Human Trafficking and the Trauma It Leaves Behind

Introduction Human trafficking is one of the oldest forms of trade in the world’s history. According to Snajdr (2013), in the United States, most of the Black immigrants who came to the country during the colonial era were actually victims of human trafficking. During that time, slave trade was a legal booming business in various parts of the world.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Human Trafficking and the Trauma It Leaves Behind specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These immigrants were sent to work in the agricultural fields, industrial sector, or carry to out the domestic duties. However, the United States helped in championing for the abolition of slave trade. After years of struggle, slave trade became an illegal business. Human trafficking became less common in the society as people started appreciating that no human being should be subjected to any form of slavery. Walker (2011) says that human trafficking has remained a problem and the authorities in many countries are yet to find the most appropriate way of addressing it. Although it is illegal, the practitioners have found ways of trafficking people from one location to another for selfish interests. Most of the victims of human trafficking in the current society are women. They are kidnapped and sent to various brothels within the United States to meet the sexual needs of the patrons. Some of the victims find themselves in the pornographic industry. Others are confined in homes to serve various needs of their patrons. It is important to note that these women are forced into these vices against their wishes, where most of them are physically abused by their patrons. In this paper, the researcher will look at human trafficking and the trauma it leaves behind. Understanding Human Trafficking Human trafficking is taking a new form in the contemporary world where slave trade is an illegal business. Unlike in the past where men were the most preferred ‘commodity of trade’ because of the physical strength to work in the fields, in the modern society, women form the most valuable ‘commodity’ in this inhumane business.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Women from all over the world are kidnapped under various contexts, transported to the rich countries such as the United States or Europe, and forced into practices that they would otherwise avoid if given a choice. The adult entertainment industry has largely been blamed for fuelling this form of trade. In many large hotels, the need for young models to serve various interests of the male patrons is on the rise. Many night clubs and brothels are full of young girls who have been forced into the industry against their own wishes. They are kidnapped, taken to these institutions, and told to choose either to die or cooperate b y serving the interests of their masters. According to Snajdr (2013), some of these patrons would subject the girls who refuse to cooperate to a lot of pain and sufferings to intimidate them and their friends so that they may do as instructed. Many girls have died in the hands of their captors because of inhuman treatment. Those who accept the demands of their masters are not lucky either. Most of them are forced into relationships with people as old as, or even older than their parents. In such circumstances, they are subjected to all sorts of pain as they meet the demands of these old men. It is important to note that some of these girls are as young as 14 or 15 years. These are young girls who have not had such relationships before. Some of them get sexually transmitted diseases while in the industry. The unlucky are infected with human immunodeficiency virus. According to a report by Anand and Gandhi (2008), the ordeal that these people go through is really bad. When these young girls get pregnant while in the hands of their captives, an eventuality that is very common, very crude methods are used to terminate the pregnancy.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Human Trafficking and the Trauma It Leaves Behind specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In some strange cases, these young girls are forced to carry the pregnancy to term because of the reasons known only to their captors. Their masters are not concerned about the need to take care of such pregnant young girls. They do not get any prenatal care in their entire pregnancy period. Once they given birth, in case they are lucky enough to have a successful birth, then the child is always taken away from their mother immediately to a place only known to these masters. The mother is given a short period to heal before getting back to the business. Those who are unlucky die while giving birth due to various complications. Other victims of kidnapping find themselves in private homes serving the rich members of our society. In such homes, these girls are forced to undertake various house hold chores from morning to evening. They are not allowed to get out of these big mansions. Sexual abuses are also common in such homes, especially for the ladies who find themselves serving the divorced or single men. They face constant physical abuses from the masters who are very demanding. In the past, it was believed that the United States was the destination market in human trafficking business. Most of the victims came from other parts of the developing nations. However, this is no longer the case. According to Getu (2006), young girls are now facing the danger of being kidnapped and held hostage in their own countries. Cases have been reported of girls who go missing while they go shopping. The traffickers are keen to identify the young ladies travelling alone. They entice them and lead them to destinations where they are fina lly taken captives. Others are hijacked while along the road. This trend is becoming common in the country and it knows no social boundaries. Any attractive young lady is at risk of being kidnapped by these individuals, whether they come from poor or rich families.