Development and Diversification of Living Organisms Assignment

Development and Diversification of Living Organisms - Assignment Example The complete set of genes within a living organism’s cell is called genotype. On the other hand, the complete set of physical characteristics that make up the structure of an organism is called phenotype. The limitations of these factors will inhibit the reproduction process, which of course results differ from one species to another because of the differences in characteristics that are inherited and environmental influences. This variation is also the result of a process called mutation, which is caused by radiation, viruses, and errors during DNA replication. Genes that arise by mutation and found at the same place on a chromosome is known as an allele. Thus, it can be said that evolution is the result of two opposing forces. According to Hardy-Weinberg’s Theory, the genotype and allele frequencies of a population will often remain in equilibrium, unless disturbing influences, such as mutation, is present. The equilibrium state is only possible when the genotype and allele frequencies do not change. This happens when a population has a large size, which prevents the occurrence of genetic drift, bottlenecks and founder effects. The equilibrium state also occurs when there is no mutation, as explained earlier and that random mating takes place, which is explained below. However, this is hardly the case. In other words, if the equilibrium state is violated by factors such as those mentioned above, then evolution will take place. The genotype and allele frequencies are influenced by environmental and cultural events. A given genotype frequency can occur with random mating in a single generation as this causes the evolution of a given species, which in turn produces a new equilibrium within that one generation. For instance, continuous random mating of a black-haired population will result in homozygotes. Such violations include inbreeding, assortative mating, and small population size. On the other hand, a change in allele frequency can occur when selection, mutation, and migration happen.

In-service teacher training Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

In-service teacher training - Essay Example Such an analysis, based on four key texts, will re-assess the concept of information literacy in Angola, a developing African country. 1. Introduction Discussions over information literacy in the 21st century are very different from those in the 1980s. The report released on January 10, 1989 by the Presidential Committee on Information Literacy raised some important issues, namely â€Å"the Importance of Information Literacy to Individuals, Business, and Citizenship† and â€Å"Opportunities to Develop Information Literacy† [3]. In the same report, some characteristics of a new type of school were described: an â€Å"Information Age School† [3]. The recommendations from this document mirrored the optimism of such a committee, regarding the fundamental and revolutionary role of information literacy and the challenges this new reality presented to scholars, practitioners, and leaders. The question raised is how scholars, practitioners and leaders perceive the issue of information literacy in developed countries; whether in a national or a global framework. 2. Author’s Perspective Diane Zabel highlights the constraints of an attempt to integrate information literacy as a â€Å"mandated credit instruction† [4], based on the difficult current financial situation of many American students. In the article â€Å"Reaction to "Information Literacy and Higher Education" [4], this author is skeptical about the decision of integrating information literacy into the curriculum, especially involving librarians: It is naive to believe that it is easy to add a required course to the curriculum (†¦). The approval of new courses, majors, minors, and changes in the number of credits required for graduation is a rigorous process. Curricular changes must be justified, requiring the completion of a detailed proposal explaining how a change meets educational objectives and strengthens existing programs [4]. On the other hand, Lauer and Yodanis, i n the article â€Å"The International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) : A Tool for Teaching with an International Perspective† [2], explain the advantages scholars have in adopting a less Westernized perspective and developing a global view of the teaching and learning process. Although the three documents share the recognition that information literacy has brought changes to the process of teaching and learning, these authors do not have a consensual stance on the range of application of this new tool and how this reality can be optimized. Zabel raises several constraints in the inclusion of information literacy in the curriculum, whereas Lauer and Yodanis suggest the â€Å"enhancing of global literacy through teaching† [2]. In the 2009 message to students, the dean of the School of Advanced Studies at the University of Phoenix explained the meaning of the scholar - practitioner - leader model. Jeremy Moreland stated: Viewed operationally, the model represents a paradi gm for incorporating lifelong learning (scholarship), social and workplace contribution (practice), and the ability to exert positive influence (leadership) in our learners' academic, professional and personal lives. This means that important theory and research may support professionals in the effective implementation of their work. Consequently, more pragmatic and efficient ways of organizing, monitoring and evaluating public and private

Human Resource Law Essay Example for Free

Human Resource Law Essay This paper will show that this scenario provides a case for gender discrimination. Gender discrimination is illegal under Title VII (Bennett-Alexander Hartman, 2007). In addition, this paper will show what legal and ethical issues arise in this case. Furthermore, this paper will show what Bob should do in this case. By using the female employee versus the male employee to serve the customer the company would be in violation of Title VII for gender discrimination. Title VII laws regarding gender cover the full scope of the employment relationship which describes that gender may not be the basis of any decision related to employment unless gender is used as a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ). Customer preference is not a legitimate and protected reason to treat otherwise qualified employees differently based on gender. Additionally, allowing the female employee to assist the customer over the male employee would be in violation of the store’s rotation policy. The policy states that each working day, two employees work in the store; one working the front and one working the back. Rotation occurs on a daily basis in order to disperse commissions fairly. Since this is company policy, there is no flexibility to change that policy and to rotation schedule clearly states that it is the male employee’s turn to earn