Utilitarian Ethics in Philosophy

Introduction Ethics is an important aspect of humanity that distinguishes people from animals. However, an analysis of multiple issues related to the subject of ethics may raise uncertainty and confusion. Deciding what is right or wrong is not clear-cut. Thus, several philosophers developed several frameworks from which one could understand the subject of ethics.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Utilitarian Ethics in Philosophy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As a result, the principle of utilitarianism falls among the most important frameworks in which one can apply ethics. Utilitarianism is both a practical and a logical approach of viewing the subject of ethics. This paper defends the principle of utilitarianism as an important perspective to use when applying ethics. A utilitarian views a right or a wrong action from a practical threshold, which holds that if some acts bring benefits to most people, they may be considered as the right ones, while if some deeds result in negative outcomes to the majority, they are meant to be wrong (Hammond 38). One can clearly see that utilitarian ethic is both practical and simple in use, when compared to other types of ethics (Hammond 40). Other types of ethics, such as virtual ethics, are obviously ambiguous in several respects (Hammond 43). For instance, people hold different and sometimes opposite views on ethics (Hammond 48). Consider, for example, the issue of euthanasia. While some people think that it is absolutely wrong to take away somebody’s life, others believe in the opposite calling it â€Å"good death†. Since it gives a person an opportunity to determine according to one’s views if such an action can bring good to people, utilitarian ethics eliminates ambiguities that originate with other types of ethics (Hammond 35). Another important argument for the application of utilitarian ethics lies in its capacity to avoid a need to determine an absolutely right or wrong principle, which is often unattainable in fact (Hammond 45). The vanity of attempting to classify an action as right or wrong is evident (Hammond 31). Governing laws in several countries recognize the room for giving exceptions to some offences depending on circumstances. For example, some countries that do not allow abortions make exceptions for the unique circumstances, when the unborn child can kill the mother; due to such a threat, a doctor can do abortion.Advertising Looking for essay on ethics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Likewise, soldiers should apply utilitarian ethics in the battlefield; otherwise they will face the guilt of murder of another person (Hammond 50). The examples above are just a few among a database of utilitarian moral principles that shape laws and guide the general life of the society (Hammond 42). In some cases, everyone should adopt utilitarian et hics in his/her daily activities. Besides, utilitarian ethics gives a clear framework for deciding on an important choice when faced with a dilemma. Such a case is especially true for leaders, or those in positions that lay heavy responsibilities with them. Consider an army commander who is to make a decision if it is necessary to use an annihilating force against an enemy that poses a potential threat to the country (Hammond 50). When such a commander applies utilitarian ethics to evaluate his/her decision, he/she will need to consider if utter annihilation of the enemy force will lead to more benefits for his/her nation and the world; thus, a person will have a clear platform on which the one can base his/her moral actions (Hammond 56). Importantly, utilitarian ethics brings a sense of responsibility to people and can build an honest personality as well. It allows to judge morals from a perspective that does not consider the benefits that such an action will bring to people. A per son who applies deontological or virtual ethics may practice a type of morality that has an origin in one’s childhood or environmental background. Often, such an influence does not take into account the dynamics the one is facing. Such a direction can limit the choices and make individual practice right morals. Since a utilitarian considers the issue at hand, he/she bases his/her decisions on his/her sense of responsibility and honesty, while applying his/her ethics. Some philosophers point out an unclear line between happiness and sadness as an inherent weakness in utilitarian ethics (Hammond 41). Since pleasure depends on multiple factors, which include culture, beliefs and psychology, it is sometimes difficult to decide whether an action will benefit most people. Here, the utilitarian perspective stands that while people may disagree on several components of advantage or disadvantage, it is clear that some actions may bring a degree of general comfort and enhance well-bein g of most people. For example, an action that will reduce poverty within the society is generally acceptable as a right action in the perspective of utilitarianism. However, as it clear from western societies, reducing poverty, although it eliminates some form of suffering, does not itself guarantee a construction of happy society. The society then concentrates on the other needs, which determine its overall state of satisfaction with life.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Utilitarian Ethics in Philosophy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Still, one cannot blame an initiative of solving the issue of poverty for the emerging needs of a wealthy society. One should not stop to dream of a society free of violence and crime because managing such an issue can lead to more challenges (and needs) for future societies. Moreover, one cannot stop attempting to decide on an action that can potentially be advantageous to the l argest segment of the population simply because the society may evolve new needs (Hammond 39). The lack of a universal set of moral standards in utilitarian ethics may create concern for some philosophers (Hammond 57). Since moral decisions are often left at the discretion of people (or small parties) to decide what is potentially good for the major part of the community, there is a potential risk to make wrong choices. Still, it is unfair to judge utilitarianism from such a perspective since other type of ethics, such as deontological ethics, falls in a similar category. Even a supporter of virtual ethics will admit that he/she often regrets for some moral decisions he/she has made. Similarly, when making a decision, one cannot remain absolutely certain that whatever he/she does will benefit the largest segment of the community (Hammond 47). However, since such a person makes moral decisions based on his/her own view, one cannot avoid bias and an opportunity to be wrong due to oneà ¢â‚¬â„¢s limitations and lack of knowledge. Conclusion The issue of ethics needs an evaluation that considers crucial dynamics in our society. Here, the conflicting ethical values within communities and the unique nature of situations that require individuals to make moral decisions are the specific factors that one needs to consider when reviewing ethics. Besides, varying cultural, religious, educational and social dynamics within countries make it difficult to develop universal ethics (Hammond 50). Utilitarian ethics provides a foundation for addressing the above mentioned trends that arise in society. When applying utilitarian ethics, the most important consideration, which is a common interest for everyone, is the benefit it may give to the general population (Hammond 42). Works Cited Hammond, Peter. Consequentiality Theory and Utilitarian Ethics. California: Stanford University Press, 2000. Print This essay on Utilitarian Ethics in Philosophy was written and submitted by user Francisco Talley 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.

