ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction Firms operating in a competitive market can only succeed if they create competitive advantages in their industries. Firms can create competitive advantages if they are optimally positioned in their industries. In order to achieve optimal positioning, a firm must leverage its strengths. This involves adopting one of Porter’s generic strategies namely, cost leadership strategy, differentiation strategy and focus strategy. These strategies are considered to be generic since they do not depend on either the firm or the industry. This paper aims at evaluating these strategies as well as giving examples of business sectors that can adopt them. Cost Leadership Strategy For a firm to pursue this strategy, it must aim at attaining the lowest cost of production in the industry. This will enable it to maintain competitive prices in the market. Due to the low production cost, the firm can sell its goods at the prevailing price and realize higher returns than other firms. Alternatively, it can set its prices below the equilibrium price in order to increase its sales and market share. This strategy enables firms operating in markets characterized by price wars to remain profitable as their competitors incur losses. The strategy is suitable for businesses targeting the broad market. Was of Implementing the Cost Leadership Strategy The cost leadership strategy can be realized as follows. First, the firm can focus on improving process efficiency. This will help in lowering the overall cost of production and turnaround time. Second, the firm can obtain its supplies from a large source associated with low cost materials in order to reduce the price of the final product. Third, it can focus on vertical integration or outsourcing some of its operations in order to minimize operating cost. Examples of operations that can be outsourced include logistics and transportation. Finally, the firm can avoid costs that are not necessary. Preconditions for Cost Leadership Strategy In order to pursue the cost leadership strategy, the firm must have the following strengths. First, it must have the capital to acquire production assets. This acts as an entry barrier if the firm’s competitors lack capital to invest in the production assets. Second, the firm’s workers should be skilled in product design in order to facilitate efficient production. Besides, they must be experts in engineering manufacturing process in order to promote high efficiency. Finally, the firm must have an efficient distribution channel. This helps in lowering distribution costs. Despite its advantages, the cost leadership strategy is associated with the following weaknesses. Other firms in the industry are also likely to achieve low cost in production thus lowering their prices as well. The competitive advantage attributed to efficient production can be eliminated as other firms adopt better production technologies. Cost leadership strategy is mainly used in the retail industry. This is because, firms in the industry serve a broad market and their customers are price sensitive, hence necessitating low prices. Differentiation Strategy Firms pursuing this strategy aim at develo
Since ancient times people were led by a person who obtained a certain set of different qualities. Those people could change the whole history of a state. Being inborn leaders, they, however, cultivated and developed qualities which helped them to manage people. The practice of the development of leadership skills has not sill lost its actuality. Nowadays, with the development of the sphere of work where efficient human management is necessary, it is vital for a chief manager to be a leader and possess all these qualities which make people obey and follow a person. There are several approaches to leadership competencies within the framework of human management nowadays. One of the approaches is described in the CIPD Profession map. It is created in collaboration with HR and academics, who have a great influence on the development of the science of human resource management (CIPD Profession Map n.d). Presented in the form of a diagram, it shows qualities and spheres of activity which are very important for a leader and good manager. The diagram is very easy to understand. It becomes obvious that to be a good leader, a person should obtain such personal qualities as curiosity, bravery, and ability to think and convince people. The next step in the development of a good leader is obtaining skills in such spheres of activity as an organization of the work of stuff, which includes rewarding, punishing and building good relations. Only having obtained all these qualities, a person will be able to become a good leader. The next model is presented in the SHRM Competency model. This model comprises nine competencies. One of them is technical competency and eight are behavioral competencies (SHRM Competency Model n.d). It is also presented in the form of a diagram for a viewer to understand it easier. This model supposes that the knowledge of main principles of managing people combined with different personal qualities can guarantee professional gro
