Sony Corporation Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sony Corporation - Case Study Example However, in 1942 he modified his theory stating that innovation can no longer be the realm of individual entrepreneurs due to the gradually building capitalism; rather shall be the forte of innovation professionals & laboratories controlled by management of large companies [Dejardin, Marcus. 2000]. This theory applies to Sony considerably given that the organization spends heavily in R&D across all the product lines. As per statement released in 2003 by Nobuyuki Idei, Chairman & CEO of Sony Corporation, the organization planned to spend 500 billion Yens (about 5.1 billion US Dollars as per current rate) in three years to develop competitive key electronic devices through internal innovations although the organization invested 502 billion Yens (about 5.12 billion US Dollars) in 2005 itself. [Sony Corporation, 2003; Sony Corporation, 2005] Sony has been practicing creative destruction by forcing the old available products towards obsolescence by virtue of their innovations. One excellent example is the "style" innovation of Sony latest Pocket Style VAIO P that is expected to yet again create a new niche segment for Sony that may force laptops to obsolescence especially in applications like Internet usage, word processing, multi-media & entertainment, messaging, Internet based telephony, etc. [Prokaza, Julian. 2009] Sony practices the strategy of Differentiation Strategy thus targeting niche markets where products are unique and sold at premium rates. They tend to develop unique market segments where there aren't any competitions and the pricing strategies are totally in their own control. Walkman, Play Station, and now the Pocket Style Vaio P are examples of product uniqueness that Sony brings to the market. In these markets Sony is not bogged down by competition that practice Cost Leadership strategy. Sony's strategies against Porter's Five Competitive Forces Following is the model of Porter's Five Competitive Forces [Harvard Business Review, 2008; Cliff, Bowman. 2008; Ankli, Robert E. 1992]: Sony practices product uniqueness (differentiation) and achieves the same by virtue of huge investments in Innovation and R&D. This strategy ensures that Sony is well placed when mapped against the Porter's five competitive forces model as presented below: Threat of new entrants and substitute products & services: Sony's strategy of continuously developing unique products and market segments keeps them shielded from new entrants in the market given that the level of R&D required to develop such products is huge and not easy for competition to introduce substitute products. Rivalry among existing competitors: Sony hardly has any rivalry with competitors because their products are already priced at premium rates even in the market segments that are not unique to them. In

Plato in Apology and Aeschylus in Eumenides Essay - 1

Plato in Apology and Aeschylus in Eumenides - Essay Example Charged with being an associate of the Thirty and with subverting the thinking of Athenians, Socrates was brought to trial in 399 BCE. Plato’s Apology is his account of the proceedings against Socrates and, in particular, Socrates’ oratory at trial in his own defense.1 Thus, the Apology must be understood in the context of dramatic social changes taking place in Athens, particularly, the restoration of the Athenian tradition of democratic rule, and a pogrom to drive from Athens any vestige of the radical thinking associated with the Thirty. So, when we speak of reactionary sentiment in Athens at the time of Socrates’ trial, we are speaking of the force of the newly-restored democracy to return the city-state to the tradition of democratic principles.2 Plato’s Apology and Aeschylus’ Eumenides both present the transition from an old order to a new one and, in different ways, embody the human condition of duality. Whereas in the Apology Socrates pleads his case by asking questions that probe the deeper recesses of the mind, Aeschylus presents us with characters who engage in spirited debate and accusation. Thus, we are presented with two very different definitions of and perspectives on the subject of justice. Yet the entire spectrum of motivation toward and contemplation of justice is addressed in both. Let us first look at Aeschylus’ work. In Eumenides, the third in Aeschylus’ Oreseias trilogy, Apollo leads Orestes to kill his mother, Clytemnestra, who had previously killed her husband and Orestes’ father, Agamemnon.

