Strategic Groups and Contribution to Industry Profitability Essay

Strategic Groups and Contribution to Industry Profitability - Essay Example Both institutions may belong to the same industry but do not compete directly with another, so the factors that affect either of them may not be critical in their success; instead, organisations within similar strategic groups ought to be considered (Amel and Froeb, 1991). In essence, a strategic group may be understood as a collection of firms that utilise common strategies and operate within common competitive environments. Membership within this entity determines the threats and opportunities that organisations are susceptible to as well as other components of their competitive environments. Knowledge of such information is critical in understanding why some strategic groups perform better than others and why firms cannot move between groups easily. The concept of mobility barriers captures the above changes; this term is analogous to entry barriers because it prevents companies from changing from less profitable strategic groups to ones that are more profitable. High mobility barriers in a strategic group assist in cementing positions of high performance for certain organisations and shield them from intense rivalry by new ones (Hill and Deeds, 1996). One way of understanding how strategic groups contribute to industry profitability is through an analysis of the motor vehicle market; a highly traditional yet technology-dependent industry. Organisations like Jaguar, Land Rover and Rolls Royce initially had vertically integrated business models. These companies operated within similar strategic groups where they took advantage of economies of scale as well as specialisation in order to maintain the competitive advantage. Even collision between them was common because they were not overly concerned about production costs; however, these dynamics altered upon arrival of Japanese firms (Noel and Eduardo, 2007). The new entrants did not place too much emphasis on vertical integration; instead, they preferred to forge close associations with their contractors. A process that made them stand out was just in time manufacturing, which focused on efficient production through low inventory as well as flexibility.  

Solution to World Poverty Essay Example for Free

Solution to World Poverty Essay Try to imagine when you became a homeless child who is facing death because of starvation, would not you want a piece of bread from a kind man? In the article The Singer Solution to World Poverty Peter Singer talks about whether we should save poor children or not by donating money. In his article, Singer helps us realize our response for the deaths of children in poor families by asking the reader to consider hypothetical situations and put these moral issues into real life. In the long run, simply donating money to poor countries do not solve the problem. In my opinion, we should help the poor children to make their own living, by spending our money on popularization of education and health care in the poor countries. In the first few paragraphs, Singer uses examples from the Brazilian film Central Station and basically says that in America and other countries, people are more likely to condemn people who do not donate. For example, people who might have been quick condemn Dora if she had not rescued the boy actually go back to places far more comfortable than Doras apartment after the movie ends. This suggests that people who are able to help the poor children do not take actions to help them. Therefore, we should start to help poor children by donating money to the charity rather than wait for someone else to do it. Like the author says Donated to one of a number of charitable agencies, that money could mean the difference between life and death for children in need. Another example from the article was authors analysis of Living High and Letting Die by Peter Unger. The example is about close-to-retirement Bob, who chooses not to throw the switch that would have directed the train to another track and saved childs life. In the same manner, it is very wrong of us for not calling the charity number listed on P299 after seeing it, because we chose not making the phone call while we could have saved one childs life by making it. According to the author Now you, too have the information you need to save childs life. How should you judge yourself if you dont do it? In our real life, it is understandable that people prefer to do nothing, because I did not call that charity neither. However, our problem is that we tend to rely on the majority, because nobody will blame the majority. In this case, some people might ask then why should we donate our money to the charity while the majority is not willing to do so? The author calls this follow-the-crowd ethics-the kind of ethics that led many Germans to look away when the Nazi atrocities were being committed. We do not excuse them because others were behaving no better. However, I do not agree with Singers opinion that we should donate everything beyond necessities, where Singer says An American household with an income of $50,000 spends around $30,000 annually on necessities, according to the Conference BoardTherefore, for a household bringing in $50,000 a year, donations to help the worlds poor should be as close as possible to $20,000. However, we save one child by donating $200 as the author suggests, one life saves one life, fair and kind enough. Since we are living in real world, we should look towards reality, and the reality is that every one of us is selfish. For example, a guy chooses to go to a local Pizza restaurant every Friday night with his weekly extra income, lets assume $25 approximately. Suddenly, he is required to donate all of that 25 dollars to a local charity. Imagine what might happen to that guy, it will certainly take him a while to get used to not eat in that pizza restaurant anymore. Donating someones extra income means giving up certain habits supported by that part of the income, and it could be just as difficult as persuading a smoker to give up smoking. Therefore, we all need to donate money, but not everything beyond necessities. Now, here comes an important question: what do people really need in these poor countries? If I only donate $200, are those money really going to change a childs life? The answer is depended on what organization you are donating to. According to Garrett Hardin, in his article Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against Helping the Poor he is trying to convince the readers not to donate, because the worlds resources are inequitably distributed. and We cannot safely divide the wealth equitably among all peoples so long as reproduce at different rates. To do so would guarantee that our grandchildren, and everyone elses grandchildren, would have only a ruined world to inhabit. Therefore, in the long run, by simply donating money or resource (especially foods), we are making the population growth differential between poor and rich countries even bigger. Thus, we should let them suffer now in order to make a brighter life for their future generation and ours. However, according to Hardin, there is one exception: instead of giving poor people fish, we can teach them how to fish, so that they will be able to make their own living in the future. For example, we can spend our money on popularizing education and health care in poor countries, so we are helping poor children to create their own survival abilities. In the end, we should clarify the value of 200 dollars: it might be nothing for rich people to spend that amount on a luxury dinner (some of the top restaurants charge even more than that) in this case the value of $200 might be tasty foods and a comfortable environment. Now, lets save this $200 and give it to an oversea aid organization assuming the money is directly spent on saving one sick childs life. In this case, the value of $200 is certainly more than a good meal. Therefore, we should definitely donate part of our extra income, but not everything beyond necessities. Furthermore, the money should be spent popularizing education and health care in poor countries. When you see your $200 has made a little difference in the life of a poor children, dont you feel happy? and dont you think that together as a whole we can make world better so we should start giving? CITATION Peter Singer. The Singer Solution to World Poverty The Norton Mix. Boston University. New York, 2012. P296-303. Print. Garrett Hardain. Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against Helping the Poor The Norton Mix. Boston University. New York, 2012. P158-160. Print.

