Circulation of Gifts for the Establishment plus Maintenance

Question: Discuss about the Circulation of Gifts for the Establishment plus Maintenance of Social Relations in Trobriand Island. Answer: Introduction Circulation of gifts plus commodity exchange is an essential part of the political, social as well as business life of the people of Trobriand Islands. By exchanging and giving of goods and gifts, relations are established and made stronger, needs are met, plus circulation of gifts ensures that the people of Trobriand Islands in Papua Guinea can indeed depend on one another. This essay will discuss the importance of reciprocity as well as the circulation of gifts for the establishment plus maintenance of social relations in Trobriand Island with reference to Wieners (1988) ethnography plus other sources that mention the community of the residents of Trobriand Islands. The Body Weiner describes caring as well as the generosity of reciprocity of gifts as an effort to control other people through establishing the debt (1988). Such an act of giving presents not only expresses the sense of caring but also shows the intention sweetening or turning the mind of the receiver. For example, yams are highly valued among the Trobriand Islands and are seen not only as food but also as a source of power, wealth and sometimes as gifts (Malinowski, 2002). However, when a villager presents another a yam, he/she cannot ask for something in return but wait to receive more. Eriksen (2001) addresses the debate regarding the difference between the circulation of gifts plus commodity exchange. He argues that the need is that gift distribution is the gift provided by an individual or group of people to another person or group of individuals who are seen as friends or relatives and have an obligation to reciprocate the gift of the same value or even of greater value. Presenting a gift entails imparting the giver's personality onto the recipient. Also, the recipient of the gift holds a debt of friendship as well as social connection. Gift circulation is when the goods exchanged are of lesser personal nature, as well as where theres no debt attached such as the social debt. Gift circulation is more of a business transaction of essential goods. Residents of Trobriand Islands give similar produce. Also, males and females do crafted products that are delivered as gifts or even traded as goods for the social, personal, and political as well as survival needs. Wome n have very significant roles in the Trobriand Islands matrilineal society. The residents of Trobriand Islands acknowledge kinship via a maternal lineage of decent. On the other hand, Trobriand Island males work tirelessly to become powerful, as well as hold good positions in respect to the social power and their wealth. Through marriage, men could grow and store their yams whilst the womans male relatives work to grow as well as supply yams. This is because stocks of yams represent their wealthy. However, females wealth comprises of piles of banana leaves plus skirts made from banana leaves fiber. According to Weiner (1988) women make plus control the distribution of their wealth. Weiner also wrote about the distribution of womens wealth immediately a man dies in the society. Some people of the mans family, as well as kinship, were laborers in the mourning process whereas closer relatives were the mourners. Besides, a woman wealth is expressed in the amount allotted for the supply of a pile of banana leaves as well as a skirt as payments to the people mourn ing plus payment to everyone who had been connected to the deceased socially. The act of mourning as well as circulation of gifts is also of high paramount, especially when showing to other people that they were not connected to the cause of death of the deceased. This is because they believe that the death is as a result of sorcery works by a person with evil intentions. Other gifts plus produce are exchanged for different reasons. Weiner (1988) holds betel nuts are presented to a would be lover so as to seduce their partner. Such gift has an expectation of return in favor. However, mens who move from their native island to another do so in search of women who they can influence by presenting the gifts of their produce or even their crafting such as pandanus mats, woven baskets, and stone axes to do Kula with. Performing Kula has in-depth traditional roots as well continues through time plus diverse phase of transformation. According to the Trobriand island people, Kula exchange makes a man more powerful even among people who do not know him. Presenting a necklace or an adorned shell to a trusted partner bears the trust for the partner to pass the gift, in a timely manner as well to a more trusted partner. This is done until the Kula gift is returned to the original owner, and then goes around again and again However, Trobriand Island men compete with one another so as to win individual partners living on different islands, who engage in series of relationships with each other as well ensure a path of travel of the shell gift. Ideally, an experienced Kula person has an understanding in the ways of ascertaining the right track by which their special treasures will be moved to generate popularity and honor which