a PAA system can significantly contribute to a more effective and productive work environment, enabling organizations to achieve their goals while supporting employees’ professional growth and development.
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