commission. Discrimination based on gender is illegal and not in keeping with good business practices of efficiency, maximizing resources, and avoiding unnecessary liability. Title VII Issues Discrimination comes in all shapes and sizes, and managers have to be careful not to cross the line and do the wrong thing. Companies do not want lawsuits for discrimination or anything else. The store’s best customer, Imelda,  probably did not intend to offend anyone nor did she probably know that she was discriminating against anyone. Many times discrimination is not intended. Customers generally believe they are always right and get what they want. However, in this instance the customer is very wrong. Requesting a female employee over a male employee is a form of discrimination, gender discrimination. Gender discrimination is illegal under Title VII (Bennett-Alexander Hartman, 2007). If Bob asks Tom to step aside and allow Mary to assist Imelda with her purchases, he will be â€Å"in violation of Title VII and can be held liable to the employee for gender discrimination. Customer preference is not a legitimate and protected reason to treat otherwise-qualified employees differently based on gender† (Bennett-Alexander Hartman, 2007, p. 283). Legally and ethically, Manager Bob cannot swap employees Tom and Mary simply because Imelda wants it. Choice This is not an easy situation. On one hand, the customer is promising to buy five pairs of shoes if she gets a female employee to help her. This would be a huge purchase for the store, great for the profit margin as well as a large commission for the employee. On the other hand, not providing a female employee may denote a missed sale, Imelda may leave the store. Swapping employees would cheat Tom out of his commission. This would be unethical. Tom deserves his commission; he should not be asked or told to give this up. The Shoe Store has very clear company policies. Company policy does not allow two employees to split the commission (UOPX, 2013, para. 5). As stated previously, having Tom give up his commission would not be fair. Company policy rotates employees to keep commissions as fair and equal as possible (UOPX, 2013, para. 5). Manager Bob will need to explain to Imelda as nicely and calmly as possible that he is very sorry, but cannot provide her with a female employee. Bob should promise Imelda that Tom is a very nice man and that she will be in very capable hands; ensure her that Tom knows shoes and will treat her and her feet right. Bob should smile and guarantee her that she will be happy with the service she receives. Bob should apologize for the problem, explain that he contacted his regional manager to see if he could make an exception to company policy this time and was told no, and explain that the company risks a discrimination lawsuit. Finally, tell Imelda that he understands if she chooses to shop elsewhere today and  apologize again. Bob should not get into an argument with the customer; it is out of the stores control. In any business, a written policy can avoid or prevent lawsuits. The shoe store chain has clearly established that the rotation of two employees daily or weekly will occur in the store to create fairness in commission sales. In addition, if only two employees are present one works in the back of the store and the other works in front, this clearly creates fairness of commissions earned (pay), good business ethics practice. Working in sales requires a lot of personal judgment from a company representative. By its nature, the job relies heavily on social relationships and on persuasion. Sales people also usually work on commission; if they do not make the sale, they lose cash. In the wrong hands, these elements can lead to unethical behavior, causing undue pressure on customers or vendors. Ethical behavior and doing the correct or right thing is at the forefront for salespeople today. Subsequently ethical performance is an individual process and training development related issues are important. Salespeople require guidelines on ethical, equality and discrimination issues. The guidelines should be formulated and clearly communicated to help employees to effectively deal with situations of equal pay, fairness, and or discrimination whenever the need arises. Job performance, employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction will prevail with knowledge and understanding of employment laws (Bennett-Alexander Hartman, 2007). What has guided the ethical issues is the set of standards the company has worked out from human reason by which the human actions to switch Mary for Tom is ultimately creating wrong business ethics. Trading assign duties between sales and costs will not mix. The maximum concern for sales cannot go hand-in- with maximum concern for employees. Furthermore, the shoe store business has added structure to the business by creating this policy. If the manager deviates from the established policy, Bob will create unfair treatment or discrimination based on gender, which could result in a lawsuit. After Imelda voiced her request that she wanted a female employee Bob was to enforce the company’s policies to avoid a potential lawsuit. Bob did what was necessary to inform Imelda the companys polices and have Tom assist her with trying on shoes. Bob knows the company will lose money  because of the sales lost from this one client; however, the ethical issue arises to do what is fair and correct according the shoe store policy. If Bob makes the switch and has Mary assist Imelda instead of Tom, Bob has violated the discrimination law-Title VII (gender) as well has violating the equal pay law (Bennett-Alexander Hartman, 2007). The decision is allow Tom to assist Imelda and loose the extra sales. In future, the suggestion to Imelda would be to arrive at the store when a female worker is working the floor or to come in the s tore to see who is working the sales floor without putting the manager in the position to make compromises. Conclusion Discrimination issues can get many companies into trouble. Knowing the law is important for any manager. When questions arise that cannot be answered easily, ask for help. Title VII does not allow discrimination because of gender, meaning a man cannot be treated differently from a female and vice versa. In this case, all must be treated equally. Company policy will not allow Tom and Mary to split the commission and asking Tom to give up his commission would be illegal. Imelda will need to make her own decision whether to shop at the Shoe Store and allow Tom to assist her or leave for another store or until another day. The company must do what is right, what is legal. The store must treats its employees properly and do what is legal and ethical. Whereas Imelda may not be happy, the company cannot do anything that may bring a lawsuit against them. References Bennett-Alexander, D. D., Hartman, P. L. (2007). Employment law for business (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. University of Phoenix (UOPX). (2013). Week Three. Retrieved from University of Phoenix,

