The Movie Girl Interrupted - 3398 Words

This paper will be based on a character in the movie† Girl, Interrupted† who was suffering from one of the PD’s in cluster B, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and with this disorder; and with is disorder, they are often dramatic, emotional and very erratic. According to DSM-5, the prevalence for the general population for BPD is 5.9%, it is more diagnosed in women about 75% than men, it was associated with considerable mental and physical disability especially among the female populations and it may decrease in the older population. . BPD symptoms can be severe, debilitating, and isolating, and individuals with the disorder are shamed into hiding. . Interpersonal relationships, employment, and other functionings can be negatively impacted. Introduction Girl Interrupted was a movie adapted from a book by Susanna Kaysen and was released in 1999. The movie was directed by James Mangold and it starred Winona Ryder, Brittany Murphy, Angelina Jolie, Whoopi Goldberg, Jared Leto and Vanessa Redgrave. The movie setting was based in the 1960’s, and the main character was Susanna Kaysen a Caucasian female teenager from an affluent class family. The beginning of the movie shows Susanna talking to a friend of her dad who was also a former therapist and he was encouraging her to check herself into a hospital after taking an overdose of aspirin and vodka. During the conversation with the family friend, Susanna started talking about irrelevant things and she seems distracted andShow MoreRelatedThe Movie Girl, Interrupted Essay939 Words   |  4 PagesPsychological Disorders Girl, Interrupted The movie â€Å"Girl, Interrupted† is based on a memoir written by Susanna Kaysen, who is also the main person depicted in the movie. The movie takes place in a mental institution during the 1960’s. There are several disorders portrayed in the movie. Since the time period is about 50 years ago, some of the disorders were treated much differently than we would treat them today. Susanna was taken to a psychiatrist after taking a bottle of aspirin with aRead MoreThe Movie Girl, Interrupted1281 Words   |  6 PagesThe movie Girl, Interrupted focuses on the character Susanna Kaysen along with other girls who have an array of mental disorders. These women all reside at the Claymoore Mental Health Facility. For instance, Daisy was sexually abused by her father and has serious eating issues, also known as a compulsive eating disorder. Daisy binges on rotisserie chicken from her father’s shop, in the privacy of here room. She feels uncomfortable eating in front of others. Lisa, who seems to be the leader of theRead MoreThe Movie Girl Interrupted 992 Words   |  4 PagesThe main character in the film â€Å"Girl Interrupted†, Susanna Kaysen, is an eighteen-year-old female. She admitted herself into a psychiatric hospital after attempting suicide by overdosing on Aspirin and Vodka, where she was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Susan na repeatedly denies trying to commit suicide, and claims she took aspirin because she â€Å"had a headache†. She appeared to be well groomed, her speech was articulated, and her thought process clear. Susanna is not currently employedRead MoreMovie Review: Girl, Interrupted835 Words   |  4 PagesThe movie Girl, Interrupted is based on the book Girl, Interrupted, by Susanna Kaysen. I would like to say that it is loosely based because although the actress, Winona Ryder, does portray Kaysen’s borderline personality, it seems that Angelina Jolie, who is Lisa Rowe in the movie, steals the spotlight. Girl, Interrupted is about a young girl who is put into the mental ward after an attempted suicide which she claims she was basically trying to leave a lot of stress she had from various experiencesRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie Girl Interrupted 1252 Words   |  6 PagesGirl, Interrupted is a captivating and striking film about the struggle of coming to terms with mental health and overcoming personal obstacles to allow treatment and support. While the main character Susanna Kaysen stays in the Claymoore psychiatric hospital, she is introduced to a whole new world, one where she is forced to confront the fact that she has a mental illness and needs professional help. The film begins with Susanna and the other girls from the hospital sitting in somber silenceRead MoreMovie Review : Girl Interrupted1957 Words   |  8 PagesIntroduction-What is the disorder The movie I have chosen to do my psychological film disorder assignment on is Girl Interrupted which is a psychological drama directed by James Mangold. The movie takes place in a mental institution for troubled women. All of the characters in this movie suffer from one or more mental illnesses such as depression, borderline personality disorder and schizophrenia. The movie gives us an inside look on how poorly these women are being treated and how they are treatedRead MoreThe Movie Girl, Interrupted By Susanna Kaysen981 Words   |  4 PagesThe movie, â€Å"Girl, Interrupted† by Susanna Kaysen, offers an individual perspective on what it is like to live in a mental institution. As a troubled teenager, Susanna was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, in which she disagreed with. Susanna parents and a family friend recommended her to admit herself into a mental hospital named Claymoore because she had overdosed on aspirin and vodka. Within, the 18 months that Susa nna stayed in the mental hospital she came across many individualsRead MoreEssay about girl interrupted review753 Words   |  4 Pages One popular cultural myth about the mentally ill is the archetype of the quot;Sexy Crazy Girlquot;, which weve seen in movies, comic books, and music. Losing your grip with reality is not a glamorous subject, but thats not what you get from Girl, Interrupted. It is apparent that all the girls in the movie had some type of dysfunctional personality, and bad things happen to some of them, but it just did not seem realistic. First off, most of the patients prtrayed were young, which made the careRead MoreEssay on Girl Interrupted Review785 Words   |  4 PagesOne popular cultural myth about the mentally ill is the archetype of the Sexy Crazy Girl, which weve seen in movies, comic books, and music. Losing your grip with reality is not a glamorous subject, but thats not what you get from Girl, Interrupted. It is apparent that all the girls in the mov ie had some type of dysfunctional personality, and bad things happen to some of them, but it just did not seem realistic. First off, most of the patients prtrayed were young, which made the care facilityRead MoreGirl Interrupted Film Analysis858 Words   |  4 PagesRunning head: AN ANALYSIS OF GIRL, INTERRUPTED. 1 An Analysis of Girl, Interrupted Irvelt Nicolas And Alyssa Reilly College of Staten Island

Rhetorical Analysis Of The Clock Shadows And Dark...

Aristotelian mimesis dictates that the â€Å"art† produced by our culture and society is an imitation of our reality. If so, then our contemporary entertainment era overstocked in brooding, morally ambiguous anti-heroes bearing five o’clock shadows and â€Å"dark and gritty† narratives are a reflection of the flawed and unrelenting modern-day reality that we inhabit. This age of morally gray storytelling is a stark contrast to the idealistic depictions of American society and â€Å"traditional family values† found throughout various 1950s television (Museum of Broadcast Communications). The force behind this shift from a rather jubilant, dreamlike state of Cold War era media, to the grim and cynical state of present-day film, television, and music can thus be interpreted by some romanticists with a longing for the â€Å"good ol’ days† as a decline of virtues and goodness in American society. However, the â€Å"goodness† of America foun d in 1950s media was hardly a true reflection of reality. Through the further development of mass media and communications in the following decades, however, American audiences were then able to see passed the â€Å"goodness† from the shelter of their own homes (Murray). The realities that went into the lenses of news cameras, and out the screens of black and white television tubes exposed the horrors of war in Vietnam and the injustice towards nonviolent Black protestors to the archetypical nuclear families of America, distorting their idealized perceptions of AmericanShow MoreRelatedStrategy Safari by Mintzberg71628 Words   |  287 Pagesway to ensure that strategy is controlled in one mind is to keep the process simple (182). However, this point, together with the first, forced Andrews to tread a fine line throughout his text between nonconscious intuition on one side and formal analysis on the other, a position he characterized as an act of judgment (108). This distingu ishes the design school from the entrepreneurial school on one side and the planning and especially positioning schools on the other. 4. Strategies should be oneRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 PagesLine 58 Understanding and Appreciating Individual Differences Important Areas of Self-Awareness 61 Emotional Intelligence 62 Values 65 Ethical Decision Making and Values 72 Cognitive Style 74 Attitudes Toward Change 76 Core Self-Evaluation 79 SKILL ANALYSIS 84 Cases Involving Self-Awareness 84 Communist Prison Camp 84 Computerized Exam 85 Decision Dilemmas 86 SKILL PRACTICE 89 Exercises for Improving Self-Awareness Through Self-Disclosure 89 Through the Looking Glass 89 Diagnosing Managerial Characteristics

