Discuss the assoiated risks and benefits fo this context Essay

Discuss the assoiated risks and benefits fo this context - Essay Example This application allowed the sending and receiving of digital messages through a computer network. Each social networking site offers unique features. The social networking concept did not become popular until the year 2003 when social networking websites like Friendster, LinkedIn and MySpace were launched. In the year 2004, Facebook was launched but with certain restrictions. Facebook was accessible only to the college students until the year 2006 (Shih 2009). These social communities are built on the features of Web 2.0 technology; a platform for social website which allows group of web applications to provide ideological and technological basis for social networking websites and allows the web to exchange and design the user-generated content. Social networking websites are very informative and also help in finding locations of shops, restaurants, universities, banks etc. These websites facilitate communications between friends and relatives and help in improving the creativity sk ills of an individual by sharing opinions, stories, pictures and music. Social networking websites have benefitted teenagers, youth, school children and the business enterprises. It has transformed the process of communication. Social networking websites has become very mobile and can be accessed through gadgets like cellular phones, tablets etc. The use of social networking websites increased with the innovation of gadgets. Access of these websites from the cellular phone unlocks the full potential of social network and makes it more convenient for people to use them. Since it is more convenient to access through cellular phones and other gadgets, the number of users of cellular phones and social networking has increased significantly. Let us discuss the benefits associated with the usage of social networking websites: 1. The social networking websites helps in sharing of knowledge and spreading of information more than any other

Marketing Orientation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Marketing Orientation - Essay Example Both the methods are commonly employed. In this paper, we will employ the Narver and Slater methods to establish the scale for market orientation. Though both the said scales have their own advantages and disadvantages, the Narver and Slater scale has specific specialties to match the needs of a large organization. In the course of the study, the method will be employed for studying the McDonald's Restaurant chain which is very common and the questionnaire suggested by Narver and Slater was used to check the market orientation of this company. Market orientation of a firm has been found to have a strong and positive link with the performance of the company by a number of researchers (Matsuno, Mentzer and Ozsomer, 2002). There are also other research outcomes which are not in favor of such positive link (Han, Kim and Srivastava, 1998). A similar study of the same nature on small sized companies and retailers indicate that the retailers are more customer oriented compared to the small companies. Overall, though there are disputable claims on the market orientation on the performance of the company and the extent to which they are related, the counter claims do no augur well with the results that have been obtained in the field over a period of time. With a large economic growth and integration over the last decade, the effectiveness of the market orientation has been more pronounced on the performance of the company. Therefore, a number of methods have been evolved in order to measure the market orientation and to correlate performance vis--vis market orientation. Measuring Market Orientation Market orientation is measured using a number of methods. The works of Deshpande (1993) and that of Wrenn (1997) have helped in evolving a framework for the purpose. Market orientation, according to Narver and Slater (1990), comprises of three dimensions, viz., customer orientation, competitor orientation and inter-functional coordination. While the suggestion of Kohli and Jarowski on Market orientation looked at a complete process of the company and the impact of market orientation on the entire process. If the impact on every one of the processes is gauged then the same can be the metric for market orientation. The method suggested by Narver and Slater has been adopted in this paper. This divides the entire framework of measurement into three dimensions. A questionnaire has been suggested by the researchers that comprises of fourteen different questions primarily grouped under the three heads already cited. The method employs a seven factor scale that will help in judging the size of the orientation by summing the response for every one of the identified factors. This works as a perception of the person on the specific factor and the company's orientation as viewed by the customer or the employ or the vendor. This provides for a 360 degree rating of the company in the prescribed matter. Sample Organization and its market orientation The organization taken into consideration is the McDonalds, the restaurant chain in the US and the World. McDonalds has changed its approach to the market and its market orientation is pretty high; particularly, because of its service oriented nature. This has made the company respond to the needs of the clients much more swiftly than some of the other companies that are not