This paper talks about V-chips and content rating. It discusses a controversial issue relevant to mass media by looking at whether V-chips and content rating are essential practices or not. The paper starts with a research outline that discusses how the topic relates to the course at hand, to what extent it is or can prove to be useful, and also why the topic that the paper bases its arguments on has chosen the topic that was selected. After the research outline, the paper discusses the topic by looking at both sides of the argument – that yes content rating is necessary and no, a content rating is unethical and not necessary. This part of the paper has been based on thorough research employing books, articles, journals, academic resources as well as web sources. Introduction V-chip refers to a device that is used to block or screen certain channels and programs which is directly based on the ratings that are there for those programs as content rating. Usually, when there is parental control or control that needs to be influenced on children that do not qualify to watch those channels and programs, these V-chips are used. With the use of this V-chip technology henceforth, many programs or channels that depict sexual or violent content or language can hence be kept off the reach of children and small kids, protecting them henceforth from such exploitative content. The V-chip technology uses a passcode that is known to the parents and the children or anyone who is not supposed to watch those shows or channels is kept uninformed about it. This paper analyses the effect of the mass media’s influence on the minds of our children and younger audience today. It highlights how this effect has been getting more and more negative. It can be said that society itself has been depicting such a crude picture of itself which is usually an exaggerated form of what the actual condition is like. This is the media’s fault altogether. There is always a time for everything, therefore I believe that V-chip technology provides parents a control that they can practice since they have a right to let their children be exposed to the kind of information, pictures, and content that they want them to be exposed to. If it is the case otherwise, then parents can develop a feeling of helplessness and many also argue that the children develop such profound effect and impact of the content that they see that they start imitating behaviors quite a lot. (Anderson, D., 2001) This is one side of the argument that the paper includes in it. This side of the argument calls for allowing V-chip technology based on content rating and allowing bans on certain programs that parents do not feel are fit for viewing by children. The other side of the argument the paper takes is one I myself am not in support of. This side says that the television
Management of an international facility such as plant is a difficult task, which has multiple layers and sides. The manager has to deal with various aspects and contradictions. The fact that the plant is international means that the manager needs to show the skills and abilities to manage multicultural staff. Cross cultural management is based on addressing the needs and requirements of people coming from social groups with different mentalities. Besides, the plant, just like any other business organization, has its structure and hierarchy, the managing staff and the employees have different goals and points of view. A successful manager of such plant needs to keep in mind all kinds of differences and ways of thinking of the personnel they are in charge of. It takes a lot of critical thinking and flexibility to be able to maintain a balanced and harmonious work of such facility and its employees. A good manager has to rely on the theory of needs suggested by David McClelland. This is a very useful theory in the spheres of management and organizational behavior. The country I selected for the international plant is Japan. This is a country with high social organization; this is why the application of management strategies is going to be successful. Japanese workplaces are known for distinct hierarchy in relationships between the superiors and subordinates. The managing staff will require their need for achievement and power fulfilled. The employees in general will experience the need for affiliation; this is why interpersonal relationships and workplace conflict management need to be paid attention to. It is important to work out a system of rewards for the workers that pe
Introduction This presentation will discuss the following questions:  1. The history of organizational behavior (OB) as a field of study.  2. The main characteristics of this science.  3. The main principles identified in OB studies and their value.  4. The practical role of this field for the functioning of businesses. In particular, one should focus on such an organization as Google. Overall, it is first necessary to provide a definition of organizational behavior as a field of study. Moreover, one should explain how this science evolved during the twentieth century. Furthermore, much attention should be paid the way in which theoretical concepts of organizational behavior are translated into real-life policies of Google. To a great extent, this example is important because it throws light on some of the best practices in organizational management. Moreover, this discussion can be used for the development of recommendations that business administrators should consider. Definition of organizational behavior Organizational behavior can be defined the examination of people’s “behaviors , attitudes, and performances” within an organization (Vasu., Stewart, & Garson, 1998, p. 3). It should be noted that managerial scientists examine the functioning of institutions at the following levels:  1. Micro-level (the behavior of a separate employees);  2. Meso-level (the attributes of workgroups in institutions);  3. Macro-level (the general attributes of an organization). This definition is aimed at identifying the main elements that organizational studies are supposed to examine. Moreover, this interpretation highlights the main attributes of an organization. In particular, it can be viewed as a hierarchical system composed of separate individuals, small workgroups, divisions, and so forth. Furthermore, the functioning of the entire system is strongly dependent on the behavior of the elements, occupying low position in the hierarchy. These are main points that can be made. Characteristics of Organizational Behavior as a Field Multi-disciplinary nature of this science   * Organizational Behavior:       + Psychology;       + Sociology;       + Natural sciences;       + Mathematics;
