Bureaucracy Definition, Examples, Pros and Cons

A bureaucracy is any organization composed of multiple departments, each with policy- and decision-making authority. Bureaucracy is all around us, from government agencies to offices to schools, so its important to know how bureaucracies work, what real-world bureaucracies look like, and the pros and cons of bureaucracy. Essential Characteristics of a Bureaucracy Complex multi-level administrative hierarchyDepartmental specializationStrict division of authorityStandard set of formal rules or operating procedures Bureaucracy Definition A bureaucracy is an organization, whether publicly or privately owned, made up of several policymaking departments or units. People who work in bureaucracies are informally known as bureaucrats. While the hierarchical administrative structure of many governments is perhaps the most common example of a bureaucracy, the term can also describe the administrative structure of private-sector businesses or other non-governmental organizations, such as colleges and hospitals. Examples of Bureaucracy Examples of bureaucracies can be found everywhere. State departments of motor vehicles, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), financial lending organizations like savings and loans, and insurance companies are all bureaucracies that many people deal with regularly.   In the U.S. government’s federal bureaucracy, appointed bureaucrats create rules and regulations needed to efficiently and consistently implement and enforce the laws and policies made by the elected officials. All of the approximately 2,000 federal government agencies, divisions, departments, and commissions are examples of bureaucracies. The most visible of those bureaucracies include the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Veterans Benefits Administration. Pros and Cons In an ideal bureaucracy, the principles and processes are based on rational, clearly-understood rules, and they are applied in a manner that is never influenced by interpersonal relationships or political alliances. However, in practice, bureaucracies often fail to achieve this ideal. Thus, its important to consider the pros and cons of bureaucracy in the real world. The hierarchical structure of bureaucracy ensures that the bureaucrats who administer the rules and regulations have clearly-defined tasks. This clear chain of command allows management to closely monitor the organization’s performance and deal effectively with problems when they arise. The impersonal nature of bureaucracy is often criticized, but this coldness is by design. Applying rules and policies strictly and consistently reduce the chances that some people will receive more favorable treatment than others. By remaining impersonal, the bureaucracy can help to ensure that all people are treated fairly, without friendships or political affiliations influencing the bureaucrats who are making the decisions. Bureaucracies tend to demand employees with specialized educational backgrounds and expertise related to the agencies or departments to which they are assigned. Along with ongoing training, this expertise helps to ensure that the bureaucrats are able to carry out their tasks consistently and effectively. In addition, advocates of bureaucracy argue that bureaucrats tend to have higher levels of education and personal responsibility when compared to non†bureaucrats. While government bureaucrats do not make the policies and rules they implement, they nevertheless play an integral part in the rule-making process by providing essential data, feedback, and information to the elected lawmakers. Due to their rigid rules and procedures, bureaucracies are often slow to respond to unexpected situations and slow to adapt to changing social conditions. In addition, when left with no latitude to deviate from the rules, frustrated employees can become defensive and indifferent to the needs of the people who deal with them. The hierarchical structure of bureaucracies can lead to internal â€Å"empire-building.† Department supervisors may add unnecessary subordinates, whether through poor decision-making or in order to build their own power and status. Redundant and non-essential employees quickly reduce the organization’s productivity and efficiency. Absent of adequate oversight, bureaucrats with decision-making power could solicit and accept bribes in return for their assistance. In particular, high-level bureaucrats can misuse the power of their positions to further their personal interests. Bureaucracies (especially government bureaucracies) are known to generate a lot of red tape. This refers to lengthy official processes that involve submitting numerous forms or documents with many specific requirements. Critics argue that these processes slow down the bureaucracys ability to provide a service to the public while also costing taxpayers money and time. Theories Since the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, sociologists, humorists, and politicians have developed theories (both supportive and critical) of bureaucracy and bureaucrats. Considered the architect of modern sociology, German sociologist Max Weber recommended bureaucracy as the best way for large organizations to maintain order and maximize efficiency. In his 1922 book â€Å"Economy and Society,† Weber argued that bureaucracy’s hierarchal structure and consistent processes represented the ideal way to organize all human activity. Weber also defined the essential characteristics of modern bureaucracy as follows: A hierarchical chain of command in which the top bureaucrat has ultimate authority.A distinct division of labor with each worker doing a specific job.A clearly defined and understood set of organizational goals.A clearly-written set of formal rules, which all employees agree to follow.Job performance is judged by worker productivity.Promotion is merit-based. Weber warned that, if not properly controlled, bureaucracy could threaten individual freedom, locking people in a rules-based â€Å"iron cage† of control. Parkinson’s Law is the semi-satirical adage that all â€Å"work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.† Often applied to the expansion of an organization’s bureaucracy, the â€Å"law† is based on chemistry’s Ideal Gas Law, which states that gas will expand to fill the volume available. British humorist Cyril Northcote Parkinson wrote about Parkinson’s Law in 1955, based on his years of experience in the British Civil Service.  Parkinson described two factors that cause all bureaucracies to grow as an official wants to multiply subordinates, not rivals† and â€Å"officials make work for each other.† Parkinson also offered the tongue-in-cheek observation that the number of employees in the British Civil Service increases by five to seven percent per year â€Å"irrespective of any variation in the amount of work (if any) to be done.† Named for Canadian educator and self-proclaimed â€Å"hierarchiologist† Laurence J. Peter, the Peter principle states that in a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence.† According to this principle, an employee who is competent at their job will be promoted to a higher-level job that requires different skills and knowledge. If they are competent at the new job, they will be promoted again, and so on. However, at some point, the employee may be promoted to a position for which they lack the necessary specialized skills and knowledge. Once they have reached their personal level of incompetence, the employee will no longer be promoted; instead, he or she will remain in their level of incompetence for the remainder of their career. Based on this principle, Peter’s Corollary states that in time, every post tends to be occupied by an employee who is incompetent to carry out its duties.† Before he became a U.S. President, Woodrow Wilson was a professor. In his 1887 essay â€Å"The Study of Administration,† Wilson wrote that bureaucracy created a purely professional environment â€Å"devoid of allegiance to fleeting politics.† He argued that the bureaucracys rule-based impersonality made it the ideal model for government agencies and that the very nature of a bureaucrats job enables bureaucrats to remain insulated from outside, politically-biased influence. In his 1957 work â€Å"Social Theory and Social Structure,† American sociologist Robert K. Merton criticized earlier theories of bureaucracy. He argued that â€Å"trained incapacity† resulting from â€Å"over conformity† eventually causes many bureaucracies to become dysfunctional. He also reasoned that bureaucrats are more likely to put their own interests and needs ahead of those that would benefit the organization. Further, Merton feared that because bureaucrats are required to ignore special circumstances in applying rules, they may become â€Å"arrogant† and â€Å"haughty† when dealing with the public. Sources Merton, Robert K. Social Theory and Social Structure. Enlarged Ed Edition, Free Press, August 1, 1968. ï » ¿Parkinsons Law. The Economist, November 19, 1955. Peter principle. Business Dictionary, WebFinance Inc., 2019. Weber, Max. Economy and Society. Volume 1, Guenther Roth (Editor), Claus Wittich (Editor), First Edition, University of California Press, October 2013. Wilson, Woodrow. The Study of Administration. Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 2, JSTOR, December 29, 2010.

Cosmetic Surgery Is It Truly A Cure-All. It Is No Secret

Cosmetic Surgery: Is it Truly a Cure-all? It is no secret that the world operates adhering to strict and unrealistic beauty standards. Rather than embrace everyone for their individuality and uniqueness, society shuns those who do not fit to the ideal, forcing pressure and negative self-images on people. In order to conform to these set standards, people take drastic and life changing measures to alter their appearance, which comes in the form of plastic surgery. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, cosmetic plastic surgery is defined as â€Å"surgical and nonsurgical procedures that enhance and reshape structures of the body† (American Society of Plastic Surgeons 2017). The issue is, is there actually a benefit to undergoing†¦show more content†¦The point to remember it that it is still, in fact, a surgery, so there are numerous risks involved in undergoing one of these procedures, no matter how â€Å"safe† they seem. One of the base factors is that there are many ways in which the procedure can go wrong, and in the end there is nothing that can be done. For starters, there are many plastic surgeons currently practicing, the largest number in the United States with 6,500 alone, followed by Brazil with 5,500 and China with 2,800 (ISAPS). With this comes a vast pool of surgeons to choose from when going in for a procedure, yet it also leaves people vulnerable to ending up with one whose skills are not up to par, considering there are many non-board-certified surgeons as well and board-certified. This discrepancy results in a higher risk of a botched job. If the surgery does come out cleanly, however, there is still the actual healing process with which to deal with. Consequently, depending on which surgery is being performed, the complete healing process can take up to â€Å"a year or more† (Plastic Surgery Schools) to fully finish. In this time, there is mass amounts of pain that a person has to endure, as well as limitations on daily life that hinder every day routine. The bruising and swelling is prominent and leaves the body tender to the touch so every movement is more delicate and cautious. The risk does not end at botched jobs and pain endurance though, because there is also the greatest risk of allShow MoreRelatedEssay on Humas Overcoming Nature1487 Words   |  6 Pagesuntil the sixteenth century, people believed that God could explain all actions. In general, science did not really exist. People simply looked to the Bible for reassurance about then unexplainable phenomenon. With the development of a scientific method and the industrial revolution, people began to recognize reason in their world through science. In the present day, the general public in their quest to discover all of natures secrets depends on science and its reason. 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Personal Story Free Essays

