What do you think is the most important emerging issue in the design of work?

In my opinion, some of the most important issues that are emerging in the design of work are the specific aspects of a job. Telecommuting, alternative work patterns, technostress and skill development are some of these issues. (Cengage Learning, 2010, p. 228) Upon reading the case study for the Coca-Cola Company, I think that they are already addressing the issue of skill development. Coca-Cola appears to be looking for individuals who are motivators, innovators and competent enough to do the job. By implementing the core values and the mission of their company, Coca-Cola seems to have a staff of professionals that have bought into the happiness and optimism of the company. Building the company brand and allowing staff the power of autonomy is an influential factor of empowerment for any organization. This is what makes Coca-Cola so successful. Discuss the most likely organizational design for Coca-Cola Company. The most likely design is having a formal structural dimension with a decentralized decision making authority. The company seems to have a machine bureaucracy structural configuration. It would need to have strong formalization in order to maintain its product line globally at a high quality level. The design would also need to be specialized and standardized in order to decentralize the decision making locally. The vision at Coca-Cola serves as the framework for their Roadmap and guides every aspect of their business by describing what they need to accomplish in order to continue achieving sustainable, quality growth. People: Be a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be. Portfolio: Bring to the world a portfolio of quality beverage brands that anticipate and satisfy people's desires and needs. Partners: Nurture a winning network of customers and suppliers, together we create mutual, enduring value. Planet: Be a responsible citizen that makes a difference by helping build and support sustainable communities. Profit: Maximize long-term return to shareowners while being mindful of our overall responsibilities. Productivity: Be a highly effective, lean and fast-moving organization. (The Coca-Cola Company, 2006-2011) By integrating this vision into the design process, Coca-Cola has goals that are not only attainable, but rewarding to the employees, customers and stockholders. From a job design perspective, how would you interpret what these seven employees of The Coca-Cola Company say about the secret ingredients that make their jobs so refreshing? My interpretation of these seven employees comments are that Coca-Cola uses a job characteristic theory in approaching the hiring of employees. The employees see the value of their job performance. They also understand their responsibility within the company and the effect that their job performance has on the mission. I think that Coca-Cola has effectively designed the jobs within the company to motivate the employees. Based on their responses, the level of employee engagement seems high. What information contained in the seven employees' comments about their jobs relates to the core job characteristics of skill variety? Skill variety is defined as â€Å"the degree to which a job includes different activities and involves the use of multiple skills and talents of the employee. † (Cengage Learning, 2010, p. 223) Coca-Cola showcases the skills and talents that the employees bring to the job. They do this by giving the employees opportunities to learn and grow both personally and professionally. The company also encourages employees to bring their unique ideas and expertise to the forefront and act upon them; this allows the employees to express more of their personality at work.

