Business organisation and policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Business organisation and policy - Essay Example Both large and small firms are confronted with huge demands to step up output but must stay creative and pioneering as they face mergers of immense scope, escalating health care costs, cost-control efforts, fast-changing population demographics and high-speed evolution of new technologies. Such development has pushed several major players in the pharmaceutical sector to persistently invigorate and maximize their R&D expenditures in order to enhance their pipelines and keep abreast with their competitors in the pursuit for high level, large scale operations. This is in harmony with the perception that for large companies to keep on satisfying its shareholders’ expectations, undoubtedly, it is not acceptable and tolerable for them to stick with the status quo. However, the cost of taking in a new active substance (NAS) into the market, projected at US$600 million (Kettler 1999) and the plummeting number of these substances launched lately (Van de Haak 2001) explicitly describe t he scope and magnitude of this challenge. The US$600 million figure per NAS introduced consists of a considerable contribution from the expenses of all NASs that didn’t make the grade in the R&D process. So as to minimize and lower the high gnawing cost, a lot of firms have put portfolio management systems into operation. Since development projects eat up 10 times or more the capital needed for a research project, project selection and prioritization have been strongly emphasized, before entry into the development process. For specific corporations, the expenditure per NAS is greatly influenced by the firm’s character and distinctiveness -- its product profile, type of technology being used, and the kind of activities the firm opts to conduct in-house and those it decides to outsource (Findlay and Kirmani 2000). For so many years, large pharmaceutical companies had wished and anticipated that the greatly increased number of compounds

Biased Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Biased Media - Essay Example According to the Fair.org web site, there are several steps to follow in order to detect bias in the news media. The following is a summary of those steps: First the source needs to be identified, focusing mainly on his/her political perspective. Second, identify the race and gender diversity of the sources. Third, establish the points of view of the reporters. Fourth, identify the standards, if there are double. Fifth, find out if the stereotypes limit the coverage to certain group. Sixth, identify the assumptions that are taken for granted and not evaluated any further. Seven, investigate the wording used in the reports. Eight, investigate if there is a lack of context. Nine, investigate if the headlines and the stories are related. Ten, what is the importance given to the story, find out if the coverage given to important news is appropriate. (How to detect bias in News Media. Fair.org) Also, the web site New Bias Explored, the art of reading news, provides a set of guidelines in order to investigate what forms the news bias take. These guidelines are very similar to the ones presented in the previous paragraph: Word choice, Omissions, Limiting Debate, Story Framing, Sources, The four influences of the news: Geography, Objectivity, Institutional Affiliation, The medium. (News Bias Explored, The art of reading News) With all these guidelines and the previous method, let us perform an analysis on a very well known subject and find out if the media is biased. The news would be "Spears will loose custody of children." (Spears will lose custody of children, CNN.com) Based upon the word choice analysis, the title nor the context include the word temporary. It misleads the public upon believing this is a final decision. The article is limited and omits the consequences resulting from the judge's temporary decision, for example how much child support would Ms. Spears have to pay if she was to lose the custody of her children. The debate is also limited since it only mentions small statement regarding the wishes of Ms. Spears and there is no mention of the purposes of Mr. Federline. The story has been framed since it evolves only around the fact that Ms. Spears will lose the custody of her children, when it might focus on the reasons to pursuit the new split conditions, thus changing the emphasis and context of the news. The only source mentioned in this article is Superior Judge Court, Scott Gordon, since it is a temporary decision, other sour ces might be irrelevant. Within the four influences of the news, within the geography guideline, there is not much debate since it falls under the regionalism, the news takes place within the United States. Objectivity is referred to the method of the journalist's searching for the truth. In this case, the reporter is only informing the public and not trying to obtain the truth behind Mr. Federline's new intentions. From the analysis method presented by Fair.org, there is a double standard while presenting Ms. Spears habits and continuous usage of controlled substances and alcohol. Where as to, Mr. Federline's habits were not mentioned. The headlines and the story are partially related, since further down the article it mentions Ms. Spears' due date for her new album,

