Crown Cork and Seal

Crown Cork and Seal Competitive Environment Analysis Exercise Corporate Purpose Crown Cork and Seal had three segments Metal Containers (cans), Closures (crowns), and packaging equipment. Metal containers are cans used in things such as soft drinks or aerosol cans. These were made from steel until being switched over to aluminum in the early 80’s. Crowns which are closures for any type item such as a jar. â€Å"Metal containers generated 65% of Crown’s $1. 88 billion 1988 sales, while closures generated 30% and packaging equipment 5%. † The mission of Crown Cork and Seal was to â€Å"be successful. To do this Connelly had to take control of cost. He did this by first trimming the workforce by letting go anyone not needed which reduced payroll by 24%. â€Å"The second step was to institute the concept of accountability. † He did this by instilling pride and a sense of workmanship in the employees. He also gave plant managers â€Å"responsibility for plan t profitability† as well as quality and customer service. Last but not leased he focused on the company’s debt. He paid off the banks through â€Å"inventory reduction and liquidation. †His vision and strategy for the future emphasized â€Å"cost efficiency, quality, and customer service. Connelly did this by focusing on the company’s strengths. He was able to improve on their strengths by focusing on the beverage can and new aerosol market. Simultaneously, he improved manufacturing including adapting to customer needs. Environment Analysis: General Environment: Demographic: 1989 over 120,795,000 metal cans were sold. Socio-Culture: The movement away from metal cans to plastic and glass has been a problem as they gain a bigger market share. Political-Legal:Political will play a big part in recycling and the push for â€Å"going green. This will also take effect for the legal aspects as new laws will be in place for more recycling and cleaners running man ufacturing plants. Technological:Shut down old out dated plants and opened up new plants across the US with new equipment. Economic: As higher gas prices hit lighter products such as plastic will be more economical to ship to customers verses a heavier metal can. Global: Connelly focused on international growth. He specifically targeted developing countries. Soon foreign plants generated 44% of sales and 54% of operating profits. Competitive environment: Buyers The competitive environment for the buyers appears to favor the buyers over Crown Cork and Seal and its competitors for many reasons. Major buyers in this industry include Coca-Cola Company and Incorporated, Anheuser-Busch, and PepsiCo. In other words there are a low number of buyers, all of which are very large and powerful companies. The size distribution is mostly centered on these major buyers; however there are other companies such as Seagram’s, Molson, and Labatt. Because there are so few companies for CCS to sell to, a high percentage of sales are dependent on these buyers. This low number of buyers is due to consolidation within the soft drink segment, from 8,000 bottlers in 1980 to about 800 in 1989. Generally 45% of the total cost to buyers went into purchasing the cans. Due to the total cost of cans, buyers try to maintain many relationships with many can makers to increase bargaining power and reduce costs. As a result of this the buyer is not heavily dependent on one single can company. Switching costs are also lower for buyers for the same reason; they already have many resources to choose from. Buyers also are likely to profit fairly well compared to can manufacturers. Can manufacturers must maintain low prices in order to compete with each other to gain share over these very few yet powerful buyers. Some brewers are avoiding switching costs all together through backward entry into the market. By 1989, due to production of cans by â€Å"captive† plants, 25% of all can output was produced by captive plants. By 1980 brewers had capability to supply 55% of their can needs. As a result threat of backward entry is very likely for brewers. It is easier for brewers to do this because they make high-volume single-label products. While at the same time soft drink industry could not easily do this because they focused on low-volume multiple-label products. The aluminum can has three major substitutes buyers can choose from: Plastic bottles, which constituted for 11% of soft drink sales in 1989 along with a growth rate from 9 to 18% from 1980 to 1989; Glass bottles, which constituted for 14% of sales in the soft drink industry in 1989; and steel cans. The aluminum can however is a unique and valuable product to the industry, which is why they constituted for 75% of total sales in 1989. As stated in the case aluminum has many advantages over its substitutes. Aluminum is lighter than glass and steel, aluminum is easy to handle and fill, aluminum allows for a wider variety of graphics options, and also consumers prefer aluminum. Because this product is so unique and advanced, it absolutely increases the buyer’s product quality. Cans have a longer shelf life than plastics and bottles, they are lighter and easier to handle, and since they are coated with a protected seal inside the can taste is not sacrificed. All of which add value and quality to the finished product given to be consumed. Suppliers There are three large aluminum suppliers: Alcoa, Alcan, and Reynolds Metals. Alcoa is the largest producer of aluminum with sales of $9. 8 billion, Alcan ranked a close second with $8. 5 billion in sales, and Reynolds Metals is ranked second in the united states with sales of $5. 6 billion. The percentage of our supplies that come from large suppliers are 21% aluminum and 23% steel. Crown Cork and Seal represents 61% of sales for large suppliers. The supplied product is unique in that they have injected the aluminum cans gas to help the metal retain its shape. This allows the cans to hold more than just caffeinated beverages. Also, the steel is produced thinner to cut costs and weight and there are even steel/ aluminum mixes. In addition to aluminum and steel, there are glass and plastic suppliers that offer unique products based on function. There are always substitutes for a particular supplied product. With the advancement in technology, a cheaper, lighter product could be developed or a new innovative product could be discovered. For example: Bottling has transitioned over the decades from being primarily glass, then to steel, and now aluminum. The cost for switching a particular supplied product would be $20-$25 million based on the finding of switching from three piece to two piece cans. From reviewing the case, there does not seem to be a supplier that is excessively profitable. Even though Alcoa has the largest share of the market making $9. 8 billion in sales, Alcan is not too far behind with the $8. 5 billion. The other suppliers could always come out with a product which would give them a greater competitive advantage, and give threaten Alcoa’s top ranking position. In addition to profitability, there is a great likely hood to forward entry by a supplier. Reynolds Metals, who is a supplier, sold over 11 billion cans itself. The supplier’s product is very important to our product quality. The difference between the value of resources used and the value of the aluminum can to the brewer makes up the surplus value between what the supplier sells the aluminum for and what Crown Cork and Seal can get for it. Competitors Entrants There are a number of threatening entrants to the can manufacturing business. As the market continues to see more suppliers producing cans, and more brewers skipping the middle man (can manufacturer), the threat becomes more serious. Substitutes The shift towards plastic bottles, and perhaps more innovative materials are the threats to substitutes for cans. Corporate Profitability and Productivity: Please See Appendix A Threats to Competitive Equilibrium A 10X force that may come from the general environment to greatly disturb Crown Cork and Seal’s equilibrium in the market might be a socio-cultural shift to be more health conscious. This may hurt the soft drink industry especially hard since they are so high in sugar and there is an epidemic of diabetes and childhood obesity in America. In 1989, soft drinks accounted for more than 50% of the beverage industry. If the health craze were to gain momentum, it could cut into soft drink sales severely. This would increase the market for water and juices. However, water and juice tend to come in plastic containers for the most part. Crown, Cork & Seal never got into the plastics market and this could be a huge problem for them. If they do not find a new market for their products they might be left out in the cold once a health revolution occurs in society. The impact on sales would be overwhelming. This would bring profits way down and they may even start to have losses if they do not make adjustments fast enough. Their assets may also decrease in value because there would be less demand for can making machines due to an increase in the need for plastics making machines. With this massive shift in end-user sentiment, Crown, Cork, and Seal would have trouble convincing investors and banks to bet on them thus increasing their cost of capital greatly. A 10X force from the competitive environment could come from Crown, Cork, and Seal’s buyers, especially soft drink bottlers. There has been a trend of consolidation among soft drink bottlers and they have used this to gain leverage over their suppliers and get discounts for their bulk orders. If they were to continue with this trend of consolidation, it could create a scenario in which the bottlers could make their cans in-house cheaper than ordering them from companies like Crown, Cork, and Seal. This would be devastating for Crown, Cork, and Seal to say the least. Since soft drink bottlers are Crown, Cork, and Seal’s largest buyer, this would likely put so much stress on the company that it would eventually become obsolete unless the trend changed or the company shifted their focus before it was too late. This 10X force would bring sales way down for Crown, Cork, and Seal. Even if their sales were not hit as hard as possible, their profits would likely suffer anyway because of the pressure their buyers would be able to put on them with the threat of in-house can manufacturing. Their assets would not drop too much in value because there would still be a market for can manufacturing equipment in this scenario. Crown, Cork, and Seal would likely find it more difficult to attract investors to their company and even their cost of debt would increase with a likely decrease in the rating of their bonds. These two setbacks would drive up their cost of capital and make it difficult to raise money to shift their focus if they wait too long to do so.

Falconi removals business Essay

Falconi removals business I will choose for them location in my area Harehills road because is good busy place. Is good connection to big local stores as continental, electrical superstores. Falconi business is depending now much works them received from customers. I think Harehills area will give those lots local customers who moving the houses or being stuff from shop. Falconi can find unemployed people and give them job. Harrehills area is more cheap then for example city centre and they can safe more money from renting office or buy cheaper place for business in this area. The most important point to make Falconis business is not more removal company there. They will not have concurrency in business. Economies of scale- are the cost advantages that a firm obtains due to expansion. Diseconomies of scale are the opposite. Economies of scale may be utilized by any size firm expanding its scale of operation. The common ones are purchasing managerial, financial and marketing. Each of these factors reduces the long average cost (LRAC) of production by shifting the short-run average total cost curve down and to the right. The local labour force- The labor force is the number of people employed and unemployed. Participation rate is the ratio between the labor force and the overall size of their cohort. In the West during the latter half of the 20th century, the labor force participation rate increased significantly, largely due to the increasing number of women entering the workplace. Local employment levels- local unemployment rate may play a part in the decision where to locate. Uk currently has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe. However, unemployment is not evenly spread and some parts of the country have high levels of unemployment like Northern Ireland, parts of west Cornwell and the north-east of England. Wage and salary levels- for some firms wages account for a significant proportion of their total cost so a business may decide to locate in an area of relatively low wages, Wage in south-east of England tend to be higher then in south Wales. These areas tend also to be areas of above average unemployment as workers are keen to find work and are prepared to accept lower wages. Nearness to customers- There are a limit to how far customers will travel to buy fish and chips even if they are excellent quality. Fish and chip shops will need to be situated in area where plenty of local customers are. Debenhams will only consider locating a new store in an area of relatively high population. Nearness to suppliers- for some businesses near suppliers of key raw materials and components may be the main factory where to locate. Over the years a wide range of suppliers have grown up in area such as companies supplying electrical fittings and other important components. Up until 1979 the uk imported all of its crude oil. Historical reasons for location- In an area a business may be reluctant to reluctant to relocate, with all the expense and upheaval that this involves. During the 18th and 19th centuries a large number of pottery and earthenware business set up in the area because of the availability of suitable fireclay. Demographic change- Over the thirty years some parts of the country have experienced increases in population as people move into the area in search of work. These demographic changes will have a significant impact on local the business.