Melancholy in Twelfth Night Essays

Melancholy in Twelfth Night Essays Melancholy in Twelfth Night Essay Melancholy in Twelfth Night Essay Essay Topic: Cymbeline Symposium By Plato Twelfth Night Twelfth Night is the merriest of Shakespeare’s romantic comedies, it is also the saddest. The Christian associations of the title suggests the carpe diem theme which runs through the play. Epiphany, according to Christian mythology, is the time when the shepherds recognized the birth of Christ. The feast of epiphany is the last festival of the Christmas season, after which death takes over. This cycle of life is an extension of the ancient pagan fertility rituals. The mood is similar in Keats’s ‘To Autumn’, Hedge-crickets sing; and now with a treble soft The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft; And gathering swallows twitter in the skies. Only, Keats finds reassurance in the fact that swallows will return, but Shakespeare is concerned with the cessation of life which looms over the whole play. Here the recognition is of the transience of life, unlike in Cymbeline where the rediscovery of Perdita symbolises the rediscovery of one’s soul. Significantly, Twelfth Night is the last of the romantic comedies. After this Shakespeare moves on to the tragedies and the problem plays – this is the last play where joy is not alloyed with problems of evil and anti-life. Everything that is subject to time is valueless, this was the medieval conception. Thus during the middle ages all human activity was directed towards God. Man was given little importance. Then with Renaissance came yet undiscovered knowledge. The new astronomical discoveries allowed man to explore the universe independent of the scriptures. With this was born man’s pride in being man in the mortal universe. And thus man became conscious of the beauty and transience of life. This removed the concept of life everlasting from the framework of eternity. This introduced the prominence of mortality. The dance of death was now more feared than ever. New questions about human existence took form. Comedy seeks to find answers, a meaning of life; yet Shakespeare presents a frail shadowy background to his actions. One of the main governing thoughts in Twelfth Night is the fragility of life. This is the play of youth, almost all the characters are young, and this generates the sadness. Shakespeare asks all to enjoy fleeting life, make the most of the twelve days, scorning the Malvolios. A pattern emerges from all this lot which gives life some meaning. Twelfth Night, despite all its laughter, seems to play upon the keys of loss, affliction and deep bewilderment, which sounds through the gentle beauty of the romance convention and the festive humour. The bonded family words – father, brother, sister – signifies absence, loss of security and a longing. It is this sense of irreparable loss, and the mild apprehension that all this might prove to be a dream provides the poignant dream-like feeling which pervades the play. The loss is internal as well as external. The recognition of one’s self is a dominant theme, and almost all characters are haunted by this and hunt for their selves as well as their lost loves. Orsino’s languorously insatiable desire for love and ‘food of love’ in the first scene presents a parodic statement of the omnipresent sense of want. The hunting pun serves to express the search which is already begun. Nevertheless, Orsino’s words set the mood of the play, which, even through all the ‘caterwauling’ of the kitchen group, never fades. Orsino says That strain again, it had a dying fall: O, it came oer my ear like the sweet sound That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour Orsino’s appetite is soon satiated. The music loses its appeal and his love for love becomes evident. Even the hunting image takes on contemporary significance – Diana becomes the naked truth which makes Acteon wild. This is a parody of Petrarchan conceits and it is fittingly given to Orsino, who, like all in Illyria, is in a state of illusion. According to Plato’s Symposium love is a hole, an absence longing to be filled. So Twelfth Night is a play of pining: Orsino for Olivia, Olivia for Viola, Viola for Orsino, and comically Sir Andrew and Malvolio for Olivia. This emphasis on pining invokes the classical myth of Narcissus and Echo, and makes a narcissistic triad of self enclosed loneliness. Each of them playing simultaneously Narcissus and Echo with respect to others. They seek their own reflections in the other’s face and own echo in the other’s voice. But more melancholy than this ‘love-sorrow’ is the separation of loved ones by real or apparent death. This again can be traced to the sense of romantic lack as embodied in this state of primary