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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The discussion of the Civil Rights movement is still relevant today as there is a range of issues and topics that can be applied to modern society. The organized effort to end racism and segregation in the United States stemmed from the devastating position in which African Americans were placed throughout U.S. history leading up to the middle of the twentieth century. To end violence and prejudice, communities mobilized and gave a start to an unprecedented movement for equality and opportunity that lasted two decades.
The discussion of the Civil Rights movement is still relevant today as there is a range of issues and topics that can be applied to modern society. The organized effort to end racism and segregation in the United States stemmed from the devastating position in which African Americans were placed throughout U.S. history leading up to the middle of the twentieth century. To end violence and prejudice, communities mobilized and gave a start to an unprecedented movement for equality and opportunity that lasted two decades.
Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee Essay Table of Contents 1. Role of Children 2. Role of High Schoolers 3. Role of Young Adults and College Students 4. Impact of Youth on the Movement 5. Organization and Leadership 6. Discussion 7. Conclusion 8. References The discussion of the Civil Rights movement is still relevant today as there is a range of issues and topics that can be applied to modern society. The organized effort to end racism and segregation in the United States stemmed from the devastating position in which African Americans were placed throughout U.S. history leading up to the middle of the twentieth century. To end violence and prejudice, communities mobilized and gave a start to an unprecedented movement for equality and opportunity that lasted two decades. The role of the youth in the Civil Rights Movement has often been overlooked, which will serve as the premise for the current discussion focusing on exploring Robert Moses’ sentiment that young people should be the agents of both social and political change. Youth played a central and critical role in the organization and engagement of the Civil Rights Movement, basing their activism on the examples and groundwork established by adults, but often acting collectively and establishing independent leadership in the numerous acts of defiance and protests in communities across the United States. Role of Children In the autobiography, Moody describes a childhood that many black children and families experienced in the early 20th century. Despite liberation, African Americans were still working for unfair wages on white plantations and living in poverty. From an early age, black children already experienced the horrors of prejudice, segregation, poverty, and racism through social interactions and viewing the struggles their parents faced (Moody, 1992). This is partially why children were voluntarily so active during the Civil Rights Movement, as the cause that they were fighting for was beyond the right to vote but greatly affected everyone. The symbol for this generation was Emmett Till, a young boy accused of flirting with a white woman, and after unfair prosecution, he was tortured and brutally murdered, with the criminals found not guilty by the jury even after open confession. This is inherently known as the catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement, as Till and many other African American children were often utilized as a trigger point against the adults and activists. Later, children would go on to participate in protests and marches beside their families, particularly in the Children’s Crusade in the March on Birmingham organized by Dr. King himself. This was a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement that was planned and executed largely by young people, contributing to the historical significance and public attention towards creating social change (Visable Thought, 2017) Role of High Schoolers High schoolers, being slightly older, could begin to see the social implications and ramifications of such aspects as segregation and its impacts on social relations and economic divides. In the autobiography, Anne begins to hear about the NAACP and become aware of racial inequalities in everyday life. It frustrates her as she challenges the status quo and begins a conflict with her family, who seems to accept things the way they are, as long as there is stability (Moody, 1992). High school youth played an important part in many key roles during the Civil Rights Movement, particularly those regarding the desegregation of schools after Brown v. Board of Education. In 1952, a sixteen-year-old teenager Barbara Johns organized an assembly at her segregated school, protesting the inequitable conditions and funding than white schools received in comparison to black schools. She encouraged an attendance strike and wrote to the NAACP, whose lawyers picked it up along with other schools for the desegregation case, which led to the Brown v. Board of Education decision. NAACP officials recall the students demonstrated superb organization and passion for making a change. An example of the active participation of high schoolers in the Civil Rights Movement includes the Little Rock Nine, when the nine students began attending a school in Arkansas after desegregation in 1957. They were met by an angry mob and, for weeks, the students and their families faced backlash and threats of violence but continued to attend bravely (Olson, 2015). This was a situation where the federal government was forced to intervene in order to protect the children, leading to a shift in long-standing political perspectives, something that can be argued that the children were forced through their perseverance. Role of Young Adults and College Students In the autobiography, Anne takes her newly found independence in college to join the NAACP against the protests of her family. She is threatened by local law enforcement but becomes an active member of the organization. She demonstrates defiance and encourages other students to participate in events (Moody, 1992). This highlights the sentiment of many college students that, in combination with a level of independence and social responsibility, began to join student organizations such as the SNCC. The primary purpose was to replace the culture of segregation and give African American youth control over the decisions in their lives. This unique position and character traits put African American college students at the forefront of many key events during the Civil Rights Movement (Foner, 2017). Many of these events were focused on peaceful civil demonstrations. One famous protest was the Woolworth lunch counter sit-in where African American college students sat at a segregated place in Greensboro, N.C. College students were part of the famous Freedom Riders group, which tested the federal legislation for desegregating public transportation in the South. This group often faced violence from citizens and law enforcement alike but continued in their ambition. Many young adults were vital to the organization and participation of the famous marches in the South led by Dr. King, serving as an inspiration to his speeches and ambition (Foner, 2017). Impact of Youth on the Movement Anne participates in civil protests such as the sit-in at Woolworth and works at the Coalition for the Organization of Racial Equality (CORE), becoming a political activist. However, facing violent threats and never-ending work, she begins to realize that, despite the well-meant intentions, the movement is doing little to factually improve the lives of black citizens in segregated states such as Mississippi. This is due to the focus on political issues of voting and disenfranchisement rather than direct impacts like protesting economic issues and helping rural minorities to achieve an education. Anne is faced with an existential question of whether African Americans can ever overcome the system (Moody, 1992). Once transitioning to the realities of politics and economics, many African American youths faced an uphill battle. Many of their efforts in Southern states felt unsubstantial. The Civil Rights Movement was primarily focused on achieving legal desegregation and voting rights, hoping that by eliminating disenfranchisement, voters would select leaders that would make substantial changes. However, to this day, the states remain strongly conservative and largely anti-minority in the policy. Organization and Leadership Young adults who emerged after participating in college organizations such as NAACP and SNCC often became the faces of local movements. Having some organizational skills and awareness of how to deal with challenges, they were able to lead effectively. Leaders such as John Lewis, who founded the SNCC along with Diane Nash, James Bevel, and Bernard Lafayette, later took on critical leadership and organizational roles in the Civil Rights Movement. These individuals became directors of various organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference that served as the organizational foundation for Civil Rights in the South and organizing movements the likes of the Birmingham Children’s Crusade and Selma voting rights movement. At a relatively young age, they became prominent members of the movement, which supported Martin Luther King Jr. and his inner circle in the political objectives they were trying to achieve. Even on a smaller scale, the extent of the protests and civil defiance was extensive, requiring organization and leadership on multiple levels. This was done largely by the youth who were active in the organizations, interested in change, and the courage to face possible consequences. Dr. King understood that and often used it to address young people to offer advice and guidance (Olson, 2015). This provides evidence to the network of organizational strategies which was taken upon by youth leaders as activists and how they had the challenge of inspiring masses to follow a similar direction and maintain a nonviolent civil approach in the face of pressure and violence. Discussion In the general context, the role of youth in the Civil Rights Movement should not be discredited nor underemphasized historically as modern education often does by only focusing on the key adult figures. The evidence supported in this essay does demonstrate the deep-felt impact, change, and often leadership that youth of various ages have demonstrated in the spanning decades of the movement. This youth became known as the Emmett Till generation, the youth that believed in equality and justice just as much as their adult counterparts because it greatly affected their lives as well. Dr. King, once addressing some teenagers jailed for the protests, said, “What you do this day will have an impact on children yet unborn.” However, the recollections of many youth activists at the time do credit their elders and families for either laying the groundwork or supporting them in their efforts. Parents who were active in the NAACP and other organizations often included their children to participate in the discussion and peaceful protests when it was reasonably safe. Segregation impacted whole families, and it was younger generations building on the progress and organization of previous generations that allowed them to achieve success. However, it was not always easy for some people. There were instances where youth activists had to sever familial ties due to the disapproval of their activities. This was evident in Moody’s autobiography as she began conflicting with her family and friends after becoming part of the Civil Rights Movement. Furthermore, youth members of the NAACP, SNCC, and other organizations often had no adult leadership, very little guidance, nor was there anyone to teach them about conduct with law enforcement, negotiations with administration, and leading a nonviolent protest. Students had to organize and learn themselves, giving them life skills to later become prominent activists or politicians supporting the cause. It was historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and his inner circle that was engaged in the organization of the large and well-known protests of the movement as well as political negotiations, which youth simply had no leverage or expertise to initiate. However, these leaders and national organizations such as NAACP often relied on youth activism and widespread dissent to garner support in various states as a manner of protest against oppressive legislation and segregation. This allowed gaining public support as people, including young white citizens and politicians, began to empathize with their peers. The dedication and hope of black youth inspired liberal tendencies, which were further propelled by the images of violence and state government hostility against peaceful protests. It was ultimately the political organizing and youth fighting for their destinies which led to the overwhelming public support which allowed for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent legislation to be passed. Conclusion It is evident that Robert Moses’ statement regarding the role of youth as organizers and agents of socio-political change was strongly applicable to the Civil Rights Movement in retrospect. The youth of all ages actively participated and demonstrated leadership and organization at both local and state levels in efforts to protest segregation and demand equitable rights. This activism took on different forms, but it is ultimately the collective resistance of young people which sought to take risks and defy the status quo in the attempt to create a brighter future and greater opportunities for civic participation for minorities which allowed the Civil Rights Movement to achieve such success and public support. References Foner, E. (2017). Give me liberty! An American history . New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company. Moody, A. (1992). Coming of age in Mississippi: The classic autobiography of growing up poor and black in the rural South . New York, NY: Dell Publishing. Olson, R. (2015). Eyes on the prize VI — Bridge to freedom, 1965 [Video file]. Web. Visable Thought. (2017). The murder Of Emmett Till (the full documentary) H.D. [Video file]. Web.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The purpose of the paper is to assess the correlation between the cost of education and the satisfaction of students. The study will use the data provided by the U.S. Department of Education, which is publically available online on the official website.
The purpose of the paper is to assess the correlation between the cost of education and the satisfaction of students. The study will use the data provided by the U.S. Department of Education, which is publically available online on the official website.
Student Satisfaction in the Schools of Georgia Essay General Considerations Student satisfaction is one of the primary concern among higher education institutions worldwide since it supports the stable performance of educational institutions. Increased customer satisfaction and positive feedback from student and graduates help to keep the classrooms full. Even though the primary goal of any public school is to provide quality education, it is also crucial to remain financially sustainable. Therefore, research is needed to figure out if increasing the cost of courses significantly affects student satisfaction. The present paper proposes a research design to assess the correlation between the average cost of education and the satisfaction of undergraduate students. The sample of the current research will include psychology students attending four-year bachelor programs in the schools of Georgia, US. Psychology students are more likely to appreciate the purpose of the study and adhere to the rules of the procedure. The hypothesis is that there is a significant correlation between the cost of education and students’ satisfaction. Data Acquisition Readily Available Data The present research uses data provided by the U.S. Department of Education, which is publically available online on the official website. As the purpose of the present research is to find out if average annual cost affects student satisfaction using the sample of public schools in Georgia, the website was accessed and information about the average cost in universities retrieved. The search for public schools that have 4-year bachelor programs in psychology yielded 22 results (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.). The data was most likely acquired through accessing school databases since billing information is generally stored by organizations for a long time. Since the data is reported by the US government, which is a reliable source, the information is to be considered trustworthy. It is also valid for the present project, as it offers a decent sample of data relevant to the research subject. Additional Information While the average annual cost by school is provided by the official website of the U.S. Department of Education, there is no data about student satisfaction. Therefore, the present research should include a survey of students in the 22 schools in Georgia to determine the satisfaction level of the graduates. The questionnaire will consist of eight items, and the responses will be based on the 5-point Likert scale. The questions are based on the UK National Student Survey (“National Student Survey,” n.d.): * Question 1: “How effectively is your university course taught?” This item helps to identify students’ satisfaction with the program. * Question 2: “How well do the classrooms at this university meet the learning needs of students?” This matter provides insights into the graduates’ assessment of the furnishing of classrooms. * Question 3: “How helpful is your academic advisor?” This inquiry is vital for understanding how students evaluate the proficiency level of the academic staff, * Question 4. “How easy is it to register for courses at this university?” The question provides an appreciation of how the technical side of the university performs. * Question 5. “How safe do you feel on campus?” The item helps to evaluate how the security work and how calm was the atmosphere in the school. * Question 6: “How helpful is the staff at the campus health center?” The rationale for using this question lies in figuring out how satisfied are the students with the healthcare services provided. * Question 7: “How useful are the services provided by the campus career center?” The inquiry is designed to figure out how satisfied are the graduates with the career opportunities provided by the university. * Question 8. “Overall, are you satisfied with your experience at this university?” The rationale behind this question lies in letting the students evaluate the performance of their universities without based on their emotions and factors that were not mentioned in the survey. The questionnaire will be published online, and students will be provided links to it. The sample will be chosen randomly, and every participant will be allowed one week to complete the form. According to O’Sullivan, Rassel, and Taliaferro (2011), such a method of data collection is the most efficient since it allows the participant to fill in the form at any time in the natural environment. These conditions lead to increased efficiency of the instrument, and there will be no exclusion criteria except being able to understand the questions and the English language. The gathered data will be collected anonymously and stored on a password-protected laptop. Data Analysis Procedure For the data analysis, the average annual cost of education will be juxtaposed with the results of the survey. Before trying to correlate these variables, the survey scores will be added up, and the sample mean will be evaluated. Since there are eight questions, scores will vary between 8 and 40. Therefore, the average cost will be compared to the average test results, and analytical software will be used to analyze the data. The proposed software for the project is Microsoft Excel 2016, Minitab, PHStat, MegaStat, or SPSS. The results will be presented both in tables and graphs and summarized in a narrative. To test the statistical significance, the present project proposes the use of the Pearson correlation coefficient (Pearson’s r). According to O’Sullivan et al. (2011), this method is the most appropriate since the two variables are continuous, they are believed to be normally distributed, and the correlation is assumed to be linear. The confidence level is 95%, as it is most commonly used in similar research designs, and there are no determined reasons for the value be different from standard. Data Disparities One of the problems that may be encountered during the data collection and analysis is the difference in sample sizes among different schools. Undergraduates of some schools may be more willing to fill in the form than others. The matter may lead to significant deviations in calculated means of student satisfaction. Therefore, the research design should be specific in the sample size for each university and ensure that there will be no inequity in this parameter. Even though the number of applicants does not need to be exactly the same among schools, the samples are to represent a statistically significant part of all the students at the time. The consideration is crucial for receiving relevant results. Research Method Validity Internal Validity Internal validity stands for being sure that the research established trustworthy correlations between variables. Since the cost of education varies for all the students, the acquired data may be bias due to interviewing students of the same group in terms of income level. Student satisfaction may also differ depending on this parameter. Therefore, the critical characteristic of the research method is a random selection of participants to avoid getting unreliable results. Additionally, the data should be gathered simultaneously or in a strictly limited timeframe to avoid the factor of historical events. According to Heale and Twycross (2015), construct validity is ensured by homogeneity, which is one of the characteristics of the proposed instrument. In short, the research method is designed to ensure internal validity. External Validity The primary weakness of the research method in terms of external validity is the features of the sample. As mentioned in the first section of the present paper, the information will be gathered from undergraduates studying in the state of Georgia. Since the sample is clustered in a specific geographical location, the generalizability of the findings will be limited (O’Sullivan et al., 2011). However, the matter will be balanced with other features, such as the exclusion of situational factors and psychological realism. The survey will be completed in a friendly natural environment without any distraction or tension. Additionally, the students will be told a cover story to ensure the sense of realism of the situation. In brief, even though there are evident flaws of the research method in terms, they are complemented with measures that improve external validity. Ethical Considerations The proposed method follows all the guiding principles of conducting research. First, participants are treated with respect to their privacy an autonomy. All the participants will be asked to sign an informed consent form online and will be informed that they can quit at any time. Second, the research aims at benefiting society as it provides significant insights about efficient ways of managing public organizations. Third, the quality and integrity of the method are ensured by the features discussed in the previous sections. Finally, the research is independent and impartial since there is no conflict of interest. References Heale, R., & Twycross, A. (2015). Validity and reliability in quantitative studies. Evidence Based Nursing , 18 (3), 66-67. Web. National Student Survey . (n.d.). Web. O’Sullivan, E., Rassel, G. R., & Taliaferro, J. D. (2011). Practical research methods for nonprofit and public administrators . New York, NY: Routledge. U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). College scorecard. Web.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The five-factor model of personality is increasingly used by scholars to predict the success and failures of leaders and followers. The five-factor model of personality is increasingly used by scholars to predict the success and failures of leaders and followers. The present paper aims at comparing and contrasting two research articles that utilize the Big-Five personality traits. On the one hand, an experimental study by Emery, Calvard, and Pierce (2013) discusses leadership as an emerging process, which is affected by
The five-factor model of personality is increasingly used by scholars to predict the success and failures of leaders and followers. The five-factor model of personality is increasingly used by scholars to predict the success and failures of leaders and followers. The present paper aims at comparing and contrasting two research articles that utilize the Big-Five personality traits. On the one hand, an experimental study by Emery, Calvard, and Pierce (2013) discusses leadership as an emerging process, which is affected by
Studies of Five-Factor Model of Personality Case Study Table of Contents 1. Abstract 2. The five-factor model 3. Results and Discussion 4. Conclusion 5. References Abstract The five-factor model of personality is increasingly used by scholars to predict the success and failures of leaders and followers. The present paper aims at comparing and contrasting two research articles that utilize the Big-Five personality traits. On the one hand, an experimental study by Emery, Calvard, and Pierce (2013) discusses leadership as an emerging process, which is affected by differences in personality traits of leaders and followers. On the other hand, Judge, Heller, and Mount (2002) discuss only the followers’ (employees’) personality traits and their effect on job satisfaction. While the studies have different methodological and theoretical approaches, they share common limitations due to the trait approach. The five-factor model Personal traits can determine various factors of human behavior and can be both beneficial and disadvantageous for leaders. Big-Five personality traits, including openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism, demonstrate the basic dimensions of human personality, which have been confirmed by numerous studies (Sims, 2017). The five-factor model is known to determine resilience (Oshio, Taku, Hirano, & Saeed, 2017) and leadership styles (Hassan, Asad, & Hoshino, 2016). Moreover, the five personality traits can predetermine tendencies towards abusive supervision (Camps, Stouten, & Euwema, 2016). However, the majority of research focuses on the qualities of leaders, which makes the current body of knowledge one-sided. The present paper aims at reviewing the article “Leadership as an emergent group process: A social network study of personality and leadership” by Emery, Calvard, and Pierce (2013) and comparing it to the meta-analysis conducted by Judge, Heller, and Mount (2002), which utilizes a similar approach to personality traits. Results and Discussion The follower-centered approach is becoming increasingly popular among scholars while describing leadership processes. For instance, Syed, Rehman, and Kitchlew (2018) focus on the personality traits of employees to accept the leadership style of the manager. However, Emery et al. (2013) state that both leadership and followership are dynamic processes as they are shaped by multiple independent factors. To address the problem in its complexity, the researchers conducted a study, which aimed at simultaneously examining emergent leadership and followership (Emery et al., 2013). The study concluded that there is a definite link between Big Five personality traits and task- and relationship-based leadership and emergent followership (Emery et al., 2013). In particular, agreeable and neurotic followers were less likely to support relationship-oriented leaders, while conscientious individuals opted for following task-oriented leaders (Emery et al., 2013). Additionally, the study concluded that “nominated leaders tended to be dissimilar in agreeableness from their corresponding followers” (Emery et al., 2013, p. 41). At the same time, relationship-oriented leaders were found similar to their followers in openness to experience (Emery et al., 2013). The results imply that there are complex correlations between leadership and followership, and the one-sided approach is prone to bias. The study by Judge et al. (2002) employs a cardinally different methodological and theoretical approach. While Emery et al. (2013) conducted a longitudinal experimental study, Judge et al. (2002) created a meta-analysis of existing literature. Therefore, the generalizability of findings is different in favor of Judge et al.’s (2002) research. Moreover, the studies differ considerably in terms of utilized theoretical approach. Emery et al. (2013) adopt a more sophisticated viewpoint on the matter and discuss the personal traits of both leaders (managers) and followers (employees), while Judge et al. (2002) discuss the Big Five personality traits of only employees. In other words, Judge et al. (2002) do not take into consideration the differences and similarities between the personal traits of leaders and followers. In this sense, the meta-analysis is one-sided, which can lead to biased results. Even though the differences between the studies are considerable, there are also evident similarities in the theoretical approach. Namely, both research articles refer to the five-factor model of personality. As a trait approach, the theory has several flaws, which limit the usability of research results. First, the trait approach, in contrast to the process approach is not useful for training and development. Traits are inborn characteristics, which rarely change throughout one’s life. Moreover, the definitions of traits are highly subjective and difficult to measure, which implies that the results of the study are hardly useable for hiring purposes. However, the approach is beneficial for pinpointing personal strengths and weaknesses to determine where employees stand within their organizations. In summary, both articles are limited by the trait approach, which is associated with negative implications to the applicability of findings; therefore, both studies can benefit from adding a process approach to address the weakness. Conclusion A short literature review revealed that Big-Five personality traits are often used in research articles concerning various topics. The research conducted by Emery et al. (2013) employs a dualistic approach to emerging leadership by discussing how differences between personality traits of leaders and followers affect the support for leaders. The study is different from the conducted by Judge et al. (2002) in terms of methods and theoretical framework. However, both articles utilize the five-factor model of personality, which implies that the usability of their findings is limited. References Camps, J., Stouten, J., & Euwema, M. (2016). The relation between supervisors’ big five personality traits and employees’ experiences of abusive supervision. Frontiers in Psychology , 7 , 112. Emery, C., Calvard, T., & Pierce, M. (2013). Leadership as an emergent group process: A social network study of personality and leadership. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations , 16 (1), 28-45. Hassan, H., Asad, S., & Hoshino, Y. (2016). Determinants of leadership style in big five personality dimensions. Universal Journal of Management , 4 (4), 161-179. Judge, T.A., Heller, D., & Mount, M.K. (2002). Five-factor model of personality and job satisfaction: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87 (3), 530-541. Oshio, A., Taku, K., Hirano, M., & Saeed, G. (2018). Resilience and Big Five personality traits: A meta-analysis. Personality and Individual Differences , 127 , 54-60. Sims, C. M. (2017). Do the big-five personality traits predict empathic listening and assertive communication? International journal of listening , 31 (3), 163-188. Syed, A. R., Rehman, K. U., & Kitchlew, N. (2018). Impact of Perceived Leadership Style on Employees’ Work Stress: Moderating and Mediating Role Big 5 Personality Traits. Paradigms , 12 (1), 6-15.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The King's Speech is about a leader who overcomes his stutter to become a unifying force for his country. understanding the leadership scenario in the film The King's Speech is a historical drama that tells the story of King George VI, who overcomes his stutter to become a unifying force for his country. The movie follows George as he navig to speak confidently again, with the help of his wife, Queen Elizabeth, and his speech therapist, Lionel Logue.
The King's Speech is about a leader who overcomes his stutter to become a unifying force for his country. understanding the leadership scenario in the film The King's Speech is a historical drama that tells the story of King George VI, who overcomes his stutter to become a unifying force for his country. The movie follows George as he navig to speak confidently again, with the help of his wife, Queen Elizabeth, and his speech therapist, Lionel Logue.
Studying Leadership Behaviour: “The King’s Speech” by Tom Hooper Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Description of the Background to the Movie 3. The Central Leadership Lessons from the Case 4. Understanding the Leadership Scenario in the Film 5. Conclusion 6. References Introduction What could be more terrible for a stutterer than to become a king on the eve of the worst war, when the primary weapon is the voice, and the people are waiting for fiery speeches? This article will discuss the leadership style, behaviour and traits that the main character of The King’s Speech had and what are the learning outcomes from the case of the leader in the historical movie. The article will argue that the example of King George VI shows that there should be a combination of leadership styles in order for a person to become a leader. In the case of The King’s Speech , skill theory, style and situational theory define the central character of the movie. Description of the Background to the Movie After the death of King George V, King Edward VIII ascended the British throne. However, in 1936, he abdicated the throne and his younger brother, Prince Albert, Duke of York, unexpectedly found himself the leading contender for the throne. Bertie, as he was known in the family circle, had suffered from the unpleasant ailment of stuttering, and had a fear of public speaking. Despite his shortcomings, he became King George VI, head of the British Commonwealth and Emperor of India (Freeman). To address the stutter, George’s wife, Queen Elizabeth, decided to resort to the eccentric Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue for help. After receiving assurances from a specialist that the speech problem could be solved, she persuaded the king to undergo treatment. At first, the speech therapist and his extraordinary methods of work aroused strong distrust in George. However, by trusting Logue, he was able to overcome the stutter. The Central Leadership Lessons from the Case It might be stated that not every child who deftly commands other kids in the sandbox will necessarily grow into a real leader. Not every soldier grows up to be a general. The most excellent mentor may not be able to mould a leader if the initial material is not suitable. If someone asks: “Who taught Alexander the Great?”, one can give an honest answer: “Aristotle taught Alexander.” This point of view expresses The King’s Speech story of leadership. When a person has the right personality and traits, even if not ideal, and there is a desire to develop, then with the help of training, there is an excellent chance to become a leader. Oscar-winner The King’s Speech is about the skill theory that shows the necessity to overcome difficulties and get skills to unite the nation by the voice of a leader. On the one hand, it is visible how much the main character suffers from stuttering, which is why he cannot communicate with people correctly and closes himself from other people. On the other hand, the film perfectly showed the strength of character of Albert (later the king), his mind, self-irony and firmness. Especially successful were the scenes when Albert screams in anger, while stuttering, then realises that he is becoming ridiculous, which makes him even angrier and he shouts even louder. It should be recalled that the voice of George VI is the main instrument of his work. It is not a choice for him; it is either sink or swim for a man to become a leader. He even announces that if he fails, he will be replaced by an abdicated older brother. Thus, Albert realises that the only way to become the trustful king is to go through hardships of stammering rectification and to overcome embarrassment, and this is one of the leadership lessons. A leader should not be afraid to ask for help. When George VI ascended the throne on the eve of the Second World War, he rallied the British in the fight against Nazism and became a true leader. Courage and determination that the king had helped him to adapt himself and put effort to ensure that the citizens of the state will follow the leader. George’s behaviour shows how important it is to be flexible and to have an ability to analyse the situation and change the approach accordingly. In all the years of his reign, from the coronation speech in 1937 to the last Christmas address to the nation of the British Empire in December 1951, the king spoke to his people. It was also shown that skills could define the future leadership style with a combination of certain traits of personality. The leadership lesson learnt it is essential to adapt to the situation and get responsibility for people and actions. In the XX century, regular performances in front of the mass audience became an integral part of the political life, and radio became a public medium. Therefore, the ability to deliver an inspiring speech with a firm voice and reliable and vibrant shades was of crucial importance for a leader. George VI and Queen Elizabeth encountered it, and to create a leader figure, they are managed to develop necessary skills and emphasise the actual behaviour of the king (Freeman). George VI showed a great example of confidence, ability to cope with struggles and leadership based on actions and knowledge. Despite enduring various issues, such as the despotism of his father, the death of his brother, the abuse of his nanny, the neglect of his elder brother, since childhood, Albert created his figure from scratch. Oratorical speeches became essential elements of his image and components of success. Understanding the Leadership Scenario in the Film Leadership theories that were discussed in the course have contributed to an understanding of the leadership scenario presented in The King’s Speech . According to Northouse (2019), it can be stated that George VI initially got an assigned leadership position that was based on his historical belonging to the king’s family. Albert received a legitimate power and political status supported by formalities of the country. However, it was crucial to become a leader of the nation whom people can trust. A man who was closed, who was stammering and not being to deliver its decisions verbally, could not gather people against a common enemy. It is suggested by Northouse (2019) that intelligence, such as verbal, is one of traits that can help a person to be a leader. Therefore, the leadership scenario in the movie was partially based on Albert’s characteristics that enabled him to become a leader, including intelligence, determination and integrity. The support of followers and the ability to trust close comrades are also two traits that help a leader to overcome various obstacles. Roe (2017) suggests that Winston Churchill, who led Britain as a prime minister with George VI during Second World War, was born with abilities to lead and was viewed as a “natural” leader. Albert was not supposed to become a king and was not brought up as a person who would encourage people to go fight against aggressive enemies. Nevertheless, his behaviour and “delegative” leadership style that did not exclude other approaches helped him to establish his unique manner of managing the situation. Concepts covered on the course suggest that some experiential moments have an impact on the establishment of leadership. Carroll, Ford, and Taylor (2015) claim that self-reflection is one of the essential experiences that uncover the assumptions, limits and blind-spots that constitute broad nature of leadership, politics, ethics and other significant issues that bother people. Leaders, therefore, can reflect on various matters that help them learn the lessons, make conclusions based on previous failures and successes, which eventually form a person stronger. The scene when George VI was screaming in anger while stammering and realised how ridiculous he looked shows self-reflection that the king has. Leadership theory suggests that the case from The King’s Speech represents the necessity for a person to have self-reflection and empathy to develop leadership knowledge. Various scientists study leadership nature by examining historical cases and evidence. McManus and Perruci (2015) highlight that the leader is often depicted as a hero who is calm despite the hostile situation. He can lead followers and encourage them to fight while being focused and unwavering. Would Albert be able to lead the country with his initial insularity and insecurity? That is a rhetorical question because Lionel Logue helped George VI to get rid of stutter, but what is more critical, the therapist helped the king to gain confidence. According to McManus and Perruci (2015), leadership is a process that consists of variables that contribute to the evolvement of a leader. Considering this point, it can be said that not only traits but skills and qualifications are also crucial. In the case of George VI, people around him helped Albert to become a leader and prove that his leadership is genuinely legitimate. It might be stated that leadership theories and styles can intersect or unite when a leadership position is formed. This point of view is supported by Zehndorfer (2014), who claims that qualifications are as crucial as traits. There should also be non-tangible assets that a person can develop, such as discipline, courage and confidence, to be able to make the hardest decisions. It can be found out that George VI developed “human” and “conceptual” skills that helped him to see the big picture and understand what people are waiting for from him (Zehndorfer, 2014, p.50). The leadership scenario presented in the movie displayed the combination of trained skills and traits of Albert, who initially was not prepared to be a king. Conclusion In the late 1930s, when Great Britain was facing the threat of war with Germany, the need for the king as a national leader and inspirer especially increased. With the support of the family, therapist, government, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, George VI became a true leader. His messages during World War II brought the entire country to radio stations and helped rally the nation in the face of the Nazi threat. A story in The King’s Speech movie is remarkable for its real-based leadership scenario of a person that led the country through the most severe state of affairs. George VI proved that a combination of traits, styles and skills could uncover trustful leader and honoured man. References Carroll, B., Ford J., and Taylor S. (2015) Leadership: contemporary critical perspectives . London: Sage. Freeman D. The King’s Speech . Web. McManus, R. and Perruci, G. (2015) Understanding Leadership: an arts and humanities perspective . Abingdon: Routledge. Northouse, P. G. (2019) Leadership: theory and practice . 8th edn. London: Sage. Roe, K. (2017) Leadership: practice and perspectives . 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Zehndorfer, E. (2014) Leadership: a critical introduction. Abingdon: Routledge.
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Write an essay about: Stuttering management is a complex process that does not have one approach that will cure all problems. There are many contributors to the condition ranging from educational to mental health issues. It is important to manage to stutter as early as possible to prevent further complications. The five management goals for defining the purpose of a treatment plan for managing Jane's stuttering are to reduce the frequency of stuttering that disrupts her normal speech, reduce the severity, duration, and stuttering abnormality to the level of resembling normal discontinuities in speech, reduce the occurrence of defensive behaviors that are used for avoiding, preventing and escaping from adverse events, and remove or reduce processes associated with creating negative thoughts about stuttering.
Stuttering management is a complex process that does not have one approach that will cure all problems. There are many contributors to the condition ranging from educational to mental health issues. It is important to manage to stutter as early as possible to prevent further complications. The five management goals for defining the purpose of a treatment plan for managing Jane's stuttering are to reduce the frequency of stuttering that disrupts her normal speech, reduce the severity, duration, and stuttering abnormality to the level of resembling normal discontinuities in speech, reduce the occurrence of defensive behaviors that are used for avoiding, preventing and escaping from adverse events, and remove or reduce processes associated with creating negative thoughts about stuttering.
Stuttering Management: 9-Year Old Subject Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Assessment 3. Goals and Objectives 4. Strategies 5. Practices and Activities 6. Assessing Progress 7. Dismissal 8. Conclusion 9. Works Cited Introduction Stuttering management and treatment is a complex process that does not have one approach that will cure all problems (Guitar 7). Stuttering is a common speech impediment or neural processing of speech that starts during the first three years of life and can impact up to 10% of children (O’Brian and Onslow d3742). Contributors to the condition range from educational to mental health issues, which points to the need to manage to stutter as early as possible to prevent further complications. Assessment The assessment implemented for Jane, a nine-year-old female, prior to the introduction of the program combined several techniques. First, the Fluency Case History Form was filed to identify the range of concerns associated with the stuttering patterns of the girl. Parent Observation Checklist of Fluency Concerns and Teacher Observation of Fluency Concerns were completed by Jane’s mother and her school teacher to identify their perspectives on the issue and the definition of existing strategies that have already been implemented. Stuttering Severity Instrument-3 (SSI-3) was also necessary for measuring the severity of stuttering of the child. During the session, it became apparent that Jane’s stutter is far from severe and might be primarily psychologically induced. From her own and her mother’s account of the disorder, it seems like she only stutters in highly stressful situations. It should be noted, however, that the definition of a stressful situation is arbitrary: the most mundane and normal occurrences can be frustrating for a stutterer. Most of all, Jane is shy in the presence of strangers; she is also afraid of giving presentations and answering phone calls. However, when the girl is around her family and friends, she does not feel constrained and barely struggles with being fluent. Goals and Objectives Five management goals have been identified for defining the purpose of a treatment plan for managing Jane’s stuttering. First, it is expected to reduce the frequency of stuttering that disrupts her normal speech. The rationale for this goal is linked to the need to identify the rate at which the girl experiences discomfort linked to stuttering. Second, the reduction of severity, duration, and stuttering abnormality to the level of resembling normal discontinuities in speech is expected to occur. This is explained by the necessity to reduce the negative influence of stuttering patterns. Third, the plan aims to reduce the occurrence of defensive behaviors that are used for avoiding, preventing and escaping from adverse events. The rationale is linked to the benefits of addressing Jane’s mental influences on stuttering. Fourth, it is expected to remove or reduce processes associated with creating and maintaining stuttering behaviors. This is necessary for monitoring listeners’ reactions, denial, and parents’ reactions. Fifth, the program aims to help Jane to make positive decisions to handle speech limitations. The rationale for this goal is linked to the need to install a sense of independence in the decision-making after the completion of the program. Strategies Strategies intended for accomplishing the goal of treating Jane will be implemented through the use of a team approach to treatment planning, in which the priorities of the child and her family drive the methods and the goals of the treatment. According to Healey, an interactive and team-based approach to stuttering management represents one of the most cohesive and multi-dimensional approaches to addressing the condition (2). It also implies a combination of technological and traditional methods. The team approach is seen as beneficial because it implies the collaboration between multiple players in the process and requires the sharing of ideas, perspectives, and opinions that will suit Jane’s situation the most. Since Jane seems to have already developed preventive and avoiding behaviors, it is critical to breaking the mold early enough before it solidifies. Anxiety is a common concomitant in stutterers, and when untreated, it has the potential of creating a vicious circle. First, stutter gives rise to feelings of uneasiness, and later, the created anxiety aggravates stutter. To stop this from happening, Jane will be prescribed exposure therapy. This therapeutic strategy was found beneficial for people with a stutter who reported an improvement in their affective, behavioral, and cognitive experiences (Scheurich 29). Jane is expected to participate in situations that she finds stressful to desensitize her and make her reactions milder. Practices and Activities Procedures for therapy will include the reduction of avoidance by reinforcing stuttering. Since Jane often struggles with school presentations, it is recommended that she tells the audience that she might stutter to relieve stress. A significant part of the frustration in stutterers comes from the unwillingness to let others know about their disorder. Stating it as a fact can be empowering and establish a sense of confidence in her and the capability to speak regardless of the challenges associated with stuttering. Jane will be reinforced for communication even in cases when fluency is severely limited. Gradual exposure to stressors will help Jane to face her fears and harness feelings of distress. A speech therapist might encourage her to call her family and friends more. The next step would be short calls to retrieve some information. The first few times can be scripted: she can actually write down what she wants to say and use her notes as a point of reference. Once she feels freer, she can afford to be more spontaneous. It is critical that Jane is praised along the way and her accomplishments are acknowledged. At the same time, her parents should not focus on her disorder excessively; otherwise, this manageable trait might start to define her. Assessing Progress Regular assessments through observation and testing will be implemented, thus the progress and the efficacy of the implemented program will be assessed. A parent rating procedure can be introduced, so Jane’s progress is tracked. It is easy to use and subjective, requiring not many resources, which means that quick results can be achieved. Using parent rating can be a source of the progress’s confirmation (or lack thereof) observed by program implementors. Such assessments can also be effective in the case of breaks in treatment in order to identify significant changes that should be addressed as soon as possible. Dismissal When it comes to the dismissal, it is recommended that a therapist dismisses Jane in the case when she is no longer experiencing the negative impact that was present previously. It is essential to note that benchmarks for stuttering should not only be based on frequency but also the severity of disfluencies, their length, the degree of secondary behaviors, and the temperament of the child. When a level of comfort is developed, and when both the girl and her parents notice significant improvements in the degree of stuttering, dismissal may be administered. However, it is essential to monitor Jane from time to time to identify any changes for the worse in order to address them immediately through additional training and interventional programs. Conclusion In summary, the program implemented for managing stuttering will adapt to the needs of the subject, Jane, given the implementation of the team approach that implies close collaboration between the participants of the process. One of the key objectives of the program is ensuring that she understands that speech complications are not rare and happen to everybody. The elimination of fear of stuttering is possible once the girl realizes that struggle is common and that it is important to look beyond it. Works Cited Guitar, Barry. Stuttering: An Integrated Approach to Its Nature and Treatment . LWW, 2013. Healey, Charles. “Clinical Applications of a Multidimensional Approach for the Assessment and Treatment of Stuttering.” Semanticscholar , Web. O’Brian, Susan, and Mark Onslow. “Clinical Management of Stuttering in Children and Adults.” BMJ , vol. 342, 2011, d3742. Scheurich, Jennifer A., et al. “Exposure Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder in People Who Stutter: An Exploratory Multiple Baseline Design.” Journal of Fluency Disorders, vol. 59, 2019, pp. 21-32.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The essay discusses the issue of substance abuse among aging adults in rural areas. It also offers suggestions on how to alleviate the problem.The essay discusses the issue of substance abuse among aging adults in rural areas. It also offers suggestions on how to alleviate the problem.
The essay discusses the issue of substance abuse among aging adults in rural areas. It also offers suggestions on how to alleviate the problem. The essay discusses the issue of substance abuse among aging adults in rural areas. It also offers suggestions on how to alleviate the problem.
Substance Abuse Among Aging Adults in Rural Areas Essay (Critical Writing) Rural life might seem as far too distanced from health concerns associated with drug abuse, especially among aging people. However, research shows that the issue of substance abuse is listed among the problems that are common in the rural setting (Shannon, Havens, Oser, Crosby, & Leukefeld, 2011). The problem has affected a large quantity of aging people that have developed chemical dependency due to the need to consume opioid drugs (Keyes, Cerdá, Brady, Havens, & Galea, 2014). By introducing consultation services and options for aging rural residents to purchase high-quality opioids that reduce the development of chemical dependency, one will alleviate the health issues faced by the target population. The health risks that the consumption of opioids entails are tremendous due to the rapidly developing dependency and the need to increase the number of opioids for managing pain and related issues. Studies show that the specified type of medications increases the risks of respiratory depression, are often highly toxic, and may lead to falls in elderly patients, not to mention the rapidly developing addiction (Crawford, 2019). Therefore, regulations have to be introduced for monitoring the reasonability of prescribing opioids to elderly patients (Keyes et al., 2014). Moreover, services for assisting rural aging patients that have acquired opioid dependency will have to be built (Crawford, 2019). Consultations and timely support will provide aging adults in the rural setting the support and assistance needed to manage their dependency and consider available treatment options (Hash, Jurkowski, & Krout, 2015). Moreover, the increase in financing of healthcare services for aging rural patients will be needed to introduce medications of greater quality that do not cause as a complex and rapidly developing dependency as first-generation opioids (Keyes et al., 2014). The proposed measures may assist in meeting the needs of aging adults in rural areas. References Crawford, N. D., Haardöerfer, R., Cooper, H., McKinnon, I., Jones-Harrell, C., Ballard, A.,… Young, A. (2019). Characterizing the rural opioid use environment in Kentucky using Google Earth: Virtual audit. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21 (10), 1-9. Web. Hash, K. M., Jurkowski, E. T., & Krout, J. A. (2015). Aging in rural places . New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, LLC. Shannon, L. M., Havens, J. R., Oser, C., Crosby, R., & Leukefeld, C. (2011). Examining gender differences in substance use and age of first use among rural Appalachian drug users in Kentucky. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 37 (2), 98-104. Web. Keyes, K. M., Cerdá, M., Brady, J. E., Havens, J. R., & Galea, S. (2014). Understanding the rural–urban differences in nonmedical prescription opioid use and abuse in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 104 (2), 52-59. Web.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The video Substance Use Disorder in Nursing by NCSBN discusses how the nursing profession can trigger substance use disorder and the ways of addressing the problem.The video is beneficial for understanding that substance use disorder in nursing is a complex problem with severe consequences that can be prevented by timely intervention.
The video Substance Use Disorder in Nursing by NCSBN discusses how the nursing profession can trigger substance use disorder and the ways of addressing the problem. The video is beneficial for understanding that substance use disorder in nursing is a complex problem with severe consequences that can be prevented by timely intervention.
“Substance Use Disorder in Nursing” by NCSBN Essay The video Substance Use Disorder in Nursing provided by NCSBN describes how the nursing profession can trigger substance use disorder and the ways of addressing the problem. While nurses and other healthcare professionals have about the same prevalence of substance abuse and addiction as the general public, there are unique workplace factors that contribute to the problem. Even though substance use disorder is a dangerous disease and severe violation of workplace standards, nurses can be cured and return to work if the matter is addressed time and effectively. Nurse leaders and colleagues should be the first line of defense against substance use disorder. All healthcare professionals should be trained to indicate and report substance abuse in the workplace. Hospital workers are to notice incorrect counts of restricted medications, a large amount of waste, numerous corrections in records, and controlled substance discrepancies. Moreover, subtle changes in appearance, behavior, and work performance can also be signs of substance addiction (“Substance Use Disorder in Nursing”). Colleagues and nurse leaders more easily notice all these signals and, therefore, can help by timely reporting the problem. Substance use disorder in nurses is a disease that can be cured and the nurse can return to work under an individual contract. If a case of drug abuse is recorded, investigated, and treated nurses can return to their job without severe consequences for their career. Therefore, there is no reason to fear to report the problem of substance misuse and seek help from the professionals. The video is beneficial for understanding that substance use disorder in nursing is a complex problem with severe consequences that can be prevented by timely intervention. The material is crucial for nurses to avoid becoming addicted to the controlled substances or to help their colleagues who are facing the problem. In conclusion, supportive behavior and compassion of the coworkers and supervisors are the basis of a healthy workplace environment. Work Cited “Substance Use Disorder in Nursing.” YouTube, uploaded by NCSBNInteract. 2013. Web.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: A severe ankle sprain is a complex and difficult health issue that might result in the development of numerous complications if left untreated. It can be determined as an injury of the ankle ligament that preconditions the deterioration of its function, the emergence of pain syndrome, and other undesired health issues.
A severe ankle sprain is a complex and difficult health issue that might result in the development of numerous complications if left untreated. It can be determined as an injury of the ankle ligament that preconditions the deterioration of its function, the emergence of pain syndrome, and other undesired health issues.
Subtalar Joint Axis and Lateral Ankle Sprain: Treatment Essay A severe ankle sprain is a complex and difficult health issue that might result in the development of numerous complications if left untreated. It can be determined as an injury of the ankle ligament that preconditions the deterioration of its function, the emergence of pain syndrome, and other undesired health issues (Sugimoto, Isomoto, Samoto, Okahashi, & Araki, 2019). Thus, there is also a clear understanding of the fact that ankle functions as a complex structure along with subtalar joints, which should be considered when analyzing the causes for the emergence of lateral ankle sprains and chronic problems with them (Sugimoto et al., 2019). For this reason, there is a tendency towards the association of subtalar joint instability with an ankle sprain. Sugimoto et al. (2019) state that isolated subtalar instability without ankle instability is a rare condition. It means that any alteration of the axis might have a particular impact on the further development of the discussed health issue. Regarding acute sprains, the calcaneofibular ligament becomes a stabilizer of the subtalar joint (Sugimoto et al., 2019). Moreover, having conducted a series of subtalar arthrography studies, the investigators come to the conclusion that there is a direct correlation between chronic ankle instability involving calcaneofibular ligament and injuries of subtalar joints presupposing changes in the axis (Sugimoto et al., 2019). In such a way, there is a proven dependence between a lateral ankle sprain and the subtalar joint axis. The selected article evidences the fact that the majority of patients with chronic conditions suffer from these both problems as their combined impact preconditions the emergence of the discussed health issue. That is why effective treatment should take into account these factors to improve the quality of patients’ lives. Reference Sugimoto, K., Isomoto, S., Samoto, N., Okahashi, K., & Araki, M. (2019). Recent developments in the treatment of ankle and subtalar instability. The Open Orthopaedics Journal, 11 , 687-696. Web.
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: Subway is a large fast-food chain that has restaurants across the US and outside the state. The primary competitors of Subway are Jimmy John's, Jersey Mikes's, and Publix. This paper aims to present a marketing mix for Subway, including the products, price, place, and promotion.
Subway is a large fast-food chain that has restaurants across the US and outside the state. The primary competitors of Subway are Jimmy John's, Jersey Mikes's, and Publix. This paper aims to present a marketing mix for Subway, including the products, price, place, and promotion.
Subway: Marketing Mix Design Essay A marketing mix allows one to identify the four main aspects that distinguish a company’s product from its competitors, helping one build a marketing campaign that leverages these strengths. Subway is a large fast-food chain that has restaurants across the US and outside the state. The primary competitors of Subway are Jimmy John’s, Jersey Mikes’s, and Publix. This paper aims to present a marketing mix for Subway, including the products, price, place, and promotion. Firstly, it is necessary to determine the primary product of this restaurant chain, which is a sandwich. The submarine sandwich commonly referred to as a sub, is a bread roll split lengthwise and filled with meat, vegetables, and cheese. There are 18 variations available to the customer, including the New Southwest Chicken and New Steak Club introduced recently (“Subway”). In addition, options such as seventeen wrap tastes and fifteen salad variations are available to health-conscious customers. Moreover, the Fresh Fit options are a source of protein, and vegetables made out of whole-grain are offered with the special Fresh Fit sauce (“Subway”). The menu developed for kids includes small sandwiches with low-fat milk and apple sauce, and breakfast sandwiches are also a part of the list. Some variations to the menu can be present based on the specific country where a Subway restaurant is located. Catering services are available to customers, with food corresponding to that available to regular clients. When compared to other sub sandwich restaurants such as Jimmy John’s, Jersey Mikes’s, and Publix, the price of Subway food is higher. The justification is the low-calorie content and quality of the products. The place of Subway restaurants should be examined with a consideration that this is a global franchise network operating in both the US and outside. The chosen model allows the company to open new locations quickly, and in 2016 there were 26,982 Subway restaurants in the US and 44,702 globally (“Number of Subway Stores Worldwide”). The promotion that Subway uses targets the freshness of the ingredients that their restaurants use to make sandwiches. For instance, currently, the company promotes its “making change for good” and “fresh veggies. Quality food. Smarter nutrition” campaigns, emphasizing the corporate social responsibility focus, and emphasis on healthy eating habits (“Subway”). Finally, the process of implementation, evaluation, and control of the marketing mix requires one to outline the steps necessary for achieving the goals set in the marketing plan. Currently, Subway carries out its promotional activities by informing customers through advertisements on digital platforms, TV, and via the Internet. To implement a new marketing plan, Subway will have to use the information presented in this paper as a marketing mix to distinguish its original features enabling differentiation from competitors. Next, the company will have to choose one marketing tactic that corresponds with the identified characteristics and develop steps for achieving the aim. The process of evaluation for Subway will consist of examining quantitative metrics, such as sales, number of people on the restaurant’s website, the number of online orders, and email newsletter subscribers. The control process will involve comparing the achieved impact to the predetermined benchmarks, for instance, Subway may want to increase sales of the three new sub sandwiches by 10% across the US through the marketing campaign. Overall, this paper presents the marketing mix for Subway, including product, price, place, and promotion, and offers strategies for implementation, evaluation, and control. Works Cited “Number of Subway Stores Worldwide from 2011 to 2018.” Statista , Web. “Subway.” Subway , Web.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The text discusses a group effectiveness report that reflects on the experience of the writer in a group simulation, Succeeding in Business, and how they applied shared leadership to solve a problem the group faced.
The text discusses a group effectiveness report that reflects on the experience of the writer in a group simulation, Succeeding in Business, and how they applied shared leadership to solve a problem the group faced.
Succeeding in Business: Group Effectiveness Report Introduction Besides the strategic performance review, personal reflections on our group’s effectiveness for problem-solving are also valuable. The present considerations are based upon the experience I got from my group simulation, “Succeeding in Business” lectures, and a scholarly article. During the group session, our team faced organizational and communicational challenges that affected the group’s performance. While some of the problems were appropriately addressed, others were ignored. Organizational Challenge One of the central challenges our team faced was organizing our meeting and selecting a leadership pattern. Before our team held the first meeting, we had an appointed leader who was unable to facilitate everyone to agree on the time and place of the simulating session. In my personal opinion, the issue arose because our leader tried to apply transactional leadership rather than transformational. Our leader always tried to appeal to rewards and punishments rather than using charisma and related qualities to inspire our group members (“Lecture 10: Leadership”, 2018). For example, our appointed head would refer to our professor being angry if we do not complete the task, rather than motivate everyone by saying that our simulation can become the best if we focus on choosing the right time and place of the simulation. As a result of these mistakes, our group faced one of the most common dysfunctions of a team – the absence of trust (“Week 7: Teamwork”, 2018). Solving the problem The situation was resolved by applying the shared leadership model. As it became clear that our leader was unable to motivate the group, I had to take responsibility to become a co-leader. Taking up the collaborator role, I proposed everyone suggest the time and place of a meeting and asked all the group members to speak out about other’s propositions through WhatsApp. After that, I applied the rational model in decision-making and stated the best answer to our problem with supporting evidence (“Week 8: Decision Making”, 2018). In brief, we applied shared leadership to deal with the stated problem and used the model for our further decisions throughout the simulation. Assessment of the Situation I believe that the situation was addressed effectively; however, our team lost too much time before the solution was found and applied. According to Wang, Waldman, and Zhang (2014), shared leadership has a positive effect on a team’s performance as it is “strongly related to team attitudinal outcomes and behavioral processes” (p.181). The matter produced an enlightening impact on me, as before the simulation I believed that having a unified leader is more beneficial for a group assignment rather than using the shared leadership model. In my future group assignments, I will encourage all the participants to have several leaders apply both transactional and transformational leadership. The group members addressed me after the meeting acknowledging my impact on the group performance. They expressed their amazement about me transforming rational decision-making theory into practice. In short, my experience in the matter had an enlightening effect upon myself, and my contributions to solving the problem had the same impact on the team. Group Communication Even though the end goal of the group assignment is achieved, our team’s communication pattern cannot be considered as the facilitator of the process. All group members were aware of the fact that one of the characteristics of a high-performing group was informality (“Week 7: Teamwork”, 2018); however, this aspect was addressed at inappropriate times. For example, cases of speakers’ interruptions were numerous, and whenever our leader tried to stop the interference, all the group members would say that interruptions were typical for informal conversations. Due to the matter, I would assess our group communication as not satisfactory. Offering Improvements First, critical thinking should be applied to the matter to realize why the interruptions mentioned above were numerous. According to “Lecture 11 – Entrepreneurship Skills” (2018), critical thinking includes developing and maintaining an excellent reflective mindset and challenging oneself. Because the members of our group did not apply such thinking, everyone was overconfident and found it appropriate to interrupt the speaker. Hence, my first recommendation is to use critical thinking throughout team working sessions. Second, active listening must be a central characteristic of an effective conversation. Business communication skills include active listening, asking questions and giving answers, and applying influencing skills (“Week 7: Teamwork”, 2018). During our group session, most of the group members failed to listen to the others appropriately. Thus, my second recommendation is to improve active listening skills and show civilized disagreement. Personal Reflections Even though I had been aware of the theory concerning effective communication, I failed to use the knowledge during the group session. Despite being a co-leader and willing to accept responsibility, I could not put theory into practice in this case and joined everyone in interruptions. I believe my teammates did not appreciate this; hence, for my future assignments, I need to improve my leadership skills. Conclusion The main problems our team faced concerned meeting organization and group communication, and we found limited success in addressing the issues. Such assignments are crucial for learning business, as some companies are using teams as fundamental organization design elements. In the future, this paper can be addressed to avoid the problems our group has faced. References Wang, D., Waldman, D., & Zhang, Z. (2014). A meta-analysis of shared leadership and team effectiveness. Journal of Applied Psychology, 99 (2), 181-198. Web. “Week 7: Teamwork.” (2018). Presentation, University of Sydney. “Week 8: Decision Making.” (2018). Presentation, University of Sydney. “Lecture 10: Leadership.” (2018). Presentation, University of Sydney. “Lecture 11 – Entrepreneurship Skills.” (2018). Presentation, University of Sydney.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The success of democracy in the United States can be explained by applying the comparative approach, which is a widely used method in political science. This paper claims that the comparative approach can be used to explain the success of democracy in the United States and provides sufficient evidence to prove the point.
The success of democracy in the United States can be explained by applying the comparative approach, which is a widely used method in political science. This paper claims that the comparative approach can be used to explain the success of democracy in the United States and provides sufficient evidence to prove the point.
Success of Democracy in US: Comparative Approach for Explaining Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Applying Comparative Politics 3. Questions, Facts, Evidence, and Comparisons 4. The Effect of Prevailing Worldview 5. Conclusion 6. Bibliography 7. Footnotes Introduction A comparative approach in politics is a widely used method that allows answering complicated research questions and testing controversial hypotheses. Instead of answering the who/what/when/where questions, comparative politics (CP) aims at discussing the reasons for some events explain the causal effect between facts and ideas. 1 While trying to answer why questions, CP uses arguments supported by empirical evidence. 2 The evidence is compiled using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, which are known to complement each other’s disadvantages. 3 CP uses four different tools depending on the availability of evidence, including most-similar-systems analyses, most-different-systems analyses, comparative checking, and within-case comparison. 4 Even though CP has its flaws, it can be used to answer a wide variety of questions, including why democracy is more successful in some countries but not the others by comparing their characteristics. The United States has a history, which is unique, considering the majority of characteristics. In the country, everyone is aware of the national idea and values that Founding Fathers postulated. 5 While it is difficult to find a country with similar characteristics to which the US can be compared, CP has appropriate methodologies to answer questions concerning its political regime. Therefore, the present paper claims that the comparative approach can be used to explain the success of democracy in the United States and provides sufficient evidence to prove the point. Applying Comparative Politics The application process of the comparative approach to studying democracy in the United States is standard for the CP method. First, one or several research questions are to be identified to guide the research. 6 Second, hypotheses are to be identified for the research to support or reject it. 7 Third, conceptualization is to take place, which is usually done by reviewing relevant literature and modifying the concepts that have been used in previous studies. 8 Fourth, the concepts are to be transformed into dependent and independent variables, which is called operationalizing. 9 Fifth, an appropriate method is to be identified to gather and analyze the data, which implies that the researchers are to decide if they want to use qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method approach. Additionally, CP presupposes that a comparison method and the country are to be identified to analyze it against the US. 10 Finally, the research should be guided by a relevant theoretical framework, which helps to build assumptions and evaluate the gathered data. 11 These five steps are universally accepted by CP and can be effectively applied to explaining the success of democracy in the US. Questions, Facts, Evidence, and Comparisons Several questions can be addressed while applying CP to the experience of the US. For instance, the historical factors that influence the traditions of democracy in the United States should be identified to answer how the historical path of the country helped to shape modern political structure. According to Dickovick and Eastwood, open-ended question that starts with “how” are appropriate for applying CP. 12 At the same time, the questions may be more specific and inquire what the effect of the Civil War on the formation of democracy in the US is. Inspecting cause-and-effect relationships are also vital for CP. 13 The examples provided above are just two of the numerous questions that can be answered using CP. In terms of evidence, the research will require statistical data gathered from questionnaires, financial statements, and various kinds of reports together with qualitative data from focus groups and expert opinions. As a legitimacy of quantitative approaches, Jarley, Fiorito, Delaney study democracy in the US, assessing a large dataset gathered in a different environment. 14 At the same time, McLaughlin utilizes a qualitative approach to study a similar question using expert opinions. 15 Therefore, both types of evidence can be used to answer the research question. When discussing the success of democracy in the United States, one is sure to come across the idea of American Exceptionalism. This idea is explained by Koh as a belief that the US differs qualitatively from other countries due to its origins, national credo, historical process, and distinctive political and religious institutions. 16 Even though every country has unique characteristics and history, CP can provide reasons for a wide variety of phenomena in the political structure of any given country. Moreover, Dickovick and Eastwood state that one of the questions answered by CP is “Why are some countries democratic and others not?” 17 American Exceptionalism may become an obstacle for applying most-similar-systems analyses. However, other methods, such as most-different-systems analyses, can be applied to compare the experience of the US countries that differ completely, such as China, Japan, or Russia. At the same time, American Exceptionalism is not univocally accepted by scholars and politicians. For instance, Walt claims that even though the US has a high level of religiosity and political culture, its exceptionalism is a myth. 18 In fact, the belief in uniqueness is common for every country and all nationalities tend to believe that they have exceptional rights. 19 Therefore, the success of democracy in the country can be studied using most-similar-systems analyses. As a confirmation, Robinson and Bell study equality, success, and social justice by comparing the US and England political systems. 20 This means that any comparison can be used to identify the reason for the success of democracy in the US; however, most-different-systems analyses seem to be the most appropriate option. The Effect of Prevailing Worldview A prevailing worldview can have a considerable impact on the presumptions of a comparative approach. According to Martin, a worldview is an understanding of God, human, and cosmos, which is used to answer cosmological and anthropological questions and application of these answers “to all of life generally and to every area of life specifically in terms of the institutional structure and procedure flowing from those answers.” 21 Worldview affects seven spheres of human life, including the legal area and international politics. 22 In this case, the legal aspect includes not only the criminal law but also the concept of order that holds everything together. Since citizens of one country share a common worldview to a certain degree, it should be included in the comparative analysis of the success of democracy in the US against other countries. For instance, the US is characterized by a high level of religiousness in all spheres of life, and the international policy and legality of deeds is often judged from the Bible’s perspective. 23 According to the Judeo-Christian worldview, “in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman.” 24 This means that democracy in the US means equality between males and females. However, in Islamic cultures, traditional gender inequality may lead to a different perception of democracy. 25 In this case, religion may be a facilitator or obstructer of spreading democracy. Therefore, researchers are to consider the prevailing worldview while conducting the comparative analysis. Worldviews may also become a source of bias for researchers. For instance, if a scholar believes in American Exceptionalism, it may influence the research process by creating biased hypotheses. The follower of American Exceptionalism tends to believe that the US is the founder of democracy and that the nation is entitled by God to spread the political regime. According to Koh, the United States is the only country ready to “to build, sustain, and drive an international system committed to international law, democracy, and the promotion of human rights.” 26 This intention to control world order is influenced by American Exceptionalism, which is not widely accepted by scholars. However, according to Martin, worldview affects the institutional structure and procedure of nations and individuals. 27 People always have worldviews; therefore, an unbiased approach to comparative research is impossible. 28 However, subjectivity can be reduced to a minimum by acknowledging one’s own beliefs and values and trying to approach the subject of different angles. Conclusion CP can be used to explain the success of democracy in the United States. In order to approach the matter, the researchers need to follow the standards procedure of CP, which includes identifying research questions, creating hypotheses, conceptualization, operationalizing, and identifying the guiding theory and methods. All four types of comparison, including most-similar-systems analyses, most-different-systems analyses, comparative checking, and within-case comparison. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches to gathering analyzing the evidence can be used. When conducting a comparative analysis, it is vital to consider the prevailing worldviews of countries under analysis. Moreover, researchers are to be aware that their worldview may affect the results of research; therefore, they need to take precautions to avoid bias. Bibliography Dickovick, Tyler J. and Jonathan Eastwood. Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, Methods, and Cases . 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2019. ISBN: 9780190854867. Dickovick, Tyler J. and Jonathan Eastwood. Comparative Politics: Classic and Contemporary Readings . 1st ed., New York: Oxford University Press, 2017. ISBN: 9780199730957. Elshtain, Jean Bethke. “Religion and democracy.” Journal of Democracy 20, no. 2 (2009): 5-17. Jarley, Paul, Jack Fiorito, and John Thomas Delaney. “A structural contingency approach to bureaucracy and democracy in US national unions.” Academy of Management Journal 40, no. 4 (1997): 831-861. Koh, Harold Hongju. “On American Exceptionalism.” Stanford Law Review 55, no. 5 (2003): 1479-1527. Martin, Glenn. Prevailing Worldviews of Western Society since 1500 . Newton: Triangle Publishing, 2006. ISBN: 9781931283168. McLaughlin, Andrew C. “American History and American Democracy.” The American Historical Review 20, no. 2 (1915): 255-76. Web. Robinson, Robert V., and Wendell Bell. “Equality, Success, and Social Justice in England and the United States.” American Sociological Review 43, no. 2 (1978): 125-43. Walt, Stephen M. “ The Myth of American Exceptionalism. ” Foreign Policy. Web. Footnotes 1. Dickovick, Tyler J. and Jonathan Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, Methods, and Cases, 3rd ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2019), 3. 2. Dickovick and Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, 7. 3. Dickovick and Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, 22. 4. Dickovick and Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, 16-21. 5. McLaughlin, Andrew C., “American History and American Democracy,” The American Historical Review 20, no. 2 (1915): 258. Web. 6. Dickovick and Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories , 6. 7. Dickovick and Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories , 26-27. 8. Dickovick and Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories , 10. 9. Dickovick and Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, 11-12 10. Dickovick and Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories , 12-21. 11. Dickovick and Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, 26. 12. Dickovick and Eastwood , Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories , 6. 13. Dickovick and Eastwood , Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories , 6. 14. Jarley, Paul, Jack Fiorito, and John Thomas Delaney, “A structural contingency approach to bureaucracy and democracy in US national unions,” Academy of Management Journal 40, no. 4 (1997): 831-861. 15. McLaughlin, “American History.” 16. Koh, Harold Hongju, “On American Exceptionalism,” Stanford Law Review 55, no. 5 (2003): 1481. 17. Dickovick and Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, 5. 18. Walt, Stephen M., “The Myth of American Exceptionalism,” Foreign Policy. Web. 19. Walt, “The Myth.” 20. Robinson, Robert V., and Wendell Bell, “Equality, Success, and Social Justice in England and the United States,” American Sociological Review 43, no. 2 (1978): 125-43. 21. Martin, Glenn, Prevailing Worldviews of Western Society since 1500 (Newton: Triangle Publishing, 2006), 27. 22. Martin, Prevailing Worldviews, 20. 23. Walt, “The Myth.” 24. 1 Cor. 11:11. 25. Elshtain, Jean Bethke, “Religion and democracy,” Journal of Democracy 20, no. 2 (2009): 5-17 26. Koh, “On American Exceptionalism,” 1487. 27. Martin, Prevailing Worldviews, 21. 28. Dickovick, Tyler J. and Jonathan Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Classic and Contemporary Readings, 1st ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2017), 31.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: Sukuk is a type of Islamic financing that can be used to attract debt financing. Sukuk is also less likely to be affected by the financial crisis.
Sukuk is a type of Islamic financing that can be used to attract debt financing. Sukuk is also less likely to be affected by the financial crisis.
Sukuk and Its Role in the Economic Development Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Literature Review 3. Data Collection 4. Data Analysis 5. Findings and Conclusions 6. References Introduction As it is known, at the present stage, in the world economy, the issue of diversification of investment financial instruments is particularly relevant. One of the markets offering alternative financing schemes is the Islamic finance market, where increasingly more countries are initiating the issuance of Sukuk ‑ the equivalent of Islamic bonds. Given the limited financial and investment resources, it seems obvious to consider Islamic financing mechanisms and instruments as an effective alternative to Western capital. It is important to emphasize that, given the specificity of their activities based on the principles of the Islamic religion, Islamic financial institutions have shown better stability and resistance to the financial crisis. In this regard, such financial products as Sukuk are no less attractive for the investment community than their classic counterparts. Literature Review At the present stage in world practice, Sukuk provides an opportunity to attract debt financing, occupying an intermediate position between the company’s own and borrowed resources. According to the definition of AAOIFI (Organization of Accounting and Auditing of Islamic Financial Institutions), Sukuk is certificates of equal value, certifying the indivisible share of ownership intangible assets, the right to use them and receive income, the services rendered, the assets of a specific project, or a special investment project (Safari, Ariff, & Mohamad, 2014). Western financiers compare Sukuk and traditional bonds, establishing the term “Islamic bonds” in the global financial community (Godlewski, Turk-Ariss, & Weill, 2013). However, there is a difference between these instruments in that the bond is debt, while Sukuk is the share in the allocated tangible assets. In general, it should be noted that a significant mistake of some researchers is the assessment of Islamic economic doctrine from the standpoint of classical political economy is not taking into account the specifics and characteristics of Islamic economic science. As a result of this, a misunderstanding of some basic principles and mechanisms of the Islamic economy arises. Obviously, without taking into account the characteristics of the Islamic economic model, several conclusions contained in scientific studies and training materials on various economic problems require at least refinement. Nevertheless, in several publications, it is noted that a Sukuk or property certificate, unlike bonds, is not a debt obligation of the issuer to an investor, but a representation of a share in an asset (project) with a right of ownership (it is applicable as an asset securitization tool) (Al-area, Zainol, & bin Abdul Rahim, 2018). At the same time, Sukuk, in contrast to stocks and bonds, is targeted, providing non-guaranteed income from the profit that can be obtained from the use of assets (services) or a financed project. The main condition for issuing Sukuk is the security with real assets (tangible or intangible) (Smaoui & Khawaja, 2016). It is interesting to note that the risks associated with the ownership of the underlying asset, when issuing Sukuk, are related to the holders of this instrument, and not to the issuer. A review of the literature allows systematizing the current main conclusions regarding the nature of Sukuk and its prospects in the global financial market. These conclusions can be summarized as follows (Echchabi, Aziz, & Idriss, 2016): 1) The Islamic financial system and Sukuk, in particular, are not identical to the interest-free financial system; 2) Alternative Sukuk is expressed not in the fact that it is intended to replace the instruments of the “capitalist” financial market or the socialist system as the “third way,” but in that it supplements them by offering its version of building a financial system that is not based on the use of loan interest; 3) The goals and objectives of applying Sukuk within the Islamic financial system are universal, and the Islamic financial system itself is addressed not only to Muslims. However, the lack of studies aimed at evaluating Sukuk’s influence not only on a regional scale but also on the world financial market should be noted. Data Collection The methodological basis of the research is a secondary study, using the dialectical method of cognition. In the research process, general scientific methods were used (analysis and synthesis, classification, systematic approach, deduction, induction, grouping, and comparison methods). The study is based on concepts and ideas about the mechanisms of a market economy, its regulatory functions, and principles, the nature of capital, etc. The study applied the methods of the grounded theory of Corbin and Strauss. In the grounded theory approach, a methodology is proposed for generating theories from an empirical “field” (an inductive approach in which a theoretically ‘loaded’ interpretation is derived from the data). In this approach, the researcher from the data “deploys” the theory of the phenomenon selected for study (Birks, 2015). To do this, he must present the phenomenon in dynamics, identify the changes taking place in it, describe their nature, and explain the reasons, consistently summarizing the data and forming theoretical and practical conceptualizations on their basis. The main goal of the study is to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the trends and prospects for the implementation of the principles and methods of applying Sukuk in the modern system of world economic relations, identifying the place and role of Sukuk in the economic and financial systems of Muslim and non-Muslim countries, as well as studying the potential of this tool in addressing relevant tasks of economic development. Data Analysis With the deepening debt crisis in the Eurozone and financial turmoil in the US, investors are increasingly trying to move away from a speculative and profit-based financial system. Under the new global order of economy and caution, the fundamental principles of Islamic finance risk sharing, as well as the prohibition of interest, have helped to enhance their image as a “safe haven” (Smaoui & Khawaja, 2016). Significant infrastructure development, planned both in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, means that sovereign or semi-state issuers will depend, among other sources of project financing, on Sharia-compliant documents that are individualized to meet different needs. Indeed, project finance needs in the Middle East are estimated at $120 billion over the next decade and $150 billion for Southeast Asia over the next five years. The Islamic debt capital market will play an important role in these long-term projects. Developers in both the government and private sectors can use conventional bank financing, but the liquidity pool is shrinking day by day in light of tightened credit lines and strengthened regulatory requirements. There is a large pool of liquidity for Islamic finance, which makes project financing with Sukuk a viable alternative. The main “boom driver” of the Sukuk market is ambitious infrastructure projects implemented both in Asia and the Middle East. Another reason is lower yield than in the traditional bond market, which is associated not only with the fact that Sukuk is a less risky instrument than a regular bond. Sukuk bonds are seen as an attractive medium-term investment mechanism (Ahmad, 2016). Borrowers through the use of not traditional, but Islamic methods of financing get the opportunity to expand their investor base and sources of financing. Moreover, in recent years, Sukuk bonds have increasingly been resorted to as an alternative to syndicated lending. Experts also argue that the increased interest of European countries in the development of public-private partnerships contributes to the development of the Sukuk market on the world stage (COMCEC, 2018). Islamic finance and Sukuk in particular, aimed more at satisfying social needs, of course, can be safely used in the framework of the Project Bonds Development Initiative by 2020 in Europe and for funding public-private partnerships. In several publications, it is noted that, at the current stage, Islamic financial instruments ideally fit into the new global “integrated” way of life, which should replace the current capitalist model (Safari, Ariff, & Mohamad, 2014). The features of this structure combine market self-realization, entrepreneurship, long-term state planning, and resource allocation based on public interests. It can be argued that the Islamic securities market is currently demonstrating a steady growth potential. In particular, the director-general of the Malaysian branch of the Islamic Bank Al Rajhi, Datuk Azrulnizam, notes that now Sukuk has become an important tool to attract long-term financing of infrastructure projects, especially in the face of a difficult liquidity situation (Datuk Azrulnizam as cited in Muharam, Anwar, & Robiyanto, 2019). The introduction of new Basel III regulatory standards for the short-term liquidity ratio limits the ability of traditional banks in terms of long-term lending, and countries that have not previously entered the Sukuk market should have increased interest in such an instrument. In this regard, Sukuk has the potential for application in European countries, actively engaged in the search for new sources of financing. The fact that Al Rajhi Bank is planning to provide advisory and technical support in terms of structuring the instruments to the states most interested in developing the Sukuk and Islamic capital markets is also contributing to the spread of the Sukuk market. For several consecutive years, in the Sukuk market, there has been an excess of demand oversupply. The volume of accumulated liquidity exceeds the volume of the local market by many times, “pushing” the yield of securities down in both the primary and secondary markets. In particular, the huge demand for Sukuk for $358 million by the state-owned company Khazanah (Malaysia) led to the formation of negative profitability (Muhmad, 2018). At the same time, Islamic bonds are well suited for long-term financing of infrastructure and can help spread innovation in the financial market. Moreover, the creation of local and regional institutional investment structures allows pension and insurance funds to invest in Sukuk, which leads to the creation of a more liquid debt securities market. Findings and Conclusions The past few years have shown clearly that the model of the short-term capital market for liabilities and long-term assets creates risks during periods of market dispositions. As a result, increasingly more attention is being paid to matching assets and liabilities. Moreover, the Gulf countries have accumulated significant liquidity over the past few years, as investors seek to distance themselves from the dependence on dollar instruments, and rising oil prices have further increased their liquidity. The reason why Sukuk continues to grow in double digits in most markets, despite the financial crisis, is mainly consumer effort rather than regulatory enterprise. From an industry perspective, there are emerging markets that are not currently open to Islamic finance but have potentials, such as Egypt and India. How and when they become available is a question, and if they have a corresponding demand for Islamic products and services, then banks and Islamic companies will also be interested in expanding the retail network in these countries. In addition to developing new lines of business, key Islamic financial players also seek to expand their areas of influence. In particular, Standard Chartered Saadiq, the Islamic finance department of Standard, hopes to expand in Africa to make the content accessible to its Middle Eastern and Asian clients (Ahmad, 2016). In Africa, the Muslim population is very large, and a significant proportion does not use the services of banks at all. The widespread use of Sukuk has the potential to have a significant positive impact on the economic development of the countries where this financial instrument is traded. In particular, this means diversification of investment flows, the attraction of long-term external investments for the implementation of industrial development plans, the need to tap into the country’s economy the financial resources of the population that are not used due to a lack of confidence in traditional financial instruments or a lack of Islamic financing. However, there are several obstacles. In particular, the absence of a secondary market or its extremely low liquidity is characteristic of the Sukuk market (Ulusoy & Ela, 2018). Moreover, Islamic jurisprudence is, to some extent, uncertain and quite heterogeneous. As a result, decisions recognized in one jurisdiction may not be recognized in another. The proof is the fact that some types of Sukuk used in Malaysia are recognized as not complying with Sharia standards in the United Arab Emirates. Moreover, the Shariah council may invalidate the issue if it considers that the Sukuk does not meet Sharia requirements, which significantly increases investor uncertainty. There is no single standardized approach to determining the structure of Sukuk. All attempts to standardize, as a result, tighten the conditions for issuing Sukuk and significantly limit the composition of assets that could potentially become the basis for Sukuk. The problems associated with issuing Sukuk are the time and costs spent by investors in attracting lawyers and compilers of related documentation, as well as the legality and preparation of assets associated with the transaction. Compared to ordinary securities, the cost of fulfilling Sharia requirements can influence the decision of investors to choose traditional issues instead of Sukuk. From our point of view, these problems should be seen as a call for more standardization for the issuance of Islamic bonds. Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that Islamic finance, including Sukuk financing, in the modern world economy, is likely to be further developed and may occupy an increasing share of the financial market not only in countries whose population professes Islam. The existing difficulties are mainly related to the lack of a legislative base and to a lack of understanding of the essence and content of Islamic financial instruments, which are usually associated with purely religious aspects. Thus, it is necessary to intensify efforts to study and practical use of investment financing instruments new to the West. Islamic finance, in particular through Sukuk, can to some extent constitute a viable alternative to classical forms of project financing, including through public-private partnerships. References Ahmad, A. (2016). Regulation, performance and future challenges of Sukuk: The evidence from Asian markets. In Mutum, D., Butt, M. & Rashid, M. (Eds.) Advances in Islamic Finance, Marketing, and Management (pp. 27-48). Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Al-raeai, A., Zainol, Z., & bin Abdul Rahim, A. (2018). The role of macroeconomic factors on Sukuk market development of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, 8 (3), 333-339. Birks, M. (2015). Grounded theory . Newbury Park, CA: SAGE Publications. COMCEC (2018). The role of sukuk in Islamic capital markets . COMCEC. Echchabi, A., Aziz, H., & Idriss, U. (2016). Does sukuk financing promote economic growth? An emphasis on the major issuing countries. Turkish Journal of Islamic Economics, 3 (2), 63-73. Godlewski, C.J., Turk-Ariss, R., & Weill, L. (2013). Sukuk vs. conventional bonds: A stock market perspective. Journal of Comparative Economics, 41 (3), 745-761. Muharam, H., Anwar, R. J., & Robiyanto, R. (2019). Islamic stock market and sukuk market development, economic growth, and trade openness (the case of Indonesia and Malaysia). Business: Theory and Practice, 20, 196-207. Muhmad, S. (2018). Potential development of sukuk in competitive market. International Journal of Business and Management, 2 (2), 26-29. Safari, M., Ariff, M., & Mohamad, S. (2014). Sukuk securities: new ways of debt contracting. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Smaoui, H. & Khawaja, M. (2016). The determinants of sukuk market development. Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, 53 (7), 1501-1518. Ulusoy, A. & Ela, M. (2018). Secondary market of sukuk: An overview. International Journal of Islamic Economic and Finance Studies, 4 (2), 18-32.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: Older people with disabilities living in the countryside are an economically vulnerable group that needs the support of society. Supplemental Security Income is one of the ways to improve the situation, but most of the current programs do not cover everyone who needs help. Making Supplemental Security Income programs more available for persons with disabilities might significantly improve the quality of life and health outcomes of older people living in the country.
Older people with disabilities living in the countryside are an economically vulnerable group that needs the support of society. Supplemental Security Income is one of the ways to improve the situation, but most of the current programs do not cover everyone who needs help. Making Supplemental Security Income programs more available for persons with disabilities might significantly improve the quality of life and health outcomes of older people living in the country.
Supplemental Security Income Policy Project Essay (Critical Writing) Older people with disabilities living in the countryside are an economically vulnerable group that needs the support of society. Supplemental Security Income is one of the ways to improve the situation, but most of the current programs do not cover everyone who needs help. Making Supplemental Security Income programs more available for persons with disabilities might significantly improve the quality of life and health outcomes of older people living in the country. Many persons in risk groups cannot receive help from Supplemental Security Income programs because of limitations associated with the application process. Some people do not meet the biased criteria to be qualified as poor, and others cannot deal with the administrative burden because of their health limitations (Keesler, 2015). In the face of these problems, such programs need to be organized to cover a broader range of vulnerable populations and provide assistance in application to those who need it. Better funding of such programs is fully justified because, apart from improved health outcomes, they have economic benefits for society. Supplemental Security Income enhances the quality of life of its practitioners and has a positive effect on their food security, which is tightly linked with health conditions such as diabetes (Brouns, 2018). Thus, as a preventive measure for the negative health consequences associated with poverty, such programs can save money that the government spends on the treatment of serious diseases. Supporting vulnerable members of the community is necessary to create a fair and stable society. Supplemental Security Income programs help disabled people with financial difficulties to improve their quality of life and diet. By making a positive effect on health outcomes and prevention of future disease, these programs also help saving money. Expending such programs and making them easier to apply will have a significant positive effect on society, especially in rural areas of the United States. References Brouns, F. (2018). Overweight and diabetes prevention: is a low-carbohydrate–high-fat diet recommendable? European journal of nutrition , 57 (4), 1301-1312. Keesler, J. M. (2015). Applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Family and Service Coordinator Experiences. Intellectual and developmental disabilities , 53 (1), 42-57.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: Supply chain management and finance are two interrelated concepts that can be successfully applied to reduce costs and increase daily operational liquidity. Through the process of collaboration with partners, a company's executives can optimize their financial resources.
Supply chain management and finance are two interrelated concepts that can be successfully applied to reduce costs and increase daily operational liquidity. Through the process of collaboration with partners, a company's executives can optimize their financial resources.
Successfully Applying Supply Chain Management & Finance Case Study Table of Contents 1. Major Facts 2. Major Problem 3. Possible Solutions 4. Choice and Rationale 5. Implementation 6. Reference Major Facts Many companies relocate their manufacturing facilities to emerging economies for production cost reduction. Supply chain finance is the process of collaboration with partners, which allows reducing costs. Through this process, a company’s executives can optimize their financial resources. According to ACAA (2014), reverse factoring “allows a supplier to receive a discounted payment of an invoice due to be paid by a buyer” (p. 7). The process allows third-party manufacturers to finance their manufacturing for a particular company by acquiring money from banks. In this way, the invoice is paid on the due date, while the manufacturer has resources for operations. Major Problem Risks include supply chain resilience and sensitivity to internal factors. According to ACAA (2014), such an issue exists because third-party manufacturers are responsible for the production of essential components. Thus, problems with such a company would affect the rest of the chain, failing to develop a product. Additionally, daily operational liquidity has become essential for executives (ACAA, 2014). Therefore, to successfully apply supply chain management, a company needs proper planning and awareness of components, which contribute to successful outcomes. Possible Solutions 1. Proper planning, which ensures that all parties involved understand the agreement and can obtain resources to fulfill it, is the key to resolving possible supply chain limitations. The solution allows considering factors that may influence the operations, which is its primary advantage. The disadvantage is that some components may be left out and unplanned, resulting in further difficulties. 2. Understanding financial structure, which comprises supply chain management, is required. It is evident that this operational activity differs from conventional manufacturing, and third-party individuals have to obtain proper resources to be able to fulfill an order. As was previously mentioned, daily liquidity is the crucial component of supply chain management, while the structure of the process is designed to ensure that a manufacturer can obtain financial resources without the buyer paying in advance. Additionally, knowledge regarding currency differences, payment systems, and local banking procedures is required. The advantage is that the approach allows mitigating financial risks. The disadvantage is that in case of unexpected events, the buyer may not receive the needed product, which will affect the organization’s work. 3. Adequate legal assistance, which ensures that all parties involved can agree on a contract’s terms, can help mitigate adverse outcomes. Additionally, specific components, including tax regulations, have to be considered. Specific dates and possible consequences of the agreement’s violations should be included. This method allows to minimize legal issues; however, it does not take into account other processes, which contribute to production. 4. Risk assessment and response strategies are required because events impacting one component of the chain structure would affect the entire production. Thus, the external and internal analysis performed using SWOT, TOWS, or PEST tools can be applied to understand political, legal, and social factors influencing a partner company. The advantage of this method is that it combines important aspects and prepares a plan for problem-solving. The disadvantage is that financial risks would be challenging to minimize. Choice and Rationale The selection for this case study is option D – risk assessment using appropriate tools. This method allows to incorporate options A, B, and C and create an appropriate plan for choosing and working with a third-party manufacturer. Additionally, it includes risk factors that may impact the process of product development and aim to offer adequate responses. Financial limitations are part of the analysis as well, as it is among the crucial components for the supply chain management. Implementation To implement the choice, a company should create a structure and plan for risk assessment. Companies, which specialize in advising for such cases can be involved in the process of planning. Relevant information regarding the country in which the partner manufacturer resides should be optioned through reliable resources. The most reliable and risk-free manufacturer should be chosen. Possible risks should be discussed as well as strategies in which the company would address them. Reference ACAA. (2014). A study of the business case for supply chain finance . Web.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The paper is aimed at assessing the principles of supply chain management and, in particular, its globalization, as well as the features of the worldwide trading system.Worldwide trading has both advantages, stimulating its development, and disadvantages, causing fears about the strength of some economies.
The paper is aimed at assessing the principles of supply chain management and, in particular, its globalization, as well as the features of the worldwide trading system. Worldwide trading has both advantages, stimulating its development, and disadvantages, causing fears about the strength of some economies.
Supply Chain Management and Trading System Definition Essay Introduction The reliability and efficiency of sales management are largely determined not only by external factors, for instance, competition conditions or the indicators of demand but also the entire process of selling goods. In a market economy, when profit from sales depends on the number of consumers and interest in a particular brand, it is essential to achieve client recognition through the provision of quality services. One of the areas of control over the success of sales is supply chain management as the mechanism that determines the principles of logistics, transportation, and data exchange with buyers. The world trading system is a flexible and constantly changing structure, and in these conditions, it is crucial to organize the sales process for buyers could have no complaints about the product and sellers could offer relevant goods. This paper is aimed at assessing the principles of supply chain management and, in particular, its globalization, as well as the features of the worldwide trading system. Applying innovative approaches to creating reliable marketing paths is a valuable practice that allows winning consumer recognition and maintaining stable demand for certain products. Pros and Cons of Worldwide Trading Today, worldwide trading is a natural phenomenon, and a significant number of countries are involved in market relations. Financial flows, the exports and imports of goods, and other economic aspects influence individual industries and affect the development of states to a greater or lesser extent. Worldwide trading has both advantages, stimulating its development, and disadvantages, causing fears about the strength of some economies. According to Buchanan, the liquidity that market relations provide is a valuable property making it easier for investors to find partners and organize business interaction (162). However, some negative features can also manifest themselves when creating such relationships. Therefore, it is necessary to describe the pros and cons of worldwide trading in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of its significance and necessity. Pros One of the main advantages of worldwide trading development is the expansion of the labor market. The growth of export deliveries entails an increase in employment, which makes it possible to help people receive jobs. Another undisputable benefit that Buchanan mentions is enhancing the efficiency of introducing new technologies (161). The degree of equipment load increases, and opportunities are created for making and developing mass production. Finally, export earnings serve as a source of capital accumulation for industrial growth, which is also a significant advantage. Cons Despite the weighty advantages of worldwide trading, this phenomenon has some negative features that affect local economies. In particular, the sales of domestic goods will be reduced, which will lead to losses and the bankruptcy of individual enterprises. Consequently, revenues will fall, which will have a negative impact on the budget due to the reduction in tax charges. Also, as Grant et al. note, the dependence of countries on foreign supplies will increase, which will lead to the weakening of political independence (1). The authors give an example of selling fruit as products that are sold year-round due to partnership agreements, and the rejection of suppliers’ conditions may lead to consumer dissatisfaction with the lack of these products (Grant et al. 1). Therefore, when analyzing the manifestations of worldwide trading, it can be noted that it is a stimulus for innovation and maintaining contacts among countries but can have a disastrous effect on domestic economies. Globalization of Supply Chain Management The globalization of a market economy forces entrepreneurial structures of various sizes to look for and develop approaches to increase their competitiveness. Among the functional areas that are based on the consideration of business as part of the system of value added, a special role is given to supply chain management. According to Grant et al., with globalization, competition among companies has shifted from the national to international level, and positive dynamics in the field of logistics and its innovation is natural (156). At the same time, as the authors argue, working conditions on the market have become tougher, and the struggle for potential customers has become more acute (Grant et al. 156). Therefore, the promotion of the necessary strategic and tactical solutions for sustainable and progressive development in the short and long term is a prerequisite for supply chain management. The reorganization of the global market situation has led to significant changes in logistics and supply chain management. Companies, regardless of their size, the level of competence, and market share should be able to adapt constantly. Therefore, the logistics sector tends to become a strategically important and decisive factor in the issue of competitiveness in national and international markets. As Grant et al. point out, in order to prevent a drop in sales, it is crucial to manage supply chains while taking into account trends in sales, for instance, demand for specific products or delivery preferences (232). One of the steps towards improving this system is involving innovations as mechanisms simplifying the process of control over logistics and enhancing the quality of goods delivery. Therefore, analyzing market needs and any changes timely is one of the key aspects of supply chain management in the context of globalization. Possible Innovations in Supply Chain Management Progress in supply chain management is natural because ever-changing market trends require for companies to adapt to new conditions and provide services in accordance with customers’ wishes. In addition to existing innovations, for instance, automated warehouse systems, additional options may appear. Since today, the trend towards ecology protection is widespread, Markman and Krause suggest that environmental innovation in supply chains will advance (8). This approach may imply using safe fuels for cargo transportation and transiting to the full automation of logistics to reduce the time of goods delivery. As a logical stage in the development of this area, the improvement of technological equipment for supply chain management will occur. The methods of goods delivery will vary, and even today, it is possible to observe automatic vehicles carrying different products. As a result, the control system will be simplified, which is a valuable aspect in the context of competition. Therefore, the movement to innovations has a reasonable background and is dictated by modern trends. Conclusion Innovative approaches to supply chain management and the creation of reliable logistics systems in the context of globalization are essential aspects that influence consumer interest and profits. A market economy entails a number of features, and worldwide trading may have both positive and negative implications. The movement towards innovations is natural due to constant competition and the need to follow trends. The transition to the new forms of logistics control and equipment upgrades will probably be observed in the near future. Works Cited Buchanan, Mark. “Physics in Finance: Trading at the Speed of Light.” Nature News , vol. 518, no. 7538, 2015, pp. 161-163. Grant, David B., et al. Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Principles and Practices for Sustainable Operations and Management . 2nd ed., Kogan Page Publishers, 2017. Markman, Gideon D., and Daniel Krause. “Theory Building Surrounding Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Assessing What We Know, Exploring Where to Go.” Journal of Supply Chain Management , vol. 52, no. 2, 2016, pp. 3-10.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The project's research problem is how the support of the Palestinian cause by different university students can transform the major tactics aimed at addressing the challenges many citizens in the troubled region face. The targeted objective is to offer insights and incentives that can inform the current agenda and support the needs of many Palestinians.
The project's research problem is how the support of the Palestinian cause by different university students can transform the major tactics aimed at addressing the challenges many citizens in the troubled region face. The targeted objective is to offer insights and incentives that can inform the current agenda and support the needs of many Palestinians.
Support for the Palestinian Cause Among University of Sharjah Students Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Literature Review 3. Conclusion 4. References Introduction The project’s research problem is how the support of the Palestinian cause by different university students can transform the major tactics aimed at addressing the challenges many citizens in the troubled region face. The targeted objective is to offer insights and incentives that can inform the current agenda and support the needs of many Palestinians. The proposed research problem is significant because it examines a critical predicament facing both Palestinians and Israelis in the targeted region. Over the years, various initiatives have been put in place in an attempt to promote peace and tranquility. Unfortunately, these efforts have failed to deal with this conflict. When such an issue is analyzed deeply, it can be possible for politicians and policymakers to identify new incentives towards dealing with it. A critical analysis of this problem can encourage many scholars, students, and politicians to support the current Palestinian cause. The completed research study is also expected to present evidence-based ideas that can transform the experiences of many citizens in this troubled region. Literature Review The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a major upheaval between Palestinians and Israelis that has lasted five decades. Sahin (2017) acknowledges that the establishment of the state of Israel resulted in numerous challenges that continue to affect many Arabs in the region. Some of the contentious issues include water rights, borders, coexistence, and freedom of movement. Most of the efforts put in place to address this problem have not been fruitful. Slater (2015) indicates clearly that the Palestinians’ demand for a sovereign nation is something just and valid. Individuals (both Palestinians and Israelis) living in troubled regions such as the Gaza Strip have not been in a position to achieve their potential. Most of the strategies put in place to address this conflict have failed to deliver positive results. This has been the case despite the fact that many groups and parties have been involved in this upheaval. The Palestinian cause has over the years revolved around various actions and strategies to support the establishment of a democratic state whose citizens live harmoniously with each other. Such an achievement can ensure that every Palestinian living under Israeli military occupation is no longer a slave (Slater, 2015). The success of the Palestinian cause can ensure that the targeted Palestinians do no lack electricity or water. Most of the casualties and inconveniences that have been recorded in this region will eventually become a thing of the past. Sahin (2017) encourages global leaders, human rights activists, politicians, and proponents of realism in modern global relations to examine this conflict from an informed perspective. This initiative will ensure that such individuals find it easier to come up with a long-lasting solution to this predicament and eventually promote peace. Conclusion The Palestinian cause revolves around liberating all individuals living as refugees in this troubled region. A permanent solution is, therefore, needed if the frustration and chaos associated with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict are to be dealt with. The suggested research paper will offer useful insights from different scholars, political analysts, and researchers that can take the Palestinian cause to the next level. Such a move will eventually support the needs of many refugees and transform their lives for the better. References Sahin, M. (2017). An examination of academic studies covering Israel Palestine conflict over its reflections through media. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 7 (1), 1-14. Slater, J. (2015). Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Middle East Policy, 22 (3), 79-99. Web.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: Over the past years, investing as a complex accounting means has gone beyond material investments. Although they still constitute the major part of investing operations, nowadays, they are also about immaterial aspects.Investing as a complex accounting means has gone beyond material investments. Although they still constitute the major part of investing operations, nowadays, they are also about immaterial aspects.
Over the past years, investing as a complex accounting means has gone beyond material investments. Although they still constitute the major part of investing operations, nowadays, they are also about immaterial aspects. Investing as a complex accounting means has gone beyond material investments. Although they still constitute the major part of investing operations, nowadays, they are also about immaterial aspects.