Modeling Retail Chain Expansion and Maturity †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Modeling Retail Chain Expansion and Maturity. Answer: Introduction: The basic strategy of Walmart is based upon cost leadership. Cost leadership refers to the strategy wherein an organization emphasizes upon maintaining the lowest prices of its products in order to maintain competitive advantage over the rivals ("Walmart", 2017). Walmart emphasizes upon everyday low prices, which has been possible due to the economies of scale. The company enjoys cost efficiency by efficiently utilizing the online channels of distribution. More than three- fourth of the retail operations of walmart.com, comes from non- store inventory. Walmart is constantly involved in improving its products and prices. Walmarts dynamics and strategies involve offering its customers a wide range of products at the lowest possible prices. Cost leadership helps the company to gain competitive advantage over the others (Joseph Kuby, 2015). The dynamic pricing strategy of Amazon involves studying the behavior of the shoppers as well as the behavior of the competitors in order to determine the appropriate strategies. Dynamic pricing strategy refers to the strategy wherein the retailers change the prices of their products according to the change in demand and the prices of the competitors. Amazon does not always offer products at lowest prices ("Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs more", 2017). The company utilizes vast computer networks to monitor the prices of several items offered by the rivals. The company usually offers huge discounts on the products which are popular whereas, the company offers less popular products at higher prices than the competitors. The companys strategy involves convincing the customers that the company offers all the products at cheaper prices than the others however; in reality, the company does not offer cheapest prices. The company has a dynamic wa rehouse network, which ensures that the warehouses are located on the basis of delivery goals. The strategy of the company involves offering low prices and providing fast and free shipping facilities. The pricing strategies of Amazon have enabled the company to gain competitive advantage over the rivals. Ownership, management structure and staffing In order to ensure that a company runs successfully, it is essential for the organizations to have an effective organizational structure along with appropriate staffing. Netflix is currently an international internet streaming organization. However, the company wants to diversify its operations diversifying its product range. The organization aims at providing text books to its customers at a monthly subscription. In order to incorporate this idea, the organization has to reorganize its organizational structure accordingly. Netflix has been focusing upon its services rather than focusing upon a product ("Netflix : Overview", 2017). The company is highly dependent upon the Chief executive officer and owner of the company, Reed Hasting along with the members of the executive team. Netflix has become a well- known international brand and it is easier for the company to recruit qualified employees and retaining them. The company shall have to set up a separate organizational structure fo r managing the textbooks department of the organization. For this purpose, the organization shall have to appoint a divisional manager, who shall head the new department of the organization. The chief marketing officer shall be responsible for leading the marketing team in consultation with the divisional manager. The new idea of Netflix for textbooks shall involve appointment of a president and vice president, who shall be responsible for managing the diversified business of the organization. There shall be a separate accounts department that shall maintain the records related to the revenue generated from the monthly subscriptions of the textbooks. The marketing team shall be responsible for spreading awareness regarding the new business of the organization and encouraging the respective individuals to subscribe to Netflix textbooks. The operations department shall be responsible for managing the daily activities of the textbook department. The activities shall involve planning, organizing, staffing, coordinating and controlling the organizational resources. It is concerned with conversion of human resources and materials into qualitative services in order to maximize the organizational profits. The human resource department shall be concerned with recruitment, selection, training, performan ce appraisal, managing legal issues and handling employee relations, payrolls and grievances. All the respective departmental heads shall be accountable to the vice president and the vice president shall directly report to the president of the Netflix textbook department. References: Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs more. (2017). Amazon.com. Retrieved 27 October 2017, from https://www.amazon.com/ Chen, L., Mislove, A., Wilson, C. (2016, April). An empirical analysis of algorithmic pricing on Amazon marketplace. InProceedings of the 25th International Conference on World Wide Web(pp. 1339-1349). International World Wide Web Conferences Steering Committee. Walmart. (2017). Walmart. Retrieved 2 November 2017, from https://www.walmart.ca/ Joseph, L., Kuby, M. (2015). Modeling retail chain expansion and maturity through wave analysis: Theory and application to Walmart and Target.International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research (IJAGR),6(4), 1-26. Netflix : Overview. (2017). Ir.netflix.com. Retrieved 27 October 2017, from https://ir.netflix.com/

Power Factor free essay sample

Power factor: The power factor of an AC electric power system is defined as the ratio of the real power flowing to the load to the apparent power, and is a dimensionless number between O and 1 (frequently expressed as a percentage, e. g. 0. 5 pf= 50% pf). Real power is the capacity of the circuit for performing work in a particular time. Apparent power is the product of the current and voltage of the circuit. Due to energy stored in the load and returned to the source, or due to a non-linear load that distorts the wave shape of the current drawn from the source, the apparent power will be greater han the real power. In an electric power system, a load with low power factor draws more current than a load with a high power factor for the same amount of useful power transferred. The higher currents increase the energy lost in the distribution system, and require larger wires and other equipment. Because of the costs of larger equipment and wasted energy, electrical utilities will usually charge a higher cost to industrial or commercial costumers where there is a low power factor Linear loads with low power factor (such as induction motors) can be corrected with a passive network of capacitors or inductors. Non-linear loads, such as rectifiers, distort the current drawn from the system. In such cases, active or passive power factor correction may be used to counteract the distortion and raise the power factor. The devices for correction of the power factor may be at a central substation, spread out over a distribution system, or built into power-consuming equipment. Contents 1 Power factor in linear circuits 0 1. 1 Definition and calculation 0 1. 2 Power factor correction of linear loads 2 Non-linear loads 0 2. 1 Non-sinusoidal components 0 2. Switched-mode power supplies 0 2. Power factor correction in non-linear loads 2. 3. 1 passive PFC 2. 3. 2 Active PFC 3 Importance of power factor in distribution systems factor 5 Mnemonics 6 References 7 External links Power factor in linear circuits 4 Measuring power In a purely resistive AC circuit, voltage and current waveforms are in step (or in phase), changing polarity at the same instant in each cycle. All the power entering inductors, ener gy storage in the loads result in a time difference between the current and voltage waveforms. During each cycle of the AC voltage, extra energy, in addition o any energy consumed in the load, is temporarily stored in the load in electric or magnetic fields, and then returned to the power grid a fraction of a second later in the cycle. The ebb and flow of this nonproductive power increases the current in the line. Thus, a circuit with a low power factor will use higher currents to transfer a given quantity of real power than a circuit with a high power factor. A linear load does not change the shape of the waveform of the current, but may change the relative timing (phase) between voltage and current. Circuits containing purely esistive heating elements (filament lamps, strip heaters, cooking stoves, etc. ) have a power factor of 1. 0. Circuits containing inductive or capacitive elements (electric motors, solenoid valves, lamp ballasts, and others) often have a power factor below Definition and calculation AC power flow has the three components: real power (Active power) (P), measured in watts (W); apparent power (S), measured in volt-amperes (VA); and reactive power (Q), measured in reactive volt-amperes (var). The power factor is defined as: [pic] In the case of a perfectly sinusoidal waveform, P, Q and S can be expressed as ectors that form a vector triangle such that: [pic] If cp is the phase angle between the current and voltage, then the power factor is equal to the cosine of the angle, [pic], and: [pic] Since the units are consistent, the power factor is by definition a dimensionless number between O and 1 . When power factor is equal to O, the energy flow is entirely reactive, and stored energy in the load returns to the source on each cycle. When the power factor is 1, all the energy supplied by the source is consumed by the load. Power factors are usually stated as leading or lagging to show the ign of the phase angle. If a purely resistive load is connected toa power supply, current and voltage will change polarity in step, the power factor will be unity (1), and the electrical energy flows in a single direction across the network in each cycle. Inductive loads such as transformers and motors (any type of wound coil) consume reactive power with current waveform lagging the voltage. Capacitive loads such as capacitor banks or buried cable generate reactive power with current phase leading the voltage. Both types of loads will absorb energy during part of the AC cycle, which s stored in the devices magnetic or electric field, only to return this energy back to the source during the rest of the cycle. For example, to get 1 kW of real power, if the power factor is unity, 1 kVAof apparent power needs to be transferred (1 kW 1 † 1 kVA). At low values of power factor, more apparent power needs to be transferred to get the same real power. To get 1 kW of real power at 0. 2 power factor, 5 WA of apparent power needs to be transferred (1 kW + 0. 2 = 5 kVA). This apparent power must be produced and transmitted to the load in the conventional fashion, and is ubject to the usual distributed losses in the production and transmission processes. Electrical loads consuming alternating current power consume both real power and reactive power. The vector sum of real and reactive power is the apparent power. The power, and so, the electric load has a power factor of less than 1 . Power factor correction of linear loads It is often desirable to adjust the power factor of a system to near 1. 0. This power factor correction (PFC) is achieved by switching in or out banks of inductors or capacitors. For example the inductive effect of motor loads may be offset by locally onnected capacitors. When reactive elements supply or absorb reactive power near the load, the apparent power is reduced. Power factor correction may be applied by an electrical power transmission utility to improve the stability and efficiency of the transmission network. Correction equipment may be installed by individual electrical customers to reduce the costs charged to them by their electricity supplier. A high power factor is generally desirable in a transmission system to reduce transmission losses and improve voltage regulation at the load. Power factor correction brings the ower factor of an AC power circuit closer to 1 by supplying reactive power of opposite sign, adding capacitors or inductors which act to cancel the inductive or capacitive effects of the load, respectively.