Daniel Roomer PDP. 7 â€Å"Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive and if he or she does not do it, It will never be done. † Benjamin E Mays. We will write a custom essay sample on Personal Story or any similar topic only for you Order Now This is the essence of this whole story. The understanding of such a philosophy eluded me as did it many people of my age at the time; some are not introduced to this concept until they are far into their adulthood. I had been born and raised Into a Christian household with no real father figure for most of my life, although I saw him frequently he was never around enough to really raise me maybe a few bits and pieces of advice and teachings. The real parenting came from my sister mother and grandmother. My mother had a lot of work to do considering she was a lone parent of two and had my Grandmother come live with us from Nicaragua (Central America) a few years prior to my birth and could barely pronounce â€Å"hello†. Because of my mother’s long work hours I didn’t see her much and the Job of a nurturing loving mother really fell upon my Grandma. Now this doesn’t mean my mom didn’t love me or TLD show It she Just wasn’t as present as my grandmother was because my grandma didn’t work and took care of me all day. For thirteen years f my life I was shown love and care by this Incredible woman. Like I said before I grew up in a Christian house hold and my grandmother, mother and sister all had a pretty good understanding and very inclined spirituality so they took it upon themselves to teach me who God was and why he was important and so Important to our everyday lives. I had never questioned what they taught me I just received and didn’t think much of It. I was a typical church boy, going to church listening to what the teachers In Sunday school had to say, waking up every morning at eight to get ready, try to live by hat was taught to me etc. Etc. It was never really hard Just do as you were told and keep your mouth shut so it can all be over quicker. Granted I never consciously thought this way but as a child you know you Just want to live In the moment. As you start to reach the age where life starts to show it’s struggles and now it’s not mommy and daddy making the dec isions as much for you, you begin to put forth the things you have learned over the course of you relatively short existence so far. For me that began at about 11 or 12 years old. I began to be a little preacher showing there kids who God was and why he was important just like my family had shown me and considering that I read the bible on my own I had a level of wisdom about the bible, life, history and in general Just overall that most kids didn’t possess at my age. In my seventh grade year when I was 12 my grandmother had become very weak. She wasn’t the once strong, fun, larger than life grandmother that I was used to having around. Although I knew so much I still wanted to preserve the innocence of a child and expected this to be like all the cartoons I had grown up watching; where nothing ever bad truly happened to the good guys and those around him. I visited my grandmother in the hospital on a regular basis and I began to see how real this situation had become in my life. My grandmother showed misery and sadness in her eyes whenever she had to be seen in her pitiful state, she was skinnier than she had ever been in her life, and was completely drained of the energy she once had. The visits continued for a few months and she had undergone two surgeries. I had now learned what cancer was and what this evil was doing to my grandmother. I was 13 now and one morning during school it hit me that my ornamented wasn’t going to make it I had flashbacks of some of the happiest memories I could think of with her. That same day when walking home I saw my sisters, moms, and dads car in the front yard and I thought nothing of it. As I walked into the house I noticed solemn, saddened faces. My father sat me down on my mother’s bed and looked me directly in my eyes and told me that my grandmother didn’t make it. It didn’t take long for the tears to stream down my face and then began wailing frantically as if one of my appendages had been ripped from my body. The news didn’t bode well and my grades slipped drastically. I was a vessel of grief wearing fake smiles and laughs Just to avoid anyone asking me what was wrong and the images of my grandmother would rush back to fill my mind. It was at this point where I came to question everything I was ever taught about this God my family, friends, and teachers were so fond of. , the product of my families teachings was now shattered left to rebuild myself how I saw fit. I had always known what the people around me wanted me to follow or what they wanted me to be and in return I blindly followed what they said. Predestined by birth to fulfill what they anted me to do. I wondered, was everything they told me Just crap? Is there really a God who sent his son to die for me so the inhabitants on this earth could be saved? Do I really want t o do what I’m doing now? If there is such a God why would he take away my source of love? All these questions and more filled my head and now I would search what I would truly follow and what I would do with myself. I started to do my research on religion and other belief systems. I researched many western eastern belief systems, their history, stories, purposes, etc. Etc. Hopefully ending something that would explain why my grandmother died, what happened to her and why did it have to happen to me now. Nothing was helping if anything it made me angrier and resentful toward these principles god’s or god these people impossible to actually fulfill as a human being. My impatience grew and months and months of studying brought no results. My grandma died and there was no positive showing itself from it. After a while it Just seemed as if there was no hope, that crap like this Just happens for no reason and no benefit comes from living life with the fear of this God. Religion throughout history only seemed to result in the demise of man and was a tool of destruction used by those in power. After a few more weeks passed by I recalled the many times I would see my grandmother writing notes in her bible and notebooks, watching preaching’s on T. V. And always seeming to enjoy her time this way. To me it seemed strange that it brought so much Joy to my Grandmother to do these things I wondered if it was because she never found out she was being lied to or that she had seen something I had failed to find. I continued my studies but this time on Christianity. I had taken the time to study it through the historical aspect and the perspectives of many and had concluded that it was a broken philosophy but now I would try a different approach. I took my grandmother’s bilingual bible and began to read it and study it this time and use her example of what she did with it. During this time my identity began to take form and the pieces were reassembling to make something new. I learned from the stories and teachings of this book combined with the historical knowledge I had of this bible, I could see how a lot of it made sense. It still didn’t get e exactly what I needed but it was a start. I still wondered, why a God who did such wonderful things would allow for me to lose someone so essential in my life. I continued onward and started catching onto a very important theme, the relief from suffering. Soon combined with other themes I had learned in the bible it finally hit me. I was a selfish Jerk who failed to realize what was going on cause I was too busy worrying for myself. This God truly loved my grandmother more than I ever did. She had been suffering for so long with so much pain and I still wanted her to be around. I had never Hough that she had gone to heaven to rest and to leave the pain of humanity behind. I found how religion was a manmade tool and that my grandmother had never followed a religion but she followed a God willing to die for her on the cross. Man and God can never mix and the guy who can tell me what’s going on in the world 2000 + years before my existence is the guy I should be following. I had come to grips with why my grandma died when she did. I was old enough to make my own decisions and wise enough to execute to decisions. With all the knowledge I had learned I finally could have a better understanding of those around me and What God wants me to do with those around me. Although my grandma died her love for me did not and it would guide me and show me how to share the love she demonstrated to me with other people. God never left me, he had his own way to In the end I had made my own identity and now could fulfill my own unique purpose in the world the only thing left was for me to decide to do it. I have chosen to do so and my something unique I was born to do is now coming to fruition. The struggles that come in life always serve a purpose no matter how painful. The choice is yours to allow it to hinder or you or push you forward. How to cite Personal Story, Papers