Brand Loyalty vs Generic Brands

Brand Loyalty: Brand Names vs. Generic Brands Why do we as, customers and consumers chose to stay loyal to specific brands? Are you guilty of being loyal to one brand and not attempt to try other brand names and/or generic brands? I am. There are so many different products, materials, strategies, etc. that companies compete with each other to try to get us (the consumers) to be loyal to that brand. Example: Coke vs. Pepsi; AT&T vs. Sprint. There are also, people that wonder are their big differences in products when it’s a brand name vs. eneric brand. Upon my research I hope to answer these questions that we all have, a time or two, have wondered about? Definition The extent of the faithfulness of consumers to a particular brand, expressed through their repeat purchases, irrespective of the marketing pressure generated by the competing brands. (www. businessdictionary. com) Brand Loyalty ranges from foods, clothing, cars, places, electronics, etc. How they get us to stay loyal There are many reasons why we stay true to the brands we’ve developed to familiar ourselves with such as: knowing the quality in the product, don’t trust other brands or don’t care to try it, costs, availability, and /or easier resources, such as internet, the reputation of the brand by word of mouth and society standards. Companies are always developing newer and better ways to outdo their products, and old products and the products of their competitors. Brand Name vs. Generic Brand People have also stayed loyal when it comes to comparing the same products, but the difference is one is a brand name and the other is a generic.Such as, Tylenol vs. generic store name such as equate (wal-mart store brand). There is a difference in price? The generic (store brand) is always less in cost but is the product the same? Yes, the generic store brand of Tylenol is the same as the brand name Tylenol, the dosage, effects, risks, safety and strengths are the same, except for the price the store brand is cheaper and that’s because the manufacturer has not had the expenses of making and selling a new drug. Interviews on brand name loyalist: I have interviewed the following people to compare their loyalty to a brand and why?Questions asked: Friend: 1. Q: What brand are you loyal to? And Why? A: Sony, the picture, sound and quality of the different products. Nike, the comfortability of the shoes, larger range of styles, the different professional athletes under that name; meaning that they’re producing more of the products that allows the cost to lower, making it more affordable. Lexus, the quality, the appearance, the non-depreciate value it has compared to other brands and the reputation of the name? 2. Q: How long have you been loyal to the brand?A: Sony, 1995 is when I purchased my first Sony product; Nike, 1984 in High School, I bought a new pair of sneakers; Lexus, 2010. I bought my first Lexus, and currently I’m driving my second Lexus. 3. Q: Have you tired other similar/competitors brands? And what was your outcome? A: Yes. a. before my Sony, I owned a Zenith, RCA, and Magnovox and none of them have compared to the quality of Sony. Sony’s bottom of the line product is better than the Vizio’s top of the line products. All the electronics currently in my house is all Sony. b. I had Adidas sneakers in the past but the quality doesn’t compare to Nike.

