Business Operations of Logistics

Introduction

Efficient logistics as well as supply chain (SC) control is critical to the success of most firms. The persistent evolution of logistics and SC management is imperative for UK to advance to become a primary business hub in Europe (Cooper, 2003). Better quality and proficient organization SC management is an important reason for nurturing relations with associates and enhancing SC proficiency.  The use of third party logistics or 3pl vendors is a way of acquiring these advantages. 3PL, which is also known as “logistics subcontracting” or deal logistics, indicated elementary expansion in the previous decade Third party links between a hauler or client and 3pl, in contrast with normal services, presents more ample, tailored, as well as flexible services.  3pl is however symbolized by never-ending, more mutually beneficial association that flanks between service purveyors and clients. Organizations that subcontract their logistics operations to third party logistic service purveyors enhance interactive relations (So et al. 2006). It is necessary to amass corporate links that adopt a relational, and not transactional, corporate approach.                                                                                                                                                                      Logistics subcontracting and third party logistics service should remain an imperative facet of modern SC management.  Latest study has revealed record high third party logistics treatment among Fortune 500 organizations, and it was estimated that by 2005, United States third party used about 1/3 of their collective outlays in relation to the current usage that is at 20%.  In integrating the subcontracting strategy, companies use an exterior organization to perform some, or all, of their logistic practices to attain high-ended expertise services. Third party logistics vendors offers register enhancements and capture the developed economies that lead to elevated volumes that are acquire by the differentiation of demand across a huge market.  There appears to be scarcity of study on the collaborative links flanking control as well as corporate performance in 3pl services presenters and their supply chain associates (So et al. 2006).  This research of corporate operation determinant of logistics subcontracting in UK haulage logistics industry navigates the connection between third party logistic vendors and SC associates, and advances the proficiency of the serviced offered. It is necessary that companies excel in quality assertion to enhance the proficiency and competent flow of goods and the transmission of information as well as finances within SMs. Certainly, this enhances not only the quality of 3pl vendors, but also supports fiscal development and give UK a competitive edge over EU rivals. Globalisation has altered the way business is conducted on a global scale. Businesses have been forced to re-align their corporate structure and embrace change as they seek to define a niche in liberal markets. Many companies of the day subcontract their logistics operations to third party logistics (3pl) service vendors. This practice has become widespread in various sectors.  Third party logistics vendors can be illustrated as subcontractors of specialized logistical operations that cover the complete logistics procedure, or preferred practices within the logistical operation that have previously been core of a company. This paper is a review of existing process flows in the operations management and logistics.

3PL and Supply chain

Conventionally, the control of material flow was centered on internal capability of the company. Usually this culminated to expansion of inventory driven structures. Equally, firms managed the inbound haulage as well as distribution of products. Typically, every production unit managed its own logistic operations. Nevertheless, modern firms which are characterized by unvarying transformation and rivalry, researchers assert that this conventional mode of developing logistic policy and structure supply chain is not a convincing approach to ensure continued existence of companies. This business milieu- characterized by increased rivalry and global presence with the need for increasing product varieties, and (Sink et al. 2006) diminishing inventories has resulted to the need for comprehensive reactive corporate procedures, centered on effective supply chain coalitions. Increased rivalry pressures have promoted many corporations to re-evaluate their niche within supply chain. As majority of these firms reconfigure their activities around core capabilities, established corporate frameworks (Sink et al. 1996) are providing way to novel structures of organization:  ‘’ the typical, vertical incorporated multi-divisional company, flourishing in 20^th century, is dubious to perform in such settings. Previous studies indicate that it will be substituted by innovative structures of network companies comprising of specialized multinational firms working as cooperative exchange associations.

Reacting to the growing pressure created by such severe competition, management and innovation corporations are constantly working on enhancing their marketing strategies to realize sustainable direction in their areas of operation. In achieving a competitive edge, supply chain has been applauded as a new (Trunick, 2009) approach and within this; the logistic procedure has been recognized as strategy that can offer competition strength. SCM or otherwise supply chain management, through successful logistic processes, has be encouraged as an imperative source of attaining stable positions of advantage over rival mainly in terms of client preference. The enduring competitiveness of companies is hence tied to supply chain in which they partake; that is, positioning of SC (supply chain) for realizing long term competitive advantage that signifies a core strategic gain of successful SCM

Previously, it was believed that the only means corporations could realize a justifiable competitive tactic was if they pursued a cost effective strategy or one of diversification. However, the objective of successful SCM is to (ensure a smooth operating supply channel where clientele are offered comparative differentiation via service delivery and simultaneously, reduction of inventory by minimizing costs and better utilization of competence.  Due to technological developments that (Sohail et al. 2006) portray the present market, successful firms will be those who distinguish and take advantage of opportunities provided by efficient SMC. The establishment of vastly successful SC represents the only strategy that corporations can uphold a valid competitive edge in the current marketplace. It is SCs that compete and not firms because of virtual, information-oriented integration.

Moreover, to remain competitive, industrial establishments are (constantly faced with barriers to improve the quality of goods and services? This can be attained by implementing a strategy which centers on branded core, value adding procedures within the firm and outsourcing others to proficient service providers. Utilizing of core competence tactics to supply chain management implies developing a competitive SC by outsourcing a non essential, non-value) augmenting SC procedures to experts firms beyond the precincts of supply chain. In United States, outsourcing logistic practices revolves around manufacturing area. Subsequently, outsourcing has been identified as a viable strategic preference for treating non-essentials within companies.

In retail industry, however, logistic procedures of purchasing and distribution are major organizational plans and therefore contracting them will impact on both the strategic framework of the company and the entire supply chain cycle.  3PL vendors have the ability to provide skills and cost benefit services to individual firms because they offer opportunities for corporations. They minimize unnecessary costs in expensive logistic equipments such as warehouses, trucks, sorting tools among others. Additional, 3PL offer added benefits of economies of scope which is evident as voluminous services are offered without increases in labor or even equipment. At the center of all these issues, SC firms need to restructure their activities in order to integrate transformations inherent in a logistic subcontracting strategy. This can be done by integrating a procedure-based plan, accentuating on business practices cutting across functional challenges. In reality, this requires an integrative technique to supply chain management such as supply chain integration (SCI). To attain this integrative plan, firms have formed logistic associations with 3PL.

2.2.1 Supply chain in Retail Perspective

Retail sector deals with the framework, control marketing and supply channels. In this area, supply operations are concerned with strategic management of SC; that is, supply conduits is the sector within which organizational strategy, logistic procedures as well as promotion function leads to client transaction (Murphy and Poist, 2008). In these promotions, the procedures entailed in the supply and distribution of goods and services are significant practices via which long term competitive edge can be exploited. Particularly, in a convenient vending store, the need for client service and delivery of products on time as a way of differentiation can’t be stressed. In retail sector, increased competition for shelf space, pressure on price tag and margin- coupled with expanding store formats and industrial consolidation has made many firms seek new approaches to enhance their operations and cost-effectiveness. This requires implementation of a radical technique to corporate strategy in order to realize long tem competitive edge such as SCM policies to promote sustainable strategic associations (Sahay and Mohan, 2006). In the United Kingdom, for instance various retailers are working towards the introduction of ‘complete SC’ via the utilization of direct distributor negotiation, central warehouse, supply chains and use of 3LP.