Sustainability Accounting Standards Board’s Guides Essay Over the past years, investing as a complex accounting means has gone beyond material investments. Although they still constitute the major part of investing operations, nowadays, they are also about immaterial aspects. Immaterial sustainable investments deal with ecological, social, or political financing without a specific material outcome. The readings assigned for the topic aim at explaining how companies should manage ecological, social, and governance (ESG) factors in terms of their engagement and implementation. The first assigned reading is an article written by Mozaffar Khan, George Serafeim, and Aaron Yoon, which develops the idea of differentiation between material and immaterial sustainable investments. Such a division helps examine the real financial outcomes, as material investing is generally believed to be more crucial for finances, while immaterial investments usually affect value implications. The future of this study lies in the examination of companies that develop aspects of both material and immaterial sustainable investment. In my opinion, the study is beneficial in terms of efficiency but needs more clarity for the recipients related to the topic without proficient knowledge in investing. Another work is created by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) in order to focus on the topic of companies’ engagement in the context of ESG factors. The guide is focused primarily on various means of communication within the company and their impact on the companies’ disclosure. For this purpose, the book deals with facets investors are interested in depending on the company and the goods it produces. The third assigned work, also developed by SASB, is a practical guide designed for the companies willing to integrate the Board’s standards. Throughout the guide, companies can find how they should implement them considering various sustainability indicators, which vary from one company to another. Hence, once companies properly evaluate these considerations and apply disclosure analysis created by SASB, they will be ready to implement the organization’s standards and cooperate with investors effectively. Speaking of both guides, one may notice how structured and easy to perceive they are for the companies who only start their way towards efficient communication with investors.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: This research paper compares skyscrapers with green high-rise buildings, investigates the main parameters of sustainable modern construction, and provides examples from different parts of the world.The purpose of this essay is to compare skyscrapers with green high-rise buildings, investigate the main parameters of sustainable modern construction, and provide examples from different parts of the world.
This research paper compares skyscrapers with green high-rise buildings, investigates the main parameters of sustainable modern construction, and provides examples from different parts of the world. The purpose of this essay is to compare skyscrapers with green high-rise buildings, investigate the main parameters of sustainable modern construction, and provide examples from different parts of the world.
Sustainable High-Rise Buildings in Hot Humid Climate Research Paper Introduction Over the past few decades, the decrease of ecological state and the level of pollution forced the global society to revise the conception of modern construction. This essay investigates the current sustainable high-rise building worldwide, its purpose is to compare skyscrapers with green high-rise buildings, investigates the main parameters of sustainable modern construction, and provides examples from different parts of the world. Background This work focuses on the modern construction of high-rise buildings according to the principles of sustainability. This term is defined as “balancing a growing economy, protection for the environment, and social responsibility, so they together lead to an improved quality of life for ourselves and future generations” (Jin, Zhang, Zuo & Lindsay, 2013, p. 34). A high level of pollution, global energy consumption, substantial population growth, and intensive urban development in the context of limited space resulted in the necessity of the new approach to urban construction (Hong, Deng, Ezeh & Peng, 2019). This subject should be studied as the concept of sustainable building is highly essential supported by the majority of developed and developing countries that care about the current population and future generations (Neyestani, 2017). This research may be regarded as an introduction review that identifies sustainable construction, describes its parameters and the main difference from skyscrapers’ building, and provide examples of green high-rise buildings in different regions with a particularly hot and humid climate. Skyscrapers and Sustainable High-Rise Building Skyscrapers are not a new type of construction, people were familiar with these buildings several centuries ago. Shibam, a desert city found in the territory of Yemen, has buildings “up to fourteen stories in height” made from mud bricks (El-Shorbagy, 2009, p. 2). Modern skyscrapers built upward solve the problem of a lack of space, however, they are not ecologically friendly (Elotefy, Abdelmagid, Morghany & Ahmed, 2015). As the indoor atmosphere is cut from the outdoor environment and created artificially to achieve appropriate human comfort, skyscrapers may be regarded as huge engines that release substantial amounts of carbon dioxide (El-Shorbagy, 2009). With the construction of skyscrapers, Dubai was considered as “the largest polluter in UAE” and “an example of an unsustainable city” (as cited by Jin et al., 2013, p. 33). Skyscrapers do not meet the modern requirements of ecological safety anymore (Abdellatif & Al-Shamma’a, 2015). On the contrary, modern green high-rise buildings satisfy all demands of reasonable energy consumption, safety, and the accessibility of facilities in various climatic conditions (Wan, Chan & Cheng, 2012). Sustainable construction is environmentally responsible, and it combines the community’s comfort with economic development. Parameters of Sustainable Green High-Rise Building The reasonable and perspective strategy of green high-rise buildings requires specific principles. In general, in developed countries, such construction is certified according to the standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design which require environmental safety, reasonable site planning, and the efficiency of resources (Alnaser, 2008). The sustainable high-rise building is conducted by several parameters of modern urban development – the decrease of energy consumption and transportation energy usage and the accessibility of green courtyards and parks (Darwish, 2014). The parameters include the use of innovative materials, and the maintenance of comfort zones for living and public interaction as well (El-Shorbagy, 2009). In a hot climate, the sustainable building should “modify extremes of air temperature and protect the inhabitants from solar radiation” (Sharma, 2016, p. 135). These main principles are currently applied in the majority of regions and climate zones. Malaysia Malaysia is a country that started to realize the importance of reasonable city development and, with the support from the government, educational institutions, and other non-governmental organizations, it started the elaboration of sustainable building. It is using innovative technologies to address both the current population’s demands and the needs of future generations. Troika, an exclusive residence, was built on the territory of Kuala Lumpur City Centre, it includes three residential towers, office units, boutiques, and restaurants (Sayigh, 2017). It meets all modern standards of sustainability, efficiency, and attractiveness of urban living through the balance between nature and urban construction. The main difference of this residence from previous constructions lays in the elaborated position and layout of buildings that provide comfortable living in a hot, humid climate (Sayigh, 2017). The solar orientation, glass walls, and “the twisting geometry of the towers” provide enough daylighting, regulate heat, and protect from excessive solar radiation (Sayigh, 2017, p. 21). The open courtyard area creates its own microclimate, with winds and shade “naturally filtering the outdoor polluted air affected by the traffic” (Sayigh, 2017, p. 21). The extended green helps to decrease tropical humidity and heat waves naturally as well. Dubai In recent years, Dubai has postponed the beneficial practice of meeting the demands of wealthy investors. In 2007, UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, introduced the Dubai Strategic Plan (Jin et al., 2013). It currently aims to develop Dubai’s economic sectors to create its vision as a safe, sustainable, and attractive area, and the plan includes green building development as well (Asif, 2016). It focuses on the construction of mixed-use buildings to decrease the transportation energy use and balance energy efficiency due to the symbiosis of commercial and residential areas. The most influential examples of Dubai’s sustainable green building are mixed-use towers, the Burj Dubai, Dynamic, and Nakheel Towers. The Burj Dubai, the highest building in the world at present, includes residential and commercial areas, offices, and a hotel. The concentration of important units in one place promotes the reasonable energy consumption that is spread within 24 hours as offices demand energy during the daytime and the hotel’s energy usage is highly substantial at night (Jin et al., 2013). After the Burj Dubai, the Nakheel Tower will be the next tallest building worldwide when it will be completed. It will consist of not only offices, shops, apartments, and a hotel but “an experience centre and observation facilities along with a special sky function space” as well (Jin et al., 2013, p. 37). Besides reasonable energy consumption, The Nakheel Tower will support one more principle of sustainable green building – the comfort zone for visitors, as sky function space and bridges promote community interaction. Other Regions Various countries all over the world are currently included in sustainable building development to provide the comfort zone for the community, reduce energy consumption and maintain the balance of nature and urban environment (Navaei, 2015). For, instance, Guinea-Bissau and Southern Angola focus on natural ventilation and innovative materials to control and dissipate heat (Guedes, Cantuária, Borges, Pereira, Aleixo & Alves, 2013). Salford Quays in Manchester, England, is a combination of residential buildings, courtyards, and public facilities that provides public integration, accessibility, and high functionality (Kalcheva, Taki & Hadi, 2016). The majority of countries consider climate conditions during the construction of sustainable buildings as well. Conclusion The global community currently started to realize the importance of reasonable city development. The construction of sustainable green high-rise buildings that do not pollute the environment, decrease energy consumption and provide the balance of nature with the urban environment for comfortable living, is highly essential at the present time. Such buildings may actually be found in Malaysia, Dubai, African countries, and other regions. References Abdellatif, M., & Al-Shamma’a, A. (2015). Review of sustainability in buildings. Sustainable Cities and Society, 14 , 171-177. Web. Alnaser, N. W. (2008). Towards sustainable buildings in Bahrain, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates. The Open Construction and Building Technology Journal, 2 (1), 30-45. Web. Asif, M. (2016). Growth and sustainability trends in the buildings sector in the GCC region with particular reference to the KSA and UAE. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 55 , 1267-1273. Web. Darwish, A. S. (2014). Eco-friendly buildings: The central factor in transitioning to a net neutral community. International Journal of Environment and Sustainability, 3 (1), 54-62. Web. Elotefy, H., Abdelmagid, K. S. S., Morghany, E., & Ahmed, T. M. F. (2015). Energy-efficient tall buildings design strategies: A holistic approach. Energy Procedia, 74 , 1358-1369. Web. El-Shorbagy, A. (2009). Green skyscrapers. Criteria for dynamic sustainable tall-buildings. The Third Ain Shams University International Conference. Web. Guedes, M. C., Cantuária, G., Borges, K., Pereira, I., Aleixo, J., & Alves, L. (2013). Sustainable architecture in hot regions: The SURE-Africa project. PLEA2012, 28th Conference . Web. Hong, Y., Deng, W., Ezeh, C. I., & Peng, Z. (2019). Attaining sustainable high-rise office buildings in warm-summer-cold-winter climates: A case study on Frankfurt. Internationa l Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies , 1-10. Web. Jin, X., Zhang, G., Zuo, J., & Lindsay, S. (2013). Sustainable high-rise design trends – Dubai’s strategy. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 1 (2), 33-41. Web. Kalcheva, E., Taki, A., & Hadi, Y. (2016). Sustainable high-rises in a sustainable development – the case of Salford Quays . Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 216 , 960-973. Web. Navaei, F. (2015). An overview of sustainable design factors in high-rise buildings. International Journal of Science, Technology and Society, 3 (2), 18-23. Web. Neyestani, B. (2017). A Review on Sustainable Building (Green Building). Web. Sayigh, A. (Ed.). (2017). Sustainable high rise buildings in urban zones. Advantages, challenges, and global case studies . Cham: Springer International Publishing. Sharma, R. (2016). Sustainable buildings in hot and dry climate of India. Journal of Engineering Research and Applications, 6 (1), 134-144. Web. Wan, K. K. W., Chan, M., & Cheng, V. S. Y. (2012). Considerations of sustainable high-rise building design in different climate zones of China. International Journal of High-Rise Buildings, 1 (4), 301-310. Web.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The essay discusses the financial performance of Swire Properties in 2018 in comparison with 2017.The essay finds that while Swire Properties showed moderate growth in terms of financial position in 2018 in comparison with 2017, its revenues have dropped by 20.6%. The essay concludes by providing recommendations for improving the financial performance of the company.
The essay discusses the financial performance of Swire Properties in 2018 in comparison with 2017. The essay finds that while Swire Properties showed moderate growth in terms of financial position in 2018 in comparison with 2017, its revenues have dropped by 20.6%. The essay concludes by providing recommendations for improving the financial performance of the company.
Swire Properties Company’s Evaluation Report Introduction Swire Properties is a leading developer, owner, and operator of mixed-used in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Its business consists of three central elements, including property investment, property trading, and hotel investment (Swire Properties 2019). The company was founded in 1972, and it is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited’s main page since 2012 (Swire Properties 2019). Swire Properties developed industrial areas in Hong, such as Taikoo Place and Cityplaza, operates and develops hotels, shopping malls, and offices (Swire Properties 2019). Moreover, the company has an interest in the luxury apartment market in Hong Kong and the US (Swire Properties 2019). However, the primary focus of the company is business-related property in Hong Kong and Mainland China. While robust economic growth positively influenced the real estate industry in Asia and Hong Kong, specifically, the growth of the market is slowing down for a myriad of reasons. On the one hand, the US-China trade conflict, financial sector instability, and the rising cost of borrowing create significant challenges for property companies in Asia (CBRE Research 2019). On the other hand, Hong Kong remains one of the most expensive places to do business (Knight Frank 2019). Since the real income of Hong Kong citizens stagnates, property market demand is expected to go down in 2020, slowing down the development of companies in the industry (Delmendo 2019). The competition in the sector is dense with Agile, Wanda Group, Vanke, and Henderson Land Development being key competitors of the Swire Industry (Owler no date). In short, Swire Properties is facing considerable challenges due to the slowing down of the market and increased competition. The present report aims at evaluating the performance of Swire Properties by comparing its financial performance to Henderson Land Development. The report includes the cash conversion cycle, liquidity analysis, debt and capital structure analysis, customer profitability analysis, and factors that should be considered by the firm on its expansion program. The paper also draws relevant conclusions, provides recommendations concerning the improvements in the financial performance of the company, and acknowledges its limitations. Analysis Summary of Financial Statements Swire Properties demonstrates moderate growth in terms of financial position in 2018 in comparison with 2017. Total equity, including non-controlling interests, grew by 8%, while net debt decreased by 15% (Swire Properties 2019). Net assets are employed primarily by property investment (over 96%), with 2.5% is attributed to hotels and 1.5% to property trading (Swire Properties 2019). In terms of financial performance, revenues in 2018 have dropped by 20.6% in comparison with 2017 (Swire Properties 2019). Even though the income from property investment and hotels increased considerably, revenues from property trading decreased by almost 80% (Swire Properties 2019). At the same time, equity attributed to the company’s shareholders increased by 8.5% in 2018 (Swire Properties 2019). Cash generated from operations decreased 15% in 2018, with a total of HK$11,619 million principally comprised of cash inflows from investment properties (Swire Properties 2019). At the same time, the purchase of property, plant, and equipment together with additions to investment properties dropped by 30%-40% (Swire Properties 2019). The figures in the financial statement can be explained by the fluctuations of the market. Swire Properties seems to have adequately responded to the situation in the industry. The drop in revenues is attributed to a considerable decrease in profits from property trading. The matter reflects the demand for real estate in Hong Kong is low, which was mentioned by Delmendo (2019). Therefore, the company seems to suffer from the consequences of the outside factors, while steadily improving its performance in hotels and property investments. Moreover, the growing price of loans mentioned by CBRE Research (2019) also made the company decrease its net debt to reduce incremental costs. Furthermore, the instability of financial markets may also be the reason for the tendency to decrease the debt to improve control over risk factors. To evaluate how well Swire Properties adjusted to the changes in the industry, it is beneficial to compare the results with another leading company in the segment. Henderson Land Development Ltd. is a leading property group with a focus on Hong Kong and mainland China (Henderson Land 2019). The company has been listed in Hong Kong since 1981, and on December 31, 2018, it had a market capitalization of HK$172 billion (Henderson Land 2019). Even though demand for real estate has decreased considerably in 2018, the company was able to increase its profits by 1% (Henderson Land 2019). Its net asset value increased by 7%, and earnings and dividends per share also grew inconsiderable (Henderson Land 2019). However, the growth was associated with a rise in debt capital by 7%, which negatively affected working capital (Henderson Land 2019). Inventories also grew considerably, which negatively affected the cash conversion cycle index (Henderson Land 2019). In summary, instead of controlling for risk factors, Henderson Land management decided to increase debt to maintain financial performance. The fact that the two companies chose different strategies for addressing the common threats makes the comparison complicated. Considering the absolute values, Swire Properties’ current assets are HK$21,584 million, while Henderson Land’s current assets are HK$134,179 million, which means that Henderson Land can tolerate higher risks. Therefore, the strategies utilized by the companies’ administrations are appropriate. However, Henderson Land’s current assets are mostly in inventory, which may be considered a liability. Further analysis is required to acquire a deeper understanding of Swire Properties’ current performance. Liquidity Analysis and Cash Conversion Cycle Liquidity analysis is critical for acknowledging if a company can meet its short-term obligations. There are two standard ratios used for identifying liquidity of assets, including quick ratio and current ratio. The present report will use only the current ratio to avoid confusion. In terms of these metrics, Swire Properties has improved its position considerably in comparison with the three previous years. Table 1 demonstrates the current liquidity ratio for Swire Properties in 2015-2018. According to the analysis, Swire Properties decreased its current liabilities by 30% and increased its current assets by 61.6% during the last year. During three years before 2018, liquidity of the company’s assets was below 1, which means that the liquidity of assets was questionable. The drastic changes in liquidity of assets may mean that the company acknowledges the increased threats identified by CBRE Research (2019). However, it must be stated that current assets in 2018 include HK$15,526 million as assets classified as held for sale (Swire Properties 2019). Without the sale of non-current assets, liquidity in 2018 would drop to 0.515. Table 1. Swire Properties Current Liquidity Ratio (Swire Properties 2019; 2017; 2015). 2018 2017 2016 2015 Current Assets (mln HK$) $21,584 $13,351 $10,319 $14,941 Current Liabilities (mln HK$) $11,763 $16,795 $15,623 $16,744 Current ratio (mln HK$) 1.834906061 0.79493897 0.660500544 0.892319637 Henderson Land’s performance in terms of liquidity is stable without considerable changes throughout the past four years. The liquidity analysis of the company is to demonstrate that the liquidity of assets remains high. According to Myers and Rajan (1998), however, high liquidity may reduce management’s ability to commit credibly to an investment strategy that protects investors. Therefore, it is recommended that current liquidity revolves around 1 to improve management’s flexibility and ensure the ability to raise cash on short notice (Myers and Rajan 1998). In comparison with Henderson Land, Swire Properties’ performance is significantly lower. Table 2. Henderson Land Current Liquidity Ratio (Henderson Land 2019; 2018; 2016). 2018 2017 2016 2015 Current Assets (mln HK$) 134,179 120,326 120,532 109,259 Current Liabilities (mln HK$) 62,314 50,062 46,037 32,304 Current ratio (mln HK$) 2.153272138 2.403539611 2.618154962 3.382212729 The cash conversion cycle (CCC) is also a vital metric that helps to identify how many days it takes for a company to convert its investments into cash flows from sales. A decreasing trend of CCC analysis for Swire Properties demonstrated in Table 3 suggests that the company’s performance is improving. In comparison with Henderson Land, whose performance is unstable and unpredictable, Swire Properties outperforms its competitor. CCC analysis for Henderson Land is represented in Table 4. While the results of the analysis seem univocal, there is one consideration that should be made. The companies under analysis are real-estate companies, and CCC metrics may be inapplicable to the industry due to their specific characteristics. For instance, Swire Industries shifted its priorities towards investments, which means that its inventory will remain small in comparison with Henderson Land (Swire Properties 2019). Therefore, the metrics should be used with caution due to the limits of their use. Table 3. Swire Properties CCC (Swire Properties 2019; 2017; 2015). 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 Inventory (mln HK$) 1,469 2,300 5,669 7,615 7,979 Cost of Sales (mln HK$) 4,493 7,569 6,486 5,781 DSI 153.09 192.14 373.78 492.29 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES (MLN HK$) 2,401 2,996 2,881 2,848 2,821 Revenue (mln HK$) 14,719 18,558 16,792 16,447 Revenue Per Day (mln HK$) 40.33 50.84 46.01 45.06 DSO 66.92 57.79 62.26 62.90 Accounts Payable (mln HK$) 10,154 7,820 7,845 8,943 7,674 DPO 730.08 377.71 472.37 524.58 CCC -510.07 -127.77 -36.33 30.61 Table 4. Henderson Land CCC (Henderson Land 2019; 2018; 2016). 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 Inventory (mln HK$) 97,177 74,219 78,476 81,556 80,101 Cost of Sales (mln HK$) 7,653 10,618 12,499 10,384 DSI 4087.26 2624.49 2336.65 2841.14 Accounts Receivable (mln HK$) 15,239 17,435 9,973 8,371 8,520 Revenue (mln HK$) 21,982 27,960 25,568 23,641 Revenue Per Day (mln HK$) 60.22 76.60 70.05 64.77 DSO 271.27 178.90 130.94 130.39 Accounts Payable (mln HK$) 27,113 23,525 24,996 19,098 17,304 DPO 1207.56 833.97 643.82 639.77 CCC 3150.97 1969.42 1823.77 2331.76 Debt and Capital Structure Analysis It is vital to assess debt and capital structure to appreciate the possible risks associated with investments in Swire Properties. Two metrics are available for evaluating how liabilities are used to develop a company, including debt to equity ratio and debt to total assets ratio. Table 5 demonstrates how the rate changed during the past four years. The analysis shows a steady downward trend in the use of debt for development purposes. On the one hand, minimized use of debt may be associated with decreased risks of investment. On the other hand, the chosen strategy in terms of the capital structure may mean that the firm’s management may fail to utilize the benefits of debt for increasing profits. However, before concluding, it is beneficial to demonstrate how debt is used by one of Swire Properties’ competitors. Table 5. Swire Properties Debt Analysis (Swire Properties 2019; 2017; 2015). 2018 2017 2016 2015 Total Assets (mln HK$) 333,647 314,309 281,708 272,724 Total Liabilities (mln HK$) 52,356 54,931 54,483 54,775 Total Equity (mln HK$) 281,291 259,378 227,225 217,949 Debt to Total Assets 0.16 0.17 0.19 0.20 Debt to Equity 0.19 0.21 0.24 0.25 As it was mentioned in Section 2.1, Henderson Land utilizes a different approach to the capital structure gradually increasing the role of debt to maintain the growth of profits. Table 6 demonstrates how the discussed ratios were changing during the past four years for the company. The analysis shows that currently, 28% of the company’s assets are paid for with borrowed money. Moreover, the upward trend in the use of borrowed money suggests that the number may continue growing in the future. While the strategy has positively affected the profits (Henderson Land 2019), it may pose considerable threats to the future of the company. As mentioned in Section 1, the Asian market faces the problem of the rapidly increasing cost of debt (Knight Frank 2019). Therefore, Henderson may need to consider controlling for possible risks by gradually decreasing its liabilities and paying off its debts. At the same time, the role of debt is still low and it can afford to continue increasing debt to sustain the growth of profits. Table 6. Henderson Land Debt Analysis (Henderson Land 2019; 2018; 2016). 2018 2017 2016 2015 Total Assets (mln HK$) 441,106 410,998 358,061 336,269 Total Liabilities (mln HK$) 123,114 113,055 89,773 80,000 Total Equity (mln HK$) 317,992 297,943 268,288 256,269 Debt to Total Assets 0.28 0.28 0.25 0.24 Debt to Equity 0.39 0.38 0.33 0.31 Swire Properties and Henderson Land’s capital structure demonstrates two different ways a company can address outside threats. On the one hand, Henderson Land’s use of debt has positively affected the company’s financial performance and secured its steady development even during the period of decreased demand. On the other hand, Swire Properties’ strategy shows an adequate reaction to outside threats, which ensures future stable performance. Comparing the two approaches, Swire Properties seems to be in a more favorable position. The company does not need to act aggressively; instead, it can be more flexible in the choice of development strategy. However, Swire Properties may consider increasing its liabilities to regain its position in property trade, which has decreased considerably. However, considering the changes in Swire Property’s capital structure, it may be stated that the company wants to turn to investments in real estate. Property sale does not seem to be a field of interest, which means that the company will continue to decrease its debt. Instead of suffering from the increased cost of debt, the company decided to use it and lend money to property developers. In summary, Swire Properties is steadily decreasing the role of debt in its capital structure and the trend is expected to proliferate in the nearest future. In comparison with its competitors, the company seems to be in a more favorable position considering the outside threats mentioned in Section 1 of the present report. The analysis of Swire Properties’ capital structure shows that the company’s management has chosen an adequate strategy for development; however, the company may benefit from increased liabilities if it wants to re-enter the property trade market or expand to other markets. Customer Profitability Analysis Swire Industries does not disclose information about its customers; therefore, customer profitability analysis for major customers is impossible. However, the company provides information concerning its revenues in different sectors of customers, which may be beneficial for evaluating the decisions made by the corporate governance. Table 7 provides information about revenues, costs of sale, and profits by segment for the period 2015-2018. The analysis demonstrates that the property investment sector is the most profitable and brings 99% of profits. The hotel sector is associated with losses for the past four years, which may mean that the company would want to consider selling its hotel property to improve its financial performance. However, the analysis demonstrates that the company management decided to decrease its presence in the property trading segment instead. The historical analysis can provide some insights on the matter. Table 7. Swire Properties Customer Profitability Analysis (Swire Properties 2019; 2017; 2015). 2018 2017 2016 2015 Revenues Property Investment (mln HK$) 12,254 11,380 10,902 10,857 Property Trading (mln HK$) 1,061 5,833 4,760 4,463 Hotels (mln HK$) 1,404 1,345 1,130 1,127 Profits Property Investment (mln HK$) 8,732 6,671 5,938 6,231 Property Trading (mln HK$) 99 1,111 1,199 1,089 Hotels(mln HK$) -41 -43 -117 -303 Costs Property Investment (mln HK$) 3,522 4,709 4,964 4,626 Property Trading (mln HK$) 962 4,722 3,561 3,374 Hotels (mln HK$) 1,445 1,388 1,247 1,430 In the years 2015-2017, Swire Properties had a large presence in the property trading market, and in 2018, the company decreased its presence by more than 80%. The matter may be because the cost of sales was growing more rapidly than revenues, which led to stagnation of profits from this customer segment. At the same time, Swire Properties managed to decrease its losses in hotels, which may mean that in the nearest future, the segment will become profitable. The company’s administration seems to have based their decisions on trends rather than on raw numbers, which demonstrates the high qualifications of the executive personnel. To evaluate how the company is performing, it is beneficial to compare its customer profitability with the results of its competitor. Table 8 shows the changes in Henderson Land’s profits, revenues, and costs during the past four years. The analysis revealed that the company’s profitability dropped significantly in property development, which is a reaction to a decreased demand. The results also demonstrate that the increase in profits was due to sales of non-current assets. Even though Henderson Land also operates in the hotel business, it does not report its revenues for the segment and it is included in “other.” The comparison of performance in terms of customer profitability demonstrates that Swire Properties is in a more secure position due to effective administrative decisions. Henderson Land lost 21% of profits on average across the segments, while Swire Properties underperforms only in the property sale sector. Table 8.Henderson Land Customer Profitability Analysis (Henderson Land 2019; 2018; 2016). 2018 2017 2016 2015 Revenues Property Development (mln HK$) 13,335 20,029 17,679 15,690 Property Leasing (mln HK$) 6,020 5,678 5,559 5,589 Department store operation (mln HK$) 1,496 834 871 879 Other (mln HK$) 1,131 1,419 1,459 1,483 Profits Property Development (mln HK$) 5,273 5,459 3,837 4,092 Property Services (mln HK$) 4,520 4,287 4,233 4,129 Department store operation (mln HK$) 296 265 298 301 Other(mln HK$) 705 1,004 696 1,014 Costs Property Development (mln HK$) 8,062 14,570 13,842 11,598 Property Services (mln HK$) 1,500 1,391 1,326 1,460 Department store operation (mln HK$) 1,200 569 573 578 Other (mln HK$) 426 415 763 469 In summary, Swire Properties’ overall performance in terms of customer profitability is satisfactory, considering the historical analysis. Swire Properties’ outperforms Henderson Land in terms of customer profitability since the company utilizes minimum debt for investing in development and its losses in profits decreased only in one segment. Moreover, Swire Properties seem to have made an evidence-based decision to decrease its presence in the property trade sector due to low customer profitability in the segment. At the same time, the company’s administration decided to retain control of hotels due to decreased losses in the last three years. While the decisions seem adequate, the outcomes are unclear, and more data is needed to perform reliable analysis. Working Capital and Long Term Sources of Finance Swire Properties’ performance in terms of working capital has improved considerably in comparison with previous years. Table 9 demonstrates that the company has experienced a significant cash shortage during the previous years. However, since the company sold some of its non-current assets, it was able to address the problem. Without the sale mentioned in Section 2.2, the company would have suffered from the inability to cover its liabilities even though the profitability of the company is high. Historical analysis of working capital demonstrates that decreasing its presence on the property sale market was a forced decision since the company needed cash to cover its liabilities. Table 9. Swire Properties Working Capital (Swire Properties 2019; 2017; 2015). 2018 2017 2016 2015 Current Assets (mln HK$) 21,584 13,351 10,319 14,941 Current Liabilities (mln HK$) 11,763 16,795 15,623 16,744 Working Capital (mln HK$) 9,821 -3,444 -5,304 -1,803 In comparison with Henderson Land, however, Swire Properties is underperforming in terms of working capital. Table 10 provides historical data about Henderson Land’s working capital during the past four years. The analysis shows that Henderson Land has managed to improve its performance over the analyzed period steadily. Even though percentage-wise working capital’s growth of Swire Properties is considerably faster, Henderson Land’s performance is more stable, and its nominal working capital is significantly higher. While the recent changes in the ratio a positive, the company’s administration needs to make sure that they can sustain the performance during the following years. While the company may increase its current liabilities to boost its current assets, it is vital not to run out of cash. Table 10. Henderson Land Working Capital (Henderson Land 2019; 2018; 2016). 2018 2017 2016 2015 Current Assets (mln HK$) 134,179 120,326 120,532 109,259 Current Liabilities (mln HK$) 62,314 50,062 46,037 32,304 Working Capital (mln HK$) 71,865 70,264 74,495 76,955 Swire Properties may also consider setting up expansion programs, which can improve the company’s stability in terms of financial performance. Even though the firm has assets in the United States, they are inconsiderable, and their impact on the company’s performance is limited. Therefore, the company can benefit from expanding its influence outside Asia to control the risks associated with the region. However, long-term sources of finance are needed to ensure that the company has enough funds to cover expansion costs. The most efficient way of addressing the problem is usually by plowing back on profits. However, the company is already using retained profits for development. In 2018, the company retained HK$23,752 million, while paying only HK$4,914 million in dividends (Swire Properties 2019). Therefore, the method is inapplicable for financing expansion programs. At the same time, Swire Properties could raise money by issuing equity shares or preference shares. However, the method is costly because tax reduction is not applied in this case. The most appropriate method for addressing the problem with funding expansion is through loans from financial organizations. The company has a low debt to equity ratio, which means that it can afford to take more loans to boost its performance. Moreover, tax deductions may be applied to the interest on loans, which makes it a cheaper way of getting enough funds. Therefore, Swire Properties should consider loans from financial organizations as a primary way of raising funds for expansion programs. However, before starting such a program, Swire Properties should consider external risk factors, such as increased tension in China-USA relationships, which may limit the efficiency of such endeavors. Conclusion and Recommendations Summary of Findings Swire Properties has experienced considerable changes in its financial performance and position in 2018. External and internal factors made the company decrease its presence in the property sale segment and sell some of its long-term assets. Among external factors, increased cost of debt, international conflicts, and financial sector instability made the company limit the use of debt to control for the risk factors. The internal factors include unstable performance in terms of liquidity, and working capital made the company’s administration take measures to make sure that the company has enough funds to cover its current liabilities. Customer profitability analysis demonstrates that increased cost of sales in the property sale segment has pushed the company to focus on investments, which had considerable implications on short-term assets and profits. The comparative analysis demonstrates that Swire industries underperform in all spheres except for the debt to equity ratio. However, recent changes should be evaluated to provide a complete picture of the company’s performance. Even though the company’s management faces multiple challenges, it has made a decisive move, which may positively affect the company in the nearest future. The positive influence of these decisions may be seen in Swire Properties’ financial statement for the 2018 fiscal year. For the first time in four years, the company’s working capital is a positive number, and the liquidity ratio is above 1. However, it is unclear if the company will be able to maintain its current performance. In short, the results of the evaluation are indecisive, and further assessment is needed to make any relevant predictions. Recommendations The analysis revealed several weak points of the company’s performance, which need to be addressed to maintain its stable performance. First, the company Swire Properties should continue to pay close attention to its working capital and asset liquidity using all the available tools. Second, the firm may consider revising its capital structure to use more debt to increase profit. The borrowed money may be used for expansion programs outside Asia to control for risk factors associated with the region. However, any borrowings should be considered with caution due to the instability of world politics. Third, the company may need to sell its hotels since the segment has been lossmaking for the past four years. These recommendations may help to improve Swire Properties’ performance in the long run. As for recommendations for the investors, the analysis demonstrates that investments in the company’s shares are associated with medium risk. On the one hand, asset liquidity and working capital ratios are low, which implies that the company is unstable. On the other hand, the capital structure suggests that the risks associated with investing in the company are limited. However, it is recommended that all the investments are made after the annual report for 2019 is published to make sure that the company can sustain the positive changes that occurred in 2018. Reference List CBRE Research (2019) Real estate market outlook 2019. Web. Delmendo, L. (2019) ‘ Hong Kong’s red-hot property market ’, Global Property Guide . Web. Knight Frank (2019). Road to regaining balance? Hong-Kong office market in 2020 . Web. Henderson Land Development Ltd. (2019). Annual report 2018. Web. Henderson Land Development Ltd. (2018). Annual report 2017. Web. Henderson Land Development Ltd. (2018). Annual report 2015. Web. Myers, S. C. and Rajan, R. G. (1998) ‘The paradox of liquidity’, The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 113(3), pp. 733–771. Web. Owler (no date) Swire Properties’s competitors, revenue, number of employees, funding and acquisitions. Web. Swire Properties (2019) Annual report 2018 . Web. Swire Properties (2017) Annual report 2016 . Web. Swire Properties (2015 ) Annual report 2014 . Web.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The paper develops a strategic plan based on a swot analysis for the H&M apparel company, providing examples of growth strategies that will help it to reach out to online-sales markets.StrategiesThe paper develops a strategic plan based on a swot analysis for the H&M apparel company, providing examples of growth strategies that will help it to reach out to online-sales markets.
The paper develops a strategic plan based on a swot analysis for the H&M apparel company, providing examples of growth strategies that will help it to reach out to online-sales markets. Strategies The paper develops a strategic plan based on a swot analysis for the H&M apparel company, providing examples of growth strategies that will help it to reach out to online-sales markets.
SWOT Analysis and Intensive Growth Strategies, H&M Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Background 3. SWOT Analysis 4. Strategies 5. Conclusion 6. References Introduction SWOT analysis is a strategic planning method that is often applied in product marketing. According to Gürel and Tat (2017), it is used to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the internal environment, as well as opportunities and threats of the external environment influencing the businesses. Scientists also emphasize that “strategic management is the process of creating, implementing and evaluating decisions that enable an organization to achieve its objectives” (Gürel & Tat, 2017, p. 994). This paper aims to develop a strategic plan based on a SWOT analysis for the H&M apparel company, providing examples of growth strategies that will help it to reach out to online-sales markets. Background The proliferation of online shopping has changed the clothing store businesses significantly. Clothing stores are massively moving to online-sector to maintain a high level of sales and production. Strategic business planning is used while developing growth strategies for market penetration, market development, product development, and related diversification to make this move even more beneficial. When speaking of H&M’s market penetration strategy, one should consider that currently, H&M sells online only on the brand website, localized for several countries. The effective market penetration strategy is highly beneficial for the competitive advantage of a company. Chandola and Fu (2017) note that “new international strategies involve product innovation and adaptation, pricing tactics along with Integrated Market Communications to target market different from one’s home market” (p. 10). It may require certain efforts and costs for the business, but with the competent use of efforts, they will pay off handsomely. SWOT Analysis The external opportunities and threats should be considered when applying the SWOT analysis. Nowadays, the most extensive opportunities for direct sales are provided by social networks – Instagram, Facebook, with their new simplified payment method Libra, and Twitter. The principal and only potential threat to the company is non-entry into this market. Whereas, the company’s great strength regarding the internal environment is that it already has its pages on social networks. Wherein its weakness is that it is impossible to order or buy goods there. It also makes sense to create brand pages within the local social media in countries where the number of people who use social media exceeds 500 thousand subscribers. Besides, the social media pages should be localized, and presented in the maximum number of languages, just like the company’s brand websites. At the moment, H&M stores can be found in shopping centers in Europe and North America. Yet, there is an opportunity that online demand for its products will be much higher. Besides, H&M should consider online markets of faraway countries with developed social infrastructure. These are countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Sudan, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. The online markets of Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico also have rich potential. H&M will easily find its niche on Amazon.com, selling in the American and European markets as the delivery services of this platform work only with these territories. Aliexpress.org and Alibaba.com marketplaces should also be discovered since the H&M production is not represented well on these Chinese platforms that attract millions of customers every day. Even though the Swedish brand H&M has its production facilities in China. Strategies Presumably, H&M should enter all possible local marketplaces that are having more than 1 million users. According to Alkasim, Hilman, and Bohari (2018), “market development and product development improve the competitive advantage and enhance the performance of manufacturing” (p. 133). Scientists emphasize that manufacturing is the engine of economic growth and development, not only in the developing economies, but in developed countries as well (Alkasim et al., 2018). It is because manufacturing enterprises make a significant contribution to job creation, technology growth, GDP growth, and reduction of poverty. The key opportunity for market development on the new markets described above is their enormous size and high purchasing capability of potential customers. At the same time, the lack of access to technology among potential buyers is a critical threat to H&M’s online business (Martini, Budhiasa, & Soares, 2017). H&M’s main internal strength is the broad recognition of the brand. That is why the strategy of the market development will be traditional in terms of reaching the audience. The weakness of the H&M brand is the lack of an established scheme for online sales on marketplaces and social media platforms. It also lacks experience in working with a broad and multinational audience. The H&M brand was established in 1947, and buyers love it for its traditional values. The H&M Group brand family includes H&M, COS (casual), Weekday (casual), Monki (young women casual), H&M HOME (interior brand), & Other Stories (accessories), ARKET (classical), Afound (outlet, online in Sweden). The strategy of eco-friendly product development should be applied to make the brand even more desirable among customers. According to scientists, it will have a positive effect on product development effectiveness, given that there are “increasing levels of municipalities in the business environment” (Katsikeas, Leonidou, & Zeriti, 2016, p.660). However, the importance of eco-friendly focus will weaken in highly complex business conditions. Diversification of a brand when entering new online markets brings a lot of opportunities. It makes sense to diversify monochrome collections, which some buyers may attribute to the brand’s weaknesses, and develop specific lines for Asian countries like Japan and South Korea that would correlate with the local fashion trends. For countries of South America (Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina) and Africa (Republic of South Africa, Nigeria, Sudan, and Egypt), H&M should provide more diversity in summer clothing. Moreover, the colors of all the lines could be diversified to become more appropriate for various climatic and environmental conditions. When developing clothing and accessory lines, H&M should also consider that most buyers use technologies such as smartphones, tablets, selfie sticks, smartwatches, shoulder bracelets for running, and action cameras. After all, the sleek design of the H&M brand clothing, as well as the prevailing casual style, combine perfectly with technology. Conclusion Thus, a strategic plan based on a SWOT analysis was developed for H&M, and examples of growth strategies that will help the apparel company gain its share of online-sales markets were provided. To summarize it, the key opportunities of online-sales include the enormous size of this market and the high purchasing capacity of its customers. And the main threat of online-sales business is the lack of access to technology among customers. Besides, the critical weakness of the H&M brand is the lack of an established scheme for online sales on marketplaces and social media platforms. It also lacks experience in working with a broad and multinational audience. Wherein, its main strengths are explicit brand recognition and powerful traditions. References Alkasim, S. B., Hilman, H., & bin Bohari, A. M. (2018). The mediating effect of competitive strategy on the relationship between market development, product development, and performance of manufacturing-based SMEs in Nigeria. Journal of Business and Retail Management Research, 12 (2), 133-143. Chandola, V. K., & Fu, H. (2017). Market penetration strategy of smartphone companies from China for India market: A multiple-case study. International Journal of Business Marketing and Management , 2 (4), 10-16. Gürel, E., & Tat, M. (2017). SWOT analysis: A theoretical review. Journal of International Social Research , 10 (51), 994-1006. Katsikeas, C. S., Leonidou, C. N., & Zeriti, A. (2016). Eco-friendly product development strategy: Antecedents, outcomes, and contingent effects. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science , 44 (6), 660-684. Martini, L. B., Budhiasa, S., & Soares, A. (2017). Anticipated effort in modern growth of traditional market development strategy in Bali Indonesia. International Journal of Social Science and Economics Invention , 3 (08), 154-158.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: Zara is a large apparel retailer working worldwide. The company is associated with fast fashion and produces clothing, accessories, shoes, swimwear, and perfumes. Zara has successfully resisted the strategic consumer behavior when customers delay purchasing of products until products are marked down and encourage consumers to buy the products at full price. However, there are still several areas to work on for Zara.
Zara is a large apparel retailer working worldwide. The company is associated with fast fashion and produces clothing, accessories, shoes, swimwear, and perfumes. Zara has successfully resisted the strategic consumer behavior when customers delay purchasing of products until products are marked down and encourage consumers to buy the products at full price. However, there are still several areas to work on for Zara.
SWOT Analysis and Intensive Strategies for Zara Essay Introduction Zara is one of the companies owned by the Inditex Group, a large apparel retailer working worldwide. Zara is based in Arteixo (A Coruña) in Galicia, Spain, where the first Zara store was opened in 1975 (Wang, 2018). The company is associated with fast fashion and produces clothing, accessories, shoes, swimwear, and perfumes. It is believed that Zara has managed to launch around 10,000 new designs each year with only two weeks to develop a new product on average (Wang, 2018). Although this strategy helped to expand the company worldwide and make it a leader on the global market, it is important to continue developing new growth strategies as well as analyzing all opportunities and areas to work on. SWOT Analysis and Intensive Strategies for Zara SWOT Analysis Being the flagship company of the Inditex Group, Zara understands customer’s needs and desires. The Inditex Group has a vertical integration business model, which is a primary strength (Aftab et al., 2018). The production and distribution are fulfilled by the group subsidiaries, which helps reduce time to market and gives control over the whole process (Aftab et al., 2018). The innovative analysis of the best-selling products is one of the main strengths of the company (Wang, 2018). Thus, Zara is also able to adapt to the customer’s wishes extremely fast and change the company’s offer. Target prices are affordable and usually are 15% lower than Zara’s competitors’ offer (Aftab et al., 2018). Due to vertical integration, it is easier for Zara to control the production cost so that the target prices can be achieved. Merchandising strategy is also one of the main strengths of the company. The assortment in stores is frequently rotated, and the display stores are sparsely stocked (Aftab et al., 2018). It helps to successfully resist the strategic consumer behavior when “customers delay purchasing of products until products are marked down and encourage consumers to buy the products at full price” (Aftab et al., 2018, p. 215). Another strength of the company is that Zara practices eco-friendly environmental strategies. Development of related areas of sustainability and awareness are also crucial factors of Zara’s progress (Anwar, 2017). For example, 100% of the energy consumed in Zara.com’s facilities comes from renewable sources (“Green Web”). Thus, all the above mentioned makes Zara one of the leading apparel retailers in the world. Despite the substantial progress, there are still several areas to work on for Zara. The company owns 11 factories, most of them positioned in and around Zara’s headquarters in Arteixo, Northern Spain (Aftab et al., 2018). It means that the production there requires higher costs due to higher wage rates in Europe. It is also difficult for Zara to target markets in the developing countries as the prices are higher in comparison with the Chinese retailers (Anwar, 2017). No advertising policy can also be a weakness during global expansion. According to Ivanov et al. (2019), their “marketing is minimized, as Zara sees all promotion activities as distracting for the customer” (p. 83). However, additional marketing efforts might be necessary for the company in the future. The company is still aimed at global expansion, and new markets are new opportunities. Nowadays, Zara is already global with a presence in Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, part of Asia, and in Australia (Anwar, 2017). However, the company’s presence is limited in all those areas except Europe (Anwar, 2017). Developing new destination markets is a perfect opportunity to grow further as a global company. However, Zara has to invest in marketing if the brand wants to strengthen its global presence. Another opportunity for Zara is the E-commerce sector, which is growing extremely fast. It is a known fact that more and more people prefer buying online. If Zara keeps pace with the online retail trends, it will be another opportunity to grow (Anwar, 2017). Thus, although Zara is already a popular global brand, it is possible to find more ways to develop. However, it is important to keep in mind that there might be specific business problems in the future if the threats are not considered. Although e-commerce was mentioned as an opportunity for Zara, it can also be a threat. If this issue is not addressed correctly, online retailers might add to the existing number of competitors (Anwar, 2017). A “throw-away” concept used by Zara can also be a threat since the world is facing the problem of over-consumption. A throw-away concept implies that clothes are not worn more than ten times (Wang, 2018). Growing awareness about the over-consumption might contribute to lowering sales numbers. Another threat arises from Zara being a follower and not a trendsetter (Wang, 2018). The copyright problems might hurt the business if imitations of other brands are produced. Growth Strategies It was mentioned before that Zara is in control of the whole production process for all its stores. It makes it easier for them to adjust prices in the existing markets in order to gain more dominance. Probably, Zara should transfer most of its production for developing countries to Asia. Reducing costs will help to strengthen Zara’s presence in developing countries. However, another strategy might be applied for market penetration in Europe. The number of competitors is growing, and probably the idea of “no advertising” is already not working. Much research should be done to define whether it is correct before launching any large marketing campaigns. New marketing strategies should be considered for Europe and the U.S. markets. Taking into account that Zara’s position is strong in Europe, it is necessary to broaden its presence in developing countries. For example, Zara’s presence is very limited in Africa, with only Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and Algeria included (Anwar, 2017). Thoroughly considering the situation in other African countries, it might be necessary to open stores there to strengthen Zara’s presence on all continents. In South America, Argentina is not included, whereas it can be a promising opportunity (Anwar, 2017). Thus, it is necessary to introduce market development strategies oriented on strengthening Zara’s position on all continents. As far as product-development strategies on current markets are concerned, it is necessary to apply different approaches depending on the country. Considering the fact of over-consumption awareness in Europe, it is important to stress the sustainability of the brand. Eco-friendly, sustainable collections should be produced for Europe and the U.S. Whereas, in developing countries, it might be necessary to introduce Zara to different segments, creating affordable collections and standard collections. Thus, a product diversification strategy should be applied for African and Asian markets. Conclusion Zara company has already achieved much success worldwide, having a presence on almost all continents. Due to the vertical integration business model, Zara is able to control all aspects of production, and this is the company’s major strength. However, no advertising policy, throw-away policy, and online retailers are significant threats to Zara’s successful future. It is necessary to keep up to date with e-commerce, use diversification strategy, and introduce new sustainable collections in order to beat the competitors. References Aftab, M. A., Yuanjian, Q., Kabir, N., & Barua, Z. (2018). Super Responsive Supply Chain: The Case of Spanish Fast Fashion Retailer Inditex-Zara. International Journal of Business and Management, 13 (5), 212-227. Anwar, S. T. (2017). Zara vs. Uniqlo: Leadership strategies in the competitive textile and apparel industry. Global Business and Organizational Excellence, 36 (5), 26-35. Green Web , (2020). Web. Ivanov, D., Tsipoulanidis, A., & Schönberger, J. (2019). Operations and Supply Chain Strategy. In Global Supply Chain and Operations Management (pp. 81-110). Springer, Cham. Wang, Y. (2018). An Exploratory Study of Brand Strategy in Fast Fashion Brand–Using Zara as an Example. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research , 233, 648-651.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: Patient's AssessmentDuring my practicum experience, a 27 year-old-woman presented to the office with endometriosis. The patient noted severe pelvic pain during the first day of her menstrual cycle that was also present during ovulation. The woman also reported heavy irregular bleeding during menstruation and occasional spotting before periods. The symptoms are common of endometriosis; pelvic exam and laparoscopy were used to confirm the diagnosis. The patient had a significant family history as her mother has had endometriosis for several years; her sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago. The selected drug therapy and treatment was danazol 200mg daily in 2 divided doses for three months; the use of oral contraceptives was suggested. Follow-up care included regular rechecking to avoid worsening of symptoms, as well as laboratory tests every six months to eliminate the risk of endometrial cancer.
Patient's Assessment During my practicum experience, a 27 year-old-woman presented to the office with endometriosis. The patient noted severe pelvic pain during the first day of her menstrual cycle that was also present during ovulation. The woman also reported heavy irregular bleeding during menstruation and occasional spotting before periods. The symptoms are common of endometriosis; pelvic exam and laparoscopy were used to confirm the diagnosis. The patient had a significant family history as her mother has had endometriosis for several years; her sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago. The selected drug therapy and treatment was danazol 200mg daily in 2 divided doses for three months; the use of oral contraceptives was suggested. Follow-up care included regular rechecking to avoid worsening of symptoms, as well as laboratory tests every six months to eliminate the risk of endometrial cancer.
Endometriosis Symptoms and Treatment Modalities Essay Table of Contents 1. Patient’s Assessment 2. Treatment Modalities 3. Conclusion 4. References The paper features a discussion on the patient showing the symptoms of endometriosis, as well as the differences between treatment modalities for endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and amenorrhea. The report presents the chosen drug therapy and the follow-up care plan. The paper stresses the significance of proper assessment and diagnosis and concludes that errors during patient evaluation may result in poor health outcomes due to the differences in treatment for the mentioned conditions. Patient’s Assessment During my practicum experience, a 27 year-old-woman presented to the office with endometriosis. The patient noted severe pelvic pain during the first day of her menstrual cycle that was also present during ovulation. The woman also reported heavy irregular bleeding during menstruation and occasional spotting before periods. The symptoms are common of endometriosis; pelvic exam and laparoscopy were used to confirm the diagnosis (“Endometriosis,” 2016; Schuiling & Likis, 2017). The patient had a significant family history as her mother has had endometriosis for several years; her sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago. The selected drug therapy and treatment was danazol 200mg daily in 2 divided doses for three months; the use of oral contraceptives was suggested (Tharpe, Farley, & Jordan, 2017). Follow-up care included regular rechecking to avoid worsening of symptoms, as well as laboratory tests every six months to eliminate the risk of endometrial cancer. Treatment Modalities It is vital to note that although the primary objective of care is to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of the patient’s life, treatment modalities for endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and amenorrhea differ. According to Tharpe et al. (2017), endometriosis may be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, medications, surgical interventions such as oophorectomy, as well as hormonal contraceptives and other medications. Treatment options for ovarian cysts include ovarian cystectomy, removing the fallopian tube, and the use of hormonal contraceptives to prevent the disease from recurring (Villines, 2018). Moreover, in cases when there are no symptoms and the cyst is small and fluid-filled, there is no need for interventions as it may disappear within several months. As for amenorrhea, which is characterized by the absence of menstruation, the treatment plan should be based on the possible causes of the condition. It may include changes in diet, psychological counseling, thyroxine-based treatment, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and oral contraceptives in case of polycystic ovary failure (Nordqvist, 2018). It is vital to consider the implications of these differences during diagnosis and treatment to ensure excellent patient outcomes. First, it is crucial to perform a detailed patient assessment to ensure that the diagnosis is correct. For example, both endometriosis and ovarian cysts may be associated with pelvic pain during menstruation or sexual intercourse, so it is necessary to implement pelvic examination, ultrasound investigation, and laboratory tests to distinguish between these conditions. Second, the differences presented treatment options suggest that each of the diseases require a specific approach and it is vital to avoid misdiagnosis. Errors during assessment may result in unnecessary medical prescriptions and surgical interventions, which can lead to poor patient outcomes. Conclusion Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and amenorrhea require different treatment options, which means that it is vital to perform a proper patient examination to avoid misdiagnosis and medical errors. To do so, a caregiver should implement laboratory tests, ultrasound investigation, and pelvic exam, as well as consider each of the presented symptoms. These measures will allow eliminating unnecessary surgical interventions and medical prescriptions, which will improve patient outcomes. References Endometriosis. (2016). Web. Nordqvist, C. (2018). What is amenorrhea? Web. Schuiling, K. D., & Likis, F. E. (2017). Women’s gynecologic health (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Tharpe, N. L., Farley, C., & Jordan, R. G. (2017). Clinical practice guidelines for midwifery & women’s health (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Villines, Z. (2018). Home remedies for ovarian cyst symptoms . Web.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The purpose of this study is to investigate the existing literature on the enforced extraction of the first permanent molars and its outcomes. The present research focuses on scholarly articles, including recent ones that present exhaustive information on the phenomenon under consideration.The results of the study demonstrate that the enforced extraction of the first permanent molars is a common practice that can have both positive and negative effects. On the one hand, it can help to prevent caries and MIH, while on the other hand, it
The purpose of this study is to investigate the existing literature on the enforced extraction of the first permanent molars and its outcomes. The present research focuses on scholarly articles, including recent ones that present exhaustive information on the phenomenon under consideration. The results of the study demonstrate that the enforced extraction of the first permanent molars is a common practice that can have both positive and negative effects. On the one hand, it can help to prevent caries and MIH, while on the other hand, it
Systematic Review of Enforced Extraction of the First Permanent Molars Research Paper Introduction Dental caries is the most common disease in the world, affecting people’s health (Ozdemir, 2014). At the same time, the first permanent molars (FPM) are the teeth that are the most impacted by this condition in the permanent dentition. It happens because an FPM is the first from the permanent teeth erupted in the mouth (Saber et al., 2018). In addition to caries, molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is another condition that influences teeth, and especially it affects children. The MIH “varies in clinical severity and can result in early loss of the permanent 6-year molars” (Mathu-Muju & Wright, 2006, p. 604). Thus, the impact of dental caries and MIH on the FPMs can result in their enforced extraction. Furthermore, the removal of the FPMs can be justified by the need to relieve the crowding and create space in the mouth (Ong & Bleakley, 2010). Additional factors include hypoplastic, preapical pathoses, skeletal malocclusions, and anterior open bite malocclusion (Ong & Bleakley, 2010). It demonstrates that many cases can lead to the necessity to extract the FPMs. Even though the information above proves that the FPMs extraction is obligatory in some cases, Saber et al. (2018) argue that it is necessary to consider a few factors before this intervention. They include pulp maturation, the attitude of the child’s parents, pain severity, the level of tooth destruction, the ability to withstand local anesthesia, and others (Saber et al., 2018). Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the existing literature on the enforced extraction of the first permanent molars and its outcomes. The present research focuses on scholarly articles, including recent ones that present exhaustive information on the phenomenon under consideration. Material and Methods Eligibility Criteria To begin with, one should mention that the present research has analyzed ten scholarly articles on the topic. Nine of them focus on the FPMs and their extraction, and the study by Ozdemir (2014) deals with dental caries and its consequences, which is necessary for presenting background information for the research. The articles were selected according to the credibility of data, while no significant attention was drawn to the year of publication. It has resulted in the fact that a few remote articles are included. It refers to the works by Abu Aihaija, McSheny, and Richardson (2000) and Richardson (1979). Even though the two studies are considered outdated, they present useful information. Thus, Richardson (1979) investigated 43 cases to emphasize “a tendency for the overbite and overjet to increase with associated retroclination of lower and proclination of upper incisors” (p. 85). At the same time, the study by Abu Aihaija et al. (2000) is essential for the research because the scholars carefully analyze the consequences of the extraction for the position of the other teeth. Data Collection The Rayyan website was the primary resource for the collection of data. Initially, it offered 4,627 articles on enforced extraction of the FPM. Among them, 4,596 items were excluded because of various reasons, including animal studies, wrong study designs, duplicates, and others. As for the other 31 works, 22 of them were included, and they were carefully read to determine whether they are suitable for the given research. Consequently, the Rayyan website has provided this research with five open-access studies. It refers to the works by Ashley, Derrick, and Teo (2015), Booji et al. (2011), Jälevik and Möller (2007), Richardson (1979), and Teo, Ashley, Parekh, and Noar (2013). At the same time, the other five articles were found with the help of Google Scholar. The website generated more than 21,000 results, and a crucial task was to find suitable articles among them. That is why the studies were assessed individually to determine whether they meet the research requirements. This approach has brought the studies by Abu Aihaija et al. (2000), Mathu-Muju and Wright (2006), Ong and Bleakley (2010), Ozdemir (2014), and Saber et al. (2018). As a result, ten credible articles were included among approximately 25,627 variants. Source of Material All the articles above have been selected via two large databases. The search through the Rayyan website was conducted in 2018, while Google Scholar has been monitored in 2020. That is why it is not a surprise that the studies cover a significant lifespan and represent an essential portion of the research. While most articles have been created in the 21 st century, one study was published in 1979 (Richardson, 1979). This fact indicates that the given research focuses on the literature that presents 40 years of investigation on the extraction of the FPMs and its possible effects. Risk of Bias in Individual Studies In general, every individual study implies a danger because its author or authors can be biased by their own opinions concerning the issue or separate examples. Thus, scholars need to do their best to avoid or overcome such biases. One of the best variants to achieve it is to focus on large samples since it allows to identify a more balanced and reliable picture. If scientists consider a relatively small number of examples, there exists a risk that these examples support a particular point of view, rather than present a common situation. Thus, the articles by Abu Aihaija et al. (2000) and Jälevik and Möller (2007) are said to have a higher risk of bias because they consider 28 and 27 patients, correspondingly. Consequently, the risk is the lowest in the study by Booji et al. (2011) with 100 patient records. Numerous participants of the study denote that its results tend to reflect the actual state of affairs. Consequently, the other articles also imply a bias of an appropriate level that depends on the materials that they use. Information Sources In addition to that, the given articles are worth considering because they are based on credible and reliable information sources. Each of the studies focuses on a literature review on the topic. In general, the information comes from primary sources represented by peer-reviewed journal articles. It is so because these sources of data are regularly created by specialists who want to distribute their knowledge among their colleagues. Most of them are timely, while a few outdated studies are still significant because they offer essential information on the phenomenon. Thus, the given state of affairs shows that the present research is based on information that comes from primary sources. Search Strategy Finally, it is necessary to comment on the search strategy that has led to the current results. The Rayyan website was used to search for articles that would discuss the enforced extraction of the FPMs and its effects. The titles of studies were the primary indicators that described the content of works. Then, it was reasonable to read abstracts to determine whether the article was suitable for the given research. The preference was given to those articles that offered open access. At the same time, the absence of abstracts and the unavailability of full texts resulted in the fact that four initially identified studies were excluded. Thus, the flow chart below demonstrates how ten credible articles have been found. References Abu Aihaija, E. S., McSheny, P. F., & Richardson, A. (2000). A cephalometric study of the effect of extraction of lower first permanent molars. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, 24 (3), 195-198. Ashley, P. F., Derrick, D., & Teo, T. K.-Y. (2015). Lower first permanent molars: Developing better predictors of spontaneous space closure. The European Journal of Orthodontics, 38 (1), 1-6. Booji, J. W., Goeke, J., Bronkhorst E. M., Pancherz, H., Ruf, S., & Katsaros, C. (2011). Overjet correction and space closure mechanisms for Class II treatment by extracting the maxillary first molars. Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics, 72 (3) , 196-203. Jälevik, B., & Möller, M. (2007). Evaluation of spontaneous space closure and development of permanent dentition after extraction of hypomineralized permanent first molars. International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, 17 (5) , 328-335. Mathu-Muju, K., & Wright, J. T. (2006). Diagnosis and treatment of molar incisor hypomineralization. Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, 27 (11), 604-610. Ong, D. V., & Bleakley, J. E. (2010). Compromised first permanent molars: an orthodontic perspective. Australian Dental Journal, 55 (1) , 2-14. Ozdemir, D. (2014). Dental caries: The most common disease worldwide and preventive strategies. Journal of Educational and Instructional Studies in the World, 4 (4), 20-24. Richardson, A. (1979). Spontaneous changes in the incisor relationship following extraction of lower first permanent molars. British Journal of Orthodontics, 6 (2), 85-90. Saber, A. M., Altoukhi, D. H., Horaib, M. F., El-Housseiny, A. A., Alamoudi, N. M., & Sabbagh, H. J. (2018). Consequences of early extraction of compromised first permanent molar: A systematic review. BMC Oral Health, 18 (1). Web. Teo, T. K., Ashley, P. F., Parekh, S., & Noar, J. (2013). The evaluation of spontaneous space closure after the extraction of first permanent molars. European Archives of Pediatric Dentistry, 14 (4), 207-212.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The purpose of this work is to develop a relevant training programme for the HR department of Adidas to improve the quality of talent management, thereby enhancing productivity.The activities of HR specialists include not only assessing employees but also developing a relevant training programme for the HR department to improve the quality of talent management, thereby enhancing productivity.
The purpose of this work is to develop a relevant training programme for the HR department of Adidas to improve the quality of talent management, thereby enhancing productivity. The activities of HR specialists include not only assessing employees but also developing a relevant training programme for the HR department to improve the quality of talent management, thereby enhancing productivity.
Talent Management in Adidas: HR Training Programme Essay Introduction The effectiveness and productivity of most international business enterprises depend not only on competent approaches to managing assets and available resources but also on the quality of employees’ work. Hiring specialists of an appropriate profile is the task of the human resources (HR) department. The professionalism of the members of this sector largely affects companies’ success. One of the strategies promoted by HR specialists today is talent management expressed in retaining potentially valuable subordinates and motivating their high-performance work. However, despite the goals and objectives that the supreme managerial staff sets for the HR department, employees of this field sometimes neglect important operational strategies, which, in turn, affects the productivity of firms and the employees’ dissatisfaction with their job conditions. As an object of review, the HR sector of the international Adidas corporation will be considered, and the analysis of this organisation’s activities will be carried out in the framework of talent management as an important and integral HR practice. Adidas is a German sales concern that specialises in the manufacture and marketing of sportswear and accessories worldwide. This corporation also includes the Reebok trademark, which is another world-famous brand. The company is considered multinational since it has branches in different parts of the world and provides services to residents of all continents. According to the 2018 official report, Adidas’ total sales were approximately €21.915 billion, which is an extremely high indicator ( Profile , no date). Nevertheless, despite its popularity, the company is forced to overcome a competitive barrier regularly because the sportswear and equipment industry is in demand in the market. According to official statistics, such brands as Nike, New Balance, Puma and some other trademarks are Adidas’ leading competitors, and consumers are well aware of all these corporations ( Adidas competitors , 2020). Accordingly, this multinational organisation in question needs an impeccable reputation and highly professional and creative employees who can promote the Adidas label in the international arena. The purpose of this work is to develop a relevant training programme for the HR department of Adidas to improve the quality of talent management, thereby enhancing productivity. This plan will need to be implemented in all branches since products are sold at outlets around the world. Managing worker motivation and engagement is a significant aspect of the company’s business success, and stimulating HR initiatives in Adidas is a valuable practice in the context of achieving the highest position in the global trading arena. Design The work of the HR team in Adidas is important in view of the number of tasks that this department solves. The activities of HR specialists include not only assessing employees’ professional potential and controlling the hiring of qualified labour but also introducing relevant strategies for staff engagement and stimulating productive work aimed at achieving the company’s intermediate goals. In this regard, it is essential to analyse the learning needs of the employees of this profile and determine which area of ​​work deserves particular attention as a weak and insufficiently advanced field of activity of the department. For this purpose, the current performance of the corporation will be evaluated in the context of existing gaps in HR practices. According to the official report of 2017, Adidas makes many efforts to test and implement valuable personnel management methods, for instance, involves subordinates to interact on a special online platform where interested parties can evaluate and discuss specific work issues – salaries, career topics and other themes ( Group management report – our company , 2017). However, this initiative may not be enough to assess the success of the HR sector comprehensively. Learning Needs Analysis Since the corporation is large and world-famous, monitoring the activities of employees is not an easy task. In addition, the situation is complicated by the fact that Adidas has branches in different countries, and the processes of performance control and the interaction of management with subordinates are difficult. Bird (2019) notes that for some teams, it is not easy to work in conditions of dynamic and flexible market trends, and the lack of motivation is manifested. As a result, a decrease in labour performance and low-income indicators are direct consequences of such a gap, which is unacceptable in the context of competition in the sportswear and equipment market. According to Etim and Uford (2019), such key business parameters as customer loyalty and brand recognition are directly dependent on the professionalism of employees involved in the distribution and advertising of products. In case teams cannot provide sufficient interest to potential customers due to unwillingness to take the initiative, this is fraught with the loss of market positions. Therefore, as the learning needs for the Adidas HR team, managing employee motivation and engagement is defined in the context of existing gaps. A learning needs analysis is an important process that can help improve the performance of any business organisation, including Adidas. As Cascio and Boudreau (2016) note, learning is inextricably linked to development, and addressing specific gaps in operational activities is the first step to resolving problems. Meyers et al . (2019) add that HRs’ learning agility should be a mandatory professional property since the personnel management sphere is a dynamic environment with constantly changing trends and approaches that are essential to implement timely competently. In the case of Adidas, addressing relevant learning needs was carried out on the basis of the official reports of the company, as well as the evaluation of individual pieces of news taken online. One of the crucial goals in this analysis is an opportunity to influence talent management as a significant factor in retaining highly qualified employees. Collings, Mellahi and Cascio (2019) argue that today, there are many approaches and strategies in this HR area, and motivation is one of the main drivers. Thus, monitoring employee engagement in order to improve the quality of talent management is the basis of a learning needs analysis. Another reason for this analysis is the threat of employee turnover. According to Long, Kowang and Chin (2017), turnover intentions are generally not explicit, making it difficult for HRs to identify this problem timely. Consequently, the ability to retain talented subordinates through their active involvement in the work process and effective motivation are conditions for preventing the outflow of professionals in competitive companies. In Adidas, the functions of managers monitoring the area of ​​talent development include a number of obligations, for instance, communication with individual departments, consultations with corporate leaders and other procedures ( Senior manager HR talent strategy & projects (M/F/D) , 2019). Meyers (2019) notes that, despite a wide range of tasks, neglecting talent control is unacceptable in a dynamic international organisation with high-profit capitalisation. The author mentions the social exchange theory, the approach that allows assessing the significance of HRs’ activities in the industry in question and helps increase employee productivity (Meyers, 2019). Nevertheless, when assessing this area in Adidas and analysing the company’s internal reports as the main sources to determine learning needs, some challenges have arisen. Despite the advantages of such a method of evaluating data as analysing internal reports, which can provide objective data regarding specific work results, identifying the issues of talent management has caused difficulties. In Adidas’ white paper, this activity is mentioned; at the same time, company representatives do not provide accurate information on successes and failures in this area of activities, and there are no numerical correlations of work results ( Group management report – our company , 2017). However, identifying gaps in this HR practice does not imply the inherent presence of percentage ratios. Khoreva, Vaiman and Van Zalk (2017) state that the aforementioned social exchange theory involves investing in subordinates as an integral component of corporate strategy where high productivity is encouraged. Accordingly, there is no need to create focus groups and conduct lengthy interviews to determine existing successes or failures in the field of talent management. Enhancing employee work engagement and motivation is driven by the growth needs for which Adidas aspires (Kigo and Gachunga, 2016). Thus, reviewing the organisation’s reports is a sufficient measure to identify basic learning needs and develop an appropriate training programme. As a rationale for the proposed learning need, the neo-institutional theory may be cited. Beamond, Farndale and Härtel (2016) describe this concept as an approach recognising the relevance of talent management in institutional settings with developed subsidiary systems. Thus, in Adidas, addressing the topic of retaining and motivating highly qualified professionals is an important procedure. Bratton and Gold (2017) remark that this corporation implements talent management practices as part of HR initiatives, focusing on engaging professional employees. However, increasing subordinates’ motivation is the skill that develops directly within a specific work environment; therefore, in addition to theoretical knowledge, practical skills are crucial. According to Longley (no date) who is a representative of the Adidas HR department, the corporation adheres to a holistic approach to managing talent. Pratap (2019) confirms the company’s activities in this direction and mentions the Talent Carousel programme aimed at identifying and supporting employees who may eventually occupy senior positions. Nevertheless, high competition in the analysed market dictates special conditions for specialist training. Therefore, the identified learning need is important as a driver for maintaining the company’s continuous development and stimulating the productivity of its HR department. Training Programme When developing a training programme for the HR department, potential challenges should be taken into account. Tafti, Mahmoudsalehi and Amiri (2017) argue that in this intervention environment, behavioural barriers can arise when specialists are not ready to participate in change projects. To address this issue successfully, Muratbekova-Touron, Kabalina and Festing (2018) recommend paying attention to creative approaches to talent management, which may attract the interest of the target group of the programme. Organising specialised workshops is a valuable practice for improving HRs’ work and enhancing the productivity of subordinates through sufficient motivation created by managers (Bakker, 2017; Furnham and Treglown, 2017). As Tuck (2019, para. 3) states, in the sportswear and equipment industry in question, “the war for talent” is observed, and the Adidas corporation should make every effort to retain highly qualified professionals. As learning objectives for the involved employees of the HR department, the following tasks are set: * Improving staff motivation and engagement skills; * Enhancing personal knowledge regarding talent management; * Introducing modern and creative methods for solving the issue of retaining highly qualified specialists. In order to develop a specific development programme, special strategies for working with the target audience are necessary. As these approaches, coaching, mentoring, group work activities and role-play simulations will be involved. According to Glaister et al . (2018), coaching provides an opportunity to maintain close contact with project change participants. Engaging experienced employees to organise master classes is an essential task. Skill training should be constantly monitored to avoid mistakes or task misinterpretation; therefore, both one-on-one coaching and mentoring are crucial elements of the programme in question (Cascio and Graham, 2016; Hartoyo, Efendy and Utama, 2017). Since Adidas’ HRs have an educational background, it will not be difficult for them to delve into the features of the project; in addition, according to Geoghegan (2018), in the corporation, a supportive environment is encouraged. Organising group activities by creating separate teams without clear leaders can facilitate the sharing of experiences (Armstrong, 2016). Finally, when citing an example from another industry, Pinto and Thalgaspitiya (2017) note that employee engagement should be accompanied by a clear division of responsibilities among HR specialists. Therefore, a role-playing strategy is relevant and convenient as a creative approach. The proposed training programme will include three main types of sessions that Adidas HRs will attend – workshops where they will be offered practical tasks, webinars for interaction with colleagues from different branches and discussion boards where employees will evaluate the results of the work done. Such an algorithm is universal and convenient since, as Pradhan, Jena and Panigrahy (2016) state, by leveraging knowledge comprehensively, HRs can develop relevant and efficient projects to interact with subordinates in the framework of talent management activities. According to Mayfield, Mayfield and Wheeler (2016, p. 4), all three components of activity (“talent inventories, workforce planning and training/development processes”) make it possible to create a productive employee engagement system, which is an important objective of the described programme. Therefore, the HR department of the corporation will have the necessary theoretical and practical tools to hone valuable skills. In Table 1, the progress of the project is presented, and the main activities are described in a specific sequence. Table 1. Training Programme for HRs in Adidas. Time frame Day 1-3 Day 4-6 Day 7-10 Sessions Workshops HR specialists get acquainted with the work plan for the next ten days and study the information proposed by the coaches. Employees learn new approaches to talent management and take part in master classes demonstrating various situations and cases associated with the ability to motivate and retain highly qualified subordinates. The target audience of the programme recreates possible examples and mechanisms of interaction with talented employees independently and uses the capabilities of all available resources, including the Internet, to solve assigned tasks. Independent research work prevails over the team one, and periodic tests of knowledge are conducted. Webinars Employees explore communication opportunities with colleagues and managers from company branches at various outlets. Both group and individual conversations are held, and those involved share their experiences and receive new information. Project members share their results with colleagues from different countries and offer possible solutions to ambiguous situations in one another’s practice. The emphasis is on individual communication for deeper and more productive interaction. Continued communication and the subsequent exchange of contacts with employees from other regions, as well as the mutual evaluation of the programme success. Discussion boards HR specialists gather in group sessions and share the data received. Coaches and mentors offer to consider and discuss the most memorable and controversial cases from the considered master classes and role-playing games. Work in small groups with the subsequent dissemination of the results of assessments and analyses related to assigned tasks. Communication with coaches and mentors is maintained constantly to avoid mistakes. Summing up, discussing the possibility of implementing individual practices within the company, as well as the individual assessments of the effectiveness and usefulness of the programme. One of the main advantages of this programme is studying motivational drivers. As Dhamija, Dhamija and Singh (2017) state, this knowledge contributes to the retention of talented employees, although the programme itself does not imply direct contact with subordinates, which is a gap. The sequence of classes is logical and reasonable because specialists hone team and individual skills gradually, which, according to Taylor, Doherty and McGraw (2015), allows avoiding the loss of valuable data during preparation. To enhance learning transfer, more information about HRs themselves needs to be found out because this will make the interaction process more productive and person-centred. Delivery The implementation of the training programme for HRs in Adidas should be carried out in appropriate conditions that could stimulate the effective memorisation of learning materials and help employees understand the goals and objectives of the course better. Over ten days, the interaction between coaches and project participants will take place in specially equipped rooms with a convenient layout and all available resources, including visual materials and online communication platforms. Acquiring the necessary knowledge is the key objective of the programme, and talent management training should be accompanied by stimulating action learning as a dynamic process (Smith, 2016). Therefore, the presence of all possible educational tools, for instance, several laptops with online communication programmes, a whiteboard for visual displaying diagrams and graphs, and teaching aids are significant elements of comprehensive training. One of the disadvantages of the layout is the need to place many specialists inside the same room for productive group work. However, competent pair placement can help save space for convenient learning activities. An opportunity to present relevant educational materials to the HRs group should be accompanied by comfortable learning conditions. According to Griggs and Allen (2018, p. 43), “the integration of research, practice, reflection, and knowledge sharing” contributes to successful communication and solving assigned tasks. However, for the implementation of these lenses, additional factors are to be taken into account, for instance, the competent distribution of study time with the possibility of refreshments and breaks. It is anticipated that HRs will spend full time throughout all learning sessions. Consequently, the safety of programme participants should be respected, and special instructions may be provided to avoid overwork or other unpleasant outcomes caused by prolonged activities. Such factors as room temperature and fresh air access are significant aspects of comfortable learning so that no external influences could distract project participants. Since knowledge sharing is one of the main types of learning activities, the delivery style chosen refers to coaching but not observing. Jiang et al . (2016) note that this way of interacting with the audience stimulates team performance and helps prevent intra-group conflicts because all participants are in equal conditions. At the same time, potential challenges may arise during the programme delivery process. The Adidas corporation can make a mistake when hiring insufficiently professional coaches and mentors, thereby reducing the likelihood of effective HR training. This, in turn, may affect the company’s future operations adversely in relation to personnel engagement and talent management. Therefore, selection specialists for the training of employees should be thorough and objective. Throughout the programme, feedback should be given to the course participants. According to Heller (2017), this will help learners to be aware of the coaches team’s commitment to achieving high learning outcomes and their support. The combination of means for presenting educational materials, for instance, visual diagrams and tutorial videos, will improve the quality of training and make learning activities more diverse. The aforementioned learning objectives may be addressed efficiently if group dynamics management is organised in accordance with the specifics of the company in question and the professional background of its HR department. Consequently, it is crucial to take into account the level of the project participants’ preparation and approach each individual case differently to stimulate the progress of low contributors and support the success of those who pass the programme successfully. Such a mechanism will provide an opportunity to not only influence the learners’ group but also maintain effective interaction with each employee. Griggs and Allen (2018) state that projects involving a large number of participants require assessing the level of course members’ training. This will help not both improve the outcome of the intervention and bring positive implications for the organisation as a whole because the management will have an idea of ​​ subordinates’ professionalism. Finally, in order to deliver the programme, it is essential to take the necessary measures to prevent group conflicts caused by disagreements regarding methods for solving the tasks and misunderstandings among the course members. The theory of transformational leadership can be a valuable concept of behaviour in this case. As Leroy et al . (2018) argue, this method of interacting with colleagues allows addressing the needs of each programme participant, which is important in an unusual learning environment. In addition, since teamwork involves group discussions, stimulating the interest of all members helps establish a productive working atmosphere and mutual understanding in the collective. When organising the delivery of the programme, the Adidas management should take into account that HR department employees often work individually, and a new form of communication may be unusual for them. Accordingly, establishing a productive work environment may have a positive effect on the organisation’s future work through the development of valuable team skills of programme members. Evaluation Evaluating the training programme for the HR department of the Adidas corporation is an important procedure that may help not only determine the level of specialist preparation but also identify the areas of development for the whole company’s subsequent activities. According to Akhondzadeh-Noughabi et al . (2016), assessing contributes to the productivity of employees significantly since the resulting feedback opens up opportunities for self-reflection and the analysis of potential errors. Concerning this project, the outcomes of work and the evaluation of all the involved participants’ activities will not be summed up immediately but several days after the completion of the course. The company management needs time to discuss the results o with coaches and mentors and hold a meeting with the HR department in order to receive data on the quality of the programme from the project members themselves. In addition to these procedures, the outcomes will be evaluated from a theoretical perspective by engaging a relevant evaluation model that may allow summarising the results of the work done from the standpoint of essential assessment components. In this context, Kirkpatrick’s concept of four-level evaluation may be of good use. In collaboration with his wife, the scholar has developed a model that includes four reflective components – “Reaction, Learning, Behavior, Results” (Kirkpatrick and Kirkpatrick, 2016, p. 6). When utilising this assessment methodology, the company management can obtain comprehensive data on the different implications of the training programme and analyse subordinates’ feedback regarding this course. Some opponents of this model define it as the one that lacks important components. For instance, Reio et al . (2017) argue that Brinkerhoff’s model is a more suitable analysis tool because it includes six steps and focuses on needs assessment. Nevertheless, based on the company’s reports, the HR sphere of talent management should be improved due to a number of factors, including high competition in the market segment under consideration and the business dynamics. Therefore, Kirkpatrick’s model is a suitable and convenient methodology for evaluating the results of the work done. When evaluating the outcomes of the programme, it is essential to analyse several relevant criteria. In particular, such indicators need to be considered as the quality of the course from the position of mentors, coaches and HR department employees, the success of the project regarding the set learning objectives and its importance for the organisation’s future activities. Lussier and Hendon (2017, p. 39) call this activity “360-degree evaluation” because it makes it possible to assess the success of interventions from different perspectives and obtain unbiased analysis results. In addition, such a mechanism facilitates quick interpretation of results since parallel data collection can help speed up the evaluation process. Some potential challenges may arise, for instance, the complexity of the analysis due to the subjectivity of individual opinions regarding the outcomes. However, a convenient data collection mechanism, such as brief interviews with stakeholders, is a simple and reliable tool for obtaining credible information. As a result, when analysing the presented programme, one can note that it corresponds with the assigned learning tasks and makes it possible to convey the necessary knowledge to the target audience as efficiently as possible. The exchange of experience helps improve HRs’ personal qualifications and is a valuable tool for enhancing such area as talent management at Adidas. The results of the assessment will be presented visually at the second meeting after all the necessary data has been collected and analysed, and both the top management and the direct participants of the learning course will be invited. Conclusion An opportunity to influence such HR areas as talent management and work engagement is valuable in the context of the work of the Adidas corporation as a company that conducts dynamic market activities and competes with other participants in the sportswear and accessories industry. The presented training programme addresses these areas and defines specific learning needs of the employees of the HR department. The entire course is designed to improve the skills of the target group by expanding attainments and knowledge in the indicated areas to retain highly qualified specialists in the company. The educational load is divided into three key sections, and the ten-day project includes workshops, webinars and discussion boards. The delivery of the programme involves creating optimal conditions for employees’ successful training, and competent mentors and coaches are engaged. The sequence of activities is phased with subsequent individual tasks. Coaching, mentoring, group work activities and role-play simulations are the key learning methods. A comprehensive evaluation proves the compliance of the course with the company’s development objectives and helps strengthen the professionalism of its HR department in the field of talent management. Reference List Adidas competitors (2020) Web. Akhondzadeh-Noughabi, E. et al . (2016) ‘Human resource performance evaluation from CRM perspective: a two-step association rule analysis’, International Journal of Business Performance Management , 17(1), pp. 89-102. Armstrong, M. (2016) Armstrong’s handbook of management and leadership for HR: developing effective people skills for better leadership and management . 4th edn. Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page Publishers. Bakker, A. B. (2017) ‘Strategic and proactive approaches to work engagement’, Organizational Dynamics , 46(2), pp. 67-75. Beamond, M. T., Farndale, E. and Härtel, C. E. (2016) ‘MNE translation of corporate talent management strategies to subsidiaries in emerging economies’, Journal of world Business , 51(4), pp. 499-510. Bird, J. (2019) Exclusive: Adidas fosters trust and promotes flexibility to drive performance . Web. Bratton, J. and Gold, J. (2017) Human resource management: theory and practice . 6th edn. London: Palgrave. Cascio, W. F. and Boudreau, J. W. (2016) ‘The search for global competence: from international HR to talent management’, Journal of World Business , 51(1), pp. 103-114. Cascio, W. F. and Graham, B. Z. (2016) ‘New strategic role for HR: leading the employer-branding process’, Organization Management Journal , 13(4), pp. 182-192. Collings, D. G., Mellahi, K. and Cascio, W. F. (2019) ‘Global talent management and performance in multinational enterprises: a multilevel perspective’, Journal of Management , 45(2), pp. 540-566. Dhamija, S., Dhamija, A. and Singh, M. K. (2017) ‘Managing human resources for enhancing productivity’, Pacific Business Review International , 9(11), pp. 126-130. Etim, G. S. and Uford, I. C. (2019) ‘Measuring the contributions of sources of employee-based brand equity to the market performance of deposit money banks in Nigeria’, Business and Management Studies , 5(2), pp. 21-33. Furnham, A. and Treglown, L. (2017) Disenchantment: managing motivation and demotivation at work . New York, NY: Bloomsbury Publishing. Geoghegan, J. (2018) Inside Adidas Group’s performance-enhancing HQ . Web. Glaister, A. J. et al . (2018) ‘HRM and performance – the role of talent management as a transmission mechanism in an emerging market context’, Human Resource Management Journal , 28(1), pp. 148-166. Griggs, V. and Allen, J. (2018) ‘The value of an HR professional group for organizational learning’, International Journal of HRD Policy, Practice and Research , 3(1), pp. 43-57. Group management report – our company (2017) Web. Hartoyo, R., Efendy, H. and Utama, T. M. (2017) ‘Development of training needs analysis in organization’, Journal of Management Research , 9(4), pp. 140-159. Heller, M. (2017) ‘Real-time, ongoing employee feedback: the perk that actually retains’, Strategic HR Review , 16(3), pp. 125-130. Web. Jiang, X. et al . (2016) ‘The effect of team empowerment on team performance: a cross-cultural perspective on the mediating roles of knowledge sharing and intra-group conflict’, International Journal of Conflict Management , 27(1), pp. 62-87. Khoreva, V., Vaiman, V. and Van Zalk, M. (2017) ‘Talent management practice effectiveness: investigating employee perspective’, Employee Relations , 39(1), pp. 19-33. Kigo, S. K. and Gachunga, H. (2016) ‘Effect of talent management strategies on employee retention in the insurance industry’, Strategic Journal of Business and Change Management , 3(2), pp. 977-1004. Kirkpatrick, J. D. and Kirkpatrick, W. K. (2016) Kirkpatrick’s four levels of training evaluation . Alexandria: Association for Talent Development. Leroy, H. et al . (2018) ‘Managing people in organizations: integrating the study of HRM and leadership’, Human Resource Management Review , 28(3), pp. 249-257. Long, C. S., Kowang, T. O. and Chin, T. A. (2017) ‘HR practices and employee’s turnover intention: a proposed framework’, The Social Sciences , 12(5), pp. 826-830. Longley, A. (no date) Why Adidas is using a holistic talent development approach . Web. Lussier, R. N. and Hendon, J. R. (2017) Human resource management: functions, applications, and skill development . 3rd edn. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Mayfield, M., Mayfield, J. and Wheeler, C. (2016) ‘Talent development for top leaders: three HR initiatives for competitive advantage’, Human Resource Management International Digest , 24(6), pp. 4-7. Meyers, M. C. (2019) ‘The neglected role of talent proactivity: integrating proactive behavior into talent-management theorizing’, Human Resource Management Review , p. 100703. Meyers, M. C. et al . (2019) ‘HR managers’ talent philosophies: prevalence and relationships with perceived talent management practices’, The International Journal of Human Resource Management , pp. 1-27. Muratbekova-Touron, M., Kabalina, V. and Festing, M. (2018) ‘The phenomenon of young talent management in Russia – a context-embedded analysis’, Human Resource Management , 57(2), pp. 437-455. Pinto, H. P. A. S. U. and Thalgaspitiya, U. K. (2017) ‘Impact of HR practices on employee engagement among machine operators in the large apparel industry in Sri Lanka’, Human Resource Management Journal , 5(1), pp. 49-63. Pradhan, R. K., Jena, L. K. and Panigrahy, N. P. (2016) ‘Learning and development practices in international context: conceptual introspection towards bringing the best work place strategies’, Strategic HR Review , 15(4), pp. 180-186. Pratap, A. (2019) Human resource management and organisational culture at Adidas Group . Web. Profile (no date). Web. Reio, T. G. et al . (2017) ‘A critique of Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model’, New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development , 29(2), pp. 35-53. Senior manager HR talent strategy & projects (M/F/D) (2019). Web. Smith, R. (2016) Organisational learning: an integrated HR and knowledge management perspective . New York, NY: Routledge. Tafti, M. M., Mahmoudsalehi, M. and Amiri, M. (2017) ‘Critical success factors, challenges and obstacles in talent management’, Industrial and Commercial Training , 49(1), pp. 15-21. Taylor, T., Doherty, A. and McGraw, P. (2015) Managing people in sport organizations: a strategic human resource management perspective . 2nd edn. New York, NY: Routledge. Tuck, K. (2019) How Adidas aligned its people strategy with its business strategy . Web.
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Write an essay about: The report aims to support good recruitment practices in Marks and Spencer. To fulfill this goal, good practice in talent recruitment and the current approaches in place in Marks and Spencer will be analyzed, and recommendations for improvement will be provided based on results.
The report aims to support good recruitment practices in Marks and Spencer. To fulfill this goal, good practice in talent recruitment and the current approaches in place in Marks and Spencer will be analyzed, and recommendations for improvement will be provided based on results.
Talent Recruitment at Marks and Spencer Report Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Review of Good Practice 3. Critical Evaluation of Organisational Practices 4. Recommendations 5. Conclusion 6. Reference List Introduction To develop a committed, highly qualified workforce that would contribute to the organization, it is essential to use evidence-based talent recruitment strategies. Fortunately, research in talent sourcing and recruitment provides numerous recommendations to companies based on scholarly evidence. The present report focuses on the case of Marks and Spencer, a large UK-based retailer. The nature of the company’s business creates a constant need for highly qualified and experienced staff on all corporate levels. Thus, it is essential for the company to use a variety of evidence-based talent recruitment strategies to fulfill its organizational goals. The report aims to support good recruitment practices in Marks and Spencer. To fulfill this goal, good practice in talent recruitment and the current approaches in place in Marks and Spencer will be analyzed, and recommendations for improvement will be provided based on results. Review of Good Practice Some of the most crucial concerns in the current literature on talent recruitment are person-organization fit and person-job fit. According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD, 2015, p. 7), attracting the right people to the organization is essential for building a strong workforce. As a result, activities such as job crafting, workforce characteristics analysis, and vision clarification are part of contemporary good practice in talent recruitment (Chapman and Mayers, 2015, p. 28; CIPD, 2015, pp. 7-8; Tims, Derks and Bakker, 2016, pp. 45-46). Through these activities, companies aim to define the characteristics of people who would fit into the position and the organization as a whole and narrow down recruitment strategies to attract these individuals. The focus on person-organization and person-job fit is justified by the potential benefits of these concepts for organizational performance. Research shows that person-organization fit is an important predictor of in-role performance of employees (Hamstra, Van Vianen, and Koen, 2018). Additionally, higher person-organization fit has been shown to reduce turnover and improve satisfaction (Boon and Biron, 2016, p. 2177; Chen, Sparrow, and Cooper, 2016, p. 946; Swider, Zimmerman and Barrick, 2015, p. 885). Person-job fit, in turn, affects employee’s job stress, motivation, and engagement (Deniz, Noyan, and Ertosun, 2015, p. 370). From the theoretical viewpoint, these effects are associated with increased value congruence and the match between job demands and resources (Boon and Biron, 2016, p. 2181; Tims, Derks and Bakker, 2016, p. 45). Hence, by implementing activities that clarify person specifications, companies can enhance workforce characteristics through recruitment. Still, the amount of research on recruitment practices to support person-organization and person-job fit is rather small, which creates practical limitations. Recent research on the topic of talent recruitment also considers job advert construction and its effect on applicants. For example, a study by Ashraf, Bandiera, and Lee (2015, p. 15) found that making job opportunities appear more salient draws the attention of highly qualified candidates. Another research by Deserranno (2019, p. 277) concluded that higher financial incentives mentioned in job adverts discouraged people with strong pro-social attitudes from applying. The practice of job advert construction can be useful to companies willing to attract people with particular characteristics. However, this practice may be time-consuming and requires a more significant amount of evidence than is currently available in the literature. Graduate recruitment remains among the key good practices in talent recruitment. Theoretical work on the subject shows that graduate recruitment is among the most popular talent resourcing strategies in companies (CIPD, 2017, p. 5). Research indicates that most companies choose to recruit graduates from local universities, with few businesses engaging in graduate outreach programs (Winterhager and Krücken, 2014, p. 128). University graduates contribute to companies because they have high potential and plenty of opportunities for developing within a company (McCracken, Currie, and Harrison, 2016, p. 2728). Thus, they can grow in ranks, providing an excellent source of highly experienced employees in the future. Improving workforce diversity through recruitment is also part of good practice in talent sourcing. As explained in the report by McKinsey & Company, diverse companies perform better in talent management, have higher rates of employee satisfaction, show stronger customer orientation and better decision-making, and are likely to be perceived as socially responsible (Hunt, Layton, and Prince, 2014, p. 9). The report distinguishes between innate and acquired diversity, both of which are crucial to performance. Innate diversity reflects workforce composition at the team level, whereas acquired diversity refers to the characteristics of leaders (Hunt, Layton, and Prince, 2014, p. 12). Diversity in terms of age, gender, culture, and sexual orientation is equally beneficial (Festing and Schäfer, 2014, p. 267; Hunt, Layton, and Prince, 2014, p. 12). Hence, maintaining a range of recruitment channels is also considered to be good practice in talent recruitment. With regards to recruitment channels, electronic options have become particularly prominent over the past years due to their efficiency and ease of use. Stone et al. (2015, p. 217) state that around 90% of large organizations use e-recruitment strategies, ranging from web-based job advertisements to interactive techniques, such as online job fairs. Zin et al. (2016, pp. 84-85) further show that e-recruitment improves the diversity of candidates by allowing organizations to reach beyond their existing networks and attract more qualified, talented applicants. Thus, the use of e-recruitment can have significant benefits for various types of companies. Critical Evaluation of Organisational Practices Marks and Spencer is a large, UK-based retail company that recruits employees continue to support operations. Both the company’s headquarters and its stores require a lot of staff, which makes recruitment a top priority. To achieve organisational goals, it is essential for Marks and Spencer to recruit qualified, skilled and creative employees who could potentially grow in ranks within the company and support its organisational development. Since Marks and Spencer is also a company with a strong organisational culture, it also needs to achieve value congruence and buy-in of the people working at all levels of the organisation. At present, the company uses three key recruitment strategies: targeted recruitment, graduate recruitment and online and in-store job advertisements (M&S, 2019, p. 23). These strategies fulfil the company’s needs, but some adjustments may be required to improve efficiency. Targeted recruitment is mostly used for senior leadership positions within the company. It includes activities such as headhunting and agency collaboration to attract highly qualified and skilled leaders with excellent experience in the retail industry. This approach has some important benefits for Marks and Spencer since it entails some of best practices described in the previous section. Targeted recruitment is among the techniques that promote person-organisation and person-job fit since it involves defining the requirements of a particular position and the characteristics of an ideal employee. This, in turn, helps the company to identify talents in the industry and approach them directly or through an agency. As a result, leaders recruited through this approach are likely to have high value congruence with the organisation and show better performance results, thus contributing to organisational goals. The company’s approach to graduate recruitment also complies with trends in good practice. According to the annual report, Marks and Spencer has a specific graduate recruitment programme in place, which attracted 136 graduates in 2018 (M&S, 2019, p. 9). Besides, the company also runs a variety of schemes for current students, including internships, apprenticeships, and business placements (M&S Careers, 2019a). These schemes are useful because it is likely that students who are committed to the company and fit in with its organisational values will return to work there after graduation. Thus, graduate recruitment helps the company to build a qualified and committed workforce, which contributes to its performance and goals. Lastly, in-store and online job advertisements are also used by Marks and Spencer. The combination of e-recruitment and offline advertisement is useful since it helps to reach more people, thus possibly contributing to the diversity of applicants. Moreover, placing job ads in stores and on the website helps to attract people who are interested in the company, including its current customers. These people are more likely to fit into the organisation; moreover, those who use the company’s products and services can help it to understand customers better and provide ideas for development. Still, the job ads posted by Marks and Spencer are somewhat generic and usually involve a list of responsibilities and desired skills (M&S Careers, 2019b). This could affect the company’s ability to attract people with high value congruence and person-job fit. Recommendations Based on the analysis, Marks and Spencer apply some of the principles of good practice in talent recruitment. Diversity recruitment, job ads construction and the limited number of recruitment channels are the primary gaps identified in the analysis. Table 1 reflects the recommendations provided as part of this report, whereas the rest of this section will provide supporting information on their necessity and potential benefits. Table 1. Summary of Recommendations. * Recommendation * Actions * Costs * Responsible persons * Timescale * Priority level Analyse outreach options for minority groups * Evaluate the current level of diversity * Determine minority groups to be attracted * Research diversity outreach options * Assess potential application in M&S * Prepare a report with recommendations £4,000-6,000 HR development team 3-6 months. Provide training in job ads construction to managers engaged in posting ads * Assess evidence on job ads construction * Create an education plan for managers * Develop course content for an online course * Conduct online training in job ads construction £5,000-6,000 HR department 5-6 months. Establish informal recruitment channels * Identify positions for internal recruitment * Design a monthly e-mail newsletter with vacancies available * Distribute the newsletter to employees monthly Up to £1,500 HR department 2-3 months Diversity recruitment is essential for large companies, such as Marks and Spencer, because it affects organisational image while also facilitating performance, innovation and creativity (Hunt, Layton and Prince, 2014). Based on the annual report, gender diversity in senior management, as well as cultural diversity, are considered among the key problem areas for the company (M&S, 2019). Hence, attracting more diverse candidates to various positions in the company is necessary. According to Hunt, Layton and Prince (2014, p. 14), creating targeted initiatives for attracting minority groups can assist companies in increasing diversity. Hence, the first recommendation is for the company to analyse potential outreach options for recruiting minority groups. Implementing this recommendation would help Marks and Spencer in creating a plan for diversity recruitment, which, in turn, would have a positive effect on performance, decision-making, innovation and corporate image. Job ads construction was indicated as one of the key good practices in talent recruitment. Research shows that the content and wording of job ads influence the characteristics of applicants that they attract (Ashraf, Bandiera and Lee, 2015; Deserranno, 2019). Moreover, creating more compelling and unique job ads can make a company stand out from other employers and contribute to applicants’ person-organisation fit (CIPD, 2015). Marks and Spencer job ads lack these characteristics, which affects their effectiveness. Improving job ads would aid the company in attracting more qualified and committed applicants. It could also improve diversity recruitment if the company tailors job ads to the preferences of minority populations. Based on these potential benefits, the second recommendation is to provide training in job ads construction to managers engaged in posting ads. Lastly, it is also possible to notice that Marks and Spencer has a very limited number of recruitment channels. While each of these channels has a specific function that contributes to organisational goals, it impairs the company’s outreach potential. Maintaining some variation in terms of recruitment channels is important for businesses for several reasons. First of all, it helps to attract more applicants to positions, thus enabling the company to select the best candidates available in the labour market (Gërxhani and Koster, 2015). Secondly, it helps in increasing the diversity of candidates applying for positions in the company (Hunt, Layton and Prince, 2014, p. 14). For example, e-recruitment is better suited for attracting young people, whereas mature employees are more likely to search for jobs through agencies and other resources. One of the most cost-effective options for diversifying recruitment channels is implementing informal recruitment. According to Gërxhani and Koster (2015), informal recruitment channels provide more accurate information about potential employees and reduce the cost of recruitment. Thus, the final recommendation for Marks and Spencer is to implement an informal recruitment scheme by creating a regular newsletter for current employees. Conclusion Overall, recruitment is a crucial part of companies’ talent management strategy. Research into talent resourcing and recruitment over the past years focused a lot on attracting applicants with high person-organisation and person-job fit, as well as on improving recruitment diversity and developing e-recruitment strategies. Marks and Spencer is among the largest retail companies in the UK, which means that it has a constant need for skilled employees. Targeted recruitment, graduate recruitment and job postings fulfil the company’s need for skilled and committed employees. However, there are certain gaps with respect to employee diversity, job ads construction and the limited number of recruitment channels. Following the recommendations provided in this report will enable Marks and Spencer to enhance its talent recruitment strategies and meet organisational goals. Additionally, it will help to improve workforce diversity, which is essential for contemporary businesses to maintain a positive image and achieve better results. Reference List Ashraf, N., Bandiera, O. and Lee, S.S. (2016) Do-gooders and go-getters: selection and performance in public service delivery . Web. Boon, C. and Biron, M. (2016) ‘Temporal issues in person–organization fit, person–job fit and turnover: The role of leader–member exchange’, Human Relations , 69(12), pp. 2177-2200. Chapman, D.S. and Mayers, D. (2015) ‘Recruitment process and organizational attraction’, In I. Nikolaou and Oostrom, J.K. (Eds.) Employee recruitment, selection, and assessment: contemporary issues for theory and practice . Hove: Psychology Press, pp. 27-42. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. (2015) A head for hiring: the behavioural science of recruitment and selection . Web. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. (2017) Resourcing and talent planning. Web. Chen, P., Sparrow, P. and Cooper, C. (2016) ‘The relationship between person-organization fit and job satisfaction’, Journal of Managerial Psychology , 31(5), pp. 946-959. Deniz, N., Noyan, A. and Ertosun, Ö.G. (2015) ‘Linking person-job fit to job stress: the mediating effect of perceived person-organization fit’, Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 207 , pp. 369-376. Deserranno, E. (2019) ‘Financial incentives as signals: experimental evidence from the recruitment of village promoters in Uganda’ , American Economic Journal: Applied Economics , 11(1), pp. 277-317. Festing, M. and Schäfer, L. (2014) ‘Generational challenges to talent management: a framework for talent retention based on the psychological-contract perspective’, Journal of World Business, 49(2), pp. 262-271. Gërxhani, K. and Koster, F. (2015) ‘Making the right move: investigating employers’ recruitment strategies’, Personnel Review , 44(5), pp. 781-800. Hamstra, M.R., Van Vianen, A.E. and Koen, J. (2019) ‘Does employee perceived person-organization fit promote performance? The moderating role of supervisor perceived person-organization fit’, European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology , 28(5), pp. 594-601. Hunt, V., Layton, D. and Prince, S. (2014) Diversity matters . Web. M&S. (2019) Annual report 2018 . Web. M&S Careers (2019a) Early careers. Web. M&S Careers (2019b) Design assistant – womens activewear . Web. McCracken, M., Currie, D. and Harrison, J. (2016) ‘Understanding graduate recruitment, development and retention for the enhancement of talent management: sharpening ‘the edge’ of graduate talent’, The International Journal of Human Resource Management , 27(22), pp. 2727-2752. Stone, D.L. et al. (2015) ‘The influence of technology on the future of human resource management’, Human Resource Management Review , 25(2), pp. 216-231. Swider, B.W., Zimmerman, R.D. and Barrick, M.R. (2015) ‘Searching for the right fit: Development of applicant person-organization fit perceptions during the recruitment process’, Journal of Applied Psychology , 100(3), pp. 880-893. Tims, M., Derks, D. and Bakker, A.B. (2016) ‘Job crafting and its relationships with person–job fit and meaningfulness: a three-wave study’, Journal of Vocational Behavior , 92, pp. 44-53. Winterhager, N. and Krücken, G. (2015) ‘The local ‘war for talent’–recruitment of recent tertiary education graduates from a regional perspective: some evidence from the German case’, European Journal of Higher Education , 5(2), pp. 127-140. Zin, S.M., et al. (2016) ‘E-recruitment technology: the effective source of recruitment’, Journal of Applied Environmental and Biological Sciences , 6(1), pp. 84-89.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: Egypt has been working to become economically attractive and attract investment once again. It adopted an internationalistic approach, seeking financial aid from other countries. The reforms have been successful, improving the market's attractiveness to various businesses. As such, investment has come in, and Egypt is currently on a path to recovery with the assistance of other nations.