Jack London’s “To Build a Fire” -Analysis Essay

In Jack London’s To Build a Fire the setting of the short story plays a significant role. Jack London uses specific techniques to establish the atmosphere and tone of the story. By introducing his readers to the setting, London prepares them for a tone that is depressed and fear-provoking. Isolated by an environment of frigid weather and doom, the author shows us how the main character of the story is completely unaware of his surroundings. The only world the man is actually accustomed to is the world he has created for himself. Since many of us have never been exposed to such a harsh climate, London’s account that the environment is the determining factor of his survival paints an accurate picture. Anything that the man and his dog come into contact with creates an expectation for disaster in the story. The significance of the words ‘dying and death’ in the story continuously expresses the man’s dwindling warmth and bad luck in his journey along the Yukon trail to meet his friends at camp. London associates dying with the man’s diminishing ability to stay warm in the frigid Alaskan climate. The main characters predicament slowly worsens one level at a time finally resulting in death. London places a strong emphasis on the setting in the introduction to the story. â€Å"Day had broken cold and grey, exceedingly cold and grey†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He repeats these phrases to emphase to the reader the impact the setting has on the lives of the characters. The gloominess of the setting causes the man and his dog to fight a constant battle in a world of depression. Lacking the virtue of imagination, the man is only gifted with his practical knowledge. This ignorance will hamper his ability to adapt to the conditions and stresses surrounding him. Typically the man never wants to deal with reality especially when the reality is unpleasant. â€Å"But all this-the mysterious, far-reaching hairline trail, the absence of sun from the sky, the tremendous cold, and the strangeness of it all- made no impression on the man.† He is able to tolerate the troublesome temperatures and climate he is surrounded by, he never attempts to face monster within him. Facing what he would do if the inevitable were to happen is this mans worst fear. This fear causes the man to become selfish, only focusing on the actions and thoughts that are  pleasurable to him. The man’s ignorance to his surroundings and self-indulgence foreshadows a possible downfall. London provides us with subconscious hints that lead the reader to believe that the man will suffer a tragedy in the end of the story. Only relying on his previous experiences causes the man to be a disadvantage to his dog. A dog by nature is an animal that has the natural gift of instinct. Under these bitter conditions, the dog was capable of survival because of those instincts. The dog follows the man throughout his ill faded journey, but after the man succumbs to the weather, the husky relies upon his instincts to survive. Being placed in this type of environment is the main conflict of the story for both the main character and the dog. Relying only on his judgment, the man can not prepare to prevent a disaster from occurring. London’s constant focus on the how the environment affected the man and his reaction to being unable to survive like his dog gives the reader certain hints. At this point London has already given an insight to the conclusion of the story. The theme of London’s ‘To Build a Fire’ is how we should all take heed to modern knowledge and learned behavior has its benefits, but our primal instincts should never have ignored. The man in the story had lots of knowledge but neglected to pay attention to his ‘sixth sense.’ The dog on the other hand, followed as long as he could but then let his instincts carry him to safety. We can never have enough knowledge to replace the survival skill that nature has provided us. Lured in by the plot of the story the reader keeps on reading, waiting in anticipation of the danger of the climate to overcome the man. â€Å"On the other hand, there was no keen intimacy between the dog and the man. The one was the toil slave of the other, and the only caresses it had ever received were the caresses of the whip lash and of harsh and menacing throat sounds that threatened the whip lash.† Although the dog was obviously anxious, he was unconcerned with the safety of the man. If the man was to come upon serious danger, the dog would not be willing to help him. Not being concerned with anything somewhat inventive, the man put himself in a position to anticipate death. His selfishness and ignorance keeps him in a situation of danger and  disaster. The climax of the story is when the man falls through the ice, wetting himself up to his knees. Preparing himself in advance might have prevented the man’s accident in the water. The man ignorance once again caused him to be unprepared for this kind of situation. The man never took the proper precautions because he never thought of how to cope with a deadly situation. The only help he was given for a similar situation was the advice of an old timer from Sulphur Creek. Viciously, the man attempted to stop his appendages from freezing, but was unsuccessful as the dog watched. London’s portrayal of the man does not initially give the reader the theme of dying, but slowly develops the theme as the story develops. The story doesn’t mention death until the last several pages. The main character changes from an enthusiastic pioneer to a sad and desperate man. The conclusion of the story portrays the man accepting his fate and understands the old-timer at Sulphur Creek had been right; â€Å"no man must travel alone in the Klondike after fifty below.† Using characterization, London is able to present why certain people are alive at the end and how one benefits from being social. The old-timer at Sulfur Creek is alive because he is experienced and wise enough to benefit from others’ experiences that it is not wise to travel alone in the Yukon. The boys at camp are also alive because they are together and can benefit from each other. The man’s husky is alive because it is well-suited for the Yukon environment, while the man is not. Unlike the other characters, London has the man die at the end of the story to illustrate that he dies because of his arrogance in his ability to travel alone. If the man travels with a companion or a companion of equal instinct, he can benefit from him and possibly return safely to camp. In the opening paragraph London presents us with a scene that is gloomy, depressing, and ominous, these elements foreshadow an outcome that will be fatal to our protagonist. Our man has no name, but he does not need one, he could be any man that has bitten off more than he can chew; he does not  considered the consequences of his actions until it is too late. By then there can be no return, he has crossed the line that cannot be uncrossed, because he trusts his intellectual thought process, not paying attention to man’s intuitive thoughts, the instinctual ones that some men consider less valid because they come from the unconscious mind. His unwillingness to contemplate the extreme cold, the barely used trail, his dog’s instincts, reflect the man’s inability to view the whole picture. As London puts it â€Å"the man had no imagination† he thought only to keep moving and stay dry, then he would be fine, however the man in the end could do neither.

Diamond Model of Porter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 11

Diamond Model of Porter - Essay Example This paper illustrates that Porter was able to introduce the diamond model of national competitive advantage for purposes of providing an explanation on the reasons which make a number of countries to be more competitive, in comparison to other countries. Furthermore, this model was introduced for purposes of providing an explanation of the reasons that make a variety of business systems within a particular economy to be more competitive. This model, developed by Porter gives a proposal that the national home base of a given industry plays a crucial task in achieving a competitive advantage on a wide scale. This home base, of the given industry, would make a contribution on some essential factors that will help in supporting the business systems within the industry, to build an effective and efficient strategy that can help them compete efficiently on a global perspective. Porter manages to identify four major determinants that play a role in making a country to achieve a national co mpetitive advantage. He thereafter makes a conclusion that by combining these four determinants within a given economy or country, then, they would provide a big influence on the competitive ability of the business systems that are located within the economy under consideration. In defending his points, Porter explains that a competitive industry would take the nature of a specialized cluster of industries that are found at home. These clusters are able to correlate with each other through vertical relations. Examples include managing to integrate with suppliers. Clusters are also able to correlate with each other, through horizontal relations. Horizontal relationships normally occur through distribution channels, technology, skills, and customers. Through these specialized clusters, Porter explains that a given economy would manage to develop a business system that has the capability of achieving a competitive advantage over its rivals, hence leading to economic success. The automo bile industry of Japan and the semiconductor industry of United States to the diamond model of Porter.