loss. Nearly all characters bear traces of such loss – from the father-brother loss which provides similar traumatic experiences for Viola and Olivia, down to the farcical yet nostalgic exclamation of Sir Andrew: ‘I was adored once, too. ’ While Viola’s sorrow is genuine, Olivia’s vow to keep her face veiled for seven years seems more like a ploy to ward off Orsino’s unwanted advances. Otherwise her whole behaviour is comically excessive in place of being melancholy. Seven years in black violates the Elizabethan mourning etiquette which prescribed a period of one year for a brother. Olivia closely parallels Orsino – both in her reclusiveness more alleged than borne out – and as a willing victim of introspective melancholia. Olivia’s unnamed brother fades from the surface of the play. But his spirit continues to haunt. For no sooner has the theme of brother loss been sounded in the minor key than it recurs in the major. The ‘eye-offending brine’ of tears gives way to the sea. Olivia’s brother fades into Viola’s. In a drama greatly concerned with wholeness of identity, the twinned heroines are each presented as halves of a pairing, cloven away from the male counterpart with whom she started life. In Jungian terms, when Viola assumes the male disguise, it is as if she recapitulates in her own person the lost other, dressing exactly like Sebastian, and as if Olivia also locates her own in Viola. Herein lies the fact that both of them are in an illusory world, it is only the presence of Sebastian which allows a happy resolution, otherwise the imminent result was definitely tragic. There might be an autobiographical element in this brother-sister separation theme. Shakespeare himself was the father of boy-girl twins of whom the boy died before the composition of this play. The twins were eleven and half years old when death separated them. Shakespeare must have felt at heart the wistful sadness in the eyes of Judith the surviving child, which he endowed to viola. Twelfth Night contains a calm, loving elegy, and a myth of rebirth. It feigns that Hamnet, the boy twin, is not dead, but lingers in the unknown, washed up on the shores of Illyria, the land of illusion and lyricism. Prove true, imagination, O prove true This is not only Viola’s, but also Shakespeare’s heartfelt cry. Thus Viola’s sadness resounds with a new meaning. Her exclamation at her entry is, And what should I do in Illyria? My brother he is in Elysium. Her brother comes back to her, but Hamnet does not. Unlike Sebastian, Viola controls herself and centres her thoughts on immediate problems. Her wit allows her to obtain a shelter in an alien and unfriendly world. But her wit also has a touch of the autumnal – in keeping with the autumnal note of the play. And even in her sorrow she can sympathise with others. She understands Olivia’s plots instantly in place of scorn, shows tender understanding, she says, Alas, our frailty is the cause, not we, For such as we are made of, such we be. Her identification with Olivia is appropriate in more ways than one – not only both of them are lovesick, but also they long for a brother figure. But Viola’s pathos is more touching. She has to bear messages to her rival from the man she loves. This she does without a murmur and with all sincerity. Her praise of Orsino comes straight from her heart. She is pained to the extreme, and almost reveals herself when Orsino calls women less faithful and lacking in depth of emotion. She tells the Duke: My father had a daughter lov’d a man, As it might be perhaps, were I a woman, I should your lordship. Thus secretly professing her love. But her suppressed agony is felt when she tells Orsino the supposed ending of her non-existent sister’s love whose history was, she tells Orsino, A blank, my lord: she never told her love For she never expects to have Orsino and she dares not aspire to the impossible. As when her brother’s name is mentioned she fears to hope for the best. Shakespeare saves the play from ending in total disaster by bringing in Sebastian and thus allowing Viola to have a happy end, in an union with Orsino. In the first scene orsino begins with an imagery of flowers. And the scene ends with flowers: Away before me to sweet beds of flowers! Love-thoughts lie rich when canopied with bowers. The image of flowers comes again and again throughout the play. Flowers symbolise transience – momentary beauty, something that does not last. So Feste tells Olivia: As there is no true cuckold but calamity, so beauty’s a flower. Reminding her that times are never always bad, thus to keep on mourning for something that is past is to waste precious time and no one has world enough and time. Orsino talks about woman’s beauty, asking Cesario to fall in love with some woman