Porters Model of National Competitive Advantage Essay

Porters Model of National Competitive Advantage - Essay Example This paper illustrates that in the book ‘The Competitive Advantage of Nations’ Michael Porter discussed the reasons why some nations, social groups and economic institutions advances than others. His work focused on the collective competitive advantages of the firms in the nation rather than the performance of the individual firms. The orientation of his work is positive rather normative focusing on the international patterns of competitive advantage. He developed this model by combining theories in the fields of strategies to compete and international economics and performed an inductive and deductive analysis. Porter’s model was a result of the analysis and the study of 100 industries in 10 countries which included counties from Europe, Asia, and America, regarding their competitive performance. His work showed how industrial competiveness with a different insight can be incorporated into company’s strategy. Porter used strategic management theories and a nalyzed them with international trade and economy. The book emphasizes the fact that the national competitiveness is determined by the firms rather than the nations. The theory suggests that the influence the nation has on the competitiveness of the firms depends on the firm’s competitive success that the environment built over time. The nation acts as a ‘home base’ for the firms, this home base helps in developing the firm’s strategy, culture, character of its management, the availability and quality of resources, technology and helps it in establishing prior to its expansion internationally as the firms grow domestically before they plan their expansion internationally. The theory basically analyses the characteristics, rather four variables of the national environment which are the basis of competitive advantage and determines firm’s ability to compete and sustain itself in international markets. The Porter referred these variables as ‘Nati onal Diamond’. These four variables are firm’s strategy structure and rivalry, factor conditions, demand conditions and related and supporting industries.

Support for Abortion Essay Example for Free

Support for Abortion Essay Abortion involves the termination of a pregnancy or ending the life of an unwanted and unborn fetus. According to most pro-choice people, abortion means getting rid or terminating a pregnancy and not necessarily killing a fetus. They believe that the unborn child is only an embryo or fetus, not an actual living baby. According to the pro-choice people, a mother has an option of terminating or ending a pregnancy because the fetus is only in the early stages of developing. This possibly means it does not contain a life. Those factions that support abortion believe that a woman should have the right to make a decision concerning pregnancy termination in case there is no desire to bear a child. Thus, according to the pro-choice faction bearing a child should be imposed or forced on women. It should be a decision made by an individual at her own accord, and abortion is a solution, which offers them options of avoiding a parental life, which they may not be ready to embrace. However, the pro-life people insist and believe that an unborn fetus is a living child and terminating a pregnancy is equal to murder. They claim that an embryo is a living being that is in its initial and premature stages of development. Thus, according to the pro-life groups the fact that an embryo is perceived as a living being, abortion clears amounts to murder of a living person. According to the American constitution, all people are provided an inalienable right that is assured by the constitution. The American constitution guarantees that people have a right to seek and pursue their happiness in life. It is the fundamental right of women to seek this happiness without being forced to carry responsibilities that they are not willing or ready pursue. For that reason, based on this notion a baby can sometimes become a hindrance on the happiness pursuance of women (Manninen 34). This is because even if women contain an option of giving up their unwanted child up for adoption she still endure carrying the baby for months before giving birth. For that reason, abortion is a sure option of aiding women in averting this burden and solves their predicament of carrying an unwanted fetus. For that reason, the traditional values of forcing women to bear children that they are not ready to raise demonstrate prejudice because they deny women their guaranteed privilege and invades into their constitutional liberty (Thomson 70). Furthermore, abortion is a medical option, which ensures that the health of women is safeguarded. Many women are exposed to various dangerous medical conditions that put their health at a risk. This involves disease such as kidney illnesses, hypertension, heart sickness and anemia, as well as many other medical conditions (Thomson 72). In several circumstances, these diseases pose a life threatening risk to women. Thus, with such consideration abortion gives women an option to avert serious medical complications that can occur because of childbirth. The Unites States must recognize distinct historical experiences that are discriminatory to uphold the right of women as free individuals that are liberated and not prisoners of subjection laws (Zastrow 18). Furthermore, the traditional society of America was highly chauvinistic. The society was massively patriarchal perceiving women as childbearing instruments and homemakers while undervaluing their societal contributions and values. This resulted in the society prejudicing women and regarding them as minorities with little say in society. For that reason, under such circumstances abortion offers women an opportunity to enjoy a right that society had denied them for long. The right to abortion gives women a sense of individuality and recognition because she has the right to decide the fate of her future and that of the fetus she is carrying (Rossi 32). Conclusion Abortion is a notion that raised several questions in the American society. This has resulted in intense arguments by those who support and those who support abortion. The two factions remain highly divided in their opinions concerning the issuer of abortion. This is because they believe in varied egalitarianism and faith concerning the issue. In consequence, I believe that abortion should be supported based on the benefits it has in society which includes saving the life of women and offering women their right to express and make decisions concerning their bodies as individuals.