Advertising to older people has always been a challenge to many organizations. The challenge is due to the fact that those advertising do not like taking the aged as target group by itself (Zhang & Harwood, 2006). The size, diversity and complexity provided by the elderly people make business people believe that it is hard to win the aged. Again, business people make a mistake by believing that older people need something different or unique. For instance, the assumption that the elderly use specific goods or services is wrong. According to Jones and Mullan (2006), older people can as well switch brands and where they buy them from time to time just like any other person. As such, advertisers should not exclude older people but should involve them actively. A good scenario of bad advertising to elderly consumers is the use of misplaced adverts. For example, “use product B to brighten your skin”. Since elderly consumers are more comfortable with their natural skin, the use of health freaks, as well as supermodels, pisses them off, and lowers their motivations towards the products being advertised (Jones & Mullan, 2006). However, they tend to be comfortable with great health looking and fabulous advertisements. Another example of bad advertising to elderly consumers is the use of misplaced adverts whereby advertisements for the young are used where the audience is the elderly, such as “30 products for the young”. Such completely discourages them from purchasing such goods. Having the above examples, organizations advertising their products should consider all groups of consumers. As a result, the advertisers should look for best ways in which to advertise goods so that they appeal the elderly too. In the case of good advertisement examples, the advertisers should strive to grab the attention of the elderly such as “Take out insurance for your old age”. The attention is grabbed by avoiding what is normal in advertisements and trying something new. Elderly people do not often read the ads but what can attract their eyes and hence their attention. As such, advertisers should use images that attract conversations among the elderly consumers. Another good example of advertising to elderly consumers is the utilization of simple and clean messages such as “register for retirement benefits for a bright future”. Elderly consumers put more emphasis on easy to understand ads. According to Robinson, Gustafson and Popovich (2008), there are both positive and negative stereotypes for the elderly consumers. Positive stereotypes are always clear and create attractive messages. On the other hand, negative stereotypes lead to ridicule and demean
This essay analyses the ethical issues and moral dilemma imbedded in or exposed by the American Apparel Sexual harassment Lawsuits case. While the public and victims of Charney’s actions term it as sexual harassment, he has a totally different view. He calls it a marketing and creative working environment which he creates for his employees; some employees like it, others feel offended. Those offended feel sexually harassed in the work place and term the environment not conducive for them to work. Employees who feel it is ok, claim to take nothing personal, not the salty language, the CEO walking around the premise in pants, pictures of half naked models displayed around the premises and company website. This is how the situation is at the American Apparel, a company manufacturing and selling apparel products made purely in America. The founder and CEO of this prestigious American company display behaviors that many would not correlate to his position, like walking around in the business premise in pants, asking for sex from his employees even sometimes at the workplace. His tricks seem to work because he has been able to build a business that makes up to $ 250 millions a year (Palmeri 1). The most offended employees quit their jobs and instituted sexual harassment lawsuits against him. Dov Charney founded American apparel in 1989 when he was still a freshman at Tuft University and is now ranked among the top 500 rapidly growing companies. The company is now faced with issues of sexual harassment labeled against the CEO as well as some of the offer 4,500 employees of the company. The company employs mostly Latinos and offers its employees an attractive wage package together with other benefits including; subsided lunches, health insurance as well as a paid time off to learn English. The CEO attributes the benefits the company offers her employee to the care and support that the employees give to the company to realize its growth potential. This principle is in accordance with Freeman’s stakeholder theory which alludes which defines stakeholders as the people who ensure the survival of the company. Freeman indicates that a company should ensure the stakeholders’ welfare is well taken care of. In return to the labour, the company should provide security and attractive wages and a good working environment. Freeman points out that the traditional stakeholder models tend to disregard a broad view of stakeholders in which all those whose activities influence or are influenced by the company have to be included (Bowie 19) The sexual harassment Lawsuits The American apparel founder was sued by three of her former employees in 2006 for sexual harassment. In the lawsuit, the three complainants allege that Charney exposed himself to them; another one complains she was invited to masturbate with him. Charney is also accused of telling one of his lady employees to hire him Asian women so that he could have sex with them, among other charges of engaging in oral sex with the female employees and masturbating in front of a female reporter during an interview with her. In defense, he alleges that the lady employees who sued him of sexual harassment were a mer