Egypt has been working to become economically attractive and attract investment once again. It adopted an internationalistic approach, seeking financial aid from other countries. The reforms have been successful, improving the market's attractiveness to various businesses. As such, investment has come in, and Egypt is currently on a path to recovery with the assistance of other nations.
Tata Motors in Egypt’s Business Sector Report Introduction After recent damaging events, Egypt has been trying to become economically attractive and attract investment once again. It adopted an internationalistic approach, seeking financial aid from other countries. The reforms have been successful, improving the market’s attractiveness to various businesses. As such, investment has come in, and Egypt is currently on a path to recovery with the assistance of other nations. Nevertheless, the effects of the political and economic instability from several years ago remain prominent, and further support is necessary before the country can be considered safe for foreign companies to operate. Businesses should investigate the area in detail before they determine whether Egypt is suitable for their purposes. This report presents an analysis of the country’s political, economic, connective, and risk environments to help the TATA Motors company determine whether it should invest locally. Egypt and Internationalism Egypt has depended on the help of foreign nations to recover faster and to do so, it has had to accommodate the needs of these countries. According to Key Messages of Egypt VNR 2018 (2018), the country has been conducting economic and social reforms as well as infrastructure updates. The World Bank in Egypt (2019) describes its Country Partnership Framework that requires the elimination of extreme poverty and the sharing of prosperity. Key Questions on Egypt (2019) highlights how the International Monetary Fund is providing financial aid to Egypt to improve various aspects of the economy. By 2019, most of the significant changes have been completed, though the overall process is still ongoing (Arab News 2019). However, the changes have not been entirely successful in addressing Egypt’s issues in spite of the aid that they brought. Egypt’s reforms consist of short-term reductions in spending for the sake of long-term growth and stability, qualities valued by investors. According to Al-Youm (2019), the changes began with the floatation of the pound as required by the IMF in 2016 alongside general public enterprise changes and energy subsidy removal. Egypt – Trade Agreements (2019) describes Egypt’s various deals with other African countries as well as the EU that help facilitate its economy. As a result, Egypt: the economy is gathering strength (2017) notes that the country’s economy is growing as the government ensures that the poor are protected. Annor (2019) highlights that people’s lives have not improved noticeably yet, but new employment opportunities should arrive soon. However, Egypt’s population may not be content to wait until the reforms are complete, especially if its perception of the situation does not match the news coverage. Throughout the current government’s term, local activists and reporters have noted its practices, particularly those opposed to human rights. Egypt events of 2016 (2017) highlight the state’s suppression of dissent as well as its tendency of unjustly detaining people and treating them inhumanely. Egypt market challenges (2019) highlights Egypt’s reluctance to follow international law, particularly with regards to commercial disputes, a factor that lowers its investment attractiveness. Ulf Laessing (2019) claims that the country’s population began protesting in September due to the lack of tangible economic improvement over the years. Keeler (2019) adds that the demonstrations call for the president’s ousting and grow more heated due to the government’s efforts to suppress them by arresting people. The protests contribute to the government’s instability and reveal its inability to integrate into the international community satisfactorily. Egypt’s Competitiveness Figure 1: Egypt’s Competitiveness (Egypt 2019). Overall, Egypt is not particularly attractive compared to the rest of the countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Egypt (2019) notes how its institution quality is below average, most likely due to the political unrest and the social service overhaul. The country’s infrastructure also has issues, and Omran (2018) highlights how massive investment is necessary to meet its needs. The macroeconomic environment is fragile (see figure 1), though the age of the dataset may motivate this factor. The slight weakness of the health and primary education systems may also be driven by the reform of the social services, though it should be noted that the local standards in the matter are relatively high. Overall, there are considerable grounds for improvement in all four categories, and currently, Egypt cannot compete locally or globally. The country’s higher education and training facilities do not meet the standards set by its neighbors. Higher education (2019) notes that Egypt’s public universities are often overcrowded and that disadvantaged students often cannot study at the best facilities. The local goods market is slightly inefficient, possibly due to the added costs that result from the nation’s inferior infrastructure. The country’s labor market is significantly inefficient, and Ebaidalla and Ali (2018) note that workers tend to lack health insurance in spite of sickness-inducing circumstances, which drives people out of many fields. Lastly, Egypt’s financial market development is one of its two characteristics that match the average, likely due to the government’s improvements. Egypt’s GDP growth rate (2019) notes that the country has been able to maintain a steady 5% increase rate. Overall, this section shows significant potential for optimization and improvement, though the current government’s ability to achieve it is questionable. The ninth pillar, technological readiness, shows results below the regional average, as well. Al-Aees (2019) notes that Egypt’s industry is mostly non-digital, and the government’s efforts to introduce IT solutions are hampered by the expenses necessary to achieve the goal. The country’s market size is considerably larger than average, and Egypt – market overview (2019) describes it as the third biggest importer in the Middle East. Business sophistication is low, likely because of the lack of digital measures in company operations. Lastly, innovation in Egypt is below average for the area, and Egypt – global innovation ranking (2019) ranks it near the 100th total rank in innovation out of the world’s 137 economies. Overall, Egypt’s market size is its only significant competitive advantage in the region, and in most other aspects, it is behind most of the countries in Africa and the Middle East. Egypt’s Connectedness As mentioned above, Egypt’s government has been putting much effort into establishing connections with other countries. Altman, Ghemawat, and Bastian (2019) claim that the nation’s overall connectedness grew significantly in 2018, leading to a 27-rank increase to the 97th spot. Nevertheless, its position worldwide is weak, as it is in the lower half of the rating. The country has been conducting efforts to connect with prospective trade partners, particularly those in the Middle East (see figure 2) and promote its image worldwide. Egypt looks to the future (2019) claims that Egypt is promoting its tourist destinations by partnering with the American company, CNN, and conducting a worldwide promotional campaign using the latter’s reach. Additionally, the country has been working to increase its exports to various parts of the world and reduce its dependence on imports, though the latter initiative is not seeing significant successes. Figure 2: Egypt’s Global Connections (Altman, Ghemawan and Bastian 2019). Egypt is a prominent manufacturer of a variety of goods, but the political upheaval that created its current state has hampered its ability to export these products. Egypt targets to quadruple exports (2019) discuss the nation’s ongoing growth in the outward flow of resources and notes that it does not match its manufacturing capabilities. 16.8% increase in value of Egypt’s exports (2018) highlights Egypt’s significant rises in exports of many different varieties and notes that Italy has displayed the most growth at approximately 50%. It should be noted that these statistics represent a return to Egypt’s economic output levels before the events of 2011 rather than fast growth. However, they show that the country is putting significant effort into improving its position and succeeding at the task, which is a positive indicator for a potential investor. Egypt has also been working to reduce its imports, which decreases connectedness but benefits the country financially by making sure that money stays in the local market. Mounir (2019) claims that its efforts have been successful, with exports growing and imports shrinking, which has resulted in its current stable GDP growth. However, according to Adly (2019), Egypt remains a net fuel and food importer and lacks the natural resources necessary for the operation of many industries. Therefore, it has to rely on imports for many of its companies and is likely unable to achieve the goal of complete self-sustenance. Furthermore, Wally and Beillard (2019) claim that as the nation’s farmland shrinks, it becomes more reliant on exports of food products such as rice. Overall, Egypt is likely to remain a significant importer in the region, and with its export growth, the nation is positioned to increase its connectedness further. Main Business Risks The current political climate in Egypt and its effect on the country’s economy are the most significant risks for TATA Motors’s investment plans. Ullah (2019) highlights the issues that have been prevalent in the country for years, though, as an Indian company, TATA Motors may be less concerned over bad publicity from local activists. However, these concerns have escalated into widespread public unrest, which threatens any business that tries to operate in the country. According to Reid (2019), the demonstrations have already led to the elimination of any growth Egypt has been able to achieve in 2019. Furthermore, Egypt ETF plunges (2019) claims that the influence could be sustained and increase over time if protests persist. As such, it is currently risky for a business to invest in the country, and the initiative is likely to incur significant damage if put into practice. Additionally, Egypt’s economy is subject to another issue that is likely to manifest in the future, namely, the results of its water conflict with Ethiopia. According to Lazarus (2018), the latter country is constructing a dam that may decrease the supply of water carried to Egypt by the river Nile. Due to Egypt’s current water scarcity issues, the effect of such a situation may be devastating for the nation’s economy. Hendawi (2019) quantifies the potential loss in “millions of acres of farmland and hundreds of thousands of jobs”, a massive risk that should concern any investor. Sisi says the Nile water issue a matter of life and death (2019) notes that Egypt has been proposing plans that would minimize the harm while allowing Ethiopia to construct its dam and benefit from it, but the other country remained unresponsive. The two nations will likely reach a compromise that satisfies both parties eventually, but currently, the conflict remains a significant risk. The third and final point of concern is Egypt’s market itself, as it has numerous issues that lower the country’s attractiveness. As shown in figure 3, the nation’s residents have been increasingly able to find jobs over the years, but the rate remains high. With the recent tensions, it is possible that this tendency to decrease will no longer exist, at least temporarily. Furthermore, the market has had other issues such as inefficiency and the lack of innovation. Omran (2019) discusses other nations’ efforts to help Egypt increase its innovative efforts, but it is unlikely that the initiative will produce any results soon. Overall, TATA Motors should expect to operate in a market with high unemployment and a lack of modern technology among its partners, and both factors can damage its economic performance. Figure 3: Egypt’s Unemployment Rate Trends (Unemployment rate records 2019). Conclusion Egypt’s efforts to recover from the financial harm caused by the events of 2011 have been succeeding up until the autumn of 2019. The country has worked to embrace globalism and increase its connectedness, though there is still a considerable amount of work remaining. The country remains mostly below average in competitiveness, though its excellent market size has led companies to recognize it as attractive. With that said, the recent events, compounded by existing issues such as the water conflict, have created an unattractive environment for investors. TATA Motors should pay attention to these issues as much as any other company. As such, the business shouldn’t invest in the region at the moment, though the area warrants constant attention in case of future improvements. Reference List Ulf Laessing, K 2019, ‘Egypt’s investment allure tarnished as protests challenge reforms’ , U.S. News, Web. Annor, I 2019, ‘Egypt’s economic reforms , Africa News , Web. Al-Youm, 2019, ‘Economic reform program concludes in 2019: Egypt’s PM’ , Egypt Independent , Web. Arab News 2019, ‘El-Sisi tells Egypt most painful economic reforms are over’ , Web. Al-Aees, S 2019, ‘Egypt eyes digitalisation of industry, but faces challenges’, Daily News Egypt , Web. Omran, H 2018, ‘Egypt requires $675 bn of investments to meet its infrastructure needs: G20’, Daily News Egypt , Web. Ebaidalla, EM and Ali, MEM 2018, Chronic illness and the labour market in Arab countries , Web. Egypt looks to the future through highly innovative tourism campaign with CNN combining storytelling and data 2019, Web. Altman, SA, Ghemawat, P and Bastian, P 2019, DHL global connectedness index 2018 , Web. Egypt targets to quadruple exports in 5 years 2019, Egypt Today , Web. Mounir, H 2019, ‘GDP growth rate to continue moving onwards and upwards: CBE’, Daily News Egypt , Web. Wally, A and Beillard, MJ 2019, Egypt adds rice to its grain imports of wheat and corn , Web. Adly, A 2019, ‘Satisfying the IMF won’t solve Egypt’s problems’ , Bloomberg , Web. Lazarus, S 2018, ‘Is Ethiopia taking control of the River Nile?’ , CNN , Web. Hendawi, H 2019, ‘Egypt hardens rhetoric on Ethiopia’s Blue Nile dam’, The National , Web. Sisi says Nile water issue a matter of life and death for Egypt, wants Sudan removed from terror list 2019, Ahram Online , Web. Egypt ETF plunges amid political unrest, rising protests 2019, Web. Ullah, A 2019, ‘UK minister in Egypt for investment talks as mass trial of activists continues’, Middle East Eye , Web. Reid, D 2019, ‘5 big risks that the world’s fragile economy doesn’t need right now’ , CNBC , Web. Omran, H 2019, ‘RITSEC launches regional initiative for knowledge, innovation: Finland’s embassy’, Daily News Egypt , Web. Egypt: the economy is gathering strength 2017, Web. Unemployment rate records 8.1% in Q1 2019 2019 , Egypt Today , Web. Keeler, D 2019, ‘Emerging and growth markets, September 29th 2019’ , The Wall Street Journal , Web. The World Bank in Egypt 2019, Web. Key messages of Egypt VNR 2018 2018, Web. Egypt market challenges 2019, Web. Egypt events of 2016 2017, Web. Egypt – trade agreements 2019, Web. Key questions on Egypt 2019, Web. Egypt 2019, Web. Egypt – market overview 2019, Web. Egypt GDP growth rate 2019, Web. Egypt – global innovation ranking 2019, Web. Higher education 2019, Web. 16.8 % increase in value of Egypt’s exports in 2017: CAPMAS 2018, Daily News Egypt , Web.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: Whistleblowing is an activity within an NHS organization to raise concerns about an employee, a service, or a facility.Whistleblowing is an activity within an NHS organization to raise concerns about an employee, a service, or a facility. Whistleblowing can be used to report on the quality of services offered to patients, as well as different administrative, organizational, and employment issues that may discredit a facility or particular people.
Whistleblowing is an activity within an NHS organization to raise concerns about an employee, a service, or a facility. Whistleblowing is an activity within an NHS organization to raise concerns about an employee, a service, or a facility. Whistleblowing can be used to report on the quality of services offered to patients, as well as different administrative, organizational, and employment issues that may discredit a facility or particular people.
Teaching and Learning in Mental Health Nursing Report (Assessment) Speech on Whistleblowing In modern healthcare settings, the quality of care has to be regularly checked. Nurses use their knowledge, exchange information, and share experiences. Despite the intentions to do their best, there are still moments when concerns occur. Therefore, it is important to assess nursing and apply available methods and resources. There are many ways to gather information about a healthcare facility. What tools and resources do you know as per their effectiveness in quality assessment? Plan of Work Have you ever heard about such a policy as whistleblowing? Nowadays, it is frequently promoted by the representatives of the National Health Service (NHS) in England. However, not much attention is paid to its characteristics and an overall impact on the quality of care. This lecture is devoted to whistleblowing and the role of nurses in it. I offer you to fill in the table and give brief definitions to several terms (Handout 1). In the end, you will be able to compare your background knowledge with the one you will receive soon. Whistleblowing Essence Wrongdoing in health and nursing care is frequently reported in many countries. The task of NHS England is to make sure that everything possible is offered to improve the quality of work, support the staff and patients, and create the best conditions and services. Each organization is free to develop and support different definitions of whistleblowing. Still, the main idea remains the same: whistleblowing is an activity within an NHS organization to raise concerns about an employee, a service, or a facility (“External Whistleblowing Policy” 5). According to the External Whistleblowing Policy, a patient or a carer (a nurse or any other medical workers) cannot perform the function of a whistleblower (5). There are specific complaints policies in NHS England to meet the demand of an employee or a client, and the whistleblowing policy is not on the list. Regarding the definition and working conditions, a whistleblower may be a regular or temporary employee, a student, or a volunteer who never applies to a personal grievance, employment conditions, or financial issues in their report to an external organization. Whistleblowing Concerns You may wonder what issues can be raised by whistleblowers in their applications. NHS England answers to this question as well, and you can use the next handout with a list of concerns appropriate for whistleblowing (Handout 2). I call them “Golden Ten” (similar to the Ten Commandments from the Old Testament”). As you can see, they include concerns about the quality of services offered to patients, as well as different administrative, organizational, and employment issues that may discredit a facility or particular people. Nurses in Healthcare Settings In the intentions to promote effective teaching and learning in mental health nursing, it is necessary to identify and comprehend what roles nurses should perform in their practice. Whistleblowing occurs when something goes wrong in care, and nurses are responsible for control and prevention of mistakes and provision of high-quality services (“External Whistleblowing Policy” 8). Nurses usually introduce the first group of people with who a patient interacts. It is their duty to identify patients’ needs and offer differential nursing diagnoses to create an efficient background for doctors to continue working with patients. Communication between a nurse and a patient is integral in care, and the way of how nurses develop their relationships with patients determined the future of care and treatment. In addition to nurse-patient connection, the quality of care depends on how well nurses are able to cooperate with other healthcare employees and complete their administrative duties. Diagnostic tests, medical equipment, signs’ monitoring, and drug administration are the tasks that cannot be ignored. Finally, if a nurse fails to share some information about a patient or introduce wrong details, the outcomes of care may be negative. Therefore, every nurse should have a plan on how to work with patients and colleagues and never miss a step. There is a box with nurse’s duties in a healthcare setting. Your task is to place tasks in accordance with their importance as per your personal opinion (Handout 4). After the work is done. In fact, the order of these tasks is not as crucial, as your understanding of all these activities. There are different situations when some qualities have to be underlined, and some should be neglected. Nurses and Whistleblowing Whistleblowing is the intention to expose some information to the public and underline the case of wrongdoing in an organization. Regarding the responsibilities of nurses and their ethical and moral obligations, much information should remain private in care. Therefore, when discussing the role of nurses in whistleblowing, certain dilemmas and concerns are discovered. According to NHS England, whistleblowing is ethical until its moral purpose (positive outcome, safety, or order) is considered. In other words, acting in the public interest is the main excuse for whistleblowing in nursing. However, it is not enough to say that something wrong happens to an organization or a person. It is expected to gather enough past, present, and possible future evidence to prove a crime or other type of misconduct. True information has to be disclosed, and false facts or guesses being blown may be defined as illegal activities. Finally, a whistleblower cannot raise a concern where he or she commits him/herself a crime. Nurses are the major sources of information in a hospital or any other healthcare setting. Therefore, their participation in whistleblowing is still under numerous discussions. Concluding Remarks In general, whistleblowing is the concept that significantly contributes to safety in mental health nursing. However, this topic is not as frequently discussed as, for example, fall prevention policies or fire safety. It is necessary to continue researching this field and communicate with people about possible reasons for being a whistleblower, as well as the pros and cons of whistleblowing in nursing practice. I would like to offer you several tasks (Handouts 3, 4, and 5) to strengthen your understanding of whistleblowing, identify some new aspects for consideration, and check your current knowledge. Handouts There are several types of additional handouts that can be offered to learners during a speech. There are several tools with the help of which people may participate in the discussion but not just be passive listeners. Several handouts may be taken to memorize the material and rely on them with time. Finally, there are some quizzes and tests to help people understand how they should use new material and develop their knowledge. Handout 1 In this table, there are several simple questions about whistleblowing and the roles of whistleblowers. Learners should read the questions and offer their answer in the necessary box. At the end of the lecture, they will read their answers and underline if they agree or disagree with the positions chosen. This activity is a good opportunity to check the level of students’ background knowledge at the moment of lecturing. Question Answer Agree/Disagree (after a lecture) (before a lecture) 1. What is whistleblowing? 2. Can a nurse be a whistleblower? 3. Can a patient be a whistleblower? 4. Is whistleblowing ethical and legal? Learners’ responses may vary slightly based on their approaches to argumentation. Here are the sample answers that can be considered as correct: 1. It is the act that involves the disclosure of wrongdoing or inappropriate behaviors related to internal processes in organizations. If whistleblowing takes place, information can be disclosed to media sources, government agencies, or the general public. 2. Nurses can report information on their colleagues’ or managers’ misconduct, thus acting as whistleblowers. 3. The process usually refers to temporary or permanent employees who have access to internal information, so patients cannot be whistleblowers (External Whistleblowing Policy 5). 4. It is usually a legal practice, but its ethical status is often a matter of dispute. Handout 2 This list has to be printed and given to each learner personally to memorize potential concerns for whistleblowing. It is also recommended for students to introduce several appropriate examples for each point. This activity is not only a good contribution to learning new material but also a possibility to enhance critical thinking, compare the opinions of students, and strengthen their understanding of the chosen topic. 1. Unsafe patient care 2. Malpractice that harms patients and their families 3. Lack of protection for patients 4. Poor medication administration 5. Poorly trained staff 6. Working conditions that lack safety and quality 7. Cases of bullying in a facility 8. Absence of obligatory policies 9. Inability for staff to ask for professional help 10. Human resource shortage that harms patients/staff/organization Handout 3 There is a list of statements that should be given to every student in the classroom to be identified as true (T) or false (F): 1. Whistleblowing is always legal and ethically correct 2. Everyone is eager to welcome whistleblowers in their facility (F: since 3. Whistleblowing means to report concerns to a national/state agency 4. Private groups can provide whistleblowers with legal protection 5. Whistleblowing is a possibility to reveal unsafe situations in a hospital 6. A whistleblower is protected by the act only when the whistle is blown 7. Low or unstable salary is a concern for whistleblowing 8. Inability to meet patients’ needs is a concern for whistleblowing 9. Malfunction of medical equipment is a concern for whistleblowing 10. Any situation that causes concerns may be chosen for whistleblowing Here are the correct answers for a lecturer: 1 – F, 2 – F, 3 – T, 4 – F, 5 – T, 6 – T, 7 – F, 8 – T, 9 – T, 10 – F. Explanation: 1. F: there can be ethical/legal concerns if the revealed information causes social destabilization or threatens people’s security. 2. F: no, although their right to free speech is protected, whistleblowers face significant risks related to further career development and workplace relationships. 3. F: no, legal protection must come from official bodies (External Whistleblowing Policy 5). 4. F: no, “whistleblowing does not apply to personal grievances, including employment issues, which should be dealt with through internal organisational policies” (External Whistleblowing Policy 6). 5. F: no, there is a limited number of situations that can be chosen for whistleblowing (External Whistleblowing Policy 6). Handout 4 In this table, there is a description of the two situations happened at the same hospital. The task of students is to read them, compare the conditions, and underline the main aspects for consideration. At the end of each case, there are the questions to be answered. The main intention is not just to gather right or wrong answers but to promote critical thinking, decision-making, and the development of analytical skills in students who have listened to the speech about whistleblowing. 1. A nurse was hired under the temporary terms of a contract with a defined salary. During the first three months, her salary was delayed because of various administrative or external financial reasons. Still, the necessary sum was paid with time. The nurse was not satisfied with her working conditions, a number of duties, and salary delays, and she made a decision to whistleblowing. Was she correct in her intentions to achieve legal success and public understanding through whistleblowing in this case? 2. A nurse was a temporary worker in a hospital during the last three months. She identified and completed all her duties, communicated with patients and their families, and follow treatment plans offered by a doctor. Once, she noticed that the doctor drinking alcohol before meeting patients. The same situation happened several times after, and several more nurses were aware of the fact but were afraid to report. The nurse became a whistleblower, believing that such a condition could be a threat to patients. Could she succeed in her desire to change the situation in a hospital by means of whistleblowing? Answers: 1. She is correct given that there are feasible arguments proving the absence of safe working conditions for the hospital staff (External Whistleblowing Policy 6). Otherwise, whistleblowing is not the correct strategy to be used. 2. Yes, she can succeed in this case since her concern is based on the presence of threats to patient safety (External Whistleblowing Policy 6). However, to achieve success, she will need to encourage other witnesses of the doctor’s misconduct to report this information. Handout 5 Below, there is a brief table with the major aspects of the discussion about whistleblowing to be handed to every student in the classroom: * revealing wrongdoing in an organization Whistleblowing is * disclosing information about workplace misconduct * exposing dangers to the public interest Types of whistleblowing may be * internal (disclosure of information within an organization) * external (disclosure of information outside an organization) * past or temporary employees of an organization Whistleblowers are usually * students * volunteers * patient safety Whistleblowing concerns may include * organizational issues * HR problems * inappropriate working relationships Work Cited “External Whistleblowing Policy,” NHS England , 2018, Web.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: This essay discusses the importance of teaching colors to toddlers and the benefits of doing so. The author describes a lesson plan that can be used to teach colors to toddlers and highlights the importance of using manipulatives to engage students in the learning process.
This essay discusses the importance of teaching colors to toddlers and the benefits of doing so. The author describes a lesson plan that can be used to teach colors to toddlers and highlights the importance of using manipulatives to engage students in the learning process.
Teaching in Action for Toddlers Essay Table of Contents 1. Age 2. Topic 3. Objective 4. Goals 5. Activities 6. Materials 7. Appendix A (Horváth et al. 203) 8. Works Cited Age The lesson is targeted at children that belong to the age group of toddlers. According to the existing taxonomy suggested by Piaget, the infancy stage lasts toddlers are aged 1-3 (Swim 465). Therefore, the age of the target audience ranges from 2 to 3 years. Topic The topic of the lesson is colored, starting with the primary ones (particularly red, green, yellow, and blue). Learning to discern different colors is critical for learners since it allows them to study the properties of the environment around them and explore them in depth (Nilsen 322). Therefore, the ability to identify basic colors should be seen as essential in toddlers. Objective The key objective of the lesson is to teach learners about colors and the means of discerning them. The objective currently includes providing information about four primary colors (red, green, yellow, and blue), while the information about the rest of the colors will be provided to students later. Goals The goal of the lesson is to teach students to differentiate between four basic colors (namely, red, green, yellow, and blue) and be able to name them, respectively. Moreover, by the end of the lesson, learners are expected to be able to identify and name the colors of various objects. Activities The teacher prepares a small area in which objects of the specified colors (red, green, yellow, and blue) are stacked and invites the children to sit in a circle around these objects. The teacher picks an object and tells the students about the red color. Afterward, the students are suggested to select other objects and name them (for example, a student may pick a red ball). The same procedure will be repeated for each color individually. After a short break, the teacher encourages the learners to revise the information. Then, the students are asked to sort objects based on their color. At this point, a teacher may notice that some of the students are already familiar with the concept of basic colors, while others struggle with grasping the concept. Thus, the teacher will need to focus on scaffolding the latter, simultaneously keeping the former invested by providing them with more complex task and even suggesting them to support their peers in learning. The final activity will involve singing a nursery rhyme about colors. Using the song “If You’re Wearing Something Blue,” a teacher will check whether the students have learned the colors. Specifically, as the children sing, “If you’re wearing something red, clap your hands,” the students wearing red will clap their hands; the same will appeal to the parts about “blue,” “green,” and “yellow.” Thus, the teacher will be able to see whether students have learned the basic colors. After the lesson, it will be reasonable for the teacher to collaborate with parents and encourage them to ask their children about colors. It is desirable to continue the activities involving naming the colors of objects and similar tasks at home so that the students could build the required skill set faster. The identified step is particularly important for the students that will have problems learning about colors in class. Materials During class time, the teacher will have to use several types of materials. To introduce learners to colors, a teacher will need colored paper and basic shapes of the identified colors. In addition, objects that represent the colors in question and that will be used for the first activity will have to be utilized. These may include plastic shapes, pencils, pieces of cloth, toys, and similar objects. It will also be necessary to use a device for playing music, which may range from a tape recorder to a laptop. Finally, the articles concerning the developmental stages of children (Horváth et al. 203) (see Appendix A) and the process of learning about the environment (McMillan and Saffran 1843) will have to be used. Appendix A (Horváth et al. 203) Works Cited Horváth, Klára, et al. “Daytime Nap Facilitates Generalization of Word Meanings in Young Toddlers.” Sleep , vol. 39, no.1, 2016, pp. 203-207. McMillan, Brianna TM, and Jenny R. Saffran. “Learning in Complex Environments: The Effects of Background Speech on Early Word Learning.” Child Development , vol. 87, no. 6, 2016, pp. 1841-1855. Nilsen, Barbara. Week by Week: Plans for Documenting Children’s Development . 7th ed., Cengage Learning, 2016. Swim, Terri Jo. Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers: Caregiving and Responsive Curriculum Development . 7th ed., Cengage Learning, 2016.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The text discusses some of the most common problems associated with intranets and offers potential solutions to those problems.The text discusses some of the most common problems associated with intranets and offers potential solutions to those problems.
The text discusses some of the most common problems associated with intranets and offers potential solutions to those problems. The text discusses some of the most common problems associated with intranets and offers potential solutions to those problems.
Technical Solutions to Intranet Problems Essay (Critical Writing) The Intranet is a closed-off local system of file and information-sharing between the computers of an organization (Frazier & Hearrington, 2017). In practice, nearly all computers owned by a school are connected by Intranet. It is a safe and secure system, when compared to the Internet or the Extranet, but possesses its range of limitations, such as restricted or non-existent access to other systems. Some of the issues with the Intranet are the following (Frazier & Hearrington, 2017): * Unauthorized access by people other than Staff; * Physical breakdowns of different parts of the system; * User ignorance issues; * Maintenance and timely upgrading problems; * Force majeure events. Unauthorized access by people other than the members of the staff team shall be managed by the installation of a competent authorization structure, which would include the use of a login and a password (Frazier & Hearrington, 2017). Also, the user would have to re-login every set amount of time (2 hours), to prevent access should the user forget to log out. The team would counter the potential for physical breakdowns of the Intranet by providing a doubling system to every critical component, which would prevent system shutdowns. All users related to the Intranet would be taught to use the system, the software, and deal with common issues and problems on their own (Frazier & Hearrington, 2017). To prevent the local net from getting outdated, a schedule for timely maintenance checks and upgrades would be provided. It is estimated that the components of the systems should be replaced every 3-5 years. Lastly, the Intranet should be shielded against Force Majeure events, such as electrical system shutdowns, fires, floods, and other issues. The technical team will evaluate the options available to the school in regards to some of these possible eventualities. Reference Frazier, M., & Hearrington, D. (2017). Technology coordinator’s handbook (3rd ed.). Portland, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: The text discusses the impact of the printing press on the development of society and the legal system. The printing press led to the development of a more centralized legal system, as well as increased access to written knowledge.
The text discusses the impact of the printing press on the development of society and the legal system. The printing press led to the development of a more centralized legal system, as well as increased access to written knowledge.
Technological Revolutions and Social Challenges Essay Introduction The development of technology and humanity as a species, historically, had always been hand in hand. With the invention of new ways of production, communication, transportation, and medicine, society had to adapt in order to respond not only to the benefits but also to various challenges posed by the invention of new technology. Any kind of revolutionary technology with the potential of significantly altering the existing status quo was traditionally met with a mix of enthusiasm from those who would benefit, versus the rejection of individuals that, for one reason or another, refused to adapt. Modernity sees the 4th technological revolution up to date, which lies in the area of Internet communication, robotization, and artificial intelligence. The book by Wheeler, titled “From Gutenberg to Google: The History of Our Future,” claims that the latest advances in technology do not provide any societal challenges drastically different from those faced in the past. Indeed, in all previous technological revolutions, the existing legal and societal structure managed to adapt to the changes affiliated with the new reality of communication, transportation, and production. This paper argues that the fourth technological revolution will bring about the elimination of the human component from most industries and set about social changes previously unseen in the history of humankind. Technological Changes and Their Influence on the Contemporary Legal Principles Wheeler highlights the invention of several mechanisms that have gradually revolutionized the world into what we know today. These machines include the printing press, the steam engine, the telephone, and the wireless communication/Internet. All of these instruments improved the lives of the people significantly while transforming the legal principles in order to accommodate them. The following sections will explore the influence of technological changes on contemporary legal practices. The Printing Press Before the invention of the printing press, the transition and transformation of knowledge was an extremely cumbersome process. Books had to be copied by hand, meaning that the speed of book-writing was very slow, whereas the quality varied from one copier to another. Because of that, all written knowledge was extremely valuable and essentially inaccessible to the majority of the world’s population. Such restrictions were incredibly restraining for the law, as all legal disputes had to be solved using the local code as remembered by those who practiced it. The uniformity of legal practices and procedures was impossible under such circumstances. All of this changed when Johannes Gutenberg invented the first printing press that allowed for relatively quick and uniform copying of all and any texts onto paper, significantly cheapening and increasing the volume of production. For the legal system, it meant several important changes. The first and the most important one was that now every locality, no matter how big or small, could afford to have a copy of the uniform code of law. Such a development meant that the avenues for interpretation of the law by various rulers and local leaders were significantly minimized, leading to overall stability and effectiveness of legal practice in individual countries. The second influence on the contemporary practices was the enabling of certain individuals to practice as lawyers, by relying on said uniformity of law no matter the location. Although the history of the legal profession dates back from ancient Greece and Rome, it truly became a widely recognized practice only after the invention of the printing press. Lastly, the existence of the printing press created the notion of copyright, as it became possible to print other people’s works and receive money for spreading their ideas. The Steam Engine If the invention of the printing press solved the problem regarding the spread of knowledge, the steam engine created a revolution of a different kind – an industrial revolution. Steam engines placed in factories powered up machines that could produce goods more effectively than hundreds of craftsmen. At the same time, when attached to ships or trains, they enabled the quick, easy, and economically efficient movement of goods, people, and materials in bulk. The Luddite movement tried to fight the introduction of new technology by raiding factories and destroying them. Progress, however, could not be stopped, and the economy of Europe and the US benefitted greatly from distances being made shorter. In terms of legality, however, the steam engine brought about a venue of new challenges. New machines could easily hurt and maim workers, cause accidents, and result in the loss of life and property. These challenges had to be managed on a legal level, in order to ensure appropriate efficiency, safety, and protection for all parties involved. The first ideas of safety regulation and codes of vehicle conduct were developed at that time, in order to ensure that ships and trains travel safely without hitting people and colliding with one another. The standards of quality for the production of such machines were also established. Overall, the legal code added a few important chapters to its already wide list of regulations. The Telephone The invention of the telephone launched the first wave of communicational revolution, enabling people to talk to one another while separated by large distances, and conducting certain operations that, beforehand, were impossible to do without sending letters by mail – a traditionally rather slow and cumbersome process. It is interesting to see the invention from a patent perspective, as Bell was famous for registering the invention in the US and becoming the sole monopolist, effectively enforcing it for quite some time, before other models were invented. Such a trend shows that, both in the case of the printing press and with the telephone, the inventors want to be the sole proprietors of the invention, prevent others from replicating it, and potentially monopolizing production. Ultimately, all of these issues fail. In terms of legal and regulatory terms, the widespread use of the telephone resulted in the need for safety regulation, electrical supply, and the privacy of calls. The latter was equated to the privacy of letter communication. The Internet The Internet was the second step of the communicational revolution that was started by the telephone and continued by cellphones. It created an entire abstract field, within which people could not only communicate, but also store personal data, provide services and products, conduct trade, and transfer financial resources between the merchant and the buyer. The most critical pieces for contemporary law are the public/private storage of personal data and e-banking practices. The former is dismantling and altering the principles all modern privacy protection laws are based on. Personal assets and communications are protected by law, with the US constitution specifically having the 4th Amendment to ensure that the privacy of individuals is shielded from other people and the government. At the same time, the Internet breaches the gap between public and private space. Companies are openly trading private info in exchange for “free” services. The world’s legal system at large is only starting to adapt to these notions. The other aspect of legal evolution involved the incorporation of the standards and laws of banking practice for online banking. For the first time in history, trade is being made without money being physically transferred between the provider and the customer. It created a myriad of issues regarding insurance, settlement of disputes, protections, and criminal activity on the Internet. At the same time, the emergence of Bitcoin – a type of cryptocurrency not supported by any individual government or gold reserve. The views of the law regarding bitcoin have not yet consolidated in the majority of the countries, meaning that there are many legal loopholes regarding its use. The last issue related to the Internet and cybernetics, in general, is the development of AI. While at this moment, the technology is not being actively used to generate profit by replacing individuals in critical aspects of labor, the future robotization of the workplace is becoming a reality. When that happens, the legal system will be forced to evolve again, in a direction that it had never considered before. In Regards to Wheel’s Position Wheels make a compelling argument that the technological revolution of the 21st century is not, in its essence, any different from the previous revolutions. Indeed, when it comes to the social and legal systems, changes are typically local and non-systematic – when an issue appears, an appropriate chapter in the legal code is created to accommodate it. Copyright, privacy, safety regulations – all of these quintessential parts of any legal systems have been created and integrated into the existing codes of law without too much hassle. It is understandably reasonable to suggest that the new challenges being brought about by the internet, global network, and cybernetics are going to be dealt with in a similar manner. However, there are serious arguments against such a notion. The primary reasons lie in the inherent nature of robotization and AI development. Previous industrial revolutions have been focused largely on automation and improvement of the quality and quantity of the products. While the role of individual human workers was reduced to that of supervision and maintenance, it was impossible to completely eliminate the human factor for the process – machines could never repair or replicate themselves. The introduction of robotization and AI brings an intellectual revolution to machines, creating the potential of completely self-reliant systems that could perform not only the control and production of goods but also maintenance. The implications of such motions are enormous – the majority of the world’s population could, in the future, lose their jobs. The mechanisms of capitalism, private property, and the free market, in general, would become null since most people will not have the means of earning money to purchase the goods and services provided by these machines. The legal system would have to be rethought and recreated from the ground-up rather than added and modified like it was during the previous revolutions in production or communication. Wheeler’s arguments are based only on the achievements of the technological revolution so far. Indeed, the new advantages and problems brought by the Internet can be solved by adding to the existing legal code by accommodating the new notions of privacy, establishing the groundwork for e-banking, and so forth. However, the technological revolution is nowhere near the end – it is just beginning. Therefore, the challenges presented by the newest revolution and anticipated to become prominent in the next 20-30 years are not as mundane and rudimentary as Wheeler believes. The legal principle of private property supported by the monetary exchange system is the cornerstone of our society. In a society where machines owned by a small group of people have the capacity to produce the majority of services and products, most would not be able to participate in legal exchanges, which promises massive social turmoil. It does not require robots to penetrate the job market by more than 20-30% to significantly change the economic outcome for the vast majority of the people. Therefore, the society and the legal system would have to be fully transformed, built upon new notions and cornerstones, with human life having more value than money or property, both in word and in practice. Conclusions The invention of the printing press, the telephone, and the Internet caused information revolutions that solved different problems that humanity had while bringing about new onsets of legal challenges that were effectively resolved by the evolution of laws and regulations. The revolutions of the technological kind that increased the production values and the speed of transportation of goods to and from places caused significant social shifts, such as the transformation from the feudal system towards bourgeois republics. At the same time, while the significant changes to societies also caused changes in the legal code, the cornerstones of private property and its protection by the law remained absolute. The monetary systems supported the value of these products. The cybernetic revolution going on right now, however, has the potential to undermine these cornerstones and replace them with something else. Depending on the direction the society takes, it could be a harmonious transformation to a society where individuals no longer need to toil, or a society with great inequalities, perturbations, and violence.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The paper discusses the importance of having a dedicated technology transfer office for (space research institute) in order to better manage technology transfers from the institute to the private sector. The office will also ensure the compliance of the institute's technology transfers with internal and external regulations, particularly the federal mandate. If possible, the office will attempt to modernize the application of the methodology with regards to the institute.
The paper discusses the importance of having a dedicated technology transfer office for (space research institute) in order to better manage technology transfers from the institute to the private sector. The office will also ensure the compliance of the institute's technology transfers with internal and external regulations, particularly the federal mandate. If possible, the office will attempt to modernize the application of the methodology with regards to the institute.
Technology Transfer Office Development Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Duties 2. Goals 3. Vision 4. Services 5. Team Recently, space research has been becoming an object of interest to private companies. The tendency marks a notable departure from trends that were prevalent throughout the 20th century, where the topic was only of interest to various governments around the world. This diversification of demand for space research technology makes it more challenging to manage technology transfer, as many different private entities will now request access to patents in addition to a few governmental institutions. As such, the establishment of a dedicated technology transfer office for (space research institute) becomes a necessity. Duties The office will facilitate relations between (space research institute) and the private sector to maximize benefits for them both. Its primary task will be to handle technology licensing for commercial use by external partners. The office will also ensure the compliance of the institute’s technology transfers with internal and external regulations, particularly the federal mandate. If possible, the office will attempt to modernize the application of the methodology with regards to the institute. It will negotiate industry-sponsored research, form startups if possible, and promote the region’s overall economic and business development. Goals The office will operate within a system that is defined by three primary values. It is expected to ensure compliance with state and federal legislation, generate revenue and provide a high standard of service to research faculty and partner organizations. As compliance is usually not a significant issue for the institute, and the income expected from the office’s operations are unlikely to be substantial compared to the overall costs of research, excellent service will be its first target. By providing outstanding accommodations to researchers and establishing good relations with partners, the institute may be able to attract and retain high-quality staff. Vision The office’s vision of success involves increased privatization of the space research sector. Facilities such as (space research institute) should cooperate with the emerging private companies for purposes mutual growth. The lowering of costs of space research and construction allows competition to arise in the sector, spurring ongoing innovation and progress. The institute should take advantage of this situation and establish connections with the industry to achieve better visibility and maintain or improve its existing high research standards. The cooperation would also enhance the quality of life for the people involved, with effects spreading out into society. Services The office will offer a variety of services to faculty members and outside partners. It will process the licensing of technology to companies that are interested in using it for their purposes. The office will also assist researchers in searching for sponsors for their study ideas using its network of industry connections. It will also support the economic development of the institute with the funds procured from licensing and work to benefit its holdings as well as the general region where it is located. Team The duties of the office require a diverse staff to handle the various aspects of its functioning. Several experienced licensing officers will be needed to handle the primary function of the office. A group of business development managers is necessary to establish industry connections. An attorney and whatever help he or she requires should be present to handle the legal aspects of the office’s work. Several marketing specialists would be helpful for the promotion of awareness of the institute. Materials transfer may become necessary in some situations, and so the presence of a few experts in the field would be prudent. Lastly, a small number of administrative staff should handle the office’s paperwork and financial operations.
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Write an essay about: Telemedicine is a valuable tool for improving health care in rural areas. It allows for more patients to be seen by specialists without having to travel long distances, which can be difficult for those with limited mobility. Telemedicine is also a cost-effective way to provide health care, as it does not require the construction of new facilities in remote areas.
Telemedicine is a valuable tool for improving health care in rural areas. It allows for more patients to be seen by specialists without having to travel long distances, which can be difficult for those with limited mobility. Telemedicine is also a cost-effective way to provide health care, as it does not require the construction of new facilities in remote areas.
Telemedicine in Rural Areas Coursework The rapid inclusion of devices and technologies into diverse areas of human activities allows for meeting not only the needs of informational distribution and entertainment but also for resolving hazardous issues. Indeed, such an achievement in technologies as telemedicine is an excellent contribution to the health quality and well-being of many patients, especially those residing in rural areas. The statistics state that there exists a significant shortage of physicians and nurse practitioners available for the rural inhabitants in the USA (TEDx Talks, 2017). This fact threatens the lives and health conditions of those people because they are deprived of the opportunity to access medical services on time. This issue is even more serious when viewed from the perspective of the needs the patients in the women’s health department have. Since this is my practice area, I think telehealth as the application of technologies to provide patients’ contact with a specialist remotely is crucial for females. Women’s health issues primarily relate to gender-specific requirements, reproductive functions, pre-and post-natal conditions, and other medical questions. Therefore, under the circumstance of being located far from the nearest hospital, telemedicine could be used in the form of personal online profiles where a patient can reach a specialist and receive proper consultations. To obtain buy-in, one should consult governmental regulations and choose from a majority of services available in the industry today. To exemplify a successfully functioning practice, Avera eCare could be named (TEDx Talks, 2017). In the future, it is possible to incorporate the achievements of the existing providers of telemedicine into new and highly efficient programs for rural residents. Such an approach not only benefits the patients but also is a cost-effective method of work for providers because it allows for servicing more patients without spending finances on relocation and building new facilities in remote areas. Therefore, telemedicine is a rational solution to the challenges of rural medicine that allow for providing timely help for the country’s population. Reference TEDx Talks. (2017). Telemedicine – The answer to rural medicine challenges | Linsey Meyers | TEDxUS [Video file]. Web.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The history of Telemundo can be traced back to 1954 on March 28, when Angel Ramos started the brand El Mundo through his WKAQ TV. In 1984, Joe Wallach and his associates at Channel 47 and Channel 48 founded NetSpan, which was a simple abbreviation for Network Spanish. It was the second-largest television network, which focused on delivering its content in Spanish.
The history of Telemundo can be traced back to 1954 on March 28, when Angel Ramos started the brand El Mundo through his WKAQ TV. In 1984, Joe Wallach and his associates at Channel 47 and Channel 48 founded NetSpan, which was a simple abbreviation for Network Spanish. It was the second-largest television network, which focused on delivering its content in Spanish.
Telemundo Company in Latin Media History Essay Introduction Telemundo is an American terrestrial television network that has its headquarters in Miami, Florida. Founded in 1984, Telemundo primarily targeted Spanish speakers in the United States and other parts of the world, especially Mexico, Spain, Europe, and North and South American countries (Leonard and Lugo-Lugo 28). The growing popularity of the programs aired by this free-to-air television network, especially the Telenovelas, made it necessary for the company to consider translating some of the programs into other languages. Bodroghkozy notes that the management of this firm started by translating the languages of the popular programs from Spanish to English to increase their coverage (78). The move was necessitated by the increasing competition that the firm was facing in the local and regional markets. Currently, Telemundo programs are available in more than 100 countries and over 35 languages, and the firm employs over 1,900 workers in different parts of the world (Dávila and Rivero 89). It has also expanded its operations beyond the mass media by introducing Telemundo Digital Media. This essay focuses on the history of Telemundo. History of Telemundo The history of Telemundo can be traced back to 1954 on March 28, when Angel Ramos started the brand El Mundo through his WKAQ TV (Dávila and Rivero 26). At that time, Angel Ramos also owned the El Mundo Newspaper and Radio El Mundo. He was keen on maintaining the Mundo theme, which simply means the ‘world’ in all its media stations. Ramos attempted to get a license for the television business from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1940, but there was a freeze, and he had until 1954 to obtain it (Staubach 21). In the 1970s and 1980s, Telemundo Canal 2 gained popularity because it produced Spanish Soap Operas (Dávila and Rivero 47). The popularity of most of the channels of this firm made it become a strong brand in North America, South America, and parts of Europe. As the firm continued to grow, internal management became an issue, as Bodroghkozy observes (62). Ramos sold WKAQ-TV and the Telemundo brand to John Blair & Co. in 1983 (Leonard and Lugo-Lugo 34). Figure 1 below shows one of the initial logos that were used in promoting the Telemundo brand. Figure 1. The brand image of Telemundo when it was under WKAQ-TV (Staubach 87). Launch of the NetSpan In 1984, Joe Wallach and his associates at Channel 47 and Channel 48 founded NetSpan, which was a simple abbreviation for Network Spanish (Dávila and Rivero 63). It was the second-largest television network, which focused on delivering its content in Spanish. The owners realized that the population of Spanish-speaking American residents was increasing, especially because of the increasing immigration. However, the dominant stations were delivering their content in English, ignoring a section of the society that could not communicate effectively in that language. They realized that the local television stations ignored a critical market segment. The new stations acquired KVEA in 1985 (Staubach 48). The following year, the growing company acquired Telemundo from John & Blair Co. and all the related brands. The company operated under the brand NetSpan from 1984 to 1987 (Dávila and Rivero 43). The group manager merged all the stations owned by the company into a single brand known as Telemundo in 1987 as it continued to acquire new radio and television stations. The newspaper coverage of the company also continued to grow. The Re-launch as Telemundo According to Leonard and Lugo-Lugo, the Telenovelas became increasingly popular in the United States and other parts of the world (79). It became one of the most profitable businesses in the company’s portfolio. The company realized that there was a need to redefine the branding of NetSpan and all the stations and newspapers that it owned. The firm needed to embrace a brand that was not only popular but also memorable and with strong meaning to the targeted audience. The researcher wanted to interview some of the journalists and other Americans who witnessed the transformation of NetSpan into Telemundo. Most of those interviewed are retired journalists and those who were working in the film and media industry in different capacities. In the small interview that was conducted, different respondents had varying views as to why this company re-launched as Telemundo. Researcher, “What do you believe was the primary motivation of the management of this company to rebrand from NetSpan to Telemundo?” Respondent 1 said, “The decision to rebrand NetSpan into Telemundo was motivated by the fact that the brand Telemundo was the most popular of all the names that the company was using at that time. In fact, Telemundo was more popular than NetSpan because it had a meaning in Spanish.” The management of this firm had no option but to embrace the brand name Telemundo to remain relevant. At that time, the Federal Communication Commission had lifted the ban on licensing of a new television network. It meant that competition in the market was going to get stiffer than they were at that time. They needed to identify with their clients, and one of the best ways of doing that was to have a brand name that clients found more appealing. NetSpan could no longer be used because it did not have a meaning to the Spanish Audience, which was the primary target. Researcher, “Do you believe that the management of NetSpan realized that the brand name Telemundo was more appropriate in marketing the company?” Respondent 3 said, “Angel Ramos, the founder of El Mundo brand, had developed a theme that the top management unit of NetSpan found relevant in their new marketing strategy. The word ‘mundo’ or ‘the world’ clearly indicated that the firm was targeting the global audience.” In the late 1980s, the firm had set its focus on expanding the market coverage beyond the United States. It wanted its products to be available to all Spanish speakers around the world. The company also realized that a massive number of people who love soap operas in the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world was growing rapidly. The demand could not be met effectively by film industries in the United States. A significant number of movies produced by Hollywood had violence, making them less popular among many women. Bodroghkozy explains that many women like a love story (44). They prefer watching how people fight for love, and despite the hardships they face, love always prevails.” As such, there was a need to make the content available in more languages. The brand name Telemundo suited this company in its new initiative to explore the global market. It meant that the company would overcome both geographic and language barriers to make its programs available to the world’s audience. Dávila and Rivero note that this strategy worked (75). Telemundo became one of the most preferred television networks for soap operas in the United States and Europe. The strategy to have English subtitles was a massive success because content that was not previously available for most English-speaking Americans became relevant. Researcher, “Was there any relationship between the expansion strategy of the company and the re-introduction of the brand name Telemundo?” Respondent 4 said, “The need to introduce other products in the market was one of the main reasons why this company considered it necessary to rebrand. It needed to move beyond news anchoring to other similarly popular brands.” When NetSpan acquired Telemundo from John Blair & Co, one of the most profitable programs was news anchoring and sports (Staubach 38). These programs largely targeted the male audience. However, Bodroghkozy notes that women were being empowered academically, politically, and economically (50). They could not be ignored any longer. The brand name NetSpan was largely associated with news and sports. The company needed a brand name that would be more relevant to its popular products. As such, Telemundo was more appropriate. It was also an indication that the company was keen on competing in the soap opera industry instead of news and sports. Telenovelas would be appropriately represented using the brand name Telemundo. Sony Pictures and Liberty Media Partnership In 1998, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media focused on expanding their market coverage. The two companies had formed a partnership as a way of managing the still market competition. They opted to buy Telemundo, one of the first rising brands in the market. The management introduced a new campaign slogan, Lo Mejor de Los dos Mundos , which means the best of both worlds, in its effort to attract the bilingual market (Leonard and Lugo-Lugo 53). It marked a new era for the brand. As Leonard and Lugo-Lugo observed, the merger and acquisition meant that the company had enough cash to fund most of its programs, especially the Telenovelas (90). They could afford to run parallel programs after the merger and it helped strengthened the position of this brand as one of the dominant players in the soap opera market. At the time of the acquisition, Telemundo’s market share had dropped by more than half, from 40% of all Spanish-speaking Americans to less than 20% (Dávila and Rivero 90). The market analysis also indicated that viewership of this network had dropped to about 13%. The new management realized that there was a need to conduct an overhaul of the schedule to protect the company from the imminent collapse. The programmers had failed to master and respond to the changing forces in the market. The new schedule focused on understanding the market segment and determining when it is appropriate to air specific programs. The management went ahead to classify the market into senior citizens, women, men, teenagers, and children programs. The firm then made an effort to ensure that each group would be targeted appropriately. For instance, programs meant for children were aired mostly over the weekends. The soap operas that targeted women and some men were aired after the news. Sony Pictures Television also introduced some of its popular programs to popularize the brand. Some of the programs it introduced include Un Angel en la Casa and Solo en America (Staubach 52). The re-programming helped to promote viewership of this television network in the United States, especially among Mexicans and others who speak Spanish. National Broadcasting Company (NBC) In 2001, Reliance and Sony Pictures Entertainment expressed their intention to sell Telemundo Communication Group (Dávila and Rivero 38). At that time, the management had managed to restructure its operations and the company was once again gaining viewership both in the local and international market. When the announcement about the intention to sell was made, several companies expressed their interests. They included Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation, Time Warner, Viacom, and NBC (Leonard and Lugo-Lugo 87). The National Broadcasting Company, currently the NBC Universal, was successful and it went ahead and acquired Telemundo and all its properties at $ 2.7 billion. The company also had to inherit $ 700 million in debt that the acquired firm had accrued in its operations. The new management emphasized the need to continue with the production of the original programs. In 2004, Telemundo Communication Group started Telemundo Television Studios, popularly known as Telemundo Studies, to help it compete effectively with its archrival in the local and international markets, Univision (Leonard and Lugo-Lugo 41). It acquired RTI Colombia to form Telemundo-RTI to increase international distributions. One of the cost-cutting strategies that NBC Universal embraced was to stop the importation of the Telenovelas from Latin America and instead, it started producing the dramas locally. It formed a partnership with the Mexican-based Argos Communication and Colombian-based RTI Colombia to help in the production of the dramas (Dávila and Rivero 89). Respondents who were interviewed in this study felt that the initiative was meant to lower the cost of the content aired by the network and to give it more control in its activities. Researcher, “Why do you think the top management of NBC Universal ceased importing Telenovelas?” Respondent 2 said, “I believe the company was keen on having full control of the production of the content. They wanted soap operas and other dramas that would be suitable for both the local and international markets. Cost was another factor that the management must have considered.” This particular respondent felt that the company was interested in having content that was relevant in the local market. Some of the Telenovelas that were imported from Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil did not make sense to Spanish speakers in the United States. The socio-economic and political forces in these countries were significantly irrelevant to American residents. It explained why there was a consistent drop in the viewership of this program. However, the market review indicated that most Latin Americans and even Europeans were keen on migrating to the United States because of the opportunities and the promise of the American Dream (Staubach 47). As such, any content that was based in the United States would be relevant to them. They would have the opportunity to understand the American lifestyle as they focused on finding their way into the country. The company went ahead to hire some of the popular Mexican, Argentinian, Puerto Rican, and Venezuelan actors. It also started working with American Hispanics in the production of local content. Researcher, “Do you believe the new strategy of ceasing the importation of Telenovelas was a success for the company?” Respondent 4 said, “The initiative was a major success. It allowed the company to match production with the demand. The content also became relevant to the international audience that had become fond of American films.” Respondents interviewed believed that the restructuring of Telemundo Studios, under the management of NBC Universal, was a major success for the company and the Telemundo brand. It made the content relevant not only in the United States but also to the rest of the world. Besides lowering the expenses, the company was able to balance production and market demand. The strategy of hiring established Hispanic and Latin American actors also helped in protecting its market share both locally and internationally. It helped this firm to retain its image and critical factors that define its identity among global customers. The value of the brand and its market share continued to grow during this period. Figure 2 below shows the changes in the logo of Telemundo from 1987 to 2012. Figure 2. The changing brand logo of Telemundo (Leonard and Lugo-Lugo 43). Comcast In 2011, NBC Universal announced a sale deal that would allow Comcast to acquire a 51% majority stake for $ 6.5 billion. In the merger agreement, Comcast took over full control of Telemundo from NBC Universal. Bodroghkozy notes that in the sale agreement, one of the important products that motivated Comcast to acquire NBC Universal was Telemundo Studios (59). Emilio Romano became the president of Telemundo in the same year as the new owner focused on restricting the operations of the firm. It was necessary to retain the image of the firm to reflect its traditional roots while at the same focusing on the emerging trends in the United States and Latin America where the firm has the largest audience. One of the first steps that the new management made in the restructuring process was to redesign the ‘T’ logo to reflect both the past and present. Figure 3 below shows the new brand image that the company embraced after being acquired by Comcast. Figure 2. The current brand logo of Telemundo (Leonard and Lugo-Lugo 72). The new initiatives introduced by Comcast had a major impact on the overall performance of the company. The firm increased salaries for its key actors as a way of ensuring that they are retained. The initiative attracted numerous top actors from Televisa to Telemundo. Some of these actors include Lucero, Pedro Fernandez, Aracely Arámbula, Kate del Castillo, Raúl González, Laura Flores, Blanca Soto, Ana María Canseco, and Cristina Saralegui (Dávila and Rivero 70). It was a major step towards becoming a dominant player in the industry. The company launched two Telenovelas , La Patrona and El Señor de Los Cielos , which were a major success in the United States, Mexico, and other Latin American countries. The company has faced different challenges in the local and global markets, but the management has remained committed to providing quality products as a way of ensuring that it remains sustainable. Staubach notes that despite the numerous acquisitions and mergers that the firm has gone through, the brand Telemundo has proven to be resilient and able to withstand the test of time (63). The history of the firm and the name that it was given by the founder remains relevant to this day, as Bodroghkozy observes (49). The following are some of the programs that are currently available under the brand. Telenovelas The Telenovelas remains the most popular program under the Telemundo program, attracting global viewership. Most of these programs are currently available in different languages. At first, the firm started by providing subtitles in English, French, and other languages. However, it realized that viewers were struggling to read the subtitles while at the same time trying to follow the events (Dávila and Rivero 48). As such, the firm made the initiative of translating the content to popular languages to make the products more accessible to a wider audience. La Cenicienta or Cinderella, and Amor Descarado , or Barefaced Love are some of the programs that premiered after the company was acquired by Comcast and the content was made available both in Spanish and in English (Staubach 71). They received a huge viewership in the United States, Latin America, and Europe. The respondent interviewed feel that Telenovelas are still the main products that identify Telemundo. Researcher, “What is the significance of Telenovelas to Telemundo as a brand in the America’s film and entertainment industry?” Respondent 3 said, “Telenovelas are still the signature products for Telemundo. The brand has gained a global image as the producer of some of the most popular soap operas. I believe this is the reason why the name has been retained even after the numerous acquisitions.” This respondent felt that Telenovelas are critical in defining the sustainability of the brand Telemundo. Dávila and Rivero explain that many firms often lose their brand name soon after their acquisition (126). WNJU (channel 47), KSTS (channel 48), and KVEA (channel 52), which played the primary role in the formation and promotion of the brand Telemundo, became irrelevant to the acquiring firms, and their brand names were not retained. However, the global market now identifies Telemundo with its Telenovelas. Telemundo Sports In its diversification program, Telemundo introduced a sports division under the name Telemundo Deportes. According to Leonard and Lugo-Lugo, the most popular sporting activity in the United States is American football, followed by baseball, basketball, and then hockey (34). Soccer as a sporting activity comes a distant third. On the other hand, Football is the primary sport in Mexico and entire Latin America (Staubach 54). Whenever there is a major football tournament, most major media stations have to ignore other sporting events. The disconnect meant that Latin Americans in the United States were underserved when it comes to the sports channel. This firm focused on addressing this gap by showing major soccer tournaments around the world. It focuses on Premier League, Champions League, Winter Olympic Games, FIFA World Cups, and other major football events (Dávila and Rivero 56). Its programs are popular among Hispanic Americans. News Programming Telemundo News is another flagship product of Telemundo under the management of Comcast. This program produces an early evening newscast that takes half-hour in Spanish (Bodroghkozy113). Both legal and illegal immigration in the United States has led to an increase in the population of Hispanics in the United States. According to recent statistics, Hispanics and Latinos account for about 17% of the United States total population, with a state such as New Mexico having 47% of its population being Hispanics or Latin Americans and California having a population of 14 million Hispanics or Latinos (Staubach 116). Most of them who immigrated to the United States as teenagers or adults prefer watching the news in Spanish. As such, this program meets their interests. Telemundo Digital Media The management of Telemundo has come to appreciate the significance of digital media. It came up with Telemundo Digital Media to help it make its content available on the online media platform. The initiative was considered relevant because of the growing number of film producers and distributing companies, which have opted to make their content available in digital media. The move was meant to improve the competitiveness of the company in the digital era. Dávila and Rivero say that “Hulu’s on-demand library of movies, shows, and anime, plus live streams of 58 channels, including your Telemundo live stream,” offers one of the best options of watching popular Telemundo programs online (41). The strategy was also meant to increase the company’s interaction with its customers through social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Conclusion Telemundo is one of the most successful free-to-air television networks that mainly focus on the production of Telenovelas. The history of this company dates back to 1954 when Angel Ramos founded the El Mundo brand through his WKAQ TV. Ramos realized that there was a growing population of Hispanics in the United States, and most of them could not communicate in fluent English. However, the film industry in the country ignored this population. Identifying the gap, he focused on producing content in Spanish that would specifically target Hispanics. Since then, Telemundo has gone through mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring to meet the emerging needs of its contents. Although the firm has gone through several acquisitions, the brand name Telemundo has never changed. It is a sign that the name is the best reflection of the product that it offers and its mission both in the local and global markets. Works Cited Bodroghkozy, Aniko, editor. A Companion to the History of American Broadcasting . John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2018. Dávila, Arlene, and Yeidy Rivero. Contemporary Latina/o Media: Production, Circulation, Politics . New York University Press, 2014. Leonard, David, and Carmen Lugo-Lugo, editors. Latino History and Culture: An Encyclopedia. 2nd ed., Routledge, 2015. Staubach, James C. The Magic City Captured by Miami Vice, Scarface, Movies, and Burn Notice: A Guide to 80s Locations and Culture . Lulu.com, 2018.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: Tesco's major weaknesses include its dependence on the UK and European market and the ineffectiveness of its research resulting in some failures in other locations.
Tesco's major weaknesses include its dependence on the UK and European market and the ineffectiveness of its research resulting in some failures in other locations.
Tesco PLC Major Weaknesses Essay At the moment, there are two major weaknesses that might threat the further evolution of the company and limit its opportunities. First, TESCO is extremely depended on the UK and European market as in accordance with the statistics, the bigger part of income comes from these two strategic locations (Wood 2014). Additionally, the company does not recognise this threat and does not devote resources to the development of other markets in areas where it works. The possible solution to the problem is the introduction of the strategy emphasising the critical role of other locations as the potential source of new clients and the generation of additional income. Improvement of the infrastructure in other states might help TESCO to improve its positions. Another weakness is related to the previous one. Existing retail formats fail to show outstanding effectiveness in some countries because of the lack of market research about clients’ preferences, their buying power, preferable options, and demands to products (Wood 2014). In such a way, the company experiences a decrease in incomes in areas that are potentially beneficial. The possible solution might include additional market research with the primary aim to determine the main source of the problem and eliminate it. Altogether, TESCO remains a potent retailing company that holds leading positions in the international market. The company is recognised in many locations, and in the UK and Europe, it is taken as a leading seller of food and products of acceptable quality and price (TESCO 2018a). All these factors indicate that there is a potential for further improvement and development for the brand to become a leader and compete with other giant corporations. The company is focused on selling groceries as the biggest part of its operations; however, there is also an increase in the provision of other consumer goods to broaden the target audience and generate additional revenue. The latest reports show that that given approach remains effective as TESCO was the largest retailer in the UK by sale with 27.4% of the market share of total grocers (TESCO 2018b). There are three major shareholders which are BlackRock (6,64%), Norges Bank (3.99%) and Schroders (4,99%) that hold the company’s shares (TESCO 2019). The improved relations with these actors are organised via direct annual meetings and online methods. At the moment, TESCO experiences a certain growth in the operating profit margin if to compare to 2017 (TESCO n.d). It can be explained by the stable high number of sales and effective strategies. However, there is a significant financial risk because the margin remains considerably low. It means that there is a need for a certain intervention. Finally, the company has some weaknesses, which are the dependence on the UK and European market and the ineffectiveness of the research resulting in some failures in other locations. Consideration of these problems and their solutions might help to align the stable functioning and growth of Tesco as many other factors show that the corporation has the potential to hold leading positions in the market. Reference List TESCO n.d., Five year report , Web. TESCO 2018a, Annual report and financial statements 2018 , Web. TESCO 2018b, Strategic seport 2018 , Web. TESCO 2019, Notice of annual general meeting 2019 , Web. Wood, Z 2014, ‘Five problems for Tesco’s new boss to deal with’ , The Guardian , Web.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: Thalassemia is a hematologic condition that is defined by low levels of hemoglobin and erythrocytes in one's blood. This disorder is often confused with iron deficiency anemia due to the similarity of symptoms. There exist many forms of thalassemia, where mild conditions such as alpha-thalassemia and beta-thalassemia minor do not require treatment. However, such severe forms as beta-thalassemia major need blood transfusions, as well
Thalassemia is a hematologic condition that is defined by low levels of hemoglobin and erythrocytes in one's blood. This disorder is often confused with iron deficiency anemia due to the similarity of symptoms. There exist many forms of thalassemia, where mild conditions such as alpha-thalassemia and beta-thalassemia minor do not require treatment. However, such severe forms as beta-thalassemia major need blood transfusions, as well
Thalassemia: Pharmacotherapy for Hematologic Disorders Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Hematologic Disorder: Treatment 3. Patient Factor 4. Conclusion 5. References Introduction Many genetic disorders develop in childhood and affect patients’ entire lives. Thalassemia is a hematologic condition that is defined by low levels of hemoglobin and erythrocytes in one’s blood (Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur, & Reinhold, 2017). This disorder is often confused with iron deficiency anemia due to the similarity of symptoms (Arcangelo et al., 2017). There exist many forms of thalassemia, where mild conditions such as alpha-thalassemia and beta-thalassemia minor do not require treatment. However, such severe forms as beta-thalassemia major need blood transfusions, as well as supporting supplements and drugs to regulate the level of iron in the blood. (Arcangelo et al., 2017) The disorder affects children, whose response to transfusions may manifest in a variety of complications, including heart problems (Gode, Prabhu, & Venkatesh, 2017). Furthermore, some children have difficulties with adhering to regular procedures, increasing the risk of adverse outcomes (Kannan & Singh, 2017). To treat children with thalassemia, healthcare providers should use blood transfusions and iron-controlling drugs as well as follow an engaging program to increase the rate of therapy compliance. Hematologic Disorder: Treatment The main types of thalassemia include alpha-thalassemia and beta-thalassemia, which are further divided into minor and major forms. Alpha-thalassemia is characterized by mild symptoms of fatigue and weakness, and beta-thalassemia minor also presents with symptoms that do not alter affected persons’ life significantly (Arcangelo et al., 2017). On the other hand, beta-thalassemia major and rare cases of other severe subtypes of the disorder are defined by patients with moderate or severe symptoms that substantially affect their daily acidities. These individuals require medical treatment in the form of blood transfusions (Arcangelo et al., 2017). They should also receive supplements to control the level of folate and undergo iron chelation therapy to reduce the adverse effects of excessive iron transfusion. The latter procedure is performed with the help of deferoxamine mesylate (Arcangelo et al., 2017). Iqbal et al. (2018) also suggest utilizing hydroxyurea to treat children with beta-thalassemia. Nevertheless, the combination of blood transfusion and iron chelation remains the basis of the therapy plan for people with severe thalassemia. Patient Factor Age is one of the factors that affect the results of therapy. Although the described procedures have an impact on all patients, children may suffer from serious complications that can escalate because many problems are not visible. According to Gode et al. (2017), cardiovascular issues such as tachycardia are silent in children with this hematologic disorder. This issue can be overcome with timely diagnostics and a controlled treatment plan. Another problem is the lack of adherence to the procedure of blood transfusion by children. Kannan and Singh (2017) state that the monotonous regimen of the therapy leads to children losing interest in treatment. The lack of regularity in transfusions and iron chelation may result in growth retardation, tissue damage, and other severe outcomes (Kannan & Singh, 2017). In order to resolve this issue, healthcare providers should monitor children’s compliance levels and implement a scoring initiative to keep young patients motivated to maintain their schedule. Conclusion Thalassemia is a genetic disorder that presents itself in various types and ranging from mild to severe forms. Some of them do not require therapy, but severe manifestations can be treated with blood transfusions and iron chelation to control the level of iron in one’s blood and avoid complications. Children respond to monotonous therapy with low adherence which may lead to serious health-related problems. A low rate of compliance can be overcome with a scoring system that motivates children to participate. References Arcangelo, V. P., Peterson, A. M., Wilbur, V., & Reinhold, J. A. (Eds.). (2017). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (4th ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Gode, V. K., Prabhu, S. S., & Venkatesh, S. (2017). Cardiac abnormalities in transfusion dependent beta thalassemia children. Global Journal for Research Analysis , 6 (9), 146-149. Iqbal, A., Ansari, S. H., Parveen, S., Khan, I. A., Siddiqui, A. J., & Musharraf, S. G. (2018). Hydroxyurea treated β-thalassemia children demonstrate a shift in metabolism towards healthy pattern. Scientific Reports , 8 (15152), 1-9. Kannan, S., & Singh, A. (2017). Compliance score as a monitoring tool to promote treatment adherence in children with thalassemia major for improved physical growth. Asian Journal of Transfusion Science , 11 (2), 108-114.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: The Age of the Baroque was a time of great change in Europe, marked by the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. The Baroque style of art that emerged during this time was heavily influenced by these two events.The Age of the Baroque was a time of great change in Europe, marked by the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. The Baroque style of art that emerged during this time was heavily influenced by these two events.
The Age of the Baroque was a time of great change in Europe, marked by the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. The Baroque style of art that emerged during this time was heavily influenced by these two events. The Age of the Baroque was a time of great change in Europe, marked by the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. The Baroque style of art that emerged during this time was heavily influenced by these two events.
The Age of the Baroque Essay Discussion Question Please choose three works of art, architecture, music, literature, or philosophy from the Age of the Baroque. Then, explain how these works are influenced by either the Protestant Reformation or the Catholic Counter-Reformation. Initial Response (At least 3-4 sentences that directly answer the question) In fine art, the term Baroque (from Portuguese “Barocco” – a pearl or stone of irregular shape) referred to a complex artistic movement that took origins in Rome, Italy, and dominated the European art from circa 1590 through 1720. The Catholic Church of Rome was not happy with what the Protestant Reformation brought about and desired to reassert its power and dominance. The language of art was understood by many, and the Catholic church used paintings, sculptures, and buildings as media for spreading its views on Christianity. Peter Paul Rubens was one of the key figures of the Baroque and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. He was a renowned expert at creating so-called chiaroscuro – a painting technique characterized by employing a striking contrast in lighting – and expressing the melodrama and mystery of Catholic faith (Sauerlander 45). The Descent from the Cross by Rubens takes up the center panel of a triptych that he painted for the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp. Over the 16th century, Antwerp had seen many conflicts on the grounds of religion (De la Torre 185). In the early 16th century, Antwerp switched from Catholicism to Calvinism and prohibited religious visuals from churches (De la Torre 185). By 1585, the rule had been repelled, and among other events, the installation of The Descent from the Cross contributed to the rise of Catholicism. Jesus Christ is the central character of The Descent from the Cross and draws the viewer’s attention from the first glance. The other characters include St. John the Evangelist, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, and the three Marys – the Virgin Mary, Mary of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene (Sauerlander 156). The most prominent characteristics of the Catholic Counter-Reformation art are found in the Descent from the Cross: overlapping figures, vivid colors, and a large scale. This particular painting was supposed to let the viewers imagine themselves being part of the scene and also repent their sins when contemplating the reformed Mary Magdalene holding Christ’s hand. Caravaggio was one of the most prominent artists of his time who was best known for his strikingly realistic painting style. He masterfully combined the embellishment and exaggeration of the Baroque with elements of classicism and revitalized large scale religious art in Italy (Benay 69). His artistic idiom was both admired and criticized: the most conservative Catholics found the realism too vulgar for showing Christian scenes while art collectors appreciated his innovative manner (Puglisi 106). Akin to Rubens, Caravaggio was an expert in chiaroscuro and tenebrism, the use of deep shadows to set the tone for a painting. The Calling of Saint Matthew depicts the time when Jesus Christ compels Levi, the tax collector, to become the apostle Matthew and follow him from then on. According to the Scripture, eventually, Levi rose and expressed his commitment to the teaching of Jesus Christ (Benay 78). Even though the figure of Levi is somewhat downplayed by the tone and color as well as his placement to the far left of the composition, the viewer notices him right away because of Christ’s gesture. Levi is visibly surprised – he points to himself, asking if Christ is talking to him. Saint Peter, standing next to the Lord, appears to be calm and positive about the outcome of this meeting. This approach is intentional: the viewer can relate to this piece of art and empathize with both the amazement and uncertainty of Levi and the assurance and serenity of St. Peter. One of the best Spanish artists, Diego Velasquez, had religious inclinations and left a few paintings showing Biblical scenes. Christ Crucified was created after Velasquez took a trip to Italy that proved stimulating and motivating. This painting provides an intensely powerful image of the dead Jesus Christ on the Cross. Velasquez was no stranger to painting male nudes such as Apollo in Vulcan’s Forge (Justi 56). However, depicting Jesus Christ was different – the artist had to shift the focus from the physical to the Lord’s dignity and serenity. Christ Crucified is both realistic and iconographic: it succeeds at both showing the human and divine nature of Jesus Christ (Viladesau 67). In summation, Velasquez stayed contributed to the reassertion of the Catholic faith by engaging the viewer with moving visuals. Textual Evidence that Supports Your Initial Response (Include the full, direct quotation and page number or website address of your evidence) 1. “As a symbol, however, Guadalupe is more than the keeper of ancestral beliefs and a symbol of national syncretism” (De la Torre 185). 2. Here the laurel-crowned and halo-enriched apollo presents himself in a flowing gold-coloured robe” (Justi 91). 3. “The Christian painter filters out a Stoic martyrdom from the prose of the Roman historian” (Sauerlander 26). 4. “Christ’s portrayal with an open mouth as he beckons Levi, who listens attentively, underlines the spiritual message” (Puglisi 111). 5. “It was important for the meaning of Counter-Reformation paintings to be easily understandable” (Viladesau 25). What You Learned / Your Final Response (At least 4-5 sentences that offer a new insight to the discussion question and how you have changed or modified your original position) Baroque art characterized by its tendency to exaggerate and embellish was a logical successor of the idealism of the Renaissance and the somewhat “forced” nature of the Mannerism. Above all, the art of the Baroque epoch reflected the religious conflicts and tensions of its age. Caravaggio, Rubens, and Velasquez were some of the best painters of the Baroque era and devout Christians who contributed to the reassertion of the Catholic faith in Europe. In their religious paintings, the artists used realism, contrast, and vivid colors to make the viewer experience piety and admiration. Textual Evidence that Supports Your Final Response (Include the full, direct quotation and page number or website address of your evidence) 1. “Compared with Velázquez, Titian’s colouring seems conventional, Rembrandt fantastic, and Rubens infected with a dash of unnatural mannerism” (Justi 7). 2. The religious symbol is also a transmutable object, which admits the duality of meanings, due to the changes in the materials it is produced with and appears in” (De la Torre 193). Post-learning Reflection After you have been exposed to the course content and done reading, online research and have engaged in discussion, in what ways have your initial reflections changed? Remained the same? Why? What new evidence or ideas do you have to support your position? Prompt In what way are humans all the same? In what ways are we different? How do these similarities and differences affect our various human cultures? I was surprised to learn that even back in the 16th century, art was heavily influenced by politics. The historical context and the events of the past with which I have familiarized myself throughout this course added an extra dimension of meaning to the paintings analyzed. I cannot say if the Catholic Church was in the right to manipulate the public through artistic media. However, regardless of what agenda the artists followed in the past, they left a compelling legacy that we are fortunate to enjoy today. Works Cited De la Torre, Renée. “Ultra-Baroque Catholicism: Multiplied Images and Decentered Religious Symbols.” Social Compass, vol. 63, no. 2, 2016, pp. 181-196. Justi, Carl. Velázquez and His Times. Parkstone International, 2016. Puglisi, Catherine. “Talking Pictures: Sound in Caravaggio’s Art.” Caravaggio: Reflections and Refractions , edited by Lorenzo Pericolo and David M. Stone, Ashgate Publishing, 2014, pp. 105-122. Sauerlander, Willibald. The Catholic Rubens: Saints and Martyrs. Getty Publications, 2014. Viladesau, Richard. The Pathos of the Cross: The Passion of Christ in Theology and the Arts-The Baroque Era. OUP USA, 2014.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: Benito Mussolini's "The Basic Philosophy of Fascism" essay outlines the essence of Italian Fascism that aimed at ensuring the prosperity of the country. When put in the social, political, economic, and cultural context, the essay unveils its author's fears regarding the spread of communism, disgust to the impotence of liberalism, and the desire to re-create the might of the Ancient Roman Empire.
Benito Mussolini's "The Basic Philosophy of Fascism" essay outlines the essence of Italian Fascism that aimed at ensuring the prosperity of the country. When put in the social, political, economic, and cultural context, the essay unveils its author's fears regarding the spread of communism, disgust to the impotence of liberalism, and the desire to re-create the might of the Ancient Roman Empire.
The Analysis of Benito Mussolini’s “The Basic Philosophy of Fascism” Essay The world between the two wars was transforming, and people were looking for the political, social, and cultural paradigms that could address their needs and perspectives regarding the world order. The global financial crisis of the 1930s that is referred to as the Great Depression was one of the most influential factors that ensured the prominence of authoritarian ideas in many countries, including Italy. Fascism became the reaction to the complete devastation associated with the First World War, insufficient control over the situation in the 1920s, and the economic and social insecurity of the 1930s (Tignor et al. 725). In his essay, Benito Mussolini outlined the essence of Italian Fascism that aimed at ensuring the prosperity of the country. When put in the social, political, economic, and cultural context, the essay unveils its author’s fears regarding the spread of communism, disgust to the impotence of liberalism, and the desire to re-create the might of the Ancient Roman Empire. The Italian nation was rather homogeneous (as compared to such countries as the USA or the USSR), but the Italian society was divided in terms of political and social trends. Liberalist parties proclaimed their values but failed to deliver a viable plan that could revive the country after the devastating war (Tignor et al. 725). People were tired of the empty promises of liberals with their “flabby materialistic positivism” (Mussolini 165). Moreover, liberals were blamed for the war and its consequences in the first place. Italy had to address serious economic issues that could be solved with the help of capitalistic measures, but Italians chose another path. Capitalism, with its focus on individualism and its high rate of unemployment during crises, was not popular in the country. Mussolini introduced his ideas that put the state to the fore while the individual was to create “first of all in himself the instrument” to construct a prosperous nation (Mussolini 165). Importantly, the world saw the atrocities of the rule of the working class in the USSR where bloodsheds were a part of the development of the new country. Capitalism obviously failed in Europe after the WWI, but, at the same time, western people, including Italians, were afraid of the Russian kind of socialism, so they hardly had any alternative. Mussolini’s idea of a mutual effort to achieve a higher purpose inspired and united people. The charismatic leader’s agenda resonated with Italians’ search for stability and guidance. Mussolini emphasized that every person was to sacrifice meaningless short-term pleasures for the good of all that was manifested in the concept of the State (175). The Italian dictator made people believe that “the State was transformed into the conscience and will of the people” (Mussolini 175). Importantly, the major values that reigned in the country were not questioned as private property was still protected, and religion was one of the pillars of fascism in Italy. Mussolini’s doctrine was grounded on the primary beliefs and seemed to respond to the basic needs of Italian people, which led to the popularization of fascism. The patriarchal Italian society was a fertile ground for this political system as it was common to accept the complete authority of the Pope, the king, and, eventually, the dictator. The development of technology enhanced the influence of Il Duce who used radio for his propaganda. Finally, although subjunctive mood can hardly be utilized when dealing with historical facts, it is possible to assume that Italian Fascism could have never appeared without the First World War. The Great War was a result of the rise of nationalism in Europe and led to its complete victory over other trends (Tignor et al. 712). People focused on their national identities and interests and forgot about the global security and consequences of their actions. For instance, instead of trying to resolve the problems that existed or were about to arise, the British Empire, the United States, and France concentrated on carving the world map and taking control over former Germany’s colonies. Italians were also concerned about their national identity, but they were disappointed with their king who could not ensure the rebuilding of the country after the war. The idea of the State became popular as it was believed to be capable of reviving the great Roman Empire. In conclusion, it is necessary to note that Benito Mussolini’s doctrine outlined his ideas regarding Italian fascism and the role it could play in the history of his country. Italians were tired of the failures of liberalist politicians who could not address the capitalist consequences of the global economic crisis. Different plans and political paths numerous liberal groups offered were associated with the war and economic collapse, while the new order promised stability and consolidation based on traditional values. The political systems chosen by other countries revealed their downsides and turned the people of Italy away from them. They chose to follow their leader and build the State that reminded about the great past of the country. Works Cited Mussolini, Benito. “The Basic Philosophy of Fascism.” The Social and Political Doctrines of Contemporary Europe , edited by Michael Oakeshott, Cambridge University Press, 1942, pp. 168-178. Tignor, Robert, et al. Worlds Together, Wolds Apart . 5th ed., vol. 2, W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2017.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The role of interleukin-26 in the pathophysiology of uncontrolled asthma has been elucidated. It was found that there is a higher secretion of interleukin-26 in uncontrolled asthma than in controlled asthma. This finding means that interleukin-26 is a unique immunological factor that explains the occurrence of uncontrolled asthma in patients.
The role of interleukin-26 in the pathophysiology of uncontrolled asthma has been elucidated. It was found that there is a higher secretion of interleukin-26 in uncontrolled asthma than in controlled asthma. This finding means that interleukin-26 is a unique immunological factor that explains the occurrence of uncontrolled asthma in patients.
The Anti-inflammatory Role of IL-26 in Uncontrolled Asthma Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Main Objectives 3. Conclusion 4. References Introduction Asthma is a heterogeneous chronic condition of lungs that obstructs bronchial tubes and triggers breathing difficulties. The attribute of heterogeneity has led to the design of the control test to categorize and determine the type of asthma among individuals. In assessing symptoms exhibited in four weeks, the asthma control test detects uncontrolled asthma as having a score that is greater than 19 (Tufvesson et al., 2019). The common symptoms associated with uncontrolled asthma are frequent breathing problems, chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, and persistent cough. The severity of these symptoms determines if asthma is within or beyond a controllable range. Pathophysiology shows that allergens of asthma trigger anti-inflammatory responses, which stimulate the secretion of cytokines such as interleukins (IL) and cause the accumulation of macrophages, neutrophils, and mucous in bronchioles. According to Asthma Canada (2019), asthma ranks as the third leading chronic disease because it affects 3.8 million individuals and adds 317 new cases daily. Uncontrolled asthma is significant to Canadian society and individuals because it contributes to mortality and morbidity, as well as increases healthcare costs. This research paper examines the role of interleukin-26 in the pathophysiology of uncontrolled asthma and its implications for clinical practice. Main Objectives The analysis of the pathophysiological mechanism of uncontrolled asthma shows that cytokines play a significant role in cascades of cellular signaling. A recent study demonstrated that interleukin-26 is one of the cytokines involved in the pathophysiology of uncontrolled asthma. Tufvesson et al. (2019) found that there is a higher secretion of IL-26 in uncontrolled asthma than in controlled asthma. This finding means that IL-26 is a unique immunological factor that explains the occurrence of uncontrolled asthma in patients. Consequently, elucidation of the role of IL-26 would indicate the pathophysiological mechanism of uncontrolled asthma and suggest appropriate clinical practice. The evaluation of IL-26 in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and biopsies of trans-bronchial and bronchial sites revealed novel information regarding the pathophysiology of uncontrolled asthma. The concentration of IL-26 in BAL fluids of the group with uncontrolled asthma was higher when compared with that of the group with controlled asthma (Tufvesson et al., 2019). The existence of IL-26 in BAL fluid suggests its role in the obstruction of airways in the lungs. Further analysis of the expression profile demonstrated that the level of mRNA of IL-26 in BAL cells was higher in individuals with uncontrolled asthma than in those with controlled asthma (Tufvesson et al., 2019). These findings mean that BAL cells express IL-26 proteins, which heighten the anti-inflammatory response in uncontrolled asthma. Moreoverm, alveolar lung parenchyma exhibited a higher level of immunoreactivity for IL-26 protein in uncontrolled asthma than in controlled asthma (Tufvesson et al., 2019). Overall, findings suggest that the level of IL-26 correlates with the presence of uncontrolled asthma among individuals. The pathophysiology of asthma entails complex anti-inflammatory responses characterized by bronchial hyperactivity and obstruction of the flow of air in the lungs. Uncontrolled asthma follows the cell-mediated pathway, where allergens initiate an anti-inflammatory response. On the epithelium surfaces, dendritic cells detect, process, and present allergens in their surfaces using toll-like receptors for recognition by T-helper cells (Che, Sun, & Linden, 2019). According to Saeki et al. (2019), T-helper 17 cells mediate anti-inflammatory response by stimulating the release and accumulation of neutrophils in the lungs. Subsequently, T-helper 17 cells secrete IL-26, which stimulates the release of effector molecules. Tufvesson et al. (2019) explain that allergens stimulate T-helper 17 cells to produce IL-26 protein, which elicits an anti-inflammatory response by causing the accumulation of macrophages and neutrophils in bronchioles. Therefore, in the elucidation of the pathophysiology of uncontrolled asthma, it is evident that the secretion of IL-26 is a significant cytokine that enhances the anti-inflammatory response. In the article, the analysis of IL-26 indicated that their concentrations of proteins and mRNA is high in BAL fluids, as well as alveolar parenchyma and bronchial mucosa. Localized accumulation of IL-26 implies that it contributes directly to the occurrence of symptoms associated with uncontrolled asthma. IL-26 differentiates uncontrolled asthma from controlled asthma since it enhances anti-inflammatory response by stimulating the accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages in the lungs (Che et al., 2019; Tufvesson et al., 2019). In a recent study, Che et al. (2019) revealed that lung fibroblasts undertake constitutive secretion of IL-26 following endotoxin-induced stimulation. Subsequently, IL-26 stimulates the release of other neutrophil-mobilizing cytokines and amplify the anti-inflammatory response. Che et al. (2019) report that the concentration of IL-26 increases with the IL-8 and IL-8 and causes the phosphorylation of kinases in the pathways of intracellular signaling molecules, such as p38, NF-κB, and JNK, and ERK. Hence, IL-26 works in conjunction with other cytokines and kinases in mounting a robust anti-inflammatory response. Conclusion The discovery of the role of IL-26 in the pathophysiology of uncontrolled asthma has considerable influence on clinical practice. Research findings suggest that the suppression of IL-26 secretion in the lungs would alleviate the anti-inflammatory response associated with uncontrolled asthma. The implication is that novel drugs used in the treatment of asthma targets to alleviate the production of IL-26 by lung fibroblasts. Recent studies have shown that hydrocortisone, glucocorticoid, and corticosteroids have inhibitory effects on the release of IL-26, IL-8, and IL-6, and subsequently decrease the phosphorylation state of intracellular kinases (O’Byrne et al., 2019; Che et al., 2019). Therefore, clinical practice should consider using IL-26 as a molecular marker of uncontrolled asthma, as well as targets its inhibition in treatment. References Asthma Canada. (2019). Asthma facts and statistics . Web. Che, K. F., Sun, J., & Linden, A. (2019). Pharmacological modulation of endotoxin-induced release of il-26 in human primary lung fibroblasts. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 10 , 1-12. Web. O’Byrne, P., Fabbri, L. M., Pavord, I. D., Papi, A., Petruzzelli, S., & Lange, P. (2019). Asthma progression and mortality: The role of inhaled corticosteroids. The European Respiratory Journal, 54 (1), 1-14. Web. Saeki, M., Nishimura, T., Kitamura, N., Hiroi, T., Mori, A., & Kaminuma, O. (2019). Potential mechanisms of T cell-mediated and eosinophil-independent bronchial hyperresponsiveness. International Journal of Molecular Sciences , 20 (12), 1-16. Web. Tufvesson, E., Jogdand, P., Che, K., Levanen, B., Erjefalt, J., Linder, L., & Linden, A. (2019). Enhanced local production of IL-26 in uncontrolled compared with controlled adult asthma. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 144 (4), 1134-1136. Web.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The paper's purpose is to summarize and discuss the author's skills in interpersonal, group/organizational, and technology-mediated communication with reference to models of communication.The paper's purpose is to summarize and discuss the author's skills in interpersonal, group/organizational, and technology-mediated communication with reference to models of communication.