EBay Competitive Advantage

EBay Competitive Advantage The main purpose of this report is to analyse how eBays strategic capabilities might provide sustainable competitive advantage, also propose and justify a structural type for eBay which would maximise its strategic capabilities. The author will start by introducing eBay according to the case study Making eBay work, critically analyse strategic capabilities, competences and core competences as well as their implications in relationship with eBays organisation structure and how they will enable eBay to sustain competitive advantage so as to maximise its business objectives. Morgan-Thomas and Paton (2007) classified firms like eBay as a cyberspace founded organisation that use the internet to carry out its business transactions, which makes eBay to have the capability of being on the internet to showcase its products and services. Not only did Segal (2005) argued that when eBay enter into an advertisement alliance with other firms like yahoo etc., it will enable eBay to use the competen ces and core competences of those firms to sustain its competitive advantage, but also Johnson et al (2009) emphasise that a firms competences include skills and abilities used to distribute its resources effectively, while core competences involve those activities a firm uses to maintain its competitive advantage which cannot be imitated easily by its competitors because they are internally and externally inter-linked with the organisation and its customers. 2.0. STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES AND eBays COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE According to Johnson et al (2009), a firms strategic capabilities will direct and evaluate its plan and objective over a long period of time, which enables the firm to attain competitive advantage by using alliance resources and competences to satisfy customers needs notwithstanding the economic situation. Aaker (1998) argued that strategic capabilities will establish a carefully devised plan of action used to achieve a goal in a firm over a period of time, thereby offering a suitable solution when handling important issues that relate to the firm. Doyle and Stern (2006) emphasise that strategic capabilities will bring management instructions and advice on how firms can be developed and sustained so as to achieve competitive advantage. Cravens and Percy (2009) argued that strategic capabilities will develop plans that will be used to take care of changes in the market environment and also try as much as possible to provide customers satisfaction. Kotler and Keller (2006) also argued that the strategic capability of a firm will try as much as possible to realize, produce, capture, present and sustain its customer value. Cravens and Piercy (2009) indicated that strategic capabilities of a firm, when analysed will involve the implementation of management plan, which emphasise that strategic planning will involve the scheme for achieving an objective; while strategic implementation will try as much as possible to put the plans into action and strategic management process will organise and also control the affairs of the business enterprise. Peppard and Rylander (2006) argued that the internet will perfect the known business and marketing strategies as can be observed with eBays marketing strategic capabilities which made it possible for buyers and sellers of products to interact and agree on the price of a product without seeing each other, as well as eBays advertising alliance strategy which interconnects eBay with other firms like yahoo etc. will help in sustaining eBays competitive advantage. Johnson et al (2009) argued that this interconnectivity or alliance will make it possible for eBay to use th e core competence of other firms they are in alliance with, which can come in form of technological skills/abilities or strong brand that cannot be imitated and it will help to sustain eBays competitive advantage. Cravens and Piercy (2009) noted that firms like eBay provide a quick and different online marketing communication strategic capabilities implementation which have not only been successful in some cases but also failed in some, and the failure is said to result from over affirmative anticipations as well as wrong implementation of the strategy. Segal (2005) argued that eBays strategic capabilities will base on its ability to maintain good alliance with other firms such as yahoo etc. which will enable eBay to improve its products/services through advertisement offered by the alliance firms and on the other hand attract more customers to eBay, thereby sustaining competitive advantage. Pettey (2008) stressed that eBay with its advantage of product development capabilities being carried out on the internet, cannot be able to stop considering the number of buyers/sellers visiting its website. Sachoff (2008) argued that eBays competitive advantage may come as a result of the high number of information/feedback eBay gather concerning buyers and sellers, which eBay uses in formulating its strategic capabilities so as to sustain competitive advantage in business notwithstanding its competitors. Gomes-Casseres (2003) implied that strategic capabilities of firms like eBay will plan and implement properly a new method of doing business with ease through the internet marketplace, which brings buyers and sellers together so that they can agree on a given price for a specific product displayed by the seller on eBay marketplace. Segal (2005) emphasise that eBays strategic capabilities will allow the buyers/sellers to be the people to develop the goods, advertise it for sale by developing and implementing strategies such as packaging, displaying, publicising the products and also secure it on the web thereby sustaining competitive advantage. Gomes-Casseres (2003) further suggest that firms such as eBay should be rational in decision making and implementation on how to handle its competitors like Amazon before entering into any advertisement alliance with other firms. Bolotaeva and Cata (2010) stressed that eBay will have to be more creative so as to capture more buyers or sellers a nd also make profit. According to Segal (2005), eBay uses its strategic capabilities to build a strong customer relation by trying to know what the buyers/sellers want to buy/sale and creates awareness on how to make effective use of the eBay marketplace by conducting seminars for the buyers and sellers so as to enable them participate more actively on the eBay business. Skull (2008) argued that eBays advertising alliance strategy will offer better public promotion of products for the market operators and also create more benefits for eBay through its proper implementation. Segal (2005) implied that eBay tries to sustain competitive advantage by cooperating with other firms doing business on the internet, such as yahoo etc. to market, advertise or promote their business so as to draw more customers. 