Paper Critique Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Paper Critique - Assignment Example The authors of the report could have presented research questions in a simpler and straightforward way (Sparks & Browning, 2010). Literature Review The authors of the report have been able to gather sufficient resources and data for elaborating on the existing problem. Regarding the issue of online complaints and analysing online narratives and stories, the authors have been able to provide adequate models and theories for managers and staff. However, fewer sources are present, which discuss causes of complaints and how complaints can be categorised as beneficial or harmful for the hotel reputation. Core activities are defined as those which are the central services of the hotel, such as their food quality, cleanness, and all services on time and other administrative issues. On the other hand, peripheral activities are defined as those which are not the central services but have a major impact on customer experience, such as staff behaviour and communication skills of waiters, manage rs and other personnel. It can be said that these are two major aspects that form the basis of customer behaviour and probability of their future visits. However, the report does not place much focus on these aspects and sources used for its identification (Sparks & Browning, 2010). The report links closely to public behaviour and management style, which requires current surveys and reports. However, this report has taken into account several old sources which findings can be doubted with regard to the current scenarios. The report was published in 2010, and it used sources of 1997 and 1998 to describe the online mode of complaints and factors that stimulate the negative attitude of customers. Hence, it can be said that those sources are more than 10 years old, and there are certain possibilities of their non-applicability with the new trends in hospitality and customer behaviour (Sparks & Browning, 2010). The Narrative Analysis Model of Labov and Waletzky (1967) is another key conc ept of the report. It illustrates how the stories of customers can help in determining the loopholes in their current services and how they can be improved (Sparks & Browning, 2010). Methodology The report has used a qualitative approach in the study of customer complaints. The justification is that this methodology is given to analyse not only the quantity of companies but also the nature and driving forces of these complaints. The report has used the compliant data from the Trip Advisor site to take into account the experience of the maximum number of customers visiting different hotels. One fact of the data selection is that it has taken complaint samples from 2002-2007. Although this provides a sufficient range of data to be analysed, it also augments chances of reviewing complaint causes, which are no more related to the current services and activities in hotels. Another lacking in the data collection method is that the report has used secondary sources for obtaining complaints of customers. Several research works define that the scenario depicted in the secondary sources often manipulates or exaggerates the actual scenario. People’s views on the Internet are likely to be influenced after reading others’ views and that can lead to false or less accurate results about the ongoing practices (Laub, Sampson, &

Application of Criminological Theory Case Study

Application of Criminological Theory - Case Study Example On my part, I would have opted to expel Robert immediately. However, my background in criminology prevents me from doing so. Theories of criminology are like lenses of different shades, sizes, and colors. They allow professionals and practitioners to look at an issue with a wider perspective. This is what I am obliged to do. I will consult the different applicable theories, compare and contrast their approaches, and finally I will state my decision in this hypothetical situation. In many ways, some of these theories contradict each other. Sometimes, they complement each other. Nevertheless, these should be thoroughly studied so that growth in knowledge can be attained. And, it is true: criminology can really be applied to many situations; it is not just a course for would be police officers or Crime Scene Investigation people. Strain is the pressure on disadvantaged minority groups and the lower urban populous to take advantage of any effective available means to income and success that they can find even if these means are illegal (Akers, 2000, in Collins, n.d.). With this theory, perhaps, Robert's disadvantaged origins game him a social stigma. Perhaps, I should look whether this student he beat up had previous mischief done to Robert, Robert just kept quiet, and he retaliated because he does not trust his teachers. But this is insufficient in itself. After all, this is just a hypothesis, and I must verify this later. Classical School of Criminology The classical school simply states that criminal behavior arises from the animal side of us. Humans are rational, but they usually act with their self-interest in mind. Consequently, if people are informed of the consequences of certain actions, they will avoid doing it. Thus, the concept of deterrence arises from the Classical School. Deterrence means a crime can be avoided by making sure that people are aware that punishment for a certain crime is so severe that doing it is not really worth it. (The Classical School, 1998). Perhaps, Robert is not really aware of the consequences of such anti-social behavior. If so, I will consider emphasizing to the students the consequences of such behavior. My would-be initial reaction would not be a far-fetched choice after-all. If this theory were to be followed, the school must punish Robert so severely so that no other student, privileged or not, will ever consider doing such behavior in the future. Also, in such event, I will review whether the disciplinary system is outdated and ineffective. I will form a committee to draft a new set of disciplinary rules, if such conclusions are also reached in an investigation. William Sheldon: Body Shapes Simply put, certain features of the body are determinants of criminal behavior. In particular, criminals usually have big, athletic, or overweight bodies. However, this theory is put in doubt. Some theories say that instead of Sheldon's somatype, it should be body mass index. (Maddan, S., Walker, J., and Miller, J., 2008) But this theory is not applicable since Robert is not really that huge or overweight or athletic. He is just an average guy, if you do not know

