Logical Fallacies

?TUDENT HANDOUT LOGICAL FALLACIES Explanation of Logical Fallacies * What is logic? * Logic is reasoning that is conducted according to strict principles. * How is logic related to expository writing? * When you write an expository essay, you are using logic to provide the layers of proof for your statements. * You are proving your thesis when you construct your topic sentences. * e. g. , answering the â€Å"Why†, â€Å"How†, â€Å"What are they† questions about the thesis * You are proving your topic sentences when you construct your primary supports * e. g. answering the â€Å"Why†, â€Å"How†, â€Å"What are they† questions about the topic sentence * You are proving/fleshing out your primary support when you construct your secondary supports. * e. g. , answering the â€Å"What do you mean†, â€Å"Tell me more†, â€Å"Why†, â€Å"How†, â€Å"What are they† questions about the primary supports * You can thi nk of logic/reasoning as the answers to the questions that prove the thesis, topic sentences, and primary supports. * What is a logical fallacy? * A logical fallacy (a. k. a. rhetorical fallacy) is an error in reasoning. In expository writing, it is the wrong answer to one of the questions.There are many reasons why people come up with the wrong answers. Some of the most common reasons are listed below (see Different Types of Logical Fallacies). * Logical fallacies in writing signal two assumptions about the writer: * The writer is not honest; * The writer is not smart. * Uses for Logical Fallacies * Writers of advertisements, editorials, and political propaganda will use logical fallacies to their advantage. Different Types of Logical Fallacies * Circular Logic (a. k. a. smoke and mirrors) – an argument in which the writer supports his/her position by partially restating it. Another effect of academic failure is negative feelings. Depression, resulting from academic failure, will lower a person’s self-esteem. Similarly, depression will increase based a person’s despondency about the lack of employment options available to them because of their academic setbacks. * The topic sentence states that one result of academic failure is negative feelings. Thus, the reader will expect the writer to explain HOW academic failure causes negative feelings. The reader may also expect the writer to explain WHAT the negative feelings are. Depression is one type of negative feeling.However, the writer does not show how academic failure causes depression. Instead, he/she states that depression will lower a person’s self-esteem, which is very similar to depression. In the next sentence, the writer states that depression will increase based on a person’s despondency about the lack of employment. Because despondency is the same as depression, the writer has said absolutely nothing by making that statement. Moreover, he/she has lost the direct con nection between academic failure and negative feelings when he/she chose to include employment. * Non Sequitur (a. k. a.Lying) – â€Å"It does not follow. † A statement in which the conclusion does not logically follow the premise. * Another problem with the current drinking age of 21 is that it results in abusive consumption. One way it results in abusive consumption is the long anticipation for the appropriate age, which is likely to create excessive drinking after it becomes available. A lot of young people who reach the legal age tend to go overboard when they are finally able to drink whenever they want. They do not care about their limits and the consequences of irresponsible drinking because nobody can tell them not to drink.As a result, they end up drinking too much. Another way it causes abusive drinking is that teenagers under the age of 21 are driven by the temptation of illegal activity. The age limit has not eliminated drinking for people under 21. Instead , it has pushed them to do it in private environments, where they can hide from parents and the law. * The topic sentence specifies that the current drinking age results in the abusive consumption of alcohol. In order to prove this topic sentence, the writer would have to answer the HOW question with regard to the topic sentence.To be specific, HOW does current drinking age lead to the excessive consumption of alcohol? Although the writer does answer the question, he/she provides incorrect answers. First, the writer contends that people who have to wait until a certain age to drink alcohol go overboard because they’ve waited so long. This is not true! People who are unable to control their behavior are likely a certain personality type, not a certain age. Even if the age were to change to eighteen (as the writer of this paper suggested), people with this particular personality type would still have the same problem.Second, the writer contends that people under the age of 21 a re driven by a temptation to participate in illegal activity. Again, this is not true! People who have an affinity for illegal activity can be any age. Unless the writer can cite several reputable studies that confirm his/her claim, it is entirely false. * Slippery Slope (a. k. a. Exaggerating) – assuming that one thing will cause something extremely drastic. * Smoking marijuana will lead to cocaine addiction. When young people smoke marijuana, they normally become addicted to the feelings of pleasure that they derive from the activity.Once people become used to those feelings, they will seek something stronger. Eventually, they will try harder drugs. Cocaine is one of the harder drugs and very addictive. As young people seek a harder drug that will allow them to feel the â€Å"high† that they seek, they are likely to try cocaine and, unfortunately, become addicted. * The topic sentence makes a claim that is REALLY PRESUMPTUOUS! What evidence does the author have that people normally become addicted to marijuana? Has a study proven that?Even if some people do become accustomed to the feelings of pleasure associated with marijuana, it is a big assumption to determine that they will â€Å"need something stronger†. It is an even bigger assumption to determine that they will try cocaine as the â€Å"stronger† drug. * Ad Hominem (a. k. a. low blows) – a personal attack on an opponent rather than dealing logically with the issue itself * Another reason why teenagers should not be allowed to drive is because they do not make good decisions. Teenagers have not developed the social skills needed to be ourteous drivers. They are self-centered people whose negative attitudes are clearly seen in the ways that the currently behave while on the road. * The topic sentence states that teenagers do not make good decisions.The writer’s first primary support does begin to prove the TS because it answers the WHY question about the TS. How ever, the secondary support is erroneous. Instead of providing more evidence about the PS (by answering one of the appropriate questions associated with it), the writer insults teenager by saying they have negative attitudes and poor behavior. Red Herring (the hidden ammunition) – an argument in which the writer introduces an irrelevant point * Another way that illegal immigrants contribute to the economy is by working. Despite doing back-breaking work, many of the immigrants are barely paid minimum wage.People who hire illegal immigrants can pay them lower wages than a regular U. S. worker because the illegal immigrant has no rights. Employers who hire illegal immigrants know they can save money if they hire them, and they know the immigrants will not tell anyone because of the fear of being deported. The writer has lost his/her focus. The topic sentence specifies that the illegal immigrant workers contribute to the economy. Thus, readers will expect to see the different way s that the workers do that (e. g. , the jobs they obtain and HOW those jobs contribute to the economy, perhaps the goods they buy and HOW they contribute to the economy). However, the writer spends the entire paragraph focusing on how the illegal immigrant workers are unfairly treated. Their unfair treatment has nothing to do with their contribution to the economy. Logical