Contrasts between Public and Private Organizations With Special Essay

Contrasts between Public and Private Organizations With Special Reference to Activity Management Practices - Essay Example The over whelming acceptance of the first assumption is often triggered in the absence of analytical studies of culture, operational requirements and difference of focus and approach in public and private sector organizations. There is an increased awareness at all levels of public administration to bridge the gap between the effectiveness and efficiency of a public and private organization. The awareness has given rise to comparative studies which can surface more logical and methodical approaches and technologies that can be useful to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of public sector organizations. Theory of Activity Management practices has recently got huge focus in this connection and many researchers have critically analyzed the adoption trends of this theory in public and private sector organizations. Baird, K. (2007) has also described the critical analysis of the theory from public sector organizations perspective as the basis of his article, â€Å"The study address es the gap in the literature examining the adoption of activity management practices in the public sector.† ... Gosselin defines Activity Analysis as process that is, â€Å"consists of identifying the activities and procedures carried out to convert material, labour and other resources into outputs† (Cited in Baird, 2007). Koopmans (1970) describes AA in these words, â€Å"Activity Analysis is concerned with the construction of the conceptual models to study and appraise criteria, rules, and practices for the allocation of resources.† The definition of Activity Analysis delimits boundaries for various resources in the organization. The actual contribution of a resource toward the final production of the service or product is the basic criteria which sets these boundaries. Therefore, the importance of human resource or a material can be described in terms of its role in the process of production. If a resource does not have any impact on the productivity or have least effect on it, it should be allocated with minimal or no resources at all. The exclusion of this resource from reso urce allocation is a step towards efficient and effective cost management of the resources which ultimately contributes towards the organizational effectiveness and efficiency. This efficiency, however, must not cause the reduction of any other production variable. â€Å"A combination of activities is called efficient if it does not permit increasing any net output without decreasing another, within the given limitations or primary factors.† (Koopmans). Therefore, despite being necessary, the decision of exclusion for a resource can only be efficient if every possible result is foresighted in terms of productivity and cost. However, the behavior towards inefficient resource management is usually different in public and

International Business Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

International Business Strategy - Essay Example It is a fashion house established by Thomas Burberry in 1856, which became iconic for its check pattern and its outdoor line of clothing, particularly its trench coats. Its long years of existence and ties with the British historical narrative since the 1900s, established Burberry as a heritage brand. At present, it is a holder of Royal Warrants, which is a form of recognition that the establishment provides goods to a member or members of the royal family. These variables are inherent in Burberry’s branding and figure prominently in its competitive strategies. But during the 1980s, the company has experienced poor performance and this persisted way until the latter part of the 1990s. This changed in the past decade and the company is considered to be one of the best global brands in its category and is operating with record profit. Currently, Burberry has more than 500 stores in over 50 countries. This report will explore Burberry’s strategies, which allowed it to gain competitive advantage in the luxury market and achieve successful expansion overseas. The Luxury Fashion Market: An Analysis The luxury fashion market is composed of several categories but these are mostly dominated by apparel and footwear. It can also include leather goods, accessories and jewelries. While each of these can very well be considered a separate industry, companies tend to sell them all given the fact that they do overlap, mainly because they have the same consumer demographics and consumer demand profile. The fashion luxury industry – mature industry - caters to a specific group of consumers: the wealthy. These are those who need practical (since clothing and footwear are, of course, necessities) but prestigious products; and those who are fashion conscious. This variable explains why the industry emphasizes intensive marketing and advertising campaigns. The consumer demographics and demand profile, wrote Wagle (2003), also underpins how the overall industry d emand is driven by â€Å"general economic trends, including changes in disposable personal income, consumer confidence, and consumer spending.† What this means is that in times of economic growth, the market’s demand is driven by the consumers’ need and impulse, whereas, during economic downturn, caution permeates the market. This is demonstrated in the poor performance of luxury fashion companies during the recent financial crises. The financial crunch, based on several empirical evidences, is proven to put pressure on the luxury market. The Global Economic Crisis Resource (2009, p.27), for instance, stated in one of its findings that â€Å"much activity in the luxury market has been driven by easy credit and perceived wealth† and that the crisis has significantly reduced the net worth of the rich, forcing them to cut consumption significantly. Today, the luxury fashion industry is a lucrative business due to globalization. The robust development of emer ging economies such as China, India, Russia, and other countries, has led to an expanded demand for luxury goods. In addition, it also provided the opportunity to source cheaper materials and labor abroad. The integration of the international market has facilitated these trends and companies like Chanel, Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Burberry effectively seized the opportunity to their advantage. However, it also increased competition and changed the dynamics by which products are made and sold to consumers. Competition As previously