Social Contract And Immanuel Kant Philosophy Essay

Social Contract And Immanuel Kant Philosophy Essay In a society that the people are free to do as they see fit and are governed by natural laws, where individuals can abuse and exploit of one another and there is no fear of consequences is known as the state of nature.  [i]  When individuals give up a little of their freedom to do as they like, and voluntarily agree to obey laid down laws (civil laws) to have protection of life and ownership of property, this agreement is known as the social contract. The political philosophers would explain the social contract theory as individuals giving power to the government (state) to govern over them in exchange for protection.  [ii]  It must not be misinterpreted that an individual, who is under the social contract has to give up their total freedom rather, the person is still at liberty to do as they please so far as it does not cause harm or impede on another individuals freedom. Giving up this freedom under the social contract is viewed as a benefit to the society. The social contract which brings into existence a well ordered society state of states, is said to be of three key elements. The first element is an imagery of how a society will be like with no laws, under the state of nature  [iii]  . People would be exploited, abused and there will be no fear of justice since they are free to do as they like and are not confined by any laws that restrict them from doing unto others as they please. Individuals attempt to escape from such brutality brings about the second element which is recognizing the state to have the power to bring about order and stability to a society; recognizing the sovereign power  [iv]  . The third element is the obligation of the people under the social contract to respect and obey the laid down laws by the state  [v]  . In their obedience to these laws they are showing gratitude to the state for securing an organized and stable society. Some philosophers believe though, that the social contract is imposed on society to demonstrate the structure of rationality.  [vi]   Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) born in Eastern Prussia was a German philosopher and an idealist. The author of Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, in his book he defines morality as an action that is not determined by its consequences, only by the intentions behind it  [vii]  . He believes that a persons intention to do good or bad justifies the action as good or bad. For example when a person finds a bag of money and the persons intention is to report it to the police, according to Kant this makes the person good (moral). But if the outcome is different from the supposed intention that is, the person ends up keeping the money, the person is still seen as good; In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing it  [viii]  . The outcome of the action whether good or bad should not be considered in determining an action as moral but only the original intention. These actions are said to be motivated by duty and incli nation. Duty is an action that has been outlined by society to be in the right moral direction. Duty is described in four cases; (i) when actions are contrary to duty (e.g. stealing) (ii) when actions are dutiful because of fear of penalty (e.g. paying taxes) (iii) when duty is in accordance to ones inclination (e.g. labor of love) and (iv) actions that are in accordance to duty but contrary to inclination (e.g. not committing suicide despite being in unbearable distress).  [ix]  Duty is seen to be morally worthy because it is approved by society whereas inclination is seen as praise worthy because it is motivated by emotions. He argues that people are more concerned about their self-interest as such, when they act in accordance to their inclinations then they are acting out of self-interest, but since duty is determined by society it will contrast with their self-interest thereby making it moral. Kants moral theory is centered on a system that distinguishes a moral from a maxim known as the categorical imperative. A maxim is the principle or general rule that determines an actions moral worth  [x]  . When a maxim has contradictions then it cannot be considered as a moral maxim  [xi]  , an example used is when a person borrows money and promises to pay knowing very well he wont. This cannot be willed as a moral maxim then because everybody will promise and fail and people with needs will be seen as liars. His attempt to solve the problem of morality and solidify his theory brought about the categorical imperative  [xii]  . The categorical imperative is seen as a criterion for determining obligatory and forbidden actions and is made up of three formulations; (i) universal moral law, (ii) treat people as ends and (iii) the kingdom of ends.  [xiii]   The first formulation, the universal moral law looks at how ones maxim can be accepted by another person, in other words, can your maxim be accepted by all and will everybody feel the same about it. Act only on that maxim which you can, at the same time will it to be a universal law  [xiv]  . For example my maxim is when I borrow something from somebody I like to return it as soon as I am done using it. The real test here is can this be universally adopted and willingly accepted. A universal maxim should also have the ability to remain consistent. If a maxim passes the test, then the maxim is morally accepted and is seen as permissible but if it fails then that maxim should be disregarded and forbidden. When weighing a maxim as a universal law there is no exception, an individuals maxim should not only apply to others around him but should also be applicable to him, and he must accept it with no hesitations. The second formulation which is treat people as ends explains how we should see people as ends and not as means to an end. People can be seen as both means to an end and as end at the same time, but never should they be treated as means to an end only  [xv]  . An example is a man who makes a false promise to a friend so as to secure a loan. The friend here is seen as a mean to attaining his self-interest. He argues that people in themselves are ends, it is therefore wrong to use people to satisfy our selfish desires. Kant believes that in doing so; treating people as a means, we deny them the importance of their humanity. By disrespecting their personhood and dignity and not recognizing them as rational individuals we deny them of their humanity  [xvi]  and we denial ourselves as well of the importance of humanity. The third formulation the kingdom of ends can be seen as a totality of the two formulations. With this formulation we are urged to imagine ourselves as the law makers in the kingdom of ends. The kingdom of ends is an imaginary state whose laws protect an individuals autonomy  [xvii]  . In this kingdom we put our maxims to the test to satisfy the two formulations; universal moral law and treat people as ends. When these maxims satisfy the conditions of the formulations, that is, they become universally adopted and accepted, and people are treated as ends and not means to an end, then the maxims can be known as a moral law. A society that acquired its laws by the means of using the system of the categorical imperatives to Kant is an ideal society because the society is based on moral laws. Kant views a society under the social contract as a society based on moral laws. Under the social contract individual desires are not used in determining the law, but rather the maxim that satisfies the conditions of the categorical imperative  [xviii]  . To Kant this is ideal because the state addresses the wants of the people and not the desires of a particular group. He uses an example the war tax to support his argument explaining; when the state imposes a fair tax that is just, citizens cannot argue against it because the state might have legitimate reasons for imposing the tax that citizens are not aware of  [xix]  . This goes to justify the state concentrating on benefits of the society rather than benefits of an individual. This is Kants description of an ideal society under the social contract. CRITICISM Kants theory is based on having an ideal society that is based on moral laws. These moral laws have been acquired by the use of categorical imperatives; the criterion for determining a moral, therefore making these laws ideal. He believes that when a society is governed by these laws then people treat each other as equals and our conscience will prevent us from doing otherwise  [xx]  . Arthur Schopenhauer a German philosopher disagrees with Kants theory saying, the categorical imperatives speaks before the deed but the conscience after the deed. He argues that the conscience cannot act as a deterrent against people having their freedom impeded, since it is an afterthought after the deed has been done. The social contract is an ideal society which seeks to bring order and safety to the people under a government. Kants formulations of the moral laws by using the categorical imperatives are fascinating theoretically but do not seem to hold in real life; the universal moral law, treating people as ends rather than means to an end and kingdoms of ends. Kants ideal society using these imperatives might be a solution to finding laws that will be accepted by all and obeyed as well, since we how we feel about these laws help in their formulation.

