Strategy, analysis, & Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Strategy, analysis, & - Assignment Example The RBV view would encompass the VRIN analysis. Value Chain Analysis The value chain of the company is segregated into primary and supporting activities. Primary Activity The primary activities of the King’s College Hospital are to provide specialist and general health care services to the patients. The value chain analysis is important to lay down the business level strategies. The core activities of the hospital are providing medical treatment and emergency services to the admitted and regular patients. Inbound and Outbound Logistics The hospital works closely with various reputed companies for the supply of medical devices, supplements, medicines, injections, gloves and various other medical requirements (King’s College Hospital, 2013a). iSoft is responsible for the supply and delivery of advanced computer systems. Pregnacare is responsible for supplying medical requirements to the maternity department and Teleflex, Macmillan Cancer support is accountable for the tim ely supply of the medical devices and requirements to the various departments of the hospital (King’s College Hospital, 2013a). Operations The operational activities in King’s College Hospital include the hiring of the appropriate medical staff, establishing health guidelines within the hospital and maintenance of the staff along with patient records (King’s College Hospital, 2013b). Marketing and Sales King’s College Hospital is one of the most reputed and oldest hospitals in North and East London (King’s College Hospital, 2013c). The hospital hardly believes in aggressive promotion. However, print and social media service is used in promoting the latest technology or latest health service offering. Services Apart from providing regular and specialist health care services, the hospital also offers blood collection services, training to medical students, awareness program about various disease and several other health related services. Supporting A ctivity Support activities involve support assistance that is required for the primary activities. Procurement The hospital works closely with other organizations of repute like, Venture, BT, Cerner, 3M and other miscellaneous companies for the procurement of the medical devices and other requirements (King’s College Hospital, 2013d). It procures information technology and other communications services from BT, hardware and software services from Cerner and resorts to Liftec for acquiring elevator devices. Technology development The hospital is highly dependent on technology for performing its medical operations and surgery. Technology like, neurological image scaling and scanning system are highly used for the liver transplantation and cancer units (King’s College Hospital, 2013c). Human Resource Management King’s College Hospital has a qualified medical staff which comprises of educated doctors and nurses. The efficiency and the repute of the hospital are tota lly dependent on the skills of the medical staff and

Global warming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Global warming - Essay Example I disagree with this opinion because I believe global warming is happening due to man’s behavior towards the environment. As such, humanity should be concerned. In October 2012, the British newspaper Daily Mail printed an article claiming that global warming had ended in 1996 and a pause had taken place. This was based on some data from the Britain’s Meteorological Office or MET. Supposedly, the temperature of the Earth from 1997 to the present has not risen significantly enough to cause an alarm. Moreover, the report alleges that the Earth’s â€Å"temperature had been stable or declining for about 40 years.† (Rose) Ironically, the author ends his piece by saying that global warming does exist but it is not happening as fast as other people believe. Global warming continues to happen at present, and it is still the most crucial problem the humanity is facing. In the recent report presented in Doha Talks, it was stated that global emissions of carbon dioxid e which is one of the main reason of global warming was at a record high in 2011 and were likely to take a similar jump in 2012. It can therefore be concluded from this data that although some countries are setting limits and precautions, these measures are still failing and as carbon dioxide emissions continues to happen, global warming also continues to get worse. ... in 2007 in the United Nations, it was said that the sea ice is declining much faster than had been predicted and even some scientists think ‘the Arctic Ocean could be largely free of summer ice as soon as 2020†. (Doha Talks) This phenomenon can be attributed to the rapid increase in temperature in the region. Although this can be related to the natural ocean cycle, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report in November 2011 predicting that global warming will cause more dangerous and â€Å"unprecedented extreme weather† in the future. It is in my opinion that global warming has not stopped since the last Ice Age. Global warming is a current occurrence and factors like climate change and CO2 emissions prove this. Environmental scientist David Keith shares that the Earth is â€Å"a lot warmer that it was since... the ice ages 10,000 years ago.† (Lamb) Man contributed a lot to this warming by filling the environment with polluted air. As ma n became more civilized, he created things that have, eventually, caused harm to the planet. In a recent study about the impact of Asian carbon aerosols on the United States, researchers discovered that the amount of air pollution Asian countries make overshadows the amount of greenhouse gases reduced in the United States. Therefore, even if Americans are able to clean up their air some, Asians manage to make it dirty again. In Beijing, China, for example, around 27 million tons of coal was used in 2010. (Park and Min) It can be drawn out from this that as long as human activities that cause global warming to worsen, it would continuously gets worse as well. Undeniably, not all countries and not every citizen are working to resolve this issue. It is a fact that humans are still negligent at some point in