Personal Finance Concepts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Personal Finance Concepts - Essay Example With respect to an individual's financial security, this implicates the need to intelligently plan one's investments and retirement plan, not only to secure a good life for the future, but also to ensure safety from unprecedented economic crisis and financial problems. As an individual seeking to secure a retirement plan, investing in a house, gold, and retirement insurance such as Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) will be top priorities. After careful consideration of the market, these three products present the most profitable and secure values, which are crucial factors that must be considered in making an investment. First, a person's home is perhaps his most important investment. Not only does it provide an important use at present, but, given proper maintenance, ownership of a house and lot can reap high returns. Depending on the location of a house and the possible development plans in that community for the future, home values can appreciate up to 100% in a span of ten years. Furthermore, it is also a valuable asset, which could be mortgaged in times when large sums of money are needed. In addition, given its high appreciation values, houses can also be very useful for retirement, which could be sold in order to pay for membership in a comfortable retirement house in the future, or rented to earn a sizeable monthly income despite retirement. A second investment of importance are pension plans such as IRAs and 401(k)s. These pension plans, which acts like savings accounts, allows individuals to save money form their salaries before taxes and deposit them into a fund, which through the years could grow into a sizeable sum. Its importance lies in the manner that it is saved. First, since they are automatically deducted from salaries before taxes, it makes sure that a regular amount of money will be saved every month, eliminating the chance for individuals to skip payments. Furthermore, it decreases one's gross salary, decreasing income tax, which gives individuals a higher disposable income if analyzed properly. Thus, it is an efficient investment for retirement. Lastly, another investment, which is of importance, is gold. Unlike other investments, gold provides the most stable, hence safe, investment for retirement even in times of economic crisis and financial instability. On the average, its value has been increasing throughout the years. Thus, it is no question why it has endured as a viable form for keeping wealth in centuries. Another reason why gold is an important form of investment for a retirement plan is its negative correlation with the US dollar (van Eeden, 2000). There has been numerous forecasts regarding the weakening of the dollar in the coming yeas, thus, gold provides individuals with a greater sense of security. Furthermore, owning gold allows one to diversify his domestic portfolio and diversify the risks present in his other investments. Thus, gold is an important investment for retirement because it allows individuals to diversify his portfolio, hence, shielding it from the risks that could be brought about by a deeply integrated world economy, ensuring that one's retirement plan is secure. A house, an untaxed investment, and gold are three important components of a retirement plan because they are relatively stable, diverse, and could still be used in the present during hard times in mortgages and loans giving them value