The Attempts to Present English Art :: English Art Artists England History Essays

The Attempts to Present English Art â€Å"Britain had one century of painting.† Elie Faure’s statement summarizes best what critics, art researchers and collectors haven’t had the space, the heart or the inspiration to say in their restless attempts to present English Art. WHY? To answer this question we must take into account more than history and documents, we must evaluate the essence, the soul of the creator, of the English man. Andrew Crawley describes in his book (â€Å"England†), the English people as being profoundly conservative.The English men feel, instinctively, that the present is not only the creation of the contemporaries, but also the result of the work of many past generations. For them, everything is related to the past, which, thus, becomes the origin of the present. The English man’s being conservative is only a habit, derived from his deep understanding of reality. His practical sense, which has been widely acknowledged, must be attributed to this perception he has on reality. This leads to his native ability of adapting and assimilating the â€Å"new†. The English man is closely related to history and he permanently gains practical advice from it. This kind of peaceful bonding between a people and its history, during these stormy centuries of fight and rebellion (the XVIIIth and the XIXth centuries), which singles out the British people from the other European nations, creates an equilibrium which is incompatible with such artistic manifestations as painting. The practical Puritan spirit refuse painting and, when it finally emerges this mentality makes it lose her way. The English soul subordinates the highest aspirations to material necessities. It extends over the Universe the power of reason; Bacon gives an immediate and practical purpose to knowledge; the merchants organize their own materialistic Republic; â€Å"the Round Heads impose on the Republic their own strict rules. In this world there is no place for painting; the imaginary world of Shakespeare is enough to satisfy and relax its entire soul.

Capital cost Essay

Q1. Bob Richards, the production manager of Zychol Chemicals, in Houston, Texas, is preparing his quarterly report, which is to include a productivity analysis for his department. One of the inputs is production data prepared by Sharon Walford, his operations analyst. The report, which she gave him this morning, showed the following: 2008 2009 Production (units) 4,500 6,000 Raw material used (barrels of petroleum by-products) 700 900 Labor hours 22,000 28,000 Capital cost applied to the department ($) $375,000 $620,000 Bob knew that his labor cost per hour had increased from an average of $13 per hour to an average of $14 per hour, primarily due to a move by management to become more competitive with a new company that had just opened a plant in the area. He also knew that his average cost per barrel of raw material had increased from $320 to $360. He was concerned about the accounting procedures that increased his capital cost from $375,000 to $620,000, but earlier discussions with his boss suggested that there was nothing that could be done about that allocation. Bob wondered if his productivity had increased at all. He called Sharon into the office and conveyed the above information to her and asked her to prepare this part of the report. Prepare the productivity part of the report for Mr. Richards. He probably expects some analysis of productivity inputs for all factors, as well as a multifactor analysis for both years with the change in productivity (up or down) and the amount noted. Management’s expectation for departments such as Mr. Richards’s is an annual productivity increase of 5%. Did he reach this goal? Q2. Samsang Manufacturing Inc., manufacturers DVD players for commercial use. Holland Samsang, president of Samsang Manufacturing Inc., is contemplating producing DVD players for home use. The activities necessary to build an experimental model and related data are given in the following table: Activity Normal time (weeks) Crash time (weeks) Normal cost ($) Crash cost ($) Immediate predecessor(s) A 3 2 1000 1600