Management SWOT Analysis

Question: Discuss about the case study Management for SWOT Analysis. Answer: Introduction Basically, for this research paper, Air New Zealand is selected as organization that is one of the major and leading domestic as well as international airline company providing transport and air passenger service within various nations including United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, North America, Asia, South West Pacific etc. Additionally, in the context of this research paper, different strategic management tools including PESTLE, Porters five force model, value chain analysis, SWOT analysis is conducted in order to analyze and evaluate the strategic position of Air New Zealands organization. On the other hand, in this research paper strategic options are would evaluate to meet its objectives. External Environment Analysis In this section of the research paper, the external environment for the Air New Zeeland would be analyzed to know the external factors affecting the success of the organization. PESTLE: It is an essential tool that aides in investigating the political, economic, lawful, social, technological, and ecological components influencing the accomplishment of Air New Zeeland in the business. Political: The political dependability in New Zeeland is entirely high that plays a considerable role in order to build up supportive as well as consistent policies and guidelines for Airline industry. Along with this, the supportive political environment is cooperative to Air New Zeeland in order to keep up flow in operations as a result of fair competition, and tax policies as well as trade tariffs (Capon Hulbert, 2007). Economic: Recent monetary downturn at worldwide level has decreased the execution of a few organizations in the New Zeeland market. Ineffectualness of organization's business operations has incredibly lessened their liquidity, riches money related execution straightforwardly. In any case, GDP of New Zeeland had enhanced from the most recent three years and it expands the obtaining influence of clients that can build the interest of aircraft administration (Dobson, Starkey, and Richards, 2009). Socio-cultural: It is momentous for the Airline firms to think about way of life, and social as well as cultural qualities in business sector in order to meet up the needs of patrons. in addition to this, diverse social along with cultural aspects for example, way of life, education as well as pay level, cultures, convictions, and so forth significantly affect inclinations of clients that may have an impact on the accomplishment of Air New Zeeland in the business (Carayannis, 2010). Technological: By utilizing propelled advances, and information systems, Air New Zeeland can expand the client encounter and get development its administrations. However, at the same time, with a specific end goal to manage these technologies, there is need of skilled and practiced personnel that can spread out the expenditure of business operations of Air New Zeeland and decrease productivity (Drummond, Ensor, and Ashfor, 2007). Ecological: At the present time, environmental forces of a company are evaluated by various associates, for instance, government, patrons, suppliers, and also local group. In any case, the organization has received a few supportability practices and CSR practices to conquer the issues. Legitimate: After current money related downturn, the legislature of New Zeeland has executed strict standards as well as directions in diverse commercial ventures in order to manage different business activities of businesses. Along with this, legislative environment of nation is a bit strict and also involve momentous rules as well as regulation in order to control business activities in a systematic way. In this way, lawful variables may influence the accomplishment of Air New Zeeland in the business sector (Boone, and Kurtz, D.L, 2011). Porters 5 Forces: Porters five forces analysis firm strategic performance that is indicated requirement of changes in strategy for long-term business profitability. Moreover, Porter 5-forces apply in this paper to discover strategic changes effectiveness of Air New Zeeland (Evans, Richardson, 2007). Rivalry among Competitors (High/ intense): The competition in the airline business is too high because of several reasons. For case, the main reason is that, at present the business is very active. Moreover, the business is in its mature stage in current. Along with this, in this industry, the number of competitors will remain the same in the long run. The profits are too high in this industry. So, business wants to stay in business for the long time period (Hill, Jones, 2012). Threat of new entrants (Low-Moderate): Threat of new participants is low for the airline business. Along with this, there are two aspects that may lift up the threat level for the industry. First of all, there is very low switching costs and the second one is that there are no exclusive products as well as services in this industry. In spite of these two major aspects, the airline industry has low threat on the whole (Analoui, and Karami, 2003). Bargaining power of suppliers (High): Airplane manufactures are the major supplier in the airline industry. The bargaining power of suppliers is high in this industry. Airline companies look like to separate with facilities. Along with this, airline companies have long-term agreements with their suppliers; and they cannot switch to other suppliers easily. Bargaining Power of Buyers (High): There is low haggling force of extravagance purchasers on the grounds that couple accessibility of rebates for extravagance products and negligible advancements by the organizations (Kim, Song, and Kim, 2009). Threat of substitutes (Moderate): The airline industry has a medium substitute threat level. The main reason behind it is that there are numerous substitutes available in this industry. Along with this, patrons can opt for different form of transportation for instance train, an auto, bus, car, and so on to arrive at their end. But, the cost of transport may be a reason to switch in the industry (Faarup, 2010). Internal Audit In this section of the research paper, value chain analysis is conducted for the company to analyze both intangible, tangible assets with regards to kills/competencies. Moreover, a clear understanding of the financial situation and core competences and competitive advantage would be developed by using value chain analysis. Value Cain Analysis: Value chain is a strategic mechanism of internal investigation that is utilized to break down the adequacy of different essential exercises and steady exercises to get upper hand in the business sector. Value chain is broadly connected key apparatuses by associations to recognize their quality and shortcoming of worth chain. Value chain identifies with the majority of the capacities that are vital for conveying the items or administrations to the clients in the business sector. Value chain Analysis can be characterized as a critical and thorough procedure that assumes a key part to perceive the essential and also bolster exercises of a business association. Likewise, this investigation is additionally utilized by the association as a part of request to add the quality to the last results of the association. It likewise manages distinctive exercises that are more useful for the association to decrease cost and expand separation of the items in a powerful and legitimate way (Kliatchko, 2005). These exercises are clarified as beneath: Primary Activities: The Primary activities of value chain analysis are associated with the physical creation, sale, and maintenance as well as support of a product or service. These primary exercises include: Inbound logistics: Air New Zeeland inbounds logistics operations are mind boggling and include the convenient conveyance of armada of planes, cooking items and an extensive variety of other on-load up items. The need to guarantee the freshness of sustenances and beverages served amid the flights further convolutes Air New Zeeland inbounds logistics essential exercises. Operations: Generally, operations stage consists of arranging products as well as services to be sold to patrons. As the New Zeeland's biggest universal planned carrier, Air New Zeeland flies all around to more than 250 destinations. Consequently, the extent of its business operations is broad. Air New Zeeland Airways has a scale of upper hands in operations part of the business all the way through providing its clients enlarged security for their belongings, offering fast check-in services and recommending a number of services for instance ticket bookings as well as online booking of other services. Also, an abnormal state of customization of administration arrangement and a broad usage of advanced advances in an extensive variety of business procedures speak to strong hotspots for extra esteem for Air New Zeeland (Amason, 2010). Outbound logistics: These exercises disseminate the items and administrations to the client. Outbound logistics includes sending prepared items to clients for utilization. Air New Zeeland flies to airplane terminals in various nations overall including United Kingdom, North America, Australia, Asia, and South West Pacific. The aircraft determines esteem in outbound logistics essential operations through proficient treatment of things in the purpose of destination and using a propelled data and correspondence frameworks (Munizzo, and Musial, 2010). Marketing sales: These exercises elevate the clients to buy the items/administrations of a particular firm as look at its rivals. Air New Zeeland advertising methodology is coordinated at the correspondence of the promoting message to the objective client fragment. The showcasing message endeavors to relate the Air New Zeeland brand with effectiveness, unwavering quality, security and comfort (Pride, Hughes, and Kapoor, 2014). Service: These activities assume an imperative part to keep up the estimation of the items and in addition administrations in the psyches of the clients. Air New Zeeland focuses on money related interests in a methodical way with a specific end goal to upgrade the different parts of its administration arrangement (Aaker, Kumar, and Day, 2008). Support Activities: The support activities bolster the elements of the essential exercises in a proper way. These Support exercises includes Procurement: These activities are the securing of inputs and assets for the firm. Human asset administration: These exercises are connected with the selecting, procuring, preparing, improvement, and so on of the representatives (Punj and Moon, 2002). Technological development: These exercises include research and advancement, mechanization process and other imperative innovations that backing the quality chain exercises in a compelling way. Infrastructure: This includes money, quality administration, authoritative and legitimate exercises to accomplish the focused exercises appropriately. Summary of Analysis SWOT Analysis: Summary of key issues and justification of internal and external analysis using Strategic Tool SWOT analysis: Strengths Weaknesses Strong competition from foreign players and LCCs Increasing Fuel cost Increasing labor cost Technological problem Tax changes Price changes Increasing rates of interest Brand mindfulness and number of destinations are lesser contrasted with worldwide mammoth Restricted operations and piece of the pie because of overwhelming rivalry Less efficiency Little specialty units Aggressive business sector Absence of interests in innovative work Opportunities Threats Vital organization together with Qantans will reinforce its position in the business Chances to make a solid brand picture Developing economy Development rates and gainfulness New acquisitions New products as well as services Pay level is at a consistent raise Solid rivalry from remote players and LCCs Expanding Fuel cost Expanding work cost Mechanical issue Tax changes Value changes Rising rates of interest Developing rivalry and lower productivity (Air New Zeeland. 2016) Strategic Options Justification There are several strategic options are available for the Air New Zeeland Airline that must be used by the company to improve its position in the industry. Option: 1 Develop new products for new market segments Option: 2 Improve Market share and strategic Position by using innovative strategies Among these two, the company should adopt the strategic option second. As indicated by this, the organization ought to receive cost authority procedure with a specific end goal to improve the level of piece of the overall industry and create more income. For instance, with the compelling utilization of this technique, the organization would have the capacity to get different critical upper hands in the business over its compotators. Then again, the organization ought to likewise concentrate on fulfilling the necessities and needs of clients by offering them amazing, quality and exceptional administrations at the most ideal expense. For instance, the organization ought to have built up a solid client base of illustrious client by giving quality administration at the lower cost in the business sector. This vital alternative would help the association in creating more deal, income and productivity in a powerful and appropriate way. In addition, in today's globalized business era, the organization must embrace Ansoff network as a development procedure that attention on various parts of business operations (Reynolds, and Lancaste, 2013). This key choice would help the organization to break down, assess and get the development open doors in the different business ranges. These are talked about as beneath: Market Penetration (Protect/Build): By embracing and considering this development system, Air New Zeeland ought to concentrate on enhancing its promoting methodologies and endeavors viably. For instance, the organization ought to lead inventive and dynamic promoting/publicizing program, dedication program, growing administrations (Aaker, Kumar and Day, 2008).. Product Development: according to this procedure, the organization tries to present new carrier administrations in the business to draw in the clients. Diversification: Today, Air New Zeeland ought to be centered on enhancement to go into the new aircraft market Conclusion On the basis of above discussion, it can be accomplished that, it is essential for business organizations to analyze both internal as well as external business situation by using strategic tools in order to achieve competitive advantages and to improve market share in the marketplace in an effective and a more comprehensive manner. References Aaker, D.A., Kumar, V. Day, G.S. (2008). Marketing Research (9th ed). India: Wiley-India. Air New Zeeland. (2016). About Us. Retrieved From: https://www.airnewzealand.com/ Amason, A. (2010). Strategic Management: From Theory to Practice. UK: Taylor Francis. Analoui, F. Karami, A. (2003). Strategic Management in Small and Medium Enterprises. USA: Cengage Learning EMEA. Boone, L.E. and Kurtz, D.L. (2011). Contemporary Business. (ed.). UK: John Wiley and Sons. Capon, N. Hulbert, J. M. (2007). Managing Marketing in the 21st Century: Developing and Implementing the Market Strategy. Wessex Publishing. Carayannis, E. (2010). Strategic Management of Technological Learning. USA: CRC Press. Dobson, P.W., Starkey, K. Richards, J. (2009). Strategic Management: Issues and Cases (2nd ed.). UK: John Wiley Sons. Drummond, G., Ensor, J. Ashfor, R. (2007). Strategic Marketing. UK: Routledge. Evans, C. Richardson, M. (2007). Strategy in Action Assessing the Environment. British Journal of Administrative Management, 60, 1-3. Faarup, P.K. (2010). The Marketing Framework. USA: Academica. Hill, C. Jones, G. (2012). Strategic Management: An Integrated Approach. USA: Cengage Learning. Kim, Y.A., Song, H.S. Kim, S.H. (2009). A new marketing strategy map for direct marketing. Knowledge-Based Systems, 22 (5), 327-335. Kliatchko, J. (2005). Towards a new definition of Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC). International Journal of Advertising, 24(1), 7-34. Mason, R. B. (2007). The external environments effect on management and strategy: A complexity theory approach. Management Decision, 45(1), 10-28. Munizzo, M.A. Musial, L.V. (2010). General Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use. USA: Cengage Learning, Pride, W., Hughes, R. Kapoor, J. (2014). Foundations of Business (4th ed.). USA: Cengage Learning. Punj, G. Moon, J. (2002). Positioning options for achieving brand association: a psychological categorization framework. Journal of Business Research, 55(4), 275-283. Reynolds, P. Lancaste, G. (2013). Marketing. NY: Routledge