Ford Corporation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ford Corporation - Essay Example On the other hand, strategic management deals with identification and description of the strategies that mangers carry out to attain better performance and a competitive advantage for their corporation. A corporation is recognized to have a competitive advantage if its profitability is larger than average profitability for all corporations in its industry. That being said, this paper focuses on Ford Motor Corporation in terms of business policy and strategic management since the year 2006. Throughout the account of Ford Motor Corporation, inclusion has been the key part of the corporation’s success as exceptional products. Ford is a leader inclusion and diversity, and both remain chief Ford business strategies. Ford is recognized to sustain diversity at all ranks of the company, from the boardroom to design studio level, form plant levels to the engineering bodies. The corporation diversity makes Ford be a better corporation, a stronger organization, by bringing in new ideas, perspectives, life responsibilities, and experiences, and also by fostering a genuine collaborative workplace. Ford Motor Corporation sells and offers purchase financing all around the world. Ford had generally made a determination to exploit on potential economies of scale attainable from its size, until in the early 2008 when CEO Alan Mullay revealed One Ford turnaround strategy. The strategy involved the Global Product Development system; a process of sharing designs and improvement worldwide and between markets, with the objective of creating global process more effective. Advancing world has grown wealthier, and higher energy prices have globally gone up for better fuel economy (Crumm, & Thomas 231). Ford strategy anticipated developing less automobile models that can be sold worldwide with few changes: coined world cars. Ford’s plan was to develop more world cars with the aim of making a similar vehicle proving in all of its market across the globe. Despite declining go vernment bailout, Ford came out stronger, and as lean as its bankrupt competitors. Ford’s chief advantage was that the corporation was able to take the benefit of the lenient economic and political climate meant for bankrupt US automakers such as GM and Chrysler (Brown, & Williams 119). Ford took this benefit while it was functioning under neither condition (government influence and bankrupt). As an outcome, the corporation was able to divest non-core brands, slash capacity, reserve treasured tax assets, renegotiate healthcare, and cut debt. All this items were simpler to do with US government and United Auto Workers more compliant to reserve the company rather than dealing with another bankrupt auto builder (Hiraide, & Chakraborty 53). Coming out of the TARP era, Ford Motor Company distorted itself into an intense and highly levered bet on the retrieval of US light vehicles. Ford Motor Company anticipated that the US automobiles will not be the gas-guzzling vehicles that wer e manufactured by auto builders such as Hummer for GM. Ford placed itself to take on impending government of up surging MPG and market desire for smaller cars (â€Å"2002 Ford Thunderbird world debut†). However, other international brands, particularly Honda and Toyota Company had a head start as they did not agonies the structural disaster that the other Big Three Auto companies experienced in the past

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) & Male Circumcision, is it a social Research Paper - 1

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) & Male Circumcision, is it a social custom or a religious practice - Research Paper Example legally mandated to ensure that all citizens enjoy their rights and happiness, without prejudice or favor because of social, racial, or religious orientation. Male circumcision and female genital mutilation are issues that have raised intense debate on whether they should be treated as religious or social custom practices. However, in view of the historical practices of both male circumcision and female genital mutilation, the practice should be regarded as social but not as religious issue. In addition, United States should not allow these practices among young boys and girls. Researchers have established that female genital mutilation and male circumcision affect the anatomy of the external reproductive organs of both sexes, which ultimately leads to alteration of sensation during sexual intercourse (Toubia, 1993, p31). These findings have been applied for a long time in different societies to achieve different social objectives, including suppression of sexual feelings. According to Dally(1991, p37), female genital mutilation has been in existence for over 4000 years ago and between 80 to 100 million women have undergone the rite in different parts of the world. There are different reasons that proponents of female genital mutilation use to justify the practice. These include the argument that it is a tradition that is prescribed by the religion (Porter, et al 1986, p 652). Moreover Toubia (1993, p62), argues that female genital mutilation is one of the many practices surrounded by myths and beliefs. Unfortunately, these myths and beliefs have been used for so long to justify the perpetuation of the practice in the society. Toubia (1993, p68) notes that in societies where female genital mutilation is prevalent, uncircumcised women do not get marriage partners because such women are perceived to contain several shortcomings. In most societies that practice the vice, uncircumcised women are considered unfaithful to their husbands once they get