Marketing Strategy of Apple Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 15000 words

Marketing Strategy of Apple - Dissertation Example Over the last decade, Apple redefined the music and cellphone business, and the entertainment and media world by introducing IPod, IPhone and IPad. With the motivation to evaluate the marketing strategy of Apple, which enabled it to bring about a turnaround, this research is being conducted. Three objectives were set in Chapter I and after extensive literature review in Chapter II, questionnaire was designed to collect primary data from students. All three objectives have been achieved. The study finds that in the high technology products it has become critical to redefine businesses and reshape markets, thereby aligning with the changing demands of the firm’s business environment. To gain competitive advantage new pricing models, innovative value proposition, or customer-driven supply networks or finding new means of â€Å"touching† the customers has become essential. Brand management, customer segmentation, product positioning and customer behavior engagement are bein g applied by marketers. In the case of high-tech products product positioning has to be based on definite and tangible characteristics – unique selling point (USP) of the product. ... Apple also adopts bundling pricing and reference pricing strategy. In the international market Apple standardizes product, place and promotion strategies globally, so that all products sold worldwide carry the same design, package, advertising, posters and slogan. Prices vary depending on local taxes applicable. Thus, the marketing strategy of Apple can be said to be effective as they have been able to achieve the expected synergies. Table of Contents Chapter One: Introduction 1.1 Research Topic 1 1.2 Overview of Apple Inc. 2 1.3 Rationale for the study 2 1.4 Research Aims and Objectives 1.5 Research Framework Chapter Two: Literature Review 2.1 Chapter Overview 2.2 Introduction to Marketing Strategy 2.2.1 Principles of Marketing Strategy 2.2.2 Market Segmentation and Target Selection 2.2.3 Brand Image and Brand Equity 2.2.4 Product Positioning 2.2.5 Customer Engagement Behavior 2.3 Marketing Mix 2.3.1 Products 2.3.2 Pricing 2.3.3 Promotions 2.3.3.1 Advertising 2.3.3.2 Personal Sellin g 2.3.3.3 Sales Promotion 2.3.3.4 Public Relations 2.3.3.5 Direct Marketing 2.3.4 Place 2.3.4.1 Types of Intermediary 2.3.4.2 The Internet 2.4 International Marketing Strategy 2.4.1 Porter’s Generic Strategy in Digital Age 2.4.2 Effectiveness of the marketing strategy 2.5 Overview of the Computer Industry 2.6 Overview of Apple Inc Chapter Three: Methodology 3.1 Chapter Overview 3.2 Research Phenomenon under study 3.3 Research Philosophy 3.4 Research Strategy 3.5 Data Collection 3.6 Sampling 3.7 Data Analysis 3.8 Ethical concerns 3.9 Reliability and Validity 3.10 Limitations Chapter Four: Findings and Discussion 4.1 Chapter Overview 4.2 Findings from Web

Writing assignments Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Writing assignments - Assignment Example There must be relevance in statistical analysis. The researcher should also guard against predisposition of the analytic result by investigators. Always remain current in dynamically evolving statistical methodology. The subject matter expertise and adequate statistical is both applied to any planned study. Ensure that methodologies that are used are suitable to the data and to obtaining results that are valid. The statistics given are unreliable because each study should be based on a very competent understanding of the issues in the subject matter and also the statistical protocol that are defined clearly but then this discussion did not meet that. The methods used were ancient hence the data received cannot be proved valid. The statistical methodology of yesterday cannot be accepted today. The criterion of getting expertise in statistics and the subject matter if not met then it means that the results are not valid. I rate the statistics given as