United Nations Human Development Report and the Need for International

United Nations Human Development Report and the Need for International Democratization The 2002 United Nations Human Development Report (UNHDR) is the result of many years’ study of international human progress and development. As declared in the first page of the report, "[This report] is about how political power and institutions, formal and informal, national and international, shape human progress". This statement outlines the principal theme of power dynamics and fragmentation (politics) on varying levels, public and private, rich and poor, male and female, etc. - that runs consistently throughout the work, analyzing global trends of political participation and democracy. According to the UNHDR, human development is politically determined, not only socially and economically so as represented in many studies. The Report operates under the basic assumption that the current world is more free and more just than ever before, but that democracy (including structures of political participation, economic justice, health and education, and peace and personal security) is necessary to improve human development and to protect the freedom and dignity of all people. Although the Report is outwardly concerned with all democratic countries, industrialized or not, it is most significant to developing democracies where necessary reforms in human development have not yet been realized. As expressed by lead author, Sakiko Fukuda-Parr, this year’s Report emphasizes the growing divisions between "those who prosper... and those who do not... between the powerful and the powerless, between those who welcome the new global economy and those who demand a different course." At times it seems as though both sufficient coherence and evide... ... whole the UNHDR does an thorough job at citing the important role of democratic governance with regard to human development, it also was blind to one major issue: the difference between theoretical and practical democracy. The successful theoretical democracy primarily discussed in this Report is undoubtedly not the same democracy practiced by 82 "fully democratic" countries in the world.Although the Report does make note of the susceptibility of many democratic institutions to corruption and inequality, the point was not made clear enough that these are two very separate and distinct forms of democracy. No matter the stylistic flaws, though, this Report truly creates a clear perspective on the state of current international human development, and rightfully emphasizes the immediate need for foreign aid, improved living standards, and international democratization.

