What are Competitive Advantages in Global Economy?

Nike Shoe Company

Nike inclusive is a company that basically indulges in the designing, developing and international marketing of quality apparel, equipment, footwear, and accessory products. The company started trading actively in sportswear back in the year 1999. The footwear is precisely designed and manufactured for athletic use. A large portion of Nike’s products is however used for leisure and casual purposes. Nike inclusive operates it own subsidiaries for manufacturing and the distribution of sports apparel. The main competitors of this company are Adidas, Reebok among others.

Describe the market structure within which the company operates and the pricing strategies adopted by the company

Nike operates in a very competitive industry. Competition is often very stiff as many companies contend for sales. A lot of finances are spent for marketing and promoting the products by competing firms through various channels in a bid to communicate to the target consumers who channel their money to purchasing the firm’s products. Over the years, there has been decline in the growth of sport shoe industry although new markets are up-and-coming with high growth levels. For example the corporate merchandise market and extreme sports market. The demand in sport shoe industry has a seasonal trend and this escalates the rivalry even more, (Porter, 1985).

The pricing strategies adopted by the company

The selling price adopted by a company for its products directly affects the profitability and eventually the viability of the company. This area usually receives a lot of attention from Nike’s management. To ensure the viability of the company products in the market and rise above its competitors, Nike uses the following pricing strategies, (Thompson, and Strickland, 2001).

Setting rather than managing prices; The brand manager adopts a reactive approach in making pricing decisions rather than a proactive approach. This means that the setting of prices at Nike inclusive depends on the prices adopted by competitors and the sales figures that Nike has.

Avoidance of customer value when pricing; It is not always accurate to predict the value that a customer has towards a given product. It is also not possible to quantify the value that the products give to customers. For this reason, Nike avoids the use of customer value when making pricing decisions. Although consumers may not buy a product whose price is higher than the satisfaction derived from the product , they will at all times purchase a product that has a price lower than its perceived satisfaction. By avoiding this approach, Nike keeps off under pricing its products in order to maintain the brand equity and customer loyalty, (Porter, 1985).

Establishing customer value for products; the brand managers at Nike inclusive rigorously engage in attempts to know the value that customers have for their brands. This is undertaken by carrying out detailed interviews with the customers on Nike’s brands. The company is hence able to gain a better understanding of the customer. The precise information obtained is used by brand managers to establish a basis for the pricing decisions in the company. Such information is reliable in developing an effective pricing strategy that is proactive, ( McGahan, 2004).

Describe the company products, strategic assets and distinctive capabilities of the company

Nike is an integrated company that solely focuses in the shoe industry. It comes up with designs, makes and markets sport shoes, clothing, and equipment as well as accessory goods. Nike is dedicated to restoring the environment, increasing value for its business partners, shareholders, and, customers, and securing intergenerational quality of life as expressed through its mission statement. (Grant, 2005).

Currently, the company trades its products to approximately 20,000 retailers in US and in about 110 other countries worlds wide. Almost all of the company’s products are manufactured by independent contractors. The company realizes between $8.8 billion and $9.6 billion in revenue annually. The shoes designed by Nike are particularly meant for athletic purposes but most of the users prefer to have them for leisure or casual purposes. Besides athletic wear, Nike also sells sports equipment like sport balls, casual wear for children, men and women branded Cole Haan. This is a subsidiary of Nike. Other plastic products are sold by Nike to manufacturers through another of the company’s subsidiaries by the name Nike IHM, Inc.

The major competitors of Nike inclusive are Adidas, Reebok among others. Nike has been closely monitoring changes in the economy. There has been a movement from use of standardized goods to niche commodities. In line with this as part of its corporate strategy, Nike has chosen to be flexible with the market trends. This is the main source of its success competitive advantage. In addition, to rise above its competitors the company has highly differentiated its products. Specifically, Nike started off as an athletic shoe company but today, its product line is inclusive of equipment, clothing, and accessories.

The Company is a market leader when it comes to pioneering novel products. For instance, the latest release is the Shox Line. This is a sport shoe designed to augment an athlete’s capacity to run and jump. A lot of research was done on this product and the highest level of technology used. The products of Nike are classic and trendy, the designs are simple not to mention fashionable. Nike has highly invested in mass production, creative, exceptional adverts and product promotions, (Hunger, J. and Wheelen, 2003).