Logistics and SCM

SCM and logistic has progressively increased from the 80s, when firms began to acknowledge the importance of collaborative associations both within and beyond their own corporations. Nonetheless, analysis on logistic and SCM is not a new concept. The first detailed exploration and demonstration of SC interdependence was carried out by Forrester in 1961 (Kopczak, 2006).                                                                                                                                                                     In the past, numerous analyses have endeavored to address various logistical aspects and SCM. From 1950s to 70s, studies on manufacturing highlighted mass fabrication with reductions in costs as the key operation focus.  It was considered that expansion of planning as well as investment could reduce operational costs and at the same time increase quality of goods and services. In the 80s, widespread competition among organizations resulted to logistical and SCM as approaches of minimizing costs, increasing quality and reliable merchandize (Kopczak, 2006).          The growth of JIT concept, for instance, acted as drivers in the production efficiency and abridged the SC cycle.  Moreover, in the 90s corporations extended their execution of best practices to organizational administrative resources such as strategic vendors and logistical roles. SC partners have embraced the model of third party logistic and SCM to increase efficiency across the supply chain cycle, which has culminated to expansion of SC performance measurements Recent reviews in logistics are centered on SC integration to measure the effectiveness of strategic decisions Generally, research into SCM and logistic highlight two key perspectives;

• Corporate integration: firms severely affected by competition reflect and interact with distributors and clientele base to enhance client services, and minimize operation expenses. Additionally, senior management disbands the functional boarders within departments- production, distribution, marketing, and bookkeeping to enhance employee cohesiveness.
• Flow co-ordination: this involves organization coordinating physically to ensure information flow and capital with the SC cycle to improve efficiency so as to reduce wastage (Langley et al. 2005)

 Reviews on Third Party Logistics (3PL)

Subcontracting firms have received growing interests from scholars and dealers. These firms act as 3PL providers, and help enhance the proficiency and competence of an organization’s logistical operations. 3PL is merely the subcontracting of logistic activities to diverse organizations, such as haulage, warehousing, inventory administration as well as distribution among others. Stank et al. (2003) described 3PL providers as firms that offer a range of logistical services to outsourcing firms, to co-ordinate the transport of merchandise in various places.  Third party logistic providers’ supply processed goods within a supply chain. The need to build up sustainable competitive edge, the budding stress on presenting quality client service and the tactical value with a focus on core dealing and re-designing culminates in the development of contract logistics, in comparison to conventional logistics.                                                                 Third party service evolution has been an imperative pattern in logistical administration since the 90s Third party logistics created about US$40 billion globally in 1998, and had grown by US$10 billion two years later Nevertheless, findings on 3PL are comparatively modern (Sahay and Mohan, 2006). It is however apparent that even though studies have existed into the integration of rapport marketing as well third party logistics, study has not exclusively centered on the effect of relational practices on corporate operation and in connection to management flanking third party providers and their customers.

Client Relation Management

Client loyalty is a primary aspect that can help a third party logistical corporate perpetual survival Lao et al., (2011). They asserted that if third party logistic vendors can reinforce variables that prompt the devotion of their clients, they seem to gain advantageously.  They nevertheless state that diverse variables also affect client devotion ad client contentment does not imply that it would lead to client allegiance. In this regard, if the clients are satisfied they might not be devoted to the companies. It is nevertheless affirmed that 3PL vendors are dependent on corporate proactive techniques to clients and the expertise and capacity to present persistent services to realize convoluted and un-anticipated client demands.  Previously, firms adopted CRM as a strategy for increasing profit margins, expand on technologies, endure competition or as demanded by their clients. All these were done for the purposes of winning loyalty.               With expanding market production technique, competition on cost of goods increases. Firms realize that increasing client satisfaction generate little or even no profit. According to various scholars loyal clients tend to be profit minded. Additionally they can help a company to minimize its costs and size by 27 and 60 % respectively. Subsequently, sustainable relationships with clients can not be aped by business rivals (Bowersox and Calantone, 2008). Firms thrive in association management can hence benefit from this long term advantage, particularly in the unstable and tough market.  CRM was adopted in 90s it has attracted businesses, since it can offer mutual advantage for clients and corporations. CRM is helping third party logistic providers manage client links in an organized approach. Moreover, CRM has been a driving force in this sector by helping these firms to meet their clients’ requirements. Normally, it entails firms changing their processes and adopting new technologies, accordingly competent leadership is necessary.

A case study of BP Global Plc

BP Global plc (BP, formerly known as British Petroleum) is a British multinational oil and gas company whose headquarters are based in London, England, United Kingdom. BB Global Plc has a global presence and it deals with production and distribution of petroleum products across the globe (Bamberg, 2000). However, the company is unique among other petroleum companies because it also engages in the production and distribution of aluminum coils for the beverage industry. Therefore, considering that the company appears in the marketplace across the globe, the company offers its crude and refined fuel products, where the company products are marketed to both retail and wholesale customers (Meyer and Brysac, 2008). Due to the global presence of the company including its diversification of its business segments including oil and natural gas as well as oil exploration, refinery and marketing, BP Global Plc is undoubtedly on the leading petroleum companies globally because of its excellent management of logistics and operations. Also the company has for a very long period of time maintained an effective supply chain management which has been critical in ensuring that its petroleum products globally (Bamberg, 2000).

 

Logistics and process flows of the case organization operation

BP Global Plc logistics and process flows have made it one of the leading petroleum companies globally. This is mainly because it is sometimes referred to by its former name the fifth-largest energy company on basis of market capitalization and the fifth-largest company worldwide on basis of revenues, as well as the sixth-largest oil and gas Company in terms of production. BP Global Plc has operations are present in about 80 countries across the world, and its global headquarters are based in England (Bamberg, 2000). BP Global Plc is amongst the six oil and gas “supermajors“, and it is vertically integrated. The operates of BP Global Plc are in all areas of the oil and gas industry, including exploration and production, refining, distribution and marketing, power generation and trading as well as production of petrochemicals. The operations of BP Global Plc are organized into two main business segments, Downstream and Upstream (Bamberg, 2000). As a result of effective management of operations and logistics, BP Global is considered an energy industry benchmark.

BP Global Plc is undoubtedly a benchmark company in terms of operations management, logistics and process flows. This is mainly because the company has an effective mechanism of ensuring its logistics are top notch. Due to the company’s global presence, the company has around 80 subsidiaries across the world in different countries which act as a way of distribution and refinery of crude fuels (Bamberg, 2000). According to the company, BP Global Plc operates offshore oil and gas fields as well as onshore terminals and extensive pipeline network for the transportation of gas and natural gas. However, diversification of business operations has been one of the crucial way through which the company has been logistically performing better. This has also been achieved joint ventures (Meyer and Brysac, 2008).

Additionally, there has appropriate logistics and proper management of operations in order to make sure that the company products and services are widely distributed in the countries where its operations are based (Bamberg, 2000). For instance, the company operates many retail sites mostly in form of service stations under the flagship of the company’s retail brand BP Connect, which consists of chains of service stations combined with a café, a convenience store, and in many stations, an M&S Simply Food shop (Meyer and Brysac, 2008).

Internal and external process map

Moreover, the company process flow follows a downward direction from its global headquarters based in London, England, United Kingdom to all the company subsidiaries located across the world. This is usually essential for making sure that there is consistency of process flow in all aspects of the company operations (Meyer and Brysac, 2008). This is due to the fact that the company adopts a bureaucratic organizational structure where process flows from top going below. However, the company process flow involves operations in all areas of the oil and gas industry, including exploration and production, refining, distribution and marketing, power generation and trading as well as production of petrochemicals. The company’s process flow is illustrated below:

 

Analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of BP Global Plc operations using SWOT

The analysis of the advantages and disadvantages BP Global Plc operations will be done using the SWOT analysis as a tool that analyses a company’s strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats.  However, the advantages of BP Global Plc will be discussed under the strengths and opportunities aspects of the SWOT analysis. Moreover, the disadvantages of BP Global Plc will be discussed under the weaknesses and threats aspects of the SWOT analysis.