Biography of Actress Marilyn Monroe

Biography of Actress Marilyn Monroe Known for:  celebrity and actress, sex symbol, blonde bombshell Dates:  June 1, 1926 -  August 5, 1962Occupation:  movie actressAlso known as:  Norma Jeane Baker, Norma Jean Baker, Norma Jean Mortenson, Norma Jean MortensenReligion:  Convert to Judaism Early Life Marilyn Monroe, whose name was Norma Jean Baker in childhood, was born to Gladys Mortenson, a film technician, whose husband, Edward Mortenson, deserted the family. Norma Jeans natural father may have actually been another studio employee, C. Stanley Gifford. Gladys mental illness surfaced shortly after her daughters birth, and she was institutionalized much of Norma Jeans growing years. Norma Jean was placed in a series of twelve foster homes, and once in an orphanage. She attended Van Nuys High School in Los Angeles, California. At sixteen, Norma Jean escaped the foster system by marrying 20-year-old James Dougherty. A year later, in 1943, he joined the U.S. Merchant Marine. Norma Jean took a job in an airline plant, part of the World War II factory effort, and worked first as a parachute inspector, then as a paint sprayer. When the government came through to take promotional photographs of the women working in the plant, the brunette Norma Jean learned that she photographed well, took a modeling course, and began working part-time as a photographers model. Success as a photographers model led her to her dream of becoming an actress. In 1946, she divorced Dougherty and bleached her hair to become a blond. She signed a one-year, $125/month contract with Twentieth Century-Fox on August 26, 1946. Ben Lyon, casting director, suggested that she take the name Marilyn, and she added her grandmothers last name, Monroe. Marilyn Monroe as an Actress Marilyn Monroe played one bit part that year, all of which ended up on the cutting room floor. The next year, she signed another one-year contract, this time with Columbia. The results werent any better. In 1950, Marilyn Monroe posed for full-length nude shots, which the photographer Tom Kelley sold for a calendar. That same year, she appeared in a bit part in The Asphalt Jungle, and though her name wasnt even mentioned in the credits, her appearance generated a huge amount of fan mail. Her reputation as a blond bombshell had begun to be established. So Twentieth Century-Fox signed Marilyn Monroe to a new contract - this time, for seven years. She appeared in All About Eve. In 1953, she had her first starring role, in Niagara. In Gentlemen Prefer Blondes she sang and, for the first time, she had her own dressing room. In January 1954, Marilyn Monroe married the famous baseball player, Joe DiMaggio. The marriage was short-lived; they divorced in October. Seven Year Itch For the 1955 movie The Seven Year Itch, Marilyn Monroe appeared in the famous photographic stunt, in a white halter dress, with her skirt blown up by a draft from a sidewalk grate, leaning down to catch her dress so that her cleavage showed. The photograph was used to advertise the film and has become one of the iconic images of Marilyn Monroe. After filming The Seven Year Itch, in which she plays a prototypical dumb blond, Marilyn Monroe decided to work more seriously on her acting skills, to the skepticism of many critics. She broke her movie contract and moved to New York to study at the Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg for a year. Success ... and Problems In 1955, she founded her own company with Milton Greene, Marilyn Monroe Productions, and signed a new contract with Twentieth Century-Fox. She made the 1956 movie Bus Stop, which wowed the critics, but shed begun to lose herself to self-doubt, depression, drugs, and alcohol. Marilyn Monroe, whose mother and maternal grandparents had all struggled with mental illness and institutionalization, began taking sleeping pills for her insomnia. She regularly consulted psychiatrists. She drank heavily, and began a habit of arriving late to work, and sometimes not being able to work at all. Marriage to Arthur Miller She married Arthur Miller, the playwright, shortly after Bus Stop was released, and for the marriage converted to Judaism. She lived quietly for two years with her new husband. During that time, Miller was fighting his conviction for contempt-of-Congress for refusing to answer two questions before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). The marriage, and several miscarriages added to her self-doubt and depression, and to her use of drugs and alcohol. Marilyn Monroes next movie, The Prince and the Showgirl, brought mixed reviews. That was followed by Lets Make Love and an unhappy romantic liaison with co-star Yves Montand. The Misfits was written for Marilyn Monroe by her husband, Arthur Miller. She performed well in the final product, though, during its filming, she was often under the influence of alcohol and pills, and she was notoriously late to the set. Marilyn was affected by the death, two months after the film was completed, of her co-star, Clark Gable. In early 1961, Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller divorced. During this period, she was also bothered by many rumors of affairs, including with the President, John F. Kennedy, and his brother, Robert F. Kennedy. Last Months Filming her next project, ironically titled Somethings Got to Give, Marilyns lateness and addictions led to her dismissal after a month. She was briefly committed to a mental hospital. She was approved to return to the film, but never resumed filming. Two months later, in her home in Los Angeles, Marilyn Monroe was found by her housekeeper, dead, with an empty bottle of sleeping pills next to her body. The coroner found the death was caused by an overdose of barbiturates and pronounced it a possible suicide. No evidence of foul play was presented to the coroner. Marilyn Monroes funeral was planned by Joe DiMaggio; Lee Strasberg delivered the eulogy. Marilyn Monroes Parents Mother: Gladys Monroe Baker (also called Gladys Pearl Baker or Gladys Monroe Mortenson)Father: Edward Mortenson or C. Stanley Gifford Marilyn Monroes  Husbands James Dougherty (married June 19, 1942; divorced September 13, 1946)Joe DiMaggio (married January 14, 1954; divorced October 27, 1954)Arthur Miller (married June 29, 1956; divorced January 24, 1961) Education Van Nuys High School3-month modeling coursedramatic coach, Natasha LylessActors Lab, Los AngelesActors Studio, New York