raises the mans political ambitions in the community. The shell product bears the original owner's name alongside the names of people who have held it temporarily. As the shell necklace passes from one person to another, it becomes more famous and valuable. Kula necklace exchange operates on the principle of equivalence where the practice is to match the value and size one shell product to the other. The Kula arm bands each cut from the cross section of a corn shell plus decorated with the egg cowry shells,' pass from one partner to the other in a counterclockwise movement, and are perceived to be a woman. These necklaces are made from red disk beads from Chama shells travel clockwise and are seen to be males. However, the necklaces and wristbands are categorized on color, polish, size, and the particular histories. According to Lee (2011), the rule of 'opposite flow' ascertains that continuing relations are complimentary. The giving as well as receiving of shell produce is linked with magic practices, myths, and rituals. On the same note, sea traveling Trobriander males also go with items for exchange that are different from the Kula work. Item circulation might entail taking items that are in excess in one region to another locality w here they do not exist at all. The circulation can be for something that is unavailable plus helps bring different as well as necessary items into the people of Trobriand Islands. Lees (2011) argues that a gift is a primary component used to invest in the social relations. However, kinship relationships in the Trobriand Islands appear to be a bit pronounced by their unique products. For instance, cooked 'taro' is presented between brother plus sister, skirts and banana leaves presented to women of diverse matrilines and uncooked small yams presented between the wifes brother and her sisters husband. According to Weiner (1988) bundles of dried banana leaves, long yams, plus strings of polished red shell discs all hold a deep plus meaningful place in the life of Trobriand Islands people. Food, pigs plus trade store items can be exchanged for dried banana leaves despite the fact that women make wealth out of them (Weiner, 1988). The presentation of yams occurs on a different avenue of great significance among the Trobriander residents, yet they should be eaten before they go bad. According to Weiner (1988), persons social enhancement starts at the early childhood by gifts that their father bestows upon them and is continued in the entire fathers lineage. However, through growth in associates not from the same matrilineal line, political and social potential grows. In the Trobrianders quest for power as well as personal recognition, there are multiple forces which thwart his efforts. Since social linkage and kinship bind people together, theres also the ability to create alienation, rejection and even death. Besides, their life is a long quest for greater effort to establish as well as circulate gifts and items for social standing plus necessities (Weiner, 1998). To sum it up, the social structure of the Trobriand Islands is hierarchical. This implies that chiefs have total authority, wealth, power and privilege and are served and made rich by the commoners. As its known, a person is born in the area of opportunity, can either obtain goods or lose all of them. Although the community of Trobriand Islands is free of commerce that the western communities have, their ancestry as well as social ties plus laws make a complicated society basing on the exchange of gifts plus commodities. However, theres pressure to be given in respect to whats expected, as well as to match in value in return for whatever might be given. References Eriksen, T. H. (2001). Small Places, Large Issues-: An Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropolog. Pluto Press. Goode, S., Shailer, G., Wilson, M., Jankowski, J. (2014). Gifting and status in virtual worlds. Journal of Management Information Systems, 31(2), 171-210. Gregory, C. A. (1997). Savage money: the anthropology and politics of commodity exchange (Vol. 21). Taylor Francis. Hann, C. (2006). The gift and reciprocity: perspectives from economic anthropology. Handbook of the economics of giving, altruism and reciprocity, 1, 207-223. Leach, J. W., Leach, E. (1983). The Kula: new perspectives on Massim exchange. CUP Archive. Lee, J. (2011). Kula and relation capital: Rational reinterpretation of primitive gift institution. Rationality and Society, 23(4), 475-512. Malinowski, B. I922. Argonauts of the western Pacific. An account of Native Enterprise and. Mittone, L., Danese, G. (2008). Reciprocity, Exchange and Redistribution: An Experimental Investigation Inspired by Karl Polanyi's' The Economy as Instituted Process'. Munn, N. D. (1992). The fame of Gawa: A symbolic study of value transformation in a Massim (Papua New Guinea) society. Duke University Press. Rus, A. (2008). 'Gift vs. commodity'debate revisited. Anthropological Notebooks, 14(1). Weiner, A. B. (1994). Cultural difference and the density of objects. American Ethnologist, 21(2), 391-403. Weiner, A. B. (1980). Reproduction: a replacement for reciprocity. American Ethnologist, 7(1), 71-85. Weiner, A. B. (1988). The Trobrianders of Papua New Guinea. Wadsworth Publishing Company.