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Young girls from poor families have suffered the most because they do not have security details around them to offer them protection from these criminals. They are easy targets. The kidnapers also know that parents of such girls lack the financial capacity to hire private detectives to help in the investigations. Although some of the girls still come from countries such as India, South America, Middle East and Africa, the local American girls are now at more risks than ever before. The kidnappers consider the American girls to be easy targets because they do not have to spend a lot of money in transportation. Trauma of Human Trafficking Human trafficking leaves behind trauma that may completely change the lives of the victims. As mentioned above, most of the victims of human trafficking are young girls below 18 years. They are always taken away from the society at an age when they are very hopeful in life. When they disappear, their parents, friends and other family members are alwa ys subjected to a lot of trauma. Walker (2011) says that it is very painful for parents to realize that they have lost their children under very unclear circumstances. When they realize that their children have become victims of human trafficking, they become stressful as they try to find a solution out of the situation. Some of them become seriously depressed, especially when it becomes clear that finding their children is almost impossible. The victims themselves face a lot of trauma in their captivity. Those who are subjected to hard labor at various premises are always worried about how their masters will treat them. They suffer from beatings and physical abuses. For those who find themselves in the adult entertainment industry, the trauma is always worse. The old patrons prefer young girls because of psychological reasons. These young girls remind them of their youth when they were very energetic. This means that these victims have to meet the constant demands of these patrons. The way they are treated is very inhuman. The girls who are lucky enough to escape from these pits of death are left with serious trauma as they try to recall the ordeal they underwent. The memory of hardships, suffering, pain, intimidation, and constant abuses remain very clear in their minds. According to Lobert (2015), such victims would develop deeply rooted mistrust towards men. When they come back, the society will never be normal to them. They remember the abuses at the hands of their captors and this make them view the world differently. When these victims remember their fellow captives who died very painful deaths, the unsafe and painful abortions conducted by the inexperienced brutal individuals, and the relationships with people older than their parents, the pain sometimes become unbearable. According to Wellstone and Ritchie (2008), the trauma may require a prolonged psychotherapy in order to make these victims feel normal again. They may need counseling for a very long period. The parents may also need counseling, especially those who develop the self-hate because of the feeling that they failed to protect their children. How to Work with and Help the Victims According to Anand and Gandhi (2008), we need to understand how to handle the victims who are lucky enough to escape from their captors. The last thing they need from us is sympathy or any blame because of something they did or failed to do that led to their kidnapping. It does not matter if they were held captive for hours, days or years. What matters is that they are received back to the society with open arms, and subjected to psychotherapy to help restore normalcy in their minds without developing undue suspicion to anyone who gets close to them. Getu (2006) says that the first step should be to listen to these victims and encourage them to talk about their experiences as much as possible to the counselors and people they trust. Talking about these experiences lifts the weight of the ord eal off their shoulders. It reduces the pain in their hearts. In this process, the counselor should be keen to understand the pain and experiences the victim went through. Of interest should be the incidences that were painful. The counselor should then address these issues by explaining about why these people abused them. The counselor should be able to explain why the men who patronize these clubs abused these young girls. This should be done in a way that will not make them develop mistrust to all men. They should remember to explain to them how their fathers, brothers, uncles, and male friends suffered and struggled to look for them. This will make them feel that not all men are as evil as those who subjected them to pain. Conclusion The analysis above clearly demonstrates that human trafficking is a reality that we should be ready to face. Young girls get kidnapped and sent to facilities where they are subjected to painful experiences. The society should know how to handle thes e victims of human trafficking once they escape from these facilities. They should be helped so that they can lead normal lives in the society. References Anand, A. S., Gandhi, M. (2008). Justice for Women: Concerns and expressions. New Delhi: Universal Law Pub. Company. Getu, M. (2006). Human Trafficking and Development: The Role of Microfinance. Feminist Studies, 23(3), 142-156. Lobert, A. (2015). Fallen: Out of the sex industry and into the arms of the Savior. Brentwood: Worthy Publishing. Snajdr, E. (2013). Beneath the master narrative: human trafficking, myths of sexual slavery and ethnographic realities. Journal of Law and Society, 37(2), 229-256. Walker, D. (2011). God in a brothel: An undercover journey into sex trafficking and rescue. Downers Grove: IVP Books. Wellstone, P. Ritchie, M. (2008). Wellstone: Conscience of the Senate: the collected floor speeches of Senator Paul Wellstone. St. Cloud: North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc. This research paper on Human Trafficking and the Trauma It Leaves Behind was written and submitted by user Terrell Huber to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Unit 1 key terms Essay