Framing News on Foreign Countries: Media Interests

Framing News on Foreign Countries: Media Interests Framing news on foreign countries: Media Interests and Motivations. Analyzing 10 yrs of US and UK newspaper editorials on Venezuela. 1)INTRODUCTION Media organizations are essential in international affairs in terms of their important role in providing information to the public.[3] The question has often been whether the Media frames news in the context of the national interest of the host country, for example. Whether they reflect official position without challenging them or rather influence national interest objectives by putting pressure on politicians. The Medias interest and other motivating factors are essential for understanding how editorials for instance are framed. Lacking in the study of Media framing is the application to bilateral relations. This study would attempt to add that dimension to the numerous researches on the Media in international affairs. It would analyze editorials by four prominent newspapers in the United States and the United Kingdom on issues concerning Venezuela. The aim is to find the likely motivating factors when it comes to framing news on foreign countries For many countries the media represents an important window to the international world. Patched knowledge on foreign issues would be close to a reality without a source of information about what happens elsewhere in the world, made available by the media. In democratic countries in particular, the reliance on the media for foreign news might be as important as the quest for local news. Images of foreign countries, issues and happenings in a particular country abroad are likely to be influenced by the media to a much larger scale when impressions are created of a healthy or strained bi-lateral relations, for instance. Due to factors such as cultural assumptions and political beliefs, it is believed that news carves out images and impressions of the world some of which are preferred over other images.[4] The media, both electronic and print are a major component of the democratic processes in several countries. The media has often been referred to, in many countries, as an important branch of the government with roles from functioning as the main political informant'[7] There has been several publications on issues of Media and Government relations by several authors. For instance, in the scope of international relations and communications, there have been books published on the issue of how the media works in or out of line with foreign policy or the national interest. The debate has been whether or not the media is likely to support the national interest of the country in which it operates in relation to other countries(as the theory of Manufacturing Consent depicts)[9]. Either option makes foreign events relevant to the media. On the whole the media is believed to reflect social consensus.[15] There may be variations in the nature of the Media depending on the region or country of operation. A media in a democratic country may be freer than those in a non-democratic country so news coverage, media culture and ethics could vary. In this study, a section of the Media in two democratic countries would be analyzed in terms of their positions on issues in a third country(Venezuela). What would be of interest to this study, as mention earlier, would be the factors that would be most highlighted in the accounts of these editorials. It may bring about issues of objectivity and latent Media interests or the interests of the consumers of the news content. In the US for example, the Media is often said to domesticate foreign news. The themes represented in news in the US are those which often have some relevance to American interests.[17] Thus, how the media frames news is largely important for understanding the positions they yield to and their response to certain foreign events. In issues of national interest and in relation to bilateral relations, it would be important to know how the media in different countries frame news on events in countries abroad. 2) LITERATURE REVIEW NEWS FRAMING Entman, (1993) suggests that the concept of framing could be studied as a feature of a political discourse or as an instrument applied by the Media in making news.[19] And by extension, Media analysis or news analysis would deserve a look at the concept of news framing. Framing is, the process by which a communication source constructs and defines a social or political issue for its audienceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?.[23] Framing theory is also applicable to Media analysis. Media frames as explained by Entman (1991: 7), are attributes of news itself.[24] In a broad sense, frames are regarded as persistent patterns of cognition, interpretation, and presentation, and as selection, emphasis, and exclusion, by which symbol handlers routinely organize discourse, whether verbal or visual.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?.[27] Tuchman showed how framing as a process theory works. And that the routine procedures used by newsmakers, direct news frames in a particular way. She argues that these procedures continually help showcase certain places and ideas, while consistently closing off and blocking inquiry into others.[29] Entman (1993: 52) helped refine the scope of the definition given to news framing. He established that by the definition of news frame, frames could be seen as a process that defines problems à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" determine what a causal agent is doing with what costs and benefits, usually measured in terms of common cultural values; diagnose causes à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" identify the forces creating the problem; make moral judgments à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" evaluate causal agents and their effects; and suggest remedies à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" offer and justify treatments for the problems and predict their likely effects.[30] Entman, (1991:7) also showed that frames used by the media are often captured in the keywords, metaphors, concepts, symbols and visual images in news narratives. He stresses the point that one way is which news framing works is through repetition which is important for Media news framing because news narratives, usually dependent on frames, are meant to direct attention to certain ideas, while excluding certain other ideas.[33] It has also been established that Framing involves processes of inclusion and exclusion as well as emphasis.'[38] Framing also has the ability to make consumers of news accept and adopt some symbolic themes and values.[39] While the process of selectively and emphasis is carried out by the newsmakers, those for whom a particular news is meant, are also likely to be predisposed to understanding and interpreting information in a selective way. Framing has also been explained to be the process of placing information into a context of preconscious symbolism. [43] The framing process employed by the Media is regarded as key to shaping both the publics and decision-makers knowledge, image and understanding of the world.[49]. Perhaps a perfect definition of the concept of framing in relation to the print media is the fact that, a frame is a central organizing idea or story line that provides meaning to an unfolding strip of events, weaving a connection among them. The frame suggests what the controversy is about and the essence of the issue'[53] One of the significant areas in relation to framing of news and Media positioning is Foreign Policy. Assessments of the response of the media to foreign issues is largely based on a critical analysis of how the media operates or how a particular section of the media churns out news or editorials, for example the position that major newspapers take on certain foreign issues. In a way how it sets the agenda for government or public reactions. Both agenda setting and framing have been identified in news framing literature as ways in which the media can influence policy making and public opinion.[57] There has been some convergence on how framing analysis can be carried out, according to the literature. Two approaches of framing analysis has evolved over the years. The Inductive approach and the Deductive approach. The latter has been proven more scientific than the former. The Deductive approach organizes the framing analysis based on pre-outlined broader frames.[59] There has also been an attempt by some authors to group frames along certain distinctions. Frames could be grouped under issue-specific frames which deal with particular issues in detail and generic frames which cover broader themes found in different settings.[61] One issue raised by some authors on framing is how the Media treat sources. When elite sources to news are relied on by journalists for example, they may in a way be a channel for promoting the views and opinions of the political order or the elites to the larger audience[63] Most of the literature also agree that the location of a news story gives it much weight in terms of the perceived influence on the newspapers readership and how important the issues are to them. It also demonstrates the importance the media attaches to that particular issue or event.[67] In all, Media scholars have studied Framing theory as either theories of Effects and Process. By Framing as effects theory, media scholars have studied the influence that news frames have on audiences while studies on framing as a process theory have addressed how news content is created and modified in certain ways considering the factors that influence the carving of news in a particular way. [68] . Although the framing of news is important to the coverage given to events and issues, there are other elements or factors that influence the framing of news in itself have to be identified.[72] This study would turn the spot light on the wide array of all the other factors that may help explain why news is framed in a particular way. As pointed out earlier, some literature on the Media have suggested that the sources that the Media relies go an extent to make the news themselves. In other words, Organizations with more resources, or that have more credibility in the eyes of journalists, are more likely to become regular news sources, and thus shape which issues (agenda-setting) and which perspectives (frames) dominate the news.[74] Some Media scholars are of the opinion that the ideal state of Media Objectivity is far fetched. Some are of the view that there is no fundamentally non-ideological, apolitical, non-partisan news gathering and reporting system. Since there may be dispute over objectivity and news without bias, the concept of framing becomes important to analyzing the frames used in making news.[77] While journalists may dispute these assertions, it is believed that news content is not an objective entity, independent of political, social, ideological or sociopsychological influences than mere information.[80] As stated before, the Media often depicts the Governments position in respect to interests and issues especially in relation to other countries. There has been the suggestion that the Medias position is based on national values, national interest and cultural values of their host countries.[82] The Media is likely to succumb to the views of governments because the latters position on issues is seen as an overriding common good transcending the specific interests of parties, factions, and other entities smaller than the nation as a whole.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?[84] The problem with the concept of framing is that it lacks clear conceptual definitions and a comprehensive statement to guide research.[85] Yet these challenges would make it important for more research into factors that influence news framing. The extent to which consumers of news perceive foreign leaders in either a positive or negative light is dependent on how framing is carried out.[86] The latter point might be important to understand how the reading-public of the four sampled newspapers are likely to perceive the leadership in Venezuela. Most of the research done on news framing have largely gone in the way of foreign policy research. A few have looked at news framing in relation to another country with a lengthy time range while Media response and framing on various issues are measured and analyzed. The study hopes to add to the already existing research on news framing in this regard. 3) Proposed Research Questions Research Question 1 :What is the tone of coverage on Venezuela in U.S. and U.K. editorials? Do the two groups of newspapers differ in tone? Research Question 2: Which frames dominated in the overall coverage and was there a significant difference between the two countries in terms of the frames used? Research Question 3: Which issues dominated the overall coverage country-wise? Research Question 3: Do positions on issues covered reflect National Interest of the two countries? Research Question 4: Do these editorials rely on government sources in arriving at opinions and conclusions? Research Question 5: Which issues are most prominent in all the coverage? Research Question 6: Do the editorials lean towards a kind of political or economic ideology? 4) VARIABLES The variables for this study would be the following 1 Independent -Tone of coverage and framing in UK editorials -Tone of coverage and framing in US editorials -Most highlighted issues 2 Dependent -The interests of the UK(economic, political, other) -The interests of the US (economic, political, other) -The ideology of the paper 5) Proposed Research Hypothesis 1 There is no difference in tone between the two groups of newspapers. 2 The level of interest given to highlighted issues between the two groups of newspapers will be the same? 3 Positioning and framing of news will depend on the interests of the host nation of the newspapers. 