Significance of Anishinaabe Literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Significance of Anishinaabe Literature - Essay Example No matter what the content is, any piece of literature can only survive the test of time, and gradually transforms into a legend, if it fulfills the criteria of relevancy and righteousness. A fable, poem, play, or an anecdote, will have a continuing impact if it contains a moral lesson, which not only relates to the readers’ life, but also fills them with a sense of hope, and acts as a guide during tough patches of life. This is the reason Anishinaabe, also referred as Ojibwe, folklore, especially the short stories, had been, and is still famous among the Native American and general population. Long before Ojibwe had a written language, storytellers kept ‘Books’ of the tales, where few raconteurs were responsible for compiling the historical incidents, another group of narrators accumulated cultural myths, and the last group gathered religious traditions (Dunn, 20). Majority of these stories were transferred orally from an older generation to a younger generation, to convey the underlying moral messages, and to teach the wisdom within. Anishinaabe literature plays a crucial role in the life of indigenous people, as it richly portrays their dynamic history, guides their troubled and disillusioned younger generation, and serves as a moral support during turbulent times; whilst constantly depicting their abounding values, and their interconnected world of man and nature.Their accepted wisdom, regarding the initial development of life, is clearly delineated in the ‘stories of creation.... Historically it is believed that the process of creation took place in four sequences; first of all the physical world came into being, followed by the plant, and animal worlds, and lastly human race was formed (Johnston, 21). Johnston further describes that traditionally in Anishinaabe historical stories, the ‘Kitche Manitou’, the Great Spirit, and their equivalent of Christian God, had a vision of the world as it is today, and proceeded to create all four types of life, out of nothing. Kitche Manitou also bestowed special and distinct powers to each living being, for example, the sun was given the power of ‘light and heat’, the earth was bestowed with ‘growth and healing’ capacities, so that they all can effectively carry out their functions of life in this world, and also live in harmony with other creatures (12). An important fact here is that, in Anishinaabe historical accounts, the human race was created at the end, and is considered the w eakest of all types of living beings. It can also be said that this belief was meant to keep the mankind, known for his arrogance, and pride, humble and considerate of those around him. Bird quotes an Anishinaabe elder claiming that â€Å"If the waters stop flowing, there will be no life; if the plants die, there will be no life; if all the animals die, there will be no life; if, however, humanity ceased, life will flourish† (4). This statement eloquently captures the perceived interdependence of human race on other forms of life, and again strengthens the initial argument that to realize one’s rightful position in the world, one needs to recognize the value of other beings, and be grateful of what is

