Friday, August 30, 2019
Youth Culture And The School Of Rock
The movie School of Rock is a film that revolves around a first class pseudo rockstar and bogus school teacher which Jack Black portrays in the film whose exploits to find a temporary way to earn money took him inside the classroom of a prestigious grade school which he transformed from an avenue of academic learning towards his very own band practice and rehearsal studio, complete with a new set of band mates to replace the ones that dumped him at the early part of the film (Christian Spotlight on Entertainment, 2003). The movie takes a spin on education, and how it is important to teach students not just the sciences, math, history, English, literature, art and current events, but as well as the craft in looking more inwardly and less outwardly. While the seemingly unnoticeable improbable areas of the movie was not sought by most viewers, the poor manner by which the principal hires teachers which proves potent in jeopardizing the schoolââ¬â¢s erstwhile good standing and high esteem is highly improbable considering that the protocol for hiring could have immediately alerted the principal about the fraudulent effort of Black. But because of the effort to justify the point of the creators of School of Rock, viewers are forced to accept the fictional situation Black was into to see how both plot and conflict progresses towards the impending climax of the movie that threads the borderline separating propriety from rebellious attitude, norms and deviance, piety and blasphemy, and the overall outlook of what is right and wrong. I. The extent of the critique that the movie School of Rock provided when it comes to criticizing the existing youth culture as portrayed in the movie can be found in the manner by which that particular age (prep school) was portrayed ââ¬â including all of the noticeable characteristics of the age group the most important of which is compliance and being overly impressionable. Obviously, the aim of the movie is to glorify rock n roll, and one of the most dedicated soldier of rock n roll ââ¬â Jack Black ââ¬â was sent on another mission to educate the modern day heathens of rock n roll by describing children inside prep schools as nothing but geeks, grade-conscious smart alecks, bullies and insecure individuals. That is the main premise of the critique of the movie about the existing youth culture today, but that does not seem to be consistent with the current youth lifestyle. Thanks to technology, music became alive in the digital sphere, and can be accessed more conveniently. Real-world kids with the same age and profile as the kids presented in the movie may have their Ipods on most of the time in between class lessons and at home, their Internet powered computers make them closer to more rock music and rock n roll culture. They listen to rap-metal bands like Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and punk rockers like Avril Lavigne and Green Day. In the age of MTV, they do not just get to listen to their rock idols; they also get to see them even when there are no scheduled concerts. Because of this, the attack of the movie on the existing youth culture and how it is bereft of rock can be merely deduced into something that the movie presumes. Youth culture is generally the result of the influence of the adults that surround a particular youth and influence him or her either by directly shaping the behavior through conscious actions or efforts or as a result of how a particular youthââ¬â¢s subconscious mind reacts to the experience he or she shares with a person, ultimately creating influence in the youthââ¬â¢s mind and the culture to which it responds and reacts to. Most of the parents portrayed in the film are consistently admonishing their kids to focus on studies and make little time for less important things, like playing the musical instrument and later on, listening to rock n roll albums (Sweat, 2008). The movie illustrates the situation of the youth and the adults when it comes to culture building and cultivating ââ¬â the youth are generally in a greater position to be left without any other options or alternatives towards what culture to embrace, and that is why there are those who are subservient to the culture that is introduced to the youth. In the movie School of Rock, the prevailing youth culture among the students is a culture that is characterized by the desire to learn, the desire to please the parents with good grades, the desire to go with the existing school program not generally because they were forced to like it but because they were left with very little choice in the options detailing the culture they may and can embrace, a situation that changed when Black arrived (Christian Spotlight on Entertainment, 2003). Characters like Summer Hathaway illustrate the fact that while being submerged in a culture that leaves very little option for variety, selection and the exercise of free will, that still, there is a very good way of making the most of what is being presented to the individual and come out from that experience a better person. The movie did not indicate that the children have bad parents; it just so happen that they did not know rock n roll in any of its types of forms