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Critical Research
The aspect that was to me was the approaches that are applied in communication research. These approaches are divided into quantitative research, qualitative research, critical research, and rhetoric research. Of the four, the model that I found to be quite interesting is the critical research model. According to Wood, critical research is not interested much with understanding and explaining organizational communication (Wood, 2014). However, I learned that this model lays more emphasis on analyzing, judging, and criticizing values.
Additionally, critical research just as the word “critical” suggests, focuses more on seeing how the society or an organization exists in a world full of power imbalances. In ideal societies and institutions, there are those individuals that have power and those that lack. Researchers who conduct critical analysis strongly believe that those without power are purposefully prevented by the powerful from attaining ultimate quality. Therefore, critical scholarship tends to be inclined towards the side of weaker individuals when commenting or studying relations of dominance (Wood, 2014).
I also noted that critical theory aids us to question institutions, ideologies, identities, and interests that seem to be dominant and challenging. For instance, critical research helps us to examine whether or not ideologies that have been established within an institution are fundamentally dangerous particularly to the workers. Moreover, with critical research we are in a better position to question certain ideologies on where they came from and the effectiveness of their applicability.
Usually, managers come up with certain ideologies that tend to be inherently problematic for the employees. Therefore, it is the duty of workers to put their best foot forward and challenge such ideologies lest they become implemented for several years without being challenged. Critical is also significant since it aids in examining different institutions to identify which ones are dominant in the society and which ones are not safe for the general worker.
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Soybean International Trade
Soybean and soyfoods are widely marketed in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is ranked as the leading exporter of soy food and product (Kwon, 2007, p. 71). The country has maintained the products’ economic and market value, thus increasing consumer interest and market value each year. This has influenced the level of consumption and production of the product all over the United Kingdom. To identify the stability of the soy market in the UK, it can be analyzed through the folloing marketing mix elements
Pricing
The pricing value of a product is an essential element of the marketing mix. This significanly affected the availability of the product in the market. Soybean is highly dependent on the market pricing value in the United Kingdom. The pricing for soya beans has been different in the UK depending on the quality and the maturity of the soybean. The quality of soy also influences its market value.
Tesco Soya beans for example have a high pricing value to indicate their quality in the market. The pricing of soy is strategic at influencing its worth in the UK market. During peak harvest, the pricing is set to drop and shoot during low harvest in the market (Hospes, 2014, 425).
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Place
The location or place also influences the market allocation of soya bean in the United Kingdom. Most soy product in the UK is exported to the United States and Canada as the primary target location. The location is influential in determining the target consumer and the region of sale. The UK has specific market locations for their for soy products. Statistically, UK has increased their soy export position to countries like Chile, developing new market ground for their product and increasing the sale and marketing of soybeans and products (Tomei et al., 2010, p. 301).
Soy products are also marketed in locations where consumers are keen on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Such avenues offers a ready market for the soy products in the United Kingdom. This is strategic at increasing the market value of the soy product and different strategic locations in the UK.
Kwon, N. 2007, “Super Soy!”, Canadian Grocer, vol. 121, no. 6, pp. 71-71,73,75. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/222850267/742DDE9E412947B7PQ/7?accountid=45049 Tomei, J., Semino, S., Paul, H., Joensen, L., Monti, M. & Jelsøe, E. 2010, “Soy production and certification: the case of Argentinean soy-based biodiesel”, Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 371-394.
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Steel constitute essential aspects of most elements of everyday life. Steel supports a broad range of businesses and practices. In the UK for instance, steel contains a key ingredient for various industries. Steel is used in various strategic processing and building supply chains.
Collectively, these industries embody 20 percent of those engaged in the production sector across the UK and create Gross Value Added (GVA) of £24.6bn (Bowler, 2016). The global steel industry in the UK is faced with extremely tough economic circumstances. Steel overproduction globally stands at thirty-five percent. This has seen the closure of several steel production plants in Europe.
Moreover, workers in the steel processing industry have fallen by seventy thousand. While demand for steel has not reverted to pre-crash levels, the cost of steel has dropped by 50% over the last few years. These uncertain times have culminated in some organisations having to assume severe commercial pronouncements. These consist of the closure of the SSI UK factory at Redcar, and innumerable layoffs at factories operated by Tata Steel UK and others (Simpson, 2012).
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As of 2014, the UK steel industry hired about 34, 500 workers from 465 areas and had an economic output of £1.7 billion. This type of placement is spread unequally across the UK, with fifty percent in Wales, Yorkshire and Humberside (Bowler, 2016). As such, the UK steel sector supports not only a collection of domestic industries but fundamentally local communities.
Whereas the steel industry has many benefits to the community, the product is subject to competition from any other in the market economy. The current crisis can therefore, be examined from a global and historical context. The UK steel business has withered significantly over the last four decades when it comes to production and job placement (Tovey, 2015). Conversely, other nations have enhanced capacity considerably.
In the previous decade, global steel production has gone through expansion, with overall production snowballing by ninety-six percent between 2000 and 2014. This escalation attributed for by China whose steel fabrication has increased four times since the turn of the century (Williamson, 2016). For the last forty years, steel production in the UK has fallen behind its competitors like France, Spain, Italy and Germany. Based on similar production, European nations, for instance, have put a premium on the domestic steel industry.
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The role of government in handling the current crisis
During the crisis, the government took the centre stage and worked proactively as well as intensively to assist the British steel sector (Soubry, 2016). For example, the government hosted a steel conference to discuss the way forward with leading players in the industry to recognise the importance of steel firms among the locals. Other areas where the government has played a significant role are listed below;
Business rates
On business rates and steel firms, they are about 5 to 7 times compared to other rival nations in Europe. On the other hand, UK steel firms believe that there is a need for the government to remove investment machinery, as no measure has been taken. While such a move is associated with inexplicable effects, any adjustments of business rate would require transferring it to another sector. Because this issue will take the time to review as the local authority keep rates levied from organisations, there is no likelihood an immediate response as well as uncertainty regarding the government’s role to assist the sector in fulfilling these costs (Soubry, 2016).
Again, the government does not need EU to review business rates to provide an equal business field for all steel makers across the UK. Eliminating machinery from these rates may indicate the government’s dedication to rebalance the economy, increase the attractiveness of UK to domestic investors in production and maximise the sector’s output, and competitive edge by investing in sophisticated tools.
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Procurement
Currently, the government is discussing procurement policy to assist steel manufacturers in the UK to compete for major contracts. By late last year, the government had published standards to put into consideration when purchasing steel. This attempt is likely to enhance opportunities for suppliers while assisting steel manufacturers level fields to compete with global providers and spur rivalry.
These standards aim at helping the government use a strategic and open method to source steel in critical projects. It is practical to put tendering provisions best on these elements without necessarily violating stand laws, and this flexibility is a regular application in other nations. The government role in adjusting procurement standards is necessary is increasing the probability of UK steel organisations access bigger projects.
Nonetheless, the effects of these adjustments will take a long period to occur. Moreover, the government needs to take an active role in promoting the use of UK steel in projects especially, public infrastructure (Tovey, 2015).
Rewarding SSI employees
The government promised to pay employees following the closure of Redcar steelworks and the bankruptcy of SSI. The compensation amounted to 80 million euros, however about 30 million euros would be in rewards as statutory redundancy (Soubry, 2016). Much as the government is committed to rewarding SSI employees, the figures are mainly estimates since the actual spending will rely on demand and a person’s conditions.
Government’s move to assist the affected is vital, although its response highlights in rewarding and retaining individuals that lost their employment opportunities, rather than protectingassets that are of great significance to the nation. Much as the government has a role in protecting the affected, there is no proof in terms of attempts to save Redcar steelworks from closing.
The employees who lost their jobs were prioritised and encouraging providers to assist in the distribution of funds; it is not evident whether these funds are adequate to support not only economic redevelopment but also the needed retraining. In fact, the response of the government should be determined not by some funds located and the number of affected workers.
Macro-environment
Political factors
In the steel sector, the government play a significant function. For instance, the UK government imposes tariffs as well as barriers to protect domestic producers. Nonetheless, with Free Agreement Agreements (FTA) this function has been minimised. The UK government also offer tax holiday (subsidies in certain nations) to support the expansion of the sector. Moreover, governments streamline domestic and global environmental standards to minimise emissions while protecting the environment.