The Negative impact of Social Networking Sites in Business Essay

Introduction In recent years, the Internet and especially the social networking sites have enabled a communication revolution: the ability to send and receive timely information everywhere has changed the way we live. As an online social networking site (SNS), it collects personal information and stored in the users’ profiles, and it is extremely popular because it allows people to connect with users with similar interests, build and maintain relationships with friends, and feel more connected with their neighbors or campus. On the contrary, it is obvious that although social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, rank high in people’s daily life, they also give rise to the unexpected disturbing matters in business. Facebook Features Facebook, a popular social networking site founded in 2004 by a Harvard sophomore, has already had more than 800 million active users by July 2011. (Giles, 2011) Like other sites, users must register with e-mail address before using the site. And once a user has logged in, he/she can join a school network, search for friends and view other users’ profile as long as the privacy feature is turned off. Within the account, users can post status, share videos and photos, publish notes, list interests and personal details. Facebook also has the optional privacy features which restrict others access to only partial of their profiles. (Cain, 2007) Facebook and Development Issues An apparent problem with irrational using online SNS is how they ruin your opportunities. Even though we always heard about how Facebook and other SNS help people getting jobs and know about companies before the interviews. But there are some possibilities that those websites can ruin your future career development. And it ... ...ed to Internet increases the time to accomplish a project or even bring a general reduction in quality. Conclusion This paper has provided an overview of how partial social networking sites form the negative impact on businesses. SNS such as Facebook provide individuals the way to maintain connects and broaden the way people used to think and behave, which is beneficial in daily life. These same sites, however, I argue that, also present a danger to people’s expected future development and reputation, safety and working. In order to avoid these disadvantages from using social networking sites, it would be better for people always being smart about what to put on Facebook and other SNS because you wouldn’t be informed being inspected. And try as much as possible to get away from these sites when you are working or studying since attention must paid 100% on them.