2.1. STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES AND eBays ORGANISATION STRUCTURE According to Cravens and Piercy (2009) when a firm like eBay is developing its business organisation strategy, it will try as much as possible to determine how other firms like yahoo will contribute to its business organisation structure and marketing strategy through an alliance in advertising or brand promotion etc., this is said to enhance eBays business opportunities by creating awareness of its business internationally and also provide a strong brand capability for eBay as a core competence. Johnson et al (2009) argued that eBays organisation structure comes in form of a multidivisional structure which consists of divided parts of products, services and locations, and can be adjusted easily, supervised from anywhere by the divisional heads using organisation strategies as relates to their specialised divisions that creates competences and also provide training for the upcoming divisional heads (see appendix iii). Olson (2009) argued that by using reliable techniques and tools, e Bay will bring more customers to its establishment, maintain the customers and also sustain competitive advantage. Aaker (1998) observed that for eBays strategic capabilities to be able to sustain competitive advantage, eBay must be able to influence what is happening in its environment and not just adapting to them. For example, eBay will benefit by making more laws or regulations that will guide its users, by so doing eBay will implement its business strategies which will also ensure it of business success (source: Making eBay work). Although Johnson et al (2009) argued that eBays multidivisional organisation structure will bring about duplication of functions which subdivides its divisions and make them self-reliant. Burke (2006) suggested that eBay can use its advertising alliance strategy with yahoo etc. to attract more customers and also make them listen to each other, view the prices of products available for sale and whom the owners of those products are on eBay, which will enable buyers to be able to contact sellers easily and on the other hand bring competitive advantage to eBay as more people will get to know about eBays business transaction and may want to participate. Segal (2005) also noted that eBay allow the buyers and sellers to be the people that will be controlling the business transactions by observing the eBay business regulations. Kotler and Keller (2006) emphasise that the core competence of firms like eBay will provide competitive advantage through the provision of customer satisfaction, applied in broad kinds of markets using skills that will be difficult to imitate. Brandt (2008) stressed that the competitive advantage of eBay will be sustained due to the fact that eBay helps buyers and sellers worldwide to exchange information concerning products and also allow them to transact the business so as to conclude on the price a product can be sold. Pettey (2008) disagreed with the above explanation and argued that buyers and sellers must see eBay as they see other internet marketing websites, such as Amazon etc. so that the buyers and sellers can examine as well as compare the different websites and the prices their products are offered for sale so as to have a choice on the firm to patronise and this may affect eBay negatively. According to Skul (2008) firms such as eBay is being seen as a cheap method of bringing buyers and sellers together so that they can transact a business instead of spending enormous money in order to create/build a market. Weston (2008) emphasise that eBays strategic capabilities also help them to sustain competitive advantage due to its connectivity with buyers and sellers, because eBays database of prospective buyers and sellers provides an opportunity for buyers to contact sellers concerning their needs Bolotaeva and Cata (2010) observed that if eBay happens to be aggressive in its advertisement/marketing and products promotion, their customers may not want to patronise them anymore and they may start visiting their competitors that are doing the same business just like eBay. In this situation, it is observed that eBay will lose some of their customers to those their competitors, thereby not sustaining competitive advantage. Weston (2008) went further to explain that the increase in eBays awareness campaign will definitely encourage their existing customers as well as new customers to keep patronizing eBay, and this should not stop eBay from checking the activities of their customers which may negatively affect eBay sometime. Pettey (2008) emphasized that eBay should have a strategic capability that will enable it set up its own advertisement networking bearing in mind what their customers want, as well as allowing the customers to make suggestions in form of feedback on the way forward. Weston (2008) argued that eBays strategic capability to create awareness, just as they are doing with the help of yahoo etc. will help in a long way to sustain their competitive advantage over their competitors which will also provide an added value to eBays overall business performance. Skul (2008) indicated that there are laws, rules and regulations that will be meditating against eBays online marketing and advertisement strategy, therefore eBay will have to be more careful in conducting marketing and advertisement research so as to operate in accordance within the framework of the law and also remain actively in business. Pettey (2008) argued that since eBay provides information about buyers and sellers, in the future eBay operators may be tired of sharing their personal information on the internet and that may lead to eBay losing some of their customers. Skul (2008) encouraged eBay to continue using its strategic capability by advertising on other websites like yahoo etc. as this will contribute in no small measure in creating sustainable competitive advantage to eBay and also help in achieving business success for eBay. He further stated that this will as well allow eBay to connect with more customers. Javitch (2008) explained that eBay is a cheap and better option as compared to the traditional market where buyers and sellers are expected to meet one on one before transacting a business. This being a strategic capability implies that as an eBay market operator either in form of a buyer or seller will help in safeguarding a customers name from other parties. Klen (2008) indicated that for eBay to be more successful, it will have to set up its business goals and work on how to achieve these goals by properly implementing its strategic capabilities. According to Bolotaeva and Cata (2010), eBay organisation structure can function in a marketplace where buyers and sellers from different parts of the world meet to buy and sale products. In this kind of market situation, buyers and sellers are said to show their presence, create awareness of their products by showcasing the products on eBay website, and also reduce cost of advertising the products through the help of eBay that is solely doing the advert and allowing their customers to pay little after selling their products. Here eBay is said to use their advertising strategic capability to satisfy their customer so as to sustain competitive advantage not minding the current economic meltdown (source: making eBay work). 