Tuesday, January 28, 2020

M&S Case Study Essay Example for Free

MS Case Study Essay Introduction As stated by Andrew (2001), the Porter’s generic strategies framework assist the business to evaluate a competitive atmosphere. The five Porters force mainly deal with entry threat, power of buyers and suppliers, substitute’s threat, and competitive rivalry. The threat of entry According to Porter (1980), entry freedom into a new market is normally considered an indication of the extent of company’s competitiveness. Porter further states that the larger the barriers to entry, the less the threat of new companies moving into the market. Marks and Spencer individually can keep prices low strategically to minimize possible entrants into the market. This is called entry deterring pricing that establishes a barrier to other competitors. As stated by Anthony (1999), these barriers are unique characteristics of an industry that defines it. The barriers decrease the pace at which new firms enter the industry thus maintaining low profits levels for other companies. The power of buyers For Marks and Spencer to root to its customers, it has to emphasis on grassroots acquisition of customers so as to offer an enlarged bargaining power to them. Consumers can improve their bargaining power suppose the services or products of an organization are not affordable or are of low quality. The consumers an also have strong bargaining power suppose they purchase standard, undifferentiated goods from suppliers. The buyers will be weak if producers can over own retailing if the producers are not standardized and the buyer cannot switch to another product (Johnson and Scholes, 2002). The company has tried to minimize such cases for high competitive advantage. The company has also to find new delivery methods that will improve customer satisfaction. Power of suppliers According to Porters (1980), a supplier can have influence suppose the company works within a limited market and there is a degree of substitutability. As asserted by Grant (2005), there are some factors that determine the power of the company to attain all the needed account to meet the relevant profits. There are credible onwards integration threats by suppliers, supplier’s concentration, cost of switching suppliers, and its powerfulness to boycott low quality products (Anthony, 1999). The company has to maintain a chain of suppliers for its products to beat the competition. Threat of Substitutes Porter (1980) describes the threat of substitution as the identification of substitute products that can perform the same function as the product in question. Marks and Spencer experiences some threats from the products of other companies. To an economist, intimidation of competitors take place supposes the product demand is affected by change in price of the competitors. Marks and Spencer’s products demand have been adversely affected by the strategic change in prices of other companies (Coyne, 1996). The new fashions available and the changing dressing mode are creating high competition between Marks and Spencer and other competitive companies. Rivalry Marks and Spencer faces high competition because various companies have emerged producing high quality products at affordable prices. This high concentration shows that the company has many competitors and majority has an important market share. To counter competition, Marks and Spencer has managed to lower prices so as to gain a temporary advantage. It has also strived to improve their product features and qualities during the manufacture (Grant, 2005). References Andrew, H., 2001. Understanding Potters five force analyses in the industries: view in the global world. Macmillan publishers. pp.22-27. Anthony, W., 1999. Strategic comparison of business to consumers’ relationships. Macmillan publishers. Coyne, K., 1996. Bringing obedience to policy. The McKinsey Quarterly. No.4. Grant, R., 2005. Modern policy investigation. The Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Oxford (U.K.). Johnson Scholes, 2002. Strategic Management. 6th ed. Exploring Corporate Strategy Text Cases.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Patron-Artist Relations in the Renaissance :: essays research papers fc

Patron-Artist Relations in the Renaissance   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The subject of artist-patron relations has been a touchy one since the beginning of the phenomenon. Nowadays it does not take such great precedence, as the artist leans more toward a personal, individual type of art typical of freelance. Serious commissions exist only in public art and architecture, where the needs and feelings of a large group are considered. Artist and patron must work out a compromise as to what is acceptable and also respects the aims of the artist. The patron in this case generally has the last word, as demonstrated by Richard Serra’s â€Å"Tilted Arc† controversy in the mid-80s where the artist’s piece was actually removed from its site because of public objection. However, nowadays the artist is insured against such damages, which was not the case in the beginning of the Renaissance, when artists were just starting to make a name for themselves. At this time, artists still depended greatly on patronage for a living and fought to distinguish themselves from the guild system. They still succumbed to religious guidelines and subject matter which generally limited their exploration of more personal means of expression, but with the rise of secular art collectors such as the Medici, we see a more modern artist-patron relationship emerging. By so distinguishing themselves in their field, patrons gave them certain leeway in commissions. Patrons and artists worked together, the patron outlining material, size, and general subject matter, but leaving aesthetic decisions concerning composition up to the best judgment of the artist--- the master--- himself.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although there is evidence of a lord-servant type of relationship between the patron and artist in several documents--- Domenico Venenziano writes to a lead Florentine patron, speaking of his â€Å"low condition† and how â€Å"duty-bound† he is to the patron ; Matteo de’ Pasti writes to his patron about specific details concerning the subject matter of a work, referring to himself as the patron’s â€Å"least servant† who wishes to obey his â€Å"master† ; Fra Filippo Lippi writes to Cosimo de’ Medici that he is â€Å"here entirely to be a slave to you† --- one must remember that Italy was still working out final kinks in a new middle-class-minded capitalist system, and dredges of the medieval system of feudalism still influenced aristocratic patrons. The artist could be building up trust and good relations so that he may be referred to other commissions and