that made the infusion of rock in their new school life as a totally exciting and new experience. The culture of subservience and the characteristic of the students to adapt is the existing youth culture; rock and roll was not the symbolic youth culture ââ¬â it was the fact that sooner of later a new influence will be introduced to the youth and to the existing culture and this new idea/belief/system will either replace the old culture or assimilate itself to the old culture and create an entirely new and different culture. What happened to the students of School of Rock is the experiencing of the culture change that underwent transformation via the assimilation of a new idea/culture; when they learned how to enjoy rock, the change generally affected the outlook and not the aspects of the student/youthââ¬â¢s life that characterizes the complete taking over of a new culture ââ¬â remember that music is already part of the youth culture embraced by these children in the movie, as portrayed and established early in the film (Christian Spotlight on Entertainment, 2003). They were excellent musicians who were all oddly enough exposed to classical music and a dose of pop music that included Christina Aguilera and Puff Daddy. And more importantly, they did not slack from studying and that the new musical education was showed as something that the parents later on happily integrated to the culture of their children, and it goes to show that music is not the blanket culture but a section of the culture that is generally about malleability in adjusting to the changing times. There are areas in the American youth culture criticism of the movie towards real life situation that is generally done in poor taste, particularly how some of the students were made to represent stereotyped characters in a modern day grade school ââ¬â Lawrence, who was an Asian American student was stereotyped as the Asian geek; Billy was a gay stereotype (note the reference to Lisa Minnelli, another effort at stereotyping), a particular aspect of the movie that was also noticed by individuals making comments about the movie in the Christian Spotlight on Entertainment website. All in all, the extent of the critique included the criticism on the use of extreme rigidity to make students obedient, compliant and disciplined which may not be necessary now since more and more schools are now taking a different approach towards a more liberal take on music as well as of life and how these are integrated in the overall holistic approach towards an improved way of student self development. There was also an area in the criticism of the youth culture via the use of the movie that defeats itself ââ¬â youth culture today is not in need of an out of the box experience to be able to experience pop culture because youth is pop culture, and rock n roll is not a musical elitists anymore that the youth are ignorant about it and the parents of the students are disturbed by the impact of rock n roll to the youth and the assimilation of this type of music to the youth culture. Somehow, the writer and the director of the film made poor research about the drastic change in the personality of rock and how it has crossed towards becoming a mainstream entity that it is today ââ¬â is rock music is indeed something that does not go well with learning and studying, then why is there a product called Multiplication Rock, wherein the lessons in mathematics are taught using rock music? Why are there products like Toddlers Sing Rock N Roll which is being distributed as a for sale items that parents enjoy and even recommend having? Why is the discussion on rock n roll and the links to related articles found in educational and learning support websites like Leeââ¬â¢s Summit? II. The movie, however focused on the rockstar dreams of the character of Jack Black, put a serious statement regarding the perceived ââ¬Ëstiffnessââ¬â¢, strictness and lack in personality found in some of the schools in America. In the movie, it was clear that prior to Blackââ¬â¢s entry to the school system, the students are characterized as compliant to the system, and it was only Black and his effort to teach the kids rock n roll that became the avenue to which the students learned to infuse personal decision and personal direction in how their lives will shape out, and not depend entirely on the system that is designed to make them compliant and obedient members of the society (Christian Spotlight on Entertainment, 2003). Black was trying to teach the kids one of the basic tenets of rock n roll, and that is the characteristic that allows for the constant challenging of the norms, which, according to Black, was an action that is known as ââ¬Ësticking it out to the manââ¬â¢. Rock n roll was the instrument that Black used so that the students were made aware of the fact that it is important to known oneââ¬â¢s self and reconcile oneââ¬â¢s self with the realities in life. The effect manifested itself later on in the movie ââ¬â there were go-getters and self expression was unhampered by the consideration that they should first please other people and consider first their opinion and say. Because of the breaking of the cycle that makes students compliant through the influence of the school system, some