This company has priceless physical assets and state of the art distribution amenities. To maintain contact with customers, Nike has contracted Hewlett-Packard for the supply of software, hardware and consulting services to host project named Nike Supply Chain,0 (NSE ). This is to help come up with a supply chain that is consumer driven and an outline for decision-making and for providing a competitive advantage that is sustainable. As a result Nike will be able to respond to the dynamic conditions, improve product quality and reduce investment risks, (McGahan, 2.004)

Besides, Nike has valuable human capital. The workers are motivated and are from an athletic background. The company as well has a solid balance sheet and strong financial position. The most significant source of sustainable competitive advantage is the indescribable assets like corporate brand and organizational culture. Even a blind man can talk of the adverts, promotions and corporate events. There is a well established research and development department to ensure new innovative and creative products.

Developing Strategies in the changing Global Economy

Nike is keen on the changing global economy and has been seeking competitive advantage over its rivals. Several changes have taken place in the shoe industry and this has been greatly beneficial to the industry. These changes are; (Hunger, and Wheelen, 2003).

• Rapid growth in footwear production
• Manufacturers today must have flexible designs and high output
• There is a massive increase in shoe designs increasing competition and volatility in the market
• High innovation and quality designs are a must for success.
• Producers have to be protective of their information and manufacturing technology.

One of the main reasons for the success in seeking competitive advantage in the changing global economy is flexibility. Nike has at all times remained flexible in the changing market by subcontracting to international countries that have low cost of labor, (Grant, 2005). Secondly, Nike highly focuses on differentiating of its products. Rather than dealing in one line of a product, the company has diversified and differentiated the products it offers to the market. For instance, Nike started out as an athletic shoe but today, it produces and sells a variety of products ranging from equipment, clothing all the way to even offering accessories. This differentiation has enabled Nike too successfully;

· Obtain and gain loyalty from buyers on its brand.

· Register an increase in sales.

· Command a fine price for all the company products.

How to Improve our Writing Skills?

Writing skills are very essential in student education especially in secondary schools. This is due to the fact that this group of students is creating a basis of their writing skills which they will use later on in life. This is one of the parts that teachers in secondary schools put emphasis on. In most cases writing skills is part of English grammar lessons that are taught in secondary schools. The subject is normally compulsory such that all students get to sharpen their skills in writing.

It is understood that writing skills form the core basis of the other subjects. This is because most of the subjects if not all have their exams answered in written form. The other subjects therefore borrow a lot from writing skills. Students who have poor writing skills can actually end up failing their exams in all the subjects because they are not in a position to communicate effectively. This paper is dealing with aspects of students writing skills in secondary school, the essence of writing skills among other factors.

The objectives of this paper are quite diverse in nature. One of the major objectives is to find out the different aspects of students writing skills in secondary school. It also aims at elaborating on the essence of writing skills to these students. Part of the paper clearly shows the level of students’ development of their writing skills. The general development of the students writing skills is also an aspect that is dealt with in this case. Methods of students development is also part and parcel of the objectives of this paper.

Different theories have been invented that are highly related to student learning. All these theories acknowledge that there are various factors that affect a student’s learning. They include their spoken language among other factors.

There are various aspects of student writing skills in secondary schools. They include students having the ability to spell all the words that they write correctly. This is part of the basic principles in writing skills in secondary schools. There is also the other aspect of the use of punctuation marks appropriately when wring essays and compositions. This has to be carried out in a logical fashion. Usually students in secondary schools are required to write sentences that are coherent in nature.

Another requirement in secondary schools language lessons is that students have to clearly and easily recognize the various parts of speech in a written document. Many students are prone to make many spelling mistakes when they are in secondary schools. These mistakes in most cases are caused by the inability to generally differentiate between a noun and a verb.

For instance, students can easily fail to differentiate the word makeup and make up. Students in secondary schools are prone to common mistakes. They include words like it’s and its, you’re and your among others. This is due to ignorance on the students’ part and sometimes they are just not keen in class when the teacher is teaching. There is much use of slang language and this greatly affects their written skills. An example of other words that students easily confuse include they’re, their and there. This is not very encouraging fact considering that secondary students are expected to know these simple facts. Teachers in secondary schools have the responsibility of ensuring that students master these simple principles and aspects in their writing.