Dispersal of Organisms

Introduction Distribution patterns of organisms vary from organism to organism and they are dependent on various factors such as competition for resources. In this project, we will investigate the spatial distribution patterns of dandelions across an area of 1m2. Dandelions are considered as weeds when they appear on lawns and are reported to grow in almost all parts of the world.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Dispersal of Organisms specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some people however, do not mind their growth as they consider them a welcome addition to their plates as a vegetable especially in Asia. There are claims that their leaves and stems have medicinal value and are known to contain a high level of potassium (Himmelman, 2008, p. 25). The scientific name of the dandelion is Taraxacum officinale. Dandelion plants produce asexually; each plant produces seeds with no pollination and they eventually grow int o an identical plant as the parent plant. They are tap rooted weeds that grow in areas with temperate climate all over the world. It produces yellow flowers that stay open during the day and close down at night. The flower sprouts from a stem that is 2-15cm elevated from the main plant. Each plant may produce several flowers at a time. A full grown flower turns into a clock that holds numerous numbers of the fruits referred to as achenes. Each fruit (achene) has ‘hairs’ attached to it. This is to enable wind to carry each achene to far locations where it grows into a new dandelion. In this project, we will look at two types of dandelions, the tall dandelions and the short dandelions. The tall dandelions have flowers with a stem as long as 17 inches and their leaves are 14 inches. The short dandelions have 8 inch flowers and 5 inch leaves. The tall dandelions grow in places with tall vegetation. They grow longer to enable them to access adequate sunlight (Himmelman, 2008 , p. 13). Dandelions grow almost anywhere as long as there is good soil which is frequently wet. They however are known to grow more amongst grass, tall or short. In well maintained lawns, they are considered as weeds. In this project, i chose a grass lawn that had been neglected for a couple of months. The grass as expected had overgrown but the growth was irregular. Some patches had long grass while some had short grass. There were also other types of weeds that had grown. I chose dandelions because they were more than any other weeds present on the lawn and they were easy to spot due to their yellow flowers (Himmelman, 2008, p. 18).Advertising Looking for report on biology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Method First, I divided the 1m2 lawn into four equal portions, each having an area of a quarter square meters (Thomas Robert, 2008, p. 188). Measuring was required to ensure that the four portions were equal in size. This was accomplished by the help of a tape measure. First, the outline of the lawn was measured to ensure that it is exactly 1m2. The boundaries marking the outline of the 1m2 lawn were marked. A half a meter was measured on each side and the half meter mark was noted. The lawn was then divided using the half meter markings on each side to produce 4 portions, a quarter meter squared each. The distinction between the four portions was done using thin poles that were erected around each portion. For easier identification of the boundaries, a white coloured strip of cloth was tied at the top of each pole. This was to ensure that the boundaries can be clearly seen even from a distance. This whole process of dividing the lawn was done carefully so as not to step or bend any dandelions on the lawn as this could change the results. The distribution of dandelions on each potion of the lawn was then observed. The observation process was not difficult as the dandelions were easily spotted by the ir bright yellow flowers and the distribution was easily notable. The exact number of dandelions on each portion was not obtained due to the large numbers of dandelions on the lawn. While at the lawn, the wind direction was noted since dandelion seeds are dispersed by wind, the direction could be a factor in the distribution pattern of the dandelions (Thomas Robert, 2008, p. 188). Results The dandelions, as mentioned above were easily spotted. A diagram showing their patterns of spatial distribution was drawn. In the diagram, the position of the dots represents the position of the dandelions. Since this project is investigating two types of dandelions, red dots will indicate the location of the tall dandelions and black dots will indicate the position of the short dandelions. As shown above, the dandelions were scattered randomly across the four portions of the lawn. The tall dandelions, represented by the red dots are seen to grow clustered around one point unlike the short dande lions. The short dandelions are the majority on this lawn. The arrow on the compass represents the general wind direction in the area where the lawn is located. The winds in this are is generally not strong wind, just a gentle breeze.