members of the class started understanding themselves and making reality check on their mindset. Music was an effective tool because unlike the other aspects of the youth culture imposed and forced upon them, music is not force-fed to them; it was continuously opening new doors that allowed for many personal conflicts and personal problems to be addressed. The character Zack Mooneyham found rock n roll as an effective way for him to express his artistic side by not just covering songs but also by getting the chance to write and play songs which he himself wrote; the character Freddy Jones managed to re-direct his anger and obvious penchant for hostility by becoming a full fledged drummer and percussionist; Tomika managed to overcome her insecurity about her weight problem while the rest of the band's support crew showed marked excellence in their particular assignment during the performance night. This may not be included in the curriculum, but the children are learning different new things in a different way. III. The movie also indicated how much influence school is, not just in providing an avenue wherein the students can harness their economically viable skills which they can use when they grow up and become members of the workforce, it also showed that the experiences of a student inside the school, as well as the culture wherein a student is a part of, are crucial factors in the formation of the cognition and drive of the student towards what he or she wanted to become as a member of the workforce. Brian Falduto's character already knew what he can and cannot do, and the rock project allowed for him to showcase his potential. This was the case of Summer, who was also showing inclination in making the managing of the band a serious business that can lead to a full time career in the future. While these may all be temporary for these fictional characters, the point is that rock n roll gave the students a chance so that they themselves can see what they wanted to do most probably when they grow up, and get a crack at that with a head start this early. The authoritarian conflict that the students are already subjected to even when Black was not even in their lives was mirrored by Blackââ¬â¢s identical authoritarian leadership when he came into the lives of the students, which was in irony about the fact that Blackââ¬â¢s character was all about going against the system and sticking it to the man. But Black nonetheless proved to be the tipping point for the students who, through the short course of time they were together prior to the battle of the bands, were already showing signs of skills and competencies that they may or may not use as part of their professional capacity range once they started their active participation in the work and labor strata. Conclusion ââ¬â It is easily understandable that what Black was hinting on is that the youth culture of today is bereft of the impact and influence of old school rock artists, and it is because of Blackââ¬â¢s puritan outlook that School of Rock has become less and less of an effort to show how music influences lives and instead becoming the one man act of the shoving of Black of a particular type of music from a particular era of rock to kids who are exposed to the rock music of their age and time. Black was worshiping his particular understanding of rock n roll so much that the criticism for youth culture did not have enough legs to stand on ââ¬â it was being attacked by a work of fiction that does not engender musical heterogeneity, which was made obvious during the time when Black showed intolerance to the mere mention of musical artists who are not included in his rock n roll list. Black and his character was a snob, and at the end, he showed how he is not a teacher one bit by showing very poor characteristics and capabilities that is necessary for effective teaching. In retrospect, the movie seemed like a criticism about the lifestyle of rock n roll puritans who cannot and would not go anywhere because of the culture that they imbibe. The kids, it turned out, are all right after all ââ¬â the question is, can they say the same thing for the character of Black in the movie and his own culture? Maybe what needs a serious scrutiny and criticism is the youth culture of people like Blackââ¬â¢s character in the movie. They should stop seeing grade school student as idiots and innocents when it comes to music and perhaps with that, they may be able to provide a more youth culture critique.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Marketing and Online Social Networks