On the other hand, the government of India has initiated National Steel Policy to reduce the demand and supply gaps. Based on this policy the government gives the steel industry various incentives such as infrastructure, reduced duty and land. Since steel sector in India, the government has maximised sales tax from 15 to 20 percent while 75% of foreign direct investment (FDI) is permitted to present different concessions related to customs duty (Tovey, 2015). Nevertheless, with the current state of infrastructure in India is not adequate for the steel industry.
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Economic factors
Population growth, particularly in Russia, India, and China, has contributed to the high demand for cars, building and other infrastructural facilities that subsequently result to increase in demand for steel products. Consequently, the ballooning of different economies that permit duty-free imports have accelerated the demand for steel. However, with the current crisis, GDP is growing slowly (Robinson, 2016).
Social factors
Steel sector provides employment opportunities to many; nonetheless, it divides a region into rural and urban areas since it is a certain area leading to its development. This sector plays a significant role in developing rural areas that in turn improves the living standard of the rural masses.
Technological factors
The steel industry is still using conventional technology. Steel companies use a considerable amount of energy, and the rising fuel cost is pushed producers to adopt efficient steel production techniques. Furthermore, technology is vital in manufacturing quality steel items.
There is a lack of creativity when it comes to production, steel companies use electric furnace in production, but due to fluctuating energy, a significant proportion of the raw material is wasted (Wakefield, 2015). Technologies which are used are outdated; however, India’s Sail steel is planning to merge with PASCO to use modern technology.
Environmental factors
While steel industry is crucial, it creates adverse conditions to the environment. Moreover, many steel firms use pollution control as well as energy saving tools, which are not adequate to control the pollution. Nevertheless, certain steel companies across the world Like Tata uses environmentally friendly equipment in the production process to minimise carbon dioxide emissions (Simpson, 2012). In fact, the company has Ultra-low carbon steel manufacturing for reducing emissions in the atmosphere.
On macro environment factors,the steel industry appears weak in general. Also, the macro-environment factors surrounding the current crisis demonstrate a positive change in growth in particular nations. Much as the global economy is experiencing uncertainties, fluctuating cost of fuel may maximise economic development especially in oil-importing countries (Keir, 2016). Growth in the international steel sector has almost stopped.
With the increase of approximately 0.6 percent two years ago, demand was restrained at roughly 0.5 percent with a recovery of 1.5% in 2016. Main steel industries recorded a relatively high productivity in 2015, and the same is expected in 2016. In the case of the uncertain market, some steel manufacturers are reducing production. Similarly, various steel projects have been achieved, and manufacturing started (Wakefield, 2015). Net importing countries continue to increase capacities.
Owing to weak demand for steel, the pricing for primary raw materials have been plummeting are likely to remain low. The cost of steel has been decreasing following excess steelmaking capacity and nose-diving raw material costs. The recent drop in oil costs has impacted steel prices, especially for tubes and pipes made from steel (Keir, 2016). Negligible revenues have led to a dwindling in the industry’s revenue over the last few years, with slight rebounds anticipated shortly.
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Recommendations
Based on the above analysis, the government is dedicated to providing an equal ground for steel producers in the UK. As such, British steel should take advantage of this move and increase its attractiveness to domestic investors so as to enhance competition, productivity and efficiency through investment in sophisticated equipment.
British steel should not rely on government support, regardless of how essential they may. However, British Steel is entitled to government support particularly regarding domestic laws allowing them to compete effectively with other European nations and at the global level when it comes to securing major projects.
In fact, British steel should collaborate with the government to recognise the magnitude at which other industries are threatened due to national guidelines. Therefore, British steel should establish mechanisms for working with other industries and ways of ensuring that they promptly respond to a crisis before they cause damage.
With regards to procurement standards, which have been amended, British steel should say comprehensively how such rules are beneficial to the sector and the supply chain by expensive procurement decisions. Furthermore, the British steel should initiate and develop internal R&D ability to constantly;
Reinforce production technology to ensure the sector is environmentally sustainable and efficient
Look for tactics to convert by-products to energy that may be recycled, this will reduce energy expenses while generating additional income for steel industry
Look for an alternative material, an aspect that will minimise dependence on metal.
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Conclusion
In a nutshell, this analysis demonstrates that the UK government recognises the steel sector as a key industry. However, past governments lacked an effective strategy to detect and tackle the crisis. Following the closing of Redcar steel, the UK leadership has attempted to respond to the effects of such closures in terms of policy framework at the local and global level.
Nevertheless, increased support has not contributed to a quantifiable effect for industry players as well as the community. Nor is the measure in place is adequate to present future certainty. As such, the UK government should collaborate with steel sector to adopt sustainable strategies for steel producers.
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Marriage
Observation and modelling
Abstract
This paper describes the observations and models of marriage which were part of the assignment. In total, there are 3 models:Model 1: Women are more eager for love; Model 2: Men are the support of the families, so they spend more time on studying and working than searching for love; and Model 3: Women are fond of children, so they want to have children after marriage. Three experiments were carried out. The findings of the experiments effectively support the three models.
Observation and models
Models
Model 1: Women are more eager for love. Generally speaking, women appear to be more eager for love as depicted in many films, novels and stories. They can suddenly fall in love with someone after the first meet.
Model 2: Men are expected to support their families, so they spend more time on studying and working than searching for love. Men regard career or job as the most crucial thing after graduation. They need to make money and support their family, so they have to work hard before getting married.
Model 3: Women really like children, so they want to have their children after marriage. They want to become a mother. Usually, women are playing the role of taking care of children in most families since they are compassionate.
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Experiments
Experiment 1: After graduation, women prefer to get married to men who are older.
Dependent variable: Older men. For a marriage to take place, the man must be older than the woman.
Independent variable: Marriage. Marriage has to take place after graduation.
Outcome
1. Women are sensitive to the age of men since they are considered to age more than men. A woman wants to look younger than the man she marries hence will look for a man that is older to get married to.
2. Since women want to get married after graduation more than their male counterparts, they have to seek older men, or they will wait for long before getting married.
Implications 3: Men have less to worry about in the sense of marriage since giving birth and taking care of children is mostly left to women. Men are just supposed to provide financially and are therefore not eager to get married before they get stable income.
4. Men have more responsibility to take care of and mostly prefer younger women. Since they have to marry women that have already graduated, they need first to concentrate on their job as they wait for the younger women to graduate.
The experiment supports model two.
Experiment 2: Marriage does not require a person to be financially stable.
Dependent variable: Marriage
Independent variable: Financial stability
To make the variables work, men and women must be eager for marriage after graduation.
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Implications:
1. Women will fall in love with a man even if he does not have money since they just want to be loved hence they can get married without being financially stable.
2. There are a lot of responsibilities that arise after marriage and men are the ones looked upon to meet these responsibilities. Though there is love, a man has to consider having finances right before marriage.
3. Children are part of the family and to bring out children requires finances. It is, therefore, proper that financial stability is established first before getting married.
The experiment supports model one.
Experiment 3: Men and Women get married to get children
Dependent variable: Children
Independent variable: Marriage
Outcomes:
1. Love and financial stability do not have to exist for children to be born. A man and a woman can just get married and have children.
2. There are expenses that must be incurred for the pregnancy and the whole process of giving birth.
The experiment supports model three.
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Findings and results
Model 1: Women are more eager for love.
The results that would be needed to support this model are that women generally look for love in men – a woman just wants to be loved by her man – and secondly, a woman can easily fall in love with any man even if they have only met once. The other needed result is that a woman would fall in love with a man even if that man is not really financially stable primarily because the woman only wants to be loved by the man and she is not interested in his money.
In general, women seek love in a relationship. It is worth mentioning that love is essentially the confirmation which a woman requires to have in order to have some guarantee that the man is going to stick around and assist her to bring up the children (Allen, 2015). A woman wants to be shown love by her man for instance by the man saying that he loves her. Women need and want to hear the phrase I love you from her husband often.
However, words alone are not adequate and women want men to also find other ways of expressing their love, for instance by sending them flowers and telling them how pretty they look (Solomon, 2012). Moreover, women express their love in terms of surrender; that is trust. A wife empowers her husband by believing in her husband and accepting his leadership. A woman exchanges power for love. She wants her husband’s love to posses her (Makow, 2015).