Romeo and Juliet Essay

Text Analysis: Complexity of love in Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet is a complex tragedy exploring different dynamics of love and particularly true love. The play confronts the audience with the very old enmity between two families. The focus is primarily around Romeo and Juliet but also infatuation and brotherly love. Several interpretations have being made, although reading scenes from the real play give a direct familiarity with the text. Romeo and Juliet the play is opened with a focus on the Montague’s and Romeos relationship with Rosaline.The first introduction to Romeo is by mention from his mother Lady Montague. She appears worried and asks her husband and Benvolio if they have seen Romeo. The Dialogue indicates that Romeo has being very upset and was seen walking with tears streaming from his eyes he has also being shutting himself in his room†¦ â€Å"So early walking did I see your son†¦ Many a morning hath there been seen, with tears augmenting the fre sh morning dew. † (Act 1 line 120, 129-30).Romeo is presented as being deeply in love with Rosaline. Shakespeare may have added this scene exaggerating Romeos dismay to emphasize how quickly his feelings change when he sees Juliet also to underline how Romeo and Juliet share an undeniable love which he clearly did not have with Rosaline. Romeo’s sudden change of emotion is clear in â€Å"If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle sin this is: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss. (Act 1 Scene 5 line 90) where he first sees Juliet and wants to kiss her hand. Romeo declares that his feelings for Rosaline are completely gone when he sees Friar Lawrence â€Å"†¦ With Rosaline, my ghostly father? No; I have forgot that name and that name’s woe† (Lines 35-45 Act 2 Scene 3) and inquires about taking Juliet’s hand. At first FL believes Romeo is there to speak to him about Ros aline and gives a small speech to Romeo accentuating how Romeo was conveyed to be feeling.These series of events unquestionably prove that Shakespeare used Romeos first relationship (Rosaline and Romeo) to show that they did not share love but rather an infatuation (Superficial love) which is proven when Romeo finds his true love with Juliet giving viewers a more certain opinion that Romeo and Juliet do in fact have true love it was very important Shakespeare utilised this to ensure that the audience did not doubt the abrupt love or mistake it for infatuation as an author Shakespeare also used diverse language techniques nd altered the characters actions (When Rosaline and Romeo broke up, Romeo no more than cried; When Juliet was thought dead Romeo then to killed himself) He manipulated the audience into believing Romeo and Juliet’s love was real. The enmity between two of Verona’s noble families, tore two sides between many of the residences. Bringing the conflict out side of the two family’s immediate family and also involving close friends. This type of dedication and loyalty is very risky as Escalus had become weary of the fights disturbing the rest of the community.Declaring the next person to fight in the risk of being banished from Verona; which resulted in even defending a family that Mercutio was not a part of. This is an example of a deep unconditional love and friendship, or family type bond which Mercutio and Romeo shared. Unlike other relationships the brotherly love showed a different dynamic to Shakespeare’s writing abilities. He illustrated he could use formal language and informal language between different characters to one another. Informal language is commonly used between the characters with brotherly love, as this is in the intimacy of the friendship and not in serious situation.Often spoken by Mercutio, until his last moment alive. Shakespeare upheld his level of wit and humour in a somewhat relaxed manor †Å"†¦ Good King of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives, that I mean to make bold withal; and, as you shall use hereafter, dry-beat the rest of the eight. Will you pluck your sword out of his pilcher by the ears? Make haste, lest mine be about your ears ere it be out†¦ † (Act 3 Scene 1 lines 175-177) Here Shakespeare has used Mercutio’s attitude to belittle Tybalt saying he wishes to attack him, asking him to do as he pleases and quickly (with haste).Because of this it is very hard to precisely generalize Romeo and Juliet as a Drama play or Comedy (this could also broaden Shakespeare’s range of Audience). Romeo shows his heart break and depression over Mercutio’s death killing Tybalt and consequently becoming banished. Tybalt, also Juliet’s cousin causes Romeo and his actions damage his relationship with Juliet making the families anger and hate towards each other increasingly raw also giving Juliet’s parents more reason to despi se Romeo as an individual. Romeo’s actions were an intense show of emotion as he essentially put Mercutio before Juliet.Shakespeare uses the concept Love at first sight as a basis for Romeo and Juliet’s love and then developing it into a physical and endless connection, using the initial family feud as a foundation to create an innovative love story it was an ideal situation to exhibit how they’re immediate love was stronger than there love for their family as both Romeo and Juliet question their own names and decide the enmity does not affect how they feel nor does the families opinions have an input into the decision to get married.Juliet goes to a severe level to avoid marrying Paris; Shakespeare also causes Juliet’s actions to create immense grief for her family even though she did not actually die at first. This yet again expresses Juliet’s weakening consideration and love for her family as she put her family through extreme sadness for Romeo not taking into account their reactions or heartbreak and only thinking of her and Romeo’s relationship. The two lovers act very quickly not using much thought or contemplation throughout the play (Romeo taking poison straight after seeing Juliet without thinking of other solutions) â€Å"Arms take your last embrace!And lips, O you the doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss. A dateless bargain to ongoing death! Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide! Thou despite pilot, not at once run back on the dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark! Here’s to my love [drinks] O true apothecary thy drugs are quick†¦ † (Act 5 scene 3 lines 113-18) Demonstrating Shakespeare’s idea of true love as the couple puts their love for one another before everything else in their love.In conclusion the types of love shown in the whole play are not only complex but a deep insight into what lovers may of felt like in Shakespeare’s time. The audience could clearl y recognize the types of love within this play and also pulls people in. Shakespeare’s dramatised use of language is endless in time and can be understood and interoperated clearly, the descriptive use of texts gives a broad and personal level to understanding what is being said. The drama and exaggeration of each conversation makes the tragedy interesting and there is always something attention-grabbing being said or going on. Romeo and Juliet Essay Romeo and Juliet, one of the world’s most popular love stories and for over 400 years spectators and students have enjoyed this story based on passion, true love, hate, sorrow, and most of all, tragedy. Tragedy is defined as a medieval narrative poem or tale typically describing the downfall of a great man or a misfortune. What are the factors responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet? Could it be a family feud, a misunderstanding, or true love (fate)? The first factor that is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet is the family feud.The Capulet’s and the Montague’s would have never allowed Romeo and Juliet to be wed this became the forbidden love. These two families and their ancestors of many centuries past have been feuding over matters that have become irrelevant and forgotten in time. In other words the two families no longer remember the causes of their feuding but this led to the tragic event of Romeo and Juliet. The feud was the cause of Tyba lts death by the hands of Romeo therefore adding more conflict for the two families and making it seem impossible too ever resolve their difference and come to terms with each other for Romeo and Juliet’s sake.Capulet, Juliet’s father, had prearranged his daughter’s future with Paris who would become her husband unaware of her new status†¦ married. The second factor responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s death was â€Å"the big misunderstanding. † The lack of communication between our two lovers was without a doubt the biggest cause of this misfortune. On the day of her wedding to Paris, in order to withdraw from this prearranged marriage; Juliet with the assistance of the local Friar, had a plan that seemed flawless. Juliet was to fake her own death by ingesting a sleeping potion that would last approximately 42 hours.This would end her existence with the Capulet’s so she could gain a new life with the Montague. Romeo, exiled from Verona, was to receive the crucial message of Juliet’s plans and that all was going to be resolved. A breakdown in communication to Romeo caused him to believe his true love had deceased and therefore taking his own life was to be the next step by convincing himself that he could not live without her. â€Å"My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep. The more I give to thee, the more I have, for are infinite. †(2. 2. 139-141). hose are Juliet’s words expressing what it means to truly being in love. The third factor that is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet is true love. It is a story of two young adolescents that have fallen in love regardless of family feuds, boundaries, restrictions, and the â€Å"forbidden love†. Their passion and love would conquer all obstacles that would come their way as a true test to their commitment to each other. Upon the news of Juliet’s death and funeral, Romeo is left in pain and sorrow and seeks upon himself to terminate the pain by ingesting a poison of death.Juliet awakens only to find her true beside her unresponsive and lifeless. A moment in time that seems endless, Juliet in a state of shock and sorrow reaches for the remaining liquid to end her life. Her plan fails as she is still within the reality of this nightmare and to her demise she reaches for the dagger and solemnly takes her life to be with Romeo; her true love. In conclusion, these factors were without doubt responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet as they followed a sequence of events beginning with two families in a feud from many centuries that would lead conclusively to a forbidden love.Two individuals attempting to be together in love forever yet devastated by misinterpretation and destroyed by love. A tragic story is to have a sorrowful and disastrous conclusion or the downfall of hero(es). Romeo and Juliet were heroes regarding the family feud. As a result of their tragic death, both families recogni zed that the senseless feuding had to end and that it took the loss of true love for this realization. Romeo and Juliet essay: three factors responsible for their death

