Understanding Behaviours and Attitudes Towards Social...

Contents | | | Contents | | | 1. Research Topic 1 2. Introduction 1 3. Conceptual Framework 2 a. Engaging with Social Networking Sites b. Attitudes and behaviour towards social networking sites c. How people use social networking sites 4. Research Strategy 4 5. Methodology 7 6. Conclusion 8 7. References 9 Research Topic Understanding behaviours and attitudes towards Social Networking Introduction The fast development of social networking that has been detected over the last 2-3 years is indicative of its entry into straight life and it’s mixed with our daily lives. In addition to this, there has†¦show more content†¦The site users come under five distinct groups. These are as follows: * Leading Socialisers – (a minority) people who are using sites intentionally to encounter new folks, flirt and to be entertained. * Attention Seekers – (some) are those people who need attention and comments from others online, normally by posting photos and edit their profiles. * Followers – (many) are those people who joined SNS to follow what their peers are doing. * Faithful – (many) people who normally use SNS to renew old friendships, sometimes from school or university. * Functional – (a minority) those person who wants to be single while using SNS for a specific purpose. * Focussed – (Mostly business users - Recently added user g roup) Some users of the sites will create the profile to research the market’s response in a specific geography for the predictions of their business in their geography. Also, as this is an easier way to reach a wider and global consumer base, many corporate houses globally are using these social sites to advertise or endorse their products and promotions. Non-users comes under into different groups Non-users come under three groups; these are the group those who don’t use the SNS: * Concerned about safety – those people who are concerned about safety online, in specific creation personal details accessible online. According to Smith (2007),Show MoreRelatedThe Relationship Between Brands And Consumers On Consumer Behavior1705 Words   |  7 Pagesconsumers, an understanding on the effects the Internet has on both the brands and the consumers must be recognized. Further to this, the paper will research the characteristics of the Internet, the communication models, the market environment and the impact the Internet has on consumer behaviour. The Internet is an extremely efficient medium for accessing and communicating information. 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By applying psychology and sociology disciplines to the hypothetical study can help explain theRead MoreMarketing Is The Core Of Communication Between A Corporation And Its Target Audience1428 Words   |  6 Pagesaudience, facilitated by widespread consumption and significantly influenced by consumer demand. It also serves as a platform that allows a company’s message to exploit media platforms in the attempt to gain a successful customer response and induce behaviours that will propel economic expansion. Despite the indisputable benefits of marketing to companies and consumers, the occasional antagonistic motives behind its evident necessity is a point of interest because of how marketing approaches are beingRead MoreSocial Networking Site14603 Words   |  59 PagessCHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction- Social Networking Sites Few years back, usage of social networking sites became popular around the world. Social networking sites are also known as social networking website. Social networking sites (SNSs) are increasingly attracting the attention of academic and industry researchers’ fascinated by their affordances and reach. Social networking sites are web-base service that building an online community of people that share same interest, or activitiesRead MoreExamine and Assess the Influence of Other People on Human Behaviour and Performance.1704 Words   |  7 PagesOption B essay question Examine and assess the influence of other people on human behaviour and performance. This essay will examine and assess the influence of other people on human behaviour and performance, starting with Adorno et al (1950)s large-scale study on the authoritarian personality with its focus on the parental and family influence as well as alternative explanations, including evidence that multiple factors influence the formation of authoritarianism. It will then go on

Ph Business Skill Management Tool Beam Scenario Ideas

PH Business Skill Management Tool Beam Scenario Ideas Summary Level of Development Problem Solving Strategic Thinking Root Cause Analysis Plan, Do, Study, Act Critical factors for success Identifying and Mitigating risks Health and Well-Being for All, Focus: Asthma As a county public health official you have a goal to Improve the county’s profile on RWJF’s County Health Rankings. In order to achieve this you are trying to outline a plan to address the high rates of childhood asthma in the community. Here is a case that illustrates the problems faced. Raeshawn is an 11-year-old African-American boy who experiences difficulty breathing during gym class at school. He’s had prior hospitalizations due to his asthma. He lives in a housing†¦show more content†¦Roger, 54, lives in Atlanta with wife and 2 school age children, salesman for large company. Does his best to have a healthy lifestyle, but discovers he has high blood pressure. Decides to reduce sodium intake on Dr. advice. Whole family gets onboard, discover that most food they buy contain too much sodium. Struggle to find alternatives. Community Health Worker and nutritionist works with Pharmacy at Grocery store and gives them tips and documents on how to shop and cook low sodium items. For Kids, Mom asks to see nutrition facts for school lunches. Shocked to discover too much sodium. Roger s employer starts a health contest. One category is sodium intake. The employer provide trainers and nutrition advisers in gym at work. Soon Roger s blood pressure improved. Fully developed case study with questionnaire, tools, and reference material Problem Solving Strategic Thinking Root Cause Analysis Critical factors for success Identifying and Mitigating risks Case Study: Promoting Childhood Vaccination in Washington State: Overcoming Vaccine Hesitance As a State Health official, your main objective is to propose a feasible implementation plan for a population-based approach to increase childhood vaccination in Washington. Here is a case study followed by a series ofShow MoreRelatedManaging Risks of Hazardous Chemicals20269 Words   |  82 PagesCode of Practice was released for public consultation on 26 September 2011and was endorsed by the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council on [to be completed]. SCOPE AND APPLICATION This Code provides practical guidance for persons conducting a business or undertaking on how to manage health and safety risks in relation to hazardous chemicals. This Code applies to substances, mixtures and articles used, handled or stored at the workplace which are defined as hazardous chemicals under the WHSRead MoreCost Accounting134556 Words   |  539 PagesSolutions Manual for COST ACCOUNTING Creating Value for Management Fifth Edition MICHAEL MAHER University of California, Davis Table of Contents Chapter 1 Cost Accounting: How Managers User Cost Accounting Information Chapter 15 Using Differential Analysis for Production Decisions Chapter 2 Cost Concepts and Behaviour Chapter 16 Managing Quality and Time Chapter 3 Cost System Design: An Overview Chapter 17 Planning and Budgeting Chapter 4 Job Costing Chapter