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Dispersal of Organisms specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Discussion From the results above, the distribution pattern of dandelions on this lawn is random. This conclusion is drawn because the dandelions are irregularly distributed all over the lawn. It is seem that the bottom left portion of the lawn had the lowest number of dandelions. This can be explained by the general wind direction in this area. Since the wind blows in the North East direction, when the seeds of the dandelions are dispersed, most of them land on the portions further into the direction of the wind. It is seen that the top right portion of the lawn has the most dandelions plants; since it is further into the direction of the wind, a larger share of the seeds are dispersed to this portion (Thomas Robert, 2008, p. 186). As discussed earlier, the long dandelions grow taller in response to competition for sunlight with other plants. The long grass on this lawn had grown irregularly. This explains why the long dandelion plants only grew in certain places and not others. The places where the long dandelions were found are the places where the grass had grown longer and there was need for the dandelion plants to grow taller so as to access adequate sunlight (Thomas Robert, 2008, p. 188). 1m2 was the most adequate size of lawn for this project and dandelions were the most appropriate plant. Dandelions grow very fast and within a short period, they can fill an entire location. They are easy to spot due to their bright yellow flowers. Investigation on a larger lawn size (larger than 1m2) would have been difficult especially in the partitioning of the land into port ions. However, the results obtained would have not been altered no matter what size of lawn was used. The pattern of distribution of dandelions is dependent on the wind direction for the dispersal of seeds and the kind of vegetation around the dandelion determines the size of the dandelion, either short or tall. References Himmelman, J., (2008).  A Dandelion’s Life: Nature Upclose. New York, NY: Children’s Press. Thomas, M. S., Robert, L. S. (2008).  Elements of Ecology. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.Advertising Looking for report on biology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This report on Dispersal of Organisms was written and submitted by user Chaya Webster to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Covert intervention as a moral problem Essays

Covert intervention as a moral problem Essays Covert intervention as a moral problem Essay Covert intervention as a moral problem Essay The CIA has been greatly involved in the aggregation of intelligence every bit good as being engaged in covert action for the benefit of the United States. Harmonizing to the 1991 Intelligence Authorization Act covert action is merely described as a peculiar activity of the authorities of the United provinces that is meant to act upon. economical. political. or military state of affairss in the universe. in that the function of the United States will non be acknowledged by many or publically. Under covert action. the exact purposes or the grounds behind the actions are non known by the foreign states therefore secretiveness is the chief constituent of covert actions. Covert actions and the function of the CIA Covert actions merely involves activities that include back uping political parties. covert propaganda. private groups. economic operations and even persons through advice or subsidisation with an purpose of back uping or subverting the bing government in a foreign state. There is a difference between covert actions and cloak-and-dagger aggregation attempts whereby the covert actions are chiefly designed for act uponing conditions in foreign states while the clandestine attempts are aimed at supplying the intelligence community of the United States with information that can be used in planing the covert actions. The CIA is the organic structure that is responsible for the intent of obtaining intelligence and supplying policymakers with relevant information for the intent of planing covert actions on foreign states. Apart from being the supplier of the intelligence information to policymakers. the CIA is besides the same organic structure that is engaged in transporting out the covert actions every bit good as reding policymakers with respect to the intelligence they have gathered. The CIA as an intelligence organic structure that is besides involved in transporting out the covert action in foreign states ever strives to construct and keep its repute both in the eyes of the United States citizens and foreign states. To be able to keep its repute and set itself as an bureau that is committed to functioning the state and its citizens while at the same clip advancing international dealingss. the CIA has to make a via media. The protecting the American citizens and the state at big every bit good as supplying information for other foreign states requires transparence. Under the covert actions and operations. there is a batch of secretiveness and the lone clip information gets to make the populace is when operations have gone rancid. This means that the CIA has an involvement of protecting itself from critics within the populace and avoids incrimination by the populace while at the same clip transporting out its operations. The CIA is besides closely involved with disposal functionaries and policymakers whereby the intelligence from the CIA is questioned and analyzed by the policymakers when doing determinations. However. over the old ages. the CIA has been faced with the challenge of deficiency of committedness on the portion of the policymakers to take clip and read the intelligence provided by the bureau. Alternatively. most policymakers have been keen on intelligence that is related to current