Dead Poets Society Essay

To what extent do you agree? In the movie â€Å"Dead Poets Society† produced in 1989 by film director Peter Weir who provides us with an example of a â€Å"charismatic teacher† who persuades the boys away from conforming to the traditions. Suicide was overall Neil’s choice as he was unable to overcome and deal with the difficult relationship with his father. Neil was a sensitive, passionate type of person who found it hard to express his private thoughts about how he felt. Mr Keating is somewhat blamed for Neil’s death as he opened the students minds to different ways of learning and thinking and wanted them to avoid conforming with society and to express individualism. Neil’s father pressured Neil into things he didn’t want to do which took a major part in the act of suicide for Neil. When Neil Perry decides to pursue a career in the performing arts, rather than in medicine, his father, Mr Perry, is furious. Unmoved by Neil’s extraordinary performance in the play â€Å"A Midsummer Night’s Dream†, Mr Perry continues to insist on controlling his son’s life and dictating his every move. But Mr Perry’s efforts were in vain; Neil had already experienced freedom—a privilege not easily relinquished. So in a way the act of suicide was Neil’s way of standing up to his father. Mr Keating encourages his pupils to have independent ideas. For instance, in their second English lesson, he instructed the boys to rip out the introduction to their poetry textbooks, because he believed that the pupils should develop their own responses to poetry rather than follow the guidance of the editor. Throughout the film Mr Keating repeatedly says to the boys â€Å"carpe diem† which means seize the day, so Mr Keating was not in fact ever saying that suicide was not conforming or seizing the day, it was completely against what he was trying to teach the boys. Neil eventually stands up to his father, but is unable to communicate his opinions to the increasing tyrannical traditionalist figure that his father has become. Rather than continuing to live a dreary half-life, Neil decides that the only way to gain control is by taking his own life. Though he lost everything in the process, suicide was the only way for Neil to stand up to his father and live life to the fullest (â€Å"Carpe Diem†). Through the act of suicide, Neil is taking control of his life decisions—and must, as a result, accept the consequences. Neil’s clearly existential actions were a necessary step in his process of self-discovery and individual growth.