younger than he, For women are as roses, whose fair flower Being once displayd, doth fall that very hour. Viola has to agree. She admits that death comes when one has just reached perfection. Speaking not only for women but for all mankind. The flower imagery stresses the carpe-diem theme of the play – cease the day before it ends. This theme is also propagated through the music of the play. In Twelfth Night music plays a vital role, establishing the tone of the play. Through music the emotive basis of human existence is emphasised, which is to be felt rather than perceived cerebrally. There is rare music in Viola. She does not sing, but her words carry poetic inspiration. She echoes Shakespeare’s sonnets when she tells Olivia: Lady, you are the cruellst she alive If you will lead these graces to the grave And leave the world no copy. Like the early marriage sonnets the theme here is of beauty perpetuated through marriage. But the character who is full of music and is truly melancholy, though not in his attitude or expression, is Feste. Feste is the first true fool of Shakespeares plays. One of the functions of the clown is to sing. He sings to Toby and Andrew: What is love? Tis not hereafter, Present mirth hath present laughter: Whats to come is still unsure. In delay there lies no plenty, Then come kiss me sweet and twenty: Youth’s a stuff will not endure. The fragility of youth and shadow of death – this is in line with the play’s theme and mood and also Feste’s character. His other song, which he sings to please Orsino, is equally sad, Come away, come away death, And in sad cypress let me be laid. Fie away, fie away breath, I am slain by a fair cruel maid. This song continues to reveal Feste’s own bleak future. He is outside the action, an objective onlooker. There is no involvement. He is poor, has no security. He begs to acquire money. For a man of his intellectual capacities this must be disgusting. He has no past, no future and no considerable present. He is a relic of the past, from Olivia’s father’s time. He is constantly threatened with discharge which is as bad as hanging for him. But he lets summer bear it out. Only his song betray his state. Thus in his songs the thought of hereafter is subordinated. In the final scene everyone leaves except Feste, who stays to give the audience a song. A song in which he is transformed from the character to the actor. His final song marks the ending of the play, the ending of the twelfth night. Death’s reign starts from the next day. Feste’s song is nostalgic, he recalls when folly was not as unacceptable or threatening. He also gives a cynical view of marriage as an unwanted responsibility. This casts an oblique perspective on the centrality of marriage in the play as a symbol of concord and resolution. A great while ago the world begun, With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, But thats all one, our play is done, And well strive to please you everyday. That’s all one’ signifies from one perspective that since nothing is really important enough to worry about, pleasure and folly are the only activities worth undertaking. From another, similar, perspective the phrase can be read as hopeless, despairing resignation, pleasure and folly are doomed attempts to escape from an intolerable consciousness of futility . In ‘our play is done’, it is more about the innocent activities than about the play itself. It is a nostalgic recognition of the post innocence state. Feste’s song probably takes place on a dark, empty, silent stage, encapsulating Feste’s loneliness. His life is really as empty. He is as much an outcast as Malvolio, only he is not embittered. He is the artist. Isolated, presenting life, but not belonging to it. His song is a very cynical comment on human existence. To Feste the world does seem like a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. The song is a reminder of the theme of the play – youth and its subjection to time. The question which arises is whether this kind of existence is worth the strife. With this question the curtain descends on Shakespeare’s romantic world. The final song, which brings together all the melancholy passages in the play, leaves a yearning in the reader’s mind. A tinge of sadness which fills the heart and leaves a deep impression, is given to the whole play. This song marks a turning point in the world of Shakespearean drama. The playful attitude is done, now it is time for serious businesses of life, which involves the greatest of calamities. Perhaps at the moment Shakespeare himself identified with Feste. He who even with his immeasurable height of mind had to be the public’s jester and servant. Perhaps for an idle moment he wondered, if all this is worth the complications or not.

