Porters Generic Strategies Essay

Strategy concerns two factors, deciding where you want a business to go, and deciding how to get there. According to Grant (2010) â€Å"A firm can achieve a higher rate of profit (or potential profit) over a rival in one of two ways: either it can supply an identical product or service at a lower cost, or it can supply a product or service that is differentiated in such a way that the customer is willing to pay a price premium that exceeds the additional cost of differentiation.† This provides the company with a different type of competitive advantage, either cost or differentiation. To attain cost advantage, a firm must aim to be a cost leader, and minimise expenses and outlays at every stage within the value chain. Porter (1985) wrote that to achieve differentiation advantage, a firm must â€Å"provide something unique that is valuable to buyers beyond simply offering a low price† These two strategies form half of Porter’s (1985) generic strategies model, which are contained within the ‘broad’ dimension. Cost leadership requires key strategy elements such as scale-efficient plants, outsourcing abroad (such as HP computers) and a design process that is heavily focused on the manufacturing of the products. Resources and capabilities should include access to capital, tight cost control and specialisation of jobs and functions, with incentives linked to quantitative targets. Alternatively differentiation requires emphasis on branding, advertising, quality, service and new product development. To accomplish this a firm needs superior marketing abilities, creativity, and strong research and development resources. The second, ‘narrow scope’, dimension presents the other generic strategies; cost focus and differentiation focus. Companies using focus strategies will target niche markets and, by understanding the dynamics of that market and the unique needs of the customers within it, develop uniquely low cost or well specified products within that market. Tailoring their products for customers tends to lead to a strong brand image, and companies can rely significantly upon their reputation to maintain sales. This can detract new entrants to niche markets with established suppliers. The key to succeed  within the focus dimension of Porter’s (1985) box diagram is to make sure the company is adding something of value as a result of serving only a niche market. Porter’s generic strategies do have various criticisms. Firstly, it is possible for a company to perform to two strategies and succeed, whilst avoiding becoming ‘stuck in the middle’. Nissan in China, for example, try to cater for the low cost and market whilst also offering automobiles for more elite customers. This has proved hugely successful, with high performance cars such as the GT-R (retailing for as much as  £120,000) selling just as consistently as the Micra ( £10,000). This directly contradicts Porter’s claim that â€Å"the firm stuck in the middle is almost guaranteed low profitability. In addition, many companies enter the market focusing on a particular niche, but then their initial success enables them to expand and utilise other generic strategies. A great example of this is McDonalds, who initially targeted children, with the Happy Meal and the character of Ronald McDonald. They realised they were missing out on a huge segment of the ma rket – adults, so each new advertising campaign became more sophisticated until it catered for all ages. Interestingly, the food that is sold has not changed significantly, just the marketing behind it. Another problem with Porter’s model is that the strategy alone does not guarantee success. For example, a firm cannot generate consistently high profits simply by offering the lowest price due to cost leadership. Low price does not sell products without any other strategy, people may believe that if a product is significantly cheaper, it is therefore of lower quality and not worth buying. The company needs a reputable brand to ensure customers know they are getting value for money and not just being ripped off. Strong marketing is needed to portray the image that the product is at least as good a standard as its competitors while stressing the difference in price. An additional factor is that of imitability. The knowledge provided in Porter’s texts is freely available, so no differential advantage can be gained from them, unless they are interpreted in idiosyncratic ways. Treacy & Wiersema (1995) put forward an alternative approach to attaining  market value advantage. The 3 basic routes were operational excellence, product leadership and customer intimacy. Alternatively Bowmans strategy clock looks at different combinations of price against perceived value of the product. This provides a powerful way of looking how to establish and sustain a competitive position in a market driven economy. However, in a more recent paper, Bowman (2008) argues that whilst Porters generic strategies are useful, they cannot provide all the answers. He claims that at best they are â€Å"food for thought†, and at worst they are â€Å"a substitute for thinking†.