The results that would contract or fail to support this model are that women do not seek, need or want love, and that a woman can get into marriage where there is no love; that is, where she and her husband do not love each other. The data supported the model.
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Model 2: Men are expected to support their families financially, so they spend more time on studying and working than searching for love.
The results that would be needed to support this model are that in men, the most important thing after graduating from college or university is to get a good job and become financially stable and even purchase a house before considering having a wife and children. The other result is that men want to achieve financial stability first before getting married.
Another important result is that men understand that marriage has a lot of responsibilities and costs such as costs associated with paying hospital bills when the wife gives birth, bringing up children, and providing the general needs of the family such as food, shelter and clothing. Therefore, a man needs to be financially stable in order to take care of these financial needs as they arise during marriage and that is why men tend to wait for financial stability before getting married.
On the whole, men tend to wait for a longer period of time than women before getting married. On average, men wait until they reach 27 years old before marrying whereas women wait on average until they reach 25 years (Dilworth, 2014). Men who get married later tend to be not just more emotionally mature, but also more economically stable.
Men consider marriage as the last step in a long process of growing up and wish to wait until they get older before having children when they are financially stable, and perhaps have a house before marrying. Dye (2014) stated that there a number of reasons why men delay getting married: nowadays, men can easily get sex without getting married; men wish to avoid divorce along with its fiscal risks.
Other reasons are that men face few social pressures to get married; want to possess a house prior to getting a wife; by cohabiting instead of marrying, they are able to enjoy the benefits of a wife; wait for the perfect soul mate; and would like to until they are older before having children (Pease & Pease, 2011).
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The results that would contradict or fail to support this Model 2 are that men want to get married as soon as they leave college and have children, and that men do not consider being financially stable essential prior to getting married. The data obtained actually supported this model.
Model 3: Women are fond of children, so they want to have children after marriage.
The results that would need to be found to support the model are that neither financial stability nor love is necessary for a couple to have a child. Even if a man and woman do not love each other and even if they are not financially stable, they can still get married and have a child or children. Most women want to get married in order to have children: the point of marriage is basically to have a child or children.
In essence, marriage establishes an environment properly suited to having children (Grewal & Urschel, 2014). In addition, the society expects a married woman to have a child or children. Even so, some couples choose to get married for companionship and love, or just to spend life together.
The results that would contradict or fail to support this model are that for a man and a woman to get married and have children, first they must be financially stable. The other result is that before having a child, the couple must be in love with each other. The obtained data from the experiment supported this model.
References
Allen, T. (2015). What’s the point of being married if you don’t want children? Boston, MA: SAGE publishers
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Operation Management
Introduction
Many companies emphasizes mostly in operation management. They are mainly alarmed with the company’s planning, organizing, supervising as far as manufacturing, production and other service are concerned. The operation management departments ensures that the company inputs are been transformed to outputs at an efficient and effective manner. Operation management runs across two fields of operations.
That is the supply chain management and the logistics. It helps the operations mangers to have the knowledge of comprehending the current supply chain management so that they can meet the clients demand in a timely manner. As far as logistics is concerned, the operation managers are very keen when using the resources available on a cost effective basis.
An operation manager is mandated to know all the process of a company. Comprehending them make it easier for the operation manager to run them swiftly. Also, the operation manager must have the supply chain skills to run this operations and the skills related to logistics in order to integrate both the coordination and know-how of the organization work. This will make the operation manager to be successful when running company’s processes, (Gunasekaran, and Ngai, 2012).
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Kolak snack food limited is known to be the leading manufacturing company for snacks and crisps based products. Been the leading company, Kolak understands the interests of the company working in food services, retail, catering, cash and carry and specialty food sector to work with their trusted suppliers. For this reason, they have committed themselves by give their customer’s quality services from the sales of innovated crisps and snacks.
Putting the customers at their heart of operation, Kolak has been to grow and develop rapidly since 1984 and it is well known for its quality and flexible services and products for been the largest crisps and snack producers in Europe. The company has invested heavily in thee infrastructure with manufacturing machines and in people to. They aim at considering the finest inputs, flavors and ingredients and also restructure their supply chain so that they when they purchase their input, they do it at a cost effective way.
They consider their customers taste and preferences and when their customers select the brand of products they want, the company assure them of what they need since they have the experts, resources and they aim to deliver at a cost effective manner.
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With such a reputation, Kolak Company need to have a competent operation manager to ensure that the company brand name is maintained. Operations managers have a vital role in a company. They are meant to put everything in equilibrium according to the company policies and processes that run along all the company department.
Also they are meant to foresee the company’s plans on its onsite operations, (Burke, 2013) When launching a new product in the market, the operation manager should be flexible to coup up with challenges that will come with the product development and market development. Some of the challenges the operation manager will have to deal with include the following, (Dekker, Bloemhof, and Mallidis 2012)
Competing practices- a new operation manager will find it difficult to manage a business that is highly competing in the global market and also that have competing activities within the company. Various business procedures of the firm can have disadvantageous results on the company’s actions when they challenge the efficiency of the company distributing quality products and services. However, using the Kolak Company brand name, it will be easier for the operation manager to win the market since the company is well established.
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Sustainability-the operations manager have a task of coming up with long term customers and maintaining them, formulating a long term strategies employees that help them coup up with the company political, economic, socio-cultural, and technological environment. The strategies formulated is meant to minimize the negatives effects by eliminating wastes which aims to reduce the wellbeing of the clients.
The operation managers may face this challenge because the environment work are seemed to be more insular, (Teittinen, Pellinen, and Järvenpää, 2013). By doing so, the company can secure an opportunity that they should implement to the fullest and be in a position to meet the client’s needs.
Corporate reporting-in many organizations, the operation managers are accountable for issuing corporates reports to the top management. The reports given includes performance and financial data and they are involved to communicate this information to the shareholders. The challenges they face is when the company has not kept up to date and accurate reports for the business.
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Social responsibility-the operation managers oversee on how the organization is interacting with the community at large beyond the fact that they want them to buy the products. It becomes a problem to the operation manager to be able to organize projects that aims at involving the community to show them that the firm recognizes them and they are concerned about them and their customers beyond making profits and create awareness of their business and keep its brand name, (Tano, and, Data Tec, 2013)
A new manager is be able to accomplish a fast fluctuating commercial and technological environment. To do so, the new manger should be able to address to the human side in a systematic way. It will involve the manager emphasizing on the transformation of peoples issues. The managers will have to step out of their cocoon, develop new skills and abilities and convince the employees on their tasks to handle.
The manager should be able coup up with the change and involve all the stakeholders, integrate all the changes and formulate a strategy that will help them to make an informed decisions. The strategic direction taken by the manager should be realistic and must be congruent to the company history and must be flexible enough to a capacity of a change, (Pérez-Feijoo, Martínez-López, and García-Ordaz, 2015). For example the Kolak Company operation manager should try to use the product’s strength in order to overcome this changes and make their brand name to be well recognized and keep their reputation.
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Also, the manger should start at the top since change in an organization is unsettling for staff. The manager should come up with a new approach that will motivate the employees and at the same time challenge them. The approach should limit the employees from looking upon the top management team for direction, support and strength.
The manager should be able to work with other people so that they analyze vividly on the direction they have to take for change, be able to comprehend the behaviors and the culture the change is inducing to the organization, and be able to find a solution to those changes, (Lunenburg, 2012). The new operation manager at Kolak Company should be able to communicate the dynamic changes that are facing the company operations. With a flow of communication, it will become easier for the company to know how they will deal with the internal or external environmental issues affecting the business.
In addition, the manager should involve every department of the company. The changes in the company running involve the changes in the company’s reengineering their plans and coming up with new targets that are to be implemented. The transformation of company activities must be part of the strategies that identify the management in the company and be able to roll the change down to the staffs so that they can help implement the changes throughout the organization, (Cameron, and Green, 2015.).
The changes that may be facing the Kolak Company may be outside their reach. The operation manager should involve every member of staff in order to come up with a plan that will help the company to adopt and coup up with the changes but keeps the company’s vision alive.
