Evaluate Porter's concept of the 'Diamond' as a tool for analysing the Essay

Evaluate Porter's concept of the 'Diamond' as a tool for analysing the competitive advantage of nations, assessing its theoretic - Essay Example Moreover, America succeeded in getting the UN permission in attacking Iraq and Afghanistan as part of war on terror strategies. America was able to convince United Nations on all these issues because of their superior competitive power. Globalization has intensified the competition between nations and organizations because of the huge opportunities available in the international market at present. Competitive power of a nation or organization depends on many parameters. Former Harvard university professor Michael Porter and his associates have identified four different parameters for achieving competitive power which is known as Porter’s diamond model for national competitive advantage. â€Å"Porter's diamond model suggests that there are inherent reasons why some nations, and industries within nations, are more competitive than others on a global scale† (What is Michael Porter's Diamond Model?, 2010). Porter identified; Firm strategy, structure and rivalry, supporting industries, demand and factor conditions as the four major parameters which can affect the competitive power of a nation or a firm (Diamond model-Michael Porter, 2011). He was able to put all these parameters in a diamond shape as illustrated in the diagram given below. This paper analyses various features of diamond model and its role in achieving competitive power. Porter’s Diamond model for national competitive advantage (Martin & Porter, 2000) Strategy, Structure and Rivalry Strategies can make or break a nation. Poor strategies will never help a nation in increasing their competitive power whereas better strategies always helpful increasing the growth or competitive power of a nation. For example, when globalization initially entered the global arena, China distanced themselves from it because of their concerns about some hidden agenda at the back drop of globalization by capitalist countries. China and America were engaged in fierce rivalry before the introduction of gl obalization because of the different political ideologies prevailing in these countries. Most of the American and Chinese strategies before globalization were aimed at destabilization or destruction of their opponent. However, globalization forced them to change their strategies and currently America is one of the largest trading partners of China. Both China and America succeeded in increasing their competitive power in global market because of the changes they implemented in their strategies even though the political system and rivalry remains the same. India is another country which succeeded in achieving better competing power as a result of changes in strategies. In 1990’s India made lot of reformations in the economic circle in order to attract more foreign direct investment. They have made some changes in their foreign polices also in order to gain more competitive power in the global market. Earlier, India was more polarised towards former Soviet Union in strategic an d military cooperation. But India changed their strategies immediately after the destruction of Soviet Union and they established closer ties with Untied States in order to gain more competitive power. India has realized that the political structure in India and America are almost the same and it is easy for them to establish smooth business relationships with America. Thus America became a prominent trade partner for India at present.

Choice a company from the Orbis database write business plan to Essay

Choice a company from the Orbis database write business plan to develope an international opportunity - Essay Example The proposal contains an analysis of the proposed market size, estimated cost involved and associated risk with the same. An analysis of the environment of its home country is significant to configure its international strategies. There can be certain trading barriers which can put hurdles for the organisation to grow globally. Apart from this analysis, it is crucial for a company to enhance its competitive strategies to be ahead of its competitors. A study of the competitors and their strategies has been provided to have an enhanced and sustainable competitive advantage. An insight into the modes of entry will help to zero down on a particular entry mode for Sony to expand its business, cross borders. Overall this business report presents an analysis the global business prospects for Sony. The company operates in the high profit consumer electronics products and gaming systems industry. The company’s production range encompasses digital cameras, semiconductors and walkman stereos (Hoovers, 2010). The company even makes a host of items like game consoles and software. Broadcasting of films, television and other video products are one of their vast operating areas. The company is also involved in music, animation production and marketing and other businesses. Apart of all these global businesses, the company is also engaged in the financial service businesses, but this operational area is confined only to its home country, Japan. To compete in any market, it is very much required for an organisation to possess competitive advantage. A firm needs to identify its competence in the market against its competitors. However, the more important pert is whether the company is able to sustain its competitive advantage. A company with a well placed strategy seeks not only to achieve its competitive advantage against its competitors, but must try to hold one the same. Back in 1946, the company had