INTRODUCTION Situation Synopsis: Competitors have developed different approaches to attract consumers in the online dating market; some of which have been copying eHarmonyââ¬â¢s product features and using alternative strategies to attract singles. Companyââ¬â¢s Current Strategy: eHarmony uses a focused differentiation strategy. It focuses on singles seeking a serious relationship and long-term compatibility. It distinguished itself from other sites by using a unique matching algorithm. They have also invested substantial resources into marketing and R&D. Problem Statement: eHarmony has opened the door to their competition by declining potential customers as a way to ensure quality control. eHarmony's CEO must decide how to react to imitations of its business model, encroachment by competing models and the rise of free alternatives. ANALYSIS 1. EXTERNAL ANALYSIS 1. General External Environment Demographic: â⬠¢ Age 40 and 50 year olds becoming the fastest growing segment â⬠¢ Age structure: 60% of eHarmony users were women â⬠¢ Members reflect the geographic distribution of the US quite well Legal â⬠¢ Lawsuits for discrimination, etc. â⬠¢ Privacy settings Socio-Cultural: â⬠¢ Average age to get married is increasing â⬠¢ The marriage rate had reached its lowest point in recorded history â⬠¢ Cultural changes and economic factors had a substantial effect on the marriage market â⬠¢ Fluctuating divorce rates â⬠¢ One-fifth of marriages were initiated through online encounters Technological: â⬠¢ Increasingly sophisticated communication and recording technology â⬠¢ R: relationship dynamics, physical attraction, and couples â⬠¢ Must obtain patents for matching systems Global: â⬠¢ Competitors have expanded globally 2. Industry Situation Analysis 1. 2. 1 Industry Structure The online personals industry can be segmented into 4 different categories where the 3 main players; eHarmony, Match, and Yahoo! Personals are represented by the Paid Do-it-yourself category: â⬠¢ Paid Do-it-yourself Sites â⬠¢ Free Do-It-Yourself Sites â⬠¢ Niche Sites â⬠¢ Online Social Networks 1. 2. 2 Industry Direction and Trends Competition is steadily increasing. Many companies within this industry try to develop new approaches in an attempt to divert customers away from market leaders such as eHarmony. Some either put up few barriers to join or allow people to join for free. The industry is expected to rise and perhaps double by 2012. Trends that may be important for this industries future include the following: â⬠¢ Subscribers to these sites tend to be repeat users â⬠¢ 40 to 50 year olds are the fastest growing segment â⬠¢ Marriage rate has reached its lowest point in recorded history â⬠¢ Divorce rates are constantly fluctuating 1. 2. 3 Industry Economics The online personals market grew very slowly, reaching only $40 million in 2001. In 2007, as a result of changing attitudes amongst consumers, the industry increased to $900 million. Observers have predicted that the industry may double in size by 2012. 1. 2. 4 Industry Driving Forces Internet: As the number of people becoming internet savvy increases, so does the number of potential customers for online personals. â⬠¢ Globalization: Some competitors, for instance Match, have already branched out to markets overseas. â⬠¢ Industry Growth Rate: Industry expected to double by 2012. â⬠¢ Who buys & how it is used: Online personals are most popular for middle-aged (40-50) peoples. Used to find potential mates for those seeking various different types of relationships. â⬠¢ Marketing Innovation: ââ¬Å"eHarmony is one of the few online companies that made offline marketing work and pay for itself. Many companies end up spending large quantities on their marketing strategies but do not necessarily acquire more customers. â⬠¢ Changes in Societal Concerns, Attitudes & Lifestyles: More and more people are becoming internet savvy therefore increasing the market potential for online personals. 1. 2. 5 Key Success Factors (See Appendix A) 1. 2. 6 Strategic Groups Map (See Appendix B for Strategic Groups Map) Cost to join and barriers to join an online personal site are the two dimensions which are relevant to a firmsââ¬â¢ performance within this industry. Harmony possesses the highest membership fees in the industry along with particularly high barriers to join. Even their direct competitors; Match and Yahoo! Person als differ from eHarmony in that they have much lower barriers to join as well as lower sign up fees. Most of their indirect competitors are free and have little to no barriers to join. 1. 2. 7 Strategic Issues in the Industry â⬠¢ Industry was plagued by people misrepresenting themselves and putting false personal information â⬠¢ Users are concerned about the privacy of their information â⬠¢ Level of customer dissatisfaction remains high . 2. 8 Opportunities & Threats Opportunities: â⬠¢ This industry will continue to rise in popularity due to increasing usage of computer technology. â⬠¢ Due to it being a more affordable means of match making, people will generally turn to online personals as opposed to other offline services. Convenience also plays a factor. â⬠¢ Increasing their market share, catering to more market segments. (Niche markets). Threats: â⬠¢ Online personals sites with more resources pose a threat to those lacking resources. â⬠¢ Security issues linked with sharing information on online personals. Online dating scams) â⬠¢ Reduction of barriers could also mean expanding globally before other competitors capture foreign market segments. 3. Competitive Situation Analysis 1. 3. 1 Competitive Forces (See Appendix C for analysis). After analyzing Porterââ¬â¢s five forces it is concluded that the online personals industry is attractive. 1. 3. 2 Competitive Approaches â⬠¢ Match: They target individuals looking for ââ¬Å"enduring romanceâ⬠. They have also expanded their markets overseas. â⬠¢ Yahoo! Personals: The types of consumers they target are not specified in the case. Although they have expanded their markets overseas â⬠¢ Online Social Networks: relies on viral process through which friends encourage their friends to join. 1. 