2.2. A PROPOSED STRUCTURAL TYPE FOR eBay In proposing and justifying a structural type for eBay to maximise its strategic capabilities, the author will put into consideration Woollaston (2011) value chain and network diagrams as shown on week three lecture handout on strategic management and marketing because it is said to illustrate a value chain as classes of activities in a firm like eBay that creates a commodity/service, and a value network shows the inter-firm connections and relationship that creates a commodity/service (see appendix ii and iii). For example, eBays advertisement interconnection/alliance with yahoo, Google, etc.(source: Making eBay work). Johnson et al (2009) emphasise that value chain will help firms like eBay to improve its products or services through advertisement and sales so as to maintain value, while value network on the other hand will reduce cost of advertisement for eBay by interconnecting eBay with other firms like yahoo etc. and also bring more profit to eBay by attracting more customers a nd using the competences of those firms eBay is interconnected or in alliance with to sustain its competitive advantage. Peppard and Rylander (2006) argued that eBays strategic capabilities can be maximised using the analysis from value chain and network which will help in repositioning eBay at its rightful position on the value chain and network. Woollaston (2011) emphasise that by using the value chain and network, eBay will be able to determine actions that are signicant to its strategic capabilities and the best firms that will enable it generate more profit through alliance or interconnectivity. Peppard and Rylander (2006) noted that value chain and network analysis will push eBay to focus on the value that will be created from the alliance strategy with its partners like yahoo etc. so as to create more value for eBay through advertisement which will provide competitive advantage for eBay. Cravens and Piercy (2006) argued that without value chain and network firms like eBay will find it difficult to connect products and services to its customers through the alliance or interconnectivity that can b e established with other firms like yahoo. Chaffey et al (2003) emphasised that a structural type of strategy for eBay like value chain and network will involve the assessment of what customers always want to buy and where the customers attention can be drawn from. Woollaston (2011) implied that this can be achieved by sub-dividing the customers into different segments/groups so as to make it easy for firms like eBay to reach the customers by maximising its strategic capabilities in form of going into advertisement alliance with firms that can reach such segments/groups of customers. For example, eBays alliance with yahoo etc. (Source: making eBay work). Mowery et al (2002) proposed that eBays strategic alliance in form of advertisement with firms like yahoo etc. will in no small measure help eBay to utilize yahoo etc. strategic technological capabilities. This will therefore, sustain eBays competitive advantage and also maximise its strategic capabilities. Chaffey et al (2003) further implied that eBays strategic capability of going into advertisement alliance with yahoo etc. will try as much as possible to strategically reposition/redirect eBay by carrying out the advertisement process in different and attractive ways so as to hit the target audience and also attract more customers for eBay. Cravens and Piercy (2009) also contend that value chain and value network will provide eBay with an unequalled and obliging means of carrying out business transaction between buyers and sellers, and as well provide eBay with a strategic capability that will make it possible for eBay to communicate with buyers and sellers on a one on one basis. De Man and Zee (2002) emphasise that eBay going into partnership with other e-business firms will help eBay to reduce search cost. This will therefore reduce eBay customers expenditure as buyers and sellers will easily locate eBay through the advertising partners such as yahoo etc. By so doing, eBays strategic capabilities of going into business alliance with other firms so as to advertise and market eBay to the general public will be achieved. Cravens and Piercy (2009) argued that although eBays unequalled characteristics contributes in providing high customer value through direct selling which provides eBay with the opportunity of exclusive c ontact with particular customer group and adapting to its business timing as well as capacity to deliver, it also have some limitations in relation to how effective customers will view the eBay business enterprise. Lu and Choy (2004) affirmed that those strategic alliances which are externally oriented business approach will emphasise on improving eBays business performance through the linkages in their supply network. They further explained that this strategic alliance will bring about a future plan which will help eBay and the firms they are in alliance with to maximise eBays strategic capabilities through advertisement, as can be seen in the case example making eBay work where eBay is in advertisement alliance with Google, yahoo, etc. This is said to enable eBay to create more awareness about its products and services, attract more customers to its firm and also maximise more profit and on the long run maximising its strategic capabilities. Bamford et al (2003) stated that it is common these days to see firms like eBay establishing strategic alliance with other firms like yahoo etc. this being because more competitive advantage have resulted and sustained from business cooperation in form of alliance. Bamford et al (2003) further implied that as the world of e-business changes, firms like eBay cannot rely solely on its internal source or quality of advertisement to sustain competitive advantage in the e-business marketplace. Therefore, the author observed that for eBay to maximise its strategic capabilities better, it needs to strengthen its alliance/interconnection with more firms on the internet as they are doing with yahoo etc. so as to share responsibilities and also share maximised revenue together. Mintzberg et al (1995) explained that for eBay to maximise its strategic capabilities, eBay managers must make close examination of their competitive advantage which calls for the evaluation of its organisation as well as the environment in which they operates so as to maximise its strategic capabilities by comparing the firms strength and weaknesses as it relates to their competitors. Segil (2004) argued that the initial firms like yahoo etc. which eBay have been in business alliance with are not or may not be the best firms to advertise for eBay. Mintzberg et al (1995) also contend that a firms organisational process