Unit 1 key terms Essay Unit 1 key terms Essay ID Unit 1 Key Terms Key Term Definition Assess To thoroughly and methodically analyze accomplishment against specific goals and criteria. Assessment An evaluation technique for technology that requires analyzing benefits and risks, understanding the trade-offs, and then determining the best action to take in order to ensure that the desired positive outcomes outweigh the negative consequences. Techniques used to analyze accomplishments against specific goals and criteria. Examples of assessments include tests, surveys, observations, and self-assessment. Brainstorm A group technique for solving problems, generating ideas, stimulating creative thinking, etc. by unrestrained spontaneous participation in discussion. Client A person using the services of a professional person or organization. Creativity The ability to make or bring a new concept or idea into existence; marked by the ability or power to create. Criteria A means of judging. A standard, rule, or test by which something can be judged. Constraint 1. A limit to a design process. Constraints may be such things as appearance, funding, space, materials, and human capabilities. 2. A limitation or restriction. Design 1. An iterative decision-making process that produces plans by which resources are converted into products or systems that meet human needs and wants or solve problems. 2. A plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of something before it is built or made. 3. A decorative pattern. Design Brief A written plan that identifies a problem to be solved, its criteria, and its constraints. The design brief is used to encourage thinking of all aspects of a problem before attempting a solution. Design Process A systematic problem-solving strategy, with criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible solutions to solve a problem or satisfy human needs and wants and to winnow (narrow) down the possible solutions to one final choice. Design Statement A part of a design brief that challenges the designer, describes what a design solution should do without describing how to solve the problem, and identifies the degree to which the solution must be executed. Designer A person who designs any of a variety of things. This usually implies the

Term Paper on E-Business Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

On E-Business - Term Paper Example As far as the marketers are concerned online marketing has increased the reach, reduced planning time, lowered the costs and with the use of technology they are able to reduce the sales points and offer a number of payment options to the customers. The prevalence of the Internet provides efficiency and convenience but as technology has developed, risks and uncertainties too have developed which directly impact online shopping behavior and customer satisfaction. In the case of internet banking, the perceived security risks are high as a third party can easily intercept the system (Mann and Sahni 2011). On the supply side too, the sellers are subject to security and fraud risks. E-business and online purchase subjects the customer to unique risks such as credit card fraud, non-delivery of goods after purchase, private information being shared with other portals, and lack of guarantee of the good and services purchased (Koyuncu and Bhattacharya 2004). Such risks prevent the customers fr om buying high-priced items online or items that would require visual inspection. Customers also fear delays in delivery or goods damaged in delivery, which poses a challenge for the sellers (Sharma 2011). Lack of face-to-face interactions emphasizes the role of trust in online payments (Ranaweera, McDougall and Bansal 2005). Trust in an online environment takes time to develop and is based on past experience and recommendations by the third party (Mann and Sahni 2011). Fraud and security risks faced by the sellers have limited the growth of e-business. However, as technology has developed secure transactions and encryption have developed too, offering guarantees and security to buyers and sellers. E-business has more risks than retail shopping but in spite of the risks internet business has grown because of the numerous advantages it offers. These advantages include lower transaction cost, lower search cost both in terms of time and money; wider range to select the products from, l ower prices and savings on time as shopping is much faster (Koyuncu and Bhattacharya 2011). However, if the delivery time increases, or the risks of payments increases, the customers are likely to engage less in e-business. The theory of reasoned action (TRA) explains that human behavior is based on the beliefs and intentions. Bonera (2011) finds that online purchase intention could be influenced by the construct of playfulness but then perceived security and usefulness influence the purchase intention. Thus, if the perceived security level is low, online purchase is likely to be adversely impacted. Apart from the security concerns, ease of use and website quality can influence consumers’ online purchase behavior. A satisfied customer would have the intention to return to the website and also be willing to recommend the website to friends (Ranaweera, McDougall and Bansal 2005). While the first transaction may stem from curiosity or playfulness, subsequent transactions would d epend upon the actual delivery and consumption relating to the first transaction. Acquisition costs are higher than retention costs and hence it is a challenge for the marketers to convert the first-time visitors to actual buyers. There exists a definite relationship between website quality and website satisfaction. At the same time consumer

LPS Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

LPS - Literature review Example The LPS of this group of bacteria can be divided into 3 components, 1) lipid A, 2) a core oligosaccharide, which can be further subdivided into an inner and outer core structure, and a glycosyl polymer of repeating units, called O-polysaccharide. The hydrophobic lipid A domain of the molecule contributes to the structural stability of LPS. The core oligosaccharide, on the other hand, maintain the semi-permeable barrier of the bacterial cell‘s membrane by cross-linking with divalent cations or polyamines (Frirdich and Whitfield, 2005). Because of its biological effects, it has been used in experimental research as a prototype endotoxin as well as an adjuvant. Through the elucidation that LPS’ lipid A component is a nontoxic immunostimulatory molecule, it was established that the lipid A domain modulates LPS’ biological activity (Harsoliya et al., 2011). According to Frirdich and Whitfield (2005), this domain of LPS is the most conserved, followed by the inner core oligosaccharide moiety attached to lipid A. 2. Modifications Just like other membrane proteins, LPS undergo structural changes to accommodate environmental changes such as availability of nutrients and balance of ions. In particular, lipid A modifications were found to enable the bacteria to adapt to an environment with low divalent cations, abundant cationic peptides and low temperature (Frirdich and Whitfield, 2005). The TLR4 pathway TLR4 is a membrane protein expressed by hematopoietic-derived, immune cells such as macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes and dendritic cells. It is the link of LPS to the innate immune pathway, which