3. 3 Competitive Strengths & Weaknesses (See Appendix D) 2. INTERNAL ANALYSIS 2. 1 Company Situation/Resources Analysis (See Appendix E) 2. 2 Operations Analysis: not applicable to this case 2. 3 R Analysis â⬠¢ E-Harmony Labs: In which scientists study different aspects of love (Biological, sociological, and neurological foundations of love) â⬠¢ Scientists continue to do research on physical attraction. They believe that the initial encounter is the crucial in determining the long-term success rate of relationship. â⬠¢ Invested heavily on studies on couples. These studies analyzed how relationships were affected after specific life stages, for example, after a first child is born. 2. 4 Procurement Analysis: not applicable to this case 2. 5 Marketing and Competitive Position â⬠¢ Successful marketing formula: the use of testimonials enabled their offline marketing efforts to pay for itself. â⬠¢ Competitive position: ââ¬Å"matching on the basis of long-term compatibility. â⬠¢ Focus on direct-response marketing and only work with firmââ¬â¢s who truly understand this form of advertising. â⬠¢ They purchase media at lower rates. â⬠¢ Advertise only on national cable networks and avoid broadcast television. (Less costly approach) â⬠¢ ? of budget spend on TV and radio advertising, ? is spent on Internet search and banner ads (expensive). 2. 5 HR Analysis The co mpany grew to 230 employees, half of whom were in customer service. They also employ a team of uniquely positioned research psychologists. 2. 6 Managerial Preferences/Values Analysis The CEO, Greg Waldorf values the exclusivity of the site. â⬠¢ Their customers values long term relationships. 3. APPRAISAL OF STRATEGIC ISSUES 3. 1 Evaluation of Current Strategic Performance 3. 1. 1 Strategic Resources: Tangible â⬠¢ Financial: Ability to generate internal funds: marketing campaign paid for itself within the first week â⬠¢ Borrowing capacity: Received 3 million from an investment firm at start up â⬠¢ Technological: Scientifically produced matching algorithm *** Organizational Resources and Physical Resources do not apply to this case Resources: Intangible â⬠¢ Human resources: knowledgeable team of psychologist â⬠¢ Innovation resource: labs were tasked with studying the biological, sociological, and neurological underpinnings of love â⬠¢ Reputational resources: eHarmonyââ¬â¢s focus on serious relationship resonated well with faith communities Capabilities: â⬠¢ Marketing: Highly successful marketing formula â⬠¢ R: secured a patent for the matching algorithm â⬠¢ Strong vision *** Distribution, Human Resources, Management information systems, Management, and Manufacturing do not apply to this case Core Competencies: Sustainable Competitive Advantage: â⬠¢ Patented matching system and guided communication system â⬠¢ Unique positioning of its team of research psychologists â⬠¢ Successful marketing formula *** Value Chain does not apply to this case 3. 1. 2 Financial â⬠¢ Borrowing capacity: Received $3 million from an investment firm at start up. â⬠¢ Opportunity Cost: Declines to sell memberships to at least one million people annually costing the company an estimated $100 million per year. Break Even: By early 2002 registrations had grown to over 300,000 allowing the firm to break even that year and become cash flow positive the next. â⬠¢ Fixed Costs: Advertising: Marketing expenses reaching as much as $80 million per year, firm profitability depended on efficient customer acquisition 4. FORMULATION AND DISCUSSION OF STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES 4. 1 Option 1: Reduction of Barriers Pros: â⬠¢ Allowing more subscriptions will increase revenues â⬠¢ Cost eff ective â⬠¢ Would tap into niche markets such as the gay and lesbian communities (largest niche market). User satisfaction increase when there are more users â⬠¢ Denies competitors a chance to grow (Chemistry) Cons: â⬠¢ Current members will not be as confident when recommending matches â⬠¢ Less exclusive â⬠¢ Spend money in R: New matching models 4. 2 Option: Broadening Customer base to include casual daters Pros: â⬠¢ Strong point of differentiation: Introducing the matching algorithm to the casual dater segment â⬠¢ Allowing more subscriptions will increase revenues Cons: Undermining its credibility with individuals seeking individuals seeking long-term commitment â⬠¢ Exposure to more competitive rivalry â⬠¢ Spend money in R: New matching models 4. 3 Option 3: Growing a new business based on R Pros: â⬠¢ Greater audience which allows for more subscriptions thus an increase in revenues â⬠¢ Reducing risk of being trampled by competitors by dive rsifying Cons: â⬠¢ Can tarnish eHarmonyââ¬â¢s reputation and name brand â⬠¢ Risky because it may not gain as much as what was anticipated â⬠¢ Growth strategy may not be concrete . 