Relationships and Human Behavior Perspectives Essay

Reviewing human behaviors from different perspectives, including the five main perspectives of biological, learning, social and cultural, cognitive, and psychodynamic influences, can sometimes shed light on why humans act the way they do. Using these perspectives to review how relationships begin, develop, and are maintained can provide a deeper understanding and context of this phenomenon. Framing love relationships with these different perspectives also helps to show how the perspectives themselves differ or are similar in relation to how they consider relationships as being formed and maintained. The biological perspective contends that innate causes drive human behavior. Specifically, this perspective states that the actions of the nervous system and genetic heredity lead to different types of behavior (McLeod, 2007). From this perspective, hormonal reactions and feelings of reinforcement in the brain that are associated with a particular individual lead people to start relationships (McLeod, 2007). Additionally, the relationship is maintained because humans have an innate desire to reproduce and pass their own genetic material on to their offspring, and in order to drive this urge, the brain continues to trigger feelings of pleasure and hormonal releases to strengthen the association between a given person and good feelings (McLeod, 2007). This perspective is somewhat unique from the other ones in how it views relationships, because it claims that advanced cognitive processes are not even necessary for a relationship to last; instead, only biochemical processes are required . The next type of perspective, the learning perspective, claims that learning through association leads to specific behaviors, and that individuals will generally learn to enact behaviors that they see are rewarded (Mikkelson & Pauley, 2013). From this perspective, humans form relationships because they see other relationships, such as those of their parents, externally rewarded, and come to associate the notion of â€Å"love† with reward. The rewards that one receives from a relationship, such as attention, compassion, or even financial security, are associated with â€Å"love† over time, which strengthens the relationship and makes people more likely to  maintain a relationship after they have been involved in it for some time (Mikkelson & Pauley, 2013). Like the biological perspective, the learning perspective deems relationship behavior as something beyond humans’ conscious control and does not necessarily require conscious thought, although the learning perspective does not claim to know the internal processes that drive it, and it does require that humans have at least the ability to learn in order for them to be involved in relationships (Mikkelson & Pauley, 2013). Social and cultural perspectives claim that humans are ingrained with what constitutes â€Å"right† behavior through socialization. Because people grow up, in many cases, in households with married parents, or at least where the parents date other individuals, children learn early on that relationships are not only acceptable, but actually desirable (McLeod, 2007). This notion is further reinforced through messages given to the child through the media, their friends and other family members, and most people they come in contact with, all of whom deem â€Å"love† to be one of the highest goals a person can achieve. Individuals therefore seek out relationships in their teen years because they have been told that it is a positive objective to strive toward, and they are further reinforced in their views by their partner and others who know them after dating or getting married, which leads the person to continue their relationship (McLeod, 2007). This perspective is unlike the learning and biological perspectives in that it does not rely on reflexes or innate drives, but instead requires complex thought, and, moreover, socialization; a person living outside of society would likely have no desire to be in a relationship, according to this perspective. The cognitive perspective claims that human thought is what drives all behavior. In this sense, then, humans enter relationships because they see relationships as something that they desire, and which will provide them with some type of enjoyment or reward for seeking out (Mikkelson & Pauley, 2013). If they find that they do receive some type of benefit from dating a person, they will make the decision to develop the relationship further, learning more about the person and perhaps even getting married, if they believe that they are sufficiently compatible with the other person for the  relationship to last and continue to be rewarding (Mikkelson & Pauley, 2013). This perspective, like the social and cultural perspective, is very reliant on human thought as a driver of relationships, but the cognitive perspective deems relationships an individual choice rather than a result of societal pressure. Lastly, the psychodynamic perspective contends that behavior is due to interactions between the conscious and the subconscious mind. A relationship might begin because a member of the opposite sex might remind an individual of the loving relationship they had with their parents, but in order to sublimate the inappropriate desire for one’s parents, the individual seeks out a relationship with a person outside of their family. The relationship is maintained because it provides the person with ego fulfillment (McLeod, 2007). Like the cognitive and social perspectives, the psychodynamic perspective describes relationships in terms of human thought and cognitive activity, but unlike those other perspectives, the psychodynamic outlook believes that humans are essentially bound to enter into relationships, because it ascribes the behavior to innate drives. In this sense, the psychodynamic perspective is somewhat like the biological perspective. All of these different perspectives, then, can provide different types of insight into human relationships. References McLeod, S. (2007). Psychology Perspectives. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/ Mikkelson, A. C., & Pauley, P. M. (2013). Maximizing Relationship Possibilities: Relational Maximization in Romantic Relationships. Journal Of Social Psychology, 153(4), 467-485. doi:10.1080/00224545.2013.767776