Advertising in Sport Everywhere You Look Essay

Advertising in sport everywhere you look Pure and simple. My brother loves the game of hockey. He doesn’t care about all the media and advertising surrounding the game, he just simply loves the sport. Tonight he’s going to a New Jersey Devils hockey game purely for the love of the game. He’s going to wear his Reebok, New Jersey Devils jersey and go to the Prudential Center to see the game. The Prudential Center is located near the new Red Bull Park and not far from the Izod Center, which until recently, was known as Continental Airlines Arena. As usual, he’ll park his car in the Ford Lincoln Mercury Parking Lot and proceed past the Verizon Tower to get to the PNC Bank Tower. He’ll proceed up the elevator past Lincoln Mercury Level 1 and give his Ticketmaster ticket to the attendant. He will then meet his friends near the Bud Light Goal Bar. Because he’s not 21 years old yet, he won’t be able to take advantage of the bar experience, but he’s sure to be thinking about the enticement at the entrance which reads â€Å"The red light is on! Time to hit the Bud Light Goal Bar. Occupying an expansive area on the north end of Prudential Center on Lincoln Mercury Suite Level One, the Bud Light Goal Bar offers fans a hip, modern bar atmosphere overlooking the ice. The Bud Light Goal Bar features dozens of flat screen televisions, so while you and your guests enjoy a cold one, you are guaranteed to see all the action. † Next, he will take the elevator up one flight to the Ford Level 2 seating area and buy a program before he gets settled into his seat. If he’s thirsty, he can buy a drink that comes in a Coca Cola cup, even if it’s not Coca Cola. The game will begin soon after the TV advertising time is done. As he waits, he will probably remove his NHL hat and peruse the Devils program to check the team’s statistics and information. Or, he can read about the best investment bank to use, or where to trade stocks for a bargain price. He’ll find out where his favorite team’s apparel can be purchased or what the official mouthwash of the New Jersey Devils is. There are many other events that are coming to the Prudential Arena so maybe he will think about attending one of them. So much to think about before game time arrives. As the game begins, all focus will be on the game itself, if he can manage to not be distracted by the lighted advertisements that continuously change to hock a variety of goods and services. After all, he is only there to watch the game. As to not be confused about who is winning the game, he can look up at the PSE&G scoreboard to know who just scored a goal and what the game score is. I’m sure it will be an exciting night for him, because, purely and simply, he just loves hockey. Relationship between Sports and Media â€Å"Sport and mass media share a very symbolic relationship in American society. On one hand, the staggering popularity of sport is due, to no small extent, to the enormous amount of attention provided it by the mass media. On the other hand, the media are able to generate enormous sales in both circulation and advertising based upon their extensive treatment of sport. † The amount of advertising in sport has become very extreme. In almost every aspect of a sport you can find some form of advertising or media being exposed. The players, the coaches, the memorabilia stores, the stadiums, the teams and especially the commercials during televised games, all include media or advertising in some way. Athletes and Advertising As the saying goes, â€Å"If the shoe fits, wear it†, especially if you’re being paid to wear it. Many all star athletes are given opportunities for endorsements. Popular athletes in advertisements can make a product more attractive to sports fans. Although it is effective to use athletes to promote products, sometimes it becomes a little excessive. Instead of advertising for a couple of products, athletes today are spokespeople for numerous companies. Peyton Manning, the star quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts is said to be the NFL’s, â€Å"Most Marketable Player. † He is currently associated with over seven different products including Gatorade, Reebok, Sprint, and DirecTV. By participating in all these advertisements, it makes it visible that he is doing these ads just for the money. In cases like this, an athlete can be involved with too much advertising and become overexposed. Another case of athletes being overly concerned with dollars is that of Michael Jordan. In 1992, Jordan participated in the Olympics as part of the United States Basketball â€Å"Dream Team† and won an Olympic gold medal. When he learned that on the gold-medal stand he would be expected to wear the official red, white and blue United States warm-up suits with the Reebok logo, he threatened not to appear at the ceremony. â€Å"I don’t believe in endorsing my competition,† Jordan said. â€Å"I feel very strongly about loyalty to my own company. In saying this, it seemed as if his loyalty to his country didn’t matter to him as much as his loyalty to his brand. In the end, the United States Olympic Committee came up with a compromise that said basically anyone who has a personal corporate sponsor who objects to the team sponsor’s name showing on the United States Olympic uniform has the right to obscure what he does not want to show. In this case it wa s the Reebok logo. Television Advertising The Superbowl is known as one of the biggest and most watched events in all of sports. The crowning of the World Champions of football has an enormous audience. In addition to the game, we get to be entertained by the half time show and wait for the cleverly scripted television commercials. The Superbowl is known for its elaborate advertising. Every year, people look forward to seeing the creative new commercials being broadcasted during the football game. For companies to broadcast in a thirty second time block during the event, they must pay nearly two million dollars. In the past, television commercials were a time to leave the room for a quick break from watching the game but now they have evolved into an advertising extravaganza. In the case of the Superbowl, the NFL almost makes more money from advertising then they do for simply broadcasting the game. Advertising on Uniforms The sport with sponsor advertising being the most prevalent on team jerseys is soccer. If you turn on the Fox Soccer Channel to watch the English Premier league you might notice that a large majority of the teams uniforms have a sponsor’s name posted across the front of the jerseys. For example, the 2008 Barclay Premier champions, Manchester United, wore red Nike jerseys with their sponsor’s name (AIG) written across the chest. When soccer fans buy replica jerseys such as Manchester United’s they become part of the advertising scheme. Sponsors believe that the more jerseys sold, the more their name is out for the public to see. Therefore, the sponsor’s goal is to place their logo everywhere possible to expand the popularity of their company. Conclusion In conclusion, to answer the question posed, â€Å"Is sports based media and advertising excessive? †, the answer would have to be â€Å"yes. † Advertising isn’t as simple as the old song, â€Å"Take me out to the ballgame† suggests. When we heard the lyrics, â€Å"Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks† we thought about the experience of being at a ballgame and enjoying the day while munching on some ballpark staples. In today’s advertising environment, we would have to sing the song with some updated lyrics. It won’t be easy to sing â€Å"Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks.

Individual Privacy vs. National Security

National Security has taken a new shape after the events of September 11, 2001, that is why I have selected the topic of Individual Privacy vs. National Security. I have selected this topic because of the amount of attention that has brought to this topic over the last ten years. There are many issues that the American people have with the government pushing what people believe cross privacy bounds thus causing court cases forcing policy changes. The ruling in the courts will affect how our government is able to gather information on possible terrorist threats while trying to keep the people’s rights protected. I plan on limiting the research by looking at key events that really have sparked the American people to uproar at the U. S. government. In looking at they more key events it will help to cut down the amount of hits that I will get in a search engine. The idea is that if certain issues really fire up the people then how will future bills or laws passed by the government be affected by pass rulings in the courts. In my paper I plan on looking into the Patroit Act and how this really affects what the government is allowed to do when they think someone is involved in terrorist acts. Also the other hot topic is that right now the government really does not need a warrant to track your cell phone using the different GPS signals. These are two of the biggest issues that could really help to shape current policy that the government uses to track people of interest. I am taking the side that there are times that the people of America need to give up some of their rights so that the government can protect them. It is a give and take relationship so there are times that both sides must find a common ground. Yet, there are times that the governments needs to have the ability to protect our national security at all cost.