The paper's purpose is to summarize and discuss the author's skills in interpersonal, group/organizational, and technology-mediated communication with reference to models of communication. The paper's purpose is to summarize and discuss the author's skills in interpersonal, group/organizational, and technology-mediated communication with reference to models of communication.
The Application of Interpersonal Communication Skills Self Evaluation Essay Table of Contents 1. Portfolio Assignment 2. Interpersonal Communication 3. Group and Organizational Communication 4. Technology-Mediated Communication 5. Conclusion 6. References Portfolio Assignment People use nonverbal and verbal means in order to reach an enormous number of personal objectives and deliver meaningful messages. Communication can take different forms depending on whether it occurs in everyday or organizational contexts and the presence of technology applications and tools. This paper’s purpose is to summarize and discuss my skills in interpersonal, group/organizational, and technology-mediated communication with reference to models of communication. Interpersonal Communication Just like other individuals, I have to apply interpersonal communication skills linked to speaking, listening, and building relationships to deal with everyday tasks and be able to transform my efforts and ideas into tangible and substantial results. Speaking about the general trends related to my performance, despite occasional difficulties and the cases of misunderstanding due to value differences, I usually succeed at performing tasks that require well-developed interpersonal communication skills. As an example, I am capable of getting across to people of different generations, including children, adapting to various speech patterns when listening to my partners in conversation, and managing conflicts to maintain productive relationships. The application of interpersonal communication skills is always aimed at receiving the expected reaction, and it is reasonable to use the concept of the looking-glass self to conduct self-evaluation. As Cooley suggested in 1902, individuals’ self-concept is a combination of their self-image and others’ reactions to their behaviors (Jones, 2015). Basically, with reference to the reactions component, I am quite successful at exchanging messages with other people. Since I live in a multinational country, I have to verbally communicate with individuals from different linguistic backgrounds, which requires the presence of well-developed spoken language skills. When engaging in communication with non-native speakers of English, I rarely observe confusion and puzzlement as a reaction to my words since I strive to formulate verbal messages with attention to my interlocutors’ characteristics, including age, a field of expertise, and ethnicity. In business, educational, and everyday contexts, my interlocutors usually get at the intended meanings of my phrases effortlessly, which is clear from their substantive responses. My listening skills can also be evaluated with reference to the looking-glass self. As a woman, I fulfill multiple social roles, including those of a daughter, a relative, a mother, a friend, a student, and a professional on a daily basis, and it requires being an active and reflective listener. An important component of active listening, behavioral processes, involves the use of verbal and nonverbal signals to demonstrate that the message has been understood (Jones, Bodie, & Hughes, 2016). In my conversations with people from different cultures, I may use nonverbal signs, such as nodding and maintaining eye contact and also paraphrase some parts of what my interlocutors have just said to show mutual understanding. It is worthy of notice that my interlocutors in business conversations react to these strategies in a positive way, which is evident from their willingness to continue speaking and sharing their ideas. Basically, I find pleasure in listening to others and trying to understand different worldviews as it often helps me to find inspiration for working on my creative projects, including a poetry book and a podcast. When it comes to relationship skills, my acquaintances would probably describe me as a friendly and polite person capable of softening sharp corners. Others usually manifest emotional openness and readiness to discuss their successes and failures with me, which is, to some extent, the result of my self-improvement efforts. Before studying communications and media and getting experience in podcasting, I was more selfish when applying interpersonal skills to relationship building. Applying Lasswell’s sentence-based model, it is possible to say that I express willingness to understand others and avoid judging them using both online channels and real-life communication in order to build and improve relationships (Tinianow & Fairley, 2015). In the Relating Through Communication Assignment completed before, I reflect on my communication issues in the past, including being less understanding and trying to stay quiet instead of voicing my position in case of conflicts. Today, both personal experience and new knowledge from the course prevent me from repeating the mistakes of the past. Group and Organizational Communication Organizational and group communication, as is clear from the term, refers to the coordination of efforts to pursue the goals of groups or organizations. Basically, to practice this form of communication, a person should be a good team member and demonstrate awareness of his or her group’s objectives and the desired vector of growth. Throughout my life, I have been a part of multiple groups, including hobby groups at school, sports teams, groups of employees, and so on. I have experience in the roles of both team leaders and usual members, and it makes me quite good at communicating with others to organize their work and sharing information with team members to be a cog in the wheel. Five characteristics that would describe me as a communicator include politeness, attention to details, readiness to built rapport, emotional intelligence, and IT literacy. According to the symmetry model proposed by Newcomb, there are reciprocal links between two communicators and the subject of communication (Tinianow & Fairley, 2015). As Newcomb explains, the way that one communicator feels about the other influences his or her orientation towards the subject of communication, and this is why I apply situational awareness and my knowledge of specific details when formulating messages. For instance, when acting as a team leader, I make any conversations about common goals aligned with my interlocutors’ personal circumstances and problems. Building rapport and digital literacy are believed to be critical to success in organizational communication, and I demonstrate these characteristics by using proper body language and active listening and engaging in online communication (Powless & Schafer, 2016). Finally, as a group member, I apply emotional intelligence skills to prevent conflicts and reduce emotional overload. Summarizing my learning and work-related experiences, I can say that my most frequent roles in groups and organizations include acting as an intermediary between conflicting parties or individuals and creating a sense of unity. The details of these informal roles may vary from one group to another. Territoriality in the workplace is inherent in psychological ownership and sometimes leads to conflicts (Brown & Zhu, 2016). When acting as a team member, I avoid engaging in territorial behaviors to prevent creating the imbalance of power and barriers to communication. Also, my personal space bubble is quite small since I have enough resistance to stress needed to work hard as a team member and fulfill my parenting responsibilities on a daily basis. This has not always been the case, but today, this fact makes my communication with others more productive and prevents me from having emotional outbursts. Family communication constitutes a large and important part of my life, and the willingness to maintain healthy relationships shapes my approaches to conflicts with relatives. In family communication, I usually act as an understanding and uncomplaining person but never allow others to ignore my needs and take my care and support for granted. Therefore, as a family member, I am capable of balancing between common goals and my own psychological health, which is embodied in specific characteristics, including self-management, positive self-esteem, and tolerance to stress. As a single mother of two children, I am often one on one with people who have not mastered the art of negotiation yet, and it requires me to apply both communication and teaching skills to ensure common understanding. Technology-Mediated Communication Technology-mediated communication or TMC is aimed at using the most recent technology to facilitate the exchange of information. TMC is broadly defined as any type of communication that uses technology (Tinianow & Fairley, 2015). I resort to it every day to stay in touch with interlocutors that are far away from me and continue working on my projects. Overall, I consider my TMC skills to be rather good since I am aware of differences between offline and online communication etiquette and quickly become familiar with new services for communication and how to use them. It is challenging to engage in TMC without having proper technological skills, and I devote enough time to develop and improve my practical knowledge. According to the mathematical model of communication, the receiver’s ability to get the message as soon as possible is influenced by the presence of noise sources or factors that delay message delivery (Tinianow & Fairley, 2015). From my experience, such delays can be costly, and I prefer to use my technological skills to reduce the influence of noise sources. For instance, to increase the chances that an important message is received as soon as possible, I approach an intended recipient using a number of channels, including short message service, social media, e-mail, and so on. Other technological skills that are worth mentioning include my ability to use plenty of programs and services to present my messages in an appropriate format. For instance, I actively use Microsoft Office to format and improve my future poetry book and have experience in creating presentations, audio and video files, surveys, and other information products. My communication skills related to TMC are based on a good knowledge of the netiquette. It is known that business communications via social media are less open than personal ones, and I always consider these differences when formulating my messages (Linek & Ostermaier-Grabow, 2018). According to Schramm’s model, for the signal to be decoded in an intended way, there should be commonness between the two communicating parties, and these communicators’ fields of experience must overlap (Tinianow & Fairley, 2015). I make quite successful attempts to create this commonness when engaging in TMC with different populations. As an example, I avoid youth slang or Internet abbreviations in conversations with older adults that are new Internet users. Overall, as a social media user, I demonstrate knowledge of the emoji language and online etiquette when exchanging messages with relatives, any business partners, and friends. Considering my preferred channels for TMC, I am an experienced user of social networking websites, mobile communications, and programs for video conferencing. In particular, I often use Facebook to stay connected with friends, check out the latest news in my city, and search for like-minded people all over the world. Using mobile services, I make calls and send short messages to my relatives and friends on a daily basis. Finally, I use Skype primarily for personal purposes, including virtual “meetings” with relatives living outside of my state. Broadly speaking, TMC services available today meet the majority of my needs related to communication and enable me to form new relationships and maintain older ones. However, I would be more satisfied if there was a social networking service for amateur and professional poets for communication, sharing one’s works with more experienced colleagues, and receiving feedback and recommendations. I would use such social networks to win a reputation in the community, learn from other poets, and develop a more unique style of writing. TMC is commonly associated with multiple issues, but from my experience, it facilitates information exchange and destroys distance barriers effectively. The recent increase in TMC accessibility is believed to contribute to isolation, decreased social interaction, Internet addiction, and depressive disorders (Tinianow & Fairley, 2015). From my perspective, TMC use can have such consequences in people that are initially incommunicative, whereas this communication mode’s effect on privacy is more dangerous because it affects everyone equally. Thus, in the Comparing Modes of Communication Assignment, I discuss confidentiality issues associated with TMC and argue that face-to-face interactions offer more privacy. Conclusion To sum it up, despite some areas for improvement, I consider myself a good communicator when it comes to establishing and maintaining contacts with particular individuals or entire groups of people. Moreover, adequately developed communication abilities are used in combination with appropriate technological skills. Therefore, I manage to make use of modern means of communication to remove physical barriers to information exchange and establish new liaisons. References Brown, G., & Zhu, H. (2016). ‘My workspace, not yours’: The impact of psychological ownership and territoriality in organizations. Journal of Environmental Psychology , 48 , 54-64. Jones, J. M. (2015). The looking glass lens: Self-concept changes due to social media practices. The Journal of Social Media in Society , 4 (1), 100-125. Jones, S. M., Bodie, G. D., & Hughes, S. D. (2016). The impact of mindfulness on empathy, active listening, and perceived provisions of emotional support. Communication Research , 1-28. Linek, S. B., & Ostermaier-Grabow, A. (2018). Netiquette between students and their lecturers on Facebook: Injunctive and descriptive social norms. Social Media and Society , 4 (3), 1-17. Powless, S., & Schafer, S. (2016). Eroding business communication skills among B-students: Causes, effects, and suggestions to consider. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice , 16 (6), 127-136. Tinianow, D. E., & Fairley, M. S. (2015). Messages in context: An introduction to human communication. San Diego, CA: Bridgeport Education, Inc.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The paper analyzes the role of the board of directors for the company's success and tries to determine the right composition of the given body. It is believed that the successful performance of a firm is inseparably associated with the efficient board of directors. That is why this board should have the appropriate composition to cope with the tasks above.
The paper analyzes the role of the board of directors for the company's success and tries to determine the right composition of the given body. It is believed that the successful performance of a firm is inseparably associated with the efficient board of directors. That is why this board should have the appropriate composition to cope with the tasks above.
The Appropriate Board of Directors’ Composition Report Executive Summary The paper analyzes the role of the board of directors for the company’s success and tries to determine the right composition of the given body. Specific attention is drawn to board size, the presence of independent directors, and diversity because these phenomena can directly influence the performance of the firm. The presence of outside experts and board size can have either a positive or negative impact, while diversity, both racial and gender, lead to useful outcomes. Finally, personal recommendations have been produced, and they stipulate that the board of directors should consist of 8-12 members, including a few independent specialists, women, and representatives of various minorities. Introduction The board of directors is an essential component of every business. It is so because this body is responsible for developing and meeting the company’s strategic goals, supervising top managers, establishing the company’s culture, and others. It is believed that the successful performance of a firm is inseparably associated with the efficient board of directors. That is why this board should have the appropriate composition to cope with the tasks above. Problem Statement Every firm or company does its best to achieve the best performance results. Drawing specific attention to the composition of the board of directors is a useful strategy to prosper with the issue above. It is possible to mention that the structure refers to various components that can either positively or negatively influence a business. Consequently, these phenomena, including board size, the presence of independent directors, and diversity, are said to be of significance when it comes to the efficiency of the board of directors. Discussion To begin with, one should state that there are two different approaches as to what an appropriate size of the board of directors is. On the one hand, Ahmadi and Bouri stipulate that more extensive boards lead to better performance of a firm (247). On the other hand, there exists an opinion that bodies with fewer members are more effective when it comes to representatives of small markets (Ahmadi and Bouri 247). Even though the information above shows the difference, larger boards of directors are considered more useful because they imply educational, cultural, and managerial diversity, which often leads to better performance. The same dual approach is found when it comes to the presence of independent directors in the body. Outside experts seem to influence the firm’s performance positively because of a few reasons. Firstly, the higher independence of the board of directors “reduces the conflict of interests between different stakeholders” (Birindelli et al. 4). Secondly, outside experts are more likely to evaluate management performance more objectively. It is so because these directors do not have close relationships with other managers, which allows them to make unbiased judgments (Birindelli et al. 4). At the same time, a high number of independent directors is often associated with “a negative impact on social and environmental disclosure” (Birindelli et al. 4). Thus, it is possible to suppose that outside experts should be members of the board of directors, but their number is subject to discussion. When it comes to the diversity of the board of directors, however, this phenomenon unanimously implies positive outcomes. It is impossible to deny that gender diversity on board leads to the better performance of a firm. For example, Ahmadi and Bouri argue that there exists a positive correlation between gender diversity and the level of financial outcomes for large US firms (248). In addition to that, Price emphasizes that diversity, both gender and racial, contributes to better decision-making within the board of directors (par. 12). This information demonstrates that this body can achieve the best results when it comprises representatives from different backgrounds. Recommendations The data stated above make it possible to comment on the appropriate board of directors’ composition. Firstly, it is necessary to determine the size of the given body. It has been indicated that larger boards are more productive, and 8-12 members seem to be a suitable number. Secondly, the issue of whether to include outside experts on the board of directors is also challenging. However, it is reasonable to have a few independent directors on board because they contribute to impartial and objective management practices. Finally, it is also useful to draw attention to the diversity of the board of directors. It has been demonstrated that the presence of women and minorities in the given body contributes to its efficiency, which implies positive results for the whole company. Conclusion It is impossible to overestimate the role of the board of directors for any business because this body deals with essential phenomena that relate to business development and sustainability. That is why it is necessary to consider the issue of board composition. Now, there exist various points of view as to how many members should comprise the body and what they should be. However, it has been found that the 8-12-member board of directors that includes outside experts, women, and representatives of minority groups can reckon on decent results. Works Cited Ahmadi, Ali and Abdelfettah Bouri. “Board of Directors’ Composition and Performance in French CAC 40 Listed Firms.” Accounting, vol. 3, no. 4, 2017, pp. 245-256. Birindelli, Giuliana, et al. “Composition and Activity of the Board of Directors: Impact on ESG Performance in the Banking System.” Sustainability, vol. 10, no. 12, 2018, pp. 1-20. Price, Nicholas J. “Board Composition Best Practices.” Diligent Insights, 2019. Web.
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: The article on ISO 9001:2015 offers an essential overview of the variations to organizational performance emanating from the evaluation and adjustment of the 2008 standard. Clauses 1 to 3 present introductory chapters that do not hold any requirements. Organizational improvement may be incremental, with little increases or breakthrough, novel expertise (‘ISO 9001 2015) Both methods are used in organizational processes as situations demand. Clause 4 issues the requirements for organizations to undertake an extensive overview of their operations
The article on ISO 9001:2015 offers an essential overview of the variations to organizational performance emanating from the evaluation and adjustment of the 2008 standard. Clauses 1 to 3 present introductory chapters that do not hold any requirements. Organizational improvement may be incremental, with little increases or breakthrough, novel expertise (‘ISO 9001 2015) Both methods are used in organizational processes as situations demand. Clause 4 issues the requirements for organizations to undertake an extensive overview of their operations
The Article on ISO 9001:2015 Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Summary of the Article 3. Conclusion 4. Reference List Introduction The article on ISO 9001:2015 seeks to offer an essential overview of the variations to organizational performance emanating from the evaluation and adjustment of the 2008 standard. Clauses 1 to 3 present introductory chapters that do not hold any requirements. Organizational improvement may be incremental, with little increases or breakthrough, novel expertise (‘ISO 9001’ 2015). Both methods are used in organizational processes as situations demand. Summary of the Article Clause 4 issues the requirements for organizations to undertake an extensive overview of their operations and mull over the major internal and external aspects that influence it and its response as a definite management system. Clause 5 encompasses valuable suggestions of content that are common from ISO 9001:2008 (‘ISO 9001’ 2015). It also introduces considerable variations on leadership, dedication, and the anticipations for executives to engage entirely with the vital facets of the quality management system (Manders, de Vries & Blind 2016). Under this clause, consumer focus has remained akin to ISO 9001:2008, although it has been expanded to encompass judgment of risk and chances that influence compliance of goods and services. Clause 6 offers an exceptional addition to ISO 9001:2015, where it introduces the notion of risk and opportunity through the higher-level structure. This guideline document presents numerous risks for carrying out business (‘ISO 9001’ 2015). Moreover, it establishes that through mutual efforts with customers to assist in the management of risk, there has been the prevention of hazards based on certification from 2004. Such an innovative advance is anchored in the appraisal being structured about pertinent concerns of risk to organizations and auditing in detail to evaluate whether there is successful threat management. The sixth clause presents the demands that make sure that the required modifications to the management system are undertaken in a methodical approach. This encompasses the consideration of possible consequences of reforms, accessibility of resources, and definition of functions and responsibilities (Franceschini, Galetto & Mastrogiacomo 2018). Variations to the management system may be required in instances of acquisition of organizations and the introduction of new goods and services, to mention a few. The seventh clause offers support requirements. A successful management system cannot be upheld or improved devoid of sufficient resources. As a facilitator of planning, the required resources should be identified and provided. They encompass task or contract associated resources (Aba, Badar & Hayden 2016). Under the seventh clause, all the concerns linked to people, place, and procedures that facilitate management systems are assembled. The fundamental higher-level structure clauses cover resources, competence, awareness, communication, and documented information. The eighth clause mainly signifies the production and preparation management segments of the standard, the propeller of output (‘ISO 9001’ 2015). A considerable number of clauses contribute to the basic higher-level structure. The ninth clause is associated with performance evaluation. Its components are mainly comparable to the ones in ISO 9001:2008. The tenth clause holds improvement requirements. Enhancement does not have to occur necessarily in all the aspects of the business simultaneously. Focus ought to be pertinent to gains and risks. One United Arab Emirates-based organization that has implemented ISO is the Trade Bank of Iraq. The organization was awarded the esteemed ISO 9001:2015 certification and had an active status. Conclusion Organizational success and continued improvement necessitate satisfaction with ISO 9001 requirements. This results in enhanced organizational practices and ensures sustained improvement in excellent service standards. Company executives should successfully abide by the components of performance and progress documented in the standard. Trade Bank of Iraq is an example of an organization that has been awarded ISO certification for outstanding dedication to customers and stakeholders. Reference List Aba, E, Badar, M & Hayden, M 2016, ‘Impact of ISO 9001 certification on firms financial operating performance’, International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management , vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 78-89. Franceschini, F, Galetto, M & Mastrogiacomo, L 2018, ‘ISO 9001 certification and failure risk: any relationship?’, Total Quality Management & Business Excellence , vol. 29, no. 12, pp. 1279-1293. ISO 9001:2015 2015, Web. Manders, B, de Vries, H & Blind, K 2016, ‘ISO 9001 and product innovation: a literature review and research framework’, Technovation , vol. 48, pp. 41-55.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The Axial period was a time of great change for humanity. It was a time when people learned to survive in the most appropriate lands and accumulate resources. The Axial period also saw the development of similar concepts in different parts of the Ancient World.
The Axial period was a time of great change for humanity. It was a time when people learned to survive in the most appropriate lands and accumulate resources. The Axial period also saw the development of similar concepts in different parts of the Ancient World.
The Axial Period: What Was It and What Does It Signify? Essay The Axial period The Axial period refers to the time when people learned how to survive in the most appropriate lands and accumulate resources. This was also the period when people already had a considerable bulk of knowledge and experience that was essential for the survival of the human kind. At a certain point, between 800 B.C.E. and 200 B.C.E., it was necessary to conceptualize all that knowledge, which resulted in the emergence of quite similar concepts in different parts of the Ancient World. It is possible to note that people developed concepts that were based on the previous experience that enabled them to evolve into societies. Each of these groups, Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese, Mesopotamian, and other communities needed the glue that could keep the order that had been established. This was the time to develop codes of conduct and morality that could be regarded as the foundations of people’s interaction in the land they had. For example, Egyptians depended heavily on their ability to manage floods that provided fertile lands, so they developed a strict hierarchy where roles were quite distinct (Lockard, 2010). In Ancient Greece, the environment was less hostile, so the society was divided into less rigid groups. However, all these cultures needed people to follow a specific set of rules that promoted the common good. It is noteworthy that these rules were reflected in specific laws, but they were also revealed in philosophies, religions, and folklore. It can be rather hard to separate serious thinking about faith and proper conduct. For instance, the Bible can be seen as a literary version of a set of laws that regulated the conduct of Jews. The people were taught how to live in order to be righteous and “lift it up, be not afraid,” but those rules were also based on the need of the society to survive (Isaiah 40:55 New King James Version). It is not necessary to separate serious thinking about right conduct, but people should make sure they review and follow the major standards described in multiple resources (laws, religious texts, and myths). All these are pieces of the larger experience of the human kind, so people’s survival depends on their ability to use those universal laws. Axial Period and Modernity According to Black (2008), the period between 800 B.C.E. and 200 B.C.E. was not the only Axial Age. The time of Reformation and the emergence of Christianity and Judaism were also ‘axial’ (Black, 2008). I quite agree with this statement as the periods mentioned, as well as the beginning of the 21 st century, are characterized by substantial shifts in human thought. The rise of new religions was justified by the changing environment and certain changes in the way societies could be managed. I would like to stress that these new religious thoughts are deeply rooted in the basic provisions of the paradigms that had existed before. Likewise, Judaism was a product of the analysis and synthesis of the knowledge that had been accumulated for centuries or even millennia. The new religions appeared in the lands where societies made a significant stride towards globalization, so they needed a new philosophical and religious paradigm that emerged. The 21 st century is another age characterized by huge transformations that are mainly related to communication and globalization. Therefore, we are likely to witness the emergence of a new (or only slightly novice) framework that will shape people’s conduct and beliefs. The secularization of societies can be regarded as one of the signs of this change. At that, the transformation will occur at a higher pace due to technological advances. Ideas and concepts spread within minutes or even moments in the modern world. Hence, we are about to develop a new scope of standards and concepts that will regulate our further life. Again, these new rules will not be dramatically different from what is present these days, but they will be more appropriate for the conditions we find ourselves in. The understanding of the right and wrong will help us to interact effectively and survive as societies. References Black, A. (2008). The axial period: What was it and what does it signify? Review of Politics, 70 (1), 23-39. Lockard, C. A. (2010). World . Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: In this email, I will try to explain the basic building blocks of a contract in the United States and what laws and rules govern those agreements. I will divide the email into several subections to facilitate your understanding. At the end of the email, I will outline how these contract elements apply to the cases you previously described.
In this email, I will try to explain the basic building blocks of a contract in the United States and what laws and rules govern those agreements. I will divide the email into several subections to facilitate your understanding. At the end of the email, I will outline how these contract elements apply to the cases you previously described.
The Basic Building Blocks of a Contract Analysis Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Mutual Assent 3. Offer 4. Acceptance 5. Consideration 6. Your Cases 7. References Introduction Thank you for asking and taking the time to consolidate your knowledge. In this email, I will try to explain the basic building blocks of a contract in the United States and what laws and rules govern those agreements. I will divide the email into several subsections to facilitate your understanding. At the end of the email, I will outline how these contract elements apply to the cases you previously described. Bear in mind that the primary provisioners for contracts in the United States are common law and the UCC. The former governs the sale of real estate and services, and the latter regulates contracts that involve the sale of goods. Mutual Assent Enforceability of a contract depends on many nuances and is eventually ruled by the court’s decision. However, all contracts should contain three essential elements to be enforceable – offer, acceptance, and consideration (Poole, 2016). The foundational building block of any contract is a mutual assent between the offeror and the offeree (Hunter, 2015). Offer and acceptance are the two elements that form a mutual assent (Beale et al., 2019). There must be a clear intent to be bound by the terms of the agreement, and these terms must be defined adequately in order for an assent to be established. The intent is always subject to an objective test, which determines whether an intent to be bound can be perceived from the offeror’s words and whether the offeree believed in the offer’s legitimacy (Knapp, Crystal, & Prince, 2019). When ruling a case on whether there was an intent to be bound, courts often rely on several factors. They assess the language of the preliminary agreement and the context within which the negotiations took place ( Cochran v. Norkunas , 2006). The terms of the contract and the performance are also considered – courts determine where there are any terms that are left open and whether there was a partial performance. Offer Offer is made when the offeree gives the other party an opportunity to get involved in a contractual relationship. In other words, a valid offer is when the offeree believes that his or her decision has the power to conclude the bargain (Beale et al., 2019). When a legitimate offer is made, the offeree has the capability of acceptance – in the case where the offeree accepts the offer, an enforceable contract is made. There are several ways an offer can be terminated – rejection, revocation, lapse, and death (Snyder & Burge, 2017). Rejection can be direct or indirect – for instance, proposing a counteroffer implies that the offeree does not agree with the terms and thereby rejects it (Snyder & Burge, 2017). The offeror may also revoke the offer; however, it is only possible if there has not been any acceptance made (Snyder & Burge, 2017). The offer may lapse when the time period specified in the terms expires. In cases when time is not stated explicitly, courts will lean on the notion of reasonableness. Acceptance Some form of performance should be undertaken in order for an offeree to accept the offer. For instance, the offeree may provide an oral or written statement. There are several rules that must be adhered to in order for acceptance to take place and form a contract. The Mirror Image Rule states that the offeree must accept all terms of the offer. If his or her acceptance modifies one or more of the items in the offer, then the acceptance is not considered valid, and the contract is not made. UCC, however, adds several modifications to this rule – when the offeree modifies the initial offer, the altered version may serve as the proposal for a new agreement that can be accepted by the initial offeror (U.C.C. §2-207, 2002). One last rule to consider is the Mailbox Rule, which states that the acceptance is valid as soon as the offeree agrees to it and sends the required papers ( Cochran v. Norkunas , 2006). Consideration Consideration is binding in most contracts – it ensures that each party in the agreement receives some benefit in exchange for his or her actions (Hunter, 2015). It works in the other way as well – the first party must forfeit something in exchange for the other party’s actions (Knapp, Crystal, & Prince, 2019). Consideration is the final element of the contract, and it must be mutual for the agreement to be enforceable. Your Cases In both of your cases, there is a valid contract. In Gilda’s case, she was presented with an offer that granted her the power of acceptance. Accepting the proposal means that a valid and enforceable contract is formed. When she signed the papers, she immediately became legally bound to the agreement because of the Mailbox Rule. Sid’s case is governed by the UCC, which allows offerees to modify offers and make new proposals. Because Bouncy Co did not explicitly reject the new proposal and shipped the goods, it can be considered that Bouncy Co accepted the new terms. References Cochran v. Norkunas , 919 A.2d 700, 708-09 (Md. Ct. App. 2006). Hugh Beale, Bénédicte Fauvarque-Cosson, Jacobien Rutgers, & Stefan Vogenauer, Cases , Materials and Text on Contract Law (3rd ed. 2019). Howard Hunter, Modern Law of Contracts (2015). Charles L. Knapp, Nathan M. Crystal, & Harry G. Prince, Problems in Contract Law: Cases and Materials (9th ed. 2019). Jill Poole, Textbook on Contract Law (13th ed. 2016). Franklin G. Snyder & Mark E. Burge, American Contract Law for a Global Age (2017). U.C.C. §2-207 (2002).
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The BBC's Public Service Essay examines the structure of the BBC and its techniques. The essay also discusses the BBC's ideology and editorial agenda. Finally, the essay offers an opinion on the BBC's bias and examines the news reports on the Syrian War.
The BBC's Public Service Essay examines the structure of the BBC and its techniques. The essay also discusses the BBC's ideology and editorial agenda. Finally, the essay offers an opinion on the BBC's bias and examines the news reports on the Syrian War.
The BBC’s Public Service Essay Table of Contents 1. The Structure of the BBC 2. The BBC’s Techniques 3. The BBC’s Ideology and Editorial Agenda 4. Opinion on the BBC’s Bias 5. The News Reports on the Syrian War 6. Conclusion 7. Reference List The BBC or a British Broadcasting Corporation started its operations on October 18, 1922, as a British broadcasting company. On January 1, 1927, it became a corporation dominating the UK information market (Savigny 2016). BBC World News is the most popular among the corporation’s channels; it was launched on March 11, 1991. The BBC aims to enrich people’s lives with programs and services that inform, educate and entertain. Also, the corporation strives to be the most creative organization in the world. The Structure of the BBC There is a fee for television devices on the territory of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; the funds collected this way form the budget of the BBC. Outside of the UK, the company is sponsored through the same British funds (Savigny 2016). This allows the corporation to be completely independent of the interests of advertisers, shareholders, or politicians. However, the impartiality of the BBC is now being questioned. Journalist Martin Summers, according to Mills (2016, p. 46), believes that ‘now BBC avoids serious conflict topics and therefore has to produce a lot of entertainment content to keep the ratings up.’ Although the British government regulates the size of funds from UK citizens, its officials deny the possibility of the manipulation of the BBC through the number of payments (Savigny 2016). Despite all this, the BBC World News channel has a reputation as one of the most objective news channels; it is watched in Western Europe, the United States, and other countries. Legally, the BBC operates under the Charter. The BBC Charter, which defines the tasks, role, and structure of the corporation, first entered into force in 1927; it is updated every ten years (Schlesinger 2014). The BBC is a Statutory Corporation with no shareholders. It is headed by the BBC Trust, consisting of 12 Trustees appointed by the Queen of England at the suggestion of the Cabinet of Ministers. The BBC is the second in the world regarding the number of employees and has a staff of about 20 thousand people (Schlesinger 2014). Its executive body is the Executive Board, appointed by the BBC Trust; the highest official is the Director-General of the BBC, appointed by the BBC Trust, he is also the BBC Editor-in-Chief. The BBC’s management includes the national governors for Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, as well as the Chairman and Vice-Chairman (Schlesinger 2014). The members are responsible for maintaining all levels of programs, keeping a balance of approaches to reporting, as well as providing unbiased information on events and processes that are inconsistent in their structure. Since 1997, the BBC consists of six main directorates: Broadcast, Production, News, and Worldwide. The BBC’s Techniques The BBC has regional offices throughout the country: BBC North, BBC South, BBC Midlands, and East, as well as BBC Scotland, BBC Wales, and BBC Northern Ireland prepare regional programs and news. Their specificity is characterized by three directions: informational, educational, and entertaining. To maintain a leading position and competitive advantage among the diversity of the media, the BBC World Service was established in 1994 (Schlesinger 2014). It has managed to maintain its high international prestige and the quality of the set standards of editorial work. The BBC World Service is divided into BBC Foreign Broadcasting and the commercial company BBC Worldwide Limited, which includes television, publishing, and education. The BBC’s Ideology and Editorial Agenda Young people are initially the most active category of the population, which tries to implement most of the tasks in the shortest time. This leads to the need for the prompt receipt of all necessary information, so all the media face the challenge to bring maximum information in a minimum of time. News information of global TV channels allows politicians to include certain issues in their agenda and determines priorities among the most important topics. Therefore, in many government and diplomatic institutions, TVs in offices are set up on CNN or BBC World (Burns 2016). The formation of the agenda is due to the degree of importance of certain issues. The BBC creates a certain image of the event, which will get the most diverse audience. The trend shows that the most attention on BBC is drawn to negative news, so the main content is formed by adverse events. The public often reproached the BBC, for example, for the insufficient number of live broadcasts and reports from the events, including coverage of events taking place abroad. All the BBC content, especially concerning the commercial sphere and the youth environment, aims to arouse the trust of the audience through an objective presentation of the news. The work on the creation of news releases is limited to a rather strict framework: the BBC has the News and Current Affairs Department controlled by the CEO (Schlesinger 2014). A large number of international correspondents who work in different countries and English correspondents who travel abroad take part in the formation of information messages for broadcasting on BBC radio and television. Opinion on the BBC’s Bias The British Institute of Economic Affairs published a report on the analysis of the content of the British Broadcasting Corporation. According to the document, the company’s journalists were biased against big business, the free market economy, and activists who supported the idea of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (Mills 2016). The Institute, which stands for the free market, stated that the BBC needs to be privatized: if the company becomes private, society will cease to trust it so blindly. According to Mills (2016, p. 53), the Institute representative said, ‘the problem of bias in the presentation of the material seems to be particularly acute about the BBC.’ Any TV owner in the UK, as well as those who watch BBC broadcasts online, is required by law to pay around £145 per year. The report argued that these payments needed to be reviewed. The representative of the BBC said that the company is familiar with the opinion of the Institute of Economic Affairs, as it is not the first time it expresses such claims. However, he stated, this position is contrary to the opinion of society; the British are in favor of fees and consider the BBC the main supplier of unbiased news in real coverage (Mills 2016). This example illustrates that in recent years, reputable organizations have openly declared their distrust of the BBC. The News Reports on the Syrian War The world-famous media portal could not ignore the Syrian armed conflict that began in 2011. News reports appeared daily on BBC News, broadcasting military and political events in Syria. The analysis of the BBC articles revealed the topics covered in the reports: military actions in Syria, terrorist and rebel groups, the UK’s position toward the Syrian government, and the consequences of military operations. In the coverage of events related to military actions, the media are trying to disguise some of the concepts to reduce to dramatize the events. According to Khodadady and Fard (2014, p. 54), BBC News is no exception: ‘Before the end to hostilities was announced, the rebels had retreated to just a handful of neighborhoods.’ This example shows that the word ‘war’ can be replaced by politically correct vocabulary: ‘crisis,’ ‘military campaign,’ ‘circumstances’ or ‘hostility.’ The following example shows that the word ‘war’ can be replaced by an entire phrase. Khodadady and Fard (2014, p. 49) mention the phrase in the BBC report: ‘the reports of atrocities “evoked the darkest days of the history of the United Nations.”‘ All headlines to BBC articles on this topic began with the words’ Syria conflict’, which is a euphemism of the expression ‘Syrian war.’ The term ‘war’ refers to armed confrontation or military action between the armed forces of countries or political groups. ‘Conflict’ is understood by people as something more peaceful than ‘war.’ The very word ‘war’ brings terror and panic to the population. By changing words, BBC inspired people with the idea that the situation in the country was under control. The word ‘bombing,’ which carries a negative connotation, is replaced by lexical units: ‘airstrike,’ ‘air raids’ or ‘attack.’ According to Khodadady and Fard (2014, p. 51), the BBC article says, ‘an airstrike on a medical facility near the Syrian city of Aleppo has killed five employees of an international aid agency.’ However, it is worth noting that the euphemisms are mobile. Many of the expressions used for the replacement of a concept lose their euphemistic function over time, turning into a full concept with a direct value. The same can be said about ‘airstrike,’ ‘air raid,’ ‘attack’ in the meaning of bombing. These concepts are already perceived by many as equivalent; therefore, after a short period, they will cease to be euphemisms. In 2011, the opposition army opposed the regime of the current Syrian government. However, today there are more actors in this conflict. Since 2014, terrorist groups have intensified in Syria; also, there has been a split in the opposition into several groups. Readers sometimes found it difficult to understand which group is responsible for a particular event and on whose side it is fighting. Khodadady and Fard (2014, p. 57) mention another report: ‘The rebels killed were from Jaish al-Fatah, an Islamist group not officially part of the Western-backed alliance but one that works alongside the Free Syrian Army.’ The analysis shows that the articles often featured ‘the Free Syrian Army.’ This expression is a politically correct name for all Syrian rebels who do not obey ISIS and are not members of the people’s self-defense units. The BBC hid the actions of a particular group by using this name. The articles included other questionable terms, according to Khodadady and Fard (2014, p. 62): ‘Ibrahim Abu-Lait, a spokesman for the White Helmets volunteer rescue group, said 90% of their equipment was out of operation’. White Helmets is an organization for the protection and rescue of civilians (Ahmed 2014). This organization is out of politics and is engaged in saving people in regions beyond the control of the Syrian government. However, this organization could be perceived as terrorist or insurgent, as the reader could get confused in a variety of names. The reader could easily be misled, as ‘rebel groups’ and ‘the military’ could be both opposition and terrorist. Thus, the BBC deliberately created chaos in people’s minds. The term ‘Pro-government forces’ was used to refer to troops under the current government. The Islamic State group also appeared in articles on the Syrian conflict. The full name of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria was not used. Instead, the readers could see the abbreviations IS, ISIS, and the expression IS ‘caliphate’ (Khodadady and Fard 2014). When referring to events related to terrorist activities, the word terrorist(s) was usually replaced by ‘attacks,’ ‘fighters,’ ‘jihadists,” jihadist group,’ or ‘IS militants.’ Analysis of BBC articles showed that the UK’s position on the Syrian conflict is characterized as observational. The British Media only broadcasted the US point of view but did not give their comments. The quotes are taken from news reports of CNN, the US media could be found in some BBC articles. According to Schlesinger (2014, p. 56), the BBC reported: ‘White House spokesman Ben Rhodes said: “There only could have been two entities responsible, either the Syrian regime or the Russian government.”‘ The example clearly shows that the BBC cited Russia’s open accusation given by CNN. However, the quotation was taken in abbreviated form, which made the statement less categorical and harsh. Thus, the real opinion of the British Media was hidden from readers. The British press imposed the US point of view on the audience; however, this is not done as aggressively as in the US media. Conclusion The examples from real news notes, articles, and reports on the BBC demonstrate that even the most respected and monetary independent news organization cannot always remain objective. It is inevitably influenced by certain economic and geopolitical factors, which is why the current situation of the Media does not leave people the opportunity to trust only one source of information. Although the BBC’s reputation and its dominant status among European and Asian TV and radio broadcasters speak in its favor, every person who seeks truthful news should verify all the information received. People who watch several news stories on the same topic from different sources, preferably from different countries, are less influenced by any of the parties concerned. Reference List Ahmed, S 2014, ‘Right to reply: how the BBC tackles viewers’ criticism’, Index on Censorship , vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 46-50. Burns, T 2016, The BBC: public institution and private world, 3rd edn, Springer, Luxembourg. Khodadady, E & Fard, HK 2014, ‘Ideology in the BBC and Press TV’s coverage of Syria unrest: a schema-based approach’, Review of Journalism and Mass Communication , vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 47-67. Mills, T 2016, The BBC: myth of a public service , Verso Books, London. Savigny, H 2016, ‘Is the BBC Biased? The corporation and the coverage of the 2006 Israeli–Hezbollah war’, in L Marsden & H Savigny (eds), Media, religion and conflict , Routledge, London, pp. 63-82. Schlesinger, P 2014, ‘The most creative organization in the world’? The BBC, ‘creativity’ and managerial style’, in C Bilton (ed), Creativity and cultural policy, Routledge, London, pp. 47-62.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The Bible at Cultural Crossroads Essay (Critical Writing)The so-called historicity of the Bible questions the Bible's acceptability as a history. Ever since the 17th century, when scholars first dared to criticize the validity of Biblical teaching, there has been conducted extensive research to verify whether the described events actually happened. Two schools of thought with opposite views emerged and created a maximalist-minimalist dichotomy that has long been seen as intractable.
The Bible at Cultural Crossroads Essay (Critical Writing) The so-called historicity of the Bible questions the Bible's acceptability as a history. Ever since the 17th century, when scholars first dared to criticize the validity of Biblical teaching, there has been conducted extensive research to verify whether the described events actually happened. Two schools of thought with opposite views emerged and created a maximalist-minimalist dichotomy that has long been seen as intractable.
The Bible at Cultural Crossroads Essay (Critical Writing) Too Far Removed The so-called historicity of the Bible questions the Bible’s acceptability as a history. Ever since the 17th century, when scholars first dared to criticize the validity of Biblical teaching, there has been conducted extensive research to verify whether the described events actually happened. Two schools of thought with opposite views emerged and created a maximalist-minimalist dichotomy that has long been seen as intractable (Klein, Blomberg & Hubbard, 2017). Biblical maximalists took a fundamentalist perspective toward the interpretation of the Scripture and claimed the historical accuracy of the accounts provided. Biblical minimalists, on the other hand, assume that the stories have an aetiological character. Both schools have a point, and it is possible to find a middle ground, namely, accept that there is no certainty that every story took place. Researchers have gathered a body of evidence on some of the described events. The rest does not lose its spiritual and historical significance and can still be highly educational. Following the minimalist approach, one can say that a devoted Christian who is committed to pursuing God can make use even of those parts of Scripture that lack archaeological evidence. That is not to say that such a person is in Christ because of his or her naivety. To such an individual, the historicity of a passage might not really matter because they are intelligent and conscientious enough to learn something on their own. The Bible, specifically the New Testament, describes people’s encounters with the Divine. Such encounters are not limited to those brought up in the Scripture. Each person is capable of creating an eventful relationship with Christ and, thus, draw their own evidence. Despite the personal nature of the connection that a Christian builds with God, it cannot be said that he or she has the freedom to attribute whatever meaning they see fit to the Scripture. Many passages are relatable, and the reader can easily think of an event in their own life that reflects what is being taught. This does not mean that they have an understanding of the multilayered, multidimensional text that is the Holy Bible. Some parts of it only make sense if the reader is aware of the reality of the time when they were written (Hill, 2014). It is advised that Christians deepen their understanding by attending service and Bible study groups. There they can find the guidance they need to enhance their interpretation skills. Reflection Journal Entry Fee and Stuart’s How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (2014) provides an extensive set of tools to interpret the Scripture. One of the most compelling ideas that Fee and Stuart (2014) had to offer is that every reader is an interpreter of his or her own. It does not mean that their unique understanding of the Bible is correct. Reading the Bible is both a highly challenging and rewarding task, which makes a Christian a scholar and a philosopher in a way. Seeking exegetical meaning requires studying history, whereas applying hermeneutics means that the reader searches for ways in which the analyzed text could be relevant. The book would be of great use in church and ministries. Many people who claim to be Christians abstain from Bible study due to their unwillingness or discouragement due to the complexity of the document. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth provides a comprehensive framework that even beginners could use in their journey with Christ. A good minister could guide and support them by igniting their curiosity and inspiring them to strengthen their commitment to God. At the same time, he or she could help their parish to avoid typical mistakes such as redefinition or personalizing. Fee and Stuart (2014) also discuss how to interpret stories whose contents are not entirely clear. At some point, they conclude that “everything beyond affirmation is mere speculation (Fee & Stuart, 2014, p. 45).” This rule of thumb makes sense since inconsistencies in religious texts often leave out too much space for the readers to use them as they please. If the Church let Christians interpret passages freely, some people would try to abuse this right and manipulate others by claiming the righteousness of their understanding. No matter how confusing and disappointing it might be, Christians have to accept that some parts of the Holy Bible are lost in translation and that they are powerless in trying to make them complete. While reading the book, it was reflected on the ways it was speculated about the meanings of some passages in the Bible. It appears that the main personal problem was that it was tended to decontextualize what it was being read. It was learned that many readers fail to realize that the Bible, both New and Old Testaments, is a Jewish book filled with Hebrew idioms. One of the ways that the Hebrew language allows its speakers to describe a person is by using the expression “son of…” Thus, when in John 8:44, Jesus tells an old Jew that he is of “[his] father the devil,” in no way does he assume that some people might be Satan’s descendants. Now that it is known about this particularity, it is possible to be more skilled at reading between the lines. It was learned that the process of Biblical interpretation is far from chaotic. While the volume of the Scripture is genuinely overwhelming, each reader can ease the task with a step-by-step guide such as How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth . Another valuable idea that is agreed upon was that the reader should draw the line between engagement and personalizing. While reading the Bible requires devotion, it is futile to try and make each passage relatable. The book is exhaustively logical and well-written, and there is not much to disagree with. Probably its tone and the implication that the reader needs to abstain from attributing personal meanings could discourage some people. Fee and Stuart do not foster autonomy in the reader, which could be both their work’s strength and weakness. References Fee, G., & Stuart, D. (2014). How to read the Bible for all its worth (4th ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Hill, H. (2014). The Bible at cultural crossroads: From translation to communication . Abingdon-on-Thames, UK: Routledge. Klein, W. W., Blomberg, C. L., & Hubbard Jr, R. L. (2017). Introduction to biblical interpretation . Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: Dyslexia is a common learning problem that affects many individuals in the population. There is credible evidence in the production that dyslexics can be renown intellectuals who succeed in other fields in life.
Dyslexia is a common learning problem that affects many individuals in the population. There is credible evidence in the production that dyslexics can be renown intellectuals who succeed in other fields in life.
“The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia” by James Redford Essay (Movie Review) Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Review 3. Reflection 4. Conclusion 5. References Introduction The filmmaker, James Redford, describes how dyslexia has impacted several families around the world. He devotes much of the production to children who suffer from this condition and utilizes the works of two healthcare professionals, Sally and Shaywitz Bennet (HBO Documentary Films, 2017). Notably, this film surpasses the contributions of other productions concerning this mental disorder. This essay reviews as well as reflects on the contents of the movie. Review In addition to using the experiences of students at different levels of schooling, James Redford interviews powerful public figures, such as Richard Branson and Charles Schwab, who suffer from this reading disability. By utilizing these individuals, the film describes their difficulties and the mechanisms they have employed to cope and succeed in their lives. For example, the audience learns that Richard Branson could not distinguish between ‘net’ and ‘gross’ principles in elementary bookkeeping. Thus, the filmmaker tries to demystify that this learning condition is a rare medical phenomenon; one in every five individuals in the global population suffers from it. One of the strengths of the movie is the incorporation of medical professionals, Sandra and Bennet, who work at the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity, and they bring the positive aspects of the mental disorder to the public. These two experts explain dyslexia using research findings in a sophisticated way that drives home the fact that this disorder has several sides, some of which the public does not know (HBO Documentary Films, 2017). For example, a significant number of people think that dyslexics combine alphabetic letters and, consequently, cannot read or write properly. Although this could be true, it is a generalized assumption (International Dyslexia Association, n.d.). Bennet’s research shows how affected brains work, unraveling the processes of interpreting letters and words as well as their related sounds. Therefore, dyslexics can also excel in creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making. Reflection Reflecting on the film, dyslexia is a common learning problem that affects many individuals in the population. There is credible evidence in the production that dyslexics can be renowned intellectuals who succeed in other fields in life (HBO Documentary Films, 2017). For instance, Richard Branson is a powerful businessman who has a chain of successful organizations across the world (HBO Documentary Films, 2017). What people lack is evidence-based information about this disorder. Parents should be encouraged to know that if their children are dyslexics, they can emerge victorious in the future. Individuals should not be held back in their lives by this mental reading disability. Redford has highlighted many ways of helping children living with this condition to improve how they learn to read. One of the best strategies to assist a suffering child is the use of the Orton-Gillingham approach, which has proved useful in the recent past (HBO Documentary Films, 2017). Although the majority prefers the Wilson method since it incorporates current information, it is limited in the utilization of the whole language principle. Conclusion In conclusion, The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia is a unique film that provides critical information regarding the reading problem that many children face. The filmmaker has done a commendable job of offering credible and evidence-based facts to prove his assertions. Apart from using powerful personalities, the production also contains narrations from experts in this mental condition. Many individuals will benefit by applying what they learn in the movie. References HBO Documentary Films. (2017). The big picture: Rethinking dyslexia [Video file]. Web. International Dyslexia Association. (n.d.). Dyslexia at a glance . Web.
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Write an essay about: The Change Foundation is a Canadian organization that focuses on providing funding for research and generating knowledge for improving healthcare delivery in Ontario. The organization has close ties and partnerships with other important healthcare agencies, including the Ontario Hospital Association, which established The Change Foundation initially. Despite its stable position among other healthcare research organizations, The Change Foundation has a number of essential weaknesses that impair its efforts and require the management's attention. This case study analysis will review the organization's current position, strengths, and weaknesses in order
The Change Foundation is a Canadian organization that focuses on providing funding for research and generating knowledge for improving healthcare delivery in Ontario. The organization has close ties and partnerships with other important healthcare agencies, including the Ontario Hospital Association, which established The Change Foundation initially. Despite its stable position among other healthcare research organizations, The Change Foundation has a number of essential weaknesses that impair its efforts and require the management's attention. This case study analysis will review the organization's current position, strengths, and weaknesses in order
Future Development: The Change Foundation Case Study Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Identification 3. Analysis and Evaluation 4. Recommendations 5. Conclusion Introduction The Change Foundation is a Canadian organization that focuses on providing funding for research and generating knowledge for improving healthcare delivery in Ontario. The organization has close ties and partnerships with other important healthcare agencies, including the Ontario Hospital Association, which established The Change Foundation initially. Despite its stable position among other healthcare research organizations, The Change Foundation has a number of essential weaknesses that impair its efforts and require the management’s attention. This case study analysis will review the organization’s current position, strengths, and weaknesses in order to provide appropriate recommendations for future development. Identification The Change Foundation is an organization supporting research and its integration into practice with the goal to achieve excellence in healthcare. It provides grants for research in priority directions and carries out certain research studies. The impact of the organization is mostly local, as it was designed to promote high-quality health care in Ontario, Canada. The foundation’s strategy is to generate funds from investors use them for knowledge creation in priority areas. The organization has two separate programs intended to implement this strategy: the Change Initiatives Grants program, providing small grants to research groups, and the Research Program, designed to carry out in-house research studies. The Change Foundation has a secure financial base of $50 million-plus the endowment created by the OHA, as well as the potential to achieve its goal through partnerships with other healthcare research organizations. Nevertheless, there are four key issues that hinder knowledge creation and limit the impact of the foundation’s strategy: unclear relationship with the OHA, questionable choice of research groups for grants, lack of a clear focus and direction for future development, and poor in-house research capacity. Analysis and Evaluation Given the fact that The Change Foundation’s key goal is to generate funding for research, analyzing and evaluating its financial performance is crucial. Table 3 provides the calculations of return on assets, net profit margin, and the debt-to-asset ratio for the fiscal year ended on March 31, 2006. On the whole, financial statement analysis indicates that The Change Foundation has a strong financial position. The debt-to-asset ratio is low, which means that the company has excellent solvency. The net profit margin is 32%, which shows that the foundation has sufficient revenue from investment to fund its operations. The return on assets is 3%, which is a fair result given the organization’s line of business and its goals. The capital structure of The Change Foundation is mostly made up of equity, and thus the net income is used to finance all activities of the organization (The Change Foundation 13). The foundation has some liabilities, which consist primarily of deferred revenue. Overall, the financial performance of The Change Foundation and its capital structure provides sufficient resources for operations and development. Table 3. Ratio Analysis of The Change Foundation. Ratio Formula Calculation Debt-to-asset ratio Total liabilities/total assets 2,173,781/58,027,650=0.04 (4%) Net profit margin Net income/net revenue 1,757,236/5,478,471=0.32 (32%) Return on assets Net income/total assets 1,757,236/58,027,650=0.03 (3%) (ROA) The Change Foundation also has a number of essential strengths that are evident from the case study. It is a well-established organization that is capable of generating resources from investors and has a rather large fund balance. The Change Foundation also benefits from experienced management and its connections with the OHA and similar organizations in Ontario’s healthcare sector. Nevertheless, the problems identified in the previous section prevent the foundation from capitalizing on these strengths and affect its competitive position, weakening it. As shown in the case study, The Change Foundation now faces competition from much larger players with funds upward of $200 million. Recommendations The analysis shows that the organization has the potential to improve its current situation. However, in order to do that, it needs to define its vision, goals, and operations. The first step in the action plan is to establish a clear relationship with the OHA that would include sufficient support and interdependence in research projects and their application to practice. Secondly, the foundation should invest in improving its own research facilities to conduct high-quality research in-house. Thirdly, it is essential to devise and introduce a new process for selecting successful applicants for the grant programs. To attract applicants with sufficient experience and significant impact, it should also increase the size of grants. Lastly, the organization should implement a system for selecting new priority directions annually upon consulting the OHA and focus on developing a knowledge base in the chosen area by selecting research studies that would have the most impact. As a result of implementing the proposed recommendations, the organization would gain improved focus, reduce uncertainty, and enhance the quality of research financed by grants and produced internally. This would also help The Change Foundation to improve its position in the market, thus attracting more investors. Therefore, by adhering to the action plan, the organization will be able to achieve the desired impact on health care in Ontario. Based on the analysis and the case study, it is clear that The Change Foundation has sufficient resources to implement the proposed recommendations and that the management will be interested in this improvement project. Conclusion On the whole, The Change Foundation has the resources required to achieve its goals and fulfill its strategic mission. The problems identified in the analysis are caused by the lack of structure and poor management of operations. Implementing the proposed action plan would help the organization to capitalize on its strengths, enhancing its competitive position and allowing The Change Foundation to achieve its principal goals.
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Write an essay about: The essay discusses the changes that defined the development of the society and how they were affected by religion.The changes that defined the development of the society were heavily influenced by religion. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam were all founded on Zoroastrianism, a philosophy that explores the cosmology of morality.
The essay discusses the changes that defined the development of the society and how they were affected by religion. The changes that defined the development of the society were heavily influenced by religion. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam were all founded on Zoroastrianism, a philosophy that explores the cosmology of morality.
The Changes That Defined the Development of the Society Essay Introduction Progress is an intrinsic and integral part of every single element and aspect of the humankind, as well as the universe, in the grand scheme of events. Therefore, while cultural changes within the global society and separate cultures might seem as entirely dissociated from the rest of the world, the mechanism of the global change functions by affecting every aspect of people’s lives all over the world. 1 Thus, the alterations in religious perspectives within different cultures are closely linked to the ancient beliefs. Similarly, the expansion of the Aztec culture affected the growth of the empires in Middle American, in general, and the introduction of plowing and irrigation have altered the landscape of agriculture, prompting the further evolution. Therefore, the identified phenomena should be seen as the prerequisites for impressive changes in all domains of people’s lives, including cultural, economic, and technological ones. Pervasiveness of Religion Faith has always been an integral element of the society, religion being its direct effect. 2 Religious beliefs allow creating a set of inexorable guidelines and principles based on which the distinction between good and bad, moral and immoral, and other determinants of people’s social behavior, is drawn. Therefore, the pervasiveness of religion in nearly every society since the onset of human development is not only reasonable but also inevitable. In this regard, it is particularly interesting to study the source of specific religions, including the ideas that inspired them, the philosophies that make the bulk thereof, and the ethics that defines their key postulates. Surprisingly enough, for Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, the common core on which each of these religions founded is Zoroastrianism, a philosophy that explores the cosmology of morality. Taking the key postulates of Zoroastrianism and incorporating them into their religious framework, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam were established. Although each of these religions had its own time frame of development, and they did not emerge simultaneously, the common influence of Zoroastrianism on every one of them is evident once specific evidence is considered. Islam is, perhaps, the most obvious example of how Zoroastrian principles were integrated into a different culture to produce a new religion. While not being overly explicit, the concept of a cosmic struggle that pervades the Islam religion indicates that it is related very closely to Zoroastrianism. 3 However, it should also be noted that the Islam religion was influenced heavily by other philosophies and sacred texts such as Christianity and its Testaments, of which the concept of the Last Judgment is clear evidence. 4 The Islam religion has inherited a substantial amount of Zoroastrian concepts and notions, including the narratives that have affected people’s perception thereof, such as the journey of the prophet to Heaven, and religious practices such as the need to pray for a specific number of times per day. 5 Similarly, Christianity and Judaism have been affected by Zoroastrianism to a significant extent. The same image of a prophet that ascends to Heaven and leads the humankind to the ultimate state of bliss and happiness is akin to the Zoroastrian traditions of depicting its prophet. Although Judaism has borrowed from Zoroastrianism to a greater extent than Christianity, the aspects of their predecessor’s philosophy are evident in each of the religions. Finally, the idea of duality as the foundation for both Christianity and Judaism, particularly, the necessity to draw a distinct line between the good and the evil, also comes from the Zoroastrian teachings. Thus, the principles of Zoroastrianism defined the perception of morality in Christianity, the image of a prophet in Judaism, and the concept of ascending to Heaven in Islam, causing the identified religions to bloom and become the foundation for unifying communities within each religious group. Aztec Expansion: The States and Empires of Middle America Although being no longer in existence, the Aztec civilization left a significant mark on the cultural and social development of the descendant political entities. As research shows, Aztec imperialism had a profound impact on the development of the Middle American states, including the increase in trade opportunities and the overall rise in the efficacy of the state economies. 6 Moreover, the Aztec religion had a profound influence on the changes within the Middle American society at the time. With the expansion of the Aztec culture, the philosophy thereof and the impact of its religion on neighbor states and its successors increased exponentially. It should be borne in mind that the Aztec culture, in turn, was heavily influenced by its predecessor, the Toltec culture. As Reilly explains, “Toltec Tula created a large empire based on trade as well as conquest.” 7 Herein lies the reason for the rapid enhancement of trade relationships between the states as the Aztec expansion continued into the states and empires of Middle America. Therefore, itself having been affected heavily by the Toltec culture and being defined by a vast and well-developed system of economic interactions, the Aztec civilization determined the evolution of its successors significantly. However, apart from economic changes, the Aztec culture affected its successors by defining their culture and political choices extensively. Specifically, the worshipping of Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and the symbol of the rising sun, Aztecs influenced the behavior of Mexican people, whom Aztecs attempted at conquering. According to Reilly, “The quick Spanish conquest of Mexico owed much to European ‘guns, germs, and steel,’ but the Aztecs also had many enemies in Mexico who joined the conquistadores in their march on Tenochtitlan.” 8 The evolution of the states and empires that emerged after the demise of Aztecs was shaped significantly by the effects that the enforcement of the Aztec culture had on Mexican people. Similarly, the Mayan culture had a profound effect on the further evolution of the Mexican civilization that emerged afterward. For example, Reilly mentions that the classical Mayan writing has influenced the literacy of the Mexican culture. 9 The Mayan calendar, which included 365 days and was famous for its precision also affected the culture and technology of the empires that were its successors. 10 Therefore, the connection between the life of Mayan people and the traditions of Mexicans that populated the area after the Mayan culture disappeared is explicit. The case under analysis shows that the impact of Aztecs on the cultures that emerged after them was at least twofold. On the one hand, due to the persistence with which Aztecs promoted their culture, their reign was detrimental to the development of other states and empires since it dismissed the plight of other ethnicities. Furthermore, Aztecs introduced Mexicans to a range of cultural ideas and economic principles that would define the development and progress of the Mexican state in the future. Agriculture: Plowing and Irrigation Techniques That Enhanced the Progress Listing the issues that challenges the further progress of the humankind and introduced the ideas and tools that purred its further evolution, one must consider innovations in agriculture. Due to the shift in the perception of the role of a community and the society, in general, people recognized the importance of agriculture as the means of sustaining the said community and encouraging its growth. Thus, the invention of the techniques that allowed controlling the process of planting and harvesting to a greater extent was essential to the progress of the global society as a whole and local communities specifically. The impact that plowing and irrigation had on the changes that the global society had experienced up until 1450 CE is vast and mostly positive. A significant improvement in farming techniques helped to increase the amount of products available for local communities, which served as the method of preventing the instances of famine and an increase in death rates among community members. Moreover, due to the increase in the popularity of plowing techniques, the phenomena of domestication and farming became the cornerstones of agricultural development, causing a massive rise in its effects. However, some of the outcomes of the specified innovations were also quite negative. Without a proper understanding of possible side effects of uncontrolled irrigation and plowing, people produced a rather negative impact on the environment, including tillage erosion and destruction of wetlands. Therefore, the described changes demonstrate the need to develop a profound understanding of how specific changes in techniques, behaviors, and beliefs affect the evolution of culture, technological progress, and environmental issues. While certain precursors make further societal, technological, or economic changes nearly unavoidable, being able to control these alterations at least to some degree and having a proper understanding of their effects is a necessity. Conclusion Affecting every domain of people’s lives, the changes that occurred to them on the cultural, religious, and technological levels defined their further development and provided the platform for building new ideas, philosophies, and lifestyles. The profound effect that Zoroastrianism had on the further development of world religions can be found in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Similarly, the expansion of the Aztec culture predetermined the evolution of the Middle American empires, in general, allowing them to bloom and explore unique philosophies and ideas of Aztecs. Finally, the economic impact that irrigation and plowing have had on agriculture can hardly be underrated since the identified changes have made it possible to advance it and address the lack of food resources by increasing the amount of products harvested each season. Thus, innovations and the process of sharing ideas create the grounds for a rapid increase in the quality of life, the accessibility of important knowledge, and the unceasing progress. Although the link between a specific culture and the phenomena changing the lives of the forerunners thereof might not seem noticeable at first, on a closer examination, the precursors of change will become evident once most of the cultural, social, and technological issues are considered. The described changes can be seen as critical to the evolution of the humankind. Due to the cultural influences that the phenomena mentioned above had on the further progress of the philosophical thought, political development, and economic changes, they can be viewed as important starting points for increasing the overall well-being of the global society. More importantly, the line of the legacy that world religions and cultures have maintained has allowed sharing knowledge and integrating beliefs into the system that has contributed to the global dialogue. Thus, the general tendency for a range of modern concepts to have an inherent connection to the issues described above should be deemed as an opportunity for a positive change. Bibliography Omer, Atalia. ‎R. Scott Appleby, ‎and David Little. The Oxford Handbook of Religion, Conflict, and Peacebuilding . Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2015. Cohen, Maurie J., ‎Halina Szejnwald Brown, ‎and Philip J Vergragt. Social Change and the Coming of Post-consumer Society: Theoretical Advances and Policy Implications . New York, NY: Taylor & Francis, 2017. Reilly, Kevin. The Human Journey: A Concise Introduction to World History – Prehistory to 1450 . New York, NY: Rowman & Littlefield, 2012. Footnotes 1. Maurie J. Cohen, ‎Halina Szejnwald Brown, ‎and Philip J Vergragt, Social Change and the Coming of Post-consumer Society: Theoretical Advances and Policy Implications (New York, NY: Taylor & Francis, 2017), 11. 2. Atalia Omer, ‎R. Scott Appleby, ‎David Little, The Oxford Handbook of Religion, Conflict, and Peacebuilding (Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2015), 322. 3. Kevin Reilly, The Human Journey: A Concise Introduction to World History – Prehistory to 1450 (New York, NY: Rowman & Littlefield, 2012), 129. 4. Ibid., p. 129. 5. Ibid., p. 129. 6. Ibid., p. 196. 7. Ibid., p. 196. 8. Ibid., p. 197. 9. Ibid., p. 195. 10. Ibid., p. 195.
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Write an essay about: The Chinese tourism industry is an important part of the country's economy because it represents about 2.6% of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Stakeholder engagement is instrumental to the future sustainability of the industry because unlike other segments of the economy, the sector thrives on culture and the environment, which can be sustainably managed.
The Chinese tourism industry is an important part of the country's economy because it represents about 2.6% of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Stakeholder engagement is instrumental to the future sustainability of the industry because unlike other segments of the economy, the sector thrives on culture and the environment, which can be sustainably managed.
The Chinese Tourism Essay Introduction The Chinese tourism industry is an important part of the country’s economy because it represents about 2.6% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Zeng 2014). Stakeholder engagement is instrumental to the future sustainability of the industry because unlike other segments of the economy, the sector thrives on culture and the environment, which can be sustainably managed (Vinodan & Meera 2018). The recent diversification of the Chinese tourism industry has prompted the creation of varied and personalised products that meet different stakeholder needs (Ma et al. 2016). This development stems from the need for tourism practitioners to respond to the demands of different interest groups because doing so is vital to the realisation of sustainable development goals in the sector (Qian, Shen & Law 2018; Chen, Huang, & Cai 2014). However, tourism practitioners in the Chinese tourism sector have been unable to create synergy in their operations. Consequently, there has been renewed interest in the industry regarding how to balance stakeholder and sustainability goals (Qian, Shen & Law 2018). Stakeholders’ perceptions regarding Chinese tourism play an important role in promoting sustainable development in the industry (Qian, Shen & Law 2018; Chen, Huang, & Cai 2014). However, few researchers have bothered to understand differences in interests of each stakeholder group and they should be addressed through sustainable development. This gap in literature partly explains why some of the initiatives aimed at changing aspects of the industry to embrace sustainability have been slowly adopted (Lederer, Wallbott & Bauer 2018). Stated differently, stakeholders who do not believe that their interests will be met through sustainability are likely to sabotage ongoing efforts to embrace it (Kozak & Kozak 2016). Against this background, this paper demonstrates differences in stakeholders’ perceptions regarding sustainability. The need to embrace new perspectives regarding sustainability in the Chinese tourism sector informs this review. Broadly, this document focuses on four main types of stakeholders: inbound tourists, government authorities, suppliers of tourism products and community residents. The tourism system model and the stakeholder theory will provide the theoretical frameworks guiding the discussions. They will also provide tools to understand the advantages and disadvantages of stakeholder engagement in the Chinese tourism sector. However, before delving into this analysis, it is important to understand the theories underpinning stakeholder engagement that will be used in this study. Theoretical Background Stakeholder Theory As highlighted above, the theories and models used in this paper aim to provide contextual support for understanding stakeholders’ views on sustainability (Qian, Shen & Law 2018; Chen, Huang, & Cai 2014). The stakeholder theory is one model that will be used in this paper to guide the investigation. It accounts for the impact of businesses on interest groups, such as communities, employees and creditors (Usadolo & Caldwel 2016). It also focuses on the morals and values that managers use to oversee the operations of an industry or organisation (Usadolo & Caldwel 2016). Kumar, Rahman and Kazmi (2016) contend that the stakeholder theory integrates aspects of resource and market-based views. One of the theory’s vital contribution is the need to prioritise stakeholders’ interests in all critical decision-making processes (Kumar, Rahman & Kazmi 2016). This theoretical basis stems from one of the theory’s focus, which is to identify key stakeholders and describe how they are treated in an organisation or economic sector (Usadolo & Caldwel 2016). Tourism System Model Researchers, such as Lohmann and Netto (2016) are strong proponents of the tourism system model. It has two main components: market demand and destination supply. Sotiriadis (2018) adopts a different approach of implementing this model by saying it has two main components: inner subsystem and external macro environment. In the context of the Chinese tourism sector, as a case study of this investigation, the inner subsystem comprises of local tourism resources and their allocation to realize industry goals. The external macro environment would be made up of factors that are out of the control of industry players, such as local culture, nature, economy and society. In this regard, the tourism system model highlights the importance of perceiving associated events from a holistic perspective, which includes demand and supply side functions (Sotiriadis 2018). To demonstrate its efficacy, researchers have used this model to investigate how different tenets of the tourism sector develop (Lohmann & Netto 2016). Types of Stakeholders in the Chinese Tourism Sector The Chinese tourism industry is one of the world’s most recognisable sources of inbound and outbound tourism (Li 2016). The industry’s boom stems from many factors but the growing middle class and the ease in restrictions of travel by Chinese authorities are some of the main catalysts of the development (Li 2016). Inbound tourists form one of the most dominant groups of stakeholders in the industry because China is among the top five most visited countries in the world (Correia, Kozak & Kim 2018). Recently, there has been an increase in the number of tourists from the United States (US) but figure 1 below provides a more comprehensive list of the top 20 sources of tourists in the Asian country. Figure 1. China’s inbound tourism (Source: Incitez China 2016). Based on the figure above, inbound tourists emerge as a significant stakeholder group in the Chinese tourism industry. According to Lee and Yin (2017), most of them travel to the communist nation because they have a positive image of the country’s tourism potential (Incitez China 2016). Nonetheless, from a stakeholder’s perspective, the design of China’s tourism industry mostly fits the needs of inbound tourists, as is evident from the increase in the number of international hotels in the country (Zeng 2014). The government is also another key stakeholder of the Chinese tourism sector because it is a regulator. In other words, it enforces policies, laws and regulations developed in the industry and makes sure that practitioners pay taxes accordingly. Enforcement of laws is strict in China because the government is a product of a one-party governance structure. Therefore, linked regulations could significantly influence the impact of every stakeholder on the industry. Local communities also form a vital interest group in the development of the Chinese tourism sector because they are a potential source market of tourists. Their relevance is similar in stature to other aspects of the industry’s performance, such as the prevailing legal environment in tourism planning. Siti-Nabiha and Saad (2015) conducted a case study in Penang Island to investigate the role of stakeholder engagement in tourism planning and found out that healthy stakeholder engagement is essential in advancing the industry, while fragmented communication affects progress. The case study also pointed out that the disjointed application of law between federal, state and local authorities could have a significant impact on the manner stakeholders choose to engage with one another (Siti-Nabiha & Saad 2015). Broadly, it is difficult to separate the development and growth of the Chinese tourism sector from stakeholder engagement. Inbound tourists, industry practitioners, suppliers of tourism products and community residents are interlinked because they are key partners in the promotion of sustainable development (Qian, Shen & Law 2018; Chen, Huang, & Cai 2014; Lederer, Wallbott & Bauer 2018). They also play an important role in improving the industry’s competitiveness. Unlike Chinese domestic visitors, foreign tourists play a singular role in promoting the sector because they have stringent needs (Siti-Nabiha & Saad 2015). Furthermore, their perception of the industry is a product of international conceptions of it (Zeng 2014). Studies have also shown that their views of the industry are relatively more accurate and sensitive compared to domestic tourists (Lee & Yin 2017). Therefore, their interests differ from local tourists. Stakeholder Engagement in the Chinese Tourism Sector Usadolo and Caldwel (2016) characterise stakeholder engagement as the practice of influencing concerned parties to help realise a project’s benefits. Indeed, the successful development of project plans largely depends on how interested parties view them (Ngai & Singh 2018). According to Darnall and Aragón-Correa (2014), trust and commitment are the two main antecedents of stakeholder relationships in China. Additionally, Saffer, Yang and Taylor (2018) say that stakeholder management shares a direct correlation with a firm’s profitability and customer satisfaction standards. Recently, China has had a robust stakeholder engagement, which has seen the country’s profile in the global tourism map improve. For example, there has been a profitable collaboration between the Chinese government and tourism practitioners, which has yielded improved infrastructure development in the sector, which has aided in the free movement of goods and services. In addition, the ease of travel restrictions by the Chinese government and its active participation in global politics has also diverted the world’s attention to China as a world power. The tourism industry has benefitted as a result. Communities are also taking part in the development of the Chinese tourism sector because they create content and products sold to tourists. They also preserve local and indigenous cultures, which are attractions to foreign tourists (Serra-Cantallops et al. 2018). Furthermore, they engage with the government through local authorities and act as suppliers of products and labour to local hotels and other suppliers of tourism products. The preservation of great monumental sites in China, such as the Great Wall, is also a product of a partnership between local authorities, tourism players and host communities (Serra-Cantallops et al. 2018). For example, tourism players provide transportation services, such as taxis, while the government and local communities preserve historical sites and monuments. Broadly, stakeholders in the Chinese tourism industry have engaged with each other in the past through negotiation, consultation and communication (Bratt 2018). Making compromises and nurturing existing relationships are also other strategies that stakeholders in the sector have used to improve industry outcomes (Ngai & Singh 2018). The importance of stakeholders in the implementation of project plans stems from studies, which have emphasised the need to consult all interested parties at different stages of a project’s lifecycle (Usadolo & Caldwel 2016; Zeng 2014). For example, according to figure 2 below, stakeholders should be consulted when defining a project’s scope, estimating timelines for the completion of project tasks, developing project plans and handing over programs to other agencies. Figure 2. Stakeholder engagement process (Source: Association of Project Management 2017). Barriers to Reconciliation of Perceptions Discussions relating to sustainable development in the Chinese tourism industry have been centred on promoting diversification because the reliance on one product could be detrimental to the livelihoods of people who depend on the sector (Qian, Shen & Law 2018; Chen, Huang, & Cai 2014; Lederer, Wallbott & Bauer 2018). The lack of economic appeal of Detroit city is an example of the need for diversification because the city’s economic growth was almost entirely dependent on the manufacturing sector. Therefore, when the industry collapsed, thousands of workers lost their jobs and millions of families were negatively affected by poor living conditions. Discussions about sustainability in China are cognizant of such an outcome and strive to promote the concept as a feasible operational mantra for making sure that the city’s tourism outlook remains viable even in the wake of unpredictable human and natural disasters (Qian, Shen & Law 2018; Chen, Huang, & Cai 2014; Lederer, Wallbott & Bauer 2018). Discussions on sustainability in China are also cognizant of the complex interplay between the industry’s products and the environment (Qian, Shen & Law 2018; Chen, Huang, & Cai 2014). The complexity is highlighted by the fact that culture influences the creation of different tourism products (Bakir et al. 2017). Community members are most affected when there is no proper relationship between tourism stakeholders and the environment (Chen 2017). In addition, community-based groups are also the main custodians of local culture and they cooperate with other industry players in packaging tourism products and selling them to both local and international tourists. A different side of the argument is informed by the fact that economic development in China could threaten the environmental health of the country and, by extension, the tourism sector (Lederer, Wallbott & Bauer 2018). Consequently, sustainability emerges as an important concept of development that influences the industry’s future. One barrier to stakeholder engagement in the Chinese tourism industry is the lack of proper leadership in implementing successfully negotiated projects (Sotiriadis 2018). This challenge stems from a poor attitude among some stakeholders, which makes them assume that by agreeing to undertake a project with their partners, they could simply walk away and “other people” would complete it. Conflicting interests is also another barrier to stakeholder engagement in the Chinese tourism sector because different groups of people have varied and competing interests. Whitehead (2014) says that, traditionally, industry players placed shareholders’ interests before all other considerations in the industry. This business model was a product of past traditions and norms in commerce (Whitehead 2014). However, modern scholars have criticised the framework and attributed it to the crash of some major companies in the last decade (Sotiriadis 2018; Zeng 2014). Most of these scholars have instead proposed a balance between shareholder and consumer perspectives, with the latter gaining attention in recent academic literature (Sotiriadis 2018; Zeng 2014). Broadly, this analysis means that there is a high possibility of a conflict of interest between stakeholders who push for shareholder’s interests and those who promote consumer goals. This dilemma has been the cause of contention for most interest groups in major sectors of the Chinese economy (Sotiriadis 2018; Zeng 2014). It has also impeded efforts to promote sustainability in the sector. The implication of Theories on the Competitiveness, Innovation and Stakeholder Engagement The theories highlighted in this paper have an impact on competitiveness, innovation and level of stakeholder engagement in the Chinese tourism sector. In this section of the report, the effects of the theories on the above-mentioned critical areas of assessment will be mentioned from management and consumer perspectives. Impact of Stakeholder Theory From a management perspective, the stakeholder theory is useful in improving the competitiveness of the Chinese tourism sector because it helps to identify gaps in performance that need to be addressed to improve performance. Particularly, the theory has a significant effect on stakeholder engagement because it encourages interest groups to go beyond superficial engagement and implement their collective agreements holistically (Pham, Nghiem & Dwyer 2018). It also aids them to make follow-ups from the start to the end of negotiated projects. Notably, the theory rejects the philosophy of a “hands-off” approach in management because of its failure to promote authentic engagements among concerned parties (Pham, Nghiem & Dwyer 2018). It also rejects the idea that consultations need to occur only when one party pushes for change. Instead, it advocates for greater collaboration among all interest groups to improve the odds of success (Pham, Nghiem & Dwyer 2018; Bratt 2018). Broadly, the contribution of the stakeholder theory in management is to improve the quality of engagement among concerned parties. Relative to this assertion, the case study by Correia, Kozak and Kim (2018) highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement in the tourism sector because it demonstrates its efficacy in increasing the flow of tourists between mainland China and Hong Kong. The importance of the theory in improving the competitiveness of the Chinese tourism industry can be explained through a case study by the World Tourism Cities Federation (2018), which sought to investigate sustainable management practices in Beijing, China. The case study showed that authorities are committed to conservation and the efficient use of resources (World Tourism Cities Federation 2018). These developments also influenced local regulations on sustainable development (World Tourism Cities Federation 2018). Engagement among all stakeholders also led to the effective implementation of appropriate laws in Beijing and the promotion of progressive principles and models of tourism management, such as the implementation of the green certification system (World Tourism Cities Federation 2018). The stakeholder theory provides the framework for undertaking such engagements. Therefore, it is a tool for managers to use in striking the best balance between accomplishing stakeholder objectives and meeting the industry’s sustainable goals (Qian, Shen & Law 2018; Chen, Huang, & Cai 2014; Lederer, Wallbott & Bauer 2018). The stakeholder theory also has a significant implication on the innovativeness, competitiveness and level of engagement of the Chinese tourism sector. Notably, it adds the socio-political level of collaboration that is needed in making sustainability a reality in the Chinese tourism sector (Usadolo & Caldwel 2016). In other words, it proposes a paradigm shift of engagement from a resource-based to a consumer-centred view. The addition of the socio-political level to stakeholder partnerships means that there is room for consumers and other stakeholders who do not have a profit-based interest to support industry development (Usadolo & Caldwel 2016). Impact of Tourism System Model The tourism system model has a significant implication on innovation in the Chinese tourism industry because it involves the seamless integration of different aspects of the industry’s features (Newsome 2017). Innovation could help to improve business processes and synergies by creating linkages and differentiation areas when executing industry functions. The tourism system model explains how this process occurs by encouraging managers to look at the industry or organisational issues from both demand and supply side perspectives (Newsome 2017). Therefore, it emphasises the deliberate application of knowledge pertaining to the implementation of industry functions. This system underscores how to translate ideas into unique goods and services that improve the profile of the Chinese tourism sector. Comparatively, the tourism system model highlights the role of the consumer in influencing policies relating to the industry (Athanasopoulos, Song & Sun 2018). It describes their position in the larger social, economic and political system of the Chinese tourism industry so that all parties understand their roles. Broadly, this theory also helps to make consumers more aware of different systemic parts of the market that may influence their purchasing experience (Athanasopoulos, Song & Sun 2018). For example, through the broad understanding of industry patterns, consumers become aware of ongoing innovations or unfair competitive behaviours they need to look out for in sustainable development. Broadly, both the stakeholder theory and the tourism system model have a significant implication on the competitiveness of the Chinese tourism industry because they influence how the world perceives the sector’s products, based on the efforts of stakeholders make in marketing the country. Particularly, the stakeholder theory draws attention to the need to increase the quality of engagements among all concerned parties. The tourism system model also influences the competitiveness of the industry because it focuses on the development of easily replicable ideas that satisfy a specific need. Nieves and Quintana (2018) add that innovation is a revolutionary concept that involves multiple risks, especially for companies that want to create new markets by embracing innovative ideas. Broadly, the tourism system model and the stakeholder theory have a positive impact in fostering collaboration among tourism stakeholders in China. Summary and Recommendations Summary Overall, this paper demonstrates the need to look at the development of sustainability in the Chinese tourism industry from a holistic perspective that includes all parties. The results are useful to the Chinese tourism industry because they support sustainable development and coordination in the sector. Both consumer and management perspectives highlight the discussions and arguments presented in this paper. The consumer perspective explains non-financial objectives of sustainable development in the tourism industry, while management perspectives relate to the allocation of industry resources to achieve desired goals. The management perspective has been more dominant in academic literature compared to the consumer view because issues relating to stakeholder engagement, such as competitiveness, innovation and nurturing stakeholder relationships, are commonly discussed in management literature. Recommendations There is a need for leadership engagement in the improvement of stakeholder relationships in the Chinese tourism sector. This recommendation stems from the role of leadership in improving individual and collective team performance. The need to improve this management principle is desirable because of the need to reinforce behaviours that create a good working environment for all concerned parties. In addition, there needs to be more synchrony between business and industry development goals because some tourism stakeholders are unable to work well because of conflicting interests. For example, it is difficult to merge the non-profit goals of the Chinese government and the profit-centred goals of multinational firms if there is no compromise between the two. Consequently, developing training strategies that merge profit and non-profit goals of various stakeholders in the Chinese tourism sector could be beneficial in improving responsiveness, enhancing efficiencies, increasing organisational partnerships and encouraging high levels of employee retention in the industry. Lastly, there is a need to restructure the stakeholder engagement framework of the Chinese tourism industry and embrace one that identifies new ways of merging stakeholders’ interests. Redefining the accountability structure would play a critical role in improving the efficacy of stakeholder engagement processes. The idea of accountability addresses the challenge of embracing a “hands-off” approach to management, which undermines industry responsiveness. Relative to this recommendation, Bratt (2018) posits that the effective development of sustainable tourism largely depends on the creation of strong and integrated management systems. Collaboration is important in realising this vision and the stakeholder theory plays a vital role in fostering it. (Word Count: 3,499) Reference List Association of Project Management 2017, What is stakeholder Engagement , Web. Athanasopoulos, G, Song, H & Sun, JA 2018, ‘Bagging in tourism demand modeling and forecasting’, Journal of Travel Research , vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 52-68. Bakir, A, Wickens, E, Boluk, K & Avgeli, V 2017, ‘Cross-cultural issues in tourism and hospitality’, Tourism and Hospitality Research , vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 245-248. Bratt, J 2018, ‘Return to the east: tourism promotion as legitimation in Qiandongnan, China’, Tourist Studies , vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 21-40. Chen, S 2017, ‘Power, apathy, and failure of participation: how local voices on environmental issues are muted in a Chinese rural context’, SAGE Open , vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 1-10. 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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The cinematography in the UAE case study discusses how market share is an essential element of modern business and how it can be grown. The study also talks about the tools and strategies used to grow market share in the cinema industry in the UAE.
The cinematography in the UAE case study discusses how market share is an essential element of modern business and how it can be grown. The study also talks about the tools and strategies used to grow market share in the cinema industry in the UAE.
The Cinematography in the UAE Case Study Market share is an essential element of modern business as its higher showings help to achieve a competitive advantage and create the basis for the companies’ growth. For this reason, multiple tools and strategies are used to grow the share and achieve success. As for the company operating in the cinema business in the UAE, it should also be focused on attempts to acquire better results. In this regard, some specific strategies can be recommended regarding the situation. However, there is a need for an in-depth analysis of the existing market conditions to create a sufficient plan. At the moment, the cinema industry in the UAE is on the rise. The high speed of economic development preconditions the appearance of the funds that can be invested in art and entertaining spheres. For this reason, the forecasts state that in the next several years, the sector will grow at a steady rate (Sadaqat, 2018). Moreover, the increase in the population of the country, their income, and well-being establish the conditions beneficial for the rise of this industry. At the moment, the target audience is diverse and characterized by multiple demands for the content and quality of products (Sadaqat, 2018). That is why companies operating in the cinema industry can enjoy the growing demand for services offered by them. Additionally, global corporations are also interested in the region as its position at the international level becomes stronger, and more and more firms are ready to work there (Bedirian, 2019). The given boom in the cinema industry can be used by companies operating in the industry to generate additional income and create the basis for the further rise. Regarding the given background, the following plan of actions to grow the market share can be offered: * Increase engagement and cooperation with customers * Generate a competitive advantage by meeting current clients’ needs * Create a unique and innovative brand position * Consider the demands of the audience that are disregarded by other companies * Evaluate the outcomes and introduce changes if needed (Kotler & Armstrong, 2017) The offered plan of action and the peculiarities of the cinema market in the UAE precondition the employment of specific strategies that can help to achieve success. First of all, the competitive advantage can be generated by innovating the work of the company and using such elements as IMAX or 3D to attract new clients as these technologies are popular in the UAE (Bedirian, 2019). Moreover, it will guarantee that individuals will use only the firms’ services (Kotler & Armstrong, 2017). Another strategy presupposes the evaluation of the clients’ needs as it is the key to the acquisition of their loyalty. Moreover, by assessing the needs of niche audiences, the firm will be able to broaden its target audience and increase market share, which is one of its primary goals at the moment. Altogether, the cinema industry in the UAE experiences a high speed of its growth at the moment. For this reason, multiple firms are trying to benefit from this tendency and increase their market share. The plan to achieve this goal can presuppose and increased engagement and cooperation with clients, evaluation of their needs, and consideration of demands to increase sales and generate revenues. The outlined strategies will contribute to the achievement of the goal, stimulation of the further evolution of the brand, and the creation of the basis for becoming the leading actor in the UAE cinema sector. Reference List Bedirian, R. (2019). UAE and Saudi to join top leading markets for global box office revenue by 2030 . The National . Web. Sadaqat, R. (2018). Lights, cinema, action: GCC cinema industry set to boom . Khaleej Times . Web. Kotler, P., & Armstrong, G. (2017). Principles of marketing (17th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: Dystopian fiction (DF) is a genre of literature that was born in the 20th century as a response to the social and political changes of the era. DF typically sets its stories in the future and is meant to represent the fears of the era, including the social anxieties regarding political, societal, and cultural changes. However, DF authors also reflected some of the aspects of contemporary reality in their works.
Dystopian fiction (DF) is a genre of literature that was born in the 20th century as a response to the social and political changes of the era. DF typically sets its stories in the future and is meant to represent the fears of the era, including the social anxieties regarding political, societal, and cultural changes. However, DF authors also reflected some of the aspects of contemporary reality in their works.