Discipline a Child Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Discipline a Child - Research Paper Example The aim of any discipline is to set reasonable and realistic expectations. Disciplining a child often aims at protecting the child from harmful behavior and to impart education. It is a fact that children are sensitive and they require freedom to grow and learn. However, they cannot thrive on unlimited freedom as it will just hamper their growth of intelligence. For a child to grow up to be a responsible, conscious, respectable and dependable adults, he/ she should learn the moral, ethics and social norms that are considered acceptable by the society from their parents. Children who are brought up without any discipline tend to be selfish, greedy, dishonest and unfit for social interactions. Most of the undisciplined children often become destructive and aggressive adults. Children should be disciplined right from the start. However, the discipline techniques used by the parents or the guardians should be considered carefully as it can have a great impact on the child. Disciplining a child using abusive language, extreme physical violence or embarrassing the child should not be done as these can lead to negative development on the child. There are several ways for parents to discipline their children. Some of the common ways of disciplining a child are: spanking, yelling, punishing and embarrassing the child. ... Punishing them for their wrong deeds is one of the best ways to discipline them. But, punishment should not be harsh or cruel. In any form of disciplining a child, it is important to have complete control and to draw a line between torture and discipline. Spanking children to discipline them is one of the most debated topics in today’s world. Many people are now equating spanking to corporal punishment. On the other hand, many parents are in favor of spanking their kids to yield desired results on their behavior. There are many researchers who believed that spanking is harmful for the Childs development and many researchers are also in favor of spanking children. According to said Lisa Berlin, who is the lead author and research scientist at the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University, spanking is not an effective technique to discipline a child. She explained that spanking infants and toddlers, is not the answer to instill the right behavior in a child as they d o not understand anything about what is right, wrong or even punishment to really benefit from being spanked by their parents. Lisa Berlin and her colleagues’ research confirmed that children who were spanked from early years (as early as 1 year) are more aggressive and they are less likely to perform well as compared to other children who are not spanked. Lisa Berlin also added that previous research had also concluded that children who are spanked by their parents are more likely to be younger, less educated, depressed and stressed in their adult life. Discipline is an important and essential component in children developmental process. However, it should be done with extreme care as children lack the knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

Ethics in Organizational Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Ethics in Organizational Leadership - Essay Example It explains that an act is ethical if it gives beneficial gains rather than pain. Employees’ acts are therefore ethical if it gives high benefit outcomes (Arnold, et al., 2013, p.89) This theory is based upon the social virtues in outlining code of conducts that regulates wrong or right and its major focus is on intrinsic worthiness that a given society share such as honesty, integrity etc. In this theory, wrong and right are judged based on the set regulations that have been formulated (Arnold, et al., 2013, p.89). The employees are therefore bound ethically to abide by the organizational/ professional rules in place. A conflict of misunderstanding would erupt if the virtues and moral baselines differ between a leader who has been socialized into different moral standards and those of the employees owing to cultural differences. The Virtual theory is based on virtues but these virtues may differ and a leader may have different moral values and virtues different from the employees. The three theories of ethics significantly differ in their baseline account for ethics but they join together in conceptualizing the communal/collective formulation of ethical standards; it is a group duty and not individual. The three differ in tracing the source of ethical

Terrorism and International Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Terrorism and International Response - Essay Example In an Israeli Newspaper Ha'aretz, Nissan Horowitz wrote: "Terrorism - it's all in the eyes of the beholder." He argues over the fact that if the attack on the twin towers can be regarded as terrorism, then why the bombing in a Kabul's hospital can't be considered as one According to a truism, it is believed that, terrorist, in the eyes of one, is a freedom fighter in the eyes of another. Or considering the Israeli/Palestine case, those, whom the Israelis consider as terrorists, are for the Palestinians, martyrs. One might wonder if to call rebels, insurrectionists, mercenaries, activists, guerillas, militants, dissenters, freedom fighters, etc, all these as terrorists Or perhaps the very concept holds an absolute slot. (Terrorism guide, n.p., 2008) Whatever reasons that lie behind this enigma, are indeed not inexplicable. From a particular group, 'a terrorist takes birth when he senses unfairness or discrimination perceived by the very group he belongs to, therefore he becomes the hero for that entire group, be it a small anarchist cell, or a whole tribe, or class, nation, religion etc. For his struggle, he is applauded by those in solidarity with him, but highly condemned as terrorists by those unsympathetic to the strong aims of that struggle.' (Weiss, pp. 11+, 2002) The U.N. has certainly strived to give terrorism a proper definition, and so have all the international lawyers. Nonetheless, it has, "in all its forms and manifestations", been, by far, condemned no matter whosoever commits it, where they do, and for what purpose. (Secretary General, n.p., 2006) The diction for terrorism which confines to a particular method of conducting violence can be censured irrespective of the circumstances. 'This nonexistence of a proper agreed definition carries weight for a number of reasons, which involve its blocking the prospect of bringing up terrorist acts, that of genocide or other war crimes, to an international court; and leaving individual countries unbound to outlaw actions which, maybe for their own political expediency, they choose to categorize as terrorism. Therefore, it is crucial to define the problem.' (Terrorism guide, n.p., 2008) Official Definitions Various views have been recognized on the definition and interpretation of terrorism, for which the definition of 'aggression' may also be considered. (Crozier, pp.28, 1986) The definitions of terrorism are particularly acutely perceptive, indeed because they tend to set limits over the range of legitimate responses to them. (Norgren, pp. 4, 2003) A broad definition, accepted by the US State Department, was put forward by the US Central Intelligence Agency. They were of the view that some individuals and groups intimidate or use violence for political purposes, whether favoring or opposing the establishment of governmental authority. When these actions are aimed at shocking, stunning, or threatening a "target group wider than the immediate victims", (Ramos, n.p., 2007) it comes under terrorism. James Adams, in his composition 'financing of terror', has put forward another definition that defines a terrorist as an individual, follower or supporter of a group that intends to attain "po litical ends using violent means". These violent means are often at the expense of casualties to harmless, nave