Strengths

BP Global Plc has numerous strengths including its geographically diverse business and revenue which is crucial in helping to shield the business from shocks in any one of the segments, especially during the global financial crisis experienced towards the end the previous decade (Bamberg, 2000). The company also has an extensive in-house engineering/petroleum engineering expertise which plays an essential role in making sure the company continues to come up with innovative ideas. BP Global Plc also has been undertaking incremental increase in supply through its strategy of speeding up production (Meyer and Brysac, 2008).  Moreover, the company has also been using superior oil-related technology which has been vital in maintaining revenue and profits by giving the controlling power in the global oil market. This has also been instrumental in ensuring that the company remains among the best in exploration as well as production at low cost offering it higher margins for oil producers. Furthermore, BP Global Plc is the largest oil producer in the Gulf of Mexico which gives it economies of scale (Bamberg, 2000).

Opportunities

BP Global Plc has many opportunities which are discussed as shown below: for instance, energy companies BP included usually do well in inflationary environment and consumers who can rarely afford cutting down their energy consumption which translates to higher income (Bamberg, 2000). The company also has an opportunity to exploit the increasing demand for petroleum products in the emerging markets which helps in the company growth and margins. BP Global Plc has been doing major Iraq oil projects where many foreign companies are able to win concessions. Moreover, the company also has other opportunities such as the new management led by Tony Hayward, high quality oil which means less refining which reduce its cost of production and refinement implying that the profits increases. Finally, the rising fuel prices continue to increase the company revenue and margins (Meyer and Brysac, 2008).

 

Weaknesses

The company has several weaknesses such as the costs involved in mitigating environmental hazards as well as the risks of trying to appear sustainable and green. The company also has low activity in the Middle East (Meyer and Brysac, 2008). Moreover, hostile foreign governments may result to considerable profits off due to the encountered hostility. Moreover, there are also political risk accompanied with oil companies which affects all companies to a certain extent, but the frequent targets are the oil companies. Finally, the declining oil reserves are another weakness because the decrease can not be replenished since oil is not renewable (Bamberg, 2000).

Threats

BP Global Plc encounters several threats that pose as disadvantages of the company operations including the spilling of oils leading to years of years of litigation and environmental problems. The global strategy of the company is threatened by the political risks encountered in some parts of the world, especially in the company’s Russian Oil Joint Venture involving TNK and BP associated with high political and economic risk. These political risks raise the cost of doing business, especially in foreign territories (Meyer and Brysac, 2008). Volatility of the oil industry is also another threat encountered by BP because it negatively influences the company’s projections and valuation. Moreover, the Windfall Tax Political action for very high profits has the potential of significantly decreasing the company revenues (Meyer and Brysac, 2008).

Suggested improvement for better business logistics and operations management

BP Global Plc should continue with its joint ventures in order to continue with its global expansion strategy so that it can continue to be among the leading oil and gas industries worldwide. However, caution should be taken prior to such decisions in order to make sure that political and economic risks are reduced or averted (Meyer and Brysac, 2008). Moreover, the company should significantly reduce it oil transportation through the road and adopt a comprehensive pipeline networks for the distribution of its products. This would improve timely delivery of products while at that same time reducing operational costs. This will also significantly improve the operations the company’s supply chain management (Meyer and Brysac, 2008). Alternatively the company should subcontract all its products’ distribution activities in order to reduce maintenance costs.

The company should also encourage automation of its chains of service stations which are the main way through which the company distributes its products within their regions of operations. Moreover, the company should also diversify the products and services offered by the service stations in order to ensure that it is shielded from financial shocks when the prices of one of the company’s major product or service is affected. Despite the fact that this initiative will be cost intensive, eventually the returns shall be more compared to the initial investments (Meyer and Brysac, 2008).

 

References

Bamberg, J.H. (2000). The History of the British Petroleum Company: British Petroleum and Global Oil, 1950–1975: The Challenge of Nationalism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

 

Bowersox, D. J., and Calantone, R. J. (2008). Executive insight: Global logistics,              Journal of International Marketing, Vol.6 No4, pg 83-93.

Cooper, J. C. (2003). Logistics strategies for global businesses, International                       Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, vol.23, No4, pg12-23.

Kopczak, L. R. (2006). Logistics Partnerships and Supply Chain Restructuring.

Langley Jr., C.J., Van Dort, E., Ang, A., and Sykes, S.R. (2005) Third-Party Logistics: Results and Findings of the 10th Annual Study.

Lao, S.I., Choy, K.L., Ho, G.T.S. Tsim, Y.C. & Chung, N.S.H.. (2011). Determination of the success factors in supply chain networks: a Hong Kong-based manufacturer’s perspective. Measuring Business Excellence, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 34-48

Lieb, R.C., Millen, R.A., and Van Wassenhove, L.N. (2003), “Third Party Logistics Services: A Comparison of experienced American and European Manufacturers,” International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, Vol. 23, No. 6, pp. pp. 35-44.

Meyer, K.E. and Brysac, S. (2008), Kingmakers: The Invention of the Modern Middle East. New York, NY: W.W. Norton.

Murphy, P. R., and Poist, R. F. (2008). Third-party logistics usage: An Assessment of propositions based on previous research, Transportation Journal, Vol.2, pg26-35.

So S., Kim J., Cheong K., Cho G. (2006), Evaluating the service quality of third-party logistics service providers using the analytic hierarchy process, Journal of Information Systems & Technology Management, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 261-270.

Sahay, B.S. and Mohan, R. (2006), “Managing 3PL relationships,” International

Stank, T P., Goldsby, T J. Vickery, S K. and Savitskie, K. (2003), “Logistics Service         Performance: Estimating its Influence on Market Share,” Journal of Business Logistics,                      Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 27-56

 

 

Review of the Literature: Autism

 

Review of the Literature: Early child or adult autism is treated through behavioral treatment such as family or working with a team of professions or through medications, to improve attention, learning and related behaviors.

Autism is among the disorders that affect many of the children in USA.  Out of 91 children, one suffers from this disorder. The rate of children suffering from the disorder has increased dramatically in the last 20 years.  Children suffering from the disorder have problems with their social skills, language and learning. In this literature review, various sources are incorporated to determine the various methods that can be adapted to treat this disorder to improve attention, learning and related behaviors.

In a research study by Solomon & Chung (2012), it is evident that behavioral therapies can help to great magnitude in managing the disorder. The authors use information from various sources to build their case. According to Solomon & Chung (2012), family therapies are well suited to help parents with children suffering from autism to be connected even as they face chronic and accurate stresses of autism. Various issues such as divorce and financial challenges stress children with autism to provide a comprehensive treatment plan. Such parents require a sustainable work-family balance to ensure that they do not loss connection with each other.  A family therapist should work with the parents of child with autism to help them manage this situation amicably. The therapists should also do some advocacy work including consulting and coordinating with other providers, attending IEP meetings, and helping the parents of autism child to access to resources such as local support groups.