Attention Getter Scholars all around the world recognize rice as one of the most important nutritional crops; it is an important dietary product that serves as the source of the major portion of the daily calories of humans as well as animals (Shekhar, Howlader, and Kabir 198). Moreover, the world’s most densely populated countries such as China and India have rice as the leading consumption good. In a variety of cultures, rice serves not only as a source of nutrition but also as a strong economic and political aspect, the focal point of many resources, and a driver of research (Barker, Herdt, and Rose xix). Introduction of the Topic For many centuries, rice has been known to humanity for its versatile properties. Aside from being used as food, it has seen plenty of unorthodox implementations. In that way, it is practically irreplaceable as a resource for the dietary, economic, and political points of view. Therefore, the discussion of this product could be an interesting source of new knowledge about one of the oldest and most common products in the world. This speech will explore the value of rice discussing it from different angles and perspectives. Relevance Statement From feeding millions of people to saving electronics from moisture, this humble grain remained relevant throughout the ages due to its excellent nutritional values, relative ease of cultivation, and high yield. Having been brought from Asia to Europe thousands of years ago, rice has become one of the habitual parts of diets of all the old world cultures. The Americas have been introduced to it much later, in the 1600s, but still had plenty of time to adopt it and appreciate all of its benefits. Today, every person all around the globe is familiar with rice regardless of their culture and country; and that is why this subject is likely to apply to everyone in the audience. Credibility Statement The info
The Empty Nest project can address various issues, but it can also have some disadvantages. Mitchell and Lai (2014) found that intergenerational relations can be complicated due to ethnic differences. Therefore, the interaction of Millennials and baby boomers from different ethnic groups can potentially lead to conflicts and associated issues. Furthermore, it is essential to make sure that the seniors participating in the project will be safe as this group is specifically vulnerable to violence. The project is favorable for the sustainable development of the community as it does create a true bond. People will be able to feel connected. Ferreras and Beja (2018) note that high rentals made people think of this project as a solution to many problems. This Empty Nest project is mainly regarded as a financial benefit for younger people and a way to address social isolation for the elderly (Benning, 2018). In addition, Millennials can learn a lot from the older generation who lived through many significant events. Overall intergenerational interactions within communities can be improved as young adults and seniors will understand each other better. The project can be sustainable in the long run as it is beneficial for many groups of people. However, it is essential to make sure that its implementation will be supervised properly. The system of candidates’ collection should be controlled and constantly updated. It can be important to monitor the implementation of the project through interviews and observations, as well as the creation of a platform enabling participants to share
Four Stage Models of Grief According to Hutchison (2003), those individuals above the age of 85 years are among the age bracket within the aging population which grows at a very high rate. This age group is prone to unlimited uncertainties which equally put them at a higher risk of living a shorter life upon attaining that age. Additionally, it is also found that the number of women who survive up to this age is slightly greater than the number of men. Consequently, late adulthood is composed mainly of women than men in the ratio of 5 to 2 when a random sample statistic is taken (Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics 2009). Further statistics reveal that those individuals who are quite weak in physical strength tend to die earlier. Nevertheless, those who live until very late adulthood are often strong in spite of the fact that they are not spared at all from chronic conditions which are often common at old age. This may lead to some of them being disabled owing to chronic attacks like diabetes and heart related failures. The advance towards late adulthood does not separate these individuals from the psychological need of having acquaintances around them. They will frequently need people to connect with in their day to day lives. The desire and need to belong within a group of people is a psychological need which is part and parcel of late adulthood. Hutchison (2003) further observes that those individuals within the late adulthood bracket are not easily frustrated by the fact that death is a reality. They are found to be more composed and less worried compared to other junior age groups. The four stage models of grief discussed here are not exhaustive owing to the fact that researchers have continued to investigate the many faces grief can take with specific reference to late adulthood. On the same note, other parallel theories and ideologies have also been put forward in an attempt to expound on the models or stages of grief. The Models of Grief Grief models can also be referred to as grief cycles and they take different models depending on the age group. A crucial stage model of grief begins with turning a blind eye to reality. Nevertheless, as mentioned earlier, those individuals in very late adulthood do not bother so much with gross eventualities like death because they know clearly well that their ages are long due and instances like death is a reality they have learnt to leave with (Wright & Hgan 2008). As a result, the first stage of grief notably denial, is not a big bother to adults in late age beyond the age of 85 years. They sail very smoothly to the reality of death and bereavement. However, the denial part may also be influenced by the cultural aspect which has been set up by the society. For instance, the United States of America is a multicultural base hosting a variety of cultures from different inhabitants from across the world (Lindemann 2009). The population is ever on the rise calling for the need of all healthcare experts to