Critically evaluate the role played by Victim Support in assisting Essay

Critically evaluate the role played by Victim Support in assisting victims of crime and advocating for reforms on their behalf. And Critically evaluate the cont - Essay Example Other wise they loose the confidence in organized world and faith in other human beings which is dangerous to the society. Hence it calls for immediate measures for crime management and victim support services (Van Dijk, 1996). However, the successful crime management requires thorough study of nature of crime and causes of the same and nature of victimization (Joutsen, 1997). Hence this necessitates the reforms in the criminal law provisions and judiciary and also establishment of victim support organizations for providing services and assistance to genuine victims of crime (Groenhuijsen, 1998). This is made possible by victim support services, European court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe. Victim support1 is a service available to citizens of England for helping themselves in minimizing the effects of crime. There has been a remarkable increase in incidents of crime in different forms in the European society. It is indeed difficult to solve these crime related problems for any person at his individual level with out any external support. Hence there is a strong necessity of some supporting charity or institution that aids the people subjected to crime. Its main objective is to reduce the negative effects of the crime and to manage the crime related after effects in most efficient manner. The role of Victim Support is highly appreciable in this direction. Moreover, Victim Support also promotes and advances the rights of victims and witnesses. Victim support also maintains the confidentiality and privacy of the victims of crime and hence it is liked by all the sections of the people. It is also committed to the service of minority and disadvantaged groups subjected to crime on priority basis. Hence here is a need to critically evaluate its role in assisting victims and advocating reforms on their behalf. Victim Support assists the victims to deal with their experience in most efficient manner. It also

Engineering - Steel Report Lab Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Engineering - Steel - Lab Report Example According to Degarmo and Black (2003, p.56), reinforced bars with high ductility and tensile strength are often preferred because they allow the materials to be rolled, drawn or made longer without breakage. Generally the tensile strength of reinforcing steel can be measured by dividing the cross sectional area of the steel tested by the stress exerted on the material. The amount of stretching force (N) needed to break the test material can then be measured and recorded. Experimental Procedure The tensile testing experiment involved calculating mechanical properties of three specimen samples of reinforcing steel bars which were designated as N12, R12 and RW11.9. Some of the main mechanical properties that were tested include yield stress, modulus of elasticity, elongation, tensile strength, ductility and reserve length. Specimen N12 was a hot rolled deformed bar that was derived from a microalloy TEMCORE material. Generally such steel alloys are made by adding expensive alloys such a s Silicon, Carbon, Manganese and Vanadium to the steel. As compared to the other steel samples that were used in the experiment, the surface of hot rolled deformed bar was rough and more imperfect. On the other hand, specimen R12 was a hot rolled plain round bar which was made from a mild steel material. Although the presence of carbon significantly lowered the ductility of the alloy, it was stronger and had more resistance to breakage (Pavlina and Tyne, 2008, p.216). Another important physical property of specimen R12 was that it was quite malleable and the surface was more polished. Lastly, specimen RW11.9 was cold robbed riled wire which was also made from middle steel material. The surface was relatively smoother and malleable but the specimen was easier to bend than specimenR12. In terms of the geometry of the specimens, N12 had a diameter of 12mm, length of 500mm and a cross sectional area of 255mm2 . Specimen R12 was also 12mm in diameter, 500mm in length and had a cross sect ional area of 113.1m2 . RW11.9 was 11.9mm in length, 12mm in diameter and the cross sectional area was 111.3mm2. The testing equipment that was used in the experiment included an Instron universal Machine and a clip on extensometer Epsilion model 3543 10 inch gauge length. The model of Instron universal machine that was used300LX, SATEC Series, and the equipment had a large frame with a single test space which allows easy and safe loading and unloading of specimens for testing. Additionally the single print design of the Machine significantly reduced the floor space requirement and enhanced its use for testing high capacity tension, flex as well as shear of the specimens. Figure1. Instron Universal Machine model 300LX Designed by Epsilon technology, the Epsilion model 3543, 10 inch gauge length used in the experiment was uniquely designed to help in the testing of long samples such as wire materials, steel reinforcing bars and weld joints. During the testing, the upper part of the e xtensometer is expected to pull out of the main body to deliver high accuracy and the equipment is only calibrated to measure displacement and loading using tension units only. Finally, the optional gauge length spacers of the extensomet