Is there any relief to the grimness in section one of 1984 Free Essays

In the dystopian society Orwell creates in 1984 there is an overwhelming, yet unsettlingly familiar sense of irony; the omnipotent leaders of Oceania, Big Brother and the inner party members, claim to be controlling the everyday lives of the citizens in order to bring them a better life, ‘for the good of the party’ and ‘our new, happy life’. However, this is the distinct opposite to the reality Winston Smith lives in; a totalitarian state which professes to bring hope and happiness, yet in actuality drains any sense of optimism and joy. In a place bereft of any hope, Winston Smith finds himself desperately searching for a sense of individuality and relief. We will write a custom essay sample on Is there any relief to the grimness in section one of 1984? or any similar topic only for you Order Now It would be wrong to assume, however, that Orwell’s society is completely and utterly deprived of solace, there are, at least in section, one faint glimmers of hope, small fragments to which Winston clings; a person he sees in the corridor, the masses of lower classes, the diary in which he writes. There are little details in Winston’s life that do bring a sense of relief; the fact that luckily his room contains an area in which he can remain unseen by the telescreens. This offers him a minute place of solitude in a society where Big Brother is omnipresent. The presence of his diary and his pen, there is relief in the fact that he is able to write, even if it is extremely dangerous to do so. Remnants of the past can still be found in some places, the paper weight Winston finds, for example becomes something beautiful and rare that brings colour to the grimness of his situation. The shop in itself appears to be a place of hope, Winston finds himself strangely drawn back to it. Full of memories and paraphernalia of the past it offers some relief to the dark and bleak present. Winston also finds relief in people, evidently the wrong ones as the reader later finds out, but nonetheless the character of O’Brien appeals to him, † we shall meet in a place where there is no darkness† Winston is told by him and this gives him hope. He writes his diary to O’ Brien and thinks this may be the only person who understands and feels the same way, offering him a sense of comfort ‘†I am with you†¦. I am on your side† O’ Brien seems to be saying’ and although Winston is gravely mistaken, there is some relief that he believes somebody empathises with him, this gives him faith. â€Å"Proles and animals are free† states the party slogan, and Winston believes with conviction that the only prominent hope are within these ‘swarming disregarded masses’. The proles seem free, whereas the rest of the population is indoctrinated and docile. The proles can express themselves, they are allowed to be passionate even if it only about beer and the lottery. It is ironic that passion can also be evoked in the outer and inner party members, yet this passion is in relation to ‘the two minute hate’ and to Big Brother, rather than a passion for freedom and for hope. Thus continuously Orwell writes that ‘if there is hope, it lies in the Proles’. Orwell himself states that the proles â€Å"represent real human beings with their emotions intact and not driven out of them. † Winston recognises that the Proles are the key to change, as they are the only people capable of thinking for themselves. However this is only a limited relief, the proles have been tamed and occupied by the party, they are allowed certain freedom because they do not have the ability to rebel, as Orwell writes they are not conscious of their own strength, â€Å"Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious. † To that end hope may indeed lie with the proles yet it seems unlikely to amount to the rebellion needed to bring relief to Oceania. The idea that logic, tautologies and mathematics can never be truly altered is a key theme throughout 1984, in section one there is still hope and optimism in these fields, or so Winston beliefs. â€Å"Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two makes four. If that is granted, all else follows. † This belief gives Winston something to hold on to, he knows that it is true and it offers a sort of promise that at least something is inalterable. Winston wonders whether if everybody believed that two plus two makes five, it be considered truth. Yet the fact remains that although history is rewritten, and events and people erased, no bureaucracy can alter the universal laws of maths. In section one Memory features as an outlet for relief and a place of hope, although it is evident that people do not remember the past as well as they should, Winston still has vague recollections and images from his past, the images of his mother and sister haunt him, but at least they show that there was something before. proles remember lottery†¦.. remembers songs†¦.. †¦ shop keeper memory†¦. man in pub†¦ 984 is often described as a warning to the future; Oceania has strong parallels with Stalin’s Russia and the message still resonates with the modern reader familiar with the sense of paranoia and increasing government restrictions in light of international events. Perhaps hope can be drawn from Orwell’s footnote in the beginning pages, stating that ‘newspeak’ was the official language, the past tense suggests, as propounded by Margaret Atwood, that the dystopia was not eternal. For Winston Smith, in the immediate present of Oceania, there is a small sense of relief, yet only perhaps because he is looking for it. He perceives himself to be different from the rest of the outer party members and this helps him to find some relief, yet at the same time also mentally tortures him as he wonders if he is a lunatic, ‘ a minority of one’. Although there is some relief to the grimness in section one, there is not quite enough to combat the totalitarian control of Big Brother, it seems that Winston Smith eventually starts to take risks, not because he is hopeful or experience relief, but because he becomes even more apathetic towards his own existence. How to cite Is there any relief to the grimness in section one of 1984?, Papers

Concept of Demand in Managerial Economics Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Chocolate Makers Fight a Melting Supply of Cocoa. Answer: Chocolate Makers Fight a Melting Supply of Cocoa Last year, chocolate manufacturers experienced pressure to satisfy the increasing demand for chocolate from all over the world. In the article, Chocolate Makers Fight a Melting Supply of Cocoa one can identify the concepts of demand and supply for cocoa as the main economic phenomena in the article. Essentially, this piece reports that the demand for cocoa and chocolate has increased substantially in the recent past (Wexler, 2016). On the other hand, the supply of the commodity has been diminishing over the past few years. In turn, this has led to substantial increases in the price of cocoa and associated products despite general decreases in the price of other commodities in the world market. Fundamentally, the forces of demand and supply work together to influence the general prices of the commodity in the market. Given the diminishing supply of the product, chocolate manufacturers such as Mondelez have taken an active role to boost the productivity of cocoa farms in Ghana in order to secure a steady supply in the future (Wexler, 2016). Markedly, the cocoa manufacturers set aside one billion US dollars to help boost the productivity of cocoa farmers and increase their output (Wexler, 2016). Mainly, this will achieved through increasing farmers information about productive farming practices. In turn, this is expected to create a balance between the demand and supply of the commodity in the world market. The Concept of Demand The concept of demand is a fundamental component of economics. Primarily, it pertains to the relationship between the prices of a service or good and the amounts of the commodity that consumers are able, willing and ready to purchase at a given price (Moffatt, 2016). Essentially, the specific quantity desired for a product at a particular price is the quantity demand (Demand, 2016). It is noteworthy that the demand for chocolate has been increasing substantially in the recent past. Mainly, one can attribute this to the fact that the number of consumers in India and China has increased (Wexler, 2016). Predominantly, consumers desire to consume bars and bonbons which were initially regarded as expensive and unaffordable luxuries has increased in the recent past. According to an analysis conducted by Euromonitor International, the global demand for chocolate rose by approximately 0.6 percent (Wexler, 2016). More precisely, the demand for the commodity was estimated at 7.1 million tons as at 2015 (Wexler, 2016). Characteristically, this increase in demand was highest in Asia, which experienced an upsurge in demand by about 5.9 percent (Wexler, 2016). Graphical illustration of the demand for chocolate as at 2015 Source: (Moffatt, 2016). Concept of Supply Just like demand, the concept of supply is a vital phenomenon in contemporary economics. Typically, supply refers to the relationship between the quantity of a commodity that producers are willing, able and ready to offer for sale to consumers at a particular price. Generally, it is the total amount of a service or product that is available for purchase in the market at a given price. Often supply is meant to meet the demand for a product in the commodity. Over the recent past, the supply of cocoa has been diminishing significantly. In turn, this has led to a mismatch between the available supply and demand for the product, thus creating pressure on world prices to rise (Davidson, 2014). A report by the International Cocoa Organization indicated that the supply of cocoa, the main component in the production of chocolate fell by about 3.9 percent (Wexler, 2016). More precisely, the global production of the product declined by about 4.2 million tons in that year. Likewise, the level of cocoa output in Ghana dwindled by around 18 percent (Wexler, 2016). Mainly, the suppressed level of output is attributed to the increase in disease attacks on cocoa plantations, dry weather, and unfavorable changes in government policy. In contrast, in the same year, the level of output in Ivory Coast increased by approximately 2.8 percent (Wexler, 2016). Fundamentally, this is because farmers in Ivory Coast received substantial financial aid as well as information to enhance and boost their productivity (Wexlers, 2015). Even so, the overall supply of cocoa in the world market decreased significantly. Graphical illustration of supply of cocoa Source: (Moffatt, 2017). Analysis In an open market economy, the concepts of demand and supply work together to determine the equilibrium price level. For this reason, the law of demand and supply work intermittently. As such, an increase in the level of demand over and above the available supply of a commodity creates pressure on the price of a product, thereby forcing it to rise (Glanfield, 2014). In the same way, the sustained increase in the demand for cocoa and chocolate in the world market amidst a diminishing supply has brought about substantial increases in the price of chocolate (Glanfield, 2014). It is imperative to note that the demand for cocoa is estimated to continue outstripping the aggregate supply of the product in the immediate future. Fundamentally, one can attribute this to the fact that the supply of cocoa is relatively inelastic because it takes several years for the cocoa plant to mature and produce pods. In addition to this, most cocoa farms in Ghana and Ivory Coast are characterized by old age trees which have diminishing productivity. As such, these crops have passed their peak production and thus are highly unproductive. To make matters worse, climate change in the region characterized by below average rainfalls has adversely affected the overall production of cocoa in the Ivory Coast and Ghana. Furthermore, the production of cocoa in Ghana was also affected by the change in the government subsidy program. Cumulatively, these factors have contributed largely to the diminished production of cocoa in the world market. However, efforts by Mondelez and other manufacturers aim at correcting this issue to facilitate an increase in cocoa supply. Over time, the supply of cocoa will meet its demand and keep global chocolate prices in check References Concept of Demand in Managerial Economics. MBA Knowledge Base. Retrieved on 29 April. 2017from https://www.mbaknol.com/managerial-economics/concept-of-demand-in-managerial-economics/. Wexxler, A. (2016). Chocolate Makers Fight a Melting Supply of Cocoa. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on 29 April. 2017from https://www.wsj.com/articles/chocolate-makers-fight-a-melting-supply-of-cocoa-1452738616. Moffatt, A. (2016). The Economics of Demand - Concept Overview. ThoughtCo. Retrieved on 29 April. 2017 from https://www.thoughtco.com/the-economics-of-demand-1146965. Davidson, L. (2014). Dont panic, but we could be running out of chocolate. The Telegraph. Retrieved on 29 April. 2017 from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11236558/Dont-panic-but-we-could-be-running-out-of-chocolate.html. Cocoa Market Statistics. World Cocoa Foundation. Retrieved on 29 April. 2017 from https://www.worldcocoafoundation.org/about-cocoa/cocoa-market-statistics/ Glanfield, E. (2014). Choc horror: It might be Easter but the world is running out of chocolate because demand in China is outstripping cocoa bean production and forcing prices up. Mail Online. Retrieved on 29 April. 2017 from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2608359/Choc-horror-It-Easter-world-running-chocolate-demand-China-outstripping-cocoa-bean-production-forcing-prices-up.html. Moffatt, A. (2017). The Economics of Supply. ThoughtCo. Retrieved on 29 April. 2017 from https://www.thoughtco.com/the-economics-of-supply-1147942.