Managing Property Businesses Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Managing Property Businesses - Term Paper Example To remain competitive, organizations have to evaluate their strategies to make sure they align with business needs - both today and in the future. They need to deliver new business value and growth in the market through product innovation, more personalized customer service or transforming business processes They must be able to anticipate, rapidly respond and always be available. Organizations are looking to make better use of resources that they have, whether by saving a step in a business process or by improving linkages with their business partners. Organizations are looking to get more out of the resources they have in place so they can be freed up to generate additional opportunity. They want to reduce their operating costs so that they can invest in growth and opportunity. The need for a suitable workforce seems to be at the top of these reasons for relocation."Most businesses start in a small facility, such as the founder's garage, and then move to bigger quarters in the same city", says L. Clinton Hoch, director of location advisory services for DCG Corplan Consulting (a site selection consultancy in West Orange, New Jersey). Later, the business outgrows that location or begins to find fault with its facilities, services, utilities, infrastructure or other features. "Usually only after a business owner goes through those stages is he or she ready to make a move out of the original area," says L. Clinton Hoch. Relocating may be one of the best things that can be done for a business. Whether we are moving by choice or by necessity (our lease is up and our landlord is raising the rent), relocation is not an easy task. There are issues like location scouting, commercial realtors, negotiating, number crunching, licenses, packing, unpacking, mail forwarding.  Ã‚  

Introduction to Executive Tools for Decision Making Essay

Introduction to Executive Tools for Decision Making - Essay Example However, Ford Automotive has invested on its operating activities more than what McDonald’s is spending. This shows that the company is looking forward to growth. The financial data showed that the three companies are doing well in terms of net income and cash flow in 2009 as compared to 2008. Although, Ford Automotive has experienced a negative income for two years in 2008 and 2007, it has returned to profitability by the end of 2009. Bank of America, on the other hand, experienced a decline in profit for 2008. This may be due to the financial crisis in the country. Bank of America receives a grade of A because of its high profitability and liquidity. It means that investor’s money put up in the firm is safe and earning. McDonald’s got a grade of B for sustaining a profitable business. However, there is less growth in term of net income for the past years. Ford Automotive receives a grade of C because the company experienced a negative net income and the growth of the company is

Technology and being a nurse educator Assignment

Technology and being a nurse educator - Assignment Example The field of nursing education needs a nurse educator that is competent, with unique application of nursing knowledge as well as responds to the knowledge evolution. Nursing education evolves from simple, traditional classroom teaching to complicated, online learning, use of informatics, and virtual simulations ( Bonnel, & Smith, 2010, p. 3). Along with this evolution is the need for nursing educators who can embrace technology and use it appropriately to meet the ever-changing needs of nurses, educators, students, patients, and society. Effects of Technology to a Nurse Educator The integration of technology in the field of nursing education affects nurse educators positively and negatively. The positive effects include the nurse educators’ enhancement of teaching opportunities, improved access to teaching materials saving both time and cost, provides educational options or strategies of teaching (used of printout, electronic sources, classroom interaction etc.), presents educ ational materials more challenging, knowledgeable, and presentable, promotes clinical safety and gain efficiency in teaching and learning, and guides evidenced-based practice. On the other hand, one possible negative effect noted is the difficulty encountered by nursing educators to adapt to technological advancements resulting in poor teaching and learning outcome.

Identifying core competencies and capabilities

Identifying core competencies and capabilities Using McKinseys 7S for Identifying core competencies and capabilities, discuss the ability of your chosen company current CEO in improving the companys products and customers perception of the year 2009 as well as the group understanding of the approach to strategy development at Wal-Mart since 2003. A core competency differentiates not only between firms but also inside a firm, it differentiates among several competencies. In other words, a core competency guides a firm recombine its competencies in responds to demands from the environment. The McKinseys 7S framework offers a useful tool for focusing on certain policy areas which are vital in implementation and control. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this report is to identify the core competencies and capabilities of Wal-Mart using the McKinseys 7S framework as well as discuss how the current CEO is improving the companys products and customers perception by the year 2009. This report is also to analyse the 7S framework of McKinsey which includes 7 interdependent factors and they are categorized as either hard or soft elements. They includes: strategy, structure, systems, shared values, skills, style and staff and are useful in wide variety of situations, such as: Examine the likely effects of future changes within the company Improve the performance of a company Determine how best to implement a proposed strategy Align departments and processes during Merger and Acquisition FINDINGS/MAIN BODY HISTORY The McKinsey 7S framework was named after a consulting company, McKinsey and Company, which has conducted applied research in business and industry (Pascale Athos, 1981; Peters Waterman, 1982). All of the authors worked as consultants at McKinsey and Company; in the 1980s, they used the model to analyse over 70 large organisations. The McKinsey 7S Framework was created as a recognisable and easily remembered model in business. The seven factors or variables, which the authors term levers, all begin with the letter S: The McKinseys 7S framework is a value based management (VBM) model that describes how one can holistically and