hazards. The involuntariness or the inability of policymakers to pass a batch of clip in analysing longer-range issues has been a beginning of defeat. The CIA have the responsibility to supply intelligence as they receive it and besides take portion in covert actions as they are assigned therefore the demand to hold a balance between the two. The CIA has to guarantee that it provides relevant information to policymakers because in the long tally. it is the bureau that is ever blamed when covert actions to non travel as planned. Therefore. the CIA has great involvement in the intelligence and the covert actions that they take portion in since the bureau has to turn out its worth and demonstrate that it performs its responsibilities. Bing the supplier of intelligence and at the same clip the user of the intelligence requires a batch of unity to guarantee that there is no biasness whereby the CIA provide information that it is cognizant will work in its favour. As a manner of guaranting that the covert actions that the carry out and acquire involved in are successful to construct their image in the eyes of the populace. the CIA may be given to pull strings the information and intelligence they provide to policymakers. It is rather hard to be certain with the sort of intelligence that the CIA provides to the policymakers as non being biased due to the ground that they are the same users of the information that they have gathered. The CIA as an intelligence bureau and one that is held in high repute would non desire the public image that they have built get ruined by the sort of intelligence and covert actions they undertake. Therefore. based on the ground that the CIA is the supplier and user of the intelligence they gather every bit good as the purpose of protecting the bureau from bad public image and repute. it can be said that there is a struggle of involvement. Furthermore. based on the issue that the intelligence the CIA gathers is provided to policy shapers and in most occasions the policymakers do non take their clip in reading and analysing intelligence that is set for longer-use. the CIA has to guarantee that the information they provide to the policymakers would non compromise the bureau. Therefore. it can besides be said that there is struggle of involvement whereby the CIA. the supplier and user of intelligence. has to guarantee that policymakers to non do incorrect determinations that will compromise the bureau. The CIA besides has the authorization of advancing democracy both locally and internationally but this is non the instance with the intelligence gathered every bit good as the covert actions they undertake. There is a batch of secretiveness whereby the populace is left out on covert actions issues and intelligence hence it can be said that the CIA is practising dual criterions. Democracy requires people to be good informed. something that is non the instance with respect to the covert actions and intelligence gathered by CIA. Decision The CIA has greater responsibility of protecting the populace. the United States authorities and its involvement while at the same clip keeping a reputable public image both locally and internationally. There are times when the CIA has to supply some intelligence in certain state of affairss while at times it has to avoid allowing the populace know of what is traveling on based on the ground that the image of the bureau may be destroyed in instance the covert actions do non travel as planned and no positive consequences achieved. Therefore. the CIA. apart from being an intelligence bureau that provides intelligence and gets involved in covert actions. has the responsibility of protecting itself from the populace. both locally and internationally. This could ensue in biasness in the sort of intelligence that it provides to policymakers every bit good as how it carries out the covert actions. hence struggle of involvement. Mentions Beitz. Charles R. Covert intercession as a moral job. Ethics A ; International Affairs 3. no. 1 ( 1989 ) : 45-60. Berger III. Joseph B. Covert Action: Title 10. Entitle 50. and the Chain of Command. JFQ: Joint Force Quarterly no. 67 ( 2012 4th Quarter 2012 ) : 32-39. By Bill Gertz. The Washington Times. Military. CIA shun 9/11 panel on covert operations. Washington Times. The ( DC ) ( September 9. 2011 ) : 1. Regional Business News Jeffreys-Jones. Rhodri. Covert Action in the Cold War: United states Policy. Intelligence. and CIA Operations. Journal of American History 97. no. 4 ( 2011 ) : 1173-1174. Little. Douglas. Mission Impossible: The CIA and the Cult of Covert Action in the Middle East. Diplomatic History 28. no. 5 ( November 2004 ) : 663-701 Meyer. Joel T. Supervising The Pentagon: Covert Action And Traditional Military Activities In The War On Terror. Administrative Law Review 59. no. 2 ( Spring2007 2007 ) : 463-478. Prouty. L. Fletcher. The secret squad: the CIA and its Alliess in control of the United States and the universe. Skyhorse Publishing Inc. . 2011. Beginning papers

E COMMERCE LAW Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