Fallacies ?TUDENT HANDOUT LOGICAL FALLACIES Explanation of Logical Fallacies * What is logic? * Logic is reasoning that is conducted according to strict principles. * How is logic related to expository writing? * When you write an expository essay, you are using logic to provide the layers of proof for your statements. * You are proving your thesis when you construct your topic sentences. * e. g. , answering the â€Å"Why†, â€Å"How†, â€Å"What are they† questions about the thesis * You are proving your topic sentences when you construct your primary supports * e. g. answering the â€Å"Why†, â€Å"How†, â€Å"What are they† questions about the topic sentence * You are proving/fleshing out your primary support when you construct your secondary supports. * e. g. , answering the â€Å"What do you mean†, â€Å"Tell me more†, â€Å"Why†, â€Å"How†, â€Å"What are they† questions about the primary supports * You can thi nk of logic/reasoning as the answers to the questions that prove the thesis, topic sentences, and primary supports. * What is a logical fallacy? * A logical fallacy (a. k. a. rhetorical fallacy) is an error in reasoning. In expository writing, it is the wrong answer to one of the questions.There are many reasons why people come up with the wrong answers. Some of the most common reasons are listed below (see Different Types of Logical Fallacies). * Logical fallacies in writing signal two assumptions about the writer: * The writer is not honest; * The writer is not smart. * Uses for Logical Fallacies * Writers of advertisements, editorials, and political propaganda will use logical fallacies to their advantage. Different Types of Logical Fallacies * Circular Logic (a. k. a. smoke and mirrors) – an argument in which the writer supports his/her position by partially restating it. Another effect of academic failure is negative feelings. Depression, resulting from academic failure, will lower a person’s self-esteem. Similarly, depression will increase based a person’s despondency about the lack of employment options available to them because of their academic setbacks. * The topic sentence states that one result of academic failure is negative feelings. Thus, the reader will expect the writer to explain HOW academic failure causes negative feelings. The reader may also expect the writer to explain WHAT the negative feelings are. Depression is one type of negative feeling.However, the writer does not show how academic failure causes depression. Instead, he/she states that depression will lower a person’s self-esteem, which is very similar to depression. In the next sentence, the writer states that depression will increase based on a person’s despondency about the lack of employment. Because despondency is the same as depression, the writer has said absolutely nothing by making that statement. Moreover, he/she has lost the direct con nection between academic failure and negative feelings when he/she chose to include employment. * Non Sequitur (a. k. a.Lying) – â€Å"It does not follow. † A statement in which the conclusion does not logically follow the premise. * Another problem with the current drinking age of 21 is that it results in abusive consumption. One way it results in abusive consumption is the long anticipation for the appropriate age, which is likely to create excessive drinking after it becomes available. A lot of young people who reach the legal age tend to go overboard when they are finally able to drink whenever they want. They do not care about their limits and the consequences of irresponsible drinking because nobody can tell them not to drink.As a result, they end up drinking too much. Another way it causes abusive drinking is that teenagers under the age of 21 are driven by the temptation of illegal activity. The age limit has not eliminated drinking for people under 21. Instead , it has pushed them to do it in private environments, where they can hide from parents and the law. * The topic sentence specifies that the current drinking age results in the abusive consumption of alcohol. In order to prove this topic sentence, the writer would have to answer the HOW question with regard to the topic sentence.To be specific, HOW does current drinking age lead to the excessive consumption of alcohol? Although the writer does answer the question, he/she provides incorrect answers. First, the writer contends that people who have to wait until a certain age to drink alcohol go overboard because they’ve waited so long. This is not true! People who are unable to control their behavior are likely a certain personality type, not a certain age. Even if the age were to change to eighteen (as the writer of this paper suggested), people with this particular personality type would still have the same problem.Second, the writer contends that people under the age of 21 a re driven by a temptation to participate in illegal activity. Again, this is not true! People who have an affinity for illegal activity can be any age. Unless the writer can cite several reputable studies that confirm his/her claim, it is entirely false. * Slippery Slope (a. k. a. Exaggerating) – assuming that one thing will cause something extremely drastic. * Smoking marijuana will lead to cocaine addiction. When young people smoke marijuana, they normally become addicted to the feelings of pleasure that they derive from the activity.Once people become used to those feelings, they will seek something stronger. Eventually, they will try harder drugs. Cocaine is one of the harder drugs and very addictive. As young people seek a harder drug that will allow them to feel the â€Å"high† that they seek, they are likely to try cocaine and, unfortunately, become addicted. * The topic sentence makes a claim that is REALLY PRESUMPTUOUS! What evidence does the author have that people normally become addicted to marijuana? Has a study proven that?Even if some people do become accustomed to the feelings of pleasure associated with marijuana, it is a big assumption to determine that they will â€Å"need something stronger†. It is an even bigger assumption to determine that they will try cocaine as the â€Å"stronger† drug. * Ad Hominem (a. k. a. low blows) – a personal attack on an opponent rather than dealing logically with the issue itself * Another reason why teenagers should not be allowed to drive is because they do not make good decisions. Teenagers have not developed the social skills needed to be ourteous drivers. They are self-centered people whose negative attitudes are clearly seen in the ways that the currently behave while on the road. * The topic sentence states that teenagers do not make good decisions.The writer’s first primary support does begin to prove the TS because it answers the WHY question about the TS. How ever, the secondary support is erroneous. Instead of providing more evidence about the PS (by answering one of the appropriate questions associated with it), the writer insults teenager by saying they have negative attitudes and poor behavior. Red Herring (the hidden ammunition) – an argument in which the writer introduces an irrelevant point * Another way that illegal immigrants contribute to the economy is by working. Despite doing back-breaking work, many of the immigrants are barely paid minimum wage.People who hire illegal immigrants can pay them lower wages than a regular U. S. worker because the illegal immigrant has no rights. Employers who hire illegal immigrants know they can save money if they hire them, and they know the immigrants will not tell anyone because of the fear of being deported. The writer has lost his/her focus. The topic sentence specifies that the illegal immigrant workers contribute to the economy. Thus, readers will expect to see the different way s that the workers do that (e. g. , the jobs they obtain and HOW those jobs contribute to the economy, perhaps the goods they buy and HOW they contribute to the economy). However, the writer spends the entire paragraph focusing on how the illegal immigrant workers are unfairly treated. Their unfair treatment has nothing to do with their contribution to the economy.