cannot be separated from the structure, culture and behaviour of such a firms organisation in different ways. They implied that eBays strategic capabilities which come in form of alliance with other firms calls for a great responsibility for both eBay and the firms they are in alliance with to implement and execute the strategy so as to maximise eBays strategic capabil ities. De Man and Zee (2002) argued that eBays reputation will have to be considered when eBay want to go into alliance in order to maximise their strategic capabilities, which may come in form of reliance or trust and belief or confidence the firms have for each other, that are always established within a long period of time between the firms that are involved in the alliance. For example, eBay and yahoo happens to have trust and confidence on each other and that is the reason why their advertisement alliance is yielding positive results as observed from the case example, making eBay work (Segal, 2005). Ono et al (2001) explained that for eBay to maximise its strategic capabilities and as well sustain competitive advantage, going into a balance alliance with firms such as yahoo and many more popular and also good e-business marketing firms will provide competitive advantage to eBay. Ono et al (2001) also argued that multi or balanced-alliance strategy will help eBay to spread the news abou t its products and services so that more people will get to know about eBay as well as try to patronize them. In this situation where there is more than one advertisement alliance, if a particular firm is not performing very well as eBay expected, it will not stop eBay from maximising profit because other alliance partners are performing very well (Segal, 2005). Ono at el (2005) implies that when eBay uses a balanced alliance strategy by going into many alliances so as to advertise for its firm, eBay will stand a chance of expanding its customer base because more people will know about eBays services and come to patronize them. This will on the other hand create more market opportunities for eBay, increase eBays competitive advantage and also sustain those advantages (Ono at el, 2005). While Andam (2003) argued that it will be necessary to bear in mind that eBay should be able to secure/protect its business transaction server/website so that its business transactions can be processed efficiently. Also eBay will have to employ people that are able to function and use its tangible and intangible resources and assets without a waste to manage and maintain the eBay system so as to maximise eBays strategic capabilities. Andam (2003) argued that eBay must have the capacity as well as the strategic capabilities to handle online payments of any type, ability to carry out delivery of goods purchased by customers to their various locations, eBay should also be able to maintain its position as a trusted third party so as to ensure that transactions are secured and eBays integrity is maintained. These abilities are said to definitely compliment strategic alliance capabilities between firms like eBay and yahoo etc. and on the other hand, eBay will be able to maximise its strategic capabilities (Woollaston, 2011). Chaffey et al (2003) argued that eBays strategic capabilities in form of alliance with other firms like yahoo, Google etc. will help eBay to achieve its business objective through advertisement, sales and marketing etc. and also sustain eBays competitive advantage. It is proposed by Andam (2003) that eBays advertisement strategic alliance with other firms like yahoo would maximise its strategic cap abilities by making eBay to serve as an avenue through which people from different parts of the world can get connected and transact business. This will involve sellers showcasing their products and selling them to prospective buyers who on the other hand will have the opportunity to access information concerning the products which will lead to purchasing of such products in most cases. Andam (2003) suggested that as eBay uses its alliance strategy, it should also take into consideration, a strategic system of buying which will make it possible for customers of eBay to choose the type of goods or products that will match their description/specification. For example, in a situation where a customer wants a product customised, eBay should be able to arrange for sellers or manufacturers that can do that for the customer within a short period of time (Woollaston, 2011). Smith and Chaffey (2002) on the other hand, observed that alliance strategy will help to increase eBays sales through advertisement, because it will take eBay closer to more people and then generate more customers. This will help in maximising eBays strategic capabilities in the sense that people using yahoo, Google etc. will tend to see eBays advert on their toolbar and want to visit eBay and most times end up buying products/goods from eBay. 3.0. CONCLUSION For eBay to record more success in its business, eBay will need a clearly defined and carefully detailed plan of action or strategic capabilities. By so doing, eBay CEO and President Meg Whitman, as mentioned in the case example making eBay work, coupled with eBay managers will have to be involved more in planning on how to create better and more strategic alliance in advertising eBay just as they have established with yahoo, Google, Skype etc. This strategic alliance will in no small measure increase and sustain eBays competitive advantage through advertisement and also maximise profit for eBay since it will attract more customers for them (Segal, 2005). Morgan-Thomas and Paton (2007) emphasise that strategic alliance between firms or organisations such as the one being practiced by eBay in partnership with yahoo, Google etc. can help to develop a firms marketing strategy internationally. This is said to be achieved through improved advertisement on sales and marketing of the firms products as well as their services. Buttle (2009) identified that the alliance strategy being used by eBay will bring about the involvement of eBay customers in developing the firms products and services, thereby help in meeting customers needs and expectations. Mejtoft (2010) argued that for eBay to sustain its competitive advantage and also maximise its strategic capabilities, eBay will have to maintain a strategic alliance in form of a vertical integration with other firms. This will enable eBay to increase or improve on its customer relation since good customer relation is important to move eBays business forward and also guarantee maximised strategic capabilities. Buttle (2009) also argued that good customer relation can create positive impact on eBays competitive advantage which will result from the use of strategic alliance. With the above conclusion being drawn, it can be summarised by the author that eBays strategic alliance with yahoo etc. should be extended to other good firms in the industry so as to guarantee sustainable competitive advantage for eBay which will enable eBay to maximise its strategic capabilities.