Army to College

From the military to the university, when I entered military education where the bus was strictly protected, I stared at the slogan: Do what you can do. As the bus stopped, several angry drill coaches began to introduce us a very colorful vocabulary. They instructed us to gather our belongings, got off the bus and gathered them in the circle. When I was looking for the strength to stand up, I found myself moving, and a few drilling instructors shouted at us. US Army War College will develop leaders at a strategic level while enhancing knowledge of Landpower's global applications. The purpose of the US Army War College is to train graduates with skill-oriented philosophers and complex problem solvers. At the same time, the US military is also responsible for serving as a factory for commanders and civilian leaders at the global strategic level and often discusses and discusses the role of the army in achieving national security objectives doing. The Army ROTC is a course offered at hu ndreds of universities throughout the country, training university students to become aggressive soldiers, army reserve forces and army guards. This is a four-year course that can be divided into two parts: basic and advanced. The basic course is usually done between the freshman year and the second grade. Advanced courses usually take place during the last two years of the university, including a five-year leadership assessment development program. Usually done in the summer between your junior and senior. LDAC provides you with practical training and confidence that you can not learn in class. Army ROTC's mission is to trust to lead the US Army's future officers. Army ROTC is a college elective subject you can take the necessary university course. Provide tools, training, and experience to succeed in a competitive environment. In addition to good leadership training, the Army ROTC can also pay tuition fees at your university. You will have ordinary college student experience on ca mpus just like any other person, but when you graduate you will become an army officer. Being a US Army officer means that you are a leader, consultant, strategist and motivated. It is similar to being an important administrator of the company. As a military officer, you lead other soldiers in all situations and adapt to changing circumstances. You will succeed with your team in every task Army to College From the military to the university, when I entered military education where the bus was strictly protected, I stared at the slogan: Do what you can do. As the bus stopped, several angry drill coaches began to introduce us a very colorful vocabulary. They instructed us to gather our belongings, got off the bus and gathered them in the circle. When I was looking for the strength to stand up, I found myself moving, and a few drilling instructors shouted at us. US Army War College will develop leaders at a strategic level while enhancing knowledge of Landpower's global applications. The purpose of the US Army War College is to train graduates with skill-oriented philosophers and complex problem solvers. At the same time, the US military is also responsible for serving as a factory for commanders and civilian leaders at the global strategic level and often discusses and discusses the role of the army in achieving national security objectives doing. The Army ROTC is a course offered at hu ndreds of universities throughout the country, training university students to become aggressive soldiers, army reserve forces and army guards. This is a four-year course that can be divided into two parts: basic and advanced. The basic course is usually done between the freshman year and the second grade. Advanced courses usually take place during the last two years of the university, including a five-year leadership assessment development program. Usually done in the summer between your junior and senior. LDAC provides you with practical training and confidence that you can not learn in class. Army ROTC's mission is to trust to lead the US Army's future officers. Army ROTC is a college elective subject you can take the necessary university course. Provide tools, training, and experience to succeed in a competitive environment. In addition to good leadership training, the Army ROTC can also pay tuition fees at your university. You will have ordinary college student experience on ca mpus just like any other person, but when you graduate you will become an army officer. Being a US Army officer means that you are a leader, consultant, strategist and motivated. It is similar to being an important administrator of the company. As a military officer, you lead other soldiers in all situations and adapt to changing circumstances. You will succeed with your team in every task

The link between communication skills and the development of emotional Essay

The link between communication skills and the development of emotional and behavioural problems in children - Essay Example Pragmatic language skills include behaviours such as conversational or other communicative turn-taking, making good use of gestures and maintaining eye contact. As well as these specific aspects of language and communication, children must be able to both express their thoughts (expressive language) and understand those of others (receptive language) in both social and learning situations. As for the term "communication disorders", it includes a wide variety of problems in language, speech, and hearing. Speech and language impairments include articulation problems, voice disorders, fluency problems (such as stuttering), aphasia (difficulty in using words, usually as a result of a brain injury), and delays in speech and/or language (Cohen, 2001, p.134-78). As for the definitions of Emotional and Behavioral Disorder (EBD), there are several of them, but basically it refers to a condition in which behavioral or emotional responses of an individual are so different from his/her generally accepted, age appropriate, ethnic or cultural norms that they adversely affect performance in such areas as self care, social relationships, personal adjustment, academic progress, classroom behavior, or work adjustment (Forness and Knitzer, 1992, p.12-21). In the first five years of life, the evolution of communication can be divided into three periods. The first period begins at birth when infants communicate through their cries, gazes, vocalizations and early gestures. These early communicative behaviours are not intentional, but set the stage for later intentional communication. In the second period, from six to 18 months, infants' communicative engagement with adults becomes intentional. A major turning point is the appearance of joint attention, which involves infants coordinating visual attention with that of another person regarding objects and events. In the third period, from 18 months onward, language overtakes action as children's primary means of learning and communication. For instance, preschoolers can engage in conversations about emotions that take into account another's affective state, can use language for self-control and have the capacity to negotiate verbally (Owens, Metz and Haas, 2000, p.14-19). There are variou s theories of language development, however, most of them stress the importance of interaction with a significant person who helps the infant express his or her needs and feelings: children will not learn to interact verbally if there is no one who is able to interact with them responsively. One of the theories, attachment theory, describes how a reciprocal relationship with a significant adult is important for emotional development: securely attached children use more complex language than maltreated children. It is important for both emotional and communication development (Cross, 2004, p.17-34). An important question is brought up here: can disruptions in language development affect emotional development, and vice versa: can emotional problems cause language impairment On the one hand, there is good evidence to suggest that communication difficulties can lead on to emotional, behavioural and psychiatric problems. Difficulties in understanding language seems to be a high risk factor for the development of psychiatric problems, but expressive difficulties also seem to be responsible for behavioural

Reducing the Hold of the Underage Credit Card Trap Essay

Reducing the Hold of the Underage Credit Card Trap - Essay Example With their deep pockets and ability to lobby Congress, regulating the credit card companies is not a realistic option. It's incumbent upon the customer base, the young people, to be well informed and make prudent credit decisions. It's also important for society to mandate that any young person that uses credit be licensed to do so, just as they are licensed to drive. Schools need to offer mandatory credit classes that will teach students how to calculate the cost of credit, as well as the long-term implications of credit card debt. They need to know that credit card purchases have a price, and the price may be hidden in the terms that they have failed to read. They need to recognize a misleading and overly aggressive credit card marketing scam when they see it. Most of the material could be integrated into existing Math and English courses. Math class could be used to teach how to calculate the long-term cost of a purchase based on the interest rate, as well as how to figure what the minimum monthly payment would be. English class could be a forum for reading and analyzing the fine print. It would need to offer a vocabulary section to discuss the specialized wording that companies use to mask their true intentions. It would be helpful if users understood the terms "pre-payment penalty", "grace period", and "inactivity fee".

Week 3-Individual small Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 3-Individual small - Assignment Example She decided that since she could not afford to pay 12000 dollars to health care for her first year in self-employment, she would seek more affordable coverage. She found out that she was only eligible for a cheaper insurance at this time of the year based on â€Å"special enrollment." This â€Å"special enrollment† includes elements like unexpected divorce, birth of a baby, and job loss among other circumstances that would make paying the needed money for health cover hard. Though this is a national case of changes in health care, the impact is far felt within the country. The reason for such ignorance is that sources of education for most people on health care changes and the requirement are not reliable and do not give finer details of options that are present. In this article, the author does not directly make a claim to solve the problem but anyone reading her article knows her suggestion. The lesson is that people need to be reeducated on the possibilities and circumstances that surround changes in healthcare insurance coverage as a means to adapt to healthcare reforms (Jean Card, 2014). Jean Card. (2014, July 17). How Obamacare Screwed Up My Small Business Health Insurance - US News. US News & World Report. Retrieved August 28, 2014, from

222 # 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

222 # 4 - Essay Example Once embraced fully in numerous states, death penalty is an effective tool to ensure crimes rates have declined contrary to life’s imprisonment. This is because many criminals prefer the latter than facing extermination. Yes. I think numerous states have realized costs involved in undertaking death penalty and its implications compared to other forms. This is as per Death Penalty Information Center recent report, which showed more than half of the respondents (54%) preferred any other type of life sentences compared to capital (DPIC). For instance, arguments based on costs referred to particular three cases, which before that conclusion cost the approximately 350 million, which is quite expensive than if it chose to give them a life sentence (DPIC). In addition, citizens including diverse activists are emerging with claims this punishment approach is not even fair for long seems to favor certain races. I think due to the complexity involved with lethal injections whereby those undertaking it might not have the necessary expertise, it should be obsolete but justice authorities uphold other executions. For instance, in my view I propose electric execution whose undertaking is more practical and does not encompass numerous complex technicalities to the executioner. In addition, its durations is quite short compared to legal whereby with the appropriate voltage of 40 seconds is enough then let the body cool down. â€Å"Whats New: Public Opinion: Majority of Pennsylvanians Prefer Life Sentences, Support Moratorium on Death Penalty.† Death Penalty Information Center – DPIC. 25Th March 2015. Web. 26Th March 2015.