Administrative law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Administrative law - Essay Example isability act it is deemed statutory that individuals with such incapacitation be assisted and financed to enhance their ability to attain their potential with sustainable resources. Barry was therefore, referred to the social department of Gloucestershire council on 15 September which adequately assessed her needs and made arrangements to provide her with the services (Aden Chambers, 2010). As assessed he was to be supported with home care support for shopping, pension, laundry and cleaning services and provision of meals on wheals 4 days a week. She used to receive routine visits from the department officials where nearly after some time her needs were re assessed and identified to be the same. However, on 29 September 2004 after the review she received communication from the department stating a drop on some key services offered by the local authority citing lack of sufficient funding from the central Government (Diamond 2009, P, 345). This solidly initiated the need for legal red ress to enable provision of entire services by the department. The case was heard and determined by judges as analysed below (Aden Chambers 2010). In his outset assertion based on legal provisions of the land, Judge Lloyd categorically stated that the local department had a statutory duty of providing disadvantaged individuals with necessary life essentials (Pumwar and Peloquin, 2011, p. 63). Although he ruled that the local council had no power to regulate percentage resources allocated by the central Government, he noted that local authority had an obligatory duty to discharge and that their resource constraints had no bearing. He state that once the assessment and amicable agreement was done the department in whatever state should have not reneged from providing the services to Barger (Kaldor, 2003, p.56). He stated in his ruling â€Å"The defendant’s actions were unlawful for the reason that on the sole basis of having exhausted available resources, withdrawn services previously

Training Roles & Respo Essay Example for Free

Training Roles Respo Essay Assignment 1: Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships of effective trainers| The purpose of this assignment is to help you to provide evidence to satisfy the following outcomes and assessment criteria. LO 1. Understand own role and responsibilities in lifelong learningP 1.1 Summarise key aspects of legislation, regulatory requirements and codes of practice relating to own role and responsibilitiesP 1.2 Explain own responsibilities for equality and valuing diversityP 1.3 Explain own role and responsibilities in lifelong learningP 1.4 Explain own role and responsibilities in identifying and meeting the needs of learnersLO 2. Understand the relationships between teachers and other professionals in lifelong learningP 2.1 Explain the boundaries between the teaching role and other professional rolesP 2.2 Describe points of referral to meet the needs of learnersP 2.3 Summarise own responsibilities in relation to other professionals 3. Understand own responsibility for maintaining a safe and supportive learning environmentP 3.1 Explain own responsibilities in maintaining a safe and supportive learning environmentP 3.2 Explain ways to promote appropriate behaviour and respect for others| ScenarioYou have been asked by your supervisor to prepare an important part of the handbook for new teachers in your department. Your tasks are to outline the roles, responsibilities and relationships of teachers teaching your subject.| Task 1: Prepare a list of legislation, regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to your role and responsibilities with the key aspects of each summarised. (P1.1)Task 2: Explain what equality and diversity mean, along with examples of your responsibilities towards meeting them. (P1.2)Task 3: Explain the roles and responsibilities of a teacher in the Lifelong Learning Sector and provide your job description and curriculum vitae.(P1.3)Task 4: Create a list of needs which your students might have. An explanation of how you will identify and meet these needs, based on your roles and responsibilities as a teacher.(P1.4)| Task 5: Compile a list of boundaries that a teacher might encounter. An explanation of what these boundaries are and how they relate to the teaching role and other professionals.(P2.1)Task 6: Make a list of potential needs of students. A description of relevant points of referral and support systems available such as people, agencies, organisations, websites etc. (P2.2)Task 7: List the teaching responsibilities and summarise these responsibilities in relation to other professionals.(P2.3)| Task 8: Explain your own responsibilities towards maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. Use your job description, relevant organisation policies and procedures to support your answer. Cross reference this to Roles, responsibilities and relationships in lifelong learning 1.1 and 1.4.(P3.1)Task 9: Explanation of ways to promote appropriate behaviour and respect for others.(P3.2)| Sources of information: Use the notes provide, your own research, job description, rules and regulations of your institute and national and international legislations, rules and regulations.| This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose.