The Big Sleep Movie and Novel :: Movie Film comparison compare contrast

The Big Sleep Movie and Novel On first inspection of Raymond Chandler's novel, The Big Sleep, the reader discovers that the story unravels quickly through the narrative voice of Philip Marlowe, the detective hired by the Sternwood family of Los Angeles to solve a mystery for them. The mystery concerns the General Sternwood's young daughter, and a one Mr. A. G. Geiger. Upon digging for the answer to this puzzle placed before Marlowe for a mere fee of $25 dollars a day plus expenses, Marlowe soon finds layers upon layers of mystifying events tangled in the already mysterious web of lies and deception concerning the Sternwood family, especially the two young daughters. When reading the novel, it is hard to imagine the story without a narrator at all. It certainly seems essential for the story's make-up to have this witty, sarcastic voice present to describe the sequence of events. Yet, there is a version of Chandler's novel that does not have an audible storyteller, and that version is the 1946 movie directed by Howard Hawks. Hawks' version of The Big Sleep is known to be one of the best examples of the film genre-film noir. "Film noir (literally 'black film,' from French critics who noticed how dark and black the looks and themes were of these films) is a style of American films which evolved in the 1940s." (The Internet Movie Database LTD). Film noir typically contains melancholy, and not so moral themes. Another characteristic of film noir is just because the main character has the title hero, that does not mean that he will always be alive at the end of the book, or that the hero is always "good." Marlowe in The Big Sleep is a prime example of this concept. In the novel it is questionable how lawfully moral he actually is, concerning the situation of turning Carmen into the police for killing Sean Regan. This aspect of Marlowe's character added yet another difficult task of formatting The Big Sleep to the big screen-the question of how the audience (media) might react to such a personality trait was now placed before the writing staff (IE production codes). The Big Sleep Movie and Novel :: Movie Film comparison compare contrast The Big Sleep Movie and Novel On first inspection of Raymond Chandler's novel, The Big Sleep, the reader discovers that the story unravels quickly through the narrative voice of Philip Marlowe, the detective hired by the Sternwood family of Los Angeles to solve a mystery for them. The mystery concerns the General Sternwood's young daughter, and a one Mr. A. G. Geiger. Upon digging for the answer to this puzzle placed before Marlowe for a mere fee of $25 dollars a day plus expenses, Marlowe soon finds layers upon layers of mystifying events tangled in the already mysterious web of lies and deception concerning the Sternwood family, especially the two young daughters. When reading the novel, it is hard to imagine the story without a narrator at all. It certainly seems essential for the story's make-up to have this witty, sarcastic voice present to describe the sequence of events. Yet, there is a version of Chandler's novel that does not have an audible storyteller, and that version is the 1946 movie directed by Howard Hawks. Hawks' version of The Big Sleep is known to be one of the best examples of the film genre-film noir. "Film noir (literally 'black film,' from French critics who noticed how dark and black the looks and themes were of these films) is a style of American films which evolved in the 1940s." (The Internet Movie Database LTD). Film noir typically contains melancholy, and not so moral themes. Another characteristic of film noir is just because the main character has the title hero, that does not mean that he will always be alive at the end of the book, or that the hero is always "good." Marlowe in The Big Sleep is a prime example of this concept. In the novel it is questionable how lawfully moral he actually is, concerning the situation of turning Carmen into the police for killing Sean Regan. This aspect of Marlowe's character added yet another difficult task of formatting The Big Sleep to the big screen-the question of how the audience (media) might react to such a personality trait was now placed before the writing staff (IE production codes).

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman -- Yellow Wallpaper C

â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† by Charlotte Perkins Gilman Many intellectual artists, who are widely acclaimed for their literary work, live in a world characterized by â€Å"progressive insanity† (Gilman 20). Charlotte Perkins Gilman was one such individual. A writer during the early 20th century, Gilman suffered from bouts of deep depression, due part to her dissatisfaction with the limitations of her role as wife and mother. Her writing, particularly her famous story â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† reflects experiences from her personal life. In doing so, â€Å"she achieved some control over both her illness and her past† (Lane 128). Many people still admire the fact that Gilman wrote her piece â€Å"to save people from being driven crazy;† however, perhaps she wrote the story to rescue herself from the psychological distress that she often suffered. (Gilman 20) Many people find the conclusion of â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† problematic because the protagonist ends up insane. Others, however, have offered an alternative reading of the story, one which posits that the protagonist’s response to her profoundly oppressive situation is perhaps the most â€Å"normal† and â€Å"healthy† response to her. Clearly Gilman had a great deal to say about the restrictions placed on women in the early 20th century. â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† explores a young woman’s gradual psychological demise. In doing so, however, readers may also observe the gradual liberation of a woman. In â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper,† the narrator who is suffering from depression, takes a trip to the country for the summer, with her husband and their baby. Her husband has diagnosed his wife’s condition as merely â€Å"a temporary nervous depression† (Gilman 4) and he decides to move her to a nursery that is located at the top of the house. She is surrounded by ugly yellow wallpaper and barred windows. Disturbed by the wallpaper, she asks her husband for another room or different wallpaper; however, he refuses. The woman becomes increasingly unhappy as she is forced t occupy a room that she despises. In this deprived environment, the pattern of the wallpaper becomes increasingly compelling. The figure of a woman begins to take shape behind the pattern of the paper. At night the pattern becomes bars, and the woman in the wallpaper is imprisoned. As her imagination worsens, she frantically rips off the paper in order to free the woman she perceives i... ...se of the phrase â€Å"living paper† is quite effective. I used this quote because it symbolizes the importance and the effect of this inanimate object’s power over the tragic heroine. The word â€Å"living† is the most appropriate description for its power. Treichler, Paula: She states, â€Å"the female lineage that the wallpaper represents is thick with life, expression, and suffering† (193) It summarizes some of the main themes of the narrative. It restates the gender-related struggle and captivity that captures the true essence of this story. 2)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Shumaker, Conrad. Twentieth Century Literary Criticism. Vol. 37, 1990 p.195 He states that the husband is, â€Å"fearful and contemptuous of her imaginative and artistic powers, largely because fails to understand them or the view of the world they lead her to.† This quote describes the marital conflict between our heroine and her husband, hence the true struggle behind the story. 3)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lane, Ann J. To Herland and Beyond. 1990 p.130 She states, â€Å"frightened by the images of a baby, the one she has and the one she was.† This quote expresses a symbolic comparison between the hopelessness and helplessness of the heroine and that of her child.