4 Option 4: Rapid Geographic expansion Pros: â⬠¢ Enables them to take control of target segments before their competitors do â⬠¢ Increases their geographic scope which translates to increased revenues Cons: â⬠¢ The matching portfolio may not cater to foreign markets (Different cultures etc. ) â⬠¢ Large investment in R in order to create new algorithms â⬠¢ Must take into account politics, religion, culture 5. STRATEGY RECOMMENDATION Since its inception, the company has declined to sell memberships to at least one million people who sought to become paying customers. As a result, the opportunity cost of this decision has lost the company an estimated $10 million in revenues per year. eHarmony should continue to focus on itââ¬â¢s vision in creating long-term relationships, however while reducing the amount of barriers they have instilled in order to become a member. By reducing their barriers not only will they increase their market share, they will be able to cater to more market segments (niche markets). Reducing their barriers could also involve expanding their services globally before other competitors capture significant foreign market segments. On that note, they can also deny their competitors a chance to grow. This will also satisfy their current users since there will be a greater selection. On the other hand some users may not take well to the idea, but as long as eHarmony maintains some element of control regarding who is accepted the changes may not be noticed. To conclude, we believe the R expense of creating a new algorithm will prove to be a worthy investment. [pic]
The importance of database systems in today's information technology Term Paper
The importance of database systems in today's information technology paradigm - Term Paper Example One must understand that the database systems are deemed as pivotal when one wants to comprehend the real essence behind the Information Technology domains because the database systems echo the need of the Information Technology paradigm that is constantly on the move and brings about changes and amendments within its folds. It is important to define what a database system in reality is. A database system is a terminology that takes into consideration the construction of data models, the database management system (DBMS) and the database itself. The database system is therefore the basis of acquiring data which is valuable, and which shall form the cornerstone of achieving results within the related settings of the Information Technology realms (Anjard, 1994). The database systems therefore collect the data, analyze it from different angles and manifestations, make them available as and when required, present it in sequential, hierarchical and network structures, get embedded within the retrieval and maintenance platforms, are made use of by different software programs and controls, and offers an array of choices to the intended users of the Information Technology as and when needed. ... The database systems are essentially shells which take into perspective a database or even a sequence of the same through which a number of interactions take place with respect to this database itself. The interactions which come about due to the same are catered by most DBMS that exist today and are essentially divided into four significant categories (Rob, 2009). These are the data definition where new structures for a database are defined. Data definition also removes data structures that exist within a database as well as modifies it as and when needed so that the existing data is made use of in a proper way (Kapetis, 1999). The second main category is the data maintenance which inserts new data within the already existent data structures and later on updates the same within these existing data structures. Also the data is deleted from these data structures which are current and manifest complete harmony for the sake of the data maintenance realms. The third main category is the data retrieval which has the essential link of querying existing data through the incorporation of the end users. It also finds out data which could be used by the different application programs and software. The last main category here is that of the data control that has the task of creating and monitoring the users that are present within the database as well as limiting access to certain data within the database and not to forget the monitoring of the performance of the databases in entirety. Since the four main categories are manifesting the data in one way or the other, their individual roles as well as the collective inputs are important for the sake
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Energy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1
Energy - Assignment Example 1. Electrical energy: I use electrical energy originating from the stateââ¬â¢s power house and travelling through power lines to reach my machines. The energy is renewable as the power plants are hydro-electric. In my chosen location, Sumter South Carolina, the most appropriate renewable source of energy is electrical energy. This is because the power house of South Carolina uses water to generate electricity. Water is ample here as there is good water management in this state. Rainwater also accumulates in dams which becomes a good source of electricity. Some people have also implemented solar panels but that is not a good idea as the changing season does not provide ample solar energy all the year. The two inappropriate sources of energy in this location include