When the Free Market Dries Out Bremmers Account of the Future Economics

When the Free Market Dries Out Bremmers Account of the Future Economics It seems that the idea of a capitalistic society and the fact that capitalism is at present the only logical way to structure various social and economical relationships seems obvious enough; yet it cannot be denied that certain alternatives may exist and that capitalism is, after all, the idea created by people and can be, therefore, just as easily demolished by them.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on When the Free Market Dries Out: Bremmer’s Account of the Future Economics specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Taking a closer look at the ideas which Ian Bremmer communicates in his recent book The end of free market, one must take into account the sad fact that capitalistic structure of society might finally prove less resistant in the competition with the rest of structures than expected. Analyzing the book by Bremmer ad checking its verbosity, one can possibly come to the conclusion whether the humankind wil l finally be dominated by a less flexible system known as state capitalism or remain within the boundaries of the traditional democratic ideas. According to what Bremmer says, it is the state capitalism that poses the greatest threat to the realm of the capitalistic world. Undermining the very principles of the capitalistic ideas, it is finally going to destroy the fundament of the society as it is today, making markets completing subjected to the power of the state government. In Bremmer’s own words, the people obsessed with totalitarian ideas â€Å"have invented something new: state capitalism1†; according to the author, the given system is supposed to destroy the entire mechanism of the capitalist world and finally bring the existing financial economical and political relationships to an inevitable end. Analyzing the given book, one must mention, first of all, that the arguments which the author offers are in fact quite string. Indeed, the concept if the state capit alism is not the product of someone’s inflamed imagination – on the contrary, the theory is rather old and has sufficient grounds to base o. According to the evidence offered by Grinder and Hagel, the concept of state capitalism is quite a well-known idea which differs from the fundamentals of capitalism â€Å"with regard to the second proposition: that an inherent antagonism exists between banks and industrial corporations.†2Advertising Looking for book review on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, even back then, the authors could see the obvious flaws of the proposed system: â€Å"This is not to deny the possibility that localized conflicts of interest may frequently emerge between particular banks and particular industrial corporations over the perception of profit opportunities.†3 Therefore, it should be admitted that the threat of the state capitalism develo pment has been quite an issue for a considerable amount of time. In addition, among the arguments which Bremmer provides in his argument concerning the effects of the possible state capitalism advent, the fact that globalization enhances the above-mentioned process is evident. According to the author, â€Å"All that movement across borders will eventually strip nation-states of their power, because governments will never be able to manage the international commercial, political, social, and environmental challenges that globalization creates†4. However, the author misses the positive effects of globalization, namely, the significance which globalization has for a range of developing countries. Indeed, dealing with the countries which are currently only developing their economics and are at their earliest stages of development is quite complicated and even dangerous; in addition, the leading countries do not bear such moral obligations as to help the developing countries striv e for better economical conditions. According to Lee and Vivarelli, globalization, despite the numerous controversies it might cause, does have a sufficient effect on such issues as unemployment, helping to resolve the issue:Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on When the Free Market Dries Out: Bremmer’s Account of the Future Economics specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More When a developing country opens its borders to foreign capital, FDIs generate positive employment impacts both directly and indirectly through job creation within suppliers and retailers and also a tertiary employment effect through generating additional incomes and so increasing aggregate demand.5 Therefore, it can be considered that the ideas which Bremmer conveys might seem a bit selfish and appropriate only for the leading countries of the world, while the developing ones might fall into an even worse crisis. Because of the given issue, the ideas offered by Bremmer cannot be considered as completely true and unbiased suppositions. If Bremmer had been less focused on the leaders in the world market sphere and paid a tad more attention to the concerns of the third-world countries, he could have come to a different decision. Another important element in Bremmer’s assessment of the existing policies concerning markets and their variations all over the world, which borders prophecy, is the fact that the author traditionally considers the Russian and the Chinese markets as not fully compatible, since they are supposedly still influenced by the state, though legitimately governed by free entrepreneurships. Indeed, the effects of the Cold War are still evident.6 However, according to what the report offered by Dun and Bradstreet Ltd. Says, The combined impact of the new monetary policy direction and increased investor risk aversion will result in further downward pressure on the Real, which experienced a rapid depreciat ion against the US dollar in September and continues to experience volatility in light of the euro-zone crisis. Notably, inflation has remained stubbornly high despite the slowdown in the economy; CPI inflation rose to 7.3% in September although we anticipate that it will ease slightly by end-2011). No matter how hard it is to accept the bitter facts which Bremmer offers in his work, it is still clear that the Eastern Europe and the Asian countries, namely, China7, are suffering considerable crisis currently and, which is even more significant, are going to face another economic challenge in the nearest future. According to the statistics data and the economical prognoses provided in the DG Special Report,Advertising Looking for book review on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More DB expects the economy to slow in 2012. Russia remains vulnerable to the risk aversion that gripped global financial markets during August-October 2011. In Q3 alone the country registered USD18.7bn in net capital outflows, and the rouble fell by 12% against the US dollar.8 Hence, Bremmer offers a precise analysis of the current state of economy in the world’s largest countries, thus, basing his research on completely verified and, therefore, impeccable and trustworthy data. However, it is still worth noticing that the researcher does not compare the data with the previous records, offering only the results of a relatively short time period. Despite the somewhat insistent tone of the book, Bremmer does provide solid research; among the most impressive pieces which the author offers, the classification of the state capitalism models is an all-embracing overview of the shapes which the phenomenon has taken or can presumably take. As the author himself warns the readers, State ca pitalism is not a single coherent political ideology. It’s a set of principles that a government can adapt to meet its particular needs. As we’ll see, Saudi royals, Russia’s elite factors, and China’s senior party leadership design policies intended to extend their domestic power within very different political environments. (85) Thus, the fact that the author acknowledges the existence of various types of state capitalism due to the difference in cultural, economical and political peculiarities of different countries is an obvious advantage of the book. Offering a more profound analysis and allowing to investigate the problem even deeper, the classification which the author offers is extremely important for the further prognoses for the future of the capitalistic relationships and the free market. However, it can also be considered a major drawback that the author apparently diminishes the role of government concerning of the financial and economical pro cesses which are going on in the corresponding countries. According to what Bremmer says, the states should not interfere the economical or the financial situation which the state companies are currently in, providing only financial support for the state-owned enterprises: â€Å"To finance all these state-owned and state-supported companies, governments should simply print the money they need, but they would lower the value of their currencies, stroke inflation, and undermine the value of their assets in the process†9. In addition, Bremmer never refers to the obvious â€Å"moral hazard†10, as Mostrous, Gue and Dittman defined the issue concerning the state capitalistic system in action. Nevertheless, among the negative aspects of Bremmer’s work, the overall tone of the research and the emphases put on certain issues are worth being reconsidered. For instance, Bremmer does not stress the importance of the change where it comes as an obvious and undeniable fact: à ¢â‚¬Å"In meetings of much greater consequence now taking place around the world, this inability to agree on the proper role for the state in the performance of markets will change the way we live†11. In addition, it seems that Bremmer, though acknowledging the necessity and inevitability of the globalization process, still does not approve of it. The latter could be considered an opinion which must be taken into consideration, yet the author does not convey the exact negative results of the globalization except the fact that it is likely to spur the above-mentioned fusion of different countries’ economical and financial policies. According to Bremmer, the latter is likely to drive to state capitalism structure emerging in the rest of the countries and finally gripping the world, ousting the current capitalist system: The most obvious example comes from the transition from an international bargaining table dominated by heads of state of the G7 group of industrialized nat ions- all of them champions of free-market capitalism- toward a G20 model that acknowledges the need to allow relative free-market skeptics like China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, and others to join the conversation.12 Addressing the positive aspects of the research conducted by Bremmer and the ideas which obviously contain a grain of truth in them, it is necessary to mention that fact that the author considers the possibility of enmity between Russia or China and the United States, comparing it to the has-been Cold War experience (Bremmer). Despite the fact that the author reassures that there is no longer any trace of hostility between the countries and that the past prejudices and arguments are long gone, there is still considerable anxiety in Bremmer’s work: China might one day pose a broader military threat than it does now, but its economy has grown so quickly and its living standards have improved so dramatically over the past two decades that it’s hard to imag ine the kind of catastrophic, game-changing event that would push its leadership to pose a Soviet-scale military challenge to America and Europe (Bremmer). Even though the supposition that the good relationships between the states might finally end is not offensive in its existence, it is still a considerably far stretch. As Cohen and Grinberg explain, the relationships between the USA and China are quite stable at present, since both countries are willingly integrating into the Smart Power, which is â€Å"based on, as Secretary Clinton outlined in her confirmation hearing, the fundamental belief that ‘We must use†¦ the full range of tools at our disposal- diplomatic, economic, military, political and cultural – picking the right tool, or combination of tools, for each situation.’’’13 In addition, in regard to the topics discussed by Bremmer, the issue of economic globalization should be addressed as well as one of the elements most closely in tertwined with the concept of capitalism. However, it is worth keeping in mind that the threats of the state capitalism as the structure which allegedly is supposed to make the entire world market subjected to the state government and the governmental structure. If taking into account all the factors which shape the world market situation, one must admit that the impact which state capitalism is going to have on the world markets is rather unpredictable and cannot be considered a â€Å"totalitarian regime† a priori. As Kagarlitsky explains, â€Å"attempts to create a state sector may give rise to state capitalism and even to semi-feudal relations, or may remain a pure formality14.† Therefore, it can be deduced that Bremmer includes a number of exaggerations in his book, thus, depicting the future of the human race in the darkest ways possible. The given method is, no doubt, extremely efficient for the people to start act and change the course of the history as soon as possible, without letting the dreadful threat take over the world and turn what at present is Bremmer’s suspicion about the future into the exact reality. Hence, one must give Bremmer’s book certain credit for extremely vivid images of the world without democratic economy and the markets belonging entirely to states and the people who are currently at the helm. It can be considered that, in his theory concerning the possible flaws of the capitalistic structure, Bremmer has a point. Therefore, judging by the analysis introduced above, despite the evident drawbacks of the existing structure of relationships between people, either economical, or social, or political, the democratic one is the least flawed and by far the most promising in terms of people’s further development and the growth of the international business relationships which will finally lead to prosperity. Hence, it can be considered that the potential threat which state capitalism poses to the socie ty can still be eliminated. Nevertheless, it must be accepted that the current tendencies in the economical systems of certain countries obviously and willingly accept the fact that have-been free markets are controlled by the governmental structures. Hence, entrepreneurs should strive towards a free economic space which is not dominated by the government. Once reaching complete independency, the world market will be able to evolve. Bibliography A DG Special Report. Outlook for key emerging markets. Virgin Islands, US: Dun Bradstreet Ltd, 2011. Braun, Aurel. NATO-Russia relations in the twenty-first century. New York, NY:   Routledge, 2008. Bremmer, Ian. The end of the free market. New York, NY: Penguin Publisher Inc., 2010. scribd.com/doc/81627810/The-End-of-the-Free-Market-Ian-Bremmer Cohen, William S., Greenberg, Maurice R. Smart power in U.S.-China  relationships. Ottawa, CA: CSIS, 2009. Grinder, Walter E. Hagel, John III. â€Å"Toward a theory of state capitalism: ultim ate decision-making and class structure.† Journal of Libertarian Studies, 1, No. 1 (1977): 59-79. Kagarlitsky, Boris. The twilight of globalization. Sterling, VI: Pluto Press, 2000. Lee, Eddy, Vivarelli, Marco. â€Å"The social impact of globalization in the developing countries.† IZA, No. 1925 (2006): 1-26. Mostrous, Yiannis G., Gue, Elliott H., Dittman, David F. The rise of the state:  profitable investing and geopolitics in the 21st century. Upper Saddle River, NJ: FT Press, 2010. Swaine, Michael D. America’s challenge: engaging a rising China in the twenty-first  century. Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment, 2011. Footnotes 1. Ian Bremmer, The end of the free market (New York, NY: Penguin Publisher Inc., 2010. scribd.com/doc/81627810/The-End-of-the-Free-Market-Ian-Bremmer). 2 Walter E. Grinder John III Hagel, â€Å"Toward a theory of state capitalism: ultimate decision-making and class structure.† Journal of Libertarian Studies, 1, No. 1 (1977): 66. 3 Walter E. Grinder John III Hagel, â€Å"Toward a theory of state capitalism: ultimate decision-making and class structure.† Journal of Libertarian Studies, 1, No. 1 (1977): 66. 4 Ian Bremmer, The end of the free market (New York, NY: Penguin Publisher Inc., 2010. scribd.com/doc/81627810/The-End-of-the-Free-Market-Ian-Bremmer). 5 Eddy Lee Marco Vivarelli, â€Å"The social impact of globalization in the developing countries.† IZA, No. 1925 (2006): 6. 6 Aurel Braun, NATO-Russia relations in the twenty-first century (New York, NY: Routledge, 2008). 7 Michael D Swaine, America’s challenge: engaging a rising China in the twenty-first  Century (Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment, 2011). 8 A DG Special Report. Outlook for key emerging market ( Virgin Islands, US: Dun Bradstreet Ltd, 2011), 4. 9 Ian Bremmer, The end of the free market (New York, NY: Penguin Publisher Inc., 2010. scribd.com/doc/81627810/The-End-of-the-Free-Market-Ian-Bremmer) 10 Yiannis G. Most rous, Elliott H. Gue, David F. Dittman, The rise of the state:  profitable investing and geopolitics in the 21st century (Upper Saddle River, NJ: FT Press, 2010), 13. 11 Ian Bremmer, The end of the free market (New York, NY: Penguin Publisher Inc., 2010. scribd.com/doc/81627810/The-End-of-the-Free-Market-Ian-Bremmer). 12 Ian Bremmer, The end of the free market (New York, NY: Penguin Publisher Inc., 2010. scribd.com/doc/81627810/The-End-of-the-Free-Market-Ian-Bremmer). 13 William S.Cohen, Maurice R. Greenberg, Smart power in U.S.-China  relationships. (Ottawa, CA: CSIS, 2009): 4. 14 Boris Kagarlitsky, The twilight of globalization, (Sterling, VI: Pluto Press, 2000): 53.

Why I Chose Business Administration Personal Statement

Why I Chose Business Administration - Personal Statement Example I believe that I am born with the innate passion in leading and managing people, earning profits, and developing more innovative products in order to suit the emerging needs of other people. Ever since I was a child, I hope to lead a business organization to success. I have always wanted been fascinated with how a company functions specifically on how it defines itself, formulates its strategies, and execute them in order to realize its numerous goals and objectives. Thus, I hope to acquire strengths and competencies which will enable me to fulfill my childhood dream of becoming instrumental in the success of a business organization. Being blessed with the abundance of oil and fuel in its ground, Saudi Arabia has almost always been connoted with the global oil industry. Little did other people know that the country offers vast potentials aside from fuel and I have always wanted to contribute in unlocking and furthering the interest of other sectors in the society. I believe that I will be most able to accomplish this by equipping myself with adequate knowledge and skills in managing a business organization. Understanding the internal and external influences in a company will make me capable of running an efficient organization while promoting healthy competition and providing job to people. I believe that the private sector needs a leader which will help business organizations cope with the changes in this global economy. The economy is referred to as entering the phase of hypercompetition where competition is tough and customers are more discriminating. Alongside, there is a need for companies to evolve in order to cope with these rapid changes which is sweeping the global economy. My decision to pursue business administration can also be warranted by my desire to take part of this transition. It is my dream to contribute in making decisions in a more compelling business environment. Pursuing a degree in business administration highlights my commitment in setting a career in the private sector. My passion for this field coupled with my interest in enhancing Saudi Arabia's business sector and aim to contribute in the emerging global economy are all accounted for in this decision. I know that in time, these goals will be realized after securing my degree. Outline Why I Chose Business Administration Thesis: I choose business administration in order to uplift Saudi Arabia's private sector, to fulfill my in born passion, and to enhance my knowledge in the global economy. I. Introduction II. Why I Chose Business Administration A. To uplift Saudi Arabia's private sector B. To fulfill my innate passion C. To enhance my knowl

Comparison the methods of the back up in ( Macintosh Apple and Windows Literature review