The Strategic of Zara Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Strategic of Zara - Essay Example The company is also endowed with experienced human resources beginning with the company’s chief executive officer. For instance, the company boasts of a 200 person strong innovative team that is inspired by customers’ need for value and quality. Moreover, the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability is a boost to its image given that there has been a push for environmentally friendly products in the recent years due to climate change concerns worldwide. The company’s product portfolio is full of a variety of apparel and accessories for women, children, and men from all corners of the globe. The company has a good product positioning strategy with its stores adopting different outlook and setups that vary with the respective countries or regions of operations. The company has adopted best practice for its daily operations. For instance, the company uses the just in time inventory management technique to ensure that it effectively manages the lev els of inventory in its storage facility and deliver the products according to demand. This technique has helped the company to eliminate the wastes associated with inappropriate inventory management. It is also notable that the company’s internationalization strategy has been advantageous for its completion. The company has been aggressively involved in expansion in the recent years with the approach taken including the use of franchises and licenses in far-flung markets. As a result, the company has positioned itself as a global leader in the design, manufacture.... Internal Environment One of the common methods of evaluating a company’s internal environment is through the use of SWOT analysis (Henry, 2008). Zara Company has various strengths and weaknesses. To begin, some of the strengths of the company as depicted in its relative strength in the market include: Originality of the company’s products that has distinguished it from its competitors. The company’s products are distinct in terms of design and this has made them identifiable. The company has dedicated staffs that are committed to personalized customer service. With experts in the fashion and design industry led by the CEO, the company’s human resources is unmatched. The stores and outlets across the globe are fully managed by the company as opposed to licensees and franchises used by other industry players. This has helped the company control the quality of products sold in the outlets. The company has also an admirable production line that is able to prod uce new products within short timelines. Technology use has been enhanced in the manufacturing segment for efficiency. Costs of the company’s products are relatively lower attracting many buyers. With relatively lower prices, the company’s attract high sales volumes. A well managed supply and value chain that ensures distribution of products required standards. The centralised warehouse acts a is within good regulator in the company’s revolutionalised distribution system. Apart from the company’s numerous strengths, the company still has weaknesses as outlined below: The company is yet to have a good advertising campaign that has had a negative impact on its brand recognition

Death penalty Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Death penalty - Research Paper Example Opponents also assert that the practice is overtly costly and racially biased while not realizing the intended outcome. Proponents think it is neither cruel nor unusual, quite the opposite, they think it fair and just. The objective of this study is to discuss the moral and legal concerns that literally are a life and death issue and is a key barometer when measuring a cultures collective conscience. The ‘eye for an eye’ faction not only accepts but insists that the death penalty be sustained and has supporting rational to back up their argument which will be covered comprehensively in this discussion. It will also take into account the opponents’ reasoning concerning why it should be eliminated along with the legal precedents concerned in an effort to achieve a comprehensive view of the capital punishment debate. Legal speaking, capital punishment is not unusual, by definition, unless one acknowledges the racial bias that exists throughout the justice system. The law cannot define whether it is cruel or not. Cruelty can be defined only by the collective social conscious of a society. The legal interpretation of the combined ‘cruel and unusual’ is open to debate, to some extent but the general usage of the word ‘cruel’ refers to vicious punishments that cause extreme pain. Most legal scholars agree that punishments that include body dismemberment or torture are unquestionably classified as cruel. The term torture was evidently open for debate during the past decade but the word means essentially the same universally; causing unwanted physical or mental anguish. The word ‘unusual’ is normally understood to mean going beyond what is an equitable application of punishment for an offense. For instance, if ten people were ticketed for a traffic violation and judge fined nine of them $150 but one was charged $1500, this punishment would be considered ‘unusual.’ Taken together in the phrase, †˜prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment’ signifies that the penalty should be apportioned equitably according to the specific offense committed. A ‘life’ prison sentence is an acceptable punishment but not if this punishment was imposed for jaywalking, that would be an obviously unacceptable sentence imposition because it is considered excessive and extreme given the nature of the offense. Excessive is a term that is also open to broad interpretation in both the legal and public realm. Some would contend, for example, that any amount of time imposed for ‘crimes’ such as the possession of drugs, prostitution and gambling should be interpreted as excessive consequently ‘unusual.’ The Supreme Court has on many occasions judged the merits of the death penalty and this action is interpreted as punishment which is cruel and unusual by the Constitution. The Court has consistently ruled the language of the Eighth Amendment does not prohibit t he death sentence as punishment. The Constitution was meant to be and is a malleable document, however. The judicial interpretation of the Eighth Amendment has evolved to some extent throughout the years. Therefore the Court could potentially reverse this standpoint at a future time as result of changing societal values. For instance, whipping convicted criminals was routine until the late Eighteenth Century. This practice is now considered to be inappropriate because society’s attitude changed to define it as a ‘cruel’ punishment. With respect to capital punishment, however, â€Å"