E COMMERCE LAW - Coursework Example Pp. 194) Section 5 of the English Civil Evidence Act of 1995 stipulates instances when electronic evidence is admissible. It states â€Å"in a civil suit, a statement, which is obtained from a document generated by a computer, shall be considered as evidence of any facts contained therein of which direct oral evidence would carry much weight, if it was shown that some conditions are met in relation to the statement and computer under consideration†. Subsection 2 gives the conditions that are to be satisfied (Friedman, 2005. Pp. 63). One of the conditions to be satisfied is that the document having the statement has had to be produced during times over which the computer was used to store the information for the purposes of the tasks that are frequently carried on over that time by an individual or a corporate body. Another condition is that, over time, there was regular supply to the computer, information that is similar of the kind found in the statement or of the type from which the content is derived. Additionally, and throughout the material time, the computer must have been in proper operation, or if not, that its in-operation at the time was incapable of affecting the production of the article or the accuracy of what is contained in the document. The last condition stipulates that the information that is contained in the statement is derived from the data supplied to the pc in the ordinary cause of those activities (Hedley, 2006. Pp. 22). The best evidence rule provides that he who wants to produce evidence in a court of law must Endeavour to give the court the original evidence or the best evidence to assist the court to come up with the best legal conclusion. In Garton vs. Hunter (1969) and Springsteen vs. Masquerade Music Limited (2001) EWCA Civil case number 563, both Lord Denning and Parker LJ agree that the best evidence rule of admissibility has been overtaken by time. Parker LJ in his judgment points out that the

Entrepreneurship Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Entrepreneurship - Assignment Example Though they constitute a major element of the countries growth, very little was done for their growth and development in the past. It is a common misconception that unemployed people call themselves entrepreneurs. But, in reality they provide several basic services necessary for huge corporate companies as well as the local public. The government has started to realize their importance only in the recent days. Government encourages the small and medium level entrepreneurs to get rated because they believe the sole aim of encouraging entrepreneurship is job creation and economic growth. Several steps to improve them are taken from offering them easy loans to giving them subsidies to improve their infrastructure. The major obstacle faced by the SMEs are their inability to garner funds when they are in dire need. Getting a good credit rating will help them demand the finance they require from various agencies with confidence. But, there is little awareness regarding the process and its importance among the entrepreneurs. Credit rating is basically a system which statistically determines a person or businesses ability to pay back the money borrowed. The credit ratings are offered by three financial bureaus Equifax, TransUnion and Experian in the U.S. Their rating for each business might differ slightly. An American citizen is entitled to get a free credit report once in every 12 month from these bureaus. But, they should pay a minimal fee of $7.95 to get a detailed credit rating. An alternate way is to use software like FICO to get the credit rating. People applying for the report will usually get it within 30 to 45 days of application. They bureau takes into account certain features like credit repayment history, current debts and time taken to pay back the previous credits, the frequency of getting credits and the credit type to create the credit

Involvement and Young Adults Sexual Health Knowledge Article

Involvement and Young Adults Sexual Health Knowledge - Article Example Particular emphasis has been placed on social media artifacts because they are so heavily used by adolescents and young adults. In addition, individuals within this age group receive a large amount of their information from such sources. Prior to this study, researchers viewed the social media as negatively impacting the sexual decisions of young adults. Although there is the valid support for this supposition, the authors of this article suggest there may also be some positive effects of social media artifacts on this population. These effects include educating young adults about sexually transmitted diseases and offering the possible outcomes of premarital sex. Pointedly, the authors state that the majority of earlier research concentrated solely on the television as the primary source of information—there was no focus on magazines. Due to the broad range of sexual topics discussed in modern day magazines that are read by young adults, researchers postulate that these magazines may assist young adults with making decisions about sex such as discussing contraception options with a partner or choosing to refrain from sexual activity until marriage. Consequently, it can be correlated that an increase in magazi ne reading may lead to an increase in condom/contraceptive and more positive decisions concerning sexual health. Therefore, this article aims at understanding how magazines serve as constructive sources of information and enable young adults to make informed decisions about their sexual health. Throughout Studies 1 and 2, the authors hypothesized that â€Å"because of the coverage of sexual health issues in magazines †¦ reading certain genres of magazines (women’s lifestyle, teen, and men’s lifestyle) would be positively correlated with sexual health knowledge, safe-sex self-efficacy, safe-sex intentions, and contraceptive use† (p. 287).