The Apprenticeship Of Duddy Kravitz--The Tragic Fall Of Duddy Essays (

The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz--The Tragic Fall of Duddy A man must pursue his dreams. This is certainly true for everyone of the humankind, for if there were no dreams, there would be no reason to live. Duddy Kravitz understands this perfectly, that is why he is one of the most ambitious young men of his time. From the moment he hears his grandfather says, "A man without land is nobody," he is prepared to seek the land of his dream -- no matter what the cost would be. This ambition of his is very respectable, but unfortunately his methods are damnable. Duddy is a relentless pursuer; a formidable competitor and also a ruthless manipulator. It is true that he has obtained all the land that he desires at the end, but he succeeds through immoral, despicable and contemptible means. It is clear then, that Duddy has failed in his apprenticeship and has become the "scheming little bastard" that Uncle Benjy has warned him against. There is no doubt that Duddy is very shrewd and clever, but his lack of moral principles attributes to his final failure. In fact, his immorality can be traced back to a very young age. During his study in the parochial school, he already earns money through methods that hardly comply to virtues of any kind. Taking advantage of the fact that minors cannot be sued in Canada, Duddy defrauds stamp companies and sells stolen hockey sticks. Perhaps he cannot distinguish right from wrong; perhaps he does not care, but nonetheless it is not proper for him to engage himself into these kinds of activities. Duddy emerges himself deeper into the sea of corruption when he establishes Dudley Kane Enterprises. With his limited knowledge of movie making and his mistaken trust in John Friar, his firm produces bar-mitzvah films of extremely poor quality. The bar-mitzvah film for Mr. Cohen, for example, is obviously a failing product. "Duddy didn't say a word all through the screening but afterwards he was sick to his stomach." After the screening, Duddy says to Mr. Friar, "I could sell Mr. Cohen a dead horse easier than this pile of --." However, realizing the obvious faultiness of the film, Duddy does not talk candidly to his client. Instead, he untruthfully says that the film is a phenomenal piece of art and that he is entering it into the Cannes Festival. By doing so, he deceives the Cohen family into buying the defective bar-mitzvah film of Bernie. As a matter of fact, Kravitz is not only skillful in handling situations, but he is also very apt in manipulating people. This can be clearly seen in his relationships with Virgil and Yvette. Duddy is never loved in his family, so originally Duddy is quite content to know that there is someone who cares about him -- Yvette. He finds great comradeship in her and has also enjoyed great sex with her. But as time passes by, Yvette becomes only a tool to him. He uses her as a medium through which he can buy the land that he lusts for; because he is a minor and he cannot legally own land. "The farmers would be wary of a young Jew, they might jack up prices or even refuse to sell, but another French-Canadian would not be suspect." Duddy also treats her as a sexual toy. He makes love with Yvette whenever he wants it, but he does not take Yvette's feelings into consideration: "Yvette wanted to wait, but Duddy insisted, and they made love on the carpet." He never pays any respect to Yvette and he does "...not know how to treat a woman." With Virgil, Duddy takes advantage of his physical disabilities. After selling the pinball machines that Virgil brought him to ease his financial troubles, Duddy does not want to repay Virgil. Using the fact that Virgil is an epileptic and that it is very difficult for him to be hired, Duddy employs him as a driver. But Duddy tells him that a truck would be necessary for the task, and that he can provide Virgil with the perfect vehicle for one thousand dollars -- the exact amount that he owes Virgil. Virgil is innocent enough not to know what is happening. He is also very grateful and flattered to know that Mr. Kravitz is willing to hire him. He accepts the job immediately, and thus, Duddy does not need to reimburse Virgil. It is quite ironic that Duddy, being such a good manipulator of people,

Business-Technology Alignment - Smart Custom Writing Samples

Business-Technology Alignment - Smart Custom Writing Innovative processThe innovative process is important for companies that want to realize their objective in the competitive and consumer driven market. Hassell (2003) says that the systems used in the innovative process are the most complex both in technical and social terms. Hassell (2003) says that the most commonly used model of the innovation process is the liner model. The four phases include research, development, evaluation or demonstration, and deployment phases. The first phase is known as the research phase. Starbuck will embark on researching on the problem and inventing a solution conceptually and not physically. Shapiro (2002) says that the purpose of this step is to learn how to use data more flexibly and it will help the team at Starbuck to create and find new perspectives on everyday facts and figures as far as their products are concerned.   During this phase the team involved in the innovation process will explore relationships and patterns between the existing products in order to open the door to truly revolutionary insights. Schwartz (2006) says that despite how the innovation is started the problem needs a proper description. Starbuck as a company should involve more people in order to come up with detailed and explicit representation of the problem. The second phase will involve development of a viable prototype of a solution or product protype. During this step Hassell (2003) says that once an invention is found in the first phase through research and brain-storming, it is refined and perfected through the development process. The team at Starbuck will develop a small scale or prototype product that provides a proof of concept that the innovation is technologically sound. In addition, Shapiro (2002) argues that â€Å"during the development phase the company will definitely figure out what is possible and not what would be the right solution† (30). In addition Schwartz (2006) says that during this phase a conceptual model for the implementation is developed which describes its planned solution on a conceptual level. The team at Starbuck will take into consideration the description, the problem and the idea as input. The third phase of the innovative process is the demonstration phase. Hassell (2003) says that â€Å"this phase involves coming up with a full scale prototype to prove not only the innovation’s technical viability but also that it meets the required safety standards, it is appealing to the consumer and can be produced at a reasonable cost† (p. 12). The company (Starbuck) will use this step to carry out an evaluation through independent evaluation and testing organizations which test the product to certify that it is safe and effective. According to Schwartz (2006) the evaluation phase tests the results produced during the innovation process. During this phase Starbuck will undertake a careful planning of the experimental design and analysis to make sure that there is a representative and valid results for the new product. The fourth phase of the innovative process entails deployment of the product. Hassell (2003) says that sometimes this phase is known as diffusion, commercialization, or marketing stage. Hassell indicated that during this phase Starbuck will work towards increasing the production or manufacture of the innovation and making it commercially available (2003). It is important to note that the outcome and success of this phase depends heavily on consumer demand, the cost of the product, regulatory acceptance, marketing efforts, and the cost and performance of competing products among other considerations (Hassell, 2003). Starbuck will in last phase take the newly developed product and will try to market it as profitable as possible or a new process is implemented and integrated into the operational workflow for its improvement and to obtain more cost effective performance (Schwartz, 2006). The company will also explore the technological domain in which it can effectively facilitate new insights and methodologies to be disseminated to the company’s areas of interest as well as the public at large. In conclusion, the above four phases will help Starbuck to go through the innovative process and come up with the required product. The innovative process will determine how the company edges its competitors in the domain of technological advancement and the development of new products that meet the customer needs. The research phase should involve brainstorming sessions as well as intensive research so as to determine what the market demands. After the development phase Starbuck should then carry out a thorough evaluation and then deployment to ensure that the product meets the required standards and demands of the consumers.    References Hassell, S. (2003). Building better homes: government strategies for promoting innovation in housing. Santa Monica, CA: Rand Corporation. Shapiro, S. M. (2002). 24/7 innovation: a blueprint for surviving and thriving in an age of change. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Professional. Schwartz, D. G. (2006). Encyclopedia of knowledge management. Hershey, PA: Idea Group Inc (IGI).