Children and parents Essay

A new age man is a man that a man that believes in equality and shares all household chores with is partner exactly and contributes equally as much as the women. This is different from a house husband because this is a man who has had a complete role reversal and takes on the traditional role of a house wife and stays at home full time. We cannot generalise about role relationships across society because changes in role relationships have not occurred at the same pace or to the same extent through all sectors of society. Role relationships vary according to social class and ethnicity. Home based entertainment, for example DIY give spouses’ things in common which gives them a friendlier and more loving relationship. Contraception has allowed couples to have children later and also it means that a lot of couples choose to have smaller families or no children at all. This does not apply to some religions such as Catholics who do not believe in using contraception. Women can now plan when to start their families and to have children resulting in them planning them around their careers. Feminism is an approach that fights for the equal rights of women. This is a large factor in the changing equality in the home because more women demand to be treat as their partner’s equal. It has lead to the rejection of the housewife role. There is an increase in male unemployment more men have become more involved in domestic tasks. Jane Wheelock (1990) conducted research into this topic and found that men undertook a lot more housework and childcare while unemployed. One survey showed that mothers that also worked outside home had it worse because they still spend more hours on housework a week then they do at their paid place of work. On average these women spend 62 hours a week on house hold tasks were fathers who also worked only spent 23 hours on house work. Another survey shows that some traditional gender role are still being passed down to the younger generations( 1992-93) such as girls still taking more of a part in cooking, cleaning and child care but boys are doing more things for themselves like cleaning their own rooms, making beds and washing their own clothes. Sometimes sociologists say that social class and ethnicity change role relationships. It is suggested that working class families are more male dominated (patriarchal). Evidence proves that middle class conjugal relationships are more equal than working class ones but it is also said that working class fathers are more involved in childcare. It is believed that Asian families are usually based on unfair patriarchal relationships. Westwood and Bhachu (1988) challenge this idea arguing that images of the Asian family are usually based on prejudice and prejudgement. They point out that Asian families are in fact British families and are a strong source of resistance against the racism of British society. In reality there are ethnic differences between Asian people in Britain according to religion and social class, which makes it hard to generalise about the Asian family. Henriques and Slaugher talk about the patriarchal relationships between men and women. This means that the relationship is male dominated. They talk about the two different segregated roles. Relationships between children and parents have changed over time but it has always varied between working, middle and upper class families. Throughout the nineteenth century life chances varied a lot for different classes for children. A paid employee such as a nanny would often look after higher-class children. This would often separate their children from their parents and so it would be harder for them to develop a strong bond. Working class children on the other hand, especially boys would often have to start work very young. There was a wider range of jobs for boys were available but girls would often have to work in cotton factories. The hours would be long and the pay and conditions would often be unfair. Poverty prevented parents sending their children to school and sometimes they would only send their boys but keep the girls at home to teach them how to be a good housewife. Mothers would often have a close relationship with her daughter. People used to have children so they could send them out to work to earn money for the family. Sometimes parents thought that education just blocked this. Another reason why people used to have children was so they had someone to take care of them in old age. Factors that changed these relationships included the growth of the welfare state, which meant people no longer needed children to look after them in old age. Parents could no longer send children out to work at such a young age because of protective legislation, this meant that law including factory and mine acts stopped it. There was a growth of the meaning of childhood and they remained children for longer because of the state of education in 1870 meant you had to attend school. Children were given more attention by parents, media and toys invented a new childhood and children and parents spent more time together. Today the relationship is usually warmer and more caring than in the past. Children are seen as more important and taken a lot more seriously. There have been changing attitudes towards discipline and laws against hitting children in Scotland. It is now seen as wrong to hurt a child, if they do organisations (social services) get involved. There is more of an emphasis on freedom and children’s rights. Relationships are more children centred and because family sizes are smaller children get more attention. In 1976 a law was passed to say that the minimum age of leaving school was 16 and though a child can work before then the hours and law restricts times. This means that children are financially dependent on their families for long periods of time especially if they go on to further education. Children are fully dependent on their parents and this can sometimes bring stress and tension to the family. Not all relationships between child and parents have improved as sadly cruelty to children is still widespread and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) estimate that around 600 children are intentionally harmed by their parents each year.