Women Serving On the Front Line of Battlefield Research Paper

Women Serving On the Front Line of Battlefield - Research Paper Example This is based on the limited barriers that currently limit the presence and roles of women in the field. In as much as women should be accorded similar roles in the military, as their male counterparts, it is necessary to acknowledge their limitations that significantly depart from the roles of men. Summary and explanation of issue Women have begun playing an increasingly fundamental role on especially on the frontline during battles. It is fundamental to acknowledge that the need to attain gender parity in Pentagon has led to the enacting of laws that exalt the position of women working in the military sections. Previously, American women were barred from participating in direct combat roles. However, the changes in the nature and characteristics of the war have made the soldiers to be constantly in war. This means that women are always forced to participate in direct combat regardless of the ensuing challenges. This has made pentagon to advocate for additional roles for women in th e frontline of the battles. For example, congress has been recommending the introduction of close to 14,000 jobs for women serving in the frontline during battleground. According to Gass & John (4) â€Å"persuasion is powerful, and often positive social force†. ... These leaders would eventually their concerns to congress with the intention of contributing to the policy process. It is equally fundamental to acknowledge that the women have been advancing to the front of the battle lines by themselves to assert their authority. This has been vital to their empowerment and progress. The pentagon is equally a major stakeholder because it advises the congress concerning fundamental issues affecting women fighting at the front line in the battlefields. According to Gass & John (5) these are opinion leaders are influential who shape information and ideas through persuasion. It is evident that the pentagon initiates the policies formulated by congress. Consequently, it advertises the available positions within the military and allocates several roles. It is evident that the strategies that the entity has used to advance its persuasion process include formal announcements, advertisements and holding meetings with the women working in the military. The P entagon plays a neutral position in the entire occasion because it attempts to attain the highest degree of professionalism. Furthermore, it represents the needs of several persons who are not necessarily women in the front line. This means that it has to be extremely balanced in its approach. The final category incorporates congress that formulates laws determining whether women should participate in battles at the front line. According to Gass & John (23) purse persuasion seems to apply to the congress because it assumes a neutral position by allowing various personnel to voice their concerns. However, it ultimately represents the needs of the

Is penalties harsh enough on underage drinking and should parents be Research Paper

Is penalties harsh enough on underage drinking and should parents be held accountable - Research Paper Example This paper intends to discuss whether penalties applied to underage drinking are harsh enough, or in other words, should drinking be allowed for underage people, and should parents be held accountable for underage drinking. If we compare the drinking age in United States to that in other countries around the globe, we come to know that there are stricter laws in US about legal age for drinking. Most of the other western countries regard it as a normal social activity performed by an individual of any age. In European countries, and in England, children start taking alcohol, although a small quantity, with their parents. Wine is often a casual part of meal. Australia allows drinking at eighteen and England allows it at sixteen, and the teens consuming alcohol at so young an age are found to be perfectly healthy. This makes it easy to argue that a lower drinking age should be acceptable when the rest of the world is okay with it. Thinking this way, one feels that there are harsh penalt ies by the government on underage drinking. ... It is easy to teach a young kid of 18, as compared to an elder person, and make him learn how much of it is okay and how much is harmful. Parents in Europe teach their kids how to be responsible with drinking and then they set them free to try it out, but responsibly. In US, parents are so much fearful of the worse consequences and threats posed by heavy alcoholism that they inculcate this fear inside their children that the act is totally wrong and they cannot think about drinking before they reach a set age by the law. This concludes that there is no need for harsh penalties on underage drinking, but there is need to create more awareness on health hazards in case of binge drinking. Learning and knowledge can do what penalties cannot. There is another dark side regarding penalties. Harsh penalties increase the thirst. It is very natural for man to crave for something he has been forbidden. He wants to do things and try them out when they are told not to. This is because of his expe rimental nature that compels him to crave for something he cannot get. Adam ate the forbidden fruit because he had been specially told not to eat it. Similarly, alcohol becomes the tempting forbidden fruit for teens. Strictly forbidding kids to touch alcohol increases the curiosity inside them and then they turn out breaking the laws and standing liable for penalties. Studies have suggested that most teens drink out of their excitement that they get in breaking the law. â€Å"87% of high school seniors have used alcohol† (Harold). Hence, it is clear that a lot of high schoolers and teens do consume alcohol. Then what are the laws for? Medical science and psychological studies reveal that teens