Report of Air Pollution in Beijing Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Report of Air Pollution in Beijing - Case Study Example The paper will also go over the essential features and facts regarding the issue; the knowledge that one is required to have in order to understand the issue itself. Keywords: air, pollution, Beijing, China, factors, influences, misconceptions, impressions The Nature and Scope of the Report on Air Pollution in Beijing Pollution is a widespread, global issue that affects humans, plants, and animals alike. It causes issues with individual habitats, evolutionary changes, diseases, illness, and even death. Children learn about the topic of pollution each and every day in school, but in spite of what is learned, the lessons are not fully brought home, and the concept of the planet becoming more and more polluted, and even inhabitable in some cases, is completely lost on the individual, who continues to think of pollution as simply an abstract concept. Yet, for the children, men, and women who live in Beijing, China, the issue is far from an abstract one, as pollution, air pollution specif ically, continues to have lasting and adverse impacts on their day to day lives. Though many Americans are familiar with the concept of air pollution, and how it may have an effect on the environment itself, it is a topic that is hardly ever brought up, except perhaps in the context of whether or not their car is old enough to bypass the emissions check required for newer cars upon their yearly inspection. The American populace may read the occasional article on abc.net.au, or some other such site about the pressing concerns that the air quality in China has forced upon those who live there, however, again, it is an abstract concept, many people having never left the country, and even less who are considered knowledgeable about the cultures, practices, geography, or political climate in China. As such, it could be said that the knowledge of the American populace in regards to matters concerning China, and in regards to issues revolving around air pollution itself is that of limited depth and limited breadth. Due to this lack of knowledge, lack of familiarization with other cultures and countries, and as a result of the nebulous way of viewing the topic of air pollution, it is guaranteed that the American audience will have misconceptions in regards to the topic of air pollution in Beijing. One possible misconception that may arise is the assumption that the government in Beijing works in the same manner as it does here in America due to the fact that they too have a mayor. The associated assumptions that come with this viewpoint will cause the information provided by the mayor on February 10th to be viewed in a different light, making them appear more like empty campaign promises than actual decisive actions that will be taken in order to work to combat this particular issue (Kelly, 2013). In addition, due to the very nature of air pollution in America, and how it is viewed, â€Å"That’s a problem in x city, but it’s not an issue here in my city ,† the reader is likely to take the same cavalier attitude towards the issue, one of out of sight, out of mine; the idea that it is someone else’s problem. Due to this particular type of attitude, misconceptions may arise regarding how severe the particular issue is, and how pertinent it is for others to play their part in correcting the matter; for them to look back at the situation, see the cause and effect process, and be able to then turn and apply those selfsame

MKT 251 Advertising and media in the marketing environment Essay

MKT 251 Advertising and media in the marketing environment - Essay Example After analysing the environmental factors, it has been identified that the usefulness of the products follows the necessity trend and technology advancement of the target audiences. Market competition analysis shows that though Apple operates in a competitive market but, its innovations are still makes substantial differences in terms of quality and benefits to the customers. Apple has been promoting its latest innovation Ipad through different advertisement campaigns named â€Å"we believe†, â€Å"we will never stop†, â€Å"we will always† etc. The company share different messages to target audiences through these adverts. But all are similar in terms of market segmentation, positioning and targeting. Therefore, there is little difference in the content of the advertisement but message is still the same. It tries to make the target customers aware about the unique benefits of the product through different representation. Apple Inc. was formerly named as Apple Computer Inc. It is an American multinational corporation which design and sell high technology electronic goods, personal computers and computer software. The company became worldwide popular because of its innovation in the product. Company’s best known products are the Macintosh line of computers, ipod, iphone and lastly the current ipad. The company was established on 1st April, 1976 in California and incorporated on 3rd January, 1977. The company removed the word ‘computer’ from its name from January 2007 and shifted from only computer business towards consumer electronics. By market capitalization, Apple Inc. is the largest public limited company in the world which beat ExxonMobil, Google and Microsoft by revenue and profit. Ipad is one of the best innovations of the company along with other innovations i.e. ipod, iphone, Macbook etc. Apple has been promoting this product through creative advertisement through different medium like print advert for