allows a faster recruitment of immune cells to the site of infection. It is able to do so by stimulating the transfer of nuclear factor- (NF-) to the nucleus, thus initiating the expression of the genes coding for IL-6, IL-1 and TNF-? (Creely, 2007), whose importance will be discussed in detail later. Because many body surfaces and mucosa are susceptible to bacterial infection, many body parts may be exposed to LPS as well. As such, they are also expressed by non-hematopoietic cells such as epithelia and endothelia. In the respiratory tract, many studies have already recognized the role of TLR4 in inducing defensive mechanisms against pulmonary infection. Since the non-hematopoietic cells do not have immune functions, they release signals that allow the recruitment neutrophils to the site of infection. If uncontrolled, however, this response may lead to a decrease in lung function due to inflammation of the lungs, as well as exacerbation of allergic asthma. (Hollingsworth et al., 2005). However, it was determine by Hollingsworth et al. (2005) that, at least in the respiratory tract, immune response is different in magnitude when LPS is detected by hematopoietic cells than if it is by epithelial and endothelial cells of the airway. In their experiment, they used chimeric mice to limit expression of TLR4 in 1) hematopoietic cells onl y, or in 2) structural cells only. Number of neutrophils present, cytokine/chemokine production, and airway inflammation, through assessment of tracheal pressure. It was observed that even if the epithelia and endothelia of the respiratory tract do not express TLR4, neutrophil recruitment was still made possible because hematopoietic cell

The Resource Based View Analysis

The Resource Based View Analysis This report reviews empirical studies of the resource-based view (RBV) and examines the benefits and limitations of RBV as the best strategy route in the developing a firms strategy. By having a clear and focused strategic intent, it mobilises an organisation towards achieving the desire position. Through analysing its internal and external environment using the resource based view and Porters industry analysis respectively, firm would be able to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. The key to a resource based view is through an understanding the relationships between resources, capabilities, competitive advantage, and economic rent. The RBV identified characteristics of advantage-creating resources such as value, rarity, imitability and Organisation (Clulow et al, 2007; Barney, 1991). In contrast, porters industry analysis focuses on lower cost and product differentiation in achieving sustainable competitive advantage. Despite the conflicting issues, the resource based view has examined issues and new directions that will help to clarify the value and boundaries of the RBV by integrating with Porters industry analysis. Porters framework and the RBV of the firm basically perceived the primary role of strategy as achieving a unique competitive advantage (Hax A. C. and Wilde II D. L., 2003). Thus, both frameworks can complement each other as they emphasise in different dimensions of strategy (Hax A. C. and Wilde II D. L., 2003). (200 Words) Introduction The resource based view of the firm (RBV) is one of the contemporary strategic management concepts to develop a firms strategy. The primary objective of this report is to accept or reject the contention that resource-based view analysis (RBV) has a strong relationship with firms performance in achieving a sustainable competitive advantage. This report reviews the literature on competitive advantage and firm performance. It is divided into five main components. The first section summarizes the literature on competitive advantage from two viewpoints, the Resource Based View (RBV) and Porters Industry Analysis (IA). The second section discusses on the strengths of the RBV in reviews with the literature on strategic intent, threshold resources, capabilities, competitive advantage, core competencies, sustainable competitive advantage and VRIO. The third section illustrates Porters IA in reviews with cost, differentiation, and market focus. The fourth section deliberates the criticisms of the RBV and illustrates how researchers have or have not overcome some of these boundaries. The fifth section is a review of an integration of the RBV and Porters IA in the proposed model of core competencies, competitive advantage and firm performance (Chabert J. M., 1998) (185 Words) The Resource Based View of the Firm Thompson et Al (2010) point out that RBVÂ  [1]Â  uses a companys VRIOÂ  [2]Â  strengths and competitive capabilities to deliver value to customers in way that rivals find it difficult to match. The RBV emphasises the internal capabilities of the organisation in formulating strategy to achieve a SCAÂ  [3]Â  in its markets and industries (Henry, 2008). It holds that firms can earn sustainable abnormal returns if and only they have superior resources and those resources are protected by some form of isolating mechanism preventing their diffusion throughout industry (Value Based Management.net, 2011). The Resourced Based View Assumptions The RBV of firms is based on two main assumptions involved resource diversity and resource immobility (Barney, 1991; Mata et al, 1995). According to Mata et al. (1995), resource diversity concerns whether different firms possess bundles of different resources and capabilities; while resource immobility refers to a resource is difficult to obtain by competitors because it is inelastic in supply or costly. These two assumptions can be used to determine whether an organisation is able to create a SCA by providing a framework for determining whether a process or technology provides a real advantage over the marketplace (Brown, 2007). Thus, the RBV tends to focus on the types of resources and the characteristics of these resources that make them strategically important, the dynamic capability perspective which focuses on how these resources need to change over time to maintain their market relevance (Powell, 2007). The RBV as the best strategy route in developing a firms strategy Today managers are moving manufacturing offshore to lower costs of labour, rationalising product lines to capture global scale economies, instituting quality circles and just in time production, and adopting Japanese human resource practices. It was believed that the application of concepts like strategic fit (between resources and opportunities), generic strategies (low