Computer negative or positive effect

Using computers everyday can have more ,negative than positive effect on young children. Nowadays computer play a crucial role for young generation. Mostly children dependent on computers for multifarious purposes. But some people believe that it cause obstacle between their healthy life and in acquiring practical knowledge. Lets delve deeper into the topic to seek more clarification. Firstly and most commonly,the advanced technology make the people more lethargic. The children spend their leisure time in playing games on computer which cause paucity of interaction with their friends.Because team work is must to interact with the world. While sitting in front of the monitor screen their eye sight effects badly. ln addition, numerous children suffered from back pain and obesity problem that occurs due to the lack of physical exercise. This problems have create critical health hazards. Furthermore, The use of computers make the life more fast and easy. Students enhance their knowledge and learn the use of technology. Due to the modern era it is must for the children to keep them-self update. today their is a world of cut throat competition .The computer beneficial to improve the general knowledge and IQ evel. lt makes the children more occupied in work and its better to stay away from bad habits. In nutshell, It would safe to say the advantages of the computer over weigh the disadvantages. To conclude, computer meant to make live comfortable and easy but people handle that in complex and abusive manner. lts not possible to keep away the children from computers. The children should allow them to use it in the supervision of parents only. 2. Topic: â€Å"Using a computer everyday can have more negative than positive effects on children.Do you agree ? Explain your opinion with relevant examples . ln today's technologically developed world, the computer is no longer a luxury-{don't use hyphens in a formal essay, use a comma here} but a staple of everyday life. In pe rsonal, professional and academic spheres reliance on the computer is inevitable. Although,{no comma} some would say that use of a computer at an early age has detrimental effects, I content that its benefits outweigh its risk[s {good intro}The current education system places a great amount of mental pressure on students. this is your topic sentence and should give your first reason for your argument} Including omputer and internet with the studies may make the curriculum more interactive and interesting. {try to put this reason first and then explain it} Learning vast syllabus{you don't learn the syllabus really} and diverse topics in different areas can often force a student to opt for rote learning without putting stress on their brain, {this is unclear, do you mean â€Å"to avoid putting stress †¦ â€Å"? } such [a] method further lead[s ] to strait-Jacket [a] child's cognitive skills.In contrast, use of computers and internet for exploring such topics will help them in a chieving an in-depth knowledge nd understanding trom their roots{tnis sounds like you are talking about the children's roots}. It can further stemmed{what can be stemmed? } to make them a good abstract thinker. It is also worthy to galvanize{â€Å"galvanize† sounds odd here} the use of computer during children's leisure time. {once again, try to start with your reason}There are a galore [of] {â€Å"galore† might be a little too informal for this type of essay} strateg[y-]related computer games available in the market.Playing such skill games is a good way of increasing one's concentration level, boosting self-confidence and improving the[one's] thinking capability. In today's Job market, every single openings comes up with a requirement of mandatory computer knowledge with hands-on [training], on the rudiments of computer skills. Having children explored[exposed] to such skills at an early age would ironically{â€Å"ironically† is wrong here} prepare them for mo re profession career. On the other hand, one must not ignore the detrimental effects on health of using computers continuously for extended time periods.Guidance by parents and elders is a must for a child – especially to supervise if{â€Å"verify that† sounds better} they are not addicted to any antalizing, restricted websites that contains in-decent{one word, no hypen} and violent materials. To sum up, I would concede that computer use at an early age is of pinnacle{pinnacle is a noun, not an adjective} importances and its disadvantages can be easily curbed with proper guidance and constant supervision. 3. Using a computer every day can have more negative than positive effects on children. Do you agree or disagree?Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Essay 1 – High Score – Band 8-91n today's modern world, computers are an essential part of everyday life. Around the globe, children often us e computers from a very young age. Although it is important for children to participate in various well-balanced activities, in my opinion, children who use the computer daily are actually developing a critical skill for future success. The bases for my views are personal, academic, and professional.From a personal point of view, computers are an invaluable resource to help young people explore the world around them. For example, children who use Internet to satisfy their curiosity about diverse topics are already becoming independent learners. No child with a computer is ever bored! By starting early in their lives, children feel totally at ease around computers; they are also able to take advantage of the wide range of services computers provide. From an academic viewpoint, children have no choice but to master this technological invention.For instance, when I was in university, students brought their laptops to class to take notes, do research and exchange information. They wrote assignments, created presentations and developed databases. Children who build early confidence and experience in these abilities are at a distinct advantage over those who have not. From a rofessional perspective, the computer has found a permanent place in the workplace. Today, employers still pay to provide computer training to their employees. Tomorrow, corporations will expect prospective Job applicants to already possess these critical Job skills.Consequently, parents who encourage their child to use the computer for a reasonable period of time daily are in fact investing in the child's future career. In conclusion, there is no doubt that the computer as a technological tool is nere tos y ta . The sooner children better for many aspects of their future lives. become computer I iterate 4. thank you for your advices 🙂 I posted my re-writing essay. Check it out 🙂 Computers are one of the important thing in our life. It always participates in our various life. E veryday everyone use computers for different interests.We use them for work, for our personal interests. Nowadays basically only children and adults over 16 years old such as students often use PC. Of course students use them or preparing a reports or to learn something curiosity. In this essay I will give academic uses of computers for children, but I will also disagree with children spending too uch leisure time using computers. First of all, I think computers can be useful for three reasons. Firstly, it helps people explore the world around them. For instant, children who use Internet to learn different topics, sooner becoming independent learners.Secondly, from nowadays most school started teaching subjects using computer, owing to it children are going to have more technical skills. We can see each student bringing their laptops to write notes during lectures, share information and do research. Lastly, PCs are found in every kind of office. In the future, ompanies will demand f rom employee skills of using computers well. Therefor kids who have already learnt how to use computer rightly, it will be easy for them in the future. On the other hand, kids should not play computer every time.It seems to me that they need to spend all their free time hanging out with friends, to read more books, newspapers and listen to radio. I like the way of living our parents and grandparents did in the past. Due to those times, children used to evolve better than nowadays. So, parents should be a little bit strict to their kids, permit to spend all heir time with computer. They should be careful and always look after them. Kids need to be close to the Nature! In the end I would like to add that, computers can be 0K but I think children should not use them too much! 26 words! 5. IELTS SAMPLE ESSAYS: Using a computer every day can have more negative than positive effects on your children. Do you agree or disagree? Posted by Muhammad Gulzar on 04:02 I tend to agree that young c hildren can be negatively affected by too much time spent on the computer every day. This is partly because sitting in front of a screen for too ong can be damaging to both the eyes and the physical posture of a young child, regardless of what they are using the computer for. However, the main concern is about the type of computer activities that attract children.These are often electronic games that tend to be very intense and rather violent. The player is usually the ‘hero' of the game and too much exposure can encourage children to be self-centred and insensitive to others. Even when children use a computer for other purposes, such as getting information or emailing friends, it is no substitute for human interaction. Spending time with other children and sharing non-virtual experiences is an important part ot a child's development that cannot be provided by a computer. n spite of this, the obvious benefits of computer skills for young children cannot be denied. Their adult world will be changing constantly in terms of technology and the Internet is the key to all the knowledge and information available in the world today. Therefore it is important that children learn at an early age to use the equipment enthusiastically and with confidence as they will need these skills throughout their studies and working lives. think the main point is to make sure that young children do not overuse computers.Parents must ensure that their children learn to enjoy other kinds of activity and not simply sit at home, learning to live in a virtual world. 6. Using a computer every day can have more negative than positive effects on young children. Do you agree or disagree? Children use computers more than ever before these days. They can be found surfing the internet, playing on-line games and on social network sites. Sometimes, especially when there is no parental control, they can spend too much time daily on computers.