4 Positioning and framing of news will depend on the ideology of the host nation of the newspapers. 5 UK newspaper editorials are likely to be less critical of Venezuela because of better bi- lateral relations. 6 US newspaper editorials are likely to be more critical of Venezuela because of worse bi-lateral relations. 6) METHODOLOGY Method The study on these editorials would be carried out using quantitative content analysis to assess qualitative data published by the four newspapers. Content analysis is defined as a research technique that involves measuring a content( in this case, news frames) in a random sampling of some form of communication( in this case, editorials). The basic assumption implicit in content analysis is that an investigation of messages and communication will allow some insight into the people who receive these messages'[87]. However the use of content analysis in this study would be to capture the frames used in the sampled editorials and what informs interests in issues and not what the consumers of such news perceive or how they react to these messages. One advantage of content analysis is that unlike other research methods where the researcher can easily influence the outcome of the research, it offers mediated communication to be rather studied rather than the behavior of people which may be difficult to analyze. Additionally it provides numbers and figures which can be quantified to secure likely viable assessments.[88] Admittedly, the use content analysis technique also brings to the fore issues concerning the representativeness of the samples used, the adequate definition of issues, difficulties with measuring units to be analyzed and coder reliability issues.[89] A conversion of coded values into quantitative statistical data would be made after the content analysis. Population The population of this study would be all editorials on Venezuela within the ten year period by high circulating newspapers in the US and the UK. The assumption is that editorials from newspapers with a relatively high number of circulations, may have been read by a significant number of people or may have reached a wider audience or a politically responsive section of the public. The study would not be concerned with gauging public reactions but in the frames used themselves. Yet high circulation newspapers offer a good basis for selection in the sample. Sample The type of sampling used in selecting editorials is Criterion Sampling .Editorials which will make up the sample are those with references made to the words VENEZUELA and HUGO CHAVEZ and political and economic issues related to these terms. A retrieval of the editorials from the search engine LEXIS-NEXIS has already been carried out using the following terms: VENEZUELA, HUGO CHAVEZ and EDITORIAL for the US newspaper database. For the LEXIS NEXIS -UK database, editorials were retrieved using the search terms VENEZUELA, HUGO CHAVEZ and LEADING ARTICLE. Editorials not focusing on these issues or not focusing on issues of political relevance were dropped from the sample ,for example those focusing on say sports or those with the mere mention of these terms with no relation to relevant issues discussed. US Newspapers From an earlier assessment of the account of data on newspaper circulations by the Audit Bureau of Circulations in both the USA and the UK, the highest circulating newspaper over the 10 year period was USA TODAY with the most circulations for the said period. The WALL STREET JOURNAL (WSJ) came second with the most circulations over the period. The WSJ will however be discounted because of its orientation mostly to financial news and events. The research would be limited to newspapers which mostly deal with political news and also focuses on foreign political news in its content or publications. With these criteria, the third major political newspapers which polled the third highest number of circulations over the 10 year period was the NEW YORK TIMES (NYT). Thus editorials from the USA TODAY and the NYT will be used in the content analysis. UK Newspapers The selection criteria for the two highest Circulating newspapers in the UK however differ slightly from the basis on which the newspapers from the US were selected. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH and THE TIMES newspapers would be used in this study. The two newspapers averagely rank 4th and 7th in terms of circulation data according to the Audit Bureau from January 2000 to 2009. The two newspapers which ranked as the two highest-circulating newspapers for the 10 year period in the UK were THE SUN and DAILY MAIL. The two come under the category of Tabloid Newspapers and are not considered serious political newspapers. The two will not be the focus of this study. The DAILY MIRROR, DAILY STAR, and the DAILY EXPRESS ranked 3rd, 5th and 6th respectively. This study will focus on those newspapers which come under those usually termed newspapers-of- record or those which practice serious journalism. Of the newspapers under this category,THE GUARDIAN and THE TIMES had averagely, the highest number of circulations during the 10 year period discounting those newspapers which fall under the tabloid category. A percentage breakdown of the editorials from each newspaper is found below. The four newspapers had on average a significant circulation tally during the specified period namely from (January) 2000 to (December) 2009. Why Venezuela? Venezuela offers a good to chance to study the politics behind the news. Various perceived interests are involved in relation to the US, UK and Venezuela. The controversies have been over the stifling of democracy and civil rights, the abuse of power by President Chavez, issues over the supply of oil and what it means for the two western countries to have the economy of Venezuela in a bad shape. These factors make Venezuela a good choice and would it possible to analyze Media positioning on these issues in response to a relevant third country while factoring in bi-lateral relations. Time Period The choice of long time duration will allow for significant content analysis to be done on the editorials. Since this research would also assess government statements and positions on the issues arising from Venezuela, the time period which saw the BUSH and BLAIR administration for most of the period would offer an opportunity to compare the US and UK government responses and attitudes towards Venezuelan issues with hopefully little variation in policy change. The reasoning is that an unchanged administration or party in power is likely to have the same attitudes or reactions to foreign issues from a particular country than when the administration changes over a period of time, barring any major shift in interests and policy towards Venezuela by either country during the time period. The study will take all these changes into account in the final analysis, including the editorial responses and positioning on these issues. Coding Units Editorials will be the focal point for the coding procedures. Editorials are a good basis for this study because they often represent the view or position of the newspaper. Op-Eds and editorials with Bylines (those written by individuals and credited with names) have been excluded from the sample. The focus was to look out for editorials which have been written by the editorial board of the various newspapers and would represent a justifiable opinion or position of the newspaper itself rather than the views of individual writers. Coding Procedure The source for the editorials is the academic search engine; LEXIS-NEXIS (which stores electronic copies of newspaper articles and editorials including those that this study would be focused on). Pre-testing 4 independent coders would be used to code each editorial article according to frames created from a Pre-test which has already been carried out on two other newspapers. A pretest on The Washington Post and The Guardian newspapers has been carried out to source for appropriate categories of frames to be used in the final coding of the 141 editorials. In addition, coders could add extra categories of frames to the basic list during coding to update the original codebook. 24 editorials from the Washington Post and 54 editorials from The Guardian newspapers were retrieved with the same search words as the main sample. They all fit the same criteria. 25% of each newspapers editorial would be used in the Pre-test. The selection was done randomly. In all 19 editorials would be used for the Pre-test. Framing Variables Frames(meant for pre-test and to be modified). the problem frames, 1-the diagnostic frames( these coverage would identify a problem and assign a responsibility to someone or some other reason) 2-the prognostic frames.( here the study seeks to find an editorials solution to particular problems) the presentation frames, 1-the issue frame ( coverage on issues such as economy, oil etc) 3-the image frame.( portraying leadership, attitudes, affiliation of subjects) General tone (is the editorial positive(supportive) or negative(condemnatory))? Coder Reliability An intercoder reliability would predict the amount of agreement or correspondence among the 4 coders. Intercoder Reliability is the extent to which the different judges tend to assign exactly the same rating to each object.[90] The Intercoder reliability would be checked for the Pre-test and the main test. The formula to be used is Holstis (1969) formula. Coder agreement on each unit of analysis( i.e frames) would be calculated. Preliminary Coding Sheet for Newspaper Editorial Content Analysis(To be amended). Technical Data: Editorial Number= give in full Paper: 1= USA; 2= NY Times; 3= Daily Telegraph; 4=The Times Date: given in full Title of Editorial: given in full Page: page on which the editorial is written. Location( section of newspaper) 1= Editorials and Opinions; 2= Features; 3=Non Stated 99= other Length of words= please indicate number Is a source cited?: 1= Yes; 2= No; 99= other Source cited: please indicate Country Mentioned in affiliation to venezuela: please indicate Country Location(continent): 1= Africa 2=Antarctia 3=Asia 4 =Australia 5= Europe 6=North America 7=South America Issues linked to country referred to: please indicate Themes in the News: Theme of the editorial: 1 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the world 2 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the US 3 =Concerns of economic and political life of Venezuelans being grim 4 =Concerns over oil supply and price hikes 5 =Championing support for Chavez and policies 6 =Denouncing Chavez 7 =A critique of white house intervention in Venezuelan matters 8 =Concerns over Venezuelan influence in Latin America 9 =Need to counter Chavez influence over other states 10 =That socialist economies are often a disaster 11 =Concerns over human rights abuse 12 =Concerns over Media abuse 13 =Need to have effective policies to deal with Venezuela 14 =Supporting regime change 15 =Denouncing regime change Secondary Themes: 1= Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the world 2 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the US 3 =Concerns of economic and political life of Venezuelans being grim 4 =Concerns over oil supply and price hikes 5 =Championing support for Chavez and policies 6 =Denouncing Chavez 7 =A critique of white house intervention in Venezuelan matters 8 =Concerns over Venezuelan influence in Latin America 9 =Need to counter Chavez influence over other states 10 =That socialist economies are often a disaster 11 =Concerns over human rights abuse 12 =Concerns over Media abuse 13 =Need to have effective policies to deal with Venezuela 14 =Supporting regime change 15 =Denouncing regime change Tertiary Themes: 1 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the world 2 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the US 3 =Concerns of economic and political life of Venezuelans being grim 4 =Concerns over oil supply and price hikes 5 =Championing support for Chavez and policies 6 =Denouncing Chavez 7 =A critique of white house intervention in Venezuelan matters 8 =Concerns over Venezuelan influence in Latin America 9 =Need to counter Chavez influence over other states 10 =That socialist economies are often a disaster 11 =Concerns over human rights abuse 12 =Concerns over Media abuse 13 =Need to have effective policies to deal with Venezuela 14 =Supporting regime change 15 =Denouncing regime change Other Themes?: Please state Orientation of Editorial: 1= event-oriented 2= issue-oriented Framing of the Editorial: (A) References To Sources Domestic Sources( in US or UK) : please indicate International Sources(in Venezuela) : please indicate Other Sources: please indicate How instrumental is the source to the story: 1=very central; 2= central; 3= moderately mentioned; 4=only gets a mention (B) Character of Commentary Evaluation of Commentary: 1= very laudable; 2= favorable; 3= neutral; 4= critical; 5= abrasive; 99= other Secondary Evaluation of Commentary: 1= crusading; 2= argumentative; 3= descriptive; 4= summary; 5= cynical; 6= humorous; 7= warning/ helpful; 8= lyrical; Descriptive Characterization of President Chavez in editorials: As 1= authoritarian 2= socialist/leftist 3= populist 4= autocrat 5= strongman 6= bold 99= other ( please state) Characterization of other persons in editorials: please mention character and indicate descrption Main Discourse: Please state any significant words used: Location of word in editorial: 1= headline 2= main body 7) BIBLIOGRAPHY Althaus, Scott L. 2003. When News Norms Collide, Follow the Lead: New Evidence for Press Independence.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Political Communication, 20 Barbara Allen, Paula OLoughlin, Amy Jasperson, John L. Sullivan The Media and the Gulf War: Framing, Pri