Compareable between lean and six sigma Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Compareable between lean and six sigma - Article Example Thus this paper will identify the weaknesses and strengths of both Six Sigma and lean and the ways in which they compliment each other. Six Sigma and lean are among the two most commonly used continuous improvement tools (Mousa, 2013, p. 1137). Lean originated out of the Toyota Production System and its focus is on the elimination of waste in production which begins from the time an order is placed and ends when the order is delivered (Pojasek, 2003, p. 85). Six Sigma was introduced by the Motorola Corporation and is designed to eliminate variations in production and services and their processes so that defects are reduced and customer satisfaction is improved (Desai, 2006). In other words, lean focuses on reducing waste, while Six Sigma focuses on reducing defects. Therefore, it has been suggested that when lean and Six Sigma philosophies are combined an organization may benefit from significant improvements in a short period of time at a significantly reduced cost (Mousa, 2013, p. 1137). This paper will compare and contrast Six Sigma and Lean with a view to demonstrating their compatibility and differences for continuous improvement. The paper is divided into four parts. The first part of this paper presents a review of literature on lean and Six Sigma. The second part of this paper provides a comparison of the two philosophies. The third part of this paper will discuss the implications for practice and the final part of this paper will make suggestions for further studies. Lean is a philosophical approach to managing production and consist of facilitating a system for eliminating or reducing waste and any activity that does not add value for the end customer (Dora, Kumar, Goubergen, Molnar, & Gellynck, 2013). At its core, lean is a continuous improvement technique focused on â€Å"just-in-time (JIT), quality systems and team works† (Wong, Wong, & Ali, 2009, p.

International context in marketing and how media theories can be Essay

International context in marketing and how media theories can be apllied to ctreate strong relationship with consumers in the modern market - Essay Example ‘Marketing is an organizational function for creating, communicating and delivering value to customers and for managing customer relationships in ways that benefit the organization and its stakeholders. It is a management process of anticipating, identifying and satisfying customer requirements profitably.’ (Berzins) Globalization has created revolutionary changes in all over the world. Most of the organizational principles have been redefined because of globalization. Most of the organizations believe that globalization has opened up the doors of immense possibilities for them and hence they are spending millions of dollars in finding the right strategies to exploit the possibilities. For a business organization, globalization has created immense opportunities for marketing their products in international market. But for exploiting the possibilities of the modern global market, organizations need to innovate marketing strategies along with the existing ones suitable for different countries. The business world has already developed several types of new marketing techniques like telemarketing, direct marketing, marketing through ads, sensory marketing, etc apart from the conventional marketing activities. Most of the big business tycoons are expanding their activities to overseas countries in order to capitalize the possibilities of globalization. Small or medium scale businesses are suffering because of the immense competition from the MNCs. It is difficult for the small business groups to operate profitably by overcoming the stiff challenges for the corporate. Big organizations always have immense resources, and facilities which they will utilize to monopolize the market. Moreover they have the better equipped Research and Development (R&D) wing to facilitate their operations by providing required data about the changing trends of consumers. The conventional marketing

Terrorism, its Causes and Responses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Terrorism, its Causes and Responses - Essay Example The United Nations General Assembly attempts to define terrorism as criminal actions aimed at provoking the state of terror in the public, groups of people or certain persons for unjustifiable political reasons. Such actions are intolerable and are termed terrorism despite the ideologies, religious considerations, philosophical or political reasons that might be brought forth as justification. characteristically acts of terrorism are politically motivated, violent in nature, calculated to instigate psychological fear, are advanced by organizations with clear conspiratorial command chains which are identifiable and the perpetrators and entities which are non-state. Terrorists generally exploit the media to achieve much publicity as possible and amplify their influence on the audience of the target. The objective is for the effects to be felt by an audience that goes beyond the immediate subject being targeted. Terrorism can take the type of either domestic terrorism if conducted within the confines of national borders or international terrorism is conducted by groups that are able to exert their effects beyond borders of nations. Terrorism can also take the form of Civil Disorder in which violence is utilized in order to disrupt the security & peace as well as the normal community functioning. Political terrorism on the other takes the form of violence and criminal mannerisms aimed at generating fear in an entire community or a significant part of the community in order to advance political interests. There is also Limited Political Terrorism which involves terror acts conducted out of political and ideological motivations but not aimed at gaining state control.  