Violence Among the Youths in Inner Schools

Violence among youth, especially in inner city schools, is one of Americas most pressing and controversial concerns. Local studies indicate that youth violence is increasing. In addition, America†s youth, like adults are now more frequently using guns instead of fist to settle their disputes. While the public is ready to believe that school violence is definitely present, some local leaders and school administrators are not willing to recognize that it is happening in front of their own eyes. They think that people will boycott the communities, their schools will be labeled unsafe and they will be blamed for failing to keep peace and order. Gang activity at school is particularly susceptible to â€Å"the Ostrich syndrome,† as many of the administration ignore the problem. A big loss that occurs is that opportunities to help the youth and reduce violence are lost. Finally, there is sometimes a contradiction between school policies and school practice. Many districts and schools have broad regulations for dealing with violence, and the school enforcement may either be uneven or laidback. This creates a situation where teachers do not feel supported when they necessitate discipline, students do not feel protected and the delinquents will then think that he or she will not be punished. On the other hand, administrators express dismay that the teachers so not enforce policies in the classroom. Despite these inconsistencies, the government, communities and schools have come up with many promising types of anti- violence approach, and social and personal transformation focusing on discipline. Most have originated in urban areas, where youth violence was first identified. The federal government has money set aside for after school programs focused on gang prevention and other recreational community activities. Most of these activities are focused on breaking the cycle of violence. The most effective proved to be the long-term family interventions involving, religious and recreational organizations. For example, programs in parenting and family relationships, especially those focused on non-violence and substance abuse can protect children from learning violence at home. Out of school programs keep youth entertained while the family is unavailable. These programs can also provide youths with attention from caring role models. They also keep the youth away from negative influences on the street. Programs can offer assistance with schoolwork and develop positive values. Helping young people find employment is an important way for communities to reduce property crime and build the youths self-esteem and sense of responsibility. It also helps the youth see how vital it is to their future to stay in school and further their education and career. Another positive aspect to providing jobs and job training is that it can reduce stress that can trigger violence. â€Å"In 1878 economist Carroll D. Wright from Massachusetts Commissioner of Statistics noted that more than 67% of convicts in the state were recorded as ‘having no occupation†: of 220 men sentenced to one year 147 were without trade or any regular means of earning a living† (Currie) Anti-violence and programs that run in the school can run from a range of ideas. From general education improvement to interventions to target specific groups of students. They involve parents in a variety of roles and community leaders and resources. The goal is to create a peaceful non-violence school. A commitment to enforcing violence prevention helps the students and the staffs feel safe. In addition to zero tolerance for guns, some school also have zero tolerance for other types of behavior such as assaulting a teacher were violent students will be removed from the classrooms. It might not affect some students to be expulsed from school so school responses to certain type of acts include legal prosecution. Since there is a strong use of drug sales and violence in the schools by the students, administrators make special efforts to keep the school. To keep students from bringing in weapons some schools use metal detectors and administer random acts of searching students† bodies and possessions. Teachers used to be the most common type of security but with increasing school violence, schools are hiring security guards to patrol the sites. With school security the most common type of measure is monitoring the students in the hallways and places where they get together the most, like cafeterias, bathrooms and the p.e. field. Most violent prone school may even form relations with the police to periodically visit the schools and regularly patrol the halls. Probation officers with on site offices can provide help to students who have already been in illegal trouble. Early intervention is necessary to prevent youth violence. Elementary education training in anger management, impulse control, mediation and conflict resolution skills can prevent youth from participating in violence as they mature. Early discussions about negative consequences of gang membership and providing positive way to get needs met can protect them from future gang recruitment efforts. Some schools have a specially trained safety coordinator whose primary function is to coordinate anti-violence programs and offer crisis counseling and mediation. Other types of programs offer incentives for positive behavior such as recognition and reward system for good citizenship. The goal is to bring about change in the students so that their behavior is constructive. Effective gang strategies involve all school operations and staff. It requires good communications and security and staff trained in crisis intervention. Schools not only need to acknowledge their presence but actively investigate its extent and determine who its gang members are, what they do and where are their hang out spots. The first step is to establish the fact that gang presence such as clothing, paraphernalia, flashing signs or shouting slogans and writing graffiti on school or personal property will not be tolerated. Discipline measures, practiced consistently show the schools seriousness. Staff who takes a personal interest in individual members by holding personal conferences and counseling can help loosen the hold of the gang, by meeting informally with members and show them positive experiences that would otherwise be lacking in their lives. To do this some staff members may need to change certain attitudes about gang members and spend a little more time than they would with them. If that does not work offering counseling in a variety of outside agencies and involving parents and making them aware of the choices and consequences that their child is taking may help change the attitude of the child. If all else fails gang members can be transferred to alternative schools for more intensive support. Concern about increasing youth violence is being routed into a variety of innovative and hopefully effective programs across the country. The most effective programs acknowledge that gang activity and violence exists in their community. Use all available resources like law enforcement and social services. Involve families into both school and community programs, and prepares to engage in long-term effort for positive experiences. In all communities it is likely that sometimes anti-violence work will be compromised by lack of resources and time. Even the most dedicated individuals may experience moments of frustration. Early evaluations in well-organized programs is possible and even though statistics show that youth violence is steadily increasing the effort and slight expenditure are necessary.

Definition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Definition - Essay Example I have been conducting myself in a descent manner in order to set a good example to them. Since I have always wanted them to be morally upright people when they grow, I have always mentored and cultivated values in them. This involves offering the required advice and supporting them psychologically. In another dimension, I have been involved in making them accept the fact that life is all about dedication and being focused. Issues that revolve around personality ruining and bad character have always been outlined in our several discussions. This allows them to come up with judgment on what would face them whenever they go astray. This way, they are able to evaluate between wrong and right thus enabling them to make best choices in life. My definition of how being a father is has not changed. In fact, my role as a father has been improved by numerous challenges that have faced me with time. My ordeals as a father have always helped me to adjust my tactics on how to face such challenges in future thus strengthening my role as a

Modern Marriage, only a status symbol Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Modern Marriage, only a status symbol - Essay Example The Modern American wedding has become much more of commercial saga generating a massive turnover every year. Wedding planners, florists, caterers, hairstylists, clothes, designers, have all got their fortunes connected to the wedding industry. According to statistics 2 "the average American wedding costs $22,360 and has 168 guests, who give 100 gifts that cost an average of $85 each, meaning the net loss to the couple is $13,860..the average guest spends $500 to attend a wedding-not including plane tickets." The statistics do not end here though. The figures get more and more perturbing as it is revealed that "43% of couples say they spent more on their wedding than they had planned."3There is an increase in thematic weddings like Disney World "Fairy Tale Wedding" where for the price of $2,500 a bride can arrive in a glass coach pulled by four dappled gray ponies.4 All these figures and statistics really provoke a disturbing query in our minds which is whether the modern commercial marriage is now deinstitutionalized to the extent of a mere commercial saga The United States has seen deterioration in the institution of marriage during the past many decades (Cherlin 2004:848-861). There has been a transition of the essence of marriage from So is it possible to say that while the practical importance of marriage has hit an all time low, it has gained a symbolic significance Is it merely a mark of prestige and personal achievement Consider only some of the expenses the modern bride and groom go through for the ceremony of marriage. According to a commercial website 5,the Groom pays for the Bride's rings, Boutonnire for the groom and ushers ,groom's present to bridegroom's presents to ushers and best man, ties and gloves for the ushers ,clergy member's cost ,corsages for the immediate members of both families; also the bride's going away corsage ,bachelor dinner (optional, and usually given by best man or ushers) ,rehearsal dinner (optional, but is usual) ,accommodations for out-of-town ushers and the honeymoon. This list is not exhaustive though and the bride has to pay for a similar list of expenditure. What happens then, after such a grand wedding Every year the government issues alarming figures of divorce rate statistics, many homes are broken and the children are displaced. Academic opinion and research has spoken of the weakening of the social norms that regulate people's behaviour in this regard. This is another symbol of the deteriorating society where there is a sort of a "taken-for-granted" norm that allows people to go on with their lives with nobody questioning their behaviour (Cherlin2004:848-849, Whitehead 2001:6-16). The wedding as a status symbol Recent weddings have become little less than individual achievements. "In the distant past, a wedding was an event at which two kinship groups formed an alliance. More recently, it has been an event organized and paid for by parents, at which they display their approval and support for their child's marriage" (Cherlin 2004:848-849) So despite its destabilisation as an "institution", the American Wedding has become "an

HR Finance Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

HR Finance - Assignment Example The hospital requires ensuring that it operates under a budget in order to meet all the demands. It seeks to establish cheaper and effective actions for all renal vein cases. It can get a cost effective location and get a bigger space in order to accommodate the increasing number of patients with renal cases (Dunham-Taylor& Pinczuk, 2006, p.4). In this specific project, the community will incur lower IOP appointment with opticians below â‚ ¤17 and less OCT accredited assessment below â‚ ¤38. Additionally, budgeting for this hospital is essential in order to improve the quality of services offered at the hospital. In most cases, patients are willing to pay higher fees for good qualities. The hospital can hire more professionals in an attempt to increase the profit margin, which will enhance growth. The increased number of renal patients requires to be addressed since it is a challenge to the society. Additionally, an OCT machine is expensive for the hospital to purchase; therefo re, it can be obtained through hire purchase form the manufacturing company. This machine will enable the increased number of patients to be attended perfectly within the shortest time possible. This machine will be highly profitable to the hospital since it will ensure that all patients that visit are treated and all necessary tests carried