Sunday, January 12, 2020

How a Bill Becomes a Law Essay

Nearly 10 percent of children in the United States suffer from asthma, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dealing with a chronic health condition like asthma has several significant effects on a child’s lifestyle. Childhood should be fun and carefree, but kids with asthma have to take on some very big worries and responsibilities. They need to learn which symptoms and events are likely to trigger an attack, such as cold weather, exercise, stressful situations and exposure to secondhand smoke. Kids, their families and other caregivers must all learn to recognize the signs of an attack and how to respond to it quickly, such as using a steroid inhaler during acute attacks. Some kids also take daily maintenance medications, such as bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, which may reduce the risk of future attacks. Being active is a key component of being healthy and physical activity is a major part of many kids’ lives. However, kids with ast hma often have limitations that make it difficult to participate in sports, active playground games and activities like dancing. Asthma doesn’t usually prevent kids from participating in these events, but they are often at greater risk of experiencing an asthma attack in these situations. Both the children and the adults on the sidelines need to be aware of the possibility that an asthma attack could occur and what to do if it does. Anything that makes a child stand out can cause feelings of embarrassment and even shame. Kids with asthma may fear having an attack at school, or feel uncomfortable about having to use an inhaler in the presence of their friends. They may feel left out when they can’t always participate in activities with their peers. Having any serious, chronic illness is scary, and kids with asthma need extra emotional support to develop additional coping skills. Asthma often causes missed school days and these absences from school can quickly lead to a child falling behind. Kids with asthma may need extra tutoring to keep up with their classes, and understanding teachers who are aware of their students’ health issues are crucial. In some cases, severe or frequent asthma-related illness and hospitalization may even require parents to consi der homeschooling. Parents of children who have asthma often worry constantly about their child. When a child is first diagnosed with asthma there tends to be frequent emergency room visits due to the fear of the parents for their child’s safety. This situation impacts the whole family. Places that are unhealthy for an asthma  sufferer are avoided, which can keep the other family members from having these experiences. The direct costs of asthma are estimated at more than $9.4 billion. This cost is born by individuals, families, health systems and insurance providers according to the Allergy and Asthma Advocate.