Analyzing Understanding the War on Terror 3rd Edition Essay

Analyzing Understanding the War on Terror 3rd Edition - Essay Example It was probably then when the notion of America on war with terrorism took birth. Later on, George W. Bush, US President and other officials of USA having high ranks used this term of War on Terror extensively to show that America is against terrorism and the organisations that use weapons and keep armaments for the purpose of spreading terror. This campaign was started because these terrorist organisations were not only causing threat to USA but they are threatening to other countries as well. Such militant organisations are dangerous for humanity on the whole. The phrase of the war on terror is particularly used against militant Islamic organisations like al-Qaeda. On the other hand, the present President of USA Barack Obama does not use the terminology of war on terror officially as he makes use of the term Overseas Contingency Operation for the same idea as that of war on terror. But the term of the war on terror is still in use and is used by political persons in media and some parts of government also makes use of it e.g. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Some people believe that the term of the war on terror was introduced by the US President George W. Bush after the 9/11 terrorists attacks on the twin towers of USA. The term the war of terror is developed to show America’s clash with the people who have Islamic extremist thoughts. This term of the war on terror was selected by George W. Bush when the higher officials of USA wanted to introduce the term "global struggle against violent extremism† (Coaty and Babst, pp. 222–228). USA had already a strained relationship with Iraq and also with Afghanistan which was led by Taliban. This stress in relationship occurred as a result of Gulf War of 1991 but the situation worsened and the terrorists’ attacks on the Twin Towers on 9 September 2011 made the US President Bush to take some steps against terrorism. The attack on the Twin Towers is observed as the attack on humanity and not on USA alone. Terrorism is a problem which has threatened not only America but also its allies and other independent countries. Furthermore, after the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers the anthrax-laced letters which were sent to USA took the lives of five American people and it is thought to be the worst biological attack in the history of USA created by Islamist militant extremists, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). As these events occurred together so United States of America had to take an action. The union of happenings forced USA to make amendments in its foreign policy as well as domestic policy. As a consequence, American officials drafted USA Patriot Act and also developed Department of Homeland Security. These steps helped in the renovation of the security measures such as operation involving investigation and intelligence. Along with the alterations made in the domestic and foreign policy the President Bush ordered the Taliban government of Afghani stan to give Osama Bin Laden to the US government. It was suspected that Osama bin Laden was the hand behind these terrorists’ attacks and it is he who developed the whole plan of terrorism and executed it. Along with Osama bin Laden, US government wanted to capture other members of al-Qaeda which could be a threat for any further act of terrorism. But the government of Taliban did not accept the orders of President Bush which made US President to start operations of war against

Freedom and Social Political Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Freedom and Social Political Philosophy - Essay Example Social-political philosophy, therefore, refers to discipline infrastructure that aims to solve and discover problems that are deeply rooted in the society and affects human beings either directly or indirectly. It seeks to create a relationship between the society and man. Social-political philosophy is considered universal, prescriptive or largely theoretical in context (Simon, 2002). Social-political philosophy concerns the existence of man in the society. It helps identify the nature of human beings and evaluates how they are able to relate to the society. It deals with man’s relationship and conducts with the society at large. The questions posed by social-political philosopher’s targets issues such as democracy, rules and the purpose of the state. The person’s metaphysical orientation is one of the element s that determines political philosophy various questions that a social-political philosopher asks are vital in the creation of rules and laws associated with man and aimed at establishing the re3lationships that coexist with the society. The culture and experience of a philosopher determine how they are able to respond to the many questions raised and targeting man and society (Russell, 2000). A philosopher relates their ideas to those who came before them and the current issues affecting the society as a man’s dwelling place. Soc ial-political philosophy and political science functions together through political science are associated with answers that are descriptive (it says, ‘what is not and what is’). Political philosophy, on the other hand, utilizes the evaluative and analytical method in dealing with most of its issues. The paper seeks to discuss a social-political philosophy theme in the society. Freedom and justice are some of the themes in the social-political philosophy. The idea of freedom is recognized as ambiguous, indefinite and open to a lot of misconception.  

The Impact of Beijing Olympic Games on China Essay

The Impact of Beijing Olympic Games on China - Essay Example This paper argues that Beijing Olympic Games brought a positive impact on China, making it more competitive in the international sphere. It would also discuss the three significant themes that were accentuated in this event and would provide an in-depth analysis on the impact of the Beijing Olympic Games on economic, socio-political, environmental, and technological aspects of China. Essence of the Olympic Games in Beijing China According to Kronick and Dorne, managing director of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide and associate in Corporate Communications at Ogilvy & Mather China, respectively, the Olympic Games in 2008 is like a debutante ball for China to show to the world its wondrous Chinese culture (32). Also, it was a means to express Chinese people are now eager to communicate and join people from all over the world in promoting peace and progress (BOCOG, qtd. in Close, Askew, and Xu). After decades of closing its doors away from developing tight relations with other countries, even neighboring ones, it has finally opened the aperture towards a long-term and progressive relationship with these nations. Moreover, Kronick and Dorne refer to the Olympic games as a catalyst for change in China, just like what it already did to a number of cities like that of Tokyo, Japan, Barcelona Spain, and Sydney Australia. For instance, the 1964 Olympic Games which was held in Tokyo resulted to a technological boom due to consumers who were very eager to buy television sets just to watch the games in their homes. The same thing happened in Barcelona that held the 1992 Olympic Games wherein it awakened the sluggish place into a prestigious city. In Sydney, it incredibly showcased its unique Australian hospitality in the 2000 games (Kronick and Dorne 32). For Beijing, China, it serves as an exceptional way of marketing, no less than, the country itself. As a matter of fact, marketing experts would view the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games not solely intended for sports purposes but more importantly, as the launch of China as a superbrand that would be a huge opportunity as well as a large threat to many na tions (Kronick and Dorne 32). Apparently, China is serious on showing to the world that more than a manufacturing country, it is also on the road to a total improvement, progress, and innovation. The Beijing Olympic Games---Central Themes and Its Impact on the Macro-Environment of China In launching China as a superbrand, the Beijing Olympics in 2008 carried with it three major identifiable themes: people, technology, and â€Å"Green Olympics† (Kronick and Dorne 32). First, it highlighted people, most especially the majority of poverty-stricken Chinese who are yet to experience an upliftment of their condition. This theme on people served as the flagship in promoting a strong fight against the persisting social problems in the country (Kronick and Dorne 32). In so doing, this event had positive in the socio-political aspect of China. Second is technology which reflects the 2008 Beijing Olympics’ aim to provide highly advanced Olympic Games. The plan revealed a total of approximately US$157m worth of government funds and US$217m to 449 worth of private company contribution, all to support the Olympic technology projects (Kronick and Dorne 32). Thus, Beijing Olympic Games was an instrument to improve the technological facilities in China. Third is the so-called â€Å"

Where Should We Look to Find the Causes of Educational Inequalities Essay Example for Free