Operations Strategy with focus on Growth

Operations Strategy with focus on Growth Briefly describe your understanding of the concept of Operations Strategy, its importance and its min constructs. Huge number of companies asserted that operations strategy is one of the best approaches to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Waller [5] asserted that the strategic which should relate to operations performance object is important of its operations and supply chain. Hill [4] also suggested that strategy include the perspective of both direction and implementation. Operation strategy is a long term plan which is designed to achieve its desired objectives [5]. Chase et al. [3] claimed that operations strategy is to plan a wide and complete guidelines or approaches which is the best support for companies long term goal. Chase et al. [3] also mention four levels of perspective in operations strategy including learning and growth, internal, customer and financial perspective. Slack et al. [2] addressed that operations strategy is the pattern of decisions and actions that shapes the long term vision, objective and capabilities of the operation and its contribution to overall strategy. Slack et al. [6] also point out that operations strategy should concerns four perspectives as following: (1) Top down Operation strategy is a top down reflection of what the business wants to do. (2) Bottom up Operation strategy is a bottom up activity where operations improvements cumulatively build strategy. (3) Market requirements Operations strategy involves translating market requirement into operations decisions. (4) Capabilities of operations resources Operation strategy involves exploiting the capabilities of operations resources in chosen markets. According to above, it can be concluded that operations strategy which is the way in which operations resources are developed over the long term to create sustainable competitive advantage for the business concerns investments and developments to support the order winners and qualifiers (such as on time delivery, quality conformance and price) for which it has both individual and cooperative responsibility. 2. What do you consider to be the main operations performance objectives in the context of Yo!Sushi? How these objectives reflect the structure and expectations of the companys market? How do you assess the relative importance of these objectives? Answer: An operations strategy should define operations performance objectives which will adds value for customers and contributes to competitiveness by being able to satisfy the requirements of its customers. Slack et al. [2] suggested that there are five aspects of operations performance, all of which to a greater or lesser extent will affect customer satisfaction and business competitiveness. (1) Quality: doing things right. (2) Speed: doing things fast. (3) Dependability: doing things on time. (4) Flexibility: changing what you do or how you do it. (5) Cost: doing things cheaply. Chase et al. [3] also claimed that the major competitive dimensions that form the competitive position of a company include the following: (1) Cost: make it cheap. (2) Product quality and Reliability: make it good. (3) Delivery speed: make it fast. (4) Delivery reliability: deliver it when promised. (5) Coping with changes in demand: change its volume. (6) Flexibility and new product introduction speed: change it. (7) Other product specific criteria: support it. According to above, the main operations performance objectives in the context of Yo!Sushi are quality( food and service), speed, flexibility and cost. (1) Quality Quality is very important index or part in the restaurant industry. According to the article, firstly, the quality of food must manage and control vey carefully including food standards and hygiene. Secondly, the quality of service also is a vital fact which not only relates to the person to person interaction, but also to the general cleanliness of the restaurant. In addition, in order to improve service quality, Yo!Sushi use questionnaires to make some communication and feedback from their customers. It not only let them understand their drawbacks but also found a way to make the customer a repeat visitor in the future. (2) Speed With regard to speed, food stock management is a very important part which is related to it. On one hand, if the food has sold off the belt, the same item of food will to be filled in shortly. On the other hand, if the food has not been sold off the belt in two hours, it must be discarded. To achieve the performance objective of speed not only ensure fresh of food, but also improve the restaurants service quality. (3) Flexibility Customers who want to see a variety of dishes displayed need some different and special menus to make them returning. Variety dishes include seasonal menus and meal promotions which can encourage customers expecting. (4) Cost How to make a reasonable rang of price for their food is also a critical object in Yo!Sushi. According to the article, the author mentioned that there are three different level customer groups including symbols of success, urban intelligence and welfare borderline have been eaten in the restaurant. Because of this, how to set price of meals are a vital issue in their business. There are four structure and expectations of companys market. First of all, to achieve the object of quality can create a chance of customers returning. Secondly, to achieve the object of speed not only ensure fresh of food, but also improve the restaurants service quality. Thirdly, to achieve the object of flexibility could encourage customers motivation to taste special and also make them returning. Lastly, to achieve the object of cost could create much business in many different level customers. It can be concluded from above, different operations will have different views of what each of the performance objectives actually means. In other words, the relative importance of four performance objectives above which can provide competitive advantages depends on how the business competes in its market. 