The essence of writing skills is that they are highly used in the students’ lives later on. This is when they are even no longer students. The essence of writing skills is to have a generation that is well equipped in their written communication. Writing skills are quite essential because they are the core of communication in this twenty first century. Many students go to school with the aim of getting jobs later in life. When seeking for employment they need to write cover letters, and curriculum vitae. When one lacks the correct writing skills, he or she can miss or rather be denied the job opportunity.

Proper writing skills make communication to be very effective. This is the twenty first era and there are many communications made in chat rooms and through the emails. Without proper writing skills, an individual can be mistaken or misunderstood. It is also very clear that without proper writing skills, students will not be in a position of passing their examinations which are great determinants to their future life.

Communication is part and parcel of life. That is the main reason as to why students in secondary schools have to be taught writing skills. As the students pursue higher education, they tend to specialize in different sectors or professions they are no-longer taught the basics like writing skills. These skills are important because students in the long run will have to work with others and therefore need proper communication skills in writing. The information technology also requires skilful writing to be used.

Writing skills taught in secondary schools enable students to compete with other students all over the world on the same level. Secondary students in most cases have various competitions that they engage in with their peers all over the world. These competitions include writing essays concerning various matters of concern in the contemporary world. This includes essays on poverty alleviation and globalization.

When students develop their writings, they go through different levels. It is quite important that students go through all he levels of development in relation to their writing skills. This enables them to be quite all round and to have in depth knowledge in relation to writing skills.

The first level of students’ development of their writing skills is in relation to speech or the spoken language. It is known that the spoken has great influence to the written. That is why students are required to speak correct language in order to excel in the written. It is a requirement that students in secondary schools speak correct language and those who do not adhere to the rule are normally subject to punishment.

In the academic writing in secondary schools, there are different levels of development. As a good writer, one has to think of the main purpose as to why they are writing. It is also very essential to think about the reader and the expectations. This normally helps in knowing the level of formality of the written script. The written work can range from being extremely informal to extremely formal.

Students are expected that by the time they are joining secondary schools, they already have the basic knowledge of writing informal papers or documents. Examples of documents that require informality include personal letters, reminder document and diary. On the other hand formal documents include examination papers, cover letters, curriculum vitae and also other legal documents like a land title deed.

Students in secondary schools have to develop their writing skills both in line with formal and informal writing. Students can write personal reflections and journals in an informal manner. The formal style of writing is however highly emphasized compared to the informal. Formal scripts also include essays which evaluate, argue or even inform about an issue.

When writing various analysis and explanations about a case study and also reports from research, the formal writing is used. This is due to the fact that most of the papers and written work in secondary schools has to be carried out in a very formal manner. This is a very core requirement of the education curriculum.

Development of students writing skills in secondary schools is very essential. In most cases students are expected o fully develop their formal writing skills. In formal writing, secondary students have to develop and know essential matters. They include the student focusing on the issue and not beating around the bush.

It is highly expected that students research and evaluate a topic before writing their work. In this case the objective of writing has to be kept in mind. The work has to be quite impersonal in nature in order to be more convincing to the reader or teacher for that matter. It is a requirement that students choose words that have very precise meanings.

In this case secondary school students are required to avoid using words that have vague meaning because they are more colloquial in nature. As students develop their written skills in secondary schools, they are expected to avoid using abbreviations, clichés, and jargon and also slang language. It is also very important that as students develop their writing skills they avoid having definite claims but rather have them in tentative pose.

There are various methods of development of students writing kills in secondary schools. One other known method is the cooperative method. Cooperative method of learning development has been known to produce positive results. The outcome of using this method in secondary schools is very attractive in nature. In this method, students are generally provided with an environment where they can develop their language, share ideas, have constructive feedback and also develop their vocabulary. This method is highly incorporated in secondary schools. In this case students are put in groups where they have open forums of discussion and developing of their spoken and written language. In this case, cooperative interaction between students is successfully incorporated in all their stages of writing. Before writing a script or paper, students are allowed to brainstorm on ideas and discuss the important issues that need to be written. Students co-work in the whole process.