The Concept and History of Dystopian Fiction Essay Introduction The 20 th century produced several new literary genres, dystopian fiction (DF) being one of them. Typically set in the future, DF stories, nevertheless, were meant to represent the fears of the era, including the social anxieties regarding political, societal, and cultural changes. However, owing to the profoundly insightful and incredibly imaginative thinking of DF authors, their works also reflect some of the aspects of contemporary reality. The definition of DF may vary depending on its tone and context, yet it contains general characteristics that can be applied to most of its examples. Montz, ‎Green-Barteet, ‎and Day (2014) define DF as the literature that “situates itself in direct opposition to utopian thought, warning against the potential negative consequences of arrant utopianism” (p. 8), while Syvertsen (2017) prefers to denote the subject matter as “a negatively deformed future of our own world” (p. 36). Thus, the goal of this paper is to study the phenomenon of DF based on the examples of Orwell’s and Huxley’s fiction and determine the presence of the themes that overlap with the contemporary social, cultural, and political issues. Among some of the most notable examples of the 20 th -century DF, Orwell and Huxley’s works have to be mentioned. Orwell’s “1984” has practically become the staple of DF, coining the term “Orwellian” to describe a dystopian future. Huxley’s “The Brave New World,” while garnering lesser fame, also represents DF of the 20 th century rather well. The authors address the topics of totalitarianism, people’s rights and freedoms, the concept of sexuality, emotional and mental well-being, and other issues that remain problematic in the modern world as well. Therefore, the works of DF writers of the early 20 th century tend to reflect some of the modern realities and ideas and affect contemporary society. Analysis of the Concepts and Themes Related to Dystopian Fiction Although each PDF author sets their story in a different environment with its unique characteristics, there are common themes and ideas in the DF genre and especially DF of the early 20 th century. Because of the political pressure that could be observed in the world at the time, totalitarian regimes and their effects were often explored in DF as crucial themes. In addition, the key features of the 20 th century DF include libertarian philosophy, the lead characters that fight oppressors, and political commentaries regarding the tyrannical regimes that protagonists attempt at overthrowing (Anwar, 2016). In essence, DF can be seen as the assumption of the drastic outcomes that the current negative trends in politics, economics, and social life may entail in the future. Specifically, some of the specimens of DF have become so well known that they perform the function of a cautionary tale for humankind. The issue of politics and dictatorship is addressed explicitly in Orwell’s and Huxley’s novels (Morgan, 2018; Scott & Taylor, 2014). Specifically, Orwell’s “1984” and Huxley’s “The Brave New World” as the staple of the genre have garnered such public acclaim that they are referenced when criticizing a particular line of political or cultural thinking that may be potentially harmful to certain populations (Anwar, 2016). The problem of dictatorship is addressed explicitly in “1984” and less obviously in “Brave New World.” Particularly, in “1984,” the setting is described as entirely totalitarian, with the characters living under the dictatorship of Big Brother: “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength” (Orwell, 1949, para. 106-108). Orwell shows how totalitarian power shapes people’s perception of reality and distorting their perspective. Although the specified imagery is linked to the era of Stalinism and the fear of Communism, which is no longer a threat, the specified examples are exemplary of how modern far-right parties use rhetoric in order to deceit people into accepting the ideas of totalitarianism and abandoning their freedoms. Similarly, “The Brave New World” paints the picture of the universe in which totalitarianism is implied, although people in it claim to have a substantial degree of freedom in regard to their sexuality: ‘As if one believed anything by instinct! One believes things because one has been conditioned to believe them” (Huxley, 1932, para. 30). Nevertheless, on closer scrutiny, ostensible freedom turns out to be a figment of their imagination and a tool used to control them and their need to rebel. The subtle hints that Huxley uses to indicate the intrinsic dissatisfaction with the artificial state of happiness strongly suggest that the author depicts a totalitarian regime. The Elements of Dystopian Fiction in the Modern Society: Analysis The political issues described in “1984” and “The Brave New World,” particularly, the problem of curbing people’s rights and freedoms, reflect directly the current political situation and the source of conflicts within the modern global society. Although totalitarian regimes are rather uncommon in most states, they are still present in certain countries, which makes the message of “1984” and the Brave New World” all the more powerful and disturbing. When exploring DF of the 20 th century to find a common thread in it, one may notice that the dangers of intrusive and omnipotent media are rendered quite often as an imminent threat to people’s freedoms and independence. Indeed, in “1984,” media produced by technology and innovation is described as extraordinarily invasive and, most importantly, uncontrollable by an average citizen (Bina, Mateus, Pereira, & Caffa, 2017). Hijacking personal data and delivering it to the ominous totalitarian government, media in DF is always a threat. The specified phenomenon represents the societal worries about the rapidly developing technology and the possible threats that it may pose to people. The abuse of media as a highly negative phenomenon and the opportunity to interact with it as a neutral one has also been explored in “Fahrenheit 451,” which is shockingly accurate to the current situation. While technology is not used for the unceasing surveillance of the general population currently, it has, indeed, become more interactive, inviting people to engage with the media that they consume. Specifically, in “Fahrenheit 451,” Mildred refers to the actors that she sees on the parlor wall as “my family” (Bradbury, 1953). Furthermore, as the narration unwraps, Mildred is shown as enthralled in the lives of the people from the parlor wall and nearly hypnotized by them (Bradbury, 1953). The specified addiction to media can be seen as a rather clever prediction and a critical look at the role that media plays in the lives of modern people. In addition, the problem of censorship rendered in both novels can be seen as very realistic in the context of present-day reality. While freedom of speech remains an integral human right in most states, some countries restrict the chances for people with opposing opinions to voice their concerns about specific political and economic issues. Thus, “1984” and “the Brave New World” reflect modern reality to a considerable extent, pointing to the fact that policing of people’s opinions may be unleashed once the concept of free speech is abandoned. Addressing the common threads in the DF of the 20 th century without mentioning the problem of totalitarianism is impossible. Nearly every novel written in the DF genre on the specified time slot features a variety of totalitarianism, which sets rigid limitations on citizens. The specified characteristic of the dystopian future that dictates very specific lifestyle choices to the population appears in “1984,” “Fahrenheit 451,” and “Animal Farm” (Resch, 1997). Although the specified novels, as well as their successors, are typically set either in the future or, in the case of “Animal Farm,” in an imaginary setting, each of them alludes to the threat that permeated the global society at the time. Specifically, the concept of the totalitarian regime that makes all people bow to the will of a leader is borrowed from the history of the Soviet Union, Orwell’s “Big Brother” being a very obvious metaphor for Stalin and the KGB (Greider, 2014). It is often argued, however, that the elements of the nightmarish environment in which Orwell’s characters live alludes to Nazi Germany, with the “doublespeak” referring to the Nazi culture and the “Big Brother” incorporating the traits of Hitler (Stock, 2016). In either scenario, the novels clearly represent the dark reality of the past and seem not to be directed into the future. However, on closer inspection, one will notice that the traces of the problems about which Orwell and other DF authors warned humankind seem to have pervaded some of the areas of the global environment by now. For instance, the issue of surveillance, as dubious as the arguments against it might be, remains an inseparable part of the modern era (Awan & Raza, 2016). Therefore, the problem of political tyranny raised in DF remains a valid discussion point in the present-day environment. Technological concerns that were addressed in the works of DF writers addressed not only the issue of communication, although the specified problem was also important. The changes to the very essence of human nature and the probability of tampering with it quickly became one of the leitmotivs for DF of the 20 th century, with Huxley’s “The Brave New World” rendering the issue directly. Particularly, Huxley mentions the changes made to people on a genetic level to limit the extent of their physical and mental abilities (Stock, 2016). Therefore, DF of the 20 th century reflected the social anxiety about the possibilities that genetic engineering opened. Afterward, the concern will grow even stronger as the phenomenon of cloning is discovered and the ethical problems underlying it are revealed (Schaeffer, 2015). For instance, in “the Brave New World,” the ruling party redefines the very essence of human nature both genetically and psychologically by shaping people’s intelligence artificially and creating a distorted representation of sexuality. At a comparatively early point of his novel, Huxley provides the following dialogue between the director and one of the girls: “We had Elementary Sex for the first forty minutes,” she answered. “But now it’s switched over to Elementary Class Consciousness” (Huxley, 1932, para. 71). While the specified passage does not contain any details that can be defined as particularly disturbing, it points to the shift in perspective regarding sexual experiences as a one-dimensional concept. Indeed, as the story evolves, it turns out that the world in which the lead character lives views sex only as a means of gaining physical pleasure. However, the issue of sex no longer being tabooed has more dimensions in the contemporary environment than Huxley outlined in his DF. While in the “Brave New World,” exploring the nature of sex and sexuality was represented as lewdness and the refutation of any emotional context, the modern interpretation of sexual education and sexual relationships is seen as the endeavor at exploring all facets of the subject matter and developing a healthy attitude toward it. Therefore, the observed commentary about the possible future that may be plagued by indecency and debauchery can also be seen as the fear of changes in the representation of gender and sex. Moreover, it is stated in the novel that people are cloned to produce new offspring: “Standard men and women; in uniform batches” (Huxley, 1932, para. 20). The specified phenomenon embodies the fears that the authors had for the concept of what would become genetic engineering. Indeed, while genetic experiments are not currently used to introduce casts in the contemporary global society, the ethical aspects of the specified procedures and especially cloning have been questioned multiple times, with no answers having been produced so far. Thus, DF of the 20 th century has addressed a range of concepts pertaining to the field of the modern biological engineering area, pointing to the dilemmas that need further elaboration and in-depth research. Counterargument Although there are certain connections between the issues raised in DF, particularly, the novels written by Huxley and Orwell, claiming that they represent the present-day reality might seem as debatable. DF is an exaggeration in its essence, with the political and societal constraints blown out of their proportions to showcase the problematic aspects of certain ideas and philosophies. In a range of cases, the specified anxieties make the authors of DF push the suspension of their readers’ disbelief too far and, thus cannot be seen as the accurate depiction of modern reality. For example, the tyranny described in 1984 is seen as barbaric when evaluated through the prism of modern standards. Because of the exaggeration that the author uses to create the necessary atmosphere, the situation described in the novel, particularly, the level of surveillance described at the beginning and the tortures that Winston undergoes at the end, seems beyond unrealistic. While it serves its purpose of a cautionary tale, it does not even approach the realities of the present-day world, where the dictatorship of the USSR is no longer in existence, and where the principles of democracy are upheld as the required standard. Therefore, it is doubtful that DF could dully reflect the realities of the present day. Instead, it attempts at predicting the worst possible outcome based on the imminent threats to people’s well-being that could be observed at the beginning of the 20 th century. Without the specified dangers, the potential of DF is limited to the realm of the past. Although the novels written by Orwell and Huxley were supposed to warn people about the possible dark future, they fail to render the contemporary anxieties since some of the threats that served as the foundation for these DF novels are no longer in existence. Rebuttal At a second glance, the problems explored in Orwell’s and Huxley’s works are quite tangible even for the contemporary audience. Due to the existence of the political regimes that can be described as rather rigid and restricting social freedoms, the concerns voiced by DF authors maintain their urgency and significance. Even in the states that are typically viewed as representative of democratic principles and freedoms, problematic issues such as gender inequality and the presence of racial and class-related prejudices exist. The specified concerns have grown exponentially after the U.S. elections and the recent alterations in the American policies toward ethnic minorities and other vulnerable groups. Moreover, the themes addressed in Huxley’s and Orwell’s works are even more realistic in the states where the government does not support democratic principles and, thus infringes upon the rights of vulnerable groups. Consequently, asserting that DF themes and anxieties are linked to the contemporary global environment would be an understatement. The problems of totalitarianism, authoritarian principles, and prejudiced opinions remain disturbingly real in the modern setting despite the efforts taken to manage the lack of justice, as predicted in Huxley’s and Orwell’s works. Therefore, it is critical to explore the novels and compare them to the elements of the present-day world. By placing the ideas and problems described by DF authors in the context of the modern world, one will see the absurdity of the existing prejudices, as well as realize the drastic lack of social and legal justice. The absence of protection for vulnerable groups, including ethnic, social, and cultural minorities is a critical issue that remains an inseparable part of modern society. Thus, Huxley and Orwell’s novels remain sadly realistic in the present-day setting. Conclusion Because of its self-awareness and the ability to render the angst of the 20 th -century society in the face of drastic technological, political, and economic changes, DF can be seen as relevant to and even characteristic of the modern setting. In a range of works created in the early 20 th century, the changes that humankind was about to experience within the next several decades are predicted rather accurately and describe the negative effects of these changes. The specified phenomenon can be explained by the lack of knowledge about the boundaries that science was going to push, as well as the possibility of failing to retain control over the unceasing progress. As a result, while some of the technological, social, economic, and even political alterations mentioned in the DF at the time, have become true, humankind has also developed the ability to not only cope with these changes but also make their effects positive. Consequently, what the writers of DF in the 20 th century saw as the unknown and, thus frightening, the modern population regards as common and harmful. Therefore, it was the possibility of harm that the specified technologies and social changes could have brought that made DF so frightening and deprived of any chance to be ever defeated. By taking control over the process of innovation and development in every domain, including not only technology but also politics and economy, humankind proved that the dystopian future could be averted. Progress Report The DF of the 20 th century is a unique era of fiction literature that has left a tangible mark on the global culture and has reflected the anxieties about the future that the writers had at the time. The connections between the expectations that DF writers of the 20th century had for the future and the current state of political, social, and cultural development of humankind are the key focus of the project. The need to evaluate whether there has been a shift in the understanding of a dystopian future between the early 20 th century and the modern era is the primary reason for exploring the subject matter. Indeed, although there are notions and ideas that remain perpetually negative and potentially threatening for humankind, such as global warfare, other notions may have become irrelevant with time. An introspect into the problems that the authors of the 20 th -century DF raised, as well as the changes in the representation and perception thereof in the modern era, is the key goal of the paper. Put differently, the question that this research asks is whether the concerns voiced by the authors of the 20 th -century DF have come true and if the consequences thereof are just as dire as these authors predicted. The paper explores numerous crucial issues, yet there are three main points that require a thorough analysis. Specifically, the shift in the sociocultural perspective, the opinions regarding technological progress, and the problems associated with the political choices made by authorities can be seen as the essential talking points. In the paper, the specified concerns are addressed based on the evidence from different DF novels and recent studies, thus presenting the opportunity to compare the 20 th -century ideas and the current situation. In order to provide an in-depth analysis of the matter, scholarly sources and academic books were used along with the works of the DF authors in question. The latter served as the tools for illustrating the points made in the essay, while the former provided the theoretical framework for the discussion. The scholarly resources located to support the analysis and provide the relevant information should be regarded as extraordinarily helpful. Offering the profound chances for studying the problems presented in the 20 th -century DF in-depth, the specified academic resources allowed for an in-depth analysis of the links between the current socio-cultural and political situation and the predictions made by DF authors. Specifically, the paper by Awan and Raza (2016) provided a chance to study the evolution of the Marxist ideas in the 20 th century after “1984” was published. One might argue that the perspective offered by Awan and Raza (2016) cannot be considered as fully related to the topic since Marxism already existed when the book was published and, therefore, was a part of the reality that Orwell mocked. However, “The Brave New World” also builds assumptions regarding the further development of Marxoism, therefore, providing an in-depth analysis of the problem. Similarly, McManus (2017) renders the idea of an artificially created perfect world in which the totalitarian nightmare remains a perpetual part of reality. The specified study helped shed light on the problem of altering people’s sense of morality and ethics as an inseparable element of DF. Thus, the identified resource provided an ample amount of information to contemplate when preparing the paper. However, by far the most interesting reading of all was the study by Claisse and Delvenne (2015), who posited that a narrative incorporating the elements of DF could become the tool for empowering people to make a positive change. While sound reasoning is preferable to scaring people into making the right choice, it is important to depict the possible dire outcomes of wrong decisions. References Anwar, M. (2016). Postmodern dystopian fiction: An analysis of Bradbury’s ‘Fahrenheit 451’. International Journal, 4 (1), 246-249. Web. Awan, A. G., & Raza, S. A. (2016). The effects of totalitarianism and Marxism towards dystopian society in George Orwell’s selected fictions. Global Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 2 (4), 21-37. Bina, O., Mateus, S., Pereira, L., & Caffa, A. (2017). The future imagined: Exploring fiction as a means of reflecting on today’s Grand Societal Challenges and tomorrow’s options. Futures, 86 , 166-184. Web. Bradbury, R. (1953). Fahrenheit 451 . Web. Claeys, G. (2015). Dystopia: A natural history . Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. Claisse, F., & Delvenne, P. (2015). Building on anticipation: Dystopia as empowerment. Current Sociology, 63 (2), 155-169. Web. Huxley, A. (1932). The brave new world . Web. McManus, P. (2017). From Huxley to Eggers: Happy dystopians. New Left Review, 2 (105), 81-105. Montz, ‎A., Green-Barteet, M., & Day, S. (2014). Female rebellion in young adult dystopian fiction . Farnham, United Kingdom: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Morgan, D. R. (2018). Inverted totalitarianism in (post) postnormal accelerated dystopia: The arrival of Brave New World and 1984 in the twenty-first century. Foresight, 20 (3), 221-236. Web. Orwell, G. (1949). 1984 . Web. Resch, R. P. (1997). Utopia, dystopia, and the middle class in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. Boundary 2, 24 (1), 137-176. Web. Schaeffer, U. (2015). From beast folk to great apes. About the significance of animal others in dystopian literature . Berlin, Germany: GRIN Verlag. Scott, C. E., & Taylor, F. F. (2014). Totalitarianism on screen: The art and politics of the lives of others . Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky. Sims, M. (2017). Frankenstein dreams: A connoisseur’s collection of Victorian science fiction . New York City, NY: Bloomsbury Publishing USA. Stock, A. (2016). The future-as-past in dystopian fiction. Poetics Today, 37 (3), 415-442. Web. Syvertsen, T. (2017) Evil media in dystopian fiction. In Media resistance (pp. 35-53). London, United Kingdom: Palgrave Macmillan.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The discovery of antimicrobial agents significantly changed the way healthcare views viruses and bacteria. However, many problems related to the treatment of infections still exist in clinical practice.The discovery of antimicrobial agents significantly changed the way healthcare views viruses and bacteria. However, many problems related to the treatment of infections still exist in clinical practice.
The discovery of antimicrobial agents significantly changed the way healthcare views viruses and bacteria. However, many problems related to the treatment of infections still exist in clinical practice. The discovery of antimicrobial agents significantly changed the way healthcare views viruses and bacteria. However, many problems related to the treatment of infections still exist in clinical practice.
The Concept of Antimicrobial Agents Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Categories of Antimicrobial Agents 3. Differences Between Viral and Bacterial Infections 4. The Importance of Proper Identification 5. Conclusion 6. References Introduction The effects of other organisms on the human body lead to a variety of infectious conditions. The discovery of antimicrobial agents significantly changed the way healthcare views viruses and bacteria. However, many problems related to the treatment of infections still exist in clinical practice. Improper use of antibiotics – drugs that help treat bacterial infections – creates therapy-resistant organisms (Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur, & Reinhold, 2017). Moreover, it weakens patients with viral infections, increasing the possibility of complications. Therefore, it is vital for healthcare providers to understand the differences between bacterial and viral conditions to prescribe treatment. Viral and bacterial infections differ because of their initiators; antibiotics can be utilized to kill bacteria but do not affect viral diseases, while antivirals are prescribed to suppress the activity of viruses. Categories of Antimicrobial Agents The classification of antimicrobial agents includes major groups that are divided into specific types of medications. These types include antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic agents. Each group deals with particular organisms: bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites. Furthermore, each broad category incorporates multiple drug types, and each of them has a purpose as well as strengths and weaknesses. For example, antiviral agents include medications for treating retroviruses (HIV), respiratory viruses, herpes, and hepatitis (Arcangelo et al., 2017; Sweeney, Wong, & Khatri, 2016). Antiviral drugs have specific uses, and one type cannot be used to treat multiple viruses. However, as some microbial organisms cause a number of conditions, these health issues can be cared for with one antiviral agent. For instance, herpes-related conditions may appear in different forms, but the offered vaccines may be similar in their contents. Antibacterial agents also present a wide variety of drugs, since different organisms respond to particular medications. For example, beta-lactam antibiotics such as aminoglycosides and glycopeptides are used to treat aerobic gram-negative bacilli (Arcangelo et al., 2017; World Health Organization, 2016). Other antibiotics are anti-anaerobic agents (for aerobic bacilli), carbapenems, cephalosporins of the first, second, third, and fourth generation, penicillin, fluoroquinolones, lipopeptides, macrolides, oxazolidinones, rifampin, streptogramins, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and vancomycin (Arcangelo et al., 2017). The presented variety shows that bacteria differ significantly in their reactions to drugs. Differences Between Viral and Bacterial Infections Many infections have similar clinical presentations, but they have fundamental differences based on their initiator. Bacterial infections are caused by bacteria that invade one’s body and cause an inflammatory response. This reaction to the bacteria’s spread is usually local – it manifests itself with pain, swelling, redness, and warmth. For example, sinusitis is a bacterial infection that closely resembles a viral cold (Arcangelo et al., 2017). However, its longevity and severity are much harsher than those of a viral condition. Moreover, the pain that is present in sinusitis is local – the person feels facial pain and fever due to the infection. The impact of bacteria is also often characterized by odors and swelling (Arcangelo et al., 2017). It is vital to note that severe bacterial infections should be treated with antibiotics to reduce the risk of complications that may be life-threatening (Arcangelo et al., 2017). Antibiotics help patients to kill bacteria, eliminating the cause of the symptoms. Antiviral infections, on the other hand, are not as painful or apparent as bacterial ones. When a virus enters the body, it can influence multiple systems at the same time. Viruses invade tissues to make replicate viruses instead of healthy cells (Arcangelo et al., 2017). In a contrast to bacteria, viruses cannot survive or reproduce without a host. Each virus has its own process of initiating replication – some use cytoplasm, while others replicate their enzymes (Arcangelo et al., 2017). The symptoms of viral infections are also less local and acute, and only some of these conditions are painful. For example, the common cold is a viral infection, characterized by nasal congestion, fever, cough, fatigue, and other symptoms (Arcangelo et al., 2017). Nonetheless, some viruses (such as HIV) can significantly alter the person’s response to other conditions, weakening the immune system. The treatment of viral infections focuses on symptom management and suppression of virus activity since antiviral agents do not kill viruses. The Importance of Proper Identification The difference in effects of antimicrobial agents is the main reason why proper diagnosis is vital to the person’s health. Bacteria can be eliminated from the body – therefore, timely use of antibiotics can prevent serious complications (Burnham, Lane, & Kollef, 2015). Viruses are not affected by antibiotics in any way, and improper use of drugs can weaken the body, exposing it to the infection further. The lack of antiviral treatments, in this case, can lead to viral activity and significant alterations to one’s immune system. Some viruses may turn healthy cells into malignant ones, increasing risks for cancer. Without proper treatment, HIV endangers the immune system and leads to the development of AIDS (Arcangelo et al., 2017). Thus, it is essential for the healthcare provider to determine the source of the problem to prescribe the best antimicrobial agent. Conclusion Healthcare professionals should understand the distinction between viral and bacterial infections in order to treat both disease types. Viruses cannot survive without a host, but once they enter the body, they alter their cells to replicate viruses. Bacteria can survive on their own, and malevolent bacteria cause an inflammatory response in the body. The classification of antimicrobial agents includes specific categories for antibiotics and antivirals. A proper diagnosis is vital for preventing complications and the formation of malignant cells. References Arcangelo, V. P., Peterson, A. M., Wilbur, V., & Reinhold, J. A. (Eds.). (2017). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (4th ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Burnham, J. P., Lane, M. A., & Kollef, M. H. (2015). Impact of sepsis classification and multidrug resistance status on outcome among patients treated with appropriate therapy. Critical Care Medicine, 43 (8), 1580-1586. Sweeney, T. E., Wong, H. R., & Khatri, P. (2016). Robust classification of bacterial and viral infections via integrated host gene expression diagnostics. Science Translational Medicine, 8 (346), 346ra91. World Health Organization. (2016). Critically important antimicrobials for human medicine . Web.
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Write an essay about: This paper is developed to explain the basic aspects of corporate governance and its implementation in organizations. The definition of the concept of corporate governance, as well as the discussion of corporate governance mechanisms, are provided. Moreover, the paper gives considerable attention to the topic of ethical decision-making in business.The importance of ethical behaviour, particular stages of making an ethical decision, along the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a corporate code of ethics are discussed.
This paper is developed to explain the basic aspects of corporate governance and its implementation in organizations. The definition of the concept of corporate governance, as well as the discussion of corporate governance mechanisms, are provided. Moreover, the paper gives considerable attention to the topic of ethical decision-making in business. The importance of ethical behaviour, particular stages of making an ethical decision, along the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a corporate code of ethics are discussed.
The Concept of Corporate Governance Report Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary 2. Introduction 3. Explanation of the Concept of Corporate Governance 4. Mechanisms of Corporate Governance 5. The Importance of Ethical Behavior in Business 6. Stages of Ethical Decision-Making 7. A Corporate Code of Ethics: Advantages and Disadvantages 8. Reference List Executive Summary This paper is developed to explain the basic aspects of corporate governance and its implementation in organizations. The definition of the concept of corporate governance, as well as the discussion of corporate governance mechanisms, are provided. Moreover, the paper gives considerable attention to the topic of ethical decision-making in business. The importance of ethical behaviour, particular stages of making an ethical decision, along the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a corporate code of ethics are discussed. Introduction The concept of corporate governance, as well as its mechanisms, is an integral part of efficient decision making in business. Moreover, ethical considerations also play a significant role in this process. This paper aims to address the primary aspects of the mentioned issues. Explanation of the Concept of Corporate Governance According to Lam (2014), corporate governance (CG) is among the seven essential components of the enterprise risk management (ERM) framework. Each of the elements of the ERM framework is focused on the implementation of specific tools and requirements for managing a particular aspect of the organization’s structure (Lam 2014). Corporate governance could be described as a set of organizational practices that are concerned with the Board of Directors’ performance and stakeholder communication. Accordingly, the importance of corporate governance for the company and its shareholders is evident. As the contemporary business environment is continuously changing and new socio-economic issues arise, the role of corporate governance as the foundation of adequate decision-making in the current political climate is of high significance (Weldon 2018). With the implementation of corporate governance mechanisms, the company will be able to establish a well-functioning risk management strategy that would defend the company’s position in the market and the interests of the company’s shareholders (Lam 2014). As per the significance of corporate governance for the wider society, it is possible to mention that responsible decision-making in business can have a vast impact on the economic, environmental, and social progress of the society (Weldon 2018). Mechanisms of Corporate Governance Further, since the basic aspects of the concept of corporate governance and its importance for the company and society as a whole were discussed, it is possible to move to the investigation of the more specific aspects of CG. In particular, this section is dedicated to the explanation of the mechanisms of corporate governance and their practical implementation. Primarily, there are three types of CG mechanisms: internal mechanisms, external mechanisms, and independent audit (Lam 2014). Internal mechanisms play an important role as they represent the most fundamental element in the system of corporate governance (Lam 2014). Internal mechanisms include the most basic and essential aspects that define the performance of a company. These mechanisms include the decision-making by the internal stakeholders (mainly the owners and top management of the firm, but employees and middle management are also included) in such aspects as performance management, production, operations, and policy development (Lam 2014). The external mechanisms represent the relationships of a particular company with its external stakeholders, such as industry associations, unions, and government regulators (Weldon 2018). The primary purpose of this type of CG is to ensure that the company complies with the external industry standards. Lastly, the mechanism of the independent audit allows retrieving meaningful information on the level of internal performance and the future of the company. All of the mentioned mechanisms of corporate governance should be implemented and performed by a company to establish a comprehensive and well-regulated system that would ensure the company’s success (Lundqvist 2015). The key features of good practice in this area are the following. First of all, it is essential that corporate governance would have a strict top-down structure, where decision-making is made at the top management and owners’ level, and then it is implemented further at middle management and employee levels (Lundqvist 2015). Another feature that is critical is the consideration of ethical standards by the company. The Importance of Ethical Behavior in Business The previous section mentions ethical behaviour as one of the components of the successful implementation of corporate governance mechanisms. Therefore, this section will dwell upon the investigation of ethical decision-making in the context of corporate management. First of all, it is critical to understand that acting ethically and acting legally are two distinctive approaches to executing corporate governance (Falck & Heblich 2015). Even though it gives the company the right to designate its operations as “morally appropriate,” following legal regulations only ensures that the company is formally “right.” There are such situations in which compliance with the legal norms does not mean that the company is also acting ethically. The appropriate example of such a situations is the gentrification of historical buildings. Accordingly, why is it important for a company to act ethically? Firstly, the reputation of the violator of moral norms can significantly aggravate the overall public image of a company (Falck & Heblich 2015). Secondly, in some situations, ethical decision-making is necessary because it has to consider humanity over the profits of the company (for example, in cases where business directly affects the lives of particular individuals). Thirdly, ethical performance will ensure that the company will have good relationships with the government and other representatives in the industry as well as from other industries (Falck & Heblich 2015). Thus, there will be a greater chance that a company, which implements ethical decision-making, will be perceived as more reliable, and it will be well-respected. Also, it is necessary to consider the contribution to social support as another ethical tool. Stages of Ethical Decision-Making The importance of ethical decision making could be hardly denied; however, it is also important to comprehensively understand how to implement this approach. Accordingly, it is possible to state that there are several stages of ethical decision-making. First of all, it is crucial to gather all relevant fact facts to define the ethical issue at stake (Falck & Heblich 2015). Secondly, the identification of the affected parties, possible consequences, and the ethical obligations or norm within and outside the company should be conducted (Falck & Heblich 2015). Thirdly, it is needed to outline the plan of action and implement it, considering the most ethically appropriate decision in a particular situation. A Corporate Code of Ethics: Advantages and Disadvantages Another aspect of ethical decision-making that is of high interest to discuss is the development of a corporate code of ethics, also known as a code of conduct (Falck & Heblich 2015). It is a widely recognized practise among various organizations in different industries to have a set of moral and ethical rules and regulations for the company’s employees and managers. Accordingly, what are the advantages and disadvantages of having such a code in one’s organization? Evidently enough, the advantages of the establishment of a code of ethics are numerous, as the company ensures that there is a set of regulations that can help the company to make decisions that comply with the moral standards of society. Also, such ethical codes regulate the internal relationships, making a well-designed structure of hierarchical relations between managers and employees of the company. Regarding the disadvantages, it is possible to mention inequality that can be implied by the rules of the code, making top management members more favours. Reference List Lam, J 2014, Enterprise risk management: From incentives to controls , 2nd edn, Wiley London, England. Lundqvist, SA 2015 ‘Why firms implement risk governance–Stepping beyond traditional risk management to enterprise risk management’, Journal of Accounting and Public Policy , vol. 34, no. 5, pp.441-466. Falck, O & Heblich, S 2015 “Corporate social responsibility: Doing well and doing good”, in A Ni & M Van Wart (eds), Building business-government relations , Routledge, New York, NY, pp. 175-196. Weldon, MN 2018 ‘Corporate governance, compliance, social responsibility, and enterprise risk management in the Trump/Pence era’, Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law , vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 275-305.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The concept of development is not new but complex, and many researchers focus on the identification of its meaning and other characteristics. In this paper, the work by Dickovick and Eastwood will be evaluated to clarify what the authors mean by “development" and which indicators are useful in measuring development and distinguishing between causes and effects.
The concept of development is not new but complex, and many researchers focus on the identification of its meaning and other characteristics. In this paper, the work by Dickovick and Eastwood will be evaluated to clarify what the authors mean by “development" and which indicators are useful in measuring development and distinguishing between causes and effects.
The Concept of Development in the Work by Dickovick and Eastwood Report (Assessment) Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Definition of “development” 3. Indicators of development measurement 4. Conclusion 5. References Introduction In the modern world, competition and the identification of standards are the common rules of social life. People set goals, identify available resources, and cooperate within different communities to succeed in development. The concept of development is not new but complex, and many researchers focus on the identification of its meaning and other characteristics. In this paper, the work by Dickovick and Eastwood will be evaluated to clarify what the authors mean by “development” and which indicators are useful in measuring development and distinguishing between causes and effects. Definition of “development” The idea of development can be interpreted in a variety of ways. For example, Dickovick and Eastwood define development as a process within the frames of which society changes and observes improvements in different areas. It means that a nation achieves positive results in something, and these outcomes influence people and determine their relationships or activities at various levels. Sustainable development turns out to be a serious philosophy for modern individuals and organizations because it touches upon economic and political relationships, as well as human well-being and ecological viability. It is not enough to know its definition to apply it successfully, but it is obligatory to grasp influential outside and inside factors and examples of different countries, either developed or developing. Indicators of development measurement In this discussion, attention has to be paid to the indicators that are critical for development measurement. In the majority of cases, development is determined by economic indicators like economic growth (gross domestic product, GDP, per person), living standards (poverty or literacy levels), and economic inequality (employment rates). However, the role of social and cultural indicators cannot be ignored. For example, changes in the standards of living say about possible shifts in such fields as education or health care. Development may be measured by the levels of happiness, equity, or environmental sustainability (social indicators), as well as by the levels of trust, ethics, and cultural tendencies (cultural indicators). An understanding of these factors supports the examination of the causes and effects of development. Causes of development show the conditions under which a nation succeeds, and effects of development demonstrate how successful or unprofitable a nation or its government is. Regarding the complexity of the concept of development in comparative politics, many people are not ready to explain the relationships between such factors as wealth, liberty, and development. On the one hand, wealth can be a cause of development because wealthy countries can increase their living standards and use various resources. On the other hand, wealth may be evidence of development because many countries have already crossed the line between developing and developed, meaning their development promotes wealth. Therefore, it is correct to say that wealth is a neutral characteristic of development with the help of which people understand the worth of development. Liberty, in its turn, has to be identified as an effect (outcome) of development because this state of being in the advanced achievement could be easily lost if development is neglected. Conclusion In general, the role of development in the economic and political life of a country should be recognized. This concept is not simple and includes multiple social, cultural, and economic indicators for its measurement. Sometimes, it is not easy to understand what predetermines development and what turns out to be its outcome. However, one must remember that human actions and decisions aim at developing either at personal or national levels. References Dickovick, Tyler J., and Jonathan Eastwood. Comparative Politics: Classic and Contemporary Readings . 1st ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2017. Dickovick, Tyler J., and Jonathan Eastwood. Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, Methods, and Cases . 3rd. ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2016. Gupta, Joyeeta and Courtney Vegelin. “Sustainable Development Goals and Inclusive Development.” International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics 16, no. 3 (2016): 433-448.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The essay discusses the concept of digestive disorders, including IBD and IBS. It notes that while both disorders have similar symptoms, their pathophysiological mechanisms differ. IBD is caused by the body's inability to respond to antigens introduced with foods and bacteria, while IBS is characterized by muscle contraction abnormalities.
The essay discusses the concept of digestive disorders, including IBD and IBS. It notes that while both disorders have similar symptoms, their pathophysiological mechanisms differ. IBD is caused by the body's inability to respond to antigens introduced with foods and bacteria, while IBS is characterized by muscle contraction abnormalities.
The Concept of Digestive Disorders: IBD and IBS Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Pathophysiology 3. Common Treatments 4. Patient Factor 5. Conclusion 6. References Introduction The fact that multiple digestive disorders are similar to each other poses a challenge to nurses. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have many common traits in clinical presentation and etymology. However, their pathophysiological mechanisms differ, thus resulting in patients needing a particular treatment for each condition. One of the patient factors that affect the development of both disorders is behavior – people’s dietary choices and nutrition play a significant role in exacerbating and treating both IBD and IBS. Such digestive disorders as IBD and IBS have many common characteristics and symptoms and are affected by patients’ diet. Pathophysiology Behavioral and genetic factors have an impact on the development of IBD. According to Hammer and McPhee (2014), some people possess unique genes that increase the susceptibility of their body for both variations of IBD. Moreover, various bacteria and viruses, as well as smoking, food, and mental health problems can also lead to the progression of the condition (Huether & McCance, 2017). In IBD, the intestine cannot respond to the antigens introduced with foods and bacteria because it loses the necessary immune tolerance. As a result, each encounter with these antigens leads to the organ’s inflammation, lesions, and ulceration. The pathophysiology of IBS is connected to motility and interaction of one’s brain and gut (Chey, Kurlander, & Eswaran, 2015). However, the causes of abnormal motility are not understood by the specialists fully. They may occur due to a variety of factors and lead to an increase in gut bacteria and antibodies, resulting in inflammatory processes (Hammer & McPhee, 2014). The main similarity of these processes is the abnormal response of the gut flora to food and bacteria. However, IBS is also characterized by muscle contraction abnormalities. Common Treatments The treatment plan for IBD usually includes drug therapy and lifestyle changes. Anti-inflammatory medications are used to treat this disorder, but each specific drug may be more or less useful for one type of IBD than another. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs are utilized to control exacerbations (Huether & McCance, 2017). Some patients with IBD may require surgery to remove the affected part of the intestine – this is a treatment that is not used for IBS. Moreover, patients with IBD have to quit smoking and change their diet to exclude foods that worsen their bowel response. IBS also requires dietary changes, but the use of medications is not required for some individuals (Hammer & McPhee, 2014). A low FODMAP diet can be recommended to persons with IBS – it excludes foods that have “fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols” (Chey et al., 2015, p. 954). Also, people with IBS may benefit from lowering the intake of gluten-rich foods. Other lifestyle changes include physical exercise, stress reduction, and symptom management (Chey et al., 2015). Clinicians can utilize over-the-counter medications to reduce the severity of pain, diarrhea, and bloating. Patient Factor As it was noted above, a person’s behaviors can contribute to the development of both IBD and IBS. People who consume heavily processed foods, additives, and products rich in FODMAP are more likely to acquire digestive problems (Dixon, Kabi, Nickerson, & McDonald, 2015). Moreover, the lack of foods high in fiber in the diet can also exacerbate one’s problems with digestion. Diet changes are also detrimental to the treatment plan for both IBS and IBD. In the case of IBS, this is the primary strategy to reduce pain and bloating. Conclusion Digestive disorders are challenging to treat because their pathophysiology is not researched well enough to determine all causes and processes of the disorders. Both IBD and IBS affect the person’s intestine, but IBD is characterized by immune responses, while IBS is closely connected to abnormalities in motility. Nevertheless, both conditions are affected by the individual’s dietary choices – a low FODMAP diet can decrease the severity of bowel inflammation and prevent exacerbations. IBD is also treated with medication and surgery, and the strategy for IBS maintenance includes psychosocial interventions and physical activity. References Chey, W. D., Kurlander, J., & Eswaran, S. (2015). Irritable bowel syndrome: A clinical review. JAMA , 313 (9), 949-958. Dixon, L. J., Kabi, A., Nickerson, K. P., & McDonald, C. (2015). Combinatorial effects of diet and genetics on inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases , 21 (4), 912-922. Hammer, G. D., & McPhee, S. J. (2014). Pathophysiology of disease: An introduction to clinical medicine (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education. Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2017). Understanding pathophysiology (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The 2008 US presidential elections were a historic moment where the first African American was elected to occupy the most prestigious office in the white house. While polls had indicated that Barrack Obama, the Democrat candidate was more likely to win the elections than his closest rival, John McCain, the Republican candidate, not many people had expected such a landslide victory.
The 2008 US presidential elections were a historic moment where the first African American was elected to occupy the most prestigious office in the white house. While polls had indicated that Barrack Obama, the Democrat candidate was more likely to win the elections than his closest rival, John McCain, the Republican candidate, not many people had expected such a landslide victory.
2008 U.S. Presidential Elections Essay (Critical Writing) The December 2008 US presidential elections marked a point of history where the first African American was elected to occupy the most prestigious office in the white house. While polls had indicated that Barrack Obama, the Democrat candidate was more likely to win the elections than his closest rival, John McCain, the Republican candidate, not many people had expected such a landslide victory. This paper will outline the two candidates, how they competed during the runoff to the elections, and identify what factors placed the Democrat candidate at an advantage, hence handing him victory at the end of the race. Born Barrack Hussein Obama Jr, the Democrat candidate was the first child of a white mother, Ann Dunham, and a Kenyan father, Barrack Obama Sr., by his conception; both his parents were young students at the University of Hawaii. Later, his father left for Harvard before traveling back to Kenya, leaving the two behind. Ann Dunham then married an oil manager from Indonesia. This forced them to move to Indonesia. Barrack was age six. In Indonesia, Barrack recounts tastes of poverty that marked the developing country. Later, he moved back to Hawaii, where he stayed with his grandmother. Although his father called him regularly, he only visited them once when Barrack was ten years old (IMDb, 2009). Obama studied in Punahou School, one of the prestigious institutions in Hawaii. He later joined Columbia University and studied law. He later moved to Chicago to work with a church-based organization that assisted poor residents of the Southside. He moved to Harvard Law School, where he became the first African American editor of the Harvard Law Review. Upon completing his studies, he declined a judicial clerkship offer. He preferred to represent victims of discrimination in housing and employment and legislation of voting right as a civil rights practitioner in Chicago. He ran for the seat of Senator in the same District under the Democrat ticket and won. He represented Illinois in the US Senate in the year 2004. He gained national acclaim when he gave a rousing speech at the Democratic National Convention. In 2008 he ran for the presidency on a Democratic ticket and won (IMDb, 2009). On his part, John Sydney McCain III was born in 1936 at Coco Solo Naval Air Station in Panama Canal Zone. He was the second son of John S. McCain Jr and Roberta McCain. Both his father and grandfather were four-star admirals. His father later became the overall commander of the US naval forces within the Pacific. McCain had a stint in several prestigious schools before he graduated in 1954 from Episcopal High School. From the Naval Academy, McCain graduated in 1958 and later from the flight school in 1960 (Biography, 2009). He later volunteered to offer his services in the Vietnam War, flying low-altitude attack planes. He escaped death when 134 of his counterparts died in a missile ripped through his A-4 Skyhawk plane. In 1967, his aircraft was short, and he broke both his arms and one leg. He was captured and imprisoned at Hoa Loa Prison in Hanoi. He was offered early release due to his being the son of a high-ranking. Officer, which he refused. This could have been used as propaganda and also a breach of the naval codes of conduct. He then spent five years as a prisoner of war, where he was tortured and beaten till 1973, when he was released along with several other American POWs. He earned several medals, including the bronze star, the Silver Star, the flying cross, and the Purple Heart. He underwent rehabilitation before he resumed his flying duty, but his injuries would not permit him to do so (Biography, 2009). He was assigned Navy’s Liaison Officer to the senate before Marrying Cindy as his second wife. He retired to Arizona, where he worked in his father-in-law’s beer distributing business as a Public Relations officer (Biography, 2009). During the runoffs, several politicians and public figures engaged in the process of endorsing their favorite candidates. Each tried to offer reasons why their favorite candidates were more suitable for the post than the opponents. On his part, Obama received endorsements from Thomas Daschle, Adrien Fenty, Rod Blagojevich, Dick Durbin, Rich Daley, Ted Sorenson, Arthur Davis, Jesse Jackson, John Kerry, Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, George Clooney, Halle Berry, Chris Rock, Usher, and many civil rights and religious leaders including Joseph Lowery, Michael Battle, Rev Lawrence Carter, and Dewitt Smith among others. Media organizations like the Boston Globe, Portsmouth Herald, New York Times, Des Moines, and others also endorsed Obama (Katunda, 2008). John McCain was endorsed by Henry Kissinger, Joe Lieberman, Jeb Bush, George HW Bush, George W Bush, Jeff Hagee, Arnold Schwarzenegger, The New York Times, Trent Lot, Curt Schilling, Alexander Haig, Jane Swift, Norman Schwarzkopf, Tim Pawlenty and several other religious figures and political figures who felt that he was better placed to lead the Nation into the future (Mahalo, 2009). Several reasons helped Obama win the elections. The first reason was his identification and understanding of the economic fears of the middle and low-class families. He was born and brought up in the same lifestyle and therefore made adequate strategies to solve these problems. McCain did not have this experience. Obama had a leader-like calm, thoughtful nature, and other leadership qualities that most endorsements did not mention. On the other part, McCain had a reckless and unpredictable nature. Obama’s health care insurance plan was all-inclusive and would allow all Americans access to good health care services, unlike McCain’s, which would have sidelined some poor Americans. The decision to withdraw the American troops from Iraq also helped Obama win the elections. Most Americans were fed up with the war. Finally, the choice of Joe Bidden as a running mate was great because his experience and the fact that he was well-liked by many Americans was an advantage. He would serve as a suitable counsel to the president and qualify to be president should the president fail to continue operating in the office (White, 2009). The first forty days in office witnessed several events and steps taken by Obama. The president signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act that would specify minimum wage for workers, shut down the Guantanamo Bay Detention facility, pushed and succeeded for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act worth $789 billion, engaged to have the banks nationalized, issued a housing plan that would cost $275 billion, improved on the faith-based initiatives and finally he has come up with the Financial Stability Plan with the Capital Assistance Program for the Treasury Department (Bourque, 2009). In conclusion, Obama is determined to hold onto his promises. This can be seen from the effort he has shown on his first few days in office. References 1. Biography. “John McCain Biography.” 2009. 2. Bourque, Stephen. “Shock and Awe: Obama’s First Forty Days.” One Reality. 2009. 3. International Movie Database. “ Biography for Barrack Obama .” 2009. Web. 4. Katunda, Franklin. “Barack Obama for President Endorsements.” 2008. 5. Mahalo. “McCain Endorsements.” 2009. 6. White, Deborah. “ Five Reasons why Obama Won the ’08 Elections ” About.com, 2009. Web.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The pay for performance system is a way of motivating employees by connecting their quality measures adoption to their salary. The system has been criticized for being too costly and not always effective, but it is still a popular way of motivating employees.
The pay for performance system is a way of motivating employees by connecting their quality measures adoption to their salary. The system has been criticized for being too costly and not always effective, but it is still a popular way of motivating employees.
3 Key Steps to Building a Pay-For-Performance Culture Annotated Bibliography 3 Key Steps to Building A Pay-for-Performance Culture. (2008). Workforce Management , S4. The work is concentrated on the disclosure of the principle elements contributing to HR processes; the author managed to highlight the key steps on the way to pay for performance culture establishment. The work outlined the following stages in the goal reaching: compensations planning, goal alignment, and performance management. It is necessary to underline the fact that the effects of the elements integration are illustrated in the form of high profits and revenue, top talent retention, and high quality of company’s business performance. Chen, H., & Fu, P. (2008). A systematic framework for performance appraisal and compensation strategy. Human Systems Management , 27 , 161-175. The article reflects the peculiarities of systematical strategic fit demonstrating the idea that it helps any company to concentrate on the representation of employees and evaluate them through humanistic way. It should be noted that the authors underlined the role of systematic performance appraisal on the basis of methods and criteria forming its functioning in the business running. Cordero, R., Walsh, S., & Kirchhoff, B. (2005). Motivating performance in innovative manufacturing plants. Journal of High Technology Management Research , 16 , 89-99. The manufacturing performance is motivated by the financial incentive plans on the basis of traditional dimensions, such as, quality, productivity, etc. The article is focused on the combination of intrinsically motivating jobs with incentive plans; it was shown that in case of plans extensive usage, the jobs never contribute to manufacturing performance. The work underlines the principle implications for performance motivating at innovative plants. Hampton, J. J. (1994). AMA Management Handbook . New York: Amacom. The book is aimed at the disclosure of practical management development and know-how being updated and modernized in this sphere. It is necessary to stress that the work gives an opportunity to analyze corporate marketing organizations and sales organization design. It discloses the solutions to the most complicated problems faced in business sphere through human resource management improvement. Hersch, W. S. (2008). Pay For Performance- More Timely Than Ever. National Underwriter / Life & Health Financial Services , 112 , 12-22. Hersch outlined the basic role of pay for performance in the world of commerce on the basis of central concept, stating that quality measures adoption are to be connected with reimbursement, rather than administered price arrangements. The author managed to underline the idea of pay for performance P4P place part in business advertising campaign and grabbing customers’ attention. Is pay-for-performance in crisis. (2002). Business Europe , 42 , 1-2. A pay for performance system is concentrated on the organizational effectiveness improvement; it should be noted that the system highlights the results of agencies’ operations and disclose the private sector of business functioning. The work presents the peculiarities of the pay for performance place in modern world of governmental fights for new business talents. Jerez-Gomez, P., & Cespedes-Lorente, J. (2005). Organizational learning and compensation strategies: Evidence from the Spanish Chemical Industry. Human Resource Management , 44 ( 3 ), 279-299. The organizational learning capability promotion is fulfilled through compensation strategies, as it was analyzed on the principles of Spanish companies’ operationbs. The author of the study disclosed the following objectives of the compensation strategy: fixed pays and incentives, short and long incentives, group and individual ones, the pay of skill based and job based character. O’Connell, K. (2007). The Importance of Strategically Designed Compensation Plans. Benefits & Compensation Digest , 20-25. It is necessary to underline the fact that modern organizations are pressured to the strict following of sophisticated compensation plans; the author managed to demonstrate strategically important planning process. The work is considered to be the reflection of motivation and strategy combination and its role in the compensation plans development. Quail, J. (2008). Becoming fully functional: The conceptual struggle for a new structure for the giant corporation in the US and UK in the first half of the twentieth century. Business History , 50 ( 2 ), 127-146. The work is focused on the disclosure of US large corporations facing the growth in the 19 th century; the author highlighted the difficulties of management hierarchies as the principle problems in the relationships between the management and functional management. The source gives a historical overview of organizational proposals evolved in management in previous decades in order to underline the effectiveness and drawbacks of their usage. The quiet Americans. (2009). E conomist , 392 , 33-34. The article discloses the analysis of political and economical discourse on the basis of intercultural cooperation. The author managed to demonstrate the valid social reflection of the USA through cultural and national investigation. Besides, it was shown that expectations approved through the travelling can be grounding reasons for similar politics and economy perception. Veilleux, R. F., & Petro, L. (1988). Tool and Manufacturing Engineers Handbook . Toronto: Society of Manufacturing Engineers. The work is focused on the illustration of practical processes application; the author underlined the significance of process selection, extrusion, material selection, management, quality and rational molding. The work presents manufacturability design information allowing identifying the peculiarities of manufacturing engineering tools and their effectiveness in operational processes. Survey Forecasts: Early look at 10 Pay. Report on Salary Surveys , 9 ( 7 ), 1-15. The work presents the detail analysis of business reports and surveys underlining the role of questioning in management and its impact of economic growth. It should be stressed that the author demonstrated the forecast methods used in modern economics sphere in order to identify appropriate strategic steps and theories to be developed for quality management improvement.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The article discusses the benefits of meditation, including its ability to reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and concentration, and boost immunity.Meditation has been shown to have many therapeutic advantages, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving focus and concentration, and boosting immunity.
The article discusses the benefits of meditation, including its ability to reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and concentration, and boost immunity. Meditation has been shown to have many therapeutic advantages, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving focus and concentration, and boosting immunity.
8 Weeks of Meditation. Therapeutic Advantages of Meditation Essay Introduction The journal article titled “Alterations in Brain and Immune Functions Produced by Mindfulness Meditation” a randomized, control study carried out by Richard Davidson and others published in the Psychosomatic Medicine, 2003, to evaluate the effects on the brain and immune function of a well-known and widely used 8-week clinical training program in mindfulness meditation applied in a work environment with healthy employees. The purpose of this clinical trial was to explore the underlying changes in biological activities that are associated with reported changes in mental and physical health as a result of meditation. The results of this study will be specifically used to evaluate the use of meditation techniques. There are two types of meditation namely cultic and non-cultic type which was developed specifically for clinical studies use. Many research papers purport to support the notion that relaxation and reduction of stress that arises from mediation have prophylactic and therapeutic health effects. In this particular study, the authors concentrated on emotion-related brain activity due to the fact that other studies have shown that meditation is effective in reducing anxiety and also increases positive effects. The authors further say that, “we have established that the frontal regions of the brain exhibit a specialization for certain forms of positive and negative emotion” (p. 564). Other studies have also shown that some specific positive emotions and in people with dispositional positive effects do have left-sided anterior activation. They therefore hypothesized that subjects practicing meditation should also demonstrate increased left-sided activation as compared to the waitlist control group in this study. In this study, they also attempt to establish the role played by meditation in boosting body immunity. This is a result of other scientific studies that have shown close relationship between meditation and enhanced immune reactions. In order to prove this hypothesis, the authors vaccinated all the subjects in their study (waitlist control group and the participants) with influenza vaccine. This was done at the end of the eight-week meditation program. Discussion Meditative techniques have been in use across the world and their value to heal and promote peace has been known and has been in [practice for thousands of years. Meditation according to Ogwelolo, (2007) is defined as a process by which one attempts to go beyond “thinking” into a deeper state of awareness. Meditation is an activity that dates back to several hundreds of years. It was mostly practiced by traditional religious groups such as the Buddhists and other famous world religions. The authors of this article appreciate the fact that there has been a widespread increase in the use of meditation in hospitals and academic medical centers for patients presenting with different types of conditions such as chronic pain and illnesses. More studies have been carried out to validate and authenticate the effectiveness and efficiency of meditation as an integrative and alternative medicine. The researchers concentrate on emotion-related brain activity due to the fact that many clinical trials have shown that meditation decreases anxiety and increases positive effects. A study carried out by the University of Alberta, (2007) titled ‘Meditation Practices for Health: State of the Research’ found out that some forms of meditation techniques reduce blood pressure and stress in clinical populations. The studies further showed that different types of meditation such as Yoga increased vocal creativity and significantly reduced heart rate, BP and cholesterol levels. The author of this study, Ospina explains that “Future research on meditation practices must be more rigorous in the design and execution of studies and in the analysis and reporting of results.” In another similar study to this one carried out by Cahn and Polich (2006) titled ‘meditation states and traits: EEG, ERP, and neuroimaging studies, showed that when taken together, neuroimaging studies, EEG and ERP; meditation appears to reflect changes in anterior cingulated cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal areas. These results are also demonstrated by Davidson’s study as will be shown in this paper. In the recent past years there have been many controlled clinical trials of mindfulness meditation which is basically known as detached awareness of experience. Most of these studies have used co-interventions such as cognitive therapy and have largely not used active controls. Manocha et al (2002) demonstrated that patients with poorly controlled asthma taking part in Sahaja meditation (passive witnessing of thoughts) showed positive results but differences were not maintained after sixty days. The study therefore suggested that the practice of Sahaja meditation has to be practiced continuously but in a regulated manner for outcome to be sustained over a long period of time. Experimental Design The study used 48 right-handed subjects who were employees of a biotechnology corporation in Madison, Wisconsin of which 41 completed some of the measures for at least two of the assessments as explained below. Twenty five subjects (n = 25; 19 female) were randomly assigned to meditation group while a waitlist control group (n = 16; 10 female) were recruited. Brain electrical action was assessed and recorded before and instantaneously after, and then 4 months after an 8-week training program in mindfulness meditation. In order to ensure quality of the study, a waiting control group (n = 16) was also tested at the same time with the meditators. The participants were immunized with influenza vaccine at the end of the 8 week period. Brain electrical activity (EEG) and EOG was recorded during the taking of baseline information depending on the response to negative and positive emotion induction. Eight one-minute baseline trials were conducted with the eyes covered and opened four times each during EEG was recorded across 27 sites distributed across the scalp and referenced to linked ears. In addition to this, electroencephalography was also noted after a 1-minute period before and 3-minute period after the participants recorded/noted down three of the most positive and negative experiences in their life. The EEG was parsed into 1.024-second epochs, overlapped by 50% and then processed with the use of a fast Hartley transform method to derive measures of spectral power density in the α-band which is inversely related to activation (p. 565). Asymmetric activation was then initiated. The subjects were given positive and negative affective scales in a state form after every period of writing. A PANAS characteristic form and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (SSTAI) in characteristic form were also given in addition to the subjects at every examination session. The meditation subjects were also asked to submit daily reports of the regularity and number of minutes and skills of formal meditation techniques. Blood was then drawn from the recruits at 3-5 weeks and then again at 8-9 weeks after vaccination with the influenza virus vaccine with purpose of examining antibody titers in response to the vaccine using the hemagglutination inhibition assay. Subjects in both the waitlist and the meditation group were assessed at the same time and after the assessment period the subjects in the waitlist were given an 8-week training session that was similar to that given to the subjects in the meditation group. The MBSR model that was originally developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre was used to deliver training program by J.K.-Z. The training program consisted of weekly meetings lasting an average of 3hours per class; a silent seven-hour retreat that was held during week six was also done alongside these weekly classes. Meditation practices were also carried out at home and basically consisted of formal and informal meditative practices of which the subjects were instructed to carry out for one hour daily, 6 days weekly. This was done with the guidance of guided audiotapes. Statistical Data analysis was based on the relations between both groups and the time (Times 1-3). Multivariate analysis of variance was computed for each of the four anterior asymmetry measures, linear trends were also tested to examine main effects and the interaction. Finally, follow-up ANOVAs on the separate time periods were performed. Results Affect and Anxiety Measures The study reported that there was a significant group X time interaction on a measure trait anxiety with the Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory accounted for by reduction in anxiety for subjects in the meditation group from time 1 to Time 2. The study further reports that there was no significant Group X Time interaction on the positive and negative affect scale. In addition to this, there was also a substantial decrease in trait negative affect with the meditators showing less negative effect at Times 1 and 3 compared with their negative effect at Time 1.The control group subjects showed no change over time in negative affect. Brain Electrical Activity Measures The study reported that for the baseline period assessments, there was a marginally significant Group-Time linear trend and a significant main effect for Group. It further reports that there was a significant Group-Time interaction for the Time 1–3 comparison and a marginally significant Group – Time interaction for the Time 1-Time 2 comparison for the central leads (C3/4). At Time 1, no group differences were present at baseline for any region. At both Time 2 and Time 3, meditators demonstrated considerably greater relative left-sided stimulation at the central sites (C3/4) compared with the wait-list control group. The omnibus MANOVA conducted on the positive emotion stimulation condition demonstrated a marginally significant overall Group -Time interaction for the anterior temporal (T3/4) electrode leads. When the evaluation of transformation from baseline for each time phase was examined, there was a significant Group-Time interaction for the Time 1-Time 2 comparison. These similar relations for the Time 1-Time 3 comparison were marginally significant and in the same direction. As a reaction to the positive emotion stimulation at Time 1, no group differences were present in any region. However, meditators showed a significant increase in left-sided anterior temporal stimulation from Time 1 to Time 2, whereas controls showed no change. There was no other significant Group – Time interactions for any other electrode site for the positive emotion induction. In response to the negative effect stimulation, the compilation MANOVA showed a marginally significant linear trend for the Group -Time interaction for the anterior temporal leads. The Group-Time relations for the Time 1-Time 2 contrast for the anterior temporal region (T3/4) was again in the similar direction as the other interactions, but not significant. In reaction to the negative emotion stimulation for the mid leads, an omnibus MANOVA showed a slightly significant Group – Time interaction, along with a marginally significant linear tendency for this interaction. There were no cluster disparities in any section at Time 1. At Times 2 and 3, subjects in the meditation group showed significantly greater left-sided activation (C3/C4) compared with subjects in the control group. The meditators showed a significant rise in left-sided activation in this region from Time 1 to Time and Time 3.There were no group differences present for any of the posterior electrodes sites for any of the conditions. Influenza Vaccine Antibody Titers The results demonstrated that participants showed a significantly greater rise in antibody titers from the 4 to the 8-week blood draw compared to wait for list participants in reaction to the influenza vaccine. Relations among Measures Meditation group subjects who showed greater increase in left-sided activation from Time 1 and 2 demonstrated a greater rise in antibody titers with no significant relationship between these variables for the control group. There was also no significant association between the measures of practice and any of the biological or self–report measures. Conclusion From the above results, it is evident that meditation is effective and efficient in the reduction of anxiety, negative affect and increase in positive affect. Just as in the results of another study that was carried out by Davidson that was posted on the Washington Post web site by Marc Kaufman (Washington Post Staff Writer) Monday, January 3, 2005; Page A05 titled ‘meditation gives a brain a charge study finds’ reports that Davidson concludes from the research that “meditation not only changes the workings of the brain in the short term, but also quite possibly produces permanent changes.” The results of this study have shown that meditation can produce increases in relative left-sided anterior activation that are associated with reduction in anxiety and negative affect and increases in positive affect. At the beginning of the study, the researchers had a predicted hypothesis that they would find significant changes in prefrontal as well as central electrode locations, this was not as most consistent findings were observed at the central leads (C3/C4) which is an area that they had earlier observed reliable affect-related asymmetries. This shortcoming is downplayed by them when they state that: “The fact that there was no significant increase in dispositional positive affect in the meditation group may be related to the failure to detect increases in left prefrontal activation. It may well be that if the duration and/or intensity of the intervention were increased; the increases would be observed in both positive affects and left prefrontal activation” (p. 569). It is worth noting that there was an increase in left-sided activation with training in the meditation group in response to both the positive and negative affect induction. In relation to this, the authors have suggested that due to the increasing results on clinical trials and research studies on neural basis of emotion regulation, the left-sided anterior activation is associated with more adaptive responding to depressing and or stressful events. The study has demonstrated explicit effect of meditation on an Vivo measure of immune function with the finding reflecting a more rapid peak rise in antibody titers among the meditators than in the controls. This positive change in immune function was highly demonstrated in subjects showing larger shift toward left-sided activation. In another study carried out by Waelde and his colleagues (2004) to evaluate yoga and meditation interventions for dementia caregiver stress showed positive results in reduction of anxiety. The caregivers also showed significant reduction in depression. This study just as in Davidson’s other studies as explained earlier has demonstrated that meditation is effective in management of anxiety, and depression. This study was limited in some ways which according to the available data on this study is that the study population that was used is relatively small and therefore not representative enough. This therefore greatly reduced the statistical data collected in this study hence a limited statistical power. This is revealed from the results that have shown that the hypothesized effects were failed to reach significance levels. Another limitation is that the study was carried out in work environment with subjects who were engaged in their duties hence this could have had negative impact on the subjects and the study. Several years of practicing meditation have shown the connection between its practice and the process of healing. Meditation is a powerful weapon against both medical and psychological conditions. Although meditation has been practiced by many religions since time immemorial, its use is being rejuvenated in management of different types of conditions. Some of these conditions are stress, anxiety, pain, cancer, influenza, cardiac conditions and HIV/AIDS where it has been shown to greatly reduce effects associated with stigma and depression. On physical level, the practice of meditation as a therapeutic measure reduces cholesterol levels, improving patterns of breathing in asthma patients, helping in reducing problems associated with gastrointestinal digestive, and holistic management and control of chronic pain. Incorporation of meditation in the mainstream health care system is therefore called for and it should be integrated into national health care system of course of with laws to licensure practitioners and to regulate its practice. We can therefore conclude based on the results of this study that over the short period of 8 weeks of mindfulness meditation, there have been positive effects on the brain and immune function and because of the above-mentioned limitations, more clinical studies need to be done to provide evidence-based practice on both therapeutic advantages and adverse effects of this intervention. More scientific and clinical trials will ensure a wide base of scientifically approved literature on the uses of meditation; this will ensure evidence-based practice (EBP) and undiscovered uses of meditation will also be discovered. References Cahn, B. R., and Polich, J. (2006). Meditation states and traits: EEG, ERP, and neuroimaging studies. Psych Bull, 132(2): 180-211. Web. Davidson, R. J., et al (2003). Alterations in brain and immune function produced by mindfulness meditation. Psychosomatic Medicine 65: 564-570. Ogwelolo, G. H., (2007). The practice of meditation: Therapeutic effects. Nairobi, Kenya: MediBooks Publishers. Ospina, M., & Bond, K. (2007). Meditation Practices for Health: State of the Research . University of Alberta. Science Daily . Web. Washington Post, (2005). Meditation Gives Brain a Charge, Study Finds . Web. Manocha, R., et al (2002). Sahaja yoga in the management of moderate to severe asthma: a randomised controlled trial . Thorax, 57: 110-5. Waelde, L. C., Thompson, L. & Gallagher-Thompson, D. (2004). A pilot study of a yoga and meditation intervention for dementia caregiver stress . ,60(6):677-87. Web.
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Write an essay about: Stefan Cwalina is a tall, handsome boy with broad shoulders who always walks with a pleasant smile on his face. He is determined and ready to work hard to achieve his goals. He is also interested in science and aircraft journals. Once, in the dining hall, he said, "Today I would like to fill my fuselage to its full". Everyone around him was confused because the word fuselage was never heard of by any of his friends.
Stefan Cwalina is a tall, handsome boy with broad shoulders who always walks with a pleasant smile on his face. He is determined and ready to work hard to achieve his goals. He is also interested in science and aircraft journals. Once, in the dining hall, he said, "Today I would like to fill my fuselage to its full". Everyone around him was confused because the word fuselage was never heard of by any of his friends.
A Biography on a Colleague: Stefan Cwalina Essay Stefan Cwalina is tall and handsome with broad shoulders and he always walks with a pleasant smile on his face. These are the striking features of Cwalina. One feels blessed to enjoy the friendship of a boy like Cwalina. Determination and an eternal readiness to work hard are some of the great qualities of his character. To sit by the side of him in the classroom, to play with him on the soccer field, and to dine with him have been a pleasant experience for his colleagues. This brief biographical sketch here is written as a mark of tribute to Stephan Cwalina from a faithful colleague. Cwalina has clear goals. He works hard to achieve them and he does everything with an adamant look on his face. Though he reads poems and novels; his inherent intellectual thirst is for science. He is very good at Physics and Mathematics. Therefore, his desire to become a mechanical engineer is sure to become a reality. He is also fond of reading science magazines and his particular interest in aircraft journals has been watched by his colleagues with great curiosity. Once in the dining hall, he said, “Today I would like to fill my fuselage to its full”. Everyone around him was confused because the word fuselage was never heard of by any of his friends. Stefan Cwalina is equally ambitious to become a great ski diver. The thought of it normally sends shivers into one’s spine. Everyone knows that sky diving is a frightening experience to watch at. Yet, Cwalina is crazy about it. He rushes through books and science journals to master the subject. Once, in his science notebook, he scribbled these words which he had gathered from the internet: “However, people say the experience is similar to being in the water, the body is buoyant. Sky diving is an activity that an individual would probably have to experience for themselves in order to actually understand how it feels”. Cwalina is sure to become an aircraft pilot or a ski diver. Once he narrated to his friends how he would come down diving from forty thousand feet high in a jet aircraft and then make a loop and fly up towards heaven. However, he does not like to become a fighter pilot. The thought of what happened in Hiroshima has made him a sober being. He has three elder sisters whom he loves very much. His father and mother are always busy with their business activities. Isabella, his second elder sister, is closer to him. She is very concerned about his dreams and ambitions. To her remark that his craze for ski diving would spoil his studies, he shot back: “My school life is a sort of skiing towards my future, and I keep a steady balance between my books and body”. His eldest sister, Roy, burst into laughter, but Isa never likes him talking like a grown-up. She reminds him that there is only one brother for all the three sisters. He replies that an accident can take place even in one’s house. Stefan has an equal interest in games. He is a good soccer player, a long-distance shooter. He has kept a record of the goals he scored. He is also fond of hiking, particularly in mountainous regions. He takes his dear friend, Doo Doo, a sturdy Labrador, whenever he goes to difficult places. His sister, Helen, once said, “Doo Doo is as faithful as his master is to his family”. Though he took the comparison with a smile, he commented that his sister is as beautiful as Helen of Troy. There is a good swimming pool on the school campus. The day for Stefan ends in the swimming pool. Sometimes, when the water is steady, one can see the sun setting towards the east in the pool. But Stefan in the evening dives and shatters the round shadow into thousands of pieces. Cwalina’s dream to join Air Force, therefore, has its roots in his ambition to become an engineer and a diver. The irony is that his sense of adventure and his fear at the sight of a spider make him a complex character, a riddle. He does not have any fear to dive from any height up in the sky. On the contrary, the sight of a spider creeping on the ground can launch him back to the sky. Once while he was pulling out a book in the library in the school, a small spider appeared on the cover page of the book. As a reflex action, he threw the book away, without looking around. The book fell on the face of a female student sitting close by and broke her glasses. This led to a lot of fun in school. Since then some girls would shout to scare him, “Hey! Spider there”. Another interesting incident took place in the science classroom. The teacher was illustrating the pictures of an avalanche. Cwalina slowly left the place without permission for which he was warned by the teacher. However, she, later on, came to know that she was exhibiting an object for which Stefan has an inborn scare. Stefan Cwalina as a student is an asset to the school. Similarly, his sisters are lucky to get a loving brother. He keeps the people around him pleasant and cheerful. He has no gender consciousness. He has both girls and boys as friends. He is an active member of the school social club. A good orator, Stefan speaks to his fellow students about the evils of drinking and smoking. His parents emigrated from Poland in the eighties. Unlike the other expatriates, he does not feel any crisis of identity or otherness. He is very much at home like all the other permanent citizens here. His polished manners which he inherited from his Polish parents radiates on the campus. He is sure to fly up and up and then dive down to earth. Though ambitious, his feet are firm on the ground.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: A Civil Action and Settlements in Courtrooms is an essay about how court procedures work and how settlements become one of the most frequent case conclusions.A Civil Action and Settlements in Courtrooms is an essay about how court procedures work and how settlements become one of the most frequent case conclusions.
A Civil Action and Settlements in Courtrooms is an essay about how court procedures work and how settlements become one of the most frequent case conclusions. A Civil Action and Settlements in Courtrooms is an essay about how court procedures work and how settlements become one of the most frequent case conclusions.
A Civil Action and Settlements in Courtrooms Essay Introduction Court system is very complicated. Maintaining justice is one of the most difficult affairs. Court has to consider lots of aspects before providing a decision. Whatever decision is made there will always be people who consider it fair and those who consider it unfair. Justice is a notion which is very difficult to achieve. It is impossible to create a decision where everyone is satisfied. People perceive different situations differently. There are cases when settlements become the results of the court trial. Whether to consider this decision as justice prevails or not is people’s right. Discussion The court decision is influenced by lots of aspects. Different evidences, witnesses, people’s biases and other issues are the aspects which are usually taken into consideration while court procedure. People’s biases have very strong influence on justice provided. People have the base which was given them from their childhood and according to which they make decisions whether case is fair or not. These biases are very difficult to avoid as they stay in people’s subconsciousness and people often even do not notice how these biases influence their decisions. Settlements became one of the most frequent case conclusions. Many cases end with settlements. Is it so easy to finish the case by settlement? No. People finish cases by means of settlements in the cases when they can come to the agreement. It is too difficult to come to the agreement as the court trial means that people could not come to the common decision. But still people manage to come to agreement in the courtrooms. My strict opinion is that money is one of the main reasons why people come to agreement. During the court procedure people may understand that what they want from their opponent is impossible to get, so people begin to search for some other ways to get at least something. If people agree to take offered money, all the procedure ends in settlement. It is very difficult to tell whether justice is achieved in this case or not as every case should be considered separately. It may be just mentioned that those who pay money carry punishment anyway. They spend their money on strange people, is it not a punishment? It is, even if it considered being financial. Those who take money may think that the truth was not achieved. But it is already their problem as they agreed to receive money and to refuse from court procedure. There are people whose biases do not allow them to settlement agreements. These people fight to the end and have to be satisfied with the court’s decision. Settlements are not the crimes. People just decide to finish the court procedure peacefully, without any quarrels. Settlement means that one person has to concede while the other should be ready for some expenditure in order to provide this settlement. Conclusion So, settlements in courtrooms may be considered as a justice prevails in the cases when people have managed to come to agreements. These cases may be considered both as fair and unfair. Some people may think that accused person has not got what he/she had to. The others think that paying money is one of the ways of punishment. Justice is very subjective notion. Some people consider this action to be fair the others that and it is impossible to maintain justice that everybody could agree with.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The decision process involved in selecting a restaurant and the desired food menu can be very tedious as it involves many steps. The author had a chance to have a night out with his friends and it was decided to go to a restaurant in London. They narrowed down the choice of restaurants after reading through reviews and observing the short in person. Finally, they decided to go to a restaurant known as Buffet V.
The decision process involved in selecting a restaurant and the desired food menu can be very tedious as it involves many steps. The author had a chance to have a night out with his friends and it was decided to go to a restaurant in London. They narrowed down the choice of restaurants after reading through reviews and observing the short in person. Finally, they decided to go to a restaurant known as Buffet V.
A Decision Process in Food Business Essay Every day consumers come across different brands and products that are presented in a way by their manufacturers / suppliers that they distinguish from each other and assist in consumers making their buying decisions. These buying decisions are based on different determining factors which may include pricing of the product or service, its quality and specifications or features. In addition to these factors consumers buying decisions are also mainly driven from consumers’ own choice, behavior and perception regarding a product or service (Kotler & Keller, 2008). This paper will highlight a decision process which involved a selection of a restaurant and the desired food menu and identification of the basis for such decisions. It was last weekend when the author had the chance to have a night out with his friends and it was decided to go to a restaurant in London. Selecting a restaurant was a difficult process as every individual gave a different opinion regarding the type of restaurant and menu that it should be serving. However, a common factor which helped us to remove differences in our opinions was that we all opted for healthy food rather than fast food or curries. The next step was to decide between a list of restaurants available off the internet which were serving food under the category of healthy foods at a reasonable price. This involved examining online serving menus available of different restaurants and even calling a few restaurants in Central London area. Furthermore, we read through reviews of different restaurants by individuals who had already visited these restaurants and have either enjoyed eating there or regretted it. This process helped us to narrow further down the choice of restaurants where we could go. We made a small list of restaurants with their addresses and made a trip to Central London ourselves couple of hours ahead of dinner time to observe the restaurants which we had short listed. It was not surprising that some restaurants had posted different information on the internet in terms of available food menu and prices. This was completely unethical as these restaurants should not publish conflicting information regarding their services. After walkthrough different restaurants we finally decided to go a restaurant known as Buffet V. The restaurant is placed in a posh locality of the Central London on Oxford Road and from the onset the restaurant gave a feeling of well maintained set up with high regards to cleanliness. The restaurant also had a promotion of one guest free if a table of six guests is booked which helped further with our decision as it surely saved us some money, thus promotion is an essential element of marketing strategy (Phillips, Doole & Lowe, 1994). The restaurant serves healthy food choices from five different countries including China, Korea, India, Italy and even the UK. This excited us as we had a chance of exploring different flavors from the world’s menu. The menu served was buffet giving a choice between different healthy food dishes. The layout of the restaurant was not compact with open spaces between tables and floor manager very polite and welcoming. All this made us feel comfortable and happy with our decision. The food was well cooked with exuberating tastes which was delightful. Waiters were very attentive and served with highest levels of service quality. After finishing our meal we went back to our residence. Overall learning experience from this trip involved making a decision regarding selection of restaurant based on various determining factors including location, cleanliness, variety of food served, floor service by the staff and most importantly the pricing and promotion restaurant had in place for its customers. It can therefore be concluded that these factors are as important as our own choice between at least two alternatives and behavior in the entire buying process (Reynolds & Olson, 2001). List of References 1. Kotler, P. & Keller, K. (2008). Marketing Management (International Student). New Jersey: Pearson / Prentice Hall. 2. Phillips, C., Doole, I., & Lowe, R. (1994). International Marketing Strategy. London: Routledge. 3. Reynolds, T. J., & Olson, J. C. (2001). Understanding Consumer Decision Making. London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The examination room of geriatrics patients should be designed with several considerations in mind. First, the entrance of the examination room should be wider than usual to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. Second, the room should be kept warm at all times. The temperatures of the room should range between 70 and 80 degrees because geriatrics patients are vulnerable to extreme temperatures. The warmth of the examination room can also be enhanced by the use of warm colors such as brown, grey, or yellow on the
The examination room of geriatrics patients should be designed with several considerations in mind. First, the entrance of the examination room should be wider than usual to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. Second, the room should be kept warm at all times. The temperatures of the room should range between 70 and 80 degrees because geriatrics patients are vulnerable to extreme temperatures. The warmth of the examination room can also be enhanced by the use of warm colors such as brown, grey, or yellow on the
A Design of Geriatrics Patients’ Examination Room Essay The examination room of geriatrics patients should be designed with several considerations in mind. First, the entrance of the examination room should be wider than usual to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. This makes it easier for the patients to access the room. Second, the room should be kept warm at all times. The temperatures of the room should range between 70 and 80 degrees because geriatrics patients are vulnerable to extreme temperatures. The warmth of the examination room can also be enhanced by the use of warm colors such as brown, grey, or yellow on the walls and floor. The floor should be carpeted to increase the warmth and prevent the possibilities of a fall. However, the color used on the wall should contrast that used on the floor to mark the border. This helps the patients to differentiate between the two given their failing eyesight. The lighting of the examination room should be brighter than usual because majority of the geriatrics patients suffer from failing eyesight. Increased lighting can be achieved by the use of extra lighting such as head lamps and a tall lamp on a stand. However, the lighting should not be too much as to cause glare or discomfort to the patient. Majority of the geriatrics patients suffer from hearing and speech loss/deterioration hence it is important to equip the room with sound-proof devices. Distracting background noises such as fans and music should be avoided at all costs. Electric chairs and examination beds should be made available for the patients because majority of them have difficulties in arising from a sitting or a lying position. These devices protect the patients from falls. Most importantly, the room should be devoid of any hazard-causing items such as loose rags and exposed wires which can easily cause a fall to the patient (Calhoun and Eibling, p.5). Work Cited Calhoun, Karen and David Eibling. Geriatric Otolaryngology. New York: Taylor & Francis Group, 2006.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The statement that managers cannot take what they receive at face value and they should test the same by questioning the underlying assumptions, relating them to the context, considering the alternatives and recognizing the limitations. A manager cannot take what he or she receives at face value because he/she should question the underlying assumptions, relate them to the context, consider the alternatives and recognize the limitations.
The statement that managers cannot take what they receive at face value and they should test the same by questioning the underlying assumptions, relating them to the context, considering the alternatives and recognizing the limitations. A manager cannot take what he or she receives at face value because he/she should question the underlying assumptions, relate them to the context, consider the alternatives and recognize the limitations.
A Manager Cannot Take What He or She Receives at Face Value Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Analysis and Discussion 3. Conclusion 4. References Introduction This paper seeks to discuss the statement that managers cannot take what they receive at face value and they should test the same by questioning the underlying assumptions, relating them to the context, considering the alternatives and recognizing the limitations. Discussion will use examples with emphasis on ‘critical thinking’. Analysis and Discussion Management are expected to produce results in terms of meeting their objectives and to be able to do so they are empowered to decide between or among options in relation to what is most beneficial to the organization in terms of meeting organizational objectives (Massie, 1987 ). As such, they do not exist just to obey orders. Given such decision-making as a critical part of management, taking things at face value would be the least thing to expect. Thus, management theories vary and that no single theory could be applicable solely in a particular case and the decisions of the managers must consider many other factors. Under these management theories are the various motivational theories, which consider different human personalities. One particular thing that could be used is the very variable pay or incentive plan could be implemented in an organization under one or more motivational theories (Frey, Gouran, and Poole, 1999). There are advantages and disadvantages of each option if a company would have to adopt and implement variable pay and incentive plans for its employees. If managers adopt such a plan, they should be guided by the purpose why such a plan should be adopted. Basically, an incentive plan is designed to improve performance of employees in relation to attaining company goals. The need to increase revenues should not therefore be dependent solely on external factors like the fact that the economy is slowing down when management could find ways to motivate employees as an option of reaching objectives. In applying for example an incentive plan to generate revenues, sales staff or marketing people could be given enough commissions or bonus based on performance. But an option could have several sub-options. It could pay its marketing staff with 100% commission or salary plus a certain commission basis. As motivating sales or marketing staff is most critical to certain stage in the life and condition of the organization, management must not just accept a news report that the economy is slowing down and that companies may just brace for lower sales. Although generally the external condition could be material in determining the proper strategies, the internal environment of the organization is also very important in crafting the best strategy to reach objectives (Johnson and Scholes, 1993). Motivating people to produce more under uncertain conditions could be the saving factor and the better alternative to silent submission to the external environment. Decision making from a set of options is endowed with much dynamism on the part of the managers. To continue with the same example of motivating marketing people to produce results by linking their performance to more revenues, the decision could in fact provide the advantage of possible increased revenues from increased clientele and products sold from more marketing efforts. However, the option may have the disadvantages of incurring the cost of the plan and the possibility that the plan would not be successful and would instead make things worse. The success of an incentive plan depends as well on a number of conditions in implementing the same. One condition is for management to find the right amount of incentive pay. If the marketing employees do have an appetite for incentives and pay at risk, managers need to ensure that the size of the incentive could appropriately motivate subjects. The incentive must have meaning to employees in relation to the desired effect of producing more revenues (Sammer, 2007). If management decides that marketing people should be given commission in addition to their basic pay or simply make them fully paid in commission, management must be ready to face the possible risks and consequences as well. Full commission without basic pay may mean termination from employment of marketing people who are salary-based employment. To motivate the marketing staff under a bonus plan, managers must determine the proper level of commission if the same is added to salary. Management theory requires the right amount of incentive for each situation. A study found that supervisors and product development managers in the US and Europe responded to bonuses of about 30% of their annual salary (Sammer, 2007). A different respond, that is, the optimal bonus was less than 30% of annual salary is found if the product is complex, involves technological, and market uncertainty (Sammer, 2007). It may be noted in the simple examples of knowing and deciding whether to use an incentive plan, to which employees it will be used and whether employees should be 100% commission or basic salary plus commission, that managers had, in effect, generated options and had in effect applied ccritical thinking. Critical thinking can assume the application of the scientific method (Schafersman, 1991) and is made applicable in management although its application is less formal compared than what normal academic requirements would seem to convey. In the well-known method of scientific investigation, a question is identified and hypothesis formulated (Schafersman, 1991). To use the same case of deciding what incentive plan could be used by managers, the hypotheses could be related with the generated options before the decision. Like the scientific method as commonly known, managers needed to have hypotheses as bases of my possible alternative for a given problem. In addition, relevant data must be sought and gathered and the hypothesis logically tested and evaluated (Schafersman, 1991) by managers. When a decision is finally made as to which course of action, it is inherent to consider the same as one that will attain best the defined objectives and foregoing of the other options not chosen together with their related advantages that cannot go with the chosen course of action. Such forgone advantages could be clearly considered as part of the limitations of the decision made. Conclusion To take things at face value would be akin to just obeying orders and denying power and responsibility for results. The managers question their underlying assumptions as they adopt the principle of case-to-case or situational basis without necessarily neglecting the use of applicable models when the manager could feel and justify the use of the same in the situation. Their generation of options or possible alternatives for a given management issues should prove their need for relating management issues to context. The fact also that managers have generated options before they choose their best course of action should be an indication of recognizing the limitation of their decisions of foregoing the advantages of the rest of options that cannot go with the chosen option. References Frey, L., Gouran, D. and Poole, M. (1999), The Handbook of Group Communication Theory and Research: Theory and Research, SAGE. Johnson, G. and Scholes, K. (1993) Exploring Corporate Strategy – Text and Cases, Hemel Hempstead: Prentice-Hall. Massie, J. (1987) Essentials of Management, Prentice-Hall International (UK), London. Sammer, J. (2007) “Weighing pay incentives: Incentive plans should motivate employees to perform at a higher level, not encourage them to engage in questionable behavior”. HR Magazine. Schafersman, S. (1991), An Introduction to Critical Thinking, Web.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: Barak Obama's speech under analysis is called 'A More Perfect Union'; the central issue is considered to be the problem of racial discrimination in the USA. The president addressed millions of people highlighting the most problematic aspects of the political and social life of Americans. Obama underlined the principle questions concerning institutionalized racism and racial relationships in the USA. The speech was dated on March 18, 2008; it was broadcast throughout all American society covering the interests of both conservatives and liberals. Obama presented a 37
Barak Obama's speech under analysis is called 'A More Perfect Union'; the central issue is considered to be the problem of racial discrimination in the USA. The president addressed millions of people highlighting the most problematic aspects of the political and social life of Americans. Obama underlined the principle questions concerning institutionalized racism and racial relationships in the USA. The speech was dated on March 18, 2008; it was broadcast throughout all American society covering the interests of both conservatives and liberals. Obama presented a 37
‘A More Perfect Union’ Speech Analysis Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Theory Application 3. Opinion 4. References Introduction Barak Obama’s speech under analysis is called ‘A More Perfect Union’; the central issue is considered to be the problem of racial discrimination in the USA. The president addressed millions of people highlighting the most problematic aspects of the political and social life of Americans. Obama underlined the principle questions concerning institutionalized racism and racial relationships in the USA. The speech was dated on March 18, 2008; it was broadcast throughout all American society covering the interests of both conservatives and liberals. Obama presented a 37 minutes speech covering the most important and sophisticated problems existing in present-day America. Theory Application The speech ‘More Perfect Union’ became the basic method of Obama’s address racial problem in the USA; he covered the issues concerning the current nature of politics and social misprints left on the basis of past governmental instabilities. Obama highlighted the principal aspects of his presidential campaign aimed at moving to freedom, equality, and prosperity of the nation and the USA in general. Obama disclosed a profound interpretation of racial division within American society; he provided critical analysis of racial stalemate permeating the current population of the USA. The speech discloses transcendental rhetoric for the ethnic groups’ members to subscribe to. Deep involvement in the political environs of his activities was shown through his engagement with the question of racial discrimination. The principal task of the speech was aimed at highlighting the progress to be made by Americans in order to reach stability and justice. Obama illustrated the concept of empathy, presenting it as the basic progressive ideal of the USA. He expressed the basic goal of the nation to perfect the union people live in through avoiding the obstacles of racial relationships. ‘But race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now. We would be making the same mistake that Reverend Wright made in his offending sermons about America: to simplify and stereotype and amplify the negative to the point that it distorts reality.’ (‘A More Perfect Union’) Obama raised the question of the common responsibility of Americans, which is to be expressed through common religion, social order, and political reforms. He calls for common care about each other through empathy concept underline. The speech contains significant rhetorical questions, ‘Why associate me with Reverend Wright in the first place, they may ask? Why not join another church?’ (‘A More Perfect Union’). Obama dived into the depth of American roots and history, explaining the basic reasons for current problems of racial discrimination. He highlighted the power of the American nation functioning as a unity, disclosing the basic ways out of fundamental state problems. The speech is a profound analysis of principle national and social problems to be overcome in the near future. ‘We do not need to recite here the history of racial injustice in this country. But we do need to remind ourselves that so many of the disparities that exist between the African-American community and the larger American community today can be traced directly to inequalities passed on from an earlier generation that suffered under the brutal legacy of slavery and Jim Crow’. (‘A More Perfect Union’) Barak Obama stressed the concepts of unity as the only means to struggle the problems of racial discrimination; he underlined such issues as the patriotism of his own and of the nation, which common responsibility can become the principal weapon for fighting racism in the USA forever. He noted that awareness and understanding of this fact could become the first step to a problem solution; Obama highlighted a number of examples from personal life showing the experience of living in the atmosphere of discrimination and humiliation. He demonstrated his patriotism and desire to help the USA overcome the barrier of the past and dissolve the central problems of the strong American nation. Opinion Barak Obama provided the highlight of the most intricate and controversial issues through his speech ‘A More Perfect Union. It is necessary to underline the fact that Obama made his address through simple and understandable language in order to establish rapport with every American. The basic themes described in the speech were aimed at racism problem solution; he underlined the principle concepts of the current national atmosphere through patriotism and basic national values. One is to stress that Obama really shocked the Americans with the disclosure of potential threats to society caused by ignorance to common responsibility. Barak Obama presented a profound, powerful, and involving speech covering the most significant questions of the current political and social atmosphere. He successfully described the basic methods of avoiding racial difficulties by means of common responsibility and national awareness. The illustration of ethnic and racial stereotypes within American society appeared to be the basic reason for tension within the country. What is the most interesting in the speech touches the American path to progressiveness. It is necessary to underline the fact that Obama as an expert on American Constitution regulations, declared the central aims to be reached by people in order to become a prosperous nation. People are on their way to freedom, equality, and justice, which can be reached only through unity. The process of making a perfect union depends on the national awareness of society. It is necessary to underline the fact that Obama clearly identified the most prominent site of the union concept. In accordance with the idea he expressed, the Americans are to live in the atmosphere of progressive communities’ development. The union concept can be perfected only by people’s efforts and desires to be free and prosperous. The speech can be considered one of the most successful and deep; it managed to represent not only the historical flow influence on the current American atmosphere but define the basic steps to be made in order to avoid such mistakes in the future. Obama’s speech is natural and underlines the real problems of the American nation; his words are considered to be filled with some power transferring the truth and seriousness of racism problem on every American. Barak Obama disclosed political drawbacks and grave mistakes made by the government in the past; he underlined rational ways out of discrimination and inequality. His words are aimed at every social class touching the interests of conservatives and liberals, and underline common national purpose in Americans’ way to unity. He stressed the questions through American values to be saved and respected by everyone. Obama managed to explain the tasks of his presidential campaign, which he would try to make with the help of American patriotism and the national unity of people. Barak Obama’s speech is a strong argument to further actions aimed at perfecting the American nation and the country, avoiding and solving grave mistakes of the past. References 1. Barak Obama: A More Perfect Union . 2008. Web. 2. O’Hair, Dan. & Stewart, R. A Speaker’s Guidebook: Text and Reference (Plastic Comb). 2 nd Edition, Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2003.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The text discusses a repositioning strategy for Venus Dew Body Moisturizer as an example of how companies can use market research to develop successful marketing strategies.The text discusses a repositioning strategy for Venus Dew Body Moisturizer as an example of how companies can use market research to develop successful marketing strategies.
The text discusses a repositioning strategy for Venus Dew Body Moisturizer as an example of how companies can use market research to develop successful marketing strategies. The text discusses a repositioning strategy for Venus Dew Body Moisturizer as an example of how companies can use market research to develop successful marketing strategies.
A Repositioning Strategy for Venus Dew Body Moisturizer Coursework Table of Contents 1. Background 2. Vision and Mission 3. Brand Strengths 4. Brand Weaknesses 5. Opportunities in the Skin Care Category 6. References Background The Venus Dew brand line is the entry of long-established Jameson & Jameson (J & J) in the adult female moisturizing lotion market. J & J has been 140 years in existence, operates a total of 250 subsidiaries and affiliates in 57 countries, and employs just under 120,000 staff. Today, the company competes in the medical, health, and beauty categories with products for health care institutional use as well as consumer products that target all life stages from infancy to middle age. Vision and Mission The Venus Dew brand line is envisioned to be the spearhead of the J & J thrust into adult skincare with clearheaded emphasis on natural- and herbal-source products. This is consistent with J & J consumer products that leverage the company franchise on “pure, mild and gentle care” since natural-source is especially beneficial for sensitive, allergy-prone skin. Table 1: A SWOT Summary for Venus Dew. Strengths Opportunities 1. Scale of J & J operations 1. High mind share of consumer and professional/medical markets 2. J & J distribution reach 2. Clear, smooth complexion, anti-aging, skin of color, and sun care count among consumer concerns 3. Company and brand reputation 3. High level of consumer interest in natural-source products 4. Strong brand franchise in medical and skincare 4. Online selling, particularly for pricey niche products 5. Multiple brand entries permit the company to achieve merchandising dominance at retail 5. Large market, in pounds sterling 6. An ethical company, worth trusting 6. Skincare is a vibrant market that leads growth in the toiletries and cosmetics business 7, Room for gaining new users Weaknesses Threats 1. Parity product formulation, essential ingredients 1. Larger competitors that can spend more than Venus Dew in advertising. 2. Shea butter is no longer unique Brand Strengths Venus Dew’s strengths rest on a solid base of the very strong J & J claim to skincare therapy. After all, J & J lays claim to, among others, being ’ third-largest in biologicals” and among the top six in pharmaceuticals in the world. Given the presence of company brands in the Consumer Health Care, Medical Devices & Diagnostics, and Pharmaceuticals verticals, it stands to reason that J & J has a dominant share of mind with both consumers and professional-medical audiences, including dermatologists, of course. The consumer business also has a huge merchandising (or share of shelf space) presence in supermarkets, having entries in skincare and baby care, hair care, topical dermatological, dental products, women’s health, over-the-counter medicines, and nutritional. Given that J & J operates in consumer health care across many cultures, the puts primacy on ethical behavior. This is practiced in, among others, ceaseless R & D for ‘safer and more effective alternatives’ made as accessible as possible. Clearly, Venus Dew is part of a conglomerate that is to be trusted. In the UK, the three Venus Dew product lines correspond to the benefits consumers want: cleansing (the “Venus Dew Cleansing Range”), moisturizing (“Venus Dew Moisturizing Range”), and therapeutic (‘Intensive Dry Skin Range’). All three product types have a common formulation base, colloidal oatmeal, and are therefore uniformly positioned on “Naturally Active” essential ingredients. Another key ingredient is Shea Butter. Hence, Venus Dew® takes pride in advertising claims about “unlocking the true potential of nature’s skin-enhancing secrets.” Brand Weaknesses Objective analysis shows that Venus Dew is a parity brand. The product entry that is the subject of this strategic analysis and recommendation, “Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion with Shea Butter”, is offered in 200ml standing tubes, a sales-keeping unit (SKU) all too common in the health and beauty business. The beige color is consistent with a product formulated around natural oatmeal, oat oil, oat extract, and shea butter. Shea butter has been popular with skin lotion adopters because it has significant moisturizing and emollient benefits. Venus Dew also reminds consumers that Shea tree nuts are rich in Vitamins A and E. “Skin Relief” is fragrance-free and “dermatologist tested” though the latter is claimed by every manufacturer with an in-house dermatologist or two. Opportunities in the Skin Care Category The UK skincare market is sizeable but there is also enormous potential for growth. In 2003, British consumers spent an aggregate of £631m on some skincare brand or other. This was forecast to reach £731m by 2008. Hard data for the year ended March 27, 2005 (Rudd, 2005) affirmed a satisfying 9.3% year-on-year growth. The applicable motivation is the age-old desire of adults to look good and feel good about their complexions despite the passage of time (Thomas, 2006). References 1. Rudd, V. (2005). The war on cellulite is heating up in Europe. Household & Personal Products Industry, 2005. EuroTrends , Web. 2. Thomas, P. (2006) Nivea moisturising lotion: Are we being naive about Nivea? The Ecologist .
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: A surety bond is a risk transfer mechanism where the surety company assures the project owner that the contractor will perform a contract in accordance with the contract documents. Construction projects should adhere to the set budgetary allocation and period. Surety bonds are designed to prevent project owners from financial and resource related risks that might occur during the construction.
A surety bond is a risk transfer mechanism where the surety company assures the project owner that the contractor will perform a contract in accordance with the contract documents. Construction projects should adhere to the set budgetary allocation and period. Surety bonds are designed to prevent project owners from financial and resource related risks that might occur during the construction.