Customer loyalty programmes in the retail sector

Customer loyalty programmes in the retail sector The retailing is all around us. It permeates our lives. It is very obvious to buy products and services from their shop, their websites and their catalogue. There are plenty of procedures in which customers are attracted to buy from a certain store, one of which is the customer loyalty programme offered by them. The major reason for selecting this topic as my research subject is to gain an in-depth knowledge over it and resolve the questions rose on the topic customer loyalty programme. The approach to this dissertation will be to resolve the below questions. How does customer loyalty programme influence the retail sector What are the advantages of customer loyalty programme to the customers and retailers What are the measures that should be taken when implementing these programmes? How does these customer loyalty programmes affects the culture of retail chains and influence customers. The customer loyalty programmes are a concept adopted by the retail chains to attract their customer and retain them. These programmes are offered to provide customers with benefits over their purchase. Thus by the end of this research it would enable me to understand the benefits of the customer loyalty programme offered by the retail chains to their customers. The subject marketing communication has been a great interest to me, which cultivated a desire to opt my research into a topic of it. As we know that retail industry is at boom and the retail marketing strategy is a great concern for the retailers, I have opted for this area for my research which would enhance my knowledge on the subject. Review of Literature The nature of the customers does not possess an interest for loyalty. The only reason they purchase from a certain store is to satisfy their own needs. The style and presentation for the product and services from a business creates a response of customer loyalty. The only reason behind any purchase from any store is because the consumers desire to buy it. There is no compulsion to persistent purchase from any business. The consumer purchases are made from a certain store because they have a connection with them through offers made by products and services that appeal them. Consumers are self serving. Their main intention is to transact with a business that delivers them their desired needs. Consumer does not possess the characteristic of loyalty, it is the response from consumer to action to business, they are not inherently loyal or disloyal. The question should not be among the entire customer who is more loyal or why we dont possess much loyal customer. The question should be what are the ways in which we can retain our customers. The issue of customer loyalty is centred to business, not to the customers. Customer loyalty programme is the answer today as it has been in the past and will be in the future. This make the customer loyal and these loyal customers are easier to business with, are more predictable, and dont carry the expense associated with attracting new customers. Creating loyal customer by these programmes is considered as an answer to all the worries of retailer. A loyal customer has been an open option for any business to trade with. These customer loyalty programmes are at the common site for every consumer looking to satisfy its need. These programmes can be seen as Loyalty card holder schemes, Pay as you go scheme, buy now pay later schemes, etc. we can easily see all such programmes in any kind of retail store be it food, grocery, electronics, clothing, etc. Loyalty programmes have become an increasingly common part of retailers marketing strategies. Eventually, it was not uncommon for any business with an interest in a loyalty proposition to make an attempt at establishing its own variation. Following the financial crisis hundreds of stores ranging from corner shops to large department stores were forced to close their doors. But successful loyalty marketing allowed some companies to thrive and even expand. It can be noticed that the global competition in consumer market is rapidly getting intense and retailers and marketers are striving for the new strategies to maintain the interest and loyalty of their customers. Hence the associated marketing has grown in popularity since the past decades and the execution of associated marketing is slowly increasing (Noble/Philips 2004, P. 290). Presently retailers understood that satisfy and retain the customers with the usage of relationship building activity is one among the most potential form if sustainable competitive advantage. Though customer loyalty cannot be counted as the direct reason for profitability, various studies have found that profits for each year has been continually grown through custmners trust over the company and their continued purchases for every year (Meffert 2008, p.160; Noble/Philips 2004, p.290; Reinartz/Kumar 2000,p. 28) As merchant loyalty offerings began appearing in unprecedented numbers, loyalty programmes associated with just one retailer was no longer the rule. Consumption patterns have changed and consumers are becoming more