Students are allowed to share ideas in line with conferring, editing and proofreading their work. Cooperative method allows secondary school students to share and even present their work in the team. Through this, students are in a position to correct each other and also learn from each other. This method gives students the opportunity to get different views of the same topic.

Another method is the multiple intelligences (MI). In this method students are guided to have both interpersonal and intrapersonal connections that enable them to sharpen their writing skills. This is the integration of much intelligence. Intrapersonal connections involve the connections that are personal based. Interpersonal connections on the other hand are more of students interacting cooperatively. In this case there is performance of skits, drawing illustrations and generally use graphic organizers to facilitate learning.

The following hypotheses are used in the research concerning development of writing skills in secondary schools;

• Students in secondary schools are taught extensive writing skills
• There are different methods of development of students’ writing skills
• Students in secondary schools go through different levels of development of writing skills
• There are various aspects of students’ writing skills in secondary schools

Writing skills are quite essential to secondary school students. This is due to the fact that they form the basis of the other subjects taught in school. Writing skills are needed in learning mathematics, science and history among other subjects. There are various aspects of writing skills. They include students writing the correct spellings. Other aspects also include using both the past and the present tenses correctly.

Use of the right punctuation marks when writing essays and research papers is also very essential aspect of writing. Students go through different levels of developing their writing skills. This ranges from acquaintance to familiarity of the writing skills. They also get to learn more about formal and informal writing and the issues associated with the two during these levels. Developing of student’s writing skills when they are in secondary school is very essential. These skills are normally used later in life in different avenues. There are different methods of developing students’ writing skills in secondary schools. They include the cooperative method and multiple intelligences. All these factors well incorporated result in excellence in written languages in secondary schools.

Affirmative Actions lead to the facets of controversies!

Introduction

For many years, there has been controversy regarding affirmative action in America. Even today, affirmative action still creates intense debate in the public domain. Some proponents of affirmative action point out to the representative importance which affirmative action as brought about, while others note the conflict created by affirmative action in of limited resources such as job opportunities that have to be competed by different groups. As Helms (2003) clearly observes, proponents of affirmative action see it as an acid test of America’s commitment to upholding racial and social justice, while the opponents of affirmative action view it as deplorable contravention of equally opportunity principles. To further explore these varying viewpoints different studies have been carried out by various scholars to try and explain the issue or find some clarity. This research paper is going to examine a number of past empirical studies carried out on the subject of affirmation action. The paper will proceed along this course: Affirmative action will be defined for the purpose of academic clarity, different findings from previous studies will be discussed in length, and research methods used in his finding will be highlighted. In addition, various theories or hypothesis will be underscored and finally, a conclusion will be given to sum up the paper.

Affirmative action

The phrase affirmative action elicits various meanings, some of them are; campaign to widen the grouping of suitable people to include in special groups; compensatory education aimed at upgrading the grades of these special groups; time lines to assess progress of uplifting /upgrading these groups; actual quotas given to these groups or preferential treatment. Affirmative action came up as a result of legislations, executive decrees, and court orders or even planned action by major companies.

Including discussion of the authors’ findings

To have a good understanding of affirmative action, it is worthwhile that we take a detailed review on some of previous studies carried out by different authors regarding varying aspects and impacts and outcomes of affirmative action.

Creating equality

Affirmative action remains important in creating equality, as citizens of one nation, it is important that equality should be cultivated. (Helm, 2003) The best equality is economic equality. Thus, it follows that each individual has a morally obligation to make the society a better place to live in. Many feel that the only solution is affirmative action. Ultimately if affirmative action is not taken, there will be group in the society with an increased proportion of jobless, poorly educated people and socially unequal. The question asked is: should affirmative action then be used to try and balance these inequalities? To many the answer is yes as it beings equality in the society. This viewpoint is supported by a study carried out by Helms (2003) which found out that, the number of blacks in managerial positions have doubled when affirmative action was introduced, at the same time the number of blacks in the police force also have highly increased basically due to affirmative action program. (Helms, 2003) Thus affirmative action remains a way of improving the status of those who are not privileged (Helm, 2003).