According to Foster et al, (2012), parents play a key role in helping their children with autism improve in social behaviors and learning. In this article, the authors argue that, it is essential for parents to accept the situations of their children in order to approach the problem with an open mind.  There are however many causes that do happen where parents fail to assist their children because of lack of skills and knowledge in the same. This therefore leaves a gap that requires relevant people with the skills to create awareness of the disorder to help parents to manage the situation amicably.  Behavioral intervention strategy for such like children can do great deal in helping them improve in their social and cognitive behaviors.  Educators need to educate parents on various aspects especially those that have children with autism. The parents should be shown how to consider the children perspective above all others even their own. Parents should fit in the shoes of their children to feel and experience how the children feel. This makes them to respond to them easily. Second is that parents should be helped to build a community of advocates. These collaborations allow them to share on various aspects affecting their children and therefore making them to address the concerns of their children in a better way. The parents need to be educated on the system including how to be prepared with informtaion and to know their rights.  The last step is for parents to understand the classroom to collaborate with their teachers in ensuring that these children are provided with specialist education that is able to impact on their social behaviors and to enhance their learning.

According to Estrella (2013), many people are affected by this disorder. It is estimated that around 700,000 people in UK are diagnosed with this disorder. This statistic illuminates the sovereignty of the disorders and therefore requires it to be managed with urgency. The author proposes a six-model way for helping parents and children with the disorder to manage it. The model adopted is denoted by an acronym LESSON. Lesson means that the nurses or therapies require listening to the parents to be in a position to give them the right advice.  Parents with children suffering from autism are most of the time stressed and are emotional therefore they require to be listened to. They also require being educated on the beneficial intervention. Autism is a complex problem and parents may not understand it easily hence the need to take them through a discussion with a nurse to enhance their understanding.  Children with this disorder require support from their families. This support makes these children to try to learn some social skills and other social behaviors. The support need to be appropriate for each parent’s reactions to the children diagnoses.

Once parents have insight about the autism spectrum disorder, and the main needs of their children they need to come up with appropriate structures and family routine. They can do this through various ways one of the ways is using pictures and images. For instance, when they show a picture of a car to the child, the child should be able to know that they are going for a trip. Through observation of families and discussing with them, nurses can assess the abilities of parents to take control of challenging situations. Therefore, they can provide appropriate interventions such as advising the parents on the best ways to address the issues to avoid further negative consequences. They can also refer them to specialists to help them cope with the problem. Even though, autism is a complex disorder that presents itself in unusual way, when parents are aware of the disorder they come to terms with reality and are content. They can therefore provide or create a predictable autistic home environment where their children can feel safe and comfortable.

Even though, efforts are underway to help in the management of this disorder through behavioral therapies and medication, some people still do not understand the disorder and therefore they does not provide required support. According to Razali et al. (2013), many schools in Malaysia do not provide enough attention to children suffering from autism. This is a challenge that leaves these children hopeless and helpless. It is very important that all the stakehodlers such as schools and parents join hands to help these children in coping up with their conditions. This is a very complex and bad conditions that cannot be left on the children to handle themselves. There needs to be concerted efforts from all the parties to support these children.

According to Jordan, Robertson, Catani, Craig & Murphy (2012), various treatment options are available to treat autism. One of the medications that have been used in treatment of this disorder apart from behavioral therapy is aripiprazole. Some of the emerging antipsychotic drugs have partial agonist dopaminergic elements.  This article furthers postulates that patients or children with this disorder responded positively upon being subjected to this medication. This therefore, indicated that those medications could be used to reduce the severity of the disorder to ensure that children with autism can be able to learn and socialize.

According to Cunningham, (2012), it is vital to design an effective treatment to improve early social behaviors in autism. The varied treatments options in different literatures are one of the barriers in the optimal treatment of the disorders. Research should therefore be intensified to help in measuring and determining the magnitude of the disorder to provide effective treatment options. There is a light at the end of the tunnel if appropriate measurers are put in a place to establish the best options to treat the disorder. According to Reaven, Blakeley-Smith, Culhane-Shelburne & Hepburn (2012), children suffering from autism spectrum disorders are at higher risk of developing significant anxiety that is likely to impact on their school, community and home environments.  These disorders however can be treated or managed by cognitive behavioral therapies and with modified cognitive behavioral therapies. These interventions are effective in reducing the symptoms and improving the status of these children.

In conclusion, autism spectrum disorder is one of the disorders that affect many children across the world.  Because of the complexities of the diseases, many parents are not aware of the same. A disorder can be managed through various interventions in curing, family therapies, parental support, and cognitive therapies and through medications aimed at reducing the symptoms. Children with autism can also improve and be in a position to learn if the stakeholders support them. It is the responsibility of parents, nurses and the other stakeholder across the world to be positive about these children to help them in management of their conditions.

 

References

Cunningham, A. (2012). Measuring Change in Social Interaction Skills of Young Children with   Autism, Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 42(4): 593-605.

Estrella, C. (2013). Parental perspectives on the care of children with autism, Learning Disability Practice, 16(9):24-28.

Foster, A., Rude, D., & Grannan, C. (2012). Preparing parents to advocate for a child with           autism: educators have a vital role to play in helping parents develop the skills to become       effective advocates for children with autism.(Autism), In: Phi Delta Kappan, 94(4):16-20

Jordan, I., Robertson, D., Catani, M., Craig, M., & Murphy, D. (2012). Aripiprazole in the            treatment of challenging behavior in adults with autism spectrum disorder,          Psychopharmacology, 223(3): 357-360.

Razali, N et al. (2013). Teachers’ Perceptions of Including Children with Autism in a Preschool,   Asian Social Science, 9(12): 261-267.

Reaven, J., Blakeley-Smith, A., Culhane-Shelburne, K., & Hepburn, S. (2012). Group cognitive    behavior therapy for children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders and    anxiety: a randomized trial, Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 53(4): 410-419.

Solomon, A., & Chung, B. (2012). Understanding Autism: How Family Therapists Can Support   Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Family Process, 51(2):250-264.

 

THE IMPACT OF THE RISING ONLINE STORE ON HIGH STREET STORES

 