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The manager should make the change process as a formal case. To avoid questioning by the staff, the manager have to formalize the changes and write a new vision statement that will help create team work, (Scarbrough, and Corbett, 2013.)
The manager will to operate in a changing environment, should be willing to overwork during the time of change and be a fanatics who is willing to launch a serious figure amongst the work force in the kindness of change. The leader must be willing to own the company responsibility for overseeing change and coping with it in all the company’s department. The ownership by the manager will involve people who will help recognize problems and come up informed solutions.
The manager must be willing to motivate the so that they can work effectively and efficiently. Failing to coup up with the changes, the Kolak Company will face a bigger threat from any political, economic, social, technological, and ecological conditions that will hit the company unexpectedly causing a change in their operations.
The mangers who operates in a changing environment of commercial and technological change, should be able to communicate the message to the entire stakeholders. A good flow of communication from the top management to the junior staffs is aimed to communicate and pass the right information to the employees about the changes at the right time through communication from multiple and terminated networks, (Hayes, 2014).
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Lastly the manager is expected to prepare and plan for the unexpected. The manager should always review the company operations on their impact on a day to day activities. This will help the management to fully adopt to any unpredictable transformation.
Kolak Company have to formulate a strategy that’s abide to its marketing operation. The strategy may be as follows, (Bettis, Gambardella, Helfat, and Mitchell, 2015)
Operating location– The Company should come up with a strategic place where it is aiming to develop a market for its product. The decision about the market should be independent and should make sense regarding the company operations.
Customer analysis-the company through the marketing department should carry out analysis for developing their target market and gets the know-how on what their customers really needs. When a bigger number of customers are happy with the product offered, then the demand will vary as per the needs of them, (Lee, Chiu, Y.L, Wu, and Liu, 2014)
Competition analysis-the company should be able to analysis and understand the competition in the market. This will help to create a distinction with their competitors operations.
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Analysis of capability and system of one’s own company– it will be of necessity when the company will have to achieve a continuous and a continuous abilities and also be able to come up with a stable system in order to offer a endless value to their client and show a different approach as compared to what the competitor is offering, (De Mooij, 2013)
Setting Quantitative targets– the company will set up a target they are aiming to achieve by the end of a certain period. The target will go hand in hand with the customers’ needs and if there is any change, the operations should be evaluated amicably, (Jain, 2014)
Aiming in context with the divisional strategies– each department in the organization should come up with their own plans that will help push the project onward.
Performance analysis-this will involve analyzing the gap between the desired performance and planned performance. It will encompasses on analyzing of the company historical performance that will help to forecast on future performance.
Choice of strategy– after a careful assessment of company goals, strengths, potential and limitations operations, the best alternative and strategy that will be congruent to the vision of the company will be implemented, (Gunasekaran, and Ngai, 2012)
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SWOT analysis
Kolak Company is best known for its snacks products. Producing another health product to the market will be a significant role to play since the company is well known by its brand name and the quality products it offers to its clients that come with efficient and effective services.
In the new market, the target market are the young populations who goes for snacks products. The company must be willing to meet the clients taste and preferences and fulfil they request when they order a special type of snack.
The company beliefs that the customers are the heart of the business. It means that the new product established will be according to the customers’ needs and it will be health so that it does not affect customer’s health issues.
The new product should be launched into a market where there is demand for a particular product. The company should be able to analyze the market gap in all its global markets and see an opportunity that will make them fulfill their target.
After establishing the customers’ needs and seizing an opportunity, the company will have to employ a competent person who will manage to administer quality services to the customers and be creative enough to know what the taste of the customer is. Also, the location of the business should be strategically placed such that it becomes easier to produce product with the new technology and also easier to distribute the products. With this, it will be easier to make profits due to better know how of the market, (Hollensen, 2015.)
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PESTEL Analysis
The Kolak Company should set up the market for the new product where there is political stability. This will ensure that the business is running swiftly and there is customers for the product.
Establishing a business in a political stable market, the Kolak Company is well assured that the economy of the market is stable and they make sales for their products.
The company should be socially responsible. They should interact with the community beyond the aspect of making profit. This will make the company to be well established and in return will be able to make maximum sales
Due to advanced technology, the company should set up the market for the new product where there is availability and accessibility of latest technology that will help them with ease of production, (Rachet, 2014)
The Kolak Company should develop a market in an environment that best suit its products and will be convenient for its customer’s hygiene.
To come up with a market, the company will have to adhere the government rules and regulations and it should have proper documentation before it starts operating.
It can be summarized that operation management in a company is well concerned with control, redesigning, the organization operation in the productions of goods and services. The operation manger should be competent in a way that he or she is very keen to ensure that the operations are handled in an effective way and at cost effective when meeting the customer’s needs.
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It can be concluded that the operation manager is the key person who is at the higher notch of maintaining the company operations. Any misinformation by the operation manger will eventually leads to unpredicted changes and this will alter with the company progress because of dynamic unexpected changes that may lead to the company incurring various cost when trying to control redesign, and oversee the company operations running swiftly. , (Belleflamme, and Peitz, 2015).
Having a competent operations manager, Kolak Company will be able to launch its new product in the market. Following the operation strategy and the operations manager has the skills of supply chain management and logistics, the company will develop the new product and develop a new market which it will be able to meet the customer’s requirements effectively and efficiently at a minimum hurdle rate.
It can be recommended that Kolak Company can launch the new product into the market. Having analyzed the market fully and the customers at the same time, the company through the operation management team can spear head the launch of the product that will be of high quality and will satisfy the customer taste and preferences.
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Bettis, R.A., Gambardella, A., Helfat, C. and Mitchell, W., 2015. Qualitative empirical research in strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 36(5), pp.637-639.
Cameron, E. and Green, M., 2015. Making sense of change management: a complete guide to the models, tools and techniques of organizational change. Kogan Page Publishers.
Dekker, R., Bloemhof, J. and Mallidis, I., 2012. Operations Research for green logistics–An overview of aspects, issues, contributions and challenges. European Journal of Operational Research, 219(3), pp.671-679.
Gunasekaran, A. and Ngai, E.W., 2012. The future of operations management: an outlook and analysis. International Journal of Production Economics, 135(2), pp.687-701.
Hollensen, S., 2015. Marketing management: A relationship approach. Pearson Education.
Jain, S.K., 2014. Impact of advertisement on the consumer behaviour a case study of some selected fmcg products in union territory of chandigarh.
Lee, T.W., Chiu, Y.L., Wu, Y.S. and Liu, H.S., 2014, September. An intelligent image-based customer analysis service. In Network Operations and Management Symposium (APNOMS), 2014 16th Asia-Pacific (pp. 1-4). IEEE.
Lunenburg, F.C., 2012. Organizational structure: Mintzberg’s framework. International journal of scholarly, academic, intellectual diversity, 14(1), pp.1-8.
Patel, S.R., Hayes, A.L., Blackwell, T., Evans, D.S., Ancoli-Israel, S., Wing, Y.K. and Stone, K.L., 2014. The association between sleep patterns and obesity in older adults. International Journal of Obesity, 38(9), pp.1159-1164.
Pérez-Feijoo, H.M., Martínez-López, F.J. and García-Ordaz, M., 2015. Potential benefits of employee portals in public administrations: implementation and proactive behaviour towards the organization. Atlantic Review of Economics, 1, p.1.
Rachet, B., 2014. PESTEL analysis and Porters Five Forces For Innocent Drinks Company. Docs. school Publications.
Tano, M., Data Tec Co., Ltd., 2013. Operation management device to be mounted to a moving object, portable information terminal, operation management server, and computer program. U.S. Patent 8,421,864.
Teittinen, H., Pellinen, J. and Järvenpää, M., 2013. ERP in action—Challenges and benefits for management control in SME context. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 14(4), pp.278-296.
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Back Pain
Introduction
Back pain is a common and costly disorder in Australia. Hoy et al., (2014) report that about 25% of Australians suffer from back pain and approximately half of them seek medical attention. The direct costs for treatment of this condition in Australia have been estimated to be approximately $ 1 billion with an addition of $ 8 used in indirect costs (Buchbinder et al., 2013).