Where Should We Look to Find the Causes of Educational Inequalities Essay In this essay, I will be attempting to explain where I believe the causes of educational inequality lie. I will be focusing on 3 of the reasons that I believe there are such deep rooted inequalities in the education system. I believe that gender, ethnicity and class have the biggest impact on inequality in education. These are the issues which I will be discussing. The statistics are daunting, as Asthana, A (2010) states: boys are falling behind girls in 11 out of 13 learning categories by the age of five and Caribbean pupils are three times more likely to be excluded than any other ethnic group. I have chosen to focus on gender, ethnicity and social class in my essay, though these are by no means the only problems within the education system. I will start by discussing gender and educational inequality. Gender inequalities in education The impact on child attainment Women have always been allowed formal education, though formal education for all children has only been an ideal since about the mid-19th century. There were always a large proportion of people of both sexes who could not read or write, and many for whom formal education never went beyond basic reading and writing and simple arithmetic. Practical skills were more important for most people. Girls in ancient Greece and Rome for example, were educated, it was normal for women to be able to read and write, though most would not have had the same degree of education as boys. For girls, learning the practical skills to run a household would have been the most important part of their education. But some women did manage to make their mark as writers; Sapphos poetry was admired more than any other poet in ancient Greece except for Homer. Girls were often educated at home, though in medieval times for instance there were schools that educated children of both sexes. And upper-class girls sometimes went as boarders to nunneries. Among the upper classes it was commonplace for girls to be more literate than boys, because reading and writing were usually regarded as effeminate pursuits, a boys proper occupation was warfare. Grammar schools were normally only for boys, and in England, universities were open only to male students, though the proportion of boys who went there was tiny compared to the number who go today. Education for girls was of a fairly low standard during the 17th and 18th centuries, but from the early 19th century in America, and the mid-19th century in the UK, it was increasingly the case that all children were expected to attend school. Although boys and girls went to the same schools, they were not in the same classes and certainly were not taught the same subjects. Girls learnt subjects such as embroidery, needlework, music and writing as it was thought more important for them to study ‘accomplishments’ rather than academic subjects. Although a lot has changed regarding the differences between boys’ and girls’ education, there are still some issues that concerns us; the gender gap for example. The gender gap is the difference in attainment with boys and girls. In recent years, there has been a lot of worrying about the growing gap in attainment between boys and girls. By the age of 5, 53% of boys had reached the expected writing level compared with 72% of girls. They then underachieve at GCSE and not as many go on to university. Even once there, they are less likely to achieve a 2:1 or a first (Asthana, A 2010). Some contribute boys’ lower attainment to the changing notions of masculinity and differing attitudes to schoolwork. As Renold, E (2001) stated, many boys learnt the hard way early in their school careers that studiousness and academic success conflict with conventional forms of hegemonic masculinity. Renold (2001) then goes on to argue that as a result of the contradictory masculinities produced by the school, the boys invented an array of strategies and techniques to avoid what were perceived as ‘non-masculine’/ or ‘feminine’ classroom behaviours and to disguise both their desire for and the achievement of, academic success. As Connell (1996, cited in Renold, E 2001) claims, when he discusses ‘gender strategies for schools’, existing patterns of gender relation can only be altered or changed by paying close attention to the ‘dynamics of masculinity’, especially the means by which alternative masculinities are construed (peer support/ collectivity) and resisted (gender and sexualised bullying). Another issue is, of course the same sex school debate. I believe that Co-educational schools are better for children as it teaches them things that are not on the curriculum. It teaches kids maturity with members of the opposite sex. We can logically conclude that members from a coeducational school are generally more understanding of their opposing sex than those who are in a single-sex school. This doesn’t apply to students who have no siblings or are in relationships. It applies to the vast majority of students with any form of schooling. A sibling only has one personality, a girlfriend or a boyfriend only possess one personality. One must be able to understand and cope with members with different personality types to be counted as mature. Also, in a co-ed school, pupils form more diverse relationships. More diverse friendship types would supposedly lead to a bigger and better social life, which is important to have for school students as they progress in life. The logic behind this reasoning is that once you are in the working force, you must be able to deal with anyone that you work with, work for and assign work to. In the real world, we are not separated from the opposite sex so why are we separated in schools? Ethnicity and Inequality in education Ethnicity and inequality of education has always been, in my opinion, a delicate subject. There’s always the possibility of appearing racist or as though discriminating in some way. Rob Meyers (1994) when talking of educational inequality states; â€Å"with the passing of slavery, equality of education was one of the rights formerly held back that was now for Black people to take advantage of. With this equal starting ground, social integration would be a realizable dream. Yet after over 120 years, equality of education had been denied to Black children, thus preventing them from the amount of financial success white children have in life after school. Through benign neglect and the goal of some to find a genetic link to race and intelligence, Black students have been railroaded into low end jobs and inescapable poverty. As Bowles and Gintis have stated, the purpose of education is to preserve the existing class structure. Since the abolition of slavery, racist whites have used the educational system to keep their thrones and to keep blacks poor. Ideas of minority inferiority are spread, and the misinformed fall into the trap of believing that race determines intelligence, using skewed test data to help support their ideas. † Although I’m sure Meyers work has some implications of truth, I don’t believe that this is all about racism and it certainly isn’t all about black children. There are ethnic minorities from all over the globe who experience educational inequality and discrimination. For example, while some ethnicities like Caribbean boys receive negative discrimination I. e. teachers thinking that they won’t perform to as high a standard as the other children, thus creating a self-fulfilling prophecy, other ethnicities such as Chinese girls receive positive discrimination; teachers thinking that they will be able to perform naturally higher than other students for example, thus putting added stress and pressure on the students. Though one could argue that the fact Asian girls excel is not due to positive discrimination but because their families, friends and societies value hard work, discipline and educational achievement. It is however, very important to maintain high expectations for all students, no matter the race, social background or ability. In the UK, there is evidence that points toward black Caribbean pupils being excessively moved into for lower tier maths and science exams at age 14. Strand (in press, cited in Twining 2012) has shown that black Caribbean students are the only ethnic group to be regularly under represented, relative to white students in entry to higher maths and science test tiers. Furthermore, this under-representation is not a by-product of their lower prior attainment; nor of variances in gender, social class, and a wide range of contextual variables. Strand concludes it is possible that teachers’ conclusions of black Caribbean students’ academic possibility may be distorted by observations of their behaviour as more challenging than it actually is. This may, in turn, lead to a inclination to miscalculate their academic capability (Twining 2012). While black Caribbean children (especially the males) have been consistently labelled as being the underachievers in secondary level education, research has shown that white working class males actually make up around half of the number of low achieving school leavers (Kingdom and Cassen, 2007; Cassen and Kingdom 2007, cited in Twining, 2012). As Asthana (2010) convincingly states, â€Å"Once it was a story of black and white, in which racial discrimination was a major driving force. But in tomorrows report, the story of ethnicity is a complicated one – in which poor black boys underachieve, as do those from Irish Traveller families, but poor Chinese girls overachieve; Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities see different outcomes to Indian ones; and there is a growing group of mixed race children who in themselves have complex outcomes. Other issues students from other cultures face is the need to conform to British culture. I believe that the classroom would be a more efficient place to learn if students were allowed to incorporate knowledge from their cultures into it. Or perhaps teachers should be trained to understand other cultures and to try to teach students by referring to things they may have learnt in their communities.