effectively organize a company and together, these factors determine the way a company operates. THE SEVEN ELEMENTS These seven elements or variables include structure, strategy, systems, skills, style, staff and shared values and are interdependent factors which as noted earlier are categorized as either hard or soft elements: This is shown below: HARD ELEMENTS:- Strategy Structure Systems SOFT ELEMENTS:- Shared Values Skills Style Staff HARD elements are easier to identify or define and management can directly influence them. These are IT systems and formal processes; strategy statements and organization charts. SOFT elements can be more difficult to describe, and are less tangible and more influenced by culture. However, these soft elements are as important as the hard elements for the success of the organisation. The way the model is presented in Figure 1 below shows the interdependency of the elements and indicates how a change in one element affects all the other elements, as such this explains why share values is placed in the middle. Figure 1: The McKinseys 7S Model The seven elements are briefly discussed below: SHARED VALUES: Here, all members of the organization share some common guiding concepts or ideas around which the business is built. This may be to make profits or to achieve excellence in their particular field. These values and common goals keep the employees working towards a common destination as a coherent team and are important to keep the team spirit alive. It is also called superordinate goals; these are the core values of the company that are evidenced in the corporate culture and the general work process. STRATEGY: This is the plan of action an organization prepared to maintain and build competitive advantage over the competition. It could also be defined as the plan of action set by an organization to achieve its aims and objectives. Simply put, strategy is planning of organizational goals. It deals with essentially three questions: 1. Where is the organization presently? 2. Where do the organization wants to be and 3. How do they get there? As such, strategy is designed to transform the organization from the present position to the new position described by objectives, subject to constraints of the capabilities or the potential (Ansoff, 1965). STRUCTURE: This is the way the organization is structured as well as who reports to whom. It is the way the organizational units relate to each other. Organizations are structured in different ways depending on their objectives and culture. The structure of an organization often dictates the way they operates and performs (Waterman et al., 1980). Businesses have been structured in hierarchy way with different departments and divisions, each responsible for a specific task such as human resources management, production, sales or marketing. Many divisions of the management controlled the operations, with each answerable to the upper division of management. Although this is still the most widely used organizational structure, the recent trend is increasingly towards a flat structure where the work is done in teams of specialists rather than fixed departments. The idea is to make the organization more flexible and devolve the power by empowering the employees and eliminate the middle management layers (Boyle, 2007) SYSTEMS: This is the daily activities, procedures, processes and routines that characterize how important work is to be done. These processes are normally and strictly followed and are designed to achieve the organizations effectiveness. For instance, a firm may have a particular way of recruiting. STYLE: This refers to the cultural style of leadership adopted by management in achieving the organizations goals and objectives. STAFF: This refers to the employees and their general capabilities to ensure that the organization is successful. The importance of human resources has the central position in the strategy of the organization, away from the traditional model of capital and land. All leading organizations such as Wal-Mart, IBM, etc put extraordinary effort on recruiting the best staff, providing them with required training and mentoring support, and pushing their staff to limits in achieving excellence, and this forms the basis of these organizations strategy and competitiveHYPERLINK http://www.coursework4you.co.uk/essays-and-dissertations/general-business/competitive-advantage/competitiveadvantage.php HYPERLINK http://www.coursework4you.co.uk/essays-and-dissertations/general-business/competitive-advantage/competitiveadvantage.phpadvantage over their competitors. SKILLS: This is the distinctive capabilities of employees and or organization as a whole. It is the actual skills and competencies of the employees working for the firm. That is, the core competencies, main or important activities of the employees. USING THE MCKINSEYS 7S MODEL TO ANALYSE AN ORGANIZATION The McKinsey 7S model is one that can be applied to almost any organizational or team effectiveness issue. If something within your organization or team is not working, this may mean that there is inconsistency between some of the elements identified by this classic model. Once these inconsistencies are revealed, you can work to align the internal elements to make sure they are all contributing to the shared goals and values. The process of analyzing where you are right now in terms of these elements is worthwhile in and of itself. But by taking this analysis to the next level and determining the ultimate state for each of the factors, you can really move your organization or team forward. The model covers almost all parts of business and all major parts of the organization as such it is very important to gather as much information as possible about the organization from all sources available such as press release, organizational news and reports, etc. Primary research such as interviews is more effective. CORE COMPETENCIES AND CAPABILITIES IN WAL-MART Core competencies are activities or processes that critically underpin the organizations competitive advantage. The primary aim for the firm is to recognize that competition between businesses is as much a race for competence as it is for the market power. Core competencies lead to the development of core products. Core products are not directly sold to end users but are used to build a larger number of end-user products. For example, motors are a core product that can be used in wide array of end products. The business units of the corporation each tap into the relatively few core products to develop a larger number of end user products based on the core product technology. The intersection of market opportunities with core competencies forms