Legal Systems in the Civilized World Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Legal Systems in the Civilized World - Essay Example An oft-heard justification is that you cannot treat hardened criminals with kid gloves or you will be perpetrating crime even further. But this argument has no regard for the fact that even hardened criminals are covered by the human rights guarantees in the Constitution and in human rights conventions. Human rights are inalienable and imprescriptible, and they apply to everyone. The parliament is vested with the power to create laws that have coercive effect. It is essentially in their province to come up with regulations to maintain order and peaceful conduct in the society, while ensuring that a human rights framework is always in place. Over the past two decades, there has been a steady stream of legislation, marking the evolution of Criminal Justice as it is known in the present time.2 Indeed, the constant changes in the Criminal Justice Act reflects the constantly changing public mindsets on crime and its concomitant issues. The Criminal Justice System as it stands now appears to be biased against the accused. For example, Sections 34-39 would effectively allow law enforcement agents to draw inferences from the silence of a person undergoing custodial investigation, as for instance, when the accused "at any time before he was charged with the offence, on being questioned under caution by a constable trying to discover whether or by whom the offence had been committed, failed to mention any fact relied on in his defence in those proceedings."3 This provision whittles down considerably the right of the accused to maintain his silence, and shifts the burden of proof on him. Fundamental and crucial indeed is the basic precept in criminal law that the burden of proving the guilt of the defendant resides on the prosecution.4 The statement of Viscount Sankey LC5 in Woolmington v DPP rings loud and clear: 'Throughout the web of the English criminal law one golden thread is always to be seen, that it is the duty of the prosecution to prove the prisoner's guilt subject to ...the defence of insanity and subject also to any statutory exception'. It is fundamental because it is rooted in the Constitutional guarantee of due process.6 An accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and his silence should not be taken against him.7 The importance of the presumption of innocence is discussed in the case of State v Coetzee8, where it was stated: '...the more serious the crime and the greater the public interest in securing convictions of the guilty, the more important do constitutional protections of the accused become. The starting point of any balancing inquiry where constitutional rights are concerned must be that the public interest in ensuring that innocent people are not convicted and subjected to ignominy and heavy sentences, massively outweighs the public interest in ensuring that a particular criminal is brought to book...Hence the presumption of innocence, which serves not only to protect a particular individual on trial, but to maintain public confidence in the enduring integrity and security

Social Development Theory Essay Example for Free

Social Development Theory Essay As a parent, I would agree more with Vygotsky’s theory concerning child development rather than Paiget’s. Though children do progress at different rates, I believe that they are capable of more learning at an early age than Piaget’s theory allows. Piaget also states that learning should supersede social development in all cases while Vygotsky’s theory allows for social development to be as important and in some cases more important than intellectual learning. While a child may be extremely intelligent, it will be difficult for them to function in society without having a strong foundation socially. Much of our society is based on social interactions and how well we as people handle ourselves in certain situations. A child who is not properly socialized will have a very difficult time knowing how to deal with their peers in a social situation. To ensure that my child has a very balanced background both intellectually and socially, I would first make sure that they attend school in a traditional setting, whether in a public or private school. Children need to learn, but they also need the company of other children and to be able to consult their peers concerning a shared experience. It is important for children to share in social activities as well as to be able to experience different things from each other and with other children. Another exercise would be to encourage my child to participate in a cultural activity such as dance classes, martial arts, or playing an instrument where they can receive personalized and community education, as well as team activity, such as a local sport. This would give the child a shared experience as well as a productive outlet to channel their energies and a positive adult role model outside of the family unit. Children should be socialized not only with other children but also with adults in a structured, formal setting that allows them to have a positive relationship with both adults and children socially. Works Cited Santrock, J. W. (2007). A Topical Approach to Lifespan Development, 3rd Edition. Dallas: McGraw-Hill.