Introduction

The U.K High street has played a major role as a barometer of the nation’s cultural and economic health. It is currently widely recognized that the internet power scope and its interactivity provide the retailers with the potential to transform costumer-shopping experience. The capacity of the internet to provide information, facilitate two way communication for consumers and its advanced marketing online strategies has proven to be an extremely flexible retail channel for most consumers (De Chernatony 2012). The internet provides consumers with a wider target market through improved consumer communication and the delivery of customized services. Therefore, majority of consumers have embraced these modern innovations. Therefore, online retail has grown considerably over the past 15 years, with increased growth in the future. Therefore, this paper discusses the emergence of internet retailing to present critical review of the impacts of rising online stores on the high street stores (Noble et al. 2009). Online stores threat to the high street stores The biggest threat to the traditional retailers is the e-commerce where the volumes of the volume of the online sales have begun to reach the critical mass. For example, in 2012, approximately 12.8% of the shoppers spent more on the internet, with approximately 20% of the retail transactions made online (Hu & Xie 2013). According to the Dan Wagner, the CEO of mPowa and the Powa technologies accountable for implementation of online mobile platforms believes that internet shopping is currently more popular in the U.K. The internet threats to the high street stores were perceived to come from the following sources: a) Termination of intermediary: online internet has made it possible for the manufacturers to target their consumers directly, removing the retailer as a middle person from the equation. Through online interaction with their consumers, the manufacturers have the chance to change the structures and dynamics of the retail channels (Soopramanien & Robertson 2007). However, some of the manufacturers did not embrace this strategy die for their lack of managerial and technical skills essential for selling the products directly to the end consumers. b) The use of virtual merchants as intermediary: the use of virtual merchant without the need for the establishment of high street presence has the potential to combine online commerce software with scheduling and distribution capabilities. The intermediary virtual, retailers do not use the traditional distributors, making it more economical for most industries. For this reason, the rising use of online shopping presents a threat to the highly developed and established retail stores in the U.K high street stores (Jones 2010). The lower cost channel structure resulting from elimination of distributors, bricks and mortar retailers and wholesalers has a high chance of rewarding the new intermediaries such as the virtual retailers with higher margins. Furthermore, the internet is more appealing to new entrants to the market who have not invested in a fixed location network. However, the competitive advantage of the new entrants strictly depends on the ability of the new entrants to gain head starts on incumbents and leverage strategies for long-term gains. c) The retailers cannibalizing their own custom: with the imminent threat of the online stores to the traditional retailers posed by the disintegration of the supply chain and virtual merchants, the retailers have no option but to develop presence in the web for their products (Wrigley & Dolega 2011). However, this strategy poses a significant threat to the high street, as the traditional retailers can cannibalize the existing offline operations. This is because in serving its consumers via two channels the retailer can inflate its cost base, which could have negative impacts on profit margins of the retailers. Radical online store’s transformation of the marketplace The evolution of e-commerce has led to a radical transformation of the market, leading to the evolution of new markets (Doherty & Ellis-Chadwick 2010). The electronic markets are currently practiced on one on one basis rather than the one to many basis. Therefore, due to the emergence of one on one marketing strategy, there is a need to capture a significant quantity of customer oriented needs. In this case, it is essential to develop products based on the customers’ preferences and needs. The evolution of online retail provides retailers with an enriched source individualized customer data, enabling them to take one on one marketing strategy. Currently, online retailing is close to 12.7%. However, food online sales are low with a margin of 3.7% (Doherty & Ellis-Chadwick 2010). However, this is expected to change quickly over the next five years. Following the increase in online shopping, major retail stores such as Tesco, Wickes, Asda are opening fewer larger stores. Other stores such as Marks and Spencer have a strategic plan aiming at stopping construction of the big outlets by 2016 (Nobel et al. 2009). Most of these stores are currently embracing the online consumers through online sale and marketing of their products and services. These chains adopt the use of eCommerce to stay viable in the competitive market. The most obvious core customers of internet shoppers are the young working class generation, and other consumers belonging to other professional classes. Demographic variables have played a critical role in online consumer behaviour (Twigg 2012). For example, previous research has identified that the consumer’s cultural and social makeup influences their online behaviours. One of the biggest shifts in internet usage is the introduction of smart phones. In the past 10 years, the number of mobile phone stores located in the high street has grown by 76% (Wirtz et al. 2010). As the online market matures, the online retail landscape has also changed significantly. For example, the high street retailers now account for over half of the online retail market in the UK. The future influences of internet retailing in high street stores Although it is not possible to predict the degree of how the internet will shape and design of the market, it is clear that the behaviors of the online shoppers are bound to change in the future. For instance, in the U.K, it is estimated that the number of online consumer shoppers constantly rise in the future (Doherty & Ellis-Chadwick 2010). The online retailing inevitably draws attention to its likely effects on the high street. Previous studies indicate that the long-term use of the internet has a significant impact on the online shoppers as the mainstream activity. In the future, the U.K retailers will either make clear strategic decisions permitting online retail to coexist with other retail channels. This coexistence of the multichannel world allows the bricks and mortar retailers to transform themselves to avoid mortally wounding the large minorities of the business categories. Some of the shops in some prosperous tourist attraction areas continue to do well. In addition, in future the brand is getting more important with the big companies continue to strive in the internet retailing. In the immediate future, the big companies continue to retain a strong position within the electronic market (Wood & Reynolds 2013). Moreover, with the increasing trend of consumers using the online channels to research for products, the use of multichannel approach is the most preferred style for the retailers. More Britain stores will close due to the increasing numbers of customers switch to current online shopping. The worst hit areas are the deprived areas such as Wales and North West, where current studies predict a closure of up to three out of 10 stores (Piercy & Alexander 2013). This transition will lead to 316,000 workers expected to lose their jobs in the high street Armageddon according to the study carried out by the Centre for Retail Research. Furthermore, from the independent retail analysis, the country needs close to 320 million pounds in the renovation program to build residential homes in the redundant shopping streets. In addition, this fund is essential for the conversion of disused outlet stores to construct doctor’s surgeries, nursery schools, offices and community leisure centres (Reddy & Pellegrini 2012). Conclusion The dawn of the internet revolution represents the most significant wave in the information revolution. From the constant growing trend of online retailing, it is arguable that the online shopping is moving rapidly to have high impacts on the traditional high street stores in the U.K and global. From the evidence presented in this paper, it is clear that most retailers need to develop strategies to respond to the increased consumer power in demand for online products. These companies need to enhance their marketing through social networking sites, differentiate their product offerings and ensure that their websites provide consumers with exquisite online shopping experiences. The retailers need to adopt the multichannel retail system to capture a wider market. This is because consumers can switch between online and offline retail channels when deciding on financial decision. It is essential to create a consistent multichannel experience rather than operating in the traditional offline stores. Reference List De Chernatony, L 2012 The impact of the changed balance of power from manufacturer to retailer in the UK packaged grocery market. Retail and Marketing Channels (RLE Retailing and Distribution), 6, 258. Doherty, N F, & Ellis-Chadwick, F 2010, Internet retailing: the past, the present and the future, International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 38(11/12), 943-965. Hu, Y, & Xie, Y, 2013, e-Retail Market Characteristics: Evidence from Comparisons with USA, UK, India, and China. In Innovative Management in Information and Production (pp. 141-149). Springer New York. Jones, C 2010, The rise and fall of the high street shop as an investment classes. Journal of Properties Investments & Finance, 28(4), 275-284. Nobel, S., Shenkan, AG. & Shi, C 2009,The promise of multichannel retailing, The McKinsey, Quarterly, October, pp 4. Piercy, N, & Alexander, N 2013, The Status Quo of the Marketing Organization in UK Retailing: A Neglected. Retail Marketing, 43. Reddy, SK, & Pellegrini, L (Eds.) 2012, Retail and Marketing Channels (RLE Retailing and Distribution), Routledge. Soopramanien, DGR & Robertson, A 2007, The adoption and use of online shopping: an empirical analysis of the characteristics of ‘buyers’, ‘browsers’, and ‘non Internet consumers’, Journal of Retail and Consumer Services, Vol. 14 No.1, pp.73-82. Simmons, G 2008, Marketing to postmodern consumers: introducing the internet strategic chameleon, European Jrnl of Marketing, 42 [3], pp: 299-310. Twigg, J 2012, Adjusting the cut: fashions, body and age on the UK high street. Ageing and Society, 32 (06), 1030-1054. Wirtz, BW, Schilke, O & Ulrich, S 2010, “Strategic improvement of business models: implication of the Web 2.0 for Creation of value on the internet usage” Long Range Planning [in press], pp 19. Wrigley, N & Dolega, I 2011, Resiliency, fragility, and adaptation: new evidence on the performance of UK high streets during global economic crisis and its policy implications, Environment and Planning-Part A, 43(10), 2337. Wood, S & Reynolds, J 2013 Knowledge management, organizational learning and memory in UK retail network planning. The journal of service Industries, 33(2), 150-170.

Incorporating Theory

The theory that supports my proposed solution is behavioral theory of autistic children. This theory focuses on the specific behaviors of the children rather than on the diagnostic entity of autism. Most of the children with autism exemplify different social behaviors compared to those that are not having the problem (Lovaas & Smith, 1989). Secondly, the theory emphasizes on the immediate environment as opposed to the history or etiology. Furthermore, the theory operates on various tenets one being that the behaviors of autistic children are consistent with the behaviors of other organism, these children have many behavioral difficulties that are explained by developmental delay, and these autistic children are in a position to learn like other people in certain environments (Bryn Mawr College, 2010). Therefore, the reason for selecting this theory is that it explains the behaviors of the autism children and how it can be treated using behavioral mechanisms. It is a theory that provides precise understanding of how autism is caused and how it can be managed.