Aristotle Virtue Ethics Essay Example for Free

Aristotle Virtue Ethics Essay One basic notion in Aristotelian ethics that occupies a central significance is Aristotle’s belief in the role of man’s activities in order for one to acquire ethical knowledge. That is, for one to become virtuous or to obtain virtues one should not merely confine himself to mere studying of these virtues but rather one should, more importantly, actualize this knowledge of the virtues. Thus, for one to become good, one should do good. Aristotle further stretches his ideas by proposing the doctrine of the mean. The essence of this doctrine dwells on the basic precept that one ought to avoid the extremes and, instead, settle for the â€Å"mean†. The actions of men, more specifically, ought to be framed upon the â€Å"mean† which is the virtue. For example, the virtue of courage rests on the mean between two extremes: cowardice or the â€Å"lack† of courage, and rashness or the â€Å"excess† in courage. It can easily be observed that Aristotle suggests that one should live a life that does not border on the things that are on the â€Å"most† and the â€Å"least† levels. For example, if I were to follow Aristotle’s ethics I should always see to it that I should consistently draw myself towards the middle value and avoid slanting towards cowardice and excess. All this could have been very well except for one small thing that I cannot seem to fully comprehend. How is it possible for one to ascertain that one is actually taking the middle path? Or how is it possible for one to know that this or that is the middle value or is the virtuous action? Perhaps the key in having an understanding to the notion of the â€Å"mean† is that one should act. That is, as I continually have these ideas as to what I must do when faced with an ethical situation or, at the least, an ordinary situation, I should nonetheless take the course of action so that I will be able to obtain a qualitative understanding that what I am doing is the â€Å"excess†. On the other hand, I will be having quite a rough time in acquiring the understanding as to whether the action that I am doing is virtuous if all that I do is to theorize and never let my theory be put into practice. Aristotle’s virtue ethics reminds me of Plato’s conception of ethics. For the most part of the Republic, Plato attempts to arrive at a conception of a just life by centering on the notion that the just life or that which is good is better than living a life molded on an evil framework and one which prompts individuals to act in an evil manner. At the onset of the Republic’s Book II, a conception of the idea of â€Å"justice† is advanced as the working of an individual in accordance to the role in which one is best suited as well as the belief for non-interference in the activities of others. In essence, this principle is closely related to Plato’s perspective on acting in accordance to one’s nature or intrinsic being which results to the state or condition of being â€Å"just† or acting justly once the individual acts in line to his very nature. Otherwise, if one begins to act beyond what his nature prescribes, then the individual begins to act in an unjust manner thereby resulting to â€Å"evil† actions (Plato and Kamtekar). While Aristotle insists that one should put into action the thought that one may have so as to have an understanding of the middle value that should be taken, Plato, on the other hand, suggests that one should simply go by with one’s nature so as not to be â€Å"evil†. If I were to choose which ethical precept would be better or would fit me best, I would rather be inclined to adopt Aristotle’s virtue ethics over the other because it offers me a chance to actualize myself through my actions and be guided accordingly. Whereas for Plato, what I am seeing is that I should get to know my self first before I act so that I can be good. But this cannot be met easily essentially because I find it quite difficult to know myself if I would not act first. In the light, if all the students in a certain class would build up a virtue like that of Aristotle’s point of view, the achievement of an environment which is formidably that built on the concept of philosophical and tremendously beneficial notions in life, the attainment of the virtue of goodness is towering in the highest hopes—although it eventually does not also undermine the concept of realism. Apparently, many may not stick on this kind of perception and ought to think that it is certainly not possible to achieve a life which is way beyond the bounds of a â€Å"not-so-good† life for that instance, but with the maximum height of human rationality, such may be given enough credit for the philosophers who believed in a life where â€Å"goodness comes in deeds† (Lannstrom). Work Cited Lannstrom, Anna. Loving the Fine: Virtue and Happiness in Aristotles Ethics. Indiana USA: University of Notre Dame Press, 2006. Plato, and R. Kamtekar. The Conventional View of Justice Developed. Trans. D. Lee. The Republic. 2 ed: Penguin Classics, 2003. 8-14.