Advocacy in Social Work

Advocacy in Social Work Advocacy, Rights and Partnership This reflective report contains my experience and understanding of advocacy and explains the types of advocacy and its methods and models, I will explain the theories and relate it to my practice and finally discuss the strengths and weakness of my area of practice and discuss the conflicts of interest implication up on the service user. DEFINITION OF ADVOCACY Advocacy is defined as a key concept in social work practice. It is defined as exerting influence on behalf of organisations and groups within legal power and political structure. † Advocacy involves either an individual or group, or their representatives, pressing their case with influential others, about situations which either affect them directly or, and more usually, try to prevent proposed changes, which will leave them worse off† .(Pardeck, 1996). Gates (1994) cites four variations of advocacy: legal advocacy, the representation of the user in a formal context, for instance a health-review tribunal; self-advocacy, where the individual or a group of individuals speak up for themselves, a form of empowerment; collective or class advocacy, the large organisations who speak for the interests and rights of a category of people; and citizen advocacy, the representation of the user’s interests by a competent advocate (eg a Social worker). Advocacy is a concept embraced by social work and advocating for clients is vital for the social work profession. The primary goals of advocacy are achieving social justice and people empowerment. In achieving these goals, a proactive, responsive and participatory approach is necessary (Pardeck, 1996). My role as an advocate during my placement was to speak on behalf of my clients and to empower them to advocate on their own behalf, whenever their rights have been denied; for example in accessing state benefits or demanding repair work from local Housing departments. The advocacy role, from a social context, includes t he redistribution of power and recourse to an individual or group, guarding their rights and preserving their values, conserving their best interests and overcoming the sense of powerlessness (Pardeck, 1996. pg 151). RESOURCES AVAILABLE WITHIN PLACEMENT My second year practice placement was with a charity organisation, in the London Borough of Newham called RAMP (Refugee And Migrant Project). RAMP is one of The Renewal Programme projects and is registered with the Home Office – Office of Immigration Services Commission. RAMP works to enable refugees and migrants (including asylum seeker) to realise their potentials and facilitate their integration into society. The focus of the organisation is to provide advice and advocacy and support on welfare benefits, housing and education and NASS – National Asylum Support Services. RELATING THEORY TO ADVOCACY When I began working with migrants, refugees or asylum seekers, I took a very holistic and Person Centred Approach that allowed me to work in partnership and give them the opportunity to go through their own problems and find their own solutions to them. Carl Rogers was the founder of Person-Centred therapy. As a psychologist in the 1950’s and 60’s he studied the process of counselling and came to the conclusion that a number of basic principles were required in order for there to be a positive relationship and outcome between the client and the therapist. These are also known as ‘ core conditions’ :

At&T Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

At&T - Research Paper Example it covers the national and the regional business markets, spending $100K-1M & $50K-100K on each respectively (Kalata, 2011). The SMB currently has 125K accounts. Besides these three major groups, it has global ramifications which it labels as ‘Most of World’ (MOW) which incorporates the non US based clientele, where the projected spend is $500K, and also offers government solutions in the local government, educational and medical sectors’ (Kalata, 2011). AT&T offers network, devices as well as applications’ to its consumer base. Focus Strategy AT&T has developed its product lines for its varied customer base by focusing on differentiation and cost leadership which can be illustrated with Porter’s Generic Model. ... It has also diversified into the TV broadcast (DIRECTV) and yellow pages business, offering multimedia local search solutions. Their IP (Internet Protocol) based business communications services are considered the most advanced in the world. The company offers tailor made solutions for the different cultural groups within the United States , never forgetting what is important for the consumers, shareholders, business associates and employees. Key Success Metrics In the highly competitive global environment, survival and sustainability of a company depends upon the level of its adaptability to the continuously changing consumer demand, ability to come up with affordable and technically abreast products for its market, good employee management and judicious expenditure of resources. In terms of its financial infrastructure, AT&T is a giant amongst its competitors and its workforce is one of the best in the telecommunications sector. AT&T has diversified its business and focused on aspe cts in which it can really excel. It has kept its primary focus on developing GSM wireless networks which occupy the envious position of being 88% of the currently prevalent global networks. It is therefore the largest US operator in the global market. Being the best provider of 3G networks, it is gradually focusing on transitioning towards the 4G technology, although its global deployment may take some years. The latest technology in communications known as LTE is already undergoing trials under the aegis of AT&T. The company has invested billions in its wireless networks around the world. In 2009, AT&T invested $17.3 billion and intended to increase the amount further in

Qualitative critique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Qualitative critique - Essay Example It presents the whole research from the objectives of the research, through the whole process and presents a conclusion of study at the end. The highlights on the purposes of the study outline what the study is all about, and this is critical in the beginning of any research where the reasons for conducting the research should be presented to the readers before the main body to give the guidelines on what to expect. The outlines on the methods used and the results of the data collected give the reader insight on the whole process and all the techniques applied during the research operation. The conclusions in the abstract highlight the whole process operations, findings and recommendations. The abstract gives an overview of the whole research paper; from the introduction through to conclusion (Fong, Finlayson, & Peacock, 2006). The researchers, Michelle Ploughman and the clue are from the Eastern Health, faculty of medicine from the Memorial University. They work in coalition with the people who are disabled of St. John’s Newfoundland from the Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland. From the institutions they work with, it is clear that they are closely affiliated with the medical field. The institutions that these companies work with are well reputed in matters dealing with medicine and hence they can undertake the studies on patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. Also, the study was supported by personnel in the faculty of medicine, Memorial University. Also, the authors had the support of Center of the Applied Health Research in Canada and the healthcare foundation. This further indicates clearly that the researchers were qualified to undertake the study to warrant the support of the reputable departments from the faculty of medicine. This is an article in Physiotherapy journal, Canada, V ol 64, No 1 from page number 6 to 17 (Michelle, Mark, Michelle, Marshall, & Mark, 2012). The problem in this research has been stated clearly. It is stated