PMS: How Much Do We Really Know? Essay -- Biology Essays Research Pape

PMS: How Much Do We Really Know? "Basically, PMS has been piecemealed. It's like the story of the five blind men and the elephant. One checked the trunk, another the leg and so on, but nobody has the full picture." --Dr. Susan Thys-Jacobs (1). The Controversy There has been much controversy over the biological factors involved in the mood disorders and discomfort felt by countless women before the onset of menses. The common term for this discomfort is pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS is a disorder involving hormonal changes that trigger disruptive symptoms up to two weeks prior to menstruation. While for many women the symptoms are not severe enough to require treatment, 12 % (5 out of 40 million) are medically treated for their symptoms (2).While many scientists have supported the existence of PMS, the exact causes and treatments have created some controversy. It is not clear how much of the presence of PMS is due to physiological factors (such as hormones) and how much is due to psychological and societal factors. What role exactly has society played in the perception of symptoms? In what capacity is the I-function involved? The Symptoms PMS affects approximately 8 out of 10 women. Since the 1930s, the grouping of symptoms has remained fairly consistent. An American neurologist originally described these characteristics in 1931. The symptoms are grouped as follows: "A- Anxiety: irritable, crying without reason, verbally and sometimes physically abuse, feeling "out of control", or Dr. Jekyl-Mr. Hyde behavior changes. D- Depression: confused, clumsy, forgetful, withdrawn, fearful, paranoid, suicidal thoughts and rarely suicidal actions. C- Cravings: food cravings, usually for sweets or chocolate; dia... ...ssociated with PMS, as well as the exact nature of hormones, emotions, and other psychophysiological factors. WWW Sources 1) PMS and PMDD Cause Serious Suffering http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/doctor/lhdoc094.htm 2) Medical Treatment of PMS http://www.usdoctor.com/pms.htm 3) The Health Report-PMS http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/helthrpt/stories/s11123.htm 4) What is EEG Biofeedback? http://www.eegspectrum.com/articles/faq.htm 5) EEG Biofeedback Training for PMS http://www.eegspectrum.com/articles/pms94.htm 6) PMS, EEG, and Photic Stimulation http://www.snr-jnt.org/journalnt/jnt(2-2)2.html 7) The Many Faces of PMS http://www.bairpms.com/ Additional Sources 8) Slade, P. (1984) Premenstrual emotional changes in normal women: Fact or fiction? Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 28. 1-7. 9) Ruble, Science Vol. 197

American vs. Chinese Culture Essay

Psychological anthropology is the study of individuals and their personalities and identities, within particular cultural contexts (Miller, 2007). Although American and Chinese people are raised in different cultures, their cultures are somewhat similar. Even though individuals are raised thousands of miles apart, is it possible to possess some of the same personality traits? In the American culture, baby showers are held to celebrate the impending birth of a baby. Family and friends bring many necessities needed for the new baby, such as, clothes, money, bottles, stroller, car seat, and or diapers. Once the baby is born it is the American culture to separate babies by gender. It is customary for boys to be dressed in blue and girls to be dressed in pink. As they grow, boys are encouraged to play with trucks, action figures and guns to promote strength and power. Whereas, girls are encouraged to play with dolls, cook with toy stoves, and play house to promote nurturing. As the child grows into adolescence, this is reinforced in the chores delegated to them. Boys are expected to cut the grass, take out the trash, and help out with any other â€Å"handyman† jobs. Girls are expected to wash dishes, do the laundry, sweep and mop floors. Hence, the stereotyping begins. This stereotyping is evident in adulthood. Men are labeled as providers, protectors, and head of the household. Men are expected to work to support their families. Men are often pressured to assert their masculinity and strength within there jobs and at home. Today, men are beginning to take on more responsibilities within the home. Women are labeled as mothers, housekeepers, and nursemaids, to name a few. Many years ago, women were not respected in the workforce. Their job selection was very slim, mainly secretaries. However, during World War II women took the place of men in the workforce showing they could perform the jobs just as well as the men. Today, women are highly accepted in the workforce and hold high powered positions within companies and even own their own businesses. Once men and women reach their senior years, they have achieved their social status. They are afforded the opportunity to retire from the workforce. In doing so, they are able to travel or just enjoy life at their leisure. They no longer have to pay taxes and receive their social security benefits as their compensation for working. Unlike the American culture where there is no animosity over the gender of babies, Chinese culture is different. Boys are considered treasured, so much so that years ago infant girls were killed. In doing this China has created an imbalance in the male to female ratio. In the Chinese culture, a baby’s birth is not celebrated until the infant is one month old. The family holds a â€Å"red egg and ginger† party. This is the time when the parents introduce their baby to friends and family, who bring gifts for the baby: boys receive â€Å"lucky† money and girls receive expensive jewelry. Parents present each guest with a dyed red egg to symbolize happiness and the renewal of life. Traditionally, gender roles in China are similar to the ones in the United States. The man goes to work, the woman is a housewife. This is changing, especially with the ‘one child policy’ in China. Women are not needed at home as much to take care of children since families are only allowed to have one child. In some cases, a family is allowed to have two children. For example, if the first born is a daughter, they may be permitted to have another child. There is a lot less social distance among Chinese people compared to Americans. It is a collectivist culture – people depend on each other and take care of each other. Chinese people spend a lot less time alone than Americans do. One example of this is the family unit is very close in Chinese culture. It is very common for three or more generations to live together because a lot of people still live with their parents when they have established their own families. Chinese people are more reserved when it comes to physical contact or showing public display of affection, especially in romantic relationships. Chinese people initiate physical contact very gradually compared to Americans. Premarital sex is a lot less common in China than in the United States. Both cultures show traits of openness by allowing individuals to explore their curiosity of the world and show their emotions. They also allow for individuals to be conscientious of their actions, to be self-disciplined, and to be cooperative towards others. Although two cultures are different it is possible for individuals to share the same traits. ? REFERENCES Chinese Culture. (n. d. ). Retrieved February 3, 2010, from English in Taiwan. com: http://www. englishintaiwan. com/foreigners/chinese_culture. php Gender: Gender Roles and Stereotypes. (2010). Retrieved February 3, 2010, from Marriage and Family Encyclopedia: http://family. jrank. org/pages/686/Gender-Gender-Roles- Stereotypes. html Miller, B. D. (2007). Cultural Anthropology. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Olsen, A. (2009, April 10). China’s Population Laws Threaten Baby Girls, Favor Boys. Retrieved February 3, 2010, from The Huffington Post: http://www. huffingtonpost. com/2009/04/10/chinas-population-laws-th_n_185626. html Therese Hesketh, P. , Li Lu, M. , & and Zhu Wei Xing, M. (2005, September 15). The Effect of China’s One-Child Family Policy after 25 Years. Retrieved February 4, 2010, from The New England Journal of Medicine: http://content. nejm. org/cgi/content/full/353/11/1171.