Affirmative action is Inefficient

Tyler, (2004) in his study to establish how effective affirmative was particularly in setting of employment quotas; Established that, many people who do not support affirmative action see the affirmative action program as not effective and should be down away with. They add that the only effective way of hiring workers in a company is through qualification and the only effective way of admitting students to colleges is through merit. This is what should be used instead of resorting to affirmative action which is ineffective (Tyler, 2004). However, the participants who support affirmative action program argued that, affirmative action was aimed in helping those who were persecuted in the past. Tyler (2004) concluded that in the real sense such programs are known to harm the very people who are supposed to benefit from the program. For example, many American will refuse to visit a black under the assumption that the doctor was admitted to college and to the current position he has through affirmative action or through “special preferences” (Tyler, 2004). This is also being observed in other professional and it is hurting the minorities who are supposed to be benefiting from the same action. The unfortunate part is that even those professional who have qualified without benefiting from affirmative action also are shunned because of the stereotype that has been created by the affirmative action. (Tyler, 2004)

Affirmative action is unjust

In a study carried out by Gryphon (2005) to find out if affirmative action brings justice or not, he revealed that, when an individual is denied employment or an admission to enter college because of affirmative action program, then the affirmative program can be termed as unfair. This somehow becomes unclear, since it is not clear what should then be considered as being just. The system remains indeed with unsolved issue of what is fair to be done. In fact different people supporting different sides will give different arguments. For, Gryphon (2005) affirmative action is not fair since it appears to replace professional or academic qualifications with racial inclinations. Others see it as unfair since it judges the qualification of an applicant on the basis of belonging to certain group instead of looking at the credentials of the individual. Many participants in this study of Gryphon (2005) alleged that, affirmative action is a new way of discrimination, and any form of discrimination that is based of any attribute such as race or gender, by definition is not fair and should not be practiced.

Research methods

The previous studies this paper as reviewed were carried out using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. In a number studies researchers as well included secondary research methods where previous findings were incorporated. In qualitative research, the methods used to get information were through interviewing and through questionnaires, which were designed to get specific information from the respondents regarding specific information on affirmative action.

Hypotheses and theories

In carrying out their studies, different researchers used formulated different hypotheses to guide their studies. For example Nacoste (1985) formulated the following hypothesis; affirmative action enhances inclusion and diversity in tackling common societal discrimination. In another study carried out by Tyler (2004) who sought to know the effects of affirmative action on the society. He formulated the hypothesis that affirmative is good for the society and it is ethical to practices. To further expound this point we shall examine some and theories.

Affirmative action is ethical

Tyler (2004) states that, it is inaccurate and misleading to claim that affirmative action is unethical and that it only cares for the people on the basis of race or that affirmative action embraces selection of persons who are not well qualified. Affirmative action does not encourage this and it is just the wrong interpretation. Yet, race is simply one aspect that affirmative action is taking care of. Tyler, (2004) adds that, affirmative action remains ethical and fair because the program plays an important role in assisting to dismantle the unjust system of racial disadvantage that unfortunately is still present in the United States even today. (Tyler, 2004)

Affirmative action create equality

Many others argue that affirmative action is creates equality in the society. Proponents of affirmative action feel that affirmative action will create some equality in the society and balance by crafting means where the minorities can also benefit. As Helms (2003) points out, the common good comprises basically in making sure that the social systems, social policies, and the environment as a whole in which we live should be used to benefit all. Those as members of one society it will be unjust one group to prosper while another groups remains behind. For the purpose of common good it is therefore important that the community resources be made in way that they can also benefit those who are minorities.

Conclusion

Affirmative action remains controversial and will continue to draw different arguments depending on which side one. Different studies have been carried out on affirmative action, and different authors have made different conclusion. To some Affirmative action is just another way of discrimination that should not be allowed to happen in America as one can not correct a wrong with another wrong. To those who support affirmative action view the program as the only way of correcting and uplifting those who were left behind economical and social. Thus, it remains to be said that the issue of affirmative action will continue to be debatable depending on which view point one is taking.

What is a market research proposal report?