Subprime Meltdown Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Subprime Meltdown - Essay Example The article begins by discussing the case of New Century and revealing that it represented one of the biggest accounting failures at that time. At one end was the view that the accounting procedures used by the company were faulty and there were major red flags that the company did not watch out for. However, at the other end was the view that the failure of New Century was an inevitable outcome of the overall failure of the U. S Housing Industry and that the company was bound to come down in the midst of a failing market. However, the report does point out certain red flags that were not taken into account by the company and accounted for its failure. The major issue, as highlighted, was that the company did not undertake rigorous research effort into exploring the background of potential borrowers; that it had no benchmark for assessing the quality of its lending. One of the most obvious flaws was to rule out the income level of the borrower before lending him/her the loan; thus, l oans were lent despite insufficient collateral. Secondly, the company had been involved in unethical practices of advertising low rates that far deviated from the actual as a result of which the borrowers were awestruck when they had to pay the actual market rates. At the same time, the numbers were misleading. Although the dollar value of loans was said to have increased; the number of defaults increased by more than that creating a vicious cycle of debt for the lending companies. They were lending more and more for less and less backup; hence, in effect they were lending more than their ability to do so. What was more surprising was that the documentation to support these loans was often missing which simply meant that there was great room for fraud or misrepresentation. And that is exactly what happened. Individuals took loans even though they were not eligible for it which paved way for the crisis that followed. At this point one may raise the question that what was the company doing all this time? Was it being a silent watchdog, ignoring the entire activity or was it unaware of the situation? Does the responsibility of these malpractices lie with the management or not? The answer is unfortunately the former- the company’s top management did not encourage stringent check and balance; the internal controls were not in place making it very easy for individuals to commit fraud or misrepresent their backgrounds while acquiring the loans. No cross-checks were made. This is clearly evident in the findings of the article whereby it was revealed by the Court that fraudulent and unjustified alterations were made in the calculations of repurchases reserves and that, most importantly, these changes were made without any verification from higher authorities, documentation and approval. Another major inefficiency is highlighted by the case- that of fraudulent audit practices or the failure of audit department to ensure transparency by being bribed or influenced by the company they are auditing. This has been a common practice, especially where regulations are lax. However, even where regulations are stringent such practices exist and are difficult to trace before the revelation of the fraud. Hence, the

Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 4

Strategic Management - Essay Example Due to this, the company has restructured its hard lines and homes divisions to team related categories (Freshman 2006, 24-27). Wal-Mart uses the cost leadership strategy in which it fights to be the lowest cost producer in the industry but marinating the greatest quality o its products. In this strategy, Wal-Mart sets its prices quite lower than the average industry prices in order to win greater market share. The firm makes all efforts to improve process efficiencies. Since it is a multinational corporation, it targets the broad market to cover its costs. This cost leadership strategy is very effective at the global level of operations. Wal-Mart re-engineering and E-engineering Wal-Mart strives to be ahead of its competitors by incorporating satellite communication between cash register, distribution centers, and stores. This is something that makes it easy for customers in different areas purchase products from stores in different regions meeting the customers’ needs at the immediate point of demand. ... The general strategy that Wal-Mart has been employing in its operations is the low-cost, high volume strategy that targets its businesses at the global level. Because Wal-Mart has numerous stores in many countries, it therefore successfully undertakes this strategy of lowering its prices and producing in bulk to cover the costs by a considerable amount. It does this to increase its market share. It also manages this because it has lower operating expenses as compared to industry level (Lampel 2002, 51-52). This control strategy aims at ensuring reduced costs, high volume production, and improved quality. It is apparently clear that part of Wal-Mart’s strategy to remain competitive in its operations is to make products that prove to have less negative effects to the environment. In this regard, Wal-Mart regulates what products to sell in their stores. It has also come up with a sustainable waste management strategies aimed at reducing pollutants and ensuring a clean environment . For instance, it takes up proper waste management by implementing strategies to recycle paper products. This is seen through its efforts in the Go Green initiative. Apart from environmental friendliness, it seeks for ways to lower its costs in operations and instead use the saved monies in technological advancement (Massengil 2003, 66). Wal-Mart Reciprocal interdependence and Information sharing Wal-Mart reciprocal interdependence encourages communication from one department to the other whereby an input in one department becomes the input of the other. This means Wal-Mart communication is at highest level of communication or interaction. Reciprocal

Pricing strategies of Apple Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Pricing strategies of Apple - Essay Example The price strategy for Apple majorly lies in the fact that they endeavour to sell great phones and products at a lower cost. It therefore offers a small number of products with a focus on the high-end market while giving priority to profits over the share of the market and creating a halo effect that makes people continuously attracted to its products. Apple ensures that when it is pricing its products, it adopts strategies that in relation to the market forces unlike the usual minimal pricing of products in the market place. Therefore, the prices are made in such a way that at times it is two times what its competitor’s charge, which it gets away with through strategies in how the product is implemented. The justification for the higher price of the products y Apple is the fact that it builds beautiful products that are attractive to the consumers and have features and benefits that the competing companies cannot match. Apple strives to create a demand for its products through differentiation, which entails having attractive and unique products to the consumers, and this enables it to have total control over the prices. Apple maintains a higher price for its products which keeps away its competitors in check helps it maintain its margins in terms of profitability (Spencer, 2013). Through the focus on customers that are likely to buy at the premium prices and maintaining it at that level, the company sets a level at which its competitors must also set its prices in the market. Apple therefore offers its products at premium prices by creating a premium product which is of high quality as indicated by the features in the products which translate to a lot of value for the price which helps shore up the profits. For instance, Apple raised the price of the latest iPad Mini by sticking on its high-end pricing strategy with the sole aim of maintaining the profit margins. The new

All of the psychoanalyst Essay Example for Free

All of the psychoanalyst Essay Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that  their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the  childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that  their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the  childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that  their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the  childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that  their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the  childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial. Psychoanalytic – Freud- Psychoanalytical theory was formulated by Freud based on how the human mind functions. He believed that there were factors outside of the individual person’s awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings and experiences) that influence their emotions, behaviour and actions, and that their past experiences, and their future. The Psychoanalytical Theory highlights the importance of the unconscious mental processes and childhood development issues as they relate to childish impulses, childish wishes, juvenile desires and the anxiety of reality. The Psychoanalytical Theory is also based on the idea that a person’s personality is formed throughout the childhood years, that children go through certain stages at certain points of their childhood and depending on how well the child copes with each of these stages, their adult personality will be affected. This influences current practise as Freud’s observations into the link between our unconscious actions and our mind are still seen as beneficial.