Views On Living In Orphanage Health And Social Care Essay

Methodology of research organizes all the constituents of the survey in a manner that is most likely to take valid replies to the bomber jobs that have been posed ( Burns and Grove, 2002 ) .It refers to assorted logical stairss that are by and large adopted by the research worker in analyzing the research job. This chapter presents the research design, puting, population, sample size and sampling technique, trying standards, tools used, building of the tools, cogency, dependability, pilot survey and informations aggregation adopted for the survey.RESEARCH APPROACHThe research attack is an overall program chosen to transport out the survey. The choice of research attack is the basic process for the behavior of research enquiry. For the present survey, a descriptive comparative study attack was considered most appropriate as the intent of the survey was to derive an apprehension of the well-being with kids ‘s positions on life in orphanhood and to compare the well-being and position ‘s on life in orphanhood of both parental and unparented kidsSetting OF THE STUDYâ€Å" Puting † refers to the country where the survey is conducted. Two orphanhoods home were selected for the survey. One orphanhood place is at Thondamuthoor which of consists of merely female kids who are remaining in domentry. The physical installations in that establishment are with dining hall, kitchen, little drama land and church to worship. There are two health professionals to look after those kids. They are holding tution, leisure clip and supplication clip. Every twelvemonth supplication cantonment is conducted on the month of May. Another orphanhood is at Podanur which consists of both male and female kids who are remaining in separate. The physical installations like drama land library and diversion suites. They celebrate every festivals in the orphanhood.PopulationThe population under the survey was the kids from 8 years to 16 years remaining in orphanhood place.SAMPLE SIZESample refers to a subset of population that is selected to take part in a peculiar survey ( Burns and Grove 2002 ) . In this survey sample size consisted of 160 ; Out of 160 sample 80 sample was selected for parental group in which kids with parents and 80 sample was selected for parentless group in which kids without parents. In Thoondamuthoor orphanage the sample selected were 100 in that 30 parental and 30 parentless kids and in Podanur orphanage the sample selected were 100 of which 60 were female 30 were comes under parental and 30 comes under unparented kids and of 40 males 20 was parental and 20 was unparented kids.Sampling Techniq ueThe sample was selected by simple random trying technique under chance sampling. In this simple random technique, a lottery method was used. A list of names were written and batch was prepared individually for parental and unparented kids. Then the samples were selected indiscriminately.Sampling StandardsInclusion standards Child of both the sex Childs who are the occupants of orphanhood Children with age between 8-16 old ages. Exclusion standards Child with mentally retardedDescription OF THE TOOLThe tool used in this survey was an interview agenda and ego administered questionnaires. The interview agenda is used to measure the demographic informations and positions on life in orphanhood. The ego administered questionnaires were used to measure the well-being of the kids which consists of four dimensions such as psychological, educational, societal and future.PART – IPart – I was designed to roll up demographic informations of the parental and unparented kids. Demographic information for parental kids ( age, sex, instruction of kids, continuance of stay in orphanhood, household members in place, business of male parent and female parent, monthly income of male parent and female parent, visit by household members and how frequently visit by household members traveling place and how frequently traveling place, traveling out with parents and how frequently go out with parents ) Demographic informations for parentless kids ( age, sex, instruction of kids, continuance of stay in orphanhood, have any relations, visit by relations and how frequently visit by relations, traveling to relatives topographic point, anybody taking out and how frequently taking out ) .PART – TwoThis portion was designed to measure the positions on life in orphanhood. It is a three point graduated table which has assorted facets including physical, mental, societal, emotional, and religious. In this three point graduated table each facets consists of 4-8 points used to rate the responses in three grades of Highly satisfied – 3, Satisfied – 2, and Not satisfied – 1. And a separate five point graduated table to measure the general position of life in orphanhood. It consists of merely one point was used to rate the responses under the class of really happy – 5, happy – 4, ca n't state – 3, unhappy – 2, really and unhappy – 1.P ART – ThreeThis portion was designed to measure wellbeing. It is a ego administered questionnaires for wellbeing which has four dimensions including psychological, educational, societal and future. In this scale each dimension consists 5 – 9 inquiries used to rate the responses. Most of the clip – 3 Some of the clip – 2 None of the clip -1Marking AND INTERPRETATION OF MarkingWellbeing Assessment Scale: It consists of four dimensions such as psychological, educational, societal and future. The negative points are scored reversely.S.NoDimensionMarking AND ScalingLow WellbeingAverage WellbeingHigh Wellbeing1. Psychological 1 – 9 10 – 18 19 – 27 2. Education 1 – 9 10 – 18 19 – 27 3. Social 1 – 6 7 – 12 13 – 18 4. Future 1 – 5 6 – 10 11 – 15 5. Overall 1 – 29 30 – 58 59 – 87Positions ON Life IN ORPHANAGE TOOLThe tool consists of three point graduated table and five point graduated table. In three point graduated table it consists of five factors such as physical, mental, societal, emotional and religious.S.NoPositionsHIGHLY SATISFIEDSATISFIEDNOT SATISFIED1. Physical Need 15 – 21 8 – 14 1 – 7 2. Mental Need 9 – 12 5 – 8 1 -4 3. Social Need 17 – 24 9 -16 1 – 8 4. Emotional Need 15 -21 8 -14 1 – 7 5. Religious Need 9 – 12 5 – 8 1 – 4 General feeling of life in orphanhood Five Point ScaleScaling MarkVery Happy 5 Happy 4 Ca n't Say 3 Unhappy 2 Very Unhappy 1DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOOLThe development of the tool took three months of strenuous attempt for the undermentioned activities. The tool was developed based on the aims of the survey, Review of literature sing parenting, growing and development and well-being of kids and with the expert ‘s cognitionVALIDITY OF THE RESEARCH TOOLThe research tool including the aim of the survey along with the standards check list were submitted to five experts – four Nursing experts, and Psychologist. The four nursing experts were Professors with Master Degree in Nursing and working in different colleges of nursing in Coimbatore with more than 5 old ages of experience. The psychologist is the academic professor, DJ Academy for Managerial Excellence.RELIABILITY OF THE RESEARCH TOOLThe dependability of the wellbeing assessment graduated table and interview agenda was tested by trial retest method. The trial was administered to 16 kids populating in orphanhood. Correlation co-effic ient was calculated by Karl Pearson ‘s method. The obtained ‘r ‘ value was 0.82 for overall wellbeing appraisal graduated table and 0.9 for Interview agenda of positions on life orphanhood, which confirmed that there was high positive correlativity and internal consistence of the tool.PILOT STUDYA pilot survey was conducted in an orphanhood at Pottanampudoor in order to prove the practicableness and feasibleness of the tool. A formal permission was obtained from the Administrative Officer. 16 samples were selected, 8 samples from parental kids and 8 samples from unparented kids. Samples were selected by utilizing simple random sampling technique. After a self debut and good resonance with the kids the research worker collected the informations on positions on life in orphanhood and wellbeing through interview agenda and ego administered questionnaires. The continuance of pilot survey was ten days.The retest was administered after 8 yearss.The continuance of roll uping informations takes 20 minitues for one sample on one twenty-four hours. The wellbeing assessment graduated table is holding four dimensions which include psychological, educational, societal, and hereafter. The dependability of each dimension is checked and the overall dependability besides checked. The dependability of the psychological dimension.61, educational dimension.86, societal dimension.89, future dimension.71 and the overall dependability is.88. Positions on life in orpha nage interview agenda have five factors which include physical, mental, societal, emotional and religious, and a general feeling. The dependability for each factor is checked and the overall dependability besides checked. The dependability of the physical factor.75, mental factor.72, societal factor.81, emotional factor, religious factor.79 and for general feeling.78 and the overall dependability is.9. Pilot survey proved the adequateness of the tools and technique.DATA COLLECTION PROCEDUREBefore beginning of informations aggregation one time once more the permission was obtained from the authorization through orally. The research worker foremost started the informations aggregation process at thondamuthoor orphanhood and visited the floors where the kids ‘s were remaining, selected 30 samples of parental kids and 30 samples of unparented kids who are all carry throughing the inclusion standards. Then the research worker explained the intent of the survey to the kids and obtai ns the willingness and engagement in the survey. After the sample was selected, a brief debut about ego and survey purpose was given to the kids. After obtaining their resonance and willingness, the informations collected sing the demographic features and for kids ‘s positions on life in orphanhood, interview agenda was used for the well-being of the kids, ego administered questionnaires was used. For both parental and unparented kids the informations are collected individually. After roll uping the information from the thondamuthoor orphanhood, the research worker visited another orphanhood which is in Podanur and started the informations aggregation process by choosing 50 parental and 50 parentless kids who are all carry throughing the inclusion standards. The information was collected under the same process. The informations aggregation period was 30 yearss.Plan FOR DATA ANALYSISThe informations obtained were analyzed in footings of the survey utilizing descriptive and illative statistics.Descriptive statisticsFrequency and per centum distribution were used to analyse demographic variables and to measure and compare the degree of wellbeing and positions on life in orphanhood. Mean and intend score per centum was used to find the degree of good being and positions on life in orphanhood.Inferential statisticsChi-square was used to happen out the association between the positions on life in orphanhood with selected variables of the kids and the association between degrees of wellbeing with selected demographic variables of the kids. Unpaired â€Å" T † trial was used to find the important difference in the degree of wellbeing with positions on life in orphanhood.