The New Face of Hunger Essay Example for Free

The New Face of Hunger Essay Abstract   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The world is facing a new food crisis. Agricultural countries are experiencing the major shift in demand, and need time to reach the new economic equilibrium. There are several possible solutions to that, but none of them can improve the situation in the short run.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The problem   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"The New Face of Hunger† discusses the food problems the world currently faces (The Economist, 2008). As the world is entering the â€Å"new unsustainable and politically risky period†, agricultural countries are unable to increase food production (The Economist, 2008). Equatorial countries experience persistent food riots. Haiti, Cameroon, Egypt, and Philippines have already turned food scarcity into an international political issue. The basic food products have experienced price increase in 2007: â€Å"last year wheat prices rose 77% and rice 16%† (The Economist, 2008). The majority of the smaller farmers do not know the reasons of such dramatic economic changes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The causes   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To economic professionals, the reasons of food crisis are more than evident. First, the price increase reflects the changes in demand. Indian and Chinese populations consume more food as they are becoming richer. The demand is seriously impacted by â€Å"western biofuels programmes, which convert cereals into fuel† (The Economist, 2008). Second, the current market situation also impacts the major export quotas, and promotes panic-buying economic behavior (The Economist, 2008). Third, the farmers cannot immediately react to the changes in market demand and export quotas. Food production requires time. As governments were trying to soften the impact of rising good price on domestic markets, farmers did not receive economic signals from external markets, and did not have any opportunity to adjust their production to the new market requirements. Moreover, to produce more food, farmers need time to grow it. They need more land, which should be suitable for agricultural needs. Undoubtedly, farmers will be able to cope with the food crisis in future, and will increase their production scales to fit the new demand, but is clear that â€Å"the transition to the new equilibrium is proving costlier, more prolonged, and much more painful than anyone had expected† (The Economist, 2008).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Solutions   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ideally, the 450 million of small farmers would be able to resolve the food crisis. Those who live in developing countries and own no more than several acres, could supply the world with food products, reducing their own poverty, improving environment, and promoting economic efficiency of food production: â€Å"in terms of returns on investment, it would be easier to boost grain yields in Africa from two tones per hectare to four than it would be to raise yields in Europe from eight tonnes to ten† (The Economist, 2008). However, small farmers seem pessimistic about these plans. The planted areas are cut back as their owners cannot afford purchasing fertilizers (The Economist, 2008). In addition, agricultural production cannot immediately respond to the changing demand. Higher yields need better irrigation and fancier seeds, which cannot be produced or found overnight (The Economist, 2008). â€Å"The time lag between dreaming up a new seed and growing it commercially in the field is ten to 15 years† (The Economist, 2008). This is why none of the proposed solutions would help resolving the food issue in the short run.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I personally think that we should prepare ourselves to the long period of reaching a new economic equilibrium. It is true that the era of cheap products is over. Even when farmers finally manage to produce more, the price will hardly go down. As the average farm size has fallen from 1.5 to 0.5 hectares, small farmers are facing more difficulties in responding to higher food prices. We can only rely on the two factors: the growing food supply, which will slowly increase with time, and technologies and research, which will hopefully promote better yields without increasing the average farm size. In any case, agricultural production requires time. As there are no possible solutions which could help resolve the issue in the short run, we have nothing but to wait until the situation is improved. References The Economist. (2008). The new face of hunger. The Economist.com. Retrieved April 28, 2008, from http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11049284

Are Zoos Necessary Essay -- Animals Wildlife Papers

Are Zoos Necessary As a child I can remember when I misbehaved the absolute worst punishment my parents could inflict: I would be banished to my bedroom, the length of time depending on the seriousness of the "crime." It seemed that every possible want and desire I had while being punished was related to an activity just outside the confines of that bedroom. The hours seemed like days and the time spent "locked" in my room was unbearable. When I look back on those "torturous" days of my childhood, I can't believe what the big deal was. If I hadn't been punished, most likely I probably would have spent my free time in my bedroom anyway. Who was I kidding, locked in a room with a TV set, all of my toys and comic books, who could possibly consider being confined to this "habitat" as punishment? While I wasn't "confined" for more than a day or two or put on display for other kids in the neighborhood to observe, I can see a resemblance to the animals that are locked up in their "rooms" at the zoo. While their rooms have most of the same things as their natural habitats, it is the thought that they do not get to leave after Mom or Dad has finally broken down and absolved them of their crime. This is their life for the foreseeable future. They haven't misbehaved and they certainly did nothing worthy of being punished for. What right do we have to exert our authority over other non-human species? Shouldn't animals be afforded the same basic rights as you and I? It is my belief that despite their professed concern for animals, zoos remain more "collections" of interesting "items" than actual havens or simulated habitats. Zoos teach people that it is acceptable to keep animals in captivity, bored, cramped, lonely and far from their n... ...undation 2000. Born Free Foundation < www.bornfree.org.uk > Brown JHS Virtual Zoo. March 1998. Clark County School District. < www.ccsd.net/schools/brown/zoo/index.html > Fritsch, Jane "Elephants in Captivity: A Dark Side," LA Times 5 Oct. 1998 McKenna, Virginia. Beyond the Bars, 1987 Peta Action Alerts. June 2000. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals www.peta-online.org Smith, Val & Kimberly. Personal Interview. 27 July 2000. World Wide Words. Ed. 2000. Michael B. Quinion. www.quinion.com Wise, Steven, Rattling the Cage : Toward Legal Rights For Animals. New York: Perseus, 2000. Zoo Animals To Go. June 2000. Mecury Center <www.mercurycenter.com> Zoocheck. June 2000. Zoocheck Canada < www.zoocheck.com > Zoo in the Wild Editrice del Vascello. 2000 Editrice de Vascello <http://www.naturalia.org/ZOO/welcome.html>