cost, differentiation and market focus) and the strategy hierarchy (goals, strategies, and tactics) have often aided the process of CAÂ  [4]Â  (Hamel and Prahalad 1989; Andrews, 1971). Most companies have approached competitor analysis that focuses on the existing resources like human, technical and financial of present competitors. Whereas, the only threat those companies aware are those with the resources to erode margins and market share in the future. There are few Japanese companies possessed RBV, manufacturing volume or technical competence of U.S. and European leaders. For instance, Canons first halting step s in reprographics business looked pitifully small compared with the $4 billion Xerox powerhouse (Hamel and Prahalad 1989). Strategic Intent Strategic intent envisions a desired leadership position and establishes the criterion the organisation will use to chart its progress where Komatsu set out to encircle Caterpillar. The concept emphasises an active management process that involved focusing the organisations attention on the essence of winning, motivating people by communicating the value of the target, leaving rooms for individual and team contributions, sustaining enthusiasms by providing new operational definitions as circumstances change and using intent consistently to guide resource allocations (Hamel and Prahalad, 1989). Strategic intent captures the essence of winning. For example, the Apollo program where landing a man on the moon ahead of the Soviets was as competitively focused as Komatsus drive against Caterpillar. It is stable over time, in order to challenge global leadership; one of the most critical tasks is to lengthen the organisations attention span. It provides consistency to short term action, which leaving a room for reinterpretation as new opportunities emerge (Hamel and Prahalad, 1989). A firm is said to have a CA when the firm can produce more economically and higher customer satisfaction, and thus enjoy superior performance relative to its competitors (Barney, 1991; Peteraf, 1993). Whereas, Porter (1985) defined CA as the ability to earn returns on investment consistently above the average for the industry by focusing on the companys external competitive environment and how they position themselves against that structure (Halawi L. A., Aronson J. E, and McCarthy R. V., 2005). In contrast, the RBV of strategy points not to industry structure but to the unique cluster of RCÂ  [5]Â  that each organisation possesses (Henry, 2008; Collis and Montgomery 1995; Stalk et al, 1992). Firms Outperform and Maintain Competitive Advantage The Benefits of RBV RBV is best applied for the kind of assessment of a firms existing resource portfolio discussed by Barney (2001) or when exploiting the firms stock of resources to move into new product markets, as in the tradition of Penrose (1959) (Sheehan and Foss, 2007). There are two fundamental reasons for making the RC of the firm the foundation for its strategy. First, it provides the basic direction for a firms strategy and second, they are the primary source of profit for the firm. The RBV perceives the value derived from management skills, information capabilities, and administrative processes can also be regarded as scarce factors able to generate economic rents (Sheehan and Foss, 2007). The concept of a dynamic capability was developed to explain why some firms have been able to outperform their competitors over long periods of time and despite significant changes in the marketplace (Teece et al, 1997). Firms as bundle of Resources Threshold resources are defined as the unique combination of assets and capabilities within a firm that enable firms to develop and implement strategies to meet customers minimum requirements and to improve its overall performance (Scholes J. G., and Whittington, R., 2008). It can be classified as either tangible or intangible resources. Tangible resources refer to the physical assets that a firm possesses and can be characterised as physical resources. In order to add value, these physical resources must be capable to respond to marketplace changes. Intangible resources comprise of human and organisational capitals. It may be embedded in routines and practices that have developed over time within the organisation (Henry, 2008). It includes knowledge based economy, the tacit knowledge and specialist skills of many employees which are difficult for competitors to imitate (Henry, 2008). Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) differentiate between knowledge that can be seen as tacit and explicit. An explicit knowledge or knowing about is shown through communication that can be readily transferred therefore it requires some form of protection like copyright. Whereas, tacit knowledge or know how cannot be codified and it is revealed through its application and acquired through practices such as beliefs and perspectives (Henry, 2008). RBV and Organisational learning The RBV stresses the significance of developing and enhancing those resources that are distinctive, in particular, distinctive capabilities (Olavarrieta and Ellinger, 1997). Ten3 Business e-Coach (2001) defined capabilities as the capacity for a set of resources to interactively perform a business process. Capabilities, are the type of resources that is a source to SCA because they are based on organisational routines and processes, which are socially complex, knowledge-based (explicit and tacit) and difficult to observe and imitate. A firm is able to possess dynamic and operational capabilities, where dynamic capabilities are defined as those processes that allowed the firm to change its resource base in some ways to meet the differences in strategic and competitive challenges (Zubac et al, 2010; Helfat et al, 2007). The concept of a dynamic capability was developed to explain why some firms have been able to outperform their competitors over long periods of time and despite significant changes in the marketplace (Teece et al, 1997). It is specific and identifiable processes involved conceptualisation, product development, strategic decision making and alliancing (Eisenhardt and Martin, 2000, p. 1105). Conversely, operational capability is the firms capacity to combine, assemble and deploy the firms assets using pre-determined activities, routines, processes and the skills of its employees to make products and services that are a source of potential profits to the firm available to its customers (Spanos and Lioukas, 2001). However a firm will usually focus on certain capabilities consistent with its strategy