The condition is also prevalent within the healthcare professionals where nurses have a higher likelihood of developing back pains unlike individuals from other professions. In South Australia alone, back injury accounts for over $2 million in every financial year (Lorig et al., 2013). Surveys of patient self-managing their back pain as well as those managed in primary care have indicated that usual care is not often evidence based hence hindering provision of best outcomes to patients.
Consequently, there has been a growing demand to address the ramifications of back pain through changes in health policies, investments, and service delivery. Healthcare providers, are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that patients receive effective prevention and treatment strategies to curb this menace.
In my visit to John’s home, there are a number of activities that I will conduct to examine John’s condition and the proper intervention that he needs for effective management of his condition. Some of these activities that I will examine include;
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Patient Education
In my initial visit, the first is educating John on chronic back pain. I will highlight clearly that the condition may arise due to an injury or diseases on different body structures such as the muscles, joints, ligaments, or nerves. According to Traeger et al., (2014), the type of pain varies and can be felt as muscle pain, bone pain, or nerve pain. I will also emphasize that it is important for patients to seek medical attention the moment they have back pains and not wait until the disorder worsens to promote effective management of the condition.
At this point, it will be of great significance for me to let John know that he is not the only one suffering from back pain. He should understand that back pain is a massive problem in Australia that sends more people to seek medical attention more than any other condition except common cold (Driscoll et al., 2014).
Nutrition and Weight loss
Normally, patients who are overweight and suffer from back pain, such as John, may not be aware their excess weight aggravates their condition (Brady et al., 2016). It is well known that obese patients are at a greater risk for back pain, muscle strain, and joint pain unlike those that are not overweight. Moreover, obese patients also complain of fatigue and shortness of breath which makes them refrain from exercises worsening their back pain (Heuch et al., 2013).
When patients do not get enough exercise for quite some time, the back’s supporting structures become weak, stiff, and deconditioned which further increases pain (Silisteanu & Covasa, 2015, November). It is for this reasons that I will encourage John to have a weight loss program which may involve gentle low-impact activities such as walking, jogging, or water therapy. I will also advise John to avoid eating foods with high fat content. He should also stick to a rational nutrition plan which involves changes in eating habits as a step toward effective management of his back pain.
During the visit, I will observe John’s posture and position. Reviewing of John’s curvature of the spine, shoulder symmetry, and the iliac crest will also be of great importance. I will conduct a physical examination through palpation of John’s paraspinal muscle to identify any form of tenderness and then initiate proper interventions as per the findings.
Pain Alleviation
For pain reduction, I will encourage John to take timed bed rests and adjust his position to improve flexion of the lumbar region. I will teach him to regulate and adjust the pains that traverse through the respiratory diaphragm. Relaxation can also help in reducing muscle tension that contributes to back pain. John should also adjust his sitting position regularly or even engage in other activities such as reading books, watching a movie or take part in yoga.
I will advise John to request his wife, Donna, to gently massage his back. It has been proven by Kumar, Beaton & Hughes, 2013; Schulz et al., 2014) that massage aids in reduction of muscle spasms, reducing damming, and improve blood circulation.
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Depression
Depression is the most common emotion linked to chronic back pain. Patients with chronic back pain have major depression which is said to be four times greater in such patients than in the general public in Australia. John is not an exception from this statistics since he reports that he is depressed because he can no longer take part in activities such as hiking and cycling that he has always loved.
Research has revealed that depression can trigger back pain (Steffens et al., 2012). It affects the intensity, frequency and the rate of healing of back pain. Consequently, I will advise John to communicate about the depression. Mostly, many patients do not talk to their physicians about their depression, anxiety, or stress (Center, 2012). Individuals that are stressed tend to tense their back muscles which in turn trigger the onset of low back pain or make it even worse.
They believe that the emotions will go away once the initial pain problem is solved. Therefore, John should regularly keep me updated about his feelings so that I may provide desirable care to him. I will also recommend John to interact with other people, for instance, he can occasionally visiting his daughter or son or play with his grandchild to avoid being lonely and stressed up.
The two activities that I will give priority in my subsequent visits are;
Adherence to Medication
Generally, healthcare providers are aware of the considerable increase in rates of opioid prescribing. Opioids have long been used as pain management agents. However, they are associated with adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, respiratory depression, addiction, and even death. The side effects usually limit their use by patients. Therefore, in my first visit and subsequent visits, this is an issue I will be reviewing.
In these visits, I will assess the effectiveness of the prescribed analgesics and inquire from John on whether what he feels after taking the drug. I will then initiate appropriate adjustments according to the patient’s condition for effective pain management. Besides, other pain management therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, chiropractic care, and herbal medicines such as ginger, capsaicin and feverfew can be used (Ferreira et al., 2014).
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ii) Exercise
According to Searle et al., (2015)exercise should be the first treatment choice for a patient with back problems such as John. This is because exercise matches the fact that individuals with chronic back pain should be physically active and involve themselves in their management. Moreover, treatments such as massage, acupuncture, and manipulative therapy are passive hence the patient is not involved in the therapy.
Falla et al., (2014) further highlight that exercise provides other health benefits beyond back pain management, for instance, in terms of bone and cardiovascular health. Therefore, I will encourage John to take part in usually low grade oscillatory exercises such as knees side to side rotation, knee to chest stretches, pelvic tilts, and press ups. I will also help John to come up with an exercise program which I will be supervising to ensure he follows it.
There are several forms of exercise and there is no genuine reason of expecting that one approach would be better than the other (O’Sullivan, 2012; Elden et al, 2013). As a result, I will give John a list of beneficial exercises he can engage in and enquire from him which type he would prefer so that it is included in the exercise program. The best form of exercise for any patient is the one they are enthusiastic about and willing to continue with.
For instance, John says he likes cycling; an activity that has been recorded to have desirable outcomes in patients with back pains. This can be included in his program. I will advise John not to take part in heavy physical activities, circular motions, and sways which often worsen the condition. I will encourage John to switch activities while sitting, lying or walking for a long time.
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Conclusion
Back pain is a common health problem in Australia (Cramer et al., 2013). However, its prevalence can be reduced significantly if patients and clinicians work together. Patients, for instance, should seek early medical attention and adhere to the prescribed medications and the recommended activities. On the other hand, physicians should keep a close surveillance on these patients and ensure that desirable patient outcomes are realized.
References
Brady, S. R., Hussain, S., Brown, W. J., Heritier, S., Billah, B., Wang, Y., & Cicuttini, F. M. (2016). Relationships between weight, physical activity and back pain in young adult women. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 24, S10-S11.
Buchbinder, R., Blyth, F. M., March, L. M., Brooks, P., Woolf, A. D., & Hoy, D. G. (2013). Placing the global burden of low back pain in context. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 27(5), 575-589.
Center, C., Relief, P., Covington, L. A., & Parr, A. T. (2012). Caudal epidural injections in the management of chronic low back pain: a systematic appraisal of the literature. Pain Physician, 15, E159-E198.
Depression Goesling, J., Clauw, D. J., & Hassett, A. L. (2013). Pain and depression: an integrative review of neurobiological and psychological factors. Current psychiatry reports, 15(12), 1-8.
Driscoll, T., Jacklyn, G., Orchard, J., Passmore, E., Vos, T., Freedman, G., & Punnett, L. (2014). The global burden of occupationally related low back pain: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study. Annals of the rheumatic diseases, annrheumdis-2013.
Elden, H., Gutke, A., Kjellby-Wendt, G., Fagevik Olsén, M., Stankovic, N., & Östgaard, H. C. (2013). Back pain in relation to pregnancy: A longitudinal 10-year follow-up of 369 women diagnosed with pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. In Advances in multidisciplinary research for better spinal/pelvic care. The 8th Interdiciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain, Oct, 2013. Dubai.
Falla, D., Gizzi, L., Tschapek, M., Erlenwein, J., & Petzke, F. (2014). Reduced task-induced variations in the distribution of activity across back muscle regions in individuals with low back pain. PAIN®, 155(5), 944-953.
Ferreira, P. H., Ferreira, M. L., Maher, C. G., Refshauge, K. M., Latimer, J., & Adams, R. D. (2013). The therapeutic alliance between clinicians and patients predicts outcome in chronic low back pain. Physical therapy, 93(4), 470-478.
Heuch, I., Heuch, I., Hagen, K., & Zwart, J. A. (2013). Body mass index as a risk factor for developing chronic low back pain: a follow-up in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study. Spine, 38(2), 133-139.