A Comparison of Construction Surety Bond and Insurance Thesis Introduction Different instruments such as insurance policies and surety bonds have been developed in an effort to assist individuals and institutions in managing risks (Grovenstein et al. 356). Surety Information Office argues that how “one evaluates and manages risk on construction projects and makes fiscally responsible decision to ensure timely project completion is critical for success” (1). Project owners ensure that the selected construction contractors do not fail. Surety bond is one of the instruments used in managing risk within the construction sector ( CNA Surety 2). The surety bonds are a source of assurance regarding the completion of construction projects (Bouteiller and Coogan 66). The demand for surety bonds and trade credit insurance within the emerging economies such as China has increased exponentially over the past few years. The demand has arisen from China’s rapid investment in diverse construction projects in an effort to improve its infrastructure (Middlehurst par. 3). Subsequently, the demand is expected to be sustained into the future ( Swiss Re par. 2). The International Credit Insurance & Surety Association corroborates that the “demand for trade credit insurance and surety bonds is on the rise as a result of increasing trade flows, mostly from high growth markets in an overall ongoing deteriorating risk environment” (p.1). Therefore, the need for skilled underwriting in the construction industry is high. This study entails a comparison of the construction surety bond and construction insurance. Literature review; a comparison of construction surety bond and insurance Surety Information Office defines a construction surety bond as “a risk transfer mechanism where the surety company assures the project owner [obligee] that the contractor [principal] will perform a contract in accordance with the contract documents” (2). Construction projects should adhere to the set budgetary allocation and period. Failure to adhere to these parameters may expose the project to various risks such as increment in the cost of the project due to the different external variables such as economic fluctuations (Akitonye and Zawdie 233). Therefore, construction surety bonds are designed to prevent project owners from financial and resource related risks that might occur during the construction (Cummins 25). Consequently, surety bonds play a fundamental role in strengthening the liability relationship between the contractor and the project owners, which increases the likelihood of successful project completion (Dunn and Sedgwick 15). Types of construction surety bonds Three main types of surety bonds have been developed, viz. the performance bonds, bid bonds, and the payment bonds. Performance bonds These bonds are designed with the objective of “protecting project owners from financial losses that might occur in the event that the contractor fails to execute the project in accordance with the predetermined terms and conditions of the construction contract” (Kelleher and Abernathy 466). Bid bond The selection of construction contractors is undertaken through a bidding process. The bid bond is a “guarantee that the contractor has submitted the bid in good faith” (Russell 264). Therefore, the contract between the contractor and the project owner will be based on price bid in addition to providing the payment and performance bonds as required. The bid bond should accompany the bid proposal (Jenkins and Wallace 5). Payment bond This bond is an assurance of the surety’s commitment to pay the specified project participants such as labourers, subcontractors, and suppliers in case the principal [contractor] does not make the necessary payment (Schwartzkopf and Tasker 54). The payment bond provides the project participants an opportunity to file a legal claim against the surety without involving the project owners (Schwartzkopf and Tasker 83). Labor salary guarantee bond This bond guarantees the project owners that the principal [contractor] will be committed in paying the required salaries in executing the project (Atkin, Borgbrant and Josephson 81). The surety takes the obligation to make labor payment in the event of the contractor failing to make the necessary payments. Construction insurance Kelleher and Currie (439) emphasize that insurance is an essential component in construction project planning as it provides an avenue through which project owners can cover potential losses in addition to minimizing disputes amongst diverse project participants. Construction insurance is considered to be relatively complex and highly specialized (Cushman 45). Furthermore, changes occurring in the insurance industry are stimulating insurance companies to revise their policy language in order to streamline construction insurance. Bunni defines construction insurance to include “all contracts of indemnity within the activities of the construction industry where insurance is chosen as the medium through which liabilities are shifted” (181). Construction insurance encompasses numerous branches of insurance, professions, and disciplines (Seifert 63). In order to succeed in offering construction insurance, it is crucial for insurers to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and intricate challenges associated with different aspects such as building, mathematics, and engineering (Hess 56). Such understanding will increase the effectiveness of insurers undertaking statistical, economic, and probability calculations (Sido and Cushman 154). Cameron (82) is of the view that construction insurance is concerned with providing cover against diverse construction perils. Construction insurance is based on a number of characteristics, which distinguish it from other forms of insurance (Moelmann and Harris 46). First, the contractor must complete the construction project despite the difficulties that might arise. This requirement is specified in the terms and conditions of the construction contract. Secondly, construction projects involve vast amounts of money, which means that the cost of failure is very high. Types of construction of insurance Different types of construction insurance have been developed as evaluated below. Builder’s accident and injury insurance This insurance covers the project owner against potential expense, loss, or claims that might arise from accidents or personal injury that the project participant might experience in the course of executing diverse project tasks. Glaser, Piskorski, and Tchistyi assert that builder’s accident and injury insurance specifies the contractor’s liability to cover the project owner against personal injury or loss of life that might occur during the construction process (187). However, the contractor is not obligated to assume the liability if the injury is due to neglect by the project owner (Levine and Haar 435). Construction quality guarantee Contractors have an obligation to ensure that the construction project outcome is of high quality. One of the ways through which this goal can be achieved is by adhering to best construction practices. The construction-quality guarantee insurance protects the project owner against losses that might arise from the contractor’s failure to adhere to quality standards. Liability insurance This is a specialised form of property insurance that is designed to protect project owners from risks such as physical loss and damage to property that might occur during the construction process. Professional liability insurance This type of insurance is designed to protect the project owner against liabilities or losses that might originate from the contractors ineffectiveness, for example, due to errors and omissions. The error and omissions policy vary from one industry to another. In the construction industry, engineers and architects acting as consultants develop the errors and omission policy. Subsequently, the policy safeguards engineers and architects from possible errors and omissions that might be committed by the contractor. Construction surety bonds and construction insurance Different countries have appreciated the importance of protecting various stakeholders involved in the construction industry due to the risky nature of the enterprise. This aspect has led to the development of different types of surety bonds and construction insurance policies. The main types of surety bonds in the US construction industry include the bid bonds, performance bonds, and the payment bond. However, the UK has an extensive number of surety bonds, as evidenced by the inclusion of other types of surety bonds such as the retention bonds, sewer bonds, highway bonds, and advance payment bonds. Consequently, the development of the construction surety bonds market varies from country to country (Lerner and Baum 45). Unlike the conventional insurance products, construction surety bond is a relatively new concept in China’s real estate sector (Middlehurst par.3). The promotion of construction surety within the real estate sector in China began in 2004 with the publication of File No.137 by the Ministry of Construction. The file outlines the guidelines and regulations on surety bonds within the public construction sector (Yan par. 2). The construction insurance industry is highly developed in most countries as opposed to construction surety bonds market (McIntyre and Strischek 36). Considering the inherent risks associated with construction projects, most construction companies seek the assistance of insurance companies in order to safeguard themselves from potential risk. This aspect has led to a significant development of construction insurance in different countries (Ramsey 75). However, Vetsch asserts that construction insurance “is not a ‘one size fits all’ affair” (par.1). Consequently, construction countries must analyze the construction insurance policies offered by the respective companies in order to understand possible exceptions in the contract. In Canada, numerous exceptions in the various construction insurance policies are offered. For example, the property insurance policy in Canada explicitly excludes the contractor from covering losses arising from various natural occurrences and human causes such as pollution, vandalism, earth movements, and temperature changes amongst other issues. However, the Miller Act of the United States is not explicit about such issues. Moreover, the Canadian construction insurance describes the components of professional liability insurance and it excludes the contractor from liabilities that might arise from the insured’s non-professional activities. Conclusion The construction projects are characterized by numerous risks that might lead to substantial losses. Subsequently, the significance of effective risk management in the construction industry cannot be underestimated. Different risk management plans and policies have been formulated in an effort to assist parties in the construction industry to manage risk. Examples of such instruments include the construction surety bonds, which are usually issued by financial institutions. Unlike conventional insurance programs, construction surety bonds do not involve transfer of risk. Some of the main types of surety bonds in the construction industry include the performance, bid, and payment bonds. Additionally, the conventional insurance industry gives participant in the construction industry an opportunity to manage risk through various policies such as the builder’s accident and injury insurance policy, construction quality guarantee, professional liability insurance, and liability insurance. However, the development of construction surety bonds and construction insurance market vary from one country to another. Works Cited Akitonye, Akintola, and Girma Zawdie. Construction innovation and process improvement , Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2012. Print. Atkin, Brian, Jan Borgbrant, and Per-Erik Josephson. Construction Process Improvement, Hoboken: Wiley, 2003. Print. Bouteiller, Sylvain, and Diane Coogan. The handbook of credit risk management; originating, assessing and managing credit exposures, Hoboken: Wiley, 2013. Print. Bunni, Nael. Risk and insurance in construction , New York: Routledge, 2003. Print. Cameron, John. A practitioner’s guide to construction law , Philadelphia: American Bar Association, 2000. Print. CNA Surety 2005, Surety ship: A practical guide to Surety Bonding. Web. Cummins, David. “Cat bonds and other risk-linked securities: state of the market and recent developments.” Risk Management and Insurance Review 11.1(2008): 23-47. Print. Cushman, Robert. Construction disputes; representing the contractor, Gaithersburg, Aspen Law & Business, 2001. Print. Dunn, Jonathan, and Irvine Sedgwick. “Letters of Credit, Bonding, Guarantees and Default Insurance: Hedging Bets in a Roller-Coaster Market.” American Bar Association 15.2 (2013): 1-17. Print. Glaser, Barney, Tomasz Piskorski, and Alexei Tchistyi. “Optimal securitization with moral hazard.” Journal of Financial Economics 104.2 (2012):186–202. Print. Grovenstein, Robert, Francis Sirmans, John Harding, Sansanee Thebpanya, and Geoffrey Turnbull. “Commercial mortgage underwriting: How well do lenders manage the risks?” Journal of Housing Economics 14.2 (2005): 355–383. Print. Jenkins, Robert, and Andrew Wallace 2005, Construction Bonds: What Every Contractor and Owner Should Know. Web. Hess, Stephen . Design professional and construction manager law, Chicago: American Bar Association, 2007. Print. International Credit Insurance & Surety Association: ICISA outlook 2013. Web. Kelleher, Thomas, and Thomas Abernathy. Smith, Currie and Hancock’s federal government construction contract; a practical guide for the industry professional, Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons, 2010. Print. Kelleher, Thomas and Smith Currie. Smith, Currie and Hancock’s common sense construction law; a practical guide for the construction professional, Hoboken: Wiley, 2005. Print. Lerner, Lawrence, and Theodore Baum. Performance bond manual of the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and federal jurisdictions, New York: American Bar Association, 2006. Print. Levine, Marshall, and Roger Haar. Construction insurance and UK construction contracts, London: CRC Press, 2013. Print. McIntyre, Marla, and Dev Strischek. “Surety bonding in today’s construction market: changing times for contractors, bankers, and sureties.” The RMA Journal 87.8 (2005): 30-36. Print. Middlehurst, Charlotte. China, the world’s fastest growing insurance market opens doors to foreign groups 2013. Web. Moelmann, Lawrence, and John Harris. The law of performance bonds , Chicago: American Bar Association, 2009. Print. Ramsey, Marc. “Surety Bond Producers and Underwriters.” The RMA Journal 91.8 (2009): 42-45. Print. Russell, Jeffrey. Surety bonds for construction contracts , Reston: ASCE Press, 2000. Print. Schwartzkopf, William, and Richard Tasker. Practical guide to contract surety claims, New York: Aspen Publishers, 2006. Print. Seifert, Bryan. “Sustainable Buildings and the Surety.” Real Estate Issues 33.3 (2008): 47-52. Print. Sido, Kevin, and Robert Cushman. Architect and engineer liability; claims against design professionals, New York: Aspen Publishers, 2006. Print. Surety Information Office: the importance of surety bonds in construction 2009. Web. Swiss Re: Development status of engineering insurance in China 2014. Web. Vetsch, Peter. Canada; A construction insurance primer; which policies for which risks? 2009. Web. Yan, Hai. China National Investment Company: the fourth meeting of the legal committee of CGA 2005. Web.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: In his book "A Different Mirror", Ronald Takaki explores the intentions and assumptions about diversity across the United States. The argument that the United States is a multicultural society has often been challenged by Takaki and others. The skepticism towards the existence of a 'multicultural society' is mostly due to the fact that American citizens of European descent are considered to be the 'natural citizens' of the United States. Consequently, the issue of race and citizenship is a controversial subject
In his book "A Different Mirror", Ronald Takaki explores the intentions and assumptions about diversity across the United States. The argument that the United States is a multicultural society has often been challenged by Takaki and others. The skepticism towards the existence of a 'multicultural society' is mostly due to the fact that American citizens of European descent are considered to be the 'natural citizens' of the United States. Consequently, the issue of race and citizenship is a controversial subject
“A Different Mirror” by Ronald Takaki Essay (Critical Writing) In his book “A Different Mirror”, Ronald Takaki explores the intentions and assumptions about diversity across the United States. The argument that the United States is a multicultural society has often been challenged by Takaki and others. The skepticism towards the existence of a ‘multicultural society’ is mostly due to the fact that American citizens of European descent are considered to be the ‘natural citizens’ of the United States. Consequently, the issue of race and citizenship is a controversial subject in the United States. However, Takaki observes that America is mostly considered a nation of European immigrants. ‘Americaness’ has for a long time been synonymous with white people of European descent thereby introducing the issue of race in American citizenship. This paper explores Takaki’s arguments in “A Different Mirror” while focusing on America’s history and citizenship. The main argument in Takaki’s “A Different Mirror” is that American citizenship should not be concentrated on European stock. Consequently, individuals from other races should actively take part in activities and decisions that grant them unlimited access to citizenship. Takaki’s arguments are valid because in a multicultural society all citizens should equally contribute to their country’s cultural and political outlook. However, in the United States Europeans dominate both the country’s cultural and political landscapes. It is important to note that the cultures of the original American inhabitants have since faded from the country’s cultural outlook. Therefore, the issue of race supersedes that of immigration or origin when it comes to American citizenship. Although the United States is considered a multicultural society, cases of ethnocentrism have been persistent throughout the country’s history. The internal conflicts that have rocked the United States over the course of history have served as a reminder that the issues of race and citizenship are intertwined. Ethnocentrism is responsible for certain groups of people viewing others as outsiders even though both groups are contained in the same environment. On the other hand, all interethnic conflicts produce both ‘conqueror’ and ‘conquered’ groups. For instance, Takaki outlines how the early encounters between Native Americans and European settlers reveal widespread ethnocentrism. In “A Different Mirror”, the author notes that it was in the best interest of Early European settlers to label Native Americans as savages. The European settlers found it justifiable to rob the early American inhabitants off their land because they were of a different race. Furthermore, it has since been established that most of the stereotypes that Europeans bestowed upon the early inhabitants were unfounded. Takaki correctly argues that race played an important part in the assignment of citizenship during the early European immigration. For example, a majority of the individuals who find it difficult to gain citizenship in America are of Spanish and Latina descent. The reason behind Latina nationals’ inability to be accepted in America as equal citizens is closely connected to their race, origin, and language. These factors had previously put Native Americans on a collision path with Europeans when the latter were on the ‘immigrants’ category. Takaki makes a valid argument when he claims that race and ethnocentrism play a major role in the assignment of citizenship in the United States. I agree with Takaki’s observations that citizenship in America is a product of a narrow-minded look at the United States’ history. The argument that the United States is a multicultural society can easily be challenged.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The essay examines the case study of the 2012 Sandy Hook shootings, applying Kenneth Burke's theory of dramatistic pentad to analyze how the media reported on the tragedy.The dramatistic pentad is a theory developed by Kenneth Burke that focuses on a flawed individual and an imperfect society as rhetoric dominated by scene-agent ratio. The essay examines the case study of the 2012 Sandy Hook shootings, applying this theory to analyze how the media reported on the tragedy.
The essay examines the case study of the 2012 Sandy Hook shootings, applying Kenneth Burke's theory of dramatistic pentad to analyze how the media reported on the tragedy. The dramatistic pentad is a theory developed by Kenneth Burke that focuses on a flawed individual and an imperfect society as rhetoric dominated by scene-agent ratio. The essay examines the case study of the 2012 Sandy Hook shootings, applying this theory to analyze how the media reported on the tragedy.
A Dramatistic Analysis of the Sandy Hook Shootings Case Study Identification of the Problem Background On the morning of December 14, 2012, a mentally disturbed youth named Adam Lanza gained access to Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed 26 individuals using a Bushmaster rifle, before taking his own life with a single shot from a Glock handgun (Barron, 2012; Chaney & Robertson, 2013; Semeiks, 2013). Although the unprecedented shootings took 11 minutes to complete, they attracted widespread condemnation as various media outlets published as much information as possible, some even without following the protocols for accurate reporting. For example, some reputable media outlets such as CBS and Fox News wrongly reported that the killer’s mother worked at the school’s kindergarten and that she was killed as she taught the children (Folkenflik, 2012). However, school administrators later clarified that Lanza’s mother was not an employee of the school and had been killed at her home. The proposed project uses Kenneth Burke’s theory of dramastitic pentad to undertake an analysis of the Sandy Hook shootings with the view to illuminating the local and national media coverage of the massacre. Rationale The proposed project is embedded in the justification that whatever is published by mainstream media outlets heavily influences how Americans perceive events, policies, individuals and groups, and that there is an urgent need to analyze how these media outlets primarily exhibited the diverse groups of individuals in the tragedy as well as the various policies that allowed the shooter to have access to guns. Lastly, it is felt that understanding how an individual with a mental condition was allowed to purchase guns is critical to understanding how blame shifted from particular social systems to the shooter as a single entity. Value of Project The proposed project has immense contribution to the existing literature, particularly in distilling the knowledge on media reporting of shooting incidents, American gun rights, and employment of mental illness to explain national tragedies. Burke provides useful insights in his dramastitic pentad criticism model, where he focuses on “a flawed individual and an imperfect society as rhetoric dominated by scene-agent ratio” (Zafis, 2013, p. 5). Drawing from this elaboration, the Sandy Hook massacre can be explained within the realms of gun control supporters assuming that the American society (scene) permits individuals (agents) to arm themselves with dangerous weapons, hence making shooting incidents to be perceived within the context of imperfect systems or a deficient gun rights scene (Rosenberg, 2014). Conversely, gun rights advocates employ the mental illness frame to insinuate that an imperfect society allows mentally flawed agents to slip through a damaged mental health system and have access to guns, leading to incidences such as Sandy Hook (Chaney & Robertson, 2013). Statement of Problem Available scholarship demonstrates that “recent mass shootings by persons seemingly afflicted with serious mental illness (SMI) have received extensive news media coverage and prompted national dialogue about the causes of, and policy responses to, mass shootings” (McGinty, Webster, Jarlenski, & Barry, 2014, p. 406). But while such news media framing of serious mental illness as a cause of Sandy Hook shootings may influence public attitudes about individuals with mental illness and support for gun violence prevention proposals, questions proliferate about the role of the media in dealing with gun rights, flawed agents, and the various policies that seem to place weapons at the hands of the mentally ill (Rosenberg, 2014). The proposed project aims to fill these gaps in the literature. Purpose of Project and Key Research Questions The purpose of the proposed project is to use Burke’s theory of dramastitic pentad to explore the rhetoric surrounding Sandy Hook’s shootings as reported in the media. The proposed research questions are as follows: RQ1: With reference to Sandy Hook shootings, how does the media reports the shift in focus from a gun rights scene to a flawed agent? RQ2: Does the media use mental illness as a scapegoat for why national tragedies occur? These research questions will be addressed by analyzing primary literature on mental health issues and gun crimes in America as well as secondary literature (newspapers) on Sandy Hook’s incidence and how it was reported. Method Research Design The proposed project will use the dramastitic pentad form of criticism as the method of exploration. Originating from philosopher, critical theorist and rhetorician Kenneth Burke (1897-1993), the pentad operates “grammatically as a means of articulating the relationships among ideas [and] how words about motives fit together to explain human action” (Blakeslay, 2001, p. 8). Burke developed the five key terms to dramatism (act, scene, agent, agency, purpose) and argued that these terms not only generate the principle of our investigation, but also determine what person or kind of person (agent) performs the act and what means or instruments are used (agency) to perform the act. Additionally, Burke, comprehensively cited in Blakeslay (2001), argues that “any complete statement about motives will offer some kind of answers to these five questions: what was done (act), when or where it was done (scene), who did it (agent), how he did it (agency), and why (purpose)” (p. 24). In the context of the proposed project, the media may incessantly disagree about the purposes behind the frequent shootings in the United States, why individuals choose to perpetuate shootings in a particular place (scene), as well as the character of individuals who perpetuate the shootings (agents). Owing to the fact that the pentad is perceived as a strategic technique for analyzing discourse by focusing on how it attributes motivation to human action, it is evidently clear that both simple and complex statements about why individuals engage in certain things are potential material for dramatistic analysis (Blakeslay, 2001). As such, the pentad can be used as a form of rhetorical analysis or as a method that can be employed by readers to identify the rhetorical nature of any text that explains or represents human motivation, implying that the method can be used to dramastitically analyze how media outlets in the United States reported the Sandy Hook’s shootings as well as the repercussions of their reporting on different groups of individuals and social systems. In undertaking a dramastitic analysis of the Sandy Hook shootings, the proposed project will use Burke’s pentadic concepts of agent (names what person or kind of person who performed the act) as well as scene (the background of the act or the situation in which it occurred). As demonstrated by Demikiw (2010), Burke’s model not only allows a critic to achieve multiple perspectives or perceptions on the same scenario by attributing diverse terms of the pentad to the same components of the situation under investigation, but also provides users with a means for understanding motives, attitudes and perspectives by undertaking an analysis of language use. Understandably, therefore, Burke’s theory of dramastitic pentad can be applied in efforts aimed at not only analyzing how the media reports shift in focus from a gun rights scene to a flawed agent in the Sandy Hook shootings, but also understanding why the media employs mental illness to explain the occurrence of national tragedies in America. Materials The proposed project will employ online newspapers and articles as the basis for data collection, in large part due to the fact that the researcher is interested in dramatistically analyzing how local and national media outlets covered the Sandy Hook shootings. It is the information contained in the online newspapers and articles that will be analyzed using Burke’s theory of dramatistic pentad to provide responses to the stated research questions. Primary resources such as peer-reviewed research articles will also be used to provide an evidence base on mental health and gun crimes in America, American gun laws, as well as media reporting of violent crimes in America. Some of the advantages of using secondary sources (online newspapers) include ease of use, low cost of acquisition, capacity to clarify research question(s), as well as capability to provide responses to the stated research questions. Conversely, some of the advantages of using primary sources (e.g., peer-reviewed articles) include capacity to develop critical thinking skills as well as propensity to construct knowledge (Scheuler, 2014). Secondary sources (newspapers) need to be carefully selected, as available literature demonstrates that “not all information obtained from secondary sources is equally reliable or valid” (Stewart & Kamins, 1993, p. 17). This predisposition is also applicable in the collection of primary sources (peer-reviewed articles), thus the need to exercise caution. Drawing from this elaboration, the following procedure will be used for gathering materials: “(1) what was the purpose of the study? (2) Who collected the information? (3) What information was actually collected? (4) When was the information collected? (5) How was the information obtained? (6) How consistent is the information with other sources?” (Stewart & Kamins, 1993, p. 17). In sampling, the researcher is of the opinion that representativeness of the artifact set (online newspapers and articles) will be balanced with considerations for the attainment of homogeneity for the sampled artifacts not only to facilitate replication of results, but also to enhance credibility as well as validity. Discussion and Conclusion Anticipated Findings The first research question relates to how the media reports the shift in focus from a gun rights scene to a flawed agent within the context of Sandy Hook shootings. Available scholarship is consistent that mass shootings can enhance mental health stigma, entrench stereotypes that individuals with mental conditions are violent, and influence public policy (Rosenberg, 2014), that gun violence perpetuated by mentally unstable individuals has been and continues to be a serious public health concern in American schools and communities (Ruggles & Rajan, 2014), and that many gun violence prevention groups have underscored the relationship between mental illness and aggression and called for policies to prevent individuals with mental illness from having guns (McGinty et al., 2014). Using the agent (Adam Lanza) and scene (American society) continuum of Burke’s theory of dramastitic pentad, it is anticipated that the ratios between the two elements will lean more toward the exploration of the flawed agent in newspapers and other media outlets. The application of these ratios to any rhetorical scenario permits the rhetorician (in this case, the researcher) to constrict an analysis from a bigger picture to a more defined one (Blakeslay, 2001; Demikiw, 2010), implying that the researcher will have the capacity to come up with responses as to how the American media has shifted attention to the flawed agent and failed to account or advocate for the gun rights scene even after repeated gun-related massacres. The second research question relates to why the American media uses mental illness as a scapegoat for the routine occurrence of national tragedies. Again, research is consistent that the rhetoric about the relationship between poor mental health and controlling access to firearms in the American society appears to be most predominant in the wake of mass shootings (Ruggles & Rajan, 2014), that mass shootings often lead to widespread public anger, renewed debate on gun control as well as implementation of several mental health policies at the state and federal level (Rosenberg, 2014), and that many gun policy proposals across the United States are based on the common conjecture that mental illness is an important cause of violence (Chaney & Robertson, 2013; McGinty et al., 2014). Using Burke’s theory of dramastitic pentad as the basis for analysis and following the stream of research indicated above, the anticipated findings are likely to reinforce the assertion that the American media indeed uses flawed agents (individuals with mental illness) to form the basis for justifying the constant occurrence of national tragedies such as the one that happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Such a finding will be instrumental in assisting the researcher to look for gaps in the various gun laws and policies which undoubtedly allow flawed agents to gain access to automatic weapons. Additionally, the analysis and findings will assist the researcher to delineate the reasons as to why American media is increasingly shifting blame from the failure of specific social systems to the debilitating mental effects of the shooter as a single entity. Limitations The expected results are likely to be limited by (1) complexity of analysis using Burke’s theory of dramatistic pentad as the two components (agent and scene) may overlap or be applied to another part, (2) difficulties in generalizing findings due to lack of scientific rigor, (3) potential for the researcher to fail to exercise objectivity in examining various discourses with the view to understanding how they function to influence an audience, and (4) difficulties in establishing the correct ratios within the context of the relationships formed between the components of the pentad (Blakeslay, 2009; Smith, 2009). Overall, the anticipated conclusions of the proposed project will not be lacking as the researcher will take all the necessary steps to ensure reliability and validity of findings. Such steps include (1) familiarization with the Burke’s theory of dramastitic pentad, (2) reference to other research studies that use similar methodology and approach, (3) ensuring representativeness of the artifact set, and (4) ensuring adequate knowledge of, and familiarity with, Burke’s dramatistic tools and cluster analysis techniques. It is the conviction of the researcher that the conclusions of the proposed project will provide important insights on how local and national newspapers and media outlets cover shooting incidents and if such coverage is to blame for reinforcing the flawed agent perspective at the expense of restructuring gun laws to ensure that individuals with mental illness do not have access to weapons. Using the contextual framework of the Sandy Hook shootings, it is also the conviction of the researcher that the conclusions of this project will provide important insights on whether the American media use the mental illness concept to hide the realities on why national tragedies keep on occurring. The findings of this study will go a long way in informing policy directions on mental health issues, American gun laws, mass school shootings, as well as media reporting of violent crimes in the United States. References Barron, J. (2012). Nation reels after gunman massacres 20 children at school in Connecticut . New York Times . Web. Blakeslay, D. (2001). The elements of dramatism . Harlow: Longman. Chaney, C., & Robertson, R. V. (2013). Media reporting of the Sandy Hook elementary school angels. Journal of Pan African Studies, 5 (6), 74-114. Demikiw, J. J. (2010). Taking rhetoric to work: A dramatistic analysis of organizational leadership in the office (Master’s thesis, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon). Web. Folkenflik, D. (2012). Coverage rapid, and often wrong, in tragedy’s early hours . Web. McGinty, E. E., Webster, D. W., Jarlenski, M., & Barry, C. L. (2014). News media framing of serious mental illness and gun violence in the United States, 1997-2012. American Journal of Public Health, 104 (3), 406-413. Rosenberg, J. (2014). Mass shootings and mental health policy. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 41 (1), 107-121. Ruggles, K. V., & Rajan, S. (2014). Gun possession among American youth: A Discovery-based approach to understand gun violence. PLoS ONE, 9 (11), 1-12. Scheuler, S. (2014). Primary and secondary sources in history: A primer for undergraduates, challenges for librarians. Reference Librarian, 55 (2), 163-167. Semeiks, J. G. (2013). We the paper confront Sandy Hook. Confrontation, 113, 11-17. Smith, C. R. (2009). Rhetoric and human consciousness: A history (3rd ed.). Long Grove, I. L.: Waveland Press. Stewart, D. W., & Kamins, M. A. (1993). Evaluating secondary sources. In D. W. Stewart & M. A. Kamins (Eds.), Secondary research (pp. 17-33). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Ltd. Zafis, N. S. (2013). The deadliest school shooting in American History: A dramatistic analysis of the Virginia Tech massacre . Web.
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Write an essay about: A cup of Joe business idea is a brilliant idea and implies the growing demand for coffee in the United States. Although the business name is appealing and implies a sense of creativity, the retail business is influenced by other critical factors.
A cup of Joe business idea is a brilliant idea and implies the growing demand for coffee in the United States. Although the business name is appealing and implies a sense of creativity, the retail business is influenced by other critical factors.
A New “Joe” On the Block Case Study Table of Contents 1. Background 2. Introduction 3. Objectives 4. Analysis 5. Conclusion 6. Recommendation 7. Works Cited Background A coffee shop in the United States is a considered a competitive and lucrative retail business. The most dominant coffee shops in the United States include Starbucks, McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts and Burger King (Smith 142). In addition, the retail industry has many local competitors that are located in almost every city and town. Consumers’ preferences on coffee are based on taste, price and experience (Tucker 19). Joe needs to conduct a thorough research on coffee shop business. Introduction A Cup of Joe business idea is a brilliant idea and implies the growing demand for coffee in the United States. Although the business name is appealing and implies a sense of creativity, the retail business is influenced by other critical factors. Among the most notable factors in the industry include taste, customer experience and market research. Joe has to make a critical decision in regard to the new market research. In this context, Joe must consider three factors that include assessing the reliance of the previous research, requirements of a primary research and reliability of both secondary and primary research methods. Objectives The objective of the Joe’s research is to achieve relevant deliverables that are key to success of the business. The objectives include: * Ascertain the appropriate business location. * Establish the correct preferences for coffee as mentioned by the customers. * Determine factors that influence the success of a coffee shop. * Determine the appropriate price and quality of the coffee product. Analysis From the primary research, several issues emerged in regard to the reliance of the study. For example, Starbucks emerged as the most preferred business entity by the customers. From the sample 100 customers, Starbucks emerged as a huge enterprise and can provide quality coffee. Perhaps, this explains why the price of Starbucks’s coffee is slightly high compared to McDonald’s, Burger King and Dunkin Donuts. From the research findings, the study on the coffee taste did not include any data to reveal how the variable was measured. Perhaps, a measurement scale on taste should be used to cover the flaw of the study. The flaws of the studies imply that Joe did not follow the required stages of a marketing research process. However, the initial marketing research was qualitative in nature since it was based on secondary resources. Apparently, the researcher relied on internet information and magazines. The qualitative marketing research stage is important for gathering the general view about the market, competitors, products and prices. On the other hand, Joe’s proposal to conduct primary research shows the importance of using quantitative marketing research. Quantitative marketing research is conducted by sampling customers who prefer coffee. In this context, recording customer’s preferences and taste on product, as well as, price are a part of quantitative marketing research. Apparently, a quantitative marketing research is effective in determining the reliability of the available market information. Conclusion The preferences of the American consumer are not the same across the country. Across the states, consumers prefer locally-owned coffee shops that understand the social-economic setting of the region. On the other hand, large-scale coffee shop retailers such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts and The Burger King are preferred in large cities where many of the customers are middle-income earners. Recommendation Joe can hire a consultant to conduct the research. A consultant has the adequate resources and competency to conduct an in-depth research. In addition, Joe’s decision to start the business will be based on the consultant’s ability to outline three deliverables that include size of the market, popularity of coffee shops and types of coffee (Tucker 4). Works Cited Smith, F. Andrew. Fast food and junk food: An encyclopedia of what we love to eat . Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2011. Print. Tucker, M. Catherine. Coffee culture: Local experiences, global connections . New York: Routledge, 2011. Print.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The essay discusses a new organic chocolate bar that has been introduced to the market. The bar is called the Countline Healthy Chocolate Bars, and it contains a unique blend of ingredients that make it a healthy alternative to traditional chocolate bars. The essay goes on to discuss the situation environmental factors that would influence the success of this product, such as the demand trends in the chocolate industry and the social and cultural environment of the United Arab Emirates. The economic environment and trends of the country are also discussed, as well as the technological environment and trends.
The essay discusses a new organic chocolate bar that has been introduced to the market. The bar is called the Countline Healthy Chocolate Bars, and it contains a unique blend of ingredients that make it a healthy alternative to traditional chocolate bars. The essay goes on to discuss the situation environmental factors that would influence the success of this product, such as the demand trends in the chocolate industry and the social and cultural environment of the United Arab Emirates. The economic environment and trends of the country are also discussed, as well as the technological environment and trends.
A New Organic Chocolate in the Market Analytical Essay Situational Environment Demand/Demand Trends-Industry Trends Euromonitor (2012) reported that Mars was the market leader in 2010 by holding 47% market share and Snickers, Galaxy, Nestlé and other international companies captured additional 30% share in the UAE; however, local companies concentrate on product diversification to increase market demand by changing customer perception; thus, the market growth has increased significantly. Social and Cultural Environment Trends The culture and society of UAE presents a unique set of values and beliefs that are characterised by most of the countries of the Middle East. As an Islamic country, the values and cultures of the UAE are governed by the Islamic regulations, and so the people of the country want to eat Halal foods only. The population of the country comprises of different nationals and ethnic groups where the actual Arabic language are used besides of English (which is popular language in business and other areas of communication). In case of the Countline Healthy Chocolate Bars, socio-cultural factors would have a great influence on the business, and the marketer would make sure that the contents of the product do not contain anything that are contrary with the Islamic values. Economic Environment and Trends Indexmundi (2012) reported that the UAE has an open economy along with economic diversification, which helps to develop the country than any other GCC member states. The economic growth based on many sectors including oil; however, the GDP of the country is $ 342.0 billion and per capita GDP estimated as $ 63,626, and the GDP growth is 5.2%, which demonstrates the current financial progress of the UAE (Indexmundi 2012); at the same time, the economy remained unchanged at the time of global financial crisis. However, the central bank has designed fiscal policy to provide a sustainable way for exempting the negative influence of recession; therefore, the following figure shows more information – Figure 1: Summary of economic status of UAE before, during, and after global recession Source: self-generated from UAE Economy Profile Economic environment is preferable to the foreign investors as the UAE has Efficient, Effective, and Globally Integrated trade Environment as a member of WTO; thus, the market of chocolate industry is too competitive due to have many competitors in this sector. Technological Environment and Trends The technological advancement of UAE is not less the advancement of the western countries, such as, the UK and the US; in addition, the use of Information technology brings huge economic success for this country particularly in Dubai where most of the business transaction takes place; moreover, foreign investors are now more confident to start business here considering excellent progression. At the same time, technological invention will play a crucial role to develop strong supply chain manage system, promote new items, and expand business operation by preserving and producing the organic chocolate bars; however, the marketers of this will concentrate on e0commerce system in order to target customers in the global market particularly GCC countries. Demographic Environment and Trends Total population of the UAE in 2012 is more than 5,314,317 (annual growth rate 3.05%); however, 80% people among the total population comes from foreign countries particularly from third world nation to change their financial position and only 20% people are local citizens; however, the following tables give more information in this regard – Percentage Age (Year) 20.4% 0 to 14 78.7% 15 to 64 0.9% 65 and older Most of the people of the country are Muslim and the national religions of the country are Islam and the ethnicity of the UAE includes the Arabian, South Asian and some parts are European and American Figure 2: Age groups and Ethnic Group Source: self generated from Indexmundi (2012) However, the marketers of this company will target people of different culture along with children and teenagers; they will more concentrate on Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah market because 84% of total population lives in these three Emirates (CIL, 2012 and Indexmundi, 2012). Political and Legal Environment and Trends Tarbuck & Lester (2009) stated that the UAE has twofold legal framework (local and the federal judiciary); however, as a major Muslim country in the world, Islamic Shari’a law is the main source of legislation though civil law principles are using to mitigate or resolve the disputes; no foreign lawyer or firm permitted in the court. Therefore, the legal system of UAE comparatively harder to follow, but the policy makers have taken many initiatives like developed Dubai as a free trade zone due to have port with other facilities; however, first apply federal laws, for instance, the Companies Law, or the Civil Code (Tarbuck & Lester, 2009, p.5). Moreover, the UAE is a suitable place for the business owner because there is no political clash and have a stable political system; in addition, the Emirates cooperate with each other to develop the country, which help the government to enact laws for the development of the trade and commerce, such as, regulations to control non-free zones (Tarbuck & Lester, 2009). On the other hand, certainty of leadership, relationship with foreign countries, principles of good corporate governance, transparency, anti-money laundering, and flexible taxation policies provide investors a significant when deciding to invest or carry on business (Tarbuck & Lester, 2009, p.9). Competitive Environment Existing Products Currently Satisfy the Same Need as Its Product There are many national and international chocolate manufacturing companies in the UAE, but they are not concentrating on the organic chocolate bars, which indicate little pressure from competitors; therefore, Countline Healthy Chocolate Bars would be unique products in this market, for instance, Mars, Nestle, and Twix brands occupied large market share in UAE, but they are not trying organic product. Competitive Evaluation Including Strengths and Weaknesses Strengths * Customer perception is changing over time; * Countline Healthy Chocolate Bars would experience huge success due to lack of competitors in this sector; * Efficient employees, promotional plan, strategy of the company, production costs, supply chain management; * More than 75% People of the UAE like chocolate bars (Euromonitor, 2012). Weaknesses * Euromonitor (2012) reported that sugar and cocoa prices continued to boost in 2011, but the government had not taken any measure in this regard; * Manufacturers reduce the weight of the products and sell chocolate within existing price; * Customers of the UAE historically not craze to purchase chocolate, so the spend less for this product; * Manufactures like to spend little for the promotional activities though the government provides incentive in some extent. Evaluation and Detailed Assessment of Marketing Mix Strategy Product The marketer of the new organic chocolate will focus on creating a product with unique taste and flavour; in addition, the marketer will try to bring out a new demand for organic chocolates among the customers of the United Arab Emirates so that the children of this region could have better health even after ingesting excessive amounts of chocolate products. As a result, the marketer feels it necessary to promote a range of healthy ingredients through the Countline Healthy Chocolate Bars, which, for example, would include some essential substances for human health, such as antioxidants, chromium (to control blood sugar), magnesium, theobromine (to kindle the central nervous system and appetite), tryptophan, caffeine, and flavanols (a unique blend of phytonutrients). Countline Healthy Chocolate Bars would be tremendously nutritious; it would be a snack to generate the ideal infiltrator and would be the best chocolate ever; moreover, people in all places would have excellent benefits from the product; on the other hand, the organic chocolate would not harm the environment by any means during the entire production process. The new product would contain as much antioxidant contents as a glass of red wine and would be free from chemical herbicides, fertilizers, or pesticides; however, it is notable that the phenols in the product will develop the immune system, lessen the risk of cancer, and endorse heart-health as well as promoting overall energy levels. Price The marketer of the new organic chocolate will set a general pricing structure based on a series of price levels for different pack sizes, which would characterise flexible and reasonable pricing based on features, customer demands, and so on. As the business would focus on making loyal customers, it would offer the product at comparatively reasonable prices in order to ensure that the customers sustain with the brand even though there are other substitutes offered by established competitors. However, low pricing strategy would be undertaken because of a number of factors, which, for example, include the following: 1. After the economic downturn, the purchasing power of the customers had reduced, which is still at recovering stage. 2. There are some established businesses, which offer similar or identical products. 3. The marketer of the new organic chocolate wishes to be the cost leader in the industry in order to gain competitive advantage. 4. It will purchase machines for the production process from the local market to reduce initial costs. Promotion The new organic chocolate should build strong brand image; therefore, it is important to point out its strengths through advertisements, which would assist the business to persuade the customers; in the content of the promotions, it would highlight the positive effects and emphasis on the importance of the chocolate in public health and environment. It would use print media (like newspapers and magazines), radio campaigns, online IMC, outdoor IMC, and special campaigns through the social networking sites like twitter, Hi5, and facebook for advertisements; however, it will not be feasible for the business to promote itself through TV, as it would require huge investment. Distribution The organic chocolate would be distributed to various retail stores all around the UAE to make the product easily available to the end consumers. The distribution channel should be designed to make sure that the products are into shelves of the stores at regular intervals. Reference List CIL. 2012. United Arab Emirates Population . Web. Euromonitor. 2012. Chocolate Confectionery in the United Arab Emirates . Web. Indexmundi. 2012. Country Profile of the UAE . Web. Indexmundi. 2012. United Arab Emirates Population . Web. Tarbuck, A. & Lester, C. 2009. Dubai’s Legal System: Creating a Legal and Regulatory Framework for a Modern Society . Web.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: Eastman Kodak has faced numerous challenges in the market that almost saw it exit out of an industry it once dominated. The firm's key objectives have been geared towards reclaiming the lost glory. The following are some of the specific objectives of the Eastman Kodak that defines its operational strategies in the current market.To use the recent technological invention in order to boost its operational strategies in the local and international markets.To align its financial strategies in order to reflect the current
Eastman Kodak has faced numerous challenges in the market that almost saw it exit out of an industry it once dominated. The firm's key objectives have been geared towards reclaiming the lost glory. The following are some of the specific objectives of the Eastman Kodak that defines its operational strategies in the current market. To use the recent technological invention in order to boost its operational strategies in the local and international markets. To align its financial strategies in order to reflect the current
A New Strategy for Kodak Essay Table of Contents 1. Kodak’s Horizontal and Vertical Integration Strategy 2. Pursuing a Multi-business Model Based on Diversification 3. Implementation Strategy for Eastman Kodak 4. Ethical Business Behaviors 5. References Eastman Kodak has faced numerous challenges in the market that almost saw it exit out of an industry it once dominated. Kodak was the leading player in the industry before it was upset from the position by Fujifilm. According to Sadler and Craig (2003), “As late as 1976, Kodak commanded 90% of film sales and 85% of camera sales in the United States and in the Global Market.” however, this started changing in the 1980s and 1990s when the firm was overtaken by Fujifilm due to its inability to embrace the emerging technologies. The firm’s key objectives have been geared towards reclaiming the lost glory. The following are some of the specific objectives of the Eastman Kodak that defines its operational strategies in the current market. * To use the recent technological invention in order to boost its operational strategies in the local and international markets. * To align its financial strategies in order to reflect the current focus of the firm in research and development. * To boost the financial resources of this firm through effective marketing strategies of the existing products of this firm. * To source for highly qualified human resource that will be able to participate in the firm’s revolutionary strategies towards embracing technology. * To encourage human resource to use their knowledge, skills, and talents in order to enhance innovation at this firm. The management of this firm has come to realize the importance of diversification and embracing the emerging technologies. It has shown strong interests in the cloud service industry. Each of the above objectives plays an important role in ensuring that the firm is successful in cloud computing industry. Using the recent technologies to enhance its operation is the first step of being successful in the cloud industry. The objectives of investing more resources on research will enable this firm understand some of the fundamental aspects of the cloud service industry. It will also be important for the firm to strengthen its financial resources in order to meet its financial costs as it makes an entry into a new market. Having a highly qualified staff will enable the management to come up with products that will meet the needs of its customers in this new market. Motivating the employees to be innovative will be important in coming up with new superior products in the market. If realized, these objectives will ensure that Eastman Kodak remains successful in the market. Kodak’s Horizontal and Vertical Integration Strategy In order to succeed in the cloud service industry, the management of Kodak must come up with effective strategies that will be able to address the problem of market competition. Both horizontal and vertical integration strategies may be appropriate in managing the market competition in order to achieve success. In its horizontal integration strategy, Kodak will need to identify some of the leading competitors in this market. In order to manage the negative effects of market competition, sometimes it may be good for the competitors to form an alliance in order to face the challenges as a single stronger unit. The management will need to team up with a selected number of competitors in the market. The choice of the partners should be made wisely. The partners must have qualities that Kodak lacks in order to make the union successful. Each of the partners will need to offer something that is unique and desirable in order to make the partnership more successful. The management of Eastman Kodak may also consider a vertical strategy that integrates the firms in the supply chain. According to Hill and Jones (2013), this strategy is always necessary in eliminating the middlemen who may try to exploit the firm when supplying raw materials or buying the products of the firm. The strategy will help Kodak to minimize the power of the suppliers and buyers by having the control of the entire supply chain. This will enhance chances of its success in the new industry. Pursuing a Multi-business Model Based on Diversification The decision of Eastman Kodak to diversify its product delivery through a multi-business model is a clear indication of the firm’s strategy to increase its profitability in the market. The firm is keen on ensuring that it achieves success in the market in order to recover from the challenges it faced from the late 1990s to 2012. The following are some of the ways through which Kodak will increase its profitability using this multi-business model. * The model increases the amount of products that Kodak avails to the market. The increased products will increase its sales, which in turn, would lead to increased profitability. * The multi-business model will help Kodak expand its market share both locally and internationally. The market share taken by the competitors in one industry is compensated by the profits made in the other industries. * This model helps the firm to reduce the power of its competitors. The profits earned from one industry can be used to expand the operations of the struggling industry. This would help in boosting the overall success of the firm. * According to Amit and Zott (2012), multi-business model is always important in spreading the risks within a firm. When one industry is affected by the external forces which are beyond the capacity of the firm, success in the operations of the firm in other industries can be used to compensate the losses. * This model also expands the knowledge and experience of the firm on how to deal with the market forces. The knowledge learned from one industry can be used to boost the operations of the other industries. This would increase the profitability of the firm. It would be important to identify cases where firms have used this model in the past successfully. A good example is the General Electric, a leading electrical firm in the world. The firm co-owns NBC Universal in the communication industry. The firm has also invested into the financial industry with a massive success. Another example is Samsung. The firm has diversified its products, and is currently making a move towards the cloud computing industry that is dominated by Apple Inc. Implementation Strategy for Eastman Kodak At this stage, it is important to suggest a strategy that Eastman Kodak can use to implement its strategy to operate in the cloud computing industry. The firm should consider acquisitions in order to expand its strength in the market. By acquiring some of the successful upcoming firms in this industry, the firm will be spared on the cost of starting from a scratch in this competitive industry (Coulson, 2013). The strategy will not interfere with Kodak’s current organizational design because it will have a full control of the new unit. It is also a fact that this approach will give Kodak full control of the strategic systems. The management will also define the structure of the acquired firm. It is always recommended to allow the new firm to operate independently without interference, but with some guidance from the parent firm. This approach will also be important in protecting the type of the organizational culture practiced at this firm (Kashmanian, Wells & Keenan, 2011). The new firm will be allowed to operate in a manner that would yield the best success, and for this reason, none of the two firms will need to adjust its organizational culture in a way that may upset their operations. Ethical Business Behaviors The vertical integration strategy mentioned in section two of this report will help this firm to maintain ethical behavior in the market. The strategy will give Kodak control over the entire supply chain, eliminating the temptations to bribe some of the parties in the chain to get their favor. Acquisition strategy suggested in the section above will also promote ethics in the firm. It eliminates cases of internal rivalry or intimidations which is always common in cases of joint ventures (Mellat-Parast, 2013). Corporate social responsibility is important in endearing a firm to the public. It is one of the best ways of marketing which makes the customers realize how the firm cares for them. This strategy helps in promoting the popularity of a firm’s products in the market. Environmental sustainability activities and ethical practices are parts of corporate social responsibility that help in the promotion of a firm’s brand and products in the market. References Amit, R., & Zott, C. (2012). Creating value through business model innovation. MIT Sloan Management Review, 53 (3), 41-49. Coulson, C. (2013). Implementing strategies and policies. Strategic Direction, 29 (3), 33-35. Hill, C., & Jones, G. R. (2013). Strategic management: An integrated approach . Independence: Cengage. Kashmanian, R. M., Wells, R. P., & Keenan, C. (2011). Corporate environmental sustainability strategy. The Journal of Corporate Citizenship, 44 (1), 107-130. Mellat-Parast, M. (2013). Supply chain quality management: An inter-organizational learning perspective”. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 30 (5), 511-529. Sadler, P., & Craig, J. C. (2003). Strategic management . London: Kogan Page.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: Child abuse is a social problem that affects millions of families. This paper discusses the true nature of the effects of child abuse and neglect in a society.
Child abuse is a social problem that affects millions of families. This paper discusses the true nature of the effects of child abuse and neglect in a society.
A True Nature of the Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect in a Society Research Paper Discussion on the Assignment Additional Page The solutions to the problems defined in the project have to be properly organized and based on credible information and the results of the observations. Child abuse is the concept that touches upon millions of families (Cloitre, Cohen, & Koenen, 2011). Some children face sexual abuse problems, many children have psychological problems because of parental neglect, and there are also the children, who have the problems based on physical abuse (Lemoncelli, 2012). The outcomes of child abuse usually depend on a variety of factors like the age of a child, the type of relation between a child and a perpetrator, and, of course, the type of maltreatment (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2013). This is why the chosen problem, a variety of child abuse effects, seems to be the most crucial in the project. In general, the evaluation of the behavior of the children suffered from abuse and their parental neglect shows that the effects may be long-term and short-term (Sousa, Herrenkohl, Moylan, Tajima, Klika, Herrenkohl, & Russo, 2011). Parents are not always able to understand how dangerous their maltreatment can be in regards to the future of their children. Parents cannot ask for professional help as they are afraid of some criminal consequences, this is why the outcomes of their inabilities lead to a considerable rising of the financial costs of child abuse (Fang, Brown, Florence, & Mercy, 2012). Professional help and therapy are obligatory for children, who become the victims of maltreatment and abuse within a short period of time. Unfortunately, the investigations prove that the effects of child abuse appear with time and have to be treated on a special level (Cloitre, Cohen, & Koenen, 2011). Problem Solution The existing variety of the effects and the inabilities to identify them properly and in time is the problem that has to be solved during current research on the child abuse effects and the reasons of parental neglect. There are several ideas of how the chosen problem should be evaluated, and several methods that can be used to solve the problem that may be implemented with the already known investigations (Fang et al., 2012; Moylan et al., 2010). As it has been already stated, the effects of child abuse and parental neglect is a social issue, this is why it has to be solved within a particular society. The problem solution process should begin with an identification of a community within the frames of which it is possible to organize a project. It is necessary to prove that child abuse is a vital problem, and the question of parental neglect and maltreatment is open and needs more answers and explanations. It is not enough to use the already known statistics and base the project on the fact that more than half a million American children are the victims of their parents’ maltreatment (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). The up-to-date material may be based on the real-life examples and evidence. The solution of the problem under consideration should be based on the following steps: * The identification of the reasons of child abuse and parental neglect; * The classification of the child abuse effects and their possible extend; * The preventive methods that can be used for each type of abuse; * The description of a diagnosis and the identification of treatment for children, who suffer from abuse; * The ideas of how to involve more people to protect children, who are not able to cope with the challenges of abuse and neglect. Social Implications Social implications of the chosen problem are crucial indeed. First, the project serves as a powerful proof that child abuse is a problem for discussion. Second, it should be proved that a society, as a whole, is the body that takes responsibility for its children. If children suffer from the inabilities to overcome abuse and neglect, the society should think about the most effective methods to improve the situation. Finally, the development of special programs and the creation of special organizations directed to the treatment of abused children should be promoted. For example, there is the National Child Traumatic Stress Network that aims at identifying the standards of care for abused children (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2013). There are also many organizations that use hypnosis with children survived traumas because of their parents’ maltreatment (Degun-Mather, 2006). All these methods are effective and help to define the nature of child abuse (Iwaniec, 2006), but they have less in common with the necessity to prevent the cases of child abuse and improve parent-children relations. The current project should help to define the effects of child abuse and think about the prevention of maltreatment taking into consideration the evaluation of child’s condition, health, and the effects of abuse. Fang et al. (2012) identify short-term and long-term health care costs, Sousa et al. (2011) work with the social problems, and Moylan et al. (2010) focus on the problems with behavior. Each investigation is a specific answer to the question why child abuse should be prevented. However, the researchers do not give suggestions but state the facts. These are the main limitations of such projects, and social implications of the project under analysis teach that it is possible to change the situation in case certain measurements to be taken. Capstone Reflection The problems people face during their childhood are characterized by a number of considerable marks. Children cannot even guess that parental neglect may define their future qualities and abilities. Some children cannot even recognize a case of child abuse and do not find it necessary to address some experts for help (Stalker & McArthur, 2012). The identification of such problems and inabilities serve as the basis for the project about child abuse and its effects. Children may suffer from emotional, physical, sexual, and other types of abuse (Cloitre, 2011), and each type of abuse has its own effects on a child. This is why it is not only necessary but crucially important to know how to help children, who survived abuse, and treat them properly in regards to the effects of child abuse (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2013). The capstone project under analysis is an opportunity to understand better parents and their decisions to treat their children poorly, learn the effects that can be observed after the cases of child abuse, and know how to prevent maltreatment if it is possible. The projects by Degun-Mather (2006) about the benefits of hypnosis, Fang et al. (2012) about the economic challenges caused by child abuse, and Moylan et al. (2010) about the peculiarities of domestic violence explain how it is better to identify the effects of child abuse and the possible impact of society on children and their parents. Reference List Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Child Maltreatment: Consequences. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2013). Long-term consequences of child abuse and neglect. Web. Cloitre, M., Cohen, L.R., & Koenen, K.C. (2011). Treating survivors of childhood abuse: Psychotherapy for the interrupted life. New York, NY: Guilford Press. Degun-Mather, M. (2006). Hypnosis, dissociation and survivors of child abuse: Understanding and treatment. West Sussex, England: John Wiley & Sons. Fang, X., Brown, D.S., Florence, C.S., & Mercy, J.A. (2012). The economic burden of child maltreatment in the United States and implications for prevention . Child Abuse & Neglect, 36 (2), 156-165. Gloud, F., Clarke, J., Heim, C., Harvey, P.D., Majer, M., & Nemeroff, C.B. (2012). The effects of child abuse and neglect on cognitive functioning in adulthood. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 46 (4), 500-506. Iwaniec, D. (2006). The emotionally abused and neglected child: Identification, assessment and intervention. West Sussex, England: John Wiley & Sons. Lemoncelli, J.J. (2012). Healing from childhood abuse: Understanding the effects, taking control to recover. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. Moylan, C.A., Herrenkohl, T.I., Sousa, C., Tajima, E.A., Herrenkohl, R.C., & Russo, M.J. (2010). The effects of child abuse and exposure to domestic violence on adolescent internalising and externalising behaviour problems. Journal of Family Violence, 25 (1), 53-63. Sousa, C., Herrenkohl, T.I., Moylan, C.A., Tajima, E.A., Klika, J.B., Herrenkohl, R.C., & Russo,. M.J. (2011). Longitudinal study on the effects of child abuse and children’s exposure to domestic violence, parent-child attachments, and antisocial behavior in adolescence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26 (1), 111-136. Stalker, K & McArthur, K. (2012). Child abuse, child protection and disabled children: A review of recent research. Child Abuse Review, 21 (1), 24-40.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The essay discusses the effects of child abuse and how it can lead to a variety of problems for the victims. It also talks about how the issue of child abuse is often neglected and how it can have a negative impact on society as a whole.
The essay discusses the effects of child abuse and how it can lead to a variety of problems for the victims. It also talks about how the issue of child abuse is often neglected and how it can have a negative impact on society as a whole.
A True Nature of the Effects of Child Abuse Coursework Critical Analysis Assignment People can hardly guess how many long- and short-term effects of child abuse and parental neglect exist, and their nature is quite different. Maltreatment of children may lead to a variety of problems from anxiety, smoking, or drug use to improper brain or language development or cancer risks (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). The current development of the chosen problem is serious evidence that people do not pay enough attention to the questions of child abuse and face many challenges overcoming the challenges caused by parental neglect. This is why the development of long-term and short-term child abuse effects, including physical, psychological, cognitive, and economic problems continues bothering a variety of people around the whole globe and the American citizens in particular. The main causes of the problem under consideration are the already existing variety of child abuse effects and the inabilities to offer the appropriate solutions in time or even beforehand. A society is in need of powerful and effective research that can prove the necessity to introduce the issue of child abuse and its effects as a leading problem the solution of which requires the involvements of people from different spheres of life. The effects of the problem touch upon many people including not only children, who suffer from maltreatment, and parents, who demonstrate their neglect, but also medical workers, who have to solve the problems in cognitive, physical, etc. development, caregivers, who aim at providing children with the required portion of knowledge about the world and life in it, and other people around, who have to cooperate with abused children in a future. Discussion on the Assignment One of the causes of the problem is the already existed variety of long- and short-term child abuse effects (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2013). This issue affects a number of people from different spheres of life and puts the necessity to treat the survivors of child maltreatment on the first place (Cloitre, Cohen, & Koenen, 2011). Due to the fact that human development has to be regarded in terms of the socialization task accomplishment (Iwaniec, 2006), a society, as a whole, should be involved in the solution of the child abuse effects problem. The identification of the effects of child abuse depends on such factors like the abuse circumstances (Lemoncelli, 2012), personal characteristics of a child (Stalker & McArthur, 2012), and even the environment where a child has to live, develop, and communicate (Moylan, Herrenkohl, Sousa, Tajima, Herrenkohl, & Russo, 2010). The analysis of the chosen problem shows that even the experts face some problems connecting the factors of child abuse, evaluating its effects, and offering appropriate solutions. Though it is not an easy task to realize that child abuse influences the development of a society, it remains to be hard to comprehend how to overcome the problem and succeeding in treating abused children. As a result of the above-mentioned inabilities, the list of people, who may suffer from the unique and combined effects of child maltreatment (Sousa, Herrenkohl, Moylan, Tajima, Klika, Herrenkohl, & Russo, 2011), becomes longer. Fang, Brown, Florence, & Mercy (2012) explain that the existence of the productivity, child welfare, criminal justice, and education costs involve many people at the same time. Child abuse traumas may occur throughout the lifespan, and it is impossible to predict its exact time (Gloud, Clarke, Heim, Harvey, Majer, & Nemeroff, 2012), this is why it is better to focus on their solutions than on their analysis. Reference List Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Child Maltreatment: Consequences. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2013). Long-term consequences of child abuse and neglect. Web. Cloitre, M., Cohen, L.R., & Koenen, K.C. (2011). Treating survivors of childhood abuse: Psychotherapy for the interrupted life. New York, NY: Guilford Press. Fang, X., Brown, D.S., Florence, C.S., & Mercy, J.A. (2012). The economic burden of child maltreatment in the United States and implications for prevention . Child Abuse & Neglect, 36 (2), 156-165. Gloud, F., Clarke, J., Heim, C., Harvey, P.D., Majer, M., & Nemeroff, C.B. (2012). The effects of child abuse and neglect on cognitive functioning in adulthood. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 46 (4), 500-506. Iwaniec, D. (2006). The emotionally abused and neglected child: Identification, assessment and intervention. West Sussex, England: John Wiley & Sons. Lemoncelli, J.J. (2012). Healing from childhood abuse: Understanding the effects, taking control to recover. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. Moylan, C.A., Herrenkohl, T.I., Sousa, C., Tajima, E.A., Herrenkohl, R.C., & Russo, M.J. (2010). The effects of child abuse and exposure to domestic violence on adolescent internalising and externalising behaviour problems. Journal of Family Violence, 25 (1), 53-63. Sousa, C., Herrenkohl, T.I., Moylan, C.A., Tajima, E.A., Klika, J.B., Herrenkohl, R.C., & Russo,. M.J. (2011). Longitudinal study on the effects of child abuse and children’s exposure to domestic violence, parent-child attachments, and antisocial behavior in adolescence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26 (1), 111-136. Stalker, K & McArthur, K. (2012). Child abuse, child protection and disabled children: A review of recent research. Child Abuse Review, 21 (1), 24-40.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: Action research is a form of professional development that focuses on methods applied by teachers in efforts to improve learning. It is done through collaboration with the community, teachers, and students. Limitations of Action ResearchDespite the various benefits of action research, there are some limitations. For instance, action research can be time-consuming, especially when it involves data collection and analysis. This can lead to a decline in the academic performance of students.In addition, action research can be expensive
Action research is a form of professional development that focuses on methods applied by teachers in efforts to improve learning. It is done through collaboration with the community, teachers, and students. Limitations of Action Research Despite the various benefits of action research, there are some limitations. For instance, action research can be time-consuming, especially when it involves data collection and analysis. This can lead to a decline in the academic performance of students. In addition, action research can be expensive
Benefits of Action Research in Education In the course of their occupation, teachers will carry out studies to improve their methods. There are many advantages of action research. The following essay examines them in detail. Table of Contents 1. Introduction to Action Research 2. Benefits of Action Research 3. Limitations of Action Research 4. Advantages of Classroom Research 5. Three Action Research Questions 6. Action Research Benefits: A Case Study 7. Conclusion 8. References Introduction to Action Research Action research is an additional form of professional development that focuses on methods applied by teachers in efforts to improve learning. It is done through collaboration with the community, teachers, and students. In involves classroom-based inquiries on various topics relevant to the stakeholders. Through action research, teachers are allowed to make decisions for the good of all students. Research findings have it that teachers are affected by research carried on them by other people. It affects their morale, leading to a decline in the academic performance of students. It is also noted that giving students too much power leaves most teachers with little or no control over classroom activities. The development is harmful as it negatively affects the performance of the students. Giving teachers the power to design and implement their research work improves the overall performance of the students (Ros & Meyer, 2002). The current essay revolves around action research in the school setting. The author will highlight some of the benefits of action research, in addition to the barriers encountered in implementing the strategy. The author will also pose various questions with regard to action research. Benefits of Action Research Action research is beneficial to both students and teachers. The various benefits of this phenomenon include professional development. Such a development results from collaborative action work. Action research also improves the culture adopted in the school. To this end, different research methodologies are applied to bring about change and development in education. Engagement in the classroom improves personal and professional values of the teachers, including their self esteem, self-efficacy, and collegiality. Another advantage of action research is empowerment of teachers. In this case, teachers are given the power to make and implement their decisions. The powers to conduct classroom inquiries and those concerned with day-to-day running of the school are vested on the teachers. The empowerment improves their working knowledge and status, which are essential to the success of the students. The teachers plan, organize, and nurture relationships in the school. The teachers improve their professionalism by engaging in curriculum conversations (Ros & Meyer, 2002). Action research fosters development of skills pertaining to critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and ethical decision making. Teachers are required to adopt teaching practices that are beneficial to their students. The teachers hypothesize and test the practices they think are best suited to the career needs of their students. Action research enhances the status of the teachers through collective participation. Teachers who participate in action research and who share their findings with stakeholders are respected. The expertise gained from research turns teachers into advocates for those practices that can improve and promote students’ learning. Their discoveries are adopted by other teachers to improve learning. By sharing new ideas, teachers learn from each other. They become more connected and broaden their perspective. Teachers become more involved in issues affecting their school and students. They begin to view themselves as responsible leaders with a voice and duty of contributing to school matters. Action research promotes the development of a community of learners. It enhances the development of educational leaders and top-notch researchers. The entire community benefits from these leaders since they learn from each other (Ros & Meyer, 2002). Limitations of Action Research Action research has numerous barriers. The barriers hinder data collection, participation, and analysis of findings. It increases anxiety among teachers. Many teachers are intimidated by the language and unethical ways of thinking used by researchers. Teachers may be isolated by researchers since they perceive them as critical thinkers and analyzers of essential facts. The differential status adopted by some researchers also limits action research. Many teachers perceive this aspect as a tool tailored to ridicule their activities. Lack of ownership is another setback in action research. Students review only those articles that serve their own interests. They fail to review articles of less interest, hindering action research. There are also institutional issues that negatively affect action research. Action research is perceived as an asset for opening up the school activities to the outsiders. Based on the sensitivity of the research, administrators paralyze any activity that can open their administration to criticism (Shuiman, 2005). Advantages of Classroom-Based Inquiries Conducting classroom-based inquiries facilitates improvement through change. Participation in classroom inquiries generates commitment. The increased commitment is vital in improving students’ achievement. Classroom inquiry also develops teachers’ professional experiences, allowing them to take responsibility for their growth (Lang, 2004). Three Action Research Questions Questions for teachers engaged in action research originate from their classrooms. They come as a result of uncertainties, conflict of ideas, and the desire to learn. Teachers use a variety of research questions to investigate the use and adoption of technology by their students. Before framing research questions, a research plan must be developed to capture such details as the purpose of the research, need for innovation, and the subjects to be covered (Cousin, 2000). Following are three action research questions: 1. What is the impact of using computer-based instrumentation in science classrooms? 2. What is the effect of using database in classrooms? 3. What is the impact of computer technology on students’ motivation? Action Research Benefits: A Case Study The main question for the case study was: “Do all students acquire uniform education?’’. The study was aimed at analyzing the learning problems faced by the disabled students. The participants included one unified science general education teacher and two unified science special education co-teachers. The study involved students with and without disabilities. Data was collected using interviews, review of documents, and focus group discussion for one year. The data was quantified using a constant comparative method and later analyzed (Cousin, 2000). Conclusion Action research is a vital tool in identifying the challenges affecting students, teachers, and communities in general. It must be encouraged to improve and mentor the future career of the students. With improved information and communication technology, it is possible to reduce educational challenges and, as a result, improve the performance of both students and teachers. Though action research is affected by many factors, patience and tolerance must be embraced to enhance its success. References Cousin, G. (2000). Action research . Web. Lang, F. (2004). The dynamics of school-based learning in initial teacher education. Research Papers in Education, 19 (2), 185-204. Ros, H., & Meyer, A. (2002). Teaching every student in the digital age: Universal design for learning. Alexandria, VA: The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Shuiman, L. (2005). Opening lines: Approaches to the scholarship of teaching and learning. Web. Zaaba, Z. (2009). Science and technology education in English: A case study of language policy in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: The International Conference on the Social Science and Humanities (ICOSH).
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: activity theory is a foundation of human-computer relationship unified by common objectives, presented by consciousness, and context.
activity theory is a foundation of human-computer relationship unified by common objectives, presented by consciousness, and context.
Activity and Actor Network Theory Explicatory Essay Table of Contents 1. Activity Theory: History 2. Notion of Activity 3. Agency 4. Intentionality 5. References Activity Theory: History Activity theory derives from cultural-historical psychology with its origin in Russia in 1920-1930. It found its way to the West around the 50’s and 60’s and its use in HCI and interaction design begun in the 90’s. Activity theory shows by interaction design whereby one moves from the understanding of computer technology as a focus of interest to understanding technology as part of human activities. The understanding attempts to incorporate human activity with interaction design, which results in the ideas of activity centered, computing and activity management. The use of activity theory helps in linking insights for the need of a broader perception and requires specific tools for thought. This theory fits in the place for study interaction and activity is essential for the development of interactional design (Kaptelinin & Nardi, 2006). Notion of Activity Acting technology helps in the development of understanding how activity theory operates within historical, application and principle relationships within an interactional design. Activity theory is a foundation of human-computer relationship unified by common objectives, presented by consciousness, and context. Interaction design used in human computer interaction and computer supported collaborative work complement each other. This broad term varies depending on the community. Therefore, interaction designs are efforts creating understand of the interactions humans have with technology. This allows for the creation of useful artifacts, which complete the online learning process. Online learning requires the synchronization of human capabilities and technology tools. This promotes effective learning embraced through technology medium with adequate cognitive presence through provision of access to defining concepts for the enhancement of online learning needs. Humans act with technology in activity theory. Tools and humans relate in activity theory since tools meditate between the world and people. There is a positive effect on education, and this technology can support purposeful actions of human actors, used every day in education practices. The interaction between object and the subject continues until the subject fulfills its goals. There should be an extension of tasks to contexts, which are more meaningful for the accomplishment of subjects’ interaction with the world within social contexts. The user interface does not limit the objective world and that shows the importance of real life study in a normal classroom and use of technology as a part of relating human communication with the real world. It becomes a part of education as most institutions embrace instructional technology in learning. Activity actor influences computer support for collaborative learning (CSCL) in a number of ways. This theory has supported distinction between group and individual learning. The author asks fundamental questions on the means and manner of using technology to promote and change education in school. Latour states that technology is a mediator for human activity. There is a criterion formulated so that technology should be appropriate for school education. These criteria are to support authentic activities, support for artefacts and support communities. Video conferencing is one criterion to use in learning and accomplishment of a number of responsibilities (Latour, 2005). Agency Humans can help, support, oppose or resist as representatives of organizations (Kaptelinin & Nardi, 2006). Human beings are social entities, composing of complex networks of activity systems. The relationship between human and things is a functional organ between nodes in actor-network. Human beings and things brought closer by a functional organ. Delegation flows from humans to other kinds of agents because humans act like entities of processing information, this ability gives them agency lacking in objects and presents asymmetry of objects and beings. The object material and subjects can manifest properties under varying condition. The property of interest shows when the whole context of activity is oriented by human defined object. Intentionality Actor network theory and distributive cognition act within network systems having symmetrical modes that can be non-human or human. Heterogeneous networks and actors can be people, things or machines. Actor network theory can accommodate both people and things, which cannot do without agents with intentions. Systems, tools, and people are the media and they act in adjudication and dependability of redundant systems for the production of results in accordance to distributive cognition, which demands completion of activities once started. Distributive cognition constructs a network, which can analyze across a variety of media without prejudice to the type of media. Distributive cognition influences human cognition and emphasizes the cognitive aspect of human performance Activity theory and distributive cognition have a distinct relationship. This is because tools cannot work alone, and need humans while humans cannot perform certain functions alone, without the support of tools. The theory and distributive cognition integrate by considering the individuals as part of system. It challenges traditional accounts, which limited agency to humans. The basic principles and definitions of the theory propose the formulation, which builds an actor network. It is important to improve designs of technology tools to incorporate cognitive assessment capabilities to encourage the appreciation of the value of the tool in understanding the effects of learning through online means. Cognitive presence enhances the learning environment and facilitates intellectual acquisition through emotional and personal connection necessary in a leaning environment making it just as necessary in virtual classrooms as it is in traditional classrooms. References Kaptelinin, V., & Nardi, B. A. (2006). Acting with technology . Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Latour, B. (2005). Reassembling the social-an introduction to actor-network-theor y. London: Oxford University Press.
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Write an essay about: Activplant is a company that specializes in providing software solutions to the engineering industry. It intends to enter the European market in order to increase its revenue and profits. However, the opportunity in the European market is associated with high risks. In addition, the company is facing financial constraints. This paper will analyze the options that the company has to enter the European market. Based on the analysis, recommendations will be made to enable the company to minimize risks.
Activplant is a company that specializes in providing software solutions to the engineering industry. It intends to enter the European market in order to increase its revenue and profits. However, the opportunity in the European market is associated with high risks. In addition, the company is facing financial constraints. This paper will analyze the options that the company has to enter the European market. Based on the analysis, recommendations will be made to enable the company to minimize risks.
Activplant: Entering the European Market Case Study Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Market Entry Strategy 3. Sales Strategy 4. Service Strategy 5. Conclusion 6. Works Cited Introduction Activplant intends to enter the European market in order to increase its revenue and profits. However, the opportunity in the European market is associated with high risks. Moreover, the company is facing financial constraints. This paper will analyze the options that the company has to enter the European market. Based on the analysis, recommendations will be made to enable the company to minimize risks. Market Entry Strategy Activplant has three options namely, going it alone, utilizing partners, and postponing the entry. Going it alone means that the company will have to establish operations in Europe so that it can manage sales and project delivery on its own. This strategy is likely to improve customer satisfaction. However, it is not viable given the fact that the company will have to utilize its limited internal financial resources. In addition, the company’s objective of realizing $1.5 million in sales in the first year and making profits in the second year, calls for cost reduction. Postponing the implementation of the expansion plan will give the company enough time to mobilize adequate resources to join the European market. However, competition is high in European. The company is likely to lose its existing European customers to its competitors who are ready to provide excellent services. Besides, postponing the entry will deny the company the opportunity to enjoy first mover advantages such as charging a premium price for its products. Therefore, utilizing partners is the best option for Activplant. The company should use its partners in Europe to sell its product. The partners should also provide training and software installation services. The office in London should focus on providing maintenance and support services to satisfy customers’ needs. Utilizing partners will enable the company to avoid the costs associated with setting up a new office and hiring staff to manage operations in Europe. It will also enable the company to serve its partners’ customers, thereby increasing its revenue. The company should invest in training programs to enhance its partners’ ability to sell its products and to provide excellent customer services. In addition, it should establish an effective incentive program to motivate its partners to increase sales. Sales Strategy The company’s staff and partners should be in charge of various sales activities in Europe. Single plant deals should be handled by the solution partners. This will enable the company to achieve its revenue target easily by collaborating with several vendors who have adequate knowledge about the market. In addition, using solution partners is cheaper than having full-time sales representatives in Europe. The high cost of hiring a partnership manager is justified by the expected improvement in brand image. Specifically, the partnership manager will facilitate provision of consistent marketing messages and delivery of high quality services. The company’s sales team in Canada should handle large deals. The rationale of this strategy is that closing large deals is likely to be a major challenge due to the financial implications to the clients. Specifically, a lot of time and effort has to be invested in convincing clients since they will be paying high prices for the large deals. The sales team in Canada has adequate product knowledge that will enable them to close large deals. The cost of travelling to Europe is justified by the large profit margins that will be realized by closing large deals. Having full-time sales representatives in Europe is undesirable since it will expose the company to the risk of making loses if sales targets are not met. Service Strategy Activplant should manage the delivery of its services remotely from Canada. The company should provide solution consultancy services, whereas its partners in Europe should be responsible for project delivery. Managing project delivery will not be feasible to the company because it is labor-intensive. Thus, outsourcing it will enable the company to provide high quality services to its clients at a low cost by contracting experienced integration partners. Solution consultancy services should be provided by Activplant because it requires advanced product knowledge and expertise, which solution partners might not have. In this regard, the quality of execution is likely to increase if the consultancy services are provided by Activplant. Moreover, the company will benefit from improved governance and control over its operations and products in Europe. Since sales are likely to be low in the first year, the company will not incur high travelling costs in order to provide consultancy services. Thus, managing the services remotely from Canada is likely to be cheaper than managing them in Europe. Conclusion Activplant should join the European market immediately through a partnership with established companies in Europe. The company should invest in training programs to improve its partners’ ability to sell its products. It should also establish an effective incentive program to motivate its partners to increase sales. Solution partners should handle single plant deals, whereas the company should be in charge of large deals. Similarly, the integration partners should handle project delivery, whereas the company should provide solution consultancy services. These strategies will enable Activplant to reduce costs in order to achieve its revenue and profit objectives. Works Cited Czinkota, Michael, and I. Ronkainen. International Marketing, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012.Print. Kotler, Philip, and K. Keller. Marketing Management, London: Palgrave , 2011. Print. Williams, Chuck. Management, New York: John Wiley, 2006. Print.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: Addicted 2 Football is a small business that provides a photography and filming service. The focus of the business is to help young talented football players to get a spotted or even a contract by a professional club. In addition, Addicted 2 Football will also be taking individual photo shots and team shots that will be offered to the family and friends of the players, high quality, average price and an outstanding service.
Addicted 2 Football is a small business that provides a photography and filming service. The focus of the business is to help young talented football players to get a spotted or even a contract by a professional club. In addition, Addicted 2 Football will also be taking individual photo shots and team shots that will be offered to the family and friends of the players, high quality, average price and an outstanding service.
Addicted 2 Football Business Plan Quantitative Research Introduction to the Addicted 2 Football (A2F) Business Plan A2F (Addicted 2 Football) is small business that provides a photography and filming service. My focus will be on helping young talented football players to get a spotted or even a contract by a professional club. I will also be taking individual photo shots and team shots that will be offered to the family and friends of the players, high quality, average price and an outstanding service. A2F will start as a sole trader business. With Abiodun Amode the owner, he will also be taking all the photo shots on the match days and training nights. Apart from this, he will also buy all the companies equipment. All business ventures require adequate analysis and development of business plans (Barrow 2011, p. 11) Capital and Funding Sources The business will need a starting up capital of £10,000. Mr Amode, will fund from the help of family members and friends. In addition, other funds will originate from Mr Amode’s secured bonds with the government. Other than this, the savings from his part time job in Marks and Spencer will also be a critical source of the capital. Other sources of funds will also be exploited to increase the capital (Hatten 2012, p. 33) Proposed Physical Location, Operation and Naming The Business will be run from canary wharf in London. I will rent the business office within this location. The company name of the business will called Addicted to football. It will operate in the office of O & O consultant ltd. The operations site will not have retail store. This is mainly because the service shall not be required. Observably, a store orders for framed photos will be taken over the phone and via email. Necessary Strategies and Market Orientation For me to start A2F I will need to talk to many personalities and groups. These shall include the local football teams and the current youth system in North London and East London. I have the best rate of young talented football players that make it to professional teams. In this regard, I will focus on advertising in Secondary Schools, colleges and social networks. The main objective of these strategies is to capture the attention of most teenagers who spend a lot of their time on social networks. Ideally, the present technological applications enable the youthful generation to spend their free time in the internet (Johnson, Scholes & Whittington 2008, p. 55). The next strategy will be to start up a website and a YouTube channel. These two approaches will help in the marketing and advertising initiatives. In order to develop or realize more impact, a lot of novelty and innovation will be appropriate. For instance, I will put the edited filming work I have done on the YouTube channel and the photos on the website. Principally, the advertising of the filming will show the quality of the work I will be producing. Indicatively, this shall enable the site to show football at its finest. My aim is to make young footballers look as good as the professionals. Another strategy will be based on the equipment to be used. The equipment to be purchased will show the quality of the professionals. This service will not only be for young footballers. However, it will also be for semi-professional and adults. Nonetheless, I also want to work with the disable community as well. It is important to be inclusive because this is the nation’s favourite sport (Walsh 2011, p. 44). A2F Mission Statement The mission statement must be transformative, unique and innovative. Generally the mission statement for the A2F is, “BRINGING AND SHARING UNDISCOVERED TALENT TO THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL” Analysis of the Potential Competitors There are a couple of competitors. Some of these include the “football-talents.co.uk and fmscout.com”. Notably, these two companies do not really offer the service. Moreover, they have a very poor level of quality. These competitors also provide a variety of services. Some of the major services include acting as foot-balling agencies. Contrarily, my own company will provide a network for everyone to have access of the young upcoming stars. Pie Chart Showing the Market Share and Make Up Some Competitors There are several other potential competitors within the UK market. Evidently, UK is one of the countries with the highest number of football clubs. It is apparent that a significant number of established clubs have started this venture (Stokes, Wilson & Mador 2010, p. 94). Importantly, they are also within the formative stages just like in my case. This means that a proper strategy will provide me with a positive advantage towards an effective competition. Actually, this constitutes my fundamental objective for establishing the company. It is vital to analyze the present market share. Ideally, this initiative is a critical factor in strategy formulation. The pie chart below indicates the market share within the UK. According to this pie chart, football-talents.co.uk covers 24% of the market share; fimscout.com has 20%, while other football clubs share 12%. This indicates that about 40% of the market is yet to be exploited. The Main Objective of the Business My main objective of this project is to create a network for young footballers to expose and share their talent across the world. I also intend to create a network that stores all past memories of the players for future references, e.g. to show family/friends. My focus is to work on youth players under the age of 18. Suitability and Business Opportunities The opportunity for a foot-balling Network service will be very effective in the England. Ideally, the associated benefits will be explicitly rewarding. This is because the English FA have been criticized on the lack of youth British talent players making it to the top level of football in the UK. This is unlike most countries like Spain that have 80% of the players in the “LA LIGA LEAGUE” as native players. Perhaps, this may be one of the reasons for Spain being the best football nation today. This network will create away for the FA to invest and to see undiscovered UK talent. Additionally, it will help bring the right player through the youth rankings instead of professional teams investing in international young talented players. The operations of the company will allow me to charge a cheap price for the video editing, team and individual photos. I will not have the same operating expenses that other companies have. This is true since I will not be working from a store. Analytically, this means that I will not have a building to rent. Furthermore, there will be no leasing and no maintenance cost. The general implication of this is that there will be more capital available for the right photo equipments and accessories. Indeed, these basic approaches might initiate business success within the sector (Pinson & Jinnett 2006, p. 123). Assumptions on A2F on Success as a Business Assumptions are fundamental in all business ventures (Kuratko 2009, p. 55).Right now in the UK, football is on a rise. Millions of pounds are invested in the different football teams. It is evident that UK has a great number of footballers. However, a lot of talent goes undiscovered and unnoticed in the foot-balling world. A2F is a network that will give people a chance to express the talent and view the talent the UK can produce. Every football player wants to be noticed and feel important. Therefore, A2F tries to notice every player on the pitch. It also seeks to major on the key moments that only last in the memories. Thirdly, kids like to see themselves play football. However, family members cannot make it in every game. Thus, this will be an easy way to watch what was missed. The market for A2F will be very busy during the months of August all the way to May. This is when the football season takes place for most age groups. The youth football population is very popular. Match days are normally on a Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. This is the reason why it is going to be very important to invest in a motor vehicle. Some matches may take place in north London on a Saturday and I will have to travel to east London on a Sunday with all the equipment. The areas I plan to cater for include Highbury, Wood green, Tottenham, Finchley, and Brent cross. Observably, all of these are all under north London. Areas such as Canning town, Stratford, Barking, Hackney and Rumford will all be under the east London side. I believe the population of football wills enough for A2F to capture some quality. Because of the huge difference, the profit scale would be large because customers will be at the matches in all these different areas. Since no one else will be taking pictures and filming at my high level of quality, this will give a full competitive advantage over any competitors. Generally, £10000 will be the starting capital and £2000 will be used to purchase a company vehicle. The vehicle will be used for transport to match games and training sessions. Imperatively, £4000 will be allocated for investments in the camera equipment while the computer cost will be £1500. Ideally, these assumptions provide a platform for the foundation of the main strategy (Longenecker 2009, p. 101) The Three–Year Cash Flow Forecast With Profit The intended business is expected to make significant profits. These profits will be consistent within the first period of three years. However, there is need for adequate precaution because this is just but a forecast and projection (Stokes, Wilson & Mador 2010, p. 124). More pragmatic and transformative measures shall be undertaken to ensure that the business achieves these projected profits. This shall be coupled with effective business and performance monitoring based on the invested cash as the references point. The cash flow indicating this level of success is as shown below. Year 1 (2013 Year 2(2014) Year 3 (2015) Cash at the beginning of the year £10000 £15000 £20000 Revenue and Sales £11000 £14000 £18000 Total Cash In £21000 £29000 £38000 Inventory £4,500 £4,500 £4,500 Vehicle, computer, camera and other equipment £7500 0 0 Rent 0 0 0 Wages 0 0 0 Utilities £500 £700 £600 Phone £ 200 £ 100 £ 80 Ads £ 2000 £ 2500 £ 3000 Miscellaneous £ 2000 £ 1500 £100 Total Cash Out £ 16700 £ 9300 £ 8280 Cash at End of Year £ 4300 £ 19700 £ 29720 The 3-6 Months Cash Flow Forecast With a Loss The company is likely to experience significant losses. These losses might be incurred during the first three to six months of the operation. Therefore, it is appropriate to design a projection of cash flow (Dees, Economy & Emerson 2001, p. 54). It helps to indicate the significant lose in the specified periods. The table below illustrates this cash flow. January February March April May June Cash at the beginning of the Month £10000 £8000 £5000 £5000 £5000 £5000 Revenue and Sales £1000 £500 £1000 £3500 £2000 £2500 Total Cash In £11000 £ 8500 £ 6000 £8500 £7000 £7500 Inventory 0 0 £1500 £500 £700 £1800 Vehicle, computer, camera and other equipment £7500 0 0 0 0 0 Rent 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wages 0 0 0 0 0 0 Utilities £500 £900 £1500 £500 £1500 £600 Phone £ 200 £ 500 £1500 £100 £1500 £ 80 Ads £ 2500 £ 5500 £3000 £3000 £3500 £ 4000 Miscellaneous £ 500 £ 2500 £1100 £1600 £1500 £1400 Total Cash Out £ 11200 £ 9400 £8600 £8700 £8700 £ 7880 Cash at End of Month £ -200 £ 900 £-2600 £-200 £-1700 £ -380 The Breakthrough Graph As indicated, the business will make considerable profits. These will be realized during all the financial years. The months in which there will be high profit peaks include between August and May. The breakthrough graph for the company is illustrated below: Balance Sheet with a Retained Profit A2FCOMPANY BALANCE SHEET INDICATING THE INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2013 2013 Revenue £10000 Cost of sales Opening inventory £7500 Purchases £5000 Closing inventory £2500 Gross profit £5000 Operating expenses £500 Income from operations £1500 Net income before tax £7000 Income tax expense £600 Net income £6300 (Deficit) start of year £1750 Retained earnings – End of Year £5750 Profit and Loss Swell The company is set to experience a very high profit swell. However, the loss swell is forecasted at minimal level. This is evident from the above financial statement. Generally, it is observable that the elevated profit swell is likely to extend to other financial years. This means that the business venture is very feasible (Birley & Muzyka 2000, p. 78). SWOT and PEST Analysis Presence of adequate capital is one of the major strengths for the company. Others include application of technology, effective advertising methodologies and innovative approaches (Chell 2004, p. 56). Evidently, the application of internet as a means of capturing a specific target groups is critical. It offers the company a unique springboard for effective performance and brand promotion. Especially, this is likely to transpire amongst the youths and teenagers who are the highest consumers of social networking systems (Stokes & Wilson 2010, p. 56). The observable weaknesses include lack of other human resources and high dependency on the major football seasons. Notably, not only a single person may be able to complete the stipulated tasks in the sufficient manner. Moreover, an overworked individual might develop withdrawal syndrome and negative attitudes towards the various work processes. Indicatively, lack of proper motivation leads to negligence and low innovation. However, people working within groups tend to develop more interest for their duties. They are also more motivated to enhance constructive competition (Korhonen & Ainamo 2003, p. 112). The business has a large virgin market to venture. This is a significant opportunity. The company might also be threatened by stiff competition from other likeminded organizations within the market. The political conditions within UK are favourable. The government is stable and there is a great political will for small business and sporting events. The enormous love for football within UK provides a distinct and advantageous environment for increased growth and development of businesses (Hisrich 2010, p. 66). There is adequate security and legal support for upcoming and small-scale enterprises within the larger UK. Support is available and this varies in terms of financial and material. Particularly, the youth are allowed to access a variety of funding options. These also include sufficient trainings on enterprise development and other issues concerning financial management. Lastly, advanced technological applications available within the market provide an impetus for improvement of service and advertisement (Allen 2012, p. 89). The company may use an array of technological applications to reach its target clientele. Internet use is one of the fundamental strategies that the company will adopt. Maximum output will be expected from this venture. Therefore, crucial measures must be undertaken to ensure the sustainability of the business. List of References Allen, R 2012, Launching new ventures: an entrepreneurial approach , South-Western, Cengage Learning, Mason, OH. Barrow, C 2011, Starting a business for dummies , Wiley, Chichester. Birley, S & Muzyka, F 2000, Mastering entrepreneurship , Financial Times Prentice Hall, Harlow. Chell, E 2004, Entrepreneurship: globalization, innovation and development , Thomson Learning, London. Dees, G, Economy, P & Emerson, J 2001, Enterprising Nonprofits: A Toolkit for Social Entrepreneurs , John Wiley and Sons Ltd, New York. Hatten, S 2012, Small business management: entrepreneurship and beyond , South-Western Cengage Learning, Mason, OH. Hisrich, D 2010, International entrepreneurship: starting, developing, and managing a global venture , SAGE, Los Angeles. Johnson, G, Scholes, K & Whittington, R 2008, Exploring corporate strategy, Financial Times Prentice Hall, Harlow. Korhonen, O & Ainamo, A 2003, Handbook of product and service development in communication and information technology , Kluwer Academic Publishers Group, Dordrecht. Kuratko, F 2009, Entrepreneurship: theory, process, practice , South-Western Cengage Learning, Mason, Ohio. Longenecker, G. 2009, Small business management: launching and growing new ventures , Nelson Education, Toronto. Pinson, L & Jinnett, J 2006, Steps to small business start-up everything you need to know to turn your idea into a successful business , Kaplan, Chicago. Stokes, D, Wilson, N & Mador, M 2010, Entrepreneurship , South-Western/Cengage Learning EMEA, Hampshire, UK. Stokes, D. & Wilson, N 2010, Small business management and entrepreneurship, Cengage Learning, Andover. Walsh, R 2011, The start your own business bible: establish your new career– for as little as $500 , Adams Business, Avon, Mass.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: The essay discusses the case study of a man who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after Hurricane Katrina. He had to deal with the loss of his sister and the changes in his life, which made him feel out of place.
The essay discusses the case study of a man who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after Hurricane Katrina. He had to deal with the loss of his sister and the changes in his life, which made him feel out of place.
Addressing the Issues Faced by the Hurricane Katrina Survivors Case Study Hurricane Katrina has clearly become one of the most notorious disasters of the decade, having brought destruction and taken many people’s lives. Even those, who managed to survive the cataclysm, had to suffer through a very complicated period of drastic changes in their lives. A graphic example of such a tragic change, Patrick, a man of 35, had to face a major challenge in the process of adjusting to new living conditions, dealing with the PTSD, integrating into the new social environment and handling the emotional insecurity issues, which the changes in his life and the following stress triggered. The research question, which is going to be answered in the given study, therefore, can be out in the following way: what are the possible intervention methods, which can be applied to solve the problem of PTSD, shock, depression triggered by the death of a family member, and the changes in the social, economic, financial and cultural environment of the patient, who has suffered a cataclysm (Hurricane Katrina in the specified case). At the time that the hurricane struck, Patrick was 26 and had enrolled in a bachelor course by 2005. However, as the disaster occurred, Patrick had to terminate his studies and move to the place that as safer. Unfortunately, the patient had also lost his sister to the catastrophe; since the two were very close, Patrick suffered an immense shock followed by depression and years of self-accusation. As soon as the patient moved to Texas, he started feeling completely out of place due to the rapid change of the environment and the immersion into an entirely different culture. As a result of the patient’s inability to adjust to the new environment and the focus on his family tragedy, Patrick stopped being an active member of the community and take part in the social life of the latter. The following move to New Orleans only made the process of acculturation even more complicated and added the feeling of uncertainty to the range of Patrick’s issues. Combined with the disappointment about his loss of the opportunity to get a Bachelor’s degree and, therefore, rather gloomy career prospects, this emotional strain triggered a neurosis in the patient. It should be noted that two key developmental periods can be identified in the patient’s state. The first period concerns the life that the patient used to lead before Hurricane Katrina struck and changed it completely, and the second one is represented by the time slot, on which the patient was trying to adjust to the changing sociocultural and economic environment. Considering the issue from the age perspective, one should add that on the specified time slots, the patient was 26 (early adulthood) and 35 (adulthood) correspondingly. The course of the cognitive development of the patient seems to have been altered significantly. Before the accident, the patient displayed rather even cognitive evolution, with a very strong tendency to abandon the adolescent egocentrism and become more independent, as well as more mature. The accident, however, made Patrick regress to the previous stage of developing a personal fable (Pfeifer & Peak, 2012). Consequently, even though much time has passed since Hurricane Katrina, Patrick still feels insecure when making adult decisions and being independent. As far as the social changes are concerned, the patient is obviously experiencing a shock after the recognition of his failure to gain the desired position in the society. Seeing how hard the realization of the necessity to abandon his bachelor studies was for Patrick, one may suggest that the patient simply fears to embrace the possibility of getting a less promising job and being less successful in his career. Indeed, Patrick was obviously trying to explore the further academic opportunities. Hence, his social status, which was comparatively high, dropped significantly as he had to cease his studies. The bitter realization of the missed opportunities must be one of the keys to the current deplorable state of the patient, especially to his depression. The fact that the recent intervention has addressed this problem is very important in the further recovery of the patient (Berk, 2014); by acknowledging his potential and getting his priorities straight, the patient could pull himself together and start working on his personal and professional development; however, combine with the rest of the issues, which the patient has to face at present, the problem concerning the drop of Patrick’s social status is yet to be addressed. A closer look at the biological development of the patient shows that he currently has no signs of underdevelopment whatsoever. Therefore, most of the problems faced by Patrick concern his inability to confront his fears and face the necessity to let go off the past. As far as the emotional development of the patient is concerned, the differences between the two periods are evident. Before the hurricane occurred, the patient was passing the stages of emotional development in a rather efficient manner. A closer look at the emotional evolution of the patient will show that up until 2005, he had been communicating with his family members (particularly, with his sister) rather closely and based their relationships on complete trust and empathy. In addition, the social aspect of the educational environment, in which the patient used to be, could also be characterized quite positively; with impressive academic success and the creation of strong links between him, his peers and his teachers, Patrick could be described as rather sociable and easygoing person. Compared to the specified progress, the changes, which the following developmental stage has inflicted on him, are truly drastic. Patrick faced the death of one of his family members, whom he had grown very attached to, not to mention the fact that he had also lost most of his social contacts. Here the cessation of his emotional intelligence growth stems from. The patient’s record shows that Patrick has attempted at adapting towards the environment of Texas, yet had very little success in blending with the local residents and acculturating in the local environment; partially because of the difference between his environment and that one of Texas, and partially because of the stress that he had suffered, he failed at accommodating in the specified regions. Which is even more upsetting, the patient is hardly capable of getting used to the realm of his home, i.e., New Orleans. It can be assumed that the rapid change in the environment, i.e., Patrick’s moving from the South to the North and then returning to New Orleans has triggered a dissociation in the cultural context (Schneider, Lam, Bayliss & Dux, 2012). Seeing that the PTSD issue is only one of the numerous problems that the patient is suffering from at present, it is suggested that new elements should be introduced to the intervention. While helping the patient adjust to the idea of losing his property and the chances to build his career fast, as well as allowing him to recognize his ample capabilities in terms of employment, it will also be essential to address the loss of his relative, as well as the state of cultural shock, which he is currently in. To be more exact, the fact that Patrick is focused on searching for the available job options may seem positive only at the first glance. On a second thought, the process of integration into the society does not seem to be happening. Without the death of his sister being addressed in the intervention, the process of searching for a job and the willingness to plunge into the working process signifies that the patient is trying to oust the feeling of guilt and repress the painful memories instead of coming to grips with the latter and realizing that what happened was not his fault. Consequently, it is obvious that the PTSD syndrome has not been treated properly and that the patient has entered the sublimation state (Eglinton & Chung, 2011). Addressing the cognitive problems faced by the patient will require the application of a CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy). Particularly, the PTCI (Post-Traumatic Cognitions Inventory) must be used in order to help the patient get rid of the emotional and psychological trauma, thus, recovering his cognitive development. According to the existing evidence, though used primarily for addressing the PTSD issues in children and adolescents, the specified approach also has a positive effect on adults: “Up to 15% of participants would improve sufficiently to lose their diagnosis of PTSD after symptom monitoring; CBT would result in greater improvements in symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety” (Smith, 2007, p. 1051). As it has been stressed above, the key problem of the patient is that he is attempting at defying his current problems, therefore, bottling his emotions inside instead of searching for an emotional relief. As a result, the PTSD rates are getting increasingly high. First and foremost, a series of therapy sessions based on a patient-centered approach must be carried out so that Patrick could get rid of the feeling of guilt, which he is currently under. The choice of the therapeutic strategy was predetermined by the fact that the patient needs to explore his self and learn more about emotional control. In addition, it is obvious that Patrick needs to learn to navigate in the realm of his emotions, which means that he must be introduced to the concept of emotional intelligence (Schweizer & Dalgleish, 2012). The meta-cognition process, which will be launched thereafter, will help the patient analyze the mechanism of his own emotions and, therefore, handle the latter more efficiently. Consequently, it will be possible to introduce the patient to an appropriate coping mechanism, which will help him come to terms with the loss of his beloved sister. As far as the psychosocial issues are concerned, it can be suggested that the patient should try searching for new contacts and new friends to make. With the adoption of modern technologies, particularly, the social network, the process is most likely to accelerate. Finally, the few biological issues, which Patrick as recently encountered, can be solved with the help of pharmaceutical treatment. Reference List Berk, L. E. (2014). Development through the lifespan . 6 th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Allyn & Bacon. Eglinton, R. & Chung, M. C. (2011). The relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder, illness cognitions, defence styles, fatigue severity and psychological well-being in chronic fatigue syndrome. Psychiatry Research, 188 (2), 245–252. Pfeifer, J. H. & Peak, S. J. (2012). Self-development: Integrating cognitive, socioemotional, and neuroimaging perspectives. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 2 (1), 55–69. Schneider, D., Lam, R., Bayliss, A. P. & Dux, P. E. (2012). Cognitive load disrupts implicit theory-of-mind processing. Psychological Science, 1 (1), 1–6. Schweizer, S. & Dalgleish, T. (2012). Emotional working memory capacity in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49 (8), 498–504. Smith, P. (2007). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for PTSD in children and adolescents: A preliminary randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 46 (8), 1051–1061.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: The article discusses why advertising should create bearable representations and how this practice can lead to the achievement of targeted goals. The methodological strategy applied by the researchers made it easier for them to examine the appropriateness of different psychological theories. The article is meaningful because it encourages advertisers to embrace the best methods that can support their consumers.
The article discusses why advertising should create bearable representations and how this practice can lead to the achievement of targeted goals. The methodological strategy applied by the researchers made it easier for them to examine the appropriateness of different psychological theories. The article is meaningful because it encourages advertisers to embrace the best methods that can support their consumers.