such as if a firm is pursuing a differentiation strategy, they would focus on new product development, whereas a firm which adopting low cost strategy would focus on improving manufacturing process efficiency (Henry, 2008). Capabilities, however, are not built in short term basis, they are dependent on a firms personnel, its knowledge and understanding of the marketplace and customers requirements and operations (Olavarrieta and Ellinger, 1997). The Competitive Advantage of RBV Competitive advantages and disadvantages in resources are equivalent to strengths and weaknesses respectively, which stimulate cost and differentiation advantages or disadvantages in competitive product markets (Valentin K. E., 2001). An understanding of industry structure guides managers toward productive possibilities for strategic action, which may include positioning the company to be better cope with the current competitive forces, anticipating and exploiting shifts in the forces, and shaping the balance of forces to create a new industry structure that is more favourable to the company (Porter, 2008). The CA gained by these key intangible assets and capabilities is then reflected in superior performance of the firm in financial terms such as higher profits, increased sales or market share (Clulow et al, 2007; Hunt and Morgan, 1995; Collis and Montgomery, 1995; Fahy, 2002; Wilcox-King and Zeithaml, 2001). The Competencies of an Organisations Henry (2008) evaluated competency as the internal capabilities that firms require in order to be able to compete in the marketplace. In addition, Zubac et al (2010) defined CCÂ  [6]Â  as the collective learning of individual members within the firm and their ability to work across organisational boundaries. Prahalad and Hamel (1990, p. 82) stated that: The skills that together constitute core competence must coalesce around individuals whose efforts are not so narrowly focused that they cannot recognise the opportunities for blending their functional expertise with those of others in new and interesting ways. Thus, a CC or strategic capability can be thought as a collection of features that a firm possesses which enable them to achieve CA. Honda and BMW are examples of the organisations that have achieved CC in a way they configure their value chain respectively (Henry, 2008). RBV and Sources of Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA) Barney (1991) suggested that there can be heterogeneity or firm-level differences among firms that allow some of them to SCA. Ten3 Business e-Coach (2001) describes SCA as the continued benefit when an organisation is implementing a value-creating strategy that is not being implemented by current or potential competitors and when these competitors are unable to imitate the benefits of this strategy. Therefore, the RBV emphasises strategic choice, changing the management of the firm with the important task of identifying, developing and deploying key resources to maximise returns (Powell, 2007). Bharadwaj et al. propose a framework of SCA for a firm is derived from the assets and capabilities of the firm. The extent of the service firms SCA is basically determined by the degree of imitability inherent in the firms resources. Kerin et al (1992) presented an integrative framework of the literature on first mover advantage, suggesting that the realisation of SCA, through market pioneering, is contingent on the resources that a firm possesses (Olavarrieta and Ellinger, 1997). Strategic resources and Superior performances As a source of CA, RC must have four attributes which is VRIO in order to outperform others. A resource must be valuable as it enables the firm to conceive or implement strategies that improve its efficiency and effectiveness through lower costs and incline of revenue (Ecofine, 2010). Substitutability refers that there must be no strategically equivalent valuable resources that can be exploited to implement the same strategies (12manage, 2008). For instance, Wal-Mart sells most of the same merchandise as its major competitors, but the effectiveness and innovation of its logistics system ensures that it is the market leader in its field. Wal-Marts valuable and imitability point-of-purchase inventory control systems and cross-docking distribution plants have resulted in competitive advantage relative to its major US competitor, K-Mart (Olavarrieta and Ellinger, 1997; Barney, 1995). Porters Framework Porters Industry Analysis There are three sources that is irreproducible such as market structure that limits entry, a companys history which by definition will require time to replicate and tacitness in relationships refers to the routines and behaviours which cannot be imitate since the organisations themselves are unsure how they work (Henry, A., 2008). Porters mentioned that there are only two generic studies to compete either through low cost or product differentiation that lead to superior performance (Hax A. C. and Wilde II D. L., 2003). To assist managers in understanding, improving, and implementing a low cost or differentiation strategy, Porter (1985) developed the value chain framework; it is a generic activity template that is used to decompose the firm into the individual activities it undertakes to create value for the customer (Sheehan and Foss, 2007). Economies of Scale Cost leadership is achieved through the aggressive pursuit of economies of scale, product and process simplification, and significant product market share that allows companies to exploit experience and learning effects (Hax A. C. and Wilde II D. L., 2003). Dell being one of the organisation are protected by scale economies in their direct-sales method, efficient lean-manufacturing approach, expertise in logistics and supply-chain management. Hence, these capabilities provide it with CA and which its competitive rivals have found difficult to imitate (Henry, 2008). Differentiation and Core Competencies A differentiation demand for creating a product that customer perceives as highly valuable and unique (Hax A. C. and Wilde II D. L., 2003). The first-mover advantage refers to firms which benefit from the learning and experience they acquire as a result of being first in the marketplace like Toyota has achieved CC in the production of petrol-and-electric hybrid cars (Henry, 2008). Hence, a CC should provide access to a wide variety of markets, make significant contribution to perceived customer benefits of the end products and difficult to imitate. Honda is one of the organisations that focuses on the technical excellence of 