Manyoshu and Kokinshu Interpretive Essay Essay Example

Manyoshu and Kokinshu Interpretive Essay Paper In his famous Kana Preface to the Kokinshu, Ki no Tsurayuki, one of the editors of the anthology, introduces the aesthetic value and core functions of Japanese poetry. As the seed that grows into a flower, Japanese songs, or waka, take human heart and flourish as myriad leaves of words. (Shirane 148) As the master poet, Tsurayuki advises his successors to appreciate the beauty of life, rather than understanding it. One of the functions of waka, Tsurayuki asserts, lies in consoling the hearts of the departed and the living, as the beauty of the song has the mysterious power to assuage even the troubled souls of fierce warriors. Despite the lexical parsimony of waka, the master poets of ancient Japan have honored this legacy and strived to bestow poetic beauty even upon the topic of death. In the Manyoshu and Kokinshu, parting with the loved ones is juxtaposed with mysterious cycles of nature to mediate the emotional burden of loss. Nonetheless, the poeticization of death in two anthologies contrasts in poetic deliverance as well as in narrative structure, as the Manyoshu poet focuses on the poetic deliverance of the protagonist’s emotions, while the Kokishu poem respectively focuses on the transience and emptiness of life. The poeticization of death in Manyoshu is characterized by the protagonist’s emotional confession of continued longing and inability to let go the departed. Upon his wife’s death, the master poet Kakinomoto no Hitomaro composes the following poem, â€Å"crying tears of blood in his grief.† After recollecting his nostalgic romance with his wife in the openning lines, Hitomaro sings, Like the sky-crossing sun sets in the evening We will write a custom essay sample on Manyoshu and Kokinshu Interpretive Essay specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Manyoshu and Kokinshu Interpretive Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Manyoshu and Kokinshu Interpretive Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Like the light of the moon is obscured by the clouds, My girl, who like the deep seaweed had slept beside me, Had passed away like the autumn leaves†¦ †¦and all I could do was call out her name As I waved my sleeves. I searched for my girl who has lost her way In the thick yellow leaves of the autumn hill But do not know the mountain path. (84-85) By imbuing his wife’s â€Å"passing away† with the rich imageries of cyclical nature, Hitomaro avoids the crude proclamation of death and elevates their parting with elegance and beauty. Never do words meaning death, such as shinu, appear in the original text or the translation of the poem. Like the sun, the moon, and the seasons, his wife, who has now become a fabric of nature, passes away (sugite) from him. Consequent lines with makurakotoba, catalpa gem and catalpa bow, allow the readers to further relate to and vicariously experience his emotions, amplifying the conveyance of grief. It is also important to note that juxtaposition of the loss and imageries of cyclical nature reflects Hitomaro’s hope for his wife to return, as sun rises again and the autumn returns every year. Later in his short poem, the wife is described as having â€Å"lost her way† in the mountain. Despite the mountain symbolizing the insurmountable and unfathomable divide between the two lovers, Hitomaro still yearns for her return believing that he can bring her back if only he had known the mountain path (yamaji shirazu mo). Yet as he cannot venture across the mountain into the forbidden realm, he laments that he can only call out her name and wave his sleeves (sode so furitsuru), a ritual to summon the departed back to life. An unknown poet of Kokinshu also uses nature as a medium for poeticizing death and conveying emotions of loss. After the Horikawa chancellor died and his remains were interred near Mount Fukakusa, the poet composes in Heian style of lexical parsimony, Poem #832 If cherry trees indeed Have feelings, may those Of the fields of Fukakusa This year, at least, Shround themselves in black blossoms. (162) Unlike Hitomaro, the Kokinshu poet neither confesses his lingering feelings nor hopes for the departed to return. However, through a simple imagery of black, mourning blossoms, instead of an emotional narrative, the poet elegantly conveys the burden of his grief. The waka is almost addressed to the cherry blossoms, as the last line ends in volitional form. Furthermore, the essence of the poem is encapsulated in the word sumizome of the cherry blossoms. As if to prepare them for the burial, the poet invokes the cherry blossoms to bloom in â€Å"dyed black (sumizome ni sake).† The word also reminds the reader the word sumu, meaning â€Å"to live.† The prosopopoeia is further intensified by the use of the word, kokoro. Although it is translated as â€Å"feelings† in the text, it may also be read as â€Å"heart†or â€Å"soul.† The poet’s impossible demand for the cherry blossoms not only reflects his remorse, but also informs the reader of the tr ansience and emptiness of life. As one cannot suppress the promised beauty of the cherry blossoms, one can never escape the passing of life. As Tsurayuki opined in his Kana Preface, the cares and deeds of men and women are endless. Yet there is an end to each and every man and woman and the ancient Japanese poets continued to find beauty in death through their myriad leaves of words. Though the autumn leaves will surely fall, the promised mists of spring will come and the fair hills of Yoshino will be adorned, once again, with cherry blossoms. Likewise, though the departed will go across the â€Å"mountain path† and the living will be in â€Å"dyed black,† the songs will live on until the end of time, shedding light into the Japanese heart of kokoro.

5 Steps for Balancing Chemical Equations

5 Steps for Balancing Chemical Equations Being able to balance chemical equations is a vital skill for chemistry. Heres a look at the steps involved in balancing equations, plus a worked example of how to balance an equation. Steps of Balancing a Chemical Equation Identify each element found in the equation. The number of atoms of each type of atom must be the same on each side of the equation once it has been balanced.What is the net charge on each side of the equation? The net charge must be the same on each side of the equation once it has been balanced.If possible, start with an element found in one compound on each side of the equation. Change the coefficients (the numbers in front of the compound or molecule) so that the number of atoms of the element is the same on each side of the equation. Remember, to balance an equation, you change the coefficients, not the subscripts in the formulas.Once you have balanced one element, do the same thing with another element. Proceed until all elements have been balanced. Its easiest to leave elements found in pure form for last.Check your work to make certain the charge on both sides of the equation is also balanced. Example of Balancing a Chemical Equation ? CH4 ? O2 → ? CO2 ? H2O Identify the elements in the equation: C, H, OIdentify the net charge: no net charge, which makes this one easy! H is found in CH4 and H2O, so its a good starting element.You have 4 H in CH4 yet only 2 H in H2O, so you need to double the coefficient of H2O to balance H.1 CH4 ? O2 → ? CO2 2 H2OLooking at carbon, you can see that CH4 and CO2 must have the same coefficient.1 CH4 ? O2 → 1 CO2 2 H2OFinally, determine the O coefficient. You can see you need to double the O2 coefficient in order to get 4 O seen on the product side of the reaction.1 CH4 2 O2 → 1 CO2 2 H2OCheck your work. Its standard to drop a coefficient of 1, so the final balanced equation would be written:CH4 2 O2 → CO2 2 H2O Take a quiz to see if you understand how to balance simple chemical equations. How to Balance a Chemical Equation for a Redox Reaction Once you understand how to balance an equation in terms of mass, youre ready to learn how to balance an equation for both mass and charge. Reduction/oxidation or redox reactions and acid-base reactions often involve charged species. Balancing for charge means you have the same net charge on both the reactant and product side of the equation. This isnt always zero! Heres an example of how to balance the reaction between potassium permanganate and iodide ion in aqueous sulfuric acid to form potassium iodide and manganese(II) sulfate. This is a typical acid reaction. First, write the unbalanced chemical equation:KMnO4  Ã‚  KI  Ã‚  H2SO4  Ã¢â€ â€™Ã‚  I2  Ã‚  MnSO4Write down the oxidation numbers for each type of atom on both sides of the equation:Left hand side: K 1; Mn 7; O -2; I 0; H 1; S 6Right hand side: I 0; Mn 2, S 6; O -2Find the atoms that experience a change in oxidation number:Mn: 7 → 2; I: 1 → 0Write a skeleton ionic equation that only covers the atoms that change oxidation number:MnO4- → Mn2I- → I2Balance all of the atoms besides the oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) in the half-reactions:MnO4- → Mn22I- → I2Now add O and H2O as needed to balance oxygen:MnO4- → Mn2 4H2O2I- → I2Balance the hydrogen by adding H as needed:MnO4- 8H → Mn2 4H2O2I- → I2Now, balance charge by adding electrons as needed. In this example, the first half-reaction has a charge of 7 on the left and 2 on the right. Add 5 electrons to the left to balance the charge. The second half-re action has 2- on the left and 0 on the right. Add 2 electrons to the right.MnO4- 8H 5e- → Mn2 4H2O2I- → I2 2e- Multiply the two half-reactions by the number that yields the lowest common number of electrons in each half-reaction. For this example, the lowest multiple of 2 and 5 is 10, so multiply the first equation by 2 and the second equation by 5:2 x [MnO4- 8H 5e- → Mn2 4H2O]5 x [2I- → I2 2e-]Add together the two half-reactions and cancel out species that appear on each side of the equation:2MnO4- 10I- 16H → 2Mn2 5I2 8H2O Now, its a good idea to check your work by making sure the atoms and charge are balanced: Left hand side:  2 Mn; 8 O; 10 I; 16 HRight hand side:  2 Mn; 10 I; 16 H; 8 O Left hand side:  Ã¢Ë†â€™2  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  10  16  Ã‚  4Right hand side:  4