Comparison the methods of the back up in ( Macintosh Apple and Windows ) - Literature review Example In any computer system, one of the most important aspects is to maintain effective backup. In computer, any kind of threats can damage the important files and valuable resources. Internal factors such as power fluctuations, faults in hard drive and system conflicts among other aspects can endanger the data. Moreover, several external factors such as fire outrage, flood or earthquake can also threaten the valuable data. In traditional times, people usually maintained data on paper and thus, they were only concerned about external threats. Besides, most people also did not make copy of every record, thus the loss was devastating. However, in present days, the data is recorded in a digital format, making it vulnerable to both internal as well as external threats. Nevertheless, the digital information has allowed for simple procedure of data back up in multiple places by using different applications1. According to Vesperman (2002), information in computer is stored in hard disk. Hard disk has moving components and the data in hard disk can wear out sooner or later. Thus, there is a need for maintaining copy of data in other places2. Backup is regarded as the representative copy of data. This copy comprises vital parts of system such as control files and data files. When the original data is lost or corrupted by any external or internal factors, the backup file is used to restore the physical files. In any catastrophic incident, database backup is considered as the prime method to successfully recuperate the data. Furthermore, restoring and recovering data from backup files can be operationally beneficial3. There are a variety of media that can be used for backup such as CDs, DVDs and removable disks among others. The backup media arrives with software which requests for the data users desire to backup. According to Ruggiero & Heckathorn (2012), disk based storage system provides quick backup and restore

Jackson Pollock's Painting Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Jackson Pollock's Painting - Assignment Example The paper "Jackson Pollock's Painting" focuses on the paintings of Jackson Pollock. His art is considered as the modern art and shows how the modern artists contributed to a change in creating arts like paintings and sculptures bringing it to the international stage for Avant-garde art. Through Jackson Pollock’s paint on convergence it shows an innovative method of the development in the history of painting. During that time of painting there was cold war between the United States and Russia; convergence painting was a way of expressing freedom of expression. Convergence art was a clear expression showing his feelings as it was an impression on social realism and also overt political gestures as it showed realism. This art by Jackson Pollock shows simplicity in its creation as he mainly use the available art applicants like household’s paint, sand, syringes, knives. Through the convergence painting we can see that it is a way he used in expressing his feelings as he eng ages his body movement thereby bringing a new technology known as active painting in art. It can also be seen that his painting shows originality as he uses his own techniques inputting different light colors which blend well bringing out a great painting. Jackson Pollock developed a unique and by pouring and dripping paint on canvas he tried to create a new technique in painting which was later known as drip technique. He used household’s paints and did not rely on artists painting showing his creativity using different types of paint applicants.