AIU Human Resources Essay

To the head of AIU: In this message I would like to inform you about the relationship between job satisfaction and the age, this relationship will help in providing a clear indication of the best workers to employ in a company depending on satisfaction, the more satisfied the workers are then the higher is their productivity level and therefore companies should employ more satisfied workers. Summary of the survey participants: Gender: The following is a survey on some workers in a company and this email reports on the findings about the overall satisfaction of workers, the study included a total of 29 participants where 19 of them were male and 10 were female, the following chart summarizes the distribution of male and female in percentage: From the above chart it is evident that the probability of picking a male from the sample is 64.52% while the probability of picking a female from the sample is 34.48%. Tenure: Regarding tenure it was evident that 21.05% of males and 10% of female had worked at the company for less than two years, 57.89% of males and 50% of females have worked with the company for 2 to 5 years, finally 21.05% of males and 40% of females have worked with the company for over 5 years. The following table summarizes the results: MALE FEMALE Less than 2 years 21.05% 10.00% 2 to 5 years 57.89% 50.00% Over 5 Years 21.05% 40.00% From the table it is evident that majority of both males and females have worked with the company for 2 to 5 years, however the less females have worked with the company for less than two years. Department: There are three departments namely Human Resources, Information Technology and Administration, in this case the following was the distribution of participants in each department: From the chart it is evident that most of the participants were from the administration department, the least number of participants were from the information technology department. Satisfaction: The participants were asked to identify the level of intrinsic satisfaction, extrinsic satisfaction and overall satisfaction; the following tables summarize the mean values of satisfaction: MEAN MALE OVERALL 4.65 INTRINSIC 4.78 EXTRINSIC 4.81 MEAN FEMALE OVERALL 5.39 INTRINSIC 5.62 EXTRINSIC 4.62 From the table the mean value for overall and intrinsic satisfaction for female is greater than the mean value for the male; however the mean value of extrinsic satisfaction for males is greater than that for the females. Therefore from the above we can conclude that females are more satisfied than males. Age: The participants by age were categorized into three groups, this include those aged below 21, those aged between 22 and 49 and those above 50 years, the table below summarizes the results: participants percentage 21 and under 5 17.24% 22-49 17 58.62% 50 and over 7 24.14% From the table more participants were aged between the age of 22 and 49 years and that less participants were aged 21 years and below. Position: There are those participants that are hourly employees and the salaried employees, from the survey it was evident that more employees were salaried and this comprised of 58.62% of the participant; the table below summarizes the results. Hourly Employee (Overtime Eligible) 12 41.38% Salaried Employee (No Overtime) 17 58.62% Relationship between satisfaction and age: The following table below represents the mean level of satisfaction for the age groups OVERALL INTRINSIC EXTRINSIC 21 and under 4.34 4.02 5.78 22-49 4.69411765 5.317647059 4.8294118 50 and over 5.81428571 5.228571429 3.8 Overall satisfaction: There is an increase in the mean level of overall satisfaction as the age increases, from this reason those aged 50 and above years have the highest level of overall satisfaction, therefore these individuals will tend to be more productive in the company, for this reason the company should employ older people in the organization to realize the advantage of satisfied workers. Regarding intrinsic satisfaction it is clear that those aged below 21 years have the lowest intrinsic satisfaction while those aged 22 to 49 years have the highest mean level of intrinsic satisfaction, finally regarding extrinsic satisfaction those aged 50 years and above have the lowest extrinsic satisfaction. Conclusion: From the above discussion it is evident that age is an important factor to consider when employing individuals, a company should employ individuals aged between 22 years and 49 years this is due to the simple reason that they will work in the company for many years and also will have higher levels of intrinsic, extrinsic and overall satisfaction. Surveys: A survey is a study on all the individuals in a given population or a chosen number of participants using the sampling techniques, example of a survey is a country census that involves all individuals in the country. A census is used by the government to determine the population size and therefore decision on provision of social amenities is made easier. In a survey there is need to include the names of the individuals involved in order to keep the information private, to ensure that the information is unbiased there is a need to have a standard data collection tool, there is also a need to ensure that there are ways in which the consistence of information by a participant is checked. Time is an important factor to consider, there is need to have ample time for preparation of a survey, this is because if one wants to use questionnaires then one has to prepare the questionnaire and then pretest it. References: Robert Mason and Douglas Lind (1997) Statistics: An Introduction, Duxbury Press, New York