English Literature Antigone Ismene Thebes

English Literature Antigone Ismene Thebes Antigone Ismene Thebes Inductive essay of Antigone In the play Antigone, written by Sophocels, there are many complications. The most important event is the killing of Antigone’s two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices. It was the main inspiration for the whole play. It all starts after King Oedipus was banished from the city of Thebes after he knows that he has murdered his father, his younger son Eteocles declares to be the king, banishing his older brother Polyneices. Polyneices then attacks Thebes with a huge army, but none of the two brothers wins the war because they both kill each other in combat. Creon then declares the kingdom of Thebes, and he decides that Eteocles should be buried and honored as a hero while Polyneices body shouldn’t be honored, but it should be thrown in the streets of Thebes left for dogs and birds to be eaten in humiliation. Creon decides that the punishment for trying to bury the body of Polyneices will be death. Antigone, Eteocles and Polynices’ sister, insists that her brothers body must be buried so that his spirit can rest in peace, in spite of the cautious advice of her younger sister, Ismene. She goes to the battleground, pouring sand over Polyneices body and performing burial rites. After that the guards discovers that someone was trying to bury the body, they uncover the dust from the body, and they starts to look for who does that. Antigone comes back insisting on burying her brother’s body .She finally allows herself to be captured after coming out of hiding when some guards try to uncover the body again, and a rebellious Antigone is brought to Creon. He decides to execute only Antigone since Ismenes is innocent and Antigone is sent outside of Thebes to starve to death in a cave. Even though Antigone was nothing but a girl left alone, she faces many obstacles by herself to do what she believes it is right without any concerns about the consequences. The first obstacle that faces Antigone was her sister, Ismene. They were the only two family members left after their father’s death and their two brothers’ shameful war against each other and killing each other in the battlefield. Instead of supporting her sister, and trying to keep what’s left of the family together, Ismene abandons Antigone and tries to convince her to obey the king’s orders. The author quotes Ismene saying â€Å"The worst of all if we violate the laws and override the fixed decree of the throne, its power- we must be sensible. Remember we are women, we’re not born to contend with men† (Sophocles 1144). It is clear that Ismene is so frightened of Antigone’s decision to bury her brother Polyneices. It is also clear how Creon, the king, put his fear in his people’s minds so he will has full control over his kingdom. Antigone doesn’t worry about Creon’s punishment and decides to continue. The autho r quotes her answering her sister â€Å" So, do as you like, whatever suits you best- I’ll bury him myself. And even if I die in the act, that death will be a glory.† (Sophocles 1144). This quote shows how determined Antigone is to bury her brother without having any concerns about the result. It also shows how she considers the death a glory to her for doing what’s she believes is right. She considers honoring her brother by giving hem the proper burial is her obligation. Antigone overcomes this obstacle by excusing her sister from joining her to bury their brother. The second obstacle that faces Antigone is the king himself. He wanted to force his authority and power over the kingdom after the disturbance that happened in Thebes. He wants his orders and commands to be followed by everyone. Creon creates a monster of himself to scare his people; he likes power, authority, and to be obeyed. That’s why everybody was scared and afraid to disobey Creon except Antigone. She did what’s right; she wasn’t even afraid when the guards arrested her, she bravely surrendered to them (1152). Creon felt that he lost his power and authority once Antigone disobey his orders. Creon says, â€Å"This girl was an old hand at insolence when she overrode the edicts we made public. But once she’d don it- the insolence, twice over- to glory in it, laughing, mocking us to our face with what she’d done† (Sophocles 1154). He considers Antigone’s act an insult to the king without considering that she wants to give her brother the proper burial to honor him as prince. That explains why he was so harsh in his verdict to execute her by starvation. Antigone knows that she is doing what’s right and she surrenders to her destiny to be killed. On the other hand she seems to refuse to be killed by Creon, that’s why she killed herself as if she considers killing herself more honor than Creon kills her. The final obstacle that faces Antigone is her lover, Haemon, who was Creon’s son and who was very sad that he’s going to lose his pride. Antigone thinks about her lover. She doesn’t want to die and leave him because she loves him so much. She is between two difficult decisions. One of them is if she decides to step on what she believes in and forget about her honored brother to stay with her lover, the other decision is to leave her lover and to die for what she believes in. Antigone doesn’t think about her happiness; she rather dies because of what she believes in than stays with Haemon. She overcomes this obstacle by deciding to kill herself. Haemon, on the other hand, was used by Gods to punish Creon for his acts. He was not convinced with his father’s actions. Haemon states, â€Å"I see my father offending justice-wrong† (Sophocles 1161). He continues his conversation asking â€Å"Protect your rights? When you trample down the honors of the gods?† (Sophocles 1611). Haemon realizes the fact that his father doesn’t realize, is that he dishonors the gods. Haemon wants to explain to Creon that no matter what happened don’t disobey or disrespect the gods. Another thing Haemon realizes that Creon doesn’t realize that there is more powerful force than Creon’s force which is the gods force. Creon thinks that he has the ultimate power and authority that’s why he can’t see Haemon point of view. Haemon goes to Antigone’s grave and he couldn’t see her kills herself in the front of him, so he kills himself. In the play, Antigone faces a lot of obstacles, and she overcomes them all. She doesn’t give up, and once she feels that the king’s authority will bring her down, she decides to take her own life rather than the injustice system does. She is determining to do what she feels is right, no matter what the laws of the kingdom says. She is motivating by her obligations towards her family, and by her personal beliefs. She first faces her sister who is against her from the beginning, because she is afraid of Creon’s decrees. Antigone excuses her sister from burying her brother with her. Second obstacle Antigone faces is the rigorous king, Creon, who gives his strict orders that whoever bury Polynices will die. Antigone doesn’t care about Creon’s decrees; she knows the consequences will be the death penalty, but she stands bravely in front of Creon. The final obstacle Antigone faces is her lover who is so in love with her and he can’t see her dieing. Antigone also can’t see her lover cries and she can’t leave him as well. This is the most difficult obstacle that faces Antigone. Finally she kills herself when she finds that it’s more honor to kill herself than Creon kills her. Antigone knows that she will die for what she did. She put what she believes in before her and sacrifices her own life to do what’s right.