Hoy, D., March, L., Brooks, P., Blyth, F., Woolf, A., Bain, C., & Murray, C. (2014). The global burden of low back pain: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study. Annals of the rheumatic diseases, annrheumdis-2013.
Kumar, S., Beaton, K., & Hughes, T. (2013). The effectiveness of massage therapy for the treatment of nonspecific low back pain: a systematic review of systematic reviews. Int J Gen Med, 6, 733-741.
O’Sullivan, P. (2012). It’s time for change with the management of non-specific chronic low back pain. British journal of sports medicine, 46(4), 224-227.
Schulz, C., Leininger, B., Evans, R., Vavrek, D., Peterson, D., Haas, M., & Bronfort, G. (2014). Spinal manipulation and exercise for low back pain in adolescents: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Chiropractic & manual therapies, 22(1), 1.
Silisteanu, S. C., & Covasa, M. (2015, November). Reduction of body weight through nutrition intervention reduces chronic low back pain. In E-Health and Bioengineering Conference (EHB), 2015 (pp. 1-3). IEEE.
Steffens, D., Ferreira, M. L., Maher, C. G., Latimer, J., Koes, B. W., Blyth, F. M., & Ferreira, P. H. (2012). Triggers for an episode of sudden onset low back pain: study protocol. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 13(1), 7.
Traeger, A. C., Moseley, G. L., Hübscher, M., Lee, H., Skinner, I. W., Nicholas, M. K., & Hush, J. M. (2014). Pain education to prevent chronic low back pain: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ open,4(6), e005505.
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The patient-centered medical home model
The chronic care model refers to an organizational approach through which people suffering from chronic diseases can receive care in the primary care settings. It is population-based. Moreover, it creates supportive, evidence-based, and practical interactions between the activated, informed patient and proactive, and prepared practice team.
This model identifies some vital healthcare system elements which promote care for chronic diseases that is high-quality. Within the elements, there are particular change concepts, which are used by the team to guide the improvement efforts. The care redesign processes applied agree to the change concepts.
In the same way, the aim of the patient-centered medical home is ensuring that the patients receive better care (Varkey, 2010). The model focuses more on patient needs. Some of the aspects through which care access can be improved include increased communication between the patients and providers through telephone and email, and extending the office hours. The elements of the chronic care model increase care coordination as each contributes in its own way.
One of the goals of the patient-centered medical home is also increasing care coordination. Moreover, the latter model aims to enhance the overall quality and reduce costs simultaneously (The Commonwealth Fund, 2009).
The patient-centered medical home model has a keen focus on the whole person, and different healthcare professionals participate in the care provision. There aspects are not focused on the chronic care model where attention is solely on the chronic disease. Similar to the chronic care model, the patient-centered medical home model integrated all health care aspects for overall health improvement. A unique characteristic of the patient-centered medical homes is that patients seek care from personal physicians who lead care teams within the medical practice (National Business Coalition on Health & National Health Leadership Council, 2010).
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Elements that are most significant for achieving safety and quality goals
The patient-centered medical home model
This model also has some elements that promote achievement of its set goals. These are physician-led practice, whole-person orientation, coordinated and integrated care, access, and focus on safety and quality. These elements have to interact for the care being provided to be relevant. Same as the chronic care model, evidence-based medicine is given a lot of emphasis as it helps improve the patient outcomes. Moreover, the care team has to offer comprehensive care that is both coordinated and integrated (Institute for Healthcare Improvement, n.d.).
Chronic care model
This model identifies the cardinal elements that every healthcare system should have for high-quality care for chronic diseases to be realized. The elements are as follows; clinical information systems, decision support, delivery system design, self-management support, health system, and community. Under each element, there are evidence-based change concepts and in combination, they foster interactions that are productive and meaningful between informed patients that are very active in their health and well-being and providers with expertise and resources.
Based on this model, these elements should all interact for chronic diseases to be managed and prevented effectively. In essence, the factors in the community that contribute to chronic diseases should be addressed and measures taken to promote safer communities (Varkey, 2010). In addition, patients should engage in self-care and management; healthcare delivery should be safe, personalized, and high-quality; the best decisions should be made for better care provision; and the clinical side should also be effective.
As such, chronic diseases can be prevented and managed appropriately. All the elements of this model are important for safety and quality goals. Each of them has a cardinal contribution, and ignoring any would result to inefficiencies.
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Structuring the models to achieve the best medical outcomes for individual patients at the lowest cost to society
In relation to the chronic care model, the organizations being created should be committed to offering high quality and safe care. Basically, the business plan of the health system should reflect a dedication to applying the model across the organization. Moreover, the clinical leaders should ever be dedicated and visible members whose roles performance should be perfect. Again, the community resources should be mobilized so that the patients’ needs can be met. As a result, the chronically ill patients can be kept active, involved, and supported.
Moreover, it is necessary that the patients are prepared and empowered to as to participate in their healthcare. The delivery system design should assure self-management support and effective, efficient care. Birenbaum (2011) indicated that the decision support should promote care that agrees to patient preferences and scientific data. In relation to the clinical information systems, data should be organized to promote effective and efficient care (Varkey, 2010).
For the patient-centered medical home model to be effective, the team of providers have to cooperate. In addition, there has to be payment reform and health information technology. Considering that medical homes might be virtual or physical network of services and providers, there has to be health information technology that can facilitate information sharing and communication among providers. In addition, the providers receive financial incentives that enables them focus on quality as opposed to volume.
References
Birenbaum, A. (2011). Remaking chronic care in the age of health care reform: Changes for lower cost, higher quality treatment. Santa Barbara, Calif: Praeger.
National Business Coalition on Health, & National Health Leadership Council. (2010). Patient-centered medical home: Has the time come? : National Health Leadership Council, Portland, ME, June 22-24, 2010. Washington, D.C: National Business Coalition on Health.
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Alaska Airline; Airline Operations
Introduction
The airline sector has experienced remarkable development and international expansion in the previous decade. Aviation is important not just national but also international business development and provides vital socioeconomic benefits. The considerable growth is attributable for various factors including; deregulation of aviation laws and bilateral agreements among governments; growing demand as a result of quality services putting pressure on airfares thus reduce costs of travel.
In addition, there is intense competition between airline and globalization, which has contributed to the growth of the air transport with international business and tourism that has greatly facilitated the aviation flight sector. The 1978 aviation deregulation act presents new opportunities for airline’s leading to expansion of the aviation sector (Suganthlakshmi, 2011). Such expansion has also led to intense competition, in turn contributing in air disputes. The sector has been forced to restructure its operations to remain sustainable while focusing on airlines. The paper evaluates the strategic analysis of the Alaska Airline and the structure of decision making.
Part One
In the landing slot auctions how much contribution did your airline make?
In the Hong Kong arrival slot auction, Alaska airline was in the 3rd slot, which represented full-service operations. The auction was performed for 3 days while about eight landing slots were auctioned to the highest dealer. This means that, the airline contributed a total of USD 49,796,250, with investments of approximately $ 1,75,00,00,007 and return on investment (ROI) of 28%. During the auction, a total of USD 6b was invested while Alaska invested USD 1,750,000,007 that earned 1, 4, and 6 landing slots.
The significance of the Contribution
This contribution was of great importance, because, Alaska was successful in low-cost airlines with a ROI OF 28 percent. Owing to the fact that ROI is an indicator for measuring performance, it depicts a high efficiency from not only investments but also provides productive results. The focus was mainly on enhancing RASM for generating high profit margins for Alaska airline. However, based on the load elements, the only chances of enhancing RASM is to increase revenue using pricing strategy.
This is practical in terms of assessing the cost of round trip Alaska airline offer s and breakeven costs. Therefore, bidding for landing slots was performed effectively. Because Alaska airline was in the full-service category, it was in position to get rid of intense competition. As such, this move was important for airline when it comes to generating a higher contribution. Nonetheless, there was intense competition, especially in groups 1 and 2, which led to a low contribut5ion and significant losses in certain areas.