Bearable Representations in Advertisement Essay (Critical Writing) According to Weilbacher (2003, p. 231), “many advertisers have ignored the theories and ideas supported by different cognitive psychologists”. Scholars and analysts believe that adverts should widen the people’s ideas about every existing product. The article is appreciable because it explains why advertising should create bearable representations. This practice is appropriate because it produces the targeted goals. The methodological inquiry employed by the researcher makes it possible to understand why advertising should become meaningful and informative. Marketers tend to develop numerous assumptions thus making it impossible for them to design the best communication approaches. The inquiry manages to analyze the disasters associated with most of these assumptions. This “is true because consumer behaviors are not rational choices” (Weilacher, 2003, p. 232). The practical implications of these ideas and suggestions are undeniable. Many advertisers are unable to achieve their goals because of the above assumptions. Marketers should use the ideas presented in this article in order to create the best images for their brands. The practice will ensure such brands become desirable and acceptable by different consumers. The “agreeable fact is that consumers will process every advert in an instantaneous manner” (Weilacher, 2003, p. 231). However, I strongly believe that new studies are required in order to place this practice within Human Behavioral Psychology (HBS). The article “Attitudes and Persuasion” by Petty and Cacioppo describes how human beings process different ideas and information. Cognitive Dissonance Theory is relevant because it makes it easier for scholars to investigate two elements at a particular time. This theory explains how individuals tend to make spectacular decisions whenever dealing with various issues. According to the Information Integration Theory, human decisions and judgments will always obey a unique algebraic model. That being the case, human beings will use different beliefs and external observations to make their decisions. This theory becomes meaningful whenever it comes to advertisements. It is agreeable that marketers should reshape the beliefs and ideas embraced by their targeted populations (Petty & Cacioppo, 1996). The methodological strategy applied by the researchers made it easier for them to examine the appropriateness of different psychological theories. The article is meaningful because it encourages advertisers to embrace the best methods that can support their consumers. The practice will improve the level of sales and eventually make entrepreneurs successful. However, the authors do not merge their theories with different marketing principles. The audience should read more articles before using these theorems. I believe that the ideas presented in this reading can help marketers outline the perceptions and attitudes developed by their customers. The approach will make it easier for every marketer to create new adverts that can attract more consumers. The article “Advertising Theory: Re-conceptualizing the Building Blocks” explains why many advertisers use theories from different disciplines. As a result, researchers have ignored every attribute that can make advertising meaningful. Advertising is a distinct practice or phenomenon. Scholars can therefore identify unique theories that can ensure advertising becomes more profitable. I would support the ideas presented in the article because they deal with the challenges encountered by many marketers. The authors have examined “the implications of different elements such as repetition, skepticism, clutter, and coordination towards creating powerful adverts” (Nan & Faber, 2004, p. 9). Advertising theory must therefore deal with these elements in order to make the practice meaningful. The ideas presented in the article are agreeable because they promote better marketing practices. The methodology utilized by the researchers identifies the existing gaps in different advertising models. These recommendations are practical towards making advertising more beneficial. Integrated marketing communication (IMC) deals with skepticism thus promoting the concept of message coordination (Nan & Faber, 2004). More people should read this article because it offers the best strategies towards developing a powerful advertising theory. Marketers have always used new advertising models. The important thing is for advertisers to understand how the world is changing. This strategy will make it possible for them to create better adverts that can attract more consumers. The author explains why the “theory of brands is relevant whenever formulating new marketing concepts” (Hall, 2007, p. 64). I strongly support this argument because the nature of a brand always determines the best advertising strategy. Many consumers are not ready to purchase defective products. The methodological design embraced by the author identifies different models that have made many companies successful. Every advertising model can change depending on the expectations of the targeted consumers. Marketers must produce better products in order to fulfill the needs of their customers. An appropriate scientific method will analyze the assumptions and views formed by different consumers. This approach will result in better theories that can make advertising more effective. The concepts presented in this article are applicable in different business activities. According to the article, “marketers should be practical in order identify the most effective drivers for their products” (Hall, 2007, p. 70). The theories and methods analyzed in this article are relevant because they can help advertisers attract more customers. Reference List Hall, M. (2007). How Advertising Works: New Steps on the Advertising Timeline. Readings in Account Planning, 1 (1), 57-70. Nan, X., & Faber, R. (2004). Advertising Theory: Re-conceptualizing the Building Blocks. Sage, 4 (1), 7-30. Petty, R., & Cacioppo, J. (1996). Attitudes and Persuasion: Cognitive Dissonance Theory. Motivational Approaches, 1 (1), 136-206. Weilacher, W. (2003). Point of View: How Advertising Affects Consumers. Journal of Advertising Research, 1 (1), 230-234.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: Pepsi's campaign strategy will attract more Latino and African American consumers. The use of celebrities and communication channels will support the needs of many customers. Pepsi also needs to redesign its marketing plan in order to achieve its goals.
Pepsi's campaign strategy will attract more Latino and African American consumers. The use of celebrities and communication channels will support the needs of many customers. Pepsi also needs to redesign its marketing plan in order to achieve its goals.
Advertising Campaign for Mountain Dew Research Paper Market Segments for Mountain Dew Mountain Dew is a unique drink produced and marketed by Pepsi Company. The advertising campaign for Mountain Dew targets consumers in the right market segment. Pepsi is also using the best campaigns in order to attract more customers. The “current strategy seeks to attract more customers in Nebraska and Dakota” (Stanford, 2012, p. 2). The advertising strategy has identified and targeted the right segment. The decision to attract every racially diverse society in New York will make the company’s marketing strategy efficient. The use of people such as Jason Aldean and Lil Wayne continues to support Mountain Dew’s advertising strategy (Stanford, 2012). This discussion explains how Pepsi directs Mountain Dew’s advertising strategy at the best market segment. Mountain Dew is a successful product in the United States. The product also faces competition from Coca Cola’s leading brands such as Diet Coke and Sprite. Pepsi does not differentiate the product from the increasing level of competition. The company does not communicate the strengths and benefits of the product to every customer. The consumers are unaware of the nutrients or minerals contained in the product. The product is not unique in the American market. A better strategy will attract more customers in different locations (Finch, 2012). The strengths of this advertising campaign have made Mountain Dew a successful brand in the U.S. market. Pepsi fails to inform its consumers about the benefits of Mountain Dew. The buyer is also unaware of the nutrients, minerals, and additives contained in this product. The advertising approach also uses different celebrities to target every Latino or African American youth. The success of the company’s marketing strategy depends on the information availed to these customers (Finch, 2012). The strategy informs these consumers about the availability of the product in the market. The best strategy is to ensure every salesperson communicates the product’s benefits to the customers. Proposed Campaign Strategy to Have a Universal Appeal Pepsi’s campaign strategy will attract more Latino and African American consumers. The use of celebrities and communication channels will support the needs of many customers. Pepsi also needs to redesign its marketing plan in order to achieve its goals. Pepsi should retain these celebrities in order to attract more customers. The campaign should also include “videos, newspapers, and radios in order to achieve the targeted marketing goals” (Finch, 2012, p. 65). The campaign should also target individuals from every racial group. The strategy will ensure more consumers purchase the product. Pepsi needs to use better communication channels to fulfill the expectations of every consumer (Finch, 2012). The proposed marketing campaign should begin by focusing on the benefits of Mountain Dew. Pepsi should use the best strategy in order to attract more consumers. The company should also ensure the product does not cause any health challenge. The company should use new celebrities in order to attract more consumers. Pepsi can use better channels in order to attract a large number of stakeholders. A good example of these channels includes social networks and the internet. Pepsi can Facebook.com and Pinterest.com to attract these young consumers. This practice will ensure the company realizes it business goals. Pepsi can use e-mails and televisions to communicate to more customers. The above marketing strategy “can succeed if the company uses proper pricing practices” (Finch, 2012, p. 64). Pepsi should avail Mountain Dew in every market segment. The advertising campaign should also focus on the level of competition in order to succeed (Finch, 2012). These communication channels will make Pepsi a leading competitor in the soft drink sector. Reference List Finch, J. (2012). Managerial Marketing. New York: Bridgepoint Education. Stanford, D. (2012). Mountain Dew Wants Some Street Cred . Web.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The text discusses the recent Mountain Dew advertising campaign, which targeted a specific audience. The campaign, however, was found to have its downsides, such as the loss of the rest of the USA population.
The text discusses the recent Mountain Dew advertising campaign, which targeted a specific audience. The campaign, however, was found to have its downsides, such as the loss of the rest of the USA population.
Advertizing Campaign: Mountain Dew Wants Some Street Creed Research Paper Targeting a specific audience has never been easy for any company; involving not only a thorough analysis of what the target audience can be hooked with, but also working on the development of the brand awareness and creating a positive legend which people can relate the product in question to. Considering the recent promotional campaign which Mountain Dew together with Pepsi Co. developed for their recent product, one will be able to draw certain conclusion concerning the efficiency of the methods which the companies have used. Because of the lack of focus on such segments of their target audience as the adults and the people of other cultures than the Latino and the African Americans, the beverage can possibly lose its popularity among the rest of the USA population. Considering the promotional campaign which Mountain Dew has developed, one must admit that the company has gone into great lengths to attract new clientele. Shifting the emphasis from the beverage qualities and the legend behind Mountain Dew, which used to concern any audience disregarding their national or cultural background, the company has started stressing the style of the beverage in the context of the Latin and African American culture, which might seem a touch unnatural. To be honest, one has to admit that the idea of touching upon the issue of national and racial minorities brought into an advertisement is actually a very interesting approach. Addressing not only the product marketing, but also several social issues, it captures the spirit of the today American society in a bottle, showing how diverse the latter is. Therefore, one of the greatest advantages of the campaign is its value in the light of the modern political correctness issue. The campaign, however, also has its downsides, and, weirdly enough, some of these are merely the reverse side of the positive issues. To start with, the idea of focusing solely on the people of certain nationality does not seem politically correct enough. Even though Stanford claims that “The initial ad mixes in snowboarders and a country singer to keep the brand’s mainstream hooked in” (Stanford 2012), there is a threat to lose the rest of the USA population, who will not be interested in the product any longer as soon as it is marketed as the drink created for certain national minorities. In addition, the focus on the teen audience can result in losing the adult public, which could also contribute to the product popularity. Hence, it can be considered that, even though the promotional company which Mountain Dew and Pepsi Co. are following has its strong points, yet it is highly likely to backfire sooner or later. Judging by the above-mentioned example, one can come to the conclusion that the design of an advertisement campaign should be more universal and appealing towards not only the target audience, but also the rest of the population. To demonstrate the efficiency of the latter technique, one should consider the strategy offered below. For Mountain Dew to be more successful in its partnership with Pepsi Co. and appeal not only to the younger audience and the Latino and African Americans, but also to the rest of the population. For the given approach to work, it will be necessary to create the legend that will appeal to the people of any ethnicity and cultural background. For example, the key idea can revolve around being successful and “cool,” without attributing the idea of “coolness” to any of the existing subcultures. One of the most successful advertisements which Mountain Dew has ever produced, the 2006 commercial, could point in the right direction (herdivineshadow, 2006, August 21). Even though the commercial had a Black character as the lead, the focus of the legend was not the character’s culture, but the strength that the drink gives. Witty and fun, the commercial is a perfect example of how sensitive racial issue should be tackled. Therefore, the commercial which Mountain Dew and Pepsi Co. could go with now should develop the legend that the drink should have. For example, focusing on being fresh and full of ideas after drinking Mountain Dew, or Mountain Dew helping one to focus, should be considered first. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that, no matter how hard the promotional campaign and try to attract new customers, it is essential to keep the old and loyal pones in their places. Since the recent advertisement campaign was aimed at the audience other that the people who make the bulk of Mountain Dew fans, there is a considerable threat to lose even more devoted fans for the sake of attracting new public who may possibly dislike the beverage after all. With such companies as Pepsi Co., the risks are quite low, however, since the drink already has a very long history and can hardly lose its key admirers even with a new promotional campaign; with such drinks as Mountain Dew, which are not as well-known among the USA population, the risks are higher. Once shifting from one type of target audience to another, the managers of the marketing department must not forget to make sure that the Reference List Herdivineshadow (2006, August 21). Mountain Dew ad . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elBx5lbnCe0 Stanford, D. (2012). Mountain Dew wants some street cred. Bloomberg Businessweek . Retrieved from EBSCO Host .
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Write an essay about: The African-American cultural group can be described with the help of such criteria as environmental control, biological variations, social organization, communication, space, and time orientation. These factors affect the provision of healthcare services to African Americans.
The African-American cultural group can be described with the help of such criteria as environmental control, biological variations, social organization, communication, space, and time orientation. These factors affect the provision of healthcare services to African Americans.
African-American Cultural Group and the Provision of Services to African Americans Report Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Environmental control 3. Biological variations 4. Social organization 5. Communication 6. Personal space 7. Time orientation 8. How deeply I identify with the heritage 9. Reference List Introduction The African-American cultural group can be described with the help of such criteria as environmental control, biological variations, social organization, communication, space, and time orientation. These factors affect the provision of healthcare services to African Americans. They determine the effectiveness of the American healthcare system among different ethnic groups. Environmental control Some African Americans exercise environmental control by adhering to their beliefs and cultural practices. In turn, the individuals, who believe in traditional medicine, are suspicious of modern treatment methods (Dayer, 2010). Therefore, more representatives of this group may seek the services of folk healers before seeking modern medical remedies. This practice is imbedded in many traditions that they still observe today. Moreover, they mistrust the American healthcare system due to the effect of the Tuskegee syphilis study and other violations of their civil rights. Biological variations The studies have revealed that genetic makeup, enzymatic variations, and susceptibility to diseases are the main reasons for prevalence of certain diseases among African Americans. These diseases include cancer, asthma, coccidioidomycosis, lactose intolerance, and sickle cell anemia (Dayer, 2010). For example, the HbSS genotype passed on from parents to offsprings causes sickle cell anemia. The prevalence of the disease is between 8 and 10 percent (Spector, 2004). Additionaly, genetic variations determine the extent to which environmental factors and socioeconomic constructs affect the health of African Americans. Social organization African Americans attach importance to family and religion. For example, they treasure extended families, community organizations, and religious communion. Since the days of slavery, African Americans have maintained strong social ties in order to retain the sense of community and belonging (Spector, 2004). For example, slaves used spiritual symbolism to give hope for freedom. This tendency has led to strong church affiliations that are still present today. Moreover, religious and social groups were important for addressing social, political, and economic challenges faced by this group (Dayer, 2010). Communication The description of communication style is valid because African Americans use different languages and dialects. They emerged during the days of slavery. Apart from English, one can distinguish French and Spanish. Distinct language patterns emerged during the period of slavery when black people had to learn new languages in order to communicate with one another (Spector, 2004). Slave owners discouraged the communication between people who spoke the same language because this interaction could have led to rebellions. This separation contributed to the development of dialects such as pidgin and Creole (Spector, 2004). Moreover, African Americans rely on non-verbal communication. For example, they discourage direct eye contact in certain situations and use silence to express anger and dissatisfaction. Personal space I agree with the description of African Americans’ approach to personal space because it is determined by their social nature. They are not very sensitive to the concept of personal space because they are used to working together and taking care of each other. It should be mentioned that many African Americans encourage eye contact. However, they accept body contact (Spector, 2004). Time orientation African Americans are described as having present time orientation, and I agree with this argument. These people are more concerned with the present, rather than the future. African Americans are inclined towards dealing with events and challenges that are related to the most immediate future. Therefore, they consider appointments and many other activities as flexible and elastic (Spector, 2004). This attribute distinguishes them from other cultural groups. How deeply I identify with the heritage I identify strongly with the African-American ethno-cultural heritage. I attach importance to such values as strong social and religious affiliations, open communication styles, distinct language patterns, and emphasis on present time orientation. In addition, I am of African-American origin. Several health beliefs are included in the cultural heritage of this group. They include the power of folk medicine, healing effects of herbs, healing powers of root and herb doctors, and the ability of spiritual healers to ward off evil and illnesses. Reference List Dayer, L. (2010). Cultural Competencies for Nurses: Impact on Health and Illness . New York, NY: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Spector, R. (2004). Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness . Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The essay discusses the importance of lifelong learning for older people in order to retain their ability to perform complex calculations and make correct and logical conclusions based on specific premises throughout their life.Lifelong learning is important for older people in order to retain their ability to perform complex calculations and make correct and logical conclusions based on specific premises throughout their life.
The essay discusses the importance of lifelong learning for older people in order to retain their ability to perform complex calculations and make correct and logical conclusions based on specific premises throughout their life. Lifelong learning is important for older people in order to retain their ability to perform complex calculations and make correct and logical conclusions based on specific premises throughout their life.
Age and Sex Difference Qualitative Research Hypothesis A In order to retain their ability to perform complex calculations and make correct and logical conclusions based on specific premises throughout their life, older people should train their skills on a regular basis; otherwise, their skills will deteriorate very fast. Since lack of training and education leads to faster decline of cognitive and analytical skills, it is crucial that older people should practice essential developmental skills regularly. As long as older people keep revising the information that they already know and put their skills to the proper use, it will be possible to remain mentally active. In addition, the activities that help raising awareness may be used as the key exercise that will help older people acquire information fast and process it in a proper way. Hypothesis B Unless efficient training is provided to people so that they could be encouraged for lifelong learning, they are most likely to lose their skills after they reach a certain age. Since in most cases, people are prone to lose the skills that they have not practiced for long, it is reasonable to suggest that, with age related disorders, most people are going to lose the ability to think logically and process information fast. However, with the introduction of lifelong learning principles into one’s life, it will be possible to make one retain the skills of logical thinking and fast and efficient data processing.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The examination of the use of Al Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language can be discussed as the promising opportunity for researchers to study the aspects of the language development.Linguists can focus on examining the situation and on supporting their hypotheses about the origin of the language structure and its development with references to the observed language acquisition. While studying the development of Al Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language, linguists focus their attention on such important research questions as the following ones: Is the language
The examination of the use of Al Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language can be discussed as the promising opportunity for researchers to study the aspects of the language development. Linguists can focus on examining the situation and on supporting their hypotheses about the origin of the language structure and its development with references to the observed language acquisition. While studying the development of Al Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language, linguists focus their attention on such important research questions as the following ones: Is the language
Al Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language Essay The examination of the use of Al Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language can be discussed as the promising opportunity for researchers to study the aspects of the language development. Thus, linguists can focus on examining the situation and on supporting their hypotheses about the origin of the language structure and its development with references to the observed language acquisition (Wade). While examining the stages of the new language’s development with the focus on the concrete social group, the researchers are able to resolve the dispute on the role of culture and nature in forming the language and its morphological and grammatical structures. While studying the development of Al Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language, linguists focus their attention on such important research questions as the following ones: Is the language mainly transmitted through the society and culture as a result of the social interactions? Is the language usually generated from the innate neural circuits as a result of the genetic processes to state the specific elements of grammar? Is the language first developed from the complex of gestures? The preliminary findings related to studying Al Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language can be discussed as supportive in relation to such a theoretical model of language acquisition as the Innateness Theory. According to the Innateness Theory, the individual develops the language skills because he or she has the specific innate faculty for language acquisition (Wade). Referring to the experience of the users of Al Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language, it is possible to note that the development of their language is a result of using the specific abilities of their brains (Wade). Thus, focusing on the grammar structure of the used sign language, it is possible to assume that the users of this language have the specific innate faculty for language acquisition (Wade). That is why, the discussed preliminary findings are rather opposite in relation to the arguments used by the linguists to state the particular role of the Social Interaction Theory and Behaviorist Theory in the language acquisition as well in the development of the language rules and principles because these theories’ principles do not work effectively within the isolated group’s environments. b. To discover the role of brain in the process of language development, it is necessary to focus on examining Broca and Wernicke’s areas. The examination of these brain areas contributes significantly to understanding the specific role of the brain in controlling the language functions. The discovery of Broca and Wernicke’s areas responsible for producing language provided the researchers with the idea that the damage to a concrete part of the brain can lead to losing the language abilities. Thus, it is possible to conclude that such brain areas as Broca and Wernicke’s ones are responsible for producing the language in spite of the fact that such processes as the language perception and understanding cannot be influenced by these areas’ activities. As a result, the study of Broca and Wernicke’s areas help the researchers understand the biological origins of the language and find the ways how to cope with different language problems caused by the damage of this or that brain area. The observation of the children with epilepsy whose parts of the brain were removed to control seizures is important for linguists and other researchers to understand the language development because such observations support the ideas about the role of the concrete parts in controlling the language functions. Depending on the part of the brain which was removed to control seizures, it is possible to control the child’s language activities and to conclude about the role of the certain brain area in affecting the language development. Such observations help in answering the question about the role of the nature and culture in developing the language skills. It is often noted that the children whose brain parts were removed suffer from lagging in relation to the language development. Brain imaging techniques used in working with bilingual children are the sources of the factual evidence for the researchers on the role of the brain in the language functioning and development. It is effective to use the brain imaging techniques to understand the role of the brain in the language development because the researchers can observe the activity of the brain different parts while perceiving and producing the language. To understand the boundaries between the role of the society and nature in developing the language, it is reasonable to use the brain imaging techniques. The focus on examining the brain activities of the bilingual children is important because the researchers receive the opportunity to compare the brain reactions in relation to the perception and use of two different languages. Linguists are inclined to state that the process of the second-language acquisition differs significantly from the process of acquiring and understanding the first language. That is why, the brain imaging techniques can contribute to understanding the specific nature of these differences and to understanding the important features of the language development. Works Cited Wade, Nicholas. A New Language Arises, and Scientists Watch It Evolve. 01 Feb. 2005. Web. < https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/01/science/a-new-language-arises-and-scientists-watch-it-evolve.html >
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: Albaco's main strength is its ability to produce footwear products at a low cost. In addition, the company has spare capacity and a talented workforce. The main weakness of the company is its lack of adequate knowledge about the dynamics of the target market.
Albaco's main strength is its ability to produce footwear products at a low cost. In addition, the company has spare capacity and a talented workforce. The main weakness of the company is its lack of adequate knowledge about the dynamics of the target market.
Albaco Shoes Ltd Export Strategy Report (Assessment) Introduction The purpose of this paper is to develop an export strategy for the board of directors of Albaco Shoes Ltd. Albaco is a leading manufacturer and distributor of footwear in Albania. Thus, the export strategy is expected to enable it to export its products to Norway. SWOT analysis will be used to assess the company’s ability to export to Norway. In addition, Porter’s five forces framework will be used to assess the suitability of Norway as an export destination. Brief Synopsis of the Issue Globalisation continues to enhance trade between countries through economic liberalisation policies. Norway and Albania have focused on liberalising their economies through removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade. This helps the countries to create jobs and increase the growth rate of their economies (Carbaugh 2012, p. 67). Albania signed a free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in 2009 (AIDA 2014). Since Norway is a member of the EFTA, Albaco can access its market without facing entry barriers such as high import taxes. Norway is a developed country with a high per capita GDP, whereas Albania is a developing country (IMF 2014). However, Albania has an absolute advantage in producing footwear because it can access cheap labour and raw materials (Buxey 2013, pp. 100-133). By contrast, over 50% of footwear products in Norway are imported from other countries. Thus, exporting to Norway is a huge growth opportunity that will enable Albaco to increase its revenue and share of the global market. Recommendations The company should consider the following strategies to export its products. First, it should adopt the direct exporting strategy by collaborating with independent distributors in Norway to sell its products. This strategy will reduce Alaco’s operating costs since activities such as marketing will be shifted to distributors (Hamilton & Webster 2012, p. 117). Second, the company should focus on product adaptation. Generally, product adaptation involves aligning product features to the needs of the export market (Brooks & Wilkinson 2010, p. 121). Thus, it will enable Albaco to overcome socio-cultural issues such as varying tastes and preferences in Norway. Finally, Albaco should implement a cost leadership strategy in order to improve its competitiveness in Norway (Daniels, Radeaugh & Sullivan 2012, pp. 20-150). Specifically, the company should focus on reducing its production costs to avoid high retail prices for its products in Norway. Background: SWOT Analysis Albaco’s main strength is its ability to produce footwear products at a low cost. In addition, the company has spare capacity and a talented workforce. Thus, it can fulfill orders within a short time lead. The company also has a strong brand image that is known for unparalleled quality and reliability. The main weakness of the company is its lack of adequate knowledge about the dynamics of the Norwegian market. Lack of market intelligence will limit the company’s ability to develop products that meet customers’ expectations. Moreover, Albaco has a narrow product line, which is likely to have a negative effect on its sales in Norway. High competition is the main threat to the company’s success in Norway. Albaco’s products will not penetrate the market if they cannot compete in terms of price and quality (Baxey 2010, pp. 997-1016). High shipping costs will also reduce the competitiveness of Albaco’s products. The rapid growth of Norway’s footwear market is the main opportunity that is available to Albaco. The market is expected to grow by 3.5% in the next three years (MERZ 2014). Similarly, robust economic growth will create demand for Albaco’s products. Research on the Assessment Topic The Norwegian footwear market was worth $1.2 billion in 2013 (Pirolo, Giustiniano & Nenni 2014, pp. 1-23). The demand for footwear products is expected to increase in the next five years as the economy rebounds. Thus, players in the industry expect a steady increase in profits in the next five years. Retailers such as supermarkets and departmental stores account for nearly 80% of sales in the industry (Pirolo, Giustiniano & Nenni 2014, pp. 1-23). This means that Albaco has to collaborate with large retailers in order to penetrate the market. Imported footwear products are more competitive than those produced in Norway due to their low prices and unique designs. China is the main source of imported footwear products since it accounts for 38.1% of the Norwegian market (MERZ 2014). China is closely followed by Vietnam and Italy, which account for 23.3% and 12.01% of the market respectively (MERZ 2014). In this regard, Albaco is likely to succeed by introducing Albanian footwear designs that are hardly available in Norway. Arguments against the Recommendation (Exporting) Threat of New Entrants The Norwegian footwear industry is characterized by a high threat of new entrants. In the last decade, the government of Norway focused on signing bilateral and multilateral trade agreements with several countries in Europe, South America, and Asia that produce footwear products (Wacziarg & Welch 2008, pp. 187-231). Consequently, foreign firms can easily enter the Norwegian market. Joining the footwear industry is not capital intensive because new firms can easily contract established manufacturers to produce various products on their behalf. In addition, increased access to financial capital in major countries that produce footwear products enables new companies to join the industry easily. The high threat of new entrants means that Albaco is likely to lose its market share in Norway as more companies join the market. In this context, exporting to Norway is undesirable since the opportunities for making high profits are limited (Pirolo, Giustiniano & Nenni 2014, pp. 1-23). High Competitive Rivalry The competition in Norway’s footwear market is very high due to the following reasons. First, companies have embarked on product differentiation in order to attract and retain new customers. However, increased availability of differentiated products reduces customers’ switching costs. This leads to high competition as customers change brands to satisfy their tastes and preferences. Second, very many companies are exporting footwear products to Norway. Similarly, several companies are producing shoes in the country. Thus, companies are competing based on price in order to penetrate the market. However, price-based competition reduces the profit margins of manufacturers of footwear products (Gerber 2012, p. 89). Finally, high fixed costs such as warehousing lead to intense competition. High competition discourages exportation to Norway by reducing profits in the market. Consequently, Albaco is likely to make huge losses if its products are not able to overcome competition in the market. Arguments in Support of the Recommendation Suppliers’ Bargaining Power Suppliers in Albania’s footwear industry have a low bargaining power. There are thousands of livestock farmers in Albania who produce leather products that are used as the main raw materials in the footwear industry. The resulting increase in competition prevents suppliers from increasing the prices of their products (Vyuptakesh 2012, p. 92). Low product differentiation also reduces suppliers’ bargaining power. Generally, the low bargaining power of suppliers allows Albaco to negotiate for favorable prices for raw materials. As a result, its products can compete effectively in Norway with their counterparts from China, which are known for low prices. Buyers’ Bargaining Power Buyers (retailers) have a moderate bargaining power. One of the factors that improve retailers’ bargaining power is their market dominance. Since retailers control the distribution channel, they can take advantage of manufacturers by demanding for high profit margins (Du 2007, pp. 527-543). However, the limited supply of high quality footwear products that target niche markets reduce retailers’ bargain power. In this regard, Albaco can increase its income by serving niche markets where retailers are not likely to reduce its profit margins. Threat of Substitutes The threat of substitutes is low in the footwear industry. In particular, footwear products such as shoes, slippers, and sandals have no substitutes since people have to use them to protect their feet. Thus, Albaco’s products mainly compete with substitute brands that are produced by other companies. Albaco’s products are likely to outperform their counterparts from Italy, Vietnam, and China due to the following reasons. To begin with, Chinese and Vietnamese companies face higher shipping costs than Albaco because of the long distance between their countries and Norway (Du 2007, pp. 527-543). Although Italy-based companies are known for superior designs, their products tend to be expensive due to high production costs. The low threat of substitutes is an opportunity to Albaco to expand its market share by exporting to Norway. Implementation of the Recommendations Entry Strategy Albaco’s strategic objectives are to increase its market share and profits. Moreover, the company intends to reduce its operating costs as it expands its operations. The market entry strategies that are available to Albaco are direct and indirect exporting. Given the company’s objectives, using direct exporting is justified by two main factors. First, the strategy will reduce market entry costs since Albaco will use the distribution systems of its partners rather than establishing its own distribution channels (Lipczynska 2010, pp. 14-15). Second, direct exporting will allow Albaco to serve its partners’ customers in Norway. This will lead to an increase in market share and revenues. Export Plan The first issue that has to be dealt with during the market entry is identification of customers’ needs through marketing research. The results of the research should be used to adapt the company’s products so that they can meet the expectations of Norwegians in terms of design, quality, and price (Ceko 2013, pp. 1-20). Specifically, the company should use its product differentiation initiatives to deliver the desired quality standards. Albaco should also engage in ethical behaviors such as protecting the environment to avoid a boycott of its products in Norway. The second issue that has to be addressed is operating costs. Albaco should adopt a business-to-business e-commerce platform to reduce its supply chain management costs (Ceko 2013, pp. 1-20). In addition, it should reduce costs at the production plants (cost leadership) to offset the high cost of transporting the products to Norway. References AIDA 2014, Trade agreements . Web. Baxey, G 2010, ‘Strategies in an era of global competition’, International Journal of Operations and Production Management , vol. 20. no. 9, pp. 997-1016. Brooks, I & Wilkinson, G 2010, The international business environment: challenges and changes, Palgrave, London. Buxey, G 2013, ‘Globalisation and manufacturing strategy in the TCF industry’, International Journal of Operations and Production Management , vol. 25. no. 2, pp. 100-113. Carbough, R 2012, International economics , McGraw-Hill, New York. Ceko, E 2013, ‘South East Europe: trade liberalization, economic integration, quality, security, and guarantee of products and services’, Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, vol. 4. no. 9, pp. 1-20. Daniels, J, Radeaugh, L & Sullivan, D 2012, International business environmental and operation , Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Du, L 2007, ‘Acquiring competitive advantage in industry through supply chain integration: a case study of Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd’, Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. 20. no. 5, pp. 527-543. Gerber, J 2012, International economics , Oxford University Press, London. Hamilton, L & Webster, P 2012, The international business environment , John Wiley and Sons, New York. IMF 2014, Classification of countries based on their level of development . Web. Lipczynska, S 2010, ‘Feet and footwear: a cultural encyclopedia’, Reference Reviews , vol. 24. no. 4, pp. 14-15. MERZ 2014, Norway increased by 10% footwear import in the first half of 2013 . Web. Pirolo, L, Giustiniano, L & Nenni, M 2014, ‘The Italian footwear industry: an empirical analysis’, International Journal of Engineering Business Management , vol. 2. no. 4, pp. 1-23. Vyuptakesh, S 2012, International business: concepts, environment, and strategy , McGraw-Hill, New York. Wacziarg, R & Welch, K 2008, ‘Trade liberalization and growth: new evidence’, World Bank Economic Review , vol. 22. no. 2, pp. 187-231.
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: The text discusses the similarities and differences between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and e-commerce websites.SMEs and e-commerce websites compare and contrast essay The text discusses the similarities and differences between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and e-commerce websites. SMEs are businesses with fewer than 250 employees, while e-commerce websites are online retailers that sell products or services. Both types of businesses create a great opportunity for each other to
The text discusses the similarities and differences between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and e-commerce websites. SMEs and e-commerce websites compare and contrast essay The text discusses the similarities and differences between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and e-commerce websites. SMEs are businesses with fewer than 250 employees, while e-commerce websites are online retailers that sell products or services. Both types of businesses create a great opportunity for each other to
Small & Medium Enterprises and E-Commerce Websites Compare & Contrast Essay Introduction Websites, such as Alibaba.com, create a great opportunity for SMEs to expand their sales and production. Alibaba.com and Trade-india.com have similar features on selecting products and suppliers. The usefulness of the information to a buyer is that it offers a wide range of companies and products that an individual can select. The websites lower the cost of marketing, labor, and retailing. The three sites offer a simple path of registering a seller. A single click is enough to put the seller on a page where he can begin the registration process. Fraud can come from the ordering procedures that require customers to make payment before goods are delivered. Fraud can be reduced by using a third party to hold money on behalf of customers. The third party can release the money once all the terms of trade have been met by the supplier. In the short run, the problem caused by lack of infrastructure can be solved by convenience stores. Ease, usefulness and potential value of the website The product I would like to purchase is genuine leather. I type genuine leather on the advanced search field and look if there are categories that match my search. I click on search, since there are no direct matches. Most of the categories are about finished goods. I want genuine leather material that I can use in the fashion industry to make items such as jackets, wallets, belts, and shoes. I choose suppliers and the gold standard criteria. The list of companies that qualify is large. The selection shifts to lower prices, and suppliers with a wide range of colors. There are about 38 companies per page, and there are 90 pages. Most companies are located in Asia. There is a large of number of suppliers, which may increase the difficulty in choosing one supplier. The two companies that I select are Jinjiang King Lion Garment Trading Co., in China Mainland, and E.F.A International (SMC-Private) Ltd., in Pakistan. I select Jinjiang King Lion Garment Trading Co. because of its low prices. The material costs US$ 2.5 – US$ 4.5 per square meter of genuine leather (Alibaba fig. 1). The material can be used for making handbags and shoes. The delivery time is also a factor in the selection. Jinjiang King Lion Garment Trading Company delivers a package between 10 and 15 days. It offers a wide variety of colors, which makes it easier for a fashion designer (Alibaba fig. 1). E.F.A International is selected because it offers a wide range of genuine leather with a light weight that can be used for apparel. It offers a wide variety of colors. It is chosen for sheep, goat and pig leather. The price is higher than the price offered by companies operating in China. The price ranges from US$ 1.99 to US$ 2.75 per square foot (Alibaba fig. 2). The goods are delivered in a period of 30 days. Selecting a product and a company, based on price and ratings given to the supplier, is an easy process. The usefulness of the information to a buyer is that it offers a wide range of companies and products to select. One can choose a company based on the years that it has retained membership. Some of the companies have been verified by Alibaba.com. Potential value comes from the information obtained without physically visiting stores to make selections. The potential value is also created when the supplier makes arrangements using existing logistics companies that are more efficient through specialization. Benefits and costs of using sites such as Alibaba Benefits Costs 1. The Web offers manufacturers and traders a larger market for their products. A larger market offers an opportunity to spread fixed costs over a larger number of products. 1. A large market comes with a large number of suppliers. Countries with high variable costs are likely to lose in the pricing competition. 2. Payments can be made quickly using electronic means. 2. The ease of making payment opens opportunity for fraudsters. 3. SMEs can use fewer resources to reach the global market, which was once only accessible to big corporations (Manzoor 22). 3. Customers may prefer well-known brands, which becomes a limitation for SMEs. 4. Suppliers can hire logistics firms with more efficient operations. Suppliers can share logistics infrastructure. 4. There are costs associated with building infrastructure for logistics (Gupta and Bijlani 1). 5. The Internet is accessible from any country. 5. There are costs associated with purchasing electronic devices that can access the Internet. It limits the number of people that can access the Internet in emerging markets. 6. The system of payment used is more convenient. Most of the firms that supply may use online money transfers. 6. Most emerging economies do not have a developed system of making payment electronically. Suppliers still rely on cash collection on delivery (COD) method of payment. Some customers also distrust electronic methods of money transfer. 7. Competitive pricing is beneficial to customers. 7. Competitive pricing and price sensitive customers, especially in emerging markets, makes suppliers to generate low profit margins (Gupta and Bijlani 5). 8. There is a wide variety of products to select. 8. There is a wide range of products whose quality standards cannot be guaranteed. 9. There is reduced cost of doing business. Marketing, workforce and warehousing costs are reduced. 9. Trade in different jurisdictions makes it difficult to enforce contracts. Laws may be unclear or conflicting in different countries (Manzoor 24). Refunds may not be easy to make. An SME, such as SpinCent, has an opportunity to grow at a higher rate by satisfying needs of customers in a larger market. SpinCent manufactures laboratory and industrial centrifugal devices that experience a slower growth rate. Slower economic growth rate has its effects on the domestic market. SMEs will need to be verified and gain membership of the website to increase its ratings. Customers are likely to base their selection on the ratings given to an SME by the firm that manages the website. SMEs are likely to use less on advertisement to market their products. They have the advantage of choosing a popular website. Comparing the three websites Alibaba.com and Trade-india.com have similar features on selecting products and suppliers. Only their location on the home page differs. Both have categories to speed up the search for a product. Both websites offer chargeable marketing services. Both of them show the length of time that a firm has engaged in online business, in years. One of the main differences is that Trade-india.com serves products manufactured in India. It features catalogues from different manufacturers. A search on Trade-india.com results in products (Trade-india par. 1). A search on Alibaba.com offers a possibility of selecting either products or companies. The main difference in Europages.com is the language selection option that enriches the website’s content. A search on Europages.com results in a list of companies. It will take more time for a buyer to select a product on Europages.com than on Alibaba.com (Europages par. 1). The images on Alibaba.com and Trade-india.com are better than the ones found on Europages.com. When trying to find the same genuine leather material, as in Alibaba.com, Europages.com and Trade-india.com do not provide the same simplicity of choice as Alibaba.com. The three sites offer a simple path of registering for a seller. One click is enough to put the seller on a page where he can begin the registration process. Trade between countries will eventually take place through websites like Alibaba Trade will eventually take place through websites once the barriers that limit trade have been removed. One of the barriers is logistical infrastructure. As emerging markets develop more sophisticated logistical infrastructure, the cost of delivery will be lower increasing demand for online purchases. Governments in emerging markets are investing in infrastructure that supports logistics, such as roads and local addresses. Most emerging markets lack location addresses that can be easily identified by suppliers without confirmation through a phone call (Gupta and Bijlani 3). Another barrier is the method of payment. Unlike developed countries, most emerging markets rely on physical cash for transactions. Most people have no access to electronic methods of making payment. Some people also distrust them because they are prone to fraud. As the online money transfer services, such as Paypal and credit cards, become more frequently used, websites will become a major shopping channel in most countries. Fraud Online payments create a situation where personal information may be captured by hackers. Individuals may lose money. Fraud can also come from the ordering procedures that require customers to make payment before goods are delivered. In some cases, payment may be made, but goods may never be delivered. Alibaba.com has a system for making complaints, but fraudsters may register using different names. It may require tracking of IP addresses and verification of companies to reduce fraud. Alternatives Fraud can be reduced by using a third party to hold money on behalf of all customers and ensure that supplier meets all the terms of trade. Gupta and Bijlani (4) discuss about Alipay that Alibaba uses as a means of payment. If the customer returns the goods, the supplier may be entitled to deduct the cost of shipping from the refund. Refunds will also become easier if a third party acts as an arbitrator in managing payment. The problem caused by lack of infrastructure to support logistics can be solved by convenience stores. Firms such as Alibaba can hold goods, in warehouses located in central locations, until they are picked by customers. They can charge the supplier or the customer. Conclusion The websites offer SMEs an opportunity to grow at a higher rate by satisfying needs of customers in a larger market. Trade will eventually take place through websites once the barriers that limit trade have been removed. SMEs will need to be verified and gain membership of the websites to increase their ratings. Alibaba.com and trade-india.com have similar features on selecting products and suppliers. The main difference in Europages.com is the language selection option that enriches the website’s content. Alipay acts as a third party to reduce the level of fraud. The problem caused by lack of infrastructure to support logistics can be solved by convenience stores. Works Cited Alibaba. n.d. Leather Journal, Brand Leather Factory, Genuine Leather with Pu Purse . n.d. Web. Europages. n.d. Find, select, contact companies . n.d. Web. Gupta, Sunil, and Tanya Bijlani. n.d. E-commerce in Asia: Challenges and Opportunities . n.d. Web. Manzoor, Amir. E-commerce: An Introduction . Saarbrucken: Lambert Academic Publishing, 2010. Print. Trade-india. n.d. India’s Largest B2B Marketplace . n.d. Web.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The essay discusses new and innovative uses of information from the POS system at Alliance Supermarket. These include using the data to reduce costs and improve services, as well as an alternative strategy for accessing data from individual consumers. Finally, ethical and privacy considerations in relation to the information gathered are reviewed.
The essay discusses new and innovative uses of information from the POS system at Alliance Supermarket. These include using the data to reduce costs and improve services, as well as an alternative strategy for accessing data from individual consumers. Finally, ethical and privacy considerations in relation to the information gathered are reviewed.
Alliance Supermarket’ Point-of-Sale System Case Study Table of Contents 1. New and Innovative uses of Information from the POS System 2. Using Information to Reduce Costs at Alliance Supermarket 3. Proposed Approach 4. Ethical and Privacy Considerations 5. References Alliance Supermarket has been using a point-of-sale (POS) system for a number of purposes. One of them is to keep track of inventory in the various outlets. The system uses laser to scan the Universal Product Code (UPC) of each item at the checkout counter. The firm is using the code to track the inventory records of all products. It is noted that the system has enhance the company’s inventory management. However, a number of problems have been noted. For example, the company is unable to deal with sudden spikes in demand for certain items. In addition, all the outlets are treated by the system as a single unit. In this paper, the author analyzes the various issues associated with Alliance Supermarket’s POS system. To this end, the author will formulate new and innovative applications of data from the system. Information that can help the company to reduce costs while improving services will be highlighted. In addition, an alternative strategy that can be utilized by the firm to access data from individual consumers is proposed. Finally, ethical and privacy considerations in relation to the information gathered are reviewed. New and Innovative uses of Information from the POS System The information from the POS systems can be very useful to Alliance Supermarkets. The company can come up with new and innovative ways of using the data. The systems are used to keep track of all sales in the supermarket, regardless of whether they are big day sell-out for a certain product or a low day for another item. The information collected can be stored securely in one database. From the database, managers and other end users can analyze what customers have bought in large quantities during that day. It is also possible to see the type of product that has sold out in that specific day. In addition, the individuals responsible for sales and marketing can analyze the reasons why customers prefer a specific product. They can achieve this by comparing its performance with that of other products from the same line (Gunasekaran, Marri, McGaughey & Nebhwani, 2002). If it is noted that the preference is as a result of the low prices associated with the item, then the management of the supermarket can come up with ways to standardize the cost of all products (Vonderembse & White, 2013). Information stored in the database for a span of one month or one week can also be used to identify the products required in large quantities. Such products will then be ordered from the suppliers. If the information from the POS system is stored and used in this way, then it can be very easy to manage the demands of the customers at any time of the year. Such a move can help the management to forecast demand and supply (Morgan, Kaleka & Gooner, 2007). Using this information, the sales and marketing employees can draw graphs of different products and how they perform on weekly and monthly bases. Consequently, a picture of what to expect in the future is made clear. Using Information to Reduce Costs at Alliance Supermarket Information stored in the POS systems can help the supermarket to reduce operational costs while providing improved services at the same time (Brown, Bessant & Lamming, 2013). A case in point is inventory management. If a system to carry out the task is unavailable, the process may require many employees. Increasing the number of employees needed to monitor inventory translates to an additional cost to the supermarket (Vonderembse & White, 2013). In addition, the process may be brought down by human error. The use of the POS system reduces the number of employees needed. Consequently, it enhances efficiency in inventory management. In light of this, it is clear that information from the POS can help the company reduce costs while improving the quality of services. Proposed Approach Apart from predicting future demands and determining the price of different products, the purchase information obtained from individual customers can be used by Alliance Supermarkets to create a new approach of estimating the maximum stock limit to be kept (Morgan et al., 2007). The limit to be maintained by the supermarket can be set by observing the consumption trends among the consumers (Brown et al., 2013). As a result, the supermarket can handle its orders more efficiently without worrying that some products may go bad. Ethical and Privacy Considerations A number of measures should be taken to safeguard data. For example, information from the system should be secured to enhance privacy and conform to ethical provisions. The supermarket relies on the information to manage its inventory. Business ethics and conducts should be observed. Only the persons in charge of this function should be authorized to check into and out of the database. Securing the database will ensure that information is protected from any unauthorized access (Vonderembse & White, 2013). As such, the data stored can be relied upon to make decisions in the future. It will be regarded as a true representation of the opinions of the consumers. References Brown, S., Bessant, J., & Lamming, R. (2013). Strategic operations management . London, UK: Routledge. Gunasekaran, A., Marri, H., McGaughey, R., & Nebhwani, M. (2002). E-commerce and its impact on operations management. International Journal of Production Economics, 75 (1), 185-197. Morgan, N., Kaleka, A., & Gooner, R. (2007). Focal supplier opportunism in supermarket retailer category management. Journal of Operations Management, 25 (2), 512-527. Vonderembse, M., & White, G. (2013). Operations management: Concepts, methods, and strategies . San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The present research study uses a positivist research philosophy to investigate the effectiveness of alternative teacher certification programs in education. The study uses a quantitative research approach, which is usually associated with an empiricist/positivist research paradigm and a survey method of data collection.
The present research study uses a positivist research philosophy to investigate the effectiveness of alternative teacher certification programs in education. The study uses a quantitative research approach, which is usually associated with an empiricist/positivist research paradigm and a survey method of data collection.
Alternative Teacher Certification Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Research Philosophy 2. Research Approach 3. Research Strategy 4. Population and Sampling 5. Methods of Data Collection 6. Validity and Reliability 7. Ethical Considerations 8. Data Analysis 9. References Research Philosophy The present research study uses a positivist research philosophy to investigate the effectiveness of alternative teacher certification programs in education. This philosophy views research in social science as a form of scientific explanation, or as an organised method for combining deductive logic with accurate empirical observations of individual behaviour with the view to discovering and confirming a set of probabilistic causal laws that can then be used by the researcher to predict or envisage general patterns of human behaviour (Neumann, 2003). Bryman (2008) posits that the knowledge that develops through a positivist research orientation is embedded in thorough observation and measurement of the objective reality that exists “out there” in the world, and that can only be possible through the development of valid measures of observations for use in studying or evaluating the main issues of concern to the researcher. In the context of the present study, it is more appropriate to use a positivist research philosophy than an interpretivist research philosophy as the former allows the researcher to: 1. collect specific empirical data on the effectiveness of alternative teacher certification programs in the district, 2. develop specific sets of hypotheses and operationalise them based on the main issues of interest to the study, 3. empirically test the hypotheses with the intention to corroborating existing relationships between the main issues of interest to the study. However, unlike interpretivism or social constructivism, positivism as a research philosophy lacks the rigour to describe a phenomenon, construct propositions, as well as identify structures and interactions between complex mechanisms (Mesel, 2013; Zachariadis, Scott, & Barett, 2013). Research Approach The present study uses a quantitative research approach, which is usually associated with an empiricist/positivist research paradigm and a survey method of data collection (Weaver & Olson, 2006). Available research methodology scholarship defines the quantitative research approach “as a type of empirical research into a social phenomena or human problem, testing a theory consisting of variables which are measured with numbers and analysed with statistics in order to determine if the theory explains or predicts phenomena of interest” (Yilmaz, 2013, p. 312). On their part, Lee and Hubona (2009) argue that quantitative research is basically an approach for testing objective theories by investigating the relationships between issues and variables considered to be of critical concern to the study using rigid rules of logic and measurement, truth, absolute principles and prediction as allowed in a positivist research philosophy. In the context of the present study, a quantitative research approach is more appropriate than qualitative or mixed methods research approaches, as it allows the researcher to not only effectively test the stated hypotheses through empirical or statistical means, but also respond to the underlying research questions by using numbers (statistics) to investigate the relationship between variables of interest to the study (Creswell, 2009). Another advantage of the quantitative research approach lies in its capacity to provide the researcher with a broad analysis of the main issues under investigation; however, the approach is unable to focus on the operation of social processes in a greater depth than a qualitative research approach (Griffin, n.d.). Research Strategy This particular study uses a cross-sectional (survey) research design because the sampled study participants are contacted at a fixed point in time to collect data using two sets of standardised survey questionnaires (Balnaves & Caputi, 2001). Available research methodology scholarship demonstrates that a survey research is appropriate in the present study as it avails “a quantitative or numeric description of trends, attitudes, or opinions of a population by studying a sample of that population” (Creswell, 2014, p. 13). Consequently, the survey research design is appropriate than other designs (e.g., case studies, longitudinal designs and experimental designs) as it enables the researcher to not only investigate the effectiveness of alternative teacher certification programs in the district at a particular point of time, but also to use less financial resources and time in studying a sample rather than the whole population. Additionally, a cross-sectional research strategy is easy to apply, demonstrates adequate capacity to be descriptive, and enables the researcher to collect data that is broader in scope. However, unlike other research designs such as case studies and experimental designs, the cross-sectional research design is unable to make inferences about processes that occur over time, implying that it cannot demonstrate causality (Balnaves & Caputi, 2001). Population and Sampling Creswell (2014) defines “population” as a group of individuals or things of interest that a researcher intends to examine or explore with the view to meeting the study objectives and providing answers to the key research questions. Following this definition, the target population in the present study includes education officials as well as teachers residing in the school district. The researcher employs nonprobability sampling techniques, in large part due to the nature of information required to investigate the effectiveness of alternative teacher certification programs in the school district. Specifically, purposive sampling technique is used to select a sample of 50 education officials within the school district who are well versed with the alternative teacher certification programs, while convenience sampling technique is used to select a sample of 150 teachers from the school district. In the context of this study, purposive sampling technique is appropriate than other probability sampling techniques such as simple random sampling due to its capacity to allow the researcher to gain an in-depth and holistic understanding of alternative teacher certification programs, as a purposive sample is selected or “handpicked” based on the participants expansive knowledge of issues that are of primary concern to the researcher (Sekaran, 2006; Vogt, 2007). Consequently, the purposive sample of education officials is essential in facilitating the researcher to gain an in-depth and holistic understanding of the effectiveness of alternative teacher certification programs in education. However, unlike some probability sampling techniques such as simple random sampling and stratified random sampling, purposive sampling is costly to administer in terms of finances and time, not mentioning that a purposive sample is not always representative of the population (Teddlie, 2007). Convenience sampling technique is used in the sampling of teachers as it is not only easier to administer, but is less expensive than other sampling procedures and helps the researcher in the gathering of important data that would not have been possible using probability sampling techniques (Vogt, 2007). However, unlike some probability sampling techniques such as sample random sampling, convenience sampling may not result in a representative sample and suffers from several biases including underrepresentation or overrepresentation of particular groups within the sample (Teddlie, 2007). Methods of Data Collection The present study draws on quantitative data collected by means of standardised questionnaire schedules administered to the sampled education officials and teachers within the school district. Available methodology literature defines questionnaires as “fixed sets of questions that can be administered by paper and pencil, as a Web form, or by an interviewer who follows a strict script” (Harrell & Bradley, 2009, p. 6). The present study uses online means to send the questionnaires to participants for completion and onward submission through the same protocols, hence the need to provide participants with sufficient time to respond to the self-administered, web-based questionnaires without the assistance of the researcher (Potter, 2003). Of the two questionnaire sets prepared for the purpose of collecting data, one set containing a combination of numerical questions, Yes and No questions, closed-ended questions and a few open-ended items is administered to the education officers, while the other set containing similar items is administered to the sampled teachers. It is important to note that both questionnaires are divided into two sections: the first section is concerned with collecting the demographic information of participants, while the second section mostly contains questions asking participants to identify their level of agreement with a number of statements presented in the questionnaires using a five-point Lickert-type scale (“1=strongly disagree”; “2=disagree”; “3=neither agree nor disagree”; “4=agree”; “5=strongly agree”) with the view to investigating the effectiveness of alternative teacher certification programs in the school district. The use of the Lickert-type scale in the two questionnaires is consistent with the quantitative research approach which, according to Gelo, Braakmann, & Benetka (2008), “requires the reduction of phenomena to numerical values in order to carry out statistical analysis.” Drawing from this elaboration, it is evident that the use of a Lickert-type scale in the data collection process is justifiable as it allows survey participants to quantify their preferences, thoughts, and attitudes on the effectiveness of alternative teacher certification programs within the school district (Fowler, 2008). Overall, the web-based self-administered questionnaires used in this study are appropriate than other data collection techniques such as interviews and focus groups due to a number of reasons, namely low administration costs, wider geographical reach, capacity to provide greater anonymity for participants due to absence of the interviewer, low training requirement for the person administering the schedules, and capacity to reduce bias that is often caused by interviewer characteristics or variability in interviewer skills. However, unlike qualitative data collection methods such as interviews and focus groups, questionnaires are unable to achieve a high participant response rate, are unable to capture complex and ambiguous questions due to the absence of the researcher, and are also unable to probe participants further as most items are closed-ended (Harrell & Bradley, 2009; Marsden & Wright, 2010; Nicholas & Childs, 2009; Potter, 2003). Validity and Reliability Available literature demonstrates that validity implies the degree to which a particular measure is effective in measuring what it is supposed to, while reliability implies the degree or level to which a test or procedure is able to generate similar results under constant conditions on all occasions (Bryman & Bell, 2008; Punch, 2009). Following these definitions, reliability of the study findings (e.g., consistency of results among participants, consistency of the study results across uses) has be guaranteed through: 1. standardising the questionnaire schedules, 2. documenting shifts or progress regularly, 3. ensuring the stability of the Lickert-type scale and other scales used in the questionnaires. On the other hand, the validity of the study results (e.g., establishing relationships between different study variables and generalising the results to other contexts) has been guaranteed by: 1. using available literature on alternative teacher certification to structure the questions in the standardised questionnaire sets with the view to ensuring their relevance and representativeness, 2. comparing the questionnaire instruments to other similar validated measures used in measuring the effectiveness of alternative teacher certification programs, 3. establishing the correct operational measures for the theoretical concepts under investigation through successfully linking the items contained in the questionnaire sets to the study’s objectives, research questions, and hypotheses (Bryman & Bell, 2008; Punch, 2009). Ethical Considerations Ethical considerations form an important component of any research process, with available methodology scholarship demonstrating that ethical issues arise in any research study using human subjects as the investigator is expected to “ ensure that no harm occurs to the voluntary participants and that all participants have made the decision to assist after receiving full information as to what is required and what, if any, potential consequences may arise from such participation” (Polonsky & Waller, 2010, p. 69). In this particular study, the researcher has: 1. sought for written permission from the district education department and relevant schools to be allowed to engage the participants in data collection, 2. ensured that any participation in the research study is voluntary, and that the sampled teachers and education officials taking part in the study have been provided with adequate information to make informed choices, 3. ensured the teachers and education officials fully understand what they are being asked to do and are abundantly informed of any potentially negative consequences arising from such participation, 4. guaranteed individual confidentiality and anonymity of participating teachers and education officials, 5. facilitated the debriefing of participating teachers and education officials, including using online means to share with them the study findings (Gregory, 2003; Polonsky & Waller, 2010). Data Analysis In the present study, completed questionnaires returned from the participants are cleaned, coded, and entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for analysis and interpretation of the results. The two major techniques used to analyse data in this study include descriptive statistics (univariate analysis) as well as inferential statistics with a focus on analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation analysis ( p ). The study findings are synthesised, harmonised, and presented using various formats, including normal text, descriptive tables of means and standard deviations, frequency distribution tables, bar graphs, pie charts, as well as correlation tables. It is important to note that the advantages of using descriptive statistics include: 1. capacity to gather, organise, and compare huge amounts of discreet categorical and continuous non-discreet (numerically infinite) data in a more manageable form for easier interpretation of results, 2. capacity to be employed in systematic observations of central tendency in order to describe subject data information in a manner that is less subjectively assessed by others, 3. capacity to identify with ease discreet or finite categorical variables, including participants’ gender, age in completed years, educational level, and certification status (Connolly, 2007; Treiman, 2008). Lastly, the justification for using ANOVA and correlation statistics lies in the capacity of the two data analysis techniques to: 1. avail more comprehensive information than is the case with descriptive statistics, 2. yield significant insights into relationships between issues of interest, 3. make predictions between causes and effects, 4. generate convincing support for a given theory or the main issues being investigated in the research study (Runyon, 2010). References Balnaves, M., & Caputi, P. (2001). Introduction to quantitative research methods: An investigative approach . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Ltd. Bryman, A. (2008). Social research methods , Oxford: Oxford University Press. Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2008). Business research methods (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Connolly, P. (2007). Quantitative data analysis in education: A critical introduction using SPSS . New York, NY: Routledge. Creswell, J.W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Ltd. Creswell, J.W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Ltd. Fowler, F.J. (2008). Survey research methods (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Ltd. Gelo, O., Braakmann, D., & Benetka, G. (2008). Quantitative and qualitative research: Beyond the debate. Integrative Psychological & Behavioural Science. 42 (3), 266-290. Gregory, I. (2003). Ethics in research . London: Bloomsbury Publishing. Griffin, C. (n.d.). The advantages and limitations of qualitative research in psychology and education . Web. Harrell, M.C., & Bradley, M.A. (2009). Data collection methods: Semi-structured interviews and focus groups . Retrieved from https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2009/RAND_TR718.pdf Lee, A.S., & Hubona, G.S. (2009). A scientific basis for rigour in information systems research. MIS Quarterly, 33 (2), 237-262. Marsden, P.V., & Wright, J.D. (2010). Handbook of survey research . Bingley, BD: Emerald Group Publishing. Mesel, T. (2013). The necessary distinction between methodology and philosophical assumptions in healthcare research. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 27 (3), 750-756. Neumann, W.L. (2003). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches . Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Nicholas, E., & Childs, J.H. (2009). Respondent debriefings conducted by experts: A technique for questionnaire evaluation. Field Methods, 21 (2), 115-132. Polonsky, M.J., & Waller, D.S. (2010). Designing and managing a research project: A business student’s guide . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Ltd. Potter, J. (2003). Studying the Standardised survey as interaction. Qualitative Research, 3 (2), 269-278. Punch, K. (2009). Introduction to social research: Quantitative and qualitative approaches . London: Sage Publications Ltd. Runyon, R.P. (2010). Descriptive and inferential statistics: A contemporary approach (5th ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Sekaran, U. (2006). Research methods for business: A skill building approach (4th ed.). New Delhi: Wiley-India. Teddlie, C.Y. (2007). Mixed methods sampling: A typology with examples. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1 (1), 77-100. Treiman, D.J. (2008). Quantitative data analysis: Doing social research to test ideas . San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Vogt, W.P. (2007). Quantitative research methods for professionals . Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Yilmaz, K. (2013). Comparison of quantitative and qualitative research traditions: Epistemological, theoretical, and methodological differences. European Journal of Education, 8 (2), 311-325. Zachariadis, M., Scott, S., & Barett, M. (2013). Methodological implications of critical realism for mixed-methods research. MIS Quarterly, 37 (3), 855-879.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: After 9/11, Leffller notes that the American administration under President Bush came up with radical measures to respond to the state of security in the country. The government's response generated a heated debate with supporters of Bush claiming that the action would bring change in the way country's security is handled. After 9/11, Leffller noted that the American administration under President Bush came up with radical measures to respond to the state of security in the country. The government's response generated a
After 9/11, Leffller notes that the American administration under President Bush came up with radical measures to respond to the state of security in the country. The government's response generated a heated debate with supporters of Bush claiming that the action would bring change in the way country's security is handled. After 9/11, Leffller noted that the American administration under President Bush came up with radical measures to respond to the state of security in the country. The government's response generated a
American Foreign Policy after 9/11 Expository Essay After 9/11, Leffller noted that the American administration under President Bush came up with radical measures to respond to the state of security in the country. The government’s response generated a heated debate with supporters of Bush claiming that the action would bring change in the way country’s security is handled. In their view, the proponents of observed praised the government by describing them as bold, creative, imaginative since they would minimize terrorist threats. The opponents termed the government’s move as adventurous, proactive, and imprudent in the sense that they would not have facilitated the realization of interests. The author took a neutral stand by claiming that the changes introduced were not an end, but instead a means towards improvement of state security. The policies designed after 9/11 was a continuation of the American foreign policy that had been put in place several years ago. He noted that understanding of the current measures in handling country’s security calls on an individual to analyze the changes in the state foreign policy. The current foreign policy has the potential to improve the performance of the state globally while on the other hand, it might affect state interests in case implementation is not done appropriately. While the state has been focused on bringing about change with the major aim of improving the standards of living, revolutions are not included since they simply alter the fundamental principles. In his analysis, the country’s behavior in response to the 9/11 attack constitute a recalibration of the complex interactions and interrelations as far as threats, interests, values, and power are concerned. Depending on what the country is interested in, the foreign policy is expected to change and interactions among various aspects is a determining factor as well. If the state is under threats from terrorists, rogue states, and belligerent actor, the issue of values would generate a heated debate. The government is likely to incite members of the public to support its policies by claiming that the country’s values and ideas are in danger. This means that the state has always formulated a foreign policy that serves its interests at the time and incorporation of the public is critical for purpose of funding. In his view, the 9/11 security policies were not revolutionary in any way since the president was guided by the government’s 2002 strategy statement. Opponents suggest that the National Security Strategy statement, which was designed after the attack, aims at preempting threats, unilateral formulation of policy, and gaining military hegemony globally. The author opposes the idea that the government was concerned with gaining military strength when it formulated the policies after the attack since the strategies were not any different from the traditional foreign policies. After the First World War, the author confirms that the US reformulated its economic and foreign policies to reflect the new realities in the global system. The state was decided to empower its people economically by allowing them political and economic freedom, resolving conflicts with other actors peacefully, and respecting human dignity. In other words, the US foreign policy has always been focused on promoting freedom in the international system. The US president was reaffirming his commitment to the country’s values since he aspired to defend liberty and justice, as the two principles were right and true to all people in the country. In the document designed after the attack, the president called on all states to support his mission since it would defeat global terrorism, encourage cooperation in diffusing regional conflicts, and prevent enemies from causing destruction. The scholar went a notch higher to compare the Bush policies with other decisions made several years ago, especially when the state interests were at stake. He gives readers an opportunity to think about the open door notes of 1899 and 1900, Wilson’s fourteen points on democracy, the Atlantic charter, and Truman’s doctrines. Recently, he reminds readers of the Clinton’s efforts to ensure a peaceful global environment that support democracy and human development. Clinton was focused on facilitating peace, preventing aggression, managing, defusing, and preventing any form of conflict. On the domestic front, Clinton was concerned with enhancing exportation, opening up markets, helping American traders globally, fostering development, and promoting sustainability. During the Clinton administration, the United States was faced with the challenge of dealing with human tracking, narcotics, terrorism, crime, and development. The administration drafted a blue print on how to deal with the issues based on the country’s foreign policy framework developed several years ago. Similarly, the Bush administration relied on the same policy framework to design strategies to respond to the 9/11 attacks. Was the Bush administration right to design new strategies to deal with terrorism The US government has always been guided by a certain foreign policy framework that aims at ensuring state interests are realized. Before the World Wars, the state was guided by non-interventionist policy and it stated that the government had to keep off from external intervention. After the attack on the Pearl Harbor, the foreign policy changed significantly and the state was expected to intervene whenever it was felt that national interests were at risk. Following the bombing of the US, the government had the mandate of ensuring that people are safe and the only way to deal with the terrorists who were a major threat to the realization of American dream. Therefore, drafting of policies to respond strongly to security threats was the best thing that the Bush administration did. Were the changes introduced after the 9/11 attack revolutionary in any way President Bush had various options, including consulting the United Nations and waiting for a multinational action, but this would take time since it would need members of the Security Council to agree on the best way forward. This would have given terrorists, rogue states time to restructure their policies and defeating them would not have been easy. Therefore, the government had to do swing into action right away to deal with the menace. Many leaders relied on the prerogative powers bestowed to them constitutionally to safeguard the interests of the state. President Wilson noticed that the world was in need of democracy to facilitate healing and peace. He drafted the fourteen points that acted as the guiding principles towards peaceful resolution of conflicts. Similarly, President Bush had to draft policies that would guarantee its citizens peace and tranquility. Were the President’s decisions unilateral, preemptive, or hegemonic Depending on the way an individual views the terms, any answer would be accepted, but the author claims that they were not in the sense that they aimed at helping all actors in the international system.
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Write an essay about: The essay discusses the Americans with Disabilities Act and how it has impacted the lives of disabled Americans. The author discusses some of the controversial elements of the act, including the gender issue and the need for more research on the topic.
The essay discusses the Americans with Disabilities Act and how it has impacted the lives of disabled Americans. The author discusses some of the controversial elements of the act, including the gender issue and the need for more research on the topic.
Americans With Disabilities Act Response Essay ADA and Its Questionable Items Despite the fact that the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, has provided a range of opportunities for the disabled residents of the United States, it has posed a variety of challenges to the latter as well. Even though the act in question has finally addressed the unemployment issue among the disabled, some of its elements still rub people the wrong way. Among the key controversies surrounding ADA, the gender issue must be mentioned first. With all due respect to the efforts of the U.S. government to come up with a framework, which would allow for a faster and a more efficient integration of the disabled into the society, the fact that gender profiling is a major issue in the employment of the disabled seems to have been overlooked. While it could be argued that the Act explains the lack of emphasis on the gender issue at some point, the reason for dismissing the problem seems rather strange: “Under this chapter, the term “disability” shall not include (1) transvestism, transsexualism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, gender identity disorders not resulting from physical impairments, or other sexual behavior disorders” (Department of Justice, 2014, Sec. 12211.). Even if considering the unwillingness of the authors to focus on the specified issue for the sake of equality and integrity, the fact that a major social problem has been left in the shadow still remains a big concern. Concepts Selection. Knowledge, People, Community When picking the concepts that seem of the greatest essence to a psychologist, one must consider the phenomenon of knowledge first. The impact that choices have on the decision is quite obvious in the specified case; for example, the fact that knowledge lands at the top of the priority list shows that the decisions, which I am going to make as a psychologist, will be based primarily on the theoretical background, which I will have acquired by the time. The significance of attitudes and beliefs on the choice of one’s vocation also shines through as one considers the top three qualities chosen by me and listed above. Being an active member of my community and believing that people’s wellbeing hinges on their ability to communicate their ideas and emotions properly, I have picked the career of a psychologist in order to help people find the points of contact with the rest of the community and establish a dialogue with the society. The choice of the items listed in the exercise also helps identify the key specifics of establishing an emotional contact with the patient, as well as the possible problems that a therapist may have in the process. In the case in point, the choice of knowledge as one of the major notions to be taken into account shows that the therapist may consider the idea of introducing the patient to the phenomenon of emotional intelligence. More to the point, the therapist is most likely to develop the skills of emotional intelligence themselves apart from fostering these skills in the patient. The inclusion of emotional intelligence into the therapy process is most likely to lead to a faster recovery, since the patient will be able to cognize their own self and, therefore, discover the root of the problem and get rid of it (Montañés, 2008). Reference List Department of Justice. (2014). Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as Amended. ADA.gov . Retrieved from https://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm Montañés, J. (2008). Does emotional intelligence depend on gender? The socialization of emotional competencies in men and women and its implications. Electronic Journal of Research in Education and Psychology, 6 (15), 455–474.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: Amway is developing competitive marketing strategies to create customer value and value for the organization through sustainable customer relationships.Amway is developing competitive marketing strategies to create customer value and value for the organization through sustainable customer relationships.
Amway is developing competitive marketing strategies to create customer value and value for the organization through sustainable customer relationships. Amway is developing competitive marketing strategies to create customer value and value for the organization through sustainable customer relationships.
Amway – Developing Competitive Marketing Strategies Case Study How Amway is creating customer value and value for the organization through sustainable customer relationships The world of business has become highly competitive over the years. This has put pressure on companies to do the best they can to maintain their competitiveness. The world of business has been changing rapidly as customer tastes and preferences and technological changes keep on changing, forcing business organizations to adjust their way of doing things (Halme et al. 103). There are many organizations in the market, all striving to get a big share of the market. It should be noted that the larger the consumer base, the higher the chances of an organization being competitive. It is, therefore, important for an organization to create customer value through any possible means, one of which is sustainable customer relations (Halme et al. 104). This paper examines Amway’s creation of customer value for the benefit of the customers and the organization itself. It also looks at how Amway is serving the consumer market, as well as its global market to some extent. Finally, the paper examines the marketing strategies of Amway. Amway, an organization whose line of operations is nutrition, health, as well as beauty and home products, is a company that has been keen to establish business strategies that will help it maintain its market position. It has been offering products that will satisfy the customers with the aim of retaining them and attracting more customers. It is imperative to note that customers are the lifeline of an organization. In other words, a business organization will only succeed if it has a good flow of customers. This is reflected directly in the sales and profitability. An organization will only gain a competitive advantage if it is able to offer products that are either satisfactory to the consumers or beyond customer expectations (Kotler and Keller n.p.). Amway develops products based on what customers need for it to maintain good customer relations. The company takes into consideration consumer preferences and requirements through feedback channels and incorporates the same in the products. Once the company gets the feedback from customers, it can be able to know what needs to be added to the products or the changes that need to be incorporated. This is referred to as customer engagement. In doing this, the organization listens to the customers and responds to their needs accordingly. Customer engagement is a means through which an organization measures customer satisfaction and determines customer expectations at the same time. When customers are engaged in organizational decision making in whatever way, they feel appreciated and part of the organization. Their loyalty increases, giving the company a competitive edge. This not only creates value to the customers, but it also creates value to the organization. It creates value as the company listens to the customers and offers them what they need, thereby satisfying their needs. On the other hand, involving customers in decision making through seeking their feedback creates value to the organization because customer satisfaction gives the organization a competitive edge. Amway also produces goods that are safe and healthy for human use. It is a company that deals with products that are highly sensitive, which could cause health problems to consumers if not checked carefully. This could tarnish the image of the company and affect its relationship with customers. The company has Research and Development (R&D) projects, all working towards ensuring better production. The Research and Development team works in close collaboration with many universities to ensure that the products are developed according to quality standards and they meet all the conditions of a healthy product. Production of healthy and safe products is a strategy through which the company adds value to its customers and the organization itself as customers become satisfied with the products, thereby increasing sales. Amway also creates value to its customers and itself through sustainable customer relations by having sustainable product designs. The company is highly innovative and is able to design its products such that the use of those products and services can contribute directly to social sustainability. Through innovation, the company can produce goods that are affordable to many customers and promote social inclusion at the same time. It should be noted that customers always prefer to buy from an organization that produces affordable goods, but observes quality production at the same time. As mentioned in the case, customers do not buy products; instead, they buy benefits. This is a factor that Amway has been able to take care consider in its operations. The company produces products that are beneficial to its customers through innovation. As a result, Amway has contributed to customer value as customers are able to benefit from the products it sells. Finally, the organization creates value to its customers through corporate social responsibility. CSR is a strategy that has been used by many organizations to create good rapport with their customers and employees. CSR is a business model whereby a business organization ensures that it complies with ethical standards, as well as international business norms such as environmental sustainability. CSR also ensures that an organization participates in actions that are of social good, which are beyond the primary objectives of the business. Business organizations participate in CSR is to create value to their customers. It is a strategy through which an organization appreciates its customers and acts responsibly in response to its effects on the environment. Amway is a socially responsible company and has been engaged in creating value to its customers. The trust and loyalty that customers develop from its CSR, in turn, give it a competitive edge, which is value to itself. Whether Amway is serving the customer, organizational or global market Excellent customer service is among the main aims of any organization, regardless of whether it is operating in the global or in the domestic market. However, the organization has to maintain its course to achieve set goals and objectives (Kapoor, Justin, and Biplab 34). The success of the organization and its achievement of goals will depend on its services. The company has to satisfy its customers to achieve its goals. Amway is a company that is committed to serving the customers. It offers the customers what they need to satisfy their needs sufficiently. The company receives feedback from customers regarding its products and then makes any changes to the products as per the feedback. In addition, the amount of goods the company supplies is dictated by the consumer demand. The clients help the company to know what areas ought to be improved by raising various concerns about the products, which Amway acts upon to improve customer satisfaction. Amway has services that increase efficiency and convenience to customers. One such service is the online business opportunity it offers in the name of AMIVO. The aim of this online business opportunity is to support and enhance traditional business. Conventionally, one has to visit the store to make a purchase. This is time consuming and might be inconveniencing to the customers. Amway developed the AMIVO online business opportunity to address this issue and improve its service to customers, which makes it easier for customers to buy from wherever they are at any time. The company’s act of listening to the views of its customers and taking into consideration their suggestions and incorporating them in its production is an indication that it serves the customers. The activities that Amway conducts affect its neighboring community. The company aims at improving the community and making it a better place to live in. The goods that the company offers are also an indication that it serves the customers well. Its products serve nutrition, health, beauty, and home needs, among others. These are products that are meant for human consumption and have an effect of making lives better and more pleasant. However, it should also be noted that Amway has operations in several nations, thus it is also serving the global market. Amway has gone global and it has strategies to enable it serve the global market efficiently. An organization needs to have a supply chain management that is highly effective and has the ability to meet the needs of the market to succeed in the global market. Amway’s development of a strategy for producing and distributing, as well as marketing in the global market helps it meet the requirements of serving the market. Amway is able to achieve its organizational objectives by serving the customers and the global market. It can, therefore, be concluded that Amway serves the organizational market as well. The product, pricing promotion and distribution strategies of Amway The products of an organization determine the kind of customers it will have and the market segmentation to be applied. Products are very important as they eventually determine the market strategies that need to be applied. It should be noted that different kinds of products are marketed differently because of their nature and target customers (Kapoor, Justin, and Biplab 50). The home products that Amway deals with include air and water purifiers, cookware, as well as cleaning equipment, among others. These are products whose main target market is households. Nutrition and health related products can be sold to households and health institutions. The target market for beauty and home equipment is mainly households. These are products that have a wide market as they can be used by a wide range of people, extending from the young to the old and males to females. However, there are other organizations dealing with similar products, which make the business highly competitive as each of the players is looking to secure a large share of the market. Pricing is one of the most important factors in marketing. Any successful marketing strategy should have a pricing system that is highly effective and takes into consideration all significant factors that affect price (Kotler and Keller n.p). The term pricing can be defined as the process through which a business organization determines the amount of money it should receive in exchange of a product or the service it offers (Richter 24). When determining the price, the organization should take into consideration all the relevant costs of the product or service and then incorporate its profit margin. In financial modeling, pricing is among the four Ps in marketing mix. In other words, pricing is essential in marketing and it happens to be the most important of the four Ps as it is the only one that generates income to the business. As mentioned earlier, Amway is a company that responds to the customers’ feedback and makes changes as per the feedback. Therefore, it can be deduced that its pricing strategy is designed such that it adheres to the customer needs, but it has a favorable profit margin for the company at the same time. It sells goods at prices that are relatively low, which gives it a competitive edge. Customers are said to always prefer buying at the lowest possible prices for the highest possible quality. Amway has quality products and offers them at a reasonably low price. In determining its prices, Amway conducts a price comparison survey to set competitive prices against its rivals. Promotion strategy is the other important aspect of the marketing mix. An organization needs to promote its goods so that people can be aware of them (Richter 24). The fact that there are many organizations in the market means that each organization has to come up with ways of communicating to customers and potential customers about the product. Promotion involves activities such as advertising, sales organization, public relations, and sales promotion, among others. The promotion strategy should be done in such a way that it provides any relevant information that will convince a potential customer to buy the product and an existing customer not to buy from a competitor (Kotler and Keller n.p). This is one of the strategies that Amway uses to keep its products well known in the market. The company conducts its promotion in several ways. Advertisements through the Internet, as well as through conventional media are some of the ways Amway promotes its products. In addition, Amway has good public relations that it uses to communicate to its customers. This, coupled with sales organization and an effective feedback channel, enables the company to create an efficient promotion strategy. Finally, distribution strategy is another aspect of marketing mix that cannot be overlooked. This is the process through which the organization delivers the goods or services to a place where customers can access them conveniently (Richter 25). Goods need to be at the right place and at the right time so that they can satisfy the time utility, as well as place utility for the customer (Kotler and Keller n.p). Amway has operations in various nations across the world as it operates in the global market. Amway has developed a distribution channel that ensures that goods are always at the right place and at the right time to be successful in the global scene. This has been one of the reasons why the company has succeeded in the global market. The online business opportunity also enhances its distribution as customers can access the products at any time and from anywhere and delivery can be done upon purchase. Works Cited Halme, Minna, Gabriele Hrauda, Christine Jasch, Jaap Kortman, and Helga Jonuschat. Sustainable Consumer Services: Business Solutions for Household Markets . London: Earthscan, 2007. Print. Kapoor, Ramneek, Justin Paul, and Biplab Halder. Services Marketing: Concepts & Practices . New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill Education, 2011. Print. Kotler, Philip and Kevin Lane Keller. A Framework for Marketing Management. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2009. Print. Richter, Tobias. International Marketing Mix Management: Theoretical Framework, Contingency Factors and Empirical Findings from World-Markets . Berlin: Logos, 2012. Print.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: Tarmac has a strong focus on hiring the right employees and developing them through training and development programs. Tarmac also uses different methods to attract, recruit, and select the right talent based on current and future HR needs. The paper argues that major transitions at Tarmac were inspired by the need to be remain competitive. The paper concludes by noting that Tarmac has linked its different HRM processes with its vision. The paper thus indicates that the company has successfully implemented SHRM.
Tarmac has a strong focus on hiring the right employees and developing them through training and development programs. Tarmac also uses different methods to attract, recruit, and select the right talent based on current and future HR needs. The paper argues that major transitions at Tarmac were inspired by the need to be remain competitive. The paper concludes by noting that Tarmac has linked its different HRM processes with its vision. The paper thus indicates that the company has successfully implemented SHRM.
An Analysis of Tarmac Group Limited Report Executive summary This paper analyses the human resource department at Tarmac Group Limited. The analysis focuses on Tarmac’s strategic human resource management approach, and notes that the company has lived up to the theoretical conceptualizations of effective SHRM. The paper notes that SHRM includes hiring the right employees, planning, forecasting HR needs, arranging for training and development programs, and managing recruitment and selection processes. Further, the paper notes that Tarmac links its human resources to the company’s objectives through several strategies. Such include hiring the right employees and enhancing their performance by enrolling them in training programs. The paper identifies Tarmac’s mission and vision and indicates how HR has been strategically used to ensure that the mission and vision are attained. The paper also notes that the company uses different methods to attract, recruit, and select the right talent based on current and future HR needs. Advertising job vacancies in relevant publications and on the company’s website are some of the dominant ways through which Tarmac attracts qualified employees. Employee retention at Tarmac is done through a combination of good employee relations, motivation, and activities that bolster their satisfaction in the job. As Part of SHRM, Tarmac engages in performance management. Additionally, the leadership approach at Tarmac has a positive impact on employees’ job satisfaction. Moreover, the culture at Tarmac is developmental since it revolves around developing employees and the company. The paper argues that major transitions at Tarmac were inspired by the need to be remain competitive.The paper concludes by noting that Tarmac has linked its different HRM processes with its vision. The paper thus indicates that the company has successfully implemented SHRM. Introduction This paper provides a human resource department analysis of Tarmac Group Limited (hereunder Tarmac). Tarmac is rated as the largest supplier of construction materials in the United Kingdom. Since 2013, the company has been operating as Lafarge Tarmac. This analysis will, however, concentrate on the human resource management practices at Tarmac up until 2013 mainly because of the availability of information about the company. The analysis will focus on Tarmac’s strategic HR approach, and notes that the company has lived up to the theoretical conceptualizations of effective SHRM. SHRM at Tarmac As a leading supplier of building products and quarry materials in the UK, Tarmac realized early enough that the success of its business depended on hiring people who had the right skills for the job (The Times 100 145). Tarmac has a core belief that indicates that “people make the difference and enable the business to be the leader in its chosen markets” (The Times 100 145). Additionally, it recognizes the HR function as one of the key areas that supports operations in the company. In Tarmac, HR’s roles include planning staff requirements, forecasting HR needs, and managing the recruitment and selection processes (The Times 100 145). Additionally, once people are hired, the HR department ensures that they enrol in professional development programs that include training and participating in team building efforts (The Times 100 145). A strategic approach to HRM refers to “a managerial process requiring human resource policies and practices to be linked with the strategic objectives of the organization” (Bratton and Gold 38). At Tarmac, the strategic approach to HRM is evident in the manner that the organization links its human resources to the company’s main objective. The objective is identified as delivering “the highest value from our resources for our customers, communities, employees and investors” (Business Case Studies 1). Linking its human resource to the foregoing objective has led Tarmac to adopt several measures that include hiring specialist employees to handle different roles in the company. Such include marketers, customer service representatives, information technology specialists, financial accountants and management accountants. Tarmac also creates programs that enhance employees’ capabilities (e.g. through engaging, developing and motivating employees) (Business Case Studies 1). Tarmac’s vision and mission Tarmac indicates its vision as ‘achieving the exception’. To link its human resource to the foregoing vision, the company created a plan through which employees could make different contributions to the company. The plan is indicated in figure 1 below. As indicated in the plan, employees are engaged in everything, including managing assets, reducing costs, developing markets, working as a team, and acting responsibly to ensure safe and sustainable business practices. Figure 1: A plan detailing employees’ contributions at Tarmac Source: (Business Case Studies 2) Development and learning opportunities To contribute to the larger organizational vision, Tarmac understands the role of development and learning for its human resource. It is noted that the company has a motivational approach that makes all objectives simple and clear so that they are easily understood by the employees (Business Case Studies 2). Additionally, Tarmac has training programs that help employees acquire new skills and improve on existing skills. The foregoing is done with the intention of helping employees perform their duties more effectively. Lastly, Tarmac recognizes and rewards employees for their performances (Business Case Studies 2). The development and learning opportunities in Tarmac can therefore include training opportunities and performance measurement programs that recognize well-performing employees. Tarmac’s approach to resourcing Tarmac approach to resourcing its HR is pegged on the organization’s larger need to plan its workforce for current and future needs (Business Case Studies 4). The company thus starts by identifying employment needs (see figure 2 below), and then sets in place strategies for attracting, recruiting and selecting the right talent. Figure 2: The resourcing process at Tarmac Source (Business Case Studies 4). Advertising employment opportunities at Tarmac As evident from figure 2 above, Tarmac advertises employment opportunities after providing a job description and specifying the kind of people and the skills most suited for the jobs. It has been noted that the main channels of advertising used by Tarmac include relevant publications mainly in the construction industry. Such include the Construction Weekly Journal (Business Case Studies 4). Another advertising avenue for Tarmac is its website, https://tarmaccareers.com/ . The choice of advertising medium is made because they target people who have specific interest in the construction industry. The construction weekly is, for example a journal that appeals to an audience that is interested in what is happening in the construction industry. More general employment opportunities are advertised in magazines such as ‘Personnel Today’ (Business Case Studies 1). The foregoing is because Tarmac also targets people who may not have an interest in the construction industry, but whose skills and expertise may be valuable for the company’s back office operations. Performance management at Tarmac Tarmac encourages all its employees to embrace a personal development plan as indicated in figure 3 below. Figure 3: The personal development plan at Tarmac Source: (Business Case Studies 5) The last step in the development plan seeks to determine how an employee measures their success. From figure 3 above, it is evident that employees need to pursue skills and/or behaviours that not only benefit their development, but also help Tarmac in attaining its business objectives. Employees’ personal initiative notwithstanding, Tarmac (and especially in its current state as Lafarge Tarmac) has taken performance management a step further by contracting an independent company named Investors in People (IIP) to review its performance (Lafarge Tarmac Contracting 1-2). IIP’s mandate is to review employees’ performance, improve employee engagement and recommend management and leadership approaches that are more suitable in motivating employees to be better performers in their respective jobs. HR leadership style at Tarmac At Tarmac, managers have a responsibility to set up organizational development teams, which promote learning and development in the company. The foregoing is done through coordinating training programs and fostering a culture where employees are aware of the need to improve themselves perpetually (The Times 100 147). As leaders, managers have to agree (in consultation with employees) on a set of key performance indicators for use in relation to identified targets (The Times 100 147). It is the managers’ role to help employees meet set KPIs, through identifying and setting priorities, coaching and leading employees, encouraging new ideas and actions of employees, and emphasizing the need to use skills and capabilities that employees possess to attain set targets (The Times 100 148). The leadership approach that is used in Tarmac is cited as having a positive impact on employees’ job satisfaction. Specifically, the leadership approach shows appreciation to employees’ contribution to the company. At the same time, the HR manager has a role of leading the business managers in the company in the application of human resource policies (The Times 100 148). The foregoing not only helps in attaining consistency in Tarmac’s HR processes, but also enhances the development of partnerships across business teams in the organization. Effectively, such partnerships ensure that all teams work towards the attainment of the company’s vision and objectives. The culture at Tarmac The culture at Tarmac can be defined as developmental since it revolves around a specific focus which is identified as “setting clear objectives, employee development, and recognition and award” (Truss, Mankin and Kelliher 89). The foregoing focus has led to a culture of trust and teamwork, since managers and employees work together to ensure that objectives are clearly understood and that the right processes are adopted in order to attain those objectives. Additionally, employees have learnt to trust that Tarmac wants the best for them (at least career wise) through the learning-oriented culture that emphasizes the need for training and retraining. Recognition and reward is an approach that is further used to enhance the trusting relationship that exists between Tarmac and its employees (Business Case Studies 4). On one hand, Tarmac trusts that employees who are recognized and rewarded for their input in the company will stay longer in their jobs. On the other hand, the recognition and rewards makes employees more satisfied in their jobs and as such, they stay longer. Major transitions at Tarmac Since its establishment in 1903, Tarmac has no doubt gone through many changes. In the last decade, however, the company made major transitions in ownership, when it was first sold to Anglo American, and later when it got into a joint venture with Lafarge. In 2010, the company underwent restructuring which was intended to make it more responsive to prevailing market needs, and also got a new chief executive officer (Tarmac 1). The change in ownership and leadership marked a major transition in Tarmac, and understandably, employees needed assurance that their jobs would be stable and/or even better. Among the strategies that the HR department at Tarmac adopted in order to get through the transition included building engagement with employees, and sustaining “employee motivation and morale at a time of change” (Tarmac 1). In order to uphold the team culture that was dominant in the organisation, the company contracted an external consultant who helped with team management and development. In the end, the teams and individual employees sailed through the transition successfully. Although it is hard to pinpoint what triggered the transition, getting ready for a more competitive market is one possible reason why Tarmac got into a joint venture with Lafarge, got a new CEO and even restructured its operations. Change implementation at Tarmac From the start, Tarmac had realized that if successful change was to occur, employees needed to be consulted, and made to agree with the goals intended to be attained during and after the changes (Tarmac 3). The foregoing would take leadership, which Tarmac offered through properly coordinating the employees. The implementation of change is therefore indicated as starting with proper coordination within Tarmac’s management. Next, employees were made to understand the goals of change. The foregoing was done in order to attain their support (or buy-in) during the change process. Next, managers ensured that changes were reflected in work teams, which had to conform to new strategies. Finally, the company adopted methods of measuring progress in different functional and operating areas. For example, employees would be asked to indicate who their new CEO was and what his vision for the company was. Ideally, the vision of the company had not changed when the new CEO took over leadership. The foregoing strategy was meant to ensure that employees remain aware that the change in leadership did not translate into any changes in what the organization wanted to achieve in the market. Working environment offered by Tarmac Tarmac arguably offers a supportive working environment, which is characterized by training and development programs as well activities meant to boost the morale of employees. Something worth noting is that the company offers its employees training on safety (Tarmac 3), and this can be interpreted to mean that the company does indeed care about the welfare of its workforce. Employee feedback is also another strategy that the company uses to gauge its working environment by allowing employees to voice their opinions on matters that are of interest to them and the company (Tarmac 3). Working in teams has also enhanced the supportive work environment, since issues are dealt with in groups, and with the leadership that is offered by team leaders. In cases where a problem proves too hard to handle in a group setting, it is escalated to the department manager, who then provides direction on how best to handle the issue. Discussion The analysis above indicates the different aspects of the strategic human resource management approach adopted by Tarmac. As noted in the introductory part of this paper, SHRM requires an organization to link and /or align its HR practices and policies to organizational objectives. At Tarmac, such linking has been done through ensuring that all departmental managers understand the HRM policies and procedures, and that they implement them in a manner that ensures that they contribute to the overall organizational vision of ‘achieving the exception’. Achieving the exception is a blanket term that indicates Tarmac’s mission not only to become a market leader, but also be a company that satisfies all its stakeholders. The stakeholders include its employees, shareholders, customers, and the general public, especially those who use facilities constructed using the inputs obtained from Tarmac (Tarmac 2). Tarmac has also linked its HRM policies and procedures with its vision by ensuring that employees remain focused on what the larger organizational vision is. By so doing, employees always gauge their contribution to the organization based on the impact they have towards the realisation of the overall organisational vision. Arguably, it is possible that activities that do not contribute to Tarmac’s intention to be a market leader in its provision of satisfactory products and services to its customers are discarded. Activities that do not enhance shareholder value are also discarded, while policies and procedures that are not employee-friendly are also dismissed. Conclusion Strategic human resource management intends to link the HRM aspect of a firm with its larger vision and objectives. In the analysis above, Tarmac is seen to have linked its different HRM processes with its vision. It must however be underscored that the analysis herein is based on publicly accessible information regarding the company. The foregoing notwithstanding, Tarmac can be regarded as a firm that has successfully implemented SHRM, and perhaps that explains why the company was regarded as the leading supplier of construction materials in the UK prior to its merger with Lafarge. Works Cited Bratton, John and Jeff Gold. Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice . Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007. Print. Business Case Studies. Developing a Human Resource Strategy: a Tarmac Case Study . n.d. Web. Lafarge Tarmac Contracting. IIP is a Key Way to Achieve Feedback on Organisational Effectiveness. 2014. Web. Tarmac. Concrete Results . 2012. Web. The Times 100. “Tarmac – How Roles and Functions Contribute to Organisational Performance.” The Times Newspaper Limited. 2009. Web. Truss, Catherine, David Mankin and Clare Kelliher. Strategic Human Resource Management. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. Print.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: The United States' labour market is now healthy and likely to achieve its former glory in future. This is attributed to the tactical strategies placed by the federal reserves. One of the prioritised measures in the US Federal Reserve is the minimum wage strategy.
The United States' labour market is now healthy and likely to achieve its former glory in future. This is attributed to the tactical strategies placed by the federal reserves. One of the prioritised measures in the US Federal Reserve is the minimum wage strategy.