Trifles ( A Play) by Susan Glaspell Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Trifles ( A Play) by Susan Glaspell - Essay Example The fact that Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are addressed as such while the men are called â€Å"County Attorney† and â€Å"Sheriff† somehow simply affords the women a rather cheap, subservient role of a wife and somehow demeans the role of women in society in general. Aside from being assigned subservient roles, the women in the play are shown to be â€Å"worrying over trifles,† which implies that women in 20th century America are concerned about anything but useful (Glaspell). In the play, Haley somehow ridicules the women for â€Å"worrying over trifles† because instead of worrying about the crime, they worry a lot about the preserves that Mrs. Wright has left frozen (Glaspell). The two women also busy themselves with other â€Å"trifles† such as Mrs. Wright’s sewing things (Glaspell). The fact that women are shown to be worrying over trifles may also imply that they too should be treated like trifles themselves. The play also shows that women are inferior to men and should simply just keep themselves silent. What Mrs. Hale means when she mentions, â€Å"We think the—cat got it,† seems to be the old expression to mean that one is speechless: â€Å"Has the cat got your tongue?† (Glaspell; Holstein 285). This means that women in America in the early 20th century somehow did not have a voice of their own in a male-dominated society. In fact, throughout the whole play, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are considered ignorant by the men. The suspect Mrs. Wright may also have been forced to keep silent by her husband, and so this could have become her motive for killing him. Moreover, one symbol in the play used to show that the silence of women is the dead bird in the birdcage with its neck wrung. The singing bird was once Mrs. Wright – â€Å"one of the town girls singing in the choir† (Glaspell). However, her marriage turned her into a dead bird that

Marketing Process Model by Robert J Dolan Dissertation

Marketing Process Model by Robert J Dolan - Dissertation Example Customer Acquisition 10 2.10. Customer Relation 10 2.11. Profits 11 3. Conclusion 11 References 13 Appendix 14 1. Introduction 1.1 Objective Current paper focuses on the examination of the various aspects of the Marketing Process Model, as developed by Robert Dolan in 1997. The effectiveness and the practical implications of the particular model are analyzed by referring to the literature that has been published in regard to the specific subject. 1.2 Methodology The literature related to the Marketing Process Model has been reviewed for identifying the elements and the role of the particular model. Effort has been made so that only academic journals are used, so that the credibility of findings is secured. 1.3 Limitations The value of marketing in enhancing business performance cannot be doubted. However, the choice of appropriate marketing strategy can be a challenging task for most marketers worldwide. Two are the key reasons for the above phenomenon: the continuous alteration of t he modern market and the lack of skills of individuals involved in the particular activities. The use of marketing models that have been widely used in the international market can help a firm to avoid failures, at least major ones, in regard to its marketing plans. From this point of view, the use of the Marketing Process Model could secure the growth of organizations operating in different sectors. However, not all aspects of the particular model have been carefully reviewed in the literature. Due to this fact, not all implications of the above model are known. This study could help to understand clearer the value of Marketing Process Model and to identify the model’s aspects that should be further studied. 2. Literature Review 2.1. Marketing Process: Initial Considerations Marketing process is a quite complex one. According to the literature published in this field, there are different approaches for promoting a product/ service in a particular market (Jaakkola et al. 2010 ). The Marketing Process Model, as suggested by Robert Dolan, can offer a series of advantages: a) it can employ a high range of methods/ approaches, increasing the chances for success, b) it is flexible and can be appropriately alternated for meeting the needs of the target market, c) it has been widely used in practice, a fact that increases its credibility (Jaakkola et al. 2010). The particular Model, also known as B2B model, can be effectively used in different sectors and under different market conditions (Jaakkola et al. 2010). 2.2. Strategic Marketing Strategic marketing is a term used in order to describe a series of activities that need to be developed in order for a particular product/ service to reach the target market successfully without failures, either in terms of cost or in terms of time (Kotler et al. 2009). The difference of strategic marketing, compared to the traditional marketing, is that the former is highly based on various theoretical models and different app roaches for achieving the target described above (Kotler et al. 2009). These approaches and theories are analyzed in the sections that follow. 2.3. Customers analysis 2.3.1. Needs In marketing, efforts have been made so that the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs theory is used. The particular model can ensure that consumer will be keep motivated in using a particular prod

Review article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 17

Review - Article Example regulated at the transcriptional level but also in the post-transcriptional level, post-translational mechanisms, chromatin remodeling, clock proteins availability, and intracellular localizations (Cermakian & Sassone-Corsi, 61). The work aims to describe and illustrate in detail the general concepts that built the foundation of animal circadian clocks. It has been conceptualized by previous studies that several clock functions and characteristics have been conserved during evolution at transcriptional level but some detailed functions of the loop may somewhat differ from organism to organism. For instance, the feedback loop functions differ among the Drosophila fly, mammals, fungi and bacteria. Thus, these differences among organisms have led the authors of the article to study other levels of regulation of circadian clocks among organisms. Cermakian & Sassone-Corsi found out that contrary to the only role of the input gene products to oscillation, there are some important input and output genes to achieve effective pacemaker function. The work of the researchers also revealed that despite the similarities of the fly and mammalian circadian systems, there are also differences in the negative limb of the loop (Cermakian & Sassone-Corsi, 60). In addition, the work of the researchers also found out existence of inter-genic and intragenic loops and that rhythms are not only generated at transcriptional level but to multiple

What have we learned from obedience to authority

What have we learned from obedience to authority Within society, obedience to authority is an essential part of human behaviour. Without this behaviour, it would be difficult for society to function properly. Obedience to authority is used during different social settings. Examples of this would be, university lecturers having authority over their students, and parents having authority over their children. Although obedience to authority is essential, it also has issues, which cause conflict within society. Stanley Milgram conducted a series of experiments, raising awareness of how this behaviour is necessary in life, yet how conflicts can lead an obedient to follow a command from a high authority. This can cause an act of cruelty, such as murder on innocent victims. His main reason for conducting these types of experiments was to understand more about the Holocaust, and as a Jew himself, the reason behind why the Nazis caused such destructive behaviour due to obedience. (Benjamin Jr Simpson, 2009). Stanley Milgram (1963), developed a shocking experiment that was set out to look into obedience to authority. Male volunteers took part in an experiment in which they believed they had to shock another participant, (which in fact was an actor) from another room. The volts started at 15, all the way to 450. Every time they answered a question wrong, the volunteer had to give an electric shock. A voice recording of distressing behaviour was played as the voltage increased, making the volunteers believe the other participant (actor) was in serious discomfort. Some of the volunteers felt uncertain about participating further in the experiment, but when the scientific researcher used prods such as please continue, and it is absolutely essential for you to go on (Stanley Milgram, 1963, p 374), the majority of the volunteers would obey his commands, and proceed further. Although a few volunteers refused to participate once hearing the distressing behaviour on the tape recording, 65% of the volunteers continued to the end of the experiment. This obedience experiment has had a huge impact on ethical, personality and social psychology issues within scientific research and society. Milgrams (1963) experiment, has been proven to be one of the most influential of scientific research (Benjamin Jr Simpson, 2009), but it has also caused a lot of controversy on the grounds of ethical issues. Milgrams (1963) article expresses how his participants were subjected to extremely distressing behaviour throughout the experiment, such as trembling and stuttering (p.375). Diana Baumrind (1964) critised Milgrams experiment due to the lack of involvement of ethics, deception and informed consent. She explained that this behaviour experienced by the participants could lead to other future issues, such as the inability to trust anyone, low self-esteem/image and possible psychological harm. In Milgrams 1964 article (as citied in Benjamin Jr Simpson, 2009), he argued Baumrinds criticism by gathering data from his experiment, that provided high percentages of what people thought of the experiment, for example, they learnt a lot, and that more types of these experiments should be do ne in the future. The participants were also debriefed after the experiment, to make sure that the volunteers had not been subjected to potential harm. (Milgram, 1963). Milgrams obedience studies have had a huge impact on scientific research, so much, so that his experiments are not allowed to be replicated within scientific research. This is due to the changes in ethical guidelines. Many psychologists believe that Milgrams experiments are responsible for these ethical changes (Benjamin Jr Simpson, 2009), in order to protect the participants from potential harm when taking part in any form of scientific research. Although Milgrams obedience studies had an impact on ethics, is also impacted personality within scientific research. It initially focused on looking at internal explanations of individuals personality traits, such as their mood or attitude in which caused their behaviour at the given time of the situation. However, in the 1960s, due to political and social changes, it shifted to situational and environmental explanations. This therefore focused on how an individuals personality differs depending on the situation they are in, instead of just their internal characteristics. (Benjamin Jr Simpson, 2009). During the 1960s, Walter Mischels (as cited in Benjamin Jr Simpson, 2009) studies were the most modern and relevant to this shift from internal to situational explanations, in finding evidence that individuals personality traits had little affect on the outcome of their behaviour. It further developed in the 1970s by introducing the person-by-situation interaction, which looks at how people react or respond given the type of situation they are in, having more of an impact on how scientific research is viewed on the grounds of personality. (Benjamin Jr Simspon, 2009). Another impact on Milgrams studies for scientific research was social psychology. In the 1950s social psychology was studied by examining how different social situations could have an influence on how individuals behaviour changes (Benjamin Jr Simpson, 2009). Asch (as cited in Benjamin Jr and Simpson, 2009), influenced social psychology within Milgrams experiments, due to Aschs work conducted on conformity, which examined the power of a situation. Milgrams studies has also had an influence on further research, such as Zimbardos prison experiment, which examined conformity and also obedience (Zimbardo, as cited in Benjamin Jr and Simpson, 2009). The impact of social psychology has manipulated the way experiments are now conducted within scientific research. Before Milgrams obedience studies, many experiments were conducted in laboratory settings with high experimental realism, therefore not many experiments were conducted within real life settings, thus having a low mundane realism. (Benjamin Jr Simpson, 2009). Due to his studies, there has been a shift in how research is conducted, and there has also been changes in IRB rules and regulations, therefore allowing more experiments to be examined in real life settings, rather than laboratory settings. In laboratory settings, individuals are likely to follow researchers orders, due to believing they are of a higher authority. In addition, what they are wearing could have an influence on their behaviour, such as wearing a white lab coat. By conducting these experiments in real life settings, the research findings will have a higher ecological validity than of those in laboratory settings. (Benjamin Jr Simpson, 2009). Milgrams studies have also affected society. During the Holocaust, the Nazis said they were not responsible for the killings and destruct they caused as they were just following orders (Benjamin Jr Simspon, 2009). In March, 2010, a French game show replicated Milgrams experiment called the Game of Death (Chazan, 2010). This proved that 80% of participants continued to the end of the game, due to pressure off the audience members and commands from the presenter. Due to ethical issues from Milgrams studies, individuals are now aware of their human rights, and entitlements in life, for instance, choice of medical treatment. So, why do people still obey in society? As children we are learnt to obey from our parents and not disobey, therefore making it easier to obey someone of a high authority. This impacts personality and social psychology, as it suggests that the power of the situation is more likely to have an influence on an individuals change in behaviour. The impact on personality within society is manipulated dependent upon the situation, and not due to personality traits from upbringing. Having a structured situation, for example, hospitals, there is less likely to be changes in personality due to feeling safe, as the doctor is of high authority and can be trusted, than of unstructured situation such as the game show. (Benjamin Jr Simpson). People of high authority are aware of their influence within society, and are therefore not allowed to influence individuals, but who is believed to be of high authority? Milgrams studies were conducted in lab settings, thus proving he is of high authority, but in the game show the high authority seems to be the audience and presenter, suggesting the power of the situation impacts individuals behaviour. In conclusion, due to the impact of ethical, personality and social psychology within scientific research and society, Milgrams studies seemed to have more of an effect on scientists than members of society. Due to huge concerns on how he conducted his experiment, many things have been changed on the grounds of ethical issues, in order to protect participants. Also due to the nature of his experiment, it cannot be replicated, meaning further research on obedience is not allowed to be conducted. Even though Milgrams experiment has had an influence on these scientific changes, it has not seemed to have much of an influence on society. This is because people are still obeying orders off people they believe to be of a higher authority, for example, terrorist attacks, and people in the war, where acts of cruelty is caused, therefore thousands of innocent victims are dying.