Apple Case Study Essay Example for Free

Apple Case Study Essay Apple Inc. (previously Apple Computer, Inc. ) is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software and personal computers. Apple currently has 246 retail stores located in 44 states that employs over 27,000 retail employees. Apple also employs over 304,000 U. S. individuals from development to transportations. As of September 11, 2012, Apple is the largest publicly traded company ever. Apple has established a unique reputation in the consumer electronics industry. This includes a customer base that is devoted to the company and its brand, particularly in the United States. Fortune magazine named Apple the most admired company in the United States in 2008 and in the world in 2008, 2009, 2010 and2011. This case study will not only highlight Apple’s strengths, it will also discuss its weaknesses and past failures that have laid the foundation to become one the most powerful companies in the world. As the story famously goes, â€Å"two Steves† started one of the biggest computer companies ever in a garage after quitting their day jobs. Steve Jobs worked at Atari, a computer and gaming company and Steve â€Å"Woz† Wozniak worked at Hewlett-Packard. A friend introduced the two seeing their mutual interest in electronics. Woz had built a computer in his spare time as a hobby. According to Charles Hill and Gareth Jones (2012), authors of Essentials of Strategic Management, â€Å"That is what people did in 1976,† (p. C13). Jobs realized that people might want to buy such a machine and persuaded Woz to set up a company to make and market it. Headquarters: Jobs’ garage in California. Thus Apple Computers was born. A total of 200 units were sold at a price of $666 each; the product rolled out on April Fool’s Day in 1976 at a local electronics store. The company went on to see great successes and some failures, and the two Steves are heralded as revolutionizing the personal computer industry. After improving on the garage computer, named Apple I, with better graphics, more data storage and a simpler looking machine, Apple introduced the Apple II in 1977. This personal computer that was user friendly to non-computer using consumers soon made the two twenty somethings into millionaires. Throughout the years, subsequent models that improved on the speed and design of the Apple II were released. With these improvements came additional products: software, external drives and printers, to name a few. By 1983, the Apple IIe was introduced, which would become Apple’s most popular and best-selling of all models. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, Apple computers became computing standard for elementary schools. By the time the Apple II line became defunct, more than 2 million Apple IIs had been sold and home computers were gaining popularity. Apple Computers also changed its name simply to Apple to reflect its diversity of products. During this general timeframe, Woz was piloting a plane that stalled and crashed; he suffered some memory loss. He returned to Apple sporadically throughout the ensuing years but formally ended his full-time association with the company in 1987. Two new engineers were brought on board for two new project ideas: Jeff Raskin for the Macintosh computer model and Bill Atkinson for the more business-oriented Lisa computer. The Macintosh became a success; the Lisa did not. In 1991 Apple continued to build on its founders’ guiding principle—that the individual, not the mainframe, should be at the center of the computing universe (â€Å"Silicon Valley,† 2012). The company introduced a portable Mac, which was the predecessor of the modern laptop. In 1993 it launched the Newton, a personal digital assistant which let consumers compute without sitting at a desk. The end of the 1990s brought yet another breakthrough Apple computer—the iMac, which touted power, ease of use and esthetics. The iPod, a digital music player and the iPhone, a phone with Internet capabilities, are two of Apple’s newest immensely popular products. Steve Jobs died of cancer in October of 2011 after working and leading on and off at Apple throughout the years; Woz is 62 and currently spends his time as a writer, speaker, researcher and philanthropist. Tim Cook is the current CEO of Apple. On August 20, Apple officially became the most valuable company in history in terms of market capitalization (â€Å"Forbes,† 2012). Heading into the final hour of trading on the NASDAQ, the stock had risen more than two percent, giving the company a market cap of over $620 billion with shared trading over $662 apiece. The reason—speculation over its newest product release—the iPhone 5. Identification of the company’s internal strengths and weaknesses Strengths: †¢Product development. Doesnt invent the market, but its products set high standards for the market †¢Design and utility. Sleek, not clunky. For instance, the desktop computer is part of the screen, not a separate box with wires; the iPhone has very few buttons and feels nice in the hand. Products are easy to use, almost intuitive †¢Marketing. Clever and takes advantages of peoples frustrations with other hardware †¢Brand name †¢ Globally recognized †¢Rapid growth and high profits †¢ Pioneer of innovative and high-tech quality products such as iPod, iPhone and iPad †¢Strong Research Development department (9% of sales devoted to RD) †¢ Having the control of both its own hardware and software †¢ Having had a visionary, charismatic and innovative CEO like Steve Jobs †¢ Apple retail store experience allowing customers to use and experience Apple’s products †¢ Having a large segment of loyal customers †¢Sales of add-on products Highlighting of its products as the world’s greenest line-up of notebooks Weaknesses: †¢Very proprietary and controlling. Wont open the operating system to outsiders to develop hardware to work with the products, keeping hardware sales to itself. While this keeps design control inside and up to standards, it has hurt wide adaptation of its hardware, especially computers, where it has a relatively small market share. Apple has veto power over Apps sold †¢ The death of Steve Jobs and the absence of his leadership will be a weakness for Apple as they find ways to match his innovation †¢Not shareholder-friendly. Has abused option granting in the past and refuses to pay a dividend despite a huge (and growing) cash level, no debt, and plentiful free cash flow †¢The battery life of the products are seen as weak †¢ Failure of two products; First Apple TV launch and Mac Mini †¢ Decision to restrict the iPhone to a single network †¢ The lack of QWERTY keyboard in products like iPad and iPhone †¢ Low market share in comparison with HP, Dell, Acer, Lenova and Toshiba †¢ Apple products are highly priced, so it is hard to suit their target market Opportunities: †¢Loyal customer base which has expanded beyond the Mac-heads of the 1990s with the iPod and the iPhone. The iPad has had a very successful launch. This seems to be leading to more sales of computers. †¢Has a well-deserved reputation for high-quality products that work smoothly. New products are generally well-received and have a built in purchasing base. †¢Move into other computer or media product spaces that are not served well. Can continue to design the standard-setter for those spaces. †¢A new version of Apple TV could take advantage of todays more highly developed Web. Threats: †¢Big ideas are easy to copy. Microsoft copied the graphical user interface, and even Linux has a version. The touchscreen interface is being used in other phones (e. g. Android). Apps are being developed for other smart phones and devices. †¢High-priced products. Apple priced itself out of the personal computer market, and that remains a problem. Other smartphones that look and behave similarly to the iPhone are less expensive. †¢Google is moving into Apples smartphone space by giving away the operating system, and it has announced that it will also be moving into the TV space. Both companies are well-funded, so any battle between the two could be long and ugly. Nature of external environment surrounding the company The industry grows and changes at an alarming pace. Every day there are new products that flood the market. New technology changes cell phones, laptops and new products are advertised every week. The major companies in the industry are Apple, Acer, Dell, and ‘Hewlett Packard’. In order for new companies to break into this market, they need to have a high entry barrier as well as a differentiated strategy from the existing companies. There is also a high learning curve with the customers getting accustomed to the new products. The existing brand names make the entry barrier very difficult to break into. Apple seems to be financially stable and healthy with weaknesses and threats that Apple has overcome and conquered in its past. The strengths show Apple’s foundation built upon a long line of unique products and branding, powerful research and development along with commanding marketing gurus that make Apple the powerhouse it has become today. Financially, the financial papers seem to be responsible and accountable with much thought put into Apple’s strategy. According to YCharts (June 30, 2012), Apple’s current ratio is 1. 71, which is slightly above book value. When you have a current ratio of 1, it means that your current assets are exactly the same as your current liabilities. â€Å"The current ratio measures a companys ability to pay short-term debts and other current liabilities by comparing current assets to current liabilities† (YCharts, 2007-2012, para. 1). Apple’s gross profit margin (sales-cost of goods sold/revenue) is 42. 81%, gross profit margin represents the percentage of each dollar of a companys revenue that is available to cover fixed costs after paying for the goods or services that were sold. With Apple seizing new opportunities every day, Apple will continue to dominate its markets for a long time to come and will remain fiscally responsible while continuing to make large profits, making it a wise decision to invest in the Apple organization. SWOT analysis It cannot be debated that Apple has many strengths. They should not, however, become complacent with their success and in order to maintain its competitive advantage, the company must constantly evaluate their internal and external operations and address its weaknesses and threats, as well as assess its strengths and use them appropriately. One of Apple’s current strengths is its brand recognition and strong brand image. Apple has effectively used this strength through product development. As Apple took the market by storm and was gaining momentum, it expanded its product offering. With each new product such as the iPhone and the iPad, consumers expected the same quality and ease of use as Apple’s preceding products as they had already established that position in the consumer mind. Apple also has an enviable position in the market place and in the minds of the financial world. Apple’s robust financial performance is strength as the growth in capital allows for continued growth. While reviewing the strengths, one must also consider the weaknesses. For example, Apple’s weaknesses can be demonstrated with the release of the iPhone 4 and the concerns over the antenna on the product and how it could affect the performance of the device. Product recalls can result in a damaged image and reputation which will affect sales. Recalls also result in warranty and other expenses. It is clear that Apple views the iPhone as a major opportunity. The iPhone leads the company in percentage of sales, and with he new release of the 4s, combined with additional service providers supporting the device, will continue to do so. The expanding tablet market and demand for mobile technology also makes the iPad market a big opportunity for Apple. Expanding in international markets is also a big opportunity for Apple. Despite its strengths and opportunities, Apple faces many threats. One major threat to the company’s iPhone growth is the rising popularity of Google’s Android. Critics and users alike have stated that the Android is comparable, if not superior, to the iPhone technology. This fierce competitor is sure to affect Apple’s market share. In conclusion, an overview of Apple’s SWOT allows us to break down current strengths, as well as weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This allows us to further analyze the company as a whole and is imperative when devising a corporate strategy. The kind of corporate level strategy the company is pursuing Apple’s corporate strategy is to focus on making the industries’ best products. They are a company that focuses on innovation, and also improvements on their existing products. They use the focused differentiation strategy, by making products that are exclusive, and fairly expensive. Not everyone can afford an Apple product. They focus on aligning their business strategy and their marketing strategy with product development. This is something that they do much better than their competitors, and this is a huge advantage for them. Apples target market is people who are willing to pay more for products with better user experience, people who like to have fun with technology, music enthusiasts and people who work with media and design professionals. They have done a good job by finding out which customer needs to satisfy. They have found out that these customers want a nice, beautiful and simple design and user input, and they have focused on programs that help photograph and edit both pictures and videos, as well as good music programs to both listen to and make music. To make these programs, they have to have to focus on innovation, and have programmers and designers that can make programs like thisthat are easy to use, beautiful to look at, and do what you expect them to do. The nature of the company’s business-level strategy Apple’s fundamental business model has not changed since it first began business in the late 1980s. Apple’s organizational strategy â€Å"think different† is to control the development and design of the hardware and software for all of its products. The company is focused on providing innovative products and solutions to consumers. Apple has a simple strategy of providing customers with the best products and experiences possible. Another strategy is offering exclusiveness of their products to certain providers and companies. This not only builds a strong working relationship, but also builds a strong want by consumers for Apple products. I think the most important strategy is their branding strategy. This includes making new products that supports a â€Å"digital hub† strategy. This is a concept where the products that Apple produces will function as a hub for digital devices such digital cameras, cell phones, etc. Apple focuses on the lifestyle of the customer which includes imagination, hopes, dreams, and many more attributes. They are committed to the customer (Apples branding strategy, 2011). Mission Statement Apple mission statement is as follows, â€Å"Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices (Investor relations, 2011). † Steve Jobs stated that Apple’s â€Å"core value that the company believes, is people with passion can change the world for the better. † He stressed that value at its core is something that should never change despite the world changing around it. The company’s structure and control systems and how they match its strategy Apple’s first product, the Apple I, was vastly different from the Apple products of today. This first handmade computer kit was constructed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. It lacked a graphic user interface (GUI), and buyers had to add their own keyboard and display. Co-founder Steve Jobs convinced Wozniak that it could be sold as a commercial product. In 1976 the Apple I was unveiled at the Home Brew Computer Club and put on sale for $666. 66. Jobs and Wozniak continued to create innovative products. Soon their new company, Apple Computer Inc. , had surpassed $1 million in sales. However, the mid-1980s saw some difficult times for Apple. In 1983 the company introduced the Apple Lisa for $10,000. The product flopped. In 1985 Steve Jobs was ousted after internal conflicts with the Apple CEO. Its computer products the Mac I and the Newton were not successful, and the company underwent several CEO changes. With declining stock prices, the future of Apple was in jeopardy. Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997 to try and save the struggling company. The return of Jobs introduced a new era for Apple. Jobs immediately began to change the company’s corporate culture. Before Jobs’ return, employees were more open about Apple projects. After he returned, Jobs instituted a â€Å"closed door† policy. Today Apple continues to remain vigilant in protecting its technology and ensuring that information remains proprietary. Jobs also created a more flattened organizational structure; rather than go through layers of management to address employees, he addressed them directly. Perhaps one of the most noticeable changes, however, was Apple’s expansion into new product lines within the electronics industry. In 2001 Apple launched the iPod—a portable music player that forever changed the music industry. The company also introduced iTunes, a type of â€Å"jukebox† software that allowed users to upload songs from CDs onto their Macs and then organize and manage their personalized song libraries. Two years later Apple introduced the iTunes Store, in which users could download millions of their favorite songs for $0. 99 each online. In 2007 Jobs announced that Apple Computer, Inc. would be re-named Apple Inc. This signified that Apple was no longer just a computer manufacturer but also a driver in consumer electronics. Some saw this as a shift away from computers toward consumer electronics such as Apple TV, iPods, iTunes, iPhones, and iPads. However, it may be more accurate to say that Apple is reinventing computers. With the introduction of tablet computers such as the iPad, Apple has begun to take market share away from its top competitors in the computer industry. Sales of desktops, laptops, and netbooks began to decline after tablet computers were introduced. Analysts believe that tablet computers will continue to grow at a rapid rate. Apple’s transition from a computer to a consumer electronics company is unprecedented—and hard to replicate. Although many can only speculate about why Apple succeeded so well, they tend to credit Steve Jobs’ remarkable leadership abilities, Apple’s highly skilled employees, and its strong corporate culture. Conclusion Today, Apple continues to lead the industry with their outstanding and ‘ award winning’ products and services. Apple is also credited with leading the digital media revolution with their iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online media store, creating the first sustainable music-downloading business model in history (Gershon, 2009, p. 367). The company has also entered the mobile phone industry with an altogether different business strategy known as† value innovation† with the iPhone. Value innovation focuses on making the competition irrelevant by opening up new and untapped markets, creating a leap in value for consumers. The iPhone is yet another product that has changed the way the industry defines new product standards and possibilities. With growing demand for high-quality, powerful, user-friendly, and cost effective products, Apple is undoubtedly the leader in terms of bringing these ideas to life. The company realizes that rather than publicly announcing product development plans years in advance, products are better received with an â€Å"awe† response if they are simply released when they’re finished as opposed to providing â€Å"beta† or â€Å"demo† versions to the public. This is an excellent strategy when the goal is to keep consumers eager for the latest products and asking, â€Å"What could they possibly improve next? †