the basis for launching new businesses. Combining a set of core competencies in different ways and matching them to market opportunities, a corporation can launch different businesses. Without core competencies, a large corporation is just a collection of discrete businesses. Core competencies serve as the glue that bonds the business units together into a coherent portfolio. Core competencies arise from the integration of multiple technologies and the coordination of diverse production skills. Some examples include Wal-Marts Logistics and Hondas engines. There are three useful tests for identifying a core competence. A core competence should: Provide access to a wide variety of markets: This enables the creation of new products and services. For instance, ASDA has established a strong leadership in food retail industry. The core competence and capability that enable Wal-Mart to go into food and non food retailing products was a clear distinctive brand idea that focus on a well defined market segment. Contribute significantly to the end-product benefits: The organization makes a significant contribution to deliver customer benefit. To identify core competences in a market, the question of why is a customer willing to pay more or less for a product/service than another needs to be addressed. Difficult for competitors to imitate: There is need for core competence to be competitively unique; this shows the importance of product differentiation. For example, Wal-Mart has been recognised as a leading food retailer in UK and had a strong position within the retailing industry. To better understand how to develop core competencies, it is worthwhile to understand what they do not entail Outspending rivals on RD Sharing costs among business units Integrating vertically Applying this framework to Wal-Mart in order for the organization to be successful, has to base its business strategy on low cost leadership, they do not really differentiate themselves from competitors and provide no-frills self-service stores that provides lowest prices always. Wal-Mart has built enough power and influence with suppliers that they can dictates their prices and change suppliers manufacturing process so as to obtain with difficulty more and more savings for the consumer. They provide good customer service with low prices, in other words, Wal-Mart strength is low prices and no one allows such a supplier and distribution network like them that allows such low prices. When analysing Wal-Mart business and the 7S framework, they employ all the three hard elements: strategy, structure and systems, and due to their strength in these elements they have been so successful. As earlier mentioned, Wal-Mart overall strategy is to always provide lowest prices and they aim to provide a store that customers can shop under one roof and find everything they needed. This strategy of convenience shopping and lowest price has made Wal-Mart to be a business leader that it is. They also plan to continue to expand into markets not yet penetrated by major chains and some already saturated markets like California and New England. This strategy infiltrated the whole organization so that it encompasses all the other Ss and the other two Ss structure and systems support this strategy Wal-Mart has a system in place that helps it achieve its low price strategy every day. The most profitable and largest of these systems is Information technology system and it has employed computers, networking and internet to reduce inventories and waste and also speed deliveries. Wal-Mart also uses good structure that works with the systems to empower the low price strategy. Wal-Mart has design an efficient management structure that allows it to eliminate regional office, all its plan and operation is from the home of Bentonville, AR. Wal-Mart has designed an efficient management structure that allows it to eliminate the regional office.   Everything for Wal-Mart is planned and operated in their home of Bentonville, AR.   This structure alone has saved Wal-Mart millions of dollars a year.   When Wal-Mart places stores in strategic locations and drives traffic using convenience and then combines the sales with its systems and structure, you get a highly efficient and well-oiled corporation that can cut costs to a bare-minimum which are then passed along to the consumer, hence fulfilling the strategy.   If Wal-Mart continues to dominate these three Ss, it will continue to dominate the retail market. THE CEOS ABILITY TO IMPROVE WALMARTS PRODUCTS AND CUSTOMERS PERCEPTION BY 2009. In Wal-Mart international, Michael Duke CEO since February 2008 and his team continued to drive exceptional sales growth around the world, totalling $90.6billion at the end of the year. He said that Wal-Mart is well positioned for todays economy and future changing world with exceptionally strong management team and ability to execute the companys strategy, perform every day and deliver results, this success is attributed to the hard work of many people and the formal CEO, Lee Scott (2000-2008). Wal-Mart has a role to in terms of offering more efficient services to employers, helping customers save money through $4 prescription program, opening health clinics in our stores and engaging a broader public policy debate. Wal-Mart as a global company is better positioned today than ever before on its mission. By 2009, the Lee believes that customers everywhere in the world will continue to depend on Wal-Mart to save them money so they can live better, in respective of their age. The companys price leadership position helps those willing to improve their lives through hard work move up the ladder. The company owe every customer their very best lower prices, higher quality goods and a better store experience. Sustainability as a permanent culture in Wal-Mart has help t to remove waste, lower costs and provide savings to their customers. The CEO also ensure that Wal-Mart is committed to building more socially and environmentally responsible supply chain which will make a difference in responsible sourcing that no other retailer can make. THE APPROACH TO STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT AT WAL-MART SINCE 2003. Wal-Mart made strategic attempts in its formulation to dominate the retail market with its present growth by expansion in the United State and internationally through creating widespread name recognition and customer satisfaction in relation to brand name and branching into new sectors of retailing. It is observed that Wal-Mart strives on three generic strategies namely, focus strategy, Differentiation strategy and overall cost leadership. Wal-Mart has firm infrastructure, well equipped human resources with management professionals as well as technologically too. The company operates on low price strategy which operated as everyday low prices (EDLP) and this helps to build customers trust. this strategy involves Wal-Mart purchase goods at lower prices and sell the goods t customers at much lower prices, the price is cut as low as possible, this brought about an increase in the profit by increasing the number of sales. This causes increased market competition and makes Wal-Mart compete with all its competitors till it dominates the market. Wal-Mart is expanding seriously and rapidly which is also its strategic goal. Wal-Mart employs over 1.3 associates, owns over 4000 stores out of which 3000 are in US and serves around 100 million customers weekly.  