Reformations of School Essay -- Essays Papers

Reformations of School Education plays a fundamental role in the development of any nation. History is witness that those nations who did not recognized the importance of education were doomed, and education played a key role in the success of the developed nations. A successful country like America faces many challenges regarding education. Some of these challenges are: how to better achieve educational opportunity, and to find ways to deal with such problems and educational dilemmas for American children. To find the answers and solutions to these problems we can not ignore the dialogue of reforming of schools, instead, new ways of education, restructuring of American schools, and recommendations to improve might be the only answer to these problems. In the following paragraphs, problems like weak curriculum and poor standards in the schools have been identified, and recommendations have been made to eliminate these problems. Also the problems and errors regarding the distribution of funds by the governm ent for the schools have been addressed, and recommendations have been made that these funding should be distributed equally and accordingly to the states. The federal government should take this issue more seriously and assist the states on a greater level. It is a very sad fact that even now when we have entered the 21st century, a first world country like America which is supposed to be a role model for the rest of the world is facing the problem of poor standards in their schools such as goals, expectations, and requirements. There is a great contradiction on people’s standards vs. the school’s standards. People set high standards that are very hard and sometimes impossible to achieve by students and teachers, whereas some schools do not match these standards and even pass kids who cannot read or have poor educational skills. In order to have high academic standards there has to be high performance in public education systems. The system needs to be changed fundamentally. Teachers can play an important role and should come together on a common platform to achieve a common goal and that is the improved quality of education. Good communication between school, school boards, and school administration is very important, so teachers can be heard and listened to. School should only hire highly qualified and proficient teachers. Students are usually int... ...me states there is five times as much spending on students in some school districts as in others ($15,744 versus $2,932 during 1994-95 in Illinois, for example)† (by Patricia Albjerg Graham, article#1). If we observe the above data, it is very noticeable that federal government is playing a less active role in financing the education. One way to provide high quality of education is that federal government should get more involve with the current schooling system. Parents in general public can play their part and instead of criticizing the present system, they should elect the candidates in the government who give higher priority for the education and reserve more funds for the improvement and reforming of the school systems. Bibliography: References: Textual Resources: a) Article #1 (Educational dilemma for Americans). b) Article #2 (Restoring the impulse to Dream). c) Article #3 (How to teach a children). d) Class notes. Non-textual Resources: a) American School Board Journal (March 2000 issue). b) Http://education-world.com. c) Reforming American Education from the Bottom to the Top by Evans Clinchy. d) One on one conversation with parents.