How The Media Influences Public Perceptions Media Essay

How The Media Influences Public Perceptions Media Essay 3.1 Introduction to the media The mass media is one of the most influential sources of providing news to members of the public. It also has a powerful impact on public perceptions of specific issues, for example sex offenders (Brayford Deering, 2012). In order for a story to enter any form of the mass media, it needs to meet certain newsworthy criteria to help media companies entice greater audiences, thus increasing overall profit (Galtung Ruge, 1965). Female sexual offending fulfils key aspects of newsworthy criteria. The cases covered tend to include elements of seriousness and negativity, which appeals to audiences (Greer, 2003). Child sexual offenders have long received much negative coverage by the mass media, causing a topic for public debate (Kitzinger, 2004).This chapter focuses on how the media represents FCSOs, with particular reference to the Vanessa George case, and examines how it can influence public perception of FCSOs. It is important to note that most academic research involving child sexual o ffenders, and also the media, focus on sexual offenders in general rather than specifically FCSOs. Therefore this chapter bases its conclusions on the limited research available. Another important issue to consider is that the media provides conflicting representations of women as offenders, in particular FCSOs. On the one hand, female offenders, like Myra Hindley, who receive large amounts of media attention, are demonised, but on the other hand, many other FCSOs go unnoticed in the media due to the traditional concepts of femininity (Giguere Bumby, 2007). These contradictions are often mirrored in public reactions, creating complications. The challenges in understanding representations of FCSOs are explored during the course of the chapter. How the media influences public perceptions of FCSOs The hypodermic syringe model is a theory which describes the media like a drug, injecting opinions directly into the minds of readers (Kitzinger, 2004). This is one way of understanding the effect of the media on public perceptions of FCSOs. It can produce a powerful effect, as the emotion produced by these offences could be why the media choose to report on them. Reports may cause outbursts of street anger and violence, stemming from moral panic, creating hysteria among the public (Thomas, 2005; Cohen, 1972). This is evident in the case of nursery worker Vanessa George (BBC, 2009) who abused children in her care. The media coverage of this case may have made the public start to look at women, particularly those working with children, in a different light, with the same suspicion as men. However, evidence suggests that this has only been provoked by the rare number of FCSO cases actually reported on, as most of the time society has a blind spot regarding female-perpetrated sexual abu se (Tsopelas et al., 2012). This is due to the care-giving roles which females are expected to hold towards children (Finkelhor et al., 1988), which are habitually represented in various forms of the media: films, news reports, TV, etc. It could be argued that, depending on which particular ideology the media decides to report on with regards to FCSOs, their portrayal will have a significant impact on how society views them. This illustrates the complications created by the media, providing contradictory perceptions of FSCOs, causing confusion as to how the public should perceive them. The media uses tactics such as emotive language and imagery to influence how the public view certain criminals. One example is the use of the iconic image of Myra Hindley within media reports. The picture showed her as emotionless and cold, making her seem masculine (see appendix 1). Being such a powerful and well-known case, it also shaped how society imagines FCSOs to look (Kitzinger, 2004). Even though this was proved to be a co-offending case, it showed how society views any female involved in such crimes as going against the traditional gender model of women. This relates to the theory used by many feminists who argue that such women are regarded as double deviant, and receive harsher treatment by society, as they not only breach the law, but also break feminine norms (Heidensohn, 1987). Applying this theory, FCSOs may be regarded as the worst form of criminals, due to the seriousness of their offences. This could explain why they receive such negative portrayals within the medi a. However, a counter-argument is that females involved in child sexual offending may be viewed by the public as harmless, and their involvement is not perceived as a form of abuse. If the media do not themselves believe that female-perpetrated sexual abuse is a problem within society, they can hardly provide such negative representation with impunity. This is supported by Denov (2003), who states that the public perceive FCSOs as committing less serious offences than male sexual offenders, due to the common belief that women cannot be capable of committing such crimes. Thus, it appears that the media is likely to hold similar views in order to serve the interests of the public, and focuses attention primarily on issues involving male sexual offenders. There is strong evidence to suggest that FCSOs are treated as double deviant, although some theorists would refute this, with the rationale that they are perceived as less serious criminals than their male counterparts. However, when considering examples such as Myra Hindley, that would appear to be a false supposition. Media representations of FCSOs Historically, FCSOs have rarely been reported on by the media. This may be due to the myth that abuse by a female is seen as a confused form of love (Gannon Cortoni, 2010: 13), and suggests that even if women do sexually abuse children, it is in a less aggressive manner than male sexual offenders, and may not necessarily inflict damage on a child. The media is unlikely to report on these cases, as they do not fit newsworthy criteria discussed earlier. This could be why the public generally has a lack of knowledge concerning issues surrounding female child sexual offending. As Strickland (2008) argues, men are traditionally viewed as having more aggressive personalities, and are more likely to commit criminal offences. Consequently, it can be argued that these stereotypes make it easy for the media to report on issues and cases linked to them. Moreover, the lack of reports on FCSOs could explain the reason for the lack of disclosure by their victims (Denov, 2003). This is discussed i n Chapter 5. As indicated in Chapter 1, any abuse committed by females is usually referred to in the media as a relationship or affair (Tsopelas et al., 2012: 306) compared with when the perpetrator is a man, in which case the reporters often refer to them as abusers, again resulting in lack of reports on cases perpetrated by females. This encourages academics to ask the question of whether female-perpetrated child sexual abuse is under-reported, due to the above reasons, or if it is so uncommon that there are not enough cases for the media to actually report on. Nowadays increasing knowledge and awareness about issues of female child sexual offending has roused strong societal reactions, resulting in increased coverage in the media. Newspapers frequently portray FCSOs as evil monsters (Gakhal Brown, 2011). This shows a dramatic change from when they were largely ignored in the media, or seen to be coerced into abuse by a male, and has given society a new perspective on the problem. One of the most dramatic cases with wide media coverage was that of Vanessa George. A mother of two, she worked at a nursery in Plymouth. In December 2009 she was convicted of sexual assault, and the making of and being in possession of/distributing indecent images of children, and was given an indeterminate prison sentence with a minimum requirement of seven years. In November 2010, a serious case review was conducted (PSCB, 2010), and it was discovered that the nursery provided an ideal environment for the abuse to be carried out. It found that certain gaps wit hin the system allowed George to commit these offences, such as the nurserys phone line being out of order, allowing workers to bring their own mobile phones in for emergencies. This presented George with an opportunity to take indecent images of children on her mobile. Yet the media reports paid little attention to these mistakes, focusing primarily on her abusive behaviour. It was also discovered during the investigation that she was an active part of a co-offending group, initiated by a male perpetrator, Colin Blanchard, and yet interestingly, the media attention focused primarily on George. In the serious case review, it was noted that she had no previous convictions, the abuse only starting when she came into contact with Blanchard over the internet. George was manipulated into committing abuse and sharing images with him. These facts were, however, expressed in a completely different manner throughout the media reporting on the case. This warrants further examination, by analy sing reports from various media sources. Analysis of the media reports on the Vanessa George case Chapter 1 indicated that there is substantial evidence to suggest that many FCSOs are regarded as harmless because they may only target adolescent victims (Mathews et al., 1989). However, this is not applicable in the case of Vanessa George (BBC News, 2010). The media coverage generally concerning this case highlighted the serious issues surrounding female-perpetrated sexual abuse in the UK, different media types reporting in diverse ways. In order to understand how the media represents FCSOs, a comparison needs to be made between the various media types, using a critical discourse analysis. There are many definitions of critical discourse analysis, but, within this dissertation it is referred to as the analysis of language used in speech and writing within media reports as a form of social practice, where specific ideologies are reproduced through the language in the texts (Wodak Meyer, 2009). This method is appropriate here, enabling analysis of the language used by the media wh en reporting on FCSOs, and uncovering the hidden ideologies in the text which are used to change the readers opinion on the issue of female sexual offending. It is also important to look at the discursive construction of FCSOs, which refers to the way in which the women are defined through the language used in media reports, and how these construct FCSOs as a concept. Almost every article written about FCSOs can be analysed using critical discourse analysis, reporters being required to make certain decisions as to how they want to represent particular ideologies in their article, e.g. the terms they use to describe an FCSO, or which quotes to use from members of the public. These can add to the way the ideology in the text is portrayed overall, and thus how it affects society as a whole (Richardson, 2007). The three main articles analysed were drawn from different news outlets which hold conflicting ideological stances. Firstly, Public enemy number one was taken from The Sun (Coles, 2011), a newspaper which represents right-wing principles. Secondly, Vanessa George jailed for child sex abuse was extracted from The Guardian (Morris, 2009) which expresses mostly liberal interests. Finally, Little Teds was ideal place for Vanessa George abuse was traced from BBC News (2010b), which is commonly known to represent a centrism approach to reporting. The Sun, known for its exaggeration of the truth in order to attract the attention of more readers, reported on the case of George as one that caused so much outrage and shock that the police needed to step in to stop the abuse aimed at her by the public. The way the article presented these dramatic views is interesting for critical discourse analysis. It was outwardly biased, presenting only the feelings expressed by parents of possible victims, rather than facts of the case. Therefore the analysis made could support the theory that the facts of the case are spun to present a particular viewpoint here, that FCSOs are extremely disturbing to society and uses particular language aimed to influence readers into holding the same opinions. This is evident in the following quotes: Public enemy number one, Sick b****, The van taking Vanessa George to prison is attacked (see appendix 2 for more examples). The above quotes use emotive language to express the disgust and anger felt by the p ublic. These quotes are used to align the public voice to that of the reporters, obscuring the ideological underpinnings of the article. This supports Gakhal Browns (2011: 3) argument that the media provides stereotypical portrayals of sex offenders in general, using words linked with monsters and evil perverts. Moreover, this choice of language helped provide a negative perception of FCSOs. The fact that the reporter purposely used a collective noun in the article title Public enemy number one- suggests that the paper was implying that George was hated by all members of the public, and that readers should share these feelings. The fact that the article concentrated on quotes and opinions of parents involved in the case shows how the reporter wanted to present only one ideological viewpoint. Furthermore, it can be argued that this negative portrayal of George, an FCSO, by the media reinforces the argument previously put forward regarding female offenders as displaying double devia nce (Heidensohn, 1987). On the other hand, the article in The Guardian expressed a more balanced stance, presenting the audience with facts of the case. The image of George used by the reporter shows her as a smiling, friendly character. This could be aiming to send out a message that, unlike the stereotypical image of most sexual offenders, an FCSO can be any ordinary woman. Perhaps, because such cases are so uncommon, there is so far no stereotype of an FCSO. Thus, it appears that the media can play on the fear of the public, to make them wary of whom they trust for childcare. Furthermore, its choice of image shows how George was part of a co-offending group (see appendix 3), and although she solely committed the abuse in Little Teds nursery, she was in fact in contact with two others, one of whom (Blanchard), was coercing her to commit the offences. The article reported that George was besotted with him. This both presents FCSOs in a negative light, and provides a more nuanced understanding of the case, constructing her as submissive, under the control of Blanchard. It also covers other issues faced by society, for example the influence male sexual offenders can have on females, forcing them to also commit sexual offences. However, when analysing this article, it can be argued that the reporter was somewhat biased, using post-modified terms such as paedophile, which disguises the fact that the choice to commit these crimes is not just down to sexual preference, but is a way in which an offender exploits and holds power over children (Kelly, 1998). It also links to the same ideology presented in The Sun, by describing George in a negative light: Cold and calculating. These quotes, however, came from the judge in charge of the case, possibly a more reliable source to reproduce the ideologies through language than that used by The Sun. The way in which The Guardian presented a balanced stance is arguably similar to how the BBC reported on the case of George. They provided the facts of the case and referred to the serious case review (discussed earlier), as well as other reliable sources, such as the councillor for Plymouths Efford and Lipson ward, in order to fulfil their reputation of being a dependable source. When analysing this article, it is clear that the ideology behind it is to provide the public with the facts, whilst preventing moral panic, by reporting on the positive responses of professionals towards the case. The reporter used passive verbs, such as reassured (see appendix 4 for more examples), and quotations from Ofsted Ofsted has already implemented a number of changes, to show the public that society can learn from the mistakes made in this case, and to prevent future similar cases. However, the BBC also used a disturbing criminal style image of George within this article, which imitated the report ing techniques used in the Myra Hindley case, reinforcing the stereotypical image of how an FCSO may appear (Kitzinger, 2004). Therefore, it could be argued that no matter what type of media outlet, there is always some form of bias in the way reporters present their ideology through the language and images they choose to use. Another observation made when analysing this article, is the sub-heading entitled Explicit culture, which went on to report on the co-offending details of the case. The fact that the reporter used a sub-heading, together with the chosen language, shows an attempt to make readers aware of the increasingly serious problem of co-offending child sexual offenders within society. This critical discourse analysis has identified the right wing (The Sun) constructions of FCSOs as aggressive, sick and evil, which relates to the theory of female offenders being double deviant. However, competing constructions with a different ideological base come from other media outlets such as The Guardian, constructing female sexual offending as a male-coerced crime. It is clear that different media types report in different ways: some use stereotyping FCSOs as a powerful influential tool, others are more objective in presenting the facts of the case. It should be recognised, however, that all have had an impact in raising awareness of new issues faced by society with regards to female sexual offending. Much work still needs to be done within all areas of the mass media, in order to educate reporters. When they provide representations of FCSOs, they should appreciate the gravity of the issues raised, and the traumatic results that articles can have on victims and members of th e public (Tsopelas et al., 2012). However, the primary aim of media companies is to sell more papers, so unfortunately they will continue to sensationalise articles to increase profits, using cases of female-perpetrated sexual offences to do so.