frugal and discretionary in their spending. Major loyalty programme issuers know that customers are demanding increased flexibility and a wider variety of rewards. In a bid to survive many businesses experimented with cross-marketing; it is not uncommon to find ceramic ornaments offered through a hair salon loyalty card, or discounted health tests redeemable through a video rental chains membership programme. For many companies, the cross marketing of services is especially appealing as it removed the hassle of holding inventory for merchandise giveaways. A few years ago, the author of the Loyalty Paradox Report (Evans, 1999, P.4) criticised existing loyalty programmes for being mechanical, hard sell promotion, which overlooked the reason for repeat customers-emotions and trust, habit and inertia and communication and service. There is a danger that customers will be loyal to the programme itself rather than to the programme sponsor. It is clearly not sufficient to be an effective promoter of the economic benefits of loyalty programme participation. There is a need to offer consumer socio-cultural benefits, to provide the feel good factor that is missing from the shopping experience of other retailers (Burch, 2007). Burch also argues that it is the main reason why supermarkets are so keen to be perceived as a health promoting agency, a family friendly firm, and a household problem solver. As the manager of a Safeway (UK) store explained some years ago; Our success can be put down to our regard for our moral as well as our legal responsibilities (Cumming, 1994, P.5). For this reason, analysing the subtle mobilisation of consumer loyalty towards supermarket as an institution is as important as understanding the hard sell of loyalty programme activities and the negotiated supply chain partnerships. It is as both guide and guardian that supermarkets actively promote and regulate the social practices that underpin consumption behaviour. Contribution to Knowledge/Originality: The attractiveness of relationship marketing has progressively developed from the past few decades. To satisfy and retain the customer through relationship building is seen as the most sustainable competitive advantage adopted by the retailers. Though the customer loyalty cards are popular in the retail industry, many programmes of customer loyalty are almost transposable, with lack of attractiveness and differentiation. Thus it is essential to acknowledge the elements of customer satisfaction that relates to these programmes. Hence aiming towards the satisfaction of customers relates to understand and anticipate what consumer need from the loyalty programme. It is very common in retail to use the card based programs for loyalty enrichment strategy. These card based programmes issues special coded cards or special card that can be scan readable, those can be used at the checkout holding an objective to increase consumer tendency. Consumer gains few benefits on these loyalty card like reduction in price, percentage, gift pack service, own area for parking, etc. (Naslund 2002, p. 322). Loyalty cards are a common practice to offer in European retailing, after growing with 25 to 30 percent each year since 1990s. In some of the markets this card based programme has achived its saturation stage but in few it is still new process growing at a steady pace (Ziliani/Bellini 2004, p. 283f). Loyalty card Programs are the most admired relationship building activity in Australia. However, many loyalty card programme are almost transposable and customers dont use them (Hoffman/NaB 2007, p.6). There are numerous reasons why customers do not desire to bond in relation with retailer. Usually consumers dont sense the benefit those retailers offer are satisfactory or of no importance to them (Noble/Philips 2004, p. 300). In addition to this there is a lack of charm and delineation (Tomczak 2008, p. 325) Thus to offer suitable benefits to the customer, it is essential to understand the factors of customer satisfaction with the loyalty card programme. Focussing on the satisfaction of customer means to understand and anticipate what consumer desire from the loyalty program, through which a positive response is generate and posses the aptitude to astonish the consumer. The reason to opt for this study is to examine various attributes and recognise the major influential facto on consumer satisfaction. Methodology of Research The study will be based on the qualitative and quantitative approach. The primary source of data collection will be done by the questionnaire because it is said to be the least expensive procedure for the research (Trochim, 2002). The research forces me to investigate different retail chains that offers customer loyalty programmes to benefit the customer. Investigating on those retail stores will give me an elaborated idea over the benefits and drawbacks shared by the retailer and the customer through those loyalty programmes. The data collection sources will through book, journals, periodicals, news papers, articles, magazines, etc. The research will not limit itself with only reference of books and journal but as well extend its reach to gain the