E-Procurement and Competitive Advantage

E-Procurement and Competitive Advantage 1.0 Introduction The Internet plays an important role as it is revolutionizing the way in which business is conducted around the world. In new millennium with the emergence of electronic system, organizations are strained to shift their operation from traditional way to e-business had lead clear increase in global competition which threaten existing businesses and modernize business practices. Apart from that, technology is consider an integrate part of any business as technology can contribute to economic growth, increases productivity and quality of products as well as increases competitive advantages of industrial sectors. Besides, the developing of technology is in an increasing pace and dramatically changes business models in business sector. In such competitive environment resulted from globalization, firms must create more dynamic strategy over their competitor to survive in the business sector. Due to competition from various companies has increased as advancements in technology; it has broken down the traditional barriers to entry the market. Therefore, at the ever changing world, procurement process has been transformed into strategic resources. The use of new technology in procurement has provided substantial benefits. However, some organizations are exploiting competitive advantage through mergers, acquisitions, supply and distribution channel imptovements (Hamel and Prahalad 1994), as cited in Longenecker and Ariss (2002). 2.0 Research Objective To determine that whether e-procurement can achieve competitive advantage To investigate whether total quality management can achieve competitive advantage To examining whether implementation of e-procurement in total quality management can help to achieve further competitive advantage. 3.0 Research Questions Does e-procurement results in competitive advantage? Does total quality management results in competitive advantage? Does implementation of e-procurement in total quality management can help to achieve further competitive advantage? 4.0 Hypotheses E-Procurement can result in competitive advantage. Total quality management can result in competitive advantage. Implementation of e-procurement in total quality management can provide further competitive advantage. Literature Review 5.0 E-Procurement and Competitive Advantage 5.1 Conceptualization of E-Procurement Nowadays, the evolution of e-procurement is becoming more successively and interested on a global scale. According to Min and Galle (2003), e-procurement is defined as business-to-business purchasing practice that utilizes electronic commerce to identify potential sources of supply, to purchase goods and services, to transfer payment, and to interact with suppliers (as cited in Pearcy and Giunipero 2008, p.26). Besides that, electronic procurement consists of e-Maintenance Repair Operate (MRO), web-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), e-sourcing, e-tendering, e-auctioning, e-exchanges and e-informing (Min and Galle 2001; Knudsen 2003; Walker and Harland 2008). Apart from that, an Aberdeen Group (2001) found that e-procurement technologies are divided into 2 categories: direct procurement and indirect procurement (cited in Angeles and Nath 2007). Direct procurement is the purchase of high volume raw materials that used in the manufacturing process of a finished product (Harrigan et al. 2008). Whereas indirect procurement is the purchase of maintenance, materials and operation goods that are not directly involved in the production process such as office supplies, personal computers and advertising (Bof and Previtali 2007). Apart from that, procurement process involves a complex series of events which allows a firm to more from the basic need to reaching a final purchase decision through technical specification and potential supplier evaluation (Robinson et al. 1967, cited in Osmonbekov et al. 2002). Hence, many firms in diverse industries adopt the strategy of e-procurement and focus on restructuring the entire order-to-delivery process rath er than specific task in order to improve the efficiency of purchasing or supply management function as well as reduce operation costs of organization. 5.2 Conceptualization of Competitive Advantage The achievement of sustainable competitive advantage has long been the goal of companies and organizations. However, due to the rapid change in the global environment, researchers from various backgrounds have come up with their own different perspectives to identify definition of competitive advantage. In traditional industry, the importance of industry structure and market position plays significant roles to achieve competitive advantage (Porter 1980, cited in Ma 1999; Passemard and Kleiner 2000). According to Pfeffer and Vega (1991), the conceptualization of competitive advantage can be described as organizational practice, resource and asset that used to improve an organizations competitive position in the marketplace (as cited in Longenecker and Ariss 2002). Porter (1985) further description on competitive advantage grows out of the firms unique ability in creating superior customer value (as cited in Ma 2002, p.525). However, recently, Rindova and Fombrun (1999), state that competitive advantage is built on relationship and not an exchanges sustained social interactions in impressions which may affect future behaviors (cited in Tzokas and Saren 2004). 5.3 Competitive strategies in E-Procurement E-procurement has been seen to have the potential to play a pivotal role in a firms endeavours to create a competitive cost advantage that lasts for many years, hence grounding sustainable competitive advantage (Bloomberg et al. 2002, p. 14) cited in (Pires and Stanton 2005). In order to achieve sustainable competitive advantage, company should concern on the implementation of organizational business strategy in area of e-procurement. However, if the organization fails to apply a successful strategy, it will result in loss of business productivity and competitiveness which will undermine the long-term performance of the organization. Apart from that, a firm can enhance its market position and competitive strength by developing procurement strategy. Below are the competitive strategies which e-procurement can achieve competitive advantage: 5.3.1 Cost Reduction The reduction of purchasing cost has been recognized as one of the most significant purposes in procurement (Collis and Montgomery 1995), since the average manufacturing firm spends half of its sales revenue on the purchase of materials (cited in Ordanini and Rubera 2008). Furthermore, research shows that by using e-procurement can achieve cost saving which average reduction in purchase price of 17 per cent (Bartezzaghi and Ronchi 2005, cited as Harrigan et al. 2008). Additionally, by implementing e-procurement in an organization, it can help us to reduce purchase price of materials and costs that related to internal workflow of activities such as equipment and labour costs. With the use of electronic procurement, transactions can be proceed through HTML, EDI, e-mail and Internet which can eliminate the usage paper requisition for placing order, invoice as well as receipt (Sarkis et al. 2004). Additionally, Companies using e-procurement have reported savings up to 42% in purchasing t ransaction cost associated with less paperwork, which translates into fewer mistakes and more efficient purchasing process (Davila et al. 2002). 5.3.2 Efficiency Maximization E-procurement can improve the efficiency of the process which order fulfillment time can shortened up to 80 per cent (Minahan 2001, cited in Harrigan et al. 2008) as well as reduced the inventory levels (Min and Galle 2003). Thus, e-procurement has impact on the purchasing cycle time and delivery time. In order to achieve high quality performance, mostly organizations has seen the benefits of applying new technologies in its manufacturing processes because it can manufacture in a high volume production without any concerns in regards to cost. The investment in advanced equipment has enabled the company to achieve a high level of process capability that could not achieve by manual processes. Due to there are many repetitive and complicated tasks that machines can do which human being cannot do it. According to Bof and Previtali (2007), electronic procurement can accelerated the flow of important information between buyers and suppliers as well as elimination of transaction errors by transform the way of purchasing raw material from traditional methods to online. Currently, the use of internet serve as a foundation of data flow for strategic manufacturing purpose in e-procurement such as using barcodes in firms to manage the raw material. As the workflow automatically routes information through the purchasing process without re-keying all the date, user can use it easily and with a minimal error. According to Smith and Correa (2005), they stated that by using e-business can lead to highly accurate information gathering though proper database via internet and it enable to indentify each product moving throughout supply chain. Apart from that, the information that recorded in the system are stored in a real-time fashion, therefore, users can acquire an accurate tracking in supply chain compared with the traditional manual methods. Therefore the adoption of e-procurement will improve efficiency that can strengthen competitive advantage in firms and industries. In general, firms should adopt the e-procurement strategies to achieve competitive advantage among the competitors. For instance, firms need to learn the management practices which are reduce production costs by elimination waste and achieving higher efficiency to capture the attention of the suppliers. 6.0 Total Quality Management and Competitive Advantage 6.1 Conceptualization of Total Quality Management (TQM) Since 1980s, TQM has been regarded as one of the competitive strategies for firm to improve their competitive advantage and has widely implemented throughout the world (Kuei et al. 2001; Brah et al. 2002; Rad 2006). Besides that, TQM has been widely regarded as rational structure and scientific tools for the improvement of quality as well as improve competitive advantage (Sun 2000; Li et al. 2002). There is no universally agreed definition on TQM as many researchers have their own beliefs and prejudices towards the term (Martinez-Lorente 1998; Sun 2000; Psychogios and Priporas 2007; KlefsjÃÆ' ¶ et al. 2008). However, the definition provided by researchers is more like vague descriptions than definitions and contain terms as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ a philosophy, which à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ an approach for à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (KlefsjÃÆ' ¶ et al. 2008). As just an example, Rad (2006) defines TQM as a philosophy which provides a template for success to an organization through customer satisfaction. On the other hand, in recent years, a tendency toward agreement on a system perspective of TQM has been suggested. One such definition is from Hellsten and KlefsjÃÆ' ¶ (2000), who define TQM as a continuously evolving management system consisting of core values, methodologies and tools, the aim of which is to increase external and internal customer satisfaction with a reduced amount of resources (cited in KlefsjÃÆ' ¶ et al. 2008, p. 121). The definition provided by Hellsten and KlefsjÃÆ' ¶ (2000) is stated clearly as it consists of three components which are interdependent and supporting each of the values to sustaining a culture based on a kernel of core values. 6.2 Competitive strategies in TQM In order to compete with the increasingly of competitors, it has forced organizations find ways to reduce costs while maintaining customer satisfaction and making continuous improvement to the products. Since 1980, TQM has been recognized as a way to achieve goal by establishing a quality-based culture for improving customer satisfaction. Apart from that, TQM has been widely recognized as one of the most competitive weapon, if implemented successfully, provides a competitive advantage for organizations through quality (Martins and Toledo 2000; Beskese and Cebeci 2001; Prajogo and Sohal 2004). In order to achieve the goals of organization, they should implementing successful TQM strategies. 6.2.1 Quality Focus Currently, TQM have become a key focus for organizations as it considers as tools for improvement quality. According to Mandel et al. (2000), he noted that the implication of quality as a factor of international planning. Quality improvement refers to the efforts on increasing effectiveness and efficiency in order to satisfy customer expectations (Talha 2004). Organizations must plan the strategic to implement quality improvement planning into their business plan. If the organization has emphasized quality as an important strategic, this will leads to higher sales and operating profits as well as improve the competitive positions of the firm as the customers will pay more to quality products that satisfy them. Also, nowadays customers are become more sophisticated, continuous improvement in product quality is essential to satisfy their needs. Therefore, once the organizations satisfy the requirements of customer, items are producing according to specifications, it will minimizing defective items and the cost of rework (Khan 2003). Yet, TQM will increase the organizations competitive advantage because they concentrated on the improvements to offer superior quality of products to its customers (Martins and Toledo 2000). Hence, quality improvement is essential for the very survival of a company to achieve competitive advantage. 6.2.2 Customer Focus Customers have their expectations towards an organization which they patronize. If the expectations are not met, they will get dissatisfied and stop patronizing the organization; hence customer satisfaction is one of the important elements to attain competitive advantage. According to Bergman and Klefsjo (2003), satisfied customer are loyal customers and loyal customers are profitable customers and profitable customers make lucrative businesses and happy owners (cited in Bergquist et al. 2005, p. 312). However, customers are usually irrational. In order to develop their potential quality, companies need to develop the strategies on customer focus. Generally, customer focus means as the activities of the companies are intended to benefit the customer but the customer is seen from the companies own perspective (Lagrosen 2001, p.350). Organizations should make an effort to gain information regarding the needs and wants of the customer rather than always focus on the companies view of product and its features. 6.2.3 Process Focus The goal of process management is to zeroing down the defective and failures rate as well as reduce process variation by building quality into the production process which can reduced cost. According to Ou et al. (n.d.), inferior quality manufacturing process will increase high scrap rate and rework rate which will lead to use more resource to produce qualified products. Therefore, firms should concern on process management to avoid the occurrences of unnecessary costs such as waste costs by finding quality problems immediately. TQM implementation can directly increasing firms quality performance by improving manufacturing process, has indirect effects on increasing customer satisfaction as well as the reputation of firms. By reducing unnecessary waste cost such as waste of production, avoidable process and waste of defects, firms can put into practice of lean production. According to Womack and Jones (1996), lean production has its origin in philosophy of achieving improvements in most economical ways with special focus on reducing waste (cited in Dahlgaard and Dahlgaard-Park 2006, p. 264). For instance, firm can designing the production process and giving orders and instructions to the workers. The improvement of manufacturing efficiency will improve customers satisfaction and eventually the companys financial performance. 6.3 Adoption of e-Procurement in Total Quality Management to achieve Competitive Advantage There is no clearly evidence shows that the adoption of e-procurement in total quality management can achieve further competitive advantage, however it can be shows that the ways of both e-procurement and TQM are almost using same strategies to achieve competitive advantage. 6.3.1 Business-to-business (B2B) E-procurement E-procurement is defined as the use of information technologies to facilitate business-to-business (B2B) purchase transactions for materials and services (Wu et al. 2007, cited in Walker and Harland 2008). With the development of B2B e-procurement, the traditional method of business are replaced by the electronically transactions. Besides that, BCB e-procurement can help TQM in achieving competitive advantage. 6.3.1.1 Cost Minimization Application of e-procurement practices into total quality management is beneficial as it can improve facilitation of efficient and cost-effective trading routes to conduct business. According to Harrigan et al. (2008), e-procurement can reduce purchasing costs by amending the way raw materials are purchasing from traditional methods to online ordering. With the implementation of e-procurement, transactions can be proceed via e-mail, electronic data interchange, fax which can directly eliminate paper usage such as invoice, receipts as well as paper catalogs. However, Turban et al. (2006) argues that systematic procurement transactions tend to waste time on non-value-adding activities such as handling errors in ordering and invoicing, data entry which often time consuming and costly to trace (cited in Aboelmaged 2009). 6.3.1.2 Efficiency Maximization Apart from the cost reductions arising from transactional, e-procurement can also contribute to efficient purchasing process in many ways. As earlier mention, TQM have been emphasized that its main focus is improving products quality, therefore it may be less paying attention on giving maximize efficiency. Consequently, by implementation e-procurement in TQM can achieve maximum efficiency. It is obvious that e-procurement greatly helps improve communication with suppliers providing access to the information 24 hours a day. Therefore, the system availability can makes it easier for businesses to receive order from the supplier and summit an order. By providing greater access, firms can reduce the purchasing cycle time and improved performance between buyers and suppliers. According to Choudhury et al. (1998), repetition in the procurement system will increase the efficiency and result in a higher level of electronic integration between buyers and suppliers (cited in Walker and Harland 2008). 6.3.1.3 Methods of B2B e-procurement Previously, most of the organizations are using traditional modes of communication such as phone, fax, memo and face-to-face. However, through evolution of the technologies, organizations can improve the speed in business transactions through the utilization of the B2B e-procurement methods: 1. Reverse Auctions. A reverse e-auction is a form of the electronic data communication which provides a forum wherein several suppliers compete online for contracts offered by a customer (Tassabehji et al. 2006). Due to no human intervention along with computerized accessible format, it can help both parties gain form less paperwork, shorted cycle times for circulation requesters for quotations, faster responses to potential bidders and reduced transaction costs (Plouffe et al. 2001). 2. Lean procurement. Lean procurement generally imply on small quantity of products purchased frequently from few suppliers, who deliver the items in exact quantities at the specific time and place (Wilson and Roy 2009). It also further noted that lean procurement unlike the traditional purchasing system such as TQM where the price considerations, suppliers are evaluated through the reliability, behaviors, performance as well as price. Based on the traditional purchasing system, the relationship between buyers and suppliers are based on the long-term trust and commitment. 3. Internet. Through internet, companies have ability to speed up the business transactions through a faster way as it allows companies to pay invoices and payment electronically. Besides that, the use of internet through videoconferencing provides a visual contract which allows companies communicate with the suppliers (Samaniego 2006). 7.0 Theoretical Framework Competitive Advantage E-Procurement Total Quality Management 8.0 Research Methods 8.1 Explanatory My research is about the ways of e-procurement and total quality management in achieving competitive advantage of organizations. In the literature review, I am explaining the relationship between e-procurement and competitive advantage as well as total quality management and competitive advantage; therefore my research is an explanatory study. According to Saunders et al. (2009), explanatory study is known as causal study which is emphasizes on explaining the relationships between variables. 8.2 Research Philosophy The research philosophy that I adopt in the literature review is epistemology. Epistemology concerns what constitutes acceptable knowledge in a field of study (Saunders et al, 2009, p. 112). This research will be mostly exploring the strategies of how e-procurement and TQM to achieve competitive advantage. Besides that, although many successful cases that shows that e-procurement and TQM can provide competitive advantage to an organization. However, I may not be able to know that e-procurement and TQM can achieve competitive advantage. Therefore, I a going to do this research to find out how e-procurement and TQM can help an organization achieve competitive advantage. Furthermore, the fact that it is an explanatory study also makes this research epistemology. Both the cause and the effect are known under an explanatory effect. In this research, I will acts as a positivist. A positivist will prefer working with an observable social reality and that the end products of such research can be law-like generalizations similar to those produced by the physical and natural scientists (Remenyi et al., 1998, p. 32, as cited in Saunders et al., 2009, p. 113). Therefore, I will only based on the quantifiable observations which I can see, hear and touch to develop hypotheses. 8.3 Approach Deductive approach is an approach of working from more general idea to a more specific idea and also known as waterfall approach and therefore, conclusion follows logically from the premises (Gill Johnson, 2010). My research will utilize deductive approach since the theory and hypothesis have been created at the starting of the research. Besides that, the research itself is an observation to further confirm the relationship between e-procurement, TQM and competitive advantage as well as allows me to test and confirm my hypothesis. 8.4 Method The research measurements used in this study will be mixture of qualitative and quantitative factors. A quantitative research aims at determining the relationship between one thing and another (Denzin Lincon, 2005). A qualitative research is used to address research questions that require explanation or understanding of social phenomena and their contexts (Ritchie and Lewis, 2003). In this research, I will more focus on quantitative research instead of qualitative research. By using quantitative research, I can find out the following data: 1. The percentage of organizations which are successfully achieving competitive advantage after adoption of either e-procurement, TQM, or both. 2. The percentage of organizations which adopt neither e-procurement nor TQM, but have achieved competitive advantage. Besides that, I plan to apply structured questionnaire and interview which form by structured questions and answers. Structured interviews use questionnaires based on standardized set of questions which can be result more accurate and credible data. Although quantitative research is the main focus in this research, qualitative research is still under consideration towards these issues. Under qualitative methods, I will be using semi-structured and in-depth questionnaire and interview. A semi-structured questionnaire or interview is where the questions are structured but the answers are left unstructured. However, in-depth questionnaire or interview is where both the questions and answers are unstructured. Therefore, my research choice is Mixed Methods whereby both quantitative and qualitative methods are being considered. 8.5 Strategies The strategies that can be implemented in conducting this research are survey. Survey is a research strategy that involves the structured collection of data from a sizeable population (Saunders et al., 2009). The reason for choosing survey as my strategy is survey allows me to collect the quantitative data which I can analyze quantitatively using statistics. By using survey, I can easily calculate the percentage of increase in profits after implementing e-procurement and TQM. Through the survey, questionnaire will be given. Structured questionnaires bring convenience for me when carrying out the percentage calculation. Another strategy that can be implemented is archival research which makes use of administrative records and documents as the principal source of data (Saunders et al., 2009). In this research, archival research can used to identify the companies in the past that have been successful in achieving e-procurement and TQM and changing effects that has led to their success. 8.6 Sampling Sampling techniques are used to define the target population by keeping with the objectives of the study. Hence, sampling methods are techniques for collecting sub-volumes from larger volume of target population (Groves et al., 2010). Sample selection will be done on a random basis to avoid selection bias. In this research, the sampling method that will be use is stratified random sampling. Stratified random sampling is a modification of random sampling in which you divide the population into two or more relevant strata based on one or a number of attributes (Saunders et al., 2009, p. 228). I will divide all companies in Malaysia into 4 groups which are companies that implement e-procurement, companies that implement TQM, companies that implement both e-procurement and TQM as well as companies that do not implement both e-procurement and TQM. In this case, companies will be selected using random sampling. Besides that, 50 questionnaires will be distributed randomly to every company. 8.7 Time Horizon In terms of time horizon, my research will be considered as cross-sectional study. Cross-sectional study refers to data gathered only once over a period of time. Since this research must complete within 1 month, I am not be able to analyze the development of e-procurement in future. Therefore, my research will more focus on the e-procurement of e-procurement nowadays and explain the relationship between every variable. Besides that, this research typically deals with historical data, hence the necessity to get results frequently is comparatively low as the industry conditions will not change rapidly. 8.8 Possible Result For the hypothesis of this research to be true, it must be supported by the fact that adoption of e-procurement in TQM can provide further competitive advantage. Besides that, the results of the survey as well as archival research should show that the companies that implement neither e-procurement nor TQM can achieve competitive advantage. However, if the result of this research shows that the adoption of e-procurement in TQM does not achieve competitive advantage then the hypothesis of the research will be proven false. 9.0 Conclusion Based on reading of literature, I can suggest that hypothesis of this research paper is accepted. It clearly shows that e-procurement and TQM on business can achieve and sustaining competitive advantage in business world nowadays. The development of e-procurement does give a huge impact on business management will continuing technological revolution provides a number of challenges for firms today. An efficient e-procurement should implement competitive strategies to achieve competitive advantage as well as enhance market position in market. Besides that, a further competitive advantage can be gained by implementing e-procurement in TQM. Hence, it can be concluded that adoption of both e-procurement and TQM can bring organization to achieve further competitive advantage. However, in practice, TQM benefits are not easy to achieve. Many organizations and companies have difficulties in implementing TQM due to lack of consistent senior management commitment, superficial knowledge of imple menters of TQM as well as lack of strategic plan for change. In other words, TQM can have a dramatic impact on an organization. (4258 words) 10.0 References Aberdeen Group. (2001). Best Practices in e-Procurement: The Abridged Report. Aberdeen Group, Boston, MA. Cited in Angeles, R. and Nath, R. (2007). Business-to-business e-procurement: success factors and challenges to implementation. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal. Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 104-115. Aboelmaged, M.G. (2009). Predicting e-procurement adoption in a developing country. Industrial Management and Data Systems. Vol. 110, No. 3, pp. 392-414. Angeles, R. and Nath, R. (2007). Business-to-business e-procurement: success factors and challenges to implementation. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal. Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 104-115. Bartezzaghi, E. and Ronchi, S. (2005). E-sourcing in a buyer-operator-seller perspective: benefits and criticalities. Production Planning and Control. Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 405-412. Cited in Harrigan, P.O., Boyd, M.M., Ramsey, E. and Ibbotson, P. (2008). The development of e-procurement within the ICT manufacturing industry in Ireland. Management Decision. Vol. 46, No. 3, pp. 481-500. Bergman, B. and KlefsjÃÆ' ¶, B. (2003). Quality from Customer Needs to Customer Satisfaction. (2nd edn). Studentlitteratur, Lund. Cited in Bergquist, B., Fredriksson, M. and Svensson, M. (2005). TQM: terrific quality marvel or tragic quality malpractice?. The TQM Magazine. Vol. 17, No. 4, pp. 309-321. Bergquist, B., Fredriksson, M. and Svensson, M. (2005). TQM: terrific quality marvel or tragic quality malpractice?. The TQM Magazine. Vol. 17, No. 4, pp. 309-321. Beskese, A. and Cebeci, U. (2001). Total quality management and ISO 9000 applications in Turkey. The TQM Magazine. Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 69-73. Bloomberg, D., S. LeMay and J. Hanna. (2002). Logistics. Prentice Hall. Cited in Pires, G.D. and Stanton, J. (2005). A research framework for the electronic procurement adoption process: Drawing from Australian evidence. Journal of Global Business and Technology. Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 12-20. Bof, F. and Previtali, P. (2007). Organisational Pre-Conditions for e-Procurement in Governments: the Italian Experience in Public Health Care Sector. The Electronic Journal of e-Government. Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 1-10. Brah, S.A., Tee, S.S.L. and Rao, B.M. (2002). Relationship between TQM and performance of Singapore companies. International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management. Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 356-379. Choudhury, V., Hartzel, K. and Kosynski, B. (1998). Uses and consequences of electronic markets: an empirical investigation in the aircraft