Why The Lahad Datu Crisis In Sabah (Malaysia) Happened Research Paper

Why The Lahad Datu Crisis In Sabah (Malaysia) Happened - Research Paper Example Sabah has been a quota of the Malaysian alliance ever since the early1960s1. However, the Sulu Sultanate, which is situated in southern Philippines, has persistently asserted its historical and exclusive privileges over the zone. Furthermore, the Philippines have nevertheless to publicly descent its assertion that Sabah is a portion of its region. The government of Malaysia had requested the armed Filipinos in Lahad Datu to admit defeat for three weeks now without a success. Unfortunately, on March 5th, the army confronted the group and terminated the livelihood. The clash and subsequent military operations reportedly resulted into the killing of more than fifty people, inclusive of eight associates of the Malaysian police. The Malaysian ministry of welfare was fast to name the armed Filipinos as bombers. The government of the Philippines, which is presently accomplishing a peace treaty with Muslim separaties in the southern portion of the nation, also condemned the livelihood. Remar kably, the prime minister of Malaysia has yet to let go the notion that Malaysian opposition politicians have collaborated with the Sulu sultan in order to undermine the nation and bring down the presiding alliance ahead of the year`s universal polls. This research aims at analyzing the reasons why Lahad Datu crisis in Sabah (Malaysia )happened.... Thus, because of such restriction, the Lahad Datu crisis in Sabah was inevitable. This is because such limitations on travel will likely cause shortages on foodstuffs for the people, which is a dangerous action for people in such area. However, it is feared that the Sabah crisis is most likely to leave problems for both Malaysia and the Philippines for the coming future. Therefore, in order to avoid such crisis from happening, it is necessary that the officials of Malaysia and the Philippines settle for the last time the issue of Sabah. From research, the Philippines preserves a central regional entitlement to eastern Sabah, initially referred to as north Bomeo, through the custom of the Sultanate of Sulu. This claim is based on the idea that the domain of the sultanate has traditionally traversed from the Sulu archipelago into portions of northern Bomeo4. Therefore, because of such claims, the embassy of Malaysia in Philippines gives out a cheque of some amount to the lawful counsel of the beneficiaries of the Sultan of Sulu in maintain the terms of an pact made in 1878. Malaysia views the amount as a yearly cession payment for the disputed nation; however, the progeny of Sultan views it as a lease imbursement. Nevertheless, Malaysia has categorically canceled any Philippine local entitlement to Sabah as it infers the 1878 pact as that of cession and that it supposes that the inhabitants of Sabah had practiced their rights to independence when they decided to join the Malaysia confederation in 1963. Thus, analytically, it is because of such issues that led to the Lahad Datu crisis in Sabah. In addition, another reason for the Lahad Datu

The History and evolution of health care economics Essay

The History and evolution of health care economics - Essay Example Health care economics is one branch of economics that deals with problems like scarcity in the distribution of health care. A general overview of this study includes social issues in healthcare (alcoholism, smoking), health care system, and allocation of funding to public healthcare. Early studies in this field can be attributed to Kenneth Arrow when he published his article titled â€Å" Uncertainty and the Welfare economics of medical care â€Å" in 1963. Nowadays, numerous researches dwelling on health care economics just shows the importance of this issue to modern living. The study of economics would always be a relationship between supply and demand, and healthcare is no exception to such. First, it must be understood that healthcare is a derived demand since it is affects the result of health and must be directly consumed ( Newhouse, 1996) in order to feel its benefits. Although people would not like the idea of receiving this service, they have no choice when they get sick. In fact, Evans and Stoddart (1990 ) asserts that â€Å"Health care is one the determinants of health and from an economic perspective, it is simply an input into the production of health†. This is the main reason why government should spend on healthcare since healthy citizens are more productive and costs less to society. Even individuals should ideally spend for their own preventive healthcare so they would not get sick thereby reducing downtime in terms of man hours. Unfortunately, people do not prioritize healthcare issues all the time since there are other equally important things to spend for such as food, education and housing. It is only when one’s health is endangered do people pay attention to this issue; thus, people even buy costly medicines when they are really sick. On the other hand, Kowalski’s paper in 2003 revealed that â€Å"medical care and prices have an elastic