Ryanairs Strategic Management Practices

Ryanairs Strategic Management Practices Introduction The aim of this assignment is to explore Ryanairs strategic management practices through the theory of core competencies developed by Prahalad and Hamel (1990). Ryanair operates in the low cost carriers (LCC) industry and experienced success since the launch of its operations. Ryanairs successful strategic management position is reflected in the optimisation of its internal processes offering value to customers whilst eliminating waste. By developing a set of core competencies, Ryanair has been able to develop a strong market position while transporting millions of customers every year. The first part of the essay provides a brief overview of the company and the industry in which it operates. This section outlines the key competing forces and argues for the companys cost leadership approach towards its strategy. The second section outlines the core competence theory developed by Prahalad and Hamel (1990). This section briefly summarises the theory and its assumptions. The third section discusses the application of the strategic theory to Ryanair. This section argues that Ryanairs core competencies concern not only the efficient utilisation of its tangible resources (e.g. aircraft, contract on destinations with airports), but also intangible resources (e.g. market share, reputation, customer loyalty). Brief overview of Ryanair Ryanair gained its reputation as a low cost carrier (LCC) throughout Europe by following the SouthWest business model (Strategic Direction, 2006) (see Appendix 1 for a comparison between the two models). This model included the delivery of a no- frill service whilst offering a point-to-point service and short haul routes to secondary and regional airports. By competing on cost, Ryanair was able to offer cheap tickets to a range of European destinations with the result of changing how customers perceived their travelling experience. Ryanair was able to offer competitive prices by reducing operational costs through the utilisation of its aircrafts. In particular, by avoiding a hub-and-spoke service, creating short haul journeys, scrapping the traditional system of ticket production and seat reservation and in-flight meals, the company was able to increase the number of journeys whilst reducing costs. Moreover, the use of secondary and regional airports offer less handling costs, fewer terminal delays, and greater airport access. According to Datamonitor (2010) as of June, 2009, the company offers over 1,200 scheduled short-haul flights per day serving 145 locations throughout Europe and Morocco, with an operating fleet of 196 aircrafts. The company operates through approximately 845 routes (p.6). The scale of the companys operations indicates its positive reception by consumers seeking to reduce travelling costs whilst increasing the frequency of trips to European destinations. Current trends in the Low Cost Carrier (LCC) Market 3.1 A different approach to airplane transportation Malighetti, et al (2010) argue that the growth behind the LCC market is underpinned by the consumers increasing interest in using airplanes not as a luxurious mode of transportation but as an opportunity for travelling to new destinations at a minimum cost. According to Huttinger (2006) many countries perceived the airlines as a state institution and their reason for existence as a fulfilment of public needs (p.229). The same idea is also expressed by Pitt and Brown (2001) who argue that the development of a differentiated strategy allowed the LCC firms to create a new niche. Dobruszkes (2009) argues that efforts towards deregulating the industry by the EU allowed airline firms to introduce changes in their way of operation. Lack of regulation meant fewer restrictions as to how the airlines needed to design and perform their operations (e.g. ticketing system, destinations, etc) (Dobruszkes, 2009) According to Strategic Direction (2007a, 2007b, 2007c) the emerging opportunities developing from deregulation were followed by the SouthWest business model in the USA. This model was not only copied but also extended by companies like Ryanair and Easy Jet in Europe (Barrett, 2004). As Figure 1 illustrates, a steady increase in the number of passengers carried between LCC firms can be noted. For example, whereas Virgin Atlantic achieved 28.9% growth, in contrast, Ryanair achieved 171.9% for the number of passengers carried. The difference in volume is evidence of the consumers growth and changing travel needs. Figure 1 Scheduled passengers carried, 2002-06 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 % change m m m m m 2002-06 easyJet 11.4 20.3 24.3 29.6 33.7 +195.6 Ryanair 14.9 21.3 26.6 33.7 40.5 +171.8 Flybe 2.6 3.2 5.5 +111.5 bmibaby 0.7 2.8 3.3 3.6 4.1 +583.3 Monarch na na 2 2.6 3.2 na Virgin Atlantic 3.8 3.8 4.3 4.5 4.9 +28.9 BMI 7.5 9.4 10.5 10.5 10.5 +40 BA (est) 40 38 36.1 35.7 35.6 -11 Source: Company data/CAA UK airline statistics/Mintel A key trend in the LCC market has not only been the consumers attention on cost but also opportunity for travelling to new destinations within Europe (Malighetti, et. al. 2010). As Pitfield (2008) argues, following the recent economic credit crunch the new business model favoured the LCC. Cost became a differentiating factor in the way consumers made their purchasing choices on travel (Pitfield, 2008). Moreover, from Figure 2 it can be noted that the competition between the LCC remains fierce. Ryanair and Easy Jet are the largest competitors in Europe sharing the greatest volume of passengers travelling. According to Gillen and Lall (2004) such growth is attributed to a) the number of destinations already served by the airliners, b) the reputation on cost and c) the development of a strategy that allows them to utilise resources whilst minimising waste. Efficiency remains a key attribute to the development of competitive advantage in this market. This is because excessive costs contr ibute to the firms cost structure. This means that for a LCC firm to remain competitive such company needs to sustain its levels of efficiency whilst improving the value chain with which the service is delivered. Figure 2: Passengers carried in 2006 Source: Mintel/Company data (2007) 3.2 Ryanairs cost leadership strategy According to Porter (1980, 1985) there are three types of strategies companies can adopt in an industry. These are a) cost leadership, b) differentiation strategy, and c) focus strategy. A cost leadership remains effective depending on the volume of customers served. Such strategy focuses on achieving economies of scale by maximising its profit margins through the maximised over volume of sales. In contrast, a differentiation strategy is based on the specific attributes of a service and/or product that competitors are not able to offer (Porter, 1987). The distinctive features that are unique to such service/product differentiate the companys competitive power (Porter, 1996). A focus strategy concerns a firms concentration on a particular segment in the market (e.g. consumers, product, health-related products) with the result of creating new barriers of entry for other competitors to enter (Porter, 1987). Such barriers are created because of the tacit knowledge (e.g. methods of produc tion) that is needed in order to develop the product and/or service. Ryanair is adopting a cost leadership approach to strategy. As Figure 4 shows, when comparing the companys prices against competitors and for the same destinations the cost difference remains considerable. Mintel (2007) notes that the company aims to turn flights around within 25 minutes and routes are consistently the shortest of all the Low Cost Carriers (LCCs). Wood (2004) and Boru (2006) argue that even though this cost leadership strategy has proven effective, nevertheless, it has been difficult for Ryanair to maintain it without influencing the quality of service offered to customers. In particular, Boru (2006) argues that Ryanairs hard approach on cost has resulted in a hostile behaviour towards customers. Ryanairs couldnt-care-less approach to customer care also applies to refunds and baggage. Not only are refunds never paid out, even if a passengers travel plans are disrupted by the death of a grandparent, but the bereaved customer is told to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ for having the temerity to ask (Boru, 2006, p.50). Datamonitor also reports various lawsuits, claims, and legal proceedings, arising in the ordinary course of its business. Some of these legal proceedings and claims seek damages, fines, or penalties in substantial amounts or remediation of environmental contamination (p.7). The implication of this argument is that even though cons umers continue to fly with Ryanair, they nevertheless remain weary of its behaviour to their changing travelling needs. Figure 4: Comparative fare levels (same booking date and approximate departure times Source: OHiggins in Johnson G, Scholes, K, Whittington, R. (2008, p.839) Mintel (2007) argues that in order for Ryanair to increase its revenues, it tends to engage in making incremental increases on costs that remain hidden to consumers. For example, consumers are being charged to pay for advance boarding to seat reservations, sports equipment to extra baggage and others. OHiggins (2008) mentions for example that a disabled man won a landmark case against Ryanair after it charged him  £18 for a wheelchair he needed at Stansted Airport to get from the check-in desk to the aircraft. The passenger was awarded  £1,336 in compensation from Ryanair, as the UK based Disability Commission said it may launch a class action against the airline on behalf of 35 other passengers (p.834). Such hidden costs generated a negative image for the companys low cost reputation. Donne (2004) and Groom (2004) argue that customers dislike extra charges and seek to withdraw their loyalty for carriers that are not committed to their quality of service on the grounds of reducing costs. Figure 5: Customer complaints Source: in Johnson G, Scholes, K, Whittington, R. (2008, p.842) The implication of this argument is that Ryanairs successful strategy remains contingent to the changing trends in the environment. As Figure 3 illustrates, the process of strategy formulation and evolution goes through a cycle where application needs to conform to the changing conditions of the environment. This means that Ryanair needs to develop a different approach to its cost leadership strategy by introducing modifications to its model. This can be done by placing greater importance on the customers perceptions of satisfaction rather than just promoting the selling of low cost tickets. Figure 3 Aspects of Strategy formulation and evolution Source: Chaharbaghi and Willis (1998:1022) Core Competencies Theory According to Johnson et al (2008) Chaharbaghi and Willis (1998) the study of strategic management is concerned with understanding how an organisation can realise its corporate goals through the manipulation of its tangible and intangible resources. According to Ansof (1984) strategic management can be defined