3. What do you see to be the most important challenge for the company and its director? Answer: According to the article, the most important challenge for the company is how to motivate the virgin category customers and how to create the best chances of this customer returning. Virgin customers who mean the people who have not been to the restaurant before will not know how the conveyer belt system works and how to order different Japanese dishes. We can also see from the article that the most important challenge for the companys director is how to get right performance measures of the restaurants. In the article, Robin asserted that given the right set of metrics not only encourage managers performance but also servers performance outperform their current roles. There are also two main reasons why the companys director should to get right performance measures. Firstly, it will bring free up cash to invest in new opening. This reason is refer to CEOs objective which is to have over 100 restaurants open at 2011.Secondly, it will keep companys loyal band of lovers coming back for more. This reason is a vital strategy which make company sustainable operations. It can be concluded from above that if the company can motivate the virgin category customers and make them returning, it will bring much benefits for the company; if the companys director could to get right performance measures of the restaurants, it not only bring free up cash to invest in new opening but also keep companys loyal band of lovers coming back for more in the future. 4. How the identified performance objectives would impact the companys resources and processes (quality, capacity and planning)? And what your suggestions would be to the CEO in selecting measures of performance to improve the restaurants position? Compare your answer with what may be the current approach and solutions of the companys management. Answer: According to the figure1 above, Slack et al. [1] claimed that the market requirement and the operations resource perspectives on operations strategy represent two sides of a strategic equation that all operations managers have to reconcile. According to the figure2 above, Slack et al. [2] also asserted that building operations capabilities means understanding the existing resources and processes within the operation. Different product groups require different performance objective which might related to their position. In case of Yo!Sushi, quality and flexibility are the most important performance objective which should be measured more carefully. First of all, food quality and service quality are a vital index related to customers satisfaction which not only improve restaurants position but also create brand loyalty of their customers. In addition, the flexibility of food is also approach to attract customers successful. In order to identify my suggestion of performance measure, I will compare with another food restaurant called Burger king which is also set some performance objective to make their business excellent. (1) Quality Burger king not only proud the quality of its food but also focus more on their service quality [1]. Compare with Yo!Sushi, quality of food and service are an important points of its business. (2) Speed of service This is a main different between Burger king and Yo!Sushi. Burger king is type of fast food which is important in its speed of service, especially take away. Whereas, more customers of Yo!Sushi choose eat in which more focus on enjoy the process of meal than speed. (3) Flexibility Flexibility is another vital index in restaurant industry. Both Burger king and Yo!Sushi are attach importance to it. Variety meals can attract customers more success than unchanged meals. (4) Cost Burger king is not very cheapest in the fast food market [1]. As a result, how to make a reasonable rang of price which can bring more wide rang customer groups for their business is also a critical object in Burger king and Yo!Sushi. Whilst, using raw materials more effectively and avoid excessive wastage are also a method to decrease its operation cost. 5. How do you describe Yo!Sushis position in the market and the state of their operations and performance, and how do you relate it with the operations strategy the company has adopted and implemented? Answer: An operations strategy should identify the broad decisions that will help the operation achieve its objectives [2]. In general, Yo!Sushis position in the market and the state of their operations and performance are good. First of all, Yo!Sushi very care about their quality of food and service because they know it is a critical fact in restaurant industry and service industry. Secondly, in order to make variety dishes, Yo!Sushi create seasonal menus and meal promotions to encourage their customers returning. Thirdly, Yo!Sushi control their food stock management very well which related to services quality. Fourthly, in order to run their business well and improve their brand visibility, Yo!Sushi choose open restaurants in marketplace. Location selection of Yo!Sushi is also a very vital decision in their operation strategy. Fifthly, Yo!Sushi franchise the concept to overseas partners which makes Yo!Sushi from small company to multinational company. Sixthly, Yo!Sushi use questionnaire to measure restaurants performance and communicate with their customers. It not only acquires some advice from their customers, but also let them make a reasonable measure of performance. Lastly, Yo!Sushi create a new dining experience which include informal, edge and self-paced quick service eatery. In summary, it is clear that the operations strategy of Yo!Sushi is very successful. It not only reflects the businesss market requirements, but also achieve companys performance objective.