To Kill A Mockingbird The Maturing of Jem Finch Essay examples -- Kil

To Kill A Mockingbird   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     The Maturing of Jem Finch   Ã‚  Ã‚   Society is not as innocent to a child as it may appear to be. In fact, when one really understands the society in which he lives he is no longer a child. This is much the same case as found in To Kill A Mockingbird, by Leigh Harper. Although Jem, being a child at the beginning of the novel, is immature and unaware of the society in which he lives, he matures mentally to the point where he sees the evil in society and gains a knowledge of death.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Like most children, at the beginning of To Kill A Mockingbird Jem and Scout are both young, play together, and have childhood monsters or fears like other children. Primarily, in To Kill A Mockingbird, Jem is young. Scout states their age when it supposedly all starts: "When I was almost six and Jem was almost ten..." (10). Here Jem is only nine years old and therefore still a moderately young child; it is assumed he is therefore immature. Jem also spends his time playing with his five year old sister. This also occurs very early in the novel: "Early one morning as we were beginning our day's play in the back yard, Jem and I heard something next door in Miss Rachel Haverford's collard patch." (11). As the novel progresses, Jem no longer plays with his sister Scout, but he is doing so at this point and he would appear to anyone as one child playing with his sister. Lastly, Jem has childhood fears like most any child does. All children have their fears or monsters. In Jem's case it i rthur Radley, commonly known as Boo:   Ã‚  Ã‚   " Let's try and make him come out..."   Ã‚  Ã‚   Jem said if he... ...ttacked by the vengeful Bob Ewell:   Ã‚  Ã‚   We were nearly to the road when I felt Jem's hand leave me, felt him   Ã‚  Ã‚   jerk back- wards to the ground. More scuffling, and there came a dull   Ã‚  Ã‚   crunching sound Jem screamed. (265)   Ã‚  Ã‚   Here Jem gains an awareness of his own life, his own mortality. These three deaths each had a their own individual effect on Jem, but Jem definitely gained an accomplished knowledge of death. Thus, Jem is a child at the beginning of To Kill A Mockingbird but does mature, gaining a sense of the society surrounding him and a knowledge, or a mature awareness, of death. Jem doesn't gain these mental developements easily but through much struggling, and this is exactly what To Kill A Mockingbird is all about; a struggle with society and learning by placing one's self in another's shoes.

Parenting Style of the Watsons Essay -- Teaching Essays

Parenting styles are very important in influencing children’s behavior, and the styles form the context in which children’s behavior might occur (Fox para. 2). There are four different types of parenting styles. These styles, developed by child psychologist Diana Baumrind, who provides a majority of the information found in the book Understanding Children and Adolescents,include authoritative, permissive, authoritarian, and neglectful/uninvolved (Forsyth 376). In the extremely funny children’s book The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963, the author Christopher Paul Curtis uses the family’s life and adventure as a way of showing many characteristics of a particular parenting style used on the children. The main focus is on Byron and what effect the parenting approach has on the child’s behavior. Throughout this essay I am going to argue that the Watsons, as parents, use the authoritative parenting style and that the parenting style has an effect on the child’s behavior. Using my research, I will define the four types of parenting styles and their effects on child behavior. Baumrind’s work on the classification of the four parenting styles has influence research on the effects parenting has on child behavior (Fox para. 3). I will also use specific examples from Curtis’s book, showing Byron’s behavior, along with various responses that demonstrate that the authoritative approach is used. The first type of parenting style identified by Baumrind is the authoritative approach. Authoritative parents use both parental authority and an explanation of their standards in specific situations. Children raised with the authoritative parenting style have the highest social competence (Forsyth 32). Authoritative par... ...—1964. New York: Bantam, 1995. Darling, Nancy. â€Å"Parenting Style and Its Correlates.† Eric Digest1999. Ebsco. 5 December 2001. Forsyth, Alfred G., Peggy D. Forsyth, David E. Schickedanz, and Judith A. Schickedanz. Understanding Children and Adolescents. 4th ed. Mayfield, 1993. Fox, Roberta A. â€Å"An Empirically Derived Classification of Parenting Practices.† Journal of Genetic Psychology 106 (1999): 343, 14 pp. Masterfile Premier. Ebsco. Joyner Library, Greenville. 2 December 2001. Horton-Parker, Radha J. â€Å"Teaching Children to Care: Engendering Pro-Social Behavior through Humanistic Parenting.† Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education, and Development 37.2 (1998): 66, 12 pp. Masterfile Premier. Ebsco. Joyner Library, Greenville. 2 December 2001.

Genocide and Americans Actions :: essays research papers

Opinion 1: Lead the World in the Fight to Stop Genocide Military:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to the Genocide Convention signed and put into effect by the U.N December 9. 1948. Anyone committing genocide, whether constitutionally responsible rulers, public officials, or private individuals will be punished. Genocide is defined as the killing of members in a group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, imposing measures intended to prevent birth, or forcibly transferring children of that group to another group. This is exactly what is taking place in Darfur, Sudan. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates as many as 50,000 people have been killed and about 1 million internally relocated. In addition roughly 170,000 refugees have fled to eastern Chad. These actions led to Secretary of State Colin Powell along with President Bush to officially declare the crisis a genocide.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The U.N still has not recognized the crimes committed in Darfur as a Genocide. However in September 2004 the Security Council passed Resolution 1564 which threatens sanction against the Sudanese government if it does not stop attacks by the Arab Sudanese militias on black Sudanese villagers in the Darfur region. Sudanese officials have largely dismissed it, accusing the United States, for example of trying to overthrow an Arab government. They obviously don’t fear that sanction on their oil exports of some 320,000 barrels per day that will be imposed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This shows Sudanese resolve, they are willing to forfeit the economic status in order to eliminate these African tribes. As the worlds last superpower we have an obligation to protect those nearing extinction using any means necessary.