Sexism In Womens Professional Sports Media Essay

Sexism In Womens Professional Sports Media Essay Sexism is the belief or mind-set that one sex (usually the male) is innately superior to, more skilled, or more worthy than the other is. It includes all kinds of prejudice, overt or covert, concerning gender. It is the belief that a certain gender is inherently better than the other; therefore, it should be in charge of the most significant spheres of political, financial, and social life. It principally involves detestation of, or bigotry towards whichever gender as a whole or the appliance of stereotypes of masculinity to all men, of femininity to women. Sexism is also known as male and female chauvinism. Sexism has been narrowed down to be described as the practice of dominance of men over women. Sexism is a practice that is held up in various ways such as through language, visual links, media depiction, and stereotyping, particularly based on the maternal/caring role of women. These ways are significant to our socialization into our gender roles, and as a result, it makes this d ominance tolerable in the community. Sexism is such a significant issue because all women go through it in various ways. For example, in the workplace and at home depending on their economic and social situation; it restricts the ways in which women go about actualizing their potential. The Sports organizations are not free from sexism either. This controversy is not a new issue that has risen. Sexism in sports goes as back as sports and sexism itself goes. Sexism in sports dates back to back to B.C.s. Even from as long as 776 B.C., antique Greek prohibited women as contenders and audience from the Olympic Games. Any married woman who was found around the stadium was thrown from a cliff (Borish, 1996). In August 1890, W.S. Franklin declared the creation of a womens professional baseball league. It was required that for one to take part in the league, they must be aged below 21 years, beautiful, and have a gorgeous shape. This was a step forward but was still not sufficient for the women. In the 1900 Olympics edition, in Paris France, was made up of 1308 men and only 11 women, another positive step from primeval Greeks but still not sufficient. Prior to 1916, women were not permitted to attend boxing matches since the sport was viewed to be too violent for the women. In the 1920 Olympics, the judges warned American figure skater Theresa Weld for making jumps that they deemed not lady-like. Before that, it was worse with jumping itself being deemed unlady-like. In early bobsled contests, two of the riders had to be women; however, they were not allowed to drive nor work the bakes. In the 1928 Olympic 800-yard running event, a number of women collapsed, this provoked the then IOC president Compete de Baillet-Latour to attempt to free the games of all womens track contest. In 1936, Avery Brundige, the then chief of the US Olympic Committee remarked, that he was sickened to the ears by women who wanted to participate both as field and track competitors. According to Brundige, they do not have any charm although they are adroit and beautiful, they cannot perform not in the swimming or diving category (Danziger, 1999). He went on to become the chief of the international Olympic committee in 1952. Women track competition longer than 200 meters were ba nned until 1960 when the 800-meter race was re-established. Women were also not permitted at center court for the Italian championship tennis finals before late 1960s. In 1972, the 1500 meters track competition was introduced in the Olympic sports. The womens AAA in the UK barred women from taking part in long-distance road races prior to 1975 when they were allowed. The International Olympic committee declined to allow women to take part in the 3000 meters track event for the 1980 Olympics in Moscow in the USSR, since the event was considered a bit too arduous for women. In the subsequent Olympics games in1984 the 3000 meters race alongside the marathon was added. In 1997, in the US, a womens professional basketball league was started, the Womens National Basketball Association (WNBA). As evidenced by this account, it has it has been a protracted and sluggish battle for women in sports. Sexism was deeply rooted in sports, and the fight against it has truly advanced through the years. On a positive note, however, there is far less offensive and overtly sexist handling of women athletes than it was the situation two or even one decade ago. Undoubtedly, there has been a gender revolt in American sports in recent times (Hargreaves, 2000). Millions of girls participate in sport competitions daily be it in college or professional leagues. Womens athletic ability levels have also done up astronomically over the last two decades in sports ranging from basketball to volleyball, from hockey to soccer etc. There still exists a long and hard journey to go for women athletes to attain the same opportunities and hold up as their male counterparts. Although discrimination of people based on their gender has almost ended in regards to whether sports bodies allow women to participate in some sports games, more need to be done to improve the way sports commentators and the general population characteristically speak of women athletes. The media and sponsors are also guilty of prop agating sexism in sports. For example, the overall coverage of womens sports has gone down to ridiculously low levels. It is time for the news