Analyse your performance, what could you have done to make more
To make more money and performance, Alaska airline could have bided a lower price for its opening bid, then increase it when necessary (Suganthlakshmi, 2011). This attempt could increase Alaska Airline’s opportunity for earning better contribution in the 1stlanding slot at low auction value. By and large, Alaska acted as the basis and supported by its core competencies while taking advantage of its rivals, which was important for increasing profitability.
Part 2
Alaska Airline was formed in 1985. It is a holding firm whose parent company operates airlines, with a staff base of around 15,000 workers and a fleet of 200 aircrafts. The holding firm and the parent company are both independently branded. The company is the seventh biggest US carrier when it comes to passenger carrier and it is widespread across US. While headquarter in Seattle, the airline has grown significantly to serve several US states.
Some of the deepening commitments were in form of ensuring optimal and efficient services. In this it is imperative to understand Michael Porter’s competitive forces, which shape the strategy. In aviation sector, competitive forces are intense and largely affect the profitability of the airline. Generally, some of the operations that would promote change include management and other associated services including catering, handling cargo and baggage (Wilhelm, 2015).
The airline’s decision to move to an all 737 fleet implies an increase in the mainline fleet to approximately 10 aircraft. In addition, a number of upcoming deliveries are likely to replace 737 fleet.
I would not go contract workers instead take into account that the airline in the community and being a good citizen. This is effective when it comes to enhancing not only the bottom line but also recognising front line employees and customers’ input to the bottom line. In short, good management requires balancing all vital competing interests and enhancing the overall revenue.
The airline is known for its dynamic innovation technologically and improvement on customer service. Therefore, senior leadership could have reduced the potential risk by increasing the airline capacity, great craft operation, solitary aircraft type, economical fares, terminus to terminus services, and rapid turnaround time at the airport, predominantly short- to medium haul routes (Hwang, 2011).
While the cost effective model has largely been a preferred model for airline, the gap between the full service carriers and low service carriers is getting smaller each day, as such, the LCCs might take over the market share of FSCs. Being that this market niche is still unexplored a lot of improvements can be done to grow it. It has been ranked highest in client contentment for old-style North American Airlines for 5 successive years.
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XYZ Capital Partners SWOT analysis
Strengths
Domestically, XYZ has a strong market presence; it takes in more commuters across US than any other carrier. The carrier is one of the largest carriers when it comes to passenger traffic. Owing to the remoteness of Alaska, air is the main form of transport. For five years consecutively it has been ranked highest when it comes to customer satisfaction for traditional North American airlines. The company has a strong operational network on its well established domestic market amid all turmoil characterized by international recession and increased terrorism the Airline still continues to grow.
Unlike its competitors, the company has been generating profit for over three decades except six years since it was conceptualized; it has enabled mergers to stay afloat. It has a great public acceptance in both travel safety and fast way of air travel. It has segmented its market by offering different services and different pricing. This model to a greater extent increase organization popularity and visibility because of specialization (Perry, 2012).
The airline staff training is intense and high in terms of quality coupled with experience earns them great customer satisfaction. The airline offer pilots extreme weather training an aspect that enhances the safety of its operations. To help navigate through an impossible terrain, the airline uses modern radar communication technology.
This also enhances the reliability and safety on its services. The company’s operations stretch back to the cold war era, when it offered chartered flights to the Soviet Union. The airline does not have competitors who fear venturing into this harsh terrain marred with extended flights. The airline obtains its greatest revenue overseas; however, it still plays a major role in national transport.
Alaska Airline has established that computes 50,000 points to enhance real-time performance of data which saves time and money. Approximately, the system saves the firm about $25 to $30 million annually (Blachly, 2012). This is the cutting edge for XYZ Capital Partners as it enables it to hold down expenses and compete effectively on routes that cost less outside of US. It has received special honors on philanthropy and community involvement this increases its acceptance by the wider community.
Weakness
A large workforce that is spread over the vast geographic areas, with inclusion of the international points, requires continual monitoring and communication increasing on the operational costs for XYZ Capital Partners. Airlines demonstrate a high spoilage rate in comparison to other sectors. Immediately flight takes off, a vacant seat is lost and is non-revenue generating. Nothing can salvage such situation that revenue is lost. Aircrafts are very expensive and require huge capital outlays (Ommani, 2011). While the commerce environment can change rapidly, the in aviation sector it is very complex to make speedy schedule and airplane variations due to staff commitments, contracts and other factors.
The greatest weakness for XYZ Capital Partners marketing mix is in the promotional strategies. This is an attempt for cost cutting to stay lucrative but might work against them on creating a new customer base or even losing customers to competitors. XYZ Capital Partners model of business not necessary it depends entirely on one source of revenue and that is passenger revenue in terms of fares. Anything that disrupts it sends the whole business on its knees. It’s absent in the lucrative certain regions market that is growing in terms of tourism and business travel also affects its operations.
Opportunities
Technological advancement can lead to cutting costs, starting with fuel efficient aircrafts to additional computerization in terms of ground operations reducing the cost of man power. Developing a symbiotic relationship with other carriers can increase passenger volume. This can be achieved by harmonizing timetables; carriers can offer services to destination on a code sharing arrangement with a partner carrier. XYZ Capital Partners offers continual opportunities to both business and leisure air travel (Porter, 2008).
The recent growth on international tourism is increasing the air traffic the airline can tap into this growing the market niche, and by so doing; it increases the revenue generating platforms and air space. XYZ Capital Partners has in-flight entertainment player to improve on customer satisfaction, which is a great marketing move that will improve the customer retention.
Threats
Global economic recession greatly affects leisure, business and optional travel that cut down the market sphere as well as the revenue in it. Fuel cost is the biggest expense for the airline as is the case everywhere; hence an upward approach can threaten the business strategy. With the surge in the insecurity that has been greatly caused by terrorism negatively affects air travel.
This applies mostly by governments to safeguard national carriers and caution them from external competition (Blake & Wijetilaka, 2015).Fluctuation in air travel in demand by the economy class market segment, which hurts the business economically. There has been an increase in personnel training costs; this has been characterized by high technological advancements and the global increase in training fee.
Marketing Mix
Price
XYZ Capital Partners has a reputation for being lowly priced in terms of air ticket fare in comparison to the competitor that is majorly delta air. The other attraction on the price cap is that you can cancel your flight and get back your fare back without any penalty. This makes XYZ Capital Partners attractive to its customers because of customer friendly policies.
In this case, there are price changes such as, reduction in price that customers receive in form of a credit for use in future flight (Wilhelm, 2015). XYZ Capital Partners has mileage, which enable one-way redemption for frequent flyers. The airline also introduced program 49 for planning mileage for Alaska residents with various benefits including email notification, fare, discounts and sales
Promotion
XYZ Capital Partners is technologically savvy and recognized for embracing technological changes to improve clients’ experience. The main mode of marketing is customer referrals it endears itself to its passengers thus creating more customers by referrals from its existing customer base. Such a marketing tool is easy to run because it is not expensive to run as compared to mega sponsorship deals with sports clubs, and television adverts that cost millions to run.
This requires working on the personnel and hiring those with a friendly character and attitude and imposing a strict code of character. The customer here is the most important aspect of the business and how you treat them determines their loyalty to your airline.
Internet being the greatest marketing platform, XYZ Capital Partners has earned a reputation as having funny and clever ads, but there is only problem is that these ads are few and far between. Such an operational philosophy of cutting down expenses though beneficial can work against them. Airline business requires a lot of visibility and constant communication with the public or you might run a risk of losing business to its rivals.
A brand has to be recognised in public at all times, most airlines fail to know that customers as such, they need being reminded why they have to be in business and the younger prospects want a visible airline, it has to do that if it has to tap into these market sphere. Therefore, XYZ Capital Partners has to look for ways of understanding such issues.
On time delivery, nobody likes delay and XYZ Capital Partners to ensure that services are delivered timely as well as performance. It has a reputation of prompt service delivery and keeping their schedules. Such a kind of reputation is a morale booster for the existing customers and new customers. Again, this less intensive marketing strategy that stirs the XYZ Capital Partners a head by generating greater customer confidence is the brand for such a dynamic market.
The airline is devoted to its clients and this is one of the leading strategies as far as the company is concern. XYZ Capital Partners should invest in Alaska Airline as services are offered through way of technology, process, and customer relations they share passion. While this is what the organisation aims to do, this is exactly what XYZ Capital Partners intends to carry forth, before investing so as to share on the same network.