4-cycle engines, have enabled it to leverage its CC to compete in markets from motorcycles to automobiles to a broad range of gasoline-engine products (Grant, M. R., 2001). Market focus Strategy can be viewed as building defences against the competitive forces or finding a position in the industry where forces are weakest. For instance, Paccar, a firm with heavy-truck market, has chosen to focus on one group of customers that is owner-operators. They have customised every single part of the value chain to work well with the forces in its segment. Thus, Paccar has earned a long-run return on equity above 20 % (Porter, 2008). Criticisms RBV Implications The RBV of the firm is a contemporary theory that provides insights on both strategic and organizational issues. An often-recurring critique on the RBV is that its core logic contains circular reasoning in the specification of the relationship between rents and resources (Truijens, 2003). Foss (2000) argued that the VRIO attributes in the RBV that valuable and rare resources can be sources of SCA is tautological. RBV has little attention on the important issues of how resources can develop and change over time. Likewise, the dynamic role played by individuals within organisations is often assumed to be self-evident and therefore seldom addressed (Henry, 2008). Another critique is that it is not sufficient clear in the RBV on how resources contribute to firm-level value creation and that operationalisation is therefore difficult (Sheehan and Foss, 2007; Priem and Butler, 2001) The RBV emphasises on the role of human capital in the creation of CA, which at the same time caused issues for accountants in terms of total business and intangible asset valuation (Toms, 2010). Accountants similarly are concerned with controls which prevent misappropriation of resources that ultimately are shareholders property. Thus, a theory of value also needs to be one of accountability (Toms, 2010). Conclusion Activity drivers and resources share many similarities, both resources and drivers influence a firms cost and differentiation position, and both need managerial involvement in the sense that drivers must be made controllable, while resources must be organized (Sheehan and Foss, 2007). Although these frameworks have often been presented as conflicting views; they can contribute greatly to the development of a strong business strategy. Since they emphasised different dimensions of strategy, they can complement each other. By integrating these frameworks, it enables activity-based view solves implementation issues that are unresolved when using the RBV (Sheehan and Foss, 2007; Barney and Arikan, 2001). It enhances many of the individual weaknesses of the two views. The activity-based view is weak in its assumptions about factor markets, which would be addressed by the RBV (Sheehan and Foss, 2007; Teng and Cummings, 2002). Thus, Porters industry analysis remains crucial and the choice should not be seen as one of either but rather one of complementarity. (2371 Words)

Feminism Essay -- essays research papers

Both Virginia Woolf, in a speech addressing a graduating all women class, and Naomi Wolf, in her text The Beauty Myth, contemplate feminism from an economic viewpoint. While Woolf believes women need money and a room of their own to have economic independence, Wolf gives credence to the fact that the beauty industry is hindering the independence of women. Through male pomposity, the conventional lives of women, obsession with physical appearance, and the reality that beauty is diverse, both Woolf and Wolf explain the significance of our world's economy. Women have always been economically dependent on men. Any land or money that was in a woman's possession was given to her father or husband. Women have stayed at home working as housewives, cleaning house, and taking care of children. Of course, there have been women who have worked outside of the house, but Woolf sees that kind of work as enslavement. Not much money was made, and not many occupations were open to women. ". what still remains with me. was the poison of fear and bitterness which those days bred in me. To begin with, always to be doing work that one did not wish to do, and to do it like a slave," (Woolf 348). Therefore Woolf concludes that women need to be independent from men, and in order to do so women need to have money of their own. This statement is without a doubt biased, as Woolf is limiting her thesis to those women who have an income without working. Consequently, working women can never really be liberated. One may ask why women have been the poor ones. Why have women been dependent on men, and not men on women? Why haven't women been able to thrive and prosper like men have? The answer lies in the fact that men blow themselves out of proportion. Woolf's theory is that women have been seen as mirrors. "Women have served all these centuries as looking glasses possessing the magic and delicious power of reflecting the figure of man at twice its natural size," (Woolf 346). Because men see women as inferior, men feel superior. If a woman were to stand up for herself and lessen the power of the looking glass, men wouldn't have the feeling of predominance that they occupy now. "The looking-glass vision is of supreme importance because it charges the vitality; it stimulates the nervous system. Take it away and man may die," (Woo... ...s I was writing this paper, an ad for a "Jenny Jones Weight Loss" program came on. Lose nineteen pounds for nineteen dollars, Jenny Jones promises. And a couple days ago heavier people were protesting an ad 24-hour Fitness had exhibited, "When the aliens come, they will eat the fat ones first." Even my nine-year-old sister wonder why her stomach sticks out, she wonders what she can do to be thinner. It's affecting the younger generation. On the other hand, I look at my mother who is successful. She is a single mother who works in a predominantly male occupation, raising three children on her own. In some ways women have progressed, in some ways women have digressed. As women, we need to crack the mirror Virginia Woolf indicated as apparent in our domain. We need to set Shakespeare's sister free, and make the choice to have money and a room of our own. And as Naomi Wolf presented, we need to look for diversity in beauty. We need to become aware of the decrease in self-confidence that is happening in women, and do something about it. While it certainly is not going to happen today, or even tomorrow, on behalf of all women, I hope it happens soon.