Wal-Mart has acquired many international stores and merged with some super stores like ASDA in UK. Wal-Mart far flung network of retail outlets has ensured that Wal-Mart interacts with and has impact on virtually every locality within US. The expanded strategy has led the hunger of Wal-Mart to many European Countries. It is learnt that three countries with no Wal-Mart stores became part of corporations international presence wherein the domestic retail chains were taken over by Wal-Mart including 122 Woolco stores in Canada, 21 Wertkauf stores in Germany and 229 ASDA units in United Kingdom. The takeover strategy by Wal-Mart keeps the company at forefront when entering into the new market and the number of competitors is also minimized. The strategies have helped the Wal-Mart to remain in number one position in international countries making it the largest retailer in the world. It is seen that Wal-Mart has significantly the Porters five force model where through proper strategic planning and strategic implementation has led to removal of barrier entry, rivalry from competitors and pricing norms. Wal-Mart with its low cost and ever expanding strategy has made a dramatic impact since 1962 when Sam Walton first started his business. With this strategy, Wal-Mart has now over 4000 stores and outlets in US and other countries through acquisition and mergers. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY When you think of the discount retail industry, you think of the bigger name Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has built the industry into leader in a very competitive market, and has continue to set the bar for every company. But as of late Wal-Marts sales growth rate has been slipping, which is causing a major problem for them. For the past few years Wal-Mart has grown accustom to double digit sales growth rates, but recently they have been unable to match their previous success. Now Wal-Mart is faced with the challenge of regaining the success that they once had. To recapture these high growth rates it is important to understand what lead Wal-Mart to these high growth rates in the first place. When analyzing Wal-Mart externally you find that its 5 forces tend to have a positive effect on the company. The company has high barriers of entry, a moderate threat of rivalry with Target and incredible power over all its suppliers because Wal-Mart purchases so many products, the suppliers have little negotiating powers, and finally Wal-Mart technically has a great amount of power over its buyers because of its product variety and low prices. When analyzing Wal-Mart internally you discover may things that lead to their success. Probably the number one thing that led to success is their world class supply chain. Wal-Marts supply chain is remarkable and really allows them to cut cost by eliminating unneeded steps. For instance their supply chain is a high tech that can notify Wal-Marts suppliers directly (cutting out worker intervention) when inventory is low for certain products. Another internal strength that has lead to Wal-Marts success is its ability to focus on reducing costs to ensure everyday low prices. Wal-Mart has never drifted away from this motto which has led to Wal-Marts extensive self size and amount of products offered.

The Shadow on the Stone by Hardy Essay -- Shadow Stone Hardy Essays

The Shadow on the Stone by Hardy A man stands in front of a druid stone just as a reader stares at a brooding poem of love lost and fonder days remembered. â€Å"The Shadow on the Stone† gives insight into the psyche of Hardy after his first wife’s death, yet how does someone come to such a conclusion? Through the understanding of the strategic usage of several literary and poetic devices his audience is able to discern their pertinence to the comprehension of Hardy’s message. This poem is not necessarily difficult for the average reader to grasp, its value as a work of poetic prowess is found in the power of impression. â€Å"The Shadow on the Stone† forms a relationship with the reader, despite wielding fairly simple poetic structure, by stimulating several unifying characteristics which thread many readers together such as; hardship, regret, and loss. Hardy appears deliberate in constructing this poem in a consistent manner. The lines are all placed in the same staggered fashion in all three stanzas. This method is compelling due to the fact that he may be attempting to stress the constant variation of life through the structure of the poem. The persona of the poem certainly tastes a wide variety of emotions, yet these emotions that are inevitably going to reoccur in the natural course of lifetime. This is reiterated through the certainty readers have that the individual stanzas are diverse, and will occur in the following stanzas as if to illustrate the prevalence of life’s tribulations no matter how random they may feel. This allows the reader to relate to the vulnerable human quality of the poem, no doubt creating a more attentive reader. It is no secret that people take some amount of pleasure or interest in someone e... ...d should that not be enough Hardy arranged the poem a relatively small package as to not scare a depressed reader. This poem manages to reach out on a personal level even though the method is transparent which validates the authenticity of Hardy’s poetic skill. He builds an image through the use of simple poetic devices to lull the reader into an easy read and proceeds to squeeze the reader’s sore spots to capture their attention. Hardy’s poem reads in the same manner it must have been written, in self loathing. Hardy was a tragic figure living within a tragic poem, this work accurately portrays Hardy in his futile attempt to understand and deal with the unavoidable trials of his life. He uses this struggle as a common thread to effectively tie his audience together, capturing the readers as they marinade in one of the defining qualities of life: regret.