Mansfield Park; Empire & Orientalism from Edward Said Essay

Edward Said’s analysis of Jane Austen’s narrative in her 3rd novel ‘Mansfield Park’ (1814) is based on his own studies of ‘orientalism’. This term is defined by Said as a variety of false assumptions /depictions of Eastern people within Western attitudes. This is achieved, he argues, through the literary discourse provided by post-enlightenment, post-colonial American/European (Western) authors. Said draws our attention to an underlying theme of ‘Mansfield Park’, which is empire. Said recycles his interpretation of stereotyped Muslims, Arabs & Egyptians and applies it again to a different social group. He does so by examining the novels representation of the Atlantic slave trade (in the West Indies), and in turn concludes that Austen must support British values of imperialism and empire. He points out the ease with which Austen’s characters refer to Antigua, and convinces us that Austen’s infrequent use of this word i s evidence of her personal support of the degradation of slaves. In his analysis of the text, Said starts at the beginning, and relies heavily on the ignorant way in which Sir Thomas’s colony is isolated from his family and domicile, which remains proudly on English land, miles across the globe. He implies that the slight references to Antigua do no justice to its own beauty, history, and the fact that it is, in comparison, a paradise island. However Austen does actually support this claim herself, as Lady Bertram does no justice to India, wanting only the commodities it can offer: â€Å"I may have a shawl. I think I will have two shawls† His ultimate point is that the ‘Antigua’ seen in Mansfield Park is no more than a place for work, necessary for obtaining personal luxuries and fortune for the locals of Britain. Austen doesn’t deny this in her novel, but she doesn’t shout about it either. Said’s writing just reminds us of how unfair the situation was, by pointing out the geographical space in betwe en Mansfield Park (where the money is spent and enjoyed) and the Antiguan sugar plantation (where the money is produced). His critique of â€Å"the ease with which the family’s needs are met by a sojourn in the Caribbean† is unnecessary and useless in explaining his point, it merely serves to highlight the fact that the slave trade was, at its peak, very successfully organised and achieved, due to the political military  force. â€Å"Sir Thomas’s means will be rather straitened, if the Antigua estate is to make such poor returns†, Mrs Norris’s comment proves that Austen is aware of the dependence of the family on their slave trade income, as is Lady Bertram, because her reply is: â€Å"Oh! that will soon be settled!†. Although his wife is unwilling to spend time talking on the subject, this type of ignorant attitude seems to be a convention of realism which Austen applies to her characters systemically, in hopes that their final outcomes will explain her own disposition on the subject. Said constantly alludes to Austen’s lack of concern for the slave tr ade, because her narrative lacks the description which is needed to properly illustrate the subject, and the setting. Said argues that without the slave trade, the Bertram’s could not have been possible, but again, I believe Austen is fully aware of the fact that slavery enables the Bertram’s to flourish in Mansfield Park. Otherwise, she simply would not have written so much about wealth and class in relation to the success of women, for example in the end of Pride & Prejudice (1813) Lizzie chose love over money, and Mr Darcy chose love over class. Furthermore Austen includes the downfall of the slave industry within her narrative, and in turn she shows the downfall of Sir Thomas because of the latter. Sir Thomas is depicted (in the end) as having remorse for his actions, and having learned his lesson through redemption. Jane Austen is stereotyped by Said as a typical euro-centric academic, naà ¯ve towards the REAL threats, inequalities and unfairness’s of the world. Just like the slaves Sir Thomas had the advantage of owning, Fanny becomes the only slave who is able to dwell i n Mansfield Park. I believe Austen’s hopes were that she would be seen as the epitome of the slave: â€Å"She could hardly believe it. To be placed above so many elegant young women! It was treating her like her cousins!† Austen explains, from the very first chapter how the class/background ideas of the era are a hindrance to her success, at home and in society. Overall she is treated as below standard, but by the end of the novel she is happy, reasonably comfortable and is married to the one whom she was meant to be worth less than. She was constantly referred to as from a different class, background, and place. Those notions of ‘breeding’ compare her to a mere puppy: â€Å"breed her up with them from this time, and suppose her even to have the beauty of an angel, and she will never be more to either than a sister†. Fanny herself remarked upon the â€Å"dead silence†Ã‚  which followed from her uncle, after her enquiries about the slave trade. She concluded that because she showed â€Å"a curiosity and pleasure in his information which he must wish his own daughters feel† she regretted asking about the slave colony, as if she just re-realised that she isn’t fit to do certain things. Her character reflects ideas of rank and persecution and oppression; she is the ultimate realist of the novel. With regard to the character of Sir Thomas and his silence on the subject of his work, Said would most likely argue that he is selfish and ignorant and therefore doesn’t permit any time being wasted on the subject. However, Austen is more likely treating the subject with the shame and embarrassment it deserves. It is my view that Austen would have been sympathetic towards these slaves and could not surely condone such hegemony, oppression and empire? After all she herself was a victim of oppression, being a female author unable to take credit and receive praise for her own work within society. Austen ended her life as a spinster, having never married a man, showing that she didn’t conform, for whatever reason(s), to social expectations of women. Moreover, her life was dependant on the males within her family, as per the UK’s laws regarding rights, inheri tance and property, because she had nothing of her own. Therefore she would be hypocritical to support the forced labour of slaves for the benefit of the nation she somewhat rejects. Supposing Austen was supportive of Britain’s imperialist venture for empire, surely someone with such priorities would have settled and married, just for wealth and security? This is summarised in Susan Fraiman’s writing: â€Å"Lacking the franchise, enjoying few property rights (and these because she was single), living as a dependent at the edge of her brother’s estate, and publishing her work anonymously, Austen was arguably a kind of exile in her own country† In conclusion I completely refute Edward Said’s claims toward Austen – his statements are judgemental and a little confused. Moreover, his attention to detail is lacking in research, as Fraiman cleverly states here: â€Å"So ready is Said to offer Austen as ‘Exhibit A’ in the case for culture’s endorsement of empire†. Indeed the degradation of slaves was clearly fact, however, if Austen herself is an outsider to Mansfield Park and its narrative, then her opinions would be channelled through her characters’ fate. In my opinion, Said fails to take into account the fate of such characters, and the possibility that humans can exercise remorse and  rehabilitation. Said draws the conclusion that Austen is lazily making trivial references to other important changes from this period, one being the Napoleonic revolution. However, I think that in the period and place she lived, it would have been nonsensical to openly critique the powers of the government, being that it really WAS un-just; it would have been too dangerous to do so. Bibliography Austen, Jane, Mansfield Park (Oxford World’s Classics, London: 1814) Said, Edward, ‘Jane Austen and Empire’, Culture and Imperialism (Knopf, New York: 1993) [http://www.scribd.com/doc/57070252/3-Edward-Said-Austen-and-Empire] accessed 19/10/2012 Fraiman, Susan, ’Jane Austen and Edward Said: Gender, Culture, and Imperialism’, Janeites: Austen’s Disciples and Devotees – edited by Deidre Lynch (Princeton, Princeton: 2000) [https://blogs.commons.georgetown.edu/orientalism-spring2011/files/Fraiman0001.pdf] accessed 19/10/2012

Inequality & It’s Characteristics

The perspective I have chosen is the social-conflict theory. The social-conflict paradigm is a framework for building theory that envisions society as an arena of inequality generating conflict and social change. This type of analysis focuses on the inequalities within our society and the conflict that they cause between the advantaged and the disadvantaged. The first characteristic is inequality. This refers to the unequal distribution of money, gender, class, and age. People who embrace the social-conflict perspective believe that gender, race, and class should not lead to favored treatment. An example of this would be single mothers who are living below the poverty line. This group of people is likely to remain at least as large as it is now at the present time and/or become larger in the coming decade. Many of these women do not have marketable job skills and few means to attain them due to their lack of finances. The second characteristic is social class conflict. Social class is often defined as the amount of education, income, and status people have. As we know, attaining education is one of the most effective avenues for ensuring employment and an increase in income, which adds up to higher status or social class. Single mothers most often do not have the income in order to pursue higher education. This renders them the title or designation of being one of the lower class groups in our society. If this remains to be status quo, then there is little hope for these single mothers living below the poverty line. The third characteristic is social change. The inequalities and conflict of social class is leading towards a social change. The federal and provincial governments have implemented different types of financial assistance for single mothers living below the poverty line. The government has made it easier for these women to apply for student loans so that they may pursue higher education and job skills. As well, grants have been made available to assist with the financial burden. The government has provided tax relief for lower income families and subsidized day care. In response to the outcries of single mothers and other advocates, the federal government now has a Women's Equality Minister. Canada also has a group called the â€Å"Women's Economic Network† that helps and supports single mothers in getting out of poverty. Analyzing this issue with the social-conflict paradigm has helped myself in understanding that there are inequalities in all aspects of society. When some inequalities are exposed and absolved, there are other ones following close behind. As society evolves, more inequalities are found and dealt with. This type of analysis has also helped me to see that there are resolutions to this problem of poverty with single mothers. It is a grim reality in Canada, but analyzing it from the social-conflict perspective shows that there ways in which we can rectify the problems surrounding this issue.