chemical energy and radiant energy. Chemical energy becomes inappropriate when people burn coal and other fossils for fire and other purposes. This causes pollution, thus making the environment not so green. An alternative is to use heat energy from gas heaters since South Carolina has a number of natural gas providers. Radiant energy, which originates from electromagnetic waves, is inappropriate when people use it to cook or warm food through unnatural means, such as the microwave. People are using microwaves more and more often to cook food, which makes it harmful when the radiant energy of the microwave comes into contact with the food particles over a prolonged period of time. Electrical energy is a safer alternative allowing local people to cook food on stoves. The advent of technology has greatly facilitated the implementation of renewable energy resources. Stapleton (2010, p.178) states that since there are billions of people who do not have access to clean water, sanitation, and modern services that produce affordable energy, the need for renewable energy (RE) technologies will be on its rise in the coming years to cater to the
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
How firms gain competitive advantage in the changing business dynamics Essay
How firms gain competitive advantage in the changing business dynamics - Essay Example The intention of this study is the change management that has increasingly become key element of competitive advantage for the business organizations in the current environment of volatility and rapidly transforming socio-economic and political imperatives. The need to identify the drivers of change and incorporating the same within the business strategies by organizational leadership has become top priority for mot only to succeed but also to survive. The five authors discussed in the paper believe that changes are good for the firms and firms which have flexible approach are better able to absorb changes and surge ahead of others. In the highly competitive market, firms need to leverage their competencies for competitive advantage. The various modules and mechanisms of evaluating and analyzing the performance metrics become highly critical factors for success of the firm. The internal and external exigencies influence the performance of the firms and therefore need to be analyzed, evaluated and exploited for gaining leverage against their rivals in the industry. Indeed, the firms survive or fail in the competitive market mainly because they either unable to anticipate changes in the environment or failed to exploit the opportunities that were offered by the changes to survive and gain competitive edge. The visionary outlook of the leadership and the innovative approach of the firms are vital inputs that facilitate and create opportunities to maintain their niche market position. The paper would primarily be evaluating the works of five authors who have introduced radical concepts in the business strategies to cope with the environmental changes.... The paper would primarily be evaluating the works of five authors who have introduced radical concepts in the business strategies to cope with the environmental changes. Section 1 What is change and how companies cope with changes Change is inevitable and irreversible process that provokes reaction and forces people out of their comfort zone. Most importantly, impact of change becomes most visible when it is viewed adversely. Bateman and Zaithaml (1990) stress that organizations need to change because the environment within which they operate is constantly changing. The organizational leadership therefore becomes the vital ingredient that prepares and motivates people to become flexible. It not only helps them to adopt changes but also to look for opportunities in contextual changes which can be exploited for improving their productivity and outcome. As the following authors assert, changes become enabling factors when they are explored for opportunities. Indeed, the authors have dif ferent perspective on change and change management. Change management has become a critical issue for firms. They emphasize that it helps them to understand, anticipate, evaluate and analyze changes to identify the drivers of change and explore opportunities for exploiting them. They believe that changes are good for the firms and firms which have flexible approach are better able to absorb changes and surge ahead of others. Some of the mechanisms that are evolved to cope with changes are: fostering business alliances; using technology; thinking out of the box; being innovative through new development and R&D; creating learning environment; exploiting human
Monday, August 26, 2019