Free Essays on Claus Von Bulow

Martha â€Å"Sunny† Crawford seemed to have it all. She inherited $75 million. She even at one time had the title as Princess when she was married to Prince Alfie. She had two children, one by Prince Alfie and one by Claus von Bulow. Sunny was very depressed. It was thought that maybe she tried to commit suicide- or it could have been murder- by her husband- Claus. â€Å"On December 21, 1980, Sunny von Bulow slipped into an irreversible coma. The rest is a mystery.† Claus Cecil Borgerg was raised by his grandfather and his divorced mother. Claus was educated in a Swiss school in St. Moritz. Claus had a very rich taste. At an early age, he knew how to charm his upper class contacts. In 1940, Claus was sent out of the country to England in the belly of a British Mosquito Bomber. Claus went to Trinity College in Cambridge and graduated in 1946. In the 1950’s, Claus was practicing law after graduation. While in law, he made many contacts with the wealthy. Claus and Sunny were married for 13 years in 1979. Each professed publicly that they wanted a divorce. Even though they appeared publicly together, they did not show any love between each other. Claus had lived in Sunny’s 5th Avenue apartment and was openly having an affair with Alexandria Isles. Claus had been set up with a $120,000 per year allowance by Sunny. This made Claus feel like a â€Å"kept† man. He wanted his own life, but Sunny wanted him by her side. His mistress, Alexandria Isles, had come from a very wealthy family. She had very expensive tastes. Claus’ $10,000 a week allowance wasn’t enough money to keep her in the lap of luxury she was accustomed too. In 1979, one day following Christmas, the life of the von Bulow family had changed forever. Sunny and Alexander, her son, had been in the family library and had drunk a couple of eggnogs as were their custom. Sunny became weak and disoriented. Alexander thought that his moth... Free Essays on Claus Von Bulow Free Essays on Claus Von Bulow Martha â€Å"Sunny† Crawford seemed to have it all. She inherited $75 million. She even at one time had the title as Princess when she was married to Prince Alfie. She had two children, one by Prince Alfie and one by Claus von Bulow. Sunny was very depressed. It was thought that maybe she tried to commit suicide- or it could have been murder- by her husband- Claus. â€Å"On December 21, 1980, Sunny von Bulow slipped into an irreversible coma. The rest is a mystery.† Claus Cecil Borgerg was raised by his grandfather and his divorced mother. Claus was educated in a Swiss school in St. Moritz. Claus had a very rich taste. At an early age, he knew how to charm his upper class contacts. In 1940, Claus was sent out of the country to England in the belly of a British Mosquito Bomber. Claus went to Trinity College in Cambridge and graduated in 1946. In the 1950’s, Claus was practicing law after graduation. While in law, he made many contacts with the wealthy. Claus and Sunny were married for 13 years in 1979. Each professed publicly that they wanted a divorce. Even though they appeared publicly together, they did not show any love between each other. Claus had lived in Sunny’s 5th Avenue apartment and was openly having an affair with Alexandria Isles. Claus had been set up with a $120,000 per year allowance by Sunny. This made Claus feel like a â€Å"kept† man. He wanted his own life, but Sunny wanted him by her side. His mistress, Alexandria Isles, had come from a very wealthy family. She had very expensive tastes. Claus’ $10,000 a week allowance wasn’t enough money to keep her in the lap of luxury she was accustomed too. In 1979, one day following Christmas, the life of the von Bulow family had changed forever. Sunny and Alexander, her son, had been in the family library and had drunk a couple of eggnogs as were their custom. Sunny became weak and disoriented. Alexander thought that his moth...

Steven Jobs Example

Steven Jobs Example Steven Jobs – Coursework Example I have chosen Steven Jobs because he inspires me a lot. He steered Apple to become one of the most widely recognised brand in as far as information and communication technology is concerned. Apple offers unique and state-of-the-art communication devices that can be hardly matched in the market. I also admire Steve Jobs because he was intelligent and he was very innovative in as far as designing and development of communication devices are concerned. For instance, gadgets such as iPod, iPad as well as iPhone among other products are unique and they can be hardly matched in the market by any other product in the same category. Jobs is renowned for his outstanding creativity and innovation. Essentially, customers like unique products and this why I admire jobs because he was excellent in this category. Jobs co-founded Apple computers with Steve Wozniack and they revolutionized computer technology through their invention such as Mac computers. These gadgets were different from other comp uters offered in the market and they marked a turning point in the history of computer industry. â€Å"Under Jobs’ guidance, the company pioneered a series of revolutionary technologies, including the iPhone and iPad,† (Steve Jobs). These devices have their own operating systems and software that can be hardly imitated by the other competitors. This has made the products unique and they have also helped the company to gain competitive advantage. About half of Apple’s revenue comes from iPod and iTune sales and the company was ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine’s list of â€Å"America’s Most Admired Companies,† as well as No.1 among Fortune 500 companies for returns to shareholders (Steve Jobs). This speaks volumes about the company’s popularity and uniqueness. Works cited â€Å"Steve Jobs.† Bio. A & E Television Networks. . 2015. Web. 28 January 2015.