Understanding Parasocial Relationships with Celebs

Understanding Parasocial Relationships with Celebs Have you ever wondered what a movie character, a celebrity, or a TV personality would do, even when you’re not watching them on-screen? Have you felt close to a character or celebrity even though you’ve never met them in real life? If youve had one of these common experiences, youve experienced a parasocial relationship: an enduring relationship with a media figure. Key Terms Parasocial relationship: An ongoing, one-sided bond with a media figureParasocial interaction: An imagined interaction with a media figure during a discrete viewing situation Donald Horton and Richard Wohl first introduced the concept of parasocial relationships, along with the related idea of parasocial interaction, in the 1950s. Although the relationship is one-sided, it is psychologically similar to a real-life social relationship. Origins In their 1956 article, â€Å"Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a distance,† Horton and Wohl described both parasocial relationships and parasocial interaction for the first time. They used the terms somewhat interchangeably, but mostly focused their exploration on the illusion of conversational give-and-take a media consumer experiences with a media figure while watching a TV show or listening to a radio program. This led to some conceptual confusion. Although a great deal of research has been done on parasocial phenomena, especially since the 1970s and 1980s, the most widely utilized scale in that research, the Parasocial Interaction Scale, combines questions about parasocial interactions and parasocial relationships. However, today, scholars generally agree the two concepts are related but different. Defining Parasocial Interactions and Relationships When a media consumer feels like they are interacting with a media figure- a celebrity, fictional character, radio host, or even a puppet- during a discrete viewing or listening scenario, they are experiencing a parasocial interaction. For example, if a viewer feels like they are hanging out at the Dunder-Mifflin office while watching the TV comedy The Office, they are engaging in a parasocial interaction. On the other hand, if the media user imagines a long-term bond with a media figure that extends outside the viewing or listening situation, it is considered a parasocial relationship.  The bond can be either positive or negative. For instance, if an individual adores the host of their local morning program and often thinks about and discusses the host as if he is one of their friends, that individual has a parasocial relationship with the host. Scholars have observed that parasocial interactions can lead to parasocial relationships, and parasocial relationships can strengthen parasocial interactions. This process resembles the way that spending time with a person in real-life can result in a friendship that then gets deeper and more committed when the individuals spend additional time together. Parasocial vs. Interpersonal Relationships Although the idea of parasocial relationships may seem unusual at first, it’s important to remember that for most media consumers, this is a perfectly normal and psychologically healthy reaction to encounters with on-screen individuals. Humans are wired to make social connections. Media did not exist through a majority of human evolution, and so when consumers are presented with a person or person-like individual via video or audio media, their brains respond as if they were engaging in a real-life social situation. This response does not mean that the individuals believe the interaction is real. Despite media consumers’ knowledge that the interaction is an illusion, however, their perception will cause them to react to the situation as if it were real. In fact, research has shown that the development, maintenance, and dissolution of a parasocial relationship is similar in many ways to real-life interpersonal relationships. For example, one study found that when television viewers perceive a favorite television performer as having an attractive personality and as being competent in their abilities, a parasocial relationship will develop. Surprisingly, physical attraction was found to be less important to the development of parasocial relationships, leading the researchers to conclude that television viewers prefer to develop relationships with television personalities they find socially attractive and who are attractive for their capabilities.  Ã‚   Another investigation assessed the way psychological commitments to a media figure led to the maintenance of parasocial relationships. Two different studies showed that for both fictional television characters, like Homer Simpson, and non-fictional television personas, like Oprah Winfrey, people were more committed to their parasocial relationship when (1) they felt satisfied watching the figure, (2) felt committed to continue watching the figure, and (3) felt that they didnt have good alternatives to the media figure. The researchers used a scale originally developed to assess interpersonal relationships to measure commitment to parasocial relationships, demonstrating that theories and measures of interpersonal relationships can be successfully applied to parasocial relationships. Finally, research has demonstrated that media consumers can experience parasocial breakups when a parasocial relationship ends. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as a television or movie series coming to an end, a character leaving a show, or a media consumer deciding to no longer watch or listen to a show where a character or personality appears. For example, a 2006 study examined how viewers reacted when the popular TV sitcom Friends ended its broadcast run. The researchers found that the more intense the viewers’ parasocial relationships with the characters, the greater the viewers’ distress when the show ended. The pattern of loss Friends fans exhibited was similar to that displayed by those who have lost a real-life relationship, although the emotions were less intense overall. Of course, while this research demonstrates the similarities between parasocial and interpersonal relationships, there are also important distinctions. A parasocial relationship is always mediated and one-sided, with no opportunity for mutual give-and-take. People can engage in as many parasocial relationships as they want and and can break them off whenever they choose without consequence. In addition, parasocial relationships can be shared with family members and friends without jealousy. In fact, discussing a mutual parasocial relationship can actually strengthen the bond in a real-life social relationship. Parasocial Bonds in the Digital Age While much of work involving parasocial phenomena has centered on parasocial bonds with radio, movie, and especially television characters and personalities, digital technology has introduced a new medium through which parasocial relationships can be developed, maintained, and even strengthened. For example, a researcher examined the way fans of the boy band New Kids on the Block maintained their parasocial relationships with the band members by posting to the band’s website. The analysis was conducted following the announcement of the band’s reunion after a 14-year break. On the website, fans expressed their continued devotion to the band, their affection towards its members, and their desire to see the band again. They also shared stories about how the band had helped them in their own lives. Thus, computer-mediated communication assisted fans in their parasocial relationship maintenance. Before the dawn of the internet, people could write fan letters to achieve a similar experience, but the researcher observed that online communication appeared to make fans feel closer to media figures, and that this could make the disclosure of personal feelings and anecdotes more likely.  Ã‚   It stands to reason, then, that social networks like Facebook and Twitter would make an even more substantial contribution to the maintenance of parasocial relationships. Celebrities appear to write and share their own messages with fans on these sites, and fans can respond to their messages, creating the potential for fans to develop even greater feelings of intimacy with media figures. So far, minimal research has been conducted on the way these technological developments impact parasocial relationships, but the topic is ripe for future research. Sources Branch, Sara E., Kari M. Wilson, and Christopher R. Agnew. â€Å"Committed to Oprah, Homer, and House: Using the Investment Model to Understand Parasocial Relationships.† Psychology of Popular Media Culture, vol. 2, no. 2, 2013, pp. 96-109, http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0030938Dibble, Jayson L., Tilo Hartmann, and Sarah F. Rosaen. â€Å"Parasocial interaction and Parasocial Relationship: Conceptual Clarification and a Critical Assessment of Measures.† Human Communication Research, vol. 42, no. 1, 2016, pp. 21-44, https://doi.org/10.1111/hcre.12063  Eyal, Keren, and Jonathan Cohen. â€Å"When Good Friends Say Goodbye: A Parasocial Breakup Study.† Journal of Broadcasting Electronic Media, vol. 50, no. 3, 2006, pp. 502-523, https://doi.org/10.1207/s15506878jobem5003_9Giles, David, C. â€Å"Parasocial Interaction: A Review of the Literature and a Model for Future Research.† Media Psychology, vol. 4, no. 3., 2002, pp. 279-305, https://doi.org/10.1207/S1532785XM EP0403_04Horton, Donald, and R. Richard Wohl. â€Å"Mass Communication and Parasocial Interaction: Observation of Intimacy at a Distance.† Psychiatry, vol. 19, no. 3, 1956, pp. 215-229, https://doi.org/10.1080/00332747.1956.11023049 Hu, Mu. â€Å"The influence of a scandal on parasocial relationship, parasocial interaction, and parsocial breakup.† Psychology of Popular Media Culture, vol. 5, no. 3, 2016, pp. 217-231, http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000068Rubin, Alan M., Elizabeth M. Perse, and Robert A. Powell. â€Å"Loneliness, parasocial interaction, and local television news viewing.† Human Communication Research, vol. 12, no. 2, 1985, pp. 155-180, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.1985.tb00071.xRubin, Rebecca B., and Michael P. McHugh. â€Å"Development of Parasocial Interaction Relationships.† Journal of Broadcasting Electronic Media, vol. 31, no. 3, 1987, pp. 279-292, https://doi.org/10.1080/08838158709386664Sanderson, James. â€Å"’You Are All Loved So Much:’ Exploring Relational Maintenance Within the Context of Parasocial Relationships.† Journal of Media Psychology, vol. 21, no. 4, 2009, pp. 171-182, https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105.21.4.171

The Tectonic Revolution in Architecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Tectonic Revolution in Architecture - Essay Example This paper discusses the views and evaluates how the new ideas were received by different architects of the period, including Adolf Loos, Le Corbusier, Frederic Keisler and Gottfried Semper. Le Corbusier was quite critical about the advent of new materials in the field of architecture, is very supportive of changes. He talks about how it is necessary to accept changes in architecture and how architecture has died with the tendency to rot with the old practices, ideas, and design. He advocates the idea, arguing that all changes are inevitably for the better. He compares them to the use of tools, stating that older tools require more energy and time and that when we come up with new tools, we undoubtedly throw the old ones. He talks about how it is foolishness to hold on to something that is old, takes up more energy, time and how it will be an idea that will rot with the emergence of new ones. Corbusier talks about how the exterior world has changed with the lapse of time and with the introduction of technology and machines. He said of the changes that were being brought into architecture, â€Å"We have a new vision and a new social life, but we have not adopted the hous e accordingly.† Corbusier talks of how the lack in the evolution in architecture was causing people to feel the gloom of living in a house that has no magnificence or beauty that appeals to the heart anymore and that the roof that has been so dear, has crumbled, succumbed to the lack of beauty that reaches the heart. Frederic Keisler began with the tearing down of buildings that were influenced by the basic architectural styles that existed before the tectonic revolution. He was also very enthusiastic about the changes that the field of architecture was facing, understanding that the new forms, methods, structures, and designs were more functional and elastic to life. He talks about how he tore down a building, replacing the architectural structure itself.