The theory works to support the proposed solution as it helps to understand how these children with autism behave and the way out. It also provides an understanding that there is a problem that can be solved through learning in various environments. For instance, social skills can be learned and help to improve the behaviors of children suffering from autism.

This theory is therefore, essential in enhancing understanding of autism and it will be incorporated in the discussions to help in enhancing understanding of how the problem of autism can be managed through behavioral change. It is therefore, a theory that will help to understand better ways and means of managing autism in children.

 

 

References

Bryn Mawr College. (2010). Theories for Understanding and Treating Autism,. Retrieved from:             http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro06/web1/nbelletier.html

Lovaas, O., & Smith, T. (1989). A comprehensive behavioral theory of autistic children:    paradigm for research and treatment, J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry, 20(1):17-29.

 

Strategic Planning

Strategic planning is the future vision of success held by an organization. Every organization aims to achieve success, magnetize new customers and attract a new market. To reach these goals, it is important for the company to strategically plan in order to realize this vision(Kettenacker, 2009). ToolsCorp Corporation has to plan and align its objectives to suite those of international clientele in order to do business internationally.

First, the company must evaluate its internal and extrernal condition. The company can do this by carrying out a SWOT analysis that will show the weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and threats. Further, a PEST analysis will enable the organization to caption its social, political, economic and technological standing in international market(Kettenacker, 2009). After evaluation of the internal and external business environment, ToolsCorp Corporation should address the weakness and prepare to face the threats in the market in order to be successful in future. ToolsCorp Corporation has to develop products that will ensure that they gain a competitive advantage in the market.

Strategic planning is completed by implementation and evaluation.ToolsCorp Corporation should carry out an implementation program through marketing, advertisement, and budgets controls. In addition, the company should ensure that employees are motivated properly in order to achieve the overall goal. In this case, human resource management is very instrumental in ensuring that employee motivation is achieved through incentives, promotions and remuneration(Haines, 2007).

Communication is vital in strategic implementation to ensure that every employee understands the strategy being implemented. According to Haines (2007)this is necessary to ensure that some of the employees do not misunderstand the procedure and strategy being implemented.Lastly, evaluation should be carried out in every step to ensure that the strategic implementation is carried out successfully.

 

References

Haines, S. (2007). Strategic planning simplified: the systems thinking approach to building high performance teams and organizations (2nd ed.). San Diego, Calif.: Systems Thinking Press.

Kettenacker, C. (2009). Strategic planning simplified. Denver, Colo.: Outskirts Press.

 

 

 

 

 

Qualitative Data Analysis Tools

Introduction

Data collection, recording, interpretation, analysis, and presentation are vital in all professions for competence and efficiency in product and service delivery. In the field of nursing much of the data collected is qualitative since it studies human health and factors that negatively or positively affect it. Ethnography, phenomenology, symbolic interaction, and grounded theory are the qualitative research designs used in this field.

Grounded theory

Grounded theory entails inductive and deductive approaches in theory development from collected and analyzed data.  It involves collection of data through observations and interviews in natural settings. Data is recorded through filled questionnaires, written notes, and tape recording. Data comparison is done which involves constantly comparing collected data to one that had been collected before therefore making data collection and analysis simultaneous. From collected and analyzed data, concepts are determined and assigned codes (Brookes, 2013). Codes are constantly and gradually reviewed whenever new interpretations of data are determined. Researcher then consults other sources of existing data to determine if similar information and relations exists. Therefore, grounded theory insists on theory generation rather than testing. Generated theory undergoes hypothesis testing through tests like t-test or z-test to determine the validity of a hypothesis. The theory is then useful in making conclusions regarding other new diverse data collected (Green & Thorogood, 2004).

ATLAS.ti 7. Software

This is qualitative analysis software that analysis human’s behavior through analyzing audio data, video, written records or questionnaires. It extracts required information using various techniques like attaching numeric codes or locating particular phrase. ATLAS.ti, processes large amount of data, codes original data sources, keeps track of interrelation between data, and recognizes the importance of those codes and the interrelation (Brookes, 2007). These functions of the software make it vital and compatible in nursing as it will enable interrelation of some symptoms to come up with a valid conclusion or diagnosis.  Coding therefore makes analysis of qualitative data less tedious and time consuming as initially perceived to be.

 

 

 

References

Brookes, D. (2007). Understanding qualitative research and its value in healthcare. Retrieved on 25^th November, 2013 from www.nursingtimes.net

Brookes, D. (2013). Nursing Research: Qualitative Research in Nursing. on 25^th November,          2013  from http://nursingplanet.com/research/qualitative_research.html

Green, J. & Thorogood, N. (2004). Qualitative Methods of Health Research. London: Sage.

 

 

Identifying Themes and Patterns: Qualitative Data Analysis in Nursing

            Qualitative data analysis is normally time- consuming and complicated. Irrespective of whether the research design used involves a particular qualitative methodology including phenomenology or is descriptive, there is a need for the researcher to consider all data that result from data collection, mostly, qualitative data originates from interviews and consequently, the results are examined to identify patterns and themes (Saldana, 2009).

            After data collection, the researcher makes a decision regarding data analysis. The interviewees’ talk regarding their experiences can be analyzed through a number of ways. The thematic process of data analysis begins with preparing the data to be analyzed then reading and reading the text. Items of interest that are identified are sorted into proto-themes, that are examined later and initial definitions attempted. The text is later re-examined for relevant data incidents for every proto-theme. The final form of every theme is constructed and the themes reported (Guest, 2012).

            In the article ‘Improving Diabetes Management with a Patient Portal: Qualitative Study of a Diabetes Self-Management Portal,’ although patients were not familiar with the benefits offered by patient portal in diabetes management, they were satisfied with the results obtained and became more aware about their health status. Long-term adherence is normally hard to foster and had been identified as a barrier towards the use of portal. Maintaining portal adherence is hard and their use reduces over time, which is associated with challenges patients express in portal navigation (Urowitz et al., 2012). There has been improper information health systems’ design that is necessary for minimizing attrition and increasing patient adherence. While there is no identification of patient attributes which could be linked to better self-management portals’ engagement, coming up with a culturally appropriate and patient-centered portal that considered carious numeracy and health literacy levels would involve larger number of patients and would lead to larger overall usage of portals (Urowitz et al., 2012).

 

References

Guest, G. (2012). Applied thematic analysis. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications.

Saldana, J. (2009). The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. Thousand Oaks, California:   Sage Publications.

Urowitz, S., Wiljer, D.m Dupak, K., Kuehner, Z., Leonard, K., Lovrics, E., Picton, P., Seto, E.,    & Cafazzo, J. (2012).Improving Diabetes Management with a Patient Portal: Qualitative Study of a Diabetes Self-Management Portal. Journal of Medicine Internet Research,          14(6):158

A Persuasive Essay on Metropolitan Artworks

Introduction

The conventional way of studying history in academia is through the analysis of ancient documents that recorded the events of the past as well as issues that affected the people who lived through that point in history. These documents are favored because they contain concise information that details the different time periods, geographical locations and also the characters who took part in those events. Another less common approach to the study of history is through the study of ancient art works that have either been preserved by the people or passed down the generations or at times dug out of the ruins in an archeological site.