An Analysis of the United States’ Labour Market Essay Introduction From the time when the Great Recession ended, the US economy has steadily grown accumulating up to 8.1 million opportunities; subsequently, collapsing the unemployment rate from 10% to 6.2%. Despite not reaching its original condition, economic specialists posit that the US labour market is now healthy and likely to achieve its former glory in future. This is attributed to the tactical strategies placed by the federal reserves. One of the prioritised measures in the US Federal Reserve is the minimum wage strategy. Minimum wage Using sufficient literatures that analyse minimum wage, various authors differ on the extent to which a minimum wage impacts on employment (Abraham and Katz 1986, p. 509). This makes the study on the impact of minimum wage on employment common as well as most controversial in the labour economics field. However, basing the reasoning on both theoretical and econometric principles, it is arguable that the outcome of wage floor should be noticeable in new employment growth than it is in employment level. According to Raise the Wage (2014), President Barack Obama requested the Congress to consider raising the countrywide minimum wage to $10.10 from the usual $7.25 an hour, as well as signed into law the Executive Order to increase the least earning to $10.10 for the persons employed in fresh federal deals. Markedly, increasing the national minimum wage is meant to raise the earnings of many workers, as well as to enhance the level of business operations in the US ( Raise the Wage 2014). Most states have the minimum wage at $7.25 on average, with slight positive deviations in a few states. Substantiating by data analysis of US aggregate employment metrics for the employers’ population in the US, the American job growth radically declined in response to the rise in minimum wage (Abraham and Katz 1986, p. 515). Nonetheless, the data does not show an equivalent cutback in level of employment. Therefore, this illogical effect on employment level is neither a surprise nor a perfect reflection of the effect of minimum wage. In addition, analysing the negative impact on net job growth establishes that minimum wage is majorly determined by downsize in job creation rather than by rise in job destruction ( Raise the Wage 2014). Therefore, for the US data analysis of the minimum wage, the alterations in the minimum wage have tremendously affected the change in the number of jobs in the economy rather than the turnover for the individuals within existing jobs (Autor 2011, p. 11). Wage inequality The pronounced inequality of wage as the US data statistics for the last three decades point out can be attributed to the long shift in labour demand in U S. This is ascribed to divergence of employment opportunities across occupations, where employment growth is centred on skilfulness ( Raise the Wage 2014). Just like in other countries, empirical research shows that high skilled personnel receive lofty wages, while the low skilled receive meagre wages in the US labour market. According to the 2008 census survey, there is a twist in distribution of employment that transverses occupation over the last three decades as opposed to a uniform rise in the previous decades. Krueger et al. (2014, p. 234) ascertain that in the last decade, there was a high increase in the growth of low-skill jobs because of lower education level in the previous decade. Outstandingly, this employment pattern had great impact on the wage growth. Ultimately, as low skill jobs were characterised with low wages, the polarisation of employment at the lower quadrant reflected on low wages for majority of the US population. In contrast, the inadequacy of skilled labourers increased their demand, thereby reflecting a higher wage for the skilled jobs. Subsequently, the wage gain increased for the few skilful individuals at the upper quadrant. At the same time, the abundance of unskilled workers led to a drastic drop of wage at the lower quadrant. Given that the US labour market is driven by the skilfulness factor due to the technological advancements, the wage inequality grew wider with the skilled persons gaining more wealth against their unskilled counterparts who earned too little (Autor 2011, p. 12). At the same time, the middle class blue-collar jobs drastically disappeared. Considering the available data, the Great Recession has reinforced this US labour market tendency of polarisation in the skilfulness, where high skilled pocket high wage as the unskilled receive low wage rather than redirecting them or reversing these trends (Borjas 2013, p. 36). Short and Long Term Unemployment Determining the unemployment rate could be determined by different criteria, namely U-3 or U-6. According to economists, U-3 is restrictive; it is inclusive of the individuals actively searching for employment, but cannot find (Autor 2011, p. 13). The other measure, U-6 method, is possibly the most complete criterion in determining the unemployment rate (Autor 2011, p. 13). This measure take in consideration the marginally attached workers, individuals who looked for work in the recent past even if not actively re-engaged in job search at present, as well as individuals employed on part time basis, but would prefer full time employments (Borjas 2013, p. 83). Presently several literatures assert that a number of economic observers prophesy the current conventional Phillips curve and Beveridge curve models as putting emphasis on massive price deflations, limited vacancies, and great wage decline, which are all a result of high rate of unemployment witnessed during the Great Recession. Notably, some of the economists explain the missed Phillips curve based on changes in price increase as well as interactions (Krueger et al. 2014, p. 235). On the other hand, other economists insist that Phillips’ curve price wage is stable only if the short-term unemployment is used, instead of using the total unemployment rate. However, neither of the explanations suggests that long-term unemployment is on the edge of labour work. Instead, the demand and supply side effect of the long-term unemployment is possibly an approval that supports each other instead of completing the explanation (Krueger et al. 2014, p. 235). This is because the statistical discrimination towards long-term unemployment could possibly discourage the individuals (Autor 2011, p. 16). Nonetheless, from this analysis, it is obvious that the long-term unemployed are to a lesser percentage connected to the economy as compared to the short-term unemployed. Likewise, the data, posit that the long-term unemployed are likely to pull out from the labour force than the short-term unemployed (Autor 2011, p. 16). Krueger, Cramer, and Cho (2014, p. 229) affirm that in its frontward direction, the federal reserves have switched the attention from a quantitative unemployment threshold to advanced and wide-ranging measures of the labour market. In relevance to the econometric theory that calls for an alteration in response to a consequence, the US policymakers have improved the deteriorating situations that resulted from the Great Recession (Autor 2011, p. 17). Profiling both long-term and short-term unemployment The statistical data on unemployment in the US suggest that for majority of the decades before the Great Recession, the ratio of the unemployed individuals in US revolved between 10% and 20% (Krueger et al. 2014, p. 247). After the Great Recession, the long-term unemployed population escalated to an average of 40%. This means that the long-term unemployed in the US economy has greater strain at the present economy than ever before (Krueger et al. 2014, p. 248). Summed together, the population of both the long-term unemployed and the short-term unemployed compared to the employed, it is notable that the majority of unemployed are younger, well educated, and unmarried. In relation to occupation and education level, the mismatch between workers and the kind of duties they undertake are almost similar (Krueger et al. 2014, p. 248). In addition, both seems to have equivalent qualifications, thus any structural problem that leads to long-term unemployment could be due to lack of motivation, self-esteem, or negative attitude of employers who considers long-term unemployment to have knowledge erosion. Duration of unemployment Analysing the US unemployment data for the past three decades, it is arguable that there are three possibilities for alteration of the unemployment statistics in relation to duration of the unemployment. In the first scenario, the short-term unemployed have greater chances to transition into long-term employed than the long-term unemployed (Borjas 2013, p. 116). In the second category, over the entire three decades data, the long-term unemployed are at almost the same range; they are prone to quit the labour force as compared to the short-term unemployed. Lastly, in this scenario, the three decades data imply a drastic crash in labour force depart around recessions for the long-term unemployed than short-term unemployment. Similarly, the data indicate a major fall in job finding measures around recession in the short-term unemployment than in the long-term unemployment (Borjas 2013, p. 127). Work trends survey for unemployed Another important aspect in analysing unemployment is the relationship of work trends to the transition rate of unemployed. Against the expectation of many, comparing the short-term unemployment and the long-term unemployment, the gap between the two categories is quite bigger (Autor 2011, p. 18). The work trend survey results indicate that the possibility for long-term employed to get jobs is lower than the possibility for the short-term unemployed to get both full time and part time jobs (Autor 2011, p. 18). Regional differences of unemployed within the United States of America The recent data indicates that while some of the states in the US have fully or partially recovered from the Great Recession, some states are far long behind in the recovery process. This is an indication of the possibility of irregular unemployment due to the economic differences. From the analysis of these data, it is debatable that long-term unemployment is unpredictable even for states that have low level of unemployment (Autor 2011, p. 18). However, economic factors such as the boom in the energy production in some state like Alaska, Iowa, West Virginia amongst others States have great effect on the general unemployment population (Abraham and Katz 1986, p. 520). The situation is complicated by a twist of scenario. First, in the areas with stronger economy, especially in the energy producing regions, the firms are likely to absorb higher number of workers, hence lowering the unemployment rate. Alternatively, due to the strong economy, there is the likelihood for majority of the employees to get sustainable income, and, as a result, the long-term unemployed would most probably withdraw from the labour market (Krueger et al. 2014, p. 259). This could subsequently lower the general unemployment level. The second scenario is that the presence of stronger economies could be indications of a likelihood of getting unemployment. Therefore, even the long-term unemployed might not give up, but instead keep the job hunt (Abraham and Katz 1986, p. 521). This could defiantly reflect into a massive number of unemployed in such regions. Calibration model Statistical evidence designates that after the Great Recession, the vacancies and unemployment link known as Berveridge curve curled outwards, as most of the vacancies than predicted were reserved for the high unemployment rate (Krueger et al. 2014, p. 258). Notably, this connection is firm when short-term unemployment rate is used. This could be possible when the Beveridges curve shifts outwards after the rigorous shock because of slow job growth, an increase in long-term unemployment, a decrease in the entire match effectiveness, as well as a reduction in the number of individuals quitting the labour force (Borjas 2013, p. 169). This is more particular to the long-term unemployed. The unemployment and vacancies path can possibly relax back to the initial Beveridge curve position because of withdrawal of the long-term unemployed from workforce. Gender discrimination in the US labour market An analysis of the recent gender employment pattern signifies the occupational distinction based on gender witnessed in the US labour market. Initially, the blue-collar jobs that include crafts and operations were reserved for the male gender, while the female were distinguished with clerical occupations (Krueger et al. 2014, p. 258). The situation is totally different from the current record. Even though, the contrast in traditional gender domination of occupations is visible, little is known about the cause. However, some labour market scholars believe that this employment disparity is a result of gender differences in job choice. Alternatively, the disparity in the occupancy based on gender could be because of differences in characteristics of the US labour force, such as occupational segregation. Occupation segregation is the exclusion of workers from certain professions while dominating other occupations. Autor (2011, p. 12) states that over the years, researchers have dwelt on the measures and consequences of occupational segregation in the labour market. The changes witnessed in the characteristics of occupation in the US labour market are due to several factors; however, long-term transformation in occupation is core in these changes (Autor 2011, p. 16). In this aspect, the growth in women’s labour force is linked to the rise in the ratio of white-collar jobs in the US labour market. Therefore, as more women join the labour market with some having higher educational level than the men counterparts, they get absorbed in the swiftly rising white-collar jobs in the clerical, professional, as well as technical fields (Autor 2011, p. 17). The ageing population of the US labour market Statically analysis projects the US’s population to increase by 91 million over the next 4 decades from the 309 million of 2010 to 400 million mark by 2050 (Abraham and Katz 1986, p. 508). Even though this growth is anticipated to take place in larger brackets, the entire growth will be resolute in the ageing bracket. In essence, this perception implies that the number of people in the ageing group – at the age of 65 and above – will be more than double. This in fact means that the aged population could increase from 13%, according to the 2010 population, to 21% of the total population in the prospected 2050 population (Abraham and Katz 1986, p. 510). Even though the age bracket of between 20 and 64 that actively engage in workforce labour will also continue to grow, the growth rate in this bracket is much slower as compared to the era when the baby boomer bulge propelled it (Abraham and Katz 1986, p. 511). Therefore, this population of the working force is likely to reduce in size from 60% of 2010 to 55% in 2050. Notably, the labour force participatory rate in the United States of America is recorded to have dropped tremendously since the occurrence of the Great Recession period of 2007 to 2009. The fall is attributed to three main factors. According to Abraham and Katz (1986, p. 510), the effect of cyclical from the Great Recession, the ageing population, and a combination of several other minor factors can explain these transitions. However, of the two identified factors, ageing population to date cater for the better part of the effect. Government policies to increase labour market flexibility Labour market flexibility has different definitions with varied meanings to different people. Whereas in some parts of the world, labour market flexibility means a room for employers to fire employees to reduce wages (Krueger et al. 2014, p. 255). In the US, it is a virtue aimed at empowering employees. In the olden days, low unemployment coupled with edgy labour markets forced several authorities and the policymakers to formulate numerous programmes to ensure that the labour markets are more flexible and effective. Some of these policies aimed at intensifying labour work force. In the US, policies to increase labour market flexibility aimed at extending the service to incorporate the identification of both the long-term and the immediate needs of the labour market (Krueger et al. 2014, p. 258). This included working with the employers to screen and select trainees that would assist in the immediate demand of the US labour market. To achieve this target, the US Federal Government established a professional training centre for the white-collar job opportunity. In addition, in the midst of transformation to technology-based operations, this move aimed at strengthening workers’ training programmes to produce capable graduates for the demanding labour workforce (Krueger et al. 2014, p. 259). Most of these policies aimed at employing the citizens in the job superfluous sectors. While, the original policies at training and including new employees in the industry, the recession later changed the idea to policies that meant to retain the employed for longer duration as possible (Krueger et al. 2014, p. 261). In this effort, the US Federal Government initiated programmes advocating for short-term work, in which workers enjoyed partial unemployment benefits even after reducing their working hours to avoid lay-offs. Equally, the Federal Government provided employers with subsidiaries in order to retain workers who would otherwise had been laid off. In response, the US model of labour market flexibility proved to be the most probably response to the growing unemployment dilemma (Krueger et al. 2014, p. 263). Inward and outward Migration The United States’ labour market is illustrious for outward migration of skilled workers for permanent or temporary work. Similarly, the US’s labour market assimilates a number of outward immigrants who are majorly unskilled workers. According to Borjas (2013, p. 67), immigration has both its merits and demerits; it can drain the country of the skilled labour workforce, thereby impacting on the workforce negatively, and, at the same time, adding to their incomes. Alternatively, importation of unskilled workers in the country increases competition, thus raising the level of unemployment in the country. Although exportation of skilled workers that is dominant in the America’s labour market might lead to brain drain, it is arguable that temporarily employed workers could as well bring with them new ideas to their country upon their return (Borjas 2013, p. 87). These efforts by the Federal Government intended to create policies that could increase labour market flexibility aiming at strengthening the US internal labour market (Krueger et al. 2014, p. 295). Even though some of these policies allow employers to lay off workers, their ultimate goal is to generate additional job opportunities at the expense of high living standards. From this research, it is fair to argue that both the outward and inward migration of the US population has benefit to the US labour market. For the outward migration, this trend eases competition in the local market, thus maintaining the high level of demand for the expertise skills. The trend can maintain the wage gap in the country. Besides, this helps in reducing the unemployment rate in the robust US labour market. For the inward migration, the high number of the unskilled employees increases competition for the unskilled job opportunities (Borjas 2013, p. 90). This helps the Federal Government in maintaining low wage for the unskilled workers, hence impacting on the general labour market benefits. References Abraham, K. and Katz, L.F 1986, ‘Cyclical Unemployment: Sectorial Shifts or Aggregate Disturbances?’, Journal of Political Economy, vol. 94, no. 1, pp. 507-522. Autor, D 2011, ‘The polarization of Job opportunities in the US labour market: Implications for employment and earnings’, Journal of community investment, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 11-18. Borjas, G. J 2013, Labor economics , McGraw-Hill, New York. Krueger, B., Cramer, J., and Cho, D 2014, ‘Are the long-term unemployed on the margins of labour market?’, Brookings Papers on Economic Activity , vol. 17, no. 9, pp. 229- 302. Raise the Wage 2014. Web.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The Texas Payday Law is a law that requires employers to have a minimum wage for non-exempt employees, provide written statements of employees' earnings, recognize the TWC as an agency responsible for providing information on Texas minimum wage provisions, offering civil remedies and exempting certain employers from the Act.
The Texas Payday Law is a law that requires employers to have a minimum wage for non-exempt employees, provide written statements of employees' earnings, recognize the TWC as an agency responsible for providing information on Texas minimum wage provisions, offering civil remedies and exempting certain employers from the Act.
An Employment Law Compliance Plan for Landslide Limousines Coursework Mr. Bradley Stonefield must observe all employment laws in Austin, TX for the new limousine service. Throughout processes that would involve the 25 employees, Mr. Stonefield must ensure compliance with the law for the success of the business. Failure to comply with these laws could result into long legal tussles with employees and their representatives and cause financial ruin to the company. This memo focuses on relevant employment laws as well as how they are legally used. In addition, the memo explores consequences of failure to comply with the employment laws. These laws are different, but an employer must observe all of them, including others not covered in this memo. The memo focuses on four employment laws that Landslide Limousines must observe. These employment laws include Texas Payday; Texas Minimum Wage Act; the Texas Child Labor Law; and Employment Discrimination. The Employment Laws for Austin, TX and Consequences of Noncompliance Texas Payday Texas Labor Code has a provision for the Texas Payday Law. The law accounts for all private business organizations, irrespective of their sizes. Any person that engages in service provision for payment is regarded as an employee, apart from relatives and independent contractors. There are specific payments that fall under the Texas Payday Law. The company will account for all compensations irrespective of how they are calculated; commissions and bonuses based on the agreement; and specific fringe benefits due based on a written agreement or the company’s policy. Noncompliance with the Texas Payday Law has severe consequences to an employer. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) investigates and determines if an employer did not obey the law and acted in a bad faith. The TWC reviews administrative penalty against the employer equivalent to the wages claimed or $1,000, whichever is less. At the same time, any employee who files a complaint in a bad faith may also bear similar penalties. Overall, it is against the law for an employer to fail to pay wages after receiving notification from TWC and to hire or continue to employ a person with the intent of not paying due wages. Texas Minimum Wage Act The TWC offers information to both the employer and employee on the Texas Minimum Wage Act, and their respective duties, rights and remedies under the Act. The Act requires an employer to have a minimum wage for non-exempt employees, provide written statements of employees’ earnings, recognize the TWC as an agency responsible for providing information on Texas minimum wage provisions, offering civil remedies and exempting certain employers from the Act. Currently, Texas has adopted the Federal Minimum Wage of the year “2009, which was $7.25 per hour”. The Act does not bar employees from bargaining for higher wages. Employers could include tips, meals and lodging costs to the minimum wage, but only under specific restrictions. An employer may not compensate workers who reside on the business premise for on-call time together with the normal working hours. In some instances, an employer may continue to pay sub-minimum wages to employees who have certain medical conditions, particularly mental illness. Any employer who pays lower than the legal minimum wage may face legal action from employees. An employee can file a complaint within two years from the due date to claim the unpaid wages and any amount incurred as damages. In addition, the employer must bear legal costs. The Texas Child Labor Law The law considers employees under the age of 18 years. The Texas Child Labor Law protects children from harmful employment. In addition, it does not allow any child under the age of 14 years to be employed, except under certain situations. The TWC also controls all issues related to child employment with the aim of protecting the rights to education, health, safety and well-being. The TWC has a right to inspect the working condition for children, and employers who hinder investigation could face criminal charges. Businesses must observe the state law, “except entities subjected to the Federal law of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)”. Driving Under the Texas State Law, children may be employed to operate a motor vehicle for a commercial purpose under specific conditions. The child may work under direct supervision of their parents or legal guardian in their business. The child must have a valid driver’s license. Children may work in businesses where they do not require a commercial license to conduct the job. Finally, a child cannot operate a vehicle with more 15,000 pounds of total weight and has over two axles. In addition, Texas State Law requires children between the age of 14 and 15 years old not to work for more than 8 hours in a day, 48 hours in a week and cannot report to work before 5 a.m. Still, children cannot work after 10 p.m during school days and past midnight on other days. Any violation of the “Texas Child Labor Law is a Class B misdemeanor”. Nevertheless, if a person employs a child who does not meet the minimum age requirement for “a type of employment, but did so in good faith relying on an apparently valid certificate of age, then that may be a defense against prosecution”. Therefore, noncompliance with the Texas Child Labor Law is a criminal offense with criminal penalties. In addition, the TWC may evaluate all administrative penalties against the employer of up to $10,000 per violation. Employment Discrimination A former, current, or prospective employee can complain against an employer in the State of Texas under the Texas Labor Code. The TWC reviews many cases related to employee discrimination on the following areas: * Not hired due to a disability * Gender * Nationality of origin * Race or ethnic * Harassment based on age differences * Denial of benefits due to pregnancy * Retaliation against employees because of filing a complaint For example, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 prohibits discrimination based on employee age, particularly employees who are over 40 years of age. Employers must not discriminate because of age when hiring, promoting, discharging, compensating, or on other terms of the employment policy (Ray, Sharpe, & Strassfeld, 2011). Employers who fail to comply with this Act may be fined up to $500 or be imprisoned for a period not exceeding a year or face charges on both counts. The TWC shall review all discrimination complaint and works with its Civil Rights Division (a neutral investigator) to ascertain if any discrimination took place under the Texas Labor Code. The Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for solving any employment discrimination in the State of Texas. It is against the Texas Labor Code for any employer to retaliate against employee because of filing a discrimination complaint, supporting a complaint, opposing discrimination or engaging in a proceeding. Therefore, an employer cannot dismiss, demote or harass any employees on such grounds. Texas Labor Code on employee discrimination affects employers with more than 15 employees. Recommendations on how Landslide Limousines can be compliant The Texas Workforce Commission is responsible for ensuring that all employers in Austin, TX adhere to the Texas Labor Code. These laws were enacted to protect both the employer and employees from any forms of abuse and exploitation. Failure to comply with the Texas Labor Code has legal penalties and financial implications for the company. Mr. Bradley Stonefield, therefore, should consider the following recommendations when handling employee issues for Landslide Limousines. * Both the employer and employees should understand the Texas Labor Code to allow them to observe their rights and obligations * Landslide Limousines should not employ any child because of difficulties in meeting requirements associated with child labor in Texas * The company must not discriminate any potential employees based on their age, nationality, race, gender and disabilities among others * In case of any employment discrimination against Landslide Limousines, the company should not retaliate against employees, potential employees or former employees * The employer and the employee must understand the role of Texas Workforce Commission, Civil Rights Division, and the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) * Employees and the employer must not act in bad faith against each other References Gould IV, W. (2013). A Primer on American Labor Law (5th ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Ray, D., Sharpe, C., & Strassfeld, R. (2011). Understanding Labor Law (3r ed.). New York: LexisNexis. Texas Workforce Commission. (2014). Employment Law: Discrimination, Wages & Child Labor . Web.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The increased focus on healthy eating habits in society caused by a high prevalence of lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, has placed McDonald's in a vulnerable position. The company relies on a franchise model to sustain growth globally, and its more than 70 million customers in more than 100 countries are a testament to its success. However, concerns about the quality of food served by the company have been raised by many stakeholder groups that seek to influence healthy food choices in society.
The increased focus on healthy eating habits in society caused by a high prevalence of lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, has placed McDonald's in a vulnerable position. The company relies on a franchise model to sustain growth globally, and its more than 70 million customers in more than 100 countries are a testament to its success. However, concerns about the quality of food served by the company have been raised by many stakeholder groups that seek to influence healthy food choices in society.
Analysis of McDonald’s Report McDonald’s leads the food service sector globally, with its more than 70 million customers in more than 100 countries. It relies on 35,000 locations and uses a franchise model to sustain growth globally. The parent company owns 20 percent of the restaurants, while the remaining share belongs to independent businesses (McDonald’s, 2014). What kind of market does the company belong to? The market of McDonalds’s products is perfectly competitive because there are many rivals, who have equal access to the customers. At the same time, customers have adequate information about the products offered by all companies in the industry, and they are free to pick any of the products they see fit. Prices of the products depend on a business’s strategic positioning in the market. At the same time, prices are sensitive to any deviations from the market equilibrium position. For example, if the price of a McDonald’s burger increases substantially to be different from the ordinary price of burgers in a particular country, then consumers will prefer to buy burgers from the competing brands and shun the McDonald’s brand. McDonald’s belongs to the quick service restaurant industry, specializing in the delivery of easy to grab food menu items. What is the Price Elasticity of Demand for the goods that the McDonald’s sells? The price elasticity of foods and nonalcoholic beverages offered by the company is generally under one. Additionally, the inclusion of food away from home in the analysis brings the elasticity towards one. Typical scores for the price elasticity of fast food restaurant food are 0.7 to 0.8. An interpretation of this elasticity is that the demand for the food or beverage is very sensitive to price changes. If prices increase by one percent, then the expected reduction in demand will be 0.8 percent to 0.7 percent. Is the demand elastic or inelastic? The demand for McDonald’s products is elastic. Changes in price, caused by the company’s decision or regulatory influences such as tax and subsidy policies, can lead to fluctuations in demand in the short term. Customers do not have to invest in the brand for long for them to be able to derive value. Moreover, they do not build significant attachment to foods and beverages offered, such that they cannot cut their purchases or shift to the substitute products. In fact, the presence of many alternatives contributes to the elasticity of the demand for the company. The elastic nature of demand for the company’s product places it in a risky market position. At the same time, the quality of food served by the company is a source of concern for many stakeholder groups that seek to influence healthy food choices in society. Therefore, McDonald’s business remains vulnerable to factors that affect prices of its goods and the demand, as a result. Increased focus on healthy eating habits in society caused by a high prevalence of lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, is causing consumers and health bodies in different countries to demand restrictions on the marketing of fast food restaurants and imposing taxes on the business to compensate for their negative influence on society. However, the application of recommendations is different in various countries (Andreyeva, Long, & Brownell, 2010). McDonald’s is yet to face a radical shift in policy that severely handicaps its business strategy, but the company is aware of the potential danger that such as regulatory move would cause to its profitability. Overall, McDonad’s products face different effects of technological changes, social factors, the retail environment, government policies, and changing economic factors in the various countries where the company operates. What kind of income elasticity the product(s) of the company face? The foods and drinks offered at any McDonald’s restaurant are normal goods whose demand and supply curves follow market conventions. A rise in the price influences an increase in the supply, when demand remains the same or increases. On the other hand, as the price elasticity of demand showed, a rise in price corresponds to a decrease in demand when other things in the market remain constant. Consumers increase their consumption of products from McDonald’s when their income increases. At the same time, during harsh economic conditions, when people lose jobs, or experience a slowdown in their businesses and have less disposable income, they only purchase essential quantities or skip some purchases. Therefore, the income elasticity of the products sold by McDonald’s is elastic. However, for particular foods like burgers that fill the dollar menu, considerable increases in consumer incomes only increase the consumption to a certain level before consumers choose other pricier menu items perceived for their healthiness. In this case, the burger becomes an inferior good and its income elasticity becomes inelastic. Who are their closest competitors? The closest competitors include Burger King Worldwide Inc., which offer various fast food menu items at an affordable price for most consumers, Subway restaurants, KFC, and Wendy’s Co. Both Burger King and Wendy ventured into the breakfast segment of the market as a way of differentiating themselves, and to increase their rivalry with McDonald’s. They also introduced menu items that are locally customizable to give consumers better matches for their tastes (Patton, 2014). Other than the main global competitors, there are country-specific competitors in every nation where the company has a presence. Are there any close substitutes or complements? There are several products whose cross elasticity of demand with respect to the products offered by McDonald’s is positive. Consumers can take on the substitutes when they do not have or do not want to purchase McDonald’s products. At the same time, the company’s products have compliments. The beverages sold at McDonald’s restaurants have substitutes in the form of other beverage brands sold by other restaurants. The price of a coke at McDonald’s is about the same as the price of a Pepsi at Burger King. McDonald’s sells numerous brands within particular beverage ranges, such as coffee or tea and soda. This includes its branded foods and drinks, which consumers can quickly find replacements in its rival stores. As for burgers and other foods, there is a slight difference in the ingredients used to make them. However, the taste of a burger and the size at a McDonald’s restaurant are similar to those available in other restaurants, such as KFC and Subway (Landsburg, 2014). Thus, customers can form preferences based on the location of the restaurant and brand association. However, they are free to pick a McDonald’s or any of its close competitors if they depend on a pure product basis. The company does not encourage customers to bring foods from external sources into its restaurants. Therefore, it does not have compliments. The exception is when clients take food from McDonald’s and go to eat together with food or drinks from other outlets. In many cases, the complimentary product will be a drink or food item that McDonald’s does not offer. However, a significant percentage of consumers do not rely on complementary products. They will either pick a McDonald’s product, such as its hamburger or one of its close rivals. Is the demand for the product of the company growing? The demand for McDonald’s foods and beverages has been plateauing for the last few years as rivals catch up with the company, and negative performances of economies affect it. However, the company still registers marginal growth as the overall demand for fast foods around the world increases. The main reason for the increase is the rise in population and the growth of the middle-income class in many emerging economies. A big influence for change in the demand is consumer preference. Many people are becoming aware of the health effects of eating junk food. Therefore, they are watching their fat and calorie intake. The negative publicity of McDonald’s foods does not make the matter better. The brand associates with bad food choices and consumers opt to look for rival restaurants to find healthy food, despite the interventions made by the company to increase healthy food menu items in its restaurants. As a result, the company has to invest more money in its promotion strategy to ensure that it continues to attract new customers and retain the existing ones (Hirschey, 2008). Nevertheless, a focus on the dollar menu has been a key driver of growth for McDonald’s. The company seeks to provide consumers with the most affordable food in the market. It offers a dollar menu item that includes the essential daily nutrition elements for individuals. Thus, consumers who are busy and need a quick meal prefer to pick items from the dollar menu (The Associated Press, 2013). At the same time, those looking for the most affordable meal associate McDonald’s with inexpensiveness and frequent its restaurants. Therefore, the primary promoter of the increase in demand for the company’s products is the changing lifestyles of consumers, which make them busy. Moreover, the increase in the costs of living compels consumers to look for value for money deals when visiting restaurants. Growth in demand for McDonald’s faces two challenges. The first one is the reputation of the brand as a poor health choice for consumers. That reputation was further tarnished by reports showing that the company relied on wrong ingredient choices and used expired ingredients in its foods. Although the company has done several internal tests to correct the problem, the public perception of the brand has already suffered. Regulators also investigated the restaurant for sanitary standard violation across the European and Russian market. The restaurant business is sensitive to sanitary issues. Consumers expect to dine in premises that meet the minimum threshold of cleanliness. Therefore, any news of sanitary standards’ violation is going to affect the demand for the company’s products adversely. Despite the grave nature of the adverse effects highlighted above, McDonald’s can overcome them in the long-term, as it continues to implement strategies that enhance its value to consumers. A more persistent problem in the company is its maturation. In many markets, the industry has matured, and there is no more room for growth. There are enough restaurants competing in the industry, and the only way for companies to expand is by merging or acquiring their rivals. Otherwise, companies are only able to introduce few restaurants per year, and the marginal return on the new restaurants is less that optimal. In the United States, in particular, the growth of McDonald’s and the rival businesses has stagnated in terms of the number of new restaurants opened annually. At the same time, sales for each restaurant are either the same or slowing down in their growth. Can the labor force of the company be trained further to increase productivity and lower cost of production? It is difficult to train the labor force to raise productivity because the practice is standardized. Employees are already trained in customer service delivery and specialized in various aspects of restaurant operations. They can serve in different departments in the same restaurant or various restaurants. They are aware of customer demands, as well as operational needs of the business. Additional training is less likely to increase productivity in the low-end level of employees, unless the training involves the use of technologically advanced equipment to ease service delivery. On the other hand, the management employees in the restaurants and the overall business can benefit from improvements in the management and leadership skills. The business performance relies on strategic implementation of its growth and sustainability plans. Its main actors in this area are its management employees. Therefore, any additional training on the use of appropriate business leadership and management tools, as well as awareness of industry variables will help managers improve the operation of their restaurants and their divisions in the company (Hirschey, 2008). However, training will not guarantee substantial improvements in performance because it relies on the matching of difference people skills and job demands. Standardized training will work for some employees and fail to work for others. Therefore, in case the company goes ahead with any additional training plans, it must consider various factors that affect training effectiveness. These include the company tradition, prevailing economic and social influencing factors on employee productivity, the cost of training, and the expected margin of improvement in performance (Hill, Jones, & Schilling, 2014). As a business, is the company profitable? Will it be able to sustain profitability? McDonald’s prides itself as more than just a restaurant; the company gives jobs to many people and acts as a community partner. It seeks to sustain its position as a model for other restaurants around the world. One way of sustaining its market position is by focusing on the quality of its product, delivering services that meet customers’ expectations and maintaining overall cleanliness. The company also nourishes its values across all its operations across the world. It seeks to define the lifestyle of its customers, in addition to its desire to become a place where customers will prefer to eat and drink. Therefore, it focuses on a marketing mix strategy that continuously improves aspects of its operations dealing with products, place, price, and promotions (McDonald’s, 2014). McDonald’s has not been profitable in the last few years. Its primary market, which is the United States, has been experiencing slow growth, thereby affecting its overall profitability negatively. In 2014, the third-quarter profits dropped by 30 percent in the United States, which was due to the poor performance of the introduced deals and new items. An increase in the price of the burger, which many consumers preferred as an inexpensive meal also, led to a slump in demand and decreased profitability. The loss in profitability was attributed to increased competition, but it could also be a pointer to the decreasing popularity of the purely fast food chain in developed markets (Patton, 2014). How can it make its profit grow? Consumers are increasingly scrutinizing the market for foods and drinks across the world. They are looking at ethical business conduct and corporate social responsibility programs of different companies to evaluate their brand values. Given that ‘eating out’ has become an acceptable lifestyle choice for Western cultures, customers prefer to explain their life choices by different issues, such as the restaurants they frequent daily. McDonald’s has to place itself in an excellent market position to capture the various market segments characterized by consumer preferences, economic conditions, and social factors (Goodman, 2009). As a public traded company, the company also faces demands from stakeholders and shareholders, which affect its ability to formulate and pursue different strategies. For example, it has to comply with market regulations against business monopolies and submit annual returns to the market regulator. It must provide its investors with a yearly report that details its performance and elaborates its strategies for the upcoming years. This information informs investors and other stakeholders about the company. At the same time, it provides the competitors with a basis for understanding the McDonald’s structure and the way of doing business. Thus, many rivals can quickly formulate business strategies to compete with McDonald’s and take its share of different markets. In view of these points, McDonald’s must rely on differentiation and the pursuit of capabilities that are difficult for its rivals to copy in various markets. This table demonstrates the income sources of fast food restaurants from different regions to highlight their growth and profitability prospects. It shows McDonald’s as the company with the most diversified sources of income, closely followed by Burger King (Jurevicius, 2015) 2013 McDonald’s [1] Yum! Brands [2] Burger King [3] Wendy’s [4] Income from U.S. 31.5% 18.9% 58% >98% Income from Europe 40% 19.3% 29.3% 0% Rest of the world 28.5% 61.8% 12.7% <2% McDonald’s has an internal company value of constant improvement, where it seeks to respond to changes in customer, employee, and system needs effectively (QRSWeb.com, 2010). The company has to focus on its iconic brands that are responsible for most customer traffic into its restaurants across the world to maintain profitability. It also has to find incremental changes to its menu items that make the main foods and drinks relevant to changes in customer preferences. Relying on consumer research will be a good strategy for maintaining profitability. The company should build on its various customer intelligence platforms to know more about its customers and use its barbell strategy to manage its multiple revenue streams. These strategies will allow it to sustain a favorable market, even in times of economic recession when customers watch their spending. The company must invest in technology platforms that enable it to offer differentiated services. The restaurant experience can extend beyond the actual restaurant premises into people’s social lifestyles. The company should make use of the new media to stay in touch with the customers. It should also update its customer order display boards and its point-of-sale systems regularly so that it improves the speed of capturing details and the number of details obtained (Macke, 2015). Eventually, the new information should assist its employees in delivering personalized service to an industry that relies on standardization. A critical competitive advantage of the company will be its ability to personalize the McDonald’s experience, which makes it unique compared to customer experiences at rival restaurants. The franchise business model allows McDonald’s to retain control of its global image and promotion strategy, which is an essential part of sustaining its profitability momentum (Ferrell & Hartline, 2011). Recently, the company introduced new features in its branding strategy. It hopes that the new features will continue to make its brand relevant in the 21st century. At the same time, the new features such, as newly build and remodeled restaurants around the world, will be avenues for increasing customer focus. For example, the company is allowing new restaurants to have new designs in in-store graphics, furniture, and iconic features of the Ronald McDonald’s comical image. Other relevant factors The company’s profitability relies on a perfect execution of its long-term plan, referred to as the Plan to Win. Thus, it has to maintain a capable leadership and senior management team to ensure that all the parameters of the plan succeed. The main factor affecting growth and sustainability of the business is its ability to remain relevant and continue to enjoy high levels of customer trust. For the company to achieve long-term growth, it has to differentiate the client experience. Differentiation requires investing in customer intelligence and research on preferences and market trends. It should also include the development of new products. However, the company must also ensure that additional costs introduced into the business do not erode its profit margins. The strategic plan of the company continues to affect the options for pricing, marketing, and promoting the business in different countries. An important point for McDonald’s to consider is to ensure that the company adapts to the cultural and social factors affecting its operations in foreign countries. In the past year, the company initiated various remodeling initiatives for its newer restaurants to improve the brand. Moreover, it has to look into making optimal capacity improvements so that growth in revenue comes from increased business of the existing restaurants, rather than relying on the development of new restaurants. The biggest improvement in McDonald’s business will come from consistent reviews of its market performance. The company needs to scrutinize every management decision to determine its effect on the overall performance. For example, it can create performance benchmarks that follow non-monetary aspects of employee engagement, and then use them, together with management decision evaluation systems to evaluate the effectiveness of its strategic plan. The following is a SWOT analysis table of the internal business situation at McDonald’s and external factors that can influence its strategic choices. SWOT Analysis of McDonald’s Strengths Weaknesses 1. Income diversification – the company relies on diversified income sources to sustain its business. It runs a fast food restaurant in many countries. In the particular markets where it operates, the company offers different menu items and targets differentiated consumers. Therefore, it obtains revenues from different source as compared to its rivals that rely on the same products and consumer segments in every market that they operate in. While competitors rely on the incomes of a few geographical regions, McDonald’s gets revenue from the United States, Europe, and the rest of the world in well-balanced proportions. McDonald’s revenues will increase because income will come from different sources. Turbulence in one market can be offset by good returns form another market. 2. Successful advertisement & brand name – the company has invested enough funds to grow its brand reputation. It is known globally, even in markets where it does not have a franchise yet. As a result, customers who want fast foods or drinks prefer to dine in a McDonald’s than in other lesser-known brands. In many countries outside the United States, successful branding has allowed the company to enjoy favorable treatment as customers seek to embrace the Western culture. 3. Collaborations – the company has also succeeded because it is collaborating with other firms to offer comprehensive menu items. For example, the partnership with Coke allows it to offer consumers value for money when they are picking its dollar menu items. It pairs each selection with drinks so that customers do not have to buy drinks separately. 1. Weak product development – the time taken to come up with new products at the company is quite long. Rivals can introduce products faster and take up a significant share of the market in response to changing tastes and preferences of consumers. At the same time, McDonald’s relies so much on its successful products that it fails to pay enough attention to other products. This contributes to their huckster performance. 4. The company has also been providing clean environments and aims to follow high hygienic standards. Parents are assured that play areas for their children will remain clean always. 2. Joint venture or franchise management – unlike its stores, the company does not have absolute control of its franchise businesses. It can only rely on the platform that it has created to ensure that global programs of the business and opportunities for growth are harnessed. However, in the case of country-specific challenges, the business may take time to react appropriately due to the bureaucratic layers that are introduced to management by the franchise business model. 5. Standardized service – customers can expect the same quality of service at all restaurants belonging to the company. McDonald’s invests in its employees by training and providing them with career development options. This allows them to remain committed to their work and deliver high-quality services to customers in every part of the world. 6. Competitive pricings – in addition to the dollar menu items that target the bargain hunters, the other foods and drinks offered at the restaurant are priced competitively. The company understands the elastic nature of the demand for its goods; therefore, it matches the prices of products with market expectations. Opportunities Threats 1. Internationalization – currently, the business serves only one percent of the global population; thus, there are numerous opportunities for growth. It can increase its revenue by investing in emerging economies like India and Brazil, which are having a high growth of their middle-class incomes. At the same time, it may concentrate on its operations in developed countries and introduce variations to its key products to capture new market segments. 1. Association with unhealthy habits – the company faces a reputation challenge as consumers become health-conscious and demand healthier menu items. If the company fails to address concerns from consumers, then it risks losing its business to rivals that offer healthier alternatives. 2. Healthy foods – as the world becomes conscious of healthy eating, McDonald’s can partner with health companies to help it deliver better food and beverage choices to consumers (Hirschey, 2008). 2. Cultural backlash – in foreign markets, McDonald’s does not make substantial efforts to assimilate into the local cultures. While it prides itself as spreading the American culture, it also risks facing resistance for its failure to consider local cultural expectations of particular countries. 3. Changing consumer trends – much of the world is embracing the eating out culture, which presents excellent growth opportunities for companies that run restaurants in different market segments. 3. There are many local competitors in different countries that have set their target as McDonald’s. The success of the company attracts scrutiny of its business strategies and acts as a hindrance to its differentiation strategy. Competitors are keen to copy its strategies and deny it a competitive advantage. This table shows the performance of McDonald’s and some of its close competitors in terms of income for the year 2013 and total the number of restaurants by the year 2014 (Bloch, 2015) 2013 McDonald’s Burger King Wendy’s % of income from the total number of franchises operated by the respective companies 32.85% 80.5% 12.9% Total number of restaurants (year 2014) 36,258 52 (company owned), 14,320 (franchised worldwide) 957 References Andreyeva, T., Long, M. W., & Brownell, K. D. (2010). The impact of food prices on consumption: A systematic review of research on the price elasticity of demand for food. American Journal of Public Health, 100 (2), 216-222. Bloch, H. (2015). Statistics and facts on McDonald’s. Web. Ferrell, O. C., & Hartline, M. (2011). Marketing strategy (6th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western, Cengage Learning. Goodman, J. A. (2009). Strategic customer service. New York, NY: AMACOM. Hill, C., Jones, G., & Schilling, M. (2014). Strategic management theory: An integrated approach (11th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. Hirschey, M. (2008). Managerial economics. (12th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Jurevicius, O. (2015). McDonald’s SWOT analysis 2015. Strategic Management Insight . Web. Landsburg, S. (2014). Price theory and applications (9th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. Macke, J. (2015). 3 ways McDonald’s New CEO can turn things around . Yahoo Finance. Web. McDonald’s. (2014). McDonald’s unveils new mission and image for brand ambassador Ronald McDonald. McDonald’s Newsroom. Web. Patton, L. (2014). McDonald’s profit drops 30% as U.S. sales slump . Bloomerg . Web. QRSWeb.com. (2010). Skinner: McDonald’s to launch oatmeal, more differentiation . QRSWeb. Web. The Associated Press. (2013). McDonald’s sales gain kept in check by slack U.S. demand . Daily Finance . Web.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The analysis of the case study of Pox shows that it has several positive attributes that make it a great product. These include stealth playing, which is a great value addition feature, and the ability to create your own Pox, which gives the users a stronger feeling of empowerment and control. However, competition and season are always dominant barriers in the adoption of new products.
The analysis of the case study of Pox shows that it has several positive attributes that make it a great product. These include stealth playing, which is a great value addition feature, and the ability to create your own Pox, which gives the users a stronger feeling of empowerment and control. However, competition and season are always dominant barriers in the adoption of new products.
Analysis of POX Case Study Value Preposition POX’s value preposition stems from several positive attributes associated with the product. One such attribute is stealth playing. Stealth playing highlights the product’s flexibility because this feature stands out as the most important value additional feature that POX holds. Indeed, when asked to give their opinions regarding POX, a student focus group identified the product’s stealth playing feature as a special value-additional component (Godes & Ofek 67). The product’s flexibility stood out as a special feature because stealth playing provided an opportunity for participants to play the game anywhere and at any time. Furthermore, the opportunity for players to use the product in a sneaky and surprising manner manifested as an exciting and surprising feature to game users. One user said, “You can sneak it where it is not supposed to be. You can play secretly and sneak up on your friends” (Godes & Ofek 67). Another user said, “Parents and teachers will not even know we are playing… only we will know… that is awesome” (Godes & Ofek 67). The above assertions show that the stealth-playing feature was a notable value-addition feature of the product. Albeit the stealth-playing feature appeared to be the most significant value-addition feature for the product, the ability of players to create their POX feature also stood out as an important value additional feature of the product. This feature gave the users a stronger feeling of empowerment and control. After comparing POX with another game (Pokémon), one game user in New York said, “By making your POX, you can create what you want; you are in control. With Pokémon, there is no control… it is just what you catch” (Godes & Ofek 67). POX’s ability to create anything improved the positive features of the product. Another value addition feature of the product stems from the name of the product itself. Most of the users believed the product’s name was edgy, new, and dangerous (Godes & Ofek 67). These attributes made the product more appealing to the users. Barriers to Adoption Competition: Competition is always a dominant barrier in the adoption of new products not only for POX but for other products as well. With the launch of POX, existing products such as Nintendo and other gaming products pose a threat to the full adoption of POX because they reduce the products market share (Godes & Ofek 62) Season: The gaming industry is highly characterised by the seasonal demand of products. The seasonal demands for gaming products define the irregular and uneven nature of the toy market. Godes & Ofek (60) say that new products often sell highly during the first year of launch. Subsequent years show a low sales growth or even an uneven sales growth. Therefore, the sales of subsequent years of market presence cannot surpass the initial year of launch. These uneven sales projections are highly evident in certain product categories, but the entire toy industry is also subject to the same patterns. Godes & Ofek say (60) the highest toy sales occur within the fourth quarter of the year. This quarter usually accounts for up to 70% of the total sales for the year. Therefore, if the product fails to launch any time besides the last quarter or a holiday season, it is difficult to achieve high sale targets. The failure to realise high sales also implies that the adoption of the new product is low during non-peak seasons. This is a barrier to adoption. Age Compression: The age compression phenomenon is also a strong barrier to the adoption of POX. Godes & Ofek (60) explain the age compression phenomenon as the quick adoption of sophisticated toys by young children. Therefore, instead of children using one toy during their early childhood, they quickly graduate to a different class of toy. The age compression phenomenon therefore denotes the early maturity of children at a young age. Toy manufacturers of America refer to this phenomenon as the effect of “children getting older younger” (Godes & Ofek 60). In fact, the company’s Association president, David Miller, said “What we see is a compression of the time that one is allowed to be a young child. Take the Barbie example. Children used to get their first Barbie at age five and play with it until they were nine. Today they probably get their first Barbie at three or four and play with it until they are six or seven, then go on to something more sophisticated” (Godes & Ofek 60). The age compression phenomenon therefore poses a barrier to the adoption of POX because it limits the target market of a new product and reduces the willingness of toy buyers to buy products that would be disposed off quickly for newer products. Best Strategy to Chose Television and print advertising would be the best strategy to choose for launching POX. This strategy is better than creating a buzz around Los Angeles and marketing the product as the new gaming product because of the nature of the target market. The target market for POX is children below the age of ten years. This population group watches television (a lot) and marketers can therefore reach them through this strategy. Since parents buy the products, it is appropriate to complement the television strategy with the print media strategy. Even though the print media may capture the interest of some children, the main target audience for print media advertising is adults. Therefore, the dual strategy of advertising POX through magazines and television is highly comprehensive because it reaches the children and their parents. Advantages of television and print advertising The main advantage associated with television and print advertising is the wide outreach of these mediums. Since many households have a television, it is easy to spread the message about a new product – POX. Even though the print media does not have a wider consumer outreach (than television), many people still have access to print media. Therefore, it is easier to reach a wide audience through this method as well. Disadvantages of Television and Print Advertising The relatively expensive nature of television and print advertising (compared to starting a campaign) is a setback to the adoption of this marketing strategy. Therefore, compared to generating a buzz around the launch of POX, it would cost an extra $0.4 million to adopt the television and print advertising strategy Godes & Ofek (68). Advantages of Generating a Significant Buzz around the Product One advantage of creating a buzz around the launch of POX is its ability to create brand loyalty for the product. Indeed, creating a buzz around the launch of POX enables the customers to have a better relationship with the product because they are able to understand its history, nature, story, and characteristics. Therefore, it is easier for customers to have a strong sense of ownership of the product, thereby creating a strong brand loyalty. Disadvantages of Generating a Significant Buzz around the Product The main disadvantage to campaign advertising is its ineffectiveness in reaching the target market. The toy industry is predominantly a “child affair” and children are unable to understand what the buzz is about, or how they can relate with the product. Children are also unable to create brand loyalty because they do not have a high brand cognition adults do. Therefore, creating a buzz campaign around the launch of POX would only work if the product were for a mature audience. Preferred Retailer The preferred retailer for POX would be Wal-Mart. One advantage of using this retailer is their expansive global market presence. Therefore, Wal-Mart’s global market presence provides a wide accessibility of the product throughout all the continents where it operates. Wal-Mart’s established distribution system is also a significant advantage of the distribution chain. Therefore, instead of setting up a new distribution chain for the launch of a new product, Hasbro Games may easily use the already established distribution system for Wal-Mart. One disadvantage for using Wal-Mart is its lack of specialisation in toys and children products. Wal-Mart’s main speciality is the sale of groceries. Therefore, customers may fail to associate Wal-Mart with the sale and distribution of the new product (POX). Recommendations It is easy to reach a wider target market by adopting the television and print advertising strategy. However, it is equally important to ensure this advertising strategy has a high level of efficacy. Therefore, while introducing the television and print media strategy, it is crucial to highlight the importance of advertising POX in children television programs and print media. This way, the advertisements reach the right audience and create the necessary demand needed to increase sales. If marketers advertise the product in adult television programs, it will be difficult to reach the intended audience (children). When the children are encouraged to try the product (through advertisements in children shows), they equally encourage their parents to buy the product. This strategy maximises the adoption of POX. Works Cited Godes, David, and E. Ofek. Hasbro Games—Pox , Massachusetts: Harvard College, 2005. Print.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: The article discusses the importance of scientific language and how it can be used to share ideas in science.The purpose of the article published in News.com.ua is to inform people about the latest discoveries in science.The article published in Nature is a research report that includes particular data on the topic of the research.Technical LanguageThe scientific texts under consideration include technical language. For example, the article published in Nature includes terms such as nucleic acid, DNA,
The article discusses the importance of scientific language and how it can be used to share ideas in science. The purpose of the article published in News.com.ua is to inform people about the latest discoveries in science. The article published in Nature is a research report that includes particular data on the topic of the research. Technical Language The scientific texts under consideration include technical language. For example, the article published in Nature includes terms such as nucleic acid, DNA,
Analysis of Scientific Texts Report Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Genre 3. Technical Language 4. Lexical Density, Nominal Groups and Nominalisation 5. Information organisation 6. Interpersonal Representation 7. The Use of Visuals 8. Conclusion 9. Reference List Introduction Language is one of the primary means of communication and sharing ideas. Therefore, language is also central to sharing ideas in science. Admittedly, scientists reveal their findings and have heated debates using linguistic means. It is necessary to note that scientific language is somewhat different from the language used for larger audiences or the language used in school. This is why it is important to make students acquainted with peculiarities of the scientific communication so that they could participate in the debate when they decide to pursue a scientific career path (Morrison, 2010). Apart from that, it is also important to help students to understand different texts to be able to be highly educated people. This report includes an analysis of three scientific texts aimed at different audiences. One of the texts is taken from the scientific journal Nature . The journal includes scholarly articles on a variety of topics. Scientists publish the reports on their research and reveal their findings. The second text is taken from a scientific magazine New Scientist . This magazine includes articles on scientific topics. However, the audience is wider than that of the previous journal. This magazine provides information on latest discoveries to people who are interested in science and technology. The third article is taken from a newspaper News.com.ua . Clearly, the audience of this source is the widest among the three texts. However, people interested in science are likely to read the article used. The three articles will be analysed in terms of genre, technical language, lexical density, nominal groups and nominalization, information organization, interpersonal representation, use of visuals. Genre First, it is important to define the word ‘genre’. Derewianka (2003) notes that the word has a number of definitions but in linguistics it stands for the purpose of the text. Parkinson and Adendorff (2005) note that the genre has an impact on many aspects of the text. Thus, scientific texts tend to be characterised by nominalisation, evaluation, passivisation and hedging (Parkinson & Adendorff, 2005). Authors also use different ways to achieve objectivity. The genres of the three texts under consideration are different as the texts have different purposes. Thus, Olalde et al. (2014) provide a report to inform the entire scientific world about their findings. As the report is written for scientists, it has various peculiarities including technical language, lexical density, nominalisation, passivisation and so on. The article provides particular data that can be used for further analysis. The purpose of the article published in New Scientist is to inform people interested in science about the recent findings in the field of anthropology, archaeology and genetics. De Lange (2014) reports about the research implemented with significantly fewer details as the purpose of the text is to reveal major findings (not the methodology). The audience is not confined to scientists as educators, students, and the rest of people who find science interesting can benefit from reading the text. Finally, the article in the newspaper is aimed at informing people about the latest advances in a particular field of science ( Ancient Europeans had dark skin and blue eyes , 2014). The audience is very wide as it include people who are interested in the latest news that appear in the world. Of course, the article has only a few details as it concentrates on the findings and their implications for the society. Technical Language Since the purpose of the texts is clear, it is possible to go into some detail and analyse the differences among the three texts in question. Unsworth (1999) states that technical language is one of peculiarities of the scientific writing and it is crucial to identify these units to be able to analyse the text in terms of its contents and its linguistic peculiarities. Chung and Nation (2004) state that technical language is often one of major difficulties students face when reading scientific texts and it is important to help learners to acquire the necessary vocabulary when in school. Technical language is extensively used in the scholarly article. Olalde et al. (2014) make use of numerous terms. For instance, when describing one of tests implemented Olalde et al. (2014, p. 226) use such terms as “genome”, “mitochondrial DNA”, “nuclear DNA of La Braña 1”, “confidence interval”, “heterozygous positions” and so on. All these terms are use in a single paragraph. De Lange (2014) uses only a few terms. At that, the terms are quite common and understandable for a wide audience. Thus, the author utilises such terms as “genome”, “immunity genes”, “DNA” and some others (De Lange, 2014, n.p.). At the same time, the newspaper article also has quite a limited number of terms. These terms include “genome”, “vitamin D” and similar words and phrases ( Ancient Europeans had dark skin and blue eyes , 2014). It is clear that the wider the audience is the fewer terms are used. This is a result of the compliance with conventions of particular genres. Technical language is essential for scientific texts where scientists reveal their methodology and findings. Lexical Density, Nominal Groups and Nominalisation Another important aspect to consider is connected with the use of lexical units. Lexical density and nominalisation with its focus on nominal groups create “a highly technical discourse” of science (Unsworth, 1999, p. 516). Clearly, these are characteristic features of scientific texts that aim at revealing concepts, qualifications and as many facts as possible within quite a limited space. Thus, these are characteristic features of the scholarly journal article. Olalde et al. (2014) resort to nominalisation, use of nominal groups and lexical density. Thus, when the findings are revealed, the lexical density is very high as the authors are trying to include as many meaningful details as possible and the use of content words is extensive (Olalde et al., 2014, p. 227). It can be difficult for an unprepared reader to easily understand the paragraph. It is necessary to add that 65% of words in the paragraph mentioned above are content words. Nominalisation enables the authors to provide maximum facts and qualities into their text. A simple sentence can illustrate the peculiarities of the text: “Of the ten variants, the Mesolithic genome carried the ancestral and non-selected allele as a homozygote in three regions” (Olalde et al., 2014, p. 227). The sentence contains only one verb and the rest are nouns and nominal groups. As for the other two texts, they are not characterised by such degree of lexical density and nominalisation. At that, the scientific magazine article also contains a significant number of nominal groups. It is also characterised by passivisation as De Lange (2014) informs the reader about a research implemented by other people. The easiest article to understand is the one taken from the newspaper. Although this text is characterised by a significant degree of nominalisation and passivisation, lexical density is not excessive. This makes the article more understandable even for an unprepared reader. Information organisation Clearly, information organization is also quite specific in the three texts. Unsworth (1999) notes that scientific texts (as well as the vast majority of written texts) have a particular organization of information. Thus, the scientific article in question has such sections (which are not outlined explicitly except for the abstract but they can be easily identified) an abstract, introduction, methodology, findings and discussion. The article from the scientific magazine also has a distinct structure. First, De Lange (2014) provides information on the archaeological finding. After that, the information on the research and its findings are provided. The newspaper article has a lead-in and, after that, the description of the research findings are revealed. The structure of the newspaper article is not as rigid as the one of the scholarly journal or even magazine article. Interpersonal Representation Interpersonal representation is another characteristic feature of written texts that makes them differ. Hyland (2010) states that interpersonal representation can be defined as the way the authors of scientific and research papers refer to the reader and see the reader. Thus, the researcher notes that the choice of genre, vocabulary and so on is a manifestation of the author’s thinking about the audience (Hyland, 2010). Clearly, the scientific text is full of specific terms that are common for the scientific world. Scientists are also accustomed to particular ways of information organisation and Olalde et al. (2014) respond to these needs. Importantly, the researchers also achieve reader engagement through the use of the pronoun. The pronoun ‘we’ is extensively used throughout the article. It is used to refer to the scientist who implemented the research. However, it is also used to include the reader into the discourse (Hyland, 2010). The reader puts him/herself in line with the researchers and thinks about the results and conclusions. This method is not present in the magazine and newspaper article. As has been mentioned above, the two sources are characterised by passivisation (De Lange, 2014; Ancient Europeans had dark skin and blue eyes , 2014). At the same time, the two article are aimed at particular audience and they respond to their readers’ needs. Objectivity is another way to engage the reader (Hyland, 2010). It is noteworthy that objectivity is achieved through the use of references to scientists. The Use of Visuals Finally, it is necessary to note that the three texts are characterised by specific visuals. Kress (2012, p. 337) emphasises that written texts in media are now facilitated by visuals that do not simply decorate the messages but have “full communication roles”. Karchmer-Klein and Shinas (2012) also state that visuals provide numerous additional meanings to texts. It is clearly seen when considering the texts in question. Thus, the visuals used are very different in their form and meaning. They are chosen to fit needs, interests and the level of knowledge of the audience. For instance, Olalde et al. (2014) include a map (with the location of the archaeological finding) and the photo of the finding itself. These visuals are used to provide more information and evidence as to the basis of the research. Two other visuals aimed at providing particular information on genomes are also employed. These visuals show that the authors understand the readers’ interest in particular evidence. Visuals also help to illustrate certain findings. De Lange (2014) utilises the visual to illustrate the major finding of the research, which is the appearance (head) of an ancient human. Clearly, the readers of the scientific magazine article may need to visualise the way the person actually looked and they do not need some specific scientific evidence (as they may lack for knowledge and skills to decipher scientific visuals, for example, presented in the scholarly journal article). As for the newspaper article, they use a picture of a celebrity to draw people’s attention to the issue. The newspaper only informs about the finding and it is aimed to start a discourse among a wide audience. Of course, the use of visuals in the three texts under consideration also show the way the audience of the texts differs. Conclusion On balance, it is possible to note that the three texts in question help to trace the differences created by different genres. It is clear that different texts have their peculiarities and people should know about them to be able to understand the information provided. Educators have to utilise genre-based approach to help students to read, analyse and write different types of texts. It is important to pay attention to many facets including technical language, lexical density, nominalisation and the use of visuals. Students should pay attention to all these aspects to obtain a deep understanding of the content of each text. Reference List Ancient Europeans had dark skin and blue eyes, researchers say . (2014, January 27). News.com.au . Web. Chung, T.M., & Nation, P. (2004). Identifying technical vocabulary. System, 32 , 251-263. De Lange, C. (2014, January 26). Ancient European hunter-gatherer was a blue-eyed boy . New Scientist . Web. Derewianka, B. (2003). Trends and issues in genre-based approaches. RELC Journal, 34 (2), 133–154. Hyland, K. (2010). Constructing proximity: Relating to readers in popular and professional science. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 9 , 116-127. Karchmer-Klein, R., & Shinas, V.H. (2012). 21st century literacies in teacher education: Investigating multimodal texts in the context of an online graduate-level literacy and technology course. Research in the Schools, 19 (1), 60-74. Kress, G. (2012). Multimodality: Challenges to thinking about language. TESOL Quarterly, 34 (2), 337-340. Morrison, B.R. (2010). Developing a culturally-relevant genre-based writing course for distance learning. Language Education in Asia, 1 (1), 171-180. Olalde, I., Allentoft, M.E., Sanchez-Quinto, F., Santpere, G., Chiang, C.W.K., DeGiorgio, M.,… Lalueza-Fox, C. (2014). Derived immune and ancestral pigmentation alleles in a 7,000-year-old Mesolithic European. Nature, 507 , 225–228. Parkinson, J., & Adendorff, R. (2005). Variable discursive constructions of three genres of science. Southern African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 23 (3), 281-303. Unsworth, L. (1999). Developing critical understanding of the specialised language of school science and history texts: A functional grammatical perspective. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 42 (7), 508-521.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: Although South African is a large gold producer, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has adversely affected the operations of Anglo American PLC. Essentially, South Africa has the highest number of people infected with the HIV in the world (Walker, Reid, and Cornell 17). About 60% of the South Africans are HIV-positive, and the rates of infection are extremely high.In spite of the difficulties that the company encountered in its struggle to deal with the epidemic, its objective was to adopt an
Although South African is a large gold producer, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has adversely affected the operations of Anglo American PLC. Essentially, South Africa has the highest number of people infected with the HIV in the world (Walker, Reid, and Cornell 17). About 60% of the South Africans are HIV-positive, and the rates of infection are extremely high. In spite of the difficulties that the company encountered in its struggle to deal with the epidemic, its objective was to adopt an
Anglo American PLC in South Africa Problem Solution Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction/ Situation Analysis 2. Stakeholders to consider 3. Pros and cons of adopting an effective HIV/AIDS strategy 4. Recommendations to the company 5. Evaluation of the recommended courses of action 6. Migrant workers 7. Pharmaceutical companies 8. Conclusion 9. Works Cited Introduction/ Situation Analysis Although company executives will always want their companies to expand and operate globally, the challenges of operating a business in the global economy are enormous. Anglo American PLC is one of the largest gold miners in the world, but the company is facing a threat in its operations in South Africa. Although South African is a large gold producer, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has adversely affected the operations of Anglo American PLC. Essentially, South Africa has the highest number of people infected with the HIV in the world (Walker, Reid, and Cornell 17). About 60% of the South Africans are HIV-positive, and the rates of infection are extremely high. The most insinuating fact is that about 1000 South Africans die of HIV/AIDS on a daily basis (Daniles, Radebaught, and Sulivan 252). The deaths have significant effects on the country’s economy as the per capita growth is decreasing drastically. International companies operating in the country are suffering because of AIDS-related deaths among workers. At some point, Anglo American PLC was accused of defying the social responsibility tradition when operating overseas. Although various stakeholders had mixed reactions about addressing the epidemic, the company resolved to provide free antiretroviral therapy (ART) to its HIV-infected employees. In spite of the difficulties that the company encountered in its struggle to deal with the epidemic, its objective was to adopt an effective HIV/AIDS strategy. Stakeholders to consider Whenever the managers of a company decide to do something, it is always wise to consult the main stakeholders of the company. The directors, employees, the government, suppliers, the community, and the customers are some of the stakeholders of the company. However, the shareholders of the company are the main stakeholders to consult about any project that the company intends to implement. The shareholders are the owners of the company, and if they pull back, the company’s operations may become crippled because of the lack of funds. Therefore, as Anglo American adopts an effective HIV/AIDS strategy, it should consider its shareholders. Secondly, the company should consult the South African government and humanitarian organizations across the globe. The directors and employees can also be of great help in trying to convince fellow workers to agree to have part of their salaries channeled towards supporting the ART program. Pros and cons of adopting an effective HIV/AIDS strategy Since Anglo America has a huge investment in South Africa, the adoption of an aggressive strategy in combating HIV/AIDS among its South African workforce would be highly advantageous. Although the company operates in various nations across the globe, it dominates the South African economy, which is a core strength that would drive it into adopting an aggressive strategy of combating HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The number of employees and contractors that the company has in South Africa are infinite, and it cannot afford to pull back in its efforts to find a strategy of combating the epidemic. The adoption of an aggressive strategy to combat HIV/AIDS is the only way that the company can protect its majority-share ownership in various companies around the country. The entire exercise will be a major opportunity for the company to gain trust from the employees, investors, customers, and some stakeholders of the company. Moreover, since the company was among the first multinational enterprises to develop comprehensive strategies to combat the damages of the disease, trying to stop its efforts would portray an immoral sense of responsibility (Daniles, Radebaught, and Sulivan 255). On the other hand, it is noteworthy that the company would really encounter tough moments in trying to address the situation. The cost of providing free antiretroviral drugs increases daily, and the greatest threat is the significant rise of the prevalence of HIV-positive workers from one time to another. The vice president of the medical division reported that the number of HIV-positive workers increased at a rate of 2% annually (Daniles, Radebaught, and Sulivan 253). Therefore, the company has to increase its expenditure on the costly antiretroviral drugs by at least 2% per annum. The production costs of the company would increase concurrently, and the company may have problems in sustaining its costs after some years. The overstretched budgets, the overwhelmed stakeholders, and the uncooperative pharmaceutical companies are the main threats to the ART program. Moreover, decreasing proceeds, insufficient funds, and dissatisfied stakeholders are some of the difficulties that Anglo American PLC will encounter because of the ART program. The worst scenario is that at the end of the day, the HIV/AIDS victims will be absent from work occasionally. Moreover, some of the patients will not respond to the antiretroviral drugs, and the company will have to retrain other workers and replace them in their job positions. The hospitalization payments and death benefits are overwhelming to the company. The mentioned costs that the company will have to meet translate into millions of losses, and thus are weaknesses associated with the ART program. Recommendations to the company The first thing that Anglo American ought to know is that struggling to combat HIV/AIDS in South Africa single-handedly is overwhelming. Anglo American PLC was bold enough to announce that it would provide ART to its South African workforce at the company’s expense. However, the situation is now getting out of hand, and it is time the company admitted their defeat. The executives of the organization ought to approach the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Business Council on HIV/AIDS, the South African government, and other humanitarian organizations and inform them of their grievances. They should seek financial assistance from the mentioned organizations and other well-wishers who may be willing to assist. The main approach that the company will use to ensure that all infected employees are committed to the program is subjecting them to be responsible for managing and financing the ART program partially. The beneficiaries of the program should allow a small percentage of their salaries to be channeled towards financing the program. The HIV infected employees should be their brothers’ keepers, where, the employees should ensure that every infected person takes the antiretroviral drugs responsibly. Any person who transmits the HIV to another person willingly should face harsh criminal charges, and there ought to be a penalty for the infected people, who do not adhere to the prescriptions of the doctors. There should be guiding and counseling sessions for those people, who drop out from the treatment routines, as this could reduce the hopelessness that some people develop once they discover their HIV status. Evaluation of the recommended courses of action Admitting defeat and asking for help from the government and other organizations would be the last thing that Anglo American PLC would desire. This is because it had bravely announced that it would provide ART to its workforce at the expense of the company. However, when matters are unbearable, the only way out is to ask for help instead of struggling to please some stakeholders at the expense of the company. Subjecting employees to be responsible in managing and partially financing the ART program would sound to be cruel at first. The beneficiaries of the program would feel overwhelmed, and they would distrust the company that they had trusted all along. However, the negative insights would diminish with time, and the HIV infected people would start being responsible for their actions. They would be their brothers’ keepers and it would be easier to control the entire situation, given the harsh criminal charges on irresponsible people. Migrant workers Migrant workers are very essential because they bring innovative ways of running the operations of the company. However, the migrants are likely to acquire and spread HIV/AIDS while in South Africa. Imposing a law to ban migrant workers will be very unfair in the contemporary world. Instead, Anglo American should embark on educating and bringing awareness to the migrants. They should find ways to encourage the migrants to participate in the awareness and prevention programs. The migrants ought to be cautioned about the possibility of acquiring the deadly virus if they engage in immoral behaviors. Prevention initiatives like the distribution and insisting on the use of condoms would play a significant role in containing the migrants. Skill related training, Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT), care, and wellness programs would help greatly in incorporating the migrants into the South African work environment. Pharmaceutical companies The pharmaceutical companies have a huge role to play when it comes to the issue of addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa. GlaxoSmithKline’s approach of allowing Anglo American to purchase the antiretroviral drugs at a tenth of the market price is recommendable. Other drug makers should also employ GlaxoSmithKline’s approach of cutting prices for any non-profit making organizations. The South African HIV/AIDS epidemic is known globally and the help of the pharmaceutical companies towards saving the HIV-infected people in the country would be a great show of social responsibility. The companies ought to know that the entire world is depending on them, and if they fail to meet people’s expectations, the infected people would die mercilessly. Conclusion From the discussions, it is evident that multinational enterprises with businesses in South Africa are really facing tough moments. Apart from struggling to make profits, they have to address the unending needs of the ailing society. However, investors should not shy away from investing in South Africa, as it is one of the thriving nations in Africa. They should join hands in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa. The efforts employed by Anglo American PLC are commendable; however, it is a high time that the government recognized its efforts. Indeed, it would not be worthwhile for the company to keep on struggling to please some stakeholders while risking its existence in South Africa. The South African government should increase its budget allocations towards addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic and stop blaming Anglo America. Moreover, the South Africans should learn to behave responsively, accept to engage in voluntary counseling and testing, and adhere to medication willingly. Humanitarian organizations, NGOs, companies, the World Health Organization, the Global Business Council on HIV/AIDS, and all well-wishers around the world should rise up to find effective strategies to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic that is adversely affecting the South African economy. Works Cited Daniles, John, Lee Radebaught, and Daniel Sulivan. International Business: Global Edition , Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Higher Education, 2011. Print. Walker, Liz, Graeme Reid, and Morna Cornell. Waiting to Happen: HIV/AIDS in South Africa: The Bigger Picture , Claremont, South Africa: Juta and Company Ltd, 2004. Print.
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Write an essay about: Anglo American's HIV/AIDS strategy case study discusses the company's approach to the epidemic and how it has affected stakeholders. The pros and cons of the strategy are also discussed.
Anglo American's HIV/AIDS strategy case study discusses the company's approach to the epidemic and how it has affected stakeholders. The pros and cons of the strategy are also discussed.
Anglo American Plc’s HIV/AIDS Strategy Case Study Table of Contents 1. HIV/AIDS Strategy Stakeholders 2. Anglo American’s HIV/AIDS Strategy 3. Migrant Workers 4. Pharmaceutical Companies HIV/AIDS Strategy Stakeholders As Anglo American looks for the most effective HIV/AIDS approach, it needs to consider the different stakeholders in South Africa. The stakeholders include the South African government, the Anglo American employees, the populations of surrounding communities, families of employees, the Global Council on HIV/AIDS, The National Union of Mineworkers, pharmaceutical companies and other multinational companies in the private sector, such as Coca-Cola. Anglo American’s HIV/AIDS Strategy There are several pros and cons that arise from Anglo American’s adoption of an aggressive approach on HIV/AIDS. The pros include the fact that the approach adopted has served to assist the employees that are infected with HIV/AIDS. The employees are healthier and are, therefore, able to continue working with the company for a longer period. This not only saves the company replacement and re-training costs, it also has a positive effect on the country’s GDP. Other pros include the education and information that the company provides, not only to the employees and their families, but to the surrounding communities as well. The cons that arise out of this aggressive approach include the harsh criticism that the company receives from different stakeholders, such as the National Union of Mineworkers and the South African Government. These stakeholders are displeased with the costs that might transfer to them, once these mineworkers are unemployed or retired, and they need to continue with the expensive ATR treatment. Other cons include the large amounts of treatment funds going to waste as a large percentage of employees do not adhere to the treatment regimen. Other cons relate to the HIV/AIDS prevalence that does not seem to diminish despite the company’s efforts. For example, some infected employees are under the assumption that they do not need to continue using condoms as they are receiving ART treatment. It is my recommendation that the company proceeds with its efforts regarding the HIV/AIDS policy. Anglo American should continue providing free ART treatment to its employees and their families. The company, however, needs to improve on its awareness and education. The employees require additional awareness on how to prevent further infection and on the importance of sticking to the treatment regimen strictly. Migrant Workers Anglo American and the government should continue hiring migrant workers. Blocking the entry and hiring of these workers would not stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. In all likelihood, it would negatively affect the profitability of the mining companies such as Anglo American and the overall GDP of the country. Pharmaceutical Companies The various companies play an important role in the epidemic approach. For example, in partnership with Anglo American, GlaxoSmithKline provides the ART medicine at a reduced rate of 10%, just as it would for a non-profit organization. The companies also ensure that the drugs provided are original and not outdated. My recommendation to a company that produces HIV/AIDS drugs would be to work in partnership with not-for profit organizations and companies such as Anglo American, to provide affordable drugs to the infected. In regards to the concern of the affordable drugs being resold to other countries at a higher price, I would recommend that the pharmaceutical companies package the drugs sold to companies such as Anglo American in a package that indicates they are for non-profit organizations and that they should not be resold. This will deter most commercial enterprises from reselling such drugs.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: This article is a review of literature analyzing the benefits that an anti-inflammatory dietary regimen may have as an adjunct to conventional medicine in the management of IBD in adult patients. The studies reviewed concur on the use of enteral nutrition (EN) as an effective feeding modality for treatment of IBD, especially CD, in adults.
This article is a review of literature analyzing the benefits that an anti-inflammatory dietary regimen may have as an adjunct to conventional medicine in the management of IBD in adult patients. The studies reviewed concur on the use of enteral nutrition (EN) as an effective feeding modality for treatment of IBD, especially CD, in adults.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet and IBD Management in Adults Qualitative Research Table of Contents 1. Abstract 2. Introduction 3. Methods 4. Results 5. Discussion 6. Conclusion 7. References Abstract Irritable bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic immune-mediated conditions of unknown etiology, characterized by debilitating acute exacerbations and remissions. Emergency treatment may include surgical interventions and pharmacological agents: cortisone, aminosalicylates, and antibiotics. There is mounting evidence that diet type can play a significant role in improving outcomes in the management of IBD in adult patients. This article is a review of literature analyzing the benefits that an anti-inflammatory dietary regimen may have as an adjunct to conventional medicine in the management of IBD. Studies show that agents derived from natural food sources, including ‘prebiotics’, probiotics, and animal and plant extracts have significant anti-inflammatory properties. This critical review assesses current evidence on the anti-inflammatory effects of nutrition as a complementary therapy in IBD symptom management in adult patients. Introduction The normal functioning of the human GI tract depends on factors such as intestinal microflora, genetic predisposition, and the nutritional status of an individual. Conditions such as IBD (CD and UC), microbial gastroenteritis, NSAIDs-related enteropathy, and colorectal cancers cause severe inflammation of the intestinal tract that result in impaired absorption. The treatment options available for IBD have variable effectiveness, which calls for novel therapeutic interventions. Treatment options for IBD usually involve pharmacological agents such as cortisone, aminosalicylates, and antibiotics, and surgical intervention. However, the treatment options sometimes produce counteractive effects, which impede sustained remissions in patients. Moreover, therapy responsiveness varies among patients, which underscores the need for adjunctive interventions to reduce inflammatory effects and induce mucosal restoration. In recent years, researchers have investigated dietary products derived from natural sources as potential adjunctive anti-inflammatory agents in IBD management. This article reviews literature analyzing the benefits that an anti-inflammatory dietary regimen may have as an adjunct to conventional medicine in the management of adult IBD. The studies reviewed concur on the use of enteral nutrition (EN) as an effective feeding modality for treatment of IBD, especially CD, in adults (Yamamoto, Nakahigashi & Saniabadi, 2009; Hartman, Eliakim & Shamir, 2009; Rajendran & Kumar, 2010). A range of dietary interventions, including anti-inflammatory diet or IBD-AID (complex carbohydrates, pre- and probiotics, and unsaturated fatty acids) and conjugated linoleic acid also induce sustained remission (Bassaganya-Reira & Hontecillas, 2010; Olendzki et al. , 2014). The research methods show great variability among the studies reviewed. They include systematic reviews of meta-analyses and randomized control trials (RCTs), prospective and retrospective cohort studies, case series, and experimental designs. Evidence from the articles reviewed in this paper indicates that nutrition-based interventions can ameliorate IBD management and facilitate sustained remission. The conclusions made in the articles show that EN is an effective dietary therapy for CD treatment due to its low drug-interaction risk. However, the scientific evidence to support the use of nutrition-based therapies (IBD-AID) as adjuncts in IBD treatment is lacking. Nevertheless, there is compelling evidence that dietary agents are effective against GI disorders, including IBD. This literature review aims to synthesize the current evidence for the use of nutrition-based therapy as an adjunct in treating IBD and improving outcomes over pharmacological and/or surgical intervention. The inclusion criteria entailed a Medline search of full text, peer reviewed research articles published between September 2008 and September 2014 using two key words/phrases: IBD and anti-inflammatory diet as an adjunct in symptom management. The search yielded 16 articles, which were organized in order of increasing strength of evidence for analysis. Methods The methodology used to collect and analyze date in each study falls into either qualitative or quantitative category. Olendziki et al. ’s (2014) study involved a retrospective review (case series) of the medical records of patients under IBD-AID to assess their progress and symptom remission. Quantitative data were collected from a sample size of 40 patients and included concentration levels of “albumin, hematocrit, C-reactive protein (CRP), and drugs” (Olendziki et al., 2009, p. 8). Two statistical tools, “Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI) and Modified Truelove and Witts Severity Index (MTLWSI)”, were used to analyze the data. On their part, Oikonomou et al . (2012) used a randomized controlled trial to investigate the role of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in IBD pathophysiology. The researchers used quantitative approaches to collect and analyze data (NGAL levels) collected from 181 IBD patients and 82 healthy individuals (controls) between 2008 and 2010. The assessment of disease activity (serum NGAL levels) involved Cockroft–Gault and CKD-EPI statistical tools. Sandhu et al. (2010) conducted a systematic review of a variety of pediatric IBD interventions in studies published in major medical databases. The study involved a review of 161 qualitative and quantitative studies to support treatment guidelines for the management of pediatric IBD in the UK. The thematic analysis method was used to synthesize the evidence in the studies reviewed. A descriptive study by Todorovic (2010) examined holistic adjunctive interventions (alternative medicine) that can complement conventional therapies in IBD management. The study relied on qualitative data to develop a framework for assessing the quality of care offered to IBD patients. The sample size for this study was 27 sources. In contrast, Grunbaum et al. (2013) used a randomized controlled trial to test the correlation between serum vitamin D levels and IBD development. In this quantitative study, the researchers measured serum levels of vitamin D in patients exhibiting mild or inactive IBD, healthy controls, and their families. The sample size for this study was 103 subjects (patients and controls). Dietary assessment (vitamin D) involved the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Watanabe et al. (2010) study was quantitative one, as it involved retrospective data collection from 268 CD patients under an elemental diet. The researchers used Cox regression analysis to define intergroup correlations, Kaplan-Meier approach to determine non-hospitalization rates, and log-rank test to delimit confidence intervals. A comparable quantitative study by Yamamoto et al. (2013) investigated the “long-term efficacy of EN” offered post-operatively to IBD patients after surgery. The study involved a sample size of 40 post-operative CD patients (15-75 years) that was given EN for five years. Recurrence rates were measured using the Kaplan-Meier and log-rank test methods while cross-comparisons involved chi-square and Student’s t test methods. Rajendran and Kumar’s (2010) study is a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative evidence on the role of dietary therapy on IBD treatment. The search criteria involved specific terms (UC, CD, and IBD as well as dietary therapy) and studies published in English in three medical databases (Medline, Pubmed, and Cochrane). Ten studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the final analysis. A more comprehensive systematic review by Yamamoto, Nakahigashi and Saniabadi (2009) included 143 studies (meta-analyses and RCTs) examining the correlation of diet and IBD and published in the Cochrane and Medline databases. The quantitative data support the use of EN in the treatment of IBD symptoms. On their part, Bassaganya-Riera and Hontecillas (2010) reviewed current quantitative evidence on the use of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and n-3 PUFA as effective anti-inflammatory dietary interventions against IBD. This review analyzed 64 empirical studies that met the inclusion criteria. Another review article by Hartman, Eliakim, and Shamir (2009) examined 100 studies to compare nutritional therapy modalities (EN and parenteral nutrition) in IBD management in adults and children. The authors used thematic analysis to categorize and synthesize the empirical evidence. On their part, Mosli et al . (2014) reviewed recent medical advancements used in the management of UC and CD in patients. The authors extracted qualitative data from relevant articles published between 1990 and 2013 from two databases Pubmed and EMBASE. Descriptive analysis of the data revealed the current IBD assessment tools and therapeutic advances. In contrast, Stulic et al .’s (2013) quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design and a sample size of 134 subjects (UC and CD patients). The subjects were divided into two categories based on histopathological activity grading. The CD and UC activity evaluation involved the “CD activity index (CDAI) and Truelove and Witt’s scale” respectively (p. 949). Data analysis tools included the Mann-Whitney test and the Z 2 test. Sanchez-Fidalgo, Sanchez de Ibarguen, Cardeno, and Alarcon de la Lastra (2012) randomized 25 mice into two groups: treatment (17 subjects fed with DSS to induce UC) and control (eight healthy ones). The mice were then killed and clinical colitis determined using a disease activity index. The quantitative data was analyzed using the one way ANOVA method to test for significance and Tukey-Kramer test for cross-comparisons. A nutritional review by Wall, Ross, Fitzgerald, and Stanton (2010) evaluated evidence on the use of dietary omega-3 fatty acids as anti-inflammatory agents. The review included 117 quantitative studies on the anti-inflammatory potential of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The article uses descriptive statistics to analyze and present the data. In contrast, Sephton’s (2009) study involved a double-blind review approach to evaluate nursing interventions that can prevent flares in IBD. The review draws qualitative data from a sample of 45 relevant studies, which are analyzed through thematic analysis to provide valuable evidence for innovative nursing interventions that can be applied in IBD management. Results The results from the studies reviewed indicate that anti-inflammatory diet can ameliorate IBD management in adults. The studies report that anti-inflammatory diet has therapeutic benefits, though further testing is required. Wall et al. (2010) found that food supplements containing n-3 fatty acids cause “immunomodulation of the inflammatory profiles” by reducing the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in cells (p. 284). In contrast, supplements rich in 6-n fatty acids exacerbate IBD symptoms. Thus, a diet rich in n-3 relative to n-6 fatty acids can be a good adjunct in IBD management. Comparable findings made by Sanchez-Fidalgo et al. (2012) reveal that diets containing extra virgin olive oil fortified with hydroxytyrosol significantly reduce colonic ulcerations in mice exposed to DSS (an inflammation-inducing agent) indicating that the supplement has anti-inflammatory benefits. In Stulic et al.’ s (2013) study, 29% and 64% of patients with a histopathological activity value of below and above five respectively developed CD (p = 0.005). The results of a systematic review give evidence for the use of EN as an adjunct to IBD drug-based treatments (Rajendran & Kumar, 2010). On the other hand, Hartman, Eliakim, and Shamir (2009) review of relevant literature linked supplementary EN to maintain CD remission while Bassaganya-Riera and Hontecillas (2010) found that an n-3/n-6 fatty acid ratio of more than 0.6 facilitates sustained IBD remission. Such biomolecules are abundant in conjugated linoleic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Another review by Yamamoto, Nakahigashi, and Saniabadi (2009) found complete EN to be an effective strategy in active and inactive CD management. In contrast, Yamamoto et al. (2012) found that CD recurred in 10% and 45% of EN and control group patients respectively (p = 0.03). Moreover, the “cumulative recurrence rate was lower in the EN group compared to the control (p = 0.02)” indicating that the difference between two groups is significant (p. 338). Wanatabe et al. (2010) found that of the 237 patients, 135 (under elemental diet) had a relatively high “cumulative non-hospitalization rate” (p. 135). Comparable results by Grunbaum et al. (2013) indicate a correlation between patient and family vitamin D levels (82.3 nmol/l) in summer (p = 0.032). By comparison, there was no significant correlation between the control patients and their families. Two reviews find patient education along with pharmacological methods (Infliximab and Ciclosporin), surgery, and nursing interventions to be effective in self-management of UC (Sephton, 2009; Todorovic, 2012). On their part, Olendziki et al. (2014) found that in all patients who were under IBD-AID regimen IBD symptoms declined by a mean of 11 HBI and 7 MTLSI values respectively. Another empirical study by Oikonomou et al. (2012) found “elevated NGAL levels in IBD patients (88.19 ng/ml)” compared to healthy controls (60.06 ng/Mol) (p. 523) implying that the serum NGAL concentrations can predict UC and CD remissions in adults. In contrast, a review by Sandhu et al. (2010) found evidence to inform guidelines for diagnosis and management of IBD in children. Discussion Recent studies suggest a strong association between diet and the modulation of intestinal inflammatory response in IBD. Anti-inflammatory diet (IBD-AID) plays a critical role in symptom remission, which results in reduced pharmaceutical use (Olendziki et al., 2014). Active factors such as n-3 fatty acids confer IBD-AID with anti-inflammatory characteristics, and thus, the intake of such a diet helps ameliorate IBD symptoms (Wall et al. 2010). Increased intake of n-3 PUFAs increases the levels of two anti-inflammatory eicosanoids: eicosapentaenoic acid and decosahexaenoic acid in inflammatory cells. The mechanism of action involves an inhibition of n-6 PUFAs (arachidonic acid), which stimulate an inflammatory response in cells (Wall et al., 2010). N-3 PUFAs also act directly by down-regulating eicosanoid processes that produce inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Therefore, a diet high in n-3 fatty acids relative to 6-n PUFAs can reduce inflammatory processes that cause IBD. Although the etiology of IBD is unclear, the disease tends to have a genetic basis. Grunbaum et al .’s (2013) cross-sectional study found serum levels vitamin D in patients and their families to be higher than in healthy people after a dietary regimen. However, the concentration of vitamin D in the serum of CD patients (without the regimen) relative to that of healthy individuals is low. They concluded that metabolites of vitamin D play a role in symptom remission for active CD (Grunbaum et al ., 2013). Another biomarker of IBD is NGAL, which is released by neutrophils in the blood. Serum NGAL is higher in patients with IBD than in those with inflammatory bowel syndrome implying that it is can predict the development of the disease (Oikonomou et al ., 2012). Thus, serum vitamin D and NGAL levels can be used as biomarkers to monitor IBD progression or symptom remission. Extraintestinal manifestations, such as pancolitis, are also common indicators of IBD histopathology. Stulic et al. (2013) found that 35.3% of patients diagnosed with pancolitis developed UC symptoms. This indicates that extraintestinal inflammatory conditions can lead to IBD. With regard to nursing care, the nutritional status of a patient with IBD determines his or her improvement or deterioration. Sephton (2009) recommends that patients with regular ulcerative colitis flare-ups be put under nutritional therapy. Moreover, a ‘low residue/high protein’ regimen reduces the frequency of bowel movements, which promotes healing in post-surgery patients (Sephton, 2009; Todorovic, 2012). Such a diet complements pharmacological therapy involving inflixmab or ciclosporin. However, for patients with severe symptoms, immediate corticosteroid therapy or surgery is recommended (Sandhu et al., 2010). Dietary administration of virgin olive oil fortified with a polyphenol called hydroxytyrosol has also been found to stop the progression of experimental colitis in vivo in mice (Sanchez-Fidalgo et al., 2012). Olive oil diets also prevent cancerous growth associated with inflammation in cells. Sanchez-Fidalgo et al. (2012) attribute the anti-inflammatory effects to the “anti-oxidant properties of the phenolic compounds” in olive oil (p. 502). The phenolic compounds play a role in antioxidant detoxification of inflammatory agents (reactive oxygen species) that cause cell damage. Hydroxytyrosol prevents oxidation-related damage to cellular macromolecules, including proteins and lipids and thus, inhibit cell inflammation. The dietary therapy modalities show significant differences in efficacy as adjuncts to pharmacological treatment of CD patients. Evidence from many studies underscores the importance of enteral nutrition (EN) as an effective adjunctive strategy in adult IBD management. EN promotes the “nutritional status of the patient, reduces inflammatory cytokines in cells, and promotes mucosal healing”, which induce active IBD remission (Hartman, Eliakim & Shamir, 2009, p. 575). The efficacy of EN is attributed to its lack of long-term side effects compared to corticosteroid therapy. EN is recommended when the adult patients is under prolonged corticosteroid therapy, the risk of developing inflammation-related conditions is high, or the patient needs a change in therapy. The efficacy of EN versus corticosteroid therapy in IBD treatment is variable among different studies. Yamamoto, Nakahigashi, and Saniabadi’s (2009) review of recent meta-analyses and trials found steroid therapy to be more effective than EN in inducing remission. However, they note that the studies lack sufficient data to analyze subgroup variables. In addition, the efficacy of EN depends on other extraneous factors such as the ingredients of the enteral formulae, physical assessment criteria, patients’ demographic characteristics, and mode of administration (Yamamoto, Nakahigashi & Saniabadi, 2009). Nevertheless, in the long-term, EN is more effective than steroid therapy because it has less side effects. Elemental formulae in EN therapy determine the efficacy of nutritional therapy in IBD management. A comparison of various elemental formulae containing variable levels of proteins established that amino acids do not affect the efficacy of enteral nutrition (Hartman, Eliakim & Shamir, 2009). On the other hand, diets low in fat have a positive effect on IBD remission due to modulated amounts of linoleic acid. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an octadecadienoic acid isomer, prevents inflammatory responses through the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), and thus, reduces the release of “inflammatory lipid mediators” that cause CD (Bassaganya-Riera & Hontecillas, 2010, p. 3). The effect of food formulae on the efficacy of EN diets has been documented in literature. Long chain triglycerides have less effect on the management of CD compared to fat/protein supplements. However, the inclusion of bioactive molecules, including glutamine and omega-3 fatty acids, in an EN diet improves its efficacy due to the anti-inflammatory properties of these elements (Hartman, Eliakim & Shamir, 2009). The central aim of IBD-AID diet is to reduce exacerbations and promote symptom remission. IBD is linked to the alteration of the intestinal microflora, which stimulates an inflammatory response in gut lumen cells (Olendziki et al ., 2014). In this regard, EN diets are usually enriched with food components that facilitate the proliferation of normal gut lumen flora. Olendziki et al. (2014) outline five major ingredients of an effective anti-inflammatory diet. The first component is modified carbohydrates, especially lactose while the second consists of probiotics such as fermented dairy products (yoghurt) and onions. Carbohydrates and probiotics help regenerate flora in the intestines to normal levels. The third component is fats/lipids such as PUFAs (omega-3) and saturated fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. The fourth component involves an appropriate dietary pattern that eliminates food types to which a patient may be intolerant while the fifth entails texture modification through grinding to facilitate absorption. In addition, patients should take vitamins and digestive enzyme supplements to boost their nutritional status. Besides restoring intestinal flora, IBD-AID also facilitate mucosal regeneration in IBD patients. This dietary regimen provides all the required nutrients in the correct proportions and reduces irritants to obtain remission. It excludes whole grains contained in the specific carbohydrate diets (SCD) and increases the amount of probiotics to yield a balanced intestinal flora (Hartman, Eliakim & Shamir, 2009). The IBD-AID regimen reduces saturated fatty acid intake and increases the consumption of PUFAs like omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to possess anti-inflammatory properties (Sanchez-Fidalgo et al. , 2012). It also contains fermentable oats, which are a good source of probiotics. Oats also help regulate the frequency and consistency of the stool. Patients under an IBD-AID that gives 900 kcal per day have a lower rate of hospitalization than those receiving a diet with less caloric content (Watanabe et al., 2010). This indicates that a diet that gives 900 kcal per day can facilitate healing for patients with ileal lesions. The evidence reviewed in this paper indicates that dietary therapy can serve as an adjunct to pharmacological interventions to promote healing. Conclusion As the regular treatments (drugs and surgery) for IBD show variable effectiveness, nutritional therapy provides a novel strategy for the management of the disease. This literature review has underscored the role of nutrition-based diets, including IBD-AID and supplements such as 3-n PUFAs and NGAL, as adjuncts in the management of gastrointestinal diseases. Diet composition, mode of administration, and disease assessment criteria are some of the factors that influence the efficacy of nutrition-based therapy. In general, in compliant patients, an enteral nutrition that balances 3-n/6-n PUFAs intake and gives over 900 kcal per day can reduce exacerbations and promote remission. 3-n PUFAs have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, hence useful in IBD management. Thus, EN presents a safe adjunct to pharmaceutical options, though its clinical efficacy is not clear in the articles reviewed. In this regard, further studies (RCTs) should examine nutrient bioavalability across the intestinal barrier on a particular inflammation site. The findings would help evaluate and validate the clinical efficacy of various EN formulae. To sum up, in compliant patients, a nutritional management approach involving the patient a primary care provider can extend remission and improve quality of life, reducing acute exacerbations requiring GI or surgical intervention. References Bassaganya-Riera J. & Hontecillas, R. (2010). Dietary CLA and n-3 PUFA in inflammatory bowel disease. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutritional Care, 13 (5), 569–573. Grunbaum, A., Holcroft, C., Heilpern, D., Gladman, S., Burstein, B., Menard, M.,… Szilagyi A. (2013). Dynamics of vitamin D in patients with mild or inactive inflammatory bowel disease and their families. Nutrition Journal, 12 , 145-154. Hartman, C., Eliakim, R. & Shamir, R. (2009). Nutritional status and nutritional therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 15 (21), 570-578. Mosli, M., Al Beshir, M., Al-Judabi, B., Al-Ameel, T., Saleem, A., Bessissow, T., … Almadi, M. (2014). Advances in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease: Challenges and uncertainties. Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology, 20 (2), 81-101. Oikonomou, K. A., Kapsoritakis, A. N., Theordoridou, C., Karangelis, D., Germenis, A., Stefanidis, I., & Potamianos, P. (2012). Neutrophil gelatinous-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in inflammatory bowel disease: Association with pathophysiology of inflammation, established markers, and disease activity. Journal of Gastroenterology, 47, 519-530. Olendzki, B. C., Silverstein, D., Persuitte, G., Ma, Y., Baldwin, K. & Cave, D. (2014). An anti-inflammatory treatment for inflammatory bowel disease: A case series report. Nutritional Journal, 13(5), 1-13. Rajendran, N. & Kumar, D. (2010). Role of diet in the management of inflammatory bowel disease. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 16 (12), 1442-1448 Sanchez-Fidalgo, S., Sanchez de Ibarguen, L., Cardeno, A., & Alarcon de la Lastra, C. (2012). Influence of extra virgin olive oil diet enriched with hydroxytyrosol in a chronic DSS colitis model. European Journal of Nutrition, 51 , 497-506. Sandhu, B., Fell, J., Beattie, R., Mitton, S., Wilson, D. & Jenkins, W. (2010). Guidelines for the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children in the United Kingdom. Journal of Pediatric Gastroentological Nutrition, 50 , 1–13. Sephton, M. (2009). Nursing management of patients with severe ulcerative colitis. Nursing Standard, 24 , 15-17. Stulic, M., Culafic, D., Mijac, D., Jankovic, G., Jovicic, I., Krstic, M. & Milosavljević, T. (2013). Correlation between extraintestinal manifestations and clinical parameters with the histologic activity index in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Vojnosanit Pregl: Military Medical & Pharmaceutical Journal of Serbia & Montenegro, 70 (10), 947-952. Todovoric, V. (2012). Providing holistic support for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. British Journal of Community Nursing, 17 (10), 466-472. Wall, R., Ross, R., Fitzgerald, G. & Stanton, C. (2010). Fatty acids from fish: The anti-inflammatory potential of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Nutritional Review, 68 (5), 280-289. Watanabe, O., Ando, T., Ishiguro, K., Takahashi, H., Ishikawa, D., Miyake, N.,… Goto H. (2010). Enteral nutrition decreases hospitalization rate in patients with Crohn’s disease. Journal of Gastroentological Hepatology, 1 (5), 134-137. Yamamoto, T., Nakahigashi, M. & Saniabadi, A. (2009). Review article: Diet and inflammatory bowel disease – epidemiology and treatment. Aliment Pharmacological Therapy, 30, 99-112. Yamamoto, T., Shiraki, M., Nakahigashi, M., Umegae, S. & Matsumoto, K. (2013). Enteral nutrition to suppress postoperative Crohn’s disease recurrence: A five-year prospective cohort study. International Journal Colorectal Diseases, 28 , 335-340.
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