Research Methods Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Methods - Research Paper Example ntral role in any study and are said to have very close relation with the purpose of the study in the sense that the research questions are what directs any research work. Moreover, the research questions can support the research in its objective of achieving the possible answer to the thesis. The central research question in this proposed study what are the factors that help reduce on smoking rate. There are other research questions which support the leading research question. These are: There are six major research designs that can be used by researchers. Among these, the researcher shall settle with the use of survey research design. Generally, surveys entail a representative research whereby data collected from a group of people is generalized for a wider population base. The term survey is used widely in research work. It refers to the process of selecting a relatively large sample of people from a predetermined population in which the researcher is interested in. This process is followed by collecting a small quantity of the data out of the selected individuals. This information is then used by the researcher in making inferences concerning the wider population. In using the survey, collection of data are in a standardized form usually achieved through interviews or by a questionnaire. Surveys are always designed in away to providing snapshots of state of things at any specific time’. This strategy is suited to descriptive type of studies, although limit ed to aspects of a situation. The method has some disadvantages and advantages. These include: first, the research gives data that are based on empirical data secondly the coverage of many events implies more likelihood of some other approaches to obtaining data that are based on representative samples. This may be generalizable for a whole population. Thirdly, survey produces large data within a short time at a fairly low cost. This implies that researchers can come up with small time-span for a given

Business Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Business Law - Essay Example ity given, suffered or undertaken by the other." Sir Fredrick Pollock’s definition of consideration is â€Å"An act or forbearance of one party, or the promise thereof, is the price for which the promise of the other is bought, and the promise thus given for value is enforceable." This was approved by Lord Dunedin in Dunlop v Selfridge Ltd ( 1915) It therefore follows that a gift is not a contract. There is no contract if there is no consideration. However consideration is required to be expressed in monetary terms. As such any discernible detriment to one of the parties could be that party’s consideration ( Duhaime) An agreement not to take a plot of land was considered a sufficient consideration(Hubbs). The law does not insist on the adequacy of consideration as it is between the parties to decide. The consideration should be reciprocal, each party offering consideration. Motive should not be confused with consideration. Our motive for contracting may be for personal reasons but it may coincide with the consideration we are giving or receiving. If the consideration is already â€Å"spent† in a prior contract, a new contract using that same consideration would be valid. "where a contractual duty already exists, it may be possible...to vary the original agreement without necessarily establishing a whole new contract with fresh consideration on both sides." In fact, refreshing a commitment to do something for a third party is consideration under common law† (Frdman G). Further the consideration should not be something or some act which is not legal or immoral or opposed to public policy. If a certain acts punishable under law then it is illegal. For example a work given to un unlicensed contractor is illegal. If the consideration is a past one, it will not make a valid contract. The court decisions on consideration suggest English law is in need of fundamental restatement with regards to Consideration. Dr Corbin and Prof Atiyah have already dealt

Organizational Behavior Essay Example for Free

Organizational Behavior Essay The role of organizational behavior in project management empowers the project leader to effectively diagnose situations related to the project for appropriate action and performance. The organizational behavior is a critical aspect to assist the project manager in accessing the particular skills of the team members within a functional organizational matrix (George and Jones, 2005). The understanding of organizational behavior from a project manager’s perspective presents an in-depth conceptual, technical, decision making, and interpersonal skills that are required to successfully manage complex project teams. Analysis on Organizational Behavior That Impacts Project Management The challenges in projects can create multiple tasks to reaching the goals outlined in the project scope. For instance, the team formation process is detrimental to moving through phrases of forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning in order to reaching the completion of the project. The project management primary role in understanding the functional project organization assists in identifying the organizational behavior within the context of team building to successfully moving through the phrases (Mantel, Meredith, Shafer, and Sutton, 2008). The project manager utilized the identified organizational behavior concepts of the team and the functional organization to apply appropriate human interpersonal skills for applied motivation, knowledge, decision making, change management, code of ethics, style of communication, and leadership direction. The interaction between the project manager and the project team are the stringent formed relationship that strengthens the communication matrix. The effort for sharing and receiving imperative information concerning the stages of the project tasks organizes the project for accurate reporting to stakeholders. Therefore, the organizational behavior presents a synergy to the effective communication matrix monitored by the project manager to assure that the channel is effectively being relayed by all individuals. The communication method determines the success of the project and defines the organizational behavior concept within the organization. Project managers must work with project teams through effective communication measures that reinforced the indentified organizational behavior concept (Hunger, 2007). In doing so, the expectations of the completed scope objectives are met as well as a formation of a productive project team. The skill of effective communication is the key to transferring the criteria of organizational behavior by demonstrating good decision making. The project manager’s decisions provide the organized efforts to staying on schedule and within budget with a human interpersonal skill approach that keeps the project team together. The decision making identifies the possible scenarios within the organizational behavior concept of the organization for a more direct approach to a problem. Respectively, the organizational cultures present a challenge for the project to moving in the desired direction. Therefore, the project managers must recreate their own organizational cultures within their project team environments that reinforced the specific scope objectives. In doing so, the demonstrated decision making to lead the project team is manifested from understanding the culture and securing a sufficient concept of the organizational behavior. The identified organizational culture within the project environment empowers the project manager in motivating the project team to strive for effective decisions. The organizational culture impacts the project team members for decision making during the process of completing the tasks for deliverables, in which, the organizational behavior detects how successful the channels of implementing changes and how issues are addressed. Therefore, the communication and culture defines the organizational behavior for the project manager to effectively and efficiently manage the special project. The transfer of information and delivering a clear understanding of the project needs essentially benefits all associated individuals to the progress of the team within the organizational culture framework. In the framework of organizational behavior, the attributes of effective communication and understanding the culture outlines the theory of motivation for the project manager to utilize in solidifying the team. The theory of motivation offers the project manager key concepts to implement to the project team for redefining the specific goals set forth from the project charter to the scope. The theory of motivation ranges from different thought of reason from theorists to apply a certain scientific approach, however, the fundamental approach is the model to connecting the team objectives with a purpose mindset amongst team members. Most employees need to feel the importance of the objectives; therefore, the project manager motivated communication tactics are critical for achieving the planned goals. The pursuit for a successful project is the normal functional operations of the technique of project management within the context of organizational behavior. The efforts of the three â€Å"C† are communication, cooperation, and coordination that all work together in a synergistic approach to create a winning coalition with organizational behavior and project management. The three â€Å"C† are essential to providing the means in allowing project management to function in a positive team environment. The goal of project management is to manage and complete the delivery of the client’s deliverable on time and on budget. Therefore, the role of organizational behavior within the principals of project management is the ability to achieve the company’s goals and mission in a strategic framework.

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.