Johnson Control Capital Investment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Johnson Control Capital Investment - Essay Example Therefore, the company possess huge amount of investment in foreign markets foreign business operations. Theoretically, some traditional and efficient methods are used to evaluate capital investment in domestic as well as emerging foreign markets by businesses. But, capital investment is highly risk associated strategic business activity and the company needs to focus beyond the traditional methods of evaluating capital investments like net present value, internal rate of return, payback period etc. Emerging financial businesses like investment banking and financial research companies offers flawless capital investment solutions to many leading multinational organizations and they follow several advanced methodologies for evaluating proposed capital investment practices by the MNCs especially in emerging markets. The main objective to use beyond the traditional methods is to reduce future risk i.e. these methods helps to identify the maximum extent of risk possibilities and provide a lternative solution to reduce the possible risk in substantial extent. One of the efficient methodologies for evaluating capital investment is Salomon-Smith-Barney Model. This methodology is widespread and efficient method used by leading investment banks to evaluate capital investments especially in the emerging markets for reducing risk of investment. This is one of the most recent developed methodologies for international capital investment and it was developed in 2002 by Zenner and Akaydin for leading US investment bank Salomon Smith Barney (Anson, 2011, p.488). This model is risk adjusted and modified extension of G-CAPM approach of capital valuation. In this methodology, different global factors and are considered with a high importance and regional factors are recommended as useless due to market inefficiency. This model mainly focuses on how risk possible risk can be identified in maximum extent and how it can be minimized. As this methodology is modified extension of G-CAPM approach, therefore, it has focused on key shortcomings of the approach. Having a main objective to reduce risk of foreign investment especially in emerging economy perspective, this methodology has focused on a key fact that emerging markets are not totally harbor specific and integrated restraint and complications which can justify a risk premium. The developer of this methodology added an idiosyncratic risk premium into the G-CAPM approach and extended that approach in a new form with high capability of risk indication and reduction. This methodology has adjusted the country risk premium by the overall risk level of a specific capital investment. Country risk premium is generally referred by many capital investment models as it is unadjusted risk political premium of the target country. This is qualitative measure which might not be real valued and incorporated in a valuation model. But this methodology use sovereign bonds yield spread in place of political risk premium which is based on high approximation and highly overestimates required rate return from the capital investment in foreign markets. Thus, this methodology can adjust the most debated country risk premium that can be depending on cash flow from highly risky projects or investments and different individual risk characteristics of specific projects with full premium. Answer 2 Inflation has significant impact on capital investment. Johnson Control has substantial investment in one of the leading Asian emerging
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Scanning the Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Scanning the Environment - Essay Example ote focuses on demographics and socio-cultural trends, advertising, strategy and image for the previously mentioned retailers and the strategy that a competitor should adopt. Retailing of grocery items has been a competitive business for some time because a number of large retail chains, online stores and retail shops compete within the market. This means that it is important to try to position the retail brand right so that a maximum attraction for the grocery retail segments within the consumers is possible (Reynolds, 2004, Pp. 12 ââ¬â 18). Brands tell a lot about price and this means that positioning brands to attract a certain type of customer to maximize profit is important in grocery retailing. Demographic trends for the US consumer suggests that the average consumer is more health and money conscious as a result of the prevailing economic uncertainty and they are only willing to pay a little extra for better fresh fruits and vegetables, food brands (Cook, 2008, Slides 1 ââ¬â 25). However, quality and price are the most important considerations in selection of grocery items, but pesticide free items are only second in preference to fresh gr ocery items. Thus, organic products are second only to fresh quality products. In addition, the proportion of non ââ¬â Hispanic Whites as a proportion of the total consumer is declining compared to an increase in the Hispanics and the Asians. Thus, retailers must consider the previously mentioned trends in efforts to position their retail brands. Aldi, the global grocery retailer has tried to benefit from the willingness of the consumer to pay a little more for quality in positioning its brand (Aldi, 2009, ââ¬Å"Grocery Selectionsâ⬠). However, Amazon Grocery appears to have tried to lure the customer by offering established middle-of-the range brands with an emphasis on saving for quality and a concern for the Asian and Hispanic consumers. However, both of the previously mentioned chains emphasize value for money. Although
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)