The Virgin Blue Company

The Virgin Blue Company Introduction Managing the marketing process is an issue that companies have to contend with in the new dynamic and competitive environment. Performance of most businesses in contemporary environment is gradually shifting to the need of superior marketing strategies that are able to respond to the market needs in the most appropriate way.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on The Virgin Blue Company-Australia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Therefore, this research intends to look at how management of marketing process can be enhanced in the increasing competitive business environment. The research will be a case study on Virgin Blue Company, which is an airline company based in Australia. Manage the Marketing Process Virgin Blue Company sees itself as possessing a humble background and beginning especially for being the first type of company to initiate the first and unique sustainable low far airline in Australian s kies (Virgin Blue Company n.d). The company, through steady progress, has evolved and grown to become a recognized company in the world as innovator and leader in the global aviation industry. Blue Virgin Company started its operations in on 31 August 2000, with initial two aircrafts to start with (Virgin Blue Company n.d). It operated one route and had 200 team members who collectively shared a clear and concise goal of changing in the most drastic way the air travel in Australia (Virgin Blue Company n.d). As a way of revolutionalizing aviation industry with regard to way of doing business, the company reduced the airfares by almost 50 per cent while at the same time introducing genuine Guest service to the flying public, coupled with a strong commitment to being the best in the business (Virgin Blue Company n.d). Company’ mission indicates what the company is trying to achieve, what is the purpose of the company, and why it exists, hence, mission statement constitutes a sho rt statement that says what a company stand for and it outlines a company’s strategy that becomes a key referential tool by company’s members in making key decisions (Griffins and Goffar n.d). Virgin Blue Company’s culture has been created based on the company’s core values. For instance, the company expresses that â€Å"the big secret to Virgin culture is simple there is no secret, where creation and maintenance of an enviable culture has been the top secret of the company and this has been done by infusing the company’s core values into everything the company does where we get that right and the Virgin culture just follow† (Virgin Blue Company n.d, par.3).Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The company’s values have been infused with everything that the company takes part in. For instance, the company works hard and participates in everything necessary to provide work environment characterized by the â€Å"right policies, processes, systems, communications, facilities, benefits, interesting work, fair pay, and reward and recognition to support our people and our business operations† (Virgin Blue Company n.d). Virgin Blue Company has code of conduct and practice that it has established and acts as guide to business conduct in the organization (Virgin Blue 2010). One of the director in the company summarizes â€Å"all personnel are required to support the quality of Virgin Blue and to take an active role in identifying and facilitating opportunities for improvement where the ultimate commercial success of the company is intrinsically linked to both perception and reality that the company operate safely, surpassing both the competitors and the required regulation and legislation† (Virgin Blue 2010, p.1). Code of ethics at Virgin Blue outlines key responsibilities members have to demonstrate and these responsibilities have been categorized into groups of: underlying values for the company, business integrity, which stress virtues of honesty, integrity, and fairness with regard to reporting, political involvement, and competition (Virgin Blue 2010). Brett Godfrey, CEO of Virgin Blue Company observes that the company has greatly moved away from organizational structures, instead the company work more brilliantly to establish a lesser organizational hierarchical in the workplace (Brett n.d). Instead of an organizational structure and hierarchical, Virgin has instead embraced structure that is kind of pie chart and not the traditional and usual triangle structure. The CEO of Virgin goes on to state that, as a leader he lacks confidence and is non-believer in organizational charts and instead advises that all leaders in the company should view themselves to be equal to each other. The company has an established marketing department headed by marketing manager an d a dedicated team that is responsible to all aspects with regard to brand, product, and retail media advertising in television, radio, and related online campaigns (Virgin Blue Company n.d). Marketing objectives at Virgin Blue are built on the principles of SMART, which stands for: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely objectives. First, Virgin Blue has pursued its marketing objectives through strategic alliances with other companies (O’Sullivan 2011). Strategic alliances have been favored by the company mainly to create extensive marketing channels and networks in region the company cannot afford to go it alone (O’Sullivan 2011).Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on The Virgin Blue Company-Australia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More At the same time, Virgin Blue, upon its establishment, rested on the philosophy of endeavoring to be low cost, but offer reasonable services. In addition, the initial marketing strategy of the company based on these objectives was motivated by prevalence of market domination by airlines like Qantas; hence, Virgin Blue adopted an aggressive marketing expansion based on low costs which in actual were about 30 to 40 per cent less that that of Qantas (Bamber 2006). As part of implementing market plan, there is need to carry out monitoring, controls and adjusts process, which can be undertaken using different tools such as â€Å"developing a financial forecast of revenue using statistical models, past sales data, executive judgment and surveys of consumer trends† (Cooper and Argyris 1998). After this has been done, there is need to carry out estimation of â€Å"costs such as market research costs, promotion costs, product development costs and distribution costs† (Cooper and Argyris 1998). At Virgin Blue Company, the management and overall organizational culture encourages working together of departments hence sharing of inf ormation is key to the success of the company. The company further encourages ‘cross pollination’ of ideas and communication, which in turn leads to working and implementation of strategies at the company more easy (Brett n.d). On large scale ‘silo mentality’ has been discouraged, which has opened up communication channels to be more easy and frequent. Evaluate International Marketing Opportunities Virgin Blue currently controls about 33 per cent of the airlines market in Australia where the company global marketing strategy has been simple perceived to largely involve offering of easy-to-understand, low priced carrier and at same time use of low-cost business model that generate high profit margins (Virgin Blue Company n.d). Virgin Blue brand stand exceptionally in a situation that has numerous opportunities only when appropriate environmental scanning had taken place. Situation analysis according to Michael E. Allen in the book titled ‘How to promot e and advertise’ observes that it involves describing what is happening in the markets in which the company operates and competes and also the company’s products and distribution trends (Allen 2006). Situation analysis for Virgin Blue Company can be grouped into macro-environment situation; market situation; competitive situation; target buyer or end user situation; product/service situation; and lastly, distribution situation (Allen 2006). In order to carry out this situation analysis more effectively Virgin Blue may employ two critical situation analysis tools: SWOT analysis and PEST analysis. SWOT Analysis Virgin Blue can be assessed with regard to Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) as follows. The strengths of the company include: the company has relatively low cost structure; the company has out-won its competitors given its low fare offering policy; further the company as compared to the competitors boost of having a management team that posses s significant and beneficial airline experience that continue to be utilized in the company (Asian Travel Tips, 2003).Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Moreover, other related strengths of the company include presence and possession of strong brand in the market as compared to some of its competitors; presence of unique culture and the overall enthusiasm of the organization that has endeavored it to customers; and lastly commitment and general productivity of its workforce (Asian Travel Tips 2003). With regard to weakness, first Virgin Blue Company is not an Australian owned company an aspect that sometimes has affected the company’s operations especially with regard to legal and political policies in the country. Second, the overall Virgin Group financial structure has continued to change and remain fluid translating into impacts in other Group’s units like Virgin Blue Company (Grant 2004). For instance the company’s structure of ‘stand-alone’ financing of each company has executed a lot of pressure on individual companies resulting into accumulation huge debts (Grant 2004). This situation has lef t Virgin Group vulnerable to bad debts in one part of the group that in turn swiftly infect the rest of the companies (Grant 2004). Being part of the Virgin Group, Virgin Blue has not been immune to these debts. With regard to opportunities, Virgin Blue Company has some opportunities in its way. For instance, the fact that international security has become an issue especially after the 2001 terrorist attack in USA, international tourism declined and this particular situation translated into the number of domestic travels increasing (Isik-Vanelli 2003). At the same time, the collapse of Ansett Company has provided unexploited opportunities which with adequate and appropriate strategies Virgin Blue can create a contingency for success. Moreover, all indications point to the possibilities that the route network and service frequencies are destined to expand, an opportunity Virgin Blue can exploit to expand in the Australian market (Isik-Vanelli 2003). Lastly, the increasing market orie ntation towards leisure travelers still has few players who can adequately exploit hence Virgin Blue Company is presented with an opportunity to venture in the area. At the same time, threats that face Virgin Blue Company largely originate from the increasing competition in the airlines market. The main fierce competitor for Virgin Blue Company in the Australian Market is the Qantas which has eclipsed Virgin Blue Company (Virgin Blue Holdings Limited n.d). Qantas airlines given its expansive network and huge financial base has continued to offer much lower fares as compared to Virgin a situation that has immensely executed pressure on Virgin Blue (Virgin Blue Holdings Limited n.d). Other threats facing Virgin Blue company has to do with the government initiatives to liberalize airlines in Australia, a situation that is going to see increased entrance of low-fare companies thus increasing the competition environment. PEST Analysis PEST is an acronym for Political, Economic, Social an d Technological factors which are used to assess the market for a business or any organizational unit (Chapman 2006). Assessing the Virgin Blue Company with regard to PEST, the following information is generated. With regard to Political-Legal effects affecting the company, it can be deduced that Australian overall liberal policy has created an environment that favor and motivate new entrants to enter the Australian market (Slide Share In. 2009). At the same time, Australian international aviation policy is seen to be ‘multiple designations’ where at the same time the deregulation that has been taking place since 1990 has led to more controlled form of competition between the two rival competitors Qantas and Virgin Blue (Slide Share In. 2009). With regard to economic factors, it can be deduced that since the events of September 11 2001 in USA, international tourism has continued to suffer as more customers hold back due to security concerns. Further, other economic issu es such as increasing fuel costs has continued to pose challenge to Virgin’s policy of low-cost fare whereby the increased fuel costs has in turn affected the basic costs of flights which in turn affects the likeability of customers to book a flight (Slide Share In. 2009). Socio-Cultural factors on the other hand that impact Virgin Blue has to do with the current situation of tightening of labor market specifically with regard to skilled fields that forces the company to increase its employee motivation. At the same time it is predicted that the demand for personnel in other and distant countries will lead to the need to initiate foreign-language training (Slide Share In. 2009). Lastly, the technological impact in the increasing information world requires Virgin Blue to institute appropriate technologies for its services. For instance, online booking is a technological aspect the company will need to explore. On overall, the growth of information industries is creating knowle dge-dependent global society and information is gradually becoming the primary commodity for the success of industries (Slide Share In. 2009). Manage International Marketing Programs SWOT Analysis and PEST Analysis forms the two critical assessment and evaluation tools Virgin Blue Company can use to identify opportunities and threats which in turn can lead to formulation of appropriate marketing objectives especially with regard to international markets. SWOT Analysis in nature concentrate on international assessment of the company, in other words, it largely dwells on micro-environment analysis of the company. On the other hand, PEST Analysis makes assessment of the external environment of business where the emphasis shifts from micro-environment to macro-environment evaluation. Therefore, the results generated from the two assessments become critical in postulating the company’s marketing and overall strategies especially with regard to corporate strategy of the company. Vi rgin Blue after successful assessment of SWOT and PEST, the following international marketing objectives of the company can be pursued. According to Richard Branson, the Virgin Group founder asserts that â€Å"Virgin Blue has already proven its ability to operate successfully in a competitive market and the directors are confident that this will continue in the future† (Asian Travel Tips, 2003, p.1). Given this observation it can be deduced that Virgin Blue company need to create and develop business travel market that has focus on fulfilling the needs of leisure travel market (Asian Travel Tips, 2003). At the same time, with increasing entrance of new competitors Virgin Blue can create new and unique ultraslow cost carriers so that it can be in position to challenge its competitors offering low fare services such as Qantas and JetStar (Asian Travel Tips 2003). Another marketing objective that can be formulated in the future involves instituting a new carrier such as Virgin L ight Blue that has potential and capability of serving regional airports that in the current state are not served and this should also include secondary metropolitan airports. Furthermore, Virgin Blue need to formulate marketing objectives that reflect desire to provide domestic air services in all parts of Australia and also international services to countries like New Zealand, Vanuatu, any many more (Asian Travel Tips, 2003). Lastly, the marketing objective Virgin Blue should concentrate on involve online marketing and this should involve implementing a better IT system that enables customers to book ticket and holiday much easier through the web (Asian Travel Tips, 2003). In order to manage risks which in large part are presentable in threats the company face. Managing risks will need the company to increase the quality of its services and products in order to out-perform the competitors. At the same time, offering low fares should be within the economies of financial position of the company. The Asian market appear promising and prospective with forecasting indicating that any venture in the market has the potential to realize about 20 per cent increase. But how well can Virgin Blue exploit these opportunities given its current position? One possible and viable international marketing operation structure the company can adopt involve joint venture with an Asian countries airline. Virgin Blue needs to bring on board new airline partners to penetrate and exploit the Asian market. This aspect is necessary given that all indications point to the fact that international cooperation that in turn will results into growth of the market size (Asian Travel Tips, 2003). In order to successful succeed in international market; Virgin Blue Company needs to develop an international marketing communication strategy that will be critical in the promotion of the company and its products and services. The main aspects that the communication strategy should have include: asse ssment of marketing communication opportunities, analysis of marketing communication resources, setting marketing communication objectives, developing and evaluating alternative strategies, and lastly, assigning specific marketing communications tasks (Czinkota and Ronkainen, 2007). Conclusion Increasing competition in the Australian airline market has resulted into companies adopting various marketing strategies that are intended to position their businesses at an advantageous level in winning customers. Virgin Blue Company has adopted cost leadership strategy, which in turn has been rewarding for the company. In summary what the company need to know is that, airline market is becoming more competitive, dynamic and price elastic while at the same time not compromising quality of the products and services offered. Therefore the company needs to device other marketing strategies based on the market situation, customer needs, company objectives, consumer needs, and overall business en vironmental situation. International marketing is challenging but again the company needs to create and implement an international marketing communication strategy that is able to incorporate the corporate strategy of the company together with external environment the company face. Reference List Allen, M. E., 2006. How to Promote and Advertise. Lotus Press. Web. Available from: https://books.google.com/books?id=MElRZd39LNACpg=PA36dq=international+marketing+trends+and+situation+analysishl=enei=bFdUTeXABsjcsgaGjMmECQsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=3ved=0CDsQ6AEwAg#v=onepageq=international%20marketing%20trends%20and%20situation%20analysisf=false . Asian Travel Tips. 2003. Virgin Blue lodges prospectus for IPO. Web. Available from: asiatraveltips.com/travelnews03/1011VirginBlue.shtml . Bamber, G. J., 2006. Marketing Strategies and Labor-Market Behavior of Full-Service and Low-Cost Airlines: An Australian Study. Sydney: Griffith University. Web. Available from: https://docs.google.com /viewer?a=vq=cache:tNlRMwAT4ycJ:www.ctw-congress.de/ifsam/download/track_20/pap00767.pdf+Marketing+strategies+used+by+Virgin+Blue+airlinehl=engl=kepid=blsrcid=ADGEESh7c0nhru6vO6Xud42DXtk4HSitx5Yz4-5CuwhdGV40Hi4CtW9oIU7gs0sfRmOWlI85qvAVCLsMX5A7bFTzS5OjfKePcJWes7gn2JcV6rnIcBuXtjE1NzeOMLYDEY5HgNpyoMeYsig=AHIEtbSZU5DFb3LpXdUsNIhyINum3lTRrw . Brett, G., N.d. Culture and Measurement: Passion and Performance. CEO Forum Group, Sydney. Web. Available from: ceoforum.com.au/article-detail.cfm?cid=6269t=/Brett-Godfrey-Virgin-Blue/Passion-and-performance . Chapman, R. J., 2006. Simple tools and techniques of enterprise risk management. MA: John Wiley and Sons. Web. Available from: https://books.google.com/books?id=2XWcqAhqlDgCpg=PA116dq=PEST+Analysishl=enei=wAdVTY3EG9COswbQ6u3bDAsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=2ved=0CCwQ6AEwAQ#v=onepageq=PEST%20Analysisf=false . Cooper, C. L. and Argyris, C., 1998. The concise Blackwell encyclopedia of management. MA: Wiley-Blackwell. Web. Available from: http s://books.google.com/books?id=5KQleK86BS4Cpg=PA405dq=how+a+company+monitors+and+reviews+its+marketing+mixhl=enei=c4JMTeDkGMeRswbdw5DHDwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=1ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepageqf=false . Czinkota, M. R. and Ronkainen, I. A., 2007. International marketing. OH: Cengage Learning. Web. Available from: https://books.google.com/books?id=YreJ42YFjb0Cpg=PA392dq=international+marketing+communication+strategyhl=enei=KSVVTaOSIMzysgahjfXdDAsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=1ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepageq=international%20marketing%20communication%20strategyf=false . Grant, R. M., 2004. Richard Branson and Virgin Group of Companies. Web. Available from: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=vq=cache:vrgGBWyq62IJ:www.blackwellpublishing.com/grant/docs/15Virgin.pdf+Market+weakness+of+Virgin+Blue+Companyhl=engl=kepid=blsrcid=ADGEESgHl4Gjx538gkOZIGx2pbCfVkSVuXA7HYmO0KVxjhfTnxorcRGN3xe2sGgqzrB1iydudrV8Oe7TVga54n93btTUsAx8UXBuANtMYiSZOIY1DWjZ3xeAoJt_eoLGnhyjV19ncxNQsig=AHIEtbSkowzA08zuBfi5tGG wFAg-bucy5A . Griffins, G. and Goffar, A., N.d. Commercial Organizations. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Web. Available from: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=vq=cache:IaIJlt9tjwkJ:www.accaglobal.com/documents/introduction.pdf+Virgin+Blue+company+mission+statementhl=engl=kepid=blsrcid=ADGEESh2CE_PFMYc8PzYaTTGT2E9zBBA5-dJrKG1sDQmiG3h9lFcUKP_SGDYxKjGIXUrU89KtsViLePo0ciNWnFf2RGafYQUn0GjADPCf72dlNuQe-mC9RDKEszgrqlmDvlFXAIz30E0sig=AHIEtbQBS6c2xYBkG6BhN12ZazaZjm4Zdw . Isik-Vanelli, H., 2003. Marketing Plan for Virgin Blue. MBA Paper, Bond University, Australia. Web. Available from: grin.com/e-book/26496/marketing-plan-for-virgin-blue-1 . O’Sullivan, M., 2011. Virgin Blue hooks up with regional Skywest. Sydney Morning Herald. Web. Available from: investsmart.com.au/news/news.asp?function=printDocID=SMH110111EA787396S69Action=Display . Slide Share In. 2009. A Comparative Analysis and Strategic Response to: The Australian Airline Industry. Web. Available from: slidesh are.net/lovebaby193/competitve-analysis-presentation . Virgin Blue. 2010. Guide to Business Conduct. Web. Available from: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=vq=cache:4xM1Uo6bRIoJ:www.virginblue.com.au/cms/groups/e-commerce/documents/internetcontent/p_012408.pdf+Code+of+Conduct+and+Practice+at+Virgin+Bluehl=engl=kepid=blsrcid=ADGEEShOaoBWECuOFkx05bSIyRlvAVVKOJbf9IJDbK_1T2GJmdRxJwmqSoQ3vgdSGE5DYkzWQMC0QZfQIqUBVkNfrc7EaV5Fs22_sFAOeKR-uo3F1NQNUgMG1TI8tOOeK8M8aADNJcl8sig=AHIEtbQ3D97lo7XaGj8py7B7W4q01CyVTw . Virgin Blue Company. N.d. The Virgin Blue History. Web. Available from: virginblue.com.au/AboutUs/Virginbluecorporateinformation/TheVirginBluehistory/index.htm . Virgin Blue Company. N.d. Culture and Values. Web. Available from: virginblue.com.au/AboutUs/Careers/Cultureandvalues/ . Virgin Blue Holdings Limited. N.d. Top Competitors of Virgin Blue. Web. Available from: hoovers.com/virgin-blue/ID__103709/freeuk-co-factsheet.xhtml .