American Values essay

How American Family Values have change on the last 20 years The values of the cozy mid-80’s American family entertained us and sold us refrigerators, cars, and cigarettes, but they were the exception, not the rule. This was the world of the white suburban minority that exerted media dominance over the rest of the nation. Televison took them into our living rooms, convincing us this was the American family. In reality, this was the world of â€Å"separate but equal† family values. This was the world of living on the right or the wrong side of the tracks family values. These were the values that put minorities in the from of the bus.These were never the actual family values of the period. They were the values we were sold by the newly developing television industry. The nostalgic family values of the 80s are the subject of legend and myth. During the mid-Twentieth Century middle and upper class White Americans prospered. This is what is depicted in Life Magazine, The Dina h Shore Show, and Ed Sullivan's Sunday night TV extravaganza. Minority Americans, poor Americans, single Americans valued survival, not prosperity, and struggled against the glamorized stereotype for opportunity. Family values change because times and families change.Those who so fondly point to the â€Å"Happy Days† as the symbol of American family values fail to consider the majority of American families of the time period. In the real world of the nostalgic 80s, most families did not live in three-bedroom suburban homes and drive new automobiles. Have all heard it said many times before, â€Å"Oh well, times have changed, and we must change along with them. † The title of this article alone is enough to make one laugh a sarcastic snicker. The truth of the matter is that as much as people seem to have a need to believe it to be so, times do not change. People change.People have become more complacent in these modern days. Anything goes, and if anyone dares speak out in disagreement, the politically correct police will be on them in a New York second. It is true, one word of displeasure voiced against another’s lack of morality will win the speaker an instant title as an ill-informed, unyielding, old fashioned, bigot. Skirts too short†¦Ã¢â‚¬ you are so old fashioned. † Bad language shows lack of creativity and intellect†¦ â€Å"It’s just a word. †Ã‚   Teenage role model performing a public lap dance†¦ even the out of touch, Hollywood, best friend type of dad answers, â€Å"Oh well, that's what teenagers do these ays. † And all of those worshiping this one man suddenly jump to his defense, and begin parroting his horrible parenting skills. This is howAmerica was founded on Christian principles, but would you know it to look around? With the moral degradation in America, maybe it's time we took a look at our values. First, let's define morals: Moral applies to personal character and behavior, espec ially sexual conduct: â€Å"Our moral sense dictates a clearcut preference for these societies which share with us an abiding respect for individual human rights† (Jimmy Carter).Ethical stresses idealistic standards of right and wrong: â€Å"Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants† (Omar N. Bradley). Virtuous implies moral excellence and loftiness of character: â€Å"The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, tru thful, and virtuous† (Frederick Douglass). Righteous emphasizes moral uprightness; when it is applied to actions, reactions, or impulses, it often implies justifiable outrage: â€Å"He was†¦ stirred by righteous wrath† (John Galsworthy). Values are the beliefs of a group of people shared as a whole, unlike morals which are individual to every person. Generally, an emotional investment coincides with the values. Typically, the term is used by the media to refer to Christian values, but in a 1998 Harris sur vey it was defined as â€Å"loving, taking care of, and supporting each other† by 52% of women and 42% of men, as â€Å"knowing right from wrong and having good values† by 38% of women and 35% of men, and as the traditional family by 2% of women and 1% men.The survey also noted that 93% of women thought that society should value all types of families. [3] [edit] Conservative definitions Since 1980, the Republican Party has used the issue of family values to attract socially conservative voters. [4] While family values remains a rather vague concept, social conservatives usually understand the term to include some combination of the following principles (also referenced in the 2004 Republican Party platform):[5] * Promotion of â€Å"traditional marriage† and opposition to sex outside of conventional marriage, ncluding pre-marital sex, adultery, polygamy, bestiality, and incest[6][7][8][9] * Support for a roll back of aspects of feminism and support for a traditio nal role for women in the family. [10][citation needed] * Opposition to same-sex marriage[5] * Support for traditional education and parental involvement in that education, including such things as vouchers for private, non-secular education. 11] * Opposition to legalization of abortion and support for policies that instead encourage abstinence and adoption[12] * Support for â€Å"abstinence education† exclusively regarding risks associated with early sexual activity such as teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases[5] while not teaching such topics of sex education as human sexual behavior, safe sex and birth control[13] * Support for policies that are said to protect children from obscenity and exploitation[14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Social and religious conservatives often use the term â€Å"family values† to promote conservative ideology that supports traditional morality or Christian values. [21] American Christians often see their religion as the source of morality and consider the nuclear family to be an essential element in society. Some conservative family values advocates believe the government should endorse Christian morality,[22] for example by displaying the Ten Commandments or allowing teachers to conduct prayers in public schools.Religious conservatives often view the United States as a â€Å"Christian nation†[23] For example, â€Å"The American Family Association exists to motivate and equip citizens to change the culture to reflect Biblical truth and traditional family values. â€Å"[24] These groups variously oppose abortion, pornography, pre-marital sex, homosexuality, certain aspects of feminism[25], cohabitation, separation of church and state, and depictions of sexuality in the media. [edit] Liberal definitions Although the term â€Å"family values† remains a core issue for the Republican Party, in recent years the Democratic Party has also used the term, though differing in its definition. For exa mple, in his acceptance speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, John Kerry said â€Å"it is time for those who talk about family values to start valuing families. [26] The Democratic Party definitions of family values often include items that specifically target working families such as support of: * a living wage * universal health care * the acceptance of adoption by gays * the acceptance of the non-traditional family (single parent households, same-sex marriages) * social programs and financial aid for families Other liberals have used the phrase to support such values as family planning, affordable child care, and maternity leave. For example, groups such as People For the American Way, Planned Parenthood, and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays have attempted to define the concept in a way that promotes the acceptance of single-parent families, same-sex monogamous relationships and marriage.This understanding of family values does not promote conservative moral ity, instead focusing on encouraging and supporting alternative family structures, access to contraception and abortion, increasing the minimum wage, sex education, childcare, and parent-friendly employment laws, which provide for maternity leave and leave for medical emergencies involving children. [27] While conservative sexual ethics focus on preventing premarital or non-procreative sex, liberal sexual ethics are typically directed rather towards consent, regardless of whether or not the partners are married. [28 * The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright  © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. * * Journal of Law, Policy and the Family 2006 Anne Revillard