media and the sports shows to up the tempo to be able to keep pace with this revolution. It is a fact that women in professional sports have never been entirely supported, either fiscally (by sponsors) or psychologically (by the media and the fans). Women have tried hard to get reorganization and respected by governing bodies. The media and public need to change their sexist outlook; this will enable sexism in sports to be wiped out. Just this year, two leading British soccer radio commentators, were relieved of their jobs a day after being taken off the air for making sexist remarks about a female assistant match official during the English premier league duel between Wolves and Liverpool. The duo requeted that a person should go to the field to show the dumb women what was meant by the offside rule. Women do not know what it is, asserted one. Certainly not, the second one concurred. Britains Sky Sports, Richard Keys, and Andy Gray were criticizing the work of the linesman Sian Massey, and they were aware that they were on air. Then as if that was not sexist enough, they laughed about the policy of West Ham United concerning sexism in football. Keys and Gray asked each other rhetorical remarks that were aimed at lowering the morale of Karen and never thought of what she would feel. Now this could be disguised as humor; however, it is also true that jokes at a persons race, or gender expense are a mask of anger t o that persons race, or gender. The words of sports commentators and sports shows hosts, repeated many times by different commentators in the same or similar manner, just like propaganda, provide a theoretical frame for the sports experience. This abstract frame is of interest since the fans often relate it even to non-athletic situations. In Wimbledon, it is a widely known that the scheduling of women tennis at the central court is mostly based on looks rather than prowess. In fact, the reason why female tennis is so popular has everything to do with the sex appeal of the female players and little (if at all anything) to do with their ability to play tennis (not to say they are not good players but to say their abilities are ignored). Marketers of female tennis sell its sex appeal rather than the skill of the athletes. Furthermore, it is an open secret that the world over, more importance is attached to men sports. Media coverage in general is better for male leagues and tournaments than female ones. Even the cost of courtside tickets for NBA vis-Ã  -vis that of the WNBA points to this. It costs more to attend NBA matches that WNBA matches. This is a testament to the fact that more value is attached to mens sports. The media, as an institution, is guilty of perpetuating sexism in tennis and sports in general. Media gives more emphasis on male sports compared to female sports. This, they claim, is because more men attracted to sports than women are. This is not true, and the assertion is contradicted by facts. Nationwide statistics point toward the fact that women make up to 38% to 42% of all sport and physical activity contestants. Nonetheless, study indicates that female sports get roughly 6% to 8% of the entirety sports coverage. According to the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles (2000), the main factor that plays a part in deciding what sports gets coverage in newspapers is the interests of the editor; the number of sports covered grew when the ability of women in sports was devalued. The media also perpetuate sexism in sports by depicting female athletes as feminine and sexually attractive. From a traditional perspective, it is easy to say there is nothing wrong with portraying wom en in general as attractive. However, female athletes surely warrant equal acknowledgment for their sporting capabilities as male athletes. When a female athlete appears in a sport periodical or an ad to market in a sport she ought to be portrayed with respect as is male athletes, an accomplished athlete. Another problem for depicting sexual images of female athletes is the fact that images are very influential and form as well as mirror attitudes and values (Birrell and Cole, 1994). Depicting female athletes as sexual beings, or pretty sends the message that they are not greatly skilled as athletes. Depictions that overlook or belittle females athletic abilities dent the significance of womens sports and esteem for the skills of sportswomen (Fields, 2005). The use of sexist imagery to sell female sports by advertisers, promoters, and the media in general sells the athletes not as so, but as sex objects. Instead of fans going to matches to see the sporting prowess of the contestants , they go there to see the pretty ladies, they were promised in the promotions. The media and the promoters might argue that the selling of sexy images of females in general works. Of course, if it did not work they would not do it. The underlying argument would be that this is what their target market wants. This argument would be an astonishing insensitivity to the detrimental results of sexism. The sports media and the advertising industry have a responsibility of not perpetuating destructive and restrictive images to the society. The same This is what the target market wants and, This is what works or sells would not be acceptable if the images portrayed are racist or anti-Semitic. The fact that pornography sells and might be what they want to consumers does not make it any more acceptable. This argument is obviously unacceptable.