The combination of ancient art works and the corresponding historical accounts of events provides an even clearer picture of what happened in ancient times. Two millennia ago the Roman empire was a world power and as a result the exploits of its ruling class as well as ordinary citizens were widely recorded by historians. The benefit of this is that it makes the analysis of artworks from that period an interesting and enlightening affair. Without this, analysts and critics of ancient Roman art would be forced to make uninformed guesses about the theme carried by the different pieces of art they are analyzing.

In this exercise, two paintings from the Roman period will be analyzed on the basis of the commonality that exists between them as well as the concepts that they share. These two artworks are both mummy portraits depicting different characters. The first one depicts a young boy called Eutyches¹ while the second one shows a thin faced man² and this description also happens to be the name of the painting.

Basic information of the two artworks

The first painting called “The Portrait of the Boy Eutyches” as stated above is from the Roman period and is dated at between 100 and 150 AD¹. The medium that was used to display it is encaustic on wood while the country of origin is Egypt. The dimensions of the painting are 19 by 38 cm for width and height respectively. Its Accession number is 18.9.2². The image displayed here is that of a young boy who is looking intently toward the viewer. This painting depicts the image of the teenage boy who was recently deceased and mummified. This piece of art was meant to cover the face of the mummy in an attempt to immortalize his image in accordance with Egyptian burial customs.

The second painting is titled “The portrait of the thin faced, bearded man” and it is dated at AD 160 – 180⁴. Like the above painting, this one originated from Egypt but from a slightly different period in time. Its dimensions are 21.6 by 38.1 cm for the width and height and the material used is encaustic lime wood. Its accession number is 09.181.1 and it is displayed in gallery number 138.

.Analysis of the two artworks

The central theme that brings these two artworks together besides their location of origin is the fact that they bring out the Metropolitan Nature of Egypt during the Roman Period. The main similarity between these two pieces as stated above is their point of origin and the style in which they are presented. The fact that they come from slightly different time periods is importance because it signifies the continuity of their common theme which is the metropolitan nature of Alexandria in Egypt during the Roman Period. The main reason why the theme of ‘Metropolitan’ has been chosen is due to the presence of elements of three distinct cultures in each of these paintings.

When it comes to the functional use of these paintings, historical records, the way the paintings were made as well as the location where they were found point to their use as funeral paraphernalia used by the inhabitants of the Fayum region in Egypt.  During this time period, parts of Egypt came under Greco-Roman rule. Several Greek settlements cropped up in Egypt, the most famous being the city of Alexandria which was named after Alexander the great. The coming together of Romans and Greeks in Egypt led to the development of a sub-culture that exhibited bits and pieces of the contributory cultures. The majority of the population was Egyptian and this meant that the resultant culture would still maintain a large portion of the Egyptians’ way of life.

It is acknowledged that both were used to display the countenance of a person who was about to be buried and this was part and parcel of ancient Egyptian customs. During the Roman period, many of the inhabitants of Fayum were Egyptians who had adopted Greek ways of life. This can be seen in several elements of the images depicted in the paintings. The images first of all closely resemble the depictions of ancient Greeks and Romans. When it comes to the inscriptions, they appear to be Greek writings by all accounts. This serves to show the heavy influence of Greek customs on the way of life for the inhabitants of this region. Traditional Egyptian burial customs only had hieroglyphs which were inscribed inside the walls of pyramids and these clearly indicate the acceptance of Greek customs and ways of life.

The intermarriage of the communities during this period of Egypt’s history seems to have gone well beyond the literal marital context. Ways of dressing which is an integral part of the culture. The paintings that are supposedly depicting Egyptians show the boy and the man dressed in tunics or togas which were originally used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The fact that it was used for burial suggests that the Greek burial ceremonies were not being practiced. This is in light of the fact that ancient Greeks believed in the cremation of their dead as the final sendoff ritual for deceased members of society. This was however probably practiced when the first Greek inhabitants came to Alexandria decades before.

With regard to the naming of individuals, the Boy’s name “Eutyches, freedman of Kasanios” is clearly Greek. The inscription written in Greek further states that the boy is the son of “Herakleides Evandros” who also has a Greek name. This indicates the fact that by this time there had been several generations Egyptians who had adopted the Hellenic naming system. Since names are often related to the language of a people, it is highly likely that the people who lived at the time when this painting was made spoke Greek as their primary language. Since the portrait of the man too was used to cover and identify mummified bodies, there is a strong possibility that he too had a Greek name³.

The dimensions of these paintings as well as the materials used and the overall workmanship are suggestive of the fact that these paintings were prepared by professionals who used a variety of techniques to create the pieces being discussed. The Fact that they were both made on wood panels of a similar shape but over differing time periods points out to the likelihood of the existence of a group of artists who did this job as experts, training apprentices to carry on with the work for future generations. This is indicative of the fact that the population generally found solace in the Egyptian perspective of the afterlife which involved the surviving next of kin dedicating a lot of energy and resources to ensure the person who has passed on has a smooth sendoff. This is why families went to great lengths to ensure that though deceased, paintings of their loved ones came out looking realistically life like as if to suggest that the person’s life was merely continuing rather than ending⁵.

From the above analysis, it can be stated that pieces of art from the different time periods can be looked at through the lens of an analyst of historical events. This approach exposes much more than whatever has been displayed in plain sight. On the surface the paintings depict a teenage boy and a middle aged man whose portraits have been neatly drawn⁴. Deeper analysis however brings about the image of a society that has been shaped through the hands of three distinct cultures which have culminated to burial rituals that have features of what the Romans, Greeks and Egyptians believed about the afterlife⁵.

 

 

References

1. Metropolitan Museum (2013) Portrait of the Boy Eutyches, Retrieved from http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/547951 on November 25, 2013
2. Metropolitan Museum (2013) Portrait of a thin-faced, bearded man, Retrieved from http://www.metmuseum.org/collections/search-the-collections/547856 on November 25, 2013
3. Art, A. N. E. (2009). The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Cell, 212, 535-7710.
4. Borg, B. E. (2010). Painted Funerary Portraits. UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology, 1(1).
5. Dieleman, I. (2011). A guide to to Greco-Roman Hawara in the Fayum and its death industry. Journal of roman archaeology, 24(2), 810-814.

 

Business Law- Case Problems

 

Chapter 22: Discrimination in Employment

• Would Lyle’s claim of racial discrimination be for intentional (disparate treatment) or unintentional (disparate impact) discrimination? Explain.

1. Lyle’s claim of would be of unintentional (disparate impact) discrimination. This is because nobody targeted her directly due to her racial orientation, but she felt that the action was discriminatory.
2. Lyle can develop a prima facie case of racial discrimination. This is because she has to give statistical information regarding her claims.
3. The typing speed could make the basis of the sacking. This could mean that her case would be thrown out on basis enough reason for termination of her employment.
4. The defense that Warner may assert is the business necessity. They may show that the conduct of the writers was necessary for their business development.

Chapter 23

Case problem 1: Limited Liability Companies

In the case of John, Lesa, and Tabir, the court will apply the partnership law. In most states, the partners would be told to share profits equally. The dispute of John, Lesa, and Tabir could have been avoided in the first place through coming up with an operating agreement. This agreement would be clear on such issues such as division of profits.

Case Problem 2: dissolution of the limited partnership

What would happen if?

• Luis assigns his partnership interest to Ashley

The assignment of Luis’ interest to Ashley will not dissolve the limited partnership. This is because assignment of the interest of a limited partner does not dissolve a limited partnership.

• Elizabeth is petitioned into involuntary bankruptcy

The bankruptcy of Elizabeth will lead to dissolution of the partnership. The law states that bankruptcy of a member leads to dissolution of a limited partnership unless the other members agree to continue with the business (Miller, 2001).