Employee Performance in Management

Employee Performance in Management Introduction The management of employee or the human resource is very instrument towards success in terms of performance. Proper management makes the employees be motivated and feel that they are working in a friendly environment.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Employee Performance in Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The performance management is affected by different factors that surround the employee. These range from social, economical and even work related reasons. The organization is supposed to reduce to the least attainable levels the factors that may affect an employee in order to realize the full potential of the same. A clichà © goes â€Å"a happy employee makes a happy boss†. The concept of performance management seeks to improve the general efficacy and the efficiency of human resource. An efficient and proper system of performance management can be used for several purposes. These inc lude communication of the organization goals, gauging the performance of the organization as well as giving feedback as to how to improve the current existing performance. Performance management is defined as: â€Å"a process used for establishing a shared understanding of what is to be achieved, and the approach to managing and also developing people in such a manner which increases the probability that it shall be achieved in the desired short and long term† (Armstrong Baron 19). From the definition, it is self evident that performance management is a key process in any organization. It plays an important in determining how fast an organization will grow. It is also important to the employee as it makes him be aware of his strengths and development during his career.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is not a single process. Neither is it a technique. It s a comprehensive set of process combined with philosophies that seek to determine the factors that can improve the performance of an employee and the way which these will be employed (Aslam 3). This means that performance management involves a deeper understanding of the employee and the factors surrounding his ability to perform a certain duty as well as coming up with a solution to remove these hindrances and develop an efficient employee. In order to ensure that the full potential of employee is achieved, step must be taken to ensure that performance is attained. The steps begin before the work is actually carried out and it continues even after the completion of the work. In pre planning, there are role setting and objective determination while in post work there is the employee appraisal (feedback) and the overall review of the employee performance. The steps involved generally include role definition, performance benchmarking, performance development and performance review. R ole definition and Profiling The first step in performance management is understanding the role and niche that the organization seeks to fill. In understanding this, the company then goes ahead and profiles. Here the managers sit and define the purpose of the organization as well as the priority of each. It is also during this step that the managers shall set the objectives of the organization and the purposes that the same shall seek to fulfil. The managers also clearly define the roles of the organization in accordance with the core values of the organization. The role is normally on tandem with what the objectives of the organization are.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Employee Performance in Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is comprehensive enough to include the mission and vision of the group. These are important as they set an overview of how an employee shall be expected to carry out his duties during the tenure of his employment. They also provide a general idea of how an employee shall conduct himself during the performance. Setting the Performance benchmarks In setting the performance benchmarks, there is need to understand the objectives and the goals that the organization seeks to achieve. In this stage the managers shall sit down and define the organizational objectives as well as how these objectives shall be achieved. In order to measure performance, there should be benchmarks against which the performance shall be measured against. The managers shall also determine the suitable management model that shall be applicable to the organization. There are different forms of management. It is therefore upon the managers to carefully interrogate these models and come up with one that fits the nature of performance that is desired by the organization. Steps involved in performance management The first important step that the line managers take is to have a meeting and set the objectives as well as the strategies. Performance management shall be aimed at attaining a certain objective. The sales manager shall have the objective of ensuring that the sales in a particular business increase by at least twenty percent. The strategic planning manager shall give his target objective and the strategy to ensure that that particular objective is attained.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In setting the objectives, the managers are required to be realistic. The managers are supposed to take a REAL (Realistic, Efficient, Acceptable and Long lasting) approach. An unrealistic plan or objective is likely to stress the employees and consequently reduce the input of the same. Furthermore, having unrealistic goals can end up demoralizing the management as failure is likely to occur. The objectives themselves are supposed to be SMART (Aslam 6). SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time framed. These are the core considerations that an organization shall bear in mind when deciding on the objectives. The second step involves brainstorming and coming up with how to achieve the objectives set in step one. In this step, the managers have to consider the different roles each department plays and employ relevant and corresponding tactics that will work out. One of the methods that shall be employed is the use of self managed teams. The rationale be hind this is that the employees in such a group have a sense of independence and also have team work bonding. The self managed groups, unlike the directed groups, are normally innovative, take initiative and own the organization goals (Elmuti 235). The third step involves competence assessment. Here the managers shall be involved in matching the employees to the duties that correspond with their skills. Competency also means assessing whether the organization’s human resource has the required know-how people to carry out the means set in step to achieve the objectives set in the first step. Competence assessment shall ensure that no employee is given a duty which beyond his capability. Assigning an employee a duty that is beyond his capability imposes stress and pressure and consequently reduces the performance. After the competence assessment is complete then the managers can now embark on duty allocation. Incompetence assessment the manager should look at the holistic stren gths and weaknesses of an employee. They should also consider factors such as experience and leadership skill of the same. Any mistake made in the allocation of the duties to the employees shall extend and contribute towards the performance of such an employee. Proper allocation of duties is likely to deliver better performance. Also worthy of note is that poor allocation of duties leads to waste of talent on the part of the employee and poor delivery to the organization. Staffing is therefore very important in increasing employee performance. Execution is the next step. During execution of a plan, there is need for constant monitoring and evaluation of how the employees are fairing. This is important in order to make sure that any mistakes are immediately corrected before they go deep into affecting the whole plan. The monitoring should take place at all levels and should be both horizontal as well as vertical. There should be a proper communication channel during the execution. Th e channel should be both upwards and downwards. The upward communication channel allows the employees to communicate the challenges they are facing. It is axiomatic that these challenges have an impact on their final performance. Downward communication is important to let the employees know whether they are performing a good job or not. Communication has a bearing on the performance of an employee and it is also a great instrument for passing the goals and targets of the organization. Lastly there is the process of performance evaluation. It is during this process that performance rating and grading. While rating and grading performance it is important to bear in mind the benchmarks, objectives as well as the goals that the organization sought to achieve in the first place. Performance evaluation and rating is the basis for performance review. In order to do a proper review, you need to compare your current grading to your former grading. It is also during the performance review tha t an organization can trace and find out where or what influenced poor performance in a certain organization department. From here, the managers shall then communicate the feedback and performance appraisal to the employees. Feedback to the employees is good for two main purposes. Worthy of note is that in an organization there are three levels of goals. There are the employee’s individual goals, the team or group goals and finally the overall organization goals. Good management need to delve into what the employees’ individual goals are. In order to motivate the employees in achieving the target company goals there is a need to synchronize employee goals with the overall goals. Sometimes within a team, ones individual performance appraisal can have the impact of interfering with the intended group goals and targets. This is mainly through emphasizing the individual (Wiese Buckley 234). Dealing with underperformance It is axiomatic that individual performance differs from one employee to another. What is important is that all the employees give their best and at least manage to attain the minimum target. In order to motivate the underperforming employees the company shall offer rewards and promotions to the performing employees. This will serve as an enticing gesture towards working hard. It will also motivate the workers. There is a connection between performance at work and the social life of an employee. The organization shall allow the employees to have a social welfare group. This shall be in charge of advocating and promoting the social welfare of the employees. An employee who is socially relaxed performs better than one who is disturbed. Another way of dealing with underperforming employees is to try and develop them in terms of expertise and technical ability. This can be done through sponsoring them to formal education. This can be done through sending them to seminars or even providing them with loans (at a lower interest rate) to fur ther their education. Setting semi-autonomous work groups are also helpful in terms of improving employee’s capability. When in teams it is easier for an underperforming employee to learn from others. However, important to note is that this shall depend on the level of bonding between the members. It is thus important for an organization to ensure that there is enough bonding sessions so that the employees can acquaint themselves to each other. Also during boning session, an employee who is seen as underperforming can have the chance to showcase his strengths. These strengths can be useful in other departments. As a result his underperformance in one department shall lead to his transfer to a department in which he has strengths and thereby improving his performance. Employee development It is important that an employee develops and not just stagnate in terms of his expertise. Development is important as the employee increases his know-how in both technical and managerial abi lities. Development can be done through training in seminars, workshops as well as through experience gained in the work. The best way to encourage employee development is to offer rewards through promotion. Another means of employee development is rotational responsibility. In this scenario, the leadership position in a group does not permanently rest on one employee but rather revolves around after a certain period of time. Through this, all the employees will develop in terms leadership as well as technical skills. Apart from that they will also appreciate the challenges being faced by the leaders and therefore respond more supportively whenever a challenging situation emerge. Having an ongoing dialogue platform is also a very important means to ensure the development of an employee. It is through constant dialogue that the management can find out means and ways to increase the efficiency of an employee. Dialogue also facilitates a route to feed back to the employee on his perfor mance. With that communication, motivation is built and the employee’s overall performance is increased. Involvement of employees in Strategic planning Strategic planning is important in the development of an organization. Involvement of the employees encourages direct contribution towards the plan. The employees feel involved and end owning the plan and not feel as if the plan has been imposed on them. Involvement can be done at different levels. For instance, a department manager may have a strategic plan meeting with the employees working under him. He gets the views from these employees on how to improve the plan. The employees feel that they are involved and end up giving their best in order to achieve the goals set in the strategic plan. The achievement of a goal is easy when the goals are set by the employee themselves than when the goals have been imposed on them. It is suggested that by allowing the employees to chip in when setting the goals they also get the opport unity to raise the potential challenges that might affect what they are to do in order to achieve these goals. This makes the manager as well as the employees have ample time to deal with matters which would otherwise affect the performance of an employee. Recommendations The creation of independent groups in the organization is recommended as it allows the members to increase their contribution and innovation. This is contrary to the traditional directed groups where innovation was limited and the members just waited to act upon directives given from managers. Direct groups are those traditional teams that work only upon the directive of their seniors. Here there is inhibition of innovation which is not good for the organization. Their contribution is limited and the motivation is also lacking compared to the self directing groups. A self directing group is independent and self starting. It therefore makes the performance of employees increase due to the presence of innovation. Ano ther recommendation is encouraging the employees to have a working social welfare within them. The welfare should be autonomous. Those shall form an avenue for social interaction and bonding. Bonding and social interaction form the main ingredients of successful teamwork. Giving bonus and other remuneration based benefits to recognize good performance is also a means by which an organization may use to motivate the performance of its employees. Encouraging team and communication is also recommended in improving the performance of the employee. Through communication the organization goals reach the employees and through the same the employees are able to communicate the problems that might affect their performance. Dialogue between the managers and the employees is the best way to clear all the hindrances that affect employee performance. Armstrong, Michael Baron, Angela. Performance Management: The New Realities, London: CIPD, 1998. Print Aslam, Hassan. â€Å"Improving Performanc e Management Practices in IT Firms of Pakistan.† Journal of Management Research 2.2 (2010): 3-6. Print Elmuti, Dean. â€Å"Self managed work teams approach: creative management tool or a fad?† Management Decisions 35.3 (1997): 233-239. Print Wiese, Danielle Buckley, Ronald. â€Å"The Evolution of The Performance Appraisal Process.† Journal of Management History 4.3 (1998): 233-249. Print