Place
Since the XYZ Capital Partners is strategically located, air travel is the main mode of transport. On most occasions, residents use their services to buy goods and services. Patients are also flown for emergency services. Recently, Alaska airline expanded to other regions, particularly, Hawaii and non-airline centre so as to increase the revenue streams, an important element that should convince XYZ Capital Partners to invest.
There are plans to exit underperforming routes and cut the capacity of other routes this is to enable it fully concentrate on the more profitable routes. This is a short term strategy to due to increased competition from established airline. However, with good marketing strategies, XYZ Capital Partners can be at the top.
In business there is no jack of all trades, a company has to specialize on its core activities that way it enable it to retain your existing customer base before thinking of a new market. Furthermore, Alaska airline has developed new branding strategies for affiliate regional as well as independently owned flights that it collaborates with, hence good venture for XYZ Capital Partners. Among the companies it has subcontracted to do additional flying for the group are; Canadair CRJ-700 regional jet, SkyWest Airlines they are dedicated to serve the group and are painted in a similar manner as Alaska horizon’s.
Product
The major product it offers is low cost passengers who travel frequently to either shop or seek medical help. It offers alternatives for customers who do not have time sensitive shipment and can wait for space available services. Moreover, XYZ Capital Partners operate a wide range of flights connecting small towns to main transport centers and carry many customers in comparison to other airlines across Unites States.
On the course to increase its market share, XYZ Capital Partners can invest in other airlines such as Alaska airlines. In such collaborations, XYZ Capital Partners can sell tickets on Alaska flights, which will promote its services on global networks and connection with frequent flyers. This symbiotic kind of relationship rides on the already existing market of the two giant airlines, these minimizes the spoilage rates and in return improves profitability while keeping the operational costs low.
There is an onboard offer of beverages from a fellow US company that produces coffee. It also features on board entertainment; it is regarded as the first airline to introduce in-flight entrainments in 2003. When the sun and the moon aligned on March 2016 the Alaska airline decided to delay the flight for 25 minutes to catch this rare spectacle. In addition, Alaska airline has an accommodating gesture; it gets individuals from one point to another while offering them quality service delivery. It is not only the airline to talks to its people but also listens to them, hence offering customer service at its very best.
Analysis
Alaska Airline operates in a growing market niche where so much can be done to improve its profitability by increasing its revenue. In 2014, for instance, the airline carried over 21 million passengers with a fleet whose average age is 9.7 years. It had a reported net profit for the 4th quarter of USD148 million despite the heightened competition on that year alone it was reported to have a net profit of $571 Million excluding special items. The operating margins for 2014 expanded YOY to 17.7%. Furthermore, full year pretax margin came in at 17.2%. As its giant competitors went into restructuring, Alaska Airline turned itself into a high quality industrial company. Most of the gains that year were attributable to the price o fuel, but even without this the profit margin was substantial.
The airline is still much in growth phase, it can improve further by targeting new markets such as the lucrative Asian market and the African market as a tourism edge. The strength of the local economy especially, in the Pacific Northwest has helped keep the demand afloat, but the rise in Alaska’s margin was characterized more by the reduction in fuel cost. Its competitive capacity rose by 7% and the percentage of its market by 8% in the same year. It has launched 16 new North American markets in Seattle where Seattle signifies 55% market share.
With the recent decision to add more Q400 to grow the E175 sub fleet is interesting, this is a statement even if the fuel prices rises these means that operation margins won’t suffer too deeply, with such kind of management ideas investing in this company is profitable, there is no better time to invest in such a fast growing company but now. With the recent acquisition of virgin America it shows great growth prospective for the airline this will boost its capitalization increase revenue and then in return more profits this in return rewards shareholders with increased returns to investment.
If I were to take a personal stand, I would therefore recommend any prospective investor to put their money in this company because it has proven sustainable over the years, generation profit for 33 years for a business operation than span close to 39 years.
Conclusion
Based on the discussion and SWOT analysis, it is clear that Alaska airline is in the transformation stage, whereby it is focusing on its strengths while capitalizing on potential opportunities. The very objective of Alaska airline may be achieved if it puts emphasis to fulfill the demand of users; implement appropriate marketing strategies; and improve services offered particularly dewing inflight and post-flight.
References
Blachly, Linda ( 2012). “Alaska Airlines places $5 billion 737, MAX order”. Air Transport World. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved 1/5/2016
Blake, Martin & Wijetilaka, Shehan (2015). “5 tips to grow your start-up using SWOT analysis”. Sydney. Retrieved 1/5/2016.
Hwang, Inyoung (2011). “Alaska Air to Replace AMR in Dow Jones Transportation Average”. Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012. Retrieved 1/5/2016
Ommani, Ahmad (2011). “SWOT analysis for business management” 5 (22). African Journal of Business Management: 9448–9454.
Perry, Dominic (2012). “Alaska orders 50 Boeing 737s in $5 billion deal”. London: Flight global. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved (1st May, 2016).
Wilhelm, Steve (2015). “Alaska Airlines logs big boost in passengers as it combats rival Delta”. Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved (1st May, 2016).
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Research Paper Outline
Abstract
This section will adequately pre-tell all about the paper/study. In particular, it will be a summary of how the Department of Homeland Security remains the great leader with the great demands of duties and responsibility ranging from airport security to securing and monitoring the borders including national disaster response even without being affected by the size capacity. It will summarize the findings of the research in the simplest way, with no technical words. In other words, this section relates.
Introduction
This is the vital part of the paper in which the problem of the research is presented and clarified. This section contains the thesis statement of the research (Altinay, 2015). Department of Homeland Security plays a vital role in ensuring that all the security issues within the countries border. In fact, their core duties are border security, customs, and emergency management and in most cases they find themselves with limited resources.
Nevertheless, without being affected by the size and capacity, the Department of Homeland Security remains the great leader with the great demands of duties and responsibility ranging from airport security to securing and monitoring the borders including national disaster response.
This section also discusses the relevance of the Department of Homeland Security in the social work, and most importantly it contains the research question. Thus, it is imperative to analyze the relationship between the size, capacity, and the Department of Homeland duties and responsibility.
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Literature Review
This section gives some scholars recent literature on the topic of interest. Preferably, this should be less than five years old work. The literature will be connected and comprehensive to the topic. The researcher will explain how different variables affect the duties and responsibility and the Department of Homeland Security. A critical analysis and summary of the literature should be included, and the quality of the literature should be included (Altinay, 2015).
Methods
The research design used in the paper should be provided, and citations provided supporting the type and analysis technique utilized. The research at this point should include or explain the data analysis method used in collecting data from the Department of Homeland Security. If human subjects were used, in this section the technique used to protect them should be addressed (Mackey, 2015). The researcher should explain the type of measure used, and if possible, account for the survey utilized. Moreover, statistical procedures used should be described.
Sample
This is a subsection of methodology, and it presents the characteristics of the sample data. The technique used to select the data will be given and justification of its selection. That is, the researcher adopts a method that is convenient, cheap and results in a sample that represents the entire population.
Analysis
This section will exclusively explain different statistical approaches or techniques that were adopted in exploring the data. For instance, the descriptive analysis will be performed at the Department of Homeland Security data to estimate measures of central tendency and dispersion. Different techniques like correlation, regression modeling, and chi-square can be used in investigating the relationship between the variables. Thus, this section will give in detail statistical aspect that needs to be derived from the Department of Homeland Security data.
Results
This will contain a visual presentation of the Department of Homeland Security data. That is, different statistical presentation techniques like graphs, tables among others should be used in data presentation. Excessive use of tables and graphs should be avoided. A short narrative explanation of the findings should be included. Note, at this point all the results should be presented in an APA format. The tables and figures also should be formatted in APA writing style.
Discussion
This should contain an exclusive explanation of the results of analysis of the Department of Homeland Security data. The discussion should be based on the literature on the study. Furthermore, this is the section that gives rise to the conclusion.
Conclusion and Recommendation
This section presents the implications of the Department of Homeland Security in connection with the literature review of the study. If the implications are not there in the literature review, the researcher should cite new literature here. The strength and limitations of the study should be addressed well in this section. The researcher should give or suggest the direction of future research in the Department of Homeland Security.