Abstract of Judgement & Decision Making Topics

Reading 1. 3 (Jackall, R. (1988)) : Looking Up and Looking Around In every corporation the crux of a manager’s charisma is his decision making prowess. Though there is an abundance of scientific theories and myths related to decision making, generally decisions are made in a highly rationalized context. A manager would prefer taking decisions that are based on well-formulated and generally agreed upon strategies rather than evaluating all the possible solutions to the problem in hand and then taking a well reasoned decision. In contrast, managers are highly uncomfortable when faced with situations in which there are no specific procedures. Managers vouch for their own safety, safety in terms of reputation and therefore tend to look around and see what others opinions are, the perspective of their superiors. In situations where their reputation is at stake, or huge sums of money involved, or even the company’s goodwill is at stake managers tend to hesitate and wait for an opinion not due to lack of experience but due to fear of failure. Another aspect why managers tend to look around is the accusation or blame time after a problem occurs because there is no means to track down responsibility. As a result of bureaucratic structure higher authorities can easily sneak out of such situations leaving the subordinates hung out to dry. A negative aspect in an organization would be milking a plant which is generally performed by a top level authority in order to maximize gains. The negative aspect in this is of course the organisation bears the brunt of it, moreover at the end of it all, the person assigned the charge of the milked plant eventually becomes the scapegoat. Another aspect is that if focus remains on short term profit it may not be the key to lasting achievements though it may be profitable for a short duration. Likewise individuals look out for their own interests instead of the organisations when there are immediate personal benefits. Experience: In my experience this occasion has occurred a number of times when my manager tends to avoid the risky or rather sticky situations. As a newly appointed sales engineer in a trading firm my manager used to pass on a number of sales quotations to me for processing and finalizing the deal. Since I was fresh to the field of sales I didn’t realize that he was forwarding me these sales orders just because those orders were from clients who weren’t credible enough. Though I managed to get a couple of orders, two of the orders went kaput in terms of payment for which I was held responsible. My manager washed his hands of me accusing me with not consulting him before I plunged to seal the deal. Though on the other profitable orders he too had a take on the credit but the blame only fell on me. Reading 4. 3 (Wildavsky, A. , and Dake, K. (1990)): Theories of Risk Perception: Who Fears What and Why? This article mainly focuses on the outlook of different kinds of people, outlook such as the perception of risk of different products and practices, the diverse effect of a particular practice or event on these different groups, the intensity of the effect on these groups and the varying concerns on an individual basis to a diverse range of risks so as to understand the patterns of risk perception. Fundamentally an individual perceives a hazard as a risk with greater anxiety if his wellbeing is likely to be in danger. If the hazard doesn’t seem to affect him or his beliefs in any way it wouldn’t be of any concern to him though it might be of ample concern to someone else who will be directly affected. By classifying people on the basis of social relations such as hierarchical, egalitarian and individualist, along with the cultural biases that support them, turned out to be the best way to account for the perception of risk. It was found that people who support egalitarianism would be more inclined to risk taking individually but as a social group would be more risk averse, whereas those who favour hierarchy tend to be the opposite. An individualist would be risk taking when it comes to technology as they see an opportunity for growth. These observations were in respect to technology and environment but in terms of personality structure there is no evidence as to variation in risk perception. In spite of these observations one cannot presume that risk taking is preferred by cultures of individualism and hierarchy neither can one presume that egalitarians are always risk averse this is because as risks pertaining to technology and environment are feared by egalitarians in a similar way social deviance is feared by hierarchists and the risk of war is feared by individualists. In conclusion, depending on the object of attention risk perception also varies. Experience: During my tenure in a shipping company as a procurement executive I had once the task to procure water pump for eight ships. Since this was a high priority requirement and involved huge costs I made sure I had researched the market well and decided on a particular brand (Grundfos) even though there was another pump (Davey) that perfectly suited our requirements. The reason was that Davey’s technical support was really bad. So I forwarded the research report to my MD who called for me and told me to go ahead with the purchase of the Davey pump telling me that it was profitable and worthwhile to get our own technicians trained since we could use more of their pumps. To me it seemed like a big risk especially since it involved a huge cost but to him it didn’t seem a risk at all. Reading 6. 1 (Lindblom, C. E. (1959)): The Science of â€Å"Muddling Through† The author compares and contrasts two different approaches to policy making – Rational comprehensive method (Root) and the Successive limited comparisons (Branch) and explains why branch method is a better approach in formulating policies. The root method starts from the fundamentals, improving on the past only if included in a theory. This method cannot be used for complex problems simply because the facts needed require a gigantic compilation of observations. Whereas the branch method continually springs up from the present situation in a step by step manner, varying in small degrees and is more appropriate for complex problems because facts requirements are small and are relevant to the policy. In the root method, initially values or objectives have to be clarified before the alternative policies are examined. Disagreement is unavoidable even when objectives are clearly stated. Another difficulty is ranking of conflicting values since objectives may not have the same relative values. Whereas in the branch method values and policies are selected simultaneously and only incremental values are focussed on making it simpler. Secondly, in the root method, ends are initially chosen in a means-end relationship and means are then developed whereas in branch method means as well as ends are simultaneously chosen. Thirdly, in the root method decisions are termed â€Å"good† if an objective is achieved even when the decision hasn’t been described. In the case of branch method where the objectives are defined only by the incremental values it is still possible to determine if the policy achieved the desired objective. Again in the root method it is impossible to take all factors into consideration due to limitations unless the complex problem is simplified whereas the branch method by limiting the policy comparisons to relevant ones only differing slightly from the current policy the problem is simplified. Finally policy is made and re-made endlessly in the branch method. Nevertheless, branch method does have its disadvantages but is far superior for decision making in complex problems. Experience: In a new start up firm generally new policies are made often or even old ones are amended. During my work as a business development manager in a newly start up firm, I along with another colleague had the major task to formulate policies for my division. We decided to put together basic policies related to our past experience from similar jobs. This served as the base to us and the other employees of the division. There were revisions to these base policies only when there was a need to amend it because it wasn’t working for us or when some mishap happened and a new policy was inevitable. But the fact was that the new policies didn’t vary from the old policies in such a large manner. So it wasn’t difficult for the employees to get accustomed to the new policy. And slowly we managed to put together a solid set of policies. Reading 7. 1 (McIntyre, R. M. & Salas, E. (1995)): Measuring and Managing For Team Performance: Emerging Principles From Complex Environments The author of this chapter focuses on a fairly neglected but critical aspect namely teamwork that develops as teams mature over a period of time. The base for this research was military teams but due to the similarities between military and any organisation the findings can be extended to teams in an organisation too. The model formed for this research was The Team Evolution and Maturation (TEAM) Research Paradigm. The TEAM paradigm program observed and measured a number of tactical decision-making teams. Interviews were conducted, data instruments and self-report questionnaire were developed and employed to assist in the research. The data analysed were scanned for evidence of behavioural trends that characterized team performance and the results were presented. Teamwork is the interactive behaviour between members of a team but depending on circumstance may include technical activities. Teamwork consists of four major factors-performance monitoring, feedback, closed-loop communication, back-up behaviour and also performance norms such as team’s self awareness and supporting interdependence among team-mates. Also effective teams modify their behaviour depending on the situation and do change over a period of time. Another category that led to a better understanding of team performance was Team leadership. A team leader must be able to serve as models of teamwork in order to maintain the team’s effectiveness by engaging in teamwork and improving the team performance, being prepared technically, by listening and benefiting from the knowledge of team members, accepting and providing feedback but at the same time being cautious about his leadership style and the respect he commands. The role of each individual team member was also important in this context. Team members should be individually competent so that effective team work can take place but at the same time be aware of the tasks of his team-mate. Also, a team member must not be dependent on an outstanding team member by evading responsibility. Experience: During my career in a software company a team was formed for every project. The team was formed depending on the requirement of the particular phase of the project, budget and duration. The team members were selected based on their experience. Meetings were conducted with the project managers on an individual basis as well as a team. New ideas as well as difficulties faced by each team member were noted. Another method employed by the company was the team appraisal form in which team members rated their team mates in different tasks. At the completion of the project too a review of the performance of the team as well as the project manager was conducted. For the next project the outcomes of these reviews were specially taken into consideration to form another team. What I observed was as a team our performance improved and tasks were completed with less difficulty among team members. Reading 5. 3 (Parkin (2000)): Expert Judgment This reading discusses about how the conceptualization of information can help in retaining information for longer periods of time and achieving expertise. It also classifies the characteristics of an expert and finally whether experts are better judges in their own domain. The short term memory in human beings can only absorb and process few chunks of memory and that too for a short period of time whereas to remember data for a longer period it is necessary to put them in long term memory. Some recent findings have shown that in order to support the short-term memory, experts developed their long term memory thereby overcoming the limited capacity of the short term memory. But again the storage capacity isn’t what makes a difference between a novice and an expert. It is the ability of an expert to visualize and analyse as well as reason the patterns and data in such a way that it provides room for more planning that differentiates him from an amateur. In order to have this ability of an expert, practice seems to be the only solution. Again being an expert in problem solving in a particular domain is not the only skill required by an expert but good planning skill too is critical. By deciding on the right methods and goals based on past experiences experts are more successful in predicting likely outcomes. Thus in order to facilitate quick retrieval of information from the long term memory it is necessary to conceptualize the largely disaggregated data that one acquires during education and training. Through a continuous series of trial, error and reliable feedback, information gets stored in memory and readily available. But in spite of these characteristics experts may not be better judges also in their own domains. An expert’s decision would differ from another one based on his knowledge and experience. But again agreement cannot be the only criteria to judge an expert. Experience: During my career as a computer engineer I had done multiple projects. But I remember one of the projects in the early days of my career which was a fairly complex one. It was a complex one only because in spite of learning that programming language in my undergraduate course and also having been rained for it in the company I had to struggle through the coding because I hadn’t practised it actually. But the irony was that the project manager was quite an expert at it and had an extensive knowledge in that programming language despite the fact that this language came into actual practice long after his graduation. I later came to know that he had successfully completed a number of projects using this program ming language. Thus practice and definitely the multiple projects he executed got him to this level of expertise. Reference 1. UTS November 2002, ‘Judgment and Decision making’, CN2118 Lectures & Reading Material.