Introduction

Market research is important exercise that should be carried out in order to determine the opinions of consumers. It is vital for a company, an organization or a business to carry out market research to prevent it from incurring any loses that might send it out of business. The information gathered when carrying out this exercise will not only benefit a business, but it will also ensure that consumers’ needs are met. (Cannon, 1986)

The airline industry has not been fully exploited by business people. There is still a gap in the industry that has not been utilized well. The industry gives transport services for freight and also passengers. Businesses within the industry aim at making it very interesting to woo customers to desire to use services provided by the industry. The study of the industry reveals that there are political, economic, socio-cultural and legal factors that affect it. The Pest analysis should be used to analyze the environment in which the industry operates in. This simple analysis involves understanding the industry’s political, economic, social, and technological environment with references to the various companies within the industry. (Massingham, et al. 1988)

Political factors have a direct and indirect effect on the performance of the various companies within the airline industry. There are some decisions which have been made by the federal government of the United Kingdom which has really had a negative effect on the performance of the industry. For instance, in 2001, the federal government brought legal suits and made decisions to minimize the production and marketing of high performance to countries believed to be a threat to the security of U.K. This move impacted negatively to the general operations of companies within the industry. (Michael, 1985)

The industry has also been affected by economic factors. These include: Currency exchange rate, interest rate policy, consumer factors, and fiscal policy rates. The industry has to adhere to the fluctuations in the market depending with how a consumer perceives the offered products. In the times of economic recession, less people use air transport because of the low affordability of this kind of transport. Hence the industry has continually suffered for lack of customers. Therefore, the industry makes minimal profits because of the few customers it is able to acquire at such times. (Jan, 2002)

The market has also been affected by social factors. Forces within the society such as media, family and friends have affected the operations of companies within the industry. The media has played a role in influencing customers to believe that the services offered by the industry are of high quality. Social factors have affected the opinions, interests, and attitudes of the industry’s potential customers. The industry’s success can be greatly attributed to social factors. (Scholes, 1993)

Technological factors have also played a role in affecting the industry’s performance. The internet for example has assisted the industry to extend its global out reach. Most of the marketing mix strategies which the airline has used have kept in touch with changing technology and modernization in the ever changing world. E-commerce and Radio Frequency identification-RF ID are some of the modern technological aspects embraced by the industry. The industry has tried to always keep abreast with technology. The modern technology present in the industry has given it a competitive edge over other related industries. The technology has also greatly increased the effectiveness of the services offered by the industry. (Schlesinger, 1991)

Some of the services that can be introduced in to the industry include postal services. Here, letters and mails will be transported via planes to where they are needed. This enhances the speed of postal services in the world as a whole. The targeted customers will include rich business people who need to deliver mail to business people based in other parts of the world urgently. The cost of this service will be a bit higher than the ordinary postal services. This is why this service is going to target the well to do people in the society. (Rampton, 2003)

The other targeted group will consist of schools and colleges that need to send important documents in far away places within a short time. This service will improve o the level of interactions between institutions of learning. Finally, this service will also be designed to target researchers in the society. In the case of urgent messages needing to be delivered to laboratories that are distant from a researcher, this service will come in handy. These three targeted consumers are expected to make maximum use of this service as there are no alternatives at the moment. (Michael, 1985)

The demographic study of a potential customer is very important as it determines the market strategies that one is going to use to win them over. The business people have increased in number since the Entrepreneurship culture started to take root. The number of men in this group is higher than that of the women. Generally, business people like sealing business deals with the right people even if they are based far away from them. Hence, this service will ensure that this happens within a very short time. Similarly, business people understand the essence of speed when carrying out business operations. Therefore, it is with no doubt that this service will be of benefit to them. (Hilltop, 1994)

Schools and colleges need to interact with other academic institutions in other parts of the world if the quality of education is not to be compromised. Students, who need to send their transcripts to Colleges based far away from them, can do so urgently knowing that their documents are secure. The postal service is going to increase the level of security involved when sending parcels or mails to other parts of the world. Researchers prefer sending laboratory materials using methods that are safe and secure. Research materials and specimens are usually very delicate and they need safe mode of transportation. (Rampton, 2003)

Conclusion

The introduction of such services in the industry will solve a lot of problems that had been present in the industry. These services would cover many destinations and therefore they would be in a position to serve a wide scope of customers. The Postal services would have incorporated updated information technology. Since the industry is highly reputable of having qualified personnel who have integrity are friendly and intelligent, such services would attract a large number of customers. (Cannon, 1986)