Comprehensive Analysis of Staples

Comprehensive Analysis of Staples Harding University Angela Maloch Ashley Perez Keith Miller Ricky Griffin Abstract This paper will review Staples, Inc. comprehensively. The authors will discuss Staples’ visions, missions, and objectives, in addition to outlining the firm’s internal strengths and weaknesses and their external opportunities and threats. Several matrices will be included to provide visual aid and better observations of the operations and current practices of the company. Recommendations will be provided on new courses of action that may benefit the company and help increase sales and brand awareness.Vision and Mission Staples, is the world’s largest office product organization, and a reliable source for office solutions. The company products and services include office supplies, copy and print supplies, and technology to support these products. Staples, also provides supplies for facilities, break-room, and furniture (Staples, Inc, 2012). Staples c onceptualized the office superstore in 1986. It has more than 88,000 associates worldwide, in 26 countries, and fosters annual sales of 25 billion (Staples, Inc, 2012).Many organizations foundations began with a vision and an organizational mission. The vision and mission are set to be accomplished by setting objectives, and implementing strategies to achieve the goals set by the organization. According to Business Improvement Architects: Creating a compelling vision and developing the strategies to achieve it is one of the organization's most difficult challenges. The vision is more than a dream; it must convey a larger sense of organizational purpose, so that employees are able to picture themselves â€Å"building the dream company† rather than â€Å"laying the stones. It is an ambitious view of the future that everyone in the organization can believe in, one that can be realistically achieved, yet offers a future that is better in important ways than what now exists. (Bus iness Improvement Architects, n. d. ) Staples mission is â€Å"to make it easy to buy office products (David, 2013). † The mission is simple yet it encompasses what the organization strives to do with the products and services it provides to its customers throughout the world. Staples, does not have a written vision, but he the organization utilizes a unique approach in identifying the future direction of the company.Staples Soul program is a program designed by Staples, Inc. to help make the organization an employer and neighbor of choice, and sets Staples brand apart from competitors. The program is also aimed at allowing Staples to grow profitably and responsibly (Staples, Inc, 2012). Objectives and Strategies In Staples 2011 Annual Report, Ron Sargent who serves as the organization’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer stated: At Staples, we take great pride in our consistent execution and our ability to evolve and meet the changing needs of our custo mers.Throughout our 25 year history we’ve succeeded by setting aggressive goals, acquiring and retaining customers, and being accountable for our performance. We took the same approach in 2011 and made progress on many of our key initiatives, despite the challenging economic environment. (Staples, Inc, 2012) Staples has established goals and objectives to keep the organization viable in the fast changing market, and the sluggish economy. The Staples Soul program, separates the organizations objectives into four pillars, and outlines the strategies to obtaining those objectives.The four pillars of focus of the Staples Soul Program are community, ethics, diversity, and environment (Staples, Inc, 2012). Staples Community Objectives and Strategies Staples is dedicated to bring education, hope and opportunity to the communities of where their customers live. The community efforts are strategically approached through local grassroots programs, and large scale initiatives that build ties in the global community (Staples, Inc, 2012). Staples has donated more than $17 million to nonprofit organizations, in the United States, and around the world in 2011.Through its Choose a Charity program, Staples has enabled associates to donate nearly $1. 9 million to organizations, in which they care about (Staples, Inc, 2012). Staples has also been established volunteer programs, and associate volunteer programs which has led to more than 33,000 hours of volunteer work to being performed in 26 countries (Staples, Inc, 2012). Staples and Ethics and Strategies Staples 2011 Annual report discusses their objective to meeting the ethical component of the organization.The report states: We believe that doing right is just as important as doing well. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of honesty, fairness and integrity, and continually implement strategies to ensure ethical conduct from the boardroom to the supply chain to the store. Our strong ethical foundation, demonstr ated in the daily relationships with our stakeholders, and ensures our continued success. (Staples, Inc, 2012) Staples stress the importance of ethics in the business organization. The good business ethics must span throughout the entire organization.In efforts to achieve and maintain an ethical environment Staples has done the following: * Ethics, helpline, and training and awareness program in every business unit and function worldwide (Staples, Inc, 2012). * Established a new Ethics scorecard that allows senior leaders and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors to monitor compliance with program requirements (Staples, Inc, 2012). * Created and established a monitoring and measurement framework to assess how well we are preventing, detecting and responding to ethics and compliance risks (Staples, Inc, 2012). Updated the Staples Suppliers Code of Conduct, by adding an Environmental and Business Ethics section, while modifying other sections (Staples, Inc, 2012). Staples, the Environment and Strategies Staples Annual Report focused on environment as its third organizational objective. The organization’s 2011 report states: At Staples, our vision is to generate business and environmental benefits for ourselves, our customers and our communities by leading the way in sustainable business practices. his vision through a continued focus on sourcing more sustainable products; improving our offering of recycling and other green services; maximizing our energy efficiency and renewable energy use; and eliminating waste. In 2011, we communicated several new global sustainability goals and continued to work in several program areas to help move us closer to our sustainability vision. (Staples, Inc, 2012) As mentioned before the environmental pillar of the Staples Soul programs is beneficial to the organization, the environment, the community and the customer.Staples has been instrumental in environmental progress by: recycling more than 67 million ink and toner cartridges, and 13 million pounds of technology waste in the United States. Staples has continued the implementation of its Race to the Top Initiative, which is focused on key suppliers reducing the environmental impact of their product (Staples, Inc, 2012). At the end of 2011, Staples had 286 facilities in the U. S. that have received the ENERGY STAR ® for buildings certification. By the close of 2011 Staples had 36 solar installations at 33 facilities and purchased a large sum of renewable energy certificates.Staples has a goal of reducing operational electrical intensity by 25%, and global carbon emissions by 50% by 2020 from a 2010 baseline (Staples, Inc, 2012). Staples, Diversity and Objectives Staples believes that being a successful company is dependent on people with rich backgrounds and diverse views. Staples commitment to diversity and inclusion opens the doors for the people of different races, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, physical ability, background and thinking styles. This in turn allows the company to be more innovative, because the organizations associate base reflects the diversity of the customers.Staples’ diverse workforce and suppliers help to build and enrich relationships with customers. While building upon these customer relationships, the organization is able to adapt to the ever changing global market place (Staples, Inc, 2012). Although Staples does not have a written vision statement, the Staples Soul Program has outlined the path, in which the organization wants to proceed over its business life. Fred R. David states: â€Å"A vision statement should answer the basic question, â€Å"What do we want to become? † (David, 2013, p. 45) David also states that a comprehensive mission statement is formulated by a clear vision.It is suggested that the vision statement be established first, and should be short approximately one sentence (David, 2013, p. 45). Many organizations have both a vision and a missi on statement. David states that an organization’s mission statement distinguishes one organization from another in the same industry. An organization’s mission statement is â€Å"its reason for being. A mission statement is important for effectively establishing objectives and forming strategies (David, 2013, p. 45). It is important when formulating a vision and mission statement, it is important to include the managers and the employees.When employees and managers work together to formulate the organizations vision and mission, the statements will reflect the personal visions that employees and managers alike feel passionate towards, and sets the foundation for the future. The shared vision leads to a common objective and can motivate employees and remove the mundane atmosphere in the work environment (David, 2013, p. 47). An organization’s vision and mission statement can: * Ensure unanimity of organizational purpose * Provide a standard for allocation of org anizational resources * Establish organizational climate or general tone Serve as a focal point for people to identify with the organization’s purpose * To help translate objectives into a work structure assignments and task * To specify organizational purpose and translate those into organizational objectives (David, 2013, p. 48). The Staples Soul Program sets the tone for a vision statement for the organization. Staples vision statement could read: â€Å"Staples vision is to be a world leader in providing easy assessable office supplies while being committed to improvements in ethics, environment, community, and diversity for those we serve. The Staples mission as stated before states that the company’s mission is â€Å"to make it easy to buy office products. † (David, 2013, p. 69) Staples mission and vision projected through its Staples Soul Program has set then foundation for the organizational to expand and utilize its strengths and opportunities to contin ue to be a leader in its industry. The organization can also utilize this foundation set to identify weaknesses, and potential industry threats. Eternal Opportunities and Threats External Opportunities Opportunities can give an organization an edge over the competition. Staples, Inc. isplays the potential to increase its growth in additional countries. Currently Staples has 300 stores internationally. An international expansion would increase the profits for the organization. According to David (2013) â€Å"Growth is forecast to reach almost $88 billion by 2013, reflecting a five-year average growth rate of less than 1 percent† (p. SM-66). The advancement in technology can provide Staples with a balanced diversity for its shoppers. New technological gadgets continue to bring additional efficiency for individuals in a number of ways such as online shopping, reading books, and playing games. Staples, Inc. artnered with Barnes and Noble to offer an alternate color reader commonl y known as The NOOK. This technological device competes with Amazon’s Kindle and the Apple’s iPad. The partnership with Barnes and Noble will provide Staples with the opportunity to expand within the digital era. External Threats Threats are external and could occur at any time. Threats most often occur from other competing companies. Staples, Inc. continually competes with a number of organizations in regard to price competition and retail competition. Price competition occurs with equal ground stores such as Office Depot and OfficeMax. Staples, Inc. s the largest office supply company compared to Office Depot classified as the second place organization. David (2013) stated the following interesting fact, â€Å"Staples is larger than Office Depot and OfficeMax combined† (p. SM-76). The three organizations display similar challenges in regard to the reduction of sales because of businesses going paperless. The retail competition includes stores such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, and Target. These organizations display the need to obtain additional market share. As stated earlier, Staples, Inc. began the route of digital services with the latest product from Barnes and Noble commonly known as The NOOK.With the consumer trend of digital services reduces the need for traditional supplies. Green initiatives continue to be another factor for the reduction of traditional supplies, which reduces the need to stock a lot of cases of copy paper in the distribution centers. Competitive Profile Matrix External Factors External Factor Evaluation Matrix (EFE) Key External Factors WeightRatingScore Opportunities International growth (only 300 stores overseas). 12 4. 48 Trends towards digital items. 12 4. 48 New partnerships (Barnes & Nobles). 11 3. 33 Implement research/development. 15 4. 60Threats Price competition. 10 3. 30 Retail competition. 12 4. 48 Unemployment rates. 06 2. 12 Oil prices. 06 2. 12 New technologies reduce need for traditional supplies . 10 3. 30 Green’ initiatives might shift demand for products . 06 2. 12 Totals12. 