Allegations of children rights and human rights violations by British American Tobacco

Allegations of children rights and human rights violations by British American Tobacco British American Tobacco has set their goals to be the leading company in the industry, knowing that, they have to be able to select and apply the best business strategies. But being one of the leading tobacco firms in the UK, British American Tobacco is known to purchase tobacco from Indonesia, where they can not guarantee that the tobacco is not made from child labor. Although that every tobacco firms in the world have the responsibility to monitor and investigate on how their tobacco is harvested in their farms, they still can not control on the actual process applied in the farming. According to independent.co.uk, Human Rights Watch have conducted research in 2014 and 2015 ini tobacco farming in Indonesia where they interviewed more than 100 children under 18 who work there. These children are risking their health and wellness working harvesting tobacco by hand, said the Human Rights Watch. Many of these children have in fact suffered from nausea and vomitting due to being around tobacco so much. Children are known to work through long hours in these farms, without even wearing any protective garments while handling these tobacco. These surely sound terrible, especially when it is the company’s responsibilities to make sure that no child under the age of 18 work in direct with tobacco. British American Tobacco is one of the multinational companies that have committed to the International Labour Organisations (ILO) right conventions. These companies in the conventions have agreed that the minimum age for children to work is 15 years old, whereas the minimum age for the hazardous work is 18 years old. Yet they still can not guarantee, because they claim to cannot be â€Å"everywhere at once†. British American Tobacco mentioned that their subsidiary, Bentoel, takes the child labour issue very seriously. â€Å"We do not employ children in any of our operations worldwide and make it clear to all of our contracted farmers and suppliers that exploitative child labour will not be tolerated. In Indonesia, however, children often participate in agriculture to help their families, and to learn farming methods and skills from their elders† BAT said. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) also knows that working while the children are in school can be a norma l part of growing up in poor communities, because of the rural environment they are in. British American Tobacco is said to be working with the Eliminating Child Labour in Tobacco growing foundation (ECLT) to tackle extreme child labour in these areas in Indonesia. Not only in Indonesia, British American Tobacco has also vowed back in 2016 to investigate some of its farms located in Bangladesh after Swedwatch, a Swedish campaign group uncovered the truth that the farms use could workers to grow and process tobacco, carrying loads, cutting the stems, and cure the tobacco. These children are reportedly being pulled out of school to work in the farm for as long as 16 hours a day. These working activities surely grows out the risk of health for these children, because they are very much exposed to tobacco plants, the dust, and the smoke. Group Head of Corporate Affairs at British American Tobacco, Simon Cleverly has told that the company has in fact investigated the report’s findings but found no evidence of children rights and human rights violations. He also claime d the British American Tobacco were consistent with the findings of these studies held by themselves to look into tobacco growing and farming process and found that the company has a positive impact on the socio-economic area in Bangladesh. Up until now, British American Tobacco is still very much sure that they have not done anything wrong in the process of harvesting their tobacco in these countries, and that they believe that they have mutual benefits with the countries they have been working with for years.

My own religious Autobiography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

My own religious Autobiography - Essay Example No one knows with certainty that an all powerful, omnipotent and invisible entity exists. They may have faith and a belief that a God has been and always will be but because the concept of God is beyond anyone’s comprehension, how can anyone claim to have knowledge of such an abstract concept as this? Knowing means putting a theory, or belief if you will, to a series of tests designed to debunk that theory. Only after attempting to disprove a belief, can you say with any certainty that it is true. I can say that horses fly or that the sun revolves around the earth and many people might believe this until it is disproved. Many people did in fact believe both these stories until they were disproved. So what about God? Can anyone really say for certain that God indeed exists? Yes. I can because I have proof. During the summer between my Kindergarten and First Grade year, I spent many hours at my uncle’s house. It’s not that he was necessarily my favorite relative. He had no kids of his own nor did he particularly like kids and he was a boring person for a young child to be around, but he had a pool. I suppose for that reason, he was my favorite during the summer but grandma took this title back during the winter, for obvious reasons. My uncle let me swim all I wanted but seldom actually watched me like he should have, and like he told my parents he did. One very hot day, I was swimming laps to develop my skills. All I remember was that as I was doing this, I gulped some water by accident, the chlorine taste that followed, then gasping for air for just a few moments. My recollection of the events that took place after that are somewhat foggy yet imprinted firmly in my mind, even today. My next conscious memory was waking up at the hospital and hearing the story of how I had drowned but had been brought back to life by emergency technicians who were called to the scene following what my uncle believed was my death. Had it not

Analysis of Competition Bikes Inc Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Analysis of Competition Bikes Inc - Term Paper Example Income Statement is one of the fundamental financial statement that provides results of revenues, earnings, and EPS (Earning Per Share). The income statement provides a consolidated view of the revenue a company earned, the expenses it incurred and its effect on the bottom line, i.e. the profit during a certain period of time. It is a mirror to the investors reflecting on company performance and its potential to perform. Essentially a company should be earning more than it is spending and thus signal profit earning opportunity to the investors. The horizontal analysis of the Income Statement of Competition Bikes Inc. would compare the performance of the company during the year 2006-2008. The following is a snapshot of the Income Statement of company during 2006-2008 along with its horizontal analysis. We have compared the Income Statement of 2007 keeping 2006 as the base year and then analyzed the performance of 2008 keeping 2007 as the year of reference. Horizontal Analysis of Incom e Statement 2006-2007 As we have mentioned earlier, there are two major sections of an Income Statement: Revenue, Expenses, and Profit. Revenue minus the expenses is the profit and we would look at the company’s change in revenue and overall expenses during the period of 2006-2008. As it is evident from the horizontal analysis of 2007 with 2006 as the base year, revenues have increased by 37.5% during the year 2006-2007 due to the increase in Net Sales by 33.3%, which shows that the company is strong in its area of operation. The Cost of Goods Sold also increased by 31.8%, which is very close to the percentage change of Sales during the year, thus indicating that it is not a negative sign. It is a concern for the company even if the profits are high when the increase in Cost of Goods Sold is not relative to the increase in Sales. A definite weakness for any company is its increasing expenses, specifically administrative expenses. The Selling expenses also increased during the year by 33% including the expense on advertising that increased by 37% and administrative expenses increased by 20.4%. A major chunk of the administrative expense is the expenditure on Research and Developed which increased by 37.5%. The company believes in bringing a superior product to the market that has quality as well as first movers advantage with it, and it provides the company a strong selling potential. Thus, the overall increase in the expenses was by 24%, which is not a positive sign for any company, specifically increment in administrative expenses exhibit operational inefficiencies as the company cannot justify the expenses with any particular expansion project. However, a more clear idea of selling and administrative expenses as compared to the sales would be evident in the vertical analysis of the company. The operating income of the company, which is the revenue minus expenses increased by 154.6% and the overall profit before income tax and the Net Earnings increase d by more than 300% showing abnormal but phenomenal growth. A horizontal analysis of year 2007 keeping 2006 as the base year reveals positive growth for the company in terms of Sales and the overall Net Earnings that shows that Competition Bikes Inc. is moving in the right direction and growing. The major strengths of the company lies in the increase in S