as a systematic approach to a major and increasingly important responsibility of general management: to position and relate the firm to its environment in a way which will assure its continued success and make it secure from surprises. (p. xv) According to Raduan, et al. (2009) strategic management can be seen as a combination of strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation (p.406) According to Mintzberg et al (1998) there are two principle schools of thought that influenced the discourse on strategic management over time. These are characterised as the a) design school and the b) emergent school. The design school argues for the importance of careful planning. Lidtka (2000) for example argues that the orchestration of processes can lead to the achievement over the intended strategic corporate outcomes. The emergent school was influenced by the work of Mintzberg (1979, 1983) and argues for the managements inability to manage uncertainty in the course of realising its corporate goals. Mintzberg (1983) argues that the role of strategic management is to adjust a firms intentions according to the shifting conditions of the environment. Such conditions cannot be known a priori but only realised at the time of their development (Mintzberg, et al (1998). Cunah and Cunah (2006) also support this idea by arguing that firms developed their strategic positions by an emerg ent process resulting from managers and employees improvisations in response to the realities of the market (p.839). In the discourse between the two schools, Prahalad and Hamel (1990) developed the theory of core competencies. This theory argues for a firms ability to develop specific competencies which are intertwined with the employees tacit knowledge and expertise. Core competencies remain context-specific and are not easily transferable because of the specificity of the employees knowledge and skills that help maintain it. According to Grà ¶ÃƒÅ¸ler (2007) core competencies represent a firms capabilities created by the complex interaction of its resources combined with implicit or explicit knowledge about the effective combination of these resources (p.252). According to Prahalad and Hamel (1994) the implication of this argument is that the innovative capability of a firm remains closely located in its awareness of the employees skills and their continuing development. Hence, the process of fostering core competencies comprises the development of qualities which concern the advancement of products/services which are intertwined with a set of skills which are people-specific (Hamel, 1996). As Figure 4 illustrates, performance remains an outcome of the interaction between capabilities and resources. Such a process is dynamic and not static, which means that the firm is in a continuing process of identifying and strengthening its core competencies over time (Goold, 1996). Figure 4 Relationship between resources, capabilities and performance Performance Capabilities Resources Source: Adapted from Grà ¶ÃƒÅ¸ler (2007, p.253) Having outlined the theory of core competencies the following section will discuss its application on Ryanair. Assessing Ryanairs strategy through its core competencies 5.1 Waste minimisation and improvement making According to Lawton (1999) and Done (2004) Ryanairs core competencies are identified in its ability to discover and remove operations that do not add value to customers. Prices can be reduced when unnecessary processes are eradicated and/or improved. Pietfeld (2008) argues how the increase in efficiency is an activity that needs to move beyond the process of careful planning. Gillen and Lall (2004) argue that Ryanair has instilled an improvement-making strategy that resides in its corporate culture. This means, that employees can take real-time initiatives which are then evaluated and implemented by the management on the organisation as a whole (Leavy, 2003). Lawton (1999) argues that the management of the organisation remains unable to detect deficiencies as employees are the ones who have immediate contact with customers. Hence, the process of introducing quality improvements requires the necessary organisational structure to allow initiative-taking by employees whilst these are also supported by the management layer. According to OSullivan and Gunningle (2009) the literature on initiative-taking by employees remains subject to criticism. This is because employees can indicate areas of improvement but such suggestions may not be readily applicable. However, a core competency developed by Ryanair is the development of an organisational structure where the corporate culture allows them to take initiatives which are then institutionalised. The management is responsible for the development of the necessary regulations, policies and procedures that can accommodate initiatives (Barrett, 2004). The implication of this activity is that the firm is able to swiftly respond to the customers changing needs with little delay. This core competency remains difficult to copy by competitors because it resides within their existing work ethic and cultural values of employees that has matured over time. A criticism that is expressed against Ryanair, and in contrast to its effort to increase levels of efficiency, concerns the absence of unions that may exercise resistance to the managements growing demands. By increasing the array of responsibilities, employees are required to achieve performance targets, OSullivan and Gunningale (2009) argue that Ryanair has created excessive demands on employees that are not accounted for in their salary. 5.2 Utilisation of Resources A second core competence concerns Ryanairs ability to maximise the volume of customers travelling whilst increasing the number of routes offered. Barrett (2004) argues that the shorter turnaround times permit more journeys per day per plane which, coupled with the higher seat density of Ryanair planes, generate lower seat mile costs (p.92). Delays result to high maintenance costs in servicing aircrafts (Barrett, 2004). Such costs, in turn, can result in reducing the number of destinations offered in the first place. Gillen and Lall (2004) argue that a faster turn improves utilization of all factors of production such as aircraft, gates, ground equipment and labour (p.44). Ryanairs core competency concerns its capacity to maximise the utilisation of its aircrafts whilst also maximising the number of routes offered. However, such utilisation requires the management of the employees contribution for knowing how resources need to be managed. The exercise of knowledge and training remain task-specific. Employees understand how their contribution, at one segment in the business, can have a wider contribution on the companys performance as a whole. Ryanair demonstrates synergy in managing array of operations that include a) the management of its network routes, b) the punctuality with which aircrafts turnaround, and c) the employees capability to manage an increase in volume of passengers. Such understanding is embedded onto the employees. As Prahalad and Hamel (1990) argue, a competency remains difficult to replicate by competitors because it is context-specific, and subject to the tacit knowledge and skills produced in the first place. Ryanairs ability to utilise its resources whilst maintaining a cost leadership strategy results from the combination between the employees knowledge and the utilisation of its resources. Figure 5 illustrates the companys efforts to increase levels of efficiency between 2002 and 2003. A complementary dimension to the utilisation of resources is the creation of new destinations. Datamonitor (2010) argues that in January 2010, the company introduced 25 new routes to/from Alicante, Barcelona Reus, Barcelona Girona, Bratislava, Bristol, Cork, East Midlands, London Stansted, Milan Bergamo, and Pescara. In the following month, the company announced opening three new routes from Edinburgh to Faro, Marrakech, and Paris. It also launched six new routes to the Greek holiday destinations of Kos, Rhodes and Volos (p.6). The creation of new routes is subject to the companys core competencies for sustaining its cost-leadership strategy whilst expanding the destinations offered. This means that by attracting a larger volume of passengers travelling, Ryanair achieves economies of scales that help maximise its profit margins. By achieving a high seat-filling-capacity Ryanair can sustain its standard maintenance costs whilst improving on revenues. Moreover, such strategy can create barriers of entry to competitors (Dobruszkes, 2009). By gaining entry to the new network routes, other airline companies (e.g. Easy Jet, Air Lingus, etc) have greater difficulty in competing for the same destinations. Figure 5: Ryanair operating statistics between 2002 and 2003 Source: OHiggins in Johnson, et al. (2008, p.846). Conclusion The aim of this essay has been to explore Ryannairs strategic management practices. By making use of the theory of core competencies as developed by Prahalad and Hamel (1990) this essay argued for the companys cost-leadership strategy that is sustained through its efforts to minimise waste and improve efficiency. Even though Ryanairs business model has proved successful, at the same time, there is growing criticism regarding the evidence indicating the company undermining the quality of its customer service. Even though consumers continue to use Ryanair for its efficient service and low cost prices the company is struggling to avoid the mounting criticism concerning the introduction of hidden costs and lack of adequate customer service (Wood, 2004, Boru, 2006). This essay argued that the companys core competencies concentrate on improving levels of efficiency at the operational level. There are two areas in which this occurs. The first is by developing an organisational culture where employees are encouraged to take initiatives in order to reduce operations that do not add value to customers (OHiggins, 2009). The second area concerns Ryanairs ability to maximise the utilisation of resources whilst expanding on the number of destinations offered (Dobruszkes, 2009). According to Prahalad and Hamel (1990) it can be argued that Ryanairs business model remains difficult to copy by competitors because the synergies created are subject to the employees knowledge and experience. Such knowledge remains contextual and task specific.Such core competence is difficult to transfer by merely migrating the methods and tools used. However, this essay also argued that perceptions of value need to be reconsidered by Ryanair. This is because value is not only subject to the low cost prices offered but also to the quality of customer service which includes the companys attitude towards responding to complaints and avoiding the misrepresentation of information as well as hidden cost s. References Ansoff, H.I. (1984) Implanting Strategic Management. Englewood Cliffs NJ: Prentice Hall. Barrett, D. S. (2004) The sustainability of the Ryanair model, International Journal of Transport Management Vol.2, pp. 89-98 Boru, B. 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