ideologies of the marketing experts and professionals working in the retail sector. The customer loyalty programme plays a vital role in enhancing a retail stores image by offering them benefits. Thus the focus of this research study will be on analysing the customers perception over these programmes and how does they view these loyalty programme. My main focus for the research will be to gain an overview towards the retail store, stating how these loyalty programs had benefited it. The qualitative approach will derive the perception of the respondents by using the tools as interviews and observation as this method believes in the opulence of data (Naslund 2002). Furthermore qualitative approach generates fresh idea and latest theory (McKenzie 2006). The conduction of interviews will be held to gain the views from the professionals working in retail industry and the marketing experts. The data collection will be done mainly through this area; Interviewing the professional working in the retail Industry Interviewing the managers working in the retail chains (sportsdirect.com, Marks Spencer, ASDA, TESCO, etc.) Discussing the subject with the professors of marketing Subject overview through collection of detailed data from books, journal, web sources, newspaper articles, etc. Observing and evaluating the previous research of different students on the topic and gathering information The analysing of data and information will be done through the following tools Diagrammatic Graphical presentations Flow Charts Anticipated Outcome The below are the anticipated outcomes of the study; The result of this study can be generalised to reflect the attitudes, perception and practices of a proportion of customers in the retail sector (UK) The research study will result in enhancing the knowledge on the customer loyalty programmes issued by retailers This research study will benefit the reader in describing the advantages and difficulties by customer loyalty programmes shared by both retailers and customers. The dissertation will state the different type of customer loyalty programme adopted by various retail chains and their experiences on its success or failure. The research will be deliver the literature contributed by various authors on the subject. The study will confine itself with few UK retail chains so that it does not exceed its limited completion period. Targeted deadlines TIME ITEM ACTIVITIES 21th Jan -26th Jan 2011 Investigation and assortment of data 1. Conduction of review of literature 2. Evaluate the obtained data. 30th Jan 2011 1st meeting 1. Extracting suggestions through discussing topic and how to go ahead with it. 2. Discuss the source for conduction of interviews 7th Feb 22st Feb 2011 Research Questioners 1. Design the questionnaires for research 2. Connecting it to the needed outcome of research 25th Feb 2011 2nd meeting 1. Confer about the task achieved and accomplishing task 2. Consult on the ultimate interview questionnaire 3. Identifying the targeted interviewers 27th Feb3th March 2011 Conduction of interview 1. Interviews initiation 2. Collecting the performance data of organisations 13th March 2011 3rd meeting 1. Evaluation and analysing data during interviews 2. dissertation structure discussion 13th March-21th March 2011 Dissertation Structure 1. Align thesis formation 2. Forecast the gathered data consequently. 24nd March 2011 4th meeting 1. Obtaining the supervisors ideas in writing the thesis 2. Proceeding sequentially as guided 3rd April 2011 5th meeting 1. Asking supervisors evaluation on the first draft 11th April 2011 6th meeting 1. Complete the final draft of the thesis Gantts Chart Time Table Activity Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Research Introductin Literature Review Research Methodoly Questionnaires Field work (Interveiw) Data Analysis conclusion Recommendation 1st Draft / 2nd Draft Submission of Dissertatin Ethical Issues The basic aim of writing this proposal was to gain an overview of the subject and head towards the research study. The proposal was completed with an aim of gaining knowledge and was done by thorough honesty. The quest for knowledge over the topic had enforced me to opt this subject and obtain the desired knowledge. Through the end of dissertations I will equip myself with complete details of the subject and enlighten my area of interest. The endeavour made to complete this thesis will benefit me and bright my IQ over the subject, so this work of dissertation will be done with total truthfulness and integrity. The approach to stay away from plagiarism would be to ensure the research with the software for plagiarism provided by the university called as TURNITIN. Additional software will be used as an added precaution to check the plagiarism with software called as VIPER accessible from internet. These measures are taken to be sure that the research conducted is not copied or plagiaris ed work. There would be proper referencing made in Harvard style to state any of the content that is adopted in the research. I would attend regular meeting held by my supervisor to get approval for my work and make the necessary amendments prescribed by my guiding professor.