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Marketing - Essay Example On the contrary, it was one of the private hospitals in the locality. The puzzle lies behind how they obtain their data in order to support their advertisement. This is in consideration of the fact that the economy is not doing well currently and that sales representatives can be very aggressive at times promising what they cannot deliver. I made an order for a customized procedure tray for catheterizations where one company claimed they could supply a similar pack for a considerable savings. The purchasing department was behind this persuasive decision even though more was involved. In case one could pick on a firm that is receptive to their needs in a prompt manner then it might be unwise to merely change for price. Sales agents have modified their strategies. Some use the strategy of ‘wine and dine’ among the physicians and staff with an aim of getting their products to the consumers. However, with the new regulations these strategies can no longer work. In response, the marketers become too aggressive Pauline (Norris, et al., 2004). I happen to have a friend who sells pharmaceutical products since he was compelled to change careers at 45. Besides, both of our boys play football, but on the contrary, instead of sitting down to watch my son play football in his practice, I had to listen to him narrate one of his cardiology products. Even though I could let him get into my hospital to talk to the cardiologists, this was not the right time and place. My realization was that it was not important to him because he was not familiar enough with my health concerns. He was only making an effort to give it a try. This is evidence of the fact a majority of the sales agents in health care use the pushy approach. My experience with the sales representatives is formidable where some claim they would have dropped down considering they had had enough. Nevertheless, I would reason with them on the importance of making an appointment if they were eager to talk to me. This is in consideration of the fact that deadlines are hard to meet given the constant interruptions from the sales agents. Opinion on Whether the Current Marketing Techniques Are Affecting Consumer Trends According to Frankish, Moulton and Diane (2000), marketing techniques have a significant influence on the consumer trends. In my opinion, the internet has a great role in affecting these trends. Consumers might see an advert or a new medication stating that a certain hospital may treat particular conditions better than another. Instead of literally accepting the commercial as simple truth, the consumers have the potential to conduct their research on the internet and seek opinions from their physicians. This is a clear evidence of the data on physicians’ licensure, the extreme effects and speed of success and complications. Consumers have an opportunity to establish their health conditions and determine where they can find the best facility that can treat their diseas es. Let’s have a look at this scenario: My father in-law lived in Virginia. He developed esophageal cancer. He did a research over the internet on the best facilities that had the most experienced and best record with this ailment before settling on the John Hopkins Hospital in Maryland. Thereafter, he relocated to Maryland for some time to obtain treatment and every member of the family took a week off each at a time to look after him.

Geography in the Arab region Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Geography in the Arab region - Essay Example Though contested boundaries and territorial disputes are factors that are not solely typical to Middle East, these factors still assume an immense importance for the region in a strategic context because of the existence of immense petroleum and natural gas resources in this part of the world (Held 1). As per Michael T. Klare, almost 65 percent of the entire world’s unexploited petroleum wealth is located in this region (54). The magnitude of these oil reserves is expected to be approximately 673 billion barrels (Klare 55). So, it is both about money and political clout. Over time, the world is expected to get increasingly dependent on the Middle East oil reserves (Klare 57). As these oil reserves are expected to augment in value over time, many of the powers placed in this region may be tempted to develop hegemony over large tracts of this region through the use of military might (Klare 57). Some of the developed nations may resort to alternate methods to exercise influence o ver this oil wealth by forging alliances with the regional powers, which is readily feasible, considering the existence of multiple non-democratic and authoritarian regimes in the region (Klare 57). The long standing regional rivalries in the region are one more salient factor that has the potential to time and again jeopardize the regional stability. This refers to both Arab-Arab rivalries and the Arab-Israel rivalry. There exists little hope regarding the potential of the outside forces to help the regional enemies negotiate a way out, as most of the important external powers do have economic and strategic interests in the region. The United States tends to have vital economic interests in the region besides having related strategic interests like the survival of Israel and the withholding of regional energy reserves from the other competitive powers (Kemp & Harkavy 7).