Resistance Of Wire :: Papers

Resistance Of Wire Aim. To find out what happens to the resistance of a wire, when you change the length of the wire. Background Information. A current of electricity is the flow of negatively charged electrons around a circuit. [IMAGE] [IMAGE][IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Close up, the wire and the electrons look like this: [IMAGE] The electrons collide with the atoms as they travel through. We say the atoms 'oppose' the flow of electrons. This is called resistance, and the wire gets hotter. In 1826, Georg Ohm discovered that when a current flows through a metal wire the current and the potential differences are proportional, providing that the temperature remains constant. The resistance of wire can be calculated using: [IMAGE] Variables. Temperatureincreases the resistance as the atoms are getting hotter they are vibrating and moving faster. This makes the atoms and the electrons collide more. Thickness of wire decreases the resistance, as there is more room for the electrons to travel past the atoms. They don't collide as much. Length of wire increases the resistance because the electrons have further to move and more collisions occur. So, if you double the length of wire, you double the resistance. Because the number of atoms and the number of collisions doubles. Type of wireaffects resistance because different types have different atom arrangements. Some have different patterns, and some are arranged so that electrons have an easier path to travel through the atoms. Fair Test. To make the experiment fair, I will make sure that the temperature stays the same flowing through the power pack and wire. I will do this by turning it off and recording my results quickly. In addition, I will make sure that the thickness and the type of wire are the same. I will only change the length of the wire. Prediction. I predict that the resistance will increase because the length of wire