04 The External Factor Evaluation Matrix (EFE) demonstrates how opportunities and threats may affect the company. Similar to the IFE, this gives a visual rating of the importance of external factors that may contribute to or inhibit the success of Staples. Seen in the matrix above, new opportunities can greatly contribute to the success of Staples.With such broad expansion opportunities, it would be easy for Staples to make new connections overseas, whether in creating new locations or promoting online sales. New partnerships should be looked into as well. Staples has already teamed up with Barnes & Nobles, but opportunities with other major brands might impact Staples’ sales in a positive way as well. Implementing a research and development team can give Staples the opportunity to study consumer patterns, marketing techniques, and what products to offer to better meet the needs of society.Comp eting companies that offer similar products are the greatest threat the Staples. To best combat this, Staples needs to be prepared to offer the best customer service and technologies to stay in the competition. New technologies are changing what consumers need in regards to office supplies. For example, most consumers have switched to computer filing, rather than paper filing. This reduces the need for so much paper, files, folders, and filing cabinets. While some may still need this, Staples may want to look at reducing their inventory of these items and offering a larger supply of more current and modern items.Internal Strengths and Weaknesses Internal Strengths Strengths refer to the factors that exist within the company and exhibits formations of competitive advantage. The organization has dominance worldwide in more than 22,000 locations to include China, Australia, Germany, North America, and a number of other countries. Staples, Inc. is an established organization with a well developed infrastructure that offers business services such as supplies, technology, furniture, and office machines inside the stores as well as online. Staples, Inc. has a competitive advantage with the use of its online sales market.Instead of keeping a large inventory, the majority of the retail store locations stock approximately 7,000 products. When customers do not find a particular item inside the store, he or she can receive next day service at the local store when ordering from Staples. com. This avenue provides customers the option to review over 30,000 products in approximately 125 distributions. When the customer orders a product, he or she can request to receive shipment at the local store, at work, or at a home address. This type of service provides convenience for Staples, Inc. shoppers. In addition, Staples, Inc. ade an investment in regard to its delivery system with a purchase of small fleet of electric trucks. The purpose of this investment was to improve the org anization’s efficiency and cost minimization by reducing fuel cost by 75% compared to diesel trucks. Internal Weaknesses Weaknesses are the areas an organization needs to try to correct imperfections for improvement. Understanding potential weaknesses can help an organization to both manage and remove possible threats. In contrast to a limited inventory as strength, this concept can be a weakness in regard to customers not wanting to wait for a specific product.Customers may go to a competitor to purchase the needed product or purchase it online. A number of challenges exist because of the advanced technological era. For instance, Staples, Inc. reported a seven percent decline in stock prices according to its 2010 Annual Report. Internal Factors Internal Factor Evaluation Matrix (IFE) Key Internal FactorsWeight RateScore Strengths Strong international growth and partners. 12 4. 48 Advertising and marketing. 12 4. 48 Strong Online sales market. 10 3. 30 Many convenient Locatio ns. 10 3. 30 Staples Delivery System. 11 3. 33 Weaknesses Only 1. % increase in Sales (2010). 06 2. 12 Stock price fell 7% (2010). 06 2. 10 Poor executive compensation plans. 12 4. 48 Poor inventory management. 11 3. 33 No research/development Budget. 10 3. 30 Totals13. 19 As seen above, the Internal Factor Evaluation Matrix (IFE) is used to provide a numerical and visual score of key factors of the internal strengths and weaknesses. This gives management an idea of how to prioritize any issues that may be affecting or attributing the growth or success of the company. With more than 1500 locations throughout the United States, Staples is easily accessible to the population.Their advertising and marketing campaigns are successful and catchy; this creates brand awareness, and can potentially bring in more consumers. The internal weaknesses have caused such financial stresses on the company that it is very important that these issues are addressed. For instance, in 2010, there was only a 1. 1% increase in sales and stock prices fell 7%; however, the CEO of Staples, Ron Sargent, took a 41% pay increase. Moves like this can set Staples up for failure, so it is important for management to be aware of these internal issues through the use of an IFE.With no research and development budget, Staples is falling behind the trends of fast-paced society. They are not current on what is popular and what issues may be hurting their sales. * SWOT Analysis According to Thompson, Gamble, and Strickland (2006), â€Å"A SWOT analysis is a simple but powerful tool for sizing up a company’s resource capabilities and deficiencies, its market opportunities, and the external threats to its future well-being (Chap. 3, p. 85). A SWOT analysis is a significant portion of the strategic planning model.An organization uses a SWOT analysis that consists of strengths as internal forces of the organization to accomplish the objective; weaknesses are internal forces of the organization t hat harm the objective; opportunities are external forces that can expand the organization; threats are external forces that can destroy the organization’s success. In developing a strategic plan, leaders must ask if the current strategic plan is adequate to achieve the goal and are there allowances for contingency plans if the current plan is not working.Therefore, an effective strategy will consider the internal and external factors of the SWOT analysis by looking at the big picture of what an organization will face in the course of goal achievement. SWOT Matrix Space Matrix Current Strategies Inventory Staples is looking to reduce physical inventory in stores and offer a wider variety via Staples. com (Donoher as cited in David, 2013). In doing this, they can limit the size of store locations and be able to cut building costs, utilities and floor space on new locations.In addition, research done by Shankar, Rangaswamy & Pusateri (1999) indicates that online shopping is mor e convenient than offline shopping and allows consumers to find products to best fit their needs. This strategy, once fully implemented may promote more business to the website and offer better selections. The only issue that may arise is not having an item in stock that competitors might have. It would helpful to research buying trends and patterns of this industry and keep those items stocked. Prices Low prices have been the ultimate focus of Staples.This is understandable in retail today, however customer service and loyalty programs are just as desirable to consumers. Indicated by Shankar, Rangaswamy & Pusateri (1999), customers are not sensitive just to price increases, but rather a mixture of factors that contribute to the overall buying experience. Slightly raising prices and focusing more on customer service can produce a better experience for in-store shoppers and may encourage them to return. Also, in some cases, low prices can correlate with low quality.When Staples offer s their own brand items for extremely low prices, consumers may consider the price in relation to the quality. Recommended Strategies Based on the case study, Staples, Staples has seen gradually declining sales and profits in recent years (Donoher, as cited in David, 2013). In order to turn that around and be a successful office supply company, they need to implement new strategies. Staples is not a competitor with other office supply companies. They cannot maintain desirable inventories of what consumers are looking for and they cannot beat the prices and leverage that other similar stores offer.If left alone, Staples will go out of business. Suggestions on strategies that may offer aid to Staples are outlined below. Retrenchment â€Å"Retrenchment occurs when an organization regroups through cost and asset reduction to reverse declining profits† (David, 2013, P. 146). If Staples would try this strategy, they might be able to save the company and turn it around. In order to implement this strategy, they would stop opening new stores, and perhaps even close stores throughout the United States. Closing stores throughout the United States can greatly reduce costs and increase revenues.It would be most logical to close the locations with the lowest annual sales. In addition, by reducing the number of store openings would allow for more focus to be within what Staples already has. This means there would be more time to focus on customer service, inventory management, product display, management, and online sales. Online sales are such a large portion of their business, it may be more effective to put more efforts into obtaining sales through that medium, rather than brick and mortar locations. Related DiversificationIn order to remain in the competition, Staples must be open to diversifying the products they currently offer. Staples needs to revamp their current inventory and look at what it is consumers want today. With such a boom in technology, there is a consumer desire for new and up-to-date items. The items they rarely sell need to be taken off the shelves or offer a very limited inventory in stores. That clears up space for new items, and a greater inventory capacity. By stocking items that customers want can increase the traffic flow through the store.Often, consumers know competing stores, such as Office Depot and Wal-Mart have more of what they need, so Staples is eliminated completely. Recommended Annual Objectives and Policies Organizational Annual Business reports are a vital tool in making recommendations for annual objectives, and policies. The annual report identifies the company’s short falls, but more importantly it shines the light on the organizations achievements. The annual report also illustrates the plans and strategies to rectify its weaknesses, and refute potential threats.According an article by Jill Leviticus, an annual report; â€Å"provide information on the health of your company to shareholders, stakeholders, the media and your community. † (Leviticus, 2012) The article also states that the organizational annual report provides financial information, highlights achievements, promotes the organization, and other key information to the stakeholders (Leviticus, 2012). Staples 2011 Annual Business Report outlines the organization’s recommended annual objectives and policies, which is based on the needs of the employees, shareholders, and customers.Annual Business Reports and meetings cover a broad range of objectives and policies. Staples 2011 Annual Business Report covered topics on beneficial of ownership of common stock, corporate governance, and election of directors, employee stock plans, and long-term cash plans (Staples, Inc, 2012). Adjustments to these specific objectives and policies will specifically impact the viability of Staples, Inc. The aforementioned Staples Soul Program has been instrumental in making the organization the â€Å"employer and neigh bor of choice. † (Staples, Inc, 2012) Staples has been proactive in implementing policies and objectives to acilitate the organization in achieving goals centered around the four pillars of the Staples Soul Program, which are community, ethics, diversity, and environment (Staples, Inc, 2012). Strategy Review and Evaluation Defining a strategy is an educated guess. The guess is a key process in any organization. The changes that occur in today’s society can make or break an organization. Strategy, as any other process improvement, cannot be determined unless it is measured. There is an old saying that says it is hard to know where you are going until you know where you have been.Strategy has to be evaluated to determine if the direction of change is favorable or unfavorable to the organization. There are acronyms of famous cycles to help lead an organization to improve. PDCA, PDSA or DMAIC are some of the well-known cycles. These cycles define a basic process of evaluati ng changes made to determine if the actions taken reflect the desired results. A similar process of planning, doing, studying and acting has to be defined in each organization. Organizations can vary in the data used but the process will be the same. DataThere are a number of inputs that need to be included into strategy development. External inputs include items such as customer needs, customer survey results, industry trends, regulatory requirements, technological advancements, market risks and competitive intelligence to name a few. Internal inputs include company vision, mission, goals, philosophies, employee survey results, SWOT analysis and balanced scorecard results. These inputs will help determine what a company’s balanced scorecard should be. The balanced scorecard could be used by location moving up to the organizational level.It could also translate down to specific goals and objectives for individual performance management. Measure Once the balanced scorecard has been developed then it is time to capture the results. In most cases these results are measured monthly. There are some cases where the time frame may extend to a longer period of time depending on the metric being measured. For instance, financial information would probably be calculated monthly by an internal team. An external assessment could be used to challenge or protect your company such as Sarbanes-Oxley audit. These measurements help determine direction.Review Periodic reviews of balanced scorecard information are required to determine if the actions taken are effective or not effective. These reviews can occur at different time intervals. Changes or actions taken can immediately take effect or it could be a period of time before the change is realized. An example of immediate effect could be actions taken to reduce inventory levels. Depending on the action the company may see the results on the following month. An example of a longer term effect may be implementing an â⠂¬Å"open door† policy which involves a cultural change that may not be seen immediately.A general understanding of the metric and the anticipated impact time should be rationalized during the review process. Adjustment Once the review has been analyzed actions should be taken to correct metrics that are not performing to the desired results. There are several methods of problem-solving that can be used to help work through the possible contributors of poor performance. The A3 process was derived by Toyota. The process is a collaborative problem-solving tool used to manage individual issues from beginning to end.The A3 process identifies the team, the problem, the metrics used to measure the issue, potential causes, countermeasures to potential causes, responsible party assigned and results. The cycle starts again similar to the Plan, Do, Study and Act cycle mentioned earlier. Recommendation The recommendation for Staples is to have monthly reviews as well as annual reviews. Th e monthly reviews would consist of A3’s developed for each of the metrics. The A3’s would be reviewed to see how the countermeasures are impacting the metric. This type of review will help monitor performance in the short-term time frame.Annual reviews should be conducted on the internal and external inputs and balanced scorecard results. The annual review would be designed to develop the strategic plan for the following year or longer. References Business Improvement Architects. (n. d. ). Understand the organization's vision. Retrieved November 22, 2012, from www. bia. ca: http://www. bia. ca/vision. htm David, F. R. (2013). Strategic Managment: A Competitive Advantage Approach (14 ed. ). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Leviticus, J. (2012). What Is the Purpose of Company Annual Reports? Retrieved November 23, 2012, from www. smallbusiness. hron. com: http://smallbusiness. chron. com/purpose-company-annual-reports-57428. html Shankar, V; Rangaswamy, A. & Pusateri, M. (1999). The online medium and customer price sensitivity. Penn State School of Information Sciences and Technology. Staples, Inc. (2012, April). 2011 Annual Report. Retrieved November 22, 2012, from www. thomson. mobular. net: http://thomson. mobular. net/thomson/7/3218/4642/document_0/SPLS_2011AR. pdf Staples, Inc. (2012, November 14). Corporate Profile. Retrieved November 22, 2012, from www. staples. com: http://investor. staples. com/phoenix. zhtml? c=96244&p=irol-IRHome