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Feminism - 1121 Words

FEMINISM Introduction to Sociology Feminism Belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. The movement organized around this belief. Feminism Feminist Theory is an outgrowth of the general movement to empower women worldwide. Feminism can be defined as a recognition and critique of male supremacy combined with efforts to change it. Feminism The goals of feminism are: To demonstrate the importance of women To reveal that historically women have been subordinate to men To bring about gender equity. Feminism Simply put: Feminists fight for the equality of women and argue that women should share equally in society’s opportunities and scare resources. Types Individualist feminism Relational Feminism (Karen†¦show more content†¦Society’s Influence Fashion and the film industry are two huge influences on societal expectations that women display their bodies sexually. The sexual revolution liberated women from the Victorian of modesty but also demanded a commitment to diet and beauty. Doing Gender Many feminist theorists believe that an individual is labeled at birth as a member of a sex category, either male of female, and from that point on, is held to acting accordingly. Gender is not something that one has or something that one is; rather, it is something that one does. Gender as Social Structure Risman does not accept the criteria of nature as a way to distinguish behavior expectations. She is especially upset by the field of sociobiology. Gender as Social Structure By assigning people to one or two categoriesmale or female- society has created difference between them. Risman feels that genders strongest influence is found at the interactional level, and therein lies the deepest liability for the continuation of inequality in American family life Relevancy Feminism can be defined as a social movement and an ideology in support of the idea that a larger share of scarce resources should be allocated to women. Feminist believe that women should enjoy the same rights in society as men and that should share equity in society’s opportunities.Show MoreRelatedFeminism : A Studies Of Feminism1559 Words   |  7 PagesFeminism 6 Running Head: PSYCHOLOGY STUDIES:A STUDIES OF FEMINISM PSYCHOLOGY STUDIES: A STUDIES OF FEMINISM CUIYI P. Student Pasadena City College Feminism 1 Psychology Studies: a Studies of Feminism What Does it Means to Run Like a Girl 21th Century Earlier Centuries Feminism became a hot topic in 21th century, but anyone know what is Feminism means? Definition on Macmillan Dictionary says, Feminism is the belief that women should have the sameRead MoreFeminism : An Definition Of Feminism1281 Words   |  6 PagesWhen one hears the term â€Å"Feminism†, she/he may have the idea that it is the urge and desire to gain rights for women. While that is true, it does not describe feminism in its entirety. Many people misinterpret what this term means based on media and people who do not know better. Many people who may misinterpret feminism may describe it as a movement to make women superior to men. They may say that those who claim to be a feminist are ones who hate men and strive to assert themselves aboveRead MoreFeminism : The Facade Of Feminism3220 Words   |  13 Pages1A 10 December 2014 The Facade of Feminism Feminism has been around for many years. During the 19th century, feminism has had a massive effect on the female role in society and in everyday life. The term feminism emerged from the 20th century to express a broader set goals for women around the world. The majority of women want to have the same equal rights as men and women are willing to fight until they unite and become treated equally as one. The word feminism is a complex and paradoxical termRead MoreFeminism, And Existentialist Feminism1780 Words   |  8 Pageswho is giving, caring, and dependable. These may sounds like worthy qualities at first, but together they form a major source of oppression for any caregiving figure, and different feminist theories such as care-focused feminism, psychoanalytic feminism, and existentialist feminism all have something to say about it. Motherhood is certainly a necessary role in a family and even in society, but the social construction around this role has led to many different ide as about the way mothers and caregiversRead MoreFeminism : The Marks Of Feminism1989 Words   |  8 PagesThe Marks of Feminism Throughout history and still today women fight against stereotypes and oppression for the sole fact that they are women. Stripped of human rights and equality in comparison to men, women deserve to stand on the same pedestal men are preciously placed upon simply because they are all human. A majority of people, including some women, invalidate the need for feminism by claiming that women often place themselves in lower positions than men. Feminists, however, would argue thatRead MoreFeminism : The Second Wave Of Feminism1222 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is feminism? Feminism is a definition to philosophy in which women and their contributions are valued. It is based on a social political and economical which is an equality for women. It’s a revolution that includes women and men who who wish the world to be equal without boundaries. The evolution of the rights of women in Australia owes much to successive waves of feminism, or the women s movement. The first of these took place in the late 19th century and was concerned largely with gainingRead MoreFeminism And The Second Wave Feminism1516 Words   |  7 PagesAmerica from 1960s into the 1980s which was later spread into Europe and parts of Asia. Compare to first-wave feminism in which advocates sought for women suffrage, this feminist movement, which had a broader and deeper influence, focused on dealing with issues which hindered legal sexual equality, rights to reproduce as well as family roles. This feminism movement is named the Second-wave feminism. It was politically powerful and influential that it obtained significant gains including the pass of theRead MoreFeminism And The Third Wave Of Feminism1212 Words   |  5 PagesAs the feminist revolution has advanced so has the definition of feminism. In 2017 feminism means something completely different than what it did in the days of women s suffrage. No longer is feminism working on allowing women just to vote. It focuses on intersectionality, gend er norms, women s reproductive rights, and so much more. We are in the third wave of feminism. In 2017 most millennials identify with third wave feminism or a variant of the movement and strive to abolish gender roles, patriarchyRead MoreFeminism : The First Wave Of Feminism1267 Words   |  6 PagesFeminism is a movement calling for social change, holding to a belief that women are oppressed by American society due to patriarchy’s inherent sexism. This social movement explained quite simply started in the 19th century when women fought for the right to vote, sought to improve workplace conditions for women as well as increase working opportunities. From this initial movement, called first wave feminism, stemmed other waves that though somewhere in the same vein, they held many differing goalsRead MoreFeminism : My Understanding Of Feminism806 Words   |  4 Pagesnot long ago. My personal understanding of feminism has been and remains to be limited, but I strive to broaden my understanding of feminism and keep an open mind to the new dynamics of feminism I am being introduced to. My first understanding of feminism was as a movement for the equality between men and women. This is a problematic view of feminism because it enforces the gender binary and theoretically only benefits women. My understanding of feminism grew as my understanding of oppression grew