• Dorinda dies

The death of Dorida will lead to the dissolution of the partnership. The law states only the death of limited partner does not dissolve a limited partnership.

Case problem 3: Partnership Formation.

Classen cannot hold Daniel liable as a partner. This is because not partnership existed between Daniel and Rubya. This is because as per the law, there has to be consent of a partnership existing of which was not present in the case of Daniel and Rubya. Additionally there was no joint ownership of the business and an equal right to participate in management which is requirements of a partnership.

Case problem 4: Sole Proprietorship

The reputation, skill, and relationships of a sole proprietor with customers can be valued at looking at the losses that would occur in case the person is not in the business. The goodwill can be divided into personal and enterprise; with the personal part taking the biggest percentage due to the fact that the business relies a lot on the proprietor. This is a good way of valuing the Gaskill’s practice. This is because it factors in the fact that Gaskill is the sole surgeon with an office staff. The other part of the goodwill will be attributed to the business nature and the office staff.

Case problem 5: LLC Dissolution.

There should not be any case of forced dissolution on each member. This is because there is always an option to continue with the business by the members of a limited Liability company who do not dissociate. Van Houten should be allowed to continue with business to accomplish the objectives.
Chapter 24

Case problem 1: Pre-incorporation

The corporation is not automatically liable to Babcock on formation. This is because it never existed when the contract was formed. However, if the company adopts the contract upon formation, then it becomes liable.

Case Problem 2: Ultra Vires Doctrine

Oya had not exceeded her Authority when she cosigned the note. This is because she was the president of the company. However, there was conflict of interest in her action.

Chapter 25

Case problem 1: Voting Techniques

Sergio and the others can have a representative on the board through cumulative voting. Cumulative voting is usually a technique of allowing the minority shareholders to have a representative in the board. Under this technique, Sergio and the others will be given votes totaling to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of shares held by each one of them. The shareholders can have the votes go for one candidate or split them to different.

Case Problem 3: Rights of Shareholders.

Lucia can attend and vote, inspect corporate books and receive dividends based on her one share of common stock of a multimillion-dollar corporation with more than 500,000 shareholders.

Case Problem 4: Fiduciary Duties and Liabilities.

The parties owed each other a duty to act in good faith in the interest of the company, to use power rightfully, to avoid conflict of interest and to retain discretion. Each of the parties breached these duties. Their dispute would be resolved by valuing each party’s liability and reconcile the figures.

Reference

Miller, R. (2001). Fundamentals of Business Law. Cengage Advantage Books.

 

 

Performance and Acting

(How different approaches to performance relate to different styles of acting)

 

How different approaches to performance relate with different styles of acting

Diverse acting styles are influenced by the diversity of approaches to performance. It has been noted that individuals acting in diverse acting styles have the capability of becoming successful and excellent actors or performers. Individuals are expected to have first hand information on different styles. Dramatic style is refined through a mixture of non-realistic acting and through realistic acting, a model that contributes to the actor being taken serious by the adjudicators and the audience; other acting styles identify with commedia del’ Arte, Epic theatre, Improvisation and Absurdist.

Naturalistic drama is another term used to refer to realistic acting developed by Stanislavski; realistic acting is a form of drama that replicates shows and real life in bringing out the realistic version of the play. Actors become psychologically and emotionally involved in the individual or team roles in the theatre (Stanislavski, 2007). The model is applied in creating a realistic and convincing performance. Naturalistic dramas are characterized with actors allocating lengthy time bringing out the aspect of ‘Live’ in the individual roles played by each and every member of the team. The main essence of being live is pegged on creating a performance that is convincing (Boleslavsky, 2013).

It has been noted that some of the characters in the drama talk and act as real people do. The reality is emulated in the aspects of modern and real scenarios like in workplaces and homes among others. The subject matter in most cases reflects on political issues, real events and social issues. The work of Ibsen is an example of Realistic playwrights.

Non-realistic acting focuses on presentation, content or both the content and the presentation aspects of the drama; in most cases, non realistic acting brings out fidelity and life appearances on the outside. Non realistic acting is also referred as the non naturalism acting in theatre. The model is used in portraying and bringing out something that is unrealistic (Boleslavsky, 2013). An example is the work done by Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter and Edward Albee among others.

Epic theater acting style is also known as the theater of alienation or dialectical theater. The epic theater is a form of theatre or scatting style focusing on the live performance principle in gaining political and social commentary. The actors must make sure that emotion and melodrama do not take over the attention of the audience. Actors in most cases engage music and comic songs in relaying relevant emotional details (Meisner & Longwell, 2007). Surveys have indicated that epic theatre can cause irritating and harsh sounds to an audience that is not used to dialectical theater. An example is the work done by Berhold Brecht, Caryl Churchill and Dario Fo among others.

Absurdist fiction is applied in plays, poems and novels focusing on the experiences of the characters in finding inherent purpose attached to life. Absurdist fiction is staged by meaningless events and actions. It has been noted that common elements engaged by Absurdist fiction identify with dark humor, satire, absenteeism of reason, incongruity and the controversy of ‘nothing’ (Brestoff, 2006). Absurdist fiction reflects on nihilistic and agnostic topics.

Absurdist fiction in most cases is irrational and humorous in nature, where the behaviors of human beings express the circumstances considered fantasy or realistic that appears to be philosophically absurd and purposeless in nature depending on context (Stanislavski, 2009). Absurdist fiction in most cases does not judge the actions of the characters and that the task is left to the audiences. Themes and moral interpretation in most cases are ambiguous and open to diverse interpretations.

Improvisations happen when the characters create actions on the stage that had not been pre-planned. Improvisation is common when a group or individuals are dancing, acting, talking, playing musical instruments, problem solving, creating artworks or reacting to the prevailing environment. Improvisation is also influenced by the inner feelings of the character basing on the intervention of new practices, new thought patterns, new symbols, new structures and new ways of expressing the message to the target audience.

Improvisation is characterized with sudden inventiveness, spontaneous actions that are off the cuff and on the spot thoughts. Sudden actions are experienced in the body, mind and in the spirit of the character in acting as an inspiration (Brestoff, 2006). Improvisation does not require training and preparation as it happens spontaneously depending on the context. Improvisation is engaged as a model of enhancing creative behaviors in different styles of acting and performance (Stanislavski, 2009). The character engages own intuitive and some of the technical understanding of the concerns and skills applied to the stage.

Commedia dell’arte engages masked types supporting improvised performances and actress on diverse scenarios and sketches. Arte is used to signify artisans according to the Italian interpretation of the concept (Cohen, 2007). Professional theater in Italy in the early times focused on theater as a model of responding to economic and political issues, although the concept has greatly changed with modernization.

Different approaches to performance relates to the different styles engaged in acting. The two concepts interrelate in bringing out the best on the stage. Different approaches to performance and different styles of acting are engaged in bringing out a particular message to the audience. It has been noted that the two concepts naturally come into play in realizing the desired goals and objectives of the characters; and also in meeting the expectations of the audience.

References

Boleslavsky, R. (2013). Acting; The First Six Lessons. Eastford, Connecticut: Martino Fine Books.

Brestoff, R. (2006). The Great Acting Teachers and Their Methods. New York: Smith & Kraus.

Cohen, R. (2007). Acting One/Acting Two. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Meisner, S. & Longwell, D. (2007). Sanford Meisner on Acting. New York: Vintage.

Stanislavski, C. (2007). An Actor Prepares. London: Routledge.

Stanislavski, C. (2009). Building A Character . London: Routledge.