Includes limitations and recommendations for further research Essay

The Chinese banking industry has a prime role to finance the growth of China by adapting global best practices. Banks as HSBC are financing the growth across a wide swathe of people, businesses and nations. The Chinese Banking industry is rapidly adapting to the international financial mechanisms, adopting the best practices of many banking activities such as internet and mobile banking, increased customer focus and bundling of services. Bank of China is providing a high level of service to its customers, which has been so accepted by two thirds of the populace that it has served. However there are number of areas in which there is scope for efficiency and better customer service where low scores in some case of a mere 30 % plus have been indicated which should be a cause of concern for the management and specific areas as indicated by the research need to be addressed. The Bank of China will have to invest greater technological as well as management resources in enhancing its internet banking model to satisfy the customers, provide timely and efficient services. Since large quanta of customers are likely to use the internet in the future, investment in this critical resource will prove to be greatly beneficial to banks. HSBC on the other hand has provided a good model of internet banking which other banks could well emulate. The trend is also to induce customers to go on line and use the communication enabled services on offer including mobile and internet banking. A key facet which is noticeable in HSBCs services is bundling of personal services with travel insurance, travel money and even airport parking all into one large group and providing discounts on all three to varying degrees thereby adding to the convenience of the customer as well as enabling the bank to easily service him. China’s banking sector is set to see two major challenges which will be faced by banks as BOC. The first which would be obvious from the study is the threat of foreign banks such as HSBC which having a better experience of providing customer friendly services and with an ability to introduce innovative products which will be able to attract a large portion of the high value and business clientele in the country. (BOC Global Offering, 2006). This is likely to see greater increase with China’s accession to the WTO. In the beginning of 2007, foreign banks would be conducting commercial banking in foreign currency as well as Renminbi without any limitations of locations. (BOC Global Offering, 2006). The Chinese government is also encouraging the entry of foreign participation in the finance sector, particularly related to automobile financing and also in reform and restructuring of the financial institutions. (BOC Global Offering, 2006). The other challenge identified is the demand for high value products which can enable growth of economy as well as reduce the risk such as investment banking and insurance. The need will also be felt for products relating to asset management. These could also extend support for underwriting during mergers and acquisitions and financing and securitization of projects. (BOC Global Offering, 2006). However as a competitive business entity, HSBC is focusing on the perceived growth areas such as credit cards and it is said to be teaming up with the Chinese Bank of Communications to provide credit cards to the large majority of Chinese who do not own one thereby creating vast business opportunities. (Schuman, 2006). The Bank of China could exploit such a strategy while at the same time fulfilling its social obligations in personal banking for the less privileged. A survey of the issues covered in the research will indicate that the lead banks of China are well set to undertake this challenging task of providing services of a global standard. An increased interaction with global banks as HSBC will prove beneficial for BOC to attain its ends as stated in its vision of a, â€Å"Market-driven, Client-oriented, World-class Financial services institution, a robust corporate governance structure, capable of delivering outstanding performance over a long term. † (About Bank of China,. 2006). There were a number of limitations during this research; first of all, the number of respondents to questionnaires is limited, because it is difficult to collect information from large number of consumers due to constraints of time and resources. Secondly the subject being of a contemporary nature the response of the bank staff is restricted to the stated company policy. As also there is limited research material in terms of reference books on the specific subject, thus there has to be reliance on sources provided by the two banks as well as journals and the internet. This limitation might induce some error in the research, however the researcher insisted on a precise approach, therefore the results of research are reliable. The Chinese banking industry provides a number of areas for further research. Detailed research can be undertaken on the impact of WTO on Chinese banking industry. In addition research on the role of the central bank in China in supporting financial autonomy and greater growth can also be undertaken. Adoption of best practices by other state banks of China could also be another area of study. References 1. About Bank of China. 2006. http://www. bank-of-china. com/en/common/third. jsp? category=ROOT%3Een%3EInformation+Center%3EAbout+BOC%3EAbout+Bank+of+China. ( 22 August 2006). 2. Agent. 2006. http://www. bank-of-china. com/en/common/third. jsp? category=ROOT%3Een%3ECorporate+Banking%3EOther+Services+in+Money+Management%3EAgent+Bank+Business. (23 August 2006). 3. Assurance. 2006. http://www. hsbc.co. uk/1/2/business/insurance. (26 August 2006). 4. Bancassurance, 2006. http://www. bank-of-china. com/en/common/third. jsp? category=1099361248100. (23 August 2006). 5. BOC Global Offering. 2006. 202. 66. 146. 82/listco/hk/boc/prospectus/pro060518. pdf . (26 August 2006). 6. BOCI. 2006. http://www. bank-of-china. com/en/common/third. jsp? category=1099540300100. (25 August 2006). Cantrell, D. C. (n. d. )) Alternative paradigms in environmental education research: The interpretive perspective.

Coca-Cola Essay Essays

Coca-Cola Essay Essays Coca-Cola Essay Essay Coca-Cola Essay Essay COLA-WARS Main Issue: Factors causing the decline in CSDs and Cola Sales: - Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSDs), the foundation of Coca-Cola’s brand is declining, although it still holds the highest market share in comparison to non-CSD beverages. Coca-Cola is at risk of eventually producing a negative return from its CSDs and to be outperformed by non-CSDs, non-carb beverages and bottled water within its own product line, and with its competitors if the current trends persist in the future. A combination of factors have played a role in the CSD downturn, including a significant change in consumer behaviour and perceptions, government regulations, increase in input prices, competitor innovations, financial indicators and production complexities that all contribute to Coca-Cola’s diminishing sales for which will all be examined and discussed in detail throughout the following body. In 1886, Coca-Cola was developed and its bottling network grew rapidly and reached 370 franchises by 1910. Its introduction of a carbonated soda beverage was like no other on the market where demand had a steady incline until the mid-2000s. During this period, the market entered into an economic downturn, sales declined as consumers opted for cheaper alternatives. (#) In addition to a lowered disposable income, there have been growing health concerns about CSDs and proven linkage between obesity and nutrition. The public began to view the ingredients as unnatural and unhealthy, where hazardous concerns about ingredients increase from 40% in 2004 to 53% in 2010. In response, initiatives to discourage purchase involved a 20% tax with the intentions to cut calorie intake from sugary drinks by up to 49% a per a day in the US and the banishment of these drinks on school premises had a negative effect on Coca-Cola’s sales and market share. Coke’s annual report identified obesity and health concerns as the number one risk factor for its business. The health conscious consumer base grew which lead to a significant shift in the market where there is an increase in non-CSDs, fruit drinks and bottled water. Consumption of CSDs maintained a steady incline from the 1970s and peaked in 2000 with 53. 0 to 46. 0 in 2009 and market share went down to 17. 0 from 20. 4 in 2000. Operations ran efficiently where its high speed production lines that was interchangeable only for productions of similar type and packages of similar size. However, with the spike in non-CSDs, production processes had to accommodate expensive modifications for the complicated alternative beverages caused. The finished goods required a smaller but specialized production process that were challenging for bottlers to make with their existing infrastructure. Bottlers became vulnerable as they were not fully participating in the new growth of the business and also being bypassed by Coke in the distribution of their non-CSDs. Also, mass merchandisers that used its size to exert pricing pressures on Coke who only wanted to negotiate marketing and shelving arrangements directly with concentrate makers which are a traditional practice of bottlers that benefited from distributing in exclusive territories. Bottlers incurred higher distribution and sales costs where cost of goods reached 90% of sales, the highest level in more than two decades. Supplier inputs and fierce competition which resulted in pricing discounts becoming the norm which had Coke struggling to maintain its market share. Consumers are now at the point of expecting sales and are less inclined to make purchases at a regular retail price which has keeps Coca-Cola’s margins. In addition, merchandisers who use its power to exert pricing pressure and substantial rebates for major accounts, such as reducing its per unit price to its franchisees to $1. 45 from $6. 20, 23% weighs heavily on Coca-Cola’s sales but it necessary to secure accounts away from its competitors. SWOT Analysis| Coca-Cola| Strengths| * Coke and Pepsi offered â€Å"direct store door† delivery, where sales people secured shelf space, stacking the products, trademark positioning and setting up point of purchase or end of aisles display. * Smaller national brands such as Shasta and Faygo distribute through food store warehouses where * The retailer is responsible for storage, transportation, merchandising and stocking shelves, thereby incurring additional cost * Cola Wars weakened small independent bottlers * Pressure to spend more on advertising, product and packaging proliferation, widespread discounting these factors resulted in higher capital requirements and lower profit margins * Retained deals with Burger King and McDonald’s (the largest national account in terms of sales) * In 2009, New Freestyle soda machine which could create dozens of different kinds of custom beverages (Restaurants had to pay a 30% premium for freestyle compared to regular fountains)| Weaknesses| * Cola Wars weakened small independent bottlers * Production difficulties with non-CSDs * Additional bottling expenses through specialized production processes * Strained relationship with bottlers| Opportunities| * Further international extensions * Product innovation * Bottler process improvement through its consolidation| Threats| * Early 2000s consumption of CSD declined * By 2009, the average American drank 46 gallons of CSDs per year, the lowest since ‘89 * Starting in the late 90s America still dr ank more CSDs, than any other beverage but consumption started to decline * **Health concerns – growing linkage between issues of obesity and nutrition * In 2005, Federal nutrition guidelines identified regular CSDs as the larger source of obesity –causing sugars in the American Diet * Schools throughout the nation banned the sales of soft drinks on their premises * Several states pushed for soda tax on sugary drinks * Government study suggested that a 20% tax could cut the calorie intake from sugary drinks by up to 49 calories a day per person in the US * Tax on sodas became the new measure * Consumers started to view high fructose corn syrup as unnatural and unhealthy * 53% of Americans were concerned that the ingredient posed a health hazard in 2010 compared to 40% in 2004 * ***Coke’s annual report identified obesity and health concerns as the number one risk factor to its business * 80% of sales from international markets-serving over 200 countries * Limited pricing controls| Weighted SKF| | Coca-Cola| Pepsi| Strength Measure| I. M| S. R| Score| S. R| Score| Image/Reputation| . 15| 10| 1. 5| 9| 1. 35| Distribution Capacity| . 25| 10| 2. 5| 10| 2. 5| Financial Resources| . 15| 8| 1. 2| 7| 1. 05| Price| . 15| 6| . 9| 6| . 9| Marketing/Advertising| . 25| 10| 2. 5| 10| 2. 5| Acquisitions/Extensions| . 05| 10| . 5| 10| . 5| Sum of I. M| 1. 00| | Weighted Overall Strength| 54| 9. 1| 52| 8. 75| 1. Image/Reputation Coca-Cola – Market survey on brand loyalty indicate that more consumers preferred Coke over Pepsi as their favorite CSD brands in 2010. * Pepsi – Redesigned its logo in 2008 with a three year rebranding plan that could cost over $1 billion to rejuvenate its image. 2. Distribution Capacity * Coca-Cola Pepsi – Both have around 100 plants for nationwide distribution with the capacity to serve the entire US. 3. Financial Resources * Coca-Cola – Net Profits/Sales: 22% * Pepsi – Net Profits/Sales: 13. 8 % 4. Price * Coca-Cola Pepsi – Both engage in severe price wars to retain customers as their purchasing behaviour indicates no brand loyalty where they seek cheaper alternatives in the economic downturn Mass merchandisers use its power to exert pricing pressures Substantial rebates for corporate accounts 5. Marketing/Advertising * Coca-Cola – Spent 5540 million in marketing support for its top bottlers Patented unique skirt design became an American Icon. Its marketing campaign, â€Å"Real Coca-Cola taste with zero calories† was the most successful product launch that produced double digit growth * Pepsi â€Å"Pepsi Generation† marketing campaign, which targeted the young and â€Å"young at heart. † The campaign helped Pepsi narrow Coke’s lead to a 2-to-1 margin 6. Acquisitions/Expansions * Coca-Cola Pepsi – Both have formed alliances to incorporate their core competencies and expand into foreign markets